Keep Your Enemies Closer

A Chance of Risk and Pretence

"No object is so beautiful that, under certain conditions, it will not look ugly." - Oscar Wilde

Chance had left Reyna on the outskirts of the city after taking her through his so called secret passage that had been embedded in the city's walls. It had led them underground before taking them out in the basement of a tailor's shop, the journey through only being half an hour at most. Chance had winked at her mockingly before sauntering off down the street, leaving her stranded somewhere in the city. Reyna still didn't know what to make of him - his words had been strange, his knowing of her even more so. She had badgered him for more information but he had refused to disclose everything, only quickening his steps in response. 

She shivered in the cool night air, aware this was the most dangerous - and likely place - for her to be revealed. But now with it being dark, her first priority was finding somewhere to stay for the night. She was hit with deja vu as she made her way through the bustle of people, remembering how she had walked these very steps as a potential princess to be with an actual princess. And now she was a runaway, a traitor to Brunagh. She kept her head down but her eyes peeled as she searched for anywhere to stay passing tavern after tavern after tavern but each one had no room. They had all shut doors in her face when inquiring for a place to stay so here she was still an hour later and had achieved nothing. She sighed, wrapping her crimson cloak tighter. Reyna should have followed Chance - surely he had had a place to go and stay. But it was too late now and she doubted she would see him ever again.

With no choice, she continued onwards through the city, scanning the signs for any hope of shelter but continued to find none. She bit her lip, sighing. There was nowhere she could go, really. Going to Nova's would only endanger her sister and she couldn't do that. Reyna leaned against a stone wall of an alley and rubbed her hands together to create some warmth in her red tipped fingers. When she let out a breath, a cloud of steam joined it. It wasn't as bad as being in a skimpy dress at least, she thought bitterly, on her way to the Hydra. Reyna craned her head up to the building she was leaning against and straightened. There was a set of stairs leading upwards so hadn't noticed earlier. Curious, she peeked her head to the front of the building and choked on a laugh when she saw the sign - Madame Methany's. A brothel - what would be the chances they had a room for her? 

Brushing the remaining pieces of grass off her skirts and a quick glance around, she entered the Brothel, already cringing at what she might see. There was a foyer to Reyna's relief, decorated in full pink. There were multiple plants spread across the room and a pair of sofas, pink lights glowing against the walls, casting a pink light across the room. Reyna could hear the sounds of dancing and laughing from the room adjacent to the one she was in and she scratched her arm uncomfortably. "Hello?" She called out but there was no response. She let out a deep sigh, wanting to avoid going any further. At least it was warm. She wrapped her arms tighter and called out again, "Is anyone there?" Reyna almost gave up after a moment but then she heard the scuffle of feet, the sound of a door opening. She whirled towards it and an extravagant woman flounced in. 

Extravagant was a nice way of putting it. Her hair was flattened with gel to the top of her head, making her hair appear slimy in the low light. It was tied back into a bun and was a jet black. She was curvy and dressed in pink furs and a coat - in fact, all of her was very much pink. Her cheeks were smudged with blush and her eyelids were the colour of cherry blossoms, lips painted rose. She must have been late forties or early fifties as she toddled in, laying her golden green eyes upon Reyna. "Oh! She put a hand to her heart and slumped onto the sofa. Reyna was too dumbfounded to speak, only gaped at the woman's attire before remembering herself and schooling a pleasant expression. "Why are you not going in, dear? Do you have a private appointment?" The woman - who Reyna assumed was Madame Methany - said.