CH 21: Burlesque

There's a cloud of green smoke and in a second Esme appears in a giant champagne glass on the center stage, with a dim golden light above her. Mimzy watches in horror as every man slowly turns their head to the stage, soon recognizing The Siren performing before them. Within seconds, the crowd is hooting and hollering with many coming out of their seats with their tongues practically hanging out of their mouths. 

She sits in the glass seductively with her chest pushed forward against the rim and her arms draped over the front.

With a black lace garter, fishnets, and a skin-tight black leather dress...she was temptation in a life form.

Express, Christina Aguilera 🎶

It's a cold and crazy world that's ragin' outside

Well, baby, me and all my girls are bringin' on the fire

Show a little leg, gotta shimmy your chest

It's a life, it's a style, it's a need, it's Burlesque

Her magic captivates nearly everyone who is watching as she conjures several other women on stage to accompany her, all dressed in several different styles of burlesque clothing. They followed her movements with ease, embodying her alluring nature within their presence. 

(E-X-P-R-E-S-S, love, sex

Ladies, no regrets

E-X-P-R-E-S-S, love, sex

Ladies, no regrets)

Esme has a few gentlemen carry her down from the glass and onto the stage where she waves playfully at the audience, all of whom have their eyes planted firmly on her. All but one, who has his eyes planted on everyone else, clenching his glass tightly. This little playful siren act of hers was going to be a problem. She approaches a black chair on the stage from behind and drapes her upper body over it.

Alastor was a smart man, he knew that his wife would never dare give up the power she held over the minds. Watching her in her element brought him back to that stage tucked within the alleyways of the French Quarter all those decades ago, where she brightened the town with the same abilities she held now. It was a strength that would be fruitful to both of them in this world, but also brought a lot of frustration upon him. 

Frustration that was brought on by watching every vile pig soak up his wife's body with their eyes. 

Been holding back for quite some time

And finally the moment's right

I love to make the people stare

They know I got that certain savoir-faire~

She smiles seductively as she walks around it, slowly pulling off a black satin glove with her teeth. Her eyes shine brightly as she grabs mental hold of the audience, by the tons, nearly all of them. Well, all but one.

Can you imagine what would happen if I let you close enough to touch?

Step into the fantasy

You'll never wanna leave, baby, that's guaranteed (Why?)

She quickly straddles the back of the chair, throwing her head back in a lewd expression and continuing,

It's a passion, an emotion, it's a fashion, Burlesque

She moves around the damned chair with ease, slithering her body in such movements that it was a wonder how she was not a snake. She was hypnotic.

Tantalizing. 

Bewitching. 

Damn her.

It'll move you, goin' through you, so do what I do, Burlesque

All ladies confident, flaunt it, boys throw it up if you want it

Can you feel me? Can you feel it? It's Burlesque

All the while, Mimzy stands there fuming. The level of disrespect she was being shown right now was immeasurable. Esme had completely taken control of her whole scene, but she hated to admit one thing.

This was indeed a show...

If she played her cards right, she could make a fortune off of her once friend.  These men would pay hand over first for a chance to watch such a powerful overlord take center stage. She could charge double, potentially even triple the amount that she usually would. With all of these takers so interested, she could pay off those men in no time.

I tease 'em 'til they're on the edge

They scream and moan for more and more they beg, ah

I know it's me they come to see

My pleasure brings them to their knees (Hey, yeah)

It's a passion, an emotion, it's a fashion, Burlesque

It'll move you, goin' through you, so do what I do, Burlesque

All ladies, confident, flaunt it, boys throw it up if you want it

Can you feel me? Can you feel it? It's Burlesque

When she's through, she sits dipped over the chair. Her hair cascaded down behind her and her chest heaved up and down in big arousing pants.

As she leaves the stage, numerous men stop her, asking if they could have the honor to speak with her. She declined, but it was fun to watch them squirm and beg at her feet. No one dared to touch her, but they marveled in her appearance. The cameras flashes brightly, certainly snapping moments of her in her element. She could just imagine the look on Velvette and Vox's face when they saw her plastered on Sinstagram the next day. 

Esme returns to the table, leaning over the side of it with a sigh of contentment. 

"That was a show." She smirks, sucking her teeth, "You should try it sometime." Esme's head turns to face Alastor, and she gives him a small smile before walking out of the club. He doesn't hesitate before standing up and following her out, not even bothering to say goodbye.

Meanwhile, Mimzy is left all alone in complete embarrassment.  She scoffs and shakes her head, adjusting her dress and mumbling to herself as she walks off.

~ Small Time Skippy ~

Standing outside, Esme looks into a small pocket mirror and reapplies her lipstick. When Alastor rejoins her, she notices a change in him. He's grown quiet and doesn't make much eye contact with her. Perhaps he didn't like her performance. Was she pitchy or flat? There was absolutely no possibility that she could be anything less than perfection. She was a siren after all! 

Then again, he was just standing there like a protective bodyguard, lacking the usual lively conversation that always accompanied him. There was no chipper dynamic to his presence. 

He was ordinary and The Radio Demon was nothing but ordinary. 

Esme breaks the torturous silence, "Was it too much?" She raises an eyebrow and twists her body towards him.

There's another pause before he responds, "It sent the message I assume you wanted." His voice sounds bitter and sharp, desperately trying to hide the possessive desires within him. It was sickening to watch those patrons drool over his wife, but she wasn't a submissive damn. She was a beautiful, incredibly powerful woman - making her all that more alluring. He composes himself and looks away but then turns his head back down to her, "Although I must say, it was captivating."

I would've preferred it for myself and not for all of the pentagram, but I assume I've lost that great privilege.

Esme smiles coyly, "Oh no, don't tell me one little siren had you pulled." She chuckles, reaching up and giving his tie a little playful tug. 

What an interesting little game. Could she possibly consume his thoughts as she could to the others? 

"My dear," He chuckles, waiting for her to left go before readjusting, "Trust me, you have no use for that siren spell around me."

Huh? W-What does he mean by that?

"Well, I do have one surprise~" She giggles with a perky and frisky nature. He raises an eyebrow, "And what is that?" He questions. "This!" She pulls her arm away from her back to reveal the drink he hadn't finished from the table.

The minx shakes it back and forth playfully.

"I knew you'd come after me, so I swiped it when you weren't looking." She smiles with pride shimmering in her pearly whites.

"Ahh, a little thief. My, I'll have to be careful~" He smirks, taking it and sipping happily while walking beside her. Oh, how she knew him so well. With her beside him, this night felt like a comforting embrace. It was warm and felt safe. 

The two of them walking alongside one another.

Walking, home.

Even in this new life, they found themselves with the other. Their souls were tethered to their counterpart, finding solace within their darling's bleeding heart. 

The Hotel quickly comes into view and Alastor holds the door open for his sweetheart. "Thank you." She smiles up at him, her body becoming warm at his chivalry.

The two of them eventually reach the hallway, where a silence has filled the hotel from the late evening falling. Many of the patrons had fallen into deep slumbers, some finding tranquility curled up besides their partner. Esme and Alastor both walk to their separate doors, Alastor taking a moment to pause before parting from her.

"Well, I have to say, mon chérie..." He tilts her head up to face him with the claw of his pointer finger, "I very much enjoyed our time together."

A small blush breaks across her face, and Esme can feel her heart beginning to pick up speed. Her breathing becomes a tad more labored as she feels his eyes burning into hers.

Have his eyes always been that alluring?

Look at him, standing before me and looking down at into my soul with such tenderness. 

"I did as well.." She whispers.

He leans in closer to her. He can't help himself. It's been ages since he's been this close to her, and she was so tempting. Even after her little show tonight, he was determined to make her remember him and to have her all to himself. He reaches for her and slowly runs his fingers through her hair.

How incredibly exquisite you are, my heavenly lady love.

Esme cowards away with a softened expression, "I apologize if I gave you the wrong interpretation, but I am a married woman." She whispers.

Oh, yes, a married woman...

It was endearing to him how she constantly brought that up. She had no issues pulling men throughout the decades, mostly because they didn't matter to her. He knows she's feeling emotions she hasn't in a really long time, which causes his chest to swell with pride. If she didn't harbor feelings for him, she would have easily relished in the taste of him by now. He chuckles, knowingly, "Something tells me your beloved won't mind." He mumbles seductively to her, pulling her back to him by the collar of her coat.

"I shouldn't...." She shudders, feeling conflict building within her. Her mind and her heart screamed at one another, desperately trying to gain control of the situation. Logically, she knew that she would prove to have somewhat of restraint. Nevertheless, the stirring in her loins was maddening. 

"Oh, but you should, my angel."

She can feel his eyes staring straight through her. Esme's thoughts race against time, trying to figure out what her next move should be, all while trying to steady her heartbeat. Her lungs were frantically filling with air, trying to support her body as he inched his way closer to her.

This was Alastor, her Alastor. The one who had provided comfort and friendship for eras in Hell. He was a force never to be tempted by any other sinner, capable of destroying souls with his very own. And yet, within his hold, she felt free. Within the sharpness of his claws, she wanted to melt and allow him to explore her. 

The Radio Demon, who would have many on the floor, begging for mercy, made her weak in the knees.

She mustn't, she knows better. After all, she is to remain forced on keeping an eye on him for Vox. If he were to pull a fast one on her, it would be all her fault. 

But there's that scent again, and she can no longer suppress her hunger. Her claws wrap around the back of his neck, leaving little scratches as she pulls him closer to her, begging him to close the dreaded space between them.

"I've wanted to do this for a very long time, mon amour." He whispers against her lips and pulls her into a demanding and passionate kiss.

~ Author's Note ~

You're welcome :)

🖤Words: 2023🖤

~ Artemis🦌💗