Dim lights flickered along the dark alley with the usual electric sizzle accompanying a nearly burnt bulb. They street itself was dark, dingy, dirty even. The buildings bordering the cracked and uneven sidewalks had been tall, and probably beautiful, at some point in their existance. But that simply was not what they were any more. Now, a building was lucky to be standing, with all four walls in a semi- decent state of decay. Stone had crumbled and fallen into the roadway long ago, and rested there because not many people were even still aware that this block still existed, and those that did didn't care enough to keep it clean. After all, any sane person never came down this way. But it, despite the state of disarray, was a silent street. And it held many, many secrets.
The dark car pulled up to one of the moderately- broken buildings, head lights off and windows tinted. The driver was dark skinned, and dark clad as he stepped out quietly, walking towards the passenger door to the miniature limosine. He rested a hand on the door handle, swinging the sleek black door open wide enough, before offering his arm to his employer. He swallowed thickly as a tanned hand rested on his forearm, a single leg slid out, followed by another. She wore a fur lined cloak over her dress so he couldn't see exactly what she was wearing, but as she stood, he knew she must have looked more stunning than any before. He ducked his head before she could catch him staring at her, and felt her hand leave his arm. He was the envy of many men; standing in her presence and being permitted a spare word or two, but they were mis informed. He was only the driver; he was expendable. And he was well aware that she could kill him, and she would given a decent enough reason too. He always wondered why she, one who was so mysteriously beautiful, came to places as disgusting and out of the way such as this. But he never dared enough to ask. He brought her there, and she found her own way back, and he took her somewhere else within another week or so. He stepped back into his car, watching her briefly as she stood at the edge of the shattered walk way, before starting the car and pulling away. She waited until he was out of sight, before turning towards the door.
It was a dark brown, and cast in shadows like nearly all of the others. She raised a hand, clenching perfectly manicured nails before rapping precisely three times, equally timed, loud enough only to be heard if someone was just on the other side of the door. Withing a few brief moments, a card slid back, and shaded eyes were staring at her.
"Name?" He asked, voice deep, guarded.
"Amy Othran." It was a fake name, she knew. But it was one well known, especially around these parts. They knew her, or at least, they thought they did. Everyone thought they knew the real her. The others would have been appalled if they had seen her now. But they did not see; they turned a blind eye to what she may or may not be doing. Not that anyone from her other life had the slightest idea that this could possibly be where she spent her time, how she made her life worth every torturois second.
"Ah yes, pleasure to see you here tonight, Mistress Othran. A moment please." The card slid shut, and she could hear multiple chains snapping out of place, locks clicking open. She tapped her foot impatiently before the wooden door swung open, admitting her into a more brightly lit hall. With a smirk painted across ruby red lips, she stepped in, nodding her head to the burly guard. He was only slightly taller than average height, bald, with dark shades hiding his eyes and a dark uniform stretched tightly across muscled arms and chest. "In the main room, off the hall to the left."
"And the merchandise?" She asked in a sultry voice. She was not to be denied anything, and he was well aware, ducking his head away from a piercing, nearly black gaze.
"Off to the right for the packages, Mistress. The singles are held straight back, though they are off limit to-"
"Nothing is off limit to me." She hissed at him, causing him to involuntarily step backwards. "But I am only interested in the package deals for now. Know your place." He stepped back, flinching beneath her gaze as she paused briefly to make sure he understod.
"Enjoy your stay, Mistress." She waved a slim hand, stepping down the slender hall, turning left at the first branch off. The room was brightly lit, with people she knew seated or standing in clumps. Many of them held glasses holding insanely priced alcohol; not that they couldn't easily afford anything but the best regardless. She glanced around, looking for certain people; those that her choices did not normally conflict outrageously with.
"Barker, Pentral, LeViad." She greeted the three men, approaching the table with a slinking step.
"Lady Othran! Fancy seeing you here tonight!" Barker, the newest of the three of her business partners stated. He was a bit young to be in the business; barely twenty five. But he had good charisma, and could sell a line of lies as good as the next guy.
"Othran, shed your coat and stay awhile!" Pentral stated, pouring her a glass of expensive whisky. She knew they had paid prettily for it, and knew how to handle the strong alcohol. Amy smirked, sliding the coat down her shoulders like it was a shawl, letting the fur lining rest in the crook of her elbow on each side. All three paused at her dress, the two she had partnered with quickly diverting their eyes. Barker swallowed the lump in his throat before taking too big a swallow of the whisky.
"Lookin' good, Amy." LeViad stated, tipping his glass towards her. She tilted her head, raven curls cascading down over olive- skinned shoulders knotted with muscle. The dress was a little lighter than a typical burgundy, leaving her shoulders bare with its figure- hugging bodice, before fanning slightly at her hip line with the slightest ruffle. From just below her left hip to the floor, there was a long slit, exposing tantalizing olive skin. It was a miracle that more people weren't staring. Not openly staring, at least. Eyes were always on her; she was a woman in a profession generally left to men. It was strange to see a woman doing this type of work, and each and every person here would be watching out of at least their own inner curiosity. And then, of course, there was the fact that she was one of the best in their line of work. It brought upon a bit of envy, and even more lies.
"Have any of you taken a look at the wares this evening?" She asked, smirk playing on ruby lips and reflecting beneath hooded, dark eyes and long black lashes. All three nodded, before LeViad tossed his napkin down on the table. She nearly smirked again; of the three guys, this one was her favorite. He was smarter about his choices, and loyal enough to watch their backs. And, above all, he was quiet. But the bad part? He was smart; brilliant, she would dare to say. If anyone was to figure out why she was here, it would be him. And she wasn't sure if she liked that risk.
"I'll go again, Othran. Out to have company in the cells, Lady." He handed her the full whisky glass, which she took with a seductive grin. He then topped his own, offering a muscled arm for her to hook a hand around. They set off through the crowd, travelling further down the hall to a guarded door on the right.
"Didn't expect to see you here, Master LeViad." The guard stated. "Thought you only dealt in singles."
"I do." He stated, causing the woman to roll her eyes.
"Mistress Othran would like to view the wares." She stated, raising one perfect eyebrow as she spoke in the third narrative. She flourished her glass. "So, may I?" The guard swallowed.
"Of course, Mistress." He unlocked the wood door, holding it open for her and standing, eyes turned downward. She smirked again, stepping through with the other man following her. They stepped through a dimly lit hall, shades pulled against the inside of iron bars, making it look as though one was not in a cage, when indeed they were. Amy pulled a clip board from the wall, glancing at the numbers, the names, written there.
"Any particular lots in mind?" He asked, watching as she tiltted her head to the side.
"Small today, only twelve lots." She stated, pursing her lips. "Two, four, eight, and twelve look as though they could be promising. I'll take my time with them all, however. As usual."
"Always the difficult one, Othran." She grinned, pulling the curtains back from the first block of cells.
"Not difficult, only thorough." One of the girls inside looked at her, backing away like a scared animal. She shook her head. They continued on, pausing at some of the cells, looking in, gauging the girls mostly on sight. She paused at the tenth lot, motioning that she was going to unlock the door. LeViad nodded, leaning against the door of the cell as she enterred. There were eight girls, most of them sleeping. She leaned down, brushing her fingers against the square jaw of a blonde, pulling her hair back and checking her brand. She stepped around, pulling the hair back from another, tilting her head to the side. She pulled on a wrist, shaking the girl awake as she pulled upwards. "Pretty." She mumbled, LeViad nodding. "Could get a bit for this one as a private sale. You have buyers that would be interested Dave?" LeViad tilted his head.
"How much would you ask, Amy? Always get fair deals from you, regardless." She ran a hand over the girls face, tilting the frightened child's head. They probably thought she would help them. They always did.
"Depends. I might have to fight a bit." She leaned down, catching the girl's mouth with her own, forcing a hard, passionate kiss. She pulled back, tossing the child back to her pallet, crying out in fright. "At least six. Fair?"
"Seems it. Not bad for a lot." She nodded, stepping back out and locking the door behind her. They continued on, the woman enterring the last lot also, nodding her head as she came out.
"How did the singles look, Dave?" His eyes flicked around a bit, before he glared at her.
"There's one you'd be interested in." Amy raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?" She led the way back towards the entrance, barely listening. She didn't deal in single sales, normally only in lots. "How so?"
"Older than they're saying. Pretty." He paused. "Blonde." She was glad he didn't see her face at the description, the slightest bit of hope flashing in her eyes.
"Interesting. Perhaps I'll stay." He nodded, looping their arms together again. "Perhaps a trade for the brunette and the blonde. Or something off the top. Always a fair deal from you Dave, regardless." He grinned briefly, before the dark and silent persona took over his features again. She schooled her own, seating herself into her chair as a suited man took his place on stage. She leaned on one elbow, thinking about this woman, the woman that LeViad had so kindly informed her about.
Strangely enough, it sounded a bit like... Her.
AN- just realized that I have no explanation in here about "Amy Othran". My apologies. I know, as a first chapter, this seems really ridiculously strange... I completely understand. Especially since my sister/ beta is sitting here glaring at me like I'm Amy and I'm crazy. Wait a second, I am... The crazy part at least, my name is not Amy. Anyway! There should be a bit of light shed on the whole "Amy Othran" business in the next chapter, so sit tight and enjoy the ride that I'll be sure to pull you, kicking and screaming, along on. Everything I write is a bit... Strange. Anyway! Answers coming soon, to this riddle of Life...
~Snap Tobiume