"This one? No, he's fresh from the streets," the seller says, glancing over at him with that look. The one he probably shouldn't be wearing when a customer is around. The one that makes it too obvious Shinjirou is trouble and not worth the money they're trying to sell him for. Shinjirou grins back. Whatever. If he's ruining an asshole's business, so be it. Actually, hell yeah.

The seller looks even more annoyed when he turns his attention back on Jade. "He's gonna need a firm hand. You get a whip for free if you take him the way he's now. Next time he'll be more submissive, promise."

Looking at the broad-shouldered guy next to him, Shinjirou cringes. Everyone around him, even the muscular ones like the one he's sharing the pillar with, stare down at the ground and don't make a sound. He's trying not get goosebumps, but naturally that doesn't work. Nipping on his bottom lip, he searches Jade's gaze. This could be his way out. Maybe he's giving Jade too much credit, but he wants to believe that he's right: that Jade would at least not be like the stupid brutes that ensure the slaves have the right mindset for their involuntary job.

He clears his throat. "You won't need that whip, promise."