[sylvanSpider]

“Speaking of coin, is this how you get all of yours? Traveling from city to city and harassing whores?” Chidi asked, her curiosity piqued. Of course, she preferred the word 'companion' to refer to herself, but she knew the word 'whore' would resonate with this foul woman better. The amount of gold the bard promised her was an insane amount, and promising it on a regular schedule no less? She threw gold at Nanika like it was worth little more than dust. Perhaps if she worked hard, learned more skills, maybe picked up some magic, she could place herself on a pedestal the same height as Tritonia's.

They would differ, of course, as Chidi would use her powers for good.

“Even if that was an option, I would never,” she said in response to her skin tone. Her dark skin may be frowned upon in the North, but it was one of the physical attributes that Chidi liked best. She loved the shade, the way she could see the moonlight's glow reflecting off dark obsidian. “But how will my skin color give you shade?” she asked, tilting her head. “With the amount of money you're promising, I'd hold an umbrella or parasol over your head, gladly.”

If it was a handmaiden that Tritonia wanted, it was a handmaiden she was going to get. “I'll do as you request, Mistress.” The emphasis on 'mistress' was probably not necessary, so she added a little playful laugh. “I've got to say though, I'm not a bad cook, and I've no access to poison. So that's your choice.”

“I'm not quitting,” Chidi said, resolute. She would if it came to that, once they were far, far away from the capital, but only if it came to that. She wanted to use this as a learning experience...and perhaps an endurance test. “Nanika would drive you to the brink of insanity,” she said, quite honestly. “She wouldn't last a minute on the road, set in her ways with running her own business, and she is no longer young and spry. You would do much better to treat me well and keep me in your employ.”