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 Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:54 am
If he notices that he gives her a moment's fright he does not comment upon it, and perhaps that is just as well. He does not even look at her, but regards their path with an idle expression on his face.
"Understandable. Your assistance would be appreciated particularly in the evening hours; at any other time there is any number of willing care-takers, but at night business picks up and my other flowers have duties to which they must attend." In other words, during the day the other whores can look after her just fine, but at night they must take customers. "An escort will of course be arranged that you need not feel unsafe walking at night."
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:53 pm
Chloe nodded softly, a smile crossing her face. It would be somewhat disappointing to the children, she thought, to not have her at night as long as this woman's illness persisted, but Ms. Stauss did live on the premises in short walking distance and generally supported the girl when she was offered a temporary job. She was a young working-class woman after all, and one that the orphanage's mistress wished a full and happy life for. Every opportunity to see the outside world was nudged toward Chloe until she inevitably gave in. Even if most of her pay went back toward the children, she had gained a new experience every time.
On this particular occasion, the girl knew for a fact that she would be uncomfortable. It was just society's way to label these women and offer stereotypes that may or may not have been true at all. Even if they weren't, the fact that they were prostitutes and she was going to willingly be entering into a brothel and caring for one of the "workers" would be an unusual and disquieting situation for an untouched little thing like her. Even the thought that she may see something indecent made her blush. Still, there were not many chances like this to see a world that she had never even considered visiting before.
"Certainly I can oblige. If you would like to discuss the terms of my employment we could set a date, or you could come with me into the warmth of my workplace if you would prefer. There are a few children, but they're well-behaved. They mind their business."
She told herself that this Harmon was not inherently dirty for his work, even as the surrogate mother in her screamed that the apparent director of a whorehouse did not belong in a children's establishment.
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Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:25 am
In truth he is somewhat startled that she should make such an offer, and not simply because of the nature of his employment -- but then again, perhaps as an orphan she hasn't any care for the peculiar color of his darker skin. In any case, the corner of his mouth twitches as he paces along solemnly beside her, like a knight escorting a lady, and he allows his shoulders to lift and fall in a small shrug. "I thank you for your invitation, but the details are simple enough: a silver a week for as long as my flower remains indisposed, one meal to be provided per night, and an escort to see that you are delivered safely to The Red Bird and then back to your home again. If these terms are agreeable to you, you may begin tomorrow." The promptly provided details may -- for all that they are suddenly offered -- be a good thing, if she thinks of it. That he's already decided all of this in advance means that this isn't just a spur of the moment offer that he's made up because he feels sorry for her; he's plainly been looking for someone he can trust and she just so happened to fit his qualifications.
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Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 11:52 am
Chloe listened closely, wary of anyone who may offer employment to someone who performed such odd jobs. It was not that she distrusted Harmon especially. In her experience, even the most apparently trustworthy of men and woman would try to stiff her in the end. Nobody suspected the little ginger to fight back. They were sorely mistaken. No lawman would protect her, but she had her memory and her tenacity, and a healthy dose of guilt-tripping available.
"One silver a week for as long as necessary, with a free dinner and an escort to and from my lodging. That is quite agreeable, actually," Chloe nodded, repeating the deal for her own sake and to remind her employer that she had indeed heard what he had offered, "Having a personal relationship with my employer, she may be somewhat wary of our arrangement, Mister...?" You did not call your boss by his first name, after all. "Rest assured, if there is an escort sent then I will come to your establishment."
They had stopped before the orphanage. Happy faces rose in the front windows, chubby hands pressed against the glass. The children were excited to see Chloe return, even ignorant to the treat that she had brought to them.
"May I ask the woman's name, before I go? and her ailment? Will there be a nurse available, or am I to perform the necessary medical treatment?" The orphanage was not privy to the funds necessary to hire a medical professional. Chloe and Ms. Stauss acted as nurses and doctors when necessary. That was not to say that The Red Bird did not make quite a bit of coin in its debauchery, she was sure they did, but there was no knowing how willing they were to invest their funds back into their workers.
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Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 12:33 pm
"It is simply Harmon." He smiles down at her as he says it, aware that his single naming makes some uneasy. "I am nothing more than a bondsman; I am not worthy of a greater title than that." He seems to take no shame in saying this, though the words may have a peculiar ring to some -- after all, he seems to possess a wealth of confidence for 'only' being a bondsman.
Clever little thing, so carefully repeating his offer: so cautious, so deliberate, so serious. He finds it all rather endearing. "You may call her Lily, if you wish, and she will answer to it." In other words, he is telling her politely that 'Lily' is not her name, but for whatever reason both Harmon and this woman would prefer that her real name is not known. "If she needs greater care than you feel you can provide, someone will be summoned, but as yet has not been necessary. Lily is simply with child, and finds it difficult to move around on her own." He looks away for a moment, at the children in the window, with an unreadable expression on his face, and then glances back down at Chloe again. " .. when the time comes a midwife has already been arranged. Your assistance will not be necessary for that particular task."
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Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 12:56 pm
Ah, the poor woman. Chloe could only hope that this 'Lily' would leave the house for her child or else she might yet meet the infant in her own place of work. The Red Bird was not a place for children, although certainly a fair few must appear there. Then again, perhaps 'Lily' already had a family and required this work for poverty's sake. Again, it wasn't her place to judge. She as simply a hired hand. At his explanation of the woman's 'illness', though, she did allow a dismissive little chuckle and a wave.
"You made it sounds as if she was on her last leg!" she smiled, "I have assisted grown women in their duties for years, and have even been a handmaiden during the birthing process, here and there. Certainly this won't be a problem. I look forward to meeting her." Chloe realized in a moment that she was actually telling the truth. She went up the steps to the orphanage and folded her hands together over her paper bag. "If you could inform my escort to ring the bell and ask for Chloe Fairclough he will certainly not be turned away. I will see you tomorrow evening, Harmon."
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:08 am
He smiles, and if there is something almost sad in his smile, perhaps it is because he is not happy to see one of the women under his care in such a condition. But he does seem pleased to hear her talk of her experience, which he had not hoped to find in an assistant; her kindness alone would have been more than enough to be of great help. He bows elegantly at the waist, as if Chloe is not just an orphan, a young woman who does not even have a home of her home -- but a grand lady, with all the trappings of wealth and power. "Tomorrow evening, then, little miss. And for what it is worth .." He pauses, looking up at her on the steps, and then almost shakes his head, ready to tell her no, never mind. " .. you have my thanks," he murmurs in the end, and there is such a strong conviction in his voice that it will be hard to doubt that he means it. This is .. important to him, more than just preserving the life and comfort of someone who works under him. He cares about this woman, this Lily, and is relieved to find someone who will gently look after her.
Standing straight once more, and clucking to his grimalkin (Whsst has stopped to put his front feet up on the steps, waving his tail and looking with interest at the children), Harmon turns to go back the way he has come, to return to the Red Bird.
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