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The Princess and the Whore
Grand Market This is the center of commerce in Esharra, and in all of Castana. Colorful tents and carts of all shapes and sizes are erected here, each merchant hoping the garish colors or size of their shop will draw customers. Traders from far and wide come here on a regular basis to set up a temporary stall to sell goods from all over the known world. If something can be bought or sold, it can usually be found here. Food products are the most commonly sold goods in this market, but merchants and traders of all items can be found hawking their wares. The market is never exactly the same every day. Merchants here have no permanent claims to a single area of the square and so the pathways seem to shift each day as tents are erected and carts dragged in and dropped wherever the owner feels will be the most profitable location. The market is never quiet, not when there are merchants eager to catch the attention of a potential customer. The market is not without its marks of beauty, as is customary in Esharra. The square is surrounded by a low wall behind which grow trees and tall shrubs, acting as a natural barrier between this busy marketplaces and the residential district to the northwest. There are also a few large fountains scattered through the marketplace with ledges wide enough for sitting.
----------------------- IC Time and Weather in Castana ------------------------
Time of Day : Early Morning
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The cornucopia of colorful tents that fill the grand market stand out sharply against the cloudy and gray morning sky. What sunlight there is is a muted and wan as it reluctantly pokes through the openings in the clouds. The bright hues painted on and dyed into the heavy canopies are like beacons to early morning shoppers, though many of the temporary shops are not yet open. There is the occasional screech of children, the bellowing call of merchants hawking their wares and the clatter of wagon wheels against the stone paths; all typical noises of Esharra's largest market. As if one with the setting a shocking woman meanders as best she can around stalls and past customers. Her clothing is as bright as the tents, as is her hair, a mop of bright crimson pulled back with a multi-hued scarf. She appears to be in no hurry, though her voluptuous size has something to do with that, no matter what her intentions might be. Every so often she call out and wave to someone or, worse yet, pinch the bottom of a passing male, who more often than not greets her with a laugh and a smile. It could be because the brightly-clad woman's pinching is met with a laugh and a smile that another man thinks he can do it to another woman. Apparently he has decided not to go for the matronly sort, but for a young, veiled woman who is most likely Kuredin...and looking quite lost. He reaches to pinch her beneath her green kubar and, unsurprisingly, she squeals, no doubt calling attention to herself. Of course, the stumbling backwards and running into shoppers doesn't help her subterfuge either. "Rodiego!" The red-haired woman's voice carries over the other sounds in the marketplace, causing more than a few curious shoppers to turn and look. She waggles a thick finger in the man's direction as she stomps over to the sprawling girl. "Does this look like the Veils to you?" Rosalita asks the question without waiting for the man to answer. "What did I tell you about that, this little thing isn't one of my girls, and even if she was, it doesn't look like she was asking for your affections you pocked-faced son of a whore!" The man stammers but Rosa doesn't give him a chance to interrupt. "Don't try to defend her, she was a whore, I know that for a fact. Worked with her, I did." Her scolding turns kindly as she leans over and offers a meaty, heavily jeweled hand to the falling girl. "Come sweetling, Rodiego didn't mean you no harm. He just doesn't know how to talk to women is all." The veiled woman looks to the hand before taking it for balance, "Talk? He pinched me!" A glare is given to Rodiego before she looks behind her to see if she was harmed in any way. "I -- " she starts to say something but immediately closes her mouth behind the sheer green veil. "He shouldn't go about pinching..." she amends, the color high in her dusky cheeks even behind the veil. Rosalita nods eagerly in agreement, her brightly colored hair bouncing around her round her face. "Oh, I agree my lady, he was very much in the wrong. I'll give him a talking to, that's for certain." She tsks at something and begins fussing over Lidee's garments; smoothing out wrinkles and brushing off the occasional spot of dirt. "There, now you are not that much out of sorts, are you?" she asks as she gives the girl a final look over. Dark brows draw down as the woman fusses...a hand reaching instinctively to where she has been hiding her coin..."He should be given more than a talking to...eh, mistress." She gives a tug to her sleeves and makes sure her head and face veils are not awry before she confesses quietly, "I have never been pinched like that before." "Nor should you be again, he was, without a doubt, behaving in an improper fashion. But take it as a compliment, he thinks you're pretty." Rosalita smiles wide, her entire face lighting up. "You are a pretty thing too, if you don't mind the compliment. You looking for work, perhaps? You'd be mighty popular at the Seven Veils I would wager." Again Rosalita looks her up and down, as if studying a horse at market. "Yes, very popular. Might earn enough to buy yourself your own home one day. That's more than most girls could do." There's a short pause. "Name's Rosalita, by the way." As she is scrutinized, the veiled woman takes a single step back, "Work?" she asks, hesitantly, "What kind of work?" She knows her money won't last her forever...and it may not allow her to keep up a lifestyle she is familiar with. Biting her lip briefly she offers, "Li--Lidee. My name's Lidee." She isn't doing too well at this so far. Rosalita continues to study the girl with a chubby finger tapping around a puffy chin. She doesn't speak immediately, only hmmms softly to herself in a tone that is completely ambiguous. "Oh!" she gasps, coming out of whatever daydream had stolen her attention. "Why at the Seven Veils of course. You're new in Esharra, aren't you. Fresh from the sands of Kuredin I'd wager by your clothing." Rosalita waves her hand dismissively with her many bangles clanging loudly around her wrists. "Now you would only be starting off by serving the men their drinks. All my girls have to start small. But I imagine it won't be long before the men are offering me enough money to provide you with a private room upstairs for more personal entertainment." "Serve?" Lidee's eyes widen as she looks around before turning back to Rosalita. "I don't know how to serve...and yes, fresh from Kuredin." Her accent doesn't give it away? Her lip gets another chewing as she considers...if she's working there, no one will come looking for her. But it's a...a...place she would never frequent. "If I -were- to work there..." she begins slowly, "Could I never have a room upstairs? I don't...that's not the sort of position I wish to fill." Well, she's trying to be nice about saying she won't be a whore... Rosalita looks shocked. A fluttering hand rises to her ample chest and her even takes a step backwards, as if personally insulted. "But, my dear, no desire for a room upstairs? I dare say you won't make much, not as much as the girls who entertain the male patrons. All girls who work at the Veils are looking for some easy money and I can provide that." Rosalita shrugs and drops her hand which has finally stopped shaking. Likely the twitter was just an act. "I ... I suppose you could be a serving girl, but if a time comes when I need more girls I'll have to show you the door. I've only got so much space and I can't be taking it all up with girls who are only passing out ale and wine." Lidee takes in a deep breath, "Then I thank you for the offer, but I must decline. You see...I don't need the money." Not yet, at least. Granted, she's not going to reveal where she's currently keeping her coin, but neither is she going to debase herself in such a way for more of it. "I thank you for the offer, Mistress Rosalita..." maybe she can find some nice noble to put her up or something. Rosalita reaches forward and pats the girl on the shoulder in a decidedly mothering fashion. "Didn't mean to frighten you, my dear. Never said it was an easy life, simply easy money. It is easy to part money from the man, just show him a little something that he doesn't have himself and he'll toss coins in your direction. But don't you worry, I won't take any offence in your rejection." She smiles widely, revealing a mouth of crooked teeth, to prove her point. "But you know where to find me if you change your mind. Just visit the Seven Veils on the Street of Art and ask for me." She waves her hand in a vaguely southern direction. "That is, if we don't run into each other before then." Lidee peers in the indicated direction and gives the woman a wary glance, "If I do, I will seek you out..." but for some reason, she hopes she never has to do so. She does, however, straighten her shoulders and lift her chin, "You didn't frighten me." She like to think that she doesn't frighten easily...although this initial conversation upon her arrival certainly was unsettling. Rosalita actually looks a little disappointed at that last comment, or fakes it very well. "Well," she muses, "then you appear to have some backbone or you're able to give the appearance of one. Good for you sweetling! You'll need it in this city." gently she nudges the girl out of the main path, into the shadow of a merchant's tent. The scent of fresh-baked bread is heavy in the air, though by standing at the side of the tent they remain out of the way of paying customers. "You got some family you can stay with? Unless I am totally mistaken my dear you appear to be here alone." Rosalita tsks again, clicking her tongue against her teeth in a disapproving manner. "Not that Esharra is a haven of depravity, but you've got to be careful." Lidee tries to pull her arm from the woman's grip, not forcefully, but she's a bit more nervous than she would like to let on. She looks about the shadowed area, as if expecting thugs to come mug her, even though the older woman is with her, "No..." she answers, but then tries to cover up with a, "...yes, I do. A...cousin..." she lies. Maybe there's a temple she can seek solace in until she finds a place? The lie is accepted as truth as Rosalita nods approvingly. "Well, I hope your cousin will take better care of you and net let you wander the streets along, without someone to look after you." Rosalita also releases her grip on the girl as soon as there is a resistance to it. "But perhaps you shouldn't mention our little interaction to your cousin. Some people in this city don't think very highly of me, I wouldn't want you getting into trouble, you understand." "Is it so dangerous then, to be alone?" It's crowded, that's for certain...but with crowds comes a modicum of safety, yes? As for any interaction with the woman, "No, I shan't tell my cousin if you don't wish me to do so." She checks for her coin-purse once more, resting her hand lightly over it, "But thank you for chastising that man." Lidee wouldn't mind saying more, but she can't think of the appropriate words. Again the woman waves a dismissive hand. "Depends on where you go. This marketplace is close to the docks and the Street of Art, both are known to attract undesirables." She sniffs at that, as if she were a noblewoman who just stepped in mud. "Especially at night. Now, you won't go wandering around in the dark by yourself will you? The Kurum'ur patrol the streets, but not nearly enough in the places they're needed most. It's a shame, I tell you. They're more concerned with..." her motherly advice is quickly cut off by strangled screams in the distance. There is only one, at first. Then two and three and then a chorus. "Fire!" is the resounding yell as people come streaming by the two woman. "What in Occasa's name," Rosalita gasps as she turns south. In the distance is an inky black cloud rising into the gray skies. Every so often an orange flame dances into view, though most of the ongoing destruction is hidden by walls and trees. A few men in the brown uniforms of the aforementioned Kurum'ur take off in the direction of the Street of Art while others are fleeing from it. "No, I won't go out at night..." and hopefully the place where she stays will be safe. But Lidee's attention is pulled at the shouts, a hand lifted to her mouth at the sight of the cloud and flames, "Holy Lumah." Will the fire come here? What about those poor people screaming? What could be burning? "Does this happen often?" she asks of Rosalita, trying not to get panicked. Rosalita looks rattled for the first time during the conversation. Her hand begins shaking again, but it rises to cover her mouth, not to rest against her chest. "N...no, this never happens," she whispers as she's pushed aside by a terrified woman dragging her child behind her. "Well, no, it happened the other night, but Miguel's fire was an accident, I'm sure if it." She begins to hyperventilate and reaches for the nearby staff for support. "But two fires in the same area within a few days..." She shakes her head and looks near tears, now unable to speak above a strained whisper. Lidee takes a step forward, perhaps fascinated by the fire, "Was anyone harmed in the one the other night? Maybe this is still that same one?" Fires not properly put out spread and all that. "Maybe this was an accident too?" These are things she was never allowed to see...and yes, it frightens her, but it is also immensely interesting. "What will be done about this fire?" Rosalita sticks out an arm both to regain her balance and stop Lidee. "No, don't move. You'll get trampled for certain." Still strained, her the tone of her voice is still determined. "I ... it could be possible, but ... no, no I saw Miguel's place for myself, walked through it. It must be a new one." Some more members of the Kurum'ur go rushing past, as well as some regular citizens carrying buckets of water. Rosalita pulls Lidee out of the way and leans over to whisper in her ear. "I'll wager it's those Orienites. They're out to destroy anything of beauty. I'm certain that's who's done it." Granted, Rosalita has no more knowledge of what's going on to the south of them than Lidee does. It most certainly could be another accident. Lidee lets herself be pulled back this time, a hand lifting to the veil on her head to make sure it's still on, "The Orienites? But why? Do they not appreciate beauty?" The term is familiar, but she doesn't know all that much about them. "Is a pile of ash and charcoal more attractive to them than anything else?" "If it was once a Vesperan or Lumite structure, then yes, ash is much more pleasing to them," Rosalita nearly sneers as she continues to keep her voice low. "Got no proof of that, though, only speculation. But I tell you sweetling, you be careful of the Orienites, you hear me?" Just as she had waggled her finger at Rodiego before, she does the same to Lidee. "They won't like you straight off, I can tell you that. You just ignore them and their insults." No one's ever waggled a finger at her too...and she isn't certain she likes it, "Why would the Orienites have anything to do with me?" She's probably never seen one...never spoken with one..."If they don't like me, we can just keep away from each other, yes?" This a lot more complicated than it was supposed to be. If it wasn't for the billowing smoke in the distance and the screams of the terrified Rosalita might laugh out loud but she only smiles at the younger woman and continues to usher her away from the flurry of activity that is quickly turning into a near riot. "They won't like you because you're a Lumite, sweetling, or at least I assume you are. You are Kuredin, after all and I heard you use Lumah's name. It doesn't take a scholar to put two and two together. I know you might not understand all this, coming from where you do, but the Orienites aren't happy unless they're in power. They believe that their version of God is the only right one and that the rest of us are all heretics." Rosalita pauses a moment, but only enough to catch her breath. "Don't try to persuade them they're wrong sweetling, they won't listen. Lumites are as close to evil as you can get in their eyes, I'd imagine. They don't have to know you to hate you, just remember that." Lidee lets herself be led away once more...even she can get disturbed by the press of people and the foreboding screams and smoke, "But wouldn't they just avoid me then? If they don't like me because I -am- Lumite?" If they keep away from each other, no harm is done, yes? "Or will they seek me out to preach at me." She actually gives a bit of a smile under her nearly-sheer veil, "If they do, I've had practice ignoring lectures." Rosalita laughs at that, though it is quickly coupled with a cough. "You are an innocent, aren't you? They Orienites want to be the *only* power in the world. That means destroying anyone else, not just ignoring them. They do not want the competition. You're a woman, which is even worse to them. I hear tell they treat their women barely better than slaves. They won't lecture you, sweetling. They're either try to drive you out of Castana altogether or try and be rid of you in a more gruesome fashion, if they can get away with it. You're fortunate though, because the Lumites still control this nation, but I hear tell the Orienites would like to take it back, so you be careful!" "Well...they can try." Crossing her arms at her chest, Lidee glances in the direction of the near-riot and the smoke cloud...if she has to, she'll contact her father. But she'd rather not. Not while she can have her freedom, no matter how dangerous it may be. "Can't we just keep them out of here? Forbid them entry?" Lidee has this image of these monstrous people, hacking and slashing their way through the city, burning everything in sight. Rosalita can only shrug. "That's not up to me, sweetling. I leave the governing to those who know about such things. I just make sure my girls are taken care of and my boys are having a good time." Once again Rosalita looks to the south, where the black smoke seems to be thickening. "Maybe you should go home sweetling and get away from this mess. I should check on the Veils myself." Lidee lifts her chin once more, "This is my home now." Somewhere...black clouds, pinches and all. "But...thank you." Her voice is soft as she offers the thanks, also looking about to see where she might be able to go. "Is there...an Inn of some sort that you would recommend? So I can stay there while I'm searching for my cousin?" Rosalita pats Lidee's shoulder again, her smile is genuine, but slight. "No dear, no need to run back to Kuredin. I only meant you should go back to your home here." She pauses and tilts her head to the side. "Well, there's the Proud Peacock over on the Street of Perfume and there is the Winding River on the Street of Poetry, both are nice places, or so I've heard. But I thought you had a cousin to look after you. Aren't they providing you with a place to sleep?" Right...keep the story consistent. Lesson number one...apparently Lidee failed this part. "Yes, I -do-...but...", bracelets chime as she laces her fingers nervously together, "I -did- just arrive...and I know that I have cousins here...I just have to find them." Maybe if she adds a smile to that, her discrepancies will be overlooked. "Mm-hmm," is Rosalita's response with a nod of her head. "Of course dear. Esharra's a large city, I can imagine it would be hard to find someone." Her smile broadens. "Don't worry sweetling, I won't go poking into your private life. The god and goddess know I've got enough secrets to fill the Sultan's palace, I certainly don't need to collect any more." "It's not a secret..." she insists, but decides to end it at that. "Thank you, Mistress Rosalita. I hope your girls are all right..." Is that a dismissal? Does Lidee still think she's back in the palace? Rosalita gives another nod to the younger woman. "They're smart girls, more or less. They aren't going to stay anywhere near a fire that isn't started in the bedroom if you know what I mean." Rosa gives the girl a good-natured nudge with her elbow. "I'm sure they're fine, but I had better go check, just in case." With a hearty wave Rosalita begins to weave herself through the crowd, pushing gawkers out of the way with a well-placed elbow or a thrust of her hip. Uhhh...sure, Lidee knows what that means. Right. "Good..." she offers before glancing towards the suggested streets with the Inns.
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