[i]Alright... there’s someone who looks like he has a backbone...[/i] was Rosalie’s initial thought when she saw the man with jet black hair make an approach, a group of men under his lead appearing just as fearless. Who were these people? Their uniformal use of colour and clothing was what had drawn her attention, but not as much as the weapons they were carrying and their bold way of approach as they set foot on stage, immediately putting Gore in his place. It showed just how subservient dragons were meant to be toward humans. In this day and age, they did not have very much significance when technology was quickly becoming a part of daily life. Sure, they made wonderful slaves, but really, who wanted to cover expenses should their dragon fall ill? Machines, at least, did not have that particular problem at all.

However, Gore didn’t seem to be bothered by the new group, laughing like some madman on the street, instead. Rosalie furrowed her brow at the sight, eyes fixated on the legendary figure as she tried to figure out whether the Blood Dragon’s years of living had done him any good. To be completely fair, though, she thought to herself with a light shake of her head, he had been missing for quite some time so there was no way he could be aware of the rapidly changing world outside while time for him remained seemingly still. Could that have been the reason behind his smug, little stand?
The dragon was in no such position to be standing so high and mighty - especially when he was the one to be sold like nothing more than a pet. That was when Rosalie sighed. The girl reckoned she would have more luck buying a machine that was in her favourite colour than she would with taking photos. The thought of going home empty-handed did not sit too well with her but she might as well leave the bidders to themselves.

When Rosalie spun on her heels though, ready to leave, the crowd around her gasped. They were either shifting anxiously, murmuring amongst themselves with uneasy looks over their faces, or were cheering for something to be done. Flickering light coming from the stage illuminated their faces, the perfect recipe for gaining Rosalie’s curiosity. The girl looked over her shoulder, her bored expression being quickly replaced with a hard frown. Had there been some shock and concern over what she saw? She wanted to know why they were abusing the dragon in front of the crowd now of all times. There were children here, but that was beginning to change as mothers and fathers began to usher their young ones away, voices full of wariness and disapproval. It did, however, make it easier for Rosalie to wade her way toward the front and strain to hear what was going on. This scene would serve as good warning for any dragon thinking to run their mouth in the face of authority. Rorshe, he said his name was? Whether or not he was an important figure, this was the first Rosalie had heard of his name. It was not as if she paid much attention to this part of the market, anyway, but the man still intrigued her enough for her to stay. If he kept torturing Gore like this, the dragon’s price was bound to drop. Who would want to pay for the recovery? Though... it appeared that if Gore did not sell, the dragon’s fate would then be decided by this new man. 

Her eyes began to flicker this way and that, scanning each face in the crowd carefully while trying to determine if they would make a move to buy the dragon. As she did this, she could feel herself becoming slightly expectant of someone to raise their hand and claim the dragon as their own. Why? She did not care for what humiliation Gore suffered nor what was planned for him should he be given an owner, but what she did care about, which came as a surprise to even her, was that he was treated as more of a legend instead of a ‘fresh harvest’. Even if his scales and other things such as a claw grounded up for medicine and whatnot could fetch a fortune, the least they could do was make him seem like something worth the money they were calling for. Bids were rising but perhaps not near enough the asking price. The buyers always wanted the lowest price possible and the sellers wanted the highest. Whether this bidding war amongst buyers continued or not, this night would still be one night to remember. 

It was becoming difficult to watch, the shot Rorshe had fired hitting Gore square in the shoulder. Rosalie had to think for a moment as she looked to the ground, her body tensing. She hadn’t forgotten what the dragon had done for her and neither did she forget the moment he dove for her as she fell from the sky. It was the lizard’s fault that led to that particular event but if not for his quick decision, she would not be standing here watching him. She clenched her hands into fists, torn in her decision to leave right this instant or stay for a bit longer. It was nonsense to believe that she would be left indebted to this winged lizard, a killer, a monster, but the truth was clear to her: she owed him more than just a small favour. [i]A dragon’s not as flash as a machine, though...[/I] Rosalie thought, kicking at the ground with a small growl. She should save her money and use it when she needed to, but one would argue this was what she should use it for. [i]Sigmund and Eric won’t be paying for my return trip, that’s for sure...hmm...[/I] The girl made the mistake of looking directly at Gore, seeing how he was fighting even in his condition against Rorshe and the weapon that had impaled him once more. “I’m going to regret this...” She mumbled to herself, raising a hand with a sharp exhalation of breath.

~

Rorshe smirked when he saw that this was going in his favour. At this rate, Gore’s life would be taken like a mere animal. It was what the Blood Dragon deserved for the many people who had lost their lives going up against him, their blood nothing but another stain on his name. The people here knew that and did not appear too confident after that buffoon’s display of how close one could get to the crimson lizard without almost getting themself killed. Who was going to believe that act? He shook his head slowly whilst he addressed the crowd. “Well...? It appears that maybe a public execution will be scheduled tonight, after all... I hope you enjoy the show.” Rorshe smiled darkly as he approached Gore, then, roughly pulling the other to his feet and bringing him near enough that only the dragon could hear his next words, “Don’t worry... I’ll be sure to make this as slow and painful as possible. Maybe then, you’d feel the pain of those you’ve killed.” He raised his weapon, its tip crackling menacingly with light as Rorshe pulled it back, aiming right for the dragon’s chest.

“Wait!” The auctioneer interrupted. 
Rorshe groaned, stopping inches from Gore’s heart. “What is it now?!” He hissed through clenched teeth. “You can’t stand giving these people what they want, can you?”
“As things are going now, it appears to be more what you want, Lieutenant. Though... I believe this dragon may no longer belong to Druthers&Druthers.” The short man smirked and moved to the centre of the stage, then, raising his hands in an overly enthusiastic manner, calling for silence as he spoke to what remained of the crowd. “We may just have found a potential new owner! Is anyone willing to go higher?”