Illicit Affairs
Posted: January 16th, 2023, 6:48:48 pm
Note. I have no idea what this is. I couldn't think of anything else to write for Kestrad's writing contest. 
Please enjoy it. Or don't. I haven't written creatively in years. 
-~-
It seemed a night like any other, with the waning moon shining bright amongst the stars in a cloudless sky, with many of the townsfolk long since abed, and the boisterous laughter and cheers of Remy's Inn quieting down along with the dimming of the candle lights as the hours grew late.
The streets grew dark and empty, with only the occasional skittering of a mouse along the sewage drain, echoing through the air.
Yet, if one dared to look closely enough, two hooded figures still were wide awake, blending in almost seamlessly in the alleyway at the edge of the town. A large black cobra, scales glittering in the moonlight like precious gems, lay curled around the feet of one. It reared it's head up, crimson hood flaring, and a hand reached out from the figure's robe to caress it's head affectionately.
"At ease, dearest," He crooned to the serpent. It's tongue flicked out in response, tickling his fingers.
"Do you have what I asked for?" the other asked, a woman.
He pulled out a small vial and handed it to her. She held it up, examine the shimmering silvery green liquid that swirled within. "Adela's?"
"Of course," he responded. "Her venom is like no other's."
"Most excellent!" Eyes a lit with delight, she passed over a small leather pouch, the sound of clinking coins piercing the silence. He eagerly took it, tying it to his belt.
"If that is all then...?"
"Are you not the least bit curious what it's for?" she asked.
"No," he responded. "I am a merchant after all. Whatever people may need, I procure. Questions are...bad for business." He turned to move away, but paused, giving her a wry smile. "Besides, the less I know, the better for me. Plausible deniability and all that." The shadows seemed to shallow him up as he stepped backwards, disappearing. "Until next time, my dear." Then he and the cobra were gone.
"Until next time," she repeated softly, smirking as she eyed the vial one last time before carefully tucking it away. Then she too vanished into the night, with no trace remaining of there having ever been either of them present.
Please enjoy it. Or don't. I haven't written creatively in years. -~-
It seemed a night like any other, with the waning moon shining bright amongst the stars in a cloudless sky, with many of the townsfolk long since abed, and the boisterous laughter and cheers of Remy's Inn quieting down along with the dimming of the candle lights as the hours grew late.
The streets grew dark and empty, with only the occasional skittering of a mouse along the sewage drain, echoing through the air.
Yet, if one dared to look closely enough, two hooded figures still were wide awake, blending in almost seamlessly in the alleyway at the edge of the town. A large black cobra, scales glittering in the moonlight like precious gems, lay curled around the feet of one. It reared it's head up, crimson hood flaring, and a hand reached out from the figure's robe to caress it's head affectionately.
"At ease, dearest," He crooned to the serpent. It's tongue flicked out in response, tickling his fingers.
"Do you have what I asked for?" the other asked, a woman.
He pulled out a small vial and handed it to her. She held it up, examine the shimmering silvery green liquid that swirled within. "Adela's?"
"Of course," he responded. "Her venom is like no other's."
"Most excellent!" Eyes a lit with delight, she passed over a small leather pouch, the sound of clinking coins piercing the silence. He eagerly took it, tying it to his belt.
"If that is all then...?"
"Are you not the least bit curious what it's for?" she asked.
"No," he responded. "I am a merchant after all. Whatever people may need, I procure. Questions are...bad for business." He turned to move away, but paused, giving her a wry smile. "Besides, the less I know, the better for me. Plausible deniability and all that." The shadows seemed to shallow him up as he stepped backwards, disappearing. "Until next time, my dear." Then he and the cobra were gone.
"Until next time," she repeated softly, smirking as she eyed the vial one last time before carefully tucking it away. Then she too vanished into the night, with no trace remaining of there having ever been either of them present.