Fight Night: Golden Daggers Club Edition

There was an actress, if Abe remembered right, that once said "Los Angeles survives on that which is unpredictable. The unexpected courses through its very veins.". It was an insight that he found to be true, it was true about most places honestly, but it was especially true about this city. What he didn’t find true in the slightest was that it was a City of Angels. If it was a such city, then he wouldn’t be here on business, or at least Lucas wouldn’t be here on business.

There was no profit in dealing with angels. Angels didn’t make deals with devils, at least as far his religious knowledge went, and Angels certainly didn’t want what they were selling. Angels probably also didn’t sell anything they would buy, but they weren’t here to buy anything, not this time at least. He didn’t think he’d ever see an actual City of Angels, even if angels were used as a metaphor, he didn’t think he belonged in a city like that.

From the people he had seen topside, they seemed fine enough, but certainly not angels. There was certainly life, though. The city was alive and breathings, lights shining down upon them and bringing a glow to their activities. Parties, dancing, drinking, and all the thrills you could hope for on a weekend, it was all thriving here and it was in cities like that that Lucas and Abe could find their calling.

But where they were going, it was not in the lights of the overhead buildings. It was not where many others sought after their pleasures and thrills. No, their route took them into the shadows that were casted by the lights, their path lead them to one of the many overlooked shady allies the city had in great supply. They, it seemed, weren’t the only ones making their ways for the shadows. Ahead, just as they turned the corner, Abe’s eyes caught someone just heading in, lead by a burly man, and then replaced with another large burly man. The watchdogs of this place.

Abe’s eyes traced back to Lucas as they continued to slowly walk towards the door. “You take me to the nicest places.” He joked in a low tone. Joking wasn’t something that he did often, but with Lucas, a man he had been working with for a long time, well…some of Lucas’s habits did rub off on hum.

Lucas laughed at that, as he did every rare occasion Abe told a joke and then shook his head. “Meeting a client, a man named Grimshaw. He frequents this place, but if we want this deal to work there’s a catch.”

Abe stared forward again, now making eye contact with the man several feet ahead of them. He was still out of earshot, so Abe didn’t lower his voice just yet, “Oh really? What kind of catch?” He said, returning to his normal, less jovial state of tone.

“He wants tonight to be entertaining.”

“Oh?”

“And watch what Chimera’s top Samurai can do in a fight.”

“Oh.”

“This place has a fighting ring and you’ve already been entered. They should hopefully have a run open for you when we get there.”

Abe didn’t reply this time. They were at the door and now he could really see the height of this watchdog. He was at least a foot taller than Abe and Lucas, but that didn’t stop Abe’s gaze from meeting the man’s. It was Lucas, however, who spoke first. Lucas always spoke first. And second, and honestly he did all the talking. Abe only spoke when it was time to alert Lucas of dangers or of other news.

The exchange between them was brief. Simple introductions, proof of identity, and a quick sizing up of Abe. At first, claims were made that he didn’t look like a fighter, but upon seeing his weapons, the watchdog dismissed the notion and led them in. The first minute of them being there were to be expected, music blared, people drank and danced and everything else that people do in clubs like this, and for a moment it wore the guise of a place that was much like the rest of the city.

However, as they went on, going down further into the club were the music was lost to the depth, it became clear what really went on here. At the bottom in that hall, they met the man who they were assigned to meet and once more the conversation began. Abe usually drowned this out and took the time to monitor his surroundings, scouting for danger. But his attention was drawn back to the conversation as his name was called.

“Seven here will give ya the fight you been wanting.” Lucas commented, motion to Abe.

The man he talked to was short, balding, and a bit fat. He wore nicer clothes, though not quite a suit. A tannish coat with lighter toned pants. He looked like the kind of villain that might where a monocle in one of those old spy movies, having some cheesy name. Or maybe more like an Archologist? It was hard to place, but either way it was certainly an appearance that stuck out. When the man spoke, his voice was what you’d expect, not squeaky, but not as low as most others.

“Ah, I see! Well, you better hope he does or you’ll have made your flight for nothing.” Was that a joke?

Lucas laughed at it like it was, he was always good at forcing a real sounding laugh, and nodded. “Oh, I’d put money on it.”

“You might as well be!” The man shook his head, and then extended a hand to Abe. “Professor Grimshaw, a pleasure my sword-wielding friend.”  

Abe accepted the handshake and bowed his head, “Seven.” He said plainly, and then looked around. “Where am I fighting?”

“Ah! Yes, of course. I think a room just opened up for you. Let’s see here…” He motioned down the way, and nodded, “Ninety-nine is your room, you can just head on in! Go, entertain me for a bit, yes? And maybe even win me and your friend here some money, we’ll betting on it.”

Abe nodded sternly, and then turned, and started for the room.