Salting Wounds

Looking around the streets they were just as they said they were. Dark, broken, such as the world seemed but outside of this haven, if it could be called such a thing, he knew the control and order with which things operated. It was a dangerous time to be anywhere, but so much more here. After tomorrow this town would rapidly begin turning into a ghost town and no one knew it but him.

Before he left his home Stephen was given clothes of the time that fit him. To him they looked like rags, poor. But it went with the territory. Solving the world’s problems always seemed to create new ones; it was a never ending cycle. It was worth it he told himself as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. There was a place he had to go and he knew it only by memory and the old maps they’d given him. There were people he had to meet and they were going to be even harder to find. The pictures they’d shown him were old and few and without names. They were one of the few things the government couldn’t erase. Contraband was like that.

Walking with purpose he looked at the other people on the street as he passed. It looked depressed and yet he knew about the club. It was like a secret no one told the government but little did they know the crackdown would begin tomorrow and he had to find those people there. Those who’d be influential. Those who had the power. He had enough CREDs for convincing and if that didn’t work, a knife. From where he’d come they couldn’t guarantee a gun or something like it wouldn’t be detected. But he preferred knives. They were easy to conceal and they were quiet if used right. If he needed something bad enough he’d find it, or take it. It was all the same to him.

From the map cast in his head, Stephen traced his steps until he approached the door. Stephen whispered something in the man’s ear and let him pass with as much paranoia as when he allowed Margot inside. That’s when he really started hearing it, feeling the reverberations against the ground as he went deeper down the corridor until he reached the club. They told him it was a hedonist’s paradise and he had no doubt about that.

The lights were the first thing to attract his eyes, and then all the people. Grinding, rubbing against one another as they drank whatever kind of drinks they were serving behind the bar or whatever pill they hid in their mouths. Stephen had been told about the different types of drink and pill but it wasn’t something he bothered to remember. It wasn’t important, he reminded himself. He was only here for one thing and that didn’t involve getting involved. In order to change history, he couldn’t be known as an active participant of it. He was to only talk to the people he was sent there to meet. He didn’t want to detract from those thoughts, letting temptation take over.

Stephen wouldn’t tempt himself with a drink and so he had to brave the people who were dancing. Moving from one end to the other he felt bodies against his in the cramped area. Any other time in history they could’ve called it sleazy but here they called it freedom. He couldn’t help but smirk a little as he let the thought linger. Then drawn out of his haze when a woman, without reason, turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down far enough to lay a long, tongue tangling kiss on his lips. Maybe it was the pulsating lights, the music, the atmosphere or the girl’s tongue in his mouth but he felt his hand graze against her breast. She made a sound, or did she say something? Either way she didn’t seem concerned or upset as she broke their bind, licking her lips and turning away to continue dancing as though nothing had happened.

But he couldn’t think about that. There was a job to do and he had to get it done no matter the... obstacles in his way. After what felt like an hour he made it to the other side, plastering his back to the wall, watching the dancers. He looked among the other wallflowers hoping to see someone he recognized from the pictures. Stephen couldn’t ask for names. He had to rely on his instincts.

bumping

Ameera was in the center of the dance floor as always. Her body hummed with the music as if her spirit was on fire. She was one with the beat as she moved. Her hair swirling around her as she spun quickly before grabbing hold of the cage and climbing in. Looking up to where the man in charge was she waved as she closed the cage door and latched it.

The cage slowly began to raise and the screams grew louder as five girls and five men were raised up above everyone in cages. Continuing to dance she grabbed hold of the bars and allowed herself to move freely. Her hips gyrating to the beat as her hands slid along her chest and down her sides. Her clothes barely covering her body and really only covered what she felt was necessary to be. She had to leave something to the immagination in all.

A group of men stood below her cage and watched as she danced, this was her nightly ritual and she loved it. Of course she knew nothing else but she could truly see it any other way. Finally after a few songs the cages lowered back down. Stepping out she made her way slowly over to the bar and ordered herself a drink.

The crowd was lively tonight but they always were. She could see people disappearing for private areas for pleasure and she could see the couples who did not mind anyone seeing what they were doing. Standing there she took a few swigs from her glass before setting it back down and making her way through the crowd and to the far side of the room. She enjoyed watching and enjoyed being watched, of course no one had ever gotten to get close enough to her to enjoy her in such a way. Maybe it was because of her older brother of the fact that she was probably one of the last virgins in her city. Either way she enjoyed being the tease but she wanted more then that.

It was easy to find himself lost in the place, even easier to lose his composure considering all the looks and stares that everyone was giving one another. It was like a secret code which every movement asked, ‘Wanna fuck?’ Not that he came from a world that was much different but it didn’t make itself as obvious. It was harder to find the fun. But that wasn’t what he was here to accomplish no matter how much he craved deviating from that plan.

Aside from the lights and flesh the rising cages caught his eye. And there she was for everyone to see. Covering up just enough while she gave the audience below a three song show. Stephen hadn’t expected the girl to be so exposed in front of the people but he wasn’t ready to peel his eyes away from the show she was giving. There’s something about a girl in a cage…

In the darkness his eyes followed her as she took down the drink she ordered. It wasn’t what he expected but he wasn’t going to complain about the changing circumstances. Not when the girl looked like she did.

Watching her travel into anonymity went to the bar for another drink. As the bartender turned to grab a mixture, Stephen reached to the inside of his loose jacket, removing a pill. As the shot was set in front of him and after he laid down the currency, he popped the pill following it with the alcoholic chaser. A little fun never hurt anyone. Neither did conversation. But he hated that getting to know you shit.

Pushing himself away from the counter he turned around, trying to remember in the sea of people the way back to the wall where she had lodged herself. Although he didn’t take a direct route. There was no reason to scare her, or anyone else in the area off, making them think he was turncoat. And he was sure to take his time but covered enough ground, hoping she hadn’t wandered too far away.

When Stephen approached her there was little ceremony. He understood the environment and how most people acted but reading personal accounts and role playing was nothing like the real thing. Removing another anxiety-ridding pill he laid out his hand, the pill sitting on his index finger as he introduced himself, “I saw you up there. The name’s Stephen.”

Ameera looked up to him her eyes scanning his face and then the room around them. Her brother would find her and she knew that she knew she had to play this safe or her brother would be his normal brute self and push anyone away he himself did not approve of. Returning her eyes to the man she nodded. "Hello Stephen, I'm Ameera. How is your evening going?" She asked him sweetly. Her voice like silk as spoke to the man.

Her body leaned up against the wall as her hands rested at her sides on the wall. Her hips still moved to the beat of the music. She could not help herself, the music did something to her, something she could not control nor did she want to. Scanning the room she saw in the balcony, and of course they were watching her what else did she expect. Smiling up to them she looked back at her company with expectant eyes. He had a few minutes before her brother would make his way to them. So she meerly waited and allowed her body to continue to move to the music as she watched the man before her now.

Stephen took the pill, pocketing it into his mouth as he heard her introduce herself for the first time. So this was the girl he was looking for, the girl that so much effort and so many people had come together to find. It was now his time to finally go to work. After all the studying, the researching of this world, the important people who inhabited it was time to put his effort to save what he could from this slum.

“There are a few things that could make it better, Ameera,” Stephen responded with a slight smirk, finally swallowing the pill he gave himself. “I’m sure the same goes for yours? A woman whose dancing all by herself can’t be your idea of a night fulfilled.”

Ameera watched him closely. She saw his wolfish grin and she could not help the smirk that took place on her lips. It was contagious almost. Standing there she glanced around the room. Chewing her lower lip for a moment she thought about her words carefully before speeking. "If you wish to talk to me then we can. However if you really only care as to why I am alone then we can wait for a few more moments and you will know."

She said to him as she leaned in closer to him so he could hear her. She had never seen anyone who was as gorgeous as he was. She hoped that he would want to talk to her, she hoped he would not just disappear off into the crowd. Looking at him carefully she admired his features as she stood there.

“I have no need for any other company right now,” he spoke honestly. There was an instant side to him that wanted her for more than just the business he came there for and he had no intentions of finding out what was keeping her alone since that same entity was very likely to try and keep them apart. “Let’s head on out of here. It’ll be good to get some fresh air alone together.”

Stephen offered his hand as a means to escape, meaning to lead her out of this place so he could find out all he needed to know about her. The town’s world was going to end by morning and there was plenty to do. Although he couldn’t rid himself of his desire to spend the night with the striking Ameera.

Ameera typically listened to her familys rules she may not always understand them, but she did respect them. Something was different about him though, something inside of her wanted to go and talk to him. She wanted to be alone with him and to do much more than just talking. Her eyes scanned his body before she returned her gaze up to his.

Taking his hand she nodded her head to him. A soft grin gracing her lips as she waited for him to leave the way. Something made her want him to lead, to show her the way. She was tired of always showing the way, of always giving out orders. Especially when they were orders dictated by her brothers or father. Taking a deep breath though she relaxed noticably.

"Alright...show the way Stephen."

Her tone sultry and flirtatious as she stood there looking up to his. Her eyes searching his for answers to all of the questions that floated through her mind.

Getting her to follow him seemed almost too easy but considering what would happen to the city over the next twenty four hours he was appreciative of the gods that he wouldn’t have to fight someone so soon in the night. Yet his mind quickly swept away from the city, especially when that person was so young, so beautiful and so willing to follow a stranger wherever he led her.

When she spoke, Stephen reached out, grabbing her wrist with enough pressure that she wouldn’t be stolen away from him when shuttling her through the crowd. But before he led her astray he allowed temptation to have its way as he leaned toward her and with one hand held her face gently as his lips came against hers. The passion in the kiss was strong but fleeting as he broke the embrace, knowing there would be so much more that could be done once he had rid them of this place.

Without another word after she submitted herself to him in that moment he led her away, back the way he had come. It seemed he passed the same people in the same places doing the same things. Such a small amount of time had elapsed but he was able to come away with one of his marks. It didn’t take much longer before he led her back out onto the street and around a corner where a few neon signs buzzed, hapless city dwellers walked in a daze, and where the beat of the music from the club could still be felt if you were looking for it.

Stephen didn’t stop to turn to her until he turned them toward an alley. His grip on her wrist relaxed and his pace slowed to give them a chance to acclimate to their new environment. It was like a different world. One moment the city was buzzing and in the next it was practically dead except for the two souls on their own in the alley. Maybe it wasn’t what she was looking for but they were alone. And that was all he was trying to accomplish.

Ameera looked up and down the alley realizing they had not been followed she returned her attention to him. The hum of the city was far behind them and now there was silence. Looking up into his eyes she canted her head. ”Alright well you got me alone and away from my brothers... now what?” She asked him with a soft grin on her lips as she did. Her body finally beginning to slow down and relax as she was away from the club.

It would not be long before people realized she was missing. Being who she was that was the price she got to pay. People seemed to always find her, always know where she was even when she didn't think that they did. Of course she would not have been very well protected if it were that easy. But this man Stephen. She smirked as she looked up into his eyes. ”Seeing as you only wanted my company I suppose you have something in mind?” She quipped as she leaned her back against the wall behind her. Her eyes never looking away from him as she licked her lips.

((OOC note sorry my computer had died just now got a new one and I am back ))

There were other people he had to find. No matter how many times he told himself this fact over and over in his head he couldn’t shake it. The alluring girl in front of him made him want to forget about the others. Even as he had her alone in this alleyway he considered the options he had. Once they had both settled down he turned toward her as she asked her question. There were so many things on his mind but he wasn’t about to tell her everything.

Then her second question was fired off followed by her body leaning against the wall. Stephen didn’t say anything at first. He merely looked at her as she stayed there, surprisingly not running from where he had brought her in spite of their fresh meeting.

But he did need to be alone with her and he had seen the way she was looking at him, the way she was acting. Rather than tell her he was some futuristic being meant to aid in the political plight in her situation which he was sure no one there would believe, he changed things for a more believable angle.

Stephen stepped forward, placing his hands on her hips. Closing the distance between them quickly he pressed his body against hers, his lips against hers. He kissed her deeply, his body pressing hers tightly against the wall. As his tongue toyed with hers he withdrew enough to give her the air she needed as he softly whispered into her ear, “Yes. Somewhere more convenient than an alley. Or at least somewhere more private.” Then he allowed her a little more room to scurry away, intent to follow.

Ameera’s breath rushed from her at his closeness. Then his lips were upon hers taking her in a searing kiss. Once her mind caught up with her body it was over all too soon. Looking at him she licked her lips taking in his taste a soft smile played upon her lips as she stood there. Hearing his words she looked at him arching a brow. “MM and what do you intend to do with me, in the more convenient or more private place?” She asked him as she leaned against the wall her gaze never faltering from his own.

Ameera was still a virgin for several reasons, her brothers being one of them and her mind being the other. She was not as weak as most of the women here, she was not as pliant as they were. Of course there were reasons behind that but so far no one had even tried to gets past that, no one had pushed her, had challenged her and when she grew bored she tended to not stay for long. She would give him a chance as he drew her curiosity though she wouldn’t promise him a thing.

Though she desired to feel his lips on her own again, to be taken in another searing kiss once more, a soft grind played on her lips as the thoughts passed her mind. Stepping from the wall she took a step closer to him as she licked her lips. Her finger trailed down the front of his shirt as she looked into his eyes. “I suppose I can take us somewhere private as you say.” With that she stepped by him as she took his hand in her own and began to lead the way to one of her favorite places. Few knew it even existed and it was the one place she knew she would not be disturbed by anything or anyone.