1964-07-23 - A helping hand
Summary: Starfire runs into Akihiro while helping out a resident of mutant town with car trouble in an unconventional way.
Related: None
Theme Song: None
akihiro lara starfire 


Ah, Mutant Town. It's particularly quiet out today and there are even less people out on the streets, but around these parts you get a feel for when something isn't right.

Akihiro hauls ass around a corner as a group of four older men in matching leather jackets chase him. Surveying his options he takes note of the nearby mailbox and uses it to launch himself up onto a fire escape. From there he leaps off and clambours atop the wall that bisected the alleyway. Looking down at them he taps out a brief salute, "I'd like to say it's been a pleasure boys, but you guys are a pain in the ass." With that he hops down and quickly walks out into the street and continues along his way, trying not to drawn any more unwanted attention to himself.

*

Lara's flying over the area… and sees the chase in progress. She stays in the air, watching and listening from above with her superhuman senses… just in case the man being chased actually ends up needing help.

*

It's hard for Starfire to turn down a person in need, especially when they ask nicely. Which sort of explains why Kori is currently hovering down the streets of Mutant town with a delivery truck lifted up over her head. Every now and again a little wisp of smoke drift up from the engine, while the middle aged owner awkward follows along the sidewalk trying his best not to wince every time his truck almost catches on the street lights.

*

Lara isn't the only one here with superhuman senses, so when Akihiro notices an odd smell his attention turns towards where she's hovering, even if he can't see her. But that distraction is currently made small by the sight of a vaguely familiar orange woman. So much for not drawing any unwanted attention.

"I'd ask if you need any help, but it looks like youve got this one covered."

*

Lara can't help but see that the truck's being carried by someone… and that it's apparently the owner following along. She also saw that the man on the rooftops seems to have noticed she's up above. This spurs her to descend slowly towards the street, taking her time in doing so.

*

"Good day to you friend," Starfire calls out to Akihiro, waving with the whole truck balancing on her other hand. "Oh this is no trouble. I am simply assisting this gentleman in bringing his work vehicle back for repairs." She smiles. "I hope that you have not been falling from any more buildings of late?" Of course the disadvantage of carrying something as large as a truck is you can't really see what's above you! So the descending Lara receives no comment.

*

"Not too many," Akihiro grins, gaze moving back to Lara once more, "did get electrocuted though. That's the only thing that really bothers me." He shakes his head before offering the woman he isn't familiar with a wave. She isn't close enough for him to try and start a conversation yet though.

*

Lara drops on down to land lightly on the sidewalk, lifting her hand to return Akihiro's wave as she does. To him, she says, "Those men who were following you seemed to give up the chase after you fled to the rooftops." She eyes Starfire, then, and how easily the truck's being held up… and puts her hands on her own hips, letting things be as they are.

*

"Who are you waving…. Oh! Forgive me I did not see you there," Kori says as Akihiro looks up and Lara lands moments later. "Good day to you Miss….?" She smiles and waves, once again reducing the trucks owner to a nervous wreck at the sight of it balanced on a single hand. "I am Koriand'r, although my friends find it easier to call me Kori. Have you known each other long?"

*

"Those guys? All show and no go, if you get what I'm sayin'." Akihiro pulls his ragged jacket up over an equally ruined t-shirt. He's actually still in the same outfit as the last time he met Koriand'r, but it hasn't held up so well. When the flying woman darts back off he shrugs. "Never met her before, I just try and be friendly."

*

Starfire shrugs, causing the truck to wobble a little. "I suppose she had somewhere important to be," she muses. "And I have no idea what you are saying. I understand all of the individual words but they do not make any sense to me in that order." She resumes heading down the road, at a slow walking pace, and motions for Akihiro to walk and talk. "Do they enjoy broadway shows?"

*

"Ah, they think they're tougher than they really are." Akihiro explains, reaching up to brush his fingers through his hair. "But to be fair I mighta borrowed one of their motorcycles. And wrecked it." A small sigh, it explains why he's missing the knee of his jeans, though the skin beneath is fine. "Anyway, what've you been up to?"

*

Starfire hmmmms. "Well, I went to the beach and then some sort of fish people attacked," she explains. "So there was a small battle. I have also taken another short break on the Moon to fetch rocks for a librarian. It has been a fairly typical few weeks for me."

*

"Must be nice. Going out there into space, I mean. Always wondered what was out there." Akihiro pulls a pack of lucky strikes from his pocket and pops one between his lips. "I've just been trying to get by. People usually aren't hiring when you've got tattoos. Unless you were in the Navy." He pats his pockets down, but doesn't seem to be able to find his lighter.

*

"I could assist if you need to burn something?" Starfire offers after a moment watching Akihiro patting himself down. "Space however is very boring, there is little of note up there unless you travel a very long way. The other planets in this star system are quite bland and lack any significant reasons to stop for more than a brief vacation." She frowns. "Were you in the navy?"

*

"I appreciate it, I just need to light my cigarette." Akihiro listens to what she has to say about space and nods slowly. "I'm fine with that, I've got a few hundred years left in me. Maybe we'll finally figure the whole space travel thing out before I die."

When the navy is mentioned he shakes his head slightly, "No. Did something similar to service, but nothing they'll ever officially admit to. Besides, if my week keeps going like this I won't have any tattoo's left." He lifts his shirt up slightly, and many of the tattoo's there have missing spots that suspiciously resemble gunshot wounds.

*

Starfires eyes flash green for a moment and the end of the cigarette bursts into flames. "There you go," she offers helpfully. "Space travel is very easy once you get the knack. You should also try not to get injured so often, even if you heal rapidly it is not good for your long term health."

*

"It just kind of happens." Akihiro takes a drag then blows the small fire out. "Thanks. And you'd think that, but except for a few exceptions we're a pretty stupid people. Probably be another hundred years before we can do anything drastic."

*

"A hundred years isn't really a very long time," Starfire points out earnestly. "I am sure some day you will be able to experience the joys of interstellar flight yourself." She finally puts the truck down near a little garage and waves to the owner, who looks about ready to pass out from the accumilated stress.

*

"It's an entire lifetime." Akihiro blows some smoke out his nose. "But with the way things change, I could be wrong." He stops to look around, only to notice that the men from earlier didn't actually quit searching, but doubled around. "Looks like it's time for me to beat feet. Don't worry about those guys, I'll deal with them when I get tired of running."

With that the teen bows slightly at the waist before dipping off down another side street. Seems like he's always running these days.

*

With a wave Starfire takes to the skies, waiting a polite distance before blasting off at full speed.

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