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]

"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."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"I merely reasoned with her. You were in the room with us, weren't you?" Regis just smiles his friendly smile, wandering over to pull away the drapes covering the bookcase, starting to pluck the books from the shelf. "Though she was more agreeable than I had anticipated."

[fadingworld]

Mal shakes his head, it was something else. "It just doesn't work like that," he protests going to his knees. He pushes a rug back and feels for the loose floorboard. Up comes a small velvet bag. Mal reaches in and takes out a small sapphire stud and slides it through the hole on his right ear. The rest he tucks away safely.

"Had you threatened her with something before we got here today?"

[mandragoraspiritus]

"Not at all!" Regis says, seeming aghast by the idea. "I had not even met her before today."

The books he wraps up in one of the drapes, creating a makeshift bag for them which he then shoulders.

"Do you have everything?"

[fadingworld]

"I do," Mal glances around the room, there was nothing he would want to take even if he had permission for it. He dares to rest a hand on Regis' arm. "This is real, isn't it? I'm not dreaming? We are going to walk down the stair and this will all be over?"

[mandragoraspiritus]

"Exactly right," Regis says and has a hard time to keep himself from outright grinning. But that might have given the poor man a bit too much of a chock.

"You no longer belong to this place, they no longer have any say, any power over you." As if to prove it, to drive the point home, Regis hands over the rolled-up and sealed document. "This, I believe, is yours."

[fadingworld]

Mal takes the document, holding it close to his heart for a long moment. It may be placed under his mattress for safekeeping for a few days so that he can take it out and look at again.

“This has been my room for so long,” he says looking around, “And yet, I feel nothing for it. No sorrow to leave it behind.” He straightens his back and looks resolute. “Let us go, before she changes her mind.”

He is not going to forget the oddness of this Regis, no matter how grateful he is.

He forces himself to walk out slowly, though his eyes are shining brightly. He bows to the Madame one last time and... Blue skies, fresh air, Mal takes it all in.

“”What now?”

[mandragoraspiritus]

Regis didn't do this to receive Mal's gratitude, but to see the young man's happiness of these turn of events is still quite the reward.

Like Mal he gives Madame a bow as they pass, but yes, it would indeed be in their best interest to be away from there. The feelings and reasoning of whys he let Mal go will stay with her, but there is always the risk that she will start to change her mind. If she does, or perhaps when, it would be best if they were well away.

They take to the streets on foot. There is no coach to carry them now. But the weather is fine and though Regis will still prefer Mal to not exhaust himself for another week or two, a walk will do them well.

"Now? Now I suppose we should see to making a new space for you to live in." During Mal's convalescence, when he had become well enough to not need near constant attention, Regis had cleared that extra room of his. It stands empty now, and though Regis has placed an order to a local carpenter for an simple bed, it has yet to be delivered.

[fadingworld]

Mal glances back at once at the Rose Thorn before it disappears amongst the taller buildings. He vows he will never go back if he can help it.

He smiles, “I have simple requirements, places to put what I have.” He pauses, “And if I may a cheap reproduction painting of a waterfall.”

[mandragoraspiritus]

"You may decorate as you please, of course, but if I might suggest that we look to more practical matters first?" The room really is quite bare.

"You will be wanting someplace to study, I'm sure. I shall be setting up something of a curriculum for you. Or perhaps rather, a reading list. Then depending on the patients I receive and whatever ails them, I might at first either leave you to your reading or bring you along with me."

[fadingworld]

Mal grins. He keeps every step elegant but his face is alive. "A desk and writing implements then and paper." Things that might....actually be his.

"And clothes, I cannot keep borrowing your as nice as they are."

[mandragoraspiritus]

"No, I do think I will be needing my own clothes," Regis agrees with a smile.

"All in all, we have many errands to run. But, that purse you unexpectedly got should help to give you a start on things." Regis isn't poor but nor is he rich. While he could pay Mal's way he thinks it would be a good lesson for the young man to manage his own funds.

[fadingworld]

"It is going to be a whole lot lighter by the end of the day isn't it?" Mal doesn't seem to bothered. Though it will take some adjusting to understand a sensible budget.

"Can we do most of it in one day? I feel fit as a fiddle."