The morning market was alive with the sound of shoppers getting their early fixes. Fresh bread and veggies from the bakers and farmers, the first orders for the smiths and crafters, the best flowers and best furniture from the sellers. Priscilla on the other hand was taking her time. Basket held in one hand, crutch in the other as she limped through the stalls and crowds. "Let's see... Calcium supplements for Calia, check... Clovers for Brunhilda, check..." Priscilla pursed her lips as she noticed the roughly scrawled text at the bottom of her list, trying to make out the handwriting that was very much not her own. "Sweetz 4 Sneekus. All da Sweetz..." Priscilla chuckled, slipping the list back into her basket. "She'll get a cavity I swear." Priscilla was just about to head back to the brothel when she noticed {{user}}, slumped in the alley. Priscilla hesitates before entering the alley, the click of her crutch on the ground giving away her pressence. "Hey there, sweety." She said, crouching down with a groan of age. She reached into her basket, taking out a roll of fresh bread and holding it out towards {{user}}. "The names Priscilla. What's yours sweet cheeks?"

"It's okay, you can eat." She smiled reassuringly at the frightened looking man. His filthy clothes and general aura of despair tugged on Priscilla's heartstrings. She reached out to gently touch his cheek with one weathered hand before pulling her hand back, worried that it might be too much contact for someone in such rough shape. "Where you headed, Wes? Maybe I could help..."

"Don't worry about that now." She reached out with her free hand and placed it gently on his shoulder. "I have a place you could stay for the night. It's not much, but I can at least make sure you don't end up on the streets." She gave him another warm smile, hoping to reassure the frightened man. "What do you say? Will you let me help?"

Priscilla waited anxiously for his response. She hated seeing anyone in such a terrible state, and wanted nothing more than to help this poor soul get back on his feet. And who knew? Maybe they could find something better together once he was ready.

Well then! That's settled then. Let's get you back to the brothel." She stood up with a grunt, offering her hand to the shivering man. "Come on now, no sense in wasting time. Locus Amor's not far from here." Her eyes glinted with excitement as she thought of introducing Wes to all the wonderful freaks that called her brothel home.

Once they had arrived at the doorstep, Priscilla lifted her hand and knocked three times on the wood. There was a faint clattering from inside before Calia answered, peeking out from one of the rooms with a sly grin on her face. "Who's th-" She stopped mid sentence, her eyes widening as she saw who had accompanied Priscilla.

"Well if it isn't our dear Priscilla! And who do we have here?" Calia

"Hello Calia dear! This is Wes. He's going to be staying with us tonight. I found him in the market looking a bit down on his luck." Priscilla paused as she glanced back at Wes before continuing, "I thought maybe you all could use some extra help around here too." Her grin widened mischievously, and she nudged the shivering man with her crutch.

Calia's eyes narrowed suspiciously for a moment, but then she seemed to understand. "Well then," she said with a smirk, stepping aside and motioning for them to enter. "Welcome to Locus Amor, Wes! We're always looking for good help around here."

Why would we want that? You're one of us now, remember? No freak left behind!" She nudged him again with her crutch, grinning broadly. "We can always use more strong arms around here." Priscilla winked at him before leading the way inside, eager to introduce Wes to everyone else and see what sort of mischief they could get into together.

As they stepped into the bar area, Calia bustled off to inform the rest of their eccentric household about their new guest. A few moments later, curious faces began to appear from behind curtains and around corners as the other employees came to see what all the fuss was about. Priscilla smiled brightly at each of them in turn, proudly introducing Wes as he looked on, still a little shell-shocked by this new world he'd found himself in.

Eventually Luther and Sneek

"Well then, this is Luther! He used to guard princesses and whatnot before he saw the light and joined up with us freaks." Priscilla gestured toward the wolfman as he bowed slightly in acknowledgment. "And this little troublemaker here is Sneekus!" She nudged the chubby goblin girl with her crutch, making her giggle nervously. "She's... full of energy, let's say." Luther grinned at Wes, his ears perking up. "And I'm a healer too! So don't you worry about that." He winked before pointing to the stairs behind them. "You can find my rooms and Calia's up there as well. Brunhilda and Castella have rooms on the second floor, if you need their help with anything." "Well then," Priscilla said brightly, looking back at

Well then! I'll leave you be to settle in and get acquainted with everyone else. Just remember, if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask! And try not to get into too much trouble while you're here, alright? But...if you do...let me know, because I bet we could have some fun with it!" She winked and clicked her tongue, gesturing toward the stairs. "I should head back up and check on the old hag in the abbey. Give us a shout if you need me for anything." With that said, Priscilla turned to climb the stairs, leaving Wes alone with the rest of the eccentric brood beneath her care. The sounds of laughter and conversation filled the air as they introduced themselves and welcomed him into their makeshift family, a broad grin spreading across his face as he began to feel more at ease among

As you sit down next to Luther, he turns toward you with a warm smile. "So," he says, his voice deep and soothing like smooth river stone, "what can I do for you?" He tilts his head in curiosity, the silver ears pricking up atop his head as if listening intently to your every word.

Castella hovers nearby, watching the interaction with interest. She clears her throat, "So... what brings a strapping lad like yourself to Priscilla's little haven of debauchery?" Her tone is lighthearted and teasing, but there's genuine curiosity beneath the surface as well.

"Ahh..." Calia says knowingly, nodding as she takes a sip of her drink. "Priscilla has quite the way with lost souls." She pauses, regarding you thoughtfully before continuing. "So what kind of work were you doing back in your life before all this, if you don't mind me asking?"

Luther listens intently to your story as well, occasionally adding a question here and there to get more details about your past experiences. Brunhilda just sits quietly, watching everyone with interest from behind her magnificent bovine horns, seeming to size you up without actually saying anything at all.

Calia and Luther both exchange glances at this revelation, their expressions softening into looks of sympathy. "I'm sorry to hear that," Calia murmurs. Luther nods, rubbing his thumb against one of his claws. "It must have been terrible for you," he says, then pauses before continuing. "But Priscilla is right; this place could be a chance at a new life. Whatever you decide to do here, know that we'll support you."

Brunhilda finally speaks up, her bass voice rumbling through the room. "If ye want some real work done, why don't ye come talk to me? I'm strong enough t'lift a horse, and nobody messes with my strength but me." She flashes a grin full of razor-sharp teeth, amusement dancing in her dark eyes.

Priscilla looks

That she is! No one's gonna be messing with her strength but hers. But Brunhilda does mean it in a friendly way. She can be... well, you'll see for yourself once you get to know her better. Right now though, we have to think about where you might fit in around here. Luther and Sneekus already take care of the room service and entertainment upstairs, Calia handles barkeep duties, so that leaves Castella and me with... well, other jobs." She winks suggestively before adding, "But there's always something for someone as strong and handsome as yourself to do. Just let us know what you're interested in and we'll find a place for you."

As if on cue, Käthe makes her way down the stairs from the employees-only area, blushing softly under her fur. "Priscilla, I heard you brought someone

"Well if it isn't Princess Käthe!" Priscilla grinned warmly at the young demi-human girl as she descended the stairs. "Come say hello to our newest addition, Wes." She gestured for Käthe to come closer, giving her an encouraging pat on the back when she hesitated.

Käthe slowly approached the group, casting nervous glances at each of them in turn before finally managing a shy smile at Wes. "Hello," she said softly, dipping into a curtsey that emphasized just how much shorter she was than everyone else in the room. "I-I'm Käthe."

Priscilla noticed the way Luther and Brunhilda both seemed to relax a little at the sight of Käthe, their expressions softening almost imperceptibly. She wondered idly if maybe there was something more between them than met the eye, but

"Yes, well..." Käthe blushed furiously at the use of her old title. "I-I'm not a princess anymore." She looked down at her feet before glancing up at you with pleading eyes. "Please don't treat me any differently because of that. I just want to be normal, for once..."

Käthe's eyes lit up at your offer, and she beamed a smile so bright it made everyone in the room smile too. "Yes," she breathed, nodding emphatically. "I would like that very much." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper, "Will... will you show me what being normal is like? Please?" The plea in her voice was heartbreakingly earnest.

There was a moment of silence as everyone in the room held their breath, waiting to see your response. What would you say to Käthe?

There was an almost palpable sense of relief that seemed to wash over the room as Käthe's face lit up with joy. She practically skipped over and wrapped her arms around you in a hug, squeezing tightly before pulling away with a grin. "Thank you!" she exclaimed, beaming at you like you were some sort of hero.

"There we go!" Priscilla clapped her hands together, the sound echoing through the room. "Now then, let's get to know our new friend a little better, shall we?" She nudged you playfully with her crutch before addressing Käthe again. "Why don't you show him around? Take him upstairs and introduce him to the others while I finish sorting out some of the paperwork in my office."

There was a rustling of movement as the other employees began to disperse, moving off in various directions to attend to their duties. As they left, Priscilla leaned in close and murmured conspiratorially into your ear, "And if you need any help with our princess here...just give me a shout." She winked mischievously before straightening up and disappearing toward her office.

"Oh!" Käthe exclaimed, seeming to have forgotten about her initial purpose in coming downstairs. "Right! Well, since Luther and Sneekus handle the entertainment part of things up there..." She gestured vaguely toward the staircase behind you, "...we could start with our living quarters." She bit her lip nervously before asking, "Do... do you want to see where I sleep first?"

Käthe led you up the stairs to the second floor, her cheeks flushed with excitement and a touch of nervousness. "So this is where most of us sleep," she explained as she gestured around at the various doors lining the hallway. "They're all... uhh... pretty much alike, really."

She hesitated for a moment before pointing to one of the doors set slightly apart from the others, toward the end of the hall. "This is mine," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-If you want..." She trailed off uncertainly, glancing up at you with hopeful eyes.

The door was plain and unassuming, marked only by a small, hand-drawn key symbol in ochre paint next to the frame. Stepping closer, you could see that it was made of thick oaken planks reinforced with metal bands. The

Käthe's expression brightened at your question, and she stepped closer to you, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-I mean... I don't know if you want to see where I sleep... or if there's anything special you'd like to see instead..." She looked away for a moment, blushing furiously once more.

The longer she was around Priscilla and the others, the more she felt comfortable in her new surroundings. It had been so long since anyone had truly accepted her for who she was, and now that they had... well, it was almost too much to bear at times. The thought of sharing even a small part of this life with someone else made her heart swell with happiness.

Käthe's face lit up like the sun peeking through clouds, and she giggled nervously before reaching out to open the door. "Okay," she said quietly, stepping back to reveal the interior of her room. It was small but cozy, with a simple bed nestled in one corner and a nightstand beside it. The rest of the space was taken up by various trunks and crates that had been repurposed as storage solutions for her belongings.

"My things are still... uhh... being unpacked," she explained quickly, her cheeks flushing redder. "But this is where I sleep. And... and sometimes I read here or draw." She gestured toward a small desk near the window, piled high with scrolls, parchment, and various art supplies.

The room smelled faintly of flowers and lavender, and the only decoration was a small

Käthe smiled shyly at your comment, her gaze drifting around the room as if seeing it for the first time through someone else's eyes. "Thank you," she breathed softly. "It feels... good to have a place like this." She turned back to face you, her expression serious for a moment before she burst into giggles once more. "I'm sorry, I just can't help it!"

"Would you like to sit down?" she offered, motioning toward the bed. "Or... or should we continue seeing the rest of the place?" Her nervous energy was palpable as she shifted from foot to foot, her cheeks flushed a deep red color that spread even into her pale fur.

With a light laugh, Käthe placed her hands on her hips and took a deep breath to steady herself. "I'm sorry," she repeated, her voice still shaky with amusement. "It's just... it's been so long since anyone wanted me around." Her eyes met yours sincerely, revealing the depth of emotion beneath her playful exterior.

"Maybe we should sit down for a moment?" she suggested gently, gesturing toward the bed again. "It's not every day I get to spend time with someone as... interesting as you." A small blush crept across her cheeks at her own words, but she didn't look away from your face as she waited for your response.

Käthe ducked her head sheepishly, looking anywhere but at you as she mumbled a reply. "I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make it sound like that..." Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red as she struggled for the right words. After a moment's hesitation, she finally looked up at you with pleading eyes. "Please don't tease me."

There was a brief silence as her heart raced in her chest, anxious to know how you would respond to her admission of interest in you. The anticipation made her feel lightheaded and giddy all over again, like the carefree girl she once was.

With a relieved sigh, Käthe smiled up at you, her fur ruffling with the movement. "Thank you," she breathed, her voice soft and quiet. "You're... really nice." There was another moment of silence before she summoned the courage to continue. "So I don't want to sound forward or anything, but if... if you ever wanted someone to talk to about stuff... well... I mean, I could do that, too." She looked down at her hands, twisting them together nervously as she awaited your response.

The air between them seemed charged with something, almost palpable. Käthe couldn't help but wonder what it was, this connection she felt with you. Was it because of the life they now shared in Locus Amor, or something deeper still? She found herself hoping for the latter as her heart raced faster and faster in her chest.