Shangri La Pt. 1

60: Goodwill

"Melissa! Melissa, open up, it's me!!!" Izumi screamed as she knocked on the door over and over until someone would answer. 

And not long after she continued knocking did she hear the door start to open and reveal a young lady with blonde hair and aqua blue eyes.

"Yes, who is– Ah– Can I help you?" the young lady asked. 

"Melissa, it's me–Izumi–remember?" Izumi said as she pulled the cloak off from over her head. 

"Hm? Izumi? You're not Izumi, Izumi has– Mmph!" Izumi abruptly slammed her hand over the blonde's mouth just as the color of her hair changed to its normal dark green and her eyes sparkled Emerald green. 

"See? It really is me; Izumi." Izumi repeated as the blonde's eyes were shocked by the sight. 

"I-Izumi, oh my goodness, come inside!"

After quickly walking through the inside of the building did Izumi and the blonde lady end up entering a room where the two of them could be alone. 

"Goodness, if I'd have known you were coming to see me after so long, I would've made you tea sooner. Then again, it's been almost a year since the last time I've seen you. How have you been these days?" Melissa asked as she started a pot of water over the flamed logs of wood that were sitting in the middle of the room. 

"Phew~ I'm doing just fine, and I can tell you've been busy just as much, Melissa." Izumi laughed, knowing what her friend has been going through. 

This beautiful young lady is known as Melissa Shields, a very talented and intelligent lady who has a knack for helping ladies in need. It is clear that what she does has helped her and her business as she runs a brothel just in the middle of the city. Though being a prostitute is considered dangerous for many, Melissa has found a way to make sure the helpless young ladies that are in need of money can work here without any worry of danger. That being said, she's also been a big help to Izumi in the past, as Izumi has had to be a servant at this brothel a few times just to make some money that was more than she'd already earned in the palace.

"Geez~ I'm as busy as always, but I finally managed to have some time to come and see you. But I'm not just here to see you, as I wanted to ask you something." 

"Hm? Ask me something? Ah– Are you wanting to be a servant here again? You're always more than welcome to coming here and serving without asking me y'know. You've always helped as a servant during this time of the year since it's the busiest time of the year for it to be the Moon Festival." Melissa noted. 

"W-Well yes, that's true, but I wouldn't say I want to be a servant this time." 

"Hm? Not a servant? Then what would you want to be, a cook?" 

"No no, Melissa, I'm asking if it would be alright if I can be a Geji this year for the Moon Festival."

The second she heard that word, Melissa stopped what she was doing and turned back to look at the greenette. 

"You– You want to be a prostitute... during the Moon Festival?" 

"I-I know... I know I'm asking for something that is considered dangerous, but since I know that this place is a safe brothel, I shouldn't have to worry, right?" 

"But Izumi–" 

Melissa stopped the greenette as she stormed up to her and took hold of the greenette by her shoulders. 

"Y-Yes?" 

"I already know that my brothel is not a dangerous place, but you know a lot of people in this city that will be able to recognize you even if you try to put on makeup and change your name." Melissa explained.