It was becoming clear that Audra had spent too much time amongst the criminals and the seedy underbelly of the galaxy, if for no other reason than the fact that her eyes were now adjusted to the lower lighting present in the slave quarters. The lack of bright light was probably another method of breaking down the will of those unfortunate enough to be confined to the slave quarters, and the way some of these other girls looked as they were paraded out made it all too clear that they were broken beyond repair. Nightly, Audra could hear the muffled sounds of crying, and the faint but ever-present sound of tears hitting the pillow. 

For how long could she hold out, she wondered. She was getting preferential treatment, but that didn't matter for anything when the treatment was simply being petted like a domesticated animal before being spat on and mocked in an attempt to demoralize her on a wide scale. The other girls had it worse, no doubt; Audra hadn't ever been present for what happens when a girl is taken off behind closed doors, but she wasn't an idiot. She knew. And it sickened her. Up to now, her will had kept her going, her refusal to give in to the increasingly humiliating activities was preventing her from breaking, but how much longer could that last? 

It used to be that she would think of rescue, but after the hundreth time of hearing a slimy wretch of a creature like Rectja chortle at the sheer idea of rescue, it starts to sound believable. The hope of rescue was still there, though now her thoughts were on that strange dream, no, that strange vision she had. She still did not know what it meant, only that it had to have been important...if nothing else it kept her will from breaking. 

The guards came as usual, dragging her along with other girls out of their cramped living spaces. Audra kept her head towards the ground, she could not bear to see the lifelessness in the eyes of the broken women. She could hear the music before even arriving in the main chambers of the palace. Paraded out like livestock, the girls each took their place, with Audra standing closest to Rectja, not by her choice - he liked to keep her chain close at hand. The other girls began to dance, writhing and sliding along to the low beat. Audra danced, if it could be called that, though her dance was little more than rocking on her heels back and forth while twirling her hands halfheartedly. 

And then came the yank of the chain. Then the threat. Then the sickening tongue on her skin. 

Not even Audra could hide her disgust, it was all over her face, clear as day. 

The alternative to refusing to dance was not something she would wish. It had almost happened once, before urgent news drove the crimelord away, she doubted she would be so lucky a second time. With a scowl directed at the Borregelian, Audra turned back around towards the crowd. Slowly, her movements began to resemble the other dancers, slow, writhing, body moving to the music, scowl ever present on her face. As she danced, humiliating herself in front of an audience once again, she was positive she could feel Rectja's disgusting breath hot on her back.