Valetni stared up at the sign above the large double doors of his destination. The sign depicted a scantily clad woman in bed, with an inviting look on her face. Below that, the words 'Madame Molly's Pleasure Palace' were written in a flowing, golden script. He gave a snort of amusement as he hobbled up the stairs. The door was opened for him from the inside, just as he was about to take the handle in his own hand. Valetni found himself in an ornately furnished room, heavy on gauzy curtains, plush chairs, and two large, mountainous men.<br/><br/>"I'm here to see Molly?" Valetni asked tentatively.<br/><br/>"Regarding?" Was the reply from the one on the left. The two men might as well have been brothers. Dark skinned, bald, muscular, and intimidating. It was easy to see why they were hired for what they did.<br/><br/>"I'm an old friend, Friedrich." Valetni explained. Hopefully her reaction to the news of his arrival would not be to set the two goons on him.<br/><br/>"Wait here." He was instructed. Seeing no other choice, he took a seat on one of the couches. It was surprisingly comfortable. Valetni took the time to rest his legs, which were already beginning to cramp from the strain. He was gently massaging his calf's when she entered the room. It had been seven years since he had last seen her, but she wasn't one you could forget.<br/><br/>Molly swept into the room with a grace and nobility that would be the envy of many a noblewoman. Charisma, charm, and grace. It was easy to forget she was working as a streetwalker when they had first met. Valetni knew, with some certainty, that the red haired woman that stood before him was in her early thirties, at least, but with her laughing smile and twinkling eyes, she managed to pass as someone a decade younger. She wore a light blue gossamer robe, open in the front, revealing the soft, firm globes of her not inconsiderable bust. A matching length of the same material was pulling duty as a skirt, tied at the right hip. With every confident step she took into the room, Valetni was tantalized by an expanse of creamy white skin. Valetni was staring, and they both knew it.<br/><br/>"Hello Friedrich, nothing to say? My, that's quite unlike you." She said with a giggle as she slipped into one of the chairs opposite him. Her chair was an inch or two than his, bringing the two of them to eye level.<br/><br/>"Molly, you look nice." He managed to get out after a second. He could feel his skin burning. She gave another laugh, a genuine one, not forced or artificial in any way.<br/><br/>"And you look," She paused, allowing her eyes to travel up and down his frame, before putting her fingers to her mouth, stifling another laugh. "You look quite ridiculous, I must say." Valetni found himself chuckling along with her. She could move statues to merriment. She stood, walking across the distance that separated him, and sat beside him. Valetni tensed.<br/><br/>"Relax," She teased, taking the hat from his head and tossing it onto the chair she had just vacated. "So, what brings you here, dressed like this to boot?"<br/><br/>"Isn't it enough that I want to check in on an old friend?" Valetni tried weakly, earning him another of her beautiful laughs.<br/><br/>"Friedrich," She said, placing one hand on his knee. "You're not a charmer, and your voice sounds like you've been gargling razor blades and gravel." She arched a fine eyebrow in his direction as she took his cane into her hands, turning it over and examining it. "I get the sense that this is more a necessary aid than a phallic symbol, what happened to you?" She asked, managing to project a note of sincere concern into her voice.<br/><br/>"I let something get out of hand." Valetni replied, gently taking the cane back from her. An electric tingle shot between the two as his hand brushed hers. Valetni coughed, doubling over. When he looked up, he realized she had taken the opportunity to slide closer, now nearly shoulder to shoulder with him. Her kind, caring look was still present, but it was accompanied by something almost predatory.<br/><br/>"You know, you can stay here if you want." She traced a finger down the front of his suit, leaning close enough that he could feel her breath on the skin of his jaw and neck. "Let me, take care of you?" She moved closer, and in a single move, straddled him. Her robe fell open, giving Valetni a view of her bare breasts and toned stomach. "We got interrupted last time you were here, why don't we wrap up our unfinished business?" She leaned in for the kiss, closing her eyes as she did so.<br/><br/>She was brought up short by Valetni's hands on he shoulders, gently halting her approach. "You know, that's a real tempting offer." He said huskily, licking his lips. "But I'm afraid that I have some obligations, first." He half turned his head to the right and down. The two of them stayed locked in that position for several seconds, before she rolled back over onto the couch, seated next to him.<br/><br/>"What type of obligations?" She asked with pouty eyes. "The last time you said that you disappeared for seven years!" She said accusingly.<br/><br/>"But I came back, just like I said I would." He countered.<br/><br/>"And now you're leaving again." She crossed her arms under her breasts.<br/><br/>"Listen, Molly." He began, clearing his throat. "I have to do something, and I need some information." He tapped his cane on the floor, lightly.<br/><br/>"What type of information?" She said in a tone of voice that strongly implied she was not happy with him. Not one bit. There was a fire in her green eyes.<br/><br/>"The type of information, that if you can get me it, means that I come back alive." He said, putting emphasis on the 'back.'<br/><br/>"To me?" She asked, as if not fully trusting him.<br/><br/>"Of course, I just need to take care of this, and then I'll take you back up on that offer." He said with his best smile. It came out as a grimace.<br/><br/>"Alright." She said with a smile, as he described to her what exactly he was looking for. "How will I get this to you?" She asked as he stood up.<br/><br/>"Don't worry, I'll get in touch with you." He said with another attempt at a smile, before striding out of Madame Molly's Pleasure Palace.<br/><br/>Valetni surveyed his surroundings, before heading directly to where he he had last seen the others.