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She's twenty-three, and this is Audrey's first visit to the Rose Bowers. A two week stay, complimentary through her government job on Arcbright. She's alone.
She's heard stories of the Rose Bowers, of the unrestrained hedonism that's its stock in trade, and its matchmaking, which is reputed to be excellent.
She comes in with trepidation in her heart. Her suitcase rattles as it bumps over the threshold.
"Hey, this is Audrey. I... We ended things on the wrong foot last time, and I'd like to apologize. I'm in a gazebo in the gardens. Could you come over for chocolates, tea and... Maybe another session? If you want to?"
She throws on her dress and orders tea and biscuits and chocolates. And another table to hold it all.
She sets it up neatly and cuddles back into a pile of blankets on the comfy couch.
Kumi comes around a few minutes later. She's wearing an elaborate dress with a sash tied in back. It looks like it was a royal pain to get on.
"Um, hello," says Audrey, sitting up from her pillow drift. "The things are right here, pull up a chair if you'd like."
Kumi smiles, and sits in a suddenly-appearing chair. She helps herself to a chocolate.
"Alright. You said you had an apology, let's hear it."
"I, um... I'm sorry for kicking you out of my bed because I felt dirty because you were an escort. I... for one thing I ought to have been more self-consistent, to either use you happily or not use you at all. And I was wrong to take out my bad feelings on you. Your job is hard enough. And... you were good to me, and I didn't repay that at all."
"... A little condescending, but better than some I've heard," the kitsune notes matter-of-factly. "You didn't use me, you used my services. Trust me, there is a difference."
"... no, I'm pretty sure I used you. I led you on and then dumped you when I got what I wanted, isn't that textbook using?"
"You didn't 'lead me on.' You asked if you could use my services, I accepted. There was no false representation there. You were rude, but you didn't lie to me."
Kumi pours herself some tea. "Because I want you to understand your error, dear."
"And you rather still aren't addressing the point, which is that you feel dirty for having sex with me because I'm an escort, yes?"
"Don't be. Okay, no, do be a little, but - we can't help how we're raised. You're whorephobic. Happens. You should probably get therapy for that."
"No, just disappointed. Most of my clients see me as subhuman to some degree. You're just not an exception."
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