Of Suits And Swords

"Male," Alexis said quietly but firmly. "I want to be entertained by a man."

"Of course, Mr Grayson," Jake, the front desk gentleman replied, his Customer Relations name tag glinting from the lapel of his suit jacket. He'd obviously had his job a while now, he didn't even bat an eye at the request and simply asked, "Are there any other important stipulations, sir?"

"Confident." With a little wrinkle of his nose he said, "I don't want one of those nervous little greenhorns who laugh funny because they're so tense." He pursed his lips a moment, "Or who are uncomfortable hosting a man." He pressed two fingertips to his own chest, adding, "And I'm rather quiet so I want someone who'll talk." He gestured away from his chest, generally indicating someone very different from himself. "But not a chatterbox, I don't want someone who is just trying to fill the silence. I want someone with control." He lifted one shoulder in a shrug and asked as though already expecting an answer in the negative, "Do you have anyone who isn't going to waste my time?"

"I believe we may have someone suitable, sir," Jake nodded. He gave one of those refined, accommodating little smiles and gestured politely. "If you'll have a seat, allow me to have him brought here to escort you in."

"Thank you." Alexis turned smartly on his heel and marched over to the couches lining the front room and its floor to ceiling walls of windows. He unbuttoned his dinner jacket as he sat and angled himself to look outside and admire the sparkling lights of the city below, pushing a lock of his ice blond hair from his face.

Trademark's Club, a new and fast-becoming popular place, was situated at the top floor of the Tower Majestic Hotel building, affording many simple luxuries height could bring. Alexis had heard the club included a pool, and as he quite enjoyed those, it was another feature that'd drawn him here this evening... but maybe not that tonight. Tonight, he had more interest for the main reason he'd decided to come here.

Hosts.

He'd been told he could be hosted here and there were extensive choices. The way Basil had told him about this place, he'd expected a sleazy front hall in a buffet selection of people. Instead, the place seemed refined and classy, subdued though not quiet. The front hall, mostly empty save for passing staff, had pale marble floors, polished and shining; the décor and furniture coordinated in dark and light tones in a low-key and classy contemporary style. Minimalistic but contrasted with colours and patterns—

"Sir?"

Alexis stood unhurriedly, refastening his jacket as two sets of glossy shoes stepped into view. He looked expectantly at Jake, ignoring the host for the moment, noticing faintly that the man seemed nervous. Jake's over-confident demeanour was gone, but he still flawlessly gestured, presenting his companion, and Alexis slid his eyes over to the host...

Tall, he noted with a little furrow of his brows, eyes following the row of buttons up. He himself stood five feet and nine inches, but this man cleared well over six feet tall.

Dark gray suit, tailored to fit, silver pocket kerchief and silver pin, a red shirt just a shade shy of being loud, no tie and throat bare save for a simple silver chain. Firm-jawed, not quite square but definitely held that angle of stubbornness, thin lips and slender nose, dark hair cropped short and moulded into miniature spikes, pale hazel eyes.

"Good evening, sir," the host said, pulling one hand from his pocket and holding it out. "My name is Gage. It's my pleasure to host you this evening." His voice, deep and resonant should belong to a singer.

But Alexis frowned a little; he would be considered the ‘senior' as a guest and should be first to hold out his hand... and then only if he agreed to choose this man. His face still tilted up at Gage, he slid his gaze sideways. Jake nodded imperceptibly, a small and reassuring smile on his face. Darting his gaze back to the host, he relented and held out his own hand.

"Alexis." But just when Jake turned away and Alexis relaxed into the initial pleasantries, Gage suddenly gripped his hand harder and yanked him forward. He only just managed to keep his more dangerous reflexes in check and let himself be pulled flush against Gage's chest. Frown deepening, he glared up at Gage, "Perhaps it's a useless question but what do you think you're doing?"

"Getting to know you better," Gage rumbled easily, lips quirked. He slid an arm around Alexis's waist, curling himself almost possessively around Alexis and kept him near as they crossed past the front desk and through the doors into the club.

Alexis glared up at him the entire way. The nerve of this host? But at least it wasn't boring, which was what his evening should have been, and so he tolerated the audacity. And judging by the way Gage flashed him a smug smile, perhaps the host really did know what he was doing. At any rate, he conceded, Gage seemed to cross off the list of all he'd requested; there was potential he'd gotten exactly what he wanted.

Good. He detested wasting his time.

They stepped between a pair of bouncers through a door into the main club, instrumental lounge beats playing at a pitch just right to fill the place with sound yet not require people to shout over it to be heard. The lighting had been lowered to half-shadows, candles burning in flat bowls of water, glowing lights on the walls to provide a glow of illumination but no direct spotlight. Décor, lighting and music combined to give the venue a feel of being an understated place of lounging, to relax and unwind.

Alexis dipped his chin once in approval. He liked it. He glanced up at his companion, noting the satisfaction Gage seemed to find in his approval, but said nothing.

"Quiet, I understand," Gage murmured, eyes studying Alexis carefully. "But there is a wealth of knowledge in your eyes. A mind at constant work, I see. And yet you prefer to be spoken to, not speak yourself when you have much to say?"

"Even if I were to open my mouth and said what I wanted to," Alexis returned, trying to bait the man, "if you did not understand them then there would be no point."

"So you dislike small talk." Gage's lips quirked again in amusement, accurately reading between the lines, "I do believe your words were: do you have anyone who isn't going to waste my time?"

Alexis frowned slightly, "How do you know I said that?"

"There's a video and sound feed from the front hall to the hosts' private lounges," Gage replied, smile widening into a wicked grin. "You can't see us but we can see you. It helps us decide who should host our guests. In your case it helped me decide if I would be able to handle you," he leaned in closer to whisper suggestively into Alexis's ear, "be able to please you."

"I was led to believe this was not a venue that catered to anything but entertainment," Alexis said sharply, annoyed at the forward move. He hadn't expected that implication..

"Oh, Trademark doesn't," Gage replied easily, eyes twinkling with amusement, and yet his expression showed he understood he'd startled his guest. "But you see, you're so delicious I couldn't help but tease you a little."

"I came here to unwind, not be wound up," Alexis retorted. He didn't move from Gage's grip, much as the conversation seemed heated, because he could lose his temper if he wanted to, yet still enjoy the simple pleasure of being touched, being held.

Gage's grip tightened briefly, eyes flashing with more inferences, "We've only just met and yet I would so love to... unwind you." He laughed, loosening his hold, when Alexis glowered up at him for that. "Ahh, don't mind me too much, I'm enjoying myself teasing you. But this isn't about me, is it?" He smiled again, this time without the desire and teasing, "It's about you. Come, let us sit and lounge, and I'll see to your relaxation, hm?"