Owner	Pose
Gilgamesh	It's an overcast day today. Kind of chilly. Not the best time to be out and about. Still, that's not stopping Gilgamesh from patrolling the neighborhood in his black and gold uniform. And by patrolling we definitely mean levitating over groups of buildings while looking out for potential crimes to stop or people to help. Most folks are oblivious to him as he's trying to be kind of sneaky, but someone particularly observant should be able to spot him. He's not just here on patrol but to try to catch up with another superhero he ran into before, Bando. Not knowing really where to begin other than Queens he's still determined to track the youth down. The people on the streets are going about their business. Those in the alleys, at least at this time of day, seem to belong there. They're the smokers and the folks taking trash out the back of businesses. Occasionally someone lounging on their fire escape. Pretty normal sort of deal.
Bando George	Bando, for the lack of any serious fame, has quite a presence where he visits frequently. Egregarious, he makes a point to learn everyone's names, and to try to remember what things are going on in their lives. People who don't remember him for that probably remember him for creating a mess out of things he comes encounter with, failed attempts at being a good samaritan, and talking constantly. Dixie knew that he lived about a mile from the diner. walking distance to be sure. And he did come back later to pay his tab.     All in all, most people around don't hate him. They either like him, or just find him annoying, but good natured. But he often has done something to make people remember him. Not necessarily a great thing if he's playing a superhero. Oh yeah, most people know he's declared himself that as well.     Where is he this Tuesday afternoon post school? Well, he's outside Queen's Bible church, a blue ski cap on his head with that same church's logo on the front of it, and the same coat he was wearing the other day in the fight. He's...doing nothing. Bouncing on his heels with his hands in his jacket, as if he's waiting for someone, keeping his body moving to avoid getting too cold.
Gilgamesh	After some time Gilgamesh finds himself hovering over Queen's Bible church, having remembered that Bando mentioned something about church when he was taking to the Shark guy. Might as well check them out anyway, make sure they aren't being hate crimed or whatever. So it's a lot of luck, but the Eternal spots the young superhero he was looking for and starts to descend from the sky towards him. He doesn't come down too fast, not wanting to scare the crap out of everybody, nor does he do the slow descent thing to make himself look extra cool. Nope, he comes down at a moderate pace so that he can land softly, calling out on the way down, "Hey Bando! What you up to?"
Bando George	Bando glances left, then right when he hears his name. Who said that? He spins in a circle, looking puzzled until his peripheral vision catches the gold and black.     "Oh hey Gil!" he gives a big broad smile. "How ya doin'?" he asks, his aforementioned Texas drawl creeping in. "I didn't get to say thanks properly for all the help you gave the other day. And that chili was pretty fire." He pulls a fist out of his jacket momentarily to offer a fist bump.
Gilgamesh	Landing quietly, Gilgamesh reaches his fist out to tap Bando's, "I'm doing well. Glad you liked the chili. I don't usually work at Dixie's, but since they had chili on the menu I figured I'd make sure it was as good as possible. I prefer Texas chili to any other sort, generally, because you can better taste the spices without beans absorbing the flavors." Then he nods a couple of times, "You kicked ass out there, man. Talked that Shark guy into going to church with you, right? I would've just knocked him out, probably. I might need to practice being a bit more compassionate."
Bando George	"Well, I /did/ hit him with a car," Bando confesses. "I kinda thought that'd knock him out. So when that didn't work, I didn't really have anything to do from there except...I dunno, keep hitting him or something. But he was like, so sad. And I was like, what if I was out on the streets with a horrible disfiguring mutation that made me look like a giant shark? And what if I couldn't get a good job because of past bad decisions and the system was just beating me down and I didn't know what else to do?" He holds his hands out with each of these as if they were tangible events in his hands. "And actually, I kinda hit him first. So I really started it anyway." Well, probably not that last part since Shark was part of a group that was robbing a diner.     "I mean, how desperate do you gotta be to organize a diner heist? The guys weren't all that smart, y'know?"
Gilgamesh	"I remember you hitting him with the car," Gil says with a chuckle. "You adapted to the situation pretty smoothly. Usually if someone doesn't go down right away folks just keep swinging away. You tried a different tactic and it worked out well for everybody." "I thought the diner heist was their way of announcing their intention to take over Queens, but I'm not really sure," the Eternal says, shrugging. "I'd have taken out the police precinct or something myself, but I'm not a crook so I don't really get how they think." With a lift of his jaw the ancient warrior asks, "How's Shark doing, by the way? He trying to be an honest citizen?"
Bando George	Bando beams a little at the compliment. "Thanks," he says. His energy behind it suggests that he doesn't always get complimented by strangers for his attempts. "He uh..." Bando glances down the street, and pulls his phone out of his pocket. The screen is cracked. "He was supposed to be here like fifteen minutes ago to meet with my pastor about the outreach program. He came on Sunday, but I dunno where he is now."
Gilgamesh	"Hopefully he's just one of those people who show up late to things," Gilgamesh says with a shrug. "Before clocks were a big thing nobody was on time for anything, like ever. The prompt arrival deal is a pretty new concept in the grand scheme of things. In some countries prompt arrival is still generally a foreign idea." "So tell me about your powers," he says. "If we end up working together it's good to know one another's capabilities. I feel as though us superheroes should try to get along and learn to work together to maximize our effectiveness. I'm a couple hundred years behind the curve when it comes to tactics and strategy, but some of what I know might be adapted to fighting super crime and stuff."
Bando George	"A couple hundred years behind?" Bando asks, the latter statement distracting him from the initial question. "What, do you just read a lot of old books or something? You could juse like youtube stuff, y'know." Clearly the bastion of knowledge. Youtube. Hey, he's sixteen, what do you expect?     "I dunno exactly how it works, I think it's a quantum thing? Maybe? I can teleport things from one place to another. Pretty handy, but it takes a lot out of me, so I try not to do it unless I have to. I've been watchin' some Krav Maga videos and stuff, my folks told me they won't put up money for martial arts, too afraid I'll hurt somebody."
Gilgamesh	"I haven't fought in a war or lead warriors in battle in about five hundred years," says Gilgamesh seriously. "I'm about fifty two thousand years old, a member of an ancient race called the Eternals. Usually we just lay low, but my brother and I are working to make names for ourselves so we can wield fame and influence to help Earth protect itself better." "I can teach you to fight better than watching some movies. I've trained more soldiers than I can remember, everything from Sumerian and Akkadian warriors to Roman Legionnaires and European knights. What do you want to use? Your fists, of course, but spear and shield, perhaps?"
Bando George	Bando's mouth drops open a little. "Wait. What?" The kid definitely just had his world rocked. "Fifty-two thousand. Like, with a thousand? Three zeros? Why..." he scratches his head. "Why are you working as a part time chef in a diner. Didn't you watch Highlander? You're supposed to put in a bunch of investments and be living on a yacht and super rich!" Obviously.     "Wait wait, you'd teach ME? I uh, yeah! I um, I don't like killing people, what's the best thing to learn so I can like, stop bad guys, but not murder them? I hear Batman doesn't kill people, so if he can manage it, I should be able to, right?" Because everyone is just like Batman.
Gilgamesh	"I like cooking for people," Gil says with a smile. "I'd get bored sitting on a yacht all day. Believe me, I learned that back when King Tut was in charge." The Eternal nods at the youth, "Yeah. We'll get you squared away with a weapon that's less lethal, if you want. I don't have an armory like I used to, but check the internet and find something that looks practical, like some of those collapsing batons. I'll order some." With a little chuckle, "I'm glad so many of today's heroes don't kill people. Still, if it comes down to you or them at any point, make sure it's you."
Bando George	"I guess that make sense," Bando nods absently, clearly processing the idea of living for thousands of years. It's hard to think of killing someone," he comments. "I mean, I know I'm goin' to heaven. So if they kill me, it's still a win on my end. But if I kill them? I don't know that they are, and not to sound too judgmental, but I don't think most of them know Jesus." His eyes go wide. "Wait, were you in Judea when Jesus was alive?" he asks. "Or Rome during the years of Paul?" His mind goes nuts. "Do you know which Pharoah the Exodus happened with? People always argue about that! OH OH! What about Elijah? Oh man, so many things happened, I wish I could've seen that stuff!" He has definitely changed gears and checked into his biblical history nerdom.
Gilgamesh	"If you're going into battle you should be prepared for any eventuality," Gilgamesh says rather seriously. "If you allow yourself to be killed is it any different than committing suicide?" Additionally, if they're willing to kill you they may be willing to kill others, others who may not be prepared to go to heaven." His shoulders shrug. "Keep yourself alive over someone who would murder you." At the youth's excitement, though, Gil grins. "Never met the man himself. I was a Centurion in the Roman Legion for a long time. Very long time. Had to keep altering my records." He thinks for a moment, "I heard some rumblings about a bunch of Jews escaping from Ramses the second, but I might be misremembering. It was a long time ago and I wasn't there for it. Elijah was what, 900 BCE? Somewhere around that? I actually wasn't far from Jericho when he was doing the whole prophet thing, but I was too busy with work to take time off to check him out for myself. Also, I was paid in salt which could sometimes make traveling on my own in certain parts of the world difficult. I vastly prefer currency."
Bando George	"I mean, I don't think it's like suicide," Bando says with a contemplative look. "But I guess there is the other people they could kill. That's a good point. That's kinda heavy." He quirks his mouth to one side.     "Yeah, but I guess Elijah was mainly just in Judah, so unless you were there, and who really would wanna be around Jezebel anyway?" he notes. "I wish I coulda seen all that stuff," he says. "Be there when it really happened, instead of just reading about it. Though getting paid with bags of salt is kinda weird." Weird to a 21st century American, though it wouldn't have been for a person in the ancient world.
Gilgamesh	"Don't let someone take the lives of innocents, Bando. It's harder to live with that than it is to live with killing," Gilgamesh speaks from experience here. "I saw thousands upon thousands of interesting sights. Met more people than I can remember, but one thing I learned is that everyone, no matter if they're a king or or a beggar, has a part to play in our world and most folks put more good out than bad." There's a chuckle, "It was how the Legion was paid for a very long time. It was rare compared to how commonplace it is now, but coins were easier to carry."
Bando George	Bando frowns. "So um, what kind of fighting should I learn? I guess something that goes well with being able to teleport, right? Oh yeah, I can teleport myself, too," he adds. "And I do want to protect the innocent. I mean, that's why God gave me my powers, to use them to help people, right?" he says, as if it's the most obvious conclusion a person could come up with. "Do you have a favorite style?"
Gilgamesh	"I'm a master of more weapons than the average person can name," Gil says with a chuckle. "My preference is for whatever is at hand when it comes time to do battle, but I really like the axe and the warhammer. The warhammer's a great sidearm for the average foot soldier. You can use a bow or poleaxe or whatever with the warhammer hanging from your side until it's time to get up close and personal. Then, a good warhammer has the hammer side and the spike, which you can use to punch through helmets and into the enemy's brain." He pauses, "You're probably not going to want a warhammer for crime fighting. There's no nice way to use it. Perhaps a staff? Teleport behind someone, sweep their legs and crack them in the head. Tonfas might be fun, too. I was in Japan for a while, spent some time in Okinawa. The folks there had to improvise weapons out of farming equipment. Nunchaku were originally used for pounding grain, but I think they might suit you as well. Give you a little extra reach when you're striking and you can use them for joint locks and chokes. In unarmed combat you'll want to try to use blood chokes on your opponents if you can manage them, cut of circulation to the brain long enough to render them helpless."
Bando George	"Oh! Tonfas are cool, those are the thinks that Talim uses in Soul Caliber!" Bando eagerly comments. He knows a thing! Yes, his knowledge is from a video game. Very reliable. "Nunchucks would be cool, too. I mean, how awesome would that look?" He starts spinning his 'air-chucks' Truly a master of his imaginary weapons. "This is just too cool. You'd really teach me all that stuff?"
Gilgamesh	"As long as you continue to help people I'll make the time to train you," Gilgamesh says with a grin. "It will be good for me to refresh my skills with various weapons, anyway. Last time I went to war it was against emus and I just used a wood axe to chop their heads off. When I fight now I just use my hands, but I'm also very strong and durable so I can get away with that."
Bando George	"So what is your powers then?" Bando asks. "Like, are you Superman, like a Kryptonian? But you just live a long time, too?" He looks a little confused. He glances down the street again, checking to see if Shark is visible.
Gilgamesh	"I'm incredibly strong and durable. Of the Eternals I'm probably the strongest," Gilgamesh explains. "I can fly, project energy that can slice through castles, I heal very quickly if something does manage to hurt me. I am capable of teleportation, though the way I do it is awful and exhausting. I literally break down myself into molecular components, teleport them, then reassemble myself. It's rough." He pauses, squinting his eyes in thought, "I think that's it. Some of us have other abilities, too." Then he stops to think once more, "I'm not sure about the capabilities of a Kryptonian. Never met any that I'm aware of. We're an entirely different sort of person, crafted by some unimaginably powerful cosmic entities to serve their purposes. Mostly I just cook and protect Earth, though I'm doing so more publicly now than I have in quite some time. Generally if I think a country has the right idea I join its military and pretend to be a mortal man, but with all the superheroes out there today it's important that I not hide who I am any longer."
Bando George	"Weird," Bando says. "So you're like...an alien? Kind of?" he asks. "Never met an alien before. I did fight a time traveler once!" He seems very proud to add that. It's the most impressive thing he's managed, even if he did end up fleeing the fight and letting someone better equipped finish it out.     He sighs. "I really thought Greg was gonna show," he comments. "He didn't seem like he was gonna ghost me," he shrugs. "I guess you can't push a rope."
Gilgamesh	"Pretty much an alien, though I consider Earth to be my home," say Gilgamesh with a smile. "I'm proud of humanity. I've been here since people lived in caves, saw the rise and fall of Atlantis, and my travels have even sort of come full circle. Not only did I live in Egypt under a pharaoh, I helped translate the Rosetta Stone a hundred something years ago." The immortal lifts his chin, "You fought a time traveler? That's very cool. I don't know that I've ever met anyone like that." That's when Greg appears around the corner of a nearby building, jogging a little bit as he heads towards the church. He slows down when he sees Gilgamesh, however, giving him a sheepish little wave before addressing Bando, "Sorry I'm late, man. I forgot to set and alarm and I slept too long. How's it going? You two going out crime fighting or something?"
Bando George	"Greg! You're here!" Bando declares, shifting his attention. "Yeah, this is Gil, we were just talkin' really." He offers a hand of introduction. "I was just wantin' to make sure you got connected with Pastor Nathan," he says. "Oh man, Greg should totally be a superhero, too!" he decides. Of course, given Greg's past, that probably shouldn't be his first career choice at the moment. It doesn't pay, and could probably give him more trouble than doing normal stuff. Not to mention the scientist he owes money to.
Gilgamesh	"Nice to meet you, Gil," Greg says to the Eternal with another little wave. When it's suggested that he become a superhero the Shark shakes his head, "I don't think that would be the best idea. If you need a sidekick someday, Bando, keep me in mind, though." Gil nods to Greg, "Nice to meet you officially. I'm glad you're trying to reform. If that scientist comes to bother you let Bando know, he can tell me and we'll go after him and put him away." There's a bit of a pause, "Do you like food that's not people? If so, you might want to start putting in applications to work in restaurant kitchens. Lots of them take ex-cons."
Bando George	Bando grins, "Just may not wanna do seafood kitchens. Would that be weird?" he asks, given that Greg has been mutated into a shark. "Or would that be better? Like, with the theme. How could a manager turn down a cook that's a shark? It's surefire money." Bando would do it, he knows that. Who doesn't want seafood cooked by a shark?
Gilgamesh	"I'll get a job cookin' seafood! That's great!" Greg is super excited by the prospect of a job where he'll get to use his shark abilities. Like super toughness and super strength and the ability to smell blood in the water from a great distance away. Gil looks at the two younger men and chuckles a bit, "You'll probably start off cleaning the kitchen, but if you promise not to eat anybody I'll ask Dixie if she can use you. That is, if she isn't still angry about your friends trying to rob her and her customers." There's a moment taken to look into the middle distance, "Actually, I bet you'd be a hell of a deterrent to anybody looking to start trouble. You're a lot scarier than I am, just to look at."
Bando George	Bando wags a finger at Gil, "That's a good point. Most people who would come and rob a diner, or even just start a problem by fighting, would probably keep themselves in line if they got someone that looks like you on the other side of the counter. You'd be the ultimate bouncer," Bando grins. "That would be epic."
Gilgamesh	Greg laughs sharkily. "Yeah, I could be like Patrick Swayze in Road House! Only with shark powers!" He mimics throwing punches, "Kapow! Judo chop! Throat rip!" Apparently he's studied the film quite well. "I'll ask around at bars and clubs, too. And I won't let in anybody with hard drugs, either. I can smell that stuff a mile away when I'm all sharky." Gilgamesh smiles at Greg and Bando. "As long as you're a contributing member of society, or at least trying to contribute, I'm sure Bando will have your back." He looks around for a moment, then says, "Alright, Bando. We gotta come up with a plan. I usually work morning shift, five to two. I can meet you somewhere after you finish school. You have a back yard? Might as well meet your folks, too, so they can see I'm not the bad kind of weirdo."
Bando George	"Yeah!" The look Bando gives makes it clear though, that he has no idea what that movie is. "Yeah," he scratches the back of his neck at Gil. "My parents...don't really like me doin' that kind of stuff, and won't let me take martial arts," he says. "So um...maybe we could do it somewhere else?" he suggests with a wince.
Gilgamesh	"We'll find a spot. Maybe work out in a park," Gilgamesh assured Bando with a nod. "They know you're a superhero, right? I figure they'd want you to be able to defend yourself better." He shrugs. "This world can be very violent sometimes and it pays to know how to defend the things you love. Even if you never throw a punch at another person it's doubtful you'll regret knowing how to do it." Greg looks at the guys and says, "I gotta go in now and talk to the boss man. I'll catch you two later. Gil, apologize to Dixie for me so I can apologize to her later myself. Bando, keep on keepin' on, brother." Then the Shark is off.
Bando George	"Okay Greg, hope it goes well!" Bando encourages him as he walks up into the church. He looks back at Gil. "Well..." he says, "They know I have powers," he answers...not the question asked. "I mean, they are really supportive parents. I love my folks." Also not an answer to the question.
Gilgamesh	"So they don't know you're a superhero? I didn't think you were keeping that quiet," Gilgamesh furrows his brow at the kid. "Whatever. I've led men your age into battle. Are you more concerned with your folks being worried about your safety or that you would get in trouble?" Not that it matters a whole lot. "We'll train at a park. I'll bring some training weapons to start us off with. Wear sweats and sneakers and be ready to move. If you got any superhero friends, or folks who want to learn, bring them along as well. It'll be good for you to train with people at a similar skill level in addition to training with me."
Bando George	"Uh, kinda both," he says. "They would worry. But sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do, right?" he says. Brave enough to face off against a supervillain. Not brave enough to risk upsetting mom. "Okay, that sounds good. We could get a club together to learn fighting stuff. A fight club! Just...not like the movie."
Gilgamesh	"I don't know much about parents, but if you're going to take on the worst society has to offer you need to be able to fight," Gilgamesh says seriously. "Your powers are great, but there may come times when you can't use them. I had to fistfight some giant monsters recently while pretending to be a regular guy. One of them slammed me through a locked door. I could have easily bested them if I cut loose, but there were witnesses and cameras and such." Then he nods, "Sure. Call it a club. Make sure your friends are ready. I'm not the most easy going instructor. I've seen what happens to poorly trained soldiers all too often."
Bando George	Bando nods. "Okay," he agrees eagerly. He starts trying to consider who he should invite. "I'll ask some people, and we'll do this. I'm pretty hyped!" He bounces on his heels again. "So maybe on Thursday?" he suggests
Gilgamesh	"Thursday sounds good, Bando," Gilgamesh tells the youth, reaching over to pat him on the upper arm. "We'll have a good time and I'll make sure you learn as much as possible. You'll need to come up with an excuse for your parents. Maybe rugby? You'll probably end up covered in dirt and grass stains when I teach you and your friends how to fight unarmed. Most fist fights end up on the ground so you'll need to know how to wrestle so you can overcome your opponent or get back to your feet."
Bando George	"Yeah, that's a pretty good idea," Bando admits. "Rugby, I shoulda thought of that earlier." He glances at the church. "Well, I gotta get to dinner," he says. "I'll make sure to wear the right clothes, and I look forward to becoming a master martial artist soon! It's gonna be epic!"
Gilgamesh	"Alright, my friend," Gil say with a big smile at the kid. "You take care of yourself and I'll see you and your friends on Thursday. Be ready to train hard, make sure you're properly hydrated and ready to absorb information. We'll have you taking on Bruce Lee soon enough." He pauses, "He's dead, though. Maybe Tony Jaa instead." There's a chuckle to show that he's joking around. "Take care." Then he starts lifting off of the ground, looking around to make sure he's not going to collide with anything before he zooms up into the sky.