Detroit, Michigan

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“The Midnight Lounge, how can I help you?” Evony answered the phone crisply, her voice laced with smooth confidence and an air of business-like authority. It was a tone Evony had come to perfect over the years, as answering the phone seemed to be a constant staple in her life; sort of an occupational hazard that came with her line of work. It was exactly the tone a man wanted to hear when doing business in this field. They didn’t like to be pestered, or have to go through the formalities, especially her wealthiest clients. And Evony was well adapted to catering for those types.

”Miss de la Longine, it’s Lucian Norton.”

“Ah, Mr Norton,” her voice oozed professionalism, “Confirming your appointment with Ray J, I assume?”

“Yes, eleven thirty tonight?” he asked. Mr Norton ran a hedge fund in the city. He was in his mid-four ties, and had a wife who he lived with yet didn’t speak to, and four daughters in their teenage years. He had a regular booking with Ray every fortnight on a Wednesday evening. He was the kind of man who checked everything, even the tiniest things. Under his watchful eye, not a single appointment, figure or date went unchecked. He was a perfectionist, but he was wealthy and used her services, which was all that mattered to Evony at the end of the day. Of course, she liked to have some degree of knowledge about her clients but, to her, business was everything. She was cut-throat and she didn’t like failure.

“That’s when I have you down for, Mr Norton,” she informed him.

“Perfect. Good evening,” he replied, before hanging up.

Evony set the phone down on her nightstand, a beautiful little circular table crafted from a deep purple marble. It rested on three golden metal legs, arranged like the points of a triangle, beside her four-poster bed. The bed was adorned completely in white bedding; white duvet, white sheets, white throws, white cushions. Thin, white strips of material swept up towards the top of the bed, winding along the wooden columns that held up the canopy. The wood was painted in the same shade of purple as the nightstand. The style of Evony’s room was exceptionally glamorous, which fitted with the Madam’s general demeanour.

There were three floors to The Midnight Lounge. On the bottom floor, at the entrance, was the bar. Behind that, the building gave way to six individual rooms where the real money was made. Each room was themed in a different style, so as the customer could choose what feel they wanted. Above that was the second floor, which was the main living quarters. There was a main room in the centre, with a small kitchen and sitting room. The girl’s bedrooms came off that room, so they could live on the premises. Above that was the third and final floor, which acted as a home to Evony and her children. It wasn’t that they couldn’t afford a house of their own; Evony easily had enough money to buy several houses of her own. But businesses did not run themselves, and places like this which made high profits and catered to the entitled who easily had the ability to be choosey required a lot of work. Evony simply didn’t have the time to maintain and live in a house of her own. Their floor was considerably more spacious than the one the girl’s occupied. Each member of the family had an en suit bathroom and a large bedroom. They also had a sitting room of their own, and a small kitchen, but it was rarely used. Coming off Evony’s bedroom was a small office, where she ran usually ran the business from. The girls were strictly forbidden from entering the top floor, unless an emergency arose that required her urgent attention. After all, she had to maintain a certain degree of privacy. In the basement was a gym and a swimming pool. The girls were expected to keep their bodies in a certain condition, and if they were unable to maintain the looks she’d employed them for, they were gone.

This evening was a particularly busy one for Evony. She’d been booked by a wealthy senator, David Beaumont, for his retirement party. Evony’s girls were expected arrive towards the end of the evening and socialise with the guests. Then, as the party drew to a close around eleven and only his close friends were left, that was when their day jobs finally begun. They were expected to drench the men with attention and then, of course, sleep with them. Evony was escorting them, to make sure order was kept and they did their jobs correctly. Jasper was also coming along, to ensure their safety, and also Haley, to help manage business, but mainly because Evony didn’t want to leave her at The Midnight Lounge without the watchful eye of herself or Jasper. Because Ray J had a previous booking, she was the only girl not coming, but Evony had known Mr Norton a while and was fairly confident Jasper was not required in this situation. Anthony was also staying here, to keep the bar open, should any police or others come poking around. Evony knew leaving Anthony alone with a girl, especially one she knew he’d had his eye on recently, was just tempting fate, but she didn’t have much choice. She didn’t want to leave Haley to front the business instead. It wasn’t that Evony didn’t trust her daughter; it was just that she was often so much vulnerable than her brother. Though he was only two years her senior, he still behaved so much older than Haley. And frankly, despite his inability to keep his eyes and hands off the prostitutes working here, Evony trusted him to look after himself more. And so it was settled, that was their evening.

Evony stood up from the bed, bending back down to smooth the duvet and replace the cushions in their correct place before leaving her room to enter the family sitting room, where she knew Haley would be.

“Haley, darling?” Evony asked her daughter. “Can you please let the girls know we’ll be leaving in forty minutes, make sure Jasper knows too. And would you please be ready to go then as well.” Though her words were phrased politely, it was a question and not a statement. She’d used a term of endearment for her daughter, but she did not expect the girl to defy her mother.

Evony knew Haley wasn’t fond of the lifestyle she’d chosen for the family, and she wished she’d chosen differently. Evony had always been close to Anthony, their relationship had always been caring and he’d rarely held any resentment for her. But her relationship with Haley always felt slightly strained. Of course she loved her daughter, but she never seemed to quite connect with her in the same way she did with her son.

But tonight, Evony’s family issues were irrelevant. She dealt in sex; that was the plain and simple of it. People came to her to forget their issues and their problems. Her girls would take all that away, in their skimpy dresses and lacy lingerie. They gave the men what they wanted. They created a fantasy, a gloss of perfection that overlaid reality and erased it for a time. Evony didn’t just trade in sex; she traded in an evanescent mirage. The unattainable.

“UGH!” The red punching bag came flying back at her, and once again Natasha threw her weight at the dangling workout equipment. With a growl, she jammed an upper-cut, then a crossover, a left, a right, a left-- she stepped back and kicked her leg up over her head to the top of the bag. A sickening -thunk- rang out as her shin connected with the bag. With a step back, she prepared herself for her next assault. Her pony tail whipped around and slapped her check as she did a round-off kick into the punching bag. Gasping for air after she landed, Natasha took a few steps back and put her hands onto her small waist line. Looking up to the ceiling, she took in some deep breaths to try and calm herself. The whispers had slowly drained away, replaced now by the soft hum of her heartbeat in her ears.

Grabbing her water bottle and taking a long draft, she made her way up the stairs and to her room. She smelled like sweat. Gross. She peeled her clothes off and tossed the sweaty garments into her hamper. The shower was warm, and soothing. Steam rolled up the glass shower door, fogging her view out of the glass. Taking in deep breaths of the mist, Naty closed her eyes and let her mind wander. They'd be going to a retirement party tonight. Old men, with weathered bodies, deep pockets, and crowded closets. The thought brought a smile to her lips. Old men tipped really well.

Natasha reluctantly peeled herself from her shower and dried herself off. She went light on the makeup, and chose to curl her hair into long beautiful ringlets. She strolled into her bedroom naked as a jaybird, seemingly unbothered by this. She chose a black lace corset that contrasted beautifully with her skin, and a matching black thong. Her dress for the evening, as she pulled it from her closet, was a skimpy red dress with black heels.

Once her outfit was finished she slowly walked over to her bedside table. Slowly she pulled the drawer out, and looked down at the half empty vodka bottle. I wonder if I can make it through tonight with you, old friend... Remembering that the Madam was coming with them, she gently pushed the drawer shut. She didn't really want to lose her job tonight. Nibbling on her lower lip she strolled across the room back to her door, glancing to her left (into the bathroom) on her way out just out of habit. Her mother lay on the floor in a pool of blood! Natasha screamed and stumbled backwards, knocking over her coat rack by the door. The thin wooden pole hit the floor with Natasha. Scrambling backwards frantically from both the bathroom and the pole, Natasha sat against the side of her bed breathing heavily.

Kaydence was in her room with the door closed and her radio playing softly in the background. She was sitting at her desk with a drawing pad in front of her and her hand moving ever so slowly. Most of the day Kaydence stayed in her room, she had a hard time sleeping after she got done her work because nightmares of her past plagued her dreams and she was a bit emotional thoughout the day. No one would really question this because during her spare time she usually would spend it alone. She was still kinda unsure of how the other girls felt of her and she really was more of the loner type.

So most of the day she spent either reading or drawing, only going out to get a drink or a snack. As she was drawing her alarm went off on her night stand signaling that she had to start getting ready for the evening, she wasn't exactly thrilled about going out to a retirement party and she would have to entertain old men which just makes her want to throw up but she couldn't afford to lose her job so she really had to just go with it.

She went and took a quick shower and then got dressed in a black dress and black heels. She dis up her makeup and curled a few strands of her hair. As she was getting ready she heard a scream and a crash from the room next to hers, which was Natasha's. Ever aince meeting Natasha, Kaydence has wanted to get to know the older girl more but Natasha always seemed to give her the cold shoulder. Even so somehow she has developed some feelings for the older brunette which she knew she would never confront Natasha with.

Kaydence left her room and walked a few steps until she was standing in front of Natasha's door and knocked a couple times "Natasha...are you uh okay in there? Its uh..Kitten" she said in a soft low voice. She then opened the door slowly and peeked in, ahe saw a coatrack on the floor and Natasha leaning against the bed breathing a bit heavily. She wanted to go right in and try to help her but she wasn't sure if that was the best idea. So she stayed standing in the doorway "what happened?" she asked as she peered down at the coatrack then back to Natasha as she waited for an answer.

Clara always enjoyed sleeping naked, it was probably the only time to got to be completely free; away from material gains and such, it was enthralling- except for the part where you have to get up.
Stripping away her lilac linen and throwing her legs over the side of her bed, one by one, Clara pattered to the bathroom, her feet making soft sounds against the cool, dark marble as she enters the room.

For the rest of the day, Clara spend her time beautifying herself - well she did have to keep up to her names standards- and picking out what to wear.
At around nine o'clock in the evening, she finally narrowed it down to two outfits, one was a simple, very short, Red and cream that she was going to pair with her favourite black wedge heels or a slightly longer, but nevertheless extremely sexy blue and silver dress which almost showed off half of her breasts, paired with golden heels.
All she knew about tonight was that they were going to have a 'party' for a certain gentleman, she wasn't sure who he was but he was apparently exquisitely wealthy and was bringing some of his friends that were also, just as rich.
She reasoned that tonight was to be an important night for the business and so needed some expert advice; she knew exactly who from.
Natasha.

pulling on her white lacy corset top with small, pink roses budding at her bust and her matching lace thong with a pair of her most favourite suspenders she wraps herself in a dressing-gown and walks over, both outfits in hand.

It is then she hears the crashing in Natasha's room and then she spots Kitten - as they all called her now - walking over and asking if she were alright.
Waltzing up to Kitten she smiled, "well we aren't going to find out, standing all the way out here. Come." Clara beckoned, pulling the young girl inside the door.
It probably wasn't the best idea as it was quite well known that Natasha didn't like Kitten all too well but it would be rude to tell Kitten to go, when she's come to see whether the girl is hurt.

"Ivory," She speaks softly, using the girls lounge name, "what happened hun?" Clara always called the girls pet names, which they have just grown accustomed to answering as she wasn't going to call them anything else.
Picking up the tall coat rack that was suspect to the noise, she sits next to her friend, trying to look for whatever startled her.

"It better have not been that son of the boss' again, I swear - The next time he's in one of our rooms I shall have to attack him." She jokes, hoping to lighten the mood and yet, being deadly serious about what she'd do.[/center]

---

Jasper had spent his day just watching the girls, particularly Haley. It was his job to watch her, but while she was out in the bar, Jasper also watched the other girls. Most of them were pretty easy to take care of, some of them were trouble makers. Jasper knew that they never meant to cause trouble, but their personality would sometimes clash with a client and not always end well. Only an hour ago, he had kicked out a drunk idiot who was just being an ass. Jasper didn't tolerate any jack-assery. Anything he deemed dangerous was automatically kicked out. The only thing that Jasper couldn't kick out were the drunk girls that would wander into the lounge from time to time. They would flirt with him and touch him and he did not like that, but he knew he couldn't kick them out because they were drunk and touchy. Jasper just had to deal with it. They were few in number, but were hard to manage every time.

Jasper stood tall and strong now, taking his place by the door. The smell of alcohol and smoke filled his lungs and though the smell used to make him gag, he was used to it now. It was a daily ritual. The smells and sights were the same to him everyday. Nothing was new to him. Jasper wondered if this was what it was like to have a real job... except he'd get paid and have his own house and get paid. Stuff like that. Jasper would never know. Jasper didn't have a high school diploma. He could never get a job with out that high school certificate of completion. No one would higher some idiot muscle dude. Jasper tried not to think about it too much.

The time was ticking, and was ticking fast. The business was slowing down. Jasper had managed to schedule the general day of the lounge. He new when business would boom, and when it would slow down. Right now, it was a bit calm. No trouble seemed to happen at this time. So Jasper took this importunity to shower quickly. He headed back to his room and stripped to take a shower. Jasper loved to take showers, but knew he did not have a lot of time to take them. He was in and out of the shower in five minutes. He needed to get back into the lounge before someone went looking for him, but usually Haley would know where to find him. Haley. He hadn't seen her too much today. Yeah he had seen her, but had not talked to her. Had not spent time with her. They never got to spend too much time together. It was hard when he was almost sure that Haley's mother would not like to see them together.

The previous night, Haley had been unable to sleep again. Obviously she had stayed up until at least two or three in the morning, just writing and listening to music. In case anyone could hear her, she decided against playing guitar, though she doubted anyone would have been able to hear her anyways. After awhile she ended up sneaking downstairs to see Jasper, just wearing a long, grey v-neck which she had no doubt he enjoyed. That was never her goal though, pants were just overrated. For a long time she had stayed with him, most of the time just laying there. Unfortunately she couldn't risk someone finding them, or even seeing her sneaking back up to her room, so she ended up having to leave around five. After that she'd passed out on her bed, curled up holding a pillow with a shirt on it instead of a pillowcase.

She didn't sleep for long, but she slept past the time that she was supposed to be up and down at the bar. Everyone there knew that when she actually did sleep, you really shouldn't wake her up. When she finally did get up though, which was around noon, she almost immediately rose and went to get changed. Black jeans, white button-down, and a pair of black sneakers. There was no point in putting on fancy shoes, or at least heels to make her look taller, she would be behind the bar with her brother. The only part they would see of her was waist-up, and the bar was naturally a bit above the floor so she would at least look normal height. Her brother still towered over her though, but that was a given. Then again, everyone towered over her, so it wasn't much of a surprise. It didn't bother her that much, except for the times she was teased about it.

It was around seven that night when she noticed Jasper leave, Not that she had been watching him or anything, but it was hard not to notice him when there was crazy, drunk girls hanging on him all the time. Alright, maybe it wasn't all the time, but it was a good portion of the time. There was nothing she could do about it though, and she knew that he wasn't able to throw them out for something as silly as that. She couldn't say she wasn't pleased when he got away from them though. About a half hour after he had left, to make sure no one even suspected that she was going up to see him, she excused herself from the bar. The man she had been speaking with, or more like flirting with, looked pretty upset that she was leaving.

Going up to her room first, she took a quick shower before going out to read in the sitting room. She didn't want to get ready before her mother told her to, since she didn't want to stay in that uncomfortable dress for longer than she had to. Quicker than she thought though, her mother was telling her to tell everyone else to get ready, and then get prepared herself. "Alright mum," -do I really have to go tonight? There was no way that she wanted to be around tonights happenings, but she wasn't about to question her mother. When the woman had mentioned Jasper her heart has sped up, the same way it always did when her mum mentioned her secret-boyfriend. It wasn't healthy for her to be lying to her mother like this, but she wasn't going to get Jasper in trouble either.

She went into her room and slipped on a black dress and a pair of heels. It took her less than five minutes to get changed, since she hadn't wanted to go down to the girls rooms with a robe on. When she got to their floor she just yelled out that they were to be ready to leave within a half hour, figuring that would be easier than trying to find each and every girl. As she headed towards Jasper's room though, her heart seemed to speed up again, even though her mum had specifically told her to tell him to be ready. When she entered his room he was still in the shower, and though she knew she should probably have just left him a note, instead she went over to his bed to sit and wait for him to be out.

The shower was hot and calmed Jasper's nerves, if only a little. He closed his eyes for a moment until he heard the click of heels enter his room. That meant Haley needed to talk to him. Whether it was instructions from her mother or just something she wanted to say. Whatever it was, Jasper felt obliged to not keep the young woman waiting any longer than she should have to. Jasper cleaned off the rest of the soap that lingered on his muscular body and turned the shower off. He grabbed a towel and dried himself lazily, to then wrap the towel around his waist. He took a moment to look at himself in the mirror. His bare chest had scars on it. The more defined scars lay on his back, out of his view. Each scar held a story, and each story, a memory he wished he could forget.


Jasper grabbed another towel and exited the bathroom with a quiet sigh. He looked up at Haley, who looked absolutely stunning in her dress and heels. She looked amazing, and he just needed a moment to take it all in. He stood in the darkness of his room, a towel around his waist, and one over his head, admiring his love. And though he wanted to smile at her, he knew that his smile would be insincere. Instead, he walked to her, tracking water on the ground. He leaned down over her, and touched her face gently, before giving Haley a kiss. To Jasper, time seemed to stop. It had only been maybe 3 minuted since he exited the shower, but it felt like more. He felt that he had stared at Haley for 15 minutes. Her lovely blue eyes captivated him and her dark hair seemed to come alive and pull him in to her.

The kiss was brief. Nothing to special for Jasper. He kissed her and stepped back. "Gorgeous." Was all Jasper could manage to say. Or all he wanted to say. He wasn't much of a talker. He usually let Haley do all the talking. He was a good listener, and she was a good talker. Jasper pushed his door closed and locked it in order for him to change and for Haley to have a moment to speak her mind. He went through his closet (which didn't hold many clothes), waiting for Haley to speak her mind. Tell him what it was that she came to talk to him about, or if she just want to stare at his naked body while it lasted. For whatever reason, he did not care. She was here and to him, that's all he wanted. Jasper's hair was still wet and the water glistened on his bare skin.

---

A party for a senator usually meant a roomful of flies, perfect for plucking, ready for reeling in. A party for a senator usually meant a flood of wealth in her pocket. Even now, if she closed her eyes, Anneka could almost tangibly feel the chime of gold falling on her like rain. She would run them over her eyelids, preparing the next phase of her burial as the Egyptians had once done, drowning in the treasures she had collected. All of her beauties were still at Robert's, the fool of a FBI agent. How could any man paid to wheedle out the worst in society fall in love with a minx such as herself? She would never understand. No matter how vile, unattractive, undesirable they were, men always found themselves worthy. It made her cackle. Worthy? When did worthy ever matter? No, it was about the game, the chase, the thrill of knowing you would win, no matter how long you drew the torture out. It was the ecstasy of watching a tycoon beg for her sweet weapon, the apple that tasted heavenly, increasing in pleasure, and right before the peak... right after you began to get excited and hopeful... would turn sharply and slowly, ever so slowly, suck the light from your eyes. Death would be merciful, then; you would long for death, perhaps run towards it. But the pain would be slow, and you would be left only with the thought that you don't deserve this suffering.

But you do, Anneka thought lightly, as she surveyed herself in the mirror. She was naked, glistening with the shower water she hadn't bothered to wash off. She quite liked her physical blessings, and didn't mind roaming the second floor without her clothes. She was a prostitute, after all; how could any girl like her feign modesty? The girls here knew her as Angel, but anyone who knew her would recognize immediately: she was no angel. Not if she didn't want to be, anyway. And right now? She definitely didn't want to be. Tonight, she would make money with her job, not her fingers, not her own deceptions; she would play the role of a prostitute feigning aristocracy expertly, and then please any man, any woman, into bonuses unto bonuses afterwards. The trick was to remember who you were playing, while you were playing. Tonight would be tricky. She was expected to be refined, high fashion, high end... that, by itself, was no difficult task. Quite simple, really; it was the first role Anneka had taken on.

But she had to remember the layer she had right underneath that fine act of class. She would be the prostitute playing the role of a wealthy woman, completely at home in a room full of politicians, wealthy, influential men. She would be playing a woman playing a woman. It would be tricky... but immensely challenging, and immensely fun. She looked forward to it.

Once Anneka was sufficiently air-dried, she ventured into her bedroom, examining the contents of her closet. A scream resonated a few moments later, but who cared? It was of no importance to her. Right now, she needed to face a greater threat: finding the right outfit to wear. Most of the girls would be wearing dresses - black ones, at that. Of course, how predictable. Gag. Impulsively, overcome with disgust at wearing something so commonplace, Anneka grabbed the first colored dress she could find: a green beauty she could not wait to don. And for the fun of it? She wouldn't wear underwear. Okay, maybe a little sticker or something for nipple coverage, but you will not find any underwear underneath the long skirt. Not tonight. With a smirk, Anneka set the dress aside, with plain white heels to offset the suddenness of the dress.

Next would be the hair, the accessories, the make up... The list went on and on. I'm a prostitute, Anneka thought bitterly, resolutely, I refuse to do anything. Her only job, after all, was to entertain, to please, to elicit gasps and moans. Sex was her pedestal, and she relished in it. Thus, the hair was left wild, untamed, uncombed - it would fall apart during nightfall, anyway - and her make up was done sparingly. She wore absolutely no jewelry, no accessories; the theme of the night was minimalism.

She was ready in a matter of fifteen minutes. The dress would come on much later, right before she had to leave; it didn't take much work, anyway. Right now, she wanted to remain naked. She hadn't talked to the other girls much; she was more or less a loner in the Midnight Lounge. And what better way to make a lasting first impression than to 'show off your goods,' as one man had so delicately put it. Completely nude and carefree, Anneka walked towards the room that held the screamer - Natasha, if she could recall correctly. She leaned against the door frame, the side unoccupied by Madame's son, and surveyed each girl calmly, noting the one nicknamed Beauty by the customers, and the innocent-looking fairy, the screamer who was quite beautiful if she hadn't looked so.. disheveled at the moment. And as for Madame's son... well, she had never been one to change anything for the sake of one person.

Anneka raised her eyebrows at Natasha and ignored Anthony, directly speaking to the girl before doing anything else. "You okay?" she said softly. She was the new girl, the newest of all the other whores in this place. She would act accordingly.

Natasha sat shocked for a moment at what had just happened, staring in horror at the bathroom that was now empty again. "Natasha...are you uh okay in there? Its uh..Kitten". Natasha’s eyes darted to her door, trying to find words to stop the female from entering. The words seemed to catch in her throat, leaving her gaping, at a complete loss for words as Kitten stood shyly in the doorway. She had dressed already as well, and looked beautiful in the light pouring in from the common room. The hot iron of jealousy twisted in Natasha’s stomach. "what happened?" Kitten asked. Natasha was about to answer when her eyes drifted back to the bathroom where her mother lay once again bleeding onto the marble floor. She choked on her words, trembling lightly. Desperately trying to pull herself together, she was rescued as Beauty came sweeping into the room.

"well we aren't going to find out, standing all the way out here. Come." Natasha’s eyes were glazed over now, half in reality, half not. Kitten was shifting between herself and a burnt to a crisp rapist of Natasha’s past. Again she tried to speak, but no words would come. She forced her attention over to Clara who was busying herself with picking up the knocked over furniture. "Ivory," Beauty’s voice was like a distant dream. "what happened hun?" I saw a rat. came to mind, but she quickly dismissed it. There were no rats in this fancy place. "It better have not been that son of the boss' again, I swear - The next time he's in one of our rooms I shall have to attack him." Natasha had opened her mouth to answer, but closed it and smiled a little. Clara always knew how to fix everything. Jokes. Lightheartedness. No wonder she was Natasha’s best friend.

Ivory was pulling herself to her feet when two more figures entered the scene. "I only go where I am invited," said the handsome male figure from the doorway. Natasha blushed slightly, knowing she had damn well pick her words carefully now. The last thing she needed was the boss’ son telling his mother what a nutcase she was turning into. I’m not turning into a nutcase.. "You should know that, Clara," Anthony added smoothly. Natasha laughed. It wasn’t forced, but it was a little out of place, considering all that had just happened. It was just then that the newest member to their home showed up, naked as a jaybird. Oh, for god’s sake.. have some class… Natasha resisted rolling her eyes, because what the girl had to say was considerate and kind. You okay?" The new girl, Angel, asked. Natasha nodded. “I saw a spider and tripped. It was an accident. I’m fine, honestly.” Natasha tried to keep her voice smooth and silky. She was a great liar. She forced more of a blush into her cheeks and acted embarrassed. “Just a spider.”

As a voice spoke to her, Clara's eyes flitted over to the man in the door - Anthony.
She raises her eyebrow as he speaks and then laughs with Natasha when he adds, "You should know that, Clara."
Feigning innocence Clara softly replies "Why on earth would I -of all people- know that, Anthony?"

Looking back over to Natasha, she eyes her face suspiciously, knowing that something as petty as a spider wouldn't make her scream like so did, yet she could not see anything that gave away what it really was on her friends face and so she dropped it. For now.
It was at that moment that their newest member decided to join them - Angel, naked as anything Clara bit her lip from letting out a little sigh.
Okay, the girl had a great body but really, did she want to make herself anymore tempting for the boss' son? Does she not know what he's like? - Clara knew that she did but still, she felt a little jealousy for this girls good-looks and so, felt a little resentment toward her.

Realizing she still held her two dresses in her hands so re-looked at them and turned toward Natasha, "Now, the reason I was coming over to see you," She starts, "was because I need your expert advice." Clara then holds up the two dresses so that Natasha could see them better.

Then she looks over to Anthony and grins, "which do you prefer?" She asks, lifting the two dresses up.
She did love her red dress but then again, the blue was very - sexy.

Clara knew exactly what to pair with both - The red would go with a more minimalist style her black heels and a little gloss would suffice whereas the blue dress called for her favourite red lipstick and silver kitten heels.
She still had to get ready and this now large group of people was only stopping her - Some would argue that she was a whore and so, who cares what she's wearing? Its not like she going be wearing it that much and yet, it made her feel better to be well presented and you did get more richer clients when you look good.
Also you don't want your standards to drop because otherwise you could potentially be threatened about being kicked out and she just couldn't handle that, not now she's actually grown to like the place and has somewhere where she feels more at home that she ever did, anywhere.

---

---

"Alright, Mum," Haley replied, standing up from her position on the sofa and skulking off to her room. There was no softness to the words, no care or emotion. It was clear Haley didn't want to be there tonight, and Evony hadn't exactly reasoned out to her daughter exactly why she didn't want her staying here without her mother or Jasper, but she still didn't expect such a seemingly cold reception.

With a soft sigh, Evony returned to her own room to get ready. After all, it wouldn't do for her not to be ready when she expected all the girls to be perfectly on time. She changed into a black dress. The garment was fairly simple and classic in style, clinging to her curves right the way down her body, only flaring round her knees to give it a touch of uniqueness. Evony was not usually the type to dress down. She loved picking out something glamorous, emphasising her assets and dressing to create an impression. But tonight was not about showing herself off. Tonight was business, and purely business. Though she needed to blend in with the wealthy feel of the evening, meaning she had to wear something elegant, she also had to remain looking professional. These types of parties were often where she picked up new clients. She was certain there would be men there tonight who's numbers she didn't have in her little black book, and she needed to create a certain image in order to lure them in. What she wore had to say a certain thing, and so the classic black dress was perfect for the occasion. Her jewellery was also simplistic and classic. On her wrist she wore a simple, thick, gold bracelet and in her ears rested studs in an identical shade to her bracelet. Her hair was pulled back off her face to create a businesslike impression, and her make-up was light and natural, except for her eye-liner, which was slightly thicker than usual and her eye-shadow, which was a very pale charcoal colour.

Halfway through applying a thin coat of natural lipstick, Evony froze in front of the mirror, catching the sound of a scream downstairs. She held still for a few moments, but soon she heard voices. She couldn't tell who'd been responsible for the scream, but it was clearly resolved. She slipped her feet into a pair of simple black heels. Though they couldn't be seen under the floor length dress, they gave her additional height on her already relatively tall five foot seven frame. Finally, she checked herself in the full-length mirror, looking herself down for any imperfections. In these situations, image was everything. It could make or break a night, be the difference between earning new clients or losing existing ones.

Remembering she was leaving her son alone with Ray, Evony decided to make certain he was clear on the rules. Besides, since her daughter was being particularly icy with her tonight and she certainly wasn't going to ask any of the girls, she wanted someone's approval on the outfit, and her son was always sweet to her. She exited her room into the main family area, crossing it and knocking on Anthony's door. But there was no answer. She made her way downstairs to find him. But when she reached the second floor, she discovered what the scene was all about. Inside Natasha's room, the owner of the room was standing up from the bed looking a little dishevelled, but thankfully dressed for the evening - which was more than Evony could say for certain other girls... Clara was holding up two dresses, obviously trying to get an opinion.

"The blue one," Evony said to the woman, announcing her entrance to the scene. The blue one would offer more temptation, and pull in the money much faster, Evony was sure of it. She paused before raising her eyebrows, "Is there a problem here?" But she didn't wait for an answer.

Kitten was also ready, and as the Madam flicked her eyes over the girl, taking in her appearance, she realised with a faint smile how much money the baby faced prostitute was going to make her tonight. However, her expression darkened as her eyes fell on Angel. Evony wasn't especially font of the new girl as it was, and her complete disregard for any kind of dignity only riled the woman further.

"Angel," she said coldly, "I hope you're not planning on leaving here like that... I'm sure the longer you spend in this business, you'll come to understand that it's all about temptation; something you haven't quite grasped yet..." Sarcasm dripped from Evony's voice like syrup.

She glanced at her son, the real reason she'd even entered the scene in the first place. "Anthony, a word, please?" she beckoned to him and left the main room to stand by the stairs, to give them some privacy. She didn't glance back to check he was following her, she simply assumed he would.

---

The lack of balance in the room was evident; she could smell it. And its source? It came from Natasha. Anneka prided herself on noticing, on seeing the tiniest traces of instability. The girl hid it well, admittedly, but could anyone fool the master? She could even sense the revulsion at her nudity, but why should she care? She wasn't here to make friends; she was here to bring them all down. But on second thought... perhaps she needed their affections to pass suspicion. She needed to fit in. Madame wouldn't tolerate any 'funny business,' as Robert called it. He had warned her of everything. He was in charge of the Midnight Lounge case, which meant his career rested in her pretty little hands. Oh, if only she could let them crumble out, like ashes from her lips. But it would cost her more than his anger, it would most likely cost her her life. So Anneka made a small sympathetic noise and perused the room. "A spider? You poor thing." She kept her voice soft, rough and low and husky, smooth edges and all texture. Her normal voice was much more feminine, higher and girly. But she was a prostitute, and that wasn't the voice a prostitute ought to have.

She didn't mind that Clara ignored her. She would expect nothing less. And she hardly cared about the 'man' of the house, Anthony de la Longine. Just another pest of Madame's. Anneka would much rather dig her nails into the diamond of the house: Natasha. It was no use denying her attraction to the girl; it ran in her veins even now, this longing for possession of the powerful. Because that was what Natasha was: powerful. She was the top girl of the Midnight Lounge, the drawer of money, of attention and the hollers of men. She wanted to own Natasha. She wanted to be on top of her and make her scream, she wanted to know that she alone had the power to bring her to such divine pleasure. It was her nature, to seek the people at the very top. She would have gone for Madame, if the woman hadn't repulsed her so. The woman did not own Anneka. No one did. Not even Robert, the fool who believed he had conquered the untamed beauty.

Well, speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Or in this case, a she. Anneka turned and found herself face to face with the Madame herself, in all of her icy splendor. She hid the immediate hatred that flooded her tongue and tossed her hair out of her face, lowering her chin in what would pass for humility. She stepped out of the way, making sure she headed in Natasha's direction, and gave the woman some room. This was her number one enemy, the woman at the top of her black list. She was the one Anneka was conspiring against, and she must not think anything irregular of her. But... well, she was naked. She knew Madame's type: the kind of woman who wanted perfection, rushed after it, would not stop until she attained it. And nudity wasn't acceptable, even for the prostitutes under her care.

Madame's words proved her correct, but it still elicited a strong indignant in her. She quelled it and nodded her head meekly, meeting Madame's eyes obediently. "I'm sorry, Madame," she said dutifully, swallowing down her biting, bitter words gently. "I'll work hard to remember tonight, Madame. I will follow my peers' example." Even though I don't fucking need it, you bitchy serpent, Anneka added silently. Her face was carefully masked with a blank deference, and she maintained it even after Madame walked away. She would not lose control; she never did. She had no trouble flicking her true emotions aside, but this woman was bound to test her. Anneka would have to earn the woman's trust.

She was up to the challenge.

Anneka turned to the other girls and offered them a smile, albeit distant and a little detached. "Oops," she said calmly, shrugging her shoulders sheepishly. "I hope you girls don't mind about my, well..." Anneka motioned down her body with the back of her right hand, making a backwards J gracefully. "I was just a little worried about the scream." She knew how she was coming off: cool, confident, mysterious. She liked it that way. Let these girls wonder; perhaps it would draw them closer. She leveled her gaze on Natasha and smiled once more, adding a little warmth to her lips. Perhaps it would draw this girl closer. "But everything is okay, and I will go get dressed now. I'll see you all tonight."

And with that, Anneka left. She entered her own room and touched up her make up, slipped into her dress, and smiled coolly at her reflection. Beautiful. Smoldering. And absolutely irresistible. As usual.

Natasha was standing awkwardly while everyone came into the room, exchanging remarks. Her cool hues rested gently on the floor, glancing every now and again to the bathroom. Clara held up two dresses, and Natasha glanced over both of them, considering and weighing the options of each. It was the Madam, though, that answered. "The blue one," Natasha had to agree. The blue one did look very nice, it cupped her breasts neatly and accented her curves. The Madam was right, as always. "A spider? You poor thing." Naty looked to Angel, her eyes narrowing suspiciously, and then softening. She's not the enemy. Natasha gave a little nod to Clara, to illustrate her agreement since words still seemed to stick in her throat. Natasha was going to say there was no problem, when asked by her boss, but the lady's attention was caught by Angel. "I hope you're not planning on leaving here like that... I'm sure the longer you spend in this business, you'll come to understand that it's all about temptation; something you haven't quite grasped yet..." Natasha winced a little. The Madam scared her. "Anthony, a word, please?" Saved... "I was just a little worried about the scream." Angel added gently. Natasha looked to her and found that their eyes met. What are you playing at? "Thanks, Angel..." softly.

With that, Angel slipped back out of the room. Natasha turned to Clara again, and looked her over. "Are you coming with me tonight for a foursome?" Walking over to her vanity, Natasha set about fixing the wild wisps of her hair that had escaped the perfection of earlier during her fall. Once she was satisfied with her appearance, she grinned at her reflection and turned back to Clara. The images were gone, her game was on. Confidence returned, she noticed Kitten was still in her room. Annoyance swelled in her chest and she rudely gave the baby-faced whore a once-over. "Don't you have something to be doing?" Her words were soft, in the way that razors are soft to the skin until you press too hard. "Oh, and Kitten... You look beautiful." Her words dripped like warm honey, hanging in the air in a chokingly sweet way.

"Stick beside me tonight, won't you Beauty darling?" With a few short strides, Natasha was across the room again and slipping behind Clara. "Allow me." Tenderly she helped the girl undress and slip into the gown of choice. As she stood behind Clara, her fingertips graced the small of her back gently before she pulled the zipper closed. "So fittingly named, Beauty." Natasha whispered in her ear, tenderly kissing the girl's shoulder. She didn't care, or notice if Kitten had left yet. Natasha smiled and walked a 360 degree around Beauty. "Sit with me in the car?" Natasha led the way out of her room, allowing for anyone left in the room to follow before she shut her door.

Noticing the Madam and her son having a conversation by the stairs, Ivory decided to go into the kitchen for an apple. Taking one from the counter, she leaned against the cool wall and waited for the signal that everyone was ready and heading out the door. She would stay by Clara tonight. If her visions aroused themselves, Clara would cover for her. Call her a screamer. Tell them it was a kinky game. Make it fun. Make it fake. Make it okay. Cause that's what Clara did. She made everything okay.

Natasha glanced back to Angel as she began to speak.

Kaydence was brought into the room by Beauty, she had no intentions of entering the room but at that point she didn't exactly have a choice in the matter. Seeing that Beauty came to Ivory's rescue she planned to leave, she knew Natasha couldn't stand her, hated her for some reason but as she turned to leave Anthony and Angel, the new girl, were in the door way. She was staring right at Angel who was completely nude and she had a hard time taking her eyes off the girl No wonder they call her Angel she thought. She dropped her gaze to the floor and decided to just keep quiet.

Natasha said the reason behind the scream was a spider, she looked over to Natasha and wondered how a spider could make someone so freaked out but she didn't question it. Clara went on about getting an opinion on what dress to wear for the night. She liked the blue one but Clara didn't ask her opinion so she wasn't going to speak up.

Juat the the Madam was at the doorway, she told Clara to wear the blue one. She then felt Madam's eyes on her and that made her feel very self-conscious at that moment. She was glad that the Madam didn't say anything to her, she wondered if the Madam not saying anything meant that she approved of what she was wearing, but she wouldn't ask. The Madam then remarked on Angel's nakedness then left as she told Anthony she needed a word with him.

"I hope you girls don't mind about my, well..." she heard Angel speak ans her eyes drifted back to the woman in the doorway. No I don't mind at all.. she thought to herself but said nothing. Angel then left leaving the doorway opened, this was her time to be able to escape from where she was unwanted but she found her eyes going back to Natasha, who has now moved to her vanity. As she was staring Natasha looked at her with a look of annoyance "Don't you have something to be doing?" Kaydence slightly cringed at Natash's words, she turned to leave without saying anything in response but Ivory decided to say something more "Oh, and Kitten... You look beautiful." Those words she never thought she would hear come out from Ivory's mouth, she was glad she wasn't facing Natasha anymore because she was clearly blushing.

"Th..thank you, I am glad you are okay. You look beautiful also" with those last words she walked out of the room not waiting for any response. She went to the living room area and sat down in a chair to wait. She felt alone at that moment, everyone seemed to have someone to talk to or go to, well except maybe Angel but she was still new. Kaydence just wished there was someone she could tell everything to but while she was working here she had to keep everything about her real self bottled down inside her and just keep on living this lie.[/size]

((ooc:I am unable to tag characters, once I can I will. Natasha, Clara, Angel, and Madam were all mentioned in the post))

The sound of the shower being turned off made her breath catch in her throat. Would Jasper be angry at her for coming in his room without his permission? No, of course not, she told herself, you're just being silly. Her own thoughts weren't even comforting her, and she continued to think that he would be upset that she came in his room while he was showering. She should have just gone back to her room when she heard him in the shower, she could have come back later. It wasn't like they were leaving in the next couple minutes, or like Jasper took long showers. He probably would have been out by the time she climbed the stairs back up to her own room. If she wanted, she could probably sneak out now. He would never know she had been in his room.

Before she had a chance to make her escape, though, the bathroom door opened up and revealed a half-naked Jasper. She chewed on her bottom lip nervously, feeling the heat rise in her face and paint her cheeks a rosy color. The only reason that kept her from trying to hide it was that it was already somewhat dark in the room, he must have dimmed the lights before showering, and it wasn't likely that he would catch it. Though the way that he seemed to watch her made her doubt that, but it also made her believe that he might not be mad at her. When he began moving towards her thought, she relaxed completely. If he was angry he likely would have just gone to his closet to get dressed, not bothered to come over to her. The sight of him trailing water on the floor almost made her laugh, that's why you bring your clothes in the room with you, she thought. At least it was what she did, but she knew some of the other girls here sort of just... went around without anything on.

The kiss was expected, but what wasn't was the length of it. Though she told herself not to think much of it, that would just make her seem insecure or something silly like it. He just needed to get dressed. "Thank you." Her smile was clear in her voice, even though Jasper's back was turned to her. "Anyways," she managed, clearing her throat before attempting to speak again. "Momma de la Longine requests that you are ready to leave in forty minutes. Though that was about fifteen minutes ago, so now you have about twenty five minutes." She stood and began towards the door. "Try not to let the girls hang on you too much tonight," she joked, though she did happen to be quite jealous when such things happened.

Haley was quiet for a moment, then finally found her voice. Jasper wondered if he maybe was afraid of him for some reason... He knew that he had a hard time expressing himself, and that would often be the cause of her tense posture. She was so nervous around him. It made him made at himself more than anything else. He froze for a second, thinking about how much he sucked at sharing his thoughts. Jasper was brought back to earth when Haley began to speak again. "Momma de la Longine requests that you are ready to leave in forty minutes. Though that was about fifteen minutes ago, so now you have about twenty five minutes." He heard her footsteps move to the door. "Try not to let the girls hang on you too much tonight," It seemed like she said it as a joke, but know she actually meant it. Jasper tried to keep the girls off him, but he was very soft spoken, and never seemed to say no to them.

He slipped on a white t-shirt quickly and turned around to look at Haley. He wished he could just find his voice to just tell the girls to get off him, but (1) he was too nice to say anything and (2) if anyone had any suspicions of him and Haley, he would be dead. He rubbed the water of his face and shook his hair, then turned back to his closet. "You don't have to leave... you should stay." He said quietly. Jasper wanted her to stay. He wanted her presence near his. There were so many things he wanted to say to her, but just wouldn't come out of his mouth. He pulled out a white button down and slipped it on, still only wearing a towel around his waist. He turned to see if his love had left as he buttoned his shirt up. Maybe she had stayed, or left...

Clara watched the scene unfold before her, yet always kept her gaze on Angel, trust that girl she did not. She was too false, always seemingly up something yet able to cover it up with her sugary-sweetness.
And so Clara picked it up immediately when she let her guard drop, seeing the hunger that filled her, she searched for whom she could possibly be staring at - Natasha?
No, why would she, biting her lip Clara frowns, knowing that if Angel had any plans for her Ivory that they would not be good ones.
She had to keep a closer eye on her friend, make sure she stays safe, her crazy pretence hid her from almost anyone, except Angel.

As the nude girl took her leave, Clara turned to Kitten, immediately sensing the tension.
What will Natasha do? she wonders, staying silent.
Surprise flicks onto her face as Natasha compliments the girl but she suddenly masks it, smiling brightly at them as Kitten takes her leave.

Nodding she walks behind the girl as she sits at her vanity, "Sure," She replies sweetly, thinking about their duty tonight.
And then as Ivory stands up, helping her dress she looks at her friend - Such a broken girl, and yet Natasha never once has mentioned anything about her past.
Was it so awful? Clara would ask her but she didn't want the girl to be frightened once again and anyway, it wasn't any of her business.

"Of course," She agrees to all the girl says, knowing that she would stick with her, especially after what happened, she daren't leave the girl on her own or worse: with Angel.
She would cover up any of the girls visions and make it all OK, or as OK as it could be.

Feeling Ivory's soft kiss on her shoulder she turned around slowly and took the girl's cheek in her soft palm.
"You know you can talk to me," She whispers, her other hand fiddling with the girl's hair.
Anyone watching the scene would probably assume them lovers, yet when you're in the prostitute business, you get more intimate with your friends than anything, you do not have to feel sexually attracted to them to be able to make-out or such.
It's all part of the act.

Yet just as those words leave her mouth she feels it, the burning sensation that courses through her body, burning her inside like molten lava.
She quickly moves her hand away from the girl's cheek and clenches them into tense balls at her side, biting down hard on her lip to keep herself from running to her supply, and most probably getting herself caught.
No, she had a specific time for that - at night while everyone's sleeping so she did not run the risk of getting caught and yet, she still could not stop the impulse that raced through her, to take everything and anything she could, just to feel that oh so precious high again.

Shaking her head bitterly, she forced herself to unclench her fists and put a smile on her face.
For want of an excuse she simply says, "Sorry, I just felt a little sick," And then rapidly changes the subject, "shall we go?"
Entwining her arm with Ivory's she waltzes from the room, acting like nothing ever happened.

Except nothing can stop it, not now; not ever.

---

---

"I'm sorry, Madame. I'll work hard to remember tonight, Madame. I will follow my peers' example," Angel replied. Her tone held nothing but the deepest sincerity and her expression was completely blank of anything that may say otherwise. But that was the thing about the girls here. They hadn't just been employed for their exquisite looks and beautiful bodies, but also for their acting skills. Evony highly doubted, although she never stopped to ask, that any of these girls wanted to spend their evening purring in the ears of old, overweight, unattractive men with wallets, undoubtedly, much larger than what lay beneath their expensively tailored suit pants. But these girls had years of experience, learning just the right way to say something, just the right demeanour to maintain, in order to deceive the men into thinking they actually wanted to sleep with them. Their looks may have been instrumental in getting this job, but their acting skills were what kept them in it. And that's why, despite the sincerity of Angel's lovely voice, something about the apology did not ring true in Evony's ears.

"Good," Evony responded, her voice crisp and clear. She raised her eyebrows a little as the single syllable to the word rung out, giving her words the same basic insincerity that Angel's had.

"Of course," her son responded to Evony's request for a moment of his time. Although, in truth, Evony did not make requests, simply demands, and you'd be damned if you failed to recognise that. But Anthony was an intelligent boy with charm and charisma, and respect for his mother, which was something Evony valued, and he did exactly as she asked.

She allowed Anthony to take his place, leaning casually against the wall. She remained standing, not using anything else as a prop, but she shifted her weight a little, so she was sitting into her hips. She folded her arms, shaking her head and smiling at her son, who was already giving her his own smile.

"So- what is it that you wish to say?" he asked.

Evony paused for a moment, smiling at him, her voice gentle. "The dress, is it alright?" There was a certain vulnerability to her tone, one you rarely heard in the voice of the Madam. In fact, it was a vulnerability the girls never saw, and was rare to her children too, although Haley more so than Anthony. She wasn't concerned about selecting her own outfit, of course she knew how to dress herself perfectly well, after all these years. But she did value having someone's approval, and Anthony was always the sweetest of her children to her.

She paused again, giving him chance to answer, before moving on to the real reason she did need to speak with him in particular.

"It's about Regent Monaco." Evony usually called the girls by their stage names, but she felt she needed to take a slightly more professional stance on this with her son, not that she expected it to make the slightest difference. But she hoped, somewhere in the back of her mind, the use of her full name would sober Anthony from his perception of the girls as his playthings; an attitude she wasn't entirely happy with. Though Evony got on better with her son, and had always felt as if the boy held less resentment for her than Haley, this was one matter on which they frequently disagreed.

Evony sighed, deciding to abandon skirting around the problem and simply address it. This was her son after all, he deserved her frankness. Things didn't need to be sugar-coated for him.

"I know she's been a particular favourite of your's recently, but the rules are as they always have been, Anthony. She's here to work, not to entertain you. So keep your eyes on the bar and off Regent, are we clear?" Her words were not cruel or sarcastic or unnecessarily harsh. They were firm, yet reasonable; as she always attempted to remain with her children.