by GoozX
A small but cute café in western Mandelovia in 2002:
Shirley leaned on a handrail overlooking the beautiful coastline, the tropical trees off to the distance. A breathtaking sight, to say the least.
"I can't believe that this beautiful country is going to be off limits to outsiders in a few days. My grandma would be so sad, her granddaughter not even able to visit where her roots came from." She sighed. "But things have changed, freedom stolen the people. A shame."
An arm reached around her, handing her another drink.
"Thanks Mic--"
Next to her stood a handsome young man, dirty blond hair, and hazel eyes. With a smile, he said, "My name's not Mick, but for you I'd change it."
Shirley covered her mouth with a giggle, a subtle blush forming on her cheeks followed by a smile. It must be the brandy, she thought.
"And what should I call thee, princess?"
Shirley lifted an eyebrow. "My name? Shirley."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Shirley."
"Yeah, thanks." Shirley looked to her side and back to the young man.
"My name's Sam, ya know, if you were interested and stuff. Sam Dawson."
"Ah. How old are you? Seventeen... eighteen?"
"Twenty two."
She cocked an eyebrow again.
"Twenty."
She was still silent.
"Nineteen, it's the truth. I am very much legal, very much so."
"That's nice," she said with an uninterested tone. "Really, it is."
"I like older woman, and I very much am liking what I am seeing right now."
Mick appeared, holding two drinks, and walked right between Shirley and Sam. "Sorry I took so long. The line was huge." They kissed.
"No problem, hon. Sam, I would like to introduce you to Mick."
"Oh, hey buddy." Mick turned to shake his hand.
"Eh? Oh, hey man."
"Sam was just telling me how he was legal--"
"Ah, yeah, well not for long... I mean, what with the new laws in place and stuff. Yeah. Ya know, the foreigner's ban? Heh."
"Yeah, it's weird how much things can change in a few days." Mick turned and smiled at Shirley.
"So," Sam continued, "why are you guys still here? In Mandelovia, I mean."
"Well," Mick paused for a moment to think of the right words, "I -- we accidentally got split up with my friends. Trying to find them before we leave. Yeah. How about you?"
"Well, I've been studying here for the last two years. I really got nothing left to go back to back home."
"You from the U.S., too?"
"Nah. I mean, originally I was, but I have lived most of my life on an island off the coast of the Caribbean. It's gorgeous there."
"Really?" Shirley asked. "Which island?"
Before Sam could answer, a huge, bald man grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground.
"Shit."
"You thought you could leave before paying me the money you owe? Punk? Huh?"
"No, not at all. I was just getting it."
"Back off!" Mick yelled in Sam's defense.
"Stay out of this! It's none o' yar business. This punk owes me two hundred bucks, unless you gonna pay for him, shut yar trap!"
"Hold on, hold on a minute." Mick pulled out his wallet and opened it.
"Hmmm. How's eight dollars? Call it even?"
The huge man was not amused and grunted at Mick, who stood on guard in front of Shirley. Sam took the time to give the bald man a left hook, which had no effect whatsoever. Okay, it did have one small effect: it pissed off the brute a little bit more. The brute slammed Sam into a table, busting it to pieces.
Mick thought to himself, Ah, nuts, not now! "Look, big guy, back off or else!"
Both Sam and the brute turned to Mick.
"Or else what, punk?"
"Or else, or else... something bad!"
"Ha! Amuse me."
Mick whispered to himself, "M'xy," and energy surged from his eyes, startling the brute, yet not fazing Sam, who smiled.
"Dude! You're a meta, too?"
The brute could only muster the word, "Too?" before he turned back to Sam and was met with a sledgehammer hand to the face. His body slumped over, unconscious. Sam jumped to his feet, his hand still in the form of the hammer. After a moment, his hand morphed back to its normal form.
"Mick! I can't believe you're a meta!" Sam was happy to meet another person like himself. "You can call me Shift."
"No, I'm not Mick -- whoa."
Sam turned to Shirley. "Are you?"
"No, but I do have an uncle..."
"This is awesome!" Sam said before noticing the crowd forming around them. "Uh, maybe we should get the hell outta here!"
"Good call," Mick said as they all exited the café, the owner not looking very happy. "Sam, my friends -- the ones I'm looking for -- they are also like you."