Like a Professional

This work has only been published on Patreon.

This work may not be canon.

“Like a Professional” is a novelette published on Patreon in 2021. Carrie is considering professional services. Lorelei is happy to plan and assist.

## Warning

“Like a Professional” contains explicit sex, explicit expletives, polyamory, angels, ordinary jerks, lust, pride, party fouls, consensual sexual misconduct in private and in workplaces, prostitution, sexual promiscuity and the enthusiastic enabling thereof, portrayals of divine and demonic matters bearing little or no resemblance to religious canon, sexual power exchange, lingerie, innuendo, the Seattle housing market, and a casual disregard for traditional Western family values.

## Synopsis

Lorelei discussed sex and relationships with some friends at the conservatory. Carrie turned out to be in search of uncomplicated physical love, preferably at professional terms. Lorelei was happy to act as procuress, and was enabled by Rachel. Carrie and Alex enjoyed a one-evening stand.

## Appearances

### Characters

* Lorelei
* Ted
* Carrie, a conservatory patron undergoing a divorce
	+ Philippe, her soon-to-be ex-husband (mentioned only)
	+ Brendan, her guardian angel (mentioned only)
* James, a conservatory patron
* Lupita, an employee of the conservatory
* Rachel
* Alex Carlisle
* A party full of boozy white-collar Seattleites

### Locations & organizations

* The conservatory
* Suite 1705
* A house by Lake Washington’s northern shores

## Continuity

The story is set in early April, after “Guardians” and before “Strangers”. It may or may not be canon.⁠

## Theories

Rachel’s and Lorelei’s awareness of Alex’s pleasure was very high during his tryst with Carrie. Lorelei thinks of this as natural variation. However, it is possible Rachel’s supernatural influence on Carrie to trust Lorelei reinforced that particular bond between them as a side effect, since part of the intent was “getting our guy laid”.⁠

The canonicity of this story is unclear. “And honestly… I'm not sure if this one is canon or not. You'll see why. Fair warning.” The timeline posted on Patreon later on also left it undecided.⁠ Some possible reasons for the story being non-canon are:

* The story is set after *Personal Demons*, but Lorelei still seems to have the original bond that makes her feel Alex’s pleasure as her own.
* Rachel uses supernatural influences on someone not her ward.
* The story features a largely outdoors party in early April, in Seattle.
* Alex provides sex for money.
* The tryst with Carrie is technically with a married woman, and thus counter to Alex’s original rule of no married women throwing themselves at him.⁠
* Lorelei seems to set up the tryst with Carrie without consulting with Alex first.

## Trivia

The conversation with Carrie about what makes the relation between Alex and Lorelei work echoes the one Lorelei had with Amber on the same topic.⁠

## Publication history

“Like a Professional” was first published on Elliott Kay’s Patreon on May 6, 2021.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Timelines and Links: Good Intentions (Elliott Kay’s Patreon, July 4, 2022)
2. ↑ “**Like a Professional**” (noncanon)
3. ↑ Story Post: Like a Professional (Good Intentions)—Patreon May 6, 2021
4. ↑  *Good Intentions*, chapter 8
5. ↑  *Natural Consequences*, chapter 2