![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fic: or you a thief.
title: Or You A Thief
word count: ~2300
rating: Teen+
warnings: Slavery, power imbalance, implied war
summary: You can't buy free agency, they say, but Sarica thinks you can sponsor it. Script format.
author's notes: Written for the play/script prompt for![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
genprompt_bingo, round 22.
__________
SCENE 1
[ Slave market, inner city. Much shouting, the clinking of gold changing hands, horses neighing and stomping their feet. The darkest corner of an open tent. JUILA isn’t hiding, but one could be fooled into thinking so. The other girls are whispering together in lowered voices, glancing out through the front of the tent at the two men standing there. One is fat and old, the other slender and young, though that’s not the only difference, they hear. ]
SARICA: [ Authoritatively. ] “I wish to speak to them before I buy.”
MANULA: “So you can plant the seed of rebellion in them?” [ A laugh. ] “We’ve all heard the stories, Legislator.”
SARICA: “And how do the stories go, remind me?”
MANULA: [ Gestures dismissively. ] “They say you’ve become a slave-liberator in your old age.”
SARICA: [ A harsh laugh. ] “Like I weren’t always.”
MANULA: “Certainly, but how did it work out last time, my friend?”
SARICA: [ A twist of his lips. ] “Surely you care more about gold than principles, Manula. I will pay you a handful of gold coins to talk to your slaves before making my purchase.”
MANULA: [ Speading his arms. ] “You may choose one slave to talk to and if she pleases you, you can always decide to purchase her. Either way, I won’t lose profit.”
SARICA: “No, either way, you win.” [ He looks contemplatively into the tent for a moment, his gaze searches the women there and finally land on JUILA. ] “Very well. I’ll speak to the brunette in the back.”
[ MANULA turns and pushes his way past the other girls in the tent, walking over to JUILA and grabbing her arm, dragging her with him out into the sunlight. He places her roughly in front of SARICA. ]
MANULA: “You get five minutes.” [ A pointed look at SARICA. ] “In five minutes, you can’t possibly give her too many good ideas.”
[ Walking back into the shade of the open tent, MANULA leaves JUILA in front of SARICA, looking down at her naked feet in the sand, hands folded in front of her. ]
SARICA: “How do you feel about tending to a house?”
JUILA: [ Looks up, confused. She frowns. ] “I’m a slave, Master. That’s what I’m here to do.”
SARICA: [ Smiling wryly. ] “I have a friend who would disagree with that, strongly.” [ Serious once more, he purses his lips. ] “If I hired you to keep my house presentable, what kind of job would you do?”
JUILA: [ Observes him for a long time, then smiles slightly, looking down once more. ] “That would depend on how much you paid me, Master.”
SARICA: [ Knowing their five minutes are running out, SARICA raises an eyebrow at her and crosses his arms in front of himself. ] “Correct answer. What’s your name?”
JUILA: “Juila, Master.”
SARICA: “My name is Sarica, Juila. You may call me that.” [ MANULA returns and steps in between them, looking down at SARICA and cocking his head in question. ] “You win doubly today, Manula. I’ll take her.”
[ Behind the two men, JUILA turns towards the other girls inside the tent, staring at them with wide, disbelieving eyes. They look back at her with a similar expression, mixed perhaps with fear. ]
SCENE 2
[ Underway. SARICA and JUILA are riding together on the same horse, he in the front, she with her arms wrapped around his waist. They’ve making their way through marketplace traffic, SARICA deftly avoiding running anyone down. ]
JUILA: “Why would you buy me and then, hire me for a job, Master?”
[ SARICA turns his head enough to give her a disapproving look. ]
JUILA: “Sarica. Why?”
SARICA: “I’m rich enough to believe in everybody’s free agency, Juila. Am I wrong in doing so?”
JUILA: [ Looking sceptic, she hesitates for a little while, then blurts out. ] “You already lost one slave that way, they say. Timachus -”
SARICA: [ Interrupts her. ] “Don’t dare mention that name to me again.” [ Looking irritated, he steers the horse around a man who’s moved in front of them, kicking the man in the head as he passes him by. ] “He wasn’t my slave. I’m sure you know that. Word goes around among slaves as much as it does around everyone else.”
JUILA: [ Persistently. ] “So, this isn’t the same situation?”
SARICA: [ Angry scoff. ] “No.”
JUILA: “Am I the only one working for you under these circumstances?”
SARICA: “I have a household. You’re the last addition for now.” [ A long pause that doesn’t invite interruption. Silently, they cut a corner, the horse sidestepping some playing children. ] “I have a former slave working in my stables, his name is Toril. Another in the gardens, his name is Pilla. Finally, in the kitchens there’s Erene, she’s a free woman from the ghettoes. She’ll be your superior and in charge of the household when I’m away.”
JUILA: [ Looks contemplative for a moment. ] “Where will I stay? Sleep? What will I eat?”
[ SARICA turns enough to glance at her over his shoulder, almost riding directly into a smith crossing the street. They exchange a few unkind words, then SARICA speaks, dismissively. ]
SARICA: “Until you’ve earned enough to rent your own place, you’re welcome to stay with me. After that, if you wish, you can move out – or you cannot. It’s up to you. Either way, I’ll accommodate you. There’s room and there’s food.”
JUILA: [ Thinks this over briefly, before tightening her grip on him, because he kicks his head into a trot. ] “What will you pay me for all this?”
SARICA: [ Laughs, harshly. ] “Enough.” [ She doesn’t laugh, however, and her silence demands answers. He shakes his head. ] “Fine. Two gold coins a month. Are you satisfied with that, Juila?”
[ As they move into the outer areas of the Inner City, SARICA gives another kick and the horse moves into a light gallop, racing through the mostly deserted street, though those who are still there have to jump for their lives. JUILA gasps loudly and clings to him. ]
SCENE 3
[ SARICA’S villa. An empty room in the east wing. SARICA is standing with his hands folded on his back at the window, looking out, waiting. Suddenly JUILA bursts into the room, obviously having run to get here. Her breathing is erratic, but at the sight of him, she straightens up and fights to regain her composure. ]
JUILA: [ Panting a little bit. ] “You called, Mas- Sarica.”
SARICA: [ Releases his hold on his hands behind his back, arms falling to his side slowly. ] “The movers have been here with my ordered furniture, maybe the news has already reached the kitchens?”
JUILA: [ Looking sheepish. ] “We were discussing it while peeling the peas.” [ A pause, she looks up at Sarica hesitantly. ] “This room has been empty since I came. What will you be using it for now?”
SARICA: [ Without looking at her. ] “I expect it’ll see a new resident soon.”
JUILA: [ Pursing her lips, asking despite his dismissive attitude. ] “Oh. Who’ll be moving in?”
SARICA: [ A headshake, then he continues conversationally without acknowledging the question. ] “I’m going to Reece tonight, Juila. Upon my return, I want this room cleaned and refurnished, everything you’ll need is in the stables. Make Toril and Pilla help you with the heavy lifting.”
JUILA: [ Looking at him for a long time, clearly processing his order. ] “Will you be bringing Timachus with you back, Sarica?”
SARICA: [ Ignoring her, he walks around her and crosses over to the door before turning his head and looking at her, narrowed eyes. ] “Don’t I always?”
[ JUILA doesn’t respond, instead looking down at her feet. SARICA perceives her another long moment, then turns in the doorway, facing the hallway. ]
SARICA: “Decorate in here as if it were for yourself, the difference is surely insignificant at this point.”
[ Leaving the room, SARICA disappears down the hallway, leaving JUILA alone in the middle of the empty room. ]
SCENE 4
[ The kitchens. ERENE is readying a peafowl for cooking. JUILA is sitting, looking sweaty and overheated, at the counter with a cup of chilled water, nursing it slowly and watching the other woman work. ]
JUILA: [ Taking a long drink of her cup, holding it between both hands. ] “Why would he have this one empty room anyway?”
ERENE: [ Shaking her head. ] “When I came, the whole house had been emptied. All the rooms looked like that, there weren’t even any portraits on the walls. All gone. Sarica slept on the floor. Until a couple of days later, the movers came with new furniture and things.”
JUILA: [ Frowning a little bit. ] “Did he really care about Timachus enough for that kind of reaction?”
ERENE: [ Nonchalantly. ] “He cares enough for Timachus to start a war, doesn’t he?”
JUILA: “But why spend so much money…” [ She looks hesitant, as if she doesn’t really want the answer to the question she doesn’t know how to pose. ]
ERENE: [ Glancing at her over the gigantic bird she’s preparing. ] “Why did Sarica spend a fortune on the man in the first place? He has a heart, that’s why. And now he’s had it broken.” [ A click of her tongue, two. ] “And a man like him? Can’t live in his own heartbreak.”
JUILA: [ Contemplatively. ] “So he hides it?”
ERENE: [ Laughs. ] “No, girl. He pays it to be what he wants it to be, as he does everyone in this world.”
[ Both JUILA and ERENE carry on each their activity in silence for a while. ]
SCENE 5
[ A road, middle of the night. SARICA is riding alone through a rugged landscape, mostly heath and desert, the darkness almost complete. Only the moon shines down upon him from above.
Suddenly, a tall, broad MAN appears on the road before him, making him pull his horse to a halt. SARICA doesn’t seem surprised at his appearance. Instead he reaches for the sword at his hip, as a signal.
The MAN shakes his head and pulls a couple of smaller, lighter knives from his belt, spreading his legs, ready for a fight. ]
MAN: “I know why you come, Legislator Sarica. You won’t find him here.”
SARICA: [ Getting off his horse and drawing his sword slowly. ] “Because this isn’t where he is or because you think you can stop me?”
[ No answer from the MAN. He starts running towards SARICA, charging. Out of nowhere, a stone is hurled and hits SARICA right in his sword arm, so he drops his weapon, despite his best efforts to catch it. He looks around, up in the trees on his left, another MAN is sitting with a sling. The horse screams and starts backing up. SARICA curses and catches its reins with his uninjured hand. The MAN is getting closer, SARICA getting up on his horse labouredly and forcing it out of immediate range. It’s evident from SARICA’s expression that he finds the whole situation pitiful. ]
MAN: [ Stopping inside hearing range, watching SARICA back up, knives out. ] “Not me, Legislator. You. Don’t we all have free agency? I hear that’s what you teach.”
[ SARICA curses and turns his horse, galloping away into the night. ]
SCENE 6
[ SARICA’s villa. The previously empty room has been filled with a bed, shelves, portraits and a desk by the window. Simple, but functional. JUILA is standing in the middle of the room, obviously waiting for someone. This time it is SARICA who comes to her, entering through the doorway and looking around. He’s dishevelled still and has his arm in a intermittent sling. He gestures around the room with his other arm, a wide sweep. ]
SARICA: “Empty it again and sell off the pieces, keep the profit.”
JUILA: [ Eyes widening. ] “But, Sarica… Do you dislike it?”
SARICA: [ Turning away harshly, clutching his bad arm. ] “It doesn’t matter what I think of it, it’s of no use.”
JUILA: [ Frowning. ] “Because Timachus isn’t returning?”
SARICA: [ He interrupts her dismissively. ] “Because I say so, Juila.”
JUILA: [ Insistently. ] “It’s just a room. You should do with it what you want.”
SARICA: [ A scoff. ] “Are you teaching me about free agency, woman?”
JUILA: [ Looking down at her hands, buried in the fabric of her work tunic. ] “Of course not, Master.”
SARICA: “Sarica.” [ Turning back around, looking her slowly up and down, like he remembers something, like he was just reminded. ] “Leave the room as it is. I’ll have the profit the sale of the furniture could’ve generated sent here, I expect that bag of money to remain untouched on the desk, understood, Juila?”
JUILA: [ Meeting his gaze hesitantly. ] “Of course, Sarica.” [ Pause. ] “What will it buy?”
SARICA: [ Turning away again, releasing his arm and heading down the hallway, calling over his shoulder. ] “Ask the man whose free agency it goes to.”
SCENE 7
[ SARICA’s villa. At the front door, JUILA receives a large bag, heavy-looking, from a courier, carrying on him a weapon as well. She takes the bag with her through the house, the long hallways and past many rooms, until she ends at the refurnished room once more, stepping in through the doorway and putting the bag on the desk, obviously weighing it in her hand as she does so. JUILA makes as to turn around, but stops mid-motion, looking back at the linen bag. Glancing over her shoulder, she carefully undoes the knot and opens it, peeking into it curiously. Seeing the huge load of gold coins, she gasps, though, and covers her mouth immediately with her hand.
The price of free agency. ]
word count: ~2300
rating: Teen+
warnings: Slavery, power imbalance, implied war
summary: You can't buy free agency, they say, but Sarica thinks you can sponsor it. Script format.
author's notes: Written for the play/script prompt for
genprompt_bingo, round 22.__________
[ Slave market, inner city. Much shouting, the clinking of gold changing hands, horses neighing and stomping their feet. The darkest corner of an open tent. JUILA isn’t hiding, but one could be fooled into thinking so. The other girls are whispering together in lowered voices, glancing out through the front of the tent at the two men standing there. One is fat and old, the other slender and young, though that’s not the only difference, they hear. ]
SARICA: [ Authoritatively. ] “I wish to speak to them before I buy.”
MANULA: “So you can plant the seed of rebellion in them?” [ A laugh. ] “We’ve all heard the stories, Legislator.”
SARICA: “And how do the stories go, remind me?”
MANULA: [ Gestures dismissively. ] “They say you’ve become a slave-liberator in your old age.”
SARICA: [ A harsh laugh. ] “Like I weren’t always.”
MANULA: “Certainly, but how did it work out last time, my friend?”
SARICA: [ A twist of his lips. ] “Surely you care more about gold than principles, Manula. I will pay you a handful of gold coins to talk to your slaves before making my purchase.”
MANULA: [ Speading his arms. ] “You may choose one slave to talk to and if she pleases you, you can always decide to purchase her. Either way, I won’t lose profit.”
SARICA: “No, either way, you win.” [ He looks contemplatively into the tent for a moment, his gaze searches the women there and finally land on JUILA. ] “Very well. I’ll speak to the brunette in the back.”
[ MANULA turns and pushes his way past the other girls in the tent, walking over to JUILA and grabbing her arm, dragging her with him out into the sunlight. He places her roughly in front of SARICA. ]
MANULA: “You get five minutes.” [ A pointed look at SARICA. ] “In five minutes, you can’t possibly give her too many good ideas.”
[ Walking back into the shade of the open tent, MANULA leaves JUILA in front of SARICA, looking down at her naked feet in the sand, hands folded in front of her. ]
SARICA: “How do you feel about tending to a house?”
JUILA: [ Looks up, confused. She frowns. ] “I’m a slave, Master. That’s what I’m here to do.”
SARICA: [ Smiling wryly. ] “I have a friend who would disagree with that, strongly.” [ Serious once more, he purses his lips. ] “If I hired you to keep my house presentable, what kind of job would you do?”
JUILA: [ Observes him for a long time, then smiles slightly, looking down once more. ] “That would depend on how much you paid me, Master.”
SARICA: [ Knowing their five minutes are running out, SARICA raises an eyebrow at her and crosses his arms in front of himself. ] “Correct answer. What’s your name?”
JUILA: “Juila, Master.”
SARICA: “My name is Sarica, Juila. You may call me that.” [ MANULA returns and steps in between them, looking down at SARICA and cocking his head in question. ] “You win doubly today, Manula. I’ll take her.”
[ Behind the two men, JUILA turns towards the other girls inside the tent, staring at them with wide, disbelieving eyes. They look back at her with a similar expression, mixed perhaps with fear. ]
[ Underway. SARICA and JUILA are riding together on the same horse, he in the front, she with her arms wrapped around his waist. They’ve making their way through marketplace traffic, SARICA deftly avoiding running anyone down. ]
JUILA: “Why would you buy me and then, hire me for a job, Master?”
[ SARICA turns his head enough to give her a disapproving look. ]
JUILA: “Sarica. Why?”
SARICA: “I’m rich enough to believe in everybody’s free agency, Juila. Am I wrong in doing so?”
JUILA: [ Looking sceptic, she hesitates for a little while, then blurts out. ] “You already lost one slave that way, they say. Timachus -”
SARICA: [ Interrupts her. ] “Don’t dare mention that name to me again.” [ Looking irritated, he steers the horse around a man who’s moved in front of them, kicking the man in the head as he passes him by. ] “He wasn’t my slave. I’m sure you know that. Word goes around among slaves as much as it does around everyone else.”
JUILA: [ Persistently. ] “So, this isn’t the same situation?”
SARICA: [ Angry scoff. ] “No.”
JUILA: “Am I the only one working for you under these circumstances?”
SARICA: “I have a household. You’re the last addition for now.” [ A long pause that doesn’t invite interruption. Silently, they cut a corner, the horse sidestepping some playing children. ] “I have a former slave working in my stables, his name is Toril. Another in the gardens, his name is Pilla. Finally, in the kitchens there’s Erene, she’s a free woman from the ghettoes. She’ll be your superior and in charge of the household when I’m away.”
JUILA: [ Looks contemplative for a moment. ] “Where will I stay? Sleep? What will I eat?”
[ SARICA turns enough to glance at her over his shoulder, almost riding directly into a smith crossing the street. They exchange a few unkind words, then SARICA speaks, dismissively. ]
SARICA: “Until you’ve earned enough to rent your own place, you’re welcome to stay with me. After that, if you wish, you can move out – or you cannot. It’s up to you. Either way, I’ll accommodate you. There’s room and there’s food.”
JUILA: [ Thinks this over briefly, before tightening her grip on him, because he kicks his head into a trot. ] “What will you pay me for all this?”
SARICA: [ Laughs, harshly. ] “Enough.” [ She doesn’t laugh, however, and her silence demands answers. He shakes his head. ] “Fine. Two gold coins a month. Are you satisfied with that, Juila?”
[ As they move into the outer areas of the Inner City, SARICA gives another kick and the horse moves into a light gallop, racing through the mostly deserted street, though those who are still there have to jump for their lives. JUILA gasps loudly and clings to him. ]
[ SARICA’S villa. An empty room in the east wing. SARICA is standing with his hands folded on his back at the window, looking out, waiting. Suddenly JUILA bursts into the room, obviously having run to get here. Her breathing is erratic, but at the sight of him, she straightens up and fights to regain her composure. ]
JUILA: [ Panting a little bit. ] “You called, Mas- Sarica.”
SARICA: [ Releases his hold on his hands behind his back, arms falling to his side slowly. ] “The movers have been here with my ordered furniture, maybe the news has already reached the kitchens?”
JUILA: [ Looking sheepish. ] “We were discussing it while peeling the peas.” [ A pause, she looks up at Sarica hesitantly. ] “This room has been empty since I came. What will you be using it for now?”
SARICA: [ Without looking at her. ] “I expect it’ll see a new resident soon.”
JUILA: [ Pursing her lips, asking despite his dismissive attitude. ] “Oh. Who’ll be moving in?”
SARICA: [ A headshake, then he continues conversationally without acknowledging the question. ] “I’m going to Reece tonight, Juila. Upon my return, I want this room cleaned and refurnished, everything you’ll need is in the stables. Make Toril and Pilla help you with the heavy lifting.”
JUILA: [ Looking at him for a long time, clearly processing his order. ] “Will you be bringing Timachus with you back, Sarica?”
SARICA: [ Ignoring her, he walks around her and crosses over to the door before turning his head and looking at her, narrowed eyes. ] “Don’t I always?”
[ JUILA doesn’t respond, instead looking down at her feet. SARICA perceives her another long moment, then turns in the doorway, facing the hallway. ]
SARICA: “Decorate in here as if it were for yourself, the difference is surely insignificant at this point.”
[ Leaving the room, SARICA disappears down the hallway, leaving JUILA alone in the middle of the empty room. ]
[ The kitchens. ERENE is readying a peafowl for cooking. JUILA is sitting, looking sweaty and overheated, at the counter with a cup of chilled water, nursing it slowly and watching the other woman work. ]
JUILA: [ Taking a long drink of her cup, holding it between both hands. ] “Why would he have this one empty room anyway?”
ERENE: [ Shaking her head. ] “When I came, the whole house had been emptied. All the rooms looked like that, there weren’t even any portraits on the walls. All gone. Sarica slept on the floor. Until a couple of days later, the movers came with new furniture and things.”
JUILA: [ Frowning a little bit. ] “Did he really care about Timachus enough for that kind of reaction?”
ERENE: [ Nonchalantly. ] “He cares enough for Timachus to start a war, doesn’t he?”
JUILA: “But why spend so much money…” [ She looks hesitant, as if she doesn’t really want the answer to the question she doesn’t know how to pose. ]
ERENE: [ Glancing at her over the gigantic bird she’s preparing. ] “Why did Sarica spend a fortune on the man in the first place? He has a heart, that’s why. And now he’s had it broken.” [ A click of her tongue, two. ] “And a man like him? Can’t live in his own heartbreak.”
JUILA: [ Contemplatively. ] “So he hides it?”
ERENE: [ Laughs. ] “No, girl. He pays it to be what he wants it to be, as he does everyone in this world.”
[ Both JUILA and ERENE carry on each their activity in silence for a while. ]
[ A road, middle of the night. SARICA is riding alone through a rugged landscape, mostly heath and desert, the darkness almost complete. Only the moon shines down upon him from above.
Suddenly, a tall, broad MAN appears on the road before him, making him pull his horse to a halt. SARICA doesn’t seem surprised at his appearance. Instead he reaches for the sword at his hip, as a signal.
The MAN shakes his head and pulls a couple of smaller, lighter knives from his belt, spreading his legs, ready for a fight. ]
MAN: “I know why you come, Legislator Sarica. You won’t find him here.”
SARICA: [ Getting off his horse and drawing his sword slowly. ] “Because this isn’t where he is or because you think you can stop me?”
[ No answer from the MAN. He starts running towards SARICA, charging. Out of nowhere, a stone is hurled and hits SARICA right in his sword arm, so he drops his weapon, despite his best efforts to catch it. He looks around, up in the trees on his left, another MAN is sitting with a sling. The horse screams and starts backing up. SARICA curses and catches its reins with his uninjured hand. The MAN is getting closer, SARICA getting up on his horse labouredly and forcing it out of immediate range. It’s evident from SARICA’s expression that he finds the whole situation pitiful. ]
MAN: [ Stopping inside hearing range, watching SARICA back up, knives out. ] “Not me, Legislator. You. Don’t we all have free agency? I hear that’s what you teach.”
[ SARICA curses and turns his horse, galloping away into the night. ]
[ SARICA’s villa. The previously empty room has been filled with a bed, shelves, portraits and a desk by the window. Simple, but functional. JUILA is standing in the middle of the room, obviously waiting for someone. This time it is SARICA who comes to her, entering through the doorway and looking around. He’s dishevelled still and has his arm in a intermittent sling. He gestures around the room with his other arm, a wide sweep. ]
SARICA: “Empty it again and sell off the pieces, keep the profit.”
JUILA: [ Eyes widening. ] “But, Sarica… Do you dislike it?”
SARICA: [ Turning away harshly, clutching his bad arm. ] “It doesn’t matter what I think of it, it’s of no use.”
JUILA: [ Frowning. ] “Because Timachus isn’t returning?”
SARICA: [ He interrupts her dismissively. ] “Because I say so, Juila.”
JUILA: [ Insistently. ] “It’s just a room. You should do with it what you want.”
SARICA: [ A scoff. ] “Are you teaching me about free agency, woman?”
JUILA: [ Looking down at her hands, buried in the fabric of her work tunic. ] “Of course not, Master.”
SARICA: “Sarica.” [ Turning back around, looking her slowly up and down, like he remembers something, like he was just reminded. ] “Leave the room as it is. I’ll have the profit the sale of the furniture could’ve generated sent here, I expect that bag of money to remain untouched on the desk, understood, Juila?”
JUILA: [ Meeting his gaze hesitantly. ] “Of course, Sarica.” [ Pause. ] “What will it buy?”
SARICA: [ Turning away again, releasing his arm and heading down the hallway, calling over his shoulder. ] “Ask the man whose free agency it goes to.”
[ SARICA’s villa. At the front door, JUILA receives a large bag, heavy-looking, from a courier, carrying on him a weapon as well. She takes the bag with her through the house, the long hallways and past many rooms, until she ends at the refurnished room once more, stepping in through the doorway and putting the bag on the desk, obviously weighing it in her hand as she does so. JUILA makes as to turn around, but stops mid-motion, looking back at the linen bag. Glancing over her shoulder, she carefully undoes the knot and opens it, peeking into it curiously. Seeing the huge load of gold coins, she gasps, though, and covers her mouth immediately with her hand.
The price of free agency. ]