Revy found the overweight and underwhelming Charles Samu applying liquid courage at the Yellowflag. He was already pretty drunk but not one whit more courageous then when his binge drinking had begun.
*The Fat One Reeks of magic* the Hyena hissed.
"The only magic this idiot has is whatever is keeping him on his feet." Revy argued under her breath.
His numbed state of mind forced Revy to repeat several times that she was not in fact there to buy him another round but to solve his collection problem. Revy was about to say screw the money and slap him around some to get him back to a more lucid state when his survival instinct kicked in and he started processing the important fact that he was not going to have to return to Franko "Red" Taichung's place on his own.
"How'd a sad sack like you make the cut for one of Red's games, those guys are some of the most hardcore gamblers in this city?" Revy asked.
"Well... you know it was just luck I guess." Charles replied.
Revy sensed his lie, could almost smell them now. Truth literally had a smell and sound that cried out to the Gunslinger now.
"Red's players are major paranoids you let a loser who can't play sit in and it throws the whole table off. " Revy growled.
"It was Jackie V who let me sit in." Charles protested.
"Jackie V ," Revy asked, "You mean Jackie Vincenty?"
"Yeah - I think that's his name, you know him?"
"None of yer business." Revy snapped.
"No offense meant but he doesn't seem like the kind of guy you'd hang out with."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Revy growled.
"Nothing ... I meant nothing by it." Charlie said quickly.
"Godamn right you didn't sissy-boy." Revy snapped.
"Red said it was OK for me to sit in. I guess he thought I'd lose a few and go away." Charlie smiled in triumph, "But Lady Luck was kind to me, really really kind." he grinned.
Revy noticed he patted his chest when he said that, had done it a few times since they'd started out from the bar. The rank smell of magery was coming from whatever was under his shirt.
"Didn't it dawn on your dumb ass that Boss Chang might want a little piece of whatever cash you used to buy into Red's game."
"I'm into Chang for a lot, a lot of a lot, I won enough that first night to pay off a third of my debt. Since then I've won enough to pay it all off - including the interest."
"...So like all the other gambling losers you decided to keep playing right?"
Charles shook his head, "Are you kidding You think I want to run into Shenhua some night? I don't have a death wish. I'd have cashed out a couple of days ago, but Red won't let me, he says I have to give him a chance to earn his money back."
Revy stopped, "Boss would only send Miss Yes Lady to gut you if you was into him for so much paying it off would be impossible - a couple of dozen G's at least."
Charles grimaced, "Like I said I'm into him for a lot and I won it back in less then a week. Fortuna must really love me."
"Who?"
"Fortuna the goddess of luck." Charlie explained.
"Is that what you got tucked away in your shirt ... a good luck charm."
"That lady I bought it from said it would change my fate. She was right, I've been winning ever since I put it on."
They finally arrived at a large building a few blocks off the main drag and just close enough to the Sicilian part of Roanapur that any one in 14K would be feeling nervous.
"No wonder Chang was willing to let me take this job." Two Hands muttered, "He comes down on them and it looks like a Triad hit on The Italians. If I do it, since I work for Dutch and he works for anyone who will foot the bill, it gives Chang deniability."
As they'd passed through the streets, Revy had been picking up a familiar scent on the wind and the sound of a familiar heartbeat. The scent was stronger now that they had reached the warehouse. "Hey Southie you gonna trail us from the shadows all night long or what?"
Faith stepped out of the night. Tied to her shoulder so it hung carelessly across her back was the bone white scabbard of a Japanese longsword. Once the property of Yakuza Enforcer "Manslayer" Ginji Matsuzaki, It had been given to Faith as a gift by Boss Chang. A few gossiping hens still insisted she'd won the sword the old fashioned way, by slaying the Manslayer, Faith was loath to quash this rumour as it kept a lot of the city's more notorious trouble makers from taking a run at the Vampire Slayers.
"So much for me being all stealthy," Faith said with a snide grin, "I must be out of practice if YOU could hear me."
*This is our hunt, our kill, what is the Slayer doing here* The Hyena whined in Revy's back brain.
Revy was a little more diplomatic, "Don't want to be all bitchy Babe, but to what do I owe the pleasure." Revy asked with a wary look.
"Call it professional courtesy." Faith smiled at her, "We Slayers owe Lagoon Company, owe them a lot. I for one am not the kind to let a thing like that go. If you think I'm letting you march in to danger without trying to help you, you're out of your mind."
"The more help the better as far as I'm concerned " Charles said nervously.
"Southie don't be stupid. you think Chang asked you to hang back just cause he's a ruthless bastard."
"Yeah, actually." Faith deadpanned.
"Well he is but he is also right. Lagoon didn't drag you and the Slayer bitches back here so you could end up as the filling in a turf war sandwich."
"I'm not getting involved," Faith said innocently, "I'm just taking one of the patrol routes tonight. Besides I'm the one with super-normal strength and speed. Something like that is wasted on a bunch of drunken gamblers."
Revy looked at Faith and started giggling and laughing cruelly.
"Southie I think we've figured out a gun works on Slayers just about as well as it does on anyone else and I'm betting Frankie-boy and his pals will be packing some heat."
"...And another thing we've learned," Faith answered her, "is that guns rely on two things. Bullets that fly straight and a target that will stand still long enough to be hit by one. Besides, If He found out I let you break a nail, Xander might kill me ... then he'll get nasty."
"OK you're in, but don't come crying to me if you get your ass killed," Revy laughed, "Hang back, make sure laughing boy here is still breathing when I'm done with these idiots or else Chang's gonna be pissed."
"I remember and I won't get in the way. Like Boss Chang said, if I take money from this I'm making this a Slayer thing. If we just happen to be in the same area at the same time and run into each other, that's different."
They walked up to a big metal door and Charles pounded on it.
"Once we're inside follow my lead and don't get in my line of fire." Revy hissed as she checked her guns.
Faith nodded at Charlie, "If fit hits the shan Chuck, you get down and stay there until Annie Oakley or me gives you the heads-up."
Revy paused, "Southie remember you're strictly backup."
Faith shrugged, "... meaning I hang back, get a lay of the land and keep our exit clear. I get it - relax, You're the top bitch."
For some reason Faith's words sent a warm sensation through Revy that came from the Hyena.
Several locks were pulled and the huge door was slid aside. the opened door revealed a large Asian with long hair looking down at them from his six-two height. He was boasting an impressive array of muscle development. a moving slab of power, behind him watched another four guys of less size but no less presence including a tall Italian Faith guessed was Jackie judging from the serious cut-eye he was sending Revy's way. How the hell had a weedy loser like Charles managed to con his way into this bunch and not only won a wad of cash but lived to tell of it?
Jackie finally whistled loudly to silence the others, "What are you doing here Two Hands." he said while the others rapped on the table loudly wolf-whistling at Faith and Revy.
"Jackie boy," Revy said. "What are you doing slumming with these morons?"
"Same time as always just trying to make a dishonest dollar. What's doing with you. You still crewing with the Dutchman?"
"Nice legs Two Hands," Red shouted "Always wanted to see what they'd look like wrapped around me." his friends laughed boldly at his joke.
Jackie went a little pale. Franko was well known around town. His family tree was a little screwed which resulted in the distinctive red hair that gave him the nickname by which he was known. He had been teased about it since birth, which was why he'd developed something of a cruel and sadistic side as well as the formidable build needed to indulge it.
"Hey boys," Franko smiled, "Guess who came back, its Chuckles. Hey Chuckles we've been keeping a seat warm for ya."
Despite the backup Charles still sounded a little nervous, "Guys I'd really prefer to just cash out and take my winnings. I owe a lot to Mr Chang and he's really not the kind of person you want to have upset with you. You can understand?"
Franko didn't seem understanding in the slightest, "What," Red hissed, "you aren't going to give us the opportunity to win our money back, that's not very sporting."
"Yes very poor sportsman like behaviour." said another crony.
Red laughed "Not the kind of thing i would expect from a real card shark like yourself. "
"Maybe he was cheating us." said a third
"Yeah, that would make sense. You ripped us off and now you're trying to get away with it " Red growled.
Charles was really scared now, "Guys I swear I just got lucky that's all."
The other men fanned out in the room. Faith noticed they had all taken positions of containment. Their pattern betrayed their so-called plan. Rush the women all at the same time. she even noticed the red haired guy doing a fair impersonation of trying to sneak up on her.
It was Revy however who had most of her attention. The Gunslinger was ... what the hell? ...she was actually ... growling like a savage beast working itself up for an attack. .
A low sotto voiced growl. Her body coiled and tense. Her fingers clenching the air as if hungry for action. She was poised for battle in a way Faith had never seen before. The way her eyes scanned over everything and everyone in the room, Faith was pretty sure that right now, Revy knew where every single moving thing in that room was; could hit it with pinpoint accuracy.
Still ... what was up with the growling?
Jackie looked at Revy, really looked at her..."Look Two Hands - I ain't looking for a bloodbath here. I just want an opportunity to win back what I lost. If we got a little frisky with him I'm sorry. "
Revy's voice was almost husky now with tightened menace. "Chucky-boy don't want to play anymore. Cash him out and he walks away and promises not to darken your door again. Otherwise me and the boys here can have MY kind of fun. You do remember what My kind of fun is like right Jackie. You think me and boys here could have some laughs Jackie?."
Vincenty looked at her and shuddered, he remembered Revy's capacity for violence all too well not to dread her unleashing that blood lust.
"So Jackie," Revy was hissing, "are we going to turn this into a grind-house special or are you going to be smart and walkaway. You know which way I'm leaning."
Jackie paled a little and sighed "OK I'll get his cash, he never gambles here again."
"Fuck that," Red said " i want my money back, make him play."
Jackie looked at him. "I'm not starting shit with the top gunslinger in Roanapur. Between her and Chang's Taiwanese dancer bitch they're personally responsible for filling a big ass graveyard."
"... And I'm not letting some tiny-titted, no-assed skank with a made up reputation screw me out of what's mine." He went to poke Revy to make his point and Revy's hand came up quick as a snake to snatch at his hand and began crushing it.
Faith was shocked she'd barely seen Revy move her hand. One second her hands were tightly clenched at her side , the next, she was crushing the life out of mister poky-fingers.
"Did this walking manboob just call me out?" Revy hissed
Jackie was easing toward the safe "Look guys we dont have to do this we really dont."
The others were moving more aggressively now, "Actually we really do" Red cried out as a guy with the build of a Linebacker grabbed Revy from behind.
Another of the men tried to grab Faith who jabbed the body of the scabbard at her back into the man's groin. He grunted and fell to his knees. She spun in place and kicked him in the face sending him crashing into a wall.
Red slammed his fist into Revy's stomach. If the air being driven from her lungs forcefully hurt her she gave no sign. instead she kicked up and scissoring her thighs around his head. Red's face began turning shades of blue. To judge by his wheezing and gasping, Revy was choking him to death.
"What's wrong Big Guy," Revy snarled, "Didn't you want to know what my legs felt like wrapped around you. Hope you're enjoying it; I know I am."
The linebacker holding her tried to drag her back and away from Red but the grip of her legs was ironclad. Red fell to his knees, crawling feebly across the floor. His fist clawing and pulling at her thighs trying loosen their hold enough so he could drag air into his burning lungs before he gasped his last.
"Let him go you crazy bitch;" The linebacker screamed, "let him go."
"i'll let him go when i'm finished with him." Revy hissed and flexed one last time. There was a grotesque snapping sound and Red dropped like a sack of garbage to the floor. His neck was broken.
Fucking men , no staying power " Revy rotated her head as much as her postion allowed "Hope you're less of a disappointment." She said to her captor.
She kicked her heel backwards smashing the big bruisers knee. He screamed and dropped her.
She turned and swung her fist into his belly. The man grunted in pain at her blow and punched at her but Revy ducked and weaved around his blows bobbing and then jumping on top of him
"Come on round boy," She hissed into his ear, "If you're going to bore me to death, I'm going to make it hurt when I kill you."
The big man rocked his head forwad slamming into Revy's face.
"You call that a headbutt," Revy growled, "this is how you do it big boy." She slammed her forehead into The linebacker's jaw sending him reeling. She did it again and he fell backwards. She leaned way, way back and rocketed her forehead forward smashing it into the bridge of his nose. Blood splattered across her vision like carelessly flung paint and the man's eyes rolled backward as he sank to the ground like a discarded puppet.
Revy uncoiled from the falling body springing up and away to roll across the floor coming out of the roll with her guns in hand. She gunned down one of the remaining two men in the room. The other darted for the door trying to elbow Faith out of the way. the Slayer unleashed the blade in her hands slashing at his legs as he tried to run past her. He screamed as he stopped in his tracks his legs no longer working. Faith slid the point of the blade into his stomach even as his weight caused him to collapse. He looked up with stupid eyes as Faith pulled the blade out allowing his dead weight to crash to the floor.
Revy looked around heaving and panting. the smell of blood and death and fear filled the air with an intoxicating aroma that made the Gunslinger roar in joy.
*Does your precious Yaba make you feel like this?*
Revy scanned the room and saw Jackie curled on the floor, long experience had taught him that ground level was the safest place to be when Revy was shooting up a place.
A murderous leer cut across her face, "Ahh, Jackie did Momma scare you," She asked, "Don't you worry, Momma's gonna make it all go away - just close your eyes." Revy marched toward him her intent painfully clear.
Faith reached out and grabbed at Revy as she passed, The Gunslinger actually turned with a snarl but the bestial look of rage Faith saw vanished so quickly Faith almost wondered if she'd seen it at all.
"I know you're getting your kill-on but Chuckles is missing." Faith said cautiously. There was ... something just behind Revy's bright eyes something old, something ...familiar.
Revy blinked as if awaking from a dream. she looked around, Charles had indeed run off.
Revy sniffed the air, the fat man's trail headed off into the night but it also lead to the open safe , the contents, including a substantial amount of cash strewn on the floor infront of it. Revy didn't need to check to know some of the money would be missing.
Revy cursed, "No Chuck and No Bucks, plus if Fat-Ass gets himself killed; Boss Chang will skin MY ass while I'm still alive to feel it. I better get after him."
"I better come with, We wouldn't want you killing him by accident would we." Faith asked giving Revy a wary stare.
"Anyone I kill is dead cause I wanted them that way. Gather the cash and books and keep an eye on Jackie-boy. I'm starting to think Ronny The Jaws might be curious about what's been going on around here."
"What do you mean?" Faith asked.
"Ain't no way those guys would be that desperate to get Chuckles to play unless they needed his winnings back. Needed it badly enough they'd risk getting killed for it."
"The SOB's were skimming," Faith said with dawning realization, "that's why they needed Charles to play again."
"Charlie boy loses so often I guess they didn't think to juice the table. His run of good was their bad luck."
"Hey Jackie boy how much was Red stealing?"
Jackie didn't bother denying it. "... A small fortune he said we'd make it back before Ronnie found out it was gone but ..."
"Charlie was too scared to gamble again he was scared he'd lose it and end up on Sawyer's table...maybe while he was still breathing."
"Just might happen to me if Ronnie finds out."
"Not my problem, I gotta find fatty. Southie keep on eye on him."
Faith watched her tear out of the building at a run.
VIncenty watched her leave "Is she for real?"
"Hey I thought Roanapur number one was do not fuck with someone who can fuck with you?" Faith asked.
Jackie gestured around him. "Look at this place, It's a slaughterhouse."
Faith was more or less unmoved at the death of in front of her. "If they'd kept their mouths shut and given us Chuck's money they still be alive... You know, like you are. Still pack that crap up including the books. I'm going to follow her. I want to make sure she doesn't do something we'll all regret later."