<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">Val smiled, a little sadly.  "I believe you -- and I did see him walk away from here.  That makes me a witness."  He tucked his hands into his pockets to make himself look even less threatening.  "I don't like bullies," he said lightly.  "And what he's doing to you is wrong.  It's an abuse of trust and authority... and I have it in my power to stop him.  If I don't at least try..." Val shrugged one shoulder.  "Then I'm as bad as he is, and I don't like that idea."<br/>
<br/>
He gestured off to the side, where a concrete barrier could serve as a makeshift bench.  Sitting, he regarded the pretty omega.  "Being a hooker isn't what you are -- it's what you do.  And it doesn't make you any less of a sentient being.  And for the record -- I don't think this is the worst part of the city.  I've been down to Muddpiddle Lane... now <i>that</i> is a dangerous corner."  He shuddered a little.  "This quarter is bad, I won't deny it... but it's not the worst."  </span></span>