Putting On A Show

A Deviant And A Gentleman

You manage to present the check with a nervous smile, trying to avoid eye contact as much as possible. It isn't every day that you serve a late lunch to a demon who could erase your very existence with a flick of his wrist and snap of his fingers, and he had clearly caught you staring, which, even in hell is still considered rude, saying the least.

As you returned with the change from the transaction, you politely thank the couple for their patronage, laying the small folio containing the receipt as well as the change on the table at the deer demon's left arm. As you turn to depart, having finished speaking, a warm pink glove touches your right forearm, causing you to startle almost imperceptibly. You catch your reaction before it becomes too visible and spin back to face Angel dust, who has a sheepish smile, likely in response to Alastor's pointed glaring at him.

"Seriously, Dusty," Alastor gently chided, rubbing his forehead, "you know better than to just manhandle a lady." Angeldust dropped his eyes for just a moment, clearly he felt badly about invading your personal space.

"I'm sorry, babe" he mumbled. "I'm a very touchy-feely gal. I just forget that not everyone else is." His beautifully mismatched eyes finding yours, "didn't mean ta spook ya" he said earnestly.

Your heart flipped again. Seriously, he was a really sweet gal. "Quite alright" you smile, taking the gloved hand in your own, "I understand, and there's no harm done." You couldn't exactly be upset at his small gaffe, after all, a few moments ago you had been rudely staring at the two of them.

"Let us," he began, [interrupted by his partner clearing his throat with an exaggerated AHEM,] the spider glanced over, grinned again and rephrased slightly, "let me make it up to you, doll." He pulled a pink card from his fuzzy, soft bust and handed it to you. "Call," he implored, his eyes smouldering for a moment. Well, you reasoned, he was a porn star, after all. Without missing a beat he continued "let's have a drink together soon." Before you could question his motives, his partner chimed in with "yes, let's do!" Alastor's eyes were glowing again, bright as embers. "I do believe that we would find your company extremely entertaining ."

As you took the card from Angel's gloved hand, you felt a tug on your apron, and looked to see Alastor pushing something into your apron pocket. You raised your eyebrows as your eyes met, "for the splendid service, my dear." He said, answering your unasked question. You smiled at them both as you thanked them, "it was nice meeting you, have a good day." You offered them your standard exit line, as you weren't sure what else to say. You took the remaining dishes with you to the back, not sure if you were feeling regret or relief at leaving their company. On the one hand, being around such a powerful entity had you nearly vibrating with anxiety. On the other, both of these beings made you shiver, in trepidation and desire, and you weren't certain which you felt more of.

It wasn't long before the evening rush began. You were glad for the busy pace, it kept you from pulling out that pink card and staring at it to reassure yourself that the afternoon had been real. You wonder, between seating patrons and bidding them goodbye, if you will have the courage to actually meet them as they requested. Probably not, you smile ruefully, you've always been too awkward and shy with others. Even your life before had been this way.

As the evening wound down and the last lingering diners left, you remove your apron and count your drawer down. After finishing, you remove your tips and although it had been busy, you realize that there is far too much money there. You set it aside and as you reach into the other pocket you panic when you don't feel the smooth pink card. Damn! You must have dropped it at some point when you pulled the order pad out. You do a quick scan of the floor in the area, but it's no use. That card is long gone. You return your attention to the too-large wad of tips. You count it and find over $500! Clipped to over half of that is a short note in the most beautiful handwriting thanking you again for the "most entertaining service". It was signed with only a capital "A".

As you make your way to your own corner of hell, your apartment, you are thinking back through the day and wishing again that you hadn't lost the business card, although part of you knew that you would have been too chicken to call anyway. Probably for the best, you decide as you turn the key and let yourself in, locking the door behind you.

Probably for the best.

****************

The next days passed without event. The extra large tip from the Radio Demon had paid most of your rent, and as a result you had decided to take a few days off, due to start at the end of this shift. You didn't have any big plans, unless writing more of your novel counted as plans.

It was late, and although you had heard the small bell over the front door ring out as you were clearing
a table, it still caught you off guard when you turned to find a glowing set of red eyes as well as a pink and black mismatched set looking expectantly in your direction.

Your breath caught for an instant before you could beg a moment to set the dishes down in the back. You were almost 100% certain that the red demon's smile inched closer to his ears at your moment of awkward.