(East Street)Find a Miza, Pick it up(Scarlet)

[Matthaus]

17th of Autumn, 512AV After Matthaus’ last visit to East Street he had yet to purchase a map but he figured if he could get a good one it would be there. Well, perhaps not a good one but one that showed him all the places that an average map would hide. He needed to turn all Zeltiva’s secret places on its head. Although he was pleased that he remembered the way and picked a decent time. Just before the afternoon, not too busy because everyone was likely eating or taking breaks. Not that East Street mirrored this, this part of the city seemed to run all day and night. It was strange how the city seemed to split here. It was like seeing night and day at the same time. People milled about, most looking average but it was easy to tell they were not the savory of people. It was the way they walked, the way their eyes looked for your coin purse before even speaking. It was familiar and slightly unnerving, he hadn’t been here alone before and wasn’t sure how well this would work. Shaking off any worries Matthaus strode forward, keeping to the sides of street and glancing quickly between signs, careful to make some eye contact but avoiding staring. It was easier said than done and he didn’t miss the few catcalls and thinly veiled threats that cut the air. All harmless until someone actually moved. He needed a stall of some kind, maybe a tavern would work better. He just hoped that the map would be a fraud but how would he even know? He never had needed a map before. Turning swiftly, as if he had a purpose he entered the next establishment he passed by. He tugged his hood lower around his face and peered through carefully. Being sure never to stand still for too long, it looked like a tavern and most certainly smelled like one. Approaching the table he worked his mouth carefully, keeping his head down. “Ith lootin’ thor a tap.” He figured he sounded like he had a severe lisp and was just glad the coins had clicked against his teeth loud enough to be heard. He worked his jaw again, it was safest place to have his coins but it didn’t mean it was comfortable. “You don’t look like you need a drink, sweets.” But she was looking at him slowly, trying to peer through his clothes. “Noth a think, a tap.” “Map? What do you need a map for?” He only gave her blank stare and made to move on to someone else. What had he been thinking? A map in a tavern. But her hand curled onto his shoulder and her gaze stared at his mouth curiously. His jaw clenched tightly. “I have a map in my room.” Matthaus tensed uncomfortably, this was not a situation he was sure of how to get out of delicately. He was sure she wouldn’t do anything but demand the coin…mostly sure.

[Scarlet Fair]

Scarlet was leaning up against the bar counter watching with surprise as a young boy walked in. The poor thing must be lost. Boys of his age weren't common on East Street unless they were beggars or young thieves and even so, few would wonder into a brothel. Scarlet watched his exchange with the woman at the bar with interest. It seemed she had trouble understanding the boy. She watched a long nailed grip tighten around the boys shoulder. She immediately got the sense that the boy was being held against his will. Her boots clipped sharply against the stone floor as she made her way to the bar.

"Such a young thing, isn't he? He's gooorgeous!" Scarlet fawned over the boy looking over the other girls shoulder. "A relative of yours?" Scarlet asked. Not by the looks of it. Where the woman was beautiful, or at least had the markings that she once was, the boy was not. His squished freckled face held no beauty but his eyes where something special. A deep violet.

[Matthaus]

Matthaus nearly jumped out of his skin as another voice materialized in front of him. He felt a distinct flush creep up his cheeks but more embarrassment than any pleasure at the false compliment. Tensing he wondered if he should just walk out but kept his gaze steady, trying to count his heart beats to force the flush down. It didn’t work. His lips thinned in frustration and he looked directly at each woman slowly, his gaze resting on green eyed woman finally. There wasn’t anything special in her gaze but she lacked the leer of the first woman. “Not, weth thar noth.” He said finally at the precise moment the other woman said ‘yes’. He blinked in surprise and seen her jaw tighten. “Acthully thee wath thaying Ith lookt lith one of herth…thiblingth.” His recovery seemed to appease her but he noted he would likely not make it out of her room with his coins. And he could her them clink against his teeth painfully, talking was not something he wanted to do for once. He made himself brief, “A tap.” He made his gaze harden as much as possible, his eyes trying to convey exactly what type, “A tap ov evysthing. Cav youth thow meth un?” Carefully, slowly he leaned forward and flash a grimace, showing his coin and making sure there would be no mistaking what he was asking for. Perhaps a little stupid as well but he doubted the woman would try anything in public, then again she might. But it was too late to take anything back now so he tried to look assemble a look of confidence but he realized he was out of practice with people like this, he was used to speaking to those who did know when to look for hidden meanings.