Diplomatic Immunity--Preface: Vasha's Discovery

[Bront]

She nods. "Aren't you a little uncomfortable that you're selling people? How do you get past that?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Nah, it's not really a problem for me. I don't think about it that way. I'm selling slaves--what's wrong with that, right?"

 

[Bront]

"I guess. I just never grew up with slaves, and honestly, I find it a bit distrubing, but I signed a contract that said I'd try, and I'm going to do my best while I'm here."

"So, what information do you get on the slaves ahead of time and how do you use it?"

Vasha discusses her job, trying to not think about the unplesant aspect of it. She puts her energy into learning, and is eager to do it well. 'Perhaps I can at least help get those who are undeserving of being slaves in the hands of better owners.' she thinks to herself. 'I can at least try to do some good.'

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Eh, well, there's nothing that disturbing about it, really, its just a fact of life, but I guess maybe you're just having a culture shock or something."

"As for information, well, we typically have a history that explains how the slaves got to us, whether it be through some crime, which will be listed, or through penury, previous masters, or whatever else. There's also a name and physical description, though the latter becomes a bit superfluous once you bring the slave up to the auction block. There's usually also a set of possible skills, if any."

 

[Bront]

She nods, taking it all in. "And who's allowed to buy a slave? Anyone at the acution? Are they screened in some way first?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Anyone can buy a slave if they have the money. However, they cannot export the slave without complications, especially in case they are some sort of underground offworlder slave-traders--the kind that might keep the children of slaves as slaves."

 

[Bront]

"So I take it there are no children slaves here then?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"No, despite the fact that the children of slaves are not automatically slaves, there are children slaves. They often come from infants who had no family to take care of them, so they were raised by the city at the city's expense and are now paying off the debt through slavery."

 

[Bront]

"No, despite the fact that the children of slaves are not automatically slaves, there are children slaves. They often come from infants who had no family to take care of them, so they were raised by the city at the city's expense and are now paying off the debt through slavery."

"Is their debt as a slave listed then? so any new master knows how much a slave needs to work to pay off this debt? Or does that very with the master? And how much does a slave go for?"

Vasha hoped she might find some redeaming quality to the slave market, and indeed this did not seem like malicious slavery. While she had yet to meet any such slaves, perhaps she can get past her worry enough to let it not effect her job. She knew she was going to have to live with what she did here, but hopefully knowing it's true nature might help satiate her uneasyness a bit.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"There is no listed debt. The slave just gets his new master to sign a writ of manumission, at which point he becomes free. Slaves go for a variety of prices, depending on many different qualities. For instance, if you were a slave, you would go for a very high price because you are incredibly beautiful, are very sweet and gentle, and have skills as a masseuse."