Originally posted December 1, 2009
((Joining The Forgotten gave me an opportunity to pull Kid Harrier out from my stable of CoH toons. I re-rolled him in Champions Online, an older and more developed character. The Forgotten extended their RP outside of the actual game, into private chat rooms where members would meet for all sorts of reasons. Since I would usually sign on in the mornings, I had Chance use his already established cooking skills to make breakfast for the fictional orphanage.
It took a while for Chance to establish friendships, however. To help my write out his thoughts and reactions to the new environment, I re-introduced a contact and friend from Chicago, Detective Eddie Alejandro.))
Chance trapped his wrist just enough to draw the older man off balance. Two quick strikes and a throw later, Edward Alejandro lay on the floor, gasping for breath. To the detective's credit, the younger man had worked up a sweat and breathed heavily.
"Don't feel bad, Eddie," Chance chuckled. "You're old. I don't expect you to keep up." Eddie raised a hand to his bald forehead in seeming resignation, also chuckling. His legs suddenly scissorred out, sweeping the legs out from under his sparring partner. With a twist and a turn, Chance found himself face down on the mat, trapped beneath some arm bar he didn't think they taught in the police academy. He tapped out.
"I was going to let you have it," Eddie said, releasing the young man. "Then you got uppity." He smiled, settling back down on the mat, his t-shirt soaked in sweat. "You're right though, kid. I am definitely getting old."
Chance rolled to his feet and stepped to the side of the small dojo. He reached into a small refrigerator and returned with two beers. Eddie looked up as he handed one over. "Shit. You're legal now?"
Chance nodded. "Now I really do feel old." He accepted the bottle as Chance sat down on the mat. Eddie took a long pull. "That sticky hands, a new move?"
Chance nodded again. "Not too many Japanese schools in town, so I've been working with a Chinese guy. I'm learning all sorts of new shit."
"Good. Got to keep them guessing."
"No kidding. They have a different class of bad guy here than in Chicago." Eddie grunted. The costumed evil do-er never really caught on back home. Thugs were just as happy to kill you with a bullet or chain than stop to make a speech while fondling their death ray.
"Looks like you’re settling it nicely, Chance."
The younger man shrugged. "School keeps me plenty busy. I've also started volunteering at a local orphanage. They've got some anti-gang programs I want to help with."
"Volunteering? Great way to meet girls." Chance blushed. "Oh, got someone in mind already?" Eddie pounced.
Chance shook his head, taking a sip. "Nah. I've only been over there a few times. There are a few good looking women there, though. One looked cute and had these cool wings, but she seemed a bit distant."
Eddie blinked. He didn't know girls had wings nowadays.
"It's too early," Chance continued. "I've got enough to keep me occupied."
"what do you make of the folks you work with?" Eddie asked.
"They're…," he sighed and took a sip. "They seem…"
Eddie raised an eyebrow. "They're a bit weird. Nice, but weird," Chance finally stated. "The center seems loosely organized at best and organized might be to strong of a word. They seem genuinely happy for the help. "I feel good about it. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better."
He stood to get another round of Kirin from the stash. "It's nice to see you, Detective. I'm glad that you decided to come out from Chicago…."
|