<em>"Nicholas, Sir Nicholas Bureck; his is a northern family, he's a younger son actually, third son I think. I don't remember much more outside of that other then ravings about his work.”</em><br/><br/>Sir Nicholas Bureck. He wasn’t at all familiar with the name, the broadsheet favoured by Master Bradoon had very little in the way of culture, preferring to cover the wars abroad, technological advances and politics. He was glad Fiona was kept abreast of fine arts, as he had no desire to seem an easy target for punishment.<br/><br/><em>"I don't know, he came downstairs like that largely, though a bit less drunk. He insulted near all the other whores and got into it with Rubee...but I haven't seen Lord Aldrich yet; perhaps they had a row?"</em><br/><br/>“It’s possible. He’s not been to Master Ryan’s office yet. Could he have ski...” He halted himself abruptly, licked his lip and swallowed before continuing, “... left without paying, perhaps? Mmn.” Her smile was little comfort when there was a client waiting, Anel imploding, and a client conspicuously absent, though he let his shoulders ease somewhat. He watched as Zara dragged Anel outside, and he ached to follow after. Something had hurt Anel and the youth had been right, he<em>hadn't</em>been doing his job. What had happened?<br/><br/><em>"I'm sure once the new clients are settled the Master will be able to deal with it. As for a cut, I'll take 3%, not a cent more. If he wants to pose you why not use the couch to start with, use the memories there to ground you some? He is an artist, so perhaps...have a little faith." </em><br/><br/>“You know you are meant to barter in the opposite direction,” he muttered, but didn’t harry her any more. “Very well, three.” He nodded at her suggestion, but wouldn’t follow it; like his time with Ryan, those memories were his, and he was against tainting them. As for ‘having faith’ in a client... her naivety was terrifying. “Thank you, Fiona.”<br/><br/>He moved away from her, his hand not releasing at one, drawing along her forearm as if he were reluctant to let go, and moved closer to the clients, wanting to get it over with but knowing that the man had wanted to speak to Adi.<br/>