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The next morning, Brine was in debt. She couldn't remember the exact circumstances that had led to this point. Too many snake eyes or something. Whatever the case, she was now out doing runs for "Bongo" - a dealer of mana supplements. Bongo ran a sketchy business, popular for its discounts for young, attractive mages down on their luck. He wasn't ALL the way rotten, though; he let Brine sleep in a crate cushioned with discarded fur. Her route consisted of five slippery back-alleys, and an abandoned pet shop with a lone cat statue waving pointlessly from the counter. Easy enough to memorize. Nice enough clients. She continued to reason with herself on her way back. It's not like the guy himself was particularly threatening. He was a wiry man in a long coat. Looked like an old mop. His last words as she headed out the door were, "The name's Bongo, but don't you PLAY me!" - so at worst, she was stuck with some obnoxious creep for like, a month or two. Hell, maybe this too could somehow blossom into a beautiful partnership once her debt had been paid off. Brine smiled to herself. It really wasn't so bad. Her satchel emptied from a successful run, she creaked open the door and hopped down the small, wooden staircase to the lab - only to find Bongo on the floor. Dead. Three men in gaudy, pinstriped suits stood around him, one of them pulling a short sword out of the dealer's back. This seemed coordinated. "What the HELL!" Brine yelled out from the bottom step - more so out of exasperation than anything at this point. Their heads all snapped toward the girl, unnerving even her. But instead of aiming their little murder weapon at her next, they proceeded to raid the lab. What was their problem? Unsure how to even react anymore, Brine simply froze still and watched for a moment. "So, what - did he cross you guys or something?" She couldn't help but inquire. "You're like, a gang, right? 'Just business' type'a deal?" No response. They merely carried on with their work, chatting amongst themselves. Something about tomorrow's "Panacea Showdown". She was getting uncomfortable. "... 'Kay. Lemme at least get my stuff from the back..." Brine mumbled before passing the thugs in a stiff gait to collect her belongings from her makeshift bed - a half-empty wine bottle and her favorite belt buckle. By the time she stepped out of the storeroom, the lab had already been cleared out - allowing a perfect beeline for the exit. It was about time to dip, anyway. Whatever deal had gone sour between these people had nothing to do with her. Declaring herself off the hook, Brine made for the stairs, only to be stopped in her tracks as the flamboyant trio now towered over her - and in a far less pleasant manner than the city outside. Everything suddenly felt very real. They kept on casually exchanging words, all the while staring her down. Cold sweat trickled down her back. "What about this one?" One of them asked. "What do you think?" The other shrugged. "Boss said 'ALL' of his assets." Brine's eye twitched as she forcibly choked down a retort - a rare instance of reading the room. Not that it mattered, as in the time she theoretically COULD have gotten a word in, her feet had left the floor. "Aw, COME ON!! I-I didn't even KNOW the guy! PUT ME DOWN!!" She struggled to no avail as her vision went dark. The setbacks just kept piling up. ... It seemed this was just her life now. "I'VE BEEN HERE LESS THAN A DAY, SEEEEE~?!?" Blinded by her own misplaced money bag, she found herself swept away from the premises as soon as she'd settled in. Indeed; in less than 24 hours, Brine had unknowingly fumbled her way into the jaws of the Chang'an underworld. This is how she came to work for the infamous King Tusk. <b> - CHAPTER 1 END - | |