The room was lavishly decorated and filled with enticing aromas. The smell of jasmine hung about the air and whispered of promise. Heavy red curtains were pulled over the few windows that opened onto the street, hiding the room from decent eyes. The only light was a soft flickering one cast by the many candles strewn across the entrance room.
But al this was a façade. The whore house wasn't a rich one, or even well to do. The front room was the limit of the houses grandeur. The rooms were small and dank. Only a few possessed any semblance of an actual bed. The houses girls were sickly and thin, their bodies diseased or swollen with unhealthy babes.
Marcus Tanzen had not come here for them though a few hopefuls hung in the corners, showing flashes of skin if he glanced their way. He ignored them. He was here for something completely different.
"Ah Master Tanzen.!" greeted a heavily accented woman, "You have come to see our prize yes?"
Tanzen nodded. This was the houses Madam. She was a large woman who ate most of her girls earnings.
"This way. You see. You see. You no be disappointed."
He followed the Madam as she bustled her way through a side door into a dark room. She lit a single candle as he closed the room's creaky door.
The candle light was weak and thick shadows hid the room's corners.
"There! You see?" whispered the woman as she pointed to the furthest corner. Tanzen nodded for he could clearly make out the pair of glowing green eyes staring at him from the dark. He took the candle from the Madam and moved closer to the creature.
"How old?" he questioned, curious as to how the Madam had come across this rare find.
"She be 16 years. I have her for five. Cost much money for me."
Tanzen lifted his candle higher so he could get a good look at the girl. She was crouched in a dirty pile of straw. A collar and chain connected her to the wall. She was naked and faint stripes covered her body, like a tiger. She watched him unblinking and hissed loudly when he tried to touch her. Her feet were made in away that allowed her to walk perfectly on all fours. Her ears and teeth were more pointed than they should be. He could see her ribs. A flexible tail extended from the end of her spine and it twitched angrily.
Tanzen smiled to himself. She would be perfect to add to his collection of rare and exotic animals.
"How much?" he asked.
"She 15 silver an hour. Well worth it." Tanzen's eyebrows rose. Even in the well off brothels that was more than the most favoured whore could demand.
"Is she experienced?" he Madam nodded. "She make up to 5 gold a week. Once she is calmed."
"Calmed?"
"Yes. I give her this." She produced a handful of herbs from her pocket. Tanzen recognised them as Lover's Purse, known for its relaxing and desire increasing effects.
"I'll give you 200 gold for her." Tanzen said flatly. "Right now for her."
"You want me to sell my best product?" He nodded. Her eyes narrowed. "300 gold for her."
"250 gold. And 20 silver for each year you've had her. Final offer."
The Madam grunted and held out her hand. Tanzen dropped a fat purse into her hand.
"My men will be back shortly for her. There will be no trouble." He stared down at the Madam and she nodded quickly.
"Good. No one else will see her tonight either" he added as he strode out the door. She nodded again and quickly closed it behind him. As Marcus Tanzen walked down the street he began humming to himself. He had just swindled a rare creature of a woman for a fraction of its true value. He had just bought himself a tiefling.