<div class="floatright">(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mezwt7mPSf1qh83di.jpg)</div><br/>Miyuki took a look around as the two followed the attendant downwards, the bard intrigued by the unique smells and atmosphere of this private chamber. Although Miyuki has not been to the public baths, her experience with those back home gave her a rough expectation, and she had to admit that she was impressed with the variety they provided here. While hot water was generated from natural springs back home, the heating elements here allowed such luxuries to be commonplace, something Miyuki approved as she disrobed, her black outfit in her bag while she emerged in her white underwear. Something more suited for a hot environment, Miyuki could sweat it out in this outfit as it was easy to clean, as well as go through the massage wearing it.<br/><br/>Dawn seemed to be slightly awed by being here with Miyuki, and the bard hoped she did not intimidate the barmaid with the spending of her wealth. As Dawn shared her story, Miyuki listened attentively, focusing on the explanation of being a slave and contracts which might lead to lucrative maturities. Miyuki heard of such deals going on back home, where people would take care of others for a fee, promising a good care package of several hundred gold upon death or a critical illness not even magic could cure. They were shady at best, but the bard has heard of more reliable dealers in foreign cities where such deals were honored and carried out promptly. Some even promised a good bounty of money after their contract ended, the ceasing of protection after the protector managed to reinvest the gold in other things, returning the payor their original investment while they lived off the profits.<br/><br/>Miyuki listened to the conditions of her contract, nodding as she noted the fairness in it. A hundred gold pieces for five years, without the need to sell one's body. Dawn could remain pure, a virgin if she still was one, and emerge as a woman with working experience, a frugal mindset and a good stash of money to keep her going.<br/><br/><strong><em>"I fantasize sometimes about a wealthy adventurer returning from a mission out into the jungles with a treasure beyond compare who falls madly in love with me.  Silly I suppose, but I remain hopeful and my time as a slave in the Seven Hells tavern has not been too taxing.  The hours are long and seven days a week, but it is easier work then farmwork, I can tell you that."</em></strong><br/><br/>Miyuki smiled as she placed a hand on Dawn's, giving it a light squeeze.<strong>"Sometimes what we dream about might be too small. Who knows? Perhaps there is a man working hard right now, slaying monsters in order to become one worthy of you once you're ready to settle down."</strong><br/><br/><strong><em>"You seem confused, do you not have slaves where you come from?"</em></strong><br/><br/>Miyuki's face lowered slightly, but she nodded as the bard recalled the slaves of her homeland. She remembered the slaves, but the slave drivers even more. More than one had approached her shrine, and Miyuki remembered a junior girl weeping in her arms, sharing her fears when the man teased her about becoming a slave under him. Miyuki bore a silent disdain for them, although slaves were a part of the economy, and the bard knew that the shrine and most of its furnishings were built on the back of these people.<br/><br/><strong>"Where I come from, slaves... were often prisoners from war or raids. My homeland, it was one ruled by soldiers, by warlords. They become rich not by trade or farming, but by war, kidnapping and looting the weaker villages who were unable to defend themselves. There were other warlords who stood against them, but they protected those rich enough to afford their warriors, those productive enough to feed many more than themselves. Slaves were the victims of such wars and battles, and mostly men. Women... they were raped, sold to brothels, or kept by the warlords themselves as personal slaves or servants, or even wives for those pretty enough to bear a worth to them.<br/><br/>"Men worked as laborers, builders, farmers... those which requires one to use his body and not many more. They were not paid, nor were they afforded any form of friendliness. Slave drivers... I knew a few of them. I hated them. One of them was rich enough to buy an evening with me, and he came straight from the slave market as he made his 'goods' wait outside my shrine till ngiht with no food nor water nor shelter. I came out, horrified that one who could commit such acts was allowed to place his seed within me, but I was duty bound to the people, to everyone from slave to master, from peasant to the Emperor...<br/><br/>"Women... I met a few of them. They were prostitutes, some of them girls who were malnourished and cast aside when they were unable to earn their keep. I took in a few of them, called them sisters and sang with them. They were all victims, these slaves. Never did I see one as happy as those in Laelith, never did I ever see a slave touch a commoner without their hands broken and forced to lift with those damaged limbs. Being here, a foreigner although many called me exotic... I feel out of place, Dawn. I know there's plenty for me to learn and adapt, to experience the good and the bad, but Laelith... it feels like a paradise compared to home.<br/><br/>"I was a shrine maiden once, became an official singer and performer at my initiation, and a priestess who took in men and women and give them comfort. A warlord came in once, and wanted to buy me from my calling, from my gods. He wanted to make me something similar to a slave, but I refused. That's why I ended up in Laelith after a long journey, in order to escape my fate without having them barge in and enslave my shrine. Somehow, I felt fortunate compared to everyone else here who served as a slave. I was given choices..."</strong><br/><br/>Miyuki sighed as she looked at the soaps, mentally choosing one in her head.<br/><br/><strong>"But enough of these depressing things. I am in Laelith, and I have Dawn next to me. I may not be your master, but I will command you to enjoy this time we have together in these baths. Perhaps if you feel indebted to repay me, Miyuki could always use more friends, and getting along with the people in the Seven Hells was never a bad idea."</strong>The bard said with a smile, resting her head on Dawn's arm.