Black/White

01/04/11

Donnie looked upon the lightly falling snow out of the cab window, lamenting being unable to ride his bicycle through the streets. He was also doing his best to ignore the particularly chatty cabbie, he was going on about this that and the other. At the moment he was going on a tirade about the shakeups of American politics, the Ellisburg and Heartbreaker things were the kick in the taint as it were and every government alphabet soup agency were in a feeding frenzy while a handful of particularly ambitious and charismatic politicians were going into full campaign politicking with an enthusiasm not seen in over a decade. Donnie did not care in the slightest.

As the heir to the Rhodes fortune, a fortune made even larger and grander under the guidance of his father Donald Rhodes Jr on top of the already large and grand fortune that Donald Rhodes Sr. had made before him, he could live anywhere in the world and do anything he wanted. Hell, the laws of the land were of no consequence as far as he was concerned, his family had an army of lawyers and accountants ready to make sure everything was on the up and up and destroy anyone who tried to make it seem as if they weren't. The Rhodes family secrets were nothing so horrifying or profane, they were not like the degenerate and twisted creatures that sought to court his or his father's favor with their ties to the darker side of humanity and Donald Jr. was the kind of man who would put the fear of the old gods into any member of the family or acquaintances thereof if they put one toe out of line, his mother Yukiko Rhodes neé Kuromizu was the same way when she was still with them. That former VP of his father's sure did make a mess of himself after she whipped out that old sword of hers.

Checking his watch Donnie cursed how late he would be, by his own standards, and the inability of any cab driver to be able to actually reach the Champion's District. Despite living in the city for the past five years he had yet to find a cabbie that could even park an inch inside that wondrous and untainted land, and the only city bus that had a stop there only ran from midnight to three am. However he did know several spots that could be used just shy of the border that could be stopped at without suspicion.

"Alright, we're here." the cabbie said "That'll be-"

Donnie reached into his wallet and gave him two hundred dollar bills

"Keep the change." He said cutting the cabbie off and ignoring the praises that were being sung to him "Thank you for the ride."

Donnie quickly got out of the cab and took stock of himself as the cabbie drove off, his suit was still there, his beloved Pegaso watch was working fine, his wallet was stowed back into his coat pocket, and his tool kit was in his left hand. As for his cell phone, he was currently waiting on a replacement after a particularly poor day of experimentation. Well now he knew he would have to wear some form of insulation in future tests, live and learn. With his stock taken, he made his way to an alleyway he had routed as the most optimum and quickest way from this stop to the Champion's district, although this would be the first time he would be walking it rather than riding it on his fixie. Either way, the brisk walk would be good for him and it would lend him some more time to think on his father's rather intriguing revelations on the state of the world.

His "Good 'ol pops" had took him aside new years eve and revealed so much to him when the clock struck midnight, it actually shocked him to the core. Finding out your destiny, and the reason for the world's suffering would do that to you. Donnie had his plans for the future dashed but he did not loathe his new future, he relished it. If anything, this new future of his was better; who needed to live a double life at an attempt to make something of himself separate from his family's business when he could indulge in his family's true heritage and stand beside them as he should!

Maybe not too closely he conceded. After all, even prior to his father's revelations he knew not to spend too much time with his grandmother's side of the family. That way lead to very awkward conversations and many a snide remark from them to his mother, at least amongst this heads of the family. His cousins were nice though, especially Hedy, and uncle E and his wife were very nice. The rest of the family he'd rather not be alone with, his grandmother especially. Either way, by nature of acting as he normally would and take part in "The Scene" as it were he would soon join a long and storied tradition of greatness, all he would have to do is find some equally gifted people his age to band together and forge their own stories. Hell, he even had his alter ego set and ready, just needed to ease in to "The Scene" and then make that breakout debut with something big, Donnie thought to himself with a smirk

"Well, looky here boys." said a rough and worn voice, breaking Donnie of his musings "This one looks like he has money…"

Donnie looked to the source of the voice, a rather crusty looking man with a strange gait and a bit of bony something sticking out of a worn and ratty newsboy cap. Reeking of drug dens, waste, and whatever passed for sex that such a vile disgusting bum performed. Flanking the one with the hat were more haggard vagrant types wielding makeshift weapons and Donnie knew that there were more behind him. Strangely enough, he saw something smoky and wispy prowling near a fire escape above him, it would seem that there was a Cape of some persuasion observing. The smirk only growing wider and anticipation growing within him.

"Evening gents." He said with a nonchalant check of his watch "Sadly I don't have time to join your nightly debaucheries, I have a…thing I'm running a bit late for."

The gaggle of what Donnie assumed were those Archer's Bridge Merchants laughed with weezing guffaws at his lack of fear. The apparent leader with the newsboy cap was the only one not laughing, stepping forward with an odd hop-skip and pointing an aluminum bat towards him

"Alright rich boy, you know how this goes." he said, hunching forward in an attempt to intimidate "Wallet. Now."

Donnie chuckled and shook his head "I take it you mean the money in the wallet?"

Newsboy groaned and banged the bat against the pavement

"No shit!"

Donnie casually set down his tool kit and grabbed his wallet thumbing out every last bill he had, a total of eight hundred and thirty dollars in various bills.

"Will that be all gentlemen?" Donnie said with a bored faux-sigh "I'd rather we make this quick and painless."

Meanwhile above, the cape in question; Shadow Stalker observed what she saw as some rich idiot who thought he could buy his way out of everything. Still, she observed him wondering if that confidence and nonchalance would keep when these muggers went in for the kill.

Newsboy smiled evilly, showing his misshapen and rotten teeth

"Uh-uh-uh." He said waving his bat "That watch, and that case are coming with us too."

With that any trace of a smile left Donnie's face and was replaced with a blank expression betrayed by eyes filled with anger.

"Care to repeat that, friend?"

Newsboy chuckled "What are you deaf? I said, that fancy watch and that case are comin' too!"

Shadow Stalker leaned forward, anticipating the slaughter of prey. Donnie calmly put the bills back inside his wallet, and tucked it firmly into his coat's breast pocket. The air grew thick with ozone

"Can't do that I'm afraid. The case has some rather important equipment for that thing I mentioned, and the watch is a rather unique piece. A gift from someone quite precious and not something so easily given, even to save one's own skin." He said with a voice devoid of emotion "Now the moneys off the table. let me pass and I won't get violent, satyros."

Newsboy's face went pale and he stumbled back in surprise, in a flash he raised his weapon and he shouted "KILL 'EM!"

The muggers charged forward, Newsboy quaking with fear, Donnie stood as still as a mountain, and Shadow Stalker watched with contempt. Before the muggers could begin their swings, Donnie raised his right arm to the sky and snapped his fingers. From the dark and cloudy skies came a single bolt of lightning, striking just shy of Donnie's thumb and splitting to strike every one who had gathered around him to attack. Each one had fallen down dead, the only people still standing in the alleyway were Donnie and the remaining mugger with the Newsboy cap, Shadow Stalker high above was observing closer and closer at this new cape.

"Now, wayward child of Pan." Donnie said, picking his tool kit back up and slowly inching forward "Why don't you tell me what a satyros is doing running around with mortals?"

Shadow Stalker listened in closely, trying to decipher the meaning behind this strange cape's words, Newsboy had begun backing himself up against a dumpster, his bat fallen from his grip

"F-fo-forgive me, my lord theos." He stammered, removing his cap and revealing curving horns "I-I did not kn-know tha-"

"Shh. No word of that here." Donnie said, a finger raised to his lips "How could you know that we walked amongst men in these times?"

The horned man's face lit up in hope "So you will forgive my transgression?"

Donnie chuckled and gripped his chin with his index and thumb in though.

"If you'd answer my questions first, of course."

"Anything, my lord theos!" the horned man said bowing and prostrating himself

"How long have you been with these mongrels?" Donnie said, with an air of nobility "How often have you committed these acts?"

The horned man looked up from his bow "Not long my lord, several months with only two attempts per!"

Donnie walked past the bowing horned man with a hum

"Well, I think I can offer you mercy this evening." He said with a clap "No harm no foul."

The horned man began babbling and weeping tears of joy, speaking words of praise to Donnie.

"Thank you my lord theos!" the horned man said "You are too kind!"

"Truly I am." Donnie said with a short bow

Before walking too far ahead, Donnie paused and turned his head to the still prostrating horned man.

"One last question."

"Anything!"

"How many people did you leave ravaged and beaten in those several months?" Donnie said, his voice colder than the falling snow "How many women did you take satyros? How many debaucheries were committed by you, vro̱merós?"

The horned man's eyes grew wide in fear

"My lord, I a-am no-"

Donnie spun to face him "You think by walking amongst this rabble that it would hide the stench of your curse? That you could hide your nature as you attempt to hide your horns and hooves?"

The horned man began to weep

"Mercy!" he shouted "You said you would grant me mercy!"

Donnie's face grew a sinister grin "And I shall"

Donnie pointed his index finger towards the begging man, his thumb raised. Donnie lowered his thumb and a flash of light came forth, the horned man screamed in pain. Donnie began briskly walking towards his destination, no longer paying any mind to the burnt men.

Shadow Stalker opened her eyes, the blindness gone, and took in the scene; six men and one Case 53 burnt to a crisp making the alley reek of fried junkie. Despite seeing a cape wielding power over her weakness, she knew that he would be a partner on her night prowlings. An apex predator like herself and not bad looking either, she thought to herself. With her powers she glided to ground level and silently stalked her way to this boy.

Donnie however was more preoccupied with all that time lost and his performance.

"Note to self." He said as he began picking up the pace "Next time speak casually, that bit of biblical babble is boring as balls."

Donnie chuckled at his alliteration, paying no mind to his Stalker. He knew the route better than them after all, even with arcane abilities it would be difficult to navigate these alleyways. He would not even need to run. Shadow Stalker pressed on, eagerly pursuing, hoping for an opening to drag her quarry aside and show him that they were clearly not so different in their approach to the crime and filth of the city. Perhaps with his resources they could even loosen the leash that those weaklings in the PRT had around her neck. To Shadow Stalker it was a frantic chase after the perfect partner, to Donnie it was pleasant if brisk walk to an appointment he would rather not miss. Finally, Donnie saw the welcome sign for the Champion's District and walked out of the alleys and across the street. Shadow Stalker, stuck to her namesake with her ability and followed as close as possible.

Donnie stopped at the door to McCullough's Music, making sure to smooth out any wrinkles in his suit, straightening any loose hair on his head, and confirming that he was exactly on time. Taking a quick breath and putting his best face on, he opened the door.

"Good evening Saoirse!" he said with a jovial and flamboyant wave "You said you had me a new student for me?"

Saoirse giggled like a school girl and nodded towards a very familiar if somewhat distressed girl.

"Ah! The plain but leggy girl from a few weeks ago!" Donnie said with a clap "I see you have yet to use the money I had given you for a new wardrobe."

Taylor gave the most unamused and "done" look to Donnie before looking to Saoirse for support.

"This idiot is the flute teacher?" She said with distress dripping from her voice "Saoirse, please tell me this is an early April Fool's joke."

Donnie strode forward between them with his tool kit raised.

"Nonsense kopelia!" he said, disengaging the locks on his case and revealing an engraved silver flute and several pages of sheet music "I am more than qualified to teach even the most fresh faced of beginners!"

"Donald Rhodes the Third. I know you don't mean to come off like a condescending ass but you could put more effort into it." Saoirse leaned over to face Taylor and put her hand to the side of her mouth in a stage whisper "Donnie here is something of a musical prodigy and he's classically trained. He is actually the most qualified flutist to teach in the tri-state area. Even if he is socially inept."

"Not only that! I am doing this pro bono!" Donnie said with a deep breath and a twirl "It would be a sin to ask someone with so little anything in exchange for the gift of musical training, let alone from one as talented and gifted as I?"

Taylor stammered and stalled, trying to convey that she would rather not have such a pompous ass for a teacher but failing in the face of such camp.

"There is no need for thanks!" Donnie said leaning back in faux distress "I only ask you to put your maximum effort in to our lessons!"

The front door opened with a chime, Finn and Walt coming in. Seeing Donnie, he let out a sigh and rolled his eyes.

"Mr. Rhodes, please stop harrassing the customers." He said trying his best to not say what he meant to "Make your purchase and leave quickly, there is a music teacher on their way."

At the sight of the cowboy, Donnie set his tool kit down and strode forward to embrace him.

"Wally! Babe! You do have a sense of humor!" he said with electric excitement "I'm the music teacher, silly! Now I have plenty of time in my schedule to teach you as well, but I must attend to my new student first!"

Donnie span in place, and pointed to the girl in question

"Your name? I can't just call you 'that plain but leggy brunette' for eternity now can I?"

Still dumbfounded, she stammered forth and braced herself against the front desk mentally reevaluating her life choices.

Seeing how this was going, Finn walked between master and student and quickly introduced the two and ushered them to the soundproof room with a viewing window. "Donnie Rhodes meet Taylor Hebert."

Within the soundproof room Donnie waited for his new student to compose herself, flights of fancy running through his mind.

"Surely Taylor will become quite the flutist under my careful guidance! One day even playing Carnegie Hall or even the Budokan!" he thought to himself "People will praise her in interviews where she will praise his teaching which brought a clueless novice up to the highest levels of music and to the world's greatest flutist of the generation!"

Finally seeing her compose herself somewhat he began his lesson

"Alright, first you must learn how to breath. BUT CIRCULARLY!"

Meanwhile, in the shadows cast between the grand entrance sign and the faulty streetlights outside, Shadow Stalker had seen it all. Her perfect partner, consorting with that weakling Hebert. Hebert actually smiling at the old fogies at the desk and that idiot looking cowboy.

Sophia Hess brooded and let the anger within her fester, there was no doubt in her mind at the punishment she had in store for Taylor Hebert. For the first time in her life Sophia thought to herself

"The first day of school couldn't come fast enough."