The delicate arch of Altair's back twisting was exquisite, like the bend of a snake from exotic Southern lands. Blood was leaving tear streaks down the slave's black, dripping to the floor below and melding with indiscernible blood stains. It hadn't been the first time he had whipped a slave - if he recalled correct, Altair was his fourth slave. The first had been dealt twenty lashes, with the cobalt whip, the ends mercifully devoid of any additives. The second had been given three lashes, with the chocolate whip. The third was the bloodiest, and pitifully weak, dying soon after his flogging. Compared to those who had been whipped by the captain previously, Altair was receiving a mercy.<br/><br/>It was only on a whim that Cygnus had spared Altair more suffering. Perhaps in part influenced by the slave's pleasure skills. A pity that the slave hadn't been better, otherwise he might've been spared the punishment completely. If he had been better, he wouldn't be hearing himself scream for the sea. The only person who had to lose from the whipping was Altair himself; bloody though he was, Cygnus wasn't adverse to the idea of taking the slave in his battered state.<br/><br/>"Five...? No, no. Count from three. You've miscounted. You're at three lashes. To me, at least. I can only count to three. Three more than most of my men." he japed. At the cruel jape his men broke into rowdy laughter, which earned him the fearful turning of a few of the slave heads. Another mercy given to the slave that Altair would likely not understand how grateful he should be for. If Altair had been another slave he would have had to count from zero.<br/><br/>"Master? Interesting. I thought you didn't know how to use that word. It seems you do." he jeered. It pleased him to hear the word from the slave's mouth, signalling perhaps the slave was finally learning his position in the natural order of the world. He strengthened his grip on the whip hilt, bringing the whip crashing down on Altair's back once more. This time, he lashed with less force.