"You bring me to a brothel, fiendling? For a moment I had held some hope that you were not as stupid as the rest of our former companions, but surfacers have proven disappointing again."
Haer'Dalis laughed lightly. "Do not be so hasty, dark dancer. You stand before no ordinary brothel; this is the Brothel of Slaking Intellectual Lusts. I believe someone of your temperament may benefit from such an establishment. Many are the times I have enjoyed companionship here, and 'tis not the first time I have envisioned you gracing it with your presence."
Viconia merely raised an eyebrow.
"Hear me out, dancer. This brothel caters to the mind rather than the body. Sensates come here for training, to better understand their abilities and the planes around them. Can you deny the urge to experience all the multiverse can offer? The Prime is no place for one such as you; boredom dogs your every step. Only in the greatest city in all the planes can you begin to understand the meaning of contentment. And Mistress Grace knows the method."
"What is your point?" the woman demanded. "You are wise to understand my superiority to those who would as soon kill me on sight as take me for their own. Do you claim my life would be any different here?" Her violet eyes flicked across the surrounding streets; her words lacked their normal fire as curiosity threatened to overwhelm her. Fiends and devas passed each other with barely a snarl. Perhaps indeed there was place for one such as her.
"I see Sigil's lure has ensnared you as sure as any hunter's bait. None can resist, Viconia, not even a queen of ice and darkness such as yourself. Shall we enter and determine if there is a place for you within?"
The foyer was canopied in silk and pillows littered both sofa and floor. Patrons wandered the corridors in the distance but Viconia's attention went immediately to the unearthly beautiful succubus with shyly clasped hands. An aura of peace surrounded the fiend and Viconia ignored her instincts to attack, preferring to learn more of this woman.
"I had not expected to see you again, Haer'Dalis. I had heard you gone to the Prime." The woman's voice was melodious and graceful and Viconia found herself warming to her; it was a struggle to keep her stance neutral.
The tiefling bowed, his normal cocky grin present. "The Prime holds no sway over your smile, Mistress Grace. You are the entropy which seeks to unmake me and I embrace it readily."
Grace permitted a smile which did not quite reach her eyes, though her tone was amused. "Few have the skill to bring a spark of happiness these days, but I can always count on you, sparrow. Please, let us play these games no more and tell me what I can do for you and your friend." She nodded at Viconia and the drow flushed slightly, glad her skin concealed such weakness.
"Ah, ever the serious one, my infernal temptress. You speak the right of it, though. I had thought to seek shelter for a soul unjustly persecuted in her cruel mockery of a home." He gestured to his companion. "Lady Viconia has but recently escaped the trials of a war between god-children and seeks a new life away from such troubles. I was only too happy to provide such an opportunity. Your miraculous business was the first place I thought of to house such an ebony goddess."
He was about to go on when Grace raised a hand. As if rebuked, Haer'Dalis fell silent, though his smile remained. "Dear one, I see the pain you have travelled through to come here. It is one I am well acquainted with, as are most that dwell here. I cannot deny any such asylum, though I will not force you to enter into employment unless such is your wish. Perhaps you would enjoy a tour of the premises before committing to such a lifestyle. Nordom!" The succubus clapped and a modron fluttered into the room, gears and cogs whirling and spluttering. "Please show the Lady Viconia around our home."
"Affirmative." Viconia allowed herself to be led by the strange creature further into the hall, taking one last glance at the winged woman.
Haer'Dalis waved a farewell and called a promise to visit soon. Watching Fall-from-Grace as he left, he vowed that if nothing else were true, he would indeed return to the brothel soon…and as often as possible.