Description: Abel's working as a bodyguard in Metro to help pay for his ticket out of town. Frei's in Metro trying to deal with the aftermath of the creepy temple in Sunshine City. Hijinks ensue.
Metro is always busy in the late evening. Too many people out and about looking for a good time be they rich or poor. The former is someone of focus of course in this case. A well to do businessman that has gotten quite a few enemies has decided he needed some extra security to make sure he and his family is safe. In this case Abel has been working for extra cash so he can move on with his search for answers about his past. There is nothing here in Metro to help jog his memory so it is time to find someplace else to search. This job just happened to offer really good money.
He does seem rather awkward while dressed in a black business suit as he follows the middle aged boss he has at the moment. He is outside of a restaurant right now as the man eats. He does his best not to fidget with the tie he is wearing, but he is not really used to being so formal. At least it is easy money. No one has seemed to be trying to start trouble since he took the job. Seems like the guy is just careful and wants to be well prepared.
Whatever it is that happened in Sunshine City during the YFCC's recent fundraiser tournament there, it left a certain Frei feeling... well, decidedly unnerved. He actually fled Sunshine City itself with all due haste, and even being in Southtown seemed to make him very antsy. Thus he packed up his things and decided to run off to America for a little while. There were lots of little reasons he could use. For example, seeing his younger brother who was at college in the States, YFCC outreach to similar programs going on in cities across the US. Lots of things. Lots of things which conveniently put him an entire continent away from that creepy temple and the highly unnerving sense that there was some dark thing below the crust of the earth that was going to burst forth and devour him whole in the middle of the night.
THAT dream was a little too frequent.
Flash forward to now, in the bustling heart of Metro. A weekend evening is a great time to be seen out and about, and so there is plenty to do. Visit a restaurant, for example, which Abel's charge is going about doing. Take a walk from your hotel down to the blocks where the nice restaurants are, which is what Frei and a few other people were going about doing. And then there's muggers and thieves, like the guys that just sort of... herded a university student ahead of them into an alleyway, not a half block from where Frei was walking and in the path of Abel's charge heading into the restaurant. The muggers must either be desperate or high; rather than the strung out-looking thugs one might be used to seeing, they're actually quite preppy looking. There's every indication, for someone who'd know to look for it, that this is actually a hazing prank, or something of that sort. Which... someone should have told Frei before he headed into the alleyway to 'save' the victim.
This is why two preppy-looking guys suddenly come bodily flying out of the alley right AT Abel and his group, slamming to the concrete before getting their bearings and pointing at the :| face-wearing redhead emerging from the alley, their fear and confusion genuine as they claim "He just tried to KILL US!"
OF COURSE they landed right near the guy Abel is guarding.
OF COURSE that's why Frei's disapproving gaze lasers onto them and thus, to a casual observer, onto Abel's charge.
That's how this stuff works.
hings often never seem to go off without a hitch and while the past few days have been pretty peaceful it seems tonight would not follow in that tradition. One of the other men in the group is opening the door for the man in Abel's charge about the time those thugs are thrown the way of the Frenchman. It leads into some confusion as the charge quickly enters the populated restaurant with the other bodyguard as Abel is left there looking slightly confused as to what just happened. All he knows is he heard one thing. Someone was trying to kill them.
Innocent or not he really doesn't know, but Abel sees Frei and that gaze of his then looks to the thugs that landed near him. It causes the scarred fighter to frown as he starts to shrug off the suit jacket and pull off the tie. "Another troublemaker making the streets unsafe." the Frenchman says as he tosses the tie to the side and he loosens a button or two at the collar. He at least feels less awkward now in getting rid of some of that attire as he frowns at Frei. "You picked the wrong place to cause trouble sir."
This would be a great time for Frei to stop what he's doing, turn to Abel, and try to explain just what it is that was going on, because then the wouldn't have to fight and everyone would know that this was all a big misunderstanding, have a good laugh, and head inside for a steak dinner.
Yep.
"Don't mess with me today!" he shouts, as the two kids in their Abercrombie and Fitch mugger outfits (e.g. their Abercrombie and Fitch outfits) start turning and fleeing down the street from the obviously crazed lunatic. And it should be apparent, to Abel, that realistically speaking there is no way that short, dollar-soaking-wet Frei beat up two athletic-looking kids so hard they screamed for their mommy.
Oh yeah, and the Japanese wooden sword in his back belt loops doesn't help either. Preferred weapon of young Yakuza punks, don't you know.
"I've had a very bad week, you little RATS!" Apparently whatever happened in Sunshine hasn't helped his mood.
An explanation as to what happened would help. If Abel knew what was really going on things would not turn out feeling so strained. Instead the Frenchman is left thinking there was some crazy man beating up people and perhaps threatening the night of his charge. This does not mean good things for either Abel or Frei in this case. Abel lets out a sigh and his features twist into a very serious look as he starts to stalk towards the redhead. "I was hoping you would take the peaceful option."
Even if Frei doesn't seem to realize what is going on Abel is quick to close the gap between the two. The Frenchman reaches out with both hands to get a grip on Frei and he attempts the most simple of tactics to subdue the other man. He places a foot behind the leg of Frei and he uses his larger frame to push at the other fighter to slam him firmly onto the ground and hopefully avoid further confrontation.
COMBATSYS: Abel has started a fight here.
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Abel 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Frei has joined the fight here.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Abel
COMBATSYS: Frei just-defends Abel's Drop Throw!
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Frei 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Abel
Now the battle is joined and things start to get a little hard to follow for the casual onlooker. Hell, in some sense they're even hard for Frei himself to follow. He is so busy yelling at the fleeing guys, who are NOW fixated on the man in the martial arts clothing behind him that he blinks and frowns at the change in their gaze, that he half-turns and hears "...peaceful option" which is confusing. And thus he starts to say, "Wha--" and is interrupted by realizing someone's actually attacking him.
However, now it might be Abel's turn to be surprised, as Frei very calmly twists his leg out of the way, while simultaneously bringing another hand up and gently redirecting Abel's grabbing hand off to the side, effectively shutting down the attack entirely. It is also not the sort of motion you might expect from, say, a killer, though it does belie no small amount of experience in the martial arts.
Frei then goes on to ruin the effect by glaring daggers at Abel, clearly lost in the moment. "What, did they get a ringer to hang out here just in case they messed up? Well, too bad! I'll take you out too if I have to!"
The force-empowered right cross he then sends at Abel's face probably doesn't help relations any.
COMBATSYS: Frei successfully hits Abel with Fierce Punch.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Abel
In the position he is in Abel is doing his best to stop things before they get too out of hand. His problem is that Frei is actually quite a accomplished fighter in comparison to most of the people Abel had expected to deal with. That is why he is actually thrown off by the way that Frei easily keeps the Frenchman from grounding him and even responds with an attack of his own. The punch is one that lands cleanly on Abel and causes the fighter to stagger back a few steps then blink a few times before he seems to finally realize someone struck back and actually managed to land a hit that hurt.
"I am sorry you decided to make a bad choice." he comments as he rubs at his jaw a bit. "I hoped it wouldn't come to this......" he trails off and he steps forward before planting a foot firmly and bringing the other one up and attempting to deliver a kick right against the chest of Frei.
COMBATSYS: Frei dodges Abel's Light Kick.
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Frei 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Abel
Frei was actually expecting that to maybe make this guy reconsider what he's doing when that punch connects. What it instead seems to do is galvanize him into further action, which takes Frei by surprise, but not as much surprise as the sudden kick. Blinking, the redhead lets out a shocked "Whoa!" and leaps backwards inelegantly, making a sort of rough arc with his body as his arms go up and out for balance but he yanks his torso backwards.
Abel's kick slices the air literally centimeters from Frei's body. That might have been an evasion, but it was a decidedly lucky one.
This doesn't necessarily have the benefit of taking the fight out of Frei, though. Instead, he sizes Abel up, taking in the French fighter's bearing and countenance, and what he knows of him from one kick and one attempted throw. His head tilting a little, the YFCC instructor glances at his opponent. "You're pretty good... it's a shame you're working with scum. Seems like such a waste!" And with that he rejoins the battle, his hand crackling with chi-generated purple lightning as he attempts to get in and shoulder throw Abel right to the ground, much like Abel tried to do to Frei beforehand.
COMBATSYS: Abel blocks Frei's Medium Throw.
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Frei 0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0 Abel
Working for scum? Abel isn't so sure about that sort of comment. The man that hired him seemed like a pretty good person and he actually has a slight look of concern as he watches through the window of the restaurant he is in with the other bodyguard standing close to him. Abel doesn't have time to pay attention to them, though. He is more concerned with dealing with Frei and his offense. He manages to keep his footing and he grunts as he fights with keeping his position with the other fighter.
"I don't know what you mean. He never came off as a man that would be underhanded. You were the one being violent." he comments as he tries to grip Frei since the other man is nearby. "You were the one that decided violence was an option. You were the one that may harm someone innocent." The look on the Frenchman's face is a grim one as he picks up Frei and attempts to sling him about with such force it creates a small dust devil if he manages to connect and then slam the other fighter into the ground.
COMBATSYS: Frei fails to interrupt EX Tornado Throw EX from Abel with Shunrai.
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Frei 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Abel
He's already got that lightning charge coursing through his fists, so why not put it to good use? It's risky, but Frei decides it might be worth it if it'll get this guy off his back. Thus, he unwisely attempts to out-grapple Abel. The result, well...
A few seconds later, the airborne Frei slams into the concrete... hard.
When he gets up, the chi sage looks decidedly... disoriented. Which can happen when you spin someone a lot, then drop them on their head on a concrete sidewalk. When he gets up, he groans and puts a hand to his forehead, fighting down vertigo as much as anything else. "Never came off underhanded? You can't be... whoa there... that blind."
The Frenchman didn't really pull any punches when he grappled and slammed the other fighter, but there is some hesitation when he sees the disporientation that Frei is feeling. He may be a bodyguard, but he is no monster. He won't attack a man that seems like he is thrown off his game. "Are you ready to calm down and just go home?" he asks as he keeps himself prepared in case Frei decides to continue this fight.
Meanwhile his charge inside seems pleased with the results, but even he seems confused as to what is going down. Frei doesn't seem like the sort that his enemies would hire and his concern for Abel doesn't extend too far since he seems to refuse to leave the building. He is safe for now and afterall he is paying the Frenchman so why should he care for his safety?
Abel himself keeps his distance from Frei, but he seems abit forgiving at least. Things do seem like a bit of a misunderstanding afterall. "Are you ready to listen to reason and talk perhaps?" he asks as he moves to where he guards the door of the restaurant in case Frei gets any bright ideas.
COMBATSYS: Abel gains composure.
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Frei 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Abel
Just a little dizzy, that's all. Sure, he was seeing two of Abel for a second there, but that's just sort of what happens when you land on your head. The grappler doesn't seem to take advantage of the break in the assault, though, and so Frei does by not doing anything, instead rubbing his temples with his fingers and attempting to make that headache go away. Abel is talking to him, and he's listening, but not entirely. 'Are you ready to calm down and just go home?' "Yeah well, home is in Japan so if you're waiting on that to happen don't hold your breath..."
Then he straightens up, having finally managed to whip himself back into something approaching a real attention span, and takes a second to look Abel over. For a moment, his eyes dart to the sidewalk and see the remains of Abel's monkey suit, and that makes Frei's eyebrows go up. Sure, those brats looked well-dressed, but pro fighter bodyguard who wears a tux? That's more than just some street kids can afford... isn't it? "You're the one who got involved out of nowhere," Frei says carefully, because he doesn't have all the facts, but he doesn't attack. Talking it out is usually the way he does things.
He's just... a little on edge right now.
"Are you some sort of Mafia enforcer? Besides, shouldn't someone with your skills be a little ashamed of helping two Metro dorks pick on some guy?"
Frei seems to still be all out of sorts, but at least it seems like he is willing to talk in this case. His accusations cause Abel to frown some and he shakes his head. "I don't know what this exchange is all about, but if the person that hired me is in danger I won't back down." He seems very serious about that fact. His stance remains ready to fight even if they are talking at the momnent and he seems focused on Frei and nothing else at the moment.
"They said you were going to kill them and I can't allow murder on my watch. Are you really such a deviant person?" he asks while maintaining his ground. His muscles are tense and he looks ready to spring into action even though both men seem to have at least decided to talk for now. He just isn't sure what Frei might do next. "I don't want to have to hurt you unless it is a last resort. Don't make a grave mistake."
Wait, what?
"Kill who?" Frei asks, now very clearly confused. He's only threatened to kill anybody facetiously (there are a lot of YFCC kids who are better than him at Smash Bros., for example) and in terms of actual killing, there was only that one time and it was clones of Frei himself so it's not exactly like he can really be blamed for what went on there. In short, this talk of killing is news to him. "I didn't threaten to kill anyone! Those jerkwads cornered some guy and demanded his..." Hold on a second. Don't want to hurt you unless it's a last resort? Don't make a grave mistake? Okay, now it's pretty clear that if anything, Abel probably would have *helped* Frei if he were in that alleyway, and now things have started to get a lot more muddy.
Unlike Abel, Frei *doesn't* stay tense; he makes a conscious decision to let the adrenaline drain out of him a bit, taking a deep slow breath, and then run a hand through his hair before giving Abel a sort of sheepish half-smile. "Okay. Let's take this from the top. Who did I threaten to kill? Did you know them?"
He may calm, but Abel still seems to keep himself ready for whatever sort of outcome may happen. At least it seems Frei seems more interested in talking this out which is something that makes Abel feel slightly more at ease. "You threw some guys and they said you were trying to kill them." he explains and said deliquents seem to be gone now so they can't exactly explain their side of the story. Abel looks about for them then frowns slightly, assuming they were too scared to stick around and got the hell away.
"So who are you? You aren't after who I am protecting?" he asks while sort of shifting his head to motion towards his charge who is still watching from behind the safety of the glass of the restaurant. "You aren't some strongarm from one of the gangs here wanting to ruin the peace?" Frei doesn't seem like a bad guy, but at the same time Abel can't let himself easily trust just anyone.
At that notion, Frei starts to rub the back of his head, glancing off into the distance rather than at Abel as he replies to that particular question. "Man, have you seen Mike Haggar? I wouldn't even want to make fun of the peace, let alone ruin it. I enjoy my spinal column being in one whole piece." So, he's afraid of getting beat down by the Mayor. Well, on the one hand, that doesn't say much in terms of his innocence since it implies a guilty conscience. On the other hand, it also suggests he's got a remote amount of sense, which is borne out in the fact that the persistent criminal element in Metro City is more or less functionally insane. Turning back to Abel, he gives a shrug. "I dunno, who are you protecting? I thought it was those two guys, but you don't seem to know them, so that's not likely. They were shaking some poor kid down for his wallet."
He pauses, seems to process this, and finally just laughs helplessly. "Man, this is straight out of a sentai show. Two potential allies, confused, meet on the field of mighty battle!" Frei declaims, in a highly affected, TV announcer style voice, before glancing at Abel sidelong. "I'm here on vacation. My name's Frei. I just, uh..." He squints one eye shut, trying to think of a good way to say it. "I needed some time off."
The way Frei tries to come off as a good natured fellow does seem to ease the tension. When Abel feels like this man isn't a threat to his charge he seems to grow less tense as he thumbs towards the man watching through the window with his other bodyguard. "He is an official in town that has some problems with gangs around here." He explains while giving a faint smile. The thought of having to be ready to protect his charge at all costs is sort of fading since it seems Frei isn't really a threat.
He does hesitate a bit when introducing himself, but he finally decides that it could not hurt. "I am Abel. I am just passing through and making some money so I can move on." he explains. That is probably the most he can offer as an explanation. He really doesn't like it when other questions may arise that are more personal and need to be answered. "My friend here is offering me good money for protection so I can leaves Metro City sooner than later."
Huh. Well, that seems like a reasonable line of work. In fact, Frei even seems to laugh helplessly a bit in commiseration with the idea that you have to take whatever work comes your way in the life of a wandering fighter. "Sounds like me in China, 8 years ago," Frei says distractedly, thinking it over and shaking his head. "I was a fry cook, I worked construction, a bar bouncer... there was that one time I was the Undersecretary for the Peoples' Party Finance Minister..." That probably didn't happen, Frei. That was probably a movie. "Anyhow. Someone with your skills is probably overkill for a little gang trouble. Then again, maybe that was the point..."
Having said that, Frei looks around a bit, taking in the Metro vista. It's a little too crowded for his taste -- hell, even Southtown has a BIT too many people for Frei's liking, too, but he owns property so what can you do? -- but there's always been something about Metro that he liked. It has a certain energy to it. "Why do you want to leave Metro so bad? It seems like if fighting's your thing there's plenty of it to do here. With those grappling techniques I bet you'd be a big hit at the Slammasters Arena, after all." It's a leading question, of course; the point isn't so much what's wrong with Metro more than why Abel wants to leave so bad he's expediting his retreat with random bodyguard work.
Things seem to have dispersed now and the Frenchman actually looks around for the jacket he tossed aside and goes to retrieve. "I wish I could explain better, but I won't get the answers I want if I just stay in one place." he says while furrowing his brow some as he pulls the jacket back on. He never really likes divulging too much about his real reasoning. Most might find it silly and some might just not understand the sort of situation he is in. "The best way to gather information is to keep moving around, right?"
It seems his charge isn't paying attention anymore either and has resumed taking a seat and getting a meal inside the nearby restaurant. Abel is idly gazing in that direction as Frei speaks of Slam Masters arena and such. "I....like to keep a low profile as well." he says and smiles faintly. A shame really because one has to wonder just how skilled he might be. He certainly seems to have some strength and decent enough technique. "I don't think I could handle that sort of attention." Not to mention the unwanted attention of certain people. For all he knows he still might being tracked, but at least this way he feels he is reducing the chance of it happening.
There's a moment where Frei tilts his head to the side and attempts to process everything that Abel is telling him. He needs to gather... information? And he wants to keep a low profile in the process? Well, travel does seem to be the best option there. It's amazing that someone nearing his 30s can have such a goofy, childlike expression on his face; if Abel looks his way while he relates all that, it's clear just from looking at it that he's got that look of concentration on his face as he works this out. Many people think, based on that expression alone, that he's not terribly smart. This is, really, a mistake.
Right now, he's thinking about K' and Maxima.
"Well," Frei says at last, having pondered enough and come to a decision. If Alma can take two people in out of practically NOWHERE that need a place to be while they find things out, under the radar, then Frei sure as hell can. In fact, by his logic, it's totally safe. When Alma brings people to the Center, it's invariably Frei that gets beat up when the past comes knocking trying to find them. Maybe it'll work in reverse, so if Frei brings someone in, they'll beat the hell out of Alma instead and leave poor Frei alone.
This is a plan that can't fail.
"I dunno what your feelings are about light repair work," the redhead says at last, glancing at Abel with a faint smile, "but I might be able to help you out."
This could turn out to be a very bad thing about Abel. He isn't exactly dumb himself, but at the same time his judgement at times is a bit skewed and when he should have an alarm going off in his brain it sometimes it works about as well as his memory.....hardly at all. He does raise a brow and he reaches up to idly rub at the back of his neck. "Light...repair work?" he repeats and gives a slight shrug of his shoulder as his hand lowers again. "I could possibly do so." he admits while giving a bit of a grimace. As long as it isn't a car. Cars seem to like to fall apart around him.
He is more surprised that the man is willing to help him out. Not only that he is a bit hesitant to just outright accept an offer from a stranger that he met that was randomly beating up street thugs for fun. Still there is some curiousity getting the better of him. "I suppose it depends where and when I would be needed. I still have a few days left helping out my current employer and the work isn't really in Metro." He will certainly have enough to move around for awhile once done, but if Frei's offer is good enough he might find it hard to refuse. Building up extra cash is never a bad thing.
Frei has got to seem a little strange, to Abel, it's true. However, the chi sage's inimitable style is his trademark, and so he seems pleased that the offer might be accepted. "It's in Southtown," Frei says in response to the unspoken question in Abel's last statement, inclining his head to the west to indicate the general direction from here. Even amnesiacs seem to know about Southtown, especially if they're fighters; it seems as if the fighting people of the world just sort of naturally congregate there. "I don't know if you've ever heard of it, but there's a place there called the Young Fighters' Community Center. It's sort of this combination cafeteria/community center/fighter gym, but we sponsor tournaments and stuff like that as well."
For a second, the green-eyed gaze looks into the middle distance, rather than right at Abel, because the unspoken thought Frei is forcing himself NOT to speak aloud is: And sometimes we fight crime and power-mad crazies but really, that's only required of full-time staff.
"As you can probably guess, we have a lot of little things that need fixing and doing. If you want to help out, we can always use another hand around the place," Frei finishes, turning back to Abel with a smile. "Plus... well. You're clearly a fighter, so whatever you're looking for, I bet you'll find *something* in Southtown. Trust me on this one."
The town is one he has heard of and even seen parts of. Mostly from when he was passing by places with televisions that were showing SNF or the like on them. It is a place he thought of visiting to poke about, but at the same time there was that uneasy feeling he might just run into some of the people he is wanting to avoid. At least he can handle himself. He just nods after listening to what Frei has to say and that alarm does sound for a few moments. Mostly during the time where Frei manages to keep himself from saying those things going through his mind.
"I have not heard of it. It sounds like you are a busy man." he says and smiles faintly. At least even if he is on the weird side Frei does at least seem to come off as a likeable guy when he isn't punching you in the face because of a misunderstanding. Even if he doesn't take the job he can possibly make a point to stop by Southtown. "I suppose I can stop by there if I am in town and help if you need it?"
"Sure," is the reply, and Frei pulls his hands together and then presses them upwards, fingers locked, stretching. With a little 'ngh!' of effort he pushes the tension out of muscles that only so recently got a workout, before bringing his arms down and offering a hand for Abel to shake. "I'll even buy you lunch to make up for the misunderstanding. Deal?" Presumably a handshake happens; whether it does or not, the redhead pulls his hand back and then shoves both hands in his pockets, rocking on the balls of his feet a little bit. "What are the odds on that, I ask you." He shrugs, the universal gesture for 'who can say?', before bringing his hands out of his pockets again and checking his watch in surprise. "Oh wow, I better go... I need to get up early in the morning to catch my plane. Catch you later!"
He smiles and is about to turn and jog off, when something seems to gnaw at him, and he turns around, giving Abel a sober look. "Uh... listen, if you were just some normal guy I wouldn't even think to say this, but..." How to put it? It's clear that he's struggling to find the right words to say what's on his mind, before he eventually comes to a decision. "This is going to sound crazy. But I feel like there's... something in the air lately."
For a moment, his thoughts stray to what he felt in the temple in Sunshine City. A dark presence, just below the surface, waiting...
Blinking a few times, he shakes his head. "Maybe it's nothing. I just have... a feeling, you know? Be careful out there, one way or the other."
That hand is taken and given a firm shake. "It sounds like a deal to me." He lets his own hands fold behind his back as he sort of at least tries to act like he is alert and actually doing his job and not just talking to some random guy on the streets. He doesn't need a pay cut afterall. "I am sure I can find it if I end up there. It may be a week or so at least." he admits and gives a nod in understanding that Frei has to get going. Then he pauses and gives that strange warning and Abel grimaces slightly again and nods.
Things have felt off at times, but it is hard to tell how much is his gut feeling and how much is just his shattered mind playing tricks on him. This is the first time someone else mentioned such a thing to him, though. "I...think I know what you mean. I shall be careful." he finally says as he starts to turn back towards the restaurant and head in its direction. "You be careful too, sir." he calls back.
Log created on 21:32:53 01/29/2011 by Frei, and last modified on 22:38:14 02/01/2011.