Glade 12th, 123
Many hours had he spent observing those who walked the boards of the Velvet Cabaret, sometimes among them and sometimes perched where he might observe unseen. It was so near to the home of his Magus employer that, coming or going or waiting, Rivin could not but see some of what went on. This garnering of snippets had led to interest, which had led to more intentional observation.
Over many months he had seen and heard many things, some of which he understood, some he did not, and some that he only grew to understand over time.
While he had learned that there was a market for those who would simply bend or thrust without comment when passed silver, it was the allure of seduction that earned the glint gold. Why the art of drawing someone in required this higher price was, at first, confusing. Yet, over time he had come to realize things that, to his displeasure, he could not think of a way to express. The patrons enjoyed themselves more when they were enticed, even when they had come to t he Cabaret, or other establishment, with the expressed intention of finding a sexual partner in exchange for payment.
Rivin did not want sexual partners for his own gratification, at least... he did not think he did. Being close with Sivan felt good, secure and pleasant in a way he could only describe in the terms of his zoological studies. They were all animals too, or had come from animal bases before gods or nature had tampered with them, the need for nesting, for having a safe den and others to share work and touch with where psychologically important for well being. This was something he had assumed he was above, until he'd had it. What he paid his Magus to do for him wasn't sex, it was just an adaptation to respond to urges both biological and trained into him until they were part of him.
But seduction, and its myriad applications, was a tool. Seeing that had not taken him long, for the artisans that plied the trade of their bodies in the Cabaret used their skills to dissuade patrons that they did not wish to service as often as they used them to draw in ones they did. Additionally they were able to negotiate any number of things that seemed to have little to do with the proposition itself. When he'd come to recognize the more subtle expressions he began to see it all over. From children barely old enough to be budding to shop keeping matrons and patrons, anyone could employ small seductions, small flirtations, to ensure a more favorable outcome for themselves.
It was too valuable a skill not to learn it himself. There were only two people he trusted to ask for such training and, while Sivan did seem to know how to do it when he was with one of his lovers he did not seem to realize that he knew how. The implication, that it was something learned instinctively by those raised among society, both intrigued Rivin and made him feel woefully behind his peers. Aurin though, Aurin used seduction often, almost constantly. At times it felt like he was a physical embodiment of the idea as he moved through the world. Perhaps he would teach Rivin, and, if not, he could direct him to a teacher. It was a skill that would help in his work, after all.
He sent a brief message through the enchanted pendant he had been granted by his employer, asking if they could meet. It was late, by the time he arrived outside the little house, but Aurin was rarely inside unless it was late. He did not knock, the Magus would know he had arrived and making any sound that wasn't a necessity felt wrong to the Lysanrin.
Many hours had he spent observing those who walked the boards of the Velvet Cabaret, sometimes among them and sometimes perched where he might observe unseen. It was so near to the home of his Magus employer that, coming or going or waiting, Rivin could not but see some of what went on. This garnering of snippets had led to interest, which had led to more intentional observation.
Over many months he had seen and heard many things, some of which he understood, some he did not, and some that he only grew to understand over time.
While he had learned that there was a market for those who would simply bend or thrust without comment when passed silver, it was the allure of seduction that earned the glint gold. Why the art of drawing someone in required this higher price was, at first, confusing. Yet, over time he had come to realize things that, to his displeasure, he could not think of a way to express. The patrons enjoyed themselves more when they were enticed, even when they had come to t he Cabaret, or other establishment, with the expressed intention of finding a sexual partner in exchange for payment.
Rivin did not want sexual partners for his own gratification, at least... he did not think he did. Being close with Sivan felt good, secure and pleasant in a way he could only describe in the terms of his zoological studies. They were all animals too, or had come from animal bases before gods or nature had tampered with them, the need for nesting, for having a safe den and others to share work and touch with where psychologically important for well being. This was something he had assumed he was above, until he'd had it. What he paid his Magus to do for him wasn't sex, it was just an adaptation to respond to urges both biological and trained into him until they were part of him.
But seduction, and its myriad applications, was a tool. Seeing that had not taken him long, for the artisans that plied the trade of their bodies in the Cabaret used their skills to dissuade patrons that they did not wish to service as often as they used them to draw in ones they did. Additionally they were able to negotiate any number of things that seemed to have little to do with the proposition itself. When he'd come to recognize the more subtle expressions he began to see it all over. From children barely old enough to be budding to shop keeping matrons and patrons, anyone could employ small seductions, small flirtations, to ensure a more favorable outcome for themselves.
It was too valuable a skill not to learn it himself. There were only two people he trusted to ask for such training and, while Sivan did seem to know how to do it when he was with one of his lovers he did not seem to realize that he knew how. The implication, that it was something learned instinctively by those raised among society, both intrigued Rivin and made him feel woefully behind his peers. Aurin though, Aurin used seduction often, almost constantly. At times it felt like he was a physical embodiment of the idea as he moved through the world. Perhaps he would teach Rivin, and, if not, he could direct him to a teacher. It was a skill that would help in his work, after all.
He sent a brief message through the enchanted pendant he had been granted by his employer, asking if they could meet. It was late, by the time he arrived outside the little house, but Aurin was rarely inside unless it was late. He did not knock, the Magus would know he had arrived and making any sound that wasn't a necessity felt wrong to the Lysanrin.
