The Vytel festival markets are famous for three reasons: cheap clothes, amazing food and easy, security-less access to every future huntsman and woman in the world but to one certain hitman one of these reasons was of utmost importance.
Mercury's finger glided over the switchwork of the leather booth, each digit inspecting and testing the line where the insole meets the toe-box. The last thing he needed was another pair of boots ruined after just one fight. His very limited bad guy allowance didn't exactly cover every time he got someone's teeth or blood stuck in his soles.
The middle aged man running the leather market stall cleared his throat “Ahem, I can assure you, son. All of my wears are of the highest quality.”
Mercury's focus was broken from the boots midsole. His eyes traveled up the man's body. The way his tucked in shirt formed over his stomach, slightly chubby, check. Mercury held in a chuckle as he saw the man's ill fitting apron with his leather working logo stitched on, dressed like a dork, check.
Finally mercury looked the man face to face, allowing his gray bangs to fall over his face. Goofy kind eyes, check, around mid- forties, yeah he could work with this.
It's not like mercury came to the festival for this kind of a mark but it doesn't hurt to release some stress between espionage and murder; plus this vendor was Mercury's type.
Mercury let out a little laugh as he twirls the boots lace in his fingers. “Haha, …don't call me “son”.” Mercury’s voice flattened quickly alongside his smile. For a beat he stayed staring at the man, making sure the older man got the message.
When he felt he had made his point he let his smirk return before continuing “...but, you're right, these shoes are legit”. Mercury flips the shoe in his hand, tossing it in the air as he studies the old man in front of him.
“Right, “legit” … haha, you kids and your lingo” The shoe vender chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck. He cleared his throat nervously while looking around the market, “Umm, so are these shoes for your girlfriend over there?” The vendor said quietly while pointing over Mercury’s shoulder to Emerald.
Mercury laughed “Ha, girlfriend?” he said as he turned around to see where the man was pointing, of course turning in a way that shows off his hips to the vendor. Mercury's laugh doubled as he saw that the man was pointing to Emerald who was currently talking to one of their marks from team RWBY.
Mercury let his laugh die out, ending with a small barely noticeable bite of his lip just as his eyes met the middle aged man’s again. “Nah, no, I’m not like that and especially not with her”.
The older man’s cheeks turned a slight red and a small hesitant smile formed on his lips. “Oh, really?” He said as he looked around the market. The older man leaned forward and in a more secretive tone asked “So…umm, what kind of boys do you like?”
Mercury's fingers moved from the laces, across the tongue of the boot and finally came to slowly stroke the shaft… of the boot.
“I don’t like boys either” The young man said in his typical flat, sarcastic tone.
The vendor gulped loudly and his hands came up in a defensive manner, he stammered out “A-Ah, my apologies, sir. I didn't mean to go-” He started but was cut off by the shoe that mercy was holding being slammed back onto the table next to its pair.
“I like men, clumsy shy men … like yourself” Mercury said, his gaze locked onto the older man's blushing cheeks and darting eyes. Before the muttering vendor could react Mercury added “When are you closing up shop for the day?”
The shoe vendor cleared his throat as he was fidgeted with his hands to steady his nerves. After a moment he finally responded “Umm.. four o’clock, w-when the market closes”
Mercury laughed as the vendor failed to keep his composer. “Perfect” he said, letting his voice fall into a soft purr.
Mercury picked up the boots with one hand while the other went digging through his pockets. Without breaking eye contact Mercury slid the middle aged man a couple Lien and a small piece of paper with his scroll number on it.
“I’ll see you then, old man”
