Sitting down on the luxurious leather white airplane seats, Russell along with the woman and everybody on board fasten their seatbelt once the luggage a were place above them. Unbuttoning his suit, the young man sighed in relief shutting his green eyes, "Not to be rude young man, but you sound exhausted. You are all right young man?" Sounding concern the polka dotted dress, with black heels,blue eyes, few wrinkles around the pale white face female.
"I'd be lying if I told you yes and if I told you no I will come across as rude." Crossing his long tailor pant legs, the man traveling to Japan looked away, "just recently lost father to cancer on my birthday who happen to bought my ticket to Japan on such short notice I had to say goodbye to my boyfriend, and two close friends." In awe, the 50's inspired fashioner paced her hand on his. Quickly looking back, the woman moved her hand.
"S,s,sorry. Didn't mean to frighten you or anything like that. Just thought," Taking the wrinkle hand of the kind woman, Russell smile in a genuine matter reassuring her it is fine. Feeling his warm hands, she smile too.
"Look, I may have it bad right now; but others have it have it worse. Take my good friend Aubrey Durante for example." Putting the thick glasses over his forehead, Russell shut his tired green eyes as he began to tell the woman how he meant Aubrey. "It all began four years ago when I met the young Paul Newman look alike."
Outside the local high school on a warm and balmy spring day, a young Aubrey Durante wearing a Peyote's High School T-shirt with their mascot's head, Cody Coyote; is practice batting to make the school's baseball team. "Focus, focus. Eye on the ball and," swung on and missed by the young blonde who happens to have his mind else where. Swinging the bat on the ground like a club, Durante grunted in frustration.
"You know. I may not be a jock or anything, but I think in baseball you have to swing the ball; not miss it." Overhearing the sassy remark from the bench, the struggling player turned around to see who was mocking him. Walking closer, the skinny brown short curly hair teenager with a clean shaven, blue jeans, zipper down green hoodie, graphic tee smudged a smirk with his hands in pockets, "you just have to let go whatever is troubling you and connect it to the bat." Shrugging it off, the fellow teenager sat down while holding his knees up.
Shifting his blue eyes back to self pitch the baseball, Aubrey listen to the advice, and hit one over the fence. "Hmp, the smart ass made a valid point." Picking up his gym bag, the athlete walked up to scrawny, one shoelace untie punk. Looking up, Russell puts down his hood. "Hey, I'm Aubrey Durante I wanted to thank you for that advice." Walking up to hold his hand to fist pump it.
Fist pumping it back, "Russell Mayo-Soto Madison, just like saying so toe. Nice to see something new in the view." Baffle by it, the blonde jock looked at this strange peer with an raised eyebrow, "judging by your swings and eye contact, you have a lot on your mind; don't you?" Crossing his long skinny legs while watching the sun setting. Still standing above, Durante turned away to see the red sky on the chilly late afternoon.
"Yeah, but it has nothing to do with you. I was hoping to make the baseball team to forget about my worries." Looking back at Russell who happens to be in his world, "haven't I heard of you before? Your name sounds familiar." Making eye contact the two teenage boys, "your dad Jared, he is building that hotel here ain't he?" Nodding yes, the hooded boy jumped down and place his hands in his pockets.
"Yep. And you're that millionaire kid model whose crazy jealous dad killed his pretty mum." Moving his short curly hair to the side, "you can come over if you want. My dad was great at cricket, maybe he will give you some pointers." Thinking about it for a moment, Aubrey ran up to Russell to take the invite. Watching over his shoulder, the friendly teenager smile to himself.
Noticing a brief British accent from Russell, Durante thought he asked, "You just had just a mild accent, and your dad is British I take it, right? But," Laughing at it, the runt simply laughed at it.
"It is because I am and my mum was Puerto Rican. Her maiden name is my middle." And that's how those became good friends even to this date.
Mumbling the final sentence, the exhausted newly hotel owner fell sound asleep on the woman's shoulder. Snoring which sounded like an empty stomach rumbling. In respect, the middle-age woman got cozy to rest as well, patiently waiting for the young man to awaken.
"With all due respect Aubrey, you and Russell seem like an unlikely pair to become friends." Bruce stated while placing a British flag over the bodybag as Papillion put flowers on the side. "No offense of course, you are more uptight than he is." Helping the two get up from the ground, the blonde stare at the billionaire.
"None taken. Sometimes you just need someone that is out of the box to cope with whatever is troubling you." Flat on his stomach, use his 6 foot 2 inches body frame long arm's to use to pull his 5 foot tall girlfriend up into his arms. "I will be first to admit his smart ass mouth was something I wasn't always keen on. But some of us are a teenage dirtbag, and to remind us we shouldn't take ourselves seriously always or it will be our downfall." As Bruce Wayne pulled himself up which lead for Aubrey to be impressed. "Show off." Remarking to the athlete's ability.
Back in the heart of Peyote where Little White are on their white motorcycles, driving into an dark, narrow alley. Amanita, leader of the group waved his arm to single in the gang spotting Sirius coming over. In the alley is also a hotdog cart which an elder couple got out of their '78 Delta 88 Oldsmobile car to have an innocent late night snack. Grinning to himself underneath the skull mask, the leader of the pack went full force to the engine running vehicle's gas tank. The others aimed for the stand to tip it over.
The elder man dropped the hotdog to hold on to his scared wife close by, having arms around her tightly, shielding the elder woman.
Catching the wanted attention Little White, the multiracial boyfriend ran quickly. Having banged the gas tank hard enough to open it to pour the gasoline out. Amanita and his members stroke matches on the ground to light a fire. The elder senior age spotted them, holding his terrified wife close to him. The venue owner ran away with Sirius at the scene with the fire burst into high flames, circling them in. Hearing the men laugh, they rode off leaving the three victims in the situation.
Trying to keep calm, Sirius kept a poker face on being scared to the elder couple with flames becoming thicker. Bricks from the building above them started to fall from above. Hemoglobin watching from above is pushing the bricks in his camouflage dark clothing. With the classic car up in flames and the three caved, Russell's boyfriend in flames and burnt saved the elder couple first before himself caved in the narrow alley's fire. "Go on, you guys go to safety!" Shouted the noble's young man requested.
In his deep sleep on the airplane, at the same time of the events of Peyote Russell is having a nightmare. Inside the mind is flames in which he is on his knees, reaching out to him, screaming out in pain and agony with face melting off from the fire. "Russell, help me." Calling out to the lover, the young man poured out sweat from the head down to the hands. This concern the woman next to shake her fellow passenger calling over a stewardess to bring water.
Unable to hear her, Russell clench tighter, veins becoming visible, heartbeat going faster, seeing the nightmare becoming more realistic woke up in panic and fear. Breathing heavily, the young man woke up in terror shock. Having his green eyes minimize the woman took the water bottle that was give for him to drink, "Are you okay; what happen?" inquired the concern woman who is touching the sweaty frighten Russell. Taking the drink, looked in fear is still in disarray. "Sir, may I have towel too?" Calling back the stewardess.
"It's nothing," with a cold tone, Russell fears for the worst, "Nothing that you can help with." Looking away with his hands cup above the lips, having tears come down one eye. Having concern, the woman tried to console. "Did I tell, you can't!" Barking without realizing what he has done quickly shifting mood swing. Having seeing his own hands tremble in fear. "Sorry, really I am so sorry." Quickly apologizing with his voice shaking the woman cooled him down with the towel soaked in water.
"I deal with it on a daily bases at work." Humming softly, everybody relaxed on the flight. "He's fine folks. No need to panic." Looking with fear, Russell told the woman to stop at what she was doing and he will be fine, it happens from time to time. Buttoning up shirt and tying the tie to relax with hands behind his head. "How can you be so relax after all that?"
Faking a wide smile to himself, "Easy, I was told it was gift; so I take as so." Looking with concern the woman lean forward to him, "would you deny your gift?" As he lean back, checking his watch to see the time, then put on Sirius' IPod to listen to music.
"An angel's smile is what you said. You promise me heaven then put me through hell." Gulping loudly, this made young man unease feeling guilty through the lyrics looking back at the woman. Quickly changing the song to only hear, "before the story begins, is it wrong to take what's mine? We were more than just friends. Our love has been too strong for too long, I was weak that something would go wrong." Quickly shutting the device off, the man took the water bottle to drink from it. Only to hear voices in his head, "come back, come back we will live forever."
"Are we almost there?" Question the keeping calm young man, taking a heavy exhale. The woman nodded with small, but sweet smile.
With everything finished at the Madison's home the group decided to held their own path. "Are you sure Aubrey? It will be no problem for Alfred and I." Reassuring the billionaire and his butler, the former model's son and girlfriend walked their way back home as the other two drove their way back to Gotham. As the couple held to their home. Papillion looked up at her man.
"I know we haven't had much sleep, but Dante I want to finish on my project." Yawning, the willing Asian fell asleep in Aubrey arm. Pulling Papillion close to him, looked worried, wondering why Sirius hasn't text or call. Attempting to do so on their stroll, the aspiring attorney to call. With no answer, the blonde didn't worried since he could be asleep, so instead he left a text while trying to keep awake and protecting his lover, kissing her forehead softly.
"Don't worry my dear, I will help fund Russell's gift." While second thinking he should of taken Bruce's offer as rain storm came pouring down. Still with his cellphone out, Aubrey texted a banana on wheels to come pick the couple on location. "Just wish everyone is okay."
Back inside Goodnight's HQ, Lepiota checked on the Orbit smartphone which alerted the woman of breaking news. "Now m'lady, do your wonders!" Demanding to be done at once, B.N.'s lady put her phone away to focus on the high consecration needed to mind wrap the citizen of Peyote. Good timing for Little White and Hemoglobin whom both enter the open the window of building. Sending out the strong psychic airwave began warping the innocent people. "Good, good! Soon everyone will blame that fag's boyfriend and slowly ruin Russel's father reputation who worked so hard building for his son."
Lepiota collapsed on the ground from the strong energy. Goodnight caught his woman arms up and place her on his leather desk chair. "Quick, you fools; give Lepiota some water." Strange to a select few, but common to most that B.N.'s kindness is only to his soon to be wife.
"If you asked me, turning this whole city to a bunch of whack like him, his woman wouldn't be in this predicament." Mumble a henchmen under his masked breath. Overhearing it himself Goodnight, eyes turned to a bright neon green, skin pitch black, reached out his lime color long sharp finger tails to his face turning it into a real skull unlike the mask prior to the event. Slowly eating the flesh on the body, like acid. Screaming in pain, the former human turned into a tiny mushroom as the rest of his men stepped back.
"Anybody else dare to talk about my Lady, imbeciles?" Bellowed the leader as he held his woman as she is resurrected, "suffer the same fate if you dare." Lepiota reached out her hand to Goodnight's reverted face with a weak smile. "Damn it, I said, dare!" Each of Little White stepped back once more with Hemoglobin enter the room, crushing the mushroom.
The people in the room all stared at the assassin. B.N. asked the mute if he took out Sirius
Nodding his head as Lady Goodnight got up if nothing were to happen to her to check the sharpshooter's mind. "Hemoglobin and Amanita burn Sirius alive in a car fire, with blocks falling on him. Having the man closed in with no chance of escaped in the narrow alley." Looking around the men in room wondered, "maybe I speak for everyone, but we should get some needed rest." Yawning, Lepiota fell asleep in her man's arm. "And yes everyone, I did convert the city." Looking outside, a purple and blue aura is circling the city, warping the mind of many.
Jumping forward on his seat, Russell looked around. "Relax, we are getting ready to land." Checking his watch as some time did pass, the young man wondered how long he was asleep for. "You out cold for a good six hours, I didn't want to wake you though since you were snoring. I just thought of it as the engine roaring next to me. No biggie. So what are you here for business?" The woman judge by the way he was dress and being unable to sleep.
"To be completely honest with you, I don't know." This confused the inquired one, "all I know my father bought me my ticket for my birthday." With the alert letting the passengers know to keep their seat belts on until a complete stop. "But maybe Japan will have an answer to my many questions. Oh," laughing nervously to himself, "I rudely never introduced myself, my name is Russell Madison, love the 50's look." With the airplane came to complete stop, everyone it is safe to unbuckle, the time and temperature was told, and to grab their luggage. The woman just kindly smile.
"You are too much of a gentleman. It's rare nowadays men aren't good looking and polite " Looking at him closer she notice a five o' clock shadow on him. "speaking of which, you should keep that look." Addressing the facial hair without wording it, the two unbuckle their seats, grabbed their luggages, to walked down the terminal. "Goodbye, and take care of yourself, sweetie."
Wondering what she meant by, 'keep the look,' Russell walked down the long lane only to see a strange man wearing black hakama pants and hitatare robe with a single orange stripe going down on both end of the hitatare, long black hair in a ponytail, tabi socks, straw sandals, and a sign that read the name, 'Russell Madison'. Looking at the strange Japanese man, the title man stopped as he pointed to himself. "Is this guy cosplaying or something?" Eyeing the aura that feels different from anybody else in the area.
"Foolish, but since you don't know him, that's Komadori sama and I am Azalea san, he is here to train you to manifest your gift better and I am his helper." Putting down his leather luggage and looked at the black woman with long straight dyed purple hair with hot pink highlights at the bottom tip dressed in a white kimado and hazelnut eyes. "Come on, we have a metro to get. And don't worry, sensai and I have a ticket for you."
Looking at Azalea, Russell notice there's a strange aura around her and is being extra careful and if the middle age Komadori knows about it. "You may not know myself, but your father and I have met in military; I even known your mother, Bellarosa." Walking out, "you look just like Jared all but the beard and frame. Come now, we made too much small talk. We have a bullet train to catch."
"For a moment there I almost thought you were a mute." Twitching his eyebrow, Komadori resented the remark. "It's not what I meant, I just figure Azalea was going to do all the talking." Sighing to himself, "I knew I should of ate on the plane, but I was more concern with what I was seeing and worrying about Peyote. But wait, what did he mean by, frame."
Azalea shook her head as she took Russell luggage.
"Your frame is the size of your brain or something? Master means you seem a little underweight; is what's troubling keeping you from eating?" Komadori looked coldly at the black woman as the two walked behind the middle age man.
Russell nodded and what keeps him up. "that's no excuse especially now the training master will put you in. You will need all the strength you can get." Poking his stomach hoping for a giggle, but nothing due to young man being space out.
"Russell, if we may have a heart to heart alone." Excusing himself from wild color hair, Azalea. The young man followed to samurai dressed man. "I will make this brief before the metro arrives. I know of your abilities and that is why your father wished for you to come all way here; to help manifest them."
Shifting his green eyes to the side, "More like a curse. And who says I need your help? I've been fine without anyone's help before and I can do without it. If this what's all about then I will help myself back to Peyote. Plus my mum has nothing to do this damn curse of mine. Nothing! So leave her out of it." Veins erected on the side of Russell's red neck, "And don't think I am cranky for one minute, Azalea." The black woman whistle to herself as that was her exact thoughts, as the bellowed man huffed out his anger. Puzzled, Russell wondered if he could start reading minds too or it was just a mere fluke.
Standing calmly next his father's friend son with hands in the robe, "Now that is out of system, we can leave. Come now Azalea, we have to arrive to my shrine young Russell. There you will be able to wash up, eat, and rest for tomorrow your training begins with me." Still in the back of his mind, the young man wonder why he still senses two different aura.
Will Russell find out soon? Stay tune!