lease papers are no easier for a harlett. open.

[EVE "MINOU" BASSET]

It had been a long day, a really long day. Not only had more customers come in that day rather than weekends, but the customers wanted something more expensive than her usual display of women. Business would be much better if she still had the Jewish ladies that were once part of her line up, but of course, the Germans had swept them up along with all of the business opportunities associated. Now Eve had to recruit more girls, but these days, that was tough.

Her mind wandered back the those ol' days, back in France with her mother and father, when her father was alive. While he was the writer, their lifestyle was perfect, even her mother did not have to work and they lived in a beautiful house. Some questions surrounded her mother as to Eve's true father, but all in all, her father still loved her mother very much and they lived happily. After he became ill and passed away, her mother had to work hard to keep the two stable until her step father came along and swept them off to America. It had been quite a different experience and Eve enjoyed America, but she always had a place in her heart for Paris.

Now that she was back, wealthy and had her own means of living, it seemed she longed for her second home in America. It was so war-bound here, so many things were going wrong, but it was not like Eve to just pack up her suitcase and leave, she was quite the tough lady. Word had been passed around through gentile tongues, tongues who knew when to shut when speaking to the Germans, that she had room for some war refugees, but it was so risky these days.

Her downstairs had been made for those who asked for her help. Originally, she did not want a basement, but at the time, it was safer until she earned more money, so she and a couple of her girls lived down there and worked upstairs. When she had the money to build more, she built up and made rooms available downstairs for rent. Now that the war was going on outside, she simply lent it out.

Tonight was not the night to venture down and see who was down there at the moment, tonight was time for some wine. She wore a robe over her undergarments, a white robe to be exact and her hair, while still curly, currently lacked the volume it had held earlier in the day, but it still hung quite well from her head. The kitchen was in a different part, in fact, the stairs to the basement was well hidden in the pantry but she did not feel much like opening it. Instead, she opened her wine, sat down at the table and began to hum a little tune while taking a few sips, reviewing the paperwork around her building's lease.

[DIMITRI LUKA GRIGORI]

France was such a strange country. He didn't understand any of their customs, but it was similar to Russia's. He was content here in France, but what he really wanted was to find the Germans and complete his mission. He couldn't do that until found the right opputunity. So for now he spent his days here in France, wandering the streets, looking at the strange new faces, speak their strange new language. Dimitri almost felt lonely and out of place, but he had been many places so this was nothing new to him. So here he was now, wandering the streets and looking for something to do to pass the day away. The air was still, but laced with a gentle breeze. The weather was calm with no sign of chill. Something he was accustomed to back in Russia. It seemed brighter and different here in France.

He wandered the streets and came upon a strange building. he couldn't read, let alone understand the name. But something about it's atmosphere seemed foreign to him. He walked toward the front door and looked around. Those who were on the streets with him, simply passed by the building as if it wasn't even there. Dimitri stared at the door, confused for a moment. Then he knocked on the door, stepping back and placing his hands in the pocket of his pants. He reached one hand up and ran it through his hair. He should've known French, but it never sunk in. As many languages that were nailed into his head, French never stuck. Oh how his Uncle would be so proud. He wracked his brain, trying to dscipher the name of the building. He stared at the name, reading it over again, slowly. He used his lessons and then his eyes widened in understanding.

He didn't back out, knowing now what the building was. He was still curious and bored out of his mind. he kept his guard up just in case. There was nothing wrong with him being there. It was fairly normal for anyone to show up around here. he waited outside, clad in a black button up shirt, black pants and shoes and a grey jacket. His hair as messy as usual. His cold grey eyes, watched the door, waiting for it to open. Not really knowing who to expect to come to answer his knock.

[EVE "MINOU" BASSET]

Minou continued to thumb through all of the papers, trying to figure out when her next payment would be due, the girls had been profiting quite well. Most of them were asleep, they were finished for their shifts after all and it was getting late. Tulip, the youngest (eighteen and legal) employee was pacing around her room, it was located directly above the kitchen after all and Minou could hear the ceiling creak with every step Tulip took.

Another sound made it's way through the brothel, a knock on the door. Minou sighed and got up, gathering the pages in a neat pile before she left them and walked towards the door. In order to stay modest, she was no common hooker, she pulled her robe over her body to ensure there was nothing revealing about her current outfit. The girls knew the drill, when someone was not scheduled and there was a knock on the door, it usually meant the Nazis and each girl went back into their room to lie down until they searched the area.

Minou peeked out of the peephole to see who was outside when she saw an unfamiliar face scanning the words printed above the door. At first he looked confused, but it definitely showed when he realized where he was, still, he did not leave. Curious. He could possibly just be hungry, whether for food or body, Eve did not know but she would answer him never the less.

Slowly, the door creaked open and Minou looked outside and scanned him quickly. He did not look like a threat, but then again, looks can be deceiving. "Sorry, we are closed," she said in perfect French before translating in German, in case he was a Nazi. He was young and did not look like he would cause the girls any harm if he were to enter at this hour. Plus, any man would be an absolute fool if they thought that the girls were so innocent and helpless.

"Come inside before you tell me your business, I have a glass of wine I would like to finish," she said in French before turning back to the kitchen. On her way to the wine, she translated into German. It was essential to know some languages of those she had to service, some men want to be lied to in their own language, so Eve knew French, English, German and even a few phrases in Italian. She returned with the bottle, her glass and another, just in case. It may be a brothel but it was respectable and she was a good hostess.

[DIMITRI LUKA GRIGORI]

Dimitri waited a bit longer, wondering why he had stayed around after knowing what the building was. His curiousity and restlessness kept him there, he figured. He went to turn away when the door opened, revealing a brunette woman in a robe. He stopped in his tracks and turned to face her, bowing to her which was a gesture that had been pounded into his head from a young age. It came with growing up with royal blood. She had spoken him in two languages. First French, then backing it up with German. This confused, though he knew both languages. He figured she though he was German or a Nazi. He nodded and cleared his throat.

"I understand, but I was only just passing by. I did not mean to disturb you, I just couldn't control my curiosity." He answered, in French, to prove he was not a Nazi. The woman seemed cautious of him and he understood her fear. He nodded again and followed her into the building, he looked around. The room was still and tense. "I mean you all no harm, I'm just a lonesome traveler. I am just passing through as I said before." He said, looking right at the woman. he wondered if he could trust her enough to reveal who he truly was. But he kept playing the French loner card, just in case. He hoped she beleved that he was German, let alone a Nazi. he didn't want her to fear him by assuming he was such an awful man. He kept his eyes locked on hers, hoping to make her believe his intentions were pure.

He watched her, making no attempt to sit down unless invited to do so. He knew how to be polite and respectful. He knew now wasn't a good time to bother anyone. Since the brothel was obviously closed. "I must take my leave, I have bothered you long enough and I'm sure you are quite busy and want to rest. So i'll leave you alone and be on my way." He announced in French, sounding slightly rough and accidently letting his Russian accent bleed through only slightly. He mentally cursed himself for that and bowed again, heading for the door. He placed his hand on the knob, pausing only for a moment to see if she protested his depart. He pulled his hand away and ran it through his dirt colored hair, cold, grey eyes flickering back to look at the woman.

He was well aware of his imposition on her establishment, but now that he was inside, his cuirosity grew more. It was a normal male reaction, being in the place he was in. He quitely cleared his throat, lightening his cold stare and looked at the door again, gripping the doorknob, this time opening the door. "I'll just be on my way." He said, taking one step out the door, then glances back at her, wondering if she'd protest or let him go.

[/blockquote]

[EVE "MINOU" BASSET]

The young one entered and seemed at a loss for words. All he could say was that he would take his leave but the facial expression he held and the pauses between each action meant that he had something else on his mind. Perhaps he would want an appointment, perhaps he thought he was cute enough to ignore the rules, perhaps he was an ally and needed somewhere to stay for the night. No matter what it was, it was a good idea to figure out what he wanted, Minou hated surprises.

Before she could speak up though, she caught his slight accent, but unfortunately was unable to place it. He spoke French, but she knew every French accent and did not recognize his, it was from somewhere quite different, but who knew from where. It did not sound like a German accent, but he could be another axis party member. Who the hell was he? "You know, it's rather rude to enter and then leave without a proper introduction," she said, putting down her glass so she could fill another one for him. Whatever age he was, he could enjoy some fantastic wine.

After she had poured it, she put down the wine bottle, picked up her glass and approached the foreigner, the glass she poured for him extended in her grasp for him to take. "Since you do not seem like you are from France, enjoy some French hospitality and at least tell me your name," she spoke softly, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. Honestly, he could tell her that he was from Australia and she would believe him, she had no clue where he was from. Still, she could not have him introduce himself without introducing herself first.

"I am Minou, if you are here for business. Off the clock, you can call me Eve," she said, taking a sip of her wine. She wanted to at least wait until he accepted so she could close the door and lock it, it was not safe to have your door wide open, not in this town. The last time she left her door unlocked, the Nazis burst in and pulled her Jewish ladies from their beds to take them out to the truck outside. While this may be full of prostitutes, at least they acted proper, dressed well, had good hygiene and enjoyed rich dinners and fine wine. Minou's girls were known as the 'high class prostitutes'. Sending the girls off to be treated like that in the concentration camps was a mistake, they were too fragile for it. While Minou did not house any Jewish ladies as part of her line up any more, she sure as hell did not want any going into her pantry and down the stairs to find anyone she had hiding down there.

[DIMITRI LUKA GRIGORI]

Dimitri felt as if he was being rude, considering how he made a first impression. He stepped away from the door and walked back over to her. Taking the offered glass of wine and raised it to his lips, trying not to wrinkle his nose. He downed it, turning his head to hide the face he made from liquid's sweet taste. Dimitri wasn't used to this drink, he was used to only the strong, throat burning, Vodka. He set the glass back down and cleared his throat. "I am sorry for my actions. I have forgotten my manners." He replied, this time in rough English. He knew he couldn't hide his accent much when he spoke English. He was fine with any other language besides English and French.

He nodded after hearing her name. "Beautiful name." he spoke calmly, a smirk appearing on his lips. He resorted to speaking only English, mimicking what she did to him. It was obvious she was a French woman, he had known that by now. He wanted her to see that he meant no harm. "My name is Elliot" He said, bowing his head, speaking in a pefect French accent, hoping to convince her. "I am merely a loner without a place to stay." He added, keeping up the act. He didn't want to tell her who he really was, since he didn't trust her. She might've been French, but she could have been an informant or have some link to the Axis powers, or even the Nazis.

"I have nowhere to sleep tonight and in my search, I stumbed upon this place." He said, looking around, spreading his arms to emphasize his words. He smirked, hoping she didn't see through his act. "If you will not take me in, I'll just move on to somewhere else." He finished, looking right at her, using his eyes to convince her. Giving her his best lost puppy look. He stayed where he was until he was invited to sit, he looked around the house, wondering where the girls were, then remembered what time of day it was and looked back at Eve, biting his lip, keeping the innocent wanderer act up, just in case.

ooc: sorry it's so short

[/blockquote]

[EVE "MINOU" BASSET]

Suddenly, he changed his language to English. Here in Europe, English was a very risky language to speak as the only two countries that spoke it in the war were Americans and British. He did not look like any American she had ever seen and he did not have the correct accent. Also, he could not be British, British had a way of flowing their words together rather poetically, like it was a beautiful language. He had to be something else. Perhaps Austrailian? Canadian? What was he?

It was not polite to ask what country he was from, not in this era. Still, he gave her a name: Elliot, some kind of poet's name, and he did not look like any kind of poet. Maybe an actor? Chosing to ignore who he was for the moment or what he was here for, she listened closely to what he needed at the time. "If you wish to stay somewhere, you would have had better luck at a hotel rather than a brothel," she said, analyzing his situation. The only people who stayed away from hotels were people that did not wish to be caught by anyone. Still, he could have gone to a hostel, he was young enough.

"Business-wise, we do not house anyone here for fear that something would happen to one of my girls. Yet, you seem rather different than any German, French, Italian, British, Austrian, or even American that I have ever met, so which one are you?" she asked, turning to her instincts to discover whether he was friend or foe.

"We do have space available, but you must either pay or have the same cause as many of my girls have," she raised an eyebrow and got up. Tulip, who knew the score, had come downstairs and positioned herself at the door. "Do not fret, my friend, this is our own form of protection. If you are Nazi and here to search my place, please do so while I stand with you instead of while I sleep. If you are against the Nazi party, I suggest you tell us now so I can decide what to do about security," she said, nodding to Tulip.

The way she said what she said could either mean that she warned him that being a Nazi was a good thing or a bad thing, she clouded the way that she said it. Still, her girls were set up so that if he was lying and he was a Nazi, they could dispose of him, so it was safe to speak whatever it was she needed to say, they would deal with him in her own way. "Are you friend or foe?" Still, she could not say what she was, what if he told her he was an ally after she admitted she was, then she would not be sure. This way, he had to say what he was and by God, she hoped he was an ally.