The Vet and Criminal JustadashxGuySouvlaki

[Justadash]

Kali sat down beside him on the log and took a deep breath, "I am sorry, I am not used to company on my hikes. It's nice to have company, even if we don't talk a lot because of the walking. It's nice to know someone is there, just incase." She leaned back on the palms of her hands looking at the gurgling steam and smiled, "and besides, you picked a beautiful and peaceful place to take a break." Kali let the bags fall from her shoulders and rolled them looking up at the canopy. Suddenly her eye caught what she was looking for, "you little sneak, I see you up there!" She called up into the trees. She let out a sharp whistle and out of the trees swooped a chicken hawk that landed right next to Kali.


It let out a screech when it landed in greeting. She ruffled the feathers on top of its head, "you little brat, have you been following the whole time?" She asked the bird, and it let out a soft coo as if in response. Kali just laughed and continued to pet him.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"Feeling is mutual. And yeah...Totally planned to be here next to my element. "He said with a confident smile in truth he just collapsed at the log he found. He placed his back on the ground next to him, enjoying the scenery and Kali presence until she began talking in the air. He looked at her quizzically."What are you..." She then whistled and he surprised as a hawk flaw down next to Kali then laughed as she began to talk to."When were you going to tell me you were Dr Dolittle as well? Your full of surprises..."He went to stroke the bird before it squawked and bit his finger."Ouch! Hey! I was trying to be polite!"

 

[Justadash]

Kali laughed, "I am no Dr. Dolittle, me and this little man just have a special bond. See, Alaric is a chicken hawk, and he was caught getting a farmer's chicken and, well, he shot him. He was lucky I was out hiking that day or he would have died. I healed him and he has been with me ever since." She giggled when he nipped at Salis, "he hasn't truly met any other humans besides me. So please forgive him of his rudeness. He is actually very intelligent. I have taught him quite a few things. Haven't I little man?" She said starting to scratch him under his beak. He coo'd, closed his eyes and stretched his neck allowing her easier access. "Here, now that I have him preoccupied you can gently and slowly pet his back." She said looking up at Salis.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

Silas was understandably dubious at first putting his hand any way near the bird."Heh, you know "once bitten..." As the saying goes...."He said about to decline the offer but not wanting to appear cowardly decided to at least try.He moved his hand to stroke the hawks back, it seemed to accept the hand when it reached its feathers. Salis smiled as he became more comfortable stroking the birds back and it cooed."Hard staying mad at Alaric. He has a nice...Plumage? I think that's the word for it.

 

[Justadash]

"I never could stay mad at him. Even after he caught that cute little chipmunk in my back yard. Though I will have to say he never hunted there again!" She laughed at he memory. Kali slowly took her hand away from his neck so that only Salis was petting the bird. "See, he isn't usually that rude, are you Alaric?" The bird didn't make a sound. He just stayed perched there on the log enjoying the back rub. "And yes, he is a little bit of a neat freak when it Comes to his feathers."

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"It shows, he really needs to teach me his grooming skills."He joked before stopping stroking Alarics feathers."Sorry new buddy, i need to clean up myself as well." He stood up and walked over to the stream and began splashing some of the water in his face to wash away his sweat. The water was cool and refreshing, so he was tempting to take drink. He used power to lift some of the water from the stream leaving behind any impurities, he played with it moving it in a long stream and making shapes before letting it travel into his mouth."Mmm...Thats good stuff. Want some?"

 

[Justadash]

Kali shook her head, she stood up and stretched unintentionally exposing her mid-drift and her belly button ring, "naw, I am good for now," she said letting her arms down and covering her belly again. "I just needed a good stretch and to get that pack off my back for a few," she gave her back a good twist popping it in a few places. "Ah, much better," she walked over to the stream and sat down next to Salis. "So what are we going to do if we don't find anyone up there?" She asked looking up at Salis with her head laying on her knees.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

He shrugged turning the attention from the water to her. "You want me to make you something with the water? I can make it look like balloon animals."He said intentionally changing the subject. He began manipulating some water, acting link he was blowing at one end as if it was a balloon. The water acted as such inflating to a sausage type shape, before he took and twisted it to a makeshift animal shape."A dog."he said presenting to her.

 

[Justadash]

Kali let him change the subject. She knew he didn't really want to face that reality because there wasn't anything for him to go back to. He was considered a criminal, a murderer as soon as he was seen he would be taken in and viewed as guilty. Kali stared at him. He was such a nice person, always trying to stay upbeat and hope for the best, and trying to keep the person around him happy. He wasn't bad looking either, actually, there wasn't anything about him that wasn't attractive, except maybe his silly jokes. Kali let out a chuckle at that thought, she wasn't paying any attention to what he was doing, she had zoned out thinking about his situation and him.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"Eh...Kali? Earth to Kali?"Silas said slightly getting uncomfortable at her looking at him or seeing through him. He wondered what she was thinking, worrying if she was thinking he was worth the trouble judging from her question. He cursed under his breath, that was precisely why he didnt answer her in the first place. He didnt want to appear like he didnt what he was doing because he had no idea what to do if there was no one there. Or did she see something in him that told her he was the murderer and feel she was lied to. He knew it was irrational to think that way but he didnt relish the thought of going on without her and that was putting it mildly. Without her support he would have been in jail or dead long ago, not just because he lacked her powers or physical support but because he would have just given up, either with the running away or life. He flicked some drops from the water dog at her to get her attention, trying get the thought of his mind.

 

[Justadash]

Kali rubbed the water off of her face and giggled, "sorry, I just got lost in my own mind," she said with a smile and laid back on the bare ground looking up at the trees. "Ya know, I almost wish I could stay out here. It's peaceful, beautiful, and you don't have to worry about people hunting you down because you are different. We could live in peace, without fear, out here." She said longly to herself more than anything. She turned on her side looking at Salis again, "I haven't had the issues you have had, but I haven't used my powers as openly as you have. No one besides you, and my parents, has ever seen me heal anything or even has a clue about my abilities," she sighed turning on her back again, "makes for a lonely life."

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

He smirked at her reaction with hidden sense of relief as she watched her lie down and speak. He turned from were he sat to face her properly.


"Lonely?"He asked quizzically."You think your powers make up such a big part of you, you are not yourself if people don't know it?"

 

[Justadash]

Kali shook her head, "No, it does not solely make up who I am," she turned on her side again to face him. "But you can't be close to anyone, because if you are, you are hiding a secret from them, a rather large secret. I mean, it is one thing to lying about whether you had the last cookie, but to lie about how you do your job? To lie to all the people that call you a friend in why you came to live there. I am telling people one thing but the reality is another... Does that change my personality and how I treat them? Absolutely not, but would they still consider you a friend or loved one if they knew the truth?" She shrugged, "I don't know but I never enjoyed lying to people, so I haven't been close to anyone, or had any 'friends' since I have come here about 3 years ago. You have no idea how much I appreciate this friendship." She looked down at the ground twiddling with a rock suddenly embarrassed.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"Friendship?" He repeated in his mind slightly crestfallen. He knew that wasn't the thing to focus on in what she said especially when the matter spoken was a greater insight about her. However, that what struck unsure on what it truly implied: Was that their peak or just a sign of a stepping stone reached? Having said that past experience told him that it may not be wise to rise further and risk dropping permanently.


"I do too."He said finally." Not sure were I would be without it either...it is a reason to go on. Not to continue running but...Life... In general. The last reason passing a awhile ago." 
"Ehh...that doesn't mean you are obligated to stay with me to keep me alive or something..."He added hurriedly he himself feeling embarrassed."I am passed that point, I know there is always a gonna be a reason to go on. Even if another is over."

 

[Justadash]

Kali lifted her gaze from the ground. She had a smirk on and raised an eyebrow, "trying to get rid of me already are we? Goodness I didn't realize I was such a burden," she teased, "guess I will have to work harder and show you I am worth keeping around."she threw a pebble at him, which bounced off of his chest and back down to the ground. "Ya know, I once thought the way you were thinking but, whether we see it at the time or not, there is always a reason to keep going, to keep fighting for your right to live. Giving up doesn't solve your problems, it just gives you different ones, and usually ones that are worse than your original ones." She was once again staring at the ground lost in thought.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"Get rid of you? No. No. Quite the opposite...Oh right...Joke..Ok. Haha."He said embarrassed that he took her teasing seriously. He brushed of the peebles of his chest and shook his head. "I am the one who is supposed to be the immature one here. "As she continued speaking he stood up taking a seat next to her and sighed."How do I know I am not fooling myself, living for something that might be unattainable..."

 

[Justadash]

Kali smiled once again looking up at him, "you don't. Welcome to life," she said as she raised a hand as if introducing someone. "It is full of paths that you think go to place 'A' that might go there, but then might not. But, if you never go to then end of the road, and you keep turning around to take a different path, you will never know. Just gotta pick something and see it through. Whether it is hard, easy, or not sure you are going to like the ending." She sat up so that they were face to face and shrugged. "Everyone is a fool in life with something. Just make sure it is something worth being a fool over."

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"Yes...Might regret saying that..."He said nervously looking at her. He liked her smile, it was reassuring and kind like he could do nothing wrong by her. He tried to think of the words he wanted to say and whether he should say them, and despite her being a nice presence him looking at her didnt help either."If i...I want to say...You...Heel with it, call me a fool."He leaned head towards his lips searching for hers.

 

[Justadash]

Kali saw what he was trying to do, and was a little shocked and flattered at the same time. She had not even let herself be open to those kinds of feelings. Then on top of that She had not been expecting this, and she had not seen one sign that he liked her. Had she lived alone and and without friends for so long that she no longer could read people? No longer feel anything back other than the kindness, which she gave to everything? She frowned at her own numbness. It wasn't like he wasn't good looking. He actually quite handsome and had a cheery personality that always had a way of making her laugh. She didn't know what was going on in her head but the issue was definitely her, not him.


But she quickly let the frown melt. But instead of kissing him she put a finger on his lips and kissed his nose, "hey I am flattered, I truly am. But I don't know you anymore than you know me. I like you, I really do, but before we go for something more serious lets make sure we can put up with each other as friends." She removed her finger from his lips and have him a swift peck. "And I would never call you a fool for doing that. That took a lot of guts to do. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life, a man willing to take risks for what he thinks is right. Thank you for falling into my vets office," she smiled joyfully looking deep into his beautiful eyes.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"Yeah...Yeah, you right....I should have known that myself. Oh this so embarrassing! Hehe!"He said forcing a small smile, the awkwardness he felt made him enable to look at her directly. He just repeated an old mistake and felt angry at himself for it. Credit to her, her words were exactly what a person would want to hear at a moment like this: Kind with a hint of hope for the future. It make her like her even more. However, that was if people were logical in such a situation and people rarely were. She might as well have laughed and mocked him. He felt frustration building up in him and unsure to who and how it would be directed. Trying not to do something he might regret, he stood up and walked to the packs."Unless you want to eat or something, we should move on."

 

[Justadash]

Kali sighed, she had hoped he wouldn't react this way but had figured he would. She didn't mean to make him mad or make him feel foolish, she just wasn't sure that right now, when they were on the run, was a good time to start a relationship.


Knowing that he was angry she figured that it would be better if he worked some of it off, "let's go on and walk for a few more hours," she said as she got up and picked up the bags she had been carrying before. But this time she had a few more pounds she had to carry. After she had gotten the tent pack on her back Alaric had jumped up on top of it and gave a swift call as if saying 'onward!'. Kali just laughed and shook her head, "you, my good bird, are spoiled," and with that she started back off in the direction of the factory.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"Well done, Aleric. If you can get any more of your friends to come with on the tent that will be great." Silas commented with giving a lopsided smile, the comedic moment slightly calming him. He picked up a few of the remaining packs and followed Kali keeping more of a distance from her as he did before. He let the cool forest calm him though the track lacked some the joy it had previously, becoming more of a chore then an outing."

 

[Justadash]

They walked for two more hours not talking. One probably because she knew he was still angry and two, because they were both getting tired and needed the air to keep going not talking. Kali finally had enough for the day, "another 5 minutes," she gasped, "and we will be.... in the perfect place.... To camp for the night..."


Just as she said, in a few minutes they came to an open meadow with a beautiful lake in the center. Kali sighed, gave her pack a bit of a shake to get Alaric off, who screeched unhappily, to have to move of his own power again, and flew up to a low limb. After he was off Kali just let her pack fall and she let out a sigh of relief. She finally just sat down where she was to catch her breath. "Give me a few minutes and I will pitch the tent and start a fire and make a light stew."

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

"I give you fifteen and I will set up the tent. Got to earn my keep somewhere and how hard could it be."He said finally eyeing the tent critically to see how to set it up. He hadn't ny experience on camping but he thought he could do, feeling guilty for the way he reacted to her rejection. He hoped he would either succeed in helping her or look slightly foolish messing up and make her laugh. Either one would be a good result for him. At first it would be foolish mess up would be a winner as the mere unfolding of the tent seemed to cause him trouble. Comically moving the tent about trying to find which end was up and were it opens."Blasted thing, open! Oh....Right the belt."He called seeing the belt keeping around the tent keeping it folded he neglected to remove, intentionally or unintentionally."Idiot proof, I see."He said removing it, having an easier time setting it up afterwards.

 

[Justadash]

Kali watched him struggle with the tent for a few minutes giggling. Then leaving him to wrestle with it she went out to find some firewood. Alaric came along with her floating the limb to limb for a while then finally came to rest on her right shoulder. "Alaric, am I crazy for having my only long term friend an animal that can't talk back? Have I lost the ability to care or get close to something that doesn't have fur or feathers or scales all over its body?" She looked at the bird on her shoulder that was looking at her with his head to the side. She sighed, "I feel bad but I don't know what to do. I didn't want to lie to him back there but... Ugh, I don't know..." Alaric fluffed his feathers and looked up and if saying, "oh brother..." She have the bird a swift poke, "I heard that thought!" She said giggling. "Hey how about a game. First to get a squirrel or rabbit wins? Now... Hunt!" As she said hunt Alaric took off into the trees looking for his prey. Kali continued gathering fire wood as she walked quietly though the brush looking for her own prey.