"Where are we going?" Trixie questioned. She glanced at her eccentric companion with some trepidation as they walked. So far, he'd been a perfect gentleman, but she was still leery of Emerick. He was acting far too smug for her liking, and she got the sense he was toying with her.
"First off, I need to get rid of these," Emerick gestured to his pants and shoes. Before they had left, he'd pulled out some sort of cloth that already looked pretty soiled and wiped his shoes down, then tossed it into one of the rubble piles. She hadn't said anything, but she suspected one of the crazy bitches that were tailing him had probably picked it up after they left.
She was reluctant to admit as much, but she had some severe reservations about being outside of the institution. She didn't know much of the city beyond its walls, and she definitely wasn't used to seeing the outside world in the full light of day. She couldn't decide if it appeared more or less sinister. On top of all of it, she was anxious about Titus, Rathas, and the others. She hadn't been able to give them a heads up about where she would be.
That said, against every ounce of common sense she possessed, she was actually looking forward to spending time with Emerick. He was odd, but he had a wit that was just as charming as it was irritating. Then there was the way he looked at her… It wasn't quite the same as the way other men stared when they wanted her. Sure, she had seen the same hunger in that hallway, but there was more to it than a desire for her body, he was actually attracted to her for who she was, something that threw her for a loop. Most guys hated the way she talked to and handled them, it likely offended their masculinity or something. She had never met someone like quite like him before. He was smart, insufferably charming, and his looks didn't hurt either.
She was still kicking herself for blushing when she first got a look at his eyes. Those damnable reptilian eyes! Something about them struck her as feral, which really got to her. Then to make matters worse, his were a piercing silver that left her feeling vulnerable where ever they wandered, as if they were actually capable of cutting through her clothing. She was deeply curious and unbelievably eager to experience the sensual venture those devilish eyes promised each time they swept over her body.
"This seems like as clean a spot as any," He commented a few blocks later. She glanced at him, wondering what he might be talking about, only to find he had removed his shoes and was taking a knife to his pants.
"What are you doing?" She exclaimed. It could do with some washing, but it was still good cloth. It may have been nothing to him, but to her such actions were barbarically wasteful.
"Don't give me that look," He frowned. "I know what you're thinking. Stop being so judgey, you aren't the one in pukey pants."
"I'll be whatever I want," Trixie replied. She had to look away as he removed the first piece of pant leg from the mid-calf down and moved onto the second. It hurt too much to watch. She could only imagine what Zeke would say.
"It's over, you can look now," Emerick said dryly. She looked his way, and immediately broke out in laughter. He looked like he'd been ship wrecked from the waist down. "Hmm, I think I will have to get you back for that."
"Get back at me?" She hooted. "It's your own damn fault you look so foolish!"
"Yep, I'm definitely going to get you back," He brought his lips to her ear, sending a chill down her spine. Before she could think to stop him, he nibbled the tip of her ear, then righted himself and kept moving as though nothing had happened. At this point, her innards were so twisted with desire she worried he could smell the pheromones.
He discarded the shreds of pant legs, but she was somewhat placated to discover that he gifted the shoes to a man they passed on the street that looked close to him in size whose own pair were woefully weathered. At least her client wasn't completely wasteful.
Before long, she found herself entirely unsure of where they were or how they got there. She doubted she could find her way back to the orphanage without his help, and she had no one but herself to blame. She had been so damn absorbed in him, she hadn't been paying attention to the route they had taken.
"You ok?" He gave her a sideways look, sensing she was upset. She wasn't sure if she liked how observant he could be.
"I'm fine," She replied. "Where are we now?"
"This is the lower city market," He replied with a smile. "One of the friendliest places you'll ever find in this kingdom, though I'd still caution you to watch your purse and pockets. What do you think?"
She wasn't sure what to think. Now that she was paying proper attention, she realized there was a much larger difference between where she lived and the rest of the world. She thought her living conditions were pretty standard, she didn't realize that not everything was as dismal as the slums she came from.
"It's noisy," were the first words she could spit out.
Chaotic, was probably the more appropriate word that came to mind. There were throngs of bodies pushing through busy streets, ducking in and out of buildings, and carrying all manner of things. Orcs, Elves, Goblins, a variety of beast-men, fairies… practically every race could be seen mashed together amongst sturdy brick buildings. The accompanying noises were overbearing but in a pleasant way. Conversations, the cries and laughter of children, arguments, criers calling attention to the stores they stood before, every noise had a purpose and fit in its unique place in the diverse tapestry. Not only was the noise too much to process, the sheer abundance of color present was giving her a headache.
At the institution, pretty much everything was in shades of brown and grey. The clothes worn by the orphans forced to attend followed the same pallet, even for the more pampered full blood children. The fact that such a place existed so close to her own hovel prodded her resentment. It wasn't as though she had any say or control over the fact her parents were from different races, or that they had decided to abandon her.
"In here," Emerick gestured to a homey looking shop with a number of stylishly dressed mannequins displayed in the window. Of course the first place he wanted to go was a tailor.
"Welcome!" The clerk, a bubbly, yet robust looking woman looked up from her desk before hurrying over. "Oh, good afternoon young lord! What brings you to my humble shop?"
"Why good day to you Silvy! It's been ages! Sorry to pop in unannounced, but today has been a bit on the crazy side and I am in need of your expertise," Emerick offered a bow and kissed her on the hand. Trixie got the impression he was on friendly terms with the hardy woman.
"You rascal!" She giggled but gave him a good whack on the arm. "I imagine those tattered rags hanging from your buttocks have a lot to do with it, as does the fact you're barefooted."
"I would like to purchase a cute date outfit for my companion," Emerick replied, placing his hand on Trixie's lower back and scooting her forward. "But yes, I'll also take a pair of pants in this size if you please."
"A what now?!" Trixie meant to refuse, but before she could air her protest properly, the stout woman had her by the wrist in a vice grip and was towing her back towards the fitting rooms.
"Such a lovely young lady!" she exclaimed, "And such a unique and beautiful complexion!"
Trixie wasn't sure whether to be angry, flattered, or terrified. This woman didn't seem the least bit concerned with the fact that she was a half blood, or that she was clearly an escort to the rich prick that was watching the proceedings smugly. With fervor that reminded her strangely of Zeke, the tailor woman was cycling her in and out of attire faster than a rotation of a cog in a machine in overdrive. She was starting to feel quite dizzy when the tailor finally settled on an outfit she liked on Trixie enough to allow her to actually look at herself in the mirror.
"What do you think dear?" she asked proudly. Trixie wasn't sure what she thought. She still felt violated, but she had to hand it to Silvy, she had a good eye and she'd managed to find something that suited her tastes.
"You're good," she acknowledged, admiring herself in the mirror in spite of herself.
It was a fairly simple looking black dress that ended just above her knees but it hugged her figure beautifully and it replicated the style of her pants, completely open on the sides except for the black ribbon laced up the sides that kept the fabric together. Silvy had taken the liberty of adding a few accessories as well by way of black flats in place of her foot wraps and a black ribbon tied around her neck. She felt comfortable, sexy, and well with in her preferred style.
"Oh I know dear," she stated proudly, "I know. Are you satisfied? Or would you like to keep looking?"
"This is perfect," Trixie replied quickly. She didn't want to even think of going through another round with Silvy. Besides, she truly meant it. She'd never worn something so soft that fit her body so nicely. Growing up, everything had been pretty course and either too big or too small for her.
"Shall we go show the young lord?" Silvy asked.
"May as well," Trixie shrugged. She tried to act indifferent, but in all reality, she was both anxious and excited to see his reaction. She normally didn't care too much about the opinions of her clients, but she really wanted to impress Emerick.