Trading Harmony for Rebellion

Alexis had been doing pretty well meeting with and forming pacts with a bunch of regalia. Certainly far better at finding them and getting them to join him than actually winning challenges, that was for sure. Almost all of them were very supportive of him and while that was probably really healthy for him, he saw it mostly as weird and a little annoying.

Gyan, the very, very sweet old Indian man had been the third regalia he found and though he was nice he really didn't fit well. Alexis was young and loved to be active. Gyan preferred peace and quiet and studying. Even Alexis' struggles with his emotions and moods threw off the old man except for when Alexis used his emotion expelling power. He might have been tempted to try to work with Gyan more but the power he offered- knowing people's names just didn't interest Alexis all that much. Someone smarter probably could have found a way to make that really useful but it wasn't worth it to him. That was why he had offered to trade with Jude when he mentioned the regalis he wanted to part with. Someone who focused on rebellion was far more up Alexis' alley. Also he might or might not be able to sympathize better with being humiliated.

So Alexis had texted Galen to have Gyan meet him after school in the courtyard. Galen because he was almost always checking on Alexis and also because Gyan had not touched a phone since Alexis met him as far as he was aware.

Alexis waited by the fountain for Jude to arrive. Gyan sat in meditation next to him, Galen stood behind Alexis with his comforting hand on his shoulder. Looking a lot like a father supporting his son.

@Romi

Alexis nodded at Jude and was partially eclipsed by Galen's own friendly greeting at the two approaching. He remembered Jude from the community center and the game of hangman. Alexis shrugged off Galen's hand as Trieu approached. "Galen, I think i've got this just fine." It wasn't meant to be mean- he just knew Galen wasn't going to help this too much. The man chuckled and backed off a little bit.

Gyan smoothly shifted away a bit as the Trieu brushed past and slowly rose to his feet. Only then did he open his eyes. He glanced at Jude and then looked back at Alexis. "Go ahead, he probably won't keep disturbing things like me," Alexis said as he gestured for Gyan to go talk to Jude.

"Hello, young man. Which of your names would you prefer me use? I know of several that you have gone by or could go by. Perhaps you'd rather I just stick to Jude though," he said in a very pleasing voice, a touch raspy from age. He also extended one hand to shake.

Alexis looked at Trieu right in the eyes. "Partner? Let's start with ally and see if things work. I don't know you yet but if you don't moan when I want to go swim or fly or something instead of stupid homework you're already better than some people. You'll have a lot more fun with me than with Jude. He's brains, i'm action." Actually Alexis didn't mind Jude all that much but his focus wasn't on him. Alexis figured he was far more rebellious than Jude and with some of the thoughts that had gone through his mind over the last few days he might be far more rebellious than anyone expected. Especially his parents. Fuck them.

"Oh, and I like to fight a lot. If that's a deal-breaker then tough- i'm not changing that for anyone."

Gyan shook Jude's hand with a soft but firm grip. "Jude it is. No reason for me to use another name and cause confusion. You seem quite a bit more... thoughtful than Alexis is. I'm afraid I do better when things flow well and, well...," he trailed off as he looked back at Alexis. It was unspoken but anyone who had spent time around Alexis probably could tell he had some issues that caused him to be anything but harmonious.

"Oh right the elections or whatever. Nope, not interested in those at all. Why would I want to spend more time doing school shit? Too bad you didn't join me sooner. You could have watched me fight Dalia instead of hanging around someone making posters or crap." Alexis extended his arm but instead of offering to shake hands it was a fist to pound.

"If you don't piss me off too much maybe i'll take you flying or something." The last bit was sort of a last-minute thought. He had only given one person a ride before while in wyvern form and they seemed to have really enjoyed it.