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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Jul 10, 2008 1:47:42 GMT 1
Leaning on the balcony railings, he looked down onto the streets with a silent stare, a trail of smoke drifting up from the cigarette between his fingers. He was sparsely clad, a pair of knee-length khaki shorts all he was wearing in the summers warmth that filled the apartment and, indeed, the balcony.
His shoulder was being restrained for the time being, as per the doctors instruction, in a sling. A single, thin bandage coiled around his head to hold a pair of gauzes in place for the two wounds he'd taken when he'd taken his fall. Looking at himself in the mirror this morning, his first full day back from hospital (the previous afternoon he'd been discharged), he was surprised at what he saw. He'd taken worse injuries in fights before, yet had come out of them looking in better states than he did just now. Thankfully, he had no actual bruising or the like to add insult to the injury, but the sling and bandage were degrading enough to him as it was.
Not that it prevented the others from making initial attempts to 'assist' him, of course. Yesterday, they had needed him to almost bark at them in annoyance that he wasn't so incapable as to need pandering. He knew full well they only meant well, and made it clear he appreciated the gesture, but the stoic pride he had was running in overdrive at the moment. Moreso to prove to himself than anyone else that he was fine, with the aside of his current injuries.
In order to give the others (and himself, incidentally) a break from the current situation, he'd schemed together an afternoon out for Kira and Reiko with Rocco and Rene to go shopping and have lunch (on his credit card of course, he noted with a roll of his eyes), giving him a little respite to take care of a few things, including one he'd already arranged, having contacted him earlier and left him the address to come to the penthouse.
They had a couple of things to talk about, that was certain, and without letting on, Kazuki also had a few things to ask of the young man....
Taking a last drag of the cigarette before stubbing it into an ashtray, he turned from the open air and padded back into the apartment, stretching his unrestrained arm back and leaning backwards to crack his back lightly, easing out a little stiffness that lingered from the last few days of being laid up in a hospital bed. Call it snobbery, but damned if he wasn't too used to the comfortable bed he slept in these days.
Smiling at the thought, he walked to the kitchen and pulled a bottle of water out the fridge, kicking it shut and sitting at the bartop, cracking open the seal and taking a short swig of the cool liquid. Picking up a book in front of him, he thumbed through the pages before finding one dog-eared over and began to read it in silence, waiting for the door to alert him to his guests arrival...
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Post by Pain Killer on Jul 12, 2008 23:04:33 GMT 1
OOC: Night school kills me.
IC:
Unlike the Asian man, Pain Killer rarely dressed with the weather in mind. While his muscle shirt helped considerably in keeping himself cool, his black leather trenchcoat had caused a light layer of sweat to form on his upper body. Such a thing was just a minor inconvenience to the youngest Rydell, though it was enough to make him frown as he walked through the lobby, pressing the button for the elevator. As he passed through the doors and pressed the button for the penthouse, his frown slowly faded away, the air conditioning having begun to cool him off in a pleasing manner.
I wonder why he wanted me to come here, though. I would've seen him at work in a few days.
It didn't really matter, anyway. It certainly wasn't an emergency, and Adam had a high enough opinion of Kazuki to believe he wouldn't waste his time with something unimportant. After a few more moments, the elevator doors opened, Pain Killer stepping out and mentally reciting the penthouse number over and over in his mind as he walked down the hall, not quite realizing exactly what a penthouse was. It was only when he realized there was but one door to go to that he realized what it meant.
Tch. I need a place like this. Wonder how much it was...
A sharp rap on the door with his knuckles would alert Kazuki to his presence, and once the door opened, Adam would take a short look over the older man before smirking.
"You look like shit."
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Jul 13, 2008 16:24:17 GMT 1
A short spell would pass, maybe ten or so minutes at a push, before the door was knocked. Pushing off his stool, setting the book down, he padded through the apartment before opening the door and giving a nod to Adam, stepping away from the door to let the larger youth enter.
"Come in."
The quip fired his way drew a short smirk, and he nodded in agreement with it. He -did- look like shit, no doubt.
"Very true. I bet you're still wishing you could have left me in this sort of state, but I guess even I'm only badass enough to hospitalise myself, eh?"
Grinning to himself as he turned to walk back towards the kitchen, the gesture was rather self-evident for Adam to follow him. As such, when the burly youth made his own way through, he paused a moment to shake his water bottle in plain view.
"Want one?"
If the offer was taken up, he would pad over to the fridge and take another one out, underhanding it to the younger male, if not, he would simply go ahead and start speaking. Undoubtedly, knowing Adams less than patient nature, he would be more than a little curious about everything. As such, he took a short swig of the water and began.
"I owe you an apology.", he started, idly twirling the bottle cap between his fingertips, "To be quite precise, I owe quite a few people apologies, but yeah. The other day in the hospital, you were right. I put you in a position, unknowingly, where I could have been hurt beyond repair."
Shrugging, he carried on, still focused on the water-bottle cap, "Thing is, it wasn't because I believed you -couldn't- hurt me. It was because, no matter what my condition, I was keeping my word to you. Every fight was a good one, and I suppose a lot of curiosity fuelled it too. I wanted to know if you'd actually have what it took to beat me. Now, yeah, you still fought me when I was less than my maximum, but in all honesty, pretty much everyone else always has. I've had these injuries long enough now that they've just become a part of me."
Shifting in the stool, he took another swig out the bottle, leaving a chance for Adam to interject with anything if he chose, but not too long before he carried on himself, "Above all, I wanted to test myself against someone genuinely good. Now, don't inflate your ego, there's plenty of people that fit that criteria, but compared to them, I -enjoy- fighting you. It's like taking the edge out of a tense situation and turning a fight into a really serious sparring session, I guess is the easiest way of looking at it. Of course, difference is that we play for keeps and all. You know what I mean?"
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Post by Pain Killer on Jul 17, 2008 0:34:28 GMT 1
"As I recall, you had help putting that left shoulder back into place thanks to a certain legend-in-the-making, so that list has at least two people on it."
The comment, of course, was referring to the tournament battle the two had taken part in, one that Taiku had gotten his last victory over the self-proclaimed Pain Killer. Ironically enough, it was in the aftermath of that particular fight that had given Adam the drive to push for one more fight, giving him his long-awaited victory over the older man.
However, reminiscing did very little good in Pain Killer's opinion, and the thoughts quickly made their way out of his head as he stepped into the apartment, closing the door behind him and sliding his boots off. He walked further in the penthouse, following where Taiku had gone into the kitchen, only looking towards the older man at the sound of him shaking his water bottle.
"Yeah, sure."
Both hands came up to catch the underhanded toss towards him, after which the bottle was gripped in his right hand as he watched Kazuki. Since he had been invited, Adam could only assume that his employer would have something to say to him. As such, he said nothing while Taiku drank, waiting for him to say his piece first. Once Kazuki began speaking, Adam's face remained neutral, mostly due to the conflicting feelings he was experiencing. Truth be told, he was still somewhat angry over the revelation that Taiku hadn't mentioned such an important thing to him, but that feeling was dulled with the... relief, that Kazuki was more or less fine now.
"Hn."
It was all the response that Kazuki would get during his short pause, enough to tell him that Adam had heard everything he'd said. The fact that his newfound rival had never been at his best during their battles didn't sit particularly well with Pain Killer, though there wasn't much he could really do about it. Even as he listened to the rest of what Taiku said, that particular fact continued to nag at the back of his mind.
"I think I do. I've never seen a reason to hold back when sparrin', since I figure it makes you develop bad habits and that kinda stuff. Not many people I've met are willin' to do that. That' makes 'em lazy. Makes them weak."
He brought the bottle up to his lips, taking a quick sip. While the air conditioning had cooled him off, his sweating earlier still made him somewhat thirsty.
"Still, you must've been some kinda monster when you weren't hurt. What would you say you're at now, like eighty percent? I'm just curious, so I have an idea of how good I need to get in order to say I could beat your full strength."
The last words were spoken with a hint of a smile tugging at his lips, Adam doing his best to hide the humour in his voice as he waited for an answer from Kazuki.
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Jul 17, 2008 0:55:11 GMT 1
"Indeed. Ask Reiko, when you next get a chance to see her. That kid's had her ass kicked by me so many times I've genuinely lost count, all because she wants me to 'go all out' when I spar with her."
Smirking at the notion, he chuckled quietly before he carried on, "Of course, I still only use about half my strength on her. She's getting good, very good in fact, but she's got a long way to go to catch up to us. I can't risk catching her the wrong way and really hurting her."
Shrugging, he left that particular branch of conversation open if Adam chose to pursue it, and whilst he was curious if the younger male did any similar training with Mya, in any capacity, he left it at that. It wasn't the pressing issue at hand, and in that regard, the massive youth had certainly raised an issue.
'A monster? Well, that depends how literal we're getting here....'
It was difficult for him to gauge what he was in regard to his former strength, but the best consideration he had for it was fighting against Shamino Warhen. Probably the only person he ever fought both before and after his injuries without limitations being put by his opponent.
The first time he'd fought the Swede, he'd been able to break his arm and fight to a near-stalemate, an effort that had earned the other mans respect. The fights after, however, had been so very different. Every time he'd tried, every time he'd lost. Once, Shamino had just about killed him in the process...If there was any comparison, that was it. Shamino had been fought at his absolute prime, on his very first day in Varron.
'God, that was a long time ago...'
At least, it felt like it was. Four years, still, wasn't anything to shake a stick at. A lot had happened, and he was glad for all of it.
"These days, on a good day I'd say close to seventy percent. A bad day? Maybe sixty. Close enough, though and that's just my opinion, of course. I might be off and massaging my ego a little, but I've a good basis for comparison to make that assumption."
Smirking, he returned the smile without attempting to hide it, "I'd say you're on your way there, but don't forget. For you to be at my maximum, you'd still be stumped to keep up with me. I was a lot faster then too, remember...."
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Post by Pain Killer on Jul 25, 2008 3:51:27 GMT 1
OOC: Yeah.... sorry 'bout that.
IC:
"Well, I can't say I'm surprised. As I remember, that kitty's got claws. At least you can control yourself enough to actually train someone."
Exhaling slowly, the youngest surviving Rydell placed his bottle on a nearby counter, bored of holding it already. His eyes peered out from underneath his bangs, watching Kazuki as he spoke of his loss of strength, something that caused an eyebrow to raise from the larger man. He'd expected a much higher percentage, but apparently Taiku had been far better than he was at the moment.
"That's it? I guess you might've given Stern a run for his money in your prime, then. But don't you worry, while you've been bogged down with your injuries, I've only been getting better. A month, maybe two, and I bet you wouldn't have stood a chance against me."
The mere mention of Stern's name would show just how highly Pain Killer was assuming Taiku's full strength would have been, considering his idolization of the gang leader before his incarceration. Whether his second point was true, however, had yet to be tested. After all, he had certainly increased his training to almost suicidal depths, but he hadn't actually fought against anyone in a long time, at least by his own standards.
Speakin' of which, I should be training now, actually. I was never good at small talk anyway.
His body turned towards the counter slightly, enough to allow his left hand to drop and grip the water bottle. However, instead of drinking immediately, he began to speak first, the question in his mind having been present since receiving the phone call earlier in the day.
"I hardly think you'd call me up here just to chat about what could've been, or to apologize for whatever, 'cause what's done is done. So what did you want?"
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Jul 28, 2008 18:48:36 GMT 1
"Maybe, though from what I saw of Stern myself, he didn't seem as tough as he'd been made out to be. Personally, I could think of at least three guys who could have taken him. Of course, he's not exactly of any concern anymore..."
Shrugging off that remark, he raised an eyebrow at Adams comment on his training before smiling, a solitary chuckle escaping his lips. Nodding, he left that remark unanswered for the moment. As it was, he was fairly certain that the larger male would be close to passing him completely, even with his current injuries taken out of the equation. His former capabilities, well, he wasn't entirely sure about that yet...
Of course, in typical fashion, the younger graduate was intent on getting to the point of things, and the menial chatter would have to end. Nodding at it, he picked up his water bottle and began to pad out of the kitchen, gesturing for Adam to follow suit as he made his way outside and onto the balcony again. Leaning against the railings, he spoke without turning his head, looking out over the Marina district below them, the Golden Gate bridge in clear sight a couple of miles away and the rest of San Francisco visible in the distance.
"Firstly, I wanted to thank you. It might sound odd to you, but fighting you is one of the best feelings I've had in a long time. I was able to fight without concern, without worrying about the result and what could happen if I lost. It was a fight, nothing more or less, and to tell you the truth, it was exhilarating. It gave me back an old spark, I suppose."
Fishing out a cigarette from his pocket, he lit it quickly and blew the plume out into the breeze, letting it be carried away from them as he continued, "In Varron, I was either fighting for one side or another. People feared and relied on me, sometimes at the same damned time, and it was like this unwanted responsibility. At least, that's what I thought it was. Fact is, no matter what I could stand here and say, everyone has someone that relies on them. I just had it at a much larger scale than most people did. 'The legendary veteran Kazuki, hero of Varron, saviour of the weak and needy'...."
Turning his head, a half smirk on his face, he laughed quietly to himself before looking to Adam, "That bit of it all sucked, I'll admit that, but knowing that when I had to fight there were people standing behind me, relying on me and hoping for my success, it enpowers you. The problem of it all, of course, is when you lose. When you have that fall from grace, and you're no longer the hero, you're just the washed-up guy who used to help out. That happened to me, and when it did, I was both furious and devastated that people who'd once counted on me no longer gave me the time of day. I'd failed people I cared about, and people I cared about got hurt because of it."
He left out specifics on that, knowing full well that Adam didn't have any knowledge, let alone interest, in the circumstances revolving around Kvist and his own group. That vendetta was theirs, Adams was with Trent. Pressing on, he continued further.
"So, when I came here, I'd promised myself that I wouldn't be fighting for any side again, that it would just be me against anyone who felt they had something to prove, as you did the first time you came through Legions doors. It worked out fine for a while, but inevitably, we're always drawn back into another fight, guys like us. There's always someone who wants to make the name for themselves, and just like you did with me, it'll eventually happen to you as well. Ironically, even after all my efforts, I'm still fighting for people, but these days it's the people who need me more than anyone, and them alone. It's not that the rest of the world doesn't need someone to step up to the plate every so often, it's just that I'm not the person to do it anymore. I'd say that Tyler is probably the closest person to that now, but even he will need someone to stand in his corner every once in a while."
He sighed, the cigarette hanging from his lips as he looked down onto the streets below. It was mid-day, the traffic was heavy enough that he could follow the snaking lines of cars through the typical thoroughfares of the downtown district in a pattern of one-ways and intersections, and he let the words hang a moment before he carried on.
"You asked what I wanted, I guess part of me just wanted someone to listen, and part of me wanted it to be you who heard it. Oh, and the last thing...?"
A grin emerged a moment later as he shifted himself to lean on his side against the metal guard-rail.
"When I'm back to full health, I'll take that bet of yours, we'll see if you've gotten as good as you say you have."
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Post by Pain Killer on Aug 6, 2008 1:09:02 GMT 1
Pain Killer began to follow the gang leader as he headed towards the balcony, taking another sip of his water as he did so. He stood in the doorframe, leaning against it and unlike Kazuki, his eyes did not wander to San Francisco's scenery. Instead, it seemed they were glued to the back of Taiku's head, a sure sign that the Rydell boy was listening to every word Kazuki would say.
Throughout it all, Adam would say nothing, knowing full well that interruptions for any reason would not be looked upon very kindly. Several things of what the older man said would stick out much more than the rest, things that either were what Pain Killer could relate to or things he felt were important. Once the man finished, and gave his final comment, Pain Killer smirked in response, but remained silent as he finally stepped onto the balcony, leaning against the railing with his forearms in a spot a good distance away from Kazuki, though the distance was only there due to his discomfort with getting too close to people outside of a fight.His eyes would glance towards Taiku, though mostly obscured by his bangs.
"You know... I think you made a good decision. Fighting for a cause, no matter how big or small, I'm sure that's more important than just doing it for the sake of doing it. It has to be. But sometimes it just isn't worth it, and there's a day when you need to make room for the next group, no matter who you are, and give them a chance to do what they need to do."
For a moment, Adam would chuckle softly, as though the very notion of what he was about to say was absurd.
"I kinda envy you though, old man. You had those glory days with people relying on you, looking up to you, needing you. The one time I was part of something important, I was on the side of someone who's now seen as the bad guy. I think that's why I looked you up in the first place, mostly. Well, that, and I was looking for someone, and getting noticed was my best plan. After the first two fights though... something changed."
The youngest surviving Rydell trailed off for a second, obviously having a great deal of trouble getting out what he was trying to say. Mya's encouragement at home for him to open up more with those around him, however, had done wonders with his willingness to continue conversations such as these, and after a moment, he managed to continue.
"You weren't the stepping stone I could jump off of to reach my own legendary status, not anymore. I'd thought that by fighting you over and over and winning would make me as special as those Varron Elites, or whatever they were called. That... wasn't right, though. I shouldn't have done that. But recently, I'd forgotten all about that quest for greatness. I almost can't even remember why I wanted it in the first place. But now, being at Legion, despite the annoying things most of you do... I don't mind it. You, Dain, Rene, everyone else... It's a lot better than what I'm used to. And I figure... I should say thanks, too."
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Aug 8, 2008 1:32:48 GMT 1
There was a quiet pause between the two as Kazuki listened to the younger man speak his piece, figuring that this might be one of the few times he'd ever see the emotional cripple that was Adam speak more than a few syllables that weren't revolving around the notion of punching in the older mans head, even if that was still a show of....well, friendship, he supposed, between them.
"You're welcome, but in future, you'd better not thank me for treating you as I would anyone else I call a friend. Just because we have a habit of beating each other into the floor from time to time doesn't change that irrefutable fact."
There was no change in his position, not turning to look at the taller man, but there was a clear smile on his face as he carried on.
"I guess there were a lot of good times in it all, it just feels like, sometimes, I gave up so much for all those other people that could have been used for me. Still, you are right. We do our bit while we can, then we have to step back and let the new kids come in and do theirs. We can't be their babysitters forever, right?"
That got another grin from the Asian as he tilted his head back, eyes closed as he took a slow, long breath, sighing out.
"Still, you didn't mess up when you sided with Stern. Sure, not exactly the best popularity choice you ever made, but good and bad are just different viewpoints. Stern had good ideas, he just didn't implement them well. Fate chose him to lose in the end, but that's all. It could just as easily have gone the other way, I mean MacMillan is gone now, so clearly fate chose his end as well. My advice to you, Adam? Don't give up looking for greatness. It's a high ladder to climb, but anyone can take the shot at it. Hell, you beat me, so you're a fair hop up those rungs, and the view from the top is unbelievable."
This time, he did turn his head, and the smile was replaced with a knowing grin, not quite smug or sneering, but with a knowing look that showed he could sympathise with the younger mans aspirations.
"You have potential to do some pretty incredible things, but it's on you how you choose to implement it. For what it's worth, remember that I'll help you if you ever need it."
He almost left it at that, but added as an afterthought, "Of course, I know you wouldn't ask, but the offer is there. Also, no. I'm not about to tell anyone about this little heart-to-heart, I figure next time we step in a ring I'd rather not give you extra fuel for the fire...."
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Post by Pain Killer on Aug 10, 2008 0:24:39 GMT 1
"As long as you don't thank me for trying to beat your head in, then fine."
Aside from the one interruption, Adam remained silent while Taiku responded, giving him the same courtesy he'd been given in return. Still, he was listening fairly intently, and had to restrain himself from smirking a few times at the older man's words. Howeever, soon enough, Kazuki had finished, leaving Pain Killer with a moment to think before responding.
"You're right. I don't think I'd ever really need your help, but I... appreciate the thought."
Pain Killer might have gone into more details of the other things Kazuki had said, but truth be told, he was sick of talking about himself. Tonight wasn't about him. but rather hearing out what Kazuki had wanted to say. With a grunt, he turned from the railing so that he was facing the former gang leader.
"Actually, I was thinkin'. As graduates, there's not a lot we can really do about the school, is there? Other than dealin' with whatever spills off into the streets, the actual crap that happens within isn't things we can deal with. I guess the kid won't be getting much help after all."
Adam's face was kept rather neutral, as it was more of an idle thought than one he was particularly cared about. After all, he'd seen to it himself that Kyukaku would be able to handle himself, even though he wouldn't ever admit he was concerned over the younger man. Instead, he was simply curious what Kazuki thought about the schools, and the fact that their dealings with the system were much more limited than when they were students.
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Aug 10, 2008 1:34:30 GMT 1
"I like a good fight as much as the next guy, but there's a fine line even I can't cross as far as that goes..."
The grin that hung on his lips faded at the subsequent remark, and he nodded as a hint of seriousness took hold again. Mirroring the larger mans action, he shifted on the railing to face him.
"Remember, I've been a graduate for a good couple of years thus far, so I've had to adapt to that...Indeed, there's little we can do in terms of walking in and cleaning house, after all we're outside the school system and it'd be the police we'd have to deal with. That, as you might imagine, is a little bit problematic. However, even with Legion all but disbanded, there are still many people who have their loyalty with me. If push came to shove, I can still influence where needed, and lets never forget, being an old legend does have its perks. Rumours about me spread, people start getting curious, and that plays in my, ergo Tylers, favour."
With the most basic of his methods explained, he carried on as he lit a cigarette, pacing back a couple of steps out of good grace not to let it drift into the younger mans face. This one, he barely smoked, mostly letting it hang from his fingers as he talked with only the occasional drag.
"On top of that, an....old friend is now one of their Principals. I know both of them, but I'm much more well-acquainted with one than the other. I digress, however, the fact is that if we had to make a move on the school for anything, a riot, figuratively speaking, that we're not going to be seen as the threat. I mean, essentially I want to remain neutral to it all, let them work it out as they go along and discover how to do it themselves, but if it comes down to a situation where I can step in and help prevent something really bad happening and not doing anything, I'm not about to be a spectator."
He snorted quickly, a short sound of amusement that vanished as quickly as it arrived, and he blew a plume of smoke out into the breeze.
"We may not have much pull on the day to day stuff as it'd be needed, but don't discount the fact that when the shit really starts to fly, we're the ones people always want to show up. Can't argue that it's good for the ego...."
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Post by Pain Killer on Aug 14, 2008 5:40:12 GMT 1
"...Maybe. Some of us haven't had much time to get used to it. But I get what you're sayin'."
In a manner of speaking, Pain Killer did understand much of what Kazuki said, though he never had experienced the sort of things mentioned first hand. He hadn't been seen as such a legend yet, but he'd heard how Kazuki had shown up during one of the earlier riots at Hircine. It was something that Adam figured he'd never have happen to him, but that fact wasn't nearly important as another tidbit he'd recently discovered.
"Problem is, i heard that someone else we know runs the new school. It makes things... more stressful. I mean, who the hell'd hire him?"
The larger male had no idea what to do about the situation. Thus far, it seemed as if his brother had all but forgotten about him, and at the same time, there didn't appear to be a way for him to deal with the oldest Rydell male either. It was the main reason he was still interested in the workings of the school system, and why he was hesitant to do anything about it. A small sigh escaped his lips, a result of far too much thinking about complicated things for his liking.
...It's so much easier when it's just "See bad guy, punch bad guy."
"Anyways, it doesn't matter. Like you said, might as well stay neutral and stuff."
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Aug 16, 2008 20:43:04 GMT 1
ooc: Ack, short.
ic:
"Tends to work out the best for everyone. People don't know how to react to you, they assume that so long as they leave you alone, you'll not get in their way. Of course, if you actually do get involved, the status quo changes somewhat, but that's something we deal with as it comes..."
Nodding in agreement, he mulled over the notion before Adam said something that piqued his interest, glancing up from his slightly distant gaze elsewhere to queston it.
"Stressful..? Alright, I'll admit that I'm not up to speed with this new place, so who is it that's taken the helm there..?"
His attentions had been kept elsewhere in the last couple of months, and he'd slacked off in keeping his ear to the ground. As such, he knew very little about Paragon besides its apparent 'bad-boy' reputation. Problem was, for someone who'd graduated out of Varron Academy, that meant little to him. On top of that, if it was such that even Adam would mention it, there had to be something to know about this.
Folding his arm against the railing, leaning against it as he took a gulp out of his water, he waited for the answer to that.
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Post by Pain Killer on Aug 16, 2008 23:50:00 GMT 1
OOC: How dare you match my post length!
IC:
"You don't know?"
Pain Killer was genuinely confused at the fact he had heard something Kazuki didn't. The older man always seemed to have a finger in everything, and the fact that Adam had only known from a minor mention in the newspaper who the principal of the Paragon Institute was came as a bit of a surprise to him. In other circumstances, he might've teased Kazuki about such a thing, but since things were much more closer to home than he would have liked, he simply cut right to the chase.
"My brother's the principal there, now."
As always, the mere mention of Trent was enough to suck all the enjoyment out of the moment, and Pain Killer became silent, looking out towards the city once more. With Trent still alive, Mya was very much still in danger, something he couldn't accept in the slightest. However, she had promised him to take as many precautions as possible when he wasn't around, and had refused his demand of moving to another city. Aside from that, there was little Pain Killer could do against his psychopathic bretheren, not when he was protected in the public eye as he was.
"I can't believe people are actually standing for what he's done to that school. I mean, what the hell kind of system is this?"
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Aug 17, 2008 0:16:02 GMT 1
"Come on....You're kidding, right?"
Visibly taken aback by that particular revelation, he was even more angry at himself for not having heard anything of this. But then, for someone who in all accounts was meant to be dead, there was at least a fragment of reasoning behind it. All the same, he locked his eyes on Adam, searching for the faint possibility that the younger man was making a joke, as out of character as it might be.
"Jesus....I started a trend of not staying dead..."
An audible snort escaped his lips at the comment, and he ran a hand through his hair. He knew fine well that with Trent alive somehow, the chances of problems coming about again was more than possible. Still, it begged the question why he hadn't acted on anything yet, but in a moment of reasoning it made sense. He'd taken the helm at Paragon, somewhere he could subtly put together any little plans he liked without drawing too much attention, given the apparent nature of the students under him.
Taking a short breath, he looked at the larger man with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"A very flawed one, just like any system. That's not the important thing here, though. Do you have any contingency plans to keep Mya safe? That should be the main priority here."
It was a tetchy matter to bring up, but he saw no point in beating around the bush at the moment. He was clearly behind on things with this, so there wasn't the usual foresight present to him.
"I said before that if you needed my help, I'd give it to you without you having to ask. I'll put it like this, I'm in this with you one way or the other, Adam."
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Post by Pain Killer on Aug 17, 2008 22:09:17 GMT 1
For a moment, Pain Killer would only glance towards Kazuki, letting him know full well that he wouldn't joke about such a situation. Once it passed, he would look back towards the city, still obviously displeased with where this conversation had gone. He'd always hated talking about his brother, though at this point, it seemed almost necessary.
"Contingency plans? No. She doesn't want to leave, and I certainly can't make her. She can be pretty stubborn at times. Right now, the best we can really do is just... bein' careful. There's nothin' else I can really think of..."
It was times like these that made Pain Killer wish he wasn't quite as slow as he was. If he were a smarter man, he'd have figured out how to convince his sister to leave, or a way to keep her out of Trent's reach. Instead, he was left with nothing more than the familiar wishing that his older brother had never found them in the first place. Sighing, he looked back towards Kazuki.
"See, the problem is, I don't even know how to be in this in the first place. Until I can catch him outside of the school, or deal with him in some other manner... there's nothing that can really be done."
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Post by Kazuki Akimoto on Aug 19, 2008 0:57:16 GMT 1
Musing over the words, he nodded in idle thought before responding again.
"That's probably best. Moving would just uproot everything and make things more complicated in the long run. Going from the looks of things, if he's really been here this long without doing anything, he might have other intentions just now, so being careful is probably the wisest move."
Running a hand over his chin and jawline, the rasp of a days worth of stubble bristling against his palm, he mulled a moment more before continuing, "Of course, that doesn't mean that lying idle is any good either. It wouldn't be difficult for me to have someone watch him, maybe even get a little bit of dirt on him--y'know, besides everything we already know..."
Sighing, he shrugged his shoulders lightly in admittance of one integral point, and somewhat grudgingly he voiced note of it. "Fact is, this is being somewhere between the proverbial rock and the hard place. Letting him be is one thing, but antagonising him before anything is prepared could just make the situation worse. I guess it's on you, Adam. Like I said, however you decide to go about this, I'll do what I can, for both you and Mya."
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