Against The Odds [Cy, Reky]

[Bre]

I'll sing it one last time for you . . .

Tekoa found himself out on the streets of Chydyn thanks to a long chain of events. The traders had moved from the eyrie after a short stay, meandering through the smaller settlements north of the forest city, gone down to the south for a while without crossing into the territory of Sayaie, and then come back up to the city to sell their wares for a time. They'd already been there a day, but the man was only just getting out that night. It was a rest day and a grand market was occurring. That was why the caravan had come into the heart of the sprawling metropolis. The day was truly just beginning, him being an early riser, but he could already hear the noises of the large event. He was a few streets away from the next series of market squares, but he was approaching swiftly, long legs carrying him across the ground with some speed even at a rolling amble.

Somewhere behind him, or possibly ahead of him, Tekoa knew Faric was about. Keeping track of his best friend was a task he had long given up to fate. All he knew was that Ayane was exactly three feet behind him, preferring to follow her master through the streets rather than heel. On occasion, the trader would turn his head, glance at her, and then look around for Faric, but he would never find the boy and he never felt more than a touch of concern. In the end, they could both take care of themselves and he was aware of their difference in social situations, even if he was rather oblivious on occasion. He stopped well before the crowd of the celebration, used to the hubbub but hardly a city slicker. He watched it with mild interest, sticking his hands into the pockets of his breeches and standing at ease. Ayane stood for a moment, then sat down beside him.

In truth, it wasn't much of a celebration. It wasn't a festival. It was business. Tekoa found joy in even that, but the bustle in front of him was no dance. Koxi were still a threat. The rider and simourv on duty could be seen from the right angle if one got onto one of the roofs. Without really thinking, the young trader leaned against the wall of the building beside him. It was four stories tall, a towering testament to the engineering genius of the human race, but he didn't really notice it or the way it loomed over all the other buildings. Considering his own height, he could have empathized with its situation, but he was just using it to rest, hanging out with Ayane for a little while. He didn't really want to plunge into the crowd just a block down the road. He'd wait. Maybe he'd finally find Faric. Of course, if the other boy needed him, he had a way of popping up.

. . . then we really have to go.

[{r e k y}]

Her students were terrible excited when she told them that today would be a day off. Almost immediately in class, even before she finished talking, the room started buzzing with talk of grand plans for their day without school. They wondered, out loud, what their parents might let them buy at the big market, or how they could run off and have adventures without anyone noticing. Koeti found their energy adorable. She had no such money-mooching, adventure-having plans, but she definitely would pop by the market. Kitty was with Nyli, and Teno was probably off somewhere with his girlfriend, who was a nice girl, but... Koeti was still having a hard time imagining her little brother having a girlfriend. It would take her a few weeks to get used to it.

Wading through the crowds was invigorating. Everyone was so happy. The mood was one of business, but it was still light and cheery. It was a good day of shopping and no work. As much as Koeti loved her job teaching, having a day off was always welcome. Her students were young, after all. They were boisterous little creatures, and sometimes it drained her. She just needed a day or two to recharge and she was ready to go again, though.

She browsed the stalls one by one, taking her time. She had all day, after all - there wasn't any rush. The weather was nice, too, so she found no reason to seek shade or shelter. She paused beside a jeweler to take a deep breath of the fresh air, smile, and enjoy that one moment. She just felt... amazing. She loved those days where nothing could get you down. Still smiling, she let her eyes down from the wide sky to the stall she was at. Something immediately caught her attention. It was a silver necklace, with a little bird cut-out and a brightly-hued feather on a fine chain. It definitely wasn't the most intricate or expensive-looking piece the jeweler had, but Koeti couldn't take her bright eyes off of it. She decided to splurge.

With her new gift to herself around her neck, she absorbed back into the crowd and slowly, patiently, made her way out of it. As the people thinned, she could walk more freely, and she popped her hands into the pockets of her skirt. Down the street came running a little girl. Koeti recognized her immediately as one of her students, Joya. "Miss Koeti! Miss Koeti!" Joya called, giggling. "Miss Koeti, guess what!"

Smiling wide like a ray of sunshine, Koeti jogged towards the little girl and bent down to be eye-level with her. "What's up, Joya?"

"Well, see, I--" and then she trailed off. "Oh, oops, I can't tell you. I had an adventure, but it's a secret, or else the big bad koxi king will get me!" She beamed brightly. Koeti laughed, charmed by the girl's game of pretend. Joya reached for Koeti's necklace. "Miss Koeti! This is pretty!"

"Is it?" Koeti smiled, looking down at Joya's tiny hand around the little silver bird. "I think so, too."

Joya nodded. Then, she looked around, and noticed that, not far from them, there was a man and a dog. Obviously, the object of her attention was the dog. She let go of her teacher's necklace and hopped a little closer to the dog, smiling at it. She loved dogs. She reached a hand out, which didn't get anywhere close to Ayane, like she wanted to pet her. Which she did. She looked up at Tekoa with wide blue eyes. "What's your puppy's name?" she asked, and then her attention was stolen away again. Another girl came running down the street, calling to her. "Jooooyaaa! C'mooon! The big bad koxi king is gonna get us!" With a squeal of delight, Joya ran after her friend, towards the big crowd. Her mother was waiting there, and grabbed her and her friend's hands.

Koeti laughed lightly, stood up, and smiled at Tekoa.

[/blockquote]

[Cy]

[/b] And with that, he lunged forward to begin tickling the nearest child, causing them all to burst into a fit of screams as they took off running, turning into laughter and exclamations that the koxi king was after them, with Faric jogging after them in their wake. Far more familiar with the streets of their home than he was, regardless of the numerous times the caravan had dropped by, they managed to split up and lose him easily. Occasionally, he'd hear a high-pitched scream of excitement as he turned a corner to spot one or another would give their hiding place away by giggling. He'd step in their direction to send them off running or toss his arms out to shout to make them burst into their amusing screams before running again. It was a grand game.

Before he knew it, having sent a pair of girls running off down the path ahead of him, he perked to attention at the sight of his best friend. It wasn't difficult to spot him, leaning against one of the tallest buildings on the street, Ayane wagging her tail happily in front of him – and a strange woman standing in front of him, sweet looking and smiling. He must investigate. Strolling forward, all cool confidence, he came up to stand between them with no social anxiety inhibiting his actions in the slightest. “Excuse me, good madam – good sir.” He started, nodding to her and then nodding to his friend, playfully serious as he held his arms out to the side. “Standing so calmly here, I don't know if you've heard, I am the big bad koxi king.” [/ul][/size]

[Bre]

But every single time I do . . .

Ayane thumped her tail happily against the ground when a little girl ran up, tolerant as could be and happy for the company. Blinking in surprise, Tekoa offered the girl a smile, adjusting the way he leaned against his spot so he could stand a little taller. He opened his mouth to answer her question, but then she was gone. He turned his head to watch her run off down the street until she was safe with her friend and mother. Then laughter interrupted him and he turned his placid gaze to look at Koeti. He offered the young woman a smile and dipped his head in greeting. Ayane continued to thump her tail, enjoying the happy sound of laughter. Then Faric promptly showed up out of the blue, talking about the little girl's game and being a koxi. Tekoa couldn't say that he was surprised that his best friend had been playing a game. It was the sort of thing that he did.

"Faric, you need to stop trying to scare children. We both know you can already do it without trying;" Tekoa teased, tone light and voice soft for a man of his towering height. Of all the people in the world, his best friend was the only one he would usually make such a blatant remark towards. Most of his jokes were lighter, more open, or directed at himself. He smiled a soft sort of smile, not quite laughing at his words but close to it. His brown eyes twinkled with good nature as he gazed at his old friend, looking for that little but theatrical reaction that his comment would doubtlessly evoke. In time, he glanced at the young woman who'd been with the little girl before and his gaze was still kind, but he straightened up a bit, smiling a little wider than before at her to show that he meant no harm in the slightest. He pulled his hands out of his pockets with care.

"I'm Tekoa;" he said as a way of introducing himself to the woman and properly saying hello. He extended his hand to her, thinking that she could shake it. She seemed nice. He thought it was something about how she smiled. Plus, she must be good with kids, dealing with the little girl from before. That was always nice. In his quiet way, he loved kids. Ayane wiggled her entire lower quarters as a way of saying hello to this new person and noting the return of Faric, but she remained seated loyally at her master's side, a smart and enduring companion. Even with one of his hands extended, Tekoa gave her a tiny scratch on the hand with his other, a loving, thoughtless, timeless gesture of his affection and admiration of her company. She took little of his attention right then, as he was focused on Koeti and had one eye on Faric, but she always had his love.

. . . I know we'll make it anywhere.

[{r e k y}]

Koeti's attention was stolen away by the newcomer, who was apparently the third part to the girls' adventure game. She was still smiling. She couldn't say she completely agreeable to the idea of filling the girls' heads with koxi. Koxi weren't something to be taken lightly. She always reminded her students to stay hidden in their houses with their families when koxi were reported to be near. Joya and her friend weren't taking the game seriously at all, though, so she supposed it was alright, and this Faric person looked kind enough. It was all just fun.

"Are you, now?" Koeti said, her voice light and soft. "Should I be afraid, too? You don't look much like a koxi." Then, the man with the dog spoke, too, teasing his friend. She laughed. Eventually he looked at her again, and offered a lopsided little smile.

"I'm Koeti," she said, reaching out to shake his hand politely. Their names sounded similar - the same letter save for one, just in different orders. She looked over at Faric. She'd caught his name when Tekoa had said it. "Faric, right? The one terrorizing my students." It was all in good humour. Even if the comment had the potential to be accusing, it was far from it. She was happy today. She had no reason to get upset over simple playing, even if she was a little worried about it removing the seriousness of the koxi. She'd make sure the girls still understood how dangerous the big lizards were, like the overprotective, over-caring teacher she was.

---

Logically, he should have been on watch at Itnala or in his eyling at the Eyrie. Illogically, he was in Chydyn, during a very busy market day. He didn't like people. He didn't want to be here. He wasn't going to take advantage of the trading festivities. However, despite his reasons not to be in Chydyn, Es'tev was, and it was all because of Hjolteph.

Left.

[/i]

Es'tev reluctantly turned left, following his simourv's snappy directions. Hjolteph had a hunch. He felt candidate potential in the air as they flew over Chydyn, and had landed, kicked Es'tev off into the streets, and proceeded to direct him like he was some sort of puppet. Es'tev didn't appreciate it. Why didn't Hjolt just land near the potential candidate right off the bat?

Are you just trying to screw with me, Hjolt? Es'tev demanded, boots clicking impatiently as he walked.

Left again. No, Es'tev, your other left! Why are you so stupid? I don't understand! I'm the best ever, and you're... not. Ugh! Keep going straight.

Well, maybe if you'd just dropped me where they were right away, we wouldn't be having these problems! Es'tev snapped. Where are you, anyways?

On the roofs, where I can see everything, like the royalty I am.

Oh, PLEASE. Give it a rest, Mr. High and Mighty. Just tell me where they are.

Go right.

Es'tev rounded another corner and spotted a group of three people, and a dog. Them? Which one is it?

Congratulations, stupid! You found them!

Es'tev kept close to the shadows, looking very grumpy and unapproachable. Which one is it? he asked again, not liking the lack of an immediate answer.

Hjolteph took a while to respond. Then, he said, with certainty, All of them.

All of them?! Es'tev caught a flash of Hjolt's dull red feathers over the roof of the building the group was against. Really?

I said 'all of them,' didn't I? Hjolt huffed indignantly.

Fine, fine. Why don't you get down here, then? I see you, loser. Shoving his hands deep into his pockets, Es'tev watched as Hjolt draped himself over the roof and stuck his head over the eaves-trough. He examined Tekoa, Koeti and Faric closely, blinking his dusty brown eyes only once in a long period.

He was very, very sure he was right. How could he be wrong? That was impossible. He was the best; 'wrong' wasn't in his vocabulary. He spoke to the three, Hello, you've just been Searched by the amazing Hjolteph. He puffed up his feathers proudly, looking cocky as can be. Es'tev rolled his eyes.[/size][/blockquote]