Aimeé

Bright eyed, blonde, optimistic, happy-go-lucky. Aimeé is a young cheerful woman who has found comfort and security as a prostitute in the Red Fox. Tall and plain, she makes up for her lanky figure with her charm and wit. Intelligent, and quicker than most on the uptake, she is known to help many of the older women in the neighbourhood. Because of her willingness to help, she is regarded by the locals as ‘better than her circumstances’. Her accent betrays her rural origins, which she was born to a poverty stricken family in Gallowe. Having fled her family home with the help of a band of Gypsies she reached Takshendal in her fourteenth year where she quickly learned that the city was no place for innocence. As a consequence of her having helped other people, Aimeé is known to be able to read, write and even keep simple accounts, but how she came by these skills is a mystery.

Hilda Grimbleflax

A slender, yet sturdy woman in her middle years. Her strength of personality is immediately evident in her bearing and open manner. Quick to voice her opinion she can often seem fiery and aggressive, but lurking beneath the spitfire one may glimpse a perceptive and prudent woman. Hilda Grimbleflax is the proprietor of the Red Fox coffee house, which is known locally as a private bawdy house. She is usually well dressed, if some what casually. She wears no make up and despite her profession she is not a prostitute. She was once married to a young soldier, but he was killed in some distant war.

Due to her candour and general disposition, Hilda Grimbleflax is very popular with the locals, both amongst the back street poor, the armorial district academics and the many actors, artists and other petty intellectuals.

Note that prostitution is legal in Takshendal due to the teachings of both the Church of Holy Law and the Church of Divine Grace, though it is generally considered something of a shabby, unimpressive trade. Some few prostitutes do make a name for themselves however and one or two become rather famous due to the company they keep. Hilda Grimbleflax is known to employ five girls; Aimeé, Isabelle, Sandrine, Marissa and Kit Kindle.

Note also that coffee is a rare drink in Takshendal, imported in limited supply from Axor.