Reza the Manticore (special preview)

The old house you stood outside of looked as though it had seen better days. The iron fence was overgrown with weeds and vines, and beyond it the yard was littered like a junkyard. The only reason you came here was because you were fed up, but if you had passed this house at any other time you would have sped your gate to avoid it.

The gate was open so you just let yourself inside. This was a mission, so you felt partially like a spy sneaking into an enemy base. Your friends at the boarding house had told you not to come here, but you were sick of the tensions extending from your boss and all through the one paradise-like boarding house. The man who lived in this house was the cause of all that tension.

“You there,” a bellowing voice called from above.

You had barely stepped inside and already you were spotted. Just up on the awning of the porch roof there stood the man you were looking for. He grinned down at you, pushing up the brim of his shabby hold hat.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he jumped down from the awning, barely missing a flower bed full of scrap.

You stiffened your shoulders and put on a brave face. “Is that supposed to scare or impress me?” You walked forward towards him. “You’re Reza Radan right?”

The tall, burly man removed his sunglasses to reveal a set of eyes so golden they glowed under the brim of his hat. He grinned, showing off the gold incisor in his mouth. “Is that who you want me to be?”

You frowned at him, not giving him any sort of reaction beyond displeasure. “I’m from the Nasrin Dance Theatre-”

The big man started laughing hard, his wide mouth opened in a strangely grotesque way. “My bitch sister sent you!”

“No! She didn’t!” You stomped a foot forward. “I came on my own, because I am sick and tired of the tension at the boarding house!” You had to yell over his guffawing.

Reza took a step back. “I suppose you’re all pissed I bought your crappy little theatre. So what do you wanna do about it?”

You grimaced as you looked at him, he looked crusty and unkempt, covered in grease stains and rust dust from his massive boots to the top of his salt and pepper head. “I wanted to ask you to let us use the theatre once before you do...whatever it is you plan on doing to it.”

Those gold eyes looked you up and down and a black tongue darted over the corner of his mouth. “Do you think I’m kind or something?”

Reza’s gaze felt strange upon your body so you crossed your arms against your chest. “From the shouting matches I’ve heard you have with Mrs. Riahi; no I don’t.”

“Good, I’d hate to build any sort of differing reputation. Although, it is a pleasure to get someone such as yourself knocking at my door. Always willing to hear out a pretty face.”

You balked and dropped your arms. “Excuse me?”

Reza chuckled, stepping towards you. “Usually I would knock solicitors out the gate and onto their asses. But an ass like yours deserves to be treated with nothing but respect.”

As soon as he was close enough you slapped him. Reza didn’t budge, he just stood there with a pleased grin upon his face.

“My ass has nothing to do with this,” you huffed in a sort of defeat. “I am asking you just this one favor. One! Let us do this last performance then you can have that theatre. I just want there to be some peace at the boarding house.”

Reza rubbed his jaw where you struck him. “No wonder I like the cut of you, you’re a dancer. My sister was always bringing dancers home when we were kids, so I grew a taste.”

You groaned and rolled your eyes. “You’re disgusting!”

A chuckle built in his chest. “Forgive me, I lose myself in front of attractive people. My brain just short circuits and allows the pig to come out.”

Your were unsure how to take that, so you remained quiet with a disgusted look upon your face.

That sug grin never left his face. “You’re androgynous too, another point. I never much cared for gender, all I cared about was how much fun we were going to have.”

“The theatre,” you snapped at him.

“Oh right. Right. No.” He said decisively.

“Why not?” You snapped. “What are you going to do with a theatre anyways?” You barked.

“Whatever the fuck I want, it’s mine,” Reza chuckled. “I can tear it down, build it up, maybe even open it up to let nature take over.” he then placed his sunglasses back onto his face. “My sister knows what she did.”

You flapped your arms out. “How old are you?”