Beastie had managed to escape from the little holding chamber her captors were holding her in. Of course this wasn't her first escape attempt but this one was going much better than the ones before. She had managed to slip into a rather grand building, a home to some rich and powerful someone she was sure. It made her stomach turn, she wondered how many slaves this person owned. she shook her head, she couldn't get distracted, she had to find a hiding spot, and if possible maybe a bite to eat.
She had managed to get some small knives and she planned on using them she refused to be brought back. She yearned for freedom, freedom she had no memory of. She found her way to what appeared in the dark to be a kitchen. She smiled to herself, She saw an apple just sitting there out in the open that would taste so wonderful. She picked it up with a wide smile. She walked around a corning not wanting to be out in the open for taking a big bite out of the apple.
To say the sound of crunching woke him up in the middle of the night was a bit of an understatement. It wasn't often Anran took a nap in the cellar. He'd been sampling a few new bottles of imported wine when enough it put him out and he awoke laying on a few sacks of spices and sugar. He heard the crunching again and rose quickly to his feet, hoping he wasn't going to catch one of his house guards sneaking food from the pantry again. He stomped upstairs and pushed open the cellar door with a growl. "What are you do-" And he stared with wide eyes to a woman he'd never seen before. "Who the heck are you?"
Beastie's eyes widened as wide as the mad who had caught her. Her stomach turned and she did the first thing she could think of. She threw the apple as hard as she could at the man, hoping it would at least slow him down as she blindly took off running. The only thing running through her mind being, 'don't get caught, you can't get caught, don't get caught'. She took corner after corner not remembering exactly the way she came and her head was spinning so fast she was happy she was still on her feet. The mad was big, tall, and muscular. She knew if he caught her she wouldn't have a chance. She took one of the small knives inn each hand before finding a corner, hiding. She couldn't see the man but she could hear her heart in her ears and feel it pumping in her throat. She was terrified.
The apple hit his chest with a squishy plop and Anran growled, picking up the apple after the girl bolted down the hall. He observed the teeth marks before dropping it and following after her. "Hey! Come back here!" he howled, nearly running into a wall as he trailed after her. He saw something slip away into darkness but he couldn't be sure. He walked by an armed statue and pulled a spear from it's hand, watching the darkness warily.
Beastie saw the man take a spear, her grip on the two small knives tightened. She was going to have to do something, she couldn't just stand there if she did that he would eventually find her. She was going to have to attack because he stood between her and freedom, and there was nothing she wouldn't do for her freedom. She just reminded herself of when her master put her in the coliseum. She didn't want to hurt anybody, but she had to to survive. So without a second thought she came out of the shadow, her point was to get past him, not to hurt him, she she couldn't let him stop her.
Anran's eyes moved quickly, catching the scurrying shape and he steped aside, pressing the bottom of the spear against the ground just as she passed by, to trip her.
Beastie fell with a hard thud and a groan full of pain following not long after. She rolled over quickly looking up from her back, her knives still in hand. Of course the man had the advantage, her had a spear and she knew if he wanted he could end her right then and there.
Anran held the spear threateningly, but did not presss the assault. Instead he stared at her with wide eyes. "Who are you? What are you doing in my house?" he growled.
Beastie looked up at the man in fear, her eyes wide, almost innocent.
"I was hungry," She looked away, she would have to tell him, she would have to tell him and beg him to to turn her over to her owners.
"My owners haven't fed me in days, I had to get away, I have to hide. I can't let them take me back, please don't turn me in, please," She started to plead as tears welled in her eyes.
"Please I'll do anything," She continued.
Anran thought she was crazy. She had to be. No one could be so brazen and foolish as to break into somebody's home and proclaim all of this. And if it was true...well, that would just be his luck. Of all the houses in all the hundreds of miles of desert, it had to be his. He sighed and rolled his eyes at her, relaxing his original position and planted the spear beside him, though he didn't let go of it just yet... Just in case.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?" he asked pointedly, staring at her with a lowered brow.
Beastie quickly dashed into a corner, she liked being in a corner and plus any distance from the spear was a good one.
Beastie looked down, almost as if ashamed as she rose to stand straight, and turned her back to him. She unbuttoned her shirt so she could lower the back of it revealing to him long raised lash marks across her back, and a "13" branded just below her hair line.
"Proof enough?" She asked, her voice sad.
Anran frowned, observing the lashes on her back and shook his head. "Then I can see why you ran," he murmured. "Put your clothes back on." He sighed and rolled his eyes again. "You forgot your apple in the kitchens. I hate seeing anything go to waste."
Beastie buttoned her shirt back up before turning.
"You startled me," She spoke, soft blush forming on her face as she thought back at throwing the apple at him. A small chuckle left her form as she continued to think about it.
"Pfft!" Anran blew raspberries. "You raid my pantry and I startled you!? The nerve. You're lucky I don't hang you by your toes for the rest of the night!" He shook his head and lead the way back to the kitchen, finding the half-eaten apple and tossing it back to her. "So...why my house?Or did you just happen to be in the neighborhood?"
Beastie gave an innocent smile as she looked down at her toes, imagining how uncomfortable it would be to hang from them. She then looked, quickly noticing he had started walking, she quickly caught up, following close behind.
She caught the apple with the quick reflexes she couldn't exactly explain. looking at it. It was a bit bruised, but to her, still very much edible.
Beastie shrugged, "I just followed my instincts," She replied with complete honesty. She had quickly learned that her instincts seemed to be very well honed, something else she couldn't exactly explain. She could only imagine the life she had before everything went blank, she frowned slightly at the thought before taking a big bite out of the apple.
"And just my luck. Typical," Anran scoffed and reached for his own apple, sticking it on the end of the spear and eating it like that. "So you're a slave, huh? Who's your master?"
"I just know him as master," Beastie said with a shrug. She had never learned his name just like he had never learned hers. Of course she had forgot her own name at some point. She didn't even know where she was from.
"Isn't that convenient?" he murmured. "Most owners prefer their slaves to know their names, let's them gloat over them and such. How do you know he's even after you?"
"This isn't my first time running," Beastie spoke looking down, almost as if ashamed.
"I am one or his favorite slaves to.... torture. He says me being so high strung makes me fun," She added softly as she stared at her apple.
Anran shuddered, thinking back to his own former master and frowned. "Blah, one of those types," he grumbled. "I never did get the point of torture. Slaves are more expensive these days. Just seems like an easy way to waste them if you ask me."
Beastie shrugged lightly as she continued to stare at the apple. She had lost almost all of her appetite since the conversation had turned to her master. She honestly didn't want to talk about it, that was one reason she had ran away, was to get away from it all.
Slowly she tore her eyes from the apple and looked up at Anran, "Are you going to turn me in?"
"What an odd question." Anran tilted his head at her and observed the uneaten apple. "Why on Earth would I do that?" he asked. "Now, you DID break into my house and stole my food, and you did threaten my life with knives. But, er, I don't want any trouble. And yet, I don't think I'd get anything from giving you back to your master. What do you want to do?"
"As long as I don't have to go back to him, or have to fight I don't care, I just can't go back," Beastie replied as she moved the apple to her lips, taking a small bite. She chew the piece slowly, finding her lack of appetite making it hard for her to swallow it.
"So what do you expect me to do with you? He's gonna come looking for you and he'll likely find someone competent enough to look for you. Look, I can let you have some gold and you can be on your way. I don't want any trouble, nor likely accusations of stolen slaves. So how much you need?" He had a few silvers he could spare he supposed.
Beastie looked sad, she sat the apple down, though she supposed it was better than him trying to turn her in, or use her as her old master had.
"You could let me your slave, or work for you, something that kept me out of sight from people, I don't want to just take your money, they you can accuse me of stealing later," She spoke, not wanting to have to brave the world she knew nothing about on her own.
Anran's eyes grew wide and he shook his head. "Hakeshna no! I couldn't do that. I don't even know you! You broke into my house and now you're trying to be a squatter. Do you do this to everyone you steal from? I don't even know your name or where you're from or where you're going. If I did that, then I'd be out of money, handing jobs to every vagrant that came wandering within a hundred feet of my property." He shook his head. "What IS your name anyway?"
"I don't remember. I don't remember my actual name, where I am from, or where I could go, anything. My memory only starts about a year ago, where I woke up in chains. The only name I have is my number and my masters pet name for me, Beastie," She spoke, tears welling in her eyes. She looked down quickly to wipe them away.
Anran shook his head. "Tragic." He finished his apple and plucked it from the spear, tossing it into a receptacle and cut his eyes back to her. "Well, that won't do. I can't imagine calling anyone that isn't an actual animal Beast. How about something else? What would you call yourself?"
"What would you call me?" She asked, not being able to think of any good names. Then she looked down.
"Never mind, it won't matter. I can't stay here, I don't know where to go, to get the notion that I could actually have a name will only make being taken back to my master sting that much more," She said with a sign.
"Only if you intend on being caught. But why so eager to stay? I mean, you don't know me. You come into my home expecting generosity, hospitality and haven, but you do so blindly, without warning or cause to believe that I wouldn't simply betray you when the moment was convenient for me. Don't be so quick to rush to conclusions. You are young and have much to learn still" He cross his arms over his chest and he narrowed his eyes at her speculatively.
"Don't appear so crestfallen, I also did not say that I wouldn't help you," he said with a nod.
"I have no where to go, no family, no way out, I have no idea where to go or what direction to head in. That makes it pretty easy for trackers to find you. I don't expect anything, but it never hurts to ask, plus you could never do anything, or ask of me anything that hasn't been done to be before. You are one who just said you don't want any trouble, you don't want anyone to say you steal slaves, that you couldn't take me as a slave or give me a job. All I am is trouble, and people will come looking, even you have said that. I am sorry I took an apple and broke in," She said simply, her eyes on her feet as she stood.
"Then why didn't you just keep running?" Anran asked. "Look, I...I couldn't make you my...er, slave. The very thought churns my stomach. You seek haven... I suppose it would be crueler to turn you out into the street. Whoever this man his, he'll find you and kill you or worse. Perhaps even here. You don't want to take my money off hand, then...then if you are willing to work, perhaps you can save your earnings and leave this place. And that, at least would be worth a little pride, wouldn't it?"
Beastie perked up instantly, a smile broadening across her face. She jumped up, giving the man a tight hug, unable to stop herself.
"Thank you thank you thank you," She repeated as she hugged him tightly. She found it odd that a complete stranger had given her more compassion than anyone else, especially her master.
"Okay! Okay!" he yelped, scraping her off him. He dusted himself off and gave her a sidelong glance. "But you have to promise me two things! One, don't steal anything. And, two, do all the work you're asked to do, no questions asked. And we'll be good. Is that understood? Oh, and you'll need another name. I'm not calling you Beastie. So, decide what you want to be called and let me know."
Beastie was practically glowing, a smile across her face from ear to ear. "Of course, no stealing, and I'll do all the work," She repeated. She pursed her lips as she tried to think of a name, and she was finding it rather difficult. She would go to say one then stop, not finding it satisfactory.
"Can't think of anything?" he muttered. "Hmm. How about, er, Pear or Apple or something like that? I don't know what to call you."
"Oh, apple, thats great" Beastie spoke growing excited. It would be perfect. She jumped up, hugging the man tightly.
"Thank you so much, thank you, thank you," Beastie spoke.
Anran flinched and stiffened under the hug. "All right, all right. Okay, now. You can stop hugging me. Apple!" Anran stepped back and fixed his shirt. "Okay. It's late and I'm exhausted so if you wouldn't mind, I'll show you to where you can sleep. Just be quiet. Raj, my majordormo probably wouldn't be very pleased I hired extra help without notifying him. Come, servant's quarters are this way."
Beastie seemed to shrink as he raised his voice, instantly stepping back, head down, being slightly gun shy for obvious reasons.
"Sorry," She murmured quickly and quietly, almost too quietly to even catch.
She followed behind Anran in silence, she would be the hardest worker she could, she wouldn't give the man a chance to regret taking her in.
Anran showed her to the lower level of his estate and to an empty room the size of a broom closet. It wasn't much, but it had a cot a small hearth and food and drink. "Ah here we are," he said, allowing her to enter first and following behind her, he lit a candle and several more within the room. "Feel free to make yourself comfortable. Er, Apple."
Once in the room she didn't even notice Anran. She had never had her own room before, at best she had had a cage no bigger than the cot itself. It was amazing. She walked around the room, running her hand gently along the wall. Her eyes were bright like a child looking at all of her presents on christmas morning.
"thank you," She managed to choke out. And though she felt like hugging the man once more she resisted, remembering how it seemed to make him uncomfortable.
It was almost a nostalgic feeling, seeing her take in the room. "Well, get comfortable," he said with a polite gesture and nod as he bowed afterward. "Get some rest, likely the majordormo will have a lot of work for you in the morning. Working off his own irritation."
A smile lit up Beasty's face.
She didn't care what the Majordormo made her do, it could never amount to what she had to for her master. She would scrub what ever floors dust what ever shelves, it didn't matter. Working for the man would be the sweetest taste of freedom she had ever known, or at least could remember.
Raj was a slender young man, not more than within a few years within Anran's age, but he carried himself with all the authority and dignity applied to his position. He proud of his place and the esteem it brought him, proud to serve Haidan, and proud enough to be angry when his liege had made adjustments to the household without notifying him first. He was red-faced, despite his swarthy complexion and nearly fuming out the ears when he found Apple's door.
But he adjusted his shirt, threw his shoulders back before rapping his knuckles sharply on the wood and clasping his hands behind his back. "Miss Apple. Lord Haidan sent me to show you around the house. Are you decent?"
Beasty was up with the door open in a matter of moments. She was dressed in the rags she had made it there with, she had nothing else to wear and didn't feel safe with less on.
"Yes sir!" She spoke her voice and face chipper, ready to work. Her face was bubbly and her eyes big and bright. She was actually going to see what the grand home looked like in the light!
Raj immediately lowered his brow at her chipper attitude, doubtful of this decision now more than ever. He opened the door with a yank and peered at her with a glower that could light candles from a mere glance. "Very well then. Get that simper off your face and we'll get started."
Beasty recoiled from the door as the man yanked it open. She didn't understand why the man had done that or why he was being so harsh. She didn't understand what she had done to already fine his disfavor.
"Yes sir," She muttered as all the joy that had been on her face vanished. Maybe she hadn't thought things through, maybe the kind stranger and his staff weren't all that kind.
Raj was annoyed, but he wasn't unsympathetic, and though he gave no approval to the girl, he didn't lambast her either. "You can start with sweeping the kitchens," he said, and handed her a broom. "Looks like a rat got in here last night. If you see anything half-eaten, alert me immediately. Hmm." He looked at her with a half-lidded gaze before departing. It was test run, he'd see how she would do. If she proved up to such a menial, task, he'd see what else needed to be done.
As Raj left Apple couldn't help but chuckle. It hadn't been a rat at all. But herself that had managed to find her way into the grand home. Still she moved swiftly with a hint of a smile on her face. She was still hesitant to let the full smile return less Raj return and scold her for it.
She didn't understand why it would be bad for someone to enjoy what they do, even if it was being a servant because at least if you were a servant you weren't a slave.
She swept the kitchens thoroughly all but singing and dancing as she did so.
She knew she wouldn't find anything half eaten either, she had finished everything she had started, she had been rather starving when she had broke in.
Raj returned quickly, holding his hands behind his back as he stood in the doorway and observed her sweeping. She had done a fine job, so she at least knew how to clean. Good. One less thing he had to teach. "A fair job of it," the majordormo said and stepped toward Apple. "Come with me now, a few of the horses have terrible stomach aches and we're going to have to clean out their stalls. I hope you don't mind bad smells."
Apple jumped, not expecting Raj to be returning so soon. She turned on her heels to face the Majordormo.
"Thank you sir," She said bowing her head slightly as he observed her work. She didn't hesitate in following him as he led the way to the horses. She had never cleaned horse stalls before, so that would be new for her. The thought of the smells was a little unappealing but she was sure she could handle them. They couldn't be that bad.
She wanted to speak to the Majordormo, she just couldn't find the words. She didn't want to upset him, when she already knew his feathers had been ruffled when she was brought on as staff. So she stayed silent, feeling it a much safer route to take rather than choosing to speak and choosing the wrong words.
Raj led her outside, holding the door for her until they reached the broad grounds of the stables and the stables beyond. They were well-maintained, most of the time, but today three of them were a mess.
Raj grabbed an odd, rusted rake and garden hoe and handed them to her, one in each hand and directed her to follow the stable hand to the right stalls.
"Oh he might be a stickler, but don't mind, Raj. He's a nice guy, just has a certain way of things," one of the hands said with a grin.
Apple giggled at the stable hand, looking down.
"I think it will take a while for him to warm up to me," She added softly looking away as she was lead to the dirtied stables.
Using the rake and the hoe to started cleaning up the mess in them. It was a slow process, a new task she had never been giving before. I took her some time to get use to the motions and the awkwardness of using the new tools.
The hand could tell this was all completely new to her and stepped away, grabbing a hay bale, to reload into the feeding rack once most of the cleaning was done and eyed her funny. "Where are you from originally? It ain't often Lord Haidan hires in newcomers, but when he does, he usually announces it," he said with a smile.
"Oh, don't worry. I ain't an ol' stickler like Raj. My name's Gehad," he said and extended his hand out to hers.
Apple felt the hand's eyes on her, which brought a light pink hue to her face. Why was he staring? She shook her head slightly as darker thoughts started creeping there way into her head. Other reasons she hated men staring at her.
Her voice broke the silence, and nearly made her jump out of her skin. Briskly removing her from her own thoughts.
"I am from here and there, no where in particular," Apple spoke.
She looked down at the man's hand, only slightly hesitant before slowly reaching forward to shake his hand.
"My names apple."
Gehad nodded, pleased with her answer and his grin widened. "Ah a traveler! We don't get too many of those. I hope you have some good stories to tell. I love stories. Me? I was raised right here in Essyrn all my life. My father was a tradesman, but he died when I was young. It's nice not to have to travel around from one job to the next. It's even better to have a steady place to work, even if it ain't glamorous," he went on for a while.
"Nice to meet you, Apple. I hope you stick around for a while. I can show you the ropes, help you prepare for anything Raj will try to throw at you. He didn't like me either when I was first hired."
Apple noticed one thing, the man talked a lot. He had basically told her his life story within ten minutes of meeting. Still, he seemed kind so she didn't want to be rude, or make him upset, she wanted to make friends.
"I plan on staying a while, it seems like a nice place even though the majordomo seems a bit, over baring. It could all be worse so I will find a way to make it work out," Apple replied with a small smile on her face as she finished the stall she was in. She was sure it didn't look perfect, but it most definitely looked better than it did.
Gehad smiled at Apple and snickered. "Yeah, Raj can be hard, but he means well. I think he just wants to ensure Lord Haidan's household continues to run smoothly. The Lord has enough on his mind as it is. The servants say he's to entertain a few Merchant Princes from the clan Adb-Malen tonight and he is decidedly grumpy about the whole ordeal. Lord Adb-Malen is a slimy cur, but thankfully I don't think he'll care much for what a stable hand has to say about him."
Gehad laughed and with the conversation to pass the time, cleaning the horse stalls passed by surprisingly quickly. And before anyone knew it, it was lunch time. "We can eat in the servant's quarters! Come along I'll show you around. Better look like you're doing something or Raj'll give you something to do."