The Tex AF Club. No one expected that it would be as big a hit was it was. Hipster-Techno-Country Rave music wasn’t exactly a growing niche in the world, and yet, here they were. TEX AF was getting more and more popular. Celebrities tweeted about it, it was the first stop for many freshly turned 21 year-olds, and vendors all over the city scrambled to get their wares inside those hallowed halls. After all, when something popular pops up in New York, it is best to jump on the opportunity for as long as it lasts.

That was the exact reason that Charles Red Fish was here. The most popular place, while well-guarded, would result in poor decisions; poor decisions that he could easily take advantage of. Honestly, it was shooting fish in a barrel -- or rather, stealing cash from Speedigram influencers.

Getting in was simple enough. It was all about timing. With the bouncer at the door, all Charles had to do was wait for the right size group to be let in. Thankfully that came with a large party of tightly, neon-dressed girls, all giggling and posing with duck lips as they were allowed entrance. He rolled his eyes at them, definitely marking them for theft the second he had a chance.

The last girl flashed her I.D., plus a wanton smile at the bouncer, who then stepped aside and unhooked the rope from the door. The girls all squealed in delight, sauntering into the club. It was easy for Charles to slip in with them as any accidental touches and gropes could easily be mistaken for a friend getting too excited to party.

“Ugh! Sen!” One girl chided another with a laugh when she felt her butt being squeezed. “Don’t be such a slut bunny.” She grinned and winked at her friend.

The other girl, Sen, was noticeable confused but shrugged her shoulders. “Whatevs, Alexis.”

Charles smirked as he slipped by them and into the club where he finally peeled off on his own. That was just as easy as pie. Though, it aided him greatly that he was invisible the entire time.

It’s funny. All the comic books, movies, and novels always talk about how corrupting the power to be invisible is. It is such an innocuous power. After all, people go unnoticed all the time. How many times a day do people ignore one another, refused to talk or even acknowledge another person. It’s easy to be invisible and to not be corrupted by it. If anything, Charles viewed it more as leveling the playing field. So many others have so much more than he will ever see. What’s wrong with just taking what he deserved?

A solid philosophy if he’s ever heard one.

In the shadows of a dark corner, Charles settled himself, waiting until no one was around. Once it was clear he was not in view, he craned his neck, breathed out, and dropped his invisibility. He faded in slowly, some parts of him becoming sharply visible before others. Within a few seconds, Charles Red Fish was completely visible, a gift to those who looked upon him (or so he thought).

He was a handsome man. Looked more in his 20s than his youthful 18 years old and had a firm, muscular body from his years dancing and the regiment that he put himself through. His raven black hair was cut short, messy, but presentable which added to his devil-may-care aura. Dressed in stylish torn jeans, a black shirt, and a very nice leather jacket, Charles was indeed a heartbreaker. But he was one people needed to watch out for.

Not only would he steal a heart, but he’d steal the wallet and any valuables that were attached to it.

Peering around the club of flashing neon lights, cowhide patterns, and match decor, the club definitely looked like someone’s attempt at Neo-Western-Futurism. It actually hurt Charles’ eyes. But no matter. He would endure. Admittedly, the techno remix of “I Fought the Law” wasn’t too bad. But that was enough sightseeing. It was time to make some new “friends”.

Swiftly he made his way to the dance floor. It was easy to slip into the crowd...and even easier to start earning from praise and attention with his amazing dance moves. The predator was hunting...

Stacey and Riley had gotten into it again. Rhia was done with them. At least for the night. Rhia left them at her dorm stuck as each other. Maybe a night as each other would teach them to get along. In the meantime, Rhia had done her hair, her makeup and all around made herself cute. She was going out clubbing. It was not the coldest of winter nights, but it was fairly nippy. Rhia wanted to show off some skin so she wore an all black number with a short skirt, three quarter length sleeves, and open toe booties with a four inch block heel.

A new fake ID in hand, Rhia took a cab to the Tex AF Club. She had never been but wanted to go. Stacey had been the one with the idea of Rhia going and showing the club how a real Texan hit the dance floor.

Hint: hard enough to break it.

The Hipster-Techno-Country Rave music was not something Rhia had expected, but after an hour and a half of streaming online while getting ready she had moved past her initial shock and was ready to dance to it.

Only while waiting in line to get into the club did Rhia wish her friends were there. She didn’t have to wait long, but she was standing there alone in the cold waiting. At least she did have some entertainment. A couple of girls up ahead in a group were getting handsy it seemed. One of them called the other a, “Slut bunny.” Rhia would have to remember that term. It was a good one.

When it was her turn in line Rhia handed her ID to the bouncer. There was a moment where she could hear her heartbeat. The bouncer looked at the ID, back at Rhia with a skeptical look, then back at the ID. He handed it to Rhia, “Have a good time.”

Rhia smiled internally breathing a sigh of relief. She took her ID back from the bouncer and tucked it into her waistband before walking into the club. With what she paid for her ID she shouldn’t have been worried. Hell, she had memorized the fake information on it incase she was grilled about it. It also helped she did her make up in such a way to help sell that she was 24.

Entering the club she was caught off guard by the pounding neon lights, the cowhide, and the rest of the bizarre but weirdly fitting aesthetic. Rhia smiled to herself as she cast her eyes over the dancefloor. A sea of people dancing.

That was where Rhia was headed.

She stepped in time with the rhythm of the odd remix of ‘I Fought the Law’. When she reached the dance floor she let loose, moving her whole body to the beat. She would put on a show and see if anyone would join her… or maybe she would see someone she had to join.

Charles loved to dance. That was why he pursued it with so much fervor. Freedom of movement. The ability to push his body to the limits. And the reaction of spectators. That was what kept him moving, kept him dancing, and forced him to do everything possible to ensure his dream never died. There were too many people in the streets who had given up. Those people who danced on corners for change and pity. That wouldn’t be Charles.

But such heavy thoughts were not allowed to invade his personal headspace this evening. Not right now. Of course he would do what was necessary to make sure he didn’t leave Tex AF without at least some compensation, but he was going to have fun in the meantime.

He was an artist, after all. And an artist needed a canvas to create. The dance floor was open. Only a few people were there, clustered into tight groups that spun and ground against one another. In the midst of it, it almost felt like everyone was cogs in a machine, teeth interlocking to make one another turn in some giant, living mechanism. Every person, every piece, churned out the same, tired moves over and over again. But not Charles. He was the errant cog that this machine needed to become lively.

The music wasn’t the best but it was enough to allow Charles to slip into the group of dancers on the floor. He moved easily to beat, finding the perfect rhythm to match the vastly confusing song. Soon enough he was all smiles as she found himself surrounded by a pair of pretty ladies. He recognized them both. One of them was the Slut Bunny herself, Sen, and the other was part of their group, a girl who’s name he didn’t know.

Their dancing was...okay. They tried but they seemed dead set against reinventing the wheel and instead slipped into those old staples of twerking, gyrating, and well, he hadn’t seen the Cabbage Patch in awhile, but if that was what Sen wanted to throw at him, he couldn’t really stop her. Instead he just chuckled, shaking his head, hoping his expression was somewhat masked by the flashing lights.

The other first was doing considerable better. She seemed the more...creative of the group. Though tight-dressed like the others, the fox-earred headband seemed somewhat out of place. Though, it added to her appeal considering how much shorter she was. She continued to rub up against him, grinning wide and trying to catch his gaze.

He gave her a curt smile and a nod, but kept looked over her (which was a simple enough task) as he sought for another partner, or at least an exit. Still, whoever she was, she was relentless. Enough so that Sen had to intervene.

Her hands wrapped around his shoulders as she peered around his side and eyed the other. “Ugh, like, ohmahgod, Mati. You’re being such a hog.”

Mati, as he now learned her name, rolled her eyes, trying to wrap her arms around Charles neck but seemingly was too short to fully reach and instead opted for his shoulders. “Oh shut it, bitch. Don’t ruin my dance flow.”

“You mean your dance whore,” Sen muttered loud enough for them both to hear.

“Like, ruuude,” Mati hissed.

“Skank.”

“Douchebaggette.”

“Ugh. I love you.”

“Ohmahgod, I love you too.”

“We’re best friends.”

“Super best friends.”

“Hey, wanna dance with us some mo-”

Charles was already gone. As the two were bickering, he had slipped away, dancing into a new second of the dancefloor, but not before he came across another girl from that party. He remembered her, the one who’s butt he had grabbed. Aly. She turned to face him, immediately flashed him a winning smile and before she began to Pump-It.

“Hey cutie. Wanna dance?” She was still pumping it, and rather aggresively now.

”...” Charles moonwalked away. Slipping through the crowd again, moving around people, he finally stopped when he felt himself bump into another. He turned around, an apology on his lips. ”Oh wow. I’m sorry,” he said to the pretty blonde in the tight black dress. At this same time, the song finally changed...but not for the better. The pillaged and bastardized tones ofMr. Johnny Cash filled the air and he winced. He offered the blonde a smile as he pointed vaguely to wherever the speakers were. ”I’m sorry for that too.”

As Rhia danced a few men approached. They tried to give her their best moves. Most of them were barely coordinated enough walk with purpose, let alone dance. Rhia would laugh and send them on their way. One would not take a hint though. He was attempting to do that shuffling thing from Party Rock Anthem but kept stumbling all over his feet.

A laugh and attempt to move away. He pursued, his terrible and offbeat running man keeping him near her. She turned away to indicate disinterest. He took it as an opportunity to get close and try to bump and grind.

Rhia nut checked him.

The uncoordinated dancer staggered back grabbing at his family jewels. His glasses almost falling off his face from the sudden jerk downward his head made. A woman caught Rhia’s eye and mouthed, “Way to go.” It was likely he had been all over her earlier.

No longer being assaulted by offbeat running men and a T step that seemed a couple letters off, Rhia let the beat wash back over her. There was no sticking to any moves. Dance exists to express not to impress. SHe would use a move but blend it into other motions. Tie them together in a way that felt liberating. SHe let the beat be her guide not a rigid sense of what dance move was en vogue or not.

Rhia was evaluating a small crowd of dancers across the dance floor when someone bumped into her. She turned to see who the uncoordinated shlep that had bumped into her was.

There, a man was turning to face her. Had he been walking backwards?... or… moonwalking?

“Oh wow. I’m sorry.” He said.

Rhia, who had been moving her hair all around to one side of her neck when she was bumped into, froze for a moment. For someone to bump into her and disturb her dancing, he wasn’t half bad looking. Rhia wondered if she had seen him on the dance floor though. Maybe once since she had gotten on the dance floor. WIth one of the groups.

”You know, you’re the first to apologize tonight.” The song ended, Rhia put her hands on her hips.

“I’m sorry for that too.”

The new song was a remix of I Walk the Line. It was interesting sounding, to say the least, but it had a good beat to dance to. ”I’ll accept your apology if you can dance better than you walk.” Rhia winked and started moving. Liberal use of her hips and shoulders waiting for the beat to drop to really get moving.

Charles wasn’t stupid. He knew how to play the game. If he wanted a handful of free butt, all it would take is a moment of concentration and he would never be caught. But when it came to these things accidentally happening, he had to poor on the charm. After all, there was no telling if the person he bumped into was muscle bound meathead or...a damned gorgeous woman in a tight dress. After he had just escaped several of her breed, he understandably should have been weary, but he wasn’t. No, this woman seemed far, far more interesting.

Therefore it was time to turn on just a bit of charm. He had no idea how things would unfold. Would she be a conquest or a personal ATM machine? It was the uncertainty and the anticipation that made him stay. He couldn’t wait to see how these events would unfold.

He apologized, of course, for bumping into her. She seemed somewhat surprised as it seemed to be a common occurrence this night with no remorse offered. A quick glance and he could understand why. Still, he wasn’t going to be a complete sleazy and stare down the cut of her dress. Instead his eyes met hers, chuckling at the comment. When the music changed over, he winced and snorted with laughter. Yet another thing to apologize for.

A teasing gleam filled her eye as she stated the terms for accepting his apology. She would do it...so long as he could prove that dancing was more his forte than walking. Oh. Wow. Color him in love. That both fed his ego and stung just a little bit. With a wide grin on his lips, he leaned back, watching her as she started first, swaying her hips and moving to the beat of the new, bastardized song.

”Oh...consider that a challenge accepted,” he said with a devilish smile.

He stood still, nodding as he started to sway, seeking out the underlining beat that was woven throughout the song. It didn’t take him long to find it and, when he didn, Charles easily slipped into the dance moves as if it were a fine, perfectly measured and customized glove over his hand. The level of his skill and ability quickly became apparent as he moved in unison with the beat, popping and moving with all the expertise of someone who had planned this choreography ahead of time.

He didn’t He was just that good. He had been dancing for so long he knew how to dissect tunes and beats, seeking out those specific patterns so he could move his body accordingly. In front of this pretty stranger, Charles danced some of his best, remaining close enough to her to prevent others from cutting in, but not so close that she would think him another freak.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught more movement, a strange flailing of sorts. He turned his head briefly and apparently found that trio of girls he had been dodging since he entered had all congealed into a single, dancing entity of twerks, pumps, and squealing. Truly a most terrifying vision of Eldritch proportions. At least they didn’t seem to be hunting him anymore. Instead he turned back to the dancer before him, smirking as she moved.

Not as a good as him, of course. But he wouldn’t say that outloud. Instead, he would dance and finish out the song with an dazzling flourish. With it, he grinned as he looked to the other woman. "Apology accepted yet?"

Rhia’s terms were accepted as a challenge. She smiled at that. He might prove to be a fun one. His smile as he accepted certainly promised he was. She watched him as he slowly found his way into the music. It wasn’t long before they were both moving to the music. Using their bodies as a painter would work a canvas or a sculptor his clay.

It was not long before the gap in their skill began to reveal itself. Rhia moved with the refined grace of someone with a passion for dancing and movement. That man on the other hand, he danced like he climbed Olympus and served Apollo himself in a dance battle for all the marbles.

When it was clear to Rhia that the man was the superior dancer she grinned to herself. He was someone she could dance all night with! If only she had worn something that gave her more freedom of movement. She could impress with more gymnastics like movement. While it would be showy, it would not put her in the same league as the man.

The sound wound down and the man gave a dazzling flourish. Rhia held off on a 360 backflip. While it would be impressive, her heels would not like the impact and they were too cute to damage.

“Apology accepted yet?”

Rhia brought her finger up to her pursed lips, ”Mmmm”. She squinted her eyes at the man and said, ”Okay. You’re forgiven this time.” Rhia gave him a smile and said, ”I’m Rhia. What’s your name, Happyfeet?”

A dance challenge was not something that Charles took lightly. As he was trying to not only make this his career, but the entirety of his life, any challenge that is issued to him to “show his stuff” is one that he has to throw his awe into. And that was exactly what he did for the young woman in front of him. She asked him to dance to prove something -- and so he danced to prove something.

The music was not entirely his style but he could find the beat necessary to pull him into the rhythm. Once he found it, it was a fairly simple job to make his body react accordingly. With a slow build-up, eventually Charles was commanding the dancefloor with all manner of dance moves. And soon enough the blonde would realize the person that had bumped into her.

Their song came to an end and Charles stood there, with a Cheshire grin, knowing how impressive his moves were, and inquired if that was enough for her to accept an apology. He knew he didn’t have to apologize. Bumping into her was purely done in accident and the music choices, well, he didn’t own the place, they could play whatever the hell they wanted. But he was liking this game of theirs and wanted to know precisely how he was doing.

The look she gave him made her words sound like the purring of an interested kitten. This was encouraging. After gracing him with those sweet words of forgiveness, he held his hand over his heart in faux acceptance, still wearing his grin as he did so.

”So generous to forgive such a lowly dancer,” he chuckled. ”I’m deeply blessed to meet you, Rhia...”

Rhia. He was going to have to commit that name to memory. Now that he was standing long enough to get a good look at her, he had to admit that she was pretty, but very tough looking. She reminded him of farm girls he had seen in certain niche adult movies. Not that he needed to watch those movies too often. Though he did have a particular fondness for the very much acclaimed, “Melissa’s Rodeo Orgy” (M.R.O. for short). But he didn’t voice any comparison between Rhia and said movie, instead he offered her his hand with that winning smile of his.

”Charles,” he said in greeting. ”And please, don’t call me Happy Feet. I hate that movie,” he chuckled. He released her hand and then waved off to the side. ”Need a drink? Or think you can keep up with me for a couple more rounds, Rhia?”

”So generous to forgive such a lowly dancer, I’m deeply blessed to meet you, Rhia...”

Rhia mimed holding up a dress and giving a small curtsey as the man spoke. The way he spoke made her almost feel like royalty with her magnanimity. When the man offered his hand, Rhia took it.

”Charles, And please, don’t call me Happy Feet. I hate that movie,”

Oh. Charles was not a fan of cute singing and dancing penguins. Some people just can’t handle Huge Ackman’s lovely performances. It was no fault of Charles’. ”It certainly is a pleasure meeting you, Charles… Footloose more your speed?”

Charles broke their contact and waved off to the side, ”Need a drink? Or think you can keep up with me for a couple more rounds, Rhia?”

”I could go a couple more rounds,” Rhia said before adding with a wink, ”But who am I to turn a drink?” Free drink and she didn’t have to test her fake ID a second time. ”Might help me loosen up. Keep up with you a little more… A… Red bull and vodka.” It was a drink recommended to her by Stacey. Though… Stacey had recommended ‘New! Mutant Dawn: Power Clean’. Sure it cleaned the carbon off her dishes, but it also took half of each dish with it.

Charles wasn’t even winded from this display of dance and skill. He was used to dancing like this all the time. This was how he made his living -- mostly. But that meant he was always primed and ready to perform and, more often than not, it won the heart of a pretty young woman. The limberness that he displayed was enough to pique their interest in undeniable ways. Maybe Rhia could be counted among those ranks?

Hands at his waist, he chuckled when she agreed that it was nice to meet him and tried out a different moniker than what she originally had called him. While he knew it lost points with some people who loved the cutesy dancing animals, it was a film that he just couldn’t get behind. He hated cartoons, even as a kid. But at her next suggestion, his wide smile tugged at his lips.

”Footloose is a good alternative,” he grinned. ”Not a bad movie. Dance in the face of oppression. Good morals.”

If that could be called “dancing”. That was mainly a lot of ballet and one-man krumping. He wasn’t entirely sure that such a movie should be allowed in the annals of great dance movies, but he wasn’t going to say such things out loud. He had to give points to Rhia for trying.

He had to admit, he really liked her attitude and confidence. That had always been a major turn on for him so the fact that she met him with such bravado certainly piqued his interest. Even better, she wasn’t going to turn down a drink. With a smile he turned and started to make his way off the dance floor, walking backwards to make sure he kept her in his sight, smirking like a damn fool. The girl’s ate that shit up. He still eyed her before he spun on his heel and made a beeline for the bar.

”Vodka and red bulls, my good man!” he announced to the bartender. ”And a rum and coke.” Luckily he managed to sneak in just before the next rush moved up to the bar.

After being momentarily sidetracked, the man returned, poured both drinks and slid them across the bar, but stopped when he got a good look at Charles. “Hey, wait up. Lemme see your I.D.”

Charles sighed and shrugged his shoulders. ”Whatever my friend. I take it as a compliment.” Grinning he pulled out his wallet and showed the man his I.D.

It was a good fake. When he first arrived in New York he had a particularly bad one. It was good enough to fool the people back home and definitely not the more trained eye of the NYPD. It was a good thing he knew how to run fast...oh, and turn completely invisible. But now that he made enough money on average, the first thing he did was buy a damn good I.D., better than any high schooler’s trying to sneak into a club.

The I.D. was given a good once over before the bartender, annoyed with people calling for his attention, finally gave up and handed the I.D. back. Money exchanged hands and Charles was two drinks richer. One was quickly handed off to Rhia with a charming smile.

”Here you go, beautiful,” he beamed. ”An energetic drink for an energetic lady.”

Footloose was acceptable. Rhia smiled, glad she found an acceptable nickname for Charles. Normally, his reaction to the first nickname would be enough to cement it. So far, Charles had been the first guy to hit the dance floor that she was actually interested in dancing with so she would cater a little to his taste… A little.

”Have to love a movie that encourages dancing.” Rhia said. Footloose, Dirty Dancing, etc. If it got more people dancing they were good. More people dancing meant more people might discover they are great at dancing. That was a win in Rhia’s book.

Charles left to collect drinks. Rhia had to work to contain her excitement. She had found someone hot to dance with and they were getting her a drink. There was no squealing involved. None at all. Someone else squealed. A little. Probably that slut bunny. Yeah, the slut bunny squealed.

That left Rhia on the dancefloor waiting for Charles with a little too much excited energy. She let the music to the wildest version of ”Country Roads” she had ever heard was over her. It was weird but interesting. And the beat demanded to be danced to. How could she refuse it. She danced as she waited for Charles to return. It wasn’t a fast beat, but that allowed her to focus more on individual movements. Make her moves pop.

There were a few onlookers when Charles returned. A young girl making some provocative moves while actually being able to dance well was certainly an eyeball magnet. She saw Charles approach and incorporated reaching out to touch his chest before taking the drink into her dance.

”Here you go, beautiful, An energetic drink for an energetic lady.”

Rhia did a slow circle glide on beat while sipping her drink. Stacey had been right. The drink was good. With a thought she let the swap on Stacey and Riley end. ”Slow down there, flattery will get you everywhere.” Rhia said with a wink to Charles.

She sipped more at her drink. Not spilling being more important than dancing, her movement reigned itself in. More belly dancing type movements that, combined with the slower beat, allowed he to keep moving while drinking.

Charles was all smiles as he returned to Rhia’s side, drink in hand. He didn’t really come out tonight looking for a hook-up. He was more interested in focusing on getting a few extra funds to hold him over until the end of the week. But on the other hand, he wasn’t going to complain either. She was a bit more firmly cut than he was used to but what the hell? She seemed down for some fun. And that was something that Charles could always get behind.

The music had changed and, honestly, he was just getting used to it now. He really was having a hard time understanding this place so it was easier to just lay back and let it happen to him. Sounded wrong but, honestly, what else could he do? It wasn’t hard for him to find the beat as this place was built around dancing so he simply grinning and started a sway to the song, keeping in line with Rhia’s movements.

He was more and more intrigued by her. Normally Charles would have easily just swiped something from her purse or wallet or even jewelry and then been on his way. It wouldn’t have been a hard move either. She was not unlike many of the other young men and women who came out to these clubs, more focused on a good time and living their youth, not realizing they needed to be more mindful.

But there was something about her boldness that was keeping him around. Certainly he was going to steal from her, but he was going to play this as long as he could and achieve whatever rewards he could get his hands on.

He stayed close to her, dancing in rhythm but being careful enough to not spill his drink either. Catching her eye, he grinned his charming grin and spoke loud enough to be over the...strange music, but low enough so that only she could hear.

”So, Rhia,” he began. ”What’s a vision such as yourself doing out here by yourself?” He asked, peering around. ”Unless I’m stealing your attention away from another. In which case, lucky me.” He then paused, hearing another squee (third one tonight) from the gaggle of short-dressed women he followed in. ”Not with the Slut Bunny squad, are you?”

He knew she wasn’t. But it brought a smirk to his face calling them that. After all, they said it loud and often enough that it was hard to miss them.

Charles danced with Rhia. He moved closer to her, keeping in line with how she danced. She watched him as she danced and drank. He danced close to her. Good. The best dancer in the club that close to her. It made her feel great that she was who he was choosing to dance with. It also felt good to know that there were other women in the club with envy coming out of their eyes.

Rhia laughed when Charles made sure she wasn’t with the SLut Bunny Squad, ”I was supposed to be here with my girlfriends. They wanted to fight more than dance tonight… I left them walking a mile in each other’s shoes.” She worked a shrug into her dancing, ”More great dancers for me.” Rhia said with a smirk. Not to mention good looking dancers. ”Had I known I’d run into someone like you I might have worn something a little more free.” Her skirt didn’t allow her to show off more gymnastic dance moves.

Not as herself at least.

”How about yourself?” She asked running one hand down one of his arms, ” You’re not with the Slut bunnies, are you? I wouldn’t want to deprive you of their screaming and…” Rhia looked over at the group of women. What they were doing was only loosely able to be called dancing. If you assume dancing was a rhythmless activity. ”Whatever that is supposed to be?”

He knew that she wasn’t part of the Slut Bunny Squad. He followed them in, after all, and she was clearly not part of the group. But he asked nonetheless, just for the sheer fun of it. It seemed that the both of them were at a loss as to whatever that group of girls was doing so it would make a nice ice breaker. Plus, he wanted to know more about her, specifically if she was here with anyone so he wouldn’t be surprised.

His dancing slowed. He didn’t need to show off his moves quite as much and instead just kept pace with her so that they could continue talking. She seemed pleased to have his full attention and he just smirked. So long as he stayed on her food side, he could ride this out and see exactly how far things would go.

So she wasn’t part of the group. She was supposed to be here with friends but it seemed that they had a falling out before the evening started. He would have said that was a shame but it wouldn’t be true. No, rather it made his evening just that much easier. So long as she was by herself, there was a greater chance that he could get what he wanted from her.

He grinned in a charming way, leaning in as he whispered. ”Lucky me. I get you all to myself.”

After leaning back, he still wore his dashing smile. He was well practiced in this. Flattery, a few choice phrases, and a dashing look could honestly get you everywhere in this world.

With a loud snort, he shook his head. ”No, definitely not with them. I’d probably be devoured by now if I was. They are way too thirsty,” he turned, watching them as they danced with one another.

There was one man that they managed to trap between the three of them. They began to chest bump with him, knocking him back and forth between them. Poor guy spilled most of his drink, the girls laughing hysterically, until he found an exit to scamper out from.

Charles arched his brow, looking back to Rhia, then began to laugh. ”That...I-I’m pretty sure is a misdemeanor.” Shaking his head, he gave his partner his full against again. ”No I came out alone tonight. Felt like dancing and...having a good time.” He took her hand in his, giving her a little twirl. ”Are you having a good time?”

Yes, lucky him. And also, lucky Rhia. She smiled. ”Yes. Lucky you.”

Rhia didn’t honestly wonder if Charles was with the Slut Bunnies, but they were the easy group to accuse someone of being with. And the question elicited a lovely response. He loudly snorted. That alone had Rhia giggling. Based on what the Slut Bunnies were doing to the man unfortunate enough to find himself encircled, Charles was most likely right in guessing what his fate would have been had he been with them.

”Well. I for one am glad you’re not being devoured by them.” Rhia said with a wink. ”It would be a waste of dancing talent.”

Rhia watched the ‘dancing’ with Charles. The man the Slut Bunnies had trapped was being bludgeoned by the very things that had likely attracted him to them in the first place. Their breasts and acting like they had enough alcohol to be an easy lay.

The poor man finally made his escape.

The whole sight was amusing and caught Rhia’s attention like a wreck on the highway. She shouldn’t be watching it while there were more important things to do, but she couldn’t look away. Charles speaking brought her attention back to him. ”Yes. It is an assault on the institution of dance.”

Charles answered the question she hadn’t asked but was what she really wanted to know. He was there alone. She smiled at that. She wouldn’t have to compete with someone else, not that she would lose. And while it was it’s own pleasure to steal a man away from someone, she could keep her attention on Charles.

Rhia’s was pleasantly surprised when Charles took her hand and gave her a twirl. She let out a “Woo!” as she twirled. Not many men she had run into on a dance floor playing club music knew what they were doing with twirls. Charles knew how to indicate what he wanted with his hand on hers. She giggled after the twirl as Charles asked if she was having a good time. ”Oh. I’m having a wonderful time.” Rhia bit her lip before bringing her drink to her mouth to drink more. She could feel the alcohol and red bull hitting. It was a wonderful feeling.

”What brought you here? Your dancing seems a little high class for this place?” Rhia asked before making a few chaines turns away from Charles. ”Not that I’m complaining.” she chainesed back to Charles. Stopping pressed up against him.

It really was a travesty to watch the Slut Bunny crowd “dancing” and pulling in as many victims as they could. Bouncers really needed to be more selective than that. The better dance clubs often had their bouncers unscrupulously invite in as many attractive and cool people as possible while very, very slowly filtering in the lesser quality patrons. It was a shame that this establishment didn’t have a better code of conduct. He should only be surrounded by the beautiful, right?

Well, he couldn’t very well complain. Rhia was actually very attractive and a high spirited dancer. These were qualities that mattered most to Charles, especially since he hadn’t reached that desperate part of the night yet. The evening was young and it seemed he had already hooked a beauty. Though his wandering eye and his constant need to play the odds and find the best of the bunch was hard to ignore, he was willing to for the most part right now. At least until she annoyed him and, really, he hoped she wouldn’t.

The two danced a bit closer, careful to not spill drinks and move freely to whatever atrocious song came next. The antics of the slut bunnies were behind them, for now, so they could instead focus on one another.

He watched his. Dark brown eyes looking over her form, both checking her out physically as well as watching for any sign of wealth. Most of the bratty socialites like to deck out in as much possible, using it as a sign of wealth and status. Others who only did clubbing begrudgingly wore very little, in an attempt to hide the fact that they were fact or out of fear of losing a precious bauble. The jewelry Rhia wore was nice but there wasn’t a lot of it so it was difficult to tell if these were knock-offs, deeply connected gifts, or frivolous purchases.

Oh well. Until he got more information, he would just have to enjoy watching the way her body moved next to him. Hardly a loss in his book.

After her proclamation at having a great time, Charles grinned and gave her his full focus. She asked what he was doing here, recognizing the obviously elevated level of his dancing. He smiled, acting humble in response to her words but knowing full well that she was right.

”Oh, was bored and wanted to go out and find a little fun...” he smirked. ”...and maybe someone to have it with.” He shrugged as he continued to move. ”I’m actually a trained dancer. Was in a stage show, or was about to be, before the project fell through.” Lie. He had been kicked out for stealing but he was hardly going to tell her that. He shrugged again. ”Oh well. Nature of the business, you know? When one show closes, there’s another opportunity right around the corner.” He offered her a little twirl before he met her gaze again. ”Are you a professional dancer? You have the moves...and the look. If not, you should definitely audition.”