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]

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?"

[oohforeshadowing]

"Maybe seven or eight a year? We tend to respond to demand," Trouble says. "Some are specific to certain populations, and then you've got things like Lupercalia which started out as a werewolf festival but then it got co-opted into a hornier Valentine's Day."

[bleak_midwinter]

"That one's filtered through to humans," he says. "A little. But nothing big enough for our clubs. Does your own community have anything?"

[oohforeshadowing]

"Shapeshifters don't really have a community to speak of," Trouble admits, with a sigh. "There's not many of us, and we're scattered. A lot aren't...out, so to speak. I've met maybe three others my whole life."

[bleak_midwinter]

"I can't imagine that." He genuinely sounds a little shocked, and he bumps his foot against theirs.

"I've got four siblings to begin with. What's that like?"

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble hums.

"I don't think I can describe that any more than you could describe the experience of having four siblings, darling. I know I'm - unusual, in myself. I was removed from my parents when I was young, so I don't really recall having the family I might otherwise have benefited from."

[bleak_midwinter]

"I know you didn't come here to tell me your life's story," he concedes, running his knuckles over their hand. "But I would like to know. Some other time, if not now."

[oohforeshadowing]

"I think you could draw it out of me," Trouble agrees, and sips their drink. "Mm. Your bar staff know their work."

[bleak_midwinter]

"First priority. Good booze makes people even more generous in ordering more rounds."

People are still relatively calm at this point in the evening, sitting on laps and dancing more than anything. The Gold Club relies a little more on the renting of private little rooms off the side of the bar area.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Of course," Trouble murmurs, looking across the floor, watching the people. "Do you dance, Thomas?"

[bleak_midwinter]

"Strictly as foreplay," he says, with a half-grin at them. He's an alright dancer, graceful enough, but he's not going to be the center of the dancefloor.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Then I think you know what I'm going to ask you, when I'm done with our drinks."

They press their thigh lightly against his.

[bleak_midwinter]

He reaches for them, runs his fingers through their long hair.

"You look so beautiful tonight. "

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble shivers.

"Sexy enough for you? I felt like a change."

It's certainly more modest than the leather miniskirt, which they suspect is a semi-conscious response to the heat. A little more shielding, almost.

[bleak_midwinter]

"Absolutely. A bit of mystery never hurt anyone."

That's likely untrue, but in this case he just means that he wants to re-learn what they look like underneath that fabric.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Thoroughly agreed."

They sweep a hand through their hair and glance across the club, noticing someone staring back at them - so obviously an Alpha that they can almost scent him across the room. They flutter their lashes and look back to Tommy.

"Your clientele aren't as - open in their affections here as at Crimson," they murmur. You know, less public fucking.

[bleak_midwinter]

"Things used to be a little rougher here," he agrees, following their gaze and- frowning. He hadn't scented much of anything on Trouble last time, but he knows kwhat they'd looked like underneath that tiny skirt."The entrance fee is low, to encourage renting of the more expensive private rooms. Most of them have windows with curtains that can be opened or drawn, and booths like the one your place has are further at the back."Where the gold is less obvious, and so it's a little darker. 

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble nods understanding.

"And what do you prefer to use, darling? Do you play here often?"

[bleak_midwinter]

"I find my taste is- more narrow than the clientele that usually frequents my clubs," he says, wryly. He doesn't mind if it's a man or a woman or nothing at all, and he likes Alphas but won't turn down a Beta or even an Omega, and it's already clear he doesn't stay within the human community. But he needs them to be confident, and he likes beautiful and intelligent people, and most of all they need to accept that he won't lie down and spread his legs for them.
"If it's not my reputation throwing them off, it's my unwillingness to submit to the first Alpha that comes huffing and puffing along."