Pre-dawn Run ((attn: A Piper))
Kai had frittered away her Sunday at the Waterfront shopping and had, in that endeavor, ordered a surfboard that would be ready for her by Saturday. She was incredibly excited, as she'd had to leave her's back home because it was too precious to risk to airport handlers.
She'd been exhausted when she'd gone to bed at a very early, still daylight, eight o'clock. At 3:45 her alarm clock buzzed and she sprang from her bed, like this was Christmas morning and Santa had come. She puzzled a moment at that reaction. Maybe it was the prospect of learning something new, or the nerves from the knowledge that she would be deciding someone's future, she didn't know.
Shrugging, she dressed in the standard attire of gray running shorts, red sport bra, socks and jogging shoes, and pulled her hair into a ponytail. She jogged down out of her room to the forest's edge. It was still dark and she grinned, she'd not changed since the full moon, and as she thought it, she felt the familiar itch between her shoulder blades that let her know the wolf wanted out.
Laughing softly, she ducked into the trees and removed her clothing, folding it neatly. She could only hope she would be able to find it when it was time to head back inside. Relaxing, she let the wolf have its way, and when all was said and done she lay on her side breathing heavily for a moment, before popping up and running headlong into the woods.
Wolfish laughter left her when she found a rabbit trail, and she went from running idiot to rabbit hunter. She clamped her teeth around more laughter, as Elmer Fudd spoke in her head. The rabbit trail lead her to another trail that smelled of wolf and pack. It was fresh and curiosity had her following it.
Did he mind the water? No, he loved it. Did he like being in water? Not...exactly. His fear of drowning wasn't as pronounced as it once was, but falling off a boat and screaming like a girl probably wouldn't get him any below deck action with Kai...or any other women within a mile radius for that matter.
'I would love to!' He cleared his throat and considered being honest. Probably better to bite the bullet now instead of having to explain to her why he had a death grip on the mast.
'Here's the thing....I love boats, truly. It's just being in the water that makes me toes curl. And not in the good way.' He paused, waiting for her reaction, but added, 'You know I should get points for being honest. I mean, this is very sensitive of me. Lots and lots of points.'
She had her own fear of drowning, that made her all Super Saftey Girl, but it was something she dealt with, not shared. Her fear was more about making a mistake and drowning as a result and not just being in the water. She loved to be in the water.
"I won't make you get out in the big bad water." She gave his cheek a little pat and put her arm back by her side. Not the smoothest move in history, but Kai was not known for her 'game.' A grin curled the corners of her mouth.
"And if you're a good helper, I might even let you steer while I play in the water."
'I'll expect that shirt back. It's one of my favorites. Don't mind laundering it though - I rather like your cherry blossom scent.' He gave her a quick wink and double timed it up the rest of the stairs.
'Hey,' he said and drew out the syllable when Brig came into full view, minus a t-shirt. 'What...what...why?' Hammer pointed at his chest as he took the steps down, passing Brig.
'Morning, Hammer.'
Hammer gave him a funny look and then peered at his chin. 'Why is your chin red?'
Brig reached up and touched his chin, smiling at a memory. 'Oh that's nothing.'
'Did you fall...?'
'No, no, I'll be back down in a minute. See ya.'
Brig bounded away as Hammer continued down the steps, right into a small female looking up after his cousin.
'Good...morning?' He looked at her wardrobe and slowed down to look at her. Definitely not her size...Brig was missing a shirt.... With a nod, he mumbled, 'Oh. Right. Miss.' Nodding, he hit the ground floor and continued on, hoping to avoid a conversation with Brig's new shiny toy.
((OOC - Brig and Hammer out!))
"Ah, Good morning."
She blinked, half looked at him as he walked away and then realized she was standing at the bottom of the stairs in nothing but a very large shirt. Blushing a deep scarlet, she darted up to her own room and what would be a relatively cold shower before her meeting with Nikhila. The only concession she had to the whole thing, was to neatly fold his shirt and place it under her pillow. She'd leave it there until Saturday.
((Kai out.))