Wash away all the things you've taken

In a word, Sloan’s day had been interesting. Things for him were generally saturated in “sameness.” There was the sea, fishing, and a cramped room at the end of the day. Sloan didn’t go to restaurants on the water, and he certainly didn’t go to strip clubs. It was a day of firsts by all considerations.

Sloan wandered downtown an hour or two before midnight. He strolled the streets for a bit, drawing out his arrival. Nervousness rose within him, making his heart beat at a quickened pace. It made him feel childish and petty. Lots of others came to these clubs, sick of their wives or sick of their empty beds. Sloan hadn’t ever gone himself, mostly because he didn’t want to pay for a show when he could get with someone for free. All that aside, Terra had asked him to come that night, and finding out what her motives were for that was worth the money he gave up at the door.

Once inside, Sloan noticed a group of guys he’d gone to school with sitting at a table. One of them waved him over, inviting him to sit with them. Sloan never spoke in school, but, then again, most people had changed since they left. He found it interesting that none of them seemed particularly embarrassed by the situation of their encounter but decided to go along with it.

A few girls danced across the stage, gradually dropping each item of their clothing as they went. The men cheered and called to her. It felt bizarre to watch on, and Sloan considered leaving more than once throughout the beginning of the show. But then he thought of how Terra had specifically requested that he come, and he thought of how she’d vanished earlier in the day. He was going to stay for her.

A few performances later, a man drug a microphone and a seat into the middle of the stage. Sloan watched on, wondering what was going to happen. He inhaled deeply when he saw Terra step out from the back, clothed in a long dress and wielding her guitar. Under the bright lights of the stage, the contrast of her dark hair and the white fabric of the dress was entrancing.

Soon, though, the dress came off. Sloan’s eyes, like the rest of those in the room, immediately went to the newly exposed areas. Although she had specifically invited him to see her, Sloan still felt somewhat bad about his gaze. His attention had been on the smooth white expanse of her skin. She was beautiful up there, but Sloan realized that he was probably the only one on the floor who knew what else she was. Terra was socially awkward but kind and interesting. She was also very talented.

So as she played, Sloan actually listened to her song. He focused on her voice and the words and the chords of her instrument instead of the body that was exposed to him on the stage.

Sloan wondered if Terra could pick out his face in the crowd. He wondered if she could see the crowd at all - it would be hard to see much of anything while under the bright lights of the stage. He hoped that if she did, she felt reassured in some way.

Words: 567
Tags: Terra A. Sterling

Up on stage, Terra looked distant and removed. Sloan had never seen her look like this in the very short time he’d known her. He heard a few lewd comments said in the space around him, mostly from the older men. Their words were practically dripping in slime. He felt relieved for Terra until she finished her last song. The music itself was beautiful - Sloan just hated the atmosphere.

She stood from her seat, moving the guitar that gave her the sliver of privacy she had away from her body. Amongst the crowd, there were a few whistles and claps to that as she slid her dress over her body. Sloan felt uncomfortable at himself, even, at how he’d looked at her when she stood. He felt even more uncomfortable at his response.

She darted off the stage quickly, soon replaced by another girl. Sloan leaned back in his chair, half watching the stage. After a few performances, he considered leaving. The only thing that kept him in his seat was Terra’s request for him to stay. He didn’t want her to think he hadn’t met his promise, so he stayed there, his eyes vacantly turned to the stage.

It wasn’t that the girls weren’t attractive - they absolutely were. Sloan had seen enough in the past to not be drooling over the sight of nudity, and watching other people respond to the show felt disgusting.

His eyes were still there when someone sat at his table. Sloan turned his gaze there somewhat absently, then perked up when he saw who was occupying that seat. Terra.

Sloan couldn’t pretend to not have been watching, but it felt awkward nonetheless. Seeing her in front of him now, Sloan still had the view of her from the stage in the back of his mind. He smiled somewhat apologetically, then responded. ”Of course I came - you asked me to,” he said. Sloan wasn’t sure if he should comment on her performance or not - would that even be appropriate? - so instead, he decided to try a different approach. ”So, how are you feeling?”

Words: 364
Tags: Sloan Ios