Making Waves
I hope down the stairs feeling an unusual excitement bubble up inside me. The strapless bikini top stays up as I bounce, a short joyful tune jingling from the steps as I dance down.
At the bottom, Rat stands outside his office. A smirk curls the corner of his mouth. 'Having fun?' he drawls.
I clap my hands, breathless. 'Who am I today?'
He lifts a delicate necklace between two fingers, copper catching the dim light. He beckons me inside. The door shuts behind me with a soft thud. I bend automatically, spreading my legs. It's a ritual by now.
Rat settles into his chair, spanking my bottom affectionately. 'Not today, dewdrop. You've impressed the parents. Word's spread about how you stood up to a client and kept your partner safe. Bold move.'
I straighten up, dropping onto the bench by the wall, heart thudding a little faster. Bold? Me? I shift slightly, the hard wood cool under my bare thighs.
Rat leans forward, the heavy copper collar sliding into his hands. I suck in a sharp breath as the weight lifts from my neck. It feels almost too light. I feel exposed.
His small hands brush against my skin as he fastens the delicate copper necklace, its thin chain settling cold against my collarbone.
'You have a sponsor,' he murmurs, eyes glinting. 'Your duties have changed. Now it's time to play babysitter with the noble brats.'
I finger the pendant lightly, tracing its edges. Raised bumps on the face--my new license. My new collar, just a prettier one.
I close my eyes, focusing hard on Rat.
He chuckles softly, patting my knee. 'Yes, yes, dewdrop. I can still locate you. No running away.'
I ease back, exhaling. 'So... what am I supposed to do?'
Please don't let it be babysitting sticky-fingered little kids. Snotty noses, tantrums, bottles--ugh. I could have stayed home for that, surrounded by a sea of younger cousins.
He scans me over, nodding. 'Love's in the air. The latest crop of nobles is out to prove their worth, but they like to pretend it's all just one big party. That's where you come in. The parents want someone cool to keep an eye on things--make sure their precious cherubs behave, don't take advantage of each other unless that's what's wanted. Keep the mood smooth, keep the play flowing. All. Day. Long.'
I blink. Intrigued. Confused. No idea what he's hinting at.
He grins, sharp and knowing. 'You're a chaperone, dewdrop. But you're expected to play with the kiddies.'
Ah. Oh.
'I don't do minors,' I mutter, wary. Another item on my Taboo list.
Rat snorts, tossing his hands up. 'Neither do they. Everyone's of age, requirement of membership. Seventeen, post-Rite for the girls. The lads--make sure they treat the ladies right. You mother the newbies. Mother the hesitant ones. Help them cross the threshold. They can't become citizens until this phase of their life is done.'
He tosses a towel at me, grin curling again. 'Here's your uniform. Your sponsor's covered your club membership, your open tab, and a week's worth of uniforms. Keep them clean. Rotate daily.'
I unfold the pretty wrap, blinking at the draping fabric, unsure what I'm supposed to do with it.
Rat waves toward the door, holding up a slip of paper. 'Here's the address. Ten-minute walk. But the public won't take kindly to a skimpily clad toys wandering the streets, so twist that thing into a dress or something.'
The door opens. I'm dismissed.
I dash back upstairs, breathless. I know exactly who I'm dragging into this. The newest chick--the human who refuses to come downstairs. She's been itching for a task, something to prove her worth without doing my duties. I've figured it out. She's a whizz with the curling iron, a magician with makeup.
If she can transform me into the next waterproof darling, we both win.
I walk through the pool club to the open enclosed area outside, wrap over one shoulder as I peer over my sunnies. I stop dead. It's like I've crashed a primary school dance. Boys awkwardly clumped on one side of the deck, girls in little giggling huddles on the other. Except--these aren't humans. Fae don't have breasts, so the line between boys and girls blur. They're all lean, glossy-limbed, prancing around in flash little budgie smugglers, laughing too hard, showing off shimmering wings and toned backs.
I take a breath. Right. Babysitter. Chaperone. Party mood. I square my shoulders, flash a grin and wade in.
'Right, Bartender. First round's on me, make everyone's a double. And put in a large order of Pewters, three per head.'
I pause, biting playfully on my sunnies as all eyes swing my way. 'And for gods sakes. Get some better music going. Play Ruinwish followed by Hex and Honey.'
Time to get this party started.
The Shallow End
I stand back a moment to survey my domain. Boys meet girls, couples drift to the privacy cabanas and lock the door, filling the air with moans and groans of awkward first passions. All is right.
Except the three ladies hiding on the sidelines. I fill a tray with fairy cakes and cocktails, strutting over their way to the jamming beat through dancing throngs of fae making out around the pool's edge. My club has become more popular. I don't set rules on who does who.
Equal love and opportunity is our only motto.
That and don't piss me off. No means no. End story.
I listen to the winds, pausing to place my tray down on a table. I use my key and open a locked door, spreading my wings wide.
'No means no.' I lift a guy off by his ponytail. I press the sink crystal against his neck, sucking away his offensive spells. His magical scent wafts over me. I growl deep in my throat as I drag him out of the open door. 'One warning. You're out.'
He scrambles to keep from being dragged as I bring him to a security exit, shoving him through. 'He's banned. Brought his house to shame. Make it known.' I advise the security pixies.
Pea cocks her finger my way, clicking her tongue. 'Gotcha, Boss.'
His clothes float behind the guy as he's forcibly expelled into the street, naked.
I wander back to my tray, checking in on the girl. She presses her body against another guy on the dance floor.
Resilient little fuckers.
With every rejection, my club becomes more popular. Win for me, win for them.
