Caught in the Act (Sloane)

[Edeline Wolf]

Edeline sighed heavily as she walked into her room after a long day. She had just served dinner to the girls, and to Sloane. It warmed her heart that her boarder wanted to eat with her and the girls, not being disgusted by their profession. Edeline got behind the changing screen, getting out of her corset and fancier undergarments to settle for a simple night gown.

Her nightly ritual was about to begin. She had made sure the girls were still downstairs or elsewhere before she began. She made her way over to the bed like always, laying her head down on the soft goose down pillow. Soon, a sob shook through her body as hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt terrible that she sold her body to make her living, and she knew her husband would be disappointed in her, but in this world, women weren't afforded many opportunities.

'Forgive me, please' she thought as she continued to sob. She missed him so much that some times she wish that she wouldn't wake up because the pain was too much to bear. She knew none of the girl's were aware of her pain since she kept it well hidden under her mask. However, her sob caught in her throat when she heard her door creak softly. She looked up, and her eyes widened seeing a figure in her doorway. "Please tell me you weren't there for long" she said softly, tears still staining her pale cheeks.

[Sloane Hannelore]

Dinner had ended, a few girls still lingering around the table while others went to go prepare for their customers. Sloan sat with a few of the girls, papers and books spread out on the table as she gave tonight's lesson to those who were willing to listen and learn. It was relaxing, the young women very different from the stern females she'd know from home. As they worked on their lessons she took the time to work on the books, pages full of numbers coming together to make sense of the business she'd found herself a part of. It was a strange little family, and in her letters home she was quite about just what it was she was doing, but in all honesty she was happy here to find this place.

The night was growing later, more customers showing up as Sloane called the night's lessons to a close as she began to clean up, preparing to go to her own room. A few of the women always got to a point of teasing her as she felt hands tugging on her suspenders already, teasing voices begging her to play down stairs with them as she did her best to pull away, swatting playfully at the hands that tried to pull her in for drinks and dancing. Sloane had little interest in the men who came here for company, especially since she'd seen both her employer's husbands playing around on different evenings in the past.

Once away she wiped at her cheek with the sleeve of her shirt, wiping away the crimson stains of the teasing kisses she'd been given. Climbing the stairs to her room she shed the books and pens, slipping out of her suspenders, letting them fall around her waist as she kicked off her shoes and stockings beneath her slacks. Unpinning the thick red curls from the top of her head she caught sight of the house's finance book and gave a sigh. Usually she would give it to Edeline before she went to bed, but it seemed she'd already gone upstairs to bed. Pulling the suspenders back up over her now untucked shirt she padded out of her room and down the hall. She could at least slip it under the other woman's door.

Once outside of Edeline's room she bent down to shove the book beneath the door when she heard a noise. Was the madame still awake? Reaching for the knob she pressed her ear to the door, listening before she heard another soft sob slipping through the cracks. Without thinking she leaned in closer, the door giving beneath her pressure as it opened. Before she could shut it and walk away the sounds stopped, and the pale, tear stained face of the madame was starring at her, the light from the hall pouring in behind her. Slowly she stepped in, looking back over her shoulder to make sure no one else had seen or heard anything before she shut the door.

"I would be lying if I told you that Edeline." Sloane replied gently as she moved towards the bed, holding up the book before she set it upon the dressing table, "I wanted to bring you this, but I heard..." What was she suppose to say to such a sight, she'd been spying, her guilt burning a deep crimson blush onto her cheeks.

"Edeline..." The young teacher whispered as she slipped in a little closer to the bed, dropping her voice down. Digging into her pocket she pulled out her handkerchief, sitting down on the bed as she held it out to the woman, "Why are you crying all alone in the dark?"

[Edeline Wolf]

Edeline gently took the handkerchief from the other woman, and wiped the tears from her eyes. "No one is supposed to see me like that. I've been going this every night since my husband passed. I have to be strong for the girls, and to survive that the night is the only time I can let my sorrow consume me completely. I miss him so much it physically hurts, but what hurts the most is what he must think of me as he watches me from heaven" she said, trying hard to hold back another sob.

"I had no other options. I have no education or even great wealth to speak of. All I have is my body, and despite how ashamed I feel for selling it, I have to" she said softly, not able to bring herself to look the other woman in the eyes. She never told anyone about this, and it felt like she was completely exposed.

"Whenever I'm with a customer, I have to think of something else so I can get through it. The physical pleasure might be there, but my heart isn't in it. How can it when it's been broken" she continued, she was beginning to ramble, and she tried hard to stop herself. "But I'm sure you weren't wanting or expecting to hear all that Sloane, I apologize for that" she whispered, finally looking in the other woman's eyes.

[Sloane Hannelore]

Sloane was quiet as the dam burst and the words poured forth. A catharsis of sorts as the story behind the tears became known. All the teacher did was listen, lips pursed as she sat on the edge of the bed, bare feet barely touching the floor. Blue eyes adjusted to the darkness, the barest of lights filling the room to give way to shadows playing upon the pale face in front of her.

Once Edeline was done she just continued to stare on in silence, studying the woman slowly before leaning in. One hand lifted up, grasping one of the madames before the other tapped it...almost a mocking rap upon the knuckles, "What a cruel thing to punish yourself with when you've done nothing wrong." She spoke up finally.

"You're alive, and you're working for yourself and for others in making a better life. Wouldn't anyone who loved you wish to see you making a life for yourself instead of shutting yourself away in some convent to mourn the rest of your life, or out on the street barely able to survive." Bringing her free hand up Sloane brushed away the dark curls from Edeline's face as she smiled, "What you do is nothing to be ashamed of. I mean you are free in the most technical of terms, something I think your husband would want for you instead of wanting you to fall into some loveless marriage just to survive in a pretty cage."

Standing up she motioned around the room, "You have a whole family here, all working to live and be happy. You're making money, you're making a life, and maybe soon you won't have to take any more men if that is what you want to do." Going back once more she knelt upon the bed, "You were broken, but slowly you're going to heal. First you need to stop taking all this guilt on your shoulders. Too many people love and need you, this is not a burden to take on one's own without their family."

[Edeline Wolf]

Edeline's eyes widened at Sloane's words and her gentle touches. The conviction that the woman spoke with impressed her as well as how true her words rang to her. Even though the pain would always remain from losing her husband, she now had a family of wonderful people who she cared about and vice versa. She took a deep breath, releasing all the sorrow she had been letting take over her for the past nine years. "Thank you so much for listening to me, and for your words. I need all of that" she said, the weight that had been crushing her now completely gone.

She gently rested her head on Sloane's shoulder and hugged her in thanks. She was used to being the one to bring comfort to others, and it felt damn good to be the one getting comforted for once. "I have something to ask of you, and if you're uncomfortable with it, please don't feel forced to accept this" she said, pulling away with a pink hue on her cheeks.

"It's been a long time since I've fallen asleep without crying, and I was wondering if you could stay with me tonight. I have never allowed anyone into my room since his passing, and it would be nice to be held just once" she almost whispered, her cheeks burning. She didn't know why she was so embarrassed to ask such a thing since she did so much more with others, but this was different. This was something extremely personal to her and not just business that was often stained with lust.

[Sloane Hannelore]

It seemed that even in the darkened room that a shadow had been pulled away, a weight coming off to the relief of the woman holding the other's hand. The hug was unexpected, but she welcomed it, holding the other woman close. It felt nice to be holding someone like this, the body warm, relaxed as she ran her hand down along her back and back up slowly. "No need to thank me...I just don't like seeing people upset over things they shouldn't be hurt by." Sloane whispered into her ear, smiling gently as she pulled back a little.

"If anything I'm jealouse that you have so much freedom where mine is only an temporary illusion." She chuckled, going quiet quickly when Edeline asked to make a request. The blush on her face was uncommon as Sloane was more use to be the one blushing with those around her where she lived. However her own blush was quick to join with the madame's as the request was spoken. The young woman shifted on the bed, looking at it for a moment before she raised her gaze to meet the other's.

Leaning forward once more she hugged her again, trying to comfort the other as well as give herself a moment as she felt her own breath hitch. She's never shared a bed with any person, man or woman. "Of course I can stay with you tonight if that is what you want. I don't mind at all. I know how important comfort is to a person, how needed it is to not be alone." Sloane replied sweetly as she finally pulled back, standing up, beginning to unbutton her dress shirt to reveal the rose colored slip beneath it before setting it over the back of a plush chair before taking off her slacks, leaving her only in the silk shift beneath it all before coming back to the bed to join Edeline.

[Edeline Wolf]

"It doesn't have to be temporary" she said, rather enjoying the sight of the other woman in the pink slip. 'Such shameless thoughts' she thought to herself. She couldn't help but be surprised that the other woman had such a lovely body underneath those clothes. "I will say, you look good in pink" she said with a giggle, looking down at her champagne colored slip. Once Sloane joined her on the bed, she wrapped her arm around her waist, and rested her head on the other woman's shoulder.

It felt so nice, feeling the warmth other another without it being business was quite different. It was real and genuine which is something that was lacking in her life. She snuggled close to her nuzzling the side of her neck which caused her lips to accidentally brush against Sloane's neck. "Oh, I'm sorry" she whispered, trying hard to hide the blush that was still staining her cheeks. She didn't want to make her new friends nervous with faux pas like this.

"If I unconsciously do anything that makes you uncomfortable, please let me know" she said. She was used to having customers request that she stay in bed with them and cuddle which is why she could get a bit friendly with whoever she cuddled with, but she would restrain herself in order to keep from freaking Sloane out.

[Sloane Hannelore]

Slender, pale fingers ran through thick curls, pushing them back behind her ears as she sat upon the bed. "My mother would argue with you. She sent me here out on my own with the intent that I'll return to Whales either married, engaged, or returning to become one of those two." She gave a small sigh, feeling the arm moving around her as she laid back against the pillows, "I will have to leave one day once my work is done...whenever that may be." Her own arms went around the shoulders of the woman resting against her.

"Well you should like it, one of your girls gave it to me as a gift for teaching her. They have good tastes like you. I've never had anything this nice before." One free hand ran down the silk, smoothing it down across her thighs. She felt the brush of lips, warm breath running over her throat as she squirmed a little not use to such closeness. It felt...nice...

"Don't apologize, it was juat a brush. You don't have to worry about me Edeline." Slipping down further in the sheets she met the other's gaze, a sweet smiling pulling at her lips. "I'm here for you tonight, whatever you need I will try my best to give, you deserve that." Reaching up she stroked Edeline's soft, pale cheek before brushing back the dark hair, stroking her gently. "Tonight is your night without any tears."