Really, but only for a short period of time. [not too long, luckily. the tides of the war had turned and xichen had reason to return to his home, to rebuild when it was safer.] It was certainly loud. Louder at night, of course, and no two nights were the same in terms of music or festivities.

[what can you expect.] I helped out with chores and the accounts when --- [he cuts himself off, frowning, then takes a deep breath, shaking his head as if to shake off an unpleasant memory that's settled over him.] When the person normally in charge was unavailable.

It was a good cover. [he looks at kovacs with a sad smile.] No one would normally think to look for me at a brothel of all places. [and then an amused chuckle] Well, except now I'm here quite often aren't I?