Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 15, 2011 19:37:48 GMT -5
It was a hot afternoon, and nothing was happening at the bathhouse, even though I was on duty – not lavatory, though, bless Elua, if there was one thing that made me grit my teeth, that was it, and I was bloody glad it was over.
So I'd gone to sit on the steps of the entrance, fanning myself with an old fan I'd plucked from one of the older girls who was inside under the shade, lucky her. Meanwhile, I was out, cleavage in evidence and sweating like a sow. Lucky me.
I leaned against the wall, and looked at the passers by, hoping to find a john.
I wasn't sure I really wanted one, in all truth – but you gotta take a hit for the team once in a while, and it was my turn.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 15, 2011 19:56:55 GMT -5
I was on the way home from an errand, the day hotter than what we usually had, and my Yeshuite clothing wasn't doing anything to help. Walking past the bath house, I noticed a woman, clad not so demurely, and instead averting my eyes like I usually did I rather wished my clothing allowed for as much freedom. She seemed like she was looking to solicit a patron, maybe she often sat outside and watched as the world moved around her. Maybe she'd seen something relating to Cascata. If there was anything I knew it was that the people in the lower echelons of society were more likely to speak about anything they'd seen.
Taking a few tentative steps in her direction, I cleared my throat. "Good afternoon milady."
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 15, 2011 20:15:20 GMT -5
“And you,” I replied, eying the girl. She called me milady and didn't give me that black scornful eye like them Yeshuites usually did. Heh, I reckoned I was like dirt to most of'm, though if one's belief is that sex is a dirty thing, than a sexual thing like me's dirt indeed.
“Lookin' for your way?” I drawled, and I felt polite enough, though the heat made me irritable. If I spoke to someone for a bit, though, it'd be at least a touch to fight boredom in the meantime.
“Ain't no temple so close, I don't think.”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 15, 2011 20:29:12 GMT -5
"No, I'm not lost but thank you," I felt myself blushing, though I'd no idea why. Her manner was some what... raw, like the sort of person who might snap if vexed for long enough. I fought against my natural urge to be timid in the face of such a personality.
"Have you been working here long?" No, that didn't come out right. "I mean, would you be familiar with the comings and goings of the people around the area."
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 15, 2011 20:41:55 GMT -5
“All me life, sugar,” I replied, and the more the girl blushed, the more I was amused by the situation. I wondered if she was a virgin. Probably. Lucky her? Maybe. Maybe not. She probably had a nice body, under all those clothes. Must be hot, though.
“What'cha looking for? Want to know about the johns? Haven't seen any Yeshuite wandering up here for a bugger, if that's what you want to know.” I'd probably have lied if I had, but conveniently, it was the truth.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 15, 2011 20:50:58 GMT -5
"Not exactly," the idea of a Yeshuite even engaging in the activities around here was very disconcerting and I tried to keep my dismay from showing on my face. No no, stop thinking about it, you're here to ask about other business, not to be curious about that.
"I was wondering if you'd heard of a Florence Danton, or maybe of a noblewoman being escorted in the middle of the night under questionable circumstances."
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 15, 2011 21:09:05 GMT -5
“Well,” I said, and I looked at her curiously, “Maybe I did. Maybe I even buggered your Danton, and maybe he even payed me well.” I winked. If I had, I couldn't remember.
“As for aristos, you know, they do all sorts of questionable things, so it's hard to say. You looking for some scandal, sugar? Just sit here all day and watch who comes in. You'll have plenty to blackmail whoever it is you're hoping to catch, Florence or other.”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 16, 2011 0:05:11 GMT -5
"But do you remember a Danton at all?" I persisted despite her flippant reply. "Please, if you've heard anything, tell me. I am searching for the kinswoman of a dear friend." She didn't sound as though she'd taken note of anything, I supposed if she had seen or heard of Cascata, she wouldn't have remembered. It would be just another round of idle gossip that didn't concern her. Still, I had to be sure. And every piece of information was worth something. "Do aristocrats come here often?"
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 16, 2011 0:31:46 GMT -5
“They're the ones with the coin, pretty face,” I replied, and winked at her. “So yes. Some do. Soldiers, too, 'fore the war went on for real. Now it's quiet like a monastery. Call me Sister Alayne, in the holy service of Nothing.”
I stretched, eyed the girl.
“Who's this friend of yours you're trying to help?” I half wondered if it wasn't, again, linked to that red-haired adept of Eglantine who claimed that I was an aristo. I'd found that funny – and I'd found him charming, but then again, that was his trade. Like knows like.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 16, 2011 6:05:48 GMT -5
"Alayne. That's a lovely name," I couldn't help remarking. It made me think of fire, or maybe that was just her. "I'm Raisa."
I wasn't sure that it was wise to refer to Gil by name or status. If there was some shady underground dealer behind it all, then if they heard about someone asking questions they'd disappear right off the map. "He's my master. A foreign lord whose sister has gone missing. But I don't suppose you hear about that sort of thing a lot around here..."
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 16, 2011 10:01:40 GMT -5
She liked my name. Why did the simple compliment make my heart squeeze? I couldn't tell - and so I let it lie.
A foreign lord? A Yeshuite lord, maybe? I blinked, and looked at how careful this Raisa-girl was, how slow to give information she was. A lackey – but not exactly. She liked her master, whoever it was.
“So you're looking for your master's sister,” I said. “I'll be his sister. What kind of sistering does he need?”
Part of me couldn't help the taunting, though I noticed how earnest she was, and how innocent she was, too. I found her endearing in her goodwill.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 16, 2011 22:35:43 GMT -5
Her jest made me blush even more and my embarrassment made me reply despite myself. "Probably not the sort of sistering you're offering, but, uh," I smiled sheepishly. "Thank you for your time, Alayne."
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 16, 2011 23:53:46 GMT -5
I chuckled again, she was so cute. “That is all? You know, you give up easy, for someone on a quest. Shouldn't be so easily deterred. This place's full of them arses, and I'm not the pinchiest of them.”
I winked, and came over to wrap an arm around her shoulder loosely. “Walk with me, and tell me what this is about. It's hot anyway, and no johns are comin'. I'm bored.”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 17, 2011 1:07:20 GMT -5
I blinked, but didn't make any excuses to leave. She had that rough sort of niceness to her, and I found that intriguing. "It's... a long story. They won't mind if you're gone for a while?"
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 17, 2011 1:45:46 GMT -5
I shrugged easily, smiling down at the shorter woman. “If they mind, they can sod off,” I said. “I'll tell them I went johnsing at the Poulet Gauche, or something.”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 17, 2011 4:21:25 GMT -5
"You go there too? That's where I met," oh dear, I'd almost slipped his name. I mentally kicked myself before continuing. "Poulet Gauche was where I met my master. He was looking for some household staff and hired me. He'd been gone overseas a while and came back recently, but he has a house in the nicer boroughs and needed someone to oversee its restoration. I think he'd like it nice and presentable for when he finds his sister, she's meant to be lady of the house."
I glanced up at her from the corner of my eye as we walked. The talk had probably bored her even further but she did ask for it.
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 17, 2011 12:27:49 GMT -5
“Heh, so that's why them aristos sometimes crawl the pubs,” I said, chuckling. “You know, I got one who made me an offer, one day. I told him right then not to fix me, but he'd have me as a friend if he wanted. Good man, he was.” I shrugged and put thoughts of Hal away – because I could only imagine, a Skaldi fighting on the side of the D'Angelines? I feared he might well die a horrible death.
“So you're fixin' the house for this man. Well, that sounds honest. Don't know that I'd like it for meself, though.”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 17, 2011 18:25:04 GMT -5
"It's a huge job," I admitted. "But I think it'll be worth it, when it's all done up. It's a really lovely place, even in the horrible state it was left in."
Her words fascinated me, I tried to figure out how much of it was slang and how much was literal, and found that I was still rather confused. I was probably putting my foot in my mouth again but I asked anyway. "They make you offers even when you're not at the house?"
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 17, 2011 19:56:23 GMT -5
“Ain't no adept,” I replied, and looked up to Mont-Nuit. “Them may be birdies in a gilded cage, but I'm a chicken running free out. So long's I don't give the goods for free,” and Elua, I once almost had, “I'm good. And I never do.”
I winked, and kept walking with her. “I think those who do want to fix me, you know? Like whoring out's a problem, or a sickness, or something.” I shrugged. “It's who I am, I guess.”
And I fully realized who I was talking to, so I flashed her a grin.
“You horrorfied yet?”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 17, 2011 20:24:58 GMT -5
It wasn't that I was horrified so much as... awed? I'd grown up around Night's Doorstep, so of course I knew about the somewhat immoral activities, but my mother made sure I never learned the details. In truth I was strangely riveted by the idea of it, my upbringing meant I could not condone it but still. This was Terre d'Ange after all, love in all its forms was common and betimes I found myself conflicted.
Like now.
"No," I shook my head. Even if I didn't agree with her lifestyle I respected her choice to live it. "I don't think anyone needs fixing. Adonai made us as we are, though sometimes our choices might sadden him, they are ours to make."
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 17, 2011 23:11:10 GMT -5
“Well, his choices probably sadden a bunch of people too, so it's all fair,”I replied, shrugging. “Besides, how much of a choice do you think one gets, if it's die or sell yourself? And it's an honest living – and better a fare than many another job. I'll do that over being a scullery maid, thank you very much.”
And that, I'd had a choice about, it was true. But doing every day something that was used as punishment at the Bathhouse? And doing it it for a living?
Elua. I'd sooner hang myself.
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 18, 2011 3:53:57 GMT -5
I couldn't help it, my lip quirked at the corner. I'd sooner be the scullery maid but to each their own. "That's true. Better to choose what you do, and do it with dignity."
I glanced up at her curiously. "Are you happy with it?"
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 18, 2011 12:43:50 GMT -5
I shrugged. Was I happy? With it? It was hard to tell, since I'd had a few weird johns, and a few weird men who weren't johns. And the bathhouse was quiet, which didn't help.
“It's who I am,” I replied finally. “If I'm not, I have a problem, don't I?”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 19, 2011 2:37:06 GMT -5
I nodded. "True." Maybe a better question would have been was she comfortable with it, though I doubt she would have hung around if she wasn't.
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 19, 2011 12:41:06 GMT -5
“Aye,” I replied, and I smiled just a little, glancing down at the smaller, much more modest woman.
“And yourself? Are you happy, serving your master?”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 19, 2011 18:51:20 GMT -5
"Oh yes, very much so," I said brightly. "He has been very kind to me. He even offered me a room to stay in, and allows me to continue taking commissions in his employ. I couldn't have hoped for better," and, adding a little cheekily, "even if some of my duties include the hard labours of a scullery maid."
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 20, 2011 2:02:20 GMT -5
I couldn't help but make a face. “I just had lavatory duty for a week,” I said. “It's punishment, at the bathhouse, you know.” I shrugged. “Then again, it's better than the whip. Some get it, up there.” I pointed to Mont-Nuit, then I smirked, “Though not at Valerian, of course.”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 21, 2011 7:08:18 GMT -5
I knew something of Valerian house, having done commissions for Mont Nuit in the past, Jessamine's assignation dress most recently, though I couldn't fathom what punishment method they would use for someone who actually enjoyed such a thing. "Have you been to the Night Court?"
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jul 21, 2011 12:21:06 GMT -5
I laughed, then, because the girl was absolutely hilarious in her innocence and naivety. “Me, to the Night Court? Ah, no, not quite, no. I don't think I could afford to put my arse on the first steps of their staircases, even.”
I grinned, and said, “I've been accused of it before, though, and by an adept, no less. What a riot he was. Called me another name, too. Julie, he said.” I shrugged, and said, “But no, I'm Alayne of the bathhouse. I only know of what's up there what rumours trickle down to my gutter, to my bed, even.” I winked, and added, “Some johns like to talk.”
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Post by Raisa Valois on Jul 23, 2011 5:12:21 GMT -5
Was the deed really such that it could loosen tongues so well? I blushed at the thought. "How odd though. Maybe you're a distant relative of this Julie," I joked. "Do adepts visit often? I thought they were strictly bound to their houses."
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