Clete Jackson

"I'm sorry I broke it," she pushed herself of him, "I don't have money to buy you another one."

"Don't worry about it. I was going to get a new one anyways," Clete sat up and yawned, "Mm, maybe you should find a place to stay tonight, Miss Moon. It's getting late and wouldn't want you to be out travelling alone at night."

"I will be fine, Sir Clete."

"Mm, sure you will."

"I will."

"I don't believe you."

"What?" The Moon Goddess frowned.

"I don't believe you would be fine. There are bad people out there."

"I understand," she nodded and reached for his hand, "Please, Sir Clete. Help me."

Sighing, Clete Jackson rowed her down the river to the tree with a green ribbon. When they reached the place, he got off his boat and helped the female out. She thanked him and continued on her way. He watched her until her figure was gone. He would had joined her, but his mother would have yelled his ears off, not to mentioned his spoiled sisters.

"Moon Goddess," he whispered, "Watch over her, won't you?"

When his words reached her, Moon found her face flushing with happiness. Ah, so the fisherman was a believer of hers! She had a feeling, but her feelings and intuition were not always right ever since she lacked much power.

"Only if you had no family, Sir Clete, I would have made you mine."

==

The city of Baystall was… not pretty.

Compared to the other cities she had been to… this was the worst of it all.

Dirt roads, ramshackle buildings, families outside in the dusty city with little clothing on. She felt her heart break seeing babies crawling around unkempt, and elders staring off at nothing of importance. She saw young men and women entering the only well painted building. It was a stark contrast to the other buildings and she wondered if that was what the leader of this city had wanted.

As she walked down the path, she was met with stares and some even fallen to their knees bowing to her. It startled her and she wondered if… Did they know she was the Moon Goddess? Was this why they were on the floor like they were right now before her?

"Miss," a voice called out and she turned to see a female with pale skin waving her over, "Just ignore them. Come here. I have what you need."

The Moon Goddess nodded slowly and hesitantly walked to the well painted building. She was usheredd to sit down on a chair in the opened space. The pale female clapped her hands and out came young men and women of all skin tones standing before her with a thin cloth covering their privates.

'What… So this is where people go… They go to this woman for slaves, but they are so young!'

"Go on, show the miss what you can do," the female stated sternly and just like that, every single person was moving.

Some were dancing, others were singing. Some were lifting things, others were thrusting their hips in a lewd motion. Some were just stretching and others were-

A man and woman approached her and were kissing her hands. She felt her face warmed as they whispered compliments like they loved her. It was… so strange.

'Too strange!' Her mind shouted and she pulled her hands back.

"That is enough," she cleared her throat and the pale female clapped her hands. Like soldiers, each person returned to their place and waiting with eyes watching her.

"Did you find one you like?"

"You…" the Moon Goddess clenched her dress, "It… was not what I expected."

"In a good way, I hope?" The pale female smiled, "Here in Baystall, you could always find what you are looking for. These young men and women are ready to please you however you wish."

She had to shut her eyes. Listening to all this was just too much for her to hear. The world should not be this way. Not once did children had to offer themselves for money or bartering before! This was not right at all and she had to fix this! She just had too.

"And what happens if they could not please me? What happens to them?" She whispered and the female stared at her with a look that said too much.

"Miss," one of the men spoke up, "If I do not please you, please punish me. I will learn and do better for Baystall and for my family."

Another spoke up to say something similar and before she knew it, everyone's voice had synced up to become one. Covering her face for a moment, she took a deep breath and stood up.

"Thank you for your time. There is only one thing I am looking for," the Moon Goddess spoke evenly and as calmly as she could, "Tell me who had devoted themselves to the Moon Goddess? That is who I wish to see."

"I… I can devote myself, miss," one of the females spoke up desperately, "I will!"

That caused every person present to speak up as well.

"No. A devotee is not forced. One who is loyal to the Moon Goddess and no amount of money could persuade them to stop."

Moon waited and this time, no one spoke up to her. They seemed to be speaking to one another and a name was starting to whisper out of their lips. A clearing of the throat from the pale woman quieted the young men and women down.

"Why?" The female narrowed her eyes at her.

"It is my goal, miss," The Moon Goddess stated and the female scowled.

"Who you seek no longer lives here! If you don't want any of my children, then leave!"

So, standing and bowing in thanks to them, she quickly walked out and took a deep breath of the dusty air. Dropping her shoulder with a sigh, she wondered how she could find this man. The name Torrence was being whispered between the young men and women, so she hoped asking the folks around could point her in the right direction.

"Sir," she greeted, "Do you know where I can find Torrence?"

The elder man stared at her for a long time and she slowly backed away. However, the old man grabbed her arm and squeeze it tightly.

"Pretty, pretty girl," his hoarse voice sang, "Gib money. Money?"

"I… I am sorry sir. I have no money."

"Lies!" The elder man cried out and her arm was being shaken as if money would fall from her sleeve. Shaking the man off her, she backed up with wide eyes, holding the bruise she knew would be formed. She looked around to see people staring at her and she was so scared, she ran.