Summary:Robbie's down in the dumps, Alex gets him out of it. Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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Inside the Warriors new homestead, Alexander Aaron lies by the pool on his back, legs unfolded and crossed at the ankles, his backpack tucked under his head like some makeshift pillow. In his hands held upwards is a spiral notebook that has line after line of notes written within, all of it scribbled close together as he tries to read… but he finds his thoughts becoming distanced, distracted.
Perhaps it's because of the way the light bounces off of the pool. The water in the pool casts reflective glimmers of light onto the ceiling, looking like some curious liquid honeycomb that flows above. It's an image that flows and changes if one were to take some time to look at it. Which Alex finds himself doing more and more often.
Until eventually he sits up and rubs at his eyes, scowling to himself. "Man," He turns around and prods at his backpack a few times, shifting it around then lies back.
VROOM!
Though…uh, this time, instead of the charger sounding like a car, it sounds….demonic. Like a beast's howl. Robbie exits the car as the Ghost Rider, letting out an angry, enraged roar before it bursts into flames, then steam…then its back to Robbie, his hands over his face. His breath is shaky. He wears his usual clothes. Leather jacket, jeans, shoes.
He needs air.
He finds himself in the pool area, walking on through. If Phobos looked at him…he had blood on his clothes. spots here and there, nothing that screams murder. But…what did he do?
Sitting up, the notebook is closed with a quick flip of the cover and he tosses it aside onto his backpack. He'd heard the vehicle roar into the garage and then the Ghost Rider himself, that was enough to cause a strike of curiousity if not concern yet.
But then Robbie appeared up the steps and Alexander tilts his head. Instantly he takes in the blood, the mayhem likely that was required to have gained that much. Not enough for nearness to an arterial spray, close enough to have some splash back. His chains were fairly long of reach.
Then the youthful god lifts his voice, "Do you need help with a body?" He asks. Simple as that. Cut and dried for him. Not 'did you kill someone?' No he cares more for the practical aspects in getting his friend clear.
Robbie shakes his head.
"No. Not something you can hide…just blood and dust." Robbie covered his eyes, kneeling by the water to wash his face, because he felt like his eyes were still incinerating. The feeling goes away, then its just Robbie, taking a knee. "Fifth Street Locos…moved up here to New York. Saw them and just…" he shakes his head. "I felt it. The call. Vengeance needed serving…every single one of them burned, Alex. I spared no one."
He takes a breath. "What a shit week." He shakes his head. "First Rachel, now this. Last thing I need is a possible news story of a flaming demon."
"Mmm," Alexander says as he looks over at Robbie, brow furrowed with a touch of concern as he looks on with the other youth trying to keep things under control. He takes a deep breath and then says, "How have you dealt with this in the past? Maybe you can approach Dwayne about helping you create an alternate identity so you can keep your brother safe and clear. He probably values your presence as a strong combatant, he has to know that your abilities come with a price."
He pushes himself to his feet, but stops long enough to take up his pack and notebook and tosses them away from the pool and onto a nearby table. He then turns and walks over to Robbie. "This has happened before or something like it right?"
"Yeah." Is all Robbie says. Its a hint of anger. Though its a result of the pain slowly subsiding, instead of quickly. "Not the first time I've butchered gangbangers, Alex. Not the last, I think either. I don't need an alternate identity. Don't need one when I literally have to be burned alive to 'supe up'." He shakes his head. He looks like he's been through a lot this week.
"I don't need to talk to Dwayne." Dwayne wasn't the only alpha-male personality on the team. "He's done enough for us already." He pulls out a chair and he sits down. "….how's your week been? Things still going steady with Ororo?"
Not exactly cheerful, but still somewhat at ease with the idea of disposing a bunch of bodies, Alexander gives a few short nods as Robbie speaks. "Only reason I ask is if the cops are looking for you that might make things difficult for Dwayne's plans." Since that's why they're all there after all. But he strolls on over, chipper for the most part as he smiles a little.
"That has to stink. And that it's… an obligation you can't really ignore." Another chair is taken from that table and reversed so he can lean against the back of it with his chest, arms lifted up and supporting his chin. "Things are going pretty good with Ororo. She's great. Sorta… takes me for who I am and all."
A small smile, "Supposed to go meet some of her friends soon."
"It won't. Cops don't know what they're looking for. They don't believe in the supernatural. If I jeapordized the team, I would leave." Robbie states with full confidence as he leans over to rest his elbows on his knees. He seems pleased to hear that Alex's relationship with Ororo is going well. "Good for you."
Then he seems saddened. Extremely.
"I figure I should tell you, since I know you probably suspected it…Rachel and I arn't…well, not that we ever were for real I mean but.." he takes a breath, choking on the words. "We're not seeing each other."
"Okay." Alexander offers in response to the likelihood of the cops not having him as a suspect. Still. Night Thrasher has to know about the proclivities of his team by this point. Then as Robbie seems to get sad he takes a deep breath and watches.
A nod is given a few times, "Yeah man, that stinks." He tilts his head to the side, as if trying to get a different angle on the other Warrior and frowns slightly just at the corner of his mouth. "I mean, I got the vibe that she sorta has a good bit of living to do before she can be like… someone that's going to have a good handle on relationship things."
His head tilts back the other way, "I know it's cliche and all, but there are other people out there. And, I mean, there are prolly a good number that'd find your Ghost Riding pretty keen."
"Thats the thing." Robbie seems to narrow his eyes. "She traded me out for someone else that she met and I guess instantly fell for." and that explains the somber personality. "She was more than ready for it, but I guess I just wasn't worth it." Robbie shakes his head. "so…if we're a little weird around each other…thats why."
Robbie explains. "It won't interfere with any team stuff that we decide to do. He shakes his head. Though When Phobos tries to tell him that there are other fish in the sea, he nods. "I know. But I don't think I'm going to be ready to let my guard down again anytime soon. I'm a dead man walking enough as it is."
"Yeah," Alexander nods his head a few times, then lifts a fingertip to scritch along the curve of his chin at some of the stubble there as he ponders the situation. "It's never good to date people in the same small unit. Larger units it's easier, since there's still some separation there. But like, a squad? Bad news."
Likely not what Robbie is wanting to hear.
"Ehn, Robbie you should be happy, man." Alexander takes a deep breath and says, "Seriously, you helped her get to a point where she felt she could be with someone. You did her a really big favor. And I know it sucks and easy for a jerk like me to say it, but it's prolly gonna be years before we find someone that we might wanna link to our lives for years and years. Find the people you wanna be around and who wanna be around you."
He straightens up and waves his hands to the sides, "Should be out there giving all the gals the Robbie charm."
Robbie knows its bad news. He knew the risk, and he took it anyway. And he got burned.
"Happy that I was traded and exchanged like a worthless object? A stepping stone for her real happiness?" Pained words that escape him. He takes a breath. "I know in retrospect, thats exactly what I did. But it doesn't make it go away. The memories…the happiness while it lasted, the wish it could last just a second longer. But…" he sighs. "Your right."
Is he though?
"You say this like I have charm to give. I'm just a nice guy. Don't got none of that Demigod swagger you seem to be rocking, amigo."
"Dude, she's like twenty," Alexander has no idea how old she is. "She's going to probably be with this guy, get grumpy about something, and then never speak to him again for some reason like he wears plaid socks." Alexander also has no idea who the guy is.
"She's not finding 'real happiness'. I mean, Ororo's great. But… her and I it'd be nice if it lasts for a while. But she's got responsibilities and I'm nineteen and she's a bit older. It'll probably end too and she'll probably find someone that sorta fits things for her better. I hope I'll be okay when that happens. I think I'll be." The youthful Olympian gives a small shrug.
"She didn't treat you like yer worthless. You got to have some fun and spent some time together. Enjoy what ya had." He gives a firm nod.
"Twenty-two." Robbie corrects. He listens to Phobos try and cheer him up or at least hit him with enough percepted-realism to try and snap him out of his trance. "I know." he sighs. "We'll just see how time goes on. Anyway, thanks for listening." Robbie stays leaned against his elbows before. "You sure? You and Ororo look happy together. I saw how she looks at you." He teases him lightly.
"But…cross the bridges when we get there, right? Anyway…I think I'm going to hang low for a few days and rest here at the HQ. Least unless Dwayne says we have a mission."
"Robbie…" He straightens up and then takes a deep breath. Then when he looks at his teammate he's got a different tone, level, a touch stern, and there's something commanding about the youth. "This. Right now, what you're dealing with. It's no different than if we were fightin' some giant creature."
He stands up and rests his fists on the table, leaning against it as he peer across the way, features twisted up a little with a focused gaze. "Same bullshit. Same technique. This, right here. Is Fate messing with you. The same thing that brought us together. That monster craziness. Cuz Fate gives and Fate takes away."
He uncurls a hand, "But you know what? Fuck Fate. You show it that you're stronger than it. You take what it throws at you, and you eat that shit up and ask it if it has anymore. Don't expect anything, don't think you're due anything. You just push forward and on and eventually maybe you'll get the edge on it. S'all we can hope for."
He then gives a nod, "So right? So what?" He'll wait to see if Robbie goes along with it and if so he'll echo, "Fuck Fate."
Robbie looks at Phobos as he gives him the 'Fuck Fate' rallying cry speech that will rally bros everywhere suffering from loss of relationship. He seems to chuckle a little bit, eventually standing up. When promted? He echoes with Alex.
"Fuck Fate."
Robbie says with a bit of a smile for Alex. "Thanks, man. Appreciate it. How's about we get some wings or something to bring back?"
Because there ain't nothin' better than chicken wings to help renew the soul.
Alexander's head bounces a bit, "Sure thing, man."