// ok i kinda lied yesterday, i said no chaps this week but im really motivated for some reason, maybe cuz im replaying the game for the 7th fucking time?, who knows, either way chooms enjoy, please tell me your thoughts so far, nice to hear it from u guys + motivates me alot.
Chapter 5 - Jackie Welles
"Your stance is shit, kid. You're good at using your feet, but you gotta learn to pack punches."
Altair wiped sweat off his brow with the back of his forearm. "No shit, Vic. I just learned how to pivot last week."
Viktor leaned against the ropes of the boxing ring, arms crossed, watching like a disappointed gym teacher but still smiling amiably. "You still drop your shoulder before you jab. That's how you get countered."
Altair rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright, I get it, Vic. Maybe I'll just install the shock fist I've been working on and call it a day."
"Or," came a new voice from the side, smooth and confident, tinged with a Mexican accent, "you could actually learn to throw hands, mano."
Altair looked up, eyes narrowing.
A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped into the light. He had a solid build, a bun hairstyle that for made him look a bit silly, well, at least from Altair's perspective, some cyberware glinting around his neck and near his face. And finally, he wore a Valentino-style outfit.
Altair knew who he was, of course, who could forget?
"Name's Jackie. Jackie Welles. Por favor."
He held out a hand, grinning widely like they'd known each other for years.
Altair stared dazed momentarily
Jackie Welles.
Choom, how I've missed you!
He kept a straight face.
Shook the hand like it was the first time.
"Altair," he said.
Then paused.
Wait… last name?
Shit. I haven't told anyone my last name. Hell, do I even have one anymore?
He smirked slightly.
"Altair Wayne."
Jackie chuckled. "Wayne, huh? Sounds a bit classy."
Altair shrugged before he grinned, "Sure is."
Of course, it's classy! Batman's strongest superpower was being rich!!!
Viktor smirked. "Jackie's been helping me out with some of the local kids. Thought you two could spar a bit. Maybe you'll learn something too Jackie"
Jackie gave Vic a playful scoff. "Neta? You sure, Vic?" He looked at Altair again. "Alright. I'm down. Let's see what you got, Classy Wayne."
Altair grinned,
Yeah, this was Jackie Welles.
***
System Notification:
Martial Art: Boxing
Mastery Sync: 12%
Stamina Drain: Moderate
Focus Required: High
System Message: Hmm, let's see if u can improve stupid...
***
They stepped into the ring. Jackie raised his fists, a playful grin on his face.
Altair mirrored him, eyes narrowing.
"Don't go easy on me, Welles."
Jackie laughed. "Wouldn't dream of it, mano."
They circled each other, fists up.
Jackie feinted left, then threw a right hook.
Altair ducked and countered with a jab to the ribs.
Jackie grunted and stepped back.
"Not bad."
Altair smirked. "I have my moments."
They continued trading blows, sweat pouring, muscles burning.
Honestly? Altair felt it.
He was matching him.
Not exactly winning or getting an upper hand, but not getting steamrolled either. Unlike sparring with Viktor, fighting Jackie felt like testing yourself against a wall that pushed back just enough to make you grow.
Experience.
Like fighting Vic a level 100 while you're still a level 1 crook getting your ass retextured—and then finally swinging at a level 10 mini-boss(Jackie).
...
Damn it, who cares oong boong!!
IT's free exp!
System Notification:
Boxing Mastery Increased: 12% → 13%
Stamina Recovery Rate Improved
System Message: Wow you're actually learning??? Sheesh took you a while.
Altair: ???
What the fuck was wrong with his system?
-PUNCH!
Straight to the nose.
"Damn that hurt!"
"Your fault for being distracted, pendejo(stupid), come on mano you gotta step up your game!!"
"Damn it eat my ora ora flurry!!"
"The hell does that mean—?!"
The two spiraled into a blur of swinging fists, messy footwork, and the occasional insult-laced shit talk commentary from Vic in the background.
By the time it was over, they both collapsed against the ropes, gasping for breath.
Jackie grinned. "You're tough, Wayne. You got some fire in you."
Altair chuckled. "Same to you, Welles, I think you broke my nose..."
Jackie laughed. "Comes with the game, mano."
Viktor tossed them two towels respectively. "Good work, you both learn anything from your shortcomings?"
They both nodded at Vic as the towels were drenched in sweat.
As they walked off toward the elevator, Jackie clapped Altair on the back with a heavy thud.
"Hey, Wayne—wanna grab a drink? I'm dying out here. I need my daily tequila, hombre."
Altair looked at the big lug beside him. Tired. Sore. Still grinning like a dumbass.
He smiled.
"Sounds good. Haven't had a good drink in a while, choom."
Jackie grinned wider. "Alright, mano."
***
System Notification:
Boxing Mastery Increased: 13% → 18%
Stamina Recovery Rate Improved
System Message: Wow, great job, though you might want to learn something else though, considering how much you get your ass handed...
***
Altair ignored that last part.
Mostly.
Though it irked him, he'd have to live with these messages.
Unless there's a way to turn them off?
Might see later...
Jackie called someone up, a friend or something, since he didn't exactly own a vehicle, said he was saving up for a preem ride.
Couldn't blame him. The motorcycle in-game was cool.
After minutes of waiting, they both got into the car and drove to the El Coyote Cojo Bar.
***
The door to El Coyote Cojo creaked open with a low whoosh, and that usual buzz of neon reds and faded yellows flooded in from above. Warm light. Familiar heat. A mix of cheap cigars, lime, and grilled meat hit like a punch to the nose.
Jackie stepped in first, moving forward as he greeted the ones we passed by, who were like all of them
'Sheesh, he has a lot of friends.'
Altair followed closely, his hoodie unzipped halfway since the temperature was kinda hot inside.
Scanning the room out of habit. Not that he expected a shootout—but this was Night City. You never really don't expect one.
The bar was alive.
Music thumped from the jukebox in the back. Local drunkards talked over drinks. Some Valentinos were arm-wrestling near the pool table. And an old guy leaned on the railings, enjoying the drink in his hand.
"Jackie, you big cabrón!" a voice shouted from the bar.
Altair's gaze snapped over.
Leaning at the counter was a skinny dude with a sharp jaw, faded scars, and a worn synth-leather vest barely zipped. Looked like the type to flash a pistol just to steal a lollipop from a kid.
"You bringing strays in now?" the guy grinned, holding up a drink.
"Chingate, Julio," Jackie shot back, laughing. "This one actually hits harder than you."
Julio raised an eyebrow, giving Altair a once-over. "Yeah? Bet he whines as much."
Altair gave a lazy, dazed look. "Only when the alcohol kicks in."
He wasn't joking, alcohol solves all problems but eh makes you a dickhead at least in his case.
That got a bark of laughter outta Jackie. "¡Así me gusta, mano!"
They walked past and prepared to sit, but from behind the bar, a warm but no-bullshit kind of voice called out—
"Jackie! No me jodas—you're all bruised up again?"
Altair turned.
Guadalupe Alejandra Welles.
Better known as Mama Welles.
She is Jackie's mother.
She had stern but firm eyes. Strong arms. And a stare that could scare the shit out of a cyberpsycho at twenty paces. She wiped her hands on a cloth, walked around the counter, and gave Jackie a once-over 'Why the fuck are you bruised up." Kind of look.
"Mamá, I'm okay, there's no bleeding or anything.." Jackie grinned.
"Not yet, but who knows what stupid things you come up with?" she muttered sternly, then noticed Altair. "And who's this friend of yours?"
Jackie turned to Altair and clapped him on the back again.
"This is Altair. New sparring partner down at the boxing club, Old Vic, is training him. Got hands like iron and from what I've heard so far, he's got the mouth of a smartass."
Altair shot Jackie a look before he held out a hand and said politely. "Nice to meet you, ma'am."
She took it with a nod. "Manners, too. Huh. You sure he's a friend of yours, mijo?"
Jackie groaned. "Mamáaa—"
She cut him off with a wave and turned to Altair. "You call me Mama Welles like everyone else. You drink?"
"Yeah, a little, mostly with friends though," Altair grinned.
"Good. First round's on the house. Jackie, don't get plastered tonight, por favor. I'm still cleaning the booth you threw up in last week."
Jackie raised his hands. "No promises."
Altair chuckled under his breath.
They settled into a booth near the back. The synth-leather seat creaked. Jackie slapped a hand down on the table with a big-ass grin, already shouting, "¡Pepe! Bring us two house specials—and make mine extra tequila!"
'Yep, this was the same Jackie from the game...' Altair mused.
The difference was it was now 2075, 2 years till that fat fuck dexter deshawn appeared.
Wonder if he's already met V yet. don't know what lifepath this V has in this world.
Altair grinned as the drinks came. Two steaming plates of carne asada burritos and two glasses of tequila.
Altair took a sip and hissed through his teeth. "Holy shit. That's not water."
Jackie laughed. "It's Mama Welles' mix. Made for real hombres."
Altair coughed. "Yeah well, my intestines just ascended."
They both dug into their food, not saying much for a while. Just chewing. Letting the noise of the bar settle around them.
It was nice.
Warm. Familiar. Almost safe.
Jackie finally leaned back with a sigh. "So, Al, you a merc or what? Don't see many chooms with hands like yours not working gigs."
Altair paused.
He swirled his glass.
"Let's just say I work nights. Pay's shit, hours are worse, but I get to punch really bad fucked up people and rob the robbers who robbed the victims."
Jackie raised a brow. "So… like a vigilante?"
Altair smirked. "Something like that."
Jackie laughed. "Mano, you're weird. Most folk these days have all done something bad, or illegal, but hey, I like it."
Altair nodded, "You're right, someone's gotta do it, NCPD don't do much to these folks, and you know, most people just don't have the choice either, this city forces you to either adapt to its rules or end up in an urn, or maybe worse.."
"Damn right. Esta maldita ciudad(this fucking city), these folk gotta live somehow, It's nice to see you stick to you're values mano!" Jackie said with a smile
Tapping on the bar counter to signal Pepe for more tequila, as Pepe poured him another.
Jackie turned his head.
"How about it, hermano, we could make a good team just from the good chemistry between us, Eh? Don't you say?"
Altair smiled, "Well, merc work doesn't sound that bad. Fine, you convinced me, but no gigs that involve killing someone good, though I doubt there's any of those in this city these days."
"Haha, I knew you'd accept. We get along real fine, you and me."
Jackie grinned as he lifted his glass to him
"To our new friendship.. Oh, and the eddies flowing in!"
Altair just smiled at that and raised his.
"To our new friendship, and the eddies flowing in."
Clink.
They both laughed at that.
Chapter End.
// give me stones or i stone u at 3 AM with real rocks outside your home!
// Thanks for reading, frog gonna go back to the well-
// Ignore this im writing this cuz its like 1952 words now i gotta reach that 2000 HAHAH
Dumm dum english is good, tea is bad, moldy bread tastes weird???, i need that green gun or yellow sword. wow gta 6 is out soon? Nope idk. Ok im done with my rant frog out for real this time AAA.