Completely unaware of the storm brewing in the girl next to him, Nexus shot up from the chair- a little absentmindedly. His fine green tunic flowed gallantly, complementing his matte black hair, and oilve tanned skin. Tightening the rope around his breeches, he announced softly;

"I'll be heading off into the city now."

Her eyes lit up like a puppy; "Let me go get ready right away m'lor–"

"There's no need for that. I'll be heading off on my own this time. Feel free to do as you wish today."

The color instantly drained from her face as her hopes plummeted like a crashing space shuttle. Nexus inclined his head at her- like a gentlman, and then headed towards the exit in strong purposeful strides.

Crystal watched him leave with pain cutting through her heart in noiseless slices. She didn't realize it before, but the smell of the lady was all over him. He wore it heavily like a thick musk. Long after he had gone, she still did not move. She remained there- still as a statue, eyes lost, and face crushed in agony.

Still, she did not lose faith. Then came the stream of self-assuring thoughts;

'. . .this was just a ripple- yes. . .it wasn't anything serious. . .if it was, he would have told her already. . .he would tell her eventually. . .EVENTUALLY.'

A shrill sounding voice jerked her out of her thoughts;

"Ma'am!"

Her head swung to her right. A slim black haired girl, barely fifteen, stood just a few inches away from her;

"I said I would like to clear the table now- if you're done."

"Yes," she mumbled as she hastened to get up; "I'm all done."

---------------------

After nodding a wordless greeting to the old fat guards at the castle gate, Nexus took a sharp left and burst into the busy street.

Nexus was not exactly impressed by the medieval architechture, but he sure was intrigued. The stony streets were dogged by rugged drainage systems. Dull gray, and brilliant white-washed stone buildings dotted the sides of the road. Occasional bell towers rose from behind the walled estates- as if in competition with whose tower was the tallest.

But Nexus was not at all taken it.

The sun was shining overhead, but its brilliance was all it was good for. It barely provided any kind of heat at all. Cold gusts of gentle breeze wafted through- as a gentle reminder of the previous day's rainfall.

But Nexus didn't give a fuck about the weather either.

Hands clasped together behind him like a gentle man, he strutted down the streets in slow meditative strides.

He had been doing a lot of thinking. Since he was now a resident of the city, he knew he would have to find a way to sustain a living here.

It was pretty noble of Mrs. Russell's to offer to link him up. But he was not exactly a doctor. There were certain ailments that couldn't be cured with just a massage. He would have to go deep- and then really go deep. Eventually, some jealous husband would try to run him through with a sword.

He cringed at the thought and pivoted.

Besides, he wouldn't put it past Lady Russell to do something corny; like setting him up with only male clients- just to control his contact with other women. Nexus shuddered violently at the thought of massaging a pot-bellied, bald, fat old man.

'Nah, I'd rather swallow a live serpent. . .'

Nexus only looked up when a very impressive carriage rode past him. It sleekness, and polished black color called out to him. Two majestic all black steeds steered the carriage on, pulling it by its four stoked wheels- two large and two small.

Tunic flapping, and long hair fluttering in the soft wind, Nexus walked down the industrial part of town- looking for a well paying job. He skipped past a poster for masons without even looking through. He hated construction with all his might.

A bakery, with a large inviting banner was the next building. The rich smell of freshly baked pastries called out to him. But when he saw the job posting- along with its peanuts pay, the after taste of the linering scent, suddenly tasted like fart.

By midday, Nexus had shied away from a a steel mining factory, a company that trafficked in lumbering, a barber shop, and a very shady book store that looked like a front for a kind of sex dungeon. Momentarily, he had stood in front of a clinic. But when he caught a glimpse of a newborn getting the foreskin of his genitals sliced off- he moved along so fast, he left his shadow behind him.

Nexus' forehead was drenched in sweat.

'Shit!' he cursed as he laid his lazy ass back again a wall; "What does a man have to do to get a fuckin' job around here!"

Mistaking Nexus for a stranded fellow, a fine looking gentleman whistled a joy filled tune as he walked by, and dropped a copper coin at his feet.

"Keep yer chin up pal! Joy always comes in the morning. . ."

Nexus was too stunned to even protest. As a matter of fact, it only gingered him some more. He had to find a job fast! He had to get out from undr the benevolence of the Russell family, and chart out a long term plan..

It wasn't just so he could sustain his own self, but also for the succubus who was now almost fully reliant on him.

Hands grasped tightly in his pockets, Nexus' head bobbed up and down as he walked down a very particular lonely sreet. Nexus' mind drifted into focus, and his threadbare footwear skidded to a halt. His eyes darted around wildy- looking for any sign as to how he he might have landed here.

Nexus did a full one hundred and eighty before he spotted the dark, gothic, two storey structure.

For some reason, still not completely sure why, Nexus felt compelled to by it. He approached the building in quiet tentative steps. Its tightly shut windows and barred doors spoke volumes about the building already. But like a moth to a flame, Nexus was hooked.

There were no souls around the entrance. In fact, it felt a little bit dead. So, when Nexus' feet thudded on the front porch, he was thrown completely off guard when a one eyed fellow burst through the door yelling obscenities. He jumped at the last second, barely getting out of the way in time. The bull-sized fellow charged right past him.

Nexus watched the fellow with wide open eyes. He noted the rugged clothing, the whip by his side, the wicked long scythe he was swinging carelessly, and the overall ruggednes.

This was not a fucking bar, this was a bourse.

Sure enough, just as he had suspected, just as the wide door swung close behind the man, Nexus caught a brief glimpse of the inside. He was right! His analysis was spot on! It was indeed a bourse.

Excitement coursed through him again, filling him up with fresh energy, and obliterating all traces of the previous disappointment.

For Nexus, this was great. It was perfect. It reeked of adventure, of the unknown, and of trouble. It was the perfect mix for him.

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