[Auction House] Here We Go Again

[Shayna]

Winter 21 513

The cubicle was just as small as she remembered, the natural light from Syna the only light that illuminated the stalls. For that is what they were, stalls each complete with an eyelet and chain, straw filled the corner to give whoever happened to be occupying them someplace warm to curl up on. Not because they cared much for the slaves' comfort, but they did care about the well being. If a slave caught a cold on their watch they would have to pay for the expenses to treat said cold so that the slave could be sold.

Shayna was one of those slaves in the cubicle once more, the thin chain connecting the manacle around her slender ankle running up to its eyelet. It was standard procedure, Shayna knew this, though it almost offended her that they didn't think she would stay on her own. She had been trained far better then they gave her credit for, though of course she was a return. She didn't know what had happened, just this morning she was given her old dress that Katherine had replaced, and the gardening kit that Katherine had said was hers was also taken from her..and she was taken back to the auction house. That above everything else was what hurt the most, she must have done something to offend Katherine so much that she was returned. Shayna just didn't know what. So she spent the morning back in the shapeless dress that might have been worn by countless other slaves, curled in her cubicle trying to reason out why she was here.

It could have been chimes, or bells -it wasn't days for Syna had never set- before the same slave master came down to gather up the slaves for sale. Shayna waited patiently, though she was itching to get out of these cubicle she did not like confined places at all, until he came to unshackle her. She was a pleasant slave, she didn't fight or kick, most didn't but there were a few new slaves who thought that they shouldn't be down here. They were in cages, sullenly looking out as the train of slaves passed. Shayna didn't bother to look at them, they were poor wretches that hadn't accepted their lot in life yet.

Shayna filed into one of the large open rooms that allowed a lot of lighting. These rooms were the pre-auction rooms, those who wanted to pay without waiting and fighting the bids. Of course they might be over paying but then again they could be getting a steal. Here the prices were set, there were no bidding wars to drive up the prices.

And so Shayna stands again out of the way, beside the wall at the far end. Her black hair was combed, her face scrubbed and even her fingernails cleaned. Unlike the last time she didn't try to hide from undesirable owners, nor did she preen when an owner that she thought she would enjoy working for came in. Instead she simply stood silently.

[Kalesserimamoru]

Mamoru walked the floor of the auction house in silent contemplation. He wasn't using his morphed form this day. It was in a sense, his day off. The Magistrate didn't currently need him and he decided to venture out and look around. He didn't want to have to deal with the many people pestering him about the Magistrate and whatever new problem they had, and being about to change his shape came in at a big advantage.

Long dark hair, slick, coursed down his head and neck. His skin was pale, only tanned enough that he didn't appear ghostly. His eyes were yellow-green, memorizing as it was with all hypnotist. His features were less rough than one might expect of a male Dhani, and he wasn't the biggest amongst their kind either. Still, he wasn't skinny and the Dhani had a well built frame for his size. He was dressed in dark robes, robes that hid the sound of his shoes as he moved across the floor.

Owning slaves was a business in the city and it seemed that everyone of note had at least one. Mamoru looked to become someone of note himself, someone that had say in the city, more say than a simple freeborn would have. He was already putting a plan together to rise above the restrictions they had placed on him, the trickster never had been good at knowing his place in the world. that, or he just refused to except being told what he can and can't do.

He enjoyed making these plans, just as much as he enjoyed making deals. But for the time, while those plans slowly came together, he would lay low and act the part of a nobody. The trickster marched slowly around the pre-auction rooms looking for a purchase. It was said that this was the better place to buy a slave without all the hassle of bidding for them. He imagined that he would do better here, away from all the clutter and hype.

Mamoru continued to walk around eying a potential buy when he happened to cross over to the far side and spotted something of interest. It was the girl that he had met days ago. The slave with the attitude. It seemed that she had been returned, though with her attitude, he wasn't surprised. He smiled as he looked at her, she didn't appear so strong now standing on display with a price over her head. A thought crossed his mind, the girl had met him as the body guard, but she had never seen his normal human form, it was going to be interesting.

He walked over causally, pretending to be wandering as if he was coming for any reason besides to get a closer look at her. He didn't speak at first, instead he looked her over a few times, thinking over what he could use her for, or just pretending to be thinking. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he turned to leave only to stop after a few steps and look back at her. "Girl..What is your name? I assume that you have one. And uh...what exactly are you worth, what can you do?"

[Shayna]

There were people who passed by, but because Shayna did nothing to try and call attention to herself many didn't even seem as if they saw her. Shayna hadn't realized just how much her self worth was tied around her owner's opinion of her, when she had been still on the breeding farm she had been a valuable slave only because she was a quick study. She learned well and fast the first time, the owner of the breeding slaves had known she would sell quickly. But the first owner she had off the breeding farm had cast her back, which was a deafening blow to her psyche.

When another stopped Shayna didn't move. Before she would have stretched to her highest height, to try and appear taller, she would fill out her cheeks to make sure they knew she was healthy. Now she didn't so much as blink, instead she stared downward, her face set in a cold mask. Until he spoke, and his words caused her to raise her eyes to once more show her boldness -having taken a quick glance to ensure he was not Dynasty.

At first she didn't respond, why do the job of the auctioneer and make a sells pitch? However some of her old pride resurfaced and she lifted her chin. "My name is Shayna, if it so pleases." A name was transitioning thing, her former owner hadn't seen a reason to call her something different, though if her new owner found offense with it or was pleased by another she would learn a new name. "I am skilled in gardening, agriculture." She stopped, those were her official skills that most considered useful. There were other skills that she herself considered useful, that sellsmen never spoke about her. "I am very observant. I am smart, I learn quickly, if it pleases my Master."

[Kalesserimamoru]

"Shayna?" he asked, as if he didn't already know. "And ...are you fresh from the farm?" Mamoru already knew the answer to this as well, but he wanted to hear it from her. The girl had been so quick to ask questions before, now she'd get to answer. Reaching out, he pinched her chin and turned her head from left to right. The mark of the family that she used to belong to was gone and was replaced by plain skin.

Still examining her, he moved his thumb across the smooth skin on her right cheek, drawing a line to where he touched her lips. She was a pretty girl, though she looked better without the brand. The facial marking reminded him of the Myrians and how they enjoyed tattooing every part of their body and then placing piercings in afterwards. What strange monkeys they were. He looked the girl over more, noting the gown she wore that screamed dirt in rags.

Mamoru wasn't into fashion, but living in a nest full of women who were high on fashion and styles, he had learned a good outfit when he saw one, and a bad one. "Gardening, and agriculture ? I see, well I suppose that could be useful to some, but where I come from the forest doesn't need tending, it takes care of itself." He smiled as he spoke, he understood what she was getting at, but he knew that was nothing he'd ever need.

"Ah, you're observant, smart, and you learn quickly. Now that's more like it. Sounds like you're the total package, why..I'd even bet you had other skills..things you're good at, hm?" The trickster had already decided that this girl wasn't the normal grunt worker. She was smart enough to learn move, and perhaps even a bit brave to carry on as she did. There was something about rebellion that he liked, the mark of Ionu on his shoulder urging him to step in and mix things up. "I suppose I may be in the market for a slave, but I'm not so sure. What I need is something special..."

[Shayna]

When his fingers capture her chin she does not struggle, instead her neck remains loose as he tilts her face to and fro examining. She was used to this, but there was something about this one that set her teeth on edge. She had never seen him before, of that she was certain, she was good with faces and rarely forgot one. Her green eyes flicker from his eyes, then down as far as they could lower to try and catch what he was doing with his thumb along her cheek. A shiver caused her body to tremble visibly, but her eyes rose to meet his before sliding away on their own. She found herself having to force her eyes to meet his gaze. "No. I am not fresh from the farm, I was raised on a breeding farm. But I spent as season as a garden slave.." She controlled the bitterness at being returned, though she knew not the reason.

When his thumb finished its path along her cheek, and he touched her lips she involuntarily jerked back just a little. She didn't know this man but something about him, his mannerisms, the wording he used, something was familiar and she couldn't pin point what it was. When he mentioned that gardening and agriculture wasn't something he would need where he came from, she felt a mixture of relief but also the same disappointment at just not being good enough. It was an odd blend, that was simply heightened by his next words. He was freeborn, not Dynasty, her rise would be severely curtailed by having a freeborn Master who was so limited. Yet was she likely to gain a Dynasty Master or Mistress if whatever reason that Katherine had disposed of her for got out? Doubtful, she would have to make a reputation as being a good and loyal servant before a Dynasty would likely buy her again.

"I have never been anything other than a garden slave. Running errands, keeping secrets, and simply allowing products to be tested on me is the gambit outside of gardening." Her words became more confident as she spoke, though she still had to physically force herself to meet his gaze. IF he became her Master she would have to start treating him as she would any other Dynasty, but he was not yet her Master. "However, I am still young enough to be able to learn easily new skills. "

[Kalesserimamoru]

The auction house was a new experience all it's own. The last time that he had been inside a place that had people on display, they had been in cages and not nearly in as good a shape. They tortured their prey for fun and sacrificed whoever they wanted to their Goddess Siku. There was no need to clean and cloth them, they were all dead soon enough. There were sounds in the distance, yells and calls of numbers. It must have been the other Auction going on and the bidding war had begun.

This particular house wasn't as busy and from what he could tell, no one else seemed interested in the little flower in front of him. She watched him closely and even pulled away as he touched her lips, as if she expected him to try something unsavory. As far as he knew slaves didn't have rights, so he had to wonder of what liberties did she think he were trying to take? "I'm confused, were you not a good garden slave? Why are you here in this place? " That was the question that had been on his mind every since he first spotted her, and now he expected an answer.

There was fear in this girl's eyes, a level of uncertainty in her demeanor, but through it all she stayed calm and spoke truthfully. He could see himself using someone around his new place. The Dhani was new to this strange place and having someone that was born there to explain the new culture was a benefit that he desired. There was also this girl, and those eyes that continued to glare at him. What had she seen, been through to cause her to look at him in such a way? Was it the mistrust of an outsider, or did she simply believe that she was too good to be a slave for someone like him?

"Well I'd have to say that no matter how old, there is always room for improvement." he cackled to himself, it was an old Dhani joke, though he doubted she'd understand it. He was almost convinced, Mamoru was far more confident in his ability to get what he wanted than having trouble teaching a slave. For him, there was more than a few ways to etch something into a person's mind. And that was what was more important at the moment. The girl's state of mind told a lot about what she could do and if she could be trusted to carry out what he told her too.

For as harsh and cold as the Dynasty may have treated them, they weren't him, and there was only one Kalesserimamoru. Once again he moved closer, ignoring any personal space and pressed his cheek against hers so that his words would only carry to her ear. "Tell me girl, if you knew for certain that no one would find you, would you leave this place and forsake your owner?"

[Shayna]

Other then the first involuntary jerk, that really was something that she didn't have any control over and was merely surprise, Shayna stood very still. Her small body straight, but her fingers curling into the too-loose fabric of the one-size-fits all garments that the auction house provides for slaves being sold. If she had been spectacularly beautiful to the point of being likely sold as a pleasure slave she would have probably not been given that much.

His question of why she was here was a dart to her chest, pricking at her pride and causing her pain. She shook her head, and took a tick to compose herself just so that her voice wouldn't give her away. It was an effort in vain, for when she spoke her voice was just a little less sure, a little less confident.
" I don't know why I am here. I did my jobs the way I was told, when I was told." She didn't add that she did get into trouble, twice from outside sources. One was beyond her control, an innocent statement twisted by another slave to his Mistress' ear and the other was a run in with a freeborn unknown man outside of the Magistrates office. Neither really reflected on her services, at least not that Shayna felt.

Yet before she could muse further he was leaning forward, and down. She stiffened her back only to steady herself, though she didn't move away or in anyway avoid his cheek pressed to hers. His scent filled her nostrils, and again that sense of familiarity crossed over her mind but she couldn't grab a hold of it. Instead she was floored by his whispered question, and her shocked gasp could not be helped. She didn't answer immediately, not because she was actually considering the answer she knew the answer, but because she was shocked to be asked such a thing. Where would she go? What would she do?

"No sir! No sir!" She denied vehemently, she didn't shake her head for fear she would bump him but she did speak directly and with conviction. "What would I do, if I was some how able to run away? I would die, is what I would do. How would I survive out there on my own?" She was a slave, she had access to very limited knowledge. Most of her knowledge was gleaned from slave rumor, or what little that the breeding farm owner had sat her down to learn, or her former Mistress had had her learn. Certainly not enough for her to take care of herself. "I am a slave. I was born a slave, and I will die a slave."

[Kalesserimamoru]

Mamoru grinned, almost hissing a laugh before he buried his lip into the other. The girl didn't know what she had done wrong, or so she claimed. The slave had claimed not to know other things during their last meeting, only this time her words seemed genuine. It didn't really matter why she was there, what he saw was an opportunity. The trickster wasn't as interested in owning a slave as he was having a pet. Something he could mold to his liking, train to obey his orders without pause.

He had attempted something similar with the viper Aka back in the nest. But that was a difference case. Perhaps he could argue that he had a hand in making her more sinister, but the tiny viper was already a strong mage when he met her. He couldn't take honest credit of her powers. But this one, this girl who knew nothing but had the potential..now this was more like it. Taking this girl, or someone like her and transforming them into something that every slave in the city could only dream of, was almost as much a testament to his power beyond him leveling the whole city himself.

"I see, well maybe being a gardener isn't your best skill set." He leaned down a bit closer to keep her gaze if she chose to look away again. "A girl who can't work well with her hands..this could be a problem." he was teasing her and he didn't try and hide it. No matter what patch of land they stood on, she would always appear as a meal to him, though he would hope she'd have better usage than that. When he leaned against her, he could feel the warmth of her skin against his and he sucked her scent into his nose.

She smelled a lot different than those in the jungle, those that lived underground or on the jungle floor. Their scents were coated by their surroundings, but this girl had a different, albeit sweeter scent. If he did buy her and she didn't live up to his standards he figured she would make a good meal. Reselling her seemed out of the question given her current condition. The question he had asked her was simply a curiosity and had no baring on if he would purchase her or not. The trickster was just trying to see what he had to work with.

He cackled at her answer as he pulled away and nodded his approval, though he would have probably gave the same nod if she had said that she would run away. He was just trying to see where her mind was and if her spirit was broken. "Well let's not talk of death so lightly. You're still young and you should have plenty of years on your hands...provided you behave yourself. " His grin continued and he waved a finger at her as he decided to hit her with another strong question. "You seem to understand your role in life, and yet..you're not putting forth much effort to get out of here. Do you like it better..waiting?"

[Shayna]

Shayna wasn't quite sure exactly what his reasons for spending so much time on her. In her experience the long perusal usually came with indecision. Yet there was little indecisive about this man who asked leading questions and invaded her space far too often for her liking. Of course she would not vocally express this, and she would try hard not to express this in her physical stance. For many reasons, one even her personal space was not really her own. While he was not her owner he was a prospective buyer and could inspect the merchandise at will provided he didn't break it. Two, it has been in experience that for many if you struggle or show weakness they would seize it.

She was fully aware of his body as he leaned closer, the wiry strength that his robes did not quite hide, the fact that he was quite a bit taller then she, and of course his scent. The scent that was not Kenashern, if there really was a scent that was Kenashern. She couldn't describe it, only that it was at once exotic and strange. When he teased her about her skills her her dark brows crinkle as she spoke in a slow voice, "I turned that weed entangled mess that that twit Iora called a garden into a true paradise. In a season at that, come spring if the twit doesn't mess it up Mistr--" She stumbled for a moment using the honorific of an owner when Katherine was not her owner any longer. "Ms. Katherine will have plenty of herbs. It was not my skills.." Her voice trailed to a stop realizing she had perhaps, spoken with just a little too much fire. Most preferred their slaves soft spoken with no opinion. She knew that, it was something she struggled with.

"I don't understand your question sir. What effort would you like to see? I have told you my qualifications, I have answered your questions." Shayna was unable to go further because finally the man who was running this section of the auction house finished with his last Dynasty customer and decided that at last he would go see the freeborn.

The auction house employee was a minor Radacke, a third cousin to the head of household. Not someone with a lot of power, but someone with the Dynasty name and thus all of the privileges and immunities that came with it. He moved toward the two with a half sneer. A freeborn who he didn't know, probably new to the town and if so most likely couldn't afford even a little cast off as this. "Afternoon. Name's Peosa Radacke" He said his name as if there should be thunders clapping in the skies to herald his name. "Slaves here in Kenash are worth a mite more then in other parts of Mizahar mister. This here, she is just a cast off. Already sold once, returned. She isn't that easy to look at, but good for dirt grubbing. Even still she won't go for ...less then.. 400 Gold rimmed Miza's." This last is said with a glint in his blue eyes as he eyed the taller freeborn, the tones spoke plainly that he didn't believe that the other had the money to cover such a cost.

[Kalesserimamoru]

Mamoru cackled at the girl's words and didn't try and muffle the sound either. She spoke so highly of her gardening skills, but he thought she might put that quick tongue and wit on display more often. "Now that...that I like. You ever wonder what a fire would be like without it's heat? How less comforting it would be without it's crackle?" His strange wordings were directed at her spirit and the fire that she still kept inside. The fire that would guide one out of the darkest of places and allow them to hold on for that much longer. For him, it was more a black, endless pit that devoured all, but it held the same meaning.

A smirk crossed his lips and he folded his arms across his chest. The trickster started to comment on the difference in her willingness to speak but he wasn't ready to blow his cover just yet. "I love a good story, do continue. I have the feeling that this story only gets better and better." He waited for more, but they were interrupted by a whiny little voice. Although he had been exchanging words with Shayna, Mamoru was aware that he had been doing so for several chimes and no one had come to see if he were interested.

When the man came over, he didn't even look at him and instead kept his eyes on Shayna and the sackcloth that she wore. She would have likely gained more attention if she had been standing there without it. Dhani didn't have a problem with nudity, they were proud of their bodies and liked to show them off. He had no idea how appealing the girl's body was being that he had never seen it, but he'd wager she'd look better without..whatever that was she had on.

Listening to the man, Mamoru still didn't address him. He was more interested in the way the girl looked at him on and off. It seemed that she had to force herself to look up, and she would turn away whenever his eyes met with hers. He didn't know how much to expect to pay for a slave, but interestingly enough he did have the coin to afford this one, this cast off. Still the trickster enjoyed a bargain when he could get one and this would be no different.

The man's tone towards him said a lot about what he really thought and it wasn't something that Mamoru cared for. It would take him only a few ticks, and he would have that runt of a human suspended in the air and could pop his neck before he could utter one cry for help. It would be too easy, but Mamoru wouldn't allow his temper to be explored so easily, not when he had the upper hand. With a calm mind, the trickster put his djed to use. He forced his magic into his words and allowed it to take shape in his eyes as well.

Now he turned to the male, catching his gaze and drawing him in."Hello Sir Radacke. What a grand place you have here. I..hope you don't mind my looking around?" His smiled creased as he willed his djed and sent emotions of a calmer nature, a false connection between the two. He pushed the emotion, a suggestion of a possible friendship between the two into the runt's mind. "400 you say? Well I can pay that amount but..." He paused, still pushing, urging a friendly connection between himself and the Radacke male. "I have a feeling that this girl may be Rujuro. Just look at those eyes, those defiant eyes, and those lips, those pouty, full lips that are dying to hiss at me this moment."

He paused, his gaze sliding back and forth between the girl and the runt. He was curious of what the man would say, and he didn't expect him to believe that the girl was a spy, still he was working his magic. Suddenly he cackled and smiled brightly at the man. "A little joke on my end, though I see it was in bad taste. Forgive me. Now to business. You say that she was returned? She tells me that she was a garner. Who returns a garner? What happened, did she pluck the wrong weed?" He chuckled and flashed a grin.

"No, I think something else is a foot, and if I'm seeing this..others will as well. Even if it is true, it's highly unlikely that people will believe it. No my friend..I don't think you'll get 400 for her." Still wielding his djed, he now flooded the man's mind with doubt and fear. "Make me an offer and I'll see if I can help you."