Taking the stairs countless times in a span of two or three hours was nothing compared to the state in which most of the guests were to be found in. It was the only time when Ama found herself thankful for the trama she had undergone a little less than a year ago. Had she come to the Harlotâ€™s Ruin as the same innocent and sheltered heiress she was six years ago, she would have expired from embarrassment the first day on the job. Men and women alike rarely made any effort to properly clothe themselves before letting her in to serve them and most did not even take a moment to thank her before digging their grubby fingers into the hot meals and stuffing their rosy faces.<br/><br/>Ah but Ama had a dim view of Sion that day, and she was ashamed of it when she sat down in the empty tavern all and plopped her chin in her hand. Sion was not all that bad, she thought. She glanced out of the murky glass of the window. It wasnâ€™t snowing yet and some of the trees were still green. The dirt road was only still dry and the shops were still open. There were trinket shops, bakeries, butchers, armourers, the general goods store, and then the tea cafÃ© at the end of the road. There were a few small roads that branched off of the main one and offered entry to the sparse neighborhood surrounding the strip. The houses were clean, save for a few, and added a bit of charm to the place. It was the south end, the one nearest to the Harlotâ€™s Ruin, which produced the rowdy types who frequented the tavern. Any of the wealthy families of the area built their plantations and estates miles from Sion, thus minimizing their contact with the less elevated people of Sionâ€™s growing society. She had once been proud to be one of those types.<br/><br/>â€œSitting on the job are you?â€<br/><br/>Aman jumped to her feet at the nasal sound of Mr. Guneryâ€™s voice and silently scolded herself for drifting off into her thoughts. â€œNo sir, just resting a moment sir.â€ She stammered, keeping her eyes latched on to his shinny black boots.<br/><br/>â€œLook at me girl.â€ He said then and placed his fingers under her chin, forcing her face upward to inspect her. She set her jaw and stared into his mean brown gaze framed by his ruddy fat face, inwardly she cringed at his slick touch, he was always perspiring. â€œAh yes, Ama isnâ€™t it?â€ He said, dropping his hand and placing it into his vest pocket. Mr. Gunnery was a man who liked to flaunt his money, he own a few of the shops in town, including the tailor and the haberdashery, where he commissioned his fine clothing to be made so that he stood out.<br/><br/>â€œYes sir.â€ She replied, clasping her hands together before her.<br/><br/>Mr. Gunnery made a humming sound and fingered his greasy black moustache as he eyed her. â€œI say, how would you like to work in the tavern serving? The pay is the same, but there are tips to be had, if you treat the guests nicely.â€ He said. Ama couldnâ€™t suppress the blush that rose to her cheeks. She avoided the tavern hall at all costs when the evening crowd occupied it, working there had little appeal to her, but her blush was because she understood all to well what Mr. Gunnery meant when he mentioned treating the guests nicely.<br/><br/>â€œIâ€™m happy with my place in the kitchen and above stairs sir, very much so.â€ She replied.<br/><br/>â€œPretty thing like you should be hidden away, I suppose.â€ Gunnery commented. â€œWhy when you first came here you were no more than a waif, but you have-â€œ his eyes raked over her again and then a slow grin broke on his face, revealing a few yellowed teeth â€œ-blossomed.â€<br/><br/>Ama twitched involuntarily and smiled tightly. â€œThank you sir, even so, I would like to stay under Nellâ€™s direction.â€<br/><br/>Mr. Gunnery frowned then shrugged. â€œAh, well, your loss then girl. Back to work with you.â€<br/><br/>â€œThank you sir.â€ Ama said with a curtsy and skirted around him.<br/><br/>â€œOh, and Ama.â€<br/><br/>Ama turned to find him gazing intently at her once more. â€œYes sir?â€<br/><br/>â€œShould I catch you day dreaming again, you will work without pay for a week.â€ Mr. Gunnery warned. Ama nodded.<br/><br/>â€œYes sir.â€