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<br/>
<br/>
"Whatever is done for love always occurs beyond good and evil. "<br/>
<span style="font-size: 12px"><i>Friedrich Nietzche</i><br/>
</span></span>​</div><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="font-size: 15px">Asetalos... economics and progress always worked hand in hand, in a larger society the location that congregated the most wealth would explode in power eventually. There was a much more raw reason for Asetalos' power, more so than faith. For better or for worse, the Southern city was a melting pot of people, technology, and goods that one wouldn't be able to find in a few mile radius around the entire city. When one grew up in a place such as this, it was a far different experience... there were no farms in the city, no local business... nothing traditional. The laws that defined the inner walls were based purely on money, technology, and opportunity. Of course, that never meant that the city was <i>completely</i> devoid of religion. Even a city as large as Asetalos had faith, but it wasn't predominantly within Soulithya. Deeper faith from the city's residents were placed on Faena, the Maritime goddess... logically speaking, for a sea-side city this made more than enough sense.<br/>
</span><br/>
In terms of population density, Asetalos was packed with people. There were roughly 100,000 permanent residents and thousands of people visited per year, some stopping by daily while others such as sailors came by monthly or annually. The leadership of the city, strangely enough, was spearheaded by a bureaucracy of the wealthiest merchants in Asetalos rather than a monarchy or city-state dictatorship. For that reason, the city called itself a part of no one nation and instead remained on the border of several... almost faintly resembling a particularly delectable morsel in front of a few ravenous predators.<br/>
...Though, those were turmoils that both had not manifested yet and weren't for the current time and situation in Asetalos.<br/>
<br/>
The city, with its massive gap in the poor and the overpoweringly wealthy, was divided into three main sectors. The overwhelmingly rich lived in the center-most district... the high class residential district. Between the poor and unmaintained low class residential district and the central district was the middle ring of the city. It was where most traders, artisans, and those whom were neither rich nor poor resided... it was also the bridge between the disgusting conditions of the outer rim of the city and the paradise-like central district. Simply put, it was just another unfortunate effect of living in a city... the glamour and power that towered above so many others had perhaps the largest, and darkest shadow of all.<br/>
<br/>
---<br/>
<br/>
Hiding in plain sight was remarkably easier than hiding when no one was around. The city's sheer size made it so much easier for all types of creatures, crimes, and illicit activities to go on. Still... wherever grime and muck festered, there would be people who would take note, and there would be people who would do something. Soft taps of heeled shoes echoed among shadows strewn across the empty, slightly dirty alleyways. Pained pants would suddenly interject into the scene, grunts as the sound of far thicker and heavier boots matched that methodical, calm clack of heels.<br/>
<br/>
"How much longer would you like to run for? Faena's sect has come for you. Possession of black-magic grimoires are a crime punishable by at least half a life in prison." Back pressed against the wall, the hooded... lanky figure gnashed his teeth against one another as his nails dug through the bricks behind him, an aged book underneath his robe. Opposing him, with a shadow over her face was someone remarkably gorgeous by human standards. Perfect, snow-white skin and hair that seemed to be good enough to simulate rich, white silk. Pale blue eyes matched out her appearance, offering a perfect contrast with her soft yet full pink lips.<br/>
<br/>
Her dress seemed perfectly acceptable for some type of noblewoman, though most noblewomen didn't wander into empty alleyways and harass shady characters...<br/>
<br/>
"I'm not afraid of some fucking demon <b><i>bitch</i></b> like you whose always in heat!" With one flourish of his palm, he smacked the cover of the book open... black miasma suddenly spilling from the cover and entering into the alleyway though almost fearlessly, the girl took steps forward. One after another, even though the yelling aggravations and threats of her companion demanded she stay away. It would seem as if she'd vanish after one blink, the distance between them being nonexistent as her hand rounded up to his throat before caressing it softly... a cooing, erotic voice dipping into his ear.<br/>
<br/>
"Ugh... your essence is just so... disgusting. This demon bitch's ability to mess with sensory is pretty useful in combat... and don't you think you're a little <i>too</i> disrespectful? After all my mastery on magic is..." As if the gravity in the area tripled, it felt like a huge weight would be dropped on everyone who was in the vicinity... but it was just pressure exerted from the girl's mana. Immediately, it forced a pained groan out of the man as he collapsed onto the floor, the book spilling out of his hand. "I would milk you dry but... eugh~" She'd let out one more playful groan of disgust, leaving a kiss on his cheek before grabbing the book off the floor and just tucking it neatly underneath her arm.<br/>
<br/>
It'd take a few moments for her to alert the authorities and by then, she was long gone from the scene.<br/>
<br/>
---<br/>
<br/>
In the brightly lit streets, her paleness forced her to keep a parasol above her figure to keep her skin from being burnt. The same beauty that intoxicated others was ironically enough, harming her. Moments before, she dropped the grimoire off at one of the many churches of Faena in order to have it disposed of. Now, she'd easily weave through the crowd with a practiced skillfulness while making her way into the dock. Hanging around her neck in plain sight was a symbol of Faena, something that signified an official relationship with the church and very few people messed with the girl solely based on that one pendant. <br/>
<br/>
Her eyes glanced around looking for one form in particular... and when she found it, she'd suddenly step in that direction just to messily collide with another person. In this instance, she was quite a few inches taller and just rigidly took the impact though she was sure the smaller figure that impacted with her would've felt a little more... affected.<br/>
<br/>
"Oh dear... I'm so sorry!" Although her clothes were as high quality and clean as her appearance, she'd immediately kneel so that she was on eye level of the girl she just bounded into, closing her parasol and tucking it underneath her arm before taking a good look at the girl once her eyes adjusted to the light. ...The first thing was probably her freckles, absolutely charming in a way. The second and most obvious were her robes. "Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?" For someone who just bumped into her, the woman seemed to be nearly panicked, grasping the girl's hand with one feminine, supple palm and gripping it tight. <br/>
<br/>
In terms of appearance, they were as different as day and night... yet strangely enough, they should've been able to both detect each other's affiliations. "Are you with goddess Soulithya? I don't adhere to your goddess, but the churches of Faena and the churches of Soulithya have almost... sister-like relations. It's a pleasure to meet you." Radiantly yet strangely eloquently and refined, her smile was... a little irregularly alluring. Once she ensured the girl was okay, she'd stand back up all the way... the lightest hints of dirt smearing the tips and edges of her dress. "You're new here, aren't you? In return for me bumping into you, let me show you around. I'll take you to the church after if you'd like?" Kindness befitting someone with the church... but there was something a little unnerving, or maybe even irregular about her. Maybe it was simply bias from how gorgeous she looked...<br/>
<br/>
Suddenly she'd step past the girl before moving up to talk to a sailor behind her. "Stay there, after I'm done with some business I'll show you around." One more smile, and she was engrossed in her conversation. This was as good a chance as any to run away if Rhaya wanted to... if she didn't her entanglement with the woman would only grow and tighten, but there was no way she could know something like that... not yet, at least.</span>