Side Story: Downtime 1

Side Story: Downtime 1

The dust swirled around them, kicked up by an unseen wind. Her jet-black robes flapped around her body, she could feel it, the power swelling inside of her. She closed her eyes and brought her weapon up beside her head holding it in the ready position. Her thin smile widened into a sneer and she raised her head, her nose tilted up as she opened her glowing yellow eyes and looked down on her opponent. Across from her, he brought his own weapon up in front of him, brown robes hanging loosely off of his fit frame.

“This is where you fall,” He said, “There could have been peace between us.”

She sneered at him, “Peace was never an option.”

As one they flicked the switches on their weapons. A beam of red-colored hardened light extending from her weapon as one of a brilliant blue extended from his. With a swift movement they engaged one another, blades clashing, sparks flying, light illuminating their faces.

Off to the side, Marta rest her chin on her palm and stared at the two as they played. “So this is why she wanted me to make those robes,” She muttered and let out a sigh, shaking her head. She couldn’t help but smile a little. It was a good way to spend some downtime, she supposed. brace your anger Amos! It’s the only way to defeat me!”

“Never!”

“I will make you kneel, fool!”

“Been there done that,” Colin said next to her, popping a piece of caramelized popcorn into his mouth and chewing. He leaned back and crossed his legs languidly.

Marta gave him a sidelong look and raised an eyebrow, “Are your only two defining personality traits thirsting after Amos and being Sonya’s lawyer?” She asked frankly.

The pretty boy looked up at her, “When I’m paid this well? Sure.”

She barked out a small laugh and rolled her eyes, “You’re ridiculous,” She said and turned her attention over to a rather disgruntled looking Blackrazor who was standing next to the oversized industrial fan that had been creating the wind to make the duo’s ‘fight scene’ look more dramatic. He scratched his chin thoughtfully as if trying to figure out the point of this entire thing. She kind of felt bad for him, in a way, he was so inured to having fun that he couldn’t comprehend that they were just goofing off.

She called out to him anyway, “Hun, you don’t have to stand there anymore!” She shouted, waving for him to come over. He glanced her way and tensed, looking up, down, then any other direction but in hers. She frowned and tilted her head, “What’s his problem?”

“Didn’t you nearly choke the life out of him with a knife in your head at one point?” Colin asked, crunching away at his sweets, “I’d be fucking terrified too.”

“You too?” Beyol asked, glancing at the big man.

Barry puffed out his breath through his lips with a raspberry, “Got beaten to hell by a lurker dragged off and offered my deal,” He grunted, “Now I’m a king.”

Beyol frowned at his drink, “You know mine, and now I’m the Headmaster of the Night Society,” He said and snorted, he tilted back the can and drank the rest of it down. He crushed it and snatched up another that was immediately offered by Barry. He barked out a genuine laugh, it felt kind of good. “To miserable starts and glorious futures!” He proclaimed, the buzz getting the better of him.

Barry grinned at him, “I hear that!” The big man said and knocked his can against Beyol’s.

Back with Marta, she smiled in the direction of the two men sitting next to the industrial fan. “That’s better.”

“Looked into Beyol by the way, Amos helped,” Colin said, the two having finally relaxed from their petulant little spat, “You know he has no birth certificate or anything? There’s no telling how old he actually is. We’re putting it between eighteen and twenty-one. Pretty hazy on it, if I’m being honest. The kind of training he went through probably triggered some early growth.”

Marta looked at him, aghast, “Are you joking?”

Colin pursed his lips, “Nope, his false identity says twenty-three, if that helps.”

Marta got to her feet, “Oh no! Not here!” She barked angrily.

Colin laughed, “Hey, the drinking age is sixteen in sw-”

“We’re not in Switzerland!” Marta railed, marching over to Beyol and Barry to give them a piece of her mind. Colin chuckled and shook his head, glancing away and popping another candied piece into his mouth. He chewed slowly and thoughtfully as he watched the antics of this strange group that had been brought together by the strangest woman he’d ever met. He couldn’t help but think about how un-villain-like they really were once the costumes and masks came off.

Sonya was an impish and often childish wildcard, flirtatious and exuberant in everything she did. She practically danced through life with her heart on her sleeve and a smile on her face. Amos was a hard working and diligent guy with the demeanor of a snarky middle-child and nothing to lose. Marta was motherly and patient most of the time but would swing into fretting and discipline at the drop of a hat. Beyol tried so hard to play the cool edgy guy but was really the youngest son who was just holding himself back too much. Barry was that jolly uncle who was too enabling for his own good.

He glanced again at Sonya, What kind of family are you trying to build here? He thought, amused, and rest his arms on his knees. Do you really need all this support for what you’re planning? He glanced down at his popcorn and plucked out another piece, popping it into his mouth and letting out a contented sigh. Guess it doesn’t really matter. We have a deal, and I’ll keep this whole crazy thing running behind the scenes for you. He thought as Sonya and Amos finished their duel. Amos turned to look at him and waved, beckoning him over.

Colin slid off the bench and got to his feet, Just make sure you keep your promise and save the world, will ya? I’m starting to like this place.