Solo Sigh No More

[Chrysa]

12th of Spring, 516 AV

A strong, chilly gust pushed through the gaps of the wooden walls, and woke Chrysa with a shudder. Despite her attempts to wrap herself deeper in the bedclothes, her body warmth was not enough to settle her back into sleep. So it was with a weary sigh that she sat up and surveyed her small hovel. For all she knew, someone could have entered in the night and taken her things to leave her none the wiser. But the room wasn’t any barer than it usually was, and her pack was still safely hidden under the floorboard by the hearth.

Nothing was touched. As if she was supposed to be thankful that the thieves decided to only take Glaurea’s bed only weeks ago.

With another sigh, she pulled herself out of bed and quickly changed into her dress and corset. She continued her usual routine, idly thinking where she would try her business for the day. The Den was definitely out, especially as she was now independent in her business. No way would she step into Stumble Alley or Robern’s Reaches, either. She didn’t want to even imply an association with those petching fools. Not when she was still seeking out the Night Eyes. And if she dared step into Slaver’s Row, no doubt she would end up a slave herself. She had no one who would miss her, after all. She could just disappear, easily. Perhaps near the Gated Community, or Riverside? There were brothels there, and so there would be the risk that she’d be caught and beaten for daring to compete against them. Again.

Chrysa glanced over at the stiletto barely peeking out underneath her cloak. She’d have a better chance to get away with fewer bruises, at least, especially if she kept to the alleys far from the brothels. The Simpering Seacow did have some decent alleys to do her business. Well, decent as they come in Sunberth. She tugged on her boots, draped her cloak across her shoulders, and tucked the stiletto underneath the folds of fabric. So, it was decided. She would make her way over to Riverside, set up her business behind the Seacow. Stick around until the sun started touching the horizon. Head home. Pausing briefly to grab for some food to eat on the way, she stepped out into the chilly air and started for Riverside.

[Chrysa]

The day was still rather early, and the clouds made the light even fainter. The roads were quiet and barren, save for the occasional hurried soul. Chrysa was now one of those hurried souls, with her hood up and her head down. Once upon not too long ago, she had not felt like one of these pathetic wanderers. She had Glaurea by her side, who would willingly speak up with a random question to occupy them on their way to business. The days were always brighter with her smile to reassure the both of them. Of course, That Man took that smile from Chrysa.

Glaurea was no more than a passing thought now.

She clenched her jaw at the thought. It was almost four years, now. Four years since she saw her sister’s smile. Four years since she saw her dead, like she was nothing more just another common whore. Perhaps to those useless passersby, she was. But Glaurea was her sister, half of her soul. And what did she know about That Man? Only that he was a petching monster, just as inclined to kill as he was to go mining. Everyone she interrogated knew nothing. He had a hood up, it was dark, he moved so fast. All of them had petty excuses, and offered no more than empty condolences. If not for the grief, and her own lack of experience, she would have torn them all to pieces. If it was someone from their own family, would they not seek out every clue they could find, and spit in the face of every “sympathizer”?

It wasn’t the time to dwell on that, anymore, though. At least not for the day. Chrysa had to remind herself that such thoughts would ruin business. Customers would take one look at her grieving and vengeful face and turn right around to find another. She needed a smile, enticing eyes. She had to play her part, and earn her money. She could find That Man later. And so she found a spot, visible yet with enough privacy, and got to work.

[Chrysa]

The morning passed slowly. A few men, and one particularly bold woman, tossed her a few silver mizas to get off real quick. It wasn’t very busy, but it wasn’t bad traffic either. Considering she was on her own, she had a good amount of business. It would mean an easier time to pay for food, and perhaps save for a cloak not nearly as itchy as the one she had. She kept her smile up, and her eyes and body language enticing, until she saw the sun start touching the horizon. She heaved a sigh, gathering up her things and straightening out her clothes, with every intent to go home and not venture back out until tomorrow morning.

“Fancy a shag, lass?” A rough voice made Chrysa freeze in place before she steeled herself and turned with a smile back in place. The man was tall, but not as tall as he was broad. He swayed slightly in his boots, his trousers were already tented with interest, and his eyes were glassy. But it was the leer on his face that raised the alarm in her mind. He’d use her, thoroughly, and probably not care what damage he’d do in the process. Not that she hadn’t serviced men like that before, but they weren’t also this drunk and this thick with muscle.

Oh well. Whatever she could get out of him was better than nothing, she guessed.

“Depends,” she said, tossing her hair to give the man a better look at her assets. It would soften the blow of the discussion of money, she knew, and that’s all that mattered right then. “Fancy to give me a few silvers?”

The leer left his lips but remained in his eyes. “Silvers? Naw, lass, you can take coppers, can’t ya?”

Crysa shook her head, turning her smile into an apologetic one to gentle the blow further. “Sorry, few silvers or you go digging elsewhere.”

“No, you take coppers. All them whores take coppers.” The man’s leer was gone now, irritation replacing it quickly. He took a step forward, and Chrysa mentally groaned at the evening turning sour.

“You are mistaken. All us whores have never dipped below a couple silvers. We like to keep ourselves fed, y’see.”

“What, like you don’t get plenty of pervs minin’ ‘round here, givin’ ya business. C’mon, a few coppers should do ya good.”

Chrysa could no longer maintain the smile, her scowl taking over. “No. Four silvers or you get lost.”

The man growled, shooting forward to grab her arm. She tried to step out of the way, but she was surprised that a man drunk as this one could move so quickly. His grip was tight, tight enough for her to know there would be a bruise by morning. He jerked her close, and she was pressed against his front, his sour breath invading her senses. “You’re rather bitchy, whore. I should teach ya a lesson. So y’know you’re place.”

[Chrysa]

Chrysa’s heart raced in panic, and without any more hesitation, she pulled out her stiletto and stabbed the man in the arm, breathing with some relief to have him pull away with a shout. And, without a chance to let him recover, she turned and ran. He would no doubt chase after her, but what could she do? Taking him head on would definitely mean death for her or that punishment he had ready for her. No, it would be better to run and hopefully lose him in the myriad of alleys. For now, though, he was hot on her heels, screaming about her being a bitch and good for nothing whore. Like she cared.

She tripped over some random piece of rubbish, slowing enough to allow the man to tackle her to the ground, straddling her lap. A strong slap across the face dazed her enough that her grip on her stiletto loosened, but the man opted to start loosening his trousers instead, grumbling about how he was going to give it to get good, and she was going to take it and learn her lesson. Her vision came clear just in time to see the pervert pushing her skirts up, and she just acted on instinct. Another stab to his shoulder startled him, one to the other shoulder pushed him off her enough that she could crawl away if she wanted. But she had enough of humiliation for one day, her blood boiling with rage. So it was her turn to straddle the man, and she stabbed at his chest, over and over, until his resistance was nothing but a raspy sigh.

Panting, she finally stood and kicked him in the groin for one last vengeful strike, though it garnered no reaction. With shaky hands, she cleaned off her weapon and stowed it away, turning her attention back to the man without hesitation. The man had to have money on him, otherwise he wouldn’t have been so drunk and so bold to capture a whore’s attention. Barely a minute into searching his person, she found the bag of coins the man had on him. A cursory glance into the bag made her scowl disgustedly down at the man.

“All that money, and you try to cheap me out with few coppers,” she grumbled, tying the bag closed and hiding it on her person. “Prick.” Still, running from this fool and fighting him off meant she lost all the money she earned throughout the day. No point in going back when those silvers were already scooped up by urchins and other desperate scavengers. She spat on the man, her way of saying, “Farewell, and may I never see your face again.” Of course, he probably would die of his injuries, if some charitable idiot didn’t come walking down the alley. As she made her weary way home, she had one positive thing to think on: she had yet to see a single charitable idiot even dare to step foot into Sunberth.

[Konrad Venger]

Nice job! Your work has pleased The Sloth! Chrysa XP: Observation - 2 Acting - 1 Negotiation - 1 Stiletto - 2 Endurance - 1 Lore: Sunberth: Careful Where you Step Grief Fades, but Never Leaves The Man: Eternal and Faceless Nemesis Acting: How To Look Enticing Additional: +17sm, 38cm for the dead man's purse Click Me! : Congratulations, Seasonal Challenge met! PM Royal with a link and she'll add it to your SS page. I liked this. Wasn't very long but you packed in so much with a minimalist but still evocative style. Her thoughts on her half-sister, the emotions that bubbled up after, her pitch as a whore and how she handled the (incredibly stupid) john... all very well-done. Oh, and please make sure you go back and edit your post in the Request Thread to reflect the fact this one is now done and dusted. PM me with any questions and later 'tater!