บท 16: Chapter 14: Backhand Deals
Entresol's streets buzzed with activity, the chaotic noise blending into a singular dull roar. Gas masks, Chemtech gear, and puffs of tobacco served as constant reminders of the Undercity's grit. Through it all, the emerald green eyes of an attractive lady tracked Orion with genuine interest, his haggard figure weaving awkwardly through the crowd.
Orion was trying to beeline it for the nearest meat stall, which unknown to him before, was Jerichos. The gruel he was used to eating before lay further up the street, closer to the main road. Guttural laughter broke through the crowd's roar as he gestured toward two frog legs. Jericho's figure shook with amusement, pausing to hold up five fingers in response.
The sizzling smell of meat was intoxicating, and his stomach growled angrily as he passed five half bronzes without hesitation. Jericho scooped up the coins and went straight into grilling the legs as Orion sat down.
"Thankfully I don't have to understand him" Orion thought to himself, wondering briefly how Vi ever managed to communicate with it.
"Quite the scar you have there."
A soft, seductive voice cut through the air, causing him to jump slightly. Orion turned toward the source, and his sight locked onto what perhaps might have been the most beautiful lady he had seen yet in the Undercity.
A jet-black dress clung to her figure, drawing enchanted glances from passersby that lingered a moment too long. She casually leaned against the stall, reaching forward to gently trace his bruised chin. Her gloved fingers were black and ordained with patterns of the most deadly flowers found in Sump's toxic depths. A faint smile traced her lips as her sharp emerald-green eyes studied him.
"Who are you?" Orion guardedly asks.
"A fixer," she bemused, withdrawing her hand as she leaned in for a hushed whisper. "You don't belong here, do you?"
Uneased, he stiffened, "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just trying to eat."
"Don't you mean survive?" Shrugging, her sharp and unwavering emerald green eyes followed his shifting movements. Her teasing tone contrasted the situation. "And in quite a unique way too, might I add- buying toad legs from Jericho."
"What do you want?" Orion bristled.
"What do I want?" She rolled her eyes mockingly, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she slides into a stool next to him, "Perhaps to hear your story? You don't have the face- or the demeanor- of someone meant to crawl in this toxic soil."
Scoffing, he kept his reply short, refusing to make further eye contact, "You don't know a damned thing about me."
"Perhaps not," she murmured, her tone low and gentle as she leaned closer. Her voice dropped to a whisper, laced with suggestive intent, "Not all flowers bloom during the day."
She paused, watching Orion's quick glancing and restless shifting, her faint smile growing. Then slowly, and deliberately, added, "Flowers are hard to come by here. And perhaps I'm looking for a man to pluck some for me."
A plate clatters noisily to Orion, breaking the moment. Jericho stood there with a broad smile, oblivious to the conversation clear as his expression screamed, "dig in!"
"Tsk." She clicked her tongue softly, her emerald eyes flicking toward Jericho, "A special breed."
"You'll hurt his feelings," Orion muttered, ravenously biting into a toad leg. "Anyway, I'm not looking to become a recruiter."
The corner of the lady's mouth twitched, betraying her momentary disgust at the food and his behavior, her voice unwavering in contrast, "Not people- plants. I'm offering you an opportunity- a chance to climb out of the gutter. To live, not just survive."
Orion paused mid-bite, the savory toad leg squirting juice as he frowned, "Picking literal flowers? What expensive-ass flowers could pull a man out of this toxic cesspool?"
Her eyes gleamed as he took the bait, "The kind that take years to cultivate, each crafted with care, carrying rare and unique traits for alchemy- And locked up in Count Mei's Menagerie."
Chewing slowly, his stomach still complaining with unsated hunger, Orion spoke carefully. "Topside..."
"Indeed," She murmured. Her eyes danced with predatory intent, her words slithering like a snake through grass. "If you're more than just a street rat, if you're looking to rise- this is your chance. Plenty of pay, far more than what Vander could ever offer."
The mention of Vander's name rang alarm bells in Orion's head, his posture stiffened and head snapping back to her. His tone turned hostile, suspicion evident as he repeated himself.
"Who are you?"
"Call me 'C', budding flower." Her voice sharpened, her playful demeanor tone fading into something more serious. Her sharp gaze locked onto him, all business now as she continued, "I'm not asking you to abandon him- just to lend me your talents when the opportunities arise."
Orion didn't answer, his thoughts racing as he weighed her words. The silence was broken by the rustle of fabric, her hand reaching into her top, withdrawing a small folded parchment. She slid it across the table toward Orion, breaking his thought process.
"Written are the details. If you're interested, deliver the flowers mentioned to the designated location. One of my associates will be waiting." C spoke coolly. As if business had been concluded, she recollected herself and straightened her dress with practiced elegance before rising to leave, giving a final glance back. "Don't disappoint."
With that, a faint scent of flowers lingered in her wake as her figure disappeared into the crowd. Orion frowned, his gaze dropping to the parchment with conflicted emotions. Fixers approaching innocent kids and teenagers wasn't exactly rare in Entresol.
"It's not a bad gig," Orion thought, his fingers brushing the note. "But she's definitely not a normal fixer."
Pocketing the note, he left it there for now and returned to devouring the toad legs. The savory meat distracted him briefly, but not entirely.
In the bustling crowd, a flash of pink hair stood out with a pair of curious eyes, having just watched the entire exchange.
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