User:NeloAngelo/Redstuff/Side 3

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Side Chapter 3 - Bariel With another day filling out boring paperwork over with, my nightly routine starts. "Sleepless Everia", the place where night is just the beginning. I carried myself into the red light districts of the area with the same familiarity as I would step into the national office. For every step I walked, I am greeted with passionate looks from the masses. "Sir Bariel! It's been a while since you have a drink at our bar!" "Sir Bariel! I couldn't forget the night we had together!" "Sir Bariel!..." Comparing the burning passion of the district, to the cold system of the national bureau, it felt like day and night. Yet, I remain myself walking both ends of these fields.

Shortly, I reached Aphrodia Brothel. Soft lighting all around, and the ever familiar scent - a mix of cigarette, alcohol, and perfumes. "Sir Bariel! How nice it is for you to patronage our service!" The attendant greeted. I smiled. Almost a natural reflex.

"Is there a specific type of lady you are looking for?" The attendant asked. A rhetoric question. He knows it's one. I know it's one. Everyone knows it's one.

"Oh please, you know my taste." So I gave the usual answer again. A mid length, straight blonde hair, a svelte build, and pale visage. A secret known only to myself and my great teacher &mdash; the Red Eye Goddess' appearance.

Her appearance has burned deep into me the moment I saw her photo. An inspiring beauty, a muse. A being that lit a fire within me.

A few minutes later, the attendant brought along a woman. She had her hair fashioned into a top-knot, with a complementary red cocktail dress. Adorned across her arms are jewelries. A high-class woman of this profession.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir." The woman bowed, her voice quivered. A woman of her status should have serviced many men of high status, yet she is surprised that she would be serving the leader of Everia? How cute. I lowered myself to her level, gently touching her face. "What is your name?" I asked. "A-Annalise." The woman replied, yet her eyes refused to meet mine. "Annalise. Do not be afraid. Tonight, you are spending a passionate night with Bariel, not the leader of Everia." "I am pleased to serve you." Annalise raised her face, her eyes looking at me. Her green eyes. .....

The woman is eager to please.

The more I look at the woman before me, the more...difference I found between her and the Goddess. Her blonde hair is too vibrant of a shade. Her legs aren't as long. Her expression are to exuberant. Her eyes aren't red.

She is not my goddess. I felt an indescribable anger and unsatisfactory surging within me. A sense of being cheated.

I have been chasing a shadow. A shadow that I will never reach. If I am born earlier. If I am more powerful. If I am to able to breath under the same sky as the her.

"Please...stop. It hurts..." A soft voice penetrated my ears. A voice belonging to Annalise.

My hands are gripping firmly at her neck. I pulled my hands backwards. "Forgive me. I don't know what came over me." I said. Annalise coughed, trying to regain the breath. She looked at me with eyes full of fear. My expression softened, then continued, "I promised we would have a passionate night together. Would you give another chance?" Annalise said nothing, but gently nodded her head. An all too familiar scenario to me. She is the not the first case.

Annalise left the next early morning. Alongside her payment, I gave her a complimentary ring. "Something to remember last night." I said. Between the payment and the ring, Annalise seems more overjoyed at the ring - Her wide smile on receiving the ring doesn't feel professional. Though I said it would be something remember me by, I know I wouldn't ask of her service again. I never repeat patronage of the same woman. After all, I already know they are not my Goddess. A mere temporarily comfort for me, however fake. Almost a routine.