Losing My Religion (18+)
((There was only one drabble prompt I hadn't answered, and this was it. I just couldn't think of what to do with it. This is obviously not a drabble, but it's where it took me. NSFA 18+ for sexual themes, and also a future AU. x-posted to wranet_adult ))
The woman accepted the criticism from her employer with downcast eyes, nodding where appropriate.
"Now, when I took you on, ya led me to believe ya'd work hard for your coin. The mute thing's a draw, even the shy girl act." A finger was pointed in her face, mere inches awa as it wagged. "But if I get one more complaint abou' you I'll be forced to let ya go. Nobody wants a crier. They tell me you act like yer heart's breakin' every time." The human, Jonah, was advanced in years, his face scarred from the fights he had seen in defense of his establishment as well as his girls. The Bay's Booty was considered the finest whorehouse in Booty Bay, and he intended to keep that reputation intact for as long as he drew breath.
Cowed, and agreeing to try harder the next time, the silent woman turned slowly from the storeroom and arranged herself on one of the couches in the main area of the bar. Business was slow today, and her thoughts wandered, skimming over the events in her life that brought her here. Her father, her brother would laugh to see her now, exactly what they always accused her of. Her eyes began to sting and she fought the tears that once more threatened. The Light had left her almost a year ago, and she could no longer hold a needle to sew, her hands shook too much. Having pushed everyone away from her long before, she found herself alone in the world. She had wandered for three months, trying to find her faith once more so she could heal, but it never came. Her travels had brought her here, to Booty Bay, and this was where her already meager funds had been depleted.
Jonah had found her, curled into a ball asleep in a corner, and had offered her a job. His words had been kind, and he explained that the work would become easier as she went along. It had been so long since someone had spoken to her in sympathy, and she was so hungry. She accepted, and had her first client that night. She had sobbed the entire time, the man's breath fouling her nose as he panted through rotten teeth. One of the other girls had taken pity on her, sharing advice that she should just close her eyes and imagine she was with someone more handsome, more virile, less repulsive. The mute girl took the advice in her own way, and each man afterward changed before her eyes, growing flowing auburn hair, sea green eyes, and a scar about his neck twined with a tattoo and pierced with sharks' teeth. It was only a fraction more bearable then, causing her tears to flow for a different reason.
She remained in her position, lounging on the cushions, as the sun moved overhead and shifted through the windows to cast her into shadow. She was roused from her misery by several of the other women crying out in happiness.
"Wolf! You're back!"
"You've been gone too long, honey!"
"Oh, Wolf! Pick me tonight!"
"Now, now, ladies. There's plenty of this Captain to go around! Calm down, let me and Zig get a drink first." The elf towered over the sea of females, laughing heartily at their eagerness. The girl in the shadows pushed herself further into the couch, wanting equally to vanish and to be the thing that caused him to smile. She had ruined her chances years before, and her eyes watered and begain to spill over unnoticed as she watched him.
Jonah appeared from the storeroom then, and his face broke into a grin. "Wolf! Good ta see ya, man. How's business?" The last was accompanied by a conspiratorial wink and an answering twinkle in the pirate's eye. "Listen, ya lookin' for some company tonight? I got a new girl, since you was here las'." His nose wrinkled as he continued. "Still a bit new, but if'n anybody can make a gal enjoy this business, s'you. Oy, Sophie! Get over 'ere!"
Cristianno turned, following Jonah's gaze with a charming smirk of his own as he watched the girl stand and step from the shadows. Her strawberry blond hair dangled in unkempt locks down her shoulders and her frame and demeanor had diminished since last he had seen her. But what struck him most was the silent weeping she was doing even as she stood, her shoulders back and chin held high as though she was facing her certain demise. His eyes widened, the grin slipping from his face in the split second it took for him to register her appearance. A single word fell from his lips, a whisper so faint it was unheard by all save her.
"Rain?"
The woman accepted the criticism from her employer with downcast eyes, nodding where appropriate.
"Now, when I took you on, ya led me to believe ya'd work hard for your coin. The mute thing's a draw, even the shy girl act." A finger was pointed in her face, mere inches awa as it wagged. "But if I get one more complaint abou' you I'll be forced to let ya go. Nobody wants a crier. They tell me you act like yer heart's breakin' every time." The human, Jonah, was advanced in years, his face scarred from the fights he had seen in defense of his establishment as well as his girls. The Bay's Booty was considered the finest whorehouse in Booty Bay, and he intended to keep that reputation intact for as long as he drew breath.
Cowed, and agreeing to try harder the next time, the silent woman turned slowly from the storeroom and arranged herself on one of the couches in the main area of the bar. Business was slow today, and her thoughts wandered, skimming over the events in her life that brought her here. Her father, her brother would laugh to see her now, exactly what they always accused her of. Her eyes began to sting and she fought the tears that once more threatened. The Light had left her almost a year ago, and she could no longer hold a needle to sew, her hands shook too much. Having pushed everyone away from her long before, she found herself alone in the world. She had wandered for three months, trying to find her faith once more so she could heal, but it never came. Her travels had brought her here, to Booty Bay, and this was where her already meager funds had been depleted.
Jonah had found her, curled into a ball asleep in a corner, and had offered her a job. His words had been kind, and he explained that the work would become easier as she went along. It had been so long since someone had spoken to her in sympathy, and she was so hungry. She accepted, and had her first client that night. She had sobbed the entire time, the man's breath fouling her nose as he panted through rotten teeth. One of the other girls had taken pity on her, sharing advice that she should just close her eyes and imagine she was with someone more handsome, more virile, less repulsive. The mute girl took the advice in her own way, and each man afterward changed before her eyes, growing flowing auburn hair, sea green eyes, and a scar about his neck twined with a tattoo and pierced with sharks' teeth. It was only a fraction more bearable then, causing her tears to flow for a different reason.
She remained in her position, lounging on the cushions, as the sun moved overhead and shifted through the windows to cast her into shadow. She was roused from her misery by several of the other women crying out in happiness.
"Wolf! You're back!"
"You've been gone too long, honey!"
"Oh, Wolf! Pick me tonight!"
"Now, now, ladies. There's plenty of this Captain to go around! Calm down, let me and Zig get a drink first." The elf towered over the sea of females, laughing heartily at their eagerness. The girl in the shadows pushed herself further into the couch, wanting equally to vanish and to be the thing that caused him to smile. She had ruined her chances years before, and her eyes watered and begain to spill over unnoticed as she watched him.
Jonah appeared from the storeroom then, and his face broke into a grin. "Wolf! Good ta see ya, man. How's business?" The last was accompanied by a conspiratorial wink and an answering twinkle in the pirate's eye. "Listen, ya lookin' for some company tonight? I got a new girl, since you was here las'." His nose wrinkled as he continued. "Still a bit new, but if'n anybody can make a gal enjoy this business, s'you. Oy, Sophie! Get over 'ere!"
Cristianno turned, following Jonah's gaze with a charming smirk of his own as he watched the girl stand and step from the shadows. Her strawberry blond hair dangled in unkempt locks down her shoulders and her frame and demeanor had diminished since last he had seen her. But what struck him most was the silent weeping she was doing even as she stood, her shoulders back and chin held high as though she was facing her certain demise. His eyes widened, the grin slipping from his face in the split second it took for him to register her appearance. A single word fell from his lips, a whisper so faint it was unheard by all save her.
"Rain?"