Why...? (Atlas)

[Caelan Xander]

Cael was taking his work out routine outside of the normal Cabal grounds.  The world was large and he was used to wandering.  This was the longest he'd stayed in one spot for quite a while.  It felt good to get out of the gates and walls, however, jogging through the park on the beautiful sunny day.  Birds were chirping and to see how peaceful things were one wouldn't think a war was looming on the horizon.  It was nice, it was relaxing it was... containing someone that was strapped to a tree?  Upside down!?

Cael slowed his jog down to a stop, tilting his head as he examined the man, almost as large as him.  Slowly approaching the scene.  Narrowed eyes scanning for signs of who did this.  Expecting trouble to leap out of the bushes or from anywhere really.

"What happened to you?  Are you okay?" 

[Atlas Steele]

Atlas looked at the person that had arrived, a soft smile on his face as he was busy humming the old theme song about a series with small pocket creatures, sometimes even breaking into a dramatic tone of voice before seeing the man close in and speak towards him, causing him to grow quiet and listen before nodding.

"I have no clue, i was told that some kids needed my help. Moments after i got clubbed and knocked out as my shit has vanished."

Looking a little bit sad before then trying to shuffle as a small sprite soon climbed out of the tape that was stuck to the man and held a small wrapper.
The creature being a male fire one that looked rather frustrated!

"Hey! Big lump o' brains! This stuck idiot has candy but i can't open the wrapper! Help!"

"Oh Great, he is awake."

[Caelan Xander]

Cael was about to reach to let the man go when some... creature? Appeared insulting him and shouting. Which seemed to annoy the older man, who did not seem to be too concerned with his predicament. Which was also odd. Cael would look around again, almost certain this was bait for some muggers to try and jump him. Something that he was used to back in territory one. Well, not used to for himself because he tended to intimidate people with his size. But others.

"What did you call me?"

Cael's face hardened as he stared at the little thing, pressing his lips together in annoyance. He didn't like its tone.

[Atlas Steele]

Atlas sighed as the little creature continued its speech, refusing to back down at all.

"I called you a big lump o' brains! That's what i called you."

Before Atlas then spoke bluntly, interrupting the next few sentences that this little sprite would throw forwards.

"Sorry, it has gotten a few wins against his brother and sister, and before you know it, he refuses to back down from any opponent and person in the vacinity, demanding things.
But could you please help me get down before my head starts to swell up?"

Sighing lightly to himself.

"I am too old for this shit, i just should have retired at home."

[Caelan Xander]

He'd click his tongue at the little creature but he'd nod to the man. He wasn't going to leave him in peril like this. Even if the creature was rude. He'd simply give it the silent treatment! A fitting punishment as Cael moved behind the tree to rip the tape from it and to free the older gentleman.

"Did you by chance get a look at your attackers?"

[Atlas Steele]

As Atlas was starting to be freed, soon dropping to the ground or getting helped up, depending on how the man was feeling, he took some tape to wrap the little guys face up and cause him to shut up and get him to fall asleep in his pockets again.

"Yeah, Couldn't see who, but they took my stuff and above all..."

Looking at his hands, Atlas couldn't help but feel dissapointed at himself.

"They took some of the materials i was gathering at home for making more farming tools, we were still busy expanding and building more farms.
Yet here we are now without the materials that we had traded so painstakingly for..."

It was at this point that he snapped out of this depression and reached out his hand with a brilliant smile.

"Atlas Steele, leading family of 'Home' a small territory that trades in farming equipment, farming beasts and researches Qi beasts.
Who may my hero be?"

Smiling kindly.

[Caelan Xander]

Cael would help the man up, he didn't want him to be harmed or suffer. And he certainly had no beef with the stranger. Taking the man's hand when it was offered he'd give it a shake, though his own introduction would be much less impressive. He wasn't anyone important after all.

"Caelan Xander. You can just call me Cael."

He'd run his large hand through his hair and shake his head.

"Not a hero, just a guy who saw someone in a bind."

No pun intended.

[Atlas Steele]

Simply saying his name a few times, Atlas had a bright smile on his face as he liked the tone of the name.

"Caelan, Caelan... Cael it will be, but i will never forget the man who has given me a hand and helped.
Afterall as a person who tries to help others and slowly advance my own dedication to the arts of self defence...
I am dissapointed in my own weakness."

Clutching his own fists, Atlas would then give a passionate look towards the man.

"You seem powerfull, with my age and my weakening body, do you have any tips you could give me as a clumsy fighter that has been knocked out by a simple trick."

[Caelan Xander]

He kind of shrugged.

"Just that as unfortunate as it may be. Not everyone is trustworthy."

So it was best to be aware.

[Atlas Steele]

Atlas himself would raise an eyebrow at this comment, before then giving a soft exhale as he aimed his thumb towards a nearby pub.
Knowing full well that the man had some reason to not react about the training tips.

"Want to hit up a pub then and see if i can order you a full meal with what i have left? I cannot let somebody just go home with an empty stomach.
They need to go home fluffy and happy and full."

[Caelan Xander]

"I could hit a pub with you. But I don't mind paying. You should use your money to make sure you can get back home."

Since all of his stuff was stolen from him. He'd feel bad if he took what little he had left. It wouldn't be right.

[Atlas Steele]

Atlas would simply raise an eyebrow at this statement, as he would accept the charity and shake the man his hand on it before just leading him to a cheaper pub that he had seen earlier and he drank at before.

"I have heard some stories about kids being abandoned and having to fend for themselves and people getting murdered just for being Qi users in some areas and non qi users in some?
Got any info on the news lately to share buddy?"

Atlas spoke, trying to get information out of him, Bluntly and Honestly atleast.

[Caelan Xander]

He'd sigh. That was a bit of a heavy subject. But depending on where you were, it was certainly a thing to worry about. Could be that's what happened to him, though normally 259 at least was pretty accepting of Qi users. Thanks in large part to the Academy. But that wasn't to say everyone was, it was a big land with a lot of people.

"It happens. Some areas are worse than others. Typically larger cities are safer for Qi users in regards to that kind of thing. But you never really know. People fear that which is different."

[Atlas Steele]

He nodded before opening the door and letting his large comrade pass through the door himself too before going to a bit more of a secluded seat to let his legs rest, breathing deeply and contently.

"Honestly, as somebody who has not been able to see how to use Qi or even attempt to work with Qi... I am not sure why people would be scared of people with such powers.
You are all friends, and that is how we should handle the population of earth afterall."

Giving a soft smile as he leaned back in his seat, slowly waggling his legs and getting a soft stab in his back.

"Ow crap, crap, my back... Age does not work well..."

[Caelan Xander]

"Not everyone is a good person. Qi users included."

And with the powers, some of them wielded that could lead to some very nasty results. He didn't blame people for fearing or hating them. Even if he wished it wasn't so. It was a sad reality of life.

"Are you okay?"

He'd ask, leaning in from his seat in concern when Atlas made his pained sound.