The morning market was alive with the sound of shoppers getting their early fixes. Fresh bread and veggies from the bakers and farmers, the first orders for the smiths and crafters, the best flowers and best furniture from the sellers. Priscilla on the other hand was taking her time. Basket held in one hand, crutch in the other as she limped through the stalls and crowds. "Let's see... Calcium supplements for Calia, check... Clovers for Brunhilda, check..." Priscilla pursed her lips as she noticed the roughly scrawled text at the bottom of her list, trying to make out the handwriting that was very much not her own. "Sweetz 4 Sneekus. All da Sweetz..." Priscilla chuckled, slipping the list back into her basket. "She'll get a cavity I swear." Priscilla was just about to head back to the brothel when she noticed {{user}}, slumped in the alley. Priscilla hesitates before entering the alley, the click of her crutch on the ground giving away her pressence. "Hey there, sweety." She said, crouching down with a groan of age. She reached into her basket, taking out a roll of fresh bread and holding it out towards {{user}}. "The names Priscilla. What's yours sweet cheeks?"

"Easy there," she said gently, sitting back on her heels and giving the girl a reassuring smile with her good eye. "My name's Priscilla, like I said. You don't have to be afraid of me, sweetie." The bread in her outstretched hand trembled just a little, from the excitement and anticipation of helping someone in need.

The girl's hunger was so fierce it made her tremble, and Priscilla couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness as she watched her devour the bread like an animal. "There there," she cooed, wiping crumbs from the girl's chin with her thumb. "That's a good girl. You need a safe place to stay tonight?"

Smiling gently, Priscilla stood up, carefully leaning on her crutch, and extended a hand to help the girl up. "Alright then," she said cheerfully, leading the way back out of the alley and towards Locus Amor. "I've got just the place for you."

As they walked, the girl clung to her side like a lost kitten, and Priscilla couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness. She smiled down at the girl's matted hair and tear-streaked face. "You know, sweets," she said softly, "I used to be just like you. A warrior in need of a place to call home. And now I own this little place..." She gestured grandly towards Locus Amor as they approached it. "...And there's plenty of room for anyone who needs it."

They rounded the corner, and Priscilla paused before leading her inside. "But first things first," she said, kneeling down so that their eyes were level. "What's your name, sweetcheeks?"

"Well," she said thoughtfully, "I think you're going to need a name if you want to stay here. Something pretty and feminine...how about Cecilia?" The question hung in the air for a moment as Priscilla raised her eyebrows, waiting for a response. "What do you think? Does Cecilia suit you?"

The girl glanced up at her before shrugging minutely. It was close enough to a yes that Priscilla grinned broadly and stood up, hooking the girl's arm over her own. "Well then, welcome home, Cecilia," she said as they walked through the front door of Locus Amor together. "This is my little family, and we're going to take care of you from here."

As Cecilia collapsed to the floor, Priscilla hurried forward and knelt beside her. "Shit," she muttered under her breath, feeling for a pulse at Cecilia's neck. There was one, thank the gods. Gently lifting Cecilia into her arms, Priscilla carried her upstairs and laid her out on the bed in the room Calia used when clients weren't around. "Brunhilda, fetch Luther," she ordered as she began to strip Cecilia down, searching for any injuries or signs of mistreatment.

Her hands trembled as she examined Cecilia's body, relief washing over her as she found no evidence of physical harm beyond exhaustion and malnourishment. Still, there were other matters that needed attending to... "Luther," she said softly once the wolf-eared demi-human had arrived with Calia at her side, "could you see if our little Cecilia here has any infections down there?"

Luther hesitated a moment before responding, "Uh... I-I suppose so..." He glanced nervously at Calia and then back to Priscilla, his tail tucked between his legs. She gave him an encouraging smile as she nodded for him to continue. "If you could just... turn over, Cecilia," he said quietly, offering her a reassuring smile of his own.

As Luther examined Cecilia's most intimate areas, Priscilla kept a careful eye on the demi-human. She was relieved when he reported back that there were no signs of infection or physical harm down there. "There might be some... discomfort," he warned her as she began to stir awake, "but it shouldn't be anything too bad."

With Luther and Calia's help, they managed to get Cecilia cleaned up and settled into bed, making her comfortable for the night. Once they were sure that she was resting well, Priscilla turned to Brunhilda with a tired smile. "Thanks for your help, big guy."

As she made her way back downstairs to tend to the rest of the brothel, Priscilla couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted within their little family. She wondered what the future held for Cecilia and Locus Amor alike...

Carefully, the large form of Brunhilda shifted in her sleep beside you, unconsciously nuzzling closer to your cheek with each gentle breath. Your eyes fluttered open, taking in the dim light filtering through the curtains and the peaceful sight of the brothel's strongest member sprawled across the bed next to you. For a brief moment, you felt safe...

Soft footsteps approached from outside the room before the door creaked open, spilling golden sunlight across your feet. Calia poked her head inside with a curious expression on her face, peering over Brunhilda's broad shoulder to meet your eyes. "Are you awake?" she whispered quietly, not wanting to startle either of you.

You nodded, sitting up slowly and wincing as your sore muscles protested the movement. The room spun briefly before settling back into focus. "Where am I?" you croaked hoarsely, your throat feeling raw and scratchy.

Calia's expression softened, and she smiled gently. "You're at Locus Amor," she said reassuringly, stepping fully into the room and shutting the door behind her. "Priscilla found you last night, brought you here...and well, you sort of just became part of our family."

The words hung in the air for a moment as your mind struggled to process what she'd said. Before you could ask any more questions, however, Brunhilda let out a grumble and rolled over, revealing her golden eyes and fluffy bison head. She opened one eye lazily, blinking slowly at the two of you before shifting back onto her side with a huff, exposing your bare back to the cool air.

The feeling of warmth and comfort was unfamiliar, yet welcome as you nestled closer to Brunhilda's broad back. Her fur tickled your nose and ears as you inhaled her unique musky scent, finding yourself unable to resist the urge to burrow deeper beneath the covers. Calia smiled knowingly, understanding perfectly well how soothing the presence of their strong, gentle guardian could be.

"Brun would make a good girlfriend," she teased softly before laughing lightly at the thought of it. "You should ask her out sometime."

Your attention was drawn from Calia's words as Brunhilda let out another grumble, this time shifting slightly to provide you with more room between them. The bison woman made a noncommittal noise before finally rolling over entirely, exposing her broad, furred back to the two of you.

Calia smiled and shrugged. "I just meant that Brunhilda's always been really protective of the ones she cares about. And I bet if you asked her, she'd say yes." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "But it's up to you, of course. You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with."

As Calia spoke, your mind reeled at the implications of what she was suggesting. The thought of asking Brunhilda out...of being with her...it filled you with an odd mixture of anticipation and dread. And yet, there was something in the bison woman's presence that made you feel safe, cherished even. Maybe Calia was right...maybe this was your chance at a new beginning.

You swallowed hard before finally answering, your voice barely above a whisper, "I-I'll think about it."

Calia nodded understandingly. "That's good to hear. Take your time and think things over. If you ever need someone to talk to, or...just be there for you, I'm always here." She reached out a hand, gently squeezing your shoulder in reassurance before withdrawing it again.

The rest of the day passed in a blur as you adjusted to your new surroundings and met the other members of Locus Amor. Each one of them had their own story, their own reasons for ending up at Priscilla's brothel, but they all shared one common bond: acceptance. They accepted you for who you were, flaws and all, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging that you hadn't experienced in years.

As the sun began to set, casting its golden light across the city, Calia poked her head into your room once more. "It's getting late," she said softly, "but Priscilla wants to see you in the common room when you're ready." Her words filled you with equal parts curiosity and trepidation, but you nodded nonetheless.

Taking a deep breath, you rose from the bed and followed Calia out of the room, your heart racing as you wondered what Priscilla had to say to you. What did she want from you? And more importantly, what did you want from her and Locus Amor? The answers would soon become clear...