Aeric stood before what he would have called a nightclub except this was a different world, electricity was replaced by magical technology. He looked down at himself, once more inspecting his newly finished suit. He’d decided to forego the jacket, and just a vest was more his style than a full three-piece suit.

[Aeric’s Suit

[Exceptional quality

[Made by Aeric Redwool, a talented young tailor for himself to wear. It sports multiple separate pieces that when put together form a whole.

[Minor self-repair, Minor dexterity bonus. Aura of the Gentleman]

He glanced over to his left, where Grant was once more admiring his own burgundy three-piece suit. The darkish-red working well with his violet eyes and hair, Grant wore the suit with what he would call practised grace. The young man shook his head, “I can’t believe you made two of these outfits within a day, your pace is nuts. How did you even manage to make something magic quality from mundane materials! That’s insane!”

Aeric grinned, “Well I had to live up to my wingman reputation right? If you don’t land yourself a lovely date tonight, it ain’t the clothing's fault!”

“Yea, well. I can’t argue with that. I feel like some kind of nobility wearing this.”

Aeric looked at him seriously, “Wearing a suit comes with rules, you must follow the guidebook of the gentleman. Treat people with respect, keep things classy.”

“It would be easier if you had a rulebook for these things.”

“Just imagine all the best parts of nobility, add a bit of common sense and a splash of honour and compassion. That is how a gentleman should behave.”

“I’ll try my best.”

Aeric huffed, “I guess I will have to accept a subpar performance.”

Grant punched his shoulder, “Don’t make me dirty this suit with blood!”

“A little blood spatter would go well with that suit, hardly noticeable.”

Grant rolled his eyes, “Let’s go inside, we have dates to accompany.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to wait outside and accompany our dates inside?”

“Assuming the girls aren’t already inside I’d agree. How do we know though?”

Aeric shrugged. “We could ask the bouncers. With the dresses I made they should stand out enough for them to notice.”

Grant nodded and they stepped towards the bouncers, one a dwarf with a shaved head and corded in muscle. The other couldn’t be anything other than a minotaur.

Grant walked up to the dwarf with a smile, “I’ve a question if you’ve got a bit.”

The dwarf grunted and motioned with his head to the minotaur, who nodded in turn and stepped up to the right of the door, eying the guests and on the search for what Aeric assumed must be undesirables. The dwarf bobbed his head, “How can I help you, me lord.”

Grant choked, causing Aeric to laugh. “We’re not lords, I’m a tailor, hence the fancy outfits.”

The dwarf eyed the clothing up and down, nodding in approval. “That’s some damn fine craftsmanship. But yea I know who you are, Aliami’s new one. There’s been talk spreading and settling in with her folk basically makes you nobility in this town. Although ones we don’t have to ass kiss, so yay us low-folk.”

Aeric snorted, “Well I could make some time in my calendar for a proper ass-kissing, but for now we just wanted to ask if our date’s entered yet. One’s a cat-woman?” He turned to Grant with a questioning eyebrow.

“Proper term is Felinis”

Aeric nodded, “Right a Felenis, the other is human. They would have worn… well.”

The dwarf grinned, “Some of your work?”

“Exactly that!”

“They ain’t inside yet, so you’re welcome to enter and I can let the ladies know. Or, and i’d personally recommend this, you wait here and accompany them inside.”

Aeric grinned, “That was our plan, just making sure we aren’t waiting for people who are already inside. Thanks for your time.”

The dwarf nodded, then his gaze flicked to something behind them and he grinned. “I think your dates are walking up just now.”

Aeric turned and true enough the pair were walking up wearing their newly made dresses with pride. The brunette was wearing her red dress and suited it well. Her skin tone and the red dress brought to mind the latina trope that was so often used in movies. The Felinis on the other hand was rocking her bodycon dress. Both were drawing eyes and the eyes were definitely wandering. As they should, that was the purpose of the clothing after all. He nodded to himself in self-satisfaction.

The dwarf grunted, “That’s some good clothing, can’t say I dislike the style.” He grinned and bumped his elbow into Grant’s thigh, who snorted in turn.

“If you ever need a wingman, find this guy.” Grant whispered to the dwarf conspiratorially. The dwarf grinned and nodded in turn. Aeric rolled his eyes at the byplay and stepped forward towards the girls.

“Ladies, a sight for sore eyes. You are looking radiant.” He extended an arm which the brunette latched on without a moment’s hesitation. Her eyes were taking in his suit, and the smile on her face grew to a grin.

“I must say that is a marked improvement on what you were wearing before. I’m going to need a stick to beat off the competition.” She latched herself on his arm and stepped beside him, Grant following Aeric’s lead and holding out an arm for the Felinis, who smiled and grabbed it.

Aeric smiled at his date, “Well I couldn’t let myself be outshone by my own dress could I?”

She smiled as she stepped with him towards the entrance of the club, “If it’s competition you’re looking for I could always take a scissor to this decoleté, as you called it? Add an extra inch, bet I’ll get some extra voters in my favour.”

Aeric smirked, “While I wouldn’t complain about some extra skin to please the eye, I prefer not having to upgrade my stick to a mace.”

She chuckled, “I’m Celina by the way. I reckon our meeting this morning was a little hasty. The introduction short, probably forgot our names with that whirlwind of a meeting hmm?”

Aeric smiled, “In all truth I did remember the names, Celina and Meera right? I just wasn’t sure who belonged to which name.”

She smiled, red lips parting slightly to showcase white teeth. She looked up at him through her eyelashes. Lustrous brown eyes sparking with mischief, “Well if I already got you to remember the name, wait till the night draws to a close. I’ll make sure you won’t forget me after today.” Her smile widened and she pressed a little closer into his side.

Aeric swallowed. He smiled back at her, “Promises, promises. Bet they won’t last too much longer after I butcher everything on the dance floor.”

Celina chuckled, a soft, rich sound. “Don’t you know? Girls love when a guy can’t dance. Gives us a chance to teach them, up close and personal.” She whispered the last part and shot him a wink.

They stepped through the door, opened by the minotaur who nodded at them. The dwarf grinned at Aeric and winked as he disappeared from view. Inside, the building was lighted by magical light strips, the deep violets and bright reds creating a palette of passion. The dance floor saw people moving around, dancing energetically. Some were doing what seemed to be a tango, others were simply moving in place with the music. Other’s enjoyed the music at a slower pace, moving to every other beat instead of trying to match the higher pace.

The smell of people and alcohol filled the room. The odour of smoke noticeable for its absence. Smoking never seemed to have become a thing in this world and woe was it for Aeric to bring it to light. Not having smokers around was probably best for everyone, he glanced to the podium. The stage was lit up with what he assumed to be magic, he could feel the cello in his chest. The bass reverberating through the hall. Likely a skill of sorts, very suitable to a nightclub if he did say so himself.

At the left side was the bar, made from the same dark wood as the floor, small strips of light showcased the steps. Even drunk guests could avoid making a misjudgement about height and falling face first into the dance floor. The bar had an array of customers sitting and talking to each other in what looked from here to be rather normal tones. Perhaps magic separated the bar from the din of the dance floor? Or merely dampened the sound so conversation was more possible.

Celina looked up at him, “Done taking in the view? I want those eyes on me for the most of the night, just so you know.” She grinned and leaned forward a bit, drawing his eye to the hills of plenty.

Aeric smiled and pulled her in a little closer, “I don’t think that will be much of a problem. I have to admit it’s been quite some time since I’ve been on a date. Now that I have one as gorgeous as you, I better give it my full effort.”

She laughed, “You better, there is a lot to be enjoyed in my little pint sized body. Although it’s not just my body.” She shot him a mock glare.

Aeric raised his arms in surrender, “Your eyes are lovely, a truly lustrous brown. Deep and glowing with passion, I could write poetry about them. I can near feel the need to write down my thoughts as I speak!”

She chuffed, “I might hold you to that.” She dragged him to the dance floor. “But for now, it’s about time for my turn at being handsy.”

Aeric raised an eyebrow, “Hey! That was all business, doesn’t count.”

She grinned, “Well this is my business. I know it well, and being handsy is totally allowed. Though that’s just a bonus.” She winked and grabbed his hand, pulling it down to her left hip. “One hand here, the leading partner is the one to push, gently, in the direction they want to dance toward.”

She stepped closer to him, grabbing his other arm, placing it on her upper back. Around the right shoulder, she looked up at him, now separated by a mere hand's width. “I do like this style.” She said as she leaned closer bringing them so close together their noses grazed each other. “It does allow for a proper amount of… intimacy.”

“You did set out for the night with intimacy in mind.” Aeric murmured as he gently stepped forward, trying to get a feel for the music.

She smiled up at him, “I really did, but you knew that when you… adjusted this dress for me.”

Aeric grinned, “Totally worth my time, although it wasn’t much work to make a dress that flattered you.”

She pressed up against him for the next beat and helped them turn, “Well you don’t seem to need to put much work into flattering people anyway. Seems to come to you rather naturally.”

“Only around you.”

She chuffed in amusement, “Such a smoothtalker, you sure you’re the same guy that was so resistant to a date?”

“Well there was this girl who gave me a very good reason to change my mind.”

She stepped in closer, he could feel her breathing, something squished against this midriff as she really pressed against him. He jolted as her hand roamed, his eyes widened. She smirked up at him, hair framing her face. Brown eyes flickering in the light of the club, “Are you sure it’s your mind I changed? Seems like something else might be taking charge now.”

“You play a dangerous game madam.”

A soft chuckle tickled his neck, “Well I am looking to get stabbed, so there’s that.”

Aeric’s breath faltered. He raised a hand up to her chin, pulling her face up to meet his. “I’m finding less and less reason for a stay of execution.”

She stepped up on her toes and snaked a hand to the back of his neck framing his ear with her fingers. “Then make a move..” She whispered up at him, Aeric flicked his doubts away and pressed his lips to hers. Using the hand on her hip to pull her closer, her hand grabbing a fistfull of his hair as she opened her lips and leaned into the kiss. Aeric’s heart fluttered and blood rushed through his veins, his stomach rose and fell with the motion of their tongues.

When they seperated Aeric gasped for breath, looking down at the flushed brunette. She really was gorgeous, her dark hair framing her face in just the right way. The flickering lights of the club painting shadows on her face, highlighting her cheekbones, her thick luscious lips. He leaned in closer and kissed her again, deep, passionate. Hands grasping for handholds as they intertwined, the kiss lasted even longer this time. When they seperated she was grasping at him for support.

“Well that went faster,” She took a gasping breath, “than I expected, better too.”

Aeric caressed her cheek, flicking some hair away from her face. “We aren’t getting much dancing done.”

She put a hand up his shirt, running it over his stomach muscles. “I don’t think we’ll be getting all that much dancing done at all tonight. You know… I don’t live that far from here.”

Aeric smiled, “We’ve barely been here five minutes, and you’re ready to change venue?”

She grinned, “I’m fun like that, besides. Gives us more time to spend on… engaging activities.”

Aeric released a breath, bringing the hand on her hip a little lower. “I do like engaging activities.”

She nodded to herself, reaffirming her stance. “Alright, I’m done. I’m leaving and you’re coming with me.”

Aeric shot her a mock salute, “Yes ma’am.”

She chuffed but dragged Aeric to the exit. They almost ran outside, Aeric lingered just long enough to hear the dwarf bouncer mutter. “Well that was fast, almost record time.”

He glanced back to see the minotaur turn to his colleague, “We have a record time?”

That was the last he heard of the conversation as the petite brunette dragged him through the street. She had his arm grasped tightly to her body, her steps fast and he had to hold quite a pace to keep up. His heart was still pounding away in his head, it’d been some time. Now that he’d let loose a bit he was getting excited. The tension rising along with his temperature.

“If it’s much further I could just pick you up and run.”

The brunette turned and grinned at his flushed face, though he could see the telltale darkening of skin from her own flush. “Not much further, I hope those clothes come off easy.”

Aeric smirked, “Well they do come with self-repair in case of emergency declothing.”

She laughed, a deeper,fuller sound than he’d heard from her before. “Good to know.”

She rushed up to the door of a rather statistique looking house, not that Aeric was giving it the attention it deserved. As she fumbled for the keys he almost kicked down the door, they rushed inside. He closed the door behind him as he entered the house only to have Celina jump on him as soon as it shut. Her hands grasped both sides of his face and she pressed her lips to his. He crashed into the wall but barely had the reflexes to catch the both of them before they stumbled into the ground. He returned her kiss, one hand grasping her behind to keep her from falling, as her legs wrapped around his hips.

The other he used as a guiding hand, to keep from crashing into things, “Bedroom?” He managed in a heaving breath, as he separated from her grasp for a moment.

She vaguely waved in a direction and he stumbled there, opened the door and found the room that housed the bed. He rushed forward and pushed her onto the bed, their lips separating for a brief moment as he looked into her eyes. Their breathing synchronised as they froze for a brief moment. Taking in their partner, the pause shattered as Aeric moved forward again, dextrous hands proving helpful in removing some very unneeded clothing. The halter was pulled over her head and her chest was bared, she in turn pulled the tie over his head before struggling with the buttons on his vest before deciding to just rip it open with force. Doing the same moments later with his blouse, he removed his shirt as her dress dropped to the floor.

***************************************************************************************************

Aeric looked to his left, breathing heavily. He smiled down at Celina who had collapsed on his chest. “Do you actually have sex skills? What even was that.” He muttered down at her while he fiddled with her hair.

She laughed, “Nope, sorry to dissapoint but that was all me.”

“Wouldn’t call that a dissapointment, if thats what someone can do by themselves then what can someone who focuses on love-making as an actual class do?”

Celina grinned up at him, running a hand over his chest, “They get to do all kind of fun things, I know of a prostitute who can take on the form of who or whatever you desire to have sex with most.”

Aeric chuckled, “I bet that can cause for some akward moments when people’s secret desires come out.”

“Not that bad.” She trailed circles on his chest, “She makes money hand over fist. She has a pretty long waiting list. She also has a skill that assures secrecy and one that binds her silence to whatever the client prefers.”

“So she probably has a lot of high-class clientele?”

Celina hummed in agreemant. “I kinda want to ask for round two bout it’d be more like round five and I think my muscles have had it for today.”

“It was a damn good workout. One I’d gladly repeat.”

“Sooo… not to ruin the mood or anything. But I’m not looking for something steady. I was just having fun.”

Aeric smiled and tapped a finger to her forehead, “I’m aware, doesn’t mean we can’t do this again. No obligations, just some good old fashioned sex.”

She laughed, the movement causing some interesting physics to happen. “Well that does sound like an arrangement more my speed. I’m much too young to be settling down, only twenty two! Still got like… a hundred and fourty years left at least.”

Aeric leaned back and let his head rest on the pillow, Celina cuddled up to his chest. He felt the aftersex drowsiness set in and he let it come.