Lost in the World of Man (Hatter pls)

[Arianni D'Sorn]

Timestamp: 1st of Fall, 510 AV Location: Wilds outside Sunberth / Braga's House of Happy Endings Arianni staggered on the beach, her bare feet leaving their marks on the white sand, only for the tide to wash them away to nothingness as it rolled in. Not that she could see it, of course; it was dark and she could hardly make out anything. The sun had set a few hours ago, just as she had jumped off the deck of the ship she had stowed in. It had seemed a bad idea at the time, so far was she from the shore. But the voice told her to do so and she obeyed without thought and with little internal struggle. It was a good thing too, for no sooner had she hit the surface of the sea than she heard the sound of something exploding below the deck of the ship – one of the many barrels of oil it carried, no doubt. She had divined that someone aboard was up to no good days before but being a stowaway, she could do nothing about, other than keep out of sight of that person, or anyone else for that matter. And so she had swum slowly towards the shore as everyone else aboard the ship fought the fire the threatened to consume the wooden vessel. She knew not what happened to it, having kept herself just below the water's surface to avoid detection. The ship must have survived for she saw no sign of it when she surfaced hours later when she neared the shore. The dark and empty shore. Save for the plants – trees and shrubbery mostly – there was nothing notable about it, though there were lights in the distance. A city! How fortunate of her to be beached so near one! So there was civilization outside of Mura... Clutching her pack close to her, Arianni trudged towards the city. She knew not where she was but surely they could direct her to where Zeltiva lay, the place that promised advancement for her in the art of Voiding. For she must achieve mastery of it if she was to discover the identity of the voice in her head. It was a want – no, a need! - for her to do so; the voice itself had compelled her to, forcing her to leave the sanctuary that was Mura, the life that she knew, and her mother. It was maddening! She neared the city now and she noted that there were no guards. That was strange; she always thought cities had them. They had guards in the cities she had read about, like Syliras. Perhaps this city was like Mura then, a peaceful community, and had no need of guards. A good thing, for that meant its people would be friendly, or at least helpful to a stranger like her. They may be alarmed by her alien appearance, of course, especially as she had practically just walked out of the sea, but surely she was close enough in body structure to pass off as a human woman. Except for the pale white skin. And the almost silver hair. And the iridescent scales. And the gills. And the... Arianni gave up. It didn't matter. While she didn't like crowds or meeting and speaking to new people, she had no choice in the matter. She had to know where Zeltiva was and she had decided early on that she would ask one of the citizens of this city to point her in the right direction. There was a group of them nearby in fact, crowded around like in some sort of gathering, or... No! As drew near, Arianni realized what the small group of people were doing. The prone form of a man lay at their center and those around him, everyone, was kicking and hitting him, raining blows on his helpless body. Raised in a place of peace and solitude, the innocent Konti recoiled from the level of violence displayed by the crowd of humans. This was not how she expected the place to be! They were not peaceful at all! Slowly, she backed away, looking to get away from these brutal and sadistic creatures, hoping that they would not take notice of her lest she become included in their savagery. But her hopes were dashed in vain as one among the crowd turned and caught a glimpse of her, shouting, at the top of his voice, “Konti!” The tone by which he said it sent alarms ringing in Arianni's mind. They were up to no good, and she knew she had just become the center of the evil designs. Fearful of her life now, the young Konti ran to the nearest door nearest her and, without thiking, opened it and rushed in, bolting it behind her and pressing her body against the wood. She closed her eyes, trying to calm the rapidly beating heart in her chest. Had she stopped to read the sign outside, if she even understood the script stenciled in Common, she might have had second thoughts about coming into the place. Arianni had just entered a brothel.

[Hatter]

The entrance to Sunberth was no real entrance at all. Eventually the city just started. Houses cropped up from out of the wilderness and the section Arianni stumbled upon was just like the rest of the city, low-lying homes and throngs of people idling about in their daily lack-of-lives. It was like any other civilization, only there were no guards and almost everyone was armed. Dust seemed to kick up at every step and trash littered the streets in abundance. And worse, the people did not seem to care, so involved in they were with finding something or another to occupy their time. So when the Konti came upon the sidewalk brawl it was no surprise that she drew attention. The fact that she was young, beautiful, and wet did not hurt, but the truth of the matter was that everyone knew a Konti slave sold for a high price. A rich price. The large, double door slammed shut behind Arianni. Although the establishment was hard to miss from the outside, the innards were far too elaborate to ignore. A red frill surrounded the entirety of the main hall, a foyer, it extended up three stories where both men and women of all ages hung off of railings and curved stairwells, half dressed with some even in full nude. The brothel was elaborate. Men and women lay about on lavish couches around the common room and the droning of passion could be heard from every which direction. Singers gave song to the background and harps rose in chorus with one another, adding to the environment with their sweet, succulent sounds. The extravagance was humbling. Any man or woman who entered the house was typically overcome by the sensuality, the warmth, and their legs melted as the various employees would come to whisk them away. But no one pounced on Arianni. The girl was in trouble. The door flew open from behind the Konti. The small group of men poured in at an instant, each armed bearing weapons of all sorts. Small swords, clubs, cheap items but those that could kill nonetheless. The whores turned to watch, but they all appeared unamused as if this sort of thing happened on a regular occasion. Or they just did not care. One of the men, a particularly hair, ugly git, stepped forward. He swung his short blade through the air and snickered as he laid his eyes on Arianni, a sickening smirk overtaking his half-bald head and beady facial features. The man looked like an ugly rat. "Aw! Luk'eet here lads! Tom has done run 'er way back to 'er whore hen, eh?" For some reason the man deemed it necessary to name the Konti Tom. What a strange custom. "Was'a'mattah Tom? Dun thin' we're good enuff, do'ya?" The man's voice became violent. He stepped forward with his blade raised, cackling like a mad man, ready to skewer the poor girl on the end of it. Until another voice joined the cacophony. "Mm. Now gentlemen," Her tone was like sweet honey, it soothed the soul and calmed the mind all while it played on an emotional level so deep that one could not help but be attracted to it. The voice was like magic. "Is there really a need for that? I don't much like blood on my floors, hm?" The mistress of the song made her appearance. Softly she padded over to Arianni, her curvacious, supple form sliding past the Konti with the subtle grace of a dancer. The woman was the very image of beauty. Smooth, lavender locks flowed down her back like cream. Her form was almost bare, clad in little but tempting lingerie and long stalkings, those that accented every step with an unavoidable sexuality. Braga was a goddess among the populace. Her mere presence stayed the actions of the men as they gazed on her bosom, and a fine one it was at that. "Now. How about a treat?" A snap of her fingers brought the whores. Like an army they descended. One by one women peeled away from their activities and stripped the gang of their power, leading individuals away one at a time until there was nothing left. Braga remained. She turned about, gracefully, and leaned in, the crystalline blue of her eyes locked upon the form of Arianni. "Are you alright, dear?" She said, kindly.

[Arianni D'Sorn]

Arianni did not have time to view her surroundings as the double doors burst open behind her and the small crowd of ruffians flooded in, their various implements of violence and their rough and savage behavior causing the young woman to recoil in fear. A particularly horrid-looking fellow came forth, spewing crass words in his thick accent, making him even harder to understand for the Konti, who had very limited exposure to the trade tongue. The evil glint in his eyes belied his words however, and Arianni knew she would endure pain and suffering if the man got his hands on her. The ruffian brandished his knife and the Konti scrambled to get away. But she was weak and tired and afraid; in her terror, Arianni tripped on her own foot as she backpedaled, landing on her rump with a soft thud. The ugly man’s cronies laughed at her, egging their apparent leader to do her in. Despite being terrified, however, the girl was not helpless. Panicking, she fell back on the one thing she knew, and that was creating rips in time and space that lead to the great darkness that was the Void. Arms raised, as if to ward off the coming blow, Arianni began to channel djed into her hands and fingertips. It would be dangerous; there were not protective glyphs painted on her palms to regulate the flow of her magical essence nor were there boundaries in place to keep the portal away from her. She would be winging this and, with her limited control over the magic discipline, it was very likely she would get sucked into the portal along with the man. The soft voice whispering in her head to make the man pay his attack on her only made Arianni want to open the portal that much sooner. The voice never failed to help her out in tight spots. But another voice, this one real and feminine, came into the mix, overriding the whispers Arianni heard and stilling her casting and even halting the advancing man in his tracks. The woman’s voice was alluring, its sensation to the ears akin to velvet to the skin, calming the crowd to stillness. She came into Arianni’s view then, captivating and sensual, and the girl realized what had so frozen everyone where they stood for she herself felt the woman’s appeal, her beauty and allure planting seeds of desire even in the Konti’s heart. With a snap of her fingers, the woman seemed to break the spell she had on everyone, but a different source enthralled them. Women of various state of undress, some utterly devoid of clothing, went over and gently tugged at the rough crowd, leading them away. The modest Konti blushed a deep red at the sight of so many nude women. She had never been comfortable in a crowd; their nakedness only increased hr discomfort. Still, she realized it was part of the woman’s ploy to free her from the rough treatment she would have otherwise received at the hands of the men. One glance at the ruffians told her that they had already forgotten about her, their senses overcome by their primal urges. In a short while, there was no one else in the building’s foyer but her and the sensual woman. The other turned at her, asking if she was all right. Embarrassed, Arianni gathered herself and stood up, nodding shyly. “I am… unhurt,” she said softly, her tenuous grasp of Common making her words come out haltingly. She glanced at the woman, marveling at her beauty once more, before lowering her gaze to its customary place at the ground before her. During that brief time, her mismatched eyes had noted the large bouncers stationed beside various doors and the remaining women lounging around the place. “What…what place this is?” she asked in mangled Common. She had a feeling this was certainly not Zeltiva.

[Hatter]

Braga smiled in amusement. No matter her countenance she managed to remain beautiful. Not even a scar could blemish that face. With a gentle caress the woman raised a hand, her fingers brushing back the Konti's hair. Her touch was soft as silk. There did not appear to be a single imperfection within the whole of her being. Whether or not she was a real creature was still a matter for debate. "Your common is terrible." She said in Kontinese. Her tone, while humored in intent, was not one to mock. "You must be fresh in the city hm? This a brothel, love. A place to pay for sex." With a subtle shift Braga slid her arm around Arianna's shoulder and guided her deeper into the entrance. She took her aside, past the couches and display 'pieces' until they found themselves at a large, thick oak door. On either side stood robust, muscled men, each armed with an array of weaponry and clad in thick, leather coats. They did nothing but stare forward, ready to draw their arms should something go amiss. And all the while Braga remained calm. She was a weight of confidence, a kind, strong buffer that kept the wild of the city at bay. Despite her scantily clad nature, she was like a Knight in shinning armor. A whore in shinning linens perhaps. "How did you end in such a place, dear? You look absolutely dreadful."

[Arianni D'Sorn]

The woman was kind. So very unlike the rough and tumble group that had intimidated her earlier, to Arianni, Braga seemed like the calm in the storm that was this city. So when the woman reached out to brush the stray lock of dirty blonde hair from her head, she did not shy back as she was wont to do with a stranger. The was a sense of comfort in the alluring woman's presence, mixed with something that spurred desire in one's heart, man or woman. That the woman could speak her own language so fluently only endeared her more to Arianni. She felt that she could trust this woman, though just how much still remained to be seen. Yet did she not possess the ability to read truth from another's lips like a sighted man could tell the difference between blue and gray? Arianni was confident Avalis' gift to her would not lead her astray with this interesting individual. Briefly, the Konti explained her reason for leaving her island home, which was to pursue her studies in the city of Zeltiva. She did not mentioned that what she hoped to study further was the art of Voiding, and left out as well the fact that she had run away from her home, hoping to find a friend that had been exiled from Mura years ago in this world of man. She had no idea just how big the world was however, and was only beginning to realize such upon her arrival in the city. She was lost and she knew not where to begin to resume her journey. Her mismatched eyes, despite the malevolent look of one, were still innocent and widened when Braga explained that she had stumbled in a building where passions of the flesh were hawked to paying customers. “Is...is this Zeltiva?” she asked in a soft voice. “It's not how the tomes in the libraries described it. I expected scribes and sages, not a place where the body is traded for gold...” A look of extreme mortification suddenly crossed Arianni's face as she realized she might have just given offense to her hostess, one she owed her life too to boot. “But it's, it's still a n-n-nice place...” she added lamely. Her face must be beet-red by now, she thought. She hoped the woman's guards would beat her up now with their clubs to put her out of her misery.

[Hatter]

Braga laughed. Somehow she gave no offense in the action, graceful even as she enjoyed in the occasional reverie. With a wave from her one of the guards opened the door and revealed the office behind; an efficient contrast to the lobby. While the latter was sheathed in tapestries and gaudy colors this room held a simple, wooden decor, sporting a desk, a few chairs (albeit comfortable ones) and a single couch in the far corner. It was there that Braga lead her new companion, gentle with her touch as she continued to guide Arianni. Everything in the woman was genuine, loving, yet despite this she had admitted to being a whore. Such strange creatures these humans. "No, dear, this is Sunberth. You must be very, very lost." Braga spoke in a soft, friendly tone as she seated herself. She pated the spot next to her and glanced back at the men that guarded the entrance, her voice raising for them to hear. "Stannis, darling, fetch my friend some clothing, would you? Good clothes. And make sure they're humble, yes? Some food would do as well." Boots thumped away from the office as the door closed, allowing the two women a degree of privacy. "You'll find no scribes or sages here; just men with heavy lusts and women with no less." Braga reclined on the sofa. She eased into the cushions as if she were displaying her body for a crowd. Even in private she screamed of more perverse pleasures. "Why don't you tell me about yourself, love? A name would be priceless."

[Arianni D'Sorn]

OOCSorry for the slow reply! Arianni's eyes shifted from the woman to the only door in the room as it closed shut. Doubt crept into her heart then - was she to be a prisoner here? The men outside were certainly not friendly given their welcome of her in their city, should she expect any less from her supposed savior? But no, the woman seemed to genuine in her treatment of the Konti and Arianni knew not to insult her hostess by denying her invitation. She even ordered to have food and clothing brought for her, a very generous gesture. Surely she could trust this woman... Deciding that her own interest were best served by playing along, Arianni shuffled forward to sit on the couch. Her posture was stiff and awkward, holding herself with a peasant's humble bearing, knees held close together and just a fraction of her buttocks touching the seat. Her pack she placed on her lap, not wanting to leave it on the floor. She had just come from the sea, and while she was not dripping wet any more, her clothing was still damp. The girl did not want to ruin the expensive-looking couch with moisture. The alluring woman had asked for her name and Arianni opened her mouth to reply, but her ever present companion, the soft whispering that only her ears could hear, spoke first. ...surrendering your whole self so soon, my dear? Surprised, Arianni's eyes widened but immediately brought her emotions under control. She coughed to cover her reaction, and finished with a soft, "It's-it's Arya." It was her childhood nickname, one only her mother called her when she, Arianni, had been too young to properly pronounce her own name. She felt it enough to satisfy the woman's curiosity and at the same time cease any nagging from the whispering voice. "Is-is Zeltiva near here?" she inquired. "I came to study ma-" She caught herself, almost saying the damning word 'magic'. If she knew anything, it was that the arcane arts were taboo for those who did not understand it. "I came to study man's knowledge," Arianni said instead. She hoped the woman's intelligent eyes did not pick up on her lapse. "Can you help me get there? I-I have coin." While she knew that humans seemed to be motivated by the accumulation of wealth, she realized belatedly that her offer might just be a pittance to the woman who lived in such an opulent place.

[Hatter]

If the whore noticed the hesitation she gave no sign of it. Instead remained at leisure, one hand idly running fingers along the surface of the pillows beneath, stroking them in a sensual, delicate manner. She devoured Arianni's words, engrossed in the conversation as if they were lovers long in the joining. Somehow Braga made the moment personal, intimate. It was clear to see why she was the one in charge. "Man's knowledge?" Her lips spread into a smile, humored. "Mm, my dear, you're a far, far way away from Zeltiva. Closer than some places perhaps, but farther than you might imagine." With a frown Braga pushed herself forward and stepped away from the couch, her back straightening as she lifted herself up. "Sunberth is a harsh, cold place, and the road no less dangerous than the way that brought you, I imagine. I'm sure you could purchase a sea fare, no doubt, but whom to trust that would take you?" As if guided by some premonition, Braga opened the door into the office to allow entrance of the large, armored man whom stood guard outside. In his arms he held a simple garment, a silk dress with a thick coat atop it; fresh small clothes, shoes, and a tray of assorted morsels. Bread, cheese, a bowl of stew, and a goblet of wine held in the corner. He deposited the items on the office's only desk and was summarily dismissed shortly after. "Now now, why don't you get dressed and eat some, hm? We can continue this little discussion after."

[Arianni D'Sorn]

Arianni regarded the shift offered her, touching the fabric with delicate fingers. It was simple in its design yet the material was exquisite. She had never worn something so fancy her whole life! And it was made from silk! Still, something more important surfaced in the girl's mind: where was she to get dressed? Arianni eyed the one door that led out of the room; it was bolted once more so she was sure that no one would peek in while she was in the middle of changing her garments. But there was nothing in the room that would offer her some semblance of privacy and then there was still Braga waiting expectantly for her to change out of her damp clothes. Not wanting to insult her hostess (the woman had already provided her with food and clothing without so much as a request from her), Arianni felt obliged to accept Braga's hospitality. Even if it meant stripping down in front of her to switch to dry clothing. They were both women after all, surely their bodies were similar enough. There was totally no need for her to feel embarrassed. Surely the womenfolk of these humans stripped down in communal dressing rooms as well. At least, that's what Arianni tried to tell herself. Awkwardly, with the pretense to put the new clothes on the writing desk, but in truth it was her way of maintaining some measure of modesty, Arianni moved to the opposite side of the room, turning her back on Braga as she pulled off her damp traveling clothes, bundling them up into a messy ball and piling it on top of her pack to avoid wetting the floor further. With another embarrassed glance at Braga, Arianni's undergarments followed next. She felt her cheeks flush at the thought that she was alone and naked with a woman - and a human woman too! - even if she was only showing her backside to her. Quickly, Arianni donned the dress, eager to cover herself up. She would have been surprised if she knew that the delicate beauty of her Konti frame would be the envy of some of the prostitutes working for Braga. The coat followed soon after, covering her curves and contours emphasized by the silken shift. The shoes she left on the floor, choosing instead to keep her sandals. Human-sized, the footwear were a little too big for her dainty feet. Dressed at last, Arianni returned to Braga's side, offering thanks to the woman as she partook in the food, taking a modest chunk out of the loaf of bread and a slice of cheese. The stew she did not touch; leery that its contents might be meat, like what they served in the ship she had stowed in. Still, she did not want to be rude to Braga, so she dipped a morsel of bread in the bowl to have a taste of its thick sauce. "Thank...thank you for your gracious hospitality," Arianni said once more. "I wouldn't know what would have happened to me if I hadn't stumbled into your building." Patiently, she waited for Braga to start up the conversation again, mentally preparing herself for any potentially sensitive questions the woman might ask.

[Hatter]

Braga watched in earnest. Not so much as Arianni dressed, but after the deed was done the woman resumed her duties as hostess, fawning over the Konti with a gentle hand. She displayed no displeasure as a large portion of the meal went untouched and the shoes ignored, content in her countenance to allow for whatever culture came with the visit. Anyone in Sunberth might have been suspicious of the woman's intentions. After all, no one of renown in such a city would offer so much and expect so little in return. "Truthfully? You would have been raped and sold into slavery. Or raped in killed. But definitely raped." Braga's tone was so matter-of-fact she could have been speaking on breakfast. "Konti are a rare treat about these parts and sell for a high price. Very high. No doubt I will have to deal with quite a few 'inquiries' whilst you are below my roof." Like she was apt to do, Braga took her own words in stride, calm, collected, and seemingly unconcerned with the possible scenario. Who knew one could cause so much stir by their presence alone. "You're options are very limited, my dear."