Broken - Part 2

WARNING: This chapter contains, blood, violence, physical and psychological abuse, implied sexual abuse and death.

The upper floors were for guests and the D'Sarr family, Harasan had two children, now in their adolescent years and a wife that found the all-female staff of slaves revolting. Zaiya was especially despised for how close the slave was to her husband. But even the proud noble D'Sarr wife had to listen to her husband… for the most part. Stars forbid the family honour was tarnished.

Zaiya kept her eyes forward as she walked, not caring for who she passed or who looked at her. When she reached the main floor, she knew immediately where to go; the large and lavish ballroom where D'Sarr would be greeting his guests, he seemed to like her standing over his shoulder. As soon as he spotted her he called out, boasting to the couple he stood with about her.

"And here she is, this is my guardian Angel, she is the most obedient slave and a perfect protector…!" He laughed, reaching out to tug on a lock of her white hair. The Nightsister didn't move or flinch. "She is quite talented with a blade… not as timid as the others by a mile." He drawled, she knew it bothered him when she was still, he liked to see her react, to respond, to make a sound or flinch, so he would push her harder than the other slaves, pushing her buttons to find out what would make her scowl or flinch or grit her teeth. She hated giving in, but when she did, he would usually finish up soon afterwards and she would be left alone, thank the Fanged God.

"Quite a sight, isn't it?" The woman spoke to her husband as they stood just two feet from Zaiya, yet talking like she wasn't there. "How much did you have to pay for her?"

"Oh she was expensive, but this asset has definitely earned it's worth, twice over! Best investment I have made." He laughed, very proud of himself.

"Where did they fetch her from?" The male asked, Zaiya began to zone out. The same story. He loved to tell people she was from Coruscant, a citizen taken from the heart of the Republic, implying she was a Jedi or something.

Give them nothing.

The night wore on and conversations blended together, she stood around, blank-faced, and at attention the entire time. The guests ate, talked, and showed off. It felt so dull. She did of course learn little snippets of information about the Republic and apparently there was some kind of unrest that had been growing. There was talk of the Zygerrian Empire possibly returning to the former glory it once had and the Nightsister struggled not to gag at the thought. The rest wasn't of interest really, though there was nothing else to do while she just watched them eat and be merry. It was disgusting. There were all sorts of slaves here, Twi'leks, Bith, Togruta, Humans, Quarren and she even saw an Utapaun around somewhere. Collars and shackles all prettied up to look decorative, it made her stomach churn. They were essentially pets, decorated and had to follow their masters on leashes.

It was then, as the night was winding down, that she scoured the room, and noticed a familiar figure on one of the upper levels. There were no guests up there but there was the hunched over Togruta as she hobbled her way across the hall and was headed in the direction of D'Sarr's office. She was doing this now?! Why did she not do this during the dinner?

She heard D'Sarr in the background, not fully listening to him as she followed him through the room. That was until she heard the words; "...to my office…" She turned her head slowly, in an effort to not draw attention to herself. She had to keep him distracted. What the hell was she going to do? He gestured to her with a casual hand that beckoned her closer, his back to her as he began to lead two other Zygerrians toward his office on the upper levels.

Damn.

She would have to do something to keep him out of there for a while longer, at least until she was sure that the coast was clear.

Her blue eye darted between the males before her, she would have to think quickly, and perhaps, if she were going to be successful, it would be best to act away from the other guests…? As they passed one of the tables, she noticed a lone knife, unused during dinner and managed to swipe it when one of the other slaves passed her. With a quick and subtle glance, it appeared that she had not been seen. Now, how to make it useful?

They left the main room and into an equally luxurious hallway, with only a few people hanging around, everyone was ornately dressed in fine cloth and jewels. So ostentatious. So gaudy. As she drew closer to D'Sarr, she decided she would have to act sooner rather than later.

With a subtle shift, she managed to step to one side and drew a little too close to the jumpy smaller Zygerrian; he reacted as she had expected and shoved her to one side.

"Mind your place, slave!" He snarled, causing her to jerk back and bump into a rather expensive-looking vase. The large thing tumbling from its pedestal, crashing to the ground and shattering into pieces. Damn… she would get punished for that later.

"What is the meaning of this?" D'Sarr growled, his eyes narrowed to slits. He didn't like anyone hurting his slaves. Only he was allowed to do that.

"It seems your precious Angel forgets herself." The Zygerrian sneered with a derisive tone.

"Does she?" D'Sarr cocked an eyebrow as his guest glared down at the white-clad slave. Zaiya pushed herself to her feet, meeting the cold eyes of the Zygerrian before her. He laughed in her face.

"I see why you thought to put out her eye, perhaps I should take the other for her insolence!" He leaned in and Zaiya stilled, her gaze shifted past him to D'Sarr, standing behind him. There was a look of irritation on his face; the Zygerrian was angry.

"I would appreciate it if you did not damage my property." He drawled with a flat tone, he was a possessive master, and for once this fact was to her benefit. She stayed still, not cowering away as he would want, but remaining as a stone.

"And I thought you had manners, bitch!" The male snarled, grabbing her collar. With a glance to D'Sarr, her head jerked forward and slammed into his nose, spurts of blood spraying out over his clothes, a few drops staining her white jacket. D'Sarr's eyes widened. There was one more reason he so loved her in white… the way blood would spread over the fabric and seep across the threads, the bright red contrasting on crisp white. The Zygerrian let out a cry and reeled back.

"D'Sarr! What is the meaning of this?!" The other male with them, one with reddish fur protested, he looked so confused.

"It seems your associate has been deceiving you, Tesar, he has come here to dishonour me!" D'Sarr sneered, her pushed back the greyer of the two, now bleeding from his nose. "I warned you my slave was the best guard money could buy! What do you call this?!" He crowed, reaching into the smaller Zygerrian's coat, and plucking the knife from his waistband. The knife Zaiya had managed to hide there just a few moments ago.

"Argh! What are you talking about you fool! Your slave attacked me!"

"Please! This slave is the most loyal I have in my possession, had she not alerted me…" His lip curled as Zaiya moved to stand behind him again, blood smeared across her face.

"That is an outrageous lie! I come here to do business and you insult my honour like this?!" The shorter one retorted, he was almost frothing at the mouth. This might prove even more interesting than she had anticipated. It seemed she had triggered a duel between the two men. For all their slaving, for some reason honour was a large part of their beliefs. She took the knife as D'Sarr handed it to her and shrugged off his coat. She also held that while she followed the men outside into an empty patch of land in the courtyard, the firm stone bricks underfoot as they faced each other. Both postured for a few moments, each trying to intimidate the other. Zaiya watched curiously, there was little else to do so she may as well watch them hurt each other.

Small gratitudes.

They launched at each other, fists, fur and fury flying as they swung, striking and dodging. Both had advantages, D'Sarr was taller and bulkier as far as Zygerrian builds went, but his opponent was faster. It was rather satisfying to see either of them taking a strike to the face. Claws were free game and the two males slashed at each other viciously. It was like a dance, they would circle each other, before violently attempting to beat the other into submission.

A small crowd had gathered now, though Zaiya watched them and the fight, she also cast glances back to see whether Nannie had left the office yet. Hopefully the old woman learned how to hobble a little faster.

"Yield, fool!" She heard D'Sarr cry with a half-roar. The people around clamoured for more already. Bloodthirsty savages. It seemed the smaller grey Zygerrian had been defeated. She had hoped he'd had more of a fight in him, it was over too quickly. The man muttered something and flopped against the ground, defeated, and loud cheers erupted from the gathered guests, seemingly pleased about the evening's entertainment.

Guards in uniform stepped in to drag the loser away and escort him from the property completely. That was one of them at least, but the red furred fellow remained. D'Sarr approached and without even a word from him, Zaiya already held out the handkerchief she'd plucked from his coat pocket. A smile crossed his lips but she gave no indication she even saw it, watching his former opponent be dragged away.

"Not to worry, Angel…" D'Sarr purred, close to her ear. He reached out a hand and brushed it along the side of her head and face. "He will not bother you anymore." A dark chuckle escaped him, and he spoke in mock kindness, as though he was worried about her being fearful. But the cold anger in his eyes told her differently. He would blame her for 'letting' the other male touch her, his property, and for breaking the vase… and for staining the white garments she wore. That she should have been able to prevent all that somehow.

"My apologies, Tesar!" He returned his attention back to the other Zygerrian, now that the excitement was over with. "Shall we continue with our discussion upstairs?" He asked, in a pleasant voice, as though the last fifteen minutes had not just happened. They began to make their way back toward the office, she had to hope Nannie was done, she couldn't risk making another diversion.

The small group made their way up the stair and down the hall to the D'Sarr patriarch's lavish office, expensive sculptures, paintings and golden detailing filled the room, being a high ranking officer as he was, he was afforded much wealth. The one thing that was noticeably absent to Zaiya however, was an old Togruta. Nannie wasn't in the room at all. Hopefully that meant she was successful.

"Now, you had a meeting with some associates coming up, yes?" D'Sarr asked, moving to sit in his main seat, snapping her fingers for her to fetch him and his guest drinks. She had her back to them as she poured the translucent reddish-amber coloured liquid into two glasses.

"Yes, though just some brigands, but I am told they enjoy a decent profit. Their leader suggested a bargain that might prove useful." The one named Tesar explained, "I can meet them soon, they say they can procure slaves from various ports and locations for a trade of unrefined spice."

"Hm… and you want me to provide this spice, is that it?" D'Sarr asked suspiciously, a clawed hand to his chin. Zaiya returned and laid the drinks quietly on the desk for each of them, D'Sarr took his at once, reaching to caress her arm with his claws. Her skin was crawling but the Nightsister stilled, though he did not cut her this time, and just let her go. Likely because he was focused on the conversation. She stepped back to her usual spot, behind his left shoulder.

"No, not the spice, I have someone for that already, I need people, guards to be trusted in gathering more slaves." His eyes flicked up toward Zaiya, she was not looking at him but she could almost feel it. The tension grew in the room. He was asking to… borrow her?! She scanned the room, no sign of Nannie having even been in here. Was this not where her amulet had been? She had been in this room so many times and yet… had never seen it at all! Had it truly been in this room all this time?

"Guards… Hmmm…" D'Sarr mused, eyeing his companion with suspicion, he had not let her out of his sight for so long before. He contemplated for a moment, touching his chin and turning to glance at his guard. The white haired-woman was scanning the room, making sure there were no threats on the perimeter. She showed no interest in the conversation, though this was deliberate, if she showed a reaction, it may affect the decision. Did she want to go with the one called Tesar for a short while? Would that be a worthwhile excursion? She dared not hope for more than just a change of scenery, if she were to think that there would be something else then she could be disappointed. Was it even worth trying to escape again?

Survive.

She had promised. But so had he… and… and he broke it! No, no time to think of that now. Not to mention, D'Sarr would never-

"Alright, but I want a larger cut of the profits and my own pick of your goods when you make these deliveries." She stilled and slowly turned to look at him. Her pale brow twitched. He was… lending her out? This was new for him. Perhaps he had finally trusted her enough?

They discussed the wheres, whens and how much, though Zaiya was barely listening. Her mind was racing. Was she going to be able to get the amulet and leave the manor? If she could get the amulet, there would be nothing keeping her there. No, she couldn't get her hopes up. Not again. She would have to see what happened, she mustn't get caught up in hope. Hope could be so dangerous.

The two Zygerrians finally finished their discussion, and Zaiya was hopeful to be dismissed sooner, rather than later, however the slaver did not agree. The moment the door closed behind Tesar, D'Sarr was on his feet and seized the Nightsister by the shirt with his clawed hand.

"Now Angel… you have been a bad girl tonight." He purred with a sinister smirk on his lips. "Damaging my property… and making a mess of yourself…" His free hand caressed over her chest where the blood had spattered on her jacket. "You know well that I am the only one allowed to do that." He purred and raked his claws across her shoulder to grip the back of her neck, the claws digging into her pale flesh and dark blood seeping down her skin slowly, staining her collar. "Ahh~ yes… just like that… Have you recovered from our last game, Angel?" He grinned wickedly, the hand not holding her reaching to lift her shirt, red marks crossing her skin, still healing from the last time he had 'played' with her. Her teeth grit. It felt heinous. This touch was nothing like the heated hands of her former master. This was sharp, static and utterly unpleasant. Like a thousand insects on her skin. He let out a soft laugh, watching her subtle reaction. With a sudden move, he jerked her by the hair and a second later her back slammed against the desk, scattering papers and trinkets everywhere. He loomed over her with a predatory grin, his eyes flashing sadistically. He always enjoyed this, his fingers curling over the collar she wore. The nightsister barely moved, just looked back at him with as blank an expression she could manage with the pain coursing through her. He grew angry and pulled out the remote that went specifically to her collar.

"Don't you hide from me, Angel…" He growled. "I want to see everything… show me how it hurts you." He pressed down and her whole body tensed. She had grown used to the pain by now, so much so that it was more uncomfortable than anything else, tension in her muscles and in her already sore body. The Zygerrian relented enough to reach down, and squeezed her thigh, digging in his claws, which made her blood seep into the white of the leggings. He let out a pleasurable groan, a true sadist, enjoying as he degraded her.

"You love this, don't you? So filthy. You know how weak and pathetic you are… like a little kitten under my hands, aren't you?" This was the worst of it. She could suffer the pain. The awful touch, if only he didn't talk. "You make me do this to you… if only you were better behaved. Less of a distraction. You only have yourself to blame." He sneered, a cold tendril of rage and misery coiled in her gut as she tried to focus on the pain instead of his words. Anytime there was something wrong… he always blamed her. Everything was her fault when he was angry, if he was displeased with his work, with his family, it became her problem. He called her names. Insulted her, degraded her and left her sore and bleeding everytime. Then when he was calmer, he would cup her cheek and whisper hollow apologies, telling her he would not do such things if she were better. Zaiya had no idea what it was she had done to make him think it was her fault.

A pit formed in her stomach, he was riled up tonight, and she knew this wouldn't end anytime soon. Or so she thought.

"Master!" called a desperate voice from the other side of the door. Zaiya recognised it as Clare. The door burst open, the stupid girl didn't even knock. She would get in trouble for that later. Zaiya imagined it was quite the sight, the white Angel sprawled suggestively over the desk, white clothing stained with red in various places, their master leaning over her with a wicked expression. One that had now turned dark with anger at having been disturbed.

"Forgive me master," The human managed, breathlessly, her face flushing pink. "I caught a thief! I wanted to inform you at once!" Zaiya stiffened, though did not move. Did he notice? She tried to play off the alarming news by just looking as casually as she could manage toward the other slave. It seemed to work. D'Sarr seemed focused on the interruption at least.

"A thief?" He asked, righting himself, but still right by the desk so Zaiya would not move.

"Yes! That old togruta!"

Fuck.

Zaiya's mind raced, what would happen now? Would she be able to get the amulet? Would her vision come to pass? Was… was this her fault? She hadn't warned Nannie of the vision… could she have prevented this? Could she have done something? Anything? There was a blur in her selses for a moment, but her face was trained to remain passive. D'Sarr moved then, and the Nighsister rose from the desk slowly, her body aching and painful all over. She shifted to her feet and moved to follow the slaver, she forced her body to move, ignoring the pain, ignoring the blood seeping out and spreading across her leggings and through her jacket. She kept her gaze straight ahead, but did not miss the lingering look Clare flashed her way as she approached.

"Where is she?" D'Sarr growled, the anger clear in his eyes as he stalked across the room. Clare trembled on seeing it, but hurried ahead with a quickened step leading the two of them back down to the courtyard. Two guards stood there, either side of the kneeling old woman, other slaves stood around, more joining them as they had heard the commotion. The perpetrator in question looked up as her master arrived, sitting silently. A small smile crossed her lips as she looked at Zaiya. The Nightsister's brow twitched ever so slightly. What did that mean? Did she have a way to get out of this? Had she not gotten the amulet? Had it been taken from her? Was she going to watch Nannie die?

"So, old woman, looking after my dear children became too dull for you, is that it?" D'Sarr growled, looming over her kneeling form.

"Not at all, my master." The Togruta croaked, she was afraid, but also had a strange aura to her, she wasn't as fearful as she usually was.

"My human slave says you stole something of mine, you should know better than anyone that I do not like my things to be touched." Nannie just looked away.

"What was it?" He asked, turning his head to look at Clare, who was a few feet from his side, her hands clasped together. She looked excited to get another slave in trouble. Did she think she would be favoured because she had caught her? The human dug something from her pocket. There was a flash of gold and Zaiya's hearts tightened. The human stepped closer and held out her hand. The golden object within was… just a necklace. An ordinary golden piece of jewellery. Zaiya glanced at Nannie, what in the name of the Fanged God was she thinking? Had she thought this was what Zaiya had needed? The Togruta gave the slightest of nods, then lowered her head down again.

"Pilfering my wife's belongings, that is a disrespect to your mistress, and to me. Do we not feed and clothe you? And this is the thanks we get for our generosity?!" He snarled, as he leaned over the old woman with an audible growl. When she didn't reply he grabbed her by the throat and jerked her upward. "Answer me slave!"

"I apologise, my master." She croaked. She wasn't even denying it?!

"At least you know better than to lie to me!" He hissed, and dropped her, the thin skin on her knees splitting as she hit the hard stone. This made Zaiya more uncomfortable than anything, having to watch the only 'friend' she had, be harassed and abused for the sake of doing her a favour? She moved to step forward, but Nannie caught her eye, and shook her head ever so slightly. Zaiya's brow quirked as she stiffened again. She felt frustration building in her chest and she wanted to do something. Standing idle was never something she had enjoyed or been good at. Though now she had been trained to do exactly that. Stand. Just fucking stand there. For eight years she had stood, and now she had to stand there and just watch one more time. It was agony.

Surely Nannie knew what she was doing? Asking her to stay put like this. Testing the white-haired woman's dwindling patience. What had been endless before today was now straining like a weathered rope on its last threads. Where was the amulet?! It was her half. She hoped he still had his… how he had managed to keep it from Sidious, she had no idea, perhaps just how she was trying to get hers back now…?

Finally D'Sarr turned from examining the piece, and instructed a different slave to return the necklace. It happened to be Ieya who nodded, her head low, scurrying off to complete her task. D'Sarr considered the slave before him. Zaiya could almost see his thoughts rising from his head.

The togruta was old, and his children were already adolescent now, sending her to be processed was expensive, and he usually preferred to do it himself. Though usually with younger, prettier slaves. She knew what he would do. Her eye widened as she looked at Nannie, still calm. How could she- oh. Oh no. She already knew. Nannie knew what was coming and… she had sacrificed her life for this?!

Give them nothing.

She forced herself to swallow the emotion, swallow the sense of injustice, of rage and misery. The aching sorrow in her hearts that felt like a cold weight, suffocating her, breaths coming shorter. A single tear escaped the cold prison she had become, the only show of true emotion in years. Nannie just gave the slightest of nods. The interaction went unseen as D'Sarr looked away to the guard. He stepped back, and waved a hand.

The movement was in slow motion. Zygerrians often didn't kill or permanently injure their slaves on purpose, so they often didn't have tools that did so, but just in case… The guard raised his vibroblade from his hip and a gasp from all the slaves sounded as they watched in terror.

"Wait." D'Sarr's voice had a sinister glee to it, a sadistic pleasure she had heard a few times, and dreaded. Zaiya's eye closed briefly. Please… not again. "Let the Angel of Death do it." There it was. Once more she was called upon for the duty she was trained for. Not just a plaything for a twisted being, but this… this Angel of Death moniker she had been given. She didn't move at first, but she heard a click and a second later it was like her whole body was on fire. Her teeth grit and she squeezed her eye shut, the only indication that the collar was working. "Gloves off, Angel." D'Sarr sneered. Her good eye opened and she looked down. Nannie looked serene as ever and just nodded. Slowly, she peeled the white gloves from her hands, her dark tattoos looking like ink across her fingertips, lines and circles elegantly swirled over her hands, a circular pattern on the back of her hand connected to two lines that led up her arms. Zaiya knelt beside the Togruta, a soft groan escaping the Nightsister as the collar continued to coarse pain from two points on her neck. She knew there would be scarring there, from the way those two spots stung so badly. The pain only stopped when her bare hands clasped around Nannie's neck.

"Spread your wings, young one… it's time to fly." The Togruta breathed. Then she didn't. Zaiya squeezed, hearing D'Sarr encouraging her in the background. The world fell to a white haze, She watched her own hands squeeze tighter and tighter. Tattooed fingertips pressing into wrinkled delicate flesh. As calm as the old woman was, there was a flash of fear in her eyes as she felt her body unable to breathe. Her body shook, twitched… and Zaiya felt a break. Her teeth grit under her tattooed lip, but she did not dare let her feelings show on her face. Finally… Nannie moved no more… a trickle of blood falling from her nose and lips. Zaiya was transfixed, horrified. Not afraid as the others, she was angry. But even that was swallowed into the hollow within her.

D'Sarr turned away, looking rather amused. Sick bastard. "Well, that's enough festivities for tonight, everyone return to your tasks." He clapped his hands and the slaves began to scatter. Then he turned back to Zaiya. "Angel, would you remove this broken toy of mine? Then you may rest, you have a big day tomorrow."


Notes:

PHEW That was heavy. I am tired just from re-reading it. :( I hope everyone is okay after that cos... ugh I need some comfort. But! New Chapter in a few hours, Emancipation Part 1! Hopefully things get better?