Two Worlds Colliding
Summer 2021, Week 4
Friday evening
Text Messages
Tiana Walker
To: DamienHey you. Turns out my plans for the evening got cancelled. I need someone to make sure I don't get mugged on my way to the dorm. Meet me at St. Maria University. Don't be late. Little old me might end up in a trafficking ring.
Damian Eli
To: Tiana WalkerHuh? Is. I'm assuming that's a joke. I'll be there soon.
Some random bar, Linden, The Heights
Storyteller
Crash! There was an odd beauty in how the behemoth of a man went flying backwards through the window, the shards of glass in the air catching the light from the street lamps and exquisitely glittering around him. Pain and confusion was written on the big man’s face as he tried to figure out where exactly he went wrong in life and why he even approached the lady at the bar. The futile writhing of his limbs to soften the impact of his crash-landing was reminiscent of a dancer, interpretive dancing at its worst, and it was both awkward and impressive. The burly ballerina landed heavily on the sidewalk with a grunt and to the dulcet tones of Brendon Urie’s voice drifting through the now gaping hole of where a window used to be. Whoa oh oh oh oh Mona Lisa, you’re guaranteed to run this town.Satsuka Nishiyama
“Whooz’th’bitch nowhuh?” The woman slurred her way into existence with a cheeky grin on her face as she peeked at her opponent from the other side of that wrecked window. Glassy grey eyes, flushed cheeks, the inability to stand without swaying; the woman was extremely inebriated. The man could only groan in response, but Satsuka somehow took offense in how he did that and decided that she needed to teach him another lesson in manners. She hopped over the window sill. No, she tried to. Instead the woman toppled out of the hole in the wall and landed in a heap atop the fragments of broken glass, just a mere inches from Big Boy’s feet. “I meant to do that.” Satsuka rolled over onto her back with a groan, limbs sprawled out and stared up at the sky, waiting for it to stop spinning. For a moment she was unsure if she would be able to get back up. Does that mean she loses the fight? Technically she dropped herself, but if the big man walks away from this, it might make her the loser in this scenario. Maybe? Fuck. Can’t take any chances. I gotta be the one that walks away. “M' sorry, bud.” One of her hands reached up to pat one of the man’s shoes next to her head in a consoling gesture before she started on the excruciating task of getting back to her feet.Storyteller
The crunch of broken glass followed immediately after the light whoosh of wind and breeze of air that caressed the skin of both Satsuka and the downed man. Victory had just finished up his first patrol since being released and was heading home from the Wards. The night offered nothing major to note except a mugging. He thought it was strange that he already considered crimes like mugging ‘nothing of note.’ Victory wore his relaxed uniform Roselyn’s assistant had designed for him. A pair of black Jordan’s with gold trim, Kevlar weave black ‘jeans’ and a black Kevlar weave T-shirt with a gold V. The outfit let his more defined form, and now scars, show easily enough while not having a cape to deal with. Neither article of clothing would protect from a gunshot wound. The Kevlar was so he didn’t ripe them every time he moved with a bit of his power. The street lights, not all of them dim at this border of the Wards and the Heights, lit up his face as he looked down at the two individuals, his hand outstretched to one of them.Victory
His first thought when he saw the man fly out the window was that the man was a table. Considering that he was flying above the street and that men don’t typically fly out of windows he could be forgiven for that thought. It was when the table moved he revised his thoughts and altered his trajectory from home towards the ground. As he did, a person started to climb out of the window and promptly fell flat on their face. Ouch. He stifled the laugh that threatened to escape as his shoes crunched into the glass and he moved towards the two figures. Shock was the word to describe his mental state when he recognized one of them. The woman from the gym—Coach. No…Satsuka. He retrieved the name from the depths of his memory. Their meeting feeling like forever ago given the events that occurred in between then and now. Without thinking, he extended his hand and asked, “Are you okay?”Satsuka Nishiyama
One, two, three. Upsy daisy! Satsuka planted palms to the ground to assist in the tactical maneuver sometimes referred to as ‘standing’ and she had been so focused on making certain the ground didn’t move from underneath her, that she hadn’t even noticed the newcomer’s arrival, nor the hand that was offered to her. Hell, she hadn’t even noticed him walking on the broken glass, the same glass that was cutting into her hands; the effects of her many drinks numbing her to the sensation. It was his voice that alerted her to his presence and with a belated start, the woman’s head snapped up to the source of the sound. This caused her to lose all the progress she made, which wasn’t much, and she fell back to the ground on her ass. “Motherfuck..er.” She groaned out of frustration rather than pain and angrily squinted up at the man, trying her damnedest to pierce through the fuzziness of alcohol to try and see who this rude person was. Nice body, golden eyes, a heroic aura radiating off of him as he attempted to help a damsel in distress--or was that from the glow of the streetlights?--she immediately knew who this was, even in her current state. “Barbie?” She looked as confused as she sounded, which was a lot. “What’re you doin’ here?” She was still sitting on the ground, but now she held both her hands out to him, palms studded in broken glass, to take him up on his offer.Victory
Her sudden return to the Earth after refusing—no, failing to see his offer for help—happened too fast for him to react. He was reaching out with both hands to take hers when he acknowledged her manner of speaking was slurred. Is she drunk? Before he took her hands, he noticed some shards of glass and took her wrists instead. Being careful not to launch her in the air, he pulled Satsuka to her feet. “I was in the neighborhood.” His reply to the question was distracted as he worked at plucking the visible shards of broken glass from her palm. She didn’t seem to be cut severely anywhere, so he let her hands fall and turned to crunch over to the man still lying on the ground. “What about you? And what happened here?” On the side of his legs were two thigh strap pouches. Inside the pouches were basic first aid supplies, zip ties, a fancy phone and communicator set Luna had designed, his AERI licenses. Everything he could realistically need. Andre opted for pouches because, as he recalled telling the designer, “You already gave me a cape for one outfit. I’m not wearing a utility belt too.” As he knelt down and found the man’s pulse, he pulled out a light and quickly checked pupil reaction. No concussion or visible injuries. Probably just knocked out. Note to self, add smelling salts to the pouch list. Turning back to Satsuka he rose to his full height, the light playing over the raised skin on his left side. “Did someone attack you all inside?”Satsuka Nishiyama
Satsuka was still bewildered by him being there that she could only stand there unsteadily as he cleaned up her hands, her whiskey-addled brain still trying to keep up with what was going on. Why is he out of the hospital? Hadn’t he been seriously hurt or something? How many days has passed since…? She watched him turn away from her to inspect the unconscious man, and her mood shifted at the sight, a scowl darkening her features as she remembered why she was out here in the first place. To forget. “Th--this motherfucker spilled his drink on me!” She pointed an accusing finger at the prone man. A drink had been spilled, sure. Maybe she might have sort of tripped him. And maybe it splashed a little on her shoes --a couple of drops. But it was the principle of it all! Something something…watch where you’re walking or whatever. Which she wasn’t doing as she moved toward the man to finish what she started, because the woman got tripped up by nothing and stumbled forward. Which she was okay with, because that was just going to put her closer to her target. Silver linings and all that.Victory
This time his reaction speed was up to the task of intercepting her meeting with the ground. Reaching out an arm, he caught her around the waste and stopped her forward movement, helping her stand up straight for the second time. “Woah there. Are you okay, you seem a bit—“ His words trailed off as his mind caught up with her words. “Wait. Spilled his drink…on…you.” Looking around his words slowed as he took in the scene for the first time. The window was shattered from the man and a crowd stood staring out it. A path of destruction in the bar evident. Some people were talking and whispering, a fair deal of them pointing at the grouping. Did she do this? The force to throw the man out was more than normal. So unless he had some sort of ability that she had dodged—an action he wouldn’t put past her sober abilities but the Satsuka now seemed unable to perform—it was more likely she tossed him out. Add to the fact the guy was out cold. If he could cause that much damage himself he wouldn’t be out cold. Including that information with the literal pointing fingers of the bystanders and the events started to piece themselves together. “Satsuka, I think it’s best if we go somewhere else and you tell me what happened here.” Some of the faces weren’t exactly friendly, the debate being if it was towards him or Satsuka.Storyteller
The Heights were one of the neighborhoods that leaned more towards Evo-positivity. But the signs of Anti-Evo sentiment were still visible. Graffiti was on the side of the bar in an alleyway with a blue and white painted ribbon. The words 'Our World. Our Lives' written inside the ribbon. The basic Pro-Normal symbol. A few of the bar lookers, bigger guys likely coming up from the Wards for a 'more respectable' place to drink had little blue ribbons on their shirts. So far, no one made a move. Perhaps that was because people didn't realize what Satsuka was. But that mode was starting to shift when the poster-child for Evos in the City showed up. Even in a different costume, he was hard not to notice.Satsuka Nishiyama
“Listen, Barbie. I’ve gotta reputation to--..”At some point during that daring rescue, her hands had somehow found themselves resting lightly on his arms and that’s when she noticed the scars on the left side. “Ooh, what’s this?” Forgetting what she was about to say, probably nothing important, the woman leaned in for a closer look. Her nose just a few inches from the marred flesh and a finger would trace along one of the scars. "Someone did a number on you, buttercup.”Victory
It took every ounce of his being not to visible flinch back from her touch on his scars. It was still new to him. A constant reminder of his failure. Whether that was a good or bad thing was something he hadn't determined yet. Part of him believed it was good to be reminded of failure, for him and his team, so that it never happened again. The other part of him knew it was a visual sign of his weakness, his mortality. And who knew how many bad guys would take advantage of that knowledge for their own ends. And how many more people would get hurt? Andre wasn't worried about himself. He was worried what would happen to normals if the bad guys knew their protector wasn't invulnerable. "Blood Bolt." Was all he gave as an answer, not pulling away too quickly to draw any attention to his lack of comfortability. He waited until her eyes followed the natural path of the scar up to his neck and locked eyes with her. "Listen, Satsuka. You can't do this. Reputation or not, throwing people out of a window isn't okay. And you look like you're not doing too hot. Let me get you out of here and we can talk about what's going on, okay?"Satsuka Nishiyama
And that’s where he fucked up. Hearing Blood Bolt’s name would have been enough to have her sympathize with him, but the moment he started telling her what she could or couldn’t do-- that’s when her attitude changed. The woman frowned and pulled her hands away from him quickly. “Y’know nothin’ about me, Andre.” She tried to keep her gaze locked with his, but ultimately she failed and looked away. A step was taken backwards, her body swaying a bit with the effort. “I’m fine. I’m good. Everything is good.”Victory
He stepped forward, gently but enough to keep the distance what it was. "No, I don't." His voice was soft when those words were spoken, but they got more stern as he continued. "Regardless of that, you evidently aren't okay. And in no way is 'everything good.' You can't throw people out of a window for spilling a drink on you." His eyes had picked up that her outfit, covered in glass and dust, was pretty much devoid of any liquid supporting that story. "So whether I know anything about you or not doesn't matter right now. Handling this situation you apparently caused is what matters." He put out his hand and his features softened from the heroic visage. "Just come with me. Then we can talk."Satsuka Nishiyama
It took every ounce of her willpower to not roll her eyes by the time he finished that little speech. Why did he feel the need to try and fix everything? The grumpy woman stared at his outstretched hand for a few seconds with a furrow in her brow as she contemplated what to do next and then, after seemingly making up her mind, she gave an exasperated sigh. His hand was gently taken in hers. “Barbie, I…” Grey eyes shot up to his eyes, and she hesitated for a moment. “I…” Then her face twisted into a scowl, the grip on his hand tightening before she flung it away from her. “I do what I want. Go help someone who actually wants it, ‘kay?” The woman would angrily move past him, so she could get to the unconscious man on the ground, wondering if a few slaps would wake him up. After all, he still hadn’t apologized for almost spilling a drink on her shoes.Victory
It's not that he was entirely surprised by the reaction given their first interaction. It was his response. The emotions that came up as she made her way to the unconscious man. See how far talking gets you, Victory? "I help people who need it. Not just those who want it." He hadn't turned around yet, but the tone in his voice--that sudden lack of kindness and worry--told the story about the expression written on his face. It wasn't anger, or rare, but as he turned around to watch her move closer to the man it became clear it was a cold neutral readiness in those gold eyes of his. Those eyes didn't leave her back as she moved closer. Watching, waiting like a racehorse for the starting pistol. "Go on. Make him need me."Satsuka Nishiyama
Maybe she’d have picked up on his tone if she had been a tiny bit more sober. The glass crunched under her sneakers as she neared the unconscious man, but before doing anything to him, she would paused and deliberately look at the hero with an accusing stare. "You help people who need it, huh? Is that what we’re callin’ it now? How many people died with you and your team helping--Never mind. Whatever.” There was a flicker of anguish in the ornery woman’s eyes before she tore them away from him, quickly blinking back the tears, and then her attention settled on the other man. She was now absolutely ignoring Andre as she reached down to grab the man by the front of his shirt. “Wake the fuck up now, ‘kay? We’re not finished here.” Her other hand cocked back, and if she weren’t stopped, she’d deliver a couple of firm slaps to his face to rouse the man back to the land of the living.Victory
It was best for everyone that his back was towards the bystanders in the bar and that Satsuka turned around. No one had to see the rush of forest fire rage that flashed over his features before the cold wind followed as his anger at her comments froze over. ’How many people died…’ His foot crunched on the glass, “Too many.” His voice was deep, almost a growl brushed over by the wind caused by his rapid flight across the space. His fingers wrapped around her raised hand’s wrist. “And knowing that, you think you can hurt someone else in front of me?” He raised his arm, pulling her to a standing position. With his other hand, he moved his fingers to tear the man’s shirt to release her grip on and let his unconscious form stay on the ground. This all happened in the space of a few seconds. His gaze bore into her, his hand gripping her wrist with more force than any normal human could hold her with, daring her to continue this tantrum.[Flight x1 Minor (39/40)]
[Enhanced x1 Minor (39/40)]
Satsuka Nishiyama
The woman gasped in surprise as she felt his hand close around her wrist and before a single protest could leave her lips, she found herself staring up at him, dumbfounded and distressed. Her initial surprise wasn’t from the display of strength or speed he used, she had sparred with him before and was a (secret) member of the Victory fan club, so she had an idea of what he could do. It was the fact that he did it at all. That he felt the need to stop her. But I’m not the bad guy here. Her other hand, now bereft of Big Boy’s shirt, clenched into a fist at her side as she continued to look at him, trying to determine just how serious he was and how far she should take this. “I get it now.” A corner of her mouth twitched into a humorless smirk. “You guys didn’t perform at Henry like you wanted to, so..” She gave a slight tug of her restrained hand. Not to escape, but to emphasize. “..here we are. Ya feel like a hero y--?” The woman’s face drained of color as she suddenly went quiet, her stomach churning, and she could feel the bile rising into her throat quickly. Oh God. Oh no. No no no. Satsuka had maybe two seconds to react. So she took a step back, attempting to put as much distance as she could while he was still holding her wrist up, and leaned over just in time to puke. The contents of her stomach splashed out on the pavement between them, which, thankfully, was just alcohol. Though there was no chance that either of their shoes would come out of this completely unscathed. And that unconscious man on the ground? Oops.Victory
Well that’s….disgusting. He let go of her wrist to allow her to step back a bit more as she finished up purging the evil from her system. He looked at the unconscious man and grimaced at the unpleasant picture. So gross. I wonder if I could set it on fire with the high alcohol content. Isaac would have a field day. Shaking his head, a sigh slipped out. When he was sure she was done, he walked over beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist. “You don’t get anything. And I think it’s time to get you home.” He mumbled as he tightened his grip on her. “Throw up on me and I’ll drop you.” With that, he started to raise them both into the sky.Satsuka Nishiyama
She slumped against him when she felt his arm go around her, using her sleeve to wipe at her mouth, and then turned a watery gaze up at his face. A look of guilt scrawled on hers. “I’m sorry, Barbie." She swallowed heavily. "I hope I didn’t ruin your Yeezy’s.” She knew that’s not what he was wearing on his feet, but that was the best she could do. A half-assed sorry for being a complete ass. The woman’s murmured apology ended with a groan when she finally realized what he was doing, how he was going to get her home. Her hands gripped his arms, fingers digging into his flesh. “The dorms and I won't if you don’t go too fast.” Once the warning was given, she’d bury her face against him, hoping to all hell she didn’t get sick again.Victory
He didn't respond immediately as they started to move slowly through the sky in the direction of Saint Mary's. He hoped he was right in that since she said the Dorms. Not sure of many other dorms in the City. Her grip on his arms didn't hurt, but it alerted him to hold onto her tighter. "I'm not going to let you go unless you deserve it. Don't worry." The breeze brushed against them as the lights of the City flashed below. Red, blue, white, all sparkling like a strange earth-bound galaxy. After a little bit of time, he said, "I'm sorry too, Satsuka. I let everyone down. It won't happen again." He wasn't suggesting he wouldn't lose again. That was almost a certainty with how many different types of Evos were out there. Performing so terribly however. No, that would never happen again. He would give his full last measure before that happened.Satsuka Nishiyama
At some point during the flight back to the dorms, she had decided to risk it all and take a look at the city below, not knowing if she’d ever experience it again. It was beautiful. Her cheek was pressed to his chest, and she silently watched the spectacular sight, content to stay this way the entire trip. Then he started speaking again and those city lights suddenly became a blur as tears filled her eyes. Ugh. Don’t cry. “Shut up, Barbie.” I’m an idiot. The woman regretted saying those awful things to him earlier and now hearing him take the blame of what happened that terrible night, it broke her heart. “You’re fucking strong and smart. But…sometimes bad shit happens and we can’t stop it. Don’t let that shit define who you are.” She gently patted his arm. It was something her grandfather had told her once before, but with less cursing and better constructed. “And you can’t let anyone down when you’re always striving to be better, even if you do fail again. Gotta believe in yourself, Barbie. Just like the rest of us do.”Victory
He decided more words weren’t going to change anything at the moment. Nothing he could say, or that she would say, would change how things were. Change what happened. He needed that moment to define him right now, to become a part of him. He needed the rage, determination that came with that failure. So he could get better. So they flew in silence for a few minutes until he saw the lights of the University. “Hold on. I’m bringing us down so you can point it out to me.”St. Maria University, City Centre
Damian Eli
Damian was stopped at red light tapping on steering wheel singing Jukebox hero as loud as he possibly could when his phone buzzed pausing the music which was the only reason he was aware it went off at all. He looked down at the text frowned for a moment and realized it was a joke before responding. Then he pulled out if the lane and started his way towards the college campus. "STANDING IN THE RAIN WITH HIS HELD LOW. COULDN'T GET A TIIICKET WAS A SOLD OUT SHOOW" He pulled into the parking lot still belting out the song at the top of his lungs. "GONNA BE A JUKEBOX HEERROOOO"Tiana Walker
She sat on a bench near the main road leading into the university proper. She had her Uber drop her off there in hopes Damien wouldn’t take too long. He shouldn’t unless he’s as dense as he looks. That thought gave her pause as she thought on their past conversations. Maybe I need to text him again… No, she’d give him ten minutes and then she’d text him. The night was quiet. The campus was mostly empty for the summer and it only got more so on a Friday night with the kids going out to party and drink. So without the usual number of eyes on her, she felt free to play with the shards of light and circled in her palm. Hers was a weird power she felt. The body condition thing made sense. He brother was strong, she was strong. Not as much but still. The shards though…he got to fly and she got a nail file. Fuck you too, Universe. I see where I rate with with.Damian Eli
As the song faded out Damian stepped out the car and locked it. He had changed out of the suit into a pair of black jeans a motorhead shirt and his boots. He started to look around for Tiana. He'd never been here so he had no clue where to go. "Maybe I should call her?.. Nah" And then he saw her form on the bench along with a weird green glow maybe it was her phone screen? He made his way over to her and spoke once he was a few feet away "Hey. I'm here"Tiana Walker
She dismissed the shards with a thought when she heard the voice, before looking up to see it was Damien. Oh. She wasn’t sure she approved of his wardrobe change. Scratch that, she was sure she didn’t. But to each their own. “Took you long enough. What if I got kidnapped while I waited here all alone? How would you be able to live with yourself.” She said in faux seriousness as she scooted over on the bench and tapped the side. “Come sit down, I want to enjoy the night for a little bit longer.”Damian Eli
Damian wasn't good at a lot of things but he was good at observing things. And he noticed Tiana never moved to put her phone away and the glowing randomly vanished.. no not randomly but when he spoke. "You're just being paranoid. Ignore it. If you got kidnapped? I'd probably pull a Liam Nesson or something" He gave a smile and sat down next to her on the bench and looked up at the sky in silence for a few moments. "So. You go to school here?" 'Real smooth jackass. Real smooth.'Tiana Walker
“Either that or I just like wandering around University’s randomly. I can see how you got confused considering they are such interesting places.” Her tone was that same dry teasing, but the sidewalk lamps lit up a small smile as she said it. “Yeah, I transferred here last year for track and field.” She hadn’t even paused before spilling more about herself. Her true self. Not good. I need to be careful. She quickly changed the subject. “Liam, huh? Awful full of yourself to think you can rise to that level.”Damian Eli
"I didn't do much for sports in school. But I had a knack for technology I guess. Got me a full ride to UofM" He couldn't help the smile that spread across his lips just from seeing her smile. The fact that it felt like well a friendship. "I mean. I'd try but chances are I'm not that good. I can scrap a bit. Not much" It was half truth half lie. He wasn't as good as Liam Nesson truth. He could only scrap a little bit lie. He figured a good lie would have a little of both. "Besides. I'm not a retired FBI agent with a particular set of skills either"Tiana Walker
"Oh, don't say that. I'm sure you have some skills that are useful." There it was, her normal flirty mode. Where had it been all night? In fact, where had it been the past few days? Everything had been weird since she visited Andre. Her mask wasn't as flawless as it usually was. Just the golden boy fucking up my life once again. "There's not a lot of need to worry about whether or not you can rise to the occasion. I can handle myself if a few dumbasses try to snatch me away. I mean, I get why they would. It'd just be a stupid decision on their part." She shifted on the bench and leaned a bit into Damien's side. "A tech head, huh? I'm more of a people person myself. That and a damn fast 100 meter time got me my trip to college. Don't get me wrong, I can use a computer. Beyond that I tend to call some folks and they handle the rest."Damian Eli
"I. Don't understand social situations outside of. Well..." He cut himself from saying he only really understood gang situations and violence but he caught it. "Uh. Outside of tech I'm very. Awkward I guess. I lack social cues and I get really nervous sometimes and when that happens I just rant. Like did you know that Theodore Roosevelt used to hold bare knuckle boxing matches in the oval office? Which is kinda crazy considering he was the president but I think it was pretty cool" Damain was talking so fast it didn't even sound like he stopped to breathe. His personality really didn't match his appearance sometimes. He had brusies on his face a busted lip visible scars on his hands and arms along with a few tattoos on his forearms. He looked like a convicted felon but here he was gushing about random shit because a pretty girl was sitting next to him on a bench and it actually felt like he made two friends in one week.Tiana Walker
She turned her head up to stare at him, her face flat and devoid of emotions. "Did you just explain how you're socially awkward before diving into being socially awkward?" She let that moment linger for a second before she started to laugh. A light, airy thing that still filled the silent night. "You are such a nerd. Lucky for you, I think you actually make it work." She slid off him and stood up from the bench, linking her hands together and stretching. Arching her back and letting out a sigh. "Okay, time for you to be a gentlemen and start walking me back. My socially awkward nerd in rusty armor." Her mood had lightened, she acknowledged that. For the first time in a long time she felt like she didn't have to be angry, short, a direct force of nature. She could just relax. So far all thanks too a guy who looked like he just got out of jail but had the mind of a science nerd in high school.Damian Eli
Damians smile broadened at her laugh it'd been a long time since he felt appreciated for more than how hard he could hit. He stood up and couldn't help but find the irony of her calling him a knight in rusty armor because technically he had armor it just wasn't rusty. "Lead the way. Because I have no clue how to get around this campus"Tiana Walker
She started walking down the University path that lead to the main complex and further into the school's grounds. It was a bit of a walk to her dorm, but she didn't mind. The night air was nice on her skin, and it's not like she had any plans tonight. Well...maybe that wasn't entirely true. To answer a question... and to see him squirm a bit she walked in silence for five minutes before asking, "So, got a girlfriend?"Damian Eli
Damian followed next to her hands in his pocket. "Nope" He answered without hesitation before looking at her and realizes what she asked. "I mean not since I've moved it's not like I've never had one. I've had a few... But nothing serious. I mean not that I'm afraid of commitment. But I'm not like. Desperate" He kept ranting on about how he basically wasn't a virgin and knew how to date people.Tiana Walker
She couldn't' hold back the laugh again as it broke the silence. "Oh dear lord, you really are terrible at talking aren't ya? Sweetie, next time just go with a 'Not at the moment.' and that will be more than enough." Her laughter ebbed off as she slowed to walk next to him. They kept walking in silence for a while before sighed and looked over at him. "Well?" A few more steps until she realized Damian totally missed the point. Shaking her head, Tiana started to realize that this was going to be an interesting night with this man. "I don't have a boyfriend at the moment, in case you were wondering. Or I guess you assumed that since you think I'm a hooker."Damian Eli
Damian flushed red at her comment about his earlier assumption on top of her teasing at his less than adequate social skills he looked like a tomato. "I. Uh. I didn't assume anything. But uh. That's good? I think? I don't know. Uh. So...what's your major" 'Great subject change fucking nailed it.' He kept stride with her looking up at the sky as he did his boots barely making a sound next to her. It was a skill he learned early on in foster homes how to walk as quietly as possible no matter what shoes he was wearing or what he had on his back. Made it easier to run away. But right now he didn't feel like running he just wanted to bottle her laugh and the positive energy of this night and save it before something went wrong or he fucked it up. But he would simply settle for knowing the night wasn't over yet.Tiana Walker
“Something boring that makes for much less interesting conversation and is sure not to fluster you. And we. Just. Can’t. Have. That.” With each of the last words she had reached over and up and walked a finger over his shoulder as she walked backwards in front of him. Looking to see where they were, she motioned her head. “Besides. We’re here. That’s my dorm. Let’s go.” Without any additional information, such as why he was being dragged to her room, she linked an arm with him and started in the direction of her dorm hall.Damian Eli
Damian let her link her arm around his and for reasons he couldn't figure out a sense of dread began to overcome him. He took a deep breath of fresh air chalked it up to anxiety and followed her. 'I really hope she doesn't hug me .. she'll fell the gun on my appendix. That'd be weird to explain.'Tiana Walker
They walked into the dorm hall and past students mingling in the common room. Some looked up and saw Tiana, either smiling or turning their heads to avoid her attention. She exchanged short greetings and quick strings of gossip or news. “I love that on you.” “Yeah, tell coach I’ll be back on Monday.” “You can borrow my notes.” “Maybe I’ll see him in office hours and convince him.” She took them both to an elevator and took a quick ride to the third floor. Walking down the hall, she quickly found her door and unlocked it. “Either she’s sleeping or she out again.” Tiana said to herself, looking around the room quickly. It was a decent size dorm. Almost like a studio apartment. The “bedroom” has two large beds with enough space for two desks to sit again the wall. There was an adjacent bathroom and a connected kitchen and island bar for cooking. The room was neat, but still looked lived in. All that observation was stopped when Tiana popped back from searching to say “And were alone. This is like the third day she’s been out. Can’t say I’m complaining.”Damian Eli
Damian ducked his head trying not to stick out more than he probably even did. He followed in silence and entered then room standing in the entrance not quite sure where he was supposed to go. "How do you like your roommate? Do you guys get along at least? And the dorms not bad. Better than mine at UofM" He looked around quickly memorizing the exits and windows even though it was the third floor he'd falled alot farther and he didn't feel like he was in danger but old habits die hard. Which reminded him he needed to watch those movies again it'd been awhile since he'd done so.Tiana Walker
Reaching into the fridge, she pulled out two beers and—without thinking—flicked off the pop tops with her thumbs. Shit. She glanced over her shoulder and saw that her back had been to him. Pay attention, T. “I lucked out and got a girl who is nothing like me. Too many of the wannabe mean girls here seek attention and a chance to climb the latter. It’s exhausting to field that, ya know? Satsuka is chill. We work out together, and after that we don’t really see each other. It’s the perfect relationship.” Handing him the beer, she moved over to one of the desks and took the chair, leaning to Pat the bed. “Sit sit.”Damian Eli
He took the beer and sat on the bed as he took a drink from the beer. "That's good. I didn't have a roommate. I just had my apartment I guess. " He took another swig of the beer, This is what friends did right? Sit and have beer? This isn't weird. Nope not weird at all. Damian stared down at the floor before looking back up at Tiana. "So uh. What're your plans? I. Ya know what I'll let you carry this conversation. I've got no clue how to talk to people."Tiana Walker
“So I’ve surmised.” Taking a sip of her beer, she took full advantage of the pause to figure out what she wanted to do. Ever since seeing him she had been all out of sorts. Her mask was out of wack, she had started opening up to a total stranger. Ugh. Girl, we need to get you back on the wagon. Back to being you. And she knew one surefire way to do that. “You sit your pretty ass right there, and I’ll be right back. Then I’ll tell you what we’re going to do.” Draining her beer, she stood up with a smile and walked towards her bathroom before closing the door.Damian Eli
Damian did as he was told and quickly finished his beer. It had little to no affect on him and he'd sobered up considerably since the casino. He assumed it was a benefit to the gang he was used to getting hammered and sobering up quick enough to go do a job or school or both. He thought about running down to his car to place his gun in the glove box but he realized he'd have no idea how to get back. Well it was leagl...and it's not like she was gonna take his shirt off and see it. He was fine this was fine he wasn't freaking out at all. Nope calm collected. Those are the lies he told himself because he was freaking the fuck out he didn't know what to do. Was she flirting with him? Should he get naked? Or was she just being friendly. He could face down a teleporting jack ass but he couldn't figure out social cues.Satsuka Nishiyama
They had landed in front of her dorm hall and despite their soft landing, Satsuka’s first few steps onto earth were a bit wobbly. Maybe it was the alcohol or her first experience at flying, but she knew that he had seen it and was probably going to do something nice and, like, walk her to her room, so that she made it home safely. Ugh. Chivalry. She wasn’t disappointed when she saw him follow her into the building, but she didn’t put up a fight either. Cue the elevator door opening up to the third floor and Satsuka stepped out into the hall, looking one way and then the other as though she were about to cross a busy intersection. Jesus fucking Christ. Calibrate, bitch. You can’t get lost, there are only two options. Fuck. She led him to the right, silently hoping she wasn’t going to have to backtrack and look like an idiot in front of him. And thankfuckinggod she was going the right way., because everything started looking familiar. She sighed in relief. “That flying stuff is pretty cool, Barbie. I wouldn’t mind having another go at it when, you know, sober. Maybe we can go even faster than a grandma’s pace..” She trailed off when they got to her door. It would only take her a few seconds to get her keys out of her pocket, and a little longer to actually unlock the door.DeAndre Walker (Victory)
Huh, so this is what a college dorm hall looks like. When he had gone to college he had stayed in a house with a few other guys, so he never got to see a dorm up close. That probably said a lot about his lack of adventure during those college years, but he didn’t mind. That wasn’t his style. Following her down the hall, hands in his pocket, his only thoughts besides the passive intake of their surroundings were to make sure she found her dorm and ask her for a time they could talk later. Once that was done, it was time to get home and take a well deserved nap. A decent enough ending to a long first day back. At least it wasn’t too crazy. He stopped behind her and the door, waiting respectfully so she could concentrate on one task at a time before saying goodnight and that they should meet up to chat later if she wanted. His eyes scanned the nearby name plates outside the door and down the hall and noticed everyone had two. “I hope we don’t wake up your roommate.”Tiana Walker
She opened the bathroom door and stood in the doorway in a sheer black long gown that split up the middle. Underneath, she wore black and white lace underwear. She liked the color black, since it contrasted with her chocolate skin better. She seemed to glide out of the doorway and towards Damian on the bed. “I did some thinking.” Her words came out smooth with a hint of heat to them. “And I think I figured out what I want us to do.” The gown hid next to nothing, showing off her perfect skin, absent of almost any blemishes except for a scar on her stomach. As she moved, her muscles tightened and stretched, like a Lion when it prowls. The dim lights caused her eyes to seem a dark golden that matched her eyeliner, and they were locked on Damian.Damian Eli
Damian's eyes widened for a moment before he was on his feet. He might be a dork and awkward but he recognized when things were about to go in a certain direction and he wasn't about to turn this down. He just smiled and removed his shirt. Damian was in good shape and that was an understatement for an Evo that wasn't physically enchanced he looked it. It also revealed even more tattoos and scars. "I think I can agree with that" And then he remembered the holster on his hip and any confidence he had completely vanished. All he could hope was that it wouldn't make things awkward. "I uh. Can lock it up if you want? I. It's legal and everything I promise" 'You almost looked cool. Almost. God you're so fucking weird'Satsuka Nishiyama
Oh yeah. Her roommate. She sorta kinda forgot she had one for a moment, but that hadn’t sunk in until Andre said something, which unfortunately, for everyone involved, was as she was opening the door and stepping inside. “Nah, she wouldn’t be sleeping. If anything, she’s probably entertaining a--” Oh no. The girl was just starting to become aware of what she was saying, but again, it was too late. She stopped dead in her tracks and her eyes widened in alarm as she saw the scene before her. Her roommate was dressed in lingerie and with some guy that was partially undressed, too. That's not Mr. Origami--Oh fuuuuck. So Satsuka did what any good roommate would do if they encountered a situation like this. Shut up and get the fuck out and pray no one would notice. And that's what she did, or well, tried to do. Satsuka quickly spun around to leave and ran face-first into Andre’s chest instead. “Ow---no. Go go go, Barbie,” she aggressively whispered, somewhat pleading, and trying to push him out of there.DeAndre Walker (Victory)
His eyes were taken away from the brilliant scenery of an empty hallway to find Satsuka in his chest. His hands came up to rest gently on her shoulders. Immediately his thoughts went to her not being okay, given he totally didn't hear her. "Satsuka, what's wrong? Are you ok--" Andre looked up to see if there was anything that set her off, and that's when he finally took in the name on the door. Tiana. It wasn't anything more than a reminder of his sister. A quick flash caused by a somewhat familiar name. And that's how it would have stayed if his eyes didn't wander a few inches to the left and through the open door. Perhaps it was by design or oversight, but the path from the open door let someone look right into the sleeping area. Probably due to the small design of the room. But inside Andre saw a familiar shade of skin and a glimpse of eyes that reminded him of his mother and every time he looked into the mirror. Perhaps that's where it owuld have ended too. Satsuka would have pushed him away, and it would have been something they tackled outside to give everyone enough time to prepare. Perhaps, had he not said loud enough to echo into the room the name of his sister. "Tiana?"Tiana Walker
A finger settled on his lips before tracing down, pulling the bottom lip with it to part his mouth. "You're cute, but now is the time when you stop talking." Her arm went up to drape around his scarred shoulders. Office worker my ass. And her eyes started to appreciate his form. Call it her own athletic track or personal preference, but Tiana liked strength. They didn't need to be cut or ripped, but they sure as hell had to be able to compete with her. Was that unfair to some given her abilities? Absolutely. Did she give a shit about being unfair? Absolutely not. She had just started to rise on her feet when she heard the door click. Damnit girl, you and your shit timing. All she heard was a click. So she turned her heard to see if her roommate had pulled a solid and silently backed out. Before she had a chance to turn her head and check the door was closed, a chill went up her spine when that god awful voice reached her eyes. She tensed around Damian, muscle coiling enough to let anyone paying attention know she was stronger than she looked. Snapping her head to the side, she saw him. Him. Standing outside her fucking room. Before her brain could even catch up, the south rose again and spilled out of her in all its NOLA glory. "There ain't no way in hell I'm awake right now. Must be dreaming. Please tell me your unwanted ass isn't standing outside my door, DeAndre."Damian Eli
Damian heard the door click and he was moving. In one fluid motion he had grabbed his dropped shirt pulled it on and was moving towards a window...wait dorm windows didn't open and he couldn't hide under a bed. "Oh God. Oh shit. You're trapped you're trapped. Breathe...maybe you can hide in the bathroom. Or rush past them...no he looks bi" and then Damian's jaw dropped. He'd done his research on evos before coming here. That was Victory...why the fuck was Victory here. "I uh. I'll leave it's okay. Just uh. Gonna get past you" He said moving towards the two people at the doorSatsuka Nishiyama
Wait. What? How do they know each other’s names? Stunned, the woman glanced up at Andre’s face and then slowly turned around to stare at her roommate, trying to figure out what was going on. Her eyes widened again. Oh my god. They used to date. And by the sounds of it, it might have been a bad breakup. What have I done? As those thoughts went through her head, she saw the other guy trying to leave and that's when Satsuka decided that that wasn’t going to happen. Oh hell no. She was not going to be alone while this was happening. She made certain to get in his way and prevent his escape.DeAndre Walker (Victory)
“Where—Where have you been? I checked out west but they said—“ He took a step towards the door, filling the entry and hands spreading unconsciously out to either side. So many thoughts were running through his head along with just as many que—What the fuck is she wearing?! His eyes started to unfocus and took in, regrettably, her attire after leaving her face. “Tiana, can you—please throw something on.” Was she sleeping? Who sleeps in that, it must be uncomfortable as hell. Focus. Focus Andre, it’s your little sister, we haven’t seen her, let’s focus on what’s—WHO THE FUCK IS THAT!? There was a guy in the room with her. How did he miss him? Now normally, Andre isn’t stupid. Nor is he a stranger to what two individuals may do in their free time and how that tends to portray itself. He was, however, in shock from quite a lot of things happening at once. So the fact that it only took five seconds for the pieces to fall into place and for big brother to enter the room is impressive. “Who are you?” He asked towards Damian in his most level voice he could muster.Tiana Walker
“Bitch, I know you heard me. I said, and I’m quoting myself here, ‘Please. Tell. Me. That. Ain’t. Your. Unwanted. Ass. At. My. Door.’” She empathized each word as she stepped closer, moving past the two bystanders to close the distance. “But based on your ‘oh dearest Tiana’ routine I know it is. Of course you didn’t find me. I didn’t want to be found. Especially not by the golden son.” Tiana placed her hands on her hips, no effort—or fucks given—to his request to cover up. That’s when she noticed Satsuka had come with him. Obviously. Her obvious anger subsided when she looked at her roommate. “Girl, you looked beyond trashed. Please tell me you didn’t plan to drunk hookup with him. He’s a saint you know. Won’t fuck until marriage most likely. God—Damian, grab her a glass of water please before I get contact drunk from her.” Turning back to Andre, the rage flowed back in. Shaking her head, a harsh laugh came out. “I thought the last time I’d have to see you was in that bed. Turns out the universe still hates me and here you are. Fuck me.”Damian Eli
Damian looked around looked at the ceiling looked at the floor and let out a very very sad sigh. "I uh. Where .. nerver mind I'll just uh. Find your glasses and stuff" He gave Victory the smallest wave ever "I'm uh. Damian. I uh. I like your cape. It's uh. Cool" And then he walked to the kitchen but on his way he gave Satsuka the look of absolute betrayal. He dug around the kitchen for awhile before finding a glass and filling it up with water and returning to the living area and handed her the water. And then he just stood there not saying anything or doing anything he didn't even look like he was breathing. He just wanted to go home.Satsuka Nishiyama
Even with all the words that had been flung back and forth, it in no way deterred Satsuka from thinking they had dated previously. In fact, it sorta seemed to confirm her suspicions. Her face went a little pink when she mentioned the drunk hookup part, but other than that, she appeared to be unfazed. “Listen. First, I didn't drink thaaaat much. Also, ...I’m sorry, Tiana. I didn’t know you guys knew each other. I wouldn’t’ve brought him back otherwise.” She accepted the glass from Damian, the water boy, and narrowed her eyes at him. Oh, she saw the look he gave her earlier and there was not an ounce of sympathy to be had from her. Not right now. “Tsk. No ice? Boo. One star.” Regardless, the girl took a sip anyway and watched Tiana and Andre with a contemplative look on her face. “You know, not trying to sound racist or anything, but you guys kinda look alike." Another sip.DeAndre Walker (Victory)
The harsh words bit into him. This wasn't the Tiana he knew. The quiet little girl who held onto his hand as they made their way through the more dangerous parts of the city. That had been a long time ago, before their Mother had passed. Why was she yelling at him? She vanished years ago and they first time he can see her she's laying into him? "You were raised better than to shout at someone you haven't seen in years, Tiana." The kindness started to seep out of his voice, the older brother coming out in fully force. He was fully in the doorway now, and his manners forced him to take the time to close it and make sure he heard the click. He turned back to face her and saw the heat in her eyes, the anger. He'd only seen that look in his Mom when he let his powers slip. "I didn't know you visited me. I'm sorry you had to see me like that, Ti." He moved closer, arms outstretched before finding a hand planted firmly on his chest.Tiana Walker
"None of that." She pratically growled. "I want none of what you're selling, DeAndre. No 'Ti', no 'Princess', no warm hugs, none of that bullshit you used for years to hide what a royal pain in the fucking ass you are. In fact, and in case you weren't listening, I don't even want you here." She pushed him a step back, having to use some of her strength to get him to move. All she could cause was a step, not even a stumble. Thick as a southern pine mother fucker. Then both of them turned to Satsuka when she spoke, a look of confusion on their faces. "Girl, are you--Oh my lanta, you are serious. Holy shit." She brought up a hand to cover her mouth and a quick laugh before speaking again. "I can understand, and I enjoy, why most people don't put it together. But you know I'm from NOLA. You know I have a brother, even if I hate him. How...well, actually, I'll take that its hard for people to put together."Damian Eli
Damian looked at Satuska and in shock did this motherfucker just give him one star?! ONE STAR?! After he had to go through a kitchen that wasnt his to find the glasses. And before that she cock blocked him and then literally blocked him from leaving and she had the audacity to give him one star?! Then she said they looked alike and he just froze blinked a few times opened his mouth closed it and tried again. "Reading the room. One star tsk" He was so pleased with his smart ass response he almost didn't hear Tiana say that Victory DeAndre fucking Walker was her brother. He was just going to keep his mouth shut and stand there because he wasn't about to have any more attention on him than needed.Satsuka Nishiyama
“Got it. Not dating.” Thank God. Ignoring the wave of relief that flooded through her body, Satsuka took another drink from her glass. In her defense, having similar features and the same last name wouldn’t set off any bells for her, because, you know, ..asian. What if she had brought it up and was wrong? Then she’d look bad. Well, worse than what she looked like now. And right now the mildly inebriated woman was looking at the man who thought he could get away, Damian, with a frown on her lips. She swayed a bit as she leaned over, a hand coming up to cover her mouth and muffle her soft whisper to him. “Maybe it’s jus’ me, but I think that tryin’ to fuck his sister certainly gets you less than a star.”DeAndre Walker (Victory)
A brother she hates? Those words hit him harder than anyone could have expected. To him, she was all he had left. And she had been gone for so long. Vanished after their mother died. Now he finally found her and all he was getting was anger. Anger without a source he could identify. Was she angry about Henry? Had she watched the battle unfold? "Tiana, I'm not sure what you're upset about. Please talk to me, tell me what it is so I can fix it. I don't--I can't have you mad at me." He took that one step forward again, more cautious this time to avoid a hand keeping him back. When she let him closer he started to smile slowly, hope flooding him that they were getting somewhere. Hope that his family was back together. "We're all we have, Princess. And I've miss--" His words stopped as a fist hit his face, causing his head to turn. The crack of teeth clacking fill the room and he felt a small pool of warmth fill his mouth from a cut on his lip. It didn't hurt too badly, just surprised him. As did the look on her face.Tiana Walker
"What the fuck did I just say about having none of that? God, you really don't listen." Her hand hurt, but she kept it clenched to mask the pain. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Like a brick wall, shit. "You want to know why I'm angry, Dre? It's because of you. Just you. The perfect specimen I had to grow up under. The fucking pride of Ma, NOLA, and now a whole 'nother city. No matter what I did, it never rose to your level. Hell, all I can do now is cause your lip to bleed, you damn marble statue." She started walking forward, forcing him to step his way back until he hit the door with his back. "All that I could forgive or forget. It's not your fault you're born perfect. Not my fault I was born that way either. Nah, it's the fact you knew it and forced me to hide it while you got to be the golden sun. 'You can't show off, Tiana. Stay under the radar, Tiana. Don't be special, Tiana.' Bitch, I am special. I am God's fucking gift to this shitty world. But you, big brother, wanted to squash that."DeAndre Walker (Victory)
"Tiana, it was to keep you safe and--"Tiana Walker
"I'm. Still. Talking." She almost growled out, her nails letting off a small golden glow. "And I am way past done listening to you. So you, go be a good boy, turn around, and get the fuck out of my room." Silence washed over the two of them and her mind went to the possibility that she'd have to force him out. To his credit--or because he's a fucking Saint--DeAndre complied. Simply nodding his head, opening the door, and walking out the room before closing it. Her heart ached for a brief moment when he left before it was brushed away. "Ugh, fuck me. Glad that's over." Turning around, she saw Satsuka and Damian and finally remembered they were both in the room. "Oh shit. I'm sorry y'all had to see and hear that."Damian Eli
Damian snickered at Satsuka's joke and nodded. "Easily negative three stars" And then he heard flesh hitting flesh and whipped around to see Andres head snap to the side. Did Tiana just? She just fucking hit Victory..and made him bleed. What the fuck. "I. Should definitely. Be uh. Going? I uh." Damian was at a complete loss once more what did you do when a family got into a fight? He didn't know. "wait. I got this" He took his phone out of his pocket pretending it was ringing. "Hey.. what?! They're dead?! Oh my god I'll be right there" He shoved the phone in his pocket gave Tiana very quick wave and bolted out the door. "That was smooth as fuck Damian. Damn you're a genius"Satsuka Nishiyama
That motherfucker. Not very smooth though. Satsuka watched the man peace the fuck out of their room, wishing she could do the same, and she turned to Tiana with a slight frown. “Fucking men.” It was unclear whether she was talking about Andre or that other guy, but it really didn’t matter. Right now her focus, whatever existed underneath that intoxicated haze, was upon her roommate and how she should be responding to what the fuck just happened. She just watched the city’s hero get smacked by his sister. Some real sibling angst shit; stuff you'd see on a talk show or something. She wouldn’t know though, because she didn’t have any siblings. “We’ll just pretend this didn’t happen, okay? Okay.”Storyteller
Damian made it out the door and into the Dorm hallway while Tiana and Satsuka remained in their room.Tiana Walker
"Girl, I'd need to be drunker than you to pretend that shit didn't just happen. We can drop it though. Its fine." Her roommates features didn't exactly convey that everything was fine. Moving to the fridge, she grabbed a beer out, flicked off the top, and drained half of it. "I think I need something stronger." She started rooting around their cabinets, sure she had a bottle of whiskey here for when the guys she brought back were worth the bottle. HA! Pulling out a bottle of Hennessy, she grabbed a clean glass and poured a healthy amount into the cup. She sipped it slowly, letting the burn run down her throat. "What we could talk about is why dickhead was coming back with you to our room. Should I have gotten a 'run to the store for some milk' text? Do I need to expect a sock on the door soon?"Satsuka Nishiyama
The woman had the unfortunate timing of taking a drink of her water when Tiana basically asked if she was going to be fucking her brother anytime soon and spent the next thirty seconds trying to cough the liquid out of her lungs. Oh my fucking god. What?! Her face turned a bright red and coughed a bit more, turning away from her roommate to readjust the blanket on her bed. “What?! Me and him? No. He saw a drunk girl and had to walk her home safely. Mr. Samaritan doing his good deeds for the night and uh,..” She was wishing that she had something stronger to drink, too. Change the subject, quick. “So that guy you brought over. He seems a little different from the others.” What a smooth fucking swerve.Tiana Walker
Her eyes watched her…friend? Room mate as she reacted. Oh? “That does sound like him. And to be fair, if you thought you were picking anyone up looking like that then you’re way rusty. I mean, shit girl, at least let me do your hair.” She took another sip of her drink as she listened to Satsuka’s crash and burn of a smooth turn. Ill let this go for now. But don’t think I’m done digging, mama. “Probably seemed that way because I hadn’t gotten his pants off yet. Usually you only see ‘em after I’m done with them. He was still able to stand. Ergo, different.” Even as she said it her thoughts went to Damian. Their entire night prior had been different. And right when she tried to change that trajectory all that happened. Hes no different.Satsuka Nishiyama
The glass was set down on her nightstand, and then she sat on her bed with a frown. What was wrong with her hair? She self-consciously brushed her hair out of her face, long strands tucked behind her ears. “I wasn’t picking anyone up. I sorta got into a fight and that’s when Barb– your brother showed up to save the day. Ugh. And then I threw up in front of him. She made a face at that thought, absolutely mortified. “I am sorry, though. For interrupting your night.” And for bringing him here. “You think Damian will come back, so you can show him that thing you do with the fucking fruit?” Satsuka tried to hide a grin on her face as she flopped back onto her bed. She watched the ceiling slowly spin.Tiana Walker
"I don't think that poor man could handle that level of skill if I'm honest. He seemed too much like an okay guy." She put her cup in the sink. I'll clean you tomorrow. Before moving to her own bed...and then deciding nah, and walking to Satsuka's and sitting on the side. "Or a not so okay guy trying his best to be okay." She mumbled, before wiping away that potential rabbit whole. "And don't knock my special tricks, bitch. Maybe if you let me teach you a few you'd finally get yourself someone to bring back here." Her tone, in its own Tiana way, was teasing. She needed teasing, and part of her suspected Satsuka did too. Her roommate had been distant lately. More than that, if we're honest. But theirs wasn't a close enough relationship to warrant those types of talks. "I don't know if he's coming back. Guess that depends on if I text him. Jury's still out." Looking around their room, she found what she wanted and got up quickly to grab it. Moving back to her bed, she held the brush in her hands. "Up, up." As she waited for Satsuka to sit up, she asked. "A fight. Did you win?"Satsuka Nishiyama
She felt her bed dip as Tiana sat on it, and she looked over, raising her eyebrows when she spotted the brush. Seriously, did she really look that bad? The woman scoffed. “Of course I won. I set him flying through a fucking window.” Satsuka giggled softly to herself as she recalled what happened. “You should have seen it. I'm probably banned from that place, but it was totally worth it.” And then your brother showed up and ruined everything, but that’s neither her nor there. “I think you should text him. Damian, that is. He’s a fucking pussy for leaving. That call was so fake. I don’t know who he thinks he’s fooling, but he’s kinda funny. You know, the ha-ha kind of funny. Not the other kind.” She sat up and turned her back to Tiana to give her better access for brushing. “And hey!” The girl pretended to be offended. “I don’t need help bringing someone back here. I just need to find someone ..worth bringing back. You know, someone of us have standards around here." The girl teased right back.Tiana Walker
“Good. If you had lost we would be back in the gym first thing. No roomie of mine loses fights. Can you even imagine the gossip. I mean, that bitch Tiana would never let you live it down.” Fuck you and your beautiful hair Tiana thought as Satsuka sat up and she took the spot behind her. She worked the brush through the long black hair, being careful not to let her strength rip any hair out. Given her own hair was Hells own definition of curly, she knew what to do to get knots out. She hummed a little something before replying, finishing her first go through. “I’ll think about it. On one hand, you know me and my never fading desire to give people a difficult time. The other hand says the boy was about to get some before the City’s black and gold hall monitor waltzed in with my roommate. It’s hard to blame the guy.” There was still that nagging voice saying she should reach out though. Go away. She never texted them back after. There wasn’t an ‘after’ though. So, loophole? “Oh, I totally agree. That’s why I have the standards for both of us. I get those 10’s, stud muffins, good dick having guys on the reg. And you.” She set down the brush and started to work her long fingers into Satsuka’s hair. A plan forming for a braid style she had seen but couldn’t pull off. One of those big braids the not curl cursed get to have. “You get to grab whatever guy—or gal—throws themself at you. Aren’t I a Saint?” The hair slide past her fingers as she worked, moving quickly through the first part. “What’s ‘worth bringing’ to you?”Satsuka Nishiyama
Normally she had it in a ponytail or tossed up into a messy bun, but when brushed properly and let loose, Satsuka’s thick hair fell close to her waist. And even though her hair annoyed her most of the time, with getting snagged in doors or her bag, she would never entertain the idea of cutting it short. Just a trim at most to keep it healthy and to keep it at this current length. Her mother used to have long hair, and maybe it was just her way of remembering her. She rolled her eyes at Tiana’s words. “Ha-fucking-ha. The guys that throw themselves at me are the ones I tend to avoid. They just come across as too desperate and needy, you know? I guess I like the chase or something.” The way Tiana’s fingers worked through her hair had her feeling relaxed and somewhat wistful, which is probably why she continued to answer the woman’s questions instead of closing up. She even gave it a serious thought, too. What kind of guy was she looking for? “Oh, I dunno. Hmm. Someone who will respect me and accept me for who I am? But I don’t want them to like, fucking worship me or anything. I want a challenge. No, I need to be challenged. They have to be strong, too. Not just physically. Have somewhat of a moral compass, but none of that goody-goody stuff.” She thought of Andre and his ‘needing to be the city’s hero and saving everyone’ for a second, but banished that thought real quick. “Nothing good ever comes out of always being self-sacrificing. You end up getting used and used until there’s nothing left. Ugh. Are you almost done?” Impatience had struck. The woman tilted her head and her hands came up to feel what was going on with her hair. “And what about Saint Tiana? You think there’s a person out there that can handle all of her?”Tiana Walker
Her fingers started to work on the large braid, pulling in the sides of Satsuka's hair to create one large braid like she had seen in some fashion magazines. "Such beautiful hair, color me jealous." Her nails combed the hair back gently, deftly working the top portion into a braid before slowly moving down, making sure it was tight but not too much so. "I got news for you then, you might miss out on fulfilling that last part with Mr. Perfect. He's always been a goody goody. As you can tell." She hummed when she wasn't talking, tilting her head and losing herself in her task. "You deserve to be put first. Someone who gives themselves to the world can't do that. The issue is..." She paused to work another part of the braid "...to find someone that can challenge you, it might be they are like that. You're someone who can take on the world, girl. A man that can handle you has to be able to do the same." Swatting the girls shoulder, she grinned. "Shush, perfection takes time." She hummed along, moving further down, past the head and wrapping up the braid now. "No." She said bluntly. Part of her thought that would be all of it, but perhaps it was the braiding, or just the company, the allowed her to talk more. "I don't think Tiana will let a man handle all of her. I don't believe that exists, or I don't want to. I've seen what 'perfect men' are like, grew up beside one. So I don't want perfection, and I don't settle for anything less." She took a hair tie from the bed stand and tied off the braid, looking at her work with a smile. "So Saint Tiana will just have to keep doing what she's doing, until she's set enough that she can just be with herself."Satsuka Nishiyama
“He’s not that perfect.” The woman muttered the comment under her breath and was also glad that she had her back to Tiana, because it was easier to hide her flushed face, which was partially caused by the mention of the hero, but mostly it was from the compliments that were being tossed her way. It was enjoyable. But there had to be a catch, right? This was Tiana we were talking about. The girl’s mind started racing as her hair was being finished up. How much did she have to drink? No, that can’t be it. She’s not a lightweight. Oh my God. She’s probably completely fucked my hair up and is distracting me with words, so I won’t even notice. “Uh huh. I’ve seen a movie where the main character says stuff like this and then one day, she’s walking down the street and slams into Mr. Right or Mrs. Right. I’d start watching where you’re going from now on.” Satsuka looked over her shoulder at the woman with a grin and then stood up to move to the bathroom. There was a mirror there and she wanted to see what atrocity had been committed to her hair. What if this was payback for ruining her hookup and bringing her brother back? Instead, Satsuka was pleasantly surprised when she turned on the light and saw her own reflection. “Oh. This is so much better than what I do.” She turned her head a little to get a better view and after a moment, she peeked her head out from the bathroom. A cheeky grin was on her face. “I’m so glad I didn't get vomit on my hair from earlier. That would have sucked for you, huh?”Tiana Walker
"If only we lived in a movie." Her eyes traced over the back of Satsuka, admiring her work. It did look nice, good job, Tiana. As usual. "If you had vomited, I would have just shaved it off." The woman said with an equally wide evil grin and a shrug. "Anyone who insults hair like that deserves not to have it. Remember that, sweetie." Flowing back to her side of the room, she opened her closest and started rummaging in the drawers. "Just ask if you want me to do it again, it's not too hard." Pulling out a pair of track pants and a tank top, she started to change out of the outfit she was in. She grabbed a pair of trainers and a sports bra too, slipping it on with practice. Squeezing into the tight garments she felt a rush come over her, the rush of energy about to be released. "I'm going to hit the track. You probably need sleep. And water." Meanwhile I need to run these thoughts out of my head. "Tomorrow we can hit up the gym if you feel up for it. Well, maybe the day after considering I think you're in for a bad morning."Satsuka Nishiyama
“Yeah, yeah. I bet I can still rock short hair. Or even a shaved head.” The girl was talking shit. There was no fucking way she was going to ever cut her hair or allow another person to do so. Over my dead body. Just the mere thought of it had the woman’s smile faltering. A nod was given at Tiana’s advice for sleep and headed over to her bed, not even bothering to pull back the covers. She just collapsed on top of it and half-buried her face into her pillows. The sleepy girl would murmur, “Can’t tomorrow. I have my – a prior commitment that I have to attend.” Her grandfather’s funeral. Or whatever you wanted to call it. It was going to be a private affair, and she wasn’t even bothering to have a memorial or anything. Just turn grandpa into ashes and then have them buried with his wife, her grandmother that she’d never met, on Saturday. If she were lucky, she would probably be done before lunch. Sunday would be for coping. “How ‘bout Monday? I’ll be free then.” And then it wouldn’t take long for Satsuka to fall fast asleep, a light snore coming from the small woman.Saturday midnight
St. Maria Dorms, City Centre
Storyteller឵
Damian walked out the door and entered into the seemingly empty hallway. Before he could take more than two steps he'd find Victory leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed over his chest. At the sound of the door, the man looked up and made eye contact.DeAndre Walker (Victory)
He had stepped outside intending to leave, but he couldn't put on the right face at the moment in case anyone was downstairs. I could always leave via the roof? Plans for his departure were halted when he heard the door. He prayed it was Tiana coming to stop him. Or even Satsuka to talk to. Instead, it was him. His eyes locked on the mans and he felt his features fall into their normal place. "I'm sorry you had to see that. Not exactly my idea of a good first meeting. I'm DeAndre, Walker. But you probably already knew that. I didn't quite catch you name." The tone was nice, gentle, almost friendly even. As the man pushed off the wall and made his way to Damian, hand extended to shake, there was something in the eyes that said not everything was friendly. "I figure it's important for me to know the name of the guy my sister was dressed like that for, don'tcha think?"Damian Eli
Damian stopped in his tracks and for the first time that night really took DeAndre Walker in. He gripped the other mans hand and shook it. "Im Damian. He released the hand and quickly took a step backpack. Something in Andre's eyes put him on edge. "And uh. About all that earlier dont worry. I doubt you and I will see each other again" 'Wait. It sounds like you were having a one night stand with his sister. Which might have been the case or like friend with benefits but Victory didnt fucking need to know that.'DeAndre Walker (Victory)
"Damian." Noted "A pleasure." Andre released the hand easily, not putting any unnecessary strength behind the grip. "That seems to be her wish, that I stay away. Can't say I'm too happy about that." Pausing, he noted the step back and didn't move any further himself. "I'm assuming you meant it in that context and not the way that you were going to have sex with my little sister and than never talk to her again. I'm assuming that because you seem like a decent guy. And decent guys don't do that. Especially not to my sister." Stepping to the side and moving forward and past Damian, he stopped to set a light hand on the man's shoulder. "Why don't you come grab a beer with me, Damian. I think we could get along. Plus I need a drink after that." It came out as a request, but the way the man waited made it seem more as a statement.Damian Eli
"I'm an asshole DeAndre. But im not that bad" As soon as he began to calm down and think this night was over a hand was on his shoulder. He fully tenced his muscles coiled up ready to be sent through a wall. But then he asked no he demanded that Damain join him for a beer. He almost reached for his powers that deep icey well in the pit of his stomach that would flood his veins and even the playing field. But he stopped himself and relaxed. "Yeah. I can go out for a bit." He took his car keys from his pocket and spun them around his finger. "Where we goin?"DeAndre Walker (Victory)
“There’s a place over in Talos I know. Little hole in the wall that’s been redone. Caters to a small group. A nice place to just have a talk.” Seeing the keys spinning he started to walk down the hall to the elevator. “I’ll hitch a ride with you if that’s okay. I left my car at home. Where it’s been for the past month.” A light laugh escaped as he pressed the down button for the elevator. Taking one back look down the hall wondering if she’d come out her door. But she didn’t. And part of him knew she wouldn’t. A brother I hate. Those words stung. Right now though, he was still going to act like the big brother he was.Damian Eli
"Yeah that's fine. I assume a man who can fly and doesn't have a comic book secret identity doesn't tend to drive often." He smiled and walked down to his car unlocking the Lexus and sittinf inside. He took his gun holster and all and set it in his glove box while he waited for Victory to join him. This could be a really good chance for Cuervo as well he could potentially put a tracker on him find AERI's headquarters maybe. Hed just need to time it right. "So whats flying like? How do you even get the hang of it?"DeAndre Walker (Victory)
Slipping into the Lexus, Andre took a look at the vehicle's interior as the question--distraction more like--was posed. It was a bit small for him, as were most cars, but he wasn't uncomfortable. Just squeezed a bit. "It's...enjoyable. When I first learned how I was a bit scared. It came before my strength did, or before I noticed it maybe.." He remember how he tried to practice in the swamps outside of NOLA, or in places away from folks. The need to understand it so it wouldn't lead to him getting whisked away by the EHEA when it activated unconsciously. "Flying is like moving. For me at least. There's different types, so it varies. According to the ever-changing categories, I have what they label 'true flight.' It means I don't need external thrust or wings or something like others do. I don't change gravity in a sphere around me. I just move." He paused, thinking of how best to explain it. His thoughts went back to the librarian and then his professors. If you can explain it, you begin to understand it. "When you move from Point A to B, you plot out a course in your head. Whether you're walking, swimming, parkouring. You find a path and then move on that path. That's what I do with flying. I plot out points and just...move there. Except its like I'm a jetski. I will keep going unless I move in another direction or put in effort to stop." Explaining this to a stranger didn't worry Andre, mainly because it wasn't unknown information. He purposefully kept out the key details only he knew. How fast he could go, how quickly he could stop, how much he could do. Not even his team really knew those details. Always be cautious. You're a man who has enemies now.Damian Eli
Damian nodded absorbing all the information like a sponge committing everything to memory not only in case he fought somebody with flight but also because it was interesting. He started the car and pulled out heading towards Talos still not sure how the fuck his night got to this point. 'Just keep him talking about himself don't let him ask about you' "So uh. Does the cape get in the way? Or uh. Is your suit bulletproof? I mean even if you are slightly resistant protection is protection"DeAndre Walker (Victory)
That damn cape. Andre shifted a tiny bit, more comfortable in his relaxed pants and t-shirt combo he had gone out with tonight. Still very much a costume, but not the black and gold tights he wore at Henry. “Eh. It doesn’t stop me. I can ripe it easier than tearing paper. It is annoying though.” He tried to think back to what the Mayor had said when she first saw it. “It’s a symbol more than anything. Like a flag. So people know I’m there.” This question was more pointed than the others. Protection, huh? Was it just nervous talk to avoid the elephant in the car or something else? “Kevlar weave in most of my clothing, even normal stuff. So I don’t rip it any time I sneeze. It’s my body that’s bulletproof.” Not exactly true as far as he could tell, but better to be vague. Last he could tell at Henry, pistols didn’t do much anymore except sting. Rifles still cut or bruised, and those were far off. No point blank stops taken. “So how did you meet my sister?” Time to steer the subject.Damian Eli
Damian kept his eyes on the road nodding as DeAndre talked commiting the kevlar weave bit to memory. "I uh. Met her at a casino. We kinda uh. Get a long guess we both kinds grew up-" He stopped himself realizing that might not be the best thing to say. "...how did you meet her" and then he wished he was dead internally screaming at himself for being a fucking idiot. Then he pulled into Talos hopping he could leave soon. Pretended somebody died again or something. Have one beer. Just one. Then leave.Talos, City Centre
DeAndre Walker (Victory)
They pulled up to Talos and Andre spotted the Broken Elbow, the bar he had been talking about. Once the car was shut off he slipped out and started to head that way, taking a necessary moment to process the question. “Well…I was at the hospital when she popped out our Mom. So around then?” Getting to the bar, they’d see both the Pro and Anti Evo ribbons in the window, signaling this bar didn’t care about sides. Once they opened the door, there was a sort of wave of silent realization and verbal discussion of who just walked in. Andre didn’t pay any of it attention and made his way to two open seats at the bar. “Jimmy, two please. On me.” The ‘two’ were apparently das boot beers. The only acceptable ‘one beer and I’ll go home’ drink allowed. “So, tell me about yourself, Damien.”Damian Eli
Damian took a second in the car to grab a tracker from the center console and slipped it in his pocket. He followed DeAndre inside not saying anything until the man asked Damian to do what he'd been dreading to do. "I uh. I grew up in Detroit. In and out of orphanages. Im an accountant. Uh." He took a drink from the beer trying to think about what the fuck else he should say to this man. "... um. I went to college actually graduated so there's that as well. I have.." he took a moment to do a mental count. "fifteen tattoos. Used to have my hands inked up but got those removed after i graduated from college. I've never been to jail" Which wasn't technically a lie he'd been arrested as a kid for shoplifting but the charges were dropped because pity factor. He slipped the tracker onto his hand and then looked at the pouches on Andres legs. "Those are cool. Is that where you keep like anti kryptonite? Sharpies for autographs? Oh. Oh i know. Protein bars" He smiled and reached and poked the bag on his left leg placing the tracker which was about the size of a tic tac. "Man you weren't kidding. Everything really is kevlar lined"Individual minor action -1 Ep 14/15
DeAndre Walker (Victory)
"An...accountant?" Looking at the man, Andre thought he could believe that. He might not be on the up and up of new social terms, but even he knew Accountant was code for an Adult Film Star. This is the type of guy Tiana is seeing? Noted. He wondered for a quick moment what type of star. Old fashion video tape? Do they still make those? Or is it all on the internet now? His internal thoughts were snatched away by the other man's talking. Watching Damian poke his legs, he frowned a bit. Is he trying to cop a feel? "Uh...normal stuff. First aid supplies, zip ties, stuff like that mainly." Sipping his beer, hey eyed the other man. "So. What's your intention with Tiana?"Damian Eli
"Sorry I'm a bit of a tech geek that was actually my major in college so materials and such always interest me. But it was easier to get into an office job I guess. And considering I wear a suit every day the tattoos aren't a problem" Then he asked his intentions with Tiana and Damian almost pretended to get a phone call saying somebody died again... Maybe. No. Not yet. "I. I really don't know. She texted me tonight and asked me to walk her back to her dorm. I just thought she wanted a friend.. i. I really don't know. I wasn't expecting clothes to come off tonight.. what about you? How do you plan to unfuck that situation? That's what families do. At least in movies. Work it out"DeAndre Walker (Victory)
"I see..." Andre still found it strange the man was so interested in his clothes. He found the man in general a bit strange if he was honest. Who am I to judge? Damian's tale sounded weirdly similar to how he ended up taking Satsuka home. Would we have--No. The idea died quicker than it could form, Andre focused more on making sure the young woman got home safely, before distracted by his sister and...the situation. "Got it. That sounds like something you need to talk to her about." It, again, wasn't so much advice as a statement. Andre wasn't sure he was happy with either direction, but he'd be damned if someone ended up in that situation with his sister and ghosted her. Not on my fucking watch. When Damian asked about what he intended to do, Andre finished his beer in one big pull and sighed. "One beer is probably good enough. I need to get back out on patrol." Taking out $30 from his pocket, he left it on the bar. "It's on me, get one more if you'd like. There's enough there." Standing up, he held out his hand. "It was good meeting you, Damian. I am sure we will meet again soon."Damian Eli
Damian stood up and shook the mans hand s small smile on his lips. "Im sure we will. And hey if Aeri needs help with Numbers. Im your guy" He grabbed the beer on thr counter and drank it. Then he walked outside sat in his car and pulled out his phone the smile widening. The tracker was active.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
July 16, 2021
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