Gevma was considered the nightlife city of the Karura planet. Even though it was not a large City, it was still one of the most prominent and prized for the economic wealth it brought. People flooded its streets hoping to fulfill their fantasies with all the various vices it was home to. But there were specifically four attractions that people knew it for.
One could find the warmth of alcohol and fine dining at Ivory Dunes. It was an onion domed building made out of Ivory. There were three levels inside of it. The bottom level was for your everyday, but rich, customer. But the trick was you had to be invited. The second level was for the higher nobles. And the top level was reserved only for the Lords of Karura. Every table was shrouded in white, enchanted cloth that promised privacy.
Green Phoenix had a variety of drugs the people of Gevma could relax into. It had everything from the cheapest herb to the most expensive gas. The building was one of the largest in the city as it tended to have monstrously large races as customers. Green Phoenix was always open and always had customers, simply stepping into the store front and breathing the air inside would give someone a contact high.
Beautiful women who held power in society under Madam Lieve’s watchful eyes worked and lived at Gold Noir. A burlesque that offered the services of a brothel. Each woman who worked there was beautiful, talented and held to a high standard. It was a members only club that couldn’t just be bought. You applied, you got approved by the Madam herself and then you paid a non-refundable year subscription to enter the club. The perks included witnessing the amazing talents of the women as they performed different types of shows from belly dancing, singing, acrobatics, BDSM sessions and more. And when they were done, their sexual talents could be purchased for the rest of the night. Blackmail was not tolerated, nor was it feared. But if it was attempted, the blackmailer was usually never heard of again. The women were not just full of fantasy talent and lust. But they were also a band of mercenaries. They were in high demand in every service they offered and because of that, Gold Noir was one of the wealthiest businesses in Gevma and brought in clients from all over the galaxy.
And lastly the Coliseum of Destiny. Named by its sadistic owner Master Donovan who enjoys the joke of the Coliseum bringing its inhabitants their destiny. From Gladiators and beasts to slaves. The Coliseum of Destiny is deadly and brutal but is the most beloved attraction in the whole world and is desired throughout the Galaxy as one of the best stadiums. Donovan prided himself in getting the best of the best, including the slaves that enter his Coliseum for auction. The slaves were not his, they belong to a third party vendor. But he puts on the auction for the slavers and takes in a percentage of profit from them. So they needed to be top notch like everything else.
That Coliseum was where Shalee was. She was found as a stowaway leaving the Dusk Moons. After getting caught she was forced into becoming a slave by the pirates who found her. And they brought her here, to Karura, exactly where she was heading to begin with.
“The Auction will begin in one hour.”
The robotic voice called out from the various speakers throughout the Coliseum. The slaves were dressed in simple but elegant clothing that left nothing to the imagination. They walked around the ground level of the Coliseum with serving trays of drinks and food. It was their job to serve their potentially new Masters and make good impressions. The ground level of the Coliseum was decorated with tables and comfortable chairs for the awaiting auction. Someone had casted magic for the lighting as several orbs of light danced slowly in the night air. There were even elegant and beautiful plants littering the arena like a white wonderland garden to set the scene of a peaceful night.
The Lords and Ladies in attendance seemed to be having a good time with several of them already having picked out the slaves they were going to bid on. A couple spoke peacefully to each other but it was obvious they were fighting over the same female slave. Some of the slaves seemed delighted in who would be fighting for them as they lucked out with more peacefully renown potential Masters. While others kept up with fake smiles as they dreaded their possible horrible futures with the Masters that were after them. And then there were some who kept their features dark and sullen. They didn’t want to be part of this in any capacity and weren’t going to play the game.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” One of the male slaves said, a small elven boy. He had been one of the slaves not wanting to participate in his own selling and was bringing a sour mood. One of the attending guards in charge of the attitude of the slaves had grabbed him and was dragging him to one of the various X-crosses. They were covered in white cloth with the ends of the cloth flowing freely in the small breeze. The guard chained him to the X-cross and then put a thick white cloth in his mouth to gag him.
“Be silent!” The guard hissed at him. And then he stepped back and removed the cat-o-nine from its holster at his hip. The Lords and Ladies cheered and even clapped as the slave began to be whipped. Some said how it was good since he was bringing down the whole mood. And others who wanted him even more to beat submission into him.
Shalee watched unphased. Her soft and pleasant smile didn’t fade. And soon enough it was over. Her attention returned to those looking around her and asking her various questions. Unlike the other slaves, Shalee was dressed in black and was chained to a podium from a collar on her neck. The collar around her neck had two chains that connected to shackles on her upper arms and her wrists. She stood tall with a pleasant pride in herself but kept an inviting posture and gaze.
“It really does feel like silk!” A woman shouted in delight as she grabbed and played with Shalee’s long white hair. Shalee simply kept her smile and remained still.
“Oh be careful about that! My father had a male Drow as a slave. Apparently when they get older their hair turns a nasty yellow and the texture is less than to be desired!” A lord laughed with her.
“Oh my! Slave, is that true?” The lady asked.
“My beautiful Lady,” Shalee started, her voice came out like soothing satin. “Our hair is soft and silky to the touch, like a spider’s webbing. As we grow older, some of us, but mostly only the males, will have their hair turn yellow and wiry.” Shalee finished and offered a bow of her head. Her hands remained clasped loosely one over the other in front of her.
“Where’d they pick you up from? What’s your heritage?” An older man asked gruffly and poked Shalee harshly with the bottom of his cane. She remained unphased still.
“My good Lord, I come from Lymicar of the Dusk Moons. I am a pure blooded Drow,” Shallee responded kindly.
“Careful that means she’s inbred!” A younger man laughed and other near him laughed as well.
“It means she’s pure!” The older man replied in a huff as if offended by the remark. “Right? Speak!” The old man said and jabbed Shalee again.
“We of the Drow are many and do not require incest in order to thrive. But like any race, it does happen. I am not born of incest my Lords and Ladies,” Shalee responded kindly again. The older man seemed satisfied by her answer and after that Shalee was treated as if she wasn’t a creature able to speak anymore and more like an object for those circled around her. Shalee didn’t seem to care and even seemed to encourage or indulge in movement to make it easier for them to touch her.
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Donovan watched Shalee carefully. Slave Master Maeve told him that he had found quite the bounty. She had put up no fight when she was found and acted with grace and humility around them. Apparently she was a favorite. He had been curious. And now seeing her in person he could see why. She was beautiful with grey skin that was lighter than any Drow he’d seen, her hair was long and pure white like fresh snow on Telchur. Her eyes were such a soft gaze with an even softer lavender color. And when she spoke it was like listening to the song of the heavens. How Maeve had come across such a Drow he’d never know. He couldn’t help himself as he found himself wandering over to the shackled Drow. He grabbed a fist full of her hair and brought it up to his nose to smell. It really did feel like silk. And she smelled like flowers.
Shalee noted that the Lord and Ladies around her went quiet and even took several steps back. It didn’t take her long to figure out why as she felt a large hand in her hair. She remained still as he came around her into view.
Donovan was a human with the build of a barbarian. His muscles strained against his wine red three piece suit. His black bowler hat looked a little silly on his large head but Shalee made no gesture or noise to suggest. His face had leathery skin from a life on the Desert planet. His eyes were blue but his personality made them seem a lot darker than they were. And his mouth was hidden behind a black wiry beard. But even so, the lust and desire in his eyes was undeniable. He kept her white hair in his fingers as if he were holding onto a leash. In return Shalee showed no sign of discomfort.
“Keep your eyes down,” Donovan grumbled out. His voice was deep and it would almost be attractive if Shalee had any interest in such a man.
“Yes my Lord.” Shalee complied instantly, keeping her gaze on the ground while keeping the rest of herself still but relaxed. Donovan brought her hair to his nose and sniffed again.
“You’re gentle, a lot more gentle than any Drow I’ve encountered,” Donovan said.
“Does how gentle I am please you my Lord?” Shalee asked. Donovan couldn’t help but laugh at the question which prompted some of the others gathered around and watching to laugh uneasily as well.
“It makes me uneasy, little one. Your kind uses mischief and trickery to assassinate. How long will you bide behind this false personality until you attack, I wonder.” Donovan let go of her hair and then grabbed Shalee’s chin with his fingers. His fingers were huge and he moved her head with a rough touch. But he couldn’t help but let out a peaceful breath at the touch of her smooth skin.
“I have no intention of attacking my Master. It is not a slave’s place after all,” Shalee replied cooly, her small smile never faltering even as he moved her head from side to side. Donovan laughed again before snarling. His hand went from her chin to around her neck. His one hand was more than enough to wrap around her slender neck and keep a tight hold.
The gathered crowd gasped at the sight and murmurs began to spread. They wondered if Donovan would purchase her or just kill her. They weren’t sure and they weren’t sure if they exactly wanted to be right there. Shalee had no reaction. She kept a soft and lowered gaze and a soft smile on her lips. Though his hand around her neck caused the smile to be distorted slightly from pulled and pressed skin.
“So you won’t attack me then?” Donovan asked harshly.
“You’re not my Master, my Lord,” Shalee replied evenly. Though her voice was now deeper from the pressure at her throat. At the reply Donovan smirked and then barked out a laugh as he let her throat go. He said nothing else as he walked away from Shalee and returned to his special throne of a seat at the back of the auction seating. Shalee’s face remained blissfully pleasant.
“The Auction will now begin. Slaves will make their way to the stage now. Our beloved Guests, please enjoy the seating provided by the generous Master Donovan.” The robotic voice called over the speakers.
The slaves responded instantly. They made their way promptly to the back of the stage as they had practiced well before the event and then they lined themselves up by their lot number. They would only step forward and be center stage if they were called. Including Shalee, there were 13 of them. And Shalee would be the last one to be bid on. Shalee had to wait for a guard to come and get her. He unlocked her from the podium and led her by her collar to the stage. He stood next to her, holding tightly onto the chain and she stood brilliantly in front of him. As for the slaves on the crosses, guards went and released them from the crosses and dragged them to the stage.
The first slave was brought to the center of the stage. Maeve followed up after him with a microphone in hand and began his selling pitch over attributes the slave had. Anything fascinating about him was said and Maeve created open ended sentences to leave room for fantasies. And then the bidding began.
Shalee remained peaceful. Even when the guards threatened her if she tried anything. Two more guards accompanied the other guard just in case she tried to escape. She couldn’t help but be amused by the situation. They were taking necessary precautions for her using the stereotypes of her kind. Though could they really be called stereotypes if they were fact? She absolutely had the skills to fight. But it was unnecessary at the moment. And she didn’t like how high the chance was for her death.
Slave after slave was brought to the center of the stage and bid on. Some slaves went to the same person while others went to separate buyers. A couple of times there were strong bid fights as two Lords fought over the same slave. But eventually it was Shalee’s turn.
“And now for the last lot of the evening!,” Maeve shouted excitedly into the microphone. His beady black eyes danced over the crowd but he knew who would likely win his best prize. And he couldn’t wait for the payload it would be.
The guard holding Shalee tugged on the chain and dragged her to the front of the stage. The two other guards followed and stood on either side of the guard holding her, forming a wall behind her. For her part, Shalee stood as she had on the podium. But this time she locked eyes with Donovan and held them there. She knew he would buy her. He hadn’t bought or taken interest in any of the other slaves. And he seemed to want to do something to her. But she wasn’t sure. And she wouldn’t find out as the night dragged on. Her escape would come first.
Donavan returned her gaze with his own hard one. His whole face lit up with ill intent and sadistic glee. He wanted her and he’d have her. He stood up from his chair and readied himself for the start of the bidding. Maeve had continued on and gushed over Shalee’s attributes. He was selling her as a beautiful slave girl that would have the ability to defend the home.
“We’ll start the bid at one thousand credits!” Maeve shouted excitedly. The response was instant thrill from the crowd as the guests began bidding with increments of one or two hundred credits. Every now and then someone would bid a higher amount. But the bids were coming out so fast that Maeve barely had the time to call them out.
Shalee and Donovan didn’t waver as they continued to stare at each other. To them the rest of the world wasn’t there. Each one held a gaze of varying promises and secrets. Each one showing a face of power to the other.
“Ten thousand credits.” Donovan’s voice was direct and sharp. His deep voice rising just enough to be heard over the crowd. An immediate hush fell over the gathered guests of the auction. It was a five thousand credit increase from the previous bid.
Maeve’s smile spread from ear to ear. He could barely contain his excitement over the amount of credits this Drow was bringing him. Forcing the slave brand in her was worth it after all. And once she was out of his ownership, he wouldn’t have to worry about the legality of it.
“Ten thousand-one hundred!” A woman shouted, breaking the silence in the crowd. After she spoke, more people chimed in with higher bids but Donovan silenced them again.
“Twenty thousand credits,” Donovan said. The massive jump in price silenced the Lords and Ladies again. A quiet murmur sounded between them as they debated going against such a high bid. Even the ones who really wanted her were shaking their heads at the high bid. None of them had come here expecting to go so high for mere slaves. Maeve felt the sway of the atmosphere and quickly moved to the front of the stage with an eccentric show of his hands in the direction of Donovan.
“And for twenty thousand credits, lot 13 goes to Master Donovan!” Maeve shouted into the microphone. Shalee gave a polite nod to Donovan who smiled wickedly in return. The attending Lords and Ladies all gave polite claps at the closing bid and then began to mingle again before the event was officially over.
As interesting as the bidding was and as interesting a slave as Shalee was, it seemed it was all completely irrelevant now.