Diplomatic Immunity--Preface: Vasha's Discovery

[Bront]

"No, she said nothing of the sort, and has refused my kindness. But that does not change how I feel."

She turns back to the slave "Please, you were about to answer me. What did you do to become a slave yet again after you were freed?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Oh, I'm sorry, it looks like the master doesn't want me to speak to his pretty new pet. The master doesn't want me to talk to you and tell you all his dirty little secrets or maybe you won't want to be his sex toy any more, so I'll just be quiet like a good little slave."

"Be quiet and stop being rude to Vasha, evil woman!" Zythryd replies, glaring harshly at the slave before turning to Vasha and cuddling her in his arms to try to shelter her from the woman's cruelness, "If you want to know, shortly after she became free, she became a drug addict and, not having enough money to support her addiction from her job, she turned to prostitution and then theft. When she was caught one day, she was sentenced to return to slavery, proving as she did that she was too irresponsible and wicked to live a wholesome life in freedom."

 

[Bront]

Vasha rubs Zythryd's arms but looks at the woman. "Is this true...I'm sorry, I don't know your name. I'm Vasha Springborne, formerly known on Arris as Vasha yn’Springs. What is your name?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"I don't dare to contradict the master. I'm a good slave, just a good obedient nameless slave who does all her work as she's told."

"She won't contradict it because it is true, Vasha...Her name is Vrymiin."

 

[Bront]

"And how long ago was that?"

"Zythryd, I think you know I don't like the idea of slaverly, but I've never met any slave like her. I need to understand this, especialy if it's such a strong part of you. I... I can deal with her words. I don't think she understands me, and she judges me accordingly. I will not do her the same disservice."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Oh, about ten years or so, but I don't want to talk over the master, so I'll just let him talk, little play pretty."

"She understands you, Vasha. She is an astute judge of character, but then she lies and says the right words to push your buttons, trying to get a strong emotional reaction. That's why you don't understand her, you're such a sweet and loving person that her brand of selfish evil is probably something alien to you...and perhaps something that to not understand makes you a better person..."

 

[Bront]

"Zythryd, when was the last time she had some rest? Can you see what her work is doing to her? No one deserves to be used up like this. You say she is evil, but she is still a daughter of Arris."

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Zythryd's eyes begin to look sad as his expression becomes a bit hurt and lost, withdrawing his arms.*

"Vasha, please...She's trying to turn you against me...Please don't...You said..."

"You're speechless because you know the wrongness of your wicked ways, master. How long can you keep tricking this girl?"

*Upset and angry, Zythryd snaps at the slave:*

"Just shut up and get out of here, you despicable snake! Go clean the cellar."

*She gives a mock bow as she replies "Whatever you say, master, " and waddles over to a door and disappears inside.*

 

[Bront]

"Zythryd, she will not turn me against you." she gives him a tender kiss. "I just need to understand such things as slavery. It is foreign to me, and even in selling them as I have, I still find that I do not condone it. Though, at the same time, I will admit that in many cases, it is not abused, slaves are treated fairly, and the system you have in place does work well in many cases. But that doesn't mean I can bring myself to understand the owning of another being."

"Don't be angry at her, I sought her out, so I drew her ire. But you do need to learn to forgive, and perhaps allow her some freedom and an opertunity to prove that she can and has changed her ways."

Vasha sighs and leans against Zythryd, nestled in his arms. "You and I may disagree on my things, but that doesn't mean I would love you any less."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Vasha, please listen...I tried, we all tried, but she shows herself to be wicked time and time again. That's why she was enslaved again--because when left to her own devices, she does terrible things...Just look at what she did today," Zythryd continues, furrowing his brows in concern as he notes the wetness where Vasha had been crying at Vrymiin's words, "All you wanted to do was be nice to her and offer her compassion, and she made you cry, Vasha...And when she makes you sad, that makes me sad too."