Post by The Brothers Blackwater on Dec 10, 2018 11:57:11 GMT -8
I was beginning to worry about my father. Scratch that. I had begun worrying about him from the moment he vanished from my apartment. Ever since then, there's been this increasing sensation of dread, building up inside me. At first, I thought that maybe he simply needed some time, to clear his head but as the time continued to pass without word, I started to wonder if maybe I should do something. Something, beyond calling him on his cell phone because that got me absolutely nowhere, besides voicemail city. Five of those and a dozen or so texts, I started to feel a tad stalkery but at the same time, I couldn't shake the sensation of unease that kept persisting. Every moment that I didn't take a further measure, I felt like I was being suffocated in a combination of guilt and immense concern. Guilt because I didn't attempt to locate him as soon as he left in distress and immense concern cause he's my father, he just became a part of my life, after I grew up without him, I'm not going to lose Azrael now, no way. Not to mention that I know for a fact, if the shoe were on the other foot, he'd do the same thing for me, I doubt he'd rest until I was located and he knew that I was okay. So I was going to make damn sure I'd do the same for him.
This is when I decided to actually take a trip to his tower. A stark, medieval structure, with a classic gothic theme, set against the backdrop of New York City. It was a strange choice in living quarters but it suited, Azrael. Fit him better than any other type of home would, I think. I mean, once I seen him casually inhabiting the place, I couldn't picture him living anywhere else. That might be weirder. Ha! Azrael in a two bedroom, garden apartment, within walking distance from the park. See? I bet you can't even picture it without thinking that it was a bit off and ill suited, for the man that came from the stars. Still, even with that being the case, the fact that his tower existed, amidst the bustling city was rather unusual. How the neighborhood and its people, seemed to willingly accept a tower as a part of their everyday scenery, without so much as a second glance. When it very obviously wasn't a normal sight to see in a thriving, urban setting. I wonder if there was more to it than mere acceptance?
Pondering this aspect, I arrived at his tower just after dusk and when ringing his doorbell, didn't produce him. I went a little further and made the choice to let myself inside. The front door might have been easier, but then there wouldn't have been a way to secure it, once I hit it with a blast of force that was strong enough to open it. Perhaps, if I were a little more familiar with the locking mechanism, I could have merely shifted the tumblers in the lock or heck, even open it from the other side, alas this was not the case though. So I did the next best thing, I used my force to push myself off the ground, with enough power to shoot up to the balcony. Then with that same ability, I pulled myself towards it, using the balustrade as the thing that I was invisibly tethered to, in order to have something to grasp, when I climbed onto the balcony. From there, I made my way to the elaborate set of steel frame, french doors, noticing that the interior of my father's abode was completely, pitch black. A swift motion of my hand, turned the inner lock and I let myself in, making sure to shut the doors, after I entered.
Inside it was quiet and seemed like no one was home. Switching on a light in the living room, I did a quick inspection around the place, only to discover that there was indeed, no one home. However, it was during my search to uncover some sort of sign or clue as to where my father might have gone, that really gave me cause for alarm. I found his cell phone, laying on the sofa. Where some might not find this to be odd or deem it noteworthy, I knew otherwise. Almost like modern humans, he carried his phone with him wherever he went, barring the inconvenience of charging it. At least the way that the rest of the world were slaves of doing anyway. When the battery was low, it would simply fill back up again, when he looked at his phone. Ezra can do something similar, with the exception that he has to transfer electricity, quite visibly from his body into the phone. Seeing that my father left his cell behind was also troubling because I knew that he had it with him, when he was at my place, which meant that he came back here and left it. Why? What happened, between the time that he left my place and the moment he exited his tower, to make him do such a thing? There was no sign of a struggle in his home, nor were there any traces of a break in, ruling out an intruder that managed to obtain the upper hand. So what happened here?
With a sigh, I attempted to check the phone for a possible hint, to explain what could have occurred and discovered that it was password protected. Using less than half a second of thought, I managed to enter the correct password. Frankly, I wouldn't have been a good son, if I didn't know it because that would have meant I wasn't paying attention, during our chat in my kitchen. Upon unlocking the phone, I discovered there were several missed calls, my own included and one answered call, that came in on the day that he took off from my apartment. Literally minutes, after he disappeared. This couldn't have been a coincidence. Instinctively I retrieved my own cell phone and dialed the mystery number, it rang three times before someone answered.
"Hello?"
The voice, it was so familiar but where did I hear it before?
"Hello?"
That time it was unmistakable. That voice belonged to Maxwell Maximus. Why would Maxwell call my father, seconds after he left my apartment? More importantly, why did my father leave after receiving a call from Maxwell? What went on during that conversation? The call went on for five minutes and fifty three seconds, before it was terminated. What could they have been discussing and why would it lead to Azrael leaving? Unless my father was correct. Maxwell knew more about me, than he let on, when he hired me and the whole thing was nothing more than a way to get at Azrael. A clever ruse to encourage a meeting with him. But why? It was clear they didn't part on good terms in the past, what exactly was Maxwell up to? I didn't like this... the whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. Something was definitely wrong. I just needed to find out what before... it was too late. Was that a thing? Too late? Could my father actually be in real danger? Was he in need of rescue from some sort of impending doom? That rising fear that had been lingering these past few days urged me to hurry as if that were the case. I decided to heed this sensation, following my gut instinct, to not make haste and locate my father as quickly as possible.
"Who is this? Who's calling exactly?"
Oh crap! I didn't end the call! In a panic I hit the end button and immediately remembered caller id, along with the fact that Maxwell had my number programmed into his other phone. Using my force powers, I literally, compacted the phone into itself from within. Crunching it into something that was no bigger than a quarter. In hindsight, that was a little bit of an overkill, since I could have just flushed the memory card down the toilet but I kinda freaked out. I never dealt with nefarious, underground, crime lords, before. Shit was heating up real quick. I knew I couldn't handle this on my own but I also couldn't very well walk away, now could I? That's when I remembered that I had my father's phone. Hmmm... I wonder if there were any contacts in there that might be of usefulness? He did have a wide collection of odd acquaintances. Perhaps one of them would be able to assist me, in my plight? Operation locate and save Azrael Erebus.
"Robbie Bourbon."
"My... my, what an active imagination. Such a sordid fantasy you conjured up to tell about me and... my pistol. So naughty. So scandalous. Must be all those letters that you hungrily absorbed from Penthouse, bleeding out into your everyday thoughts and activities. I know, being the absolute adonis that I am, can't be helping matters either. I hate to break it to you though big guy but not only am I straight, I'm taken. Sorry. Also, I don't own a pistol. I mean, I might be packing heat, if you know what I'm sayin'... but actual, tangible ownership of a gun, like the one from my match with Mastermind, I do not have. That was just a fun stipulation in a match. It has no bearing on me, or my life outside of the ring."
"Unlike my powers. Since I've used those both inside, and outside of the ring. The last instance being that exact match that I just referenced, moments ago. To watch that fight, and not know that I used my abilities, would be impossible. So in regards to your statement about powers, you are indeed, very mistaken. They aren't at all like something from 'a boardgame stashed in your grandma's attic' and are really, quite relevant. Not to worry though, you'll find out all about that first hand, when we meet in the ring. You see, I enjoy using a variety of tactics to bombard my opponent with, before I claim the inevitable win. However, unlike the past opposition, I think you might be a tad more challenging. At long last, I finally face a real adversary. A substantial obstacle, that will require some actual effort to topple."
"Nonetheless, I will rise to the occasion and as I have done in the past, I shall achieve victory. Though you might be more of a challenge. A challenge that I welcome, I might add. You will not cease my trajectory to the top. I'm like a shooting star baby, nothing is going to stop me from blazing my way to greatness. Fate dealt me the second most prestigious title in the company. Literally, hand selected me and placed it, virtually in my lap. In my second match fought for this fine federation, no less. There's no way I'm going to let you walk away with it. No. This title is going to remain my property, till I obtain a briefcase and then, I'm going straight for Robert Main. So I can claim my rightful place as the Universal champion. There isn't another scenario that sees anything else happening. I won't be thwarted by you or anyone else. I will take my place as the top tier contender in this company, for it is my destiny. Meanwhile, your fate mandates that you're merely another step in my journey. Another cog in the machine. Your purpose is to aid me in my quest of ascension and that is all. Your journey ends there. Deny it all you like, it won't change matters, nor will it help you do anything beyond, eating canvas and taking the pin."
This is when I decided to actually take a trip to his tower. A stark, medieval structure, with a classic gothic theme, set against the backdrop of New York City. It was a strange choice in living quarters but it suited, Azrael. Fit him better than any other type of home would, I think. I mean, once I seen him casually inhabiting the place, I couldn't picture him living anywhere else. That might be weirder. Ha! Azrael in a two bedroom, garden apartment, within walking distance from the park. See? I bet you can't even picture it without thinking that it was a bit off and ill suited, for the man that came from the stars. Still, even with that being the case, the fact that his tower existed, amidst the bustling city was rather unusual. How the neighborhood and its people, seemed to willingly accept a tower as a part of their everyday scenery, without so much as a second glance. When it very obviously wasn't a normal sight to see in a thriving, urban setting. I wonder if there was more to it than mere acceptance?
Pondering this aspect, I arrived at his tower just after dusk and when ringing his doorbell, didn't produce him. I went a little further and made the choice to let myself inside. The front door might have been easier, but then there wouldn't have been a way to secure it, once I hit it with a blast of force that was strong enough to open it. Perhaps, if I were a little more familiar with the locking mechanism, I could have merely shifted the tumblers in the lock or heck, even open it from the other side, alas this was not the case though. So I did the next best thing, I used my force to push myself off the ground, with enough power to shoot up to the balcony. Then with that same ability, I pulled myself towards it, using the balustrade as the thing that I was invisibly tethered to, in order to have something to grasp, when I climbed onto the balcony. From there, I made my way to the elaborate set of steel frame, french doors, noticing that the interior of my father's abode was completely, pitch black. A swift motion of my hand, turned the inner lock and I let myself in, making sure to shut the doors, after I entered.
Inside it was quiet and seemed like no one was home. Switching on a light in the living room, I did a quick inspection around the place, only to discover that there was indeed, no one home. However, it was during my search to uncover some sort of sign or clue as to where my father might have gone, that really gave me cause for alarm. I found his cell phone, laying on the sofa. Where some might not find this to be odd or deem it noteworthy, I knew otherwise. Almost like modern humans, he carried his phone with him wherever he went, barring the inconvenience of charging it. At least the way that the rest of the world were slaves of doing anyway. When the battery was low, it would simply fill back up again, when he looked at his phone. Ezra can do something similar, with the exception that he has to transfer electricity, quite visibly from his body into the phone. Seeing that my father left his cell behind was also troubling because I knew that he had it with him, when he was at my place, which meant that he came back here and left it. Why? What happened, between the time that he left my place and the moment he exited his tower, to make him do such a thing? There was no sign of a struggle in his home, nor were there any traces of a break in, ruling out an intruder that managed to obtain the upper hand. So what happened here?
With a sigh, I attempted to check the phone for a possible hint, to explain what could have occurred and discovered that it was password protected. Using less than half a second of thought, I managed to enter the correct password. Frankly, I wouldn't have been a good son, if I didn't know it because that would have meant I wasn't paying attention, during our chat in my kitchen. Upon unlocking the phone, I discovered there were several missed calls, my own included and one answered call, that came in on the day that he took off from my apartment. Literally minutes, after he disappeared. This couldn't have been a coincidence. Instinctively I retrieved my own cell phone and dialed the mystery number, it rang three times before someone answered.
"Hello?"
The voice, it was so familiar but where did I hear it before?
"Hello?"
That time it was unmistakable. That voice belonged to Maxwell Maximus. Why would Maxwell call my father, seconds after he left my apartment? More importantly, why did my father leave after receiving a call from Maxwell? What went on during that conversation? The call went on for five minutes and fifty three seconds, before it was terminated. What could they have been discussing and why would it lead to Azrael leaving? Unless my father was correct. Maxwell knew more about me, than he let on, when he hired me and the whole thing was nothing more than a way to get at Azrael. A clever ruse to encourage a meeting with him. But why? It was clear they didn't part on good terms in the past, what exactly was Maxwell up to? I didn't like this... the whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. Something was definitely wrong. I just needed to find out what before... it was too late. Was that a thing? Too late? Could my father actually be in real danger? Was he in need of rescue from some sort of impending doom? That rising fear that had been lingering these past few days urged me to hurry as if that were the case. I decided to heed this sensation, following my gut instinct, to not make haste and locate my father as quickly as possible.
"Who is this? Who's calling exactly?"
Oh crap! I didn't end the call! In a panic I hit the end button and immediately remembered caller id, along with the fact that Maxwell had my number programmed into his other phone. Using my force powers, I literally, compacted the phone into itself from within. Crunching it into something that was no bigger than a quarter. In hindsight, that was a little bit of an overkill, since I could have just flushed the memory card down the toilet but I kinda freaked out. I never dealt with nefarious, underground, crime lords, before. Shit was heating up real quick. I knew I couldn't handle this on my own but I also couldn't very well walk away, now could I? That's when I remembered that I had my father's phone. Hmmm... I wonder if there were any contacts in there that might be of usefulness? He did have a wide collection of odd acquaintances. Perhaps one of them would be able to assist me, in my plight? Operation locate and save Azrael Erebus.
"Robbie Bourbon."
"My... my, what an active imagination. Such a sordid fantasy you conjured up to tell about me and... my pistol. So naughty. So scandalous. Must be all those letters that you hungrily absorbed from Penthouse, bleeding out into your everyday thoughts and activities. I know, being the absolute adonis that I am, can't be helping matters either. I hate to break it to you though big guy but not only am I straight, I'm taken. Sorry. Also, I don't own a pistol. I mean, I might be packing heat, if you know what I'm sayin'... but actual, tangible ownership of a gun, like the one from my match with Mastermind, I do not have. That was just a fun stipulation in a match. It has no bearing on me, or my life outside of the ring."
"Unlike my powers. Since I've used those both inside, and outside of the ring. The last instance being that exact match that I just referenced, moments ago. To watch that fight, and not know that I used my abilities, would be impossible. So in regards to your statement about powers, you are indeed, very mistaken. They aren't at all like something from 'a boardgame stashed in your grandma's attic' and are really, quite relevant. Not to worry though, you'll find out all about that first hand, when we meet in the ring. You see, I enjoy using a variety of tactics to bombard my opponent with, before I claim the inevitable win. However, unlike the past opposition, I think you might be a tad more challenging. At long last, I finally face a real adversary. A substantial obstacle, that will require some actual effort to topple."
"Nonetheless, I will rise to the occasion and as I have done in the past, I shall achieve victory. Though you might be more of a challenge. A challenge that I welcome, I might add. You will not cease my trajectory to the top. I'm like a shooting star baby, nothing is going to stop me from blazing my way to greatness. Fate dealt me the second most prestigious title in the company. Literally, hand selected me and placed it, virtually in my lap. In my second match fought for this fine federation, no less. There's no way I'm going to let you walk away with it. No. This title is going to remain my property, till I obtain a briefcase and then, I'm going straight for Robert Main. So I can claim my rightful place as the Universal champion. There isn't another scenario that sees anything else happening. I won't be thwarted by you or anyone else. I will take my place as the top tier contender in this company, for it is my destiny. Meanwhile, your fate mandates that you're merely another step in my journey. Another cog in the machine. Your purpose is to aid me in my quest of ascension and that is all. Your journey ends there. Deny it all you like, it won't change matters, nor will it help you do anything beyond, eating canvas and taking the pin."