TWO: PART 2

Hatsu and Riley, being the giantess’ that they were, had no issue getting into Solution, one of the many night clubs in the Haven nightlife machine. Whether it was due to their height and builds, intimidating the bouncer, or their unique looks that gained them entry over the average folk around them was uncertain. They had bypassed the line, as they often did, and were greeted instantly with the interior of one of the most well-regarded night clubs in the district.

It was as if they stepped into a rave taking place on a Greek plateau. Music blared with flashing lights and lasers zipping and zig zagging across the floor and walls, bouncing off the ceiling hung disco balls and displaying images and designs on the marble white pillars that held up the second floor. Trees and plants on the perimeter and raised platforms bordering the dance floor bloomed with bright, vibrant colours of the flowers and fruits they bloomed and budded, all gene spliced to glow under the black lights, adding to the scene.

The floor was white with blacklight tiles on a checker pattern that illuminated the dance floor above them, blowing up the many L.E.D lights and lazers to massive proportions, as well as the many blacklight strips worn on the clothes of the people, and the many blacklight tattoos commonly etched in their exposed skin.

Plants and flowering vines hung from the second floor, a balcony that ran the perimeter of the building, overlooking the dance floor and bar below. It had a bar and tables of its own, but much less floor space, yet it too was busy with those who were lucky enough to have access to its higher status.

With the plants was falling water, a waterfall coming out from the second floor behind the many plants on the far back two sides from the entrance, landing in railed off openings in the floor where the water was caught, drained, and piped back to the top to continue the cycle. Lights behind the falls illuminated the water in an ever-changing gradient of the entire colour wheel in a slow, repeating cycle.

The place was busy, packed with people on the dance floor, servers wearing masks of animal faces walking around with treys of drinks. There were tables outside of the dance floor, many of which busy. The bar, which was tended by a man with a long, white overcoat and a mask of a mouse could seat a dozen, but only had three or four sitting.

On the left and ride sides of the dance floor were dancers on raised platforms above the plants. They were visible, but high up, what little clothes they wore were glowing under the black light, and many of them had blacklight tattoos that only added to their effect. There were six on each side, females on the left, males on the right. Exotic dancers were common at clubs, and all of them looked so different, there was something for everyone.

Solution was a club that was known to be very lose on dress codes. While each had their own rules, Solution was apparently a place of free expression, or so Riley had read on a billboard a few blocks away as they were walking around. It was not mistaken. The people there were in all manner of dress. From formal outfits like suits and fancy dresses, to casual rave and clubbing outfits, to expressionists wearing revealing, or in many cases, just very little. It seemed like almost half of the dancers were topless, and many were in less.

Seeing someone next to naked in front of someone in formal dress dancing together seemed strange to Riley, but it seemed normal to everyone else. Hatsu had always mentioned how easy it was to get lost in the music and not care about what it is going on around you, but Riley never understood it, clubbing and raves were not her thing, she much preferred bars; and that is where they parted ways.

Hatsu immediately broke from her partner, taking off toward the dance floor to join the fun as the pulsating, energetic music sent waves of electronic sound bouncing through the building which vibrated through the walls, the floor, and the bones inside their bodies. Hatsu was a tall woman, standing at six feet tall with long hair dyed red in a thick, messy ponytail. She wore a dark green sports bra and black cargo pants, not a typical clubbing outfit, but it was her usual style of dress, and she did not care.

Both of her arms and legs were cybernetics, her limbs all being lost in a tragic accident at a young age many years before, though her pants and combat boots covered her legs, the sleeveless top left the metallic arms out in the open. She had built them all though, and she was proud of them, and liked showing them off more than hiding them anyway.

Riley was even taller, standing at seven feet and four inches. She was broad, muscular, wearing a black, sleeveless shirt and cargo pants like her partner. Her hair was a light brown, cut shorter, not reaching passed her neck, but shaved on the left side. Having no interest in the dance floor, to which it already looked like Hatsu had found some partners, she headed for the bar. Hatsu was the one who was good at making friends, Riley on the other hand, preferred a drink.

The mouse masked bartender walked over to greet her while drying a glass as she took a seat at one of the black stools on the far side, away from the other customers. “Whiskey on the rocks.” She said, before the man even spoke. “Whatever you have, I’m not picky.”

He lowered the glass. “Of course.” He said. “Maybe it’ll loosen you up so you can stop scaring my staff.”

Riley just smirked at his weak jest. “Wouldn’t count on it.”

“Buy as many as you like then.” He continued, dropping in the cubes and pouring the liquid in.

Riley said nothing.

“Your friend seems to be enjoying herself.” The bartender said, walking over to Riley as she finished her drink. He was persistent, she could tell. Right there as she took the last sip. She figured he would try to chat her into another, as if she wasn’t already planning on buying one. The music was only a nuisance to her, more whiskey seemed to help settle that.

“Yeah well, despite her craziness, she gets along with a crowd.” Riley said, staring at the melting ice cubes in her empty glass. “Hit me again.” She said.

The man said nothing as he topped her up with the same bottle as before. As he did, Riley looked back to see Hatsu with a drink in each hand, holding them up as she danced against a topless woman with other dancers around rubbing up against them. It wasn’t just them, it was all the dancers. She didn’t like how touchy feely the place was, and unlike Hatsu, wanted no one to have their hands or bodies anywhere near her. Hatsu was not doing a good job of keeping the drinks in the glasses as they were spilling with her dancing, but none of them seemed to care.

Riley looked back as the glass filled and wasted no time with another swig. “Jesus.” She said, shaking her head. “I need to get that girl a leash.”

“She seems great. Fits in. It’s the kind of customer we want around here, a free spirit, living in the moment and enjoying everyone around her.” He said, outstretching his arms as if showcasing something amazing. His voice became passionate as he spoke.

“I’m guess I’m not your ideal customer then.”

“Well.” He shrugged and leaned onto the bar to get closer to her. He spoke softer. “The free-spirited ones are willing to pay higher tabs. Keep these coming and we’ll get along just fine.” He said, holding up the whiskey bottle he was pouring for her from.

She smirked. She had no idea how Hatsu could do that, to just walk over and have fun with people she didn’t know. Was it not awkward? Wouldn’t they find it weird for her to just run up and start dancing on them? A normal person would be uncomfortable with that, or so she thought. She would, she was sure of that.

“Just try not to cause any trouble.” The barkeep continued. “I would be ashamed if I had to kick someone like you and her out.”

“Not looking for any.” Riley said, taking another swig. It was good stuff, strong, but flavourful. She would have to get some of her own. It was not long after when Hatsu appeared behind her, jumping on her back, wrapping her limbs around her like a child. Tall as she was, she looked small compared to Riley, who made her stool look like it was made for a child.

The extra weight now on Riley’s back had no effect. She did not flinch or feel herself being pulled down in any way. It looked almost cartoonish. “Hey Riles!” Hatsu said excitedly with a big smile

“Having fun out there?” Riley asked bluntly, taking another swig.

“Come join us! I met some great people! There’s one girl named Jenny who’s super fun, and cute! And this other couple named...” She paused, thinking for a bit. “I forget, but they’re a lot of fun, come dance with us!”

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“You know I wont. I don’t dance...or socialize.”

Hatsu pouted, and flopped down on the stood beside her, leaning back into the bar and looking up. “You’re no fun!”

“Yet you still take me out every night!” Riley argued.

“Who else would I go with? You’re my wing girl!” Hatsu protested.

“I don’t do shit, that’s all you.” Riley said, taking a more annoyed sip this time.

“I guess.” Hatsu said, oblivious to Riely’s annoyance. She spun around in her stool. “Hey, bar guy! Get me one of those girly pink drinks with an umbrella and stuff please!” She called out. She was loud, a little obnoxious, her voice harried with her energy. It was a little high pitched for how she looked and carried a slight Scottish accent to it.

Riley cocked an eyebrow. “You mean a cocktail?”

“That’s what it’s called? Weird.” She said, then gave the man an innocent smile. “Yeah, that.”

“What kind?” He asked as he was cleaning another customer’s glass.

Such a question baffled Hatsu. She had no idea there were different kinds. This stuff was so complicated to her. She didn’t care, she just wanted alcohol. She thought she would get something fun, but it was clearly a deeper hole than she imagined, there was so much more to this than she thought possible. How in the hell was she supposed to know which kind if she didn’t even know what they were called two seconds before? “Um,” is all she managed before Riley chimed in, like her guardian angel, saving her from the ensnarement of the barkeep’s complicated questioning.

“Margarita,” the giantess said.

Hatsu looked between the two before complying, not knowing anything else and deciding to just go with it. “Yeah, that one.” She said.

“Right away.” The barkeep said and walked away to prepare it.

Karma and Serina stepped into the night club, they skipped the line and presented government ID to the bouncer, who let them in on the account that they had a meeting with a owner. The man asked no further questions, and I didn’t press anymore. It was their Underworld ID’s they presented, and though they did not mention the Underworld in any way on them, they were not standard government identification cards.

Yet the man seemed to know them. This was definitely a place involved somehow, but it wasn’t supposed to be. As far as Karma was aware, it was a contact who owned a club, the club was supposed to be out of the loop. That the bouncer seemed familiar irked him, but he didn’t press further, there was no reason to get distracted or cause a scene.

A tall, scrawny, unhealthy looking albino kid was certainly out of place in the club. His outfit of a white t-shirt and slim, grey jeans seemed out of place, even for the more casually dressed. They were not clubbing clothes in the slightest, and Serina, wearing a black hoodie and jeans with every day sneakers looked just out of place. With her height, she looked like a child at a distance. Up close, she had a mature face, she was just very sadly, short.

As they stepped into the main floor, Karma looked around in disgust. The throbbing vibrations, the heavy bass music that rattled his ribcage. The lack of order and organization. It was chaos, and he hated it. It was times like that where he was thankful for his ability, in which he reflected the sound waves and vibrations, and everything went quiet. Serina on the other hand, looked a little off. She was keeping her eyes down, blushing a little, but what Karma didn’t know was how distracting the noise was for her. He didn’t know how hard it was to focus on thoughts with so many other sounds, and visual distractions.

They walked by the edge of the dance floor, which sat at a lower level, separated only by a few steps form the plant covered border in between the sets of stairs on all four sides. There were couches and love against the half walls that made the borders, all leather, providing places for the tired to stand and lay, and for the expressionists to express in the very sexually charged atmosphere of the dance floor.

Couples sat and laid together. They passed by one couple on the couch below them, the woman lying on the man’s lap, smoking something state altering and noticed the two of them walk by, giving them a curious look. There was another couple on the couch across the staircase down, in which one was giving the other a lap dance. Karma had no real idea what was going on. He realized how weird it looked without the music.

He turned around to see if Theta was following, only to spot her distracted, looking at the exotic dancers on their little pedestals around the floor. Karma slapped her upside the hand, making sure not to do it hard, just enough to get her attention.

“Ow!” She yelped, her hand reaching up to the spot where she was hit and looked up at Karma who looked disappointed. She got distracted. So many thoughts in one room at once, so many visuals, it was hard for her to navigate. Great, the thought. She was sure he definitely saw her as useless now, and that she was in a world of hurt after.

“Hey, focus.” He scolded.

“Sorry, Alpha. Never been in a place like this before. And crowded places are hard to focus in.”

“Well get used to it. You’ll be in places like this a lot.”

She was happy, however, that the thoughts around her were happier and pleasureful. Thoughts did have a tole on her, miserable, dark ones were never fun to hear. Though most of them were blurs and just useless moods and information stacked upon more useless moods and information, she would take it over one person with a miserable head any day.

Karma turned toward the bar, eying the mouse masked bartender serving drinks to a few of the customers. “I think that’s our guy. Not sure though. Hard to tell with the mask.”

Serina couldn’t get it out of her head how creepy she thought the masks were. It was such a strange place they were in, something she had not expected in the slightest.

“I’ll do the talking. You hang around and just listen, ok? Stay in his head.” He told her.

Serina just nodded, letting him turn and walk toward the bar while she just casually trailed behind him, trying to act like she didn’t know him. She noticed the strange looks he got from passerby’s. He looked like he had come off the street, the blood stains on his clothes didn’t help him much either. Karma, however, didn’t seem to care. He marched to his own tune of silence toward the bar and sat away from anyone else. He looked down, with his hands clasped together on the counter and waited or the bar to greet him.

“And what can I get for you?” The bartender asked as he got close.

“I’m not thirsty.” Karma said bluntly.

“And yet you chose the bar as a place to sit? Interesting.” The man could tell he was no clubber either. Something was drawing them to his place, and that was odd to him. He already could tell that, unlike Riley, Karma would not be a good customer. “If you’re not ordering a drink, you’ll have to find somewhere else to-”

“I’m here to talk.” Karma said, looking up at him slowly. The masked man seemed almost taken back by the red eyes that stared up at him.

“Plenty of people to talk to out there.”

“I need information. I’m here on business. Are you the owner? I was told he wears a rat’s face.”

The man put down the bottle he was holding and leaned in the counter. “I am, yes. Who’s asking?”

“Someone who needs a favour.” Karma said.

“Are you aware of the price for favours?”

Karma reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold coin, gently laying it on the bar and pushing it toward him, keeping his hand beside it to stop everyone else at the bar from seeing what he had laid down. “If you know what this is, then I think I have it covered.”

The man looked down at it. It was no larger than a dollar coin but was something else entirely. They were plain, no writing on them at all, only containing an image of a sword on one side, and the head of a snake on the other, its mouth open and fangs exposed.

“I see.” He said, letting out a sigh.

“If you want to earn a coin,” Karma started, “you’ll tell me what I want to know. Let’s just be discreet though, yeah?” Karma kept his eyes on the man, but knew Serina was nearby.

The man nodded. “A reasonable price. What can I help you with?”

Karma just smirked. “There are some powerful people who are looking for some things, and others who really want to change the status quo. I need to know who you are and how some nightclub owner gets involved with us. I’m not out of the loop, I know of the Overworld, but the Overworld usually doesn’t cover entertainment industries. If you were a gun store, a tech manufacturer, even a tailor or something, I could see it. But what do you do? And are your employees in the loop too?”

The man didn’t like the spew of questions, even under the mask Karma could tell. Making transactions in public was dangerous, no one could ever be sure, especially in a world where people had extraordinary abilities just who was an alley, who was an enemy, and who was listening.

“So many questions.” The man said, crossing his arms. “What could prompt such an interrogation?”

“Business of the table.” Karma said, pushing the coin toward him. “So let’s talk.”

Bones picked up the coin and studied it for a few seconds before pocketing it. “Always happy to help.” He said.

Riley had seen Karma sit down, noticing the strange looking boy easily with how much he stood out. Like her, he clearly did not belong in such a foul place, and he looked like he was up to no good with the blood on him that he wasn’t even attempting to hide. Her enhanced hearing could pick up the bartender’s words, but the boy was different. She could see him talking and could make out a few words from reading his lips, but she could hear nothing that came out of his mouth. How was that possible?

All of her senses were enhanced to a degree that far exceeded human capability, even animal capability in some cases. Yet, the boy was silent. Nothing was ever silent, everything was always so damn loud. She could hear the sound of a spider climbing on a wall across a room, but the boy sitting less than fifteen feet from her was a mystery. It bothered her, too much. She sipped her drink again, trying not to stare but failing to keep her eyes off him.

She was completely ignoring Hatsu, who had been rambling about something she had no care for over the past five minutes. She often tuned her out. It was as if Hatsu was a toddler learning to speak, in the body of a twenty-six-year-old woman with a fiery temper and electric personality. She was only three years younger than Riley and yet the difference between them was drastic.

It was a dangerous combo, but despite the obvious shortcomings, she still loved the girl more than anything. Riley was far from perfect herself. Eventually, after the past five minutes being nothing but a blur of sounds with no meaning, she was snapped back to reality as her partner slapped her in the back.

“So anyway, you get the point, what do you think?” Hatsu asked, looking up at her with strangely bright eyes.

Damn, bad spot. With a bit of an awkward pause, Riley needed to find a quick way out. She would never say she wasn’t listening, lest she endured the whole ramble again. “Uh...yeah.” Riley tried, trying to move it forward. She was lucky that Hatsu had already moved onto something else before she could fully finish speaking. She let out a small sigh of relief. Her attention went back to the boy, and this time Hatsu noticed.

“What’s up Riles? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She said.

Riley gestured with her chin toward Karma and the bartender. “Those two. What are they talking about? I can’t hear the albino looking kid.”

“Who cares? Loosen up girl! We’re here to party! Don’t be a creep and talk to me instead.”

That wasn’t any better, Riley thought. “I can always hear everything. I can hear the bartender, but not the kid.”

“It’s probably the alcohol hitting you.” Riley said with a big smile, patting her back repeatedly. “Have another! Then come dance with me!”

Riley finished her drink. “Can’t get another till he comes back.”