Red Orchid

Just Another Moth

      There isn’t really much to say about the people in this lawless town. The sun sets everyday and bright lights from night businesses attract street trash like a moth to flame. They crawl out of every crevice like rats who have an unquenchable thirst for skin that can be bought cheap. All their eyes say the same story. One that writes me as an item that can be used and then tossed carelessly away. They want me to be trash just like them.
     The crowd is at its most ravenous about three hours after sunset. They see the lined up entertainers outside of their businesses waving them in with poisoned words dripped in honey. Promising a good time with people who ‘genuinely’ care about what they have to say.
     I stood outside like everyone else. My looks catches attention since I am rare around these parts. Dragonborn are like the pots of gold at the end of a rainbow. I’m told that I am the first one in this city in ten years. I’m also told that since the coloration of my scales are unlike anyone has ever seen before, I am worth top dollar. Not just any hoodlem can walk into the Red Orchid and pay for my time.
     There was a High elf who stopped in front of the business and looked at me. “Why don’t you come inside, sir. I can show you a nice time,” I purred at him. When I had to do my job it seemed like a new personality takes over. One that likes to do what I needed to do. I was aware the entire time, but it was as if there was an instinct that came over me, telling me this is how I survived.
     “Since it’s your first time I’ll give you a discount,” I continued as I winked at him.
    Another High elf male walked over to the guy I was flirting with, and took his arm. He was smaller by elf standards, but I’m sure he does well for himself.
     The smaller elf looked at me and smiled, “That’s Akihiro’s pet dragon. We don’t have the type of money to play with him.”
     I knew the second elf. He came around every so often and went to the cheaper entertainment houses. He got drunk and rowdy with the female employees, and frequently gets kicked out of the establishments that he goes too. He probably has no place he can afford to go to anymore since most of them have banned him.
     “Oh Virnex, nice seeing you again. I’m sure the Dancing Lotus down the street has some girls that suit your fancy,” I said with a grin on my face. I watched as Virnex’s cheeks turned red, and I turned to look at the Elf I didn’t know saying, “just ditch this guy and I’ll show you how the Red Orchid keeps such a high standard, unlike the places this guy visits.”
      I heard footsteps behind me, and before I could turned around I was whacked on the head with a hand. I knew it was Akihiro before he even spoke, “I’m sorry for his rudeness. Tonight is on us, and I’ll make sure this one is punished for his behaviour.”
     Both elves went inside. Virnex had an excited look on his face. I’m sure this is one of the best presents he has ever gotten.  His friend looked tentative and cute as he walked towards the entrance to Red Orchid, and I made a mental note to make sure to snag him up before anyone else did.
     I looked up to Akihiro’s face and tried to look apologetic. I never got along with Vernex, and Akihiro new that. “If you weren’t requested I would punish you here and now, but unfortunately that’ll have to wait until later,” he said with disapprovement in his voice.
     “Who is it?” I asked
     “Same guy who books you every week,” Akihiro replied. He sounded like he didn’t believe that I didn’t already know who it was. He shot me a look when I perked up and continued, “If he wasn’t such a loyal customer, I would dish out your punishment and keep him waiting. Now go, Ajax, and make sure he is happy with his experience.”
     “Yes, Master. I will not bring you shame again,” I said as I bowed.
     I started to walk into Red Orchid and before I turned left to go to the requested rooms, I heard Akihiro say, “I don’t understand why this man requests him every week just to talk.” I laughed at what Akihiro said. People do things for mysterious reasons. I’m not even sure why Igal requests me every week. It isn’t cheap, I know that for sure.
     I walked to the only room that was taken and knocked. Seemed like it was a really slow night for us. “Igal,” I said as I waited in front of the door, “Ajax is here as you requested. May I come in?”
    When I heard him say come in, I slid the door open and walked in. I made sure to close the door behind me as I looked at Igal for the first time in a week. “Good evening, it’s nice to see you again,” I said with a smile.
     I walked over the table where Igal was sitting and took the kettle off of the burner and poured both of us some tea. After being requested so much by Igal, I knew how to make his tea. Black with a touch of honey.
     “It’s nice to see you again too, Ajax,” Igal said with a smile of his own.
     He knows my real name, unlike the one he uses, and is one of the few who knows it. I don’t like being called by a name that reminds me of how weak-willed I am. I don’t like that I can’t do anything about my ‘internship’ with the Red Orchid.
    “How did your week go?” I asked Igal as I sat the tea down in front of him.
     “Not bad. I got a new job offer. This one is with a group of adventurers, and I would be exploring the world,” He said with excitement.
    “When are you leaving?”
“I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
     I just sat in silence for a little bit. We didn’t have a romantic relationship, but to me he was my source of sunshine in a bleak, unforgiving world. I have talked to adventurers before, and I know they’re gone for years. A lot of them even die.
     “Are you sure you want to go. It’s a dangerous job,” I asked in vain hope. I just didn’t want to be left behind in a place that’ll take away the rest of my soul.
     Igal looked at me, and I saw the struggle in his mauve eyes. He probably knew how much he meant to me, but he was going leave me anyway. That is his life calling, and I’m nothing but street trash like the rest of them.  He said, “I need this opportunity.”
     He stood up and looked at me and said, “Goodbye Caspian. I know you’ll achieve great things one day.” With that he walked to the door and I knew that I still needed to follow protocol and be the best host I can be. I opened the door and bowed as Igal walked out, not looking at him again. Him using my real name rang clearly in my head. He really was leaving me behind.
     This is the last time we will see each other. The last time I’ll see anything but dingy streets and smell the smell of the girls’ cheap perfume. This is the last time I will let anyone call me by that name. I have a job I need to do. I have to focus on that, as it is the only thing left that is stable in my life.
     I walked outside after I saw that Igal was gone, and stood where I was previously before. I saw the look of concern on my coworkers face when they saw me, and I wasn’t sure why. I looked at the people walking in the street and waved at them with a smile on my face.
     “Ajax, I need to see you in the office,” I heard Akihiro say behind me.
     I looked up at the smog filled darkness and kept my smile as I let one tear escape. We are all moths, aren't we.