Pleasure is the game

Lustara’s grin widened, his sharp features catching the dim light as he leaned just slightly closer to Nymeria, his presence magnetic, almost invasive in its intensity. Her words, her tone, her subtle challenge—it was all a tantalizing game, one he was more than eager to play.

Nymeria, he repeated, the syllables rolling off his tongue with an almost indecent reverence. A name like that isn’t given lightly, I imagine. There’s weight to it, a kind of... legacy, perhaps? Or maybe it’s the sort of name you earn.

He swirled his whiskey idly, his free hand resting on the bar as he studied her. The sharpness in her gaze didn’t escape him, nor did the unspoken command in her posture. She was no doe-eyed stranger wandering into The Lux for a bit of fun. No, this one had an edge to her, a depth he found... delicious.

You’re correct, of course, Lustara continued, his tone conversational, but his words laced with mischief. The Lux is mine. Every shadow, every flicker of light, every note played on that piano over there. All of it, down to the last drop of whiskey in that glass of yours. But tonight, my dear, it seems the room belongs to you.

He straightened slightly, his eyes never leaving hers as he raised his glass in a mock toast. You’ve already stolen the attention, if not the breath, of half the patrons here—including me. And trust me, I don’t offer that kind of admission lightly.

Taking a sip of his drink, he let the silence hang for a beat, savoring the charged air between them. When he spoke again, his voice dropped just enough to draw her in, his words like silk wrapped around a blade.

Curiosity is a dangerous thing, Nymeria, he said, his smirk deepening. It has a way of pulling people into... unexpected situations. Though I suspect you’re the sort who thrives on that, am I right? You don’t strike me as the type to settle for the mundane.

He set his glass down, his fingers tapping lightly against the bar’s polished surface. So tell me, darling—what does someone like you find so curious about a place like this? The music? The company? Or perhaps... the proprietor?

Lustara’s gaze locked onto hers, the challenge in his smile clear. He wasn’t just making idle conversation—he was probing, teasing, daring her to reveal something, even if it was just a flicker of vulnerability beneath her carefully crafted façade.

And before you say anything about my flattery, he added, his grin widening, let me assure you—it’s entirely sincere. As you’ve already guessed, I don’t need to offer compliments to keep people here. But you... you’re worth making an exception for.

He leaned back slightly, giving her just enough space to breathe but not enough to escape the pull of his presence. He wanted to see how far she’d let him go, how much she’d push back, and most importantly, whether she’d match his audacity with a spark of her own.

The night was young, and Lustara had a feeling it was about to get far more interesting.

@Nymeria Vero