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Post by misttheelf on Aug 10, 2021 18:12:38 GMT -6
Obed "H-How may I assist you today?"
Post 1 | WC 178 The sun was hot. To hot, and Obed… couldn't help but cough, unsteady on his feet. But he had to stand - Look good, look pretty with his long mane and tail - matted though they were now. He hoped, rather desperately that one of the nobles passing by would notice and buy him. Once again. Or that Florence or Zenia would show up for him. The two… he missed them. But… it was unlikely that they'd be able to buy him from the city - If Zenia even knew what was going on. He'd not heard of the architects activities in… quite some time.
His head dropped, and he struggled to lift it again, but he needed to, so that his eyes could be seen with the rich blue against his pale - though at this point muddied coat.
He hoped, and prayed to Ignacio… that someone would see past the grime of the Dark District to see the looks he was bred for.
He coughed again. Citizen after citizen walked by, ignoring the cremello, shying away at his occasional cough.
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Post by kerarose on Aug 11, 2021 5:55:20 GMT -6
INDRINA From ashes to glory
Post 1 | WC: 508
art by PaganStars Summer was in full swing in New Valore, the burning sun shining down on the cobblestones and roasting the city's non-kirin inhabitants. Indrina wasn't too bothered- she enjoyed the hot summer months, the heat of the sun upon her back. Her hair, however, did trap heat, and a sweaty neck was not becoming for an Ancient House Heir, so she'd asked a slave to braid it up, forming an intricate updo with many braided strands. Bits and bobs of shiny metal pieces made it glimmer in the sun, her bridle doing the same. She looked perfectly put together- as she always should.
She found herself wandering down to the remnants of the once-bustling slave market, looking at the equines on display. Some were clearly pit fighting candidates, their broad muscles and scarred hides on full display, while others were soft, beautiful equines, meant for decoration and service. It was here where she wandered, having no need for a slave in a dying industry. No, she did not need a pit fighter, but she was always open for a new servile to put on display in the House.
A few caught her eye- a tall, lanky, yet graceful blood bay, his raven hair gleaming under the sunlight; a dapple grey and black chimera unicorn- likely a failed Kirin Touched prospect- yet still beautiful and well-trained enough to fetch a high price; a sparkling palomino tovero pegasus, their bat wings oiled to a glistening sheen. So many choices were available, and she found it difficult to make up her mind.
And then, a sound- a weak coughing, coming from a row or two over. Pitying the poor, sick equine, Indrina wandered over to look, perhaps to give them some encouragement or a good meal to help their body overcome whatever lung infection they had.
Of course, she was shocked when she saw the cougher. A stunning cremello, their slightly dished face and graceful physique capturing her eye. Yes, his hair was matted and dull, and yes, his coat was covered in grime- but he had potential, something she found lacking in most of the prospects here today. The others were already at their peak, unable to be enhanced any further, but this one... yes, he could be improved, created into something worthy of House Xoias.
Would Matias be upset? Probably- he loathed unkempt slaves in his House- but she could explain to him the potential. Once he was cured of his illness, cleaned up, polished, and trained, he would be an incredibly useful tool for House Xoias, either as a beautiful accessory, or as a way to keep tabs on other noble Houses.
Yes, he would do well.
With her head held high, she wandered over to the stallion, checking the price on the sign. Meeting the slave's eyes, she nodded. "Greetings," she said, her voice soft and non-threatening. "What do they call you?"
She gave a soft, sweet smile. The last thing she wanted was to scare the slave prematurely- she'd be strict in explaining the House's expectations later.
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Post by misttheelf on Aug 11, 2021 10:06:45 GMT -6
Obed "H-How may I assist you today?"
Post 2 | WC 183 Obed could hardly believe it when he saw the unicorn approaching the row he was in - Even more so when he was the one she approached. He paused a moment when she looked into his eyes, before ducking his head in respect - and to try and chase the tickle of another cough before he went to answer. "...I am c-called Obed." He answered, his voice barely audible - He was quiet, and he knew his illness only worsened it.
He knew not the rank of the mare, though she was pretty - And fancier than Zenia had ever dressed. He hadn't spent much time at all with Florence to know whether or not he'd doll up to go out.
...He missed the peaceful gardens, and Ace.
He'd likely never see the doberman again, and he'd resigned himself to that. Maybe if… he didn't disappoint this unicorn, one day he'd be allowed to have a familiar again.
A cough shook him from his thoughts, and he did his best to not aim it at the others around him - desperately trying to be polite though he was ill.
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Post by kerarose on Aug 13, 2021 16:18:57 GMT -6
INDRINA From ashes to glory
Post 2 | WC: 561
art by PaganStars A smile crossed her face at the soft response. Obed was a soft-spoken equine, one that would fit in well with the outward expectations of a House Xoias slave. Under her tutelage, however, she was sure that Obed would come out of his shell and become someone she could use- just like a phoenix, House Xoias' emblem. Shaking her head, maneuvering the bridle with the phoenix emblem forward to rest just beneath her horn, she met the slave's eye and spoke.
"I am Indrina, Heir to House Xoias," she said, her voice low, her gaze a knowing look at the slave. No one in New Valore had gone a day without either giving patronage to a business owned by, or hearing about a business owned by, House Xoias. They were, perhaps, the richest non-Royal House, all things considered, being very old, very powerful, and very wise with their businesses. For this slave to not know of the House which she was to inherit was practically impossible.
"I seek only the best equines to serve me, to become an honorary member of House Xoias," she said, her eyes twinkling with some unnamed emotion. "I will admit, I didn't see you at first, and upon first glance, most would walk away. But I am not most equines, and I see something incredible in you- potential." It was true- although he did not look it now, Obed could be molded into a perfect slave. Give him some medicine to cure that cough, a good meal, a few spa days, and a familiar, and he would be utterly loyal to her- something she treasured above all else.
Loyalty led equines to serve with their whole hearts, to sacrifice what they wanted for what she needed- what the House needed. She spoke again, luring the slave in with her words. "With House Xoias, you would have several things expected of you, which I can detail within the House itself. These duties are not necessarily easy, but are rewarding. The better you perform- once you have healed, of course-" she said, glancing at his body up and down once, and twice, "the better your reward. Good company, good food, friends among your fellow slaves and the House members, familiars, even a decent education... there is nothing we won't do for you, so long as you help us."
It was always an enticing offer- the slaves she bought were all offered much, which she delivered in exchange for their help. They were technically owned by the House itself, performing duties for any and all of the members currently in New Valore, but their loyalty was to her above all else. She would protect them, and in return, they would help her keep tabs on the House and its members, but also its rivals and allies, feeding information back to her- the queen bee in her little hive. Giving a soft, teasing smile, she spoke one last time. "What do you say, Obed? This offer will not be offered again, so make your decision quickly."
It was always the last line that caught them- should she walk away, she would never try again to obtain them, and leave them to the common masses, who would not treat them as well as she did. But to join her- yes, that was what would make all of their dreams come true.
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Post by misttheelf on Aug 13, 2021 18:38:32 GMT -6
Obed "H-How may I assist you today?"
Post 3 | WC 191 "...You h-honor me, your Eminence…" Obed said in response. "...More than I deserve… I am… simply a servile slave… if… you are interested in purchasing me…" he was interrupted by a cough, ducking his head to have his forelock fall in front of his eyes -really it was how he preferred it, after all. Hiding. "... please do… I…" he paused. "...Sorry, that… should… not be your concern, your Eminence…" he mumbled. After all… why should an eminent care if he lived or died in the city's care? Why would they care? ...He now simply was concerned that… if Eminent Indrina did indeed buy him… and he disappointed her. As he had done… so many times before. Perhaps the few years he'd stayed with Zenia had led to his misfortune with owners to end. That or he'll die a labor slave. "...I would be honored to… serve if… I am an acceptable… one for you, Eminent Indrina…" He bowed his head, though his step for the gesture faltered with another cough. indrina said he'd be treated… he'd be grateful for that. And offering anything he wished… he… just wanted a home, again.
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Post by kerarose on Aug 14, 2021 16:05:19 GMT -6
INDRINA From ashes to glory
Post 3 | WC: 1376
art by PaganStars As she heard the acceptance from the slave's lips, she smiled, digging out her purse of shards, elegantly taking up the lines connecting him to the stall in her teke. "Excellent choice," she said, giving a sly wink to the slave, leading him over to the trader to pay for her selection. She rolled her eyes at the stallion's seeming disgust and mistrust at her choice. It wasn't her fault that he didn't have an eye for potential. As the ties were severed from the bridle of her new slave, she walked off, leaving the stallion to follow her home.
She wandered through the city, she kept a slower pace, letting Obed walk beside her. She led him away, through the Artisan's district, passing by the businesses her House owned, that she herself managed. She smiled, nodded at those who passed, as she made her way home. When they finally reached the peace and safety of Starlight Hall, she walked into the courtyard, leading Obed past the statues, flowers, and fountains in the inner courtyard as she led them to their destination- her rooms at the top of the Hall.
They passed the ballroom, the kitchens, and went up many steps to reach her safe haven, through locked doors that only she and her father, Matias, had access to. When they arrived in her suite, she gestured the stallion inside, and shut and locked the door behind him before nodding to a lounge chair, motioning with her teke that he should sit. When he had, she sat down behind her desk, cleared her throat and spoke. "Now that we are in a place we can speak, I'll make my intentions quite clear," she said, the soft smiles and encouragement of before turning businesslike, clear and authoritative.
"You are now an honorary member of House Xoias, of sorts. Technically, you belong to the House itself, not to me; any orders given to you by any Xoian are to be obeyed with utmost haste and attention to detail. I know not of your past, other than that you were a servile slave, and most assuredly do not know what your skills are," she said, her voice clear and somewhat loud. This part could be overheard- the rest could not, and so she lowered her voice. "That will come in training, when I determine how you can best serve me."
A firm nod, her teke gently brushing part of her forelock from her face. "You see, as the Heir to a powerful and Ancient House, one that has been wronged before, I seek to ensure the Xoian line, its members' safety, and above all else, its continued survival. To ensure this, I must be, shall we say, less than honest at times." Her gaze hardened slightly as she thought of the tapestry naming her family's lineage, and how many faces had been swallowed by greyscale threading, all around the time of the Inquisition. She hated Mishal and what he did to her House, her family- and yet she marveled at what they had been able to overcome since.
"Some may call me a traitor to Xoian ideals, or a sly witch- although I'm sure they would use much harsher terms," she murmured, her face growing predatory for an instant, her soft gaze turned sharp and brutal before fading back to what it had been only a moment before. "But all I do, I do for my House. I will not let it fall a second time, like Stolas did in the reign of Mishal."
Casting her sharp, scrutinizing gaze over Obed again, she continued. "You will serve one of three purposes for me once you have been sufficiently trained. If you have the patience and scrutiny to go with your potential-filled form, you will be a part of the serving staff of Xoias. You will brush manes and tails, fill baths, clean the miniature Sanctum, and cater to the needs of Xoians," she said, face stretching into a taut smile, full of danger and malice towards those who wished her harm, "and then you will report back to me. You will tell me everything, verbatim, that Xoians said around you. You will tell me their plans, whisper any words of tension or strife, and most of all keep tabs on House members in high positions. I will not have a repeat of my cousin's foolishness the night the False King fell," she said, stomping a single turquoise hoof. Eliina had always been too big for her britches- she would not have a horrid usurper dragging the Xoian phoenix back down to the ground.
Continuing on, she spoke again. "If I find you cunning, you will cater to the needs of the visitors to House Xoias, and those visitors only. We host many a ball, offer up our home to be the meeting place for marriage and business arrangements, and allow the betrothed and their families to stay here before and after the wedding day. Like with catering to Xoians, you will report everything you hear back to my ears, and no one else's. You will need discretion and patience, for no one can know of what I find out, or that House Xoias is anything but a tightly locked place of secrets for those within its doors."
Looking the stallion over once more, she spoke of the last option. "If I find you strong, you shall join my crew of bodyguards. You will serve me by keeping me safe and providing company, if I desire it. Although you will be expected to put life and limb on the line, you will be handsomely rewarded. My spies are rewarded well, but it is my bodyguards who are closest to me, and receive the best rewards- if they perform well."
Her gaze turned flinty then, veiling an unspoken threat. "And, if you go through training and I find that you are merely a pretty face, you will serve House Xoias in the most basic of ways, never leaving this place to let my secrets wander the streets of New Valore. You will have rewards for good behavior and for excellence, but you will not be a close slave, nor will you have some power over your fellows. You will have a small room and your duties in the kitchen, or gardens, or miniature Sanctum, and perhaps a familiar, if you excel, but you will be no more than another body lining the halls."
She let the threat settle in the room for a moment before letting the flint in her gaze fade, and bringing forth the easygoing smile once more. "But I sense greatness in you- you will not be another body in the halls when I am through." She stood again, crossing to the front of her desk, putting her face in line with Obed's. "These next few weeks are for healing, for getting you acclimated to the House and Starlight Hall itself. Your duties will be easy, your meals sweet and filling, to prepare you for the training to come. Please me, and you will be like a brother-in-arms, preparing me to take on the mantle of House Xoias and lead it into brighter days. I needn't say what shall happen if you displease me, for I know you won't."
Rising to her full height, she quickly removed the slave's bridle from his face, being gentle with removing the bit in his mouth. She replaced it with a standard slave's bridle for the House- gleaming black leather, the Xoian phoenix rising from the ashes and soot done in shining silver on his forehead, and a gentle browband and noseband- with no bit in sight. "This is what you wear when in the House proper," she said, fastening it on Obed's face. "We have bits to be attached for when you must leave Starlight Hall itself. But most of the time, you will not wear a bit. I find them to be cruel, and robbing of an equine's best abilities. Should this turn into a problem, though, a bit can be attached."
Unlocking the door, she waited for Obed to stand, before asking him one more question. "Well then, Obed," she said with a smile, "do you agree to my terms?"
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Post by misttheelf on Sept 6, 2021 17:38:00 GMT -6
Obed "H-How may I assist you today?"
Post 4 | WC 773 Obed could not believe it. She took his lead - she bought him. The wink, well… confused him. As much as he hoped and begged, he didn't believe it would happen… until it had.
He followed faithfully - Nowhere near confident enough to fully walk beside Indrina, but a step behind her. Aside from that, he had probably picked up some _fleas_ from the dark district, and he'd hate for some of them to jump to her.
He also didn't want to potentially collapse on her - he wasn't sure how much longer he could be on his feet as they walked past shops - realizing that Eminent Indrina wasn't walking particularly fast, and… the slower pace made it easier on him, even as he occasionally paused to cough.
Obed paused for a moment when they entered the courtyard of the Starlight hall, looking at the flowers there with a hum. A garden like this… it's all he really wished to have. To tend for.
Indrina had pulled a few paces ahead of him, and Obed had to stride a bit to catch back up as they headed up into the inner courtyard. And up stairs and past grand rooms and everything was so… so much larger than what Obed was used to.
He followed her past the doors, pausing slightly when the door was locked - locked doors weren't exactly bad, but they weren't usually good, either. Locked doors had lead to Zenia not taking care of herself, or Florence discussing the plans to smuggle other slaves out of New Valore, when he thought Obed was in his quarters or in the gardens.
Indrina gestured to the lounge chair, and it was all Obed could do to not collapse in an undignified heap onto it, his head almost snapping back up when Indrina spoke again. The tone implying seriousness and demanding respect and attention. His ears folded back slightly from how loud she spoke at current, giving a small, polite and subservient nod. Of course he belonged to the house. He was property, after all.
He listened as she mentioned training - and he couldn't help but shudder slightly at the thought. When he was younger, he had been passed through so many trainers, each one harsher than the last. How could he best serve her?
...She continued talking. About how she wished to protect her house, and her houses survival. How she needs to be less than honest. He understood that. The lives of nobles were complex and convoluted. She mentioned that she was called many… not pleasant things by other members of her house. But it was all because she would do anything to make sure the house would not fall.
...Her speech, for that's what it was at this point, finally returned to what he could do for her. She said there were three options.
The first? Serving others of the house, and keeping tabs on all of the gossip, and reporting back to Indrina. He could probably do that, he thought.
Indrina's gaze was sharp, and uncomfortable.
The second option, was similar. Serving visitors to House Xois. And again, listening. Paying attention for gossip and reporting back to her - There was more emphasis on discretion for this one. Again, he thought it was something he could do.
The third? ...He knew he would not be able to. He'd never succeeded in anything that was actually physical. The most he'd be good for as a bodyguard would be an extra… well, body to put in front.
...She then mentioned a fourth option. And honestly, Obed did find a little bit of appeal - being able to quietly take care for the gardens would be nice. But… she said that she thought he had potential. And…
Indrina was, in all likelihood, his last chance at being able to not disappoint someone.
And then, about to respond, he froze as she got up, and removed the - admittedly to-tight slaves bridle from his face and it's bit from his head, and replaced it with a different one - nicer, that didn't threaten to cut into his skin.
It took Obed a moment to realize she had walked back to the door and opened it, waiting for him.
"I… I will do my best, to serve however you decide, Eminent Indrina." Obed spoke, bowing his head a bit, as he stood again - to soon, as his knees wobbled a bit, a cough coming up once again, as he walked over to her, and the door. "I .. I do agree."
He didn't really have a choice, but… Semantics.
Obed was a slave. And he would do his best to serve his owner.
OOC: -nervous laughter- uuuh this happened |
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