Waylim walked in exactly as Lydie imagined. After lightly knocking on the door, he slid in with a gentle confidence and perfectly practiced smile. Thankfully, that smile still radiated genuineness. Lydie knew she would not escape this evening not experiencing nervousness and intimidation, but as far as the moment of first meeting went it wasn't awful. She stood while taking in the man U'chama thought would fit her. His age was hard to guess. Waylim had the facial structure and air of a man at least ten years her assumed early twenties, but his taut, smooth skin and bright, cerulean blue eyes radiated youth. Dusty blonde hair and only lightly tanned skin hinted of foreign blood.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Dvanda." he spoke politely, offering out his hand.

"A pleasure to meet you as well, and you may call me Lydie." she returned the handshake.

"Only if you call me Waylim in return."

"Of course, Waylim. That would be most agreeable."

Despite U'chama's reassurances, Lydie did not forget for an instant that this evaluation was a test of her skills in some way. The art of conversation included. Judging from Waylim's soft nod of approval, she did well so far.

"Won't you come sit with me?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Her tester led them to a pair of deep red armchairs by the window. Lydie nearly sat down until she noticed a clear pitcher of water and two tall glasses on the nearby table.

"Would you like a drink?" she asked.

"I would. Thank you."

Basic manners were working out so far. Lydie poured the glasses halfway, bending in a way that pronounced her curves, before handing Waylim his and sliding into her seat. The two met eyes while he took a long, slow sip, and she made sure to cast him a low smiling, half-lidded glance as she did the same. Worry tickled her heart when Waylim forwent his drink to laugh. He eyed her, but the smile on his lips was merry.

"Impressive from the start. You know how to engage, take the lead, be serviceable, and subtly flirt. I wasn't sure what to expect when U'chama mentioned you'd lost your memories, but you've proven yourself the best evaluation that we've had in months in less than a minute. Not that I am declaring you passable so soon, but most women who come in here stutter and fidget their way through conversation I must force out of them."

"I thought that's how I would be, but the longer I am here the more sure I become."

"You don't look completely sure." Waylim pointed out. Lydie cursed herself. She'd meant to get farther before bringing up her worry, but as soon as the man next to her peeked out his true self from his mask her face must have shifted to the truth as well.

"It's strange. I'm unsure because I'm sure, and it's all to do with something U'chama asked. He wanted to know if I was a virgin."

"I see. You worry about giving yourself away for the first time."

"No, that's not it at all," Lydie revealed to Waylim's surprise, "I'm worried that I'm not a virgin. That I do have a husband. To be honest, coming here was less of an idea and more of a whim. I've been instantly rejected for work in every other instance and thus thought this would be the same. That, or I'd find I didn't have the will for it. In my mind, I pictured a much different place. Loud and uncouth where women are hardly seen as people. This...this is too nice. I feel welcome, and I feel that I could very much work here with good cheer once the last of my nerves soften."

"But any man you might have desperately trying to find you could grow angry at you for choosing such work. For betraying him." Waylim nodded understandingly.

"It's only been a couple days since I was released from the healing ward. Word could come tomorrow morning of my place to belong. I still wait for reports to arrive from further away. It's true I badly need a job, but I want to exhaust all my other options first before I risk losing something the second I gain it back."

"I normally caution women against using the Burden's Respite as their last option, yet in your case it makes sense. I also don't think any man should find fault with you choosing this path we present if it is the difference between peace and security or poverty and misery. However, I suppose I am more open-minded than most men."

"You are kind, Waylim," Lydie smiled graciously, "I'm sorry for bringing you up here only for me to reject you."

"You are rejecting me for the moment," he corrected, "You are more than welcome to come back at any point. Besides, the evaluation does not have to stop here. We will avoid the intimate arts, but I can still judge your longer-lasting conversation if you so choose as well as how you do at massage. That way, there will be no need to go over them if you return."

"That sounds perfect."

The huge weight flying off her shoulders made the next hour pass by in seconds. Conversation flowed easily, and her embarrassment at straddling a then shirtless Waylim on the bed was light as he walked her through the basics of relieving tension. A friendly banter grew back and forth between them by the time he and U'chama both escorted her out the front entrance. Lydie walked through the even louder streets with her chest overflowing with relief she teetered on crying. Getting used to working at a brothel would take time and be difficult no matter how certainly she believed she could do it, but there was hope. Plenty enough of it to not fear the coming day anymore. Even if the world sought to stow her past away forever, Lydie would not be at the mercy of Adina's advice. She and Kenth could stay together, and that, more than anything else, was what her heart craved. Lydie thought so merrily of their more defined future that she walked completely oblivious by a highly confused Vertinac. He didn't stop her though, permitting her to reach her room with haste.

"He fell asleep a half hour ago." Mi'in, resting on the bed nearby the crib Kenth slept in, spoke softly when Lydie entered the dimly lit room. She stood as fast she could without making noise, "How did it go?"

"Well, although I don't have a job just yet."

"No?" Mi'in questioned with disappointment.

"They were willing to take me, but I realized I need to explore all my options first. I must wait more to hear of news that might be discovered before I make such a commitment."

"Where did you go?" Mi'in questioned with a suspicious curiosity that left Lydie wondering if she read minds.

"The...the Burden's Respite."

"Well, it's a nice place. They've got a great reputation, and I'm sure they'd treat you right. You had to be nervous though, especially with what happened today."

"Not a great deal to tell you the truth. I simply want to know more of who I am, of the family I have before I try such a line of work. They accepted that reasoning and said I was welcome back when I decided."

"I'm glad to hear of it," Mi'in took her hand and squeezed it, "I want you to find your home, but finding a choice is wonderful news too."

"Yes. However, if you can, please don't mention this to Vertinac. I imagine he'd get upset."

"He's a protective, worry-wart of a giant, you're right. Don't worry. He won't hear a word of it from me." Mi'in flashed her a wink.

"Thank you."

Lydie received a hug, she gave one back, and as soon as the older woman took off Lydie slipped into her nightgown to join Kenth in getting some much deserved rest.