"The Best Little Whore House in New York"

[highprices]

[The black fabric of her dress drapes gracefully over the beautiful curves of her body. The back is open for all to see the mark tattooed at the base of her spine while the collar is cut low. Her shoulders are back and her chin held high as she leans against the bar with a sultry smile. A crystal clear liquid is poured into a martini glass before it's placed in front of her.]

Thank you. [There is a soft curl to her lips as she places the money on the counter and lifts her drink to her lips. The liquid only brushes against her upper lip when she hears the curt call of a man behind her. She places the drink down, her smile neatly set in place across her lips. She has no interest in this interruption.] What can I help you with? [Her voice is soft and silky like a deep red wine.]

[The man is stout in comparison to her, more so with the heels that raise her a few inches higher. Her posture never wavers however her smile falls, replacing the expression with an defiant stare as he begins to spout off a rabble of words in a loud booming voice.]

Come now! I know what you are. I have enough for tonight whore so show me and my friends a good time.

[As if on cue two other men join him at either side. The bartender pauses his work, his gaze on the gathering as he waves them to take it outside. This is a nice place and they aren't above calling the police, which is something she prefers not to deal with.

Leaving her drink at the bar she turns, her lips returning to their usual smirk.] I was just about to leave anyway. Your only company will be each other tonight boys. [She walks passed them but her response clearly didn't thrill them. They seethed with anger and after downing the drink she'd left on the counter they followed clumsy after her. She's almost able to hail a cab before she feels a harsh pull on her wrist. The tallest man of the group, a lanky figure who rises to Crystal's eye level has her securely held by the wrist and is dragging her towards the alley along the side of the bar.]

We can do this the easy way. [The man chuckles darkly, as he begins to pull of his belt.] Or the hard way.

[Even while being held against the wall her posture suggests dominance. Her eyes glare down at the man, her lips playing into a coy smirk that's been perfectly practiced a thousand times.]

Is it really so hard?

[She asks in a singsong tone. This was the wrong thing to say. The third man steps forward now, looking more burly than the other too. His breath and beard reek of alcohol and with the silent command spoken he raised his hand to strike her in the stomach. They won't damage a whore's pretty face.]

Comments

[highprices]

[Crystal watches him relax while a smile plays across her lips.]

This place being New York or this bar?

[alittlebitofhell]

[He's much more comfortable in an environment like this one.]

The bar. You said you liked it.

[highprices]

I do.

[Her finger slowly circles the rim of her glass.]

I like seeing you relaxed.

[It's obvious that almost everyone here knows him and a few patrons look surprised to see him with someone which makes Crystal feel a little proud.]

[alittlebitofhell]

[Clay smiled a friendly smile in her direction. She thinks this is me relaxed, huh? He couldn't remember the last time he was completely relaxed.

It was before he ever decided to help rob a bank, that was for sure.]

Yeah, well, Fusion isn't a place I'd usually hang out.

[highprices]

[Relaxed is a relative term and compared to Clay's demeanor around Davis and her neighbor this is relaxed.]

I noticed.

[She takes another sip of her drink watching the pair who were playing pool in the corner. She's noticed their stares and have caught their gazes a few times. At times her gaze would be drawn across the bar before pulling back to Clay with a smile.]

Fusion is... [Her lips curl into a smile.]...a special place. I can't say I'd be there if it wasn't for work.

Do you have any more questions?

15

[alittlebitofhell]

Hell yeah, I do. Six, actually.

[But now they were having a conversation, and he could fit them in.]

So, if not Fusion, what's your usual place?

15

[highprices]

Five.

[Crystal corrects with a smile though she isn’t going to press the issue. She’s enjoying their conversation so far.]

It’s a coffee shop on 45th street. It’s a small whole in the wall place like this.

[She goes to bars and parties for work, she doesn’t usually enjoy hanging at a bar when she isn’t working.]

[alittlebitofhell]

[He smiles.] It was six. [And he nods.] A coffee shop, huh? What do you like about it?

16

[highprices]

[Crystal smiles and shakes her head as if exasperated but doesn't argue. His insistence is cute.]

So this is question 16 then.

[She takes a sip of her drink using the silence to organize her thoughts.]

This place reminds me of it actually. It's small and almost everyone knows each other outside of the occasional rouge patron. It's a very relaxing place. [That and Crystal enjoys people watching from time to time.]

16

[alittlebitofhell]

[He smirks at her.]

You like a place where everybody knows your name, huh?

[And then that smirk falters slightly.]

So, is this conversation over once I run out of questions?

[highprices]

[Crystal laughs softly.]

I still have my martini to finish.

[She allows silence to linger in the air between them before she finally answers his question.]

I have no plans to cut our evening short. [She has no other plans.] Unless there is something else you'd rather do?

[alittlebitofhell]

[He shook his head.]

Neither do I. [Reality would crash in later.] I'm glad those guys decided that back alley to be dicks in.

[He pauses, then.]

You know, you're taking that pretty well.

[highprices]

[Crystal laughs softly, finding his sense of humor entertaining. Not many would joke about the situation that he found her in. She, however, is used to it. It isn't the first time she's been cornered and it won't be the last.]

I'm used to it.

[She replies in an easy voice as if this wasn't all that important. Her fingers lightly wrap around the stem of her drink before bringing the cool liquid to her lips.]

Does that surprise you?

[alittlebitofhell]

You're used to that? [He's already got an idea what she does for a living, but they need some better enforcers if their girls are "used to that".]

No. I'm pretty sure I know what you do for a living. Their enforcers suck.

[highprices]

I wasn't working tonight. I just picking up some paper work.

[She says this with a matter of fact tone.]

There would be no reason to have others with me.

[Most of her clientele are rich allowing her access to fancy hotels, where they have enforcers or bodyguards stationed. It's relatively safe, as safe as someone in her profession can be.

Crystal takes another sip of her drink, her lips returning to their usual smile. She glances over at the pool game which appears to have paused for a moment.]

Those men aren't my usual clientele.

[alittlebitofhell]

[He raises an eyebrow at her explanation, taking another drink from his beer.]

I don't know. It looked like you could have used some backup to me.

[highprices]

[Crystal's lips tug into a teasing smile.]

I don't have any big strong men to protect me.

[She doesn't think she can bring Davis around to protect her should things go wrong. She's always had to depend on herself.]

[alittlebitofhell]

[He raised an eyebrow, looking over to her.]

I think I did an okay job at least.

[highprices]

[Crystal laughs, shaking her head as if he was the most unbelievable man she's ever met.]

You did.

At least for tonight I've been fortunate.

[She's never considered herself lucky.]

[alittlebitofhell]

[What she receives at the sound of her laughter is the best smile she's gotten from him so far, because there's no sarcasm in it.]

Well, I know where you live. I could just stop by every now and then, ready to kick an ass.

[highprices]

I don't take anyone to my apartment.

[Her smile is now fixed in place, with no smirk or teasing left in her smile.]

So at least there I'm safe.

[She pauses to take a sip of her drink.]

Not that I'm telling you not to stop by.

[alittlebitofhell]

[He smiles suggestively at her.]

So, you're telling me you feel safe around me?

[highprices]

Isn't that what I said?

[Her smile mirrors his as she brings her drink to her lips. The last few drops of clear liquid bead at the bottom of her glass.]

[alittlebitofhell]

[He smirks, finishing off his beer.]

Yeah, I guess so.

[He gives a look around the bar before looking back to her.]

So, you want to hang out some more, or do you have somewhere else we could head?

[highprices]

[Crystal finishes the last few drops before placing her glass lightly on the table. She smiles at Clay leaning forward slightly in her seat.]

I think I can find us a place to go, if you'd rather not stay here.

[Most likely starting at a hotel bar unless he is in the mood for something more private.]