Flashback Tied in Chain and String

[Estrellir Konrath]

His response came a tick later than expected. Estrellir had noticed a glimpse of distraction in his behavior before. While he was rattling of the slaves’ properties and abilities, she wondered idly what it meant. For the first time he’d allowed her a glance beyond the polite and perceptive mask he’d been trained to wear. A crack that likely led into darkness. In her life (which, judging by human standards, was already unreasonably long) she’d seen a few slaves crack under their masters, but this one didn’t display any of the usual weaknesses. If anything and as far as she could see, he was the opposite.

Tearing her mind away, she observed the Kelvics once more. The elk was an instant pick – easy to control, had significant endurance and, as her guide had cleverly pointed out, inspired experiments due to his animal type. Next, violet eyes darted back and forth between raccoon and ferret. Their specialties overlapped, so she had to choose. Achenar had vouched for the raccoon, but the ferret’s flexibility could be used in many different ways.

Estrellir tentatively added the latter to her shopping list and, after another moment of consideration, the parakeet for his looks. Moving on, she focused on the Chaktawe whose pitch-black gaze and sunkissed skin seemed quite promising. However, the girl would be almost as expensive as the Kelvics, so she was discarded for the time being. Turning towards the ten humans, the Konti narrowed her eyes and tried to discern their defining features, both physical and personal. “Out of those ten, which ones would you recommend?”

She watched his reaction to her earlier personal question with fascination. Another hiccup! This time he was hesitating visibly, confused. Something tugged at the corners of her mouth, the beginning of a smirk. When he spoke, he didn’t disappoint. Despite his fluid evasion, the earlier reaction definitely hinted at something.

If he hadn’t before, Achenar would’ve put up his guard by then, so Estrellir changed the topic of conversation without missing a beat. Given time and opportunity, she’d fall back on his history later. Maybe drop a hint for the slave master to pick up. “Of course you were, it’d be unwise to lie about that… Anyway, you’re an Ethaefal. Since you look very human now, am I correct in assuming that you shift at dusk?”

Licking her lips, Estrellir focused her full attention on the man before her. “One of Leth’s. He must love you like Avalis loves me and my sisters. Isn’t it so? Are you grateful that He gives you strength and beauty? After all, slaves like you are close to priceless here.” As she spoke of the Gods, a small smile played around her lips and her eyes were sparkling with cosmic light – although it was hard to say whether she was genuinely interested or merely played the game like any other Dynast.

[Achenar]

Achenar waited patiently as the dynast mulled over the kelvic slaves and their worth. He watched her, but only because her gaze was effortlessly scrutinizing the assets she sought to acquire. From what he could discern as of yet, she was no different than the rest, for the sole exception that her questions were unlike any other dynast who so much as bothered to notice him outside of the novelty of a celestial body. The paranoia sunk into his thoughts. She could easily be an aspect of the master’s many games; sent to relay whatever petch up that spilled from his mouth.

And as he eyed her, he realized how little he knew of konti and their repertoire. He’d never had the pleasure of serving one as closely as he had the other races of the dynasties, nor had he ever been paired with one during his routine duties. He was suddenly curious as to how they performed in bed, though his thoughts were quickly stamped out when the scion spoke up. His blue eyes wandered toward the ten humans who stood stoic and obedient.

There were six women and four men. Some were riddled with sunspots and others manifested the beginnings of thin lines on their visage. Humans were a dime a dozen, Achenar had realized; too often soft and easily broken. They had not the luxury of the moon being their sustenance and minor wounds healing with the transition of forms. But the konti woman wanted a recommendation, and so he scrutinized each one.

“The red haired female at the end,” he gestured toward the freckled girl, “is quite skilled in dance, both provocative and otherwise.” He turned toward a black haired woman with skin the color of hazelnut. “Another skilled in dance, but she is flexible; known for her acrobatics… generally with a pole.” There was a quirk on his lips as his eyes met the woman’s. He briskly turned toward the men. “These two males,” he gestured toward an ashy blonde haired man and a brunet, “once worked in some sort of circus or theatre according to my master. They’re used for more lighthearted ventures than the others.”

“And these two,” he motioned to a strawberry blonde woman and a tall straw-haired man, “are sometimes used as musicians due to their relative skill in the flute and harp. The rest are generic.”

He waited for her to make her decision, but it seemed she was hardly finished with her own interrogation of him. The question that followed was one that was laced with curiosity. He had to wonder how many of his kind she’d seen to know of his shifting ability. He’d never once encountered another ethaefal and often wondered if he was alone in this suffering.

“Yes, my lady,” He answered the konti. He was about to expand upon his answer when she spoke of gods, and most notably… of Leth. The words that spewed from her mouth could have melted the skin off his bones. Love. Something in him cracked at her words. His fingers curled into a fist, and as he breathed steadily, his eyes slowly rose and met hers for the first time.

“Love, my lady?” The ethaefal began, his voice, despite his desire to keep it steady, contained traces of pain. “Leth does not love me. On the contrary, he is indifferent. I am just as disposable to him as any other wretch here.” He gestured to the other slaves with a sweep of his hand. “Grateful,” he nearly spat the word out. He was going far beyond unacceptable behavior by now, and he had muster what strength of will he had to reign himself in. He swallowed the hard lump in his throat and smoothed down his tunic.

There was a long pause as he inhaled, every wail and swear and curse slamming against the walls of his mind. “I.. apologize, my lady. Leth is a... tender topic for me.”

[Estrellir Konrath]

OOCMoved it along, hope that's okay! Let me know if you want to post again before we start the new thread.


Estrellir couldn’t think of a reason not to trust the personal slave’s judgment, so she immediately added the dark girl with dancing skills to her list. It wasn’t that the freckled one looks didn’t satisfy her, but balance was required within the group. Another pale slave besides the male redhead Kelvic would only make sense if their skill set them apart from him. Such was the case with the female musician, so she added her and the man to the list as well. Gnawing at her lower lip, she scrutinized the two circus people. Lighthearted would fit the mood – after all, how serious could a bamboo party get?

Yet she hesitated. The list had been filled almost completely, so every addition would push boundaries and require meticulous consideration. If they were acrobats, their specialty would overlap with the dark-skinned pole dancer she had already decided upon. Sighing, Estrellir turned away from their impassive faces to focus on Achenar.

What a lucky coincidence. In fact she’d only spoken from limited personal experience, her connection with Avalis as a Konti, and related it to the Ethaefal’s physical properties. They had something celestial about them, especially their horns. Suddenly she wondered if their mind changed along with their body at dawn and dusk, not unlike the twin souls of the Akalak. If they did, would that explain Achenar’s erratic behavior? The hiccups?

As his blue eyes pierced hers and he spoke with thinly veiled disgust, Estrellir couldn’t help but marvel at it. If possible, the bitterness and hurt elated him from humanity and revealed a glimpse of that mysterious otherworldly quality. And then, the words. Licking her lips, Estrellir tried to comprehend everything he said and, more importantly, what stood between the lines. So he took himself for a lost child. Having lost everything, even hope, he had accepted slavery willingly. At the same time, some part of him had to be responsible for the hiccups, so he hadn’t given up entirely. Whether he was aware of that, the Konti didn’t know.

Either way, the strength of his emotions intrigued her. When it had passed, she chuckled. In light of recent revelations, the fact that he’d crossed a line didn’t seem half as important. “That much is obvious,” she commented dryly. And like that, with another glance at his submissive frame, Estrellir had decided. “Very well. Your advice has been very helpful. I will take three Kelvics, namely the elk, ferret and parakeet, the dark human female, and the two musicians.”

Pausing, she left enough time for him to instruct the slaves accordingly and lead the way back to the manor. If he’d been counting with her, Achenar would’ve noticed she still had one spot to fill. “I will also accept your master’s suggestion and borrow you for the evening. Given opportunity, we shall talk more then.” Her vague smile revealed more than her words. If needed, she’d create an opportunity to hog him at Boldvine.

With that, Estrellir returned to Zaelsen’s office, rattled off her list once again and signed the necessary papers. Some light chatting completed her social duty. Specifics were mentioned and goodbyes were said. Back in the carriage, she couldn’t help but think Achenar actually fit Zaelsen very well. That was precisely why she wished to pry the Ethaefal from his master’s hands. She wanted to see him out of the Radacke’s shadow, if only for a few bells…

The list :

1 male elk Kelvic
1 female ferret Kelvic
1 male parakeet Kelvic
1 dark human female
2 human musicians
1 Achenar
= 7 slaves (4 male, 3 female)

[Tribal]

G R A D E S

Estrellir Konrath

Experience

• Organisation: 2
• Observation: 3
• Rhetoric: 2
• Logic: 2
• Intelligence: 2
• Socialisation: 4

Lore

• Location: Whiplash Plantation
• Atia Konrath: Will not take no for an answer
• Zaelsen Radacke: Has the best slaves in Kenash
• Zaelsen Radacke: The enigma
• Logic: Secrecy requires intelligence and effort
• Radacke: Volatile and unpredictable
• Achenar: The slave
• Zaelsen: The manipulator
• Achenar: A celestial beauty
• Achenar: A quiet, calculating slave
• Achenar: One of Leth's children
• Achenar: The blue-eyed slave

Maddoch

Experience

• Observation: 5
• Socialisation: 2
• Hosting: 2
• Intelligence: 1
• Rhetoric: 3
• Logic: 1
• Storytelling: 1

Lore

• Location: Whiplash Estate
• Zaelsen: Enjoys his afternoon brandy
• Estrellir: A Konti with dark, violet coloured eyes
• Estrellir: Lady Konrath
• Zaelsen: A wolf in sheep's clothing
• Zaelsen Radacke's slaves are always trained
• Logic: Everyone is capable of lying
• Leth: An indifferent god

Notes

Loved the thread, really cool meet and greet. I think you're both really talented writers and would love to read more following this plotline! (Fingers crossed someone steps up to run Kenash). Enjoy the rewards you two.