The constant hum of voices all talking over one another was enough to drive anyone mad. Rhythmic footsteps, shuffling of money, and the smell of body odor couldn’t drown out the constant sound of chatter. Maybe Reina was just frustrated, selling freshly caught fish should’ve been simpler than this.

After being greeted with several blank stares and lousy offers the young woman had settled upon a new approach. It probably wasn’t ethical but ethics really hadn’t done much for the pink haired pariah lately.

One grocer near the edge of the market was dressed particularly nice. A silk scarf, trimmed mustache, and plenty of wares. He certainly could stand to lose a few dozen coins. He’d make the perfect mark for one broke wandering lady. Reina took a deep breath, clutched her katana, and flung the net of fish over her shoulder as she approached him.

“Hello kind sir, lovely stand you have here,” she said, coating her words in honey. “One thing seems to be missing though,” with a squishy wet thud Reina plopped the bundle of fish onto the stall. Smiling and staring directly at the man she concluded, “freshly caught salmon!”

“Damn I’m a good saleswoman,” she mused to herself.

Bewildered and annoyed the merchant spat back, “don’t really want no stinking fish.”

Before the man could reply further the young entrepreneur put forth her hand, gesturing for a shake and stating, “understandable, not everyone likes fish.”

Amused that he shutdown the harpy of a saleswoman the merchant put forth his hand, giving her the courtesy of a shake. As their flesh connected the pale skinned woman lifted an eyebrow as she concentrated. It was simple to link to one’s soul once she had made physical contact but in this situation she simply reveled in it.

“Now, maybe you could reconsider… after all many folks enjoy fresh fish,” her words were sly and filled with venom.

Awkwardly smiling the merchant retorted, “nah lass I don’t think s-“

Before he could finish Reina placed two fingers against the back of her neck. Racing through her body, and the body of the merchant, was an intense pressure. The exhilaration of pain seeped over her and her smile grew tenfold. Alarmed, the silk wearing merchant snatched his hand away and tried rubbing his arms in an attempt to cease the pain.

Glaring at him the young woman quietly said, “I can make it worse. Twenty pieces of silver for the fish.”

Eyes widened, the merchant was not having it. “Y-you witch, I’ll alert the guards, I’ll have you put into the stockades. You can’t,” before he could continue Reina pressed a third finger deep into her neck. Screaming the merchant punched at Reina square in the face. His fist connected with her cheek and the merchant, to his surprise, felt the same intensity and swelling of flesh in his cheek.

Several passerby’s stopped and glanced at the scene, surprised at the explosion of violence and the screaming.

The young woman regained composure and said, “we’ve got an audience now and you’ve just assaulted me. Twenty-five silver and I’m out of your hair.”