Loch & Juliette
The hesitation in the Coulombe girl's voice before she settled on an appropriate way to address Loch earned a quirk of the lips. Vivi's invitation had said come as you are, and so Loch had worn the sort of loose, layered clothes she found most comfortable for working. No noblewoman would have come dressed as she was, indeed—and my lady would have been a little offensive.
"You're welcome," Loch told the girl with a slight bow of her head. She smoothed out her speech a little, making it less coarse, said, "Be careful. You don't want to get hurt on such an important night, no?" Normally she would have sent the girl on her way, but then an idea occurred to her. How would Audrey react, she wondered, to see her baby sister engaged in conversation with Loch? "I am Loch Lemach, harbormaster's assistant. Alys' guildmate. And you are JuCo on the network, are you not?" With a smile, she asked, "Did you get a chance to go down to the docks and take a look around the fishmongers' stalls, after all?"