The Auction

[Arundel]

The deal was done. There was no going back now. Arundel's face seemed to be set into a permanent scowl of disbelief. They all moved to intercept their new family who were being ushered off the platform. Were they really family? Legally, yes - just not at heart. But surely in time. Quickly she pushed the thought away. Arundel knew what was to be expected of her with this man Aleixo. Marriage. Babies. Or maybe she could slither her way out of this one. Maybe he would fall for a more compliant, dainty female of another clan. Then she could be rid of this horrible inconvenience. Arundel had plans for her life - plans that didn't involve a husband in the near future. Of course that stance was highly frowned upon what with the current situation of Endrykas. But why couldn't she take her time? Why couldn't the right man prove himself to her, like her brother had stated. Her lips twitched at the thought, despite herself.

But no! Now all eyes would be on her. Arundel's face twisted into a bit of a snarl. Hopefully he would fall for some other woman quickly so she could pass him on over and rid herself of the responsibility. They joined with Aleixo and his sister - who not surprisingly gave way from all the stress. She looked away as her brother scooped her frail body into his strong arms, cradling her against his barrel of a chest. Arundel glanced at the Syliran she had purchased personally, listening to Trekin's instructions. Her eyes were burning with frustration, and she pursed her lips. Finally they could be off. Without a word, she picked up her skirts, turned on her heel, and stalked back in the direction of home as her father and brother thanked the man. The others followed along, talking quietly amongst themselves. They were wise enough not to utter a word or even try to gesture at her. Displeasure radiated off her in waves. It was practically a physical entity.

OOCAleixo and I are all done here. We have already started to continue in another thread.

[Karliah Firestride]

Karliah's eyes grew wide as a very attractive man walked up on stage. She glanced around and saw she wasn't the only one. This was one of the few times she'd been attracted to someone, she wasn't quite to adulthood yet, though to the Drykas she might appear so. At this moment she was about two years old, give or take a few weeks, and she appeared to be about seventeen.

The man on stage was definitely young and strong, he would do nicely....very nicely. Karliah caught a lock of her hair and twirled it around her finger for a moment, perhaps maybe in time he'd be used for what he was originally brought here for. In the time Karliah had hesitated another woman had bid.

Deciding not to hesitate any longer Karliah thrust her hand into the air and shouting out that she would pay twenty-five mizas. She would continue bidding until fifty mizas, but she really couldn't spare much more. She glared daggers at a group of young women, her angry gaze perhaps lowering the temperature a few degrees. Turning her attention back to the stage, she grinned at the auctioneer and the man up for bid.

[Irea Rasar]

Irea watched the proceedings with mild curiosity. She had only days ago come to Endrykas, having joined a group of kinsmen from her Pavilion on their way to attend the Auction. They were surely somewhere near, though Irea thought they would be too busy looking for new wives to bother with her. Not that it would have been unwelcome; she felt alone, even among all these people. The woman knew few of them, and most of those she recognized had only been met in passing. It was worse during the night; for a Drykas used to sharing a pavilion with over a dozen people, the silence was deafening. That was why Irea bothered coming to the auction in the first place. She needed someone, anyone, to keep the loneliness at bay. Even a newcomer who couldn't speak a word of Pavi would do. Besides, she would be doing a service to her people by teaching a new Drykas the ways of their people. Surely she could spare a small sum for that. Irea inspected those waiting their turn to be auctioned off; none impressed her thus far, but she would wait and see what the day brought. The healer had much to do, and what little free time she had this day was devoted to this auction.

[Naiya]

The reason for her sudden halt was all to soon standing before her, and while it seemed to Rue that things time had stopped, in reality people continued to be bought and sold in the background.

"What are you doing?" Her father glowered down at her as he spoke, his hands signing disapproval even before she had a chance to answer him.

"Leaving." She answered, stepping back from him quickly before turning to do just that. She would not stay to watch any longer.

Achaius however had other plans, and two quick steps on his part allowed him to wrap an arm around the smaller form of his daughter.

"You will stay." He stated, finality in his voice. Not that Rue had much choice with the vice grip he held her in. "We will shop together for your new husband."

[Praetorian]

As expected, a flurry of bidding ensued at the sight of Allan. Deep down, Rukairn shook his head, laughing at how easily women could be swayed by a man's appearance. Then again, men were much the same, he had to admit. These women saw his strength and beauty, but knew not of his incompetence. In him they saw a strong man that would make a fine husband should Cheva shine Her favor upon them. Marriages were, after all, sacred among the Drykas though some outsiders would see their polygamy and balk from such an idea. The Drykas did not see love as something frivolous, but something that could be shared by many. Before he could even call out the first bid, requesting an answer to it, another woman had leapt forward. And then another. Quickly, the bidding rose to 45 Mizas, then stopped, hesitating. "The bidding stands at 45 Mizas? Will anyone defeat this?" His eyes fell upon fire-haired woman who had started the bidding frenzy, head cocked to the side. If she made the closing bid, no woman would step forward again, allowing her to purchase him. If not, a pair of women near the edge of the crowd would have won his strength with their Mizas. In any case, the bidding would then close, and the an and his new owner would be shuffled off to the side to receive the same speech as had been reiterated countless times. Next, Isedan would be motioned to join him on the stage. Her movements were slow, and airy, as if she were still so far away. Sighing to himself, Rukairn put an arm around her shoulders, nearly fearing that she would collapse on the spot. She had grown thin during the travels, eating only what they forced on her as her belly was filled by shock and trauma. It would take a good family to bring her from this state, he knew. His words were spoken in brief Pavi, but his hands conveyed tragedy. The tragedy of which he spoke was not the one that had befallen the Drykas but that which had arisen when Isedan's hunting partner had attempted to intervene in their raid. "The woman that stands before you is Isedan. A strong family will be needed to show her the joy of being a Drykas, but their fruits will be rewarded by a strong hunter. Be there any who will offer her a place at their hearth?" He knew that, because of her appearance, there would be few. But, he knew that there was a will to see others succeed in the heart of his people. Strength lay in family and, in such a hard time, some would see a kindred spirit upon the stage. NotesKarliah, you must submit your NPC to the Help Desk to have it formally approved. Issy, as the NPC buying you is your own, you can play out his behavior and your response.

[Isedan Autumnrun]

The woman had to be escorted heavily onto the stage for how lethargic she was. There was such emptiness in her gaze as she looked upon the faces of those gathered, seeing none and hearing none. They were just echoes in a world of greys. Even the auctioneer's ramble drew no focus to her, the flapping of his hands meaningless.

Just let me die...

Her heart pleaded through the smokey eyes that stared out. They and those like them were the cause of this, yet she felt no anger, only sadness. They couldn't have known...yet the bond had been thick on the tall dame who stood there, weak with grief. Who could want such a broken soul?

And then a voice from the crowd rose, a hand gesturing an offer. Ten miza's. She saw the movement, her eyes naturally drawn to it, and looked to the face. A young man, younger than she it was, but not that one who had browsed her 'fore the auction began. He wore green in his hair and on his clothes and his eyes were almond they were so light. But the thick, weathered hand that came after, raising the bid, summoned further attention.

Here was a large man, tall for a Drykas, with broad shoulders used to hunting in the grasses and used to handling the chores of a pavilion. His beard was long and braided and his hair hung in plaits against his back, a sash of green with woven blue through it worn around his waist. His chest was bare, a few scars of hunts gone awry bared. He gestured and spoke loudly to the one that held her. Issy turned her head to consider the stranger with such pained eyes, begging him to let her sink away, back to Semele's grasp.

When the younger one tried to outbid him, the man turned a dark look to him and raised the bid another twenty miza's, daring the youth to outbid him. But he did not, quickly sinking back into the crowd to contemplate the others that might be brought. The woman on the stage was (with some good food) fit enough and looked strong enough to be useful in the clans, any clan, though her only known skills were in hunting. Such talents would be beneficial, all the moreso if she could bring children to the family she was bought into. She was of child-bearing age, or so said her appearance.

The man who had raised it had set the price for 40 miza's now and looked impatient to be done with the affair, his arms crossing and a finger tapping.

x
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[Akilah Windsong]

Akilah hesitantly entered the tent, her head down. She listened at first, to the voices around her buying and selling, happy and mournful. Not everyone had been captured, she knew. Some were happy to be here, eager to join a pavilion. If she looked, she was sure her aunt or father would be somewhere in the front rows, contemplating if they needed an addition.

After what happened to--no, she was not ready to touch that feeling yet. The loss would overpower her, she knew. And then she would be forced to go to that other memory, that darker memory of that first failed capture mission.

And she wasn't ready to even consider that memory yet.

She should not have survived that mission. She should not have entered that mission in the first place.

But she did.

Finally, she forced her head up and stared at the faces nervously waiting to join a home. The woman on the stage.

The prizes of their conquest. Her red--no, her hair wasn't red. It was brown and dark and bright and red and the blood--

She swallowed down the bile that rose in her mouth, forcing herself to focus on the present.

She had to watch this, she had to. Just to see that something came out of it. Something good.

Akilah raised a hand to cover her mouth. No, she would not back down yet.

[Praetorian]

OOCThis post won't be quite as detailed. This thread has become a monster and I'm sure most of you are just wanting to get your timeline finalized, right? Ok, good. Isedan was quickly sold to a man Rukairn recognized of being the Autumnrun pavilion. If he remembered correctly, the man had lost his wife - or had it been his child? - to the pox. With a gentle squeeze on her shoulder, Rukairn sent the young woman to meet Trekin and, through him, her new life. He only hoped that she would be able to hold on long enough to see the glory of his people and perhaps add to it. The Hunt was fast approaching and if she had managed to remove herself from her slump by then, she would make a fine addition. Men and women continued on stage, their faces quickly blurring together to Rukairn as the day wore on. Some stood out to him, partially as he pitied or worried over them and some as he sighed with relief at the realization that that one in particular would have no trouble assimilating to the life of a Drykas. By the end of the day, his bones were weary and his voice - though little used - was hoarse from the few times he had been forced to raise it over the excited bidders. Soon, soon they would be done and life would go on as it always did. Post InfoTo save time from here on, you are allowed to play out your character and (if being purchased by an NPC) your purchase. If you're being bought by a PC, simply add an OOC note for them to post next. Once their transaction is done, the next pair/group can move in. Deveraux people, you can all post in a row just to get your interactions completed then decide between you who will be bought first, second, third, etc, and coordinate with your purchasers. If you need any help or explicit moderation (most of you should have seen so far how this is run) just let me know and I'll jump in. But, y'all have been doing pretty great so far, so I'll let y'all flow this to keep it going. If you're observing like Akilah, just post whenever you please. Bottom line is keep this story flowing properly and take turns. Shouldn't be too hard, right?

[Lea Deveraux]

She had seen them gone by. Sold, like they weren't even humans. The blonde girl, Emily. The girl with hair the color of ochre. The pretty brown-haired one, the brother and sister. The last two reminded her of Nate and Kat. Lea's heart gave a painful jerk, clouding her vision with tears. She blinked them away and glanced to the crowd of horsepeople, scanning their faces. Who would buy her? One of them, of course. How could she expect to? They were total strangers.

What are they called? Oh, right. Drykas.

Her attention was grabbed again by another girl, still brown-haired but with grey eyes. None of their faces looked familiar, although Lea was positive she had seen some of them in Syliras. There were so many people in that city, though, one could never be sure. More people with brown hair... Just like Kat and Nate. Her own hair and the one with the ochre locks were the ones that stood out most.

Lea wished she had her frying pan. They'd confiscated it when she whacked a Drykas with it. When they were captured. At least they hadn't taken her astronomy book. Maybe they hadn't seen it. A hand went to the left pocket of her trousers, patting the familiar rectangular shape. Perhaps there was a chance that the constellations in Cyphrus were the same in Sylira? She doubted it, but there was always a chance. Maybe she could escape.

She was finally called up, although it took her a solid ten seconds to react. The words were garbled and unclear, as though she was underwater or they were speaking through a wall. The world seemed to shrink and become distant, a wave of panic hitting the girl. She stumbled forwards, nearly crashing headlong into the auctioneer. Did he know her name? What was going to happen? Who was going to buy her? Questions swarmed the poor redhead, and she almost doubled over and emptied the meager contents of her stomach. She managed to keep the bile down, swallowing with some effort.

"Lea Deveraux."

Would anyone give her a home? The question was asked. Her voice was tiny and hoarse, giving the impression that she was nervous. That was the last thing she wanted. A blush crept up her necks and reddened her freckled cheeks. She hid behind a screen -- no, a curtain -- of hair, ashamed. Hopefully someone would buy her and this would be over.

But who?

OOCIt's Lian Windrunner's turn to post, by the way.

[Lian Windrunner]

Lian wasn't at all certain as to why he had come to the auction. Part of him wanted to be anywhere else. Anywhere at all. He did understand why these people had been taken from their homes, and everything they'd ever known. His people desperately needed the children these women would bear. He understood the necessity of the raids. But that didn't mean he had to like it. As Lian watched in silence, people were sold off one by one much the same way as livestock would be. The children would adapt to their changed circumstances the easiest. Especially the young children. Memories of their lost lives would fade with the passage of time, as new memories were created to replace them. Lian believed that they alone, of all the captives would truly adapt. In time, the children would be Drykas themselves. The men who had been brought to auction were there by choice. They too might adapt if given enough time, though Lian had to wonder what could be so bad about their former lives that they would agree to allow themselves to be sold to strangers. It was the women who were the worst off by far. Taken against their will, sold like the breeding stock that they were, and forced to bear the children of a stranger. Who could expect them to embrace the people who had torn them away from everything they had ever known or loved? To become one with their captors? No one could. The question being asked each time a new person was brought up to be sold was a joke. Family indeed. Still, Lian knew his duty all too well. He was an unmarried man who was young enough to sire children. It was his duty to do just that; to do his part in replenishing the numbers of Drykas had been lost to the plague. And to do that, he needed to buy one of the captives. So Lian started to pay more attention to the captives who were being sold. The next person to be brought up for sale was a woman who looked to be about his age. One who had bright reddish orange hair, and blue eyes. She was on the small size, but she was pretty, and Lian decided that she would suit his needs perfectly. His first bid, of ten gold mizas was quickly outbid, much as he expected it would be. He raised his bid, and raised it a second time in an attempt to outbid the others who were interested in the girl. Finally, at the cost of twenty gold mizas, the girl was his. Lian made his way through the crowd to the auctioneer so he could claim the girl he had purchased. He handed the money over, and then listened in silence to the other man's words about bringing his captive into the web. Lian nooded, agreeing to do just that...though he couldn't imagine ever trusting the woman enough to tell her about the web. Once he concluded his business with the auctioneer, Lian gestured to his captive...to Lea, to follow him as he began walking towards his tent at a brisk pace.