A room to rent...

[Sloane Hannelore]

The train had come in a little later than would have been liked. Storms making it hard for anyone to see anything. It was close to night now, the sun setting below the skyline as a lone figure walked along the streets. Two suitcases swung at her sides, the old worn, brown leather handles creaking a little with each movement, both heavy with clothes and books, a hassle to carry by one's self, but out of the several bags she had these were the only ones that Sloane was unwilling to leave in the care of the station master for the night until she found a place to stay.

The young woman's bright red curls were tucked under a cap, a few soft tendrils falling down around her face, bright blue eyes looking tired from sleeping on the train. Out of much of the fashion for women she wore slacks and a dress shirt, the linen tight over her body, suspenders visibile beneath the short jacket she wore...wrinkled, a little sooty and wet now. What she wouldn't do for a comfortable bed at that moment....and a hot bath! Oh how wonderous it would be to finally have a bath after three days of travel. To get into her dressing gown and sleep for hours before she got to work with the job she had been assigned.

She stopped in front of the warmly lit building along the London street, the sound of voices and festivities reaching her as she gave a sigh of relief looking once more at the paper in her hands. The address had been given to her by one of the women she worked with, a boarding house as best as she'd found out, for women. She knew in her clothing and state she'd be a sight, but the money in her pockets were just as good as anyone else's she supposed. Opening up the door she set her bags just inside the entrance before moving past the foyer into the main hall. Men's voices and the giggles of women brought her attention to a more focused state as she looked around a little confused. "What is this now?" She breathed softly stepping in a little further as she removed her cap and jacket, red hair tumbling down past her shoulders a little soaked from the rain earlier. It was warm, and well lit, already she began to feel her body ache for more comfort before a strong hand wrapped around her wrist and pulled her.

Sloane was pressed into something hard, the grip tight on her as she was pulled closer, the rumbling laugh echoing in her ear as she looked up into the face of the barrel-chested man, face red as he was already drunk this early into the night.

"'Ello luv...aren't you just a cute little waif of a thing." She could smell the whiskey as she pulled back only to get gripped tighter, lifted up over a strong shoulder.

"Let me go!" She cried out, panicked as she began to beat on the man's back, him and his companions just laughing as he carried her towards the stairs. Just what sort of boarding house was this to allow men to be so free with the women?

"She's a fiesty little one...guess I pay extra for that now don't I?" He joked as a hand crepts along the back of her thigh as he ignored the hard punches to his back and shoulders, the kicking legs easily pinned as he started up the stairs towards the rooms with the terrified and confused Sloane cursing and crying out.

[Edeline Wolf]

Edeline rubbed her temples as she poured over the books trying to budget properly to where she had enough to keep this place up yet not cut into the profits of the girls. She learned this from her dearly departed husband who before he passed, managed to work at a bank. It was hard to learn at first, but soon, she got the hang of it. She was wearing a violet corset with a flimsy skirt and robe to match since she finished with a customer not too long before. She sometimes considered renting out some spare rooms to make ends meat, but she was unsure how many people would be comfortable rooming with the likes of her and the girls.

She sighed heavily and decided to take a break from all that, and pour herself a drink. As she was about to take a sip, she heard a scream pierce the air. 'What on earth' she thought, setting her glass down to head downstairs. She noticed one of her regular customers, Claude, man handling a unfamiliar young woman. "What on earth is going on?" she asked, just trying to piece together the situation that was happening in front of her eyes.

" 'Ello Madame, I wanna know how much this feisty gal was" he said, still holding onto Sloane.

Edeline sighed heavily at his question, everything beginning to be clear to her now. "You're mistaken about her Claude, she's not one of mine. However, if it's feisty and red headed you're after, Rose is happy to be with you tonight at the regular fee" she said, tugging on a rope hanging from the ceiling. Within a few minutes, a buxom, red headed woman with green eyes, and an impish smile came down the stairs. "Rose, be a dear and take Claude to one of our rooms" she said to the other woman. With a nod Rose sauntered over to Claude, whispering in his ear before he let go of Sloane and walked away to the room with Rose.

"I do apologize for Claude. The drunk gets a bit confused sometimes" she said with an apologetic look on her face, "But what are you doing here? Are you looking for work or are you a customer?"

[Sloane Hannelore]

Sloane was thankful she'd worn her slacks today off the train as opposed to her skirts, the creeping hand getting too fresh for her liking as she dug nails into the man's back. Even if her honor was at stake she'd be damned to go down without a fight. Years of finishing school gave way easily now to the panic and need for survival as the young woman cursed easily.

"Let go o' me ya bloody mongrel or else I-" A disembodied voice reached her ears, silencing her as the young woman pushed herself up trying to look around. She waited, praying silently that the woman who she was listening to would be of some help, and after a few more moments she was finally set down. The man's attention now taken with a young woman with hair just as fiery as her own, but her attitude more willing towards her previous captor.

The apology she tried to wave off polietly, "It's fine, really. One rude boar of a man, but no real harm done." She spoke quickly, adjusting her shirt now that it had come untucked in her struggles.

Leaning up against the banister she glanced up at the woman speaking now to her. Blue eyes took a moment to take in the figure, the clothing...the woman was very beautiful, but unlike the ladies on the train, and from Whales she was hardly dressed it seemed. "Am I looking for..." Trailing off Sloane blushed brightly, one hand coming up to cover her face a little as attempted to focus once more. "No! I mean no thank you. I think...I think I have the wrong address. I was told that this place was a boarding house."

Patting around on her person she pulled out her papers, "I'm a teacher...I was assigned as a governess to a Lady Hannity's children and she told me her husband often did buisness at a boarding house at this address." Looking around once more she took in the sight of the women, realizing just what sort of place she'd come into.

[Edeline Wolf]

"Oh you do have the right address, I'm quite familiar with Lord Hannity. He's one of my most valued customers" she said with a smile. "Many people refer to this place as a boarding house in order to keep the police off our backs, but when one does find out, it takes only but a show to leg to get them to keep quiet." She would get several people come thinking they were a boarding house, and most just walked out right away, but this girl's reaction amused her. "Though as an apology for you being manhandled like that, I'll let you stay in one of our private rooms. One of the girls recently got engaged, and moved to another city so you're more than welcome to stay if you have no where else to go" she said.

"Oh, how rude of me not to introduce myself. My name is Edeline Wolf or Madame Wolf as I'm more known by. And might I know your name?" she asked, giving her a smile as she pulled the rope once more. This time, a strapping lad came down from the stairs. "Toby here is our errand boy, and he'll take your things up to your room" she said as the young boy picked up her suitcases, and ran them upstairs.

"Now, why don't we go into the parlor and get to know each other" she said, taking the girl's hand in her own, nearly dragging her in the nicely furnished parlor. It had knick knacks here and there that went well with the plush velvet furniture yet one thing in the room seemed off. It was the small picture in an oval frame above the fireplace. "Now, let me go get you some tea and biscuits. Judging by the looks of you, you've come along way so you must be hungry" she said before bustling into the kitchen to get what she needed.

She wasn't sure why she was so excited about the girl, perhaps it was because it was rare to get someone not looking to buy one of her girls. She then came back out to the parlor, setting the silver tray down on the table before pouring a cup for Sloane. "So dearie, what brings you to London?" she asked the other woman.

[Sloane Hannelore]

Sloane gave a nod of her head at the other woman as she spoke of the place they now stood in, the noises of men and women in jest and in heat almost overwhelming for a first peak into London as a city. The young woman almost felt bad now for Lord Hannity's wife and children who she would soon be teaching...no doubt running into her employer here would make things a little more uncomfortable in the house, but she was fairly sure that such a run in would only help her and this place profit.

Giving a small, nervous laugh Sloane glanced around a moment longer...perhaps it was being raised in around all women, but the blatant speech the woman who introduced herself as Edeline had made her giddy. It was something out of a novel, something that if gotten word of back home would frustrate the very woman who sent her out this far...and would only serve to give Sloane a bit more to joke about.

"Ah...well that is right, introductions should be made. I am Sloane Hannelore of Whales, and it is a pleasure to meet a...business woman such as yourself." She began as the young man appeared and began to take her bags before she could either deny or give thanks for a room within the brothel. The governess had been close to just exiting as quickly as she could to find a hotel, but it seemed that the Madam before her was a touch quicker than she was. "I still insist on paying full price for the room while I am here. I will take no other arguements on this. Lady Hannity has assured me she will pay all bills I may-"

Without even finishing her argument she was swept up into the parlor. Issuing no argument as she was pulled along, slender fingers grasping the older woman's hand as she kept to pace with her. The sounds of the people around them fading away as she came into the much more comfy looking parlor. Sloane wandered around the room a bit, trying her best to make her apperance right once again as she tucked in her shirt, one hand brushing back the errant curls. "Tea would be brilliant Madam Wolf. You have no idea what sort of slop they try to give you on the train if you aren't first class." She joked softly, taking a seat on one end of a plush couch before taking her poured cup.

Heat radiated against her palms as she breathed in the soft aroma. For a woman of such business as Madam's Wolf Sloane found the company much better than some of the "refined" ladies she had dealth with before. Giving a rather relieved and sweet smile she sipped her tea slowly before stretching a little.

"Well I was hired right out of school to come teach the children of the Hannity house, and soon I will hopefully be doing the same work for the household of Lady Lorainne. My mother sent me out to find my calling as an educator of young minds. Also, with the hope of finding a husband to bring home, but really that is the least of my worries at the moment." Taking another sip she sighed, relaxing back against the plush seat, "However I didn't come here because rich children need the education, nor care. I will be going down to the poorer districts later and giving lessons if I can find the space for it. I've heard there are a lot of orphans, no doubt children that young need the education and guidance..." Her head tilted just slightly, curls falling over the pale throat as she loosened the tie she wore. She was more than interested in hearing about the children of this place, the whispers on the train barely enought to quench one's curiosity.

"What about you Madam Wolf? Have you always run this place? Have you always been here?" She asked, looking up to meet her hostess' gaze with honest curiosity.

[Edeline Wolf]

"Educating children, that's a very good and honest profession. I wish you the best of luck" she said as she poured her own cup, and took a sip. When she asked about herself, she gave her a small smile. "I have always run this place though this wasn't always a brothel. This was to be my home that I'd make a family with my husband when we moved from Düsseldorf to here in order to make a good life for ourselves" she said softly, setting her cup down and walking to the mantle, brushing her fingers against the photo of her husband she kept there.

"However, things in this world never go as planned. A year after we got married, he came down with the consumption, and passed away. I wasn't even allowed to see him or be by his side during that time" she nearly whispered, keeping her emotions in check. She didn't speak much of her past since it was still something she was dealing with, but she felt that she should tell someone lest it continue to tear her apart. "Once he died, I had nothing else so I began selling myself in order to keep a roof over my head. Then one day, I realized seeing the other girls that if we had to do this, why not on our terms without worrying about pimps or violent customers" she said, "which is why I opened this place."

She walked back over to her chair, and sat back down. "It may not be the family I originally intended to have here, but over time, all the girls here have become my family. I would never throw any of them out on the streets since I know the streets of this city are none too kind to women" she said in a matter of fact tone.

[Sloane Hannelore]

"Death, and to someone you love...it is always a hard thing to deal with. Sickness like that along with loneliness..." Sloane bowed her head out of respect, slender fingers gripping her cup as she listened and took in what she was told.

"I am truly sorry for what you've had to go through Madame Wolf." Travellers, book sellers...those that had come through the town where she was born and raised told stories about women who had "fallen" those who lived without men having their lives turned to nothing but pain and suffering. However as Sloane looked up at Wolf by the hearth she found that the stories did not seem to match so much with the reality she currently found herself in. For such a woman as herself, and the others around her to create such a place despite the reputation of it was impressive. "Sometimes the greatest acts come from darkest places. To be a safe haven for the women here. To gain power without having to marry it."

Setting down her cup she rose up from her seat, hands in her pockets as she went over to one of the windows near the fireplace, looking out into the cold street, "Though I treasure my work of educating I am bound to give it up once there is a man that will take me as his wife." The last of her words had an added bitterness to the honeyed voice, prefering not to think too much of that future, "You not only help people, but you help yourself. I can only hope that I have that confidence rub off on myself during my time here."

Waving off the darkened air she looked up from the street towards the buildings around the brothel, the rain splattering against the glass as her reflection looked back at her in the darkness. "As for the room, Mrs. Hannity will be paying my rent. That is if you still intend to give me a room here." Turning to face the woman once more she smiled, stepping in towards Edeline a little further, joining her in front of the fire, "I am not sure if you'd require anything else of me, but I can offer services to your ladies in exchange for your kindness. I teach reading and writing if any of your girls need such skills...I also worked the bookkeeping for my mother's school back home. I am no stranger, Madame Wolf, to hard work and earning my keep."

[Edeline Wolf]

"You have that confidence my dear. I can see it in your eyes, you just need to let it out" she said, looking at the other woman with a smile on her lips. "There are a few of the girls who could use reading and writing lessons, and I could use some help keeping our finances" she said to herself softly, tapping her finger lightly on her chin. She didn't like it at first since she'd gladly let the girl stay for free after one of her customers man handled her, but if she insisted in earning her keep then Edeline would have to agree. "Very well, it's a deal. Now, let's go to your room."

She once again took Sloane's hand, leading her up the stairs. The girls poked their heads out of their private rooms, whispering amongst each other about the red headed woman with her. 'Such gossipers, but I suppose that's all to really do when there is down time' she thought as she finally reached Sloane's room. She took out a skeleton key, and unlocked it, pushing the door open.

"Welcome to your new home" she said cheerfully as she led her inside. The room was tastefully decorated with a large vanity table adjacent to the bed with a oval mirror in front of it. The bed itself was a queen sized bed made of down feathers with royal purple sheets along with a canopy and gossamer curtain to match. The was a wardrobe near the bed made out of cherry wood. The window had a ledge where one could sit beside along with a door to a private bathroom with a claw foot tub, sink, and toilet. "What do you think?" she asked Sloane, "if this isn't to your liking, we can redecorate."

[Sloane Hannelore]

"I a teacher, one has to at least know how to act confident at times...even if one isn't." Sloane offered no argument as Edeline agreed to her offer, a smile growing on her lips as she took Edeline's hand to seal the agreement, "You won't regret it...I am quite capable, and I will do my best to keep you pleased."

As she was taken to her room she was able to keep up this time with the madame, slender fingers brushing over the soft hand in her own, squeezing so as not to lose her as she walked along the hall. Blue eyes met several pairs peeking at her, the whispers unable to be heard really, but whether they were pleasant or cruel she nodded her head to each girl uttering soft greetings to them. Sloane blushed a little taking in the state of dress, or rather undress of some of the young women in the hall. She couldn't not deny that they were quite lovely, more colorful than any woman she'd met through normal social circles. "You must do very good business Edeline. Your ladies seem very friendly..." Sloane went on, absently forgetting her more formal address of the woman who had begun to make her feel as if she'd known her longer than a few moments that she had.

She looked up at the other woman, before she looked past her into the room and audible intake of breath coming from her. Walking in she looked around slowly, her bags already on the end of her bed, the soft glow of lights catching in the room just right. Going to the bed she ran her hand over the sheet, "Not to be crude, but this is a bloody gorgeous room. This is all mine?" She pulled her hand away from the sheets, realizing that after the station and her walk that she wasn't in the cleanest state, "There is no need to go to any trouble for me, I've never had a room to myself, let alone something like this."

Sloane explored around the room with an excitment of a child with a new toy. All her time in her own home the riches and colors of this place were so overwhelming in comparison, so much to see and touch. Returning to Madame Wolf she threw her arms around her in a sudden embrace, "Thank you so much, you really are too kind Miss Edeline. I feel like I owe you more than I can possibly offer in worth."

[Edeline Wolf]

Edeline smiled as she watched Sloane explore the room. Seeing her so excited about such a simple thing of having her own room made her heart warm up. It had been along while since she had seen some genuine enthusiasm, it was quite refreshing. "All you have to do is what we agreed upon, and I consider us even. Now, I'm sure you're extremely tired from your long journey, and perhaps would like to take a warm bath" she said, "I'll let you settle in, and if you need anything my room is down the hall." She set the key to Sloane's room on her vanity before she headed for her room to rest.

Once she got to her room, she changed out of her "uniform" into a more comfortable night dress. Once she was sure she wouldn't be heard, she began to cry as she did every night. The truth was she still mourned her husband, but no one knew to what extent. She kept her sorrow from her girls in order not to worry them, but the night was the one time she could let it out.

'Oscar, I miss you so much. I hope you can forgive me for what I'm doing' she thought as she lay her head on the pillow. She continued to let everything out until she could no longer cry. Soon, her eyes grew heavy, and she began to drift off into a dreamless sleep, waiting for the next day to begin.