Page 10 of Gratification in Gluttony

Jude rolled his eyes a little, but he smiled back, casting Toni a few side glances as he sipped his drink. Which meant Toni still had a chance of salvaging this.

Halfway through The Madame’s set, the music faded, and the Orc addressed the club. She was speaking Hellia, of course, and Toni heard Gem translating as quickly as he could for Oliver and Jude’s benefit. She scanned the crowd, green eyes locking on their table. She grinned lasciviously and pointed at Jude.

“You there,” she rumbled in English. “Human in the hideously divine shirt.”

Jude paled and pointed to himself.

“Yes, darling, you. Come up here.”

With a flush to his face, Jude exchanged a nervous smile with Oliver as he climbed over him and Gem to escape from the booth. Toni stood and offered him a hand, and Jude took it. His hand was warm and soft, and Toni liked how small it looked in his.

“Good luck,” he said as he pushed Jude toward the stage.

Jude subtly flipped him off before he joined The Madame on the stage.

“And what’s your name, morsel?” she crooned down at Jude, having to bend over to eliminate the massive height difference.

“Uh, I’m Jude,” he said, making the mic squeal a bit.

“And where are you from?”

“Chicago.”

“Oh, Chicago. I went there on my third honeymoon. Practically destroyed the presidential suite in the Hyatt, didn’t we, my dear?” The Madame cackled as she wiggled her fingers at a skinny Septopod half her size.

“We sure did, baby!” he chimed as the audienceoohedandahhed.

“Dear god, I hope he’s the top,” Oliver said, and Toni choked on his drink.

Thankfully, no one noticed Toni asphyxiating as The Madame continued, “So what brings you to my club tonight?”

Pointing at Oliver, Jude said, “My best friend Oliver invited me. He works with Zef in Purgatory.”

“Oh, isn’t that precious,” The Madame purred, running a massive hand over Jude’s curly hair. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Hell yeah, this is the coolest thing I’ve ever done, and I cut my own tits off.”

The Madame boomed a laugh as Jude beamed, clearly pleased with himself as the audience laughed and cheered.

“He cut his tits off?” Toni asked Oliver. “He had tits?”

Oliver nodded, shifting uncomfortably. “Um, yeah.”

Toni furrowed his brow. “Why’d he cut them off?”

Oliver hesitated, and he was saved from answering as The Madame’s chuckles died off and she spoke again. “Well, Jude, I thank you for your patronage. Before you go, would you like to do a shot off my breasts?”

The Madame’s tusks gleamed under the lights as Jude flushed to the tips of his round ears. But still, he nodded, leaning in to speak into the mic. “It would be my honor, ma’am.”

“Ma’am? Oh, what a charmer,” she purred. “Do be careful, nugget, or I might steal you away to my dressing room after the show.”

“I think you’d split me in half. Respectfully,” Jude squeaked, and the Orc guffawed.

“Charmandflattery. My poor heart can’t take it!” The Madame pressed the back of her hand to her brow dramatically. “And if I promised to be gentle?”

For the first time, Jude looked genuinely alarmed. “Uh, well, I suppose, there are far worse ways to die.”

“You silver-tongued devil,” she gasped. “Are you quite sure you’re human and not an Incubus?”

---