Neko's "Room"/ Training Area

[Neko]

::It was the smell of the food that woke her. Slowly at first, with dreams of a vast feast, before finally her brain realized the smells were real and not fantasy.

She sat up quickly and was instantly awake. Her first thought would have been intruders, but most thieves don't cook for you first. That could only mean one thing...

Leaping from the bed like an overexcited gazelle, she bolts for the door and the kitchen area beyond, her eyes wide with hope and excitement.

-UNCLE GRAY!!!-

[Ramir]

Well, that was a quick response o.O. Being that she moved quickly, she noticed a couple of things quickly. The first was two little people - well children really, seeing to cooking in the kitchen. A boy and a girl, both no older than twelve and both wearing interesting apparel - complimented by a very familiar blue.

Both noticed her and neither appeared alarmed.... and that is about the time that the fatigue set in and took her to the floor in a painful heap. Something wasn't right in her back, or rather, her spine.

[Neko]

::She came to a screeching halt with a very bewildered look on her face as her feet slid across the floor from her momentum.

-That's not Uncle...-

Was all the time for thought she had before the adreneline rush that had carried her this far wore off and she crumpled to the floor in pain. She tried to reach behind her to clutch her back, but every movement brought fresh agony and all she could do was lay there and try to catch her breath in short gasps as her eyes darted about for attackers.

Life took her family...

Piper took her things...

That idiot in the mask tried to take her name...

And now someone was trying to take her home...::

[Ramir]

The girl approached Neko with a sincerley worried expression, whilst the boy let out a sudden, shrill whistle. The girl didn't get too close, but looked at Neko curiously.

"Umm miss? You should really be in bed, ya know?"

The boy looked out the window for a moment and then scuttled over to crouch by the curious girl.

"You should leave her be Swan, she's prob'ly confused."

The pair looked at one another and then back to Neko, with large and curious eyes. They didn't seem to have much of a plan, but then they didn't much need one. Someone had entered the treehouse.

[Kiga]

"So, you're awake. That's good."

Kiga entered the kitchen area, tugging the mask free from his face. He looked much the same to Neko, only more tired and a little older. Still, his eyes were kind and he looked at her with a smile that told her he was relieved.

"Swan, Drake, dinner might be burning, yes?"

The pair of children looked at one another with a cute kind of alarm and quick as you like, got up and went back to sorting things in the kitchen. They giggled as they did so and there wasn't any lack of pushing and prodding one another. Neko couldn't know, but they were siblings, which would explain their similar features.

Kiga instead crouched before Neko now, summing up her condition. He wasn't in a hurry to move her, not until he knew how she was doing.

"Alright cousin, I can't leave you on the floor. Let's take this easy and get you back to bed, yeah?"

[Neko]

::She just stared in wonder at Kiga, not fully wanting to believe he was really there. Perhaps she was still dreaming, yes?

But if it was just a dream, why is there so much pain? This had to be real...

So she simply nodded in response to her cousin and shifted on the floor to see if she could rise on her own.::

[Kiga]

Neko could move under he own steam, but it was taxing to do so. It mattered less presently, as Kiga was quick to help her back to the bed and make sure she wasn't straining herself. He made sure she was quite comfortable in an oddly attentive manner, but ended up shaking his head. There was a lot to say here and much of it would have to wait. After all, she needed her rest.

"Alright. You're going to get more rest, whether you like it or not, right after you have a meal. To stop your worrying though, I'll tell you this much.

Gray is up North. Far up north. He's retired up there and well, I can't say I blame him. I've been watching things in his place and I can't say that's going to change any time soon, if ever. That said, he wanted to let you know that he's fine and you'll be seeing him again.

We can talk more about it later. I'm more worried about you and the mess you're getting into."

It seemed that would have to be enough, as the children brought in food for Neko just then. It wasn't much, some soup and some bread, accompanied by tea. Kiga grinned at the pair, who were being almost comically attentive, as evident by their concentration on the task at hand.

"This is Swan and her brother, Drake. They're students of mine, after a fashion. They'll be helping out around here, until you're better."

Both nodded and looked to be standing at attention, as best they could with their nudging one another and giggling.

"Pleasure to meetcha Miss Neko!"

[Neko]

::Neko couldn't help but smile as she watched Kiga go about his business, helping her and explaining what had happened.

So Uncle Gray had retired? Up North? She was happy for him, and hoped that he found the peace he always was looking for, but wished he had left her a note or something. Maybe she'll go pay him a visit later and instruct him on some common manners...

-Snicker-

Yeah, cause THAT would go well...

She nodded in greeting to the children, even giving her sign for "thank you" when presented with the food. However, her eyes kept drifting back to Kiga. How different he seemed now. More focused, less the wild whirlwind. She wondered what had happened to change him. Was it having students? The responsibility of leadership? Whatever it was, it had been good for him in her opinion.

[Kiga]

Kiga talked for a time, but was quite insistent that Neko get some more rest. It was evident that he was worried about her and was holding back, but he wouldn't be swayed. The tea seemed quite calming after all and sleep snuck in and stole her away for a while.

The next morning was much the same as the one prior, though she was feeling better again. The children were attentive and after a whistle from Drake, Kiga returned to the treehouse to check on her. He checked her over (politely) and asked how she was feeling and again, their discussion picked up.

"Alright. So Piper mixed you up pretty badly. You know Neko, Galena were very worried you weren't going to pull through. It took more than some healing magic to piece some of you back together.

Whilst that's all said and done, I really have to ask you some questions. What were you thinking?"

[Neko]

::She hung her head, still a bit ashamed at how everything had gone down. And angry at herself for being so foolish as to let it happen.

Her hands unwound from the sheets she had been clutching tight at the memory and gestured in the direction where her chest of things and her hood would be found.

Once retrieved and donned, she would confide in Kiga.

-I was STUPID, and made assumptions. I didn't realize that was who it was. Sure, I've heard his name about town and all, but never run into him before. Thinking he was just another thug, I thought I could take him.

Probably could have too, had I not rushed in blind. The next thing I knew I was rounding the corner into a room and he was waiting for me. A spell already leaving his fingertips. A rush of air, and I was thrown back into the wall.


I don't remember much past that.-


Truth was she remembered a bit more than she let on. His mocking smile. The light laughter he gave. The heat of his breath and the feel of his hands as he turned her over and began taking her things before the darkness finally rose to take her.


Tears came to her eyes again. Some might think it from the pain, tho it was begining to ebb actually with the rest she had had and staying still. Some might think she was upset over her self-claimed stupidity. To her, it was the memory of her at her weakest, helpless to do anything.::

[Kiga]

Kiga wasn't entirely sure of how he should comfort Neko. Their boundaries weren't clear as yet, but he was certain she didn't want to feel coddled, or sorry or. He simple closed his eyes and nodded, gave her some time to breathe and continued.

"Piper isn't your average crook. I don't have the words to express just how sinister a person he is, but he cannot be underestimated. He's proven that he will go to any lengths to further his ambitions."

Kiga turned to look in on the kids and studied them for a time. He looked back to Neko with a smile then.

"But he can't beat us and least of all, he won't beat you a second time. Not like this. I need to ask you more questions though.

Why didn't you tell the Sentinels about it? What's more, why did you decide to not enlist with them? Running about and looking to right the wrongs in Wistvale will only get you locked up. There's just no leniency for vigilantes in town, because there is clearly defined law. Besides, I thought you're fond of purple...."

Kiga gave her a wink then, hoping to elicit a smile at least.

[Neko]

::His comment did bring the response he was looking for as she gave a weak smile as she brushed a lock of hair back over her ear.


-I do like purple...

Why didn't I tell them about the attack on the man? Or the one on me? Either way, I guess the answer is the same in some degree. I didn't tell them about the attack on myself because I assumed the Healers would have already. Them, or the people that went down there with me.

Same with telling them about the man in the tavern. There were lots of people in there when he came in. Any one of them could have alerted the Sentinels. Very few of them could have tracked down the people responsible before the trail went cold. There was a Healer with him already. It was a judgement call, based on what I felt was right at the time.

Which is why I can't, in good concience, join up with the Sentinels. Oh, they are good people and do great work for the town. Don't get me wrong. I have considered joining many times, but they see things in black and white. That is not the way of the world.-


She holds her arm up to the light for Kiga to see.


-Look at my fur. If you look close enough and long enough, you may find a few hairs that are pure black, or pure white. But not many. They are outnumbered by the shades of gray.

That is how the world is. Or how I see it anyway.

Laws are great, in general terms. In specific situations, sometimes they can be more limiting then helpful.

You once told me that you felt my compassion and the regret I feel were holding me back. I feel they make me who I am and guide me to do what's right. And what's right, isn't always what the law says.

A man steals a loaf of bread to feed his starving family. Were I with the Sentinels, I would be bound to send him to prison. And it would break my heart to do so.

I could do great things with the Sentinels, but everyday a piece of me would die inside until I no longer was the person I was before.-

[Kiga]

Kiga didn't respond. Again, dinner arrived and this evening, the children sat with her and spoke a little, but Kiga had left to attend to other matters. She did learn that the children used to be part of Piper's gang, but did not have a home to return to and so, Kiga had adopted them within the Vanguard. They seemed terribly happy with this turn of events but did mention that they have to train 'very' hard, most days.

Night came and went and came and went once more and Neko was now on her feet - as evidenced by her visit to the training grounds. Kiga returned on that evening and now sat with her, looking a little concerned and maybe, just a little judgmental.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Neko. I suppose it's time we look at getting you back to strength. I'd like to ask that we do it here though, away from prying eyes. How do you feel about that?"

[Neko]

::Neko enjoyed her time with the children, giving advice and encouragement when she felt it needed. It was hard for her to picture them running in a gang led by Piper. She wasn't sure what they did for him, and wasn't sure she wanted to know. Whatever it was, she was positive that their life had been made better by joining Kiga.

But it did add to her frustration and hatred for Piper. Once up and mobile, she vented some of that anger at the training grounds. She still felt bad about the loss of control, but it felt good to have it out of her system.

When Kiga returned and made his offer to continue to help her in her recovery, she happily agreed. Not because she felt she couldn't do it without him or the children, but because if nothing else it meant they would stay a little longer.

It was good to have a family again...::

[Ramir]

"Well, I hope I'm not intruding then."

Ramir walked in the room and gave Neko a knowing look. It seems he was true to his word and had indeed decided to call in on her at home.

That could pose a million questions and rightfully so.