raisetheearth | [Video] [Shepherd's Haven]

[The feed shows a young man who looks to be in his late teens or early twenties; it could honestly go either way. Suffice it to say he's around Tony's age, and he's super excited and shirtless despite the brisk weather in the southern hemisphere.]

S-so. How about these goo things, huh?

[A twitchy smile. Despite being Numbered now, for a long time he wasn't, and he's still paying some penance for a past crime. He feels like he hasn't quite earned Network privileges yet, in other words.]

I'm Luca D-Dantonio. Uh. Some of you might remember me from the thing with Al-Albero. But even before I got my Number, you guys were great to me. No boss ever treated me like that, so uh. I hope that there was never any doubt or anything but I want you guys and the newbies to know that I'm on your side, OK? I'm loyal. If anyone can say anything about me it's that. I'll even fix your stuff up for you, my Other was some kind of mechanic I think.

Oh...! Oh, also, one of my echoes says that m-my guy's name was Nux. I kind of like that. Simple. You can call me that. I'd actually kind of like it b-better if it's OK to ask for.

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Clothes matter! I mean... I know I go around shirtless around a lot but it's just because I work enough to get warm. I know that they're important to most other p-people.

If... someone asks me to stop, I'll p-put on a jacket or something.

Maybe Woodend's got something like it, huh?

Uh, yeah, you sure do.

[It's almost impossible to not notice that, though Luca certainly wasn't Rakka's type.]

I'm hoping so! I'm going there with my, um, girlfriend later.

No problem.

Yeah? Great, you can look then. D'you need someone to come along for some extra protection or to carry things back?

[It's no secret that Nux loves traveling between Shepherd's Haven and the surroundimg towns, even when he doesn't absolutely need to go on a supply run.]

Ah... thank you, for the offer! But I think I'll be fine.

[She has Raye, who is - no offense, Luca - stronger in every way.]

No problem! Let me know if you change your mind or something. How are you getting there?

[A small sniff.]

Good.

[That's at least one small point in his favour. Richard ends it there, cutting the connection from his end.]

I will! [Thank you, nice gang biker person. But Rakka will not be needing your particular help.]

I already have a ride - Raye is gonna help me.

Does Raye have a bike? If she wants an upgrade I'd be happy to take a look at it!

She does, but t-that's okay! I think Raye does all the work on her bike, herself.

[AKA: Never touch Raye's bike unless you want to live/your name is Rakka.]

All of it? Wow, maybe she could teach me a thing or two, you think? I'm trying to learn as much about it as I can. I think my guy was into it or something.

M-maybe! I'll tell her about you the next time I see her.

Well... maybe the other you was a mechanic! You never know, right? Anything's possible when you're a Numbered!

Edited 2015-08-24 03:21 (UTC)

Not to brag, but I've got memories back of how to fix things up right good. I'll share it if I can, just like I'll share if someone needs me to look like a ringer for someone else.

I can still do that bit you know.

Ah... a ringer?

When I was in the Mafia, I, uh, had surgeries done to make me like a chameleon. Lot of other procedures too. It's never perfect but I can make myself look like another person. I did Tony that one time.

O-oh... [Her eyebrows raise slowly. She'd heard about the powers the mafia possessed, mostly before that big battle where Raye...Hmm.]

Uhh, I don't think I really need you to look like anyone else, right now. There's not much reason for it.

Haven't gotten to use it in a long time to be honest.

Tried looking like Nathan but couldn't get his hair white. Always turns out powder blue and he's too tall.

Nathan? Ah... that's a good try, though!

Ah, you... haven't even seen it, but thanks. Maybe if I work on it I can get better, but they always said that it wouldn't be p-perfect ever.

Some of 'em have hard heads and harder hearts, sorry to say.

They've had a lot of hurt, it's easy to point fingers when the dust's settled. Don't worry though, no one's gonna let you get hurt in the Haven, yeah? People will come around or they won't, don't let it be any sweat off your nose.

Yeah. Yeah! Thanks, I'll, uh, keep that in mind.

How is it you've always been so nice to me, huh? Well... maybe not at first but you were definitely the person who really warmed up to me before anyone else did.

Eh, you know, if anyone's going to forgive you it might as well be the guy you shot in the face, right? [He barks a laugh, trying to keep from getting too serious but...]

Truth is, you kinda reminded me of myself. I could've just as easily been in your place, or in a gutter, or selling myself for drug money. I was there, I was hungry enough.

[He scratches his chin idly. You know he never really told anyone about this, only Dirk knew because he'd been there.]

I used to pick pockets you know, was pretty good at it too. Learned who to hit and how to hit 'em without them noticing. How to stay out of eyesight of security. Rich kids were best, don't wanna go after a big dude he'll break your nose quick as he looks at you, and a woman with a purse? Forget it.

Not complaining about it, but uh... you can't say it's not a little weird. Most people would hold that grudge forever if they survived.

[His eyes widen slightly.]

So, uh... why wasn't it you? In that situation, I mean.

Yeah, well, I've never been most people.

[He smirks a little, expression vaguely distant, if also a little forlorn.]

I hit the wrong guy, or I guess the right one. Looked like an easy enough mark, kid with well off parents, you know the type. Nice clothes, fancy phone, all by himself and off in his own little world. Swiped his wallet clean but he figured it out faster than I'd expected and he called me on it. 'Course I gave it back to him, could've run but there were security around and I wouldn't have made it far.

Then he looked me up and down and bought me lunch, guess he could tell I was just in it for a meal. We got to talking and ended up friends. He helped me out when no one else would, but never pitied me or acted like I owed him for it. He'd let me stay at his place when his folks were out, fed me when he could. They hated me so he couldn't take me in but he never really gave a shit.

Got him into trouble a few times, but after that I shaped myself up. Couldn't bear the thought of him getting drug down with me just because I'm a piece of trash so... He saved my life that day, he'd never admit it of course but he did.

Guess I'm trying to pay it forward is all. You needed help, so I helped.

I guess that's not what I was expecting to hear. Uh... so where's this guy now? I know it's not Lazarus, his uh, his parents are dead, right?

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