Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY!
The bar was crowded, the line stretching around the block, bored clubbers talking, flirting, and complaining as the Vale night descended around them. Their voices were drowned out by the cars roaring past and the music, loud and upbeat. My heart beat just a little bit faster, and I paused across the street, savoring the sensation. The Vale nightlife was still new. Still fresh and I wanted to take it all in. I crossed the street at a brisk pace. I wanted in; I wanted to feel the sounds, the lights, the bodies all around me, to feel myself get lost in the chaos. One look at the two bouncers at the door told me all I needed to know.
Big men, with tailored suits and sharp eyes. Nothing escaped their notice, I watched as they turned two fake-ID's away, deaf to the pleas of the culprits. One's eyes flicked to me, narrowing slightly. I nodded greeting and kept walking, breathing a little easier as I rounded the corner. I wouldn't be using the front entrance. One particularly dark shadow called to me, and I answered, glancing at an approaching couple arm in arm. A purse was clutched in the woman's arm, and a small bulge protruded from the man's coat pocket. I smiled, a perfect way to start to the night.
My shoulder collided with the man's upper chest, the rest of me colliding with the woman. I staggered, clutching the woman's shoulder with one hand. "I'm…I'm so so sorry, I wasn't looking…"
The man helped me steady myself, and the woman looked at me with poorly concealed irritation. "Watch where you're walking next time." I tightened my grip and pretended to finally gain my balance, the woman so focused on her shoulder she never felt my hand slide down into her purse, grasping what felt like a wallet.
"You feeling okay?" The man asked from behind me, his voice was concerned. It reminded me of my old neighbor Tolson, and I felt the slightest tang of regret.
I turned rapidly, tucking my offending hand into my jacket as I spun. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm so sorry, are both of you alright?" I turned back towards the woman, stepping back.
"Yes, we're fine." She snapped, glaring at me. My heart jumped a bit as she adjusted her purse, but she didn't think to look inside. "Come on honey."
The man sighed, glanced at me apologetically and turned with his wife. "Enjoy your evening."
He called over his shoulder, hand brushing up against the bulge in his jacket. I kept walking, grinning as my heartbeat slowly returned to normal. It was just like fishing, only with a different bait. I leaned back into the shadow, resting against the parked truck that created it, and pulled out the wallet. I ran my finger along its ridges, admiring the craftsmanship that went into it. Red highlights lead into a tiny silver clasp, which beckoned. I opened it and fished out the driver's license.
"Well…Jenny Lewis, what do you have for me tonight?" I asked the card, before discarding it and fishing around inside my ill-gotten prize.
Not much, as it happened. A few tens and a slew of useless membership cards, nowhere enough for a night on the town. I sighed, disappointed. I should have taken the man's wallet. Still, the night was still young, and the club in front of me just oozed high classy snobbery, towering over the rest of the buildings, neon signs on proud display. I bit my lip, and reached out. I could feel the shadows around me, every one calling to me. I found one, nestled in a seemingly quiet bathroom corner. It called out to me
and
I
answered.
I stepped out of the shadow, glancing around. "Fuck."
A drunk party-goer was face first in a urinal, puking his guts out. I could hear soft moaning coming from the far stall. A quick glance confirmed my suspicions. Of course, I had forgotten to check which bathroom this was. Sighing, I stalked past the sinks towards the exit, pushing out into the club proper. The first thing that hit me was the music. Loud and fast, it vibrated my entire body with the force of the beat. Lights flashed across the club, different colorful hues splashed across the floor and walls, spinning and flashing in complex patterns that left my head spinning. People moved between the lights, dresses, and outfits so vibrant, so diverse. They laughed and danced, moving like wraiths between the light and dark. I spotted a small bar, tucked into the far corner.
I made for it, brushing past a few other club goers with a smile. A club with a bar just for the upper level was going to be stuffed with rich, drunk party goers on a Friday like this. Even after a week in Vale, I couldn't get over how…big it was. Back in Mistral, our town had been a couple of streets, some 200 people. There were probably more people just in line outside. The lights kept spinning, and the music got faster. My heartbeat followed its example, all the noise, the distractions, the life around me setting my body on overdrive.
The bartender spotted my approach. "What can I get you?"
I paused, glancing at the shelf. The bartender back home knew my dad, so I wasn't very familiar with the selection. "Surprise me."
The bartender raised an eyebrow, but a few seconds later a glass of some blue liquid was in front of me. "Here."
The bartender shook his head as I fished out one of 'my' tens. Of course, pricey joint, pricey drinks. Another ten later, and I was leaning over the club railing, drink in hand. I watched the dance floor below me, idly sipping from the glass. I had to give it to the bartender, the drink was good. I took another sip, savoring the flavor as it slid down. For now, I was content watching, letting the music, the drink, the lights all wash over me. Eventually, I reached the bottom of my drink. It was as good a time as any, and my stolen money pit was running dry, so I hit the dance floor. If the music was loud on the upper level, it was thundering down here. I could feel my feet shaking as I walked. The old town had dances sure, country bumpkin affairs with guitars and speakers. But this…
I stopped thinking and started moving. The crowd on the dance floor gave way, and soon I was right in the middle, bodies pressing in all around me. I danced, throwing all caution to the wind. Hands roamed, a few finding purchases on me. Drunk or greedy, I didn't care. This game was one I knew, one I welcomed. My hands roamed back, bodies drew closer, encouraged. I pressed closer, hands wandering alongside theirs. So focused on where their hands traveled, they didn't pay attention to mine.
My hoard grew, the contributors a blur of faces. Green eyes, warm smile, silver watch. Rustic hair and cheap suit, leather wallet. Squeezing hands, leering grin, cheap watch, and wallet. I never lingered, eventually dancing away with a wink and a smile. Some tried to follow, but the mob was too thick. I kept dancing, lost in it. My heart soared, I felt alive, present in such lucid lack of clarity. Everything blended together and yet each second indelibly branded itself on my heartbeat, driving it higher with the music.
A few more drinks and half a dozen stolen trinkets later my luck ran out. Someone realized they were missing their wallet. Eventually, a few others caught on, and one particularly smart individual remembered that not only his hands were roaming as we danced. Normally I'd see them coming, but I had a few too many.
"Come here you." I yelped as a security guard yanked me from my place on the dance floor, grip like iron around my shoulder.
I tried to protest, especially when I saw the leering grin of my accuser. "Fuck." This wasn't how I planned on my night ending.
With my pockets laden with ill-gotten gains, I was in hardly any position to protest the indignity of the search, and the back room flanked by two mean looking goons was looming closer. I had two options, neither of which looked particularly pleasant. I kicked out, catching my accuser right in the crotch. He crumpled with a shout of surprise.
My escort reacted fast, trying to yank me into a headlock. I drove my knee towards his chest, which he blocked with his forearm. Using his iron grip on my left arm, I kicked out, striking the back of his knee. He fell to one knee, and I twisted, breaking free. I kicked out, boot taking the man in his forehead as he turned, sending him sprawling.
I had made a scene. Security was closing in all around me, faces grim, muscles bulging from beneath their suits. Normally the attention of so many good looking men would be flattering, but not tonight. "Of course."
My hand brushed against Muninn, but I stopped. I had business on my side. If I didn't cause too much trouble, the club wouldn't remember me beyond a ban list. No police, no mob, no anything. Admitting I got in was bad for business. This was a numbers game.
I stopped thinking and started moving. 20 meters away to a particularly dark shadow. 4 goons made to cut me off.
"Pricey joint. Pricey guards." I ducked under one punch, spinning under his arm and shoving him away from me.
He was dealt with, too far away to catch me. I kept running, deflecting another punch, grabbing the follow-up. I yanked the arm around and twisted, feeling it dislocate as the man grunted in pain.
The third tried to tackle me, aiming for my legs. I jumped forward, rolling to my feet as he landed in front of my pursuit. 5 meters to go, yet the forth hung back, waiting for me to come to him. I didn't stop running.
He tried to grab me, using his bulk to try and counter my speed. I kicked low, aiming for his knee joint. He stepped back a fraction, and I took advantage, sliding under the small gap, evading his grip. I made it to my shadow and turned
"You've got" The shadows called to me
and
I
answered.
I stepped out into the quiet alley, panting. My heart was still racing, and I loved it. Part of me wanted to go back in there, give those guards another try. My cooler sense of rationality prevailed…barely. If I stayed out any later my mom would get pissed. So I turned and started walking home.
The house lights were off, that was a good sign. I glanced at my watch, 2:15. Praying to the brothers, I reached out to the shadows
and
they
answered.
"You're out late, as usual." My mother's voice met me in the darkness as I stepped out into my room. Fuck.
I reached over and turned on the light, tail instinctively curling around my leg as I saw her angry expression. "Mom…"
"No Evelin. This is the last time I put up with this shit. Do you think I like doing this? Staying up before work, worried sick about you because you don't call, you don't text, you just go and leave me behind to worry." A hint of concern flashed through her anger.
I looked down. I knew she was right…but I couldn't just stay inside all day. I missed the forest in that regard, the freedom, the clarity a slow walk through the ancient pines brought me. But this city…the lights…the noise…the danger… "I know, I should have…"
She held up a hand and cut me off, dumping a pamphlet on the foot of my bed. Beacon Academy. I picked it up and inspected the cover. "What's this?"
On Discord, you see this one as Catlover from /r/RWBY who has come into our little project here as E aka Evelin. Let's have some fun~
Feedback, Reviews, & Suggestions are welcome!~