The Mother

[amber4]

TRY NOT TO RUN FROM THIS FREEDOM ALWAYS HAS A PRICE TO PAY tagged: Aurora Blake

Slave trading was not permitted under Heda’s rules, but that didn’t mean that the trade was dead. Too often women and prisoners of war were sold by masters to others who would use them for labor, sex or whatever else they could think of. Niylah wanted no part, but she knew her father dabbled in the trade. Still, she never expected him to buy one himself. Especially not a Skaikru slave... It had been weeks since he’d bought her, and though he was kind to her, Niylah knew her father had an explosive temper. She’d been kept awake by their fighting the night before and she knew he must have struck her. When they went quiet she was worried for her safety and did not sleep much for the night.

He was gone when she awoke for the first time in months. No doubt hunting to quell the loneliness he felt. Once she pitied him, but now she was frustrated. He’d spent every day in the post with Aurora but now he was gone... so what did he intend to do with the woman he’d purchased? Niylah pushed the sheet to her room aside and looked at Aurora with confusion. It was the first time the two were alone and the first time she’d seen an iron cuff around Aurora’s ankle with a long chain attached. It made her stomach twitch. “Are you alright?” She asked her in her own tongue. Her voice was low—wary of the woman she’d barely spoken to.

OWL

[Aurora Blake]

Things changed at one point and Aurora couldn’t tell what it was. She was living with people and then all of a sudden they pronounced her skaikru, which was something she could hardly identify with. She had left the Ark, had intended to commit suicide by earth only to survive it. She had included herself with people of a Clan only to have them turn on her all of a sudden. They caught and sold her. Well it was more of a trade, but since then she was the possession of someone. He was kind on some rare days, treating her almost like a beloved instead of a slave, but on others he was brutal. She took it without complaint. She was used to worse. Usually she did it for something she knew: For his child. Niylah was a gem. She cared for people and deserved so much better even though they never got to talk due to her father. But Aurora saw it in her.

Things escalated with the mentions of skaikru kids and a huge fireball and more skaikru. Aurora begged to be let out to see them, see if her family was fine. She prayed for it. Her little girl, Bellamy, if the Ark was on the ground, there was hope for her loved ones. Octavia might even be allowed to live, she prayed for it. Well her master got furious, beat her up and chained her up, but for some reason he still left. There was hope in her that he would bring back news of the Ark and maybe of her kids. Aurora twisted wool in her hands when Niylah came in. She looked up at the precious girl and smiled. “I will be fine. Nothing time can’t heal.” Except for the chain around her foot, but he’d surely take that off again. “How are you? Do you need anything? I could make you something to eat.”

amber4

[amber4]

TRY NOT TO RUN FROM THIS FREEDOM ALWAYS HAS A PRICE TO PAY tagged: Aurora Blake

When Aurora spoke, Niylah tried not to react. They barely exchanged words, but she had such a maternal air about her. It was strange having words like that spoken in such a way to her... Normally she was the one who cared for others. After her mother was taken, Niylah had said goodbye to ever being treated in such a way again. Though, she was an adult. One could not be a child forever. Slowly she shook her head and sat with her to help with the yarn. "No... I'm not hungry," she said lightly as she looked at the cuff around Aurora's ankle. She could break it open... Unscrew the clasp and let Aurora wander. Being chained up like an animal was demeaning for anyone. Reluctantly, Niylah resisted the urge.

"You have children," she commented gently. It wasn't just because she heard bits of the argument. The way she spoke was the way of a mother. It reminded Niylah of her own mother which made the pit in her stomach grow evermore. They were holding somebody's mother as a slave. Her child, or children probably thought that their mother was gone and Niylah knew first hand that it was the worst feeling in the world. "What are their names?"

OWL