Solo A woman of Finery

[Aliara Cantrell]

51st of Winter 514AV

Death and destruction, Sunberth had always been a city of chaos however this season had made a new kind of fear in the city. Warring gangs had made the streets dangerous, to step outside your home meant to step into the crossfire. On the 8th day of the season the snow of the Seaside market was painted red, many families had been broken that day including Aliara’s however she had decided to stop thinking it about it only caused her pain.

That morning Aliara had been approached, as she stood at the docks looking at the shards of ice, if she was available to guard a lady to and from the tavern. She had muttered about some payment and Aliara had agreed. Thats how she ended up staring blankly at the womans door. Aliara was wearing her leather armor with a cloak through over the top, her teeth chattering from the cold she rubbed her gloved hands together. Knocking on the door with her foot Aliara frowned. This would be the third time Aliara had knocked and every time she had been met with a ‘Hold on’. Rolling her Eyes Aliara unsheathed her sword and watched the snow fall on its blade.

Smiling slightly Aliara kept watching the snowflakes until her calm was ruined by a door being slammed closed. Sheathing her cutlass Aliara looked up to her client. The woman was dark haired and in skin yet as a fashion choice she had chosen whites and pale blues, mimicking the snow perhaps?

“Aliara Cantrell,”

Aliara bit her tongue and bobbed down in a slight bow, the woman obviously considered herself higher in the ranks then Aliara, which was probably true. Giving the woman what she wants was probably a safe bet to getting a tip.

“To the pigs foot?”

The woman held her chin up and made a weird noise causing Aliara to bite her tongue again to hold back rude comment, in the current Sunberth Aliara was probably more wanted then this woman. Someone with no noticeable skills need others to protect her, not that Aliara was planning on running away to a gang anytime soon. The woman began striding off without Aliara. Groaning in frustration Aliara ran off after the idiot.

[Aliara Cantrell]

When she finally caught up the the woman Aliara was over the woman’s attitude, all high and mighty wouldn't do anything that didn't make her look good. Watching the faces of everyone that passed past the pair Aliara kept an eye out for any sign of Daggerhand or any other gang members for that matter. The woman remained silent as Aliara considered all the things that she could do to the woman, trip her in her incredibly high heels, throw a snowball at her face or just generally push her.

“Are you meeting someone?”

It was a simple question, Aliara did however question whether the person was someone she was ‘escorting’ Blinking slowly Aliara watched the passersby again for any sign of trouble however there didn't seem to be many people on the roads. Probably still freaked out about the attacks. Her question was greeted by silence and Aliara couldn't say she was surprised. As her eyes glided over a pair of teenagers, they were and odd sight, kids only Aliara’s age and they were sporting open marks of the Daggerhands, kids so young had given their lives to a war… Blinking she watched as they came towards the woman and Aliara.

“Hey girlies, looking for some fun.”

The boy waggled his eyebrows and purred the words towards them and all Aliara could think of was how they gang was described. ‘They take what they want’. Stepping in front of her client Aliara glared down the boys and watched them as they looked towards each other then laughed.

“Lil’ attitude there!”

The two boys closed the distance between Aliara and her client and Aliara went immediately into protection mode, drawing her cutlass she used her spare hand to push her Client far behind her. thier attackers took a few steps back and looked back at each other. They were every hive minded, Aliara wondered if they were separated if they would be so brave.

“Back. Off.”

Her voice a growl as she gripped her cutlass until her knuckles were white. The Daggerhands seemed to consider whether they should take her on, Aliara hoped not, she would be outnumbered and unable to properly protect the lady hiding behind her. Stepping forward she hoping to make them decide. Aliara watched their reactions one she could tell that did not want to be part of it and the other however seemed to be quiet happy to take her on.

One of the boys grabbed his friend shoulder to get his attention, maybe Aliara was going to be lucky. Aliara took another step forward and raised her eyebrows in a challenge but the boys backed down, they took a step back and Aliara could see the relief flickr beneath their eyes. Smiling Aliara slowly sheathed her sword again.

“Good Day Gentlemen.”

Shuffling backwards toward her client Aliara kept watching the boys as they continued to back away slowly just as Aliara was. She just wished that the gangs kept their business between themselves and not include the public. When Aliara felt the woman closely behind she pushed the woman in a hint to keep walking as she stood watching the boys round the corner muttering to themselves. Turning back to the woman Aliara gestured for her to continue but instead the woman talked to her.

“Sally Flemming...:”

Her voice was small but Aliara got the idea smiling Politely at Sally she gestured again and began walking with her client again.

[Aliara Cantrell]

The rest of the walk was spent in silence but Aliara couldn’t help but think about the the situation that had a occurred earlier, they could have easily taken her own, two people against Aliara would win and she could expect Sally to fight if she could why hire someone to protect them. Looking ahead of her Aliara considered if they were really Dagger Hands. shaking her head she continued to ponder all the possibilities and whether or not she hadn't seen the last of those boys.

The pair rounded the corner to the pig’s foot and Aliara couldn't help but scoff, this place was overly fancy and up itself, even the dancer that was there Aliara couldn't stand but she was unsure whether that was because she was a dancer and Aliara wasn't or she was generally annoying. Holding the door open for Sally Aliara took the chance to look quickly in the room for any more threats. Noting that it was clear Aliara moved out of the way and allowed Sally to walk in.

Knowing what to do Aliara hung back but stayed close enough that she could jump in at any moment to shake down whoever was giving her a hard time. As she hang back and lent against the wall Aliara could see that she was drawing attention. People turned in their seats and raise their eyebrows. Resting a hand on her cutlass Aliara watched the crowd silently. A man with a beard eating a massive pile of food, a lady throwing herself at a man and one guy sitting in the corner, seemed innocent enough, watching her climate she saw as Sally approached the bar.

A shadow crossed her feet and Aliara looked to her left, a man no older then herself lent against the wall beside her. He was an attractive man all blue eyes and night coloured hair, everything about him screamed manliness, the rugged cheek bones and afternoon shadow. Looking into his face she rolled her eyes, turning back to watching her client she attempted to ignore the lurking presence he gave her.

“Gee, they are breeding them young and gorgeous aren't they,”

So the man speaks, looking back to him she stuck her tongue out and took one step further away from him. ignoring his presence Aliara went back to watching her client carefully, a man had approached her. He looked rather important in his smoking jacket and fancy hat, maybe Sally was so rich because a considerably old man had taken a certain interest in a certain type of company. Smiling Aliara laughed softly, she was escorting a mistress, watching over the scene in the corner of her eye Aliara noticed that the man who had made the comment before was watching the same place.

“He is your charge isn't he?”

The man laughed and nodded, of course she would have to spend the rest of the night with an annoying man, brushing a strand of hair out of her face she watched as the man and Sally shifted closer to each other and giggled away, she was so faking it. Turning towards the man beside her she noticed a sword at his back and a knife at his hip, so there were two knives and two swords between the pair. not a bad mix when it came to fighting.

“If only the wife knew.”

Definitely a mistress then...

[Aliara Cantrell]

Standing against the wall Aliara watched over the bar scene, it was calm everyone stayed in their seats and made no move of violence towards the couple. The other guard however kept moving to close to Aliara, every time she would take a couple of steps to the side he would follow. Wonderful. Tapping the toe of her boot on the stone Aliara’s mind floated back to the boys in the street, it was odd for them to just leave like that, it was one girl against two men, for a cocky gang member it was an easy shot.

“Stop frowning your. drawing attention,”

Blinking away her thoughts Aliara glared at the man beside her and stuck her tongue out. Surveying the room again Aliara took not that a man had moved from near the door to the bar. He didn't look as though he had weapons however Aliara was often wrong, he was a large man and looked as though he enjoyed Tavern meals a little too much but that didn't stop him being a threat. Watching his movements carefully Aliara’s hand moved to her side so it rested above her Kurki, a weapon small enough not to draw attention but deadly enough to protect something. Smiling Aliara pushed her weight of the wall and tried to look as graceful as possible as she crossed the tavern to her client and her partner.

“Ello’ Lovelies, Don't mean to bother you, but if i could have a time to when you leave that would be nice as once i escourt your ladyship home i also have to escort myself home.”

The pair glared at Aliara slightly but Aliara couldn't help but shrug and hold Sally’s gaze. The two women continued to stare at each other until eventually Sally caved, as Aliara knew she would. With Sally saying she would leave within 2 bells Aliara returned back to the wall and resumed to watched the tavern as the occupants continued with their everyday lives. It was interesting to view life from a difference point, she was usually the one sitting at the tables eating her dinner but to be the one observing it made her wonder if she seemed just as sad as some of these patrons? Some nights she probably was…

The door slamming behind her caused Aliara to turn around, at first it just seemed like to ordeniary teens and their dads however it was when the patrons settled into a silence Aliara knew was up. Pushing back of the wall she moved to her client and ordered a drink. Leaning closer to Sally Aliara asked in a hushed voice:

“Is it those boys again?”

“Yes…”

Aliara sighed softly and pushed away from the bar to confront the group once again. Aliara didn't particularly feel like fighting but she did need to money and she might get paid a little extra if she defended the client in an out right fight. Standing in front of the group Aliara put her hands onto her hips and raised her eyebrows. The men before her snickered softly to themselves before taking a step closer to Aliara.

“Hey there darling, looking for some fun?”

A chuckled escaped her and Aliara couldn't help but roll her eyes, her hand fell to where her kurki remained hidden as she took a small step forward as well.

“More like my job and my job requires me to ask you to kindly leave this building and go to the other tavern,”

The men just took another step forward and Aliara felt the need to lash out but not necessarily with her firsts. It was then that she felt a tap on her shoulder, turning her head slightly Aliara saw Sally standing at the arm of her lover.

“I dont want to be part of this… He will escort me home and if you drop by my home Tomorrow you can get your payment”

Frowning Aliara turned completely to Sally’s lover dropping a bag of what she assumed was her payment in her hand. Frowning even deeper Aliara looked up at the pair, what had she done wrong? or maybe Sally wasn't going to her home anymore or maybe she was scared of the outcome if a fight were to happen?

The pair stepped around Aliara and the Daggerhands and exited in what looked like a hurry. Turning back to the men Aliara looked up into the older man’s eyes and smiled as nicely as she could. Lifting her knee Aliara kicked out with all her weight, it caused the man to stumble back and give Aliara a chance to leg it. Pushing through the crowd and out the door Aliara began on her way home.

[Amora Jade]

Congratulations, you've been awarded!

 

Aliara

Skills

• Observation +4
• Intimidation +1
• Socialization +1
• Unarmed Combat +1

Lores

• Job: Escort the Stuck-up Lady to Pig's Foot
• Client's Name: Sally Flemming

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to send me a private message! Also, please remember to edit your post requesting the grade as "Graded."

With love,
Miss Jade