The Innocence of Teacups

Floaty red curtains were hung up all over one of the shabbiest buildings in Scally Alley in an attempt to brighten the place up to give the illusion of a boudoir. As soon as his foot was through a curtain which acted as a front door a young lady wearing scant little took hold of his elbow and directed him to a table where she left him not knowing where to look.

Working girls danced round the room approaching occupants of tables and giving them a full show for scraps of bronze. His eyes strayed to those who were currently entertaining the whole room. They sure could move by swaying in time to a lute while jingling finger cymbals with shimmying shoulders and fast feet. He wanted to join one dancer who was using a table as a stage but managed to avert his eyes and focus on the reason he was in this seedy joint of cheap pleasures. Oh gosh one of the dancers was coming over to his table. Before she was too close he stretched out his arm and held a piece of parchment out to her.

“I’m recruiting professional dancers,” he murmured.

The dancer took his parchment and cast it aside onto the table without even reading it. Okay Alexander Pelevin shouldn’t get shy he was supposed to be super confident.

“I am recruiting professional dancers and was wondering if any of you ladies would be interested in joining my troupe.”

The dancer battered her long eyelashes. “That’s nice good-looking.” A second later she’d slipped onto his knee. Oh heck this wasn’t what he was here for at all.

“So yeah if you are interested in getting a job as a dancer there’s a tent close to The Oval theatre where my business partner and I are holding auditions. Ask for Alexander okay? I’ll be on my wa-a-y.”

The dancer pressed a finger against his lips then she leaned right into him and... oh wow his first ever kiss was with a working girl. He tried to lever himself off the chair; this mode of conduct was unprofessional. Her hands pressed against his shoulders as she attempted to kiss him a second time.

“I have to go.”

Those hands slid onto his chest and went further. Ah she was searching for her payment.

“There’s been a misunderstanding I don’t have any coins because I didn’t come here for pleasure.”

Lips pouted and youch she pushed into him so the two of them and the chair ended up laid out on the floor. She sat on his chest with a dagger pressed against his thigh. Three more girls came over and semi-circled round them. His own knife snaked round the working girl’s back ready to take the plunge if the need arose.

“You owe me,” she purred.

His second knife rested against her throat. He must have a wicked look about him because after a glance at his eyes she sprang off him. Not wanting to hang around any longer he swerved round the working girls and ran out onto a filthy street full of beggars and cutthroats.

So dark as there were no lanterns out here. It was a fab job he was used to darkness. Even still he hurried along keeping his head down not wanting to draw any attention whatsoever to himself. How in the world had Sasha survived such a desperate life and managed to claw his way into a warm glow? Getting out was easy enough there were no guards barring the way. Guards were responsible for putting people in such a bleak place; if you were coinless and loitering on Azure’s streets then you were herded into Scally Alley making permanently escaping a tricky task. Someone ought to try civilising the vast majority of those people.

How lovely to leave crumbling darkness for houses full of candle light. He headed for the field where his tent was pitched. The owner of The Oval let him set up camp for a reasonable fee. Problem being he couldn’t afford to stay there for too long but it wouldn’t be practical to start off without dancers or musicians. Hopefully thanks to Sabina a drumer and lute player were coming to see him about work the following afternoon. He was the one who’d failed in hiring the dancers. There was Sabina doing handstands beside a campfire close to their tent with Kaz an acrobat she’d met when dodging guards at night.

Sabina greeted him with a, “you’re looking flustered.”

He crashed down onto the grass and wrapped his arms round his knees. “I did something you warned me not to.”

“Don’t tell me you went into Scally Alley checking out hookers?” Sabina fluidly dropped out of a handstand and sat beside him. “Judging from that queasy wince I’m guessing you did. What happened?”

“I was only asking if she would be interested in joining a troupe and she pounced on me.”

Sabina placed a hand over her mouth to stifle laughter while Kaz stood staring at him as though he were admitting to a murder. His face flushed redder; he must come across naive. What was he thinking? He was an idiot.

“I was only trying to offer the less fortunate work.”

“Which is kind of you but some people are beyond help. They didn’t hurt you did they?”

In answer to that question he tapped a knife.

How could people like Kaz see him as an employer when he made immature decisions everyone else knew would end unpleasantly? He was probably the only person in the history of Azure to ask a working girl if she wanted a job as a professional dancer. He must wizen up to Zotican culture fast or performers wouldn’t stick with him very long.

Dwelling on his naivety wasn’t an option seen as Sabina was demanding a lesson in self defence. To escape Kaz’s uncertain gaze he gave Sabina one of his knives and showed her the most effective way to grip the hilt. Even a long knife could deflect a sword blow if you knew how to unbalance an oncoming swing. Sleek and fast were better than burly and mighty or so he’d been taught. He explained all this as he demonstrated how a blow to the throat ought to be manoeuvred from.

“Keep a straight face. Never scowl, smile, or look thoughtful. Be emotionless so your attacker won’t be able to guess your next move.” Was telling people to hide their emotions a responsible thing to do? Passing on Freyr’s teachings felt wrong. Then again these teachings were only for self defence purposes.

He made a swipe for Sabina’s throat and she attempted to block him. “A good first try.” Whereas Freyr would have sneered: That was crap you’re dead. Useless. “Stand your ground some more. Hold nothing back.”

Kaz was watching their practise with a look of interest replacing that of uncertainty; best to act on this positive reaction to keep him on side. “Would you like to try?”

“No thanks, blades kill.”

“Exactly why you wouldn’t want to be on the sharp end of one.” He took a second swipe at Sabina. “Better, you were more forceful this time. Now you’ve got me in a lock keep pushing and use your free hand to punch me away; preferably in the temple. You have to be quick so your attacker hasn’t time to react.”

“I don’t think I want to punch you, Alexander.” Sabina gave him his knife back. “Do they have names?”

They gleamed in his hands as though smiling at the murders they’d aided him in. He should never have let an innocent young lady come into contact with death. “Sorry.”

“Whatever for?”

Oops had he said that out loud? “Sorry is what the knife you used is called.”

“And the other?”

“Defence.”

“Those are strange names for blades.”

“Let me explain. This one is Sorry because he doesn’t want to kill and his twin Defence because he only intends to defend.”

Their fire was burning low so they sat close to it to make the most of the remaining heat. From where they sat they had a decent view of The Oval. The theatre owner was putting out the fire while the audience departed swinging lanterns and clutching at cushions. When the audience were all gone he rested back on his elbows to admire a star strewn sky while the two acrobats did their nightly stretches.

They needed to start work on a routine soon. Two musicians would be coming to see them in the morning to see about taking a risk with them. If they joined up they could make a start on planning how this whole idea of selling while performing was going to work. It was a shame he’d not managed to get any dancers yet. Oh well he was sure Sabina would help him think of a scheme to persuade a couple of dancers to work without being paid properly for a few weeks.

The following morning the two musicians came strolling along the field while he was treating Coco to an apple. One carried a lute while the other had a couple of drums. Sabina ran across the field to greet her former troupe members. They were all smiles and chatter as they came over to the tent.

“This is Alexander our new source of income. I expect he’ll be more reliable than Mel despite being a lot younger.”

“She means we,” he said on turning from Coco. “Sabina’s our creative director. Oh and over there’s Caz; he’s an acrobat.”

“What does that make you?” asked the lute player.

“I plan the route, deal with funds, and sell sell sell while you put on an amazing show.”

“Alexander the tremendous!” Sabina orated then the drummer gave a drum roll. “That’s where you bow and swish your fancy cape about like an almighty light sorcerer,” she murmured out the side of her mouth to him.

“How about an almighty dark sorcerer?”

Sabina slapped him on the shoulder. “You shouldn’t jest about such things. We’d get strung up. We’ll stick with light sorcerer. Do you know any light magic? ”

“Afraid not.” And he wouldn’t be revealing he knew dark magic until he was convinced he had a stable trustworthy troupe.

“You’re in luck because I happen to be a light sorcerer.”

“That’s really cool Sabina. I’d no idea.”

“Healers’ daughters are usually always taught the ways of light. Didn’t you know that?” said Maxi.

“He won’t have done he’s a Kazaran but we’ll make a bright Zotican out of him. If you’re in of course?”

“So you’re saying you want us to work for free for the foreseeable future on a project which is only in early planning stages by a Kazaran pretending to be a Zotican?”

“With accommodation and I do have a route planned out.”

“Plus he’s got these amazing carvings. He did them yesterday. They’re sure to sell for high prices. Oh and the jewellery it looks ever so swanky to say it’s made from glass.”

“We can’t start off rich but I can assure you I will not rest until my name and our show is the talk of both Zoticas and Kazara.”

“What makes you sound so sure of yourself?” asked Maxi.

A valid question one which was best answered truthfully. “My master betrayed me. I intend to bankrupt and break him.”

“An enterprise fuelled by revenge,” said Maxi sounding sceptical then broke into a grin. Phew the sceptical tone must have been a taunt. “Revenge works better than ambition; gives you more drive. If I get paid eventually, and have a place to sleep then count me in on a trial basis.”

“Me too,” said Misha. “Can I put these drums in the tent?”

“Sure wherever you like. I do promise to pay you as soon as possible and when there’s food going spare will share.”

On turning from showing the musicians into the tent he saw three young ladies, in long red skirts that revealed a lot of leg, making their way across the field. Oh gosh were they here to claim coins for that un-wanted kiss? He stood right by the tent wondering if he should disappear inside. They might try throwing a dagger at him and his knives were in the tent.

The ladies spotted him and picked up their pace. When they reached him the middle one, who happened to be the one who kissed him, stepped forward from her colleagues. “You give us a job yes?”

Oh they were after the dancing job. After last night’s incident he wasn’t even sure he wanted them anymore. “I’m only employing two dancers,” he held up two fingers, “you’ll have to audition.”

“Is this the tent we will stay in?”

“Yes but it’ll take too long for me to be able to pay three of you.”

“That’s okay we’ll find funds elsewhere. As long as there’s a place for us to stay guards can’t throw us back in the slums.”

It would be cruel to hire two and send their friend back to Scally Alley.

Sabina came up beside him, eying the dancers shyly. “Who are these women?”

“Hide the coin tin,” he murmured.

“Vixi, Sparkles, and Flower,” replied the lady doing all the talking. “Mister Alexander thinks we are very good dancers. Want to see?” She smacked her finger cymbals together and gave something close to a smirk.

“No thank you. I’ll take Mister Alexander’s word on your dancing capabilities.”

Before anything else could be said his new dancers rushed past him into the tent where he was sure there would be raised eyebrows from Caz, Maxi, and Misha.

“They’re exotic I’ll give you that. You’re going to be popular with the guards giving three hookers a place to stay.”

He laughed. “All publicity is welcome.” On that note he went to seek out the coin tin.

That evening a fire blazed, drums banged out a beat, a lute twanged, cymbals tinkled, and three ladies gave a wild performance while he slouched by the fire with Sabina and Caz. Those dancers were ever so fast and talented. Anyone watching them could tell they must have been dancing all their lives. Which raised the question: had they been working girls all their lives? A sad thought. They seemed happy though having been up to mischief all day doing some harmless flirting with Maxi and Misha. At least he hoped it was harmless. Knowing they possessed a dagger kept snagging his thoughts.

They finished their dance in a synchronised whirl then gave bows; not even showing any signs of being out of breath. He and the two acrobats clapped then the dancers jumped about on the balls of their bare feet before coming to sit amongst them.

“Did we do well Mister Alexander?” asked Sparkles.

“Yes you’re all very gifted.”

“Do we please you?” asked Flower.

“I’ve never seen such beautiful dancers as you three.”

“Do you like to dance?” asked Vixi.

“Urm...”

Before any protests could be made Vixi grabbed his arm and pulled him up. The others clapped a beat then laughing at him Misha started up his drumming. Knowing he was blushing he tried to respond to Vixi’s curvy movements. Caz wasn’t clapping for long because Sparkles coaxed him into a dance as well. They were shortly followed by Flower and Sabina.

“Sha la la,” sang Vixi.

A moment later everyone save for him were singing sha la la. Singing was something he’d never thought to try before on account of even being able to speak was such a big deal.

“Don’t you like singing?” asked Vixi as he held up his arm so she could twirl round it.

“It’s not that I do not like singing.”

“Then what?”

“A sorcerer stole my voice. I only fairly recently found it and never tried singing.”

Vixi leant in close to him. “Stolen voice. You’re Eagle the demon-child.”

His eyes widened. How would she know?

“Slum girls know lots. I won’t tell.” Vixi winked. “If you want to do this thing you must lose your shyness. Powerful sorcerers are never shy. Sing Mister Alexander.”

Slum girls knew lots so must be intelligent. Of course they were being able to use daggers, gather information, and exploit men with their bodies. Vixi smiled at him so he smiled back and joined in singing sha la la which was exactly when Vixi pushed him in Sabina’s direction. Sabina bit her lip as Flower went to distract Maxi from his lute playing. Lose the shyness. There was no need to be shy of his business partner.