Closed Branding (Nephti)

[Sayana]

Fall 45, 515

“Come Nephti. We’re going out.”

While her slave had been playing with Andreas, Sayana had been carefully packing her backpack with some key essentials. A jar of rhinedale ash along with a second jar of water, some vyfox, a bit of connal, some bandages, and lastly a pot and cup borrowed from the Inn. It was already evening but that was when the metalsmith had said it would be most convenient to use his facilities.

Lastly, Sayana grabbed the thin chain or leash. When her slave was ready, she clipped it to her collar and set out with the backpack on her back. She walked in silence, her face hard. Was it really necessary what she planned to do? It was symbolic and would be one more identifying feature to her slave. Timothy would probably hate her for doing it, and that was why she had arranged to do it away from her room at the Cubacious Inn despite not needing any special equipment.

The Kitrean Krafts was at the same place she had last found it and it was hardly a fifteen chime walk. Despite her musings, Sayana did ask one question along the way. “Nephti, if you had twenty to thirty gold mizas, what would you buy? And I’m not talking about freedom.” She was actually curious about the answer. Clothes? Jewelry? Makeup? A pet would require maintenance and would likely be a nuisance in their already crowded living conditions. Besides, she had Andreas to look after and nurture.

When they arrived at the blacksmith, Sayana greeted the owner. “Is this sufficiently after working hours? I’ll need privacy, but only for one bell.” The Eypharian handed the Isur five gold mizas and he accepted the payment. Yet he still quirked an eye at the younger Eypharian and the collar and leash she wore. They were led to the backroom where the forge was and then the Isur took his leave. It was still hot but the fires were slowly burning down. While full of equipment and working spaces, Sayana took note of a fireplace with an anvil nearby. There was a solid wooden table next to it with various tools and rods of metal, and she sat down at one of the two chairs.

“Sit. Hold out your hand. The one with the mark on it.” Sayana commanded in a smooth voice. She took the hand gently in two of her mids. She first examined the mark of swirling light and then looked at Nephti’s palm, slowly tracing lines over the smooth skin. “You know why I’ve brought you here, don’t you?” It didn’t take a fortune teller to realize the implications.

Receipt5 gm for renting the space

[Nephti]

Nephti tickled Andreas ,smiling at his laughter. Hearing a young boy's happiness was beautiful, and rose all spirits of her own. She was in a good mood today, and almost ignored Sayana who packed various items away, things she barely recognised. It wasn't until the woman's words, and her movement to collect the leash, did Nephti knew she was to accompany her wherever she went. Reluctantly, she left the giggling baby, letting the leash get clipped to the horrible collar she had to wear, but she wore a smile, convincing herself that it was fine.

They walked in near silence, Sayana's serious face enough to.discourage Nephti from talking. She did have one question asked though, and Nephti thought about it carefully. With twenty to thirty mizas... It was a lot of money, she knew that. But why was Sayana asking? Was she curious, was it a test, was it in preparation for something? Finally settling on a collection of things, she told them to her mistress. "I would buy a set of new cards," she said, holding the worn tarot cards in her hand, "And maybe some jewellery or a new dress." She waited for any sign of response from Sayana, before asking bluntly, "Why do you wonder?"

They arrived a blacksmith, and Nephti felt herself getting more confused, yet slowly realising things. They were there after hours, so something private was going on. To do with herself, or her mistress? A sinking feeling told her that it was herself that was the reason for this after hours visit.

She was told to sit down, to reveal the hand with the mark on it. Nephti held it out proudly, the glowing vortex clear on her skin. Sayana took it with her middle arms, and Nephti felt herself surprised. Lower hands were reserved for slaves, not mid arms. Did this show some sort of respect? Nephti didn't care; whatever it was, it meant she was treating her better than a slave. But as Sayana asked, the reason for her being here became clear. She was to be marked as a slave. She was to be branded.

Nephti felt anger seize up inside her, anger at this betrayal. How could Sayana act so nice, when she planned to do this to her. Nephti found herself focusing deep inside her, steadying her breaths to prepare for the magic to come. And it came, forced out through her into Sayana, feelings of pain and convincing. "There is no need to brand me," she tried to assure, doing her best to use her hypnotism to stop the deed that was about to take place. She no longer cared about Sayana knowing of this magic. She cared too much about being branded to let her.

[Sayana]

“It was merely a question,” Sayana replied in a smooth even voice. She did not intend to share her plans with her slave. Yet it revealed an interesting aspect about Nephti. The girl truly treasured her fortune cards.

When they reached the blacksmith and sat down, Sayana watched as there were a few moments of shining hope in the girl’s eyes. Yet it almost pained her when the hope was wiped clean and was replaced by… defiance? Sayana’s hand tightened upon the girl’s wrist. Not out of fear but with a sense of possession. Today would truly mark the day that Nephti became hers. Sayana met her slave’s eyes with a piercing gaze and then turned to look at the Eypharian’s palm. Yes, she would be hers. Slowly Sayana began tracing out purposeful lines upon the girl’s palm. They formed an ‘X’ with a third line down the middle.

But when Nephti spoke, there was pain in her voice. Pain and… wanting. Wanting… or was it desperation? Well of course the girl was desperate. She was about to get branded. It was going to be painful for her slave and painful for herself. Sayana looked up and met Nephti’s eyes once more. Her heart seemed to tighten and she could vividly imagine the burning pain. When she spoke next, there was a moment’s hesitation. “It has to be done.” Yet her voice was soft and lacked the usual confidence she displayed.

She released Nephti’s hand and stood up a little abruptly. There were various pieces of equipment around the blacksmith and Sayana sought out the iron rods which were the starting metal for most things made. There was a basket of them on a shelf and many were too big, but she found a small rod that would comfortably fit the length of her hand. In her brief moment away from Nephti, she felt her excitement return. There was something deeply satisfying about all this. Almost in a ceremonial way. Yet why had she felt such pain only moments before as if she herself was preparing for the scorch of glowing hot metal?

Her eyes flickered over to the girl. After a tick or two, she returned and sat down placing the small iron rod in between them. There was something up. Nephti still had that anger in her eyes. But Sayana couldn’t quite tell what exactly it was. So instead she decided to play along. Holding out both her mid arms to gently take Nephti’s mid hands in hers, Sayana spoke, “But Nephti, don’t I have much to gain if I do brand you?” Her words were soft and enticing. As if she genuinely wanted to know Nephti’s opinion and thoughts upon the matter.

All the while, she tried to relax her mind. Relax and see what her slave might do. And at the same time keep one corner of her mind to herself so that she might watch and see if her emotions felt right and were really hers. It was a game of trickery as one Eypharian tried to subtly persuade the other Eypharian to persuade her back.

[Nephti]

Sayana gripped her hand tight at the defiance, before speaking softly and releasing her grasp quickly, uncertain about what she said. Either something with the hypnotism had gone right, or Sayana was simply having second thoughts. Nephti stopped thinking about the magic as Sayana went to fetch what was need, returning to a more confident state.

A few ticks later and Sayana had returned, pulling a soft voice and taking Nephti's mids in her own. Her words seemed uncertain, but Nephti wouldn't be tricked by the matter of arms again. She had done no more magic, and Sayana had clearly appeared more excited before, before putting on this facade. She was an actress, wasn't she? Nephti was certain that this time, it was an act.

A feeling of fear built up slightly, from thinking that perhaps Sayana had found her out. But hope was stronger, and she overcame it, knowing that with enough effort, she would be able to dissuade Sayana. She had to.
"Oh mistress," she started, preparing herself for what was to come, "Mistress, what do you have to gain?" As she said this, she pushed the feeling of doubt through the contact, trying to instill it into the woman. As she did so, lessons, when she was such a young child, forced to learn this magic to make the family look good, came back to her. The voice of the instructor, cool, calm yet cruel, forcing feelings and thoughts upon her. There was one thing he had said which came to her: "It is not the magic, but the knowledge of where the cracks in their armour are, that is the true power."

The thought was clear. Everyone had cracks in their armour. They must have. But where were they with Sayana. Did she care about her appearance, her good deeds, did she fear failure, or betrayal? Nephti didn't know much. But it slowly dawned on her, something she had noticed several times. Timothy. He was to be her saviour, even if he didn't know it.

"And Tim, what will he think?" With this, she pushed the strongest feelings out, of doubt and guilt. A taste of blood built up in her mouth, and she forced it down, knowing she had gone too hard. But, if she was successful, she wouldn't need to do anymore. If she had guessed right, if Tim was Sayana's weak spot, if the hypnotism worked, if Sayana didn't try to block it. There were many ifs, but Nephti couldn't affect then anymore. Sit, wait and hope. But hope was strong within her. It must have worked.

[Sayana]

What did she have to gain? A sense of status and ownership, a mark of identification, a means to trace her should she flee… And then there was obedience and loyalty. But would Nephti be more loyal or less loyal with a brand? She clearly didn’t want it and what if that meant she would subtly but deliberately go against Sayana’s wishes? The shadow of doubt obscured her initially clear arguments. Not only that, but the doubt crept onto Sayana’s face as well. She had planned to mar her slave’s hand that held the glimmer of hope, and yet, could it draw Nephti’s attention even more to the importance of hope?

There was some silence as Sayana tried to sort out her thoughts. Their hands were still joined and Sayana presumed that Nephti was waiting for a response of sorts. Wait, when had her slave become the one asking the questions and waiting for an answer? Sayana breathed in to speak, but then caught herself. She was supposed to be watching her emotions. Had everything been truly hers? It had seemed so, and yet she still found herself doubting.

The Eypharian briefly looked down to her slave’s hand. Was it the mark? Or was Nephti trying to protect it from harm? When she turned her gaze back to stare into the girl’s eyes, that was when Nephti voiced Sayana’s strongest doubts.

Yet her first feelings were not of doubt or guilt, they were of anger. Sayana’s eyes flashed dangerously as she met her slave’s gaze. “Don’t you dare try to come between me and my boy.” Her words were hot with passion yet only raised a little from before. And then the full extent of the guilt and doubt flooded her emotions. But Nephti had a point, didn’t she? Tim wouldn’t like any of this. That’s why she had chosen a place away from the Inn to begin with. And didn’t Tim have his own brand? That mark on his face? Would he ever forgive her if she was the one who branded Nephti? Should she be more worried about him being the one to run away?

The guilt began to gnaw at her gut. Her hands twitched uncomfortably and she found it hard to look Nephti in the eye. Instead she dropped her gaze to the small iron rod in between them. In many ways Nephti reminded her of herself. Young, strong, radiant. And Eypharian too. There was so much potential. Was she really going to needlessly cause the girl the burning pain of a brand? Not to mention the lasting effects of it?

With slow, uncertain words Sayana spoke, “So what if I decided not to brand you? Tim would not like it if I did. He might even be furious. And you. You don’t seem too keen about it either.” She let out a soft chuckle. Inside, her feelings of guilt lessened slightly and her tone seemed a little more at ease near the end. “What would you have me do instead?”

It was only after she had spoken those last words did she realize something was wrong. Truly wrong. She was bargaining with her own slave. Her right hands came up in a flash. First her high and then her mid aimed vicious slaps towards the side of Nephti’s face. “Are you trying to play games with me, girl?” Sayana spat. “Trying to toy with me to get your way?”

By the next tick Sayana was on her feet and she swiftly closed any distance between them. She made a grab for the girl’s neck with her low hands. She wanted to squeeze and feel the life struggle within her slave. “Now tell me, what are you playing at?” She demanded.

[Nephti]

Sayana thought and thought about it, doubt appearing in the creases of her face, and Nephti hid her smile, knowing that something was happening, whether it was because of her, or because of Sayana's own thoughts. She took a breath, then looked at the slave girl's hand, and Nephti couldn't tell why.

Then Sayana met her eyes with a furious anger, threatening her about coming between the two. But the hypnotism worked, and all of a sudden Sayana twitched and dropped her gaze. It was working. It really was. Sayana was tough, emotions strong, but this had slipped through those strong emotions. This had prevailed over her, swaying her thoughts. She spoke them, before asking what Nephti wanted done instead, and the younger Eypharian took a deep breath, struggling to think of what to say to make sure Sayana didn't remember her real thoughts.

It changed in a blink of an eye, and slaps were aimed at her face, stinging hard as Sayana spat at her. Nephti was helpless to move, shutting her eyes and pleading her goddess to show this woman light and peace. The woman grabbed for her neck, demanding Nephti tell her what was happening. The girl gasped out, her prayer out loud.

"Priskil, help." She should have been a better follower, vigilant and not trying such magic. It was dangerous, to herself and because of Sayana. This was going to happen, why hadn't she planned ahead, why wasn't she prepared? Her hand began to glow, a mild light emanating from it, and the fire in the room burned that little bit brighter. Nephti's eyes were closed, focused on the mark and on bringing its power to life. The light soothed her, removing her fear, and in turn making her stronger. Perhaps it would sooth Sayana as well, and the woman's anger would be gone.

"I do not want the..." the word escaped her as she tried to speak, blood from the magic bitter on her tongue, "I do not want it." What she was referring to was obvious. She tried the smallest amount of hypnotism with it, assurance, but it was too much. She spluttered out blood, red staining the floor. This was bad, very bad. She couldn't use any more, not a chance. Another red mark where she spat out some more blood, mouth tasting foul and iron.

She opened her mouth to apologise, explain, anything, but the words didn't come out. She couldn't speak, for she didn't have anything to say, the words to say it, and a mouth that wasn't free of blood. Despite her disgust, a thought rode up on the back of her mind. Perhaps this, however bad, would save her. Perhaps this was only a distraction, but one that would lead to Sayana forgetting the task at hand. Perhaps it would postpone it, for however short a time. Nephti could no longer fight back, and not for lack of want.

[Sayana]

As Sayana’s grip tightened on the girl’s neck, Nephti cried out the name of her goddess. There was a flicker of light in the girl’s hand and the fire blazed as if on cue. Sayana relaxed her grip a little in surprise at the display. These weren’t just whimsical illusions of Alvadas. These were purposeful. When the slave spoke, there was still some fear lining her voice but there was also strength to it.

Just as Sayana was about to respond with some retort, Nephti spluttered and blood was coughed out onto the floor. Had Sayana really slapped her that hard on the face? The Eypharian forced herself to move her hands away from her slave’s neck. She hadn’t thought of Nephti as so delicate, but then again, she was just a girl. “You still didn’t tell me what you did. Or what you were trying to do.” Sayana spoke in a commanding tone. Quite frankly, she still wasn’t sure if the girl had done anything, but it was better to assume that she had.

The dancer, with smooth grace, returned to her chair. Yet not without piercing the edge of the wooden table with one of her small daggers.

“Now, if it was just a trick or a clever play of words, you might not get off so easily. But if it was something real, concrete, and something specific you could teach me… Well I might be more forgiving and merciful when it comes to your brand. Maybe you won’t even need one.” For a split-tick she was about to reach up and slap the girl again. Sayana had caught herself bargaining once more with her slave. However, this time it was different. Or she thought it was different. She was in control of the situation, was she not?

Her thoughts drifted to Timothy. What would he think of all this? No no no, these were her thoughts. She mustn’t let someone have control over them. With intense determination she fixated upon the hilt of the dagger jammed into the table. The smooth lines, the rounded tip, the delicate grip she had when she held it… Her panic subsided into calm as no more conflicting thoughts entered her head and she became sure that her mind was her own again.

After several slow breaths she turned her gaze to Nephti. There was an expectant look on her face and she wondered if the girl had something indeed to offer.

[Nephti]

Sayana's grip on her relaxed, before dropping her completely. Nephti found herself backing away so she was out of reach, but stood tall, proud and strong. Sayana wouldn't break her. Sayana wouldn't touch her, not unless she let her. Her mistress spoke in a commanding tone of voice, pointing out that Nephti never answered her question. The slave girl didn't answer. Obviously, the woman was trying to intimidate her, using her dagger on the table.

“Now, if it was just a trick or a clever play of words, you might not get off so easily. But if it was something real, concrete, and something specific you could teach me… Well I might be more forgiving and merciful when it comes to your brand. Maybe you won’t even need one.” Nephti's eyes flickered with a sign of hope. Telling could yield great results. But Sayana had tried to trick her before, to mess with her, and this could be just the same.

Giving her time to think, Sayana seemed to focus on the dagger, and Nephti found herself searching for an escape route. Sayana was deadly. She was downright terrifying, and while Nephti had some skills, they wouldn't have done anything to help her. After all, no matter how powerful her cards were, they couldn't defend her from a raging Eypharian with daggers. No matter how strong her belief in Priskil was, the gnosis wouldn't save her.

The only thing that could was something she was trying to hide. It was her only choice, and, considering the blood she had spat out moments before, using it wasn't an option. Revealing it was.

When her mistress looked up at her expectantly, Nephti was ready with an answer.
"There is language you can speak." Not language, but it was the best word she could think of for it. "A... method. A magic." A magic feared by many, used to control people, used to make them do things they wouldn't normally do. Why had she bothered trying? The Eypharian girl knew of its reputation, and how her mistress would fear it would be used against it.

No. She would prove to Sayana that she meant no ill-harm, that this was the only time she would use it on her. She made a promise, a promise she would hate having to keep, but one that would hopefully save her. "But I swear on Priskil - never use it again on you. I teach you... imagine words that make people happier, or angry, or scared, more than normal. You will speak them. Just, no brand. I am your slave, no brand."

[Sayana]

“There is a language you can speak. A method. A magic.”

Sayana’s eyes gleamed at the words. So there was something to it. Unless Nephti was leading her into another trick. Was the girl honest, or an actor? She had managed to convince her previous owner to sell her and yet most of the time she seemed genuine. Sayana watched the girl warily for a moment and yet the thought of being able to use this power herself was far too overwhelming. Just think of the things she could accomplish with it.

And so, should Nephti meet her gaze, she would see a power-hungry glint in Sayana’s eyes and a small smirk of satisfaction. For a moment the Eypharian wondered if her emotions were being toyed with this very instant. A trick within a trick. Bah. If Nephti was as cunning as that, then she deserved her freedom and more.

Almost as though reading her mind, Nephti quickly promised that she would not use it against Sayana. That she would teach her. Sayana relaxed in her seat and nodded. “Yes, teach me and there will be no brand.” She picked up the little rod of iron that had been on the table, and with a look to her slave she tossed it into the bin that it had come from. She also removed the dagger from the table and simply laid it down flat.

“A language,” Sayana repeated. “A magic of emotions. But you were speaking Common, were you not?” Part of her wanted to reason it out, yet in her gut she knew something had transpired earlier that evening. “And yet, I can speak Common and make you feel things. I can speak of freedom and achievement and a sense of power, which you do not have, to make you feel jealous. I can threaten you to elicit fear. I can offer you praise and tell you that you are strong to stand up to me and to fight for what you believe in. Or I can whisper that I love you like a daughter and that I only do the things I do to make you grow stronger.”

Her voice ranged from loud and commanding to soft and sweet. And in every good lie, there was an element of truth. She then sat up straighter, abandoning the act. “But you were able to do more. How? How do I do it?”

[Nephti]

There would be no brand. As if to prove her point, she discarded the rod of iron, and settled her dagger on the table in a non-threatening way. All Nephti had to do was teach. She had no idea how to teach it properly, but she would try, if Sayana was willing.

She spoke with such beauty, Nephti was almost overcome by these emotions. What she said was true - everyone had this touch of emotion, something they could pass with a word or a look. The best could turn entire crowds sad, or make them feel powerful. But nothing was like Hypnotism. Even the least talented could make something more. With more power, that something could manipulate the strongest, in ways that they wouldn't even think of.

"I was taught in Ahnatep. Difficult, taxing, but it is powerful. Makes me stronger, but is dangerous. You must be careful, very careful." Her warnings were sincere: evidence of overgiving had just shown itself, the blood from her mouth, but that was the least dangerous kind. Her teacher had told her the magic could work on the Hypnotist, that they could grow insane. Nephti had no words to describe this, but her warning was spoken in such a way that Sayana would be shown that the consequences could be dire.

"It took long time to learn. I cannot teach well. You, you will find it easy, because you do it already, if not properly. You must... enter trance," she spoke earnestly, scouring her mind for the memories of being taught. She had been forced to face a mirror, to speak long and hard until nothing made sense anymore. She had been taught to feel the magic in and around her and to push it open. It had happened naturally, eventually.

"Take time. Look at mirror, speak to you. Many days and nights, feel the magic. Make magic grow." Nephti bit her lips, wondering what else to say. She didn't have much to add, remembering nothing else. "Instinctive, almost. I will help, guide. Then, once can fell, grow magic, force feelings forward. Hypnotism not only this, but finding cracks in armour. Knowing people. Use feelings to break through cracks."