Lykopis had become boring company. It was clear that for short periods of time, the Amazon was enjoyable to be around. She had spent the last few hours bonding and drinking with her coworkers. But after Gaunt left to go back 'on duty' as the Shadow Chancellor, Lykopis was reverting back to her more solitary self. It seemed Lykopis could only stand so much bonding in so many hours.
"You okay on your own?"
Lykopis nodded. Drake understood better than she thought. Have fun with your trumpeter. Trombonist. Whatever. A few fleeting seconds later, Lykopis was just another girl in the crowd.
Drake had just reached the main street when a familar sight pulled into view. Icarus Sidewinder, his nose bloodied and his eyes wide in fear, came running from behind a tent. Behind him, a angry tourist was shouting curse words in French. Mr. Sidewinder was not the greatest runner in the world, but everyone have a little bit of lightning in their legs for moments like this. He had the look of a jackrabbit escaping the jaws of a grayhound. Drake almost felt sorry for him.
"Icarus!" shouted Drake. Why does this always happen to me?
Icarus dropped down onto his knees in front of Drake. It was clear the day's events had worn out even the team's hotshot. His sagging shoulders were the outer signs of weariness and defeat. "Big...Frenchie...who knew...they could fight..." Icarus took a gulp. "Help me."
The giant Frenchman was gaining fast. Both Icarus and Drake saw him spot the pilot and run towards the kneeling Icarus. "Bitten off more than you can chew?" Icarus said nothing. Well, everyone needs to be humbled. "I'll help you if you admit you screwed things up."
"Okay. I fucked up."
"Not good enough."
The French Goliath was getting closer. Icarus groan. "I fucked up! I messed things up royally! I was really naughty! I'm up a shit creek! I acted before I thought it out! I swear I'll --"
"Wait, what was that last part?"
"I acted before I thought it out!"
"Bingo!" shouted Drake, grinning widely. It was exactly what he wanted to hear from the flying hotshot. The scorned French husband jumped, attempting to crush Icarus, when Drake launched into the air as well. One uppercut was enough to send the massive man into one of the tanks, with crusants spinning over his head. "Le ow..."
*** *** ***
"Stupid tourist!"
Drake and Icarus found themselves airborn as the Munich police kicked them out of the fair. Icarus got up first. His nose was still red and bloody from the punch. "Whoo-hoo!"
Drake rubbed his head. "Ow..."
Icarus pulled Drake off the dusty sidewalk. "You sir, kick ass. That was great. One punch. Uno. Singular. You rock sir."
"Thanks." Drake looked at Icarus. "It was kind of stupid of you to piss him off."
Icarus looked embarassed. "Yeah...sorry that got you kicked out of Ocktoberfest."
Drake shrugged. He was still amused by Icarus's antics. Too bad the rest of the gang didn't get to see him humbled. I wonder what Gaunt would have payed to see that. "Come on. Let's find a place to wait for the rest of the team."
"But they'll probably stay until tonight."
Drake sat down on a bus bench. "Vanguard Europe?" Drake shook his head. "Nah, I see us getting booted out of many social occasions in the future..."
