A Night Out (Open the X'ers)

[dolemeck]

His probation ended a few months ago, and Dolemeck learned quite a bit since then. He learned that he was being a selfish, self-centered twat, and needed an attitude adjustment. That was quite hard to take in, as well as fix. But he worked on himself in therapy, and was not a bit better.

For now, he was sitting back in a chair within the rec room. A new pair of leg braces were on his legs, made with better materials than the old ones. They even had a nifty black and yellow "nuclear" logo on the sides to cover up where the screws were. Some feeling had returned to his legs, so he went back to using the braces.

Dolemeck flipped through various channels on TV, a bit bored. It was the weekend and he had finished his homework, attended physical therapy, and completed a report that was not due for another week. Perhaps he should go find someone to hang out with, or if there was any sign of a good concert in town, tonight.

Comments

[dark_scion]

Fred looked over at him with a look devoid of anything resembling joy.

"I am the utter opposite of busy."

[dolemeck]

"No wonder you look miserable." It was a bit odd. Usually the two were both miserable, and now Dolemeck was the cheerful one. "Would you like to do something? I was thinking about heading out of the mansion, tonight."

[dark_scion]

Fred was so bored he didn't even mention the obvious hindrance of his animal-like appearance. "You had something in mind?"

[dolemeck]

"I was thinking about going to a concert or karaoke. Since we mutants do not appear to be on the bottom of the food chain anymore... I thought it would be a good idea to take advantage of it." He gave Fred a slight nudge to his side.

"C'mon! The world is our oyster, tonight!"

[dark_scion]

"..Why an oyster?" He asked, confused. He shook his head. "Never mind. I suppose..something, couldn't hurt."

[dolemeck]

"It is an old phrase." He gave Fred a pat on the back. "That's the spirit! All we need to do is be back by curfew, and we are golden! Should we see if anyone else wishes to join us?"

Using his telekinetic powers, Dolemeck floated his leather coat over and put it on. It was covered with patches from various English bands.

[dark_scion]

"It would be the considerate thing to do," Fred conceded.

[dolemeck]

Okay, now Dolemeck was a bit concerned. He gave Fred a good look.

"Bloody, what is wrong with you? I have not seen you so down since you were denied lab access to help me out." He paused for a moment to adjust one of the straps on his leg brace.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

[dark_scion]

Fred sighed. "..I'm just wondering what I am still doing here. I came here to stabilize my condition, but I've been denied every step of the way. I've jumped through the hoops they've put in front of me, and I am still in the same place I was when I got here."

[dolemeck]

"Sometimes, we need to be in the same place for a bit to fully understand things." He tried to give Fred a reassuring smile. "I needed to nearly lose everything before I realized what I had here. Support, an education, actual friends, being as far away from me parents as possible."

[dark_scion]

"Well at the least I won't argue with you regarding the benefits of being away from one's progenitor," Fred conceded.

[dolemeck]

He knew better than to ask. Instead, he started to walk with Fred.

"You just need to be patient is all, Fred. Things have a way of falling into place on their own." He was showing all of his teeth with that smile, right now.

"But enough dwelling! We are going to go out and have fun... like regular teenagers. It will be grand!"

[dark_scion]

That look of confusion returned. "Just what..do "regular" teenagers do?"

[dolemeck]

"You know... spend time with other teenagers. Go out, have fun, socialize." He grinned.

"Go dancing, see concerts, sing karaoke, see a sporting event, play video games..."

[dark_scion]

Fred just stood there, quietly, until even he started to feel awkward by just how little of normal life he had truly experienced.

[dolemeck]

Dolemeck stopped looking and turned back to Fred.

"Honestly, I never really got to do things like this back home. Always had to worry about getting kidnapped or held for ransom because of me Da's fame. Coming to the States, I finally get to do things like this and have real friends. Not friends who only want to be my friend because of how famous me Da is."

In other words, he was new to this as well.

"It might be a bit weird at first. But then you realize you are having fun, and nothing else matters."

[dark_scion]

"Hmm..it does not sound all that bad actually. However, I draw the line at singing. I still have some dignity left to preserve."

[dolemeck]

"Alright, you do not have to sing." It was hard to hide a laugh at what Fred said.

"Hmm... I think there is some local club that has a teen night, tonight. We can go there for some dancing and socializing. Plus we would get back in time for curfew."

[dark_scion]

"If you say so. You're certain my appearance will not cause any trouble?

[dolemeck]

"Have you not seen the papers? Mutants are heroes, now! No one is going to bother you over your appearance. In fact, you might be popular!" A look of pride came across his face.

"Come on, let's grab Kayla and go have a good time! No more worries!"

[dark_scion]

Fred almost said "I'm still alive because I worry," but decided that perhaps a little less caution than normal would be good for health.