A Catching up of Old...Friends(Ran,Trent)

[koenig]

(It was late on a saturday night, Considering it was dark out it was still very very warm out. Getting dressed in a long black leather jacket that went down to the bottom of my knees I smiled. Looking down i had black cargo pants and a black muscle shirt on. I then strapped my twin rapiers onto my back coming from the little slit that the hilts fit into on my back.

I then pulled out my cellphone and dialed Ran's number. getting her awnsering machine I waited until the beep and left a message)

"Hey ran, it's Bruce, It's been a very long time and I was hoping we could catch up on some old times, meet me in the park inside the forest. I'll be waiting on the bench"

(With that I walked out the door. I was wearing my fighting gear and my swords because I didn't know what to expect tonight. With Trent no one could ever know what to expect though. That's what had me almost feeling uneasy as I began to walk to the park. Getting there I sat down on the bench and lit a cigarette waiting for ran)

[Ran Ling Xiao]

The phone rang and it seemed that neither Ran nor Dain would answer it. Not surprising however, and Ran merely stood before the answering machine and listened as the caller spoke. Bruce....oh dear it HAD been a long time. Her eyes remained low as she listened to the message, her paranoia getting the better of her. "Why would he all of a sudden want to meet with me." she whispered. She shook her head, reminding herself that after the whole ambush thing Bruce had done, he DID feel bad and tried to kill himself. "No....Bruce is my friend." she said softly. "I guess I should go meet with him for old times sake."

"Dain!" she yelled out, "I'm going to meet an old friend, if you need to find me, the location is on the answering machine!"

She was confident that he had heard her, if not he just had to listen to the message on the answering machine and he'd probably know where she went. Just in case however, she took a yellow sticky note and wrote "Press me," with an arrow pointing to the play button on the answering machine and adding "-Ran" at the bottom of the note.
She smiled gently to herself and nodded, walking towards the door and leaving the home.
"I hope he's not planning on attacking me again" she thought humorously.

-At the Park....

Ran walked slowly, her eyes shiftin side to side as she made her way through the forest. When she finally reached the park, Ran quickly spotted Bruce on the bench. The closer she got, the more uneasy she felt. She could see swords....with him. SWORDS! Oh the flash-back of that time he had tricked her into meeting him just to attack her began to flash into her mind. No....no. She couldn't just assume all that...but...it WAS suspicious. 'I should of brought something to defend myself...' she thought giving a low sigh. 'I doubt a cell phone could do much against swords.'

She stopped a few steps away from Bruce, distance enough to keep away from the end of his swords before saying nervously, "H-hey....What's with the weapons....?"
She eyed the weapons a little and took a single step back. "I thought we were supposed to talk. You look like you're ready to attack me."
Again, she took another step back, staring at Bruce with distrust. "Are you....?"

She held her hand in her pocket, her finger resting ontop of the "quick dial" number to home on her opened cellphone, just in case. Until she was sure of his intentions she'd keep herself distant from him should he get any ideas. 'Well isn't this quite a predicament.'

[koenig]

(As I waited for ran I turned my head to face her when i heard her voice. When she asked me what was up with the weapons and began to back away I smiled slightly)

"don't worry ran, I don't mean to impale you or anything, not like the last time we met. This is simply because I don't know anything about what this forest is like at night, I feel...almost naked in a new area like this, I would feel weird if I didn't bring them with me. If you wish to make you uneasy I can take them off and put them down. The choice is yours"

(I said still not moving so that she wouldn't think i was trying to pull anything. Inhaling a long puff of my cigarette I felt my lungs fill with the smoke. i then exhaled out of my nose in a dragonlike fashion waiting for ran to make her decision)

[Ran Ling Xiao]

She looked at him unsurely still but nodded, taking her hand out of her pocket.
"W-well...I'd feel much safer if you....put them down. Please." she began, smiling wryly and hugging herself gently. It wasn't really her fault if she felt in danger, afterall, but she was glad that Bruce was willing to put down his weapons. She would wait until he did so before moving forward and taking a seat next to him on the bench. She still felt a tad bit insecure, however that feeling would go away soon. Maybe.

She smiled softly and looked directly before her, taking in her surroundings. It had been her first time here, to tell the truth. She didn't go out much since she had moved here and it was nice to see new locations.
"So, how have you been?" she began to ask, blinking slowly. "Was there anything in particular you needed to tell me or is this just to simply....talk?"

She pushed herself off the back of the bench and leaned forward, turning herself a little to look at Bruce. She could tell a lot from looking at someone, and it was always more polite to look at someone when you engaged into conversation, regardless if the other person did the same or not.

(>...<;; Crappy post.)

[Trent Davis]

"Take your blades with you, Bruce. Your part in this has ended."

A few metres down the trail came the quiet voice of Trent Davis, just closing his cell phone as he spoke to the other male. He dropped the phone into his dark jeans, his denim jacket concealing Death and Glory from plain view. Should everything go according to plan, the psychopath might not even need to dirty his blades tonight, as he'd simply have someone else do it for him. Smirking slightly, he placed his hands inside his pockets, striding up to the bench and sitting uncomfortably close to Ran, given how the two had never met before, off to her right side.

"Don't worry, Bruce. We're just going to talk."

Still smiling, Trent stretched his left arm along the back of the bench, giving himself a head start should the girl attempt to run off, and simply sat silently for a moment, letting Bruce wander off before speaking again.

"So... you're the famous Ran Ling Xiao. Forgive the deception, but I doubt you'd simply want to meet a random stranger in the forest at night, and this was the only time I was free."

It was, of course, a lie, but a necessary one. Trent enjoyed playing mind games, and he could only wonder whether Ran was one of the talented few who could keep up with him.

"I hear all the boys just love you. But unfortunately, you're already taken, aren't you? By a good friend of mine."

Sighing softly, Trent twirled the fingers on his left hand in her hair, gently, so as not to start them out on the wrong foot.

"A certain... Dain Gavyns... which is who I'd like to speak to you about tonight."

OOC: I'm cursed with shortness as well.

[koenig]

(Hearing Trent's words I began to get up. Hearing him say they would only be having a talk I nodded my head to him. Looking at Ran I gave her a nod too, a nod as if to say "trust me." Turning I began to wander off into the trees, Now to trent and ran It would seem as If I would disapear like trent had wanted, but instead I had gone deep into the shadows of the trees only a couple of metres off. It was then that I watched and waited.

I Didn't know what Trent had in mind for Ran, but I Intended to find out)

ooc: wow very shitty post writers block

[Ran Ling Xiao]

Ran sat up straight as the male in dark clothing sat near her, though Ran didn't say anything. Instead, she looked down at her lap and frowned, her face showing obvious nervousness. Who was this person, anyway? He spoke to Bruce, who, looked towards her with a nod and walked away. So...he was gonna leave her there? With this man she didn't know? 'This is why I was asked to come here? I don't like being tricked this way.' she thought, keeping her back straight but her head low.

As the man began to speak, Ran looked at him in the corner of her eye quickly but didn't dare turn. Needless to say she was anxious. The aura she felt from this person felt almost sinister, though she didn't want to judge him all to quickly. Outter appearances sometimes gave you a clue as to how a person was, however it wasn't an accurate way. She supposed she'd find out soon enough.
She nodded though at what he said, but didn't speak.

The man began to speak again and Ran lifted her head, obviously having her attention caught by his words. She felt his fingers twirl in her hair, making her feel all the more uncomfortable. For someone she had just met, he sure acted like he was a familiar and that sent shivers down her spine.
"Dain?" she asked softly, trying hard to ignore this uncomfortable feeling. Although she never met this man, it seemed he did indeed know Dain. Friend or not, this was only a talk and Ran would be polite enough to comply.

"What do you need to tell me, then?" she asked softly, keeping herself calm at this point. "Unless, you wanted to know something about him instead? If that should be the case, It is not my place to tell."
She would of suggested he talk to Dain himself, however Ran knew that at this time, it was probably not the best of ideas. Ran had also noticed she had failed to get this person's name. No matter, she could ask for it later or after his response if needed. He obsiously knew who she was, but it would be nice knowing the name of the person you are speaking with at some point. She made a note of that in her mind. 'Ask Name.'

[Dain Gavyns]

(OOC: Forgive me for interrupting, but I do feel like I've every right to be here if I so choose. If there is so much as a problem, let me know and I'll leave.)

I don't like this at all.

Dain had been in the bedroom, eyes closed, getting in as much rest as he could in between tournament rounds. He didn't know for certain when he'd have to be back, but he was afforded this break, and he intended on taking it. Ran's voice called out to him, alerting him to her activities. He said nothing, simply allowing her to leave. She was, after all, her own woman, and was very well free to do as she wished. Despite his willingness to let her go, however, Dain wasn't completely accepting of the situation. Kvist had already tricked her into a meeting once, and Dain wasn't able to stop that. This time, however, he would be ready.

He couldn't hear the answering machine when it began recording fully, but the voice sounded vaguely familiar. Curiosity pulling at him, he hopped out of bed, wearing naught but a pair of white boxer shorts with little red hearts on them, and stepped into the living area just in time to see the front door closing, presumably with Ran on the other side. For a moment, Dain stopped and closed his eyes, smiling just the tiniest bit at the thought of her. As all smiles do, it soon faded, though, and he hit the amusingly labeled button on the answering machine. Bruce's voice met his ears, asking Ran to 'catch up'.

Nope, not at all.

It just didn't add up. Bruce and Dain went way back, too, yet it was almost as if Bruce forgot the male resident of the apartment even existed. It was way too late at night for just a simple 'catching up', even IF the two had been in general correspondence for a while now, which Dain had been under the impression that they had not. Add on top of the fact that Ran had already been under the eyes of the Hand again lately, and the fact that last time Bruce and she had been in any sort of interaction, he had attacked her, and Dain had settled on his choice of action.

He stormed to his closet, grabbing some clothes and throwing them on. A dark blue muscle shirt, tucked into black denim jeans. He decided to forego the usual blue jacket for a longer trenchcoat-style one, a duster that went three-quarters of the way down his body. There were a few inside pockets in this particular coat that he found himself possibly needing.

There was another closet inside his bathroom, only this one did not house clothing. Opening it up, Dain looked upon the small myriad of weapons that he had acquired since his coming to Varron. He was by no means 'strapped', as the kids might say, and those devices he had, he was only moderately skilled with. When it came to Ran's safety, however, he would not leave any stone unturned. He grabbed the Glock and the Desert Eagle, holstering them both inside each inner pocket of the trenchcoat, and two pairs of nunchaku, with small hooks attached to belt clips. He clipped the little hooks onto each side of his belt at his waist, and hung the nunchaku by the chains on eack hook. When he drew his trenchcoat around him, none of the weapons would be seen. However, if he moved too quickly, the nunchaku would bang together and possibly reveal him. Finally, on a counter was a fairly large pocketknife, about six inches all told, which he slipped into his pocket, of all places.

Stepping out of the house, he hopped in his jeep and floored it to the park at the forest.

-- A Few Minutes Later --

Bruce had left Ran alone with Trent, making his way to the foliage to hide and look on. It was at this point he would find the open pocketknife at his throat, courtesy of Dain's left hand, and Dain's face up over his right shoulder. Dain hissed into Bruce's ear, speaking quietly enough that only the boy who led his girlfriend to the possible slaughter would be able to hear.

"Move and I kill you."

Bruce would be a fool to do anything in retaliation, the venom in Dain's voice was so strong, so unlike the young man, that Bruce would find it quite prudent to do as he said.

"Two things, Bruce. What did you seek to gain by spiriting my girlfriend away this late at night..." As he spoke, Dain's eyes traveled to the clearing to gaze upon the figure that sat with Ran on the bench.

"... and why the HELL did you think bringing her to Trent Davis would be such a good idea?"

[koenig]

(Finding an open pocketknife at my neck i froze. Doing nothing I heard a very very familiar voice. One that i did not expect to hear. Listening to him I tried ot watch him from the corner of my eye)

"well, one it was something he asked me to do Dain and this was one of the only ways I would be able to get him out where I would know where he is at all times. I know we havn't seen or even spoken to each other for months, long enough for me to think you were dead, but you will have to trust me, I do not intend for Ran to be harmed in the least bit"

(I whispered back at him. I paid no attention to the pocket knife at my throat. I knew that dain would be enraged at what I did, but there was no going back now. If he would not trust me then I would have to show him myself what I meant, but not yet, in due time.)

[Trent Davis]

OOC: No worries, Dain.

IC:

"You were right the first time. It's more, I have to tell you something, rather than finding out more about your boyfriend."

In what may have been the most unnerving sight of the night, Trent gave a gentle smile, in the effort to help put Ran more at ease as he shifted himself in his seat slightly, bringing himself more to face the young girl, rather than simply sitting shoulder to shoulder. His voice never changed in tone, staying at the same quiet volume, though the psychopath was doing his best to keep it controlled and not let the excitement of the moment get to him.

"You see, Dain doesn't like me. For good reason, mind you. I've done some horrible things, things I shouldn't repeat to an innocent girl like you. Not just due to the fact that I've helped Kvist in some of his less... savoury... games. Oh no. I've come up with a few of my own."

The smile slowly faded from his face, though the satisfaction never left his mind. Trent knew full well what Kvist had put the Xiao family through, and the sort of reaction it was likely to cause. Regardless of how Ran reacted, Trent would cut off any words that might've been coming from her mouth.

"However, I want to change that. I don't want to die with a guilty conscience. I'd rather go out with an act that will clear my name, or at least, wipe some of the blood off of it. Which... brings me to you..."

Trent paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing.

"Given my status with Kvist, I'm sure I could do something for you. Whether it be freeing what family members remain in his grasp, or making him considerably more vulnerable for something else you have in mind. Either way... all I ask is that you do something for me..."

[Ran Ling Xiao]

As he shifted on the bench and looked towards her, Ran did the same, her grey eyes fixated upon Trent. She listened silently, biting her lower lip as he began with telling her how the relationship between him and Dain wasn't a very good one. Bad start. Then Kvist's name was mentioned, and her mouth opened up slowly in surprise while her eyes widened. She closed her mouth and eyes, shaking her head a little at what she had been told.

Dain doesn't like him,
He's done horrible things,
Apparently allied with Kvist.
Three great ways to have Ran dislike you very quickly even without knowing you.

As much as Ran wished to burst out and yell at this man, she found herself at a loss of words. Regardless, it would seem she wouldn't of had the time to say anything anyway and Trent began to speak again. Her eyes lowered and she looked away from him, her hands on her lap quivering as she squeased at her knees to relieve tension.

When it would seem Trent had said all that he had to say for the moment, leaving Ran a moment to speak at her turn. She remained quiet, thinking desperately for something to say. She trembled a bit from being quite tense at the moment, controlling her emotions and making sure not to speak until she was relatively more calm. It took a few minutes but she finally gather herself and took in a deep breath before looking towards Trent once again.

"I'm finding it hard to believe you." she said softly closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again and continuing. "I'm willing to give you the benefit of a doubt however... I...can't simply trust anyone who had to trick me to come and talk with him, who's done horrible things AND who was allied with Kvist."
There was a hint of bitterness added particularily when she spoke that damn name. Now that she thought about it, Ran was going to be far more cautious. She'd have to be it would seem.

"And as much as I'd love to take advantage of your offer, first, I'd like to know what exactly you want me to do for you in return. This doesn't mean I'll do it, though, but just for the sake of knowing and the off chance I might actually comply."

Ran then remembered her small mental note and quickly added, "Oh, and I'd like to know your name as well if you don't mind."

Although she clearly didn't trust him just yet, Ran did begin to think about his offer. Ran knew that she could probably get her sister back on her own, somehow...but it would prove to be easier with someone from the inside...
No. She couldn't accept that kind of help. But...it was also hard to pass up. 'So confusing. For now, I'll keep my answer as a no. It'd be the smart thing to do.'

'I hope...'

[Trent Davis]

OOC: I... guess it's my turn.

IC:

Trent wasn't surprised by Ran's reaction, considering the very way he'd gotten her to meet him at least. the next words out of his mouth would be critical to his plan, if it were to go off without a hitch. Sighing slightly, Trent looked away from the young girl on the bench, a somber look forming on his face as he looked at the ground, his hair hiding his face from all but Ran.

"All I want is a kiss. I know about you from Kvist's records, you're a good girl. You don't deserve what he's done to you. One of my last remaining goals in this existance is to have a pure, innocent kiss."

He purposefully avoided telling Ran his name, as Trent had no idea if his reputation had followed him to San Francisco. Hopefully, the strangeness of his request would catch her off guard, and remove the question from Ran's mind, at least temporarily.

"Is it too much to ask?"

Trent dug his fingers into his leg, the pain forcing tears to form in his eyes as he looked impatiently for Ran's answer. He had no idea Dain or Bruce were still around, but it mattered little, as this was the path his entertainment had taken for the moment.

[Ran Ling Xiao]

(Just what? 21 or so days late? )

Ran's eyes fluttered in a fury of blinks, a strange reaction she'd gotten from her surprise. A kiss? That's all? A kiss from her? Oh my, sometimes she cursed herself for being so compassionate. Her entire mood lightened and it was obvious she felt at least somewhat concerned for this man. Ran always reacted to this way to other's sadness. Wasn’t always a good thing though.

Soon she could see tears from Trent's eyes, of course she didn't know they were fake. She became rather speechless for the time, searching desperately for the correct words to speak. 'A kiss. A simple kiss. Why did it have to be me, though?' she thought in slight frustration. Regardless, she thought she should at least try and console this man for the time being whilst she thought of what to do.

"Please, don't cry." she began, slowly bringing her hand up unsurely and letting it rest on his shoulder lightly. "It's not too much to ask...however...as you most certainly know...I..."

She stopped and sighed, forgetting quickly what she was about to say and trying to regain her thoughts. Her previous train of thought quickly blew up in her mind and she remained awkwardly silent for a while. 'Well does it matter what kind of kiss? I mean on the cheek or the forehead....Wha-wha-wait! No, no, no! Ran what are you thinking?! You can't do that! If this person says that Dain doesn't like him then it's already bad enough that you are sitting here with him and not leaving RIGHT NOW. God if he finds out about this he'll be really mad...No kiss. None. I can't.'

Her eyes drifted back to Trent and one glimpse of his teary eyes and her thoughts changed. 'Awww...but look at him! I gotta help...NO! ThinkofDainthinkofDainthinkofDain....'

"I'm not really the right person to ask this from. You obviously know Dain and you apparently know what I am to him. I could...never betray him." 'Especially not now.' Ran began, finally pulling herself together and speaking up before she had a huge change of mind. Again. The second part had been added in thought of course, keeping such things private.

"Also...I think a kiss, if you're talking about the kind I think you are, should be shared with someone you love. Not someone who's innocent or 'pure', as you say. Doesn't that seem odd to you? I might not even be what you think I am."

She pulled her hand slowly from his shoulder, awkwardly. She wasn't all too sure how to handle the situation from here. She'd have to rely on instinct or whatever that little voice in her head was called. "There must be something else...I could help you with, instead?"
She stopped there and slapped herself mentally. What was she doing? She had just finished saying she probably wouldn't do anything for him before and so he shows a few tears and she just forgets it all? Gah...she couldn't help it though. And had she ever stopped and thought maybe this was a trap? Nooooo. Unfortunately she didn't. And she wouldn't, either.

[Trent Davis]

OOC: Gettin' better at time between posts.

IC:

The moment Ran placed her hand on Trent's shoulder, the barest of smiles formed on his face, the urge impossible to resist. His plan was working so perfectly, all it would take was just one little push, and everything would fall into place. Hopefully, Ran wouldn't read too much into the smile, if she saw it. It wasn't worth worrying over, though, for all he knew, she could simply see it as him being grateful for the gesture.

In a way, he was.

Still, moments later, she shot his idea down, apparently far too devoted to Dain to follow through with such an "innocent" request. Not necessarily a bad thing, as in the end, it would make the payoff much more satisfying, but still somewhat frustrating. It meant he'd have to try harder. Frowning, Trent looked away for a moment, playing it off as if he were trying to collect himself, to get over being denied so easily, despite the fact he'd already carefully rehearsed the words he would use once already in his mind. Sighing, he looked back to Ran, a small, sad smile on his face.

"You're right, forgive me. I'm still not used to this sort of thing. That kind of kiss... well... my own loved ones are quite set against me. I'm sure if I died, they would shed no tears. But... I suppose that we can't all get what we want, right?"

He gave a small half-chuckle, smiling bitterly at the end. He would need to take this slowly, if he were to succeed, while at the same time making less than obvious moves behind the scenes to speed things along. The longer Trent waited, the more likely it was someone would catch on to his little game, but making too obvious of moves would accomplish the same result. Oh, the tangled webs we weave...

"There is another thing I'd like to accomplish. I want to make up for some of the things I've done to your boyfriend, but as things stand, I don't think I could even speak to him without provoking his fury. If you could... put in a good word for me, every once in a while, that would go a long way towards having him accept my help. Is that alright with you?"

[Ran Ling Xiao]

As he looked away, Ran felt her heart sink. It was always upsetting to hurt another, no matter who they were. Her mind had completely cleared of her past doubts, almost as though she....trusted this individual? Oh my how easily she was tricked at times, constantly blinded by her own compassion and understanding. Maybe it was true? Maybe she was TOO nice at times. Of course, though it was a good thing overall, in times such as these it proved to be quite the weakness.

She smiled softly as he spoke, as she usually did to be the 'positive' one in every sad situation. A means to encourage others to lighten up without the use of words. Maybe it didn't always lighten the mood, but people usually got her silent message just by glancing at her face. She was quite good at disguising her emotions, this was true, for the benefit of others.

She didn't question him on his 'loved ones' and why exactly they were against him, but instead just nodded understandingly. Ran sorta knew that feeling...being regarded with such hate by some of her brothers for being the reason their mother and youngest brother were in the clutches of that maniac Kvist.

Her attention returned to Trent as he bagan to speak again, Ran listening carefully at every word he spoke. This request of his was far more easy, in a way. Oooh, but how smart would it be or her to give in a good word about someone who hurt Dain before? Ran didn't want to get him mad at her...
Her eyes drifted around a while, thinking through the second proposal and finally deciding on a course of action. She smiled sweetly and nodded twice.
"Of course I could do that for you. You were decent with me and quite kind. I can't guarantee it will lighten things between the both of you, however, but I'll try it anyway."

Ran brushed her skirt and stood up, patting it down and then brushing the back. She was more or less prepared to leave now unless there was more to speak about. In fact, to make sure there was something or not more to be said, she turned to face Trent on the bench and asked, "Would that be all? Or was that all you required of me?"
She brought her arms behind her back and stretched them back before letting them fall loosely at her sides.

Still she wondered though; Where had that Bruce gone? She had a mind to give him a stern talking to. She didn't like how he had tricked her hear to meet this man. Not at all. Oh when she'd find him...

[Trent Davis]

OOC: Horribly short, but just wrapping it up, unless one of the "spectators" has something to add.

IC:

"You've done more than enough. Thank you."

With a nod in Ran's direction, Trent bid her goodbye. As Ran presumably began to leave the area, Trent stood and began to move in the opposite direction, his fingers lightly tapping the cell phone in his pocket. Briefly, he considered phoning Kvist, but decided against it. That kid had a tendency to know what was going on, if it was important enough. Besides, he may outlive his usefulness sooner rather than later.

With a short giggle, Trent continued walking back to his apartment, looking forward to celebrating his newfound victory with his "guest" currently staying there.