William’s outfit wasn’t the most festive for the occasion - being mostly grey and white - but it was clean and pressed and it actually fit him, which couldn’t be said for the clothes he’d worn the past 15 years. Well, 12 - not counting the whole time he’d been here, naked and fucked in some underground dungeon. Valentine’s Day was always full of red roses and pink hearts, sweet candies and boxes of chocolates. He owned nothing - even the amenities in his quarters didn’t really belong to him. It was difficult even allowing himself to call that room his own, but he hadn’t been asked to share it with anyone throughout the handful of times he’d been given permission to recuperate there. He had a bed, a roof, a closet with a few outfits hanging up, and a bathroom - if not for all he’d experienced over the past three years, he would have considered himself lucky to have made it into a life like this. But the cost of this was … everything. He’d signed, though, now, and there was no going back.
Looking up at the magnificently decorated mansion he was in, at how many people were smiling and talking, it was difficult to remember which of those smiles hid a monster behind that façade. Would they still treat him like a nothing, like a nobody? Was the tragedy of his life a beacon, calling out to be exploited and used time and time again? The extreme wealth it took to throw a party like this was far beyond his imagination and his eyes were still taking it all in, when he took a step back and bumped into someone. Turning around quickly, he bowed his head, stammering an apology out. ‘I - I’m sorry. It was my fault. I should have looked where I was going. Please, I’m so sorry.’
Salim was wearing a fine, black suit to the event, the sort of expensive outfit one might expect to see on a client rather than a staff. He had brought his nice clothes from home, something he typically wouldn't do given how often his clothes got ruined at this place, but tonight was different, tonight he got to be on equal footing with the clients. It was definitely a feeling Salim felt like he could get used to, and it almost made him consider changing his status at the Haus. He knew he had the money for it, at least part of the time, but then there was something so satisfying about the challenge of dealing with the clients here.
He was drinking from a glass of champagne when someone bumped into him from behind, nearly spilling his drink. Salim turned to see the newcomer apologizing profusely. He raised an eyebrow, letting out a clear laugh. "You act as if I'm going to have your hide for your misstep. No need to worry so much, I'm not the type to become so easily offended. This evening is for enjoyment, yours just as much as anybody else's."
