Thread: Rave (Midnight/asasthana)

The sun was setting, and most of the citizens of the streets were returning to their hiding places for the cold winter night to set in on them. Neon lights lit the narrow streets and the sound of the thundering elevated trains that brought many people from place to place echoed through the dark alleyways of the closely packed buildings. It was raining and there was a big chance of snow, the water pouring from the sky did nothing to stifle the smell of decay and the feeling of despair was ever present. This was the lower city, the place where the government pushed the lower class into. The lower city was maze of back alleys and small streets, way too small for cars to pass through, the buildings were cramped together but the streets surprisingly well lit with the eerie glow of the signs that showed off the dens of vice that were oh so common in this part of the city, the streets were so cold at night, and survival was a daily struggle. Chemist was his favorite name, but he had others, The Candyman, the Russian, ect. One of those buildings had a special purpose, it was bigger than most, and the only entrance was a stairway leading down to a thick reinforced Iron door. This was a building belonging to one of the most powerful men in the city, A man known as Nikolai Romanov. Nikolai Romanov was known through the streets as 'The Chemist', a man that the oppressed people of the city turned to when they needed release from their daily torments in the form of powerful mind altering drugs, the latest being a powerful drug by the name of Rave. Rumors were whispered of him as a government scientist who came from the upper city, where people lived in mild prosperity, a master of chemicals who got sick of his job and plied his trade elsewhere. Many people in the lower city were addicted to this drug especially in the area near where Niko lived. They took it to get away from their daily lives, to get away from the crime, the poverty, the crushing government taxes that pressed many people to the brink of bankruptcy, the fact that at any time they could be subject to a raid.... Here in the lower city, survival was an everyday challenge, and Rave made it just a little easier. Niko was the only man able to make Rave, it's production from a highly toxic plant was a top secret, and attempts to bootleg the little red pills almost always resulted in lethal consequences. Niko had appeared about five years ago, and his drugs followed shortly after. It wasn't uncommon to see a man or woman on the street without a blanket, holding themselves with a look of bliss on their faces. Rave was expensive and rare even in the lower city, but in the upper city it was even more expensive. Taking the drug produced quick and powerful effects of warmth and happiness, mixed with the sensations of an aphrodisiac and euphoria. The person who takes the drug is in a dreamlike state for a little while, all pain and suffering they feel goes away while the drug lasts. Romanov made it a sweet deal, giving it out at a fairly cheap price at first, then raising the price, especially in areas he knew people could afford it, Romanov was very wealthy very soon, and he started spreading his business elsewhere. Niko lie back in a chair in his dimly lit office of the underground complex, his body in a relaxed position and his eyes directed towards a series of television and computer screens, taking in the profits he had made through the sales of his drug, scanning for any of the drug someone might have skimmed off the top. The man ran a hand through his medium length dark hair and released a heavy sigh. The man leaned back in the chair, allowing one of his legs to prop him up and reclined in the chair. He failed to notice the shadowy form moving towards him on the cabinets above him. The room had a strange blue glow, seeing that the screens were the only thing illuminating the room. Niko jumped when something small and furry landed in his lap, almost sending his cat flying through the air. The tabby meowed noisily and Niko laughed, picking the small creature up off his lap and placing him on the brown cat bed that sat across from the computers as he sat up straight and stood from his chair, again running his hand through his messy hair and sighing before mumbling to himself. I need some coffee The man's accent had lessened a little since he arrived, but it was still fairly strong. Niko left his office, leaving the cat in the room as he left into the plain white hallway of the second floor. The hallway had four doors and two set of stairs leading out either side. The way up lead to the business areas and the entrance of the complex, the second level was Niko's home, a kitchen, several restrooms, Romanov's bedroom, a living room, and his office. The only way to get to the third basement level was a staircase hidden behind a false wall. Romanov's eyes were sleepy as he walked up the hall and up the stairs into what appeared to be a waiting room to get himself what he desired when he heard his dog bark. The man moved to investigate then entrance of the complex, noticing his German Sheppard was acting up, someone was outside the door. Niko was quick to wake up, his grey eyes narrowing as he approached the entrance of the complex. Niko almost jumped again when he heard a banging at his door that got his dog barking again, the big canine straining against his leash barking loudly. Romanov allowed his teeth to grit together, it couldn't have been a customer at this time. The man's eyes narrowed and he reached to his side, drawing his gun and holding it up, shushing his dog, he could feel his heartbeat pick up and his adrenaline rush as he popped the door open, peeking through the crack with his gun ready to see what was outside.