I turned to find a woman watching me with interest in her dark eyes.
Taller
than I, with dark brown,
almost black
hair styled and cut just past her ears.
She wore a blue outfit best described as ’native’, thanks to this body’s
limited memories
, with a pattern resembling the shape of water droplets etched on the dyed soft leather. As well as frills and
plentiful turquoise beads
.
It wasn’t my style, but I was quite intrigued by finding such a
different type of clothing
than I’ve seen people wearing throughout the city. A subtle
longing
built that something cut and shaped more like what I’m used to from my world... may yet exist in this one.
"Yes, first visit. Is it that obvious?"
"Only to those of us who work here. No one else is paying attention with their noses in their own business."
She replied with a smile to my own forcibly pleasant expression - and I feel like I’ve finally gained a
worthy opponent
. Neither of us revealed anything about what we were
really thinking
of each other.
"I’m Ellie Rushwater, one of the... managers of this operation. Looking for something specific?"
"ATM. I seem to be going in circles."
"They’re toward the back in our establishment, not the most intuitive location, I understand. I can show you if you’d like."
While I preferred avoiding more interaction with a member of
a pack I know nothing about
, choosing to
wander the floor
alone again with only that small bit of direction would seem strange.
"That would be helpful, thank you."
"Right this way."
When she turned, I noticed that the front and sides of her hair may be
short
... but the rear has kept a length that moves toward the middle of her back. Bound together at the base of her nape into a
single low ponytail
.
> Reminds me of a panther shifter I met in the palace once. Why pick only one tail when there could be two? I don’t understand other women sometimes. What sort of world does she mean? Is she just feeling me out with targeted phrases? <
"I’ve left that connection completely behind, so if you want to call me a rogue that is fine. But please do not associate me at all with that pack. They are no family of mine anymore."
The woman raised an eyebrow before studying me with a
heightened interest
.
"Strong feelings. I respect that. It’s just not often I see someone enter this particular lifestyle... without connections. Who got you started?"
I continued to press the buttons to begin retrieving a second set of $500. Ellie seems to be the
opposite type
to me... speaking things so veiled that I can
hardly understand what she is trying to say
at all.
Meanwhile,
even if I’m lying
I am usually quite direct. Which is why I really want to just come out and ask what ’lifestyle’ was she even referring to - if only my pride would stop me from
pursuing this as a social game
.
"Who says I needed anyone’s permission to start?"
"Hmm... those who frequent the back rooms of our smaller establishment often have rather specific tastes and expectations. Your look right now certainly fits the bill, but I have to wonder how far you’ve let yourself go. Are you a... maniac?"
Her
emphasis
on the last word made something quite uncomfortable settle in my stomach. I didn’t want to think it was possible, but has she been
implying what I think she is
?