A/N: I own right about…Nothing at all. Yup.
SXS Yup
1
The searing summer sun grazed down on the barren landscape, twisting the golden sands through the dry air. A small caravan was moving to the east in an attempt to make it to the city of Caravel within the year. The line of rag tag covered wagons lumbered slowly across the dunes, small children poking their heads out before quickly going back into hiding away from the sun. The adults shook their heated heads at the antics before dropping their smiles in favor for grimaces. This was the third week that they had been traveling since the last oasis or town. Both usually coincided with each other since water was hard to find in a dry desert.
Seifer slowly ambled in the shade of one of the larger wagons, face deep tanned from the harsh sun kisses. He was part of the older children wandering on the outside, not old enough to be one of the sun brazened adults but also too proud to hide inside like the little children. The trek to the city on the river was long, and Seifer couldn't really say how many times he had made the journey from the many different directions. That was just life when you're a gypsy, no rest for the 'wicked'. His particular troupe worked most of the desert area in the nation of Syrelise, but once ever tear at least they made their way to the capital in hopes of drawing a big enough crowd to pay for the large family they had become.
Yawning with exhaustion, Seifer stumbled a moment before correcting himself. Honestly, he hated this life, never having a home to say was his own, but this was much more preferable than the many places he'd seen in his travels.
"Child, you should go back inside if you're tired. We cannot afford a stop in this heat; we wouldn't be able to get moving again." A shriveled old woman, the Fortune Teller of the group, pointed out.
Glancing down, Seifer nodded and climbed back inside tented wagon too tired to argue for once. Plus no one ever won an argument against Grandma Veir; she really and truly knew everything there was to 'see'. Once back inside, Seifer glared down at the hyper children that were rocking and bouncing in a constrained way. Each sway of the children only caused more trouble for the poor animals dragging the group through the desert.
His glare not reaching deep enough into the children's sense of fear, Seifer growled and motioned for them to calm down. "If you don't cool it you'll be the ones pulling the wagons." He snapped, settling against wall of the wagon. The children eyed him warily as they calmed a little from their antic movements. Shifting to get comfortable, Seifer closed his eyes against the low hum of noise around him. All he was hoping for was a little five minute reprieve from the loud children and the grunting of the animals.
The swaying of the wagon moving in the slow rocking motion lulled Seifer to sleep before he knew. It was a few hours until someone decided to wake the large blond to help with chores. "Hey, come on kid, sundown." A grizzled old man shook Seifer until green eyes open, glazed with sleep.
"Right…" Stretching, Seifer stood up and jumped out of the small wagon, shaking out the kinks that settled into his neck and body. All around him people moved about, putting stakes in the ground and pulling out blankets. Rolling his eyes as the kids ran in circles and in people's paths. "Hey!" He snapped, grabbing a passing child. "What do you think you're doing, who's watching you?" He asked, gripping the arm of the child with force.
Staring up with impertinent eyes the child smirked. "Nobody."
Tightening his grip to a painful level Seifer growled at the kid to get the other hellion together.
"Why?"
"Kid if you don't want to lose a finger or two…"This was the other problem with wondering all the time. The kids were absolute brats. Releasing the kid Seifer wondered if he and his friends had ever been that bad. Then again, their parents had cared. The parents to the teens were part of the original line other the wandering gypsies, the ones that understood the meaning behind the wandering. Shaking his head to clean the musings, Seifer watched as the kid grudgingly called all his friends together and came back to stand in front of him.
"Now what, oh mighty one?" The kid asked, rolling his eyes and crossing his arms in a show of defiance. Hands balling into fists, Seifer breathed in a deep breath and asked Hyne for calmness that he didn't have.
"You know what?" He asked in a low voice, "You guys need to learn how to better defend the camp…How about a sparing lesson?" Seifer asked, grinning in a non friendly way. The children frowned at the sudden invitation but a few nodded in acceptance. "Great!" Clapping his hands Seifer turned back to the wagons to find the practice blades. Tonight his job was to teach the headstrong little bugs how to work as a team.
"Seifer!" A wheezy voice called. Turning to Grandma Veir Seifer gave her a look. "Be good to the poor little ones, they just have nothing to do with their time."
"Yeah, but not teaching them manners is only going to make it worse." Seifer shrugged.
"You are always bent on bending things to your will." She sighed, giving a few weak coughs.
"Not bending things, just making them respect me. A little teaching." Seifer smiled and helped the woman sit before going back to his mission.
"Someday you will find someone that will not sway under your teaching." The old woman whispered, eyes searching far away into the abyss of her trade.
"What was that?" Seifer asked, turning to look at the tired old woman.
"Smiling at the youth the woman shook her head and laughed, "Nothing dear. Nothing…"
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Squall sat quietly among the guests, shifting his robes to lay flat on the floor in a pleasing manner. The night was still young, but he felt like ages had passes by in only a few moments. This night would truly be wearying.
"And then she asked if I would…" The man made a lewd gesture and the group laughed. Squall gave a small sigh and poured more alcohol for the man next to him. The man stopped to look at him and smiled. Brushing his hand across the side of Squall's face the man shifted his attention to the slight brunet man at his side. "You are especially lovely tonight…" He sighed, giving Squall a smell of the alcohol on the man's breath.
Plastering a small fake smile on his face that could be deemed coy Squall lowered his eyes and spoke softly. "Thank you. A Geia always loves to hear that he is beautiful." Inwardly wincing at the sweet tone, Squall managed to swallow his bile and glance up. The patron was grinning like a mad man. Folding his hands on his lap, Squall remained silent for a moment before again entering the small talk conversation that was happening around him.
Squall loathed acting out kindness to the worst of people, but he continued to night after night. His acting is what brought money into his home and is what kept him off the streets. Since he had little choice on his profession, he had long ago decided that he would become the best at acting in order to win what he wanted most.
"Have you seen the Geia Mortiso recently?" The man across from him asked.
Squall looked up and gave a show of looking thoughtful. Of course he knew what happened to Mortiso. Every Geia did. But then again, this was only a guest to this Drink House and did not know the inner workings of the Geia. "Well…I believe there was something about him recently that was very scandalous." Squall frowned in a innocent way as he looked to the other Geia in the room for support.
Arie caught the hint and nodded gravely in ascent. "He was caught with a lover…From the Endel district." Arie sighed. The other men at the table frowned and took up the thread of conversation.
"I would have never thought…But then again he was always throwing eyes at some of the lesser men…" The other men at the table nodded in agreement.
Squall looked over at Arie and sent him a look of sadness. Arie had nearly had a brush with a career ending recently, but he managed to reign in his attraction to save his place in life. Any Geia willing to forgo giving up his cushion life was seen as a disgrace and a black mark on any associated with them. So not only did the Geia give up his job, but also any friends he may have had in his previous life. Breaking eye contact, Squall settled back into regular conversation.
"So, where will you be entertaining tomorrow?" A light haired patron asked, sending a cool look toward to brunet.
"Oh, where ever I feel like." Squall answered, hoping to avoid being tied down to one plan. He wanted to be able to choose tomorrow's destination but it seemed the man had other ideas.
"Well, we are having a meeting at the Owara Company. The board had asked that you and Geia Arie be at the function." The man spoke smoothly before taking a small sip from his cup.
Catching Arie's eye Squall sent a look before nodding at the man. "Will there be any other Geia?" He asked, hoping that there would be few enough to make little noise but enough to take the attention away from him.
"Oh, there are a few, but none as lovely as you." The man sighed, wistfully staring at the painted face. Squall nodded, but inwardly felt disgusted at the sick man. Pulling at the last of his patience, Squall smiled lightly and stood. "Well, I suppose I should retire early then…But I do not have the pleasure of knowing your name. I must be able to tell my Host who sent for me."
The man glowed and whispered, "Just call me the Duke."
Bowing, Squall glide over to the door and the maid helped him slip his shoes on. Bowing once again to the party, he slipped into the street full of people and lanterns. The closely packed cobble stone and mud always left a person with the feeling of impatience which was why it was even more important for a Geia to learn how to mask their faces and emotions. Ghosting over to his carriage, the driver helped him inside and made sure he was settled before taking off down the street. The man pulled carriage was small but it still was hard to fit down the narrow street of people. The low clacking of the wheels over stone sent Squall into a daze of exhaustion. Keeping his eyes open he prayed he made it home before he nodded off and smeared paint on the collar of his robes.
Struggling to stay awake, Squall continued to blink and rub his hands together. He pondered on everything he would have to do to get ready for tomorrows events. It was normal for a Geia to be invited to formal functions, but it was expected for a Geia to dress and act a step above that of the Drink House. Pulling out of his thoughts he yawned and stretched as the carriage slowed to a stop. Standing gracefully, Squall accepted the drivers hand and stepped down out of the carriage and into the street. Inclining his head slightly the grey eyed Geia glided into his Host Home.
The maid servant whose job was to stay up and wait for the Geia opened the door and bowed low as Squall stepped inside. The girl shut the door behind him and kneeled on the floor to remove the thick plat formed sandals. Ignoring the dark haired woman Squall stepped down onto the floor and moved toward the stairs. Holding up his thick robes, Squall ascended the stairs and walked into his room. Inside was a maid waiting to help remove the many layers of cloth and paint. Walking to the center of the room, Squall stood with his arms out to make the process easier.
"Here." Another maid stepped into the room and began helping him undress. Used to the nipping and tucking, Squall ignored the work and settled on cleansing his mind of all negative thoughts. All things not positive were typically supposed to be ignored. Calling on the holy demi-gods and Hyne himself for inner peace, he set his mind to the relaxing mantras of Hyne's book.
With the long evening finally over, Squall lowered his arms as the women dancing around him finished their work. Looking at the thin layer of silk that covered his skin he studied his body and the tight skin that was so desired. His body was regular size, but limber. He spent many hours dancing to accomplish the lean muscular look that was so desired by Geia. Geia were supposed to be slim and feminine, even though the whole point of a Geia was to be a male entertainer/escort of sorts. Each patron would have his choice, but usually they would go for someone smaller and frailer than themselves.
Slipping out his peach coloured silk wraps, Squall pulled out a soft cotton robe to sleep in. removing his make up with gentle cleansers, he spread a thin white paste over his hands, neck, face, and other places on his body to help keep his skin moist and smooth. Blinking slowly as he let the lotion dry Squall sighed lightly and waited before he could crawl into bed. The night was only so long.
So far so good… Any grammar mistakes let me know. Also if you want to leave any feedback that's cool.