The Slave Auction Meme (Continuation from Bakerstreet and Other Starters)

[chaneystarr]

SLAVES

1. The Newbie - This is your very first auction and you don't quite know what to expect. Hopefully you remember your training and don't disgrace yourself in front of your new master. Hopefully someone thinks you're worth buying at all.

2. The Oldtimer - You've been bought and sold and bought again so many times. You've seen it all before and don't think this time is going to be much different. In fact, the only real anxiety you've got is whether or not someone's going to pay for a more than slightly used slave.

3. The Pet - You're a pleasure slave. A bed warmer. A decorative piece of artwork. You're meant to look pretty and be pleasing and not much else.

4. The Guard - Your master hired you because of your ability to swing a sword or shoot a gun, not your looks.

5. The Escape Artist - Somehow you always manage to squirm out of your master's chains. Too bad you seem to get caught after a while. Maybe your next daring escape will be permanent. Then again, maybe your next master has special ways of keeping you locked up.

6. The Undercover - You aren't a slave at all, you're just pretending to be one. Why? Well that's up to you. Either way, your cover is blown if you don't act the part.

7. The Specialist - You have a skill that no one else has. Something rare and valuable. Something your master needs more than anything else.

MASTERS

1. The Customer - You've owned slaves before and this trip to the market is nothing new to you. Still, you're hoping to find something worth your while.

2. The Gift - Someone bought a pet for you, isn't that nice of them? Or maybe it isn't so nice. Did you even want a slave in the first place? Well you're stuck with one now.

3. The Giver - You're selecting a slave for someone else, and they need to be perfect. Perhaps you'd better test them out first to make sure you're getting your money's worth.

4. The Trainer - You specialize in taming unruly slaves and making them over into perfect, obedient, well-trained pets.

5. The Rebel - You hate the idea of slavery, but the system isn't going to go away any time soon, so the next best thing is to buy up any slave you can get your hands on and free them, right?

6. The Companion - You want someone to be with you always, someone you can talk to and depend on, someone who will never leave your side. It's a good thing that money can buy that these days.

7. The Undercover - You're not actually a Master. You're at the auction for an entirely different reason. Maybe it's special policework, maybe you're trying to hunt down a certain someone. Either way, your cover is blown unless you act the part.

( Meme ganked from Bakerstreet and copied here for more explicit content. Enter/Read at your own discretion. )

Comments

[battlebesties]

...

[ Childe takes a moment to consider that, his amused gaze remaining locked on Zhongli's face. If anything, his smile grows even wider. ]

So. You owed someone a great deal of money, is what you're getting at.

[moraxiom]

[ He keeps his face impassive, but there's the slightest tick of annoyance in his brow. ]

Did I leave room for interpretation?

[battlebesties]

I'll take that as a yes.

[ Cheerfully continuing on, he clicks his tongue in disappointment and shakes his head at the man before him. ]

Zhongli. Honestly. Why didn't you say anything if you were in that much trouble?

[moraxiom]

I was not aware of how much of a debt I incurred.

[battlebesties]

[ He takes that in with a disbelieving stare before rubbing a hand over his face in despair for the man before him.

Only Zhongli. ]

....Just how much do you owe?

[moraxiom]

Something akin to one million mora. It seems a 'tab' has a maximum limit.

[battlebesties]

[ His mouth just drops open as he stares. And then he just starts laughing, all but doubled over, his arm clenched over his stomach in his mirth. ]

Oh, my... how did you manage to... No, wait, I don't think I actually want to know. So. That's your selling price, is it? You come with quite a hefty price tag, my friend.

[moraxiom]

[ Just end his suffering. Zhongli's mask cracks just a bit, exasperation seeping from him as Childe laughs. This isn't a laughing matter, the Geo Archon is on sale! ]

Likely why there have been no buyers despite my current attire.

[ Especially with the way his arms are bound, his chest is kinda straining that shirt. ]

[battlebesties]

[ Yes. He noticed.

When he finally gets his laughter under control, he heaves a deep sigh and wipes the tears away from his eyes. ]

It is very nice attire, I must agree. You make quite the tempting package. Ah well, I guess there's no excuse then. I'll be right back...

[ And he lifts his hand in a careless little wave as he turns and heads straight for where the man selling Zhongli stands. ]

[moraxiom]

[

























???

Zhongli turns his head to watch him move over, confused. What is he doing, now? ]

[battlebesties]

[ Hopefully he should be able to figure it out when, after several moments of heated debate, Childe hands over a rather large sack of coins.

The seller, in turn, hands back what looks to be a wooden marker. The claim of ownership being passed in exchange for Mora. ]

[moraxiom]

[ Was he just haggled down? He's not sure if he wants to be or not.

Yet there is a slight tension in his shoulders, watching them both. He had a slight fear this might come to pass, though really, this is only going to turn out badly for Childe. ]

[battlebesties]

[ Childe is pretty sure he can handle it.

Deal struck, he wanders back over towards where Zhongli still sits and waves the little marker in victory. ]

There, all done. Let's get you loose and get out of this place, yes?

[ He leans over the other man's shoulder to get at the bindings behind the chair. ]

[moraxiom]

... and what sort of deal did you strike?

[ He leans slightly forward so Childe can get to his bindings more easily. ]

[battlebesties]

I paid off what was left of your debt. In exchange for you. A handy piece of contract work, don't you think? Although the asshole was trying to make a profit on top of selling you. He asked for 1.5.

[moraxiom]

I see. It is to be expected. You should not have known my debt had you been a regular customer.

[ A brief pause, as he frowns deeply. ]

And yet you gain little.

[battlebesties]

[ Childe just gives a quiet scoff at that as he loosens the bindings and frees Zhongli's wrists at last. ]

I dunno, I got you out of the deal. I'd say that's a pretty valuable trade. And I won't take you to seedy markets and tie you to a chair while you pay off your debt. Promise.

[moraxiom]

[ The archon lets out an exhausted and thankful sigh, rubbing his wrists. Sometimes he really did forget how much these bodies could strain. ]

What do you ask for instead?

[battlebesties]

Hmmmm....

[ Straightening, he strokes a finger against his chin as he ponders that. ]

What are you willing to give me?

[moraxiom]

[ Ah. Zhongli looks at him out of the corner of his eyes. ]

My first thought was giving you the battle you so crave, but such a thing would be impossible, even now.

[ He may not have his Gnosis, but he's still unfairly powerful. ]

[battlebesties]

[ That doesn't mean Childe doesn't still want that fight. He does - very much so. How can he grow even stronger, without powerful rivals to pit himself against?

But he's interested in other things, for now. ]

Don't think I'm giving up, however. I'll wear you down one day. Water does that to rocks, you know. [ He adds with a wink before looping his arm with Zhongli's and tugging him away from the auction display. ]

But very well, if you won't fight me, what will you do for me?

[moraxiom]

[ As always. He expects nothing less from Childe.

He follows along, his ponytail flicking after him. ]

As per our new contract, I am open to suggestion aside from combat. I believe there was little I was sold for that was not included as an option for my servitude.

An explanation of Liyue's history or social norms are not of interest to you with how long you have been stationed here.

... I believe you are a better cook than I.

[battlebesties]

Do you even know how to cook?

[ He looks amused by that option, because every time he's turned around, he's catching the other man eating out somewhere instead. He's pretty sure all the restaurants in the Harbor know him by sight. ]

Wait, nevermind, you're right regardless. I've been cooking since I was a child. [ He had younger siblings to help look after. ]

And actually? Your seller had a very particular type of buyer in mind for you. If being put on display and tied to a chair wasn't enough of a hint for you. I'm more surprised he didn't just have you up there naked.

[moraxiom]

Battle requires focus. Focus can't be had on an empty stomach.

[ He says, trying desperately to chuck the attention off of his quickly pinkening face. He clears his throat - ]

I am... aware of what he thought would be profitable.

I can't say it was a good gamble.

[battlebesties]

Why? You don't think people would find you attractive, Zhongli?