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[i]Two Days Ago[/i]

The room was decked out in an ultra-modern style that screamed both "I have money" and "I do not have taste". Money does not buy a sense of style, after all. The room was straight out of a furniture catalog that any wealthy tycoon could throw at his secretary and tell them to buy it. However, one was not here to judge style (though if she could make that into a career she would have a lucrative side-gig). She was here to listen, please, and provide comfort where comfort drained out years ago.

Varuq Ginovese. Some channels refer to him as the "up-and-coming playboy billionaire" and others call "the washed-up third son still trailing after his brothers". The Ginovese family is a wealthy one on Osiris. They have their hands dipped in many pockets in various sectors, not all of which are on the up and up. Again, she is not here to judge. Varuq is the youngest sibling who made a name for himself in the technology sector. His family, oddly enough, rarely touched technology in terms of business, instead preferring trade and travel. Varuq wanted to set himself apart from his family, especially his elder brothers, both of whom were married with children and successful businesses on their own. So successful that they were able to manage all dealings from their own homes so they could stay with their partners and children. Varuq is still young so he still has time. At least, that is what he tells himself in the mirror after he wakes up in the morning, usually with a woman or man in his bed, still asleep from the alcohol and drugs from the night before.

This exchange was different. This was the first time Varuq hired a companion. He heard about them, of course. One does not run in elite circles without hearing about companions and their famed skills. But Varuq was also not one to take the easy way out. He still aimed to prove himself. To show everyone he can handle his affairs.

Needless to say, he didn't and couldn't.

So in the ultra-modern room of his penthouse suite, with the light of the sun slowly dipping over the crest of the city as the morning slept and the night awoke, Quill sat on one of the chairs that looked like it would be comfortable but, in reality, made the person wish they never sat in it in the first place. Decked out in a silver dress that cut just above the middle of her thigh. Enough to catch interest, but not too much. Her hair was in a slick updo. She kept her make-up simple, enough to highlight the parts of her face she knew Varuq would be interested in (her eyes. Varuq liked other things on her body, but those did not need to be accentuated). A glass of wine in her right hand, barely drunk. She did not need alcohol inhibiting her.

Varuq sat on his bed, his button-down shirt open to reveal a broad chest and muscles. His own glass of wine was nearly depleted, as was the bottle. "I've never done this before," he admitted. 

"Enjoy the company of another person?" Quill asked. Varuq looked embarrassed for a split second. "No! No, I have enjoyed many a person's company. I meant having a companion. I'll admit, I do not know how to proceed."

Quill smiled and set her glass down, standing up to move over to the bed. "It's not so different than enjoying the company of another. I am here to meet your needs, whatever they might be. In whatever capacity you need me." Varuq looked up at Quill, his eyes falling down over her body. "I suppose that's fair. Do you...want to...?" he asked like a small boy asking his mother for extra sweets. Quill sat on the bed next to him. "This is not about what I want. I sense uncertainty in you. This is a welcoming space. Feel free to be who you need to be."

Varuq looked uncertain. He had never had to be something other than what was expected of him. "Is it true that companions provide more services than...carnal?" This was not the first time Quill had engaged with someone who did not know how companions worked. There would always be those who assumed the worst. "Companions are whoever you need them to be. People take comfort from many avenues. Sometimes through physical needs, sometimes through social, or mental, or emotional." Varuq seemed to take this in like a student eager to learn from a valued professor.

He stood up and paced the room a bit, before coming back to her. "I am the youngest member of my family. There are so many expectations placed on me, all of which I have met. Yet, it never seems to be enough. So I find myself filling the void with other pleasures, none of which fill that need."

Quill had come to expect this. "It sounds to me like whenever you reach that expectation the line is moved. It is hard to be the person others expect you to be when there is no clear message what that looks like. "She knew all too well about that, but tonight was not about her.

Varuq nodded. "My brothers have families. Successful businesses. Children! I see them and I know that's what's expected of me, but that's not what I want." Quill leaned back on the bed a bit, "We are each our own person. Do you subscribe your success to your family or to yourself?"

"Myself! My family never worked in technology before. I had to make connections. I had to make deals. All of which I did on my own."

"Then it seems to me you achieved success not because of them, but in spite of them."

"They don't even acknowledge it."

Quill stood up and walked over to the entertainment system and programmed some music. It was a soft, techno song. Enough to set the mood. "Then maybe it is time to decide who you want to impress. Them...or yourself."

Varuq strode over to her, taking her in his arms and kissing her. She reciprocated in kind. "Let's move to the bed again."

The night proceeded with words exchanged, flesh met with flesh, and Varuq, ultimately, filling his need for approval.

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[i]One Day Ago[/i]

"So tell me what the plan is?"

Camilla, picking up her cup of tea, asked, sitting across from Quill.

"According to what information I gathered, the Ginovese family has ties to this resort. The same resort my family has often visited. I need to find passage to that planet. So I need to find a ship that is going there and is also willing to let me on."

Camilla, dressed for a day to the theater, despite them sitting outside of a cafe, sipped her tea again as she thought. Camilla Aspen was a close friend of Quill's. Despite her appearance, Camilla had ties that stretched far across Osiris. Those same avenues did not always fly above board. What was a girl to do after being kicked out of her childhood home by her new step-father? "Seems to me like anyone would be glad to take you, provided you can pay."

Quill smirked at that comment. Camilla knew Quill's profession, knew she was good for it. "I can afford it. It's more of a matter of finding a ship that is going there."

Camilla finished her cup and set it down. She tapped her finger as she stared at her friend. "What do you hope to find at this resort then?"

Quill didn't know. It was the first tangible lead she had. "Anything. Even if it is directions to a new planet where I could get information."

"I can put some feelers out. See if I can grab some information. I can't promise results, we get ships here arriving daily."

Quill cemented the deal with a handshake and a peck on the cheek as she left her friend to go do her work.

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[i]Present[/i]

Camilla had her work cut out for her. But connections were made. Quill would find a ship docking today that could make the trip she needed. She would have to put in the work of speaking to the people there, advocating for herself, and sealing the deal. 

Quill dressed what she determined was professional. A black cardigan, slim black, leather pants, and scarlet red heels. Not something one wore to a trip to the shipyard, but she needed to find passage and it was better to present an honest front (or as honest as she would be) rather than lie. As she strode forward, she noticed looks from people unloading cargo, from workers with ear pieces shouting commands, from ship captains with guns on their hips. The more people that noticed her, the easier this would be.

Camilla could not grab details on the exact ship. All she could muster was that it came in today and would be heading exactly where she needed to go. She would have to put in the leg work.

Any one of these people could be who she needed. Lost in thought, she strode forward and bumped into a man built like a tank. He turned around and glared at her. "Watch it, you gorram doxy!" While Quill was fluent in languages, she was also able to understand slang. This brute had tried to insult her. It was laughable.

"My apologies. I will watch where I walk going forward. Safe travels to you." She expected that to be the end of it, but the lug moved in front of her. "Pretty talk from a pretty lady. What's a pretty lady like you doing here?" Now the tool was trying to flirt with her? Ah to have the confidence of a man. "With all due respect, that is none of your concern. Have a good day." She inched away again, this time in the opposite direction when she felt a hand wrap around her upper arm. "I wasn't done talking to you." Quill looked back at the man, then at his hand over her arm, then met his gaze. "I am going to ask you nicely, once, to please let go of my arm. If you do not, what occurs is your own fault." The lug nut laughed, phlegm threatening to choke him then and there. "Is that right, bi-," he attempted to say. As quickly as the words came out, Quill moved forward, grabbing the man's arm and twisting her body so the man's arm twisted in the opposite direction as it normally moved. He let out a shocked gurgle before she felt his grip loosen. Taking the opportunity, she smacked his arm off her using her wrist before she twisted away, aiming a kick at his....manhood. As she expected, she hit her mark. The man fell to his knees clutching his only pride and joy. Tears in his eyes, she took the opportunity to walk forward, bend down to meet his eyes, and whispered "Next time you want to try having your way with someone, remember this moment. The next one might not let you keep your unit."

The event caused some disturbance, but that was to be expected. She announced what she intended to do if he didn't listen and she followed through. She noted no one in his crew came after her, leading her to suspect the man was by himself (not surprising).

Leaving the man to nurse his wounds and pride, she strode forward. Hopefully, her next encounter would not be as lively.