Roosterblock

A tall red brick building with large black doors beneath an intricately detailed embellished archway bearing a large black sign with "The Cave" written in large, round neon letters had a long queue of people wrapping around the building. The Cave reminded Roxy more of a repurposed theater than the traditional warehouse of the other clubs in the area but the amount of people waiting combined with how early it was showed how popular the location was.

"It's totally cool! We're on the list so we don't need to wait in the line with the peons," Richard reassured Roxy, noticing the concerned look on her face. He grinned brightly and casually wrapped his arm around her waist, guiding her towards the door.

Roxy controlled her smile and walked confidently alongside him, appraising the construction of the building and how the exits were guarded. She knew there was at least one other exit than the one she saw at the front, those pesky fire codes that modern buildings had to follow were convenient for her purposes if things went wrong — she wouldn't be trapped like she had in the necropolis.

As they approached, she caught whiffs of clove oil, mint, and orange blossoms before they were drowned out by cigarettes, old beer, and the overpowering stench of Axe body spray. Roxy wondered why she kept smelling clove oil, was it because she was still getting over the shock of what happened? Was the scent really there or was she imagining it? Among all the other scents, it was possible that someone in the crowd was wearing essential oils rather than a regular perfume or cologne. Now that she was closer to him and paying attention, Richard's cologne had a peppery, woody scent that reminded her of a mix of cedar and lavender. Her gaze shifted to the crowd of club goers in a mix of flashy, gaudy, and revealing outfits, all waiting for their turn to escape the beginning of the evening chill.

"Callum really got a reservation for a room! That's so lucky, it looks so busy already." Roxy peered up at Richard to catch him looking her over again. Despite herself, she forced a smile.

"Oh yeah. Let's get you in and out of that coat." Richard paused for a moment before continuing, "You look too good to hide it." He turned his attention to the intimidating, broad shouldered and tall figure of the bouncer wearing a sports jacket and sharp black slacks standing behind a black velvet rope barring the way. "I'm on the list. Richard Clayton and this is my plus one, Roxxy."

The bouncer opened an app on his phone and tapped a couple of times. His lips thinned before he nodded. "Yeah, sure. I see you." He unhooked the rope and moved aside for them to enter. "Have a good night."

"Thank you," Roxy chimed as they walked past. She felt eyes staring at her as they made their way into the dim yet colorfully lit night club. The hallway muffled the everything but the thrum of the bass on the dance floor. Richard guided them towards a backroom that was off to a left hallway and stopped in front of a door. He leaned down and a shock bristled against Roxy's skin.

"What is it?" Roxy asked as Richard's face got close to hers. Her right hand clenched as she braced for whatever it was Richard was trying to do.

The light cast odd shadows over his eyes as he kissed her on the cheek. "Sorry, I'm feeling impatient. I'm also torn between showing you off and pulling you into a back closet."

Roxy batted her eyelashes, as she felt her nails dig into her palm. "I can't keep you from your adoring public, can I, Mr. Prom King?"

Richard pulled away with a laugh. "Right right, sorry. It's been a while since I've felt so free." He opened the door to reveal a more brightly lit room, decorated with colorful strings lights and a "welcome home" banner with people that Roxy recognized from high school milling around tables of food.

Roxy stepped into the room and unzipped her jacket and waited for Richard to follow her. He entered, closing the door behind them to a roar of greetings. Richard was pulled deeper into the crowd of people excitedly asking him hundreds of questions all at once. Roxy followed behind and found the coat check in a far corner of the room.

A bored looking brunette working the small window smiled at Roxy. "Can I take your jacket for you, Miss?"

Roxy nodded and pulled off her jacket, handing it to the woman and putting the ticket into her purse. She turned and searched the crowd to see where Richard had been displaced to. She was grateful that he was the guest of honor, it bought her some breathing room. Her plan was working too well, Richard was acting more boldly here than he had in Alpeach. She wondered why he acted so differently with her here?

"Look at you all alone," a rich, husky masculine voice commented from Roxy's left. Roxy flexed her hand, smiling politely up at the man. His dark hair was long and smoothed back from his roughly shaven face, and his gray eyes watched her with growing curiosity. "Have we met before?" He tilted his head to get a better look. He was dressed more casually in a unbuttoned black shirt that seemed to just contain his broad shoulders, she wondered if the shirt would rip if he flexed. She noticed a small birth mark under his left eye as she closed the distance to talk to him more comfortably.

"Possibly."

The man scratched his chin. ".... Well, since this is a party for Rich and he's been missing for a few years, you're probably from Zenith but you're also smoking hot. Did he bribe you to come? Or do you have poor taste in men?" His tone was jovial as he teased her.

Roxy was wary but giggled at the comment. "Is there someone that would be in better taste as my date?"

The man grew up to his full height of over 6 feet and ran a hand over his thick hair. "I'm sure I can help you find someone."

Roxy laughed again. "Someone who gives his name would be nice."

The man chuckled. "Right, I didn't introduce myself." He offered his hand. "I'm Gunner."

Roxy considered his hand for a moment and shook it. His fingers were large and rough against hers, it reminded her of the way a warrior's hands felt after years of training it reminded her of the people she lost. She swallowed softly and smiled, "Roxy."

Realization dawned on Gunner's face. "Ah! I do know you! We were in Dr. Mueller's literature class and Professor Asher's figure drawing class a couple years ago at UMD." He grinned.

Roxy searched her memory and remembered someone that looked like Gunner but thinner and wearing glasses. "Wait.. that was you? You had the portfolio with the charcoal sketches of animal skulls and flowers?"

Gunner gave her hand a warm squeeze before releasing it. "Yup! That's me."

"Wow, you look so different."

"Thanks! I... uh, got into weight training and went a little overboard." Gunner scratched his neck, a little embarrassed by the comment.

"You look great," Roxy beamed. "I've been wanting to learn. Think you could teach me some time?"

Gunner blinked and nodded. "Sure. What's your number? We can check schedules later on and figure something out." He smiled warmly as he pulled out his phone. Roxy pulled out hers and they exchanged numbers.

Roxy felt a firm hand grab her shoulder. She glanced back and saw Richard's annoyed expression.

"There you are! I'm sorry that I left you alone like that," Richard's voice was apologetic but he glared at Gunner.

"Rich! It's been forever." Gunner slapped Richard on the back with a laugh. "You should mingle some more. All these people are here to see the man of the hour."

Richard released Roxy's shoulder and flashed an insincere smile, slipping his hand around Roxy's waist. "Gunner, thank you for keeping her company. I was afraid she'd get lonely without me."