Old enough and brazen enough to rebuke youngsters like Ky’lar with ease, John spurned any benefits of old age, despite rapidly approaching his seventh decade of life and yet not showing his age at all. Any protests faced he diffused with practised charm and manipulative ploys, preying on moods, perceptions, conditions. Anything that may grant him an edge. “’Course you don’t, old son. So why don’t ya start proving to me, an’ maybe I’ll let ya be.”

_{While Ky didn’t feel he needed to prove anything – let alone to John – there was no doubt other eyes on him. They may not have always been present, but they were there; watching and waiting for him to fuck up. It was to that reason he believed they had someone watch over him… so they wouldn’t have to or perhaps it was spite. 
    “Or maybe you should step aside.” He knew John wouldn’t, but that didn’t mean Ky couldn’t request such a thing. “I don’t need anyone keeping me on a leash; let alone someone like you.”}