We're getting back into the bi-weekly updates and I couldn't be happier.
Year Two: A Heavier Load
Operations' Training Room A - 18:16 PM
Having finished their drills before the rest of the class, Xavier and Brody stand to the side, pacing in circles to keep their bodies moving. Their professor let them step out for a break since they finished early, but they decided to stay for a bit and take a break with the others.
"Two steps forwards with one step back is still one step forwards," Brody says.
Xavier looks at him, waiting for him to continue talking but he stops. "What?"
Brody shrugs. "I read it as my mantra of the day. It seems like some good advice."
"Have you put it to use yet? Day's almost over."
Brody is about to respond. He gets distracted by something behind them. Xavier looks over and sees Orchid walk in. She's in her training uniform as well because she has her class now just down the hall. Orchid waves at them with both of her hands as she walks over to them. She stands between them and reaches up to pat their heads.
"Hi, Bestie," she says to Xavier before turning to Brody. "Hi, Brody."
"Vermillion!" The prof exclaims.
Orchid smiles, removing her hand from Brody's head just to wave at the prof before returning it to Brody's beach blond locks.
"You're not in my class now," the prof continues.
"I know, sir," Orchid responds. "Agent Crane wanted me to get some resistance bands but I wanted to say hi to my boys." She pats them on their heads, despite being a head shorter, before smiling at them.
Their prof shrugs. "Just get back to Crane on time."
"Yes, sir." She looks at Brody. "Wait for me until my class is done." Two steps forwards.
Orchid heads over to the storage unit. She comes out seconds later with some resistance bands. She has one in her hands, stretches it, and winks at Brody before leaving. One step back. Xavier coughs, wondering if he should've seen that. He shouldn't have. He really shouldn't have.
"Sir, I'm going on a break now," Brody exclaims before running out after her. Still a step forwards.
Xavier smiles, laughing when Brody almost crashes into the door on his way out. Xavier's proud of himself. Regardless of what anyone says, he takes all the credit for making that happen.
-o-
The River Tribe, Wakanda - 21:00 PM
Iqadi and Imanu are in attendance at a small ceremony hosted by The River Tribe. Since this event is following annual ritual at The Warrior Falls, King T'Challa and Queen Ororo usually attend but, as a part of getting used to royal responsibilities, Iqadi and Imanu are present.
A lot of them want to know when she'll take the mantle, and if she's either waiting for it to be handed to her or if she'll challenge her father for it.
"I have my money on a natural succession but I want to see her take down the King," someone jokes.
Iqadi laughs. "Considering that he's my trainer, he'll know my moves. I think that's what he planned."
As she continues to laugh about her future reign, Imanu is elsewhere in the banquet hall, conversing with other officials.
"What about you, my Prince?" Someone asks. "What type of succession are you hoping for?"
Imanu shrugs. "Natural, if I'm going to be honest."
He looks over at Iqadi and she meets his eyes. Instead of smiling overjoyed, their faces are muted. There are two types of quiet people. Iqadi is the secret storm and spinning clouds. Imanu's the kind who's the personification of an ocean on a sunny day. Both calm but with different consequences.
-o-
Concrete Beach - 18:19 PM
Keith didn't want to go to Concrete Beach but James insisted, and he would never argue with the person who invited him and will cover their tab. Why couldn't they go to The Boiler Room? He would feel much more comfortable there. At least Keith would be at home with people he recognizes and not those he fears and despises. Everyone here, maybe even James, has more muscle than he can even dream. They were all wearing their training uniforms or workout clothes - did they not own any other outfits? - while Keith was wearing his best Star Trek tee.
He won't pick a fight but if he gets beer spilled on this shirt, he's throwing fists.
"Hey, James!" Some boys chant, going to greet him.
Keith stands back, letting James get all the love from literally everyone here. James was someone who could blend in with any crowd and he doesn't get it. Maybe he'll find out tonight if one of these Operations jocks don't eat him alive or strap him to the mechanical bull. Lucky for him, for once, James took the spotlight. As if he'd want attention here.
Once that's done, Keith follows James to the bar where they take their seats.
"What are you getting?" James asks.
"I don't drink," Keith responds.
James blinks before smiling. "Well, this'll be fun."
-o-
Operations' Lecture Hall - 18:45 PM
Angela didn't care much for this lecture. Her prof could be doing acrobatics and she still wouldn't look up from her phone. But if she got anything from the two seconds she was alert, they were reviewing emergency field codes. Merida sits next to her, not really taking notes for them both. Instead, she looks over, peering over Angela's shoulder to see her phone screen. It was Angela's schedule and there was always something in a time slot.
"There," Merida says, pointing at a blank space. It was in the middle of the night. "Let's grab drinks."
"If I could get drunk, that would be great."
-o-
Concrete Beach - 18:46 PM
Keith was never a drinker and seeing James down a few shots and already be miserable was not only hilarious, but convinced him never to have a drink for the rest of his life. His mom would like James which is disturbing. He had one soda and barely finished it but wants to call it a night. However, James hasn't started delving into why they're sitting in a bar that Keith wants to shove into his cabinet of repressed memories.
"I wanted to talk to you," James says.
"What am I?" Keith responds. "Your therapist?"
James nods. "Try me. Do an analysis."
Keith has to bite on his tongue for this one. Oh, the things he's thought of about James. He could write up an entire character analysis. "You make jokes because you're afraid to take anything seriously because that's when they'll matter."
James gasps a little. Is he drunk? "Wow. My turn."
"No."
"Come on. I know you."
Keith shakes his head, wanting to laugh but finishes his glass instead. "No, you don't. Nobody does. Everyone is a main character to someone but not me. I'm not anyone's first choice. I'm not anyone's favourite. People could tell me that I mean a lot to them, that I'm special to them, but there's always someone they will choose over me."
James nods, ordering them another round. Keith did the work for him but he's wrong. "I chose you over my friends."
Keith thinks about that for a bit before succumbing to defeat. "Dammit."
James laughs as his shots and Keith's soda arrives. After a few shots, James starts to get into why he asked Keith to join him. It helps that he doesn't know Angela like Daniel or Merida. He may have a bias but it's not like theirs. Daniel would bring up old memories and Merida would threaten to kill him. Keith would be more concerned about why he's still here when he has a paper due next week to finish early. A paper James hasn't even thought of.
"Look," James states, "I love my girlfriend, I genuinely do. She's the best thing that could've happened to me since my birth."
Keith rolls his eyes. "Even drunk, you're still sober."
James cracks a smile for a second. "But Angela's always busy. And I'm not talking about being preoccupied with stupid things. I'm talking about things that are good for her. Like, school things and possible work things. I feel bad that she has to make room in her schedule for me."
"I thought you, of all people, would like that."
"But what if she misses out on a really good opportunity because she decided to hook up with me instead? Do you know how bad that'll make me feel?"
Even drunk, he still thinks like a normal narcissistic human being. Always thinking things are his fault. Keith finds that remarkable, as much as he hates to admit it. "What if she wants to hook up with you?"
James shrugs. "Who could blame her?"
Keith rolls his eyes, resisting the urge to throw up at the same time. He didn't want to make time for James but look where he is now. He watches as James tries to order another round and Keith has to grab his arm and force it back down.
"But rubbing alcohol can fix exterior boo-boos so drinking alcohol fixes inside boo-boos," James argues.
Keith gives him a face. Forget what he said about James being intelligent in this state of mind. The boy literally said boo-boos twice. " … no."
James pulls back, frowning. "Fine."
Keith looks at the bartender. "I'll have another sprite -"
James slams his fists on the bar. It startles Keith but not the bartender. He's definitely seen worse things in here. Keith's glad he didn't fall off his stool or else he would never hear the end of it. He's not concerned about the Operations' jocks remembering because he will never face them again. He'll be the only one with the memory and it will haunt him when he leasts expects it or when he thinks he'll forget it.
"Give him an Italian soda this time," James says to the bartender.
Keith hesitates, realizing that's just club soda and flavouring so it's fine. "Okay, but why?"
"It has no alcohol."
"Still."
"Because Emily Stark's in Italy."
Keith nods. Good enough for him. He orders another round for James and he claps when it arrives. The Italian soda is as good as her. Wow, James is good. Again, something he would never admit. Is it possible to get drunk on these because he thinks he's getting woozy.
"What's worse than death?" James asks.
"Being seen for who you are," Keith responds quickly, poking the cherries in his drink with his straw.
"Who are you?"
Keith freezes, looking at James. " … Keith."
"Good answer."
"Who are you?"
James munches on some pretzels from the bowl in front of them. Probably should've had some chasers first. "Someone who had the light dawn on them that my first relationship was so simple."
"Was it serious?"
"Yes … for a kindergarten one."
Keith isn't surprised to hear that but it's still news. Before he could say anything, James gets a text and checks his phone.
"It's Angela," James says as he starts typing back. "This is it. It has dawned on me what I have to do. I think it's the right thing."
"Why dawned out of all words?" Keith asks.
"Dawn was my kindergarten girlfriend."
"Of course she was." Keith looks at him. "Whatever you're thinking about with Angela, just know that you're an idiot."
"It's time to lighten her load."
Keith chokes and has to cough a bit. " … what?"
James pits a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for joining me, Keith."
"You made me."
"I shall be on my way."
James finishes his shots before dropping some bills and heading out. Keith makes a run for it too because there's no way he'll be here and expected to walk out of here on his own.
"The Academy will turn our lives inside-out," James says as they exit Concrete Beach. It's already dark outside which is unnerving. James exhales, rubbing his hands together as he sees his breath fade away. "Everything's going to change and there's nothing scarier."