An hour had passed since the sun went down on the horizon as Elia waited at the north entrance to the market but it became increasingly evident that her twelve year old date had stood her up.
He probably found someone else to bring to the festival, thought Elia. Just as well, since she didn't want him ruining any of her meticulously made plans. At the same time, she cared for the boy's safety - she didn't want him getting into any trouble.
But that left her with the problem of getting into the festival.
Elia studied the festival entrance from her position in the dark alley. With the entire market as its location, this was the biggest event of the year, lasting a whole week. People waited in a queues to show their tickets that would grant them entry.
Tickets. You had to buy tickets to attend the biggest festival in Khore. Apparently it was something that was decreed by the king only a few years ago. It may have once been a warm tradition in this city but now it's just a way for the monarchy to take more money from it's people. It's no wonder they call him the Mad king behind his back. Elia was more surprised the people still haven't revolted.
But back to business. The line was growing faster than people were going in. Security was tight; she counted at least fifteen guards patrolling the area.
She was going to have to find a way in quickly. Elia considered the distance. What she really needed was a distraction, she realized as she looked around.
Something loud, she thought as her sharp eyes searched and landed on a familiar lone drunken figure. Something obnoxious.
Lucky her. It was heading straight her way.
As he swayed closer to the entrance of her hidden lair she grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt and pulled him into the alley.
"Wha- stay back! I'm warning you. I'm a white lotus disciple and I can introduce you to a world of hurt!"
Yeah right. Like this smelly drunk would ever be a part of the white lotus knights, a brotherhood of elite and fearsome warriors.
"It's me! You fool." She hissed resisting the urge to slap him. The repugnant stench of alcohol seemed to follow him everywhere.
"Oh, Elia." He brightened with recognition. Then he frowned, "Why are you luring innocent bystanders into this dark and creepy alley?"
Innocent? She wanted to say. There's nothing innocent about you, you crime against humanity!
She took a deep breath. Ah, but she needed this pervert. For now.
She hated herself for what she was going to say next, but honestly? She had actually done much worse things in the past and she was still willing to do them now to further her own goals.
"Gavin?" She said in a sweet and syrupy voice. She batted her lashes for effect. "I want to see what a real man looks like..."
Gavin looked like he won a free dinner at the king's table. "Really? I knew you'd come around! The ladies can't resist this." He struck a pose and gestured to himself.
How does he keep his balance with a head that big?
"Yeah, yeah. Less talking, more stripping." She ordered, dropping her smile and Gavin obeyed. It was a good thing Gavin's head was as large as it was. She wasn't very good at this seduction thing. The only person she had ever successfully managed to seduce was...she shuddered. Best not to remember him. He was from a long time ago and he can't hurt her anymore.
Although, sometimes she can still hear his voice inside her head from time to time. Does that make her crazy? Probably.
"Well, what do you think?" Gavin interrupted her dark thoughts.
Ugh. Elia could feel her eyes burn. Gavin stood in all his perverted glory, his clothes at his feet. His clothes. She snatched them quickly.
"I think the Exhibitionist is going to make his second play." Then taunting him she ran.
"Elia! You bitch! Hey, give me back my clothes!" Cursing, Gavin ran after her.
She burst out of the alley and ran towards the queue with Gavin still following her, bellowing like a bull in his drunken rage. He was so furious, he didn't seem to notice that he was naked and all eyes were on him.
"It's the Exhibitionist! Get him!"
The guards were after Gavin immediately, but one of them tried to cut Elia off, noticing she was the cause of all this commotion.
Elia charged towards him and the huge guard widened his stance, ready to stop her. It was the wrong move for him to make, Elia thought as she took the opportunity to slide between his legs and duck into the queue.
Yells and shouts were heard as people scrambled to get away from the angry naked drunk and the guards coming after him, but Elia managed to push her way through without much hassle.
Soon she slipped out of the panicked crowd and watched as the guards put all their effort in trying to maintain order. Some of them went after Gavin who finally realized his situation and had legged it in the opposite direction.
The remaining two guards stationed at the entrance were more interested in the ensuing struggle than watching out for intruders and Elia slipped into the market without anyone noticing her.
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