Roanapur Knights - The Most Dangerous Game
Author: B.H. Ramsay
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Disclaimer: Characters appearing here belong to Mutant Enemy & Funimation Entertainment
Rating Teen
Spoilers: none
Summary: The Hyena has a new host And Revy has a new partner but no relationship is without it's drawbacks
Revy sat in the dark aboard the Lagoon. She was in a lotus position not that she was much for that whole meditation and relaxation jive anyway. Spread out on the floor in front of her was a harvest of drugs; uppers, downers, screamers, laughers there was even a small pile of marijuana and not the cheap stuff either. For all the good it was doing her however, they might as well be tic-tacs and pixie stix.
Not long ago she had almost died. Mortally wounded, she was on her way out when her life had been saved by Xander Harris. Well not so much Xander personally as much as several pints of his do-gooder blood donated while she lay dying. She'd gotten more then blood from Xander Harris however.
She had strange dreams during those wild and crazy hours. Strange visions of a talking Hyena that had spoken to her and offered her power in exchange for ... that part she wasn't clear on. She was dying and it had offered her life, she took the deal and the Hyena had more then come though.
She was stronger then she had been, faster as well, her senses growing sharper by the day. However she had also noticed drawbacks. Drugs and alcohol no longer effected her; well that wasn't entirely true. She could still take what she wanted, but the effects where wildly different then she was used to. Everything she was given to using to calm her down, fire her up, or in general keep her sane; no longer did jack. Forcing herself did little good either, at best she got a minor buzz followed by her vomiting up whatever she had taken. She had woken up in a cold sweat one night to find the bed soaking wet. She'd quite literally sweat the toxins out of her system. Since then, any attempt to use any kind of drug met with the same result. She couldn't stand the taste or even the smell. She had never been a lightweight when it came to drinking but the beyond human constitution she seemed to have now made boozing it up a waste. She could consume alcohol in quantities that should by all rights, kill her.
*You are Pack, Pack have no use for such things.*
Oh yes and then there was the still small voice in her mind, the one that had spoken to her during her strange fever dream while dying, now was an ever-present companion even in her waking state. As near as she could figure, it was the remnant of the Hyena Spirit that had hitched a ride along with the abilities it had passed to her.
"Easy for you to say." she whispered picking up a tablet of yaba a ravers drug she had found did wonders for getting her blood racing for battle. She brought the thing to her mouth "I still need it. maybe not my body but my head says I need it."
*The mind can be tricked, do not trust the mind. Trust your senses let them guide you. listen to the world cub, smell it, taste it on your tongue, let THAT be your guide not these ...petty man things.*
"But I want it." Revy whined
*Why?*
"What do you mean why? it makes me feel better it makes me feel in control"
*That is not control you feel it is compulsion you've leashed yourself like a lapdog drooling for treats. This is not power. Power, real power, real control means taking what you want, when you want.*
"Meaning?"
*If you want to feel like you are in control you should do as pack does and hunt.*
"I can't run around the city looking for Rock and banging the hell out of him all the time."
Only two things felt the same, food and sex. Her enhanced senses allowed her to enjoy both on a whole other level. Her professional pride wouldn't let her make a pig of herself so that left sex. Thank God Rock was capable, willing, and just submissive enough he never questioned her wild bestial behavior between the sheets. Sex with Rock had one other side effect. It calmed her down; stilling the compulsions for long periods of time.
*This is a jungle like any other and just as in the jungle, the weak and foolish are plentiful. Find one stalk it and take it, that is the way of Pack. You want to feel in control, that is what you must do. Hunt prey, stalk it, kill it, and glory in the fest.*
"... But this is easier, quicker," she jammed the yaba in her mouth. The taste was bitter, revolting, her entire being rebelled against this foreign unwelcome thing and all to quickly she spit the thing across the room and with a scream of frustration she swept her hand out sending the pile of drugs flying. She heaved and panted.
*Feel your heartbeat cub*
She focused on the thud of her heart, the crush of the waves against the dock, the smell of the sea and the sound of birds on the wind. In the background, the city, the dark city, teeming with weak stupid people eager to be victims; hunt, stalk, kill, feast.
She could do that, maybe not the feasting part exactly but she could do the rest. Oh yes she could. this was Roanapur. Someone was always looking to settle a score or avoid getting settled. She just had to track one down and offer the services of the great Two Hands.
"How did Harris put up with you for so long."
*The boy rejected my gifts, the Slayer and her Mentor weakened me and then the Boy starved me. Your heart and soul are a much richer hunting ground by far. Now enough talk - time to hunt.*
But who or what she hunt, she had unique skills and her abilities made those skills even sharper and deadlier. That professional pride was demanding she at least find a worthy challenge, something that would give her efforts meaning. It was close to the end of the month, Chang liked to have his outstanding gambling debts cleared by the end of the month. Maybe he could use some help with some of his debtors.
Faith was having her weekly meeting with Chang. basically it was the same meeting she had with Balalaika, but Chang fed her better. So she was inclined to enjoy it more. As the two of them continued their meal, one of Chang's juniors walked up to the table and greeted them both respectfully.
"Sir," the man said "Two Hands to see you."
"Who?" Chang asked in a cold voice. He was one of the few in Roanapur who insisted on calling Revy by her given name.
The man stiffened, "Apologies Boss, Miss Rebecca to see you sir. "
Chang brightened and his tone warmed considerably, "Rebecca, hmm, end of the month I'll bet you someone needs a loan."
He directed the man to bring her on and Revy stepped up to the table greeting Faith with a nod.
"Boss, I need a favour."
"How much and for how long?"
"Not a loan boss, I need a job." Revy snapped before assuming a more respectful tone "I mean i was hoping you might have some work; it being the end of the month and all."
"Shenhua is in the City and her and that friend of hers Rotton seem to be making themselves very useful. I can't say I'm aching for collectors. What's brought this on? You hate collections, you haven't done any for me since after joining Dutch. "
"The only work we got is some contract for Roan Pidgin and that isn't exactly super exciting."
"In truth Rebecca your temper makes collections a chancy thing. Dead delinquents can't pay you anything. They also can't gamble anymore, The gambling business kind of relies on repeat traffic to make money. I like making money ...a lot."
"I can be subtle." Revy whined.
Chang gave a harsh bark of laughter, "Is that a joke? Cause if so; it isn't funny." he said, "You are the poster child for unsubtle, it has its uses and collections isn't it. Go fire off a few at the shooting range, that will cool your head."
"Look I really need this, it isn't just about the money. Hell if it comes to it I'll take a play-no-pay deal."
Chang startled "no-play-no-pay? you? Now you have me intrigued."
"What's no-play-no-pay?" Faith asked,her curiosity piqued.
"Standard agreement really," Chang explained, "I only have to pay if she does what I ask the way I ask. it's a great way to rein in over eager employees like Rebecca here. Alright Rebecca, I'll bite. There is a mark, he can pay but but he has problems, he started gambling at a high stakes, big money place.
"How much has he lost?"
"Actually he claims to have won and won big. I'll let him fill you in on the details when you find him at the Yellowflag. Bring me the money and their books. Make sure he's still breathing Rebecca, I'll be very disappointed in you if he's harmed - permanently."
"How big a statement are we talking here?" Revy asked a wild grin spreading across her face.
"I said bring me the money and his books." Chang gave a dismissive wave of the hand. "Whatever happens to whatever and whoever else you find there is just bad luck. Are we clear on this Rebecca no mark-no money, period."
"I think I should tag along ... just in case." Faith said with a casual smile.
Chang shook his head, "The Slayers are just getting settled, the last thing you guys need is to be dragged into a turf war if guys behind this high stakes game turn out to be connected to one of the other syndicates." Chang nodded to Revy, "You can find Charles at the Yellowflag about now, go remind him that his drinking money might be better used to clear his rather large tab."
