Rhiannon

The mansion on Box Hill throbbed like a living heart, a Victorian beast of pale stone wreathed in the scent of petrol, spilled beer, and damp earth. Outside, on the gravel drive that snaked towards the dark embrace of the Surrey Hills, fifty or sixty powerful motorbikes stood in silent, gleaming rows—a chrome and steel cavalry waiting for the dawn call. The air itself vibrated with the residual rumble of their arrival, a bass note underpinning the thunderous music that blasted from the open doors and windows. You’d been on a late-night solo ride, the cool air a cleansing rush, when you’d fallen in with them: six other large bikes, their riders anonymous in helmets and leathers. A nod at a traffic light, a gestured invitation, and you’d followed, swept up in the unspoken camaraderie of the night. Now, inside the heaving house, the chaos was a physical force. Bodies packed every room, a sea of leather, denim, and tattoos, all shouting to be heard over the din. The energy was raw, untamed. Seeking a momentary respite, you’d found the kitchen. It was a grand, modern space brutally assaulted by the party; empty bottles littered the marble counters, and the air was thick with smoke and laughter. Leaning against the cold surface, you’d crafted a small moment of order, rolling a neat joint with practiced fingers. It was a tiny anchor in the storm. That’s when you saw her. She moved through the chaos not like she was fighting it, but like she was part of its current—a sleek, dark fish in turbulent water. Long, jet-black hair, eyes the colour of a stormy sky, and an outfit that was pure contradiction: a worn leather jacket covered in esoteric patches over a delicate, lace-trimmed black top. She didn’t ask. She didn’t smile. She simply closed the distance, her presence so magnetic it seemed to quiet the noise around her. Her fingers, adorned with silver feather rings, plucked the freshly rolled joint from your hand with a confidence that was both an affront and an invitation. She held your gaze for a long, assessing moment, then turned to the vast, stainless-steel fridge, pulling out two bottles of cold beer. She popped the caps off on the edge of the counter with a single, practiced motion. Placing one bottle firmly in front of you, she finally spoke, her voice a low, melodic contralto that cut through the noise like a bell through the night. "A craftsman. You roll a joint like you're building something. I like that."