Aerith could no longer cry. Her heart had become as emaciated as her body. Unable to bear another betrayal she became nothing but a lump on the floor. Awake, but without consciousness, she was barely aware of the ride. She offered no resistance as she was picked up from the cage and brought to a holding cell.

In a straw bed, Aerith laid, drifting in and out of her mind. Men would come by and force food into her mouth. Someone came by and examined her. A woman washed her body with a towel. Someone poured a strong tasting drink in her mouth. Slowly, her body started to recover. Her mind would take a little longer.

By the time she could hold simple conversations again it was almost time for her auction. She was lead to a staging area and was given a bath and had oil applied to her hair. She was given clean wrappings which had a hard time remaining tight on her thin frame. The thin steel collar around her neck was polished.

Finally, she was brought into a room with a group of other women. They all sat sullenly in their wraps on hard benches. A young woman came by to do make and fix their hair. As they waited for their turn a pump older woman gave them instructions.

“Good evening ladies. I know this has been a difficult time for you, and you must be very scared right now. And you have every reason to be. You and I have no idea what kind of future awaits you. Yes, some of you might have terrible and short lives full of burdens and pain. And some of you will defiantly be purchased for night services. This is especially likely for you maidens.”

“Yes, many of you will get to experience your worst fears. However, things can always be worse than you imagine. You could be used and discarded like a piece of trash. You could be worked to death in the mines or sold to some criminal origination as a plaything. So listen up ladies. What you do tonight will decide your fate. It is a fact that the more that is spent on you, the better off your life will be. After all, if you spend a lot on something, won’t you take better care of it? Yes, you all know this is true. So do whatever you can to drive up the bids. This is for our benefit and yours.”

“The next important thing is to make your owners happy with their purchase. So tonight, no matter what happens, do your best to make them happy. This will set the tone for the rest of your lives. If they are happy with you from the start then you will be rewarded. But if you are difficult, well there are many who enjoy breaking their slaves.”

Aerith looked around. The other girls had downcast faces; they were all struggling with what was to come. Like her, they were all thin and tired looking. But if you were captured as a debt slave, it was likely you didn’t have enough money to eat. However, Aerith was clearly the thinnest of the lot. She had spent two years out on the streets, scrounging for food and being constantly tormented by collectors. Now, maybe, she would at least get enough to eat. Now no matter what was to happen, things might get a little better.

Except she wouldn’t get to see Tim anymore. Aerith wanted to hate him, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Maybe this was the best choice for him. Tim betrayed her to save himself from Mr. Yakuzi. When she thought about it that way she didn’t feel so bad. At least now, she would no longer be a stone around his neck.

Girls from one side of the room were lead out one at a time. The auctioneer’s assistant came by and picked which one to bring on stage next. He looked at each of their faces and saved the prettiest for last. When he got to Aerith’s side, she was the first one chosen.

As Aerith waited to go on stage the assistant handed her a cup and ordered her to drink it. She did and immediately felt light headed and kind of giddy. She didn’t really know what was happening anymore, and before she knew it she was brought out to for auction.

Wearing only thin wrappings Aerith stood on the wooden stage in a large amphitheater-style area. The auctioneer read off her card and introduced Aerith as the first maiden of the night. The crowd cheered, but all she could think about was how blinding the lights were.

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“Now Miss Aerith, turn around for the crowd. Very good! And Aerith, do you have any special skills or talents you want tonight’s discerning shoppers to know about?”

“Um, I am, er was, a physician. I can use high-level recovery and restoration spells.”

The roar of the crowd suddenly ceased. This was an answer no one expected. Healers are always in great demand, and it shouldn’t be possible for anyone skilled to end up as a debt slave. If it was true, then she would be a magnificent catch.

The auctioneer called over his assistant and whispered for a while before turning back to the crowd. “Wowee, I did not expect to hear that! What about you folks? No? Well, my assistant is going to find someone so we can get a demonstration!”

Whispers buzzed around the crowd as Aerith stood under the spotlight. Before long a group of strong looking men carried another slave to the stage. The debt slave had a damaged leg and could no longer walk, and therefore wouldn’t be worth much money. The auction house was very wise in this, they get a demonstration to raise the value of a sale, and they get a free healing treatment too. In fact, the auctioneer was rather mad they didn’t know about Aerith’s talents first. They might have just kept her to themselves.

The whispers died down as Aerith knelt beside the man. A faith glow began to envelop his leg. The scars faded and the bone straightened. The anguished look on his face slackened. It would still take many more treatments to restore the man to good health. But the skill and power of the spell were evident.

Exhausted, Aerith nearly fainted and remained on the floor as the crowd erupted in cheers. With the strange medicine still floating in her system, her head felt light and she didn’t notice the fervent bidding, or how much she was finally sold for.

The assistant finally came and helped Aerith to her feet and to another room. There a robe was placed over her as she waited on unsteady feet. After a few moments, a man she didn’t recognize showed up and led her away. She assumed that this was her new owner. He didn’t look like such a bad guy, but still, she worried. She didn’t make eye contact or even talk to him for the duration of their carriage ride.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a large guild complex. Aerith wasn’t sure where she was. She didn’t recognize the symbol or the buildings. She suddenly wondered if she was on the first level and if she had blanked out for the ride. Hoping to avoid offending her new master she quickly hurried after him as they went to the warehouse. In the front of the building, they ascended stairs and arrived in a luxurious suite. It was here that Aerith was instructed to wait.

A few moments later she heard the door open. But she continued to stare at her toes. Her heart beat heavily, as footsteps approached. A hand rested itself lightly on her shoulder.

“Aerith, are you alright?”

“T, Tim?” Aerith lifted her head and found a familiar face. All the fear, anguish and hatred drained from her body as she melted into his arms. She was too tired to cry anymore.

“I see you're doing well,” Tim responded with a dry chuckle. “Let me give you a brief tour of your new room. Over here is the climate control, I’ll show you how to work that later. This is the toilet. Yes I know it’s on the third floor. Don’t worry, you just pull this handle to flush it and wash away the waste. And this is the bath. Use this dial to control the heat and this one to add water.”

“I’ll be back in a little bit. In the meantime, I need you to get washed up and ready. We’re going to have some fun tonight.” A mischievous smile crept across Tim’s face as Aerith’s eyes went wide.

Tim left Aerith alone in her new room. She didn’t want to be alone right now. But what did Tim mean by that? As she soaked in the hot water her face turned red from more than the heat. Could Tim want that? Is that what he meant? It’s not like Aerith didn’t want to be with Tim. But, did it have to be like this? Well, he was betrayed and hurt a lot too. Maybe this was the only way he could accept her, as a slave.

Then Aerith considered the alternative; being bought by someone else, being used by someone else. She shuddered. But it was Tim that saved her yet again. She was so thankful for him, for his kindness. Maybe this was love that she felt for him. Then she remembered the words of the mistress from the auction. So, in her heart, Aerith vowed to herself that she would make her new owner happy. If it was Tim, she would do whatever she could to please him. Even if it was night services.

A little while later a light knock came from the door.

“I’m ready,” Aerith answered softly.

Tim opened the door, and his eyebrow twitched up. Aerith stood naked before him. Her hands clasped in front and her face burning red all the way to her ears. After a long moment, Tim coughed and turned away. “Your clothes are on the bed. Hurry up or we’re going to be late.”