The evening had gone too well, she'd been drinking, laughing, dancing and singing. But of course, even though she was wearing a beanie in a nightclub, some guy was going to accost her. The guy in the white shirt, tanned skin with tattoos, biceps and trained forearms, gold teeth and piercings in his ears. Leaning against the counter facing Ruby, he seemed intent on flexing his muscles to please her. Ignoring him completely, she called the barmaid for a drink. The guy, not letting himself be taken aback, interrupted Ruby to say he'd pay for his next drink.
-Leave me alone, I'll pay for what I drink.
-Come on, a pretty girl like you should be invited. Olivera, and you?
He held out his hand, smiling with all his teeth. Ruby, once again indifferent, refrained from putting one across his face. But she smiled.
-Not...
-Not?
-Not interested, of course.
She ordered anyway from the barmaid, who glanced at the guy and then at Ruby, who gestured as if to say, forget it. Turning to show him her back. Olivera grabbed her arm, holding her back. Ruby looked down at his hand as if an insect had touched it. The man let go immediately. Raising his hands as if to say sorry.
-I just want a little of your time.
-Yeah? Can you do a magic trick for me? If I close my eyes for three seconds can you disappear?
-Look, I didn't mean to be rude.
-Oh, you didn't?
Ruby took on a honeyed tone as she turned to him, rising from her stool as he continued talking, trying his best to charm her. She placed her hands on his chest very gently, letting her do so he was smiling at the turn of events. Then, in one motion, she firmly grabbed the collar of his shirt before kneeing him in the balls. The impact made him wince as one of his hands covered his family jewels. The other went to the counter where he sat down again on the stool. The barmaid who had just returned had seen the whole scene said nothing and put the glass in front of Ruby, who took it and poured it over Olivera's head.
-Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. The glass is on me.
Asking where the toilets were, the barmaid told her to go up the stairs. As she went up she heard the barmaid talking to the guy.
-If I see you going upstairs, I'll have to ask for you to be thrown out.
Ruby smiled, pleased with herself, and climbed the stairs to the balcony overlooking the dance floor below, opposite the DG's window. Tubio had been replaced by a young man in a suit, his hair pulled back, he looked like a corpo.
She entered the ladies' room, passing other girls. Some were having a makeover, others were smoking, and a group chatting against the back wall glared at Ruby, who went straight into the first cabinet. Doing what she had to do. She heard the girls chatting and joking. But as Ruby finished, the room grew quieter and quieter. Seeing the feet under the door, she suddenly realized she may be in trouble.
Shrugging her shoulders, she stepped outside to see four of the five girls who had been staring at her surrounding her cabinet. One of them called out to her, or tried to.
-Hi, there.
Ignoring her, Ruby gave her a brief bow and went to the mirror without the slightest fear, while the girls behind her lost their patience.
-Girl, look at me when I'm talking to you.
Looking no further, Ruby turned and began to remove her jacket as one of them began to speak.
-It's the first time I've seen you here, so we're going to be nice and you're going to...
She stopped talking as Ruby took off her gloves, placing them neatly on the table. Revealing her two augmented arms, she slowly extended the mantis blades until they almost touched the floor. Ruby looked the girl straight in the eye, her eyes turning from blue to red.
-I'm going to what?
The four girls looked at each other. But especially the one who had spoken. She took a deep breath. Before she spoke.
-... uh. The club is under the tutelage of the Lianovak family, so you shouldn't create any problems.
-Mm... Anything else?
-... hum, no.
-Okay, you can leave now.
The girls hesitated only a second before exiting the bathroom. Ruby sighed heavily. She took a moment to wash her face before leaving. No sooner had she set foot outside than she tripped over a man and fell on her arse. Behind him was one of the girls who had surrounded her, the others nowhere to be seen. Ruby was about to get up when the girl pointed at Ruby.
-It's her, this bitch threatened us with blades hidden in her arms. It's one of those freaks.
As she said this 3 guys came out of the men's bathroom, each with more chrome in their body than the other. looking at the girl talking about freaks. In less than a second at the girl's words, the three of them stood between Ruby and the bouncer.
-Look man, she and her girlfriends over there...
He pointed across the room to the group of girls watching them.
-... They've been giving us shit all night. Tell them to stay away from us choom, or we'll solve the problem.
The bouncer looked at the three before looking at Ruby. She defended herself as she got to her feet.
-4 of them accosted me, explaining that the club was under protection and that I shouldn't make any waves. Nothing else happened. Does she at least have proof that I threatened her? Because if that's not the case, she's the one who should be sent out.
The bouncer, clearly not wanting to deal with this shit, kept calm and de-escalated. He spoke to Ruby and the three.
-No threats, we're just having fun and leaving it at that.
Then he turned to the girl.
-I know it's not the first time you've messed with them. But next time you'll go out with them and settle things elsewhere. That goes for your girlfriends too. Did you all understand me?
After a few grunts and yes. The bouncer left, taking the girl to her girlfriends for a second layer.
-Sorry for the inconvenience.
-Nah, these assholes try to push us around every time we come here, so it was a pleasure. Anyway, she said you were just like us... so...
Ruby smiled, removing one of her gloves and showing off some of her chrome.
-They just didn’t realized fast enough I was going to defend myself. Thanks anyway.
The three guys looked at each other before turning to Ruby.
-Would you like to join us for a drink?
******
Tubio followed Ivan, he was by far the least uptight of the siblings, wearing a jacket and pants whether on the streets of the city or in the marriage, he was always dressed casually. Mohawk hairstyle with green spikes at the end of his black hair. More than once he couldn't understand situations and others had to explain. He was franc, a quality as sought-after as it was dangerous. But the guy was a ball of good humor and having him around was nice from time to time, even if he didn't realize sometimes what was really going on around him.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210605557199937576/Ivan_Lianovak_.jpg?ex=66101548&is=65fda048&hm=3335871583628c4137eb5a45997a87fc24896202b7ab1362c45fa08fe061ef42&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
-You can't imagine how happy it makes me to know you're alive, Solena and Talia cried for a long time you know, Solena often visited your mother to give her support.
Tubio remained neutral, not in a position to make remarks to Ivan. The brother was the only one with whom it was useless to argue, it's simple: either you're in his world, or you're not. Tubio was sure his own reaction had been, "Oh, too bad, he was a good man", before forgetting him and moving on. There he goes.
-You know, ever since Lev resumed his work here, its thunder here, and Pavel, is it true that it was you who gave him the idea for the gym?
Question after question, not stopping, not even wanting an answer, a real gossip. Men's version. Well, there was worse, at least he had no malice. Arriving out on the balcony, Tubio looked down to see Ruby, but without luck. Letting his hand slide over the railing, they reached the main VIP room. Overlooking the others, it had a window like the DJ's, the only difference being that you could walk in front of it. A small staircase guarded by a bouncer led up to the interior. Ivan went first, declaring their arrival. Tubio entered the room, champagne on the table and several glasses, a TV hung on the wall and a connection station for sensory dance. Everyone stood up to welcome him, but the only one smiling was Ivan. In order, Pavel had exchanged his clothes for something a little more dressy, his face closed almost sadly, forcing himself to smile as Tubio nodded in his direction.
Next to him was his sister.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210605556495163482/dream_TradingCard_15.jpg?ex=66101548&is=65fda048&hm=dce7e1c077d477ab348edd088644771ba3c4ee74086ade7070ef9e7955eda689&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
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Solena had beautiful green eyes, dark brown hair and slightly tanned skin. Wearing tight pants and a kind of sexy crop top, her outfit showed off her tattoos in all their flamboyance. Her figure was more than attractive, with nices shapes and after the Maelstrom, Tubio had to admit a nice face, but Tubio knew better, her personality was crap. In short, she was sitting on her best profile. Never a kind word to him and always searching for the small thing to complain.
In the middle, the big brother. Lev
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210605557480947762/Lev_Lianovak_.jpg?ex=66101548&is=65fda048&hm=0bf012386b47a406e3dee60b1a0b96c4314246ee2b1d309dab0d1e05d31ef17f&=&format=webp&width=597&height=597]
Tubio had known him to be different, when he was younger he was a real pain in the neck, always creating trouble, and rarely assuming it, as he grew older he gained a certain maturity, too quickly according to Tubio, he was in his twenties and already dressed like his father, a three-piece suit with tie, silly for some, not when you're the son of the head of a mafia group. Without Tubio's understanding, it was safe to say he had a broom up his ass. No smile from him either, he knew what he had done, just a look was neededfor him to act sober, almost indifferent. With his clean-cut hair slicked to one side and his unshaven beard. A younger copy of his father, too bad it was only appearance.
And finally, Talia.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210605555719213107/dream_TradingCard_14.jpg?ex=66101548&is=65fda048&hm=8be87556e90d0396600b5ee555b4441e47a67d4773201057cad0fc1176213926&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
Something could have been between them, but Tubio was no longer at her disposal. Gorgeous, emerald-green eyes and long, fine bond hair,two small silver earrings, tattoos on her forearms and one above her chest, two green glass wings unfolding above her breasts. She was in a tight black dress reaching above her knees with an open zipper at her navel. One day Tubio would have prayed that she would take him in her arms in such an outfit. But not today. She rose from her seat, eyes full of hope, a faint smile as she walked towards him.
She was stopped only by the table between them. Pavel greets him with a handshake before taking him in his arms. Tubio turned to Lev with a firm handshake. Solena just waved her hand from her sit as Talia walked around the coffee table to get closer. She tried to hold his hand but backed off as if he were going to burn himself.
The gesture attracted the attention of everyone present, except Ivan who, by luck or tact, passed between the two to fetch the glasses from the table and distribute them to everyone. He made a toast.
-On Tubio's return, I'm glad he's back safe and sound.
Pavel kept quiet and looked at the bottom of his glass. Solena crossed her arms clearly more and more upset. Ivan continued his antics, Talia had all her body turned to him, attentive to all his movements, while Lev and Tubio looked at each other. After a moment the music outside was felt. Lev spoke.
-Then? The Maelstrom?
-Not so bad. Just trust no one. Do not take the drugs offered and present yours instead, never drink too much or laugh at a Reaperdoc, never sleep anywhere except in a closed room... In short. Kind of quiet.
Lev nodded, but he saw Lev’s gaze wavered. Lev had never known the real street. Protected in his ivory tower that was the floor of his father. How many times he had come running back as a child or teenager, convinced that no one knew why he was coming back. Hiding from the trouble he had caused elsewhere. Lev was a forgery. And he knew it. That’s why he’s trying to compensate by acting like his father.
-Well? What do you want from me?
Breathing a sigh Lev hesitantly spoke to his sisters.
-How can I say… During your "death", my sisters sent you holos,... intimate holos, which should not have been done.
As Lev tried to explain the situation Solena lost patience and stood almost as she spoke directly to Tubio.
-The holos we sent you. Have you seen them? Yes or no?
Tubio looked at Solena red with anger, or embarrassment. He turned to look at Talia who looked at him as the last of the puppies. Almost crying.
Tubio was not surprised by Solena, she had always been the impulsive. Nonchalant Tubio shrugged his shoulders.
-No.
A sigh of relief came from Solena as she sat down again. Talia looked down. Lev cleared his throat.
-We would like you to erase them.
-Ok.
Not waiting for a second he went into the living memory and deleted all the messages and calls of the sisters, but not only after his “death”, but also before. Hundreds, thousands of messages he had accumulated sorted and kept in his chip. He thought he’d come back in H2 one day, that things would go back to the way they were, but it was different. He knew that he no longer had his place in the group for a long time, he only veiled his face, even before his "death".
-Done. I even made all the conversations that they and I never had disappear, and here I am, I just blocked them.
Lev raised his eyebrows before widening his eyes. Shocked even in his soul. Incorfortable, he looked at Talia and Solena. Pavel, who was next to Talia, sank further into his seat. Even Ivan, who followed only half, was flabbergasted on his glass. Talia watched Tubio, gasping in shock trying to speak. Her eyes turned red as tears rose. Solena was not even angry, she uncrossed her arms, looking at Tubio. She was just shocked, stupefied.
Waiting no longer, Tubio addressed Lev.
-Something else?
Lev shook his head clearly not ready for this situation. Tubio went to the door and Ivan began to stand up to follow him when Lev caught him and made him sit down. The door opened and before leaving Tubio stopped to turn towards Lev.
-Before I go, I must say it, Lev. The three-piece... gives the impression that you have a broom in your ass.
******
The door closed and Tubio took a deep breath. Another good thing was done. With that he could relax. Now... where is Ruby?
While he thought that, Ruby sent him a holo.
-I’m in Room 3, put on your mask if you have it.
The tone was playful. Why not? Tubio swung his bag under his arm, removing his mask before heading to room 3, then stopped. How does she know where I am if she’s in a closed VIP room? Then it tilt. She hacked into the club. Resistant to a strong urge to breathe. Tubio put his bag on his back and arrived at the door. He opened it to discover...
-TUBIO!
Ruby with three girls shouted his name together as he walked inside, the room had at least 10 people, some joking, others smiling or drinking, two were in a brain dance. All had one thing in common, they all had a lot of chrome or modifications in the body and one of them the distinct characteristic of the Maelstrom. The atmosphere in the room, although smoky, was pleasant, with laughter and music on the TVs. While Tubio went inside. One of the guys with a cybernetic red cross across the face for eyes got up to approach him.
-You... You’re... Shit, wait a second. You’re Ruby’s girlfriend, buddy? Looks like a guy to me.
The guy was totally drunk and the 4 girls in the corner burst out laughing as he slipped in turning towards them before falling to the floor.
The guy with the Maelstrom spider on his face then made a sign for him to get closer, the guy was wide, clearly he ate well and the dishes in front of him testify. Sitting in front of him, Tubio knew what he wanted, he wasn’t new to the antics of the Maelstrom. The guy in front of him smiled. Tubio took out one of his relaxers and passed it over the table. Taking one for him, the two planted the apparail in their respective legs, the medicine moving instantly in their bodies. After the discharge, the interlocutor of Tubio smiled and introduced himself. Holding out his hand.
image [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1178789115622326365/1210603240672989195/Ulrik.jpg?ex=66101320&is=65fd9e20&hm=3920859518b923c7516352f8577a6b0967ec97b94e53c0eab28608cdd7e139e5&=&format=webp&width=365&height=597]
-Ulrik, boss of the Crimson Spear, in the corner with your friend we have Rosie, Melissa and Iriène. In full brain dance Floflo and Ducoux. The other two hovering are Pitar and Milour. And the one on the ground is Tristan. Delighted to meet you Tubio. We met little Ruby and she told us you were cool with chrome so we wanted to see. You know, when you see guys like us, often people get scared or avoid us.
He gave Tubio his contact and immediately tried to reach him. Tubio in his confusion accepted the call.
-Sorry to do it this way but I am a frank person in my stories, clean and fast. As you’ve noticed I work with a lot of guys, and had a history with the Maelstrom... I’ve been asked about you... I’ve been asked to approach you too.
-Can I ask from whom?
-Yes, Alexei Lianovak.
WTF?
-He asked me in a good cliché if I knew you from the Maelstrom, I kindly told him no. That all cells are independent and even possibly hostile. To that he asked me to approach you.
-Why?
-In his own words, if you need to disappear.
Tubio immediately became tense. But Ulrik lifted his beer before telling him to calm down.
-Relax. Not in that sense I reassures you. I’ve set up a small business, see, me and my girls are creating fake identities for people who need to disappear from Night City for X reason. It’s not uncommon that people just want to disappear, which is more rare, it’s guys from the Maelstrom wanting to disappear without dying first. For a long time now the Maelstrom is spinning out of control and it only worsens, the boss plays musical chairs and those who do not yield to madness are just sheeps. I try to recruit those who I see a little future or who want to change their lives... I heard your old boss died and you ran away from the gang.
-Broadly speaking, yes.
-Ok... no way back to you?
-Unless I personally meet people who were connected to me with this mask.
-I see, I will make it clear, you do not think you need our services.
-No, but I think I have a few names in mind. Those who rush headlong and create shit.
-Oh, I know them well, they are good customers. But before that, the pre-last question, do you want to work with us?
-Yeah of course. What’s the last one?
-What alcohol do you want? That's, it’s, done. All right, Mr. Lianovak said I’d find you here tonight, I didn’t expect you to come to me. Now, drink with me and have a good night with us.
Tubio removed his clearly useless mask here. The evening continued and Tubio found himself strangely well in this group. Each one went from his joke, his anecdote, a lot of laughter, a lot of stories, Tubio drank the alcohol that Pitar passed to him, smoked what Ulrik offered him. He looked at Ruby and she seemed perfectly at ease in the group of girls drinking and laughing. Tubio was feeling good, Ulrik talked a lot with Tubio, probably to recruit him into his group. Ulrik also discreetly explained that, since he had created the Crimson Spear, he had made sure to reduce the chrome of its members, often making them more stable and less dangerous to themselves and others along the way. The man was as red as a peony as he laughed. While he and Tubio took turns passing an inhaler drug. It also allowed Tubio to learn more about them.
Ulrik had seen and done worse than him in the Maelstrom, around a beer he told, his resurrection as he called it. From how he had seen one of his best friends die after his own gang comrades had tortured him and let him hang a meter off the ground, leaving him drained of his blood. After that he could not stay, he took his things and left Watson. He bought a gun store and became a respectable dealer. The trick of false identities is to pay for his end of month as he says.he went on each of them, they all had a more or less complex story. Tristan, still on the ground, had been Recruited by his older brother in the Maelstrom, once the latter died in a shooting, Tristan tried to end his life. Rosie was beaten by her boyfriend and eventually shot him. A guy introduced her to Ulrik and since then she has been working for him. Pitar saved Ulrik by taking a bullet for him in a bar. So many stories. How many others were happening in the city.
Tubio was starting to get high when Floflo and Ducoux were caught watching a porn scene when Irene joined them. Bursts of laughter, other jokes while Ulrik explained to Tubio that the people here were the least wise and that those who had shown good conduct had fun outside in the club. Melissa laughed and climbed over the table, landing on one of Ulrik's knees and stroking his chest.
-Does that mean I am naughty?
-More than the others, that’s for sure.
The others laughed and whistled as the two began to kiss. Floflo and Ducoux returned to their brain dance joined by Pitar. But the mood was on. The other girls chatted quietly before looking around. Rosie bit her lip and went on TV and then changed the music for something more sensual. She then began to dance, Irene and Ruby joined her sticking to each other.
Tubio smiled, then he looked at Milour but he had his head on the side, drooling and passed out.Tubio was now in front of 3 beautiful dancing girls. He couldn't help looking at them and enjoying the night.