Room 508 to Baltimore, Friday Night

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Kathy studied herself in the mirror, frowning slightly. She had done a lot of stuff as Banzai, but trying to infiltrate the mafia in disguise was a whole new level of scary. If she messed up, the Ukrainians would know a lot more about her than she really wanted them too--like what she looked like, as just one exciting example. But this was an

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[rebelseekspizza]

Somehow, Dante still hadn't managed to master the ability to sit still for more than half-hour increments at a time. And yesterday, wandering had led to an excellent afternoon with Alana, so hey, motivation, and shit.

Couple floors up, and he was near Kathy's. Might as well stick his head in and maybe follow up on--

"What the fuck?"

[spin_kick_snap]

Well, gee, that sure sounded promising.

"Hi, Dante," Kathy said, looking over her shoulder to nod him inside. "What the fuck what?"

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Dante planted his shoulders against the wall and crossed his arms. He nodded at her (though not without sneaking a glance at the legs). "Didn't know you liked to run ladies' night at the fetish club," he said.

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Kathy turned around fully now, though mostly because she was looking for something to throw at him. "Ha ha," she said sourly. "Yup, you guessed my other secret identity. I'm DJ Wallflower at The Saint Andrew's Cross, however did you guess?"

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"Something something you wearing like three layers of leather?" Dante offered.

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"I take my steak-eating very seriously," Kathy drawled. "Seriously, though. This is a one night change of attire for Banzai. I have a feeling the white gi and rainbows aren't going to cut it for where I'm going tonight."

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"...Still sounds like The Saint Andrew's Cross to me," Dante said, tilting his head.

Looking amused, of course.

"You think there's superhero fetish clubs already?"

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"I can honestly say I've never given it any thought," Kathy said, now debating whether trusting his reflexes meant she could get away with throwing a textbook at his head or if she should still go with something soft, like a pillow. Or a shoe. "There's a party tonight that I need--"

Wait. Kathy was putting her projectile plans aside for a moment.

"Dante, do you know how to ride a motorcycle?"

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"Yeah," Dante said, tilting his head at her, confusion clear in his eyes. "Why?"

He managed to at least restrain himself from mentioning it had involved dubiously-legally-acquired motorcycles at the time.

[spin_kick_snap]

That was okay. This entire plan was dubious at best--and would like involve obtaining at least a few things of uncertain provenance.

"Good enough to race?" she pressed. "Good enough to win?"

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante squinted at her. Squinted at her good.

The quarter dropped.

"Wait, are you trying to get into a street race?" he said. "Talk about out of your fucking depth, Kat." Beat. "But yeah, probably." He had no idea. Being pretty sure there was no way riding a motorcycle could kill you helped, though.

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"Is this normal racing attire?" Kathy asked, gesturing to her skirt and heeled boots. "No. I know there's no way in hell I could actually do anything but embarrass myself in a street race." Assuming she could jump free of a crash in time. "But I know where one is being held tonight. And I need to be part of the group that accompanies the winners to the afterparty. I was going to go and hopefully flirt my way in--" her expression suggested she knew about how well that would go "--but I'd like something more sure, if possible."

[rebelseekspizza]

"So... you want me to get into a street race," Dante said slowly, "So you can get these guys."

On the one hand, he gave absolutely no shit about her anti-mafia crusade. On the other hand, this afternoon had been starting to look kind of boring.

[spin_kick_snap]

"Well, I do now," Kathy said, sitting on the edge of her desk. "I wasn't planning on hunting you down and trying to get you involved."

Mostly because she hadn't thought of it. But since he was here, well, she could hardly look a gift Dante in the...mouth?

"But yes. You race. I tag along as your plus-one. You get me into the party. Then you can bail to do whatever you want with the rest of your evening." And Kathy would do her best not to get caught poking around.

Win-win for everybody!

[rebelseekspizza]

"All right."

What? There were worse ways to spend an evening, and maybe he'd even get laid with someone he hadn't met yet.

"'Course, we'll need to lift a bike first."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Really?" Kathy had been prepared to argue a lot more before he agreed. "Awesome! And yes, yes we will. But I know a chop shop that specializes in bikes. They should have what we need. And if they don't..." She shrugged, looking remarkably unconcerned that they were discussing grand theft auto, especially considering the hell she'd given Ezra over lifting a stereo. "There are going to be lots of people coming to participate. If one of them takes a nap in an alley for a little while, no harm no foul. We'll give it back when we're done."