Kain Intro. Setting shit up!

"I swear Boss is losing it. He walked in to work two hours late all freaked out, and asked me what he did between 9:00 and 11:00. Of course I had no idea - so he checks himself into the hospital. I don't even know anymore. We got nothing done today."

Rock sighed and poked at his chicken pot pie. He was sitting in a restaurant eating lunch with his dad, opting to leave work early - since his employer had lost all his marbles and was undoubtedly harassing the local hospital for every illicit drug test under the sun. It'd been a long time since Rock had seen his employer so terrified - he must have smoked some really bad stuff. Usually Iori didn't get stoned before work though... whatever.

Terry was working on his burger and paused to chuckle. There was still a bit of concern in his voice (he just didn't like Iori very much) but evidently Rock was neither injured nor suffering any sort of mental trauma from Iori's recent episode. Rock had long been de-sensitized to the insanity.

Terry just rolled his eyes.

"Welp, I'm sure that kook can take care of himself. I'm surprised nobody's hired a babysitter for him yet… by the way, are you sure it's okay for you to just leave work in the middle of the day? What if he comes back and you're not there? I mean, he is paying you, right?"

Rock shrugged a response.

"Eh, he'll call me if he needs me. Honestly Boss doesn't really care about what I'm paid for, and what I'm not. I asked for a twenty percent raise last month just to see if he'd give it to me, and you know what he said?"

Terry shook his head 'No'.

"He goes, 'Don't you still have my bank-card? I think you're a signatory. Just write your own paycheck'."

"Phew~ Damn."

"Yup."

Rock nodded and grinned. It wasn't often that he called his father to eat lunch with him. Usually he either ate with his coworkers if he didn't have class that afternoon, or with his friends if he did. Sometimes friends dropped in at work to say hi, catch lunch on the Company card and take selfies with his Boss. Iori complained incessantly about them, but Rock discerned he rather liked the attention.

"Haha, you're really making it in the world buddy. I'm glad to hear it… anyways." Terry knitted his fingers together and rested his chin on his hands. He nodded to Rock, and the levity fell out of the conversation.

"What was it you needed to talk to me about."

Rock put his fork down and let out a slow breath. He held his cheek in his hand and stared at the table, thinking about how to formulate his words.

This morning had been eventful to say the least. Obviously Iori had gone and hallucinated something, but Rock also had his own share of drama. He had been kidnapped this morning by his Uncle - Kain Heinlein, and asked to go to war against SouthTown's Kingpin - Geese Howard.

Of course, Rock wasn't going to have any part in it - but he definitely wanted to let his dad know what had happened. Terry was a gentle soul. Kind, understanding, a bit of a goof. Sometimes he didn't notice things, and ended up screwing stuff up, but when push came to shove, he was one of the most reliable people Rock knew - especially concerning the topic at hand.

Terry was well connected with the police, had his finger on the pulse of SouthTown's gang activities, and if Rock ever came into conflict with Geese Howard - Terry Bogard would be there, ready to hand out brutal beatdowns. There was a rumor that SouthTown's Legendary Wolf was the only person in SouthTown Geese Howard was afraid of - something almost unbelievable concerning Terry's teddy-bear nature… but Rock knew just how strong his dad was. Even Iori didn't tangle with him… especially after Terry broke his arm.

I guess I'll just spill all the beans…

Terry was stirring his coffee, waiting patiently for him to figure out what he wanted to say. Rock raised his head - deciding to trust his father with every detail of his morning adventure.

"So… I got kidnapped this morning."

"WHAT!?"

Terry toppled his coffee as he stood to his feet. Rock grimaced (oops, bad start) and waved his father back into the booth. The other diners in the restaurant were all staring at them. Second-hand embarrassment was something Rock had since become so used to, it barely phased him anymore.

After a moment, Terry sat back down - looked significantly less placid than before.

"My uncle. Kain Heinlein? His goons nabbed me to chat with him. He was saying something like," Rock mimicked his uncle's voice, "The time is right to take down Geese Howard.' he wants me to join him… I told him no. Then they drove me back to work."

Terry flinched at the name 'Kain Heinlein'. Evidently, it meant something to him - but he remained silent, waiting for Rock to finish divulging whatever else he wanted to share.

"... They didn't hurt me - I'm telling you cause I know you're gonna ask. But they did give me a phone number." Rock pulled a business card out of his wallet and slid it across the table. "They said to call if I wanted to go take 'That bastard' down with them. I just wanted to let you know… since, you know… gang stuff."

Rock shrugged and started back into his pot-pie. Terry let out a sigh and drummed his fingers on the tabletop. He pursed his lips, then shook his head and addressed Rock in a serious tone.

"Hey, Rocky."

Rock raised his head. He was a bit concerned with the serious look on his Dad's face. Terry rarely put on such a grave expression. Rock narrowed his eyes, not knowing what to expect.

"Kain… he used to be Geese's underboss. He's a real psycho - that one. Tons and tons of murders have been traced back to him. You made the right decision. You want nothing to do with that guy."

Rock dropped his fork in shock. His uncle was Geese's underboss? No wonder mom didn't want him hanging around the man! This was unexpected… but after a bit of consideration, it wasn't particularly surprising. After all, Rock had been kidnapped to have a conversation with Kain. It only made sense for him to be some higher up in a gang organization…

Terry continued.

"Last I've heard - when the Mayor was negotiating the peace treaty for SouthTown three years ago, one of his conditions was Heinlein had to be exiled from the country. That's the kind of guy we're talking about. I'm glad he didn't hurt you."

He's a gang boss, crazy and also violent?… no way. I'd never work with someone like that.

Rock sighed, shook his head and picked up the business card Kain had given him. He crumpled it up and was about to throw it away when Terry grabbed his hand to stop him.

"Hold on Rocky, let me keep the card. The police would love to lock Kain up. He killed a lot of good cops back in the day. Let me take a photo too...Hold on - "

Rock watched as his father fumbled with his flip phone in an attempt to find the built in camera. He couldn't find it (Terry wasn't great at technology), and eventually Rock sighed and took the photo himself - assuring Terry he'd text the picture to him.

"Don't worry. I'll send it to you… Man, A lot of my relatives are gang people, huh?... you think Kain can take on Geese?"

Terry chuckled as he stood up. He brushed off his jacket and slotted Kain's business card into his wallet.

"Kain beating Geese? Nah, not a chance in hell… maybe if there's other stuff going on at the same time - but alone? Forget it. Geese is a smart old dog. Kain is just a nutjob. Anywho, don't let it bother you Rocky. Let me handle this, alright? I'm gonna take this down to the police station… I'll see you tonight."

"Alright, thanks Dad."

"And stay out of trouble kiddo... No gang stuff for you."

"Yeah Dad."

"Didn't you say you had an exam coming up? Are you ready for it?"

"Yeah, yeah... don't worry about me. Adam's got my back. We're supposed to study tonight."

"Okay... and If Iori does anything to y-"

"I know dad. Stop it. Just go."

* Rock won't work with anyone who is:

1) A nutjob

2) a gang boss

3) violent.

GG yag. lol.