Closed meat.

[Adrienna Lynint]

41st of Summer, 514 AV

The fetid stench of rot was an unwelcome but completely anticipated fact of life. It was necessary, the presence of raw meat left to fester in the heat of summer, for the beasts needed food and they wouldn't settle for the meagre offerings of mice that otherwise would have been served.

Adrienna was outside of the Prowlers, rinsing out the bucket in which the meat was stored during the day. An arrangement had been made when Adrienna opened shop with the butcher, a daily quota of meat exchanged for coin in order to keep alive the scalies inhabiting the stalls. This wooden bucket had seen much and had acquired a permanent stain of dark red for its troubles.

But, Gods, it stunk.

This was a task typically delegated to the slave for the fact that it was disgusting. It was only today, in a rare moment of pity for the slave who worked so tirelessly with the reptiles he quietly loathed, that she decided to deal with the stench and mess of coagulated blood. She hoped it wouldn't stain her clothes, but chance would have it that she'd smear the thick fluid upon her skin and dress in a grotesque display beyond what she was usually capable of. Thankfully, when she glanced down upon herself in the midst of her rinsing in the turgid waters of the river, she did not see any speckle of claret marring an otherwise lovely skirt and blouse.

She finished after a few chimes with a low grunt. Gods. Menial tasks. The bucket was given another wash and rinse before she pushed herself to her feet and shook her hands as dry as possible. In the humidity of the city's current climate, it wouldn't matter for long outside, but she hated the feeling that she wasn't as well-done as possible.

With a shake of the bucket she turned on her heel and returned to the store. A quick glance was given around her before she dropped the bucket back in it's spot near the stalls. It would await Lucian's next available moment. The usual one who delivered the meat necessary for the beasts had not arrived in the morning and news was eventually delivered that he was not going to come. Lucian was Adrienna's second choice.

Speaking of Lucian, when she arrived she noted that he was currently embittered in a battle with that naughty male neonate adopted when an excess became apparent on the zoo, her usual supplier when things became too cluttered there. That serpent was feisty and it disgruntled Adrienna, but Lucian seemed capable of handling him as he wrestled the tightening serpent off his forearm and back into his container. Due to his volatility, Adrienna couldn't sell the boy.

It rendered Lucian unable to fetch the meat needed. Adrienna herself didn't want to run to the butcher- she could imagine the titters as she passed by ladened with a bloody bucket. Speaking of which, she'd need to arrange for more meat delivered as the scalies grew larger and less able to depend upon rodents and insects... as if she had enough to feed them of those, either. She needed to make sales, soon--

No, sales thoughts weren't needed. She went to assist Lucian in wrangling the serpent from his arm and thinking about how to deal with the recent news of no meat delivery. She needed her slave here. She needed help, which she was loathe to request.

[Alexander Hamish Moore]

Alex had been on the bayou for over thirty days. It was the longest he had stayed anywhere, that wasn’t Syliras. He had never been concerned with learning about any of the animals that lived in the areas he only visited. He never really needed to. But, there was so much live in the swamps, and like any area around the world, there were many dangerous ones. Animals that could kill, and eat a human like no one’s business. Most of the dangerous animals would have been displaced by human encroachment, but juvenile, and animals seeking new territory would certainly go into human lands, in search of clutches, nests, and food. This could pose a problem to the humans that made these places their home, though the biggest recipients of the animals’ hunger would be the slaves that spent their days out and about.

The mercenaries that were sent out to hunt these beasties would also run the risk of being eaten. In fact, it seemed that anyone but the Dynasty members were at risk. But, such was the price that was paid in Kenash to make money. Given his background in hunting, Alex hoped he would be the go to guy for such endeavors. Which put Alex in the uncomfortable spot of not know a petching thing about the animals in the swamp. A thought that Alex wanted to rectify immediately. And after eating his breakfast of delicious Kenashian food, Alex was ready for it.

However, he didn’t really know where to start. The sun had just began to fill the swamp with soft reds, and oranges. The slaves were very awake, and very busy with their duties, and works. Today, Alex didn’t have time to enjoy the now familiar dance of work that the slaves participated in. He went back to the little cabin he had on the grounds of the plantation, and looked over his supplies for anything that might be useful. But, he didn’t really know what to expect. He tucked his hunting knife into his belt, and tied a bit of string around the hilt and guard. He didn’t want to get in trouble with the law for such a silly infraction.

Alex started the two bell walk to the city proper. It was peaceful, and quiet along the Kabrin Road, passing a handful of carts, and a couple coaches. The sun continued its steady climb over the horizon, shedding more light, and heat over the bayou. It was going to be another hot day, like every day in the summer. Soon the heat would drive the dandies into their post businesses and posh estates, yielding the city streets to the Freeborn. Not that they would really enjoy it, just the opportunity to stick it to the brats. Alex walked briskly through the gates, as the sun smiled on the city.

He didn’t know the shops very well, but he didn’t have anything else to do today so exploration would do Alex some good. He slowly wandered the streets, checking each of the buildings in turn for what he was looking for, thought nothing caught his eye until he reached Sun Island, a small island on the bayou, with a handful of buildings linked by rather striking paths. Kenash didn’t do ugly.

Alex entered the shop called ‘Silverbite’s Prowlers’, and was immediately assaulted with the smells of a animals living in a confined spaces, he found it overwhelming, but not unpleasant. It was much better than the smell of people crammed together. Alex looked over the cases, containing serpents, and other reptilian animals. This was a perfect place, thought. He stood, briefly lost as thoughts of how to ask for information tried to form in his head. “Erm, Hello?” he called to no one or in no direction in particular.

[Adrienna Lynint]

"Just... hold still," Adrienna grunted as she took hold of the snake about a third down his body from his head. Lucian grimaced at the way the snake tightened and struggled to comply, fingers of his free hand twitching to suggest he might want to break the male's neck and be done with it. Oh, gods. He'd suffer for it, maybe more than he already was.

There would be a large amount of grunting involved, and Lucian's own complaints in the form of low curses that should not be uttered in the presence of a woman of class, as Adrienna was. However, she shared in the indulgence. This snake needed to be rid of. It was too difficult to deal with but... but the snake needed to be sold. Maybe she would arrange something with the butcher again.

Suddenly, the snake gave up, and the sound of a voice brought back memories of where they were and what they should be doing. Hurriedly, Adrienna guided the snake back into his home and drew back. Lucian lingered, cradling his arm close to his body but sticking around because that snake was volatile and dangerous-- as visible in the red welts. She looked at him. He was glaring at the snake, and she remembered that he preferred the otters and the mice to the eternally hungry serpents.

"See to your wound, call me if you require me," she told him. The customer became her focus, and she approached him quickly. "I am sorry about that. Some of the animals are not ready, or willing, to be handled. Can I help you?" She looked him over and... yes. There it was. The Freeborn mark, which at least made him more tolerable than a stranger.

[Alexander Hamish Moore]

Alex watched the duo wrestle with the serpent, the man holding the snake didn’t seem to be enjoying his role in the match as the snake coiled tightly around his arms. He heard the low curses, and insults while the woman tried her hardest to pry the snake off his arm, and into its case. Alex had never seen a proper snake, and he found the exchange engrossing. The predator seemed to be one of the most pure animals he had seen. It had no extra limbs, or horns. It was as if Caiyha needed a simple, and efficient animal to fill a niche in the environ. He had come across smaller forest snakes, who had to live through the chill Syliras winters. They were runts compared to the snakes he saw in this store.

After the snake was coerced back into its home, and the man sent off to nurse his wounds, Alex was left alone with the woman who seemed to be running the store. She quickly looked him over, as most people did in this city. They cared a lot about the status of a person, and the slowly healing brand on his hand was the only reason he as tolerated in the city. They knew he was useful to some one, and while they wouldn’t give him any special treatment, they wouldn’t make his day unjustly difficult. The woman seemed satisfied with that she saw, and greeted Alex cordially.

Alex nodded slightly in greeting, taking some time to gather his thoughts. He didn’t know the best way to ask his questions. He wasn’t sure how well a busy shop keep would take a person who wasn’t actually interested in buying any of the stock- not that Alex had the coin for it even if he was interested in having a pet. “Mornin’.” he greeted in his Sylirian accent. He paused for a chime, slowly picking out his next words, “I’ve just recently taken residence here, and I find my information on the local wildlife is rather lackin’.” He looked around the store, “If you’ve got the time for it, I was hopin’ that you could show me some of the critters you got here.”

[Adrienna Lynint]

Adrienna wiped her brow, as if she'd been perspiring after the incident, when it was simply a response that spoke of her agitation and her relief. Her attention did not divert from this Freeborn who spoke to her, though, and she went so far as to offer the thinnest of smiles at his interest to have knowledge of the animals she sold.

"Understand that I specialise in animals like what you see here; the reptiles are the preferred animal of my family, and we take our name from them." She would give him the information he sought, but nothing came free, and Adrienna relied on the "I scratch your back if you scratch mine" principal that most mercenaries and politicians may employ. "I will require payment, however. I hope that agrees with you."

If it did, Adrienna would name her price of twenty-five gold mizas, which she assumed was ample for the knowledge she could impart. As if wise to her choice to share their secrets, the same serpent that had been so unkind to Lucian hissed long and low from his habitat. Adrienna smirked.

And she began by leading the man to that same snake.

"This bad little boy here is a snake common to the swamp," she began. "His species lacks venom. Thankfully, he is quite young, or he'd have done us serious damage. A constrictor snake can kill a person if it gets itself around their neck. Sometimes, they drop from trees onto their prey and take them down, nice and slow, by strangling them." The tone of her voice was admiring; Adrienna often related to the animals she took care of. She considered them the only things she truly loved in the world, and the only things that she could see as children. They were her strength. "If you aspire to handle one of them, I could show you how to."

She realised she was being forthcoming with her knowledge and considered her willingness to share being her relief that neither she, the slave, nor the snake had come to lasting and fatal damage. It had put her into a good mood. However, she did not forget that the status of this man was beneath her and that she owed him nothing.

[Alexander Hamish Moore]

Reptiles. Alex couldn’t remember hearing that word before, nor had he seen such a collection of animals before. It was something that he never had time to do while on the road, or while learning the hunting trade from his father. After that thought meandered through his head briefly, he realized that he didn’t know this woman’s name- nor the name of her family. He was at a loss, having only been in the city for a short time he hadn’t had time to learn about all the families. In fact, the only one he could name was ‘Sitai’, and only because he had been signed on with them. The only names were a mystery, and even as this woman held the thinnest semblance of a smile, he didn’t think that his ignorance of her family name would go over very well. She spoke briefly, and Alex listened intently. But, when she asked for payment, his heart sank.

It wasn’t unexpected, no one would give anything for free. Mizas would loosen tongues. However, he was painfully aware that he was lacking this very fundamental resource. His purse was too light, and he didn’t think he would have enough coin to pay for the information she would offer. He followed her to the habitat of the snake he had seen when walking in. Though, he was too focused on what he could offer as an appropriate payment that didn’t involve emptying his coin purse. He politely waited until she was finished speaking before answering her, “Payment isn’t a problem.” he paused, and tilted his head looking down at the agitated constrictor.

He understood the need for payment, he imagined she had to make money too, “However, coin is not something I have an abundance of.” He cursed himself, she didn’t want to hear about his money shortage, and was in her bounds to throw him out on his ass to the streets. “I’m not scared of hard work, and I can help out around the store while your slave tends his wounds.” he stammered quickly, trying to beat any angry or violent response his pauperism. He didn’t know the first thing about working in a shop, or tending animals.

He knew he would more than likely be more of a liability. He had rarely spent time in shops, and his time around animals was mostly spent trying to kill and eat them. Not tend to their little cages. His mood only being more exasperated and panicked as he waited for her to respond. The idea of not having anything of value to offer to this lady was unsettling.

[Adrienna Lynint]

Adrienna's expression died, for a single moment, and she considered requesting the man leave. No money, no service. Her lips parted, ready to relay the undoubtly bad news, but she gave pause when he continued. He was offering her service? Money surely made the world turn 'round, but service kept the sun rising and the moon setting.

Adrienna looked away from him, taking a long chime to think it over. It was one of the first offers she'd ever received, and she was not sure how to respond to it. Coin mattered more. Much more. She could not deny the value of debt, though.

"Have you any skill in the tending of animals, or in housekeeping?" It was a silly question. He was poor. A poor Freeborn. Dirt, really, but she would give him the benefit of the doubt- for now. If he was a profit, maybe she'd keep him around. "You do not know the snakes, I understand. Do you know mice and lizards?" If he had no valuable skills, she would not offer information for his assistance. Adrienna did not want a layabout in her store, dirtying her reputation with muddy fingers.

"I will not have the patience to train you, and the slave has his own tasks to worry about and would have no time for you. What else do you offer?" The Lynint was shrewd, arms crossed to pass along the impression that she was not going to let him get anything from her for free. "Information? Or how about something else, like favours?"

[Alexander Hamish Moore]

Alex could see the look on the woman’s face change from mild tolerance, to very plain disdain. She turned away briefly, and Alex had expected a bit of bad news. But to his pleasant surprise, she was curious about his offer of service. Though, this hope was also quickly dashed with her line of questioning. He was very certain that he had no skills that she would find useful in her store. He had no experience caring for animals, or even simple cleaning tasks that a store might require. He had never mucked out a cage, or fed an animal, or even groomed anything. He wouldn’t even know where to begin in cleaning any of the exotic animals that this woman had in her store, let alone the mice that she used to feed her stock.

While he hadn’t been flat out refused, he didn’t feel that he would likely say anything that would be beneficial to his cause either. “I'm afraid I have no experience in stores, or the care of animals.” He paused for a tick before continuing. He knew he was rather unskilled, but the meager skills he did possess were in opposing fields to the care of animals. “I’m more skilled out in the swamp, than I am in the city.” It wasn’t a flat out lie, but he wasn’t the most skilled swamp strider, and that was something he knew very keenly. But, he thought he would have a better chance of surviving out there, than in the political machinations of people in the city. Things in the swamp made more sense, and out there you could know and understand the dangers lurking in the swamp.

He stood straight, he had nothing to offer her other than a favor. He was poor, and unskilled, and he knew it. But, his word was important to him. Without his word, no person in this city would hire him. No person in any city would want his services. He looked her in the eye, respectfully, but spoke with a much confidence as he could muster. “I do not have much to offer you, other than my word to repay my debt to you in which ever manner you deem fit.” he quietly let out a breath, and hoped for the best.

[Adrienna Lynint]

In the swamp, things certainly did make more sense. There was no grey out there, simply a black and white perspective of the world that put certain animals in power and other animals in subservience, as food. Butchers and cattle. In Kenash, it wasn't much different. The Dynasts ruled the roost, the slaves mucked the messes, and the world moved on. Freeborn, however, were the grey area.

Adrienna loathed Freeborn.

"Your word is, admittedly, as valuable as your lack of coin. However, I will hold you to your word. Do you understand me?" She was a woman, slight and pale, but she spoke most seriously. She threatened, even, but to her a Freeborn was as valuable as his assets, and this one had none to offer her but for a promise. Finally, she gave him what could be perceived as a genuine smile and extended her hand, to further enunciate the point that this was simply business.

"What is your name?" She chose to ask him. It benefitted her to know it, after all, for what would she call for him if she didn't have it? It was something she rarely requested of any Freeborn who did not earn more than a passing interest. "You may know me as Adrienna Lynint." There was a lack of title tacked onto her name, inviting him to address her as her given name rather than as something as broad as "lady".

She released his hand, if given to her to shake in an age old symbol of sealing a deal and stepped away from him. She cocked her head, considering the newest "asset" she'd acquired. "What were you curious about?"