Twenty-Second Negotiations; Dictated

[succubitch]

It seems strange, thinking I've been here for a year now. I'll give this place credit where it's due though, things are never boring here. [In some ways she wishes it had been. Between Wesley choosing the Texas twig and everything that's happened with Damon, she can't say it's really been a great year for her. Not that she'd ever admit as much out loud.]

Once again I can't help but this it's rather convenient that time doesn't pass at home while we're stuck here. If I had really been gone for a year, the Senior Partners would be ready to take my head. [It sounds like she's joking here. She's not.] They've never been fans of unexpected vacations.

[She pauses and debates saying anything else, and then decides against it. Instead she closes up the book and heads to the Lux for a drink.]

Comments

[succubitch]

I work for them.

[heloise]

[ Work? Here's assuming you're a courtesan, Lilah. ]

You must be a woman of great--skill then, for them to need you so.

[succubitch]

[A courtesan would be much more honorable that her actual profession. There's no honor in being a lawyer. Not that she cares.]

You have no idea. I'm one of the best they have.

[heloise]

I have no doubt.

My mother is most illustrious in Rome, but the trade must have changed in five centuries.

[succubitch]

...I think, perhaps, we are talking about different professions.

[heloise]

Are we? [ Does that mean Lilah is a nun? ]

What is it do you do?

[succubitch]

[Oh. She is so far from being a nun it's not funny.]

I'm a lawyer.

[heloise]

A lawyer? [ Sounding so surprised. ]

A woman can become a lawyer, in your time?

[succubitch]

They can. [An amused chuckle.] What did you think I was?

[heloise]

[ Awkward pause. ] A cortigiana, or a nun.

[succubitch]

A nun? That's a new one. [Don't worry, she's more amused than anything else.]

[heloise]

I did not mean to offend. A woman could only be so many things, in my time, and I made my assumptions.

[succubitch]

An understandable ones. I'm not offended. You'd know if I was. [She's been accused of being much worse things in her time.]

[heloise]

[ She makes a pleased noise. ]

Was it difficult learning to become a lawyer?

[succubitch]

It wasn't easy. It took a lot of hard work and time.

[heloise]

How impressive. And, have you found it satisfying?

[succubitch]

Very much so. Back home, my work is my life.