675-05-22 - A Woman in Distress?

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A Woman in Distress?
Summary: Edris has to deal with an unusual pair of patrons.
Who: Edris Alachri, Avraham Grunhaid and the mysterious Abi, both played by Teddybear
References: re:Priestess Leshara (very vague)
When: May 22nd, 675
Related Logs: Murder and teft related logs
Date of RP: 22-25/05/2014
Where: Antechamber - The Night's Dream
Room Desc: The impressive wooden door with strange floral ornaments opens into an antechamber with huge paintings covering the walls to the sides, depicting playful scenes of barely clad well proportioned young women and men, the painting done with a particularly skillful hand and a love for detail. Ahead is a curtain of heavy red brocade, through which faint giggling and pleasant music can be heard, although it is muffled. However, to find out what lies beyond one has to pass two guards in gold and red, as well as a middle aged man in fine attire - He is the one that decides who will be admitted to the place. And who will have to leave. The Night's Dream has after all some standards, when it comes to its customers.


The hour may be late, it is already past midnight, but the Night's Dream is still bustling with activity. Laughter and music drifts through the heavy red curtain, muffled perhaps, but still sufficiently so to tempt one or the other aspiring patron to approach the man in a fine attire of red breeches and a losely fitting shirt of dyed orange, and ask him to be allowed to enter. A young lad has just been denied that very request, and slowly trots off, shoulders slumped, the youthful features showing a frown. "Jus'...wait until I... speak with father..", mumbled in the slurred tone of someone who has already had indulged too much in wine.

By coincidence or not - who can really tell? - the curtain is swept aside and a woman emerges, impressive are the red long curls that have been arranged into a most proper hairdo, with only a tiny strand here and there having escaped from it, her attire a dress of deep green and fine fabric, cut to emphasize the shapely curves of her comely physique in a tasteful way. A pair of sparkling eyes follow the youth that is staggering off for a moment, as an amused smile plays across the corners of her mouth, before Edris turns to address the man who has just sent the lad away. "Poor boy. Now what was that about?" She will lean in a bit, bringing her ear closer to his mouth as he gives an account in a low voice, while one of her hands moves to cover her mouth as she suppresses a giggle.

The noble man walks inside. He looks so arrogant, so self-loving and full of confidence. His one blue eye is hidden under the pale strand of his hair. So, just the green one is observing the surroundings. Of course, he catches the sight of the redhead woman and quite an impish smile is curled in his face.

The man is wearing some black very tight leather trousers, while upper white shirts are really wide. First few buttons are not used, that everyone could glimpse his strong bared chest with the huge scar. Everyone knows that scar! This man must be the solicitor of Lisabette Zorich. He is the oldest brother of Imma Grunhaid.

Avraham Grunhaid was fighting once with four pirates in the Piradin city over a whore. Everyone remembers that, as everyone knows, this man loves whores. Well, he actually loves all women.

This time the man is leading another female along. Though, her face is all hidden under the hood. Nothing of her can be seen, except those nervously tapping fingers on her sides. She is very slim.

Avraham bows for Edris and the well dressed man. "Good evening, sir and madam. I would like to take the best room for the rest of the night and please, bring us three beauties with lots of wine!"

The giggle slowly subsides and her hand is lowered as Edris turns, shooting the approaching nobleman a glance. Her amusement slightly tempered, as she lowers herself into a graceful curtsey that would even pass the high demands at court. "My lord," she greets, with a voice that is almost a purr. And of course she recognizes him. She is supposed to be informed about many things, knowing any important personalities of the Isles is certainly part of that. "I am honoured you chose to seek out the Night's Dream tonight." It certainly is a less dangerous place than where he got that scar. As if contemplating exactly that, the Madame's gaze will linger on that partly revealed chest for a moment.

Another glance is shot in the direction of the woman in his company, and for a moment it seems that those green eyes narrow just a tad. With her gaze lingering on the veiled woman her words will still be directed towards Avraham Grunhaid. "The best room? I am sure that can be easily arranged. And three? Which would your preferences be?" Turning now to shoot the solicitor an inquiring glance while she waves for the guards to pull the curtain aside so they can enter.

If she will come closer to the man, Edris will be able to smell some wine. He has already drunk no less than four goblets. So, maybe it is not a surprise, that his eyes are sparkling and his cheeks are blushed slightly.

The man grabs the hand of the other woman, while his free hand slips to the pouch near his belt. He unties that pouch and tosses it over to Edris. The coins will jingle in the pouch playfully. His low voice amusingly announces, "I trust your opinion, my lady. I want the best girls and make one to be very very shy and another very brave and free! The third... Just the best, my lady!

He offers a wink and starts following Edris, wherever she will lead him.

If she smells the scent of wine emanating from the man, Edris is professional enough not to let it show. Her reflexes are in good shape as well, as she catches the pouch when it is tossed at her, the jingle within them intensifying her smile as she bows. His reply regarding what kind of girls he will prefer has her nod again, while she swiftly makes up her mind which ones to pick for the job, and she leads the way inside.

Into the senario of the ground floor, where wealthy merchants and the like who can pay well but may lack a noble standing are being entertained by a number of barely clad maidens. A minstrel strums a merry tune, that is almost drowned by the chatter and giggling of both those who work here and their patrons. Edris gives a light shrug, rolling her eyes to the lord and his female companion before she leads them up the stairs towards the floor that is intended for nobles.

A little less activity here, the ruckus from downstairs a bit muffled through another pair of green brocade curtains. A beautiful girl, wearing naught but a chemise that has slipped already over her shoulder sits on the stage, one leg crossed over the other, while her fingers brush the strings of a lute with perhaps surprising skill. The melody rather laid back, almost seductive. Three or four nobles rest on some of the comfortable pillows, one even almost asleep, his head resting in the lap of a blackhaired beauty.

And further the journey goes, as Edris leads them towards the hallway at the back, until they arrive before a door, that is painted with a likeness of a naked woman taking a bite off an apple in her hand. The door is opened and the madame steps aside to let the pair enter.

It is a room of moderate size, but luxurious interior, with a big four poster bed in the center, with drapes of violet blue to draw if more privacy is needed. The sheets are clean, the blanket of a soft fabric in a red colour. There is a small table with a flagon of wine and two cups. "I'll have more cups brought to you if you wish," Edris remarks. "And more wine. Now, let me get the girls while you two make yourself comfortable." Asked with an amiable smile as if she were inviting to a tea party. A curtsey, and the redhead disappears through the door, closing it gently behind her.

Avraham won't speak anymore. He just politely bows to Edris, before she leaves. Then the man walks to take a seat on the bed. Well, not to take a seat, but to lie down on his side. Then the man pats the place beside for the hooded female.

She takes off her hood and frees hair as black as coal curls. That is tied to one very long ponytail. She looks around the room cautiously, "We shouldn't be here, right? You know that. We can't! What if someone will notice?"

The man just rolls on his back, "Don't worry! Nobody will find out!"

"We shouldn't ask for these other women, my lord..."

"Then we should go to the Inn. Right? You enjoyed your stay there last time? We can't go there. I like it here as I like young bodies! And you will enjoy them, if you want to become noble!"

The woman's cheeks blush brightly and she slips to take a seat on the edge of the bed. However, she does not lie down. "Still, if the priestess will learn about such a back stabbing... She will..."

The man interrupts her. He leans closer to the woman's neck and brushes her ponytail away. He starts kissing her neck gently, "Don't worry about the priestess. She is in my hands. She will always be. She and her heart. Even, when I will be..."

The woman gasps, "Don't say that loud! Even the walls have ears! I fear, that... The rumors already spread!" She starts crying and covers her eyes with palms, "If anyone will find out, YLIRENA will never forgive us!"

While the woman is sobbing, Avraham raises and walks to stand up just in front of her. He raises his hand and slaps her face with the back of his hand, making the woman flop onto the bed. But at least that stops all the crying, "Never mention their names loudly!"

Edris meanwhile is oblivious to the proceedings inside the room, as she has other tasks to see to, yet as she had already made up her mind beforehand, she does not take overly long. The female lute player gets a wave, and she'll put down the instrument and rise from the stage to follow Edris. The black haired beauty is next, she'll lean in to Edris as she bows forward to listen to the words that are murmured into her ear, before the girl will shift and gently deposit the head that had been resting in her lap onto a pillow Edris hands her. The man is already asleep, and remaining that way, as he turns to his side, snoring happily. A third girl is waved over, this one a brunette with comely curves pressed into an attire that might easily pass for lady's dress, tightly bound at the back.

All of this happens in a matter of less than a minute. Edris will instruct them briefly on the way to the room, gesturing for them to fall back a little as she approaches the door, and opens it carefully. The two in the room may still be oblivious to her presence, as she pauses, not opening the door fully at once.

Just in time to catch that remark about the priestess. And a stabbing. Her hand waving to the others behind her back to stay put for another moment. Listening to those other things being said, a priestess in his power; rumors spreading; and a name. She'll flinch when the man slaps the woman with enough effort to have her fall onto the bed, albeit she will use the moment to pull the door unobtrusively shut, as silently as possible. And a change of plans is made.

"Kaila, why don't you just run to the castle and get the guards," the redhead will whisper into the ear of the blackhaired beauty. "Tell them I sent you. There is a suspect at the Night's Dream. A man. Don't give any names. And check through the peep hole, they are only to enter if the situation gets out of hand, understood? And put on a cloak, girl." A gentle slap to Kaila's behind as she nods and hurries off. "Ready, girls?" Turning towards the others, as Edris smoothens her skirts and removes those needles that keep her hairdo in place, shaking her fiery curls as they fall down about her shoulders. "He wanted a brave one, so that's what he'll get." Muttered more to herself rather, as she knocks on the door and enters with a most amiable smile, the two others in tow.

The nobleman immediately turns to the door, when he hears the knock and three women enter the room. However, he doesn't look very happy right now. After all, the cheeks of his own partner are red as the eyes from obvious crying and she rubs that hurted one. Her eyes really scared stares at the man and flops to Edris sometimes.

The Grunhaid man bows to Edris and other girls, "I am so sorry for the waste of your time, but my friend here just ruined my mood. Plus, she is being quite egoistic and wants all the three ladies for herself. Keep the money and make sure, that she would leave this building really happy, but wouldn't leave it till morning and I wouldn't see her face in the street!" He ends up grumbling and glancing over the female on the bed.

Her eyes widen in surprise. She looks over the three other women and shakes her head slightly, opening her lips and willing to oppose, but the last words of the Grunhaid lord makes her shut up and nod slowly, "Yes... I need to cheer up and relax..." She whispers.

The man bows to Edris one more time and turns to leave.

Edris will keep that smile on her face, her gaze flitting only briefly from the Grunhaid to the woman on the bed. "Oh, a pity that," she remarks, pushing her lower lip a bit forward in a pout, "What changed your mind?" Shaking her head just a tad as if not accepting his explanation that his female companion is to blame, but offering him a curtsey as he passes her on his way out. Her green eyes will drift to the woman next, studying her intently as her face finally is revealed. "What about you, love? What's your name? Or would you prefer not to tell it?" She looks her over thoughtfully. "Maybe a bath may do wonders on you, don't you think?" That gesture of her hand might not be noticed by the woman, but it is seen by the brunette who steps closer.

"Would you like a bit of wine?" The offer presented in all honesty by the girl in Edris' employ. "You... look upset." The lute player from before settles herself on a chair, and begins playing on her instrument, the tones soon forming a soothing melody. When the door falls shut behind the Grunhaid Lord, leaving four women in the room.

When the noble man walks out of the room, his woman covers her eyes with palms and starts sobbing. Soon she lies down on the bed and burries her face into the pillow. Her sobbing is muffled a little bit, but still is loud enough.

She does not hear or doesn't want to hear all the offers of Edris. She does not show any reaction! All she does - cries and trembles.

Edris brows furrow a bit as she notices that reaction, a swift wave of her hand is given to the lute player, and the girl pauses and puts the instrument down. Grey-green eyes shift their gaze from her to the brunette, before they return to the woman sobbing on the bed. The redhead sits down beside her, her hand moves to pat the head gently, almost motherly. "Hush... easy now. Shall I send the girls away?", she inquires softly. "Would you like a bit of wine?" And after another pause. "Maybe it would help you, to get some of your worries off your chest, hmm?"

The young woman continues crying. However, she mumbles quietly into the pillow, "Please... He paid you for letting me stay here... I want to be alone... Can I be here for a few days? Alone? Please!" She raises her blue as the clear sky eyes at Edris. The tears are falling down as if it would be raining over the woman's head, "Wine..." She nods a bit and then raises her legs to curl on the bed under herself. Though, the woman covers her eyes with palms again and sobs more.

The madame will lean in a bit to catch some of the words that are muttered into the pillow, while her hand continues to stroke the back of the woman's hair. "Oh,... sure you can stay,", she replies softly looking up to shoot both of her girls a look, rolling her eyes a bit, as she bobs her head just a touch. "You heard her, Elara. Pour her a glass, will ya." The brunette obeys at once and moves closer to hand the black haired woman a bit of wine, she'll even offer her a reassuring smile should their gaze meet. "So,... you'd like to be alone, hmm? Off you go, Elara. Giselle. And if you should see Kaila, tell her the three of you can have a drink on the house." A little wink there. The girls giggle and hurry off, leaving Edris alone with the woman.

"Just... he mentioned you should stay until the morning... and you want to stay a few days? Why don't you tell me what's going on between the two of you?" Edris purrs, concern and sympathy all too evident in her voice. "He hit you," that's what bothers her the most. "Has he done that before?"

The black haired female takes that goblet of wine in her trembling hands and starts sipping from it, almost without stop. Quickly all the goblet is empty. She does not sob anymore, but tears are still rippling across her cheeks.

However, when Edris mentions, that she saw how the noble man hit her, the woman freezes. She fearfully looks at Edris and shakes her head, "No no no. He is a very good man. I was... I was just wrong and going crazy! I am sorry. He is a very good man!"

The woman starts wiping off her tears and sighs, "I need to stay here a few days, yes. It would be best, if nobody would come here... Or you can give me a less posh room?"

Edris bites her lip when she feels her remark may be taken the wrong way. Still, with one cheek of the woman being red as it is, there's little room for interpretation. "He hit you, honey," the redhead says, with a certain firmness to her tone. "It's no use to deny it." She's been there, herself. A sigh follows as she lowers her gaze. "If you're so intent on a room you should go and get a room at the inn...? I can certainly give you one of the rooms downstairs for a couple of days,... just... why should I agree to do it? He paid for one night." Even if that sounds harsh. When Edris looks up, she offers the black haired woman an almost apologetic smile. "I... might change my mind, though if you could tell me a few things... like your name? This smells like trouble, and you need to be a bit more forthcoming, dear... I am willing to help you, really. But I need to protect my business, you know."

The woman slowly raises her gaze at the redhead. She stares at Edris for a few moments in silence, before daring to speak, "I would have hit myself too, if I would have seen myself, you know. I was over reacting. I always am. The man... he loves another..." And the woman starts crying again. It might be true, what she says. She adds, "I am Abi. Just Abi. I have never met my mother or father. I am an orphan and then I met this man... he promised to love me... I know, he is noble, but..." Abi tries to clean her eyes from tears, "I can't stay at the Inn. If he will come to visit me... rumors might spread... And... People are murdered at the Inn! People like..." She looks at Edris in fear, "Please... do not ask me to leave... "

"No...", Edris replies softly and shakes her head. "No you wouldn't. Stop thinking of excuses for this man. I know who he is. But don't worry, I am used to discretion, I should be, running this business." She chuckles and gives Abi a reassuring smile. "Just because he's noble he doesn't have the right to use violence against you. That is a fact I've had learn myself at some point. So... he made you his lover, hmm? And you want to get away from him? Maybe I can help..." She'll pour herself a cup of wine now, after refilling the woman's goblet. "Abi? That's a nice name." The remark about the inn will have Edris’ grey-green eyes widen though, as she puts the flagon back onto the table. "What about the inn? The murder? What do you know about it? There was a man killed there, just recently. Did you know him, perchance?" Her eyes narrow a bit as she studies Abi attentively and takes a sip of the wine.

Abi slowly nods her head, when Edris asks if the girl wants to stay away from the noble man, "Just until I will find away to get out of..." She suddenly shakes her head, "What I mean... Just until the island will be opened again for people to come and go. I will go then!" She tries to smile shyly, but then just nervously takes a gulp of refilled wine. One gulp, another one and when the Inn is mentioned, Abi almost chokes on that sixth gulp of her wine. She caughs for awhile,before standing up and walking to place the goblet on the table, "I just know, that the killed man had a blue ribbon on his left arm? That means he didn't have his right and already was caught once without that ribbon. You know the rules! He is the follower of Asmenachia and... that means just trouble!" She chews on her lip and turns of from Edris, pretending, that she is interested to the flowers on the table.

Edris watches the black haired woman take sip after sip of the wine, her grey-green eyes narrowing just a tad. "We'll see about that, dear. How long you can stay, that is." When Abi chokes on the wine, the redhead is quick to offer her assistance, her hand beating gently against her back to help her clear her lungs of the wine she had accidentally inhaled, a gesture a mother would apply to a child. Her gaze follows Abi when she gets up and walks over to the table.

"You saw him then? The man who was killed?" The question comes without thinking. "And yes... you are right, of course! Those cultists of Asmenachia... are trouble indeed." Edris adds belatedly. She'll walk over now, her hand reaching for Abi's arm. Her gaze attentively fixed onto the woman. "You were there, right? Was he... was he there as well?" She is not referring to the dead man now, that should be clear enough.

The woman flinches, "I saw him? No! I just heard rumors. That is what people say. So, I just went scared! follower of Asmenachia, but I changed! I went to convent and talked with priestesses. I am no longer in that wrong way... So, I just went scared... I don't know, what I was thinking of... I am sorry..." Abi turns to Edris and turns her red eyes to Edris', "Please... Maybe... Maybe... If you understand my situation... There is one way for me to run away from the man, who hurts me and whose love I do not trust anymore... There is one way to run away from the past. I have no money to pay you, but... Could I work for you?"

She shyly lowers her head and whispers, "I can sing nicely. I am pretty enough, I know. I would ask just protection. He said, that I can't leave him. I am his, but... you could protect me, right?"

"Your sources seem to be far better than mine," Edris quips back. "I've heard no such thing. It's the first time I hear of... cultists of Asmenachia being involved in this." Her eyes widen as the woman continues, and instinctively pulls her hand back from her. "You've been... one of them?", she inquires incredulously. "Oh my poor dear." Her arms go about Abi in a gentle hug, her thoughts racing in her head. "You know we can't handle it that way, hmm? You need to get purified in a convent, for at least a year, to wash all that taint off you, Abi. Learn to worship Onimoria, hmm?"

She sighs as she lets go of the woman, and studies her with a warm smile. "Of course... You can stay for a few days. I will protect you. And no need to pay me. If you promise to seek out the convent afterwards." /And no need for her to work to pay for her stay./ Edris shoots the woman an inquiring glance. "Is the sollicitor one of them?" The question uttered matter-of-factly, while her grey-green eyes keep lingering on Abi, studying her most attentively.

"Oh! No no no!" The woman makes sure, "The lord is not one of them. He actually was the one who found me and convinced me to join the temple. He promised to wait me for one year. He said, I must prove myself... And I did!" She eagerly nods, staring at Edris with so wide and at some point innocent eyes, "That is why I am here right now. He changed. He was one person, when I met him. We didn't see each for other for one year. He was very gentle and I still love him. However, he loves other women more right now. And beer. So, I am free of the convent. I proved myself. Though, I have no job. Many people hate me for being one of the others before... And I don't want to be his mistress. I want to be his wife, but... he doesn't... That is why I am looking for shelter here!"

Suddenly she starts crying and falls down on her knees in front of Edris, grabbing a part of her skirt and cuddling it to her heart, "Please, good woman, give me a job, protection, and don't ask me to leave..."

"He is not?" Edris shoots Abi a glance that shows both relief and bewilderment."Well... either way. I've heard many things about Sollicitor Grunhaid. Being faithful has never been among them. He's the typical patron who would come to a place like this. You heard him, he wanted three of my girls to provide you two with fun. That scar on his chest,... he got that in Piradin fighting with some scoundrels over a whore. It's common knowledge." She'll study the woman for another moment thoughtfully, before she lowers her gaze. "You can stay here. For a few days. Not permanently. I'll give you a room downstairs, in the servant's quarters, to make sure you won't be harassed by any patrons. No need to cry, dear. I'll check on you every day. Make sure you'll be okay."

Her grey-green eyes flicker as she looks down at the woman at her feet, already making mental notes on how to watch over her guest. To protect the girl from the Lord, as well as her business from any harm, should she not tell the truth.

The woman slowly raises her gaze to Edris. She still remains kneeling in front of the Mistress, "Does... does that mean, that you will give me the job?" She jumps on her feet and tightly hugs Edris, if allowed, "Thank you! Thank you so much! I won't disappoint you! I will be the best woman you ever had, I promise! You are the best. I will mention just good words beside your name. Everyone will learn, what a kind person Mistress of this place is! Thank you so much!" She withdraws and offers a curtsy, "How should I start?" It looks like she forgets the man at all.

"No!"

Edris frowns when Abi takes her reply the wrong way. "Not right away. You know I need to check with the convent first, to make sure you've stayed there for the required year. You tell me you didn't want to be the mistress of this man? How would you deal with having multiple customers a day? I am not convinced this is the right kind of work for you. No. You can stay for a few days, while I check your story. I have several ways to do that, trust me. And you will not work. Just stay in your quarters, okay?"

A deep sigh leaves the redhead's throat, as she studies the black haired girl and shakes her head, before she continues: "Next we would have to find out a few things about you. How many men have you been with? What experience do you have? And. Most importantly. How would you react when that solicitor walks in and requests you? Would you be ready to service him? Really?"

The Madame takes a step away from Abi, assessing her frame for a moment. "You would have the looks, that's for sure. But... is your mind ready for this?" Her hand goes up in a gesture, stopping any spontaneous reply that may spring to Abi's lips. "Don't tell me now. Tell me in a few days. When you have had time to think about everything, okay?"

The smile fades from Abi's features. She flops to take a seat on the bed and nods slowly, "Alright. I will wait and I will think of everything..." she drawls and grins her feet into the ground, bitting her lip gently.

Edris grabs her wine from before and takes another sip, eyeing Abi carefully over the rim of her cup. "Well. I think we are agreed then. Give me a few minutes while I find out which chamber has a vacant bed. These are chambers that are intended for the servants, who work here. They are taking care of the cooking and cleaning. You won't be alone." That said with a curious flicker in her eyes, as she does not know how Abi will take it. Also that way the girl will be under constant surveillance, as the servants work in shifts.