Advertise/Affiliate Other Forum Main Page The World Before You Play

The solid chains, the invisable scars (M) (Coma!~)

Started by SilmeriaElemred, September 22, 2015, 01:12:44 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

SilmeriaElemred

@Coma

The hot sun burned in another long summer day. Mid afternoon and on display in chains, were slaves. Male, female, young or younger.

Most having a broken look in their eyes. A few hopefull that perhaps the Master that would buy them was not that bad. Or maybe even a sparkle of hope someone was generous enough to set them free.

Some were lucky; being bought by friendly masters. Others, not so much. A few from the younger ones even pulled along to the brothels to learn the ways of pleasuring the customers. Them being given a good education before their real work would start.

The market lasted from early morning, till dusk and all slaves were sold. Well. Most of them from this particular slavetrader Moras, whom specialised selling elves or halfbreeds.

With the market over though, Moras' work was done with most of his slaves sold and was just out of Arca; Serendipity's capital. Moras had a rather luxery wagon, with a tent spun out in the front where he had made a temporary porch. He had laid out the planks and watched them being cleaned by the only slave he had left.

''Another day... you only cost me money.'' Moras spoke as he sat on his stool in the low floored wagon, counting his made money while a whore was working on him.

He was not speaking to the whore though, but to a young elven girl no older then 6 in chains who was scrubbing the floor. Her lip was torn and swollen. Her hands and knees a bit scratched from working.

''I suppose you were to young afterall...'' he grunted before turning to the whore. ''Faster. I pay you for pleasuring me''

He released another grunt and when he was satisfied and released himself he held the whore's head so she could not turn away resulting her to cough. He did not let go though until he was completely released and paid her. ''Scram.'' he said with a smile, closing his pants.

''Clean the mess up then you maybe.'' he got of his chair smirking as he saw the whore run off with her money as fast as she could.

The little girl got on her feet and hurried up to where her Master was just moments before. Almost there before she fell on the ground; the chains attacked to her ankles where to short and the bucket of cleaningwater and her cleaning rag fell on the ground.

Quickly gathering it up and tried to reach the filth she was supposed to clean. But she could not reach.

After putting his money away, Moras returned.

''I told you to clean that up!'' He yelled and raised his hand.

''I-I-I'm sorry Master... my chains... they do not reach please don't hurt me..'' she pleaded but he slapped her regardless.

''I told you to clean up mess not to create more.''

He threw a piece of old dry bread on the wooden floor for her to eat. Way to little for a child. ''That will be all you get today.'' he growled.

Coma

**Exploration was a difficult thing at times - particularly if it was done the way his kind favoured:  blind chance.  It was nothing short of miraculous that he hadn't ended up in some frozen wasteland long before now.   True, this was only a little improved from that detested possibility - Coma was no great fan of desert-like sunlight and heat either; preferring temperatures to be a comfortable, happy medium - a perfect middle-ground such as this was uncommon in many realms, but perfectly normal in his own.**

**As soon as he had stepped through the shimmering crimson portal on the outskirts of what seemed to be a large city; the sunlight had assaulted him, causing his lithe, muscular form to automatically flinch back for a moment, an aggravated hiss delivered through thin, pale lips as he allowed his vision the time to adjust from the sudden onslaught of light.  Even before the curse of the vampire had invaded him, he had disliked bright light - a natural aversion for a creature that dealt so heavily with shadow and darkness by all accounts.  However, the curse certainly hadn't helped and had heightened the sensitivity - still, at least he wasn't forced indoors by it like other Kindred.  It would have been intensely annoying to have to organise his life around the rising and setting of the sun.**

**Long, deceptively graceful fingers had momentarily lingered expertly near the hilt of the concealed samurai sword at his side during this moment of dazzled vulnerability.  His other senses instinctively heightening to paint a picture of his surroundings: there was the unpleasant stench of civilisation - something that was universally unpleasant, he found.  Too many bodies living too close to each other; the underlying unpleasantness of pollution and waste.   Even  before his vision had cleared and allowed him an unblurred look at his surroundings, he had turned his handsome head away from the city of Arca, shunning it entirely for the open lands surrounding it and the fresher air that was promised out in the open.  He could hear voices... a man's primary, but a fraction too far away to bother him.   The slightly-troubled wrinkle of his brow lessened as the breeze gently blew dust and sand at him, tormenting long strands of his ebony hair to playfully flitter over his shoulders; but he remained motionless until his senses restored entirely.  Instead, he allowed his hand to raise toward the gently reverberating portal; the gateway closed with a gentle, expert flick of his wrist and accompanied only by the soothing 'whoosh' of ethereal air and heat.**

**That task completed, he dared open his eyes fully; blinking quickly to dispel the starbursts of lingering brightness, before he glanced around to ascertain if his other senses had relayed correctly.  Yes... in his peripheral vision, he could see the primitive buildings of a large city; a civilisation he accurately guessed at being on the very cusp of true progress and promise.  Yet, he would make no comment to any of the inhabitants to suggest that he was from anywhere better or worse than this place - truth be told, his kind seemed to favour this sort of timeframe; rarely crafting their own buildings out of anything but strong rock and wood.  Who was he to judge?**

**Yet, the city was still far too occupied for his liking - and he very much doubted that he would be a welcome sight to any of the citizens passing him in the street.  From his experience with humans and mortals, they considered a demon an unchangeable threat - a dreadful scourge that needed to be chased away and forced back to whence they came.  He couldn't blame those who thought that way - should he change places with any of them, his view would have been the same...**

**There was a wagon nearby - rudimentary; but perfectly useable as far as he could tell.  A little further from the stench of the city, he might have picked up the telltale fragrance of wood and the mustiness of the two horses that pulled the thing.  Thankfully, the beasts were sleeping now - animals rarely reacted well to the presence of a demon, he found.   Obsidian eyes flicked to a movement from the wagon - a young lady dashing from the vehicle, hastily back toward the city.  He didn't bother trying to hide - there were only a few trees dotted a fair distance away and he would only make himself more obvious by trying to seek cover by one of them.   Out in the open, she couldn't miss him - he stood at 7ft 8", after all! His darker instincts picked up on her fear as soon as her terrified hazel eyes hit him - her pace increased to a full run and he battled back predatory instincts; instead allowing his form to approach the wagon instead.**

**His leather-like armour creaked very softly when he first moved, but otherwise his approach was silent and measured.  He held little interest in the wagon if he were honest - it was purely a method to distract himself from the young woman who had inadvertently stirred deep-rooted instincts to hunt.  He moved surprisingly quickly - something akin to a glide across the dusty, undeveloped ground.  Just as he reached the shadow of the wagon, the angry sound of the male occupant reached him.  For a moment, Coma had felt sure that the furious words had been directed at him and he felt himself bristling with irritation at the tone...**

**Until he saw the girl, that was...**

**He only had a second to take her appearance in - a poor, wretched little creature; clearly a child and malnourished.  It was true that Coma had very little patience for children - even his own had annoyed him to some degree; yet there was no way he could allow this.  Fury was expertly held down - but movements became utterly liquid.  With one smooth movement, the samurai sword was pulled from its sheath, the darkened blade live with sharpness, its sheath was thrown back over his shoulder expertly... in the next second, there was a terrible noise; a deafening impact of hardened metal against the comparatively flimsy chain which held the child; hopefully freeing her from her tethering point at least.**

**His eyes had begun to shift from an expression of sheer curiosity and mild irritation to that the dreadful professionalism he was more famed in his race for.  For a terrifying moment, he was no longer an intrigued traveller in a strange land; there was that horrifying chill to the air, the very epitome of an assassin.  His expression remained unreadable, the huge sword rounded neatly back in front of him and ready.  There was a minuscule tilt of his head and a vague shrug of muscular shoulders, his own shadow beginning to bubble and writhe around him threateningly.**

"...Leave her alone."

**His voice, only very slightly edged with the native accent of his people, was predictably baritone - but not nearly as much as would be expected from someone of his size.  Instead, it was deceptively... 'normal'.  Should the slave-master be observant enough, he might have seen a flash of elongated canines that gave Coma's vampiric side away; but Coma was rather hopeful that would remain an unpleasant surprise...**

SilmeriaElemred

The long chain attached to a pole did easily break although it left the girl still with her shackles and the chain between those.

The slavemaster was suprised; he had not expected anyone here. Also Moras was outside of the city on purpose; for those who disagreed on slavery.

Sure the guy had a nice sword. But Lizz was his property and he cleared his throat. The girl though, now able to reach the spot she was suppsosed to clean, quickly did so before her master retaliated. Maybe it would make him hit her not at all or at the least softer.

''Lizzbeth here is my property. A slave. She is not worth anything to me. I can not even sell her.'' Moras spoke bluntly and casted his eyes upon her. ''That, is all she is good for and has known nothing else in her miserable short life. If you want her not to be hit like the worthless thing she is, buy her for all I care. 250 gold and she is yours.''

Moras had some fear in him and most likely would've wrapped her up as a present if he had seen Coma's fangs. But being in the city's shadow and dusk, it was hard to see anything that mattered in detail. Also his eyes were more fixed on the sword.

Coma

**The chain snapping loudly at the impact and clattering to the floor barely attracted even the slightest glance from the athletic assassin.  It was almost as if the girl was completely ignored now - and, by all accounts, Coma would have considered his duty completed.  After all, even with the shackles, she could have easily made an effort to escape.  However, he spotted no movement - no attempt to take her leave of this horrible place - it was confusing and bewildering to him... indicative, perhaps, of the nature of this strange new realm.  Perhaps slavery was the norm here, something accepted and unquestioned...**

**Again, he could feel the bristling of annoyance and frustration - such an heinous crime was something he found close to impossible to disregard.  There was no way that he could overlook it, lest it be deemed as his offering some sort of acceptance.  His kind couldn't bare forced servitude - they had been forced into such things in the past and he recognised it as something of a sore subject for many of his race.**

**His shadowy gaze was intent on Moras, the intellect behind the observant stare quite obvious.  There was surprisingly little fear from the slave-master; a fact that suggested he might not be the first demon that the man had seen.  That might be the truth, but Coma was going to wager that he might well be the first Djinn at least...**

**As the far shorter man cleared his throat and began to speak, Coma allowed the sword's sheath to lower very slightly from his shoulder, the blade deftly replaced with a satisfying brush of metal, dexterity and expert fluidity displaying in every microscopic movement; every slight tension of muscle, every single shift of his unblinking gaze was closely self-monitored.  Despite the youthful appearance, millennia of confidence and harsh experience were displaying themselves.  An intimidating fact; but not one he overly forced upon those he encountered.**

**The words from Moras were heeded well enough, despite the continued blossoming of sheer annoyance they encouraged.  For the first time, there was the very flicker of a smile across pale lips... waves of cruelty and inhumane threat quite clear.  Coma was playing quite nicely on a suspected lack of knowledge from the man - something that could spell his demise down the line if he weren't exceptionally careful...**

"Your wish is 250 gold for her?"

**A dangerous, calculated step closer to Moras was taken - something seeped in threat.  For the briefest moment, obsidian eyes flickered back to the child; the lingering annoyance turned on her for a fretful moment... mostly for not taking the opportunity to run. This frustration lasted for no more than a handful of seconds - the vast majority of Coma's attention was steadfastly glued to Moras and his answer.  Djinn were, after all, demon wish-granters first and foremost.  An affirmative to the query could see the moral-less man robbed of his soul in the future.  If he had any suspicion of Coma's race and knowledge thereof, he would do exceptionally well to watch the wording of his response very carefully...**

SilmeriaElemred

Moras, had little knowledge of demons and magical creatures. He simply misinterpeted Coma as one of those kinds of people that were against slavery and wanted to be a hero by buying the slave. In an attempt to save it. Not knowing that sometimes, a slave was so broken, he or she could never be fully fixed. Always, would they be submissive. Always would they immediatly do what asked no matter how gruesome or dishonoring. Since their very core, exited out of knowing they either had to follow an order, or experience pain.

''Correct. 250. No less. More is always welcome. She may be young but is half elven, trained basicly since she exited the whore womb of her mother and can serve a family well for generations. Either buy her or leave.'' Moras spoke simply. ''If you need more motivation though.'' he looked at Lizz. ''Get here.'' he ordered and quickly, almost falling over her own feet, she hurried to Moras. Forcefully opening the girl's mouth who gained teary eyes in the process. And it was clear she was frightened. ''Fine, still healthy teeth. A bit on the thin side but easily fixed. Still a virgin if you are into that sort of thing. Fine blonde hair and blue eyes. What will it be.'' he had a strange smirk on his face. Showing the little girl forcefully off a bit more before pushing her aside on the floor making the girl make a soft cry of pain that only got her a scolding from Moras.

Coma

**Such misinterpretations were so fortuitous to Coma's kind... a delightful blessing that made lift so much simpler.  After all, such ignorance only made wishes all the more plentiful - someone always wanted something - it was this universal greed that Djinn had thrived on, even before sentient races began to occupy other realms.  Even in the void of emptiness billions of years ago, Djinn had fed on Celestials and other founding races.  His kind were designed to take advantage of and punish the deep-set yearnings - although the punishments were quite frivolous when it came to it: other races simply never learnt.**

**It mattered little to Coma just how destroyed the girl was, how fruitless it was to try and alleviate her situation - his moral-code simply wouldn't allow him to leave her here.  As Moras continued to speak, though, his words planted the answer as to why the young half-breed didn't flee - she was too well-trained, too obedient, too bent to the will of tyrants.  It was quite likely that she had learnt total obedience as a defensive mechanism to prevent further harm coming to her.  Again, there was a flare of annoyance - this time substantial enough to cause his muscular form tightening, his expression taking on a terrifying focus on the words given.**

**Correct.**

**An affirmation of the wish.**

**There was that familiar sense from deep within... something being unlocked, intense power radiating around him in waves.  It had counted.  A moment was taken to fully enjoy the sensation; the fleeting, delectable assurance that he could do anything... destroy whole realms and civilisations, cause catastrophic, cataclysmic disaster to legions of enemies with barely a glance.  It was an addictive feeling, something he had never bothered to explain or describe to anyone; but something that all members of his kind battled to experience at least once...**

**There was a downside, however... all this possibility was literally at his fingertips, he could feel it so tantalisingly close that it would have driven him mad if he weren't used to it... yet, he could only do what this deplorable creature asked him to do.  He had wished for 250 gold and so, barely without noticing it, the handles of a hessian bag entangled around Coma's fingertips.  Almost startled midnight eyes drifted downwards, as if surprised to see the little vessel there... and that faint smile deepened very slightly.**

**He had paid no mind at all to the slave-driver's words as he'd showed the poor hybrid off.  Instead, his dangerous hand lifted, Coma's voice lower than before; still acclimatising from the lingering traces of dissipating power.**

"Your wish is granted..."

**He waited for the weighty bag, likely holding far more than the requested amount in keeping with the wish, to be snatched from his fingertips before speaking again, his words uncharacteristically brighter, he leaned in closer to Moras; allowing that unnatural chill to radiate from him and no longer attempting to hide the flash of vampiric canines.**

"...It is customary for my kind to take souls for wishes.  I think I will wait to take yours."

**Let the disgusting man dwell on it, let him study into it and let him have haunting nightmares about it.  He deserved it all.  For now, new words were issued - words demanding and back to their normal cold professionalism.**

"Give me the key for her binds."

SilmeriaElemred

''Nice magic show. No idea what you mean by taking souls but the girl is yours'' Moras said. Maybe the words would sink in sooner or later but now, greed, and maybe some alcohol or other drug he had taken earlier certainly clouded his judgement. And when he would find out,

Greed making him snatch the bag and looked at the gold making him laugh. ''Looks like you were not a wasteful purchase for me after all.'' He took the key from both her ankle and arm shackles and gave it to Coma. It was then though he saw the fangs.

''A vampire...'' he did backed off a bit fearful. But if Coma was interested in taking his blood, he figured it already would've happened. ''So it is true? Vampires prefer virgins? You may want to let her grow up a bit more. There is not a lot of blood in her tiny body.''

He then turned to Lizzbeth. ''Someone likes you after all. He is your owner now.''

He sat down on the stool and started to count the gold. More as a hobby sort of thing. He dealed around enough slaves to know the amount in a bag was right or not and if not well. There was always fraud. Cutting off the edges carefully and melting the edges to turn them into new coins. Or get a sturdy useless material, coat it with gold and make sure it had the proper forms, markings and prints on it.

Liz, hearing she was sold, positioned herself neatly. Sitting on the ground and made herself low. ''Hello Master. My name is Lizzbeth. I shall do my best to serve you well.'' she spoke. her voice trembled a little. What if this man was worse then the other two she had? She would not deny she was scared. Most men she encountered after all had treated her like some disgusting animal.

Coma

**Such reactions weren't uncommon and Coma paid no real heed from it, aside giving a minuscule shake of his head as the bag was snatched from him.  He fully expected, when memories and rationale forced their way through the haze of greed and cruelty; that Moras would comprehend.  Most with any degree of sanity did.  Even those that didn't tended to find out quite quickly when Coma chose his moment to take what was owed to him.  Moras could well have any only hours left to live... or he could continue to be a pathetic parasite on this civilisation for several more years; but his soul was claimed now...**

**In a deft movement, Coma plucked the key from the slave-master's fingers and turned toward the girl, kneeling for a moment to negotiate the key into the troublesome lock that kept her ankle chains in place; as the chains slid away from her, allowing her to freely stand at least.  Before he could free her of the chains around her arms, Moras spoke again and Coma turned his head to catch a brief show of apprehension and fear; although it was met by an indignant snap of words, an instantaneous correction.**

"I am a Djinn before that."

**The key slotted into the arm shackle lock and he stood back up to that towering height, turning toward Moras and tossing the key back at him with a surprising force.  There was a low snarl under his breath, but no effort to attack or retaliate - it was quite clear, though, that Coma had sincerely disliked the suggestion that he would feed from or do anything unsavoury with the child...**

"By my experience, Kindred feed from those that irritate them before they think of attacking innocents.  I think I would consider you more of a target than the girl.  I would imagine that your blood is unclean currently... I would keep it in that state if I were you." 

**A suggestion that Moras might well be attacked should whatever he had taken dissipate from his blood - Coma made an effort not to feed from those whose addictions tainted their blood; therefore the advice offered to Moras was quite sound - and an excellent opportunity to issue an insult to the man's character as well.**

**As Moras addressed the girl, deemed Coma her new owner, it was easy to spot the recoil of distaste in the demon's powerful form.  As the girl spoke to him in that quavering, fretful voice; he shook his head and smoothly turned toward the wagon's door, leading back to the outdoors and those promising open plains.  For the first time, he did speak directly to the child as he passed her by.  He couldn't leave her here... the moment he left, there would be nothing to stop Moras from capturing her again and reselling her...**

"Don't call me that.  Come on."

**It was ironic to think that he had once had children and they would, at one point, have been Lizzbeth's age.  There was no doubt that Coma was not at all used to children and had barely any patience for them.  Having a child trail after him was the last thing he needed... therefore, his plan had rapidly changed from freeing her to immediately getting rid of her.  He just needed to find somewhere safe for the girl until she grew up.  An orphanage of some sort maybe, should such places exist here...**

**He offered no alternative for what she could call him instead - if she wanted his name, she could ask for it.  Instead, he led her outside and smiled coldly as the now awaking horses spotted him and bolted immediately... at least replacing them would give Moras something to spend that new money on...**

SilmeriaElemred

Obediently Lizzbeth followed Coma and a puzzled and angry Moras was left behind. Never had he heard of a Djinn before. But when and if he would find out, he would surely discover what he had gotten himself into.

''...Ehm... Sir...'' Lizzbeth asked. Following Coma as fast as she could which was not easy. She was used to her feet being bound and by that she only could take small steps. The evening breeze felt soothing against her sore ankles and wrists.''How do you wish me to call you?...''

Coma

**Moras could be as angry as he wanted - in the end, it mattered exceptionally little - Coma was quite content to let the slave-master seethe and angrily boil away - before long, his judgment would come.  If nothing else, Djinn were quite adept at showing other races the errors of their ways - getting on the bad side of any demon was a dreadful folly; but Djinn were different.  They held such unspeakable power and could hold grudges for such an unfeasibly lengthy amount of time that it was dangerous to do much else but endeavour to be on the good side of one.**

**The blazing late afternoon sun had, at least, set rapidly during his time within the shelter of the wagon.  It was drawing to the time of day that he excelled out.  As soon as darkness struck fully, Lizz would begin to find it exceptional difficult to keep track of his swift form; darting speedily from one patch of darkness to the next...**

**Lizz's gentle, timid voice reached him; though... there was a low breath of annoyance; but he commendably halted, waited for the girl to catch up.  If he kept to her pace, they'd be on the road for months - whether due to her age or general weakness or lack of exercise, she'd likely die before they reached somewhere of relative safety.  The dreadful fact was that he would likely have to carry her... not something he exactly relished.**

"Coma."

**There was another pause, only a few seconds long... before he lowered himself down to one knee, one pale hand brushing across the dusty ground.  There was a subconscious effort to not judge the child by appearances - perhaps she could manage without his help...**

"Can you keep up with me?"

SilmeriaElemred

Lizz looked at Coma. She panted softly. ''It is not easy but I can keep trying... I have to right? Because... well... I am your property. I would be a bad slave if I can not keep up with the one who owns me... but... I... can not see you so well in the dark Sir Coma...''

Although Coma did not want her to call him Master, those words alone he had given her were not enough to make it clear she would not be a slave to him.

Even if he told her she no longer wasn't though, it most likely would be frightning to her. Being a slave was all she knew.

Coma

**Every single word from the child's lips made the demon shift uncomfortably.  He hated the suggestion that he owned anyone, he couldn't stand even the slightest hint of it.  He realised with dread that buying someone, perhaps even to grant their freedom, was condoning the foul practice.  After all, Moras had profited from it.  He had made money which, despite the missing horses, would likely go towards more slaves... the horrible practice would never cease...**

"No.  Just Coma."

**His voice was suddenly harsh, irritated; accompanied by a rapid, agitated shake of his head which tormented long strands of shadowy hair to fall over his shoulders.  She didn't understand, did she?  How could she if she'd been born into such a lifestyle?**

"I don't own you.  You're free.  I don't know this place at all.  Do you know of any orphanages?"

**Still, he did take heed of what she said - if she could keep up with him, he'd resort to carrying her... but, for now, he'd rather avoid such an awkward eventuality.  After all, perhaps they'd reach somewhere safe... somewhere he could leave her before too long.**

**...He wouldn't have to worry at all then...**

SilmeriaElemred

''...Free?'' Lizz asked in a questioning tone. ''I do not understand...'' She did shriek and squeezed her eeys shut when he spoke harshly. Actually expecting punishment and quickly answered his question to hopefully avoid what she was expecting to get but what Coma would most likely never give her; a beating. ''I am sorry Si-.... Coma... I am not familiar with this city... also... I'm sorry... I do not know what an auphanage is... please don't hit me...'' she spoke rushed and trembling

Coma

"As far as I'm concerned... you're not my property."

**As soon as she screamed, he lifted himself back to his full startling height; the speed and athleticism clear from every slight movement.  His hand had instantly found the hilt of that lethal samurai sword again - a fact that likely wouldn't help.**

**It came as something of a shock to learn that she wasn't yelping at the appearance of an enemy or an ambush as he'd expected and immediately prepared himself for - instead, she seemed terrified by him; seeming to flinch herself away and verbally scrambling to escape any err from him.  His hand, with some sizeable amount of difficult, pulled itself away from the blade - and his attention moved back to her.**

"...I'm not going to hurt you..."

**There was a hesitation for just a moment before he moved away again, back into the open plains.  There was a suggestion of a track nearby - a strong clue that traders took their wares from smaller villages to the larger city they were moving away from.  A smaller area was far more appealing to Coma - and so that was his aim.  He did offer a few words of explanation as he moved; although explaining an orphanage to a frightened child proved to be no easy feat...**

"An orphanage is usually somewhere that children with no parents are left..."

**Not exactly the best phrasing imaginable - little could be worse, in fact, than outright saying that he was planning to dump her somewhere just as bad as where she had come from.  However, to his mind, anywhere was an improvement - and there was a better chance of her being adopted and having a chance at life.  What chance did she have with Moras or, for that matter, an assassin?**

SilmeriaElemred

''If I am not your property... I am nothing... my first master always said...'' she said regarding his words of him not owning her.

''But... my mommy is still alive...'' Lizz spoke softly. She still trembled though but at the least no longer shielded herself. Still his sudden movements still made her a litle frightened ''Mommy is still with my first Master. But I do not know where...''

It then hit her though and she let her head hang in defeat. ''Will I be left behind again? Like my first master did by leaving me with former Master Moras?'' she asked. Not understanding money had been involved as well.

Coma

**There was a gentle shake of the head, his voice calmer... at least now he wasn't being referred to as someone's master or owner.  For whatever reason... such titles just didn't sit well with him and he doubted that they ever would.  How could anyone truly be comfortable considering another living sentient being their property?**

"No... if you belong to no one... you can be yourself."

**His head tilted lightly as he walked at the knowledge that the girl's mother was alive.  Of course, there was little he could do about finding her - he knew nothing of this world, had no idea of the populace or of where her mother might be.  It seemed quite likely that the girl had been sold for a fast profit... perhaps even as a result of the union between her mother and whoever that first master was.  This, of course, was a thought that drew another low grumble of agitation.**

**Of course, if her mother was still a captive, there was no sense returning the child to her - not without freeing her, anyway.  A sigh was given... this world was twisted; so primitive and primal; enough to almost make him homesick for his own realm.  At least things there were simpler... if no less cruel and aggressive...**

"You're not safe with me... I'm a demon.  I have to take you somewhere safe..."

**As the sky continued to darken, his pace instinctively quickened - partly due to his vampiric nature taking slightly more of a hold on him; but mainly due to a long-held preference to the night.  Yet, he did prevent himself from moving too quickly; pausing at one point to check up on the child, albeit almost hesitantly.**

"Are you all right?"

SilmeriaElemred

''But... I am just a slavegirl... what else could I possibly be...'' Lizz asked. She had trouble to keep up and actually almost had to run. At the least all the cleaning she always had to do quickly gave her some endurance. But she had also not eaten today which eventually made her more and more sluggish.

''Why is it not safe with you? And what is a demon?'' she asked.

The city did seem different compared to how it was during the hot day. The streets were not so crowded anymore and many people were either home or in an inn. Drinking, eating.

It was not long in the city though that Lizz released an 'au'.
She had not seen the piece of sharp glass that she had stepped on with her bare foot. But she always had been scolded or punished for complaining or saying she was in pain. She rubbed her teary eyes and walked further until Coma asked if she was still alright. She nodded although the little bloodtrail she left behind along with her teary eyes and painful expression indicated otherwise.

Coma

**There was a shrug of those powerful shoulders again, a vague gesture that could perhaps be called emotionless.  Children were far easier to contend with in his race - they remained silent and it was exceptionally simple to soothe a Djinn child given that they rarely doubted what their parents told them.  It was odd to have the girl question him, but nothing that couldn't be handled.**

"Whatever you want to be."

**Coma at least had some knowledge of mortal races - he knew that, unlike his kind, they often needed to eat and sleep.  An inn of some kind had been his plan and, by the time they reached the quieter streets of the strange place, he was contemplatively taking his time getting his bearings.  He spent a moment studying the primitive buildings; answering her questions with that same thoughtful tone.**

"Demons are... it doesn't matter.  It's best that you don't know.  We... I kill things..."

**It was surprisingly difficult to explain such things to a child - particularly one that was startingly naive and innocent about the way other races worked.  He imagined she barely knew the heritage of her parents... how could she be expected to understand anything of his race?**

**Her sudden yelp had him quickly turning towards her... the scent of blood was caught immediately, his Kindred curse flaring briefly, but easily held down.  There was a hidden sigh, a slightly frustrated shake of his head as he moved closer to the girl; allowing himself to drop to one knee and studying her wound for a moment.  He was no medic, but it didn't look too bad - if the glass was removed and the wound was washed, infection would likely be fought off before it could set in.**

"Come on."

**He reached for the girl, aiming to scoop her up into his arms and rising himself back up to his full height.  There was no way that he wanted trouble - he moved toward a quieter area of the street, an inn with only a very small amount of patrons.  He had been to such places before and was aware that they often had rooms; at least Lizz could sleep then...**

SilmeriaElemred

Lizz nodded with a soft sob. The glass stinged and burned but somehow did not feel as bad as whiplashes did.

''Humans kill things too.'' she said silently. ''All races kill. Mamma said so. But... it does not mean it is bad.'' gently she held on to Coma. Trembling a little. She only had been held tenderly by her mother. Everyone else pulled her along by either her hair or arm or leg.

The trembling was merely because every time she had needed some sort of help, be it with cleaning in high spots or needing something that was out of reach, she got hit or was called a useless brat. And usually also did not receive food. Speaking of which. Her stomach rumbled. Not having eaten the piece of almost spoiled, old bread, all she had today was three glasses of water and some bread and apple peels.

Coma

**Memories of his own children at this age occasionally came to the forefront of his mind as soon as he lifted the girl.  Especially his daughter... they both had the same sweet, touching innocence.  It was a characteristic that had seemed utterly misplaced from a Djinn and it seemed just as strange from a being that had suffered such abuse for almost the entirety of her short life...**

**It was true that other races killed; but he remained silent on the subject for now.  It didn't seem right to discuss such things with a child of her age.  He could remember speaking to his daughter of such things - she hadn't reacted well, swearing that she would never hurt another living creature, despite what her race expected of her.  It had bothered him initially that neither of his children had wanted to follow in his footsteps; but now he was just relieved that they were both content in their own chosen paths...**

**Her shaking drew him out of these thoughts  - he stepped through the doors of a quiet inn, setting her down gently on a heavy wooden chair and perched himself on a mismatched one opposite to her.  When the wary-looking waitress approached, he muttered a request for clean warm water and some rags.  He glanced towards Lizz, giving a nod for her to order whatever she wanted.**

**The water and rags at least would be sufficient to clean up and dress her wound.  Once she'd ordered food for herself, he'd look into renting a room for her... then perhaps he could get away before his own race started looking for him...**

Tags: