Carnal, the most luxurious den of sin in the city was how the website had described it. Thistle wasn't sure which was more of a surprise, that she got over her nerves to come. Or that the bouncer had let her through to the front desk. She had tried her best to look like she belonged. A sheer mesh crop top with a black push up bra. A short black leather skirt, matching boots. Her auburn locks cascaded, her vibrant fur radiated cleanliness. But despite her efforts and getting past the bouncer, she wasn't guaranteed entry yet.
A tiger with a chunk of his ear missing was scanning over her medical documents. Documents required for entry. It may be a sex club to pursue carnal desires but safety came first it seemed. He completed his examination, then regarded her with an unexpected kindness.
"It's your first time. Correct?" He asked in a voice that said he already knew the answer.
"Oh yes, sorry." She answered, sounding much less sure.
He nodded, her paperwork vanishing under the desk, the sound of a shredder echoing in the entrance way. He then grabbed a shiny white bracelet.
"Give me your arm please." She presented it promptly, without a single query. He was quick to secure it tight enough to stop it from falling off.
"The white shows everyone you're new." He explained once done. "When you enter the club, go to the bar first. The bartenders will explain the rules, got it?"
"Um yes sir." That got a grin with a half fang showing.
"Go on then and welcome to Carnal, Miss Cromwell."
With that she was dismissed. She slipped past the doors, the dark stairs lit by throbbing red lights. She followed them down until she emerged into a world of flashing lights and erotic scenes.
A bar whose front lit up with the beat of the music sat on the right, booths lining the rest of the walls. A large imposing door was in the back wall and in the center was the dance floor with a raised platform in the middle. There was a sea of bodies on the floor but she turned her gaze away after noticing countless people undressed. Hey eyes landed on a half-circle of windows on the second floor that stuck out over some of the booths.
But she couldn't hide from the acts going on. It was why she had come. She let her gaze shift back. A cat was on their knees pleasing a man to the far left. A woman was squished between two men grinding at a booth. One may have been inside her but they were too close to tell. Scenes after scenes were playing out wherever she looked.
A hand found her shoulder and she jumped before calming herself. It was a wolf with fur the same color as her hair. His uniform was similar to the doorman's and the bouncer signaling him as staff. "Bar." She thought he said though his voice was lost to the music.
It was enough to get her moving. She mouthed thanks and worked her way to the massive structure. She started to feel eyes on her but tried to ignore them. She knew what she was here. Fresh meat to be appraised and pursued. Images played of her on her knees like the cat. Would any of the watching eyes want her in that position? She could hope or tonight would be a rather big letdown. Who couldn't get laid at a sex club?
She found a clear spot at the bar and waited for the bartender to notice her. She could count five shifting and dancing around each other serving waiting patrons. A snow leopard girl with a pink ponytail and a top that nearly pushed her breasts out was the first to notice her. She made her way over with a large grin, noticing the band.
"Hey, a newbie. Nice to meet you, I'm Melody."
"Thistle." She tried speaking louder to be heard over the music, and Melody nodded, indicating that it worked.
"Nice to meet you, Thistle. From this point on I'm your chaperone. If you feel uncomfortable or forget the rules any of us can help. But I will be personally responsible for you having a good time. That said, there are rules..."
"Melody, I need help." Another bartender called from further down the bar.
Melody's happy demeanor dropped. In fact, she looked rather unsure, panicked. She muttered something Thistle was sure was of the vulgar nature.
"I can wait." She always hated being a bother.
"Sorry, it's just." Melody started her shoulder sinking, Then she bounced back her smile returning. "I have a newbie of my own. Stay right here and I'll be back."
"Ok."
With that Melody bolted. Thistle lost sight of her behind a large man leaning on the bar talking to a woman who was naked from the waist up. Seconds passed slowly as Thistle waited feeling unsure and out of place.
"Hey there." A slurred voice said from behind her.
She turned to see a lean tall man with the features of a ferret that reeked of sweat and booze. It took some mental willpower for her to not visibly react to the smell.
"Umm hi."
"Hey." He repeated his introduction. "You're new here, right?"
"I am." She doubted it but hoped a short response would drive him away.
Nope, instead his eyes lit up. "I knew it, I can always tell." Thistle bit her tongue instead of pointing out the clear white band around her wrist.
"So, you're a submissive as well. I can tell that too." He carried on.
"Maybe." She didn't want to give her label to this creep. This was rustling her in all the wrong ways. Her body was on edge and her hackles were starting to rise.
"You are, I can tell. Can I give you some beginner advice?"
"I'm actually waiting for the bar-"
"Psh, they just tell you a script. I know how it really works. Like the first rule is that submissives like you should always listen to dominants like me." He interrupted and held up his wrist showing a black and red band, like she knew what the colors meant. He really didn't understand the being new thing.
But even if it was all new Thistle knew that didn't sound right. "I think-"
"Don't talk over me until I'm done." He tried to order but the slurring words took any authority away.
She bit her tongue hoping to hold out until Melody came back. The man was about to carry on when someone bumped into him, pressing him against Thistle.
"Fuck it's too packed. Let's dance and talk."
"I'm supposed-" He cut her off again by grabbing her arm and yanking her towards the dance floor. He was rather strong so she let him lead not wanting to risk injury. She swept her gaze across the bar, spotting Melody in shock. The leopard immediately began talking into her bracelet upon seeing her.
The man hadn't noticed and found a clearing on the floor. He let go of her wrist and started to grind against her. It was an attempt but even that was too strong of a word for his awful dance moves.
"Start dancing sexy." He shouted over the music.
"I'm going-"
"I said dance like a good girl." No, this had gone too far. She was new but not a pushover.
"I'm going back to the bar." She stepped back, not waiting for a response. She didn't see the hand that struck her across the muzzle. She reeled, struggling to remain upright. Now she was pissed.
"That is what happens-" Someone in the sea of onlookers decked him, finally cutting him off. He didn't keep his balance as well as her and crashed to the floor in a heap. Gasps filled the room. It became quiet as the music stopped.
Her savior was a wolf with black fur tinted with gray. His height was imposing, and a tailored suit clung to his physique. But it was the anger in his yellow eyes that got her attention. He didn't even look at her, only the man and she already felt scared.
"You will not strike anyone in my club." He said in a deep voice that hit all the right notes for Thistle.
"I got saved by the owner? There goes keeping a low profile." she thought.
"Fuck you." The drunk man managed to get up, rising to a sitting position. "You know how much money I spend here in your shitty club?"
That got the owner's lips to curl, gleaming white teeth on display. "You think I run this club for profit? This is my personal haven and you're pissing all over it. Get out and never come back."
The owner started to stroll away but the man wasn't done. He wobbled to his feet and tried to take a swing. The auburn wolf from earlier moved like a blur and tackled him to the floor. It did get the owner's attention back on him. He turned to kneel next to the struggling man. He drew a black pistol and pressed it to the man's temple.
"At any moment I can kill you. It doesn't matter who you are, who your daddy is, or how much power or money you have. Use that brain of yours to remember that before I have to splatter it on my nice clean floor."
He got back up holstering the gun. "Get him out." He ordered. The auburn wolf lifted the man to his feet, manhandling him toward a door near the bar. Thistle watched but she could feel eyes on her again. The owner's gaze was now on her with a cold disinterest.
"Follow me."
He didn't wait for a response so she didn't provide one following behind as ordered. As they reached a hidden staircase the music returned and the club came back to life. She followed him up a dark hallway to a door with a guard standing on duty. He stood aside, opening the door for them without a word.
Inside she found a mixture of luxury office and VIP suite. Windows overlooked the entire club. He left her in the doorway gawking as he sat in a leather chair behind a gorgeous wooden desk. He nodded and the door shut, barely missing her tail.
"You hurt?" The question was kind but his tone didn't carry that.
She shook her head. "I'm a tough fox, sir."
That got a slight response, a split second of a smile. "Not very bright though. You disobeyed the instructions all new guests receive."
"Ouch, asshole." She thought before responding. "The bartender...he dragged me away."
"I know but you still have to account for your own actions in the situation." She knew to a small degree he was right so she kept quiet, not willing to admit it.
"Why are you here, Miss Cromwell?" Hearing her name in his voice made her stomach flip and it was hard to remain cool.
"Thistle, please."
"Archer. Now answer my question, Thistle." Yeah, it was even better hearing her first name. But she noticed something. For a moment he smirked. He knew the effect he was having. He didn't give a shit about her. This was all a little game he was playing. Well, if this was a game, she was going to play too.
"What do you think I'm doing here?" She fired back, stepping forward hand on her hip. She may have been scared to come here, but she despised being manipulated. Even more so than an asshole slapping her.
"Causing me a headache so far." He retorted, leaning back in his chair, no longer hiding the amusement.
