And into reality (Open)

[gentleman]

Another workout session was concluded. Typical several reps and short series, nothing out of the ordinary. Andrew took his time getting out of the shower, making sure to dry himself properly with the towel. Just imagine what it would do to his shirts to put on a shirt when his back was wet? Downright dangerous and completely unacceptable. Once the mandatory drying-process had been completed, the clothes came on. First a loosely fitting black t-shirt, a couple of boxers, black socks, then came the dark blue jeans and finally a dark blue shirt. Success!

Moving out of the training room, Andrew waltzed over to the old stereo in his apartment. With the push of a button and turn of a knob Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini filled the room and his world. The music soothed his souls and every worry was swept away. His love free of concerns, it was also completely without the love of a mate. The rift created by callous loved-ones years ago had finally started mending. His new family, the brotherhood were the ones patching it together.

This nation had displayed unrivalled generosity and provided him with that which so many strived for, a purpose. Andrew could not yet lay claim to inner piece though, not while living in a fractured world such as this. However, he now had an incredible family, one 1244 relatives strong, one that spanned from coast to coast. Once a selfish young boy, Andrew would gladly lay down his life to protect these people, to protect every single one of them.

Swirling into the kitchen, completely swallowed up by the music and atmosphere, Andrew opened the fridge and pulled out the necessary ingredients for a sandwich. Unlike his stomach, the fridge was not empty. There was one vital ingredient missing though, no ham or meat of any kind. Hastily stashing the food into their little storage, Andrew turned off the music and took to the streets. True love, in the form of culinary arts awaited him out there. Through the door and into the sweet embrace of urbanization. ”Good day, beautiful!” Gentleman shouted out to the paradise of tomorrow, the tranquil bliss of today. The sun always shone on Genosha, even when it rained.

[Byakurai]

He was training hard as always did in the 'paradise' for mutant. For himself that was the main thing to do. They didn't have a lot of books that he could read, well want to read anyway. The asian mutant was shirtless, being as it was a hot day. Revealing his cresent moon scar that was craved into his chest. When he trained, he was so in the zone others looked at him like he was angry. But once he finished he kept his friendly attutiude. When he cool down a bit he decided to take a walk with a towel over his shoulder. Then spotted a man was seemed to be in a very good mood. The asian smiled a bit and gave it a nice little wave.

[gentleman]

One of the things that Andrew actually did crave though, was some proper weights to train with. Pushups didn’t really do all that much when you could bench tons. The music was left behind in the house, which irked Gentleman to consider buying an MP3-player. While the man did absolutely abhor all of this new technology and the effect it was having on folks, the ability to listen to music as you waltzed down the street seemed almost too good to pass up. If you truly did want to hear it though, one needed only let the mind replay the song’s beautiful notes and tones.

Strolling down the gray stairs with the rust-coloured railing, he spotted a friendly face. This friendly face happened to be accompanied by a nice wave, what a delightful way to start your day. This topless Asian seemed a bit familiar though. This man happened to be no less than Byakurai from the Brotherhood. ”Hail Brother!” Andrew practically shouted and gave him a stern wave, which eventually looked more like a salute than anything. Not an overly inappropriate greeting though, having just become a member of the Brotherhood himself, they were almost like army buddies.

Brothers in arms, putting down their lives on the line for an entire nation. Never anything remotely close to a patriot, Andrew could feel the nationality swelling up inside of him. Imagine being a mutant child born here a good 200 years from now? Being born into a perfectly safe environment. ”Gentleman, I’m a new member of the Brotherhood” He introduced himself with a friendly tone and a hearty handshake, careful not to put too much pressure into the handshake. People don’t like it if you break their hands, you only get one first impression after all.

[Byakurai]

Instead of receiving a normal hello or wave, the asian sees the other man salute and shout hail brother. This couldn't help but make the asian filinch a bit due to the fact, he was standing only a few feet from the other man. He creeped up a smile a bit and stayed positive. At least this guy wasn't as much as of a grump compared to the rest of them all. When he was told the man was a newcomer, the nice and energtic part could be understood why. The asian smirked. "I am Hozuki. But others call me Byukurai. It is a pleasure to meet, Mr. Gentleman." He said in a polite tone as he was caught into a hand shake.

[gentleman]

The young man seemed no older than maybe 20. From what he had seen so far, quite a few of the Brotherhood members seemed to be youngsters. Hopefully this was not exclusively a teenage group, if so, then Andrew’s talents might be put to better use somewhere else. Somewhere in Genosha naturally, but perhaps as a teacher or on a construction site. There had to be some kind of profession that could put the man’s considerable strength or education to use.

Andrew’s smile now faded into a more neutral expression. The man did not normally go around smiling like an idiot of course, it was just the unusual effect this nation had on him. ”It’s a pleasure to meet you. Please, just Gentleman. My slave name no longer applies here.” Gentleman chimed in at the end. The introduction was finished and Gentleman started a slow stroll, assuming he would join him.

[Byakurai]

Slave name? Never knew that mister before a name was meant for slavery. The asian man gave a slight shrug. If Gentleman disliked the act of being called mister. The asian had no choice but to do as he asked for now. That would be the polite thing to do. "Alright....Gentleman." He said, somewhat akwardly. Just saying gentleman as a singlar for strange for him, at least from wha he knew from the english language. Suddenly the man began to walk off. Such a rude thing to do, but he didn't say anything about and for now followed him casually. "Are you enjoying the country?" He asked trying to make a small converstion.

[gentleman]

A strange thing to adjust to perhaps, but a necessary one all the same. Andrew Reynolds ceased to exist the second Gentleman set foot on this island. From here on out it was year 0 for mutantkind and he was citizen X. Hozuki naturally skipped a step and kept up, joining in on the walk. Then came a question that Gentleman had almost been hoping for. Nothing like a chance to elaborate on Genosha’s excellence, how the city’s brilliance almost made it radiate at night.

The neutral expression now moved into a faint smirk, a smile off in the distance of his mind. ”I…” Gentleman paused for a second, he needed to get this just right. How would you go about phrasing yourself when describing a dream, when describing something intangible. Feelings were fleeting and his limited human vocabulary could not even hope to adequately describe them. It was like wanting to paint a picture without actually knowing what kind of colours to use, which ones to blend and what kind of brush to use.

Short pauses could often feel like an eternity, but fortunately this one only lasted a second and felt only twice as long. ”Immensely. I did not know a place like this existed, or could exist. My dream begins when I awaken in the morning, and ends when I go to sleep..” Gentleman said in an uncharacteristically dreamy tone, hoping that it would make at least a lick of sense. It was a better description than either of the two might realize. Even if Andrew Reynolds had ceased to exist, his nightmares and issues still existed.

[Byakurai]

The asian mutant looked at the man with a blank, dotted stare. It was good that he was behind Gentleman so he didn't seem as rude wit his stare. But from an answer like that how could anyone be casual as he? He patted Gentleman on the back for a moment then stopped and walked ahead. "It is good to see a patriot of this country already." He said respecting Gentleman for the man that he was. Here, no one would be judge but Hozuki of the lightning.

[gentleman]

There was nothing more pleasing than fighting a battle you could not lose. Gentleman knew that part of the reason why he was fighting, was not to ensure that mutants were not persecuted, but simply to stall. Nature had naturally, its only way, ensured that they were the next step in the line of evolution. How could the humans hope to combatant their biological superiors. Sooner or later more and more mutant children would be born and human births would increase.

This battle was not about winning or losing, but easing the transition between past and future. The humans could not win this and so all they needed to was to minimize the possible mutant losses. ”Yes, I’ll do what it takes to defend our home and people. Pardon me a second.” Gentleman said casually, just as they approached a fruit stand. Since stopping by a store to pick up some ham for the sandwich seemed like a hassle, he decided on a couple of apples instead.

Starting off with a warm smile to the beautiful twin-horned girl behind the stand, he thought about the types of fruit available. Having initially decided on getting a couple of apples. Gentleman felt it would be dangerous to stray from said path. ”I’ll have two red delici… actually, make that three red delicious” He said in a friendly manner and paid the exact sum, getting the apples in a small plastic bag.

Motioning for them to begin walking again, he snatched one of the apples from the bag and bit into it. A small stream of apple-juice ran down his chin, but was hastily swept up by a careful hand. ”So, could you please give me an introduction to the Brotherhood? I am still fairly unacquainted with the procedures and daily routines around here” Gentleman asked, whilst raising the bag towards Hozuki. It was only common courtesy to offer his new friend an apple.

[Byakurai]

The man called, Gentleman, was a a bit too friendly for a brotherhood. Most of the brotherhood that he had seen thus far were mainly angry or sad-types. Himself, not inculded, he was in the middle, honorable to say the least. Not that he thought that he was better than everyone less, just alot less angry compared to the other mutants. They had good reason, he supposed. But this man seemed to friendly for his own good. It made the asian very...Uncomfortable. When he was offered the apple, the asian politely shook his head not quite accepting the free eat. It was rude unless he was starving or something. "No thank you." He said calmly and respectfully. "As for the brotherhood, I am not entitled to do so. You must address one of the royals like Polaris, Scarlet Witch, or Quick Silver." He said not really wanting to give anyone a tour. It wasn't like he didn't like the nice man. Just the nice man seemed strange with his overly kindness. Not something that the young man was used to.

[gentleman]

Slightly crestfallen, Gentleman accepted reality. It was only logical that Hozuki was not permitted to simply reveal the on goings of the Brotherhood. Even if he happened to be a member himself, Andrew realized how easy it was to duplicate his appearance. They were living in the dawn of the post-human after all and he had not even presented Hozuki with any sort of identification. Had the tables been turned, Gentleman would have been even more suspicious of this supposed newcomer.

Fruit was best enjoyed when eaten slowly, not too slowly, and devoured on a sunny day. Having an apple during the freezing winter did not really hold a candle to enjoying it on a sunny summer’s day. Per the proper etiquette for eating apples, Gentleman maintained a decent pace and chewed every piece thoroughly. ”That makes sense. I’m sure they will give me a proper briefing before we are sent on any sort of mission” He reassured himself aloud, getting closer to the apple’s end core with every bite. Sooner or later this organic feast would come to an end and nature’s bounty would have run out, what a sad truth.

There were still plenty of things for the duo to converse about though, it did not have to be the trials of the mutantkind and nothing but. ”Speaking of Genosha, I meant to ask someone. You don’t know of any good places to train, do you? Someplace that can handle our superior physique” whilst saying the word superior, Gentleman confidently tapped his biceps once and smiled. Pushups and other daily work-out routines had grown immensely boring over the years. He needed to purchase some kind of super-weights or the like.

[Byakurai]

He nodded normally and respectfully when Gentleman spoke. Even though he had tuned out the fairly nice man out when he was talking about the briefing. The young asian was more interested with the sights, Genosha was a nice place outside the whole ruination of the place thanks to the sentiels. Then when Gentleman mentioned superior physique, the young asian assumed that Gentleman had super strength or something. He had to put this to a test. The asian then nodded and began to lead the way, expecting Gentleman to catch on and follow him.