Why was the Katawaguruma more reminiscent of a brothel than a classy teahouse? It was opulent indeed, a grand red building in the streets bustling with other restaurants and teahouses, but it just gave off that feeling of decadence. In the deep and polished red eaves of the roof, the elaborate carvings and the glowing golden lights, there was nothing that spoke of the usual Eastern hospitality and modesty to Selene. Women that were practically painted ladies in revealing silks paraded themselves in flocks in the upper levels in front of slavering men whose eyes raked over exposed skin with lewd heat, and as she spotted how hands would touch and press into parts that were more intimate than appropriate, she sighed. She could feel Phynex's gaze on her as she turned to look back at him, knowing he knew she had seen it herself.
She said nothing, turning away and staring straight ahead. It wasn't as if she hadn't seen the disgust and unease in his eyes, knowing he felt it at the thought of those same hands or people ever treating her like an object. A glorified, sexualized object. And she would never want a repeat of what happened with Jet and Franco, that was one of the more dehumanizing experiences she had undergone despite how light it was compared to the injuries and danger she had faced. Or even how society sometimes saw her more as a weapon than a person that breathed and bled the same as them.
They settled into the cafe right across the grand teahouse, Selene seating herself beside Phynex silently, but not as close as they usually sat. She was seated on a separate chair instead, considering his snake form now took up a larger chair all by himself. On her other side, Crow stared at the large building with unease, shifting uncomfortably. The sight of the women in such revealing wear and flirtatious mannerisms seemed to fluster the apprentice sealer as he blushed belatedly after one such woman waved and winked at him before being snatched away by a burly-looking man behind her. The huntress could see a few other of the women giggling at seeing such an honest and innocent reaction from the young man, as if charmed by a rare sight in this part of Neo-Edo.
"It looks more like it belongs in the actual pleasure district than in a part of Neo-Edo catering to rich gourmets," Selene remarked with an ironic tone. There was a clear border between decent business and the... Pleasure district here, and it had never been so starkly obvious as it was here right before their eyes. Her eyes skimmed the faces in the far distance, the details clear even if it should have been impossible for a mere human to make out the finest details. A man in a black silk kimono and a red haori bowed to customers, while a lady in... Surprisingly covering kimono smiled and welcomed them in. They were clearly the staff who received guests.
She said nothing, turning away and staring straight ahead. It wasn't as if she hadn't seen the disgust and unease in his eyes, knowing he felt it at the thought of those same hands or people ever treating her like an object. A glorified, sexualized object. And she would never want a repeat of what happened with Jet and Franco, that was one of the more dehumanizing experiences she had undergone despite how light it was compared to the injuries and danger she had faced. Or even how society sometimes saw her more as a weapon than a person that breathed and bled the same as them.
They settled into the cafe right across the grand teahouse, Selene seating herself beside Phynex silently, but not as close as they usually sat. She was seated on a separate chair instead, considering his snake form now took up a larger chair all by himself. On her other side, Crow stared at the large building with unease, shifting uncomfortably. The sight of the women in such revealing wear and flirtatious mannerisms seemed to fluster the apprentice sealer as he blushed belatedly after one such woman waved and winked at him before being snatched away by a burly-looking man behind her. The huntress could see a few other of the women giggling at seeing such an honest and innocent reaction from the young man, as if charmed by a rare sight in this part of Neo-Edo.
"It looks more like it belongs in the actual pleasure district than in a part of Neo-Edo catering to rich gourmets," Selene remarked with an ironic tone. There was a clear border between decent business and the... Pleasure district here, and it had never been so starkly obvious as it was here right before their eyes. Her eyes skimmed the faces in the far distance, the details clear even if it should have been impossible for a mere human to make out the finest details. A man in a black silk kimono and a red haori bowed to customers, while a lady in... Surprisingly covering kimono smiled and welcomed them in. They were clearly the staff who received guests.