The motorbike burned down the hallway. The rider turned the bike into a
skid; stopped an inch from the wall; accelerated forward and roared down the
stairs. A gaggle of Lilim scattered as he bounced to the bottom, and jumped
as he let out a victory shout.
"We've won another Tether! Woo-hoo! Party at Hell Gem to celebrate! Anyone
want a lift?" His gaze swept the group, and he pretended to notice his
quarry for the first time. He wolf-whistled, and then grinned at her.
"I don't know you - where have you been hiding all my life?"
One of the other Lilim bristled dangerously, and spoke: 'Shove off, lunatic,
as if anyone wants to know a fool who'll die with his traitor Prince..'
"Stick it, Flame-girl - your pyro Prince couldn't touch Fatso and he won't
touch the Boss. Fire is going down - and the sooner you realise it, the
sooner you can jump ship and make something of yourself." He turned to a
different Lilim.
"Bena, could you introduce us?"
He indicated his original quarry with his thumb. Bena nodded; they had
agreed long ago that every time she introduced him to a sister that'd he
take her to dinner at Temptation. `Sure thing, Rave. Erisya, this is Rave, a
friend of mine who serves Hardcore. Distincted, I believe, but he only uses
that to annoy The Game. Rave, this is Erisya - Mother's latest creation.`
"And what a beauty she is! Thanks, Bena. But hey, Erisya, if you're new you
can't have raged at Hell Gem yet! Gotta fix that. Jump on, and I'll show how
to party! My shout - can't have pretty girls not knowing how much fun Hell
Gem is!" His infectious grin returned.
Erisya finally found her voice: 'Is it safe?......'
"Nope!" Rave replied proudly. That's why you wear this. He ripped off his
leather jacket, revealing a muscular body which was trying to tear apart his
T-shirt, and tossed the jacket to her. Catching it, she turned a questioning
gaze to Bena. `Go ahead, Erisya. Hell Gem is a lot of fun; it's a good place
to learn to dance; and Rave's a pretty decent guy - for a Calabite.`
Rave nodded approvingly as Erisya put on the jacket. "Leather suits you -
but you'd already guessed that, right? Hop on."
She gingerly got behind him on the bike.
"Now remember to hang on tight!" He said, slapping her legs for emphasis.
Racing down the hallways was terrifying - a little exhilarating as well, but
mostly terror. Rave accelerated as they left the narrow corridors and headed
down the main passageways towards the balconies overlooking the main trading
room.
'What the - slow down!'
"No way! Watch this!" They continued to pick up speed as they approached the
balcony. Rave reached out with his resonance: the railing exploded as they
blazed through it. The motorbike arced over the hall, sailing over the
stalls and booths, until they 'accidentally' landed on a gaping Belialite,
breaking the fall. And then they were off again, dodging through the crowds.
As they approached Hell Gem, the bouncers cheered. Way to go Rave! Great
entrance! Out of the way you lot! The Big Fella is coming through!
There was always a queue outside Hell Gem. Furfur made sure of that; his
least valuable Servitors spent days queuing outside - just to remind
observers how exclusive Hell Gem was. And because they knew their place, the
waiting demons were quick to get out of the way, to ogle Erisya, to mutter
among themselves: Who's the mystery girl? To be with Rave himself no less!
What a beauty? Bet we'll read all about in the papers tomorrow!
A photographer materialised out of the crowd; there was a flah of light as
he took a photo. He opened his mouth to ask a question - Rave stuck a hand
in his face and with a grin escorted Erisya into the club.
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