Topic: The Auction

LordTravanix

Date: 2008-01-19 00:39 EST
The afternoon was a little chilly " whether it was due to his aura or the chill of the increasingly cold winter they were experiencing, it couldn't be said for sure. The market was a bustle with people going to and fro during their little lives. The dark warrior known as Travanix was visiting the market this morning. He slowly cut his way through the growing crowds as he neared the small cove. Everyone knew it was there, knew what was beyond it, but did little to stop it.

The Slave Market.

Not only were slaves sold there, but gear and equipment to tend to them and break them. There were other illegal wares sold there as well. While people window shopped for clothing or toys or gadgets " He shopped for something more interesting. Upon reaching the cove's entrance, he felt a very familiar presence approach from behind. The always delicious and splendiferous, Lady Kairee. She had spotted him. The eager young admirer who had accompanied her was dismissed with a wave of her hand as she took the turn into the slave market. The boy, for that was all he was in Travanix's estimation, loitered a moment watching as she walked away from him and to the infamous dark warrior. Her voice was as music on the afternoon air. "So, this is where you spend your time when not loitering about the inn." Her comment was followed quickly by a dazzling smile.

Without turning, Travanix addressed her as he watched the proceedings of the slave girls in the cages. "My lady, strange to see you here, at a place like this. What brings you to the darker side of the market?" He inquired, watching as girls were being moved to the stage for auction. "Boredom, babes," she responded. "I felt like slumming." He didn't have to look to "hear" the smirk forming on her lips.

Travanix nodded slightly. "I see. Is that what you think I am doing here?" Even the chilled figure smirked as a particularly feisty girl was knocked to the ground to stun her.

Kairee glanced towards the proceedings with a barely interested glance. "No. I know you amuse yourself here as well as engage your business." She was growing adept in her knowledge of the slaver. Something she was doing to keep herself amused.

There was a moment's pause as he watched the girl being dragged up from the ground towards the stage. "One would think that a lady of your stature and power would not be so inclined to continue her"friendship"with a known slaver."

The laughter that came from Kairee was nearly contagious. "You are funny." She watched a moment before looking back to him. "Do you honestly think that I care what people think of me" Or that I would allow what they think to influence what I chose to do and with whom?"

Was she actually scolding him' She turned to watch a man moving through the edge of the market giving her a once over. Her eyes rolled briefly before going back to her targeted slaver. Travanix responded easily. "In my business, there is only one's reputation to maintain business. With you around me, my reputation is unphased." He explained. "However, you are still a pillar of the community." He muttered something along the lines of "Such a community that it is." He cleared his throat before he continued. "not only that, but others will think that you, and all of your perfection, belong to me, and may offer me silver, gold or platinum to purchase you."

Her laughter again could easily be heard. It was so light and delightful. It almost gave him a cavity. "They should know better. Am I not known here?" She pondered a moment. "How odd." She turned back to him quickly, "But tell me, babes, what would you do if some cur does such an impudent thing?"

The slaver turned to her, his words as cold as ice. Auburn eyes looking at her. "You would not like the answer, my lady."

She did not back down, meeting his eyes directly. "Try me." She said, defiantly.

Without missing a heartbeat, with no disclosure in his voice he responded, "If the price was right, you would be taken, broken and retrained into the appropriate slave." He continued, without giving her the chance to rebut. "Make no mistake about it, my lady. In my time, especially here, I have taken my share of gods, goddesses, godlings, Voids, shapeshifters, and other ilk that would make even you think twice about crossing my path."

"You really don't know much about me, do you?" She fired back, her tone easy and yet there was a hardness at the core; steel within velvet.

"Likewise, my dear lady.? He turned his eyes to study the market once more.

LordTravanix

Date: 2008-01-19 00:40 EST
She smirked once more. "And with that attitude"it's a wonder I put up with you at all." Kairee turned her gaze towards the building commotion in the market. Her personal distaste for the business here carefully conceal behind a fa"ade of indifference.

Travanix managed a chuckle to begin his response. "It is with my attitude I have managed to continue to work as well as excel." There was more commotion as the girls were being lined up on the stage to be sold. The auctioneer, a gruff looking man to begin with, began shouting the offers. Bidders began their motions to offer.

After a moment, Kairee stated: "It's always amazed me that there seems to be a never ending supply of slaves and buyers to keep every man-jack slaver in profitable operation and yet it remains only a subset of the entire population."

The slaver only chuckled. "There are more places than this one city to hunt for slaves. Let alone, my own import export business. Some of these girls were delivered by my transport a few nights ago." He raised his hand to bid upon the first girl up for auction: A delightful girl of blond hair and blue eyes. A moderate build: She would make an excellent toy.

Kairee nodded, observing "Not all of them have your resources or abilities to traverse worlds...on ships or through portals."

"I know," He said, raising his hand up once more. "The Circle affords many a slaver many a thing. Owning stock is one thing, moving stock is another. There are many villages around that I have enjoyed hunting through. A few years ago, I took twin girls from a family, just prior to their birth."

"Now that is a risk." She paused for a second. "Did they turn out beautiful enough to be sold as a high priced matching set?"

The hand raised once more, eyes still on the auction. The bidding now up to 200 bars of gold for this girl. "It was a risk, but it paid off well. I still have the two girls. They are currently serving at my second base of operations." His eyes moved from the girl to the other bidders; two of them he knew, the third one was new.

A moment or two passed by before Kairee asked: "What's the process, babes" They put what they think the most attractive girl up first while the purses are still full so the price runs high and then the workaday slugs at the end to finish emptying out what little is left in said purses?"

He smiled briefly as he responded. "Something like that. However, it more involves the age. The youngest are sold first." He raised his hand again to bid. "Though, different markets do it differently. Some will sell them in the order they came in. Some sell by height." Kairee elbowed him. "I'm surprised you buy. I pegged you for a taker and seller."

He shook his head, "I do both. Buying allows me to see what else is being purchased as well as who is purchasing. I only purchase one or two a month. They are rebroken, retrained and then exported off the planet to mining colonies and brothels. Many never see this place again." He was nonchalant in his explanation. His hand rising again to increase the bid to 320 bars.

Fighting back a yawn, the lady responded. "It's hardly exciting."

The other bidders had pushed the latest to 500 bars, the latest one done by the unknown bidder. "It is business, it is not always going to be exciting." Pausing for a moment, he said "Interesting, however, comes when you learn that someone is desperate." He raised his hand, bringing the limit to 600.

Some foolish man had been edging slowly closer to Kairee. She kept her eyes on the crowd, and on the bidder that Travanix had indicated. "Perhaps she's his lost love?" Without further warning, however, the man that had gotten too close and with an intent to touch what was not his; releasing a strangled cry, he then fell to the ground spamsing, his eyes bulging and leaking blood. A few seconds later, the man was dead.

"Brother or other family member. It is rare when it happens, but it does happen." One of the other bidders dropped out when it reached 700 bars. "800." There was no pause now between his bidding, he continued to push higher. He tore his eyes away long enough to review the fool that had gotten too close to Kairee. "You could have just as easily made him a vegetable, and sold him. You would have made a nice profit."

She laughed and winked at him. "The ruinous commission you would charge me for handling the sale would hardly make the effort worthwhile.?

LordTravanix

Date: 2008-01-19 00:43 EST
1000 bars now. "Interesting, I can sense his panic from here. Something is wrong. The girl is not looking at him." Pausing briefly, the last bidder dropped out as the bid had gotten too high for him. Now it was only the unknown and the dark warrior.

"Perhaps she hopes not to be sold to him, she is also very afraid." Kairee pondered openly. "You are a Jedi wizard, certainly you can read her mind or sense her emotions." She smirked up at him. "Or do you need me to do that for you?

He narrowed his eyes. There it is: the thought that was avoiding him. "5 platinum bars." There was a minor muttering going on, the crowd turned to face the dark form, and the female at his side. His response was to arch a brow. When the auctioneer saw who it was, he began to count off.

Curiosity had gotten her now. She turns her senses and abilities on the girl to discover what all the darkly dark boys find of such interest. As the auction completed, Tavanix moved through the crowd. No one stayed in his way for long. The unknown bidder looked at him directly, a concerned look on his face. The warrior approached the podium and nodded to the auctioneer. "I will have the money delivered shortly." He said, looking back at the girl. "In the meantime," with a single leap up he was on the stage standing as if he were still standing on the ground below. "I think we find out who this girl is." Kairee found amusement in the dark warrior's stance. Her eyes sparkled as she smirked at Travanix's theatrical impulse.

He reached out, placing his hand upon her head. He turned her from side to side. "Much too clean." He looked back to the man who he was bidding against earlier. "I doubt highly you have ever served a day in your life, let alone...understand what it is to be truly broken." He looked back at the girl. He began to press down on her head, forcing her to her knees. "I do not like it when posers and frauds come to town. None of us do."

He looked back to the man. "If you want something to report, report this...," He looked back at the girl, and proceeded to twist her head nearly off her shoulders. It was a smooth motion; the snap was wet sounding but quick. The body of the girl slipped over the edge of the stage, falling to the ground. His arms folded behind him once more. "Any questions you'd like to ask?" Kairee remained unphased by the action performed by the slaver. She watched the tapestry of the dark warrior's rage and sorrow at the brutality of the action.

He stepped down off the stage, as the form broke from the crowd and began to run. He shook his head. "Shall we move through the cages?" He addressed Kairee, leading the way to the stock cages. The body of the girl was removed quickly, and the auctioneer moved on to the next girl.

Kairee released a sigh at the lack of the spine from the running 'slaver?. The stench of his fear was unappealing. It distracted from her otherwise interesting if not, enjoyable visit.

LordTravanix

Date: 2008-01-19 00:45 EST
He looked casually through the cages, the incident on the stage already forgotten. He paused at cages, some containing 3 girls, some containing one. "You seem annoyed, my Lady," he asked, darkly.

"The quality of modern men, babes, is very disappointing." She started, walking with him "They have the look but not the attitude. No backbone." She declared as she looked idly over the creatures in the cages. "It would have been far more entertaining if he attacked you. If he had turned his anger into something useful instead of submitting to the fear." A soft sigh.

He chuckled as he found a cage of young females. "It will not matter. He is already dead." He reached out, turning a cage to get a better look at one of the cowering females.

Disappointment rang in her voice. "Hardly seems sporting."

"You keep using words like 'sporting" or "backbone". There is only a victor and a corpse." He moved to the next cage. He was shopping for slaves as one would shop for clothing or groceries.

"I thought you enjoyed watching the slow agonizing death of those that cross you?" She pondered. "What a drab little existence you must lead." "I enjoy torturing my enemies. Fools bring me no pleasure."

She shot back quickly. "Ah, so its better to be considered a fool in your eyes so your death is quick. And here I thought you were an indiscriminate sadist."

He gave her a glance over his shoulder. "You are not incorrect in your thoughts, my lady. It is not something easily explained." He turned to review the contents in another cage.

Kairee asked, "You do not derive pleasure from the suffering of others" You do not need to inflict pain to feel a sense of elation?" A second thought coming to her. "Is it not an aphrodisiac to you?"

"Derive pleasure from the tortured screams of others, that only I can end?" He chuckled. "Of course I enjoy it. However, there is a time and place for it. When conducting business, it is better to get it done and over and move on to the business. If it needs to be drawn out to make a point, then I draw it out. If it needs to be done quickly so that I can continue my business, then it will be done quickly."

A teasing smile caressed her lips, "Ah, so you are a sadist with self-control and a strong will."

He chuckled lightly. "You compliment me, my lady." He offered her a slight bow.

"Perhaps but I do not share your interest. I do not desire the pain of others. It does not arouse me or comfort me. Don't be mistaken, I do not shy from it and am more than willing to make examples....especially of those that annoy me. However, it's never become a hobby." She said matter of fact.

He looked back to the cages. "If you do not care for it, why do you associate with someone who takes pleasure in causing the harm of others" Not only do I enjoy my work, I enjoy the fruits of it. Often I record the screams of those I torture.?

LordTravanix

Date: 2008-01-19 00:49 EST
Another of those dazzling smiles swept so easily across her lips. "I find you amusing! You're different at least. Tell me, babes"Do you use that spice thing often?" She asked in an idly dismissive way. He breathed out as he answered. "I have used Spice often, yes. For a multitude of different reasons and in different persons. Why do you ask?"

Kairee shrugged slightly, "Curiosity." She paused a moment. "Do you have anyone currently using it"

He stopped for a moment. "I have one slave that currently is being punished by it." He turned from his browsing and looked back to her. "Why the curiosity?"

She smiled to him once more. "Does it worry you that I have an interest' You're not the only one with hobbies....." she winked and after another moment. "Does it work on all races and creatures?"

He shook his head. "No...But I am the only one of us that cares to enjoy the torture of others. Spice addiction is the pinnacle of causing someone torture and pain." He explained, "It works on anyone with DNA. Animal, human, some meta-humans." He began moving through the racks of cages once more.

She questioned "Because of the desperate longing" Is that the source of the "pain?""

"Spice," he began, "the version that I have manufactured, bonds instantly to DNA, creating instant addiction. Withdawal is a killer. It will cause an addict to literally rip him or herself apart due to the pain and contractions of the muscles in pain. If a follow up injection is not given within 30 hours, the addiction is fatal."

"I see." She mused, pondering the information he was giving her. "How much is needed to establish the addiction?"

"Three standard ounces." He said, moving around another cage.

Another question, "And the antidote?"

He turned to her, chuckling darkly. "There is none."

Kairee was slightly annoyed. "Then you plan to let this girl of yours die?" "No, she continues to get her "fix" as it were every day. She is aware, however, that she can never leave; she can never run far enough to escape me." He moved around another cage. "She spends half her day in a high, the other half, remembering everything she did while she was high."

"Hence the punishment though shame and humiliation." She deduced as they walked. "No cure" Are you certain?"

He sighed. "There has been only one person to cure the addiction." He grumbled, as if he had to pull it from the darkness of his mind.

Curiosity got the better of her. "Who?"

"A very old man who is very dead." There was some venom that came with that confession. For the briefest of moments, in the life and death span of a molecule - there was fear.

Leaning in a bit closer, having tasted his fear and hate, her breath hot against his ear: "Are you certain?"

He growled darkly. "He is dead and buried. Long gone, not to return. His knowledge is gone with him."

Slipping her arm in his, she probed for more having found a sore point with him "You make me curious, babes. Who is this long dead person?" Her arm around his, but it still behind him. "Why do you wish to know so badly?"

"Why do you fear telling me" I'm no Necromancer after all." She reasoned so as to reassure him that it was safe to tell her.

LordTravanix

Date: 2008-01-19 00:51 EST
He sighed, heavy and dark. He closed his eyes, hesitant; that fear still trying to seep out. "He was a Jedi; a very powerful Jedi." Her arm still hooked through his, his eyes moving to the cages, watching the girls dangle there.

"Does he have a name, babes?" She coaxed again gently.

"Of course he does, my lady. However, I simply call him "old man"."

A gentle chuckle escaped past her lips, "But I wish to know his name." she squeezed his arm.

"But tell me, what is it that you want to know?" He began to lead her through the rows of cages.

"His name and what he's done to earn your ire." Was the response as she walked with him.

Frustration was building in his voice. "What he did was out think me. Out maneuver me. Stopped my forces dead in their tracks. That is what he did."

"It's cute the way that memory makes the vein in your forehead throb." She joked, running a finger lightly along that vein.

He growled slightly. "Do not mock me. It was his own nature that eventually allowed me to get the upper hand."

A throaty chuckle: "Don't be so sensitive...."

"In all my years of service, in freelancing for His Highness, only one man stopped me. No other could do it." She was managing to annoy him now.

"Do you still serve another?" a shift of topic to soothe his mood before she continues her pursuit of the information he does not wish to share.

"Not since the death of the Emperor have I served another. Now, I am in business for myself." He stopped, watching another girl dangle in the cage.

She wasn't about to drop it. "And what was the name of your nemesis...the 'dead" one?"

"Worm food. He is dead. No need to give him back a chance at life." He moved through the market. "He is dead. He needs to stay dead. His name brings martyrs, brings heroes. He shook his head. He needs to stay dead."

"I see...," the corners of her lips quirk up. Kairee found his stubborn defensiveness and his vehemence amusing.

After a moment, "Is there something specific you are fishing for, are you simply out to make me annoyed?" He finally said.

"Babes..." She laughed "I've asked you directly a good half dozen times. You're the one that refuses to answer directly. I find that amusing." Stepping around of the cages drawing her fingers along his arm as she slips away from him; a slight glance at the unfortunate girl within; noting this one attempting to win favor by smiling brazenly at Travanix; flirting in what she thinks is attractive to a buyer.

"Because he is *Dead*!" For a moment, there was a loss of that cold control he worked so hard to maintain. The ground around his feet actually managed to flame with a dark green flame.

Looking back to Travanix at his loss of control, Kairee arched a perfect brow. "I see."

"The man has taunted and chased me through half the galaxy for a decade before I finally killed him. Him and his friends." He growled, the girls in the cages pulling as far away from him as possible as allowed. "They are all dead. I stand the victor."

"Well, you are the one that's here..." A smile offered to him.

Control quickly restored, his mind clearing of the blind rage that was setting in. "At any rate."

Poking Travanix in the chest, she said with certainty. "You need to relax."

He took a step; scorched earth was left in his trail. "You would be an expert on relaxing."

Arching a perfect brow again, she responds: "You make that sound like a condemnation....What I do know babes, is control and balance....and knowing how and when to have fun is key to having both."

He thought for a second. "It has been a couple of weeks since I tortured someone."

Rolling her eyes, Kairee looked back to him. "You seriously need a new hobby.?

The two of the continued to walk through the market.