Distracted thoughts ( Lepa)

[Lepa]

"C..Can you help me Calhoun?"

After all of Casey's points, it was the only natural Taylor would ask this. He should've expected it, but his slight look of surprise said otherwise. It was strange; he was always used to being relied on. After proving himself and taking leadership of Ammo Clan, it was only natural that others would look to him. But here... it was different. No matter how concerned he was, he was still a stranger to this kid. The only link of trust between them was some greater force that Casey had somehow managed to avoid for the last few years, and even then, he'd initially accused Taylor of being part of it. Yet, in spite of all of that, Taylor had trusted him enough to tell him about his problems, and now he was here, asking for his help.

Something about it just made him feel... happy, to say the least.

Casey's expression softened. "...Sure." He nodded. "I... uh, I can help ya." He glanced out the window again. "I can help teach ya how to fight. Wouldn't be the first time I've trained someone..." He trailed off, pausing as he recalled his last trainee. He then looked back at Taylor. "Promise I won't go too hard on ya." He snerked. "Don't need folks thinkin' I'm pickin' on you, too."

He tilted his head slightly. "...So how'd ya wanna do this? Not today, of course. Unless you wanna, but I doubt it." He shrugged. For a moment, he considered inviting Taylor to Ammo Clan. There was more than enough space and accommodations there, but... he wasn't exactly about to spring the fact that he was a gang leader on this kid. "I'm thinkin' it'd be best fer me to meet ya somewhere. At the very least, I'd rather not have ya walkin' through the more questionable parts of town. Even if you can fly, I think you'd agree," he frowned, recalling the rubber jerk that had accosted Taylor last time. "...I mean, really, s'all up to you."

[Yuki]

Taylor gave a small smile when Casey agreed to help and train him, though part of him felt it would do little good.. He was so small how could he even hope to fight back? All he had going for him was his powers.


"...So how'd ya wanna do this? Not today, of course. Unless you wanna, but I doubt it."
"I'm thinkin' it'd be best fer me to meet ya somewhere. At the very least, I'd rather not have ya walkin' through the more questionable parts of town. Even if you can fly, I think you'd agree," "...I mean, really, s'all up to you."


Uhhhhh..... Taylor gave a blank stare, he had no idea where they could meet up. the Guardians base was small and in the basement of Amara's parents store.. And that it would be super awkward to have Casey go with him there anyway. He did not even wanna think about how his friends would react. There was the mountains but that was a bit out of the way and people did go to visit the area.. Same with the forest.. They could go deeper in but there where signs saying do not enter the deeper parts and he rather not find out what the signs where warning people about. The waste lands where a no go.. Yeah he went up there sometimes but could never stay for long plus that the military base of some sort that was now up there.. Aghhhhh...


Taylor gave a bit of a defected sigh and looked off to the side.

"I have no idea..." Taylor replied.

[Lepa]

Casey frowned, clasping at his chin again. He couldn't really blame him. He'd only left the decision up to Taylor in hopes of him setting up his own terms so he'd feel a bit more comfortable, but... it seemed like the kid already had a lot on his mind.

"Hmm... Well, I'm guessin' you don't want folks to see ya, huh?" He thought aloud. If this kid had eyes on him (the doctor's, Templars', or otherwise), then obviously the best place to train would be somewhere more secluded. Again, Ammo Clan came to mind, but... there were too many risks with that that Casey just wasn't willing to take. Still... There were plenty of other warehouses around the area and enough open space to spar. Hell, there wasn't much in the way of traffic, either; maybe there'd be dockworkers, but they mostly minded their business.

"...How 'bout the docks? With all the warehouses?" Casey offered, eating a chicken nugget. "I hang out there almost all the time. S'pretty close to where I live." He glanced up to the ceiling in thought. "So long as we ain't out in the middle of the night or somethin', there shouldn't be any trouble," he shrugged.

[Yuki]

Taylor stared off to the side as he waited for Casey's answer. Again he found himself asking if this was really happening and was he really going to do this. Taylor knew he needed this though.. Casey is strong and he was willing to help. When Casey started to speak again Taylor looked at him and nodded in reply that he rather not be seen. When Casey suggested the docks Taylor blinked and thought about it. It sounded like a good idea. Going during the day and it was enough out of the way he would not run into anyone he knew.. And if he was with Casey it should be safe enough. Taylor then nodded, " Ok, that sounds like a good idea." Taylor replied as he then reached forward taking a fry and popped it into his mouth.

[Lepa]

Casey nodded in return. "Cool. Now it's just a matter of when..." He thought. "...I reckon weekends would be best fer ya. I don't mind weekdays, but I figure ya might find it harder to focus after school." He shrugged. "Either way, I'd still be willin' to work with ya."

"Work on what?"

Casey glanced up at the approaching figure. "Riki, what the hell?" There was a slight annoyance in his voice, but only because he was a bit caught off his guard. The tone shifted into dry amusement. "Don'tcha know it's rude to listen in on folks like that?"

"Maybe I wouldn't have heard if you weren't talking so loud..." Riki mused. He couldn't help but let out a small snort when Casey's eyes widened. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding! I only heard the last thing you said," he laughed. "Mind if I sit? I ended up getting out early."

"Well..." Casey trailed off, glancing at Taylor from the side of his eye. Riki finally looked over at his company.

"...Oh! Hey!" Riki's face lit up in recognition, though he had trouble recalling Taylor's name. He was a tutor, not a regular teacher, so he hadn't interacted with the students often enough to remember all of them. His enthused expression slowly faded into bewilderment once he realized the oddity of the situation. "...Why are you hanging out with this guy?" He raised a brow with a confused smile. Though the question was aimed at Taylor, it applied to Casey just as much. Riki took a seat next to the latter, lightly jabbing Casey with his elbow.

"He's a pretty bad influence, y'know." He chuckled.

"Yeah, I learned it from you," Casey lightly shoved him back. Despite their stark contrast in attire, it was clear the two were good friends. "First ya cancel on me, and now yer slanderin' me in front of one of yer kids?"

"It's not slander if it's the truth!" Riki laughed. "But seriously!" He looked back at Taylor, pointing at Casey with his thumb. "Is he trying to extort you for lunch money or something?"

"I'm gonna punch you," Casey muttered to Riki half threateningly.

[Yuki]

Taylor happened to spot Riki just before he said something, the young teen grew pale and was quick to toss his hood over his head and looked down at the table only to freeze when it seemed Riki was the friend Casey had been waiting for. What was he gonna do now? What was he gonna have to say? When it seemed Riki recognize him, Taylor then took off the hood but was unable to really relax. He gave a weak smile and nodded in greeting.

"...Why are you hanging out with this guy?"


Taylor tensed up even more at the question.

"I... Umm..." Taylor started to say but quickly fell silent as Casey and Riki spoke to each other.
But it was not long before Riki asked him another question.

"But seriously!" "Is he trying to extort you for lunch money or something?"



Taylor was doing his best not to panic, as his mind raced on how to answer.

" N-no... He.. He helped me... Some bullies where picking on me..." Taylor said meekly as he lowered the now half melted bag of ice to show the black eye he now has from the sucker punch he had gotten, before putting the bag back over his eye again. Agghhhhhhh He really did not want to show something like that to a school staff member.. But he had little choice right now

[Lepa]

Riki raised his brows in surprise at the child's black eye. "Oh, shoot." He murmured to himself. "...Who did it? Who were they?" He frowned. "Why didn't you tell one of the teachers...?" It was the same schtick Casey had already covered earlier.

"Already talked with him 'bout that," Casey interrupted. "...S'complicated." He said simply. Taylor had a lot going on, and Casey had a feeling that involving more parties would add unnecessary headache and attention.

"You a student counselor now?" Riki jokingly glanced aside at him before looking back at Taylor. "...Well, I won't give you the whole spiel if Calhoun already gave it to you," he paused, then offered a concerned smile. "But if they bother you again, please let me know. I can try to help."

"Yeah," Casey leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms with a grin. "Riki might look like a huge nerd, but he's real good at kicking people. Hard." He snerked. "That'd scare 'em off for sure."

Riki gave Casey a pointed look, though he didn't deny his claims. "...I'm not gonna beat up children, dude." He paused, then widened his eyes. "Wait, you didn't actually beat up some kids, did you-"

"Relax. I just scared 'em off," Casey waved a hand dismissively. "Taylor helped. That's all." He shrugged. Riki eyed him suspiciously. "...What? It's true!"

"Then what exactly was it that you said you're willing to work on together?" Riki frowned. "Because I know there's no way you're offering to help with school work." He glanced to the ceiling. "Please don't tell me you're plotting to jump those kids..."

"What? No, geez! Ya know me better than that." Casey scoffed. He figured there was no sense in hiding it. "I'm gonna teach him how to fight back."

"Oh." Riki paused. "...That's almost the same thing! You can't just incite violence on school grounds like that-"

"It ain't just for school, Riki," Casey cut him off, furrowing his brow. "...The city can be dangerous. You an' I both know that." He leaned forward to get a better look at Riki. "...It don't hurt to know how to defend yerself. Maybe it won't stop them punks if they come 'round again, but the kid could at least protect himself from gettin' another black eye."

"Ugh... I'm against it as someone working at the school, but..." Riki pressed a palm to his forehead and sighed. He didn't know what exactly Taylor had been going through, but he knew what it was like to be picked on for being a scrawny bookworm. Hell, it was the exact reason he'd picked up on martial arts himself. "...I get it. I get exactly where you're coming from." He grimaced, then looked back at Taylor. "...You seem like a good kid, too. Not the type to pick fights." He rationalized to himself. "So... All right. If you're gonna be learning from Calhoun, at least you're in good hands." He nodded, then lightened up a bit with a mischievous smile. "And if he does give you trouble, let me know. Not as a school employee, but as his friend." He grinned. "I will kick him."

Casey scoffed again. "I'd like to see ya try."

[Yuki]

Taylor looked away again when Riki started asking the questions he knew where coming, even if he did tell Riki who those jerks where it would not really help much anyway, the bullies would just come after him more. And sadly a lot of teachers did not really help much.. or at all.. At least the ones he has tried talking to. They just rather sweep things under the rug.. Thankfully Casey jumped in saying things where complicated, and hooo where things complicated.. School drama, the Templars and John.. Now his little sister developing powers.. His plate was full to say the lest.


Taylor just stayed silent as Casey and Riki started going back and forth a bit, before speaking to him again.

"But if they bother you again, please let me know. I can try to help."

Taylor looked back at Riki with a unsure look but gave a small nod. Well he did seem genuinely concerned and wanted to help.

The two of them started going back and forth again and once again Taylor just remined silent as he leaned back in his seat and started to stare out the window.
Tayor zoned out a bit but the next question Riki asked got his attention again.


"Then what exactly was it that you said you're willing to work on together?"


Taylor tensed up as he then looked back at Casey, wondering what he was gonna say to that.

"I'm gonna teach him how to fight back."


Taylor then looked at Riki and of course Riki did not like that idea much and the two of them one again started going back and forth. Taylor was just gonna let Casey handle this he knew Riki better then he did after all.

After a bit it seemed Riki was convinced that Casey was not just gonna teach him to beat other students just for the sake of a good beating.

"...You seem like a good kid, too. Not the type to pick fights."

"Of course not..." Taylor replied, " I rather not fight at all..." Taylor muttered that last part as he looked away again.

"So... All right. If you're gonna be learning from Calhoun, at least you're in good hands."


Taylor blinked and looked back at Riki, ok so he was fine with Casey training him? Hoo that's good.


"And if he does give you trouble, let me know. Not as a school employee, but as his friend." "I will kick him."


"I'd like to see ya try."


For the first time since they started talking Taylor smiled and tried but failed to hold back a giggle.

"Umm... Thank you.." Taylor said to both Casey and Riki.

[Lepa]

Riki couldn't help but smile as he let out a small breath. "Hey, it's no problem, uhhh..." He paused, looking to Casey for help.

"Taylor."

"Yeah! Sorry 'bout that," He scratched at his head sheepishly. "I recognized the face, but only get time with a few kids, y'know?" He shrugged, then pat Casey on the pack. "Anyway, like I said, you're in good hands!" He then leaned forward, cupping a hand around his mouth to comically and loudly whisper at Taylor. "Even if it's just for self defense, the last person he trained became an undefeated champion!"

"Hey, don't go puttin' pressure on me like that, Rik." Casey shifted in embarrassment. "And don't give me all the credit for that, either," He looked out the window pensively. "...She already had some experience fightin' when I started trainin' her, anyway..." He trailed off in thought.

Riki did his exaggerated whisper again. "He's just being dramatic because he regrets not asking her out."

Casey jolted his head back in his direction. "Wh-...! No! Sh-shut up!" He quickly denied, then tried to change the subject. "Okay, right, time...!" He pressed a palm to the table. "What time ya think you'd be good to train...?!" He asked Taylor, still a bit flustered by the accusation. Riki couldn't help but laugh at Casey's reaction. The situation was... actually a lot more complicated than Riki made it out to be, but it was obvious Casey would rather not talk about it.

[Yuki]

"Hey, it's no problem, uhhh..." He paused, looking to Casey for help.

"Taylor."

"Yeah! Sorry 'bout that," "I recognized the face, but only get time with a few kids, y'know?"


Taylor nodded giving a small smile as he then rubbed the back of his head.

"Its ok.. I tend to go unnoticed anyway." he replied. Truth was he worked at being unnoticed.. It tended to make his school says much easier if his presence was pretty much nonexistent. But after the templar attack that was a little harder to do now days but he managed the best he could.


"Anyway, like I said, you're in good hands!"

When he leaned forward and started to loudly whisper Taylor blinked.

"Even if it's just for self defense, the last person he trained became an undefeated champion!"

Taylor having no idea wha Riki was talking about blinked again and tilted his head as he glanced over at Casey who seemed embarrassment.


"Hey, don't go puttin' pressure on me like that, Rik." "And don't give me all the credit for that, either," "...She already had some experience fightin' when I started trainin' her, anyway..."


Taylor decided not ask about this girl they where talking about and looked at Riki when he spoke again.

"He's just being dramatic because he regrets not asking her out."

Taylor just blinked and stared at Riki, unsure how to really react to what had just been said but it was clear Casey was not to thrilled.


"Wh-...! No! Sh-shut up!" "Okay, right, time...!" "What time ya think you'd be good to train...?!"

Taylor jumped a little when Casey placed his hand firmly on the table, Taylor once again gave a blank stare. The topic change was a bit sudden catching him a little off guard. Ah time... For training.. Umm.. " Would 12:00 pm be a good time? on the weekends? I ummm.. Also don't mind coming after school ether if that also works." Taylor said rubbing the back of his head.

[Lepa]

"Okay!" Casey responded a bit too loudly. "Er, I mean, uh..." He paused, took another sip of his drink and cleared his throat. "...Okay." He repeated, his volume back to normal speaking level. Riki couldn't help but snicker again, earning him a dry look from Casey. "Weekends sound good," he continued. "I dunno if you'd wanna try after school, at least at the beginnin', but we'll start this weekend 'n see how ya feel 'bout it."

"And if you can't find him, you can always come to me!" Riki piped in. "I've got a direct line to him if you need a phone call made." He nodded.

"It's fine. We'll be down by the docks, close to where I live."

"...Oh?" Riki smiled, but shot him a worried look.

"Yeah," Casey continued, picking up on Riki's silent concern. "We'll just be hangin' about outside, maybe usin' one of the empty warehouses."

"I see..." Riki let out a small sigh of relief. "Well, just be careful, you two." He smiled again. "I hear there's a couple of idiots who hang around there sometimes." He chuckled. "I mean, they're harmless idiots, but idiots nonetheless."

"Pfft, nothin I can't handle." Casey snerked knowingly. "We'll be fine."

[Yuki]

Taylor's eyes grew a little wide at how loud Casey spoke, haha.... Riki's teasing must have stressed him out a bit. Taylor relaxed again and nodded when Casey agreed at the time but was not to keen on meeting up after school.


"And if you can't find him, you can always come to me!" "I've got a direct line to him if you need a phone call made."

Taylor gave a smile and nodded, well it was nice that he could use Riki to contact Casey if needed.

"It's fine. We'll be down by the docks, close to where I live."


Yeah that is true also but still it was nice to know he had a way to quickly contact Casey.


Riki then wished them luck and warned them about some morons that also hang around the docks. Taylor gave a worried look at Casey who seemed unbothered by that and relaxed.


"Taylor?" said a voice he knew all to tell and tensed up as he looked at her. His little sister Anna was here, she smiled and walked up to them.
"Hey Taylor I saw ya through the window, who are these guys?" She asked looking at Casey and Riki. Taylor now started to enter panic mode.

"O-Ooh Hello Anna...this is Riki my school's tutor, He umm... Was just helping me with some school work and we ended up here. Hahaha And this is his friend Calhoun he just happened to show up and joined us." Taylor lied and really really really hoped Riki and Casey would play along.

Anna tilted her head a bit but smiled and looked at Riki with a smile. " Aw thanks for helping my brother mister." Anna said to Riki. She then looked at Taylor again but this time with a frown. "Taylor, why are you holding ice to your eye? Did someone hit you again?? Geeze! You would think the bullies would leave you alone after you helped save the school." Anna said with a annoyed sigh.

Taylor then quickly stood up though placed the half melted ice bag on the table and placed his hands on Anna's shoulders. "H-hey look at the time! I think we better head home now Anna... See you later and thanks again for the help!" Taylor said as he then started to push his little sister out of the McDonald's.

[Lepa]

Riki blinked as Taylor told the girl his little white lie. He exchanged a brief glance with Calhoun, who offered a light shrug and a nod. When the girl thanked him, Riki raised his hand in a brief wave. "Hey, no problem." he shrugged. "It's my job, after all!"

"I'm just here for the food," Casey added nonchalantly.

But even when they played along, the pair could only watch as Taylor nearly stumbled out of his seat in a near panic to get him and his sister out of there. Riki responded to his thanks once more, while Casey managed to call out for them to be careful on the way back home. Once the siblings were gone, Riki switched over to Taylor's now empty seat.

"...So this isn't the first time he's been picked on?"

Casey folded his arms. "...That's why I'm gonna train him."

A small grin spread on Riki's face. "Well, look at you!" He laughed. "Doing charity work for one of the kids!" Casey only responded with a snort. Riki leaned forward, folding his hands. "...So what was that about saving the school?" He raised a brow. Casey frowned.

"Kid told me he was a major player durin' that attack, Rik."

"Wait..." His brow furrowed. "You mean... When I was out? With those Templar weirdos and all?"

Casey nodded. "He's got powers," he murmured. "Wind stuff." He leaned back, returning his volume to speaking level. "And it sounds like he's gettin' picked on for it."

"Ugh..." Riki let out a small, annoyed groan. "I hate to say it, but kids are the worst sometimes." His eyes widened. "...Wait, so, if he was involved with stopping those knight guys..."

"Yeah," Casey sighed. "Like I said, it ain't just about the kids messin' with him, Rik." He gazed down at his near empty drink. "...Remember that mall fight Roulette got me involved in? Taylor was one of the folks I was sided with."

"Oh, shit!" Riki straighted up. "For real?"

Casey scratched at his head. "Then I found him gettin' mugged like, not even a week later by some rubberass punk." He sighed again. "F*cker damn near strangled the kid." Of course, he'd left out the part where he'd almost punched Taylor's face in himself. "Then I come out here to meet up with ya today, and he's already gettin' beat on two steps offa school grounds."

"Jesus, dude." Riki leaned back, looking to the ceiling. "No wonder you're so set on this training thing..." He nearly trailed off in thought. "Oh, which reminds me, uh... Just so I'm clear... by going to "the docks," you're... not taking him... there, right?"

"Yeah, hell no." Casey affirmed. "Like I said: just out n' the open, or one of the other warehouses out there. And if ya don't mind... I'd rather not let the others know 'bout this." He sighed. "I mean, I don't actually mind, but I don't wanna have guys catch wind of what I'm doin', yanno? Not 'cause they'd be pokin' fun at me or whatever, but I just don't wanna have 'em showin' up and scarin' the poor kid."

"Yeah... I get it." Riki nodded. "Besides, I don't wanna get in trouble for it too," he chuckled.

"...Huh. Guess so. Yer the one with the job, here." Casey snerked. "But all right, enough of all this." He started to slide to the edge of his seat. "If yer out early, then we can still go hang out with Ricky, yeah?"

"Oh, yeah!" Riki rubbed his hands together eagerly. "We're gonna smoke all challengers at DDR, baby!" He hopped out of his seat, pumping a fist. "Let's go, Boss!"

"Hey! Don't leave me with the trash!" Casey protested. Riki laughed again as he helped clean up before the two headed out.