[center][h3][u][b]Finding Common Ground[/b][/u][/h3][i]Zach and Judah[/i][/center]
[hider=Collaboration with Spiffy]A overwhelmingly cocky smile flashed across Zach's face and he didn't try to hide it this time. He leaned forward, before taking a step in the brown haired man's direction.[b][color=#00b200]"See I would believe that, that makes a lot of sense. My first thought was that you were just a good Samaritan as well, but there is a problem with that. You called the police, and left before you could give them a statement. Vigilantes are frowned upon, but you were acting in defense of that woman."[/color][/b] That last part was a guess from context clues, as he never actually saw the woman in danger. [color=00b200][b]"Wanna try for round two? Or you could just tell me the truth."[/b][/color] His voice was steady, almost mocking in tone. Insolent was probably the first word that came to mind.

Judah thought to himself for a moment,[color=Green]"Just as I thought, persistent guy.."[/color] He then replied,[color=Green]"You really are something else..tell you what. I will reveal what I'm doing here if you tell me why your so interested. Fair?" [/color] He then awaited his response intrigued by his boldness. Could he be of use?

[color=00b200][b]"Oh that's easy"[/b][/color] Zach responded, looking down the sidewalk in the direction he had come from. He paused for a beat before meeting the man's eyes. [color=00b200][b]"I'm the good guy.[/b][/color] He said, completely serious. [color=00b200][b]This neighborhood is under my protection, so when I see someone take out the trash that I'm so used to depositing on the street, I wonder: 'Hey, what's this man's game?' So. What is your game?"[/b][/color] Steady and composed. He wasn't always so, but his derangement made him overly confident. That and his first taste of real 'fight or flight' adrenaline had come after his trigger. His power had informed him that flight was always an impossibility, and so fight he did.

After listening to him intently, Judah begins to wonder if this guy is all here in the head. He replies,[color=Green]"So you're telling me that you take out guys like that for a living? Judging by your physique, I'd say you wouldn't last a minute with those guys." [/color]He shakes his head,[color=Green]"I have been wrong before, but what makes you so special?" [/color] Judah pauses again and thinks to himself,[color=Green]"Using  my abilities on this guy would be wrong, I just would like to know what  he's about. Is he crazy, or is he for real?" [/color] Judah meets his gaze after his thought and states,[color=Green]"I'm here to recruit those willing to join me. The threats in this city are real and if we can even make a small difference against them will make it worth it. That is 'my game'." [/color]

A frown slowly formed on Zach's face at the man's suggestion about his physique. He sighed, and responded slowly. [color=00b200][b]"You know as well as I do that men aren't equal. Some are faster, some are smarter, some can dish out more punches, and some-"[/b][/color] A smile reformed on the young man's face, [color=00b200][b]"-can take more punches. That's me, I can take every hit thrown my way. I'm as durable as Superman.[/b][/color] As he finished, he listened to the man speak about forming a group to battle the bad guys. Before the Italian man finished speaking he started shaking his head. [color=00b200][b]"You wanna make a gang of good guys. Something the PRT hover over constantly, waiting for the first excuse to arrest the members of. You might as well join the Protectorate."[/b][/color] It was a test. The man could easily make the point that the same logic applied to Zach, that he could just join the Protectorate instead of participating in vigilantism, which he so clearly did. It was a bait to see the Italian man's reasoning behind not joining the Protectorate.

Judah winced as he heard the word "Protectorate". To him, authoritarian groups of unrestrained power were not an option. Not only were the members subjected to the organization's orders, but  they were limited in the scope of their response. If a terrorist planned on blowing up a building full of innocent people, the members were answerable to the Protectorate before they could act. Or so he understood. He didn't have a problem with authority, as long as it was [i]done right[/i]. And it was always [i]done right[/i] when Judah was in control. Or so he thought. Judah starts,[color=Green]"The Protectorate"[/color]and shudders at the name,[color=Green]"Is incapable of dealing with the threats the people and ourselves face daily. You yourself claim to fight on your own." [/color] Judah smirks,[color=Green]"I'd wager your not a fan of them either." [/color]

It was a little shocking to hear the same reasoning that Zach used to justify his own vigilantism echoed back to him. He nodded in affirmation, glancing down at his feet for a second. A little give, a little sway in who was controlling the encounter. [color=00b200][b]"Same reason. I don't want others to die because I wasn't given the right orders at the right time."[/b][/color] Although he wouldn't admit it out loud, he was coming to respect the man a bit more.

Judah's smirk turns into a genuine smile. Listening to the guy, about his abilities and all, gave Judah the impression he was telling the truth about everything. Being able to feel other's emotions made it a lot easier to discern the truth from fabrication. He responds,[color=Green]"I'm glad we're on the same page. It might not be a bad idea to work together. After all, our goals are the same, to protect the innocent. But there is a difference between us and [i]them.[/i]"[/color] He spits the word like poison from his mouth. [color=Green]"We will do it at [i]any cost[/i]."[/color] The air seems to go cold for a moment, as feelings of anger flow all around the two vigilantes. Judah regains his composure and it slowly subsides. The feelings dissipate into the night.

A comfortable silence filled the night, as Zach stepped back to the light post, and leaned against it once more. He became lost in thought, his eyes just above the apartment building in front of him. If this were the boonies he'd be able to see stars, but instead a black curtain was beginning to cover the sky. The implications of the message, the immediate assumption that they could work together took a bit of processing. His eyes drifted downward, shifting so they rested right past the man's head. He was thinking while he began talking, which made the gesture not unnatural. [color=00b200][b]"I'm still curious about how you took them down. The two guys from earlier. People don't turn into vigilantes normally, unless they have powers. Is that true for you?"[/b][/color] Slow and methodical, the words not coming out of his mouth at a normal rate. He sounded genuinely curious, and a little tired, as the encounter shifted in tone. The confrontation was now less so.

As the interaction between the two became more of a conversation rather than a confrontation, Judah stroked his stubble in thought. Hearing him ask about his powers made him slightly uncomfortable. Judah had trouble trusting others, especially those he just met. But he had no impression that this guy wasn't honest. How could he get him to work together if he didn't give him something to think about? After much thought he responds,[color=Green]"I'm able to..influence my environment. I can sense, as well as affect the emotions of others around me. I don't need you telling anyone, but here's an example." [/color] At that moment Judah breathes deeply. Slowly the air around them becomes.. peaceful, calm. He exhales slowly and continues,[color=Green]"It may seem somewhat useless to someone with a near indestructible body, but it has its uses if you're creative." [/color]

The explanation seemed hard to comprehend, until he felt it. The serenity spread through the air like a virus. He had the stray thought that the sensation should have made him more stressed, but somehow his brain didn't let that continue. At the mention of the power being useless Zach shook his his head. [color=00b200][b]"You know as well as I do that morale is almost everything in a fight. You can make someone lose a fight before they've even thought about starting it!"[/b][/color] He said, clearly impressed. A beat passed before he realized something, his mouth immediately accommodating the thought. [color=00b200][b]"By the way, my name is Zach. Zach Kozel. I think the PRT or Protectorate or whatever, call me Shielder. Their idea, not mine"[/b][/color] He extended a hand, a belated introduction and greeting now out of the way.

Judah reaches out and shakes Zach's hand firmly. Then he responds,[color=Green]"The name's Judah Raines,"[/color]he pauses, still shaking,[color=Green]"But you can call me, Mantis,"[/color] he finally says smiling. After they finish their late greetings Mantis wonders where/what they should do next. He hadn't actually thought very far ahead on the off chance someone actually accepted his offer. He strokes his chin again in thought. After some time an idea hits him and he asks,[color=Green]"So, what should we call ourselves?" [/color]

A cold wind blew down the street making Zach shiver. The man, Juda-Er Mantis introduced himself warmly. He rubbed his chin for a second before suggesting names for their team. Zach slowly realized he had just accepted the offer for the team without intending to. [color=00b200]That's fine, that was probably the expected result regardless.[/color] He shook his head before actually considering the idea of a team name. [color=00b200][b]"Lets shelf that. We need to come up with a base of operations, and a way to communicate with each other. I don't have a cell phone, so it might be tough. Plus I have work tomorrow. . ."[/b][/color] His voice trailed off, the implication obvious. [color=00b200]I don't even have a costume![/color] He thought to himself gravely.

Feeling, Zach's confusion for a second, Judah thinks he may have overstepped himself. Though Zach seems to go along with it regardless. At them mention of a base, Mantis thinks. As Zach mentions work, Judah speaks,[color=Green]"My basement will be fine for starting up. Once we become larger we will relocate. About your job.. what do you do?"[/color]

It shouldn't have been embarrassing, but it was hard to avoid the social stigma that was held against his job. [color=00b200][b]"I, uh, wash dishes for a living. The boss gave me my two week notice, so that won't actually be a problem for long."[/b][/color] Zach's voice was steady, but he didn't meet Mantis's eyes as he spoke. A breath escaped his lips in exasperation as he looked back up at the night sky.

Judah cocked his head slightly, folding his arms replying,[color=Green]"Your boss gave[i] u[/i]a two week notice? That is strange."[/color] He chuckles slightly. [color=Green]"Jobs like that come and go, you'll find another soon enough. In regards to communication I'll give you my address and number. We can meet up tomorrow after work."[/color] Mantis hands the number and address over after writing on a piece of paper.

At the mention of the oddity that was Zach's job situation he turned the slightest bit red. Remembering himself begging for time to find another job was. . . It wasn't a very heroic moment. At the offer of the man's number and address Zach nodded in confirmation. He took the slip of paper gratefully, slipping it into his pocket. [color=00b200][b]"I have work tomorrow, so I should probably head home for the night. Unless you have some dastardly villain to fight, I'll leave you to what you do. I'll get in contact with you when we can meet up next. I'm sure there are other problems we need to discuss after all."[/b][/color] Zach said, before turning to walk down the street.

Judah nods in agreement and heads backs towards his house. The night went rather well all things considered. He took care of some thugs, saved a civilian and made an indestructible friend. Though only experience would prove whether the kid was crazy or overstating things. The future looked quite promising. But what should their name be? 
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