Spock opened his eyes feeling lethargic, his mind usually worked faster than this. His time sense was off, he had no idea how long he had been unconscious and come to think of it he did not remember losing consciousness in the first place.
There was a humming coming from above him, female, it was a simple tune but seemed comforting somehow. He shifted, the humming paused then continued, fingers running gently through his hair, putting the strands back into place. "Are you awake kitty?"
Kitty? He rolled onto his back to look up realising that his head was resting in her lap, she smiled down at him, brushing the strands that had now been made available, she continued her humming. There was nothing malicious in her touch, it was innocent and child-like, her emotions light and warming as her fingers brushed the psi-points on his face.
They were lying on a double bed; in a cabin on a ship judging from the Durasteel plating the walls were made of.
He sat up slowly realising his hands had been bound, he studied the cuffs, standard security ones, strong, he pulled but they didn't give, something silky had been wrapped around his wrists under the cuff to stop them chafing, he did not want to think about why they would want him undamaged.
He studied the girl as she continued humming while stroking the rest of his hair back into order, her eyes were glazed leading him to believe she had also been drugged, she looked human and young, maybe 16 but Spock was not a good judge of human age, her dark blonde hair was pulled messily away from her face with a pink ribbon.
She smiled at him her voice quiet and dreamy "How are you feeling?"
He carefully took her hand from his hair and lowered it "Better, thank you"
"I like your ears" she smiled reaching for them in a child-like manner but he gently caught her hand again.
"Thank you. Where are we?"
She shifted off the bed to pour a glass of water from the pitcher on the bedside table "Drax's room, he asked me to look after you". She handed the glass to him and he eyed it suspiciously, she smiled then sipped from the opposite side "Drax takes good care of his things"
Spock sipped the water, it was warm but helped clear the dryness the drugs had left behind, he controlled his reaction as he spoke the name "And where is Drax now?"
"Oh he's very busy, very important, he'll come soon, I need to make him dinner"
"You look after him?"
She beamed at him "Oh yes, I love him, I take care of him, he makes me happy"
Spock took in her actions, noting the definite signs she had been drugged, he pushed his anger away. "Has Drax ever given you anything?"
"He gave me this" she opened her arms wide to show the room spinning on the spot.
"I mean anything to…make you happy?"
Her eyes widened in comprehension "Oh, you mean The Lady"
Spock tiled his head in confusion "The Lady?"
Her eyes widened "You don't know," she sat crossed legged in front of him and he noted she was only clothed in a man's white shirt, it rode up as she settled so he politely averted his gaze concentrating on her face "I will tell you of Nebula"
She smiled in obvious glee as she began to talk "My grandmother would tell me this story as I settled into bed at night. Nebula is the mother of all things but she was lonely, she decided to create the worlds so she would have something to care for. She wove the lands from her golden hair, the waters from her tears, the winds from her breath. She was happy with what she had created but she was also sad as there was a darkness she couldn't remove, her creations hurt and killed one another. She wept and in her despair she burst into flame, scattering her ashes amongst the stars, she left a final wish that all who knew of her would be happy. I have tasted of her ashes and I see her wish, so I am happy"
"Miri you're not telling him that crap are you?"
Spock glowered as Drax stood in the doorway, Miri ran over hugging him tightly around the waist "Drax you're back, are you hungry?" Drax stepped back to cup her face "I'm not thanks sweetie but why don't you see if our guest wants anything"
Spock stood from the bed glaring coolly at Drax.
"Did you want anything to eat?" she looked so eager to please as she lightly bounced on the balls of her feet, maybe it would be best if she wasn't present for this 'conversation'.
"Vulcan's are vegetarian by nature, I will have whatever you choose" she smiled skipping away.
Spock turned his eyes becoming cold as he looked at Drax "For what purpose have you brought me here?"
Drax leant against the wall smiling "I'm a business man, I deal in supply and demand, what people demand, I find and supply"
"And you had a request for me?"
"Not you specifically, but a Vulcan was on the list and I gotta say" his gaze roved over Spock hungrily, "I didn't do bad, I'm going to get a top price for you"
Spock raised his brow "You are planning to sell me?"
"Yep"
"For what purpose?"
Drax smiled and Spock supressed a shudder "Varying reasons, some people collect rare things, others want a challenge, some have certain carnal needs they want fulfilled. I don't ask, I just supply"
Spock found both his eyebrows rising in shock "You are suggesting I am to be sold for the sexual gratification of another"
Drax shrugged "If that's what you want to call it"
Spock's eyes narrowed "I am not your property therefore you do not have the right to sell me"
"Sorry friend, that's not the way the universe works"
He opened his mouth to respond that they were not friends but Miri returned, "Would you like dressing on your salad? I can make something"
Spock couldn't help but look kindly at her "Anything you choose will be acceptable" she smiled and left the room.
"What of Miri?"
Drax smirked "I picked her up a few years ago, she was a little hellion, almost wild, clawed, bit, screamed if you tried to touch her. So I gave her some Ashes, made her real compliant."
Spock did not like the undertone as Drax spoke "You drugged her"
"Yep, Nebula's Ashes, perfectly designed drug, doesn't affect the user's health but makes 'em real eager to please"
Spock took a step towards him "You are deplorable" Drax raised a phaser to stop him coming closer "I've been called a lot worse by things bigger and nastier than you"
Spock allowed his gaze to go cold and the anger he was feeling to show in his eyes as he stepped closer to the phaser point, lowering his voice to a menacing level "I will take great pleasure in dealing with you when the time comes" he was gratified to see Drax swallow in fear looking it seemed for the first time a little unsure about his chosen profession.
