Lyla had escaped from the growing crowd that Magdalena had attracted, slinking into the Cabaret Voltaire unnoticed. She was immediately hit by the thick cloud of smoke inside, the pungent aroma of tobacco following suit. The place was packed, mostly filled with men from the upper reaches of society. Giant hats, fancy vests, and elegant pocket watches sat at mahogany tables, paying absolutely no mind to the modestly tall woman that milled about in a far corner. The dhampir was fascinated by what brought humans together. In this case, she had stumbled upon what looked to be a theater. Women would get up on stage, put on some kind of performance, and then the men... 

"I'll pay 200 pounds for her!"

The bidding wars began. Lyla's face scrunched up in horror when the realization came to her. This wasn't exactly a theater... This was a palace for courtesans. Figuring this was no place for a lady like herself, she started back towards the door, only to see Magdalena and her new friends enter. Quickly, the young woman ducked behind one of the many pillars that boxed the center dining area in. 

"Where the hell have you been, peasant girl?! You've been gone for hours! Get your ass on stage!" a gaudy, short man with a curled, black mustache approached the blond woman, immediately dragging her by the hand. [color=fff200]"B-But-"[/color] She didn't have time to protest before she was led up a short flight of stairs. As this man forced her onward, she passed an ensemble of naked courtesans, freshening themselves up for their time on the stage in front of elongated mirrors. "Don't do anything stupid, you worthless bitch." he hissed at her before they exited two large, red curtains.

Lyla had no idea what was happening. Suddenly, she was on stage with this man, who seemed to be the owner of this business. The crowd was blanketed in darkness from where she stood, yet the dhampir could feel their stares, feel their heartbeats in tandem. Creeping nervousness gripped her, and she felt her hands start to shake. "Gentlemen, I bring you a new woman! She's tall, gorgeous, and boy, look at those hips! I've been told she'll do absolutely anything for her master... A very loyal specimen indeed! And she can be all yours tonight!" This man was trying to sell her like a piece of meat. There was a small murmur in the audience, but then the bidding began.

"10 pounds. She's too skinny."

"I can do 15. At least she's got a pretty face."

Lyla's already crippled self-esteem plummeted. Those bids were so low compared to some of the other women... Very visibly, she began to pant for air. Her body quivered, a feeling of light-headedness dawned up her, and sweat formed at the edge of her brow. The world was spinning around her. The voices in the crowd became a murmur in the back of her head as she stood there, paralyzed by her anxiety. She couldn't do this. She couldn't stand in front of all these people. 

All she wanted to do was run away.