"Oh, I don't think he's annoying! He's gorgeous," Avery said quickly, grinning like an idiot as he scratched the fox behind the ears. Oi, so much for keeping his composure, but he couldn't help it. Forget soft spot for cute, furry things. He downright adored animals, especially dogs--he'd even had one back home, a huge mastiff he'd raised from a puppy--and here this little fox was, bringing out that side of him that would have loved to keep five dogs here if he could. So cute, so beautiful. He'd never actually seen a fox in the wild, much less up close, unless one counted the pelts his brother had brought in from hunts, but Avery certainly wasn't going to mention that here.
Anyway, he didn't think it would hurt to let go a little, either. From the few words they'd exchanged, this man seemed laid back enough--for goodness sakes, but he talked to a fox!--and Avery was getting the feeling that he wanted more than just a bedroom romp. Sometimes clients just wanted company and conversation; Avery liked those ones.
Even if they didn't pay as well.
He stroked Furball's fluffy tail, fascinated by it, and then eyed Cyma's tail when he was reminded of it. While he wondered what, exactly, Cyma was, he wasn't about to ask unless the information was volunteered. Asking someone, Say, what the heck are you, anyway? just sounded...a bit rude. "Anyway, I think you're right. About trusting Furball's judgment, I mean. They say animals can perceive things we can't, and some surmise they can even see into the Otherworld. It really wouldn't shock me. These little guys are mischievous as fae, I hear," he said with a smile, ruffling the fox's fur.
He listened as Cyma made his request, and he somehow managed to keep his face smooth instead of wrinkling his nose like he wanted to when raw meat was mentioned. Instead he just looked at Cyma, blinked, and then nodded. Riiight. Not his place to question what someone ate--he just hoped the man would wash his mouth first if he planned on kissing him.
Then the subject moved to Cherry, and Avery laughed. "Heh, Cherry? Oh, he's just new, that's all," he said, scratching Furball between the shoulder blades. "A few months ago and he was even worse, couldn't hardly look at anyone without blushing, so what you just saw was a vast improvement. Country kid, first time in the big city...you know how that goes." He waved a hand dismissively. "He'll get over it."
Anyone who worked in this environment for any amount of time would, whether that be as a bouncer, cook, 'Peach', or whatever other jobs there was here. The place was full of eccentric people, eccentric happenings, and it was no place for the shy. You either got over it or you got out. Avery had gotten over it. Had to.
Looking up from the fox and at Cyma, he caught the tail end of that sly smirk and arched an eyebrow. He knew that look well. "You don't fancy the bouncer now, do you?" he asked, lips quirking into a teasing smile. "Not that I blame you, he's a cute young thing, but I'm afraid he doesn't do much--if any--actual, ah, bouncing if you catch my meaning."
He winked at Cyma, pat the man on the knee lightly, then gently scooped the fox up and set him down in Cyma's lap. He adjusted his robe to make sure it was still properly closed before he stood. "But anyway! How about I alert the cook and show you to the bathhouse? Since it seems Cherry forgot to send in the order..."
Poor Cherry. It seemed the kid was always attracting male attention, though Avery did his best to divert it where he could.
[xD Someone had to make the joke.]