Ever so carefully, Victor set the final piece his house in the center of the small circular table in the living room. It was...well he didn't know exactly what it was. A plant, definitely, he just didn't know what sort. The strangest little pure white blooms grew from it, like round ballet shoes.
Whatever it was, it was cute but at the same time it looked vigorous. Victor was in love with it from the moment that he saw it. In fact, it nearly made its way on his bedside table. However, he feared that the light in his room wouldn’t be enough for it. Instead there was a lamp made for plants mounted on the wall so he could “sun” it regularly. It was a gift, so he couldn't just let it die.
After the plant was in the perfect spot, he stood and took in the entire picture of it all, doing a small turn to look at the entire living room and the nearby kitchenette. His livingroom, his kitchen.
With a sigh, that was half wistful and half just plain relieved that everything was finished, he relaxed down onto the couch. This past week had been a whirlwind of emotional highs and low for him, now he was worn down. Thinking back on everything that happened, he scratched at a yellowing bruise on his arm. It did not hurt much anymore, nor did the others. A week ago, a “loving” customer peppered them all over his skin, with a particularly nasty one being across his left eye. That had been his ticket. The very next day another customer, who’s face infrequently showed itself around Shangri-La, appeared before him and...well offered him a job. A job where he wouldn’t be made to do things that he was uncomfortable with. Where he didn’t have to submit himself to the violent desires of strangers.
At first, he was hesitant - suspicious of the offer. Then, once he had somewhat come around to the idea, he did not think that it should be him to leave that “heaven”. Why him? And why not one of the women, that suffered there for years upon years. V wanted to instead give his place here to one of them but they...they had all scolded him terribly. His mothers were adamant, that he cash in on this chance at a different life for himself.
He followed their advice, and left that place, but he was still holding on to guilt from the decision. It felt too much like he was running away and leaving them all behind. Kat, one of the women he looked up to the most, told him that just like the bruises painted across his body...this guilt would also fade soon enough. Victor only hoped that that stood true this time too.
