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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Sept 27, 2021 6:45:54 GMT -8
The Green Hornet stared from above the clouds as he looked down upon the expressionless face of his now dead friend with a strange indifference. The battle was coming to an end but the screams, he knew would haunt him, their screams were the worst part. Not the blood, nor the smell. Just the pitch and tone of his friends yelling as Danny's life seemed to seep out of his eyes, Danny's blood spilling onto Papillion's tattered Costume. Months later, spring, Year 1153, Current day. The Cabin of Persephone's third level seemed motionless as Ali lay in his cot, a cold sweat dripping off of his brow, lips quivered while they descended from the clouds above. The smoothness of her movement akin to a specter drifting aimlessly amongst the wind. Affectionately named Persephone the flying bus contraption was a superhero mobile hideout of sorts containing four separate levels and most of the once popular hero team “Team Overwatch”, or at least that is who they used to be. Now they were just Ali's roommates and his closest friends. A group of “retired” youths looking for an escape and a new life. Persephone was a technological Marvel an one of a kind vessel owned by the teams leader Sue and her late family. It was designed as a full multi-purpose transportation system which could carry a team of up to sixty or so people across almost any form of terrain on the air, land, and sea. The bus seemed to thrum with the sounds of the music emanating from the indoor speakers on the second level. Ali's ears recognized the local station and for a moment he had started to think he was still dreaming “THIS IS DJ BLUE ELO AND YOU ARE LISTNENING TO THE BOOGALOO STATION PLAYING ALL OF THE HITS! UP NEXT IT'S BODY ODY BY....”“Hey butthead!” Sue called out as she pressed a heavy hand on Ali's shoulder rocking him until his eyes sprung open from his hellish dream. He met her violet eyes as she stared into his and the first thing he noticed was that same sad smile that he was beginning to grow accustomed to. It was that same smile which began to hang on her face ever since Danny, her younger brother, died. Sue had always been a bigger girl though since her brother had passed she seemed to have started add more weight to her figure. Her Amethyst skin pouring out of the rolled up arms sleeves of her sweater as she tugged at him, forcefully though she probably didn't realize her own strength. He lingered in her eyes for a moment as his breathing started to fall back into a normal rhythm. “We're here man!” She said as a brand new smile spread across her face. This one was more genuine and enthused, Ali though to himself as he rose, head still throbbing from his nightmares. “Looks like you were having that dream again..” She said trying not to lose her bearing now that she had just conjured up a smile for him. “Yeah..” Ali spoke, taking in a breath to calm himself. “I'm okay Sue. Please don't be worried” He placed his hand over hers as it rested on his shoulder. The two met each other's eyes. Their stare held until she was sure he was okay. “Hey!” She said, the words bursting out of her with an energy he did not normally see in her. “come on check this out Ali! I think you should see this” Sue and Ali Clasped hands as She helped him up from his bunk on and over to the stairs at the end of the bus. Together the duo began to raise towards the fourth and highest level where the deck was exposed to the elements and built more like a patio. The bus's engine roared as it crashed down, wheels striking the paved highway hot from their descent, rocking all four levels of Persephone's hull back and fourth. “Zed you fucking asshole that's Illegal!” Cried out Papillion from back of the second level, sixty or so feet from Zed at the driver's seat. “AHhhh They'll never catch us if they tried relax!”Zed cackled hysterically as he waved apologetically to the other drivers he'd nearly ran off the road as their massive bus, Persephone, had been transitioning from flight mode to her highway configuration as they'd landed. Without missing a beat Scarlett Rolled out of her cot on the third level. She rolled up one of her sleeves and began to pin her hair up into a ponytail. Her punishment to Zed would be nothing short of Swift and just as she stormed her way towards him, her fist balled tightly as she growled passing the duo on the steps as they ascended. “Oh! Excuse me Scarlett” Ali spoke as he pressed against the railing to make room for her warpath. “Good morning Ali, Sue.” Scarlett growled from behind a clenched jaw as she made her way towards the end of Zed's life. “You know” Sue spoke as they climbed the steps together. “When you told me about wanting to come back home, to here of all places, I was a little hesitant but I've been thinking about it and this might be what we need. A change of scenery! In one of the worst places on the planet!” She spoke the words, as the pair made it up to the top deck, trying not to sound to excited. The familiar air and sights from the international highway greeted Ali's eye. The neon blue tower of power could be seen in the distance, the ever present obelisk of electric city. Once a symbol of awe and an inspiring piece of technology ushering it's citizens into a new age of advancement and progress. That is before the gangs moved in. “You made it man.” She took a deep breath as she grasped the safety railing and thrusted her upper body over it, as if she was trying to get closer to the city itself in an attempt to make sure it heard her. “Welcome hoooOoome!” Sue screamed in a single long breath. The two sharing a laugh for a moment as her face turned a slight shade of blue from the lack of oxygen. Ali paused to take in the sounds of the music from below and Sue's smile as a slight smile began to spread across his face. In this moment he was nervous, anxious, but most of all grateful and hopeful to be back him and to have his friends with him. “Thank you Sue..” Ali spoke “I know you didn't have too it really means a lot that you guys..” “Hey man” She stopped him, punching him in the arm as she did. her fist weighed a bit on him as it connected into his relaxed arm. Though she had only been messing around the “Tapping” actually carried with it enough force for pain to register. Ali winced immediately from the shock, moving his arm away to caresses it with his free hand. “Ouch!” He said “BWahaha!” Sue bellowed away as she rubbed a single tear off her face. “Oh stop it, I barely tapped you, don't lie to me you'll ruin the moment Hawhahaha” She said mockingly as she outstretched her hands as if to display the city skyline to him. “Look this is it. You're home, Oolong City! One cease pool of villainy and scum! Tadaa!! The perfect place for an early retirement!” She seemed real proud of herself. Grin spreading from ear to ear as she kept fidgeting with her posture, trying to find the right stance or pose to make in the moment while she pointed a commanding finger at the city's skyline. Ali allowed himself a soft chuckle as his shoulder rocked slightly in amusement. “Actually that isn't Oolong City. That one is Electric city...because of the..Giant..Blue electric tower you are currently pointing at” Sue, shocked by this latest development now began changing her demeanor as she attempted to frame the entire skyline between her outstretched arms in the most obnoxious way possible. Switching her poses now in an attempt to find one that could be both annoying and entertaining enough. “Oolong Electric city everyone! Welcome welcome come on in!” She cried out as if he'd said nothing at all. A few moments would pass and she could notice Ali's deep in thought. He was usually a bit more reserved than others but this was different, she could just tell. His eyes scanned the skyline, taking in the city, every window, every frame, and all it's light. All the while maintaining an ever present soft smile of his. “What are you gonna do now that were here?” She would finally say as his soft chuckles began to die down. “I want to find my family, if they're still here, Sue” His tone was soft and somber. His eyes still drifting from building to building with a sadness that seem tighten his throat just enough for her to notice. “I never told you guys exactly what happened... To be honest... I was scared if I did you guys wouldn't want me in the group If you'd known the truth” She rested a gentle hand on his shoulder as he spoke. She could not tell how he was feeling, what he was thinking, but she had never seen him like this before. “Ali” She finally spoke out. “The past few months have been hell for all of us man but what ever it is you're going through, when you're ready to talk, if you're ready to talk I'm here for ya buddy.”He didn't respond to her at first and he found it difficult to avoid her gaze but he could tell she was sincere and firm in her words. “I just need to make things right with a few people and then we can move on if you guys want. I... realize that I am bringing a group of super heroes into...well...not the nicest place” He said. Her response was loud as it was quick. “HA!” She bellowed at him sarcastically. “Tell me about it. So much for retirement am I right? Once Papi finds out where we came he's gonna flip the bus on us, but but dude! This is awesome! If we get a little tired of retirement we can just bam pow! crack some bad guys skulls and then bus right on back to our little holes like gremlins hehe. Or or! we can visit the cities and shop, eat! We can do whatever here there's so much to eat! And uhh do, to You get it! Right?Ali smirked as he watched her try to contain her excitement. He loved whenever Sue was herself, unburdened by the weight of their past adventures and traumas. He loved seeing her light up with her usual enthusiasm. “Can you lift a bus?” Ali spoke in a direct manner, attempting to interrupt and confuse her, just a bit. “Me? uhh. Probably, ya? why?” “When I tell him this was your idea I won't feel as bad about it knowing you will be fine”
Together they shared a laugh, Sue chuckling to herself while Ali weighed his thoughts behind a soft chuckle, as if considering something for one last time. As they leaned over the rails. They shared a moment of silence as the music from the radio, switching abruptly from an R&B song to some kind of hard rock or metal, played from the speakers around them. "Scarlett? Yea. Probably Scar" They both chuckled in unison as the pleasant sounds of an escalating argument over "radio rights" could be heard below “We have a couple more hours before we get to Newtown, I think you said that's where your from right?”“Yes, that's right” “Okay, good. We'll be dropping you off, I suppose, and Zed is gonna take us to some spot he's found. I'll be pinging that on our group chat so that everyone of us will know where it's at incase anyone wants to go sight seeing... I prefer we stay in pairs if we're gonna be out but...since this is your home and all...”“I can buddy with someone if you like Sue. It's okay. I don't want to be the reason people start to get lax on some of the rules and i...” He spoke the words without looking at her, his eyes still fixed on the skyline ahead of them. “Don't be so ridiculous...” She interrupted as she waived a hand dismissively “...You'll be with your family and friends. I think you'll be fine. Just ping one of us if anything comes up. We're never far, and is Papillion has a problem with that he can suck my, sweet, bubbly ass.” She said as she began to make her way back down the stairs, back into the cabin where all of their friends would be readying breakfast. Ali simply smiled and nodded in appreciation as Sue finally descended into Persephone's cabin he lowered his head and his eyes began to fill themselves with a look of hope. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his phone as he scrolled through his old contacts until finally arriving to the one he searched. “Yasna <3 ;D Sissy” His hands twitched slightly as he went to send the message typing the same message over and over again only to edit himself into oblivion and start over again until finally his phone read “Hey.. it's been awhile. I'm sorry...”
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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Oct 2, 2021 8:25:36 GMT -8
“First Stop!” Zed cried out to his crew of weary passengers, eager to finally disembark and explore. “Newtown! You're up Borrack Ali!” Zed Jested as Ali Grabbed his travel bag, an old worn thing he'd pick up in the south lands before making his way east, where he would meet the team. The bag sported a few patches he'd gathered during his travels, namely a three-star Dragonball patch and someone of the rare capsule corp patches, or so he'd been told. Sue ran up to him as he finished gathering his stuff and began to walk towards the front exit. She embraced him so tightly and suddenly that she had lifted his feet off the ground, the breath nearly escaping him, as her large violet arms constricted against him like an industrial-strength press machine meant to crush cars, or in this case one poor young man. “Don't disappear on us, Newbie. I will fucking find you if you don't check in!” She yelled the words at him despite him being locked in her inescapable embrace.” “Hey now! Save some of that enthusiasm for me babe.” Papillion said as he smacked Sue's ass, she bite her lip while she side-eyed Papillion without saying a word, before he came to stand in front of Ali, his hand fully extended. The two young men exchange a smile and shook hands firmly. “Ali, despite me being a tad bit jealous that this little lady seems to spend more time with you these days, she's right, check in with us regularly brother. We would love to keep ya around” Papillion turned to face the crew as he spoke “Listen. Hey. Shut up!” His voice raised as he sent a stabbing glare at Scarlett who was currently head locking George, their social media manager, and cameraman, so hard he was starting to look as purple as Sue's skin. “What?!” Scarlett called out “This bloke is dodgy and he's all in my seat!...” Scar called out “I don't care, settle down y'all” Papillion responded as George gasped in relief as Scarlett released him. “Innit lucky this mental plonker's got powers?!” George responded as he rushed to out of Scarlett's arm's reach “A wha...PLONKER?!” Scarlett cried out before raising to lunge herself after poor, fragile, George as he fell over himself in fear before skittering away as fast as he could. Laughter filled the room as Papillion continued, his voice was clear and commanding as he spoke. "Alright, alright, settle down yall. Someone grab her" Papillion
“Everyone I wanted to take a moment to let y'all know how appreciative Sue and I are of all of you..” He paused, clearly struggling with what he had to say next. “...I know I haven't always been the most agreeable or the easiest to get along with...” He spoke as Sue stepped to his side, eagerly grabbing his arm and draping it around her shoulders before giving him a light kiss on the cheek. “I... thanks, babe... I Just wanted to thank all of you for all the work you've put into this. When Sue... Danny and I started this little group we never imagined to be standing here with so many differently talented, and awesome, individuals.”Cheers went up from the crew as they gathered closer, some of the members clapping, some embracing. “Now Ali here is going home for a little while so I want all y'all to make sure we show him a little bit of love before then. You're always welcomed back here, man...” Papillion said turning to face Ali again as Scarlett walked up behind Papillion while he finished, passing him a drink. He took it and began to raise a glass, as more drinks were passed out. Each member eventually took up a glass, all except for Ali who declined his, a mighty cheer went up again and again as the members all took turns saying their goodbyes to Ali Ali couldn't help but smile as their laughter filled the room in a chorus of jokes and toast. Post #2| 674 Words| Total: 2946Attachments:
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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Oct 2, 2021 13:33:35 GMT -8
“Ali!” La Taupe shouted out as Ali disembarked from the bus. “Hey man?!” Ali responded. "S'il te plait viens ici mon ami, come here my friend, come here! I need to speak with you” La Taupe moved on to Ali, waving a gesture to Zed telling him to hold on as he did so, he guided Ali into an area away from the entrance of the bus, more to themselves away from potentially prying eyes or hears. It was Mid-day. They were at a large gas station just outside of mid-town, in Newtown. “What's up, man? You've been asleep for days I was starting to think you'd gotten lost down there” Ali spoke the words, attempting to be cordial, even pleasant, with a man he held little love for but La Taupe seemed to mostly ignore them. Looking over his shoulder as the pair moved further from the group, who were currently preoccupied with exchanging hugs and congratulatory drinks. La Taupe was a weird one, for sure. He was a tall, mostly thin, lanky man. Somewhere just over six feet and five inches or so had skin almost as pale as moonlight. La Taupe was never an official member of the team back when they were officially working. He was brought on by Pappillion as The “Grey Fox” to do some of the more “unsavory work”, It was a suggestion from George or maybe Benji, Ali could never remember which, to keep up with their public image, they needed a member of the team willing to do some of the more “Grey area work” break-ins, spying, subterfuge type of things. Ali never liked it but could not help but admit the Grey Fox delivered results in the past and he had almost hated him for it. Ali Stared in his deep, dark sunken eyes as he spoke. The Fox handed him an envelope, in secrete, his body language concealing his movements and urging Ali to do the same, Ali didn't. He never really liked the Fox, seeing him as a bit of a scoundrel and someone he would never associate himself with under normal circumstances. The Fox raised an eyebrow as they stood. “Ooh no no no my friend don't be gobshite here and now...” the Fox spoke the words with a slight sense of urgency and it almost disgusted Ali. “ Fox, look...” Ali interrupted. “ I am not sure what you are up to but as I have said I am not going to be working for some time...” He paused to look up at the obelisk of the man before him, even hunched over the Fox still easily stood a head and a half over Ali. The Fox's lips curled and he nearly snarled as he took a half step back as if he had planned to walk off soon, his face drew a picture of surprise and irritation. “... We are retired Fox. The Team. We are done now. I mean no offense but I think you can go now, I will forever be grateful for your services, but I think our goals are no longer aligned” La Taupe raised a hand to his brow, rubbing out his frustration as he spoke. ”Oh mein Jesus, das kann ich gerade nicht glauben! My friend, T’inquiète I say, T’inquiète! This is about our last chat and listen we must be flat chat now that we're here please, just promise me you'll take this and read it later, Mon Ami!” Ali Stared at him for a long moment. He wanted to be done with this conversation, he wanted to go home, to Yasna and his brother and he fought the urge to command his legs to move away and walk right past La Taupe, but something he had said caught his attention. “Our last chat?” Ali asked “Yes of course” La Taupe said “A month ago maybe two? I have been thinking a lot about our last talk Mon Ami and I think you were right about those men”“Of course” Ali cursed to himself In the week or so after Danny had passed away, Ali and the Team took a couple of weeks off to grieve. During that time he remembers that La Taupe, seemed to linger, despite his nature as a mercenary to bounce between groups. In Ali's Eyes, the Fox was the worst kind of “Hero” He was a fake. A Mercenary, though to Ali's relief the Foxs' one saving grace was how open he was about his shady ways and how La Taupe didn't seem to pretend to be heroic. He knew who he was, scum and an opportunist and if it were up to Ali, people like him, living on the edge of society would be the first ones to get taken care of. To his surprise, however, La Taupe had decided to stay with them during those slow times, despite not receiving any pay. During some downtime, the two would strike up conversations after one day La Taupe would walk in on Ali doing some research into the beings that took his friend away. They had a long talk about where they might've come from, who they were, and what they wanted, but the thought of that day shook Ali to his core. He had banished the memory of even that conversation and stopped looking for info on those beings as soon as he hit a dead end. until now it seemed. “Fox listen” Ali spoke. Forcefully interrupting some rambling the Fox had started in one of the languages he spoke, Ali never liked that little habit of the foxs' “You're after a job, is that it? You just care about the money, be honest, I should have never told you anything.” Ali spoke trying to mask his distaste in the man before him. “Look, I do not know what game you're playing at, and you might have somehow fooled everyone else but I see through you. So do me a favor and just drop it.” Ali regretted the words as soon as he'd said them. The Fox stared at him and to Ali's surprise, the fox was shocked. Not the kind of shock when you're discovered or caught in the act, unfortunately, that is the shock Ali would have hoped for. It was the kind of shocked expression you give a man when they tell you the sky is pink and clouds are made of cotton candy. “The Fox is...confused?” Ali thought to himself? “Why isn't he tightening with anger? What is he playing at here?” Ali thought A tense moment passed between them and The Grey Foxs' Hand retreated from Ali. Despite his look of confusion and doubt Ali could sense the man's mind still furiously working out what had been plaguing him since they started this talk. “Look” Ali finally spoke, breaking the silence between them. The Fox straightened himself out. Looking now like a man who was ready to walk away but still unsure. “I am sorry Fox. I do not have the right to walk over you like that...”
“ Văd, îmi pare rău că te doare.” The Fox spoke under his breath in response. A pause held both men still for a moment and together they took in the sounds of the celebration and bumping of the music coming from what was apparently now a party bus. He placed a daft hand on Ali's shoulder. “I think... I think you were on to something when last we spoke. Listen I think there is a lot .....” The Grey Fox paused seeming to realize something at this moment. “I will explain all in time, my friend and maybe then we'll have more to talk about. Just trust me, please” He patted Ali on the shoulders while sharing a sympathetic look before he left. Post #3| Words 1,307| Total: 4,253 Attachments:
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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Oct 5, 2021 11:02:55 GMT -8
Yasna Sat regally on her spot upon a coffee shop balcony flanked by a large potted plant she had decided to use for some slight concealment. She held a good view of the main street as she sipped on her Kami Spice Cold Brew Expresso. She eyed her phone anxiously, hands gripped with a slight tremble as the screen read “Text from Idiot asshole, brother Ali” She reached out to swipe her phone revealing the message “Almost there, thank you again.”Brock Halib Prince, her adopted little brother, had been for all intents and purposes missing in action, and perhaps dead. For the previous three or maybe four years now. She couldn't believe this was true, in fact, she didn't believe it were it not for the voicemails he'd left previously. She shook her head as she sat in her seat, tight-lipped and furious at herself for allowing herself to get even this excited. “Ugh, get a grip Yasna,” She said as she nibbled onto her freshly bought Korrin House Kolache with Jalapeno cheese sausage special, it was one of her favorite comfort food, and though she hated to admit it this placed served some damn good Kolaches. Better than the time she had tried to make some herself back at her own store. The Kolache was, in her own mind, a disgusting mix of highly processed sausage and cheese with just the right amount of spice, a seasoned bread baked freshly for the customers who came in early enough to part take or were just lucky enough to get the spares from the mornings rush, Yasna was one of the lucky ones today. Yasna Moaned in delight as she took her first bite trying to maintain her distance to the nearby plant in case this was some weird creep after her or some other type of scam. It didn't happen too often to her but in near Oolong city one always had to be twice as careful or else they would end up missing, looted, or worse. Despite her constantly shifting mood it was a perfect day outside. A sunny seventy-one to seventy-four-degree weather with the occasional gust of wind, and not a cloud in sight. She almost wished she could relax. Wished she could take her baseball cap off and let her hair down. Drop her sunglasses along with the rest of her clothing and hop onto the first bus which lead to Oolong beach city but she couldn't. Even if it weren't for this meeting she would have work soon, she ALWAYS had work soon and life was beginning to become a constant blur as all the days in her life since Ali left and her father died, started to blend into a colleague of misery and boredom. She hated her life at the book store, hated working there. Hated dealing with the old man's, old, business partners, but most of all she hated the fact that her brother seemed to have been hurt by the past few years even more than her. It had to be her, it was always her that had to take care of things, this would be no different. For the time being she had decided that now was as good a time as any to enjoy herself upon her gorgeous balcony seat which overlooked their agreed-upon meeting place. She'd hesitated to call the number that claimed to be Ali. Yasna was a young woman in her mid-twenties, eldest of her siblings but not by much. She was or used to be, the most mature of her siblings by far. She stood at five feet, five inches tall with short blonde hair, eye a brilliant shade of light blue that barely reached her shoulders. She sported an athletic build that came about from years of Softball practice and she liked to think of herself as someone who was tough and could get shit done if the need arose but in the moments leading up to their arranged meeting she had been feeling anything but that. As time went on Yasna decided to go through her backpack, pulling out a small pad she'd brought with her, a new project she'd been working on whenever she had a little bit of time. The pad was big enough for her to need both hands but compact and small enough to stow away, snugly, in her purse. The image of a small flying drone appeared on the top left side of her pad, with a long series of numbers and statistics running down the length of that same side. The majority of the pad was occupied by a live camera feed in the center. She could see herself from a birds-eye view, along with plenty of other citizens walking around and going about their day-to-day lives. The sort of thing she was doing would have been illegal were it not for her human skin and race and she was careful where she had programmed the Drone to fly near and over most of the mid-town buildings. She took a deep breath as she watched the drone autonomously scan all the human faces and Saiyan faces in the crowd looking and searching for him. “It's been years,” She thought to herself while she inspected her freshly done nails. “This stupid thing probably won't even recognize him now” She muttered under her breath as she began to mess with the pad and take manual control of it herself. It was theraputic, flying, soaring through the sky with her little drone. She had heard of people who could supposedly fly, everyone had, and allegedly plenty of heroes, demons, and the like could aswell and she had wondered what that would really be like. She imagined herself soaring through the air, her hair brushing against the wind as she soared above the clouds. For a moment she had almost lost herself in the thought, almost. Just then she could have sworn she saw something or someone familiar walking into the first story of the building she was in wearing a familiar shade of green. “Agh!” She said as she nearly jumped out of her seat. “What? Can't be? We're supposed to meet down there.” She moved her aerial drone around to spy on the interior of the first floor until she was satisfied. “Great, next I'll imagine Vegeta's own thighs walking in, ugh!” She exasperated. “Get a grip girl.” For a moment she stopped to imagine what she would actually do If Ali randomly showed up if he actually did make it. Her grip began to tighten from mere thought alone. “That bastard” She muttered under her breath. “I'll kill him. I'll shove this Kolache up his ass and pull his stupid eyebrows off. I'll bend him over and I'll spank him with his own dumb eyebrows. I'll... I'll...!
“ Hi, Yassi” Ali's voice spoke timidly as the sound of his voice seemed to cut through the air and into the deepest sections of her mind. Words: 1165| Total: 5,418
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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Oct 5, 2021 19:04:37 GMT -8
A flash of excitement, covered by shock and rage, overwhelmed her. Before realizing it she'd jumped out of her chair and began towards him. Despite him only being a few feet away, it had taken longer than she'd expected but she'd jumped up so fast she had barely had enough time to think. “What am I doing?” She thought to herself, feeling embarrassed as she startled civilians and customers on her way to him. The speed of her embrace and subsequent force of their bodies pressing together hit her before she was done processing it all. Her emotions were a whirlwind of feelings she was trying her best to keep under control. Ali had grown, not only in height but apparently in weight and mass as well... She was taken aback by the feel of his arms and the fact that he'd barely budged as she nearly slammed into him with unexpected force “You're a bit taller ain't ya?” She said as she wrapped her fingers around his biceps, squeezing with a malicious force, trying to inflict some kind of discomfort. “Ouch?!” Ali squealed as she pressed on his arm. Blue= Her insights This is her testing or probing him “What are these for than if ya ain't any tough? Frankie is gonna beat all over you for getting so big” She eyed him curiously as he spoke back. She couldn't believe it. Here he was, right in front of her, nearly the same as he'd left them so long ago...almost the same but not quite. His voice was still higher than most men and he wore a baggy sweater over his dark blue jeans making it hard to truly get a measure of him. “Typical Ali” She thought to herself. In the past, he had always been shy, reserved little Ali, never wanting to draw any attention to himself but something was off now. Something did not sit right with her as they spoke. “..besides, I'm not that big...” Ali continued, though she'd barely been paying any attention, still lost in shock and disbelief at the sight of him. “...I am older you know?” He said rubbing the top of his head. “...It's only natural that maybe I get a little bigger. His eyes darted back and forth, avoiding hers, hesitantly meeting only to gauge her reactions to his words. “Sue, I am really grateful that you would meet me...” “...Who is Sue?!” Yasna fired back before he could get the chance to finish. Stunned silence constricted and contorted Ali's face for a moment as he realized what he had just done. His cheeks began to flush with a tint of red, coloring his light flesh with a hint of pink. She resisted the urge to laugh at him, rage sitting in the back of her mind as it slowly crept into the forefront, as the excitement and shock of seeing him begin to fade. “Is that your Girlfriend now? Do you have a girlfriend again!? Is that why you left us!!?” She could feel her face begin to burn up, the volume of her voice beginning to escape her control. “I fucking swear by all the dragon balls if that's why he left...” She began to think to herself before realizing the embarrassment start to grip her. She could sense the stares and eyes of bystanders creeping on the girl who must have broken a world record or two by the way she lunged at him. “I.. I...She is...” He began to say. “beep buuzzZzz crash. POP! Aghhh fuck!!!” “Kami's grace?!” They could both hear bystanders cry out from below. Yasna's drone had apparently sputtered out of control and crash-landed onto the ground below them, apparently landing on the head of some angry Namekian or beastmen, they couldn't tell and she didn't seem to care as Ali looked downwards with concern, seemingly checking to see if anyone needed help. Yasna's face turned sour immediately as she stared at him. The sudden realization that all her time and hard work on that drone had just gone to shit. "Perhaps that beast man got hit so hard some of her knowledge and hard work had been passed down to him" She thought to herself. “w...was that one of yours?” Ali began to say as a fist landed, squarely, into his face while he had been turning back to face her. Knuckles dug into him as his head braced itself backwards “Agh!” Ali gasped as he shook back, hands covering his face from the shame and pain. “That's for leaving us and taking our money you asshole!” Yasna yelled as she grabbed him by the arm and sat him down before picking up the Kolache she had ordered earlier. “I'm sorry, sorry, excuse us! I am so sorry” Ali spoke out as a few groups of people, some mix of beast-folk and others began to file out of the balcony, away from the noisy couple. “Do not apologize to them, Brock Halib Prince! Now shut up and eat your Kolache! It's you're favorite kind!” She stuffed the item down his mouth as she prepared herself to die under the weight of her own embarrassment and overwhelming emotions. Moments passed in silence as Ali slowly and carefully attempted to swallow the inhuman portion of bread and sausage that had just been stuffed into his mouth. He worked his jaws ever so slowly as if afraid that to much movement would stir her rage and force her anger on him again, he was right of course. Yasna Glared at him as if attempting to conjure dagger out of thin air and then kill him with them. Within moments one of the servers offered Ali with a bag of ice and he accepted it slowly raising it into the side of his face, his expression permissive and inquisitive. “Yes Ali you can have a bag of ice, ugh!” She finally said. “Look, I am sorry. I never get this emotional” She spoke as she brushed aside a single tear, turning her head away from him hoping he wouldn't notice. “ ...Waiter please bring us three more orders of the same and a black coffee to go for me...oh! And some of your cookies please, I am in a bit of a hurry but make sure you get to all your tables first, I don't want to mess anything up for you hun... thank you” She spoke the words never once shifting her gaze away from Ali Eyes fixated on him like a bird of prey whilst on the hunt. “...Thank you for the meal Yassi,” Ali said under his breath, seemingly unsure of himself. Yasna took a moment to pause and look away before speaking. “You know...” She finally said. “You don't have to always thank everyone and apologize for everything...” She sighed bringing a single hand up to her brow and rubbing her temples. “You're still the same dork I knew. Where have you been?! Everyone has been worried sick about you!” She said the words trying not to lose control of her voice again, her other hand gripping her original cup of coffee harder than she'd intended to. “Stupid, this is so stupid” She thought to herself. “Why am I being so emotional right now..” She continued her thought. “Either be happy or be upset right now but not both you dummy!” She took a deep breath, choosing instead to be happy for the moment. “I am...sorry” Ali finally said. “I wanted to tell you. I really did but you're just going to have to trust me. I am back now and I want to make things right. I understand if everyone is mad at me but I promise you I will make things right! I planned on coming back and getting a job I understand if I am not welcomed back with you guys. I want to pay back all the money I took, please.” There was something about his demeanor that threw her off. His posture had changed when he spoke the words. His back straightened, his eyes fixed now and his tone was that of a man. Even while apologetic he did not seem the shy introverted boy she remembered. There was something. As if a creature lurking beneath the pools of water that laid in his eyes. There was a confidence in him and she suspected he had been trying to hide this confidence their entire interaction but why? The Ali she remembered never played games or minced his words? Who was this person she was talking to? Has he really changed so much? She raised an eyebrow at him, not sure of what to truly make of this. Her hand reached across the table and she palmed his free hand, pressing her fingers along it, slowly caressing his fingers, massaging them one by one as she worked out the kinks of stress and knots. Ali sat quietly until she had finished, not moving or making a sound until she spoke. “Ali...” She spoke to him with her head down. Thinking a great many things about what she would do next. “... I am happy you are back. I was...we were all worried about you. Look I don't care about the money, though Frank does. I just wish you would have talked to us” She paused, fighting back her emotions as it all doned on her. Ali was back. Her little brother was finally home. Yasna was usually well composed and in control of herself. She liked to be in control, liked to have situational awareness, and think through her options in any given environment, but seeing him again. Feeling his hands in hers again, and hearing his voice had done something to her. Something deep within her had begun to stir. Something she hadn't felt in a long time. She inhaled deeply, doing her best to regain control. Her breathing started to slow and her mind drew a clearer picture again. She could see him clearly now, in her mind's eye. He had come a long way, he had been through a lot. The much was obvious to her now and she had a million questions. “I am sorry.” She said “this is just a lot and sudden. Let's start over I have been nothing but terrible to you and everyone since you have arrived...” He stared back at her a gentle smile beginning to form. “.. .I am glad you are okay Ali. I am really happy to see you.” She smiled at him now returning the favor. Her blue eyes glistening against this perfect days' ever-present sun. “It's Okay” Ali spoke back “I understand takes as much time as you need.” His expression softened as he spoke and she had almost forgotten what it was like to speak to him. It was easy and she felt like she could do no wrong. Her heart tugged a bit as she looked at him. She could sense how tired he was, somehow, she just knew and in that moment there could be no doubt who she was sitting before. It really is him not some Doppel ganger in disguise or hooligan transformed by some witch attempting to con her family (again) “What happened to your hands?” “My hands?” Ali said, confused. “Yes, your hands. You have a few little scars. I could feel them when we touched, I had to press down to be sure but, let me see”Ali's lips tightened, his torso seemed to tense a bit before his hands slowly retreated back to his lap. “Yassi, you don't have to take care of me anymore. I am grown now” He spoke the words with little conviction, seeming lost in thought and taken aback by her a bit. “We are supposed to take care of each other Ali, or did you forget while you were away? Don't tell you got those scars because now you've up and joined some gang? Is THAT IT? Dragon save you if I find out you are really here because you owe some gang a lot of money!”Her words seemed to cut into him and she had almost regretted them but she did not feel bad. He should hurt at least a little, I mean why not? He had left them, suddenly, without warning, and he had taken a large amount of their money with him. “...We're not supposed to run off and leave each other behind all of a sudden!” “Now wait a bit Yassi...” Ali interrupted, his tone betraying a bit of confusion and irritation “ I didn't leave? I was placed back into the system and I...” He began to say before she waved his words away with a dismissive tone. “That's bullish Ali, you know we had the money, we were gonna take care of you. You knew that... Instead... You took our money. And ran away” Her lips tightened as she spoke the words and though she did not mean to her tone was harsh and rushed. Her hand raised to cover her mouth before regaining her composure. She watched him carefully next as the waiter arrived with a tray and their meals, the steam wafting, into the breeze. “I am sorry...” The waiter spoke. He was a short pig boy with rose-colored cheeks and a belly that seemed to greet anyone who stood in front of him. “The chef heard about what's been going on and so we sent you some fresh Kolaches, on the house my Dame and Sir, please forgive my intrusion...”“It's Okay” Ali spoke. While faces the young pig he took the food off of his plate, an easy task as they were at eye level, despite Ali being seated. “...and thank you very much” Ali spoke as he slipped some Zeni into the boys pocket. If it could be considered a little racist to suddenly burst a single laugh at the boys squeals of sudden joy and surprise Yasna would not care, doing nothing to hide her laugh before quickly regaining her composure to stare at Ali. “...and I am sorry. You have a right to be upset with me but please” He rose from his feet and took a knee by her side, facing her, and took her hands into his. “Let me make things right, please. Let me work for you guys again. Let me earn the money back then I can leave if that's what you wish of me.” She bite her tongue as the anger started to bubble inside of her again. Suppressing the urge to dole out more verbal punishment. It was odd, she thought to herself. Ever since receiving his first voicemail a few weeks ago, she never would have imagined having this much trouble. So many different feelings and emotions. “ No” She spoke as she began to rise from her seat having chosen happiness and a Kolache over violence on this day “ I am sorry Ali” She grabbed his hands, beckoning him to raise with her. She placed one hand on his shoulders and kept another around his hands. “It has been a long time and I think we have all changed. We aren't the same kids we used to be. I forgive you but it's not that simple. There is a lot going on now and I will have to catch you up” His expression soften as they rose and he nodded his head affirmatively once she had finished. “Yes, thank you!” He spoke. “I can not wait to help!” She didn't respond. her expression regaining a regal demeanor that seemed to become her now. "If You thank me or anyone one more time the next thing I shove into you won't be as pleasant as bread and your favorite spiced sausage" She glared at him again "Right!... Yes..." He responded... "Sorry..."
"You have given me a lot to think about Ali, we will have to catch up in a bit though. I have to get back to the store at before my shift. You should come to meet us there later tonight. I will send you an invite to get through the door, you'll need to download an app, I will send it to you.”Ali's expression changed to confusion as he spoke “Wh..An app?” “Yes” she responded “I added some tech to our doors and made our library area open for twenty-four hours a day but people have to be part of our Patreon and online group to be let in...it's... I can show you later.” and with that, she gathered her things and began to walk away from him. No hug no goodbye. Her mind was overburdened with thoughts and emotions. She had needed time and she knew he would understand though a part of her did not care if he did not. Post #5: Words: 2,810| Total: 8,228
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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Oct 6, 2021 8:47:50 GMT -8
Yasna's mind was a rush with activity as she contemplated the meeting she just had. She picked up her drone as she got to the street and began to pack some of its pieces. “At least this I can fix,” She thought to herself as she began to walk down Mainstreet, back to her shop while she played their interaction out in her mind over and over and over again. It was the worrying that plagued her the most she's cared about him ever since they met years ago, back when they were all kids. Her, Frank, and Brock Halib her half Saiyan, half-human adopted little brother. She still remembers the day the old man brought home this disheveled, scared, and angry little boy with the weird bowl cut and she smiled thinking back. Those were simpler times and she had yearned for those times back. Even as the trio got older she remembers them being insuperable. Back then Ali had never hidden things from her. He was always so transparent and open it...it almost annoyed her and now it had become clear. He was hiding something but why? She needed to know "...and how can he be the one to show up all of a sudden, ask for a job, and then have the gull to not tell her every little thing that was going on in his life? I mean what kind of deal is that?" She mused as her thoughts began to wonder She thought back to his hands. As she'd been tracing her fingers along with them. They were rough a bit calloused and somewhat coarse but more importantly, they had become strong and thick with use but not like a mechanics' hands or an electrician. Those she thought she would be able to recognize. These were different somehow. Then there was the matter of his travel bag. Had he come from out of town? His boots were well worn suggesting they have been used well and often. “Hmmm” she had thought to herself. “God damn it” She finally said allowed. “I hate men. I hate all men of every kind.” She said as she reached into her purse and pulled out a headset. Placing it on her head she dialed the side of it which activated some sort of search engine. “Hey Googol” she spoke allowed as a familiar “Bing” Noise emitted from her headset. “Search Dragonball patches, specially three-star ones” Post #6 Words: 407| Total; 8,635
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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Oct 7, 2021 12:05:52 GMT -8
Later that day
Ali's phone rang as he crouched onto his good knee atop the side of a fire escape walk-up ladder. He had been using his position to spy on “The Green Bean” Coffee house for just over an hour now. His high-tech camera had been up to his face as he used it to peer into the side windows of the large two-story building. It seems that in the time he had been gone the store had engulfed yet another of the shops and even got remolded a bit. He continued to stare perched atop the stairs as he peered into the shop, despite his phones ringing. He had been watching them, the employees, the customers, Yasna, and everyone else. “Yasna runs a tight ship,” he thought to himself as he watched her admiring her work ethic from a distance. This was not the sister he remember. The Yasna he thought of was always put together and independent, smart and savvy, sure, but this. This was almost a different woman and he respected that. His eyes eventually drifted away to some of the employees there were so many of them now. Forty? Maybe sixty. That about five or eight times more employees than the old man ever had on staff. He made a note of a few employees, their mannerisms, work routes, how they interacted with each other and Yasna. “Sure, this may seem weird. Creepy even...” He thought to himself “...but I know that in time everyone will come to appreciate how insightful and hard working I was when I walk into this store and manage the employees as if I already know who they are...”He smirked as he placed the phone to his ear “Go for Lee...” He spoke into the phone as he kept his eyes on his camera, keenly intent on the hardworking employees below. “YOO!! It's Georgie are ya busy mate?”“No sir, what's up it's only been a day do you miss me already?”“Like Hell you big green unit of course I do! haha” Georgie was one of the good ones. He had been team overwatche's self-appointed cameraman and social media manager on the Dynotube for the better part of a year, maybe a year and a half now. He was a hell of a film editor and an even better friend although his work ethic made that hard to determine for sure. The guy was always editing or working on something. Ever since Scarlett broke up with him recently Ali and he had grown closer as George had needed someone on the team to vent to and Ali had grown interested in what he did and just how he did it. “...Who is that on the phone?!” Ali could hear a woman say in the background on Georges' end. “...Hey man...” George continued. “... I just wanted to let you know I did that thing you asked and set up your website and everything. Made it look really legit for ya mate. We got our first case already!” “ Wow” Ali responded somewhat incredulously. “George that was fast man. When did you even...? Have my test results come in yet?” “Ohh ya Mate, that's right! Forgot to tell ya. You did it! Congrats! Listen mate I've been buzzin all day waiting to tell ya but...” “Crash!!” “Ayy what the Fu!...” The sound of a stampede seemed to echo from Georges' side of the phone as Ali place his camera down to look at his phone screen in confusion. “Ali!” A woman called out from the other end. “Heyyy Sue...” Ali chuckled back “YOU CALLED GEORGIE BEFORE YOU CALL YOU'RE BEST FRIEND?! WHAT KIND OF QUEER ARE YA?! HAVE YOU EATEN? ARE YOU OKAY?!” “hahaha. I am sorry Sue. I meant to call you earlier. I am okay. Put Georgie on the phone, please. He's been “BUZZIN” to talk to me and we wouldn't want to keep him.” “The only thing GEORGIE Is “Buzzing” to do has red hair and a 26” waist! He can wait!”“...Ohh will you absolutely just bugger off you oversized Dosh dispenser!” George screamed back at her as he struggled, vainly, to pull the phone free of her grasp There was a cacophony of laughter accompanied in the background before George could regain control and begin to move to a more private area. “Terribly sorry about that mate...are ya still there Oli?” Ali palmed his face as he shook his head back and forth. He let a soft chuckle escape him before rejoining. “Yes sir! I am here “Mate”!” He said, only slightly mocking George's accent. “Ohh don't be such a Knob Oli! Anyways. I sent you a link to your new website, everything is up already and working. You have the login info and all that, let me know what you think yah?!” Ali took a few moments to get on his phone and look up everything George had sent him. Sure as there was wind he saw it. Three Star Investigations Agency. T.S.I.A. It was a whole ass website with testimonials, case samples, videos, photos, the works. “Wooow, Georgie where did you get these reviews and testimonials though? I barely got my license today right? From passing the state exams?” “Well TECHNICALLY Mate you're license is in the mail but you can print out a permit any day. Anyways it's all online. These days you can pay a freelance writer or programmer to do anything innit neat?” Ali paused for a moment as he continued to scroll through the site. Clicking on the links which showed “sample cases” and testimonials. He'd stopped once he came to one titled. “The Black Star Case” “George...” He said hesitantly. “You wrote a sample of the Black Star event?...” A pause came for the other line before George spoke back. “.. .Well technically the wankers we hired did that. All I did was give them the information and all, they wrote it...” Another pause followed before George spoke back up. “...Well, look Oli that one is at least all true I know it's a little touchy having it be something to do with little Danny and all but you and La Taupe did figure out where that nutter was hiding with his boys...anyways I can remove it and all if ya like...”“It's fine Georgie...Thank you.” “Ohh don't even mention it mate! I don't have much else left to do these days frankly I am surprised Sue and Papi are still keeping some of us around, what with the retirement and all. I mean can you believe she didn't even ask us what this money was all for? It's like you're made of gold or something with her mate, what are your secrete?” “I try to start every sentence with please and end every conversation with thank you, anyways, this has been great Georgie but I have to go. Says here that my first meeting is tomorrow? Hmm. I'll need a pick-up to go grab some things. I can't be late for my first meeting.” “Right right right mate. Look I rented us a little flat as well! I'll be staying there, in the basement, when I am not with the crew if ya don't mind. It'd be nice to get some privacy! Meet me there if ya want, oh and another thing Oli, La Taupe left ya something. I put it on your desk in the flat, Kai's know I will open it if I didn't get it off me hands, queen only knows I'm nosey enough!” At that Ali's heart seemed to stagger a bit. “Damn it” he cursed to himself as he recalled his meeting with the Grey Fox earlier today. A pit in his stomach started to weigh on him. A ball of guilt and remorse forming in his innards as he thought about how he lost control earlier this morning and went off on a man that should be a friend by now. “...Yea...right.” Ali said in response. “...Hey did...did he mention anything about it or me?”George spent no time thinking up his response. “Ya mean did he mention how much of a right big tosser you were to him this morning, Nah. He must've forgotten to say” Ali sighed as some of the tension in his shoulders left him. “...hey wait a minute. How did you know?...”“Well mate, I told ya. Queen only knows how Nosey I am haha. I might have been peeping in at the time. Anyways La Taupe mentioned something about having another job nearby, hope ya don't mind I offered him a spot with us. I know you think he's a wee bit of a pagan mate but I think he's not so bad...ya know...once you get over the pagan bits.”“A Pagan?”“Ya mate, like. He's untrustworthy... I mean... you're right. He is but he's always been good to us right?” “Ahh. Well. Yea I just lose control when it comes to guys like him. I need to get better about that” Ali admitted in earnest. “Ya mean ya lose control to the guy ya THINK he's like mate! Like I said Oli, even if he's a right Pagan, he's our Pagan right?” “...Yea. I guess you're right. I'll have to have a talk with him next time I see him.” “There ya go, mate. Anyways look I sent ya all the info you'll need, see ya tonight!” “Sure, thanks, George. Ohh and hey before you go, how are you feeling?” He could hear George snickering in the background. One part surprised and another part flattered. “I'm doing better mate. Thank ya.” George hangs up the phone and Ali is back to himself and his thoughts. He thought about all that's happened his first day back home and already he sat on a fire escape staircase wondering if he had made a mistake coming back but whenever his thoughts drifted to Yasna he could not be sure. Something had been off during their meeting. He pretended not to notice while she was interrogating him but he wasn't sure how good of a job he did. It was an emotional ordeal, far more than he had expected but seeing her again might have been just the kick he needed. Yasna was always a guiding force in his life when they were younger. She was always there for him and their brother Frank, despite their protest when they needed something or someone and he had appreciated her for it. Even now as he spied on her and her colleagues through the lens of some advanced camera, he had borrowed from Georgie, with features he couldn't even begin to understand he could still appreciate how hard she worked and the woman she seemed to have become. A feeling of pride bubbled in his chest as he watched her work. She was beautiful, in charge, and admirable despite some of her apparent flaws. Her mood shifted suddenly as she looked straight at his direction and his eyes shot up with fear and embarrassment. He shifted uncomfortably to the side with a speed he hadn't meant to use. A loud bang, audible for yards, sounded off as his body crashed against the railings of the fire escape, his boot tripping over his travel bad which had been placed in the worst spot, the bag shifting to a side position, patches now faces the roof of the building towards an old window and secrete escape he used to use as a kid. When he finally rose to look back at her he saw the object that had truly caught her attention. Her expression had turned from one of a shock to one of anger and pure rage as she tried in a vain attempt to hide it. Post #7| Words; 1974| Total: 10,609
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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Oct 10, 2021 16:54:43 GMT -8
Franklin Prince now moved into the store with an escort of two men similarly dressed in some fancy suits and sporting a type of jewelry on their necks and wrists while sporting elaborate tattoos. Frank stood nearly a foot or so taller now than Ali had remembered him. Yasna made a B-line towards Yasna and what Ali would have expected to have been a normal or pleasant meeting seemed to be anything but that as Yasna's face seemed to tighten with an anxious frown. Confusion drew lines on Ali's face as he fumbled to grab his camera. He could see her as she grabbed their brother, Frank, and practically dragged him off to some backroom while Franks two escorts laughed in the background. Frank waved them off as the pair of men began to follow and they stood in wait, one of them moving to an employee and asking if this store had an “Adult” section. Ali rose from his seated position and within a moment bounded up onto the roof of his building. With some effort, he move onto the roof of his building and began to run closer towards the center before turning and running again towards the ledge, the heavy beats of his footsteps smacking against the pavement as he jumped towards the ledge of the roof of the other building. He immediately launched himself off the ledge upon arrival. His heart was pounding with excitement as he focused on the spot he wanted to land near. As a teenager and in the prime of his vigilante days he would make leaps like this with little to no effort. He smiled as the rush felt good. It felt good to move again like this. Felt good to be active and on the go like this. He knew the building well and there lay three entrances and exits on the roof. His target was the standard Fire escape near the top of the shopping center which connected a staircase column that could take you to any floor. He could use that, assuming the lock on that roof was still faulty as it used to be, allowing anyone to come into the building from the top even with the door closed, not that anyone but he had ever taken advantage of that, as far as he knew. imgur.com/EyM4dD5With his hands outstretched in front of him, he heard the loud sounds of a SMACK reverberating in his head as he lost control of his momentum, his brows plummetting forward, with speed, as they crashed into the side of the ledge swinging the rest of his body forward as he began to slide down the side of the building, bumping down a floor until one of his outstretched hands managed to latch onto something, bringing his body to a stop. “Aghhhhughhhh” He ground, teeth and eyes shut. Clenched in pain as he swung from the side of the building, his fingers white-knuckled and clenching on while his other hand pressed itself onto his brows and forehead for comfort. “Oh..Ok.Fuuu..” He cursed to himself allowing a few moments to pass for the pain to subside. “Ok Ali.. you're a little rusty, that's okay. Time for plan B” A small hole rested on the side of the building, covered by a rug which a younger Ali had once placed there, which leads to the attic of the Prince family's own living area, a place filled with old antiques amongst a treasure trove of other things. Flexing his arms his hands began to pull himself onto a ledge with some effort, clinging to a latch on the side of the building parallel towards his original spot of where his travel bag laid. “Just like the good ole days” He'd whispered as he began to tuck his camera into a coat pocket, wrapping the sling around his neck as he squeezed himself into the old entryway on the side of the building. He used to use to sneak in and out of the attic when he was younger and to his surprise, he seemed to all be untouched by time. “Wow, it really is just like the old day. Okay!” He whispered to himself nostalgically as the floorboards creaked under every step. He began to cough as he moved towards his old spot into the attic, trying his best to be sneaky. The attic was a large area that mostly covered the entire space of the shopping complex strip if you knew how to traverse it, and it definitely was an easy way to move over all their old rooms on the second story floor. He started to cough as his steps immediately kicked up dust as he tried to walk and within a moment he was at his old spot. He could clearly make out an old sleeping bag, stacks of old comic books he loved to read, and an old footlocker he'd somehow managed to sneak up here long ago, which once contained a stash of his heroic paraphilia, medical supplies, snacks, and other items for his suit and he smiled as he lifted the lock, his fingers beginning to dial the combination by muscle memory. “Hmmm, wonder what all I left up here...” He spoke softly to himself “Where is he?!” Came the sound of a familiar voice from below. He heard them yelling in the old man's old office, deeper into the attic. Slowly lower the lock on his old footlocker he began to move towards the sounds shouting, being careful to step over the folded staircase near the center of the room, on his way to the noises. He could hear Frank's voice, talking in a demeaning tone, in the distance. “I never said he was here Frank!...” Yasna's voice snapped back. She was noticeably distraught and her voice spoke at a volume noticeably higher than franks. It seems that that the pair had taken their conversation to the more private setting of the family's dwelling, hidden comfortably above the bookstore, the only access to this level is a staircase that leads to the said bookstore. “... But hey it's nice to see you too by the way?! Would you like to know how the family business is GOING?! Or are you too busy with you're little shithead friends doing scamming or robbing or whatever it is you do these days!?” “... Ohh shut up. First, off Yasna I make my money legitimately, and secondly like anyone in their right mind would want to be stuck in this place stacking books and taking calls for the rest of their miserable life” Ali's face went from confusion to frustration to a frown as the pair went at each other. A pang of guilt struck at his stomach as he listened to them square off in the confines of the old man's room. High above he stood where he could make bits and parts of them out from where he sat upon a beam in the attic, some of the boards not being old and worn in the building, giving way to enough sight and light for his eyes to be able to make out the silhouettes of their bodies as they argued, the color of their clothing and their stance at times. “Well! When is he coming?! I'm here for him? Or are you just crying wolf again...” Frank continued to taunt her as he began to pull a packet of mostly emptied cigarettes out of his coat pocket along with a lighter “Ooh Fuck you, Frankie! You know it would be really nice for once to just have a regular conversation for once and not you strolling up in here, causing a scene, LIKE ALWAYS, and then immediately making demands all of a sudden” She snatched the lighter out of his hands as he spoke Frank making no attempt to stop her. “Fuck off Yasna, I don't need this from you and why do you always take my lighters when I'm here, loosen up. It's not like anyone cares about this dump.” He moved out of the room as he spoke and began to make his way to one of the other rooms. “Oh no?! Well, what do you need Frank?...” Yasna followed him as he jerked his foot to kick the door of the old man's room aside. “... another Girlfriend? Another Car maybe?...” “...no no no shut up...” “...Or maybe just SOMEONE ELSE TO BLAME FOR YOUR OWN SHIT!” “Ugh, why are you always such a drag sis. Look just fuck off about my business and another thing. I have had it with you defending him after what he did obviously with so many dangerous gangs out and about we could have been seriously hurt losing that kind of money...” Yasna tried to get herself under control as she moved to stop frank before he finished down the hallway. Meanwhile, Ali began to move far above them, trying his best to bounce gently from support beam to support beam without making too much noise or movement. The building held up well for its age and despite the apparent renovations and remolding that have taken place to make everything look new and feel fresher, he could see from here that much of the original structure remained and who knows how old those were. “Ugh come on guys, stay put. I'm sure this area was not meant for someone to be jumping around in” Ali whispered to himself, still rubbing his forehead from earlier as he moved trying to find a good spot from which he might be able to see them between boards. “... He was just a scared kid Frank and they were gonna send him back through the system. It's not his fault he felt abandoned!” “Like I care Yasna. Besides he was like sixteen or something. Almost a man. He could have waited it out and why are you even still here? In this SHIT hole...” Frank continued as he nonchalantly stood in front of her. His hands in his pockets, unlit cigarette in his mouth. “...Why can't we just fucking move on already and be done with it, like seriously? Grow up and sell this place already” Ali strained himself to make them out. It was hard for him to tell where they were exactly from his current vantage point and it had felt so long since he'd climbed his around these beams. He looked around, noting writings on some of the structures he'd no doubt left long ago. He nearly gasped as he came upon a particular set of notation. “That's right,” He thought to himself, suddenly realizing where they were. “That's my old room. They're at the door to my old room.” “Ah ha, that's fucking rich. You're telling ME to grow up?” Yasna spoke up as she stood defiantly before his old door. Not allowing Frank any entry to it. “...Okay. Hey when's the last time you've paid a bill? Taken out the trash can maybe, Or hey here's one When is the LAST TIME YOU have worked a single one of your shifts?!” “Because this place fucking sucks Is that even a serious question? Look I don't know how you millennial women like to spend your time but real men don't fuck around on sinking ships, wasting their time on boring jobs. You know what...” Frank paused as he pulled out another lighter only for Yasna to slap that one out of his hand. “...Maybe I should go in there and sell some of his old stuff. Yea, what do you say? It might as well be ours, right? We still owe a couple of bad folks some money Yassi and I think some of his old Saiyaman comics are in there right?” The pair stared at each other for a long moment and Ali could feel the tension from where he was. Something inside him began to stir again and he had nearly had enough. He thought about dropping from where he was he imagined breaking through the ceiling over their heads, grabbing Frankie, and attempting to calm everyone down, hoping the element of surprise might give him time to speak his case... but that little stunt sounds really expensive and he did not want another slip up as he had just had outside. “Fine!...” Frank finally spoke as he turned back to the hallway “...Now if you'll excuse me I have other places I need to be if you're gonna drag me out here for nothing.” “I...? I didn't DRAG you out here asshole or has it been so long you have forgotten to read now, does one of your little girlfriends send and read your messages for you? I INVITED you here to the anniversary tonight so that MAYBE the three of us could all get together and just for once be adults and figure shit out.” “That's such bullshit Yasna. You're always scheming. Look the next time you want to drag me somewhere it better be with our lawyers so we can sell this dump off to Dain and Gale because I AM SICK of this place.” He slammed the door on his way out between them exiting back to another section of stairs that would lead him down to the bookstore. Yasna threw herself onto the wall in a fit of rage before collapsing onto the floor. Tears streaming from her face. He could hear her sobbing, feel her pain within himself, a wave of guilt washing over him. “What happened here...How could things get this bad?” He thought to himself. He had to resist the urge to descend from the folded staircase he knew was nearby and grab her. He wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her that whatever this was it would be okay but the thought of him doing that made him feel like a fucking creep for spying on them. “You're strong Yassi” He whispered to himself. “You can get through this. We'll make this right” His phone began to beep as a text message came through. “Shit!” Ali's blurted out as his jaw nearly crashed through the floor beneath him. His reality suddenly coming to a complete pause in the blink of an eye. “Did I seriously not mute my phone?!” his mind sent the thought through him in repeat a million times before it could register anything else. Yasna had messaged him as she kneeled on the floor. Her head cocked back as she prepared her next message and she began to look up towards the ceiling. He could see her through the floorboards as she began to look up. He scrambled to get his phone out but as he did the high-tech camera sling around his neck had snared onto something while he was getting up and moving to another beam. His phone started to beep again as his finger slammed down onto the volume button. “I'm going crazy” He could hear her say downstairs as she seemed not to notice any movement or sounds. He paused to catch his breath feeling a pang of embarrassment for taking things this far. Had it really been necessary to do all of this? To spend an entire day spying and sneaking and hiding for information? He did not even finish the thought as he peeped one more time he wanted to take a last look at her before leaving. He watched as Yasna's crying suddenly stopped and she seemed to rise up to take a knee. “Atta girl...” Ali began to think “See I knew you'd be okay. You've always been tou...” “Hey who's up there!” She exclaimed. Ali's eye grew wide with absolute horror as she sprung up and began to run straight down the hallway towards the part of the wall on her level which would lower the folded staircase above. The hair on his head nearly shot itself off of his skull as he heard the sounds of her beginning to unfurl the fold-out staircase which laid between them and before his escape route. “Fuck!” He thought to himself as she readied herself to climb He jerked suddenly towards his escape when the lanyard around his neck snapped apart and George's camera fell from his neck. He watched as the somewhat heavy handheld piece smacked into the floorboards below the beam he'd been sitting on. The camera bounced from one to the other as it descended deeper and deeper until landing at the lowest level. A small bit of board made up the ceiling of the lower level. This moment felt like it would never end. As he contemplated what to do. He could rush over and bound down towards the camera but he would have to be careful not to step on the bottom and even then he wasn't sure he could reach it but one thing was for sure, he didn't have that kind of time. He leaped forward, rolling onto the floor in a swift and fluid motion as he tucked his arms and legs in as to minimize the amount of sound his body could make. Luckily for him, a one-hundred and forty-five-pound man makes for a good acrobat. As he rolled across the floor his body crossed the threshold of where the fold-out ladder lay just in time. He made quick work of the rest of the distance as listened out for her while she lowered the staircase and began her climb. His legs pushed him hard as he stumbled his way to the wall he began trying to squeeze his way through as the top of her head crossed the threshold and into the attic. Ali's feet sprung off of the ground and into another roll as he landed. He tucked his feet into himself, rolling into a pile of nearby trash bags. He waited for what felt like an eternity as he looked up at one of the few windows on that side of the building. He could make out Yasnas' silhouette as she stared outside. Lucky for him she didn't seem to know about his hidden hole in the wall. He began to chuckle and cough from the terrible smell as he looked upwards towards his bag which laid upon the emergency stairwell. He was concerned for a second she might recognize it when, just as the outline of her figure seemed to catch on to something, her silhouette turned its head and began to walk away for some reason. He sprung to his feet and like a spirit of the wind he ascended, running up the wall, having no time to waste on the stairs' rungs themselves. Extending his arm at the last second he snatched his bag and continued to increase his speed until seemed to pop off of the wall and onto the roof of the book store. Bracing himself he tucked and rolled again allowing the momentum to carry him into another sprint and jump off of and on to another ledge all together repeating the motions until he'd cleared several blocks. Moments later Ali would sit waiting at a bus stop as he stared at his phones' screen. Yassi, Text; “Hey bowl head it has been a really weird day. Had to cancel the get-together tonight, sorry. You're still free to visit me. I'll be at the shop otherwise can I get back to you for the next meet-up?” Ali, Text; “Hey! yea that's okay. Can't do tonight I made a commitment already but definitely keep me in the loop, than... I mean uh... not thank you!” He waited for a few minutes but no response. The stress he felt was near too much. Rising from his bus seat he decided to jog it off instead. The blood rush from earlier still exciting him. It was good to move that way again, it had been too long. Lights blurred past him as he ran. His legs picking up speed until reaching nearly inhuman speeds as he nearly kept up with the nearby cars. His heart pumped and his legs throbbed. He loved it. The rush going to his head as the nearby street signs blurred by him. “Speed limit 25mph. Okay, let's see how this goes.”
Post; #8|Word; 3,373| Total: 13,982 Attachments:
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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Oct 11, 2021 16:56:35 GMT -8
[Prolouge to dragonballbd.proboards.com/thread/2698/star-investigates-kings-gambit-mission] Year 1153, Spring, Tuesday, 9pm.
“OLI! Ma mate. What are ya doing calling me at this hour, Dontcha know I'm bloody knackered mate?! Oh, wait. You fancy a pint wit'me now?” Ali's feet tapped against the ground in a rhythmic pattern as he summoned what little of his old ki he could to allow his body to move at a near inhuman pace for an absolutely inhuman length of time. He spoke to Ali as he held his watch up, tracking his speed and location. twenty-four point three-two miles per hour. He had been traveling for around twenty-two mins now. His breathing was labored as he spoke his response. “ha! No sir. I am just on my way to you now. look my reception is bad out here, mind giving me the details of our first case?” “Baah, that's rubbish mate. I don't want to talk work when I am off!? Who do ya think ya are now?!” “Haha. Alright, look one pint if you can just fill me in. I got a lot on my mind and could use a distraction Georgie, promise” “Well, Mate...If you insist. let's see here hold on...” Ali could hear as Georgie fumbled around looking for something. Papers and bottles made noise as they shifted in the background. He could hear laughter in the background and the sounds of a T.V playing something on which cause a crowd to cheer. “...Here we go now...hmmm...Looks like some Award-winning Science man with some fancy name has been acting strange and...well well well! We got ourselves a lovely price tag on it too, wouldn't ya know.” “ Wh... You are just now finding out how much we'll be getting paid for this?” “...” A loud, wet, burp could be heard from the other side of the line as Ali shook his head “You said something about a fancy name?” “Yah mate...” Georgie began to speak before stopping to yell out a loud cheer before turning to brag about some bet he had apparently just won “...King Minimoto says here that he won some Nobel prize for some fancy stuff he did to his cells a while back. He was on the Dyno magazine for being the King of Chemistry, Oi I remember this mate. He was on the tele doing the late-night runs way back then. You know with all them T.V types. Explaining away sciencey things to us plebs” Ali's pace slowed to a jog then to a walk as he swung his arms over his head. He walked in a circle for a moment as he looked up into the night sky trying to catch his breath. “...Minimoto?... Hisiju Minimoto?...” He finally said panting into his speaker. “Ay, that's him! Yo know him mate? Oy and what are ya doing Oli? You at a Girlfriend's falt or something mate? Fancy a third wheel?” Snickering as he still tried to catch his breath Ali responded “...No mate. Nothing like that and...also no. For future reference, I will pass on the third wheel offer. Anyways, I will be at our new place in a few, only three miles out now. Just gotta catch my breath, it's been a while” “Suit yourself mate! We do need to get ya a lady though mate how long has it even been for ya?"
"I think I'll be fine Georgie, less for me means more for you right?"
Ohhooo Bruv you're a right Bloke aren't ya. Anyways, take your time but hurry mate, we got company over. I made myself known to our new neighbors! We'll have that pint ready and a slice of Dragon meat pizza for ya!” More sounds of screaming and cheering could be heard as it now became apparent that a boxing match of some sort was on. This time things did not look so good for Georgie who had apparently needed to cough up some Zeni, his fighter having just been knocked out in the third round. The line hung up and Ali tucked his phone away as he clutched his side, his hands rubbing a sore spot that held a large scar that clung to his side like a thick layer of burnt skin. The scar itself resembling a paint smear which spread in every direction from the center. It was a scared mass that didn't even resemble anything cool but sure hurt like hell whenever he tried to summon the energies he held within himself which some had referred to as "Ki" He thought about the battle in which it came about. Thought about the ruin that day had rote, not just to him but to his friends, to Danny, and he wondered what it would have been like had been strong enough to make a difference, fast enough. His heartbeat its next precious beats with an ache of sadness and he took his next few breaths as cars wooshed by him as he continued his lonely walk. “Hisiju Minimoto...” He whispered to himself “...I remember. I remember the one before you.” He said as his memories faded his thought to that fateful day.
Post: #9 |Words: 864| Total: 14,846
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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Oct 12, 2021 13:27:39 GMT -8
Spring of 1149, Electric City Blue district. Evening
Mysterious Narrator "Electric city? That is quite the place. It's a site where you can get your male member engulfed by some young maiden and your head shot off within the same minute haha, we would refer to that as a headshot where I am from. Also known as a pump and dump, as the kids would refer to it.
Electric city never dreams and it never rests. It's the kind of community your mothers always alert you about. The kind of area that's really quite delightful throughout business hours. Families can go there to tour during the day and go absent throughout the night if they're unfortunate enough to stick around unless they know where to hold out of course
When I was a younger man I used to run from bar to bar, hoping off one dame and on to the next after leaving the Duke's own prestigious university. That city was heaven when you knew how to interpret the signs. Knowing when and where to go according to whatever gangs happened to be warring for turf at that given time but if you made one mistake, took one false or ill advised turn, missed one of the many coded signs or symbols painted on the walls, or draped over banners of an establishment, you could quickly end up engulfed in a silent turf war and your organs would end up on the market for sale the next morning, if you were lucky they'd even let you go home or you'd wake up at a motel blue with a black eye, a bag of ice, and some new scars. By the Dragon's own breath I unfailingly tend to miss that place."
Professor Steven Chun downed his drink in a matter of seconds to the sounds of cheers and roaring applause from his rowdy group of college students. “Wow he just downed his fourth big bang...” “...I told you he was the best teacher!” He could hear a pair of his students say off to his side as one of them put an arm around him and started to thank him for the invite and experience. “I can't go on...” The professor thought to himself. His stomach twitched, liquids swashing around intermixing with others. He reached into his coat pocket to ensure his special item was still secure and safe in its place. It was. The professor had taken some of his best students out on the town. Electric city was a dangerous place at this hour but he know how to get around town and back without much trouble. Usually when the local Samurai clans weren't in charge of the territory and the lines of the unsung gang war ebbed and flowed to this point things could get a little dicey, but tonight was a night for the samurai and he felt safer seeing the signs of their dominance in the coded banners on the streets and the streamers hanging off the light posts.
He used to always love hitting up the best party and drinking spots. When he was a young man, hopping from bar to bar in his prime, he would love to dance with his friends and eat until the sun came up.
He used to always make it a habit of inviting as many strangers as he could to his little group and every night his group would end up larger than it started. It made him feel good about himself and whether people realized it or not he had saved a lot of lives that way, that's how he would eventually meet his wife. Now as an older man burdened with the responsibilities of his doctorate degree and the rigors of grading thousands of papers a week between his Assistant and he, raising a young family, and trying to build relations with some of his favorite students, he found it next to impossible to keep up.
Nowadays he was lucky if he got to go out now once a month or twice a quarter, so he turned his once-weekly conquest into an occasional adventure for his best-performing students, his worst-performing students, and his favorite ones, this was also a perfect cover for the unfortunate misadventure he had recently gotten himself into, one that he hoped to be done with, once and for all, tonight.
It was a lovely night for a pub crawl and though a part of him wouldn't mind never coming back to this place again, he could not help but miss it. Electric city was in his blood he could feel the city as it vibrated with its constant tune as if it were in his bones. He was born here and deep down inside he knew he would die here someday, but not today, he thought to himself. Today would be one last hoorah before finals week and he would prove to himself that he still had it and prey to all seven balls his wife wouldn't be too mad at him when he got back home. The professor stumbled a bit as he walked over to from the bar to the VIP table he had reserved for his students, tipping Ms. Fanny, his favorite bartender on the way out as he tried not to stumble over or onto anything. “I can help you sir!” One of his newest students cried out from behind him as he moved.
Turning his head to acknowledge he stared at her and her light blue eyes and brilliantly blonde hair. Her figure was formed like that of an athlete but still very much feminine as she and her friend walked up to him. “Ohh why yes of course! Please help an old man out, my dear...”
“Shit,” he thought to himself. “What were these little ones' names again?”
He kicked himself mentally when the urges of a younger man crept into him again and strived to think of his wife and child as he chatted to her next. “Ladies you are both looking rather remarkable this evening! Please help an old man to his seating and take this tray for me” both girls shrieked joyfully as they accommodated him “You'll have to forgive me as well. You two are in my biochem? I try to remember but there are a surprising many of you who are doing well before mid-terms this cycle” “Yes!” The blonde spoke up, eagerness and enthusiasm in her voice. “My name is Yasna and this is my friend Marril”
A wave of embarrassment showered over him and the professor promptly lowered himself into a couple of apologetic bows. “Ohh dragon's balls! I am so sorry you two. Please pardon me. Spare this old fellow his humiliation and pour me another drink so that I may omit this night from memory altogether!” The trio beamed in harmony with laughter as the girls dipped back respectfully. “It's okay professor. We're still only in Biochem II you have some students that have been with you for much longer than us and your class is one of the hardest to get into in all of GDOU!” “Well, my girls that is no justification to forget the names of two of my greatest and most magnificent of second-year students!” The trio grinned all the way to their reserved lounged seating perched above the dance floor where just over a dozen of his other students were reveling in their free drinks and meals the professor had just ordered for everyone. He smiled as he clasped hands with another young fellow and they began a discussion about the upcoming mid-terms when abruptly his phone began to go off in his pant's pocket. His heart skipped a beat as he came to a sudden halt. His vision dimmed just a bit as an immediate blood rush only served to spread the alcohol through his system. He spared a look at his watch. The time read seven-forty-one “Professor?...” The young man spoke to him. “Are you okay sir?” “Y..yes! haha of course I am son! listen I just have to use the lavatory real quick. These filtering organs of mine are worn from many lost contests at this very club against young men like you haha!” He patted the young man hard on the shoulder and they smiled at each other.
“Balls” He thought to himself as he walked off into the mix of club-goers.
“They're here too earlier...”
He took one last look at his students he wanted to take in their bright faces and the joy of youth in case, for whatever reason, he didn't get a chance to come back to them.
His stomach growled in defiance of his steps as it had been doing the past few days ever since he'd met with the Baron a week or two ago and he held a hand to his sides as he struggled to make it to the bar, not enough for anyone to notice but enough to make him strain a bit. “Ohh Crude. Ok ok. This is the last time I swear. Bartender! Water, please! I need some reinforcements down there” He stood at the bar for a moment as he observed the dance floor.
He could feel his phone still buzzing but he was not yet brave enough to answer. “Kami's breath will you look at that...” He spoke softly to himself as he stared at a duo on the dance floor.
A woman young enough to be one of his senior students swayed sensually about the dance floor with her partner. The pair whirled to the upbeat rhythm of the latest pop hit that was on, some new dance number that wouldn't get the hell off the radio because so many of these damn millennials loved it today. “Say, Fanny...” The professor uttered as the bartender delivered him his water. He took a swig, hoping the refreshment would ease his stomach before his long-awaited meeting that was to come. “Will you look at that?” He said pointing towards the Raven-haired beauty and her young partner.
“Ha, those two have been here a couple of times now... They got some moves for sure, could probably even school you professor” “..Yeahh...right” He spoke as he slowly and forcefully peeled his prying eyes off of the young women's noticeable curves and sizable bust. A pang of arousal began to set in again, followed by the usual sense of guilt that accompanied it whenever the professor stared at women with drunk eyes. “Jeez if I wasn't married, Fanny. I would march right on in there and dance those two into my little group and maybe even...” He bites his tongue before allowing himself to say the words
“Ohh I don't think you want that one Doc. They say she's some kind of supe.” “Nonsense and poppycock! You're proposing she's a super? With a body like that I would believe it but who is she wi...” He stopped himself as he got a better view. The bartender slid another drink down the bar towards some other patrons as she moved to get a better view. “Honestly Doc, I don't know. It might be a rumor. Every time supers come to Oolong they rarely last long. If it's true they'll probably be in Orange Star City soon enough.” "They?..." The professor asked while he gazed at the young man with her. It was hard to tell in the darkness and flashing lights of the club he could have sworn the man looked much younger than he should have. “Mother of...!” The professor uttered into his drink as he started to walk over to the pair.
"This is no place for someone that young..." He grumbled to himself as he moved on them The music in the club was louder than usual and looking around the security seemed to be tighter than when he'd first arrived. Realizing what this might mean he paused to looked over to his table, seeing that most of his group was there now he raised his watch to his face sending a message to the group chat they'd established for tonight's festivities and misadventures. It was seven-forty eight now.
“Hey let's head back onto campus, to the lab. I have a surprise for you all. Leave now or you're dropped from my class! That's an order troops!” He sent a message to their group chat from his watch as he continued down the dance floor, eyes still on his group watching them making a mental note of who was and wasn't accounted for “Yasna's is trying to exit the lounge, balls!...” He thought to himself. “I'll have to find her next.” “Excuse me...” He palmed the young man on the dance floor. “I'm terribly sorry to intervene but let's see some I.D, my young fellow” “Uhmm... My I.D sir?” The young fellow spoke back in a timid cry. His hair was dyed green and he looked like he hadn't gotten much sleep in days but from this distance, the professor was sure of it this was a kid as far as he was concerned, and he had no business being here especially not now “How old are you young man? You know you can get into a lot of trouble for...”
“He is with me...” The woman spoke as she moved to stand between the two men. “Do not worry yourself, my fine gentlemen.” She stated as she curtsied slightly, the bow suggesting an air of respect and somehow contempt at the same time. A territorial bow or perhaps a warning. Referring to him as a “Gentlemen” also through the professor off. That was a title reserved in Oolong city for the classes of Squires and Samurai knights in Oolong city but sometimes it could be used to one who achieved a Doctorate Degree such as him, along with the title of “Sir” which sometimes the citizens used to refer to elders but was typically reserved for noble Barons and Baronesses. The specific Choice of “Gentlemen” had caught him off guard along with the women's particular look. She was oddly familiar to him as he gazed upon her but worse than that she was absolutely stunning to look at. “Look, Madam...” He articulated to her as he tried to keep himself even the liquor slurring his words a tiny bit and muddying his mind. “I am the guy who gets to bring minors to this fine establishment but at the very least most of mine are twenty or so. Now I've been doing it for years and without incident now take your little lad out of here before I go get the Samurai in here and we can explain what you think you're doing with this young man.” He'd straightened himself up to seem as if he was made of sterner stuff and though he was a couple of inches taller than the woman in her heels, standing himself at five feet and nine inches “Bwahaha...” The woman laughed at the professor as if he'd just told her the sky was made of milk. “Listen, old man, Professor Angulo, right? You're not taking him anywhere. Now unless you'd like to dance with a real woman, not those little girls you walk around with then I suggest you leave.” Before he could answer the strange woman grabbed the young man and brought her in a close embrace as she enticed him to dance. Something about this woman was off. Maybe it was the booze maybe it was his age but he found himself as equally irate as he was cool, at this moment. As if being in her presence lowered a strange fog of calming essence into his mind. Looking into the boy's eyes he began to notice a similar effect. He snapped out of it as soon as he'd fallen into one of the effects of her power.
“An Esper! You are that new super! Aren't you. You are the Em...” “ALI!...” the voice of a young woman called out from the crowd as Yasna Prince walked up to them with a stunned look on her face.
“What are you doing here? Hehe and... Mrs. Cheyenne?!” “Bingo!” Dr. Angulo mused to himself. “Cheyenne Stowers High school teacher, Satan High. She graduated from GDOU some years ago. I know her” The words rung in the professor's mind as a heavy hand pressed down onto his shoulder from behind. “Dr. Chun the Baron has been expecting you please come with me...”
Post #10 | Words; 2759| Total; 17,605
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Post by Ali Prince| Aka Mark I on Oct 17, 2021 19:22:15 GMT -8
The music of the club seemed to throb in the Doctor's head as he was ushered away. He tried to mouth a warning to Yasna but could only watch as her shocked expression turned into confusion while she attempted to speak to the underaged youth. Her posture struck him as equal parts tentative as aggressive. She gave the odd pair her full attention as the woman, Ms. Stowers, seemed to smirk at the professor. Her eyes sent him as her brow raised slightly. “Good luck” A feminine voice, not his own, seemed to whisper to his mind. The professor tried to wave Yasna down as he was pushed through the crowd before eventually losing sight of the Trio, much to his chagrin. He began his protest to the large men as they muscled him through the crowd only to be met with cold indifference. “No no no. This is all wrong!” He cried out as he started to thrash about. Trying to break free but only managing to make the situation worse as both men clamped down on him even harder. “Now see here!” He yelled finally freeing one of his arms from the men. “I was brought on as a partner and I oblige you to treat me with the proper respect!” Noting the seating of a few Samurai, the current patrons of this club for the night, he advanced towards them. To his wonderment the thugs just let him go as he moved up towards the higher, third level, of the V.I.P seating which hugged the dancefloor in the shape of a horseshoe pattern.
He could see his students now from this position as well and made a motion to one of the seniors, letting him know that it was time to leave. “My lords these men are accosting me at your own club. I demand the respect that is owed to me as an honored guest of the Tonkatsu brothers!”
They rested in their traditional kimonos drinking lightly to themselves and conversing. One of the men could be seen as he wiped the blood from his face and he laughed at the professor's cries for help. Another strangely seemed to be staring straight up into the ceiling above as if he could see through it somehow. “Sir...” One of the men who held him previously said as he approached the professor.
“Please just relax and come with us. These gentlemen are busy and the Baron is waiting” “Somethings amiss here,” He mused to himself. “Very well” Dr. Chun spoke bluntly, no longer wishing to cause a scene. “But I can walk there myself!” Dr. Chun and his entourage eventually made their way up a private set of stairs to a room situated over the dance floor. Several bodies of armored samurai warriors were currently being dragged across the floors and lifted from furnishings. The room itself was intact and populated with expensive items. Tables and chairs for dining and for lounging all surrounded the tempered glass floor centerpiece of the room. He was encouraged to walk across the room, towards the section of the floor made of a large tempered glass.
The floor had a one-way tint job done to it. He and everyone in this large room could see the patrons below but they could not be seen and he'd wondered how many other clubs he'd been to that might have some feature like this. “I see we're under new management then?” The professor spoke The reality of the situation now dawning on him. “This was deemed to be nonpartisan ground tonight? Why are these men dead?” He spoke the words though he was not sure who he should be addressing. A long pause filled the room as a lump began to fill the professor's throat. He broke into a cold sweat as the men to his flank began to step closer to him. One of them holding his arms while the other started to pat him down. He struggled initially as they began to search him his heart racing and his eyes scanning the room to take stock of possible escape options. His hands trembled as he didn't know who he was dealing with and his thoughts went to his family, but that only made his breathing hasten. The voice of a man called for the thugs to stop as one of the men nearly found his hidden overcoat pocket which contained his special item. “Dr. Chun it is a pleasure to finally meet with you...” A pleasant voice called out from across the room. “My name is Wilson Jameson but you may call me James. I am your new Liaison, and I do hope you'll soon Consider me a business partner and a friend.” Wilson stepped out closer to the professor from an open balcony at the far end of the room. The professor's eyes landed on what appeared to be a large, old, and well-dressed Pigman who'd been seated with his back turned to the professor in a large ornate chair which still held a tattered banner of some absent Samurai house draped over its frame. Even seated the pigman looked like a dense hill of meat and mass, the back of his head cleanly shaven, adorned with jewelry and black tattoos. “Dr. Chun...” James spoke once more “... You work for me now. Not the Tonkatsu family. I can see this must all be a lot to process. Please feel free to take as much time as you need. I am here to answer any questions.” “ I...I owed the family a debt and so I have done as they asked the past few years...” The Dr. Finally spoke as he did some men prepared a small fold-out table and brought it to him. The table, more like a nightstand, folded out and stood about four feet off the ground and was less than a meter in length. The men placed a briefcase onto it and opened it to reveal a syringe, filled with a black substance, next to a compartment filled with files. “Wh..Whatever is all this?” the professor said to James. “Your debts, Dr, are transferred over to our house now, and belong to the Baron. Effective immediately your research, findings, and work will now be delivered to us instead of the Tonkatsu brothers. Is this understood?” “It is.” The Doctor said as he pulled out the top file in the briefcase which had his name written over it. James gave him a moment to peer through his file which contained a large majority of his personal information in it, as well as all of his debts owed paid, and unpaid. “Why do you have all of this information here? And what is all this?” James smiled a soft smile back at the professor before his response. “An excellent question Dr. Think of these files as ..insurance.” James began to walk around the room. Fiddling with objects, picking them up, and inspecting them as he spoke. “We need to expedite your research and I think I have some innovative ideas you will grow to appreciate...” He paused as he inspected one of the fallen weapons of the Samurai, a Wakizashi blade, a shorter version of the popular Katanas. Usually used as a sidearm. “I recognize this...” The professor said as he lifted the syringe which contained a strange ink-black liquid. The substance seemed to shift the bulk of its mass towards the professor no matter which way he turned it and it made his stomach crawl as he stared into the blackness. “Ahh... Good” James responded. “Shoot it up, sir.” “...Pardon me? James?” “I would like for you, Dr. To take that syringe and inject it. It's really quite simple.” The professor chuckled to himself as he lowered the syringe in disgust. He took a moment to stare down the glass panel floor that he stood upon, searching for his students. “and why would I do that Mr. James. You recognize I have a family, correct? You want me to inject this stuff into my arm as if I don't already know what it is?" “We believe that based on your research we are ready to move on to human trials. My Boss, the Baron, has trust in your skills and thinks your research shows great promise. We'd like to move on to human testing.” James smiled again as he finished speaking. eagerly awaiting the professor's response. Dr. Chun laughed softly to himself as he placed the syringe down. “What..what is this? Are you trying to threaten me, Wilson?” “Of course not Doctor. You have been nothing but an asset so far. If you do not wish to inject yourself then may I suggest one of you students instead.” As he spoke one of the men from earlier flipped open another compartment to the briefcase. It revealed an entire section filled with cash. Hundreds of thousands of Zeni, Oolong city's primary currency, laid in rest for the taking. Enough money to potentially pay off most of his debt, if not all of it, and maybe even get his family away. His eyes stuck to the briefcase as he imagined a life free of the mob, free of this city, and its constant demands. “We are prepared to fund the rest of your research before you go to the university. This is a loan and I believe you will find the terms and conditions agreeable. I have left an agreement there for you to look over in case you would feel more comfortable doing so. We will allow you to do whatever you wish with this money and keep whatever grants the school gives you as well or use it to pay us back, I don't really care." James spoke to him with a callous indifference.
"...However, some changes will need to be made to your team and to your routines. For starters, you will not be drinking out with your students using the Tonkatsu family's money, though we will also allow you to keep whatever money they may have given you as well.
You will no longer report back home to your family at the end of work as we will place you in a secure facility, for your own safety, and whichever few precious team members you value the most may even live there with you.” Steven Chun's heart sank into his chest as he realized what was going on. “This. This is not a negotiation... is it?” He said the words though he did not really want an answer to them. James smiled to himself allowing himself a light laugh. “You are a smart man. That is why we like you and worked so hard to make this meeting happen today ” He took another few steps forward to address the professor.
“We need to know by when you can be completed and have our results? My employer is eager to see where this goes and I can promise you that so long as he is pleased you and I stand to make a lot of money and keep a number of people safe.” Steven Chun stood in tense silence. He flipped the briefcase over to the file compartment and reached in to grab a pill bottle he noted earlier by the files. He began to inspect it, keeping an eye on the glass panel beneath him. He watched as Yasna and the rest of his students filed out of the club. “I will not be injecting this into myself. I cannot be an objective and unbiased researcher if the subject I am studying is myself. That goes against the scientific method. Furthermore, it would be unethical for me to pretend we are ready for human testing, but my argument stands for my students as well. I cannot do this. I hope you gentlemen can understand." He tensed himself knowing his next words might not be well received.
Mayhaps I should inform you of one more ordeal. Even with proper, legal human testing, this will take me at best a couple more years to fully understand, what the brothers were asking for... there is no precedent for this substance and one must be careful with its handling and maintenance. ” The professor held the bottle in his hands as he finished inspecting it. His mind attempting to decipher the chemical components listed on the labels, nearly doing so before James could speak James' face drew sour lines as his eyes drifted to his phone. He scowled for a moment as he raised a finger in apology to quickly respond to his message.
"That is very unfortunate. I am afraid my employers will not like that but you should know that you already are compromised.”
“Excuse me?” The professor responded. James snickered as he approached a chair that faced the professor, only three meters away. He sat down, crossing one leg over, another as he spoke.
“Luckily for you Dr. Chun you will find that my employers and I are much more forthcoming and transparent." He waved a hand and a drink was brought over to him.
" We also have faith in you and the Team at GDOU. At the beginning of your trail testing, a year or two ago when you first took the Tonkatsu family's money to take on this job and pay off your student loans amongst other debts. You were forced to take some “Medicine” that should have provided you with resistance to this strange black substance yes?” Dr. Chun shook his head hesitantly as he remembered that day in his mind. “They lied to you. Dr. You see the brothers. You know this, but, they're scoundrels. Selling in cheap wares, mistreating their people, lying, and abusing them. What I am offering you here is freedom for your work and enough money to walk away from all of this, in time.” Jameson pulled out his phone to read a message, continuing to speak to the Dr. though no longer with the thin facade of respect he had been pretending to have. He was growing impatient and Steven Chun could see that now. He was running out of time. “James I just have a few more questions...”
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