Welcome to Gaia! ::

Jin pulled upon the string he had tied to those chains.

"As I hold this leash, I wish it so-"

At that he turned towards an alley that shot off from the main road; recognizing a familiar air about a man who stood beside it.

"-we go."

"What makes a leash? Must the bond be unbreakable, or must it simply remain unbroken? Chains cannot hold those that a thread can, when they are unwilling to choose escape..."

Jin guided her down the ally, though it was a tighter fit for him than for her; as he was carting along with him a large burden which tapped against the sides of the narrow street while they walked. A short ways down an unlit door was barred upon the side of the building.

"If you wish to be sold," he said, knocking thrice upon the door, "then ask me that once more once we have passed through. My promise that there will be no lack of offers to buy your services, or simply your body."

The door opened partway, and a man inside questioned the identity of those who wished to enter.

"I have locks which must be picked, and gold that must be spent."

The door opened for them. Inside the dimly lit room there were shaded figures everywhere but the center of the room, which was completely empty. The men standing in the dark talked amongst themselves, against the walls and in alcoves and booths, but always with their backs to the wall.

He said nothing more to her once they entered, but lead her around the outside of the room; giving a glance to each of the small groups as they passed until, finally, they found themselves at a booth with two men.

"What business do you have with us, aye?" the first said, while the second stayed silent. He looked once at Jin, then stared intently at Adrienne for much longer.

"Lookin' to sell, aye?"

"If you want to make an offer, then do so," Jin replied coldly.

"Until that time comes," he said, placing one gold coin upon the center of the table, "you'll hear my offer-"

"One hundred."

"Not enough." He placed another coin on top of the first. "Can you open a lock?"

"Depends what you want opened. Two hundred."

"Not enough." He placed another atop the first two. "I was too distracted and misplaced my key." Reaching behind him he grasped Adrienne by the chain around her wrists; pulling her hands to the table in front of them.

"A slave without hands is worthless. Though I'll generously pay three hundred pieces of gold-"

"Not enough." He did not add another coin, but simply held her chains to the table. "A locksmith would make one piece of silver for the same job."

"For three pieces I could just as easily chop off those hands-"

"A slave without hands is useless-"

So why keep it around when you could have four hun-"

"Not enough." With one swift movement of his left hand Jin pulled a large, hooked blade from a hidden place at his side and slammed the tip down into the center of the table.

"Her hands or yours, for three pieces you could just as easily lose your livelihood."

The second man, who had been silent all this time, reached forwards across the table and drew the three gold pieces back across into his lap. Then, again he leaned forwards and seemed to simply press his hand against the chains at each end; and the shackles simply sprung open with his deft act of lockpicking.

"...five hundred."

"Not enough."

"...look here, aye. If you've no interest in selling-"

"Everything has a price, does it not?" Jin replied as he wrenched the bladed tip from the tabletop; scattering splinters of wood across the surface when he did.

With a similar motion almost exactly the reverse of what he had performed before, the blade was all but gone again; tucked away beneath the skirted hem of his tunic. "You just offer a terrible price."

"Like hell! Half a dozen slaves aren't worth that much. That b***h of yours must be one hell of a f-"

"You should take a lesson from your companion."

The silver chains which had been left laying upon the table were gone, nearly without a thing having been seen during the argument. The string which had been tied to them was already cut, and there was no evidence as to who might have taken them; other than the process of elimination.

The second man looked up slightly, but did not smile or nod, he simply adjusted the hat upon his shaven head.

"...ballocks. Get out of my sight before I put a bolt in your back." The man folded his arms and fell back against his seat.

"...no more offers, then?" Jin asked, rubbing one fingertip over the right side of his face as he paused. "We shall leave."

At that he turned back towards the door; no longer sticking to the outside but walking straight through the middle. He snapped his fingers over his shoulder, commanding her to follow.

He did not speak to her until they were outside once more; at which point he replied.

"Wherever you choose, my lady of the sands. I, however, have sweated my fair share in this heat, and fancy a bath."

"What are you going to do?" he asked gravely; turning almost completely around to look at her when he spoke, as he could not see her by looking over his right shoulder.