ENDLESS JOURNEYS (O/A)

[PixelMuse]

"Wait a minute, cursed posters? I thought people were after me for the reward money not because they're under some magical influence... Which does make sense now that I think about it. I couldn't reason with them, bounty hunters, thieves, farmers, and anyone who saw me in the poster would do anything to get me turned in for the gold they were promised.

Curse or no curse, I don't know his name but I know he's a necromancer. The one who ruined my life... and the one who is behind all of this death and destruction that he blames on me....Hmmm...You saw the posters? How come you are not cursed?"  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec blushes and starts playing with his fingers. His ears fold down submissively as he says, "Well um...the thing is see...I uh...I'm a druid. My -erm- family comes from a long line of druids. We have a deep connection with wolves in particular. The...um...posters were meant for human eyes...not a wolfs."

While some of this is true, he doesn't want to admit that the reason he had missed the cursed marking initially was because he was going into panicky Alec mode and just overlooked it. He feels guilty for jumping to conclusion, and is now lying (very poorly) to not hurt Trinity's feelings.  

[Kerana]

Trinity could tell he was lying but could not tell why or what about. Just the way he delivered it.

Kerana on the other hand believed his explanation entirely, "Wow really Alec? I never stood a chance against that curse." Wanting to get things going Kerana went to the bag of money and found that it was hard trying to lift it. "C'mon lets get going. GRRR" she tries lifting the bag again only to find it wouldn't budge. "Could use a little help here...". It did occur to her that she could use magic to lift it but she wanted to play the little danzel a little longer.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec rushes over to Kerana and picks up the bag. Thanks to his wolf side, he is deceptively strong despite his thin frame. He looks over at Trinity and asks, "Will you be okay going back alone?"  

[PixelMuse]

Concern? It has been a long time since some one expressed concern toward her. It almost felt alien. She looked at him, wondering if it was a joke, with an expression asking 'are you serious?'. The expression didn't last when he saw that he was serious the expression was short lived.

Flash backs came to her, of soldiers, captains and even Lord Saturn himself asking the same question in the same manner, followed by how they died, how she let them down. She tried to shake it off then looked at Alec and answered "I'll be fine, I'm a tough girl, I can take on just about anything. I'm just going to need a strong drink before I answer any more questions though." she rubs her eyes a little. She pulled her coat on except for the bloodied sleeve from the thief's broken arm. The only remnents of tye thief. Then pulled her hood over her head concealing her face.

"I'll be in the tavern, ready to answer any more questions you may have." She walked off with hands in her pockets and into a shadow of a near by tree.  

[Kerana]

Kerana was impressed with what Alec could carry, she had often forgotten just how strong he is, considering his body type. She blushed a little at the sight of it. Not only because he could do it but because she had asked him to, there was no hesitation.

She kept quiet as Alec asked Trinity if she was going to be alright. After she left she thought it was the right opportunity to tease him a little, "So she's growing on yah huh? You have a crush on her?"  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec had just turned to walk back to town when Kerana asked him that question. His face turns beet red. The sudden onset of embarrassment causes him to drop the bag of money. The bag lands directly on his foot.

"YEOW! W-w-w-w-what, a crush? Don't be ridiculous!"  

[Kerana]

Kerana was sitting on a rock as his reaction and giggled so much because of it that she had to catch herself from falling over. "oh?" she gets off the rock and approaches him wagging her tail. She doesn't recall him having a girlfriend, "Y'know, come to think of it... I don't think I've ever seen you with a girl before... I mean in a relationship. Do you have a type? Do you prefer guys instead?" She saw him as an older brother, a friend that would watch her back if she needed it. It has yet to occur to her that she would be his type.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec's blush maintains. Her comment had struck him rather hard. True, he had never been around other girls. Heck, he didn't hang around the others boys either. Since Alec came to the school he only had one friend.

As far as his "type," he couldn't tell Kerana that. He knows she sees him as a friend, a brother figure, and nothing more than that. Alec sighs and picks the bag back up. His ears and voice show the same sadness as he mutters, "I've...never been in a relationship. In truth...you're the only friend I've ever had."

He swallows hard and starts walking again, "C'mon, we have to get this bag back."  

[Kerana]

Kerana's ears slopped down at the sound of his saddened voice her tail stopped wagging and lowered. She had to be a little more cautious when teasing Alec. He seemed so sensitive. Perhaps it was a lack of a big pack, that made him that way and his shy nature. She runs a little to catch up with him, "A-Alec, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you..."

She couldn't see why people avoided him entirely and picked on him. The jocks tend to call him a 'twerp'. The Druids called him a 'mud mutt' and the other werewolves called him 'the runt of the pack'. If only they'd give him a chance they might change their minds. Kerana on the other hand had no trouble making friends. She hoped that Alec could learn a thing or two from her by hanging out. However there have been a few bold advances that she had to hide behind Alec to be safe. She trusted Alec, with her life, like an older brother.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec allows his hair to cover his face. One thing he hates is when people pity him, especially Kerana. He can take the ridicule, rejection, and beatings...but something about her eyes looking at him like he was made of glass. He knows he should have kept his mouth shut.

He tries to pass off a laugh, "Don't sweat it. I shouldn't take things so personally, you were just having fun. C'mon, don't look at me like that. You look better when you smile."  

[Kerana]

Kerana wasn't fooled this time but could understand he didn't want to dread upon it much longer. Her ears slowly went up and her tail started to wag her tail with a smile "...and you look better when I can see--you?" she never noticed how deep and dreamy his eyes were before. Why was he always hiding behind his hair? She wondered for a moment and found herself staring. She blushed a little at the realization, "Er... see... much better..." Flustered she walked ahead of him a little. The village was straight ahead.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec can't help but smirk a little in spite of himself when she blushed and turned away quickly. It's one of the many reasons he likes Kerana so much. She is quick to bring a smile to his face even though he doesn't want it.

He looks around the village as they enter. He folds his ears back in an attempt to have them blend in with his hair, afraid that they might be looking for the werewolf still.

He follows Kerana into the bank and places the sack of money on the counter. He looks at the clerk and says, "We found the money that thief stole...I don't suppose there is a reward for recovering it is there?"  

[Kerana]

The teller's eyes lit up,"Oh my you kids must have put your lives on the line to get it back from Trinity the Titan Terror. Let me see what we can spare..." he pulls out a small bag "a 100 gold."
Kerana's eyes widen, "Wow! This will last us a while. Um thanks."  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec smiles and bows to the teller. "Yea, it was really scary." He takes the small bag of gold and places it into his satchel. "Thanks for the reward. Have a nice day."

Alec walks out of the bank and takes a moment to feel the weight of the gold in his satchel. He has never had this much gold in his possession before, and it feels good. A little spending money is always a nice thing to have. He turns to Kerana and asks, "Need any supplies?"