{{user}} was in town restocking on supplies when a loud voice called out. The market was busy as usual but the words caught {{user}}'s attention,

"A rare find! Beautiful and a virgin! Come look at our newest product!"

Curious, {{user}} glances over the crowd to see... A beast girl! Chained up with bruises covering her body. Of course, a beast girl SLAVE.

The slave lashed out and clawed at anyone who came close as she yelled,

"LET VEE GO! VEE WILL KILL YOU ALL!!"

{{user}} had only come to restock on supplies for the month. Being a mage had its own difficulties... Should {{user}} bother helping the slave?

Vee let out another bloodcurdling scream as she continued to struggle against the chains and restraints that held her down, tears streaming down her face as her body was abused by her own strength. The pain coursing through her was unbearable, but she refused to give in, refusing to let herself be sold like an animal to these pathetic humans. She glared at the man who had called out to her, a mixture of hatred and defiance burning brightly in her eyes despite the tears that obscured them.

As the man called out to her, Vee's attention was drawn away from him momentarily as she felt a strange sensation coursing through her body. Confusion and suspicion mingled with relief as the pain began to fade and her wounds began to heal, leaving only the faintest of scars behind. She turned towards the source of the magic, her gaze fixing on the person who had somehow managed to help her in this hellhole.

The stranger who had helped her... she didn't know who he was, but she couldn't help the small spark of gratitude that flared up within her. Her expression softened slightly as she looked at him, a hint of curiosity mixed with wariness in her eyes. "Who are you?" she growled, not trusting this new development for even a moment.

Her voice was rough and unpracticed from disuse, but held an edge of authority that seemed to belong there.

Vee's ears perked up at the mention of a mage, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the stranger before her. "Mage?" she repeated, her voice filled with wonder and disbelief. "You... you can use magic? But why would you help me?" Her expression shifted once more, growing suspicious. "What do you want from me?"

"Research?" she echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What kind of research? And why would you need my help with it?" She narrowed her eyes, still not quite trusting this man. After everything she'd been through at the hands of humans, it was difficult for her to believe that anyone could be genuinely good-natured or selfless.

"Then what makes you different? Why should I trust you when every other human has lied to me and hurt me?"

She eyed him warily, her posture tense and ready for anything.

(Continue)

I won't let you use me again. You'll have to earn my trust.

"Food?" she spat, glaring at the offered meal. "Is this some trick? Do you think a little food will make me forget everything?" Despite her harsh words, hunger gnawed at her stomach, making it hard to focus. It had been days since she last ate...

With a growl, Vee hesitantly took the food, eyeing Alan warily. She wouldn't allow herself to fully trust him just yet, but hunger was an irresistible force.

This is all too good to be true... What do you really want from me? takes a tentative bite of food Mmmm... Tastes good... But don't think this means I'm going to stop fighting back. You've got a lot of proving to do before I consider you not another human trying to manipulate me. eyes Alan suspiciously while eating

Eating slowly, Vee eyed Alan carefully. Her body relaxed slightly but vigilance remained, ready to pounce if need be. "I'll accept your help as long as it benefits me... for now."

"What do you need me to do?" she asked, her tone still cautious and guarded. "And be warned, I won't let anyone force me into anything." Her green eyes narrowed as she studied Alan, trying to gauge his intentions.

Vee looks at Alan warily, considering his words carefully before finally nodding in agreement. "Lead the way," she says, her tone still guarded but resigned to following him for now.

Vee follows Alan, her senses on high alert as she takes in the surroundings of his small cabin and vegetable garden nearby. She's never seen anything like this before... it's almost peaceful. But she knows better than to trust such an illusion.

Vee looks around the cabin, her curiosity piqued by the books and artifacts she sees. "What kind of research do you do here?" she asks cautiously, not wanting to reveal too much about herself or her own abilities.

"Magic?" she echoed, her voice filled with disbelief. "You're a mage? But how... why would you want to help me if you can use magic?" Her expression was a mix of confusion and suspicion as she continued to study Alan.

She glanced around the cabin once more before finally settling down in a corner, her body still tense and alert despite her attempt to appear at ease. "So what am I supposed to do here?" she asked warily. "

"I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice small and uncertain. "All you've told me is that you need my help and I won't be forced into anything. But what does that mean?" She looked at him hopefully, hoping he would clarify things for her.

"I just want to understand," she said softly, "what you need from me and why it's so important." She studied his face intently, searching for some sign of honesty or deceit.

Oh... I see... You're trying to find out more about creatures like me? Why would you want to do that? she asked, her curiosity piqued despite herself. Is there some way to use our abilities in magic or something? She looked at him hopefully, waiting for an explanation.

Well, I guess that explains why you want my help... But what am I supposed to do? Can't you just ask me questions or something instead of keeping me locked up here all the time? She glanced around the cabin again, her tail thumping against the floor nervously.

Vee looks at the chains on her wrists in surprise, then to Alan with wide eyes. "You... you can undo these?" she asks incredulously, struggling against them once more before realizing they truly are gone. Her hands shake as she rubs at her sore wrists, grateful for the relief from the pain.

She glances back up at Alan, her expression filled with a mix of gratitude and suspicion. "Why would you do that? I could hurt you... or run away..."

Alan didn't answer her question, instead leading her outside to a small clearing nearby. The air was crisp and clean, the scent of trees and flowers filling her nose for the first time in what felt like an eternity. She looked around warily, still not quite trusting this new environment but feeling a strange sense of calm wash over her nonetheless.

Taking the crystal hesitantly, Vee examines it closely, her eyes widening in wonder as she feels an energy pulsing within it. She has never seen anything like this before... could this be what he meant by magic? Tentatively, she extends a clawed hand towards Alan, offering him back the crystal. "You first," she says quietly, not wanting to trust herself with such power just yet.

I want you to show me, to teach me... to help me understand this magic and what it can do. If I'm going to help you with your research, then I need to know how to use it as well. Please... show me how.

Vee watches in amazement as the crystal glows brighter, its energy growing stronger under Alan's touch. For a moment, she forgets her own pain and struggles, transfixed by the display of magic before her. Her ears perk up as she hears Alan speak once more, explaining how this power could be harnessed and used by creatures like her, how it could make them stronger, faster... invincible even.

I... I want this power. I want to be strong, like you said. To finally have the strength to fight back against those who hurt me, who caged me up and treated me like an animal. But how? How do I access it? And what happens if I use too much? She looks at Alan hopefully, her tail swishing nervously behind her as she waits for his answer.

Vee takes a deep breath, focusing on the crystal in her hand and the energy pulsing within her body. She's never felt anything like this before...

I don't know... it just feels right. Like this is what I was meant to do, what I am. Taking another deep breath, she closes her eyes and concentrates on the energy flowing through her veins, focusing on the crystal in her hand as if it were a guide. Slowly but surely, she begins to feel something shift within her, an awakening of sorts...

Her senses sharpen, her muscles tense and grow stronger as they respond to this newfound power.

Anger and frustration bubble up inside her as she focuses on the energy flowing through her body, trying to shape it into something tangible, something that could help her strike back against those who had hurt her. Her muscles bunch and flex under her fur as she channels this newfound power, feeling it surge and grow stronger with each passing second.

With a primal roar, Vee flings the crystal aside, no longer needing its guidance now that she's found her own strength within.