#machinus

Not too far away from him, a rather intimidating man was manually pulling his bike further into the garage. He noticed Izi staring, and stopped to lean on his bike and wipe his brow. "Y'gonna stare at me, dude, or are you gonna help?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Izi was quick to nod and slide off his seat, going straight to his assistance. He'd learned better than to annoy the intimidating guys- They were the loud ones.

Once the bike was safely fastened to the proper machinery, Izi immediately got to work on repairing it. He didn't need to ask what was wrong- It was an engine problem, no doubt. He'd fixed bike engines plenty of times- This one would be no different.

What turned out to be different was the owners's willingness to help him. Most customers would just sit back and watch, or even leave while Izi worked. This one gladly fetched tools for him- Something Izi greatly appreciated. With the owner's help, the bike was repaired in record time. Before Izi could even say he was done, a wad of cash was shoved into his face.

"Take it, dude," the owner beamed, "You really did me a solid!" Izi bowed his head as he accepted the payment, then looked back at the owner. He was going to ask a question to him, when the sound of screeching tires penetrated the heavy summer air. Izi flinched, then backed away from his customer. "Y-you mm-mmay want to leave," Izi stammered, giving the door a fearful glance, "This guy's rrreal rude.."

The door was broken down for the seventh time that month, and Izi instinctively recoiled away from the offensive shade of red that entered shop. "You know what I want, dogmeat! It's Thursday on Thursday, give it up!" They cracked their knuckles, then frowned as Izi tried to hide his payment in his pockets.

"Ohh, no you don't! You pay up, dogmeat, or you'll be euthanized faster than a rabid coon!" Thursday approached Izi, and Izi backed away, shaking his head. He opened his mouth to speak, but no matter how hard he tried, no sound would come out. He was rather suddenly slammed against the wall, and the world began to do spins and twirls. Over Thursday's gloating, Izi could hear someone else. They seemed so far away... But maybe, just maybe, this time he could call for help.

He opened his mouth to yell for help, but his genius plan was brought to a grinding halt when Thursday put a hand over his mouth. "Try all you want, dogmeat," Thursday sneered, "I'm getting it no matter how close I come to killing your worthless ass! Hand it over!" Another slam, and silence.

The next thing Izi was aware of was the scent of blood. He sat up in a hurry, feeling his own head and wincing in pain. There didn't seem to be anything in his hair.. But there certainly was blood on the ground... And so was Thursday.

"What the hell are you?!" Thursday yelled, scooting away from the rider, "A vampire?!" The inquiry was met with laughter from the rider, who folded his arms. "I already told you, kid. I'm Mach. Nothing else."

Thursday dragged himself to his feet, looking like a bloody deer in headlights. "Werewolf? Revenant? Elf-?"

"None of those, you red-headed violator! I don't drink blood, I don't shift, I'm not dead, and I definitely don't stand on the sidelines! Now get out of here!!" Mach snarled, assuming a boxing stance. Thursday stared for a few more seconds, before deciding that retreating was the only option and quickly fleeing from the scene.

Mach stood firm, staring at the door Thursday had left through. Only when a car started and drove away did he drop his guard, turning a quick 180 degrees to look at Izi. Izi flinched on sight- Mach had a bloody gash across his face, and bloodstains all over his clothes. Mach seemed to be unaware of his wound, hurrying over to and kneeling next to Izi.

"I'm fine, I think," Izi mumbled, trying to keep eye contact with Mach. His gaze kept drifting to the wound, though, and Izi couldn't help but make a face. It must have been one of disgust, because Mach noticed. "Is there something on my..." He trailed off, finally noticing the gash. He gave Izi a lopsided, sheepish grin before offering him a hand. Izi accepted, and was easily pulled to his feet.

Once Izi regained his balance, Mach began to look around. "You got somewhere I can clean this, or-"

"Yes, sorry! So sorry!" Izi interrupted, lowering his head, "There's the bathroom right over here!" He lead Mach to it, and waited for Mach to shut the door before dropping back to the floor. He was so dizzy, walking those few steps had been a chore.

His head hurt so much. His head pounded with every little sound. Izi just wanted to lay down on the floor and close his eyes. Knowing the risks of such an action, he did it anyway, wishing for an escape from the pain.

When he opened them again, he was in his own bed. Sitting up with some urgency, he ran his hands over his head. No pain. Had it all been a dream? Frowning, he adjusted his jacket as he wondered if he should get up.

... His jacket.

He was still wearing his jacket. As well, everything he'd been wearing previously. With a shout and a stumble, Izi tore out from the covers and rushed out of his room. He was in the middle of the stairs when he was finally able to see the lower floor- and Mach, speaking with his father.

"-And you kept my son safe from harm," his father was saying, his arms crossed as per usual, "I've got no reason to deny your request." His shoulders rose, then dropped- a sigh. "All I'd like from you is to assist Izikiel in the garage. Is that fair?" Mach nodded, giving a thumbs-up with one hand and an okay with the other. "That's totally okay with me, sir!"

"Please, just Warden," came his father's response, waving a hand, "I've got no need for formalities. What I do need..." he trailed off, and looked up at the stairs. Looked up at Izi. "Is for you to come down here, Izikiel."

Before Izi could even touch the last step, Warden began to speak again. "You've already become aquainted with Mach, but I'd like you to get along with him. He's going to be helping out and staying here."