She tried her best to ignore the adorable noises that her ward were making in her sleep, despite the fact that ‘Ladies do not snore, and there is no way in Hell she was ever capable of such an act’, Yang finally decided to open her eyes.
Wishing the night could have given them a few more hours reprieve, she slowly untangled herself from the sleeping Ruby, tucked her sister back into the kind of comfy blanket, and went towards the basic desk where she kept the few documents they owned. She’d intended to also use Craft to open the curtains, but her stomach began to erupt into stabbing sensations, that dropped Yang to her knees.
As soon as she stopped using her Craft, the sensation eased back, but still left an uncomfortable feeling in her gut. All the colour drained from Yang’s face, as she rather tentatively picked herself up, and hurried to find the calendar she’d bought for just this occasion.
No, it can’t be my Moon Time yet, not when we are so close to leaving this hellhole Yang thought desperately, as horror filled her mind seeing the bright yellow X marked on today’s date.
Yang could’ve sworn she still had atleast a week to work with. Her’s and Ruby’s moon times had never been this close before, it was one of the few good things that had happened.
Thats when Yang noticed the small, empty vial on the desk, one she’d typically kept hidden from Ruby, since she didn’t need the optimistic and cheery girl realising what her sister was doing to her body, to keep her safe.
Yang groaned in frustration.
The one time I took a potion to delay a moon time………. Yang sighed.
Looks like any Craft-based work she’d wanted to do today was now off-limits, and since the Red Moon owner gave the girls a few days reprieve during their respective times of the month, she went down and informed the clerk on duty, closing the door quietly as she left the room.
As she descended from the staircase, the male patrons all turned their heads and stared at her. Most had the typical, predatory hunger in their eyes; these were the ones Yang typically avoided, unless they paid well, while a few others had looks of genuine warmth; while Yang loved it when one of these young men could afford her, she knew she’d be lucky to get 2 or 3 in the week.
Noticing that she wasn’t wearing her ‘First Come, First serve’ style of outfits, most of the men turned away. However, the few Warlord Princes who’d decided to partake in the fruits of the Red Moon all kept their eyes on her.
“Since you’re not wearing that ridiculous ‘Sexy Bounty Hunter’, can I assume you’re off the market for the next few days?” Clarke the Red jewelled clerk asked, his usual snarky tone dialled back a bit.
“Yeah, pretty much. It’s not bad enough that I can’t throw out the more violent patrons, but I can’t be messy anytime soon.” Yang said, relaxing as the Warlord Princes backed down, seeing that Clarke seemed to be ‘familiar’ enough with her.
“Well, you could always do the ‘Red Moon special’? It’s paying for three times the usual amount.” Clarke sneered, already knowing the answer.
Yang rolled her eyes. While Clarke wasn’t the nicest or friendliest of the Clerks who worked the Ledger, he did care the most for the girls, and made sure they were looked after. Once they’d proven themselves to his ‘Snarky’ mask he wore out in public, that is.
“I know I need money, but I’m not that desperate for cash.” Yang said, a little flushed.
She liked sex. Okay fine, she loved it, and especially the power it gave her over the weaker men. But she’d never allow one of these ‘men’ near her, like that, during her weakest moments.
Clarke sighed, overdramatically.
“Fine, but your loss. Only one other girl can perform it over the next few days, and we both know she doesn’t need the cash.”
Clarke then indicated for Yang to come closer, to which Yang complied.
“During the day, do your training regime out the back. We’ve got some big spenders coming in, and they seem the type to try and take you by force, especially if they see you in your current state, but still training.”
He handed her a simple key.
“Hide your sister in there, so she’ll be nearby, and away from their senses.”
Yang was speechless. The key was to one of the few houses behind the Red Moon house, and it appeared to be Clarke’s house as well.
No one, in the history of what the other working girls had told Yang, had ever been given the key to his place.
Before Yang could question, Clarke silenced her with a small gesture.
“I’ve seen what it’s like, to look after a younger family member during their time, only to go onto yours, and to have everything go up in flames when you’re at your weakest.” He stated, emotion draining from his voice.
He quickly shook his head, and loudly mocked, “If you aren’t for sale, get off my showroom floor.”
To which half the men started to laugh loudly.
Too stunned to be embarrassed, Yang left to get her sister. Things were looking up, atleast until her moon time was over.
———————————————————
Weiss was furious at her father.
She was fine having to come to this stupid town, she was fine to do all the stupid and pointless things expected of her by the Courts in power, and she was even fine to just explore the city to find out which courts should be backed now so her family’s court would be in power during the next changing of the courts.
But she hated having to appear like a commoner, and she hated the fact even more that she wasn’t allowed to use her family’s carriage to get back.
She’d been circling a few streets for a while now, prepared to bring her favourite sword out of her ‘cupboard’ at a moment’s notice. She really enjoyed the fact that the craft basically gave access to a storage space that could be accessed whenever she wanted, and when she’d descended to Sapphire, and realised just how much space she had access to, she’d been almost giddy with excitement.
She kept a few days worth of food and water, some blankets, basic travelling supplies, and whatever else suited her fancy.
She’d even stored a spare of her beloved dress and skirt, but she didn’t want to risk the attention of either the more dangerous Blood who prowled the cities of the Queen, or her Father’s spies.
On the fifth time she circled the streets, she heard a commotion, and decided to follow it.
As much as she hated to admit it, she wanted something to fight.
As Weiss rounded a corner, and saw the abhorred Red Moon symbol on the next few houses, she saw four men had circled a yellow haired girl, who had what looked to be a practice staff.
“Hey there, Moon bird. Why don’t my friends and I look after you? There’s some dangerous men in these parts of the city.” The speaker suggested, his lecherous gaze focusing on two rather developed areas.
“Back off. Don’t make me hurt you.” The girl said, a little desperately.
Weiss hid back around the corner, and brought forth her sword. Weiss gambled on trying to communicate via the distaff thread.
-When they make a move, I’ll run up and attack them from behind, and you get away.-
She wasn’t sure if the message made it through, but the fact the girl looked less intimidated by the men, and seemed to be looking for her would be helper, gave Weiss the courage she needed to steel herself for what was ahead.