You find yourself standing in a dark alleyway, surrounded by the sounds of whirring machines and electronic beeps. You're in Night City, a bustling cyberpunk paradise full of debauchery, night life and plenty of shady criminal activity. It's around 11pm. As you take a cautious step forward, a mysterious woman emerges from the shadows, wearing a hooded jacket and carrying an array of high-tech gadgets. —"Hey there. You lost or somethin'? This ain't exactly a tourist spot. Name's Rebecca. You want to talk business, you're gonna have to convince me you're worth my time." Rebecca gives you a suspicious look, the short girl judging your stature.
I gave Rebecca a once-over, noting her augmented body and the lines running along her arms that indicated where her machine parts met biological material. I had a thick black robe that concealed my body, but my tall, muscular form was still very noticeable through the cloth. A silvery mask in a shape of a ravens beak covered my face, giving me quite a unique and intriguing appearance. “I’m not looking for anything, I was just passing by.”
"Hmm... You don't look like the type to be out wandering around at this hour." She tilts her head slightly, still unconvinced by your story. "Well, if you say so. But I gotta ask, what brings you all the way out here? This place can get pretty dangerous after dark."
“I’m just a cleaner.” I said simply, causing Rebecca to give me a sceptical look. “I take care of the aftermath that is left behind when crews like yours have some…interesting exchanges with others.”
"A cleaner, huh? Well, I guess that explains why you're here then." She crosses her arms over her chest, seeming to accept your story for now. After a moment of silence she continues "You know what they say about cleaners, right? That we're the ones who truly see all the shit underneath the surface. I mean, you must have some stories..." Rebecca tilts her head curiously, clearly fishing for information about your past and experience in the criminal underworld of Night City.
“Sorry, but I’m not giving you information for nothing.” Rebecca shrugged her shoulders and walked away, leaving me to my duties. A few days later I accepted a call from her crew who just had raided an apartment, so when I arrived I was met by the usual sight: broken down door, crushed windows and drawers, bullet holes in the walls and ceiling and debris littered across the floor. After a few hours of cleaning I turned around and finished up before heading to the agreed place for my payment, where I met Rebecca and what I assumed to be another member of her crew or group, whatever they called it.
"Well, well, well... Look who's finally here." Rebecca grins widely, revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth. She claps her hands together once and turns to the other member of their group "David, this guy here, he's our new friend. The cleaner." She glances back at you before continuing "He helped us out with that little job we had a few days ago."
There was a brief pause as the two individuals exchanged glances. Then David nodded once, his expression neutral.
"That's right. And you did good work too." David said with a nod. "You handled yourself well in there. We can always use someone like that on the team." He paused for a moment, considering something before continuing. "So, what do you say? You interested in joining up with us?"
Rebecca raised an eyebrow at David's offer, obviously surprised by it. This was not something they usually did - inviting outsiders into their crew. But there was something about this cleaner that had caught their attention...
“Maybe, but I’m more precise when it comes to cleaning up than doing the job.” I said from behind my strange mask, taking a good look around the room. Suddenly Rebecca reached out and grabbed it, trying to pry it off, but the metal mask didn’t budge an inch. Her previously self-confident and calm expression turned into confusion and then a mix of curiosity and terror as she realised that it wasn’t covering my face, it was my face.
For a moment, Rebecca's eyes widen in shock as she stares at your features underneath the metallic mask. The smooth, shiny surface reflects her own confused expression back at her, distorted and eerie. Then, slowly but surely, a new emotion begins to creep into her gaze: admiration. She releases the mask with a slight clack, giving you a nod of approval before turning to David and grinning crookedly.
"Well, well... Look who's been keeping secrets." Her tone was light and playful now, as if she had just discovered some new toy to tease you with. "I guess we should stop calling you 'cleaner', huh? What's your real name?" She leans in closer, her green eyes sparkling with mischief.
My gray eyes glinted dangerously behind the small slits in the mask, and to the others surprise and horror the beak opened as if it was a part of my body in what could be seen as a grin. “Call me Thorn.”
"Thorn, huh? Well, Thorn, I think you and I are going to get along just fine." Rebecca smirks under her own breath before turning back to David. "What do you think, Dave? Should we let this guy in on the fun?" Her voice was laced with barely concealed excitement now.
David glances between the two of you for a moment, sizing up Thorn's demeanor and appearance. He nods slowly, seeming to come to a decision. "Yeah, why not?”
With a triumphant grin on her face, Rebecca extends her hand to you. "Welcome to the team, Thorn. We're gonna make some serious money together." Her grip is surprisingly firm for someone who looks so delicate. "Now, why don't we go celebrate this new partnership? There's a bar nearby with some nice entertainment tonight... and I hear the owner's got a sweet pair of tits!" She winks suggestively before letting out a loud, throaty laugh.
Thorn glances at her hand for a moment before taking it in his own, surprisingly strong grip. "Deal," he says with a nod. "Lead the way." His voice is rough and edgy, matching his appearance perfectly. As they head towards the bar, Rebecca can't help but feel a thrill of anticipation running through her veins. This new addition to their crew just might be what they need to take things up a notch.
"Oh, you'll like it," she says with a knowing smirk as they walk through the bustling streets of Night City. "The owner's name is Cinnamon. She used to dance at one of the seedier clubs before she opened up her own place." Rebecca leans in close, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "And she's not afraid to use those tits for tips!" She lets out another throaty laugh, flashing a wicked grin at Thorn.
Cinnamon's bar is packed with people when they arrive, the music loud and the atmosphere electric. Rebecca leads Thorn through the crowd to a small table near the back where David and Lucy are already waiting for them. As they sit down, Cinnamon herself approaches their table, giving each of them a sultry look before asking what they'd like to drink.
"Surprise us, sweetheart," Rebecca says with a grin, flashing her pink tongue at the owner.
"You got it, sugar," Cinnamon purrs before disappearing back into the crowd. A moment later, she returns with a tray of drinks in her hands, setting them down on the table. "Here you go, boys and girls." There's a bottle of whiskey, shots of tequila, and some colorful cocktails with umbrellas in them. Rebecca reaches for one of the shot glasses and fills it with tequila before downing it in one gulp.
We each take a glass and pour ourselves a drink, and I can’t help but notice the look of curiosity and excitement Rebecca gives me when I lift my glass. The metallic beak opens up like a real bird’s, and I tilt my head back before pouring the liquor down my own throat.
"Now that's how you do it," Rebecca says with approval as she slaps the back of your hand. "You sure you can handle this kinda party?" She winks at you before taking another shot, her green eyes flashing in the dim light. The two of them clink glasses again and down their drinks in unison, grinning at each other through the haze of alcohol and adrenaline.