December 30th 2034
Dressed in a reflective vest over dark cold weather workout gear stood the towering figure of Magnus Rikiya on the university track. Under normal circumstances it would be closed this late at night, unfortunately for the tall young man Magnus' circumstances were anything but normal. It had been a little over three months since the accident and Magnus had only just been cleared to get back to work. Anyone who had seen him before would be able to see his strength had atrophied as he no longer had the massive muscles that defined him.
Thanks to the way the news media works he was only about to work outside in the dead of night to avoid the crowds, and given it was the middle of winter in Washington meant that he had to deal with the bitter cold instead. That did not seem to slow him down as much though as he made his way around the track. His hot breath visible in front of his face as he huffed and puffed almost as soon as he got started on his run. He kept this steady pace up until another smaller figure joined him on his run.
"A wonderful evening for a run Mr. Rikiya."
The voice was almost eerily cheerful given the weather and especially when paired with their strange appearance. An androgynous face framed with just a bit of visible green hair, and a lean body covered in indigo workout gear. Much lighter weight than someone of their frame should be wearing in this weather, although it did not seem to stop them from being able to keep up with the injured Magnus. Just served to make Magnus miss his athleticism even more.
"If you're here for an interview I am already done with them. You're dedicated, but I need to focus on my recovery."
His strange new running partner just grinned at that. "I'm actually here to be your new agent Mr. Rikiya. After you fired Mr. Sterling for trying to sell you as a hero when he thought you could no longer make money for him as an athlete; I understand that you have an opening. You want to the be the world's strongest and I want to help make your dream come true."
Magnus just kept focus on his breathing as they made it around another lap with his unofficial partner keeping perfect pace with him. He glanced between his atrophied body and their petite purple frame a few times over the course of the lap. Although the stranger just seemed to smile anytime they noticed that they had caught his eye. "Don't you know I'm damaged goods?"
"Someone putting in this kind of work when no one is watching could never be damaged goods. You cost yourself an easy career path into the hall of fame all for a perfect stranger, and that is exactly why I am here. Don't worry I know that you do not like to be called a hero and prefer to think that anybody would have done the same in your circumstances. Thing is, I also know that a lot of people are not that selfless; myself included. I like the world you see better though and I want to live in that kind of world."
"Tell you what, my name is Tesla and I am a big fan of kids like you who put in absurd amounts of work towards a dream for no one else but yourself. You have done everything society can ask of you and I think it only fair that you get some proper recompense. The world may not be a fair place to people like you, but I would like to do my part to make it a little fairer in this instance. I left my card with the doctor you have watching this exercise so get in touch if you're interested."
Magnus did not stop his routine, but he did nod strongly enough that Tesla could see it. Only then did they go their separate ways with Tesla hopping a fence to disappear back where they came from, and for Magnus a jog back to the gates of the track. Where a certain doctor was waiting for him with Tesla's business card at the ready.
"I didn't think you'd be watching over me so carefully, but I'm glad that you're here."
Dressed in a reflective vest over dark cold weather workout gear stood the towering figure of Magnus Rikiya on the university track. Under normal circumstances it would be closed this late at night, unfortunately for the tall young man Magnus' circumstances were anything but normal. It had been a little over three months since the accident and Magnus had only just been cleared to get back to work. Anyone who had seen him before would be able to see his strength had atrophied as he no longer had the massive muscles that defined him.
Thanks to the way the news media works he was only about to work outside in the dead of night to avoid the crowds, and given it was the middle of winter in Washington meant that he had to deal with the bitter cold instead. That did not seem to slow him down as much though as he made his way around the track. His hot breath visible in front of his face as he huffed and puffed almost as soon as he got started on his run. He kept this steady pace up until another smaller figure joined him on his run.
"A wonderful evening for a run Mr. Rikiya."
The voice was almost eerily cheerful given the weather and especially when paired with their strange appearance. An androgynous face framed with just a bit of visible green hair, and a lean body covered in indigo workout gear. Much lighter weight than someone of their frame should be wearing in this weather, although it did not seem to stop them from being able to keep up with the injured Magnus. Just served to make Magnus miss his athleticism even more.
"If you're here for an interview I am already done with them. You're dedicated, but I need to focus on my recovery."
His strange new running partner just grinned at that. "I'm actually here to be your new agent Mr. Rikiya. After you fired Mr. Sterling for trying to sell you as a hero when he thought you could no longer make money for him as an athlete; I understand that you have an opening. You want to the be the world's strongest and I want to help make your dream come true."
Magnus just kept focus on his breathing as they made it around another lap with his unofficial partner keeping perfect pace with him. He glanced between his atrophied body and their petite purple frame a few times over the course of the lap. Although the stranger just seemed to smile anytime they noticed that they had caught his eye. "Don't you know I'm damaged goods?"
"Someone putting in this kind of work when no one is watching could never be damaged goods. You cost yourself an easy career path into the hall of fame all for a perfect stranger, and that is exactly why I am here. Don't worry I know that you do not like to be called a hero and prefer to think that anybody would have done the same in your circumstances. Thing is, I also know that a lot of people are not that selfless; myself included. I like the world you see better though and I want to live in that kind of world."
"Tell you what, my name is Tesla and I am a big fan of kids like you who put in absurd amounts of work towards a dream for no one else but yourself. You have done everything society can ask of you and I think it only fair that you get some proper recompense. The world may not be a fair place to people like you, but I would like to do my part to make it a little fairer in this instance. I left my card with the doctor you have watching this exercise so get in touch if you're interested."
Magnus did not stop his routine, but he did nod strongly enough that Tesla could see it. Only then did they go their separate ways with Tesla hopping a fence to disappear back where they came from, and for Magnus a jog back to the gates of the track. Where a certain doctor was waiting for him with Tesla's business card at the ready.
"I didn't think you'd be watching over me so carefully, but I'm glad that you're here."
