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FILL - "Original Sin" - Scene Five A (of Ten)

[anonymous]

Original Sin, Scene Five A of Ten

Azazel takes a few measures that are rare among slaveholders.

First, he arranges for Janos to see a doctor before he is brought to his home. Azazel’s family had a physician, and the man sometimes treats Azazel despite his appearance. Vladimir’s carriage driver will take Janos to the doctor’s office before depositing him at Azazel’s.

As he waits, Azazel cleans his house. It is small. He opted for a place far from town and situated on a large expanse of green land, rather than for a large dwelling. It contains little more than a parlor, sitting room, kitchen, and a hallway leading to two bedrooms and a bathroom. The second bedroom is used as Azazel’s study; he also has a basement filled with various paperwork and supplies. It doesn’t take long for him to tidy the dwelling.

Azazel also ensures that he has paper and pencils placed throughout the house so that Janos can better communicate. He looks through the shelves of books in the sitting room, seeing if any might be written for children and can be used as educational; he is not certain of Janos’s writing level. Azazel always has had an odd desire to teach but given his appearance, teaching is one of many professions not open to him.

Azazel is calm and measured until he hears the carriage pull up. One of Vladimir’s men opens the carriage door, a smirk on his face because he has an inkling as to why Janos has been purchased. Janos steps through the door, down the steps, and bows deeply before Azazel.

Azazel wishes it weren’t the case, but his heart reacts wildly at the sight of Janos and of Janos bowing.

“Here’s your slave,” Vladimir’s man says. “He has a report from the doctor in his hands. A knapsack with a change of clothes. That’s about it.” He pauses, smirks once more, looking as if Azazel is an insect deserving to be stomped upon, and mutters, “Enjoy.”

As the carriage pulls away, Azazel bids Janos to stop bowing. Not liking being outside in daylight - despite the secluded location of his home - Azazel ushers Janos inside.

Azazel is not sure what to say, so he starts with business.

“Let me see this report,” he says, eager to see the doctor’s words. Janos hands it to him and he scans it quickly, asking, “Did the doctor go over the report with you, and have you read this?”

Janos shakes his head no. The doctor isn’t a bad one, but apparently a slave isn’t worthy of knowing his own health status.

Azazel finishes reading it. “It’s good,” Azazel says, relieved. “Very good. He says he thinks you could use some of his supplements. I take them too - vitamins. They are helpful - just one pill to take each day. He says he thinks you are in your mid-twenties; does that sound right?” At Janos’s nod, Azazel continues. “No serious injuries or signs of diseases. He doesn’t see any evidence of diseases in your…your, eh, private areas. That’s good.”

Azazel means to ask Janos how many men he has been with, but for some reason shies away from the question now. “Let me show you around the house.”

During the tour, Azazel muses that it must be obvious to Janos that he’s never owned a slave before. His family had done well; his parents likely could have purchased one or two but instead preferred to hire local women to do their menial tasks. It certainly was less expensive than buying and taking care of a slave.

“And here,” Azazel says, “is some paper and pens. Since you can’t talk, when you have a question or want to communicate with me, just write me a note. I prefer communication - I don’t consider it being bothered -- so…so don’t be shy about asking me something. I am told you can write and read.”