"Now, 'un... what would ya prefer? Subtle, or... a bit mo' direct?" Elly's escort led her into the dirty, unkempt costume shop, revealing a few racks of outfits in varying sizes. Some played to fetishes -- cop, prisoner, nurse, maid -- whereas others were more universal, fishnets and the like, and a few polyester housecoats.<br/><br/>—----—----—<br/><br/>"I'm just looking for a place to stay, same as you," Alherien growled through her mask. "You have the last room. Do you think I may be able to stop in for a little bit?"<br/><br/>She really hated being polite. In a kill-or-be-killed world when you had to slit someone's throat for the last can of beans, just to live on to the next hardship, pretending to be a civil human being could be downright taxing. "I promise I won't kill or rape you," she droned sarcastically.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>