Taking Black Maria Away

The night, like silk soaked through with ink, faded inch by inch, and the horizon turned the pale white of a fish belly.

Deep within the pleasure district, Black Maria's room was still steeped in the lingering aftermath of last night.

The bitter-sweet scent of burned tobacco mingled with powder, sweat, and a more intimate, suggestive fragrance, hanging heavily in the air until it seemed to have weight.

Clothes lay scattered across the silk tatami like fallen petals. Black Maria lay on her side, her eight-meter-tall body outlined by the morning light like a rolling snow-covered mountain.

Her emerald eyes were half-lidded, and a thin pipe rested between her fingers, sending up a lone wisp of bluish smoke. The smoke ring slowly spread through the dim room before striking the ceiling and dissipating without a trace.

Her gaze fell on Dawn.

"You said you wanted to buy my freedom? To take me away? That won't be simple. I am a gift meant for that person. Though last night, you... unwrapped that gift ahead of time..."

She took a drag, the scarlet ember glowing and dimming in the darkness.

"The true owner of this pleasure district will not let this go. You touched something you shouldn't have."

Dawn tied the last sash around his clothes and looked up. His gaze pierced through the thinning smoke and met hers directly.

"That isn't the question. The question is whether you're willing."

Black Maria laughed softly, the sound spilling up from deep in her chest and making her full breasts tremble slightly.

She bent down, her long golden hair cascading like a waterfall, nearly enveloping Dawn in her shadow and scent.

"I have lived here for nine years. Because of these horns on my head, because of this enormous body... from the day I