Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"Well, you keep two-thirds of what you make, the rest of it goes into running the brothel. If you're around for six months, you'll get a turn as the madame- we're a co-opt brothel, owned and run by the whores," Bethany says proudly. 

[Isabela]

Isabela blinks. "huh. Not a bad plan. Alright, then. Sign me up. Do I need to kick in more to buy him a place to stay while he recovers?" she asks, gently tucking some of Zevran's hair out of his face. 

[Bethany]

Bethany snorts. "I get the feeling you'll pull in enough clients to pay for both of you easily enough," Bethany says in a dry voice, eyes dipping to the pirate's legs for a second. "Probably be able to charge double for your time," she adds in a soft grumble. Not that she's jealous or anything.

[Isabela]

A sly smirk spreads across her face. "Do you need to sample the wares, to set a good price?" she jokes. 

[Bethany]

"Umm."

[Tethras Clan]

"I recommend the special," Zevran mutters in a slur.

[Bethany]

Bethany's face, already pinked at Isabela's comment, goes utterly crimson at Zevran's addition.

[GamesMaster]

Brianne adds, behind her paw as if to whisper, "She's worth it. Go for it."

[Isabela]

Isabela laughs. "It'll be fun. Let's get him to this brothel of yours and we can play."

[Bethany]

"That's- um..." Beth takes a deep breath and musters all her willpower. "Play is good." Damnit Beth! "But maybe tomorrow night, I mean. Get you both settled. You should- you should focus on him. Make sure he's okay. Someone should stay with him until he's... alert, just in case." And I'm not sure if anyone else would be safe around him.

[Isabela]

"Fair enough," she allows. "I can carry him. You girls have weapons? I've got daggers if you need them."

It doesn't take long for the four of them to get tucked away into the brothel, Isabela and Zevran having two rooms: one where he can recover, and one where she can see clients. She pays Brianne and Elle quite well to move her things from the inn room to here, and she settles up for the room once Zevran's asleep. Once her things are tucked into her room, she ignores it, sitting on Zevran's bed while she cleans and sharpens her knives -- a habit that helps ease her anxiety just a bit. Isabela can take care of herself -- and Zevran too, if need be. I won't fail him again.

[Tethras Clan]

It's the wee hours of the morning when she realizes he's awake. He's studying her, eyes wary slits in the dim light. "Where am I?" he asks in a low voice a few seconds after they make eye contact.

[Isabela]

"Coalside, in Nyra. An abandoned inn these kids have taken over and turned into a brothel. Clever scheme, if they can keep from getting guard attention. You're safe," she adds belatedly. "Safe as I can make you, anyway."

[Tethras Clan]

"Is that so?" He asks carefully, still watching her cautiously. "And why is that?"

[Isabela]

"Why?" She blinks, looking down at him. "What do you mean, why? You're hurt. I owe you my life. Of course I'm going to protect you."