(Story Starts Here!)
The crowd was transfixed by Zalgus' easy and assured manner, taking silent queues from Aislynn. She had regained her senses and confidence, and now she stood at Zalgus' shoulder, subtly amplifying his tone and presence. It didn't take much; he obviously knew how to have people cling to his every word. A few women leaned closer to each other, whispering behind their hands.
"Now stand up out of the dirt and bugs, have a bit of self respect. I am about to tell everything. The respect of those around us is going to vanish faster than my sister laid you low," Zalgus said, folding his arms behind his back.
Sleazar yanked his boots back on and rose to his feet. His shoulders were set, and he lifted up both his hands with a laugh. The performing persona had returned, all too happy to leer at Aislynn and Raina openly now that his minor game had been divulged.
"Look here," he said with another laugh, fighting for the approval of the crowd. "We have an amateur who wants to test his mettle. Go on my good man, give it a try!"
Zalgus adjusted his glasses, causing a few of the whispering women to giggle to each other. He ignored them, and fixed his stare on his opponent. This ruffian harassed Aislynn to entertain others, and that was beyond reprehensible, but that had not been his only intent. All the little things - gaze, stance, twitches - flooded Zalgus' mind, swiftly connecting together.
"First of all," he said, maintaining his regal posture even as his opponent played to the crowd, "you have been cold reading people since you were a child. I will be bold and say that you started by claiming you commune with the spirits, and by doing so you can communicate with the dead."
The corner of Zalgus' mouth curled up as he saw Sleazar's eye give the slightest of twitches. Spot on. He found he was enjoying this. Not that his two companions needed him to step in to defend them, but it had been so long since he last put an insufferable ingrate in the proper place. This was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
"Interesting tale, good sir," Sleazar answered, rubbing his thumb against his flat nose. "But nothing so impressive, a child would conclude the very same!"
"Not so fast, please," Zalgus held up one hand, silencing not only his opponent but the whispering crowd as well. Some additions had joined, and now the guard was starting to become interested. He would have to deal with this vulgar excuse of a man quickly.
He drew himself up to his full height, and spared at glance at his sister. She was observing with a tranquil face, but her eyes - as always - spoke to her concern.
"In addition to a young start," Zalgus then said, "I know your pattern has evolved. You did it for money, but now your intent has become carnal above all else. You play your childish game until you spot your perfect mark. Simply waiting for the reaction of a young woman you can sink your disgusting claws into." It took a lot of his control to not have his feelings of revulsion show in his tone and face, though he did not bother to hide the cold glare. "You proceed to compliment her, gathering a crowd with your... impressive... ability." A sharp sting of sarcasm laced his voice. "Then once you believe the crowd to be at the greatest it will be," Zalgus raised his hand before swiping it through the air like the blade of a guillotine, "you humiliate her in front of everyone, even if you tell a bold faced lie to do it."
A sour taste had entered his mouth by now, and he crinkled his nose in antipathy. He knew he spoke the truth, and his precise manner was convincing to others with little help from Aislynn. It seemed that she projected her intent into the air, her emotions syncing and soundlessly convincing the emotions of those around her. She created an inkling, one that might be referred to as 'gut instinct.'
"Once humiliated," Zalgus let anger creep into his tone, "and once the crowd has dispersed, you squirm your way into this created hole in her defenses." His hands clenched behind his back, hidden.
Murmuring kicked up, breaking out like hissing fires all through the crowd. The con-artist's face had grown pale, but he maintained a facade of good humor and intent.
"Very creative, sir," he said, forcing out a laugh and clapping as if Zalgus had told the most hilarious joke. "You have quite the perverse mind to come up with such slander!"
"Zalgus isn't perverted!" Aislynn blurted out, her hands clenched at her sides. She figured the man would say anything to get people on his side, but that nearly broke her temper. Silver light bled from her hands, forming a subtle mist around her. "You just--"
Zalgus's hand out in front of her stifled her words. His expression was unreadable, but calm. Sleazar wasn't entirely wrong, but wasn't right either. The red-headed young man felt somewhat insulted at being lumped together with this assaulter of women.
"How would you know that, you pretty little thing?" asked Sleazar, a charming yet lewd smiled spreading his face.
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