Power Overwhelming

Waverly wasn’t exactly surprised that shit had stirred up at the club, but it was her place of work so she did her best to just carry on. She was sat at the bar, pausing between clients. She wasn’t booked for the night so it was a case of seeing where the evening took her, which could often turn out to be the most fun. She turned as she heard someone speak, “they only hire the best,” she agreed, glancing up at the stage nearest them where a girl who was completely rocking the stage. “Are you having a good night?” she asked, “anything I could do to make it even better?

“I always have a good night here.” Grant answered with a grin. It was true, especially since Sanctum made sure there was always something to please. “We can start with your company. Join me for a drink. What will you have?”

“I’m always here to enjoy the show,” the escort said as she passed her tongue over her lips. “But I’m also always looking for a little more.” Mila gave the male a good look, a seductive smile on her lips. “I love watching them,” she said, giving a look in the direction of the dancers but making sure the other was the sole focus she had in that moment. “And I like to please. There’s sadly not much I can do when it comes to that. Not while they are on stage at least.”

The woman’s seductive charms were hard to resist, and Grant didn’t feel like resisting tonight. “If you’re that desperate to please, I’m sure a private show would scratch that itch just as well. I’m always looking for eager young things looking to please. Just how eager are you?”

     She leaned against the bar top next to Grant as casually as she could. She had a few favorite patrons, people that were polite and fun and interesting enough to capture her attention. But she never let it show how she truly felt in any situation, so even a friendly face couldn’t make her forget she was working. “Sanctum wouldn’t be what it is otherwise. There’s plenty of cheap strip clubs out there.” The corner of her lips lifted into a tiny smirk as she glanced at the man from the corner of her eye. “It has. I was starting to think you left Vegas and traded us for some fancy club somewhere else.” Rather than delve into a conversation with him, she was looking at the dancers. Or trying to, anyway. “I always take notice when the best patrons stop showing up.”

“It’s sad how true that is. Even in Vegas where everything is grander it seems like Sanctum is the only place you can trust. He shook his head with a grin. “Oh, I’ve tried, believe me, but I always find myself back here. There really is no place better from coast to coast. Besides, I was just busy in Silicon Valley finishing a big deal. Now that it’s over, I have much more time to spend it where I please.” He chuckled at that flattery of hers always enjoying how naturally she does it. “One of the best huh? You’re not trying to flatter me into taking you out for the night are you?”

“Are you easily distracted?” Macy hummed lightly, an errant hand running through her deep red curls. It was partially a tease, a way to see if she could hold his attention and to know exactly what kind of client he was. “Hi Grant. It seems I am the new one in that case, and you have nearly two years of lost time to make up for.” 

“Oh, I’m retired. I might be the youngest retiree in all of Vegas.” The escort laughed, she hadn’t spent time in the other casinos, but knew the wide variety of people who frequented them. “I am an escort, I think the tiny old Russian lady who was my first ballet teacher would somehow sense it if I used my talent and grace for anything other that, and these are her words not mine, ‘the highest arts’ and come haunt me. But don’t worry, I find plenty of ways to turn heads.” Her smile was almost wicked. “I caught your attention, didn’t I? And that was before you knew I could offer scathing critiques of technique and musicality.”

"It depends on what is trying to hold my attention.” Grant offered turning his full attention to the woman. “Do you think you have what it takes?” He challenged, curious how eager she was. “I’m curious how how you would plan on trying to keep my attention when there are so many other offerings.”

“I have to admit you are looking pretty good for a retiree. I suppose dancers usually retire earlier than others, like athletes.” He nodded his head, not afraid to admit how easily she did catch his attention. “You have a knack for getting attention, I won’t deny that, but can you keep it? That’s the real challenge in your line of work.”

     It took a few days for things to go back to a resemblance of normalcy, but Gus found herself back to the usual rhythm of customers and orders. She glanced toward the stage now and then, watching the performers with curious eyes. She took a slower moment to move from behind the counter, arms crossed over her chest as she watched one of the girls dancing when a familiar voice reached her ears, taking her attention away from the stage. “Yeah? Only the best of the best get hired to work here. I hear some of them come from professional dancing companies. But it could be just rumors.”

Grant could not help the grin that spread across his face when he saw it was Gus behind the counter. It had been a while since he last saw her, since he came to the club so infrequently before. “That’s true. The quality of every employee truly is top notch from my experience.” He did not doubt that many of the dancers were probably professional. With the money being thrown around in a place like this, they could certainly afford it. “It’s been a while, Gus. Miss me?”

𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀 𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐍'𝐓 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 hiding the roll of her eyes. ‘Jealous?’ she laughed. ‘Please. Only fools waste energy on such a petty emotion.’ She met his gaze once he’d finished eying her up like she was some sort of jewel on display for him. How arrogant. She’d enjoy taking such a man down a peg. Or two. 

‘I do,’ she agreed. ‘Though, I’ve a feeling we are creatures of similar appetites, you and I.’ 

Vanessa brought her glass of wine to her lips then, partaking with a low hum. ‘Shall we test it?’ she asked, gaze gone dark with challenge. ‘With a friendly wager?’

It was nice seeing a woman who didn’t hold back speaking her mind. Grant grinned happy to find a woman who could keep up with him. “It would certainly seem so. Luckily for us, it seems there is a feast and a half to go around.” The two years he had been here, he had never felt like he had to compete for attention. There was always plenty to go around.

She’d been on edge since the night of the masquerade, jumping at small noises and flinching at unexpected touch. For someone who’s career was dependent on touch, this had the potential to become a major problem. So Macy forced herself to stay in the main part of the club, with all of the noise and touch and people - and told herself she was fine. 

“Hmm?” the redhead managed to not appear completely startled when the man next to her spoke. Macy smiled, running a finger around the rim of her glass lightly. It was nearly empty. “We are exceptional, aren’t we?” a light tease, establishing her role within the club and also betraying her own longing to be back on the stage. “Although,” she leaned closer brushing her shoulder against his and lowering her voice as if to share a secret, “The girl on the far end has been off her music for the past three sets and it’s driving me mad.” 

“But I am probably the only one who notices.” Macy straightened up with a dazzling smile and finished her champagne. “I’m Macy, I used to be with the New York City Ballet, old habits die hard.” she shrugged slightly. “Are you new? Or am I just unlucky to not have seen you before?”

Grant chuckled with a nod as he realized the girl beside him worked here as well. It really did seem like the club could do no wrong, and he was happy for even more proof of that. “Has she been?” He said with a chuckle as he looked at the girl in question. “I doubt many of us notice a detail like that. We are much too easily distracted.” He turned his attention back to the girl as she introduced herself. “Grant. I’ve been a member for almost two years now, but I’ve not been here as often as I would have liked. I’m looking to remedy that now that I have more time to enjoy the benefits of the club.”

Grant had to admit he was even more impressed with her credentials as a dancer. “Here I was thinking they hired any girl to shake a leg, but an actual ballet dancer? I can only imagine that must turn many heads in your direction.”

“You’re not alone in that.” The woman replied. Her hair was up off her shoulders, revealing her slim neck and giving only the best unobstructed view of her cleavage, casually on show as it was everytime she arrived here. By this point, she doubted it was all that much of a spectacle.

“They only hire the best.” She continued. “I should know - I’ve tried most of them.” A light, airy chuckle came from her as her wine glass switched hands so she could hold one out for the man to shake.

“Lalina.” She introduced. “Or Lina, if you wanna be friends.” A one shouldered shrug and she was sipping her pinot grigio again.

“With the price we pay, I certainly hope so.” The woman clearly did not mind showing off, and Grant appreciated the view she was so happily giving him. It was clear she was a veteran of this place, and he had no doubt he had seen her before, even if this was the first time they had introduced themselves. “I only wish I could have watched. I imagine it was quite the sight.”

Already his imagination was running wild, but he didn’t let it stop him from taking her hand giving it a firm shake. “It’s nice to meet you Lina. I’m Grant. I hope I get to know you much better now that i plan on spending more time here. Are there any benefits that being your friend endows?”

The woman was not booked tonight, her time being devoted to attract potential new clients. She had been eyeing the male for a moment, having seen him around many times before. Taking a sip from her cosmopolitain, Mila smiled at the other. “They do know how to move their bodies in ways that must can’t. But their focus is mostly on showing themselves. I rather make the other the star.”

Grant looked at the woman who was clearly on the prowl. “I know what you mean. There is something about making a spectacle of your partner that just can’t compare to anything else.” He gave the girl a once over, smiling at what he saw. “I take it you’re not here to enjoy the show then?” He said waving a hand toward the many dancers.

                    she was only made aware of so much, but it was easy to see see something unexpected had occurred at the masquerade. eloise had been here three years, the energy always shifted after something like this, but she never remembered it being quite this bad. nonetheless it was part of her job to ENTERTAIN, to act as if nothing happened, not that she wouldn’t regardless, it was her nature. she went to grab a vodka red bull — much needed energy after her last set when he spoke. a grin tugged at her lips, nodding in agreement. “pretty superbe if i do say so myself. though i might be a little biased. glad we can still please — you’ve been here a bit ??” swearing she had seen his face around at some point.

𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀 𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃, steel gaze falling on the man sitting beside her. She chuckled humorlessly, finger tracing the rim of her near-empty wine glass absently. ‘And what talent would you be speaking of?’ 

Grant chuckled as he turned toward the woman. “Oh, I think you know exactly the kind of talent I’m talking about.” He knew he was being crass, but it was just too much fun. “You’re not jealous are you? From the looks of things, you’ve go plenty of ‘talent’ yourself.” He said with a grin eyeing her over quickly.