Previously, during the afternoon when Lorenzo had joined Sephtis and I for tea, I finally got the chance to discuss how I would approach the slave trader in charge of Praxis.
Now, it was sometime around midnight and go time. I was getting changed as Sephtis was preparing things to set up in the room I was going to have Praxis stay in before I returned him to his sister, Zephyra.
With my disguise enabled, I picked out an outfit that would go perfectly with the strawberry blonde hair that now adorned me. I was wearing a burgundy blouse with a ruffle tie, a half-red, half-white tie coat with a sort of cape-like part around the shoulders, and black pants.
To put it all together, I wore knee-length boots with a heel. I also wore a black corset belt, my broach at the center of my tie, and my hair was braided to the side with a matching black ribbon.
I was putting my gloves on when Lorenzo knocked on the door. "Yes?" I called, knowing that it was likely him telling me he was ready to go.
"It's Lorenzo, I just wanted to let you know that I'm ready to go whenever you are. I will be waiting downstairs," He announced, not waiting for me to respond before leaving, his shoes echoing from the hallway.
'Heh, perfect timing!' I thought to myself, putting on a mask with red and silver patterns. I then grabbed a matching fedora and cane, making sure I sold the 'rich snob perv' look, 'except this rich snob isn't a perv!'
Leaving the room and closing the door behind me, the room just a couple of doors down had its door propped open. Sephtis likely decided to put Praxis' room next to mine since I would be the one looking after him.
"Ho? It's looking quite nice in here, good job!" I exclaimed, popping my head through the door frame, making Sephtis jump a little.
"O-Oh! Thank you, Lev- mm!" Sephtis had started to say, but quickly covered his mouth and nose when he saw me.
"Is something the matter, Sephtis?" I asked, now stepping fully into the room and approaching Sephtis, "You look rather flushed. You aren't sick, are you?"
Sephtis didn't respond, and his pupils only dilated the more I got closer, his breathing heavier. I cupped his cheek in my hand, and as I moved my forehead closer to his to check his temper, he started avoiding my gaze, his eyes darting.
"Hm, you don't feel very hot…make sure not to rush things and take the decorating easy, okay?" I smiled gently, pulling away and leaving the room, "Welp, I'm heading out now, take a break in a little, okay?"
"O-Okay!" Sephtis stammered, his tail wagging like a helicopter's rotor motor would. I wouldn't be surprised if one day his tail wagged so fast he started flying…now that would be a sight to see.
***
"My Lord, we've arrived," Lorenzo announced from the coachman's seat, stopping the carriage.
"Thank you, I'll be out shortly," I replied, extinguishing my cigarette and putting the portable ashtray back into my pocket.
A few days prior, Sephtis, Lorenzo, and I went out to buy a carriage and horses; this was the one we picked out. Red, black, and gold interior, and gold, red, and deep red-brown exterior.
"Lorenzo, could you use some wind magic to get rid of the smell in there?" I requested, getting out and coughing a little. It had been a while since I last smoked, and I knew I couldn't go through with this transaction sober.
"Hm? Oh! Of course, just give me a moment," Lorenzo laughed, going inside the carriage and opening the curtains and windows fully, "All done, there might be a lingering smell due to the furniture, but leave the windows open while were gone and it'll be okay.
"Good, well then, I'm off. Make sure to stay by the carriage so we don't get robbed of our ride home," I ordered, walking off and waving at Lorenzo as I left.
Currently, we were in the red-light district of Eleos city. The street I was going down was dimly lit with lanterns, people chatting throughout the street with their lovers, or prostitutes trying to score a new customer for the night.
Looking above, other pleasure workers were leaning out the windows or sitting on balconies. Some slaves were even being displayed in widow rooms or cages attached to the front of the buildings, the vast majority of them dressed like dolls with chains on them.
'How disgusting. My deepest sympathies, if I could, I'd free all of them now, but that is not what I'm here for…And since slavery is still legal, it's not like I could report it to authority anyways.'
As I continued my march towards my destination, I kept my gaze straight ahead. A few workers tried to approach me, some even attaching themselves to my arm or hand, but I merely shot them a glare and walked on.
Moments later, I was finally at the 'shop' that held Prazis and that disgusting slave trader. There were two guards at the door, who were being bothered by some people trying to go inside, but the guards weren't having it, and I was already quite annoyed myself.
"Pardon me," I cut in, approaching the two people and the guards, "I have some business here. Would you people kindly move aside so I can give the guards my appointment information and head inside?"
"HUH?! And who the tell are you?" One of the men asked me, clearly drunk, seeing as he spat when he spoke, and his face was quite flushed in addition to smelling of alcohol.
"I believe that that is none of your concern. My business here is with the guards and the boss, not a popus drunk prick like you who has absolutely no manners," I snapped back, glaring at the man and his companion through my mask.
"Mr. Kallisto, I presume?" One of the guards asked, grabbing the man's arm as he went to punch me. I responded with a simple nod, "The boss has been expecting you; you may head in."
"Thank you, i appetite the assistance and cooperation," I smiled at him, then walked past the group as the other guard opened the door for me.
Walking inside, the interior was disgustingly nice. There was a lobby adorned with cooshened furniture, doors I assumed led to waiting rooms or rooms one would rent out for 'pleasure workers'.
Though I ignored those and simply walked forward to the front desk, noticing the big doors on either side of it, likely to where one would purchase a slave.
"Good evening," I greeted the secretary with a purely fake smile, "My name is Kallisto. I have an appointment with Mr. Kal Natrona."
"Ah, yes. I will go ahead and let the boss know of your arrival. You may wait on one of the benches by the desk," The secretary smiled, gesturing to a bench with a very large cushion on it as she wrote on a paper in front of her.
"Alright, please do make me wait long though. I can get very impatient," I responded, an intimidating smile spreading on my face.
And as I sat down, just a few minutes later, the slave trader bastard walked in. He was talking to someone, likely an assistant of his.
"Welcome! You must be Mr. Kallisto! I have very much been awaiting your arrival, sir!" Kal Natrona announced, skating my hand as I stood up to greet him.
Kal Natron had slicked back black hair, yellow eyes with elongated pupils, and pointed ears. When he spoke, I could see fangs, and with his pale skin, I could tell that he was likely a vampire. Especially since most of his features matched Victor's, especially the way he enunciated his words.
He was rather tall, and he knew how to style his height. Kal wore a black and blue suit paired with calf-length boots that were laced up.
"Thank you for the kind words, but I am a very busy man, and I'd like to make this transaction as short as possible, so could we just skip the pleasantries and get right to business?" I said abruptly, a serious expression on my face. I tapped my cane and foot on the floor to make myself seem impatient, though I knew that when I got home i'd likely leave Praxis to his own devices and head to bed.
"Of course we can, I'm not quite a fan of all of the unnecessary pleasantries myself, but, well, I am a businessman," Kal laughed, turning around to the doors by the front desk and gesturing to me to follow him and his assistant.
Walking through the door, I was met with a long hallway and many doors, each with a lantern by it. Some of the doors had names by them, ages, and races were displayed underneath, likely all slaves one could rent out for the night.
"You know, we were very lucky when we got your letter of appointment for Praxis!" Kal started, turning to me with a smile, "While he isn't troublesome and quite obedient, he has undermined my expectations, so it is a joy you are so willing to take him off my hands!"
'Hmph, he must be quite relieved if he is willing to risk his business by sharing this with me…very unprofessional.'
"Haha, I see! Well, what can I say? He caught my eye when I saw him displayed in your window a couple of days ago," I chuckled, remembering the information Octavius gave me on when slaves go on sale to have new owners.
"Well, Praxis is very special and unique, and his looks are a steal! So, with this in mind, he is going to be on the higher-priced side," Kal admitted, shaking his head with a sympathetic smile.
"Hah, and that shouldn't prove to be an issue. I plan to have him, no matter the cost, so I'll leave you with a happy wallet tonight," I joked back, disgusted with myself for saying such a thing.
"Hahaha! I am most delighted at your generosity, Sir," He exclaimed, stopping in front of a door at the end of the hallway just shortly after, "And here we are! If you would like, I can head in with you or let you talk to him by yourself and come back shortly."
"...Why don't you introduce us first, leave, and then come back shortly after?" I proposed, putting an innocently charming smile on my face.
"Okay, I have no problem with that," Kal agreed, nodding as he unlocked the door and opened it, "Praxis, the man who was interested in you has come to get you, so do behave during your chat with him."
"Haha, thank you, Mr. Natrona, but that is all I need. Could you leave us now?" I added, dismissing him as soon as he finished.
"Why of course! I'm sure you are quite eager to have some private time with the one who's caught your eye!" He replied, closing the doors as he left.
"..." Praxis sat there in silence, not lifting his head, and just staring at the floor. I was astonished by how much he looked like how his sister was described in the novel.
He had thin, but fluffy, long blonde hair cut in a 'jellyfish' style, encentuating his magenta eyes and fair skin. He had a long red-tail, which was shaped like a heart on the tip, his ears were pointed, and his nails were filed down, likely to prevent him from harming customers.
Praxis was wearing a detached sleeve top, showing off his torso, abs, and chest. He wore a sort of corset paired with dark-red pants and boots that went up to his knees, much like mine. While he was wearing a gold collar, he was also wearing a necklace with a heart charm on it.
"..." I went and sat next to him, keeping quiet, merely getting used to his presence as he got used to mine.
'While I can't see his whole face, I can already tell he is very pretty, probably the prettiest man I've ever seen.'
"Haaa," I sighed and took out a cigarette, lit it, and watched as his eyes snuck a glance at me as I took a long drag. He seemed quite curious, "Want one?"
Praxis shook his head no, so, shrugging, I smoked the cigarette till it was out. I didn't say anything as I did, building suspense as I took my time.
"Lord Praxis Heartborn," My voice rang through the room, saying out his full name that no one knew but me and his sister, causing his head to snap up, "How would you like to get out of here, kick Kal Natronas ass, and get home?"
I gave him a cocky smile. Praxis mouth hung open for a while. He opened and closed his mouth for a while, confused by the comment. I merely laughed, finding it all amusing.
'Damn, he really is gorgeous, I might actually fall for him HAHA!'