Ash

Working as a consort has been a respectable profession for close to a century now, and while I didn't exactly sit around dreaming about this profession in my youth, when dad died and I suddenly had to care for not just myself but my younger sister as well…let's just say sometimes we stumble onto a path by accident.

My clients are mostly regulars, so I don't have to deal with many weird surprises, but they make enough new client referrals to keep things interesting. I've done well enough for myself that several years back I was able to purchase a small house with a yard outside the city, and my work apartment is in an upscale part of town. All things considered, at 36, I love my life. I have my work and my books and my plants, and I'm happy. I've never felt like I've missed out on anything life has to offer…accept a new assistant.

I definitely need to find a new assistant.

Jesse

I come from a family of farmers, but I've always felt like I have more to offer. When I'd told my family that I wanted to go to medical school instead of staying on the farm, they'd hugged me, supported me, and told me they were sure that I was going to be a success no matter what path I followed. They'd saved every penny they could, and had somehow been able to send me off to the city with my tuition and expenses fully paid. Only, it turns out the city is more expensive than we'd expected and I don't have the heart to tell them even with all they've given me I can't quite afford things like…well…food…

When I saw the help wanted listing, the money and hours made it seem like someone had miraculously created a job posting exclusively for me.

Now if only I knew how to be a consort's assistant…

Namid

I may not know where I come from, or who I am, but I've done my best to build a life for myself. I know a handful of people in town, I have a nice place to live, and I enjoy my job. I look just like everyone else. But I don't feel like everyone else, because I feel…everything.

The emotions of others get tangled with my own as they race through my heart and sink into my soul.

They set my nerves on fire and rearrange my cells and spread across my skin until they consume me.

Jayce

I don't know how to explain what it's like to lose half of your soul, to fall into grief so dark and relentless that you lose yourself.

That's what it feels like I've lost. Half of my soul.

I don't want to do this.

I don't want to try to fill in the gaps.

I don't want to walk into rooms that are populated by memories.

I don't want to hear the voice of a ghost echoing in my head.

When the eccentric, introverted man who was found on the side of the road without any memories a decade ago takes pity on me and offers his help, for some reason, I find myself unable to say no.

Even though I dont know him, when hes standing by my side, for one brief moment, I forget to hurt.