Muddy Alleys

[Marie]

"Oh. I am not used to pretending," she revealed. "I don't know what whores are like, not truly. I've never spoken to one. You are expecting a lot from me."

[The Stranger]

"Well, that's why you have to use your imagine," Finn replied, "Let's start with the basics. What is this girl's name? The whore you are pretending to be?"

[Marie]

"Oh." She frowned, thinking. "I didn't even think about that! Her - my - name is...Bella? Will that serve?"

[The Stranger]

"Very good. Now how did Bella get into this business?" he asked, guiding her away from the meat seller.

[Marie]

"Oh. Um...She doesn't sound common born so she grew up the daughter of...a tailor. When she grew up she fell in love with a soldier. She ran off with him but he abandoned her when he couldn't pay his rent. Her father wouldn't take her back, and called her a whore, so she had to sell her body. And now she's good at it."

She smiled, quite pleased with her storytelling.

[The Stranger]

"Oh is she now?" Finn replied with a laugh, "Perhaps we shall see about that." he removed a piece of sliced meat from the skewer with his fingers, and ate it, licking the grease clean.

"How do you find them?" he asked, gesturing, "These common people?"

[Marie]

"it's...like going to another country," she confided. She nibbled daintily at the meat for a while. "I never thought about the common people in all my life. But they have their own places and customs and things that I'd need to learn if I wanted to make a habit of this. They even sound different to the people I know. Their voices, I mean."

[The Stranger]

"Make a habit of... visiting the streets?" Finn asked "Or dressing up like a woman who sells herself?" He winked, "I'm okay with either."

[Marie]

She laughed, and managed to sound a little less ladylike this time. "Oh, I didn't say I would, yet. But if I did want to, I'd need to learn the customs of Flea Bottom before I came back. I don't want to say something stupid and get us into trouble. Do you come often?"

[The Stranger]

"I live here," he replied, "Well, frequently, although I have other places I rest my head as well."

[Marie]

"Oh." Izzy frowned slightly before she remembered that whores were supposed to be happy when they had a customer. "I thought you lived at your father's house? Why live here if you could live there? It seemed most comfortable when I visited."

[The Stranger]

"To do my job you must live among the people," Finn replied, "That's where business is done." he gave her rear end an affectionate squeeze. "Just like your job Bella."

[Marie]

She giggled and didn't pull away as she ought to have done. She was actually quite enjoying the attention, though she'd never have admitted it. "I thought whores lived in brothels," she whispered. "But I am curious, what exactly is your job?"

[The Stranger]

He pressed her closer to him as they walked, with no particular destination, down the streets, "What do you think my job is," he replied, "Besides seducing beautiful young ladies?"

[Marie]

"I suppose...finding information," she whispered. She leaned in close to him. "Since you are your father's son. But still, it is a strange kind of life. To me, anyway."