It had been just over a week and a half since Duncan and Adam had started to train Xander. While Xander knew he had a long way to go, he also knew that he was progressing nicely. He had overheard, on more than one occasion, Duncan and Adam talking about how well he was doing. They seemed more than just a bit surprised by Xander's strength and stamina. It was far above where a new Immortal would be. Still a long way to go in order to gain the strength and endurance of a seasoned, or even your average Immortal. Those were things acquired with age something that Xander had in plenty now. It staggered him …. He had an eternity to explore new things and gain on new experiences.
What did not come as a shock to him, was the fact that he now recognized that he would have to push himself beyond defined normal human limits as he was not a mortal anymore He had a lot to learn and still had to a long way to before he could compare himself to Adam or Duncan. He had pushed himself when training with Phoebe, and he was going to do it again.
The wooded area, surrounding the estate, had natural paths weaving through them. Adam had him running those paths, to help him build up his endurance as well as running a man made track in the back part of the yard. The track surrounded a baseball diamond, and had both a basketball court, and tennis court on its edges.
In the basement of the mansion was a set of rooms used as a gym/dojo. Mirrors lined the walls in one room. The other had both nautilus and free weights. In the week and a half since they started training him, he had had no problem falling into blissful unconsciousness at night, so exhausted he was.
He had light sparring sessions with both men. Mostly it was done to test his reaction timing. At the end of those sessions, he would usually be very sore and bloodied.. Surprisingly still, it was Xander who wanted them to follow through when he wasn't able to defend himself. Both men were reluctant at first, but Xander was quite determined to have it his way. In the end, they acquiesced to his request, although still reluctantly.
Duncan took up the bulk of the sword training, and most of that consisted of learning different styles of parry thrust and basic sword work . At this point on picking up the various moves, he was still working on his first kata. And until the movements became second nature to him, Duncan was not going to teach him the more advanced forms. No matter how much Xander had begged.
After a week and a half Xander had come to respect, his new friends. Duncan had a sense of honor that almost went hand in hand with his own. Duncan would also do whatever was necessary to protect his friends and his 'kin.' Joe was a pleasant man who he had gotten along well with. Like Xander, Joe had a good sense of humor and an interesting outlook on life. Xander quickly realized how observant the man was. He enjoyed just relaxing with the man and listen to the banter between Adam and Joe, even Duncan would join in every so often. Then there was Amanda. What could he say about her. She was beautiful in many ways. And she had a mischievous streak in her that was a mile wide. He was surprised to find out that she was over 1,000 years old. In that time she had apparently had mastered the art of 'looking' innocent, even if she was caught red handed with her hand in the cookie jar. Even though she was over 1,000 years old she exuded a youthful front that covered the world weary immortal that he got glimpses of now and then. And because of that they got along like two peas in a pod. In his most trying, and stressful time she was like a breath of fresh air. Best of all were the 'sessions' they would have.
After a long day of running, lifting weights, sparring, and going through a kata again and again, he would rest for a while before Amanda would show him certain tricks of her trade. To Adam's never ending dismay, after just a week and a half he could pick most locks in the house. It still took him a while, but with the proper tools, he could get the job done. Even better than that was that he could pick the lock of a pair of police issue handcuffs. It was one of the first things she had taught him. It had taken him almost an entire day of his free time, with implicit instructions from Amanda, to be able to open the cuffs. And for the first few days it was hit or miss. Then as he began to feel what he was doing, he could open them with ease. When she cuffed his hands behind his back he had a bit of trouble opening them. It had taken him a couple of hours to feel it out. And by that time he was exhausted from Adam and Duncan's work out earlier, but once he was able to pick those locks, he was able to consistently do it. She had told him that he was her fastest learning student, and that he must have had one hell of an inner criminal. He had wanted to tell her the story of him stealing the rocket launcher from Sunnydale's military base, but decided there would be far too many questions. Besides, whenever he would inquire as to where she had picked up a pair of police issue handcuffs, she would give him her patented mischievous smile and nothing more.
After a week and a half of the same routine, staying in the same place, Xander was becoming bored, and feeling somewhat caged. Everyone was starting to notice this, so it was decided that tonight they were going to go out to a restaurant/bar in LA. It was one that Amanda had recommended and Xander had leapt at the chance to get out of the house. Now Xander was shrugging on a custom made trench coat that had a sheath sewn into the inside of the coat. It had been a gift from Adam. One that he had given to Xander after knowing him for only two days. Adam had said that all Immortals needed something similar. Apparently a well known tailor named Maurice had done the work. And it was a masterful job if Xander had anything to say about it. Even now his katana was in the sheath, and he would be dammed if you could tell that he was carrying it even in the slightest. Easily one of the best gifts he had received in a long time. Though at times he did curse it because Adam had made him wear it, with the sword in the sheath, whenever he was jogging. Either on the track, or through the wooded path, no matter the heat, or rain, he would be wearing that jacket. It was good practice and helped with his endurance
At the moment he didn't care about any of that. His coat was like armor to him. He felt far more confident with it on and his sword near, than he had felt in a long while. He couldn't hide his smile as he made his way down the front hallway to the doors where everyone was waiting for him.
They went outside and towards a stretch limo. A smiling Roger was standing next to the door as he escorted everyone into the limo. Xander gave him his lopsided grin and nod of his head before getting in, taking a seat next to Joe and Across from Amanda. Duncan was sitting next to Amanda and across from Joe. Adam entered the limo and sat so he was facing everyone.
All of them seemed relieved to be leaving the house for just a while. And Xander was just pleased to be joining civilization again. It may have only been a week and a half, but it felt like a lifetime since he went out last. He was just looking forward to having a nice, pleasant evening with his new friends. Though with his luck, Xander thought bitterly, they would be lucky to make it to the end of the driveway without something going wrong.
Xander was pleasantly surprised when they made it all the way into LA without so much as needing to stop for gas, or a flat tire. They had actually made it to the club and didn't even have to wait in the line that had formed. Apparently Adam, or Amanda knew some people. Though Xander did have to suppress a shiver when he read the name of the club 'Le Diablo'. The front of the club was loud and busy. Tons of people were crammed onto a dance floor and everyone seemed to be loving it. As they were lead on the outside of the floor, past the bars, and into the rear of the club, they were brought to a second floor that overlooked the first. They had a reserved table that overlooked the dance floor. Xander looked down in wonder at all of the sexily dressed people dancing their cares away down below. He thought, with a chagrined expression, that he should have taken up those dance lessons from Phoebe that had been offered. While he did no longer look like a man having a seizure while still being vertical, there was no way he would be able to pull of what the people were doing down there. Then he decided he really should have taken those lessons as Amanda pulled him by the arm, not even giving him time to take a seat, and basically drag him towards the dance floor, leaving the men behind chuckling or snickering.
While he thought about trying to get out of it, internally at least, by the time they reached the dance floor he decided to stick it out and try to blend in with the crowd. It wasn't like anyone knew him. Also, with Amanda next to him, he was fairly sure no one would be noticing him. And he was right. She was sensuality, and exotica personified. Her movement basically left him stock still. Her grace was that of a lioness, or perhaps that of a tiger. She stalked closer to him and brought her arms around him, making his body sway with hers to the music before he even knew it was happening. She had such a dazzling smile that it became contagious, and soon enough he had a similar one. He didn't remember the song ending, bleeding into the next, but Duncan was suddenly upon them, and with a charming smile of his own, he asked if he could cut in. Xander complied telling them he would go to the bar and get everyone some drinks. Lord knew he could use one at the moment.
Xander made his may to the bar and stood behind a few of the patrons that were awaiting their orders. He was reflecting on the great time he was having, and realized that they had just arrived. Tonight was going to be a great night. A much needed night off. He was pulled out of these thoughts by the presence of another Immortal. He turned around smiling, expecting Amanda there to tell him what she wanted because he had never asked. His smile suddenly faded from his face when he found himself staring into the cold, hard eyes of a complete stranger.
The man's demeanor screamed arrogance tinged with an air of evil that he could easily associate with Angelus. Similar to the Scourge of Europe than man liked to wear dark colors. But that was where the similarities ended. The man's features were of a Hispanic origin. His face was narrow, and his dark eyes piercing Xander like a hawk. The man was wearing expensive black clothing. From a black silk shirt, to an expensive pair of black pants. He was wearing a black trench coat similar to Xander's. While the trench coat cut off the man's physique, his posture, the way he held himself was that of a fighter.
Xander could feel his heart pounding faster, and harder. He could both hear, and feel his pulse beating in his temple when he heard the immortal introduce himself.
In an ice cold voice he stated, "My name is Juan Fernando Vasquez. And I challenge you to The Game." Pointing to a side door that Xander could only assume lead to an alley, Vasquez continued. "We either go out there now and do this. Or I will kill you where you stand and hunt you down while you try to flee this false mortal life." His cold eyes hardened even more and his face became tinged with a sneer. "The choice is yours."