tampered | Open Log: Tambour Amoureux: Saturday

When; Saturday, February 6
Rating; Pffff it's a brothel, idek. 'May get porny' What sort of rating is that?
Characters; The Master, ANY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, CUSTOMERS, ETC.
Summary; It's the Belle Epoque. The Master has a brothel cos he can. Day Two, for action happening today. [Previous day] Note: There are a few girls making a break for it today, so perhaps the previous day's log is better for any potential carousers? Whatever you so choose.
Log; In the red light district, there are any number of bordeaux, catering to a vast array of clients. Tambour Amoureux, however, has a certain...something to it. The owner, a Monsieur Harold Saxon, has made sure of this. He may be a British import but his attention to style, to the quality of entertainment, to the health and well-being of his girls, is still impeccable, to say the least.

From the outside, it's not necessarily instantly obvious what sort of establishment it is. There is lighting, and a certain welcoming atmosphere, and the name on a large sign at the front but it really could be any number of cabarets. Of course, the connoisseur of such places would easily recognise the name.

Inside, there is a stage, for performances, as well as tables and chairs and several couches as well at certain points to the side. The room has a rich mahogany and deep red colour scheme. There is a staircase, more discreet, off to the side, leading to the upstairs, where there is a hallway, with lighting more dim than the lower levels; various doors leading into any number of bedrooms.

Most discreet of all, and a place that requires either longer patronage, or association with someone who knows the secret is a backroom, lavishly furnished with couches and carpets and drapery. Here, one may purchase opium, or bring one's own and relax in a comfortable surrounding.

Additionally, there is a balcony up some back stairs, for employees, and whomever they might choose to bring there.

In a more private section, off-limits to the clientèle are the private offices of those warranting one. Monsieur Saxon's in particular is two rooms. The larger one contains a desk and couch, along with double doors to a private balcony. The smaller one contains a bed and not too much else. It's not his home, of course, that's elsewhere, but Monsieur Saxon does prefer to know exactly what's been in the bed he uses. Or might use. If he chooses to. A curtain is pulled across the archway between the rooms.

[ooc: I was going for....a bit more brothel-y than Moulin Rouge, you know, cos the brothel is the focus, rather than the cabaret. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, PLEASE INVENT THINGS. I kind of...bare-bones'd it so I'll be stalking over everyone's posts and if you add in a piece of scenery or a specific thing to the maison then I'll add it into the description.

Also, it's never too late to join the Master's....team. Just go to the post linked in the Character's section. Message me or something if you want to talk out stuff or ask questions or suggest things or whatever. Or work out character connections to the Master because I totally didn't do that at all...
Don't ask me why I know so much about the Master's office, now. I don't know. It kinda just happened.

The Master is Monsieur Saxon to everyone except his girls, to whom he is 'Maître' because he CAN BE.

Also, anyone feel like running away/being signed up? Aion could do with some girls to hunt down, y'know.

Alsoalso, sorry for repetitiveness. Some things just don't NEED to change, y'know? I'm just making certain you don't get shoehorned into one day.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Alice catches the wave and returns it with a knowing nod of the head. As soon as time permits, Alice is off the stage, wearing a thin silk robe over her dress to stay warm while she is on break. She walks over to Penny's table and sits down. "Penny," she says, in French, "A moment of your time, if you will?" The way she talks, the way she moves - there is something very different about her. Being as Penny is new to the bordello, she might be a bit unfamiliar with it, but it is not too uncommon.

For a moment, Penny wonders if Alice has a twin who happens to know her name. That, however, is silly. She smiles uncertainly as Alice sits. "Take all of the moments you need. What's going on?"

[ooc: Ooh. Do let's!]

"Not here," she says quietly, the robe lazily dangling off her shoulder in a manner the usual Alice would immediately amend. She quickly casts a few glances around the room, ensuring that none were watching them. They have to act casual or else this plan will be blown before it even begins. She smiles and says in French, "Would you mind helping me with some, ah, moisturizer?" then in English, "It would be highly inappropriate to do so in the company of customers so," then again in French, "In the back room?"

Penny is no scholar, but she's certainly clever enough to be suspicious. For the moment, however, she hides all suspicion and tries to act casual. She rises and gestures for Alice to go first. "I wouldn't mind at all."

Alice bows her head appreciatively and leads the way to one of the break rooms in the back of the bordello, locking the door behind them. Inside, there are couches for them to rest on and it is upon one of these Alice sits, motioning for Penny to join her. She then says in a very serious tone, "We're getting out. Tonight."

No sooner has Penny sat than Alice's statement encourages her to jump back to her feet. She couldn't have heard what she'd thought she'd heard.

"Tonight?" Her voice is louder and more frantic than she had anticipated. She forces herself to sit and lower her voice. "Getting out? We?"

"We're leaving," is all she says. Even if she is bolder now, and stronger, her French is still very limited and she doesn't know how to explain the reason why without speaking English. But Penny is the only one she can trust. "You saw Rain. We can't stay here anymore," she then adds reluctantly, "You don't have to come with us..."

It makes sense. Anyone could tell that Alice and Rain were terribly unhappy at Tambour Amoureux, but escaping? Where would they go? Alice is so young, and Penny doubts Rain's ability to do well on her own. There are so few options available to a woman without means, and most of the alternatives to their current occupation--the ones Penny had come to the bordello to escape--seemed worse. Out there, there would be no protection. No one like Maître or Madame Serra would provide for them. Leaving? Leaving is unimaginable.

Penny doesn't voice these thoughts. With the utmost seriousness, she replies, "There's nothing out there, Alice. It's safer here." But a moment of thought banishes that notion. Maybe it isn't as safe as she wants to believe. Reluctantly, she accepts Alice's desire to leave. Hadn't she told both Alice and Rain that they should be allowed to stop doing this work if they hated it? "I'm not leaving, but if that's the best choice for you two..." In her great naivety, she adds, "We can talk to Maître... or to Madame. They would let you leave."

Penny doesn't voice it, but Alice knows. She thought it too, at one time. The bordello has always been her home and they have taken care of her, and for that, Alice would always be grateful. But as the nun, as Sister Lilith had said, these things just aren't right for a girl of her age. She wants to find happiness without selling her body. As for Rain, she just wants to protect her. The girl is so innocent and lost, there is no room for her in this world of darkness.

"Sister Lilith has arranged for us to stay at the Cathedral, if only temporarily." At her later comment, Alice jumps a bit and stares at her in disbelief. Normally, she'd be subtle about this, but Alice was much more brash today and outright speaks her mind, "Are you mad? Maître would, he would," and she can't even finish the sentence, as the horror of the prospect causes her mind to pull a blank. She shakes her head and takes hold of Penny's hand, "Penny..." Alice inhales deeply and starts over, "Sister, I am begging you. You cannot let Maître or Madame find out about this."

"The Cathedral?" The very idea that anyone at the church would accept them--but maybe this church is is different. Penny hasn't heard of a Sister Lilith or a cathedral that didn't take some amount of offense at their very existence. "If they'll take you... if the Sister said they would, that would be safe."

Penny is taken aback by Alice's outburst. Were their caretakers really to feared? She squeezes Alice's hand solemnly, willing to trust her judgment. "I won't say a word to them or to anyone else."

Alice nods her head and gives Penny a quick hug. Their absence can't be too prolonged, or it will seem suspicious, so she decides to just wrap everything then and there. "I need two things from you, Penny, though if you don't think you can do it, I will understand." Alice stops and thinks for a moment, trying to recall what French words meant what and are appropriate for this. It is rough, but it will have to do. "Talk to Rain, she trusts you more than me, so it will be easier. Make it a game or something, don't tell her what is really going on. She'll be too frightened to come. And then, start a fight, or something. Alert Monsieur Seifer so that he leaves his post at the door. It will be the only way for us to get out." She pauses. "I know I'm asking a lot, but you're the only one I can count on. Do you think you can do this?"

Penny listens intently, stringing Alice's rudimentary French together. "I can do both of those," she says, far more secure in her ability to convince Rain that this is a game than her ability to properly distract Seifer. But where there's a will...

She returns Alice's hug. It seems terribly final. If the plan is successful--and it needs to be--then this is goodbye. "Good luck, Alice."

[ooc: Pretending away! ^^ The bit with Rain is as good as assumed. Shall I make a separate Seifer-distracting post? For whenever the Master is out.]

And for a moment, the softer Alice is very apparent, as there is some sadness reflecting in her eyes. Penny has always been so sweet, and it seems such a shame to leave what has taken care of her all behind, but she wants to start anew. And this is the only way to do it.

She then says, strongly, "Thank you, Penny. For everything," and with the French tradition of an almost-kiss on the cheek, the girl is on her way back to the stage.

That's the Alice Penny knows... and the Alice Penny will remember. She gives Alice a few moments to leave--no sense raising suspicions by coming out together--and then re-enters the lobby.

It's time for a distraction.

[ooc: Then a multi-purpose distraction comment will be forthcoming!]

Open Log: Tambour Amoureux: Saturday

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