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"Silk Nightgowns and Velvet Cloaks" (Some village near Ryube) The morning light dwindled. Rina's eyes peeked out of the opening on the makeshift hood on her torn, apple green shawl. It was dark, and it was getting cold. She sighed wistfully and drew the shawl around her tighter, clutching the small sack which contained her little belongings: her tarot cards, provisions leftover from that free breakfast she had sweet-talked the innkeeper into giving her, an extra change of clothes... It wasn't much, but it would have to last until she had enough to buy more. She vowed never to get drunk again, an act of sheer stupidity that caused her to lose last night's earnings. Now she was broke, and hungry, and had no where to stay for the night. She passed by a small town, one of those un-namables that weren't big enough to consider official. It must have had a name, but it didn't stick in her memory. All she needed was a man. A source of money. Rina didn't want to resort to this, but this was her last choice to keep her off the streets that night. Remorsefully, she stepped into a dark alley, carefully removed her long black dress, and revealed a sheer silk piece underneath. It was red and she hiked it up so the skirt barely covered her thighs. Its thin fabric revealed every curve on her body. It was trimmed with red lace, and had definite potential for man-killing. She exchanged her flats for short black leather boots. She gazed down at herself, while folding her dress and shawl into her small sack, and attempting to fit her shoes in as well. Smiling wryly she thought to herself, Who would have thought my sleep wear would come in handy...? Rina took a deep breath, and stepped bravely out of the shadows. She literally strutted through town, giving low glances at passerbyes, and sent out messages with her body language. Inside, her heart was growing colder. She kept her emotions under control, but her mind silently cursed the world which had made her resort to such drastic measures. She would have never sunk to this level if she wasn't left orphaned by her late parents, then deserted by her determined sister and brother. She recieved lots of low wolf whistles and sneer, suggestive glances in response to her body's actions. Rina looked around and saw no one that interested her enough, so she kept her facial expression stoic and unwavering. After many long minutes have passed, and still no one suitable came her way, she started to scold herself silently. Stop being so picky. You need that money sometime today. She raised her head and peered around. She spotted a young looking man, about 25 years of age, giving her the look. She forced herself to smile back and walk towards him. "Hello there, you looking for something?" Rina asked, coyly. The man looked her up and down suggestively. "I'd be thinkin' to meself I found 'er, en' I shure am lookin' at somethin' I like." "Care to discuss the price?" He looked down at a small money sack tied to his waist. "Am thinkin' I can afford ye but fer a night, young missy. What ye say we get a-movin'?" He pinched her butt suggestively. Rina took a deep breath and mentally detached her emotions from her body for the meantime. "Whatever you say..." She replied indifferently. Her response was cut off by a sudden jerk coming from her left side. "HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" She heard a loud, masculine voice shout. "What 'n the God's names...! Hey ye, she be my wench, go find yerself yer 'on pleh'mate." The young man leered, shaking the money pouch at his waist almost involuntarily. "I think not. This fine young lady is not subject to any kind of mistreatment. Now go, before I have to hurt you." Rina rubbed her eyes, confused and still dazed by the sudden jerk. She looked at her supposed savior and drew in a sharp breath. It was a man, about 21 years of age, tall, broad shouldered, with short blue-black hair. He was fairly muscular and well-built, dressed in clothing one might expect of a noble man, and had an air of richness and elegance about him. He spoke eloquently and his features are what one might only describe as handsome. The well-dressed man drew out a dagger tucked into the belt of his rich, pearl-gray doublet and assumed a fighting stance. "Do you want me to emphasize my point?" He swiftly threw the dagger, pinning the man's cloak to the wall behind him. Rina's 'buyer' took off his cloak, leaving it pinned to the wall. He then drew out his own dagger and began advancing on the gentleman, jeering him all the while in his common peasant's brogue. The gentleman's lips curled itself in to what one might describe as a smile, "Do you plan to use your tongue as a sword, good sir? I suggest you clamp your mouth shut and fight with your hands." The jeering man, overwhelmed with rage drew out a dagger of his own and advanced clumsily onto the dark-haired stranger. He roared and attacked blindly, overcome with his own rage and the after-effects of bad tavern ale. With seeming boredom, the gentleman deftly avoided the charge, shifted his weight and slammed the body of the drunk peasant hard onto the sidewalk. The man was instantly knocked out cold. He dusted off his hands, saying "You should really mind your manners. If you ever engage in another fight, I suggest you do so with a clear mind and an indifferent emotion. Now don't bother this young lady anymore." He gestured to the still, awestruck Rina. The gentleman took the money purse from the peasant's side, tugged it open and quickly counted out it's contents. He shook his head and looked disgraced, then took out his own purse and shaked all the coins within into the other. He smiled sincerely and held out the purse brimming with money to Rina. "For your trouble. He didn't have enough in there to buy a minute, much less a night with a lady like yourself." Rina's eyes grew wider. She had never expected such generosity from a stranger, especially since she did him no favors. "Th-thank you kind sir. May I ask however, what services may I offer in exchange for this? I feel whatever I do is unworthy of this generous contribution." She wiped the dirt from her face and stood up, straightening her clothes and trying to compose herself. The gentleman handed her a rich velvet cloak, along with the sack of coins, and told her to put it on. "You might catch a cold with what little you're wearing. You owe me no favors, it was my pleasure to assit such a fine-looking young lady." Blushing, Rina tugged on the cloak and faltered over her sentences, "Th-Thank you.. I do not, I mean, I cannot thank you enough... good sir...Ah, if I may be so bold to ask, what your name is...?" "I am often called Drew by my friends." "Drew." Rina savored the sound that it made and the sweet taste she felt in her mouth when she said his name. "Thank you very much, Drew." "And you, young miss, are?" "I'm Rina."
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