Java and Thoreau (Cain)

[Jester]

God, what a sad, sad sight.

In the past twenty minutes, I had downgraded myself to the lowly status of coffee shop poet. With a steaming coffee at the side of my laptop, and my fingers tapping away at the keys, I was now a living stereotype.

The ear buds in my ears were playing "Awake" by Mutiny Within- a band I recently discovered after reading a review of their album that Dream Theater themselves wrote. Hell, if John Petrucci says it's worth checking out, it's worth checking out.

I was inspired once again by the works of Henry David Thoreau. His novel, Walden, changed everything about my views on life. His philosophies were groundbreaking to me, and such, my muse kicked in and told me to write.

It was my fourth day in San Diego. Adjustments were still being made. It felt so odd leaving Long Beach. So many things there were going right- but still, remaining there was the wrong idea. It meant leaving behind my Pillar status and my apprentice, but to survive a struggle with my own fragile mentality, it had to be done.

At least Jester was gone.

[Cain]

And now, Cain was starting to relish weekends, especially Sundays, when the school was closed. And since it was closed, of course, that meant that Cain did not have to report his attendance as the School Captain of #774. In the past, Cain had to search for times when he would come by a bully victimizing upon a weaker student before he would actually pick a fight. Now, people were challenging and attacking him left and right. Had the fight-lover actually picked way too many fights for him to handle? Perhaps. Either way, he was enjoying it.

A grin came upon his face at that thought as he leaned against the bar of the counter, waiting for his order to come by to him. It was a simple Mango Smoothie, though anyone who knew Cain would not be surprised at his choice of drinks. The Junior just loved mangoes too much to not resist it as long as it was on the menu. It did not take long for the employees to produce his smoothie, so the School Captain had not been forced to wait long. Wrapped in a two-ply tissue to absorb the dew that would condense on the outer side of the plastic cup, Cain turned to see if there was any free seats in front of him.

However, all the tables had been taken it seemed. Cain scanned it twice, just to make sure that he had not missed any open tables, but instead found himself staring at a number of open seats. Cain sighed. Guess he would have to share a table. At that, he started looking for a man that was closest to his age, knowing that he would be more comfortable sitting with his own age group. Then, he found one.

The Junior walked over to him, wearing a white dress shirt, sleeves folded to the elbow and buttoned up save the collar. It was untucked too, hiding his brown belt from view, the belt that kept his blue denim jeans in place. His black Converse sneakers made soft tapping sounds against the floor as he made his way to the young red-head. Leaning forward, he waved his left hand gently to get his attention.

"Hey, mind if I sit here?"

He would gesture towards the seat opposite him, a soft smile on his face. Well, he looked harmless and average enough. Despite his fighter personality, Cain was actually quite a friendly and sociable guy. He just had weird tastes in 'fun'. However, there was one thing that might catch the attention of a few, for on the right collar of his shirt was a badge. A black badge with a white lining and five equally white digits on it.

774
SC

[Jester]

I looked up to see a young man, just a few years younger than me most likely, insinuating he wanted the chair. Well, I wasn't expecting anyone, and I didn't mind company. What the hell, why not?

I took out my ear buds slowly, clicked the Pause button on iTunes, and gave the guy a smile. "Sure thing man, have a seat." He was well dressed- thank God- and seemed like a well mannered person. I was wearing casual clothing, which to me was semi-formal to most: slacks, a loose white button-up, and loose sport coat. My hair, as always, was tied back in a ponytail.

"Damien." I offered him my hand. "New in town."

And so it begins- that wonderful process of meeting new people to erase the pain of losing the old ones. Unfortunately, my old friends are the kind you can't forget. Kate, Auroth, Linda- they were the kind you couldn't wipe away with new faces.

But still, here I sat, holding out my hand to some young street walker... Funny how life just turns on you sometimes.

[Cain]

"Sure thing man, have a seat."

Cain nodded his thanks to the older male, before sitting himself down opposite him, trying not to make too much noise or movements about it so as to not bother the nice guy. In a way, Cain had grown to be quite paranoid of strangers, ever since he started to wear the badge. People would jump at him from all corners of the school, all laying claim on his badge but failing to go all the way nonetheless. Cain would then take the quick opportunity to analyse the man in front of him.

He looked older than Cain was, but not too much. A graduate? Maybe. From the laptop, it seemed that he was either working or studying. Cain guessed it was more of the latter. Heh, reading people. Cain remembered Elena then, and how easily she had read him all by the expressions on his face. And as discomforting as it had been, Cain knew he may not forget having met such a sharp-eyed and clever person.

"Damien. New in town."

Cain's attention reverted back to him, his eyes giving his hands a brief glance then, before letting a smile come upon his face as he reached forward, giving it a firm shake.

"Cain. Kinda new in town, I guess. My second month here."

And like most of the people here, he was indeed looking for a new start. Here was a place different from New York, and as Cain had seen from Kevala and Spike, Long Beach too. This was where everyone had been pulled in after leaving school, given a second chance of everything. Something that Cain really needed, to be honest.

"So, you're studying, huh?"

[Jester]

A film handshake- good, he wasn't a bitch.

Studying? Me? Oh, that was rich. Thankfully, I was done with High School and was taking college off for the time. Even if I were in college, I doubt I would be studying... Never was my thing- I just bullshitted my way into A's... Whatever.

"Nah... I'm a writer. I am now officially part of the sad sad group of individuals known as Coffee Shop Poets." I gave him a sarcastic smile. "If you want to leave the table now that's fine." I laughed and took a sip of my coffee. "I am now what I loathe."

I looked him over- he seemed unnerved. Prolly a little skittish about talking to a stranger... Kids these days. "I'm taking the semester off, so I don't need to worry about studying for a while. What about you? Are you a student?"

Let the smalltalk begin...

[Cain]

A writer? Oh? Cain smiled softly to himself. Young and educated, it seemed. That was kinda rare, to be honest. At least, in his world. Cain had grown up in schools that was far from what was to be described as part of the American Dream. It was all full of pain, suffering, violence and sorrow. And as cliche as that may have sounded, it was true for most of the teenagers in schools now. In Cain's world, the word smart would be associated with someone who knew just how to survive in the hellholes that were Public High Schools. Coffee Shop Poets? Cain returned that joke with a grin. At least he was fun to talk to. You know as they say, drinks always taste better when with company. Of course, that was for beer, but what's the difference?

The offer to leave the table was returned with a soft shake of his head. The mood between them had indeed lightened up with their small talk. Cain had to wonder, though, if he was disturbing him in his work. He didn't like Coffee Shop Poets, huh? A soft grin would come to Cain's face as he looked at him.

"Yeah, well, that tends to happen a lot."

What of Cain? A student? Yeah, well, most teenagers nowadays were, considering the low entrance standards of schools, especially here in #774, where they picked out all the students that had been removed from the nearby schools upon closing, with no thought of their history and the likes. They just came in.

"Yeah, Junior Year. Just transferred in from #552 to #774."

Cain replied, bringing his mango smoothie to his lips as he drank through the straw, the cool and sweet liquid filling his mouth, his taste buds celebrating with the drink. Little did he knew, that this man in front of him had an extended link with #552 too.

[Jester]

He had my attention. The writing was now nothing. The coffee didn't exist anymore. The other people in the coffee shop were now potted plants. I turned to him slowly, the slightest curve of a grin on my lips.

"552? As in five-hundred fifty-two?" I first said in disbelief. Old ghosts from the past coming to say hi... You run from your past and it comes right after you.

Hello? Satan? Hey, how's it goin man.
Just got a quick question for ya...
Why did you send this guy to my table?

"No shit...? That was my first high school... How is that place these days? Still a rotting shithole?" I said that without a joking tone... I actually did want to know if that place still was a rotting shithole. I had very little love for 552, as it was the birthing place of all my problems... I would not let it effect my view of Cain... but it didn't help too much.

[Cain]

"552? As in five-hundred fifty-two?"

Cain nodded his head, that straw still wedged in between his lips, his eyes rolled upwards to meet his. At first, he was confused by his reply. He knew that #552 was notorious, but not so much that it would receive such a reply from a ma- Wait... Could it be? Cain could not believe it either. It seemed that no matter how hard you try, you could never run away from your past, eh?

And then, Damien acknowledged the question in Cain's head, confirming it. Yeah, he was an old 552-er too. And Cain could now tell. He had the sort of aura of having been through all kinds of battles and wars, and still made it out alive to tell the story. That is, if they ever wanted to. Cain had stories from #552 that he himself did not want to talk about too, but it seems that he would have to pull out those stories for his sake, for he asked about #552.

"Well, it rotted bad enough to collapse. I'm not sure how it was. I left the school when everything start going shit after the Correctional Facility had an outbreak. Basically, it turned from a school to a graveyard, even worse than it already was, I mean."

Cain let out a sigh, lowering his head as he placed the cup back on the table. Yeah, he had lost a few of people he actually considered friends amongst the chaos. As if the high death toll during the explosion of the Correctional Facility was not enough, but the riots that followed after did not help the school at all. Everything just turned sour.

"Yeah, I moved here after I heard that #774 were taking in dropouts from schools that had closed down."

[Jester]

So, it was pretty much gone... Good to know. Happy to hear that such a hellhole finally met its end... Even though it did give me some of the best years of my life, it was ultimately the catalyst in me losing my mind... You know what? Fuck that place.

I pondered for a quick moment if this guy had the pleasure of knowing anyone I knew from the old days... Auroth, Wyatt, Jyo, Quan, Chrynos... all the old buds from days past. It was doubtful, but it raised my spirits for the moment.

I took a flask from my suit, unscrewed it, and raised it slightly. "Cheers! To a new era! Fuck 552." I took a shot. Yeah, I was underage, but only by a few months... Why not?

"So, 774... That the local hellhole? Or is it actually a good school?" I doubted it. Recent trends have shown me that all high schools have gone straight to hell since the approval of corporal punishment. It was a sad time... thank goodness I graduated.

[Cain]

Though Cain had probably suffered in the hallways of #552 too, he did not hold as much hatred for the school itself. Instead of looking at it as a catalyst of suffering, Cain actually preferred to look at it as a catalyst of improvement. He had fought many battles, but lost more than half of them. However, with every loss, he was getting better and better. And despite all the friends that he had lost, injuries that he had suffered and pain that he had endured, it was all, in a cruel and selfish way, worth it.

Damien jerked suddenly, then, Cain glancing up as he removed a flask from under his suit. He keeps a flask from under his suit? Cain raised an eyebrow. So, he was definitely no ordinary writer. It seemed that he had survived #552, carries a flask in his jacket, and writes. Yeah. No ordinary guy indeed. Cain grinned, going along with the celebration.

He simply raised his mango smoothie, though. He had no intention of getting drunk, or close to it, that day. He wanted to just rest and take a break from his otherwise hectic lifestyle.

After that, then, the topic moved on to #774. Cain raised his head. He looked at him for a moment, before nodding his head slowly.

"In a way, yeah. It depends on your definition of a good school, of course. Compared to #552, though, it's definitely more peaceful and more stable. Trust me, I would know."

He raised his right hand, pointing at the School Captain badge on his right collar.

[Jester]

Oooooh... He was a Pillar. Now things were juicy. So this was the guy who put everything he has on the line to defend the student body. Here was the guy who spent his days fighting evil and preaching morals. Here was the guy who would hate his job very very soon... It was the way shit worked.

"So... School Cap. Well here's to ya~" I raised my coffee in a second toast, finishing the cup. Damn, that's the best part... When all the sugar collects at the bottom and it tastes like fucking candy. Aw yeah...

"I was a Pillar as well. Director of Media at PHS42 in Long Beach." I smiled, then sighed. "Good times... At least better than the other schools. So, what made you want to put the bullseye on your head? You're either brave or stupid."

[Cain]

OOC: lol. My bad. I thought by flask, you meant an alcoholic drink. My bad. >_> St. Pat. just getting to me? xD

Truth be honest, that sense of loyalty and captainship that he was supposed to have towards #774 had yet to develop. Thus far, his heart and mind had only been set to protect one person. However, since she studied in #774, he figured he might as well protect the school along with it, right? Besides, this title had its advantages too. Like the unlimited number of fights, which meant a limitless amount of adrenaline and thrill for him.

And once more, he raised his mango smoothie to his cheer, before continuing to sip upon it. Yeah, well, he was here anyway, so might as well just take it as a challenge, right? True, he had deeper intentions, but those would have to wait until the threat came.

Oh, so he was a pillar, huh? PHS #42? At Long Beach? Hey, that was near here too. Cain chuckled. Had the school closed down and had its students transferred in? Well, Cain wouldn't know. It was the first time those two numbers had been associated with PHS to Cain. And what made him take the title? Cain took a few more sips off his mango smoothie for a moment, before giving a wide grin.

"The challenge."

Oh yeah, that was Cain indeed. Of course, there were more reasons, but hey, this was the reason that most would associated Cain with.

[Jester]

His answer was amusing. Granted, it is the most common answer for a School Captain, but it's repetition did nothing to dull it's effect on me. I gave him a smile- the kind that let him know he gave a good answer- then I crossed my arms on the table.

"Challenge? Well, if that's what you're looking for, you certainly found it. I'm sure you can tell that being a Pillar is no easy task... Shit, you'll be tired of challenge in a month." I chuckled. "So, how goes the task of defending the school? Beaten any dastardly villains yet? Saved any damsels in distress?"

Oh God- I wished that last part was a joke... Every school captain in my time, with the exception of one, was all about saving the girls and beating the baddies... It got a little cliche after a while, but hell, if they kept the school safe, whatever.

I leaned back and crossed my right leg over the other, waiting for him to explain more about his position. "Do you have the entire student body melting around you yet? All the guys wanna be you and all the girls wanna be with you?" I chuckled at the age old saying. "Or are you a different type of Captain?"

[Cain]

Yeah, he certainly found it alright. And yes, the Junior was aware of how hard it would be as a Pillar in the schools of America, for you would have majority of the student body against you. Most of the time, that is. And especially Cain's position as a School Captain, for the title could be claimed through victory in battle. And yeah, true enough, Cain had only been Captain for a week, and he was already exhausted.

Villians? Damsels in distresses? Cain chuckled, shaking his head to both, his hand placing itself atop the table as he looked at it, utterly amused at his company for the day. Seems like fortune was in his side today, for being nice had gotten him such a great companion, instead of a pissed-off teenager out for his head.

"Let's hope, then, that at the end of the month, I find a better reason, eh?"

Cain chuckled, looking up at him with a sly grin, knowing his reply was both a joke and an answer at the same time. Yes, he was cunning like that. He brought the mango juice to his lips once more just as Damien shifted in his seating position, the Junior's eyes still upon his curious and interesting person, wondering what the man had in his mind now.

"Do you have the entire student body melting around you yet? All the guys wanna be you and all the girls wanna be with you? Or are you a different type of Captain?"

Cain chuckled as he pulled the straw out from in between his lips, placing it back down on the table gently as he chuckled, before answering with a shrug.

"I don't know, ask them. I've only held this title for a few days. Though, I've never fought so much in a week for so long now. I guess I'm starting to get attention now?"

[Jester]

So he was a brand new Pillar... He had no idea what he was in for. The few days he's had would be nothing compared to what lay ahead for all Pillars. It was a hard life, but being School Captain took his responsibility to a whole new level. He would be carrying the entire weight of the school on his back- he would be looked to for guidance and support. He would be the posterboy of the school.

"Well, you're about to get a lot more attention. The first month or two of being a Pillar is the hardest. You're judged, you're hunted- it's not fun. You need to have your wits about you. Luckily, I knew how to avoid trouble, so I never caught much shit for my time as Media Director. You however... you are School Captain- You have a giant bullseye on your forehead." I tapped my forehead with my forefinger. "You're being watched by everyone."

I hoped for his sake that the school wasn't as bad as others. If it were as bad as 42, he'd have maniacs like Gabriel after the title- and he wouldn't have an ally like Linda on hand to end all bullshit. This poor guy was on his own.