02-03-2020, 06:47 PM
Ivan wandered around. The street music faded and grew as he walked around, traditional decorations lining the streets and make shift pavilions. Children laughed and ran through the crowds and the smells of food wafted as he passed food trucks or servers with trays.
If he didn't know better, it would seem like a street street fair. With one difference. Yakuza were everywhere, tattoos visible on faces and necks. Occasionally, he saw a man with a missing finger. That tickled a memory but he couldn't place it. And sometimes, he saw other officers in plain clothes. One or two he knew- one of whom he was surprised was Syndicate. Then again, the woman probably thought the same of him. Natalia was a single mom. He could only imagine the leverage they held over her- probably a mixture of threats as well as some help for her and her child.
It made him think of Zara. If they threatened her in any way, Ivan would bring such destruction down on their heads. He was reminded of the Almaz, there at the end of the fight, ripping down the lighting fixtures in one act of pure rage. He sensed warmth over his shoulder, the power beckoning. He knew where Yun Kao was. He was not as weak as he once was. He had practiced. He remembered Volodin's attack in the market when he was with Zoya. One channeler was an army.
The idea tempted him. But...better to have back up. Ryker was around here. The man seemed dangerous even if he couldn't channel. Interesting to think on, anyway, even if he didn't go that route. He remembered how Danya had looked at him, bruises and cuts still visible on his face. He couldn't be irresponsible. He had them to think about.
But it was because of them that he wanted out. As long as he was stuck, they would be in danger. Back and forth he went, an endless loop in his mind.
Finally he saw Ryker standing next to some guy in dark red leather jacket. He frowned. Not like they could have a private conversation in front of a stranger. Still, he walked up, nodding in greeting. "Hey Ryker. Thanks for the invite." Course Yun had been the one who told him he had to be there. After a moment, he stuck his hand out in greeting to the other guy. "Name's Ivan."
If he didn't know better, it would seem like a street street fair. With one difference. Yakuza were everywhere, tattoos visible on faces and necks. Occasionally, he saw a man with a missing finger. That tickled a memory but he couldn't place it. And sometimes, he saw other officers in plain clothes. One or two he knew- one of whom he was surprised was Syndicate. Then again, the woman probably thought the same of him. Natalia was a single mom. He could only imagine the leverage they held over her- probably a mixture of threats as well as some help for her and her child.
It made him think of Zara. If they threatened her in any way, Ivan would bring such destruction down on their heads. He was reminded of the Almaz, there at the end of the fight, ripping down the lighting fixtures in one act of pure rage. He sensed warmth over his shoulder, the power beckoning. He knew where Yun Kao was. He was not as weak as he once was. He had practiced. He remembered Volodin's attack in the market when he was with Zoya. One channeler was an army.
The idea tempted him. But...better to have back up. Ryker was around here. The man seemed dangerous even if he couldn't channel. Interesting to think on, anyway, even if he didn't go that route. He remembered how Danya had looked at him, bruises and cuts still visible on his face. He couldn't be irresponsible. He had them to think about.
But it was because of them that he wanted out. As long as he was stuck, they would be in danger. Back and forth he went, an endless loop in his mind.
Finally he saw Ryker standing next to some guy in dark red leather jacket. He frowned. Not like they could have a private conversation in front of a stranger. Still, he walked up, nodding in greeting. "Hey Ryker. Thanks for the invite." Course Yun had been the one who told him he had to be there. After a moment, he stuck his hand out in greeting to the other guy. "Name's Ivan."