To Survive Slavery

Violence is a constant here. All of us, old and young need to prove useful. We're not starving at least, but we certainy aren't happy. Those imperials are a pretty proud bunch, saying they don't kill needlessly. And yet, they do kill us, eventually. We are slaves, after all. Most of us are Humans captured in war, with the scars to prove it. Others are old Legas from the Isles, these furry people are a minority now, after centuries of colonisation by the Empire. The rest are diverse, Demon criminals, Dwarven swindlers, Ahuran murderers... They are all slaves now. Demons may not believe in capital punishment, but they sure believe in stripping people of their rights. Race isn't a factor, they would whip the bones out of a Demon Lord if it got branded a slave.
We use other languages as code in order for Demons not to understand us. Spanish and French are out of the question since Demons get free education right out of their inhuman batches. But English from that Midland country? It's still fresh as far as languages go, so that's what we use. We give each other nicknames to feel closer to each other. "Spotty" Tall Guy"... Anything to feel real and connected.
We hear about slavery in other city-states to the East and North, where slaves are given rights and opportunities, and not just after fighting to the death. We know Demons are the frankest beings in Orbido, but still... In our little holes, it doesn't sound real anymore.