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

[moraxiom]

[ He perks an eyebrow - really, no further discussion on the contract? - but he then exhales.

The measured action, seemingly innocent, causes a bloom of power from where their hands meet. It shatters the sigil and bindings, yes, but it takes hold of his Vision as well. That power doesn't suffocate or tamp down Childe's, but instead, feels as smooth stones dropped into a pond. It elevates his level, letting his power grow stronger, but not only his power alone: the Vision itself glows, amber spots and splashes shining in them. ]

The contract is binding. Careful. Your body will feel a rush of energy as if you were healed already, but that is not the case.

[battlebesties]

[ You've offered him the one thing he would have begged for, Zhongli. There's nothing you could ask of him that he wouldn't give up willingly for the protection of his family.

And then he feels the prickling of magic where their hands meet and a moment later there's a deep power rippling through him. It steals his breath away, blinds him with the intensity and he collapses forward to brace against one hand as he crouches there on his knees, panting for breath in the aftermath of the force of that.

He doesn't know what Zhongli did - the Tsaritsa granting him a new well of power had been nothing in comparison to this, and he trembles as he tries to adjust. His Vision gleams and glints and he catches sight of other swirls of color in the depths of his hydro ability. Strange, he's never heard of that happening before. But he's far too distracted by the intensity of sensations to question it right now.

Instead, he swallows thickly and manages as a nod, still desperately panting for air. he felt like he'd just ran miles, and yet there's so much exhilaration and adrenaline pulsing through him right now, he could go for miles more. ]

I'll be careful. [ And then he glances up to meet Zhongli's gaze, his own expression uncommonly serious. ] Thank you.

[moraxiom]

[ He waits for Childe to catch his breath before he kneels, finally, expression losing its edge as he simply seems - concerned. Simply seems Zhongli, not Morax, not Rex Lapis. ]

You worried me.

[battlebesties]

[ He blinks in confusion at that, but he doesn't miss the sudden change in natures of the man before him. He's not sure how Zhongli does that, but... ]

I did?

[moraxiom]

I could not find you. The telltale aura of your Vision was nowhere to be found - I had thought, for a brief moment, that you had expended your energy and were lost.

[ He exhales, feeling both a little foolish, but thankful, gaze going down to Childe's wrists and gently holding one. He has to wonder if this smarts. ]

Thankfully it was simply this binding.

[battlebesties]

Not lost. Just weakened.

[ He shakes his head slightly, glancing down at where Zhongli still held his wrists. The skin is reddened from where the cuffs had rested against his skin. He'd tried to fight it at first - at least to test the strength of the bindings. But the Harbingers had done their research well - the strength of the seal was far beyond any power he could muster, even if he had been at full health when bound. Which he most decidedly had not been. ]

...You were looking for me?

[moraxiom]

You deserved an apology.

[ In the dim light of the moon, he sees the red on those wrists and brings his hand to his lips, giving them a gentle kiss as if to apologize for this, too. ]

For leading you astray. For Liyue, I would do what I must as its archon - but as Zhongli, I wished that it would not be you.

[battlebesties]

[ He blinks at the adepti before him in utter confusion. ]

It was your city and I was the one who started the subterfuge in the first place. You don't owe me an apology - or anything, Zhongli.

[ But he can't quite suppress the slight shiver that slips along his nerves as the other man brushes his lips against tender skin, too sensitive from the manacles. ]

[moraxiom]

[ He chuckles idly, eyes closed. ]

As its archon, I do not owe you an apology. I should strike you down where you stand.

[ He can agree with that, but then he raises and locks his gaze with Childe's. ]

You have seen for yourself, however: I am not its archon anymore. Thus - I will make amends with those who I care for.

[battlebesties]

...Amends? You still don't have anything to make amends for.

[ Although he really hopes Zhongli doesn't change his mind right now and decide to go back to the 'striking' portion of his punishment.

...Or whatever this is? ]

[moraxiom]

[ He perks an eyebrow, now, but he's struggling not to smile - and Childe can feel that warmth and amusement in the depths of his Vision. ]

You sound as if you crave punishment. Do you wish for me to punish you for your transgressions, instead?

[battlebesties]

[ It's startling, that feel of emotions he knows without a doubt are not his. Zhongli's then? He's never heard of this kind of connection before. Was it the contract, or whatever Zhongli had done with his magic?

But he just makes a quiet scoffing sound at the man's statement. ]

No. I just don't understand why you're doing this at all.

[ ...Not that the thought of what creative things Zhongli might think up as punishment don't sound intriguing in their own way. ]

[moraxiom]

[ There is a moment of pause, and as the wind picks up, Zhongli feels a chill at his back. ]

... if I were to tell you why, I have my doubts you would believe me. Come - or should I carry you?

[battlebesties]

[ He puffs up a little at that in indignation.

Does he look like an invalid, Zhongli???

...Wait, maybe don't answer that right now. His pride can't take it. ]

I can walk. Where are we going?

[moraxiom]

[ He chuckles softly when he puffs up, as if it's some blow to his pride. Quick to bounce back after being sold off like that, huh? ]

My abode. Are you certain? It is fairly high up.

[battlebesties]

[ ... ]

You do know I can't fly, right? And gliding goes down, not up. Unless you've got some extra wind currents floating around here somewhere...

How far up, exactly?

[ He squints upwards, as if that would give him an answer. ]

[moraxiom]

[ He waves a hand. ]

There is a path up. It's hardly any Jade Palace.

[battlebesties]

[ Well, that's a little reassuring, at least.

Stubborn, he staggers unsteadily to his feet, even as he sways a little bit as the blood rushes back into his limbs. He bites back a groan at that, his jaw clenching stubbornly. He can do this. He doesn't want Zhongli to think him any weaker than he already does. ]

[moraxiom]

[ Even though he knows Childe is fragile right now emotionally and probably needs to keep his pride - he still shifts, stepping beside him to brace him, just in case. ]

Ever stubborn.

[battlebesties]

Did you expect any less?

[ He feels Zhongli shift close beside him and he almost objects. But considering they're on a mountainside and intending to go higher? Maybe it's not so bad to have someone within grabbing distance in case his legs give out. ]

[moraxiom]

Somewhat.

[ As they start to climb up the path of the mountain, he speaks - ]

The Traveler has given me an offer. One I think you may like.

[battlebesties]

[ He casts a suspicious glance sideways at that, because he's not sure what Zhongli could have concocted with the Traveler of all people. ]

...Oh?

[moraxiom]

She has asked me to travel with her.

Would you want to do the same?

[battlebesties]

[ That... actually stops him in his tracks as he blinks at Zhongli for a moment, caught off guard. ]

... I think she might have something to say about that. Did you ask her about me also tagging along?

[ He can't imagine she would have agreed so easily to that, not after everything else. ]

[moraxiom]

I did. She aided in your escape as a distraction.

[ When he realizes that might not be enough to ensure what he means - ]

She has agreed to allow you to tag along if I am able to keep you in check. Which, of course, due to our contract I am able to do. [ Even without it, he figures he probably could've. ]