To be sold again.

[ms]

Elu stood in his place, swallowing as he was shuffled around and shoved deeper into the crowd of the many being bought and sold and fought over. How did he wind up here again?! Seems no one wanted a frighten slave that was afraid of his own shadow, no matter how submissive he was. He wanted so desperately to be on the other side of the fence, owning instead of being owned. But this was a slave’s life, and there was no way out.

“Sl-sl… slave for hire?” He whispered, unsure of himself again. Maybe no one would want him and he could go free?

[mizu]

"You shouldn't, really," a voice behind Elu said. "You shouldn't."
It was a strange young filly who'd spoken. She had an unusual coat: white flecked wih brown. It closely resembled a dalmatian's pelt. When Elu turned to look at her she smiled nicely.
Nightingale had never been present at a slave auction before, although she'd been a slave all of her life. This standing around waiting to be claimed was new to her, and she didn't like it, but there was nothing she could do about it. She was a slave and knew her place.
Her friends, who were slaves, were somewhere inside the arena too, but the slave-trader who brought them here had separated them so they wouldn't make mischief. Nightingale sighed. They never even said goodbye to each other.

Standing around doing nothing was boring, so Nightingale immediately decided to talk to somone just to pass the time. She chose Elu, because he was closer than anybody else, and looked so shy and uncomortable! Nightingale compared him with the rest of the slaves standing nearby: they looked angry or resigned, while Elu seemed to be almost eager to serve. He had no fight in him. Like Nightingale herself, after all. The Appaloosa figured he, like her, had never been a free horse.
"Don't offer yourself like that," she suggested. "You have no dignity left at all if you do that. Stand silent and someone will come to you. They always do." Actually Nightingale had no way of knowing whether or not what she was saying was true, given that this was the first time she witnessed an auction, but she wanted to make Elu feel better.
"My name's Nightingale," the Appaloosa said pleasantly. "My old Master called me Chatterbox. I talk too much. I'm sorry."


------

OOC: Yes, I wanted Nightingale to talk to Elu before he's sold off. ^__*

Btw, NIGHTINGALE CAN'T BE CLAIMED IN THIS THREAD GUYS. This is Elu's thread. I just thought it would be realistic to have slaves interacting sometimes instead of just standing there. A Master can barge in and take Elu away anytime, don't worry about interrupting the poor slaves' conversation.

[ms]

Elu turned as a voice spoke to him, curious as to who could possibly want to talk to a slave so quietly. Finding the strange Appaloosa, he backed up half a step, eyeing her like she was going to suddenly spring forward and eat him alive. She kept talking, though he didn’t answer back; going on and on about dignity, and offering, and what was to come about. She didn’t look like any slave he had ever seen; there was no fear, or hate, or sadness. More of a curiosity to her, if that. She was very interesting, that was for sure.

“Hello, Nightingale.” His eyes shifted around, hoping that no Slave hand would come and keep them from talking. He was frightened, and right now, anything to take his mind off what kind of Master he might have this time was wonderful.

“I’m Elu. And what else can I do? There is no dignity left for someone like me. I’ve had so many Masters, who have all done unspeakable things. But you have to take it, you do what you are told, or you die. I prefer to live, don’t you?” She must be new at this. “If you don’t offer yourself, a future owner might think you to high of yourself, and treat you poorly, or not take you at all. Then you’re stuck here. And don’t apologize. It’s been a long time since someone has spoken to me without words that hurt.”

[mizu]

For a couple of seconds Nightingale was afraid the stallion would run away in fright, and her apprehension probably showed in her face. But then the look in the black slave's eye faded and he greeted her, albeit rather worriedly.
"Nice to meet you, Elu," Nightingale said cheerfully, swishing her long grey tail. "You know, lots of horses think I'm odd, but I believe us slaves can mantain our dignity, even though we serve Masters." She paused to ponder Elu's question, even though it had sounded rhetorical: I prefer to live, don't you?
"Yes, of course," the Appaloosa agreed heartily. "But you see, being dignified doesn't mean being rebellious." She lowered her voice when she said this last word, and by her tone she might have been talking about some terrible disease. "I've seen rebellious slaves." Nightingale looked troubled. "And what happens to them."
There was a small silence.
"Anyway, I'm sorry about apologising," Nightingale resumed brightly. "I shan't do it again. So why are you here, Elu? My old Mistress died...I liked her very much, you know...so the Master sold me to a trader. I don't think he earned much out of me- only indications as to where he might find a herd ready to take him in. It's my coat, you see. It's terribly ugly, the Master always said. And so are my striped hooves. And the white around my eye. Also, my Master used to say I wasn't worth very much because I gave him and everybody else a headache with my constant chatter. But my first Master, he wasn't annoyed by my talking. Of course that might be because I didn't talk to him much....his son liked me though. We used to have a great time together. His name was Falcon, and he was my best foalhood friend. Oh, I'm doing it again, talking too much. I'm sorry. I mean, no, I'm not. I mean, I am sorry, but I'm sorry for saying so."

[ms]

Elu was having a hard time following her. She really DID talk too much, and it was no wonder at her nickname. So he just stood in silence, letting her talk herself out while trying to understand everything that she said. She thought herself ugly, because of her natural paint and coloring. He snorted at that. He found the girl amusing, rather than annoying.

“I’m here because my latest master didn’t want me anymore. That happens a lot. A master will take you for what he wants, then when he’s done, he’ll throw you back into the pond for the next to take. And I don’t think you’re ugly.” He looked at the ground, unsure if that was alright to say.

“Your coloring is yours, and it makes you interesting, a good find. There are a lot of masters who would want you just because of your coat. Scars on the other hand…” he indicated his back with a tilt of his head. “They show that you’re a bad slave. Keep Falcon close in your mind, he’ll make the nights better. And don’t worry about apologizing, you’re nervous. This is obviously your first time and it’s expected.”

[mizu]

"You can't have had very nice Masters," Nightingale remarked. "My first Master was nice, sort of. He was angry when Falcon and I came back late from the meadow, but he never kicked me. He kicked Falcon." She neighed in amusement. "Poor Falcon."
"I don't know why he sold me. Falcon was crying, I remember. I was crying too, when they took me away. I hoped it would just be for a little while, but..." Nightingale sighed. "Then I served my Mistress, Gwatha. She was very nice. Very old too, she was frail and her coat was quite grey. The Master had a bad temper, but my Mistress never let him scold me or punish me. After she died, he respected her wishes. Yes, I think that's the reason he didn't kick me even though she wasn't there to protect me. But I reminded him of her, I suppose, so I had to go."

I don't think you're ugly.
The filly went scarlet, and lowered her head looking both pleased and ashamed. She nibbled a single blade of glass that was sticking out of the sand.
"Were you a bad slave?" Nightingale asked Elu, eyeing his scars. "You don't look bad. You can always tell good slaves from bad slaves, it's in the eyes and the way they stand. Like this." And she assumed a defiant expression, her head lifted arrogantly and her daggers poised to lash out. Then she went back to her usual gentle self.
"Falcon will always be with me," she told Elu softly, smiling. "They're all with me, all the slaves I've ever known. I think we should all stick together and help each other when we can. So I carry them with me. And..." She hesitated. "Can you really tell it's my first time?"

[ms]

“I haven’t.” He whispered, shuddering at the thought of his first master. He was a cruel one, taking the young foal and killing its parents. That was the one that first taught Elu his place, that gave him his first scars, his first broken jaw. No, not very nice Masters at all. He listened to her story, smiling slightly at the thought of her having a friend. She’d have plenty of memories to keep her company, to make her happy in the cold nights when she was alone and hurt. It would happen, it did to every slave.

“No, I’m a good slave. My first owner lost a bet, and I was the payment. Another one went mad when all his foals died in the winter, and killed all the mares in the herd. To get some females back, he had to give his best male slave to the trader. The list goes on, but I was never listed as a bad slave… I don’t think so, anyway.” He chuckled as she made herself like that of a proud horse, with a fire that only made owners angry.

“I’m guessing you’ve had your share of arrogant males?”

[mizu]

"Oh." Nightingale looked at Elu sympathetically. "I'm sorry for...oh, no more apologies, right?" She snorted with laughter.
"The Master...my masters were fairly arrogant, but I think all stallions are, masters or free-roaming. We slaves are different," Nightingale said matter-of-factly. "My fist Master especially, he was very proud, and he wanted Falcon to be the same, but we were friends, he and I, and although I was his slave he always considered me an equal. Sometimes we played Master and Slave. And I was the Master now and again. Do you know, it wasn't very nice, giving orders to Falcon. I don't think I want to be a Master, not ever."

Nightingale threw back her head and tossed her mane happily, forgetting she was supposed to be behaving meekly.
"I should hope we both get good Masters. I've never worked, I don't know if I'll be any good at it...I just keep Masters and Mistresses company. I'm good at that. I always have something to talk about." The Appaloosa looked proud. "It was easy with Falcon because we both liked to play, and the Mistress liked to listen to the stories I told her. I hope no stallion will be my new Master. I don't know what to tell a stallion. What are they interested in? You tell me, Elu." She looked at him almost pleadingly.

[ms]

Elu weighed what she said, how she’d never want to be a master. What a strange thing, to always want to be a slave. He never knew any other life, but he didn’t want to be a slave forever. Maybe she wanted to be free-roaming instead? Who knew, who knew…

“I would. Want to be a master that is. I’d get as many slaves as I could and show them what it’s like to have a kind master. I’d never let them do anything they didn’t want to, and I’d work with them, not let them work for me.” It would be like having a herd of free horses, but they’d keep their title of Slave so they wouldn’t be taken from him. They’d be safe there.

Should he tell her what master stallions would do? Most of them wouldn’t want her for her talking; they want her for now naive she was.

‘They’ll make you a toy Nightingale. They aren’t interested in what you have to say, or the weather, or even what story you could tell them. They are interested in making their herd bigger, in foals.’ He thought, never letting it pass his lips. The pleading in her face hurt him all of a sudden, and he looked away, finding the sand between his fore hooves very interesting.

“I’m sure you could tell them anything you want Nightingale. They’d love to hear you sing, or tell them about a bird’s nest that you found. They are rather easy to entertain, actually. Each is different, you just have to find what he likes.”

[zoe]

Freyja's eyes glinted as she spotted the two horses talking. Slaves were not meant to form friendships, she thought. They're too timid, how could they? half of them hardly spoke anymore. she wondered what was wrong with these two that they would feel so free to talk, especially at the Autcion Rock.

She flicked her short, bristly tail and pranced forward, her footsteps heavy on the ground.

"You," Freyja asked, looking at the black Quarter horse, 'What is your name?"

[mizu]

Nightingale glanced up at the sky. It was a lovely sunny day, hardly any clouds at all. It was a good omen, the filly decided.
She lowered her head and looked at Elu again. His words had encouraged her; her heart felt a little lighter, her chest looser.
"Thank you," she said warmly. "I'll try my best to be a good slave. But Elu, will you promise me that if you ever do become a Master, you'll come and fetch me wherever I am?"
She leaned her head to one side and was about to add something when a shadow fell over her. Nightingale looked up into the eyes of the biggest mare she'd ever seen. She shrank back, moving closer to Elu. Not that he could protect her or anything, not against a Master.

There's nothing to be frightened of, Nightingale scolded herself, she's just a large breed of horse.
But she'd never seen one so large and was, understandably, intimidated.
The big mare spoke to Elu. Nightingale glanced at the stallion. He was about to leave her, she knew. But this time maybe he would find a good home: how could a mare be cruel? Gwatha had never raised her voice around Nightingale, and neither had Falcon's mother. Yes, Nightingale was sad to know Elu was leaving, but she was happy for him too. She only hoped her luck would be as good as his.

[ms]

Elu smiled at Night, glad he could give her some peace. He only hoped that if he ever saw her again she’d have the same innocence about her. With a nod, he agreed with her.

“If it ever happens, I will most surely find you. I’ll bring you with me, and I’ll help you find Falcon again.” He wanted to say more, but she moved closer to him, and he looked up at what was making her nervous. His mouth dropped open and he took a step back at the huge horse that towered over him.

“E-E-Elu, Mistress.” He stuttered, heart fluttering in his chest from fright. She was big, and no doubt could cause real harm with such teeth and hooves.

[zoe]

Freyja snorted, eyeing Elu thoughtfully. He was a lot more nervous than she had expected. But then, a nervous slave meant an obedient slave, and she did need those.

She pawed at the ground, watching dust float up wherever she hit. Yes, Elu could be useful. He was fairly young, and he would become loyal to her over time. And he looked strong, not like some of the withered types she'd seen about. She shook her head and decided to speak.

"Elu, eh? I am Freyja. I would like to give you a home."

[ms]

Home? No, he would never have a home, not while he was a slave. Slaves didn’t have homes. But he’d follow her, after all she was to now be his master. Nodding, he took a step forward to acknowledge that he had been claimed.

“Of course, Mistress Freyja.” He braced himself for a hit, for he had spoken without permission. That was how it was with him; he just hoped that he wouldn’t be hit too hard in front of Nightingale. She was new at this; he didn’t want to scare her.

[zoe]

Why did he flinch? Freyja asked herself, watching him closely. Clearly, he hadn't been treated well in his past.

She glanced towards Nightingale, wondering about her. She seemed so self-assured, so unslavelike. It was as though she had been free her whole life.

Freyja let a breath out through her nostrils, tossing her head. What did it matter to her? A prideful slave could be someone else's problem. She had the beginnings of her herd.

She turned and walked off, not even wondering if Elu would follow. He was a slave. Of course he would.