by Eden Redd
Jon led the way across the street. The name “The Temptation” blended into his thoughts. He didn’t visit downtown too often and he certainly didn’t partake in the nightlife. He couldn’t remember the last time he was at a club. The name continued to nag at him, like he had heard it before, but it eluded him. Resigning to trusting his elven girlfriends, he figured they saw it in a commercial or ad and it piqued their interest. The night would turn into an adventure and they would all have new experiences together.
When the group approached the front of the club, Jon noticed the long line running along the rest of the block. With every step closer, he noticed the line was filled with men and a few women. A confused dread crept into his spirit as they stepped closer and closer. When they reached the entrance, Jon looked at it and his eyes widened a hair.
The sign blinked with flashing red and white lights. Posters hung behind glass cases, nearly naked women hanging on poles and giving seductive stares. Bold words stood out like “XXX,” “Good Time,” and “Lustful Lap Dances.” A chill ran up and down Jon’s spine as realization struck him like a tidal wave.
Jon stopped abruptly, Cora and the others looking at him.
“We… we can’t go in there. It’s a strip club,” Jon’s voice hollow.
Lilly approached and looked up at the sign and the posters. “And?”
Cora let go as Jon turned to the group. “It’s a place where… um… mostly men go… to see almost naked women.”
Syndra stepped to Cora’s side, her gaze firmly on Jon. “It doesn’t sound like a bad place.”
“It’s not… it’s just… it’s just not a normal date place. I thought it was a dance club. I didn’t know it was a lap dance club!”
Cora’s happy smile faded and she crossed her arms. “I saw it on the news. They said tonight was its final night. It has been special to downtown for many years. This is a perfect place for our date night.”
“It’s been special to many lonely guys. We are not a bunch of lonely guys,” Jon not believing the very words coming out of his mouth.
“It sounds like you think this place might be beneath you,” Syndra tut-tutted.
Jon shook his head. “It’s not that. It’s just that, not many people go on dates to strip clubs.”
“It’s our date. We can go anywhere we want and I want to go to a strip club!” Cora said with an adamant edge.
Jon was stunned, unsure what to say. When he glanced to the side, he saw a police vehicle stationed close by and two officers eyeing him and the elves.
It’s just a strip club. If they want to go in, who am I to say no. Those officers keep checking us out and I’m not feeling too confident about their intentions. There are still people who are distrustful of people from Aquris and I don’t want to chance any problems.
Lilly touched Jon’s shoulder, “On Aquris, there are many places like this to help ease spirits from long voyages. We understand that you may not be used to it, but for us, this seems very much like home.”
Jon nodded. “I’m sorry everyone. You’re right, there is no reason why we can’t continue our date here.”
Cora’s eyes lit up, Syndra smirked, Zelda nodded, and Lilly squeezed Jon’s shoulder before letting go.
Jon turned and looked at the long line. “There are a lot of people here. We should get in line now before anyone else shows us.”
Jon took one step forward when the front doors opened. A large man stepped out. Jon guessed he was the Bouncer. The man’s face was scarred and had a no-nonsense glare about him. Dark eyes shifted to the group of elves and the lone man among them.
The bouncer approached and looked down on Jon. “Can I help you?”
“We were just getting in…” Jon was cut off.
The bouncer’s eyes widened and a smile appeared. “You’re… you’re Johnny Deep, aren’t you?”
“Johnny Deep?” Jon whispered.
The bouncer grinned. “Famous actor of the Pirates of the South Seas. I love your movies! These must be some of your co-stars! So much beautiful talent!”
“Um… I…” Jon began before Lilly wrapped her arm around his neck and smiled brightly at the bouncer.
“Yes, he is this Johnny Deep! He is taking us out on a date and we heard this place was closing down. We thought we would have the rest of our date here.”
The bouncer nodded. “Of course! You all don’t have to stand in line with the rest of the low-level horny guys. Please, come in.”
“Hey! Some of us just like beautiful women!” one man shouted from the line.
“Our soozes have kept this place running for decades!” another man shouted.
“We want to see hot chicks!” a woman screamed from the line.
The bouncer ignored them as he opened the door and bowed slightly at the hip.
Lilly took one of Jon’s arms and Cora took the other. The trio strolled in, Jon grinning like a mad man. Syndra and Zelda followed, but not before waving to the line with happy grins.
Jon walked down the long, dark corridor as music thumped in the distance.
I don’t know if I should thank my luck or curse it.
They reached the ticket booth. The woman with a cigarette in her mouth eyed them. She glanced down the corridor to the bouncer. He waved at her and gave a small hand signal.
“No charge,” the woman coughed.
Cora and Lilly turned Jon around and walked to the hanging curtain. Hands out, they pushed the thick curtain aside and were immediately assaulted by strobe lights. Colored lights shifted and moved in circular patterns as music blasted their senses. Lilly and Cora grimaced as their ears twitched. Jon looked to them, but it seemed to pass as they smiled and pulled him further in.
Stages filled the immense main room. Poles stuck from the bottom of stages to the ceiling. Music pulsed like a living thing and women hung and swirled around metal poles. Scantily clad bodies gyrated to the music as strippers and dancers shined welcoming smiles. Dozens of people were already inside, holding up soozes and putting them in G-strings or thigh-high boots.
“I’ll get us some drinks,” Lilly said as she uncurled her arm from Jon and moved to the large bar running along one side of the club.
“Cora I…” Jon tried to say.
“This is wonderful!” Cora shouted with a smile.
Syndra and Zelda moved to the couple and took in their surroundings.
“It’s good to see women of Urth showing their sensual power and beauty! These men should be on their knees,” Syndra shouted over the noise.
“This place reminds me of home. I miss the male elf dancers,” Zelda said with a razor grin.
Jon glanced to the seven-foot-tall sea elf and raised an eyebrow.
Syndra nodded. “We should make Jon dance for us.”
Jon’s mouth hung open for a second before Cora pulled his arm. The pair moved to a section with no one standing. Cora let go and tried to dance. Jon watched her as she seemed to be using dance moves from her home and trying to copy what she was seeing on the stages. It made her awkward, but her smile was bright in the different colored lights stabbing down from the ceiling.
Jon watched her for a long moment before he shrugged.
Why not?
Jon began to dance with the thin elf. The pair drew gazes from the stage and among the crowd. Some dancers clapped in their direction. Men and women howled for more as the two moved to the heavy beat. Jon fought his embarrassment as Cora appeared elated. Gone were the blank gazes and what replaced them was a happy, fun spirit. It was so infectious, many dancers pointed for others to join them. A moment later, at least a dozen people joined in on the impromptu dance section.
Lilly stepped to the bar. A large man made his way over and gave her a polite smile.
“How can I help you tonight?” the bartender inquired.
“Five rum drinks,” Lilly said and without thinking, pulled out a gold coin.
“Oh, I must apologize. I don’t have any soozes. I will have to come back,” L
illy said with genuine concern.
The bartender held up a hand to stop her from leaving. “It’s quite alright. With a gold coin, I’ll be your bartender for the night. Just come to me and I’ll make sure you and your friends have a great night.”
Lilly’s eyes half closed as she smirked. She had forgotten that gold was a precious commodity here on Urth. Placing the coin on the bar, she slid it forward and pulled her hand back. The bartender snatched it up and slipped it into his pocket. Hands then moved, picking up glasses and placing them on the counter. A bottle of rum appeared and he began to pour.
“We’ve never had elves visit the establishment. If you're looking for work, I know a few places where you would make a fortune,” the bartender smiled.
Lilly turned and looked over to Jon and Cora dancing among a dozen people. “Thank you, but I’ve already found my treasures.”
“I can respect that,” the bartender said as he finished pouring and slid the glasses to her.
Lilly picked up the drinks between her hands and fingers. She winked at the bartender before making her way back to her crew.
Lights continued to flash as music blared loud enough to wake the dead. A drunk man walked up to Zelda and gave her a lopsided smile.
“No,” the sea elf said and showed her sharp teeth.
The man nodded, turned and walked away.
Syndra spoke up as she stood with Zelda, “Before we left, Cora asked me to help her when we go back home.”
Zelda grinned as she watched the dancers. “Help her how?”
“She said she would give me the details if the date was successful,” Syndra said loudly.
Zelda turned her gaze to Cora and Jon dancing. “I think it’s a success. I didn’t know she could smile and she is all smiles with Jon.”
Syndra eyed them, her heart beating with loving affection.
On the dance floor, Cora had found the rhythm and her dancing went from unusual to controlled lightning. Jon could barely keep up as she danced like a trained acrobat and ballet dancer. When she slammed down her heel to the growing bass, her body seemed to glow with strength and grace. Men and women cheered her on as she took center stage, moving like a skilled dancer.
Jon watched with unblinking eyes. Light flashed along Cora, illuminating her like a fae in the forest. Her moves were seductive as she looked to Jon with a heated smile. When she licked her lips, she moved in close and ran her hands down his chest to his stomach. Fingers curled into his belt and she pulled him closer, grinding against his thigh as the crowd around them went wild.
The mood was blazing hot as Jon’s hands clamped on her hips. Something flashed in her eyes and she knocked away his hands. Jon’s brow went up as the thin elf turned around and pushed her back to his chest. The two moved in sync, flowing with the tempo.
The music shifted to a new song and Cora broke free and walked away.
What was that?”
Lilly stepped to Syndra and Zelda, handing them a drink. The three elves took deep sips. Cora joined them, hand out. Lilly handed her a drink and the thin elf slammed down the contents.
“Having fun?” Lilly asked.
Cora nodded as she turned around and stared at Jon.
Jon slowly made his way to them. When he was about twenty feet away, two people slid into his gaze and smiled.
Jon almost didn’t recognize them until the club lights flashed across their smiling faces. Shock and awe blasted his senses as his jaw dropped.
“Mom? Dad?” Jon shouted.
“So good to see you!” Sandra smiled as she wore a silky-smooth dress.
“We never expected to see you here,” William grinned as he stood in a white collared shirt, open suit jacket and white slacks.
Webbed hands rushed forward and wrapped around Sandra and William’s shoulders, bringing them to Zelda’s chest.
“The parents!” Zelda squealed.
Sandra and William hugged the tall sea elf before all three broke their embrace. Lilly, Syndra, and Cora joined them. Everyone said hi before Jon’s parents turned their attention to Syndra.
“We didn’t get a chance to meet you last night,” Sandra smiled.
The shadow elf bowed. “I apologize, but I was very tire…” Syndra didn’t finish as Jon’s parents hugged her tight.
Jon watched as Syndra’s nearly hawkish expression melted to their embrace. Her eyes closed as she seemed lost to their loving hold. When they let go and pulled back, Syndra fought back a tear from her wet red eyes.
“You all came out tonight,” William boomed.
“We’re on a date,” Cora grinned.
Jon stepped closer to his mother’s ear, “Why are you here? Are you investigating a crime?”
Sandra turned to her son and shook her head. “No, we are on our own date. What a lucky turn of events!”
“I don’t know how any of this is lucky,” Jon hissed.
William put his arm around his son’s shoulders, “Come now, we are all adults here. This is just a bit of fun and excitement for the evening.”
“Dad, can we talk?” Jon said.
“Sure son,” William said as he turned with Jon and they walked toward the bar.
Lilly passed a drink to Sandra and she took it. The elves watched as Jon’s mother knocked back the drink and slammed the glass down on a nearby high table.
Jon kept his emotions in check as he and his father reached the bar. William asked for two rum drinks. When the bartender nodded and stepped away, Jon’s jaw was grinding to the bone and he exploded.
“What are you doing here!” Jon shouted.
“Easy son, take a breath,” William said with a relaxed tone.
“How can I take a breath? My parents are in a strip club! If this was part of an investigation, I could understand but this is crazy!”
The drinks arrived. William handed one to Jon and held up his own. William held up the glass and Jon begrudgingly clinked it to his. The two men took a long sip before holding their glasses before their stomachs.
“Dad, you both shouldn’t be here,” Jon said adamantly.
“Jon, we’re not dead. We are here on vacation and your mother and I have had many happy memories here. It’s sad that tonight is its final night.”
“I’m not hearing this,” Jon blinked.
“So high and mighty with your four elf girlfriends,” William teased and winked.
“It’s… not the same. They’re from another world and this is new to them. I can’t believe I just heard my father say he missed this place.”
Jon’s heart froze in his chest as he stared at his father. “You didn’t meet mom here, did you?”
William boomed with laughter. “HAHAHA, no. This was just one of our favorite places to visit other married couples.”
Jon’s heart didn’t unfreeze. “No… don’t say another word. I don’t want to hear it.”
“Son, since you’re a grown man and have clearly found a lifestyle that suits you, it’s okay if we are completely honest.”
Jon shook his head. “No Dad. Don’t say any more. Please don’t say anything…”
“It’s true, your Mom and I are swingers,” William grinned and took a deep drink of his rum.
Jon stood like a deer caught in the headlights and contemplated running toward them.
“Don’t get us wrong, our marriage is on very solid foundation. It became part of our life because we had to find others like us. It’s sort of how I met your mother.”
Jon heard the words, but they still didn’t make sense.
William leaned in a little closer, “How do you think our family has gotten so big for generations. People with our gifts are drawn to others with the gift. Sex or violence helps unlock it. I met your mother at a sex club and we found ourselves through the tangle of bodies. I awoke her abilities because mine were already active. How do you think others have gained their powers for good or evil?”
“This… is… insanity,” Jon said with a defeated tone.
“I
t’s part of our family. We find the good people with the gift and bring them into the family. They learn the ways and take on the mantles of the Star Dragons. We have been fighting to protect Urth for generations. If we didn’t find others like us, the bloodline would end and so would our ability to protect the people.”
“I’m going to be sick,” Jon moaned.
“You’re not going to be sick. You’re so melodramatic. You get that from your mother.”
Jon reached out and held onto the bar to keep steady.
“Jon, your mother and I are so proud you found a lot of love. We always felt you needed that to help break you out of your shell. What Skorp attempted to do to you was beyond evil, but he paid the price for fucking with our family. We knew the moment would take its toll on you so we gave you time to self-heal. It took longer than expected but it seems you're coming through it and we’re happy for you.”
“Dad, you and Mom kept so many secrets. I knew you did it to protect us, but maybe you should have taken this secret to the grave?”
William let out a hearty chuckle. “Your brother or sister would have told you if we didn’t. Besides, since the portal opened, we have to see if you can wake the gift from others of Aquris. It seems, you’re our man on the ground!”
“I can’t even begin to explain how awful those words are coming out of your mouth.”
“Relax and enjoy. They are lovely ladies and you have great taste. Don’t get caught up in society's rules. If we followed them, we would be drones in an ant colony. Life is for living. Have fun with your girlfriends!”
“I’m going to use the bathroom,” Jon stated as his head swam with dripping chaos.
“I’ll join you. I have to go,” William smiled.
“No, Dad. Give me a moment to collect my thoughts, okay?”
“Sure son.”
Jon turned and walked for the bathroom door on the other side of the club. He glanced over at his mother chatting it up with Lilly and the others. Eyes turned in his direction and smiles formed. Jon waved to them before making his way to the bathroom door and pushed it in.
Bright light and white tile greeted him as he weakly stepped to the line of urinals. Taking a deep inhale, he tried to push all the words his father said deep down into the pit of his stomach. There it would swirl until he was ready to throw up.