The End of Another Day

[For Olivette Pryor]

It has been a busy evening for Fawn. She'd had 4 clients in one night and was exhausted and sore. Not that she let that show. She was a professional after all. The night, like many nights at the Crimson Rose, had ended well into the early hours of the morning. It certainly through off her sleep schedule. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been awake to enjoy the cool hours of the morning as she was normally asleep just before sunrise.

She walked to Olivette's office with money in hand to deliver her cut of the payments. Fawn had been 16, almost 17, when she'd started working here and she'd never been anything other than exceptional and trustworthy. After the scam her father was a part of it, it had always been really important to Fawn that she was honorable in her dealings, especially where money was involved.

She knocked softly on the door and waited for an answer before pushing it open to see her Madame.

The evening had been steady as usual, all of her girls staying busy, though once again; Fawn had been the most requested. In those situations, she would let the girls make the decision on which clients they were accepting when they stayed that busy. Olivette had kept to her office tonight, not taking any clients herself this evening, as she had some bookkeeping to catch up on.

Blonde hair was braided and pinned back to keep out of her face while working over these books, notating which orders needed to be placed and which merchants they were expecting in the coming week. She rested back in her chair, massaging her forehead with her right hand, a half empty glass of wine in her left. The knock at the door wasn’t startling, as she was still expecting to see Fawn, Nixon and Sloan still at some point.

“Come in.” Olivette said with soft exhale, sitting up and straightening as her glanced up, smiling at the sight of Fawn entering her office. “Fawn, how are you feeling dear?” She asked, nodding to the chair for her to sit.

Fawn opened to the door to find her Madame sitting at her desk. She looked tired and stressed but just as beautiful as ever. Fawn had always admired her beauty, Olivette was truly a work of art in her mind, but she was so much more than beautiful. She really admired her as a business woman who didn't need a man to make her way. It was truly inspiring.

She smiled in return at the woman and stepped over to her desk, setting down the money that was owed before she sat down in the chair. She nearly regretted it though as once she was sitting she really felt how tired she was, her body begging her for rest. "Well enough," she replied, "especially after such a busy night. I'm sure I'll be asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. Were you able to get caught up on the bookkeeping like you wanted?" she asked.

Olivette glanced up from the stack of papers on her desk, her eyes softening slightly at the sight of Fawn. She always had a soft spot for her, and despite the fatigue that weighed on her shoulders, she offered a warm smile. "You work too hard, darling. You’ll burn yourself out at this rate." She said gently, though the compliment hidden in her words was unmistakable. She admired Fawn’s dedication.

Her gaze shifted briefly to the money Fawn set down, but her focus remained on the young woman. "I appreciate this," She gestured to the money with a nod, "But I’m more concerned with how you're holding up." She rose from her chair, moving gracefully around the desk until she stood beside Fawn. Olivette placed a delicate hand on her shoulder, her touch firm but soothing. "You look exhausted. Don't push yourself too far."

Her eyes softened further, and she gave Fawn's shoulder a gentle squeeze before releasing her. "As for the bookkeeping, yes, I managed. But I’d rather see you take care of yourself first." Olivette moved back to her chair, sitting down gracefully. "Can I get you some tea or something stronger?" One thing that made Olivette stand out from other Madams, was her genuine care and affection for those she employed.

Fawn was a sucker for praise, so any time she caught that tone of Olivette's, making her feel as though she was doing, it was more healing than the woman could understand. Especially with a father who only offered insults. The truth was that yes, she worked very hard, and perhaps more than she should, but what other choice did she have? This job brought in more money for her family than any other venture that anyone else was doing and her father was still spending as though they weren't struggling. If Fawn didn't push herself to earn as much as she possibly could then the strain on her family would just get harder and harder. She worked hard so that Jordie would always have a full belly and a warm bed.

She practically melted under the Madams touch as she touched her shoulder and looked up into those eyes that were full of genuine concern. She couldn't tell her the truth though. She'd rather be totally drained by the end of every day rather than end up being asked to work less and therefore make less money. "I'm doing alright, nothing I can't handle," she assured Olivette. "Though something stronger does sound pretty nice right now," she said with a smile.

Olivette could recall at time when she was young and bold enough to make some impulsive decisions to help herself succeed. Though, most of her success could be tracked back to one Ewan Crowe, if that man hadn’t been quite so taken with her, listened and got to know her aside from just purchasing her time; she doubted the Crimson Rose would even exist. or if she’d have crossed paths with Leoric. As it was Ewan’s insistence that she learn some proper self defense, which led her to meeting Leo. It was odd, when she considered just how much she had to thank Ewan for, and she appreciated that he still seemed to carry a fondness for her, even if she did encourage him to give his patronage to some of the other girls at times.

There was something about Fawn that Olivette couldn’t help but feel drawn to her. She reminded her so much of herself at times, that determined spirit that wasn’t crushed by the line of work they were in. Though, she feared if Fawn kept working so hard, she might not find herself catching the eyes of the higher quality clientele. After all, it paid well to be unavailable to everyone. “Of course, you’ve got a strong spirit, not one easily shaken.” She said with a soft smile, moving to her glance at her selection before offering a playful grin. “If that’s the case, come with me dear.” Olivette said with a twinkle in her eyes, leaving her office and heading toward her private room. It was where Olivette took her personal clients when she decided to work, and was also where she kept some of the best wine. “Make yourself comfortable, I’ll get the wine.” She said with a nod to some lavish seating that while it matched the over all aesthetic of the brothel, it wasn’t quite as ‘worn out’ as some of the more easily accessible rooms were.