The Grand Souk was unlike any other place Khepri had ever been to. There was so much going on, so much to take in. Merchants called out their goods to potential customers passing by, animals snorted and squawked, conversations were had between shopping companions, deals were struck, and items of all kinds exchanged hands. Her eyes might not have known where to go and her ears might have been under an assault from all of the noise, but her nose was being treated to a most wonderful experience. The smells, oh, the smells! The wonderful aromas of incredible spices and delectable dishes wafted into the air and tickled her nostrils. It was a delightful experience. It was a shame that the reason she was at the Grand Souk couldn't have been as pleasant. It was far from pleasant, in fact. The slave trader, who she had been serving for a little over a year, had grown tired of her. He found a slave that he liked better. With a new slave to do his bidding, he had no reason to keep Khepri around. That was how she ended up tied by her wrists to a post, occasionally being expected by someone who was free and had coins burning holes in their pockets. The entire situation was incredibly demeaning. For the most part, her life as the trader's slave had not been too bad. There were occasions when it was below "not too bad", but those occasions became few and far between rather quickly. Yes, she had to lower herself far from where she once was, but it worked in keeping herself treated fairly well. Now, however, she felt equal to the cattle being sold a few spaces down from the trader's large booth. Perhaps demeaning wasn't even the word for it. I thought I was done being tested, she thought with a sigh as a potential buyer walked away, deciding the price was too high even after some negotiating had been done. The sudden drop from daughter of a wealthy man to slave in a foreign land tested her in ways even she hadn't expected. She had been victorious, for the most part, but she wasn't ready to have to deal with that tests that would come with yet another change. This potential new master... how would they treat her? What would they require of her? Would she be able to handle it or would she revert to her former ways? The wine stall across the walkway was making her wonder... there was always the potential of rebelling and making a new life for herself. Sighing and pulling her eyes away from the bottles of her hidden pleasure, she shook her head slightly,You know that's impossible. Don't kid yourself. Stay strong.
There was something oppressive about Cairo that he hated. It reminded him of her, of the future that they had discussed and wanted to build together. Now that opportunity was passed and she was wed to someone else. Someone else had taken everything from him that he had wanted, and stolen his own victories in order to to do so. It was the greatest slap in the face anyone could have given him, and they hadn't even had the courage to do it to his face, waiting until he was fighting on the southern boarder to marry and seal the rotten deal when he couldn't even object or make his own claims.
He hadn't especially been looking to purchase anything new in the market, only walking through because his temper was too much to be confined to the residence he'd taken before the Sed. With his grandfather's illness he had no choice but to attend. If he didn't he couldn't look them all in the eye, couldn't make them realize that they had made fatal errors in crossing him. The slave pens didn't hold much interest for him, he was far more interested in the wine across the way and sent one of his men over to get a skin full of of the rich liquid.
It was while he waited that he caught sight of her, hair dark and in beautiful contrast to the paleness of her skin. Once the wine had been pressed to his hand, Osorsen beckoned his companion forth, approaching the vendor and slave slowly and taking a deep swig of drink as he looked her over. She was something fair to behold, and it was a shame to see such a creature tied to a post in the heat, it would burn her fairness away if she wasn't kept in the shade. Speaking a few quick words to his men, one of them took the purse of coins in search of the one who owned the girl as Oso himself stepped close enough that he could lean against the post himself. If she wanted to strike out at him she would be able to, but he felt no threat from her.
"Are you thirsty?"
Holding out the skin of wine, if she gave any sign of understanding him that was half the battle. And if she wanted wine, why not indulge her.
Naturally, Khepri found her gaze back on the wine stand within a few a minute or two of reluctantly looking away from it. The heat was intense and the thought of that delectable, thirst-quenching liquid being so close and yet so far away was absolute torture. The fog provided by several good drinks would have been welcomed with opened arms, as well. Alas, all she could do was daydream about that sweet nectar reaching her lips. She was tied to a post, being sold as a slave. A good drink of wine was about as far away from her as her homeland was at that point. She watched with a hint of jealousy as somebody went up to the merchant behind the wine stand and purchased a skin.
Sighing, her head tilted back to rest against the post she was tied to. Her eyes closed; the bright sunlight at that angle was too much to take in. Oh, that sun. That damn sun. It made the world far too hot for her liking. Her poor skin couldn't handle much of it. Already she felt like she was roasting. I'm going to be a tomato by the end of the day. She was convinced of that, actually. At least groaning about the sun had gotten her mind off of the forbidden liquid across the way. However, her attention was soon brought back to it in a way she hadn't expected. The sound of footsteps approaching brought her attention back to the land beneath the sun, but she didn't open her eyes or give any signs of acknowledging whoever the person was until they were rather close to her. At that point, her eyes opened and she straightened up. The man before her was intimidating. Very intimidating. He radiated strength; his muscles were impressive and his skin appeared to have been put through the rigors of battle. He looked like he was more than capable of snapping her in two. Although, that wasn't necessarily impressive. Most people looked like they would be able to snap her in two... even some women. She shifted her weight somewhat awkwardly, feeling oddly uncomfortable under his gaze. After that, her eyes went down to something very intriguing in his hand. A skin of wine. Oh, why did she have to be tormented so?! Sighing softly, she returned her gaze to his face. If she dwelled on the fact that he had wine and she did not, she would just become more bothered than she already was.
Khepri honestly wasn't sure what to expect from the man. While she didn't know why she thought it, he didn't seem to be the predictable type. He could follow the typical routine, but she had a feeling he wouldn't do such a thing. Indeed, he did not. The first thing he did was... ask her if she was thirsty? Recognition flashed in her eyes, but confusion crossed her face. She understood what he said, but she didn't understand why he said it. Why did he care if she was thirsty? Why did she care if he cared? That was wine he was offering her! She would understand such a gesture in any language it was spoken in. The man held the skin out to her and as she slowly nodded her reply, she looked down at it. Is... this offer real? she wondered. It was such an odd thing. Some random freeman was offering her, a slave he didn't even own, a drink of his wine. Why are you questioning it?!
Despite her strong desire to taste that delicious liquid, Khepri's hand hesitated as she reached out for it. She glanced up at him, as if checking to make sure the offer wasn't suddenly gone, before she finally took it from him. As... pathetic as it honestly was, she felt like her lips were quivering gently in anticipation. Finally, she took a drink from the skin. The flavors danced across her tongue as her favorite thing in the world finally graced her mouth. It was bitter, it was slightly strong, and it was completely fantastic. She was careful to not drink to much, though. The last thing she wanted to do was anger him. As she brought the skin down from her lips, she sighed in delight. Not only had it been delicious, it brought a pleasant relief to her dry throat. "That is a fine wine," she quietly thought out loud, her strong accent prominent in her words. Quickly after that, as if she had momentarily forgotten he was standing there and had suddenly realized his presence once more, she handed it back to him. "Thank you," she told him. Her voice was still quiet, but not as quiet as before. It almost sounded shy, but she wasn't necessarily shy. More than anything she was being careful in addressing him. One wrong word, look, or movement could send the whole thing South fast. She liked how things were going so far. She'd been given wine. She didn't want to ruin that.
So she understood him at least, that was something. He grinned as she took the skin and drank deeply, watching her throat as she swallowed. It was difficult to pinpoint her origin just by looking at her, she could have been Judean he supposed, but her skin tone suggested she was from somewhere further north, Greek perhaps or somewhere to the west. It didn't much matter, what mattered to him was she spoke coptic well enough and had a more than pleasant look about her. With a proper bath and clothes she would look almost royal, and it would be a pity for such a beauty to be laid to waste in the sun to auction.
"Drink. You look parched." He waited until she was less preoccupied before asking his next question, glancing about to see who was vending her. "What is your name?"
When he'd received a response, he gave a nod before stepping back, giving an order to one of the men who'd followed him and handing over a purse that was full of coin. He didn't need another slave, but Asha had been unwell lately and he had found the return home to be difficult without pleasant company. Even if it took a moment to woo her, that in itself at least would provide a distraction. She would make a fine ornament to his house, and if she was useful to boot there was no reason not to purchase her, if only for the entertainment.
"Tell me, would it hurt your pride to be purchased before the auction? Should I wait until others can drive up your price or will you accept my offer?"
She didn't really have a proper choice either way. He would do as he liked and buy her if she continued to amuse, but at least this way he was showing himself to see her as human, which went a long way in driving the affection of those enslaved he'd come to note. Most weren't worth the time of day, but a pretty face and hair like hers didn't come about often. If she felt the need to be stripped before everyone and bid on to drive up the price, he'd allow it, but he knew full well with this crowd he could easily outbid without blinking an eye.
The delightful tartness of the wine lingered on Khepri's tongue. Part of her wished she hadn't handed the skin back yet. Her thirst was sated, but her desire was not. Oh, well. It was wonderful while it lasted. The unidentified man asked her what her name was. That... was unexpected. From her experiences, nobody really cared what her name was. Aside from her soon-to-be former master, nobody used her name. The most common "name" people would use for her was "slave", but other descriptive words were used at times. It was demeaning, but she had grown to accept it as part of the life she had to live. She was quite surprised that the person before her wanted to know her name. "Khepri," she answered. However, the word sounded... wrong coming from her mouth. Her accent muffled the letters. Despite hearing the slave trader call her it frequently, she still couldn't say it right. Certain words tied up her foreign tongue and, unfortunately, her name was one of them. She was much better at saying it than at the start, but it still didn't come out completely right. It was actually quite ironic considering that the trader had changed her name because he couldn't pronounce her real name. It was a sad joke life made at her expense.
Khepri raised an eyebrow when the man stepped back and handed another man a coin purse. So he was planning on buying her? Or maybe he wanted another skin of wine... that made more sense to her, honestly. Once his attention was back on her, he addressed her again. Yet again it was a question that surprised her. Would it hurt her pride if he purchased her before the auction, he asked. She couldn't hide the look of surprise that came across her face. He was giving her an option? Who was this man? He wasn't an ordinary man. Nothing he had done up to that point was orthodox. Truly, she wasn't complaining, but she sure was confused. She quietly scoffed and loosely crossed her arms over her thankfully clothed chest. Slowly, she leaned back against the post, as if she were waiting for him to snap at her for not standing up straight. "I have very little pride left..." she started quietly,"...and I doubt I would have any left at all if I went through the auction."
The thought of being completely naked in front of a group of people with unknown intentions sent a visible shiver up her spine despite the sweltering heat. Their eyes ravaging her bare body while they bid on her like she was nothing more than cattle... no, nothing about the process would bring her any pride. Instantly she straightened back up as she heard the familiar, almost sickening voice of the slave trader. "Welcome, welcome! Ahh, I see you have your eye on the prize of my stock," he greeted the potential buyer with his typical grandiose way of speaking.
He repeated her name as if it tasted as sweet as the wine he'd given her, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His house had been lacking beauty lately, and she looked as if she could do with some pampering. In exchange? Well. That could be worked out between the two of them once he had made his purchase. Watching every expression and motion carefully for any signs of injury or pain, anything that might show she'd been mistreated or hurt that he could use to bargain the price lower, Osorsen found his own eyes sliding over her form and wondered what her hair might feel like against his fingers once it had been washed and treated properly.
"Let's see what we can do to mend that then, shall we?"
The arrival of the merchant was the only thing that tore his eyes away from his newfound prize, and the general gave a nod of acknowledgement. Dealing with these sorts were never his preference, more often than not he sent out other people to do his work for him, but she had caught his eye and if someone else found an interest in her, it would be better to have the power of his name and rank behind them in order to ensure she was his.
"Indeed. Something so fine could not be passed by."
Keeping his voice even, he complimented without showing how much he truly wanted to win. With a lazy gesture, he motioned one of his men forth with the purse to dole out the coin necessary. He would not be the one to place the coin in the man's hand, an odd quirk but one he had kept to his whole life. In the matter of buying persons he had no wish to participate in more than the verbal discussion.
"I think you will find my offer sufficient. I will take her now, before the auction."
The slave's name sounded so much better rolling off of the man's tongue than her own. He could actually form the word completely right without interference from an accent or a habit of the tongue or voice. Poor Khepri. Eventually, she would have no issues with the language, but for now she still had to deal with some troubles, which unfortunately included not saying her name completely right. A smile pricked at his lips after he repeated her name. He liked the sound of it, huh? Or maybe he thought it completed the picture that was her? All was well and good, but as his gaze started to scan over her body, feelings of awkwardness started to slip in. She shifted her weight and glanced away from him, trying to focus on anything other than his eyes taking her in. Back in the day, when she was a wild and free spirit, somebody looking her over wouldn't have bothered her in the slightest. No, no, she would've embraced it and toyed with the onlooker! However, things were different now. From being treated less than human and having her worth taken away from her, a sort of... self-consciousness had developed in situations where she was under the scrutinizing or devouring eye of another. It made her uncomfortable and, in a way, worried. Worried about how the person would react or what they would think of her. Worried if she was enough. How things had changed since her years dancing between grapevines. Only when he spoke again did Khepri look back at him. She tilted her head slightly to the side and raised an eyebrow in response to his very intriguing words. What she would give or do to have just a little bit of pride back... She once was obnoxiously proud of herself and her life, but now? She barely knew what pride felt like.
"You have marvelous taste!" the merchant replied as he rubbed his hands together. He made absolutely no effort to hide his anticipation of the coin he would earn from Khepri's sale and it made the woman sick to her stomach. The merchant was practically foaming at the mouth as the purse was dropped into his waiting hands. He took the time to count the offer, for the heavens forbid he be gypped a single coin. Having been to many markets with the merchant, Khepri knew him to be a sly one. He was the type to try to squeeze every bit of coin he could out of potential buyers. A risk taker or an idiot, she had yet to decide what he was. However, this time was different. From the look on his face, she could tell the offer satisfied him to the point that it was not worth bartering. "Oh, yes, this will do nicely," he answered, looking up from the coins briefly to give a nod to the buyer,"You may untie her and do as you wish with her." With a little wave of his hand, he turned around and returned to wherever he had been lurking before, out of sight.
Khepri blinked once before shaking her head. "Please tell me you find him as disgustingly annoying as I do?" she muttered as she slowly returned her gaze to her unnamed buyer. As she looked at him, she realized that now the game was different. He was her master now. He could do whatever he wanted to her. I have to watch myself, she reminded herself. He might not be so accepting of her speaking now, along with many other unknowns that she would most likely have to discover the hard way.
Osorsen's lip curled back slightly in disgust as the man counted out each and every coin, his irritation not at all hidden until the merchant finally gave him leave to do what he wanted and moved away. There was no honor in what men like that did, selling what they had simply bought from others instead of their own hard earned spoils of war. Men like that had never known honor or victory, and though he would have very much enjoyed cutting this one down, instead the general stayed silent until the rat had scurried from his presence.
His new acquisition had similar feelings for the merchant, and he gave a snort of disgust in support of her opinion before gesturing for one of his men to remove her from the post. They would return now to his family home, where she would be trained as all the others had been to do the various tasks of the house. Unless she was the sort to be willing and eager to join him in his bed, which would be all the better for her. He didn't like for his women to be against their will. It was far less fun when one had to do all of the work alone. With a nod at the guards, he turned back to Khepri as the one who'd removed her from the post freed her hands as well. He preferred keeping his slaves out of loyalty, and if there was anything the Moghadam family was good at, it was gaining and keeping loyalty.
"Khepri, come. You serve Hei Moghadam now, though in which capacity shall be somewhat your choice."
With a glance over her that left little to the imagination what one of the options might be, the general turned to be on his way once again, his guards flanking the girl close enough that they could catch her if she ran, but not so close it would be threatening. She would need bathed, new clothes, and no doubt some sort of meal, but there was time enough for all of that. He had been looking for someone to keep him company in his bed, but if she proved resistant to that but amenable to other things, his grandfather needed someone to fill his days and read to him when his eyes grew weary.
Khepri was quite glad to hear the snort of disgust the man gave her in response to her question. At least she wasn't the only one who found the merchant annoying. As much as she hated the idea of adjusting to a new routine and new rules, she definitely did not hate getting away from him. The pompous ass, for a lack of a better or more appropriate term, was sickening to be around. The fact that, despite her trying her best, after a rather rocky first handful of weeks, to do as he told her to do and act how he wanted her to act, he tossed her aside for the next pretty -and, might she say, brainless in the new slave's case- thing that came by didn't exactly help the bitter taste he already left in her mouth, either. She was more than glad to be rid of him, especially in the case that she had. This man seemed tolerable, nice even. At least for now. Things could change in the blink of an eye, she had learned the hard way. She was prepared and almost waiting for such a thing to happen with her new master.
He ordered one of the men who accompanied him to untie Khepri from the post. She had been expecting that, obviously, but what she hadn't expected was for him to also tell the man to untie her hands, too. After the ropes were undone, she looked down at her now freed hands in surprise for a moment before she blinked and returned her gaze to the man who had purchased her. Without giving it much thought, she rubbed her wrists. The ropes hadn't dug into her soft skin, but they were rough and had been quite itchy and frustrating. At that, he addressed her again, telling her to come along with him and explaining to her who she served. How she served would be her choice... somewhat. Again, a look of surprise crossed her eyes, but it quickly went away and was replaced with that awkward, uncomfortable look of self-doubt that had plagued her minutes before. Once again, his eyes went over her body, but in a much more... obvious way. It was clear to her what one of the options was and, quite frankly, she wasn't sure how she felt about that. In an effort to get her mind off of that for the time being, she decided to give pronouncing Moghadam a try. "Moghadam... Moghadam... oh great..." As if the quiet, frustrated mutter at the end of her attempt wasn't enough of a give away, Moghadam was another word to be added to the list of difficult to pronounce words for the slave. Apparently, she just didn't have much luck with names. She didn't know his yet, but she felt like she wasn't in a place to ask and, quite frankly, she had little hope that she would have any better luck pronouncing his than the others with the way things were going.
As Khepri walked along, her master asked her what skills she had. Drinking until everything's a blur and bringing delightful shame to my father's name, immediately came to her mind, however, she wouldn't dream of answering his question in such a way. "The typical skills of a house slave... I can clean, fix, and fetch things with the best of them, but a word of warning... I wouldn't ask me to cook anything... unless you like an upset stomach," she answered honestly. Try as she might, she just couldn't get the skill of cooking down. Things either ended up completely void of taste or filled with tastes that they shouldn't be filled with. Or burnt. That was quite common.