• The Spread
• OOC Info.

Tanshi No Tsukiko

"There is no profit in shame."

• You're Here
• OOC Info.

The Madame

Height: Four Fulms, Eleven Ilms.
Build: Healthy, Petite, Toned.Eyes: Silver w/ Silver Limbal Rings.
Hair: Mercurial Silver with slightly lighter highlights.
Skin: Pale, unmarked for the most part save for a few tiny scars on her knees, feet, and the palms of her hands.
Defining Features: Starlight freckles on her shoulders and back, trailing in a 'v' to her lower spine. Difficult to see if her skin isn't wet, or the light hits them just right.Scent: Candlewax & Vanilla.

Profession: Prostitute & Madame.
Hobbies: Fishing, Reading, Singing.Likes: Music, Art, Tea, Birds.
Dislikes: Strong Cheeses, Filth
Status: Married, taking clients.

"Thank you for joining us, Miss Tsukiko. Tell us, how have you and yours been this last turn?"

"It's a pleasure, thank you. I'm pleased to say that the last turn or so has been quite bountiful, and my Lanterns - and myself - are thriving. I'm nothing but proud of them for all of their hard work during what have been difficult and questionable times."

"We heard you had quite the life change this last turn! Rumors speak about a bonding and adoptions! Is there any truth to the rumors?"

"I'm not fond of speaking about my personal life," Tsukiko laughs, "but I'm happy enough in my life to be comfortable at least confirming that much. My partners and I adopted two youths this last year, and we've adjusted to that rather well. They are so very much my lights in the dark, and I'm so proud."

"You seem to use that word quite a bit!"

"Proud? Why wouldn't I use it? I own a business that feels like a family to my employees, and I've exceeded my own expectations in my personal life. If you told me ten turns ago that this is where I'd be now, I would have thought you absolutely mad."

"There's some truth in the rumors that you had a rough start, then? Your choice of work is one that's viewed in wildly different ways... was that a first choice?"

"I don't think anyone really looks at the work I do when they're young and think it's the right career - and make no mistake, it very much is one. I didn't come up in a safe place, my start was on the streets and in the alleys, and it's not a start I'd recommend for anyone, really."It was a matter of feeding myself and the other one with me, or dying. I'm too stubborn and we got too far to have it end that way. So I started. Was it what I wanted to do when I was young? No. Did I do it out of necessity? Yes. Do I regret it?"Not a moment."

"How does your husband feel about what you do for work?"

"Partners, please." She's smiling as she thinks for a moment. "It doesn't come up the way that many a person might think. They don't join me in the work, we don't talk about the clients that I take. The truth is that I never went into my work with the intention of coming out with a partner at all. Let alone three.

"When I first realized that I was feeling more than something just physical, my partners and I sat down and talked about my work and my own wish for my autonomy. I love what I do, and I didn't want to have to choose between them and what I loved to do."

"Everything turned out alright, though. At least, it seems that way!"

"I was lucky! Not only was the man I came to love someone I could trust, but he genuinely had no want to stop me from doing what I loved. He understood right off the mark that my work wasn't because I am unhappy with myself in some way, but because I am genuinely attached to seeing others love themselves and become confident in how they carry themselves both in and out of the bedroom."I'm also very fortunate that my work isn't a thing that any of my partners treat as a fetish or a kink. I very much love what I do, but it's beyond healing at times to be able to spend time with them not as a call girl, prostitute or madame... but as a woman in love with them. I think that's ultimately what allows for us to have a healthy, happy relationship."

"Would you say that communication is a skill that's overlooked in your work?"

"Absolutely. There are many reasons for this, I think... but ultimately it comes down to people that must learn how to communicate. Your partner can't read your mind. You have to say what is on your own mind and you must be willing to phrase it politely. If you can't speak, don't be upset if you don't get what you want."

"How often do your clients confess attraction to you?"

"More often than I think most would expect. My clients range from sexual to platonic, and it's more often the ones that are seeing me for platonic reasons that end up falling for me or confessing feelings. It's not uncommon, but I wouldn't say it's expected so much as understandable. Whores do not judge, and we're excellent listeners. We can be the perfect partner on the surface. It's the job."

"For our first time readers, tell us a little about your beloved Red Lantern, if you please!"

"Gladly! As you know, I've been a prostitute for longer than most are comfortable admitting to, and one of the most critical things - (cont. next page)

- Tasteful Nudity Warning in Later Images -

(cont. from last page) - I believe in is the ability to do the work you love in a place that is safe and secure. I need not tell you how dangerous my line of work is, dear reader. There's a reason our demises tend to serve as warnings for those of thinner skin."The Lantern was erected as a place of such security, not just for those like me who wish to do their chosen work in peace and comfort without the worry of an empty belly or a knife in the dark."

"So it's a place for companions, really?"

"Whores, love. Don't be afraid of a word, it is only a word and it is worthy of respect. We have plenty of them in our employ - whores, prostitutes, lady or lord of the night. We accept other terms, of course. Companion is popular and often more palatable, and not far off the mark. Ultimately, no matter the crassness of the term, we tend to use it."Admittedly, I have a particular distaste for the term 'courtesan.' Of all the men and women who use the word, I have met a fraction of them who were an example of the pedigree. They simply did not wish to sully themselves with a term spoken with scorn. Our work is messy, dirty and not intended for those who care about the opinions of others."A word, a name, only has as much power as you give it. For good or for ill."

"I see! You're clearly passionate about your work, but I wonder if those passions extend to other things. Do you have any hobbies?"

"Contrary to what my employees seem to believe, I do have other things I do than simply work!"I'm very fond of travel, though I admit that I don't get out as much as I used to. I was once a pretty common sight at venues all over, but business tends to take up much of my time. I'm particularly fond of musical venues and those that put on performances. Quite a few have ceased their productions in the last few turns, it's truly a shame."I've been considering learning a bit more about the Far East. The mythos and legends particularly interest me."

"How many bells would you say that you spend working?"

"If we're considering administration, I would argue that it's my life from dusk to dawn and back around again." She laughs, pausing to sip her tea. "If you're inquiring about my client list, it's sparse in comparison to some. I don't work as I used to - which is to say it's not for the reasons that I once held.

"I work because it's what I love to do. The sex is often amazing, and I do enjoy a good tumble about, but I find that I enjoy the quiet moments quite a bit more, these days. People are more prone to speaking honestly about themselves over a chess board or when gardening together."There is still an intimacy in the work that I do so very love, but if we were to say that I spend more time outside the bedroom and more time elsewhere, that would be quite true."I'm due a trip to the docks, I think." Her wink is sly, conspiratory, almost.

"Do you have any advice for those who want to do the work that you do? How to determine clientele, or how to be safe?"

"My first bit of advice is to consider if the work is what you actually want to do, or if it's simply a passing fancy. Being a whore is work - it's managing clients, budgeting for outfits and cosmetics, renting a safe place to do your work. There is no shame in admitting that you simply wish to have sex - do so! The love of pleasure doesn't make you anything more or less than someone who just enjoys pleasure."If possible, do not begin on the streets. Find a reputable business and contract with them. They should pay fairly, you should have benefits. Where you work should be as much a shelter as it is a business. They should be in the game of helping you as much as you help them."Leave any business that forces you to do anything you do not wish to do. You are not a servant nor a slave, you are a commodity that should be treated with respect - your work is not only of sexual inclination, you are the safety and security to your client, a secret-keeper and friend."If your clients are ever simply just a payday, find another line of work. You deserve a profession with which you can give your whole heart - and your clients deserve someone who treats them as they should treat you; with respect, humility and compassion."

"What's something that you want those who need to know to know?"

"No matter the hand you've been dealt, the power to play the cards is on you and how you play them. Plenty will say that the house always wins, but I know quite well that the house is simply a house. Throw open a window, leave a message in a book of wishes and wait for the call. I know many people in my line of work - but as many people as I know, I will always prefer to do the hardest work on my own. You need only ask."

"The Red Lantern Society operates in a lovely venue in the twenty-fifth ward of the Lavender Beds, plot fifty-eight. Join them for coffee every other Friday, or find them out in the world living it up. Care for company? Speak to Tsukiko to arrange a review!"

Lady of the Night

Open Availability ; Business Themes

One Shots/Long-Term ; Sexual/Nonsexual

"After the scamp, are you? Truth of the matter is that we haven't seen 'er here for quite some time. Used t' be that she'd always be around with her guard - some said it was 'er father, but the way 'e would look at 'er, I always thought that seemed a li'l less the case, but I could be wrong. Even so, it's been a few turns yet since we've seen 'er 'ere. Y' might try closer t' Gridania, yeah? Rumor 'as it she networked somethin' fierce an' earned 'erself enough favor t' start a business 'erself. I'm not supposed t' 'ave favorites or anythin', but I wouldn' mind tha' t' be true. Y' find out for me, next drink is on me, yeah?"

A Sober Ul'dahn Patron

Tsukiko's history as a whore is not one that is secret, and it's more than possible to either seek her out as a potential new client, or to create a pre-established relationship where one might have arranged time with her once before, or as a more frequent client who might have fallen out of contact with her as she moved about in her later years. Her appetite for gil is quite well-known, but it's rumored that since founding a successful business she has developed a higher standard of quality for those she takes as personal clients; after all, she no longer need settle for a sub-par experience just to keep herself alive.

The Red Lantern Madame

Open Availability ; Business Themes

Alliances, Rivals, Guests, Clients & more.

"The Lantern? Of course we know about that place! We lived there once upon a time, didn't we? The Madame was very good to us when we had nothin' but our needles and some thread. Abby's husband threw us both out on the street an' we thought that was gonna be the end of us, didn't we, Abby? Turns out there actually is some kindness in the world, an' you'll find it there. Sweet little place, the Lantern. Recently moved, from what I remember... goodness, it was such a tiny little estate at first, but you'd never seen a woman prouder. Most folk hear a place call itself a brothel and that's the end of it, y'know? But she saw us one night and asked if we could repair curtains and other cloth, and that's how we found ourselves food and shelter for naught but the skills we already had. You need anythin', you go there. Tell her that Abby and Annie say hello - an' thank you."

Annie, Gridanian Weaver

A brothel in form and function, The Red Lantern sits atop the crest of a hill in the beautiful Lavender Beds, an imposing estate that shelters far more than prostitutes and other sex workers. Hidden behind the modest luxury of an estate built for comfort is a haven for those who have lost everything and need someplace safe to stay while gathering their feet beneath them. It's known that Tsukiko keeps the estate open not just to guests, but potential business alliances as well - though her expectations of those who seek such a thing is known to be quite high. Clients, guests, allies, and more can find their start here with this business hook.

The Pale Scorpion ; Mizuki

Limited Availability ; Criminal Themes

Contracts, Deals, Missions, Thievery, Wetwork.

"Hey, you.
Yeah, you. Heard you had need of someone a little more skilled in getting things done in a... less than pretty way. You didn't hear it from me, but there's an apartment out in the Mist that just has a book set on a pedestal with a little recess in it. Leave your name on the page and the best place to find you, and a stone in the recess; red for wetwork, black for goods, green for thievery, and white if you need help. Then get the hells out of that room and just wait. I can't tell you what happens after - I just know that whatever you need done, it'll get done. Just don't go poking around more than you need. There's a reason she's got that moniker."

A Shady Figure

Known more to those who revel in shady deals and the need to own things that aren't theirs, the incessant training pressed upon her at a young age when traveling with her father has found some use in getting certain jobs done. It's known how to contact her in most darker circles, and she is more often summoned by fearful and desperate individuals who are caught in less than ideal circumstances. While wet-work is on her list of skills and there are a fair few who know her lust for blood, she is more commonly hired for simple thievery, forgery, or as a companion for a job that just needs another hand. She's also known for being, strangely, one of the most honest potential murderers on the market - she doesn't snitch and doesn't charge until the job is done. If you are a part of the criminal underworld, you will have most certainly have heard of her nickname.

The White Hart

Limited Availability ; Random Theme

Catch & Release Roleplay

"There's a rumor that if y' go real deep into the woods, you'll find a huntin' lodge. It's not just any old lodge, though. Sure, you'll find food an' friend, y' might even find a regular ol' trade or two if'n y' really look for it or know who t' ask. The lodge hosts a different kind o' game, though. Y' get all sorts o' types tha' put their names up like they themselves are th' mark, y'know? Never tried t' find th' Lodge or anythin'... those same rumors say y' can end up the hunted even if you are th' one huntin'. Y' seem the sort, though. No offense."

Gridanian Hunter

The Hunter's Lodge is a player-run co-op that offers a platform for like-minded adult role-players to mingle and set up pop-up SFW or NSFW role-play scenarios on their own time, frequently referred to as 'hunts.' While not all hunts are explicit, due to the possibility of such and the theme of the Discord itself, it is restricted to adults only. Access to the Discord is required to participate in hunts -- ask Tsukiko for more information or an invitation!

Content Warning: Tsukiko is a character featuring content that may not be all that comfortable to the general populace, and as such carries a strict policy of only participating in personal storylines with adults equally capable of keeping a thick line between IC and OOC. It is expected that communication will remain paramount for the comfort and safety of those who interact with her, which does mean that individuals should know their own boundaries in what they will or will not participate in.At any point in time, a player is more than welcome to message me and speak to me privately about concerns regarding my character, provided that such concerns have a direct impact in interactions with them and/or the characters. I will not change my character's core on the fly to make you more comfortable, but I am certainly willing to play with you within the boundaries that you put forward, provided that you actually do put them forward.If you are not comfortable with characters who make their living in a sexual manner, Tsukiko may not be the type of character for you, and that's okay! However, it is a core part of her character and I'll never pretend it doesn't exist.I have no interest in participating in content with players who cannot understand and respect boundaries and common decency. The character is a whore, the player is not. 'Mature' means all content that is not safe for children - not just erotica.This carrd has been slimmed considerably. Her hooks & gallery are both on The Spread. Links have been made predominantly 'if you know, you know.' Nothing here is graphically NSFW, but I state again that this character's concept, history and play is not and never will be family friendly.