Shades of Red

It had been too long since Vahika had traveled to Divora. It was one of her favorite places in the Cluster, for various reasons. The main one was Kurh'n'ta'a Kris Bonnie. For many years, both Hapan had built a strong partnership, and Bonnie had provided the Ducha with new trade opportunities, especially of the illegal kind. Vahika Wlady was happy to build fortunes and prestige over legal commerce, but she appreciated the extra cash coming from the black market. She would also be a liar if she pretended that the pleasures provided by Bonnie's establishment were relevant to her. In times of dry spells, she could always count on getting a run for her money, along with multiple orgasms, when visiting Divora.

Clad in a chatoyant dress suit, with bright blue boots and matching gem jewelry, the Ducha had just left her ship and trusted her own people as well as the Red Mother's to move luggage and hidden merchandise into the nearby building. Enjoying the breeze, which reminded her of the large oceans back home, the petite blonde felt invigorated by simply setting foot on Divora. She was looking forward to what the Kurh'n'ta'a and her would discuss, likely catching up with that delightful liquor whose origin she had never been able to get from Bonnie, even with utmost persuasion. The woman was quite the character and Vahika appreciated her all the more for this reason.

Vahika didn't always mix business and pleasure, but Divora always called for that. Some might think that purchased pleasure wasn't real, but such people had obviously never visited this place.

That the establishment had been built atop sea caves, grottoes, and potentially hazardous waterways had been one of the deciding factors in selecting a location for her House. The Kurh'n'ta'a pulled the long red tail of her hair over her shoulder, twisting it in her hands, like a rope that may just haul her back up, should she fall. The drop over the railing was to a considerably rocky death below, but in between the jutting formations, docks. Workers moving to and fro along them as cargo was removed from one place, taken through dark waters on to somewhere else.

"Kurh'n'ta'a..? Mother? Your company has arrived above."

Looking away from the operation below, the Red Mother turned and lifted her face up the stairs to where one of her daughter's had come to bring the message. "So I gathered.."

With the crimson silk of her gown in one hand, Kris ascended the steps. "Take her a bottle of that Reserve that she likes, and give her whatever or whoever else she wants. Not Jessalyn."

While Kris understood, announcing that she had chosen a successor, and also that the girl would be available by silent auction only, had caused quite a stir, she was not budging on it. Jessalyn, while not unskilled in a majority of their arts, remained chaste. Technically speaking, no one had yet had her, and not for lack of trying. It made Jessalyn a prize that only one could claim, and with that sort of exclusivity..?

Many more bottles of the Reserve would be acquired.

Vahika had been very well aware of Jessalyn, and had already attempted to win her once, to no avail. She understood and respected the Red Mother's decision to keep Jessalyn as a much coveted price. The Ducha was quite set on winning that auction of sorts. She was traveling with certain precious goods that she was wiling to offer to the Kurh'n'ta'a, but only to her. This was why she didn't bother asking for Jessalyn when she was led into one of the ornate and comfortable chambers reserved for guests. She knew better than that. The cunning Wlady knew to skip the middle woman whenever possible.

Making herself comfortable in one of the plush chairs, she accepted the flute of her favorite liquor, as she was asked who she wished for. She had been debating it for a while, but unable to make up her mind, and having the funds to pay for her luxuries, she asked for her two favorite ladies, Ucha and Irala. She wasn't known for playing coy, and these two delights would certainly put her in a good mood for her stay on Divora.

Kris waited a considerable portion of time before attempting to meet with her newest guest. Ucha and Irala had been sent to her rooms, and that told the Red Mother all she needed to know. Ducha Wlady would be indisposed to leave her bed for a few hours at the very least. It gave Kris the time she needed to take stock of what had been brought - in addition to the ducha's luggage. All that remain to be seen to, aside from the lady's substantial pleasure was to find out what she expected to receive from dispensing with her merchandise and how quickly she wanted to receive it.

When she did arrive the the rooms of Ducha Vahika Wlady, it was with a bowl of fruit carried in one arm and a second bottle of the Reserve in the other. Doubtless she had a renewed thirst, and potentially a hunger for something substantial. With the smile of someone who knew the value of her own house, Kris knocked and awaited an invitation before entering.

The next few hours eventually became a blur of pleasure and Vahika enjoyed every moment of it. Ucha and Irala were true gems and remained the Ducha's favorites to request when visiting Divora. After the two women eventually left her room, Vahika did take a nap, which was a rarity for her, but she needed it. By the time she heard a knock on the door, Vahika had refreshed and was wrapped in a long emerald silky robe. "Come in," she smiled warmly when the Red Mother appeared. The Ducha gave a grateful nod at the sight of the bottle and the fruit. Kris Bonnie was a stellar business owner and it never went unnoticed to the blonde how well Bonnie took care of her patrons.

"Ah, Kurh'n'ta'a! Your timing is impeccable as always." Grinning she sat down on a nearby sofa, bringing her still slightly wobbly legs beneath her. She began diving into the bowl of fruits. "I believe that the last while provided you with opportunity to go through the merchandise I brought." She hadn't checked the time, but she knew that it had lasted a few hours.

The Red Mother chuckled at the voracity with which the Ducha devoured the fruit. No doubt the same amount of fervor had been applied to, and by, Ucha and Irala for the last hours.. It would be a restorative snack, Kris well knew.

"Ducha Wlady, you always deliver me the most excellent goods. There is no question that someone of superior intelligence will be inspired by your wares. I have already arranged a crew for transport that will leave from here this very day. No reason to tempt fate by keeping such here longer than necessary."

Eyeing the noblewoman, Kris gave her the truth of it. "The more impatient we are, the more risk, and maybe less return. The crew knows what they are doing, I have.. an interest of my own on board."

One hellion of a little sister..

Vahika cared not for exhibiting her ravenous appetite before the Red Mother, or her employees for that matter. Not only did she pay any deserving price for services; but she had grown to respect Bonnie, besides making good use of the services provided by her establishment.

"Finding the right avenue for certain trades isn't that easy. And your crews have never disappointed."

She took a sip of the wine, while gorging herself with some more fruits.

When the Red Mother admitted having an interest on her own on board with the crew taking care of transporting her good to the selected buyer, she couldn't help raise a quizzical brow at the redhead.

"Personal interest?"

If Bonnie wanted to keep such card to herself, the Ducha knew she wouldn't have mentioned it.

Kris grinned, taking a seat opposite Vahika.

That her little sister had taken up with a pirate crew was not exactly common knowledge. However, the Ducha of Sivoria was a marginally trusted ally, and had known them both for a while.

"You'll recall my feisty sister, Vic? She'll make sure the run is efficient and fast if she gets her way about it. Lucikly the captain is a pragmatic woman, and they balance each other nicely."

Vahika knew very well that neither Bonnie or herself would ever reveal that much to each other; but the alliance they had nurtured over the previous years meant that the Red Mother was one of the most common choices to have goods moved around; besides the obvious benefits of visiting the redhead's establishment.

"It is quite impossible not to recall Victoire," the Ducha observed with a grin, before taking another sip of her wine. She knew the younger Bonnie would probably growl at her for being called as such; but Vahika had found out once upon a time, it was a very good way to get the Red Mother's sibling to get feisty in the blink of an eye.

"Balancing feisty and pragmatic can be a challenge, but this is how one ensures that things work as they should, isn't it?"

"It certainly keeps things from being dull." Kris allowed with a smile.

"Tell me, Ducha.. if this transaction proves as profitable as we anticipate, should we look forward to see more of you and your Sivorian goods gracing our door?"

While Kris was primarily a madam, she was a savvy businesswoman as well. She was always ready to hear what her cut would be, for the convenience of her location, and her ability to acquaint mutually beneficial parties.

Vahika had been willing to discuss business with Kris; but had waited for the Red Mother to bring the matter to the table. Kris Bonnie was a most skilled and organized woman, and she knew that by approaching her for the current transportation out of the Cluster, she likely opened the door for further collaboration.

"You definitely should, Kurh'n'ta'a," the Ducha replied with no hesitation.

Canting her head to the side, she smiled to the crimson-clad woman before her. She had always dabbled on both the legal and illegal sides when it came to commerce; but having a reliable and steady transporter would prove a solid step up.

"What would be your conditions in such a case?"

While she was higher in the nobility chain, Vahika was well aware that Bonnie's logistics and location were particularly lucrative and practical, and it seemed only polite to inquire about the Red Mother's desiderata.