Anne: "I've been watching you, James Selwyn."

James turned in the general direction of the voice with a nervous smile. Most of the girls in this part of town didn't bother with propositioning him, as most of them worked with his mother. Maybe this one was new in town.

James: "Is that so?"

He watched as a woman stepped out from the shadows, carrying herself with an otherworldly-grace and inherent elegance- not something he generally associated with the local working girls.

Anne: "You intrigue me- you're not like the others."
James: "I don't-"
Anne: "Come with me, James. Walk with me around this town tonight and listen to what I have to offer you."
James: "I'm sorry, Miss, but I have a previous engagement to attend to."
Anne: "Tristan isn't here, Love."
James: "Where is he?"

The woman began to laugh- a delightful bell-like sound that rang in the streets like a song. James regarded the woman in front of him with a burning curiosity. She was adventure incarnate, something he could hardly resist.

Anne: "I'm no fortune teller, James- I only know he hasn't arrived yet. Now come, we have a lot to talk about."

James: "Shouldn't we wait for him?"
Anne: "He can survive a night without you, I'm sure."

James took one last brief look at the doors to the tavern before joining the strange woman as she began to make her way through the city. She was quiet for a few minutes, leaving James to wonder to himself what her story was- who she was, where she came from, and why she chose him for this walk around town.

Anne: "My name is Anne Hastings, and I'd like to make you an offer."
James: "What would that be, Miss Hastings?"
Anne: "You're a unique spirit, Mr. Selwyn- not many in this world take to life the way you have. I've been watching you for months now- you're exactly what I've been looking for."

James: "I already have a job-"
Anne: "Hear me out, please. I'm going to be traveling on the continent and I'm in need of a companion. I need someone who embraces life and everything it has to offer, yet isn't worthless."

They'd stopped walking, now in front of a fountain that reflected the gaslights in glittering jewel-like droplets. Anne watched the ripples playing across surface for a moment, transfixed by the shimmering play of refracted light.

James: "Go on."
Anne: "You'd have everything your heart desires- clothes, food, even women if you so choose. I'd also provide you with a more than fair stipend, thrice what you're making at the factory."

James: "What's the catch?"
Anne: "There is no catch- if it doesn't work out for either one of us for whatever reason, I'll pay your way back here- no questions asked."
James: "How long will you need my services?"
Anne: "I plan on traveling for the better part of a year."

It was James' turn to stare at the surface of the fountain. Anne's offer was more than he could dare to resist- he'd always dreamt of traveling, and the pay was phenomenal. He could use the money to get his sister out of the life she'd been born into- there was little hope for the daughter of a prostitute having a normal life, the life she deserved.

James: "When would we leave?"

Anne smiled widely, an open and friendly smile that eased some of James' last remaining misgivings.

Anne: "We'll be taking the last train out to London tonight."
James: "What about my family? And I can't just leave Tristan waiting for me in the tavern."
Anne: "You can stop by the tavern before you meet me at the train station. As for your family, you can send them a letter once we arrive in London."

James: "This is all a bit sudden."
Anne: "The best adventures in life are those that are dropped unexpectedly into your lap, wouldn't you agree?"

James' smile matched Anne's then.

James: "I think we're going to get along splendidly, Miss Hastings."
Anne: "Your first duty as my new companion is to start calling me 'Anne'. Now, let's get our adventure started, shall we? The train leaves in just under two hours- I shall meet you at the station. Don't be late."