Reverse Perception

Our Family

I begin to work myself out of the maze of the Old Town, highly inconvenient for anyone trying to go anywhere but there's almost no gang activity in this part of Jaazath. Too little revenue for any of the street gangers to touch it, I would know, I used to run the first gang to ever sprout from this city. It took everything I had to leave the life and it still takes some of my will to resist getting back into it. At least I didn't have to clean up Haav shit all day long,  "no, just had to worry about dying like a starving Haav in the street" I mentally remind myself. 

As I enter the main streets, where the travelers flow and as such so does the scratch  for the gangs to steal, I put my head down my messy long hair cover my face, keeping as low profile as possible. Still a lot of rising turf lords who'd like to have the former Reveneer leader ''Vaas' the Lost'' a name so carefully earned due to the way I somehow avoided the guard every time things got ugly. Well, almost every time, memories come back from that day, the reason I left, The blood slick and crimson coating the cobbled streets of Jaazath Square. Lost in my thoughts I bump into someone and struggle to keep my head down and I murmur an apology and attempt to keep walking.

A rough hand grabs my shoulder and yanks me back, I nearly trip and fall to the rough stone pavement. I pull my dagger and lift my head. No point in hiding now, Vaas the Lost or not the only reason someone grabs someone on these streets is to fight or rob. I here the sickening yet friendly sound of a familiar laugh. 

"Well hell, if I woke up on this fine day knowing I would find a diamond I would've brought a bigger purse" my childhood friend Kaadar says and continues that predatory laugh.                                                                  

"What're you doing so near to Oldie City, K?" I say masking my caution with a little bit of the old Reveneer swagger.

"Well as it turns out I was actually looking for diamonds today if you catch my drift Vaasy"

My heart jumps a second and for a second I have to stop myself from jumping right in. What reason would he be looking for me for. Whatever the reason, with Kaadar it isn't going to be anything less than lucrative.

"Why do you need me, from what I've heard the Reveneers aren't doing too badly, especially with someone so opportunistic as the figurehead" I say lifting up my head a little bit. The scar across the side of my lips from our first job showing clearly now.

"Aww Vaasy you're gunna make me blush" He smiles wide showing his pink teeth, standing out like a sore thumb in contrast to his unnatural chalky white skin."I can't lie I have been doing a pretty good job where your deserting ass left off"

 He must still be going heavy on the "Soldier". That drug does a lot of wonders for you if you choose it but none for complexion, and none for your hair. He's completely bald as he was when I left except now in between his brows is a scorpions tail, I'm assuming the tattoo ends at the base of his back by the look of it. Obviously still sore about my resignation, I tighten my hand unnoticeably around my knife. I gripped my dagger harder holding back the urge to fight.  "What do you want K? 

"I saw you skulking around, thought I'd try to persuade you to assist in getting some scratch. Some of the gang really misses you, can't figure why but they miss ya." 

"Aw I'm getting all sentimental. I could almost let myself fall back into the gang. Unfortunately I have better things to do these days. Things that involve less stab wounds".

"You mean things like caring for the Haav? What did you think that you could stay hidden in the town that I run?  So how's Diivara doing these days? Still blind? Kaadar snickered."

"I see that your still horrible at jokes."

"Well at least I didn't go AWOL on my gang, my family, our family. "

"Are you still all torn up over that little thing? Do you need a hug?"

"All I need is a little help from an old friend. You see Byydel is in a bit of trouble. The Blitzers are planning a hit on him. I got a tip that they're going after our recruiting and we both know Byydel is in charge of that. So I set up a party for our buddies the Blitzers boys. Problem is I'm short on strategists so I need the assistance of the best one". 

"I'm sure that you can find someone just as adequate as me." I say trying to keep out. Kaadar could be lying but if Byydel really is on the spot here he gives me very little choice. Sorry Diivara. Kaadar just stares at me waiting for the answer we both know is coming.

"Fine, but if you're playing me for a half-brain you're gettin it" I say slipping on my old cant.