Work Text
At the Lagoon Company offices...
There was a woman with a tattooed arm, slightly tanned skin, wearing a black tank top and some Daisy dukes; she was sitting on the living room couch, with her legs in combat boots crossed and lying on the small table in front of her. She read a cheap magazine, turning the page every 20 seconds. Nothing interesting to read, since it dealt with very banal things like show business, fashion or vehicles for sale etc... Usually she could waste time; getting drunk, gambling, giving keeping her berettas modified from her or the above: read the stupid magazine.But, the point is, ¿Why wasn't she immersed in the pages? It's not that she was a picky eater or someone very selective about magazines, because that was the purpose of them; kill time and get distracted; ¿So? ¿What had it changed in all these years in which she, remarkably, was still alive? When she was younger, she did seem like a good way to get lost in.It's not that she was a big believer that no matter how many years passed you would soften...Not her; There was still plenty of good carnage in the tank for a loose it..- Dam it... .- She cursed under her breath as she turned a page again .- Dutch... ¡Hey! .- She called the man who was about 3 steps in front of the table where his lower limbs rested.Corpulent, serene, dark skim and bald; Dutch was the captain of this crew that has stayed afloat since it all began. He was relaxing, on the verge of sleep in his recliner, his second most important and beloved purchase since his Black Lagoon boat. When there was nothing else to do and the bed failed him, he always counted on the chair.Dutch, some time ago, had considered shaving his small, gray beard; He doesn't want any more signs or reminders that he's getting older and that any street thug or 3rd class gangster wannabe, who has no fucking idea who he is, would mess with him; luckily and with many contacts, that did not happen so often. He seriously consider it...But Rock was the only one in the crew to give him her support to let him have it. Proposing that looked more mature and wise in a rather affable tone, characteristic of him... It was a total trifle, ¿Why not? It was absurd to put his own safety on a semi-beard, when he could leave her alone for this aesthetic, regardless of Revy and Benny's almost inaudible mockery.Without clearing his head from the headboard or even opening his eyes, he answers: ¿What's wrong, Revy? ¿Mm? .- He wasn't so unconscious to notice the noise of Revy turning the pages so quickly, He faintly remembered that it took her a little longer to do it..- ¿So you're not asleep? Nice....- I will be shortly if you don't speak... .- He responds with very little frown..- Do it, it would give me the opportunity to throw this last beer at you .- She counterattacks in sarcasm, without clearing his view of the magazine, apparently rereading it again..- Cut it out already, Two hands, please... .- Dutch says, almost in a captain's tone. Of course messing with him is just wasting your time, especially when there is not even an iota of fear. Revy thought for almost 2 minutes. That was hers way of saying important things, vainly lightening the mood, avoiding the point, ¿Was it hers fault? Maybe not everyone reads minds like Rock and Benny was almost mastered like him. The captain was another story....- ....- ....- ... Dutch....- ....- ... ¿Do you believe in fate? .- She finally managed to say, blinking at him and then returning to the stupid endless magazine .- ¿Do you believe in it?.- ¿What do you mean by that, Revy? .- The man responds in a serene tone, slowly opening his eyes in the direction of the woman, but still without moving. Thinking about it, maybe he should have fallen asleep when still had the chance, but even then she would only bother him more until she left..- Jeez... Don't answer me with another question you fool, just answer mine. That's all .- Now she responds with a somewhat frowned brow, Revy lets the pages of the magazine turn and looks at the impassive man..- I'm sorry, but I know what this is like, Two hands. I try to play my cards well so as not to extend this and relax .- Dutch clarified, gradually irritating Revy, not because he was right, but because by suggesting iccesarimantely that she was a picky girl, at least Eda or Rock would spit it in her face as a brake, without putting so many detours into it. ¿Why couldn't you ever play with the captain? After so many years she still has to deal with those shitty details... .- I think these are the kind of questions you would ask Rock... or some drunk out there, ¿you know, right?Comically, part of Dutch believed he was stepping on a minefield, while some sniper was stalking him; Pressing revy's buttons was never a good option. It was probably due to the comfortable chair, free from temporal worries. Here comes, he was preparing for some avalanche of obscenities that Revy was sure to unleash on him, ¿When wouldn't she? For him, time is almost as if it didn't really pass and everyone was still the same crew whom he had to direct and coordinate...Strangely, none of that came, Revy stayed without saying anything for 3 mins in a row. Ok ¿What the fuck was going on? ¿Where are the hidden cameras? The dark skim's man contemplated Revy in that period of time; his legs were still on the table, but the magazine was no longer in hand, but rather the beer that was about to finish..- GULP, GULP .- Having taken the last sip, Revy throws the can towards the small trash can next to it and puts it in the basket, leaning his arms on the back of the sofa and looking down at him. The brow was still frowned but a little more softened .- Ha... ¿Benny's comedian is rubbing off on you too, huh, lil shit?Sarcasm was part of the routine, but not this kind, generally, Revy would be irritated and tell him to go to hell, or she would bite her tongue as best as possible to get him the answer she wanted, similar to a pressure hole on the edge of the burst. She wasn't biting her tongue, much less was she a pressure pit... Was as calm as the deadliest track. An almost pacified Revy looks up from her to Dutch again; the eyes connect, the sensation of the abyss making you blink was on the back of his neck. He was familiar with the feeling of course..- Maybe you didn't hear me well, or maybe I didn't formulate myself well so... Again, Dutch..- ....- ¿Do you believe in fate...?.- ...Revy's surprising composure aside, he composes himself, then yes. No sleeping for now. The little sleep he had left dwindled like polluting truck or car, he slowly moved his head, detaching it from the headboard, a sign that his brain was now at 90% to pay attention, resolve and attach a "decent" response. Revy didn't notice it, either because of the black glasses that the captain had, his eyes were somewhat narrowed as a sign of analysis and uncertainty... ¿Why? ¿Why? ¿Why? Dutch assured that if Revy would have caught Benny Boy In his place this would have lasted much less, not to mention Rock, Mr. unpredictable business..- SIGH... .- He finally resigned .- No Revy, I don't believe in fate, or that there has to be a shitty cosmic reason for something to happen. It's just life being life more .- The captain answers as articulately as possible. He would play along for now, the disbelief of what was happening here would be his faithful witness .- Excuse my little skepticism, seriously... But it is something curious that you, Revy Two Hands, the woman of labor, who puts money first, a living dead with no way out, is asking me that .- He says In all seriousness, he wasn't trying to outwit her again, it was useless.Revy expressed a small sly smile in return .- "¿A lot of cosmic trash, huh?" I think the same, what happens is that... - She cuts off the sentence, was also trying to articulate the correct words .- I've been telling myself that all these years, Dutch..- Aw, i ain' noticed....- Haha... For real. I mean, this is what our line of work is like, life as a method of violence, from the moment you start to wherever you end... .- She says in a gloomy tone, making Dutch understand that the conversation was on the verge of the abyss, ¿couldn't that just be Revy's intention? Because that was precisely their daily life... ¿What was missing here?.- We aren't special cases... Not like Rocky Boy, with his strange shitty luck. It became easier for me to put aside the mundane, the life, that flower garden .- She explained as she turned her eyes downward .- It was necessary for me, power and money were the combination in this environment, ¿Damn right?.- You're not wrong, Revy, but it would be good if you got to the point .- Except Dutch, hiding his uncomfortable patience... ¿Why didn't she say anything he didn't know?.- Easy, easy, hold real tight yours ass, Dutch .- She says framing her smile. Revy takes a box of cigarettes out of her pocket plus a lighter which had a flame waiting to die, luckily, very good luck, the flame fulfills its purpose and it manages to light the cigarette already on the woman's lips. She takes a drag, and blows the gray smoke across the room. Dutch also wanted one and almost thought of asking for it but his body was so relaxed that he could leave it for later .- The fact is, people say ignorance is bliss, but that's only half of it, ¿Do you know why? 'cus it is complemented with arrogance, a lot of it to be honest..- Ok but ¿How?.- Well ¿You know me right?.- That's what I assume....- Hahahaha... Oh you stupid ass fool .- Revy lets out a happy and sinic laugh. The lost captain still did not understand the bitterness in all this. Revy's humor was almost as black as hers soul, if not more .- Yes, Dutch, you know me, you know what I think about money, and you probably don't care 'cus you're just my employer, that's fine. but... You see, I've debated for years whether it's just arrogance or ignorance that's been covering up for me in years..- Ah, get it... Before our Rocky boy arrived, you could see it as simple ignorance, ¿correct?.- Bingo... Till I get my own reality check. Even if the words didn't come from his mouth, I would have encountered that wall full of doubt sooner or later. It was luck, because maybe some other son of a bitch wouldn't have been so kind .- She comments, seeing it from another point of view, she had the luck of the devil, because without any doubt someone could have subdued her with both bullets and words and corroded his little philosophy. It's a blessing that someone like that doesn't exist .- This is when I question that....- ¿Whether to believe in fate or not? Revy please... .- Dutch finally hit the target, reluctant but he succeeded, he earns a neutral look from Revy, plus a puff of smoke from her. He really want that fuck up cigarette, but he wouldn't lift. This chair is better than any wife anyone could have .- You don't really know if sooner or later you would have come across that wall, ¿Who knows? Maybe the world would end or maybe you would have ended up dead. You can't never know....- I really would have wanted to die happy knowing only that, Dutch... Being slaughtered for my ignorance is my own reward .- She answers, taking another puff and blowing out the smoke .- The problem is that I'm still here, Dutch, I don't want to believe in fate, because if it turns out to be true, everything I have been believing and preaching can go to the trash just like that, done, gone forever....- ¿What kind of shit are these, Revy? ¿Dying to prove a point...? ¿Are you that scared of growing up or some shit? .- Dutch counterattacked, frowning slightly. He certainly knew that Revy was smart, but he never expected her to come up with this kind of rant to top it all off. And it's not like he's downplaying it or anything....- Please, don't disrespect me, idiot... That's something that crazy people like Chang and Rocky boy would do, not me, despite what I said before..- ¿Aren't you messing with me?.- Nope... I really needed the captain's opinion because of your lack of mincing words. You're probably dying for it to end, ¿right?.- Mmph.- It was arrogance, more than anything, a defense mechanism to not feel anything, I'm more useful this way, everyone understands that... .- She finally clarified, Revy could comment on it for herself about her own mental gears and decision making .- However, the fact that fate exists makes me stupidly think that there are some other things in life, even, no matter how mundane they may be... God knows that this nonsense will pass once I'm drinking and at work .- She says, subtly waving her hand, as if it were scaring away an insect. She takes another drag and the cigarette was about to perish... ¿Did she run out so quickly?.- There is no such thing like fate, Two hands. Fate is the decisions we make to deal with the consequences later, it is always like that... For better or worse, for rich and poor, for the strong and the weak. Maybe if you had asked me this when I was young, my answer would have been different... Hahaha - Dutch finishes with a noticeable relief, the chatter almost over. And a little happy, because Revy let him know about her insecurities in an almost discreet and non-obvious way. Two hands is not the same; It is impossible to be the same over the years, even when we fall into ignorance and arrogance then we believe that we are.Like a purchase of false happiness and consequences to deal with later...Revy comments at the end: Amen for that Dutch, amen for that... .- She proceeds to put the cigarette in the trash basket, getting up, approaching and finishing. The woman in arms decides to go out for some fresh air; She goes out and closes the door, leaving the poor captain wishing he had asked her for the damn cigarette, he already had the chair, you can't have it all in this life....- Damn it all...
Later, at night...
The Yellow Flag, over the years, capital of the goods, and many destructions, underwent such a massive remodeling that is now considered a tourist center for both the underworld beings and the livings, such as innocent or ignorant tourists who come visiting whether for illegal, recreational or family reasons; It was almost impossible that you had never heard of or mentioned the legendary bar. ¿How? Thanks to a power deal between Chang and Balalaika, with a little help from Rock's silver tongue; they redid the bar to a massive level, including hiring a well-trained guard staff and an area of its own for many more exotic dancers. It looked like one of those hotel bars, only completely open and fortified for the mob... Today it was somewhat lively with those incandescent neon lights, doing more with the nighttime atmosphere. Not to mention the stratospheric profits for mob bosses; good old Bao, without ever having left his position, was not far behind...You could barely differentiate the living dead from the truly living in a dizzying flow of dancing beings....- Tch... ¿Where is the spirit in all this luminescent shit, Bao? .- Spat out a revy, annoyed by this strange environment, the noise bothered her because it was not the typical one she was used to, no fights, no shots, no swearing or gambling... Only screams of people who were either very drugged, dancing or tending to their needs creating disputes at the bar.Over the years, Bao could also match Revy Two Hands's arrogance, partially only while sober; the money was good, but the bartender still acted like an angry forty man because he still had bills to pay. He was serving some customers while he heard a pitiful and resounding Revy .- Gosh for cry of loud, drink your bottle and go, Revy. This new beauty has a perfect streak of 9 months without altercations, the streak ain't gonna be broken even by your presence... .- The bartender stated bluntly, Bao was wearing a somewhat messy tuxedo that made him fit in with the place..- ¿¡So many years of friendship and you throw me out like I was a plague!? Damn, they say money changes people, ¿Huh? ¡You punk! .- Revy returns, somewhere between sober and drunk, she was not irritated because Bao wanted to kick her out, or because the crew had to leave earlier because there was a juicy job tomorrow; the time was 2:30 AM, she was irritated because her bottle was about to expire and she wasn't even 30% drunk as she usually is....- I gave you the first drinks for free because I was in a good mood, I expected you to leave and you didn't, now you owe me a bottle, Two hands..- Blah blah blah... .- She speaks in a mocking and bored tone, extending his head and back backwards on the back of the chair, his head upside down looking towards in the center of the bar, the dizzying flow of the crowd jumping and dancing, some guards kicking out some angry bastards, the neon lights and some tables with some unreadable people. Her eyes were narrowed in boredom.Then she turns back to the bottle and drinks the last of it, finishes it and then goes to the bartender who had just returned from other customers .- I don't understand for the good lord... ¿Was there a need for this, Bao? ¿Are you that fucking greedy?.- Stop shitting on me, seriously, a snake like you can't talk about morals....- Maybe I have destroyed the Yellow Flag a few times, ¿But you? You killed his spirit with all this... ¡Techno shit! .- Revy claimed, hitting the bar with both open palms. A vein was about to explode in Bao, he used all his holy patience not to call the security and kick Revy out of here, but of course, that would be playing along with her and letting her start a carnage freely, and worse, get away with an "accident"..- SIGH... .- That sigh let out all the accumulated frustration .- Revy, I can honestly understand that you don't like it, but you must understand that even a rotten city like this can transform into unexpected things. You're the only one whining about what was once this seedy bar, ¡now it's a high-end luxury seedy bar!.- Bullshits....- ¿Yeah? Poor of you... It bothers you that this neutral point, both for the living and the livings deads, is amplified for the better. Damn, even some stupid tourists think it's some kind of resort, ¿How can you complain so much about a past whim?.- It matched the entire city, now I can't even distinguish it... .- She says crestfallen, resting her elbows on the bar..- Even this rotten city must change at some point of time, Revy. I think it only bothers you that you are not dead to avoid seeing it... But in my opinion, everything is still just as crappy and shady as always, ¿The difference? There are more amenities for everyone, well... For those who at least have some money.That had to be just another cruel lie, a city like this doesn't change, it only seeks to blend in with the landscape and not draw attention from the outside; it knew that was true, because the rates of deaths, vagrants or missing people remained the same or even higher over the years. At some point, having so many tourists will be none good because someone may become unduly suspicious, that's when you send the scapegoat to do the dirty work for you... ¿Did Revy find remorse because corruption found ways to prosper through the blind eyes or was it just a little whim? She mostly took the second option, she herself was part of this corruption, but the pilars and convictions that supported her weakened over the years...Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing she didn't know, but it depended on who you asked... Whether a civilian or an employer..- I know you are not very religious, but at least be thankful cus' you are on the winning side....- Just someone delusional would think that there are winners in this abyss... Bao, ¿We just had a good time, right? .- Revy said, in a resting position, with his head lying on her forearms used as a pillow emulator. She told herself that she would frequent the bar less and spend time at the rip off church, and Eda was like the annoying little sister who wouldn't stop talking shit to you, but preferred that to remembering the vestiges of what the rustic bar was, Bao rolled his eyes..- Screw it, can't talk to you if you're in that mode... Besides, you should really go, Revy. Dutch told me that you had an important assignment tomorrow and it would be nice if your butt didn't last so long here....- That stupid ass fool... .- The angry woman grumbled..- It's 3:30 in the morning and all you been doing is sit here in a vain attempt to remember the past. I'm not kicking you out, but it would be appropriate for you to leave .- The man says subtly. Revy moves out of her previous position and frowns at the man. It's not that he wasn't right, but she resented being reminded of her job duties..- If you want I can give you an escort with one of the guards....- Nah, I'm more sober than drunk... Besides, I would like to have the excuse to have some action, you know, pull the trigger and free myself from my "ills."It was obvious that she would say something like that, but Bao thinks that he really got a lucky shot, the bar was much improved, but given the atmosphere, the clientele, the time and the alcohol, it was far from being perfect; there were still people fighting, few yes, but there guards and the fact is that they couldn't be everywhere, especially with so many people in between not wanting to cooperate. If a nearby fight broke out, there was a risk of involving Two hands and she, true to who her is, lighting the flame of carnage even more... Bao could not ask his clients to hand over their weapons or to they did not use for reasons of their own safety, so the only thing left was not to use them if the supposed service was extremely good... And it did not disappoint. Revy gets up from the chair..- Tell Dutch to fuck off me, I know how to handle my naps, Bao....- Of course, ¿With that temperament?.- Screw you, screw Dutch and above all; screw your shitty techno bar... Put that bottle on my account, you know I'll pay you, I don't know when but you know I always do it, you punk .- The woman clarified bluntly, walking towards the exit; the bar was on the 1st floor, while the exit was on the ground floor, so I had to force some people to move, since they were either too drugged, or had hearing loss from all this pollution to hear the loud "move out the way" from revyBao did not spare more money to some janitor or cleaning staff, he overlooked it and it was simply disgusting greed to have a little more money... One or the other was screwed either way, because he was the one who was leaving to be in charge of cleaning up the remains of what is left over, at least there would be no more corpses like in the previous yellow flap, but there would be a lot of vomiting, stains and maybe condoms; there are rooms for that, but taking into account that the debauchery was at its highest point in the early morning, some of them were clearly not going to put up with bothering the bathroom...Revy goes down the stairs and passes another crowd again, on the ground floor you could hear the rumblings from the 1st floor because of the bustling people upstairs... It was no joke that the infrastructure was also reinforced in case the floor failed .Revy walked and found the exit, she passed by and started walking again to his residence...
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
At Roanapur's hightway...
¿How many could dare to say that they had this kind of opportunity, benefit, VIP pass or whatever you want to call it? Not many, if we take into account how much someone else's reputation says so much. Not even those locals who had contacts or good relations with gangs from nearby blocks, dealers or feared hitmen, did not matter in the end; you must have been very affiliated with someone as well-known as Balalaika or Chang to act brave at this time of night.Logically, it is already dangerous enough in daylight, but people had to earn their way and make room for oppressive gangsters and corrupt police who did almost nothing for security... Everyone had an idea of the danger night for any small, medium or large merchant. It was a big, wide and lonely road to travel, with only the accompaniment of animalistic noises like dying cats or dogs, the occasional flying insect and of course... A few junkies doing their thing with crack and homeless people lying on the ground; it wasn't that they had no desire to live, but the cays of this abyss were like a sweet home, no one judged them and without the need to tolerate the mockery and contempt of people in the light of day.The only warmth for those below the bottom of the food chain was loneliness and silence... Or so it was assumed.Everyone could hear her steps, not to mention that they even felt her presence like food burning, and if it weren't for the very poor quality light poles they wouldn't have been able to see her, who doesn't worry about using her very well-crafted stealth. This wasn't a good badge for these poor lowlifes, ¿Why? Well, it was the equivalent of a bloodthirsty beast calmly passing by where the small herbivores...It was a relief that Revy just wanted to go home and ignore the rest of the world with hers grim gaze, but instinctively, they were alert and if god is good she would ignore them, of course she would...Letting off steam is good, but there was nothing to be gained by wasting shell casings on some dead weights; even if they try something, be it by wanting to hurt her, kill her or go too far with her exuberant body, actions already mentioned that are impossible, Two hands would only put them to sleep with a good beating, none of these little shits were worth the use of their berettas.Maybe in the past, when she just needed an excuse to unleash his anger and relieve stress, just a small excuse, that one of them would try to get close to her and she would kill everyone for at least the next two blocks or whatever was left of the way. No one would care or shed tears for these losers; perhaps people even thanked her for doing a non-involuntary public service, except for the police and cleaners who were supposed to dispose of the bodies...At least his patience increased by 10% over time, years. Revy seemed not to be alert and was unaware of her surroundings, as indicated by her semi-downcast countenance; a serious mistake for any fool who believed that she really wasn't aware, hers mind could be on Mars, but the senses were on the lookout like razor sharps... Obviously no one wanted to test that and she didn't want to take care of garbage that hadn't even been showered for who knows how long.The dark night was cold and melancholy without highlighting it. She couldn't wait to get home; A residential complex of medium-low quality buildings, it was well away from the noise and pests of the hoods, and as far as she knew it was not some property that some gangster controlled or nearby gangs... Strange.She heard almost exaggerated and comical rumors that the complex was haunted by people who had constantly committed suicide there... The suicide part wasn't rumors, because she discovered firsthand that every few months some unlucky being would jump from the roof of the tallest building, one that passed the 12 floor. It's not that she would do anything about those people... Just would rather have found out another way and like Roanapur it never disappoints; Two hands had to witness how a child, with an ugly appearance and dirty rags, jumped into the concrete void and left a stain scattered on it.She estimate that he was not even over 10 years old. ¿Why? ¿Why was it that just as she opened the handle of his door, after unlocking it with the key, she had to turn his head at the scream of a fucking hysterical woman and then see the child? At the precise moment when his feet gained momentum and took off into the air, everything from beginning to end... It was a good distance because it wasn't in her building but in the other, the scandalous woman was in panic, petrified by this witness, but on top of that some of the infant's remains were on his clothes and face. It didn't take long for the neighbors and the guard at the joint entrance to the sliding gate to arrive like moths towards the light...Revy hates remembering that, because she didn't need to mentally feel sorry for that lost cause of a brat, he didn't have enough strength to survive his problems or lord's luck... She sense that maybe he had been through something terrible, the wrong people, the wrong scum. People have a high price on the black market, and for the most suitable sick freaks, they would be willing to pay millions to have children or even babies in their hands... Unfortunately.She had no reason to imply that as had many variables as to why someone ends his own life, but she could notice it, or it was not sure about it to be honest as squinted her eyes to see better, she saw at the moment of the jump and until the end that the boy had a small smile... And tears. That wasn't really a death, it was his longed-for release to see the beautiful pristine white, far from the abyss.Hers pity was not required, because that brat had an internal strength to carry out such a barbaric and crazy thing... Two hands had the strength to want to live and continue with his violent life, the boy had the strength to die and hope for something better in his next afterlife or some paradise imagined by someone.Both identified by equal conditions, suffering and having nothing at a very young age, being spat, brokens upon by the world... If both had met, ¿Would the child judge Revy for being who she is or would he applaud it? Who knows.Revy was very close to arriving at the complex, just a couple of blocks away from the road and passing through the hoods.This "home" was not perfect, the water and gas were a big piece of shit that was missing from time to time, little maintenance, however there was electricity and the costs for all bills were low, apart from some protection by having one or 2 guards who guard the entrance plus the gate. She had lived there for almost 3 years, free of problems or silly assaults.She was eager to get to her apartment, take a fresh shower and jerk off for a while, a good fuck is not something that had been in her routine or pass time's way for years, although having such a dominant character, she managed to attract attention of some lonely lesbians and mess with them to burn off the desire and lust. The men didn't shy away from her, but by looking somewhat tomboyish she made them retreat and therefore not enter into conversation, possibly due to her middle muscled arms; Revy's massive and strong legs along with her curvy hips attracted one or another brave man, however her powerful arms added to her reputation and character killed any idea...Of course, she concluded that no cock or girl could match her own fingers....- ¿Huh?She continued walking and her gloomy expression changed to one of curiosity as raised an eyebrow. Passing the last block, around the corner there was a small building, or rather; there were lights on the ground floor. She walked until found it, when had the complete picture saw that it was a warehouse type premises, with some fruits placed in baskets on tables, near the door of the premises. There was no one inside, and on one of the windows it said in a small sign "open." She saw a relatively young man, in flip-flops and beach shorts, plus a sweater and hat for the cold, sitting in a small wooden chair, looking years old as the wood was corroded and peeling....- ¿What the hell... ? .- Whispered to herself. Made up a point of what she was believing or speculating, maybe ot couldn't assimilate something so stupid.The young man's gaze fell on the woman who had approached him, she being about 2 or 3 meters away. He had to hold back a yawn, and the circles under his eyes showed a total lack of sleep; he felt that as a good merchant that would detract from some points with any client of any kind..- Good evening, madam, ¿Can I offer you something? .- The young man articulated politely, blinking a couple of times to check the potential client carefully..- Pfff, common sense maybe, ¿Won't you deal with that, you lil fool? .- She answered and asked at the same time in a perceptive manner.Disbelief was in the cold air contagiously, as much as both of them, the only ones who dwelt in the street abyss. Hence Revy's uncertainty, ¿What was this guy doing? ¿Was him some goofy tourist who decided to start his little business here? Oh lord, of all the cities..- Uuuh... Excuse me, madam, but I don't understand you....- Cut the shit already. You know what I'm talking about, either you're someone very new or you just don't have a brain .- Revy asserted cynically, she typically didn't mind being rude regardless of whether you were unknown or not. This guy seemed to be earning it. It's not her concern, of course not, but she got involved out of mere curiosity and for literally don't give a dam.The man had already blinked enough and narrowed her sleepy eyes, she was a little far from the light of the store to see her well, but visible. He didn't believe it was real, he had heard the stories, nonsense and atrocities about a certain crew, more specifically a very interesting and unusual transport and delivery company... He didn't believe it because it sounded like ravings, and yet here she was, a legend made flesh and blood, incarnated as the death and final fate of many other souls of the abyss; Two hands.She didn't lack imposingness, it was just that he imagined her to be taller, scarred, with litte hair and less exuberant. Revy Two Hands turned out to be too exaggerated in the stories of scared citizens, thugs and some other low-level gangsters, with the little hint of her being really for sure....- Forgive me, but I swear I do not understand you, madam. If you come to buy perfect, if no you could please leave .- He decorously answered without any sign of losing his cool. An expressionless face that denoted only tiredness..- ¿Hah? .- She almost laughed. Revy tilted her neck sinisterly and noticeably to the left like a canine that doesn't understand the situation, apart from now having one eye half-closed and the other one more open than opposite of hers. It wasn't obviously a good hunch. Frustration and anger increased, but not more than she would allow... Oh lord, she was as close to her home to hear these bad jokes.¿This ass bastard was messing with Two hands? Neither of them was in her right mind or better composure; the sleepy salesman and the woman wanting to leave....- SIGH... Oh haha .- Revy expressed in comical sarcasm .- Ok pal, my faul... The thing is that since you seem despicably ignorant, I'll explain it to you: ¿What is a small, shitty merchant doing at this hour of the night? Is already early morning, and only high-caliber businesses like Yellow Flag are working, while the others are not for... Obvious reasons .- She explains in detail with her deadly smile and an "oops" gesture with her gloved hands exposed, similar to a hyena. She would play cynicism with this nonsense and would choose to reduce her anger in fits and starts.The man finally understood the reason for her bad and rude attitude; it wasn't that was picking on him out of nowhere, no, not at all. The foul-mouthed Two hands just wanted to make him see, more specifically point out, in his own way of expressing, an important point. A good reasoning that wasn't even out of place because this deserved it, even though it wasn't even his business... Sooner or later it would come to that..- ¿Now you get it, faggo...? Jesus Christ, you must definitely be one of the new's here. Not even a kid would be caught lacking like this. And I don't think you have any kind of immunity or contacts for your benefit either. You're an easy target for any bastard, no one sells that late....- ....- ...2 quick minutes passed to ponder what to say to Two hands and her well-articulated explanation. He could fight hard with sleep and fatigue, and still allow himself to do his shift as if he were a self-programmed machine, discipline and years imprinted that on his brain. But he wasn't forced to explain himself to thugs, gangsters and street psychotics, not that he was implying that Revy was one, he didn't care. It's just that he never ever imagined being in this position; being interrogated by an death's angel. ¿Good luck? ¿Bad luck?He settled a little in his chair and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs, directing his full attention to Revy. For the first time he did not want to persuade or negotiate with a client whom he knows for years, ¿Since he started perhaps? He wanted to dispel his doubts, leave things alone and back to mind his own bidness..- SIGH ... I understand what you said me, madam, in truth, my common sense and other sense are in the corresponding place..- Aaaw don't tell me .- She shout in mockery..- Actually. I understand his concern about my... Supposed stupidity. But I repeat, I know the dangers and risks at night, I am not as new to this devil's city as you think. It's my decision for my own reasons and... To be fair, here between us you neither care nor do it concern you .- The salesman clarified wearily and almost yawning, his well-articulated plethora alluding to when a child got into trouble in the school and tried to reason with the director, one of those who make life in squares for every possible student...Revy crossed her arms with an even lighter expression, but still intelligible and not decipherable for this transmitter in front..- ....- ....- ....- ...To say that this was uncomfortable was an understatement, very understated for the salesman's misfortune; ¿Had he pissed her off? ¿Disrespecting her in some non-direct way? ¿Was she debating whether to open a new asshole in the forehead? Oh lord, he din't believe the story that all gangsters were as ruthless as in Hollywood movies, at least not for small things; it's a shame that he had a very peculiar person in front of him. If it weren't for sleep brutally calming his eyelids, they would be wide open in uncertainty...In a moment of mistaken vividness, his eyes strayed for a nanosecond to her shapely hips and legs of power. It was the worst 5 minutes of his life, silent and not knowing what the hell to expect for whatever this was.Revy inhales and gives a very audible exhale as she closes her eyes, almost certain that seems to be carrying an expression somewhere between disappointment and arrogance. ¿What was it due to? it he had simply clarified the facts without any desire to play the smartass... No, he couldn't play the smartass when were in the den of the wolf; she realized that he was possibly a little nervous about her intrusion. She snickers to herself, ¿When wasn't everyone...?In reality, it is an old sense of pride and arrogance that his name would have earned her some respect, notoriety and recognition in the underworld. In her adolescence, building a reputation from scratch filled her with great satisfaction among the gangs and those who wanted to use her services for common businesses, while innocent citizens, who, although they heard about her, thanks to one or another media of communication, they prayed and hope for never come across a being as mean and volatile as a very youthful Two hands would be...Got so used to it that she no longer found grace or pleasure in it, at present she didn't believe it was so valuable, foolishly all the young people wanted to get attention in some way, to be noticed, to have the best grades, to be the best in the playfield, having a nice car, being the high school's queen bee... Rebecca Lee could only count bullets and money to survive, a philosophy of life, a mantra taken to the next level, she would never forget that nor have the chance to properly regret.All his sins most likely gonna outlive her, like a warm friendship.It's not that she despised what forged hard in the past, it wouldn't make sense now or ever, not when in this life, let alone line of work, you don't believe in fate, ¿Right?Subsequently, Revy takes a few steps as approaches, slowly, really from the perspective of the hopeless salesman he seemed to see everything in slow motion as if it were a disgusting movie, but even he did not flinch, his eyelids opened a little more in alert. What he said definitely didn't resonate well with her and may go execute now. Now that she was in the clarity of the local lights, he could see all of her; she looked bigger up close and she was just over 5.5 feet tall. She had the slightly scarred arms of an MMA girl, not so enlarged, he assumed that did not consume anabolics, but what stood out the most were those amazing and lean legs, with battle scars... And the face, ¿How is it that someone with such good features can keep his good complexion in a place like this? ¿Witchcraft?For an liveng dead, she looked pretty alive. Another emotion welled up inside he, ¿What was that? ¿Terror or admiration, how were you able to admire death in person?No, none of the above. It was about grief; he noted it with his slightly saddened brow, if this were another world, with other circumstances, opportunities, Rebecca Lee would have had something very different in her life, something full of light and value... Two hands should never have been born, In a better world. The lord works in very mysterious ways, and we believe we can touch our fate at will.It's accurate to say that he was nowhere near shitting bricks or pissing himself. Everything was so surreal... Revy walks more and closes the distance. To his surprise or misfortune, he closed his eyes tightly as if in preparation for what would come next. Nothing. The steps were taken to one side, she passed him by the side towards where the entrance of the establishment was located, and when he stopped hearing the characteristic walking, he turned around where she was, near the door... ¿What hell just happened?.- Well, considering that your deaf ass ain't gonna last long to much, gotta take a look at what shit you sell in this pigsty. Be grateful, punk .- She told him sarcastically, entering the store. You ask for lemons and it will rain apples, this was a result a little better than expected, if not the best, even so she kept making him a little uncomfortable, ¿Is it rude to compare her to a time bomb? It was the least realistically...He quickly gets up from her chair and follows her past the double door, these had little bells on the frame above, to announce any client, or person, who entered there.The woman didn't know exactly what she was seeing here, an ordinary warehouse like any other, but with a somewhat strange theme... Many different and varied types of items in different kinds of conditions. There was a counter, behind it a three-tier shelf with some different products, from clothes to weapons in unknown condition....- Mmmm... .- She continued observing, noticing that it was a 5x7 space, well organized. Not only there are products for adults or young people, on the floating shelves on the right wall there were some toys for children, plastic dolls and action figures, and... Some kind of books, looked likes comics because of the cover, but the designs did not imply nothing american, some were in black and white. She didn't understand the letters.Some kind of Asian language that wouldn't even bother to guess... Benny or Rocky Boy would love that shit to kill time, she thought comically.On the left wall she saw decorative products, eating utensils, tools for mechanical work, a few small appliances, lamps, spare parts, old vinyl records and albums by bands like Motorhead, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Starship, AC/DC, Oasis, Erasure, R.E.M. There were few solo artists, Elton John, Eminem, MJ and other unknown rappers.Revy was still formulating conjectures in her mind that what this really was, it functioned more like a big store than a common warehouse; a small winemaker would like to have even as much material as here to resell at ridiculous prices. The thing that caught hers attention the most were those 2 motorcycles that were well chained to the floor but stuck out like a sore thumb, in the center of the entire store five steps in front of the counter: a KTM Duke 620 and an MV Agusta F4...Both obviously required a new coat of paint, and perhaps a couple of modifications for the goals that Two hands had in mind.Totally unfair to have 2 beasts like these chained and in terrible conditions...After finishing that involuntary check, still hadn't been able to come up with an adequate description for the type of cellar, garage, warehouse or whatever is identifiable for this site. In fact, the place didn't even have a name, but have it a little bit of everything. Dutch and Benny would probably appreciate having a place like this close to the office, Rock was a bit uncertain because she only saw him buying the basic things for his home and wouldn't believe him be so liberal with money.Revy looked out of the corner of her eye at a clock that was in the corner, this one reading 3:20 AM. Of course she wasted the time and curiosity, not so bad in hers opinion, since the tomorrod job would be a classic bullshit of picking up merchandise and leaving with nothing else, there wasn't much excitement in it.The man was standing with his arms crossed behind her, which she noticed; he turned out to be a man about 15 centimeters taller, corpulent and weighing around 80 kg. She couldn't figure out what kind of build he had due to his cold weather clothes, only noticing his calves, regular like those of some other average guy. ¿Where in the world did he come from? Didn't seem like your typical U.S. white boy, he had some unkept facial hair...It was the last straw, he had to tolerate being judged outside, now he had to tolerate having his business judged... He repeated over and over again that this was the best possible result; gangsters and underworld people don't know, nor do they care, anything about the dignity of the average citizen, unless you had something to offer them, a status or the kind of good treatment.It only took a vague three minutes for Two hands to decide what was going to take. She turned to the man..- Give me a couple of cigarettes .- She demands monotonously..- Please excuse me, but I don't sell those types of products here....- ....- ...Revy grabs the salesman by the collar of his sweater and brings him closer to her face, she was angry and he was not able to keep his gaze..- You have everything in this strange little store, ¿¡And you spit shit at me saying you don't have some measly cigarettes!? .- She pressed him in disbelief and incredibly disappointed. The expectations of ending this well were collapsing piece by piece. At least the salesman didn't want to be trampled on, so he removes the hand and keeps the distance between them. What a shame, a gangster made him blush apart from almost breaking out in a cold sweat..- Again, I don't sell those here, but if you want it you may choose anything else. If the problem is the cost, I guarantee that all here is super economical, with a 2-week money-back guarantee .- The salesman unraveled in an almost robotic, emotionless way; usually, being friendly and well-spoken earned him points with any client. Not here, it doesn't work for everyone..- ¡Ow bite me! I asked you for something as simple and well-known as a cigarette, and you don't have it, why would I... .- She stopped the sentence short when something not crazy occurred to clash his mind, she briefly glanced out of the corner of her eye at one of the motorcycles .- Hey you punk, tell me what condition those 2 motorcycles are in .- She asked..- The aesthetics are the only questionable thing they have, they need a good paint, but beyond that they are in perfect condition to handle long distances .- The man hummed even as an automaton, a small drop of sweat ran down his forehead, there was no air conditioning in the store's inside and was nervous..- ¿Yeah? ¿Or aren't you telling me that to get rid of me as quickly as possible, huh fool?.- ....- Hahahaha ... For your ass's sake I hope so not, don't want this smooth skin of mine to get more bruises and scrapes than it already has, ¿Right? .- Comments a sarcastic Revy and with her characteristic smile from ear to ear..- Huh... I don't like my clients threatening me, is bad for the business and subsequent relationships .- The salesman says worriedly, this time being genuine in this and demonstrating the importance of rapport with the client. ¿Could he handle something like this...? He wasn't a thug or a gangster wannabe to even believe himself carrying on a conversation with a living dead but...Sooner or later it would explode in his face....- Ins't it a threat, just an insinuation... ¿What? ¿Don't you have a humor's sense or something?.- Only when the joke is good....-....-....-...Revy blinked three times in disbelief, this whippersnapper knew how to play his cards well, not taking risks when it was convenient for him. Realized that this guy was scared of her the whole time, she wasn't going to kill him, it didn't even cross her mind beyond answering questions... She would ignore that silly little response, anything to make this guy feel calmer, to be able to operate well..- Tch, just give me the price of the Duke 620 and I'll get out of here... .- She finally said. The man's heart rate returned to normal instantly..- $2500She proceeds to take out 2 wads of 100 bills, and she throws them in his face, she would have hit right if weren't for the fact that the man had good reflexes. He catches them and quickly counts them with surgical precision. He finished and gave Revy a thumbs up, had made sure it was complete, no more, no less. He proceeds to look for the chain lugs, moving behind the counter, and taking a small combination box from one of the floating shelves, he unlocks it with a key that he took out of his pocket; get out the key's chains.He goes towards the motorcycles, and begins to slowly unlock the chain system, Two hands watches him while he does that, arms crossed and thinking....- ¿Are you new here in roanapur? I had never seen you or your cellar .- She asks with complete seriousness .- Tells you someone that made this abyss his home for a long time..- No, I have been living in this city for 2 and a half years. Possibly you didn't notice me because I live in the northwest district, almost on the outskirts. But I know enough about the scumbags here and the citizens..- ¿Uh huh? .- She issued, raising an eyebrow..- Yes, there is not that much of a mortality rate in that sector, and it seemed temporarily safe. The problems and disturbances were always in other areas, depise that we weren't ignorant of them .- The man says with a small smile..- ¿Until...?.- The problems caught up with me. There was an outbreak of mortality, some gangs moved in and trouble followed them .- He now has a frown on his face .- They weren't really mob bosses, just wannabe gangsters wanting to make a lot of noise among themselves....- Yeah, cockroaches generally want to be respected in some way; ¿And what better way than killing each other?.- Many died in the crossfire, without mentioning the daylight robberies. The straw that broke the camel's back was seeing me involved; a bloodied thug arrived at the local, looking for shelter to hide from his pursuers and...The salesman paused a little, ¿Wasn't this the same thing? ¿Get involved again with a being that moves in this underworld? But she wanted him to continue with the story, it wasn't fair to leave it cut off..- ¿And...?.- I granted it to him, I hid him for a couple of hours in the store and I offered a couple of gauze and bandages for it... I thought was doing something common and harmless .- The man continues now with some nostalgia, remembering the how attended to and cleaned the wounds, the blood also ran down his clothes. A risky gesture of altruism that could perhaps cost him later, because he didn't have the guts to put himself first and let him die like the street rat that he was... ¿What if he really wasn't a bad person? .- He left and I never knew what happened next, I don't know if he is alive or dead, it doesn't matter..- If it didn't matter, you wouldn't have offered your pious hand, which you did, what a moron move... .- Reproached him Two hands, emphasizing that this was a totally wrong action, someone from the underworld now does recognized perfectly and is easily identifiable even if tries to hide it. Information spreads like starving bugs that detect a good amount of food .- Keep talking....- You're right. I didn't want any more encounters like that in my life or in the store, there is no camaraderie or honor among the inhabitants here, it's not like that guy owed me anything, maybe I could meet him again and this time he would kill me, much to my misfortune... .- He reasons obviously. It was almost done with the motorcycle chains .- I decided to move towards this district, it is not better than the previous one, but at least there is less violence, it may be due to the bosses and their control over everything... One of these days I saw an asian man with glasses passing by with 2 guards on his shoulders, I wondered if he was someone important..- Mr. Chang is the name, he is the current head of the triads, the Chinese mob. Jeez... You had a big shot right under your nose and you didn't recognize him .- Revy clarifies, surprised, the majority who heard about Mr. Chang understood that it meant a real deal, and depending on which side of the story you were on, you could continue with your life or sign your death certificate. The salesman finished unlocking the security chains, the only thing missing was the vehicle key, which fortunately for both of them, he had in one of his pockets and handed it to her..- ¿How long have you been in the area?.- About five months. It is quite recent that i started with the unveiling of the work .- He answers, as they both walked out of the store, Revy directing the motorcycle by the handlebars, passing through a ramp instead of the stairs for easy transportation of the vehicle .- That's probably why you didn't realize....- Yes, I don't look at the grocery stores in daylight unless I need something to supply myself .- The conversation continues, with the keys handed over, it is inserted into the vehicle's starter cylinder, she presses the start button and press the starter lever about 2 times until you hear the nice purr of the engine. It's a shame for those who were asleep, sure the sound was like a bucket of cold water...Two hands was pleased with the purchase, quite a bit, but his face being a poem did not show it, she was still neutral... Look at the salesman..- I guess thanks .- She said out of nowhere .- But understand something, isn't my business nor do I care, but you're really playing suicide with these shitty night shifts. You seem to appreciate your life, ¿Don't think it's weird to do this? You don't have any immunity as far I know of....- That is correct, madam. I don't have it. I happen to have my own reasons for... Doing it. I'll just tell you that .- He answers, completely calm and even with a small smile. ¿It was making obvious that this son of a bitch was happy for the Big Two hands is leave? ¿Was he glad he survived her and handled this like a champ? She couldn't decide which one it was..- SIGH... It's your funeral, winery man, for Christ on crack. I tell you what... I'll make a little bet with you, if you manage to stay alive for the next five months I'll buy you a few drinks at the Yellow Flag, all on me, ¿whatda ya think? .- Proposed Two hands with his best arrogant smile; there were two possible outcomes, the man would be killed by his stupidity and she would forget about this little game or, much less likely, she would pay for the drinks at the bar...Although didn't mind that last bit, not when she had decent purchasing power that accumulated over several years from some Balalaika and Chang tips. Abstinence is a double-edged sword, but when you master it is a blessing. Two hands was not rich like some boss, but knew how to manage the greens well, she accumulated a small secret fortune..- I think I should decline the bet... I'm not really a drinker .- He reject with an "I'm ok" gesture with the hand. And again that's when is felt like a ant about to be crushed by the jaws of some predator. Revy didn't miss her little smile, but her eyebrow furrowed to the point of not distinguishing whether she was furious or not because of her refusal. Here we go again...She had squeezed the handlebars of the bike pretty hard with an iron grip, and it was better to do that for his own good, because otherwise she would finish off this hopeless fool right now, emptying all the mags and hiting the battered body made of shrapnel... ¿Did hear right or was trippin balls badly?.- Cut it out be a goddamn sissy, please... I even offered to pay. ¡Now you're the one who's rude, and to a client! .- She reprimanded him in disbelief and very frustrated. At least she wouldn't remember this when she's at work..- Never good to get too involved with clients, ¿What kind of seller would i be? .- He repelled, still a little scared. Although she was right, is also not polite to reject a act of good will from someone, even if she was someone with a good pile of corpses on her and little respect for life. ¿He wasn't innocently judging her or was he? He didn't know the whole story, not like the rest of the majority who knew her and she had a lasting bond, not that he sought to interfere in that. Revy's only impression was the rumors and the little encounter today; a vile woman who only kills for money... A being that would be better for the rest of the world to disappear.It was so sad and pitiful, but she was giving him the opportunity to chat foolishly over drinks, an opportunity to perhaps understand and get to know the character behind Revy Two Hands, to unravel the legend, the murder angel... Don't deny the benefit of the doubt to anyone..- Just a couple of beers, just that... .- He agreed in defeat. Her face lightened again as well as the atmosphere, a burden was lifted from him, again... .- I don't see what you gain with this bet, honestly apart from messing with me..- If you die, I can easily acquire this place and then resell all this wholesale on the black market, you punk... ¡So count your blessings if you don't wanna that happen! .- She commented radiantly, giving him a good slap on the back that almost threw him off balance, ¿Was it a slap or the paw of a bear? Revy was preparing to start the vehicle once and for all .- Well, now that everything is ready and done, there is one small detail missing, your name; ¿What is it? And don't worry you stupid lil sissy soul, I'm not a snitching rat, nor will I mention your name to anyone who could harm you... Say it..- ....- ....- Roov, the name is Roov... A pleasure madam .- He showed up at the end of everything, ¿If it had been at the beginning would all this have been simpler? No way to know, in fact, Two hands would not even pay attention to it and would ask him again in the end, it wouldn't be correct to believe it because would be throwing out guesses. Roov extends his hand to shake in a good, friendly shake. She gave her hand a quick slap again, leaving it somewhat red; she had so much strength and she didn't take it seriously....- Stop bullshiting me with the madam shit. I'm not a fucking granny like Balalaika, ¿¡Ok!? Revy or Two hands is enough, remember that .- The woman declared in a piss off mood, comically .- Then Mr. Roov, may the best one win. ¡Keep all that merchandise clean because it's sure to be mine! .- Said as started and walked away arrogantly, losing himself in the darkness of the abyss in her vehicle acquisition.¡¡VROOOOOOM!!.- Gosh... What a crazyness.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
A little later in Roanapur...
Depending on who you ask, regardless of their alignment, time could be your friend or enemy; so many things to do and so many to undo in order to achieve that a non-existent goal and idea. Some succeeded, others not, some played for the fair norms of society, others not, since they broke the patterns and schemes to make their own rules, a secret society far from the flower garden; one that used the method of violence as a philosophy and way of life, without caring about the circumstances of why and how they ended up like this, it was pitiful to ask them and even feel sorry for them.They didn't think they deserved it, not at least by the rules of their beloved society, the rules of the flower garden... Not when you were too deep at a certain point.But they were still human, no matter how much they want to run and ignore that fact because of the war's fire, the scars and the pain. You could hate someone's guts, of course, ¿But how far would you be able to judge them...? Suddenly because you are in a better position, ¿You had every right to condemn those who never had education, kindness or any better opportunity from this world? Doubtfully no one is or would be stronger than the emotion of hate...Hate a person, ¿But hate a scumbag? ¿To a cancer of society who attacks your neighbors, friends and loved ones? Generally, it isn't something to think twice about, there are even those who are happy that these vermin exist to unleash their negativity and resentments of the past against them... The perfect punching bags, if you trespass on someone's freedom, logically the action would be a punishment instead of asking and understanding why.If the majority of people had an idea of what Roanapur really was, the problems that got unleashed at the government level would be terrible... Not because the mobs can be cleaned up, but because some governments, people who were in power and dirty politicians were related not directly, but through contacts. So turning a blind eye was very typical...Bribing a liar is always easy, and even more when it is someone who is in the elite... Alcohol, women, drugs, money and debauchery, a lot of debauchery.The salesman wondered if he really wouldn't helped that injured thug in his store, ¿Would that also be a good deed? He should never have gotten involved so deliberately, he didn't want to get involved with anyone in this dump of a city beyond running his business in peace on the free market...He was never one to believe in karma but he was religious, with a minimal belief in fate... Just as God grants, God takes away and punishes. But the beings of Roanapur had a strange inclination to challenge God and get away with it, especially those with power.Maybe, and just maybe, just like the kingdom of the afterlife, the mundane kingdom also needed a hell to segregate those who had been denied the right to the flower garden, the unsympathetic, the living dead, with a fondness for deadly dances. It wasn't possible...God was pitying them and at the same time pleasing them by giving it this place. Roov thought of comparing it to a purgatory, which was illogical, no one here sought purification to achieve eternal divine glory. There were even those who used the God's image for the purpose of carrying and receiving illegal products, making use of God's house in the process...He thought in disgust what the rip off church was doing. But the idea of a corrupt nun was funny to him... The clients who used to come to him had their own ways of telling stories, a good way to get information. Some very unlikely; a woman with a burned face addicted to villainy, a ruthless Italian boss with braces, a low-profile but dangerous Colombian cartel and finally, of whom he already had a glimpse before, the asian mobs triads and their boss, who seemed to be the friendliest and most sensible of those mentioned above, Mr. Chang. For a gangster he gave off vibes of being the cool drunk uncle, with impeccable swag.That was just the exterior, it sounds stupid to be the leader of such a large criminal organization just by dressing well and being carefree. Roov had it crystal clear... One of these days; Chang and his entourage of guards were walking along the opposite sidewalk with an obviously unknown destination. At that instant of time, the head of the triads occurred to look to the left in the direction of the store out of mere reflex.Their eyes connected like electrical cables making a short circuit; even when Roov was behind the store's glass, the mere sight of Chang gave him a horrible feeling of aversion, like the bite of a spider. Nothing compared to Revy's event from several days ago...If Two hands could be able to impose with her presence, Chang would simply crush you with his, without the need for bad words, the emission of emotions or threats... ¿How was that possible? Be so silent till your intentions speak for you. It wasn't even a meeting, just a glance that lasted 2 seconds and then he continued on his way as if nothing had happened.He wished could forget him, no, he begged to forget him. There have been no very violent altercations these days, only a few robberies on passers-by that go unnoticed a few blocks from the store... That a big shot from the mob was passing through these streets cannot be see it as a good omen, ¿Something was cooking for the future? He didn't want to know either, let alone get involved. He thought about buying a weapon and reinforcing the entrance and windows of the local just for security...Moving to another district would be very complicated, few resources for transportation, not to mention how long it would take to carry it out, in addition to who he was taking care of...Weapons scared him but he was not reluctant to use them, avoiding seeing them as objects of destruction is the key, but rather as tools to safeguard himself. He hasn't had time to pray properly since he moved here, which both worried him and didn't; because even the bad guys pray that his plans don't get messed up...No, he couldn't see it that way, couldn't shake his religion, he could trample on his dignity, but not that at least. Nihilism was one of the most dangerous weapons of human beings besides misanthropy. But no matter how much time passed, the fact that he allowed himself to fall into that thought became recurrent in this city abandoned by god, he didn't fight it despite still rejecting it and keeping it at bay. Almost as if he no longer had ways or arguments to fight it.Time passed unconsciously for everyone. For some slow and some fast, people came and went as well as their souls, in some nearby areas the mortality rate increased and decreased, but for short periods over the months... Curiously, the Lagoon crew hadn't been involved, for now. The action called to them from the jobs.In hers free time, and if she remembered, Two Hands would check the guy's place out of the corner of his eye as she passed through the roads on his motorcycle. He was still there, whole and without any missing pieces, in fact, she noticed that the outside glass and the doors seemed reinforced... ¿Was Roov taking the drinks seriously or could he also forget? She really believed that he would die from playing the fool, which hadn't happened yet, or that he would at least have forgotten the drinks. Not her, unfortunately...She wasn't so cheating and disloyal to not fulfill something promised, it's just that when things don't go the way she wanted it sucked and it made her reluctantly comply... The experience spoke for itself; the living only bet when they had the chance to win, ¿What was the fun in that? Those who professed and lived from violence gambled whenever they fucking wanted.¿Isn't that what being powerful and secure was about? ¿That everyone knows and doesn't mess with you...? Chang and Balalaika professed that, but they may have disagreed with that thinking, and maybe Dutch and Rock did too. Out of wisdom they saw things from another perspective that Revy was trying to decipher, but not for long...She wouldn't waste gray matter on someone else's POV's, not when could always simplify everything and make a choice, whether it was life or death at work or small nonsense.After all, the bullet is god, the bullet rules; that's how it always was, free without needing to believe in fate... ¿Right?Revy told Benny and Rockt to make her a quick favor, buy something from a certain store of which she specified the location and the way. Gave them a rubbish excuse on why she didn't do it by her own, and like good comrades they swallowed it without a complaint, it wasn't a big deal. This was a mini information gathering tactic, precise and not direct, and even cheap. She gave them the money of course and told them what wanted from the winery, some fresh apples...After a while, they returned with the requested message; a transparent bag with about five apples. She grabs the bag and then focuses hers attention on them... They also brought something for themselves, one of those books with the Asian language that couldn't decipher..- Well, ¿What did you guys think...? .- She asks with a dry expression .- ¿Didn't got lost or fool around on the way?.- Nah, we went fast in the car. ¿And what do you mean by what we thought? .- Benny answers and asks at the same time, smoking a cigarette. He had changed the red Hawaii-themed t-shirt for a green one, square glasses and besides, he had cut his hair; Jane let him know that he looked sexier and more attractive that way, so he continued to maintain that style.Dutch and Rock changed but very little in the intervals. Dutch accumulated noticeable gray hair and Rocky boy had a good beard that was not so noticeable. Apart from reducing his tobacco consumption, he looked more alive than ever....- I mean the winery, ¿What you guys think? .- Revy pointed out, eating a good piece of apple .- Weird, ¿isn't it? It looks more like a messy warehouse than a regular store..- Ah, that. It's beneficial to have something with a little bit of everything around it. ¡I was even able to buy a manga! .- Rocky says relieved, showing the book that he brought in the separate bag. The cover of the book had a young girl with a melancholic face, beautiful and enlarged eyes, on her cheeks she seemed to have a kind of makeup that simulated gray lines, her arms seemed to be cybernetic and the title, which not even the slightest idea of which meant: "GUNNM".- ¿A what for what?.- Manga, Revy. They are similar to American comics but Japanese, there are other Korean and Chinese ones. But I think the most iconic are those from Japan... It's like going to another world .- Rocky explains, taking a seat in front and starting to read. Benny proceeded with the same action, taking a seat with the furniture on the right.His manga was something curious, on the cover there was a smiling teenage girl, blonde with long pigtails and a sailor suit, gloves and characteristic boots. This title was understandable to others: "SAILOR MOON".- Mmmm... ¿Just that and nothing else? ¿Didn't talk to the seller...? .- Revy asked moving to the apple, was not getting the answers she wanted from these pair of fools. ¿Should have sent Dutch? It could turn out the same because she wasn't really very specific, but it bothered her to have to doubt their prospective ability .- I think the place and the guy don't have much time cus' i had never seen them before..- ¿Oh, really? .- Benny asks..- Yup....- If that is the case, then he knows how to manage quite well in the environment, he was very kind and attentive when assisting us .- Adds Rock to the conversation, impassive and imperturbable, reading his book with emotion. This brought back memories of his teen years, reading mangas on his break from his part-time job. He hasn't read a book that had all the collected volumes complete. Benny was a little newer, since he read more online, but he quickly got used to the corporeal and in a legal way....- I imagined that he would have some problems..- ¿Why you said so? .- Rock asks turning a page..- That guy is suicidal. He works at dawn when there is not soul in the path. I found him a few weeks ago .- She revealed that precarious detail, no more than necessary so that Rock and Benny wouldn't make a clip on it because she really sent them there in the first place .- I imagine that by now he would already be thinking in moving his ass to another place or changing the work shifts..- Those who don't bathe in violence may also be desperate for some money, Two hands .- Dutch intervened in his usual recliner, he had just fixed the Black Lagoon a while ago, so he would spend the rest of the afternoon relaxed in the office barracks with the crew .- ¿Who knows? There can be many reasons why someone is desperate for money. Maybe he owes the wrong people and they are nipping at his neck..- He looks too calm and articulate for the street rats be nipping down his neck, Dutch... When someone owes money, you can see it from their eyes to their soul. I know 'bout that .- She contradicts unconvinced, the possibility had crossed her mind, it was not ruled out but she did ignore it completely. ¿What was driving him to such suicidal behavior? He could earn the money like any other shitty winemaker, with a reasonable schedule.No, of course she wasn't questioning his work ethic or decisions. Questioned the machinations of why he did it....- A person may be desperate for money, sure, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's for them or to cover a debt .- Rock intelligently revealed, without taking an eye off the book yet .- Maybe it's for someone who needs it further..- ¿Altruist recognize altruist? It's a good hypothesis, Rock. Look, didn't occur to me..- You lack altruism, haha..- Shut up, you punk .- She reprimanded in the sarcastic atmosphere, with a small smile. She wasn't lying because it didn't occur to her. If the money was not for him, then it could be for a loved one, acquaintance or friend.That stupid ass fool was desperate to help someone, that sounded like the most coherent thing for someone who didn't belong to this criminal underworld; very bad luck, because god had laughed in his face for having left him stranded here, managing at his expense and counting blessings that would eventually run out. Even if he managed to win the bet, there was no guarantee that he would survive in the long term doing those stupid things, it wouldn't last more than a 1 or 2, that was final... You couldn't defy fate, regardless of whether you believed in it or not..- So, ¿Two hands? ¿What will you do...? ¿Give that poor winery a big loan from the greens? Pfff .- The captain questioned with a sly smile and holding in a few small laughs. Benny's laughter also infected him a little, except for Rock, who were both still immersed and without leaving their books..- Fuck off, Dutch, never, it won't happen. Let the poor loser solve his shit on his behalf .- Two hands replied with a raised eyebrow and a somewhat frowned brow. She made some purchases, yes, there was also an exchange of money obviously, yes, but she couldn't count all of that as a loan of money, at least not voluntary nor with intentions to help or benefit him. Never an act of premeditated kindness by someone outside the group....- I hope it really lasts, I like these mangas and the guy seemed nice .- Benny spoke to top it off
Two months later at night...
The funny thing about bets and fate is that they go very hand in hand, related. But not like most people think. Gambling is one of the few moments where you aren't aware, and one could even say free, of your fate. You had power that was given to you and that power could be taken away out of nowhere. Men, women, the elderly and... ¿Children? No one was exempt from gambling. Just like being on a battlefield, there was the adrenaline rush when you won, or so it seemed to everyone else.The opponents never mattered, nor the enemies, no one there cared about fate, whether you won or lost... The problem always comes when it becomes an addiction to put on the blindfold and remain blind to fate permanently. It's just when you start receiving signs, the wake-up calls that the living shouldn't ignore...The living don't have the power of the living dead to do so and continue breaking the paradigm... Although very rarely did a living dead keep his word and not compromise his moral integrity, ¿What morality, if possible, can know? It was around 8:30 AM, the only two people in their normal senses, not taking account the homeless and drug addicts scattered here and there, traveling a large road of Roanapur on foot, a leisurely walk from side to side.There was no utterance of words or any attempt to start a conversation by either of them... Nor did they have much desire to guess what the hell was in their heads, the fact is that...Fate will always let you know when you lost a bet even if you don't want to.The word defeat was not in Revy Two Hands book, mind or vocabulary, not in a long, long time... She was always looking for a way to win by logic. But now she had lost, whether in something as stupid and almost childish as: "Hey, if we lose, the drinks are on me!".- Fuck this and everyone... .- She whispered to herself. Roov next to her could hear anything of the vociferous that she said, little, he decides to ignore it and turn a blind eye to her heavy companion who guides the path. Death guided his path. He looked somewhat crestfallen, not to say depressed and melancholic. Revy noticed it when they met again in the store, and the circles under their eyes had completely disappeared, thus discovering a young and vigorous man, she was 2 or 3 years older than him and he was surely over twenty-five.This wasn't an act against her will, even though she felt that way, she would have preferred that they both had forgotten about the silly bet. Two hands wouldn't put it past this guy's kindness, because hella sure he would accept, telling her to forget about the setting if she asked politely, that was the way of the living... A ridiculous show of mercy, it wasn't even that deep. Her spoiled little pride was on the line.Perhaps, this would serve to show that Revy Two Hands wasn't a sadistic and compulsive witch as the rumors and legends say, however, the promises, behavior and inhibitions usually disappear like foam when the alcohol descends through the esophagus... Amusingly, she thought that in the end she might kill the guy by accident, blame it on the Bacardi and go home with a; "If I don't remember, ain't happened".- Pff pff....- ¿Did something happen, Miss Revy...? .- He asked, unsure of her reaction, she was holding in something..- Nothing, fool, nothing. We are already close. Think carefully about the brand of whatever you going to order, cus' there is no way I will pay dearly for you, ¿Crystal clear? .- She explained the terms and conditions of what it would be like to have a few drinks, although had tomorrow off because didn't have work, she doesn't plan to stay up late with this guy until dawn. The faster they made the drinks and useless chatter the better. She would continue with her path..- I can see it, I swear it looks more like a tourist resort than a bar .- The man pointed out that they both could see the bar about 15 meters away. As bustling and busy as ever, like any other place that lives at night. The Yellow Flag was not at its maximum power, not even though, not at this time when the night was not at its peak, in the early mornings is when Bao could boast of earning good money and the guards had to take the greatest precautions and take out those who cross the line..- It didn't always look like that, not at least several years ago. Now it's a techno and delicate shit, almost family friendly. What a waste....- ¿What was it like long before I got here? .- Curious Roov, open to dialogue. He was interested in knowing a little about the buildings and businesses of Roanapur..- As it should always be. Like an old tavern where the best competitions were fought between who could hold the liquor the longest, shots here and there... Hahaha.- She explains, recalling the old vicissitudes, warm and endearing of the old Yellow Flag's spirit. The blows came and went, and even missed that too..- A... Seedy bar basically..- That's another way to see it, punk... .- Revy says as if it were nothing or something everyday.That didn't give him a good feeling, it meant that, although the previous bar was much more dangerous for the common civilian, there was the dubious guarantee of dealing with a relaxed Revy focused entirely on the drink, with the feeling of familiarity. In the present it was the opposite, they would be in a better and safer bar, but with a Two hands annoyed and without much desire to pass hang out... ¿And what reasons did he really have for coming? This was forced, Roov didn't like forcing anyone to do things against his will.Technically, he wasn't forcing anything, she was just forcing this because she didn't think was a big deal... ¿Was there honor and principle among thieves? Impossible.They entered through the large glassy blue checkered door, opened by a large guard at the entrance. The noise, bustle and atmosphere flooded Revy's ears, but the salesman's unaccustomed ears did their best to digest this sonic pollution and not break his eardrums. He paid little attention to how dazed he looked and just kept walking, sure would get a punch from her if he told that hated the sound.There wasn't much audience, about 40 people in how spacious the place was, some sitting on the furniture talking, others dancing and others betting, the dancers were also few, but surely the rest would come later. Obviously, the small audience noticed the presence of Revy Two Hands as an MC who makes an appearance at the last minute.The women whispered things to each other, the men admired her with lustful eyes and ridiculous talk between them, those hips and pretty face... They only allowed themselves to think and not go beyond that, her frivolous nature made them retreat and besides reputation that was burdened. However, they saw her accompanied by a random guy, not at all identifiable, he was a little taller, with a black jacket and hat, facial hair, blue jeans and comfortable sandals; "¿Who the fuck was dis' limpdick?" Some of the guys mentally asked themselves as they watched them pass towards the door that led to the stairs to the upper second floor.The noise decreased slightly but rose again as they finished climbing and passed through the door, entering the top floor. If there were few people downstairs, here there were even fewer, at most about 20 people. They also quickly noticed the presence of Two hands, Bao was the only one who paid much attention to her, but the unknown guy she was with... ¿Was this a business that would be carry out? He was not there to be an intermediary for both of them.The music again overwhelms Roov, but he ignores it in an attempt to get used to it.They both approach the bar where Bao was serving, and take a seat..- Wassup, Bao, ¿Are you still working here? Woah, I admire you .- Greeting as only Two hands knew how to greet, with the usual familiar sarcasm. Bao rolled his eyes and gave an equally sly smile .- Serve me a bottle of Bacardi .- She asked the bartender at passing the green ones and gave it to him without no time, in addition to serving him the drink in a glass, almost as if were waiting for her..- Good night, Revy and....- Huh... Roov, name is Roov. Nice to meet you, sir .- The salesman introduced himself in a cordial manner, extending his hand to the bartender. Bao raised an eyebrow for about 10 seconds and looked at Revy, his accomplice, who ignored him and was pouring himself to take his second drink at once. Then he turns back to the young man, changing his face to a neutral and professional one. He accepts his handshake..- Nice to meet you, Roov, I hope you have a good time and don't get spat on by the Yellow Flag .- Bao said sarcastically. Yes, he definitely had the thought that this cultured guy was going to be beaten by the experience of being in a place that channeled a lot of debauchery and underworld themes; so, he would definitely die if he had been in the old Yellow Flag, and capable not even by getting into a fight, but because a bullet hit him by accident... What a shame .- ¿What can I served you, boy...?.- Remember what I told you... We didn't come to shop or have a great time. Ask for something cheap .- Explain Two hands give him a gloomy countenance, as a way to establish dominance and command. If the salesman was as samaritan as his manners assumed, he would ask for something inexpensive and modest, something for someone of his level. Analyzing it in the most realistic way, without any desire to offend or denigrate Roov's financial status, many men feel pressured by this, although according to her; ¿How could hurt you a fact?If you are broke, be honest and better luck next time... There were those who, despite being broke, could still bet against fate..- Ok... Huh, ¿What would you recommend that is light to drink, Mr. Bao? .- Roov humbly asked, in contrast to the bitterness of her companion..- Mmmm... Decide with this .- Bao gives him a generic and colored catalog of drinks, both cheap and refreshing and very expensive with questionable alcohol percentages, only for the most experienced and demanding palates. Of course has consumed beers before, at some event or on his own, so he decided to try something different this time. Seeing his obvious financial and physical limitations, he was hesitant. Turned the pages until he came across one that did interest him..- This, give me a tequila sunrise, please .- He finally asked, returning the catalog to Bao. The bartender understood the order and went to comply. He perfected his preparation of new drinks, mixes and new flavors over time, wanting to provide an exceptional quality of service, and because of course, it was corresponding and deserved.He added the vodka, the fresh orange juice and, finally, he poured in the grenadine, letting it go to the bottom. 3 parts tequila, 6 parts orange juice and one part grenadine in total. He served the drink to roov..- Enjoy it .- Wish it Bao, happy with the creation. Afterwards the bartender retired to other clientele that was arriving, the beings of the night were gradually making their presence known.Now, they both had their supposed drinks in hand. Roov enjoyed his calmly, taking small sips from time to time, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Two hands was already a little more than half the bottle, she showed no signs of drunkenness, which left him perplexed, from what he remembered, 2 or 4 shots of Bacardi would be enough to leave him talking funny and goofy for the rest of the day. This lurking woman from the abyss wasn't fazed one bit by just one bottle....- Good choice, a little sissy for my own taste, although I don't care... At least you weren't so dull when choosing the drink, enjoy it .- Says a neutral and disinterested Revy, taking a drink .- Sooo... ¿Roov? Answer me a couple of questions while we finish our things here, ¿Ok?.- Ok..- ¿Why?.- ¿Huh...?.- You know what I mean. ¿Why is a salesman like you, with your articulate words and robotic manner, selling in a place like Roanapur? ¿Suddenly there are no more places in the world to do business? .- She questioned, quite curious, now looking at him, she only had one drink left, the first bottle didn't last the night..- ... That... Uh....- Look, I don't plan to get involved in your shit or anything, if you feel like you don't want to respond cus' you hide a double life as a transvestite, that's fine. I'll order one last bottle and get out... By the way, ¿How the hell are you only halfway through the drink? Gosh .- Said Two hands sharply, clarifying and actually taking the first steps fo not make this a cringey and boring piece of crap. In addition to yelling at Bao to kindly bring her another bottle of the good Bacardi, if possible one that contains larger quantities; the bartender went to take the order between a mix of professionalism and reluctantly.Revy realized that in this uncomfortable silence, the man's face and attitude diminished like the current of a wave, and then became gloomy and tense... His brow furrowed a little and the shine in his eyes disappeared. She realized that had kicked Pandora's box, loosening its lid with the innocent, half-hearted, question of hers. She wasn't doing this out of hatred, but brought up mixed feelings in the salesman that he possibly didn't want to remember, something they both could identify with, but discerning different fates, paths that collide and make them who they are...She was just one step away from opening her mouth and telling him not to continue, that she was just messing with him, that they should just finish the drinks and all of this would remain one small, forgettable night of many. Until....- It was not by my own decision, family issues... .- He answers, giving the green light to imply that wasn't so reluctant to talk about his past, with a miserable and sad smile. No one even asked him, no one beyond the loneliness and his buried desire to interact with someone else .- I am from Latin parents and we lived on the run, i was born on the river that connects between Venezuela and Brazil, then I spent some time in Táchira, to our bad luck, my father got into debt with the wrong people and we emigrated to Colombia....- Hmm....- I transferred schools many times, including high schools, but I was able to graduate by a miracle, we were celebrating one day, with the little savings we could afford. I never needed much to have everything, not when they were with me... .- He paused, he didn't know if it was because of the little alcohol in his system, was getting melancholic. Revy seemed to ignore him, drinking the drink and hers new bottle, on the contrary, she was listening to him and imagining everything, like watching a movie .- The day after tomorrow my father was murdered by the guys who were looking for us; he was shot and chopped into pieces according to police reports... My mother and I ran the risk of being next, so we fled again from country to country..- ¿Arriving into the abyss's world? .- She complements..- Correct... That would be it basically .- He finishes narrating, squeezing the glass's base tightly with his right hand in sadness and remorse. Struggling to contain his glassy eyes. The disadvantage of alcohol for someone without resistance is that it takes away any pain and inhibition, the emotions came easier, if not to the surface. Two hands had a calm and serene countenance, was not thinking much about what she was going to tell him, nor how or when, she would take a brief moment in silence, it were connecting the dots... ¿Wasn't something missing?.- ....- ....- ....- ....- ... Well, I think I get it now. You need money to fly away with your mother to who knows where .- She threw her riddle into the air as if it were nothing..- ....- ...Another uncomfortable silence couldn't make the atmosphere any more sad, which was now being filled by the bustle of more people entering the bar. ¿What was this? ¿Riddle me this? ¿Why did Two hands seem not to be stepping on thin ice, but rather to be careful of stepping on a landmine?. This poor bastard was about to whine like a sissy and the last thing she wanted was to have to feel sorry for him..- Miss Revy... My mother passed away two weeks ago, she fell ill some time ago and... I was desperate to get the money, since it was an expensive operation for a disease that was difficult to treat, with few results of survival, the sequels would be for life. She died in bed before even getting the rest of the money .- Add the end of the story, his face was destroyed and immersed in sadness, being able to contain the tears, but not one that came out without permission and delicacy.Revy was a little surprised, evident in her slightly open eyes that were watching him. In fact, Bao, who was doing the work on the other side of the bar, looked at them out of the corner of his eye from time to time, wondering what the conversation was about, and he assumed it wasn't anything good.So many years of cold nihilism as a coping mechanism made it quite difficult for her to feel a feeling as banal and pathetic as the pity, for not mention that she no longer had empathy, but chose to suppress it as much as she could. Like an accompanying suitcase of mental problems; Two hands didn't indulge in that kind of shit, wasn't alive enough to do it. At least... She understood over the years that the fear of feeling emotions was only a bad excuse to hide weaknesses, weaknesses that she remembered at all times; the best at her job, but she couldn't fight the shit inside of her."¡If there is no Robin Hood, then become one, be Robin Hood!" Rebecca Lee remembered those words with laughter, how they had affected her. It was easier to do what was immoral, to go down the path of the living dead, than to have hope and faith... Or to seek forgiveness where tears had run out eternally..- At least you had a mother... A real family .- She says partly melancholic and in a low, almost inaudible tone. Whether she was telling Roov or herself didn't matter. The point is, just said it.To be on even, Revy told the melancholic salesman a brief and condensed version of her past, the childhood abuse, the muggings, how she made a name for herself in the criminal underworld, jail, Chinatown, and how she ended up here. Didn't emphasize details. It almost look like letters of introduction..- ¿Have you already buried her?.- No, she is still in bed, covered by a blanket... I... I would like to give her a nice grave, but it is difficult in a cursed land like this.More than difficult, tomb looting was quite regular as a way to hide weapons or illegal merchandise. Roanapur didn't let even those who had already gone for the afterlife rest..- Good point, but... Uuuh... It wouldn't have to be on dry land, ¿You know, punk? .- She suggested turning on the light. The bottle and drink had finished, they were not drunk, which benefited the emergence of ideas for the topic of conversation..- ¿Do you mean the sea? Hey, ¡I like the idea! Mom liked the beach, and she loved going out with dad from time to time on his boat... Maybe..- Transportation wouldn't be a problem, of course, for a fair and reasonable price .- She mentions in the territory of sealing a deal, almost. Roov knew where this was going, he was not ignorant of the small but well-known Lagoon Company and its superhuman ability to carry out varied jobs, both complicit violence and searching, receiving and giving documents to whoever it was the employer of shift. The most surprising and incredible fact is that they had a small immunity from the mob bosses, or to explain it another way, owing favors to each other .- I can't talk to you 'bout discountst, you would have to resolve it with the captain, Dutch. I dunno if he has ever given a discount. But he might give it to you if he sees you with a good face....- It isn't that i am so broke, miss Revy Hahahaha... .- The man replies with amusement, he felt more confident, may be because of the fact that he managed to come up with something for his benefit. No need for consolation, just move forward and see what fate has in reserved for you. The dear mother couldn't continue taking his tears .- I think I'll accept the offer, a free sea seems like a more suitable place, I'll never know if she would want it that way, but it sounds quite suitable for me .- Roov offered her the hand in a shake.In contrast to how they met, she this time shook his hand out of good will, as a good way to seal the deal..- ¡We have a deal, fool! .- She acclaim victorious.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Day after tomorrow...
Completing the preparations wasn't difficult, nor complaining, perhaps attributed to the sentimental meaning in the entire action from beginning to end. They had already set sail to sea a while ago; Roov manage to get the captain's crew to give him a discount for this job, but it was at least 20 percent, that was fine for both of them. After a long talk, both reached an agreement that left it on good terms at all.Probably, in a long time, this was the simplest and most innocent assignment that Dutch could have carried out... Possibly not or yes, he didn't remember it exactly.The rest of the crew; Benny, Rock and Revy, the woman inside of the barracks sitting with her arms crossed and her eyes closed, were also on board. Benny and Rock weren't new to meeting the salesman; In fact, was quite easy to catch up with him even though he was in mourning. The 3 of them were outside witnessing the sea, along with a body on the ground covered by a white sheet and tied with ropes, the sheet in turn had a pair of heavy stones tied to the ropes, with the aim of facilitating its sinking and the body doesn't remain floating when entering the water.Only Roov was dressed in a costume appropriate to his situation, black. He wore a long-sleeved black shirt and black pants plus his classic sandals. He thought about asking the Lagoon's crew to dress according to the occasion, but he didn't want to force it, they were just accompanying him, if he had offered a little more money... ¿Would they have agreed?They had already been in international waters for a while. Dutch was careful not to encounter any coast guard boat, so everything was calm and peaceful, just the sound of the sea, the seagulls, the harsh sun; this was, in fairness, one of the best benefits that Lagoon's crew could afford, while being free from violence and lethal work....- Here, it's enough distance, let's leave her here .- Roov asked, appreciating the landscape and the fresh breeze..- Okay, I'll go tell Dutch .- Rock answered in response. He headed towards the hatch, opened it and went straight to the captain .- He says that this area is enough, let's do it..- Got it, Rocky .- Dutch responds to the order. He was thinking that once they finished this, either he would go to Yellow Flag with the crew or he would go to sleep on his recliner. 2 good options for 1 choice. He maneuvers a little, turning around from where they came, to be ready to start at once; the speed of the boat decreases to nothing. Dutch gets up from his seat and goes to look for Revy in one of the barracks. They meet, and both head up, out of the hatch.Truly, in his heart of hearts, he believed that this warm and tropical place was the perfect option for his mother, he didn't have the power to bury his father, nor the opportunity, but he knew that his pops was good in the afterlife, shared love is something he would always treasure, as well as hers. Surely they were fine, wherever they were... No matter that he was in an abyss, no matter if that abyss was staring back at him or blinking at him, there was nothing left to lose, nor any way to hurt him...It sounded liberating and terrifying at the same time.Roov, with the help of Dutch and Rock, take the cloaked corpse, combining their forces due to the weight of the stones. The three of them threw her overboard. Everyone watching as their journey to the bottom of the sea began..- ¿Don't you want to say a few words? .- Rock asked this option while taking out a cigarette..- No, I don't think i can tell mom anything else that she doesn't know. I couldn't have a normal family life like any other kid, guess I hated her and my father too for a while... But it's something I learned to let go. They gave me the best of them in their worst moments. There is nothing to say but goodbye..- It's fair .- Benny mentions looking towards the sky, with his hands in his pockets.The Lagoon crew and Roov were surrounded by sea breezes and a small feeling of humidity. Each one appreciating the calm and tranquility in his own way. The corpse was sinking. Roov noticed that some seagulls were nearby, flying somewhat swirling around the boat. At that, a few pristine white feathers fell from the animals, towards the sea... The corpse was no longer visible, the blur that distinguished it disappeared, as it sank completely.It was almost symbolic for Roov.The Black lagoon headed towards Roanapur. Time to go home.