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Ish’talla Side
Andr'ial and Ati'yya
Chapter 01 : 06
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Andr’ial watches the slow rise and fall of breaths that come from the one lying peacefully on his bed as the suns begin to rise to the east. He had brought her back, oiled her completely, and then let her lie. It would have been so easy to take once more what he wanted from her but due to his last indiscretion he felt it was best he not… that and he finds he’d rather have her conscious during those times anyway. A small splash catches his attention and white eyes glance off to the side towards a small container housing several small live fish resting on the table’s surface. He is hopeful that the sleep has calmed her stomach enough to where she will want to eat again. It has been many days and she will only continue to grow weaker if she does not. He does not like the idea of his Siren eating live food, but considering the turmoil he caused with the cooked meat and her current state, for now he will compromise until she is strong enough again to handle it. Clawed fingers reach out to skim across the surface of her skin, a soft tracing along her jaw line that seeps into her fuzzy awareness to wake her. She furrows her brows just a little, webbed fingers sliding heavily up as those same claw tips travel over her lips to touch lightly at the owner’s wrist before the weight of her own hand becomes too much for her and she drops it down to drape just beneath her breasts. She feels light headed and disorientated, unable to open her eyes to find the source of the exploring fingers. Ati’yya makes a weak sort of sound, rolling her head towards the presence at her side before she manages to work blue slitted eyes open as a hand brushes through her hair. She’s met with pupiless white and all she can do is stare at the horned figure with her half lidded groggy vision, finding relief in the fact that the sickness she’d suffered from before is gone, the pain in her stomach dulled and the nausea quelled. Andr’ial’s touch is again gentle, the confusion it causes becoming a familiar feeling her captor invokes. Full lips part to allow an involuntary sigh free as he slips his hand away from her hair and traces down along the delicate curves of a webbed ear. Andr’ial smiles as he continues to do this, happy to see that she is becoming more accustomed to his touch and does not appear to feel sick any longer. He speaks the name he’s given her quietly and slitted blue eyes open partially –staring at him still half in sleep, before sliding shut once more. The horned man leans down, kissing her lightly on the forehead. “A few more days and we will be home. Then I will show you wonders you have never dreamed of.” He whispers as claw tips move down the line of her neck. He is looking forward to the envious looks he will receive with her on his arm. First, he will invite his cousin by and ask him to bring his own Siren. His uncle had secured himself another several years ago through a fixed auction, giving her to that bastard to flaunt. She was very well behaved and eager to please, but could not compare to his Ati’yya. None he has ever seen could. His claws move down over delicate shoulders and between the curves of perfect breasts, tracing over to the sensitive flesh at her side. She stirs with the touch, blue eyes opening once more in confusion and he stops, sitting her up slightly before pointing off to the bowl on the table containing the live fish. “There is untainted food for you to eat, my Ati’yya.” The Siren’s groggy gaze shifts towards the fish and her slightly aching stomach turns at the sight despite the fact that they still living and indicate that they might truly be safe. She doesn’t move though, simply looking back over into pupiless white eyes with a tired reservation crossing over her features. Again this man who’s hurt her so often brings her gifts as if he were courting and she just doesn’t understand it or what he hopes to gain from her by doing it. He’s taken what he wants from her already, what else of her is there to give? But as confusing as his actions are to her, the exhaustion from days of not eating, from days of fighting and days of abuse have caught up to her and she finds she’s simply worn too far down. She knows she cannot trust what he offers and yet she’s coming to understand that she’s being given little choice to refuse. She’s already grown so weak and if she doesn’t eat soon, she will most likely continue to wither and die. There’s a part of her that wishes for it though because in death she knows she will finally be able to escape her tormenter, this nightmare and be completely freed. But… as blue slitted eyes slide back to the small bowl containing a meal, she also knows that if she allows it to happen she will never again feel the oceans surrounding her or the suns’ warmth from above nor will she ever look into the orange eyes of her living suitor and feel the protection he was once able to give. Deep inside of her heart she knows that she does not wish to die before she has felt all those things once more so if she truly wants to find freedom again, she must endure, bide her time and find a way to live. With her mind made up, the blue haired figure pushes herself completely up, her movements slow and weighted as the tiredness she feels is clear. Slipping gracefully down onto the hardwood polished floor, Andr’ial’s hand remains wrapped around the chain at her neck as he watches Ati’yya move towards the splashing fish. Webbed fingers slip easily in, delicate claws swiftly piercing scaled skin to spear one and lift it free of the small bowl. With one easy flick and her back to the one still seated on the bed, she slams the fish down against the edge of the table to kill it before sliding it up to her mouth, small fangs tearing free a chunk of flesh and barely chewing as she begins to devour the food in her hands. Soon she goes after a second fish then a third, the small creatures skillfully caught and devoured until there are nothing left but the bones. While it somewhat sickens him to see his Siren eating a near live meal, it does please him that she is eating at all. He …will just not be partaking of her lips any time soon. Andr’ial lies back in the bed, simply watching her with a smile. “Soon we will be home, my beautiful little fish…”
 The call of gulls and bells cause white eyes to open slightly as the familiar sounds of the approaching harbor reaches his ears. Andr’ial looks down to see his Siren still asleep in his arms and he smiles. The rest of their time on the ship had gone as well as he could have hoped after the first few days. Ati’yya had allowed him to feed her and clean her, though her reluctance was still quite obvious. It was progress and that is all that mattered to him. When he would take her, he always made sure his flesh was well oiled to spare her damage, and took great care to not claim her while angered. Though he is unsure if it will ever not be painful to her. It is certainly not something she enjoys, but she will simply have to learn to live with it. But this morning is something he has been anticipating greatly. He will now show his Siren to the world and his world to her. The horned man leans up, locating the scrolled mask he has managed to leave off her for the remainder of their time. Now that they will be in port, it will be a necessity, despite the fact that it will hide much of her beautiful face. Before rising, white eyes take one more long look at his Siren’s curves as she lies facing away from him, soaking in all that she is before sliding his fingers gently over her arm to rouse her. The touch at her arm works to lull her from her sleep and blue slitted eyes crack open as she rolls her head back to be met with pupiless white. Time has been slipping away from her while she’s been kept in the confined space of the cabin and she’s been enduring everything as best as she can. She’s found that if she doesn’t fight or pull away from her horned captor, that he doesn’t treat her as roughly and so she’s been forcing herself into stillness whenever he puts his hands on her, keeping herself grounded despite her want to get away. There have been times where she hasn’t been able to help herself and in those times his anger has been great, but she’s trying, biding her time and hoping she’ll be given an opening at some point again. Her blue gaze widens a bit when she notices the scrollwork mask held in a clawed hand and she shakes her head at it while webbed fingers move to cover her mouth. He’d been merciful in keeping that confinement free of her face and she doesn’t want to feel it on her again, stifling her and locking away her voice. She hates it and so her eyes plead for it not to be put on her. But the silver haired figure simply reaches out to wrap his own fingers around her wrist, pulling her hand away from her mouth as quiet words she can’t understand are spoken to her moments before he pulls her up onto her feet. Turning her lithe frame around in his grip and pulling her back against him, he slips his arm around her slender body, the mask still in hand. Sliding his other arm around her to latch onto the free edge of intricate scrolling, slitted eyes begin glancing back to meet his gaze just before she realizes the mask is being pulled up over her mouth and a second later a stream of words are spoken to secure the delicate chains in their place. Sliding his hands down as her defeated whimper is lost against the magic, he crosses his arms around her waist and pulls her back against him rather close. “You have been so well behaved, little fish, you just need to endure a little longer.” He whispers into oiled and perfumed skin before placing a kiss on her shoulder. “You cannot go into town with that voice of yours but I will remove the mask once we are home.” Andr’ial pulls himself away after lingering for a moment to take down the silk clothing that had been hanging on the far end of his cabin for the past week, untouched. “We also cannot have you wandering exposed, as much as I would prefer you that way.” He smirks slightly before removing a light silk corset, adorned with bells and hanging charms. Clawed fingers lift Ati’yya’s arms, holding them there until she understands she is to keep them up herself. Andr’ial wraps the silk around her and starts the silk lacing. At home, he will have others to do this from him but for now, he is finding it rather intriguing to put a female into clothing rather than taking her out of it. He laces her up tightly, the boning keeping her back arched and her breasts pushed up. Turning her towards him, he finds he almost cannot help himself as the tips of his fingers trace along the curves they make as they sit atop the fabric, slightly amused at how difficult his Siren is finding to bear the tight clothing . Her hands move to her back, webbed fingers pawing desperately at the tight silk in an effort to loosen it. The horned man chuckles and gently grabs on to her wrists, bringing them back forward. “You can breathe just fine” Next, he fastens two panels of sheer silk low around her hips with chains. It will keep her covered, but allow her long legs to be exposed every time she takes a step. Taking a few more chains and a bone comb, he begins the process of braiding and tying up her hair. Small strands of sky blue fall all around her frame, brushing across her shoulders, over her breasts and down her back before he steps away to have a look at his handy work. Beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking… “You are a sight to behold, my Ati’yya. Come, it is time we showed you to the rest of Ish’talla.” She can’t breathe, her attempts to do so cause her pushed up chest to rise and fall a little rapidly. The weight of the garments and the chains and bells, even the braids tied above her head are all almost unbearable. Her captor and the others of his kind have worn these coverings, something she found absurd and a little hard to understand. How can they stand it? How can they allow their skin to be locked away like this? She wants to tear this all free, it makes her feel contained, trapped and accentuates the caged feelings she’s had forced on her. It’s terrible and it’s taking everything in her not to start ripping it all away. Andr’ial just smiles at her, a pleased smile that indicates he’s enjoying seeing her adorned in this madness before he reaches out to latch onto the long chain connected to the collar at her neck. Turning to gather a few belongings before moving towards the door, he speaks more words she doesn’t understand and a moment later the ward that has kept her locked in dissipates. He swings it open, pulling her along with him as he exits the cabin and steps out into the bright mid day suns. The metal adornments and bells chime melodically as she moves gracefully in his wake, those left on deck stopping in their tasks immediately when she comes into view to stare, the pleased smirk on the horned man’s face deepening when all eyes turn on the pair. Blue slitted eyes shift quickly to the ocean as she is lead towards the small plank, almost losing her composure and wishing to bolt for it with nearly every fiber of her being. But she doesn’t, knowing that she wouldn’t get very far and would most likely sink with the weight on her or starve with the mask in place. It pains her to know that she’s so close to what she desires but it’s still completely out of reach. If she wants freedom, she will have to find another opportunity, one where she’s been freed of the scrollwork mask and these heavy garments and so she finds a way to force her gaze away from the sea and back to the man at her front as he continues to lead her towards the bustling town beyond. Andr’ial waits at the bottom of the plank out on the dock for his Siren to follow him down, looking at her with admiration as her steps come so gracefully even though it is clear she is unused to garments of any kind. “I am so proud of you, little fish.” He says to her as she reaches the dock, carefully stepping onto the rough wood and following the man holding her tether. All manor of resident stop in their paths to watch the pair as they walk by. Andr’ial smirks at the muffled whispers and gasps of awe, praising her beauty and his wealth for having one such as her. Some children follow, moving too close for his comfort and he delays his steps a bit until she is at his side where he can protect her more easily. He keeps his eyes on her as she looks around nervously, scared of the many new faces and voices that surround her. A familiar resident Andr’ial loathes but is happy to have bear witness to his success moves through the gathering crowd to head him off. The horned man frowns as he stops just before him. “Tar’ryn. Is there something I can do for you?” The pompous aristocrat takes his time to move his eyes over every inch of the Siren and Ati’yya shifts uncomfortably to Andr’ial’s side. “And who did you blackmail to obtain that?” A fat, clawed hand reaches out to touch at sky blue locks and Andr’ial immediately moves between them, swatting the hand away. “She is not to be touched, especially by the likes of you.” The horned man glowers as he pulls Ati’yya behind him. “I’ll offer you a hefty sum for her. Name your price.” Tar’ryn smirks, undaunted. Andr’ial bears his fangs slightly. “She is not for sale.” He shoves past the large man, attempting to continue on his way until he sees a hand reaching out for his Siren once more. The horned man turns around immediately, his long claws going right for Tar’ryn’s throat. “And you will not touch her… ever.” He shoves the other man off, holding his robe open and gesturing for Ati’yya to come closer. With fear in her eyes, she does as he wants and he quickly wraps the fabric around her, holding her against him. She trembles slightly in his grip and he knows this probably becoming too much to expose her to so quickly. Unfortunately, they still need to secure transportation home so he will need to find a way to get her through the port with a little less notice than she’s gaining. “Soon, little fish…” He whispers into her hair. She had never known this foreign race actually existed until all those days ago and now as she stands so close to her captor, too scared and overwhelmed to protest it, she’s finding just how vast they all are. There are so many of them -as many as there are fish in her sea and they all gawk and stare, gathering around her and like with the one the silver haired man pushed away, attempting to touch. She loathes the one who had taken her from her home, hurt her, abused her and forced her into these stifling clothes and yet at this very moment as she stands pressed in close while his strong arms hold her protectively, she’s finding herself grateful that he’s at least for now- keeping her from harm. Webbed fingers tighten around Andr’ial’s tunic as he speaks quietly against her hair and her shriek of surprise is lost within the mask as some children dash in a little too close behind her. Clamping her eyes shut, she turns her head away from the crowd and sinks her face down against his chest, her trembling growing more pronounced as the seconds begin to tick by. While Andr’ial is pleased she is turning to him for protection, he is not happy with the situation around him. More and more are gathering and his Siren is becoming far more fearful. It wasn’t something he’d entire thought through. “Come, Ati’yya.” He pulls her with him past the crowd, keeping her mostly hidden by his robe as they walk away from the docks towards a nearby stable holding carts and carriages. The horned man removes his robe once they are inside, wrapping it around Ati’yya to keep her covered as he speaks briefly with the one in charge. The men exchange a nod and money before he is leading her back out into the open. “Your new home is only a town away. Before the day’s end you will be able to relax.” Blue slitted eyes stare into pupiless white as Andr’ial speaks words she can’t understand moments before commotion at their sides snaps her attentions away. Her eyes widen and she cries out beneath the mask as a horse and carriage, steered by a dual horned driver rides in close. She lurches as they draw near, twisting her lithe body behind her captor for fear of the strange object slowing before them. Ati’yya clenches so tightly around the silver haired man’s arm that he flinches just a little when small claws dig in as the carriage driver pulls back on the reigns in his hands to stop the horse and its tow. Shoed hooves clank against the stone cobbled ground and the animal whinnies, causing her to flinch further behind him. He smiles lightly before reaching back to gently pry her fingers free of his arm and pull her around him to face what’s at their front. At first the Siren leans back against the one holding her as if she could possibly shy away, but he holds her in place to show that there is nothing really to fear. Sky blue eyes pull away from the large animal and slide back to meet pupiless white and he smiles at her and nods towards the carriage while the driver stares down from above. Ati’yya is hesitant as she turns her attentions back, her slitted gaze shifting from the strange contraption to the horse reigned before it. The fear in her eyes begins to fade as she looks on; replaced with a curiosity for a creature she’s never seen before until she suddenly pulls away from her captor and steps forward, up to the horse’s side. Delicate webbed fingers slide out to touch, slipping over the creature’s mane before traveling up to its muzzle as both mens' eyes become riveted to her every curious move. The horse pushes its nose into her hand, the short fuzz tickling webbed fingers and she laughs silently behind her mask until the creature snorts, shaking its head in a way that causes her to practically jump out of her skin. Ati’yya backs away quickly, almost falling as she trips over the long robe when Andr’ial catches her and straightens her body, chuckling lightly. “It will not hurt you, see?” He brings her forward once more despite her reluctance. The horse snorts again and she flinches, but he holds her still despite her attempt to move away. The horned man’s claws reach forward and he touches at the creature’s neck, petting it lightly. “They are noisy and large, but have no desire to harm you.” He pulls his hand away, gesturing to his Siren to proceed. Ati’yya reaches out very reluctantly, her fingers taking long seconds before they finally come to rest on the horse’s neck. “My curious little fish, there is much this new world holds in store for you.” Andr’ial holds her close as she remains fascinated by the creature before her, giving her a few moments time before lightly pulling her away and leading her into the carriage. Once inside, he helps her to sit down before closing the door and signaling to the driver to proceed to his residence. The lurch of the carriage when the driver snaps the reigns sends her lithe frame falling back, the many adornments and bells draping her body chiming loudly as she flails in surprise before she’s caught by strong hands. Blue slitted eyes rise up to find amused pupiless white staring down at her moments before he simply lifts her petite body up and into his lap, the silk fabric cascading down between her legs as she’s put in a position to straddle him from behind. Andr’ial’s arms slip around her narrow waist to hold her tight against him and she slides the webbed fingers of one hand around a forearm to brace herself as the carriage bumps across the cobbled stone road towards the town’s entrance while her other slides over to the carved bare cabin window. Gripping down despite the tight hold of her body against the one behind her, she leans over as far as she’s allowed to watch the town and its residents slip by as they move. Andr’ial notices her curiosity and slides farther over so she can see without strain. The robe around slim shoulders falls as the carriage bounces and moves, giving the horned man full view of the delicate curves of her upper back and shoulder blades. Leaning forward, he brushes his lips against soft skin, inhaling the scent of soap and perfumed oil. He is pleased by her fascination with his world and even more pleased to have her becoming comfortable with his touch and protection. The entire ride she is fascinated by everything around her, from when the town turns to forest and back to farmland, to the next town and finally his own lands. The guards at the gate allow them through and the carriage begins its winding path up a steep mountain. Before long a small fortress comes into view, its white stone exterior covered in tendrils of ivy with various gardens and statues surrounding the main building. As they pull up to the front, all manor of the household come to greet them and take their things. A servant offers to help Ati’yya exit the carriage but he is quickly pushed from her path. “No one is to touch her without my express permission. I will need freshly captured fish, still living and her pool prepared immediately.” The servants give their silent compliance, rushing off to do as ordered. Andr’ial extends a hand for his Siren to take, helping her down the steps of the carriage and onto the gravel below. She balks in the slightest as the pointed stone hurts her feet and the horned man responds by picking her up and carrying her the rest of the way to his home. Once on smooth marble, he sets her down to allow her to move forward as she pleases. Slitted blue eyes stare in fascination at everything around her, her turmoil and situation momentarily slipped free of her mind while she takes it all in. This enclosure was vast and not as confined, the air that shifts past her as she moves clean and fresh, carrying the slightest hinting of the ocean she loves. Bare feet take her past the large opened threshold and beneath the scrollwork mask she makes a silenced awed sort of sound as the white marble great room unfolds before her eyes. The walls are painted and inlaid with beautiful scenes and lithe figures, stone statues and rich furniture scattered throughout. Winding stairs line one side of the area while directly before her is a strange, inlay containing a flickering light she’s never seen before. Ati’yya’s eyes skim over every detail and decoration while Andr’ial steps up behind her before she turns and moves towards the wall directly at their sides. Several servants waiting on their master’s commands find that they can’t help but to dare a glance at the blue haired figure while pupiless white eyes watch attentively just as webbed fingers reach out to touch at the painted scene spanning the marbled wall. She traces slowly over the colors and lines until she reaches the outline of a web eared figure, fascinated by the depiction of what she’s realizes is her own kind before she flattens her hand against it and turns back to make a sound that’s lost within the magic that contains her voice, indicating excitedly to the painted Siren before her. Andr’ial can’t help but smile as she recognizes her own kind, speaking quietly as he moves up behind. “You have been a dream of mine for many long years…” He steps to her side and takes her free hand to bring it up to his lips. “But the reality is more than I could have ever hoped for. Come.” He pulls her gently to follow as he moves towards the stairs. Blue slitted eyes keep returning to the mural as they walk until finally, they are up the stairs and the depiction of her own kind is out of sight. The horned man leads her down a long hallway to a pair of heavy, wooden doors. As they are pushed open, his private quarters reveal themselves. The marble walls and pillars are flowing with shining silk that resembles waves of water as the wind flows through. A large, plush bed is framed against the wall and the floor opens up before it, containing a large pool lined with mosaic below. The suns shine in from the balcony, heating the water that lies perfectly still. Andr’ial walks her around it, moving out to the balcony and the view beyond. The strong ocean breeze hits them both and he points out over the horizon. “There is your beloved sea, it will never be beyond your sight.” Ati’yya’s hands wrap around the stone railing as she stares out at the distant ocean, the breeze washing over her and blowing the few loose strands of hair that frame her back. Her home is so close that she can smell it, even from behind the scrolled metal mask; she can almost taste it on the winds that sweep over her and the figure standing at her side. A look of longing shifts through blue slitted eyes as she looks on, so close and yet so far from the freedom she desperately craves. Slowly she tears her eyes away from the distant crashing waves and down to find nothing but cliff and rock beneath where she stands, a sinking feeling shifting through her small body as she realizes that despite how close she is to what she wants, an escape this way might be impossible. Just as she’s pulling her eyes away and sliding them right back up to stare at the sea again, clawed fingers slip beneath her chin to turn her head to the side in order to meet Andr’ial’s gaze. She can’t help to glance towards the ocean again, despite his hold on her, the longing in her eyes very clear. Andr’ial sighs and shakes his head. “No, little fish, that is no longer your home.” He grabs her gently by the arms, pulling her towards the room. As they walk he discards the robe covering her frame before untying the silk cording the holds her corset in place. He can almost hear the sigh of relief silenced beneath the metal that covers her as the stiff fabric falls down over her hips towards the floor. Clawed fingers reach up, removing strands of chain from long blue locks and watching as bits of her sky colored hair cascade around her. The horned man moves in close, speaking the words that remove the mask right after before taking the scrolled metal away. Gesturing towards the pool, Andr’ial pushes Ati’yya forward gently, his white eyes moving hungrily over her curves framed only by the sheer silk that remains on her hips. He loves the way she looks like this so he decides that this is how he will keep her at all times in his presence. She looks back at the man standing behind her briefly, her eyes shifting past him and to the balcony where she knows her ocean to reside somewhere beyond. Her gaze lingers for only a moment before she turns towards the large pool at her front, slitted eyes moving over the patterned mosaic beneath the surface of the sun lit still liquid with its intricate broken patterns of sea life and vegetation. The water is not the same as her home, there is no freedom in it at all and the images below are only mockeries of the real thing. Yet for now she will take anything close to her oceans that she can get and so she moves forward, the sheer silken fabric at her hips rippling across the surface as she steps down into it soon after. Sky blue locks float up all around her as she sinks down and allows herself to be surrounded, the pool soon shimmering as her lithe frame twists fluidly when she pushes towards the bottom to begin running claw tips along the ridges of the scene that spans the entire floor in curiosity. Andr’ial watches her intently as the light ripples over her curves when she moves. He is so gloriously happy right now he can barely breathe; this beautiful creature is finally here, finally partaking of the things he has provided for her. His cousin’s Siren cannot even begin to compare. A sly smile forms on his lips. Yes, he will have to invite Hir’itel to meet his new prize, have him bring his own. Perhaps his Siren can teach Ati’yya proper etiquette all the while he is watching his cousin’s jealousy at what he’s attained. With his idea firmly planted, he turns to leave Ati’yya where she is. It would do no good to inform her as she cannot understand him yet anyway so until he returns, he will allow her to acclimate more to his room. Opening the doors and stepping through, he turns back long enough to set the wards that will contain before moving swiftly down the long winding hall. He will send correspondence to Hir’itel immediately. The slender blue haired figure pulls her hands away from the patterns beneath her and twists around in the water as the movement of her captor catches the corners of her eyes. Her blue slitted gaze follows Andr’ial as he steps from the room, waiting for a few moments to be sure he’s truly gone before she pushes up to break the pools surface. With her eyes fixed and her heart suddenly racing a little quickly she swims to edge and lifts her lithe frame free, clear water streaming down in rivulets as she moves swiftly towards the door. Webbed fingers reach out without any hesitation to try for the intricately patterned brass knob, but the moment her hand touches a ripple of magic flickers before her and a loud screeching yelp is torn from full lips as a buzzing shock forces her to yank her fingers away. Stumbling backwards in surprise as the pain shockwaves through her hand and up her arm, Ati’yya lands on the white marbled floor. Staring up at the knob with wide, disbelieving slitted eyes, she pulls her hand close to bare breasts and cups her wrist with her other for only a few moments longer before she curls up onto herself when she realizes that again she’s been caged. This enclosure may be larger than the first one the horned man kept her in, and while there is water and the smell of the sea, it is simply another prison she’s being held within when all is said and done. |
