No exploding salads this time, I promise. (Chelle)

So it had been a few days since the whole situation at Masters headquarters, and Matt was still in a coma. Drifter had become increasingly depressed and angry, mostly at himself. He didn't have any idea what to do with himself in this uncertain state. And that just made him helpless, randomly searching for anything to help him deal with it all. He could drink....but he gave that up long ago. That would just make things worse in the long run. No, he needed to do something else to clear his mind, but there didn't seem to be much. He had called in sick to work just so he could sit there in despair, with more irrational thoughts of suicide entering his mind. Anything was better then that.

So, he figured he might go see his brother in NYC. They hadn't talked much, so it might have been good for both of them if he just drove up there and surprised the guy. His little bro Nate could be hard to deal with, but in the end he was his brother and he loved him. So, he made preparations and started the trip up there, and eventually arrived.

He walked up the steps to his brothers apartment, shivering as he did. God it was cold in New York. He would then bring his pale,  almost blue fist to the door and knock. After that it was only a matter of waiting in the snow, how fun......

"Lukas? LUKAS! Come in dude! It must be freezing out there." Nate said as he opened the door, the roughly yanked his brother inside. God that kid was strong, probably break your neck with minimal effort if he put his mind to it.

"Hey, Nate, thought I would drop by, see how things were hanging. You seem to be doing good for yourself." Luke said with a smile after being released. He shivered one last time and took a seat as his brother rushed to the fridge.

"You, eh, want a beer or something?" Nate said as he rummaged through his near empty fridge. Lukas just shook his head.

"No man, I stopped drinking awhile ago, remember? ......Wait where did you even get it?" Luke asked. Considering his brother only just turned twenty,  him having alcohol was odd. Nate just smiled and opened himself a beer.

"Suit yourself......... Ahhh, and I got it from a pal. " Nate said, pausing to take a drink. Luke rolled his eyes with a smile.

"But yeah, I didn't come here just to sit around. Lets go do something. Go to a sports bar or something." Luke said. Honestly he hoped Nate had a better idea because a sports bar was sorta lame.

"We could go to a night club, pick up on some chicks or something. When was the last time you had a date?" Nate said, a smirk forming across his face. Luke smiled that smile that always showed up when his romantic life was brought up, it was nervous.

"Well, that's a better idea then mine. But you know I don't like relationships. Not after all my experience with that crap." Luke said, getting up as if ready to go.

"Yeah yeah, we'll see. But for now shut up and we'll go." Nate said before they packed up and left.

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It didn't take long for them to get to the club, and as soon as they got there Luke regretted it. Really wasn't his thing. He stood there stiff and uncomfortable even as random drunk girls flirted with him, and Nate just looked in frustration, telling him to loosen up every five seconds. But eventually he just sat down with a club soda and watched his brother have fun. Why did he even come here if this is what he was going to do?

"No!" shouted a very, very upset seventeen year old. Wincing, Skyler felt the gush of wind as the door slammed in her face. She had been trying for weeks to get Lilia to leave the house and at least go to the grocery store. Or literally anywhere. Living just outside of New York City was nice, the surprising countryside area outside the big city being very homely. A lot colder than Atlanta, Georgia, but still homely.

"C'mon... Lily~.. You can't be serious." Groaning on the other side of the door, the knob twisted and opened to reveal the teen standing, annoyed.

"If I have to get out of the house, so do you. And you have to go somewhere and meet a man and bring him home!" Lilia was adamant, stomping her foot and everything - despite the stomp being no scarier than a mouse sneezing.

Skyler chuckled and shook her head.

"Look, as fun as that sounds, I ain't got the time to piddle around with another man, sweet'art." Skyler's accent was thicker than ever, the true Southern Belle seeping through her words.

Another giggle popped up as Aiva strolled into view. The bluish white holographic girl sat on Lilia's shoulder as the Prima Ballerina crossed her arms in defense.

"It's not funny, Aiva! Ma needs to go out and have fun!" Lilia huffed and knocked Aiva off of her shoulder. Well, she attempted to. Her hand passed right through the hologram.

"Ha! You can't touch me! Ha ha ha!" Aiva stuck out her tongue and made funny ears with her hands, her thumbs pressed to her temples.

Walking the short distance from the door way to the bed, Skyler settled onto the mattress, sitting relaxed for a moment before tossing herself backward to lay down. The fluffy sheets poofed up from the sudden presence of the silver haired woman. She watched as dust danced into the light coming from the window. It was still midday. She had all day to get her chores done around of the house before she snuggled up to a good book and a beer.

But no, Lilia wanted her to "get back out there."

"Sooo?" Lilia asked, standing over her adoptive mother now, her hands placed so perfectly on her hips.

"Fine, get this crik out of my back, first." Skyler said while sliding off of the bed, to her knees, then free falling forward. She caught herself on her finger tips, then laid herself down flat. Lilia then stepped up onto Skyler's back and walked along her spine, careful not to step too hard or distribute her weight - despite it not being much - incorrectly.

---

"Alright, I'm here. It smells bad, the people are loud, but at least the music isn't horrible," Skyler said, speaking into a communicator on her wrist. Aiva was always with her, but with the communicator it gave Lilia the chance to keep an ear out on her dear ol' mama.

Dressed way up for this night, Skyler donned a white halter cocktail dress with swooping skirts that layered around of her thighs, stopping just before the knee. A cinch was around of her waist made of silk that was tied into a big bow. Most of her upper back was exposed, but luckily there weren't too many bullet hole scars.

Normally, she would be happy to be at a club to toss back a few beers, but she felt uncomfortable. Standing in the bathroom, she looked at herself. On the counter was her eye patch, white to match her dress. Lilia had bought it "just in case" Skyler ever needed it. It was thoughtful, but the eye patch lacked the necessary things Skyler needed in case of a combat situation. The targeting recognition program that synced up directly to her nervous system via a sensor that fed directly into her blind right eye.

Blinking at herself for a few more moments, she touched over the scar on her face and then put the eye patch back on, allowing the string to get lost under her hair. The once four, almost five feet long hair was now a mere eleven inches. Her hair was cut into layers that cascaded down her back and around of her face. She missed the length, but the sacrifice was another thing she had to do to save Lilia at one point.

Offering a smile, she took a photo and sent it to Lilia.

"Alright, here I go." She said, finally leaving the bathroom.

Heads turned when a spot light accidentally crossed over her. Her silver hair and white dress would catch anyone's attention. A group of men made it their goal to pursue Skyler. They waded the crowd over to her and whistled.

"Daaamn. Heaven really doesn't know how to keep the pearly gates shut, do they? Sending an Angel like you down here to a hell hole like this." One of the men chuckled, his cheesy pick up line getting no response out of Skyler what so ever.

Another reached out to touch her, but she feigned away.

"I wouldn't do that," she said, giving an ice cold stare to the man who had tried to touch her. A second man reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"You have three seconds to remove your hand before I do it for you," she said, glancing between the four men around of her.

Lilia was frantic in Skyler's ear now, "Mama! Don't let them treat you so badly! I was wrong, come home!" Lilia chirped, her voice cracking as she screeched into the microphone.

Skyler chuckled, giving the man the three seconds he was promised.

The next thirty minutes didn't do much for Lukas, he just sat there having a few cigarettes, thank God they allowed that. He just didn't feel comfortable in this type of situation. His brother had gone off somewhere, it was a big place so he would just sit and wait rather then trying to find him for an hour. A few people tried to talk to him, most drunk, but he either just glared at them or waved them off with a word or two. After awhile, he caught the sight of silver and white in the corner of his eye. Those two colors were rather eye catching in a place with a dark theme.

It just seemed to be some lady, a bit over dressed really. You would think to see someone like her in a fancy restaurant of some kind, but she was here. The annoying men that had been hooting and cat calling everything that looked remotely female all night naturally did the same with her, then they started to try to touch her, and one succeeded, getting a stern warning.

Some people have no restraint. Honestly Drifter couldn't understand how or why someone would be so upfront about something like that, he never was, and hated when guy friends talked about how 'hot' someone was. It wasn't that he disagreed or anything, he just found it repulsive.

Lukas decided that was enough, he didn't want this group of what seemed like fifteen or so dudes to take it any further, so he got up and put his hand on the shoulder of the one who was touching Skyler, gaining the attention of the other men.

"Now now now, it's not very gentleman-like to ignore a ladies inquiries. Sit down before you find yourself in the back alley at noon with a broken arm and the mother of all head aches." Luke said with a smile that made his statement seem rather conflicting. Immediately the others started getting in his face. It seemed like this was going to turn into something.

"I'm sure you can, thing is these dumbasses are annoying and remind me of my sisters husband, so if you don't mind I'm going to kick the shit out of them." Lukas said as he turned around, grabbed his club soda, downed the rest, and cracked his neck just as the group was about to get into full fight mode, kicked off by the woman pulling some pretty impressive move on the most brave of the men.

Using that as fuel, one of the men swung at Drifter, who saw it coming a mile away it was so sloppy. He grabbed the mans fist, then punched the man in the nose, hard. That and being really drunk caused him to tumble back and fall, likely out for the count. Lukas then smiled, waiting for the others who seemed slightly reluctant now, but their numbers pushed them forward. Another two charged, and Lukas quickly grabbed a beer bottle, smashing it over one of their heads in a stiff downward motion, then he took the fragments and......jabbed them in the other mans stomach.

Ok, Drifter didn't exactly realize he just stabbed someone.....it was mostly reflex. But none the less he did, and the dude was bleeding on the floor. But hey, the cops were coming and they would help him, so it was all OK. He didn't want to go to jail again....and this was getting pretty heated, but then again the club was pretty dark and he doubted the drunk people properly IDed him. So he took the opportunity of everyone going outside to slip his mask on and pull up his hood, then he ran after the group who were taking it outside, tearing off a guard railing as he did to use it as a makeshift weapon.

Once outside, he started whacking people in the head, and most went down in their drunk state without even looking. Then he saw a man with his hands around the woman, did he actually think this woman would have him? Or that he could reasonably subdue her? It was probably the booze, but that didn't make it any less stupid.

"Hmmm, I'd hit you with this but I kinda broke it on the other guys head, so." Lukas said before kicking the man directly in the crotch, with a steel toed boot no less. After that, well it was likely only going to take Luke closing in and grabbing the mans head, bringing it down on his rising knee.

Guy helps you kick the crap out of a bunch of guys and you just walk away? Sure the cops were coming but damn, she whipped around at the first sign of them like she was used to it. Who was this chick? She knew how to fight, that was one thing that was quite readily apparent. But she also knew how to book it in FUCKING HIGH HEELS. How do you even do that? Drifter sort of tagged along just out of interest, then he saw her gracefully move over a fence. Parkour was his thing, dammit. Damn forty year olds stealing his thunder. But then again, he could respect her movement. He followed along just as quick, a little more ridged in his run but no less skillful. Eventually he caught up.

"So, humor me. What were you doing in there? Are you like a super secret agent or something? That place run by some mob boss you want to take down?" Drifter said, slowing down to a walk as he kept pace with the female next to him, walking and talking.

"I mean, with skills like that you gotta be somethin'. Guess I'm just bored and intrigued." Drifter said, lighting a cigarette with his grandfathers lighter, taking a slow drag as he waited for a response, or a kick to the face.

Skyler had heard the soft jingle of the fence behind of her, but paid none the wiser to it. She did have a hunch of who was behind of her, and it didn't bother her at all.

"Can't a girl just enjoy a night out without being questioned?" She replied, listening to him further go on about her skills.

She let him come to her side and talk, poking accusations. She just wanted to make the exact right move, and as soon as he brought out the light, she turned, meaning to lift her hand and press it against his throat. If he was not fast enough, unlike her inhuman reflexes wielding self, she would likely have him by the throat. It wouldn't be tight, though, just dominating him.

Once she had her hand secured around of his throat, she would lean into him, pressing her knee between his legs to make him more vulnerable to her. Her free hand would then glide over his torso, checking for any weapon, or listening device. Once she was certain he was clean, she would slowly let go of him, and let her eyes glide up his frame to lock with his.

"I should ask you the same question. You could say I'm just bored and intrigued." Her silver left eye pierced into his, while her right eye was cloudy and white, blankly staring ahead.


. o O ( If anything I did is not okay with you, be sure to let me know. I wrote it suggestively, not definitely. )

Drifter wasn't exactly expecting to get grabbed by the throat, but then again he wasn't expecting to ditch his brother after a night club brawl..... He traveled thousands of miles just to leave the guy behind. He realized that and felt a touch of guilt, but he would make it up to him later. As of now, well he was having too much fun. A smile persisted on his face even as a knee was put between his legs, threatening a low blow he assumed. The woman then slid her arm over his torso, probably checking for a weapon but then again he could have been wrong. Either way, she was touching him, and she was female...... He really couldn't resist poking fun at this.

"Woah, i save you one time and already your coming on to me. Never been with an older woman before, should be fun." Lukas jokingly cackled after he was released. Ironic considering he 'saved' her because some dude was doing something similar, but then again the major difference was that guy was serious, and was also a meathead.

"Your obvious attraction to me aside.......... You should be less tense, if i was going to cut your throat, i would have tried by now..... And i say tried because you would kick my ass in like, two seconds."  Drifter said, still following along and being stubborn it would seem.

"Still didn't answer my queston...."

And yet again he was taken off guard. This lady was very physical it seemed....... Already she had acted hostilely toward him twice. What did he do that was so bad? Sure he made a joke, but that was hardly warrant enough to punch him. Maybe she just didn't feel the same way.

"Ahhhh, ffuuuuuuck. I was just joking." Lukas whined in a half sarcastic tone, drawing out the U in fuck. He held his face and pulled himself from the ground, as he fell when she hit him. He then continued to walk after the woman.

"If you knew me better lady, you would know i try to sound like an ass around people, It's part of my charm." He said, still rubbing his now bruised cheek.

"Was it because i called you old? It probably was......yeah it was. Sorry bout that........... Wanna go get a coffee or something? There's this great shop down the road, and i can help you cross each and every street until we get there. I hear they even sell oatmeal and have fully accessible handicap bathrooms. The crazy eye might freak them out though so it's best to cover it....." Drifter said, now clearly trying to be a prick. Though, he did think he could salvage this relationship they had, in his own way. He kept his distance now though, out of melee range, just to be safe.

When the woman reacted in the way she did, just plainly asking him what he wanted, Drifter did feel a bit bad honestly. He regretted saying what he said, because honestly this lady wasn't old, and even if she was she looked like she was still in her thirties. He just figured it would piss her off, and it was only to amuse himself. He was a bored individual that liked to see peoples reactions, but this time he just felt like a prick, even though he would have never said he wasn't in the first place. When she stopped and turned around, he stopped as well, removing his hand from his face and staring at the woman. For having a few noticeable scars and a totally ruined eye, she really was a beautiful woman. You didn't see people like her everyday, heck, you barely saw people who were physically fit. He let out a low sigh, as if stressed, and spoke.

"I don't know...... Probably both." Drifter said, patting around and searching for his cigarettes. Much to his dismay he realized they had likely fallen out of his pocket while running. He let out a mumble, 'shit' it sounded like, then went back to the conversation at hand.

"Look, I'm an asshole. I'll never deny that. Sorry i said what i said. I've had a rough few weeks. Friend just got himself blown up and is in a coma, he's probably not going to make it, and my family completely ousted me. I got the brawl started back there because I'm pissed at myself, and i said those things for the same reason. I......guess I'm still following you because i need someone to talk to. My friend in a coma used to be the one i did that with, but for obvious reasons he is unavailable. You look like you come from another world.......so yes I'm interested." Drifter admitted. He fully expected the woman to just walk off some more, in which case he probably wouldn't follow. Right now he wasn't really right in the head. He was depressed and all kinds of angry, but he knew when a person couldn't stand his babbling any longer.