javi potter. (![]() ![]() @ 2011-04-22 16:21:00 |
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Entry tags: | ! narrative, javier velasquez |
WHO: Javier Velázquez [¡PUM PUM!] and Salomón Velázquez
WHAT: Javier is talked into attending the Jr Axiom seminar and considers vigilantism.
WHEN: Saturday, 16 April 2037
RATING: G
A fresh, red mark began forming on the white linen cloth where the debris of Javier's most recent explosion had bounced off his wrist. Had any other students been around, they may have advised him against training before his burns had completely healed, but Javier had never been one to heed others’ warnings -- Nor had he ever been one for company, for that matter. Another boulder began glowing red as it lifted itself off the ground while the stain on Javier’s bandage went unnoticed. He wouldn’t get far in the tournament if he allowed himself to be interrupted by every scrape. ‘Twas just a flesh wound, after all. “That was a nice explosion, Javier. Big.” It was a simple statement that could have been from any passerby who happened to be walking by the rather public field Javier had chosen for his practices, but the distinctly familiar dialect difference from standard Catalan and pep in the voice were enough for Javier to identify the speaker. “Thanks.” There was an awkward beat of silence while Javier searched the expectant smile of his brother for any clue of why Salomón had been creeping on his training. He did not find any. “What’s up?” The younger Velázquez brother shrugged, but his grin had widened and his eyes had brightened. “I just came looking for you so we could go to that Junior Mission information seminar together.” This optimism killed Javier. Anything to do with Axiom was nothing Javier wanted to be a part of. It was exactly that sort of bureaucratic bullshit that had gotten Javier into so much trouble when he was younger and he had no intention of conforming to what they expected of him. “I wasn’t planning on going.” Salomón’s smile went crashing to the ground and Javier could feel his heart go with it. It was cheesy, it was lame, and it filled the generally stoic Javier with more emotion than he would have liked, but there really wasn’t anyone in the world Javier hated letting down more than his brother. “Why?” It was a quiet and simple question, but it sounded so much louder and more accusing to Javier’s ears. The Spanish champion chose his next words carefully, releasing a slow exhale as an aid to buy himself some time. “I am not sure if Axiom is as concerned with doing good as they are with seeming to do good.” “Javier you can’t become a vigilante.” It was short, sudden, and abnormally brusque for the happy-go-lucky Salomón and there was a determined sort of disapproval set on his face. This sort of worldiness and maturity was not something Javier had expected from the boy he still remembered as the twelve year old who had buried his face into his older brother’s hoodie to hide his tears when Javier first left for Boston four years ago. But that naiveté and innocence weren't ones Javier could expect to last forever. It was no secret that those who fought outside the means of Axiom often showed up dead and Javier didn’t possess the hubris to assume he could be the one exception, nor did he possess the heart to tell Salomón that this kamikaze mission was in serious consideration for after the tournament. So, with a sigh and a “Fine, let’s go to the seminar,” Javier allowed himself to be talked into the Junior Axiom mission. This would not be his only opportunity to share his thoughts about vigilantism with his family and if it offered his brother a brief peace of mind, it would be well worth it. Besides, if did choose to become a vigilante, the experiences he would gain were things he really ought to know, anyway. These justifications he told himself did nothing to quell the annoying, nagging voice that told him he was selling out. He pushed these accusations aside with great effort as he focused his attention on the animated gestures and exaggerated expressions of his younger brother. There was a time and a place for an identity crisis, and it certainly wasn't during Parents' Weekend, where his family could be witness to it. |