Welcome to Gaia! ::

Celestias stopped abruptly, turning to face the youth. He wasn't wearing his usual cocky expression, nor was he angry. Strangly enough, it was pity that was painted on his face.
He looked down at Andri for a while, his eyes locked with the youth's, deep in his own thoughts.
It was as if there was something he was keeping from him, something of great importance.
~If only you knew the whole truth...Then you might understand why it has to be this way.~

Celestias, with a gentle look in his eyes, re-gripped the youth's hand, making sure to keep hold, but not to squeeze too hard. He nodded to the boy, saying, " Let's keep moving, shall we?"
Without waiting for an answer, he fell quickly back into his steady pace.

It wasn't more than five minuets after that they arrived at the Underground.
Calling this place disgusting was an understatement. The houses were either two stories of burnt, rotting wood(from back 40yrs ago, during the Great Fire of Endbirg), or one story, with a collapsed roof and a wall of brick as the "house". There was thick mud everywhere since there wasn't a cobblestone street, and the rats can from everywhere, with no cat in sight. There weren't many people about, but the ones that were here either wandered the streets drunk looking for some "fun", or offered said "fun"--for a price.
Celestias automatically pulled the youth closer to him, staring down any man who found interest in his "lady friend". They moved quickly, dispite the muck rapidly catching to their shoes. Celestias moved with confidence and soon they arrived at one of the better looking houses, a small shack with only two or three holes in the roof. Celestias lead the way into the tiny one room, where a very large, very dirty, very dangerous man stood against the wall. There was a table next to him, with a single broken glass and a candle. Celestias nodded to the man, who bowed politely, moving passed the table to greet him, then back to the wall. Celestias bent over, whispering to the youth, " Watch this."

The man tapped a small plank on the wall, which fell over slightly. He reached in and pulled out what looked like a rusted key. He then turned back and bent over, placing the key in an unnoticable hole, turning it hard, which made about five planks of wood pop up in unison. He reached under the planks, finding an pulling a rope tied to the wood, pulling the door up to reveal a hidden passage way with steps made of stone. There was a faint glow and soft noises coming from within. Celestias gripped the youth's hand more firmly, pulling him along as he lead the way down the long steps, through a muddy hall and to a door from which music, laughter, and a warm light escaped from the other side.
Celestias took a breath and said, more to himself than Andri, " Here we go.", opening the door and leading the way into a grossly overcrowded, aptly named bar.

Upon entering the tavern, Celestias immediatly grabbed his hostage by the waist and pulled him close. And it wasn't just to protect him--Celestias was sure he'd lose him in this huge crowd very fast if he didn't hold on. And then where would he be? Pushing hard through a sea of druken men and easy women, he made his way to the bar, where two or three stools stood, waiting for someone to plop down and have a drink. Luckily, since the majority of drinkers preferred to sit at one of the many round tables filling the room, there wasn't anyone directly drinking at the bar. Celestias picked up Andri and place him on a stool, then took one for himself. Behind the bar, a scruffy, middle-aged man with knowing eyes turned to them. He only glanced at Celestias, but took a long look at the "female" beside him. He moved forward with an empty glass.
"You'll be having the regular then, Celes? And your lady friend here?"
" If you would be so kind. For her, a bowl of your soup, please. And I've told you before--don't call me that."

The man shook his head, turning to his shelves. Just then, a very pretty woman, who looked to be only thirty or so, walked up to Celestias. Compared to the other women in the tavern, she was relativly clean and her gown well-kept. She wore a dirty apron, which ment she worked here. She was carrying a plate with empty glasses on it. She sat it beside Celestias, smiling playfully.
" Well well, if it isn't the prince himself! Last time you were in here, you walked out with a pretty little thing, didn't you? And how was her company, M-lord?", she asked in mock politeness.
Celestias scowled. " I told you, Barella, as well--do not address me as such." He paused for a moment, then added, " And she was lovely. Worth every penny."
The man behind the bar chuckled, shaking his head. " You know, back in my day we used a little something called "charm" to win the company of a lady."
" For you in information, Kassic, the women who keep in my company often refuse the money, insisting they stay just one more night. Sigh...I usually have to force it upon them to take it, so they can at least have a proper meal that night." Kassic placed a large bowl of hot, blue soup before Andri, and a large glass of ale before Celestias. He took it, drinking greatfully.
Barella scoffed, filling her plate with two new glasses of alchohol. "Don't believe anything he says, little lady. You'll never meet a more hotheaded fool than this.", she said to Andri.
Their costumer stared at the floor for a moment, his face thoughtful. Finally, he said, " Has there been any new Blood in the Bread Room?" Barella and Kassic froze at the question, trading uneasy glances.
" And what would you possibly need information like that for?", she snapped. " Your not thinking of taking a job are you, Celes...?"
Celestias set his ale down hard. " Enough! I'm just looking for someone experienced to help me with a job, is all. I'm not planning of becoming one of the Shade anytime soon, so settle yourselves down.", he said, irritated.
The two exchanged glances again, but said nothing.

After Barella had taken off again, Kassic turned to him. " So then--who's your lady friend? You know--and I know your not one to--but, she has a pretty face, from what I can see...If your looking to sell her..."
" Her name's Irma, and I told you already. I will not be involved in that trade!"
" I understand that it makes you uncomfortable, but for a guy in your position--I mean, your so young, and Barella and I hate to see you live like this....Especially since--"
" Since what, Kassic? Since I lost that life I never should've had? The past is gone for a reason. The gods want me here, and you know it."
" Who are you to talk like that? The gods never wish unhappiness on their people. It is man himself that brings suffering and cruelty to the innocent. So don't speak that way. Your just a boy who knows nothing of the glory of our great gods."
Celestias didn't speak for a moment, taking that in. Remembering his alter ego, he suddenly felt guilty for speaking like that.
" Even so, I won't build a life of riches on the suffering of others."
" And what do you call your current trade?", Barella asked slyly once she returned.
" Anyone can earn stolen money back. You can't earn back a lost loved one."
Once she realized the main subject of the conversation, Barella shot Kassic a glare, who turned back to his glasses.
Once he'd finished his drink, Celestias slapped down two gold coins and got up. " Right then. I need to see about the Bread Room. Barella, will you look after Irma for me?", he asked, gesturing to Andri. Barella smiled and nodded, taking the "girl's" hand. " Right then--c'mon."
The two lead the way to the very back of the tavern, where a very large, locked door with a small hole was. On the right of the door was a small sitting area, where a few young women sat chattering away. They all had strings tied to their wrists, and the strings led to the hole next to the door, then inside the Bread Room. Celestias turned to Andri, looking him in the eyes. " Alright, so, you'll stay here with Barella--women arn't allowed in the Bread Room. Feel free to talk, but not too much, yes? I'll be back in a minuet.", he said, the dissapeared into the room. Barella lead Andri to the sitting area.
" So--Tell me about yourself, hun."