maskormenacelogs | March Catch-all

[Kaneda doesn't look up for the first few seconds, thumb running along that reddened skin. It was true...ever since he'd went to go unregister, ever since that plan had blown up in his face...he'd done everything to try and get it off. At least hide it physically.

Get a tattoo. they said.]

I went to--went to go quit my job too.

But my boss said that if I did...the government would be on my ass about where I get my money. And he'd have to sell me out as part of an underground ring.

[His boss had put it as 'mutual cooperation.' Keep Kaneda's illegal activities out of the spotlight, but Kaneda has to keep his registered status.]

[Anger flashes in Manolo's eyes, and his jaw visibly tightens.]

Your boss blackmailed you?

[He almost says yes. That's what it felt like, at first. But their talk, as much as he hated listening to that asshole speak like he knew his life...

He was right.]

If I don't have a job, they're gonna throw me in jail when they find out I've got all this money, and he can go to jail for keeping shit quiet.

[His hand unclenches.]

It's why he never fires me. He doesn't want me in jail.

[And just like that, some of the righteous anger from before deflates. His first inclination is to take Kaneda's side in the matter because he knows what it's like to find yourself in a foreign world you know so little about, forced to survive the best way you know how. But when Kaneda words it like that...

Manolo's expression grows softer, and he quietly says:]

Your boss feels like he's doing what's best for you, then?

[It's not the wrong side--Kaneda has never felt so caged in his life. Wishing he could just put the two letters in front of his registered tattoo that made all the difference. He didn't want to be registered, but it was how you survived in a place like this. And his boss had been very up front about that.

"This is what's going to happen, and I'm not going to sugarcoat it."

Those were the words he said. And when people relied on you to take care of them...sacrificed pride can be an unseen casualty.]

Guess so. Still wanna punch the bastard in the face. But I gotta stay out of jail...

[He could just...you know, do his job. But whatever.]

[Manolo mulls over that for a moment. He can't quite shake the troubled frown on his face. He understands both sides, but...wow. These are some heavy things to deal with on top of a war.]

What if you found a way to earn money that's clean? [He doesn't know the full story, and he's not about to pry for details if Kaneda doesn't want to give them. But he wants to at least try to come up with ways to un-register without anyone landing in jail.]

[It sure is, Manolo. And the pressure, as much as his shoulders and bear it, is a lot of weight to carry.

His question's a good one, and he looks at his wrist once more, running his fingers over the reddened skin.]

Maybe.

If my other job wasn't so damn fun.

[He didn't LIKE hurting people, but it was different in an underground ring. It was never to the death, and you knew what you were getting into. People signed up to fight, and it was a mutual agreement. A sport.

And with it came the adrenaline rush.]

[Manolo raises an eyebrow. He hadn’t wanted to pry, but now he can’t help but ask…]

What is your other job? Is it okay for me to ask?

...

[Kaneda looks both ways a moment, before leaning in.]

Underground fighting.

[He knew Manolo wouldn't spread the word. The guy was already unregistered, so it's not like he really trusted the government to deal with him. And he knew the stakes of what would happen if found out.

Manolo was trustworthy.]

But not to the death or anything--it's all for show.

[Considering the myriad of other illegal activities he could have been involved in, underground fighting doesn't seem that bad, especially if no one gets killed. That alone gives participants more courtesy and respect than bulls ever got in the ring. And if it's all consensual, then Manolo doesn't see any moral problems with it.

Outside of the fact it's kind of illegal, anyway.]

You fight with the natives? [Although he's genuinely curious, he makes certain to keep his voice low when he speaks.]

Natives, imPorts...they love watching two imPorts fight.

[One hand stuffs itself in his pocket as he walks, the other gesturing out to explain.]

They don't want us using our powers, at least not offensive ones. But powers like mine can't really be turned off.

Turns it into a good show, at least, and the bosses of the underground like it.

You know, I'm not sure if I ever asked about your powers before...

[Maybe he ought to feel embarrassed, but his experiences with Joaquin demonstrate that powers can be a highly personal thing, so there never seems to be a good time to outright ask.]

My powers?

[Well, he doesn't like to be too vocal on how specific they are...but he doesn't want to keep Manolo in the dark either. Durability wasn't invincibility, and he liked to keep that little power as vague as possible.]

Remember that one day I stopped by so you could heal me?

Yes. [How could he forget? He was elated by how much Kaneda seemed to genuinely enjoy his performance.] You had a really bad bruise, right?

I never told you how I got it...

[Because...well, he didn't want to give his healer a heart attack. That's actually the opposite of helping that situation.]

I got shot.

Whaaaat? [Manolo glances down at Kaneda's stomach, where the wound had been before.] But the skin was barely broken!

[The surprise is...well, unsurprising. The injury had only looked like someone socked their fist super hard into his stomach, not that a gunshot had been taken to it.]

Not the flashiest power, but...

Hell if it's not useful.

I'll say! [He's smiling now, genuinely happy that Kaneda has at least some sort of protection during a fight.] And that's a power the Porter gave to you?

[It's certainly come in handy. True, he's not damage proof--healers are truly a wonderful thing and something he has to rely on, but it's been more of a boon than anything.]

Yeeep. That and my bike.

[His luck is also there, but he doesn't make a point to mention it. Not like many would believe it.]

Your bike? It's magic or something like that?

My bike?

It's not really magic, just...

[Kaneda stops their walk a moment, snapping his fingers as it materializes at his side.]

I save a lot on parking.

[Disclaimer: he has never paid for parking in his life.]

Edited 2016-03-19 18:20 (UTC)

Woah! [He steps back, admiring the bike's sudden appearance.] So it's a little like my guitar! That's great!

[Except there are more flower petals in his case. Also, once he summons it, he's either gotta carry it with him or find a safe place to stash it until he needs it again...]

[Kaneda's hand runs along the bike's ceramic plating, fingers dragging along like you would a faithful pet, eyes cast on it like it was made of gold. Whatever attachment he had to his bike was beyond just 'it's a cool bike', like it was a piece of himself made physical. Beneath his fingers, it seems to hum with life, like a purring cat in his metaphorical lap.]

It's pretty special.

[His hips lean against it, hands supporting him as he explains.]

It only works for me. If you got on it...it'd either disappear or completely lock up.

[Manolo softly smiles, taking note of the tender way Kaneda's hand touches the surface.]

The bike is an extension of your soul.

[He says that like it's the most natural thing in the world. For Manolo, that would be his guitar, so he understands completely.]

[His hand freezes as Manolo says that, his fingertips trailing lightly along one of the stickers seemingly carelessly slapped on.

An extension of his soul...

It'd never been referred to as that. Not anywhere that wasn't his subconscious. But when its said, when Manolo puts to words what his mind only could describe as feelings, it's never felt so validating. His smile widens, warm and comforting as Manolo finishes, hand trailing along the end of the ceramic plating before speaking.]

Just like that.

[A pause.]

And no one can take it from me.

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