A medical emergency

[fadingworld]

A deep navy cloak hides his features and the more ornate tunic the courtesan usually wears to greet his clients. Mal hunches his shoulders and slides through the crowds hoping to avoid notice. He keeps his head down until he reaches the home of the doctor and wraps smartly on the door. "Open up," he calls in a voice that expects to be listened to.

How much time did he have? He could not have a client bleeding out. Not this one. Not one who had come to him for help, to be treated privately.

Comments

[fadingworld]

"The books and a few jewels that I've hidden away," Mal says. It was not much. "I was planning to see the jewels when I got the chance to leave." He looks up with a wry smile. "Everything else, I have rented from the House."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Not Regis actually smiles again, a slight quirk of his lips that soften his expression. "Then I would say that one of the first things we will need to do is to find you a decent tailor."

[fadingworld]

Mal lets out a genuine laugh at that. "I suppose clothes will become a lot more useful." He nods to the shirt he is wearing, "I like simple things like this. I am sure my jewels should outfit me for quite awhile."

[mandragoraspiritus]

They aren't quite of a size, with Regis being both wider over the shoulders as well as somewhat taller, but the difference isn't so large that Mal wearing Regis' clothes looks so out of place. Worst case, Mal could simply borrow a few sets until new ones have been made for him.

"Then I shall cover your expenses until you have sold then, and you can pay me back once you have the coin."

[fadingworld]

"Or I could give you the jewels to sell, and you can take your money from it. I have to confess, I would probably not get their full worth if I did it, I wouldn't know the best person to get to."

He grimaces comically, "I am frankly ignorant when it comes to a lot of practical things."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Mal has lived very sheltered, hasn't he? Whereas Regis has centuries of experience to draw from. "Then yes, I can take those jewels to sell," he agrees, his smile widening in humor. "I promise I won't cheat you much." He won't at all, obviously but some humor never hurt.

"I have an acquaintance one of the banks here and I am sure I would be given a decent price." Not the full price, perhaps, that was a hard feat to accomplish when dealing with dwarf bankers sure enough, but at least it woudn't be far from it.

[fadingworld]

Mal grins, "If you tell me you go for a handful of coppers I won't believe you. Thank you. You might have to come in the back way to get the jewels out. I don't want the Madame to find that I have been concealing them."

His eyes dance, "I can't wait to see how you handle her. I do not think she will come out on top for once."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"Unless she is readily willing to let you go then I assure you that she will not be coming out on top." For a moment there is something almost predatory about Regis' small smile, as if he will enjoy the confrontation.

[fadingworld]

That smile sends a thrill up Mal's back. There was power here in that smile, more than all of his clients put together.

"I will enjoy watching the show down," he admits. He shakes his head, "Honestly, I feel dazed...I didn't think any of this was possible."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"Then once you are fully well I will have to remind you that wasn't a mere fever dream."


It did take the week that Regis had estimated for Mal to get back onto his feet again and another two days for all lingering feelings of weakness to fade. By then the quarantine of the Rose Thorn had been let up and it was time for the two of them to go have a word with Madame.

[fadingworld]

A carriage is sent for them to make sure Mal is delivered safely from one place to the other. In the carriage Mal is antsy, one moment looking at the window, another straightening his tunic.

His liveliness fades as they draw up to the doors. The warmth that he's shown Regis vanishes, and his features are schooled into the composed face and easy smile he wears with clients.

The Madam's office is big and luxurious as are the clothes she choses to wear. She says nothing until Mal comes forward to bow low.

"Welcome back little one," she says in honeyed tones and turns her attention to Regis. "Thank you for bringing him back in one piece, he's quite a favourite here and it would have been a pity to hear that he had died."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis hates to see how Mal's personality disappears behind that polished and pleasing facade.

When meeting the Madame Regis bows politely in greeting, a hand over his chest before again coming to stand up straight. "It would have been an utter tragedy, indeed." But from Regis' point of view, it would have been for completely different reasons. He really doesn't feel like leaving Mal here for even a day and so he sets his black eyes to meet those of the woman. It isn't mind reading but it is influencing, letting a feeling seep over and bit by bit settle that whatever Regis says, whatever his reasoning, he is in the right.

"And yet I fear I must rob you of him. We have had ample time to talk during his convalescence, and I have agree to take him on as my apprentice."

[fadingworld]

"Oh but he can't go yet," the woman exclaims, thinking that yes, some day it would be nice for Mal to take an apprentiship. "Why, he's not yet paid off his substantial debts to me."

Mal's lips part to protest.

She hasn't looked away from Regis yet, "A Duke has paid for weekly visits for the next year in advance and no one else will do. They have none of Mal's talents for submission. It would quite ruin us."


Calm. Composed. To hide his disgust Mal looks away along the walls. Twice his eyes flicker over a mirror and back again with puzzlement. Something wasn't quite right. He blinks and turns back as the Madame snaps her fingers for his attention.


"And surely Mal you do not wish to leave us just yet."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis keeps his expression polite, his small smile pleasant, and confidence in every line of his posture.

"Oh, but those are not debts that Mal himself have incurred. From what I understand, he has in fact paid off his debts in full already. Whatever else is a matter of your own planning." Or lack thereof.

"I gather there is a fee for breaking the contract, but if Mal has the funds to pay this, then surely he must be free to leave if he so wishes."

[fadingworld]

The Madame finds herself nodding along with this. "The contact does state that he must give us a couple of months notice and time to find or train a suitable replacement."

Mal's jaw drops as he watches the Madame, eager to fall in line with Regis. What is going on?

"You can read it for yourself. And it does say most regrettably he will be liable for some of the lost future earnings. He would be going into the world with nothing." Here she does glance at Mal. "And you are not prepared for a cruel world little one."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis is aware that he is perhaps unduly speaking for Mal in this discussion, but if he succeeds in what he plans, it will make it easier for the young man.

This will be the tricky part, he knows. So far they have been within the bounds of the contract but now he wishes to push beyond it and have Mal be released from it far sooner. Today, if Regis has his way. So he firms his hold on Madame's will, drawing her wishes to align with his.

"Surely with nothing? He has gained many important experiences under this roof, has he not? That is hard to put a price to, and certainly more valuable than mere coin. It is like with reputation, something that - from what I understand - he has excelled in helping this House to build. And it is one of the most esteemed Houses in the city, is it not? Perhaps the most esteemed? Known not only for the beauty and grace of its courtesans, but also for its fairness, generosity and kindness, wouldn't you say? What better way to display such generosity and kindness than to let one who has worked so hard for his House, to begin his new life early?"

[fadingworld]

Mal blinks. Surely this was not part of the plan? He wonders if Regis is pushing this too far. That this will all crumble down.


"Early...." Madame nods her head. "Shall we say two weeks? That is kind and generous. Much earlier than I was planning to let him go. He does deserve it, I have worked him harder than some others."

[mandragoraspiritus]

Two weeks. It is better than what the contract states, but two weeks is also time for Madame to wisen up and change her mind. No, better get Mal out this very day.

"That is generous indeed," Regis praises, smiling his friendly, close-lipped smile. "It speaks much of your benevolence and wisdom and surely word of it must spread through the city. I do not think you will be lacking in candidates to take Mal's place. But I wonder with that in mind, would it not be better if Mal left this very day, to free the space you will need to house new candidates? To free the resources and time?"

[fadingworld]

"None are as plaible as Mal," she says, "Ready to do anything at a mere word." She demonstrates, sending Mal to his knees with a quick gesture. "But...perhaps, yes it will be fun breaking another to their obedience. He can go and tell everyone how good I am to my courtesans. I suppose you will want to be here while we sign the breaking of the contract so you can spread news of my deed?"

Mal lets out a low gasp of surprise from his position kneeling on the floor. He quickly suppresses it, afraid to break into this conversation and end it. Surely it is not that easy. Again...what is Regis doing? How?

[mandragoraspiritus]

"I would be more than glad to bear witness to your kindness and generosity," Regis says with another hint of a bow, his hand over his heart. If he would have his way he would ruin this woman and raze this house. But, for another time, perhaps. Now is now.

[fadingworld]

She goes to her desk. While her back is turned Mal looks up at Regis with wonder in his eyes. How, he asks silently. He's grateful, oh so grateful and marveling that he might mean something to Regis. His head drops back down as the Madam turns and settles the papers on the table along with a small purse.

She writes out a reason with a flourish. "If you would sign to say that you are taking him as your apprentice, and you Mal. Up. If this is what you want, sign after your new master." She smiles at Regis, "We will take him back if you find him unsatisfactory."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"Oh, I doubt that it will be needed," Regis says and takes the quill when she offers it to him, leaning down to sign his name on the document after having quickly read through it to see that it is all in order. It is quite the long name he writes. Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy.

Then he looks over to Mal, smiling at him and offering him the quill. His black eyes seem to be twinkling. "Mal?"

[fadingworld]

Mal takes the quill, his fingers brushing against Regis. As he puts the quill to paper his fingers tremble and he steadies it with his other hand. He finishes it and steps back to Regis' side.

"And here is your money," Madame says. She glances at Regis. "It's more than what you might think. Clients have left you gifts before and I converted them into coin for you." She smiles benevolently. "You are free to go."

Mal clutches the bag tightly and turns on his heel, practically bolting out the door. He leans against the wall and breathing in and out somewhat shakily. He's....he's really free.

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis moves out a moment later after a few final words with the Madame, carrying the signed paper rolled up and sealed in his hand. He comes to stand in front of Mal, silent to give him a moment but not long. They aren't quite done yet, after all.

"I told Madame that I would help you pack up your meager belongings. Come." A hand on Mal's shoulder, a gentle push to get him moving, then staying on his back to steady him on the walk through the halls. "Besides, I think you still have a couple of my books."

[fadingworld]

"Your books,I had forgotten, I'm sorry," Mal apologises, settling a little under the gentle hand "What...what did you do?" he demands as they push open the door to his room. He spins open to face Regis when the door shuts behind them.

"She didn't want to let me go, and then she did." He runs a hand through his hair. "I don't understand."