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<Andrial> ::the bathing room is neatly divided by several long bamboo screens, separating the three large, steaming tubs from the necessary and from each other. Given that it is mid-afternoon, there is only one other customer in the room at the time, and she gives Dawn a quizzical, although not particularly annoyed look as she towels off. Near the back of the room, from the third tub, muffled sobbing can be heard:: * Dawn gives the customer a shrug and jerks his chin toward the muffled sobbing. <Woman> ::tucking the towel around herself:: Oh. ::she blinks as she notices Dusk, then gives him an appraising smile:: Two of you... ::her voice is low pitched enough not to carry:: * Dawn glances over his shoulder at Dusk and smirks, pitching his voice to match. "He's just here to make sure we're not disturbed." <Woman> ::nods, then looks at Dusk again:: I'm... just down the hall, if you get bored. ::she gathers up her bathing things and wanders off:: * Dawn looks from the woman to Dusk. "Why don't you go make sure she gets back to her room all right." He grins, locks the door behind Dusk, then heads for the back of the bathing room. * Andrial is sitting on the bench near one of the tubs, leaning against the wooden side of the bath, her face buried in her crossed arms, the ends of her sleeves getting extremely soaked. * Dawn sits beside her. "What happened to the rules?" His tone is sympathetic, not accusatory. * Andrial snuffles. "It wasn't like that." <Dawn> No? How was it, then? <Andrial> ::shrugs, sitting up a bit, keeping her face averted:: He was just... open. <Dawn> I leave my door unlocked when I'm home. Doesn't mean I want people just walking in... ::sighs:: He does like you, you know. But she's his life. * Andrial wipes her face with one damp sleeve. "I know... I mean, I really do. It was just unexpected. From complete rapport to shunted off." She sighs. * Dawn shudders and offers her a dry handkerchief, not quite trusting himself to comment. <Andrial> ::looks at him, her eyes wide:: No, it was really, very wonderful... <Dawn> I'm sure it was, but... Listen, Andrial- How much did you learn? <Andrial> ::her tone confused:: Everything... it was complete... ::suddenly her eyes widen:: Oh, no! not like that... not *things*, you know. Emotions. I can't... I don't... not thoughts. Just feelings. <Dawn> ::sighs in relief:: All right. We're very private people. ::he gives her a quick, almost impish grin:: Try to keep it in mind. Even more than- ::he waves a hand to indicate the rest of the world:: -out there, you have to stay out, unless you're invited in. <Andrial> ::mutters:: I *was*... <Dawn> ::raises his eyebrows:: But for how- No, never mind. It's none of my business. I've said my piece. ::he taps her on the chin:: Will you be all right? <Andrial> ::curls her arms around her:: I don't... yes.. well, about *that*? I don't know. Probably. It feels... strange. Alone. <Dawn> You haven't been alone before? You certainly *looked* alone, when we met. <Andrial> ::sighs:: It's hard to explain... imagine you're in a dark room and while you know there are other things out there, you don't know what they are. Then someone turns on the lights, and you can see all the wonderful things. And now... you're handed a blind-fold and told you have to wear it. <Dawn> Mm. Yes, I've been there. Not quite the same way as you, but something similar, at least. ::he flexes his fingers, then ruffles her hair gently:: It will be all right. You'll find someone to take your blindfold off. * Andrial leans against him for a moment, then appears to give herself a mental shake. "You never did... tell me what you wanted." <Dawn> You make me sound so mercenary... <Andrial> ::looks up at him:: Aren't you? ::she gives him a lopsided smile:: <Dawn> Not at all. Most mercenaries aren't *nearly* as discriminating in their company. ::he grins back at her, then sighs:: But as it happens... I - my people - could use a contact inside your organization. Jewel can't do it; she knows too much for us to allow her to undergo the, ah, entrance exam. <Andrial> ::wryly:: I don't think I'm such grand company. ::looks at him:: And since I'm already... in? But it's not that hard to get around that. You just put that stuff away. <Dawn> There's nothing at all wrong with your company. And if I'd known how far in you were already, I wouldn't have walked around it so softly. ::he grins:: But you can still say no, if you want. We'll take care of you until it's safe for you to go home - you've already earned that - and then we won't bother you again. I'm not interested in coercing your cooperation, if you want to walk away. <Andrial> ::shakes her head:: No, I was... I made a choice, to help him. I'm glad I did it. ::wrings her sleeve out, then grimaces:: Do you... ah, never mind. ::she unbuttons her shirt and takes it off, sitting there in her shift:: * Dawn snorts. "That was brave of you. I never promised to be a gentleman." <Andrial> ::blinks in astonishment:: What? I don't... My shirt is wet, but I'll... if it makes you uncomfortable. <Dawn> ::chuckles:: Not in the slightest. By all means, you dry off, and I'll just enjoy the view. ::he grins:: * Andrial rubs absently at the branded scar on her neck. "Some view. But... go on. What would I do... as a 'contact.'" <Dawn> Nothing too strenuous. Regular reports of anything interesting happening in your group - especially things that might affect us, like an upswing in contracts to the Purple Dragons, for example... Occasionally we might ask for aid from you, if one of your people is hired to do something that conflicts with our interests - that should be rare. <Andrial> ::lightly:: For which I would... get your undying gratitude? <Dawn> ::half-bows, almost elegantly:: But of course. ::he grins:: And also, money. And safety from becoming a victim of any of *my* people. <Andrial> ::looks at him:: And you... trust me? <Dawn> ::meets her gaze seriously:: To a point, anyway. Trust has levels, after all. Should I not? <Andrial> ::shrugs:: Stupid question, I guess... It just seems an awful risk for you to take. I'm not very good at this, you know. Having friends. <Dawn> Can't learn it any younger, then, as my teacher would have said. ::he smiles:: Everything's a risk, dear, especially in my line of work. It's what makes life worth living. <Andrial> ::nods:: All right. I'll try and figure everything out. <Dawn> ::smiles:: Good. And thank you. ::he stands:: I should go see if they're working things out or getting ready to burn the building down. Is there anything I can do for you? <Andrial> ::shakes her head:: Just let me know, when they're gone. I don't... think I should see him again. She's right, you know. I love him. * Dawn keeps his face clear of anything like pity or skepticism. "All right. I'll take care of it, and I'll see you again soon." He pauses, then leans down to kiss her cheek. "Don't mourn him too long. And you might want to lock the door after me. I've heard rumors of guys who walk in here, hoping to catch glimpses of pretty young women at their baths." He grins and winks, and then heads for the door. * Andrial looks after him as he leaves, her hand raising up to touch her face where he kissed her. |
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