Closed A Pocket Full of Rubies

[Shai]

Shai slipped into Ruby’s Scarlet Sanctum. Her bosses instructions still rang through her mind, as clear as Chell’s voice ever had. A young man has recently purchased a necklace. It was sold as ‘magical’. I doubt it is magic at all my little thief, but it has real gems and that is what matters. Along with the command came a description of the man, hardly more than a boy really, who had made the purchase. He apparently decided it was good luck to keep the necklace on his person. Perhaps he wasn’t so wrong, putting it down would be a delicious invitation for scavengers. Earlier this evening, she had spied him walking through the gates, it was only a matter of time according to Silvertongue’s information that he would end up at her sister’s establishment.

Here the little spider wasn’t wholly unknown, she had in the past made deliveries for her employer. It was also one of the few groups of women in the city of Sunberth that were immune to her sticky fingers. It had been part of the bargain. Steal for Silvertongue but not from Ruby’s gems. Usually she avoided the gated community although, no matter how target rich the community was the risk was yet again higher. The warehouses made better targets, and the simpleton sailors down at the Fish. No she was only here because it was the best location to begin her tail.

She didn’t wear finery and that set her apart from the wares, but not so much from the patrons. It was a deadman that didn’t wear armor in Sunberth. Shai’s own armor was night leather, like its own shadow in the dimlit whorehouse. Cloak hung back off her shoulders, she made little attempt to envelope herself in it for now. Acting suspicious here would get more attention than acting like she belonged. Her hair was tied up into a severe bun with leather cord. Secreted within were a number of lock picks and wrenches, but their silvery glint was hidden beneath the prism crystal knotted into the bun.

The crystal was much more than any gem the patrons could offer, it was a familiar; Chell. He watched her back tonight, but more importantly she had asked her crystalline partner to watch their mark. It was only last season that they had truly began working together. There was nothing smooth about their partnership, only understanding that they needed funds to survive and Shai’s greatest skills belonged in the criminal world. Chell was as rational as Shai was rash, they rarely worked well together but they always managed.

The spider took a seat that could watch the mark and the door. Her young target was already making fast friends with one of Ruby’s ladies. It looked like the thief would be waiting until his business was done. Who knew how long that could take? Then again in Shai’s experience age was indicative and it wouldn’t be a long sojourn.

When the waiter came to her, she ordered wine and began her wait. The thief wouldn’t call it a game, a game implied the prey knew he was playing. She intended for him to never see her until all there was to observe was her back fading away with his necklace. Until then, she would have to pretend to be a patron. At least it wouldn’t be a boring wait.

[Dor'gen]

There was a single, sad reality which characterized the life of Dor'gen. While he had lived well into his second century of life, there were certain pleasures that he was woefully ignorant of. In particular, the touch of a woman was something that the Akalak had never felt; but not due to inability to pursue or any such thing. The simple fact was that he was an outsider within his homeland...and such removed him from being looked upon favorably by Talobans of the opposing gender. What's more, Dor'gen had dedicated himself to the army with an impressive fervor for many years. He simply did not have time to spend hours in a brothel or to indulge in a loose woman. As such, upon entering the Scarlet Sanctum, the towering Akalak felt ridiculously out of place.

His reason for entering the establishment was not out of a desire to try new things; nor to sate the desires which came with his gender. In fact, if it were up to him, he would probably have not set foot within the Sanctum for the duration of his stay within Sunberth. However, having picked up the sellsword trade, one had to venture into sordid places in order to conduct business. For Dor'gen, the job at hand revolved around meeting with his to-be employer at his favorite place of "leisure time". Apparently this sod was one of the wealthier individuals in the city and required some muscle to protect a shipment of his wares. While this task would be simple enough to accomplish, being granted the finer details would require a sit down in the den of loose women.

And so, with cheeks aflame out of sheer nerves, the Akalak strode into the Sanctum.

His entrance was more than enough to draw stray glances...and then prompt whispers on the part of patrons and "staff" alike. After all, it was not everyday that a literal giant walked into a brothel! Those who were occupied with "haggling" were the first to tear their eyes away from the purple sight and resume talking...but those whores which were free looked upon the Akalak with fear in their eyes. Apparently the thought of bedding a giant was an intimidating one! With long, yet shaky, strides, Dor'gen made his way across the Sanctum and diligently searched for a place to sit down. He wanted to be out of public eye, but also somewhere that provided a view of the entrance. This way, should his client arrive, he would be able to promptly greet him.

With diligence, Dor'gen searched for an appropriate spot suitable for this goal and found a table located away from the "action". While there were a total of four chairs encircling it, only one was occupied by a woman. She, at a glance, seemed slightly out of place in such an establishment. Unlike the gaudy, loose women who seemed flirtatious from the get-go, this woman was reserved and dressed in an attire ill-befitting the "entertainer" occupation. For one so...completely and utterly shaken by being in a brothel...she was a welcome sight! Prompted by this, Dor'gen approached and came to a halt before the seat directly across from her. "Pardon me," he began, greeting her with a respectful nod, "is this seat taken? I...assume...that you do not work here and I was hoping that you would not mind my sitting here whilst I await a...friend."

There was no need to divulge any more information than absolutely necessary...after all, this was Sunberth.
.

[Aider Silander]

The Nykians presence had become common in Rubies establishment. Though he some how managed to miss the one person he truly wanted to see. Walked along the floor, sliding past any whore who was doing her job. The leather jacket was clinging tightly to the mans body. His coin bag tucked tightly inside the sleeve of his jacket. Aider's eyes were low, looking at the ground as he stepped. His eyes glancing at the occasional whores arse. He needed someone or something to take his mind off of her for the night. Though coming to the place she worked probably wasn't a smart choice on his part. His eyes traveled across the room, landing on a giant sitting across from him. An next to him was a woman with an odd elegance to her. Nether were someone he had seen before. At least not in Rubies, he walked over to the purple man and caught the very end of what he had to say. He stopped before he stood before the two. Sitting down in an open chair he waited listing to the conversation between the two unfold.

It wasn't long before one of the whore's came over to him. "Hey there handsome, would you like some company tonight" she asked with a slight giggle. "I would but you are not the one I am looking for" he said as politely at he could. The whore didn't take that as a no, sitting now on his lap. She continued his flirting and teasing. Aider sat there, ignoring her for the few chimes he could before turning his head to her. "I don't mean to be rude. But unless you are a Myrian, you aren't really my type" he said. The whore finally stood up and walked away, obviously upset at the money that she had missed out on. He shook his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He mumbled something unintelligent under his breath and leaned back in the chair. He was trying to ignore her yet she came up anyway. His eyes turned back towards the group. Wondering if what he had said was heard by ether of them. He wasn't so worried about the woman as much as the man. He didn't seem like the kind of man that Aider could run from, much like talk to. He didn't really seem like the kind to listen.

[Shai]

A tilt of her head betrayed her attention, watching the Akalak cross the room. Creatures so big as the men of RIverfall tended to garner attention, certainly the Symenestra’s. She had seen the city of waterfalls and had spent her entire visit worried one of the giants would bump into her and crush the life from her body. She always kept her peripheral vision on the door the mark was rutting behind. Her glass of wine sat unkissed, it was at the best of times a prop, still she curled her slender alabaster fingers around the stem and lifted it. “You may sit.” She answered curiously Her accent was heavy, never in her years on the surface had it faded into shameful inexistance. Her language was eerie to the surface dwellers but to her it was a like the ghost of a dream and she would never willfully shred her racial identity. “I am waiting as well.” Her ashen lips curled at the corners in a tight smile, “For a friend I suppose.”

As the spidery half-truth left her tongue, the spider shifted her regard to the human. “Is this not your friend?” she asked, watching the prostitute's attempts. Men that went to a pleasure house but didn’t seek flesh, this ought to be amusing. Chell, she murmured within her mind, would you keep your sight on those doors? Our mark will not be long I am sure.

Chell paused and hummed within her. Shai had come to understand the humming was a thinking sound for the Irylid. Finally he answered, Affirmative. I agree with your thoughts. These two...either a distraction or an asset. Time will tell.

At this distance, either them might see the grey veins tracing beneath her skin. If they missed the veins, the curved nails and eyes were a dead-ringer. Let’s see what they do with the monster from their bed time stories. Shai drew her glass to take a drink, though the perceptive might notice no difference in the level of spirits as it returned to a prop rested on the table. “Since we are both waiting for friends, let us make new friends.” She inclined her head to mirror his earlier nod. “You may call me Saris.”

Shai knew as well as any resident of Sunberth, no one had friends here. Even if they did, she had no intention of making friends with either of them, but for now they were useful and that was good enough. For all the eyes the Akalak drew, her diminutive figure was hidden from sight without the slightest trouble. The human on the other hand blended in perfectly, she could scarcely have orchestrated better cover. She motioned towards the Akalak but addressed the human, “He and I are awaiting friends, but you… looking for a Myrian is very specific. Why would you think to find one here?”

[Terror]

There was blood in the air, reeking and fetid. The scent of it brought to mind the feel of it, the way it matted thick fur and streaked fingers and lips as flesh was torn into. The scent was old and dry, but it was warm and delicious. Recently, hunting had been difficult and Terror had resorted to feeding on old carcasses and any berries or mushrooms she could scrounge up in the wilderness. This smell was something she absolutely yearned for.

Terror sought out the scent. She prowled, at the feet of men and women alike as they completed their nefarious business under the muddled sky. Like a dog, claws digging into the ground, teeth bared in anticipation. Like an animal, she hungered for something that wasn't readily found. So low to the ground, she could smell filth and feces and dry fear, sickly like sweat. The people around her reeked.

Relief came only when she swept out of the street and into the nearest door, losing the smell of blood and food in exchange for something more provocative and sweet, reminding the Zith of simpler times when all she wanted to worry about was sex and food. There were no boots in Kalea. No swords that stung her skin, no arrows trying to break her flight. There was warmth and family in Kalea that was not in Sunberth.

Terror did not know the name of the establishment she had entered, but she was assailed by the smell of excitement and arousal in a way that reminded her completely of home... even overshadowing her hunger for the lingering trail of old, dry blood. It was likely imagined anyway, but this was real.

As the Zith rose from her crouch, needing to be upright before the next person to enter tread on her and crushed her beneath him, she could see why this place reeked as it did.

Women sashayed about, draping themselves over men. Perfume layered the higher air thickly, masking anything more descriptive than just purely the smell of desire. It was loud. There was jeering. Cries of excitement and need that startled the instinctive Zith and put her on edge; yet she chose not to leave.

Curiosity, the tool that all Zith eventually weilded, had risen in her. She did not know the word "brothel" nor the meaning behind it, and had no use for the word "whore" to define the women she saw, but she was interested to know the what and the why, and found the instinctual advances of those she considered prey to be far too interesting to ignore.

Terror, in her discomfort at this unfamiliar setting, with the press of human bodies and scents and sounds rushing into her, stepped back away from the brunt of the activity. She sought a wall to cling to, one in a corner where the light would let her eyes have a rest.

A man stepped forward, clad in little more than pants and a tie, and opened his mouth to address the Zith, intruding within her little corner of safety in a way that immediately earned a warning swipe from her long-fingered hand.

The look in his eyes was comfort enough as he backed off. Terror looked away from him, more interested in the sight of the women and their men than those males styled for servitude.

For all intents and purposes, Terror was utterly fascinated.

[Dor'gen]

Much akin to a mighty tide, relief washed over the Akalak as the woman before him permitted him to sit. Promptly, he slid the nearest seat out from underneath the table and lowered himself down upon it; maintaining eye contact with the pale woman all the while. What struck Dor'gen most was simply...how different she seemed in comparison to the throngs of humans surrounding them. Aside from the fact that the adjacent women were barely clothed and reeking of perume, the Akalak noted her distinct accent and the paleness of her skin. For reasons beyond him, there was something so...familiar about what he saw; and thus he took a moment to ponder...before his train of thought was derailed. This was due to his noticing the blur of movement out of the corner of his eye.

Turning his head slightly, Dor'gen witnessed the arrival of the Nykian out of his peripheral vision. A small acknowledgement was afforded to him in the form of a nod before he returned his attention upon the pale woman entirely. Of course, this did not mean that he was ignorant of the adjacent chair's scratching upon the floor as it was pulled out; or of the Nykian's sitting down upon it. "Is it normal for Humans to just sit down uninvited?" he mentally inquired of his "dark sibling." "I am not certain." Goa began, "I suppose such things may be the norm? Somewhat dissatisfied, the Akalak simply grunted whilst the harlot made her subsequent advances...and gave her quite the glare as she moved past.

And in that moment, Dor'gen knew the satisfaction of receiving an utterly terrified expression in response. It was then that his glare was briefly leveled upon the Human who so boldly declared his lust for a member of his kind. A Human...a loathesome Human dared to lust after one of Myri's own?! Yet, making a public fuss out of this would only serve to derail what he had come to the brothel to do. Drawing a breath, Dor'gen set aside his disgust and took his gaze off of the man; who had twice now offended the Giant.

Returning his attention to the woman before him, the Akalak briefly inclined his head in order to introduce himself. "Well met, Saris. You may call me Dor'gen." he said. Upon lifting his head, his eyes took a better look at the elegance before them. After a moment of inspection, he began to notice the key differences between she and the average human. The veins. The nails. The pale complexion...At once, the lessons chanted during his childhood came rushing back to the forefront of his mind. Days spent at the feet of Myrian warriors, listening to them recount the conquests of their people, played before his psyche's eye...until a light, almost condescending smile formed upon his lips. "Ah...So she is one the spiders that our Goddess shook out of their web..." noted Goa, only causing Dor'gen's smile to grow. Of course, the Akalak was smart enough not to gloat in the middle of the whore house; for he was here on business after all.

"Indeed." he added onto the end of Saris' inquiry, "I did not think it common for a Myrian to be...at a place like this." The Akalak made every attempt to keep his tone relatively tame, but the Human was already at two strikes in his book. A third would probably inspire him to introduce his boot to the man's arse. However, before he could so much as entertain himself with that thought, a hushed yelp tugged at Dor'gen's attention. Turning about to face the origin of the noise, he noticed a man scampering off away from a woman in a shadowed corner. For most, the assumption would be that a man was simply turned away by a harlot; and that would be the end of it. But for Dor'gen, he simply felt like squinting into the black.

One of his natural talents came into play, revealing a much more...heated...version of she who stood in the shadows. There were wings...claws...A snarl formed on the Akalak's face at once. A Zith. There was a petching Zith standing right there. "This day keeps getting better and better." he murmured.
.

[Aider Silander]

"Im not looking for a Myrian. Im looking for a specific Myrian" he said, slightly cold. The annoyance in his voice could be heard. Not that it was something he would try to hid anyway. "Why do you ask anyway?" he said. His eyes now glancing up to the one intruding into his space. She was paler then the Leth in the nights sky. Her veins showing through her skin made an eyebrow rise on the mans face. "You arent human." he said in a hushed tone for only the two to hear. "Nether is your friend here of course. But he is a bit more obvious then you. What are you?" he asked. His eyes not leaving her face. "Its not common for a Myrian to leave the jungle lands of there home now is it?" he said, his eyes finally glancing over to the other man at the table.

His eyes turned back to the woman sitting in front of him. "My name is Aider.. Aider Silander" he said with a tick in between. "There is a Myrian that I know who works here. A bouncer of sorts. Protector maybe?" he said with a slight shrug. "I'm not looking for her for the reason that most men come to this house. I do not seek a simple night of pleasure" he added. He placed his elbows on the table. Interlacing his fingers as he heard a yelp from behind. Looking over his shoulder for a few chimes. He noticed another non human creature in the place. "Well then" he mumbled to himself.

"Why are you so interested in my seeking of a Myrian anyway" he asked his eyes locked on the purple giant. He waited for a few ticks. His eyes looking into that of the giants. "I do not see a reason for you to take interest. Is it common for you to butt into others affair's?" he asked in a rather accusing tone. It was obvious that he was a man who like to know much and share little. His eyes turned back to the woman sitting across from him. "As for you, what brings you to a place like this? Or Sunberth for that matter" he asked. The flirtatious speaking and giggles continued to fill the room as Aider waited for his answers.

[Shai]

Shai laughed, “Foolish boy, you are Mister Silander. There is nothing simple about a night of pleasure. Nothing at all.” Rolling her shoulders back she peeked around Dor’gen at the door before answering the Akalak. “Well met indeed.”

Shai’s eyes slid over the oddity in the corner, that was beyond the pale. It was one thing to have an Akalak as cover but a Zith would draw too many eyes, not avert them. Still the curious spider couldn’t help herself. She moved over to make room for the furred woman. If the necklace wasn’t so important, she might have let it escape her grasp entirely to see where this went. “I am here because I live in Sunberth, and this building exactly? Because it has my interest within it.”

Glancing down at the burgundy wine, Shai couldn’t help but think of dinner and time passing. There would be time for all of these faces to learn and regret having done so. It was a fact of life in Sunberth, people were temporary at best. Far worse if they were permanent. “Nothing, not even in this city is simple. In fact, I find the more simple something appears the more complex the truth.” Spider seemed half lost in herself, hopefully not too far to be noticed over much. She tried not to appear afraid, but part of that phrase had been simultaneously echoed in her thoughts. It was Chell who had mused on the realities of truth, and without thought her lips had taken them from voice to thought.

Could Chell become dominant? He had never seemed to want to, but perhaps it was a plow. Seeds of paranoia began to sew, when the back door opened. “Ah, my interest is moving. Perhaps soon, you three would be interested in a job?”