Despite the fact Stax couldn't see it, she offered him a smile and took the extended hand. "Of course. You know you never have to ask." She lead him up to the front and offered him one of the stools from behind the counter and helped him have a seat. Natalya had the same instinct her sister did, she could tell when people weren't letting on to what they could really do. Natalya figured Stax was more then capable of finding his own way to the front of the store. He was more the capable of finding his way<em>around</em>the store and hell, he was twice as capable of navigating the city then half the people in it who could see. But he was a kind man, always soft spoken, and Natalya had a weakness for that. "You just have a seat and I'll tell Maria you're here." She quickly vanished into the back.<br/><br/>-<br/><br/>"Such a brave group we have here, Mistress." The Shem spoke, her tongue rolling her r's as she spoke, her voice betraying an accent similar to russian. Maria gave a nod of acknowledgement and turned to the group.<br/><br/>"Well, if there are no questions, we should probably move on." Valdaranna gave Maria a bow and spoke again.<br/><br/>"If you have no further need of me, Mistress, I shall retire for a spell." With a pat on the shoulder, Maria confirmed and allowed her her leave. With a motion, she urged the newcomers to follow her, down the hall and to another similar room on the right. Opening the door, she showed them in. Sitting in an office-style chair before a leather pressing machine, there was a crimson-skinned woman with goat horns on her head. Turning around, she had beautiful blue hair, and wore a leather bodice with matching leggings, the same bracelet, belt and collar as the first also present. The woman, clearly Nether-Touched, frowned at the group.<br/><br/>"Mistress... you know I don't do group deals..." She said with a twinge of sarcasm, which Maria picked up on.<br/><br/>"Of course not, dear, these are your new co-workers." The woman stood and smiled, greeting all with a wave.<br/><br/>"Yes, I figured. The kitty's still reeling from your bite, I see." She winked to the Nekomimi and scanned the rest of the group. "Well, another of the Nether-Touched. Well, I suppose it wouldn't have lasted forever..." She bowed and cleared her throat. "My name is Mari, daughter of Eris. Pleasure to meet you."<br/><br/>"Mari's also our resident leather worker. She will have you all set up with the items of your station. To clarify... Mari, if I may use you as an example?"<br/><br/>"Of course." The Netherbeing responded, standing beside Maria.<br/><br/>"The belt, bracelet and collar are all very important. Consider it your... nutrition facts, for lack of better terms. The collar is your name, whether you use your real name, or an assumed name is up to you, it is for identification purposes only. The belt is engraved with everything you are turned on by. Customers may inspect it, and check for compatibility. And finally, the bracelet is your sexuality. Now, as stated earlier, this is not a brothel, where the workers get no choice in who they associate with. If a buyer doesn't match what you like or are in to, you may refuse. And remember, no price is worth your discomfort. I will always take your side."<br/><br/>"Believe her, darlings. I was tried on six occasions to be forced into an orgy... all six times she kicked them out." Mari chimed in. "We're not slaves here, by no means. Think of it as indentured servitude, with a guaranteed fabulous severance package when everything's said and done." Maria nodded.<br/><br/>"She said it best. Now that I've given you the tour, I'll let you go about your own business..." She looked past the group to see her sister standing in the door frame. "Get with Mari to secure your belt, bracelet and collar. You may move around in this area as you please, but for security reasons, please do not go into the shop proper unless called. I shall return momentarily to complete your welcome. They're yours, Mari." Mari bowed as Maria left.<br/><br/>"Stax is back, Maria. He's looking for you." Maria smiled as her sister spoke.<br/><br/>"Good. I'll go see to him."<br/><br/>-<br/><br/>Back out front, Maria saw the blind Jazz player and smiled, sitting across from him. "Hey, Stax. You just couldn't stay away from me, could you?" She smiled.