"I didn't think the next fight would be so soon." Albert commented as he looked out of the back of sleek vehicle that looked like it prowled the night streets searching for some unfortunate critter of getting in it's way. His body practically melting into the much too comfortable seat, easing the bone deep ache that had become the norm as of late.
"Wow," His driver, an extremely familiar statuesque women looked at through the rear view mirror. Dark brown eyes, lined in light maroon that further made them pop to the forefront, rolled in conjunction exaggeratedly. Long white painted fingernails drummed across the leather wrapped steering wheel as she continued. "At least pretend you're happy to see me, you'll make a girl believe she's a bother or something. I'm grown but if you act like that towards any of these young thangs out here, you'll really hurt some of them."
"…." He hadn't expected to receive dating advice but okay, if that's how she wanted to play then it wouldn't hurt any to play along. "It is very nice to see you Willow. How have things been going?"
"There you go," Taking a turn, the women gave out a small approving nod. "Keep that up and you'll be beating the ladies off you with a stick...but anyway, you're right. From what we've gathered, the Circuit does around one Red fight per week. But, something must've changed. Just after getting our invitation, they also informed us of a new event. And went on and on on how exclusive it is, and how we wouldn't want to miss it. Just really playing it up to force us to fork over more money to be oh so graciously invited...you better be glad your reading covered this and more."
"Do I even want to know how much it cost?"
"A cool thousand...per person."
"Is that a season pass? Or…?"
"Nope." She shook her head, sending that dark mane to flailing about in the air. "Apparently, that's per showing. They said something about this being a monthly thing depending on how things go tonight."
"What's so special about it?"
With a price that high, it meant that those that would be there tonight would be some of the wealthiest people in the area if they were willing to throw money around like that just to watch a fight. Maybe the people would be more skilled? Or the fights bloodier? He didn't know, but if the Circuit couldn't deliver on that price then it wouldn't be long before they lose out on all their wealthier clientele.
"I don't know." Willow shrugged, taking yet another right that lead them down a dilapidated street lined with abandoned warehouses on both sides. Frankly, the area made all the hair on his body stand to attention. There were just too many spots for potential ambushes and with how narrow the road was, by the time an ambush was sprung they wouldn't be able to just turn around to escape. Hell, even getting out of the car would possibly bring about some issues. "They were being real evasive and was trying to act coy but it was pretty obvious he didn't know either. Just trying to chat me up."
"Was it just him that didn't know?"
It would make some sense to keep the actual people shilling the event out to at least have some information, but to keep even them in the dark? Yeah, things were not looking good.
"Yeah but from what I could get from someone else, he was probably the one purposefully kept out of the loop. You know, they probably didn't want him blabbering to the first pretty face he saw." She looked out at a rather innocuous warehouse, appearing exactly the same as every other building in this endless maze of repeating designs. Maybe this area was designed as some millionaire's possible cash cow. Rent out a bunch of warehouses to nearby companies and make an absolute killing, especially with how close to the docks they were, the cost of transportation would be even further cut down. But Gotham didn't care how much money someone had, nor how prestigious the school they graduated from or the grand bloodline they carried in their veins, it crushed dreams all the same. "I think we're here."
Slowing down to a complete stop, she sled them into a small parking lot just large enough to fit two-maybe three cars top before some real creative maneuvering was required. The two other occupants the only signs of life since stepping into this liminal space, their cars fine and sleek in a way that positively screamed 'money'. With windows so heavily tinted that it made it impossible to tell if there were observers looking them over as they were now.
"Okay," Willow turned her body to face him, jovial expression nowhere in sight. In it's place, an impassive mask. "You are my charge for the night and I am responsible for making sure you get home safely. There are some rules I need you to abide by and I don't want you to question them. Just know, these rules are meant to keep you safe. Do you understand?"
Albert nodded gravely. From what Madame Clements had told him, the woman had received some training from an unknown special force unit. Whatever that actually entailed, it had turned her into an incredibly deadly and skilled individual. Protecting a target was well within her wheelhouse and who was he to believe he could do better? And besides, his injuries would make any attempt laughable.
"Good," The women continued to stare him down, holding up three fingers. "There's only three rules….okay there's more but these are the primary ones. Rule number one: Where you go, I go. I don't care if it's to the bathroom, to screw some chick or anything else personal. No exceptions. Rule number two, when I give you an instruction do not even think and just do it. If I say duck, you duck. If I say run, you run with all the might your legs will produce. Even if it means, leaving me in danger. I can handle myself just fine, you cannot."
The teen tried to keep eye contact with her but it was starting to become more of a chore as each rule went by. He knew why these were put in place, to protect the client at all costs but that didn't mean he liked them. They weren't what would be called friends by any measure. The amount of times they'd actually met could be counted on a singular hand and all of them had to do with business. He wasn't close her to like he was to Harley, Marceline or even Ivy. But that didn't mean he liked the idea of abandoning her if things got rough.
"And for the final rule," Her last finger fell down. "If all goes to hell and we're somehow separated, do not come back to this car. Do not look for me. Go to the end of these warehouses, hunker down. If I don't come find you within half an hour…call Madame Clements, inform her on what's going on and she'll send Cedar to come pick you up before you know it."
There it was, a fallback plan if everything really turned for the worse. The message underneath was clear, making his heart begin to beat erratically. He'd already seen more death in this world then his last...in person at least and that in itself had been horrific enough. From watching a rat of man being gunned down to running through the remnants of a massacre that had triggered a more primal part of his mind. It wasn't safe to say he'd gotten over it in particular but more like it was possible for him to push those memories to the very depths of his mind and just continue on in hopes of eventually sitting down to process them. But he knew it would be different if someone he knew actually kicked the bucket. There would be no way in hell he wouldn't just collapse in on himself.
"I understand."
He was no knight in shining armor, no hero to save the day. He knew that. In fact in this scenario, he was the damsel in distress. She had shown her willingness to die or be captured to ensure his continued existence. Whether it was from the value he represented to Madame Clements or something else, he wouldn't disrespect her conviction by ignoring any of these rules.
"Good." Seeing true understanding, Willow slid that cold mask out of place. A large grin spread across her face as she reached into passenger seat and tossed him a small bag. "I got something for you. I'm sorry but that make-up gotta go. You either use the good stuff or not at all. That gas station shit will make your skin break out."
Exactly as she said, when he opened the bag a rather bulky case was present. Flipping up the cover, a long tray extended up and out at an angle with a multitude of trays and contraptions. Most of which he had no idea what they were used for. All he really recognized were the three mirrors pointed in a different direction to encapsulate the entirety of his face. And at the very bottom were rows upon rows of bottles, some of which containing an extremely clear liquid that looked a bit like water but not completely.
"Thank you."
It was from the very heart, no form of misdirect or half-truths Just an appreciation for a favor rendered.
"Don't thank me yet. You got got about half an hour, let me see what you got."
***
Low chattering could be heard from the balcony, people wearing designer wear meant solely to scream out their wealth from the rooftops. Jewelry glistening under the overhead industrial lights, with small smiles plastered across their face. It was simple niceties and nothing more. Off to the side, a multitude of larger than life men watched with a degree of vigilance that it should've caused some concern but it was like they weren't even there. Just silent watchers from the background, but it was hard to ignore the purposefully displayed bulged at the side of them.
All in all, it was a rather comfortable mood. Nothing too official and because of that, a pair of people slipping in at the last minutes wasn't worth mentioning. There were plenty of attendees that were still streaming in after all.
From one side, a tall and dark women stood with an air of confidence oozing off her in waves. Her mane of black as night hair tumbled down her shoulders in loose curls that glistened with both health and product. She wore a pair of tight jeans riding high on her waist, black high heel boots, a simple white shirt and a dark red leather jacket. A rather stunning sight but from the way those bodyguard's gazes zeroed in on the rather large and bulky gun at her side, it wasn't enough to distract from the ridiculous weapon.
In stark contrast, Albert looked a bit plain. Looking at his reflection in a nearby window, he couldn't help but feel like he was looking at a complete stranger. All the minor imperfections that added up to make him into a rather ugly teenager had been smoothed out. The light bags under his eyes were gone and his nose no longer looked as big as it did before...from the front view at-least, turning his head slightly was enough to dispel the illusion. As for his eyes..? There wasn't much he could about them without a heavy use of eye shadow, which would probably shatter the disguise he'd put together.
Honestly, it was probably some of his best work. In the past, a lot of his disguises were a bit exaggerated. From that absolutely horrible first attempt that made him look like he'd allowed some kid to use his face as a blank canvas to that old man facade. This time, the goal was to fade into the background. To be a forgettable face in the crowd. And with Willow's assistance...nitpicking it had been achieved.
Stopping near the railing just close to eavesdrop on a few conversations, the pair stood in silence as the workers below continued to work. Moving around like ants from, the systematically laid down random objects in the makeshift arena. Switchblades, bats, rope, tape and even some empty glass bottles. Just really anything that could be made into a weapon was present.
"-this is good." A nearby women huffed, her voice high and a bit airy. Like she herself was above standing in a place like this. "I don't know why you brought me here, Red is perfectly fine with me."
"It'll be fine," Her companion, a man decked out in enough designer to fund a couple months of rent with ease. "You were saying you were getting bored with Red, so here we are. It's something new so it should get your rocks off."
"Oh you!" Playfully swiping at the man's shoulder, she let out a few low giggles. But from how strained that grin on the man's face was, that blow was anything but gentle. "Fine, we'll see but if I'm not satisfied...you'll be my entertainment for the night."
"As if." The man snorted, fighting off her questing hands. "If this isn't enough you can go buy some of those rats, they'll do anything for a hundre-"
Gathering nothing useful, he turned his full attention back to the makeshift arena below. Whatever preparations seemed to have concluded as the workers had shuffled out of view, leaving a rather worrying sight of weapons strewn across the ground.
"Greetings everyone." A voice spoke up from a good distance away and turning, he could see a pair of men approaching the group of elites. The two couldn't have looked any different. One was massive while the other average, one intimidating while the other wouldn't have attracted any attention in a crowd. "Thank you for coming to our special event. You must have a lot of questions so I'll do a quick introduction. The Circuit has opened up a new tier, we're calling it 'Black'."
"What's makes it any different from Red?"
A voice pipped up from the crowd, voicing the question on Albert's mind as well.
"To put it frankly, there are no rules. The fighters can do whatever they want to each-other for your entertainment, that and we'll be throwing in a few surprises to keep things interesting. Think of ancient gladiatorial fights."
Dread filled the teen at those words, eyes darting around at the weapons littered across the floor the intent clear for all to see. And suddenly all he wanted to do was turn and leave this cesspool of indulgence.
"What happens to their opponents will be solely up to you all, just present a thumbs up or thumbs down if you wish to see the loser face their end. This is all possible due to our magnanimous patron, Vespasian. They've already put everything in place and now all that's required is for all of you to enjoy the show. Please do not let me keep you, if you have questions do not hesitate to ask one of the staff. All of their services are available to you."
And from behind him, two neat rows of people stood of to the side. One containing men wearing some nothing but a loose vest that exposed their oiled muscles and what looked to be jockstraps. Really leaving little to the imagination. While on the other side, women wearing maid costumes with skirts short enough to expose everything stood in a half-bow.
Each of the waiting staff carried a small smile on their faces but to Albert, it was like they were wearing paper masks. From the way some of the shuffled from one foot to another, to how they fidgeting uncomfortably in their 'clothing' and how their eyes didn't quite rise off the ground. Not all of them were there willingly. Maybe some had debts to pay or were raised in this kind of life, but whatever the reason they were still presented up like a plate of meat to a group of slathering predators.
And with how the crowd of elites glances at them, it was an apt example.
As the pair left, the servants were immediately set upon by the hungriest of the group. Losing no time to group and caress before dragging them off to entertain them during the upcoming event. And soon, every single person there had at least one of the maids or butler accompanying them….except Albert who felt like he'd really stepped in it this time.
'….'
"You can have one of mine." A nearby man taking his silence for something else, snidely laughed and pushed a rather pudgy butler their way. While pulling two other maids in close with an incredibly lascivious grin plastered across his face. "This one got a bit too much fat for me to enjoy anyway."
The 'butler' in question probably looked the most uncomfortable to be there, standing at an average height he almost looked ready to cover up his modestly under the mocking glance being sent his way. If anything, he appeared pitiful and that, sadly, was probably the reason he was even there. Some people got a real kick out of stuff like that.
Instead of replying verbally, Albert only nodded once at the 'gracious' man with a tight smile before turning back to the arena. Willow standing off to the side with an unreadable expression on her face as she watched the butler with laser intensity. Who in kind stood off a good distance away, shying away under that gaze.
"What do you go by?"
It wouldn't be right to degrade the man more than he already was with just handing out names like he was some sort of pet or toy to be used and tossed away. And just asking for his name was probably going too far as well, so an alias would more than do.
"Emet-Uh… Jason will do."
Jason stumbled over his introduction, flinching visibly at his near slip up.
"You may call me Lovecraft." The disguised teen intoned, trying his best to really play up the uncaring air around him. Besides just in case someone was eavesdropping, now would be a good time to get his fake name flowing through some of the seedier side of Gotham. "I'm simply here to watch the fight, I do not have a need for your services…but you can answer any questions I might have. Correct?"
"…." The man looked a bit relieved at his words, shoulder's slumping slightly as anxiety slid off him. "I don't know a lot, but I'll do my best."
"That is all I can ask."
With that, a voice rung over an intercom. Filling the lowly chattering room with an announcement.
"Thank you all for waiting, the event will be going underway shortly. There shall only be a single fight tonight," Instead of the complaints that should've come, there were none at all. Either through peer pressure to not appear poor, or if their temporary servants were enough to smooth over that particular fact. "But, the staff will be available all night. So please do not feel pressured to rush, enjoy the show and the company. And thank you again for attending The Circuit's first ever Black Event."
Down below, two people began to walk to the middle of the makeshift arena. But they seemed a bit strange. Maybe it was how sporadic they looked around at the nearby weapons, or how their arms were covered in sores or maybe it was the cheap masks covering their faces. Wearing long faded clothing that looked as though it could possibly survive one more winter and nothing more, they didn't look like fighters in the slightest. They didn't ripple with muscle nor did they ooze that natural swagger all trained professionals possessed, instead they acted as though they couldn't wait to flee from this hell hole.
"This first event is going to be a bit different." The voice had a certain edge that made a shiver run down Albert's spine, whatever was going to happen wasn't going to be pretty in the slightest. And from how the two combatants shuffled from one foot to another, they could hear it as well. It was a sinister thing, a tone that spoke of relishing in the suffering of others. A true sadist, through and through. "It'll be separated into three separate mini-events. And with each success, our contestants here will have the opportunity to leave with the prize money. But here's the fun, you the audience will be allowed to add to that prize pool. Maybe they'll leave anyway….but at some point, they would be foolish to do that. We don't wish to spoil your enjoyment, so let's begin. You two, pick any weapon you want. Knives, bats, pipes it doesn't matter. You will have five minutes...and who knows, if you beg hard enough maybe on our patrons will bless you with something good! Your time starts now!"