New Girl in Town

[Nyssa]

Nyssa stepped into the plaza for the first time and gazed around at the other Minoans. She had come a long way, fleeing her homeland to escape an arranged marriage. It wasn't that she refused to marry, but the one she had been set up with had quite a temper on him. So much so that Nyssa wasn't sure she would be able to survive the marriage.

She approached a fountain and tried to use the water's surface like a mirror. Pulling the veil of her face, she studied her makeup making sure she had not smudged anything and pulled the scarf of her head with hands that had been tattooed with henna to check her hair. She had two options on surviving now. One way was to beg or steal for her survival. The other was to try go find work.

Nyssa preferred the latter, desiring to feel more self-reliant. That wasn't to say she wouldn't pick a pocket or two if she absolutely had to. She had been forced to on ber journey occasionally. Still, she had a knack for dancing and hoped she could find some sort of work doing that, though would settle for virtually anything. Adjusting her black hair and seeing everything else in tact, she looked up from the fountain.

[Aphrodite]

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***NPC Character***

Danika had come to stand several paces from Nyssa, admiring the girl's exotic features. It was not everyday the Baroness had seen someone from the lands Nyssa had come from. As she watched the girl, admire herself, she inhaled the air gently and discreetly, wanting to get a scent from the foreigner. As Nyssa looked up, Danika spoke.

"I know I have never seen you before," she told Nyssa with a Slavic accent. "A girl of your... beauty would be hard to miss." The Baroness stood there in all her finery, her gown ornate and a beautiful bold and deep red, with her golden pieces of jewelry. Still, she was almost envious of the girl.

"Please forgive my manners," Danika spoke again. "I am Baroness Danika Nitschke. I like to get to know who all is about town." Of course, Baroness Danika had her reasons for that.

[Nyssa]

Nyssa looked up at the woman, a little startled at first and then a little intimidated. She looked so regal. Nyssa smelled of sandalwood and jasmine, as she had a habit of being meticulous about her hygiene. It would help her land work, she figured. She gave the woman a kind and demure smile.

"No, I am new here. Just arrived, practically," she said and then blushed at the compliment. "Thank you for your kind words. I am very flattered." She smiled a little brighter as if it would convey how flattered she was. "I am Nyssa," she offered in reply. "It is a pleasure to meet you, and a relief to meet a friendly face."

[Aphrodite]

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***NPC Character***

Danika gave her a smile, and her eyes sparkled at the prospects. She had a certain appetite, and naive newcomers sometimes were easy targets. She curtsied a little at Nyssa and nodded her head.

"The pleasure is all mine, Nyssa. May I ask what would bring you to our humble town?" Danika played up the small talk. "Crete is not like any other place in the world, not by a long shot." She pulled out a small fan and fanned herself gently in the cool evening air. The sun had set a little bit ago and now the stars were coming out, her favorite time of day.

[Nyssa]

Nyssa fussed with the scarf she had pulled off her head. The question brought up mixed emotions. She looked back at Danika and sighed softly before squaring her shoulders. She had left her homeland, and she was determined to make it on her own.

"I actually came here to escape my old life," she admitted. "I was arranged to be married, but... well, it was not something I could go through with." She shrugged her shoulders a little bit and looked down at her scarf then back up at Danika. "I just happened to come here of all places by accident, I guess. I wasn't looking for anywhere specific. And now I am looking for work." She smiled cordially at Danika.

[Aphrodite]

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***NPC Character***

Danika watched her closely as she gave her answers. Watching her body language, she was starting to think Nyssa may not be completely passive. However, she was not worried. Danika looked at her, her eyes trying to catch a glimpse of her neck, yet trying to be discreet. Smiling back at Nyssa, she cocked her head to the side as she clasped her fingers in front of her in a lady like manner.

"I see. That sounds unfortunate, but sometimes a new start is in order. I am sure there is plenty of work to be had around here. What are your skills?" Danika was curious as to what she could do. The answer could be advantageous.

[Nyssa]

Nyssa smiled again at Danika and turned to sit on the edge of the fountain. Absently picking at a few strands of hair, she looked up at her. "Well, I have a talent for dancing. I would love to find work doing that, but I will do what I can in the meantime."

She smoothed her skirts over he legs and looked back up at Danika. "Perhaps there is a theater or something nearby? I would be very grateful if you could help me find such a place or even just work."

[Aphrodite]

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***NPC Character***

Danika smiled at her and nodded her head. She could definitely help out Nyssa, and could maybe even help herself. Every so often, she would lure someone to her estate with the promise of work, but maybe on Nyssa's first night would seem like some sort of red flag. No, if she planned to make her move, she had to do it another way. The girl was looking for work as a theater. Maybe she could lead her to the amphitheater, though they didn't have to necessarily make it there.

"There is a place you might try," Danika offered. "I believe there could be a troupe of dancers at the amphitheater. I could take you, if you like." She smiled sweetly to her, trying to still seem friendly.

[Nyssa]

Nyssa's face lit up. What a fortunate turn of events. She couldn't believe her luck. Standing up, she clasped herhands in front of her chest and smiled as she approached Danika.

"Oh, yes please," she said happily. "I would be extremely grateful if you could. I am still new and learning my way around." She put her scarf back on her head as she waited eagerly to be shown the way. "I only wish I could somehow repay you for the gesture."

[Aphrodite]

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***NPC Character***

Danika chuckled softly, but tried to make it seem like she was nothing more than simply amused, when in fact, she found it almost ironic. Nyssa's wanting to repay could more or less come true if the right moment struck. Yet, she thought it was almost a pity that the girl might not make it to the amphitheater. No doubt she was a skilled dancer. She then looked back at Nyssa and smiled again.

"Payment will not be necessary," she then paused in thought, thinking through her possibilities. There was a chance that right moment could be ruined, and then she would not be able to feed as planned. That was a disappointing thought. Nyssa's scent was enticing to her. It would be like a foreign delicacy slipping away, surely. Perhaps having a plan B was not a bad idea. "However, maybe sometime I could hire you to entertain at an affair at my estate."

[Nyssa]

Nyssa felt like she had fortune smiling at her and could not believe her luck. Perhaps her time spent travelling was over and she had finally found a place to call home. I her eagerness, she would not notice any strange hints or signs of anything being wrong. She gave Danika a grateful smile.

"I would be honored to dance at any of your galas," she said. " It is the least I could do for yoir help and hospitality."

[Aphrodite]

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Danika smiled a little darkly and nodded her head. Nyssa so far was playing right into her hands. This just might be easier than initially thought and the best part was she was new to town with no connections. She wouldn't be missed. She then beckoned Nyssa to follow her.

"This way, dear," she said calmly and began to turn to head to the plaza's edge. If Nyssa would follow she would see they were headed towards a slightly darker street, the buildings mostly covered in ivy vines. The further they went, the more the buildings looked decrepit and the darker it got.

[Nyssa]

Nyssa grabbed what little she had and began to follow Danika. As they walked towards the edge of the plaza and down one of the adjacent streets, she began to observe her surroundings. At first she did so trying to get to know her way around a little more, but the further along they went, the more she began to wonder if this was right. Seeing the buildings that looked more in shambles and derelict, she would have thought that if this was the way to the amphitheater, there would be more signs of people around. She then looked over at Danika as they were walking,.

"Is this the way to the amphitheater?" she asked, trying not to sound like she doubted the Baroness too much. "I would have thought that there would be more signs of people traveling this way." She looked again at the ivy covered structures before looking back, a small spark of uncertainty within her.

[Aphrodite]

***Narrative***
***NPC Character***

Danika laughed softly at Nyssa, trying to seem as though her question was in vain. Deep down, however, she began to wonder if she would have to make her move a little quicker and began to look from side to side as they walked. She did not want any interruptions of course, and hoped no good Samaritans would show up suddenly in the girl's favor.

"Of course this is the way to the amphitheater," she said, as though the question was nothing more than a silly one. "You act as though you do not trust me." As they turned a corner, they ended up along a tall stone wall that seemed foreboding, as though it was keeping something within its walls. Danika kept walking. Not many came to close to the Labyrinth if they could help it. Many still believed that strange beings roamed within, and she knew they would be right to believe that. As such, it was likely no one would interfere when Danika tried to feed. She looked at Nyssa and smiled, a slight hint of something sinister within it

"What is the matter? Do you not trust I would take you to your destination?"

[Nyssa]

Nyssa kept her pace, keeping up with Danika. She had noticed the labyrinth wall, unaware of what it hid, and shuddered a little. The aura it seemed to give off made her almost want to turn back, as it creeped her out a little, but she kept walking. Soon they would no doubt be out of there and at their destination. She initially felt ashamed of herself when Danika remarked that she was acting like Nyssa did not trust her.

"No, forgive me, I did not mean that," she told the Baroness. She then noticed the smile on Danika's face and she began to feel uneasy. Something didn't seem right.

"I just... am a little... scared," she sort of squeaked out looking at Danika's sinister smile. "I'm worried we're not going the right way. It seems wrong."