Hong Kong China. The place Marshal wanted us to meet. He apparently had a big plan to tell us. He just gave us plane tickets and said see you there. I had a slight feeling what this was all about, everyone in the program knew funds would be cut soon. The world's leaders were really pushing the whole wall idea. Cutting ourselves off will not fix the problem.
So here we are waiting near a helipad at the airport. I sat on top of my suitcase waiting. Rosie, my adopted sister, was half asleep while leaning against a wall. She had a thick brown coat draped over her, her deep auburn hair curled around the golden completion in her face. Sadly we had dressed for warmer weather. Rosie was the only one that was smart enough to wear pants in this rain. Her dark brown bomber jacket was on top of her white tank top, dark blue jeans and a pair of worn brown leather boots. I can see today she choose to go with the natural look when it came to make up. The gold and leather bracelets lightly hit each other, causing a light crisp sound almost barely audible against the hard rain. Her hair slightly curled around her long feather earrings.
I on the other hand have a drastically different look. My purple to teal hair waved around my light blue octopus earrings. I tapped my dark blue nails against the ripped fishnet tights I was wearing under my jean shorts. I glanced around as my leg bounced, making my black, blue and green neon high top nikes tap the concrete. My other hand lightly traced my silver octopus necklace. I had put on my "normal is boring" tank top. A dark cat eye liner made the paleness of my eyes stand out, and my dark plum lipstick framed my chattering teeth.
I had started pacing, waking Rosie. "Kat sit your tattooed ass down." At hearing this I smirked over at her and said," I don't want any tattoos on my ass thank you." I then continued pacing while tracing my kaiju tattoos.
Rosie saw this movement and frowned. She stood from her place and walked over to me. Next thing I know I was pulled into a strong hug. "I know we'll never get him back."
The he we were talking about was Rosie's blood brother, Alec. He was the best brother I could have asked for. Even if he was a little annoying.
Alec was killed by a kaiju a month ago. It wasn't even that long ago that Alec died, the memory still fresh in our minds. That kaiju was code named 'KRAKATOA', a huge beast that had one special ability, covering itself in toxic acid. That day over 9 thousand people died, along with our brother.
Rosie and I just stood in the rain remembering long lost memories of our brother. It was the sound of buzzing copper blades that knocked us out of our stupor. We turned to the copper holding our bags and not waiting for the cue to get in.
Once we boarded i looked over to our fearless leader.
"Hey Marshall."
"Girls, it's been awhile."
Rosie then chuckled. "What missing us after two years?"
Marshall looked out the window and sighed. He then rubbed his forehead and said,"I only wish it was under better circumstances."
A look of concern flashed over my face. "What do you mean Marshall?"
Marshall then looked up at the two of us. "We will talk about it when we get to the Shatterdome."
I then nodded and looked over at Rosie who was blushing and refusing to look across the seat from her. 'Does Rosie have a crush?' A smirk flashed over my face and i leaned toward the cause of her blush.
"What's your name?"
"Raleigh Becket"
Now this 'Raleigh Becket' is quite the tall glass of water if I do say so myself. The sandy blonde hair against his golden skin, as well as the swimmers build, would make even Adonis reevaluate himself.
I gave a slight laugh and reached over to shake his hand.
"It's been awhile Raleigh."
Rosie looked at me in shock.
"You know him already?"
"Yeah I did three tours with him before you became my copilot"
Rosie turned toward the window and watched the city fly by.
Turning to her I noticed the slight flush of her cheeks, as well as her breath speeding up.
I then turned to Raleigh and noticed he was sharing the same symptoms.
Laughing softly and relaxing in my seat, I closed my eyes and fell asleep for the rest of the ride.
When we landed I woke up, turning to Rosie, only to see her staring at Raleigh.
After having a light stretch I jumped out of the helicopter and yelled," Ok love birds, break it up it's time for us to go."
They jumped then both proceeded to follow me to the shatterdome doors.
Apparently I was too busy admiring my surroundings to notice someone walking the same way as me. It wasn't till I heard the yell of pain and the sound of wood hitting concret. I looked down and noticed I had ran into a poor man with a cane.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" I reached down and helped him up.
"Oh yes it's quite alright, thank you for asking." He had a slightly groggy voice, like one who talks a lot.
As I reached down to grab his cane I introduced myself.
"My name is Katharine but you can call me kat."
"Well hello miss Katharine, my name is Dr. Gottlieb"
I stood and handed his cane to him.
"Doctor? What's a doctor doing in the shatterdome?"
"Oh well I'm head of the Kaiju response research team."
We both started walking toward the shatterdome doors, and continued talking.
I stared wide eyed at Kat and shook my head. Leave it to my big sister to run into an old man. I cracked a small smile and continued walking half ass observing the shatterdome. My smile widened when I saw my old college friend. "NEWT!" I squealed in delight clasping the slightly taller brunette in a hug. His chocolate brown hair stood at odd angles on top of his head, the light stubble on his chin told me he'd been up far too long, and his wire rimmed glasses covered his hazel eyes I loved so much. "What's new my favorite nerd buddy?"
"Studying the advanced powers of the Kaiju!" He said laughing. I laughed with him until I heard it fade out. Looking at Newt I followed his gaze to see Kat blushing back at him. I playfully shoved my old friend in her direction and wiggled my eyebrows.
"Newton likes Katharine." I sing songed in his ear. A crimson blush hit his cheeks before he shuffled over to talk to her. Newt walked with Kat off to God knows where and I walked quickly to the now open elevator. I leaned back against a wall and sighed. I started to relax until I heard a deep chuckle behind me. Spinning on my heel I looked up to see Raleigh smirking down at me. "I am so sorry." I say taking a step backward.
"It's fine, I didn't mind you pressed against me." Raleigh said his smirk growing. I blushed cherry red and looked down at my feet. I wasn't usually this nervous, normally I could flirt my way through just about anything and be fine. Something about Raleigh threw me off. I didn't know if it was his comforting vibe or the faint hint of pain lingering behind his eyes but his very presence rattled me. "Gonna stare all day?"
"If God didn't want me to stare he wouldn't have made you perfect." I said quickly clamping a hand over my mouth. I silently cursed myself for speaking as I heard him laugh again. Blushing brighter I turned away from him only to be pulled against his chest. From the corner of my eye I saw his head lower to level with mine and felt my breath hitch in my throat.
"Then I guess that means I can stare back?"
"If you don't mind the consequences Mr. Becket." I say, my normal flirty nature slowly coming back to me. He pressed his lips to just behind my ear and I realized I could be starting something I couldn't finish.
"I don't mind if you don't." He whispered huskily in my ear. I hummed in approval and turned to kiss his cheek. Raleigh turned his head last second and our lips connected. Gasping I felt him kiss back until I was pinned to the elevator wall breathless. Before he pulled away Marshall got in and chuckled. "Sorry Marshall."
"Sorry sir." I mumbled hiding my face behind my hair.
"Don't maul my niece Becket, her father would kill me. Regardless of how grown up she believes herself to be." Marshall said before an awkward silence settled in the elevator. It stopped a few floors down and we all got off. Raleigh and I headed in one direction and Marshall in another.
"So you're his niece huh?" Raleigh teased. I playfully shoved him but nodded.
"Comes in handy some days."
