Shaasha pressed her back into her bed mate, his body was warm, his hands gentle, his arms while not strong, weren’t without their charms, his smell though caused her nose to crinkle. She counted the moments, her disgust building, fighting internally to maintain restraint, she would never let it never be said that they didn’t get what they payed for. Time came, but she screamed in her head that it could have come sooner.

  Rising she turned to him. ‘Sorry to say it Tyber, but times up.’

  ‘You’re not sorry.’ he wore a frown, his expression resigned.

  ‘No point in paying for the lies honey, if you’re going to call me a liar.’ a honeyed smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. It was a struggle

  ‘You know, when I’m away I always tell myself you just say talk like this to keep people at a distance. I always kinda think maybe, maybe you’ve got feelings...’

  ‘And maybe if you bathed regularly, that hope would be a little less deluded.’ the amber glow of embarrassment blossomed. ‘Girls like it when people smell good. Trust me.’

  His blank expression was one she hoped reflected some kind of revelation, but the last two years carried a lot of weight, Cursing internally she wagered it would not be the last. After a moment he turned and sat his payment on the table, and stood to dress. She pulled on a robe, and collected the small pouch, walked over to a strong box, working the enchantments with practiced ease, placing it inside, and returning with an empty one, to press into his hands.

  He gave her a look, that bordered on suspicion and disbelief. ‘I won’t insult you Tyber. Not like that.’ she gave him a gentle punch on the shoulder. ‘That costs extra’

  Now the look slid fully into to disbelief. ‘You charge for that?’

  ‘Now now, a lady doesn’t...well gossip we’ll say.’ He knew better than to test her. He’d tested her the first time, and she frankly couldn’t fault him. She was new to this district, forced out by the gang two wards over. The Lazwak gang, wasn’t open to her terms, and they’d lost a few boys trying to negotiate. Thankfully the madam of this gangs brothel was a reasonable sort, and they’d reached an understanding. Most boys liked a rotation any way, so Shaasha and Madhal had reached an agreement. So long as she payed a license fee, and kept the number of clients she serviced below a monthly threshold, they’d agreed to leave her be. Well, the gang boss kept trying to monopolize her but that wasn’t going to happen.

  ‘So uh, bath before next time.’

  Donning her most winsome smile, and adding a wink ‘Maybe I’ll give you a discount.’ that cheered him right up, and would make it more pleasant so she might actually feel that generous next time. Tyber was dumb, but kind for the most part. Strong, and a fierce fighter so she’d been told. Only reason he hadn’t been eaten, least that’s how she made sense of it.

  She ripped her sheets off the bed, he had that kind of stink that had to be fought or it would sink in. She’d made that mistake twice before. She went into the other room of her apartment and set to washing. With that resolved, she used the moment to think over her to-do list.

  She supposed she could pay her fee early this month, as she’d managed to avoid any major expenses, her rent as well. The room was smelling better already. Hanging that up, setting down new sheets, she set to getting dressed. Sliding a few hidden blades into their usual placements, putting on her ring with the flash gem, and sliding a fistful of coins into a pouch that she hid just below her bosom. She paused at her door, keys in hand, and took stock. She would probably have enough to use one of the better bath houses, and that filled her with joy. It would be nice after her morning with Tyber.

  Walking down the hall, descending the stairs she knocked on the door of her landlord, an absolute money goblin by any measure, the squat grump met her with a suspicious expression. ‘One of your boys break the balcony again?’

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  ‘No, a more pleasant note.’ and she handed over a few coins.

  ‘Early.’ his face transforming ‘Pleasant indeed. New usual?’

  ‘You know I would if I could.’

  ‘Be on your way then if you’ve no complaints.’ and he slammed the door before waiting for a reply.’ she was sure she could make out the sound of him testing the money, again. She’d been a boarder for three years here, but many of the old timers got very stuck, as they continued to age. She’d heard he was nearly two centuries old. Almost unheard of in this district, as violence was only just contained by the threat of even greater amounts of violence.

  She headed out into the street, figures moved around her in small packs, giving her a small berth, as she headed down to the Squeaky Shack. A name she’d always found on the nose, but apparently the locals enjoyed the lack of dressing up. Many at least, a few visited her just for that very reason. Something she and Madhal had discussed at length.

  She saw a few patrons exiting for the morning, running into one of her regulars who seemed to be attempting to avoid attention, Shaasha did her best to avoid allowing him to notice her notice. Some liked to maintain a romantic illusion, others enjoyed the idea of cheating by degrees. Her indigence had made her an extra bit of dosh on occasion.

  Entering the smell of sex, and a few traces of what she’d hoped weren’t fluids hit like she’d walked through a curtain. Considering the variety among demon kind she’d have to fake her surprise if a few of the more peculiar smells found their way into her room.

  An pair of excited giggles caught her attention as the Robard twins saw her, and approached for a hug. Shaasha embraced them warmly, the camaraderie was one of the main draws to joining a brothel, but she enjoyed avoiding any contractual obligations to the various Madams she’d encountered, and the Robards had proffered a horror story or two that kept her at bay. She tried her best to remain on friendly terms though.

  ‘Lady, you stink like client.’

  ‘Yeah, I was thinking of heading down to Hoagies place to get a good long soak in. You’re welcome to join.’

  A confused, then apologetic look bounced betwixt the twins. ‘Sorry Hon, you must not have heard. A giant guy from Nimbum broke their bath. Hoagies furious but he was saying it would take a week.-

  ‘We’re not optimistic’

  ‘-at the very least-’

  ‘Really, he never knows’

  ‘-to fix it-’

  ‘And the Rolly boys down the bend jacked up their price as soon as they heard’ they finished to in unison, emitting small whine each.

  Shaasha made no attempt to hide her disappointment. ‘Hoya Ward?’

  ‘They’re having a spat with Ragmar.’ the name caused her to bristle. Ragmar was the local gang boss, and was fair, or at least, followed his own rules, but he was inflexible, and persistent to no end. ‘So they’re charging a crazy toll in and out. They figure Ragmar will bend eventually if only because they’ve got all the goats.’

  ‘He’s stubborn though.’ The other twin countered.

  ‘Well, I’ll go pick Madhals brain, need to give her my fee any way.’ She waved good by, as they went back to doing their own chores. She tapped on the office door. A reply came shortly, and she stepped inside.

  ‘Ah, Shaasha, good to see you. Good month has been the word.’

  ‘It has.’ as she doled out all but a couple of coins.

  ‘Well indeed.’

  ‘I also, wanted to see if you had any ideas about the bathhouse.’

  ‘A damn shame. I’ve always wanted to get my own set up you know. Offer that extra service’

  ‘And no doubt make it easier on the girls too. Had Tyber over night.’

  The aged madam shook her head. ‘The boy is so thick.’

  ‘Your girls too?’ a genuine warmth filling Shaasha, she really did enjoy the company, and the madam returned an exasperated sigh.

  ‘But money I take it?’

  ‘And Ragmar won’t give us the space. I think he likes us having to depend on things.’

  ‘Not a bad move if we’re honest.’

  ‘Yes yes, but still. He’s done good by us so I don’t force the issue.’ Madhal took on a more measured expression. ‘I’ve been looking for a tub, but I don’t have a place to put it any way. All the rooms here are full as it is.

  ‘I could help with that. Even if its on a bring it by, do the thing, then take it away.’

  The madams eyes narrowed ‘You’re not expecting to re-negotiate’ A painful reminder that the madams cordiality was entirely negotiated.

  ‘No. Our arrangement is fine, I just want free use when you bring it by.’ Shaasha would have made the attempt if Madhal wasn’t always so blasted guarded. She re adjusted her good will tabulation.

  ‘I’ll think it over, have to get the tub and soap any way.’

  ‘Well, you do that. You know where to find me. Hexday, is the one I usually reserve as a day off. For your consideration.’

  She departed, and back into the street having waved goodbye to the twins. The best soap shop was on in Hoya any way, so she just scrapped it, and hoped her lye soap and a bucket at home would do the trick. Hexday was only a couple days of days away. She paused, to temper her expectations. No telling what the Good Madam would do anyway.