[The People's Market]A Strange Kind of Meeting(Inoadar)

[Vondra Valencia]

40th of Summer, 512AV Vondra was only just walking around town, staying close to areas she was familiar with and trying with a certain stubbornness to map out the city mentally. Her mother continuously told her it was not going to happen, that unless she counted each step she might find herself in a canal. Still she did not want to be reliant on someone for her entire life, she wanted to be self-sufficient as much as possible. In so far she had lost count of how many steps she had taken but continuously tried, her brow creased in single minded determination as she tried to make the correct turns, “Mum, that’s a wall, we have to go the other way.” “Aw, petch.” “You shouldn’t curse.” She stuck her tongue out at the boy and gave him a grin but she could feel him shaking his head at her no doubt, “Where are we going today?” She tapped her chin thoughtfully, as if honestly thinking about the destination when she already knew where they would go and so did he most likely. Still it was a way to pass time and maybe she would meet someone interesting to hone her skills on. One of the few thrills of her handicap was she was never sure what her partner would look like, she could imagine anything and when things were a bit sour it made them much easier. Finally she spoke, tilting her head down in the general direction of her companions and whispering, almost conspiratorially, in his ear. “Well, I know a stand in the people’s market that is supposed to be amazing! And of a certain boy who enjoys their hot cakes. I think we can spare a few miza don’t you?” Patting his head and remaining oblivious to the boys flush she heard the mumbled ‘I suppose’ and nudged him forward, “Then onward! Ah, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for me, can’t miss any potentials. Mama would have a fit.” Continuing their stroll Vondra declined any food, not really hungry and not completely sure the vendor was telling her what was really in the meat and she had no way to be sure. Instead she only paid for her guides food, taking care to brush the vendors’ hand unnecessarily and then position herself neatly against the stand. Not quite selling herself out but trying to make it obvious she was alone and would welcome companionship. A snicker to her right told her she probably was not completely succeeding if at all.

[Inoadar]

Inoadar strolled casually through the market, 'The People's Market' he sneered cynically to himself. 'Businessmen do not sell their goods for the benefit of 'The People" he told himself. 'They, like everyone else, are in it for themselves. They would sell trash if people would buy it and come back for more. And why shouldn't they? No one owes anything to anyone but themselves.' His philosophy was changeless. In truth, he harbored no ill will towards anyone for displays of selfishness. He expected no favors and granted none. It was the way of the world, harsh and unforgiving, but fair. Sacrifice was for fools. Honor was only for gaining a gullible person's trust, for a more lucrative betrayal. If he was fool enough to place his trust in someone's hands, then he offered his back and deserved the knife.

Normally his route took him to the docks. But he had received notice that he should avoid it this day, so he went into town instead. It was no different here than on the docks. Wares were displayed to their greatest advantage. Hawked with promises of satisfaction, but rarely guarantees. Always the assurance that there was "no better price to be had for such quality." A week's worth of fruit and vegetables always, miraculously, picked "this very morning." Inoadar snickered that it explained why the merchant hadn't had time to wash them off yet.

A couple of people chuckled at his remark. He looked at them, common people, world-weary, just trying to get by. Inoadar wished them well, and meant it. He wouldn't have handed them a copper if they were starving, but neither would he steal one from them. Only a fool made enemies among the common folk. An angry mob was a force to be respected. He had seen the truth of that in Sunberth.

He leaned against a wall and looked around. He thought he might look for a leather worker, the strap on his tamo daggers was getting frayed at the ends, where they attached to the handles. His gaze caught a brief glimpse of a woman, as a momentary gap in the passing bodies allowed. There was something odd about her behavior. He moved in her direction and saw her again. It occurred to him what was odd. She was not looking around. In such a place, everyone was always looking around, unless they could see their destination and were moving towards it.

This woman gazed straight ahead. There was even a boy standing near. He could see them trading comments, but she rarely looked at him. She leaned against the wall and struck a pose. Now he understood. Was this boy supposed to be pimping for her? 'She could do better than that.' he thought with a snicker.

"You have the looks, the clothes and the pose, sweetheart. Just lose the boy. You'll get no business if men see a child with you. Hard to get in the mood with the thought of a kid opening the bedroom door to watch."

[Vondra Valencia]

She was honestly contemplating leaving at the boys insistent teasing of her methods and she was about to shoo him away when a voice reached her ears. The man’s voice sent a small tingle through her that was both pleasant and unpleasant, his words ringing uncomfortably in her ear and spiking a smidge of annoyance. She knew how to do her job, kid or no kid present. She smiled pleasantly though, her eyes roaming lightly as she tried to pinpoint where precisely the voice was coming from, that was the problem with the marker, much too many voices floating around all at once. Vondra kept her calm though, for the most part, “I assure I can keep you…distracted even if there was a child present.” “Or are you assuming I cannot?” She smiled slightly, well, smirked is more likely, “If so I would gladly accept your challenge.” The flutter of nervous anticipation fluttered within her, if the man had the gall to insult her (even mildly) than he knew what she was there for and her insinuation wouldn’t go unnoticed but the pleasure in the thought of pleasure, even the simplest kinds pleased her. How would you go about this Nikali? Or do you think I am trying much too hard? But it was not as if she was forcing herself, she wanted this. So why was there such a nagging fear? Taking a breath she leaned forward a bit, a smooth movement that had her hopefully close to the man and there was a still a bite to her words. A half grin now on her face, she would enjoy this and so would he. Even if it didn’t end with them in the sheets. “First we should grab a bit though?” She held out her hand, waiting and trying to stop her hand from shaking in a tell-tale manner. Not from fear but from the anger and sting that would come from rejection of her offer. Vondra never did take it well.

[Inoadar]

"If this is the sort of thing you want your child watching, who am I to make assumptions?" Inoadar replied casually. Her tone shifted up a hint in aggression and he responded, "Or challenges, either. What do you think you are challenging me to? If I pay you, you do as you're told. You may just regret it. Maybe you're just a tease who needs a lesson, hmmm?"

He tried to sound threatening, but, in fact, there was an unsettling element here he couldn't place. Not that he didn't think he could make her scream in pain if he wanted. Yes...that thought brought back his sense of power and control. He started to lean in closer, waiting to see at what point she would start to recoil. He anticipated her fear with relish.

Suddenly, the entire scenario he had envisioned flipped on him. SHE leaned forward towards HIM. His self-assurance dwindled, replaced by doubt. 'She's not afraid? Is she aroused by pain?' He took a quick step back, her grin mocking him. He didn't know what was wrong, he was almost panicking, both from sudden uncertainty as to her intent, and the knowledge that it must be obvious to her. He was embarrassed, self-conscious. Humiliated. It seemed suddenly that everyone was looking at him! Realization struck him like a blow. He was afraid! He had never been afraid of anyone before!

He tried to track the source of this sudden anxiety, and failed. His mind raced. 'Why should it bother me that she didn't recoil in fear?' He had faced defiant victims before. They had never unnerved him like this! He had faced fatalistic victims as well, deflated with resignation of their fate. 'What was it?...Eagerness? She seemed to want it...to want pain.

He tried to generate his usual viciousness with the thought that he '...would GIVE her pain if she wants it.' but it was empty of power.

Suddenly, Salvation! her hand shook! He SAW it. He was sure. The image of her trembling hand was water to his emotional desert. he clung to it, embraced it! He felt as though he must have been near to collapse with relief. His strength returned, not in full, but sufficient to shake off the strange malady that had unmanned him.

"First we should grab a bite though?" she said, both a question and a statement. He didn't honestly know whether she was speaking to him or to the boy, but his self-esteem demanded he take control. He would MAKE it be him she had spoken to by responding as though there was no doubt.

"Yes, I believe I will. If you would care to accompany me, you may." It suddenly occurred to him, in a wave of both empowerment and vulnerability, he was fascinated by her!

[Vondra Valencia]

“I would do as I’m told,” she said softly in agreement though her eyes held a wicked gleam, “And gladly. But if you think you can give me lessons, I would enjoy the…experiment.” Feeling a bit boulder even though the man seemed to hesitate at her question, either he had been wary of her sudden forcefulness or he simply did not like her type. Many men did not enjoy woman who held things above them, but she enjoyed things either way. So very carefully she placed a hand on his chest and waited, her smile turning less demure and more coy as a wave of excitement coursed through. The chase was half the fun and sometimes more. As he agreed with her requested demand her grin wavered between triumphant and nervous as it always did, she could end up in a canal somewhere, it wasn’t uncommon with what she did. Rather than dwell she only waved her escort off, feeling her new escort pull away slightly. Not sure of her boundaries and his discomfort of some sort Vondra carefully slid her arm into his. He was free to pull away or have her stay for she pressed no closer, testing the waters so to speak. “So,” inwardly she cringed, mama was always telling her to not make anything sound unsure, do not give them power to hurt you anymore than you desire. But she trucked over her blunder easily, “Where are you taking me to eat? And what are we going to…eat?” She let the words sink in, meaning them in two ways and wishing she could see people’s reactions to some of the things she said. Many in her line of work told her she was too bold at times. Still, it made things more interesting. Looking up at what she hoped was his face Vondra spoke her next words with careful practice, “You haven’t given me your name and I’m sure I will need it for future use.” This was accompanied by another smirk. It fell slightly as she stumbled to close to a stand, her left hand staying out slightly as a precaution so she could feel things that got too close for comfort.

[Inoadar]

As her hand touched his chest, Inoadar tensed and nearly stepped back, but caught himself. He did NOT want to demonstrate his unease. He took her hold of her hand, not roughly, but hurriedly. He drew it down to his side and let go, thinking she would suspend her forward behavior. He almost gasped as she slid her arm in his. 'Does this woman want to be raped?' he thought incredulously.

Looking back though, he realized he had initiated the conversation. He had not hesitated to announce his awareness of her apparent profession. He guessed he should have expected her to respond this way. But he assumed such business was partaken only in such houses as were known for the trade. He realized, with embarrassment, that he had no experience in the matter.

It's not as though he had never seen a woman walking the streets, but they always looked worn-out, at best. Infectious, at worst. This woman belonged in a parlor, a harem. In fact, she was drawing eyes, which meant HE was being seen as well.

"Well this is mostly unprepared foods." he said, patting her arm, trying to act nonchalant and steer her out of the public area. "Unless you want nothing more than an apple or a carrot, we need to find an inn." Her provocative smile made him cringe in anticipation of some innuendo regarding his "carrot", but instead, she asked him his name.

"Did I ask you your name?" A thought suddenly struck him and he turned and faced her, suspicion souring his features. He grabbed her chin and backed her against a post. "What do you mean 'future use'? Who would you be needing to provide my name to? Women in your line of work are known to coax information out of loose-lipped fools. Is that what you think me?" he hissed as he pressed his face close, "Who is after me, huh? Who sent you?"

[Vondra Valencia]

Her mama told her to never show fear, never give anyone the upper hand for that leaves her exposed and exposure could very well end her up in a ditch. But physical encounters had never left her fearful, no, it was the voice when they spoke, the promise in their words. Some promises were pleasant, sending a haze through and others, not so much. This was the latter. For a moment she though his supposed nervousness had disappeared as she had begun to hear less and less people, public…adventures were not uncommon. His words denied that though and Vondra struggled to understand what he was talking about, her own temper flaring with a healthy dose of anxiety. Swallowing thickly she tried to speak placidly, knowing very well he might not believe her, “No, you didn’t ask my name.” her breath quickened as he leaned closer, a part of her really hoping this was some kind of foreplay, but his next words annoyed her and it showed clearly at the furor in her brow. “What could I possibly want to know of you! You approached me! How do I not know you’re not some raging psychopath trying to slit my throat? That’s common in my line of work as well, which you seem to have no respect for!” Curling her fingers up to their joint I her right hand she tried one of the moves a client had showed her not too long ago. He told her it was good for her to have some sort of defense. Thrusting her hand out roughly she aimed in front of her not caring where it landed but it only allowed her for a bit of space for her to continue to spit words out. “No one is after you! You petching bastard. I can’t go after someone because I don’t even know what you loo—“ abruptly Vondra cut herself of in huff. Feeling around the pole anxiously, she could yell but doubtful anyone would hear. And the slight heat in her cheeks told she had much too much fun with this, his aggressiveness both amusing and delighting her, while his hidden threats pissed her off. She could hear his own breathing and wondered at her chances of hitting in the right direction and running. It was probably relatively high if he didn't move...or hit first. Nikali, would you run or stay?

[Inoadar]

"Typical!" Inoadar growled, "Make mention of something men must beware of, that women can exploit, and it's 'lack of respect'." this last lilted with withering sarcasm.

"Such rationales mean nothing to a raging psychopath. I neither respect nor disdain your line of work." Her fist cut him off momentarily. He forced it back to her side of their standoff, not giving any indication that it registered as anything to take offense at. He started to continue, but she went on first.

“No one is after you! You petching bastard. I can’t go after someone because I don’t even know what you loo—“

"So you say." he cut in, not listening to her last remark as he leaned in again, this time, keeping aware of the location of her hands. "But many are employed in such lines of work as require a short leash on information given to one who has frequent contact with strangers. Perhaps I am only trying to 'impress upon you' the importance of reigning in your curiosity, when it has no bearing on your 'job'."

He wasn't sure what he hoped her reaction would be. It seemed all he was doing was angering her. She HAD to know he could kill her if he chose, yet she seemed unintimidated. Again, he was fascinated by her.

[Vondra Valencia]

“I could care less about ‘women’s’ lack of respect’,” she snarled angrily, “What I care about is you implying I do this for some other reasons. I do this because I want to. Not because I get paid. I have no boss because I am my own boss and I don’t have a petching leash!” Her tirade ended abruptly as she felt herself once more pinned by the other. It was not unpleasant but his constant anger made her uneasy when it was not a form of playing. But her temper only raised, her eyes brightening with her heightened feelings and slight distress. Her last shred of non-existent patience snapped and she pushed forward into his grip. “I work for no one. I’m only trying to have sex with you! I could care less if you’re some kind of…of half animal! Gods!” Leaning in a bit more she could feel their breath creating an almost uncomfortable stick air between them as she spat out her next words. “Either come with me and eat or throw me in a ditch because I’m getting tired of listening to your paranoia.” Vondra could feel her whole body shaking as if she had ran for a few bells, her hands shook lightly and she didn’t honestly even know if the man had a weapon or if he had a whole group with him. For all she knew he was the one yanking information out of her to make sure no one would look for her body. But she wasn’t going to die…at least she hoped not. She just hoped he called her bluff or left or did something. But after a few tense moments she leaned back once more, her back snapping against the pole, her eyes darting around agitatedly, looking for things she could not see. She vaguely contemplated running but his proximity was much too close for her to get fair, she could tell by the way she could still feel the heat radiate off him. The things she got herself into, mama would never let her hear the end of this one.

[Inoadar]

He was stunned. "Are you kidding? Are you crazy? You have NO...protector? What are you trying to prove? I don't know whether to applaud your bravery or decry your stupidity!" He held up his hand to forestall her response.

"Okay, okay, forget about me and my...'precautions" he said pointedly, in response to her choice of 'paranoia'. "I'm actually thinking of you here, believe it or not. And not just in regard to the risk of your ending up in a ditch, which I'm beginning to think you are trying to do. But as much in regard to a customer who decides he doesn't want to pay. Who do you have to cut him off and force him to pay up? That boy?"

He leaned in, as she slid back, his aggression mounting in the face of her retreat. His voice dropping to a low menace, "And what about a guy that comes upon you in surprise, huh?" He stepped between her legs, his thigh meeting hers as his hand made its way to a low point on the pole behind her. "How do you think you're going to stop him from taking whatever he wants?"

He grabbed her chin, turning to let his elbow brush her breast. "Did you think of that? Or are you tough enough not to worry?" His hand made its slow way from her chin down her neck, but his touch was light, caressing. His breaths began to tremble slightly. "Who's going to step out of the crowd and cut that bastard's throat?" his lips were right at her ear, his whisper hot as he touched her cheek with his.

He pushed his body against hers, "You're taking a terrible chance. Maybe that's what you like, hmmm?" he ran his fingertips down her arms, halting to see if she would twine her fingers with his or panic and run.