I want to be apart of it
Who: Jason and John When: Around 9pm Where: John's place
Jason hadn't planned on going over to John's, he had lots of papers to grade by Monday and he'd only taken a couple little naps throughout the day, but there he was. He wasn't really dressed up, tight black faded t-shirt under his black blazer and tight black jeans no jewelry that day and no eyeliner either. He didn't hesitate as his hand raised and he knocked on the door. He just hoped John's open invitation was exactly that.
The door opened to reveal a young woman, the madame of the establishment. Jason had met her on his previous tour of the establishment. Her name was Helena, and her smile -- coy and promising -- revealed a glimpse of fang. "Jason," she greeted him, stepping aside and gesturing for him to enter. "I didn't expect you to be back so soon." She wore next to nothing. A few whispy threads of silk made up a dress which barely covered the intimate places of her body. "John's in the parlor." Jason stepped into the house. "I hope that's ok." He replied, glancing in the direction of the parlor. The last time he'd seen someone he'd slept with more than once was his last boyfriend over a year ago, so visiting John two nights so close together was very strange.
John was not immediately apparent when Jason entered the room, but appeared only a moment later, practically skipping down the sweeping staircase that led to the bedrooms. He was obviously in a fair mood, and his face only brightened upon seeing Jason. "You're back," he announced, affecting good-natured surprise. "How are you?" he inquired, at once the same gracious host he had been the previous night. It was a role he fell back into easily. "Can I get you something?"
Jason turned to face the man and nodded. "I'm good... and I'm fine, thanks." He replied, unsure why he felt anxious about coming back. Perhaps it was because there was something he'd planned on happening the other night when he left for Heme that didn't happen. Or perhaps it was just this place.
This was most curious indeed, John thought as he sat down, half-lounging on the couch cushions. They had the parlor entirely to themselves at the moment, which afforded them some amount of privacy. He hadn't pegged Jason as being anything more than casual, so it was a surprise to see him back again -- albeit a pleasant one. "Want to have a seat?" he suggested after a moment.
Jason nodded and took a seat in one of the chairs facing the couch. "Thank you." He said with a nod. Why the hell was he so awkward? "School ended today." As if John were interested, though it did mean that Jason's schedule had opened up- once he'd finished grading finals of course.
Jason was right -- John really wasn't interested. There was something more to Jason's social call than the desire to make small talk -- but what that purpose was seemed to be particularly elusive. John wouldn't be rude -- he was rarely that -- but he was curious, and, in consequence, a little impatient. Smiling contentedly, almost lazily, the vampire observed, "You're a strange one. Most people are more comfortable with those they've slept with. Sex, I've found, is an effective ice breaker." Most of his partners wouldn't return just to sit across the room in near-silence, in any case. "Why did you come here, Jason Penn?'
"I'd like..." For you to bite me? A job? To be your blood toy? Another fuck? "Know more about this place." Well that was the safe answer at least. "I couldn't stop thinking about it all day." Probably not a good thing to mention- especially when he really couldn't stop thinking about John all day. Which was even worse considering what he thought was sex that rocked his world so hard he'd've been satisfied longer ended up being something he only craved more now. Which was really bad- he probably should have called his sponser instead of going there.
John could almost sense the conflict, and his smile widened knowingly in response. He'd seen many men and women struggle with themselves, conflicts between logic or society and desire, both sexual and not. It was not at all dissimilar to the tension of violin strings -- and John knew just how to pluck them to create the most wonderful sounds... He rose to his feet in one swift, graceful gesture and crossed the small space between them. The vampire radiated confidence and control as he leaned over the younger man, hands settled on the arms of the chair to either side of Jason. "Tell me," he said, voice gentle but no less commanding. "Tell me what you want."
"I'm not exactly sure yet." He told the other man, looking up at him. His body trembled slightly at the mans proximity, as if he could feel the power from him.
Smirking, John's gaze never wavered. His eyes looked deep into Jason's own, searching for that which he struggled with. "Is there anything I can do to help you make up your mind?"
"Tell me more about this place." Jason replied. He'd seen the tour, he'd heard the cliff notes version of what went on here, but he wanted to know more. He wanted to be apart of it, he thought, but he needed to be sure it was worth the risk.
John straightened, looking down at him curiously a moment. Then, turning from him, he said, "This is a brothel. I don't think it needs much more explanation beyond that." Still, his questions were awakening the Risk-Taker in John, his own personal demon struggling to emerge. Gracefully, John took up his former position on the couch, adding, "But ask away."
"Yes, but it is a brothel geared toward vampires..." Jason said slowly. "So there's more to it." He'd been on a little post-fuck high that a lot of what John had told him seemed like it had been a dream. "It's not just sex."
"No," John agreed. "It's not." He grinned. "We also feed." There was a glint in his eye, something instinctively predatory. Time to gamble. "Most vampires have the good manners not to kill their food..." Roll the dice. "...But there are sometimes unfortunate accidents. But those are quite seldom in our modern era."
"I assume that your clientel are given guidance not to, and held accountable should anything happen?" Like being kicked out as to limit the risk of it happening again.
"My clientel pay too much to let themselves get carried away," he replied with a chuckle. "This is the Information Age. We run credit checks -- and complete background checks. Repeat offenders never make it upstairs." No, that was what the basement was for... "And we haven't had an accident yet." That, at least, was true.
Well that was good at least. "And I assume there's quite a bit of discretion used." After all it was a staple of most brothels in history to not name names.
"Of course," John said with a smile. "After all, we are operating without a license." That was, of course, in addition to the standard rules. "You're a history teacher. I don't need to lecture you about the Civil Rights movement."
Jason nodded. "That's good." His fingers absently ran over his jeans as he looked at John. "And those in your employ... it's a 'right to work' situation?" Meaning, can they quit if they want to, or have flexibility with their hours?
John couldn't suppress the chuckle at Jason's choice in wording. "Of course those in my employ are working voluntarily. They're well-paid -- not full-time, though, I'm afraid." He was beginning to have an inkling of where this was headed. "Between the blood loss and the other aspects of their work, it's better they work only a few hours a week."
"That's more than understandable." Jason nodded. He really should be out the door and calling his sponser right about then. "And..." Oh god, just ask! "What's the application process like?"
"I thought maybe we were working our way around to that," the vampire replied with a grin. "Well, I think we could waive the try-outs." That was actually a joke. "All you have to do is ask." John leaned forward, watching the younger man intently.
"I don't want to be paid." He said after a long moment of silence, his hands moving to the arms of the chair. Jason had paid for sex, had traded favors for sex, but had never taken money for sex. It wasn't about a job, it was about a fix. He wasn't a whore, at least not in the traditional sense and he wasn't about to become one now. "I won't accept any money from you or anyone else."
"Ah," John returned thoughtfully, as though something had just clicked in his head. "I see." And he did. It was a matter of pride. John didn't see anything wrong with being a whore -- but, then, he had made his money for a long time doing worse things. "You enjoy sex, do you?" But of course the man did. It wasn't, after all, the pain he was after. John was willing to be he had never been bitten by a vampire before. "You're too pretty to keep chained in the basement. I have to give you something for your time."
He bit his tongue as not to comment about enjoying or not enjoying sex. People- even Vampires he'd suspected- never looked at you quite the same when you informed them that it wasn't about enjoying the sex, that the sex was a fix, a need, a drug- something he -had- to have. And getting paid for it- well more than just pride, if he got to that point he'd sworn to himself he'd commit himself for treatment. So long as he never crossed that line, he'd be ok. Jason shook his head to his final comment. "Just discretion, I may not be some big political figure, but if the school board found out... teaching is what I love to do." Jason's eyes looked over John for a brief moment, the curiousity killing him. "Chained in the basement?"
John looked thoughtful. "Oh, yes," he responded. "If I don't pay you, you're little more than a slave. Chained in the basement?" Whether or not he understood the reference, true though it was, John shrugged and went on. "So, you see, I really should give you something..." He pressed his fingertips together. "How much are your monthly bills?"
Jason shook his head. "Nothing I can't handle myself." Which was reasonably true. He owned his trailer and only had the lot fee and utilities to pay. Painting a few houses over the summer should take care of that. Otherwise food was really his only other -need- for cash. Most of it tended to be spent at clubs when he went to try and pick up strangers, with this place that would greatly decrease his spenditures.
John gave him a forlorn look. "Jason, you have to give me some idea... Let me pay your expenses, at least."
Jason shook his head. "I want to do this... Gratis. Think of it as a boon for you, you'll be making more so long as you have a client that will take me. And I... well I'll be just fine with what happens in those rooms."
"You'll find I'm generous with my employees," he said truthfully. "Work-related expenses. And I won't take no for an answer." He spoke firmly, not willing to back down on this matter. All sorts of things could be deemed work-related expense, after all. His smile was perfectly gorgeous, the sort of expression that made people trust him inherently. "Please."
He didn't have TV or internet so his expenses were really very light- which was good because his salary wasn't the best. "Four Hundred a month." Jason replied. Which was very good considering that was the rent on most apartment- in the bad area of town. If he didn't own his trailer the price would probably be even larger.
John nodded after a deliberate moment of thought. "$400. Are you sure that will cover everything?"
Jason nodded in reply.
"Then $400 it is," John replied resignedly. A smile soon touched his face, however, and he rose to once again approach Jason. "Do we have a deal?" he inquired, hand extended.
Jason stood and took the mans hand. "We do."
"Excellent," he returned joyfully. "As I said, we prefer you only work a few hours a week, but it's really up to you when you want to come in, unless you've been requested." John was grinning cheerfully. "We're a full service brothel, so if there's anything you're uncomfortable doing, you'll have to let Helena know. She's a sort of...buffer, I suppose."
Jason nodded. "If something arises I'll be sure to let her know." He said with a smile. His skin felt tingly with the excitement. "When... can I start?" It was an obvious question, and the first thing to come to his mind now that he'd... well... stepped into something new.
"There's a background check and standard check-up to make sure you're healthy enough..." This was more to be sure he could donate blood without it being an issue than for any STDs -- his clients were dead, after all. "I can run the check tonight, and we can get you into the clinic tonight. You should be ready to go by tomorrow -- if you're in a hurry."
Their other night had him wanting- needing more. He felt as if he could crawl out of his skin if he didn't hurry. "Then let us get the formalities out of the way." After all, beyond a few... indecent exposure fines he'd had to pay his background was clean. And he regularly got tested- for his own saftey. So he really had nothing to worry about.
John was completely confident Jason was clean, that there would be no problems whatsoever. "Well, all the paperwork's in my office," he told the other man with a grin. "Should be a piece of cake. Can I convince you to spend the evening, or were you in a hurry to go?"
Jason nodded. "I think I can be convinced."
"Good," John replied with a knowing twist of his lips. As any gentleman might to his lady friend, John extended his hand down to Jason to help him to his feet, as well as to escort him. "Then why don't you come with me?"