Thread: XXx Rage of the Heart xXx CLOSED xXX

RE XXx Rage of the Heart xXx Zaragnar LD xXX Walking down the side of the road, Darren turned around and thumbed the air, giving the universal gesture to the incoming truck for a lift. He wasn't surprise when the driver ignored him, they usually do. Darren couldn't blame them for being cautious though. Stories of missing drivers in the result for hitching somebody a ride were common around the area, especially when it was rumored that an Academy of mutants was nearby. So he continued walking and kept his gaze on the ground, adjusting the bag where he'd slung a strap over one shoulder. It wasn't until he saw his bare feet did he came to take a moment to look at himself and finally understood why nobody bothered to stop and offer him a ride. Darren was clad in tattered clothes with unkempt hair and beard. He may have been mistaken for a homeless person but with his rugged physical appearance, he would seem to be the sort to mug and overpower a person when given the chance. He should have worn something more decent. Should have bought something in the Russian border or the borders that followed before returning home. Then again, he couldn't be sure he could maintain the condition of the clothing for long, especially when he was prone to... well, attract trouble. The mission he was assigned to, by Malcolm Xavier, in Russia took him about five years to complete. It's not because he wasn't competent for the job, but because the unit he was attached to, required his assistance with multiple manhunts. They had to negotiate and befriend harsh environments, mostly against the cold, and needed to occasionally infiltrate enemy territory. Thus why they'd asked for a recommendation from the Director of the Academy with whom could be their guide Ratel was then introduced. James Darren finally reached the facility. He stood for a while, sniffing in the scents, both familiar and new from the building. Then he entered, walking through the halls as he head for the Director's office and ignoring glances or stares from the students along the way. There was one though that his hazel brown eyes lingered on a little longer than he had on the rest, but it's still quite brief to really leave an impact on him. Davno ne videlis', Direktor! Been a while, Director! said Darren, standing by the doorway. Ty skuchayesh' po mne? Do you miss me? jested the man with a smirk on his face. Darren.. nodded the man with concerns clearly masking his expression. Kak dela, Mal'kol'm? Vy ne vyglyadite tak khorosho, How are things, Malcolm? You don't look so well, Darren asked as he folded his arms over his broad chest. That's because things aren't well, James! he paused and leaned back into his seat, mentally extracting a file from a drawer and floated it over to Darren. I need you to do me a favor.. Seriously? As soon as I return, you want to send me out on another mission? he asked, momentarily ignoring the file that hovered before him. But when the Director held his gaze, Darren straightened himself and scowled before reading the file. The picture was familiar but he couldn't recall when he'd seen that blue eyes and scrumptious looking lips. Just then, lightning flashed outside the window behind Malcolm followed by the roar of thunder. That's her.. I need you to... and so he told the man what he had in mind. --- It didn't take him long to find her. She was the only one outside of the building at that point of time. Darren had not immediately agreed to babysit the brat though and he had exchanged a few words with the Director, edging closer and closer to tearing the man apart for being so persistent but not crossing over the line he'd mentally set himself with. And it was exactly that kind of control Malcolm had wanted him to impart to this girl, convincing him precisely why it had to be him for the sake of the students in the Academy and the humans they'd sworn to protect. Why isn't this working? he heard her ask. Seems to be working just fine for me.. he casually replied, looking up to the clouds where the rain began to drench his clothing, sounding absolutely sincere that he was impressed by the display of power and not in mockery. He shut his eyes for a moment to savor the cooling droplets over his face and took off his shirt as they began to cling tightly over his torso. His fringes stuck onto his forehead as his hair became wet and the cascading water flowing down his body was simply so refreshing.