|
Post by Kaikoura on Jul 21, 2009 17:41:39 GMT -5
The current setting is the Jachrid Space Station, a huge spaceday built into a hollowed out asteroid that orbits around the ice moon of the nearby planet Jachrid. The station is huge, and can most closely be compared to a sea port town crossed with a gigantic shopping mall. It is the home to the largest inergalactic race in the known universe so there's many facilies for all kinds of ships.
|
|
|
Post by sparkythedog on Jul 22, 2009 3:13:53 GMT -5
*A dragon flying through space isnt something that is commonly seen in the universe. so it is no surprise that the crew of the Malevent Pebble would open fire against the dragon that approached their ship.*
First Mate: Captain we have a dragon coming right for us.
Captain: Bring it on screen.
FM: its closing in fast
Captain: ready the lasers
Shooter: Lasers ready
C: Fire away
*the ship opened fired and the dragon dodged and landed on top of the ship he cuts a small opening near the cargo hold drops something inside then welds the cut shut with his magical works in space fire breath. and disappears leaving the crew rather rattled and confused.
A crew member checking on the shipment found a pretty damaged dog on the brink of death. on the dogs collar was a tag that was pretty scratched up and damaged not much could be read. except the letters S-A-R-T-H-O-G. concerned for the dogs health the rushed him to the Jachrid Space Station. where he was put into urgent medical care.*
|
|
Aye
New Member
Posts: 41
|
Post by Aye on Jul 22, 2009 16:07:18 GMT -5
"Delta 5 to Jachrid Station. Delta 5 to Jachrid Station. Requesting permission for commercial docking. Repeat, requesting permission for commercial docking."
Shorly after, a reply came to the bridge of the Delta 5, "Permission granted, Delta 5. Proceed to dock 4-9-Beta-Gamma-Gamma-5."
"Thanks Jachrid Station. Proceeding to 49BGG5," Griply said. He swiveled his chair around and stood up to leave. As he walked away, he turned and said to the co-pilot, "Alger, take it from here. I'm going to check the cargo before we dock."
"Sure thing, Griply," he said back.
Griply left the cabin and walked past the small personal quarters of the ship and to the storage bay. The door slid open and his breath instantly turned to a steam cloud before him. They had to keep this shipment of Greorian slugs chilled if they were to get to their destination before spoiling. Griply began to walk around to make sure each crate was tightly secured so they wouldn't slide around when they docked. He checked all the harnesses and they were all tight so he pressed the button to the intercom next to the cargo bay door. "Hey Alger, everything's tight back here. You're clear to-"
Griply stopped when he spotted something on the floor. It was... a slug. And a couple others that were cut in half.
"Sure thing, Griply, I'm taking her in."
Griply got closer to examine the loose slugs. He squatted down and picked one up. It wasn't just damaged, it was partially eaten. Then he saw a small hole which had been burrowed out of one of the crates. Griply went back to the intercom, "Hey Alger, we've got some nibblers. Maybe rats, maybe iggers. Either way, keep an eye out for 'em."
"Sure thing, boss," Alger said into the radio. Alger always hated the thought of those little iggers crawling through the ship, snatching cargo one night and then snatching a toe the next. He tried to keep his mind off of it as he positioned his ship over the landing pad at the commercial docks. The ship touched down lightly and Alger hit the switch to begin the depressurization process. As the vents hissed, he thought he heard something below. He got out of his chair and put his ear to the floor. Moment later, he heard it again, a scurrying within the bowls of the ship.
Griply was opening the bay doors when Alger came in over the intercom. "Hey Griply, you were right. We've got something in this ship."
Griply got back on the intercom and replied, "That's what I thought. We'll unload the cargo and then get this ship sprayed down. I'm not going to let those little things chew through the wiring agai-" Griply cut off as he saw something move in the corner of his eye. He looked, but there was nothing there so he continued.
Aye dashed out of the ship and across the loading dock in a flash. Within moments, he was hidden in an alley-way and slowly moving further into the space station. He looked in his hands and saw the two slugs he had taken with him. Aye hated slugs but it was better than starving. He stuffed them into the burlap satchel he had at his side and skulked his way towards the shopping center of the station. With any luck, he'll be able to snatch some fresh bread or fish to replace the slugs.
|
|
|
Post by Kaikoura on Jul 23, 2009 16:12:55 GMT -5
The artificial light glared down from above onto the throngs of people wandering around the shopping plaza. Usually, at this time of day the place was all but a ghost town with only a few dozen or so patrons dashing into one store or another for a quick item.
Kaikoura pulled her shawl closer around her head, and slowly pulled her face back into the alley where she was hiding. She took a few steps back into the darkness and took a deep breath.
Okay, Kai....you can do this. Don't worry about it. she murmured to herself. It's only a few hundred feet....right across the hall. No big deal.
Her feet remained rooted to the ground, unwilling to move. She stood there for several minutes trying to force herself, but it wasn't until her stomach groaned loudly that she seemed to regain control of her body.
She stepped toward the edge of the alley again, taking another look to see how many people were around. It seemed to her she'd never seen so many people at once. She pulled back one more time, took another deep breath, and checked to see if her Anai was completely wrapped in her shawl. It wasn't, but it was almost totally covered. She could live with that.
With a great push, she bowed her hood and stepped out into the thoroughfare. No one stopped her, or said anything, but she felt like a million eyes were staring at her. Nearby, someone laughed and Kai felt her feet move faster. She glanced self consciously back at her Anai -it was still almost totally hidden.
Finally she reached her destination, a huge restaurant with a 'patio' in front where patrons were dining. Kai bypassed the front entrance and found herself standing next to a potted tree of some variety. From here, she could reach her arm and touch the nearest row of tables without entering the patio area. In the table next to her tree, a couple sat chatting. From the alley, Kai had watched them eat, and waited until they'd gotten their bill before she'd made her move. She had arrived, as planned only moments before they would be leaving.
The woman noticed Kai, and turned to look at her. Kai bowed deeply in apology, and spun back around to face the passing crowd. She had to fight the urge to run, fortunately her hunger was still in control. She didn't dare to turn back around until she heard the metal chairs slide out though.
She waited a moment, and glanced back. The table was empty but it hadn't been cleared yet. Kai lunged at the table, grabbing everything that looked like food and stuffing it all into the folds of her shawl.
"HEY! What do you think you're doing?!" Someone cried out, very loud and very near. Kai looked up and noticed the busboy who had arrived to clean up. Their eyes locked he could see her face, he noticed her Ka-nai. His face contorted into a nasty expression.
Kai didn't hear what he yelled after her, and it didn't matter. She'd heard it all before. But now she had what she wanted, and could find a dark, empty corner to enjoy her dinner.
|
|
Aye
New Member
Posts: 41
|
Post by Aye on Jul 23, 2009 19:34:41 GMT -5
Aye had never seen a place quite like this before and it would be a mild statement to say he was excited. Unlike any other planet he'd been to, the sky was replaced by high, vaulted ceilings carved from living rock with windows out to open space. It was like some kind of city buried inside a cave drifting through the stars. And it's inhabitants varied more than any he had ever seen before! There were beings that looked almost almost like large Hrarbians, others like Tichmars but with less tendrils, and humans with all kinds of dress. The variety was so great, Aye thought for a moment that he could walk freely among them, but it was always better to be safe than to be caught.
Aye had a tattered piece of cloth draped around him which he had found in a trash bin. Sticking to alley ways and dark corners, he was following the scent of food and he could sense it getting closer and closer. The crowds only worked to his advantage today, sticking to a regiment of keeping low, covered in the cloth and sprinting across the street. Then he saw it: in the distance were a handful of booths displaying fresh fruit, meats and other types of food he wasn't even aware of. He only need to get closer and he could easily snatch his fill and throw away those dreadful slugs.
With his sights set on his prize, Aye dashed across another street and into an alley adjacent to the food market. Behind him, he could catch the smell of restaurants. It wasn't uncommon for Aye to see fine dining placed so close to fresh food markets. The smell of finely prepared food was tempting, but always so much harder to acquire. Besides, he was already focused on a table of ripe, red fruits. He could practically taste them already.
Suddenly, his ears perked at the sound of feet shuffling across concrete. He was not alone here. Aye froze and scanned the alley-way to find a cloaked figure. Her clothing was almost as tattered as his and she appeared to have some kind of food hid away in the folds of her clothing. She looked young, small and thin. From the way she ate her food, it was likely she hadn't had any reasonable amount for some time. Aye looked at the slugs in his satchel... Maybe she...
Aye crouched in the alley way not too far from her. He didn't get too close, still curious how she may react once she saw him. He just stood there and waited.
|
|
Taeg
New Member
Posts: 18
|
Post by Taeg on Jul 24, 2009 20:15:52 GMT -5
The "streets" of the Jachrid space station were pretty packed. Many people going about their business, buying things from food stands. some heading into restaurants or other stores. And some who were even stealing food to stay alive. The Jachrid space station was known for its diverse populace. You could almost find any type of class, or any item for purchase on this station.
Bar tender: Who are you talking to?
Well, this isa documentary, isn't it?
Bar Tender: I think you have had quite enough to drink sir.
HAHAHAhaha. Fancies himself a pint eh?
*turning his head sharply at the door*
Look out! he'll come for you to.
BT: Are you ok?
Perfectly fine. Minus the mental illness thing. oh cheap shranagan whore! my ship just lost!
BT: Shame that. how much did you lose?
*Taeg jumped on the stool, and grabbed the Bar Tender by the collar of his shirt.*
You saying Drask Taegon isa gambling man!?
BT: No of course not, I just assume you had a wager on the race is all. Nothing to fret about, calm down sir. calm down.
*Settling back down in his stool as if nothing had happened.*
Well I did lose 1,000 Borlacks on that race...
*Affraid to ask, but the curiosity got the best of him.*
BT: What's a Borlacks?
I don't know... But I better find something before the bookies catch up to me.
BT: The bookies let you make a wager with out even knowing what a Borlack was?
Taeg told ya. He ain't no gamblin' man! And a good day to you, SIR!
*With that Taeg sat back down in his stool, and began to peruse the menu.*
I'll take the lobster Fisk, and a mug of ale.
*3.2 seconds later Taeg found himself bodily hurled from the bar, into a back alley where he landed painfully on his butt. slowly getting to his feet, and rubbing his hind quarters, Taeg realized he wasn't alone.*
It appears I have stumbled into the world of giants! No worries, Taeg, I know their weakness! Ahha! very good! Attack then I think... Yes, quite right. Attack!!!
*And with that, Taeg rushed the furry giant as he leaned down towards the other, smaller giant. Presumably for some sort of mating ritual.*
|
|
|
Post by sparkythedog on Jul 25, 2009 0:36:09 GMT -5
*the hospital room was whiter than pure snow from the mountains. There is an uncomfortable bed that has a dog laying in it. across from it is a second rate tv that would be considered junk by the standards of the space station. there is a small table that is designed to move over the bed so one may eat while still in bed. on the other side is a small uncomfortable looking chair.over by the door is a small bathroom area that is designed mostly for the humanoid creatures that go through the hospital. outside of the room voices could be heard.*
Voice #1:We cant keep him here he has no identification. thus he has no insurance.
Voice#2:that may be but he looks a lot like that announcer from the last rally. the media would eat this up.
V1: All the more reason to get him out of here. We cant have the media in here disturbing the patients.
V2:But what of his wounds?
V1:There doesnt seem to be any hope any ways just throw him out.
*With that being said a janitor walks in with a doctor. The janitor is pushing a garbage can that is on a set of wheels to make it easier to move around. with a quick glance around the doctor and janitor pick up the dog that is in the bed and put him in the trash can. then they dump some trash on top of him to help hide him. then the janitor rushed off towards the dumpsters where he dumped the dog into a giant dumpster.
The body laid there for several hours before the garbage truck came. the janitor who was familiar with the garbage pick up times was waiting for the garbage man. after a quick quite talk and the handing of some money to the garbage man. the dumpster with the dog in it was picked up and dumped into the back of the truck.
After a few more stops the Garbage man got out in an alley way where he jumped into the back and fished out the body of the dog who was thrown next to the dumpster in the alley way right next to The Screaming Monkey Tavern. and there the body of the dog was left unknown to all *
|
|
|
Post by Kaikoura on Jul 25, 2009 18:11:40 GMT -5
Kaikoura slowed her steps as she reentered the darkness of the alley and finally chanced a glance behind her. A few passersby glanced in her direction as they passed, but on the whole no one seemed to be paying her much mind.
All the better, she thought to herself. She wandered a few feet farther back, and settled behind a stand of garbage cans so as to be safely hidden from the view from the street.
And now, we eat. she said again, the sound of her tiny voice barely echoing off the adjacent wall. She opened her shawl and more or less dumped the food on the ground. She brushed the tattered cloth about her head off as best as she could before even turning back to the food.
Upon inspection, there wasn't as much as she'd thought she'd gotten; a few small bones with a bit of meat left on them, some bread , and a few assorted vegetable bits.
It's not much, but it's better than starving she thought before nearly pouncing on the food.
As she ate, she felt someone approach her. He was staring, she could feel it, and he was very close. She kept eating, pretending not to notice, hoping he would decide to go away. He didn't.
Finally, Kai popped her last scrap of food in her mouth and was about to say something when a door across the alley suddenly exploded outwards. Kai and the stranger were both shocked to be sure, but Kai, who'd been preparing to run anyway recovered a split second sooner and dashed from the alley back into the street.
She wasn't sure if she was being followed, and as she felt her hood slide off her head, it suddenly didn't matter anymore. As she ran, she could feel the eyes staring at her. Though her feet kept pulling her forward, she found herself wondering as she often did what they were thinking when they were looking at her. Her body turned a corner, but her thoughts stayed back on the street. That is until the ground suddenly disappeared.
Kai came back to herself just in time to see the floor of a drainage canal rush up to meet her. Then everything was dark.
|
|
Aye
New Member
Posts: 41
|
Post by Aye on Jul 26, 2009 0:00:45 GMT -5
The girl did not respond to Aye which was not surprising. It was very possible that she was far too focused on her food to notice him. What DID surprise Aye was when a door slammed open behind him and a small, unusual little creature was thrown out followed by a string of obscenities the nature of which Aye was rather familiar with. Without wasting a moment, the girl dashed off, her hood falling from her head, exposing some very unusual appendages; long tendrils of light blue with green stripes. However, that was very low on the list of Aye's concerns. His attention was placed on this new creature. While it was rather small, it could still be deadly.
"It appears I have stumbled into the world of giants! No worries, Taeg, I know their weakness," it said with a slur. "Ahha! very good! Attack then I think... Yes, quite right. Attack!!!"
The little thing surged towards Aye. Without hesitation, Aye lept up eight feet in the air and caught a raised ladder on the side of one of the buildings. In seconds, he had climbed the five stories up and was on the roof. Aye looked down to make sure the creature wasn't following him and then left in the same direction of the unusual little girl.
Aye hated being on roofs. It was so easy to get cornered with nowhere to go on a roof. He lept to an adjacent building and ran to the opposite end and looked down. He found a line of windows that spanned each floor down to the bottom. Without wasting a moment, he slid off the side and grasped the ledge of the top window. One-by-one, he dropped off one ledge only to grab the next until he was on the ground again. He couldn't hear the little creature but he wasn't going to wait for it to find him. He had to get far away quickly.
Aye dashed to the edge of the alley by the street and was about to get ready to run across when he saw a small crowd of people collecting around something. Aye couldn't see it clearly but between the legs, he caught sight of a small flash of color in light blue with green stripes. Could it be?
Then Aye saw something else. A pair of figures approaching the crowd. They were both in matching uniforms of black and red and had a reasonable amount of equipment on their belts. Most likely authority figures and they were heading towards her. There was no time to waste.
"Outta the way! Outta the way! What's going on here," officer Jarx shouted. Judging from the crowd, it was probably another murder. Seemed to be common place around here, and officer Jarx always hated when they happened in places this public. So much trouble to clean up. The crowd parted and there was a little Rai'ku lying motionless on the side-walk.
"Awe damn, I wouldn't mind the slavers if they didn't leave their trash lying around. Bwallee, get her ID number. Time to find out who we're fining for killing a slave in public." Officer Bwallee stepped forward but before he could get close, there was a flash of cloth and a gasp from the crowd. The tattered cloth fell to the ground to show a blue-furred beast hunched in front of her, a fierce look in it's eyes and it's hair on-end.
"Hiiisssssssssss!"
Officer Bwallee stepped back, scrambling to grab the stunner on his belt. Jarx immediately pulled out his club and shouted, "Everybody back!" Jarx came at the creature but before he got two feet, Aye had swept up the little girl and was running down the street at full speed. Bwallee fired a shot from his stunner, just missing Aye. He readied for a second shot but by then, Aye was already twenty yards away and the crowds were too thick.
Aye didn't know where else to go. It may not have smelled the best, but the sewers were almost always the safest escape from the authorities. Aye had to scan three city blocks to find a concrete covey that provided adequate cover from above and enough space to lay her down. Hoping he didn't hurt her too much from their escape, he gently set her down in the driest section of the sewer (which still placed her in a small puddle). Then he stepped back about six feet and waited, watching her.
|
|
Taeg
New Member
Posts: 18
|
Post by Taeg on Jul 26, 2009 18:23:26 GMT -5
*Taeg lunged at the giant only to have him jump out of sight at the last second, causing Taeg to slam into the ground where he had once been standing.*
*Muffled*Success! We have scared the giants off! This land can now be claimed for the queen!
*Getting to his feet and brushing himself off again, he noticed an orange paw sticking out from behind a dumpster a little ways down the alley.*
A lucky thing! This really is our lucky day Taeg!
*Walking over, Taeg crouched down to examine the paw. It seemed to be attached to a dog propped against the building who was badly injured.*
Come off it now! I found it first. Besides, you already got three others. Spare the surplus fora poor man?
*The dog did not respond.*
I see how it is. Not good enough to talk to old Taeg. He's just a loony he is. Please sir! I want some more! Bah!
*Taeg grabbed the foot, and began walking away dragging the dog behind. after a minute Taeg looked back to see the dog.*
Boley Martin! An injured Dog! where did you come from little fella?
*No response*
You must be hurt pretty bad. I know what will cheer ya up, and put a heart beat back in that chest like a fat rat on Tuesday!
*Taeg then dragged the dog back into the bar, where he would order him a stiff drink. He had been told that is was good for what somethinged you... he couldn't remember what, or why they said it. But he had a feeling it was the right solution. never having touched the stuff himself, he wasn't sure why. But when his gut said to do stuff, he did it.*
|
|
|
Post by sparkythedog on Jul 26, 2009 21:28:12 GMT -5
*Taeg propped the dogs head backwards and opened his mouth. He then took the drink and just dumped it over his mouth. Most of the alcohol spilling on the dogs body and the floor. When nothing happened he proceeded to order another drink and continued the process again and again. around the 10th time the bar tender got annoyed at these antics*
Bartender: Hey stop throwing those drinks on my floor.
Cant ye see that im in the middle of dire surgery. now continue bringing me those miracle drinks.
bartender:Miracle drinks? You must be out of your frockin mind you midget. now get outta here before i call the frockin cops.
*Taegen not even listening saw that other people had miracle drinks so he decided to use theres to help the poor dog. even with causing a big commotion he was able to get 4 more drinks over the dogs head. before being surronded by a big mob of people*
Dont you people care at all about others besides yourselfs. Like that guy *tay points at an overly obese man* Cant you see hes about to eat you all?
Angry mob: We only care about our drinks.
*right before the mob attacked Taeg they where attacked by a Chicken and then another and another soon there where about 20 chickens flying around the bar attacking everyone except Taeg and the now conscious dog in the middle of the bar who looked like he might have rabies except there was no foam in his mouth. and his eyes where as red as blood. And very quietly mumbling something under his breath after everyone in the had left except Taeg and the dog. the dog then collapsed on the middle of the flood.*
My god! You are lucky!
*taeg then grabbed the dogs paw again and dragged him out of the bar.*
|
|
Aye
New Member
Posts: 41
|
Post by Aye on Jul 27, 2009 15:59:24 GMT -5
((This is a collaborative post between Kaikoura and Aye))
When Kaikoura came to, she was staring up at a sewer grate. Somewhere beyond was a blurry white light. Her head was throbbing, though it felt like she probably landed on her restraining helmet. Aye, who had been lying down, raised his head as soon as he heard her start to stir. Kai blinked several times, trying to remember what had happened when she blacked out. Slowly, it came back. She was running from someone, then she fell...she sat up slowly and looked around. The area was dark; it looked like she was underground.
'Where am I?' she thought to herself. She spun around on her spot until her scrawny legs hung down off the ledge she found herself on. Below her was a shallow channel filled with a trickle of tepid water.
"H-hello?" Kai called out to the darkness. She couldn't see very far ahead of her, but she knew she couldn't have ended up here unaided. A voice came out from the blackness.
"Hello," it said. "You are in sewers. Safe."
Kai gasped and clamped her hands over her mouth. She frantically tried to scan the area telepathically, but her helmet wouldn't allow it. So she did all she could, she scrunched herself back into the wall and cowered in fright. Slowly, Aye stepped into the light. Without his tattered cloth, his blue fur, ears and tail were in clear view.
"You safe. No hurt you me."
Kai chanced a peek when she heard the voice. The creature before her was totally outside her experience and she couldn't help but be a little curious about it. She relaxed a little bit, unsure if this was a trick of some kind.
"I beg your pardon, sir. What did you say to me?"
Aye's ears lowered and he scanned his brain for the words. Since he never had anyone to actually talk to, he didn't have very much practice at it. What little he HAD learned came from listening in to bits and pieces he heard from passer-bys. "Police come to take you. I take you and bring here. Here is safe. You safe."
Kai's eyes were fixated on the creature. Thier eyes met and she tried again to scan him. This time she got a very faint feeling. ”You...saved me. Thank you,” she said, queitly. ”But...why?”
Aye looked away for a moment. Even he knew that the reason he saved her sounded stupid. He wasn't even entirely sure why he did it. "You help need. I can help. I help.”
Even though the blue creature had looked away, Kai was able to maintain the weak link to his mind. She knew he was confused, but also that he was telling the truth. ”You didn't need...I mean, you risked yourself for...for something like me?” If this creature was confused, Kai was moreso. She'd always been taught that higher creatures liked to see her species suffering when they took notice of them at all. What are you, sir?
"I am Aye," he replied.
You are an Aye? Kai repeated. Though she was no longer scared, she was frustrated. This creature seemed to be different, he wasn't angry at her...in fact, it didn't seem to know what she was. If she didn't have her helmet, she could communicate with him much more easily. She slid off the shelf, her bare feet touching the slimy floor. Though she kept her back to the wall, expecting this creature to suddenly turn on her, she was too fascinated to stop.
"No, I am Aye. Just Aye." With one hand, he lifted the fur on his right shoulder up against the grain. Under the fur, she could see the letters, 'A.E.' "Aye."
Kai glanced at the creature's arm. He was showing her two symbols, and though she had no idea what they could possibly be, she assumed it was his name.
"What are you?" Aye asked curiously, cocking his head. He had never seen such a creature of blue, green and with long tendrils on its head.
I am...Rai'ku of Gartik. I um....I used to belong to Gartik. But not now.
Aye didn't understand most of what she had just said but from what he could gather, her name was Rai'ku. "I saw you hungry. Rai'ku food want?"
”Food?”
Aye looked into his satchel and found he still had the slugs from the ship. Since he knew where the open markets were, he knew he would easily be able to grab something else to eat so he didn't mind parting with them. He pulled them out from his bag and offered them to her. ”Food.”
At first, Kai reached for the food, but then, remembering her place, she withdrew her hand. ”I'm sorry. I can't accept that.”
Aye withdrew it slightly, confused. "Cannot... accept?"
”I am not allowed to take food from a higher being.” Kai replied. Her head drooped a little. She reminded herself that whatever this friendly creature was, it was still her superior, and she must not offend it.
"Higher... being?" Aye tilted his head the other way. Yet again, this creature was using phrases he had never heard before. "What is higher being?"
”Well, it's...” Kai began, not quite sure how to explain this in a way that Aye would understand. ”It means that you are um...you are...better than me. You understand?”
"I.... no. If you have hungry, you take food, right?”
”Yes, but I can't take food from you. I'll get in tr...” Kai paused and sighed, leaning back into the wall. ”I'll get in trouble.”
"Trouble?" That was a word Aye knew well. "I get you no trouble. If trouble, run."
”Darn this helmet. If I could scan you, then you'd understand.” Kai said. She looked back at Aye again. She was still getting the same vibrations from him. Kai smiled again, though her eyes were still sad. ”I know you won't get me in trouble.” She slipped off her hood so Aye could see her restraint helmet. ”See this? If I take your food this will get me in trouble.”
Aye was utterly boggled by this girl. There must be much about this world that he didn't know. "Hat get you trouble?" he asked.
Kai looked at Aye, thoroughly confused. She thought everyone had seen a slave tag. Her eyes moved from Aye's face to the food he held. Then back up to his face. Aye thought for a moment and got an idea. Taking his satchel, he set it on the ground and then placed the slugs down on top of them. "Rai'ku can find food?"
Kai almost laughed as the blue creature stepped back from the bag. ”Y-yes. Thank you. Thank you very much.” she said, stooping to pick up the 'discarded' food. She stuffed them into the folds of her shawl and took a step towards Aye. Ayewas naturally weary. He wanted to be able to trust this little girl. She did not seem threatening but he had been betrayed before. But he felt such a connection with her...
"You… family have?"
”I am of Gartik nataika,” she said, promptly. Aye struggled as he tried to piece together the words. "Gar-tik... nataika?"
”My apologies. I mean, I belong to the Gartik family.”
Aye was beginning to think he was piecing it all together. ”So... you Rai'ku Gartik, right?”
Kai frowned. ”No! I...I mean, yes. Yes I suppose I am.” Kai took a step back, she stumbled a little and bumped her Anai with her heel. ’He's making fun of me.’ she thought. ’He knew all along what I am and I...I fell for it. No. No that can't be right. I'm not sensing that....’
"Rai'ku?"
She looked at Aye again. Their eyes met and suddenly, like a light switch getting flipped on she understood what he meant. ”My name is Kaikoura,” she said ”My family is Rai'ku. My owner is Gartik.”
Aye paused for a moment. All this talking was getting frustrating and he couldn't help but feel embarassed for being so off. He said, "Kai...koura. Kaikoura Rai'ku, yes?”
Kai smiled. ”Yes.”
Aye smiled back and then turned around as if to leave. ”Go now with me. Stay long her don't.. Must move.”
Kai panicked. In a moment, a thousand different scenarios flashed in her head. All the horrible things that could and likely would happen to her if she followed this creature. ”Okay”. she said, stunned at her own response. ”I mean, yes, sir.”
”Aye. Just Aye,” he said and began to lead the way. He made sure not to move too quickly since he knew how slow she could be, even at a full run.
Kai watched him go down the tunnel. She thought once more about what he was probably going to do to her by the time all was said and done. Getting handed back to Gartik was probably the best case scenario, which in and of itself, was a horror beyond anything she cared to think about. But at the moment, there was nowhere else to go. Kai pulled her hood back over her head and followed Aye back down the tunnel. Aye led her through the tunnels of the sewers, his eyes up at the grates. Not only was he keeping an eye out for any signs of authorities, he was looking for a reasonable, abandoned shelter. While they walked, he said back to Kai, "You family have. Family where now?"
”I don't have a family, sir. Rai'ku are not allowed to have a family.” Kai was struggling to keep pace with Aye. Even though she wasn't yet running, she was walking quite fast.
Aye looked back at her as they walked. ”Family no Gartik?” He slowed down more for her benefit. Kai slowed down gratefully, though she was carefull to stay well behind Aye.
”No, not the same family.” She could see Aye was still confused, ”Two different meanings,” she finally said, frustrated.
Aye was starting to think he knew what she was talking about. Many of the people, especially children that he had seen on the streets had a family they were born to and another family that they acquired, often so they could steal in groups. ”Alone now?”
”Yes. Alone now,” Kai said, relieved that Aye seemed to finally understand, even if only a little.
”Kaikoura ever... lonely?”
The question caused Kai to faulter in her steps. She had never been asked such a question, and though she knew the answer, she wasn't sure how she was supposed to respond. After a moment of silence, she finally managed to squeak out a response. ”Yes, sir. I...guess so.”
”Kaikoura lonely guess. I'm sorry.” The buildings above were starting to shift from commercial to industrial style. This was good. An abandoned warehouse often made the best type of shelter to stow away in. Kai watched Aye intently. Even though she was restricted from speaking to him, she wondered what he was looking for, and what would happen when he found it. He was such an unusual creature, too. She would have liked to see his mind. To learn what he was and where he came from.
’Now that I'm free, maybe I'll visit his planet someday.’ she thought to herself. ’Maybe I can live there. Maybe none of them know what a Rai'ku is....’ They walked in silence for a short while and then Aye saw somewhere that just might work out well. The building was rather large and had a number of unusual arrays and dishes near the top. Many of them appeared to be quite new, but for whatever reason it had been abandoned. A bright red X had been painted on the door and the windows were boarded up.
Aye turned to Kai and said quietly, "Up, new home." Kai nodded and looked up at the grate above them. As she stared at it, it lifted up out of the ground and drifted slowly upwards, clearing thier path. Immediately, Aye crouched down and extended his claws. His eyes were fixed on the hole where something (as far as he could tell) had moved the gate and was about to descend upon them.
”Back, Kaikoura!”
”Yes, sir!” Kai said, nearly falling over herself to retreat. She was so frightened by this sudden change, that she broke her concentration and let the grate drop to the ground above. Aye stood his ground, ready for whatever might come down the hole but nothing ever did. It was just... nothing. After a few moments, Aye retracted his claws and stood back up. Aye said with a sigh, ”Close...” Kai was still staring nervously at Aye, waiting for him to attack her but his attention was elsewhere. Slowly, Aye cautiously looked up through the grate and didn't see anything above. It was safe now. Perhaps a vehicle just knocked it off. When he thought it was safe, he looked back to Kai and saw the expression on her face. Aye instantly felt awful. ”Kaikoura... Sorry Aye.”
”Please...” she began, but stopped. She cautiously approached Aye again, stopping exactly where she had been before the panic. With a jump, Aye sprang up through the grate and looked around. It was getting to be later in the afternoon and this area was as silent as a ghost town. Aye went back to the hole and extended his arm down for Kai.
"Come." Kai did as she was instructed, and soon she found herself standing on the street next to Aye. The place was deserted, and except for the distant sound of machinery and wind, all was quiet. Kaikoura looked up at the building they were in front of. She felt oddly at ease, many of her former owners' business deals had happened in similar places. She was more comfortable here than on a busy street. Aye motioned for Kai to follow him and he began to circle behind the building in search of a way inside. It wasn't long until he found a broken window with a loose board around eye-level. He pried the board off the rest of the way and then climbed in, lending a hand to Kai to follow. The building was expansive and still filled with a great deal of its original equipment. Machines of every sort sat everywhere. Whatever had happened to this company, it had happened quickly. Thankfully, Aye could tell from the dust on the floor that this particular building hadn't been used in months. It was safe to say they had the building to themselves.
He turned to Kai and said with a smile, ”Home.” Kai nodded briskly again, and suddenly dashed off towards the center of the room. She looked around quickly, until she found what she was looking for. When she returned to Aye, she was carrying a broom and immediately began cleaning the area where he stood. Aye just stared at her quizzically. He had no idea what she was doing or why. She had just grabbed a stick with twigs on one end and was stroking it all across the floor. Such an unusual creature indeed.
Aye decided to make himself at home in his own way. He began to search around the building until he found a familiar machine that was quite common in buildings like these. It had a thick, metallic base with a coil on top and Aye dragged it out into the middle of the floor. He fiddled with a couple buttons on the device and then it turned on with a hum and the coil began to turn red, emanating a pleasantly warm aura. With this on, Aye gladly laid down on the floor in front of it, enjoying the relaxation and warmth.
It was hours before Kaihoura actually got the floor swept. She was used to being thorough and if this was to be Aye's home, she was going to clean it. She didn't want to, of course, and she knew that Aye really didn't care either way, but she couldn't stop herself. Aye was almost hypnotized by this behavior. For hours she just scuttled around the building with that stick, wiggling it across the floor to collect little piles of dirt only to dispose of them when she was done. When she was done with the floor, she wandered around the warehouse looking for a spot to settle in for awhile.
”Kaikoura? Lost?” Kai was a little startled by Aye's voice. She dashed over to him and bowed low.
”I am sorry, sir. I was just looking for a spot to rest for a moment.” Instinctively, she added ”Is there anything I can do for you?” Aye was beginning to think that bringing her inside a building was a bad idea. She began to act very different inside. Not at all like the girl he had met earlier.
"Rest? Rest here. Warm," Aye said as he rolled onto his back, enjoying the heat. Kai did as she was instructed and sat down. Aye was right; the induction coil was giving off a pleasant amount of heat, a nice change from the somewhat drafty old building around them. There was a silence that lasted for what seemed like hours. Outside, the artificial lighting, which was supposed to mimic the rising and setting of a sun was slowly dimming as night came on.
”See? Good warm.” Now Aye rolled to his side to warm his belly. He had grown quite accustomed to sleeping on floors, even ones that weren't asl flat, dry and warm as these. ”Kaikoura?”
”Yes, sir?” she said, watching his strange behavior. He reminded her of a giant cat, and she had to force herself not to smile at the comparison.
”Aye. Just Aye.” Still lying down, he looked up at Kai. ”Kaikoura, Aye. We family be?”
Kaikoura didn't speak. Aye, whomever or whatever he was, he didn't fit into any of the classifications she had for others. She had known him only a few hours. In that time, she felt like she had developed a closer connection to him than anyone else she'd ever encountered. ’But whats his angle?’she thought to herself. ’What is he REALLY asking?’ After all the action, Aye was exhausted from the day. The ship ride alone had him tired all day and now with a clear floor and a heater, Aye began to drift away to sleep. He was just teetering on the edge of awake and asleep. Kai didn't say anything. She watched Aye until he finally fell asleep, and then crept away. She made her way across the dark warehouse until she reached a ground-level window she could see out of. Outside, with the overhead lights off, she could see out into space. To one side was Jachrid, and to the other -endless starscape. Kai sighed. She was never master of herself, not even now. She had escaped, but why? And where was she going now? She had spent the entire 14 years of her life listening to someone else tell her what to do, and now...she looked back at Aye, asleep by the coil. Maybe they could be family.
|
|
Taeg
New Member
Posts: 18
|
Post by Taeg on Jul 29, 2009 17:55:36 GMT -5
*Taeg dragged the dog out of the bar out into the crowded corridors. Some people tried to make room for the strange sight, but with Taeg being so short, most couldn't see why people were starting to squeeze in and just pushed them back into Taeg's path. Taeg seemed oblivious to this, and just kept walking randomly through the station while talking to the unconscious dog.*
So there i was, standing face to face with the dreaded flancor beast of Ni'hj. he stared me down, and I stared him down. next thing I know, we were both just going our own ways. Fancy that. he wasn't dreadful at all.
*The dog mumbled slightly*
You're right of course. I did get this scar from that encounter.
*Held up his arm, that had a scar that ran from his wrist to his elbow.*
*Suddenly Taeg stopped, and looked at his large scar covering his forearm.*
Hello there! how long you been with me then?
*Taeg put his ear to the scar, and began to nod as if he heard a response.*
Well I'll be. This crubarius chap is Russian! I don't speak Russian. That will never do. we shall call you Charley. Say hello to our new friend Charley.
*Taeg waved his arm in front of the dog, and didn't get a response or a mumble from the dog.*
Looks like he doesn't speak Russian either Charley.. looks like we can't be friends, can't very well communicate now can we?
*Taeg put his ear to his arm again.*
Well why didn't you tell me you also speak Ghin'parish? I don't know if this friendship can survive with all the lies we are knitting.
*Slurred and dazed* Whatz going on?
|
|
|
Post by Kaikoura on Aug 1, 2009 4:30:27 GMT -5
Kaikoura awoke in a pool of artificial sunlight streaming down from a skylight overhead. She yawned and sat up, stretching. It took her a moment to remember where she was, but it was only a moment before the events of the day before came flooding back to her.
She quickly looked to the spot where Aye had fallen asleep the night before. That end of the warehouse was still fairly dark, but near the still glowing induction coil she could see the shape of the blue creature still fast asleep.
A small smile crept across her face, happy to see she had not been abandoned in the night as she'd expected. She felt like rushing to Aye and hugging him, but before she could even begin forcing herself not to, her stomach let out a spectacular growl.
Guess that means it's time to embarrass myself again. Kai thought.
She stood up, and as she scooped up her shawl, the slugs Aye had given her the night before fell out. She sniffed them and pulled her head away quickly -they had long since spoiled. However, she was used to scavenging food and figured the worst that they could do was kill her.
She had a guilty thought then, one she often had when she thought of such things. It was dismissed quickly, and she gobbled down both slugs in seconds.
Feeling full for the time being, Kai wrapped her shawl back around her head, making sure to cover up as much as possible, and slipped out through the window she and Aye had entered from the night before.
As it turned out, the warehouse they had stayed in was near the starport where entrants in the Jachrid Rally usually docked. Most of the time these ports -which were for some of the over-sized ships were empty and these storehouses were just closed down. Kaikoura had been on the station often enough -and indeed, in this particular district enough, to know there was a smaller community of shops, restaurants and tenant apartments nearby which was often occupied only by 'local' residents.
Kaikoura took her time, walking along the edge of the concrete barrier that separated the platform -the ground- from the precipice which led out into the docking area. As she walked, she admired the zipping of smaller maintenance ships and hovering robots as they moved from here to there on business of their own.
She smiled again. Despite everything, it was kind of exciting to be free. For a brief moment, she forgot about her task, the fact that she didn't know where she would be sleeping that night, and everything else and just watched the starport.
Finally, she'd had her fill and hopped back to the solid ground. Turning, she saw the row of old storefronts and buildings which marked her destination. She took a deep breath, and marched determinedly toward them.
|
|
|
Post by Kaikoura on Aug 3, 2009 6:47:32 GMT -5
Kaikoura stood in front of what was -more or less- a grocery store. It was a small place, right on the far edge of the main street before the area turned back into warehouses and docks. It wasn't much to look at either, like all the other buildings on this street it was more or less a rusted metal cube with a window or two punched into its face.
It was into such a window, a street-level one, that Kaikoura was staring. Inside was a dirty-looking little storefront with nothing save for a few chairs and a holographic price sheet scrolling away on one wall. Toward the back was a counter where a burly man with four of the hairiest arms Kai had ever seen had been waiting on customers.
When she'd arrived, there was a line of people waiting to get their goods, and now that the last of them was leaving the store, she felt almost brave enough to go inside.
And do WHAT, exactly? I don't have any money and there's nothing to grab.
This of course, was the weak point in her plan. Since her arrival on Jachrid station, she'd always stuck near the shopping district, there was always discarded food there and it was usually easy to get at. Down here, food was mostly in dispensers and in small enough quantities to eat whole.
I could go in and beg, I guess. she thought, If I look pathetic enough he might feel bad for me-[/i][/color]
Kai's thoughts were interrupted for a moment by a sharp pain in her stomach, not awful, but unpleasant. She attributed it to hunger and went back to her thoughts.
She had just made up her mind to go in when the pain returned. This time, it was much more intense, like a knife being jammed into her stomach.
Oooh! Kai cried in surprise as it hit her.
She felt her stomach, but nothing seemed amiss. Looking around quickly and seeing no one, she even pulled up the hem of her skirt enough to make sure she hadn't been bitten by something. But her stomach was still the same as it usually was. She poked herself, and nothing happened. The pain vanishing as mysteriously as it had appeared.
She tried to shrug it off and forget about it, but the incident was severe enough to turn her away from the grocery. Instead, she walked around the side of it, to see if there was a dumpster behind it where she might find something.
I was hoping to get something really good for Aye. she thought, Something fancy to thank him. Guess that's not gonna happen.
When she reached the back of the store, Kai indeed did find a dumpster. Unfortunately, it was empty save for some cardboard and a few pieces of inedible junk. Kai sighed heavily, and was just closing the lid when something hit her hard from behind.
Kai hit the ground hard, was upright in a flash and facing her attacker.
"What th' hell are you doin rootin through mah garbbige?" It was the man from the grocery counter. He was standing there, his huge gut hanging out from his stained shirt, holding a garbage bag in one of his four arms.
Kai threw herself down on the ground, her arms outstretched towards the towering man. I-I'm sorry!she cried,I'm starving. Please. I just-
"Ooooh. Yeh's staaarvin, is ya?" he said in a mocking tone. "Don't look like you been eetin too well o'late." The man wiped his nose on his sleeve.
"Where's yer masstar? Hmmm? He know yer here tryin ter steel from me?"
Kai didn't speak, a mistake to be sure, but she didn't know what to say.
The man snorted and kicked at Kai. She scrambled away, but didn't try to run. Her stomach pain had returned, and at the moment, it was all she could do not to cry.
"Well, we'll just see what sicuuurity seys about this!" the man said. He threw the garbage bag on the ground and with his upper two arms, grabbed Kai's wrists and ankles and hauled her back inside the store.
|
|