Among the Trees(Finished)

[Aureus]

The day had only just begun as Aureus ventured through the botanical garden located in the south eastern section of the Golden Gate Park. The previous night he had spent a few hours combing over maps of the city, looking for places that would interest him most. That particular day he felt like connecting with nature, so to speak, and the park was the perfect place to do it. The damn thing was definitely big enough, and he could probably spend a day or more wandering among the forests, hills, knolls, lake shores, and so on. Because of that he had narrowed his ambling to the garden.

Passively, the teen followed the path's snake like twists and turns while reflecting on his first day in San Fran. He had managed to avoid running into any old faces or encounters with any names of urban "legend." There was a long list of players from all over the country in schools just like 259 and 42, all with their own power struggles, acts of violence, acts of mediation, acts of manipulation, and ultimately futile attempts to dent the status quo.

Sure, he had his own spot on that list, but Aureus preferred not to charge into the "big picture" or whatever you wanted to call it. Just from observation he had learned all the different roles people liked playing. If he was going to do something, it had to be new, it had to be HIS story and not version 2.0. Was it even possible with all the people out there, all the time mankind had secured their dominance on this blue-green ball? Even his encounter with that girl had been nothing new.

All this rumination began to weight heavily on the Senior and he brushed such thoughts from his mind. Climbing the nearest tree, he secured a seat among it's branches. Hah, I really need to lighten up. Maybe a nap up here will do me some good. He mused while taking in the lush surroundings. People here and there moved about enjoying the nice weather. Birds and other small creatures were also ensnared in their playful routines.

If nothing else, things were peaceful and the dull-eyed boy had to appreciate that fact. Casually, his gloved hand pulled at the white and black checkered keffiyeh around his neck. Was he aware that the scarves represent Palestinian support in the war on Gaza? Yes, yes he was, but in the end it was a piece of clothing and it looked cool. He had no regard for the politics of people who put religion above common sense. Then again, he had little regard for most people's politics. They were going to believe what they believed, regardless of how he felt about it. He judged them on how logical they were. It was also an unfortunate coincidence that "scene kids" had adopted the trend, but oh well. Aureus' sunglass-tinted vision lifted to the sky as a gentle breeze tugged at his dark gray shirt.

[Valekin]

Valekin was taking a stroll in the park too. Fancy that huh? He liked to be in nature, but he preferred mountains and such over gardens. Anyway, he had stopped near the very tree that Aureus had scrambled up to get a good view or whatever. When he stopped, he took his place on a bench and got out a good book to read. The plot was good, the characters were colorful and intense, the writing was great, he was enjoying it.

As nature existed and moved around him he turned the page. The birds chirped and sang. The earth rotated. The clouds blew across the skies. Squirrels did their own thing, digging up nuts, and burying them too. Funny little furry creatures. The psychopath was occupying himself in a most calming way. Which said he was in a good mood. Lucky Aureus huh?

[Aureus]

It seems Aureus could only avoid his past for a single day. Noticing someone getting comfy on a nearby bench, the Senior examined the lone reader. It didn't take long for his long, purpleish hair and dark aura to jog the schizo's memory. Vlad? Vale? Valekin? Somethin' like that. he recalled. They had only met three times or so...the first on the beach, the second in the alley with Chi, and the third with Max and the cops. Boy had that last encounter been a pain in the ass. Come to think of it, he always seemed to stumble upon the cannibal at the lowest times in his life. Hopefully that wouldn't be a sign of things to come...

Now that he thought about it, Vale was the one that had taken Chi away for a year or so, given her all that training and such. It had something to do with New York, but Aureus didn't know many of the details. Just that some guy she worked with had gotten her pregnant. Mmh, it was in the past, but what was this guy doing in San Francisco? Probably kidnapping more young girls, no doubt. After stretching out for a moment, Aureus carefully moved further the down tree branch and hung upside down from it. "What are you doing here?"

[Valekin]

Holy jesus! People are dropping down from trees!

Valekin merely looked at him, acknowledging the young man's presence, and then went back to reading. His brain registered the question, but he thought it was kind of obvious what he was doing here. Sitting on a bench, and enjoying a good book on a beautiful day. Why waste is sitting around and doing something morally grey?

"Reading in a park on a bench."

He said without taking his eyes from the book. He turned the page and continued to read. It was an interesting book, the characters were colorful, the plot was driving, the writing was good, he was enjoying it.

[Aureus]

"I meant in San Francisco. Chi isn't here too is she? Or are you busy kidnapping more girls?" Aureus inquired with an edge to his voice. All things considered, he knew Valekin wasn't entirely evil, but then again who was. Either way, he didn't trust him. It was too much of a coincidence that they would meet here. Dropping down from the oak, Aureus hit the ground and leaned back against the tree. Judging from their past encounters, this could very well end in violence.

[Valekin]

"The usual. Killing criminals. Chi's not here in San Fran if you must know. I rarely kidnap people, I mostly kill them outright."

Valekin said as he turned yet another page. He was a fast reader. Aureus seemed to be under the impression that Valekin would want to fight him after the unwelcomed questions, sure, Valekin would if the guy persisted, but the book was more interesting at the moment. Perhaps a little more provocation would be necessary to get Valekin to put the damn thing down and punch someone's lights out. None of their encounters so far had ended in violence between each other, but sometimes violence between Valekin and others.

This time might be a little different, we'll see.

[Aureus]

"Oh, kidnap and "train", if you want to be specific. That doesn't concern me though, what does concern me is why you just happen to be in this city. If you're here, that means something bigger is going on. What is it?" Aureus continued from beneath the shade of the tree. After all, Valekin could eat and murder people anywhere, but why San Francisco? Maybe the Senior was just being paranoid, or maybe he just wanted a fight. Just the Serb's presence here was a threat.

[Valekin]

"Why should I tell you if anything's going on at all?"

Yea! Why should he spill the beans? Sure, Aureus was probably right that there was something big going on. But that didn't mean Valekin had to tell him just because he demanded it. There was one option, beat it out of Valekin, but that was highly unlikely to happen. He was trained to resist torture techniques. But Aureus didn't know that did he?

It did sound like the boy was trying to provoke him. Asking quite a few accusatory questions can get Valekin riled up. He didn't like getting questioned, reminded him of getting tortured. Which he didn't like either. Perhaps a good pummeling was in order?

[Aureus]

Valekin had a point. There was no reason for him to tell Aureus anything and chances were, whatever it was, it probably didn't concern him. After all, he didn't have any attachments to the city, the school, or the students themselves. It was pointless to press any further. No you don't...Levi growled in the back of his mind. Slumping back against the tree, the Senior grabbed his head. Levi was tired of sitting back. He had seen and heard so much about this Valekin character, but had never fought him. That simply wouldn't do.

Rising back to his feet, the ex-Pillar now sported fiery red hair and green eyes. Arms raised into the air, the schizo stretched for a moment before violently tearing off a thin branch from the tree and hurtling it at his latest opponent. Wasting no time, he would rush after it, hop slightly into the air and aim a front kick to the Serb's midsection.

[Valekin]

Valekin sighed and got up off the bench, and started to walk away when Aureus had began to pull his little switcheroo. Valekin didn't feel like doing much of anything today, he was kind of feeling down. At least the book was good, it had colorful characters, good writing, an intense plot. Who is he kidding, the book was crap too. He threw it into the bushes.

He didn't particularly care that the young man wanted to fight him. Since the boy would be missing entirely if he didn't alter his actions to follow Valekin.

Perhaps the man would get some ice cream or do something else before getting a move on.