Halaster sat in his huge, comfortable-looking chair, what with its luxuriant, overstuffed cushions that seemed to mold themselves to his body, making it seem like he was resting upon a cloud. Upon the gilded table to his side was a silver platter, with a green glass wine bottle upon it, complete with a wicker-woven guard around to prevent breakage during shipping. The heavily engraved, gem-encrusted chalice next to it was filled with the freshly opened vintage, its fragrance hinting that its taste was worth a king's ransom.
It remained untouched. While the wizard most definitely enjoyed his wine, he felt it best to avoid the many temptations this place offered, and keep his mind sharp. This had been his only time working for the proprietress, and frankly, he just didn't trust her yet.
His eyes wandered a little, as one of the before mentioned temptations wandered past him, clad in little more than a filmy loincloth and halter. They did little to hide her toned, statuesque body from view, and did even more to excite the balding, fat, aged male patron that eagerly followed her as she tugged upon his leash.
Many more female workers lounged about with other patrons, some male, some female, and others indeterminate. Soft, enchanting music came from all corners of the room, as some of the workers held and played exotic-looking instruments of all types. More than a few of them met eyes with Halaster, using carefully controlled looks to try and stimulate interest, so they might sell him a much desired service.
Halaster was old, even by elven standards, but could easily be called a handsome man owing to the power he commanded. He appeared to be no older than his mid forties, but carried himself like a much younger, confident man. His body was anything but impressive, his corded, lean muscles quite visible through the open collar of his robe. His short cropped black hair had streaks of gray in it, as did his well-trimmed beard.
They were well trained. For all of his discipline, Halaster was still very much a man, and his arousal was at an all-time high. If not for his thick wizardly robes, he would be pitching a most impressive crotch tent. He just took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and rested his head upon the high back of his chair, and let his mind wander. His ears stayed sharp, listening for any noise that might be out of place.
The mercenary cleared his hind, letting it rest, yet still staying awake and alert, a sort of half doze technique he learned from the night watchmen during his time in the king's army.
It might have been a few minutes, it might have been an hour. The wizard was brought from his reverie not by a sound, but by an unmistakable scent. Something exotic and foreign, rare, dark, and seductive. Few people knew that such perfumes were made from the chemicals found in the stomachs of cetacean type mammals, but given its effect on the senses, no one really cared.
He opened his eyes, and saw a beautifully dressed, and equally beautiful dusky skinned elven female, with flowing white hair seated herself across from him. Her violet shaded eyes sparkled like pools of molten amethyst, and studied him carefully. Her flawless face wore no expression, not surprising given the longevity of her race, and the advanced wisdom such advanced years offer.
Halaster uncrossed his arms, and tossed a small leather pouch, stained with blood, upon the low table between them. The Dark elf maiden narrowed her eyes at the small leather container. She quickly snatched it up with well-manicured fingers, and loosened its drawstrings. She worked it open, and peered inside. She bit her lower lip, and then looked back to the wizard. "Did he suffer?" She asked, her tone laced with an acidic edge.
Halaster shrugged, and murmured softly. "He begged a lot, and there was a lot of crying."
The proprietress's face took on a sadistic grin, as she tightened the leather pouch closed. "Just a moment, and I will retrieve your compensation." She whispered, standing up with a fluid grace, and spinning with a well-practiced, seductive flourish. Her gown blowing in the breeze behind her as she walked.
Halaster's eyes dropped to watch her barely covered, shapely rear end sway this way and that behind the impossibly thin fabric. He then let out the breath he didn't realize he had been holding. He glanced to his filled goblet, and reached for it. "Why not?" he whispered to drinking vessel, as if it could hear him. "Let's talk." As he sipped, letting the alcohol mixed with the blackberry base soothe his nerves.<|im_end|>
Over the few years she got to know the elven woman she was on her way to greet, Shirosume had accepted the few requirements. First, she needed to have her ass length raven hair clipped or pinned up. Currently her long hair was twisted into a thin clump on the back of her head, two combs of glass beads making silvery flowers holding the hair in place in a deceptively small bun. Her face framed by the straight cut front sections in a rather distinct style, just at her jawline. Second, she was required to wear at least two pieces of jewelry. Since her hair clips didn't count, she had matching glass beaded earrings and a bracelet in the same small flowers and almost pearly beads. Luckily she had gotten the set for a very cheap price since the main piece, a large collar necklace that was designed to rest down the chest towards the ribs, had been destroyed. This provided sparkle near her emerald eyes and down by her manicured fingers. Nails kept in a small clawed shape and painted with a thin coat of glossy black. A contrast against her rather pale skin. Finally, she was required to wear very revealing outfits. At least for her taste. The compromise had been less than fifty percent of her torso could be covered, and she actively pushed that barrier. Today she was wearing a silvery gray dress, with a crossing top section that worked to hold her full bust while a floor length skirt was split twice in the front at the waist, a center panel dropping between her legs while the back panel hardly fit around her full hips and thighs. Matching silver sandles completed her look, and the fabric had an iridescent sheen that both matched the glass accents and accentuated her dramatic hourglass figure. For a human, it was nearly unheard of. It was lucky this human had a tiny amount of witch and elven blood in her, or she wouldn't have managed this long without being scooped up and corrupted.
As it was just being around the working women reminded her how lucky she was. Especially as she caught the eye of the elven woman she was here to see. "Shiro," the woman greeted before pointing to an arm chair near a seated gentleman, "I'll be with you soon." It always made the raven haired woman blush just slightly, how that woman spoke. So without a word Shirosume moved to sit in the smaller arm chair. Her full curves on display as well as a white and silver sparrow tattoo on her hip. It moved and shifted about, showing it was a magical marking. Currently it was the only thing keeping her breasts somewhat in check.<|im_end|>