Note: It'll pick up in the next few chapters I promise :D!
Disclaimer: Once again I do NOT own any part of Transformers; that's Hasbros.
No flames welcome; I've got my bucket handy!
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Her bike sped toward the more coastal area of San Diego, where her Uncles condominium sat off by its self, amongst the trees and bushes of the area. Slowly, she drove up to the bluish house and revved the throttle of the car, causing the loud roar to grow in volume.
Avery heard this and jumped out of his recliner, scampering almost, outside to see his niece. "ELIZABETH!" His voice almost cracked at the volume, straining now over the roar of the bike.
She dismounted it and walked over to her Uncle, slowly taking the helmet off. Her hair was a ruddy auburn, just like his, but the under tones had been dyed jet black, like her fathers hair. Her eyes, were like those of her beautiful mother, but with more green.
As she neared, his arms enveloped her rather muscular frame in a tight embrace. Her arms automatically moved around her Uncle's neck and hugged back.
"Liz, you've gotten so big... And you've grown so tall." He began to laugh. "It's been too long kiddo. Way too long." Placing a hand on her shoulder, he looked her over. "And you've gained a lot of muscle too..."
"Ave, when you work on cars, it can happen, and when I'm gone for two years, never again, it happens." She said, her voice full of vibrant joy, though clearly quite serious about never being gone that long again.. "I'm just glad to be back. This place hasn't changed since the last time I was here..."
Avery smiled and put his arm around her shoulder. "What on EARTH did you do to your bike?!" He asked, looking at the skull front plate, the clawed front fender, and the flame engraved dual exhaust pipes.
"I changed it." She laughed, smiling at him. "They call me the Manson of cars now. I tend to bring out the worst in most of the ones I work on, making them look like an Ozzy Osbourne car." Laughing, she added; "Most people just call me Manson now."
Avery looked at the car while she spoke and then at her. "But you still need to learn how to properly tune up an engine, yours sounds horrible." He jeered, smiling wide.
"Teach me!" She laughed, pushing her Uncle lightly.
"I will when we get to Tokyo. First, we're going to relax on the beaches and I'm going to take you to my favorite place in this town." Avery said, looking down at Liz. "Our plane doesn't leave until next Thursday anyway."
Liz just looked up at him with a blank stare, having no idea on earth what he was talking about. "Avery..."
"Nope! Just go put your sack in the house and then we'll head out to go shopping! Your dear old Uncle knows you didn't bring a lot from home. And I don't blame you either." He chuckled to her, ushering her into his house.
Not only was the size of his house modest, but the food in it was as well. Avery didn't believe in living the high life and only buying the finest. His money meant nothing to him, unless Liz wanted something.
"You're really chipper Ave. It's scaring me." Liz laughed, walking by her Uncle who was busy munching on a piece of home made cake. "Is there any of that left for me?" She asked, peering over his shoulder slightly.
"Of course!" Was muffled, but still heard, as he got up and pulled open the fridge. There on the middle shelf was a cake shaped much like a car, though missing a headlight and part of it's hood thanks to Avery's stomach.
Liz took her own piece and quickly ate it. "Now what?" She asked, looking at Ave with a curious gaze.
"We go shopping." His cheery attitude brightened more.
"For what?" Liz's face seemed to contort to the opposite of Avery's.
"You'll see." He only said, grinning. He motioned for her to follow him and she did, only to walk into the garage and see a cleaned up old Mustang looking as though it had just been bought.
"A Mustang?!" She screeched, only to calm and run her hand over the surface of the hood. "What year is this thing?!" Her lit up eyes turned to her Uncle.
"'86." He replied simply, opening the door and sliding into the car. "C'mon, get in, lets into the major part of town." He said, pushing the passenger door open.
"It's so beautiful..." She muttered, getting into the car and gasping at the interior. "Uncle you've restored this car so well!"
He laughed and turned on the engine, listening to it purr. He pulled out and they were on the way into town before she knew it.
The scenery passed by without conflict. The trees swaying to the gentle breeze and the smell of the ocean lingering over the area. Before either of them could start talking, they were in the heart of San Diego, on their was to buy Liz some new clothes. Spotting what she thought to be a decent looking thrift shop, she made Avery stop and park. "Let's go in here first!" She exclaimed, looking at Avery with pleading eyes.
"Alright, alright. Geeze." He laughed, getting out and shutting the car door. "It looks okay from out here, but if it looks like crap inside, it was your call." He grinned, only to have Liz retort with her tongue ticking out.
When she walked in, she squealed and rather loudly at that, causing the clerk to jump, but all the same offer a greeting. Liz waved to justify that she was sorry and aware, and scampered off toward the more daring outfits.
Most of the days proceeded this way with the shopping and laying around the beach, even working on cars, and the weeks wait for Tokyo seemed to grow shorter quickly. The Monday before the trip, Avery took Liz back into the town, at first, with the intention to only buy larger suitcases.
"So, what's up with all the turtle neck outfits and scarfs, Liz?" Avery finally broke the silence in the store.
"You of all people would know Uncle..." Liz's tone grew distant, as if already erasing the conversation. Her hand seemed to betray her reply, as it slowly traveled to the back of her neck, where her scar still showed.
"I suppose I would..." Avery's tone now, was more guilt filled. "I still feel responsible for what happened as well..." And now, he knew exactly what they were going to do that day. He looked at his niece, noticing for the first time just how many piercings she had, the style of her clothing...
Her style had changed since Avery had last seen her. The jeans she wore were ripped up and worn out, with a bandanna around one thigh, the back pocket had 'Live fast' written on it in what he guessed was permanent marker. Se adorned a spiked collar and six piercings in each ear. The only piercing that really stood out was her eyebrow stud. 'She's changed so much..'
Eventually, they both purchased rather large suitcases, and got back in the car. Liz had remained silent since her Uncle's comment, only to gaze out her window and watch the scenery change as they sped off toward the beach.
After a while, they arrive in front of a quaint little shop. "Let's go in here for a little bit. Alright?" Avery's tone was light, but worried at the quietness of his niece.
"Alright." She muttered, taking off her seat bet and getting out of the car. Following her Uncle in, she gasped at the interior. "Ave... A tattoo parlor?" Liz's eyes wandered toward a girl in the farthest seat, her tattoo covering her entire left thigh. 'God that looks painful...'
Avery nodded at Liz, waving to one of the artist behind the counter, who clearly knew Avery very well and began to joke with him.
Eventually, Avery talked Liz into getting a tattoo that covered the scar on her neck. She chose the Egyptian symbol for the first born. They were able to do the tattoo right away, and as soon as they had returned to Avery's place, Liz changed immediately into a better outfit that showed off more of her pale skin and muscle..
That Wednesday, they both took the day off to pack, and the next day, there were on a plane, heading straight for Tokyo.
However, at the airport, the delay on the flight had allowed Liz to spot a jet and walk over to it, running her hands smoothly over it. "Gorgeous..." She muttered. A symbol on the side of the jet caught her eye. She quickly copied it down and stuffed the piece of paper in her back pocket and ran back to her Uncle, grabbing her bags and heading for the gate.
They were on that plane for a grand total of eight hours., but the entire time, with this addition of her music, she could only think of the symbol she had seen and what it meant.
Avery had fallen asleep, and the only other person awake was a young Japanese girl, who was smiling at Liz. The girl had short layered brown hair, with streaks of different shades of blue in her hair. She was skinny, and seemed a little tired, but her brilliant blue eyes made her look so alive.
Getting up, she walked over to the girl and sat down beside her, smiling. "I'm Liz." She said, holding out her hand. "Asuka." the other girl said, shaking Liz's.
"You're going to Tokyo?" Asuka asked in a softer voice. Liz nodded in reply and smiled. "What district?"
A shocking question to hear. "There are districts?" Liz's tone was that of curiosity which made the other girl giggle softly. "What are they?" Liz asked, now very intrigued in Japan.
The girl went to explain the many different districts and what they were. And just like that, they heard the warning that they would be arriving soon. They both shook hands sand Liz went back to Avery. "Avery, get up you weirdo. We're almost there." She said, nudging him.
Avery grumbled and opens his eyes, looking at Liz. "But I wanna ride the pony ma – I mean... I'm up." The pink on his face gave away his embarrassment, but Liz knew she could still have fun with this one later.
Out and off the plane, Liz looked at Avery with a worried face. "How are we gonna get to the hotel?"
"We'll find a face to take us. Don't worry." Avery said, walking over to the street and finding a cab, which soon took them off into the new world of Tokyo.