Chains and Broken Things (Veberos and Jeeves)

[Crow]

Bekker woke up with a sigh, regarding the sky outside his window with a wistful air. Being a slave was not the most fun of occupations, no matter how much the black-haired Sith enjoyed being around his mistress. Aeris was a bit weak, and she needed a guardian... Clearly, it hadn't occurred to anybody to hire a bodyguard not chained up as a slave, but the guy wasn't about to complain.

Today, he was a slight bit incognito. He was accompanying Aeris, and her little brother Coliu, into the city for some fun. The Crow, as he liked to be called, had been looking forward to getting outside of the walls, where he could talk to his mistress without the shadows of Lord and Lady Vebrero over him. But, of course, slaves were expected keep their distance, even Pureblood slaves.

He pulled on an overly nice button-down shirt, and his light armor over it. The shirt was unnecessary, as was attempting to comb the floppy mess of his hair into some semblance of neatness, but Aeris made him wanna dress up a bit. Seemed to make her happy when he looked nice. And it made him happy to not look like a slave. He certainly looked the part of a guardian, now, with several knives sheathed on his armor, both visible and concealed, as well as the heavy blaster strapped to his belt.

With a glance in his mirror, and a grin, the Pureblood slave stepped out of his room and started the trek up the nearby tower to go get Aeris.

[member='Aeris Vebrero'] [member='Coliu Vebrero']

 

[Ibby]

[member="Crow"] [member="Coliu Vebrero"]

Aeris sat on the floor of her room, several datapads of written works scattered about. Many of them contained various writings of the history of the Sith, though there were also a few which spoke of the dark Je'daii. All had been smuggled to her by her parents.

The room was dark, illuminated only by the glow of the datapads. The Pureblood herself wore her favourite black robes, though the hood was pulled down.

Rubbing her eyes, Aeris sat back and sighed. The girl had been seized by one of her bouts of intellectual hunger and had shut herself in her rooms for almost three days in a row. No one was permitted in except for Bek and, if she was feeling generous, her family. Not that she never saw them -- Aeris still had the decency to come down and join everyone for meals, updating her parents on whatever information she came across.

She heard footsteps approach her door and scrambled up. Flinging it open, the girl squinted. "Oh, hello Bek. Why are you dressed up?" Her slave was less a slave and more a good friend in her opinion, and when the two were together it showed. "Not that you do not look nice in them," she added quickly. "But what is the special occasion?"

 

[Crow]

Because Bekker's skin was only a light red, it was pretty visible when he blushed. And he did, when Aeris complemented his dress. Thankfully, it was too dark to see his face, so he was able to make himself relax. The raised eyebrow he had for his mistress was implied in the tone of his voice. So she had shut herself in again. Ah, well then... This little walk they were going on would do her some good.

"Well, I was going to come and see you anyway but your mom, or Lady Verbero or however I'm supposed to call her when we have company, wanted me to drag you out of your room, and bring Coliu to the town. It's an excuse to go somewhere, so I jumped on it. Plus, we can talk without worrying about anybody trying to rip my tongue out for disrespect..."

[member="Aeris Vebrero"]

 

[Ibby]

[member="Crow"] [member="Coliu Vebrero"]

Aeris let out a groan. "Mother knows I do not like going out in public! All of those people..." The Pureblood shuddered in distaste. "And I am in the middle of reading about our history." Sighing, the girl pinched her nose. "But, I guess it does not matter. Come, let us fetch Coliu. If I am forced to go out, then we are going to the marketplace. At the very least, I can purchase some sweets." Pausing, Aeris gently probed his mind with hers, adding, And if my parents attempt to punish you, you know I will make their lives difficult.

Withdrawing, she shut the door and grabbed Bek's hand, pulling her slave along. Of course, she released his hand once they neared the bottom of the steps -- her parents might encourage the humane treatment of slaves, but that did not mean they approved of inter-caste mingling. Aeris's cheeks flushed slightly at the thought; it wasn't like her and Bek mingled, anyway. He was her friend and her guardian, along with being her slave. Nothing more. Right? Even so, she was glad Bek couldn't see her face.

To steer her mind away from the unpleasant course it had taken, Aeris asked, "So, where is my brother, anyway? Is he in his room?"

 

[Coliu Vebrero]

Coliu was yelling at his parents for some reason, from the sound of it he didn't was to go anywhere but stay in his room. Upon seeing Ares and Crow however he ran off back to his room to get changed. He hated going out even more then his sister, but he was in no position to argue at all. He ran back down stairs wearing he favourite clothing ((With no hat http://tor-fashion.com/hailstorm-brotherhood/)) that could get away with being noble. reappearing he jumped at Crow <<We have to go don't we?>> he asked in the only language he knew,

[member="Aeris Vebrero"]
[member="Crow"]

 

[Crow]

Bekker smirked jauntily as his mistress talked about her dislike of going out, and her grudging resignation to going outside. He could understand, but didn't agree, since he basically went through life craving true freedom. Meanwhile, though, he felt Aeris grab his hand and pull him down the stairs. It didn't surprise him too much, but he blushed again, anyway. He vaguely wondered if she had any idea how much she was messing with him when she did that. Probably not.

He was even less surprised when she gently released his hand, as they walked towards Coliu's room. He was screaming at something in Sithese, and it sounded as if the Lord or Lady were the target of the noise. With a subtle wink at Aeris, he knelt down to the four-year-old and smiled.

"Yeah, Micro-Lord, we do. It's not like it can't be fun, though."

[member="Coliu Vebrero"] [member="Aeris Vebrero"]

 

[Ibby]

[member="Coliu Vebrero"] [member="Crow"]

"Don't listen to him, Coliu," she told her younger brother. "Life outside of our walls is harsh, cruel, and bloodthirsty. One wrong move, and your chances of living to see your next birthday diminish to nothing." Despite her sinister tone, Aeris could not help but smile a bit, especially when Bek winked at her.

"In any case, one good thing that might come out of this torture is Crow giving you a piggyback ride." Patting her brother on the head, Aeris looked up just in time to make eye contact with her mother.

"Oh, wonderful!" Lady Vebrero exclaimed, clasping her hands together. "Now, you children have fun on your walk! Crow, make sure they're home by supper time; I don't want them to miss a meal." The older woman snapped her fingers lightly, and one of the human slaves accompanied her as she left.

Aeris watched their mother leave, a look of slight disdain crossing her face. The girl disproved of the way her mother treated the slaves like pets. Letting out a soft sigh, she looked back down at Bek. On the walk there, can you teach me any more Basic? she asked him mentally.

 

[Coliu Vebrero]

Coliu looked terrified at his sister's explanation but at the suggestion of a piggyback he jump onto Crow's back and almost everything he was scared or annoyed at melted away.

<<Onward!>> he yelled as a joke, knowing his sister he would probably get hit, either by the force or by something else.

[member="Aeris Vebrero"]
[member="Crow"]

 

[Crow]

Bekker wasn't awfully insulted by Lady Vebrero's treatment of her slaves... He was grateful for her taking him in, but she clearly hadn't done the same with her other slaves. Apparently, she cared enough about Aeris' feelings to spare him the "pet" treatment. At least he'd managed to keep his name secret from everybody but his mistress. With a bit of a grimace at the Lady's back, he raised his voice so she'd hear him.

"'Course, my lady."

He glanced at Coliu's little foot tapping on his shoulder.

"What animal noise do you want this time, kid? Thranta?"

He smiled at Aeris, and poked back at her mind. Like I'd drag you back if you didn't want me to. Let's go find something sugary to eat.

[member="Coliu Vebrero"] [member="Aeris Vebrero"]

 

[Ibby]

[member="Crow"] [member="Coliu Vebrero"]

A faint smile chased away the previous look of disdain. Like figdas? Do you think they would have any? she sent back. Aeris had never cared too much for sweets, but those particular candies had always been her favourite. Her face fell slightly, though, when she realized she didn't have her money on her. "Crow, did you happen to grab any money before you were sent to drag me from my haven?"

 

[Crow]

Bekker's eyes flashed with amusement. Of course he had money on him. Even a slave had the sense to carry money. He lifted a hand from Coliu's leg, to flash a loaded credit stick at Aeris. It flipped in his fingers once, and then disappeared into the pocket on his shoulder.

"Oh no, m'lady... You know perfectly well that slaves can't have money... It'd upset the natural order."

He winked at his mistress again, and brushed her mind. Plenty, of course. Your parents are way too nice to me.

[member="Aeris Vebrero"] [member="Coliu Vebrero"]

 

[Coliu Vebrero]

For Coliu the trip had been completely Silent <Your talking through each others minds again aren't you?> he asked. Knowing that they were dispite what that said gave him a little smile to show. Coliu had his ways of knowing

[member="Crow"]
[member="Aeris Vebrero"]

 

[Ibby]

[member="Crow"] [member="Coliu Vebrero"]

Well if you want I can bring your complaint to them, she teased. Father always says a good lashing or two never hurt. What Bek said, though, was true. The Vebreros rarely if ever physically punished their slaves, something which went against the norms; only the family's relative prestige kept the hounds at bay.

Coliu's question pulled Aeris from her thoughts, eliciting another smile. "Oh no, dear brother. Merely absorbed in our thoughts." The Pureblood let out a soft hiss as the sunlight burned her eyes, which had become accustomed to the dark. She pulled her hood up over her face, scowling.

Bek, liepti nun tave redis nuo "vora" mazo Nu galez visita nuyak durmoti anas, she growled mentally. Aeris was not by any means an outdoors person.

 

[Crow]

Vora - Sun, Aeris. Does it really burn that much? Maybe we should buy you some shades, too.

Bekker chuckled at the thought. Seeing his mistress dressed up like a normal kid their age would be a real surprise. Those Sith robes weren't all that great. Of course, he was the meat shield, and he'd gladly kill or maim to protect Aeris, but he still thought she should wear something that offered a bit more protection. Ending this train of thought, he smiled up at Coliu.

"Nope, Coly... Just trying to figure out where to drag you and your sister. I love going to town."

[member="Aeris Vebrero"] [member="Coliu Vebrero"]

 

[Coliu Vebrero]

Coliu nodded, he was much more intelligent then he let's on.

<That was just mean Crow> He said, he can calm down when taken outside, his sister on the other hand would be shooting fire out of her eyes if she was told to stay outside. <you getting more books Sis?> he asked.

[member="Crow"]
[member="Aeris Vebrero"]

 

[Ibby]

[member="Coliu Vebrero"] [member="Crow"]

"Sun," Aeris murmured softly. She squinted up at the sky, tugging on the sides of her hood. She paid no attention to the rest of what Bek said. Instead, the Pureblood's thoughts were filled with analysing the word.

Surprisingly, the word was not as harsh as she'd thought it would be; it was short, true, but it was a word which evoked pleasant things. But, that was one of the things she loved about Basic -- it was much less harsh-sounding than Sithese. She continued to mull it over in her head, and in the same soft tone, she said to herself, "No, that will not do." Tell me another word, Bek. One which is not so lovely on the ears.

Aeris blinked when Coliu's question interrupted her thoughts. "More books?" Blinking, she shook her head. "Not from the marketplace. I do not need any rivals destroying what I buy."

 

[Crow]

Oh, "sun" is too pretty to hate, I guess? I know a few "less lovely" words... Dunno if you want those, though.

Of course Aeris was mulling the word over in her mind... A little bit over-analytical of her, but understandable. It wasn't like she knew how to speak Basic, and was just messing around in her brain. She really didn't know much of the language, and Bekker was slowly teaching her, and enjoying the process. He looked around in front of them, and simply shrugged. It wasn't like he didn't know the town. He just didn't know what to do when he'd been ordered out on a dime.

"So... If you don't want books this time, where are we going? The market's not out today."

[member="Aeris Vebrero"] [member="Coliu Vebrero"]

 

[Ibby]

[member="Crow"] [member="Coliu Vebrero"] ((You complain about me not posting and yet....look at you ))

Aeris managed to hide the smile behind her hand, but she couldn't completely keep in her laugh, so she used coughing as a cover-up. At the same time, she replied to her slave, Oh, I am certain you know many, many "less lovely" words, Bek...all of which would result in punishment for both of us if my parents caught wind of them. The Pureblood paused, reconsidering her statement. Well, Father might find it slightly amusing. Mother would not.

A yawn suddenly escaped her mouth, and the girl realised that she didn't remember the last time she had a full night's sleep. One of the side effects of her medicine, unfortunately, was insomnia. "Not all of the market, no. Some of the vendors are still open, though. I am hoping, since I am out, to at least visit the herbal section. I dislike the medicines which Mother and Father have me on currently; they leave a bitter taste at the back of my throat."

The girl moved closer to her brother and slave as the number of people around them grew; even though half the stalls were closed, the place still attracted crowds. Aeris hated crowds. "In any case, I have been doing a bit of side research for herbs which will help with my....condition."

 

[Crow]

Your dad would scold me... Your mom would make you watch her throw things at me while I run up walls trying to get away. Either way, though, I don't know the word for Sun in any other language.

Bekker smiled as Aeris stepped closer to him, and probably would have offered an arm to her if Coliu hadn't been sitting on his shoulders. The only thing that marred his happiness at the moment was his mistress' mention of her "condition". Whenever somebody mentioned her heart, he wanted to break down crying and hug her.

"Medicine is supposed to taste bad."

He tapped Coliu's foot.

"It's so you don't have this guy breaking into your stores and getting addicted to that crap."

[member="Aeris Vebrero"]

 

[Coliu Vebrero]

<<Wha!?>> Coliu blurted, normally yes he had done something annoying but he hadn't done anything today... yet.
<<I wasn't listening, you had too many big words>> He added. Pretending he could hear their telepathic conversation

[member="Crow"]
[member="Aeris Vebrero"]