Taking a Break

[stelmarisa]

"A dragon? Are they even real?" Lotte laughed. She had heard of dragons, seen pictures of them, but she wasn't sure that they really existed. And if they did, they looked frightening! Although flying would be so freeing, so exhillarating. Her face turned wistful as she though of her wish.

"I'd like to leave Uthlyn - even if it was just once, just for a day. I want to see what's outside the city limits! I don't even know what it looks like outside the city." Her eyes brightened a little.

"And I want to swim! Someone told me that there is a giant pool, that stretches as far as you can see, where people have boats and where all kinds of creatures live." Of course, she was talking about the sea, but it was such an abstract concept to her.

[GoblinFae]

Iorwerth chuckled. "So I've heard. But, then again you are talking to a bard. How reliable is the word of a teller of tales?" His eyes danced in quiet laughter and joy at her enthusiasm. 'So simple a wish, to leave. One I can understand. But, little one what would you find in the world? It is not as you think. Things are far worse out there than the relative safety of a brothel. Although, who knows what horrors you may have already faced.'

"The sea? I have yet to see it myself in my travels. Despite my ever desire to leave this place I always manage to return home sooner rather than later. Home is here, no matter the hardship that drives me away, I can never stay for long. This land is the woman that calls my weary heart back home. But, have you truly never been swimming before? Or is it you just want to do so in a fair amount of water?"

He was curious as he glanced over in Ylli's direction to check on the playing horse. 'I could teach her to swim. Better not mention it. I don't want to upset her. It is not my place. We barely know each other. Keep cool Iorwerth, she is trained to act this way. She is only humoring you.'

[stelmarisa]

"That's nice." Lotte smiled as he talked about his love for the city. "I have never left, so I don't know what it would be like to leave... maybe I would find myself drawn back, too. It is my home, after all."

She shook her head as he questioned her. "I have never had chance to learn. Sometimes I have paddled in the pools around the city, when I have enough time off. But I can't actually swim, I suppose." Her cheeks blushed a faint pink as she admitted to her lack of ability.

[GoblinFae]

He smiled down at her and winked. "No worries, most people I have met can't swim. But, with Ylli, it's not like I had much of a choice. Dam-excuse me, silly horse wouldn't have it any other way." Hearing his name, the great equine raised his head and snorted. He whickered and trotted over to his "master."

Iorwerth looked up at the sky and frowned. "It's getting late. Oh, how the time passes. Shall I escort you back Lady Lotte? I would not wish you to be in trouble on my behalf," he said moving to his feet.

[stelmarisa]

Lotte's laugh turned to alarm as Iorwerth drew her attention to the time. Jerking her head up she gazed at the sky, where the sun was swiftly reaching the high point in the sky. She leapt to her feet, her earlier flush deepening in panic.

"Yes! I must get back! The others will be awake soon, and I must assist them. Yes, please do escort me, I would like to say goodbye at the gate." She smiled shyly, an idea forming in her mind.

[GoblinFae]

He bowed low before her. "Your wish is my command oh beautiful lady. I think it would be faster if we walked. It wouldn't do for you riding Ylli anyway. He'd just get your skirts soaked and that wouldn't be fair to you."

Tentatively, Iorwerth reached out for her hand and gently clasped it within his own. "The path is just this way," he informed her as he began to lead Lotte away. "I had great fun this morning. Thank you for honoring me with your presence."

When they at last arrived at the park gate he bowed again before her. "Good day to you fair one. May our paths cross again." The "human" took her hands and kissed the backs of both of them before giving them a friendly squeeze and releasing them. "I pray that we may meet again. I enjoyed your company greatly."

[stelmarisa]

"So did I," Lotte entwined her fingers with Iorwerth's as they walked towards the edge of the park, her heart sinking as she thought of the afternoon ahead of her. It had been such an enjoyable morning, but now there was a long afternoon of chores, and a longer evening of work in store. She chewed on her lip - carefully, so as not to break the skin - as they got closer to parting.

Before long they were at the park gates, the brothel within a few moments walk from her. As Iorwerth released her hands she hesitated, then moved forwards, stretching upwards to kiss his cheek.

"I don't know when I will be able to get out again. If you want to see me again, come to the Cherry Tree tonight. At seven." The words came out in a rush, and then she was gone, whisking around the corner and back to her home.

[GoblinFae]

The man blushed darkly, frozen in place from shock. 'She-she kissed me! Heavens above, I think I feel faint. Wait, she wants to see me again. At work?' Confusion displayed greatly on Iorwerth's face but it was too late, Lotte was already gone. Even if she had stayed he doubted he would have had the courage to ask her what she meant by that.

Behind him Ylli grunted, fiercely knocking his head against the human shoulder. Distracted, Iorwerth mounted his steed and became one with him, once more returning to his true form. It was a miracle no one saw him.

"What am I going to do, what am I going to do?" he bemoaned aloud, dragging his hands down across his face. "She wants to meet me. That means she likes me. But, she wants to meet at seven at her work. She works at a brothel. I'm doomed." He took to digging his fingers into his eyes as his hooves led him back to the stream.

When he at last arrived he flopped his large girth down upon the even bigger stone and wailed. "I'm done for!" Hyperventilating now, he continued, "I don't know how to talk to a woman. What about this, this thing, this body? She doesn't know! If she ever found out-oh!" His voice trailed off into a series of loud unintelligible gibberish. Iorwerth waved his hand about frantically while he babbled before collapsing back exhausted.

Slowly his breathing slowed as he tried to think things through logically. 'If she was implying she wanted to just enjoy my company, then I need to remain the perfect gentleman and inform her my time is limited. I cannot stay apart from Ylli too long and I have already done that once today. If however, she wants me as a client then again I must be a perfect gentleman and decline. Or I could just not go and solve that entirely. I've never been with a woman before,' popped into his head before he could stop it.

"No, not going there!" Iorwerth sat up and sighed. "Right she said seven that's only," he looked up at the sky, "too many hours. Guess I'll just uh, clean up. I need to do that whether I go or not. Yeah," he sighed again. It centaur's decision to use the remaining time to decide his next course of action.

[stelmarisa]

The afternoon was a busy one for Lotte. The girls had already started to wake up when she arrived back - although luckily, she had not been missed - and she was in demand. The afternoon started by helping the most senior girls to bathe, washing their hair and tending to their skin whilst they chattered and joked amongst themselves. Lotte had time only for a quick bath for herself, going about many of her housekeeping duties still wrapped in a towel, her hair damp around her shoulders.

Dinner at the house was served early, to give the girls time to prepare themselves for a night of work. The house was loud again as all doors were propped open and they shouted between them, borrowing outfits and makeup, and speculating about the night to come. Lotte scurried from room to room to help, pinning up a hairpiece here, putting the final touches to makeup there. She barely had a chance to rest as she helped those who ranked above her, but the hope of seeing Iorwerth again kept her going.

Soon, it was evening, and the girls gathered in the large lounge downstairs. Some of the eldest and most beautiful had prior arrangements, going out to entertain important gentlemen, but the rest would wait. Lotte was among them, her own toilet now attended to. Her hair was down and in soft curls, framing the face that had been made from childish to youthful and pretty. She was wearing a pink slip, a hand-me-down from a friend, and delicate white pumps.

She stood at the end of the row now, twisting a piece of ribbon around her fingers nervously, as she listened to the madam gossip with the eldest girls. Will he come?

[GoblinFae]

The hours of indecision flew by. Before Iorwerth knew it, it was nearing seven o'clock and he still had not come up with what he was going to do. 'I shouldn't go. I could get caught and found out or worse, I could become trapped without Ylli. It's best this way. I'll just explain it somehow to her, that is if I ever see her again,' he assured himself even as hooves began to lead him to the park gates.

He stared wide-eyed at the park exit. 'What are you doing Iorwerth? Oh boy, what am I doing?' More cautious than earlier, the centaur shifted forms, returinging to horse and rider. "Well Ylli, here goes nothing." Steeling himself, he led the creature, the literal other half of his sould, to the mysterious "Cherry Tree."

Entering the building sent Iorwerth's heart into his stomach. He nearly turned tail and ran right then and there. All the women flaunting their bodies and hiding their true beauty behind painted masks made him sick, not with disgust, but with pity. 'Heavens what am I doing here?' He wrung his hands nervously and cleared his throat. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Lady Lotte." His voice cracked, making Iorwerth want to bolt in fear. 'I need to leave. I shouldn't have come. This was a very bad idea.'

[stelmarisa]

Iorwerth's nervous call was answered by the house madam, a tall woman in her fifties, as she came bustling through the door to the entrance hall. She was striking-looking, and it was apparent that in her youth she had been beautiful, although by now her beauty had settled into a more mature handsomeness. She wore fine clothes and jewellery, although they were simple, and a kind smile was on her face. She was used to all sorts of client, and the nervous men, who weren't quite sure if they should be there, were regularly among them. His request, however, had confused her.

"Lotte?" No one came looking for Lotte. She was a girl who kept herself to herself and didn't have suitors, much less repeat clients. The madam's eyebrows raised for a split second, before her professional demeanour was back in place. She cast a glance over Iorwerth, trying to gauge his financial situation.

"Follow me sir." Bowing slightly, she led the way into the lounge, holding the door open for him. It was in this room that many of the girls were still gathered, Lotte among them.

"Two bronze per half hour, sir." As she stated the price - so low for such a young girl - she stepped aside, allowing Iorwerth to step into the room.

[GoblinFae]

He did not like the way woman, the madam he assumed, said Lotte's name. 'Such disgust, such disdain, it's unbelievable! Lotte is a sweet young woman from what I can tell, she doesn't deserve such degrading. Then again, who am I to say let alone think such things? Wait, money?'

Iorwerth's faced darkened as a feeling of having the wind knocked out of him froze him in place. "Uh-uh-excuse me I-I'm not-I mean," he trailed off and sighed. 'I'm going to get her in trouble if I keep this up. I'll figure out how to get the money later.'

Resigned, he smiled and nodded his head as he entered. "Thank you fair lady." Looking out into the room made him feel more and more out of place. 'Why am I doing this?' Iorwerth ran his hand across the back of his neck nervously. 'If only I wasn't so tall,' he mused, noting how he towered over the others as he looked for her. "Lotte?"

[stelmarisa]

Hearing Iorwerth's voice from her place at the back of the room, Lotte came hurrying forwards. Her face lit up as she saw him and she broke apart from the cluster of girls, coming to a halt just in front of Iorwerth.

"Sir Iorwerth," she spoke formally and gave a ladylike curtsey, but when she looked up to meet Iorwerth's eyes there was an excited shine in hers. They seemed to communicate a secret happiness as she took his hand between both of hers and curtseyed again.

"Thank you, Madam Derica." She turned to the madam silently, and an odd look passed between the two women before she led Iorwerth out of the room.

"My room is at the top of the house." She gestured, and led Iorwerth up a narrow staircase. Soon they reached the top of the building, and she passed into her room. It was small but cosy, decorated with soft furnishings. Closing the door behind them, she turned to Iorwerth and let herself smile properly for the first time.

[GoblinFae]

Iorwerth had no idea what was going on here. His eyes darted back and forth between the pair of women before he gave in and followed Lotte. He kept casting furtive glances back over his shoulder as they ascended the creaking staircase.

The moment she had the door closed he lost his cool. "What just happened? What is going on? I-I-I, y-yo-you, I mean ARG!" He clapped his hands over his face and groaned. "I'm rubbish at talking. Can you explain to me because I'm not getting," he waved his arms around frantically at the room and at them, "this."

[stelmarisa]

Lotte frowned in confusion. Why was he so upset? The calm, kind man that she had met earlier seemed to have been replaced by this stressed, angry stranger. She moved slowly to sit on her bed, watching Iorwerth cautiously.

"I - this is my home. I know it's a brothel, and it's not much, but it's all I have. I'm sorry. It's just that earlier... you seemed like you wanted to see me again." Her cheeks burned as she worked through her explanations. He had seemed keen to see her, seemed like he liked her - but had she got it all wrong?

"This is the only way I could. You won't be charged for your time here... I'm sorry if I misunderstood." She chewed on her lip again, huddling up by her pillow.

[GoblinFae]

He opened his mouth to speak and closed it with a sigh. Coming to kneel before Lotte he took her smaller hands within his own. "I did and still do want to spend time with you. In the short hours I have known you I have come to see you not as stranger but as friend. I am honored to be invited into your home. However, I was unsure of your intentions at the time and only just now had them made clear."

The beaming smile of earlier returned as he gave her hands a light squeeze. "I had feared you did not see me the same and only wished me as client. In which case I had come to inform you that I could not bring myself to dirty you in such a way. The most beautiful blossom I have ever laid eyes on should not be marred by my touch. Although, I would gladly pay to enjoy your company as it stands now, for to bask in your presence is to dine with the gods. Thank you Lady Lotte for your great gift to me. I am truly blessed."

[stelmarisa]

Lotte breathed a sigh of relief as Iorwerth spoke - glad that she hadn't totally misunderstood the situation or Iorwerth's intentions. She frowned a little at the word 'client' but let it go, knowing that he didn't mean anything by it. Her eyes misted a little as he continued speaking. She had never been spoken to quite like this before - yes, she had been complimented, flattered even, by men in the past, but never had she met someone who honestly seemed to believe that she was something more.

Unable to speak, she just smiled as he finished speaking, swallowing. Impulsively, she leaned forward and touched his cheek with her hand. The next moment her lips met his for a brief second, before she pulled away, blushing nervously.

[GoblinFae]

Iorwerth was completely caught by surprise by Lotte's spontaneity. His cheeks flamed dark crimson and a soft gasp escaped his lips. "Heavens," he whispered dazedly. "Um, thank you?" He was in too much shock to really know how to respond. While had kissed before, it had only been in his younger years, long before he took up his bardic tellings.

'What do I do? How do I tell her? What does it mean? Is that friendship or more? What if it is more? I can't do more? She doesn't know Iorwerth, she mustn't know. What does she want from me? What does she expect? I cannot give her that if that is what she seeks. Should I go? Should I stay? If I go I may never see her again. If I stay I never leave. Always with her it is "what do I do?" Always.' He squeezed her hands gently again and smiled before letting her go and sitting back on his haunches.

[stelmarisa]

Lotte smiled uncertainly as Iorwerth thanked her, tilting her head to one side. She hadn't expected that reaction - well, she hadn't really known what reaction to expect.

"I hope you don't think that was out of line," she ventured softly, patting his hands as he released hers. "It's just... you said such lovely things, and I'm not used to hearing anything like that." She blushed a little at this admission. "We are not permitted to kiss clients... but friends are a whole different category."

She laughed nervously, hoping that this would set him more at ease.

[GoblinFae]

"What a pity then," he replied. "You should be told such things on a daily basis. But, I will tell you a secret," he leaned in close and darted his eyes about as if to catch someone eavesdropping, "I'm not used to being kissed by such divine beings such as yourself, fair lady."

His heart lightened slightly at the knowledge she shared with him. "Just don't get yourself in trouble Lotte. I would never forgive myself if I ever caused you trouble. Speaking of which, how are you going to get out of my paying for your time. The madam will be furious with you I'm sure. I can't let that happen. I'll," Iorwerth bit his lip and sighed. "I'll pay. I don't want you in trouble because of me." He was internally kicking himself, knowing that he had no way of paying. 'I'll figure it out, somehow.'