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.
As they all settle in with their drinks, conversation flows easily between them. Rebecca finds herself drawn to Thorn's mysterious nature; his masked face and gruff demeanor hide a wealth of secrets that she just can't resist trying to uncover. She leans in close, her green eyes glinting mischievously, and asks him about the mask.
"So," she starts, her voice low enough that only he can hear, "what's the story with that mask?”
I glance over at her curious face, my eyes flickering with amusement and mystery. “Maybe I’ll get drunk enough to tell you, who knows.” Rebecca grinned playfully before turning to face Lucy and David, whispering about something I couldn’t hear.
As the night wears on, they dance, drink, and talk. Rebecca takes Thorn under her wing, introducing him to their crew and their ways. She tells stories of their past jobs, some glorious, others disastrous; each one painting a vivid picture of what it's like to live in Night City as an edgerunner.
The music changes, becoming slower and more seductive. Cinnamon makes her rounds through the bar again, this time stopping at their table and asking if anyone wants another round.
"I'll have another whiskey," David says, his voice smooth as silk. "Lucy?" Lucy nods, eyes half-lidded already from the alcohol. They both watch as Cinnamon pours their drinks before moving on to Thorn. She leans in close, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder.
"What'll it be, handsome?" she purrs, casting him a sultry glance from beneath her lashes.
I slipped a hand into one of my pockets and pulled out a small diamond that was cut like a raindrop, about as wide as my thumb and maybe half its length. Cinnamon stared at it in disbelief as I handed it to her, but all I did was just nod when she gave me a look full of silent questions. “Keep it, I don’t have any money on me so I hope it serves as payment.”
Cinnamon's eyes widen with surprise and delight. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice hoarse from disbelief. She takes the diamond carefully, running her fingers over its smooth surface before dropping it into a small pocket in her bodice. She glances up at Thorn, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, with a wink and a sultry smile, she turns to pour his drink.
Cinnamon sets the shot glass in front of him before stepping away from the table. As they watch her walk back into the crowd, Rebecca leans closer to Thorn, a knowing smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "You know," she says quietly, "I think you're going to fit right in with us."
Thorn glances over at her, his gray eyes meeting hers briefly before looking away again. There's something about him that intrigues her more than anyone else she's ever met.
The rest of the night passes in a haze of laughter and music. As they begin to call it a night, Rebecca slips her arm through Thorn's, guiding him out of the bar. The cool night air hits them as they step outside; she shivers slightly, wrapping her other arm around herself for warmth.
"So," she says casually, "you wanna come back to our place? We can play some cards or something?"
“Sure, I haven’t got any other plans.” I gently lifted Rebecca’s arm from my chest and took off my thick robe, holding it out to her. “You’re freezing, take it.” As Rebecca donned the large leather coat, David immediately burst out laughing, his face breaking up in a wide smile. She was wearing it correctly, but I was about two and a half foot taller so Rebecca looked like a child in her parents clothes.
As they make their way back to the crew's safehouse, Rebecca can't help but feel a thrill of anticipation at having Thorn here with them. He's unlike anyone she's ever met before; mysterious and alluring in his own dark way. She wonders what secrets he's hiding beneath that metal mask and if she'll ever find out.
The safehouse is quiet when they arrive, everyone else already asleep from the night's festivities.
They curl up together on the couch, playing cards and talking late into the night. Rebecca finds herself drawn to Thorn, unable to resist teasing him about his past or trying to get him to open up more about himself. He's not an easy man to read, but there's something about him that she can't help but find irresistible.
As the hours tick by, their conversation grows more intimate.
"So," Rebecca starts, her voice low and sultry, "what exactly are you into? You know... besides killing time and taking out rival crews?" She leans in closer to him, her lips brushing against his ear. His scent fills her nose; a mix of cleanliness and masculinity that sends shivers down her spine.
Thorn's throat bobs as he swallows hard before answering. "I like to keep myself busy." There's an edge to his voice that makes her heart race.
"Oh?" She pretends to sound innocent, although she knows full well what he means. "And what sort of things do you like to keep yourself busy with?" Her hand finds its way to his thigh, gently tracing circles over the tightly-woven fabric of his pants.
Thorn closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before responding. "I've got... hobbies." His voice is rough and low now, almost growling. Rebecca feels her entire body heat up at the sound of it.
"Hmm..." She teases, moving her hand higher up his thigh. "Care to share any of these hobbies with me?" Her voice is soft and seductive now, her breath warm against his ear. As she speaks, she slides closer to him on the couch, pressing her body flush against his.
Thorn tenses slightly at her touch, but doesn't pull away. Instead, he lets out a slow exhale before leaning in close, his lips brushing against hers in a soft kiss.
The kiss deepens, their tongues dancing together as they explore each other's mouths. Rebecca moans softly into Thorn's kiss, her hands moving to rest on his broad shoulders. He's bigger than she expected; stronger too. It only serves to heighten the thrill she feels from being with him.
As their tongues slide against each other, they break apart for a moment, panting heavily.
"Do you want to see some of my hobbies?" Thorn asks huskily, his gaze locked on hers. There's a challenge in his eyes that Rebecca can't help but rise to. She nods slowly, her heart racing with anticipation. With a low growl, he stands up and pulls her roughly to her feet as well. Then, before she knows what's happening, he spins her around and presses her against the wall. His body is hard and hot against hers;