Death and Desire [Su, Private]

[Auer]

7th Brightening of Kalendryas, Era XV

Night cast its web of darkness down upon the city streets. Only the faint light from scattered stars and that of the luminous moon kept the darkness from completely consuming the night sky. It was cold outside and as the female Elf made her way down the quiet streets of Zinn’Sunn she wrapped her black cloak tighter about her feminine form as she kept a wary eye out for a particular man. She had only his name and the briefest of descriptions to go by. It was this name she softly whispered into the night air, “Su Farong,” before Auer continued to walk with a slight sway to her hips. Sometimes the way to make contacts was through the most untraditional methods and Auer never was a traditional girl. It had taken effort for the female to gather information about him. First it was merely for curiosity, then it was out interest and now, now her deliciously dark mind created plots and plans, business proposals and of course she expected to have some fun too. She could only hope he would live up to the words she had heard of him. The sudden expectations made Auer flick her tongue over her lips in a tantalizing display of anticipation. Yes, he better prove his worth or she would be bitterly disappointed, and with disappointment came anger and with anger, her weapons came out to play.

Earlier that brightening Auer had been walking through the streets minding her own business when she had heard two men talking about a certain Kermite male in the Kitsune clan. Auer could hear the familiar undertones of fear that tainted their words; Auer lessened her steps and began listening to their conversation. Before she became noticeable, the female Elf ducked out of sight as she listened to the last snatches of the conversation. “He dealt to them I tell ya. I even heard they found the other clan member’s corpse.” “What Su killed em?” “Yip that Su Farong is going to be someone to be careful of he will kill anyone if he has reason to...“ “But why?”the other asked in which the main speaker replied. “Wells there’s usually only two reasons – that of business or that of pleasure.” Auer gave a smile of appeal as she walked away. It could all be gossip based on lies for all she knew, but she thought he was worth exploring anyhow and this man sounded like just the type of guy it would prove to be pleasurable meeting.

Without a further thought she brazenly approached them. It has taken some careful persuasion but in the end Auer got what she sought; she always did in one way or another. Auer’s hand touched upon her tanto as a smile graced her blood red lips in memory of the day’s events. She had been given a general description of where she would find him, most likely at the Wolfmoon Inn and tavern, possibly at the bottom of a bottle. The night was still early. Auer continued at her brisk yet leisurely pace as saw the tavern come into sight. A slight breeze lifted stands of her long dark hair from her shoulders and played with it in a teasing manner before letting it fall back down again. She preferred to talk to a man with at least some intelligence (she knew many men thought with another body part rather than with their mind) Auer did not much care for the drink and the stupor it brought about and with this thought in mind she hastened her pace.

Auer arrived at the tavern’s oak door. Her violet eye gazed about; her crown of long thick lashes remained motionless as her eyes finished their large sweep of the room. She ignored the unsavoury eyes admiring her compelling form from the contrast of her dark hair and her blood red lips, to the paleness of her soft skin. And then studied more dutifully by the strange men was her hourglass figure that accentuated all the feminine curves she held. Auer could only hope this Su would be slightly more tasteful than most of the drunks this place offered her. On this, she held no expectations whatsoever. Auer stepped closer to the bar certain that this is where she would find the man. Upon sighting someone who resembled the vague description, Auer gracefully sat on the seat next to him and turned her attention to the barkeep as she removed her cloak revealing her silken black dress cut low at the bodice in a tasteful manner. It revealed just the right amount, yet left much for the imagination to undress. Yes, Auer knew how to use all her weapons well. She then used another weapon she was equally skilled at displaying; she knew his type and he would most likely come to her. With restrained patince, Auer awaited his move.

[Su Farong]

Su Farong sat alone at the bar of of the Wolfmoon tavern accompanied by half finished bottle of sake and an empty glass. The kemite man drank the bottle slowly, as was his custom, since friends were a liability in his line of work. Having a friend meant having something to lose, a connection to be used against you. A man in his line of work, could not afford weakness. One weak chink in the armor, one friend, could mean death.

He sat unafraid, his reputation made on the bloody streets of the Kitsune District. It was common knowledge that Su Farong was a bloodied dagger, a man who was fearless and without remorse. Most of the patrons gave him a wide berth and the bartender was always attentive. He was a man of respect and was treated as such.

It was a carefully orchestrated persona, actively cultivated by the young Kemite. He had long since shed the sensitive veil of boyish feelings that made him once clutch at his mother's Kimono begging her not to leave to go to work. Young Su Farong was afraid of the dark, of being alone. Tears would run down his cheeks as he begged her to stay home with him.

She was a thief who also committed a bit of banditry on the side. She would always pat the young Su on the head and kiss on him on the cheek. "I'll be right back my little clown..." She assured him. And she always did, until the one night she did not return. He waited for her for brightenings, until he was faint with hunger and dehydrated from crying. The young boy had a choice- to die or survive. He chose to survive.

Now the darkening was his shroud, his cover. It was as if his actual being melted into the blackness to where he was nothing but an unstoppable will- a force of nature and not a scared little boy. The little boy was gone now, lost 20 murders ago. All that remained was 'Hurricane' Su Farong. Man who fought like a demon and never showed one once of feeling- pain, pleasure, he shed all of it and simply existed in the moment of violence.

Auer would see him hunched silently reading a copy of the local but casting a wary eye upon everything. He wore a pair of black wool hakama paints with an matching black Haori jacket. The jacket was open and he wore no undershirt. His chest was crisscrossed with scars but his face was surprisingly smooth. He wore a thing gotee and had his dark hair hung loose around his shoulders and partially obscured his face.

The moment she entered he had saw her. In fact the whole tavern watched her with passion as she paraded silently across the floor and towards Su's spot at the bar. His face remained expressionless but his eyes followed every step.

He leaned backward as Auer sat beside him with a rather absentminded grin on his face. Su puffed out his chest slightly and glared around the tavern slowly. The lecherous looks melted away in fright and the alpha male exercised his primacy at the Wolfmoon. This prey was reserved for the big hunter himself, Su Farong.

"It's a brave woman who comes here with no chaperone. Dat's the truth." Su Farong struck up a conversation smoothly, as if he were discussing the weather. "However, I can see you are hardly..." He traced his own ears and pointed at hers. "A typical Kemite maiden, you feel me?"

His eyes grew a little suspicious as he scanned her for any obvious dangers. Su Farong shifted in his seat slightly and a dagger could be spotted on his belt. He motioned the bartender over and gave him a nod.

"Her first one's on me..." He informed the barkeep and slapped 5 crowns on the bar. "So, what'll it be?" He asked.

[Auer]

Auer did not have to wait patiently for long. It seemed she had only just removed her cloak and had placed it to the side of her when the man spoke up. Auer gave a small satisfied smile before she turned slightly in her chair to better view him.

Once his first words had passed from his lips Auer did not bother rushing to a reply. Instead she took her time as she balantly observed Su. Her violet eyes roamed over his body. Her gaze halted at his exposed chest as she paid due attention to the visible scars before, ever so slowly, her violet orbs finally reached his eyes.

The visible scars proved there was at least some worth to the conversations she had overheard. As for Su himself, well, Auer had expected to encounter someone slightly more menacing. But then again Auer was used to dealing with the worst of the worst when it came to men. Perhaps she should not judge the man so harshly upon her first impressions of him alone?

Auer then graced Su with a tantalizing smile as she gave him a slight arch of her brow. Her silken voice floated through the air carrying a tone of amusement. "Observance...I like that in a man." Auer noted his suspicious scanning of her body for weapons before he himself, whether intentional or not, revealed his dagger. Auer was impressed he at least was intelligent enough not to think she posed no danger just because she was a woman. Her smile widened. Perhaps she had judged him too harshly indeed.

After Su had made the payment for her drink, Auer turned her attention to the barkeep and politely said with a touch of coolness evident in her silken tone, "Just plain tea thank you with a little honey." As the barkeep rushed away to fulfil her request, Auer turned back to Su and with a slight nod of her head in thanks she spoke to him again. "I prefer a clear head at all times. One can never be off their guard."

Her eyes then quickly gazed about the room as she continued to speak. "You are obviously respected, if not feared here but that does not mean you are liked. How do you not know one of these fools is not waiting for you to finish that bottle off before they stick a knife is your back?" She then tilted her head a little to the side exposing the milky white of her neck. In a softer and more alluring tone she added. "How do you know that I am not waiting for that same opportunity?" A captivating smile was then displayed upon her blood red lips seeming to remind him that she was merely a female after all but oh she was an appealing female that much about the stranger was certain.

[Su Farong]

"Silence and obedience are prized qualities of a Kemite woman, looks like you ain't gonna make a great wife." Su Farong's face was severe, even a little annoyed at the sudden opinions this woman seemed more than willing to share. Typical outsiders, always giving their thoughts regardless if they were asked. However the storm crossed his face and a sloped grin formed. "Good thing I'm not the marrying kind."

He poured another glass from his bottle and toasted Auer. He observed her carefully once again, his eyes penetrating for any weaknesses or clues. Beautiful and appealing? Of course she was. But she her talk was not of a bar floozie looking for a late darkening hook up. Already warning flags were going up in Su's head. First off, why sit next to him? He was obviously not especially looking for company and keeping to himself. That was one coincidence. But this talk of guard and knives meant that she assumed his violent trade. Two coincidences and it caused a little alarm in the Kemite's head. No matter what his passions yearned, Su always believed in the mantra- business first. His loins may ache for her touch, but he would put her down like a dog if it came to that point.

Su shifted slightly in his stool once again so he faced Auer. The sloped grin slowly turned into a frown. His right hand was inching closer to where his dagger hung.

"Why would anyone have cause to kill me?" He asked slowly and softly. "Respected, sure. Frightened, maybe. I grew up here, fought prize fights here, shoot, I done grown up with all dees people. Why wouldn't dey let me be? But you, what's your game?" He leaned in close, as if he were flirting to the observer, but Auer would see his cold steel smile. "Are you here to kill me with yo' talk or yo' womanly affections?"

[Auer]

The tea arrived and Auer turned her attention away from the man for the first decent amount of time since she had arrived in the bar. Auer poured tea into her cup until it was half way full; she then added a dash of milk and the honey that lay off to the side before she gave it a brisk stir. Auer took a delicate sip while she watched Su over the rim of her cup.

Placing her cup down she pressed her lips together before she responded with a smouldering calm. "You're right I won't make a great wife. Submissiveness and sub-ordination were left in a person that died many eras ago, back when the thoughts of a man counted. But luckily for you, while Kermite females may hold silence and obedience, I hold vigour and spirit." Auer gave Su a wink and an enticing smile before she picked up the cup again and took another delicate sip.

As Su leaned closer to Auer and asked, "Are you here to kill me with yo' talk and yo' womanly affections?" Auer also leaned closer and replied in her silken timbre whilst playfulness danced in the violet of her eyes. "With talk? No. With womanly affections...Possibly, although affection is such a nauseatingly romantic word. I much prefer warmth...especially the warmth that can be found between the bed sheets." Auer gave a flirtatious smile and sat back in her chair. Swirling in her violet orbs, a darkness became evident. Auer's crown of long thick lashes fell and upon rising the void had disappeared and yet bleakness remained; it shone forth from her violet irises seeming to originate from her pupils coloured night.

It did not take away from her attractiveness, with mystery came appeal. It all depended upon the person who observed the female Elf; if a person was daring enough to risk their luck, they could find within the female a dark temptress of delight or a she-devil of chaos and scorn. Both promised satisfaction, one with pleasure and the other with blood. It was one of the same thing to Auer, she only knew the touch of pleasure through the stroke of pain.

Auer took another petite mouthful of her tea whilst she gazed about the room with diligent and focused attention. Her careful eyes scanned each shadow the room's corners held; she browsed passed the drunks, the nobodies and when she was finally satisfied, the female focused on the Kermite male. Her hand then caressed the sleeve of her cloak that lay by her side before brushing past her thigh; only the most conscientious would see the faint outline of a small weapon become revealed through the silken material of her dress to then disappear from sight as her hands returned to the bar counter.

Auer took another petite sip of her tea while sher looked once again at her new companion. With a ghost of a smile she softly spoke again as her hand extended out to him. "My where are my manners? I am Auer and you are no other than Su Farong, yes?" With an arch of her brow an alluring smile graced her blood stained lips. With her hand still extended towards him Auer carefully watched the man as she patiently awaited his reaction.

[Su Farong]

Su Farong gave a sly smile as he backed away from Auer and took of sip of his sake. His eyes followed her hand that traced the contours of her body, from her delicious looking thigh before revealing that he was not the only one to bring a weapon this darkening. His eyes sparkled a bit with humor and a little respect.

Warmth she calls it.... Su Farong analyzed her words but let her continue talking. Warmth from an embrace? What sort of embrace? Death's embrace?

He swished around the sake again in his glass before tipping back his head and draining the rest of his drink. He placed it on the bar as she finished her introduction. He looked at her hand suspiciously for a moment. Poisoned? Where was the trap? He should walk away right now, hang outside the tavern and follow her a bit to see who and what she was. That would be the safest move. But he did not get to where he was by playing it safe. To win, you have to play the game.Su Farong was wary, but the carrot at the end of this stick was very... curvy in the right places. He'd play along for a bit until he got a better reading of the situation.


"Auer," He repeated and bowed slightly. His right hand left it's sentry position by the dagger and gripped hers. He brought her hand to his lips and softly kissed the back of her hand. While his eyes were filled with lust he still spoke in a cold and detached manned. "De Elves has such enchanting names, you know? Nutin' like Li or Cao, dey seem a little bit more... what's the word? Oh yes, melodious..." He let go of her hand after stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.

"But you know me, doncha? Or at least my name..." Su poured another glass of Sake. "So ya got da drop on me. I take it dis..." His hand motioned to her seat. "It was no mistake. You did not happen on Su Farong, yo' looked me up... So tell me, what do you want? If you are here to kill me," He leaned close, his face serious, his voice hoarse. "Get on with it, I ain't got da time nor da mind to play games, you hear me?"

[Auer]

Auer watched his contemplation upon whether to accept her hand, cross over his face. The look of suspicion shone through his brown orbs. Moments passed on the wings of time until he finally reached over and clasped her hand in his own before bringing it to his lips, followed shortly by the tiny caress of his thumb. Auer gave Su a captivating smile as she watched him with eyes of caution while the same suspicions swirled through her mind. She pondered on who would be the first to draw upon their weapon. She mused over which weapon would be the best to use. Her other hand, not occupied by Su, moved ever so slightly closer to her cloak's sleeve where her tanto waited. It silently called its desire to her with a voice of silence.

And then finally Su acknowledged the information she had purposefully let slip. Perhaps the knowledge was only in his name alone, yet information was power and at that moment she held it the upper hand. A pleasurable smile revealed itself upon her blood red lips that stayed long after Su had spoken. "It was no mistake. You did not happen on Su Farong, yo' looked me up... So tell me, what do you want?" Auer tossed locks of her long dark hair over her shoulder. She remained silent as she contemplated her words. Should she get right down to business? Or continue having fun and keep him on his toes?

It was in this time his next words floated through the air, "If you are here to kill me. Get on with it, I ain't got da time nor da mind to play games, you hear me?" Auer leaned closer to match his own action. Her violet eyes attentively watched him as her fingers absent-mindedly twirled a stand of hair around her milky white fingers. Only after silence had inhabited the two did Auer speak. Her silken tone was soft yet matched the same weight of seriousness as Su's own words had. "I am not interested in playing games with you. I merely needed to suss the man out first that is all. I will not have to kill you unless you give me reason to do so..."

Auer paused and moved her seat a few inches closer to the man. It was close enough for the tantalizing aroma of her fragrance, that of seasonal fruits, summer rain and exotic wild flowers, it was enough to overwhelm any man in the sweet delight and the tempting promises it offered. Auer was never one to mince her words, this time proved no different. With her violet orbs intently focused upon him her silken words swirled in the air to float in the spaces between her perfume. "What do I want? Lets start with business first before we move onto pleasure..." A small smile graced her lips as her eyes roamed over his body before she looked back into his eyes.

"I have heard talk of you and now upon seeing you for myself, I think what they have said might be of truth. I want you to hire me..." Auer's hand reached out for her cloak's sleeve and her dagger was revealed. She idly flipped it in her hand as she continued to speak. Her eyes never left that of Su's. "See I think you have more enemies out there than you care to openly speak of. Use me and all that I offer..." Auer ran her hands gracefully down the contour of her body; her held weapon barely skimmed its surface as she continued to speak in a tone of ice and fire, mayhem and zeal. "...to cross a name off the list. Let me get close to a man in a way you never could..."

Auer's pale hand reached out and the tips of her fingers softly ran down his chest. "And then with pleasure will come pain. I will make his heart pound and then I will squeeze it into a lifeless pulp." The seasonal fruit flavour of her perfume seemed to hold residence in that moment. The graphic image formed of her petite hand gripping onto an orange and clenching her fist until the orange burst into tiny fragments, its juice ran down her slender arm. In the present moment Auer flicked her tongue over her blood red lips. Her hand that had previously twirled locks of her hair in a feminine manner had now become a constricted fist; these actions further fuelled the image, the orange's juice reflected the colour of her lips. The blood spilt forth; its vivid red against the milky white of her skin. In torrents the blood continued to run, to trickle, to fall.

[Su Farong]

Well, ain't dat some $*@%? Su thought as he involuntarily moved out of the way of the bloody orange. One moment Su was majoring in the geography of Auer's hills and valleys, the next he's watching her destroy fruit...or imaginary blood filled fruit? It was not everyday that the fighting rooster of the underworld was taken aback by someone's actions. Weren't elves supposed to be all hugging trees and junk like that? Jumping around in forests with their woodland creature friends? Braiding hair, sipping nectar, and living forever? Definately not all because one of them was here giving him the heebie-jeebies. This woman was a freak with a capital F.

And...let's be honest here- it was a bit irresistible. But only a bit. Su Farong was by his own estimates a sane gentleman, sane enough to know you really have to watch the crazy ones. Su was sure that in this struggle of wills weakness would denote the loser. She would eat him up and spit him out. Unless he got her first.

"Yo sure do know how to make an impression Miss Auer..." Su Farong said as he inspected the bloody orange mess. "What's dat? Some o' dat hocus pocus junk dey teach at da ivory tower? Pshaw!" He let out a loud bark of a laugh before finishing off the rest of the sake. The Kemite stood up and threw down some more crowns on the bar.

"If we gonna become a vaudeville duo we'd be a hit- my comic stylings and yo' well..." He looked at her blood splattered being. "Flair fo' da dramatic would make us a hit at da theater. But my dear, if we gonna talk bidness, best to take dis parlay to a more intimate room..." He grinned as he traced her chin with his finger slowly before tilting her head up. Su leaned in close once again and breathed in her perfume before saying ever so softly. "But not da intimate yo' might be thinking of." With that he gave a wink and waved at the bartender.

"Willie! I'm out!" He bid farewell and stalked out of the tavern. Hopefully Auer would be following and if she was he'd hold open the door for her.

Once outside he'd light up a cigarillo before talking.
"I'm thinking we take dis talk down to da Kit, my turf. Inside who knows what sucka is listenin'?" Or the possibility that Auer was not acting alone? Su still held that as a possibility. Better to move this to friendly territory. "Whatcha say darlin'?"

[Auer]

Auer gave Su a wink and a smile as she heard his words "Yo sure do know how to make an impression Miss Auer..." She could not help but think that his words sounded promising. There were many men who would have been left speechless upon hearing Auer's words; And especially in this Kermite city where women were treated like fine porcelain and thus deemed easily breakable. There were also many men who were chauvinists. They believed violence was nothing but a male's job because only they possessed the needed skill, physical strength and mental endurance for such a task; But then this left female's with nothing more than the role of being their victims.

Auer was all too familiar to the victim's role. Upon gaining freedom, Auer had to pick up the broken pieces and continue on reinventing herself along the way in order to survive in the jungle of life. She had not asked for, nor had she expected, the darkness and chaos to take control of her but just as she had learnt to deal with and embrace pain, so too had Auer learnt to embrace the new unwholesome dimension of her own self. It did not mean she liked it, however, or many of the deeds she was forced to commit. It all came down to choosing when to fight and when to walk away. And if it weren't for the fact that Su Farong was not above violence and crime, Auer would have kept her words toned down if not silenced. She certainly never would have sought him out. But often Auer could not deny the pleasure she received through her actions and meeting Su was beginning to prove to be one of those pleasurable times.

As the Kermite stood up and drained the last of his sake Auer watched him intently. She nodded her head when he spoke of moving the talk to a more private place. She put up with him finishing his sentence with the caress of her chin. Auer settled for stonily watching the Kermite male as the fleeting thought could not be helped from entering her mind, 'could he really be that stupid to dare try a move after what he has heard come from my lips?' Auer then gave a smirk as he moved closer and added to his sentence with whispered words, "But not da intimate yo' might be thinking of." She decided at that very moment she liked the man, well, at least as far as one could like the devils spawn. Auer stood as Su walked to the exit and quickly shrugged on her cloak. She flicked her black silken hair out from underneath the material before she confidently followed him with the rhythmic sway of her hips.

Just because she may like the man that did not mean she trusted him. At the door Auer wrapped the cloak tighter about her until it hugged her body revealing her sensual curves. She then checked her weapons were at the ready for ease of access and as he held the door out for her, Auer walked into the chill night air. The nights temperature seemed to emulate the layer of ice that cloaked the dark Angel's heart. Auer scanned the surrounding outside area; her violet eyes gazed into all the areas of shadow before returning to her companion, satisfied that for now, he posed the biggest threat.

"Lead the way pet." Auer replied to him in her silken tone with words coated in a pseudo of sweetness. As her words floated into the night's air, Auer gazed into his eyes before her blood red lips curved into a small playful smile delivered with a teasing wink.

[Su Farong]

"Pet, eh?" Su responded with a large smile. "I betcha'd like to take me on a walk with a leash wouldn't ya?" Su motioned for her to follow him. "After you , my dear..."

Su Farong led her through the streets of the Chinthe District south towards the feared Kitsune District. The well lit streets began to darken the closer they got to what was commonly known, 'the place that is not.' Su kept a brisk pace as he wove through the streets that were full of street vendors and their customers. Delicious smells came from the food stalls and bargains were unveiled for the less picky nighttime customer.

A few of the seedier peddlers greeted Su happily and Su waved back. There were a few raised eyebrows at the sight of the rather slight and dangerous Kemite walking with the willowy and beautiful Elven murderess. They did not stop to offer explanations and Su seemed content to give a mysterious wink and let their mind wonder with what Su 'Lover Boy' Farong was up to.

He stayed silent and at Auer's side, content with steering them to and fro amongst the crowd. His attention was not only on her but also at the alleys and dark shadows of the city. Auer was right, he did have enemies and it always paid to be a bit cautious. They passed the closed herb shop, crossed the icy street and Su paused for a moment.

"Welcome to my home Miss Auer," He said in a tone of ironic formality. "Kitsune, my kind o' town..." He winked and led them inside. The district was dark since the lamp lighters did not venture down here that often. Auer would see the first signs of the wretched and destitute who made their home there. Addicts and homeless seemed to hug the sidewalks begging for money or trying to get a little sleep.

They walked a couple blocks, past the corner hoppers selling drugs, past a gang of toughs huddled around a small fire. He motioned to take a left and they found themselves stepping out of the darkness and into a world of light, sound, and smoke. Numerous torches were erected along with brightly colored lanterns all along the narrow street.

"Gambling halls and bordellos," Su explained and pointed to the flags that hung all along the street with the 曹 symbol on them. "Controlled by da Cao, who's I think you'd get along with...Let's go."

Young boys ran through the streets trying trying to drum up business for the various establishments. The bordello's doors and windows were open and inside young prostitutes beckoned the weary traveller in. Gambling halls were boisterous with the sounds of fortunes won and lost. Above it all strode fierce looking women wielding whips who oversaw the entire operation.

"Here we are..." Su pointed at a gaudily painted building with a mural of a dragon on it. Just as he was about to enter he was almost run over by a frenzied looking man. Before Su could act however a whip snapped right by his and Auer's faces and wrapped around his throat. Suddenly the man was horizontal and he fell to the ground with a thud. A couple young Cao women rushed past Su and Auer and dragged the man inside after beating him a little.

"Well if it ain't Su Farong in the flesh..." Came a rather matronly voice from inside the building. A mature and heavyset woman was gathering up her whip. She was dressed in a magnificent silk kimono decorated with a stylized 曹 symbol.

"Mama Yen," Su bowed respectfully and hurriedly motioned for Auer to follow suit. "I hope you are well."

"Better now that this man who trying to get outta here without paying got stopped. Take him into the back girls." She gave told her underlings. They dragged the frightened looking man inside. Her massive head swung back towards them. "But you, what are you doing here? Did you bring me another girl?" She looked at Auer with a practiced eye. "She's pretty, but is she sturdy?" She asked.

"Ain't like dat Mama." Su explained. "Brought her here to parlay a bit 'bout some bidness. Wonderin' if we could find a nice safe spot ya dig?"

"Boy, your momma would spin in her grave, Torek bless her soul, if she heard you talk like some know nothing hoodlum!" Mama Yen scolded. "Bringin' elf girls back to Mama's place to 'talk' with. Blessed ancestors! Think I was born last brightening?"

"Mama Yen..." Su tried to argue.

"Shush you!" Mama Yen cut Su off and looked at Auer squarely in the eyes. "So you're pretty but I also see that you're packing some steel there. Who are you? What's your hustle?" Mama Yen asked with a critical eye.

[Auer]

With the sway of her hips as hypnotizing as the gentle lull of the tide, Auer walked at Su’s side through the darkened streets. Her eyes of violet constantly scanned each new site they came upon; she took her time critically assessing it before her gaze moved on. Auer held the gaze of a curious observer to the acquaintances of Su Farong. Auer’s blood red lips curved into a small smile as the Kitsune citizens implicitly made conclusions about Su and Auer; she could almost see the images playing out in their minds of the bedroom, exposed skin and her meadows and feminine hills anticipated to soon become explored by the Kermite’s hands; the same Kermite who now walked silently beside her and spoke only through the nonverbal communication of a sly wink.

Amusement danced in her violet irises as she saw their response. Her smile grew as scandalous thoughts whispered to her. She was very familiar with the male mind. She knew she would seem as no more than an alluring Elf being escorted straight to his bedroom. She also knew the male ego and right at that moment she figured Su’s ego could be indulged. Auer was a lover of games. To her nothing was greater than giving men a performance – just enough to taste... and oh did they hunger; the fools openly revealed their weakness through the widening of their lustful eyes, the quickening of their breath. With the smallest taste granted, they were then hers for the taking. Although Auer did not intend for Su to become her next victim she could not refuse the delightful opportunity it presented and she had a feeling Su would find humour and perhaps his own enjoyment and more in the performance that conspired in her mind.

Auer put the delightful ideas into action. Auer moved closer to Su. Her milky white hand softly ran down his spine; playfulness laughed in her violet eyes. Auer looked towards the spectators before her eyes met his gaze and with a coy smile she reached for his hand and guided it behind her back to the curve of her hip. Auer returned Su’s wink and in a sultry tone she whispered “It seems I could be of more assistance to you than through merely business alone. Would not your male’s ego agree?”

They arrived soon after at Su’s destination. Auer gazed at Su’s home with eyes of sadness. Her heart whispered its yearning for a home here, there, anywhere, just as long as the home could be hers. Surprise and then amusement showed upon her beautifully defined face as a man was dealt to by two Chao females. Auer then turned her eyes from the man to Mama Yen as Su greeted her. Auer studied the female attentively. She could not deny that her respect for Su grew the slightest inch more upon seeing the close connection him and Mama Yen clearly held.

Auer remained silent as Mama Yen questioned Su and he so boyishly gave a response. It seemed as though so many of Zinn’Sunn citizens were naive and saw the attractive Elf as nothing more than Su’s latest fling; even Mama Yen thought her to be nothing but Su’s gift to be unwrapped in the privacy of a room he now asked for. She was glad to be proven wrong.”So you're pretty but I also see that you're packing some steel there. Who are you? What's your hustle??” Even though Auer’s weapons were discreetly hidden from view, if someone critically looked with diligent care the weight of it on her sleeve was apparent, fortunately many did not take the time to look and yet, this Kermite female so quickly had. Perhaps in another life Mama Yen would be someone Auer would associate with but not this life, no. Auer was already taking a risk opening herself up more than she liked in order to get this contract and thus the money she needed. Since gaining her freedom Auer lived with a heart of hate and a lifestyle of constant flight; assassination, then, seemed like the logical solution, nay, the most pleasurable. Su had the power to start her career. If Auer was thinking of a career in prostitution Mama Yen would have Auer’s time and full attention however, Su was the only man she had in her line of sight.

Auer deemed it was simply easier to confirm the Kitsune strangers and Mama’s assumption. Auer smiled, gave a slight flutter of her lashes and answered Mama’s last question not with words, but with actions instead. Auer turned to Su, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her hour glass figure into his body as her blood red lips found his own. The kiss lasted a length of time until the point was reached and deemed believable to Mama Yen. Auer gave his lower lip a firm tug as she pulled away. The elusive loveliness of her eyes was then seen as her hand moved to his chest. Auer silkenly spoke. “For some business is pleasure and to other pleasure is business. I like to make it a blend of both.” Auer gave her a wink and then looked back at Su. “Don’t you agree pet?” She ended her sentence with an enticing smile as the seductress within silently purred in pleasure. And with this pleasure now put aside, Auer waited for Su to lead her to where the business side of things would begin.

[Su Farong]

The poor Kemite man's knees buckled and his breath whooshed out of him as Auer placed herself into his arms. He was caught off guard- hopeful, maybe a little but he did not expect this. His mind blanked and his common sense took a small vacation. For a moment he thought nothing and concentrated on the physical sensation of the moment. Her body, her smell, her taste flooded his nerves as he took the plunge. He responded lustfully to her charade and his lips hungrily sought out hers. Su Farong did not stand a chance.

Alas, sweet moments never last forever and his senses began to filter back into his brain as she bit his lip. His right hand clasped her hand that rested on his scared chest and brought it to his lips for a last delicate kiss. Damn, talk about effective...

It took him a moment to respond to Auer's question.
"Yeah, I guess I do..." He replied absentmindedly, still a little dazed.

Mama Yen snorted and shook her head. Her expression was a cross between amusement and affection.
"Su Farong, you never cease to amaze me." She motioned to the inside and a small scantily clad Cether girl came forward. "Daisy, show my poor, addled Torek-Son and his friend to the tea room." Daisy nodded and motioned for them to follow her. "Our beds are for paying customers." She explained to Auer sweetly.

Mama Yen gave Su Farong an affectionate ruffle of the hair as he passed. For Auer she had a chilly stare. Her gangster showed many things, most of all protectiveness of the young Kemite gangster. Unlike Su, she was immune to many of the elf's talents. Mama Yen was not going to be swayed by the bounciness of her body. The matron was too old and grizzled to let stuff like that fly. Unlike Su, Mama Yen understood the young murderess the best. It was as if she looked into Auer's eyes and saw something familiar. But that didn't mean Mama Yen was going to invite Auer to have dinner. The heavyset matron smiled thinly as Auer walked past.

"I see the pleasure is his as well as mine." Mama Yen said before walking into the street.

The tea room was near the kitchen and in the back of the house. To get there they passed through an incense laden waiting room where a few of Mama Yen's whip-wielding girls patrolled. A dozen young prostitutes of all races sat relaxed along a bar that sat at the back of the room. They chatted and laughed and waited for customers to take upstairs.

The second door on the right was opened by Daisy and she wordlessly ushered them in. It was a tastefully sparse room of the Kemite tradition- white cushioned floor and walls with calligraphy and ink drawings on the walls. A long, low table sat in the middle of the room with pillows on either side for people to sit down on. Su Farong motioned for Auer to sit and he sat down opposite of her.

He gave a big sigh and talked himself down. He needed to put his passions to the side and remain with his eyes on the prize. For a moment he was a weak kneed virgin on his first visit to Mama Yen's. But his wits returned along with his resolute, stony business face that he wore. What was it Mama Yen said? Beware the pretty ones for they are the most dangerous, and for that case also look out for the ugly ones because they aren't much better.

"I'll fetch you some tea Su," Daisy announced and respectfully left. Su Farong played with the menora that was their only source of light. He smiled rather coyly for a moment before speaking.

"So..." Daisy returned with the tea kettle and a couple cups. She silently served them tea before bowing and leaving.

"So here we are Auer." Su toasted Auer calmly, his hoodrat persona melting away in the more intimate surroundings. "Business above all. Now, I have seen you womanly talents which are quite formidable. I am convinced you can get that man into bed, but what then? Now tell me how skilled are you with those pigstickers you have there? How many contracts have you carried out? Have you any references? How bloodied is your blade?" He smiled and leaned forward.

"It's not that I don't trust you," Which I don't he thought. "You understand if we want this business to be pleasurable..." He paused for a moment. "We are going to have to work together. If I send you to kill someone you are a reflection upon myself. Retribution will visit me along with you. It's the law of the streets, if there is a law. I don't need someone that does the job half assed. You're going to have to, as they say in the Kit, show me your power."

[Auer]

Auer met Mama Yen’s eyes with a sinister calm. She held her gaze until Mama made her last comment and then walked outside. Auer followed Su and the girl, known as Daisy, into the tea room. Su offered her a seat and with a small nod of her head Auer sat down; she folded one leg on top of the other in one swift graceful motion before she smoothed down her black silken dress. Auer flicked her tongue over her lips as she watched him seat himself opposite of her. His taste was still upon her tongue and this brought a small smile to her lips; if she could taste him than she knew he would still taste their intimacy. Auer was satisfied that she had made an impression upon him. She held not a doubt; she knew Su was fully aware of her feminine weapon and how successful it would be for the first part of the job. Auer ran her milky white