When he felt Anel’s hand slid against his rear, Atticus jumped a little, taken by surprise. He smiled at the bold move,  enjoying the attention for the moment. He wasn’t often at the centre of it, not these days. And that was exactly how it should be – he was to keep back until the Master or one of the whores needed help. Yet... this small focus was pleasant and unharmful, and when it was from someone so lovely as Anel, Atticus was  not going to complain at all.<br/><br/>He watched the boy walk away, the wink making the bodyguard smirk with amusement. Once he was out of earshot, Atticus turned back to Master Ryan and took a couple of steps towards him. “Master, I was hoping I might speak with you, in private. It is not a pressing issue but it is personal.” He didn’t want the household to know what he wanted to talk to Ryan about, and the rooms were not so private down here that he felt comfortable to speak of what he wished to ask, least the Master refuse.<br/><br/>Just then, Zara’s playing came to its climax, and as it did Atticus heard the low, amused tones of a man in the hallway. Not any of the whores, but a patron. Coming or going? He turned slightly towards the door, listening and hearing the faint reply of Anel, the words lost in the distance but sounding happy enough. Then, much closer and a lot more clear came Zara’s own voice, welcoming one of their more frequent clients.<br/><br/>“Do you desire me presentable or simply present, sir?” Atticus asked, wondering if he should go and wash off the smell of sweat or simply stay as he was and make sure the guests minded their manners, though it was rare for a quarrel to happen so early.<br/>