[center] Orsini, Pariah District [/center]

The sun shone in Orsini. The sky was clear, the starlings were chirruping, the wind was a meagre breeze and the streets were filled with people.

Of course, it was the Market and Pleasure districts that everyone had decided to visit. The Arsenal was full of the sounds of clashing steel and cries of pain as someone inevitably took their training too far, the Arcane region had nothing but scholars, who decided to study outside their church-like schools rather than in the mournful, silent halls and the Workers district had decided to hold a Farmer's Market.

Only one section of the city-state held its characteristic silence, as only the occasional walker went through the quiet, tree-covered district - the aptly named Pariah District.
Under the shadow of the trees, in the silence of one of the many graveyards, two men and two women kneeled next to a gravestone. Three were Pariahs, their dull robes blending seamlessly with the dirt tracks and grey headstones. The fourth was wearing similiar robes, but in a light leaf-green.

"L'estreme unzione, cherub." Girus murmered softly "Requiescat in pace"

The stone was a new one, an eight-year old girl who had been butchered whilst out walking. The killer was human, who managed to set three new records with his crime - the first human to commit a crime in Orsini in fifty years, the first man convicted of an Obscene crime in over a hundred and quite possibly the first to to commit two Obscene crimes ever. He had confessed almost instantly, and laughed as he boldly told his jailors that he was proud of what he did and would do it again if he had a second chance.

Girus sighed as he remembered the execution, held publicly in the Arsenal. His laughter quickly turned to screams as Arabella neutered him in front of a cheering crowd, and Aggrippa had tested a new type of venom on him. Monsters like him didn't deserve a merciful, quick death, Girus thought, especially since what he did was done to one not old enough to moult her first feather.

He remembered the pain of the funeral that he had to put on and attend, the tears of the family who had lost their only child. It was not a religious affair - the family wanted it to be an intimate, fond occasion, where they could say goodbye to their girl in peace.

He didn't know the family - never did. Yet they poured their hearts out to the young man, telling him of her fondness for music, her lovely singing and gentle nature. The mother was especially tearful, as the last thing she ever said to her daughter was "make sure to be back by seven".

He had listened politely. Sometimes, all heartache needs is a good listener, and Girus had a very good ear. But sometimes, you need to go a bit further. Which was exactly why Girus was here now. The girl had never received her last rites - an issue the Pariahs had to clear up.

"Rest in peace, little angel." He sighed, standing up. He was done - done with the rites, done with the graveyard, done with Orsini. He needed a break just for a couple of days. He didn't care where he went, just so long as he got out of the ever-morbid graveyards that dominated his slice of the city.

"Sheesh, kid, you're really the life and soul of the party, huh?"said a familiar voice behind him. The Pariahs hadn't even moved, despite the fact they could have heard the visitor coming a mile away. They probably knew who it was, which was just as well - if they had been wrong, they wouldn't have recognised a threat until it was too late.

"Good morning, Artemis" Girus responded quietly, not even turning around.
Hunter bristled "Gir, you know I hate being called that"
"I never understood why. Artemis is such a nice name."
"Not to me, little guy." Hunter laughed, before growing serious "Anyway, enough chit-chat. I'm here on business ."
"Oh. Well, what can we help you with?"
"Actually, I was hoping to speak with you in private. Is that alright?"
The Pariahs looked at Girus with pleading eyes. He smiled and waved them on "Go on. Enjoy yourselves"
There was cheering, bringing a bit of spirit to the otherwise lifeless graveyard. Then it was just Hunter and Girus amongst the rows of headstones.

"Man, I bet they were just dying to get out of here, huh?" Hunter punned, grinning widely "Oh, come on, Gir, that was funny! "
"W-what was it you needed to talk about, Hunter?" Girus blushed. He hadn't thought his guards had been that bored, but it seemed like they were, as Hunter had put it, dying to get out of his company. Was he really that uninteresting?

"You look cute when you blush" Hunter smirked, which served only to enhance the red in the younger Pariah's cheeks. "Yeah, so, as I was saying, you know how Raelyn's gone out of town for a few days, and Arabella stepped in to help keep the Market running. Well, she asked if you could help her run the Pleasure District."

"What?!" Girus squeaked - yes, actually squeaked - his normally pale face now with two bright red tomatoes where his cheeks should be "Me, running a bordello? I couldn't!"
"Come on, little guy, we need you. So you see a few girls in their underwear. Big whoop. It's nothing you haven't seen before, right?"
Silence. Girus scuffed the ground softly, head bent.
"Not even accidentally? You've never walked into the Pariah's rooms whilst they've been changing or something?"
The softest of whimpers.
"Well, consider it an experience. Come on, you can do it! Its just like looking at them normally but with less clothes on."
"But...But..."
"No buts. I'm sure Arabella picked you for a reason. You've got everything a bordello owner needs - you've talked to people on intimate matters before, you lead the Pariahs well enough, you're good-looking"
Not to mention weak, submissive and shy, Hunter thought, but kept to herself.

Girus was about to decline, but started thinking. What would happen if he said no? Arabella would struggle keeping both areas afloat and he would sit here and stare at tombs all day. Maybe this was the change of scenery he needed

"Alright. I'll do it" he said in a barely audible whisper. Hunter heard him, though, and swept him up in a big hug.
"Aww, yeah! That's my Gir! I swear, I could kiss you."
The Pariah sighed. What had he just let himself in for?