The Harem (Who likes Fantasy Sci-Fi?)

My paws curled slightly visible. It was good Keruga was father down else my mate would have lashed out. Straightening my shoulders I fetched the wine and refilled his glass.

Seeing his eyes flash towards my chest I stand quickly. "Whenever you are ready Mistress we will clear the table."

I wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug look off his face, but I held the rage in. Anyone who could read Ferran body language could see my controled anger. CLaws slightly unsheated.

I sigh deeply, giving Shara an apologetic look.

"Yes, I do believe dinner is ended. Mr. Rigellan, I trust you will have a safe trip home tonight?"

Mr. Rigellan laughs.

"No, I thought I'd stay here another night. Test the limits of your hospitality."

He winks at Shara.

"Indeed," I say in moderated tones. I need his contract. Unfortunately for everyone, most of all Shara, his happiness was of great importance. I sincerely hoped that I would not have to punish Shara or Keruga for doing what I most certainly wanted to do myself.

"Well, then we are done here. Enjoy your stay, and I will see to it that your favored pleasure slave is sent to your room."

He stands and leaves the room rapidly, without so much as thanking anyone.

Joval

Joval watched Mr. Rigellan leave, then turned to Rebecca:

"I am most pleased at his departure Madam. Abusing the provided hospitality is not a light offense where I hail from. I doubt I could have remained silent at his insults much longer."

He made a type of shruging gesture toward her...in empaty for her apparent anger over the situtatio as well.

"Perhaps we can lighten the mood here with pleasent business, and thus salvage the nights memory."

Nodding to Mistress and with as much dignity I could muster and walked out of the dinning room. I sent Derk and the other to gatehr the dishes and to clean them as well.

Needing ot get away I amde my way to my room. There I could calm myself. Later I would apologize to Mistress.

Taero had been silent most of the way through the meal, talking only when one of the slaves politely asked whether he required another serving, or a refill of his drink. He was learning quite a lot about the new guest, it seemed that he was indeed placed highly in his society, the way he acted and held himself spoke of that but if he were any indication of the rest of his species then they were also highly socially advanced.

He continued to file all of this away and then, when the sweet cakes had been served he posed a question to the commander.

"Commander Joval, by your attire and the discipline of your men, those that I have seen, I can assume that your race is, or was in the past militant based. I beg your pardon but I was under orders to make a cursory check on all those entering the mansion and I hope that you take no offence, it was part of the security placed around here. Perhaps later, after your meeting with Misstress de Lacey of course, we could compare our military technologies? Only the basics I understand, I wouldn't dream of asking for more"

He finished the sweetcake and found himself amazed at the complexities of taste that it evoked, Shara was a natural it seemed for one born into slavery.

"With your leave Misstress I thank you for dinner, with the exception of one notable guest it has been a pleasure, I shall leave you to your business, I shan't be far if required. I'm sure you can reach me."

Standing and bowing his head to the Commander and then bowing slightly deeper to Rebecca he left the room and walked the short way to the cooks slave quarters where, after many stuttered replies he found Sharas room. After waiting for the okay to enter he spoke up softly.

"Thank you for the delicious meal Shara,"

He but an emphasis on her name then continued,

"It was only a shame that such skill and planning was interrupted by that boor of a man"

"Of course, Lieutenant."

"Joval, shall we retire to my sitting-room? With the assistance of your men, my associates have placed there a comfortable chair of your race's design."

I rise, taking Tara's lead in my left hand, Shayla's in my right.

"I apologize again for the rude man, but sadly that sometimes is the price of doing business."

As Shayla and I fell in dutifully behind the Mistress I was thankful of our opportunity to talk hastily in the wardrobe where I had told her to never kneel between the Mistress and another born to the high class.

The dinner was interesting, but I felt that perhaps more interesting things were to happen as my mistress discussed her business

I fell in behind Tara as we followed our mistress. I too was glad for our talk earlier.

"Commander Joval, by your attire and the discipline of your men, those that I have seen, I can assume that your race is, or was in the past militant based. I beg your pardon but I was under orders to make a cursory check on all those entering the mansion and I hope that you take no offence, it was part of the security placed around here. Perhaps later, after your meeting with Misstress de Lacey of course, we could compare our military technologies? Only the basics I understand, I wouldn't dream of asking for more"

"Of course Lieutenant, If it would please you, and our hostess, I would have my men deomonstrate their disipline and expertise. I did not bring with me a bodygaurd, but instead brought 4 men that excell in various areas, and my aide-de-camp. " Joval says, as the LT departs.


"Joval, shall we retire to my sitting-room? With the assistance of your men, my associates have placed there a comfortable chair of your race's design."

"I apologize again for the rude man, but sadly that sometimes is the price of doing business."

"Please, Lead the way Madam, I can assure you that any business that blossom between us will be of a more pleasent tone."

Joval follows her into the sitting room and admires the work of the newest chair provided to him - it was as if it was brought down from his own quaters on board ship. ...

I sit in a leather lounge-chair that has been set up directly opposite Joval's, crossing my legs and settling in.

"Sir, are you familliar with our alcoholic beverages? My slave Tara is learning the names of various alcohols, and would be very happy to pour you a drink, should you desire one."

Tara
----------------------------
This was good! With the Mistress sitting facing Joval Shayla and I could simply flank her on either side as we had done at dinner. Since we were allowed eye movement in this position we would also have a good opportunity to observe him as he spoke.

I settled in softly upon the floor next to my mistress opposite of Tara. I too found this position higly agreeable as it gave me free reign to study the visitig commandor.


He seemed much more agreeable than the dinner guest that I did not know that made rude remarks. However, it did not make me feel less uncomfortable with this strange new commandor.

"Sir, are you familliar with our alcoholic beverages? My slave Tara is learning the names of various alcohols, and would be very happy to pour you a drink, should you desire one."

"The first of my race to encounter your civilazation was treated to a beverage called...Rum, i think it was. In my briefign I was told that I should definatly try it if provided the chance. If you have it available that is. I must confess I know little else about any of them."


He made himself comfortable in the provided chair - about the only thing better would be the simple pads with backs that 'Sirians" would relax in - folding their legs beneath them in an odd 'indian style" - but apparently the closer to the floor one was, the lower their status - so saddly, such chairs would not do here.

"Tara, if you please. If you need help, please do not fear to ask. Our guest's comfort is of greater concern now. Tara, will you also pour me scotch as well?
"I will presume, to have her give you a glass with two cubes of ice. It is how I take my scotch.
"Do you have any questions, about anything you have seen while my guest?"

The Mistress had released my lead so I went to the liquor cabinet and scanned the bottles as I put the ice cubes into the glasses. Still scanning while pouring the scotch. I finally found the one marked R-U-M and poured a drink for the Sirian. I returned bearing one in each hand and delivered them. I then reassumed my kneeling position.

Setting my brush down I answered him, "Thank you. I have learned that some will never learn that slave's also have feelings. We just can't speak our mind."

I intently watch Tara as she fixes the drinks. I would not be able to decipher the strange markings upon the bottle.

My eyes returned to the Sirian. How odd a creature such as this. My mind wandered a bit, wondering on what he wanted, and what sort of businesss my mistress was in. None of these thoughts would I ever utter, lest they get me in trouble.

For now I was content to watch.

I smile widely, making no effort to hide the pride, and more, that I feel in Tara.

"Thank you," I beam to her as I accept the glass of scotch.

I raise my glass to Jovan.

"To the future."

As I do, I run my hand gently through Tara's hair, smoothing, caressing. I let my fingers trace down her jawline, to her chin, before removing my touch from her soft skin.

Joval

"To the future."

recieving the glass from the lovely Tara, he raised his beverage in an imatation of the the Lady Rebecca had just done, and replied, "Yes Madam, to the future."

He took a sip of the strange elixir - and was instantly in love! It burned slightly, its taste was supurb, and its strngth was very apparent. What wonderful things! His personal business interests would ahve to include this product somehow - he would make a decent fortune selling the stuff to his people - if he didnt keep too much of the stuff for himself that is!

"M'Lady, this is quite possibly the best drink I have ever had the pleasure of! I can only hope that half my experiances with customs and consumables will be half so pleasent as this one drink!."

He take another sip savoring it...the cobalt blue slits that work as pupils wided for another second, then return to normal...a non-verbal sign of contentment for his race. After a shrot moment of bliss be begins business:

"Indeed I do ahve some questions - many, but I'd like to begin with business first, of a seeminly pleasent sort. Your slaves - I inqured ebfore, and you stated you had near 150, which I must confess took me by complete surprise! It is only now after recovering from the shock that I feel I am ready for more information on the subject."

He laughs his booming laugh, which the sound alone actually bouncing the liquind in his, and rebecca's glasses.

"Commander, I will happily tell you all you want to know about slavery in the Coalition. Does your species understand the concept of slavery? What do you need to know? Do you desire to buy slaves?"

I sip my scotch, at the same time absently begin to run my fingers through Shayla's hair.

Shayla. I am aware vividly of how fortune, luck, and timing play so high a role in life. Had she arrived a day sooner, I may never have even noticed Tara. No, no that is not true. Tara's magnetism was impossible to avoid. Still, Shayla was everything that I normally looked for in a personal slave. As unreal as it seemed, I knew that as I sat there -- my fingers twining into her hair, smoothing, caressing her scalp -- that I had two devoted (apparently, though I had to remind myself they were both so new) personal slaves, when I had gone so many months without one.

"Madam we are not new to slavery - in fact it is an important aspect of our culture. However I do know that the very idea of buying and selling them will offend several of my brothers and sisters! To us slaves are what is taken from conquest. They are war prises. Trophies. Which also makes them rare, and somewhat short lived. I myslef had one - many cycles ago - a beatiful thing - who served me well until my return home. She couldn't adapt to our world somehow, and tried to kill on of my men in an escape attempt. "


At this he looks actually sad, and takes another sip of the rum.

"I was very saddend to have her put to death."

Another long look, and drink...

"But I was chosen and sent here because my views are not as hampered by the old ways as some others. I eagerly look forward to a more business oriented way of life for my people. While I still have many numbers of questions about the specifics of your slaves, I'll now announce my governments main offer to you."

Dramatic pauses are not lost on Sirians - and the rum seems to have brough back his mood.

"Madam, we are here to offer exclusivly to you, at this time, an exchange program of sorts. We understand you are successfull in mining, trade and strandpostation, and the slave trade. As such we feel we can best learn your ecconomy and practices from your organization. We woudl liek to place several executives in your businesses - to learn from your leaders and managers how the coalition handles these various ecconomic niches. In return we ask that you send an equal number of executives to our worlds - to learn from our people. After this is completed we feel that a strong allaince can be made with maximum proffits to al involved."

He lets his offer linger in the air between them. Surely even a woman as successfull as she had never recieved such a grand gesture - and she didn;t even know about the perks yet.

I involuntarily tensed when I heard his words. I had not been trained in business but it did not take a great deal of understanding to see what this could mean to the Mistress. If she accepted this offer she would have a virtual monopoly on trade with that race. Others might compete, but with the inside information that this would give her they would stand no chance.

I listened even more intently now, for what was good for the Mistress was good for me,..........and Shayla also.

I shudder visibly at the metnion of putting to death of a slave. I had been lucky. My own escape attempt had only resulted in the shameful permanent tattooed marks upon my arms. I looked to Tara to see her reactions. She was probably better at hiding her reactions than I.

I quickly regain my composure in an effort to conceal my lapse. I hoped it went unnoticed.

"Oh, how very sad indeed. I have only had to put one slave to death myself. It is not encouraged in the Coalition: We are supposed to bind a slave over for trial if necessary. She was rebellious beyond bearing. She actually tried to kill me. Fortunately, for myself at least, I was ... more highly skilled than she. I can still see her face, as I was forced to kill her. Sometimes, that face haunts me. I am sorry, we are here to discuss business, and joy at the future, not sorrow for the past.
In the Coalition, slaves are a commodity. Some are born into slavery, although technically all in the Coalition may be placed into any Status when tested at age 18. Many others are taken into slavery. Tara was taken by slave hunters, and Shayla, at my report, was taken as a captive in war.
"I like the sound of your offer. I must let my legal team determine if I am allowed to make such an offer under Coalition law. My accountants will, I am sure, have a cost-benefit analysis for me as well.
Conditional to the legal ramifications, I accept your offer. Again, I must stress, that due to my unique position in the Coalition, I must make all ... appearances ... to following Coalition law to the letter."

Shayla's reaction is not lost to me. I can tell Tara, though not fully understanding the technical details, understands what this means to me ... and by extension to her. Because of this, I set my drink down, and give attention to Shayla, running my fingers through her hair, gently lifting her chin with my fingertips, so that her eyes meet mine. I smile at her, and hope she feels reassured.

I glance back up to Joval with a smile.

"I apologize. Shayla was not in a warm or friendly place before coming here. Her experiences as a slave before now have, no doubt, included witnessing executions as you describe."

Joval

"I am sure your legal team will find the offer completly legal - as my government has authorized several mean of allowing this to happen - and if your law reduces my options, I have been authorized to broker the deal as a personal contract between two persons, vs. an agreement with an entire government, effectilvy giving my voice as that of the economics minister. The details will be a mere matter of time, so I must say I am joyous to hear of yoru acceptance!"

Another sip of the rum - its quite possibly nearly as alluring as the slave girls Rebacca keeps at her feet.

"Exicutions are a sad thing to see, or preform no mater your perspective. Once should die in battle or in bed! but yes, to happier things! Please, tell me more of this slave Shayla. Her appearance if that of somethign from our history, or mythology - depending on who you ask. Do you have many like her?" Joval ask egerly...his curiosity and interest in the girl could no longer be contained.