#carnalxbrawn

It had taken an unusually long time for Benjamin to become acclimated to his new cover and all things considering, it really shouldn’t have. The role and its associated responsibilities were simple and straightforward enough. He was to pose as an escort during a party that was being hosted by the city’s top crime syndicate and to gather sufficient information to warrant a raid and defend the precinct in court after that. It was nothing a seasoned officer should have struggled with, but he was. Benjamin had been expecting for his role to be a gender-swap of Pretty Woman, but when he was presented with the uniform, he realized that he couldn’t have been more wrong. 

It was a miracle that Benjamin still managed to emanate a comfortable air of confidence as he made his way around the room serving champagne in nothing but a thong and matching bow tie. He had never felt so naked before in his life and technically speaking, he was wearing clothes. The skimpy undergarment was designed to have people oogle at him and imagine what was underneath and if he had a choice, Benjamin would have preferred to galavant around naked than in it. Sadly, the undercover agent didn’t and he bent over slightly in a practiced way that wouldn’t push his ass out as he offered the plate of champagne to a syndicate peon. “May I interest you in a glass, sir?” He asked as his eyes searched the room for any indication of the syndicate’s leader being present.

There’s something— a feeling in the back of his mind, similar to that discomfort you experience when you know someone is watching you. With all the fighting with demons and their overseers and slaves, Argis isn’t surprised he’s become quite the paranoid. “Easy there” he mutters quietly as he heals the wounds of the dark-haired man, channeling through his palms the power of the almighty Silver Hand. His skin tingles at the closeness, at the sense of danger, but the Paladin is quick to dismiss the alert— he’s fully capable of protecting himself and those in the Abbey if they need it, and many of the great dangers that lurk around the place fear the light of his holy hammer. At the man’s next complain and grunt, the blond leans back a little, reaching forward to pull a piece of cloth from a water basin, squeezing some of the extra liquid before he uses it as a compress on the man’s forehead. “Whatever happened to you? Looks like you got quite the beating”.

Athkatla bristled with excitement.

Traders from The Evermoors and Najara brought with them exotic goods and services that the city hadn’t seen in months. Tobias Vivet was not about to risk his health or his coin purse to the crowd it had attracted. He volunteered to stay behind with the few priests and priestess to watch the temple. He’d simply written a list and sent some gold with one of the younger initiates. The temple wasn’t as occupied as the others. Not many could stomach the followers of Sune; he didn’t judge them for it. He was thankful that most of the rougher sort of travelers would rather bathe in the river then come into the temple for it. The smell of oils and perfumes and the finery didn’t set well with most.

Sune’s temple was still busy. Only he and two of out of the ten who remained weren’t busy bathing a visitor or helping them relax. The tall blond was more focused on how straight the cloth on the altar had been and if it had enough spare perfume and hygiene products for visitors to use. He stopped only for a moment to look at himself in the mirror center piece. He ran his fingers through his hair, made sure his silk robes were straight and finished his inspection with a wink and prayer to the Goddess. The robes left nothing to the imagination. See through and showing off the under garments that he wore, it was a holy vestment he had grown used to wearing. By time he had finished making sure the lines on the robe were straight, he had heard the doors to the temple open. The other free follower of Sune, a young woman with long blond hair, was busy brushing the strains out and had just started to braid them carefully. They caught each other’s eye and he nodded his understanding.

The morning had begun far earlier than Caleb had meant it too. Before the sun could even begin it’s steep climb into the sky, the blond’s eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the early morning darkness with ease. Sighing, Caleb turned his head to the side, watching as Dante’s chest rose and fell with the shallow breaths of sleep that was still claiming him. He couldn’t help the smile that spread over his face, Dante looked almost peaceful when he was asleep. There was part of him that preferred his husband when he was asleep, Caleb was able to get so much done when he could do so without worrying about being stopped by the brute of a man. 

Unfolding himself from the sinewy man’s arms, he ever-so carefully slipped from the bed. It took a lot of care to keep from waking Dante, but Caleb silently pat himself on the back for his managing at slipping out unnoticed. Exiting the bedroom on tiptoe, he pulled the door shut behind him, taking care of the click that resounded as the door fit easily into the frame. Padding into the living room, Caleb stood in the doorway of the large, sliding-glass door that overlooked the ocean. Stretching, the man’s muscles shifted and pulled tight beneath his skin. It was a very rare occasion when Caleb could sit in the silence with only himself for company. Moving into the kitchen, he started the coffee pot, moving back over to the sliding-glass door and stepping out on the balcony. He breathed in the refreshing scent of the sea salt on the air. He stood there for a while, overlooking the ocean and watching the people, like ants, far down on the beach below. 

Caleb poured himself his first cup of coffee when the coffee maker beeped, indicating that it had finished brewing. Once he had finished, he slipped back into the bedroom and into the shower. Caleb didn’t feel right starting his day without a shower, and given his current situation, he wanted to take full advantage of getting away with doing whatever it was he wanted. He showered quickly, wrapping a towel around his waist as he walked back into the bedroom, almost chuckling at Dante, who was now splayed like a starfish across the bed with Caleb’s absence. Lifting a leg and nudging him with his foot, he smiled. “Hey, lazy.” he said aloud, nudging him again. “You gonna sleep the day away, or what?”

Theodosis stood in the foyer with house guards on either side of them.

They took in the expensive taste and elegant decoration. It had happened before. A Master would grow in debt and trade something of value to pay it. A prized gladiator could erase a dragon hoard of debt. This wasn’t new to the goliath and as they looked over the manor, they wondered about their new owner. The steward made a disgusted noise and drew their eye back to him. He handed over Theodosis’ old clothes, given to them by their old master, over to another servant of the house and muttered for them to be burned. The goliath stood naked before the three men.

Their tall frame and their thick muscle made the steward wary. Theo could see it in his gate and the way the small human wrung his hands repeated before they finally gestured to have the guards follow. A warm hand on their back brought their attention down to the guard who touched them. A grunt was Theo’s only acknowledgment as they followed the house servant up the stairs and into a lavish study. Theo once was again captivated by their surroundings and barely paid any attention that the steward muttered he was going to go fetch the Master and the guards should stand outside the door. The room was larger than his old Master’s study.

Furniture was more expensive, more books littered the room and everything seemed fragile. How wealthy can this new owner actually be? Had they been new to this world, Theo would believe him a king instead of a noble. Curiosity gnawed at them to explore the room. Large fingers traced over the fine wooden desk, the expensive stationary and the fabric of the chairs that sat around the open space. Theo didn’t have to wait long before the doors opened from behind them. They looked over their shoulder, catching their first glimpse at the man who had gained a champion.