Making Connections (MAP)

[John]

Out in the park, amongst some random grouped tree's, John practiced his techniques, keeping his body and mind in form would be key to the upcoming war... He still only had one allie, he needed more. Aureus would probably help, but that was a long shot. John couldn't predict that kids movements at all. John would throw, block, dodge, and take hit after hit, his red jacket folded on the ground at the base of a tree. Sweat on hsi tan skin, white hair flowing softly, his dark red eyes focused harshly, and soon smoke would begin to come off his body, as if from a fire as he continuesly stayed in focus.

This was not an oddity to him, being his Qi was over the element of fire, but to other people it was strange, even for this city, people who erputed into flames and smoke where odd.

[M.A.P.]

Dazed...confused...lost. She closed her eyes for a moment...opening them- she found herself facing the shackled walls...wrong. Incorrect. Rubbing her eyes- she tired to force the color back into her violet lenses. All she could see was the red on the ground...the loss of lives..pulling hands into view...being pulled into another room- needles and ice. Ammonia and rubber dust. Shaking away the scents- she found reality, dwindling in this area...this park? Trees...her hands rested on them...flashes of the old pillars- Mr. Katashi...no he was long gone. A memory faded.

Shaking her head, forcing the confusion out of her head...finding only more as the trees and the grass and the sidewalk faded away- her raven hair- unkempt and unbrushed- the ring she once wore was long gone...a memory for another time. Clothing torn, thinner than usual and wearing no shoes...what in the world had happened to those? Honcho was trailing along behind her...just in the same condition- occaisionally nipping at her heels. They both had to keep moving.

She paused...looking out- the walls of white, the smell of death, the red splatter now dark gray blobs on the floor. Flames...smoke...fire- something that didn't belong. But only the smell...a smoldering. Her attention was drawn to the only thing in color...red jacket. On the ground. She was slow to move- Honcho following closly.

Taking no more notice of the smoldering smell, or the being producing it. Her movements would be slow and unfocused, clumsy- she would move to the coat- not to steal it...but to snatch it up and to look it over. Color. Lost and found...only red- color. Violets studied the red jacket..would study it even if she failed to reach it- even if someone had grabbed it first- she had no more want of it than to look it over and marvel in the color she had long lost...and had never had.

[John]

As John continued his intense battle against a mental foe, he was focusing so hard his enemy became almost real as a punch that landed, actually left a wound, a scratch, a redness of skin. He stopped there though, the image in his mind dissapearing as he relaxed a bit. He'd let the smoke settle a bit, slowly going away he would turn to his coat... Noting it was in the hands of someone... A female, he thought he had seen before. His dark red eyes would examine her as he walked over.

"Can I help you?"

John was curiouse. It was odd enough that she was looking at his coat like she was, but she looked... Alittle worse for ware than he was. John was poor, but he was able to steal cloths he liked, she seemed... Even worse than that. He'd appraoch her his gaze never leaving her eyes. It was easier to tell what someone was going to do by watching their eyes. He just seemed alittle more compelled as he had never seen violate eyes before.

[M.A.P.]

Honcho sat passively. His ears perked up. Watching and listening.

Her eyes would focus and unfocus...slowly look up at him. His voice cut through the walls of white with an unfamiliarity...no one was like her...no one. She was alone and she was a monster all her own. Her long black hair shimmering as she took a small step back- arms out to give him his coat back...but he was intent on...looking at her eyes.

...his eyes..were red..like the coat. She stared back at him with interest, but felt no need to hold him as she had the coat. He was just another being. Another person she would see leave...be hurt...or hurt her. His question still bounced in her head. Did she need anything? Could he help her? Could he?

She doubted he lacked the technology to go back in time and stop..everything from doing what it did. Or to bring back the color..or her existence with...whomever it was with the blond hair...her memory reeled. And she bowed her head, her voice worn out, tired, her being emanating a shakiness meant for someone of greater age than her. No food, no water, nothing...she had been wandering.

"I...the red is beautiful...my apologies," but she still held the coat out, her eyes still meeting his...shimmering their violet glory.

[John]

John knew that sound, her voise was close to giving up over exhaustion. Odd, no shoes, she seemed completely out of it. He'd shake his head and wave his hand. His attitude wasn't changing, but he felt that she was like him in a way.

"You hold onto it. Seems you need it more than me right now anyways."

He'd look around the park, there was a fast food resteraunt, and a small market place in china town not far from the park. He could grab and go some food and water. It would probably be a good idea anyways, he felt pretty hungry himself.

"Can you wait here?"

He'd put up both his hands and emphasis the meaning of here, with an eye brow raised. Is she gave him affirmation he would take off running, and be back not but 5 minutes later alittle out of breath. In his arms loaves of bread, some fruit, and bottles of water. He'd plop down and wave her over.

"We can use the coat to set the food on."

He'd set the food on the coat if she agreed. He would pick up an orange and a loaf of break and eat. Drinking the bottled water. He knew better than to ask questions at this point, it was a fragile thing to converse with someone you dont know, you gotta break the ice anyways. If she wanted him to know, she would say something.

"My name's John. Please, eat with me."

He spoke as if he didn't expect her to answer verbally.

[M.A.P.]

She'd wait. His voice...was appealing to some part in her mind. Something about it...made her heart pause it's fluttered beats. She looked him over would nod...but only continue to hold the coat. She would never. NEVER. Take a coat such as this. He left and returned...Honcho whined...last time someone had done that- they had retured with a gun and they had both been shot at....she remembered that...had a bullet wound in her calf from it...though it hadn't been permanently damaging. Just a in and out.

Anyways...she watched him come back. She and Honcho both on high alert. His ears forward and she watching the other being intently. She gave him the coat...as he had reached for it...and set it out in the ground like a tablecloth. Set food on the coat...Honcho whined loudly. The male introduced himself as John and...asked if she'd eat too.

Very slowly, she sat on her knees across from him and took only a little and she did so quickly, as if he'd withdraw the offer and give her a surprise the lines of a boomstick or sharp blade. What little she did grab was split it in half and would be fed it to Honcho. He was her priority. Once Honcho was eating and almost complete. She'd bow her head to look over the food....as if she was praying, but instead, very cautiously tore a wedge of orange and pressed it past her lips. Holding it in her mouth...and swallowing it whole.

Violets looked up at him...she repeated the gesture, watching him, swallowed spoke, "I am M.A.P. ...this is Honcho. Thank you, Mr. John. For..sharing."

[John]

"No problem, I was hungry myself. Nice to meet you Honcho, and you M.A.P."

John would bite into the bread, add some fruity juice-ness, and flush it down with some water from the bottle. He'd raise an eye brow at how little she was eating, he thought for sure she was hungry. He'd swollow his food and take a breath before speaking.

"You know, if your holding back because I'm sharing dont worry about it, if need be I can get more. Eat as much as you want."

Not all of John's talents where honorable, but when stealing food to survive was in order, he wouldn't hesitate.

[M.A.P.]

Honcho gave a recognition bark. He was a very smart puppy..a very hungry, smart puppy.

M.A.P. bowed her head for a long moment, in response to his greeting...taking a little water for herself...the whole bottle gone in a matter of seconds...Honcho whined and she was quick to scoop up a second, drink half and tear the plastic in half for the pup. Honcho greedily licked some of the water off her hands then dove into the section of water.

Taking only a little more, she tore a small piece of bread, chewed swallowed, looking up at him as he commented on being able to get more.

..She wasn't concerned with the amount of food but she was about how much she would eat if...she wanted to gorge...it would be foolish after...the week and a half to eat her fill. Keep it light and you won't vomit up your shoes.

She looked at him, gave a mechanical smile, unpracticed and very unnatural, "We haven't eaten in a while...so it's a good idea for us to eat minimally...as not to get sick."

She looked down, her stomach feeling not so empty, she put her hands on her knees and before looking back up to him, violets inquisitive, "...why are you being so kind to us?"

[John]

'Why?'

John stopped mid bight, but closed his eyes and continued to bite down on the bread following his usual eating pattern, adding fruit and water after that. He'd swollow and think on it. There where multiple reasons he was being kind. Though he didn't understand it himself. John was ruthless and usually would of attacked the girl for violating the coat with her filth, but lately he had become... Humble. He still had a pride issue and was rather vicious at times, but... He felt that this girl was one of the outcasts like himself. Left to fend for yourself or die trying.

"I guess it's because you remind me that I'm not the only one with no money, or a place to stay... People like us gotta look out for each other..."

But John also had other reasons. He was calculative in his own right, and he knew if she kept going at that rate she mite not of made it, esspecially with the kind of war that was brewing just over the horizon.

"Theres a war coming, if you dont get your strength up you wont be able to survive."

[M.A.P.]

Her violets rested on him, on his lips- on his forehead, but never a direct connection, MAP didn't like direct connections. But his answer didn't honestly surprise her. She had seen him before...at a distance but in color. She spoke rarely to anyone...but he seemed not to mind and he held no true tones of aggression.

Her voice took a mechanical tone, subtle...almost as if it had been a long programmed thing, her expression and eyes blank, "We were not contracted into a war. Therefore we have no reason to join in, or assist. We've been...groomed to live in worse conditions..and even then so capable of foraging...and living on the extreme minimum."

She looked away, eyes down cast, "But Honcho is not...this is very generous of you..."

She dug in her pockets...produced a stolen pocket watch, she was a great pickpocket...and even better at finding lost items worth a bit, "This is all I have to give you in return. Its previous owner will not miss it and I have no use for it...time is something which I don't understand."

She held it out...her only offering..the only thing she could give him. She had nothing else to offer...and after this- would disappear into the distance....it's not like anyone wanted her around...even if she cold turn a shack into a palace in a matter of days.

[John]

John listened to her repeating his eating order, after he drank the water and saw the watch, he shook his head, and thought. He wasn't sure, but maybe she was like him, fighter for hire. She seemed able and also seemed to have a sense of professionalism to her. so he decided to make a different trade.

"Why not stick around?"

John wasn't sure how to go about asking her to join him in making the streets safe for homeless teens like himself and her. He'd catch his own area soon, turn it into a safe haven, he could use help and allies.

[M.A.P.]

Honcho, unlike MAP, was a very gluttonous pup. He dove into the middle of them and began to mow down on the food. MAP didn't stop the pup...beyond reaching for his collar...until the boy asked.."Why not stick around?"

Violet eyes snapped to look up at him...why not stick around? He..wanted her to stay around? To stay near him or just to be in the general area? What was his angle? Did he need someone to help with something? Studying him for a long silent couple of moments- she answered, Honcho's ears split..one on her, and one on him, MAP's long fingered hand resting on the small dogs back- making him pause, "We already live...in the park for the most part. What would it matter to a perfect stranger...whether we stayed or went?"

[John]

John watched the dog chow down on the food, John had finished anyways, so he just kept drinking his water, he went to the tree and grabbed his leather chest plate, opening it and laying it with the back on the ground and opening another water bottle making a make shift dog dish out of it.

"Well there are a few reasons. I guess it would only be right of me to explain."

John sat back down and folded his legs, along with his arms over his chest. He took a breath then looked at her eyes. He did like the color for eyes.

"One would be, it's dangerous, two I dont have company and I'm getting used to yours just eating together. I have plans to make these streets ours, if only a small part of it, so we can rest easy, in doors, warm and comfurtable. But I also realize I wouldn't be able to do such a thing alone. So in every way I want you to stick with me."

He finished talking, he told only the truth. He was alone, and tired of it, and his ambitions required allies.

[M.A.P.]

She gave a small nod, contemplating...He had a tone of...compassion? No...amusement maybe? She thought about it for a long while, watching Honcho lap at the water with vigor...before wandering just a few feet away and began rolling around on the grass. Full bellies mean happy little boy puppies- he made all the happy sounds of growly grunty goodness. MAP gave no smile, only watched.

Her words were slow, thoughtful, "One...danger is like beauty..the perception is different between beholders. Two...while company is an odd word to use...as you seem to be looking for a follower or an accomplice- a warm place for Honcho would be..pleasant...."

She reached out- touched his cheek...her hands naturally several degrees too cold even for the average person, "How can I trust you? What collateral do you have to give, what contract do you expect to strike?"

[John]

John felt her hand on his cheek, a slight jump of the muscles on his cheek, nothing more, he looked at her. Her hand was so cold to his cheek because of his naturally high body temperature. Her question was one he was sure mite come up, but he wasn't sure about that. He had no collateral and no reason for her to trust him, then a contract was in order. He put his right thumb to his mouth, and bit the tip, blood began to seep from the wound and he put his hand up in the thumb wrestling position.

"Then I will make a blood pact with you."

John was seriouse. He was a warrior prince... Well thats for another story, but he was a fighter, and this was the highest honor, and the most kept contracts of his people. This binding contract would not be broken.

"I vow myself to you in return for your... Company."