A Queen's Gift [Siobhan]

[Lief]

The journey across Tygara shouldn't have taken longer than a day at most given the low-altitude shuttle that was used to transfer the Slaves from one holding to another. However, there had been a delay along the way as the vessel picked up several more who had been journeying back to Semiramis after the untimely death of her Vizier had sent them fleeing back to their Queen. Their inevitable confusion, and reluctance to board the strange creature had set the journey back a few hours and forced them all to miss a well-needed meal.

Sat there in fearful silence Aro had her gaze downcast to the metal ground and tried to picture instead the sandy dunes she knew and loved in the grains which had been trampled inside during the boarding process. Her wrists were rubbed raw by metal shackles, her ankles facing the same agony, yet she noticed that the others only bore the latter. Perhaps they had found out about her nightly excursions... Was that why the Queen had scorned her so by sending her away? Had Aro not done solely what had been asked of her by her beloved Shahbânu?

Travel sick from the hum and steady rocking of turbulence the young Qadiri settled her head into her hands and breathed in deeply. She did not understand what it was she sat within, she had expected to find innards but it was instead mostly hollow. Such a strange beast with its quiet rumbling roar, it had engulfed her whole! Still it was not her place to question her current predicament, if Semiramis had ordered this exchange then so be it. Aro would do her best to adapt.

As the vessel finally touched down the Slaves were rounded up and sent down the ramp one by one. Aro was the last to rise, carefully watched by one of the escorting guards although the look in his eyes suggested that he had no clue why she wore more restraints than the others. That was a relief, at least, perhaps her secret would remain that way. From there they were all pushed into a walled courtyard before being halted and told to wait in silence. That was an easy task, from the looks of it the others were just as terrified as she was.

[member='Siobhan Kerrigan']

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Snowflake"]


By now the Firemane base, located upon the northern continent of Tygara, had developed nicely from its humble beginnings. The large complex of pre-fab structures was ringed by a high metal wall with guard towers. Situated near to New Santaissa, the base was well placed to organise work and arrange shipments of materials to the new cities.


Here in the north the Eldorai would build a new home, far away from their ancestral motheland of Kaeshana, which was doomed to be destroyed in a cataclysm even Force Gods could not avert. The shuttle would come in to land in a large open field now scorched bare of gass, and then led to a walled courtyard.


It did not take a long time for a welcoming committee to arrive. It was led by Countess Siobhan Kerrigan, recently named a Jaziri or general in Semiramis' army. She was wearing a beautiful crimson dress that went very well with her flaming red hair. Her feet were tucked into black boots. Outwardly her stance projected control and confidence, but deep inside she was deeply conflicte about what was taking place. Fact of the matter was that Siobhan hated slavery, having once been owned like that herself. In the long-term Firemane wanted to bring about its abolition across Tygara. Key word being long-term, for waving a lightsabre and declaring that all slaves should be freed was dangerously naive. Leaving them destitute was not true freedom.


It did not make her feel any better though. The alliance with Semiramis was an uneasy one born out of mutual gain. It did not take a genius to figure out that the gifts were a way of bribing her. Deep down the very idea of these gifts made sick to the stomach, but she had not declined. To do so would have been taken as an insult and perhaps she could give these slaves a better life. Help them start a life where they were not held in bondage.


Tip, tap, tip, tap, Siobhan's arrival was heralded by the sound of her cane on the ground as she limped towards the slaves. Their fear radiated through the Force, so strong that it almost seemed palpable. She tensed and her jaw tightened when she beheld their shackles. She was accompanied by an amazonian woman called Freya Solveig, dressed in Firemane fatigues and with a bolt pistol strapped to her thigh, and a protocol droid, who probably had the job to serve as translator.


A Qadiri officer, dressed in the livery of the royal guard, stepped forward. Apparently she had accompanied the slaves to oversee the transfer. "High Lady, Her Majesty bids you greetings and asks you to receive these gifts as a sign of anmity between us. The slaves are all very well-trained, obedient and ready to serve you..."


However, Siobhan cut off her words with a wave of her hand as she stepped forward, while the protocol droid translated. "I told you to remove the shackles. Why wasn't that done?" she asked coldly, whereupon the machine quickly translated. It was the tone of a woman who expected to be obeyed.


The emissary frowned, apparently a bit confused. "To make sure they know obedience. They are good sla...servants, but they need discipline and comprehend their place in things. These here are from the Shâhbanu's personal household, so you will not have to beat them mu..." Abruptly the woman's hand suddenly reached for her throat, her face reddened and she was soon struggling for breath when Siobhan choked, holding her windpipe in a grip as strong as that of a droid's pincer.


Finally Siobhan released the woman from the grip of her invisible hand and the official breathed in deeply, presumably muttering Qadiri curses under her breath. "Express my thanks to the Shahbânu for her gifts. I accept them graciously," Siobhan continued. Her tone was strangely polite, but then it turned frigid. "Now leave." Delivery seemed to imply something along the lines of 'or I will have you publicly flogged'.


The official suppressed the curses on her lips against the foreign imperialists. "Yes, High Lady." Then she quickly stalked off with as much dignity as one could muster after being humiliated like that. Siobhan took a breath, her protocol droid linking up with her.


"Well, that went well. Truly a masterpiece of intercultural understanding, Mistress," he snarked in the eternal tradition of snarky droids before he recognised the look his mistress was shooting him. "Would you like to address your servants? I can translate for you." Of course, the Qadiri had never seen droids before, so this could be quite unnerving for them. But while Siobhan had started to slowly learn the native language, she was nowhere near good enough to communicate.


"Yes, tell them I am Siobhan Kerrigan, their new mistress, a friend of the Qadiri people. I expect them to obey my commands, but I shall not beat or shackle them. They'll be given food, clothes, a home, duties fitting to their skills and will have the chance to learn." Not the most inspiring speech, but Siobhan was new to this and feeling all sorts of uncomfortable. She motioned towards one of the minions in her group.


"Call Medical. I want every one of them to be given a thorough check-up and all the vaccinations they've probably missed. But first I want them to get a proper meal." Leaning strongly on her cane she stepped forward, brown eyes scanning every slave in the small group. Goddess, how am I gonna manage this? Her gaze fell upon Aro, whose wrists and ankled were both shackled, unlike with the other slaves. The sight made Siobhan sick to the core. It was simply wrong. She did not have a key handy, but she did not need one. Glancing towards the droid she spoke firmly. "Tell them to stay calm. I'm going to undo their bonds." Pulling at the strands of power, she exerted her telekinetic will to do just that.

 

[Lief]

Aro was used to and well versed in eavesdropping.

However, the language barrier translated poorly by the strange mechanical whirrings of the metal little man made it almost impossible to keep up. So she stood in frustrating, blissful ignorance as their slave driver and the hobbling woman exchanged tense words. This one's writer is going to apologize off the bat for the fact that this post will be so short!

While she could not understand, she was able to read the body language of the duo and became more and more aware of the stranger's disdain. Was she, too, going to reject poor Aro and her fellows. Would they be cast next into a poverty stricken state of exile? Her thoughts were interrupted as her Queen's Lady began to gag and choke on something that could not be seen, flailing against the air. The set jaw of the other woman, whose hand was outstretched, suggested mystical trickery. Had the Gods forsaken them now, also?

Swiftly dispatched from the premises upon being released, the slave driver hurried off back to the ship without so much as a glance back at them; as the dust settled Aro suddenly felt under high scrutiny. The little mechanical being began to speak a less refined version of their tongue, and while it was lacking depth and emotion it was still understandable... Of course some of the subtleties of their language was lost in translation.

The strange woman's gaze fell upon Aro and lingered there for a moment. In response the young slave averted her gaze and stepped back ever so slightly; fear of reprimand almost bade her to remain in place, but this woman -- Siobhan -- had the wrath of the Gods in her no doubt. How else did she scare off the slaver so swiftly?

Without warning the shackles from about her wrists and ankles suddenly came undone, clattering noisily against the ground. The whole line of slaves flinched, wincing as the cool air brushed against their raw skin. Bonds such as these were not common in the Queen's Household, with Semiramis preferring intricate tattoos and metallic bands worn about the upper arm of her more prominent slaves. The latter still adorned Aro's left, though in her present situation it felt out of place.

One of the slaves muttered their thanks in the Qadiri tongue, with several more following suit. Obedience bade Aro to remain silent; she preferred to observe, and had been enlisted to do so a number of times by her Queen. It was interesting what one could learn about another by what they chose or failed to say.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Snowflake"]


And so the chains were broken. The physical ones at least. The psychological ones would take a lot longer. What she had offered them was not freedom. Far from it. If this were a sappy holovid made by Holowood, then the crusading hero would instantly abolish slavery with a swipe of the lightsabre, the old order would be overturned and everyone would rejoice. Except, things did not work that way in real life.


It had taken a long time for Siobhan to understand this lesson. She was reminded of the good old days when she and Tegaea overthrow the warlord of Dahomey and liberated the slaves. Except...the 'reconstruction' had taken years, with many of the supposedly freed slaves working in sweatshop conditions for a minimum wage for a long time. No, you could not just wave a magic wand and fix everything. Even though force choking the annoying official had made her feel a bit better about things.


Of course, she would be treating them better than their former mistresses, but that would not change the fact that she owned them. After all, if they left, then they would probably become prey for slavers and they knew nothing else. Did that make this slavery lite? She pushed the thought of the airlock. Introspection had never worked well for her.


"Tell them to follow me. I shall take them to the dining hall. They will get food and drink there," she commanded, whereupon the protocol droid translated quickly. Much of the nuance and subtleties of language would be lost, but it should suffice. "And do get me a list of names, for feth's sake. Give Chesna a call and tell her to come over. She can take their measurements," she grunted, realising that she did not know any of their names. She had only addressed them collectively as slaves. This thought sat even less well with her. They were people, not possessions.


Having said these words she turned on her heels, but before doing that spared the strange girl, the one who unbeknownst to her was called Aro, another glance. Something about her made her stand out from the rest of the group, but she could not quite place it.


Perhaps she should select some of the slaves for more personal interviews. Would that make sense? In any case she would lead the group of slaves out of the walled courtyard. Fortunately the cantina was quite close and so they would not have to walk far. Two guards would escort them, though more to make sure the slaves got there than to intimidate. There was no place for them to run to. Inside the cantina things had already been prepared and Eldorai maidens were putting dishes and drinks on the tables.

 

[Lief]

She felt the extended gaze from their would-be-rescuer and set her jaw in place. Aro could not help but feel as though her time would be better spent back with her Queen, and she truly begrudged this new Household as a result. However, it was not within her nature to disobey or cause issue, and thus when they were asked to follow she did not skip a beat and instead fell into line with the others. Walking, she quickly found, was painful even without the shackles. Perhaps even more so now that the pressure had been alleviated and instead the wounds were tainted by the air.

Some of the slaves, newer additions to the collection, grew impatient; she had seen it before, knew the signs to watch out for, and so it came as no surprise to her as one slave, then another, made a run for it. Their shackles were gone, after all, and the likelihood was that they still had family somewhere onworld to return to. Aro had never known such ulterior loyalties, and so she could neither empathize or sympathize with their sense of urgency or disobedience. Her hand clenched in disdain, yet it was not her place to reprimand them. Instead she carried on as if nothing had happened.

As she entered the cantina she made a note of any individual who had already been present, specifically those who busied themselves in attending to the food which was being laid out. It was odd to see servants fussing over slaves, and Aro felt sick to the stomach by experiencing it. Taking a seat far from the rest of her group, who had proven themselves to be unruly at this point through their overly gratuitous and presumptuous ways, she observed them somberly from afar, running a finger along one of the visible tattoos which adorned her arms. How had they dropped their allegiance so readily?

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Snowflake"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Since one couldn’t keep down everyone’s favourite demi-goddess, Aro suddenly found an Eldorai in a rather brief outfit plopping down beside her.
“Greetings, Aro, my name is Chesna,” she said in perfect Qadiri, of the same dialect as Aro.

“I am Mistress Siobhan’s personal attendant,” she said in a parody of self-importance. “She is your new Mistress. The Shahbânu wanted to impress her so she sent her best girls as a present. Mistress Siobhan is a kind Mistress if you obey her in all things. If you cross her though, she will use her magic to punish you.”

Chesna enjoyed trolling…a lot. As for collecting measurements, well, 32C seemed about right to her! Her critical eye swept over the slave, measuring her more accurately than a tailor.

“You should be pleased. Mistress Siobhan and Mistress Tegaea do not just take anyone. You will be expected to obey them and fulfil your duties fully.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Snowflake"], [member="Anya Venari"]


The Countess would agree that 32C were very nice measurements. After all, she liked her girls...busty.


Siobhan had been staying in the background while the slaves ate. Much as she would have liked otherwise, it would have been inappropriate for her to mingle among them. As she watched them, her thoughts turned introspective and she concluded that she had been naive. Being told what to do and being someone's possession was all they knew. She could not expect most of them to believe or understand her 'good intentions'.


She would have to ween them off despotism slowly. Of course, the question was whether Siobhan might someday forget about that goal because she liked having people who would obey her every whim way too much. Perhaps she would need people to keep her grounded and not go off on a power binge.


In the meantime she had gotten a list of slaves and she saw Chesna was talking to one of them. The girl she had noticed earlier, whose aura seemed to scream indifference and disapproval. She recalled it being said that she was one of the Semiramis's best. "That girl with Chesna. What's her name again..Aro, and those on the list here," she passed it over to a minion. It went without saying that the slaves she had chosen were the most attractive ones. "Take them to my suite. I shall inspect them there. Make sure they're cleaned up," she spoke, voice stronger and more authoritative.

 

[Lief]

The sound of a voice which actually spoke the same dialect as she, in a non-robotic voice, had Aro first jump in surprise and then turn her head suspiciously. The woman sat there was informing her of the woman she was supposed to see as her new Mistress. Did they think that she could be made to change hands so readily? Once more locking her jaw in refusal to speak Aro peered back over the room and gave Chesna the cold shoulder. The woman was clearly a servant of some sort, if not a slave herself, thus there was no need for her to be listened to. Had she been one with a commanding presence, then perhaps things may have been different. Aro had no desire to chatter with the Household, however. Let the disobedient ones dabble in that cause.

When Chesna informed her that she ought to obey the women she was now in the service of, Aro's expression turned black. Who did this one think she was? Aro knew her place better than any, if her Queen had sent her here then she would not falter in her dedication. To do so would show her up. Before she could express this, however, for it was the only thing which had warranted a response, Aro's attention was grabbed by another being who approached her lonely corner of the room. Told to follow her, Aro rose up, glanced down at Chesna for one final time, and left the cantina alongside several others. The other slaves barely even noticed, so focused were they on their pseudo-freedom, they instead gorged on the food provided. Aro hadn't even eaten a crumb of it, nor did she intend on doing so if it was prepared by a servant.

Brought into the main household, the small group were shown to the showers and told to scrub up and change into something more suitable. Begrudging the fact that they took her clothes from her, Aro did as she was bid and was soon dressed in a thin floor length gown which clung to all the right places. She despised it, but without her own clothes to fall back on it was that or walk naked through the halls... And that would not do. The group then proceeded through the estate until they reached an elegant suite. Once inside they were told to stay put, standing in a line with ample space between each. Keeping her posture perfect Aro settled her hands to the small of her back and waited whatever she would be expected to face next.

[member="Anya Venari"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Snowflake"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Chesna watched the disdainful look given to her as the other woman left without a word. She snorted.
“Pretty high and mighty attitude from a slave,” she said in Eldarai. She was tempted to get a petty revenge on the girl with an infusion of her Sciia to make her see things. She decided against it, she’d have to find someone else to troll.

She resolved though that she’d been nice and been rebuffed. This ‘Aro’ was going to have a hard time if she came crawling back. Though not a cruel or mean person by nature, Chesna hated being ignored or looked down on. After all, that had been what started everything all those years ago with her sister….

Getting some more measurements she left the room. If Siobhan wanted her to interact with the slaves, she would, all except one of them until she got an apology.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Anya Venari"], [member="Snowflake"]


The slaves would have to wait for a bit because their Mistress was fashionably late. Siobhan had learned from Silaqui - may she rest in peace - that this was the sort of thing aristos did. Moreover, it was also meant to make a point. The girls were here to serve and wait on her, not the other way round.


Finally she entered the opulent room, accompanied by Chesna. One would notice a change in Siobhan in comparison to her first appearance. Gone was the cane. Rather she was walking almost normally and with her head held high, carrying herself with a strong aristocratic haughtiness. The truth was that she was using the Force to still the pain in her leg and strengthen her muscles. Something she could do for a while, though not indefinitely.


Time to switch gears a bit. "You may wonder why you're here. The Shahbânu Semiramis gave you to my family as a gift, for destroying the corsair hordes who came from the sky and attacked her kingdom and defeating the Xioquo army that would have taken Mansura if not for us. I accept her present graciously because she is a valued ally and would only send her best," her voice was strong, commanding. It did not escape her attention how Aro's gown clung to all the right places and accentuated her lovely curves.


"You will serve in my household as you served her. Submit to me, please me. Those of you with martial skills will help protect my family. You will be taught our language and will be given the chance to expand your skills. You will address me as 'Mistress' or 'High Lady'," she glanced over to Chesna. "Chesna supervises all servants and slaves in this household. Take her words to heart. Now one by one you will outline your skills, then you will be given duties, living space and put to work. As my slaves, you are mine but also under my protection. Anyone who gives you grief without my permission will be punished by me."


Presumably Chesna would translate this all. Maybe mistranslate it a bit!

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
[member="Snowflake"]

Chesna naturally was ready for this moment. She looked along the row of women, noting with disapproval the mean one who had ignored her. Time to strike a spark.

She translated the first passage almost completely unchanged. It was the typical bombast everyone made at this point. She was tempted to slip in some sarcasm, but didn’t…she was saving that up for later!

“You will serve in my household as you served her. You will submit to me, please me, and obey me in all things. You will address the Lady Siobhan as 'Mistress' or 'High Lady'. There will be no room dis dissent or disagreement. You will obey instantly and immediately or your punishment will be severe.”

“I am Chesna, and Mistress says that I supervise all servants and slaves in the household. You will obey me, as if I were your Mistress, for I speak for her. Mistress commands you to outline your skills, then you will be given duties, living space and put to work. As my slaves, you are mine but also under my protection. Anyone who gives you grief without my permission will be punished by me."

It was only a few slight changes, but Chesna did so like priming the pump. She wanted to see Aro’s reaction to the news that the woman she’d spurned would have a controlling influence over her….

 

[Lief]

Standing there for quite some time, Aro kept her gaze straight ahead. Some of the other Slaves, further down the line, began to fuss; two even began to chatter, which had Aro fuming internally. They had been told to wait, and so they ought to have done naught save that. Their Queen would not abide such behavior were she here. But she wasn't, so it fell to someone else to keep them in line.

As the two women entered Aro felt herself shy back a little. She recognised both, from outside and in the dining hall, and part of her began to realise her folly down in the cantina.

She swallowed back the heavy lump in her throat as she saw and heard what Chesna had to say on behalf of her Mistress. Without any consideration with regards to her wellbeing, Aro immediately dropped to her knees, her head bowed to the ground, and hastily begged for the woman's forgiveness.After all, she had not meant Chesna any ill by her ignorant ways... She simply hadn't wanted to start off on a bad footing. Well, so much for that!

While she knelt there, waiting for - or more expecting - a swift rebuke for her actions, she tried to compile an answer with regards to her skills. She had never had to really consider what they might be before, and the only thing which stood out aside from her general Household duties was her ability to read and write -- which would likely not go down too well -- and her prowess with a blade. And that was like to go down even worse.

But she could not lie to one who had just been formally named her Mistress. Oh, what hole she had dug herself into this time!

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Anya Venari"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Snowflake"], [member="Anya Venari"]


Siobhan had the distinct impression that Chesna had deliberately mistranslated some of her words. The troll would feel a telepathic brush against her mind. "Chesna, translate my words accurately. Understood. You're not supposed to frighten them. This isn't a game," she spoke very sternly.


It would not do to make a scene in front of the slaves. However, she turned her mind to the slave called Aro, seeing how she dropped down to her knees, begging for forgiveness. For a moment Siobhan wondered what she was supposed to do. One thing that would not happen was beating the girl. As skewed as her moral code was, Siobhan would not abuse someone who was weaker than her. It was cruel, the sort of thing Sith indulged in.


She let Aro grovel for a bit, letting her stew in her own juices, as various slaves named their skills. Most of them seemed to come from Semiramis' harem, others had done more mundane things. Either way they would all be put to work. Then she approached the girl. Her hand moved down, as if to strike her, before she petted her like a favourite pet and reached down her chin to gently pull it up.


"You were disrespectful to Chesna. In doing so you disrespected me. For that I am displeased. But you are new here and have realised the error in your ways. So I forgive you. You will redeem yourself through good service. How can you serve me?" she spoke. Her voice was gentle, yet there was steel behind it. The tone of a woman used to getting her way and being obeyed.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Snowflake"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Chesna barely concealed a playful pout. 'Everything's a game, Mistress. But very well, I will do as asked. I don't want to unduly terrify them.'

She translated Siobhan's words as exactly as she could. Looking down at Aro she felt a little bad for having put the fear of the Goddess into her. However, she took the kneeling girl's fear as an apology and decided that she was appeased.

'I forgive you, slave. Now answer your Mistress and we shall say no more about it,' she telepathically communicated to the girl. It would be amusing for her to see if the sudden mental connection would shock the girl. Even though Chesna liked attention she also preferred to be in the background. However, she never wanted anyone to forget that she was no ordinary whore.

 

[Lief]

Aro flinched.

She could not help herself, though she knew that any rebuke she got was necessary and should have been taken without hesitation. But when instead she felt the gentle petting usually associated with a good action the girls brows furrowed in confusion. As her chin was lifted so her gaze was more directed to her new Mistress Aro bit the inside of her lip fearfully. She understood the woman's tone, and used it in conjunction with the translated verse, yet before she could respond a voice rang within her hearing.

Aro was rather sensitive to the Force, and had on one occasion been privy to telepathic communication. That did not mean she was not surprised, however, and she even jumped slightly though she did her best to remain calmly in place. Not wanting to reveal her secret the woman made no move to mentally respond to Chesna and instead began to speak to Siobhan. "This one can tend to her Mistresses Household, and her domestic needs," she began, once again biting her lip afterward in preparation for what was to come next.

"She is also wholly literate" Aro continued in third person when referring to herself, a bad habit she had picked up over time, "and can readily defend her Mistress from attack." She fell immediately silent afterward. There was no mention or indication of bedroom antics, yet the uncommon skills she did possess were enough to have her overly fearful of both of their responses... And even her fellow Slaves. They had never known either of these facts, being that Aro had mostly kept to herself and her Queen in their former Household.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Anya Venari"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Snowflake"], [member="Anya Venari"]


No mention or indication of bedroom antics, but given that this was Siobhan and she was rather...lustful, it was quite likely that would be brought up at some point. "I see. These are not the usual skills for a slave, but I see value in them. I give my slaves the chance to educate themselves if they're worthy. Your Queen was was wise to use you like this," she spoke. By now Siobhan seemed to have figured out that Aro was very loyal to Semiramis, so it seemed best to say positive things about her. Whilst obviously making sure the girl knew that she had a new queen now.


"I do not require protection, but my wife and daughter shall. And do not refer to yourself in the third person. It displeases me." However, there was something else Siobhan sensed as well and, feeling curious, she stretched out with her senses. Telepathic communication with Chesna ensued. She has the Force, though it seems untrained. Curious. Let's not bring it up right now though.


((Can have Chesna assign some misc NPC slaves to do stuff so that it's more Chesna/Aro/Sio. Presumably somce NPCs will end up keeping Sio's bed warm later!)).

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Snowflake"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
'Very interesting indeed. Dibs on training her?' Chesna replied jokingly. It was best not to think what Chesna's lesson plans would look like, but they almost certainly would not be PG-13!

The third-person speaking was something she'd not seen for a long time though. The Eldorai had long ago abolished slavery, so this form of address was usually only voluntary, but it showed just how far their Qadiri cousins needed to come.

She translated Siobhan's words, then headed over to the other slaves.
"Mirya, take these two to the kitchens. Naith, take three of them to the grounds and put them to work. Valeska, take the rest to the barracks and get them cleaning. Make it clear that no one messes with them, right?"
The three Eldorai left with their charges in toe, leaving Chesna to sidle back over to Aro and Siobhan.

 

[Lief]

"Of course, Mistress."

Aro inclined her head subtly once again as the woman spoke, sensing the subtle mental exchange between the pair but not in any detail. She could feel the Force but had no capacity for using it at this stage. All the same she found it... interesting that they both knew how. Aro was not stupid by any means, she had overheard and even read a great many things, and so the Force wasn't something she was ignorant to even if she pretended it was so. It was perhaps the only thing she had ever kept from her Queen... Her former Queen.

When the other slaves were all sent off to tend to one thing or another Aro waited to be given her own task... But when none came she frowned. Had she really displeased the Mistress so much? Oh that would not do at all!

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Anya Venari"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Snowflake"], [member="Anya Venari"]


The girl was a slave, but no fool. Being a slave meant she was good at melting into the background, yet she probably saw a lot more than most people gave her credit for. It did not escape Sio's attention how Aro was observing her and Chesna. She found herself wondering how ignorant the elf really was of the Force. It was ironic that if her Force-sensitivity had been discovered it could have been her ticket for freedom, since Sciians were conscripted into the elite troops of the Qadiri.


"You can 'train' her a bit sure," she responded to Chesna. Best not to elaborate on what that training would consist of. However, Siobhan planned to give her some personal tuition. "I would like to see your skill with weapons on display a bit later. They will be very useful. For now, come with me," Siobhan said and led the two out of the main hall into what passed for the opulent looking living room of the place. The Countess settled down on a comfortable looking couch, leaning back against the comfortable cushions.


"Remove my shoes and massage my feet," she commanded. After all, while her high heels were sexy, they were also uncomfortable! Besides, she liked foot worship. "Give her some pointers if she has difficulty," she broadcast to Chesna.This one thinks Sio might be enjoying this a bit too much.

 

[Anya Venari]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] [member="Snowflake"]

Chesna gave Siobhan a brief look like ‘really?’, but she didn’t say anything. It’s not like Chesna was ever respectable!

‘I will make her the best little slave-pet you’ve ever had…except me of course!’ Chesna declared telepathically.

And so she got down with Aro and helped removed Siobhan’s shoes.
“Mistress wishes you to massage her feet. Do you know how, or shall I show you?”