[ The music thrums through veins as he moves across the dance floor, hips swaying in a private answer to the beat. The people around him move and dance in a crushing rhythm until it's almost easier to give in than to fight the current. But he wants—needs—a drink, and so fight it he does, pushing and sliding through until finally he breaks free, flush-faced and a little short of breath.
Though that isn't much different to how it's been most of the night. The club scene is new to him after all, something unlike anything he's ever quite lived. The people here are like him, thriving in the dark on their relative anonymity, an unspoken agreement protecting all who are present:
Even if you recognize somebody, say nothing.
For someone working so hard to make his name universally known, it's a perfect rule.
Kaveh slides onto one of the barstools, ordering a rum on the rocks, sipping at its richness as he looks out over the rest of the clubgoers, as the music pulses in his ears.
Mm, he's starting to feel good.
Lazily, he turns his gaze to the person next to him, taking in the shock of white hair, the muscled arms. He thinks he's seen him somewhere before, but... the rule, and so he says nothing to that effect. Instead, he smiles, licks the taste of rum off his lips. ]
[ yingxing isn't unused to being approached - it's part of the gig. with great fame comes great.. popularity, or something, and yingxing knows full well how good looking he is. too well, maybe. it makes him arrogant, makes him flirty, knowing that few enough people could resist his charm, or his body.
so when kaveh slides into the seat beside him and immediately begins conversation, yingxing only grins, resting one arm against the bartop so he can turn to face him a little more. ]
Yeah, great night. Better now.
[ he knows this face. cute. pretty. he's still new to this work, new enough that yingxing doesn't recall ever having seen him here before, but he recognizes him. ]
[ A shy smile forms on Kaveh's lips as he leans on the bar as well, finding it easier to face Yingxing by doing so. He hadn't intended to start flirting, but... well, if the other is, why shouldn't he?
And so he allows a soft laugh to fall, a tilt of his head letting his gaze follow down the length of the other's strong arm, all the way to his glass, half-filled with a clear spirit.
Glossed lips purse, and Kaveh reaches, puts a hand on the other's forearm. ]
Then, when you're done with your drink, would you let me buy the next one for you?
[ Of course, the compliment only makes him smile more in response—
although the expression falters very slightly when he's asked for a name. He could offer his real name, of course, but he hesitates regardless of the fact that the other man across from him is recognizable beyond the moment. He's so new to all of this, and it feels unwise... ]
You can call me Pairidaeza, [ he says after a moment, smile finding his lips once more. ] Pairi, if it's too much.
[ he knows his real name. or at least, his stage name. but while anonymity isn't strictly necessary here if someone chooses to offer their name, it's encouraged and accepted. this kind of place exists so they can get away from the spotlight for awhile.
so, pairi it is. the bartender slides them fresh drinks, and yingxing grins, knocking back the last of his previous one and pushing the empty glass aside. ]
[ Ren is the name the other uses—and it's enough for Kaveh's last little bit of recognition to kick in, brows lifting slightly before he forces them back down. He does know him—the guitarist of the High Cloud Quintet. His playing is unreal, something to envy...
But this isn't the time or the place for that. Kaveh finishes his own drink before reaching for the new one, and laughs, light and friendly, as Ren's flirting continues so shamelessly.
He's certainly not about to complain. ]
Mm, maybe I was looking to meet someone, [ he teases, offering a quick wink, before he shakes his head. ] No, I... this is actually my first time here. Or... at any club, really. The whole thing's kinda new to me.
[ ren is indeed his stage name, but yingxing doesn't mind using it. people still tend to behave just as pairi is - keeping a respectful distance, so everyone can feel comfortable. well. a respectful familiar distance. he's all but inviting physical closeness, ad the moment. ]
First time, huh? Well, that's all right. This place is pretty comfortable.
[ no one will treat you like a celebrity, which is a breath of fresh air. ]
There're a few different venues in this same building, this is one of the quieter areas, but there are more crowded dance floors on the lower levels.
[ Kaveh smiles at that, offering the other a slight nod. ]
Yeah, I was dancing down there before, but it got a little too much for me. I needed a drink anyway, but...
[ Ren seems to know the place well, so Kaveh's sure he'll understand without needing too much explanation... though maybe he's one of those who thrives on the noise. He adds, with a playful lilt in his voice: ]
Besides, I wasn't gonna meet anyone out there in the crush, was I.
[ he chuckles, tapping his fingertips against his glass. ]
Probably not. Not anyone you'd know for more than thirty minutes, at least.
[ yingxing has been down there before, he knows what it's like, how people find one another, grope and touch and find their pleasure, then move in different directions. there's not much room for conversation. he takes another drink, then leans his cheek against his opposite hand, fingers curled. ]
A little too much? Needed a breather, or was it just not your kinda scene?
Mm... a little of both? I enjoy dancing, but.. this is nicer. Sitting with someone, drinking and talking... The thrill of the crush, of dancing with strangers, that's one thing. But I guess you could say I prefer a one on one connection.
[ Does he bite his lip a little as he says that? Oh, definitely. Ren is insanely good looking, after all. ]
[ Kaveh can't help but smile at that, a hint of a blush warming his cheeks as he takes another sip of his own drink. For as poor as his self-esteem can be from time to time, he knows when someone is flirting, and Ren is definitely flirting.
So, he puts his drink down again, tilting his head slightly. ]
Do you know what I think is better than getting to know a cute stranger over drinks, Ren? The part where it means they're no longer a stranger.
[ yingxing knocks back the rest of his glass, then turns in his seat, wood creaking, leaning one arm over the back of his bar chair where his leather jacket is draped. now he's facing him little more fully. ]
So how would you like to remedy that, Pairi? I like getting to know new people. Maybe somewhere a little more private might be better.
[ Kaveh's smile is warm, eyes twinkling. He turns slightly toward Ren in answer, and leans on his own chair in such a way that he's gently swaying into the other man's orbit. ]
Somewhere private sounds like the perfect remedy to me. Get out of this noise...
[ He bites his lower lip, glancing toward the barkeep and then back at the other man. ]
[ with a slanted smile, yingxing looks kaveh over briefly.
he's buzzed, but not drunk, it would seem, not unlike yingxing himself. that's good. he doesn't like taking drunk people to bed, no matter how cute they are - it doesn't feel right. but a little warm buzz is absolutely perfect, enough to loosen up the body without stabbing the inhibitions entirely in the kidneys. ]
Yeah, it does. Right upstairs. Nice view of the city.
[ yingxing reaches out, drags his thumb lightly along kaveh's jawline, then taps his card on the tablet to pay for both of their drinks. a little throb of excitement pulses through him. ]
I've got a private one up there, if that works for you.
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Though that isn't much different to how it's been most of the night. The club scene is new to him after all, something unlike anything he's ever quite lived. The people here are like him, thriving in the dark on their relative anonymity, an unspoken agreement protecting all who are present:
Even if you recognize somebody, say nothing.
For someone working so hard to make his name universally known, it's a perfect rule.
Kaveh slides onto one of the barstools, ordering a rum on the rocks, sipping at its richness as he looks out over the rest of the clubgoers, as the music pulses in his ears.
Mm, he's starting to feel good.
Lazily, he turns his gaze to the person next to him, taking in the shock of white hair, the muscled arms. He thinks he's seen him somewhere before, but... the rule, and so he says nothing to that effect. Instead, he smiles, licks the taste of rum off his lips. ]
Having a good night?
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so when kaveh slides into the seat beside him and immediately begins conversation, yingxing only grins, resting one arm against the bartop so he can turn to face him a little more. ]
Yeah, great night. Better now.
[ he knows this face. cute. pretty. he's still new to this work, new enough that yingxing doesn't recall ever having seen him here before, but he recognizes him. ]
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And so he allows a soft laugh to fall, a tilt of his head letting his gaze follow down the length of the other's strong arm, all the way to his glass, half-filled with a clear spirit.
Glossed lips purse, and Kaveh reaches, puts a hand on the other's forearm. ]
Then, when you're done with your drink, would you let me buy the next one for you?
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How could I say no to such a pretty face?
[ and what a pretty face it is, indeed. yingxing would have to be out of his mind not to chase it. ]
What should I call you tonight?
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although the expression falters very slightly when he's asked for a name. He could offer his real name, of course, but he hesitates regardless of the fact that the other man across from him is recognizable beyond the moment. He's so new to all of this, and it feels unwise... ]
You can call me Pairidaeza, [ he says after a moment, smile finding his lips once more. ] Pairi, if it's too much.
[ He lifts a hand to call the bartender over. ]
Another for me, please. And my companion here.
no subject
[ he knows his real name. or at least, his stage name. but while anonymity isn't strictly necessary here if someone chooses to offer their name, it's encouraged and accepted. this kind of place exists so they can get away from the spotlight for awhile.
so, pairi it is. the bartender slides them fresh drinks, and yingxing grins, knocking back the last of his previous one and pushing the empty glass aside. ]
So, Pairi. You're here all alone? That's crazy.
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But this isn't the time or the place for that. Kaveh finishes his own drink before reaching for the new one, and laughs, light and friendly, as Ren's flirting continues so shamelessly.
He's certainly not about to complain. ]
Mm, maybe I was looking to meet someone, [ he teases, offering a quick wink, before he shakes his head. ] No, I... this is actually my first time here. Or... at any club, really. The whole thing's kinda new to me.
no subject
First time, huh? Well, that's all right. This place is pretty comfortable.
[ no one will treat you like a celebrity, which is a breath of fresh air. ]
There're a few different venues in this same building, this is one of the quieter areas, but there are more crowded dance floors on the lower levels.
no subject
Yeah, I was dancing down there before, but it got a little too much for me. I needed a drink anyway, but...
[ Ren seems to know the place well, so Kaveh's sure he'll understand without needing too much explanation... though maybe he's one of those who thrives on the noise. He adds, with a playful lilt in his voice: ]
Besides, I wasn't gonna meet anyone out there in the crush, was I.
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Probably not. Not anyone you'd know for more than thirty minutes, at least.
[ yingxing has been down there before, he knows what it's like, how people find one another, grope and touch and find their pleasure, then move in different directions. there's not much room for conversation. he takes another drink, then leans his cheek against his opposite hand, fingers curled. ]
A little too much? Needed a breather, or was it just not your kinda scene?
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Mm... a little of both? I enjoy dancing, but.. this is nicer. Sitting with someone, drinking and talking... The thrill of the crush, of dancing with strangers, that's one thing. But I guess you could say I prefer a one on one connection.
[ Does he bite his lip a little as he says that? Oh, definitely. Ren is insanely good looking, after all. ]
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Mm. Me too. When I was younger, I was more into that sort of thing, but now?
[ he chuckles, takes another drink. ]
Now, that's what I prefer, too. One on one. [ he winks. ] Getting to know a cute stranger over drinks.
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So, he puts his drink down again, tilting his head slightly. ]
Do you know what I think is better than getting to know a cute stranger over drinks, Ren? The part where it means they're no longer a stranger.
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Oh yeah?
[ yingxing knocks back the rest of his glass, then turns in his seat, wood creaking, leaning one arm over the back of his bar chair where his leather jacket is draped. now he's facing him little more fully. ]
So how would you like to remedy that, Pairi? I like getting to know new people. Maybe somewhere a little more private might be better.
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Somewhere private sounds like the perfect remedy to me. Get out of this noise...
[ He bites his lower lip, glancing toward the barkeep and then back at the other man. ]
This place.. has private rooms, right?
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he's buzzed, but not drunk, it would seem, not unlike yingxing himself. that's good. he doesn't like taking drunk people to bed, no matter how cute they are - it doesn't feel right. but a little warm buzz is absolutely perfect, enough to loosen up the body without stabbing the inhibitions entirely in the kidneys. ]
Yeah, it does. Right upstairs. Nice view of the city.
[ yingxing reaches out, drags his thumb lightly along kaveh's jawline, then taps his card on the tablet to pay for both of their drinks. a little throb of excitement pulses through him. ]
I've got a private one up there, if that works for you.