"How was your fancy dinner last night, Hannah?"

Hannah raised her head to the question, looking at Jono. It was early the next morning, and she had only just walked into work. The other girls, milling around as they prepared, curiously looked over too. They probably all knew about the invitation.

"It was very nice," she said simply.

"How was the food?"

"Best I've ever had."

"Better than here?" he joked, and his daughter Stephanie, who'd been sitting nearby, got up, stomping off towards the kitchen.

"Don't take it so hard, my dear," he called after all her bulk. "I eat your cooking, don't I?"

"Seems you're right good friends with all the high-ranking guards," Sora noted, resting a broom over her shoulder. Why did that make her look so much like a witch? "And you've only been in Dalen a few months."

"I wonder," Deedee piped up. "If you could introduce us to any of the young soldiers?"

"Oh, yes!" some of the other girls chorused.

"I would give you a week of my tips, Hannah," Deedee offered generously. "What do you say?"

"Girls, please, I only know them through my brother."

"Could you get him to bring them here?"

"Here?"

"That I would not mind," Jono chimed in. "It's about the only useful idea I've heard out of this so far."

"I'm not sure I can do that."

"Why not? Next time those men have something to celebrate, recommend that they come here. I'll give them good prices."

Hannah frowned. That was the last thing she wanted – a big, noisy group of soldiers here in Jono's, especially since Captain Droy would almost certainly be there too. "I will try," she bluffed, and the girls cheered, excited already. "But no promises," she added, though they drowned her out.

That evening, after work, Hannah had just come out after changing when Jono called her over.

He was scribbling something in his books, nodding and murmuring to himself as he did so. "Ah," he went, making a dot somewhere. "You know, Hannah, we've been having good business since spring started."

"I can see that," she answered, looking out at the still-strong crowd.

"I could always use more help."

"You mean you want to hire more girls?"

"No, no. I mean from you."

"Me?"

"You're a good worker. I could use you during the late hours. If you're interested."

"Oh. Well ... "

"There'd be more money in it for you, of course."

She stopped, distracted. "How much?"

"For every night you stay till close, I will add ten gold to your salary."

Ten gold? That was it? She'd need four rounds of that just to cover that coat she'd bought her brother. "I don't know."

"Think about it. Imagine what you could do with that extra money. A new dress, a pretty pendant. Or something else?"

A home. That was what she really wanted. For her to make a life in Dalen, she needed a place she could call her own. But was it possible? "I'll think it over."

Walking home afterwards, she wondered what Rio would think. He'd disapprove of course. He didn't like the idea of her going home so late. But here was an idea – if she could work more hours and save more money, then perhaps she could find a place to rent that was nearer to Jono's? Going home at night would be safer then. And she wouldn't mind living near the Corona, with all its shops and food.

Still, she wasn't sure she wanted to spend so much of her days at a dump like Jono's. It seemed such a waste.

What about her mother? What would she have done?

Hannah scowled to think of her. She knew the answer to that already. Her Ma had always been a practical woman. That was why she left. For money.

And it seemed Hannah was becoming just like her. She had to be careful that she didn't end up getting destroyed by this place, in trying to make a living for herself.

The next day, Hannah went to Jono with her decision to accept, no doubt pleasing him. That first night was as busy as any other, and she had almost no time to stop and realize her own tiredness. As soon as she got back to Magda's, she fell dead asleep until morning, and so it was over the next few days.

"Hannah," Shelby greeted her one day, outside the dining hall. "I've hardly seen you at all lately."

"Hello, Shelby. I've been kept very busy."

"Indeed. You're turning into your brother, you are."

Hannah gave the young girl a look, not sure what to make of that.

"But you're looking quite pretty these days," she commented, fingering Hannah's ponytail – a style the other girls encouraged her to wear. "Is it for the attentions of a particular someone?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

Hannah breathed in deeply. "If you've been hearing things about me, I can assure you they're not true."

"I've never trusted gossip, which is why I asked you directly."

"There's no one. If there was, I should be honest about it. I've never had any man's attentions before."

Shelby glanced at her, looking skeptical, but Hannah was in no mood to explain herself all over again. She said her goodbyes to Shelby, then quickly got away.

All was ordinary for her at Jono's until lunchtime came. While she was clearing a table by the window, she saw a carriage pull up right outside, dark and fine. It stood out against the Corona with its ragtag crowd, and she couldn't help leaning over to look. Today's assigned greeter was Deedee, and she hovered on the step, staring shamelessly as the person inside emerged.

"Oh no," Hannah gasped, dumping all her plates. She ran to the door, bursting outside.

There she stood – her good friend, Alyssa, alone, swirling in sea-green, a lacy umbrella hanging off her arm. "Hannah," Alyssa greeted, taking a moment to blink over her cheap dress. "Um ... "

"Alyssa, what are you doing here?"

"I came to pay you a visit. I'd heard this is where you work."

Hannah paused, sharing a look with a bewildered Deedee. She could just imagine the other girl's thoughts. For someone who worked at Jono's, she seemed to have such fancy friends.

Hannah stepped forward, standing by Alyssa. "I-I thank you for coming, Alyssa. But this place – I don't think it would suit your taste."

Alyssa paused, looking behind her at Jono's once more. Her eyes were uneasy, yet she made no move to go. "Hannah, if this is where you work, I should be very happy to try it."

"I'm not sure that's wise," she whispered.

"Good day, madam!" a voice behind them started, and they turned. Hannah was surprised to see Jono there, smiling at them. Jono? Smiling? "May we entice you inside for a meal, good lady?" Jono asked, speaking to Alyssa.

Alyssa wavered, surprised by all the attention. "Oh, um ... "

"We have our best table waiting, and plenty of dishes to tease the appetite. Please. Do come inside."

"Actually, Jono," Hannah spoke up. "She was just leaving. She just had to see me for a minute."

"No, I came to eat," Alyssa stated. "And I will."

"Alyssa ... "

"Would you be so kind as to show me inside?" she asked, and Hannah stared at her. It seemed Alyssa was determined to see the inside of this filthy place. She didn't have any choice but to oblige.

"Of course," she whispered, walking ahead. Jono stepped back to allow them in. The day's crowd – half-regulars and half out-of-towners – stopped at the sight of the pretty Alyssa, not even bothering to hide their stares. Somebody whistled shortly, and the men around him broke into giggles.

"Over here," Hannah declared, veering to the other side. She pulled out a chair for her friend, feeling ashamed without really knowing why.

Jono sauntered over, doing a quick bow of his head. "The house of Jono welcomes you, Miss."

"I thank you," she answered, gazing up at him.

"Might I recommend you our special today?"

"Actually, I read something on your sign outside. The snapper?"

"No!" both Hannah and Jono said at the same time.

"You'd much prefer the chicken plate," Hannah whispered.

"Oh, really? Alright, I'll take that then."

"And a drink for you, without charge?"

"Very generous."

"Certainly," Jono said through his smile. He walked away, going to give the order to his daughter. Hannah could just imagine him telling Stephanie, 'Don't mess this one up.'

"I'm sorry about that," Hannah said to her friend.

"About what?" she was good enough to pretend.

"You shouldn't have come."

"Hannah. We're friends, aren't we?"

"But we come from very different lives, as I'm sure is clear to you by now."

"I would never judge you. Or anyone, for that matter." Alyssa lowered her eyes, staring at the table with its pockmarks and knife dents. "I believe there is such a thing as being too sheltered."

Hannah said nothing.

"How long have you worked here?"

"Not long. A little over a month now."

"Ah."

"I enjoy the work. Gives me something to do while Rio pursues his training."

"I see." She paused, studying every other girl in the room. "I wonder if Stefan ever comes to places like these."

"I know Captain Droy does."

"Does he? Then I suppose Stefan would too. I imagine they do everything together."

"I don't know about that." She looked up as one of her other tables began beckoning to her. "Excuse me." She went off to settle the order, passing by Jono on her way to the kitchen.

"Hannah," Jono hissed at her, and she stepped over.

"What?"

"Who is she? Your friend there?"

"She's ... my friend," she said stupidly.

"Yes, I know that, but how do you know her?"

"Through my brother. She was the one who invited us to dinner last week."

"Oh, that was her?"

"Yes."

"Fascinating. You must attend to her, you know, more than the others."

"Um ... "

"Make sure she wants for nothing. Here." He pushed her a tray, carrying a glass of their best drink. "Give that to her."

Hannah walked away, serving her friend as she'd been instructed. "Alyssa?"

"Yes, Hannah?"

"Do you think you'll be coming back here again after today?"

Alyssa paused, staring at her. "Why?"

"Nothing. It's just that you've caused a lot of excitement, coming here."

Alyssa looked around. One of the customers waved – he must be sixty years old – and she turned away. "Well," she said, blushing. "It is quite an experience. But I think I more enjoy having you over."

"I think so too."

"Stephanie!" they heard Jono's voice yelling into the kitchen. "Where's the chicken plate!"

"Nothing spared for our special guest," Hannah remarked. "Oh. That table's getting up. Will you be needing anything else, Alyssa?"

"No, no, go ahead."

"I'll be back in a while."

By the time Hannah had checked with her other customers, Alyssa's food was ready. She served it most carefully, hoping it would please her good friend. It did bother her though, having this strong need to impress Alyssa. The girl may be wealthy and all, but Hannah did not like feeling so below her. And yet, there it was, wasn't it? The difference between them was so vast, she couldn't understand why Alyssa would want to be friends with her. Then again, she had married Stefan Tanner, and he wasn't really a rich man.

Alyssa must have been raised well. Her family must be kind and moral. What luck. Much as Hannah loved her own parents, she wished she could have had a family like that.

Soon, Alyssa had finished with her meal. She left an impressive tip, before walking outside with Hannah. "When do you think I can have you over?" she asked.

"I don't know," Hannah said honestly. "I work almost every night."

"That must be tiring."

"One gets used to it."

"Well. If you ever have a chance, come by the house. I would always welcome you, anytime of day."

Hannah smiled. "Alright then." She watched as her friend slipped into the carriage, feeling envious. Wouldn't that be nice not to have to walk everywhere, or worry about the heat or rain?

"Goodbye, Hannah," she called.

Hannah waved, standing near Deedee as the carriage clopped away. A minute later, Jono appeared, poking his head between them. "Well, Hannah?" he asked. "Did she say anything?"

"Nothing important, Jono."

"Think she'll be coming back?"

"I doubt it."

"Oh? Not up to her standards, I take it?"

Hannah shot him a hard look.

"Well, never mind. Perhaps some word of mouth will bring her friends our way." He disappeared back inside.

"I hate that man," Hannah muttered.

"I hate my life," Deedee added. She glanced at her. "You'd better go inside, before he starts calling for you."

She nodded, turning on her heel. She followed Jono, looking over her shoulder as Alyssa's carriage faded away.