The Exceptions

Bars

Lucian 

The four move to a table near the back corner of the bar.

"Alrighty then, so what questions do y'all have. Let's start with you Mirai." starts S, between forkfuls of potato.

"Oh yes! I remember. So why did you request specifically Lucian? And how did all of this happen? I'm just so confused."

"Ah a very tough starter question. You will learn why in due time. If I told you now, you wouldn't believe me." S muses.

"Does it have to do with my parents?" blurts Lucian. "I know that back at the academy, I didn't have a last name like the other trainees."

"You have parents?" jeers Dawn, while fake pointing and laughing.

"Hmmm actually yes." says S. The entire group stops. Dead silence envelopes the bar. "What?"

"Y'all see another ghost?" Urbana calls out. Lucian's jaw drops.

"I have parents?!"

"Yes you fucking dunce. We are all forced out of a womb into this world. You think god just 'ZAP'-ed you into this world?" S replies.

"Is there a God?" Mirai questions. Dawn facepalms.

"You have to answer that for yourself, young one. I personally believe there is a higher power, yes."

"Dude, you're 20." deadpans Dawn. S stops cold. He seems super uncomfortable. I wonder why he is uncomfy by this? After what seemed like a minute of silence, S replies.

"Uhhhh..... Yeah. Im 20." The group hears Urbana cackling over her counter. "What's wrong with that?"

"yOuNg OnE. Yeah don't even." Dawn fires back.

"Well then miss, how old are you?"

"19."

"Did Dawn just answer right away? What world are we in?" Lucian teases.

"Aweee are you warming up to him?" says Mirai.

"One, it's my job to tease you Mirai. Two, how about fuck off? Three, she is 18 and he is 17." Dawn says defensively. S shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

"Any more questions?"

"Who do we have to be careful for? Are there any other people we have to avoid besides for the Academy?" Lucian inquires.

"Hmm not really. If the Academy or other people put a bounty on your head then we should be scared. The bounty hunters are bred to neutralize exceptions and be very efficient killers. Is there any reason the academy would come after you three?"

"Uhhhh no. Not that I can think of." Dawn ponders.

"I know the generals and many of the exceptions of the officials."

"LUCIAN you gotta be kidding me." Dawn almost smashes the table in exasperation.

"That's no reason, I doubt they will send someone to kill you. Maybe monitor you that's it." S replies cooly. "Let me take you all somewhere so I can teach you stuff about surviving out here and I can answer the question of why you three are out here. Especially you Lucian. I can help you awaken your powers.... maybe... and teach y'all how to fight. It will be tough, but we can also bust some enemy camps." I don't like the vibes this guy is giving off all of a sudden.

"How do we know you're a fighter?" Lucian inquires. S chuckles and flares the back of his cloak out the slightest bit to reveal him carrying something really big on his back. Lucian gulps. This may not be proof at all that he fights, but he is obviously alluding to something.

"Give us a second to discuss this." Dawn requests.

"Take your time." The trio head for the other side of the bar to discuss quietly.

"I vote we go with him." Dawn says. Lucian can't believe it. She trusts him already?

"I agree," states Mirai. "He could have easily killed us already. We are unarmed and he knows enough to have survived out here this long."

"I guess thats true. But what does he know about powers? I want to awaken mine you know?" Lucian reasons.

"I say we go with him for right now." Dawn finalizes. The other two nod their heads in agreement.

"Alright! Lets go!" Lucian exclaims excitedly.