abo nonsense

[oohforeshadowing]

Some clubs are, of course, only for humans or only for non-humans - not that there's ever official rules about these thing, but people tend to just know. A place has a certain name, a venue in a certain part of the city, and these things alone make it clear who is and isn't welcome. 

Crimson, on the other hand, has always been for customers of all varieties - although it tends to only attract the most adventurous Betas. Double Trouble has been a co-owner for the past couple of years now, but that does not mean they're about to avoid availing themselves of the client-facing experience.

So to speak. 

They're lounging alone - holding a glass of wine, lightly scented with cologne and Alpha sweat - when they first spot the newcomer.

Comments

[bleak_midwinter]

He has a double purpose for being here tonight. One: he need a good drink, and he wants to see if there's anyone who might be up for a fuck. Two: he's looking into branching out, when it comes to clubs. He's got two nice, human clubs, one for all clientele and one for alphas and omegas.

He's looking, and he's looking. He takes off his gloves as he looks around, then takes off his coat and gives them to the lovely omega coat check girl.

Tommy smells like the very carefully neutral that screams don't want to talk about it rather than 'Beta'. If he finds someone tonight, he'll be finding them, not the other way around.

[oohforeshadowing]

It's a busy Friday night, and it's a mixed bag, clientele-wise. Of course, the majority look human, but that's because werewolves and vampires and demi-Fae will tend to do that except under certain conditions. The elves and trolls, the satyrs and High Fae - you can spot them at a distance.

Then there's Trouble. Shapeshifters are a rare breed, and many of them have human forms they stick to in company, just to avoid drawing attention. But Trouble - in leather and heels, long ears lined with tiny studs - is definitely looking to be noticed.

And the way they sit up and take notice when Tommy crosses to the bar, that's noticeable too.

[bleak_midwinter]

He holds up two fingers to get the bartender's attention, and asks for a whiskey. When he's got it in hand he leans against the bar and scans the crowd.

Until he feels eyes on him, and he sees Trouble looking. Hm. Shapeshifter? He isn't completely sure, but he likes that leather, likes those eyes.

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble can't get a read on him from across the room - the sheer physical confidence says Alpha, but it's hard to be sure. Honestly, they don't really care. They're bored tonight, people are starting to get naked, and he's cute.

They meet his eyes, and smile, slowly.

[bleak_midwinter]

He tilts his head and makes sure he has the right idea- and when he does, he lifts his glass, shakes it, wordlessly asking them if they would like to have something. On him.

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble flashes their teeth, briefly, then nods at Tommy's glass and raises two fingers.

They'll have what he's having, please and thank you.

[bleak_midwinter]

He gets another whiskey, and then goes to bring it over. Alpha behavior, at the very least, especially with the way he holds the glass out to them.

"Don't know if I'm late or early, seeing as you're still alone while everyone is going hard."

[oohforeshadowing]

"Oh, it gets harder than this," Trouble murmurs, accepting the glass - letting their fingers brush. Alpha assertiveness, but no scent - an absence that says suppression, not Beta. "I've never seen you here before."

[bleak_midwinter]

He smiles at them, then holds out his hand. A businesslike little flirtation, if they take it, since he lets his thumb rub over their skin. He isn't sure how things work with shapeshifter, but he definitely can't scent anything on them.

"Thomas. So you're here enough to recognize the regulars?"

[oohforeshadowing]

They take it. More a lingering clasp than a shake, with a hint of sharp points to fingernails that were definitely claws once.

"It's just good business to know who my money's coming from," they murmur, and shift a little to make more space for Thomas. An unspoken invitation.

[bleak_midwinter]

He takes it, leaning a hip against the bar. He's already found out he's queer in many ways, and he thinks he can include shapeshifters in the non-human category. There's something about Trouble's confidence and poise that's getting to him.

"Do I have the honor of speaking to the owner, then?"

[oohforeshadowing]

"Co-owner. My partner doesn't really use the facilities," they admit. "Call me Double."

Most shapeshifters have pseudonyms more than names. It's an odd cultural thing, an artefact of a harder time, when shifters were harshly distrusted and identifiable family ties were dangerous.

[bleak_midwinter]

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Double" he says, smiling- he means it.

"I own the Garrisson and the Gold Club, if you know 'em."

The latter, especially, was rather viciously taken over six months ago. The Shelby company, as a result, has something of a... reputation.

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble doesn't go back into Crimson for a while, as a patron - though they do work the occasional shift behind the bar, wearing one of the alternate bodies they use for anonymity's sake. Call it mystery shopping in reverse.

It's a pleasure to get Tommy's invitation by text, however, even if the evening he's suggesting is going to coincide with the first night of their heat. It's never that big a deal.

Do you have a dress code, darling?

[bleak_midwinter]

Tommy has neatly passed over another cycle, and is balanced as anything. Not that he knows it'll come in handy- he just takes that for what it is, these days.

He's invited them to the Gold Club, for the sake of the renovations, and he tells them something sexy. He, himself, will be in an office overlooking the club until they show up. He's wearing a plain white dress shirt and tightly cut trousers- not sexy, but he's the boss.

[oohforeshadowing]

And because Trouble is strictly there for pleasure and not at all for business, they can wear what they like. This evening, what that looks like is a snug black jumpsuit, with a cowl neckline so deep it drops almost to the navel in front - the back is wide open, just a narrow waistband strap over their tail.

It's one of their less revealing outfits, but regardless, a lot of green skin to be showing off in an exclusively human crowd. They're drawing looks from the moment they walk across the main space, but do nothing but smile as they cross to the bar and order a martini.

[bleak_midwinter]

It's not commotion, but they're sure drawing looks. Tommy sees the motion in the crowd, smiles, and knocks back his drink. He assumes it's the, well, green skin, but there's something about their scent that's getting people. Alphas are getting just a little more aggressive, Omegas shy away a little more.

Tommy makes his way downstairs, and holds up a hand in greeting. His orientation is unknown by most of the clients, but everyone always assumes Alpha. He's fine with that.

"Double- already making impressions?"

[oohforeshadowing]

"And I wasn't even trying," they murmur, thanking the bartender when a cold glass is set down in front of them. "How are you, darling?"

[bleak_midwinter]

Tommy nods at the bartender, and a whiskey appears before him soon after.

"I'm doing alright, Double. Doing alright. And yourself?"

[oohforeshadowing]

"Better now that I'm in good company," Trouble says, and lifts their own glass. "Shall we drink to something?"

[bleak_midwinter]

He raises his glass and proposes: "To new taboos."

[oohforeshadowing]

"To new taboos," Trouble agrees softly, and touches the rim of their glass to Tommy's.

"I'll keep the shop talk to a minimum, but I should ask - how's business been going, darling?"

[bleak_midwinter]

"Should you?"

He puts a hand on their lower back and leads them to a table. It, as much as anything in here, is gold-colored and shiny.

"We've been doing quite well. We've been barring less savory clientele, and it's cleaning up nice. Yourself?"

[oohforeshadowing]

"Very well," they murmur, taking their seat. "There's a Fae fertility festival coming up next month, and we're planning to make the most of it."

These things tend to attract patrons who wouldn't usually come to these clubs, and afterwards, some of them become loyal customers.

[bleak_midwinter]

"Now that's capitalizing on an under-served market," he says, impressed and interested. "Are there many events like that?"