Saturday night at Le Masque, a on-again, off-again habit Darian had no desire to break. Nights here were always the most decadent of his vices; he was welcomed warmer than family. Accommodated in all ways he would want for nothing, and leave - if not rested - fully satisfied. Of course, Le Masque was accommodating to all of its patrons. Darian was just one of its especial wayward sons. Friends with the proprietor, he reaped the subsequent rewards.

He rarely put much effort into disguising himself. Tonight his hair was darker and longer than usual, a rich color several shades from his usual bright head. But it still curled against his jaw flashing deep hints of jewel red, and his blue eyes behind his devil's mask still gleamed. His smile was familiar. So were his lean figure and his step. All the staff knew who he was anyways. His key earned only a cursory check.

Now he strolled into the main room and glanced about for Éloi. If he could not see him he'd continue upstairs, where the man might either be in the VIP room or persuadable deep in his office. Certainly Darian could still have a good time without him, but if he didn't at least check in Éloi tended to get into the most terrible sulks. The number one rule of visiting this club was never to let the owner feel second-best. Courting him was hardly what Darian'd call a chore. At the least, it was always extremely entertaining.

Life was absolutely perfect for one Éloi Desrosiers! It had been so for the past week. He'd gotten himself two new toys: one to collect and cherish and the other to use and abuse as he saw fit. Life was good, indeed. And today was ever so magnificent if only for the fact that one of the toys was about to enter his den for the first time. And also Éloi's grabby hands...

He was mingling with the guests, passing the time until one arrogant little bastard by the name of Ryder thought it appropriate to eventually show up. He'd been in meeting with the board of investors all afternoon, so Éloi decided to pass partaking in tonight's À la thème. The theme was too tedious in terms of arranging for an outfit and Adelia was a big girl now, she could host and arrange the parties.

The night was only about to get better when the proprietor noticed his favorite... friend. He was easy enough to recognize for someone that knew every little inch of his skin on his body, but it wasn't like Darian made an effort to conceal his appearance anymore. He quickly made his way across the floor and stopped far enough to take him in, in his complete and absolute glory. He took the last few steps and gave him a most radiant smile as he leaned closer to kiss his cheek. If it was a little closer to the corner of his mouth than his cheek—well... No one could blame Éloi.

"Mon ami, tu es une vraie merveille ce soir"[1] the blond said with a little chuckle and an arch of his left eyebrow. His outfit was exquisite, the slim cut, the grey contrasts, the elegant stripes on the trousers... Everything was positively spectacular, and yet, Éloi was only thinking about how fast the ensemble could be removed. "You've been sorely missed around here" he continued with a dramatic little sigh. "But, nevermind that" he smiled and picked up a drink from an employee passing with a tray. "You're timing could not have been more perfect, chéri" he grinned excitedly before taking a small sip from tonight's special.

"I have a new... toy. He's everything we could possibly despise in a young man: cocky, spoiled, gorgeous, lacking any sort of refinement. He used to be rich, but managed the terrible faux-pas of being disowned" he said with a small scowl, waving his hand at the thought. "Aria used to teach him and pointed me in his direction. He's going to be pulling my strings at our new venue. Which is why, he needs to learn a few lessons. I can't have him acting like a spoiled little brat under the Masque trust" he said, this time no trace of smiles or exaggerated dramatics. "Care to join me in our meeting, darling?" he asked, again with a dangerous little smile.

1.	My friend, you are a true marvel tonight

Eloi's offer, when the man found him (and Darian had been expecting some sort of offer) was more interesting than he'd anticipated. So tonight was to be a teaching night, was it? What a dear thing it was to think of himself as someone's mentor! Darian didn't have the patience to be a real teacher, but a role where he need not possess any particular care for his student's regard was one in which he excelled. Anyone who could not pick up what he was showing them quickly was simply not worth his time. In this case perhaps it would be more accurate to say the lesson taught would be inadvertant: humility the intended byproduct of prolonged frustration.

Darian, as ever, was exquisitely predisposed to deliver that frustration. The grin that blossomed instantly at Eloi's proposal - wide, white, hinting at his internal laughter - spoke eagerly enough to that. It was inevitable that he'd accept before he even spoke. He had been such a student once, as had Eloi, as had their teachers before them and those before them; perhaps they two saw it as their duty to shape the next generation of hedonistic libertines.

"Sounds delightful," he replied. Though he did note the mysterious talk of a new venue - and even entertained the idea of complaining that Eloi had not told him of it earlier - there would be time for that later when they were alone, not awaiting the arrival of some spoiled arrogant youth.