I just wanted to take this time to thank everyone who has made it to the third chapter (thus far, if I choose to write more) and want to tell you this means a lot to me. Please review. :)
"Has this man been around here? I heard you were a...client...of his, or that he likes to frequent this place." A blonde woman with sunglasses and a dark complexion asked the man at the local high-end brothel, Crimson Illusion.
The man studied the picture, a black and white, fuzzy, and just the side of a face and a back, talking to a very pretty woman in plain sight. He leaned back on the expensive lounge chair and idly scratched his stubbed chins.
"Hmm. Yes, yes I have, of course I have. I believe that's Ryuso the Darker."
"Can you tell me about him?" the woman asked, trying to hide her discomfort at being in such a place as she settled on the couch across form the man.
"Well, you're right about him frequenting. He's a regular, real favorite around here with the girls. I mean, and he gives for good publicity too. Lesse...he's got money, that one. Rich as filth." The man's beady eyes trailed up and down her body, and she resisted the urge to shiver. He looked as if he were assessing her to see if she was worthy enough to recruit.
"Well, this is a pretty...expensive place."
"Yes, but he's got the dough to not care, and he has the room to be picky and choosy. I tell ya, he's an ass, but if it takes doing business with him, I'll fuck him myself. He's a real sharp one," the man stated with finality, emphasizing the 'real'. He was nodding as he said all this, and she found it hard to believe he was of such high class by his slang terms. "Some of the girls here are owned by his clients, and he comes in here to borrow them for a night or two when they can't pay cash. He knows how to get them hooked, I can tell you that for sure."
"What do you mean by hooked?"
"Oh, you know, sex with him-or whatever he does, the girls never say- then again, he's got plenty a supply to the good stuff, though he claims he's not a drug lord. Bullshit I say. But he winds those girls around his finger. He gets em to play puppy! Like I said, he's a favorite, but man... he comes in here acting like he owns the place. Of course, his creator owns quite a few shares that he'll come to acquire one day, but he gets them to do stuff I've never even seen before. He asks a favor, then rewards them with the drug of the day. He gets the best of em." The man said with what seemed to be the green goblin resting on his shoulder.
"Lemmie guess, he cheats them out of what they deserve." The girl said, as if she knew she was going to be right, nodding to herself and discreetly taking notes in a planner she was carrying.
"No, no. nothing of the sort." He held up a hand as if to stop the preposterous thought. "He's honest in that he gives them what they want, as long as he gets pay in return. Though it' s not ONLY sex, cash to. Geez, it's like he's the whore—oh, but don't tell him I said that. I like him. Smart man. Good businessman. If I could hire him, I would, but," the man shrugged, "what can I say, he's higher status than me, why would he demote himself." He gave a heavy sigh, making his large self seem to heave with the effort.
"Don't worry, I won't take offense." Both whirled, surprised to see the young demon. He was very flashy in his seemingly trademark boots and pants, with crimson sash and vest. His shirt was silk, and a deep blood color with shorn sleeves and arm bands around his left bicep to show his rank among the other demons. There were black elbow length sleeves with exaggerated cuffs that hung around his hands. Under the low open shirt, were charcoal ruffs and a silver pocket watch chain. He wore an elegant silk top hat, as black as his hair, and sported a silver and black cane. He was, well, breathtaking in his elegance.
She just stared at him as he glided across the short distance to stand beside the sitting area. The manager began apologizing profusely, actually getting on his knees and begging forgiveness for his comment. Ryuso looked at him with disgust and told him in a none to gentle manner to "get your loathsome lard of an as of the floor."
"Yes Master Darker!" he said scrambling to his feet and bowing. Ryuso rolled his eyes, and turned to the girl. "Shall we?" He said, guiding her away by his hand hovering just under her elbow.
"If you wanted an interview, you should've just asked me." He said; all charm and smiles.
"Get away from me," she said, taking her arm back as if she had to yank it from his grip. He watched her and something flitted through his eyes; something not human, nor friendly: the true instincts in him.
"Ha, I see it's hard to contain yourself." She said, straightening her dress. It was hard to believe a brothel had a dress code, yet something about people here in tuxedos and peacock feathers, then the large crystal chandelier on the vaulted and painted ceiling gave it away. She glanced coyly at him." you look as if you were made for here. Your outfit matches the décor." She said flatly.
He looked down. "Oh, I hoped you'd like it."
"What are you doing here?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Of course...never mind."
"What are you doing here?"
"That's none of your business."
"I never knew you to be a lesbian, Keirsa. Looks like you have surprised me yet again. But what would your dear Rick say?" He laughed at the disgusted and shocked look on her face." I am NOT—oh, whatever." She said. Neither her nor Rick had planned on him being here, and that threw their plans off by an inch or two.
He stepped in front of her as she tried to slide away like it was a dance move, and he repeated his question, enjoying baiting the young girl and watching the confusion play across her face.
"Secret reasons." She finally snapped.
"Oh, well, I must say," he said after a brief pause to ponder the question "if I allowed you to find that out, my regular girls would get terribly jealous. But I suppose if you were really curious, I could make an exception for one as stunning as yourself." He whispered the last as he bent down. She knew better to think that he was going for her mouth, and moved away as he took her hand and delicately caressed her knuckles with his lips. She fought to keep her face under control, finally remembering her training form Rick, and stood stone-faced, watching him with empty eyes.
"There's the Keirsa I know. Why have you been so, -oh, how do you say it in English-" he groped for the word, but she knew that he knew English well enough. "Frilly lately?"
"frilly." she made it a statement, looking at him blankly.
"Well, how about scatterbrained, air-headed,--"
"I get it." she snapped, unhappy that she'd been read so easily by an enemy.
"Could it be that someone is having trouble concentrating because a certain personal affair ahs interfered? Tsk, tsk, my dear lady, nothing ever comes between you and business." He lightly mocked.
"Not that." She sighed. Why was she doing this? Why? She'd just gotten out of training a year ago, only to be recruited by Rick, claiming that there was 'extreme potential' in her. Whatever he saw she certainly didn't. Compared to other Slayers, she was just a baby! Why didn't they just let the more experienced exorcists take up this cumbersome bounty? Why had Rick insisted on him? She'd ask him if she ever got out of this mess.
"I'm leaving now." She stated and curtly started a brisk gate towards the entrance. Behind her, Ryuso cheerfully added in a farewell that would've made her-if he was any other man- spin around and slap him, but she resisted the urge with slight difficulty and continued out the doors.
She sighed and leaned on the wall once she was outside. It was evening, and there was a light breeze. A small echo in her ear made her start, but then she honed in on the small voice,
"Keirsa, are you there? I lost connection halfway through the conversation. Could you hear me? what happened in there?" the concerned voice of her Fiancée resounded seemingly in her brain.
"Nothing, Rick, just come and get me, the fee was paid, information accounted for, and an unwanted guest back in town."
"Our bounty?" the exorcist seemed surprised.
"Sure, whatever, now get the car up here before anyone thinks I'm one for a cheap thrill." She was thoroughly irritated.
YAY! I have 1 review! This makes me sooo happy, even though she TOLD me she was going to post one, just to get my poor spirits up...maybe people like my work, maybe they hate it if so, PLEASE tell me, it would mean a WHOLE lot to me and give me a boost to get through this crappy month!