There were the slums and the rest of the city. The slums were the worst of the worst. Garbage littered the streets to the point where the original ground can barely be seen. Instead of houses or buildings there are shacks made up of rotten wood or scraps from other buildings. Pirate lords despised this part of the city, seeing as it has the poorest of them all. However, getting rid of them was much easier said than done.

This was where she had grown up her entire life. Digging through the garbage and searching for anything to sell to provide money for her family. Many other children did the same until they were capable of taking on real jobs. Yet jobs were scarce. Thousands of refugees and criminals came and went who had far more experience than anyone born in the city. Outsiders might have expected kids growing up on the streets would have become the best thieves but it was difficult to steal from a city full of professional thieves. There were almost no options.

A sigh escaped the demon's lips as she walked down the wretched street. She had just received…interesting news. Her mother was pregnant again. A sixth child in an already too big family. Would that child grow up to learn to dig through trash to survive? Veda wondered this as she went scavenging through the garbage herself. Beyond the mud hid little treasures that hardly anybody noticed. Old nails, torn up paper, scraps of metal, wooden pieces, clothe, and occasionally a broken jewelry piece. Veda was a sight to see. But not in a good way. Her tangled black hair went down to her shoulders and her golden eyes could rival the sun's blaze. The clothes hanging off of her body was too big and the amount of stains on them were almost uncountable.

Her arms and legs were stiff from all the gathering she had done today. A medium sized bag was filled with a variety of materials. The best thing she'd found so far was an old dagger. It wasn't broken badly. The blade itself was fine but the handle had rust creeping up on it. It was at the bottom of the bag, hidden under less desirable materials. While digging through the garbage, the demon found something particularly interesting. A pretty silver and blue bracelet covered in mud. If it were to be cleaned up, it would be sold for a high price. She dumped the bracelet in her bag then stood up. Tomorrow was her birthday. But nobody had time for that. Not even herself. They never celebrated it much anyway. There just wasn't enough money. Money money money. The one thing that mattered most in life. Besides family that is.

But it was as if the two couldn't exist without each other. To get money one needed a family. To get a family one needed money. It was a parafox. Or was it a paralox? She couldn't remember the actual term. Crossing from the slums to the city was dangerous. Thieves, thugs, and other desperate individuals were lurking at every corner. Fortunately, having the appearance of a demon meant that she was able to be feared without actually having to do anything. She stepped carefully through the city towards the market place.

The blacksmith would want the metal scraps. Woodworker for the wood scraps. Jewelry seller for jewelry. Any clothe or leather would have to go to the cobbler. The market was alive and dangerous. Strangers approached Veda, trying to convince her to buy things she didn't really need. Dark wizards or vampires searched for easy prey. Any action of weakness would result in death. Swift and simple. The demon kept her bag close and walked with confidence. As she had done since she was a child.

Today was certainly an interesting day in the pirate's haven. With streets often filled with rogue's thieves, and, of course, pirates, one would be mad to show particular signs of wealth, as it would simply place fae-light sign above their heads, screaming, "Hey, rob me! I got wealth!" And yet, in the middle of the port's trading district, where most pirates would do their business with their stolen goods, rested a large carriage with barrels loaded on top, set up to be drawn with two large and well-bred steeds controlled by a driver, and the carriage itself being in perfectly fine condition. No signs of salvage or cutting corners were in its care. And yet, despite the fae-light sign, not a single person in the streets seemed to dare even approach it, let alone try to rob anything from it.

After all, even pirates needed to do business.

"While this is good quality ore," the blacksmith said in his shop, where the cart currently rested outside, "I cannot exactly tell what makes it so special to actually increase its price by what you offered."

The reply given to him was by a hearty chuckle of the orc who sat across the table from him. "I am sorry to say that its not because of the actual ore itself that the price increased, but where it was gathered. A good vein, indeed, if not for the crystal spider next that rests nearby. The price increase is so that the miners will have protection while they gather up these materials. Although, if we increase the price a bit more, I am sure we can increase the gains even more."

The comment was, of course, received by a deep glare at the smithy. "The hell is that supposed to mean?" However, unbenounced to him, from behind the reflective monocle, a faint glow penetrated his stare into his mind.

"Sure, we can easily just pay constantly for some defense… OR, we can place up an offer with the Hunter's Guild to deal with the spiders. Not only does that mean we have to worry less about security hands, but it also opens up to their crystal supply, which you can deal with the enchantress and jeweler for some extra product. Not only that, but if the hunters can salvage the venom sacs of the spiders–"

"Then we can deal with the alchemist for poisons and antidotes." Hook, line, and sinker. It did not take much longer for talk and dealings to finish up before silver was being dealt with, where he left it to his secretary to handle before stepping outside of the shop himself. With a brief circle of his arm, workers started to come out and begin moving the barrels from the carriage into the smith's shop.

The blacksmith was not in his usual stall. Concern flashed through the demon's head when she realized this. Perhaps the blacksmith had died. A small part of Veda felt pity for him, although she would never admit it. In this town, displaying concern for others was a dangerous thing to do. People would use that pity against her. Stepping closer to the stall, Veda managed to pick up a scent of the blacksmith. Mixture of coal with metal and beer. Veda followed the scent through the streets. People kept their eyes down or avoided gazes. One wrong look could cause a fight. Veda stepped lightly, careful to avoid areas where thugs or thieves were obviously lurking.

Soon the demon came across a large carriage with barrels on the top of it. Whomever owned the carriage was a show-off. Ignoring the carriage, she headed towards the blacksmith's shop. This blacksmith owned both a stall and a store. Normally he was in the stall at this time. She paused for a moment when she spotted a person leave the store. Suddenly workers began to move items into the blacksmith shop. Had the blacksmith died? If so, then this would be the new blacksmith. The demon quickly ignored the thought. The stranger looked nothing like a blacksmith. He looked more like one of those creatures who dressed fancy to show off their wealth. A blacksmith never would do that. Veda watched for a moment as the workers hauled the barrels from the carriage into the shop. 

"VEDA!" The blacksmith shouted as he came running out of the shop. 

Nope. The blacksmith was alive. Veda quickly dodged out of the way as the blacksmith tried to tackle her. He then stood up with a smile. 

"Good, still keeping on your toes." The blacksmith said with a smirk, "Whatcha got today?" 

To anybody else, it might have seemed odd but that was how she was greeted every time she came over. The demon figured that it was a way for the blacksmith to get out his aggression while trying to teach her how to dodge. He'd been doing that ever since she was small and would terrorize all the other kids. Veda was the only one who came back stubbornly. Now it was tradition to dodge his attacks whenever she came to sell the scraps. And free training. Setting her old bag down, she opened it and dug out all the metal scraps. She kept the bracelet buried at the bottom of the wood so she could sell it to the jewelry stall. 

"Not bad. You even got that dagger. Nice. " The blacksmith said inspecting the scraps, 

He paid her some silver. To any business man, it would be obvious that Veda was being underpaid. The scraps together and the old dagger were worth at least 23 silver. Instead, Veda received 15 silver. She placed the silver in her bag. 

Qadim's eyebrow rose as he watched the blacksmith try and tackle another woman. The dirt and grime that caked her hands, the wear of her clothing… It was clear this was a slum woman… one stick in the slums in a haven full of crooks. Now that, alone, was a joke. The man's familiarity with her and the lack of shock that came from the barrage hinted at signs of familiarity as well.Either this woman was quite the regular, or their relation came a bit further than that.

No, that wasn't it. He watched the deal from behind the shoulders as silver was being traded for the scraps. She jumped for any amount at offer, which most likely the smith was cutting corners on her pay. "Now hold on there," Qadim spoke up, stepping forth. "Now, while I do think this kind of recycling is important, I would say its good to have another set of eyes to examine it. Wouldn't you say?" At a whistle, a figure walked out of the shadows, as if walking out of the carriage itself before it walked closer. "Now, I may not be a metal expert at weaponry like our smithy here, but this lady here is all but familiar with such lethal edges. Now then, would you mind a second look over?"

"Hey, what's the big ide–" the blacksmith tried to back at, but a glare was all but enough to seal his lips shut. Attention was turned back to the rogue who looked over the blade closely.

"The rust alone states its not a stainless steel, but that does not mean its a simple blade. The way its curved and how the grip feels in one's fingers…" She took a few swings in the air, her fingers dancing with the blade itself. "Certainly nicely balanced. Then you got the etches in the blade at its hilt along with the grip itself. I would say this one was gotten from a quality smith from Nisshoki. Possibly one of their ninja schools. Even with the rust, it would be worth about 30 silver. Polished up and given a proper whet, 44-50."

"And that does not include the rest of these materials?" The rogue shook her head. "Well then, I would say it would be rather rude to under pay your clients, wouldn't you say?"

A look of surprised crossed her face before she quickly covered it up. The demon had noticed the glare that had been sent to the blacksmith to shut him up. Veda was not shocked that the blacksmith had been cheating her out on silver. She didn't know that was the case but it made sense why he did it. To save money for himself while getting the free scraps. Tomorrow he would no doubt return to his normal payment for her. There wasn't really another blacksmith who accepted scraps from the poor like herself. They didn't have anybody else to sell to. It was either accept his prices, or don't sell at all. 

The thing that surprised her was Qadim's attempts to help her. At the moment it seemed genuine. But who knew if that was a mask or not? Once, she trusted somebody in this city who wasn't her family, with her life. Now she knew better than to trust anyone who wasn't of her own family. Whomever this gentleman was, he was wearing a mask. A facade of some sort. As did everyone. As did she. Nobody here went around as themselves. Pretending to be somebody else was the best option. The only option really. What did this stranger want? What was he after? Curiosity raged in her mind as she thought about it.

Eventually, the rouge was done talking about the quality and actually mentioned the price. Thirty silver? Veda's eyes looked straight at the blacksmith, wondering if he would actually pay her that. The blacksmith held an uneasy smile and rubbed the back of his bald head with his left hand.

"Of course it would be rude to underpay clients! I only was distracted and didn't notice it." He explained.

The man turned to Veda and handed her thirty silver. Feeling the amount of silver in her hands was…different. She rubbed her thumb over one of the silver coins to feel the smooth coldness of it. Picking up her bag, she dumped twenty of the silver into her bag. She had more than enough for today. Her golden eyes turned straight to Qadim.

A strange emotion burned within her eyes. A type of curiosity mixed with an unknown desire. Nothing emotional for Qadim. But for the things he brought and for the power he held. A type of greed that was familiar but went without a name. Walking up to him, she held ten silver.

"Make a deal?" Veda asked, "You answer two of my questions and you will get ten silver. Interested?"

He could hear the blacksmith's muttering as he began to walk by to his shop, clearly upset about the loss of silver, trying to make it up to himself by his current "investment" with ore, crystal, and toxins he would soon get his hands on. With it, the air had grown filled with the ambient mutter of others in the air, yet just before he returned to his cart, a voice broke their silence: the demon girl. She was offering up part of the coin she just earned to be able to ask some questions… Such pocket change to him, yet probably the world to her, and here she was making the offer…

He may as well amuse her.

His large, green hand was lifted into the air before pinching the disks into his own palm, shuffling them a bit in his fingers before clenching it closed and resting it back to his side. "You may ask your questions."

She raised her hand up, holding up a single finger to signal her first question. "What do you get for helping me?" Smart girl, already debating an ulterior motive towards his action. In actuality, it was to keep up a positive image to the public up front. Someone who would not want to see a face-value deal go wrong. After all, that was how his businesses were handled… in the open.

"I was nothing more than a third party associated with with a debating side. I would not want bad deals to go along with anyone I am associated with, even if it means being harmful to them. After all, they have gotten into these deals in order to survive, just as you have."

There was a brief pause before her hand shifted from one to two fingers up. "Are there any better jobs outside this city?" She wanted out of this hellhole. Out from being a rat in the slums of the scummiest people around. She was ambitious…

"Of course there are better things to do outside of these walls. All you need to do is be careful where you try and seek your help. Know where you are going and what consequences will come from them. Are you willing to take such risks?"

He didn't even need to hear her answer, as the fire in her eyes spoke true enough. A grin filled his small tusks as he turned over to the rogue who still stood next to him, holding his hand out and passing over the silver she handed over to him. "Send her to the local bathhouse. Get her properly cleaned up and proper so our next meal will not be one who smells of pig's ass." A nod came from the rogue as she took the demon's shoulder, starting to push her forward as Qadim stepped back to the cart.

Before Veda understood what was happening, she was being pushed forwards. In order to get to the local bathhouse, they had to pass by an alleyway to the slums. The demon spotted a friend of hers. Somebody who she could trust. Her hand waved over a short child who was only ten. Whispering something into the child's ear, the child nodded and took the bag. It would be returned to her family.

They would have the rest of her treasure before whatever came next. She didn't get the chance to say much else. The now, slightly annoyed, rogue began to shove her firmly towards the bathhouse. When they arrived everyone else seemed to flee like rats. They could smell the grim and must have assumed that the baths would be filthier than ever if the demon used them.

The rogue and demon were soon ready for the baths. The bath was clean and warm. As soon as Veda stepped into the water, dirt spiraled into the water, twisting and turning around in it. A heavy sigh escaped the rogue's lips as she realized how much dirt the demon actually held. The rogue picked up a bar of soap and held it to Veda, once the demon had finished swimming around like a goldfish.

Veda opened her mouth and chomped down upon the soap bar. The taste was funny but food was food. Realizing that Veda was going to eat it, the rogue desperately tried to take it back. It turned into a tug-a-war between the demon and the rogue. Soon the rogue won. The next challenge was actually using the soap on Veda. Deciding that she was clean enough, the demon decided to try to escape the bathhouse. Veda would have escaped if it wasn't for the rogue dragging her back by the feet.

After washing, the rogue used a towel to dry Veda off. Her hair was frizzy and fluffy due to the towel. The rogue took time to get it brushed out. Then the demon was handed some new clothes. A dark purple and gold top. The bottom was a pair of purple and gold shorts. Finally, she was suitable for dinner. The smell had gone away and she no longer looked as filthy. The both of them headed back.

"Your bathing trip turned more into babysitting," the rogue stated, forcing open the door to the captain's quarters of one of the freight ships that rested at dock, revealing the orc as he sat near the window, drawing in a cigar before huffing out a cloud. Without a word, the orc pulled out a small bag and tossed it aside, nestling into her fingers upon landing before she gave a bow and stepped out.

"Its amazing how much different one feels after years of grime have been taken away, huh?" the orc asked the demon, pulling himself from his seat to walk over to her. "The blacksmith called you Veda, right? I am Qadim, the head of the Garakh Trade Organization. We specializing in shipping goods from one land to the next, ensuring their safety and deals.

"Now then, before we let this go any further," a small flash occurred from behind the mirrored monocle, though it would be difficult to actually tell looking straight at him, "You must be feeling hungry, yes? Tell me: How do you like your steaks?"

"Without maggots," came out of her bluntly, causing Qadim to pause before letting out a hearty laugh. A good sense of humor or survival instincts, it did not honestly matter. It only took a brief moment for him to catch his breath before clapping in the air, summoning yet another person into the room.

"Two T-bone steaks, medium rare on both and a rich wine," he told the new man, who simply nodded before taking off. As he took off, Qadim moved himself over to one of the seats in front of him before motioning to her to take the one right across from him. "Now then, let's get this interview underway, okay? What skills do you have? Oh, and there is no need to hold back, either. I already know you are nothing more than a rat in the slums of this hole they call a city. The more I know, the better tasks I can think for you to do for us…"

The demon did not trust that rogue. Nor did she trust Qadim. But the thought of having enough money was more important. Even if it meant pain, suffering, or anything else. She had to figure out what he wanted and to make the best of her situation. Veda took the seat across from him. The seat was soft and comfy. Her golden eyes searched the room for any danger. Besides the possible danger of Qadim. Not possible. Probable. Her nails and tail were all clean. When she felt her hair, it was unfamiliar without all the grease and dirt. The sharp teeth inside her mouth was white and her nails seemed to almost shine without the grudge packed in it. Qadim was asking about her skills. She lifted her head to talk to him properly. 

"I can climb brick, wood, and occasionally metal walls. My speed is faster than most humans. I have heightened senses." A runoff of skills that she believed were important, "And, I never forget information given to me. Scavenging is the thing I am best at. Finding materials is easy, even if covered by garbage or filth. If its an item, I can hunt it down." 

That last part was true. She could recall moments in her life with perfect accuracy and description. Every smell, sight, sound, and overall piece of information learned din't leave her mind. Occasionally she would have to think about it for a few moments, but still could recall it. Veda was careful to be vague about her skills. She made sure that she told the information that was necessary. Telling information at all or being there was a foolish action. Anybody else would have gone back home or tried to get travel on her own. The demon hadn't thought about that. 

All she knew was that he had information. Information she needed. Information to get where she wanted to go. Also, this interview. It was strange. There was no reason to interview her. He mentioned something about tasks. Paid tasks? She would like to get paid for tasks. Her mind seemed to be distracted by a thousand thoughts. 

Never forgets anything, huh? Qadim pondered? A wonderful tool, yet at the same time, can be very dangerous. Should her mental walls be weak, she could easily leak out information who tries to probe her mind. This may call for a test, he thought as he internally grinned, yet another flash of light from behind the mirrored monocle as she stared at him: a small, mental seed. He would not probe it just yet, but soon enough to check her mental fortitude.

"From what I can tell, you also have a keen eye. After all, what you dug up was no ordinary dagger you simply find on the streets. Mix that with your scavenging skills, I am not surprised to see you gotten by for this long. However, digging for scraps can only get this far. Tell me… No, wait. Show me," his hands dug underneath the table to pull out a quill and two blank parchments of paper. Dipping the quill in ink, he was quick to write something down before passing it over her. "Can you read this and rewrite it? Just remember, penmanship is important." Which meant he didn't want to see her penmanship from Veda, but his. Question is, would she catch on?

As she went to work on what he asked, the door opened up before the chef from before walked in, carrying two plates of searing hot steaks, sided with diced potatoes grilled in garlic and asparagus, setting one next to each of them along with silverware before another came in, setting aside two glasses, uncorking a fresh bottle of red wine and pouring their glasses. "When you are finished, you are free to eat." And at that time, he would test her…