I do not own DC Comics.
All characters are 18+.
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Extended Synopsis:
Hidden in the heart of Gotham City there exists an exclusive club for men of wealth and influence. A place where, for a pretty penny, they can enjoy the company of the world's premier superheroines.
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Heeled boots clicked against the sidewalk. There was a chill in the air, prickling at Zatanna's skin even through her long, dark coat. Or maybe it was just her nerves. She was antsy, true. But it was from excitement, not worry.
She had a gig tonight. And from a venue she'd never heard of before. All new place. All new audience.
Zatanna Zatara wanted to make a lasting impression.
The young witch smirked to herself as she continued further into the heart of downtown Metropolis. More than one of her fellow Leaguers had asked her why she bothered to still do magic shows. Doing double duty as entertainer and superheroine had to be exhausting - and it's not like she needed the money, what with the generous Justice League stipend. Zatanna would always shake her head. None of them would ever truly
get
it.
Sure, scheduling shows between stretches of League business was often tricky - and ate into her free time to boot. But Zatanna was a showwoman at heart. If there was anything in this world she truly, truly loved, it was dazzling the masses.
Enchanting
them, really.
Already she was getting into the groove. Even her walk had changed. She was
strutting
now - long legs carrying her forth in a well-practiced, enthralling march. She'd learned to use
everything
the almighty had given her, including the allure of her natural gifts. Her
mystique
, as some of her friends had put it.
Zatanna was no stranger to having eyes on her. It came with the job. Hell, it was desired. Captivating an audience was a rush like no other. And if setting one or two tongues wagging in the process gave her that extra edge...
She could feel eyes on her even then, strutting down the sidewalk. Her coat may have been long and dark, but it clung to her tightly, giving a faint glimpse at the figure hidden beneath. And nothing could hide those boots of hers, nor muffle the sound of her heels. Surely, her long black locks were bouncing with each step.
Click. Click. Click. Click.
The Mistress of Magic was enthralling even incognito, Zatanna noted with some pride.
Eventually, she came to a stop. She had reached the address as directed. The raven-haired witch narrowed her eyes as she took it in. Briefly, she wondered if there might have been a mix-up.
She had expected a theater, a hotel perhaps. Any sort of venue, really. But what stood before her was a regular building. Nondescript, even among the modern office towers that rose up around her. Gray steel and dark windows stretched five stories up, supported by pillars of smoothed concrete.
Zatanna fished the business card from her coat pocket. She read out the address twice just to be sure. There was no mistake.
This was the place.
Zatanna chewed on her tongue. Then she stuffed the card back into her pocket. A gig was a gig. And she'd given shows in stranger places.
The witch went on, enjoying the stirring in her gut.
There were two doormen who awaited her. Both were on the larger side, looking more like bouncers - if not for their red uniforms and short-brimmed hats. Thick-necked and hard-faced were both fellows... but they seemed to
light up
when they saw her. The recognition on their faces was clear. For the celebrity heroine, it was more than a little pleasing.
They pulled the tall, heavy doors open for her. Zatanna gave them a smile and wave as she passed.
"Gentlemen." Her tone was sweet. There was the tiniest hint of flirtation, too. Something that would no doubt lift their spirits.
Inside, she found a lobby. Nothing that screamed
event
or
theatrical
, though. But it was much fancier than she was expecting.
The atmosphere was classy, verging on ritzy. The warm hues of the walls and lighting fed into an air of coziness. But the furniture, the sleek, polished tables, and the fountain... the clash with the drab exterior told a story of money.
Big
money and
big
privacy.
Zatanna found herself smiling again. This was getting more and more interesting.
She scanned her surroundings. A few people were lounging about. All men. All dressed in sharp business attire. A couple of them glanced her way. One even seemed
especially
interested.
She let their eyes meet... and let the contact linger for a moment before moving on. He'd keep his eyes on her for the whole damn show, for sure.
These were high-end clientele. And she was in the business of high-end performances.
There was a receptionist desk at the far end of the lobby, staffed by a lonesome, pretty blonde. Zatanna started on her way... but she only made it half the distance before another figure smoothly swept into view.