A Simple Escort

[Sola]

Frost 45 4622

It was about as cold an afternoon it could get in Tilema. Luna felt chills running down her spine even in the heated interior of the brothel she worked at. She was wearing her thick coat and felt bad for the scantily clad women who lounged around by the fire. Luna was fully dressed because she was supposed to go meet someone to do “business” at their place. Supposedly they were in a bad part of town which complicated things. So bad that they’d paid an extra fee to the brothel who had in turn spent some of that on hiring someone to escort her. Supposedly the regular bodyguard staff were too busy or unwilling to take on the job.

Luna sat near the entrance and busied herself with a mirror and some cosmetics that she used to make her eyebrows a little darker. Her hair was naturally dark brown and she wanted to add some lighter brown to it. She couldn’t tell if she was actually making any progress and sucked her tongue in frustration. She hated how little light made it inside the establishment.

The goal of the lighting choice was to make the prostitutes more attractive to potential partners. By hiding any flaws or imperfections, the individual was able to project a more appealing image. This was done by using clever makeup techniques, such as contouring, to create the illusion of a more symmetrical face and using light and shadow to hide blemishes or other undesirable features. Additionally, hairstyles and clothing could be used to help frame the face and create a more pleasing overall look.

“Where was that escort?” she thought. It was the first time Luna had been asked to go to a dangerous neighborhood so she was a tad nervous. She was kind of hoping they didn’t even show up, then she could enjoy the safety and comfort of the brothel. She knew that some of the women even kept knives hidden around so they could get to them if they needed to. It wasn’t a half bad idea. Luna only knew how to use a bow and that was one of the most unpractical options for close quarters self defense. She sighed knowing that she had a lot of areas to improve on if she was ever going to fully integrate into this lifestyle.

[Malikyth]

♅ 45th of Frost, Year 4622 ♅

Company: Prostitute | Thoughts: Hope I'm not late | Mood: Calm

---

♅The cold enveloped his skin as he walked around the city of Tilema. This city and its people were polite and rather cheerful from his perspective, as he liked that most of all about them. This job was an easy escort gig, one that could help build some trust with the locals. For this particular job, however, he was to act as bodyguard and escort for a brothel worker, as she was heading into a part of the city that would be less than ideal for upstanding citizens.

While in Tilema he found that the place was rather extraordinary, if not pleasant given the people. He was taking in the sights and sounds of the place, smelling the different aromas that came from shops and homes. He never had the care to do so while living out in the cabin with his late wife, as the only smell there was nature and wilderness.

For him, there was really no point to get too wrapped up in the city itself, as it held no interest to him. In any case, it was a pleasant place. The sounds of the children playing, a market buzzing with life and commerce even in the cold, and just the overall peacefulness of the place put him at ease.

As he reached the brothel he saw a brunette woman in a thick coat, and at first glance, he thought it was Teresa, and his heart skipped a beat. But once he looked at her clearly he noticed it wasn't his dead wife. Clearing his throat he approached the woman to try and find out which of these women he was to be escorting.

"Pardon me, but I was hired to escort a lady of this establishment to her business destination. Could you point me in her direction if you are aware of who that may be?" he politely inquired, a smile and a small bow to the woman as he folded both of his hands behind his back.

This wasn't his first time in a whore house, but the ones in the capital were of a whole other caliber than the ones he had been in before. The architecture was grand and seemed expensive. He was almost afraid to touch anything in the building as he knew he couldn't afford to replace it. ♅

---

"Common Speech"
"Mor'drub Speech"
"Silvain Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Sola]

Speak of the devil

Luna’s blue eyes flicked to the newest man who walked into the brothel. He was a large man and looked younger than most men who frequented the brothel. At first, she thought he just another customer but when he approached and bowed slightly, she got excited at the possibility that her wait was finally over.

She nodded and listened as he confirmed her suspicions. “I’d be happy to help you out handsome. I’ll show you right to her… Her name is Luna and she’s quite the fox. Now where did she run off to? Oh yeah, I remember! She’s riiiiiight here!” she waved her finger in the air aimlessly and then pointed right at her nose. She giggled and then shoved her things into her pockets.

“I’m ready to go when you are,” she said, not knowing if he had other business to attend to first. She cocked her head to the side and continued, “I take it you know where we’re going, right? I’ve never been to this neighborhood but I heard it’s trouble.” She took a small map out of her pocket. It was crudely drawn by her boss to show where she ought to go. She offered it to the man if he needed it. She wasn’t sure if the address would have been provided beforehand or not.

Luna took the time to look her escort up and down. She thought he looked capable enough and hoped that his mere presence would be enough to keep evil doers at bay. Her ace up her sleeve was mentalism and the only abilities that might help her would give her away as a renegade mage. She was not a particularly violent woman but she was more than willing to hurt someone if it meant keeping her secret safe.

[Malikyth]

♅ 45th of Frost, Year 4622 ♅

Company: Prostitute | Thoughts: Hope I'm not late | Mood: Calm

---

♅ "Well aren't you just a bubbly little thing." he mused to himself as he looked her over. He was surprised he was lucky enough to find the girl waiting for him in the foyer. He had a feeling that she was going to be some prima donna who looked far too high on herself simply because she was a high-priced piece of entertainment here in the capital. She was not what he had been expecting at first glance, so he felt good about how this would go and that she wouldn't annoy him by having a pretentious attitude.

He smiled at her playfulness and gestured her to exit first following close at her side. "I was given the address I'm to escort you to and took the time to head there the day before in order to find the best route to get you there and back safely." he assured, his eyes looking to their surroundings as his tone was pointed to her even if he wasn't looking at her. It was pretty interesting to see someone so young in this line of work, but as he had come to learn, you do what you have to in order to survive.

"How long have you lived in the capital? This is my first time here and I have to say it never ceases to amaze me each time." he glanced down at her briefly before returning his gaze to the streets before them. Even though it was a simple escort job he was one for having a bad track record when it came to his job. He was trying to make small talk so that this walk wouldn't be as dry and cold as the air that was caressing them with its chilly embrace.

"If you don't mind me asking, what made you decide to venture into this line of work?" he was curious, and the question couldn't help but escape his lips as he was intrigued by new people. ♅

---

"Common Speech"
"Mor'drub Speech"
"Silvain Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Sola]

Speak of the devil

“Ah, excellent! I was hoping you already knew the way,” Luna beamed at him and felt at peace knowing that he knew what he was doing. The prospect of their journey no longer seemed so daunting as she trusted his knowledge and experience. With a feeling of contentment, Luna was ready to embark on their adventure. She started walking out of the brothel and would keep close by him at all times.

“Hmm,” she said as she thought about his question. She didn’t know the exact date so she said, “I moved here just before Frost. I grew up in the Verdiven area and one day… well one day I decided to go find a new home.” Her cheery attitude faltered as she remembered seeing the bodies of her murdered family a few years ago. She’d largely gotten over the trauma but it was still gut wrenching to think about.

Luna continued after a brief pause, “but I suppose that answers your next question. I was never good at anything while growing up… and there’s only so many jobs one can work if they have no skills. It’s funny because my father once said that if I didn’t study then all I’d ever be good at was fucking. Thankfully, he was right because I’m damn good at this job and it pays pretty well too!” Her grin returned as she inflated her own ego. She wanted to share with him the specifics of what she meant, but she decided not to out of courtesy. She hardly needed him to be that distracted.

Luna clamped both of her hands down on her head as a particularly large gust of wind threatened to ruin the hard work she’d put into her hairstyle. When it passed she shivered and asked, “so, what’s your story? How come you don’t spend more time in cities? Cities are so much more fun than the drole countryside. A handsome man like yourself could find any mate he wanted in the city! And there’s plenty of work to go around.” Luna’s time spent outside the city mostly consisted of travelling with caravans and running from her homeland so perhaps her bias came off as a little strong.

[Malikyth]

♅ 45th of Frost, Year 4622 ♅

Company: Prostitute | Thoughts: Hope I'm not late | Mood: Calm

---

♅She was cheerful, something Malikyth wasn't used to seeing from a citizen when in his presence, as most kept some distance given his arcane "affliction". He believed this young woman to be of a different mindset. As she described her reasoning for coming to the city, he couldn't truly place the area she spoke of. Not being allowed to roam and get familiar with his surroundings didn't afford him the luxury of knowing key places when brought up in conversation so he could only nod at that.


As she continued he found himself a bit envious of her, even if she was a prostitute. She had memories of her birth parents, something he couldn't relate to her on. Though his memories with his foster family were moments of joy, he sometimes wished he knew what it would have been like if his parents weren't running for their lives. He quickly shut that thought out less his past came back to haunt him now, as he had done an excellent job at burying those memories.

Her inquiry caused him to look at her, before turning his gaze back to the streets. "My story?, My story doesn't make for good and casual conversation sadly. Though I can say being a Magus doesn't afford me the autonomy to move about. Unless I am on an assignment I am bound to the confines of the guild tower. However, once I raise my standing, I hear that could change, it could afford me the mobility to actually travel Radenor and see it for its glory."

He smiled when she called him handsome, but that soon faded upon the mention of finding a mate. He didn't think he could bring himself to love again after losing his wife and child. "I don't think the scars from losing my wife and son have healed yet to try and find a mate again. But I suppose it what she would have wanted for me." he noted, a single tear running down his cheek, stopped by his hand to keep it from freezing in the cold winds.

"Tell me, Teresa, are you watching over me from wherever you are?" he whispered, tilting his head to the sky before shaking his head and looking at his charge with a pleasant face. "Sorry, I didn't mean for the conversation to take such a dark turn. So tell me, you seem like a capable woman and are beautiful, why not heed your own words and find a suitable husband? Is fucking all you know how to do? There must be more substance than just that?" he questioned, curious to see how she would answer. ♅

---

"Common Speech"
"Mor'drub Speech"
"Silvain Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Sola]

Luna was shocked to find out that her escort was a mage. She knew that there ought to be mages roaming about, but she thought that they would be in uniform or something like that. There was much about this place that was still a mystery to her. All she about mages in this place was that they were forced to join an organization and kept under their watch. Luna wanted very much to avoid meeting that fate, if she could help it.

Luna listened to his story and felt empathy build up within her. Losing loved ones was something she could relate to. It hurt to lose her family and she didn’t even like them that much to begin with. Losing a mate and child… that was terrible. She silently prayed that nothing like that ever happened to her in the future. When he was finished speaking, Luna would say, “I’m sorry to hear about your past. I don’t mind the darkness of your story. It’s part of you and I’m glad to have been one you shared it to.” She felt strange because it wasn’t often she heard a story that was worse than her own. “maybe one day your scars will heal.”

Luna paused then continued, “As for me, I have ambitions that extend beyond this mundane job. Someday I hope to become someone important in this Kyngdom and I’ll fuck or marry whoever I have to get to reach my goal. I really haven’t found anything else that I’m good at. What would you do if you were in my shoes and wanted to live the life of a noble?”

After giving him a chance to respond she’d say, “I don’t know much about life for a Magus in Radenor. Is it true that they treat you like slaves? Is there no way of escaping? Would you even be allowed to find another partner?” Luna clearly didn’t think negatively about mages. If they were truly enslaved then she pitied them.

[Malikyth]

♅ 45th of Frost, Year 4622 ♅

Company: Prostitute | Thoughts: Hope I'm not late | Mood: Calm

---

♅ He looked to her upon receiving her condolences, nodding as she was one of the very few who got to hear that story. It was one thing about himself he kept close to his chest. It was also not the best conversation piece and he found solace in not speaking of it save for others pitying him. He appreciated it though, however, as it was from someone pretty.

She was more than he was expecting her to be, her words causing chuckles to escape him, and he enjoyed that about her. Her optimism and passion for what she wanted in life made him smile. His foster mother always spoke about living one's life to the fullest. He found her openness to be comforting as he was so used to being looked at with suspicion, hushed whispers as he walked by, the branding on his neck claiming him to be touched by the arcane no matter how much he tried to hide it. Even now, many looked at him with concern for the girl. You would think they had never seen someone different before.

Her next two inquiries caused him to stiffen and rub the back of his head as he thought of the best way to answer this without giving away too much about how he felt on the subject. Looking down at her he wondered if just for a moment she worked with the guilds to out dissidents within the mages of radenor. But if that were the case, they would have come up with something better than an outgoing prostitute who asks a lot of questions. But seeing how he liked inquisitive people, he didn't mind it and brushed the thought off.

"I wouldn't so much say slaves, but we are heavily watched. As we speak they are tracking me. But as long as I do my job well and continue to be an asset for the crown and country, my life is comfortable." he answered, every word leaving a bad taste in his mouth. He looked around to ensure there was no one he could see that would report him was around.

Taking her by her waist he pulled her in close to him. "Unfortunately no, as even if you do manage to flee the tower, they will eventually find you, dragon fire in tow." he spoke in a tone just above a whisper, loud enough for her to hear him, but so that his voice didn't carry. "Unfortunately there would be no point. When one is found to be a mage, they are stript of that luxury. Any child they have from a fling is immediately given to the non-mage parent."

Though he added that, he felt his blood boil at the thought of being ripped away from his family. ♅

---

"Common Speech"
"Mor'drub Speech"
"Silvain Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Sola]

Sexy intermission

Luna was sad to hear that her suspicions and the terrible rumors were confirmed. Heavily watched? Tracked? A requirement to stay valuable? Being hunted if you fled? No access to your children? In some ways this sounded even worse than a slave. The only benefit was a “comfortable life,” whatever that meant. She could imagine that for some slaves, a roof over their head and a guaranteed meal every day would be considered “comfortable.” Luna was visibly disgusted during her escort’s story.

When it was her turn to speak, she’d copy him and speak in a low voice so nobody else could hear. “I just wanted to say that I think what they’re doing to you is terrible. I wish there was a way out, for your sake. Surely there must be some way to remove yourself from their watchful eyes… If they can put that brand on you certainly there must be some way to take it off.”

Her voice trailed off as she thought deeply. She wondered if her magic might someday be able to fix something like that. Perhaps there was a way of ripping the brand off or simply severing the magic that she suspected made the brand work. It sounded dangerous, much too dangerous to perform without expecting severe injury or death. Perhaps the brand didn’t deal with the mind at all and her magic would be useless. There was simply no way for her to know.

“Oh, sorry,” she said when she realized she’d been silent. As I was saying, maybe someday there’ll be some way to leave. Oh, I think that’s the house right there.” Luna pointed to a nice looking building that matched the description she’d been given. “I guess we got lucky that nobody bothered us, huh?” she asked him while forcing a small smile. “I shouldn’t be more than an hour. If I take longer than that just bang on the door.”

Luna would emerge from the home about half an hour later, assuming they weren’t interrupted. Her hair was in a completely different style, now in a simple ponytail that looked like it needed combing. Much of her makeup had been washed off too and her expression was a mix of satisfaction, happiness, and exhaustion. She’d already forgotten about the depressing conversation they’d been having and was looking forward to another peaceful walk back to the brothel.

[Malikyth]

♅ 45th of Frost, Year 4622 ♅

Company: Prostitute | Thoughts: Hope I'm not late | Mood: Calm

---

♅ He could feel the genuine concern she held in her tone as she relayed those words to him. Though they were meaningful, he knew better than she did that erasing that mark was far from easy. After all, even if he could remove it, they still held a piece of his soul to track his movements. He smiled though, accepting her words as they were. Who was he to ruin her naive impression of how things worked in this country?

He could see they were nearing the location where he was to escort her to, letting out a sigh of relief as they were unhindered in their stroll here. He liked when things went without a hitch, though part of him, a small part of him wished that someone did in fact try something. It was the part of him that craved violence and was a subtle but constant itch he wished to scratch whenever presented with an opportunity.

Hearing her instructions on what to do if she were to take too long, he nodded. As she went about her business he couldn't help but think of checking something. She seemed too empathetic to be from Radenor, which meant she could be from a foreign land, like himself. he wondered where that was, but knew it was not his business to ask. He doubted she would mind him inquiring, He would wait for her to finish, tho she was taking a bit longer than expected, and as he was about to bang on the door it opened, the young lady exiting the house.

With a smile and a nod, he readied himself for the stroll back. ♅

---

"Common Speech"
"Mor'drub Speech"
"Silvain Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"