Traditions

Gathered in a quiet corner, away from prying eyes, the human slaves exchanged hushed murmurs. Their voices carried a mix of bitterness and resignation as they discussed the previous night's events.

"It's dang disgraceful, it is," muttered one of the slaves, her words tinged with bitterness. "Them Winterborne parents, they was actin' like it was some kind of triumph, congratulatin' their young'uns on all that debauchery."

Her companions nodded in silent agreement, their faces twisted with disgust. "Sellin' their dignity and innocence just for a nod from Sinclair Snow," grumbled another, shaking his head in disbelief. "Sad state o' affairs, if ya ask me."

"But what we s'posed to do 'bout it?" whispered one of the slaves, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ain't like we got any say in the matter, do we?"

There was a moment of silence as the slaves pondered their plight, the chains of their oppression tightening around them. But then, amidst the gloom, a spark of defiance flickered in their eyes.

"We might be slaves," declared one, her voice carrying a newfound resolve, "but that don't mean we gotta stay silent. We might not be able to change the world, but we can change how we see ourselves. And maybe, just maybe, that's a start."

Her words hung in the air, a beacon of hope in the darkness of their existence. And as the slaves shared a moment of silent solidarity, they knew that together, they could weather any storm, their spirits unbroken, their resolve unwavering in the face of adversity.

But amid the somber discussion, Maggie, the eldest among them, spoke up, her voice carrying the weight of years of servitude. "Ya'll talk as if this ain't been goin' on since time began," she said, her tone tinged with resignation. "But let me tell ya somethin'—them parties of sin, they's a tradition among the Winterborne. It's their way of markin' the young heirs' transition into adulthood, symbolizin' the burden of responsibility they carry as the future leaders of our society."

Her words sparked a murmur of disbelief among the slaves, but Maggie continued, her voice unwavering. "I ain't sayin' it's right, but it's the way things are. And if we want to survive in this world, we gotta learn to navigate the currents of power and privilege that flow around us."

With a heavy sigh, Maggie fell silent, her words hanging in the air like a shroud of resignation. And as the slaves contemplated her words, they knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but they also knew that together, they could face whatever the future held, their spirits unbroken, their resolve unwavering in the face of adversity.