Video Games and Deathbots (Andrey)

[Steven Vandergraf]

It was finally here! The day he'd been waiting for all the last six months. As the line moved forward, his giddiness only increased exponentially. He’d been in line for four hours now. After all is wasn’t every day that Assassin Battlefield 8 came out; however it was every year that this game made a new installment.

As he stood in line, chatting with fellow gamers about the new features and how they all were going to love them at first (and no one mentioning how they would hate them three weeks later), he couldn’t help but remember he technically wasn’t supposed to be here. The Headmaster had said students weren’t allowed to leave school grounds on their own. But Steve had blatantly ignored that because no one seemed as interested in going to get a video game as he was. The lined moved; Steve would be next and he couldn’t stand the minute wait.

Game in hand, Steve stepped outside into the sunlight. This would pretty much be his last time seeing the sun NOT through a window for the extended future. But who cared, so long as he clutched his game tightly. Steve began walking back towards the school to spend the next few weeks in the cave that was his dorm room when he noticed someone that looked vaguely familiar. He had not talked to the guy yet, but he recognized him as another student at the school.

He didn’t know the guy, but Steve saw this as a golden opportunity for the social nitwit. He hadn’t really made much in the way of friends here so far, only actually talking to less than a handful of the students. So why not take a chance and try to gain a buddy? So Steve began jogging over to the guy throwing an arm up and yelling, “Hey! Hey yo, over here!” He didn’t notice the guy in the baseball cap as he ran right into him, bouncing back a foot or so.

“Oof! Sorry, sir,” he apologized before continuing on towards the classmate, not hearing the man’s, “Quite alright, son.” He didn’t care; it was friend-making time!



OOC: I’m profusely sorry for not being active lately. I could use my job as an excuse, but the truth is that my motivation for RP has been literally at zero as of late. But I’m back and I’ll be forcing the regularity from this point on. Thankfully I’ve got awesome Captain Falcon backing me up!

[Andrey Beckman]

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[atrb=background, i41.tinypic.com/30aam9u.jpg] Andrey waved as he exited a corner coffee shop with a drink in hands, his cheery smile ever on his lips. The heat of the sun was just right that afternoon, and no offense meant to the school cafeteria, but nothing beat a latte from this little cafe. Stepping out along the streets he took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, savoring the scent that lingered out from the little shop. Taking in another, he used it to blow the steam from his drink and cool the warm liquid just enough to make it safe to sip. Each drop of the bitter beverage was perfect as it always was, and contently he muttered to himself "Worth it..". Andrey was never one to intentionally break a rule, and he had seen what sort of damage the mighty morphing robots of doom could do to the students. Yet, on a day like today, it seemed so unlikely. When he had reasoned it out with himself that morning, it was much like a day at the beach. Sure some one may have been attacked by a shark or jelly, but that didn't mean never go back in the water right. It just meant be cautious and wary of the dangers. So he had 'cautiously' made his way into town for a drink and would not 'safely' make his way back to the school. No harm done right? Another sip made it past his lips before a voice rang out across the crowd. It was a younger voice, male, and had a familiar quality to it. Nothing he could put to face but it did spur him to check out who was calling out. Soft blue eyes caught the frame of the boy headed his way, a first year he had seen at the school and around the dorms now and then. Andrey did not recall ever speaking with him before, but that never stopped him from doing so. Always a good time to start right, and the boy did seem quite happy to see him. Waving back he stood on his tip toes to make sure he was even more visible, he demonstrated that he both saw and heard the other. Andrey was glad to see the other in more than one ways. It was great to make a friend, and having a companion for the trip home would make the walk seem shorter, and also give him the security of knowing if anyone found out they could say they were together. That was the rule right, not to leave alone? Wincing as the boy ran into the stranger he could not help the chuckle that rose up after wards. This kid really did seem excited, must have been a good day for him as well. When Steven finally made it within none shouting distance he openly welcomed the slightly younger male. "Aloha, nice to see a familiar face!" he stated kindly and with a similar enthusiasm to his voice as the boy demonstrated in his jog over. "Good to know I am not the only one 'sneaking' out of school in broad daylight" he joked, as it really seemed so odd to be considered a 'sneak' when the sun was so bright and warm. It was a school not a jail after all right? "I've seen you around a bit but..." Andrey snapped his fingers as if trying to pull a name from his memory "..I just cant remember a name. And I am good with names." Andrey assured the other, inviting the darker haired male to tell it to him, but not before adding. "..Mine is Andrey". WORD COUNT // 609 OUTFIT // Check it out here TAG // Steven Vandergraf//Psyops RPN // Nothing says friends like surviving a day on the town XD

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[Steven Vandergraf]

Steve arrived in front of the classmate and immediately threw his hands out, grabbing Andrey's right hand and shaking it with fervor. "I'm Steven. Steve'll do too!" He let the hand go after only a few seconds but continued talking excitedly. "Oh man I'm lucky another student was out here! If a teacher saw us alone we'd probably get in a lot of trouble."

Steve suddenly realized he should probably dial it back about four notches; for whatever reason he had been approaching pretty much every single person he met since coming to this school like he had some sort of hyperactive disorder. However, that concern was pushed back, as it always was, by this thought; 'They all of superpowers. I have superpowers. This is literally the coolest time of my life. Ever.' "So, not to be intrusive on the first meeting, but what can y-"

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" Someone yelled from behind. Steve turned to see who was about to get it and his face immediately drained of color. Walking up was the man that he bumped into when he saw Andrey. The guy didn't look angry or anything, but Steve never was good with confrontations. In addition, by the time the man walked up to them, Steve had played through a hundred scenarios in which he had knocked something from the guys' hand and broke it or the guy was recovering from shoulder surgery or something else. He was unprepared for what came next.

"Young man, you dropped the receipt for your game." The smile left Steve both surprised and relieved. The man was not only unaffected by being bumped into, but he was even helping Steve out; that receipt had codes for extra DLC stuff and he would've died if he'd lost it! "OH MY GOD! THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH!" Okay, that was way too excited, but that extra content was import to Steve, dammit. He reached for the receipt but just as his hand touched paper it was quickly snatched away.

"Of course, you won't be needing to make any returns. You won't even get to enjoy the purchase." Fear ran rampant in Steve as the man's skin broke in places and mechanical parts could be seen shifting about.

[Andrey Beckman]

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[atrb=background, i41.tinypic.com/30aam9u.jpg] "Alright, Steve...should be easy enough to remember" Andrey announced before Steven continued to speak. A kind smile openly on Andrey's features, listening intently to the excited evident in the younger mans voice. It reassuring to hear the other voice his joy that with the two of them having found one another, it was less likely that any trouble with the school staff should befall them. Two was not a 'group' but at least a duo was safer than a loner. With the warmth of the sun and the delectable drink in hand, he had trouble seeing how anything 'bad' could come to them. A twenty foot killer robot would be easy enough to spot, and who in their right mind would launch an attack in broad daylight in the center of a busy town. "Oh I am sure its just one of those rules to try and make us more conscious of our surroundings, you know, a warning to open our eyes but not to seriously confine us." Andrey waved off the danger, and didn't seem at all put off by the others enthusiasm. In fact the shared excitement only fueled the young blonde. So nice to come across some one as happy to be out as he was. True, there was a small part of him that still held some fear, as he had seen the students injured by this threat, and personally had to heal them. There was a danger about, and despite him brushing it off, it was not like he didn't accept that it was there. An optimist would never let that get them down though, and Andrey was very much a glass half full kind of guy. Andrey's eyes quickly darted up to the man Steve had bumped, as surprised to hear some one interrupt them as it seemed Steve was. Even if he had nothing really to do with it, Andrey felt a bit of guilt as he knew full well Steve had nudged the guy while heading to great him, and would give Steven his full support in calming the guy down if this was going to make a turn for the worse. No idea just how 'worse' that could really be. As the scene progressed, Andrey was a bit shocked to see such a kind gesture, despite where it seemed things may go. The act of kindness reminding him of how things were at home, and he was ready and willing to thank the man as well and commend him for his generosity after Steve was done. Chuckling softly as he thought for a moment that maybe the other was just a bit to excited. Placing a hand on Steve's shoulder to try and relax the other before they went def. Only to feel a shiver run down his spine, and feel his pale blue eyes drawn back to the man with a whole new set of emotions. Worry, soon turning to outright fear in a matter of seconds. It felt all to familiar to the recounts of the other students, Andrey's sharp mind picking up on the notes the instant the recipe was yanked away. Instinctively his hand tightened on Stevens shoulder, eyes locked on the man who explained how the young teen would not even get the chance to play his new game. A threat that only added to Andrey's suspicion, they were in serious trouble now. As the monster called a Sentinel began to take its shape, Andrey let the drink drop from his hand. The view of skin tearing to show metal and gears set his stomach in a vice. A tremor forming from head to toe as the robotic soldier mad its presence known. Many might just melt down, and dare he say some would have quickly given up the dark haired student in front of them, in hopes they too were not recognized as a mutant. Andrey had a stronger sense of loyalty, and was quick to clear and organize his thoughts. The only answer soon evident as he leaned in, using his grip on Steve to help turn him away if he was not already. "Run..." Andrey clearly but softly mumbled and only when he was sure the other was with him would he to turn from the shifting steel and make a b-line for any from of safety. His mind knowing that truly the only hope was their school. Something not so close at hand though, and all the buildings around them fragile when facing a monstrous, Mutant hunting, death machine. God he hoped this thing was not that fast, and maybe it would take some time for it to fully 'change'. Maybe, but doubtful. WORD COUNT // 758 OUTFIT // Check it out here TAG // Steven Vandergraf//Psyops RPN // Right, so getting away is always the first choice, but oh good god where to go lol

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[Steven Vandergraf]

If you had asked Steve before today what being afraid felt like, he would have told you that being afraid was that moment you first turned off the lights before bed after watching one of the Paranormal Activity movies. Even after finding out he was a mutant he didn't really get time to get attacked by bigots or monsters or anything, so all his basis for judging things in this new life came from his old life. But one thing can be said on this now; what he thought about fear was absolutely nothing compared to what he was feeling now.

His feet seemed to be frozen to the ground. He could only look on in horror as this seemingly nice man was halfway through the transformation into a Sentinel. The thing that had attacked his fellow students. The reason that students were forbidden from leaving school grounds alone. The reason he REALLY wished a teacher was here; that or that this classmate had Magneto powers or something.

He didn't really pay attention to the stories that had been going around about these things after the student attacks. He'd completely missed the part about them looking like normal people only seconds before trying to kill a mutant. It's not really something you like to focus on when you're in superhero training. "Hey these things will WTF-PWN you so avoid them at all costs." Not very hero-like.

"Run..." Steven was brought out of his mind and back to reality by the sound of Andrey's voice and the feel of the hand on his shoulder turning him away. Steve did not hesitate a moment before taking off, following Andrey in hopes that he knew the layout of the town better than Steve did. His brain was otherwise frozen as he could not stop himself from muttering "ohgodohgodohgod..." over and over. He was thankful that his autopilot was focused on following Andrey.

He would consider himself lucky that he didn't hear what was happening behind him. The Sentinel had finished it's transformation and from the speakers in it's mouth announced, "TARGET: TWO MUTANTS. THREAT: MINIMAL. SUCCESS: 100%"

[Andrey Beckman]

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[atrb=background, i41.tinypic.com/30aam9u.jpg] Screams of the un-targeted masses filtered past his ears as each step carried him further from the monstrosity and closer to the forest surrounded road that lead up to where the school was. The voices of the panicked people behind them were fading, and replaced by the screeching of tires. Side walk was soon to run out, and though the road was paved, he knew the last thing they needed to dodge on top of the angry robot some where behind them, was oncoming traffic. The only option was to hope a barrage of trees and uneven ground would slow the mega ton metal mass down a notch, and give them cover. Plus, with the focus off the road and city, they were not putting anyone else in danger, something that flooded into Andrey as highly important despite their own dire situation. He could not yet feel the rumble of footsteps, and hoped that meant they had gained some ground. Unwilling to look back and check he prayed that there was enough delay to get them into hiding. Mind you, he doubted this thing didn't have some kind of heat sensory system, or other radar like modes that would pick them out. Already though, his lungs were burning, legs tense and the feeling fading from them. Sure he was in shape, and adrenaline pumped away any pain, but it would not last forever, and he was unsure of his companions capabilities. Only assured that the other was close behind by the fall of his foot steps. For how long, he had no idea, and he could not bank on the boy having epic powers. They needed a place to pause, get a plan, and think this through. Darting into the ditch and across the cut banks of the road side, he made for the cover of trees, ducking under a fallen trunk he wasn't sure it it would play out well or not for them. Branches lashed at his arms and legs, the dense brush was thick and hard to navigate, but it also provided good cover. The heat of the day made everything warm, and that would help them if they were tracked. Unfortunately the soft earth and though terrain was chewing up more of his energy. Glancing back he made sure Steve was close, and soon found an old grown over and broken down shed like structure, taking the distant side he stopped, resting his back on the decayed wood. Knees and arms aching, his breath heavy and dry. They would only have a few seconds, but he would make them count. "Steve..we need..a plan" he said between pants, but was most certain his new friend had any more ideas on what to do in this situation then he did. Once the other was stopped he put a hand on the others shoulder, A grounding technique his dad taught him to use when either panicked or with some one who was. Contact was key, it brought security and Andrey could feel it already. Just knowing he was not alone brought enough comfort to steady his mind. "Do you think we should hide..or..keep.." he had to take a few extra breaths before he could continue, his lungs truly on fire through each one. "..Keep going..?". If there was no answer, he would formulate his own, but he was really hoping that maybe the other had some sweet power built up in that small frame. That or maybe a better plan than the ones already mulling over Andrey's mind. His free hand reached shakily into his pocket, his phone had no signal but if they moved maybe they could find one. Andrey didn't know what the other could do, but he knew well enough that there was little to no chance it was enough, and he was useless unless there was an injury at hand. Something he really didn't want to have happen in the first place. "We..have to at least contact some one, or hope...one of the teachers..will get here..before it finds us..". A soft chuckle came, as he started to get a hold on his breath. "you don't happen to have..robot destroying laser vision or something..huh?" it was a weak attempt, but one none the less, at trying to keep a sense of positivism to the situation. Fear could not paralyze them, and for once he understood why witty banter, and near death jokes were so important, and not just some movie method to gain the viewers favor. WORD COUNT // 775 OUTFIT // Check it out here TAG // Steven Vandergraf//Psyops RPN // Did a bit of research, and yes, north Salem is fairly densely forested in its local area's so..played off that.

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[Steven Vandergraf]

'Run! Just run, dammit! Steve chanted to himself internally over and over as he kept the best pace with Andrey that he could. He wasn't out of shape or anything, but he has never had much in the way of stamina so he was having difficulty keeping up. Funny enough, the giant mutant murdering robot that was hunting them down actually helped motivate him to push himself beyond what he felt like he could do.

As Andrey detoured into a ditch, Steve followed as quickly as his ever exhausted body would allow. He was slowed by a couple paces when his fellow escapee ducked under a tree trunk since Steve himself was just north of six feet; he could not simply bend down while moving, he had to slow his steps briefly in order to get underneath it. 'Must... Keep... Up... Get... To Safety...' he thought as he resumed the heart-attack pace he felt he was running at.

An issue with following someone at full speed (or what passed for it at this point) through thicket and bushes and the like was that while the lead person was running through all of this, bushes and branches and what not were whipping right back just in time to lash at Steve. He wasn't sure that any were enough to break the skin, but you could definitely feel the strikes against his arms and legs.

After an eternity of running they came to a beat up shed and Andrey stopped for what Steve believed was a saintly act of kindness. He immediately dropped to his knees and gulped in air like he found an oasis in the desert. It took him a moment before he even realized Andrey was talking, just as out of breadth as Steve was. He tried choking out as many words as he could in response. "Plan... School... Get... Teachers..." Sputtering out those words hopefully made his intent clear: get back to school and get a teacher. After all, they've been fighting these things for YEARS, Steve could barely fight the flu.

Steve forced himself to his feet as his body finally began to calm down. He was regaining himself, but had a momentary coughing episode. Once it ended, he gave talking another try. "We need to... to get to the school. The teach... teachers will save us." He got a tad nervous about bringing the mood down even further when Andrey asked what he could do. He loved his powers like nobody else, he'd never claim otherwise. But in this situation, low level telekinesis was pretty useless. Unless a Sentinel's weakness was a really heavy log, he doubted he would be very effective. "Err.. I can sort of move some stuff.. with my mind"

His nervousness only increased when he realized he could hear what could be safely assumed to be trees being pushed aside, almost assuredly by a murderous robot.

[Andrey Beckman]

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[atrb=background, i41.tinypic.com/30aam9u.jpg] Andrey was still breathing heavily, though the burning in his legs was starting to fade. His lungs however, were still a blaze as he watched the other try to recover his own speech. He could see from Steven's form, how he coughed and panted that they were both no track stars. If this robot harbinger of death didn't kill them, the pace of getting away from it might. Steven continued to clarify his idea to get to the school, but there was no way in hell the two of them could run that far that fast. And with the looming thunder of a 20 tone robot starting into the tree line, their planning gap was closing fast. "We..cant out run this thing. I mean we can try but..." he was begging his brain to thing something up. Praying that the machine would malfunction and give them time to get a jogging head start. But at full tilt, through the brush, both would collapse before they managed to get three quarters of the way to the front gates. There were not even a tenth of the way there now, and both of them were struggling for air. When Steve's body sent itself into a coughing fit, he put his hand on the others back, trying to help in what ever small way he could. Forcing himself to keep himself together even with the robot gaining on what ground they had put between them with ever moment they were stopped. Once Steven was more confident in his speech he looked around the building and was glad he couldn't see much of anything through the bushes and dense trees. "Running will kill us both, but if we at least keep ahead of it, maybe it will be a bit slower in the trees." He explained his own thoughts trying not to say anything negative. "Your right, teachers are our only hope, and if we keep out from under this things foot, and visual range, maybe we can make it at a slow jog." Andrey turned back around the building corner to face the other, offering a smile to try and raise confidence in them both. "Well, sort of moving stuff is good." he pointed out, and taking the other by the wrist lead them back to the tree line and up to the thick tree line again. North towards the school, and towards safety. "What sort of stuff are we talking?" he mumbled as he released the others arm "pebbles, rocks, branches, trees?". His tone was not mocking, instead it held true interest, knowing the others powers and limits would help if the school idea went south. The pace was slower, but at least they were moving away from the 'bot' hell bent on frying them both. For now, he was keeping his cool, but he knew full well if..no..when they made it through this, there was one hell of a breakdown waiting for him at the finish line. When he set out to 'bond' with the others students this year, this was really not the activity or 'camping trip' he had in mind. This time 'round, he stayed close to Steven, working with and next to him to get through, over and around the obstacles of the forest. Feeling more of the branches cutting at his legs, and nearly falling twice as his shoes caught stray branches and over grown knotted grasses. It was the hard road, but at a glance back, he still could not physically see the robot, and that was enough for him at the moment. Glancing to his partner, and unexpected team mate, he watched for signs of fatigue or injury. The least he could do was take care of an damage that should befall the other, and keep them barreling through the under story. WORD COUNT // 640 OUTFIT // Check it out here TAG // Steven Vandergraf//Psyops RPN // Run like your life depends on it..oh wait..it does..

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[Steven Vandergraf]

'Exercise. That was the thought at the very front of Steve's mind at the moment. Not getting away from the monster machine trying to murder the two of them, but a promise to himself that if he survives this he's going to start becoming a marathon runner. He could not believe how tired he felt. As Andrey's hand touched his back Steve began trying to take control of his breadth. It was difficult, but he was able to switch from rapid gulps of air to large, deliberately slow breadths. It still hurt like bajeebus but it would definitely help some.

When Andrey made his notion that they didn't have to run, Steve merely nodded his head vigorously and gave a thumbs up to signal his agreement. Considering that the giant deathbot had near infinite of whatever robots had for stamina and they were already about to collapse, they'd have to play smart not tough. He gave a description of his abilities as he was being led by his fellow escapee. His elaboration wouldn't be much, but he gave a generic base of what his power entailed. "I'm like Jean Grey times .1. My closest guess is about 500 pounds that I can move with my mind. And you know those corner mailboxes that are bolted o the ground? One time I ripped one of those out."

As they trotted along, he was actually pretty glad that he wasn't in this alone. He would never wish this on someone, but having someone there to help and have your back certainly made this much easier to deal with. Plus getting through this brush, branches, and the like was made all the easier when two people were pushing the branches aside.

Steve was a smart guy; not genius smart or anything, but he always had above average intelligence. That's why he was surprised such a dumb idea came to him. As they plowed through nature in order to get away from the worst kind of technology, he asked Andrey a very weird question. "Did you know that if you try to outrun an alligator you're not supposed to go in a straight line?"