Ayden Neyon's Story

Ayden rested his head on his arms and gazed out the window. His forearms rested on the sill, he was held up on his knees, uncomfortably supported by the creaky wooden cot. A small breeze blew through the open window, ruffling Ayden's black hair and carrying with it the scent of pine. He'd grown somewhat used to the scent since he'd become a slave. Pine. It was odd, looking at trees. Trees in general were just odd. Ayden was used to spotting the occasional bush in the vast dunes, but that was it. And the animals here! He'd nearly passed out the first time he saw a squirrel. It was so... furry! He was more accustomed to camels and deadly lizards and the occasional owls or fox. In fact, he'd made good friends with an owl once. It left one day and never returned. At least it'd taught him that good things come and go. 

Like freedom. 

He nervously fingered the small diamond on the chain around his neck. Proof he was the property of none other than Miss Jones. He smiled slightly. Once, he'd heard someone call her "Patricia". He'd thought about calling her that to her face, but he doubted the beating would be worth it. Ayden sighed audibly as a bird fluttered nearby. It's not like his situation could get any worse. Not too long from then, he'd be running for his life through unknown territory. Worse, his pursuers were most likely faster than he was. Ayden was positive he'd surely die. His father had said once, "Death is not to be feared, for those who fear death are selfish with their life." He hadn't understood its meaning very well until he'd become enslaved. Now, he was trying his hardest not to be afraid. After all, once he died, he'd meet his brother once more...

The Bound slave discreetly wiped a tear from his eye. 

At the gate, Patience was pleased to find that Zoë had carried out her orders perfectly and was there before her. She was not pleased, however, when she saw the boy she'd selected. "Zoë." Patience snapped in that way of hers that let her victim know they'd better watch out while also seeming pleasant to those around. "I'm sure there was change." She held out the hand at the snide comment. Surely the boy couldn't have gone for much. He didn't look even the least bit strong. The young woman placed the pouch of leftover money in her hand. Decidedly heavy. As she'd expected.

She let her blue eyes roam over the boy. He was tall, but didn't seem strong. She'd sent Zoë to get her a hunter not a serving boy. She sighed drastically. That was the trouble with sending slaves out to do anything. No matter how obedient, they always looked out for their own. Rather annoying. "Does he have a name Miss Brooks?" She asked raising one slim eyebrow.

"Oh, yes. Frederick Walters." The girl answered her meekly and Patience nodded. "Well Fredrick, Ayra." She nodded to each of her new slaves in turn. "Come along, it's filthy here. I'll introduce myself back at the house." And with that she turned and left with the three of them in tow. Once at the house, Patience smiled. Her home was always a sight to lay eyes on. "This is my home." She said, gesturing to the grand building and vast front yard before them. "Welcome to the Jones Plantation." She stopped at the door and turned to them with an openly welcoming grin. "I'm Patience Jones, your new master, but you are to call me Miss Jones only. There is to be no stealing, talking to other slaves, speaking out of line, disobedience, embarrassing me in front of guests, or back sass." Her smile dropped into a cruel glare. "Any breaking of these rules is severely punished."

And with that, she turned on her heel and lead them through the winding maze of her house to the back door. "The servants quarters are seperate from the house." She explained and opened the door. Outside, the double doors opened up into a vast yard decorated with an elaborate garden. The whole yard slanted on a hill down away from the house so it was easy to see the slave huts lined in a neat row at the bottom of the yard. She lead them straight down to them.

The huts were dismal little living spaces made of a total of six pieces of wood. Four for the walls and two for the roof. They were no better than dog sheds when it came to protection from the elements and didn't even have a floor, but they did their job well enough. There were eight of them all sitting in a neat line. On the very end was one slightly larger one made of marble. That was used only for the Blood Oath ceremony.

Patience led them down to the last hut and inside. There were six small cots laying on the dirt ground and a single window with no glass, but a mesh screen instead. On one of the cots sat Ayden, staring out the window. The sight of him made her lip curl slightly. She would be glad to be rid of him. She turned to the others. "Zoë and Ayden stay here already, but recently I've lost a few servants so you'll be taking their places. This will be your room. She pointed to the two empty cots, each with two changes of clothing on them. The girls cot had two freshly washed lace dresses on it and the boys two sets of white khakis and white sweaters. "You can wash up in the servants bathrooms behind the huts, after that Ayden here will give you a tour of the house." She turned to Zoë. "Zoë, you have a few moments to yourself. Answer any questions these two have and then go into the market and pick up some groceries with the change from Fredrick." She tossed the girl the pouch and gave them all a "warm" smile. "All of you be ready for tonight."

After her not-so-subtle hint, Patience turned and left, making her way up through the gardens.



"Where am I?" The boy asked as she lead him away and Zoë felt a sharp pang of guilt. She knew what is was like to wake up one day and not know where you are, what was going on. "Why am I being bid on like an animal?" Deciding to break the rules for him one more time, she stopped in her tracks and turned to face him.

"Alright. First of all you should know that me talking to you is completely against the rules and I could get beat for it, but I know how you're feeling so I'm risking it anyway." She breathed deeply and looked around for Miss Jones. No where in sight. Then again, she had a funny way of being able to sneak up on a person. "You're in Tarsha and you're a slave. I don't know where you came from or how you got here, but you're no longer a name, you're property okay? Follow the rules and things should be okay for you but Miss-" Blonde hair bobbed in the crowd, headed towards them and she was cut off as Miss Jones made her appearence.

Zoë quickly closed her mouth and gave Fredrick and apologetic glance before turning her eyes on the girl Miss Jones had bought to be Bound. She was stunning. Not in the jaw-dropping way of her master, but in a more subtle, natural way, though it had the same affect. She was weak and frail looking and Zoë guessed that getting a girl so perfect to be Bound probably took a large chunk out of Miss Jones's pocket, but she'd evidently thought it was worth it. The woman had a peculiar way of choosing the weak and the pretty to be Bound, as if she were trying to rid the world of anyone prettier than her.

If that were so, then she was going to have a hard time with her friend, Miss Edwards. Sometimes Zoë wondered if their friendship was real or a keep-your-friends-close-and-enemies-closer kind of deal. "Zoë." Her name made her jump. How was it that Miss Jones could sound harsh and gentle at the same time? She peeled her eyes from the girl and placed them back on her mistress, to meet the woman's steely glare. The look sent a shiver up her spine that only stopped when she pulled her blue eyes away to inspect Zoë's purchase. Obviously she was displeased and it brought a small smile to Zoë's lips to see the woman angry. She'd only done what she'd told her to do so there was no way Patience would beat her yet she'd probably just lost her the ceremony and wasted her money.

Then Miss Jones started to lead them back to the house and Zoë followed along patiently as she showed them their room and their clothes. "Zoë, you have a few moments to yourself. Answer any questions these two have and then go into the market and pick up some groceries with the change from Fredrick." She reached out and caught the pouch Miss Jones threw at her just in time. The deceptively warm smile on her mistresses face made her sick and Zoë had to look away. "All of you be ready for tonight."

Zoë jerked her head up and watched Patience's retreating form, green eyes wide. What?! All of them be ready? Oh God, what did that mean? She looked at the other three. She knew the two new slaves fates were sealed, but her and Ayden? What was going to happen to them? Zoë had tried to escape earlier in the year, but since then she'd been a perfect little angel, making her a shoo-in for either Bound or Hunter. Dammit, she knew she'd overdone it.

Plopping down on her cot next to Ayden, Zoë groaned and looked up at the new two. "Fredrick, and I think she called you Ayra?" She gestured to the girl. "I'm Zoë Brooks." Her southern accent twisted her words slightly and she gave them the best smile she could even though she knew what they were up against. "I suggest you start preparing yourselves for the worst."



Vera glared down into the eye's of the bidders before her, hands crossed tightly across her chest. One woman raised her hand every few seconds, face passive no matter how high the price went and Vera turned her eyes to study her face. She was beautiful as was the woman talking nonchalantly beside her, Ayra in tow. She watched as the blonde lead the weak looking girl away, but managed to catch the sad smile shot her way before she disappeared into the crowd. The bidding slowed as people turned away until finally only the caramel haired woman remained and a "SOLD" sign was slung over her neck, a man pushing her from the platform and down to her new master.

The woman reached over and handed the man a small pile of coins that could have paid for her to eat for a year. "You are to call me Miss Edwards, I will give further instructions once we arrive" She said calmly before slapping a gold cuff around her wrist. It was a bracelet actually, but it felt like a cuff, and it stood out sharply among her handmade tribe bracelets. Vera stood as tall as she possibly could and followed Miss Edwards away.

When they reached the woman's home, Vera had to keep from gasping. She'd been with some wealthy masters, but this woman's house was the largest she'd seen in a long time. The entire block was nothing but huge plantation homes. Back before her enslavement, she'd lived in a one room hut with five other siblings, her four grandparents, and parents. Granted, it was large for tribe standards, but this was ridiculous. No matter how hard she tried, Vera could never quite get over how many things and how much space these people needed. This woman's house could probably hold her entire tribe comfortably.

She followed in silence as Miss Edwards brought her down to the slave quarters. A tiny little room with one cot and two uniforms folded neatly on it. She almost laughed. This was more like it. She rubbed at the cuff on her wrist and sighed deeply. "Right. Take a bath in the servants bathroom, and exchange your current attire with these." Vera allowed the woman to push two uniforms in her hands. "I'll expect you ready in around fifteen minutes. I will send one of the other servants to instruct you further."

Vera rolled her eyes as the lady walked away. "send one of the others to instruct her further." She scoffed. These people never did anything on their own. Glancing around the small room with big blue eyes, she groaned and threw the dresses back onto the cot. No way would she wear a dress. Her current clothes may be dirty, but she would just wash them and they'd work just fine. A pair of jean shorts and a white blouse never hurt anyone. It was the nicest outfit she'd ever really worn. The blouse was made of a flowing sheer material with little flowers sewed down the front. It may be stained, but after a good was Miss Edwards could get over it. If she was going to be Bound anyway, who really cared?

Leaving the dresses behind, Vera set off in search of the servants bathrooms. They were relativity easy to find. She closed the door firmly and placed a small side table against it to keep anyone from coming in before running the water in the small bath. Good thing she was a small person. After making sure it was the right temperature, Vera started with her jewelry, slipping each one of her handmade tribe bracelets onto the end table until all that was left was the gold band that marked her as property of Miss Edwards. After her bracelets, Vera took out every single one of her earrings, then her clothes before sliding into the warm water.

Instantly, she felt better. She hadn't had a bath in two days. She let out a sigh and cleaned herself before climbing out and letting her clothes take their turn in the water. They dried as she replaced all her jewelry and once she was back in them, Vera drained the water and left, heading back to her room.

The only reason she'd worn so many bracelets was because anything that you couldn't wear was thrown away as soon as you were sent to the market so she'd worn every single one. She really didn't need all of them anymore so she slipped off all but her five favorites and placed the rest under the small cot. She left a thick leather one on and slid it down to the base of her wrist to cover the ugly gold band there.

Feeling complete, Vera kicked the dresses aside and sat on the cot to wait for Miss Edward's other slave for "instruction".

"Zoë...I'm sure there was change."
Arya couldn't be sure, but there was something harsh about the comment, even though it somehow was hidden under niceties. The girl, Zoë, handed the woman the purse.
"Does he have a name Miss Brooks?"
"Oh, yes. Frederick Walters."
"Well Fredrick, Ayra.Come along, it's filthy here. I'll introduce myself back at the house."
Arya stayed silent during the conversation, staring helplessly down at the floor. Eventually they were ordered forward, and Arya forced her feet into moving, one step at a time.
When they finally stopped, Arya glanced up at the house. Her green eyes widened in shock. The house was mansion.
"This is my home. Welcome to the Jones Plantation."
Arya could only stare in wonder at the huge building before her. The lawn alone was huge, enough space for around five or six of her peoples spring tents. The memory made her choke slightly, so she forced herself to think of the task at hand. Her mistress opened the door to the monster of a house in front of them.
"I'm Patience Jones, your new master, but you are to call me Miss Jones only. There is to be no stealing, talking to other slaves, speaking out of line, disobedience, embarrassing me in front of guests, or back sass. Any breaking of these rules is severely punished."
Arya's stomach tightened in remembrance of all the stories she'd been told of Tarsha's cruel masters. The welcoming smile from Miss Jones was gone, replaced with a dangerous glare. Arya shuddered slightly, her small hands striving to keep still as they shook. Miss Jones continued to lead them through the twisting corridors of the mansion, until they reached another door.
"The servants quarters are seperate from the house."
Arya couldn't help but feel some relief. She couldn't stand living in such a permanent structure. The outside was a vast, and over the top garden. All sorts of different plants decorated it bathing the garden with different colours and shapes. That was when she saw the slave huts. They were like tiny sheds, not truly enough to live in. Arya's heart sunk. At least there was privacy. She continued to move on with the others, as they continued into the slave quarters.
At the very end of the row of crudely built shelters, Arya saw a larger one built of marble. Something about the place warned her this was not somewhere anyone wanted to be, however Miss Jones didn't seem to be slowing down. As they continued past the other shelter, Arya gave Zoë a frightened glance.
They entered the last hut, and Arya's whole body went cold. There were small cots on the bare earth, with a small, meshed window the only view to outside. A boy her age was seated on one of the cots. She couldn't help but stare slightly. He was darker than anyone she'd ever seen. Sure enough, she was lighter than most people here, however there was something decidedly tanned about him. What shocked her the most was the fact that it was obviously faded, and the thought of the tan going even darker was something new. She gazed speechless over him.
He was evidently the same age as herself, and there was a small piercing in one of his eyebrows. Arya's people were not used to the custom, even the females never pierced their ears. Something in his look terrified her. There was something distinctly sad about him.
"Zoë and Ayden stay here already, but recently I've lost a few servants so you'll be taking their places. This will be your room."
Arya moved her gaze from Ayden, and glanced at the two cots set aside for herself and Fredrick. Two lace dresses were placed on her own. At least one thing would be better.
"You can wash up in the servants bathrooms behind the huts, after that Ayden here will give you a tour of the house. Zoë, you have a few moments to yourself. Answer any questions these two have and then go into the market and pick up some groceries with the change from Fredrick. All of you be ready for tonight."
Something about her last sentenced sent a thrill of fear through Arya. Something was up and she had no idea what to expect.
"Fredrick, and I think she called you Ayra?"
Arya nodded mutely at the gesture.
"I'm Zoë Brooks. I suggest you start preparing yourselves for the worst."
She wasn't joking. Arya glanced over at Ayden. He at least would know a little more of what Zoë was saying. What she saw in his eyes wasn't encouraging. She remembered Miss Jones order of their questions being answered.
"What's going on?" she asked quietly. She moved her hands behind her, reaching for the wall in an effort to steady herself. She was starving, but it didn't appear that she was going to be fed anytime soon.
She gazed at Zoë expectantly, but with a mixture of dread.
"Why aren't we out there?" she gestured weakly to the outside huts. Something was wrong, and now she was in the midst of it. She turned her eyes to Ayden.
"What did I do wrong?"

(Waiting for FaithsAngel and Jesszisko to post before submitting Miss Edwards and Jason's thoughts)

(Sorry for the short post- I just woke up and I wanted to get it done)


Ayden held back a scowl as Miss Jones entered, said her bit, and left. He looked at the two new slaves. Interesting pair. The girl with the dark hair was eyeing him strangely. He raised an eyebrow in response, but said nothing. He was used to strange looks. It was the tan. Had to be. The piercing, too. Altogether, he was a strange person, as far as the general population thought. It was only fair. He thought the general population was weird. At least, he had when he arrived. His first thought upon reaching his new life was, What the hell are they saying??? It was true the languages of these people and the nomads he'd grown up with were incredibly different, but over time he managed to learn. The new slave girl, Arya, looked confused. She asked a question. What did I do wrong? He dropped the eyebrow and answered. "You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. That simple," he spoke softly, and higher pitches than most males his age. While he'd worked on trying to make sure his voice didn't stick out in the past, he didn't really care anymore. What was the point? "Welcome to hell, Arya and Fredrick. My name is Ayden Neyon. And Zoë's right. Prepare for the worst." He crossed legs on the bed and leaned his elbows on the sides of his knees. In turn, he rested his head on his hands and looked at the two new slaves with fading curiosity. 

Evangeline answered him as he spoke, trying to keep herself contained, and proper.
"The branding? Oh.. we have to do it? I thought Mistress would do it herself. I suppose not though. And as for Tyler, it is best we not worry about it. Mistress decides our fate, and we must let it be. Now we must be quiet, we both know what happens if someone catches us speaking out of place."
She wiped a bead of sweat that was sitting on the edge of her brow, and began to walk as Jason motioned to. "She's home so soon?" she asked softly. She looked at the enclosure that reminded Evangeline of a zoo of some sorts. Cages, cells, brands. Yes, it was like a zoo, with the humans as captives. She walked up beside Jason where the box was, standing still, hesitant to touch it. "I don't think I can do this Jason. I'd rather be Tyler. He gets to die off and he doesn't have to suffer anymore. It's almost unfair..", she trailed off, biting her lip and watching Jason pile the wood.
She kneeled on the floor and began to pass him a few pieces of wood at a time, thinking to herself, and swearing at herself for telling Jason how she felt about this whole ceremony. "I don't know how we put up with this for so long.", she said, her eyes going to his arms, watching the way his muscles rippled and moved underneath his shirt, and the way his arms flexed as he carried the wood. She was sitting there staring at him, oblivious to anything.
She moved her gaze towards his face, watching as his jaw tensed, and how his hair matted to his forehead. He was handsome, and she knew it. She realized she had been staring for some time, and she looked at the ground quickly, hoping he hadn’t caught her gazing at him. Blood rushed to her cheeks as she blushed, and she covered her face with her hand shyly.

Tyler Skies

"Yes mam, Ms. Edwards." He said turning back around and frowning a little bit but not enough for her to notice. But she knew he had frowned at her before. He didn't like her, he just accepted living here, but he was never going to like her. Knowing he wasn't her favorite either, they were both even. If he was going to leave here he was going to leave whether dead or alive.

Rolling his eyes he did what he was told and walked to the servants head quarters. It took him sometime to get there he had to put all the cleaning supplies up where they were suppose to be and walked to the servants quarters. "Another day, without the dollar. I do not want to walk in this house ever again." He thought to himself as he waited for the new female servant to show up. She was just sold he knew that, because he saw every single one of the slaves that are present in the house. To see a new face meant something was coming up, and he would fall victim to it.

Once she did he would give her some cleaning supplies and they would finished the house together.

Fredrick Walters

He nodded as she answered her questions then she stopped answering them and he looked around to see why she stopped talking. It was a lady with the coldest bluest eyes that would make an equal match to the sky and ocean if they could. Her hair was in a bun it was a shiny blonde very beautiful. Heart jumping as she stopped in front of them, he was scared for a little bit but, he wasn't going to show it or let it grow more in his chest. He didn't look like he was even fit to be serving or cleaning anything for or to anyone. But, don't let his looks fool you he has some strength inside and he wasn't afraid to let it show.

He just stood there as she talked and followed her as she walked off, listening to her talk he looked her in the eyes as she glared into his. Not even nodding when she said the rules, he never actually been in a situation where he was kidnapped and sold to be a slave to some stranger. Not even capable of what power she had over him he blinked his eyes and kept walking as she continued to talk about her self and the house.

They stopped and he looked at an other boy and a girl, while still listening to 'his master' talking, when she was done she walked away. Then he looked at the boy as he introduced himself to him and the girl named Arya,"The worst? Hell?" This place much be really horrible for them to say that. He just stood there staring off into space. "Get ready for, tonight?" He thought to himself again, though he was thinking he never blinked or anything, just trying to recalculate what just happened.

"What did I do wrong?" The question made Zoë physically wince. What had any of them done wrong? What had Zoë Brooks, a wild little country girl do to deserve what she'd gotten and was getting every single day of her life? What did Ayra, weak-looking and kind do to deserve being ripped from her home and be thrown into a strange world where, not only was she a slave, but she now was going to be forced to fight for her own survival?

Zoë turned and looked at the girl with compassion in her eyes, remembering what it was like to be new. Wounds of your loved ones death still fresh on your heart, though no one seemed to care. Zoë thought of her mother and instantly a mix of passionate anger and deep worry flooded her. Sometimes she wondered if it would be best just to be Bound already. At least then she would have a chance to get away.

Along with these feelings came the growing fear that she would be chosen as a Hunter. It was daunting, like a weight hanging over her head, the rope always just about ready to snap. As she looked at Ayra, she felt deep pity for her as well as jealousy. She really shouldn't tell her of her fate, for the consequences would be immense.

But she'd survived an escape attempt. Most slaves died in the beating that followed something like that. What could be a better way to rebel then to give Miss Jone's little puppets a heads up. So when she finally did speak, she found she couldn't have stopped her words even if she wanted to. "You're going to be Bound." She said bluntly, as if talking about the whether. "You should be afraid. And I mean terrified. Tomorrow, you're going to be tossed out and forced to run away as fast as you can. You're going to be hunted. Hunted by probably me and definitely Fredrick here." She lowered her eyes to the ground. "If you get caught... Worse than death." Again her eyes raised to Ayra's. "But if you prepare yourself now and you get away, you're free. Completely." She bit her lip hard. "Don't tell anyone I've told you any of this. I just wanted to warn you, and it's the second highest rule next to running off that you don't tip off the Bound or Hunters." She glanced at Fredrick and Ayden. "And if I find out either of you snitched, I don't care how badly she beats me, I'm kicking ass."

And with that, she crossed to Arya's bed, plucked one of the simple lace dress uniforms and pushed it into the girl's hands. Then she grabbed Fredrick's and placed it in his. "Ayden, do what Miss Jones said and take Fredrick and Ayra to the slave bathrooms to clean up, then take them on a tour around the house. Set them to some easy tasks." She looked down a list she had in her pocket. "Windows for Fredrick, he's tall. Floors for Ayra." She looked at the three of them and gave a sigh before pulling out Miss Jones's grocery list, a basket with a few coins in it, and leaving the hut to cut through the rest of the yard towards the market.



After a few minutes of waiting, Vera heard footsteps and waited. Nothing. With a sigh, she figured the person must be waiting for her, and pushed herself up off the cot and left the room. It didn't take long to find the boy Miss Edwards had told to wait for her. She had a good memory and found her way back to the enterence of the servants quarters fairly quickly.

The boy standing there didn't look to thrilled. She didn't blame him. She wouldn't be either. With a nonchalant wave, she crossed towards him and stopped, leaning back on one hip with a sigh. "So I'm Vera." She announced. "What now?"

Ewwwww! Omg, lol sooo sorry about this! First of all, I spelled Arya's name wrong like every. single. time. Then Vera's post. I'm ashamed lol -.- Promise to do better next time(:

Ayden raised his eyebrow at Arya, and she dropped her gaze in response. She'd been so taken back with his appearance, she had forgotten what it was like to be stared at it. She'd surely had enough of it herself recently with her white skin and dark hair. Her people were known for it. Almost everyone had pale skin, liken to the snowy landscape and deep, dark brown to black hair. No doubt she looked strange to him too.
When she glanced back at him again, his expression had changed. For some reason this scared her, she was tentative to hear his thoughts.
"You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. That simple," Ayden's voice was soft, and had an almost lilting tone to it, which gave it higher pitches. The gentle tones stood in stark contrast to his next words.
"Welcome to hell, Arya and Fredrick. My name is Ayden Neyon. And Zoë's right. Prepare for the worst."
Terror started to form in Arya's eyes as they flittered between both Zoë's and Ayden's faces. She turned to Ayden, silently begging him to take back his words.
Zoë winced visibly at her questions, and Arya had a bad sinking feeling, seeing neither of them were even slightly overreacting.
"You're going to be Bound."
Bound? That word again. The reason she was sold.
"You should be afraid. And I mean terrified. Tomorrow, you're going to be tossed out and forced to run away as fast as you can. You're going to be hunted. Hunted by probably me and definitely Fredrick here. If you get caught... Worse than death."
Arya visibly flinched, her face white. She'd believed it couldn't get worse, she glanced at Frederick and Ayden, but found no comfort there, only acceptance.
But if you prepare yourself now and you get away, you're free. Completely."
Free. She leaned heavily against the door, desperately trying to keep her face neutral, not wanting to reveal her emotions. Truly, what would she do it she was free? She had no one to go back to...her father had been killed in the on going war between her people and the Tarshans, and no doubt her brother too as the brief struggle for the village cam through...and her mother, enslaved or dead. Arya took in a shuddering breath forcing herself to ignore the meaning of the words until she was in private.
"Don't tell anyone I've told you any of this. I just wanted to warn you, and it's the second highest rule next to running off that you don't tip off the Bound or Hunters. And if I find out either of you snitched, I don't care how badly she beats me, I'm kicking ass."
Arya nodded mutely to Zoë's request, before the dress was pushed into her nerveless fingers. She almost dropped them, but managed to catch them just in time.
"Ayden, do what Miss Jones said and take Fredrick and Ayra to the slave bathrooms to clean up, then take them on a tour around the house. Set them to some easy tasks. Windows for Fredrick, he's tall. Floors for Ayra."
Floors. The word echoed flatly in her head, the only bit of information she wanted to consider. Her hands ached, and she realised she'd been clenching them in fists around the garment in her hands. Her head pounded painfully from lack of water, but she couldn't get herself to ask. Besides, it appeared the questions were over, and she wasn’t about to break the rules for talking. She glanced up at Ayden, her face now a white mask, though her eyes were still filled with terror, as much as she tried to hide it. All she wanted to do was curl up on one of the beds, and get some privacy, however she hadn't had the luxury of privacy since she'd left Anor and was forced to Tarsha on a ship. She thought wistfully of her own country, and tried to avoid thinking about her future.

"Worse than death."

This time, Ayden did nothing to hide the look of distaste on his face as Zoë turned and left. As soon as she disappeared,  however, the disgust quickly vanished, leaving in its place nothing but a cold indifference. He sniffed disdainfully, then swung his legs over the side of the cot and stood. He muttered under his breath something in his native language, which meaning approximated to "For the love of God, why me?" He brushed past the two new slaves. "Eh... Follow me," he sighed and headed out of the small hut, not looking back. He wished he had his instrument with him. But unfortunately, the ocarina had been misplaced a few days ago, and it was driving him insane. He was fidgety now, what with the loss of the ocarina, his ocarina, and the confounded Ceremony coming up. A familiar nervous twitch came to his left hand, and he used the right to still it as he continued to one of the larger huts: the slave washroom. He could've found his way there blind, if he wanted. After all, they weren't allowed many places. It was hard to forget where anything was once you'd been there as long as Ayden had. 

He stepped inside the hut, once again not turning to face the "newbies",  and gestured around the room. There were two tubs in one corner, separated by a ratty old rug that had been hung up in between them, and held in place by a single hook. In the other corner was a water pump, and one could drag one of the tubs over to it and fill it and such. Unfortunately, the water was never heated. At least Ayden had grown used to it. He hoped the newbies wouldn't mind too much, even though their opinions no longer mattered as of that day. 

He pointed to the tubs, then the pump. "There's the tubs. Use the water pump over there- careful, it's cold -and you can wash your face or whatever you want. Just don't take forever, okay?" His accent had returned back to the proper English tone he'd been taught on arrival. At last, he crossed his arms, again trying to still the twitch in his left hand, and faced the two.