Rasheeka is taken from her studies to a chamber where an old feline known as Neyemen Yejsk is tasked with marking her as a slave – by giving her a living "earring" known alternately as "entomo" (to the Laos Enosi) or "eyntzomo" (to the Neyemen). The Yejsk indicates that while this is the mark of slavery to the Laos Enosi, to the Neyemen, what he gives her is a mark of honor. Rasheeka accepts all of this with grace, even grateful for the "gift" from the Yejsk.