Come and Save Me

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Coming from a family with money was not like having money yourself. And when you had high standards for all aspects of your life, money could quickly become a problem. There was a time when Akeem did not care about this. He had a plan for his life that simply could not fail. Except it did. First those stupid hippies that turned out not to be hippies revealed mutants to the world. Being at Bellefonte, the name of the school having to appear on his papers, it was impossible for Akeem to get to a prestigious law school without them knowing where he was from and why he went there. The next question was apparently legitimate: what kind of power he had. And there lied his next but biggest problem. With people knowing he could manipulate others at will, to have them switch their testimony for example or convince a jury of the innocence of his client, when he clearly was not, it became clear they could not have that. And so, in an instant, all of Akeem’s little dreams were shattered.

He could not waste all these years studying law though. So he became a legal advisor. It was not the same thing however and he couldn’t say he liked it. Just like being a conciliator could be really annoying. Like he was some sort of therapist to fix your problems for you! But it paid the bills and saved him from going back home and ask daddy dearest to find him a job at his restaurant. The man wouldn’t make his boy his associate. Akeem would have to start at the lowest level, just like his father did. He couldn’t have that.

If that was not enough, he was one of the unlucky few whose power diminished. Where was the fun in that? He couldn’t make any lust for him. Well, apparently this was not entirely true. This woman had to be really desperate and quite in need. She could be his mother! That was an exaggeration but she was still too old for him to find any interest in her. She employed him at some point and took a fancy for him. Akeem would pretend he liked to be charming with everyone but he didn't think he was quite enough for someone to grow a crush on him. Especially the kind that apparently included being a little too grateful for his taste. Or to follow him when he went out in the evening.

He doubted she was the kind to come to The Pulse. But he had just received his glass that she arrived, acting as though it was some very fortunate coincidence. She also didn’t leave him time to reply before asking if they could not perhaps sit at a table together while he had his drink, also implying he paid her one. Akeem did everything he could to hide the disgust he felt right now. “Actually, it’s not for me, it’s for my friend over there. But it was really nice to see you here indeed. I hope everything with the will went well. I’m sorry, I don’t want to make her wait.” He was already backing up as he said that. He had pointed at some girl who seemed to be alone. He didn’t care who she was. He still joined her though and presented her with the glass. “Please, you don’t have to drink this but just accept it, will you? That’ll save me.” He flashed a bright smile as he said that, for show.

[Lola Green]

It was a quiet night for the old gal. She was at home, sitting in front of the television and watching whatever it was playing on Hallmark. Her pets were fed, but the night was still early. Lola Green had not so long ago moved to Kalispell. Since then, she had not made many friends. Well what was the point -- she was a 70 year old and was doing fine by herself. People her age were probably busy with their own family or six feet under. This saddened her because she did not have any children of her own.

"Screw it, Bebe, I'm going out." She told her pet cat who was sitting beside her. So Lola got up to her room to put on her long johns and a sweater. On her way out, as usual, her pet dog would be running for the door. "No, sit Macy," she said sternly before shutting the door. With her purse slung on her shoulder, she took a bus that led her downtown.

Downtown was busy and noisy -- as always. How do people sleep around here? Her legs slowly made their way towards a club, The Pulse. The music could be heard even from the outside and Lola knew she wanted to be in there. Nobody was going to tell her otherwise. Not even the bouncer at the entrance who gave her a funny look. "You better let me in deary before I make a scene." With that, the 70 year old was in the club surrounded with youngsters.

"Go put on some clothes, why don't you?!" She said to a girl and swatted her with the purse. "Don't you have any?" The fashion nowadays confused the woman. 'Less is more'-- what bull is that. There were more people she had to swat to make way for her. Unbelievable. Once in the VIP area, she sat at a table somewhere near the bar. She waited to be waited on but nobody came. Until a handsome young lad sidled into the then vacant seat at her table. Moreover, he had a pretty smile and handed her a drink.

"It's about time deary." She gladly took the drink and took a sip of it. It did not look like something she knew so she sent a silent prayer it would not kill her. "You kids with your funny drinks. What is this?" She took another sip, liking the taste of it.

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Akeem was not crazy enough to have aimed for the old lady in the bar with his drink. No one would dump a fortysomething for... he didn’t even want to try and find the age for this one. No, he spotted a pretty, much younger one near her. In fact, he didn’t even see there was her grandmother next to her. She must have left, since she was not exactly there with her grandmother, while he looked back to see if the cougar was still looking his way. He started to talk as he turned towards her and his words nearly died in his throat as he realised who was there. Instead of a cougar, he was aiming for... was there any name for someone too old to be a cougar? Because that woman was the thing after that.

And she must now think he was hitting on her. He wanted to run. But he humiliated himself enough not to run from the club. He was sort of a regular here and reputation was everything.. At least for him. He had to make the most of it. And, luckily, his brain worked fast in such circumstances. He brought his smile back. Just to make sure she would not think he was flirting with her, he let his pheromones out. There was a time, he could have any woman, provided they were straight but why would he care for a lesbian, fall in love with him. Now, he could at best become their best friend. He would be that woman’s friend. At least she won’t think he flirted with her and might even consider him charming. And, who knows, she might have some pretty granddaughter somewhere around here.

“Actually, it’s called an Aviator and it’s a rather old drink. But I can take it back if you prefer,” he told her, looking away from here as he said that. He dared not look back at the bar. What if the woman he left there thought he was into old women? He’d rather her to think he brought his grandmother around. Even if that was just as ridiculous. Besides, he didn’t really want that drink. Not after she drank it. He might just end up looking like her afterwards.

[Lola Green]

The night was certainly turning into something more than what the old lady expected initially. Actually, it was not even what she had in mind. She left the comfort of her house and the company of her pets to travel downtown for a drink in a club. What someone her age doing in the trendy night club was up for questioning. There she was because she thought to break her monotamy.

Expectation: Grab a few drinks and leave before her old body could not take it anymore. Perhaps "socialize" a little bit with the bartender.

Reality: No one waited on the old gal. The bartender was not even a handsome fella -- much more a girl mind you. The upside, a young gentleman had brought her a drink.

"Please, this is fine." She waved her hand to dismiss the idea. Tilting her head back, she knock it all in one go as if it was a shot. "Woo! Looks like grandma still got it," Lola exclaimed. The empty glass sat on the table between the two strangers.

He was a pretty one but a little too young to be hitting on the old girl. At least that was what Lola thought. Maybe time had changed that. Maybe young men like him was into wrinkly white haired women. Her gaze followed his as he looked behind. With no particular idea what he was looking for, her eyes darted around randomly. "So what's a young lad like you buying the old fart drinks, aye? Some sick way of sticking your location in my destination?"

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Akeem didn’t expect to become some sort of waiter for the night. He was pretty sure The Pulse also didn't expect to add that kind of service. Yet here he was. In a way, he preferred she took him for some sort of waiter than some random guy who might be into old ladies. That was way too creepy. And Akeem had a reputation to preserve. He could still cook up some nice lie later should someone ask, she was a distant relative, a client, some girl he was seeing’s grandmother... He’d find when the time would need it. For now, he needed more an excuse to get out of here without humiliating himself further.

He certainly didn’t pay that drink for her to empty it. The only one who should have downed it was him. He rarely went for fancy cocktails, he preferred to go for a beer, but when he did, he took that old school one. He didn't care what people might think of his taste. He rarely did. He was surprised she downed it though. Grandma knew how to drink. She might not like it later but he wouldn’t be there to see it so he didn’t care. If she were to break her hip falling down stairs for being drunk, that would not take one minute of sleep from him. “Looks like it,” he said, still rather impressed she bottomed up on it. He didn’t think it was how you were supposed to drink that.

He had turned his attention away but brought his gaze back on her when she talked to him again. Sticking his location in her destination... was that a metaphor for sex? Good God! “No, no, no, nothing like that,” he assured, hoping he didn’t sound too quick to dismiss that suggestion. If you protested too loud, people might think it was because you meant it. “I just needed a change of company.” He didn't want to add more. She might think him rude. She was one strange grandma to be here and drink cocktails like this was water but she might still stick to some traditions and find it very ungallant of him to ditch a woman like that. Not that he should care what she thought of him. Only Akeem always tried to look good on people. “But the real question should be what you are doing here?” Was his pheromones working? Was she considering him a friend right now? Or maybe he’d just end up attracting everyone else to their table. Well, it might be a good escape plan too.

[Lola Green]

The drink had definitely left an aftertaste in her mouth and she was not particularly sure if she liked it or not. Even though Lola had felt a little jolt after downing it all, she felt indifferent towards what she had done. To regret would be pointless. It was already in her system, regret was not going to turn back the time and stopped her from knocking it down again. However, to feel proud of what she had done might be a little too far fetch. For god sake she was an old one who accepted a drink from a random stranger. Certainly she herself could see the moments where she would receive condescending looks from adults if she were in her twenties.

That was one of the perks of living as old as Lola had. People tended not to get into her business. Even if they did, they knew to do it discretely in order to save themselves from getting an earful from the old fart. Alcohol related or not. Do not tell a seventy year old what was good and not good for her. Whilst you might be right, would they even listen? Which was why Lola Green was enjoying the company of the stranger. He was not acting like he knew better than her.

His quick denial to what she had said brought a cackle of laughter out of the old gal. "You sure about that deary?" She cocked an eyebrow at him as she teased. Despite having his gaze back to her, Lola's eyes were still darting around the club trying to spot just who it washe was looking for/at. The moment he mentioned company, the old woman found herself staring into a set of -- curious? -- eyes. It was only for a short while before the pair of eyes travelled to the man sitting across from Lola. The look was certainly pure displeasure to say the very least. This brought another round of laughter from the seventy year old. "Oh son, is that her?" She began to describe the female. "I think I can see why." This made her smile. It seemed there was someone in the club who preferred the company of a granny over another -- even if it was by accident.

Since he had answered her question, it only seemed fair for her to do the same with his. Lola did not really need time to consider his question but she pretended like she needed to anyway. "Deary, while you wanted a change of company, I neededa change of scenery." She gestured around. When was the last time the old woman stepped into a club? It had been too long to remember. "Watching reruns of Hells Kitchen and Survivor every night could get pretty boring. Thought I'd break the monotony," she mentioned with a shrug. "Took the first bus heading downtown and just so happened to wander into this club."

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

Akeem was not sure what to make of this little old lady but he had to command her for downing a drink like this and not saying anything about it being too strong or too whatever she might find being too much of. A part of him did wish he’d be a bit like that at her age but a bigger part of him could not imagine himself being old. It was just out of the question. He enjoyed too much being the age he was to consider having wrinkles, rheumatism and a sudden desire to drink prune juice. He’d rather die than be like that. Of course, it was easy to say when you were many years away from that state.

Deary. Even his grandparents would not call him that. That sounded old though and only reminded him of the age his current company had. There was something weird about this granny and it was more than just the fact she was in a nightclub at this hour, although it was rather weird by itself too. He couldn’t quite tell what it was exactly. He bet she was the nosy type, the kind that just knew about people and loved to pry in their personal life and tease them about it. As he thought that, she was referring to someone and Akeem turned his gaze to look, seeing that the previous companion who had forced herself on him was staring their way. “Yes,” he answered although she might not hear considering he was not looking at her, and the music was rather loud. Maybe it was a prejudice to think she might be a little deaf, she showed no problem to hear him before, but he still figured it might be hard for her to.

Not that he cared too long about this though for she pointed out she understood why he left. Really, now? And for her? Akeem was not sure what to answer to that and it certainly showed on his face that this one kept surprising him. And she wanted a change in scenery. That she might consider her previous ‘scenery’ boring and need some change, he could easily understand it. That was still an odd choice but to wind up in a nightclub. Had she been less strange an old woman, he likely would have ditched her already. He saw no reason to stay when he could have younger and more beautiful company. But he was a bit curious. He found it incredible that all she did was take a bus and ended up here. Sure, that was doable, it was not the impressive part of the story, it was the fact she did it to begin with that was. “All by yourself?” So much for the sexy granddaughter theory. “And how do you find it?” Any answer other than a complaint over the sound or the music would be something he didn’t expect, really. Except maybe something about the clothes some were wearing. Okay, so long as she was not complaining, she’d surprise him.

[Lola Green]

Similar to the man sitting across from her, Lola could never imagined being as old as she was now. At least fifty years ago, she never would have fathom how she was now. To be honest, ever since her husband passed away after only three years into their marriage, whilst still in their early thirties, the old woman never even thought she would live long enough to see the big seven-o. In the early grieving stages, a life without Joseph was just seemed to horrific. So she drowned herself in her work and she took each day one day at a time. And in just a blink of an eye, one day she woke up and realized the white hair sprouting out of her scalp. What a surprise.

Her companion for the night brought back old memories. If he had asked her what he did twenty years ago, she was sure she would have done something rash like throwing a drink at him or walk away and just leave him there. She never liked to be reminded of her loneliness. Losing Joseph and both her parents around the same time was hard. Moreover, only two years ago her brother had passed away too. Being her age, you would think she would have gotten used to it. But every time a loved one passed, it still felt fresh like the first time around. Fortunately for Lola, she was dealing with it. She understood that at this age, especially at this age, it was either they left her or the other way around. Either one was bound to get hurt and so far Lola had only been on the hurting receiving end.

"Yes, deary. Not much people around when you're my age. Though, I have a grand niece but she's in that academy... What was it? Bell? Balletfont or something? Besides they also have those bloody curfews." The seventy year old shook her head. She had quite taken a liking to spending time with Blair Collins, her grand niece, but the old woman also knew that kids her age probably did not feel the same if they could help it.

"To be honest, the loud music was what attracted me in." The music in the club was certainly loud -- the granny expected nothing less from a trendy looking nightclub. It was one of the factors that drawn her into it. She passed a few shops and clubs when she walked around downtown. Even when she was outside The Pulse, she could hear the faint noise of music. It looked lively from the outside and it was definitely lively inside as well. "Though I have no idea what songs they're actually blasting." The old gal chuckled and gave a shrug of the shoulders. She was not one to follow the stream. "How about you deary? Come here often searching for company?" Her head tilted as she questioned him.

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

It required a great deal of imagination from Akeem to see himself at her age and how he would be then. Sadly, that would likely be some old geezer in a retirement house, looking at the nurses' ass, not because they’d be particularly appealing but because it was the best vision he could have around here. He didn’t want to picture himself like that. He wanted to remain in his prime. When you’re twenty, you might as well be immortal.

“Bellefonte?” I went there,” he replied as she tried to get the name right. If she got it wrong, she must not be a mutant. Or going senile. Grand niece, now that was talking to him. Even if she might be too young, which was a shame, but that was still closer to his age than what her great aunt was. “Ah yes, the curfews. But there’s still some time before it. I suppose she’s still in high school though?” Damn, too young, as he expected. Oh well. Maybe it was time to leave the old lady and find someone more suitable for him.

Although this was one amusing old lady. He did think that if she liked the loud music it was because she could hear it. But they were not yelling at each other and she understood him perfectly so there was obviously nothing wrong with her hearing. He looked towards the dance floor and past that, to the speakers blasting the music. “To be fair, I’m not sure half of the people dancing right now know what they’re dancing to,” he told her. That never stopped anyone from dancing to a good beat. Who cared who made it then? It was not a concert, the beat mattered, not the artist.

He turned his head back in her direction when she asked him what brought him here. Or more like made a guess. “It’s not the place I go to the most but you do find some interesting people,” he answered. And he would consider her in that category, although for entirely different reasons than the ones he normally put in there. “And please, call me Akeem.” Because deary sounded weird and only reminded him he was talking to a grandmother.

[Lola Green]

Bellefonte. Ah that was it. When the young man mentioned how he had attended the academy, he surely must be a mutant and the old woman wondered what his power was. It was the obvious thing to wonder really. Mutants were still a new thing to the world. Although, it was not exactly new to Lola Green. Her brother was a mutant so she had known about their existence for a long long time. But because neither her nor her parents were one, she never really got to meet other mutants. In addition, Arnold, her brother spent a lot of time at the academy -- Sir Henry Barnet -- and rarely came home. So it was not like she saw much of him and/or his friends.

The granny nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah, a senior. That little blonde likes to play by the books alright. At least most times I think. Anyway, I figure you must be a mutant just like my grand niece, yeah? Since you said you went there," she said before giving a shrug. If she was wrong, well he would have to excuse her then because she was only pointing out the most likely possibility. "Why don't you show me what you can do, hmm?"

The man was right. It was just dancing. Only the beat mattered, nothing else really. "That might be because they're too drunk to notice," she joked. Though she might not be that far off. It was a club and judging from the age of the dancers, who would not have drunk their assess off. It may be the twenty first century, but she doubted human behavior changed drastically. Lola gave the man a pleased smile. She was an interesting one -- at least that was what she let herself believe. And the seventy year old was not going to deny that anytime soon. "Ah Akeem, well I'm Lola." Since he had offered it without her asking for, it only seemed polite to return the gesture.

Just then a waitress passed which Lola stopped. Well at least finally I'll be waited on. Instead of complaining however, she went straight into ordering a bowl of chips for herself before turning to the man sitting across from her. "Want anything, de-- Akeem? Least I could do for that drink of yours."

[Akeem Ten-Amen]

It was true that a lot of people knew about Bellefonte nowadays. The fact it was a mutant school spread out and was the reason why the town grew bigger over the past few years. Still, Akeem assumed the old lady was a mutant, like he was. This did not mean he’d tell her about his power. Or ask about hers. Frankly, he didn’t care much about what special ability this woman had, other than still being able to enter a nightclub at her age in the hope of making interesting encounters.

Senior or not, that little blonde as she called her was too young for Akeem. He didn’t pick them fresh out of high school. Not when he could easily pick from someone who wouldn’t have to tell him she needed to go back to school because of curfew. She wanted him to show his power though, now that the matter of her grand niece was settled. “It’s not exactly something you can show,” he explained. He didn’t feel like telling her he could make friends out of anyone and have them do pretty much anything he wanted. This always brought ethical questions and he already was talking to an old woman, he thought he was suffering enough.

Drunk, the dancers? Probably. “There might be a bit of that, but I think if they really wanted to listen to a song, they would have stayed at home and pick it up in streaming,” he pointed out. It was so easy to make a music list these days, amongst many other things, thanks to internet. “Or go to a concert.” Then again, who would come and make a show here?

If he gave her his name, it was because being called dearie was too strange. He’d rather be called by his name. She gave him her name in return. Akeem doubted it’d remember it tomorrow but for now, he’ll call her Lola. He was about to talk but it seemed like they had waitresses after all and that Lola managed to get her hands on her. “Just a beer,” he said, hoping the lady would not get any ideas as to what he was doing here. She was not exactly very Egyptian-like so it must be hard to think they were related. “But don’t feel yourself forced to, I’ll just order it from the bar,” he said, ready to leave. It amused him to have an old lady in a club but he didn’t know how much longer he could stay here before that left a permanent stain on his reputation.

[Lola Green]

The old woman gave a shrug of the shoulders and waved her hand as if it was to say no biggie when her request to see what the mutant could do was not met. Even though him and his kind were no longer in hiding from the rest of the world, Lola understood why some would be reluctant to offer up that information about themselves. It was obvious that not everyone welcomed their existence with open arms. But that was just a con out of the many pros. However, Akeem did mention what he could do cannot exactly be shown. Which only increased the seventy year old's curiosity and she wondered what exactly he could do that the naked eye cannot see. But before she got carried away with herself, she held back and decided not to push the man any further about the matter. She was not one to nag a person to entertain her with a few of their tricks. Of course that was her eight year old self when she first found out about mutants. Back then, she could get away with pestering others but she highly doubt it to be the same now.

The old granny was so used to calling other people 'deary'. It was a bad habit of hers because it was easier to call everyone else by it rather than remembering all the names that her old mind surely would not remember in the long run. It was a handy trick and a perk of being as old as she was. Life that way did not seem as boring as what most would think -- but really Lola Green was bored that was why she got out of her home and walked into a club that night.

"Oh, alright then. Suit yourself, dear-- Akeem." She smiled as innocently as she could before waving him away. "It was a pleasure meeting you, and thank you for the drink." With that, the young man walked away. It was getting a little lonely for Lola as she sat alone at her table but then her bowl of chips came. The old lady then forgot everything about the loneliness that was creeping onto her and the only thing on her mind was filling up her empty stomach.

Afterwards, when she had made her way back to her home, Lola smiled to herself and gave herself a pat on the back for going out there that night. It was a pleasant thing to have encountered Akeem, but she was not sure if she would be going out to the clubs again next week and meet god knows who. She would not mind settling for reruns of Hell's Kitchen and gush over Gordon Ramsey.

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| OOC Note: Wrap? |