Drabbles and Containment by A Forum User

Drabble Sixty-Two - Burlesque

#62

~North~

"I don't like this," I muttered under my breath. Mr. Blackbourne turned sharply.

"None of us do. Suck it up and get on with it, Mr. Taylor."

My eyebrows raised of their own accord; he was formal, yeah, but never usually this...Snappy.

The other guys were staring straight ahead, their faces a mask of reluctance.

The 'Burlesque Show' building glowed. From what had been explained, it was basically a classy strip joint for the higher class except there were a few singing acts in between, and more show-girl type costumes. It did, to be fair, look nicer than the regular place, like a nice restaurant that had a giant neon stripper statue on the top.

"Who knows?" Luke said halfheartedly, "it could be...Fun."

"It'd be fun if Sang was the dancer," Doc mumbled. We were all surprised. We knew they sort of liked her, but they'd never really been open with it completely.

"Go in, scope the place out, leave," Kota told us, "If Sang found out, even if we aren't there to see the...Uh...Dancers, she'd feel betrayed."

F*ck. I couldn't deal with that. I couldn't stand it if she left us...Get a grip, I told myself, she isn't going to find out. We were just here on Academy business anyway. I didn't have eyes for anyone but her.

"Everyone got their masks on?" Mr. B checked. We all nodded. The place was for the higher class, but they definitely didn't want the press finding out they were going to the Burlesque Show. So, to remain -how to put it?- incognito, they all wore masks. We all wore simple ones that covered the top half of our face, each in our favorite colors.

Our Academy mission was basically for another team, Axel's -no favors needed, we were pretty close friends-, we just had to check the place out, take a couple of photos for them so they could plan their own mission. Apparently some guy had a meeting planned there, Coaltar or some name like that.

A burly looking bouncer searched a list for our fake names. I looked him over, assessing him. I could take him down in a fight easily. Most bounders were there for show.

The guy nodded and swung the doors open for us.

We entered the building.

Mr. B and Doc gestured for us to sit at one of the tables. It was a basic set up, but the decor was extravagant, all golds, deep reds and even a grand chandelier. I almost laughed; this was certainly the best strip joint I'd ever been to. Not that I'd been to many, but...A guy has needs, or at least I did before Sang.

We all sat on a long 9-person table that was a little nearer the stage than I'd have hoped, but oh well.

I caught, from the corner of my eye, Silas pulling out a tiny camera and discretely snapping a few photos around the stage.

Without warning, the lights dimmed dramatically.

"As our first act," a booming voice echoed from the speakers, "we introduce the beautiful, the sexy, the amazing...Rose!"

The rich crimson curtains slide open, revealing Rose.

"F*ck." I hear Nathan whisper.

The shape of the woman's body gives me a strange feeling of deja-vu. Was she a past girlfriend or something?

Blonde hair hangs round her face, framing it, but it's partially hidden by a curling elaborate white mask, bejeweled with diamonds and feathers. You'd think it would be gaudy, but the whole effect was actually pleasing and beautiful.

Sh*t. I thought no one could combat Sang, but this girl was certainly putting up a fair fight. Her dress isn't really a dress, but a white showgirl costume covered in feathers to hide the bits to keep modesty. It doesn't look slutty, but more sophisticated and elegant.

Rose's body is curvy and small, and god, the way she walks when she goes up to the microphone...

What. The. F*ck.

I shouldn't be thinking those things. Sang- she was who I loved. There was just something so familiar about that girl.

Low music starts, creating the backdrop, but they were nothing compared to the sensual, lovely voice that begins.

I recognize tune almost immediately: Animal by The Cab. I wasn't much for music apart from the odd bit here and there, but I enjoyed that song.

And hell, Rose could sing really...really...really...

She started dancing.

Oh. My. F*cking. God.

We all shifted uncomfortably in our seats, put off by our...um...'problems'. To my shock, even Mr. Blackbourne was enraptured by her.

No. No. No. Nope. I love Sang. I love Sang. I love Sang.

But...Why did this girl seem like she was so perfect? It was almost like it was when I was with Sang.

My thoughts flew out the window when she started down the steps of the stage, prowling.

And her eyes, or what are visible of them, were set on us.

Oh sh*t.

I notice she's on a pair of heels, her legs looking even better with them on.

She continues singing, placing a hand on Mr. B's shoulder and settling into his lap.

He doesn't stop her. In fact, he put a hand on his waist. Part of my mind is ranting about him being a traitorous b*stard, and the other is...Well, I wasn't proud to admit it, but jealous of him- I wanted to be in his place.

When the pause in the song comes, Rose stood up and slid over to Doc. He was grinning his head off, and holds out a hand to pull her down like the ladies' man he his, but she smiled a devilish smile and shook her head. He pouted. The little f*cker actually pouted.

She passed each of the guys, teasing them each with little touches.

And then she came to me. She lowered herself onto my lap and sang a verse before leaning in and placing a kiss on my jawline, tracing it.

That same part of me was screaming to push her off but it felt so right to have her there.

She reached my neck and presses one kiss there, and I caught a glimpse of the jealous guys faces, and then her nose twitched, like she was smelling something.

She practically froze in my lap, straightening, the song long forgotten. She stared at me.

"North?" Rose whispered. But it wasn't some random girl. I recognized that voice, the voice I loved so much.

"SANG?!"