Mid-afternoon in The Cherry Tree, and the building was bustling with activity. Half-awake girls yawning with bad temper as they wandered about, more alert dancers practising their stretches, and anxious serving-girls were hurrying in and out of the main parlour. It was beautifully lit at this time of day, the sunlight dancing across the pale skin that was on display everywhere one looked. At this early - for some - hour, virtually none of the women were fully clothed, instead casually dressed in sleeping robes and under-skirts. The brothel had never been a place where its inhabitants stood on ceremony together. Chatter and teasing flew around the room, called up and down the stairs and sang out of the windows.
Only one girl was not joining in with the routine. Lotte had been up for several hours, wandering around the city's parks. She was already dressed for the evening in a pale pink dress that just covered her knees, and sat in the parlour's window-seat, gazing out on the streets. She was quietly ignoring the chatter that surrounded her, just wishing that something would happen. It was set to be another dull day.
OOC: Not dull for much longer...
BWAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA
Also this post as slightly adult content, only because of the ladies XD~
IC:
For a very different reason than one might assume, a young man was racing towards The Cherry Tree. Gherrick, by now, had made quite a name for himself, and due to his sense of pride, tended to wear the same clothing he was known for- the flamboyant blue silken shirt glinting with intricate bold, gold embroidery and a red bow staff in tow. Though his boots slammed heavily against the cobblestone, his throat burning from the run, he had hardly begun his day's real transgressions, after all, the men that had been chasing him made pursuit before he had even stolen the gold chalice he had been aiming for, though in the midst of all of the chaos, he plucked it from the display, and in doing so, had a series of guards tripping over themselves.
A quick turn here, and a dash there, Gherrick easily outwitted and out ran the guards. but he still needed a safe place to hide. Spotting a building that seemed as indifferent as the rest, he rushed towards it and quickly inside the door, spotting a fair lady in pink log the way.
"How do you do," he said, bowing as he rushed by, red hair spilling over his blue gaze as he offered her a roguish grin, then continued to run, bursting through the door of The Cherry Tree only to find himself stumbling to a halt, tripping over a few lace robes and pinwheeling his arms tht couldn't catch him as he fell onto couch.
It was the scent that roused him first, as he groaned and lifte dhis head-
It was the smell of flowers and women.
The golden chalice in one hand, his bow staff in the other, the woman all stood up and began to gather around...
"Well, well, well.." one began to say.
Gherrick's eyes slowly came into focus.
"Huh, uh.. I.." and it was only then he realized all he could see was skin.
Skin..
skin.. skin..
White skin, bronzed skin, ample skin, rusty skin, exposed skin, glossy skin, plump skin and,..
Skin full of sin.
Gherrick shot up suddenly, as two women moved to purr into his ear and move over his lap.
"Welcome stranger," one of the whores breathed into his ear.
"Well, er, I um,. hell..o?" Gherrick, who, in all of his life, had always been a gentleman, could not pass up his chance to remain civil towards the lady fair.. but this was, far FAR different of a situation he would assume to find himself s a woman pressed her hand between the folds of his clothes, it rubbing smoothing over his bare chest.
"Oh... your chest feels hard.." she purred.
"YEs, well I er, work out.." Gherrick said, sweat collecting nervously across his brow, face glowing red.
"I wonder what else might be hard?" the other girl cooed, a hand brushing over his pants.
Giving a yelp, Gherrick was suddenly on his feet, but not without growing dizzy first and nearly losing his balance, not realizing he was now adorned with lip-stick smudged cheeks.
"Oh, well, I'm sorry ladies, I had just been passing through when I.." Gherrick began, hoping to exit stage left when a group of whores surrounded him.
"You're planning to leave?" one pouted, latching affectiontely onto his arm, letting his arm sink into her cleavage. His cheeks burned.
"Well yes, I have much to do today, that I-" Gherrick began..
another woman grabbed him by the waist, pulling him close and sealing her lips to his.
"But you can't go without a taste," she cooed, then leaned in for another- only to hve Gherrick press her away.
"I.. well, haha, that is to say.." he began, nervously scratching his nose. "Perhaps um, another time ladies?"
ANd as he tried to back away, his legs connected with the back of a short, side table as he spilled over it, landing ripely on his ass.
The women didnt' wait as they cried excitedly and lept upon him, nearly tearing off his clothes.
"L-ladies!" Gherrick began, but lips were sealed to his, his shirt hanging off his shoulder.
"P-please!" he said, trying to pry himself loose, as another made work at his ear.
"I.. I didn't even um.. pay?" he tried to find any excuse he could to get out of their grip, only to find one of them snatching his gold chalice.
"This should do nicely." she said coyly, then tossed it aside as the women continued to pry at him, merciless in their assault and finally int he middle of it all, Gherrick slipped away.
"Really ladies, please!" he said, panting as he pressed himself agaisnt hte wall. He was red faced, lip-stick kisses smeared all over his face and had half of his clothing nearly falling off.
"I.. I really have to go.." he said, beginning to make his way towards the door, only to find the women cornering him at the base of the steps.
Panicking, Gherrick turned around, running up the stairs only to find another lady waiting for him with a grin. Barely ducking away from her clutches, Gherrick rushed up the stairs and threw himself into a room, pressing his back against it as he locked the door, heart nearly pounding out of his chest.
Sighing, he wilted slightly, wild red hair over his eyes.
"Gods.." he draped a hand over his face, too embarrassed for himself to move.
And there went the first customer of the day...
Lotte rolled her eyes as the young man rushed past her in a blur of bright silk. She understood the appeals that The Cherry Tree held for a gentleman, even if she never could quite grasp their eagerness to get inside. And this man, actually running in... clearly, he was even more desperate than their usual clientele. She sighed in exasperation and settled back onto her perch, intending to go back to her daydreaming.
It was only a moment later however, that she heard the unmistakable squawks of the girls with an easy target. She frowned as she sat up, listening to the laughter that carried through the open windows. This carrying on was nothing terribly unusual, but it rarely accompanied such a confident looking man. Rather, they tended to tease the shy men, the ones who wandered in looking for directions, or a hot bite to eat, and ended up with a lot more than they had expected.
Maybe she should check it out. At the very least, it would liven up this dull day. She never indulged in the taunting herself, but being present was an important part of being accepted in this community. By the time she got inside however, the parlour had gone quiet. Her companions were back to their normal activities, although some were noticeably more flushed and excitable.
"Erm... what was going on in here?" she asked to the room at large.
"A lost little stranger," one of her friends replied, grinning. "I don't think he exactly knew where he was... we set him straight!"
"But - where is he?" Lotte looked around. The stranger hadn't come back out by the front door, but he had definitely gotten away somehow.
"Ran off through the side door. Probably out the back and streets away by now," another girl, less interested in the chase, piped up now. "It's much to early to bother going after him."
Choosing not to comment on the relatively late hour, Lotte nodded silently. Good for him, she thought, although the part of her that remembered his absurd dress wouldn't have been sorry to see his comeuppance. Nevertheless, she turned away and passed through the same side door that the stranger had used, unknowingly following in his footsteps.
It was a great many steps up to her attic room, and she was pink in the face by the time she arrived. Winding her blonde hair up into a bun with one hand she turned the door handle with the other, looking forward to the cool dark of-
-her locked room!
"Hey!" she called out, suddenly wary. "Who's in there?"
Gherrick jumped with a start.
The woman on the other side sounded angry.
HIs fingers twitched at his sides as he listened.
"Would you believe it if I told you it were the Grand Duke? And that he demands his presence to be ignored?"
OOC: Short... but quirky and to the point XD
Sorry for the shortness but..
*snickers*
OOC: LOL! xD
"What? Why would he even be in my room?"
Obviously that had been a joke, but the fact was that there was a man in there. Lotte rapped on the door again, feeling suddenly scared.
"Open the door!"
She couldn't stop her voice from wavering as she spoke, even as she wished that she could produce a commanding tone, or even a commanding presence. Unfortunately her short and slight stature prevented that, whatever she tried. She stepped back from the door, poised to fly back down the stairs if she needed to.
"Now!"
Gherrick winced.
"What if I told you I was parrot? A pretty um.. blue and red parrot?" He faked a squawk, but then heard her annoyance through the door. Frowning, he stared at the locked door for a moment.
"Why do you want in here anyways? Can't you see there's a man hiding from.. well.. not to sound offensive, but from your kind?"
You know..t he leechy- lust-sucking parasites?
Fear abating, Lotte bridled.
"What do I want in there? It's my room! What do you want in there?" She frowned and jiggled the handle again.
"Why are you hiding... who are you?" The 'your kind' comment could wait, though it had brought a deep flush to her cheeks. Her eyes widened as she put two and two together, and connected this disembodied voice to the riot downstairs - of course, he wouldn't know that she hadn't been there.
"Are you the ...gentleman from downstairs? Saffy said you'd left... did you know this is my room? I'd like to get inside it, if it's alright with you." She paused.
"I won't make you go back downstairs."
Gherrick listened to her silent, contemplating the suggestion before he placed a hand toward the door and opened it, pushing it open just a sliver as a single blue eye peered out at her.
"How do I know you're not here to toss me back to the wolves?" he asked, most of his face still hidden from her, except a few pieces of his red hair.
"Well, for one thing, I didn't know you were up here. And for another - I could have called out at any point in the last few minutes, and they'd be here now."
She pointed the facts out calmly, although slightly baffled that she was having to talk her way into her own bedroom. And to this strange man that refused to reveal himself, nonetheless.
"And lastly - I wasn't even down there. If you'd open the door, you'd realise that."
Gherrick pressed his lips together then slowly pressed the door open with a finger, the door creaking open between them and before him was revealed a beautiful girl. Oh.. it was the woman he had passed earlier. He gave a boyish grin.
"So this is your room?" he said, trying to put on flattery in his tone as he leaned an arm high against the door frame, one leg crossing over the other, his hips also set to rest against the frame.
"Yes."
This wasn't getting much better - the door was open, but now it was blocked by this... this... intruder. It simply was not on. Thanking the gods for her slight figure, Lotte ducked past him and into her room. Back in the safety of her own domain, she started to breathe more easily. Now at least she was on familiar ground and less nervous.
"Are you planning to stay then?" It certainly looked like it.
"Well, sort of," came the man's reply as he turned to her, rubbing sheepishly at the back of his neck. "I didn't come here for uh, what wares you all.. sell.." He looked at her, face turning pink, then away as he gave a boyish, nervous laugh. "Let's just say I had no idea what this establishment was all about. But now that I've seen it, I could bid my adieau.."
But then he heard the women downstairs.
"The man is up there! in the attic!"
Turning around, Gherrick gave a start.
"To Lotte's room, girls!"
Panicked, Gherrick threw himself inside and slammed the door, locking it behind him as the women began to bang on it.
"Let us in! Lotte? Lotte are you in there? Open up!"
"Yeah! Open up!"
"That man is clearly in need of our services!"
Cringing, Gherrick took a few steps back.
"I think this is the first time in my life I've ever been afraid of women," Gherrick admitted with a short, almost musical laugh as he continued to move away from the door. He still didn't realize his clothes were half torn off, lip stick was still smudged all over his face and well..
his chest nearly exposed.
He could outwit the guards, but..
this!?
These women were merciless!
"Yes, I've heard that one before..." she muttered, an eyebrow raised.
It was true that many men, those hoping to win over the shy and naive girls, often claimed innocence of their trade. It rarely worked, and even when it seemed to, it was always on the women's terms. Not that they let the men know that.
"Open up!"
Lotte sighed as she heard the stampede and crossed to the door, leaning against it to speak softly.
"Sorry girls, he's already scarpered. Pushed past me, the rude oaf, and slipped down the side passage. We need better security in here." The grumblings came loud through the door, the few women who'd bothered to come all the way up turning to climb down the stairs again.
"It looks like you're stuck here for a while, then, until I can smuggle you out." She turned to face him, arms crossed defensively as she crossed the room to shut the window. This had the bonus effect of putting her in silhouette, whilst casting him in bright light. Her eyes ran over him, noticing his bedraggled state - his fancy clothes no longer so flamboyant.
"You can wash in my basin, if you'd like."
"Oh, well I didn't-" Gherrick began, face pink again when he turned to notice the water basin and the mirror set behind it. Blushing more deeply, he gave a laugh.
"Oh..." he pushed a finger to his cheek, smudging some of the lipstick. "I suppose you meant these."
Pouring water in the bowl, he told her, "Thanks" and proceed to bend over it, splashing his face and being sure to thoroughly rub off all the little red kisses smattered about his face.
Turning his head this way, then that, her rubbed the back of his wrist across his lips and brow before turning around to her, collecting a towel and dabbling it across his face.
"And I mean, it," he gave her a more boyish, innocent smile. "Thanks." His blue eyes warm, his face rather handsome as he began to pull his clothing back together.
Lotte laughed. The man's confusion was somehow endearing, contradicting the first impression she'd had of him. The strange clothes had suggested to her a vain man, one full of self-importance and arrogance, and his insistence at locking her own door had done nothing to dispel that impression. But now, seeing him so awkward out of his comfort zone, she began to relax. As he washed she moved away from the window and perched on a high stool, her feet barely touching the floor.
She regarded him as he washed and dried himself, smiling in spite of herself. He was handsome, and his ruffled state was bringing out her nurturing side.
"You're welcome," she said softly. "But you know, I don't even know your name yet."
"Gherrick Windevher," he informed her, wistfully. The same boyish smile adorning his face. "Might I have the pleasure of knowing yours? After all," he chuckled a little as he approached her, but kept a respectable distance as he folded his arms across his chest in leisure. "You did save my life." He pointed out.
OOC: XD sorry it's short
"I hardly saved your life - they wouldn't have killed you!" She laughed suddenly, a light, musical sound. "They're mostly very nice girls really. And you did make rather an entrance."
"But my name's Lotte..."
She paused, awkwardly. She always felt that something was left unsaid when introducing herself - an unfortunate side effect of having only one name.
"Just Lotte."
"Yes, well.." Gherrick sheepishly scratched at the side of his nose. "How could one know?" his reply came about the women. Though he liked the sound of her laugh, even if it was towards him as his smile raised more leftward on his cheek. "And I suppose they seemed to want to be..er.. nice enough. But the entrance, as you so put it, was hardly planned, at least, not as an entrance here, but rather as an escape from there."
It probably all sounded crazy as he gave a shrug.
"After all, some people just call me a petty thief," and it was then he realized.. patting himself down as his face paled. "The chalice!" He looked, appalling at the door, realizing what he had to do at some point during his stay at The Cherry Tree.
Gods.. he'd have to go back down there. The very idea turned him pink.
Thieves were not terribly uncommon in The Cherry Tree, and all of the girls had at one point been paid with stolen goods. Lotte barely raised an eyebrow at the man's confession, merely wondering exactly who he had been running from. The lack of guards at their door was a relief, and suggested that he hadn't angered anyone with too much power - at least, not lawful power.
"What chalice?" she piped up then, curious. "Have you left something... downstairs?"
It was obvious he wasn't too thrilled about fetching it and it would be cruel to send him back down there so soon. She sighed and slipped off the stool, looking up at him from her short vantage point.
"I'll go for it, if you like."
Gherrick turned to her with a start.
"Well, you see, it's not that I care for the chalice for me or anything. You needn't throw yourself in harms way!" though, the words were already out of his mouth before he realized they made him look the fool as he rubbed at the back of his neck. Was it getting hot in there?
"That is to say, well, I sort of stole it for somebody, else and well... I don't need the money it could yield, but they could." Shaking his head. "But you shouldn't trouble yourself for me. And I think your er.. sisters?" he tried to swallow the idea of what they all.. would be to one another. "Well, they kindly assumed the golden piece of paymet for um.." he blushed again, sighing with a wilt. "Payment." he tugged loosely at the collar of his shirt.
Yes.. it was getting quite hot in there!
Shaking his head, "I... apologize for sounding like a fool. I.. feel sort of out of my element here. I never thought I'd find myself hiding away int he local brothel."
Of course if that was the case.. was his poor companion also one of them? He frowned a little, staring her curiously at the htought ad well..
figured he should stop rambling before appearing a complete ninny.
"Sisters? Yes, I suppose, after a fashion...." She was a little wistful. They were, after all, the closest thing she had to real family, even if it was a strange kind of sisterhood. She held up her hand as he bumbled on, stopping his apologies with a gentle smile.
"Do not worry. I can get it back for you." She had heard enough - whoever the chalice was for, they clearly needed it far more than anyone here did.
"Wait here for me."
And she slipped out of the door on silent feet.
OOC: Sorry it's short! I'd have posted her coming back, but wasn't sure if he might do some things, think some thoughts etc while she's gone!
Gherrick's lips twitched into a small smile.
"Lotte.." he said after she left, pacing a bit with a finger thoughtfully rubbing at his chin. "Lotte, Lotte, Llllllllllllllllotte."
He tried the name out with a smile, finding himself pausing before the window he could easily make with his escape, only he found the guards approaching and found himself panicking.
He began to move away, head darting around as he realized..
He had no place to go! He was trapped!
Moving back towards the window, he pressed his nose against it until the guards disappeared within. He swore in his native language, then peered over, sweating nervously as he looked at the door.
It was many more minutes before Lotte returned.
She had got downstairs and found the chalice easily enough, lying discarded under a sofa. But then the few girls who were still downstairs and noticed her, and began asking questions.
"Where did he go? Did he really leave? Did you get a good look at him?"
"Yes, I told you." She was patient, talking under her breath so as not to attract attention. "Shot out of my room and down the side passage - you know it leads to the street eventually. He looked like a pompous fool - all silk and velvet in those awful colours! And his arrogant air!" But even as she denigrated him to her friends, she couldn't shake that sweet smile of his and the boyish handsomeness that had touched her as he washed. "Anyway, I'm going back up-"
That was when the guards strolled in, not bothering to knock. She seamlessly slipped the chalice up her dress and began heading for the door. The benefit of looking young and innocent was that she was rarely questioned. She did hear the guards begin their questioning.
"... would have been out of breath, from running. Has he been in here?"
She held her breath as she waited for her friends to reply. Luckily...
"No, he hasn't, officer," Saffy replied, all coy smiles. "He sounds handsome though... you can be sure that we'll be keeping our eyes wide open!"
Lotte chuckled as she slipped through the door and started back up the stairs, just hearing the guards' next statement: "Well, we'll wait around the building for a few hours, just in case. He may try to hide here. Don't worry ladies, we'll be in plain clothes so as not to put off your normal clients..."
Any other conversation was lost as she ran lightly up the stairs, holding the chalice to her body through the think pink cloth. Slipping back through her door she locked it and leaned against the wood, grinning at Gherrick. Her cheeks were pink from the exertion, as she reached under her skirts to produce the chalice.
"Got it! You might want to stay up here for a while though."
A smile blossomed across his face the moment he saw it.
"Why, thanks, Lotte! Lotte.." he tried it again, wrinkling his nose before he smiled. "An interesting name." An easy smile came next. "Named after any one in particular? Can't say I've ever met a Lotte before."
He set the chalice aside, right next tot he table his red bow staff was leaning against before he gave a short nod.
"Well, I suppose it would be alright if you can stand the company." Gherrick pointed out. "So this is all yours?" he inquired, glancing about the room.
Lotte smiled and quirked an eyebrow as her name was repeated. It was almost as if he was testing it.
"I don't know." She shrugged. "I don't even know who named me - so maybe, maybe not."
She perched herself on the high stool again, leaving only the bed as a seat, and gestured towards it for Gherrick to sit down. It was a narrow room, with an oddly shaped ceiling (being right under the roof) and a window that took up most of one wall, with a heavy drape pushed to one side. Her furniture consisted only of the bed, which looked comically oversized in the little room, the stool, table with washbasin and jug, and a miniscule wardrobe in the opposite corner. It was lucky that she didn't have many clothes.
"Yes, it's just mine." She nodded, smiling at the idea of fitting anyone else in there long-term. "I suppose I'm lucky - some of the girls have to share a room."
Gherrick looked towards the bed, then towards the lady and humbly bowed.
"I'll remain standing, if you please. I would never make intrusions on a lady's bed."
ANd so he did, and he didn't mind it as he folded his arms easily over his chest and leaned beside the wall across fromt he window, so that it cast his form in yellow light.
"And I suppose I'm lucky as well you don't have to share a room," Gherrick replied, again rubbing at the back of his head. "So... how long have you been living here?" he eyed her up. she looked young nad he had to frown. Poor thing.. was she born into this sort of life? THough the smile was easily replaced with an easy smile. She was easy on the eyes, after all and well, very well-kept company, indeed!
OOC: Sorry if you saw this when it was half an orphan sentence! I tried to post on my lunchbreak and failed xP
"I suppose I've lived here all my life. I certainly don't remember any other home," she answered quietly. "I don't even know where I was born, really. All I know is that I was born here in Connlaoth, but not actually in Uthlyn. Not that that narrows it down much." She smiled a sweet, sad sort of smile - not sad about her lot in life, which she had long since accepted, if somewhat begrudgingly - but conscious of how pathetic her little life story seemed. And indeed, it was.
"The madam is the only mother I have ever known, and the other girls, as they come and go, become my sisters." And I shall probably live here until I am too old to work was the sentence that her words left unsaid, though a trace of it passed on her face.
She laughed again though, this time at herself. "But I am sure that is much more than you wanted to know. I'm sorry, I don't make small talk very often. Tell me about yourself."
Gherrick looked at her. He was charmed. Though, he always was when in the presence of a lady, but Lotte seemed exceptionally sweet, if not a little sad.
"Well," he began, when she turned her attentions toward shim in all politeness. "I suppose you could say i'm a long lost prince, from a long forgotten kingdom who currently resides to his fate of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor." He bowed her to with much grace.
"Though others just believe the story I'm a wanted criminal; a mage."
He said the story so wistfully that, well, as it was done intentionally so, so as to air on the side of indifference: After all, who would believe such a story? All of it anyways, however, the last bit might strike a familiar chord with her if she had heard about any of his growing fame from the people of the slums and poor farmers- though most notably his work was done nearer to the duchy of Allar...
"Though I suppose that all sounds boring, hrm?" he replied in good humor, folding his arms satisfyingly across his chest.
A long lost prince! Lotte had not yet lost her childish wonder and her imagination soared as Gherrick told the tall tale.
"A prince!" she breathed, moving to the edge of her stool, eyes wide in awe. "What was your kingdom?" She had heard many folk tales about missing royalty and long-destroyed kingdoms, but never met someone who so much as claimed to from one of them. Even as she knew it was most likely a fable, she couldn't help but ask the question.
"It doesn't sound at all boring - it sounds wonderful! You must have seen the world." She was envious now. "I can't even leave Uthlyn - when I try, I soon get punished." She held up her wrists at this last statement, showing him the cuffs that were fitted so neatly around them - although at the moment they were separate, unbound by the chain that sometimes 'graced' her wrists and ankles.
"Where was this kingdom of yours?"
Gherrick's heart sank the moment she mentioned her chains. He couldn't help but comment. "That's horrible. You have no choice?" He shook his head at the comment about his kingdom, joking aside. "Why can't you leave here?" he asked most seriously. He had heard of such things but.. honestly, had never run into them- considering this was, sort of, his first time in a brothel.
OOC: Sorry it's short!
"Well no, not really," she shook her head resignedly. "Technically, I think I am the property of the brothel - if you can belong to a place, a building. "If not, well then - I belong to Madame Derica. She is both my legal guardian and my owner. I suppose I was sold to her as a baby." She didn't know why, and was never likely to get an answer. A flush rose in her cheek as she relived the old hurt. It was somehow soothing to tell her story out loud, but to her shame she found tears threatening to spill over, and she dipped her head, allowing the blonde curtain of hair to shield her face.
"As it is, I can't leave. I must make my living here and pass my earnings on to Madame Derica. That is how it is - at least for now."
Gherrick could not believe what he was hearing.
"That sounds no better than slavery," his worry for her deepened. "Surely you can make a choice to leave?" he hoped, but by the look and sounds of thing, it appeared as though it were not.
"It just doesn't sound right.." he shook his head. "That a woman, or that anyone, would not have that choice in life." He lowered his blue eyes to the floor. "I.. I'm sorry to have brought it up.. I.." He felt his cheeks flush a little in color. He shook his head. "What if I bought your freedom?" he brought up suddenly, then realized, if it were so, should he not need to find a reason to buy all of the ladies freedom? Well, perhaps not.. the others seemed to well...
enjoy this...
"After all, it wouldn't be an entirely insane idea," he almost smiled at the idea, then looked to her.
"Don't be."
Tears gone, she brushed off his apology with a shy smile. "You weren't to know, and it was an innocent question.And anyway, it is what it is."
She was about to say more, when his next words stopped her in her tracks. Her face paled, leaving only the lingering flush on her cheeks, now more striking than ever. Such an offer, from someone she had known for so little time! She had to restrain herself from jumping down from the stool to embrace him, and succeeded in making only an involuntary twitch forward.
"I... thank you! But, I couldn't possibly ask you to do that. I am not worth much, but I fear it would be more than I could ever ask you to spend, knowing that I won't be able to repay you for years, at least." Her words were coming out in a jumble, her tongue tripping over itself.
"But... but, thank you for the offer. It's so kind of you..." her mind finally catching up with itself, she ran out of words, and just looked at him hopelessly, speechless.
Seeing her expression, the sadness there made him frown again as he looked for her eyes.
"Lotte.." he called her name softly, and approached, taking her hand into his. "If there is anything I can do in this world, it is to help in the comforts of others. To rid those atrocities dictated upon them by men." Gherrick shook his head. "If you feel uncomfortable, by on means will I press the issue. I just-" he cringed, a pang of guilt hit his gut. "I do not like the idea of what you say. It sounds too much like slavery. A person should not be measured in gold." He lowered his eyes for a moment, then looked to hers. "A person is worth their weight in soul. Please," he squeezed her hand lightly. "For all it's worth, I could at least.. try?" he afforded her a soft smirk, one that grew leftward up his cheek.
Lotte nodded bashfully and placed her other hand over Gherrick's as he squeezed hers.
"Well, if you're sure that you want to... maybe I will allow you to think about it." She smiled and looked up, grey eyes meeting blue. "I must say I agree with what you say - although I never really thought about it being applied to myself."
"Even if not, perhaps you will come to visit me again?" She shook her hair back to clear her face, smiling up at Gherrick.
"Well, it's the least I could do... trying never hurt anyone. Well.. " he laughed a little. "There are the exceptions." he bashfully scratched at the back of his head. Smiling, he looked at her, then blushed at her comment to visit.
"Visit? Me?" his voice went up a bit in pitch as he looked around, seeming to have a small panic attack over the idea as he clutched a hand to his breast. "I suppose if i must. You know, for good company, I suppose i could brave the sea of women down below."
"Oh!" Her cheeks burned as he seemed to dismiss the idea. "Well I mean of course you don't have to. I just thought - perhaps." She was steadily going bright crimson, embarrassed by his apparent rebuffal. "If you're actually here to see someone specific you'll be alright, no one bothers another girl's clients... Not that you'd be a client!"
This was getting worse and worse. "It was just an idea. Of course you can say no. I didn't expect you to come. You must have much better things to do with your time."
Gherrick couldn't help but blushed along side her, but was suddenly beside himself with laughter. SHaking his head, in part to get his unruly red hair from his face, he approached her and took her hand, patting it gently.
"It would be an interesting idea to pay to have you as a client, but to merely sit and chat for tea." then he bowed his head sheepishly. "Though, I hope you do not take offense.. I only meant it as.. er.." he blushed, rubbing awkwardly at the back of his neck.
"I say... this does make for an awkward conversation!" he stated, giving a wondrous laugh.
"Maybe one day we will even tell it to our children, about awkward tea at The Cherry-" it was then he stopped himself, blushing.
"That's to say I mean hypothetical children, not that your or I would- not saying someday we couldn't, but... oh dear.." he tugged at his clothing. "It is rather hot in here, is it not?" he said, clearing his throat and moving towards the window, yet when he pulled the drapes aside, he quickly dropped them.
He had almost forgotten about the guards.
Turning back to her he gave a nervous grin..
"So, um, how about some of that mentioned tea to stall for time?"
OOC: Omg.. way..
too..
cute XD
Lotte laughed, her blush subsiding. It was comforting to know that she wasn't the only one stumbling over her words, even if the resulting conversation was somewhat awkward.
"Our children, hey?" she teased Gherrick gently. "Well you are taking a rather large step into the future, there!" Even as she joked, her eyes danced with mirth, reassuring him that she was not offended. "But yes... I'm sure it will make for quite a story! Although I'm sure this is not the story of a romantic meeting, that a child would wish to hear."
As he commented about the heat, she slid off the stool and over to the window, deftly pushing it open behind the drape. "There you go. Now it is cool and hidden in here... perfect conditions!" she added with a wink. "And now, I shall go and find us some tea." She hurried out of the room.
She was gone only a few minutes, cleverly avoiding seeing anyone on the stairs, and returned triumphant.
"Food!" she exclaimed as she shuffled backwards through the door, carefully wielding a large tray. It was simple fare - bread and apples, and some slices of beef, with a small jug of wine balanced on the edge. "It's not much," she apologised, setting the tray down on the stool carefully. "And I couldn't get cups."
Gherrick blushed when she jested back with him.
"Well, or even our grand children?" he teased, wearing an easy smile, but still sweated over the idea. He could imagine himself being a father someday, and never considered to whom he'd father children with and well...
He'd leave the thought at that!
Smiling when she opened the window, he nodded towards her and commented, "Thanks." And when she left, he enjoyed a good moment alone with his thoughts, chuckling at the recollection of their conversation from earlier before he sighed.
When she returned, he was quick to her side.
"Here, let me help you." and at her comment about no cups, he simply shook his head. "You don't need to apologize to me. You're doing more than enough."
Staring down at the food, he turned to her with a bit of a grin as he took up some bread and broke himself a peice.
"Ah.." he made a noise. "This bread is nice and fresh." he grinned at her. "It's been a while since I've had something nice to eat." He made a face, sticking out his tongue. "Stale bread get old quick." but he shrugged it away. "But one gets used to it, I'm afraid. One can not have wine and roasted quail everyday."
"It is actually, surprisingly nice food. I mean, it's a little basic but it's good enough." Lotte smiled and took an apple for herself. She polished it on her skirt absent-mindedly as she continued talking. "We do have wine a lot, but I've never tasted quail. Sometimes, when a very important client is in town, a fancy dinner is put on for them, but I've never been to one myself, of course. Why do you live on stale bread so much?" She frowned, sympathetic. "Are you often on the run from the authorities?"
Taking her apple into one hand, she sat on the edge of the bed and patted the mattress beside her. "Do sit down, really. It's not an imposition at all."
She took a sip from the wine jug, balancing it carefully, and held it up to Gherrick, shrugging in apology as him having to share. "You don't mind, do you?"
OOC: shorty, sorry!
Gherrick nodded at her statement about quail.
"The meat is rather good, especially well seasoned."
But then found himself beginning to blush as he insisted he sit.
"I suppose it would do us no harm!" he agreed, and took a seat, idly fiddling at some of the lace on the bedding as he looked at her, grinning boyishly at the offer to share wine.
"Naw, I wouldn't think it impolite to share." he took the offered wine and held the jug tentatively to his lips. "Though, it is an amusing thing to think-" he took a swig. "That now we're sharing an indirect kiss!" His smile broadened as he handed it back to her, wiping off the excess wine from his lips on the back o fhis hand.
"Now, my lady, you can have my kiss in return," he jested, a playful flirt in his smile as he partially lowered his head respectfully, and playfully to her in humbled grace.
"Well, thank you. I accept it gladly."
And she did, with a coy smile, take the jug from him and drink, placing her lips where his had just been. It was companionable there in the darkened room, the smell of good food around them, and the late afternoon warmth lingering in the air. Below them, the distant noises of doors banging open and closed and voices calling out started to reappear, as the building began to wake up for the evening's trade. Lotte closed her eyes as she listened, half in that world below, half remaining in the attic with Gherrick.
"So, Gherrick, where are you staying whilst you're in town?" she asked quietly, eyes still closed comfortably.
OOC: Just a shorty I know, but I thought perhaps in the next couple of posts introduce the customer. What say you?
OOC: THat can work!
IC:
Gherrick shrugged. "Well, I normally don't staying in one place for long," he replied sheepishly, blue eyes studying her. "The life of a thief can only be so grand as one makes it." He took the wine again, sipping it softly as he noticed the change in her demeanor.
"I must admit, I didn't think a place like this would be.." he coughed, clearing his throat. "Well, in any part of my rendez-vous." He smiled. "But, despite my awkwardness, I'm glad for it." His smile brightened as he tried to meet her eyes. "After all, I wouldn't have met such a lovely lady to help me hide away from all of her horrible sisters!" he joked.
Lotte opened her eyes as Gherrick laughed, looking round to meet his eyes. "They're not all so bad! Some of them are lovely, trust me. But of course I'm always willing to... hide you away."
She smiled and turned towards him, laying her hand on his forearm. She seemed about to say something more when a step creaked underneath a heavy footfall below them. The madame. Lotte held her breath, holding up a hand to warn Gherrick against speaking. "She never comes all the way up..." she breathed. "But..."
Then an authoritative voice called up the stairs; "Lotte! Your presence is requested downstairs, right away! Make sure you are made up for dancing," and the heavy step retreated.
Lotte had risen to her feet, her face white. "I'm not dressed!" she gasped out. "I can't dance like this - and there's no time!" She turned to Gherrick, face full of remorse. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to sneak you downstairs... I have to go. I can't say no."
Gherrick felt as tense as she as the madame approached. Then at the words, he paled, realizing what might be happening.
He fetched her arm.
"Do you have to go to them?" he inquired, eyes meeting desperately to hers.
He couldn't just let her off to some destination she did not wish- why, it would be against every drop of blood in his body. No, he couldn't.. but the look in her eyes.
"What do you mean you can no refuse?"
"Yes, I have to." The colour rose in her cheeks as Gherrick took her arm and spoke his next words. "If I refuse... well, I can't!" Not taking her arm out of his grasp, she began walking backwards towards the tiny wardrobe, mind racing as she mentally scanned over her clothes. There was nothing readily available that was appropriate - she would have to improvise, and just hope it was enough.
"Dancing... it brings in money. Madame Derica would be furious. I don't even know what she would say... or do. No no, I have to." She did pull away then, turning from him to rifle through the dresses. It was a short skirt she pulled out, in a shimmering lilac, and a small bodice to match. Draped over with spangled scarves and shawls, it would do. She threw them haphazardly over the stool, followed by a small makeup kit.
"I - I have to change." She turned back to Gherrick, quietly entreating him. "Please. You can go down the side stair and no one will see you, you will be safe. Everyone is busy now, anyway."
The look in her face was desperate, pleading almost. Could he really just let her go? Though he supposed... dancing never hurt anyone.
"Dancing?" he tried to play off the awkward moment with a mused smile. "So, are you saying people pay you for dancing?" he eyed her up, seeming amused by this. "If i would have known that, perhaps I should have bought you all to myself. I haven't had a nice dance in sometime!"
Though he knew his playful words might be lost in this desperate situation, but he simply nodded, taking her hand and kissing it light.
"But as you wish, I shall be off." he moved towards the window, noting the guards down below had already left. He glanced back at her, but once. "Perhaps we can dance another time?"
Then he was gone.
"Maybe next time," Lotte swallowed heavily, somehow finding it within her to smile at Gherrick's words. "People do indeed pay me - well, Madame Derica - for the privilege of seeing a dance. But maybe I can show you free of charge." She had time for just one more sweet smile before he vanished from her window, disappearing into the encroaching dark. She held one hand to her chest, concerned at his sudden going. Relax, he's a thief, she told herself firmly. He probably makes dramatic exits all the time.
She was mindful of the time, but nonetheless quickly crossed to the window where he had so suddenly dropped from, and leaned out. She could see nothing but the darkness of the garden below, and had to rely on faith. "Gherrick..." she spoke as loud as she dared, hoping it was loud enough.
"I practise every morning in the city gardens. The secluded lawn behind the ponds. Meet me..."
The rest of her message was cut off by the recurrence of the heavy step on the stair below and she flew back inside. Back inside, to start changing and begin her evening.
Gherrick had heard her words, smiling as he pressed himself against the sides of the building, well hidden in shadow.
"That's a date if I ever heard one.." he smiled fondly at the idea, twirled his gold chalice and strolled off into the night. He would make do, as he always did, with procuring sleeping arrangements and food, here or there.
That particular night, he hadn't slept well, curiosity burning over the chance to dance, and when the sun rose, he went with it, disappearing into the gardens in the city. The lawn was well maintenanced, beautiful arrays of flowers scattered about and hedges well tamed. There was the pond she described, and he paused a moment to stare at his reflection- the blue waters in lovely contrast to the rich, red color of his hair, and also bringing out the charming beauty of his baby blue colored eyes.
He smiled, thinking back to the other day, and was curious how Lotte's night of dancing had gone.
It was set to be another warm day, the early morning sun tinting the flowers bright shades in the city gardens. Their scent was mingling with the freshness of the dawn dew that still lingered on the long grass, dampening the hems of those caught unawares. Not that there were many people visiting the gardens at this early hour, only the vagrants that slept here, the insomniacs that walked the night away, and those few up early enough to appreciate the dawn. Lotte was one of this last group.
Tucked away behind the trees that encircled the main lawn, she had found her favourite grove - one with longer grass and wildflowers, an area left less cultivated than the norm. It was in this clearing that she currently exercised, face pink as she twirled about. Her shawl forgotten on a nearby branch, cast off as she had got warm. She was dressed much more simply today, swapping the dress for a comfortable pair of leggings and a green tunic. Her blonde hair was down and shining, freshly washed. Adding to her ensemble today, however, were chains. Slim, silver chains that ran from the wrist to the ankle. They were loose enough to allow movement but definitively there, gently clinking as she moved. It was lucky that she was well practiced at moving in them, so as not to stumble or trip over the trailing chain as she danced.
That was the sight she presented. All alone in the grove, humming quietly to herself to keep time as she twirled and span. She had spent the night thinking of Gherrick - wondering where he was and if he would come - but the pace of her dance and the concentration it required had pushed him from her mind, at least for now.
Ironically, as Gherrick traveled through the area, it was the gentle sound of humming, and the soft, clinking chime of her chains that lead him forth. As he rounded a bend he spotted her and halted in his tracks, merely observing her as he leaned against a heavy tree. He remained quiet, blue eyes studying her for a time, completely enchanted by the movement of her dance and the soft humming of the song...
but slowly, the smile on his lips began to fade as his eyes drifted over the soft, silvery glow of the metal chains upon her. But still he said nothing, watching her dance as he quietly observed beside the tree- waiting, perhaps, for the next song to begin, as the soft shadows fluttered about him, stirred in grey layers by the canopy of trees.
Lotte frowned in concentration as she delved deeper into her dance, eyes closed as she focused. The steps were not yet ingrained into her memory, and dancing took a great deal of effort for her. Still she kept time, small feet seeming to float along the long grass as she went, holding the chains up from around her ankles. It was a simple dance, but one designed to draw the eye and keep the attention. It would be better with music, but beggars couldn't be choosers, after all.
She continued dancing for several more minutes, her hair flying out around her face as she span faster and faster. She managed to stay upright throughout this however: it was the concluding steps of the dance that tripped her up. Literally.
As she moved to end the movement, crossing her ankles over, she caught her foot on a tussock of grass and tripped.
"Oh!"
She landed on the grass with a soft thud, a look of surprise on her face.
Gherrick was enjoying, almost entranced by her graceful steps- dreaming about moving from the shadows to join her when..
"Lotte!" It took only a few quick strides to cross the grass, and soon was on one knee, a hand delicately placed on her shoulder, the other pressed to the grass as he looked down at her.
"Lotte, are you alright?" he looked down at her tangled form, wondering if the odd chains had tripped her up..
She had been moving so beautifully.
He offered her his hand.
"Here, please, let me help you."
"Oh, morning." She looked up at him in some surprise, taken off guard by his sudden appearance. After a second of reflection it dawned on her that he must have been nearby - perhaps watching - and she found that the thought of it quite pleased her. The pink of her cheeks brought on by exercise was quickly joined by a shy blush, flattering on her pale skin.
"I'm fine, thank you," but Lotte took the proffered hand, standing up gingerly. "I just tripped on a clump of grass, I suppose." She tested her ankle gingerly, rolling it around and testing the pressure. She flinched as a quick stab of pain flashed through it, but it wore off after a moment.
"It's just a twist. Really, it'll be fine if I just sit down for a while. Where did you come from?" She turned her attention to Gherrick then, smiling up at him as she rested more of her weight on his arm.
OOC: I won't like..
Lotte is TOO cute <3 <3 <3
IC:
Gherrick felt uneasy, but only briefly as he smiled at her. Were the chains normal for her? Were they just another type of imprisonment she had to endure as a consort? Gherrick studied her face, blushing himself at her sweetness and offered to help her sit back down.
"Here, keep your weight off it for a moment." he said, then once the two were seated, he turned towards her with a soft grin. "And I came from behind that tree." he said, pointing to where he had once been leaning against when he was admiring her dance. "I would have come sooner, but I was enjoying the show."
OOC: I do love her!
"Thank you," Lotte said again as they settled themselves. She wriggled around on the soft grass to find herself a comfortable spot and bent her knees upwards. She wrapped one hand around her ankle to rub it gently, but left her other in contact with Gherrick's arm, unwilling to lose contact.
"Oh, you were watching!" In anyone else's voice this may have been a reprimand; in Lotte's it was a compliment. She turned towards him, meeting his blue eyes with her sparkling grey. "Did you enjoy it? I only do it for fun of course, I've never taken lessons," she added modestly.
"I wasn't sure that you'd come," she continued with a shy smile.
"Well, from what I heard when I was still hanging from your window, that you invited me to this spot for a date," he offered her a gentle smile. "Though it seems we might have to try our luck at dancing together at another time." He looked down at her ankle, trying to ignore the silver chains.
"Does it hurt still?" he could heal it.. however, sometimes it was best not to flash that power around, especially, because part of him, deep down, feared he might actually scare her with it.
Then he also added, "And you're a marvelous dancer. Perhaps dancing across wild grasses might not be so suitable for some of those moves, though." he gave a gentle laugh at the idea.
"A date?" Lotte raised one eyebrow. "I don't remember saying that, exactly! For all you know, I could have been telling you to stay away from here." She smiled gently, and covered his hand with her small one. "I was hoping you'd come, though. This is the time of day that's all my own. I wanted to share it with you."
She shrugged as he mentioned her ankle. "Only a little." In truth it did hurt - not enough to be broken, but she feared a twist or a sprain. Either would be problematic - she couldn't dance on a sprained ankle, and getting up and down the long attic stairs would be awful. "I think it'll go down... But yes, you might have to wait for a dance," she laughed. "Though there are dances we could do without the need for standing or walking..."
He smiled at her admittance. It was, rather nice for her to say she hoped for him. His smile let her know that as he admired her in silence.
But when she mentioned her ankle, he looked down towards it, feeling sorry for her, but also feeling a bit hesitant towards his offer, but he offered it anyway.
"Here, I could heal it," he told her, gently taking her leg and admiring the ankle, looking up at her for a moment, almost pleading with her as he asked, "Please, don't be alarmed." Then he bowed his head and began to pray, words but a whisper, soft and grey. Then his hands began to glow, soft jewels, never before seen, beneath his flesh seemed to appear, then color came from his hands, and glowed in soft symbols across his flesh.
Then warm hand and warm light pressed to her skin...
"And grant the heal, the light.." his words were spoken softly, magically, as if on dual breaths, and there, charged from his hand came a swell of magic, mist and might-
and settled deep within her leg, healing gently, softly.
"Erm, how?" Lotte was confused. Surely Gherrick was a thief, not a healer? And anyway, she couldn't see that he had any equipment - no bag for bandages or salve. How he was planning to heal her was a mystery...
She flinched as he took her ankle in his hands, feeling the throb of pain going through it, and up her leg. She didn't have time to comment though, as he bent in his head in prayer, and amazing things began to happen. Her eyes widened at the glow of jewels appeared, and seemed to sink into her skin.
"Oh!" She gasped as the warmth spread underneath her fair skin, knitting together the torn muscle. It felt strange but oddly comforting and she closed her eyes for a moment as he spoke, letting her breath out in one long sigh.
The comfort didn't last for long though, as she warmth began to subside and her mind started to race. She looked at him worriedly, eyes flitting around the lawn to make sure they were alone.
"Was that magic? You can't do that here!" She whispered, voice urgent with worry. "You could be arrested!"
Gherrick tried to hide his cringe at her reaction as he smiled through it.
"The world already knows I have magic," he informed her. "I've been hunted for a time, a large bounty on my head." Shaking his head, he remained near her, but did not dare get any closer.
"The world only sees me as a mage, as a thief; assassins and bounty hunters see the high price of my head, especially alive; and the poor see me as a hero, one defying the diluted laws and regulations against those people repressed and hungry, those people who cry out to be saved, to be free."
His eyes studied hers most serious.
"I'm sorry I never told you before, Lotte. But I am a wanted criminal, if not for the mere acts of stealing bread to feed a poor and dying man, and magics used to heal those in need. Too many people want my head," his eyes danced at the expression in a dark wonder. "But they haven't gotten it yet. And I aim not to let them get it at all."
"I'll understand if you don't want to see me again." he bowed before, humbled. "But I will not ever hold it against you." HE tried to smile. "How could I when I adore those well at dance, and well, your dance appears to be exceptional."
"Hmm." Lotte was silent as Gherrick spilled out his secrets, considering his words. Yes, she had known all along that he was a thief, but this was something more - magic was a dangerous trait to have in Connlaoth. She didn't want to see him dragged off and executed. And how often did he use it? One of the benefits of being familiarised with every type of person through her profession was that Lotte had met magic-users before, as well as non-using mages, and everything in between. She wasn't frightened of magic, as most Connlaothians, nor did she think it was evil, exactly, but she didn't understand it.
"Hm," she repeated, after a few moments of quiet. "Well, you need to be more careful. It might look secluded here - and Uthlyn may be safer than Reajh - but there are still Mordecai. Next time, maybe you should wait until we're in private."
She smiled at him then, accepting of his secrets, and folded her hands on top of his. "How can we dance if you are in jail?"
"Yes, the mordecai," he didn't want to mention he seemed unaffected by them- but the truth of the matter was, he had NO idea how the mordecai would actually affect him. Normally his magics could be used on them ad in their presence, however...
he never relied on it, so he could never tell. For now, he just assumed he was numb to their effects.
"Well, we could dance through the jail cell bars?" he suggested, smirking at her with a boyish grin.
"Well, maybe, but it might be difficult!" She laughed, trying to picture how such a thing would work. She had never visited a jail, and was relying on stereotypes and hearsay to imagine how it would look. "We might have to dance a long way apart, though... and that is not the most fun. I suppose you could just watch me?"
She returned his smile, the handsome grin warming her. "But how could we show our pleasure after the dance? It's not like we could..." she paused for the briefest of moments, before lifting herself up on her hands, and touching her lips, butterfly-soft, to his.
"... do that."
For all of his flirting, he hadn't expected her to be the first one to make a move. In fact, he was so ignorant to her advance that he froze the moment her lips neared his then- when she did it, his lips fell open, staring at her with wide eyes before he released a breath, face heating into a blush.
"I.. well I.." he stammered. "I..s.. suppose we could just, uh.. share a kiss through the bars?"
He hoped his mumbling was making some sense, as his mind was in a flutter, barely making any sense at all. His world was reeling. And to think, he was taken so off guard to the simplest thing as a sweet kiss!
"Yes, kissing through jail cell bars sounds kind of romantic, don't it?" he gave a bashful smile, still heated from the kiss as he looked at her, blue eyes bright as he leaned forward, almost as if to kiss her in return, but their lips remained apart, but ever so close together... not even a breath apart!
"Though hopefully we will never have to-" he began, moving a hand to politely, and most delicatley rest against her arm in an affectionate manner, when he touched the light chains that bound her, and found his hands stroking them lightly, before lifting them up with a frown before his eyes returned to hers.
"Is this a fashion statement, or should I be worried why you'd be wearing chains?" his face grew more serious, full of more concern as he looked at her.
OOC: I Hope this post makes sense. Ugh, so tired. XD
OOC: It made perfect sense! I hope you've had some rest now xD
Lotte's smile was bemused as Gherrick rambled on, stuttering. He had been so flirtatious, seemed so confident, and yet his whole demeanour was thrown off by the slightest of kisses! Amidst her confusion though, she had to admit to a small amount of pride. It was quite flattering, that her smallest attentions could distract him so much.
"Hopefully, there will never be that barrier. After all..." she started to say, but became distracted by the gentle touch of his hand - and then by his query. She frowned, pouting as she thought.
"No, I wouldn't say you had to be worried," she said eventually, with a delicate shrug of her shoulders. "I wear them - in some form - whenever I leave the house. It is my own fault... I brought them upon myself." Quietly she reached to take the chain away from him, looping it around her wrist with a casualness that could only be brought on by repetition, and replaced her hand in his.
"Don't think of them."
"But.." Gherrick began, still frowning as he stared at the delicate silver. "You're in chains." His blue eyes went to hers.
"How long have you had to wear them?"
He could not himself but to get defensive, feeling greatly protective of her and the idea it was 'her' fault- this sweet young woman- who could do such a thing to put her in chains!?
OOC: Sorry it's short, but OMG.. your post was so sweet and cute <3 d'aww the cuteness of Lotte.
OOC: N'aw thanks! xD I still feel sooo rusty at writing!
"Since I was sixteen," she answered with an impressive air of nonchalance, forgetting that Gherrick had no idea how old she was - and thus, her statement wouldn't help him much. Her history seemed to natural to her by now that it was almost surprising when somebody didn't know about it. Part of that, of course, was that she so rarely met anyone who wanted to know about her own story, rather than boring her with theirs.
"I tried to run away," she offered by way of further explanation. "Sixteen years of living in a brothel, and too many of those as a working girl. I don't know where I thought I was going, but I tried nonetheless. Obviously, I got caught, and now I don't get to keep my own earnings... and I wear these whenever I go out. Sometimes they're less restrictive than this though." Pause. "Sometimes more."
Gherrick felt his lips sag, his heart going out to her.
"Lotte.." he said, suddenly approaching, and delicately took her hand into his, feeling her soft and gently skin beneath his warm hands and holding it lightly before raising his blue eyes to meet hers. "You don't deserve this life. No one should ever have to be in chains." he informed her. "We.. " he gave a pull at the chains, but just lightly before looking to back to her eyes, his blue eyes wavering, as if with careful tears. "I could help you run away." he offered, as a soft breeze rushed between them, fluttering his dark red hair before his face. "Or I could buy you... anything to see you free."
He squeezed her hand lightly.
"All men and women are created equal. We are not animals. We are not slaves." his eyes began to burn with a fierceness of determination.
"I can not stand to see you so suppressed, when your body.. your heart cries to be free." HIs eyes went to her arms, her legs.. as he lifted up a piece of the chains.
"And it is not fair to suppress someone who just wants to dance..."
"Oh... Gherrick." Lotte was touched, so touched. She blinked several times, more moved to tears than she had been for a long time. The breeze that ruffled Gherrick's hair tousled hers too, sending blonde strands of it across her face. Brushing it away gave her valuable seconds to wipe her eyes, and as she tucked it behind her ear she was smiling once again, if a little more sadly than before.
"We'd be caught before we got out of Uthlyn," she pointed out. "I don't see how we wouldn't be. For one thing, to be outside I'd have to be wearing chains, and the guards would spot them as we left."
She sat quietly thoughtful, chewing on her lip. "I don't know... I would love to leave. But I don't know what I would do outside of the brothel." She looked up, suddenly fearful. "It's all I've ever known."
Gherrick's fingers lightly traced over her chains.
"I think you underestimate my abilities as a thief," he told her, still remaining close, but eyes locked upon the chains before raising his head, blue eyes to meet to hers.
"When there's a will, there's a way." he gently moved a hand forward, brushing some more hair from her face. "And I'm sure you could find something useful to do with your freedom. I have many connections within the city and without. I'm sure we could take you far from here, to another place where you could make your own choices, be free...."
She laughed. "Well maybe I do- I suppose you must be quite good at breaking through locks and chains, yes?" Her eyes fluttered shut as he brushed her hair away, feeling the warmth of his hand on her delicate skin.
"That does sound good... but I don't have any skills, or useful talents. I don't know how I'd make a living. Or how I'd live on my own... I've only ever lived with dozens of girls, with someone telling me what to do and where to be, all day." Lotte shivered suddenly, even under the sun that was now risen fully, warming the grass.
Gherrick stared at her for a good long while in silence before saying, "Well, you could always be a thief." His lips lifted leftwardly against his cheek as he looked down at her, squeezing her hand lightly. "I could even show you how to fight." He grabbed his bo staff, moving it towards his side and twirled it a bit just for finesse.
"You could be the best thief out there, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor! Maybe I could even make a name for you!" he laughed wondrously, hoping his humor might lighten the dreary mood.
Lotte joined in with Gherrick's laughter, her eyes following the progress of the bo staff through the air. She didn't know exactly what it was for - to her it seemed more an art of magic than weaponry. But either way watching him wield it was impressive.
"I don't think I'd make much of a thief," she admitted with a shrug. "But I like the idea of helping the poor. Maybe do something that helped others..." she trailed off, thinking wistfully of a life she could barely imagine. It seemed fantastic, unattainable, and yet... maybe it could happen someday.
"I could fight though!" She laughed again cheerfully, holding up her small fists in a fighting pose to Gherrick.
Gherrick let out another laugh, then upon seeing her fists, he gasped and began to back away, hands up in surrender.
"My fair lady, you would threaten a gentle man in such a manner? Your fists, they are most unbecoming, and dare I say, make you appear dangerous whenever I was more taken by your innocent demeanor." He shook his head, giving her a boyish grin. "Though perhaps this is just a surprise attack?" he said, dodging around, as if anticipating an attack from his new on coming foe!
Lotte laughed delightedly as Gherrick humoured her and sat up on her knees, mocking a fighting stance. "Ah, you back away, Gherrick!" she cried, her face lit up as she shuffled towards him, fists by her face.
"Come and fight me, like the dangerous criminal that you are!" She teased him wickedly, eyes dancing, and aimed the gentlest of blows at his shoulder.
OOC: A shorty, but real fight scenes are hard to make long, let alone play-fight-scenes!
"I back away out of fear, I assure you!" the man replied, his face still swollen in a smile. "I don't know how I could dare fight a lady so fair- and this situation, I find myself in, even more unfair," he shook his head, still backing away and when her gentle fist struck his shoulder-
he let out the mightiest death cry as he clutched onto his pretend wound. Soon he was on his knees in pretend agony, wallowing away into the grasses.
"Oh, I think she got me! The agony of defeat! Such agony!" he cried, and with a dramatic hand to his forehead, he collapsed at her feet, playing dead.
"The great..." he began, voice choked by fake death. "The great Gherrick has been defeated by none other than that.." and he opened his eyes, just to let her see the twinkle in his eyes. "By that of a lady so fair." he said, smiling up at her, then sagged to the side, tongue lulling from his mouth as he made a gross noise to imply death as he sighed away~ body nestled t her feet within the grass.