"Loki."

"Lachie?"

"No, Loki." I stared at the man, wishing I didn't have a damn camera focused down on me, so I could move away. I'd barely moved, and I'm sure whoever watched was perplexed by my lack of dancing or stripping off the extra lace and silk I'd had to quickly adorn before coming here. No one had ever sought me out, not like this. But, he didn't want a strip dance... What did he want? Wasn't Loki a Nordic name?

"Loki." I breathed out the odd name. As odd as the man who bore it. "Okay, what do you want?"

"To talk. Just to talk." If I didn't need to take my gear off, and still get paid at the end of this, I wouldn't complain.

"About what?"

"I don't know, life again?" He shrugged. "I've been thinking about what you said, and I think you were right."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"About the meaning of life. I've been thinking over it."

"So, you decided to come and tell me?"

"Yes!" He grinned, but all I could do was stare in bewilderment.

"You're insane." I uttered, unsure if this man was unhinged, or had more money than he knew what to do with. I didn't feel threatened by him, but I suppose that didn't mean anything.

"Alright, maybe a little insane." He retirated, but it didn't diminish the delight in his green eyes. Delight to simply be having this conversation.

"What am I meant to tell my boss? He'll see this recording. I warrant he's currently watching it." I worried at my lip.

"Does it matter what you tell him?"

"Yeah, it does."

"And what exactly is it you are meant to be doing?" He asked, eyes burning with curiosity, but the smile playing on his lips told me he wasn't entirely naïve.

"I'm a dancer."

"Not like any dancer from my homeland. Possibly a harlot-"

"I do not sell my body!" I pushed at his shoulders, insulted, and he shuffled back into the lounge.

"Then perhaps you should demonstrate what you do?" His words dripped with, not lust, but challenge, and I had no idea how to handle this man. It was rare anyone came up with the funds to meet me privately. Theo had made sure of it. No doubt, he'd increase my price after tonight. He didn't like to share, and I didn't like this part of the job, but, I was good at it. Putting on a show. Pretending. And I was good at reading people to give them what they wanted.

This man, he was unexpected, and while I held the power in these situations, I felt well on the back foot. I swept forward and straddled his lap. "Would you like a lap dance, or a strip dance, or, perhaps both?"

"If we can continue our conversation, you can do whatever you like." His smile was wide and amused.

"You really are only here to talk, aren't you?" I raised my gaze to his face. He was a tall man, and it was obvious the suit he wore was tailored to his figure. It was all black, including his dress shirt and tie, I realised. Just like the first time I'd met him.

"You're wearing a mask, right now. This is a performance, you're playing a part."

"Yes. It's a job. "I'm paid to perform and pretend, to make a fantasy come true."

"I've been wearing a mask too. All my life. To perform a part, to pretend, every hour I am among my people, it's all pretend!" His voice dropped, rough with anger. "Everything I do, my leadership, my rule, the decisions I make. Is there any point to any of it, when I'm not the one being truly acknowledged? When it's not truly me gaining the respect, the reverence?"

"You're after gratification?"

"Yes." He hissed.

"Is self gratification you are doing good things not enough?" I asked and he frowned, mulling over my question. I'd kept my hands resting on my thighs, but I certainly wasn't dancing, or stripping, so reached up, placing my hands on his shoulders. His very, very, tense shoulders.

"I want..." He trailed off with a sigh. "I don't know anyomore."

"Perhaps you are in need of a career change?" I suggested and he laughed lowly.

"I was born to rule, the responsibility is mine."

"Rule?" I echoed.

"Lead, I mean lead."

"No, you definitely said, rule." I pressed, both wary and yet, intrigued. "Are you a royal or something?" He leaned back with a self deprecating chuckle.

"Does it matter?" I knew my eyes widened, and my hands, still resting on his shoulders, felt electric.

"I... no, it doesn't." It did, I was currently sitting on the lap of a ruler. A royal. No wonder the man didn't have a full grasp on strip clubs. "Are you meant to be here?"

"Not exactly." He admitted. I swallowed. This was fine, completely fine.

"So, you have to lead, but it's not a rewarding enough career for you, because you aren't acknowledged?"

"Yes, exactly!"

"But you're wearing a mask? You can't be yourself?" He nodded. "Can't you take it off, the mask?"

"If I did, I would be exposed."

"That's the point."

"No, you aren't getting it." He let out a frustrated noise.

"Perhaps you'd be better paying to chat with an actual qualified shrink or counsellor."

"A who?"

"Seriously, where are you from?" I shook my head.

"Doesn't matter."

"Right..."

"And I'd rather talk to you."

"Well, I'm not an expert in psychology, I'm an expert in-"

"Seduction, yes, yes, I've noticed." He ran his hands mere inches from my skin, down my sides, stating the obvious, and although he didn't, it felt as if fingers ghosted across my skin. My breath caught in my throat. "I have another question, why are you doing this? You too are wearing a mask, and your performance is to seduce men, but what is your gratification?" I knew exactly what he was implying, but why?

"The paycheck at the end of the night." I replied.

"But you work at that other bar, is that not enough?"

"It's not, and this pays well."

"I paid two thousand to spend time with you, but I paid your boss. How much do you walk home with at the end of the eve?"

"That's not part of our conversation." I whispered, glad we both spoke low, and the camera had no sound recorder. Still, if someone heard...

"Humour me."

"I'm not permitted to discuss but it's far more than most make in a day. I do well enough."

"Why wear this particular mask?" He asked instead. "You could wear any, or serve drink at other bars. Why this?"

"Why does it matter?"

"I'm curious."

"I told you, the pay is good." I had nothing to explain to this man, this stranger. "I thought you wished to talk more about the meaning of life? Your running out of time."

"I can always pay for another hour." His grin was wolfish and self assured. It astounded me how men could blow so much money, and it must have shown on my face. "But, I'd rather not again in these uh circumstances."

"Is that an insult?"

"A compliment. I don't like the mask."

"Well, there's a first for everything." I murmured, surprised yet again, and despite still straddling his lap, I let myself relax a little. If Theo or anyone asked what had transpired, I'll tell then this man wished to talk dirty, or something. An intellectual in a strip joint was more than refreshing.

"Now, can we talk?"