Ray stood back in the line with the remaining men, the black shirt settled on his shoulders again as the night halls continued being silent.
The other males no longer bothered to hide their stares, some of them watching him with open confusion, others with a dull sort of resentment that he was being selected repeatedly while they still waited for a second or third turn.
The senior staff woman near the entrance kept her slate close, making small notes every time a client left a mark, and the way her eyes drifted toward Ray more often than before made it clear the unusual ratings were being tracked carefully.
Ray opened the system window briefly while waiting, as the numbers appeared clearly in his line of sight.
[Skill Points: 155]
[Service Count: 3]
[Average Rating: 9.6]
The [Six Winged Physique] still kept any real fatigue from settling into his muscles, and the [Indomitable Spirit] helped his expression stay calm and easy.
A few more clients moved through the hall, selecting other men, the soft sounds of curtains closing and quiet conversation filling the spaces between the alcoves.
Then the side door opened and the young attendant who had been sent out earlier returned, leaning in to speak quietly with the senior staff woman.
Whatever was said made the older woman glance sharply toward Ray before she gave a short nod and gestured for him to step out of line.
"You are done for the main floor tonight," she said when he reached her, "Lady Seris wants to see you, follow the attendant."
Ray followed the younger woman out of the night hall without a word, up the same narrow staircase he had used earlier, but this time they turned the opposite direction and stopped in front of a heavier door marked with a small black orchid.
The attendant knocked once and waited patiently.
"Come in," she said. Only after hearing Lady Seri's voice did she open the door and motion for him to enter alone.
Lady Seris sat behind a broad desk in her private office illuminated by warm crystal lamps.
Her dark hair was still pinned neatly, and the same slight smile from the night of the auction lingered on her lips as she looked up at him.
She placed the pen aside and reclined in her chair, while her gaze slowly drifted over him.
"You know I'm really surprised, I didn't expect you to perform so well that all the costumers were incredibly satisfied and pre order you for next time," She said with a fairly amused expression, "that is very rare for new stock."
Ray stood in front of the desk and met her gaze without looking away.
"I merely did the work I was asked."
Seris's smile edged a little wider at the short answer, and she rose from the chair, walking around the desk until she stood a few steps in front of him.
"Most men who come through those type of acutions are incredibly weak men who can't even last one night, some last longer if they are lucky, but none of them start collecting marks like this on their first night," she said, reaching out to adjust the collar at his neck with deliberate fingers, "you are either very good at hiding what you are, or you're just incredibly gifted."
Listening to her words Ray couldn't help but let a smug grin get on his face, "I guess I'm incredibly gifted" He replied.
Seris studied his face for another moment, then let her hand drop from the collar.
"I am moving you off the open rotation for now," she continued, "you will take private bookings only, higher paying clients and longer sessions, you might barely get any rest."
She turned back to the desk, picked up a small key from a drawer, and held it out to him.
"This opens a private staff room on the upper floor, you will sleep there from now on, the wrist marker still tracks you, but you will no longer wait in the general line."
Ray grasped the key, feeling the warmth of the metal from her hand, and curled his fingers around it.
Seris watched the motion, then added one last clear order.
"Do not disappoint the next clients I send you, the marks you have already earned will bring attention from people who do not accept average work, and I will not tolerate damage to the Black Orchid's name."
She went back to her chair and picked up the pen once more, indicating that the conversation was clearly over.
"You are dismissed for the rest of the night, use the room, rest, be ready when the next booking arrives."
Ray left the office without another word, the attendant waiting outside to show him to the upper staff room, a cleaner space with a proper bed, a private wash area, and a locked cabinet that opened with the same key Seris had given him.
He closed the door behind him, set the key on the small side table, and sat on the edge of the bed, the system window opening fully in the quiet of the new room.
[Skill Points: 155]
[New Assignment: Private Bookings Only]