Discrepencies

[Ursula Darling]

Nathan:After a fairly eventful meeting with yet another Courtesan and a fruitless search through Shaden's personal books, Nathan was forced to admit that at a few things simply did not follow. Too many numbers didn't add up, and he couldn't reconcile them. Which was personally frustrating for the young lad, as numbers were what he did. having to admit to a problem he couldn't quite solve was personally frustrating. Worse yet, it meant bringing his problems directly to the boss, or what was the woman in charge. Nathan had not had a chance to meet Ursula Darling yet--he was hired by Gerda, through a mutual acquaintance, largely to ease some of the transition, but if Gerda was any indication of how uneasy his hiring was, he was going to be moderately uncomfortable. Actually, all the employees, save one, had a knack for making him nervous. Tugging at the deep crimson vest he wore, and tugging at fine sleeves, he'd check subtly to ensure he was suitably professional looking--being stuck in the storeroom hunched over flickering light tended to take its toll on him, he'd rap softly on the woman's chambers, or presumeably office. Or at least he hoped it was. Nathan had a hard time navigating the Lily or remembering who was where, and he kept getting the horrible mental image of walking in a 'Client-employee'-meeting and having something hurled in the general direction of his person. Whilst waiting, he'd mull over what he said, rehearsing what he planned to say under his breath--testing it for clarity and, hopefully, to be able to repeat it whenever he got wound up. Considering his experience so far, he had no idea what exactly he would be walking into with Ursula, but anyone who hired someone like Gerda as an apparent second-in-command has got to be plenty intimidating in her own right.

Ursula:Ursula could say quite proudly that she was NOT good with number and happy that someone had been hired to take care of the books while she saw to the house itself and the girls. It was a full time job and she didn't envy Shaden the job, not now that she had to do it on her own. She wasn't one for praying but she did pray for the womans safe return, if only to take over the position once more. Alen's advice was taken to heart, the Lily remained in business and she watched like a mother hawk. Of course she remembered who she was, batting lashes, smiling, cooing when the need was but she let the girls have the spotlight. She really didn't have time for extra clients and this work, not to mention her regular ones to begin with. She barely had time with them as it was. Though it was clear to say she made time for Alen. Everyone else simply thought she was infatuated with him rather then her other clients. Allow the game to continue, she wasn't going to correct them. She told Alen he could put his trust in her and she wasn't going to disappoint him. The Lily always seemed like it gained more attention at night. Creatures of the night, pleasures of the darkness. It should of been their motto. Sitting at her desk which also doubled as a vanity, she pinned a stay hair back and turned her head this way and that to check herself as the knock came to the door. Turning within the chair, she stared at the door, as if able to see who it was through it. Rising slowly, the dusty rose colored gown swished with her as she turned completely towards the door. "Come in.." Her heart thundering in her chest, silently repeating in her head that she hoped it was NOT Jonathan. She just couldn't deal with him right now.

Nathan:Unless Jonathan was fairly short and almost mouse-like in demeanor, she would be quickly relieved by the man who slipped in, ledger in hand, smiling akwardly as he made a quick bow. "Uh... Lady Darling..?" he asked speculatively. Of course, like so many of the Lilies, she was deeply alluring, the kind that put his heart ill at ease and almost felt hard to look at, for guilt of being so particularly interested. But she was also the boss, and being unable to at least speak to the boss was probably not the best impression. "Ah Good Afternoon. I'm ah--Nathanial Renquest, Gerda hired me to help with the books? " And at that he blushed, speaking that last part particularly fast--like he wanted to make it clear for moment one that he was not looking at her like a client would, or indeed here for anything of that purpose. He smiled politely and leaned forward a little bit. "I was hoping I could speak to you about something? I've been trying to play catch up since Lady Aramoire left and I came across a few... ah discrepencies. " Which was enough to make anyone's blood run cold, but in all seriousness, this was not unusual. Particularly in tumultous times, mistakes were easily made. "I just wanted to check with you, bring a few of them to your attention before I made adjustments. " He had to be very careful in minimizing how bad it sounded. It was quite possible that he was walking on sensitive territory, and she was, after all, the boss. As well as the subject of his some of his concerns.

Ursula:Her heart slowed its fast beat as the man pushed the door open to reveal himself. Not Jonathan and she relaxed though on the outside, she probably didn't look like her mood had shifted at all. Her chin dipped a bit as he asked if she was, well who he was asking she was, dipping in a nod though there was a certain amount of curiousity on her face till he announced who he was and her mouth formed an O of surprise and understanding. "Oh right! It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Renquest." Her hand waved to usher him in as she moved to shut the door behind him and finally she turned to point to the sitting area just off to the right and a few feet away from the bed, suffice to say it would be put to good use. The sitting area. She wasn't going to get him into her bed. He was an employee of the Lily and she was a courtesan, not a slut. "Discrepencies?"A brow arched upward as she waited for him to take a seat before gracefully sliding down into her own. "Please, by all means, go ahead.."

Nathan:"Uh right, thank you." Sufficed to say Nahtan held no real illusions or silly fantasies of the like, but he was still made a bit awkward. He knew this was where the business was conducted after all, and conducting his business here, well.. it did create a strange atmosphere. Slipping into the seat where she offered him, he'd set the heavy ledger on the table and began to flilp to the appropriate pages, which, to his credit, he pulled up from memory. Clearing his throat slightly, he'd keep his gaze studiously on the ledger, largely as a matter of respect. "Ah.. here! here we go. There are some minor ones... ah, but I suspect these are merely a result of the Ladies sudden trip." Like most, Nathan was kept in the dark about the fate of Lady Aramoire, informed that she was off on some pressing business. He had no reason to suspect anything else. "Nairne's, here. Payment rendered with no client listed. And a few of these, the end balance is a bit higher than the numbers put together. And a few more with Chloe. Her numbers are a bit worse off, and she's actually paid less than my numbers account for, but not in particularly gross numbers... it... could very easily be a mistake in math, and they're not much worse than some of the others. The biggest problems I'm having are..." he flipped a page.. Ursula's page, pointing to a few figures that were considerably larger. "Ah, here. This particular client. His payment rendered is considerably higher than the services he's rendering. This is.. your client isn't it?" his voice grew a bit lighter at the question, betraying his uncertainity at broaching this. "I was thinking that... ah, maybe he was seeing... uh..." at the thought his face turned red. "Two clients...? But the guest ledger indicates that you're his only... ah... " he came up with no sufficient euphemsim and trailed off, lowering his head as the embarrassment wore plain on his face. Just what was he supposed to call them, anyway?

Ursula:Poor thing, he seemed nervous enough to jitter himself right out the door and Ursula mentally pulled up the image of having to tie a leash around his neck to get him to stay. The thought brought a smile to her lips but outwardly, who knew why she was smiling. It was not unpleasant or mean, just, humorous. As he spoke, she leaned forward, watching the pages flip till he found the correct one. "Well was it taken into account that Nairne and Moira entertained a gentleman together? That might be the slip up there. One gentleman, two lilies.." She wasn't going to comment on who the gentleman was, nor was she going to comment on Shaden's 'trip'. He knew what he needed to know. Point blank, the books and little else. Not to be mean but she didn't trust easily, nor was she going to put Alen or Shaden life into the hands of someone she didn't know. "I do not know that Chloe is taking clients, which is perhaps why her numbers are considerably less..then again I could be wrong and her clients are simply not putting up the bill they agreed upon.." She settled back as he went page flipping again and leaned in to view her own page. Vanilla and Cinnabar scented skin no doubt perfuming the air as she leaned in close to him, but more to see the numbers then anything else. Everything about her stance let him now she wasn't interested. Not in that...with him. "Ah yes, Yes he is. I am particular fond of this man. I suspect his larger payment then what was agreed upon is..in fact a reference to likeness affection. I very highly doubt his...affections are upon any of the other Lilies." She leaned back, away from him and ledger. A delicate brow raising in wonderment but a smile pulled at her lips. "You've done very well Mr. Renquest to have caught such oversights. I have to say I'm very impressed." Was she sweet talking him? Perhaps a bit but truly, she was indeed impressed.

Nathan:Considering that she was one of the few lillies that, so far, wasn't making a game out of making him uncomfortable, he took some comfort in that. Though at the implication that Moira and Nairne had in fact, taken the same client, he gave her an incredulous look. "...They can do that?" he silently filed that away in nuggets of 'things to adjust in the books' while flushing crimson at the mere thought. "Well.. not to be... ah, contentious, Lady Darling, but I more meant that the numbers Chloe is reporting and the amount she is actually paying is incorrect somehow. It's not uncommon... I mean, not everyone is good with numbers. Happens to everyone, but I thought I should let you know." but now they were in the thick of it. He took her assessment of Alen at face value, though he himself couldn't fathom it. Being a romantic at heart, this whole thing seemed kind of alien to him. "So.. that's intended then..? . Okay... So I'll just make the correct adjustments. " At the compliment, he smiled genuinely. "Oh.. thank you! I.. appreciate it. Numbers are just... what I do. " He chuckled self-consciously before holding up a finger to forestall matters. "Uh, there is... one more thing. I'm afraid to say that it's another client of yours Ursula... ah... this one?" he flipped one more page and pointed to a name she would certainly find familiar. "This is the problem. Some of his payments are missing entirely. " He looked up to her, suddenly looking very careful as he broached the subject. "He's even in the Guest Ledger but I have no payment rendered, and the funds don't match.. ah.. do you know what might have happened here?" He kept his tone very, very carefully neutral here, stopping short of accusing her of anything.

Ursula: "There is no limit to how many girls the client would wish for the night..or further time. Only that they pay the appropriate price for both." She explained without going into further detail. No need to make the man up and run out of the Lily screaming now was there? "Well, I am just tending business while Lady Aramoire is attending hers elsewhere so frankly, I have to apologize about not knowing much about the girls clients. I would suggest taking up Chloe's discrepiencies with her. Though I do not mean to be rude in saying it." Ah how well she could portray the mask of lady but then again Ursula was in fact, one mask after the other, strip them away and you found a black hole. She simply was nothing if not just a mask. A kind and gentle smile touched her lips as he practically beamed with the compliment. A palm moved to settle on the cushion as she leaned in to look again as he turned the pages to point at another problem with her accounts. Jonathan...he was an all around pain. "Ah yes, He is an old friend of mine. We enjoy each others company on occasion but a few times its merely a visit and there is no need for payment. Though his name will be on the books anyhow. He is a guest while visiting still is he not?" She wasn't telling the whole truth there but how easily and sweetly the half lie fell from her lips. "In fact, in which payment is processed..here you see"And she pointed a finger to a few lines where payment was posted. "This was not actually Jonathan but another client of mine, Lord Marke, usually I would not divulge his name but as your doing the books, i see no wrong in you knowing my clientell. He is a...general acquaintance of Jonathan's. Both having arrived together at times but usually Jonathan takes off after a while and Lord Marke stays..So those summaries are correct where payment has been made. The others were payment has not, is simply a friendly call of Jonathan and by no means need of payment." While her voice remained, soft, calm and sweet. It was firm. There was no arguing what she put forth as truth.

Nathan:Sufficed to say, Nathan honestly wasn't buying it. There were numbers that didn't add up to mere friendly visits, and if they were acquaintances, well then, Marke was surely an acquaintance it was odd for him to pay. Besides, these 'visits' were of a particularly long sort. Nathan might be a pent-up man, all nervous energy, but he wasn't an idiot. "I... uh... see. " There wasn't any room to argue after all, and though he had his doubts, it was nothing worth losing his boss over. He shrugged, albeit a little helplessly. "Well... I'll make the corrections, as long as they meet your approval, Lady Darling." At any event he'd let the matter drop. So it followed that he'd focus on the second, more awkward reason for his visit. He glanced sidelong at her a moment. "Ah, while I'm here. Listen... I don't mean to sound.. ah, rude. but..ah.. do you think it would be too much trouble if I could get a new place to work.. somewhere.. .ah.. out... of the storeroom? It's not that I don't mind too much I just... ah ... boiled... cabbage." Yes, he actually felt self conscious about being asked to work somewhere other than the place they put the potatos. He was fully expecting to be shot down for this one.

Ursula:She gave a sound nod of her head. Glad that she wasn't going to have to argue this one down. Point blank, she wasn't going to argue this one down. Let Shaden tend it when she came back. She would answer to the Mistress of the Lily but not a book worm. No offense to him but she liked to keep her affairs private however unprivate the Lily gossip could be. She had done a very good job of it till now. She shifted, pushing up from her lean and slowly rose. If that was going to be all but then he was talking again and she turned her attention back to him patiently. "I had no idea you were working in the storeroom. Gerda is always saying a clean home is a productive home. I see no difference, a happy worker is a productive worker. I will tell you what. You can use the library for now. A day or two and I will make sure one of the spare rooms is made up into an office for you. All your own. This way you will have a space that is yours and is comfortable to work in. Two days should be enough time to get a place ready for you..if you are in agreement to such. Are you Mr. Renquest?" She saw no reason to give him his own space for working and surely Shaden would of done the same thing. She was simply...acting the Mistress.

Nathan: "Oh thank god." A great deal of the pressure lifted off his shoulders at the mere thought of being out of that damnable place, and she couldn't have given him a better place if she had offered the ladies dressing room. (did he actually think of that metaphor? his face turned red again, who knows why). It would be like heaven, if only for a day or two when he had an actual room. "Thank you, Lady Darling. You have no idea what a trifle it is to be in the company of numbers while having to endure that smell all day." It was probably the first sign that there was a human being beneath all the nerves since he'd started here. He'd all but dismissed the problems in her books--really, they weren't his problem, though acdaemically he was somewhat curious. His other employers, a long way away, might gleam something interesting from all this. "Ah... but, and I certainly don't mean to question you... but.. ah, should you really set up an office for me? Gerda told me.. that this was a temporary position..." was that a note of hope no the poor lad's voice? Considering the alternative was to spend his time having to scribe the local priest's nuanced views on how everyone around him was a sinner, sufficed to say, he held a private hope that he could actually keep this job. If nothing else, it had a fantastic library and plenty of 'education' held within its walls.

Ursula:A small hum of a laugh pressed past her lips as they curled into a grin at his obvious display of pleasure at having his request accepted. Hands folded in front of her, clasped fingers with fingers, pressed against her belly. Ladylike posture as she continued to watch him. How unaware he was to her sizing him up in the truth, and the need to see what most did not see. "I may have somewhat of an idea. Gerda believes cabbage makes our skin glow and we must eat it three times a week. You smell it, we eat it. Who has the worst deal eh?" She seemed to tease with an added wink. Sure though the smile remained on her lips as he went back to nervous twitters. Ah was that hope in his face? In his eyes. "Actually, while Gerda might of hired you temporarily while Shaden is away. Once the true Mistress of the Lily returns. I am considering recommending you for full time employment. Really it would take some of the burden off the Mistress and would no doubt, give you better employment then what was previous had by you. I can tell by your face..it was perhaps not the most pleasant employment and if it would please you to stay on here. I see no reason why that should not be agreed upon. You have done a fine job thus far. All I ask is for continued loyalty to your numbers, to the books and I will recommend to the Lady you stay on. In the meantime, we will set up the office for you. That is to say, I mean you need to earn it. The room and the recommendation for your permitted employment. Do you think you could do that?"* No she didn't mean earn it by sliding into bed, she meant in the continued good job of overseeing the books.

Nathan:"Point. " he smiled sympathetically at the idea of having to eat such a thing. "You've no idea. before this, the only offer I had was from a local pastor who apparently fancied himself particularly clever. He's actually on the guest list, believe it or not! I can only guess he's here to do research on the evils of temptations for his dissertations, I'm sure." he leaned forward at the joke between the two, grinning quite cheerfully. But for whatever faults he had personally, he had no doubt that he would up to the task. "Oh, of course, My lady! Rest assured, I will do my best. You shall not be disappointed, I promise you that! " He slapped his hands together. Of course, there was another reason he was so happy to be working in it, but that was a faintly private one, not easily drawn out as all that. Far as they were concerned, he was just happy to be working. "You can depend on me... ah, for the books, I mean. " It was kind of funny, the sincereity in which he accepted it. It wasn't in a way that was overly enthuasistic--say, from a man who expected some sort of unspoken fringe benefit to working in a Courtesan house. more an eagerness to please in general. If cut to the bone, the word 'earnest', if nothing else, would be at least be found.

Ursula: "Oh you would be surprised at the holy men who have visited the Lily before, and not for research. Men who sprout sermons on the sins of our lovely home and frequent them in the dead of night. We are, Mr. Renquest, creatures of the night. Breed to entertain, to lure and to capture the hearts of men. But only those wanting to be captured. Wanting to be taken in..We are...what they want us to be. But we choose this life, as they choose to visit. It's not all about the bedroom. It's about art.." She smiled as he seemed pleased by the offer she put down and gave a nod of her head. "I look forward to it then. Seeing your dedication. You will see many odd things here Mr. Renquest. We are not just creatures of bodily pleasures. We're breed to be ladies, breed to be knowledgeable, hold a conversation. We can dress the arm of a gentleman both for show, and for fun but also to surprise and delight those around us. In a sense, to be more then whores...Intelligence is a key factor, to be able to grace courts, not street sides." Now that she had given him a lecture, she would shut up though that grin still held upon her lips. She took pride in being a lily, in being a courtesan. More then a step above a whore who called on the streets. It was just another form of the stage for her, another part to play but this was a role she liked. It was like the stage very much, but the play...never ended. It fit her.

Nathan:Nathan listened to what she had to say, of course, and it made sense. These were a very different people from a simple whore... but, he stopped short of adding his own input. He didn't know her that well and at the end, and though he had a fair amount of respect for some of the ones he met so far--Ursula among them, it would seem, he still wondered about certain nuances of the profession--and whether, at the end of the day, if this was all right--though it was more how the women were ultimately treated as opposed to whether their choice of profession was right in the overall scheme of things. "Oh, I don't disagree, Lady Darling. The few women I've met here all seem very... well they seem very well-educated. Thoughtful, too. " Whoops! These were the women you were supposed to say nothing to. "Meeting in passing, I mean. I haven't... well, of course I haven't. Just the few I met, ah, Lady Moira, Nairne.. Mary too." He smiled awkwardly. "I confess to this all being fairly new to me. I mean, I haven't... ever.. ah... well, it's not that I have a problem with it. I.. I mean, phisophically, I just.. never... uh." From the way he was navigating, it was like 'never unwound for more than two seconds.' "But... uh... yes, Ma'am. I mean to say that I am seeing that myself. This is... a very... fascinating place to be. and I mean that... in the sense of compliment.. and.. ah..." realizing the whole thing was slipping away from it, he decided now was the depart. "I should go. Work to be done on the books, ah, thank you for hearing me out, Lady Darling. "and he was up and heading towards the door.

Ursula:Another hum of a laugh passed her lips as he tripped and stumbled over her words. She was minding the Lily for Shaden, this meant knowing the girls very well. At present, without their knowledge. They probably made the poor man blush more then he made himself blush at whatever he was thinking. "Mr. Renquest.."She did a full circle as he made his way to the door. "If you have any questions, or need advice, not pertaining or even pertaining to the books. Feel free to seek me out. I promise you whole heartily that nothing you say in confidence will ever pass my lips to anyone else. You have my word on that." Her head inclined again in a nod, in thanks for bringing the trouble with the books to her attention, and in a manner to seal what she said as truth. "Actually if you don't mind...I will follow you out. I need to get downstairs, no doubt the girls are all ready entertaining as we speak and I should be watch over it.."

Nathan: "Of course. I thank you, Lady Darling." To that he nodded and slipped out, following dutifully to a step behind her at the side as she wished. It was on her way after all. He filed it away mentally. Of the women he'd met so far, Ursula was, in some ways, the most approachable--not as directly intimidating as Moira or Narine, though just as gorgeous, alluring in her own right, to be sure. She didn't put him at ease in the way Mary did, no doubt, but it was the ease in which he got along with her that was precisely the problem. Ursula, unlike the others, only threatened him slightly, which was as good as it got with Nate in the long run. "I should transfer some of the other books to the storeroom to the library... before the moisture from all that cabbage turns the pages wet and I end up smelling it whenever I open the damned things." He chuckled at the thought of it and slipped down to the main room at her words, checking his pockets idly to ensure a certain comfort was there, and finding some relief in , privately. Things seemed to be looking up!

[nairneadair]

takes place before above play

Nathan: Poor Nathan caught few breaks since his time at the Lily, save a brief but pleasant encounter with the young Mary, he spent the majority of his time in realtive anonmity, toiling away at the ledger, scribbling away. Having already slacked off twice, he coudln't manage it a third time, so he was seldom seen outside. Soon, eventually, though, he'd need something from Shaden's office, and the young lad, armful of books in hand, would emerge from the storeroom and would begin the haphazard travel through the Lily's halls, trying to find Shaden's office. a blue crushed jacket and vest cut a professional air, making him fit in fairly well amongst the menfolk that perused the place, though the armful of books seemed to suggest he wasn't precisely a client. Unfortunatly, his usually keen sense of direction failed him, and he found himself double-checking the wrong room, several times.

Nairne: Business at the Lily was booming as always. It seemed that none could find fault with the idea of a pretty girl on their arm or in their bed even with the current events of Skye. Not even war deterred men from taking ease during the cold of winter. Sitting in a parlor, not the main used one, Nairne was reading a book and idly contemplating the lack of missives from potion customers. Since the incident with the wolfman, leaving her arm in a sling, she hadn't been taking customers. It was the sound of the door to the very parlor she sat in opening that had her peeking over the top edge of her book. In amusement she watched Nathan open the door, close it, and open it again. A playful grin curved her lips, eyes shining with them, as she called out softly,"Are we lost, Mr. Recluse?" It was whispered amongst the girls that Nathan kept to himself and none had missed how uneasy he seemed about the Lilys'. Laying there, waiting for his response, she idly toyed with turning the page just finished. (d)

Nathan: "Uhh..." the poor scribe's face crimsoned slightly as he realized he had double-checked the same room again, as well as the nickname. Mr. Recluse. it wasn't as if he was actually made uncomfortable (though he was) it was that Gerda had very strict instructions that fratenizing with any of the women was the quickest way to lose his job. He cleared his throat and corrected, somewhat feebly. "Renquest, actually. And, ah, I just.. can't seem to find the Lady Aramoire's office, do you think you could point me..?" he feebly pointed in towards the doorway, hoping that it would be simply left at that. The woman already had mirth in her eyes, that much was obvious. He felt himself tense subtly at the mere thought of it, slipping through the doorway, black ledger held to his stomach. Lord, he even looked sort of mouse-ish.

Nairne: "Renquest? Did I not say that?" Nairne's brows furrowed, as if thinking, though it was quite clear by the smirk that she knew she had not. When he slipped from the room after asking to be pointed toward Shaden's office, she laughed softly and rose from the couch. Marking the place in her book, she moved out toward the hall slowly,"I suppose I could. Though I was in a particularly interesting spot. Perhaps we should draw you a map of the Lily?" Ah, there was mirth. Moving purposefully slow to allow the satin fabric of her gown to cling and move from her body artfully. It's simple design, loose and flowing, made the material show more of the curves beneath though it left much to the imagination. "Come," A delicate wave of her hand and she moved further down the hall. "What brings you out of your closet today?" (d)

Nathan: A part of Nathan's mind, distant and analytical marveled, wondering just how all the Courtesan's seemed to be such masters of the art. There was a liquid grace to their movements that drew his eyes despite all efforts to the contary, and his eyes danced from her to the wall directly beside her, desperately trying to avoid looking for too long. Clearing his throat subtly as an excuse for his errant behavior, he began to slip after her. Ignoring the quip about maps for the time being. "Ah.. well, I was working on balancing the payouts for the... ah, Employees, and came across a few discrepenacies. I just wanted to check to make see if the Ladies recent records to see if there's an explanation for the disparity." Which was all the things you didn't talk about if you wanted to impress a lady at all, but one couldn't really credit Nate for skill with women. At all, in fact. "And.. it's a store room, not a closet." Wounded pride was evident. Lord, whoever this woman was, she just loved ripping into him, didn't it? "And it's temporary."

Nairne: For most the graceful movements were taught and for others inherited from birth. Nairne had been born with the art and perfected it during her years with her former patron. May his soul rot in Hell. One did not want to seem the klutz when trying to attract a man...unless it was to spill lovely red wine over competition. That brought a mischevious sparkle to her indigo gaze. "Really? That sounds truly fascinating. What kind of discrepency?" Nairne covered an imaginary yawn with her hand, as if bored by such talk, just to annoy the man. Looking over her shoulder, brushing a sable curl off her cheek that'd escaped the bun upon her head, she arched a brow,"Calling a closet a storeroom does not change the fact that it is one. It would be liking calling a whore a lady." Nairne had taken note of the looks, she was trained to notice, and she murmured,"Do you see something you like, Mr. Renquest?" (d)

Nathan:: "I'm... ah, not at liberty to say." Whoops. he probably shouldn't have said anything about that. The disparity concerned, among other things, a few of Ursula's clients. And in particular, why Ursula seemed to make a bit more than the others. But he didn't dare voice it--among other things, he was instructed to keep quiet about the Lily's Courtesans, lest he play to their catty natures. "I just... ah, seem to be lacking some information." And than she had to up and call him on what he saw earlier. His face flushed bright red and he snapped his head back to her like she had suddenly lit on fire. "What..!? I...Uh, no.. no! I swear.. I didn't. I was just.. ah... I was looking at the title of your book." Which was a half-truth, he was curious about it. "I wanted to see if it was something I read." which was an earnest statement, at least. The fact that he had practically insulted the woman had not apparently crossed his side. He changed the subject quickly. "Ah, how did you hurt your arm?"

Nairne: Insulted? Not one bit. It took all Nairne's willpower not to laugh outloud at his discomfort. That he wouldn't divulge what the discrepency was only piqued her curiousity more. "Oh, not at liberty? If you tell me, Mr. Renquest, would you have to kill me?" A playful smile as she whispered,"I could think of interesting ways to kill someone." His flush brought a slight giggle, the widening curve of her lips, and she lifted her book. "Ah, The Divine Comedy. Have you read it?" Nairne had chosen it off a shelf and found it to be entertaining. His change of subject to her arm brought a slight frown then easily replaced by a very mysterious smirk as she threw his words back at him,"I'm not at liberty to say." Though, she'd told Moira about the wolfman and Shaden knew. Yet, she'd not told any others. Though they'd been warned to be much more careful in the streets of Turas Lan. (d)

Nathan: "Divine Comedy? Oh yes! I rather enjoyed it myself!" He looked positively brightened by the concept. "You know, it's not usually fully understood, but the book is actually the author's critique of the politics of the Church. You see he believes... ah..." he stopped himself short, blushing subtly as she entertained certain ways of kiling a man. he changed the subject back to the ledger. "Actually, I'd be fired. Which, though considerably less pleasant for you, would ultimately result in having to take up that job with the Pastor, writing what passes for wisdom. You'd be surprised how many twits with money think that every thought in their head deserves to be passed on through the ages. The stuff I've had to write..." he shook his head dismissedly at it, wondering just where the bloody office was.

Nairne: "Politics of the Church can be quite...entangling." At least that was how Nairne had heard it, once or twice as a child. She hadn't had much involvement with religion though to even really go to a Church often. Though she'd considered it briefly since the attack. Laughing softly, she murmured softly,"You are quite a handsome man when you blush that shade of red." Grinning, she listened to him talk and nodded her head. Nairne was actually paying attention, a strength in her mind,"Oh dear, that does sound rather dull. I imagine working on ledgers everyday is not that much more exciting though. Perhaps I could come in and sit on your desk while you did it. Make it a bit more...entertaining?" Poor man! At the mercy, if you could call it that, of Nairne. Coming toward the door of the office, she paused and leaned against it. "Here we are." And yet she did not seem inclined to move. (d)

Nathan: "Extremely, actually. Seems the message isn't so bad but there's considerable discourse on how best to apply it, and oh.. uh, sorry. Once you get me started." the very flattery just made him flush again, trying to at least be polite about it. "oh..I wouldn't want you to, I mean, it is... kind of droll. You probably wouldn't be ver entertained..." conveinently ignoring that the woman was implying something very different. Finally respite arrived in the form of Shaden's office! But.. wait, she woudln't move. He stepped lightly beside her to try and slip his way past, but she wouldn't budge, it seemed. Reaching for the door before pulling away just as quick (when she undoubtly did not budge) he'd slip back, scratching the back of his ear as he looked at her through one open eye. "Uhh, could you...? I'll just be a minute. Just.. have to look at..." His expression deflated. It seemed to have no effect on the woman, and she refused to step aside. At a loss for just what might make her step aside, he fixed her with an utterly helpless expression.

Nairne: "Droll? Well, it would not be with me about. I could even possibly help you to release any tension that might come from the frustration of pesky numbers." A gleam appeared in the depths of her indigo eyes as she let them trail over his body and then back to his face. "Does that not sound pleasant?" His maneuvers to get around her, to open the door, brought an amused smirk and her hand circling the handle. "Tsk tsk...you must pay the toll." Arching a brow, she looked about her, then continued,"There are two options of payment, Mr. Renquest. Do you wish to hear them?" Her free hand lifted to idly fix the revealing circular neckline that did not truly need fixed, fingers idly toying with the fabric, as she watched him quietly. (d)

Nathan: "... They both risk my job, don't they?" he looked practically pinned to the wall in her gaze, already knowing the one she wanted and the fact he more or less had to. Pathetic that he didn't have a third option--physically move her, but that was the way Nathan was, ultimately. Flushed red as he met her eyes. The poor bastard was backed into a corner by Nairne, and he started to shuffle his book in his hands, seeming to find a place where they simply weren't comfortable. The relatively pleasant meeting with Mary a night ago seemed a very long way away now. At least he knew his fate.

Nairne: Even if he tried to physically move her, Nairne was not one to budge easily. A light careless shrug of her shoulders as she murmured,"Oh, possibly they could. Does that mean you do not wish to know them?" Indigo eyes watched him, noting the way his face flushed as he looked at her, and she couldn't help that her smile widened more. "I will tell you anyways." Reaching out a hand, she would tap one of the books he held with the tip of her fingernail,"Payment option one is quite simple. You can tell me the details of your...discrepency. Payment option two though..." Trailing off, letting her gaze lock on his more, she'd move her hand to playfully let her fingers wander up his arms,"is a kiss, on the lips, Mr. Renquest. An actual kiss. Not one you'd give your Mother. Which will it be?" Nairne was the devil, so most would say. She'd made that last specific so that he could not get by with a mere peck to the cheek or quick smooch to the lips. (d)

Nathan: Either one would cost him his job, but his eyes still buldged regardless. "Y...You're...!" he looked around. "Alright, alright! I swear, but you musn't tell anyone. I dont' even know what it is, and I want your word!" Not that it'd matter much. He withdrew from her arm like it was molten. honestly, it probably wasn't the reaction she was hoping for but at least she'd get something out of it. Sighing defeatedly, he closed his eyes and leaned in close to her so that he might whisper. "Look... look, I'm not it's anything... it's just... one of Ursula's clients. a... Mr. Sorschal. He's paying her an exhoribant fee. Like, three times as much as the others. I'm not even sure why. He's paying more than any of the other patrons... and for visits that don't even match the guest ledger. I...I'm not all familiar with how it works, but it seems peculiar.. and... and another one of her clients, well I'm not sure he's paying at all. I have a few missing entries. She's making more than just about everyone else." Probably something else that wasn't to slip. "Anyway, that's all. I'm sure it's nothing. Everyone has a few discrepanacies. I'm sure you do as much as anyone." Obviously he hadn't gotten her name.

Nairne: Ah, that was the choice Nairne was hoping he'd make. The man seemed to shy to even consider the kiss. Given the option of that or telling her the information, he'd done the latter. As she'd hoped. Listening with interesting, the grin on her lips seeming like one given to customers when flirting, Nairne let those walking by think just that. Yep, nothing more than her flirting with Mr. Renquest the Recluse. "Ah, Sorschal you say?" Now, that was interesting. Of course, she knew his secret though the words had not been breathed from her lips since finding out. Nodding, ebony hair swaying against her cheek with the action, she tucked each detail away. A client with an interesting secret and a mystery man. Just what was Ursula upto besides the usual tricks of a Courtesan. Did she have a lover? A non-paying customer? Fascinating. A pleasant smile curled her lips,"Of course, I do, Mr. Renquest. You have the books right there. Nairne Adair." Simple, easy. Anyone knew she did not get on well with Ursula. She was extremely careful to keep her other business transactions done outside the Lily and knowledge of it quiet as possible. For this reason. (d)

Nathan: But not careful enough. "Than you do." and that was all he said. He moved to the office door then with a rather embarrassed expression. if that wasn't enough to send alarm bells ringing in poor Nairne's head, who know would. "If you'll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do." he was tired, and he was embarassed. He might be shy, but he knew when he was being screwed with. Fact remained it was kind of a cruel thing once you got down to it, and he was feeling distinctly manipulated. He just wanted to get away from the situation and avoid losing his job, which he considered a very real threat now. If word got out that he had divulged, it very well could be. Sufficed to say, he was not in a particularly good spirits about it anymore. Which was to be expected, all things considered. It was a wonder that he could last five minutes in this place. "It was nice meeting you." the last phrase was said hurridly, and with an eager to put an end to it. Definitly someone he would be trying to avoid in the future.

Nairne: There was a time for games. Unfortunately for him it was over with the utterance of his words and that embarassed look as he hurried to open the door she'd just moved away from. Only a single step taken before Nairne paused, brow arching, and one hand shot out to grip his arm rather harshly. She was not one to be toyed with. "Exactly what did that mean?" Staring at him with cold indigo eyes, mouth a thin and harsh line in her soft face, she waited impatiently. It had indeed sent bells off. She was uneasy. Nairne valued her privacy, especially when she had many secrets to hide, and that he possibly knew something was irksome. And a tad bit frightening. (d)

Nathan: "It meant exactly what you think it meant. Some of your numbers don't add up. That's all. " he turned to her with a still wounded expression, obviously he didn't think much of the discrepancy, despite himself. "Look, things are kind of a mess right now. There are mistakes all over the place, in all the confusion. It's probably nothing." and here's where the bastard would show a bit of cleverness. "Of course, if you make a big deal about Ursula's discrepcancy, I might have to let them know about all of them. Really, errors aren't unusual in any book-keeping, but look, if you're that worried about... just don't. As long as it's nothing grossly out of place I won't make a big deal out of it... Okay?" which was true, but also prevented her from acting too much on Ursula's information, or so he saw it. He just hoped that was enough.

Nairne: "What I do, in my time, is of my business. If my numbers do not add up then it is your own error." Nairne knew it was not his error, but she was not about to say otherwise. What had given it away? Made her numbers not match? These thoughts went through her mind and she resolved to figure them out. Yet, he did not seem the one to ask. Releasing his arm, hoping it would not leave a bruise, she looked at him with something akin to appreciation appearing behind the iciness of her gaze. "It seems that you are intelligent, Mr. Renquest. Do not think to hold something over my head though. When I said I could think of ways to make someone die...I was not being as coquettish as you thought." With that, she'd turn on her heel to make her way back to the parlor,"Good luck with your numbers, Mr. Recluse. Do have a good day." That was quite bytchy of her, no?