Light and Dark (closed for silvertongue217)

[literary_goblin]

Kasuma never went by her full name. No one called her that but her mother, and since she hadn't seen her mother in 4 years, no one called her that at all, anymore. It was Kazi, now.

She was short, sure, barely 5 feet, but if anyone ever imagined that made her less than tough as nails, they'd learn how wrong they were in a matter of moments. She'd fought hard for everything she had in her life, with blood, sweat and tears. After her mother had kicked her out for fighting back against her deadbeat, abusive step-father, Kazi hadn't been able to get a job. "Work hard" they said, "and you'll be able to do whatever you want." Bullshit. Kazi had worked her fucking ass off, and no one ever gave her so much as the time of day, to say nothing of a paycheck she could actually live on. She'd been too young to get a 'real' job, and any place that wanted to pay her above-board had ended up getting a visit from child services after her psycho mother claimed she'd been kidnapped. None of those idiots from CPS ever believed her when she said her bitch mom had kicked her out and she didn't want to go back. "Keeping the family together is important!" they said. Bullshit.

So Kazi had run away, again, and this time she didn't even try to get a regular job. Anything 'legitimate' where you could work your way up and end up in an office with a collar and a house in the suburbs was off-limits to her if she wanted to avoid getting another cigarette put out on her skin by her step-dad, so she didn't. When they ask why kids turn to drugs and sex to get by? Yeah. That's why.

So that's how she lived for a long time. She'd been good as a drug dealer - she took no shit from anyone, and everyone always underestimated her, which meant anyone who tried to take her got a surprise shiv in the back. And she developed a reputation as the kind of bitch you really, really didn't want to mess with. And that was before the powers came.

She had no idea what caused them. Just... one night, she went to bed, and the next morning, she could manipulate shadows. The more she played, the more she realized the extent of her abilities - she could hide, she could sneak, she could hurt and kill with naught but a thought. The power of it thrilled her, but she kept it a secret. It was new, it was dangerous, and she wanted to carefully consider how she would use it. And she would use it: to make sure she never went to bed hungry again. To make sure she would never have to sell her body to some old slob to be able to afford her rent. To make sure no one pulled any shit on her and sold her less than the product she was paying for.

Soon, she was never going to have to be afraid again, because they would all need to fear her.

 

[silvertongue217]

Not to far away a man who couldnt be more different from her lived his life.

Anton Riveria had learned from the beginning how important hard work was. The son of two latin immigrants he watched as his parents went from nothing to their own semi successful store chain. They worked hard for their fame and fortune putting in the hour time and dedication and still having enough time to love and have him. Anton grew up having the American dream an American dream that stuck even harder with where his parents came from. They never let him forget his latin roots but they also made sure he knew he was as American as any one else.

That wasnt to say they had no hardships. They were still outsiders in a lot of ways. Anton was bullied and even though his parents fought to make sure it didnt happen again it... well did.

But his grandmother had always taught him the need for spirit and courage. He rose above them finding his place by playing soccer and making a name for himself. Soon he had his own place and his own fame in the small town. He became the valedictorian of his high school and even though he was a self proclaimed nerd NO ONE messed with him.

Then the powers came

His parents always said he was their light but now he WAS light. He could manipulate it, bend it to his will. He could shape and form it and do things he never dreamed of.

He was a super hero!

Just like the defenders

He moved to the nearest city and went to work. He got himself a job that allowed him to go in and out and started his super hero career. He worked in the underground first using his powers to clean up and help the homeless who were down there trying to survive.

 

[literary_goblin]

It was dark, and Kazi was walking down the street in a slummy part of town. Home. She'd never felt particularly welcome in the "nicer" areas of the city. People sucked everywhere, but in the places with money they pretended to be nice. It was fake and she hated it. At least the cold cruelty of the slums was honest.

Her pockets were heavy with cash - she'd just run some new product to the dealers, and they'd paid her upfront. As it was supposed to be. With her powers what they were, most of them were a little eager - maybe even over-eager - to ensure they weren't in debt to her. She had a reputation for refusing to suffer anyone she saw as trying to cheat her, so it was better to be square with her as soon as possible.

She'd just stepped inside a local restaurant for some food when she felt it. Hovering in the entryway, her spine went straight with surprise and some combination of fear and anger. There was... something in her head. She had no idea what it was, but she could feel it - an unquestionably foreign presence.

Having no idea what to do, her instinct was to lash out. Power gathered inside her in the same way as it did when she lashed out at someone to cause pain - but not damage, she didn't want to kill them before she knew what was happening. But this time, instead of releasing at a physical presence, she lashed out at the mental presence in her mind.

She didn't know if it would actually work, but if it did, whoever was in her head was about to suffer a world of hurt. And, at the same moment as she pushed her power at the presence, she pushed a message, too: What. The. Fuck.

 

[silvertongue217]

He wasnt expecting the pain

He was on the roof tops over looking his city when it happened. He had just gotten out on patrol and was mentally reviewing his list of haunts to check out when a sudden stab of pain filled his head. He felt the touch of pure cold darkness and his body reacted light coming off of his body and then bursting out and healing him. The pain was still intense enough that he dropped to his knees. The pain began to recceed replaced by a message.

And a feeling of contentment.

It was like a part of him that he hadnt known to be missing had reconnected. The presence in his mind it not only felt wanted.....

But also needed

"Who is this?" He asked rising up to his feet sending a mental response back to her "My name is Anton who are you?"

 

[literary_goblin]

Still incredibly suspicious of the mental presence - calling itself Anton - Kazi moved into the restaurant and picked a table at the back, away from anyone else and facing the door.

What the fuck are you doing in my mind? she demanded, instead of answering his question. Do you think I'm stupid? You're doing this on purpose and I'm not telling you shit. Tell me what's going on or get the fuck out of my head. Or I'll hurt you again.

 

[silvertongue217]

Anton rose an eyebrow... Damn this woman was aggressive! She swore like a sailor to!

This was going to be interesting

"I dont know whats going on" He told her speaking calmly as he sat down on the roof top "I was just about to go out on patrol before you suddenly invaded my head I am just in the dark as you are I have no idea who you are or whats happening" He said speaking honestly. Their mental connection making sure the truth and only the truth was spoken.

 

[literary_goblin]

Not only did it guarantee the truth, but it also gave impressions of thoughts and emotions that weren't purposely being sent to the other.

Aggressive? You're fucking right I'm aggressive. You're invading my god damn mind!

She paused when the waitress came to ask her for an order. They all knew who she was here - that she was growing into something like a drug lord, that she had a reputation for violence. But she also had money, she tipped well, and she was one of the few customers who didn't treat the female wait staff like whores. And neither did most of the others, these days, after she threatened to castrate another customer who was harassing one of the girls.

Just because she was a cold person didn't mean she wanted to see others treated as cruelly as she had been. Especially since she knew some of the girls working here were underage, and without this job, they'd be stuck working the streets the way she had been back when she was freshly kicked out of her house. The owner, Hal, was a good guy. Looked out for his people. Kazi only wished there'd been a man like him around 4 years ago to save her, too.

Okay. So if you don't know what's happening, and I don't know wants happening, what's causing this?

 

[silvertongue217]

Anton felt her calm down and sighed in relief. Her anger and worry had been starting to effect him. He tried his best to maintain a positive aspect in every thing. If there was a problem that he had to face he did so with a level head working out the problem and getting to a solution. Even after getting his powers he operated under that same mindset and it had saved his life more than once.

"I am as much in the dark as you are" He told her his tone curious "But we can figure it out more or less.... I have powers do you? If so what type do you have?"

 

[literary_goblin]

Maybe, came the evasive response. Just because she wasn't threatening to hurt him anymore didn't mean she was exactly ready to trust him. Why? What can you do?

The waitress came back with Kazi's drink, and suddenly, Anton felt an abrupt warmth from her. It was impossible to hide - she cared about these people. Like a protective older sister. No matter how cynical she seemed, it was obvious that she still had a heart.

 

[silvertongue217]

"I dont know if its right to give up all my secrets yet either" He said jumping off the roof and floating down to the ground "But yes yes I have powers I am a being of light and healing" He told her sending her a pulse of his faint warm glow. With it also came his optimism and his can do spirit.

"So I will ask again" He said moving to stop two guys trying to mug a girl "Do you have powers?"

 

[literary_goblin]

Kazi made a face when she felt the pulse of light. He seemed painfully naive. And yet, instead of wanting nothing to do with him, she felt a desire to prevent anyone from taking advantage of his kindness. Which was weird. Because she didn't know him.

Man, was having him in her head messing with her? She didn't care about strangers. Not until someone proved themselves to her did they matter, in her eyes. Why did she give a shit about him at all?

What did you think that pain in your head was, if not a power?

 

[silvertongue217]

"It felt like pure darkness" He told her having finished the muggers and bounding across the roof tops "Still it would have been... unfair of me to assume"

He landed on the roof top and rolled reaching out to probe their connection. He felt a flash of emotion rise up despair darkness and anger and he shivered countering with his own feeling of hope and optomism.

 

[literary_goblin]

She felt him probing into her mind and nearly growled aloud, pushing instinctively back against him. What the hell are you doing?! Just because you don't know what's causing this doesn't mean you get to fucking root around in my head! Fuck off!

It was a product of her life so far. People who tried to get close wanted something from her, and usually hurt her to get it. Anyone who wanted to know about her wanted to use that knowledge against her. Even able to feel his optimism and goodness, she didn't believe he would be any different.

 

[silvertongue217]

He felt her reaction both on a physical and mental level. The minute he pushed she pushed her darkness growing inside of her. He stopped landing on the roof and wincing.

"I come with the best intentions!" He snapped back to her his light flaring up as he concentrated "Instead of fighting against me feel me! Feel my intentions!"

And he showed her pouring his care and his own self into the mental connection. He shone like a beacon so warm so full of hope and love.....

 

[literary_goblin]

She panicked. She could feel his intentions, true, and they were positive, but in the end, it didn't matter.

This time, when she shoved back at him to try to push him and his influence out of her head, there was only a thin veil of that anger and defiance - covering absolute terror. She was afraid of having someone get close to her. Kazi had never known trust. Never known companionship. Never known love.

The people in her life who were supposed to love her had never done anything but hurt her. She had always been alone, and the prospect of letting someone in - even someone she knew had no intention to harm her - was terrifying.

NO! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

 

[silvertongue217]

The blast of energy that rose to greet him was like nothing he had experienced. It was pure darkness born of hate anger and fear. It was the worst of a person boiled down into a blast of energy. It was so much that Anton dropped to the ground A scream tearing from his throat as he clutched his head. His powers flared out a white blast of protection that served to cut off their connection.

But the connection didnt stay down for long

Anton awakened an hour later groaning in pain as he clutched his head "Oh god that hurt" He spat out gasping as he shook his head back and forth.

 

[literary_goblin]

Kazi hadn't meant to hurt him. Honestly. She was just so afraid of what this meant, having this guy in her head like this. So afraid that, even if his intentions were good now, he would turn on her later and hurt her the way everyone else had.

So when she felt him coming back into consciousness, the connection returning, she hunched over in her little booth, still in that restaurant, prodding at her fries with one fingertip.

...Sorry.

 

[silvertongue217]

He rose up from the ground shaking the last vestige of pain from his body. His light flared in response healing him and clearing the lingering head ache away.

"No reason to be sorry" He told her his voice kind and soft warm as the sun "This is some thing new for both of us you have every right to be freaked out"

He concentrated floating off the ground. He took off into the sky moving to his hide out as he contemplated the situation. They both had powers that much was clear but it did not explain why they shared a physic connection..... They had no way of finding out either not unless they found some one with mental abilities....

"You know" He said an idea forming in his head "We could go to the defenders surely they have some one with the ability to scan us mentally and figure out the source of the connection"

 

[literary_goblin]

Kazi laughed, though it was hard and bitter.

Seriously? You're going to suggest to me that I let someone else into my brain? And some fucking glory hound liar at that? Please.

 

[silvertongue217]

"You know trust issues aside neither one of us has the capacity to figure out why we are connected" He reminded her landing on the balcony of his hide out. He moved into the clock tower and shut the door behind him before going to his couch.

"At the very least we should meet up and compare notes" He shot back to her feeling a little annoyed at her "Where are you at?"

 

[literary_goblin]

Kazi frowned, considering that. Umm.. Yeah. Alright. But I want to come to you, not the other way around. Where do I find you?

She stood, paying for her meal and leaving a generous tip.

 

[silvertongue217]

He rose an eyebrow but decided not to push it. He instead mentally showed her where he was and what city he was located in. He didnt know how close she was to him so he did his best to give her the most accurate location.

"How far away are you?" He asked her moving over to his mini fridge and grabbing a soda.

 

[literary_goblin]

Not far, came the vague response.

Kazi stepped out onto the sidewalk and then headed down a dark, nearby alley. With no one watching, she closed her eyes, took a breath, and then simply stepped into the shadows. It was like stepped into another world, one of darkness and fear. It wasn't pleasant, but it got her where she was going. Three steps to the left and she stepped back out again, this time out of a shadow on the clock tower's balcony.

Stepping inside, she laid eyes on Anton the first time.

Kazi herself was a young half-Japanese woman - her father hadn't been around long enough for her to know what the other half was. She was beginning to suspect her mother didn't even know who her father actually was, and so couldn't tell her either. It granted her wide, almond-shaped eyes with irises of a deep green-hazel. Her hair was long, naturally black and pin-straight, but she'd put electric blue streaks into it and she was wearing it up in a lazy clip today. Short and petite, it was no wonder people assumed she was easy to take. Until her powers showed up, anyway. And, befitting her tough persona, she arrived wearing torn jeans, heavy black boots and a leather jacket.

"So... um. Hey."

 

[silvertongue217]

He jumped when she said hey quickly turning and a bright glow forming around him as he took her in.

Anton was a tall kid built more like a mountain. He was broad shouldered with deep tan skin that the glow enhanced. He had long dark black hair currently tied up in a pony tail. His face was deep and kind open in a way that showed far to trust in the world. His outfit was simple much like hers a simple one piece in bright colors and a matching cape. He looked slightly ridiculous but the fact that he glowed and had a bright smile some how balanced it out.

"Uh hey" He said smiling at her "So your the hot girl thats been on my mind" He joked rubbing the back of his head.

 

[literary_goblin]

Kazi snorted, at both the compliment and the outfit. "Yeah. What the fuck are you wearing, dude?" She motioned at the outfit while she walked inside, flopping down onto the couch without even so much as an invitation.

"Okay so, you're the one who wanted to talk. What do we talk about, then?"