Propriety dictated that Calliope fell back a bit from her master, and because of this she found herself keeping pace with one of the Lady Nagi’s own women. It was at this woman that Calliope kept glancing, though tactfully enough that she was only given fleeting glimpses.
It was true that one eventually became accustomed to all the glittering shiny things, so much so, that they became very easy to ignore. One could only look at so much preciousness before it began to undo its own purpose and make itself common.
This new person was difficult to ignore for precisely the opposite reason.
She was by no means simply dressed-as Calliope always was, and had continued to be- but instead of the usual strings of gold and jewels one expected to see around her hips, she wore a low slung belt, at least a hand in width, of dyed red leather, and studded with what looked like bits of iron and copper. From this hung a thick concealing skirt which looked as if it had been pieced together, or hung together, from random odds and ends.
Likewise, instead of combs, pins, or flowers, her hair was partially twisted up in a similar fashion with bits of fabric and hung with what looked like small shells, coins… and other random items she hadn’t quite identified yet.
Generally speaking she gave off the impression of being an aesthetically interesting mess-even if it was pleasing in a fascinating sort of way.
Her torso was covered up with wrap… but Calliope caught glimpses of skin over the thick belt, as well as something drawn on that skin, something snake-like which coiled over her left hip.
There were two other women and a young man with darkly tanned skin, but they were behind her so she couldn’t examine them as covertly… though from what she’d seen already they weren’t nearly so eccentrically eclectic as this one was.
Eventually they came to a set of large doors. She realized quickly that they were the same doors from the first day, the same doors she’d stood before, waiting for Thelios and where the messenger had accosted her… again.
In the corner of her eye she caught the ghost of his image, watching from down the hall. No, not a ghost image. He was actually there, and the animosity in his gaze and expression was easy enough to see, even from a distance. She broke the look first, not anxious to test her own resolve and control, and even less desirous to test her master’s. A quick glance told her he hadn’t noticed the group watching them, or else wasn’t interested enough to pay them any mind. So much the better.
“You know them?”
Calliope nearly jumped at the voice beside her. She turned to meet the dark brown eyes watching her curiously.
“Ah, I do… after a fashion.”
“Not good friends I take it?”
She cleared her throat and straightened a little more. “Not particularly.”
The woman grinned, revealing a row of bright white teeth and raised a hand, causing the chains and bracelets and odd assortment of trinkets to clatter as she did. “I’m Kara.”
Calliope blinked as she recognized the name from a previously overheard conversation. “The dancer?”
Her grin spread and she perked slightly. “You’ve heard of me?”
“I heard the Lady Nagi speak of you.”
She laughed. “Lady Nagi?”
“Oh, I mean your mistress.”
“I know who you mean, I just haven’t heard any one here call her that… and she isn’t my mistress. I’m not a slave.”
“Oh? What are you?”
“Eh, a friend… I guess.”
Calliope blinked. “But… you are human, aren’t you?”
“Yes… but what does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, I don’t know really. I thought the humans here would all be slaves.”
“No. I came because I was invited and because I enjoy spending time around the Lady. Serpents are an inspiration to my art, so I like to study her… watch how she moves. You have to admit, she’s exceptionally graceful.” She pushed her shawl out of the way, revealing that it was indeed a snake arching over her hip… or at least part of one… the rest disappeared around her back and dipped below the line of her belt.
“What about you? Are you Hetaera? A courtesan?”
She was a little stunned by that. The Hetaera were officially a caste of prostitutes, but only nominally. Most were the companions of great men, sometimes more than one, and were among the few women in any city who were free to run their own affairs and households.
“Hetaera? Goodness no. I am a slave.”
“Ah. Well. If you don’t mind me saying, you look a little ‘fine’ for a slave.”
Calliope laughed at that. She couldn’t help herself. They’d entered the main hall and were surrounded by dishearteningly beautiful young women and men, most of whom were likely slaves, and all of whom put her to shame. But the woman looked serious, as if she didn’t get the joke.
“You can’t be serious.” She gestured to the room. “I can’t imagine being mistaken for such a lady in a crowd like this.”
The dancer, Kara, smirked. “That’s just it, you can be… especially in a crowd like this… after all, there are only so many types of people you’ll find here. I specialize in movement, and watch how people move. Many here move like temple whores, some like the professional dancers or acrobats they are, and the rest are just trying to keep from being noticed-those would be the slaves by the way. That goes for the men as well as the women. But you’re human and you don’t fit any of those. Of course, you’re not the only one who doesn’t quite fit…. but the few who don’t are usually Hetaera.”
It seemed Calliope hadn’t been the only one sneaking looks as they’d been walking. Before she could respond, Kara pointed discretely to a woman they were passing who was lounging on a couch.
“She’s one, for example. Can’t remember who she came with though. Notice how she’s leaving a little more to the imagination than the rest?”