Kick ass

[Jack]

Jack and phoenix got out of their individual cars, it became routine for the them to watch the football and get drunk together on a weekly basis. Phoenix was beginning to settle into his new home, despite his extremely advance and in many cases far superior maturity level he was still a child. Phoenix and Jack’s friendship began to grow again, having spent the year and a bit in New York with Phoenix Jack had witnessed him grow now with over a year absence Phoenix had improved out of sight. Jack had called reception, there were two men with loading trolleys waiting for them in the car park. Jack unloaded the three kegs first, struggling to get them to the trolley he placed the as neatly as he could, next came them two slabs of beer, locking his car up Jack was carrying two canvas bags filled with assorted scotch and vodka bottles. Jack would place his canvas bag down and look at phoenix who would be unloading his own alcohol. Jack would help phoenix load the cartons upon cartons of various expensive wines and other alcohols.

You boy’s are having quite the party

“You could say that”

Once all the alcohol had been loaded onto the trolleys Jack would lock his car up and with Phoenix he would make his way up to their apartment. The two servicemen following behind them with the baggage trolleys. They would take the elevator up to their level, walking down the corridor and stopping outside their room Jack would let out a small chuckle, as he unlocked and entered the complex keeping the door open for the service men, unloading everything into the front room, Jack would tip both servicemen before closing the door and getting to work. Connecting the keg to the tap he would chuckle and he poured himself a beer.

“It’s going to be a good game man, I got $1000 on a multi bet. If I win it’s paying $88.”

[Phoenix]

Phoenix climbed out of his car. Ever since Jack had taught him the subtleties of racing, Phoenix had been badgering Jack to let him have one of his old cars and not long ago, Jack had given in. An obsidian Dodge Avenger. Despite it not being the fastest car or the most expensive, it allowed Phoenix to get from location to location with time to spare and was also common enough for him to blend into traffic should the need arise. Also, there was an extremely important feature of the Avenger that had proven to be very useful since Phoenix and Jack had established there weekly soccer/drinking session; the car had a 382 L boot capacity.

Phoenix would move around to the back of his car and open the boot with the remote locking system that he had modified slightly. It didn’t only just lock the car now. As the boot opened, Phoenix would begin to unload a couple of bottles of single malt whisky while Jack, having already unloaded his alcohol because of his maniacal driving speed, came over to move a couple of boxes of vodka. Thirty seconds later and all of the alcohol from both Jack’s and Phoenix’s cars were loaded onto the trolley.

“You boy’s are having quite the party”

“You could say that.”

Sneaking a half smile, Phoenix would lock his care with the remote and follow suit by walking behind the servicemen and Jack until they reached the elevator. Upon reaching the room, Phoenix would wait for Jack to tip the servicemen and close the door before he sought to unstack some of the liquor. After unstacking the alcohol, Phoenix would place the beer, wine, whisky and scotch into the fridge and then reach down and grab the vodka bottles to insert them into the freezer. Upon completing this task he would pour himself a beer from the already connected keg and walk over to one of the couches in the lounge room.

“It’s going to be a good game man, I got $1000 on a multi bet. If I win it’s paying $88.”

After getting into a comfortable position, Phoenix would flick on the 64” TV and find the game in question on one of the many sport channels.

“You know that the house always wins Jack. And by the house, I mean not Arsenal.”

Smirking, Phoenix would already know how Jack was going to respond to his little prodding at Arsenal.

[Jack]

“You know that the house always wins Jack. And by the house, I mean not Arsenal.”

“You’re assuming that I’ve placed a bet on Arsenal to win, when in fact I’ve placed the last bet for my multi on the man united v man city game. As for Arsenal vs Tottenham well.”

Jack would carry his beer over to the door, sliding it open he would sit down letting a nice warm draft through the house. Pulling a cigarette out he placed it into his mouth lighting up as he watching through the door whatever Phoenix turned the channel to.

“Yo man put some basketball on, game doesn’t start for a bit.”

Jack would finish his beer, placing his cigarette down he would stand up , walking through the living room Jack would pass Phoenix and if he had finished his beer Jack would pick up his empty pint glass as well, walking over to the tap and refilling both glasses, walking back he would hand phoenix his glass back, before he continued to walk to the balcony and resume smoking his cigarette.

“Hey Phoenix I got some ideas I want to go over with you”

Jack would sip his beer, draining about a sixth of it in his first sip. Jack would continue to watch the basketball cheering for whoever was the underdog, clapping whenever a dunk or a three point was scored. Jack would take another sip of his beer, letting off a sigh as he butted his cigarette. Walking back into the room he would sit down beside Phoenix.

[Phoenix]

“You’re assuming that I’ve placed a bet on Arsenal to win, when in fact I’ve placed the last bet for my multi on the man united v man city game. As for Arsenal vs Tottenham well.”

Phoenix would watch Jack as he crossed the length of their lounge room and opened one of their double sliding doors and proceeded to step outside onto a balcony that wrapped itself around the contours of the apartment smoothly. Looking past Jack it was easy to see a beautiful sunset that graced the sky as reds clashed with oranges and yellows. Entranced, Phoenix focused further and further into the distance realising how alienated he was from everyone and just how much of a jerk he had been lately. Maybe he was still adjusting to the life of San Diego or he was still disconcerted to see Jack after such a long time, however, then and there, he vowed that he would return to who he had been before Jack had left; a friendly, loyal and trustworthy genius. So deep was he in his thoughts of self improvement and reverie that he almost missed Jack’s voice pouring in from outside.

“Yo man, put some basketball on. The game doesn’t start for a bit.”

Nodding in agreement, Phoenix would flick through the channels until he found a reasonable game of basketball, Denver vs. Boston, and absorb himself within the game. One the screen, a player performed a necessary through the legs manoeuvre to avoid a defenders reaching hand and combined it with a backspin to blow past the same defender; the result, a massive double-handed dunk at the end that caused the crowd to erupt. Phoenix looked longingly at the court and realised how long it had been since he had played basketball. A desire to play suddenly filtered through his body along with memories of seasons past from when he was only a child. Draining the rest of his glass, he would hold it out for Jack to refill as he walked past.

“Hey Phoenix, I have some ideas I want to go over with you.”

The amethyst hues would flick a stare towards Jack in curiosity, Phoenix was intrigued now. Knowing Jack’s behaviours back-to-front, Phoenix waited patiently for him to finish his cigarette and join him on the couch. Shortly after finishing his cigarette, Jack did just as predicted and sat down beside Phoenix.

“What did you want to discuss?”

[Jack]

“What did you want to discuss?”

Jack would sit down, placing his feet on the table taking a sip of his beer. Jack would watch the game unfold in front of him he missed basketball, with the season only around the corner Jack had been doubling his training schedule, his new training regime was better then ever.

Jack watched the Denver vs. Boston game, his 62 inch lcd tv cost him and arm and a leg but when it gave such a clear HD picture it was well worth it. Jack watched as a player a player performed a nifty through the legs manoeuvre to avoid a defenders sweeping hand, it was at times extremely useful as a mere cross over exposes the ball to the defenders sweep. Combining the cross over with a reverse backspin the guard cut straight through to an open basket, due to a screen by his center and four. The shooting guard finished the destruction of the team with a huge double handed slam dunk.

"BOOM!"

Jack would clap before picking his glass up again and taking another sip of the beverage. Jack's head would turn to Phoenix.

"I'm no longer a Pillar, I haven't been for some time sorry I didn't tell you sooner. But the time has come Phoenix, It's finally time, time to mobilize our forces. Tonight! Tonight we celebrate, a celebration of the life we lived and the one we will no longer live."

Jack would raise his glass for a toast.

"We have been working on this for two long years now. I have seen you grow, I have been there for a lot of it and at times none of it. But I see you now, Phoenix and I know that as you and I grow, as we conquer I know, I know we will reach our goal."

Jack would pause thinking about his words, choosing them carefully.

"We have a long road ahead of us, I will not lie and say it'll be easy, but it's not one that we can complete" Jack would pause for a second. "To our new age, Phoenix", he'd touch glasses with Phoenix and drain his pint.

[Phoenix]

The sounds of Jack’s massive hands clapping filled the room, drowning out the cheering of the fans issued from the TV. As he did so Phoenix would get up and walk into the kitchen that was only separated from the living area by counters set up in a vague “L” shape. Making his way towards the fridge, he would open the freezer and take out a cold bottle of vodka. Phoenix still laughed at men and women who tried to chill vodka in fridges, the real place to chill a vodka was in a freezer because the liquid wasn't water, it would freeze at 0 Cº and neither would the bottle explode. Pouring himself half a pint of vodka and then adding half a pint of soda to the mix, Phoenix would lean over the counters that separated the kitchen from the living area and listen to Jack’s voice.

“I’m no longer a Pillar, I haven’t been for some time. Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. But the time has come Phoenix. It’s finally time, time to mobilise our forces. Tonight! Tonight we celebrate, a celebration of the life we lived and the one we will no longer live.”

Phoenix would take a step back from the counter and vault over the barrier between the kitchen and living area without dropping a single ounce of alcohol in doing so. Striding to where Jack was raising his glass, Phoenix would raise his as well and stop when he was only a meter away from his friend.

We have been working on this for two longs years now. I have seen you grow, I have been there for a lot of it and at times none of it. But I see you now, Phoenix and I know that as you and I grow, as we conquer I know, I know we will reach our goal.”

A feeling rose up from deep within the recesses of his being that he had never experienced before. Pride. Sure, he had felt something akin to pride, arrogance at outdoing his opponent, destroying an enemy for the fun of it and becoming stronger all made him feel similar. However, this was a different sense of pride. Jack was proud of him. His mentor was recognising him as an equal and was saying that he was proud of his student. A smile rose unbidden to Phoenix’s lips as he listened to Jack’s next, choice words.

“We have a long road ahead of us, I will not lie and say it’ll be easy, but it’s not one that we can’t complete. To our new age, Phoenix.”

Phoenix would match Jack’s movements exactly and raise his glass to meet with Jack’s with the result of a satisfying *clink*. Still mirroring Jack’s movements, Phoenix would put the pint sized glass to his mouth and begin to drink as much of the liquid as he could, however, he only made it three-quarters of the way through as he was yet to become Jack’s match in drinking contest and consuming half a pint of vodka in one go was no easy task, even for Jack.

Gasping for air, Phoenix would place his nearly empty glass onto the nearest table and laugh. Now the fun was going to begin, he could feel it. But for now, he was content to enjoy the night.

“When did you say the game started?”

[Jack]

“When did you say the game started?”

"Uhh first game's around 9 O'clock mate, Arsenal are playing at 1:30AM. So like 30 minutes until kick off"

Jack would chuckle Phoenix was seriously over killing it on the Vodka, who drank 250 ml's of vodka in one go not even Jack was that stupid. Although he had to hand it to Phoenix since the day they met two and a bit years ago, Phoenix's alcoholism has shot through the roof. Whether Phoenix liked to admit it or not, he was an alcoholic, possibly more so then Jack. Because well Jack had nothing to prove when it came to Alcohol the Irishman had done next to everything for it.

"You're a fucking psycho bro."

Jack would stand up and move back to his tap, filling his pint glass again he would let out a burp. Having drained two already this would be his third one in half an hour time to slow down and enjoy it. It wasn’t Arsenal time yet, Jack would get filthy tonight it would be their party of a lifetime. Once his pint was full Jack would walk around the bench, not wanting to risk spilling his beer it was too valuable. “Come have a smoke with me” . Jack would call out even though Phoenix didn’t smoke it was always nice to have someone to keep you company while you had a drink and a smoke. Maybe he just wanted to share the experience of the now vibrant skyline, from their balcony which overlooked the beautiful city that was San Diego.

“So tell me Phoenix what’s your take on all of this?”

Jack would say as he lit his cigarette up, subconsciously leaving his packet open for anyone else who wanted to take a cigarette and join him *hint hint*. Jack would wait for Phoenix to respond before adding a respond of his own, he would then move on. Taking a large sig of his pint he nodded in agreement as Phoenix spoke. Enjoying the company and enjoying having someone else finally tell him how he was going, no smart arse comments, just blunt constructive feedback. Being his own master for so long has made him independent from other people. While this was a good thing in its own terms it meant that his team skills were seriously lacking. Possibly one of the reasons he didn’t suit his position in the pillar ship group all that well.

“And how do you think we can improve our situation?”

Once again Jack would wait for Phoenix to respond before adding his own response and they would go on from there.

[Phoenix]

“Uhh the first games around 9 O’Clock mate, Arsenal are playing at 1:30 am. So like 30 minutes until kick off.”

A good natured chuckle filtered through the room as Jack watched Phoenix almost completely drain his glass and replace on the table. It was a hereditary trait that he could drink absurd amounts of alcohol and remain almost entirely unaffected. Phoenix knew that it was a trait that had been envied by Jack ever since they had first done this together. Smiling fully, Phoenix would pick up his near empty glass and take another small sip, knowing full well that not even he could maintain that sort of pace for more than an hour at most.

“You’re a fucking psycho bro.”

Phoenix would raise his near empty glass to Jack’s comment whilst also allowing Jack to take it from him and refill it with some beer from the nearest keg. Placing it down on the coffee table in front of them, Phoenix would then stand up and take a few strides to his right until he reached a quiet enough place away from the TV so that he could talk without it being impossible to hear what he was saying from the other end of the line. Reaching into his pocket, he would retrieve his slightly modified iPhone 3G S and call the local delivery pizza place.

“Jack, large meat lovers and a large BBQ chicken for you, correct?”

He would await confirmation from Jack before placing Jack’s order with his own pizza added onto the end. Returning the phone to its original position within his pocket, he would turn around and see Jack already outside and looking as if he expected Phoenix to join him out on the balcony. Making his way outside, Phoenix would lean the railing that prevented the two roommates from plunging to their deaths.

“So tell me Phoenix what’s your take on all of this?”

Phoenix would watch on in disgust as Jack lit a cigarette and drew in a large carcinogenic breath. Jack had always tried to get Phoenix to follow suit in terms of drug taking and smoking, however, Phoenix’s iron will had never wavered and never would as far as he was concerned. Jack had better hope that he didn’t have any drugs in this apartment otherwise there would be hell to pay.

“We’ve waited long enough and planned for long enough for us to know what we need to do. However, I think now is still not the time to completely mobilise. We need more forces and personally we still can improve. I have a few candidates in mind for the inevitable expansion but I’ll keep their names to myself for the moment.”

Smiling sinisterly, Phoenix knew that Jack would hate not being in on this inner circle of knowledge.

“And how do you think we can improve our situation?”

“I would like to hear how you think we should progress.”

Phoenix would take a draught from his pint glass and enjoy the subtle tastes that ran through the amber liquid.

[Jack]

Jack would stand up and take Phoenix’s empty pint glass, walking over to refill it along with his own, the amber liquid filling the angled glass from the bottom up, squaring the glass as it reached spilling point allowing the froth to build up at the top for that professional look. Switching the pint glasses over perfectly he would fill his own to the brim, picking up a thin metal skewer, he would run it over the top of the glass, taking away any excess foam. Returning back to the coach area Jack would hand over the pint glass to Phoenix, before he would walk off to continue his original course of action, as Phoenix placed his drink down on the coffee table in front of him. Jack would light up his cigarette. He sighed contently as the smoke was pushed out of his lungs and out his mouth, drinking his beer to ease his throat. Jack would look through the door at the Basketball game as Phoenix would then stand up and take a few strides to his right, imagining he wanted to go somewhere quiet. Jack heard numbers being dialled and then Phoenix’s voice calling out to him.

“Jack, large meat lovers and a large BBQ chicken for you, correct?”

“Yeah man sounds good”

Jack would see Phoenix’s skinny frame interrupt his line of sight for a split second as he walked through the door. Taking up a comfortable position on the railing Jack would sigh as he turned his attention from the Basketball game to Phoenix who by now was starring off into the distance possibly even the future. Those eyes of him never missed anything and that brain never forgot anything he was the perfect host for the demon that Jack would awaken in him.

Jack would notice Phoenix’s look of disgust as Jack continued to inhale the toxic substance, sighing contently to himself what was Phoenix’s problem with shit that killed you anyway? Jack had always tried to get Phoenix to follow suit whenever they went out and to be fair, it had worked to a certain level of degree. Jack and Phoenix began drinking and more as the year went on and by the end of it Phoenix was a raging alcoholic quite a major turnaround in Jack’s mind. Jack didn’t understand Phoenix’s hate for drugs he really couldn’t, sure the men and women who sold them were scum feeding off the life blood of the needy and weak. Yet Jack wasn’t needy nor was he weak, he only ever bought the highest quality substances, never stooping so low as to buy anything less, if he couldn’t get something of high quality he wouldn’t settle for less. Similar to his tobacco choices even his alcohol, he only ever smoked Golden Virginia or tobacco’s placed on the same level and only ever drank high quality spirits or beers.

“We’ve waited long enough and planned for long enough for us to know what we need to do. However, I think now is still not the time to completely mobilise. We need more forces and personally we still can improve. I have a few candidates in mind for the inevitable expansion but I’ll keep their names to myself for the moment.”

“On that note we must triple our training, even if it means taking weeks off school. Academics can wait, might I add I also think you’re a cunt”

“I would like to hear how you think we should progress.”

“I agree there is still more work to be done, we however must keep an eye on certain individuals who may stand in our way. On that note as much as it pains me to say it the pillarship cannot be trusted. They are all bound by duty and while undoubtedly our end goals are the same our means may greatly differ. That being said I’m sure you have found some interesting individuals who may share similar interests, I trust you to know what you’re doing. Moving on I think it’s best that we increase our much needed funds I have sort out a few contracts from a few interested parties through my contacts in the Carso family. This will provide us with a good opportunity to increase our funds, I am also opening reopening the Urban Angels garage and with it my domination of the Las Angeles’ racing scene. All but one crew stands in my path LASR... see if you can get me some dirt on them may even be able to find a weakness that we can exploit. Or force them to join the UA as affiliates.

Jack would pick up his pint glass and ring it to his lips, letting the golden amber liquid run down his throat sighing as he drank it, feeling the alcohol take its effect on his body.

“Do you agree?”

[Phoenix]

“On that note we must triple our training, even if it means taking weeks off school. Academics can wait, might I add I also think that you’re a cunt.”

Phoenix would allow a smile of a confident and arrogant nature to break through his stoic demeanour as Jack insulted him. It was obvious that Jack resented not knowing key parts of some of Phoenix’s plans, however, Phoenix knew that it was the safest course of action. Keeping each party only informed of the duties that they would have to perform meant that they could solely focus on their set tasks and not worry about the finer details of the plan. Nodding in agreement, Phoenix would voice his thoughts.

“I’ve got no problem missing school, it’s only to satisfy them anyway.”

Phoenix enjoyed going to this school, it was more fun than his previous ones and gave him many, many people that he could manipulate and fight with to grow smarter and stronger, indeed, it seemed that he learnt more from the other students than he did from the teachers. Whilst he was reminiscing on the short time that he had spent at school in San Diego, he was also listening to Jack’s response to his earlier question.

“I agree there is still more work to be done, we however must keep an eye on certain individuals who may stand in our way. On that note as much as it pains me to say it the pillarship cannot be trusted. They are all bound by duty and while undoubtedly our end goals are the same our means may greatly differ. That being said I’m sure you have found some interesting individuals who may share similar interests, I trust you to know what you’re doing. Moving on I think it’s best that we increase our much needed funds I have sort out a few contracts from a few interested parties through my contacts in the Carso family. This will provide us with a good opportunity to increase our funds, I am also opening reopening the Urban Angels garage and with it my domination of the Las Angeles’ racing scene. All but one crew stands in my path LASR... see if you can get me some dirt on them may even be able to find a weakness that we can exploit. Or force them to join the UA as affiliates.”

Phoenix considered his answer as Jack drunk his way through most of the pint glass. The first part of Jack’s little speech made sense, however, the second part, as far as Phoenix could see, didn’t really relate to him. Sure, thought Phoenix, extra funds are always nice but they had already made plans for that. Still, there was no point in annoying Jack at this point.

“I’ll need to further analyse a few things but most of what you say fits with what I’ve observed. As for the racing, well, I’ll see what I can do.”

[Jack]

Jack would return Phoenix's smile with his own sinister chuckle, yes their training regime would involve four times as much fighting. It would be a significant step up in the intensity, Jack could not afford to spoil Phoenix any more then he had done already. Phoenix had many great things set out for him. One of these many things would be a spot at the top and what came with being in such a position. He would have to constantly watch his back, actually be vulnerable no longer would he be the hunter that waited in the shadows. Jack and Phoenix both shared the same opinion of the amount of information that would need to be shared, both parties were capable of managing their own affairs yet they also heavily relied on each other. There was only so much digging around Jack could do before it started to take away from his duties and by extension his training.

“I’ve got no problem missing school, it’s only to satisfy them anyway.”

“Very well, keep your eyes open and your ears alert, the rats will be talking and gossiping see what you can learn and get back to me with anything of interest , if there’s anything I can do to help you with your tasks please let me know. Your victory is my victory and our victory is Deroc’.”

“I’ll need to further analyse a few things but most of what you say fits with what I’ve observed. As for the racing, well, I’ll see what I can do.”

Jack would allow Phoenix to continue. his answer annoyed Jack to a certain extent, whether or not Phoenix realized but Doerc Veritas’ dominance outside of the school was just as if not more important than the dominance within. Once Deorc establishes itself outside it can lay the seeds of carnage and mayhem within the school walls in the net of safety that the Urban Angels and Invictus will provide for Phoenix and the Intel division. This will require that anyone on the street circuit who may oppose Jack be crushed instantly.

“Phoenix, remember this. I do not want us to follow the wrong path too many have failed because they did not create the right network of support to sustain their great power.”

Jack would nod, satisfied that Phoenix understood what he meant, although Jack’s calm was only due to the fact that he had full confidence in Phoenix’s abilities.


OOC: Sorry Josh I'm really tired man hahha Footbal's taken so much out of me. Enjoy.