Closed A Student's Student (Leith)

[Kaska Villahotes]

Kaska looked down at her. "Sounds like human bonding, but much more permanent. I don't speak much from experience. The only thing I could have considered bonding was with Enoch, and that dissipated when he tried to sell the mace out from under me. It wasn't that it was valuable, though it is...he just hated me knowing how to defend myself. He wanted me firmly under his thumb where I could stay weak forever and not learn to raise a hand against him. But I refused. I began lying about how many clients I had taken that night, how much I had stolen. I began to ferret away money and eventually I left him entirely. I took every single bit of coin they'd earned that month, which was cruel of me. Several boys I know must have gone hungry because of it." he reached down and pulled a blanket over them, which was a nice gesture but futile. The blanket was ratty and thin. "So I carved out a territory for myself. Been working it ever since. Every now and then one of Enoch's boys gets kicked out for not earning enough and I befriend him. Calthus was one of those. He panicked the first time Enoch tried to prostitute him out and ended up killing a client, so he had to go." Kaska sighed, thinking of his friend. Calthus hadn't been old either, perhaps fifteen. "Bonding is not something I've thought about for a long time. There were a few trysts with the others in Enoch's den but we were trying to comfort each other emotionally. It wasn't permanent and we all knew it." He thought about the stolen chest of training equipment. Enoch would be looking for it soon, Baldur had most likely stolen it as asking would have raised a lot of questions. He would have to get her on her feet and quickly. "Tomorrow I'll get you out on the streets." he said, settling back his head and closing his eyes. In the morning, Kaska woke up bright and early and nudged Leith awake. Today was the day for practical experience. Kaska walked his territory with her, familiarizing her with all of his marks. Here and there were marks in blood and ink. "X means gang territory, danger. A circle with a mark through it means a client who cheated me, two circles together means coin." he showed her the marks on the walls. Sometimes they were obvious, other times they were tiny and he had to move a brick or stone to get to them to show her. His border markers were obvious. "Whores mark out territory by their most distinguishing feature. Mine is red hair, so I put a piece in all my territory markers. The small impact crater means I have a weapon. I use the mace to make them. So it tells clients to look for the man with red hair, and it warns off other whores that I have something I am not afraid to use." Kaska told Leith. Then it was time. Men were getting out into the streets looking to buy breakfast or a morning drink. Or in some cases, something to recover from the drinking. Kaska told Leith to watch him. He walked up behind a man who was still swaying slightly and examined him. After a few more paces his hand darted forward and he fell back quickly, eyeing his victim. The half-drunk person hadn't noticed a thing, and Kaska tossed a few coins to Leith. "That's how its done. Go pick a mark, pretend they have bells on them. Remember to watch for weighted pockets." he smirked. "Go on."

[Leith]

She refrained from telling him that with her kind it wasn’t temporary. She cuddled close closing her eyes listening to his heart beating. While she wasn’t really sure it was just him she felt that she’d happily fall asleep to the sound forever. It was soothing, like a breeze rustling leaves, but much better plus she was warm. She was warm in her nest, but it wasn’t the same, laying next to him despite the thin blankets was better than being alone. She’d never really thought about it on her own, but after being in the city and interacting with people she had realized that what kept drawing her back was loneliness. She loved her flock, but she wasn’t truly one of them, could never be so and she had wanted company. Now, despite the danger, despite the pain, she was indeed happy and that was a good feeling.

To talk to someone who understands, to play with someone who knows the game, to hunt with, to smile with, these simple things were what she wanted. She had those now, for however long it lasted, it would be up to Kaska to walk away from her when he got what she promised. She’d not leave his side unless he asked it of her, while she wasn’t bonded with him she was still his friend. She’d make sure he wouldn’t die alone in some alley, regardless of how his end came to be, though she was also determined to help him get free of the city. Even if she couldn’t convince him to find better work, she could at least make sure he had someone watching out for him and feeding him. His pride was a tricky thing so she’d have to do it in such a way as he couldn’t refuse, just like back in the forest.

Oh she had been mad at him plenty, but he had listened to her in the end, she could do that again if need be. She knew he trusted her, why else would he have helped her? Why else would he have allowed her to stay to keep guard over his things? He hadn’t called her a friend, but when she had called him hers he hadn’t rejected it either. That thought was the last she had as she finally drifted off asleep a smile on her face.

His nudge made her grumble, but she sat up stretching carefully, her head wasn’t pounding, but her body was still complaining. It was better than it had been, she stood up gently moving her wrist, it was still sore and very stiff. She didn’t think she’d have to keep it immobile now, but she’d have to favor it, there was a nasty bruise that had become visible. She followed him and put the marks to memory, they were like animal tracks, she’d remember them. When he was choosing his prey she watched carefully, but when he came back telling her to go find one for herself she eyed the people around them carefully. She was wary of going alone, but she nodded moving away from him. She moved in to the streams of people, looking for someone and eventually she spotted a man much like the one Kaska chose.

He had a bottle in his hand and he moved unsteadily, she kept her face blank as she moved closer, he smelled vile. Still, he had pockets and one of them looked like it had something in it, so gently she moved her hand in and touched the lump. Without hesitation she pulled it out and moved back in to the crowd walking up to Kaska and shivering, she had been afraid she’d get nabbed again. “Did it… He smelled vile, had a bottle, why that man let himself get that way I don’t know. You don’t get like that do you?”

She watched him remembering how he had said he liked drinking as well, she didn’t want to see him like that at all.
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[Kaska Villahotes]

Kaska nodded in approval at her. "He was drunk." he said. "I only like to get like that when someone's paying for the drinks. If it's me, I rarely do, though it's easy to get drunk off of that evil stuff Baldur hocks." he looked at their take, three gold mizas. Enough to get some good solid food. "Come on, let's go get some breakfast." his mood was considerably lighter, but he knew he wouldn't be able to let her run wild and free again. It was a mistake to do it the first time, and she had gotten hurt over it. Now he would stay by her and watch her, and keep her safe. He led her back to the same breakfast tent, settling down with a bowl of oatmeal. He sprinkled a bit of sugar on hers and put fruit in his. "Do you want a hot bath? We'll both be working today but if you feel comfortable...we can get a dual scam going." he smirked, sliding a spoonful of the rolled oats into his mouth. "You see, I used to have that with Calthus. While they were occupied with me, he'd slide up and rob them blind. The only thing is, it's a much higher risk. You have to be very very quiet, and I have to be very good at getting away. If it works right, they won't even see you, just me running off as fast as my legs can take me. I only do this to bad clients, and I've got a few that could use a few lessons. What do you say?" he smirked. "Plan is, I start, you steal, we separate and meet up back at my alley." He had the utmost confidence in her. She could pull this off. It would give him enough to let her see a doctor, and get her wrist fixed.

[Leith]

When he mentioned a bath her eyes brightened, she hadn’t had one since coming to the city. “I’d like a bath period.”

When he was explaining she mussed around with the stuff in the bowl wondering what it was. It was grey, slightly sticky, it reminded her of the day she ate bad fish, exactly this color. She watched Kaska eat it and took a bite of hers, it didn’t taste bad at all. It wasn’t as tasty as the last time they ate, but it was good, her belly was very hungry. When he described what they’d do she watched him concerned, there was a lot of risk for him, but he seemed confident. “You sure I am good enough?”

She could be very quiet, he knew that and in the city if she really chose to do so all the sounds would cover her. She could run too, but was worried that something would happen, mostly to him, but also to herself.
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[Kaska Villahotes]

Kaska smirked. "I guess we could dip into my rainy day fund and get a proper bath." he said. "A good proper one, with scented soaps and softener for your hair..." he sighed dreamily at the memory. "I'd love to have a house with a bath of my own, I'd sleep in it." He sucked on his spoon thoughtfully and went back for another bit of oatmeal, finishing his bowl. The city might have been in dire straits, but as long as he could afford good food he'd buy it. Unfortunately the bath would put his rainy day fund in danger. The 550 gold mizas were carefully ferreted away, and Kaska had hoped to one day go out and make something of himself with them. He still had enough for a bath for the both of them, and one or two days more of nice food. More if they pickpocketed and scammed their way. He finished his oatmeal and licked the bowl clean, setting his spoon back in the bowl. "I do have faith that you could do it, but promise me seeing me with the client won't make you lose sight of the goal." he told her seriously. "It might put you off, but you can't let that distract you. If you feel you can't do it, just slip away and meet me in the alley. I'll finish up and be with you. But I know you can do it. Hell, it's a good pickpocket scam even if the whore involved doesn't know what's going on. I've seen a few rob my clients blind while I was...occupied."

[Leith]

Leith didn’t care about all the rest, she just wanted a bath, but she was interested simply because of his expression. “Lets do it then, it’ll be a first for me, but I want a bath so bad you could do whatever you wanted. I’ve never been in a house, my mama and papa had a really nice spot, but it was just a ruin. Papa used to tell me lots of stories, especially of my grandfather, so I know some things, just never seen them myself. Mama didn’t like people so she always got upset when he’s fill my head with stuff, its why I came here. She wasn’t happy, but I think papa was glad, not sure though and its not worth bothering them over.”

She didn’t like the idea of seeing anything happening to him, but he seemed so sure so she heaved a sigh. “Okay, we’ll do it, if only so we can get a little revenge, though when I’m not injured we can do tricks and such too. I’d love to see what we could do then, but after my wrist heals.”

She finished her food cleaning the bowl with her fingers, she wasn’t going to lick it clean like him. When she was done she set her bowl aside and stretched again carefully. Her back she figured wasn’t nearly as sore as her wrist, but it was a bigger area than her poor limb. She winced a bit when she settled again the muscles protesting. “I can’t wait till we’re free Kaska, I got lots more to teach you.”
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[Kaska Villahotes]

Kaska got up and piled up their dishes for the dishwashers, stretching and walking them toward the bathhouse. It was a large, steamy building with large copper tubs for bathing in. He entered and a woman at the counter up front smiled at him. The lounge was small, with people relaxing after their baths or getting massages. The beaded curtain led to the main bath room, where a gigantic shared bath was for customers. Then private baths for those who wanted a little extra coin to bathe in peace. Kaska walked up to the counter and the lady laughed and patted his cheek. "Kaska Villahotes, you look cleaner than I've ever seen you! Look at you! Why are you dragging yourself in here when I don't have to have my girls sweep up the lice and fleas you shed?" she giggled. Kaska smirked and took her hand, kissing it with a wolfish grin. "Your presence drives all the bugs away." he purred. The woman laughed and tugged her hand out of his. "Don't you give me those big mizas eyes of yours Villahotes! I'm not immune to your charms but you need to give me gold this time!" she giggled. "Sure my eyes won't suffice?" Kaska purred, leaning over the counter and batting his eyes at her. She shoved him off the counter with a smirk. "Coins, Kaska!" Kaska smirked and slid a gold coin across the counter toward her. "Private. For two." The woman eyed Leith. "Oh no, I've told you countless times not to bring clients in here! Last time you sloshed half the water onto the floor, cracked a tile, broke a spigot...You're an animal and I don't dare let you ply your trade in MY tubs." she shook a finger at him. Kaska took the tightly wound fist and kissed the tip of the finger delicately. "She's not a client, she's a friend who's probably not had a hot bath." he explained. The woman sighed and took her hand back, plucking a key off the wall behind her and tossing it to Kaska. Kaska snatched it out of the air with a grin. "And a bottle of your finest vanilla soap, and some hair oil." he said lightly. She rolled her eyes and plucked two glass bottles out from under the counter. One was highly fragrant and filled with a thick ambergris-like oil. The second was clear. Kaska took them and grinned, nodding to Leith. "Come on." he told her.

[Leith]

Leith was too preoccupied by the smells of the place to really pay attention, there were sounds too, but it was the smells that had her curious. When he told her to come on she stuck close looking around curious. She’d been in buildings before, but never one so huge, the bottles in his hand interested her. “What are those? Is it food?”

The whole event was highly interesting to her, if she liked the place she’d have to remember where it was for the future. It was very warm, that was the main thing, a kind of warm that made ones skin squishy feeling. She wouldn’t complain though, being warm was almost always good, she could have done without the squishiness. The damp warm also made her tug at her clothes, she wondered when she’d get to take them off. She tugged at her collar grumbling softly, but then went back to looking around.
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[Kaska Villahotes]

Kaska laughed. "No, not food." he handed her the bottles and led her to a back room. He unlocked the room where steam billowed out toward them. He stood aside. "After you, madam." he followed her in and closed the door, stripping off his coat and shirt. He placed them over a railing. The room was lined in polished wood, with a giant copper tub dominating the room. It was big enough for three men to curl up comfortably, and steam rose off of it in great gouts. There was a spigot nearby that ran on negative pressure; a large tub of water was in the top of the building, and turning the spigots released the water down to the smaller tubs below. It was a very expensive, very hot operation to keep running, and steam billowed out from the building most times of the day. Kaska stripped down and put a stepstool in front of the tub, climbing in with a hiss at the hot water. "Fuck!" he growled, turning on his stomach and leaning over the copper rim. The tub was at least four feet high, and Kaska reached down. "Hand me the bottles, there's a basket in here for them." he told her.

[Leith]

When she saw him stripping his clothes she did the same with hers. Along her back, especially along her shoulder blades were bruises, some were greenish, but the biggest was a brownish almost slightly purplish color. She only knew that it was sore, she didn’t know that it looked worse than it felt, her wrist was similar, though in the shape of a handprint. She picked up what he asked for and handed it to him stepping on the stool and sticking a foot in. She jerked her foot back with surprise, but slowly got in sucking in a breath when it touched the sore spot along her back. Eventually she was submerged up to her chin, but squirmed a little from how hot it was. She scooted up higher splashing a little with her fingers. “I feel like someone should be adding things and making soup of us, I don’t wanna be soup.”

She ducked under the water a few seconds later swimming a bit in the big tub surfacing back where she went under. “Feels good though, very very good…”

The tub was big enough that she could swim a little and though she’d have liked it to be bigger she couldn’t deny that the hot made her muscles relaxed. Eventually she simply allowed herself to float sighing with contentment. “When you get a house with a hot pool make it big enough to swim in and I’ll visit a lot, especially in winter. Maybe I’ll nest in your roof or tree, I like the warm…”
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