Closed In the Name of Love (Eldritch)

[Gale Austin McCenry]

In the Name of Love

85th of Spring
The Loveless

There comes a time in every man and woman's life where a decision has to be made. A decision which forces one to decide between their own integrity, honour, and possibly even sanity or the ones they care most about. It just so happens that this was one of those situations for Gale. Again.

Ricky hadn't been gone long, having only left Zeltiva a dozen or two days ago. But, there was a slight problem. Gale had no money. At all. You see, his crew was out traveling this season, doing shipments and things of the like. Gale was unable to come, due to his lack of needed skills in areas that are vital to the crew, and therefore, he was left behind. This meant that he wasn't getting paid. So, taking care of a baby and a cat when you're not getting paid is not exactly the best road to be going down, as Gale found out just a few days ago. This means that Gale needed t a way to make some money until the crew returns. But I know what you're thinking.

How is Gale going to get any money?

Well that's simple. A job of course. But what type of job would take a man with only two fingers you ask? Well, not a whole lot, but there was two that came to mind when Gale thought about the subject himself.One, a sailor, though he already had a job as a sailor on another ship so getting a second one would be a disaster and create lots of unnecessary conflict. And Two! The... um...

The godfather walked down the all familiar streets of Zeltiva, his brown cloak hugging his legs as the breeze blew against his back. The streets were as normal as ever, given the rioting earlier in the season, and the people were as normal as they could be. Though, it looked different to Gale at this moment. He felt like eyes were watching him walk down the path. All their eyes starring at him as he made his way to his destination, mocking and shaming him and lifting their noses up as if they were any better than he was. What was he suppose to do? He didn't have much other choice unless he wanted to go knocking on every door there was in Zeltiva. Though, that was a possibility.

Before Gale had left that morning, he did his best to spruce himself up. He brushed his hair the best his wavy locks could allow, he was wearing his best clothes which consisted of of his newest linen shirt, his vest, his black trousers, his work boots, and his cloak. Yesterday he paid for a bath, and he even shaved, though he managed to cut himself under the right side of chin. It wasn't huge so Gale prayed that it wouldn't be a big deal, however, he couldn't help but worry it was. That was Gale for you. Worrying over everything.

But now he was on his way. He checked on Martin, who was with his in-laws until he came back later that day, and then he was off. Off to start a new chapter in his life. Ready to sacrifice what little spark of dignity he had left. Because that's was family does. They make sacrifices for each other. And if losing his dignity and what pride he had meant he could take good care of Martin then he was surely going to do it. He would be willing to kill for the sake of Martin. As a matter of fact, he would give up his life for him. Because that's what family is suppose to do. So, if one thought about it, this was a small price to pay for caring for the ones you love.

The widower reach the building he was after. It was an old, rugged building, looking much like many other old establishments within the coastal city. It was introduced to the new citizens and travelers by a small sign hanging on the outside of the building, it's title being Loveless. Gale had always dreaded this place. He had always been afraid that it was fate's design that he would work in the brothel, unable to find any other option. It appeared that it was. Thanks Lhex. Gale didn't linger outside of the building. Instead, he hustled inside the settlement to escape the prying eyes outside. However, as soon as he was inside, he wished he was back out.

As soon as the door shut behind the artist, the overall mood of his surroundings changed drastically. It wasn't the most well lit establishment, though, it was better than the Kelp Bar. Probably due to the lack of large masses of men in the way, given that they were likely in their own rooms finishing up their... business.

It was hard to believe he was willing to be the one already in the room when the 'customer' came in for their fun.

[Eldritch]

As Gale entered and approached the front desk he’d find a younger woman waiting for him, brown tresses cultivated to perfection and the light and pleasing flowery aroma of perfume rising from her. She was dressed in a robe of red silk and her brown eyes seemed to trace over Gale’s body easily and with a glint that one might call seductive. An easy smirk fell over her lips as she looked upon the man, leaning forward and pushing her ledger book to the side for the moment as her lashes fell ever so slowly as she held her gaze upon the man.

Around the establishment were women and men either scantily clad or not dressed at all, a number escorting patrons to certain rooms. The air was filled with the heavy mix of perfume and procreation, an odd aroma that teased at the nose and filled ones senses. It was an East Street local alright, but it did seem to possess a much nicer light on the inside but then again it was a brothel. A brothel that possessed one of the most booming business in all of Zeltiva, from both low town scum to uptown rich folk with spare money.

“Well now, what can I help you with sir? Looking for a good time are you?” The woman asked, sizing him up as more a potential patron than as an employee.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Despite there not being as large of a crowd as Gale had expected, probably because he was use to the much larger group of people who attend the Kelp Bar, they were still just as, if not more, unsettling than the said group. Their crude appearances weren't exactly the best thing to see for the ever anxious Gale. It was unsettling. That he might end up doing such himself, that is. It was similar to knowing when you're going to die, yet you're just waiting for it because you can't do anything about. Sounds dramatic? Well, yes it was, but let Gale be Gale.

Shoving his hand nervously in his pockets, the widower approached the desk, met by the exorbitant amounts of sensual fragrances. The sheer amount of the smell confused the man. He wasn't sure if he was disturbed or blissful or somewhere in between. It was definitely a different side of East Street that Gale was unsure of, though the woman at the desk was was a sight for sore eyes. That he was certain of.

He's eyes fastened to the woman and her desk, feeling as though if he looked away and towards the others within the room he would somehow be turned into stone. But in all honesty, it was easy not to look away. She was a fine young woman at a-a desk in a -um- brothel. Why would you want to look away?

"Hello." Gale said, giving a sort of smirk. If you could call it that, anyway.

Her eyes seamlessly grazed across him like a sentence on a page. He had no doubt she had perfected the skill of coming to an accurate judgment of someone by their appearance. She works here after all. Though, the thought of her already knowing more than he probably had to say with just a sheer glance was daunting. Her smile didn't dampen this feeling, even beside her response.

Gale blinked, almost as if he was surprised by her question, despite the fact he wasn't. "Not exactly. The sailor managed to say finally after starring at the woman for a few more ticks. The next phrase appeared to be an even longer wait, for Gale's mind was questioning his reasoning. Asking him if he really wanted to do this. "I was actually wondering if you had any positions open?" Ooooh, why did you say it like that? "Er- like, a job, I mean." Nice try. He probably should have left it alone.

[Eldritch]

The woman’s brows raised by a few fractions at Gale’s request, not exactly the normal looking individual to come looking for a job on the seedier side of employment. She spared another quick once over, eyes falling upon his injury and the strange marking upon it as though wondering what value that might add or detract from the man. In the end she met Gale’s eyes again, a lyrical chuckle escaping her red painted lips as she leaned further over the desk. There was a hidden glint of mischief in her eyes but also the savvy of an intelligent business woman.

“A job? You aren’t exactly the normal type to come asking around after such things, darling. You do know what this place is right?” The woman offered, her upwardly curved lips transforming into a look of pure amusement.

She stood straight back, folding her arms under her breasts as she lifted her brow in inquiry regarding perhaps either his intelligence or his willingness to go through with this. Everything about her posture was designed to deliver an evocation of desire from another, her movement’s fluid and the intensity of her gaze simply screaming of being desirable. A simple brushing of her locks from her face was enough to look deliberately designed to get a costumer riled up.

“If you do know what this place is, I trust you know what exactly a job here would require of you, yes?” The woman inquired.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

When one was judged by another by their physical being, there is one of three things that they could do. They could ignore the fact about being judged and continue on with their conversation, activities, and such as they intended. One could also take said judgment and use it to improve one's self for the better. Then they could also use it to fuel a smoldering fire withing them.

Gale did none of these things.

Gale, as a matter of fact, made his own option. He took this judgment and!... shoved it into a hole in his heart.

It appeared the more the observational woman eyed and observed the artist, the more concerned he appeared. Her eyebrows appeared to pull his thumbs deeper into his pockets, as if receding from her ominous stare. The nubs started to sting and the symbol on his hand started to burn. He wanted to simply just plunged his entire hand straight into his pocket and walk out. His hands almost twitched in longing for such. But of course, Gale knew that she would need to see the scars and marks eventually. If he hid it, it would make him look like a coward. Or ashamed. Or nervous. Not that the rest of him said other wise.

As her eyes scanned him once more, each part of him gained the same hair raising feeling as his hand did. His nervous appearance was obvious, even to the oblivious. His shoulders were slouched, his head was slightly down, his hands tapped his thighs in an aimless manner.

She was right, he wasn't one to typically walk in a place like this and ask for a job. Why should he? Of course there were probably plenty of other more qualified men asking the same exact thing as he was. He didn't really belong here, no. But he needed to be here. So he had to at least try.

The man took a noticeable deep breath, and while doing so straightened himself out again. "Yes ma'am. I do." It was kind of hard not to know what this place was. Please were walking around naked for Ssena ' s sake. Unless he was mistake and this was some sort of bath house Gale had no idea why he wouldn't.

Why wouldn't he know? Yeah, he probably wasn't the typical type to walk in here asking for anything at all, but he wasn't stupid. He knew exactly what he would have to do if he was hired on.

Gale's lips pressed together in a line, feeling slightly insulted despite not having even started the process of any sort of interview... she didn't start yet, right?

The sailor's natural slouch started to settle in again as she continued on. His blue eyes watching her with a sort of concerned look, wondering if she had already said no in her mind. She looked like she was thoroughly enjoying herself already with his request and just merely being there that he couldn't tell if she already hated his guts, liked his unintentional humor, or couldn't make up her mind. He supposed that's how it was suppose to be but he didn't like it.

Especially since she did seem to be enjoying herself and, to Gale, it appeared she was purposely seducing him. She probably wasn't trying, but her natural figure appeared to have caught his eyes on some sort of hook. Every time he tried to look away, he would find himself starring at a different part of her. Every time he tried to just stare at her eyes and maintain eye contact they refused to stay.

Gale honestly tried his best to keep his eyes off, but he eventually just gave up. He probably looked ridiculous with his eyes going everywhere. He ran his hand through his hair and nodded to her question. "Yes, I am fully aware. " Which is why he was hesitant.

[Eldritch]

The woman hummed a bit as she looked at Gale a few times over, rounding from around her desk and pacing around him a couple of times. Her eyes raked his form a few times over as though assessing his worth as product rather than the contents of his coin purse. Her eyes fell upon his hand and she raised a single eyebrow at the sight, her gaze a little more meticulous. Physical imperfections were not exactly something that attracted most, but then again some folks liked men with scars. She shrugged and returned behind her counter and scribbled a few things down in her ledger.

“Well, I might have some work for you. Though you look like you might be better as hired muscle with a scar like that one darling.” The woman commented with a slight chuckle.

“I could use a man to stick around here, toss out some of the more violent customers or drunken lechers. They pay isn’t exactly the greatest, but its honest work. So, what will it be Mr…” The woman inquired, waving a hand before her.

It was obvious that she was both offering a way out for Gale and an opportunity to offer some safety for her employees. It was still a job, just not the one Gale had likely been expecting. The choice was still his of course which path he wanted to take.