Making an impression in hopes for change [Tags: Keayah!]

It had been a number of sevendays since the owner of a rather indescript brothel had been found dead, giving the enterprising and headstrong Lady Inamourata a perfect opportunity to acquire the location and build a much-desired secondary location for the Inamourata's Mask. In those few sevendays, she'd battled through the legal process of purchasing the business and the girls who resided there, out from under the establishment's previous owner. Inamourata was a kind soul though, given her hard circumstances, and she had a huge heart for her girls -they were like family to her; so as she took on the debt of some of them, there were a few who were released from it, allowed to return to their families or other work if they so desired, while others would have to continue to pay off what was owed on the price of their education, clothing and other expenses for their general care and maintenance. Some though, were too young to be able to leave and fend for themselves, having been given a life apart from remaining orphaned, and thus, they had no choice. But Inamourata would see to their care as carefully as any mother. That went for all of them.

Also in those sevendays, workmen had been visiting to clean up the place, refurbishing just about everything -from floor to ceiling. Inamourata wanted to herself oversee the construction of the old broken down brothel being rebuilt into a shining and magnificent place that mirrored the glory of the first Inamourata's Mask. During that process, she took into her employ a number of new girls (such as Sorcha and Nayh), to help fill the rest of the rooms, and then set a new heirarchy amoungst them. Someone would need to manage the place while she was away, overseeing the other location. She could wasn't about to have anarchy take over, and lose all of her investment. She'd also need to assess the skills of each of the girls here to find out just how lacking they were, considering what scum had owned the place previously. Needless to say, she had her work cut out for her.

By the time Inamourata was allowing a slow trickle of business to come back in, Nayh had been selected to keep the books and schedules, overseeing much of the girls' training, seeing as she seemed to be the most level headed, and certainly sharp and capable enough to keep a strict eye on things while the Lady Inamourata herself was absent; not to mention, Nayh seemed to have a vision and understanding of the Mask similar to her own. Inamourata figured it would probably also be best putting someone in that managerial position who did not have a history with the rest of the girls, seeing as a newcomer would more easily -in theory- be able to command the respect of leadership from them, whereas anyone from the inside would already be part of a pre-determined hierarchy amoungst them. To set a new standard then, she preferred one of the newly employed. Thus, it began, with Nayh and Sorcha as their Elder sisters, positioned to look after the rest.

Once satisfied with the progress of the new entertainment venue she'd built for them, Lady Inamourata returned to Telgar River Hold and now only visits about once a quarter -except in the Winter months, keeping in contact with the girls through Nayh, but otherwise leaving regulation of most things there up to her.
Fortunately for Nayh, some of the freedoms which that trust presented, allowed she and Sorcha to act for the cause of the rebels without much suspicion; but that would never detract from their care and concern for the rest of the women living there with them. That was their utmost priority. Sorcha certainly saw to that.

That said, Nayh had been concerned about Keayah in specific, as of late. It had been sevendays since Inamourata took over ownership of the establishment and been transforming it into the Mask, and now that Inamourata had gone back to Telgar River Hold, things were primarily in Nayh's hands. Thus, after the first sevenday, feeling as though that was sufficient to allow for the girls to get settled in, she had called Keayah to her for a visit about her condition, and about her training. Nayh was aware that Keayah had recently suffered a deep loss; after all, as their Elder Sister, Nayh had to be deeply aware of the condition of all of the girls at the Mask. Thus, she needed to make sure Keayah was recovering, from her situation, taking time to grieve and then moving on and becoming a stronger person because of it. That was important for all of them to figure out how to do. They were perfectly capable of creating a better future together.

So it was then, that Nayh gathered them one by one and then as a group no many occasions, in order to continue working with them on the process. One on one and group training exercises and discussions became as a mindhealer's therapy to them. They would grow together, both in personal inner strength as well as in their abilities in the arts, helping to grow the business. Nayh would help them learn what the establishment's previous owner could not -this was much more than a brothel. The girls could either treat it that way, or they could choose to live their lives miserably.



Sitting in front of the fireplace burning low, at a table set with tea, record books and writing instruments, Nayh waited for Keayah to arrive, having decided to meet with the girls there, in her private quarters. The door was left cracked open for Keayah to enter as soon as she arrived. Until then however, she waited silently in thought, considering all of the things she would need to discuss with the girl. Though, she hoped it wouldn't be a long wait; it would be disobedient, and the tea might get cold.

Kaeyah was never one to be late.  In fact, she did everything she could to please her clients, or whoever else had requested her presence, which included being on time, or even a little early.  Experience had taught her that not doing so meant she had displeased the manager, or a client (which in turn meant the manager) and he would withdraw his love.  Though the manager was now gone, there was someone else in his place, and Kaeyah was still trying to find her bearings and understand what it was they could take from her if she failed.

The women in charge had so far seemed to understand what she was going through with the loss of her son and the death of the one person whom she'd devoted her life to.  And if they didn't truly understand, they at least seemed respectful of her need for healing.  As did the other girls-- in fact, they'd somewhat surprisingly stood up for her when Lady Inamourata took over, and they'd been far nicer to her than they'd ever been before the manager had thrown her over because of her baby.

Now that she'd been called to visit with Nayh, who had been left in charge alongside Sorcha, she honestly wasn't sure what to expect.  She was still on uneven footing, unsure of her place, and wanting nothing more than to find the love she'd lost again.  She hadn't taken any clients in some time, though she'd been encouraged to spend her time doing other things to keep her mind busy.  And while she'd tried, there was still a great sense of loss and uncertainty that kept her from truly appreciating the changes that were being made around her.

What would this meeting hold?  Would Nayh be telling her it was time for her to find a new place in the world?  Or would she be directing her to take new clients in the next day or two?  Would she be given some new set of tasks to perform, if she was now ruined like her mother had been after giving birth to her?  Of course, a couple of the other girls had borne children, and none of them had agreed with that sentiment from the manager.  But still, was it possible that her time her would now be limited?

Those in charge had not given her any indication that such would be the case, but Kaeyah couldn't help but fear the worst, given that she knew so little about the world outside of the brothel she'd called home since birth.  If she was sent away…. she wasn't sure what she would do.  

So she'd just have to sincerely hope that Nayh wouldn't tell her she needed to leave…

Steeling her nerves as she arrived at the other woman's door, Kaeyah closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  She let it out slowly, then knocked on the door.  It was already partly open, so she hesitantly poked her head inside, just to make sure Nayh was indeed there and hadn't stepped out.

Both relieved and nervous to find that the room's occupant was indeed in residence, Kaeyah stepped inside and nodded in greeting.  "You wanted to see me?"

In front of her patrons, Nayh might sometimes appear too sweet or even naive, but such was not the case. The young woman was capable of putting up a hard front when she needed to, drawing clearly the lines in the sand that let others know exactly where they stood. As was the case now. Nayh had not pressured Keayah to do anything really, in that time that had been allotted for her to grieve, acting always like an older sister, in that light, trying to help with the process. But the woman now wore a slightly different air. One that was more assuming perhaps, reminding Keayah just what position she'd been given here.

Nayh smiled, gently gesticulating that the other girl should come and have a seat with her. "Please, come and be seated."


As she gave Keayah a moment to do so, Nayh's slender arm and hand reached with great and elegant poise to take up the tea pot and fill Keayah's cup. Even that simplest of movements could be made to appear so refined and perfected. She was hoping that the other girl would take notice of her example.

"I wanted to speak with you about your future here. I'd like to get a better feel for your talents, or if you are unsure of that, then a feel for your preferences. Seeing as from a business stand point Lady Inamourata would be at a loss if she let you go, I must keep you here to continue working for the time being. However, I do not intend for it to be the same for you now or in the future, as it was in the past." With that, Nayh brought her eyes up to meet Keayah's own, gauging to see if the mere mention of the recent past was enough to be any sort of trigger.

Going on but with tone adjusted a little more softly, she set the kettle down, having also filled her own cup by that point. "I understand that you have been through a lot of pain, Keayah. I can hear it. Even when there are no tears, you cry very sadly. But I can reassure you that there is not one person living under this roof that has not been through a lot. Which is why we must count on one another -there is no one else for us. And no one else who will understand us. But you will have to trust in myself and Sorcha. Because if people can hurt one another... they can also help one another. The latter, is what we plan to do."

Nayh drank from her cup then, lifting her eyes once more to fix them intently -curiously- on the girl. But she did not pause for very long.

"I am going to train you formally, myself. Sorcha is going to be busy helping rope in new customers and get business volume up. I will give you your options, unless you already have a few thoughts of your own on what specialization and character you would like to take on when working with patrons; but allow me to clarify on one thing first... because it will determine your success here.

"Under previous, shortsighted management, all you or anyone else did here, was to sell yourself based on your looks. But if you only use makeup and pretty dresses to put yourself in the arms of men in the future, you will never be the best. Here, you will learn to use art; because your profession is no longer only about selling your body and alcohol." At that, Nayh couldn't help but smile. She'd seemed a bit serious up to that point -and she was- but Nayh seemed to have a certain passion for her work that perhaps others did not. Which, to some eyes, might seem somewhat convoluted given that she too, was no more than a pillowcrafter. They were the lowest of the low in the human hierarchy, and yet she possessed pride in what she did. Perhaps because she had no other real choice. Yet, because of that, she could lead the others by great example. That is likely exactly what Lady Inamourata valued about her.

"You must no longer think of things in that way. Keayah, because a woman's life does not necessarily have to be lived as the daughter of a highborn or crafter as custom dictates. There are many opportunities to be had here, as well, by learning many other things, and many invaluable lessons that other people would never have the chance to learn and overcome. Because here, where we are not dictated by the same rules as other people, we can have our own dreams and succeed at them with enough effort.

"Just because our families are gone, like your son, doesn't mean that our lives are over." Nayh paused there to offer her a challenge, "Keayah. Become a great entertainer. Live life over again. Sorcha and I... we will both help you."



There.. what Nayh felt she had to say was said. Now Keayah could mull over those things, cry and break down or decide to gradually move on with her life. Nayh didn't mind if she felt the need to cry still, but Keayah needed to make that decision to do more than remain in the process of grieving forever. Together, a step at a time, they could move forward and Keayah could give her life a focus and a purpose that she had never had before. And just as Nayh had mentioned previously, she would help Keayah find what her special talents were, so that for her, this profession became something even more meaningful.

Kaeyah settled on one of the available cushions in Nayh's quarters, her hands folded in her lap.  She quietly watched as the other young woman poured the tea, accepting it only when Nayh had removed her own full one from the tray on which it sat.

Her brow began to furrow slightly as she listened, though, her confusion apparent.  Nayh wanted to find out what her talents and preferences were?  Of course, that was assuming she had either, and Kaeyah herself wasn't so sure.  Everything she'd ever done, she'd done for the master, and those he'd told her to take care of.  She'd wanted nothing more than to please him, to earn his love.  Was that not what she should have done?

Until he'd turned her away, it had been enough.  When something unknown to her had changed, she'd tried all the harder to earn his approval.  She'd even tried to present him with a son, which surely should have pleased him.  But it hadn't…

Her gaze growing duller, Kaeyah nodded faintly at Nayh's reassurances that they were here to help her-- most of the girls had, in fact, told her so at some point, and she was slowly coming to believe it.  But it would take some time yet for her to fully feel as if she were one of them, isolated as she'd been up to the point where the master had found himself another girl.

Sipping her tea in an attempt to ward off the coldness beginning to creep along inside her as it so often did, her ears caught on a few of the other woman's words-- 'options', 'success', 'opportunities'….  All words she was not used to hearing in relation to herself.  And they didn't quite make sense.  Not when they implied freedom, and the possibility of not doing what a customer wanted.

"Is it not… our desire to… serve… and perform… to please our clients?  Only to do as they bid us?"  That was how Lady Inamourata would earn her money, and how she and the other girls would earn love, wasn't it?