A familiar foe

"Now, I do believe I have told you all I could recall. About that coin-"

"Just a minute." He stopped her in mid sentence. Her information was indeed quite valuable, pointing out the odd details that stuck out to her from wandering customers left and right. The idea that there may be Monster Girls in this village seemed rather obscure to her, but not unknown nor impossible to believe. After all, in a public place such as this, one is bound to observe all kinds of things going on around here. It was the one source of entertainment that kept her content in her daily rituals of selling and profiteering.

Leaning against the counter, one could see the look of frustration across her face upon his interruption. Out with it, she screamed in her head. Keeping your tongue to yourself was vital to the art of selling, and quite an underrated specialty in outside world as well. Her current fear now was the second thought of him taking his coin elsewhere and leaving her empty-handed. It was a mistake to give him such knowledge without impeding on his pursuit for an exchange of profit. Besides, her words seemed to have bored him as many tines she caught him yawning and rubbing his tired eyes before asking if she knew more.

"I am thankful for your cooperation but may need to ask for one final favor." He took note of the sigh that came from her lips, but did his best to ignore it. Still, rude. "Are there any places here that may offer a room for a stranger like myself for a few nights?"

She raised her eyebrow, leaning back as he continued in his request. "Seeing how this marketplace seems quite populated, I would imagine there must be a sort of hotel or local spot where travelers may rest their eyes, yes?" It shouldn't be too rash to ask.

"It is indeed a nice thought, however you may find that local markets such as this one here do not offer such advantages when compared to higher level markets you would find within kingdoms and castles. There are no such locations here, however you may find several villages nearby that do offer spare bedrooms for a fee. One that I would advise would be up north beyond those mountains over there." She pointed to his left, the shadow of the terrain being barely interpreted through the thick gray coat of clouds and mist.

His turn to sigh and groan. He could make the travel, yes, but his energy level felt quite drained from he long trip reaching here as is. "Are there no other alternatives close by?"

"You are a strange fellow, it is early in the day. Did you travel all night to reach here?"

He stroked his hair before nodding, feeling the cool musky air on his face. "That is correct. You do know us hunters work under the night? It is when Monsters are more likely to be public after all." Something about the waves or energy draw being enhanced for such creatures when the sun is absent, he was too tired to recall. Well, one last attempt wouldn't hurt.

"Please? I would add quite a healthy tip to your well earned lot if you were to do me this favor?" He reached into his bag and pulled back a second coin pouch, jingling with the ripe metal sound within.

After a moment of thought under closed eyes, she shrugged and reached for his pouch. "I suppose you'll do, wait for me behind that door." Motioning for the one past her presence, he tied his horse to the stand before leaping over the counter and pushing through. Looking to her left and right, she reached for the metal curtain above and pulled it down with all her weight, closing up shop momentarily.

"Was that necessary?" He questioned, stepping aside for her to take the lead. Behind the store wall was a much different environment, wooden flooring seemed to be the only thing that matched the outside appearance. The walls were strongly built with brick keeping the wood steady and firm to handle strong weather and maintain room temperature. Ceiling seemed to be a concrete coating, with each step leaving a loud creak as the wood beneath them crackled and bent under their weight. He was not a heavy man, which gave the impression that this floor, among the many things in here such as wet corners and loose bricks, were in dire need of repairs.

This was an old house, suffice to say, and most likely man made as well.

"It started as a tent, and slowly we upgraded into this. It was a true beauty once, but age had its way with it like me. Mind the steps." He did, stepping where she did as they descended down several feet. Seemed as this house was built into the earth, that is quite an impressive adjustment. They stopped once they reached the bedroom, leaving the young hunter to look to his left and right in confusion.

"There are no other beds?"

"How crude, and to think I figured the bedroom is the one place I do my best to keep clean!"

"No, I mean there are no other beds in this house? Where would you sleep?"

"Where do you think?" She asked back with a coquettish grin.

"I did not pay you to sleep with me, it is not necessary-"

"None of that now. You look good enough, judging by that ashy hair on you. I've fourty years on me, I don't think it will be often I find another cutie like yourself under my house. You hardly have room for affection these days for those fortunate to reach my age."

As she spoke, she began to disrobe and slip the dress off her chest. Once the white fabric pulled away and revealed her moderate sized globes casted snugly beneath a black lace bra, she wiggled her hips and slid her underwear to the floor, stepping out of them.

"I don't normally do this so consider it good fortune for you. These days you find yourself too busy managing to survive day by day that self pleasure takes a backseat in your to-do list. I was considering going out to find a brothel, but you will do." She brushed the curly hair away from her eye and stood there before him, her hands tucked behind her before a moment later her bra fell limp and piled away onto the floor like the rest of her clothes. Here she was, nude and proud, standing high and mighty presented to him as if for a display. "Well, it is rude to keep a woman waiting. Out with your clothes!"

The young hunter blinked and shrugged, reaching under and removing his belt and satchels. Placing his blade and chest plate aside, he felt a hand press against his chest stroking the thin blue velvety fabric of his undershirt. She pressed herself against him, holding him, feeling his heartbeat and enjoying his comforting warmth. His arms held her gently in place, behaving as quite the gentleman and making no attempt to slide further down to the curves of her ass. It was quite the chivalrous act.

"Do you have a name, miss?"

"Of course I do, it won't be necessary here. My body is yours for tonight, the need to impress lies atop the bed now."

"Correct, but I find it more comforting if I know a woman enough to make love to her. Adds to the passion of love making, I would at least prefer a name if I may ask."

She smiled and leaned her head upon his chest, feeling a spark within her flesh. "Shira, and yours?"

Taking hold of her hands, she looked up to meet his soft lukewarm eyes which melted her within. Perhaps it was due to a lack of sex in quite some time, but the intimacy was steadily building up in her eyes. She felt it in her heart then, this man will make a good lover.

And in his comforting voice, he whispered,

"I am Leone Nishi Nohera of the twenty-fifth night, it is a pleasure to see you Shira, and soon... to love you."