Chapter 5
The building inside was far more lavish than its exterior, silk fabric lining the walls, sheer material making up the doors to each room as they walked down what felt like an endless hallway. Within the rooms parties were going on, some loud, others quiet, all featuring beautiful woman of all types entertaining both men and women. The floors were a reflective black marble, and the almost dizzying smell of incense and perfumes hung heavy throughout. Music, laughter, and things of a carnal nature seemed to play well together here, though it was without chaos.
At each door was a man, each like the one she had seen in the street; pale, with solid red eyes. They were all young, appearing in their early twenties, and each were as beautiful as the woman who moved about the place as though they were hunting. No weapons were present, but there was a sense there that should anyone step out of line, that would not be an issue.
“Listen.” Tallon breathed softly, leaning closer into her and squeezing her waist as they made their way down that stretching corridor, “Lord Vince, he’s a friend, but he’s also got a temper and a taste for pretty things. He owes me one, and he’s the only one I can get the supplies for the ship from.” Evangeline could practically feel how nervous Tallon was growing, turning her head to look up at him, “Be yourself, he likes guests, and never turn down anything he offers you.” Rethinking that, he shook his head, “Be Evangeline, but not..” “Not the High Inventors daughter, I know.” Did he take her for a fool? If this man was truly a Lord, he would be under political obligation to return Eva to Ferrum if he found out who she was.
Turning a corner, a large archway with boldly colored fabrics made up a door, leading into what was more of a lounge than an office. Two of the red eyed men stood on either side of the arch, letting the Pirate and his ‘Gift’ pass easily. Inside the room, pillows lined much of the floor, tables low to the ground with food and drink presented on them. Here the incense was strongest, and massive panther stretched out across the floor with his head on one of the pillows. A woman with long black hair and twin horns lay against the feline, her attire consisting only of carefully arranged chains and jewels.
Subconsciously, Eva tugged the coat she wore tighter around her frame as if to cover the horned lady, a voice from the left side of the room drawing her attention. Sitting on a chair much like a throne, only grander in scale was a man she could only assume was Lord Vince. Solid red eyes like those of the other men here brightened, short dark hair loosely spiked. A small silver hoop was worn at the top of both ears, a small silver chain hanging from each. Black silk made up what looked to be a shirt, though the way he had left it open, one could wonder why he’d put it on at all. Loose black pants finished his attire, no shoes worn; this was after all his lounge.
“Tallon!” He smiled now, rising from the chair and crossing the room with his arms open. Fully embracing the Captain, Evangeline stepped off to the side to avoid being in the way and nearly stepped on the panthers tail. Squeaking in surprise when she earned a warning growl, it was more than enough to draw Lord Vince’s attention right to her. “Oh, my dear Captain. You have really outdone yourself this time.” This time!? Squeezing Tallon in a firm hug, he let him go and shook his shoulders, practically grinning ear to ear, “Well, introduce me.” Clearing his throat and gently shrugging off the Lords hands, Tallon crossing his arms, “Her name’s Eva, and she’s only a dinner guest, nothin’ more.” “Eva?” Red eyes were on her now as he drew closer, moving in a predatory circle around her and taking his time running his gaze over every aspect of her coat covered form, “Short for Evangeline I imagine?”
Catching her chin in his hand, crimson gaze met her lavender one; she’d have felt more threatened if he wasn’t smiling, “Such rare eyes. I have a girl of every kind here, but none with eyes quite like yours.” Leaning in closer, his head gave a slight tilt and lips brushed the lobe of her ear, “I wonder what you taste like..” Evangeline froze, hands gripping into fists at her sides “Vince,” Tallon interrupted with a firm voice, “I’m calling in the favor.” The Lord paused, then sighed. Releasing her chin, he turned his frame and put his hands on his hips, “You must stay the night at my manor, I refuse to talk of business until this beautiful creature has been properly bathed and fed.” Frowning lightly, the pirate knew better than to argue; it was not a request, it was a demand.
While the idea of a bath and food prepared by someone else was more than appealing, Evangeline was nervous. She had been frozen when he touched her, unable to move even when she wanted nothing more than to pull away. The way he kept looking at her on the carriage ride to his manor made her feel weak in the knees and her cheeks tint pink, remaining quiet unless asked a question and always answering as non-specifically as possible.
Their arrival at the manner was a whirlwind affair, no sooner had they come through the grand golden gates did she get whisked away by maidens dressed only just modestly enough to cover their personal belongings. Looking over her shoulder as she was pulled away, eyes met with Tallons and he offered her a reassuring smile as he was led away by Lord Vince himself.
Taken to a bathroom that was larger than her room back home, incense was heavy in the air here as it had been back at the brothel. The waters carried the sweet scent of oils, steam rising up from the pool sized tub. Helped out of her clothes, the girls giggling at how modest and shy Eva was, she could feel her worries and cares slipping away.
Stepping into the water and slowly submerging her whole body, she was offered a small glass of what appeared to be wine, “No, thank you.” “Lord Vince will be cross, he sent the wine himself.” The scantily dressed maiden offered the glass again, and heeding Tallons earlier warning never to refuse the Lord, she took it carefully into her hand.
What would Marxius think? Her here in this bath, being tended to by half naked women, drinking! His fur would fall out from the stress of it, she mused. By the time her hair and body had been washed, the Noble girl was feeling rather light on her feet. She stepped freely out of the waters without the shyness of before, and was wrapped in a soft robe before being lead to another room.
In many ways it reminded her of the day she had turned sixteen, there was to be a ball in her honor and suitors from across the Southern lands were coming in hopes of winning both her favor, and the favor of her High Inventor father. She had been woken early for the primping to start, forced to lay in a bath of milk, then have oils massaged into her skin, hair brushed and placed up in a traditional Ferrum style and then made to endure the torture of a corset.
By the time she was ready for the ball, Evangeline did not like, nor did she recognize the girl in the mirror. Painted lips and eyes, a small waist made smaller by the use of what she considered to be a torture device, and shoes with heels made of glass; as though she needed any help being clumsy. It was a miserable experience and while she was polite at the party, no man had any chance of wooing the Noble Doll that evening.
Now however was different, helped into a dress a deep violet color, it was more covering than she had expected given the way the other girls looked. The top contoured to her body, no straps to speak of with a sweetheart neckline; the fabric at the bottom was layers of fabric, sheer on top and opaque brushing against her skin, a slit all the way up one side, clear to her hip. A black choker with an equally dark stone at the center was clasped around her neck, black opera length gloves finishing out the outfit Lord Vince had chosen himself.
The front strands of her blonde hair were pulled back and held with an ornamental comb, the rest of her hair to hang down her mostly bare back. Lips were painted a light pink and eyes rimmed with a light layer of black; when Evangeline stood to look in the mirror, she actually felt beautiful. What would Marxius say, would he remind her that she looks like her? Cursing her own thoughts for carrying on in that direction, she drank the glass of wine that had been filled more times than she knew and prepared to be presented.
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