Chapter Text
Fourth: Eldritch Being
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The Master will see you.
It was nothing short of an honour to hear those words. It was hard not to be overwhelmed by the mere thought of gracing Elyon’s bed. The Patient Breath was the most exclusive brothel in town, and it was said that his own personal appointment book had a waiting time that spanned years. It was hard to say where one’s name fell on said list, but it was nothing short of a miracle to be chosen as his bed fellow. Genet wrung their hands together nervously as they waited patiently to hear those words.
The waiting room was beautifully decorated with dark wooden walls and soft coloured tapestries. They were nervous about moving into this city on the edge of collapse, but it had been welcoming in its own strange way. People here were staunchly attached to their notions of tradition. So it was a relief when no one turned up their nose seeing Genet decorated in beads or walking around barefooted. A few people cautioned them about where they stepped, but said nothing otherwise.
When a door opened to Genet’s right, he turned quickly in that direction. The door, as it was, had blended perfectly into the wall; he never would have guessed it was there at first, second, or even third glance. Behind the wall, was a beautiful courtesan with piercing amber eyes and full, curly hair that fell around her face. Her lips were small, doll-like, and seemingly stuck in a permanent smile. Her long lashes fanned across rounded cheeks as she pulled her hands back to rest on robed knees.
“Hello, honoured guest. May I have your name?” she asked in a voice that was almost too sweet, but Genet felt calmed by it.
“Genet,” he replied calmly, as he mentally praised himself for his even tone.
Her eyes went up to his in surprise, and then she smiled. Her front two teeth were a bit more prominent than the others, adding a mousy touched to her look. Genet thought she was adorable, even when she covered her smile with a long sleeve.
“I’m Ravi.” She raised a hand and posed herself like a painter’s muse. Her eyes rolled towards the ceiling in an artistic arch before finding Genet’s once more. “Charmed to meet you.”
“And you as well.”
Genet had to stop his fiddling, but it was hard to do so. He came here to query the proprietor for a job, and though he had been pitied with gazes and mocked with kind words, he decided to try anyway. If the stories about Elyon were to be believed, he was rather fond of taking in strays who proved their worth. Gods only knew what that meant. Instead of wringing their hands together, Genet switched to turning their beaded bracelet instead. Ravi, kindly, didn’t say anything. Instead, she motioned for them to draw closer, which they did.
“The Master will see you,” she announced, and the news was so reliving that Genet felt like crying. She offered her hand to them. “But I have to blindfold you before I can take you to him. Is that okay?”
Genet didn’t really have a choice, did he? Yes, he could argue against it or kindly deny. Whether or not that was just the way things worked in this traditional town, it did feel odd to submit himself so willingly to a stranger. Yes, the Patient Breath had glowing reviews, but it could have just as easily been hiding a dark truth. It wasn’t unheard of for people to cover for their own, and if the real reason Elyon enjoyed taking in strays was for some darker purpose, then Genet would be none the wiser. He could walk away, but that would mean he’d lose his place. His one and only opportunity to restart his life.
She pulled Ravi to her feet and thumbed across her knuckles. “It’s fine,” she said smoothly, glad that her tone hid any nerves. “Do as you must.”
Ravi’s eyes crinkled happily. “I believe Master Elyon will like you.” She tapped Genet on her broad chest. “Just don’t call him that. I get special privileges.”
That helped ease a great deal of the tension. Genet smiled more honestly. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Ravi laughed again before dipping into her sleeve to remove a wide strip of cloth. Genet closed his eyes and dipped his head, allowing her to tie it comfortably behind his head. Her hands drew back, but then she made a soft coo before dragging a finger over Genet’s discoloured ear. She traced the patchwork of pale skin against dark until Genet trembled from the touch.
“Sorry,” she said around a laugh, and Genet wasn’t even bothered when she didn’t sound truly apologetic. Her hand lowered and then slipped into his. She pulled him forward into a cooler room, slid the secret door closed, and then was leading him down the hall. The floors were still wooden, but the difference in temperature felt like a blessing.
“Is he far?” Genet asked after a long moment of walking.
“Not too far. Oh! I should have asked: are you afraid of elevators?”
Elevators…? “No. Actually, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”
“Oh, this’ll be nice. I promise. It’s only a disorientating when you’re blindfolded, but it’ll be worth it in the end.” She squeezed Genet’s hand, and he returned the gesture.
“Okay,” they said in a breath. It was hard to keep the excitement out of his voice by this point.
The temperature plummeted, changing from cool to cold underneath their feet as they stepped onto new terrain. The elevator, Genet was assuming. Ravi let go of their hand to slide an iron gate closed. Afterward, with a tiny grunt of effort, she flipped a lever. The machinery around them groaned and jolted. Ravi wrapped her arms around her guest as the elevator took them down. She talked and asked them questions. Even though Genet was new to these parts, they knew better than to answer so directly. If this were other establishment, they might have been more forth coming, but brothels were more than houses built on lust and dreams. They were valuable vendors of information. That much didn’t change no matter where one was. Though she didn’t bring attention to it, Ravi smiled. Genet must have done something right.
Finally, the air warmed around them. Genet gently tilted his head back, feeling another chill break out over his body. He felt… refreshed. He exhaled slowly, feeling weightless suddenly. While his worries still hovered around his mind, they didn’t matter as much. They weren’t burdening him at all. Ravi rubbed a hand against his arm but pulled away once the elevator stopped. She pushed open the elevator gate and then placed her hands on Genet’s chest. Even with her eyes closed, she could feel the smaller woman watching her.
“He’s going to like you,” she whispered. Her voice held great pleasure and promised. Ravi tapped Genet fondly. “I was just thinking how much I could use a friend around here.”
“High praise.” Genet took Ravi’s hand in her own. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“The Master trusts my judgement,” Ravi replied with sweet confidence. “I’m sure he can tell how interested I am in you.”
Then, the courtesan walked backwards, guiding her guest to follow her into the pleasant warmth of the new hall. There was… a sound like the ebb and flow of water all around them. Ravi undid the knot to her fabric, which she soon slid into her sleeve.
“Close your eyes until I leave, okay?”
“Alright.” Just before she pulled away, Genet dared to ask, “Is it alright to request a kiss?”
Ravi froze for a second before giggling with joy. “Oh, you!” She wrapped her arms around him, sagging him down with her weight. “Of course, of course!”
Genet half-expected the kiss to be overly excited and uncoordinated. Instead, it was as sweet as Ravi’s voice had been. Slow and searching, he felt the remainder of his worries melt away, even when the kiss broke. She thumbed away the remnants of her lipstick with a small purr.
“Knock ‘im dead,” she said before finally withdrawing.
Genet smiled to himself and waited until the gate closed and elevator was gone. Afterward, he waited a beat and then slowly opened his eyes. Down the center of the ceiling was a glass strip that showed off sunlit waters. The light refracted against the ground, beautifully highlighting where Genet should walk. They looked around at the soft coloured bricks, at the portraits and soft lighting that helped illuminate the hall. There were tall vases every twenty feet filled with flowers. As they walked, Genet wondered whether or not they were real. They didn’t dare touch and instead walked the thin carpet that also ran down the center of the hall.
After a slight turn, the space came to an end. Refracted light shone down on the double doors, and Genet touched their beads once again. This time, they didn’t need strength or courage. They just needed to feel grounded.
This all felt like a dream.
“Enter,” coaxed a voice from the other side. Genet almost jumped out of his skin, and that encouraged a laugh. A deep shadow passed over them. “I apologise, but please do enter. I’ve been waiting for you.”
The shadow was gone, though Genet wasn’t sure what had passed over him. Steeling himself, he looked straight ahead, took a calming breath, and then pushed open the doors to greet his host. Elyon was an absolute vision. He looked like something storytellers portrayed on the stage; Genet could have sworn he had seen someone like this in a painting poised on their throne. But he was all too real, beautiful flesh and blood that was nearly enough to make Genet weak at the knees. He stepped inside however, as it was too early for him to turn tail now.
Behind Elyon was a large wall of glass. The waters were deep and dark, but as Genet watched, they lightened up enough to let sunlight pass through. Elyon rested his chin on his half-curled hand as he gave them an up and down look.
“So, you’re the one Ravi favours,” he said with a low, rumbling voice. Another shadow passed, thick and tendril-like, over the top of the window. Genet noted it at the corner of her vision but didn’t look away. Elyon’s smile widened a fraction. “I heard her laughing.”
“I’m glad she likes me,” Genet said humbly, walking forward, “even though we just met.”
“She’s pretty quick on the draw when it comes to people. Few ever make it this far.” He raised a hand and quirked his fingers. “Come closer so that I can get a better look at you, darling.”
Genet nodded and walked over.
When Elyon splayed his fingers, Genet offered him her hand. He chuckled, though he accepted it. His lips pressed against her knuckles, but when he drew her closer, he kissed her wrist and then a pale patch on her arm. Genet sighed, watching him intently. She had never felt so warm before under such minuscule treatment, but there was a reason he was the owner of this place for a reason, right? Around her, the room began to darken once more. When Elyon opened his eyes, they glowed gently.
“Genet,” he whispered, and their name echoed in the room. He thumbed at their skin. They should have been scared, reasonably, but instead they were in awe of his presence. Elyon coaxed them down to their knees before cupping their face. “The true test begins now. Are you ready?”
They met his eyes evenly and nodded. There was no turning back now. “Absolutely.”
When Elyon laughed, they could hear the tide swell around them. The darkness consumed them entirely as tendrils spread against the glass. Elyon’s eyes shone in an ethereal light.
“Oh, Ravi is right… I’m going to enjoy you immensely.”