From being an Abandoned who had rarely left the Hollowed Grounds, to embracing the call of adventure, to dying and being reborn first as an Ascended and then as an Ancient, Maea has gone through quite the amount of changes in her life. One thing remains common, though, in her attempts to find out just where she belongs; she’s always had a craving for knowledge which has brought her to so many places and to meet so many people here in Caido. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for her!
Congratulations, Maea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
Skinning and hosting by the epically talented Kaons, and functionality fanciness by the coding magic of Neowulf. If you ever see either of them around, make sure to show them some love!
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon, you learn to lick it off knives
We spare you the pain of departure. Finn arrives outside the Halenani with precious little to hand. The clothes on his back fit, but they do not suit the man whose face he wears. These clothes belong to the Spyglass, and Finn has shrugged off that mantle and will likely never pick it up again. It's no matter, really, because this role doesn't require all that many clothes. It's why the bag he has slung over his shoulder doesn't contain any - just a few personal belongings, a vintage bottle of gin and a tin box of something recreational and 'fun'.
It's raining - hard - and before Finn even gets a chance to approach the Halenani doors, he's soaked through, dark hair plastered to his forehead, water dripping from his chin. Even so, his hand falters on the door handle. He swallows hard, slides his mask into place, and straightens up. Pretending has a price and he'll pay it for the rest of his life, but not today.
So it's with a sense of flustered hurry that he steps into the brothel, closing the door against the wind and rain and sweeping his hair out of his face. "The madame wouldn't happen to be at home?" he asks the receptionist with a coy and rather breathless smile.
04-03-2021, 02:54 PM (This post was last modified: 04-03-2021, 08:32 PM by Maeve.)
Maeve
The receptionist arches a brow as a man who is rather unfamiliar pushes through the front door, dripping water onto the wood floors as he approaches. Her eyes look him over from the top of his water logged head to sopping wet shoes. She cocks her head to the side, pursing her lips as she considers his question, "Perhaps... Madame Maeve didn't have any appointments today. What business do you have with her?" She replies rather curtly, apparently not swayed by his smile or drowned cat look.
Luckily for him, the Madame in question is in and unlike her receptionist, she's more willing to make exceptions. The woman breezes up to the desk, placing a soft hand Amelia's shoulder, "I've got it from here, love." Maeve murmurs, flashing her a smile before her eyes move back to the man in question. "Come now. Let's get you warmed up, hm? Amelia, have them bring my tea to the den and an extra for our guest." She instructs, gliding around the desk to place a hand on Finn's back, guiding him towards a side room that's closed off with two double doors. Inside is a sitting area; a plush couch, a couple of lounge chairs, and a low table are arranged in front of a roaring fireplace that fills the room with warmth.
Maeve plucks a towel from a stack of spares they keep for this very reason, passing it to him so he can start drying off. "Tell me... What brings you here...? She lowers herself onto the couch, crossing her legs as she waits for him to follow suit and provide his name.
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon you learn to lick it off of knives
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon, you learn to lick it off knives
She is the madame of the Halenani - what sort of business ought I to have with her? is what Finn wants to say. Luckily, the woman in question appears a moment later, and blue eyes light up at the sight of her. "That is very kind of you, ma'am." Ducking his head in a gentle nod, he allows himself to be guided through to wherever Maeve wishes to sit and take her tea. The hand on his back is a warm spot against his chilled skin, and the air smells like flowers and spices and liquor. In this way, it is similar to Mother Molly's. In other ways, it most certainly isn't.
Accepting the towel, he dabs at his face and neck, before ruffling the fabric through his wet hair, leaving it boyishly tousled. "Please don't think me rude if I remain standing - I'd not want to ruin the couch," he says, motioning to the rest of himself, still drenched. "My name is Thomas Garnier. I am recently arrived in Torchline, and looking for work. I hear the Halenani is the best establishment on the islands for the type of work I do."
04-03-2021, 08:32 PM (This post was last modified: 04-03-2021, 09:02 PM by Maeve.)
Maeve
The Madame relaxes back against the arm of the couch, one arm resting across the back as her other hand comes to rest on her thigh. She lets her verdant gaze sweep over him, taking him in as she dries himself off, "Don't worry about that. The rooms here clean themselves. You can't ruin anything here with something as harmless as water." Maeve dismisses, waving her hand dismissively before letting it come to rest once more. She hums softly, pursing her lips as he begins to speak and a perfectly shaped brow arches.
"You certainly picked a time to show up. Most people tend to avoid Torchline once the monsoons roll in." Curious that he picks now of all times to make a getaway here. Curious indeed. Maeve doesn't straighten from her relaxed position, clearly at home here with the way she lounges so casually. "The Halenani is one of the best. I'm not just saying that either. I worked in a few others before this place was built. In comparison, the Halenani excels in all aspects." The workers here are treated with nothing but respect. She takes care of her workers and Frey takes care of everything else. "Not many brothels can claim to be blessed by Frey themselves." Maeve tacks on that bit of information, fingers smoothing over the skirt of her dress lightly.
"So you're looking to work then... And would you want to work serving our clients hands on or behind the scenes, Thomas?" She asks, shifting towards business now as she regards him.
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon you learn to lick it off of knives
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon, you learn to lick it off knives
"They do...? Huh." Finn's surprise is genuine, and he steps forward to take a seat on the edge of the couch - the rooms might clean themselves, but it still isn't exactly comfortable to sink into fabric while soaking wet. He continues to wipe off his face, his hands and arms, setting the bag he's brought beside him. He would query further, but then she mentions blessed by Frey and it all makes dawning sense. Despite himself, Finn relaxes somewhat. "That is quite a reputation for a brothel," he remarks.
His eyebrows raise a bit as she queries the timing of his arrival. "Is it?" he asks. "Perhaps I ought to have waited until after monsoon season before fleeing a bad situation. I would have thought that most in Torchline were looking for a warm bed and some company during monsoon season." The smile he flashes to her is earnest, perhaps a bit hopeful.
They shift towards business, and Finn swallows down the lump in his throat that he might get through this without the 'necessary', so to speak. But he cannot glean his information from behind the scenes, and besides that... "What work is there to do behind the scenes, with rooms that clean themselves?" he wonders. "My previous experience is with clients, if you have need of that."
Maeve nods, looking over at him as her head cocks to the side, "Oh yes. Phoebe, the previous Madame, built the Halenani because of Frey's instructions to do so. It is not only a place of business, but a safe haven for people like us." She explains easily, reclining back against the arm of the couch as she watches him continue to dry himself off as he finally settles on the couch.
The Madame frowns, brows knitting together at his comment and she shakes her head, "No! No. Not at all, Thomas. I'm glad that you got out of that situation. Monsoon season or not, that isn't a reason to stay in something dangerous for you." She says quickly, leaning forward and taking his hand, eyes growing soft as she meets his gaze. Maeve gives his hand a gentle squeeze, warming the cool skin between her own palms. "Oh there is plenty of that, but we don't pressure any of our workers to take callers during this season. Some of them have children and it just isn't fair to ask of them." She smiles back at him and it's incredibly warm. Almost disarming with the way it lights up her face. After a moment, she releases his hand and straightens back up.
"As for what can be done behind the scenes... We have a bar, spots open for security, room in the kitchen... Now, if you would prefer to personally serve our clientele then that can be arranged, but it isn't necessary. Ultimately your comfort is my top priority and concern." There is nothing but conviction in her voice. She means it. Her workers are her top priority. A place like this doesn't run well if the people inside of it aren't well.
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon you learn to lick it off of knives
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon, you learn to lick it off knives
"I see. Torchline is very lucky to have a place favoured by Frey," he remarks, unable to keep the pleasant surprise from his tone. It's both the intimate - that he will be spending the rest of the season in a place designed by a god for this sort of work - and the practical that has drawn him in. Already the islands have the Old Gods stamped into them. No reason to change or alter that, surely.
It's with a carefully measured inhale that Finn lets his fingers curl around Maeve's, giving her hand a squeeze in return and offering a relieved smile in return. His shoulders relax, by degrees, and he nods to her. "Thank you," he says, his voice low, as if to keep anyone else from hearing. "I confess, this is the first establishment I have been to where I was not pressured into doing the work that brings in the callers." Were it not for the Halenani's reputation, he might have thought it strange.
"If it is all the same, though, I will do what I do best. If that changes, though, I will be sure to let you know. Perhaps I can take those callers who would otherwise go without, given that the other workers are busy with monsoon season. I have no strings attached, madame." He folds the towel neatly in his lap.
04-05-2021, 11:45 AM (This post was last modified: 04-05-2021, 11:46 AM by Maeve.)
Maeve
"We are. They hold us in high favor and value the things we do. It's a special thing to be sure." Maeve hums in agreement just as the door pushed open and Amelia arrives with her tea. The girl places it on the low table in front of the couch before slipping back outside, the door clicking shut behind her. Maeve leans forward, pouring them both a cup before she's adding cream and sugar to her own. She watches closely as the tension he's been holding in his shoulders starts to ease. Maeve takes a measured sip of her tea, licking her lips before speaking, "I know that might be a touch strange as it isn't how things are usually done, but I like to think is different from other places when it comes to our practices."
Her head tilts to the side, brows raising slightly as she regards him with bright eyes, "Very well. If that is your wish then that's what we'll do." She says with a finality, giving him a firm nod before she's relaxing again now that the business part of this is complete. "Now... Do you have any questions for me? For how we do things? Our system of payment?" Maeve asks with an arch of her brow, taking another careful sip of her tea before she's reaching forward to pluck a shortbread from the tray.
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon you learn to lick it off of knives
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon, you learn to lick it off knives
"It is certainly a special place," Finn agrees, his blue eyes flicking up to Amelia as she arrives with tea and shortbread; he is surprised when Maeve pours him a cup as well, offering a gentle smile of thanks. Finn forgoes both cream and sugar in his own tea, usually. But he is not Finn in this moment, and so he indulges in both, following Maeve's lead and taking a sip of the hot brew. It warms his belly from the rain, and perhaps from other things too.
He does not expect it to be quite as easy as it is, but again he is reminded that this place is blessed by Frey. The madame does not likely have to try hard to get workers, especially good ones. His questions, then, are of the practical sort. "Does the establishment have any hard limits - things that are unpermitted for callers to do, for instance? Are we to operate out of our own rooms, or is it a case where we go wherever is available?"
Taking another sip of tea, he glances up to Maeve. "I am most accustomed to servicing men, though of course I am able to provide for callers of all genders. As for payment, my previous work operated out of favours. Is that different here?"
Maeve dips her shortbread into her tea, swirling it through the sweet brew before taking a bite and chewing thoughtfully as he presents his questions. A quiet hum slips past her lips, "I allow my workers to set their own limits. Each person here offers a different array of services. Everything is negotiated before you enter into your room." She pauses, sipping at her tea before she continues, "You will have your own private room. They are located on the second floor. Each room is equipped with two very important things. The first being a bell that notifies security should you need assistance. The second is a button that dispenses a perfume made by Frey themselves. This is meant to help our patrons lower their inhibitions and enjoy themselves freely. This isn't used without the customers consent, of course. However, should it be necessary, it is there to use at you and your client's discretion." She explains, head cocking to the side as she thinks of what else is necessary to add to thoroughly answer his question.
"We do have rooms downstairs that are more... open. Should you and your client be so inclined. They can make appointments with you specifically and meet you in your room once they check in with the receptionist or you can mingle on the main floor in the lounge area." Maeve takes a sip of her tea, wetting her throat before continuing, "We do run on favors, yes. Some of our patrons like to brings gifts in exchange. Jewels, trade goods, jewelry, just about whatever you can think of. Whatever they give you is yours to keep." She sets her now empty cup down, smoothing her skirt out as she shifts towards him, turning herself to face him more straight on.
"Should that sound agreeable to you I can show you around." Maeve murmurs easily, lips curling into a soft smile as she waits for his confirmation one way or the other.
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon you learn to lick it off of knives
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon, you learn to lick it off knives
Honestly, it all sounds too good to be true, and Finn finds his cup poised halfway to his lips as he tries to wrap his head around everything. "That is... I mean to say, it's a wonder that you have any openings at all," he remarks. With all that the Halenani can and does do for its workers, any respectable whore would be a fool to leave. He tries to quiet the strange dissonance that builds within him, instead straightening up and letting out a deep sigh that's punctuated with almost relieved laughter.
"That all sounds very agreeable," he murmurs, readjusting his social mask to more befit that of the man he has become within the brothel. Finishing his tea, he also sets his cup down and inclines his head to his new madame with a boyish smile. "I am yours to command." He gestures as if to say that she can lead the way to show him around.
A quiet laugh bubbles up in her throat and she flashes him a smile that makes it seem like she's about to share a secret with him. "Well, luckily for you we had a recent vacancy." She's referring to herself and her promotion to Madame. All of the information she's provided seems to do a good job of putting him at ease and that brings a warmth to her own chest as he lets out a relieved laugh of his own. Maeve makes to stand, offering her hand to him and waiting for him to take it before she loops their arms together.
"Wonderful. Welcome home, Thomas." She hums, eyes bright as she smiles up at the taller man before escorting him from the room and back into the main lounge area. The windows are all currently closed thanks to the storms, but even with them shut it's still light and airy inside. There is a bar situated on one side and various places for conversation scattered through out. "We have a full service bar and kitchen. All of your meals are provided. If you have any allergies let Amelia know and she will pass the information on to the cooks." Maeve explains as they breeze through the lounge towards the back stairs that are tucked behind reception.
"These are the stairs to the private rooms. No one is permitted past without checking in or an escort from one of the workers. All the rooms are sound proof and clean themselves. You are free to decorate however you wish." With light steps she makes her way up the stairs, her arm still looped with Finn's as they reach the top of the stairs Maeve turns him left down a hall, heading to the end. She removes a ring of keys from a pocket hidden in her skirt, slipping it into the lock, "This will be your room. It used to be mine. It has a wonderful view of the ocean and you can always catch the sunset." Maeve ushers him inside, letting the door close behind them.
The inside has the same white furniture as the downstairs lounge. Whatever personal effects that used to be in the room already removed from the space. A large four poster bed, a small seating area, a fireplace, and a table for taking meals are all available for him. "How are you for clothes, toiletries, and the like? Is there anything that you need?" Maeve asks, turning her attention back to him as he takes in what is effectively his new home.
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon you learn to lick it off of knives
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon, you learn to lick it off knives
"You did? It appears that I have arrived at quite a fortuitous time, then. I won't disappoint." Finn ducks his head in a nod, grabbing up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder, before allowing Maeve to loop her arm through his own. Easily manoeuvred throughout the Halenani, he takes in the tour with quiet blue eyes kept purposely blank for the purpose of keeping his pulse steady. Thomas takes in all that Maeve has to say and to show him - Finn packs it away for later comprehension.
Then they are heading upstairs to his room - Maeve's room, as it turns out, and the Spyglass glances around and nibbles at his bottom lip. Carefully, he deposits his bag back down on the table, pressing both hands back through his dark hair. "Welcome home indeed," he whispers, and it sounds a touch bittersweet despite himself. Conjuring a smile as he glances back at the madame, he ducks into a half bow. "Your kindness is unlike anything I have ever experienced in such places," he admits, and he means it.
"I have the basics, though I only have what I am wearing on my back for clothing. I can wear whatever is available."
"We did. I was recently promoted, you see." While Maeve had practically been acting Madame since Phoebe was gone, the title was only recently provided to her. Maeve watches quietly as he gets himself acquainted with the room, green eyes not missing the hands that push through his hair or the way he chews on his bottom lip. She crosses her arms lightly over her chest, but that pensive expression softens into something sweeter at his compliment. "I know what it is to do this job. I've worked in a brothel since I was sixteen. I'm not about to create a place that is reminiscent of the where I started." There is a promise weaved into her words. Something that she vowed to herself long ago whenever she started to shift into a leadership position here.
"I'll check to see what we have as far as extras. I'm sure I'll be able to get a few things together for you. If not we'll send out for a few outfits. We have a good working relationship with the seamstress." Maeve says with a decisive nod, seeming satisfied with her own plan. "Oh, there is a bathroom attached to your room. It has full running water and all of that. Is there anything else that you need right now? You're free to settle in today and let me know when you want to start working. We'll work you into the schedule."
when you are not fed love on a silver spoon you learn to lick it off of knives
