Ben in a brothel?

Josen doubted very seriously that Odin had recently been within the walls of any brothel. Not that he thought the man was celibate of course, but he just didn't carry the mannerisms of a man who would willingly pay for feminine attentions. Then again, who knows? Perhaps he had been here for another reason but intuition told him otherwise. He had the distinctive feeling he was being lied to and after he had taken the pains to be honest, he excepted nothing less of the same. It irritated him to no end that Odin didn't share his point of view and though he kept the brief surge of anger from making it's way to his features, he couldn't resist commenting once they were inside.

"I do hope you do not frequent these places often," He said dryly while observing the shanty decor and even shantier clad ladies, three of which immediately turned their attentions on them. He focused his eyes on the one in the middle. Black curls fell loosely from the pile atop her head and fell before her shoulder to the cradle of her bosom, which in itself was barely concealed. The rest of her was lovely as well. He didn't have to feign interest as he met her look with pleasant charm.

Her smile was trained vivacity. She looked him up and down and up, then spoke in a voice drenched with honey. "My, my girls, but aren't we the lucky ones tonight."

A true professional. He didn't mind at all playing the part of a customer while drawing his arm around her waist and leading her to a more private space, leaving Odin to suffer her companions. Hopefully they would drive him mad. He didn't doubt for a second that Odin could pinpoint exactly where in this building Ben was standing at precisely this moment but he didn't really care. It was funner to do things his way.

"I am Celia." She spoke with a think latin accent. "My friends over there are Maxine and Georginia. What is your name handsome?" Her lips drew closer to his ear with a throaty giggle. "Or perhaps there is something else you would like me to call you that would please you even better."

Josen chuckled and drew her back. "Handsome will be fine. It is a pleasure to meet you milady, but regretfully I cannot spare the time to enjoy your company." Not that he would, but it was never good to dampen a young lady's ego. Her pretty lips frowned and he pressed a pair of coins into her hand and then it was his turn to lean close and tease her lobe with a whisper. "There is someone I am looking for that was seen here; an old friend of mine. Name's Benjamin."

She began to draw back. "I'm sorry sir but I don't recall-"

He knew that risque establishments such as these didn't make their money rattling off their visitor list so he'd expected her resistance. He could be very charming when he wanted to though so Josen drew her near once more and brushed a lock behind her ear, holding two more coins between forefinger and thumb. The sound of money could be very tempting. He leaned his head so close that it almost touched her forehead and whispered again. "Is there a way I could persuade your loveliness to consider again? Perhaps it is not a name you need but a description. The man I'm looking for is tall, dark of skin with black hair, dark eyes and a large, solid build. Does milady remember him now?"

"She does, but he is too far a valued customer to let his wherabouts be known for only four gold."

Aha, so she was a smart one. "Name your price," he stated, bemused.

"Fifty gold."

That wasn't a price, that was a swindle. And a signal. If he handed over the gold, she would take it and lie then tell the overseer of their inquiry. If he didn't, she would tell the overseer before they were two steps down the road and they'd have a street confrontation on their hands. Well, he had more money coming so he untied his purse and placed it in her dainty hands. "Will this do?"

"It will do nicely." She tucked the coins he'd given her into her bosom, took his hand and led him to a velvet covered chaise. "I will do better than tell you where he is, handsome. I will fetch him for you."

She left him with a trailing finger across his chest then looked over her shoulder and signaled for her two girlfriends to follow. Josen watched the ladies disappear around a corner then leaned back to wait for the calvary, or owner, or whoever it was that she went to go hail. Odin approached with a glower. So he knew the questioning had not been forthcoming. "Can't win 'em all," Josen quipped, oblivious to whatever reproach his partner had for him.

They weren't waiting long before three large, armed men appeared from the corner and headed their way. All this just for his inquiring about Ben? He wondered what it was his friend had done that had given him a tight V.I.P with such an upscale gentleman's house and stood as the two men approached. "Evenin' sirs," he said good naturedly. He had no desire for a fight, especially in a room full of women. They may be prostitutes but they were still ladies.

The men weren't so cordial. "We don't take kindly to strangers asking questions about our visitors," the biggest man spoke. "Any of our visitors, whether they be our highest spender, lowest spender, or none at all. If a man enters the house of Lulu's Lovely Ladies then he is insured the privacy of his visit. Therefore, you two are a threat to that policy and we must ask you to leave. Accord?"

"Understood. We will leave with no further incident. But do me a favor good sir and pass this message on to my friend if you happen to see him. Tell him there is an old army commander friend of his from Ulis who is looking for a word with him."

The man looked surprised at Josen's claim to a military title but only acknowledged his request with a stern nod. "Do you need us to escort?"

Well that was a hint. "No thank you. I'm sure we can find the door from here." It was only thirty feet away. With a curt nod, he followed Odin through it and back onto the street.

They walked a short ways, enough to make anyone watching think they were leaving then Josen asked without stopping, "He is there, is he not?" When Odin nodded he studied the crossing they were coming to and then said, "Well then, back entry it is." He turned left.

The plan was to circle around and enter the building through a back window or door. He didn't discuss it. For two men of skill it was pretty much a given. They were nearly there when Odin tapped his shoulder and drew to a halt. Josen stopped, grazing his hilt with his palm but when Odin made no move for his own weapon he relaxed. And listened. What the heck was he listening for? He was just about to ask when a famaliar voice broke in the darkness.

"It is a shame that head of yours has in it more ear wax than brain, traveler."

Josen smiled. It was so very good to hear that voice. "Aiye," he answered. "But I do not need much a brain dealing with the likes of you and the wax is to save my ears from the bleeding of your mutterings."

Ben chuckled and revealed himself from hiding. "That is a keen sense of awareness your companion has. I had plans to surprise you."

"Yes, well..." Josen gave Odin a sidelong glance. "You would not have gotten very far with that."

"I see," Ben, too, glanced his direction. "How was it that you found me?"

"My companion has many talents." Josen took a moment to make the necessary introduction.

Ben held out a hand and pleasantly said, "Always a pleasure to meet a friend of the commander."

Josen almost snorted. They would see about that. He pulled Ben away before he decided to bestow on his said friend more of his unique brand of humor. He doubted Odin would be much amused. "I have something to ask of you."

"So I've heard."

That reminded him. "How exactly did you get to become involved with such an honorable establishment anyhow?"

"I live here. Was that you're question?"

"You live here." Somehow, that didn't surprise him. "And no it wasn't."

"Is the famous white mercenary in trouble?"

"No, and stop calling me that."

"Sure commander." The jest earned him a withered glare, which he ignored. "Is there someone else who's in trouble?"

"No. This isn't anything like that."

"Is it like something that could take awhile?"

"Perhaps."

Ben knew Josen well enough to know that that meant yes. He lowered his head thoughtfully for a moment then raised it with an idea in his eye. "In that case, I do have one engagement that I cannot miss. With any luck I can make it be over fairly quickly so why don't we do this. There is a late night eaterie that is nearby. "It's a favorite of mine and the girls regularly take their john's there on a date. Don't worry, it's decent," he said when Josen gave him one of his looks. "Go north one block and turn west. It'll be on your right side there just two blocks up the street. It's called The Hammer. Tell them you are meeting me and they will seat you. I will be there as shortly as I can. Is that agreeable?"

Josen nodded, though he wondered what in Variance could possibly be so important that it took presedence over their meeting. Then upon thinking about it more he decided he would rather not know and left the question unsaid on his tongue. Thankfully, Ben didn't answer it either when he spoke. "So what did you think of Celia? She is my favorite, that one."

Figures. "I would have liked her better if she hadn't swindled me."

"Ah, yes." Ben pulled a small bundle from a pocket and tossed it. Josen stuck out his hand; it was his purse. "Do you frequently give over your entire purse to beautiful women? If you do you must be well on your way to broke by now. She told me to tell you that next time you come, come for pleasure and she will see to it, personally, that you have an unforgettable time."

Josen chuckled. "Send her my regards, then."

"I'll do that," Ben said, backing away. "It is good to see you Josen, and better to see you in good health."

"And you as well." They exchanged farewells and Josen watched until he was well down the street before turning in the direction of the restauraunt. Odin fell in silent step beside him.

They walked halfway there without saying a word and then Josen finally spoke. Odin's possible little lie of earlier was still grating his skin. "You will always find I am honest and forth, Odin," he began, for better or worse. "I do not know you well enough to make any assumptions but I do not like being lied to. I don't really care how you knew that Ben was there and I may owe you one for finding him and thus shortening my search, but I strongly doubt you saw him inside that building before you saw him tonight. I'm curious, and I do understand that people often have good reasons for secrecy so I don't expect much a full answer, but just why do you insist on not telling the truth when there is neither anything to lose or to gain? Forgive me if I'm out of line, and please do say so, but is it too much to request the same amount of honesty that I am bestowing to you? You have my word I will never ask of your past or of anything personal that which you wish to remain so. Does that sound like an amiable accord you can agree to?"