Warnings: mentions of prostitution and domestic violence
Be nice to sex workers, their job is tough.
Tan Lan's life was not easy. It rarely was for people in her...profession. Escorts. Ladies of the night. "Working girls." Call it what you would, but you could never call it easy. Life was a dangerous dance where a misstep could land her in jail if she was lucky, and in a ditch if she wasn't. She had to be on guard constantly, yet appear approachable; flirty enough to entice men in, but unreachable enough that they were willing to pay for her company. Tan Lan played many roles for for her job. One man wanted the seductress, another wanted the ingenue. The ditz, the bad girl, the mistress, the humble slave. Once the client's money was in your hand, you belonged to them. You did what they wanted you to do, you became whoever they wanted you to be. That was the nature of the work. And she was good at it, good at seeing their wants and filling the roles, very good-but it was exhausting.
Tan Lan was already tired when she entered the Devil's Nest. And sore-last night's customer had enjoyed her submissive act a little too much. But she couldn't cancel on her best, and favorite, client. Greed was one of the few people who actually treated her with respect. And he was a great tipper. She'd just have to bat her eyelashes and hope he didn't notice the unusually thick layer of makeup.
"Evening, Tan Lan." A tattooed woman greeted as she walked through the bar.
"Evening, Martel." Tan Lan waved. She managed to smile coyly at the men cleaning the bar, despite her fatigue. "Evening, boys."
They nodded back politely. Loa-a somber giant of a man-indicated the door to the basement. "Boss is in his room."
"Then I'd better not keep him waiting." She sashayed down the steps until she was out of sight, then dropped the act. Best to save her energy for the guy who was paying. She stopped outside Greed's door and knocked lightly. "Hey, baby. Ready for me?"
"Always. Come on in."
Tan Lan opened the door. She'd seen this room a dozen times, but it was always stunning in its gaudy opulence. Greed certainly lived up to his name. The man himself was sprawled on the bed, skimming through a stack of business documents. He tossed them aside when he saw Tan Lan posing in the doorway. "Hey, gorgeous," he rose, smiling. "Welcome back."
"Glad to be here." She wrapped her arms around his neck, greeting him with a kiss. Business as usual-until she saw his hand raise out of the corner of her eye. She flinched before she could stop herself. Idiot. He was just going to stroke your cheek, like he always does. She kissed him more intensely, hoping he hadn't noticed. No dice. Greed pulled back, frowning.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong when I'm with you, babe." Tan Lan purred sultrily. Unconvinced, he brushed his fingers over her cheek, over the thick makeup beneath her eye. She tried hard not to wince as he touched the puffy, tender skin.
"...Who hit you, Tan Lan?"
"No one," She lied.
The squinty glare he gave her said he saw through her BS. "Tan Lan-"
"It's not important, baby." She pressed her body against his, caressing his lips with a finger as if to shush him. "What is important is you, me, and that beautiful bed that's waiting for us."
Greed pried her arms from around his neck. A thrill of fear ran through her. It vanished when he took her hand-cradling it in his own like it was made of spun sugar. "I know what your work is like, Tan Lan. I know you put up with all kinds of crap and that you're used to it. But this-this crosses a line. This is not something you should have to get used to." He tipped her head back gently, looking into her eyes. His gaze held no pity or lust or condescension. "You may only be mine for a few hours at a time, but you're still mine. And I hate it when people hurt what's mine."
He was just a client, Tan Lan reminded herself. He was just a client and this was just a job. If he'd just stop being so blasted sincere, this would be easy. But looking into his violet eyes, Tan Lan found herself gripping his hand a little tighter. "...If I tell you, what will you do to the guy?"
She expected some grand and dramatic declaration about avenging her honor, but Greed seemed to think seriously before he answered. "Just this once, I'll let him off with a warning. And a couple broken fingers, so he remembers not to do it again. How does that sound?" He asked. He was actually asking what she wanted. That was...unusual.
Tan Lan liked it.
"He's a skinny beanpole of a guy. Pencil moustache, tiny nose, likes to pretend he's a bigshot. He works at the liquor store on Jay Street." She smirked. "Tell him that if he showered once in a while, he might not have to buy women."
"You got it." Greed kissed her forehead. "I'll be back. Take a nap until then, you look exhausted."
"Wait, you're leaving now? What about-"
"It can wait. Your fee's on the nightstand. " Greed was already out the door, leaving a befuddled woman gaping at him from the doorway.
Is he honestly paying me to wait here and take a nap? Unheard of. Unless Greed had suddenly developed a fetish for chivalry. That could be it, actually. Every man had hero fantasies-punching the lights out of some piggish deadbeat, then returning to the grateful damsel to claim his reward. Maybe that was it. Tan Lan found she didn't care.
The client gets what the client wants, after all, Tan Lan thought contentedly as she stretched out on the bed, savoring the luxurious feel of the linens. She quickly drifted off, a smile on her face. Greed was definitely her favorite customer.