For the last few months, I've been having to get used to having my circadian rhythm essentially be flipped on its head. Working through almost every night means that the day is either over with or very close to doing so once I have to wake up for work.
There was probably a health risk in there somewhere but I didn't let the possibility bother me.
Anyways, the point I'm making is that my wake up alarms are all set for around 8:30 to 9 o'clock at night, leaving me plenty of time to get ready, have a little time to myself, get to the House and get everything up and running.
Opening my eyes, I saw that I was on my couch, the curtains only half drawn, allowing me to peek out of my house and into the night time of Vale. I think my weather app said that it would be stormy through most of the day and night, so I mentally prepared to dress for rain.
I made to get up, only to feel a body on top of mine, stopping me from doing so. Looking down, I saw that it was Neon, indeed on top of me, her hair in shambles and yesterdays make up a little smudged up. I had forgotten, in my freshly awoken mind, about her coming with me to my home. She was quite cute while asleep. Well, she was always cute, and if she found I said otherwise I'd obviously get a very stern talking to, but what I meant was that her sleeping face was also cute. Seemed a shame to wake her up, but no matter how much time we have, we still have to get to work.
Gently nudging her shoulder, I attempted to wake her, softly calling her name. Nothing, sleeping like a log. Gotta try again.
"Neon. Neeeoooon, c'mon, wake up, we have to go to work," I whispered. She groaned, her brow furrowing as her sleepy mind felt itself being forced awake. Almost there, "Come on Neon, you don't wanna sleep in too long, miss breakfast and go to work hungry do you?"
Groaning, the orange haired girl looked at me, eyes sleepy but narrowed in irritation. I raised an eyebrow, silently repeating the question, when she seemed to finally give in and slowly sit up, yawning, not yet moving from on top of me.
"Mmm, okay Boss. Mmph, just let me do something," she said, causing me to raise my eyebrow in confusion. When she sleepily began to unzip my pants, and lift up her skirt, I could help but close my eyes and chuckle. Good god, Neon was insatiable.
I, of course, suffered a little thing called 'Morning Wood' like many other guys in the world. Not that it was morning wood considering I woke up at night, but I digress. Neon, maybe feeling it the moment she woke up, had decided to pull my pants down, and her skirt up, before lowering herself and pressing our sexes together.
Sighing in content, she sways her hips back and forth, rubbing her cunt on my shaft. Interesting way to wake up, but I wouldn't complain.
"So, ah, wh-what's the plan for today?" She asked, eyes half lidded, putting her hands on my chest to stabilise herself. Being so helpful, I raise my hands up and grab her hips, helping her move back and forth on my shaft.
"Gotta talk to Glynda. See what she has for us so we can start training for the Gala. Besides that- ah, Yang's sister is supposed to be watching us tonight, see what working for the House is like," I explained, finding it a little troublesome to talk and have her grind on my lap, but I was making it work.
"I think it's best that she-, she doesn't work with us. She's adorable but really-, f-fuck-, but really out of touch with Vale. Is Y-Yang going on stage?" She questioned, panting with a sexual need that only seemed to be escalating.
"Mmph, nah, nah she's gonna be standing with us, didn't think she'd like performing with her little sister in the audience," I said. Neon nodded in agreement, finding the idea sound. Just seemed to be common sense, yah know, 'don't dance on a pole with family members watching.'
"I-Isn't it Thursday? That means she'll also see Nebula and I strip, won't she?" Oh yeah, she would. I'm not sure if that would help or hinder her desire to work for us. I'd hope it's hinder, but Ruby was a bit of an odd girl.
"We'll figure something out. I don't wanna just turn her away, not when she's in a situation financially, but she's really not made of the right stuff for this job."
She nodded, raising herself up and lining my tip with her entrance, shuddering a little as she slowly pushed herself down on my cock. Moaning, I kept my hold on her waist as she twisted her hips, driving my length deep into her cunt.
Forgoing the conversation for a moment, we instead focused on her riding my cock, writhing in pleasure on my couch. Once again, Neon was a loud moaner, making me thankful for my past self for finding a place that's separated from the other houses.
"Fuck~, y-you getting close Boss~?" She asked me, causing me to nod vigorously. Of course I was getting close, I had a beautiful tomboy riding my dick not 5 minutes after I woke up. Giggling, she leaned down, capturing my lips with hers, grabbing my shoulders to keep herself steady.
Grabbing her ass with both hands, I pressed her down as far on my dick as possible, groaning in pleasure as I shot my morning load into her willing hole, Neon loudly moaning directly into my mouth.
Panting, and tired, yet excited, we both laid there a moment, just recuperating from the quick fuck. Giggling, Neon looked up at me with a light smirk.
"I think we need a shower, Boss," she told me. Yeah. She was probably right.
Anyway, we rose after that, with me deciding to leave my old clothes on the floor, and walked naked over to my shower. We almost started up again, what with the soap, suds, and close proximity to each other under a hot shower, but we refrained. Even we had our limits.
Exiting the shower, Neon went over to put on her clothes in the living room whilst I checked my closet for some clean ones.
Hm, quite a lot of red clothes.
Deciding to shake it up a bit, I took out a coal grey suit, with a black dress shirt, and some blue dress shoes.
Didn't put on a necktie though, instead going for a bolo tie. Not my usual look, but still a good one.
Entering my living room, I saw Neon chilling on the couch, dressed. Seeing me, she whistled, giving a few complimentary claps.
"Damn Boss, looking fine. You're pretty good with fashion, huh?" She commented. I nodded, holding an arm out for her to latch onto.
"Kind of a necessity. Being the owner of a high class place means that you gotta dress the part, reputation and all that," I explained, causing her to chuckle, but she seemed to agree.
Walking out into the Vale night, we headed back to my car and started down the road.
Music stations were mainly playing light night party tunes, which was fitting all things considered. There were no cars out, giving the city an odd serenity.
Vale was beautiful at hours like this. Towering buildings often bathed in neon lights from the signs and advertisements, a cacophony of colours that gave the city an almost fantastical appearance. Bars and clubs were opening at this time of night, turning their own signs and lights on, a steady thrum of music with heavy bass pounding against your ear drums.
A small group of cars passed by, all tricked out with seperate neon colours and under lights, flying by at breakneck speed. Above, a helicopter flew through the air, possibly searching for those very same cars that had sped by.
We stopped at a red light, a group of young kids were marching, whooping and hollering joyously.
Wait, was it right to call them young kids? They were all around my age.
"Hey Boss, there's a weird guy in the middle of the road," I heard. Turning, I saw Neon pointing forward, and following her finger, saw that indeed, there was a guy in the middle of the road.
He looked like your typical crackhead, with ratty clothes that looked ready to fall apart, with wild eyes and grey hair that more resembled wisp rather than actual hair. And, obviously, he was flailing wildly, ranting about something or other.
I really can't tell you what he said. You ever try and understand these people in the middle of their high? Impossible I tell you.
Rolling my eyes, I looked up, checking the traffic light to see if it had changed from red to green, but no such luck. I could technically just speed through without issue, there weren't any other cars on the road around me, but, well, probably shouldn't. Yah know, set a good example for my employees and such.
"Weird guy just spat on the car," Neon commented.
Aight, fuck good examples. You never mess with a man's car!
"Be right back," I told Neon. She waved me off.
Getting out of my car, I approached the crack head who dared touch my car, who seemed to notice me, and began yelling, I dunno, something.
Rearing my fist back, I punched him straight in the fucking nose. Blood spurted from his face, and he fell, groaning. Not a minute later, and after wiping the blood off my knuckles, he got up, and ran off, cursing me out.
Entering back into my car, I turned to Neon, who showed me her scroll, apparently having taken a video of what just happened and adding a caption to it.
'When the junkies of Vale are crazy, but your boss is crazier.'
With a laughing emoji at the end.
"Do you girls just meme-ify me in your group chat?" I asked, seeing the light turn green, and continuing the drive.
"Yeah, actually! Here, I'll read some," she said, chuckling amusedly. Uh oh, I just felt my gut tell me that this might be weird.
'When your boss hires security to keep away the creeps, but he is the creep.
Congratulations, you played yourself!'
Aw c'mon. I'm not a creep! Besides, most of those girls are just as lustful as I am, Neon literally ate Melanie out on her second or third day at the House!
'When your boss gives the work bestie a pay raise after she asked, but you had to let him bend you like an origami bird for an extra 15 minutes to your break.'
All the girls have a 50 minute break time right from the bat, and none of them have yet asked for a raise. Not to mention, it was agreed by everyone involved that sex wouldn't be involved in any discussions about pay raises or such.
But apparently none of that mattered in regards to memes.
'When the boss tells you that this is a safe workplace but he never practises safe sex with you and your coworkers.
Thomas had never seen such bullshit before.'
Alright, that one was kind of funny.
Shaking my head, and hiding a smile, I pulled into a car park, opening the door for Neon, the two of us walking side by side back to the House. Hopefully there would be no Winter Schnee around to harass us, but even if there was, I think Neon would just emotionally destroy her again.
Entering the House, I saw Blake and Nebula chatting at one of the dinner tables, the two seeing us and waving hello.
"Blake, Nebula, how are you both?" I asked. They chuckled, seeming to give me amused looks. Raising an eyebrow, I asked them what was funny. They then showed their scrolls, and I could see the group chat they have, and a few memes, a couple of them the ones Neon read to me, who laughed uproariously.
Rolling my eyes, I didn't let it bother me.
"Okay you lot, yuck it up. I'm glad I'm such a source of entertainment for you all," I told them, which only seemed to amuse them further.
"Well, while you girls pester the boss, I'ma go to the dressing room and put on some clean clothes. Be right back," Neon said, waving behind her as she left.
"So, Boss, I have a little question~," Nebula began, leaning forward with a fascinated smirk. I raised an eyebrow, and looked to Blake, who seemed equally amused as Neb.
"Ask away?" I said, the answer sound more like a question.
"Sooooo, how many of the girls have you slept with~?" She asked, some sort of inner gossip in her compelling her to be, I dunno how to describe it. This.
"Well, lemme think, there's Glynda, Neo, Melanie, Neon obviously, Blake aaaaaand Militia. Why?" I asked. To my surprise, Blake groaned, whilst Nebula laughed victoriously, immediately taking out her scroll and sending a text. Obviously confused, I asked, "What's going on?"
"Nebula and Yang made a bet where Yang said you've slept with only 3 of the girls whereas Nebula said you've slept with 6. Since she's the closest, she wins the 20 Lien they put for the prize. And now Nebula will walk around with an ego all night because of it," Blake explained, causing me to blink as I let that sink in. The girls were betting on my sexual habits? I don't know how to feel about that.
Before I could lodge a complaint, I quite suddenly found my eyesight being covered by something or some things very soft and very warm. Was quite nice actually.
I heard Blake let out a sigh.
"Neo, get Mr Eclair's face out of your boobs. The rest of the girls will be coming soon, and they're bringing Ruby, we don't want to scare her," I Nebula say. I assume Neo brought out a scroll and typed in it, but I obviously couldn't read it because, yah know, boobs.
"I don't care if your tits need a resting place, you're making us look like perverts," Neb continued, no doubt rolling her eyes, with Blake doing much the same. I think.
"What're we doing now? Oh hey Neo," I heard another voice say, I think Melanie. Could've been Militia though. Their voices were near identical and I've really only managed to learn to differentiate them from sight and touch.
"Hey Boss, saw that post from Neon. Both posts. Been a busy little bee, have we?" Another voice asked, still probably one of the Twin's, but not sure who. I shrugged helplessly, not sure what to tell them even if I could.
"Yeah, that was great, 'when the crackheads of Vale are crazy but your boss is crazier,' that shit was funny," Melanie said, or maybe it was Militia, I dunno.
Hm. Neo was wearing a new perfume today. Jasmine-y!
Before I could delve deeper into the complex, and yet oh so tantalising perfume worn by my favourite mute ice cream girl, I suddenly found my vision free and unfettered, Neo being forced to sit down fully on my lap by one hand. That hand was connected to a slender arm, which led to a curvaceous body, which belonged to my good friend Glynda.
"Hey Glynda, how's your day been?" I casually asked. She greeted me with a stack of papers being laid on my chest.
"This is the current guest list of the Gala, look over it would you? We should familiarise ourselves with who would be best to interact with during the whole affair. Besides that, there's also the menu, and any events for the night. Finally, there's the abiding rules of the Gala. Those we'll be going over together, understand?" She instructed, turning to the group at that last bit and giving a very stern look that only she could manage.
"Damn. That's uh, that's a bit of homework huh?" Nebula commented, sweating a little at seeing it all. I nodded, having a quick flip through the pages, catching a few details here and there.
"This thing just keeps getting better and better. What're you seeing in there?" Blake asked, leaning forward to have a look herself. Neo gave me a sympathetic glance, eyeing the paperwork with disdain. She wasn't an avid reader at the best of times.
"All sorts; here's something I didn't know. We get to bring 1 security guard with us, whoever we pick won't count towards the other 3," I told them. They let out a breath, clearly put just a little bit more at ease hearing that. I think there's only 1 correct answer here;
"Glynda, could you get Grover please? He just volunteered to come with," I asked. She nodded, and went off to get me my head of security.
"What's all this now?" Neon asked, freshly dressed in a light blue crop top, white zip up hoodie, and a short pair of denim jeans, her outfit for tonight, nice and tomboyish.
"Boss just got homework from Glynda," Nebula said, gesturing to the pile of paper I was perusing through.
"Ugh, ew, homework. I always hated that shit," Neon commented, to no one's surprise. Melanie and Militia, whom I could now differentiate with my eyesight restored, both nodded in agreement. Yeah, I doubted they were much in the way of academics.
The door opened, and I heard the footsteps of a few people entering the House. Now distracted, we all stood and decided to get ready for work.
We had 3 strip performances, 3 dances besides that, had to show Ruby the life of a girl in my employ, and then had to start getting ready for the Gala, which itself would actually take weeks.
Busy days ahead.
Later, I would be standing in my office, peering through the window looking over my main foyer, Yang and Ruby by my side, the two uncomfortable for differing reasons. Yang had asked to wear something much more covering then she usually would, but I had disagreed. No, it wasn't just to ogle her. Ruby needed to see the House in its full, including how the girls dressed.
"That's-, that's a lot of people," Ruby muttered, looking over the crowd of people with trepidation.
"Mhm. Now, I grant you, that's a slightly larger number of people we get in a usual night, this is because we're showing 3 strip performances tonight. Saturday's are often our busiest night, like any night time business," I explained. Yang nodded, hanging just behind her sister.
"So, uh, what's the age range for the guests?" Ruby asked, holding her hands in front of her, shuffling from foot to foot. This time it was Yang who answered.
"Anywhere from 20 year old guys out for a fun night, up to nearly 80 year olds. What was the age of the oldest guy who came around here?" She said, before looking to me for an answer. Humming, I tapped my chin in thought.
"About 83 I think. Pretty spry for his age, actually. Was chatting up both twins at the same time," I said. I forgot the name of that guy, but I must admit, I was a little impressed by the old timer.
"R-right. Uh, what do we do now?" The shorter girl asked. Yang and I shared a look, before peering down to the dining area.
"We'll head down to the foyer. I'll show you around, tell you what we do, how the House works. Then we'll take a seat and watch the show for a bit," I explained, gesturing for the girls to follow me. Doing so, I stayed at the front as we headed down to the foyer, passing a couple of guards on the way.
Once we reach the main dining area, I see Glynda sitting at a bar counter, a glass of wine in hand. I gave her a wave, which she reciprocated.
"Alright, first place is the dressing room. Nebula, Melanie and Neon are likely already there and preparing for their performances," I said.
"O-oh! What do they do to prepare?" Ruby asked. We turned, heading to the dressing room, Yang looking nervous.
Opening the door, we entered, and Ruby immediately blushed.
Neon was leaning face forward against the wall, with Melanie behind her, painting with neon paint with the help of a black light. Nebula was sitting in front of a mirror, administering the final touches to her make up and hair.
All the girls were in a state of undress, with Neon naked from the waist up, Melanie from the waist down, and Nebula with a vest of sorts, but it was unbuttoned, leaving her breasts totally visible to anyone who might walk in.
"Alright girls, how we feeling tonight?" Stepping forward, I passed by and observed them, looking for any sign that they might be unable to perform, whether that be sickness or just lack of motivation to do so.
"We're good boss. We all have our outfits ready, we're just painting up Neon and then we'll finish up our makeup and hair," Melanie told me, running a small paint brush down Neon's spine.
"How's the House looking, we full?" Nebula asked, running a makeup brush across her cheek.
"Yup. I'd say around 90 people? Saturdays, yah know?" I told them. Far from nervous, these girls were experienced, and were a touch excited. After all, more guests means big tips!
"Good! My tits look extravagant today, and I want someone to notice," Neb joked, causing Melanie, Neon and myself to chuckle with her.
"Just call up the Boss, I'm sure he'd notice for you," Yang quipped, leaning against a wall by the door. Ruby seemed to have trouble keeping her eyes up, no doubt the casual nudity was a little jarring.
"Well we can't do that before I perform. We'd never be able to get out of the dressing room," Neon added, taking a seat and leaning forward, allowing the paint on her body to dry. Melanie took a seat in front of a mirror much like Nebula, and got to making her face, as it were.
"We'll leave you to prepare in peace and quiet. We were just swinging by to show Ruby here what the workplace is like," I said. The three eyed the small girl, all of the same opinion that she shouldn't really be working here. Not really a place for nervousness. Still, fair's fair I suppose, and I'd give her an honest showing of the place.
"You got any questions before we go, Ruby?" I asked. The girl nodded, setting her lips into a determined line and stepping forward. I looked at Yang, raising an eyebrow, who could only helplessly shrug.
"Uhm. Do you mind if I sit here?" Ruby asked, gesturing to a seat next to Melanie and Neb. They nodded, with Nebula turning to face her while Melanie kept her attention to the mirror for the moment. "So, uhm, I have a couple questions. D-do you mind if I ask them?"
"No it's fine honey, go ahead and ask," Nebula said, resting her cheek in one hand, smiling politely.
"So, y-you obviously dance in front of a lot of people. H-how do you, deal, with that? Do you not get stage fright, or something?" Ruby questioned, shifting in her seat. Actually, if I'm honest, it was a good question, I'm surprised I haven't asked it myself. Nebula likely didn't expect the question, blinking in surprise.
"Huh. Well, I've never thought of it. I think I've always just-, blurred their faces? It feels easier to dance when they all look like badly rendered background npc's in a 40 year old video game," she explained, scratching her cheek thoughtfully.
"I've always just pushed through it. I think I used to pretend they're naked, yah know, the classic technique. But I don't think I've used it in years," Melanie interjected, gently painting a little bit of green shadow under her eyes.
"And I've always just liked it!" Neon cheerfully said, causing the other two to chuckle.
"How about you Yang, what do you do?" I asked, now curious myself. She shrugged, taking a moment to think on it.
"I think I'm like Neon. Not to the same degree," she started, looking at Neon with narrowed eyes, who laughed unabashedly, "but, I've always been good at performing in front of a crowd, even as a kid. Those rare times our town had a celebration or any sort of dance, I was pretty much always the first to do something on stage."
"And I was always first to hide under the barn hay," Ruby joked, causing the sisters to chuckle at the memory.
"There's no barn hay to hide under here, sweetie," Melanie interrupted. We turned to her, the good mood gone. She sighed, and spun in her chair to face Ruby, a stern expression on her face. "I'm sorry honey, but it's true. Too much goes on here, and you rarely have the benefit of having a moment, not until quitting time.
And frankly kiddo, and I don't say this to be mean; I don't think you could handle it, and I don't think you should anyway. It's not fair to ask you to deal with horny guests, a hundred eyed staring at you, or god forbid ask you to strip like we are."
Melanie gestured to Nebula and Neon, who grimaced, but nodded. I sighed, thinking that this is likely necessary. It's not nice, but necessary. And looking at Yang, I saw her soured face, but knew that she agreed.
"I-I know it's difficult," she started, only for Nebula to gently place a finger against her lips, shushing her.
"It's more than just difficult sweetie. It's a little degrading, not through you Franc," she said, likely seeing my cringe at her words, "not because of the Boss, he really is nice. But even still, we're about to go out on stage and undress for 100 people, and they'll see every last bit of us. It's tough."
"And affects your social life, Rubes," Yang added, shifting from the wall to a standing position, moving over and next to Ruby, "You know how I am, how social I can be. But even then, I think my only friends are the girls and the boss. No regular person really ever wants to be friends, or god forbid in a relationship with a stripper."
That sadly brought the mood of the room down, no matter how true it was. I think this is the moment when leadership needs to step up. Sadly Glynda isn't here, so I'll have to do.
"Yang honey, how about you take Ruby and save ourselves a table, I'll help the girls finish up," I said. She nodded, feeling contrite, and gently took a hold of her sister's arm, leading her off.
Once they were out of hearing range, I turned to the girls, taking the seat where Ruby had just sat.
"I know what you're gonna say Boss. I promise we're okay, just got a little down talking to the kid," Melanie said, keeping a calm expression on her face.
"I know, I know. You're all strong, of course, I just wanted to check. And to tell you that if anything comes up, my doors are always open," I offered, the three smiling slightly.
"Thank you Boss, yah big softy. We'll come to you if we need a little cheering up," Nebula promised, echoed by Neon and Melanie. I looked at them all, searching for signs of discomfort. Sighing, I stood, and gave them all a light kiss on the forehead.
Giving my goodbyes for the moment, I exited the dressing room and headed to the main foyer. Searching, I quickly found the girls, Yang being impossible to miss with that mane of golden hair of hers.
I beelined for the table, and took a seat, catching Yang's eye as she was talking with her sister.
"First show is in 10 minutes. Blake'll be dancing, and then Militia. Then, if I'm remembering the roster right, it'll be Melanie, Nebula, then Neo, and finally Neon," I told her, flagging a waitress down and ordering a drink, though Yang and Ruby both politely declined.
"So it's dance, dance, strip, strip, dance and then strip to round everything out?" Yang asked, leaning her head on her hand. I nodded.
"Precisely. Tomorrow, we'll also be closed. Gotta start practising for that Gala," I said, eliciting a groan out of Yang. Ruby, not knowing what we're talking about, raised an eyebrow.
"Uh, Gala? You guys have those?" She asked, causing the two of us to chuckle good naturedly.
"It's a long story sis, don't worry about it," Yang said, causing Ruby to pout. We chuckled again, me sipping my drink with a satisfied sigh. Good mood back. Nice job us.
We chatted for a bit, and I answered Ruby's questions as best I could. I could tell that her foundation for wanting to join my employ was shaken, which was very likely for the best.
The real test came when the lights darkened, and the stage was set for Blake's performance.
Leaning forward, I observed the stage with eagerness. No matter what, I was still a guy, and enjoyed seeing a beautiful girl dance on a pole in skimpy clothes. Sue me.
When Blake entered the stage, it was with a very daring outfit. A very goth aesthetic, she had a black leather corset and black leather boots that reached halfway up to her thighs, shined to a polish. Or was that polished to a shined?
Whatever.
Strutting forward, Blake's purple eyeshadow matched her amber eyes perfectly, that pitch black lipstick of hers adding an intensity to her gaze that had multiple guests in the audience shiver.
Yang and I clapped, and gave a whistle, whilst Ruby gulped, no doubt imagining how she would have to wear something like that if she did indeed get accepted into my work, which frankly didn't feel very likely.
Anyway, back to Blake.
Intense, pounding music played in the background, the stage lights strobing to add to the effect. Her dance involved a lot of stamps, and hip swings, relying on Blake holding the pole to keep her balance.
And the crowd loved it. Goth girls are popular these days, and Blake had the perfect face to fit the look.
"W-wow, she's good at that. Are all the dances like this?" Ruby asked, looking at me, a little flustered by the situation.
"Not really. We try to make each performance a little unique. Whether it's the lighting, the outfits, the dances themselves, we try and make it interesting," I explained. Yang chimed in, nodding along.
"Like last week, when Ciel danced in that sexy maid outfit," she gave an example of, causing Ruby to gape.
"Yep. Or when you did a beach theme," I continued. Ruby gasped.
"And that sexy teacher look from Glynda, that was great."
"Mhm, mhm. The harem outfit on Neo," I offered.
"Alright I get it!" Ruby quietly exclaimed, her head spinning, the two of us looking at her a little surprised. We didn't even try anything. We were just talking about actual themes we had.
"I get it, okay? This work is crazy and I'm not ready for it," Ruby stuttered, on a fine line between embarrassed and depressed. Yang put a hand on her sister's shoulder, with Ruby releasing a sigh. "Truthfully, I've been getting more and more stressed over the whole thing for a while now. This is way, way out of my comfort zone. I-, I just didn't wanna crumble, especially with my money situation being what it is."
Ah, ah yeah, I got that. Wanting to stay strong even when you're feeling anything but. Good thing she told us now rather than if she somehow ended up working here.
Sighing, I knocked my drink back, gently shaking my head.
"It's for the best that you told us this. For your mental and physical health, I recommend that you find a different line of work. I don't know what's stopping you from going home, but whatever it is, I suggest you work through it, if possible," I advised, finishing off my drink and laying the glass on the table.
"I-, I understand what you mean. And I wish that I could, it's just, home is in a bit of a rough spot. There's no violence or anything, things are just, not in a good place," Ruby explained, bowing her head, morose. Yang wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulders, sighing sadly. Whatever it was that was happening at their home, it wasn't my business unless they told me about it, or left me no other choice.
I looked to the stage, admiring Blake's dance. Intensity and gracefulness met in a twisted harmony, and seemed to drown out the beating music.
Yang and Ruby stayed near each other the rest of the night, talking about things that are none of my business.