It's been years.
Raven had moved on for the most part. She moved away, as far away as possible from where she last saw her. Summer Rose was still there in her heart but she was a numb part of her now. Nothing mattered and she drowned that sorrow of hers long ago. Though every now and then she could have sworn lonelier nights had Summer's song echo through her home. Damn wind.
Her new home was a huge, abandoned factory that sat along a river. Plants crept up the side of the building over the years and the old graphics on the aged brick have faded. The inside still looked 'dated' but everything was either refurbished or brand new. Inspected more than once for hazards to her health and any rodents that looked to her home as their own, gone.
The factory itself was a few stories high with tall ceilings and new windows to let the light pour in. Dust was inevitable but Raven was glad to call this home. Plenty of space for her shenanigans, motorcycles and gang members alike. She especially loved how isolated it was from the rest of the city, calm and surrounded by four large brick walls and a steel gate. The only true new addition to the old factory was a bar, stocked with the good stuff and always accessible with a bartender not far from reach.
The morning sun filtering through cheap drapes caused Raven to stir. Groaning and stretching as she tries to avoid the light, only to see it wasn't possible since her bed was under the damn window. "Fuck." She mutters and drapes an arm over her eyes. She just wanted five… Half an hour more of sleep. Maybe more. She had an exhausting night and she deserved all the sleep she could get.
Giving up when sleep started to escape her again, she sits up slowly and hisses in pain. Her rogue lover of the night was… Frisky and left red scratch marks all over her back. What was once pleasurable turned into a need to heal and bandage. Not like she isn't used to that woman's ministrations but she tended to go overboard when overly aroused.
Raven sweeps her legs around and plants bare feet on cold cement. She stands up, ignoring the protests of her feet and decides this is the perfect time for a shower. She shuffles and combs her hand through her unkempt hair, turning on the bathroom light when she reaches her destination. She checks the digital clock hanging on her bathroom wall and glares at it, "At least I still got an hour…" She groans, hopping into the shower.
Just standing under the warm cascading water felt like heaven. Her battle wounds of love making weren't her only injuries from the night prior. She was a regular in an underground fighting ring. Almost anything went in the ring from brass knuckles to knifes. A lot of money is bet on fighters to beat each other to near death and even animal fights. From such fights, Raven earned herself a bruise on her cheek and corner of her eye, a large bruise on her left side and a split lip. All in all, the night could have been a lot worst. She's had knife wounds before and she was glad no one snuck one into the fight last night. Or else her sheets would be even worse for wear then they are now.
She hisses in pain again when she washes over delicate skin before retreating from her shower to get dry and dressed. Plain black bra covered by a loose fitting tank top and shouldering on a leather jacket. Followed by black pants and old, scuffed boots that have been well loved over the years. Not caring that her hair looks messy she runs her hand through it, grabbing her keys. Checking the time again before groaning, "Those fucks better show up today."
Hurrying now to get to her precious, a black and red trimmed motorcycle that she made sure went over the speed limit every single time. Washed and polished, she straddles the comfy leather seat and slides on a pair of sunglasses. Grabbing a remote and opening the garage door, she revved up the engine before leaving the garage in a mad dash across town.
The city was always busy and moving. Never quiet until winter time when no one wanted to be out and warmth of their homes brought them off the streets. It was starting to cool off, autumn just beginning and leaves starting to change. Oh and everyone's favorite flavor is back. Raven wanted to puke from the overrated pumpkin spice but will never ever admit she actually liked it herself. She really just hates people and their trendy tastes.
It took a good forty-five minutes to get to her destination. An alleyway by the looks of it before she hid her bike from street urchin view. She loves some of them but damn, others really liked to steal from her and she didn't want to break anymore legs unless she absolutely had to. Mercury was still recovering after his last attempt to take something from her.
She stretches again as she sauntered down another alley connected to her parking spot. Hips swaying and looking as uninterested as possible before seeing bright, neon lights that made the narrow passage glow twenty-four seven. 'Heathen's Keep' was boldly written on the sign, the bright red and purple with a yellow border around the name. Gaudy as all hell but it's a bad place for the vanilla at heart. Raven loved this bar, second best place out there besides her own home.
She nods to the large bouncer out front before he opened the door for her, Music blared out the smell of sin came with it. Sex, drugs, dirty money and liquor had that kind of palate in this place. The entertainment was nowhere to be seen, off for the morning until night crept in with the hellspawn of the city. The bar was still manned for those all day drinkers and alcoholics with a problem they didn't want to solve.
All around the bar people cheered and greeted her like a queen of the streets and champion of the ring. Raven's ego usually fluffed up a bit when it happened, taking drinks from old friends or flirting with their dates. Joking with everyone and feeling familiar manicured nails run up the back of her neck when she wasn't looking.
Raven feels her hair stand up at the gesture and Cinder all but drapes herself on her shoulders, "Welcome back, champ." She teases and kisses the corner of her jaw.
Raven rolls her eyes, "Wasn't expecting you to be here. You usually send Emerald to come to these meetings."
Cinder smirks, "True. But with this new gang trying to start up, I need all the information I can get…"
Cinder was the leader of another large gang in his city. The territories fought between her and Raven caused more harm than good. Blood split like rain during a hard thunderstorm and raids from the police were almost inevitable with how much war was happening.
The sit down between the two was fueled by rage and tension. Both powerful women armed to the teeth and waiting for the other to slip up. The be the first to lodge a bullet between their eyes. Negotiations didn't go… Quite as planned because once Raven flipped the table between them in a seething rage, Cinder countered with a balled fist to her gut. The fight lead to a black eye, busted nose and one fierce kiss that started a very rough bout of sex. An alliance was born. The gang members that were there that day were threatened to never speak a word of what happened and they've been silent for all these years.
So now Cinder and Raven meet on 'neutral' territory to keep up a facade of fighting gangs. Heathen's was the best spot in the city, right in the middle and hidden away. Perfect for this meeting between the two.
"So a new gang called 'The White Fang' is up and coming." Raven starts, the chair she took to sitting on was plush with black velour and befitting of her status as leader.
Cinder's chair was ornately decorated, looking like a throne for a queen. Red velvet and gold trimmed dark woods to hold her, "I wasn't expecting it. It seems they're backed by a lot of radical animal rights groups. They say they're wanting to get rid of all the abusive animal owners in the world. They made themselves known with bombing makeup factories that tested on animals or frees pet store pets."
Raven groans, "They're idiots. The animal activists love it but they seem to forget that'll kill the damn animals. They're bred to be human pets… Not wild and free." She shrugs, "How much money do they rake in?"
A hand shoots up and Raven points to them with a scowl on her features, "Millions. Most coming from the groups that back the, but they also steal a lot from the businesses they trash. Selling their equipment."
"I can only imagine what kind of equipment…." Raven grumbles.
"Anything to be worried about?" Cinder asks and gets a hand this time to pick.
"Not from what information we've found on our side." Emerald calls out, looking as obedient as ever.
Raven hums in thought, "Do we have a list of buildings they've trashed or torn apart?"
A younger man, newer to the gang thanks to a sibling or something. He bolts up and hands Raven a list. "Here you go, leader!" He was so excited.
Raven grins, good to see some enthusiasm now and then. She looks at the list and glares, "Some of these businesses have items you can either make bombs with… Meth…. This one's a gun store in the next city over…" She hands the list to Cinder.
"This one is a gun store too. My mother's territory said something about a break in but they only took knives…"
"Oh geez. Your mother is still alive?" Raven asks, surprised.
"Yes. Running around and ruling one of the biggest cities in the country. Love her to pieces and hoping she'll let me inherit that throne when she dies." Cinder smirks and sets the list aside.
Raven chuckles, "Salem will never die. She'll just come back as a demon or something to keep ruling." She stretches out and yawns, "ANything else we need? Cause I want people to start tracking movements. Find symbols and hideouts… Kidnap members to torture."
Cinder smiles, "Already on that, champ." She leans back in her chair, "Neo has been camping out at the docks. We've been seeing the bone masks there a lot lately. Roman is getting friendly with them and spouting animal rights nonsense."
Raven looks to her, "Animal rights isn't nonsense but coming from these fucks or the crazy animal killing activists…. Then they just make everything look like shit."
"Which reminds me… How is your flock of ravens living in your house doing? They seem to be chipper right now."
Raven rolls her eyes, "My flock of Unkindness is doing fine. Fed and a fountain to bathe in so they'll feel clean."
Cinder laughs, "I always forget you have a soft spot for animals."
"And I'll kill anyone who touches them. They're my unkindness to the world." Raven gets up, "I'm callin it. If I think of anything else I'll talk to you."
Cinder eyes the other woman, "Oh? Not going to stay awhile and drink?"
Raven grins, "Why would I drink here when I have a bar at home to keep me happy?"
The air felt heavier at that notion. A spark between then two as if a challenge was issued and everyone in both the gangs knew what was about to happen.
A collective thought of 'oh boy' went through the bar.
Night falls over the city and the streets are full. All the bars open and serving, workers walking the streets and parties happening for the weekend. The city was about to start sleeping tonight and Raven was looking forward to it.
The chill set in and she was surrounded by the scourge of the underworld. Bikers, prostitutes, brawlers and more. The bar was seedy and money was as dirty as it comes as it passes hands. She didn't mind it at all, browsing her phone and ignoring the alluring call of one of her favorite girls.
Cinder took a toll on her again in less than twelve hours and the last thing she needed was more stimulation or god forbid, scratches on her back. Kinky as it is… It really fucking hurts later. So now she was waiting for her match to start, resting on an old couch with one arm draped over the back.
Though she heard a very impish squeal and a girl pleading, 'Please no!'
Raven felt her gut turn in a terrible knot. She knew what that meant and she had a feeling she knew who was doing it. She turns her head to where the scream came from and felt her breath catch in her throat.
Between two burly men was a younger woman. Short black hair with red tips, a large red jacket, tank top and black jeans. She looked like she was about to start crying as people passed them by.
Raven's mind only thought of one person, 'Summer?'