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Ish’talla Side
Andr'ial and Ati'yya
Chapter 02 : 04
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“Please, Ati’yya, please understand it is only temporary. I am sorry.” He shakes his head, annoyed at himself he has to do this to her. Andr’ial secures the chain to his waist, choosing instead to lead her by the hand. At first, she refuses to move, but when his claws move behind her back, pushing her gently forward she just does not have the leverage to stay put. He directs her to the carriage, his gaze narrowing when the driver’s eyes lock on Ati’yya, causing him to wrap his robe around her. The driver recognizes his folly and quickly turns his gaze away, waiting nervously as the two enter the carriage so he can begin taking them to their destination. Slitted blue eyes never look his way and the displeasure is clear on her face even through the mask. Andr’ial feels terrible and tonight will only be worse. What if this is something she never forgives him for? He’s not sure he can stand the thought. The forest around them thickens slightly as they travel, moving from his own lands to Hir’itel’s, not far over the mountain. Soon they arrive in front of a lavish mansion, a dwelling far bigger than his own. Andr’ial scoffs slightly at the sight, why does his cousin need so much of nothing? As the carriage comes to a slow stop, In’irda moves to the gate in order to greet them, suited in her own mask and collar without a chain. She bows to the pair as they exit and walk towards her, showing slight concern for the look painted on Ati’yya’s face. All three walk in silence to the house where they are joined by Hir’itel at the door where he immediately removes In’irda’s mask. “The others are excited to meet your pet tonight, cousin.” “I am not excited for them to meet her, she is not ready, for any of this.” Andr’ial makes his annoyance known as they walk into the house. “I wish for In’irda to explain it to her and help her dress. I would like to delay the branding as long as possible but want it done before others arrive.” Hir’itel rolls his eyes slightly. “Yes, yes. You are far too overprotective of her, the others won’t like that.” “I do not care what they like. Ati’yya is mine.” He sighs before calling In’irda over. “Please explain the events to our Ati’yya here. She will be in your charge until the branding.” In’irda bows in acknowledgment before turning to walk towards Andr’ial and lowering her head to him. “Please tell Ati’yya I am… sorry for this, for all of it. I cannot control what is required and I do not mean to bind her.” Andr’ial looks sadly down at his Siren before leaning in to speak the words to remove her mask, In’irda catching her attention immediately by sticking a webbed finger up to her lips, indicating that she not talk and beckoning her to follow. The horned man watches as the two Sirens disappear down the hallway to In’irda’s quarters. “I do not like this…” “Already this attached are you? Make sure the others don’t see it…”
 The two Sirens walk in silence down several hallways until they come to a small door. In’irda produces a key and unlocks it, signaling Ati’yya to enter before it is shut behind. The golden haired Siren walks over to a small but plush bed, next to a bathtub sized fountain. Please sit, your master as asked I explain the day’s events to you. He also wishes me to tell you it was not his intention to bind you, but that law requires it. He looked very upset about it. How has it been with him? Have you come to an understanding? You do not look as unhappy as you did the last time we spoke. At first Ati’yya doesn’t move, simply staying where she is near the closed door with her slitted gaze fixed off to the side. She’s upset, even in hearing In’irda explain that her horned captor claims he did not want to bind her. She has grown unsure on whether or not she can trust any of them at all and for all she knows, the entire time she’d spent in Andr’ial’s presence, allowing him to touch her as chosen mate would, it’s only been a game- a way to lower her guard and make her believe things she should never have even started to believe. I had thought… she starts quietly while maintaining her stationary position. … that we had reached an understanding but now… I am unsure if we truly have. Finally pulling her sky colored gaze over to meet golden yellow, the blue haired Siren frowns as she slides her fingers up to touch at the collar secured around her neck and she is suddenly reminded of what the one before her had said that day nearly a week before of the reasons her people are taken -the buying and selling and trading that is done as if they were mere objects with no wills of their own. Had the horned man decided to do this to her then? The thought of that alone begins to fill her with a sort of anger and dread… Why did he bring me to this place? She asks a she lowers her hand once again, the unsettled emotion in her tone more than clear. I do not understand, I did as you said I should and I have not tried to escape so why…? He has been required to bring you, for many reasons, he did not want to. I know this from my own master and from the look on his face. There are laws to be followed in keeping us. If you are to stay with him, they must be obeyed, otherwise you can be taken from him. There is a gathering tonight of other masters. My own master is hosting it. Yours will be required to present you to the others, but before then you must be branded with his crest. I mentioned this before. In’irda turns around, lifting locks of golden hair to show Ati’yya the brand on the back of her neck. This is the household I belong to. Yours will be different. Our masters are related but they are not the same name. She turns back around. If you are not branded, you can be taken and sold off. You should have been branded as soon as you arrived to his home, but he has spared you this. It was risky of him to do so. This has nothing to do with your behavior, but it is because of your behavior it seems he feels bad for it. It will hurt, but not for long, then you will always be known as his, no other can touch you without his permission. Please also understand it is law that we be bound when outside our homes. The collar and mask are required. These are not of his choice. Within his home he can do as he pleases, but you are outside of it now. After you are marked, I will dress you for the event. Then you will see just how lucky you are when the others arrive. Their masters do not feel bad when they are bound. Do not worry, these gatherings are not common and he is only required to bring you to the first one that passes upon your arrival. There will be officials there that will make sure he has gone through the proper procedure to keep you. You will be bound during the gathering but we all will be. Except for myself, as this is my home and my master felt sympathy on yours that I be able to take you aside and explain things to you as the night progresses. Ati’yya frowns as she attempts to take in all that has been said before she finally moves from her spot and walks over to seat herself on the small plush bed. I must admit that I am upset for all that you have told me. I do not want to be bound, I do not want to be marked, I do not want to see more of our kind enslaved and I do not wish to see more of the creatures that do it. But I also find that I am a little relieved… she says with a soft sigh. When he confined me in these garments and placed that mask on my face I was very angry and hurt by his actions. Since that day you had come, his behavior towards me had changed… he no longer treats me with harshness and he has acted as a true suitor would act. I cannot explain exactly but he has become… kind to me in ways I did not believe he could be. Because of that kindness, the hatred I felt for what he had done has begun to slip away and while I am not naïve enough to be fooled into believing things are not as they are, or that I am allowed to roam free, still… each time the sun rises again, I find I am put at ease more and more in his presence. So when he did what he did, I begun to wonder if his behavior has all been a ruse to keep me from fighting him as I did and it… hurt me to think myself stupid enough to fall for it. I am glad… that this is not the case as much as I am saddened for what you have said will come. It seems he is as well. In’irda turns to face her small fountain, letting her webbed fingers move through the cool water, wanting to hide the full extent of her jealousy. There are times she would have preferred Andr’ial to be her master, but she knew this could never be so. I had told you he would act as such. It is his nature even though he does not show it to others. He had always been kind to me when others were not. I had hoped he would not fall into the behavior many masters do once he had obtained one of his own. I encouraged you to stop fighting because I felt he would learn he did not have to be rough. Force and binding is an accepted way to ‘train’ us. I am pleased for you this is such. Once you have been branded you will be completely his. Do not fight it as I did. The Smith who does this for all of us is very practiced and it will be over quickly if you allow it. If you struggle it will be harder. You will heal quickly and I have a salve that will help numb the pain. I will apply it before it is time. While the Smith has the same ward all our masters do to protect him from our voices, you will still be masked. Golden eyes turn back to meet slitted blue. Tonight will not be easy for you to see, but you will be bound to your master at all times. He will protect you. You will see others who are very unhappy, who are hurt and bound far worse. Some are as we are, treated kindly, they will be there as well. I wish to warn you of the worst. You will not be harmed or touched, please do not be afraid, but you master with have to present you. Their eyes will be on you and because you are very beautiful he will have offers in exchange for time alone with you, or even to purchase you. This is common practice. I do not feel he will allow this, he will not even allow my own master who is his family. Ati’yya sighs, hating that she’s going to be subjected to everything the other Siren has said as much as she is dreading the sights she’s being told she will see. She has spent the last week locked inside a confined space and being rather happy for it as it has helped her for a short period of time to almost forget her entire ordeal. Inside of Andr’ial’s room there was only he himself, the smells of the ocean, a lazy confined play at freedom with some body of water she could touch. There was no others, no dirty men, no strange voices speaking strange languages to frighten her the way they had before. It allowed her to forget for a while that she was no longer free, forget the sight of her suitor being slain before her eyes and ease the cries of her other in her dreams. She does not want to see what In’irda has told her, she does not want to be presented or branded or looked at by them. She does not want to be bound and she hopes that the other Siren is speaking the truth when she says that the silver haired man will protect her, that he will not betray what trust she has given him and do what she’s learning his kind do because she will never be able to forgive him should he prove to her that he was never suited to be her companion at all. I understand… she says quietly. What will take place and I will do my best to endure and so long as he does as you have said he will do, I will not blame him for it… but, I do not understand why… blue slitted eyes glance up to meet golden yellow and she frowns. Why do you say they prize us as they do and yet treat us so terribly? What have our people done to them to deserve this treatment…? I simply do not understand… Our kind has done nothing. These creature prize beauty and things they can destroy with their own hands. We are both, it does not matter if it was deserved. To many, we are things… property, to some we are just pretty pets, to an even smaller percentage, we are equal companions. I am not an equal to my master, but he does respect me. I will forever follow commands but the rewards are worth it to me, as I have experienced the other side of things where we are concerned. My first master, the one who treated me cruelly, he will be there. He is my master’s father. I was a gift. I fear that male with all that I am but my master protects me from him as much as he can. He does not enjoy seeing me hurt. In’irda stands, walking over to her lavish closet and piecing through her clothing looking for outfits for the two of them. Your master answers to no one so no one can force him to lend you. I have said before we are status symbols. In’irda pulls out an iridescent orange silk outfit for herself, setting it aside before reaching back in to pull an equally lavish blue outfit out. I think you will look prettiest in blue, it will match your hair. She smiles to herself as she continues while laying out the individual pieces. The ones who own us are powerful males, and in some cases, females. We are a symbolic extension of that as it is very hard and expensive to obtain us. Like a pretty necklace everyone wants, they envy the one that has it. We are that necklace, only they do not care for the oysters they killed to get the pearls or the plants they destroyed to stain the fibers, only that it is pretty and they have it. It seems your master has learned that the oysters and plants have feelings too and while he cannot undo what has been done, he will pay appropriate homage to it. This the best I can explain it. Ati’yya watches as the yellow haired Siren continues to lay out intricate pieces of clothing she really does not want to wear before her words pull her slitted blue gaze back up. The more I learn of their society, the less I am inclined to like it. These creatures seem… simple and stupid, taking what they want without any regard for the consequences of their actions. Life within our own was not always easy and there were times where I was in great fear of my life from my surroundings alone, but despite the conditions the oceans would bring I would never have thought to take another against their will and even when my suitors fought against one another for my attentions, they listened and stopped when I told them to... These creatures do not seem capable of it and that saddens me more than I can say to find such a race able to do as they will to us… She shakes her head with a sigh. Though I am… glad to hear there are more amongst them who would treat us differently, as much as I am glad to know that my own ‘master’ has found it in him to stray from that behavior as well. I am not sure I would be able to endure what I have endured so far had he not begun treating me as he has… the slightest of smiles forms on her lips at the thought; one she doesn’t even realize is there. I have been growing… fond. In’irda smiles at the implied words. I am not surprised, he is very charming. He is very fond of you as well, I have seen it from the very beginning. He will make you happy if you let him. The golden haired Siren begins removing the light garments she had been wearing to start the process of donning her formal ones. Each piece is put on in a specific order and layered with adornments that shimmer and chime, making In’irda look like a jeweled statue. She walks over to her mirror, taking a shell inlaid comb and proceeding to piece her hair up in a complicated fashion Ati’yya can’t seem to believe. Gold slitted eyes catch her gaze and she smiles. In time, this will be second nature to you, though perhaps your master will keep you indoors more often than not. As she finishes she walks over to the second set of clothing, bringing it over to Ati’yya. It is nearly time for the branding, after that there will not be much time before the others begin to arrive. You should be thankful he requested this not be done in front of them as it is a spectacle they quite enjoy. In’irda stands the blue haired Siren, removing the clothing she came with and placing the pieces of clothing on her in similar layers. Ati’yya’s expression slowly grows more uncomfortable with each new adornment until In’irda can’t help but laugh. It is only a day, you will survive. Come. She leads Ati’yya over in front of her mirror, seating her down so she can begin styling her hair. As In’irda pulls the inlaid shell comb to her sky blue hair, Ati’yya only fidgets uncomfortably in all that she’s in, every slight shift and movement causing the various adornments and bells to chime quietly along with her. How can you stand being subjected to these coverings? She says while making a futile attempt to loosen the corset that pushes her breasts up and out, pulling a soft amused smirk from the other Siren’s lips. It is too hard to breathe and I dislike my movements so restricted… it is terrible and I would be dragged to the bottom of the ocean with this unnecessary weight. With a slight exacerbated sound, she finally gives in and falls still enough to allow webbed hands to continue in braiding various charms and glittering chains into her hair. Do they force their own females into these as well or is it exclusive to we ‘pets’? It depends on the status of the female. In’irda speaks as she finishes the final touches on Ati’yya’s hair. The females that you will most likely see, yes, they dress similarly though cannot hope to compare to a Siren’s beauty. The common females do not wear such restrictive clothing or adornments, but they are also not as clean or well kept. Even as pets we fare better than most of these creatures. The golden haired Siren lays a hand on Ati’yya’s shoulder to stop her from fidgeting again. You will need to be still tonight, the more you move and fight, the more others will notice you. If you want to blend in, then you must do as we all do, stand absolutely still unless ordered to do otherwise. Your master will not give you orders since you cannot understand them, so move as he moves and follow him closely. In’irda puts the comb down, reaching into her vanity to pull out a small jar. Removing the lid, she dips her fingers in a strange smelling liquid. This will sting a little and smell bad, but it will numb the pain slightly. I will wash it off once you have been branded. We must go, we are to meet our masters behind the house where the Smith is waiting. She applies the thick salve to Ati’yya’s, back below her neck and collar before setting the jar down and moving towards the door. Your master will place your mask before you are branded and will not take it off again until after the event. I will be able to speak to you on occasion, but I am to stay silent among the groups because the servants have no protection from our voices. It is also protocol for us. Please do not worry, your master will protect you, it is his duty beyond all else. Ati’yya can’t help wrinkling her nose at the smell of the salve and it takes a lot for her not to reach back and wipe at the slight stinging sensation it causes on her skin. Blue slitted eyes take a moment to glance at her appearance in the mirror, frowning at what she sees. She feels buried beneath the various garments, charms and bells and while In’irda’s work in her hair is actually rather beautiful, it’s still too much to feel on her head. She’s used to her hair being down and free, with no weight to it beyond its own natural makeup so to have so much on her makes her feel off centered, as if gravity is pulling her towards the floor. She feels as if she looks foreign, no longer herself but a skewed vision and fantasy of what an outsider would think a Siren to be. I will not be able to grow accustomed to this… she says before turning away from her reflection. And I do not understand how this could be considered pleasing. I feel… so very unlike myself and I do not enjoy it very much at all. Shaking her head in a way that sends bells and adornments chiming, she moves to follow the other Siren with graceful steps that give no indication of what she feels inside. Stopping at In’irda’s front, webbed fingers reach out to touch at the other woman’s arm lightly and when she turns back to meet Ati’yya’s gaze she finds her blue slitted eyes on the floor instead. I… I am growing scared… she admits in a quiet whisper, the worry on her face suddenly a little clear. …to be marked and to be bound and to see things I do not wish to see. I do not want to be hurt anymore… I know. In’irda nods, placing her hand over Ati’yya’s. I was too, only I did not have a kind master to go home to and I had no one to explain it to me before it happened. We are all scared. This is a foreign land with foreign creatures who take us and bind us and make us do what they want. I know all of this. It is one night, none of us like these events but we have no choice. When it is over it will just be you and your master again. He is actually being kind to us all with this, not making everyone witness. The sooner we are out there the sooner it will end. She pulls the small key from her wrist to lock the door of her room behind them, taking Ati’yya by the hand to lead her down the hall.
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