to Berlin with love.

[runningred]

 From here

Jay opens the door into a quiet back alley that could belong to any city - the lingering scent of garbage and the miss-matched colours where graffiti has been washed off or painted over. In the mid-afternoon chill of early spring, he takes Emcee's hand and leads him out into the street, pocketing the key. The sunlight is thin but warm and picks out the green swell of buds in the branches. The tree lined avenue is quiet this time of day. Not lacking in people but without rush, a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Comments

[i_am_your_host]

"Ooh, that was him?"

Emcee wouldn't mind being manhandled by him. Or her, for that matter, when she murmurs in his ear.

He catches the exchange between Alice and Jay and almost snorts a laugh himself, but thinks better of it. Jay will see the amusement in his eyes, though.

When Alice leaves them to find seats, Emcee grasps Jay's arm.

"Well, this is exciting, isn't it?" he says gleefully, as they take seats at a table up front.

[runningred]

The DJ, dressed in a green puffer jacket and antennas, looks the part of the Caterpillar, a dry ice hookah rigged with shifting coloured lights set on one corner of the decks. “Ladies and Gentlemen, to open our Pride celebrations, we have a treat for you tonight.” As he speaks, only half looking at the crowd as he fiddles with the decks, a band assembles on the other end of the stage. “Supported by the Queens of Heart, our house band, give it up for the most fabulous Cheshire, Miss Kitty Kat.”

A drag queen in a plunging Jessica Rabbit dress, tiger striped purple and blue steps into the stage, bowing with a flourish. She makes her way slowly down the runway, catching every eye as the DJ sets up an old fashioned microphone on a stand. “My darlings. Happy Christopher Street Day.”

Echoes of the greeting call back to her, along with wolf whistles and cat calls. All of which Miss Kitty seems to take as her due. She has that presence that Emcee has, the ability to make everyone in the room feel welcomed.

Jay nudging Emcee with a flash of a smile as a handsome youth in a pageboy’s wig and a playing card vest bring them their drinks. Champagne cocktails with dry ice stirrers that smoke and hiss, sending a fog over the rims of the glasses and onto the polished table tops.

“Tonight is a night for all of us.” Miss Kitty goes on, coming back to run a hand up the mic stand in a way that would make even the straightest of men shiver. “For joy, for love, for acceptance and for remembrance. And how better to honour the past than by living the present for all we’re worth. So dance tonight, my lovelies. Sing. Love and be yourselves.”

The band starts up, a stirring rendition of Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit

[i_am_your_host]

It is a rare event in which Emcee is part of an audience, where he gets to relax and enjoy without bothering about cues or being on all evening. So it's with great appreciation as he watches the show unfold. There's even a familiarity to it, in the way Miss Kitty presents herself, how she addresses the crowd. And it strikes him that this is all he really wanted -- just to make people feel welcome. Somewhere. Anywhere. Her message is simple enough. Why can't it be like that all the time?

Emcee glances up at the waiter with a smile, which turns into a silent gasp at the magical concoctions that he brings them. He has no idea what to do with his drink, so he waits until the band starts playing before giggling into Jay's ear.

"I don't know whether to drink this or inhale it."

[runningred]

"Oh drink." Jay chuckles, leaning in to nuzzle Emcee's ear. "Just don't play with the bulb on the end of the stirrer till it stop smoking. It'll burn your fingers." He warns softly.

Miss Kitty has a sexy Shirley Bassey voice and makes the most of it, moving from White Rabbit to Diamonds are Forever smooth as polished silver. The way she handles the microphone is certainly attracting Jay's attention

At the end of another song, Miss Kitty takes a bow, "My darlings, it's my turn for a drink so I hand you over to the Queens of Hearts for something we can all dance to.

The band strike up a playfully tune, bot quite a polka but not unlike one.

The stage fills with young men and women, Alice included, inviting people to come up and dance or finding partners on the floor. Alice eyes Emcee, crooking a finger at him in a very distinct come hither.

Jay smiles and gives Emcee a gentle nudge. "Go, enjoy yourself."

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee stares at his 'smoking' drink. What will bartenders think of next?

As he takes sips from the ice cold cocktail, he marvels at Miss Kitty's performance, from her seductive elegance to her sultry voice. And she looks fabulous in that outfit. Emcee makes his appreciation known along with the resounding applause from the audience.

The show takes a new turn when the band launches into their own number. Emcee laughs at the spirited dancers and claps along, when he sees Alice beckoning. At Jay's insistence-- he really didn't need much coaxing-- he gets up and climbs up onto the stage to join her.

[runningred]

Alice grins dangerous and pulls him close, setting the pace for the dance. She leads unashamedly, challenging him to react.

The band play gleefully, clearly enjoying themselves just as much as the dancers and the room reverberates with the clapping of hands and stamping of feet.

[i_am_your_host]

Whoever does the beckoning gets to lead, that is something Emcee abides by. So when Alice pulls him into the dance, he follows willingly, matching her grin. There's a lot of skipping and spinning and bodily contact, not much like a polka, but more like letting the music move them however it will.

It isn't until before the last several bars of the song that Emcee somehow gains the upper hand, wrapping an arm around her waist and grasping her other hand in a pseudo-waltz and sweeping her across the stage. For a moment there, it's as if they're the only dancers present, and this dance is actually for Alice. Emcee has a way of doing that.

[runningred]

The song comes to an end in a cacophony of applause and wolf whistling. And it turns out they are the only pair on stage – the others having moved onto the floor or out onto the catwalk during the song – leaving them centre stage.

Something the audience, and Alice, have clearly enjoyed. Her eyes shine as her lips brush his ear. “I like you.” She nips his earlobe softly.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee's eyelashes flutter at her murmured words and the little nip on his earlobe. He smiles, one hand resting on her hip and squeezing gently. Though not altogether subtly. There's a promise in there somewhere.

"What a coincidence, I like you, too, darling," he whispers back.

Taking her hand, he walks her to the edge of the stage, encouraging another round of applause for her. And for the both of them. And why not, for himself, too, oh no, pshaw, you're all too kind. And then he nimbly hops off the stage and returns to his seat beside Jay. Still grinning.

...What?

You don't call Emcee up onto a stage and not expect him to steal the show.

[runningred]

Jay has the pageboy perched on his knee, the youth whispering something in his ear as Emcee returns. Jay grins wolfishly at Emcee, giving the pageboy a nod as the youth heads back to the bar.

He stands to greet Emcee, “I can’t take you anywhere, can I? Ever the entertainer.” He pulls Emcee into a kiss. “Having fun?”

The band strikes up a slow dance and Jay offers Emcee his hand. “My turn?”

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee watches the pageboy leave, naturally and casually giving him a once-over.

"I can't help it," he croons, chuckling softly against Jay's lips.

Then after picking up his drink and having a sip, he slips a hand into Jay's. "Always, darling." They move out onto the dance floor, and Emcee loosely wraps his arms around his neck, swaying with him to the music.

[runningred]

The pageboy is slender and very young looking. Almost too young looking to be working in a club. Jay doesn't watch him as he goes but focusing all his attention Emcee.

He moves slowly, his own arms loose and relaxed around Emcee's waist. He smiles, radiating contentment as he dances, eyes for no-one but Emcee.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee is content to be the object of his attention. He can still feel other people's gazes on him, on them, but Jay creates a little insular bubble within his arms and with his smile just for him.

And Emcee realizes how much of what Jay has done was just for him. God, what a silly boy he is. Silly, silly, silly.

It actually makes Emcee love him for that.

He tips his chin up and presses a light kiss to Jay's lips.

[runningred]

Jay smiles into the kiss, his hands moving down to cup Emcee's hips. He feels so perfectly happy in that moment, just enjoying the dance.

But the music, like all good things, comes to an end. Jay leans back just enough to offer Emcee a deeper kiss.

In the background, the band announces they'll be taking a short break and will be accepting apprehension in the form of abject adoration and requests in the form of alcoholic bribery.

The DJ gets set up again, keying the music up just loud enough to enjoy but not so loud as to dissuade conversation. Servers weave their way through the crowds with platters of hors d'oeuvre and nibbles, all very, very good. The bouncer from the door lingers near the kitchen door, watching the trays go out with proprietary pride.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee cups the back of Jay's head as they deepen the kiss, lost for just a moment amid all the noises and activity around them. It's quite nice.

And the party is quite nice, too. Emcee manages to stop every server that comes by to try one of whatever's on their tray. He also manages to effortlessly flirt with them in the process, but really, that's to be expected.

Emcee takes Jay's hand. "Come on, darling, I need another drink," he says, tugging him through the crowd toward the bar. As they approach, Emcee spots the bouncer by the kitchen door, and he breaks into a grin.

"Yoo-hoo, Alice's brother!" he sings out over the music, waving at him.

[runningred]

The bunny girl with the nearest tray giggles warmly at Emcee's flirtation.

Jay follows him happily, keen for another drink himself.

The bouncer gives them a wave, stepping away from the door to greet them. "Jared." He introduces himself. "How are the blue cheese and pear balls?"

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee blinks at Jared for a moment.

"Oh! You mean the hors d'oeuvres. I did have something ball-shaped, and it was rather delicious!" he replies with a smirk. "Actually, everything was delicious. I couldn't keep my fingers off of them.

"Anyway, delighted to meet you, Jared. This is Jay; call me Emcee."

[runningred]

Jared chuckles and smiles, that sweetly young face flushing a little. "Yes, hors d'oeuvres. I'd offer you one of my bell pepper tarts but the pun would just be too easy."

He offers each of them his hand in turn; large hands strong and warm. "Jay, Emcee, a pleasure to meet you."

[i_am_your_host]

"I'd like to try it! One cannot subsist on puns alone."

After shaking his hand, perhaps holding it a little longer than necessary, he asks, "Are you still working the door tonight? I was hoping you would let in a bartender from the Cat and Mouse-- a bearded fellow, about so tall. He was very kind and helpful to me and mentioned that he wanted to get into Wonderland, but I don't think he had an invitation. I told him I would try to get him in."

There may be a bit of a pleading note in his voice and some eyelash batting.

[runningred]

Jared glances to Jay who nods. It's a tiny flicker of a look between them, a fraction of moment's expression. "I know him, most of the clubs workers in the area know each other. I'll ask Bella to look out for him."

He waves down one of the pageboys with his tray of bell pepper and tomato tarts. "Here, please? I always like to know my cooking is appreciated."

[i_am_your_host]

"Oh, that's marvelous of you, darling, thank you," he chirps.

"And you cook, too? Ooh, I like a man who knows his way around a kitchen and can also forcibly eject someone from the premises."

He picks out two tarts, one for himself and one for Jay. He bites into his, and immediately voices his approval with a little moan of delight.

[runningred]

Jay takes it with smile, "I'll go get us those drinks." Intentionally leaving Emcee to his flirting. "Thanks, Jared."

Jared laughs softly, blushing again. "The kitchen is my domain. I'm studying as a chef. Alice kicks me out of the kitchen from time to time, so I don't spent all my time in there."

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee glances at Jay as he leaves for the bar, then turns back to Jared, munching on the rest of the tart.

"Well, all cooking and no play makes Jared a dull boy, and we can't have that," he says, poking the man in the arm. It's a very nice, solid arm.

"But it is good of you to pursue your interests. I hope that works out for you. I think it will, judging by the delicious treats you've created."

[runningred]

"No wonder Alice picked you for the first dance. You scold like her." Jared teases playfully. "But I'd be happy to keep running the kitchens here, even after I qualify. No reason we can't run the club as a restaurant as well. it'd bring in more people in the lunch hour."

[i_am_your_host]

"I do not scold like her!" he giggles. "For one thing, nobody ever takes me seriously when I scold."

That's not entirely true, but he rarely ever does so anyway.

"And that's a wonderful idea. People like to drink and dance, but they like to eat, too."