Solo I'm not Scared of Snakes or Spiders

[Aliara Cantrell]

Sunset Quarters, 22nd of Spring, 515AV

The rumours had finally struck home, there was an actual Symenstra Aerial dancer in town. Instead of thinking about having to fight for business Aliara saw this as a perfect opportunity to learn, this was a dancer that had practised in Kalinor, petch who had grown up in Kalinor! Aliara was over the moon. She could learn so much from the woman and tonight would be the night she went and saw her show.

Earlier that morning Aliara had bought the most wonderful dress, it was onyx black in colour and had the most beautiful design, While the bodice was simple in design it still managed to flatter her chest in a way that she had never seen before. The folds were merely two pieces crossed over each other in a crisscross pattern meeting at the back of the dress to create a loose bow, making it all the more charming. As for the rest of it, the skirt flowed around her body like silk...maybe it was silk. it had made Aliara beam with happiness the moment her eyes rested upon it. If only she had the accessories to do it justice.

Laying the dress down on her bed Aliara considered how she could make herself look less like a girl from the slums, she needed to impress this lady after all she was asking her a huge favour . Maybe asking the Symenstra straight up was too much maybe just a simple ‘let me buy you dinner or flowers or something’. Giving into the frustration Aliara screamed, why was this so hard, for once in her life she was going something she wanted but it seemed so hard just to be a girl, to know what to say and to dress like a girl but she was going to have to learn.Hair was the first thing on the list, what was she going to with her hair.

“Stupid hair, could just shave it all off…”

Aliara bunched all her up onto her head like she did on every job, not knowing what else to do Aliara just groaned tried to make it look ‘Stylish’. Pulling on various strands so they would fall out, tucking in other pieces so they weren't out. It was all new to Aliara, well new to it happening to her, she used to watch her mum make herself all pretty before going to the docks to met her father’s boat. By the end of Aliara’s patience her hair just looked like a messy bun, sighing Aliara laid on the bed beside the dress and groaned. Maybe she wasn't supposed to be a well dressed girl who goes to shows.

[Aliara Cantrell]

Aliara looked up at her ceiling, which needed to be cleaned, and tried to calm down. Deep breath in deep breath out it should have been simple but somehow the idea of having to dress up and impress one woman was scarier than it should have been. She need to get over this and just do it, just get dressed and make her way to the show. Sitting back up, Aliara looked around her small house; the most beautiful thing in the room was the onyx dress beside her. Deciding that it was finally time Aliara stripped off her grimy clothes and held the dress in her hands. Its material was so smooth and so flawless it amazed her; it would have been perfect if it weren’t for the rip under the bow. Sliding it over her skin Aliara found that it was slightly too tight around her chest. Aliara held her breath and reached around to loosen the bow, struggling at first Aliara’s nails finally pulled the knot apart. The dress was perfect in all manners; the more Aliara looked at its flaws the more she wondered whether it was the dress for her or a dress for the prostitute that was most likely stabbed while wearing.

ReTying the bow with as much care as possible, Aliara looked down on herself. The dress was amazing and she honestly felt empowered just from wearing a simple piece of clothing. As Aliara continued to get dressed she began to look at her kurki on the table beside her bed, she hated to go anywhere unarmed and her cutlass would be too obvious but she wasn't as skilled with the small curved blade. Holding it in her hand Aliara ran the blade lightly across her finger, still sharp, finally giving in Aliara slid the knife into her boot. Almost ready Aliara looked around her house checking for the last few items she would need.

Within in moments Aliara was out of her house and fiddling with her hair as she walked. The Scarlet Sanctum was a by definition a whore house, which made Aliara feel uncomfortable, however it was in the Gated community. The rich part of town was a place Aliara had never actually stepped foot in after all she was from the Sunset quarter.So when she came to its outskirts Aliara frowned slightly not knowing exactly if she should go in yet. she could easily just go home again and ambush the Symenstra on her way home.


Finally giving in Aliara straightened her back and attempted to hold her head up high. The streets were slightly cleaner to be expected yet it was the buildings that drew her attention. Aliara was used to seeing roofs that were one bird away from caving in, to be honestly the walls weren't that better. They were shacks and the houses here were mansions compared to Aliara’s one room, even with the beautiful houses and clean streets it was still Sunberth and it was still lined with a silver lining that was probably pulp.

It only took Aliara a few chimes because she made it the street that held the Scarlet Sanctum, upscale whore house Aliara had always wondered what that had meant and as she saw the front of the building Aliara saw why. It wasn't dark and dirty like most instead it was clean and was certainly attracting the wealthier clientell. When Aliara pushed open the door she was greeted by two young girls both wearing little to no clothing and standing in away that made Aliara look towards the floor.

“Aw, Sweet cheeks, we serve all kinds of people here no need to be embarrassed.”

One voice purred but Aliara couldn't of cared less about which one of the ‘workers’ it was. Coughing awkwardly Aliara’s cheeks flamed red and she couldn't breathe, of course the thought she was here for that.... it was a whore house afgter all but still...

“No…. uh.. i’m just here to...see the Symenstra dance?”

Aliara looked back up in time too see the girls pout and hold out their hands. The thoughts in Aliara’s head ticked over for a while before she realised the cost for entering. The sailors had told her it was 1GM fishing the coin out of her bodice Aliara slipped it onto the ladies hand and resumed looking at floor not wanting to see anything else that would make her blush redder than she already was.

“Arighty, sweetcheeks i'll take you there and if you change your mind. Come and find me,”

[Aliara Cantrell]

As Aliara settled into her seat she was still blushing deeply those women had purred at her and attempted to seduce her and Aliara didn’t know how to react. Sitting in stunned silenced she watched men get pulled away by the woman or slip coins into their hands as they passed by. Frowning Aliara was made even more uncomfortable by those surrounding her but there was no way she would miss this show.

When Aliara had entered the ‘showroom’ she was seated at a table with white table cloth and a small group of red candles to light the table enough to see your drink, throughout the room Aliara counted fourteen other tables exactly the same all facing towards the stage that was at the end of the room. Looking around at the other’s Aliara soon realised she was the only female who wasn’t being paid to sit at the tables with the men, coughing slight she tried to ignore that fact and just watch the stage.

Chimes had passed before the curtains were pulled open to reveal two long sheaths of silk, they were a shimmery purple colour that when the light caught it reminded Aliara of stars. Smiling widely she could feel excitement bubbling inside of her. So much so that she could feel herself bouncing in her chair. Even as the rest of the crowd was settled into silence Aliara’s mind was buzzing more loudly in her head.

A figured walked into the centre stage, she was amazingly beautiful all curves with long black hair that framed her face. The woman was wearing an emerald green dress that trailled along the ground behind it, it was strapless and Aliara felt like street trash compared to the dress she was wearing. Sitting with her eyes the size of saucers she listened to the woman and her purring voice.

“Gentlemen, Straight from the forests of Kalea i bring you the Symenestra Aerial dancer. A spider from the caves, Silie the dancer of the skies!”

There was an uproar in the crowd and Aliara could count herself as one of those, she clapped loudly and almost squealed in excitement. Another figure came out on stage but this one… This one had hair the colour of bone and skin almost lighter than that of her hair. Even from this distance Aliara could see her golden eyes, shining like a molten gold river. Silie was wearing a golden crop top the same colour as her eyes, and skirts that shimmer like stars. Everything in this place shimmered like she was in a dream.