To Ishtar, it was a day like any other – busy, messy and filled with sweat and loud moans. She could already picture it before her very eyes – a few fat amelu (ruling elite), who would not even care if they wounded her or berated her for simply being a prostitute. Or maybe a simple worker, who, after a long day of working on his own fields, will be so rough and aggressive with her that she will end up breaking down in tears in front of her fellow workers.
It was a hot summer day, a day where even the toughest person will get sunstroke. But, Ishtar had to survive this summer, even if it was unbearable. But she could never catch a resting day, not if she wanted to eat.
Her morning routine was very consistent and monotonous: she woke up when the sun rose, if she did not had to work all night. Then, she quickly rushed to a public bathhouse known as thermae, to wash off any dirt, sweat or odor she might have, plus, she had to maintain a perfect body for her work, if she didn't wanted the competition to one-up her. After she was done, she would go home into her tavern room, where she would eat some bread and stew, with beer acting as a form of water. It was not something that she always eat, as it was a changing diet, but it was better than nothing. Then, she would get ready for her work. She would take off anything she might wear and put on some necklace made out of beads, with two bracelets and anklets, each with their own unique beads, with his bracelets being made out of seashells. After that, she would stand out there on the streets, cupping her breasts, groping herself, waving at potential customers and having sex with them in her tavern room. After her work was done, she would receive beads or seashells, which she would use to either buy herself something she can eat/drink, pay for the room or simply make a jewelry out of it. After that, she would go to bed, thinking about what happened that day and what could she done otherwise, and after a few minutes, she would fall asleep.
That was a typical day of Ishtar, not a bad nor a good day... just a regular day. The morning sun was already up, the sky was filled with various different clouds, which from time-to-time, blocked the sun's light and warmth. Ishtar could even smell the faint scent of the coming storm, which majorityof the people didn't notice. She always had a better nose than a normal person.
In the busy streets of Babylon, as Ishtar made her way through the streets, on her way to a nearby bathhouse, she could hear the already loud and annoying shop owners.
"Come here now people, don't be shy! This big, meaty and beautiful Mangar is only one pound of silver! You can't get any cheaper than this, people!"
Ishtar, not being too amused to even look at the shopkeeper, simply continued her way to the bathhouse.
After a few minutes, she was already there, steeping into the bathhouse with familiarity and confidence, not overly confident, just enough to draw attention effortessly. After she take off her clothets, folded them neatly and put them on a nearby chair, she got into the warm water. Once she was inside the water, she could sense the envious eyes of all the women inside, feeling threatened by her beauty and natural charm. She just smiled a little, then her hands through her long, black, silky hair, then begin to scrub the dirt and sweat off her curvy, naturally toned body, just for the sake of making them even more jealous.
"These ladies are quite protective of their husbands, I must say." Thought Ishtar while bathing, sitting down and just enjoying the water cleaning her body. She always loved the sensation of the warm water touching her skin, it was one of the few things she looked forward every day.
"What should I eat after I'm done here? Maybe I will buy a fish stew with a beer. Hmmm... yes, that is a good idea!" She thought as she washed herself, making sure to clean it between her toes as well.
After around one hour, Ishtar was out on the streets again, feeling fresh and clean. On the streets, she saw a dog, which she immediately petted and begin to baby-talk to it.
"Hi there doggy! You know, you are really cute! I would keep you, if I would be more wealthy. Now, be well little one!" With one last pat, she smiled at the dog, and waved him goodbye.
While she was walking through the streets, she saw a man being beaten to a pulp, by what appeared to be gamblers. It seems like they have lost a bet against the gentleman getting beaten.
"Are you going to pay us back now, or should I break your nose?" One of them said. He appeared to be a big and strong man, almost like a bear, but by simply hearing him talk, Ishtar already deduced that he is not a sharp man.
The man, seemingly laughing about how much they try, just said calmly and with a smile. "Breaking my nose will only lead me to not being able to work or even live properly. How can I repay it then?"
"The boss asked a question, jew! How can you not pay us back, huh? You are a jew, which means you have money, right?!" One of the other man, a scrawny and tall man, loomed over them like a tree.
"Hahaha, you people are exceptionally stupid! Being a jew does not mean anything! I'm still a poor man who has problems to even buy a proper meal!" The man, seemingly laughing at his own miserable life, continued grinning as the bear-looking one beated him.
The man, after a few heartbeats of blank stare, simply continue his assault. Seeing that this man lacks judgment, Ishtar walked up to them and quickly used some pearls she had with her as a quick way to defeat them.
"Leave this poor man alone, you brutes! Have you not learned anything about kindness?" Asked Ishtar, with enough sterness to actually seem threatening.
"None of your business, whore! Shut your pretty mouth before I break your teeth!" Answered the man, seemingly not caring about if someone saw them, even a prostitute such as Ishtar.
With a sigh that signalled both annoyance and disbelief of their stupidity, she take off her bracelets and throw the beads on it onto the ground, silently enough so they wouldn't hear a single thing.
"Are you boys not man enough to take on someone else other than a weaker person? Very manly, I must say! I bet you couldn't even beat me." Said Ishtar with a tone that suggested arrogance and pride.
Hearing this, they immediately turned and looked at her, almost like not believing their own ears. The bear looking man laughed, trying to hide his anger.
"You hear that, friends? This whore thinks she can beat us somehow! She lost whatever mind she might had! Bring her here! I think a good fucking will set her mind straight!"
"But, isn't that just taking advantage of the fact she can't fight back?" Said one of them, seemingly not wanting to do it.
As a response, the huge man simply looked at the other one, making it back up in fear.
Seeing the group of man now hovering over Ishtar, the man who has been beaten up, shouted at her. "What are you doing? Go away and leave me be! This should not concern you! I'm just a nobody in your life, someone you will forget the next day, if you will have a next day!"
Pretending like she didn't hear him, Ishtar simply continued her strategy. At that, she kicked the large man in his groin, making sure to use enough strenght to incapacitate him for a few seconds.
Seeing it happen, the other men immediately attack her in return, while shouting various insults at her.
"You whore! We will make you pay!"
"You will be our bitch, whore!"
After the attack happens, Ishtar quickly and acrobaticly evaded their incoming punches. Because of the beads on the ground, they almost instantly fell, which gave Ishtar the opportunity to deliver powerful kicks at their heads, rendering them unconscious. After dealinh with his friends, she kicks the still groaning bear-like man on the head as well.
Seeing this happen before his very eyes, the man stood up and hugged Ishtar. "I don't know how you were capable of that, but I am thankful! By the way, my name is Solomon!"
Ishtar, a little taken aback but feeling somewhat warmed up by the hug, hugged back Solomon. "My name's Ishtar. It is very nice to meet you, Solomon!"
After a few seconds, she pulled back and looked up and down at Solomon. He had long brown hair, a full beard, brown eyes and a little beauty mark between his eyes. He did not appeared to be too strong, looking somewhat skinny.
"You know, Ishtar, you look really average! Your brown hair, brown eyes and exceptionally mature and curvy body is the signal of being average!" Said Solomon with a cheeky grin, not meaning it the slightest.
"You do too, Solomon. You too." Ishtar replied back sarcasticly with a cheeky wink, something she never did before. What did this man did to her? First she saved him, now she's acting like this? She shrugged it off, not wanting to think too much into it.
"Now, Solomon, you have some explaining to do about the whole ordeal here, by a bowl of fish stew." And with that, Ishtar grabbed his hand and pulled him away to eat a hot bowl of fish stew and drink some beer.