Punk Rock Kind of Day
Summer 2021, Week 2
Wednesday midday
The Zoo, Museum District
Xander Knight
The man took a deep breath, brushing his silvery white hair back out of his face as he ducked into the zoo, the nearest, calmest place he could think, offering a couple pound notes to the man at the entrance with a shrug and a halfhearted smile. Though Xander was fresh off the boat, so to speak, he could feel the eyes on him as he made his way through the crowds, doing his best to calm himself, gather thoughts and steady his mind. Whether there were indeed eyes on him or not was a matter of great security, to him at least, unable to afford paranoia so soon in a new place. He adjusted the collar of his jacket, the myriad of patches and stitches making him stand out a bit, but he figured it would work to his favour for some reverse psychological reasons he never quite understood. If crowds are made up of many people, it only makes sense that they would have all manner of different appearances. With a sigh, Xander posted up by the penguins, enjoying the cold from their habitat almost as much as he did their waddles to and fro.Ilya Medvedev
Taking a break from the pandas, Ilya strolled through the zoo. He smiled at families, offered to take pictures, and bought himself some Dippin Dots. As he savored a spoonful of delicious birthday cake ice cream, he spotted the tall man in front of the penguin exhibit. He walked up next to him and stood there, enjoying his ice cream. "You match with penguins. Black and white, like jacket. Is penguin your soul animal?"Xander Knight
Xander chuckled softly, turning to the man, noting the accent. "I'm not sure I've got a soul animal, friend. Though as they go, penguin's not a bad choice," he said with a smile. "I've not got the community they do; I've come on me own. Good to see I'm not the only foreigner about, though." His Blackpool accent certainly marked him a stranger to these parts, as much as his manner of dress.Ilya Medvedev
He nodded as he spooned another bite of tiny ice cream. "Everyone has soul animal. You will find it. Ilya knows. That's me, Ilya. You will find community too. Doesn't have to be big like penguin. Community can be little or big. Here is good place for that. Lots of people. Very accepting. Even for us with weird accents. Nice people. Good people. You're from England, yes?"Xander Knight
He nodded, briefly moving to offer a handshake to Ilya before quickly retracting it, stuffing them into his pockets. "Xander, English yeah. Or... I used to be. It’s complicated..." His eyes lingered on the penguins for a moment before returning to his new conversational partner. "These people are understanding, you said?"Ilya Medvedev
He accepted the handshake and gave the man a strong squeeze. He was on the short side, but damn if he didn't have a solid handshake. "I understand complicated, friend. But yes, these are good people. They always make Ilya feel welcome. Lots going on in city to make this home for any that need one. Mayor tries very hard. Wants to make this place for anyone that needs sanctuary. Good heart, that sweet lady."Xander Knight
Though he realized his mistake, it came all too late as he felt the man's strong grip, he himself caught in the act of pulling back and offering a limp fish in Ilya's strong hands. Xander silently chastised himself as the static shock left his fingers. Habit and manners often got in the way of his attempts to hide himself away. "Sorry mate, must be the static."Ilya Medvedev
He eyed the man. "I do not believe it is static. But that's okay, friend, we pretend. Do you like bears?"Xander Knight
"Can't say I've made the way to them yet. If that is the kind you mean. I've no qualms with the other, not exactly my cuppa, but..." he shrugged, trying his best to hide his embarrassment with the 'static'. "Can't rightly say I'll not miss English weather, but I gather I'll manage, much like these penguins, if you'd like to make our way to the bears?"Ilya Medvedev
"Animals adapt, much like people. You will adapt, friend. Ilya has feeling. But yes, let's go see the bears. I take you to see pandas." Finishing off his Dippin Dots, he dropped the container in the nearby recycling bin and then maneuvered his way through the crowds. The entrance to the bear enclosures was ornately decorated by a whimsical scene of bears sculpted out of various sizes of shrubberies. People were standing in front of them and taking pictures, smiling big. It warmed his heart to see them being enjoyed so much. They walked under the archway and Ilya directed them off to the side, clearly marked for employees only. "Come with me. Ignore sign, you're with Ilya." The door opened to a concrete tunnel. It had a strong, musky, animal smell. They wound their way through and then he stopped in front of a door and smiled. "Bears are my soul animal, friend. Welcome to my fur family!" He opened the door and revealed the inner sanctuary of the panda bears. Two of them were playfully rolling around as one of the caretakers attempted to clean up the mess they just made. He shut the door behind them and then opened the next door that allowed them to actually enter the sanctuary. "After you, friend. Is okay, they are very happy pandas."Xander Knight
Xander followed his new friend, often looking around at the other enclosures as they walked, shrugging as they passed the employees only sign. "I've never seen a bear up close, and I can't say I was expecting pandas," he said with a chuckle. "Thought you were taking me round back of a grizzly cage. They're quite cute though." He observed the creatures, stepping forward, hands still stuck firmly in his pockets.Ilya Medvedev
His eyes sparkled a bit. "You would like to see the big brown bear, friend? Then we'll go there next." The pandas got excited at the sight of Ilya and the newcomer. They rushed over, falling and tumbling as they went, and knocked into the legs of the new guy. "If you sit, they will give you hugs and climb all over you. Be careful, pandas are stronger than they seem, but they mean well."Xander Knight
His arms tensing as the adorable creatures approached, Xander took a deep breath as he sat, focusing on control and avoiding another... static discharge. He smiled, beginning to laugh as the bears meandered about him. "Not sure the brown bears would be this welcoming," he chuckled, reluctantly allowing himself to be in contact with the beasts as his focus remained within himself.Ilya Medvedev
Ilya laughed, both at the sight and the guy's comment. "We shall soon see, friend." He gave a little whistle, and the pandas rolled their way back over to Ilya. "I help them get babies. Ilya has special connection with bears. You will see. I travel the world helping to keep bear population strong and healthy. Is good for them... and for Ilya." He playfully tousled with the bears, and they gladly chased after him. The other caretaker was thankful for their arrival, as they were able to get the spilled food cleaned up. Once they were done, Ilya gave them both a hug and promised to be back soon. He talked to them just like they were people, and you could almost see the recognition and understanding on their face. It was a sight to see, for sure.Xander Knight
Xander observed Ilya's relationship with the bears, equal parts intrigued and amazed. "Seems they've grown quite fond of you," he said, standing up and brushing himself off. "You have this rapport with the other bears as well? The more... dangerous ones?" Xander thought back to Ilya's reaction to his minor slip up, seemingly dismissive of the possibilities. Either he knew about Xander, or not. If he did, he didn't seem to care, which was an odd reaction. Not one he had observed before, and one that plucked at the paranoia in the back of his mind.Ilya Medvedev
The caretaker chuckled and went to distract the pandas so they could make their escape. Ilya led them back over to the double doors. "Yes, Ilya has good relationship with all bears. We understand each other. You will see. Come. We go see Big Brown Bear." They went further down the hall and into what seemed to be an empty enclosure. This time Ilya stopped at the second door. "You stay here, friend. You are always safe with Ilya. Remember that, yes?"Xander Knight
Following behind, he looked around the seemingly empty enclosure before narrowing his eyes a bit at Ilya. "Alright mate, I'll stay here. Bears aren't known to be... stealthy, are they?"Ilya Medvedev
He smiled very big, "Depends where they are. But good, stay here. I do not want you to be scared. Bars are reinforced. Nothing will happen to Xander." He walked through the second door and shut it behind him before standing in the center of the room. "Uh, friend. Small request. Turn around?"Xander Knight
This was enough to send his mind into a whirl, worst case scenarios and exit strategies and his next town all pouring this his head. Was this a ploy? Just another Evo hunter, planning an execution? So many outcomes, so many reactions playing out in seconds. He nodded, though feared that his inner turmoil showed through on his face as he slowly turned around, every muscle in his body tensed as he awaited the attack, his silver eyes beginning to spark to life.Ilya Medvedev
The man quickly undressed as soon as the man turned around and put his clothes in a nicely folded pile nearby. Then he concentrated. The feeling of the ground underneath his toes, all of the smells in the air, the heat of the sun infiltrating through the walls, the sounds of the people and the animals. The air around him started to shimmer, like heat waves off the pavement on a hot day, and then the transformation began. His hands sprouted claws and then morphed into huge bear paws. The brown hair began to spring up all over his body. He knelt on the ground as his figure began to grow larger and hunched. This process used to cause him pain, but now there was a sweet relief with it. Soon his entire body had morphed and where once Ilya stood, there was a big brown bear. He chuffed and drew his paws along the floor, hoping the noises would bring the man's attention to turn back around.[x1 Normal, -3 EP]
Xander Knight
Brilliant white sparks shot between his fingertips as he whipped around, coming face to face with a large brown bear, bringing his hands up, ready to defend himself. The veins of his hands darkened to a blueish purple, the white lightning held back within Xander's body, but only just. He looked the bear in the eyes, recognizing Ilya and lowering his hands a bit. "Ilya? That you mate?" he asked, voice low as he tilted his head down. This would explain the reaction, or lack thereof, to the static shock, figuring that if he had intended to maul Xander, he most likely would have by now.Ilya Medvedev
Seeing Xander calm down, he relaxed. Ilya had been prepared to dodge out into the waiting exhibit and give the public an unexpected surprise. The bear stood up on its hind legs and then sat back. He waved a paw at him and... did... did the bear smile? Well, it gave its best attempt anyway.Xander Knight
Xander... stood there for a moment, eyes wandering as his mind relaxed, tilting his head and returning the wave. "Guess we've more in common than just accents, eh mate?" He shook his head, dropping his hands to his side.Ilya Medvedev
The bear nodded enthusiastically and then dropped back to all fours. He approached the cage and nuzzled the bars, just barely sticking his snout through them, giving his new friend a chance to see him up close and personal.Xander Knight
He shook his head with a chuckle, holding a handout cautiously. Not only to be wary of the giant apex predator before him, but to try to mitigate the lightning escaping his body. Definitely not where he imagined his day would go, but at least he had a friend in this new, strange place.Ilya Medvedev
The bear nudged his hand and encouraged him to give pets. Who didn't love getting pets?! Once Ilya was satisfied, he walked back by his clothes and turned, putting his back to Xander. He peeked around to see if he got the idea and then turned back to face the wall. Ilya wasn't shy by any means; he just didn't want to give more of an eyeful than the guy had signed up for. Then the shimmering started again, and he began to turn back into his usual self. Once his clothes were back in place he called out. "So, now you know! Ilya is also Triple B. Big phenomenon back home. Somewhat known here. Promise, Ilya won't hurt Xander. So, new friend, was it static?"Xander Knight
Xander nodded as the bear returned to his clothes, turning his back until he heard the voice of Ilya once again. "I've no clue, mate. Since I was a child, I've had this... whatever. Stray wiring, static charges, hell even a lightning strike or two, it just charges the lightning inside me. Sometimes it gets too much, I'll need to purge the system, so to speak." He held his hands out before him, watching as the purple and blue veins faded back into his olive skin, the arcs between his fingertips dying down. "Caused much more problems than solved them." His voice was soft, lowering at the end as his mind wandered.Ilya Medvedev
"Mmhmm, Ilya sees." He nods along with the young man. "Sounds like you need control, friend. Ilya could not always turn into bear when he like. It took long time and much training. Ilya worked hard at it. You can too. We're different, but not hopeless, friend."Xander Knight
"It's good I've got a friend who... understands. Control is difficult. You could practise transforming into a bear in the woods somewhere, but there's not many options to practice being made of lightning," he said with a sigh, shrugging a bit. "Every time I touch a person, or a bit of metal, or fabric rubs against one another, it just adds to the lightning inside my body, and it stays there until I shoot something or blow up a toaster!" He rambled on, relieved to have someone to be able to talk to about his greatest secret.Ilya Medvedev
"I will put my mind to it. See if I can find safe space. I know New Victoria. I can help. It's too dangerous not to. You could get hurt or hurt someone else. No good, won't do." He pulls out a card from seemingly nowhere. Seriously, where does he keep things when he's wearing skintight pants?! "You can reach Ilya here, any time. Someone will find me if I am not there. Call me in a few days. We'll figure it out. Together, yes?"Xander Knight
Taking the card, Xander held the back of his neck, chuckling a bit. "My last mobile met a... rather explosive end," he confessed, putting the card in his pocket. "I'll also need to find a place to live. I think there's a loft available, I can pull some strings with the whole... band thing, but we'll figure it out. I look forward to working together."Ilya Medvedev
"Band, eh? Am I in presence of big-time musician? That explains fancy jacket! Ilya thought 'is just cool jacket'. Now I get it! I help with whatever you are needing, friend. Call anytime. House, phone, powers, whatever. Ilya is all-around kind of friend." He finally walked over and opened the gate and started leading them back out to the main part of the zoo.Xander Knight
His head dropped, smiling for a moment. "Yeah, I'm uh... I front man a punk band. Not sure how big we are in the states, but we're called Outcry." He followed through the gate, looking over his jacket. Fancy, eh? "I'll keep in touch, Ilya. I appreciate everything."Ilya Medvedev
He clapped the taller man on the shoulder. "Good, good. Anytime, new friend. Anytime. Now go smile at pandas! They're about to put on show. I will see you soon."Xander Knight
Xander chuckled, making his way out into the roads and walkways of the zoo, vanishing into the crowd as he wandered back towards the panda habitat.Xander's Home, The Heights
Xander Knight
Xander, having decided his need for shelter the first hurdle to pass in his life in Victoria, made his way to the apartment set up for him. He had done his best to obtain a stable apartment before leaving England, as his band would need a suitable studio and living space. Despite his lack of American currency, he was granted a key to the loft, taking a deep breath before opening the door and beholding... a much nicer place than he was expecting. He had no furniture aside from his bed, and the recording equipment in the corner of the main floor. Shrugging, he picked up a guitar and played a few notes, his mind running over the events of the day as Life Goes On by The Damned began to form absentmindedly. It had only been a few hours since he arrived, and he had already been discovered, and discovered another Evo. It certainly held strange tidings for his future in this city. He would need to work with Ilya to train on control, he would need to hide himself away. Whatever came his way, he had no choice but to face it. He couldn't run away, not so soon.Wednesday Afternoon
Henry, The Wards
Xander Knight
Wandering through the neighborhoods near his new home proved a bad decision for Xander, given his lack of transportation, maps, knowledge, and attention, humming the riff to a new song as he found himself in less and less familiar areas of town. Was it really so difficult? Americans and their endless rows of dead-end streets...Uncle
As Xander continued the neighborhoods grew less and less maintained, the most notable difference was the lack of any decorative shrubbery. The iconic bears in particular grew less and less frequent until being totally absent. An older looking man is walking down the sidewalk in the opposite direction, a large bag on his back and his clothes mostly ragged and tattered. He stops as he gets somewhat close to Xander, calling out to him in a weary, gravelly voice. "Ya lost, kid? Or do ya just have a death wish? The way you're headed leads straight for Henry Park... and if you don't already know that's not 'xactly a place ya want to be without good reason."Xander Knight
The man looked up, tilting his head in confusion before turning his gaze to examine his surroundings for seemingly the first time, the riff he was humming slowly coming to an end. "I... yes, seems I've not followed the path. What's wrong with the park?" he asked, his English accent marking him a stranger to this place, running a hand through his white hair, starkly contrasted by his tanned olive skin.Uncle
"This whole district is known as the Wards, it’s what ya might call the slums of this city. You're already risking a lot just by being 'ere, it's a wonder ya haven't been mugged ten times over as it is... But Henry Park? It makes the rest of this district look tame by comparison."Xander Knight
"I see. I've only just got here this morning," he said, shaking his head at his own incompetence. "I live in Linden, I believe. Honestly I've just gone out to get some coffee..."Uncle
"It's a lucky thing we crossed paths, well, lucky for you at least." he said as he started walking again. "So, what brings ya to New Victoria, Kid?" he continues the conversation as he walks, seemingly expecting the man to follow him.Xander Knight
He stood there for a moment before following behind the man with a shrug. "It's complicated," Xander said, trying to figure out how to explain his situation without endangering himself. Well... endangering himself more than a brit walking through the slums of an American city with nary an American dollar to his name. "I'm in a band, planning an American tour and needed a member to figure things out stateside." Yes perfect. Not a lie, but not the correct answer.Uncle
"So ya come over and establish yourself with a place to stay and get familiar with the locale for when yer bandmates come over, is that right? Well, you're doin' a hell of a job so far, I tell ya what." Despite the content of the words the man’s tone was surprisingly neutral, as if he was simply stating the facts of what he can see without any judgement coming from them. Even the possibly sarcastic remark at the end comes off in a way that could be seen as genuine.Xander Knight
"Seems so. Plus, I could use a bit away from home. A change of pace, I suppose." Xander continued walking behind the man, momentarily lost in thoughts of home, his bandmates and friends, his mother... But no matter. He was here now, and he figured he would need to make the best of it.Uncle
"I can relate to that. I spent far too many years in my place of birth, suppose that's why I left..." ... only to find myself in another rut.Xander Knight
"You're not from here either?" Xander asked, tilting his head. Of the two people he had met today, neither were natives of this city.Uncle
"Nope, though I've spent a good deal o' time 'ere as well now, goin' on 40 years. Maybe soon I'll take back to the roads, another change of pace to keep myself young." he says with a laugh.Xander Knight
He nodded, looking around as they walked. "Mind if I ask?"Uncle
"Can't know for sure till I know the question, shoot."Xander Knight
"Where are you from?" He asked with a chuckle, adjusting the collar of his patch covered white vest.Uncle
"I may not look the part, but I was born in Japan if ya can believe that. Kyoto to be 'pecific. And you? Yer accent gives some hints, but I've never been good with accents, and they can often be as deceiving as looks."Xander Knight
"England. Blackpool, but Roma by blood. Always wanted to visit Japan, never had the chance. What brings you to a place like this?"Uncle
"I left Kyoto to travel the world. I traversed on foot 'cross the states from west to east before I found myself 'ere, I had plans to travel to Europe, but something tied me down. I still can't seem to bring myself to leave, even after all these years... I spend so much time in the Wards 'pecifically because I'm still a vagabond, even if I'm currently only treading water." By this point the two of them had put quite some distance between them and Henry Park, but they were still some ways away from the Heights.Xander Knight
Xander nodded as the man explained, understanding the feeling he conveyed. "You're still tied down here? You mentioned something stopping you, is that thing still around?" He attempted conversation without trying to pry too much.Uncle
He thinks on that question for a moment, it takes him noticeably longer to respond. "I suppose ya could say that, though I'm not so sure anymore... The kid is becoming less of a kid lately, after all."Xander Knight
"You've got a child?" Xander asked, looking up to the man. He pondered for a second, if the two never met again at least he could lend an ear to someone who seems to have gone without.Uncle
"Unfortunately. Like my father before me I found a woman with more beauty and intelligence than I could resist, an' like his father before him the kid got the short end of the stick. I figure if I can't provide for him, I can at least watch over him from a distance. Though he's in his thirties now, can hardly call him a child at this point!" He says the last bit with a laugh to try and lighten the mood. He had kept his neutral tone going this whole time, but even he knew the topic by its very nature could only be uncomfortable at best.Xander Knight
The Brit nodded knowingly, running a hand through his hair with a soft sigh. "I understand. I've had to grow without a father meself. Often, I've wondered how life would've been different, if my father had stuck around, if I had ever even known him... But even if I never met him, just knowing he had stuck around for me would make a world of difference." By now, Xander had begun to let go of his paranoias, his ever-tense muscles beginning to relax, simply having a chat.Uncle
"I'm sorry to hear that, Kid, I really am. Life is rough and there are far too many poor bastards out 'ere suffering for the mistakes of their ancestors. But ya seem to have things worked out if yer band is touring overseas... If he wasn't an asshole, then I'm sure he'd be proud."Xander Knight
"He never gave me a chance to," he said. The man's words touched him, nodding with a soft smile. Losing himself in thought momentarily, as is often the case, Xander looked around to see a few figures in the distance, glancing around before turning his eyes back to the man. "Rough neighborhood, you said?"Uncle
"Yes, rougher than most." he said somewhat quietly as he turned around, looking for whatever prompted the question. It didn't take him long to spot the group approaching them from a distance, and so he quickly began shifting the bag on his back until the hilt of Kazeshini could be seen. Though it was still mostly hidden underneath the large bag and hard to see from the old man’s front, the blade was now resting horizontally along the back of his waist ready to be drawn. "The two of us have nothing o' value to ya, if you're hoping to rob us with those ya might want to save yourself the trouble an' find someone with more to offer ya." He calls out loudly to the group.Xander Knight
His eyes tracked the figures, trying to take in as many details as he could before their time became critical. His hands tensed in his pockets, dull gray eyes glinting with silver sparks. He felt the current flowing through him, remembering the bear he had met earlier today, taking deep breaths and focusing on control.Uncle
There were three of them: One with a handgun, one with a baseball bat, and one with a cheap looking short sword. The one with the gun walked a bit behind the other two and was the one to speak up. "Your money or lives, the choice is yours." "Maybe ya didn't hear me the first time, we don't have anythin' worth your time. Can't ya see I'm just a homeless man and this poor fool is just a starving artist?" He glances back at Xander and says something more quietly so that hopefully the thugs cannot hear. "Ya got any fight in ya, Kid? If ya can take out the guy with the handgun I can handle the rest of 'em." "Maybe it's you who didn't hear me, I said 'your money or your lives’... If you have no money, I'll just have to take your lives instead!" the thug calls out in response, pointing the firearm at the older man. "Sure that's the story you want to stick with, Old Man?"Xander Knight
Xander's eyes met the man's, nodding slightly as he slowly removed his hands from his pockets, appearing to offer surrender. As the thug raised the gun, he drew in a deep breath, feeling the lightning course through him. "You're not allowed to talk about this," he muttered in return, feeling the muscles in his arms tense as he sent a bolt of white lightning from his hand careening at the handgun, either shocking or burning the man who held it, turning with a punch to the face of the thug with the bat. He had never taken martial arts classes or anything, but growing up a Gypsy on the streets, he had been in his fair share of scraps.Uncle
"The hell is this?" The man with the firearm says as he tries to hold on to it but inevitably, he drops the weapon, reflexively flinging it away from himself. For a few moments afterwards he would find himself tightly griping his wrist with his other hand, recovering from the pain. The thug with the baseball bat was in mental shock from what had just happened and was unable to react to the incoming attack, but the bulky man took the blow with little effect. Meanwhile Uncle draws his blade and deflects a swing from the short sword user before dashing towards the man with the bat. This prompts the man to swing the bat at him from above, and he quickly raises his left arm to block the swing. A loud Thud is heard as the weapon makes impact with the old man’s forearm, but he doesn't seem to flinch from the attack nearly as much as one would expect and rather, he seems to entirely halt the attack. In that same moment he drives the blade deep into the thug’s midsection angled upwards and the bulky man almost immediately goes limp. As he pulls the blade from the man and faces the other sword user he speaks up. "When you drew that blade from its scabbard, were you truly ready to kill with it? Whether a blade or a pistol, weapons are not for threats." he says, his speech much more articulate for these two lines than his normal speech. As he says this the leader of the thugs pulls out a machete, seemingly recovered from the previous attack.[x1 Minor, -1 EP 9 Remaining]
Xander Knight
Xander's eyes widened as the situation devolved, clenching his fists once again and throwing an uppercut to the chin of the sword user, landing square on the chin. "You've hidden a sword? An entire sword?" he called to the old man, disbelief filling him. This was not at all how his coffee run was meant to go.Uncle
The leader wastes no time as his comrade is knocked onto his back, charging at the old man with the machete. At first it seems he is going to swing from the right but reverses the swing at the last moment while throwing as much weight into the swing as possible. The move catches the old man off guard a bit but rather than try to dodge the swing he pushes through it and lets the machete cleave into his upper left arm. Once again, the man doesn't waste the opportunity to return the swing and leaves a massive gash in the thug’s chest which sends him stumbling backwards til he falls over, ending the whole thing nearly as quickly as it began. Uncle turns back to Xander, the wound on his arm suddenly scabbing over rapidly, and shrugs. "When ya live on the streets ya learn quickly that having weapons can often bring more trouble than they protect ya from, an' that means finding inventive ways to hide 'em from the public eye till they are truly needed." He looks down at the sword user who is still on the ground but conscious, too afraid to make a move. "What do we do with this one? His eyes aren't that of a killer like the other two, but he's seen our faces."[x1 Basic, x1 Minor, -1 EP 8 Remaining]
Xander Knight
He nodded, shrugging a bit. It made sense... about the only thing about what just happened that made any sense. "Well... I'm sure he can keep to himself. After all, this isn't the best neighborhood, muggings and thugs abound. Can't be an uncommon occurrence, right? A robbery gone wrong. As for how it went wrong... He was hit in the head, doesn't remember a bit of it. Right mate?" His sparking silver eyes narrowed at the man on the ground, his hands shaking as the remnants of white sparks fizzled out between his fingers.Uncle
"R-Right." the younger man says, getting up slowly before running away. The old man cleans his blade and then sheathes it as this goes on, seemingly unfazed by the whole event. "Ya got a name, Kid? I don't 'xactly have one to give ya back, but people call me Uncle. Figure we know more 'bout each other than feels right without knowing what to call each other, wouldn't ya say?"Xander Knight
"Xander. How's your... arm. Huh." He observed the accelerated healing, taking a moment before shrugging. He supposed they were even now, both having to reveal a secret. "Uncle, eh? Suppose it's not the worst thing you could ask me to call you," he said, thinking back to their conversation about... fatherhood.Uncle
"It'll take a whole lot more than a punk with a machete an' a brute with a bat to make me worry for my safety; I may not be able to do anythin' like that attack ya did but I'm certainly a hard person to kill. A pleasure to meet ya, Xander, welcome to New Victoria... It seems you'll fit right in." he says, extending an arm out towards him to offer a handshake.Xander Knight
The brit reached out to accept the handshake, halting just before contact and retracting his hand. "Never quite have this thing under control," he said with a shrug, offering a halfhearted smile. The shame of his inability to reliably touch people without giving them heart attacks evident on his face. "This city certainly seems... interesting."Uncle
"A bit o' static doesn't scare me, this body is pretty sturdy after all." he says, leaving his arm extended. "I'm willing to take the risk to mark our friendship properly, ya needn't worry about me."Xander Knight
He shrugged, taking a breath and grasping the man's hand, trying his best to focus on control, despite a few minor sparks jumping from his fingertips to Uncle's.Uncle
He doesn't react all that much compared to what most might, perhaps a slight twitch here or there at most. He follows through and gives his hand a few good shakes before letting go. "Must be rough, having to worry about somethin' like that. But you're still young an' ya have plenty o' time to figure out how to control that power, unlike me who spent all his time learning how to control a blade instead."[x1 Minor, -1 EP 7 Remaining]
Xander Knight
"The music helps. Not just for emotional outlets, but I can steadily release the charge I've built up into the instruments or amps or lights or what have you. It's not so bad, or it wouldn't be if I had a handle on it." He smiled to Uncle, looking down to the sword. "Seems like you could just wade into crowds and swing, if they can't hurt you."Uncle
He laughs at the suggestion. "Oh, they can hurt me, alright. I won't be able to use this arm for a few days between this gash an' how hard that brute hit me with his bat, I'm hard to kill and heal a hell of a lot quicker but I'm fairly certain I can still be put down. Though yer right to an extent, that is the idea of my method: I let my enemy injure me when it creates an opening and then use that to strike a lethal blow. So long as I can heal from the wound, I don't mind the scars."Xander Knight
"Ever thought about organ donation? Give a kidney, wait a month, give another?" He motioned with his hands as though weighing the options.Uncle
He smiled. "I'd be lying if I said nothin' like that ever crossed my mind, but I've since learned the futility of that idea." he said, taking the glove off his left hand and revealing that one third of his pinkie finger is missing. "Lost it decades ago, it's never come back... If it's a wound the human body can't heal normally, I can't seem to heal it either, all I seem to do is heal quicker than normal."Xander Knight
"...Huh." Xander observed the injury, blinking a bit as he began to fully understand the limitations of his ability. After all, Uncle was only the fourth or fifth Evo Xander had ever met. "Well, though that counts I suppose,"Uncle
"We should probably get movin'." he says before moving over and checking the pockets of the two that were lying on the ground, pulling out a small amount of cash and stashing the machete in his bag. "I know a bar just a bit further down the street, I'm a regular there so we can wait out this 'ere mess an' hope no one has seen us. Probably not what ya expected when ya headed out for coffee, but drinks are on these assholes."Xander Knight
He chuckled, opening the wallet and showing only around 20 quid. "Good, I'm not exactly prepared," Xander said, looking over his shoulder to the remnants of their encounter, the bodies of two men, his smile fading.Wednesday Early Evening
The Magnificent Frog, The Wards
Uncle
The two of them make their way into The Magnificent Frog and Uncle doesn't hesitate to find an empty bar stool. "Some of the usual if ya got it, whatever's cheapest if ya don't. Oh, and whatever my friend 'ere is drinking, this should cover us for a few hours." He hands the bartender the money he just got earlier, and she nods her head in approval. "I'll let you know when you've hit your limit, then." she says and then looks to Xander, waiting for his order.Xander Knight
"Uh, coffee mate, sugar, no creme" he answered, looking around the establishment. He had only been in Victoria City for a day and needed to find safe places.Uncle
"Coming right up" the bartender replied and right away she set the coffee maker to make a fresh pot of coffee before moving on to getting Uncle a cup which she fills and passes to him. Afterwards she sets the bottle down next to him. "I suppose you'll be using more of that money than him so just take it and serve yourself, I know you prefer it that way." The woman doesn't necessarily seem angry or upset but she doesn't seem to be happy. A feeling of strained tolerance she only seems to extend to Uncle, being more welcoming to everyone else she interacts with during their stay. The bar seems like a nice, well-kept place. Nothing of blatant value to make the place a target for theft but the simple furniture and the building itself are well maintained and cleaned and the customers seem like respectable people as far as the Wards go. Nothing too special all in all but it really doesn't seem like the kind of place you'd find in a slum district. "Ah, a taste of home." he says after downing the contents of the cup, promptly refilling it with the nearby bottle. It isn't long before the bartender comes back and sets a cup of coffee on the bar in front of Xander.Xander Knight
Xander raised the cup to the bartender in cheers before taking a drink. As far as bars went, this was not a bad place to spend time. He nodded, the coffee calming him down a bit after their encounter in the park. "So... You said I'd fit in well in this city. Are there many... men like us?"Uncle
"Well, I wouldn't say there are any more than normal, but the city is trying to be more acceptive. Regardless, I meant more that ya handled yourself well. I have no doubt ya could have settled that situation without my help." he says, downing the contents of the cup again before refilling it once more.Xander Knight
"I see. How accepting?" Xander's mind dwelled on the reason he left home, the persecution and the hunting, the damage done to his mother... If this place was accepting of Evos, it would mean that he could stop running. He had a chance at a normal life. But he doubted it.Uncle
"Well, the police are tryin' to form some kinda hero squad of Evos, and the mayor’s office has some kind of program where they are hiring Evos 'pecifically, not sure on the details but I heard it on the news."Xander Knight
"Police? Like Evo soldiers, like the old days?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. He wasn't very trusting of news of positive relations with Evos, and even less trusting of police forces. "Sounds like another way to weaponize u... them."Uncle
"Perhaps, though only time will tell. Though I don't think I'll be signing up any time soon, at least."Xander Knight
Glancing around before taking another sip of his coffee, Xander shook his head. “Too little, too late, as they say. Living in fear until they need… Evos to kill who they say, March where they want them to… almost sickening.” The vitriol in his voice betrayed his attempt to remain distant from the topic, memories welling up as he wiped his mouth, fingers running over the scar which sliced through the right side of his lips.Uncle
"I'm not so sure about that, but I'm sure ya have yer reasons for feeling that way. Even still, not like either of us can do anything about it on our own."Xander Knight
The Brit nodded with a sigh, taking a gulp of his coffee. “I’d be no good on their team anyway. Shit like this is near impossible to control, half as likely to zap whoever bumps into me than hit a target. Not to mention phones, light switches, cars, credit cards… my last phone exploded in my hand.”Uncle
"Like I said, Kid, ya got plenty of time to figure things out. Even after as long as I've been alive, I still learn new things basically every day, so I'm sure you'll find a better way to control that eventually." he says, filling the small cup for the fifth time.Xander Knight
“I hope you’re right, Uncle,” he said as he finished his drink. “Bit difficult to make friends when you can stop their heart with a look. Eat too much, excess energy. Roll in my sleep, static charge. Touch something metal, something electric, someone’s skin… having to hide yourself from the world is easier when you’re not a walking Livewire. Sometimes blackouts, sometimes electrocutions.”Uncle
He thought about that for a moment before responding. "Have ya ever thought about gettin' a large battery, or maybe several? Hook it up to yer electric system so that it gets used before yer main power source, then set it up so ya can discharge yer power into it. Ya can save some money while having an easy way to let everything out when you need to."Xander Knight
“That… would be an interesting idea. Run my flat off my own power. But where would I even get a battery like that? Not sure the punk rock funds run that deep.” The idea interested him, but he would need a lot of help from men smarter than he.Uncle
"There are some strange people in the world, you and I are the proof of that, an' even without that in mind there have been a lot of advances in tech in the past hundred years... I'm sure someone out there has the know how to whip somethin' up for ya." He takes a drink from the cup, seeming to slow down the pace of his drinking. "An' there are plenty o' ways to make money if ya need it; Ya had some creative ideas when ya saw what I could do, direct some o' that creativity towards yer own power an' I'm certain you'll find ways to work things out."Xander Knight
He nodded his head back and forth, thinking of the ways he could use his abilities in a city which had supposedly become more accepting of Evos. "The music gets some funds, but we're not superstars by any means. Hell, I'm wearing the shirt and no one recognizes me," Xander said, pulling up on the neckline of his tank top. "Maybe we just need a good hit, ya know? But, if it comes down to it, I'm sure I could be a power plant."Uncle
He laughs. "That's one way to make a livin’..." he says, refilling the cup again before taking another drink. Even at a slowed pace from how he started he's downing the drink fairly quickly, though he doesn't really seem all that intoxicated. Suddenly he calls out in a somewhat louder voice, standing as he does. "I'll just take the rest o' this bottle, Miss, my friend 'ere can have what's left o' the money I gave ya." He downs what's left in the cup and takes hold of the half-emptied bottle before turning away from the bar. "We can probably leave out the back at this point, but ya can always wait it out longer if ya'd rather take the straight path back to yer neighborhood. Personally, I got somethin' I gotta do." "Oh really? That's a change." the bartender says promptly in reply to that last line as she sets a stack of 5 $10 bills on the bar near Xander, but Uncle doesn't seem to pay the remark any mind.Xander Knight
Xander sat there for a moment, dumbfounded as he looked at the stack of cash gifted to him by a man who had killed two men for him not ten minutes ago. "You're... giving this to me? Why?" he asked, folding the bills into his hand as he stood, making his way to Uncle.Uncle
"'Carry no money or food.'" he says in a matter-of-fact tone one would use when reading a sign aloud. "I always liked the writings of Miyamoto, but that one always struck me more than most. Says nothin' 'bout drink though!" he says excitedly, raising the bottle in his hands a bit. He starts making his way through the bar to a section in the back where a door leads out into an alleyway. "Besides, somethin' tells me you'll 'preciate it more than she would have."Xander Knight
The brit shrugged, pocketing the money and following Uncle through the bar. "I definitely appreciate it; I've not actually gotten any American currency yet." He looked over his shoulder before turning back to his new friend. "Where are we headed now?"Uncle
"Well, I don't rightly know, to be honest. I'm looking for somethin' but don't know where to find it, so my plan is to just travel through the city till somethin' turns up. Yer welcome to accompany me though, if ya want."Xander Knight
"I've only been here a day, I wouldn't know my way around on my own," he said with a shrug, slipping his hands into the pockets of his jacket as they approached the back door.Linden, The Heights
Storyteller
Xander and Uncle had been walking for some time, making their way through the back alleys until they reached the border of the Wards. Until then the path they took was mostly straight forward but once they entered the Heights Uncle began to lead his new friend in seemingly random directions. They went down many streets and turned off onto new streets often, though didn't seem to ever leave Linden once they entered the neighborhood. Every once in a while, Uncle takes a drink from the bottle he brought with him from The Magnificent Frog until it's gone, but it lasts him considerably longer than when he was drinking in the bar.Uncle
"It can be surprising what ya can find in this city, ya never know what might be 'round the next corner if yer not familiar with the neighborhood." he says as they turn another corner onto a street lined with small shops and other odd businesses.Xander Knight
The Brit nodded, looking over the shop signs and boutiques and such. “Anywhere in particular we’re headed?”Uncle
Uncle keeps glancing from shop to shop and from sign to sign as he replies. "I'm lookin' for a new blade, though swordsmiths are hard to find these days without payin' an arm an' a leg for one of their collector's pieces. I'm hopin' to find a place with cheap enough blades that'll let me work off the cost rather than pay normally."Xander Knight
“You’re looking for a smith? Or just… a pawn shop to get a weapon. And why do you need a sword, you’ve already got a secret sword.” He shrugged but assisted his friend in looking for sword shops.Uncle
"Every kid out there that thinks a blade is cool thinks more blades will automatically make 'em better in a fight. It's oft seen as a foolish idea that doesn't really work in practice considering a novice with two blades will always be defeated by a master with only one, but in truth the idea is a solid foundation for somethin' truly superior to Ittōryū, or orthodox sword fightin'." He pauses to take a drink from the bottle but finds that it's empty, so he puts it into his backpack with a sigh. "Turns out two blades really are better than one so long as ya know how to use 'em. An' I spent a few years learnin' Nitōryū, or Two-Sword Style, from one o' the few masters of it to have ever lived. I feel like things are gettin' a bit too wild in this city as of late... so I feel I should be prepared for whatever comes my way. That means havin' a proper second blade, an' that punk’s machete will only take me so far. I need somethin' I'm more comfortable wieldin’..." As he finishes the explanation he looks up at a sign and stops walking. "Ah, speak o' the devil and he shall appear." he says before looking into the window to their right.Storyteller
The shop's sign reads 'Swords and Knives and Axes! Oh my! | We Buy, Sell, and Repair all types of blades!' and a few such weapons could be seen displayed in the window. European longswords were the most common, but a katana and a few different small knives were also displayed. In the corner of the store a barrel could be seen through the window that contained several worn looking swords of various types, and even more blades could be seen mounted all along the walls. Again, many of the weapons were European in origin, but bladed weapons and tools of all types could be seen throughout the store, even a couple large battle axes and halberds.Xander Knight
Xander nodded along in the conversation despite the fact that he, unsurprisingly, understood nothing. “So other people want two swords because it’s cool, but they’re shit, and you need two swords because you’re good? Why not just get a right proper first sword, skip the need for the second?” He shrugged, approaching the store as purveying the window of weapons. Perhaps a sword would do him good… or perhaps he just needed a right good pipe or metal stick. He was, after all, a human lightning rod.Uncle
"Kazeshini is a fine blade. My master always claimed it was a work of Muramasa, a legendary smith, an' I believe it after what I've seen it do. Though there is only so much ya can do with only one blade. But with two...? Perhaps one o' these days ya can see me use Nitōryū and see it for yourself, I'm better at demonstration than explanation." he says as he continues to gaze through the window. As he spoke the last line his eyes would land on the barrel, where they would rest for some time as he tried to see if there were any blades he could use among the cheaper ones.Xander Knight
With a shrug, Xander simply entered the shop, looking around at the many different blades. He considered getting a sword for himself, maybe some sort of weapon. Though when he arrived in America, a sword was not the item he had imagined going to a special weapon shop to obtain.Storyteller
A man is standing at the counter in the back and quickly speaks up as Xander enters, Uncle following shortly after. "Welcome! If it's a blade, it's our business! Feel free to browse if you wish or let me know if I can assist you with anything."Uncle
Uncle makes his way to the barrel he was looking at through the window, pulling out a katana in an ornate but weathered sheath. He pulls the weapon from the sheath slightly for a moment to examine the blade, which seems as weathered as the sheath. He then replaces the sword, grabbing the only other Japanese sword in the barrel afterwards. This one has a plain white sheath with little decoration and the sheath is as weathered as the previous sword but when he checks the blade, he finds it to be in remarkable condition. "Could this be?" he says under his breath too quietly to be heard normally before putting this sword back as well.Xander Knight
Picking up a pair of metal escrima sticks, Xander raised an eyebrow, seriously debating taking them home as he heard Uncle mutter something under his breath. "What's that?" he asked, moving closer to the barrel in the back, peering over the shorter man's shoulder at the blade.Uncle
He places a finger over his mouth after placing the sword back, signaling just out of the owner's view for Xander to be discrete before saying "This is something special" in reply, just loud enough for only Xander to hear. He then looks to the metal rods he had picked out. "Just another sword, though I think it may be the one I try to get my hands on. Those're nice though, probably a great choice for yer fightin' style in particular, very fittin'." he says in a more normal volume, trying to disguise the fact that he's referring to Xander's abilities. He had asked him to keep it secret, so Uncle would do his best to do just that.Xander Knight
Looking back and forth between the man and the sword, he smirked before taking the sword in his hands as he walked to the counter. “Right mate, I’ve just found these in the bargain bin, what say you to… 80 quid for the lot, eh?” He kept his expression flat, nonchalant words driving a bargain to get away with Uncle’s prize.Uncle
He follows as Xander moves to the counter. "No, no, I'd rather work for it, Kid, otherwise I'll feel like I owe ya." he says right after Xander makes the offer. "Besides, yer gonna need money to get yer band settled when they show up, no?"Storyteller
The owner doesn't seem to pay much mind to Uncle, responding directly to Xander. "I don't deal in cheap knock-offs, everything in this store is an authentic piece I have forged or restored personally. A blade like that is worth at least a thousand dollars, if not more... Though you're right, it's one I want to get rid of, so it is being sold for cheap. Four hundred and it's yours."Xander Knight
He tilted his head, running over the worth of the blade. “You’ll not take trade value with guitars, I imagine? I’ve got a Gibson Les Paul special edition, in a colour called Smokehouse Burst, worth 1,500. I’ll bring that in, leave the rods as an IOU, and we’ll take one or two more swords up to value. Deal?”Storyteller
"I'm afraid not, I'm a smith not a pawnbroker. I'd be hard pressed to make such a trade profitable and I can't authenticate the value of a guitar. I know blades, and that's where my knowledge ends. If you can sell the thing for that much and come back with the cash, then that's another story." The man’s tone is stern but not exactly rude.Xander Knight
The Brit nodded. “I understand. I’m afraid I’ve not got the notes on me to be able to buy this. You mentioned you forge? I could pay my way in metal. Bring you different manner steels and such.”Storyteller
"That is something I might consider, sourcing metals for projects has been difficult lately. I can only say for certain once I've seen the product, though. I'd also like to know where you source your supply, part of my trouble comes from a stubborn desire to know my crafts aren't tainted by the history of their materials."Uncle
"I really 'preciate what yer tryin' to do 'ere.. Honestly. But I'm telling ya, Kid, ya don't have to go that far. I can try to work it off, I'd would actually prefer I work it off."Storyteller
"You've mentioned working twice now, mister, but you've yet to tell me what you can offer me. You know how to work metal?"Uncle
Uncle simply pulls Kazeshini off his back, sheath and all, and places it on the counter. "I've had this blade for decades an' I've done all the repairs for it myself. I can do repair work and maintain the blades of the items ya have for sale 'ere. I'll do it for just a single meal a day, with the rest o' my earnings goin' towards that blade of yers."Storyteller
The smith's eyes widen slightly at the sight of the katana placed before him, surprised by the fine item in the possession of someone dressed like Uncle. He picks it up and studies it for a while, pulling the blade out of the sheath and checking the edge. "This is fine work..." He says, continuing to look over it. This is supposed to be decades old? If that's the case it's as if it was maintained multiple times daily, almost religiously... "Fine. You do this for all my blades each day and I'll pay you ten an hour. You want to funnel that into credit to use to buy a blade then that's fine, though I don't know what you need one for when you have a weapon like this one." He looks back to Xander. "If you two are collaborating for this, I'll let you bring me some clean metals to help add to his credit and shorten the amount of time he needs to work for it. Sound good?"Xander Knight
Xander shrugged. "It all works out then, eh? I've only got 80 quid anyhow." He laughed, nodding to the man behind the counter. "I can arrange for raw metals. Off the top of my head, I can get titanium and tool steel, but I'm sure I can use some connections to find specialties if needed."Storyteller
"I'll take whatever you can get me so long as it's clean." He hands Kazeshini back to Uncle who quickly returns it to the back of his waist. "So do you want to buy those while you're here, then?" he says, pointing to the escrima sticks. "They're twenty bucks a piece, but the pair sells for thirty."Xander Knight
Taking a moment to consider, he nodded, pulling out three of the tens Uncle had given him. "They don't fit together into a staff? No crazy shite?" As cool as that would be, Xander would accept anyhow, the metal rods doing more to help his particular situation than any sword in the shop.Storyteller
He accepts the money and rings the items up before handing Xander a receipt. "No, nothing crazy. Just metal rods really, but there was a big explosion of interest in Arnis a few years back and so these sorts of weapons were selling quite well for a time. I got a bunch in a bulk purchase for cheap and tried to flip them, but these days they don't sell as often so I let them go for nearly as cheap. Made of a good quality titanium alloy, so they're pretty sturdy at least."Xander Knight
“Titanium, eh? So, you figure they’re… quite conductive?” He shared a glance with Uncle. “Maybe I ought to have you train me with these, if you know any martial arts for sticks.”Uncle
"I can teach ya how to swing it like ya would a blade, but it can't be as effective for that kinda weapon as proper training would be."Xander Knight
“I’m not sure a sword would be good for me. Maybe I ought learn some martial art, maybe take up kickboxing, something like that…”Uncle
"There's no other Xander in this world, Kid, so no one's made the best martial art for ya to use. If ya truly want what's the best for ya, then take what ya can use from everythin' ya can study an' form yer own martial art." he says with a shrug.Xander Knight
He nodded, looking down to the metal rods in his hands. In truth, he doubted anyone could be able to teach him much about his abilities, including how to adapt and use them. He needed to work on control, he needed to work on defense… he needed to understand.Uncle
He starts walking off before gesturing for Xander to follow. "Come on, then. They may not be swords but it's a similar concept, I'll show ya what I can, I guess."Xander Knight
Xander followed, spinning the rods in his hands, adjusting to the weight. He had been in plenty of schoolyard scraps, but rarely had he ever used a weapon.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
June 30, 2021
Authors
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