Where to go from here? (Open)

[fromtheshadows]

Aiden sighed as he walked out of his old home, his small bag packed and on his back. He sighed, his keeper had finally found his mate, and though he was happy for him, he just had to wonder where was he going to go now, he could go back to the docks, captains were always lonly, but then they would have to leave a lot. Maybe the marketplace? He knew they sold mistresses there and he could probley find a good keeper. He sighed as he started to walk, seeing mates as he went, they were all so lovey-dovey, and he wished for that as well. He knew he would never get a mate, he didn't deserve one, and he didn't want anyone having to get shackled with him. He just wanted to find a keeper wanting to have a home, he hated to live on the streets. He sighed as he got to the market and looked around, wondering if anyone would notice him. With his dark hair and blue eyes contrasting he was a rare sight, and most people liked his eyes, maybe someone would notice them and have to hide them. He walked into the middle of the place and noticed food, he sighed as his stomach growled, he was a bit hungry.

[fromtheshadows]

Aiden sighed as he walked up to a man selling mistresses. He noticed the male rake his eyes over him lustfully and smiled. Aiden smiled back weakly, suducducfully, using his skills to get a job, again, "Hello. I'm Aiden," he breathed and eyed the other. "My keeper found his mate, and I was wondering if I could get a job," he admitted softly and moved closer, purring slightly. "I'm sure I'd fetch a wonderful price, and you can have tweny percent if you sell me..."

[Sephirah]

Marcus slid a pocket watch free of his coat as he walked along, checking the time it portrayed to make sure it was in sync with a larger clock he could see in the distance. A little tweaking and he nodded, satisfied that it would be accurate from now on. Onward to glory then. Off to find supplies to keep him fed for a week or so. He had already found his hotel and unpacked, but now he needed some fresh food. Problem was, he had no idea where he was going.

He finally stopped and grumbled to himself, resting an arm on the hilt of the rapier at his side. Noticing that others walking by were eying it, he was beside himself on what he should say to them. 'Don't worry, it's only an ornament?' But some of these people carried guns! He probably looked horribly out dated.

Marcus shook his head and told himself to keep walking. Somehow, eventually, by means of asking around he came upon a market. Food was present, that was a good sign. In his mind he was going 'Victory!' though his expression remained calm and collected. It wasn't until he stopped by an odd looking "grocer" that his tail gave an involuntary twitch. This person was selling...people? He had just happened to walk up the moment Aiden was offering himself.

Marcus slid a foot back without thinking. It reminded him of the slave trades on his own planet, and he had hoped to rid himself of such things by coming here.

[fromtheshadows]

Aiden smiled to the man as he took up Aiden's offer. He turned eying the crowd and noticed Marcus. He smiled weakly and moved closer to him, "Hey there, are you new?" he asked softly. He saw his tail and smiled, he really liked them and reached a hand to touch it but pulled back quickly. "Sorry, I like your tail, its unique wish I had one in this form," he admitted and smiled a bit. "I'm Aiden whats your name?" he asked curious.

[Sephirah]

Amber eyes locked on Aiden as he approached, unsure of the other's intent. Normally he would have turned and left, but the young man's voice stopped him. It wasn't stuck-up or harsh like what he was used to, but rather soft and a little sweet. That was a relaxing change.

"Yes, I'm new around here..." Marcus' voice trailed off at first. Someone was actually complimenting his tail, that was unexpected as well. "Aiden? My name is Marcus Ferrell, nice to meet you." His greeting was stiff as he offered his hand to Aiden to shake.

[fromtheshadows]

Aiden smiled to him, "Nice to meet you too," he told him. His eyes quickly locked on the hand. "Around here, only mates touch hands," he told him softly. "So I can't, sorry," he murmured and smiled. "You in need of a companion?" he asked. He liked this guys look, he didn't think he could be his mate or anything, he believed he didn't deserve it, he just needed a place to stay.

[Sephirah]

Marcus faltered. That's right, how careless of him. He had read that before coming to this planet and forgot all about it due to good old muscle memory. There were a lot of customs here that he needed to adjust to, but they weren't all that bad in his eyes compared to what he had come from. Here people were together mainly for love and it had quite the hippie feel. He also had to adjust to the lack of women, or at least, the dramatic decrease in their numbers. Even at home, though, they had promoted the usage of males together frequently. It was easier that way to prevent an unwanted child with a poor pedigree.

"A companion? I don't think I follow." He tilted his head questioningly. Not in the cute way, it was like he was studying Aiden. "I could desperately use a guide, but I haven't seen a business yet that offers those services."

[fromtheshadows]

Aiden watched him and bit his lip, "I'm a mistress," he told him softly, shyly. He looked around trying to figure out what he had gotten himself into, for some reason he wanted to stay in the others company but he had no idea why, maybe he was going insane. He smiled and sighed, "Well I can be your guide if thats what you want," he murmured and smiled to him shyly, "I kinda need a place to stay," he admitted then looked to the ground. "Or at lease some cash so I can get a place..."

[Sephirah]

"A mistress? You sound like a bum," Marcus scoffed. Of course a moment after he had said that, he cleared his throat. Here this boy was being kind to him and he goes into high and mighty mode. Good job.

His tail flicked to one side while he pondered the situation with mild annoyance.

"Let me get this straight first," he held gloved hands out to emphasize. "You're here selling yourself because you need the money and or the place to stay? In other words, as a 'mistress' you always stayed with the one who owned you?" This was all sounding too eerily similar to where he had come from and it made him pity the boy all the more.

[fromtheshadows]

Aiden felt a pain in his heart at Marcus's scoffing and looked away. He listen to him speak and nodded softly. "I was raised into this life," he admitted softly. "And this is the only 'job' so to speak that I know of. Yes, I stay with whoever owns me, he is my keeper. He give me a place to stay and food to eat till he finds his mate, then I have to leave. Sometimes they find me another home, but most just let me go, like my last keeper. I'm not good at anything else," he told him softly. "And a lot of people know me as a mistress and don't want to hire me for anything else, so this is all I have. I'm sorry if I annoyed you," he murmured then turned to leave him, though he wanted nothing but to be with this male.

[Sephirah]

Marcus lightly placed his fingers to his forehead while closing his eyes. These cursed emotions would someday suck all his finances up, he was sure of it. But, as much as he tried, he just couldn't be as heartless as the others of high rank from his planet. Perhaps due to the fact that his own 'owner,' or grandfather as he had referred to him as, was a kind soul as well.

"All right, don't give me that look," Marcus lightly tugged Aiden back by the collar. "How about we strike a deal?" He couldn't believe he was going to do this. "I will offer you room and board if you act as my guide and help me find what I need. I could use a house keeper, too." The last bit he pondered out loud. He didn't know how to work a washing machine to save his life.

[fromtheshadows]

Aiden looked to him and smiled a bit. "Oh that'd be wonderful," he murmured happy. "I could be your guide, and housekeep if you like as well." He was a really good cook and he loved to clean, he bit his lip watching the boy. "I know how to cook," he admitted. "And clean, if thats what you need me to do. Whatever you need me to do I'll do," he promised, sucking up to him as was his nature. "I promise I'll be good, and I'll listen to everything you say."

[Sephirah]

Marcus eyed Aiden suspiciously. Was he trained to talk like that, or was it sincere? Probably a mixture of both. Either way he looked at it, though, Aiden was harmless. Too small to take him on, and not enough nerve to stab Marcus in his sleep. Now if he could find a few more people to employ he could move into a house sooner than expected.

"It's settled then," Marcus nodded, pausing his hand. It was customary to shake hands at this part, but that little cultural difference was in the way. "Er..." He patted Aiden on the head, hoping that wasn't taboo. "You can start by helping me find some good produce."

A small smile graced his lips, softening his usually stern expression.

[fromtheshadows]

Aiden smiled to him as he was parred then he nodded. "Alright follow me," he told him and led him to a different part of the market. "This is Damien," he murmured and showed him, "his food is the best," he admitted. He blushed shyly as his stomach growled, he was really hungry, but said nothing. "And he sells different things, mostly whats popular and fresh."

[Sephirah]

"Damien?" Marcus repeated to confirm it. "You'll have to speak up more, my hearing is impaired." Thought he wouldn't explain why it was impaired.

He leaned over as he inspected the vegetables and the breads not too far off, a few strands of his light blonde hair shifting with the movement. While he wasn't the best cook he knew enough about food to choose what he needed. It was something he had picked up early in life and thankfully never forgot despite the fact that others always had prepared his meals for him. Soon he was handing Aiden a bag to hold while he placed items to purchase into it.

"Feel free to pick something out to eat," Marcus said without looking away from the meats. He had heard that growl from Aiden's stomach. "You can't concentrate on an empty stomach."