“It’s different for everyone. My first master was somewhat unusual in that it didn’t seem to bother him much when a slave turned up pregnant. Many human masters are careful to keep slaves from getting pregnant, as there’s no guarantee the mother or child will survive. As I’m sure you know it’s cheaper in the long run to purchase new slaves, or take them as prizes in battle, than to rear them up. I was a house born slave myself.”
Calliope knew this to be true and nodded. “Your parents were slaves then?”
“My mother was. She was a household slave.”
“Who was you father?”
She could see the smirk on Penelope’s face in the reflection of the mirror. “A king. But you’d be surprised how many slaves can claim something similar. And really who in this world isn’t a slave? Citizens. That’s it.”
Calliope had to chuckle at that. “Freemen.”
“Over thirty.”
“And holding land.”
Penelope chuckled as well at that. “And for every master, how many slaves?” She continued.
“We had fewer than many families, but still at least thirty if you count field workers.
“You were wealthy once then?”
“Not extremely, but respectable enough.”
“Were you taken in war?”
“No. Traded to my master as part of a gift.”
“Hm. That’s unfortunate.”
“It’s not so bad.”
“No, the most can be made of our circumstances sometimes if we’re cunning enough, but it’s still unfortunate that you had to lose your status.”
“I imaging in some ways it wasn’t much different than being given in marriage. I even have more freedom as a slave. As a wife I couldn’t be alone with men, slaves or not, nor could I leave the house unescorted. I would be prisoner in my home, under constant guard. In some ways my new life has been… liberating. And I have been fortunate to have the master I do.”
“Yes, but your sons at least would be born free, and have a chance to remain that way, if the gods so will it. Which is an easier proposition than trying to work your way back to freedom, hoping your master will be so generously inclined to free you.”
“It’s very frustrating.”
“Yes.” She turned and tilted her head back and to the side, sweeping one arm up over her head and holding it in a dramatic pose, her eyes rolling slowly and alluringly toward her, strikingly bright against the background of coal, and her glistening red lips parting slightly in a silent gasp, reminding Calliope vaguely of sex.
“How do I look?”
“Terrifying.”
Penelope laughed and lowered her arm. “But beautiful?”
“Of course.”
“Good.” She rose and posed again, her hands on her hips,”Listen. I expect nothing, but you’ve helped once already, and to my great benefit, so I am going to ask if you will help me again.”
“With what exactly? If you need me to play…”
She shook her head “No, now the musicians are willing to do business, provided they get a cut of my percentage… which is natural.”
“That’s not very kind of them.”
“Of course it’s not, but fully expected, and they asked for less than I was willing to pay, so I’m ahead really. My problem now is that I need something… extra to really close the deal this time. There are so many fine dancers who are more beautiful and just as talented as I am, so I need to find a way to get noticed.”
“With your dancing?”
“There, or wherever.”
Calliope frowned, pondering the issue, trying to think of what her sister would recommend in a situation like this, but coming up with very little. “I suppose we should evaluate whose performances are the most engaging and go from that point. Who did you like?”
“Usually it’s the really exotic dances that get the most interest… and that’s my problem.”
“Well, I can’t help there, but my sister always asserted that a good dance should be a story, if it is meant to be entertaining to others that is. So why don’t we think of a story to tell… preferably something with some variety–”
“–and sex, mustn’t forget that…”
She chuckled and sighed. “Yes, that too.” She glanced around the room and caught the image of Persephone which had been plaguing her. Now there was a thought. “You should be Persephone, it would suit your looks and your dancing style perfectly. You could begin as you normally do,” she smirked, “half naked and with your regular style, and then half way though you can wear a dark veil over your hair, and wrap yourself in it and change your style of dance to match.” She grinned.
“In fact my sister had a dance which would be perfect… it was very slow and used no music whatsoever, but whenever she did it, the room would go so quiet and everyone would watch her so carefully. I dare say it was probably just the one that caught her husband. It’s dramatic, but not too long as to drag on.”
Persephone gave her a mawkish grin of her own. “You know, that’s not half bad. Cutting the music could be very dramatic. Show me the dance.”
“Ah, well I’m not much of a dancer, so you’ll have to bear with me. Here, give me those bells.” she gestured to a string on small bells tossed on the counter.
Calliope wrapped them around her left ankle. “So you don’t need music, but the bells do help keep the attention of the audience.” She straightened and stood perfectly still and straight, her head level and eyes forward, took a deep breath, then began to move- a slow, sliding walk. She was careful not to let the bells sound until she was ready for them to.
The dance was excruciatingly slow, but it was always one of her favorites. The lines were always so long, which suited her lankier build and long legs, and the arm movements were careful and graceful rather than a flurry of moving flesh and jewels. It was proud and elegant. A dance suitable for the queen of the dead. Another thought occurred to her as well… it was suitable for an experienced woman comfortable in her own body, rather than an excited girl just discovering how to use it… and made her glad she’d suggested it. It seemed perfect suited to the role.
“If you’re wearing a dress that opens at the side then the legs look better… obviously.” She commented as she shifted one leg quickly, causing the bells to tinkle. “You can always alter the movements to suit your own style… but the pauses are the most important part.” She rose up slowly to her toes and lifted her arms over her head as she bent ever so slightly backward, turning her head to the side. “See?” She held the pose, then let it fall into a few quick steps which fell again into another slow walk and leg extending turn.
She finished the dance silently, then turned and smiled at Penelope who stared back silently. “So? What do you think? Would it be useful to you?”
Penelope took a deep breath and tented her fingers before her mouth. “You have to do it.” she said finally.
“What?”
“You have to do it.”
Calliope stared at her, trying to figure out if she was jesting with her. She appeared to be perfectly sincere. “Penelope… I… I just can’t. You’re not serious are you?”
“Deadly serious. You have to. You must. It’s perfect. I have to have it… but I can’t do that. Not without more time to prepare.”
She shook her head. “Penelope I’ve seen you. You’re very good, and this is so much simpler than what I’ve seen you do… and it needn’t be exact.”