Thread: Love is for Suckers [Goody + Incendo]

Howe merely glanced at the seller behind her who'd stepped forward to poke her with a prod to get a respectful response out of her. Even still, Howe nodded in appreciation to both versions of her response. Good, then, she could listen and obey orders. And it seemingly didn't take much to remind her of who and what he was. You like what you see? the seller asked. Yes. Very savory, Howe nodded, loosely waving his hand in front of his face to indicate that it was her smell he liked. What she looked like was actually third or fourth on his list of priorities but even that wasn't bad at all. She'd be a pretty pet to have around the house. Can I get a tap? Absolutely, the scrawny man gestured for him to ahead and help himself. Reaching forward, Howe's strong fingers encircled her wrist, pulling her arm to his face. He kept his movements even and deliberate, knowing how easily these creatures could startle, especially in the presence of unfamiliar Frith. She wasn't as skinny as some of the other saps on sale were, which bode well, meaning she'd been well taken care of. Gently, Howe rubbed his stubbled upper lip against the smooth skin of her inner wrist, breathing deep of that mouthwatering aroma that had so enticed him from the main thoroughfare. After 100 years of doing it, Howe expertly slipped his teeth into a vein without needing to aim. Her arm tensed in his grip but he kept a firm hold, his other hand coming out to rub at her upper arm soothingly as her blood flowed into him. Her scent did not do her justice, her actual flavor more delicious and succulent than anything he'd ever had before. As the hot blood filled his mouth and flowed down his throat, he had to focus and practically restrain himself to keep from moaning. It felt like he'd been hungry all his life and only now in this moment had he ever truly eaten. Pffft! How dramatic his thoughts ran. He was probably just really hungry from not having had an evening ration yet. There was no way that she was really that good. Even still, it wasn't like he was trying to convince himself not to get her. He only took a small sip, just enough to taste, before slipping his teeth out of her. Licking the wound, the stubble on his chin brushing against her, he tried to get every last drop of her while also sealing the wound closed. His saliva coated the bite, healing the flesh as quickly as it dried, as he sighed and finally lifted his head. The seller stood by watching him avidly with a knowing grin. The finest, yeah? It's good, Howe nodded with a shrug, schooling his features to keep from revealing too much. After all, he'd have to haggle with this man over pricing and any admission of greatness would give the seller cause to raise the cost. How much? Without hesitation, 2,000 dell. That was exactly what Howe had to spend. Keksjar! That was an expensive sap! Still, he got a little excited thinking he had just the right amount for the delicious human he wanted. Keeping his excitement hidden, Howe cringed and hissed through his teeth. Hm, how about fifteen hundred. Eighteen, the seller offered back. Sixteen. Eighteen, the seller pressed. It didn't look like he was going to be moved any lower. Pardon, sir, the seller shrugged, trying to remain respectful because he could see from Howe's clothes that he was an Enforcer and he didn't want to offend him. Don't treat me like a fool. She's healthy, no diseases, no severe injuries past or present, breeding age. And you think I haven't tasted her? She's exquisite . The word was forced past his lips with a condescending clip. Slightly embarrassed to be caught in a fib, Howe turned his head away and heaved a sigh through his nose. So, as much as I respect you, sir, I'm not letting her go for less than eighteen hundred dell. Take it or move on. There are plenty of Frith who'll take her for more. Howe didn't have to be prodded twice and the price of 1,800 dell was agreed upon with the two men shaking hands. As the seller turned to get his tablet, Howe smiled proudly at the sap, feeling supremely satisfied by his purchase. Do you have a name? Thinking she might not understand that, he asked, What are you called? Amina, the seller answered before she could speak, coming forward with the documents loaded on his device. But you can name her whatever you want. Howe considered it. If the name of the sap he got was bad enough, hard to say, or dumb, he supposed he would have. But this sap had a pretty name, so he'd probably stick with it for simplicity sake. As the seller handed him he tablet, Howe stuck his card in the slot in the bottom and gave the man a playful smirk. Well, I've always wanted a sap named Cupcake or Brownie. Or Steve. The seller chuckled at that. You'd name a female sap 'Steve'? he asked in amusement. Why not? Howe asked jokingly. It has a sort of charm to it, yeah? As his payment finished processing, Howe swiped through the paperwork, placing his fingerprint where needed. Being an Enforcer, he made sure all of the documents had legal url seals on them as well before signing them. After that, the seller took the tablet back and scrolled through it all to make sure everything was in order before placing his own fingerprint at the bottom. Alright. Congratulations, sir. Pleasure doing business with you. Thanks. Same to you. Have a good morning. As Howe put his hand on the back of the sap's neck and turned her to leave the stage platform with him, they could see out the windows in the building that the sky was starting to turn rosy in the east. There were barely any sellers left in the auctions grounds and even fewer buyers wandering between stages and platforms. It was late and although it didn't harm them, most all Frith disliked being out and about when the sun was up and shining. They left the compound and Howe took her to his sable colored car, climbing in beside her in the front seats. The sun was inching her way into the sky and while Howe typed in the address for home on the steering screen, the demonic light in the sky had filled the car with a warm, orange glow. Taking a pair of shades from the visor above his head, he placed them on his face casually as he started up the vehicle. They veiled his eyes with light blue lenses that were programmed to darker the lighter it became outside. So. Amina, he said to his sap, keeping his eyes on the road while he drove. His sap. He still couldn't believe it. It was real now. Everything he'd been working for and all he'd accomplished had finally reached a crescendo. My name is Howe. How-ee, he said in a deliberate way to pronounce it for her. But you're only to ever call me 'sir' or 'Lord.' If you ever need anything, you need to tell me right away. Understand? Do you know when you feel sick? None of the books on sapien care agreed on how self-aware saps actually were. But Howe had encountered a couple in his time that couldn't answer simple logical or physical questions about themselves. In any case it was important to make sure she was able to communicate her needs to him, lest she suffer and die without him realizing she were ill.