The days following the strange encounter I admit I couldn't get her out of my mind. Stella had shown me a strain and degree of kindness I'd never experienced before, and without anything hinging upon myself or my financial status. Many people, and until then all of my escorts, had only shown much concern for me over what I could provide them financially-- prostitutes showed no regard for me as a person, only a potential paycheck, and others in my life had not been much different. The concern was always how I could pay for something, or how I could fix something, and never about me as just...me.

Of all the people in the world, of all the places I'd been in this region, a genuine interest in my person and my feeling of safety would come from a new type escort. Had her concerns only been about my money she'd have not tried to turn down my requests for company, and only upon my begging did she relent. She knew who I was and was concerned for the safety of herself and her child far more than what my money could bring. It was...so unlike what I might have expected.

Even then, after waking up a couple hours later she was still with me in bed. Her arm was still wrapped around me, holding me close and warm against her front as her snout laid atop my head in a gentle comfort. In previous encounters, whenever I fell asleep post-transaction I always woke up alone. Granted, it was her house, but there was nothing requiring her to stay in bed with me like this. After I got up, she did as well, and we exchanged some awkward morning pleasantries. I paid her very well, both for the sake of the transaction itself and also for the extent she pushed to care for me, but she was apprehensive to accept the full sum. After she realized I was being genuine she reluctantly accepted, my soon leaving the small house to get back to my quarters and hopefully evade any concerned looks from the townspeople or my employees.

As the weekend continued I found a lessened interest in my usual vices, though still partook so I could get to sleep. The following workweek I felt strangely less stressed and volatile, though still very much looked forward to the end of the day, and ultimately the end of the week. Come Friday evening I found myself walking to the tavern, but stopped myself before my hand could open the door. I wasn't sure what came over me, my looking down to my frozen hand as it grasped the handle. Without much thought my grip loosened and released the handle, my hand returning to my coat pocket. Instead I looked just a bit down the dirt road to a particular shop just about to close. I picked up my pace and met the door before the sign could be flipped for the day.

"Mr. Sylvus?" came the clerk. "Did you...need something?"

"I was wondering if I could make a quick purchase before your doors closed for the day," I replied.

"Oh, sure, please feel free to look around," they responded, though with a questioning tilt of the head.

I cautiously made my way inside, looking left and right, here and there, for something that might catch my eye. It couldn't be too over-the-top or flamboyant, that would just be weird and desperate. It also couldn't be too basic or mundane else it would seem cheap and chintzy. The last thing I wanted was to ask for advice and possibly invite intrusive questions.

I finally found something I thought might fit the bill, picking it up and carefully carrying it back with me to the front counter. Upon reaching the counter I asked for a few things kept behind it that I thought would work nicely with my choice. The clerk picked out my requested items and I made my payment, taking everything with me back to my quarters for the time being.

...I hoped this would be nice enough.

When I returned to my inn room I shuffled through my clothing to set something out before taking a quick shower. With my hair and fur nicely, fully cleaned I dried and dressed myself in the clothes I picked-- not much different from my usual getup, but at least not smelling of the day's work. A nice pair of black slacks, a white button-down shirt, and a grey work vest all went together with a burgundy tie. Checking myself in a mirror I took a comb to my damp hair, the teeth pulling through the work stress tangles and knots and leaving behind thick, tidy brown hair. A glimpse into the eyes of my reflection shone an unusual eagerness and delight, a sight I wasn't used to but was happy to behold. I couldn't help but smile to myself a little bit, something I don't think I'd ever done in the past.

I waited around my room for a time, passing the minutes with the newspaper until my hair was dry. By now it was about ten o' clock and plenty dark, so I took my items and left my room behind.

I didn't want to possibly bring attention to my whereabouts and potentially bring with me some malicious interests. This was, after all, an about-face to what I'd always known, and what my employees had always known. Should any of them find out about this, or about the previous week, there'd be much at risk. Stella was right, but...my longing for company - actual, real company - was a force stronger than my original disdain. Given it also seemed stronger than my aversion to risk, perhaps I was only inviting misfortune.

...But once I tasted what I'd been missing, I couldn't help myself.

Stepping out of the inn I took a good look around me, scanning for anyone who seemed particularly interested in my activities. The coast was clear, so I veered into the back roads and kept in the dark, trying my best to stay out of sight and out of mind. The walk this way was much longer, but the night was young and I had plenty of time to spare. After about a half hour I found my destination-- the small, ramshackle house on the northwest edge of town. One more deep look around me and nothing seemed out-of-place, so I quickly made my way to the little porch and gave the door a few light knocks.

From behind the door I heard those familiar, soft footsteps. A few seconds later and the door would open just a crack.

"Yes?" came that gentle voice.

"Stella?" I quietly called.

She must have recognized my voice as the door slowly opened a little farther. Her head poked around the edge as the door continued to open, her bright eyes shining in the moonlight behind me. Stella looked to me with caution, her ears dipped back and body cowering to an extent.

"...Mr. Sylvus?" she confirmed upon seeing me.

"...Morissey," I returned. "I'm...sorry to bother you if you were busy at all."

"No, I'm just...waiting for patrons at this point," she said, still behind the door. "Did you need something?"

"W-Well, um, I had something I wanted to give to you i-if you'd like it," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "And I'd maybe...like some of your company?"

"Um, well...I suppose that's alright," she said, moving aside. "Please come inside."

I stepped past the porch and into her small home, closing the door behind me. She was wearing the same robe as last time and the same soft, but tired expression. Already she was heading toward the bedroom from before.

"W-Wait, I wanted to give you this," I quickly said before she could go farther.

Stella turned around to look back to me, her ears askew and head tilted in confusion. I presented to her the items I purchased earlier this evening-- a narrow-necked white vase topped with three bright pink roses. She was hesitant to take it, but I insisted with an awkward little smile.

"...F-For me?" she asked in disbelief.

I looked aside and gave her a little nod, my shoulders rising at my sides. I wasn't sure how she'd receive such a thing and I'm sure it was strange, but I truly didn't want to cause her any discomfort with my little gift. She looked down to the vase of roses clasped in her hands, seemingly unable to take her eyes off of the bright pink blossoms. When I slowly turned my head to face her again I noticed a few tears trailing down her tired tan-furred face.

"S-Stella?" I stuttered, trying not to panic. "I-I'm sorry if you don't like it, o-or if it's too strange. I just...wanted t-to get you something nice."

"I'm sorry, just..." she quietly said, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her robe, "n-nobody's ever...done anything like that for me."

"I hope I...didn't offend you," I nervously said, slowly turning to face her again. "I-I just wanted to...give you something nice."

"Why...would you e-ever want to, Morissey?"

I felt my ears rake back and my eyes press to a nervous squint. Arguably I wondered the same when I tried to rationalize such a thing, but something about it just...felt right to me, even if my heart didn't line up with my head.

"...I-I'm sorry," I whispered, taking a step back. "I didn't...mean to upset you. I'll go."

I turned back to the door, crestfallen, but was stopped by a hand on my wrist before I could depart the small home. Turning my head Stella had reached for my wrist to stop me, but I couldn't understand why. Given her expression it's likely she was just as confused and conflicted about it as I was, yet still acted upon some impulse, some wave of instinct over conscious thought. After all, she knew who I was, and that knowledge seemed to terrify her.

And, honestly, I can't say I blamed her. The past seven days I'd been really rethinking the things I knew and how I'd paved my way in life. I'd always tried to do the right thing, or at least what I felt was right. Maybe I'd been too narrow-sighted, blind to greater context and implications out of my own biases. These thoughts were...very uncomfortable and shook me at my very foundation, how contrary they were to everything I knew.

Her ears raked back and she turned her gaze aside, but her grasp wouldn't relent.

"...You didn't upset me," she said. "This is all just...very unexpected, and I'm not sure how to feel about it."

"It doesn't...have to mean anything deeper than just a simple gift," I offered, trying to force a little smile.

She sighed, bringing the vase carefully over to the front window sill and setting it where it could be best seen. The bright flowers seemed to light up the otherwise bleak residence, bringing a little color to a room of browns and greys. She stood back to take in the little sight, her ears slowly easing back up to their normal, relaxed position. A slow turn of her head and she looked back over to me, my hands behind my back and giving her a nervous little smile.

"...Did you...intend for it to mean something deeper than that?" she asked, tugging on a lock of her hair.

Though I suppose I should have been, I was not prepared for such a question. I looked down to my side, aimlessly scanning the floor. I picked my brain for some kind of answer, some sort of distraction from the truth, but she only took a step closer. The movement drew my eyes and broke my jumbled train of thought.

"...You understand that I'm a new type, right, Morissey?" she softly said, her hand rubbing and grasping her opposite arm. "N-Not just a new type, but a p...prostitute."

"...I do," I replied. "I'm...aware that you were just doing your job, but...I still appreciated your kindness and understanding, and your concern for my wellbeing. I'm not good at any of this, but...I still wanted to show that it meant a lot to me."

"W...Well, honestly, I...am never considered during the transaction, nor is my company requested after the job is done. Y-You were the...first to consider my comfort and enjoyment, th-the first to...show me affection during, and the first to ask to stay in bed with me just for cuddling. It didn't...feel like a job, even if it was, and it was...nice."

The more she spoke, the warmer my cheeks grew. I couldn't place why or what it meant, exactly.

"I'm...sorry I'm a new--"

"Stella."

Her bright eyes found mine, but her ears fell back in anxiousness. Such a sight just tore at me, like she was waiting for me to yell at or strike her.

"I like you exactly as you are," I finally admitted. "It doesn't...matter to me that you're a new type, or that you're an escort."

She tilted her head in question, unsure of what to say. Her hand just squeezed her arm in response.

"I'm sorry it's...strange, perhaps uncomfortable coming from me," I sighed. "I also understand that we've barely met or come to know each other, and...that's admittedly why I'm here tonight."

"P...Pardon?"

"I want...to get to know you," I choked, bracing for the worst.

"Um, w-well...the room is over here, if--"

"I-I want to get to know you as a person," I reupped. "...As you."

She looked back to me, then back down to the floor. No words seemed to come to her, though given what she was and her current profession I could not blame her at all. Even so, I was being honest, and saying it aloud likely had us both feeling similarly.

"...I'm not sure what to say," she whispered.

"W-Would you be willing to...grant me this?" I shyly proposed.

She stood in silence for a moment, seemingly lost in thought with my proposal.

"...If not, that is also fine," I tried to reassure. "It...wouldn't be my preferred outcome, but I would respect your decision and refrain from coming here in the future. I truly mean no harm or disrespect by my coming here, or by my request."

"...Please give me a moment," she said before disappearing to some other room in the small house.

I tilted my head, unsure where this was going, but still stood in wait for her return. It wasn't long before she did, though nothing seemed different upon her return. She slowly, cautiously walked up to me and took my hand, leading me to the same room as before.

"W-Wait, I--"

She turned her head, her gaze shutting me up and warming my face. I followed her to her room and she closed the door behind us. Before I could parse what was happening she took my coat and set it aside, moving back in to unbutton my vest. I didn't understand what was going on, her expression somehow different from last time.

"S-Stella, please, I don't--"

She tugged my vest down my arms and off my person, going in for my tie next. With hands so close to my throat I tensed up and couldn't speak, but just like last time she was very gentle and conscientious of my throat, carefully pulling the loosened tie up and over my head and placing it on the vest set aside. Strangely, she stopped there and removed her robe, revealing a loose nightshirt and pair of sleep shorts. She set aside her robe next to my discarded clothing, then turned back to the bed.

"...You're welcome to undress further if you want, but I figured this would be more comfortable without the heavier clothing at the very least," she said, stepping over to the bed.

"I-I don't...understand," I responded.

She just lay down upon the bed, looking back over to me with a nervous smile. I wasn't sure what this meant, but so far it didn't seem to be bad. Given she hadn't undressed further she seemed to understand my intention well enough. I did take off my belt and set it aside with my vest and tie, figuring it would be uncomfortable to lie down with.

...Hm.

I turned aside to further remove my undershirt and slacks, folding them and setting them on the floor by my other things. If I were to return to my quarters with unkempt or wrinkled clothing I might elicit some stares or questions I didn't want to deal with. Though it was a little strange to be in her company like this again she didn't seem bothered, my awkwardly rubbing my neck as I stood there in my undergarments.

"S-Sorry, just...I think if I were to head back with messy clothes people might ask questions, and I'd really rather they not," I confessed.

"...I don't mind," she softly said, patting the open spot next to her.

I felt my feet take her invitation, moving me closer to the bed. Before I knew it I was sitting upon the short mattress, near the foot. Though she'd seen even more of me than this it was still...a little nerve-wracking to be here again, albeit no fault of her own. Apparently, however, this would not suffice as she'd sit upright, standing on her knees, and wrap her arms around me with my head against her chest. I don't think my face could get any warmer than this as she gently hugged me, her snout rubbing through my hair.

"Please lie down with me," she whispered into my ear.

I wasn't sure if it was the statement itself or the gentle whispering, but it was difficult to contain my excitement. She released me and lay back down upon the bed, my hesitantly following her example. With me situated she pulled the thick blanket up and over both of us, my body strangely but reflexively scooting closer to my source of comfort. Just like last time she lay above me, her head over mine.

...I couldn't...help but ask.

"...W-Would you be alright if...we ch...changed roles?" I quietly managed to inquire.

"Roles?" she asked further.

"C-Could I, um, h-hold you instead?" I stuttered, unsure how best to phrase this or if it were even worth asking.

Without another word she pushed herself off the bed, moved herself a bit below me, and came closer against my side. I rolled to face her, my arms pulling her closer against my front. She looked unsure about this, but in fairness I likely did, too. I held her close, my eyes slowly and gently closing from the feeling of comfort her warmth and presence brought me.

I'd...never held anyone before, and it was a very strange, surreal experience. She didn't seem to mind as far as I could tell, her own arm wrapped around my ribs just below mine. Without thinking I nuzzled my snout against her head, my nose resting against her long, soft hair. For a short time we just stayed like this, enjoying this odd comfort. I hoped she wasn't just entertaining this for my sake and that she...wanted this as much as I.

"...So," she softly said, her head against my chest, "...what would you like to know?"

---

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