Posting from my WiP
THE GIRLS FROM ALCYONE: MERCHANTMAN
(a novelette from the world of Alcyone)
The Girls From Alcyone is the continuing story of two very special girls who find themselves at the heart of a conflict spanning more than forty worlds.
LAST WEEK Sigrid was introduced to Corbin Price, the merchant trader. Some readers seemed concerned that Sigrid might share a drink with the fellow. I can't imagine anything remotely close to that happening. Let's find out.
read part one here
read part two here
read part three here
Part Three of Merchantman:
Corbin Price snapped two pudgy fingers and signalled over a server. The rail-thin girl, no older than fifteen, leaned over, her flimsy garment giving the trader a generous view of her wan flesh, much to his delight. Sigrid felt her fists clenching her nails digging into the palms of her hand. Corbin Price retrieved one of the little glasses from her tray.
"A little lubricant to smooth negotiations?"
With all eyes on her, Sigrid realized she was to take one, perhaps as part of some social ritual. The contents registered as tequila; the black worm seemed an odd thing, but her database confirmed that this was done. After a cautious sniff, she downed the shot and wiped her mouth on her sleeve. Her eyes never wavered from the fat trader across the table.
I love the way you've described Corbin Price. I have this really vivid (though unappealing) image in my head. Great job!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Black worm in a shot glass?--Sigrid's made of much sturdier stuff than I, I'm afraid. *Shudders*
Worms rule! lol
DeleteLol, if he plans to get her drunk he'll be sadly disappointed. :P
ReplyDeleteThere is a drinking bout in the full book. I thought it was one of those 'mandatory' scenes.
DeleteDon't you hate it when your characters don't follow your expectations? Hopefully there's a reason she's keeping this guy alive, because I'm for certain she would have left him in a puddle of piss by now otherwise. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou know... you make a very interesting point. How cold-blooded is Sigrid? I mean, I know how Dredd would handle this situation. But Sigrid...? Hmm... You've given me an idea for something that happens later in the book (a scene I'm writing this morning). Sigrid's having a 'conversation' with one of the 'villains' from book one. I think that conversation is about to take a turn.
DeleteGlad I could help! ;-)
DeleteI love drinking games! I always lose, though. I think it's a safe bet that Sigrid will keep her head. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to have a bunch of nanomites in your bloodstream to break down those pesky alcohol molecules. I wish I had that (I'm such a light-weight when it comes to drinking).
DeleteOh how I am hating that guy right now. Awesome piece.
ReplyDeleteMeh. He's a product of his environment. It's a cultural thing! ;)
DeleteStaying with our Harrison Ford theme ( last week the trader reminded us of Jabba). This week I flashed to Marion's drinking scene in Raiders. Great visuals!
ReplyDeleteActually, the 'drinking game' comes later and features a new character, Zaria, and involves many pitchers of beer, large burly men and several broken arms after a raucous arm-wrestling competition.
DeleteContinuing with great details (like the wan body, the black worm, maintaining that icky vibe and introducing a shot of tequila, taken like a bad ass. What's not to love? I can still see Sigrid breaking one of the Merchant's pudgy fingers. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteWell, somethin's gonna' git busted up. *I hope that's not a spoiler.*
DeleteTequila on its own would make me shudder. Add a worm and I'm not bending my elbow with THAT! No thank you.
ReplyDeleteSigrid is a better woman than I.