Queen of the Jungle
Tea Gardner was finally living her dream of traveling to New York and studying ballet, but life in the Big Apple never came cheap. Fortunately the other dancers had directed her to a place where she could make more than enough to make ends meet with her talents, especially if the patrons liked her. A few years ago a night club called "The Jungle" had opened up not too far from campus, it was named not only for the interior decorations, but because all the hired dancers wore masquerade masks and exotic animal costumes. When Tea joined the payroll she was tasked with the lizard.
Though The Jungle wasn't actually a strip club, the dancers often stripped down to their animal styled undergarments, especially if they wanted a big tip. Tea was reluctant at first, but her new friends assured her that no cameras were allowed in the club, and they always kept the identities of dancers confidential. It was all done with respect for the women; they were simply using beauty to make art. But of course men will be men, and if they got out of line the bouncers would throw them out.
Tonight was the night the patrons would get to decide which of dancers would get the title "Queen of the Jungle." At first Tea was nervous, but just like every other night, as soon as the music started playing her body took over and she completely forgot that there was an audience at all. She started out in a full lizard costume. She and the other dancers always teased the audience by removing their gloves first, then came the masks, but of course they still had their personal masquerade masks on underneath. At this point Tea had her back to the crowd, unaware that every eye in the club was on her. Then she and the other dancers dropped the rest of their costumes, leaving them in nothing but their masks and undergarments fitting of their respective animals. Tea slowly turned her head and her gaze met that of the entire club, but hers was focused on a single person. She gave him a wink and began to dance with the others.
"It doesn't matter what any of these other perverts think, his approval is all I need."
The dance began to grow wilder, more passionate, and she was utterly lost in it. It didn't matter that she was dancing half naked in front of a whole room of people, besides it made her feel very sexy. It reminded her of what her fellow dancer students had once said.
"You're a very beautiful young woman, so why shouldn't you show off a little?"
As she danced her hair was like a wild whip slicing through the air. She had grown it out since she came to America, now it stretched all the way down to her waist. Yugi had told her that he liked it, so she kept it that way. The music continued to build and build until suddenly it all just stopped and the dancers froze in their final positions, and the crowd went wild.
Tea's heart never stopped pounding for an instant, and it made her feel so alive. Despite the unusual lighting of the club she could tell that Yugi was also having a little trouble breathing. She was so lost in the moment that she almost didn't hear the announcement that she had been named Queen of the Jungle. As the crowd erupted into applause she gestured for him to come up on stage and kissed him on the cheek. Of course thanks to his funny little hat and glasses they weren't aware that the person she was kissing was the one who defeated the psychopathic Abaddon months earlier, but they were still burning with jealousy.
"Don't let these gawkers get to you." she whispered "When we get home we'll have a private show… just for you."