Who: Inara Serra escort, Kenya Rosewater kenyarosewater, & Dorian Gray portraitof What: A Night at The Need/Want When: Backdated, Friday, Sept. 4, late night Where: The Need/Want Rating: Audience Discretion is Advised Warnings: Let's go with adult-club featuring adult themes and people who work in the adult entertainment business. Status: Closed/Completed GDoc
~*~
Nights were interesting for reasons upon reasons in The Need/Want. People tended to come more once darkness had fallen because they felt more protected, secure, hidden in the case of those who weren't quite willing to let others know they were the kind to frequent an establishment of such sort. Their staff was doubled due to the number of clients who flooded through the doors once the revealing rays of the sun had disappeared from the horizon; exits became monitored by staff who did not take lightly to uninvited guests trying to enter of their own accord.
Inara felt safe in The Need/Want.
She had chosen a sari in deep purple with gold thread embroidery on all sides. It brought out the shine in her skin which had dimmed only slightly from cancer. Inara rarely wore as much jewelry as she'd chosen for the evening; there had been a strange sense of indulgence to the act of putting on the heavy bracelets with their delicate chains which led to rings for her fingers. Bare feet were best for private areas which meant she'd elected to wear simple golden sandals which fastened around her ankles with their own chains.
Inara was a free woman who chose the chains she wore.
The Need/Want allowed her to become comfortable enough to be whoever she wanted for the night.
Smiling at Kenya, she stated, "I believe we have an admirer. Look."
She nodded to the man looking their direction.
"Should I invite him over? Is he on your infamous list?"
Kenya would tell her whether or not she could associate with the man. They had an understanding as to how she conducted her business. Inara chose which clients she took on. She welcomed referrals from Kenya as well as the protection Kenya offered with her obsessively over-checked list. Inara was kept safe while Kenya was made more wealthy and so they were both benefitted by the arrangement they'd made together. It was unusual to see someone staring at her with the dancers out baring far more skin than Inara. She hadn't been lying to Haymitch when she'd said she wasn't the woman she'd been in her youth.
~*~
Kenya had made sure the place was safe. Kenya wanted nothing more than to be safe, money was merely a bonus, but safety had been her prime worry in her life here. She didn’t want to ever return to the life she had - she’d clawed her way to the top and then out for a reason. So once here she did everything she could to secure the life for herself. Her bodyguard was someone she trusted with more than her life, and she let him help vet security. If someone didn’t pass his scrutiny, they didn’t work at the Need/Want.
She leaned a bit to get her eye on the man looking at them. Kenya was wearing more clothing than her dancers were, and less jewelry than Inara, so she wasn’t used to being looked at when the girls were making the rounds. She lifted her head then smiled. “No, not on my infamous list, but let’s see what he wants.” she smiled warmly.
She didn’t worry about their safety in here. If nothing else, Kenya could handle herself if she must. She lifted her hand and sent a girl over to the man, beckoning him to visit them. She carefully set down her glass of water, and put on a warm smile. She smiled at the thought of her list. She was being very, very careful with her list this time around. Everyone on it had been vetted thoroughly. She was particular and had made the list available to Inara. She let her friend choose her work, that was the agreement after all. And even if it had not been, she would have anyways.
~*~
Dorian hadn’t been to the Need/Want before, but he’d heard of it recently from an acquaintance at another club and it sounded like something that he needed to check out. He had no idea that he’d already spoken to the owner on Valarnet or that he had been watching her for some time now. It had actually been both of the dark haired women who had caught his eye, as nice as the dancers were, there was something about the two women that had drawn his attention. It was possible that they reminded him of Vanessa in a way; not that he knew the other woman, from his dreams, all that well, but he knew that he was attracted to her both in the dreams and in real life. That much was obvious.
When the girl approached him and told him the two women wanted to see him, he smiled and got to his feet. Picking up his drink, he started across the club towards them. He didn’t walk fast like some men might when beckoned by two beautiful women, but took his time, drawing out the anticipation until he was standing in front of them, “Good evening, ladies. I have to say, you both look quite lovely tonight.”
~*~
"Namaste, I am Inara Serra," Inara greeted with her palms pressed together, fingers pointed up to her chin. She did not bow or lower her eyes. This man was a guest in The Need/Want, but he wasn't a guest. There was a vast difference in protocol for those who visited and those who were expected. It was nice to see he had manners. Courtesy was something Inara took a great deal of pleasure in being able to offer as well as to receive. She was a professional companion, not a whore. There was a wealth of difference between the two.
It interested her to see the man was looking at the pair of them as if he couldn't decide which he liked more.
Kenya Rosewater was the kind of striking which stuck with someone. She was memorable.
Inara Serra was fascinating, an elusive woman of mystery. She was paid very well to keep her secrets; it was something which one could faintly pick up on from meeting her only once.
Stepping slightly back to allow Kenya to take the obvious role of dominant, she stated, "It is kind of you to say so as neither of us have went to much trouble for tonight's engagements. I know I appreciate the sentiment. I can never be told I'm lovely too often. Can you, Kenya?"
~*~
Kenya listened to the man greet them, after watching his progress with a faint smile curling her lips. “A pleasure to meet you, I am Kenya Rosewater. I do hope you have found the Need/Want to your liking?” she asked warmly as she tilted her head to her friend. “Ah, no, I do not think I shall ever tire of hearing that, Inara.” She wouldn’t admit that she was slightly vain. It was always a pleasure to be told you a lovely.
“What can we do for you sir?” she asked as she settled once more, fingers resting on her knee as she took her place on her stool, sitting lightly and easily. She often thought Inara was far more memorable than she was, but she’d never argue with her friend either. Each thought highly of the other.
Kenya waved a hand at the bar tender, motioning towards the man’s drink. Once it was empty, it would be refilled on the house. Kenya was fond of indulging clients, often that meant they spent more in the end. As she found rather pleasing herself. While she was not in it for the money, she did not mind making enough to run the place off profit alone. It made making adjustments to the club easier.
~**~
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’m Dorian Gray,” Looking at Kenya, he realized that she must have been the woman he’d talked to not long after he’d joined Valarnet. Unless there was another woman in Orange County named Kenya, which was certainly possible, but he doubted it, “Although, I think we’ve spoke before.” He had no idea if Inara was also on Valarnet so he didn’t want to go into details yet. Not till he knew.
“I was simply admiring the view. As I said, you both look lovely this evening and I simply couldn’t take my eyes off either of you.” He finished off his drink and another was set on the bar. Picking it up, he thanked Kenya, “I’ve been to many clubs and I have to say, this is one of the better one I’ve been to.”
~*~
"Kenya seeks to cater to a more select clientele than many other clubs," Inara offered, her eyes fixed on Dorian as she took him in, all the knowledge of her years of experience as a companion flooding her gaze, weighting it down, drowning the moment.
She had met many men of power. Some carried it with the obviousness of entitlement while others wore it comfortably as an old coat in winter. Inara was not impressed with power or wealth or fame. Enlightenment was her goal in life; it was men who were self-possessed enough to know their own weaknesses who intrigued her. Something about Dorian Gray was captivating in comparison to the others she'd met that night in The Need/Want.
Trailing her fingers down Kenya's side, Inara said, "Kenya is a very striking woman. I can rarely take my eyes off her myself. Me? I tend to be a more acquired taste. I am pleased to please your eyes, Dorian Gray."
~*~
A warm smile curled her lips. “It’s my pleasure, Mr. Gray, although I do believe you are correct. I am pleased to see you here.” she inclined her head to him, gracious as ever. “Thank you, I certainly do my best to cultivate a different environment than many clubs of the sort.” She looked at Inara and nodded slightly, the woman was her best asset in the long run, just as gracious and intelligent as herself. She loved that Inara came here.
Kenya accepted the touch with a slightly mischievous smile. “You are too kind, the pair of you.” she tilted her head just a little downwards. “Inara, once a taste is acquired, you are utterly unforgettable.” she mused as she looked back to Dorian. “What can I offer you tonight, Dorian, you need to just ask and we will accommodate you.”
She found him interesting, as well, and was pleased that he had come to see them, instead of her employees. Sometimes she enjoyed being in someone’s attention, although rarely had the event happened where she was truly pleased with it, as she was now. “Do not hesitate, I am sure if we cannot help you, someone else here can.” a cat in the cream smile danced on her lips and in her eyes.
~*~
Dorian watched the way the two women interacted with each other and he couldn’t help but find it quite arousing. They clearly knew each other very well and he wondered just how well acquainted they were with each other. “Anything? So whatever I want from you, I’ll get?” He hadn’t approached them with anything in particular in mind so testing the waters seemed like the best idea. It didn’t happen often, but Dorian had had his fair share of slaps to the face over the years from going just a little too far with his suggestions. Those were the rare occasions when his charm hadn’t been in top form. He always hated when that happened and he didn’t want to wind up offending either woman.
~*~
Anything was a strange concept in the world of professional companions. Everyone had their limitations. Inara was no exception to that generalization. She had moments where she was more open-minded for a client than other times. These days were harder for Inara to be open-minded because she was all too aware of her body's new limitations. It wouldn't do to have a client put off by her post-cancer physique when she could offer them more with the reveal of less.
She had to consider Kenya's face before answering.
"Anything is a very interesting word in our line of work. Limitations do exist which transcend monetary considerations however, for the right client, nearly any accommodation can be made. Personally, I doubt you'll have a request I cannot agree to though Kenya is her own advocate. You should focus on making your request very, very appealing, Mr. Dorian Grey."
That would be how he would get what he wanted from the pair of them. Inara would always offer a new client a bit of a break in terms of accepting unusual requests. If they felt comfortable enough to ask, she would attempt to be accepting enough to agree. Her journey in life was enriched by all the people who came in and out of it. Inara was a blessed woman when it came to sharing her road through life. So many amazing people, so many bright spirits, so many souls, they all made her life richer which made her a very rich spirit indeed.
~*~
Kenya smile warmly at him as she settled against Inara’s arm, gently so her friend would not be taking much of her weight. “As Inara says, there are always limitations, but again - one shall never know if one doesn’t ask, and I’d take her advice and make it as appealing as possible.” she smiled at him, eyes watching him through her lashes, sweet and dangerous all at the same time. Kenya had her own limitations, which were often different than Inara’s, for different reasons, too.
She wondered what he would come up with, not many dared ask something of them both at once, most people avoided asking Kenya for anything. Most knew she was boss, and chose her own clients on her terms, and she generally hand picked them herself.
But her smile was inviting.
“So what shall it be, Mister Grey.”
~*~
Dorian had no qualms about Kenya being the boss. As far as he was concerned, she was an attractive woman who appeared to be receptive to his charms and that had been what he was looking for that evening. It wasn't that he was trying to take his mind off Vanessa, but no one said he couldn't be infatuated with her and have some fun at the same time.
His smile, as he looked between the two women was mischievous as always, which only enhanced his charm. He took a sip of his drink before speaking again, "Well, ladies, what I was thinking was..." If they agreed this would be a very good night.
~*~
Being approached by a new client with an interesting idea was its own novelty. Inara didn't have to fake any interest in listening to his proposal. She was genuinely enthused by the thought of trying something new with someone whose company she enjoyed along with a charming, handsome newcomer? It was the perfect way to spend an evening as far as she was concerned. The money wouldn't even have to be exceptionally good for Inara to feel blessed by the entire exchange since she was already tingling with anticipation.
"We are certainly going to have our work cut out for us, hhm, Kenya?"
Inara jostled her friend with her hip, a laugh coming out of her at the thought of it all.
"I am so very glad I was drawn to the club tonight in spite of having no client to meet."
She would get another experience to work with on her walk through life and hopefully Mr. Dorian Grey would find them both charming enough to add the memory of them to his permanent collection. There was nothing better than making a lasting impression on a client. It was the best way to live forever in Inara's opinion. She could not stop smiling as she adjusted her stance to lean more onto Kenya, already trying to determine the best way to wrap herself around the other woman while looking her most appealing.
~*~
Kenya nudged Inara back with a warm smile. “Oh I think we shall. I look forward to this.” she mused with a bright glint to her eye. She was content to see where this would lead, it wasn’t often that someone approached her with an idea. She usually hand picked her own clients, not the other way around.
She took the subtle hints from Inara, and snaked an arm around her friend, smoothly dragging her fingers down the side of her neck. Kenya worked well with Inara, knowing what her friend was up to with just the subtle movements. She wanted to enjoy whatever came their way with a wide open mind.
“I am glad you did as well, and I am pleased to see a handsome man taking initiative with his own ideas.” she rested her head gently against Inara’s as she turned her eyes to Dorian. “Would you like to go somewhere quieter to discuss your idea?” she smiled as she indicated with her other hand towards one of her favored rooms.
~*~*
Watching Inara and Kenya together was quite arousing and Dorian was glad that they appeared to be into his idea, “I think that’s a good idea.” He assumed that there were rooms at the club so he wasn’t surprised when Kenya gestured towards some rooms. “Taking initiative is the only way I know how to do things.” He smiled at them both as they headed towards the back.