Ipswich Great Britain {Kia and Alester}

[alester]

The countryside was in full Autumn bloom. The trees were beautiful and turning vivid colors of crimson, gold, chocolate brown, and orange. The fields were tall with grain and even the grasses along the roads were tall and waved gaily in the warm breezes. There were few poeple out today on the sunlit roads of Ipswich, and a lone figure seemed to rise like an apparition from the waving fronds of brown and green. He moved stealithly down teh curving lanes of the so called road. It was really merely a dirt trail that wound through the tree lined lane and had two identical ruts parallel and fading into the distance.

The black haored man walked alone his longish hair was blowing in the breezes and he wasn't bothered to move his hands to wipe it away when it caught on his face or tried to slip into the crevice that was his mouth. He was heading into the town, his warm cottage was left behind him and he was on his way to find somethign to break the monotony of everyday living. He had time off from the pub, yet he was heading there again. Something familiar.

His feet led him unfailingly towards the wooden building in the center of town. It was getting on midday and he had nowhere to be and nothing to do. He pushed through the wide doors and a few people acknowledged him as his inconsiderable and inconceivably powerful lean body strode with confidence to the bar. He ordered a sandwich and chips and a beer without saying a word; he merely nodded to Marshall, the bartender, and his order was placed and his beer drawn from tap. It was a fullbodied European beer, and he grinned as he took a satisfying pull.

He took the advantage as was customary to case the place without even seeming to be mildly interested. He drank his beer and looked over the glass through his long lashes each time. There were only a few people in at this time of day, mostly males, and a few females. His eyes watched a few people keenly, newcomers, unknowns. There was one of his kind here. How interesting. Who was it? The bear of a man sitting alone in a corner? The slim girl who had just walked in the door? His eyes watched each person carefully. He was on alert now, and he was ready for anything.

He acted as if he was calm and completely cool, when his food was served he smiled and thanked Marshall before taking a large bite of hte sandwich. It was hot and greasy and good. The smell was powerful and pungent in his sensitive nose. But then that scent wafted as someone moved, no as the door opened again. Another werewolf.

He saw the table of gamblers just getting started, and his face lit up. It was his day off and he could play without feeling guilty. He decided that he would join one of the two tables in session when he finished eating his food.

[* Kokia Luxin]

"Hey babe. What's your call, hmm?"

Kia slapped her cards down on the table and howled, the alcohol completely hitting her system now. "Take that boys! Full House!"

A loud groan of defeat seemed to echo from all around the table as Kia Luxin attempted to scoop up all of her winnings in the middle of the table. Tonight had been a pretty good night, and she wasn't even all that drunk - okay, so in her head she didn't think she was all that drunk. Truth be told, she had eight plates of grilled fish, potatoes, grilled steaks, and grilled chicken with four bowls of salad and about fourteen beers. Ignoring the mutterings of her opponents at cards, the she-wolf folded up the bills and began tucking them into various pockets on her person.

Kia could feel the haziness creeping up around her eyes and though her senses were not quite off, she could swear that there was another werewolf in the vicinity other than herself...well, besides this idiot who was across from her playing cards and cursing under his breath like she couldn't hear him. However, that did nothing to throw her game off. Obviously so.

She snickered as she finished off the last of her beer, about to head to the bar to order some more food and liquor. "All right you -hic- blokes...I do believe...I'm calling it a night." she stated while standing up from her chair slowly, sluggishly. "It's been a real pleasure. I'll be -hic- be sure to make real good use of this money."

Just as Kia turned to make her way toward the bar, she felt a hand encircling its fingers around her wrist - hard. Ebony brow twitching, Kia allowed only her head to move just a bit as her cerulean orbs glared down at the arrogant individual who decided to hold fast to her. Was this deja-vu? She could have sworn that a similar scenario had taken place once before...or was she just dreaming that this idiot was holding on to her?

She leaned in close, quickly, and took a long, deep sniff. Nope. Definitely deja vu. This bastard was a werewolf too. And go figure. This jerk was the one who decided to want to play cards too, just like the other guy.

"Just a second there sweet cheeks," he spoke, words slightly slurred. Did he just really call her sweet cheeks? REALLY?! "Where the fuck you think you're goin'?"

Okay...so this was a really bad case of deja vu! What's with this happening to her, of all people. Eyes narrowing, Kia allowed a dark smirk to play on her lips. "What's wrong now? Wanna try and win -hic- win it back?" She raspberried at him. "Well too bad! I'm tired of playing and I'm takin' this fat roll of dough with me!"

The male wolf growled, his dark amber orbs glinting with rage. "You damn well know you cheated you bitch!"

"What was that?!" scoffed Kia as she attempted to yank her hand free. "A cheating bitch, am I? You're just -hic- just mad that I saw you trying to slip that deuce under the table and -hic- and penalized you for it! Now, if you'd be so kind..." Kia jerked her hand free just as the male stood up to his full height and glared down at her.

"Who do you think you are? You're the same as me and yet you insist on behaving like this. Don't you know the law of dominance or don't you? Females obey the males in our world...bitch." snapped the male werewolf as he grabbed Kia by the collar of her jacket and pulled her forward. She could feel his claws tearing in through the material of the brand new leather which caused her brows to furrow angrily; blue eyes moving slowly to glare down at his hands. She'd paid a pretty penny for this jacket because the last time this happened, the idiot had damaged it.

"Now look, I'm not going through this shit again with my damn jacket!" Kia snarled as she looked back up at him. "Now take your damn hands off me before I make you feel the same pain the guy who tried this before did."

"Why you!" he snapped, releasing one hand in his attempt to backhand her.

However, Kia was too quick. She reached back with her right hand and punched the werewolf in his chest to where he lost his breath for a bit, releasing her. Once her boots touched the ground, the she-wolf brought her knee up into his stomach and then proceeded to unleash a spinning round house kick straight into his sternum.

The brute went flying so far that his back slammed into the bar just shy of a female sitting to his right and fell behind the counter. Kia was right on him, lunging forward and landing on top of the bar before reaching down to grab the bastard by the scruff of his shirt and hauled him back up to face her. She yanked him up and backhanded him one good time as her fangs elongated and her nails grew. The scent of beer and blood barely reached her nose at all because Kia was far too pissed off to care except making this stupid werewolf pay. Why was it always the damned werewolves in this place who just didn't know what it meant to be a she-wolf Amazon?!

"God! Why do you stupid jerks always have to repeat the same damn mistakes?!" yelled the she-wolf as she spun and hurled him completely in the opposite direction - sending him back first at the foot of the stairs nearby. While in mid-air, Kia had raced down just as he'd landed at the end of the steps, picked him up, and back spin-kicked him through the bar's entrance - the door flying open with a bang as the buffoon grunted and landed on the street just outside.

Letting an aggravated snarl leave her lips, Kia whirled on the edge of her heels, made her way back to the bar and slammed her hand on the counter, a wad of crumpled dollars in her hands. "Gimme the strongest shot of straight liquor you got!" Kia felt the shot glass touching her free hand (as the bar keep was more than happy to fulfill her order) and she downed the drink in one gulp before slamming the glass back on the counter. "Egotistical, lame excuse of a mutt...And gimme a large order of grilled fish and potatoes!"

[alester]

Alester was just trying to enjoy his meal and drink his beer. He wanted to sit back and relax, have a go at a game of cards and take time out on his day off. Through his guise as a casual observer he saw the interaction go south as soon as it started. The girl had won fair and square. He'd been watching the game to try to decide which he might join after his meal. Theirs was finishing first, and he was just downing the last of his sandwich. The fries were long gone and the beer was running out. He was about to get up and chat up the pair, as the game had just finished; except as the woman rose to leave the burly guy grabbed her wrist.

Alester was about to stand up, Marshall was giving him that worried glance, but she seemed to have the situation in hand. She was a she-wolf, and the guy was a wolf too. Alester worked hard to hide his existance, he thought it was the code of their kind. Apparently these two didn't mind. The man was openly spouting about their kind and being subservient. How arcane, that was women in the fifties, not in wolf circles. What an idiot. She didn't approve either, and she put him in his place.

Marshall looked openly at Alester with that, aren't you gonna do anything about it, look. Alester just grinned. They hadn't broken anything really valuable yet, not even a table. His reply was cut short as the woman threw the brute over the bar and then went after him. He distracted people by getting them to give the brawlers some space. They knew hsi motto to get the fighters outside as quickly and with as little damage as possible. The few patrons moved to the far side of the bar and gave Alester his space.

For his part he waited to try to break them up for a moment, and his direction of the people inside had been more coverup than anything. She was practically shouting look at me, and her fangs and claws were clearly visible. She soon got the brawler outside and then sauntered to the bar, which Marshall had refused to leave, and ordered food and a drink. Marshall stuck the drink in her hand and left to go to the back and order the food. Alester could remain out of this scene no longer.

He sighed and took the empty stool beside her. The remaining people inside had stayed where they had been directed. This woman was a force to be reckoned with, and they knew Alester wasn't through yet. Not until he was certain she was calm and stable was he going to give the all clear signal to the place. This was his place, and they knew it. They watched and waited to see what would happen.

Hello His voice was soft and he tried not to make any sudden movements or startle her. He was on the defensive and he knew she would be too. He had no intentions of stirring her up, she was drunk and ready for anything, he was sure of it. That was some piece of work, that brute deserved it. He grinned subtly and watched her carefully. Marshall brought the food out to her and placed the plate gently before her. His eyes shifted to the girl and back to Alester again. He didn't say a word, and returned to his usual routine of standing and waiting for the next bloke to place their order. Except no one was placing any orders they were all watching Alester and the woman. Alester was keeping to his own personal space, but he was watching her carefully. He didn't care to have his secret exposed by anyone, and he was curious as to why she didn't care about it, or anyone knowing.

[* Kokia Luxin]

When she saw the barkeep put her order in front of her, Kia quirked a brow before downing the second shot he'd poured her before leaving to go get her food. Well, that was always a good thing. Good booze and good food was always an A+ in her book. Downing the second shot of the same liquor, Kia wrinkled her nose a bit as the taste finally hit her.

She held the shot glass out and gave it a strange look. "Damn! That is some hard stuff! Do you fuel your car with this or what?!"

Smacking her lips a bit, Kia declined the refill and asked for something a little lighter...like a light malted beer. She preferred that over what was just swallowed any day. Kia would have to make a note to have Katra try the same liquor if she could remember the name of it when this was all said and done.

As the male sat next to her, Kia turned her head lazily to face him - not allowing the alcohol to take effect...not yet! Okay...so it already had. But that wasn't the point. Damn...why was her head so fuzzy? She chuckled picked up the fork and began shoveling food into her mouth, unable to hide the amusement at just how much smaller she probably appeared to him. Her cerulean eyes looked him up and down. Well, he certainly looked cute...in that gothic-hardcore emo sort of fashion.

That was what they called it these days, right? "You're far too kind," she said once she'd finished swallowing a mouthful of potatoes and grilled fish. Kia's mouth watered and she quickly wiped the saliva from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand before continuing to eat - her eyes never leaving her plate. "The name's Kia." She turned her head to look at the male and she took a long sniff while chewing her food. The scent of werewolf flooded her nostrils and Kia's smirk broadened. Well she certainly hoped he wouldn't try anything stupid. Throwing werewolves out of pubs was a tiring sort of ordeal. Kia nodded lightly as her jet bangs went every which-way. "I would say you could do this beautiful young lady a favor by buying her a drink, but I think that might be a little forward of me." Kia looked back at the barkeep, then back at the young man, closing her blue eyes and smiling brightly. "Sor~ry!"

Kia was going to hate herself in the morning. She just didn't know it yet.

[alester]

Alester was not put out when she favored her food over him. He had those days himself. The bar always kept him in touch with reality, and he had a lot of experience under his belt at what not to do these days. He cast an amused look st Marshall as he saw what the guy had poured her again. Oh, what was that guy thinking; Everclear? That stuff would eat the varnish off the bar top if it spilled onto it! His warm, soft smile became amused as she refused another of the same. Brown eyes watched as she chose a lighter option, still alcoholic and Marshall brought it to her polite as ever.

Marshall was a great barkeep. He was more than just a bartender, and Alester was glad he'd become part of the small crew running the bar. There was Courtney in the back slinging hash, and her two assistants, who happened to be her daughter and son, "Church" and Lettie. They served up good home cooked English pub fare and it was greasy, fried, and terrific to cut through the stiff lot of beers they kept on tap and bottled. There was a gorgeous display of hard liquors to choose from, and unopened bottles lined glass shelves on the back wall, back lit by strategically placed lighting. All one had to do was point and Marshall could fill their order. Best of all for the locals was the bar never closed. There were sleeping rooms upstairs for those who had worn out their welcome at home, or just drank too much and passed out. They were very cheap yet quite comfortable and almost luxurious with their four poster beds and thick comforters. each room had a window with heavy curtaions to help block the morning sun from hung over eyes. They all had personal bathrooms with a loo and shower to tidy up in the morning. All in all it was a good setup and business had been profitable and pretty regular, yet quiet.

Alester looked at her as she addressed him and revealed her name. Pleasure to meet you Kia, but I refrain judgement as to whether buying you another drink is a courtesy. He was still being cautious, and hoped not to offend the woman who seemed hell bent on having her night the way she wanted. He had no qualms to let her drink herself silly, and he would do what he could to keep her safe; not that she needed much assistance in that area. He sensed that there was more than met the eye to this woman, and he wanted to perserve her dignity as much as her safety.

She had an elegance that spoke of courtiers and queens, and old world customs that fit his homeland. If she was nobility out on a bender he would not want her name known in the morning. His shoulders relaxed a bit, and several of the patrons resumed their seats finally and began to drink again, and order food or shuffle the well worn decks of cards. Marshall was grinning broadly as he could resume his place as barkeep and not protector. He always appreciated Alester's calming effect and presence. He knew that although the guy was small he could hold his own and take down the biggest brute in the place and three of his friends without catching a blow.

Alester looked at the woman again, I'm Alester, this is my place, I hope other than the Totter who you tossed off already you are enjoying your visit here? He smiled broadly as he revealed a little known truth, hidden in humor. Not many ever guessed his place in the establishment other than bouncer, would she?

[* Kokia Luxin]

Kia had continued eating happily. The food was certainly delicious and she barely registered the world around her. Here she was, in her drunken glutton stupor and enjoying ever damn second of it. Kia Luxin, the sole heiress to the Luxin Clan: the clan destined to forever be head of Otrera's Warriors of the Amazon Werewolves, gambling, pigging out and drinking to her heart's content in a pub in England...

God, her mother would have been so ashamed to see her daughter in such a state.

As Kia cleaned her plate, she held the dish up and the barkeep grasped a hold of it. However, instead of relinquishing it right away, Kia gave a toothy grin and pointed at the empty plate before nodding happily. The barkeep took the signal and as she drained her beer, she saluted the barkeep as a pleasant chuckle escaped her lips. Man she couldn't wait for seconds!

The male wolf next to her finally spoke up and she quirked a brow at his statement. Kia had nearly forgotten he was there. Oh, but he had her attention now. "Pleasure to meet you Kia, but I refrain judgment as to whether buying you another drink is a courtesy."

She tilted her head to the side while fingering with her beer bottle. What does he mean by that? she thought, while running a hand through her bangs lazily. He sayin' it's an insult if he were to buy me another drink?

Shrugging off the thought, Kia waved her hand back and forth playfully as a bit of laughter escaped her lips. "Oh dun -hic- dun worry about me, kind Sir," Kia stated, patting her pocket where the fat bundle of cash was safely tucked away. "I'm not asking for any -hic- any hand outs. I can definitely pay my tab so don't you concern yourself with having to empty your pockets."

Kia nearly squealed in delight when the new plate of grilled fish and potatoes was set before her - the translucent steam wafting in the air as the delicious, fresh smell invaded her keen nostrils. God was she ever a lush and a glutton! But damn was everything so tasty right now! It was a wonder why food always tasted better when one was slightly inebriated... Clapping her hands together quietly, Kia smiled brightly at the barkeep as he resumed his task of cleaning glasses and pouring drinks. He was even so kind as to give her another bottle of the light malt beer she'd had before.

Just as she was about to dig in, Kia heard the young man beside her speaking once more. "I'm Alester, this is my place, I hope other than the Totter who you tossed off already you are enjoying your visit here?"

Kia closed her mouth, turned her head slowly as she set her fork down on the edge of her plate and looked the boy up and down once more. He was awful young to own a place like this. Though from the way people were acting earlier (yes, this had not gone past her notice - drunk she may be, she's not oblivious completely), it seemed he was just a skilled bouncer. But the order of things, the way even the barkeep looked to the kid for guidance...

"Ah ha!" she said, clapping her hands together as a revelation came to Kia's mind. She leaned in, turning her head away from him so that the smell of booze and fish would not invade his - also - keen nose. She was such a considerate lush. "So you own this place, do you? Dun -hic- worry. I'll keep your secret safe!" And with that said, she turned back to her food and promptly began digging in again. In between mouthfuls and swallows of beer, the she-wolf ran a hand through her bangs as her eyes wandered around the pub. "The night's been good to me so far, you could say. Though it seems I'm always getting mugged at a card table whenever I come to England." She smiled, her eyes closing as her head slowly tilted above her plate. "England. Nice place. The food's a little on the bland side for my tastes but I tell you what..." She looked straight at the barkeep and grinned, opening one eye to reveal the cerulean orb beneath the lid. "You must have an Irish cook back there because this thing is seasoned to perfection!" The female werewolf finally turned her head to look at Alester and winked. "Right?"

[/color][/blockquote]

[alester]

Alester laughed at her intonation that he was too poor to buy her a drink. Perhaps it was better she misunderstood, he had not wanted to offend her, and he might have had she figured he was trying to tell her she'd had enough. But she appeared docile enough now, and that should have been ehough. But he couldn't help but think she would regret her actions in the morning. There was something that made him stay there, by her side and keep watch. It could have been that he was typically the only wolf around, and it was nice that she accepted his company at least enough to sit beside him.

He smiled brightly at her, his canines had permanently elongated when he'd first been bitten and they touched his lower lip as his grin was wide and open mouthed. She was astute and he liked that aspect. He ran the place in private, had owned it since he was sixteen and had worked there for two years and the owner never once paid him. Finally he called to collect his pay, only to find the owner not agreeable to that proposition. He liked having Alester as the best bouncer he'd ever had, and for free. But that wasn't what Alester had in mind, he wanted to find a job where he could make a comfortable living, he knew what the other bouncers got paid and wanted his fair share of the profit.

When he voiced his concerns the owner had merely laughed and said that although Alester was the best he wasn't paying him a penny. But that had changed when Alester had decided to show up, disorderly and angry. None of the other bouncers could handle him, even at sixteen. So he had done some severe damage, more than the woner could pay for. Then he had taken the insurance money and split. Without Alester the place had gone bad quickly anyhow. So Alester had bought it when it went up at auction. It was amusing, no one had bothered to bid against him.

He'd hired Marshall almost immediately, and the cooks had come on their own. They were awesome and he allowed them to live in the cottage that came with the bar. They loved it adn were great cooks. Alester thought for a moment, I don't know if they're Irish or not, perhaps. Just that they can cook great pub food. I enjoy eating whatever they serve me. It felt easy talking to her, it was nice for a change not feeling guarded what could he give away? She shared his deepest secret, and that was freeing insofar as conversation went.

He looked at her again, and wondered what her story was. He had no problems with his history it was pretty common knowledge around here. Instead he tried to decide what to do to continue this conversation. He was actually not very good in small talk. He had no real companions save the people in the bar. He suddenly realized how pitiful this was. So you're not from around here then? You said when you visit England. Have you been here to Great Britain often then? Or just close by? Most people around here are regulars, or just passing through to other locations. He grinned politely, glad to have found his voice for quiet conversation.

[* Kokia Luxin]

Kia only chuckled at Alester's response to not knowing if the cooks were Irish or not. She'd been around the world a lot these past few months she'd been away. And if it was one thing that she knew, it was the food. One of those cooks back there was doing Irish cuisine or Australian cuisine because no grilled fish ever tasted this good anywhere else she'd been. However, instead of mentioning this fact, Kia just smiled and continued eating her fish and potatoes, sipping her beer every once in a while.

Surprisingly, she was sobering up rather well.

However, because Kia was sobering up, the headache was starting to form. But instead of making it visible on her face, she just nodded in response as Alester began speaking once more. She was an Amazon werewolf...this shouldn't be affecting her like it was. Damn. She was definitely going to be feeling this in the morning. Kia could hear her mother, Faina, now....

"Kokia Luxin! How can you bring such shame to the Luxin Clan? And you think you'll be able to lead Otrera's Warriors with that kind of attitude?"

Sighing, Kia mentally rolled her eyes at the thought of it. Her mother had also been nagging her to come back home lately. After having played "protector" for Litte Snow a while back, a vampire who was James Silvius's lover, Kia wanted to be away from the pack lands for a while. She loved Greece, but not enough to be smothered in the back woods as often as she had been during that time.

Once Kia left Athens, she traveled the world and visited places that she hadn't before - broadening her scopes on the modern world and learning more of what she could of not only her race, but the race of vampires as well. In time, she'd gotten her own thoughts on the idea and still remained neutral to the thought of both vampires and werewolves and where she stood with them.

Not all vampires were bad and not all werewolves were good. She learned this fact the moment she first stepped out into the world. But her idea on vampires made her sad, in a sense, and she felt sorry for them to a degree. Wasn't it painful having to live a life that was already over? What meaning did it hold for a vampire to live his life day in and day out...and afraid of the sun? Kia didn't know if she could handle being taken away from the sun. Wouldn't the vampires be more at peace if they could finally end their meaningless cycle of existence?

Alester's words reached her once more and she smiled softly, her cerulean eyes less fuzzied with the alcohol and more lucid as she began to sober up. Kia looked at her bottle as she fingered with the neck for a bit and ran a hand through her jet bangs. "I've come through London and Manchester a few times," she said honestly, the chipper tone in her voice lessening. "My home is in Greece, but I guess you could say my temporary home is California...in the States." Picking up the bottle, she drained the contents and finished up the last of her grilled fish and potatoes, declining both the offer of another beer and third helping. The thought of both races fighting amongst each other and the sadness a vampire life had to be caused Kia to lose her appetite and her need for a drink. She smiled softly to Alester as she propped her elbow onto the table and rested her cheek on her fist. "What about yourself, Alester? Do you travel much?" Her smile broadened some to further show that she was becoming more and more like her true self and less and less that lush who'd thrown someone out of this young man's establishment. "If you haven't I suggest you do. The world is quite an expansive environment and it has a lot of things a person down to earth would enjoy."

[/size][/blockquote]

[alester]

Alester watched her face surreptitiously. He was trying not to appear as if he were staring, yet he was definately fascinated with her eyes. They were expressive and revealed probably more than she would ever know. Sadness, defiance, spark...she was at war within herself. The rolled eyes to whatever she was thinking was almost comic. Alester's grin widened a little, because her expression was of a child who was sassing their parent. It was a measure of self control not to chuckle or even reveal he was interested or even looking at her.

Marshall approached eventually and regarded ALester carefully. He shook his head, he didn't want another drink. He grinned llike a child, Is there any cake? Yesterday there was a huge chocolate cream cake... I would like that if there is any. But the sad smile on Marshall's face was not reassuring. It was also slightly guilty. You ate the last of it didn't you! Alester teased good naturedly. The look of a whipped puppy on Marshall's face revealed what he was too ashamed to admit. Alester laughed, I probably didn't need it anyway, Mate. You saved me the temptation.

He was still smiling broadly as Marshall walked away, and he turned to look at her as she had addressed him again. California, London, travel in general had his interest. He had never left Ipswich. He'd been needed here at the bar since he was fourteen, he was now twenty-one. It wasn't likely he'd travel very far any time soon. Business was good, but he still got the occasional Bloke who had to push his luck. There were even a few who heard of his unblemisheed record of toss outs and had to test it for themselves. No matter how big they were they always lost in the end. Alester had too much life and fight in him. They could never match his speed and strength. Even the few wolves had gone down. Mostly they all stayed away now.

No, I have not been anywhere really. My parents were killed when I was young, and I have been alone most of my life. I lived with one of my father's military friend's for a while, but I left as soon as I could. Since I was fourteen I have been here, two years as a bouncer for the guy who owned it, then I bought it and it's been my life to run it. So I have had no chance to travel up to now. I wouldn't know where to begin if I left here. I have no family to go visit, and don;t know much of my family's roots to be able to look for relatives. When my parents were killed I changed my name and went into hiding. Then when I ran away basically I was declaired dead, so to find anything would be very hard.

He had spoken truthfully and honestly, but without any real emotion. He was still pretty cut off to his emotions concerning his parents. There was risk that whoever killed them wanted him dead too, and so he had never bothered to really do much digging into their deaths. He had just moved on as he ahd been trained to do by his father. Now he tried on a smile and looked at the girl again, what had she said her name was? Kia, yes. It was strange, he usually never had any trouble remembering names. Will you tell me about your travels? I would like to hear. He was eager to hear her stories and it would close the topic of his parents. He thought about them as little as possable because it made him numb. He didn't like the numb feeling so he avoided the topic. Instead he enjoyed living and was very alive and full of life. His eyes had brightened as he thought about travelling and prepared to get lost in her stories imagining everything she might tell him.

[* Kokia Luxin]

Kia listened quietly to Alester's explanation to what happened in his life. It was a sad thing. A young individual who couldn't go out and see the world? It was truly something to sympathize with. Kia would never trade her life at home in Athens with her tribe for anything...but the experiences she had while traveling the world were some of the most invaluable achievements she obtained in life. Kokia's eyes were opened to the world; its tragedies, its blessings...

And the topic on his family... Did that really mean he was alone in the world? With no one to turn to? Kia couldn't imagine life without her tribal sisters and her mother. The Dark Wraths were her everything in life and she wouldn't have anything jeopardizing it. Her sisters, their tribe of warriors... They were all so precious to her.

A vision of sympathy went through Kia's eyes and she couldn't stop it from showing. Had she struck a nerve with this boy? But when she saw the fascination on his face, she knew that he hadn't taken offense to her suggestion. Smiling softly, she tucked some of her long bangs behind her ear only to have them fall in front of her face - curtaining her eyes a bit again. "Well, sure I guess," she as she tried to think of a place that would have been the most interesting. "Oh, well one of my favorite places to go to is Africa. Especially Cairo, Egypt." Pausing, she smiled and waved her hand back and forth. "Sure, there's all the sand and the hot sun, but once you get past all that and actually meet and greet some of the people in town and settle down in the establishments, it really is a beautiful place. Nigeria too."

She sighed, recalling the first time she'd met Caleb there and he'd embarrassed her in public because of her lack of knowledge of the culture. Kia had been so ignorant back then and had nearly caused a fight right there in the establishment. If Caleb hadn't sensed what she was about to do - which was challenge Caleb right then and there for a battle - there would have been a lot of trouble. He was even considerate enough to warn her to keep her savage impulse down or all hell was going to break loose. "Traveling has really made me more aware of the world, that's for sure. Sydney Australia has some of the best food out there and the ocean is so clear and fresh."

Pausing for a moment, she looked at Alester and smiled while her brows rose slightly. "It's a shame that I can't sneak you away from this place. At least to take you to Greece, my homeland. Athens is a beautiful place."

[alester]

Alester kept his eyes riveted to her face as she spoke. She was apparently very fond of the places she spoke of. He liked the expressions she wore and how her voice sounded when she spoke. It made travel sound pleasant. He thought about her statements, adn how her face changed ever so often to a thought about what she was saying yet kept to herself. Alester was very observant and noticed the sadness, humor, and other emotions pass over her features.

She spoke to him; a sugegstion..to escape and run away from everything he'd known and built here. He didn not know how seriously he could treat her response, nor how he shouls reply. He would love to travel, but leaving here was not anything he had seriously thought about. Perhaps if he knew more about who had killed his parents and could rest assured his enemies were gone. But they existed somewhere and he was not truely safe. His ignorance of the situation kept him stranded here.

His expression was guarded yet warm when he spoke, Kia, to travel and experience the things you have described would be a wonder to me! Greece! Tha land of olives and hearty food, and everywhere you have described would be a dream. But I am almost a prisoner here in my hometown. I have little money saved and it would not last long on a travellers budget, I also have little knowledge of civilities outside of Britain. You spoke of making a fool of yourself, imagine how I could make myself so much more so in my ignorance. But there is more than that keeping me here.

My parents were killed, and I know not who or why this was done. I am not safe to leave here where my friends might aid me if I were attacked. I do not even know if they would actually stand with me, depending who was the person responsable for the deaths of everything in my world. But here I have a chance. Here I am known, and better yet I know where I might be safe. I know who to hold close and who to keep close to kaap an eye on. I am a bit paranoid for my own life.

Yet to leave and see the things you have told me of would be such a dream! To float in a river not polluted by industry and need... and we do not even have the problems of London and the Thames! To breath the air of other lands, touch the soil, see the colors, and sights, hear the sounds... I would love all this! But I know not how to make it so. I am a poor man in a poor little City, and we do not stray far from our homes. Perhaps I am too backward, for I would like to go... His smile was sad and his eyes downcast as he admitted his reasons for being here, and laid out his logic for why he had to stay. He could scarcely think she could argue against what he had said. But part of him hoped she would, somehow, someway to poke the holes he could not see.