Ask New Beginnings

[Zira Suvan]

If Zira was surprised by what Iymril commanded next, she didn’t display it. She politely nodded, “I am honored, my lord,” She said with her practiced speech, dismissing herself from their sight to do as ordered.

The tiefling was in awe of the extravagant captain’s quarters. Not only was it luxurious and ornate, but it was sized for a Sephi. Everything in it made her feel tiny. Zira could have snooped, but she always felt Iymril’s sight following her even when they were nowhere near. The tiefling simply stuck to what she was permitted, drawing up a bath. She first stepped into a shower to rinse off, scrubbing herself till her skin felt as if it were peeling off.

She sank into the tub, sitting in silence and allowing herself to drift into her thoughts. Her thoughts were never her own, they were always some place far away from where she was. She imagined herself as a noble woman on some other planet. She imagined herself writing rules into law and being the sole person in power. She imagined a life where she never had to sleep with anyone, where no one could ever touch her without asking first. She imagined scenarios where someone did ask and where she could outright say no. The rush from such a simple thought was exhilarating and she found herself smiling with her eyes closed.

Zira emerged a while later, clean and dressed in silk robes she was permitted to wear. The tiefling was stumped by the next part of what Iymril allowed - to select a movie. In truth, Zira had never actually just sat down to watch a movie of her choosing, so the request perplexed her. It had to be a test of some sort, and it only invoked anxiety.

“My lord..I am not familiar with most films..but I do enjoy a few animated movies,” She said, “If it’s all the same, I would love to watch the movie Icy. The one with the frozen queen Esla,” The premise was exactly what she yearned for herself - a woman isolated and living on her own terms far from anyone else. Living in a world of her own making and embracing all her own flaws. Giving no regard to what anyone else thought including her own kin. It was beautiful.

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

Iymril didn't reply when Zira nodded her head and thanked them. In their mind, thanks wasn’t necessary. She’d served them, this was a reward. This is how it had been with their Master, almost to the letter.

Once they’d prepared their sketching supplies, Iymril set about putting a bag of popcorn in the microwave. They’d make one for each of them, with Zira getting the one that smells more burnt. After that, they’d gently guide their vessel out of orbit and into space. Once the hyperspace route was plotted they’d return to the living room.

Iymril would discard their jacket, vest, tie, socks, and shoes. They’d unbutton the top button of their dress shirt and lay the discarded clothes out across a reclining chair. They casually flipped through sketches they drawn through in the past, pausing to look at two of them.

The first was of a Sephi man and woman. The man held a similar skin tone to their own but with brilliant blue eyes. The woman was of a lighter complexion but held the same eyes as their’s. In fact, their face was a mishmash of their own features. They turned the page after gazing at it for a few moments.

The next was a Twi’lek woman with yellow predatory eyes. Iymril had taken the time to color in the pattern of dots across her light green skin. There were the slight signs of aging at the corners of her eyes and lips. Iymril’s features hardened for a heartbeat as they stared at her. The sketch of her was done in such detail that it was only possible by someone who had known her intimately. Then they turned the page to a fresh and clean one.

The one they would sketch on tonight.

When Zira returned, Iymril was quietly seasoning both of their popcorn. They didn’t bother to ask what she wanted on it. She might be allowed tonight to exist with some freedoms but it didn’t make her their peer. They’d come and take a seat on the couch at the opposite end, handing Zira her bowl as they passed.

When she asked if she could watch Icy, Iymril glanced over to her. Their expression was neutral, their eyes calm, their voice even. But their ears had dipped slightly.

“I gave you permission to watch whatever you desired.” They repeated. “If that is what you want to watch, that is what we will watch.”

Iymril wouldn’t speak as the movie played out. Instead they would glance at the screen, to their pad, to Zira whenever she wasn’t looking, and then back to the pad. They’d sketched and drew in private, using the emotions they could sense radiating from her to complete their art. Only after the movie was done would they tear the page free and hand it to her.

It was Zira. But not nude or in the throes of passion. It was her as the lead character of the movie. Drawn to perfection with a smile on her face. The snow around her was the popcorn in the bowl.

Iymril showed no outward emotion when they finally spoke.

“You are an important part of my power base, Zira.” They told her simply. “For that to be true, I be more transparent with you than any other.” They continued. “You will know things about me that no other being in the galaxy will.” Iymril explained. “And if you betray those secrets, I will kill you the same way I killed Mrs. Melne tonight.” The words were emotionless but honest. “Do you understand?” Iymril asked her.

They would fall silent at that, their unreadable gaze focused solely on her.

“You are to be my representative in matters, my agent to expand my influence, and my right hand.” Iymril explained to her. “You will keep an eye on all things for me, including my apprentices one day.” They explained. “You will never be free of me, but you will be powerful in my house.” Iymril would pause then before gesturing to the image they’d drawn for her. “So enjoy the fantasy on that page, because that is all it will ever be. A fantasy.”

“You may ask me almost anything and I will answer as honestly as I can.” They stated calmly, concluding what they had to say.

@Sreeya

 

[Zira Suvan]

Zira gasped at the sight of the drawing. She had never been drawn before. Hell, she had never seen a picture of herself before. She looked over the details, and saw the smile on paper. The smile was the only thing slightly off because it was a fake smile, but it was the only kind Iymril had ever seen. Her fingers traced over the sketch, marveling at the attire and the confidence exuded by the woman in the image. She was taken aback by the gesture, and she opened her mouth to express her gratitude. However, that was when Iymril began to speak.

Zira’s gaze flicked over to meet the Sephi’s as they reminded her exactly where she stood. She stared at them as they promised she would never be free. She gazed back at the picture again - of herself - the carefree smile and the depiction of a powerful woman. One that owned her own body. One that could say no. One that governed her own domain. Her own kingdom.

Her fingers traced over the face and the intricate details. She let Iymril’s words wash over her as the confident songs by Esla played on the Holo in the background. Zira listened to every word they said, her gaze fixed on that perfect drawing.

In the end, she smiled faintly, perhaps her first genuine smile for them to witness. She had just one question, “May I keep this drawing, my lord?”

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

It didn’t matter that Zira barely reacted to their reminder. Iymril hadn’t told her those things to be needlessly cruel. They hadn’t said it to feel her soul crushed. They had said it because it was true. Even if someone were to destroy them, their touch would always be on her life. She would never escape what they had done.

When the one question left her lips, Iymril felt nothing but flattered. Her reaction had been one of wonder. She loved what they had created. Iymril’s face betrayed none of what they felt.

“It’s yours to keep.” They told her in an even tone. “After this movie ends, you may watch the second one if you wish.” Iymril offered. “But after, you will need to rest. We have to compile the footage your necklace captured tomorrow.”

With that Iymril turned their gaze back down to the sketch book. Their eyes met the cruel gaze of their master’s. The sketched image an eternal reminder of her lessons and all of the choices that led them to this moment.

They shut the book and stood to their feet.

“Good night Zira.”

@Sreeya