eunoias | Running Wild

Running Wild

Who: Varon and Resa/Esmerelda Vanuatu
What: Varon has gone rogue and Dartz has hired a hunter to find him.
Where: Barcelona, Spain
When: Present Day AU

With so many variables to sort out in his life, Varon had decided to break from Doma. He never liked to conform to the rules of megalomania yet he was trapped. The Stone of the Orichalcos acted like a beacon and he knew it. He never ran from anything in his life, though this is the first time that he felt he had to. Killing was wearing him down. He saw too many faces in his dreams to keep going with his present occupation, and he wanted out.

Confronting Dartz at his current state was out of the question. The cobblestone streets of the old Barcelona bull run streets offered some comfort. A cantina tucked in the shadowed alley offered a place to rest for a while. Dismounting the yellow Suzuki Intruder Super Sport, he looked down the street. It wouldn't be long before he would be tracked down, so he figured that a small breather would be better than none at all.

Entering the cantina, he eyed around the small bar, and he took a seat in the corner. His eyes watched the door. He knew someone was coming. He just didn't know when...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Resa knew the people who were staring was nothing more than table scraps on the food chain in the grand scheme of things. People like Varon and her were the top of the food chain and that was that.

"Okay. Maybe we can go to the beach?" she said, rising from her own as she straightened her skirt out as well as the rest of her clothes.

The smile he gave to her seemed a lot more personal than the one that he would give to anyone else. "I was thinkin' the same thing."

Since his time in Doma, he enjoyed the little things a lot more than he used to before. It was the little things that mattered most. His hand reached for the door and as if he was shielding her from the glares of others, his intense stare was evident that anyone that came near would get hurt...or worse.

The streets of Barcelona shown an old world beauty that he internally would miss should Doma succeed in their mission. Places like this would fade into oblivion, become nothing more than an obscure memory, yet he wanted to remember this place in particular. The reasons why he chose this place became clear. Australia will always be his home, though Barcelona will have his heart. He loved it here.

"I wish you coulda been here when they had the runnin' of the bulls." Even though he found the sport brutal and cruel, he still enjoyed seeing the bulls free.

"I've brought a swimsuit just in case," Resa commented, her own smile being one of those that she only gave to her true friends - the ones who would never hurt her or abuse her trust in the process.

She went for the door, looking over her shoulder once before nodding and walking out to where the bike was. It was a shame that this place would be naught much but a memory if their plans fell right in to place, but she was told that Atlantis was much more beautiful. But, she never really had a home - not even after the incident that caused her to snap. Ever since then, her home has always been with Dartz and his warriors.

"Do they run them regularly?" she asked. While violence was something she shied away from, she did like to see creatures, even small ones, be as free as she was.

"Once a year." He shook his head slowly in response. "It's a tradition here."

Never once had he hidden the fact that he found animals appealing in their own way. The treatment of them by humans got under his skin more than society itself. With the promise of a better life for them did help him carry out his missions.

He took the keys to his bike from his belt clip. Mounting the bike first, he flipped down the highway bars for Resa before he started the bike. With a firm motion of his foot, he kicked the stand. He motioned with his head that he was ready for Resa to get on, then lowered his goggles. Spain didn't have a helmet law which was good for him. It was one less thing to carry around.

"Ah... Well, I'm sure it was exciting either way." She offered a little solemn smile in return.

She knew of Varon's thoughts on animals, what with him taking care of a few strays when they were out on a double mission. As she teased him about it, she couldn't help but join in on the fun.

There really was no modest way to sit on a bike, so she straddled the seat and wrapped her arms around Varon's waist, nodding back that she was ready when he was. "No helmet to speak of? You're quite the rebel."

He laughed at the remark. He still followed the laws when it was necessary. The U.S. had varying laws which often made him roll his eyes most of the time and one hardly matched the other from their neighboring states. "Guess that's a good way t' put it."

He shifted the gears and with the coordination of hands and feet, the bike moved at his command. The cobblestone roads of the older parts of the city were often uncomfortable with rides, but it didn't seem to faze him all that much.

Traffic was navigable for the amount of tourism this city often received in any given part of the year. Naval personnel from different parts of the world littered the piers and hot spots. It was a scene that he was familiar with. Often he chose to be anonymous whenever he dealt with anyone unless he wanted them to know his name before he took their souls. This wasn't one of those times.

He was here for something else completely different. None of these people were his targets. He would assume they didn't exist than deal with them.

The only laws she knew of were of the British sort, and even then she tended to disregard them, especially when she was her other self. But, that was neither here nor there.

When the motorcycle moved, Resa instinctively squeezed a bit tighter and closed her eyes for a few moments before opening them. She looked around at the sights Barcelona had, admiring it from afar. The way that the sun glistened on the water and the windows was truly remarkable.

The people here were ones who she simply regarded as nothing but maggots, but she decided to be as nice as possible. If Dartz wanted her to get their souls, then so be it. But, for now, she didn't.

Pulling up to the parking area, the bike's engine whined on the downshift. As if it was gliding on its own merit alone, Varon's body moved along with the turns as if the machine and him were one being. It was the sort of action that took time to embrace. He didn't have to fight gravity.

Easing the machine to a stop, he lowered the kickstand and turned the bars at an angle before he removed the key. He enjoyed the world with the things that it provided. The beach was one place he could never grow tired of.

"Hope I didn't jar ya too much." He said with a slightly cocky grin with a look over his shoulder at Resa.

"If you can get past the rotten Navy people, you'll come t' like it here." He chuckled softly.

Militant groups were Amelda's biggest hatred and that sort of thinking rubbed off a little on the younger member of the Soldier's group. Raphael's contempt with society in general was bad enough and he listened to the larger man during training drone on and on about how people were greedy and needed to be wiped out. Varon never saw it that way.

Yes, he thought that society was messed up as an orphan raised on the streets and he spent time in prison listening to men talk about how they were wronged for the crimes they committed. Varon stayed quiet about his views while the two older members complained about this and that. Capitalism was Amelda's biggest hitch. Varon often felt like an outsider in these views. He didn't like drawing in unnecessary attention to himself in such ways which often made him awkward to talk to in most cases.

He waited for Resa to dismount first before he could otherwise he would accidentally kick her in the face, and that wouldn't do well for either of them when this was a trip just for fun.

Honestly, the sensation of riding on a motorcycle was something that was incomparable. There really was nothing quite like to feeling the wind go through your hair, going as fast as one could on the open road - nothing. It almost made her consider getting one herself, but she knew that her Koenigsegg CCX was more than enough for her.

She took a moment to admire the sun itself, sitting back when the bike stopped. There really were some gorgeous places here in the world still and she wanted to explore it all.

"Nah. You didn't," she replied, grinning at him. "And, that right? Well, eh - what could it hurt?"

As much as she hated any kinds of authority over the mistreatment they gave her, she knew when to shut up, look pretty, and deal with what she had in front of her. She stayed quiet as Amelda and Raphael prattled on and on about their views of people and really never displayed her own views quite that much.

But, she did know that society was fucked up. Society is what made the monster that she was today, and that's why she wanted to make them all pay - as long as she had enough hate to fuel the Orichalcos, that was all the power needed.

However, she got off of the bike and took off her tank top and her skirt, revealing a modest tankini underneath. However, it was clearly evident that there were a few scars resembling the past on her - all from forced injections or her own self-harm.

"Think you're ready for a swim?"

"Gimme a sec." Thankfully, he wasn't wearing his gear that he normally wore for Doma. The scars were their own and Varon had his to bear from fights and from social abuse. He kept his shirt on and only removed his goggles, jeans, and boots. Taking the keys from the pocket, he unlocked the storage bin under the passenger seat. His plain blue swim trunks weren't fancy in any way and he had planned on going to the beach whenever he could.

Being the smallest male of the Soldiers, it didn't bother him that he probably wouldn't get much taller. He didn't mind the jokes or being picked on for it like he once did as a youth. He was stronger now despite the scars, and he could take on anyone that questioned his strength to render them silent forever, if necessary. They served as reminders. Resa's were scars caught his attention. He glanced at them, but now wasn't the time to talk about it.

"Ready when you are." He ran toward the beach.

"All right, but the last one there is a rotten egg!" Somehow, spending time with her "family" was what helped her get rid of all her previous fears and hesitations. She knelt down and unzipped her thigh-high boots and placed them near the bike.

As far as height was concerned, she was the tallest one of the female soldiers, but definitely not the strongest in terms of physical strength. Malnourishment, on top of not loving herself was her downfall, but she definitely came a long way from the scared little girl she used to be who would flinch from the slightest touch.

Though, one thing she had to her was her speed when it came to running as she easily caught up to Varon, tapping him on the shoulder, before she passed him.

"OY!" He called out behind her with a mildly shocked expression.

Taking up the challenge, he sprinted after her. He wasn't the strongest or the fastest. but he did have tenacity in his favor. It didn't take them long to reach their chosen destination through their run.

It was days like this one that he enjoyed the most. He wanted more of them, though the thought was cut short when he remembered the reasons they were chosen. It was enough to leave a pit in his stomach. To be taken from one prison directly into another didn't settle with him even through the training and the comforts he was allowed to have. It was a freedom only in name.

He pressed on. The sand and his feet weren't getting along too well, slowing him down dramatically.

"You have to be quicker than that! Come on, I thought there was nothing but beaches in Australia!" she joked, laughing all the while.

When they reached the water, she took a moment to admire the horizon from afar. One day, she knew she would be free. It was only a matter of time at this point, and she was anxious for it all. She didn't view the Paradias Organization as a prison, but merely saw it as a home and a safe haven.

She decided to get her feet wet and wade through the water slightly, shivering a bit at how cold it was initially. "You'd think the sun could at least warm the water up a tad, eh?"

"Guragh!! It's not a big ol' beach!" Catching up finally, he chuckles at the thought. He wasn't able to go to the beach as often as he would have liked as a child, but that hasn't stopped him now.

Keeping his inner thoughts safe, he hadn't voiced against Paradias or Doma. It would be a terrible move if he had, not to mention viewed as ungrateful and a cad for his insolence. It was no secret that he had some contempt toward Dartz. He chose not to show it. It was safer for him.

Standing next to his 'sister', he turned his gaze toward the ocean. "Heh, you'd think."

With a smirk, Varon splashed deliberately with a wide stance with flat feet along with the intend to get her wet. "Cold yet?"

"Seemed like that to me, even with the koalas and kangaroos!" Sure, she knew that there was more to Varon's homeland than just that, but it was fun to tease the younger one about it time to time.

See, the two sides of her were split on the whole issue on Doma and Paradias. As Resa willingly played in to Dartz's hand and did everything he asked and more, Esmerelda was much more cautious and willing to show that she wasn't some kind of pushover. That, and there was a reason why she was so active in their shared mind. Esmerelda acted as a shield when Resa couldn't fight for herself and came out when it was needed. Even with how much trouble Esmerelda gave her, Resa liked her being around and protecting her when she couldn't do it herself.

Though, she wasn't quite expecting Varon to splash her and as soon as it happened, she growled and splashed some water back on him. "No fair!"

Laughing at the play, he shielded his face from the splash. His hair dropped from their customary and iconic thick spikes. Shaking out the water, he grinned and splashed again. "It's not just koalas an' 'roos. There's more to it. I've gotta take ya there sometime. Time off or not."

Seeing his home again did bring back some sour memories which were quickly squashed the moment he felt the waves drift higher on his legs. "Yeouch, that's cold!"

He tried to jump back only to land on his backside instead...

After Resa successfully splashed Varon, she couldn't help but giggle after it and smirked at him. "And here I thought that you woke up with your hair naturally like that! And, hey - maybe it could be an outing for all of us. I'm sure we'd all need it."

However, the moment he landed on his backside was when she broke out into laughter. "A-Ahaha... You sure aren't the most graceful, that's for sure!"

A sputter escaped him. He allowed himself to fall backward onto the sand as another wave came and washed over him. Flailing about he sat up and coughed. That wasn't the brightest move he made, but it was made in fun.

"That's just gagnasty!" Shaking off the excess water, his hair was a lot longer than it appeared as it laid flat from the weight of the water.

"See, it's super fine but there's a lot of it so it sticks up all over the place. Can't do a damn thing with it most times." He rings out his hair then shakes his head again. The top of it spikes back up with the rest laying flat.

The longer Varon stayed like that, the more she laughed. In fact, Resa couldn't remember a time that she laughed this much and it not being brought on by a psychotic episode.

"They do say to not drink the water, you know," she said, waving her finger as if she was scolding him.

"Does that explain all the hair gel I see on the counter tops? You'd think that Mai and myself would lord over that sort of thing." Mostly, all she did was wash her hair and then put it into a high ponytail so that it'd actually stay out of her way.

Her laughter really helped him and his smile returned internally though outwardly, his male pride was jostled. The very mention of the hair gel made him pout slightly and his lifted his knees just as he was pushed again by the waves. Okay, now it was time to move.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm busted. So I take a stock out on the stuff." Wincing slight, not from the verbal jab, sand was now in places he really didn't want to mention. His shoulders rolled from the weirdness. It was time to take a dive.

Soon, her laughter quieted down to a low chuckle here and there as she got deeper into the water.

"I'd think it's much more than just a stock," she said, deciding to take a swim herself. While she was in high school, swimming was something she loved doing. To be one with the water definitely helped ease some tensions here and there.

"Now that I think about it, we really should have brought a ball or something!"

"Damn, I thought I brought my boomerang." He surfaced the water.

"I guess I left it back at the hotel. Not that I use it much." Usually he would bring it if he was going to be bored or if was alone on trips. He didn't think to bring with him this time.

"Hm, wonder if the gift shop has one though. Oy, it's good t' hear ya laugh again." He smiled.

"That weird stick thing? I could check if it's in your bike." She swam over to catch up to him as she floated through the water slightly.

"Who knows! We should ask them!" However, at the compliment, she looked a little confused before smiling.

"Guess I've got plenty of reasons to stay happy!" A lot had changed about her in the past few years, and it was all positive development.

"You're gonna need the keys. I dunno if it's in there but you can look." He untied the keys and handed them over to Resa.

"If it's there, it'll be under the map." He dove back under the water to look at the fish below.

Resa took the keys from Varon, nodding. "All right. If not, I can get something for us at the gift shop."

She swam back to shore, shaking her hair free from the water that was in it as she went back up to where Glory was. She crouched down and unlocked the compartment before rifling through the items.

However, due to how she was alone right now, a couple of guys decided to come up to her and one tapped her on the shoulder.

"Hey, you. Why don't you come with us on a date? We'll be sure to give you a good time," he said in a condescending way.

The touch felt like it was icy cold on her skin as she turned around and looked at them over her shoulder. "No thank you. I'm afraid I have to decline. As you can see, I'm here with my brother to enjoy the day. Now, if you could please leave me alone, I'll be on my way."

Unfortunately, it seemed like the men did not take no for an answer as one of them walked up, lifted Resa up to her feet and smirked. "Listen, girlie. We're gonna take what we want and we want you. Now, are you gonna stop being a stuck-up bitch or are you gonna come with us?"

The other men went behind Resa and surrounded her from all sides. As much as she tried to remain composed, she was shaking like a wet puppy. Being touched by people she didn't know did not quell her thoughts. "Please let me go. I did nothing to you."

"Well, I guess we've gotta go the hard way. Boys, let's reeducate her."

Resa bowed her head, a slight dark smirk crossing her lips as her eyes became dilated and wide. She blocked both punches coming her way with her palms before raising her head up. "She said no. Why don't you guys decide to listen for once in your miserable lives?" With that, her nails dug into their hands, a wicked smirk crossing her lips. As she tossed the men over her shoulder, she quickly went for her knife in her boot and took it out, extending the blade.

"Now I've got to teach you a lesson. Why would you decide to do that to yourselves?"

And off she went, blade in hand to begin fighting the men off as well as terrify them.

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