"You asked to see me goddess?"

"Yes Aisha, please make yourself comfortable." Ishtar held a glass of wine in one hand and beckoned Aisha to take a seat with the other.

Aisha stiffly stepped forward and sat down.

"Making youself comfortable seems to be causing you some difficulty."

"It's not every day that one of my rank is asked to see you goddess. And… I'm not exactly dressed for the occassion."

"Oh? I think the little black dress and gloves are lovely. I take it you came from an event?"

"Yes. They had a dress code."

"Perfect then. It's always good to seek out new horizons. Have you thought about growing out your hair? I think it would suit you, if you intend to frequent such venues."

"I'm working on it."

"I don't think you need to be too concerned about looking a little out of place from time to time, Aisha. It fits with what I've heard about you being arrogant and headstrong."

"Do you consider those positive qualities, goddess?"

"They can be. From what your colleagues tell me, you manage to do it without stepping on too many toes. With the exception of Phyrene of course." Ishtar finished her glass and gestured to a serving girl for a refill. Aisha hadn't seen the girl before, a small, golden haired renard in an elaborate pink kimono that had probably seen better days. The girl looked away timidly when Aisha made eye contact.

"I will have to apologize to her."

The renard receded into the background. Aisha paid her little attention.

"Don't make insincere apologies. If Phyrene hates someone, I usually take it as a sign they have beauty and talent and ambition. So you have most of the traits I look for in my confidants."

"What other traits are you looking for, goddess?"

Ishtar placed her glass down, leaned forward and smiled. "Loyalty and reliability."

"Don't all gods inspire such traits in all their children?"

"Oh far less than you'd think."

After a long pause, Aisha spoke.

"What would you have me do?"

"Haruhime." Ishtar called to the renard girl, who awkwardly hurried back to her master's side. "A little bird tipped me off that she would be coming up for auction. What do you think?"

"She's a little young."

"How old do you think she is?"

"I would have guessed about twelve."

"She's actually fourteen, thought between being from the far east and her timidness, you'd be hard pressed to tell. How much do you know about renards?"

"Just that they're from the far east, they look like her, and they can be powerful magic users."

"Exactly."

"You think she might have use as a sorcerer?"

"She might. So I don't want anyone poking around her too much. Which is where you come in."

"You want me to be her bodyguard?"

"If necessary. But I aim to have few questions asked about her to begin with. So she'll work alongside the rest of you." Ishtar noticed a twitched from Aisha. "Is something wrong?"

"She's… a little different from the other girls I've shown the ropes. Aren't there people better suited to training her?"

"You can ask a brothel with a far eastern aesthetic to teach her client service. I'll pay for it. I want you to mentor her and keep an eye on her." Ishtar left her glass on the table, picked up her pipe and leaned back. "But that's not your only worry, is it?"

"I can't lie to you, goddess." Aisha took a deep breath. "She's the same age my sister was when I left home. That gives me mixed feelings about this."

"Understandable. I'm glad you are so candid with me." Ishtar inhaled deeply. "She doesn't need to debut right now. Her 15th birthday would be fine, and that's nearly a year away. Do you think you can do it?"

This time, Aisha stayed still. "I'll make sure of it."

"Excellent. I look forward to your results. Haruhime, you may go with her." The renard bowed to Ishtar, then turned to Aisha, her eyes expectant, her hands clutched in front of her.

Aisha rose to her feet. Haruhime, more than a head shorter but for her ears, looked up at her.

"Hello Haruhime. My name is Aisha."

Aisha waited for a reply. The renard nodded.

"I look forward to working with you."

Another nod.

"Do… do you want to go?" Aisha stuttered a little.

This time the renard hesitated. Ishtar laughed and got up.

"Well, you two look like you'll have a productive partnership. Keep me posted." The goddess slipped out of the room. Aisha clenched and unclenched her hands.

"Haruhime…"

Aisha watched the renard give her a perplexed expression.

"Can you speak?"

"Ye… yes." The renard stuttered.

"I was starting to wonder."

"I understand."

Aisha clenched her jaw.

"Do you think I'm an idiot, Haruhime?"

"N….No."

"Then don't make me look like one." The renard cowered under her glare. "Come with me. And try to keep up."

Aisha turned and walked out the door. As she entered the concourse, she hit a fast stride. It was mere seconds before she heard a crash behind her and spun furiously.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm sorry, Lady Aisha. I can't…"

"Get up." Aisha glared daggers at any bystander unlucky enough to be caught staring. The renard picked herself up and dusted herself off.

"Sit. We're going to talk."

Haruhime obediently knelt on the floor.

"I meant find a chair." Aisha began to pace her quarters. "…Or don't. Actually, you can stay right there."

"Y…yes."

"How many times did you fall, Haruhime?"

"F…four."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a k… klutz."

"Oh, so it's not because I was going too fast?"

"Yes."

"You're a terrible liar."

Aisha walked over to a table and reached for a bottle of wine. As she did, she heard a noise behind her and turned on Haruhime.

"Didn't I tell you to stay there?!"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." The renard girl looked like she was going to cry as she stepped back and knelt in front of Aisha again.

"Why?"

The renard stared at her blankly.

"I'm asking why you didn't stay."

Haruhime's ears flattened.

"I… I thought I could be useful. Lady Ishtar allowed me to pour her wine…"

"I don't need a stupid brat to pour wine for me." Aisha paused. "…you seemed less stiff around the goddess than me. Why?"

"Lady Ishtar has been very kind to me."

"Do you realize what she intends to do with you?"

"I… I was there for your entire conversation."

"And you understood it?"

"Y-yes."

"Then what am I supposed to do with you?"

"You are supposed to guard me and make sure I am ready for my first customer on my 15th birthday."

Aisha began to shake as she spoke in a low, menacing voice.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you okay with this you stupid brat?"

Haruhime opened her mouth, but hesitated.

"I asked why you're okay with this you stupid brat!" Aisha reached out and seized Haruhime's ears, only to release them at the sight of the younger girl cowering before her.

"Please don't touch them, Lady Aisha. I'm a renard. It… it really hurts if you're too rough."

"I just want an answer, Haruhime."

"It's… it's because I have been so very lucky today."

"Don't lie to me, Haruhime."

"Can… can I have a moment?"

"If you need to collect your thoughts, that's fine with me."

Haruhime looked up at Aisha, then averted her eyes. She repeated the process several times. When Aisha reached for the wine bottle again, she began to shake.

"W…When I woke up this morning, I expected to be shown to many men, and that by the end of the day one of them would buy me and rape me, perhaps repeatedly." Haruhime was still looking at the floor, but it didn't hide that she was about to choke up. Then, she looked up at Aisha, tears obvious on her face. "I… I was the luckiest girl there."

Aisha couldn't keep eye contact. "Are you the only one Lady Ishtar bought, Haruhime?"

"I…I think so."

"Come here Haruhime."

Haruhime hesitated, then stood and approached Aisha, who suddenly leaned forward and embraced her, causing the renard to squirm. Aisha pressed the side of her face against Haruhime golden hair, where the younger girl couldn't see her own reddened eyes.

"Lady Aisha?"

"I know I'm going to regret asking this, but were you the youngest one there, Haruhime?"

"M…Most of the other girls were older than me." Haruhime sobbed. "But… I got to know the younger girls more. They're the only ones that seemed to like me."

"Why was that?"

"Everyone seemed to think I'd receive special attention from the buyers because I'm a renard and have golden hair. The younger girls, they didn't resent me for it. They thought I might be good luck, especially after I told them my name."

"Haruhime?"

"Y…yes. I told them that in the language of my homeland, it means "spring princess"."

Aisha winced. "I can see why that might play better with the younger girls. Just… just don't go thinking you're in too much of a fairy tale here. I'll try to help you as best I can, but if Lady Ishtar says you're to be sold on your 15th birthday, well…"

"She is a goddess. I understand."

Aisha finally let go of the renard and stepped back.

"I'm sorry I scared you. And about the ears, okay?"

"It's alright, Lady Aisha."

There was an awkward silence.

"Did your parents sell you?"

"My father disowned me for eating an offering one of his guests intended to offer to an important god we served. The guest took custody of me as payment. When we were attacked by monsters he… left me to fend for myself. I was rescued by bandits, and their associates brought me here."

"You don't seem like the kind of girl who would eat an offering."

"I had been sleepwalking."

"You've got to kidding me. Have you always been a klutz?" Aisha finally poured her glass of wine.

"It's worse if I'm nervous."

Aisha held out the wine glass.

"This can calm the nerves. Though I usually avoid drinking before going to see a client. Tonight's an exception."

Haruhime didn't react.

"I guess that drinking might not be the best solution for an anxious fourteen year old girl."

"Some of the men I travelled with wanted me try their wine. There was a woman always put a stop to it."

"That's… good of her, I guess. Did she help you a lot?"

"She would always help me when I was scared. Well… usually."

"Wasn't there for you when you really needed it?"

"When I was going to be sold, I told her I was scared. She… gave me a pat on the head and told me to be a good girl."

"You had trusted her up to that point?"

"I did, yes."

"You're a bit of an idiot aren't you, Haruhime?"

"Well…"

"I guess after all you've been through, I shouldn't make fun of you for being naïve." Aisha cut her off. "Look, there's a limit to how much I can help considering my position here, but if you come to me… I'll at least try and be better to you than she was, okay?"

"I understand. Thank you, Lady Aisha."

"I need to go meet a client soon. Won't be back until late. Tomorrow, we'll have to find you a less childish kimono so the other girls won't make fun of you… what's wrong?" Aisha had noticed Haruhime shuffle uncomfortably.

"This… this is one of the few possessions I still have from home." Haruhime gestured to the kimono.

"How old is it?"

"It's a ceremonial piece that was given to me on my eleventh birthday."

"No wonder if doesn't fit you well. You can keep it, but I'd be embarrassed to have you wear something you've so obviously outgrown around a client."

"T…Thank you. You're very kind, Lady Aisha."

"Do you have any other requests before I go?"

"Can I sleep with you tonight? Just the same room is fine."

"I'm not going to be back until who knows what hour. Children shouldn't be up so late."

"I'm not a child."

"No, I guess you aren't anymore. But at least try and sleep before I get home."

"I will, Lady Aisha."

"Is there anything else?"

Haruhime shuffled awkwardly.

"I… I'm embarassed to ask."

"Spit it out. I can deal with it."

"Can I call you onee-chan?"

Aisha stared at her blankly. "What?"

"In my homeland, it's an affectionate way to call someone "big sister"."

Aisha held a hand to her forehead.

"I'm not your sister."

"You're kind of like one."

Aisha sighed.

"Fine. But only when we're alone okay? I don't want the others thinking you have anything but the utmost respect for me."

"Thank you, onee-chan."