Slavers are cold, and Survivors are bold

[Shawn Withers]

Arkania
Adascopolis
Outskirts/Underground

Damn. Even underground it was still freezing. The cold air still cut through my Cold weather gear. Walking past people who were barely wearing rags or let along a full set of clothes, I felt bad. I wanted to hand them my jacket or build a fire for them. I couldn't. They were slaves. One thing I learned in the four years I have been traveling, is that you do not mess with slaves when so many of them are near. Mind you, they weren't being sold, but there was an excess of them here. Mostly being a pure white race of Arkanian Offshoots. Some looking more human, and others looking elvish.

This is where they lived and slept. And I was in their space. Lets say some were just growling, and cursing at me, while others tried to go after me. Showing them my knives, they may have stepped back, but one got a little too close. I almost gutted him in front of his friends, and what looked to be his family. He backed down after the knife was poking his exposed stomach.

I moved on until I found an empty spot to sit down. It was a cold floor, but it was better than using the little credits I had for one room for half a night. I leaned on the wall and covered myself up. I tried to rest for a little when people started shouting at me. Calling me a fake, and taking their space. I got up slowly, and started to move.

"Get the Feth out of here! This is my spot!"
"I'm sorry Sir, I didn't know."
"Now you do, so get out of here!"
"I'm going."

[member="Crix Meriet"],

 

[Crix Meriet]

Arkania
Adascopolis
Outskirts/Underground

Crix was off on yet another gathering mission for Thais Kallisto. Someone had to ensure that the mines were manned and seeing as how he was master of the workforce the job seemed best done by him. Slaving away in a crystal mine had a horrific effect on one's health and slave turnover was high. fresh bodies had to replace the corpses or the mines would cease to produce profit and Thais would blame him. So Crix made regular trips across the galaxy collecting stock.

Arkania had a history of mining so where better to get miners from. Indeed he had been well served by the slave farms on the planet but slaves from the farms whilst strong where expensive given even the strongest slave lasted no longer than 5 years in the mine. No Crix knew places to get slaves for free. The clusters in the underground of escaped slaves, the homeless and the poor. A prize ripe for the seizing if one knew where to look. That is why Crix Meriet Courtier to the queen of Isis could be found far from the luxury where he belonged walking the streets of the underground. One last cluster for the night, the sun would be rising in about 6 hours. The streets that were teeming with bodies for the taking tonight would clear at first light and new locations would be found for gatherings the next night. That was the way things worked.

Crix tugged his clothes tighter even swaddled in a heavy winter cloak and warm clothes the cold wind bit into him. This annoyed him not only was the heavy clothing restrictive blocking him from easy access to his whip but it didn't make him warm enough to be comfortable. He was annoyed that pickings among the street dwellers had been poor. They were scrawny and drawn they wouldn't last longer than a week, in short they weren't worth the effort. This cluster like all the others was filled with the sick and weak. They would not do, infact he was about to give up on the streets as a lost cause when he heard a ruckus in the distance. Slaves strong enough to fight were strong enough to work.

"Continue scouring the street any scum who look healthy enough to last a month take, leave the rest to the cold" He ordered his men " I'll meet you back on the ship in an hour or so" He added before advancing down the alley way that was the source of the noise. He was rewarded with the end of an argument between a group of ragged slaves, all far too weak, and a woman. Strong looking and clearly no slave. not yet anyway. She was driven off by the crowd he stopped still waving her over as she got nearer to him and far away enough from the group. "Miss" He called with a smile. The picture of handsomeness and well bred charm. A mask hiding a cruel and vicious soul "Over here a moment" He added taking a step toward her "I can't help but notice you're not a slave like these other poor souls, You'd be better off resting in the city . " The city was enclosed protecting its inhabitants from the harsh cold " Will you come back with me?" He asked "We can get a warm drink then no doubt find you somewhere safer to stay, somewhere that no one will drive you off"

[member="Shawn Withers"]

 

[Shawn Withers]

I backed up from the group. Making sure I wasn't stepping on peoples toes as they continued to bicker at me. When I was far enough away I finally turned around. Letting my back be exposed to them. I didn't like it. I felt naked. I felt barren of any protection here. if one started a fight, then all of them would join in. It was the kind of thing where you were always in the wrong no matter what. My best chance of survival is leaving and using the money I had. I looked to see soldiers up ahead. Well, at least armed men. And then a man motioning for me to come over. He knew I wasn't a slave. But even then, I still knew that a man like this, dressed finely, and in clearly warm clothes, he was someone who preyed. He extorted his use of fame, fortune, or power to the highest extent. I have met a few people like this.

I walked over anyways. He was trying to be kind and help me. Saying to join him. I gave him a cross look that I was not as dumb as I may seem. "I don't drink, but I wouldn't mind a short ride." Drinking hindered my senses. It prevented me from keeping a clear head. So I refused his drink simply. If I wanted to be warm, I'd build a fire, or get somewhere warm. Not drink a hot beverage. Sure it may have helped, but with a man who I don't know, preying in this place, I was sure to find a pill dissolved in the drink, or laced with a sedative.

"I'm different from everyone here, but why ask to help when its obvious that you are one kind of evil, and this here another?"

The man was either twisted in the head, or was just really good at what he does. Smooth talking, charismatic, and looked rather handsome. But all of those at once sent red flags in my head. Being down here, my knives were already loosely in their sheathes, now even more so. Because its not the strong or the brute ones you need to worry about. its the quite and the nice ones that were the most dangerous. They lured you in. They trapped you and molded you to what they wanted before you realize it. And if you do, its already too late. I wouldn't make that mistake.

"Trust your instincts Shawn, you know you have them."

My fathers voice ran through my head. Wanting to warn me. And I felt stronger by it. I couldn't be too cocky. I would only dig my own grave with that scenario. "Shawn, and you are?"

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

This woman amused Crix, she was the type of person who would sooner kill a gift horse than risk it biting. Those sorts of people were hard to catch but he could do it. He frowned at her cross look. A disappointed look soft almost sad. "Just a short ride it is then " he replied, it would end up rather longer than this woman anticipated is Crix got his way. He'd need to be careful though it seemed that this woman was on to him Well darn it he'd need to use force.

As for The nature of Crix as a man he was most definitely twisted, a thoroughly nasty piece of work. He tried to hide such behind a veneer of charm and handsome faces.

Shawn what an odd name. for a woman anyway. But Crix was not one to judge "Crixtophel , " He replied " But please call me Crix" His father hated the contraction, therefore Crix loved it. "I can see you don't trust me , Perhaps a rich man in the underground earns such distrust" He shrugged "Walk back to my speeder with me and I'll explain" He said beginning a walk back "I work for a mine owner , source employees ... That's why I'm here, see if I can't convince some of these poor souls to join me " He gestured about a little "I find that the rescued poor are more loyal as workers than those who prospered before I employed them, they are more grateful for the gifts of employment"

"I'll answer any question you have to convince you I'm worth trusting " He smiled again.

[member="Shawn Withers"]

 

[Shawn Withers]

"Crix."

A name that I have never heard before. I was still wary of him. Even more so when he invited me to walk with him. Starting to follow after him, he seemed to not care that the poor people here were watching. He moved on as though his stance in life was higher than everyone else. In all honesty, he likely was. He had troops with him. Or at least a personal guard. Likely another one at his place and/or ship. His word was law to these men. He spoke, and they answered. If he wanted me dead, it would have already be done. No, he wanted something from me. A man like him, even if he was a employer of sorts, wanted something in return for his time.

Time was money. Money was power, and power was law. Simple. However, the complexity of this all was how he got himself this high up the food chain. DId he do it himself, or did he have lackies. I didn't know, and I wouldn't ask. At least not yet. He spoke as though he were an open book. But his words were still filled with a hidden venom.

"Exploiting a weakness in the system to get workers at little cost to you. Expendable and yet profitable. Cunning, and deceptive. Yet, you act like a gentleman when needed. So what is it that you want from me? It gives you no profit to pick me up, and I am not as expendable as these folk here. I am not a pretty face, nor a power whore. What is it that drives you to send people over the edge?"

I may be naive to most of the galaxy, but I could think quickly. I was a fast learner. I had to be. If he was this willling to exploit the poor system of Arkania, then how will he try to exploit or expose me. Hitting my weak points with a sharp jab, while trying to soothe me that hes caring for me. It was like making a deal with the devil. It seems a little too good to be true, and if I don't find it fast, then I will be on the wrong end of his weapon. Real or proverbial.

"I'm harsh, I'm brash, and tough. No offence is meant towards you, I just want to cover my ass before I stand up."

[member="Crix Meriet"]

 

[Crix Meriet]

(Sorry for the delay I had Law assignments due, very stressful)

Crix did in fact feel he was above most people. A life in a slave owning family will warp you like that. He saw himself as above the poor for he was rich, As above the weak for he hid his weakness, Above the dumb for he was smart, above the brutes for he was sly, Above the old for he was young and above this woman for he was the predator and she the prey. So no he didn't care that the gutter rats all around were watching him if they approached he could wield a whip better than most people could use table cutlery.

As for how Crix got to wield the power he did it was all through the work of others, he was born privileged and through that privilege he had connected to a powerful individual a queen, in her absence he spoke with her voice and that is why the guards followed, for it would be treason to risk defiance.

He chuckled at the woman's cynicism. How right she was and how he longed to laugh and bid her to run, just for his own amusement. He didn't of course "How cynical you are" He tilted his head to think over how he ought to answer her "I prefer to see I bridge a gap between the system and the people, the work my employer hires these people for might be hard and dirty but whilst they work for her they are fed and safe. More than can be said of them now. So yes I benefit but no more than they do" He smiled again at her question of his motives for talking with her of course he wanted her blood and sweat, for her to slave for his queen for as long as she could cling to life, if the existence of a slave can be called life. He could hardly say that "Can I not do something just for the good of doing it ? I have known poverty and degradation and I like to do my bit to help others free of its grasp " That was only half a lie after all Toby the love of Crix's life was a slave, crix knew of the suffering that brought. That didn't prevent him retailing in suffering though ...

Her next question brought a 'confused' frown to his face "'send people over the edge' I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by that" He sighed as if saddened again. Of course Crix got her implication and his answer was simple he was driven by his own sick amusement.

"I understand" Crix replied at her final statement "I suppose one has to be brash in the underground " He had been joined by his guards again by now and was tempted just to have one of the clobber the schutta over the head to knock her out.

[member="Shawn Withers"]

 

[Shawn Withers]

Always watch your back. Always watch what happens, because in the end, only I can stop something from happening to me. I needed to find a way to get around this man. Somethings were still off. A rich man never wastes his time with toils and small things such as slave's wants and needs. His words were sly and were meant to fool even the smartest of people. Trusting him though, would take more than just words. Actions, perceptions of these actions, and how he determines right from wrong is what proves, or denies my trust.

I felt like he was egging something on. He wanted something from me. The people here were low slaves. And I was something more. I had meat on my bones. I had skills. And, I was a female. I could be used for more than just a worker drone. I was still expendable to this man To a point. And honestly, I didn't want to become anything like that. I didn't learn all of my skills just for them to become a waste, to be withered to nothing.

I just shook my head. This man was full of himself. He just oozed the type of ego that wanted me to throw up in my mouth. I wanted to take my knife and cut into the man slowly. Show him the pain of all the people he had oppressed and fixed to become his workers "voluntary" or as a slave. I didn't care. He was just... wrong.

His men closed in around us. And I looked around. I kept my hands close to me, and ready to move if need be. I... I felt like he was purposefully trying to make me on edge so I wouldn't realize he was doing something until it was too late. My senses went into overdrive. I could almost hear and feel everything happening. The slight flexing of my boots, the stretching of clothing over the men around me. I could feel the fibers of my clothing scratching my skin. I could hear the breathing of each man. Fast or slow. Instincts kicked in, and I was not going to have this. I stopped cold in my tracks.

"Your men surround you to defend you. If you really did help people, and gave them a second chance, then why are they not coming to you? If you really do look upon these people as you say you do, then you would be honest with them. Not hiding behind a line of men with weapons."

I turned around and started to leave.

"Consider this my exit."

[member="Crix Meriet"]