Reluctant Hero [open]

[John Alexander]

A girl screamed in the dark rain of the autumn night, her throaty voice echoing through the alleys of the neighborhood. Such a sound wasn't uncommon in an area such as this: an area where gangs were running unchecked. People will killed all of the time because the police department was so overtaxed. However, this particular girl was lucky because there was someone in the vicinity who had the power to help her. The power, but did he have the willingness? Apparently so.

He dropped seemingly out of nowhere, flinging the grimy teenager off of the girl, whose eyes widened in shock and fear. Was this man here to help her, or to claim his territory? He didn't look like the hero type. He looked...dangerous. Her eyes flashed to her first attacker, who slumped against the alley wall, unconcious. She looked back at the other man, only to catch a glimpse of the back of his retreating form as he rounded the alley.

His dark shades were absent from his eyes for once, since the dark of the moon was upon them. There was something strangely liberating about not wearing them, as if the glasses were a form of chains and he didn't have to bear them. He didn't really know why he had bothered with helping that girl. In a neighborhood this bad, a girl as weak as her wouldn't survive long anyway. Still, the instinct to help her had overridden his logic.

He stopped in his stride as he sensed someone following.

[virgil]

"Are you okay?" Virgil asked as he knelt down next to the still frightened and slightly dazed girl, her small purse and its contents spilled on the ground next to her.

Shoving the contents back into it he handed the item back to its owner who trembled slightly then nodded before she adjusted her skirt then ran off into the night.


Turning Virgil ran after the guy that had beaten him to the girls rescue, but slowed down once he got close, his dark brown eyes sizing him up and trying to get a read on what kind of dude he really was.

Virgil walked up next to the guy and then turned, walking sideways as he spoke to him; "Hey man, uhh... Good job back there. I guess it's one time I don't mind loosing a foot race, heh."

[John Alexander]

John nodded once and walked around him, his face expressionless. He didn't want his face to be recognizable to anyone, especially someone who was as outspoken as this kid seemed to be. It was bad enough that someone had seen his eyes, but it just had to be someone he didn't know? He looked utterly calm, despite the save he had just made. It was fortunate that he never lost his temper, because with his abilities, going into a rage could level buildings. His powers could be dangerous in the wrong hands.

When he was younger, he could live a normal life with them, since he was only just barely stronger than a strong human when he was in sunlight. After those scientists had changed his eyes, that chance was dashed. If someone saw his eyes, they would know that he certainly wasn't your average guy. If the wrong person saw them, he would have to flee again. He would lose his job and his apartment, and he would have to start all over again. The lab techs might even come for him.

He didn't particularly care if anyone thought him rude. That was their problem. It wasn't as if he was malignant, just a bit paranoid and not very friendly.

[virgil]

Virgil blinked slightly and scratched the side of his head as she slowed his pace and watched the guy walk on, like it was no big deal, and maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but Virgil was sure it meant a lot to the girl, and he also had to admit to having soe respect for someone who would randomly step in like that.


Shrugging, Virgil caught up to the other guy and fell in step with him, walking along for a little before couching slightly and offering his hand; "Uh, well anyway, I'm Virgil, and uh... Well, I guess I'm saying thanks on behalf of the girl, or something like that."

If this guy was really dead set on not taking any credit for the little event that transpired, then okay, but Virgil had an overriding need to at least try and talk to this guy.

[John Alexander]

John stopped again and shook the youth's hand, his face still impassive. His grip was firm but not crushing, but the pale man still seemed standoffish, as if he would rather be anywhere but where he was. It was far from the case, but not that far. He would rather be here than in any of the various labs scattered across the country. He would rather be here than be at home with the parents who had given him to those government parasites. He said nothing. Chatty would be the last word one would use to describe John. He was ever the strong and silent type, though he never thought of it that way. He thought of it as the low-profile and not-in-a-cell type.

He nodded again and stepped around Virgil for the second time. Damn, this kid couldn't be dissuaded, could he? John's eyebrows furrowed with the barest hint of irritation. Couldn't a guy be left alone?