Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2023 14:43:00 +0700 From: Andrew Passey Subject: Shipperton Rules Part Five (Young Friends) At the hearing of "Nicholas..." Nick Hurley felt his heart racing a million miles an hour. The tension was killing him as he looked over at Nick Cook and shared an anxious look. One of them was safe, one of them would be picked. The world seemed to slow down to a crawl as they both waited for the surname to be said aloud, it was like things were moving in slow motion. Nick could hear his heart beating, he thought it sounded so loud surely everyone in the room could hear it. He felt like all eyes were on him as he waited for the announcement that would change the life of whichever Nick it was. Then Mr Hodgkins put him out of his misery, or maybe just started it. ".....Hurley." "Yes!" Shouted Christian and the room was filled with a bubble of excitement as the remaining boys realised they were safe. Ken's heart leaped with relief but then fell at the thought of his best friend being picked. He looked over to Nick to see him looking stunned, a dead look in his eyes. As if he thought it was all a bad dream which unfortunately wasn't the case. Jeremy sighed to himself as he looked over at Nick. He could see the confusion and hurt in his eyes. He was relieved Ken hadn't been chosen but Nick was a close second on who he wouldn't want to be selected. It wasn't fair that he was chosen given what he'd gone through in his life but there wasn't anything that could be done. The rules were the rules. "Okay so Nick Jackson, Matt Robinson, Patrick Bennett, Joshua Atkins and Nick Hurley, please come up here," Jeremy said and watched the five boys walk up to him. Some very reluctantly like the two Nick's, while Matt was still smiling. At least someone got what they wanted Jeremy thought. "Okay boys, so please meet your five representatives! Treat them with respect and remember any breaking of the rules will be dealt with harshly." Nick Hurley stood there glumly, feeling like his life was over. Representatives was such a neutral term for what was going to happen to him.. But he reconciled himself to keeping everything crossed that the boys on his cohort list wouldn't use him. Maybe he'd be lucky? Hopefully there would be some friendly faces on. But Nick was reminded by what Dean had said. Just because someone is a friend doesn't mean they won't use you. What was it Harry said? That actually maybe it's better to have a friend as they'll be gentle? Either way everything inside Nick's head was screaming FUCK! This was all a massive massive headfuck. Actually probably soon to be arsefuck. Nick tried to ignore those thoughts running through his head and focus on what Jeremy was saying. "So, in one weeks time the representatives' service will start for a period of three years. Cohort lists will be published on Wednesday so expect your letter that day. Remember, your representative is there if needed but you don't have to use them at all if you don't want to. It certainly isn't compulsory. Follow the rules, be nice to them and remember that transgressions will be severely punished. The rules are the rules and they are there to protect everyone involved. Now, that brings us to the end of this selection ceremony and...yes Christian?" Jeremy said, wondering why he had his hand raised. He didn't like Christian. He'd heard rumours he was a bully and an arrogant little shit. It was strange really, his parents were the nicest people you could meet and it just showed that it isn't always about your upbringing. Nick had switched off but instantly went alert when he heard Christian's name mentioned. He looked over to see Christian with his hand raised, smirking at him. "Thanks Mr Shipperton. I'd like to apply to be Nick's Primus!" He said smugly. Everything had fallen into place and now he was making his move and putting his plan into action. Nick looked at him in confusion and looking around he could see almost every other boy did although he thought he heard one or two gasps followed by muttering which then swept through the assembled boys. Jeremy couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. In his preparation for today he'd never expected that to be brought up. How did Christian even know about it? It hadn't been used for years. He instantly felt annoyed that he was going to have to step in and put Christian in his place. "I'm sorry Christian," he said, not sounding particularly apologetic."Your request is rejected as that rule no longer applies." "Oh has it been struck off Mr Shipperton? Because I checked with my Dad and he said while it was frowned upon it was still valid," He said innocently smiling sweetly at Jeremy which annoyed him even more. Christian wasn't lying, he had asked his dad but in a very subtle "I'm worried someone might apply to be my Primus if I'm chosen," as opposed to a "I'm going to use it to my advantage" "Well technically yes but it hasn't been used for over a generation, since before I was even born. It's a relic from the distant past." Chrstian kept smiling with an innocent look on his face as he pushed it even more, "So what you're saying Mr Shipperton is that you were mistaken, the rule is indeed valid and I can apply to be Nick's Primus?" Nick literally had no idea what was going on and could tell that despite the mutterings barely anyone else did. He could tell from Jeremy's reaction that he was far from happy with this turn of events though and that worried him. If Jeremy wasn't happy then it could only mean it was something bad for Nick and Jeremy definitely wasn't happy. That was an understatement. Jeremy was absolutely seething. How fucking dare that arrogant bully try and use the rules against Nick. Jeremy felt like it was a personal attack on him. On his inability to get old rules removed. The rule book was so vast that there were lots of anachronistic sections that no one paid any attention to. How the hell did Christian work all this out and how the hell was Jeremy going to stop it? He knew Christian was right, the rule was still valid and so he needed to buy time. "It's not something for discussion today. I need to discuss it with the council about removing it from the rule book. So let's draw a line under it until that has happened." "But the rule book says the application for Primus is only valid if it is made immediately after the selection and announcement of the representatives. Which is now is it not? Delaying until the council has discussed it would invalidate my application. So as per the rules I wish to formally apply to be Nicholas Hurley's Primus. This is what I want to do, the rules allow it and so I guess that's all agreed." Nick felt the panic rising inside him. He still had no idea what was going on but he knew it was nothing good. He just hoped Jeremy would shut it all down. In reality Jeremy wanted nothing more than to do this but he realised his hands were tied. He'd just have to hope to talk Christian out of it or delay it somehow. "Not so fast Christian," he said. "It's not a first come first served scenario. Yes you've made it clear you wish to apply but other boys can also put their names forward. Nick then chooses who he wants and he has until next week to decide. But I would again strongly urge you to withdraw your application." Christian shrugged, "As you said, the rules are the rules. I have no intention of withdrawing my application. So if another boy applies then Nick can choose them or me. If no one does then I get confirmed as his Primus. Can't see any other boys volunteering so I guess that's settled." Jeremy realised the situation was spinning out of control. Christian wasn't backing down. He'd obviously read the rules fairly closely and knew the ins and out of the process. Despite it being the last thing he wanted Jeremy couldn't think of a way out of this for Nick. He looked over at Nick and could see the panic and fear in his eyes. Not only had he been selected as a representative but it was now becoming clear to him that Christian had been plotting this from the start. "Nothing is settled yet!" Jeremy said desperately . "Mr Hodgkins, please can you pass me the rule book, I want to check we are following the correct procedure and process here ." Jeremy knew the rule book backwards but he hoped this would buy him some time to work out if there was any way out of this for Nick. The clock was ticking though and he could only delay for so long, already the other boys were getting restless. Jeremy was handed the book and opened it at the Primus section, desperately reading it just in case there was a loophole he'd forgotten... Nick watched Jeremy reading the rule book carefully and slowly as his heart started to beat faster and faster. He was definitely starting to panic, He had no idea what Christian was applying for but knew it could be nothing good. "I think we'd all like this resolved now so we can all head home Mr Shipperton. You might not like it but as you said the rules are the rules and we're following them. Clearly no one else is applying so defacto that means I am Nick's Primus." Jeremy closed the book and realised he was out of time. Fucking Christian Palmer. "Defacto". What an arrogant little shit using those words against him. He wanted to bollock him in front of everyone but realised he'd been outplayed. The room went deathly quiet as he prepared to confirm Christian's application. Then the silence was broken, "I'll apply to be Nick's Primus!" Ken said loudly. Nick heard Mr Shipperton sigh loudly and shake his head in disappointment. Nick had decided he'd had enough. "Um, what the hell is a Primus and why are boys applying to be it for me?!" Jeremy turned to look at Nick "It means first in Latin. The Primus gets to become your first user and means they definitely appear in your cohort. There are more details in the rule book and I'll give you an overview once the decision is made. Okay, everyone apart from Nick, Christian and Ken can leave and go home." There was distinct disappointment that they were missing the drama but the other boys started to file out the room. Nick still had limited knowledge of what was going on and it didn't help that once the room cleared Jeremy simply said in a resigned tone, "Nicholas Hurley, Kenneth Shipperton and Christian Palmer have both applied to be your Primus. You have one week to make a decision on who you wish to choose." Jeremy was hoping Nick would take this as what he intended his statement to be, permission to delay things as long as possible so Jeremy could raise it with the council. Nick though had other ideas. He shrugged, "I still don't really know what that means but I'll choose Ken obviously." "You don't have to decide just yet, take your time. You have until next Saturday." "I don't need time! I don't need to wait until Saturday. I don't need to wait one more minute. choose Ken!" Nick said firmly, completely oblivious to the hints Jeremy was giving him. Jeremy realised the die was cast and there was nothing else that could be done for good or ill. "Then it's decided. Kenneth Shipperton becomes the Primus of Nicholas Hurley. Please record that sentence formally Mr Hodgkins and have both boys sign their names after it." Mr Hodgkins did as instructed and both boys signed their names. Nick was still unclear exactly what he was signing up for as was Ken who had only put his name forward to prevent Christian getting what he wanted. Ken assumed it was just something they could ignore and pretend to follow while not actually doing so. Whatever that exactly was. Christian fumed to himself and couldn't hide that he was really pissed off. Everything had worked out exactly as he hoped and then at the last minute it was taken away from him. He cursed that he hadn't thought about someone else applying. Still, he wasn't going to go down with out a fight, "This is wrong! Ken can't be trusted! Ken is Nick's best friend! It's just all talk and they won't follow the rules around being Primus. As a result his application should be rejected!" Jeremy's patience with Christian had long gone. "I can assure you Mr Palmer that the boys will stick to the rules as outlined. You have my word on that." "You can't prove that! I should be appointed the Primus. I'll follow the rules, they won't! This is a set up!" Jeremy had reached breaking point , "Enough Christian!, he thundered. "A set up? Neither of them had heard of the Primus rule until you brought it up a few minutes ago. It hasn't been used for a generation. There's no set up here. There may be questions to answer about why and how you thought you could use the rule but Ken and Nick are totally oblivious. Don't forget your place and who you are talking to!! Who runs the Council?! Who enforces the rules?!" "You do Mr Shipperton," Christian replied, realising that he'd overplayed his hand. "Yes I do. Do not forget that. I enforce the rules whoever is involved and I will do so on this and every other occasion unless you want to suggest I will turn a blind eye. If so then feel free to bring a complaint against me and present your evidence." "No, no not at all, sorry Sir," Christian said meekly but then shot Nick a look of daggers and just mouthed "This isn't over." He then left the room muttering under his breath leaving Nick Ken and Jeremy alone Not for the first time in the last half an hour Jeremy sighed, "Ken, I know you think you've helped Nick out here but I wish you had stayed silent and let me sort this all out at the council meeting this week. Or Nick you could have delayed your decision like I was strongly suggesting. Now you've agreed to this, my hands are tied." "But isn't it in the rules, what Christian was proposing?" Ken asked. "Yes but I could have tried to change them. The Primus is an anachronism from a bygone era. It should have been removed years ago, it's just not been used for so long it's almost been forgotten about. So I could have removed it and made it null and void. Now I can't without being seen to favour you." "What usually happens when you try to remove old rules?" Nick asked. Jeremy sighed yet again , "Well..it does tends to get voted down....there are a lot of traditionalists who think it's easier to keep things the way they are." "So actually I did the right thing!" Ken said, smiling broadly. "It might seem that way but it comes with a price for both of you, particularly Nick." "In what way?" Nick asked, his heart sinking. "There was a good chance that the cohort you would end up with might have never wanted to have sex with you. We don't really know what goes on amongst you boys but definitely some boys end up with barely anyone using them as far as we know. So money for nothing really. However Ken being your Primus changes things and there's nothing I can do to prevent it. The rules say he has to be the first person to have sex with you." "Yes but I don't intend to use it! Nick is my best friend!" Ken said, still smiling at Nick. "That's a nice thought Ken but as I continually have to say, the rules are the rules. It's clear that being Nick's Primus means you have to be the first person to have sex with him." Ken shrugged, not totally upset by the prospect of a one time fuck of his best friend. Only because he had to of course, nothing more than that. A one off that they'd hopefully laugh about afterwards, ""Well I guess we can try and work within the rules. Even if we did have to do it then that is just a one time thing. Am sure neither of us would be happy about it but as a one off we'd manage." Nick wasn't sure about that. He didn't want to be fucked by anyone and it being his best friend would be even more embarrassing. But then again a one time fuck by Ken rather than it being Christian was better than it could have been. Jeremy shook his head. "You're not listening to what I'm saying. The Primus isn't just about the first time ever. You have to be the first every day that Nick might end up being requested for sex by another boy. Basically Nick, you will need to let Ken have sex with you daily. Those are the rules and there's no getting out of them." "What?!?" Nick and Ken both said at the same time. "If you don't use the Primus privilege before the first service day ends or if you don't do it every day after that then it reverts to Christian. So Ken, while you might be patting yourself on the back for helping Nick and in the short term you did at least prevent Christian getting what he wanted, you haven't helped as much as you think." "I can't fuck my best friend every day!" Ken protested, his smile now definitely gone. "That's what you signed up for." "But how would anyone know??" "You would know. Both of you. I love you both and I trust you won't let me down and you'll both follow the rules. As I said before, the rules are the rules and I have to enforce them no matter who is involved. So Nick, I'll send more information over from the rule book about being Primus and obviously I'll do the same for you Ken so you'll both be aware of your responsibilities. I don't like it, I don't agree with it but now you've signed up for it there's nothing I can do. Please don't let me down and ignore the rules. Now I have to start work on the paperwork this has all caused. Ken are you coming home with me?" "Yeah in a minute, just need a quick chat with Nick." He said. Ken watched his dad leave the room. Once he was alone Ken looked at Nick and burst into tears, "I'm so so sorry!" he said tearfully "I thought I was helping but I've made things a hundred times worse!" "No you haven't," Nick protested. "If you hadn't done this I'd have to be...fucked...by Christian every day." "But you're my best friend. I don't want anything to affect that. And how can't it? How can you be friends with me after what I have to do!!" Nick took his hand and squeezed it, "Look I knew what I was potentially getting into when I signed up for this.." "Yeah but you didn't have much choice, none of us do." "I know and I'm pissed off. It's not fair! But it is what it is .I guess if anyone had to do it to me I'd want to be you. Just...be nice and gentle." Nick couldn't believe he was having to say these words and his face was red with embarrassment. But who was he kidding? If talking about it was embarrassing enough to him how much worse would the actual doing it be? "I'd never do anything to hurt you! And you know I'll um....I don't really know what I'm doing but I'll try and make it feel good for you too, you know, like maybe ...um....help you out. I dunno, it's a fucking head fuck. Look I better go...see you tomorrow or at school on Monday. I'd understand if you need a bit of time to yourself...." Ken then turned and walked slowly out the village hall with Nick following him out, thinking about how his life as he knew it was over.