Waking up at some point, Jon groggily remembers drinking too much wine. He cant seem to cone up with a reason for drinking at all. Was it simply to relax and let himself go for once? or was it for no real reason other than boredom?

Realizing that he's still dressed, Jon changes his clothing, and attends to his bodily needs. Making water, brushing out his bed made hair do, and freshening his breath. He becomes aware that the sun is no longer up, and wonders if it's before, during or after the nightly party at the Haus. Jon steps to his door unlocks it, and heads downstairs to find out.

-Jon Smythe

Jon collected some late breakfast, and sat eating methodically. Apparently many people wake late while staying here, because the staff didn't bat an eye at his late breakfast request. Crunching through a peice of toast, Jon sees Kitten slip upstairs. He waves, but she ducks away 'I guess she didn't see me. Or shes avoiding me for some reason. I swear that woman's moods change by the second.'

Waiting around downstairs hoping that one of the sisters would come and chat with him. Jon starts to get bored. All of his business affairs are well in hand with the exception of this the Haus. He's not interested in any of the girls who are not Kitten. With nothing else to do Jon orders a bottle of wine, and takes it up to his room.

Jon locks the door, but fails to check the windows to see I they are locked. Sitting down on the bed Jon sets to work on the bottle. Half a glass in he begins to feel the effects, but he pushes through it and manages to drink four full glasses.

Sitting there drunk Jon wonders idly when he took off his pants, and where they are now? Shrugging he lets the room spin slowly around him.

Side stepping to stand behind his chair, Jon leans on the chair back with his elbows, "What terms?" Jon scoffs before continuing, "The only thing that resembles terms that I have received from you, is that I am to pleasure you if I want your contract. A contract that I haven't even seen." Jon takes a long breath through his nose, before continuing, "So you've already drawn up a contract?" Jon asks rhetorically, "How do you expect us to negotiate anything if your terms are set? You don't even know the full extent of what I'm offering you and your haus." Jon shakes his head, then continues, "This may be how you do business Mistress Belrose, but it is not how I do mine." Jon pauses, smiling before he continues, "Which is exactly why we need each other." Jon stands up straight, "When you want to try this again, without all the theatrics. I'll be here for the rest of today, and all of tomorrow." Jon bows, never taking his eyes off of Sapphira for a moment. Then he turns and heads for the door. 'That went well.' Jon thinks sarcastically.

Jon woke up again in stages, first he started to notice the birds singing outside his window. Then he felt the blankets, still sitting exactly where they were when he went back to sleep. He then became aware of his own morning breath. Jerking back his head, and giving it a shake to clear his nose of that smell.

Finally opening his eyes, Jon saw that the sun had moved considerably higher. 'How did I sleep so long? It must be closer to lunch than breakfast at this point.' As if in answer to his thought Jon's stomach grumbled, low and fierce.

Taking a deep breath Jon swings his legs off the bed, and groggily makes his way through his morning routine.

Now fully dressed, clean, and with refreshingly fresh breath. Jon makes his way downstairs to see what might be left over from breakfast. Or perhaps something that has been prepared early for lunch.

*edited out badly autocorrected words for what they were intended to be in the first place.

Jon laughed, an laughed again at the face Sapphira made when he laughed the first time, "Brilliant! You are bloody brilliant!" Jon smiled to show that he wasn't poking fun, but instead giving rather enthusiastic praise. "This is exactly why I want to strike a deal with the Haus of Three. Thank you for that example of your prowess."

Jon saw the flash of confusion register upon the woman's face, quickly hidden, but hard to miss so close. It was then that he realized that she was being serious about her advances, and her suggestion of pleasuring her. Thinking quickly on how the extradite himself from this situation Jon smiled again, this time with a hint of flirtation in it.

Placing his hands on the outside of her thighs, Jon pressed upward to indicate that she should stand. He hoped she would assume that he was looking for a better vantage point to follow up on her suggestion. When she stood balanced on her left foot, and extended her right foot to rest on the chair back behind Jon's shoulder, he had to swallow hard again. Jon's eyes travelled along supple pale flesh until he jerked his head up to meet Sapphira's eyes. She was smiling now, and the smile danced in those eyes.

Shifting forward, Jon abruptly stood. He easily lifted Sapphira's tiny frame. The squawk of surprise nearly made Jon smile, but the anger he knew would shortly follow wiped any hint of a smile from Jon's face. Stepping forward back into view of the keyhole, Kitten would see Jon carrying Sapphira. Her right leg draped over his shoulder, with one hand on her right thigh to offer support. His free arm was wrapped around her left leg, both to support her small weight, and to prevent any kicking.

Leaning to the left, and shifting his grip causes Sapphira to drop suddenly to the side. She makes another squawk of surprise as she falls, only to be caught cradled in Jon's arms. Setting her upon the edge of her desk, Jon promptly steps back out of kicking range, and unknowingly back out of Kittens view.

Jon Smythe

Jon woke up in the middle of the night to Emmeline thrashing around, apparently having a bad dream about the events surrounding the last time Jon visited the Haus. She kept mumbling things about the murder, and Jon heard her call his name a couple times. "It's okay Emmeline, I'm here, and you're safe. I won't let him get you." Gently running his fingers through her hair, he waited until the dream had past and she slipped back into sleep before he let himself calm down. 'My poor Emmeline, that night scarred you badly.' Jon thought sadly. He hugged her lightly, so as not to wake her, and whispered, "I will take care of you Emmeline, if only you will let me."

Jon slipped back into a fitful sleep of his own, where dreams of shadows chasing Emmeline plagued him. He couldn't defend her from these shadows, in some his staff swung right through them. In others he was away on business, only to return and find out that they had gotten to her while he was away. While in a third Kitten was pointing a finger at him, and accusing him of the crime itself. No matter what type of nightmare he had, they were all terrible to Jon. The first because it seemed supernatural, and the supernatural had to do with the One Power.The second because it reminded him of his past fiancee who fell ill, and died while he was away on business. The last because he could never do the terrible things that he was accused of in those dreams, and the thought that Kitten might believe that he could was almost more than he could bear.

Jon awoke fully as his door clicked shut, and when he opened his eyes to see Kitten gone he only sighed. He was surprised that he slept through her leaving this time, but with the dreams he had had all night still fresh in his mind he could at least understand why. She must have just left, since he could still feel her on his lips, and her side of the bed was still warm. The scent of her still hung in the air near the blankets, and pillow. Not the perfume she wore, but the smell of her herself. Jon buried his face in her pillow and closed his eyes. Still too groggy to face the day, Jon let himself drift back into sleep. Bless the Light, this time he didn't dream.

-Jon Smythe

Jon snuggled his face up against the back of Emmeline's neck, and inhaled the scent of her deeply. He released the warm breath slowly taking almost a minute on that one breath alone. Sinking deeper into relaxation, Jon murmurs his response, barely audible, "Sex is a natural part of life for me as well, not so mundane as eating and drinking mind. Unless we're talking a festival meal of course." Jon winks so his eyelashes brush the back of Emmeline's ear, "I've found that a few things are worth waiting for, and I believe that you are one of those things Emmeline." Jon falls into a semi-conscience state, his mind no longer really awake, while his free hand gently runs his fingers through Emmeline's hair. This continues for about an hour before his arm flops over, and lays still.

-Jon Smythe

'Light, she's good. Perfect indifference, well done Miss Belrose. Well done indeed.' Jon thinks while watching Jodelle through his own perfectly indifferent mask. "You are correct. My lodgings plus the cost of the required entertainment would be too much, which is why I was willing to pay for the entertainment. My own lodgings will cost you next to nothing. I eat very little, and I drink virtually no alcohol. Your tea supplies might suffer, but If required I can provide my own tea leaf." Jon smiles, not to show a jest, but by way of friendliness. "I will also not be sharing a bed with any of your employees, so there will be no cost to you for that."

Jon sighs deeply, "Based on the options you have provided, and your unwillingness to continue negotiating..." Jon trails off for but a moment before continuing, "I'm sorry that our business dealings must come to an end after such a promising start." Jon drops his mask of indifference, replacing it with a look of sadness, "I'm a fair man Miss Belrose, and that deal before you is a good one. I will leave it with you for tonight, and all of tomorrow. If you want to continue negotiating any of the business aspects of our arrangement, you know where to find me. If you worry that my social trips to the Haus would be a cost, we could make further arrangements for me to cover my own costs during those visits. If however you wish to continue to attempt to control any aspect of my social life, on this I am not willing to negotiate." With that Jon turns on his heel, and walks back to his room wearing righteous indignation like armour.

Jodelle's forceful voice commands, "Enter." and Jon does as he was bid. Jodelle would notice Jon keeping his eyes averted at first, to give time for a reaction in case Jodelle was expecting someone else.

Once inside Jon bows formally, "Good day to you Jodelle. Please forgive my intrusion, I will keep this brief so you can get back to what you were doing." Jon pulls out Kitten's moonstone necklace, keeping it carefully hidden within his hand, "I have been speaking with Emm-" He cuts off abruptly, and tries to cover with a cough. "ahem, excuse me. I have been speaking with Kitten about the events that transpired earlier today." Jon studies this woman carefully, the only one of the three sisters who hasn't come onto him today.

"She hasn't sent me to you, I came on my own to once more offer my services." Jon smiles, a modest smile. Not even in his top five, he didn't want this sister to think he was flirting with her during a negotiation, "I believe I can have your mirror replaced before you open tomorrow, at no cost to you once so ever." He notes the slight change in her eyes, "You are correct of course, there is always a catch." Jon shrugs helplessly, "This is all I ask in return, allow me to use this place as an office, and broker some deals where my services would be of benefit."

Jon pulls out a sheaf of papers, "This is a list of every item I've seen downstairs, in the kitchens, and within the rooms themselves." Jon indicates the first column on the page, where a detailed itemized list divided by location can be seen. "The second column is the price you would pay if I broker the deals through my extensive network of contacts. The items would be of similar quality, or better. I do not deal in low quality merchandise."

Jon let the woman's eyes scan down the list, he knew full well that all but three of the items on the list he had a better price for. More than half the list he could beat his competitors price by at least ten percent, and three of the Haus' most used resources he could beat the going rate by almost half. "I know you can see the value here, and all I ask is for is two things. First, room and board when I'm in the area. Second, the services o enough girls, who would be paid for their time, to entertain my business guests." Jon pauses for a second before he adds, "Oh, and privacy from those same girls for myself." when he remembers the girl he asked to leave his room earlier today.

Jon waits still carefully watching Jodelles every movement.

Laying there, curled up together with his arms wrapped around her, Jon was confused. Confused by her sudden shift in mood, covering up and turning away like that. Jon mentally went back over everything that had just been said, looking for where he must have misspoken. Finding nothing ovious he tried to look at things though her eyes. 'Where did this begin.' Jon thought, 'Are you a virgin she asked, and apparently no was not the right answer. Now... Why?' The barrage of questions about his past lovers struck him one after another, and at first he just layed there stunned. Inhaling suddenly as if surprised, Jon realized where Emmeline's thoughts must have gone.

"My dear Emmeline, please allow me to explain further." He tensed his arms, gently squeezing her by way of a hug, "First, know that I do want you." He shifted slightly, pressing the evidence of his wanting against her, "The only reason that I've been restraining myself with you at all, is that I don't want to be just another man in your life. I know you can have your pick of men, you are beautiful, and seductive. You have no idea how hard it has been to resist your advances." Jon's voice takes on an exadurating tone to show just how tough it has been, "I want to be special for you. No, I want to be special to you. I want to be the man that you want to come back to, not just that guy you sometimes share a bed with."

"Let me ask you this: If we had slept together that first time we could have, would I even be interesting to you anymore?" Jon held her tight, asking his last question into the back of her neck. His lips so close that they brush against her tender skin.

Jon starts to laugh between gasping breaths. "I bet you meant to think that last question." He manages to say, while he tucks a stray hair behind her ear. Controlling his laughter, Jon continues, "I'm not a virgin Emmeline, but I can see how you would confuse my sexual restraint with inexperience or fear." He brushes his fingers across her cheek, and then runs his fingers through her hair.

Jon sighs, both because he is content in this moment, and because he's not sure he should say what he wants to say. He chooses to push forward, "Emmeline, I enjoy your company. There is something very special buried inside you. You try to hide it with your Kitten persona, but I can see it sometimes." Jon smiles warmly, "You've been revealing a little of yourself since outside, and much more so since you entered this room tonight." Jon lets his eyes wander down her body intentionally slowly, savoring her beauty. At some point the silk robe had come open, revealing the transparent dress beneath, "No pun intended." He jokes. "I really like the dress by the way. It is..." he trails off looking for the perfect descriptor. "Enticing" he finishes.

Jon sat mesmerized listening to Emmeline sing, but the full import of her song was so sad and lonely. 'How can one little person be so sad inside, or lonely while in the presence of others.' Jon thought sadly. The Jon started wondering if she was trying to tell him something of the futility of love, or at least of a relationship with her. He mentally talked himself down, 'Sometimes a song is just a song.' Aloud Jon only said, "It is a beautiful piece, and beautifully sung too." He smiled down at her, "You are full of surprises Miss Emmeline Belrose." She surprised him by slipping down, and hooking a leg around his own. She pulled and closed what little distance remained between them.

Laying there facing each other, with Emmeline's leg thrown over his and hooked behind. Their bodies pulled tight together, they kissed again. Jon had intentionally distracted himself from the situation with his story, and Emmeline's song had helped with that as well. However there was no distraction now, and Jon was fully aware of the warmth of Emmeline's skin. The soft feel of her breasts every time she took a breath. The smell of her perfume mixed with the soft scent of her filled his nostrils. He was aroused, and he wanted her, but he had to be very careful. All the men in this woman's life want her, and those men are not special. Jon truly wanted to be special for Emmeline. To be her safe place in a world full of storms. Their eyes met for only a moment before she buried her face against his chest. Those eyes, they filled him up and cast him out to an endless sea. He could get lost in those eyes, and happily drift away.

"I never learned how to read or write," she said while tracing his hand, embarrassment singing from her words, "Sapphira and Jodelle learned when they were younger, but I never did. So Jodelle's mother would teach me songs, so that I could know what were in the books my eyes would never understand." She started to sing again before Jon could say anything in response. He was going to offer to teach her, but he wasn't sure if that would embarrass her further. 'I bet her sisters have already at least offered, if not already tried.' Closing his eyes Jon let himself get lost in the sound of her voice, and the feel of her body pressed against his. Once she stopped tracing his hand he began running it down the the length of her curves. He ran the backs of his fingers down her body from shoulder to knee and back up again. Intermixing soft caresses to the curve of her waist and lower back, with the gentle squeeze to her behind during one pass.

Jon opened his eyes and they silently studied each other for a long time, before she traced a path from his forehead to lips with the tips of her fingers. As Jon's hand glided up her body once more, she redirected his hand to her breast. Jon could feel the speed of her heart beating, and when he kneaded her breast with a gentle squeeze and her breath caught Jon smiled, and moved in to kiss her again. This time the fire in his blood wouldn't let him hold back on the kiss, and he intended to leave her breathless. Leveraging himself up on his elbow, he took hold of the back of her neck with that hand. He used that hand to turn her head to the side, exposing her neck and breaking apart their lips so she could breath. Jon didn't stop however, he trailed kisses across her jaw and onto her neck. Where he focused more attention, continued kisses, and gentle bites.

Continued from Some Time Later at the Haus: Reply #28

Having been off balance long enough Jon forces the events of Sapphira's room out of his mind, 'What happens in Sapphira's room stays in Sapphira's room.' Jon thought, adding a mental smirk for good measure. Now feeling much more himself he turned his full attention to Kitten, just in time to see her pout for a moment while seemingly distracted by her own thoughts. The pout was gone in a flash, perhaps never there at all. It was replaced with a look of determination of all things. It took a good part of Jon's merchant training not to raise an eyebrow at that one. The unfeigned look of disappointment that Jon wouldn't be joining the sisters below almost made Jon change his mind right there, but the memory of Kitten with those two men was enough to banish that thought altogether.

"I was hoping you would start calling me Jon. I think I like hearing my name on your lips." Jon smiled his second best smile, not wanting to over do it, "I would be happy to keep you company until you have to work for the evening." The kindness of her smile, and openness in her attitude made Jon think that he might be visited by Emmeline, instead of Kitten for a change. That thought, Jon liked very much. Jon watched her walk away, his eyes flowing down her blonde curls and tracing the lines of her body. When she turns back for a second at her door, Jon was too busy enjoying the grace of her turn to realize that he was about to get caught sneaking a peek at her behind.

Once Emmeline had entered her room, and shut the door. Jon walks past his own door, and knocks gently at Jodelle's door. Jon waits, focusing his mind, and bringing out the best of his merchant side. He wants to remain in control no matter what the third sister throws his way. Jon enters once he is admitted, and exits the room shortly thereafter. Just as he pulls his own room door shut he sees Kitten's door open. 'Excellent timing on that one.' Jon thinks, smiling to himself. He steps back, slowly, and soundlessly pulling the door closed, careful not to let the latch click shut. When she doesn't knock almost immediately after, he wonders if she saw him exit Jodelle's room. He wonders if Kitten would be jealous or something if she did see. Then he wonders briefly why he had tried to avoid her noticing in the first place. This really had been a trying day, and he really was terrible at judging how Kitten was going to react to things. 'Nothing for it now.' Jon thinks, 'I've got a fair bit to do before Emmeline returns.'

Getting to work, Jon tears through his travelling gear. He sets out a new set of small clothes, since the ones he is currently wearing have been sweated through. With a wary glance at the door Jon strips down to nothing, and scrambles into his fresh clothing. Jon breaths a sigh of relief when Kitten doesn't enter the room unannounced while he was changing. Jon then sets to work packing all of his belongings into the dressers, and the lock box at the foot of his bed. With the room in order, and Jon in fresh clothing he watches his hands and face. He then runs a damp cloth over his arms, neck, and shoulders through the collar of his shirt. With nothing left to do, Jon begins slowly pacing near the door, thinking about the days events.

The odd thumping at the door, not loud enough to be a hand knocking, and too low for all but children threw Jon off. 'It has to be her, I wonder what she's up to now?' Jon thought as he approached the door, preparing himself for anything. Jon opened the door quickly, and once again Kitten fell into his arms. He managed to hook her armpits with his elbows and cross his arms in front of her for support. That's about when Jon realized that the soft warmth under his hands would be Kitten's bust line. Jon froze, waiting for Kitten to get her feet back under her. Once she was stable again. "That seems to be the second time you've caught me today, I think," She said laughing. Jon knew she couldn't have missed where his hands had ended up, but was relieved that she was going to let this one slide.

Jon smiled, finally noticing that she was fully covered and carrying tea. He watched her carefully for signs of anger, still dumbly standing by the open door. She seemed content to set the tray down on the small table, and begin pouring their two cups. Giving himself a shake, Jon quickly closed the door and listened as Kitten began speaking of tea. Some of the things she spoke of he already knew, while others were new to him. 'Who knew that tea would be an interesting conversation?' Jon thought briefly. Jon took the offered cup of tea, his hands following hers as she slowly took them away, not wanting the contact to end.

By the time Emmeline moved toward Jon, he was starting to relax. Tea, and conversation were far preferable to shattering glass, and tears. When she leaned in to kiss his cheek Jon let go of his inhibitions, and turned his face to meet her lips. He kissed her passionately, one hand holding the back of her neck with his fingers tangled into her hair. He released her slowly, breathing much more heavily than before. She stepped back and giggled, and Jon added, "I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm really not. Besides, if one is sorry for something, they really shouldn't do it again." He left that for a moment to let the implication that he wanted to do that again at some point sink in, "The other times our lips have met just didn't feel right. It is my sincere hope this time makes up for those times." Jon winks, and brings out his best smile.

That's when Emmeline moved toward the bed, and Jon got worried that he had been too forward. Jon only hesitated a moment, just looking at her sitting there with her feet up, sipping some tea. She really was quite beautiful, and this thoughts drifted briefly to wondering what she was hiding under that robe. Moving over to the bed, Jon slips in beside Emmeline intentionally closer than needed on such a large piece of furniture. Not wanting to give her the wrong idea, Jon sips his tea and begins telling her a story. The story itself was one he heard from a gleeman, and Jon considered himself quite the story teller. He was no gleeman, but he could spin a yarn well enough not to shame himself.

He picked a story with quite a bit of action, and a lot of travel. He had noticed when he told his own story that she had liked the adventure and travel the most. About half way through the story Jon had finished his tea, and placed his cup on the end table beside the bed. When he sits back up, he runs his now free hand around Emmeline's narrow waist, and pulls her gently over to lean on him. He interrupts the story briefly to whisper, "I like it when we sit together like this." Finishing the story, Jon kisses the top of Kitten's head. Then he tilts her head up to face his, and kisses her again...

-Jon Smythe

(Jon's story interludes again here)

Jon pauses outside Sapphira's door to take a few deep breaths, because his temperature was still running a little high from his encounter with Sapphira. With negotiations complete, at least for today, Jon thought that maybe he would sit tonight out, and spend some time relaxing in his room. Heading toward his room, Jon went over the business aspects of everything that just happened in Sapphira's room. He wanted to make sure that the deal went smoothly, and that both sides benefited from the arrangement. Lost in thought, he didn't see Kitten step out of her room to intentional bump into him. Reaching out his hands to catch Kitten by the elbows to steady her, Jon offers the following, "I beg your pardon," before he looks down into Kitten's mischievous eyes, "Oh Kitten, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. You're not hurt I trust?" Seeing that it's Kitten, he doesn't let her go once she's steady on her feet once again, raveling in this minor bit of contact.

At Kitten's line of questioning Jon raises an eyebrow, "No Kitten you didn't startle me, I just wasn't paying enough attention. Do I look pale?" Jon raises the back of his hand to his forehead, then flips the hand to wipe away the sheen of sweat that was there. "I guess I am a little bit warm. I think I will sit this evenings festivities out." Jon nods his head over the railing toward where the clients would shortly gather. "Nothing happened." Jon said with perhaps a touch to forcefully, "Sapphira and I just did some business." Realizing what other business interests Sapphira is in to, Jon adds quickly, "Negotiating to set this place up as an office. I believe I've mentioned that to you before" Jon is still a little off balance from the events of Sapphira's room, and is responding a bit too quickly, which is abnormal for his normally calm and collected self.

(Jon's story interludes here)

Jon knew he was in trouble the moment Sapphira opened the door. It may have been the look in her eye, both playful and mischievous. It could have been the corset she wore, which showed enough pale flesh to make Jon swallow hard. Or perhaps it was the skirt which was only two hands wide, or the golden stockings, whose garters disappeared under that tiny, tiny skirt. Maybe it was a combination of all of those things. "Welcome Jon." She said. The words seeming at first surprisingly formal, considering what she was wearing. The use of his first name however, helped soften it from formal to something approaching casual. "Would you have a seat?" Jon reminded himself that this was her business attire, and he relaxed somewhat now expecting this to go as any other business meeting. She was after all a business woman like any other he had met, just with a different, and much more appetizing uniform.

Now seated, Jon waited while she secured the room against interruption, and returned to her desk. The normalcy of her actions allowed her to slip completely past his guard. As she approached she nonchalantly comments, "I'm sure the gentleman wouldn't mind me making myself comfortable." to which Jon's only response could be, "Of course Sapphira, make yourself comfor!" His voice jolts higher on the last word, cutting off the rest of his sentence as the bloody woman threw a leg over his lap and sat down straddling him. Her legs snaked around his, and wrapped to the chair legs to hold her in place. He watched memorized as she stretched, allowing the candle light to play across her exposed flesh right at his eye level. Whether it was warmth of her body pressed to his, or the smell of her seeping into his nose - his body reacted. She had to have noticed the bulge in his trousers pressed against her, sitting as she was with her lower body pulled tight against his own. "I've been hard at work for awhile now, and I am in desperate need of a break." Jon managed to hold back a blush, by sheer force of will. Although he had been with a couple of women in his life, none of them had prepared him for the raw sexuality that Sapphira possessed.

His mind drifted briefly to Emmeline, Sapphira's twin, and he suspected that being with her in this situation would be just as intense. That thought had a remarkable calming effect on Jon's mind. Although his body still reacted to hers, his mind was no longer engaged, allowing him to focus on what he was here to do. "I'm afraid that your break will have to wait Sapphira. I came to your room to negotiate the use of your Haus as my field office, and as a meeting place for some of my business partners." Business Jon was now fully in control, and even as Sapphira ground her hips to further distract him, he continued smoothly, "I'm sure you can find suitable distraction once our business is concluded." His heart raced inside his chest, but his thoughts were crystal clear. 'This deal will make us both a lot of gold, if I can only get her to focus on the deal at hand'

-A very distracted Jon Smythe

Jon quirked an eyebrow, and muttered lamely, "How does my question beget no answer?" He realized that he spoke to quietly for her to hear as she walked away, and sighed heavily. 'This woman will be the end of me yet.' Thought Jon while standing up and dusting off his own clothing, Jon walked slowly back into the haus. Instead of going up to his room right away, Jon stops by the bar. Asking the bartender, "Can I have a glass of wine please. But can you water it down so that it's only one quarter wine, and the rest water? Thanks." Smiling to the girl while paying for the wine, Jon tips her a little more than is standard and winks - feeling impish. With drink in hand Jon takes his pick of the empty seats within the still closed bar area. Now set to mentally prepare for his meeting with Sapphira, Jon goes over the advantages for both parties with this arrangement, and tries to come up with some reason why this wouldn't be a good idea for either the Haus, or Jon himself.

Jon was so distracted by his thoughts that he didn't see Margo come downstairs, but he did see her when she headed back upstairs carrying what looked like a meal for two people, but set out on only enough dishes for one. Jon smiled broadly, 'Either Kitten is having a guest over for dinner, or more likely she has her appetite back.' Jon was proud of himself, and he knocked back his entire drink in celebration. He thought that he may have helped her get grounded again in some small way. 'Now I have to negotiate well for this office, not only for the good of my business, but perhaps for Emmeline's health as well.' Jon thought to himself.

Feeling the little bit of wine he had drank far too quickly surge through his blood, Jon wavered a little in his seat when he called over one of the girls. When she arrived Jon asked, "Can I have a large glass of water please? Also, can you summon me three messenger boys? I have some missives that need to go out right away." Jon patted his inner jacket pocket where he had two of the three letters he would send out. Feeling pretty good about himself Jon waited for the messengers to arrive, and drank down two large glasses of water to clear his head of the wine he had ordered on impulse.

Jon's teeth showed with the breadth of his smile when Emmeline finally gave him permission to call her by that name. Even if only when they were alone together. He has always seen her as Emmeline, and Kitten is this other person that she wears as a mask to protect herself. Perhaps that's why he he feels so protective when Kitten is distraught, because that's when a little piece of Emmeline shines through. The vulnerable core of her person. "Thank you Emmeline." Is all Jon says in response, in a quiet voice that you can hear the smile in.

Jon held back a laugh when Emmeline scrunched up her noise, she just looked so cute like that. His mirth faded when he saw how nervous she was. She kept scratching at her own hand repeatedly, and he hoped she would stop soon before she injured herself. Just then she started to speak, broken sentences and scattered thoughts came out, but she was speaking. Jon might actually get to learn a thing or two about Kitten. Once the words started to flow, the scratching ceased.

The confusion Jon feels at trying to follow the story of Emmeline is dwarfed by the sympathy he feels toward the circumstances of her life. Jon suspects that more than one traumatic incident lurks in her past, and that her mind has blocked them out to protect her. 'That could explain some of the seemingly random actions she does - the mirror for example.' Jon ponders briefly, before turning his full attention back to Emmeline. Jon is very uncomfortable when Emmeline begins to talk about whoring, less so about the acts themselves, and more that she believes that her body is a small thing to give. Surprisingly Jon accepts it all without changing his mental image of who Emmeline is, maybe that is why Jon as always seen her as Emmeline. That thought leads to Jon thinking about Kitten's advancements, and how they have never felt quite right. The physical reaction is there, Jon is a straight male after all - and Kitten is quite beautiful. However, Jon doesn't want to be intimate with Kitten. It isn't Kitten that Jon is interested in, but Emmeline hidden within her. "You know Emmeline, I travel more than most. If ever you desire a story from the road, you can always ask. I fancy myself quite a story teller."

When Emmeline began to talk about Jodelle and Sapphira, business Jon perked his head up to listen. For Jon, Kitten was never part of the business end of his interest at the Haus of Three. Jodelle and Sapphira both seemed to handle those aspects of things from he had heard before arriving, and what he had seen since visiting the place. Learning a little about them through Emmeline could shed some light as to how he should deal with them. That and non-business Jon was actually interested in them as people. As people and as connections to Emmeline both. Jon knew he had made a mistake as soon as he mentioned the boy Elliot. Emmeline pulled in upon herself, and her manner of speaking was no longer scattered - in other words it was Kitten speaking again. Kitten vanished in a wave of body wracking tears, and Jon's heart ached with her sadness. Holding her close, wrapped tightly in his embrace Jon just held her there and let her cry it out. She seemed like she needed to let all that sadness out anyway.

When she gave him the necklace, Jon barely managed to suppress a smile. Once Jon got past the shock of the glass shattering in the first place, he had begun thinking about a fellow he knew in Cairhien who does wonderful things with glass. A fellow that owed Jon a couple of favours. He had already planned on sending off a couple messages while the ladies got ready for this evening, one more letter to this fellow could have that pane replaced before they Haus opened tomorrow. Since Jon suspected that it would only cost him a favour, he didn't want to take the necklace. He also didn't want to upset Kitten, and so he nodded and slipped the necklace into a pouch - fully intending to return it to her at his earliest opportunity. "I'll take care of it, but I do want to know why you broke it in the first place. Since the moment you saw me today you have seemed..." Jon hesitates, looking for a good word, "...tense."

-Jon Smythe

Kitten's intimate touching startles Jon, since he's not used to women being quite so forward. Jon keeps his focus on what is important, even though he is enjoying the passionate kisses. The Important thing is making sure Kitten is okay, and so Jon pulls back gently and takes her face in his hands forcing eye contact. "You don't have to do this, it won't make anything better Kitten." When she stops Jon releases her face, and wraps his arms around her once more. When she nuzzles against him again Jon finally relaxes. He didn't realize how tense he was until it was all released at once, causing him to sag back against the tree.

"Jon, tell me about your life. I want to know you, the real you." Her quiet voice brings a smile to Jon's lips, and he responds in a quiet, but clear voice, "As you wish, but know that I expect you to tell me about yourself as well. Now, where to begin, but the begining..." He sets action to words, and begins telling the story of Jon. He begins with a few stories about his family, and about growing up within a middle class noble family of merchants. He explains that his entire childhood was basically an apprenticeship for the family business. He includes story or two about members of his family staff, and their children that he had friendships with.

Jon explains that since his family owned several small shops surrounding Cairhien, and one large shop within the walls of Cairhien itself. Jon spent a great deal of time traveling. Jon completed his first solo transaction at the tender age of ten, and that was the moment Jon knew that he didn't want to do anything else with his life. The thrill of negotiating with a seasoned trader, and working the trade to completion was exhilarating. Travelling the roads can be dangerous, and so Jon told a few stories about his training with a quarter-staff.

Jon moves the story forward to when he was sixteen. "Travelling along the Caemlyn road our caravan was attacked by brigands. The caravan guards handled themselves well, and drove off the attackers." Jon pauses to smile down at Kitten curled up, with her head against his chest, before continuing, "During the melee, two of the brigands managed to get past the guards, and were working on removing the chains from the coinage chest. The chest contained most of the profits from the trip..." Jon trails off, and sighs heavily, seeing the battle once again in his mind. "I was watching the battle, keeping the horses calm so they didn't run off. But when I saw a months worth of hard trading about to be stolen, I did something stupid. I stepped in with my staff. The training my father had given me paid off, and I managed to hold the attention of the brigands until the guards could chase them off." Using his free hand Jon lifts his shirt to expose a hand long scar across his ribs. "The guards said that if I had gotten my staff up a half second later than I did, the blade would have taken me in the heart. As it was they were terrified that my father was going to kill them, or worse fire them." Jon winks to show that he's joking.

Next Jon covers his past relationships, which were few, but long lasting. His longest relationship was just over two years, and ended tragically. "I had just picked out the ring I was going to propose with." Jon smiles sadly, his eyes clouding with emotion, "When I arrived at her family estate, I was informed that she had suddenly taken ill a week before, and she had just passed on in the night." A single tear runs down Jon's cheek, and falls from his chin onto Kitten's forehead. He dashes his hand across his face to wipe away the tear, then gently uses his thumb to wipe the drop off of Kitten's forehead.

Jon takes a deep breath to settle his emotions, before continuing the story of his life. He begins to speak about a massive storm when he was eighteen. He was staying in Four Kings at the Royal Inn. "I couldn't sleep because I was too worried about the ice peppers I had loaded in my wagons. If the roads got to muddy, it would take too long to get my product to market. Both my profits, and the peppers would spoil together." Jon smiled again, his sadness from the prior story fading into the background, "I was staring out the window, watching the storm when I saw a collection of men gathering outside. I thought they were crazy to be out in that weather. I noticed that they were watching the Dancing Cartman, so I tried to see what they were looking toward. In the window I could just make out two shadow cloaked figures. Moments later, lightning flashed down destroying part of the building, and killing or severely injuring the men outside." Jon pauses, he seems to be struggling to keep his last meal down, "The sight of all those twisted and burnt bodies sickened me. I had terrible nightmares for weeks. The rumors flowed like good wine the next day. People everywhere were talking about how lightning struck after the worst of the storm had moved on. Some people said that it must have been the One Power." A shiver runs through Jon, and goosebumps stand out on his arms. "Ever since then, I've been terrified of the One Power."

Trying to end things on a happier note, Jon tells several stories about his terrible sense of direction. "I can lead you truly though the worst tangle of streets, where every building looks the same. But, if you put me outside the city, I get lost by turning around. I once led my caravan a week in the wrong direction before one of the guards let me know that we were heading the wrong direction. My father flailed the guards with the rough side of his tongue for that one."

With the mess of glass, Jodelle slapping Kitten completely off a stool, and the events following that excitement Jon has little to do while the sisters make ready for their evening festivities. He dispatches a few messenger boys before heading up to the room provided for him. Once inside Jon sends the girl they left for him away without making use of her talents. He gave her a silver penny, mostly because he felt bad that she may have missed another opportunity with a real client if she hadn't been told to warm his bed. Jon then settled his belongings, and prepared for his meeting with Sapphira. He didn't know which of the three sisters had arranged the girl, but he would have to work a privacy clause into any future contracts with the three to prevent future events like that one. Dressing in his second best set of clothing, with his family signet ring proudly displayed Jon headed over to Sapphira's room. Knocking gently he waits for her to answer the door. Dressed in his second best change of clothes, and wearing his second best smile Business Jon is so ready to negotiate a contract!

Jon's hand, which was not used to manual labour, and thus rather smooth, continued to run it's course up and down Kittens arm. He was oblivious to the shiver that ran though her at his touch, whether it be because he has rough skin to her or because Kitten secretly believes him to be a murderer he was none the wiser.

Jon's guiltless met Kittens's without flinching, and when she reached up a hand to touch her sisters cheek Jon relaxed a little bit. Kitten would be okay, she cared for her sister - whom Jon knew meant the world to her. Also, Jon was kind of excited to see the two twins kiss, however briefly. When her eyes met his Jon was completely lost, an endless amount of time passed in moments while Jon stared helplessly into Kitten's eyes. Distracted enough with her gaze, Jon didn't realize what Kitten was up to before her soft lips met his. Although his first reaction was to pull back away from her, Kittens's fist full of his shirt prevented any such action.

Jon felt his world explode, he wasn't prepared for Kitten's show of affection under these circumstances at all. Although a goodly portion of his being wanted to kiss those sententious lips. Their tongues touched for the briefest of moments before she pulled back, and smiled at him. Jon had his best smile plastered to his lips, without a doubt he was a happy man. Sapphira left saying something that Jon didn't catch, although a small part of him was sad to see her go. Dragged to his feet abruptly, Jon had no choice but to follow where he was led. Outside of the haus Kitten shifted their grip to further intertwine their fingers, and once more Jon felt the edges of his lips curl up into a smile.When her body brushed against his, Jon felt a warmth rise within him that he knew he should suppress, but with Kitten in front of him he found it hard to find the will power to break contact, and retreat to the room he hadn't been given yet.

Once settled in the undergrowth behind the haus, Kitten rests her head against Jon's chest, and Jon feels a wave of relief wash over him. As if her were home, which confuses him further, since he never felt this way while actually at home. The closeness, and the kisses being showered across his hands further distract Jon, so he is unprepared for the question to follow, "Why did you leave me?" She whispers, looking longingly into his eyes. Jon answers instantly, and earnestly, "You told me to go, I wanted to stay." Jon's eyes plead for forgiveness, moisture gathering near the corners of his eyes. showing his sadness, "I wanted to be here with you, but you said I had to leave or my business would suffer." Jon shrugs, "You were right, it would have, but I would have gladly let it suffer to avoid the suffering you've been through. You might mask it to others, but for some reason I see through some of your masks Emmeline." Jon hesitates when he uses the name he sees her by, instead of the nickname she chooses to go by, but he continues before she can object, "I don't claim to see through all, but I feel like I see through enough. You have been sad. You have been angry. You have been hurting." Jon Sighs deeply, "I want to help you Kitten" He says the name deliberately, "What can I do to help you?"

Jon studies Sapphira closely for a moment, when she mentions that she is rarely seen without the dragon torc. Confused slightly since he can't see the jewelry on her right now. However when Sapphira winks, and Jon clues into the fact that he has seen some of her performances the last time he was in the Haus. That's when he realizes what she would have to be wearing (or not wearing) to make the torc visible. Jon's cheeks turn crimson, the flush creeping up his neck and continuing to the roots of his hair. Knowing full well that he couldn't hope to hide such a fierce blush, Jon simply pretends that he isn't blushing at all, and continues participating in the idle conversation around him. Throughout the conversation Jon studies the three women. He notices that Sapphira is subtlety distracted by her thoughts, and briefly pondered what she could be thinking about.

Not to long after the redness in his cheeks has returned to his normal sun-kissed skin, Sapphira offers to discuss his suggestion of a business arrangement between the three sisters and himself. Jon's brain clicks over to business mode, and completely misses what else could be hidden in such an invitation. As such he responds, "I am always open to negotiations Sapphira, I would be happy to discuss options with you before the festivities later tonight." Which is about when the world comes to a crashing halt, and the mirrored glass scatters across the floor. Stunned, Jon is left wide eyed and slack jawed with surprise. Not knowing what to say Jon clicks his teeth shut, and assumes a mask of neutrality. His mask holds for about a second, right up until his eyes meet Kitten's. That look of pleading, and pain shatters whatever spell was holding Jon back and he springs into action. Without thought Jon is standing to Kitten's right, and slightly behind as she tries to regain her feet. His left arm encircling her tiny waist, and his right hand taking hers for balance. Leading the two sisters to a table with lower chairs, Jon slides a chair out with his foot so he doesn't have to let Kitten go with either hand. Gently lowering her into the seat, Jon drops to a crouch. He switches his grip from reaching around the outside of her hand, to a much more intimate palm to palm arrangement. His other hand being no longer needed for support wraps around her hand as well. Her hand is completely hidden by Jon's larger hands engulfing hers.

Jon's eyes are unblinking, and riveted to Kitten's. Once she finally looks at him, and their eyes meet it seems like nothing could break their locked gazes. Like the whole rest of the world ceases to exist. While Sapphira strokes Kitten's hair in time with her words. Jon provided counterpoint, offering his own consolations, and assurances between hair strokes, so Kitten is inundated with a constant stream of positive words, and soothing messages. Jon gently squeezes the hand he is holding, while his outside hand runs up and down Kitten's left arm. All the while the look shared between the two is almost palpable. Some tiny part of Jon's mind reminds him that Sapphira is also present, and he realizes that he has no idea what he has been saying to comfort Kitten. He also realizes that when Kitten is in need, the rest of the world looses all focus. Everything centers upon her. That same tiny part of his mind that reminded him that Sapphira was present, asks 'If Sapphira was in trouble, would she be all that I could see?'

-Jon Smithe

Jon spends most of the conversation speaking with Jodelle, with Kitten being unusually silent. The topics of conversation vary, but none of them are the business they were speaking about before Kitten's arrival. Jon starts to notice a trend of leading questions, questions which always lead back to learning about Jon's past, while revealing almost nothing about Jodelle. Knowing that Jon lets himself be trapped by the leading questions, since he really doesn't mind sharing that information. besides, last time Kitten and Jon were together they didn't spend a lot of time speaking about themselves. Stories about his childhood, his family, his training with the quarterstaff. Other stories about generic trades, with details intentionally left out to keep his contacts hidden. Whatever comes to mind that might fill in that gap for the two sisters, all the while keeping his business contacts, locations, and products well hidden. Even going so far as to change the names and locations for things when needed.

When Sapphira joins the group, Jon stands and bows, "Nice to see you again Sapphira." Jon says as he straightens, "I make it my personal mission to always have something exotic hidden within my belongings for when I visit my three favourite sisters." Jon's eyes linger on Kitten as he says three favourite sisters, but he continues smoothly enough verbally, "How have you enjoyed the dragon torc I gave you last time Sapphira?" Turning to Jodelle, "and have you had a chance to try your oosquai yet Jodelle?" Turning lastly to Kitten, "Or you Kitten, have you made much use of the ivory comb?" Jon notices that Kitten is focused on the mirror, and her lips are moving as if talking to herself. When she doesn't respond right away, Jon resumes conversation with the other two sisters. The shattering glass showering down behind Jodelle brings an unexpected halt to the conversation, and Jon is left wide eyed and slack jawed with surprise. Not knowing what to say Jon clicks his teeth shut, and assumes a mask of neutrality.

"Now why would you open a friendly negotiation by misleading me about how busy you've been Jodelle? I always keep a close eye on the businesses that I invest in, or am thinking about investing in." Jon turns around and leans on the bar facing Jodelle, his body language and facial expression remain on the friendly side of neutral, but Jodelle would easily see that she has his full attention.

"Now I know you want the upper hand here, but realistically I'm already offering you a fantastic deal. You've tried to source my product yourself since I was last here, and haven't been able to match - let alone beat my rates. The only thing we really have left to negotiate is whether I can use the Haus as an office of sorts. Your hospitality helps relax and distract my business partners, and I pull in more business for you. That seems like a..." Jon trails off as he catches sight of Kitten walking toward them. 'now what does she have to be so mad about I wonder?' Jon thinks as he notices the white knuckled fists swinging so calmly at her sides.

For some reason Kitten makes Jon as readable as a book, and both women can clearly see as his emotions shift. Excitement at seeing Kitten again, curiosity at her rage, confusion as to why such emotions would involve him, and lastly a mixture of sadness and concern as he sees past the makeup and careful clothing selections to the shattered woman beneath. Without realizing he has even spoken he mumbles in a quiet voice, "I should never have left you..."

Shaking his head, and keeping up appearances for the servants Jon stands and smiles, saying more loudly, "The pleasure is mine." Bowing Jon pulls out a tall stool for Kitten. "Won't you please join us?"

-Jon Smithe

Jon entered the Haus a couple hours before it opened properly, and he realized that he seemed to be making a habit of early entrances to this place. Since the front door was locked to keep out unwanted customers, he had used a servants entrance. "I hope I'm still welcome here." Jon murmured to himself. Margo spotted him from across the room, and immediately scampered upstairs. 'That doesn't bode well for my welcome.' Jon thought before adding, 'Perhaps she was just needed urgently upstairs' more hopefully than seriously. Moving to the bar that would in a few hours be bustling, Jon leaned his staff against it and set his pack on the floor. Turning around Jon rests his elbows on the bar, and surveys the changes to the Haus since his last visit. Jon's thoughts instantly jumble when he remembers the last time he was here, helping Kitten upstairs, and listening to her horrific story. His contacts had kept him informed about the investigation, but as expected the guard had made little headway so far.

Forcing himself to think about other things Jon review his business trips since he was last at the Haus, all directly profitable or at least holding the promise of future profits. That Lordling will require a few more wining and dining sessions before he will be willing to do better than he's currently offering. Two of the contacts he met at the Haus panned out well, while three others won't work out. Two of the three wanted more than their trades were worth, and were not willing to negotiate. The third was too willing to negotiate, which sets off alarm bells in Jon's mind about stolen merchandise.

A barefoot boy scampering through the room drew Jon from his thoughts, and the servants chasing after him drew a smile across his lips. 'That must have been Elliot, he looks like he's running those poor servants ragged - just like me as a boy.' Jon noticed a woman peek her head around the corner, and head upstairs quickly, 'I think that was Jodelle's hand maiden, I guess that means that at least two sisters know that I'm here.' At this point Jon also noticed a couple toughs lounging near the entrances, and all of them were unobtrusively watching him closely. 'The sisters have tightened security a bit since I was here last. I guess one of the servants recognized me, or I may have met with a more violent ejection from the building.' With that realization Jon moves his staff out of his arms reach, nods to the two nearest toughs, and resumes leaning casually against the bar on his elbows. 'One of the sisters will come down at some point, no need to set the security team on edge until then.'