Soaring
First Arc: Act Two
The ocean waves slammed against the warm yellow sad, as the sun began to set on the island of Sandover. The way the sun would set on the tiny island was magnificent. The sun would cause the waters to reflect a reddish glow. The sky would shine and present a beautiful red blush. Almost like an elegant oil painting.
And on this gorgeous evening, the newest edition to the Sandover community, a young Kat stood outside her small beach hut, in front of the recurring waves. She had her tiny fingers wrapped around a small device. The device was a small violet colored communicator, littered with numerous buttons. She quickly tapped her small index finger on the small machine, pushing down on the many buttons. A look of anger crossed her face, she glared down at the device; something had gone wrong.
"Ahh!" She threw her head back in frustration, "This thing, it's worthless!" She then threw the communicator to the ground.
She growled to herself as she looked to her right. She crossed her arms tightly, fed up with small machine. She pouted, puffing up her cheeks. She raised her left arm to her face, and began wiping away small buds of tears that cornered in her eyes.
"How am I gonna get…" She sniffled tears now coming out faster, "…home now? If I can't get through, then I can open the Warp Gate."
She continued to pout, until she felt the cool ocean water splash up against her tiny feet. She quickly shifted her eyes downward to see that the tide had begun to come in. She let out a small gasp as she watched the water wrap around her tiny ankles. It was then she realized that her small communicator had begun to drift away from the shore.
"Oh no!"
She cried out loud as she began to run out, trying desperately to reach the device.
It was then she realized she was standing in water. The icy water beat against her skin causing shivers to shoot down her spin. She let out a squeal, and covered her mouth with both hands. Tears quickly began to race down her cheeks. She darted away from the water, and on to dry land. She panted as she watched the small device gently glide on top of the ocean water. She closed her eyes tightly and shook her head back and forth.
"No!"
She sobbed louder and louder. How could she allow the small device to drift so far away from her grasp? The sound of the waves filled her large ears and her tail coiled around her leg. But then the sound of footsteps crept into her ears. Her eyes snapped open to reveal a man standing before her.
He was great in height and towered over her. For a moment, the man's silhouette frightened the small child and her mouth dropped open as if she were to reply to his appearance. The man stepped closer and closer until he was inches away from her. The stranger then extended one arm out toward the small girl. His palm opened slowly and there before her eyes lay the tiny communicator in his open hand. The man had retrieved the device for her. Her expression transformed into joy as she reached out and with one quick swipe, obtained her communicator.
Kat then looked upward to study the man's structure; perhaps he was a familiar face from the island. Kat looked only to have the man's face hidden by shadows. The only item clear to her eyes were a large pair of goggles that wrapped around his head. These goggles instantly reminded the young Kat of Jak's trademark goggles but this man couldn't be Jak. He was far older than the Jak Kat knew now. Her face turned a bright red as she stood before this handsome stranger. Her hands hit her hot cheeks in an attempt to cover her bushing face.
"You don't like the water much, do you?" The man finally spoke, his voice deep and sultry.
Kat shook her head back and forth, "N-no! I'm terrified of it!"
The man let out a low chuckle, "Good thing I was here then…wasn't it?"
Kat's eyes widened as the man reached outward and placed his large hand on her head. He then began to stroke the girl's head gently. Kat's face flushed with a red glow as the man's hand lifted from her head.
"I-if I may ask…" Kat began her voice tiny and shy, "What is…is your name, sir?"
The man then stood up straight and looked to the sky. As if he was searching for an answer. He then let out another small chuckle. Kat cocked a brow, confused by the man's sudden pause.
"Mar…" He answered, "You can call me Mar."
Kat's eyes glistened with wonder, "Lord Mar?"
"Before I go," Mar replied just before he turned away from the girl. "I have a request."
"A-anything!" Kat clapped both of her tiny hands together. "I'll do anything for you, Lord!"
"Just be nice to the Ottsel."
"Huh?" Kat curled her lip. "You mean Daxter?"
"That's the one." He then turned his back completely to the female and with one wave of his hand, he spoke once more. "See you later, okay…"
Kat's mouth dropped as Mar walked further and further from her. Inside, she could feel her heard ache as his image seem to fade. Slowly his figure began to die away into the distance as if he were some sort of phantom. She let out a small whimper as he fully vanished from her sight.
"Lord Mar…"
XoXoX
"So how old did these two girls look?" Keira voice held an excited tone as she walked with bliss beside her oldest friends, Jak and Daxter.
The sun had completely risen when Jak and Daxter gathered Keira together to meet the newest additions to the island. Although the two boys were warned to stay far from the girls, Jak felt as though the four had gotten the wrong impressions of one another. He wanted the girls to feel at home. Especially seeing as the girls were close friends to Samos, Jak wanted everyone to get along accordingly. So a visit was in order.
"The youngest can't be older than ten or twelve." Jak answered, inside in high spirits of today's visit. "The oldest…maybe sixteen, seventeen…"
"Quite an age difference, ey?" Keira blinked, feeling surprised by the age gap between the girls.
"I won't be so enthusiastic about them!" Daxter snarled as he dragged his small orange feel against the hot yellow sand. "They don't even want us down there! Did you see the fangs on Jam?"
"But Daddy wouldn't allow those types around here," Keira insisted, "I'm sure they were just stressed out yesterday."
"Yeah, come on Dax," Jak agreed with his female counterpart, "They're probably feeling better today."
Daxter had to roll his eyes. "You know I have a REAL funny feelin' 'bout those two!" He continued as Jak and Keira looked at him strangely, "They're acting pretty suspicious if you ask me!"
"And what exactly could two girls be up to around here?" Keira shook her head, feeling Daxter was acting overdramatic as usual.
"She has a point, Dax." Jak agreed, giving Daxter a firm nod.
"Well, don't come running to me when they go psycho and chop us up!" Daxter raised his small index finger.
Keira let out a small sweet giggle and shrugged her slender shoulders, "There's only one way to find out, right?"
And with that, she ran in front of the two boys, proposing a cute race. Feeling competitive with the young girl, Jak ran along with Keira. He loved and longed for the competition of a race, whether it be on foot or aboard a Flut-flut. The warm sensation of victory gave Jak satisfaction. While Daxter on the lazy end, hated racing even when his feet stayed above ground. Lacking behind the two, Daxter sluggishly trailed behind the two teens. It wasn't long before Jak stole first place from Keira.
In doing so, became the first to reach the far end of the beach and the first to arrive at the tiny hut. She then raced down toward the small hut at the edge of the beach. Soon Keira and Daxter caught up with Jak and stood before the small wooden door that barricaded them from the new girls. Keira looked on at Jak and smiled she nudged her head toward the door. Jak nodded and allowed the girl to give the door a gentle knock.
No answer. Confused, Keira knocked once more, harder this time. Still, no answer.
"Is anyone home? Hello?" She called outwardly.
She then turned to the small rounded window that was placed conveniently aside the door. Her curious demeanor became the better of her as she placed her left cheek against the cold glass, peering into the hut. Inside, the hut was dark. No lights could be seen. She squinted her eyes trying to see deeper into the home. Her attempts were unrewarded. She pressed harder against the window until,
BAM!
A large hand slammed against the window. The loud and sudden sound sent Keira flying backward in shock. She caught herself before she tumbled to the ground and placed her right palm over her chest, trying to catch her breath the best she could. Jak ran to her aid, wrapping his arms around her.
"Can I help you?" The front door swung open to reveal an angered Jam standing in the doorway.
The trio stood in utter shock of the loud bang they had just endured. Surprised by Jam's appearance, they stand silent as her anger grew.
"Didn't I tell you two to stay away?" Her voice simmered into a low growl.
The three continued their silence. Still shocked none of them could find words to answer Jam with.
"You should leave." She replied once more before turning away from the teens.
"What IS your deal, lady?" Daxter was the first of the three to speak up. "Are you CRAZY? Scaring us like that!
"We just wanted to say 'hello'," Keira bit her lower lip, trying to hold back any anger she held. "There's no reason to be impulsive!"
Jam inhaled a deep amount of air and closed her eyes. Seemingly calm, she reopened her eyes and gave Keira the most eerie smile. She then backed away from the trio and into her home. With slow movements, she then reached out and placed her hands on the front door. And with a sudden jolt, she slammed the door in the three teen's faces.
"Ah!" Keira squeaked in surprise of Jam's actions.
"HEY! That's NO way to treat us, heroes!" Daxter snapped his fingers before rushing at the door and slamming his tiny furry foot against it.
He continued to bang against the wooden door. He wanted the girl to reopen the door so he could give her a good 'talking to'. He hated rejection of any kind, and the kind Jam had just given him had to be the worst, female rejection. Daxter soon became out of breath after repeatedly slamming himself against the door and stopped to catch his breath. A moment of uncanny silence came to the three before the front door opened little by little. A loud creak echoed through their ears before the door slipped open completely.
"Can I help you?" Kat answered stood before the three.
"Kat?" Jak stepped toward the young girl, "Is everything all right?"
Kat's eyes shifted from side to side. She lifted a balled fist to her mouth and began to cough and nodded her head. She then let out an awkward giggle before shutting the door behind her. She then shrugged at the trio with innocence.
"THAT'S IT!" Daxter threw his little paws in the air, feeling fed-up with the girls' games. "Just WHAT is going on?"
Kat moved her hands in front of her face, palms open. "Nothing, really!" Her eyes then landed on the unknown female, Keira. "Excuse me?" She blinked confused by the female's presence.
"Oh," Jak grew a smile, "This is Keira…wait," Jak's brow fell, "You know Keira, you're Fathers are friends. You two should know each other."
Keira looked on at the small girl. "No…" Keira narrowed her eyes at the young woman. "We've never had the pleasure. I've never seen either girl in my life."
"Really?" Kat laughed and threw her arm behind her head. "That's too bad! Haha…ha."
Jak crossed his arms and leaned in toward the youngest female, "Kat who-"
"KAT!" Jam's booming voice caused all four children to flinch. "GET BACK IN HERE!"
"Just WHAT ARE you doing in there?" Daxter snapped as he pushed the young girl aside and began pushing himself inside the small hut.
"No! Get away from there!" Kat screeched as she bent down and grabbed Daxter, hurling him away from the door. "You can't be in there!"
"What's your problem?" Keira cried as she ran to Daxter and picked him up from the floor, "What are you hiding!"
Kat gasped and slapped her hands over her mouth. She then ran to Daxter's side. "I'm so sorry but it's just-"
"Kat, get back in here now!" Jam then appeared before the four. "We don't need to communicate with these people." Her lip then curled at the sight her sister aiding the small Ottsel. "Ew, and stay away from that rat."
"You have no right, speaking to us like that." Keira growled, as she handed Daxter to Jak, "You've only been here two days, and you're all ready causing trouble."
"Psh," Jam scoffed, "And just who are you to give me orders?" Jam placed her hands on her hips.
"I'm the daughter of Samos the Green Sage!" She announced with pride as she balled up both fists.
Jam's eyes paused, her mouth dropped open as her arms dropped from their pervious position. "What did you say?"
Keira was baffled, "I'm Samos' daughter, Keira." She repeated.
"Jam," Kat looked on at her older sibling and moved her head to one side.
Jam then shook her head and cleared her throat. She gritted her teeth and gave the group a faulty smile. The trio looked at one another with strange looks before turning their attention back to a smiling Jam.
"Look," She began her voice now calm. "I'm sorry about my being rude and all…I'm just very stressed." She then closed her eyes and extended her hand out to Keira, "Buddies?" Her brow twitched.
Keira looked at the older female before her obviously feeling quite puzzled about her current situation. Should this woman be trusted? None of them could be sure but it wasn't in Keira nature to turn down friendship without a clear reason, so she placed her hand in Jam's and began to give her a friendly handshake. Her offer for peace accepted, Jam snatched back her hand. Keira then shook her head as she too brought her hand back.
"So," Keira spoke up, "You know my Father, then?"
"No," Jam looked away from the group, "But my Father did. Got a problem with that?"
"No, no!" Jak threw his hands up in defense of Keira. "But that is interesting. Your Father knows Samos but you're both relatively young."
"Look," Jam was quick to snap at Jak's comment, "I'm not gonna get into the details, got it? Just accept my answer and move on!"
"Come on!" Daxter wiggled his way closer to Jam, "You gotta tell us more about 'ol Greeny in his young days!"
"Get off my case!" Jam raised her hands up in the air ready to give the Ottsel a good whack.
"No! Jam, stop!" Kat jumped before the small Ottsel, arms placed outward, ready to protect him. "Don't hit him!"
"What's gotten into you?" Jam barked, taking back her hand.
"My Lord!" Kat threw her hands on her chest. "He told me to protect Daxter! I can't let anything happen to him!"
"Your LORD?" Daxter busted out in a loud laughter, "And just who is this Lord of yours?"
"Have you gone mad?" Jam hissed. "Being on this crazy island of forty-eight hours has made you insane!"
"We met last night…" Kat murmured in a soft tone and blushed. "He came to me…but then he disappeared…"
"You ARE mad!" Daxter was quick to agree with Jam.
"Really?" Jak cocked a brow, "And what did he look like, exactly?" Jak then moved his curled index finger to his mouth. "Because there aren't many other young men on this island besides us."
"I don't care…" Kat then looked to the sky with hopeful eyes, "I know I saw him."
Jak felt a small amount of hurt within him. How could this be? A mystery man on the island? The small hurt in his chest began to grow the more his mind stayed on the subject. Could this possibly be jealousy? How could Jak feel so protective of a girl he had only known for days? This connection, this bond had to be something more. The underlining of something greater.
"So my Father did know Samos in any event." Jam sneered as she looked to one side.
"So where is your Father?"
Jam and Kat's eyes snapped open to the sound of the Sage's voice. The two girls looked upward to see the great Sage standing behind Keira, Jak and Daxter. He looked on at the new girls with wise eyes.
"Daddy!" Keira exclaimed in glee.
"So I see you two girls have settled in well?" He spoke in a peaceful voice as he hovered closer toward the girls.
"That's Samos…?" Kat whispered into her elder sister's ear.
"I suppose so…" Jam gulped, feeling the pressure of Samos' authority.
"Wait!" Daxter hopped between the girls and Samos, "I thought you two said you KNEW 'Ol Greeny here!" He then pointed his finger in an accusing manner, "Are you FIBBING?"
The girls stood straight up. Their faces went pale as they looked at one another; they both were at a loss for words. Jak knew it! There had to be something more to this circumstance.
"No, no," Samos waved one hand much to everyone's surprise. "I know these girls well. They just might not remember me. We haven't seen one another in quite awhile."
"Y-yeah!" Jam nodded and then glared at the teens, "See? Who's fibbing?"
"This still seems strange…" Keira narrowed her eyes at the girls, feeling cautious. "Are you sure, Daddy?"
"Yes, Keira." Samos reassured the group, "Their Father and I were very good friends at one point. Don't worry there's no threat here."
"Yes…" Jam lowered her head, "Don't worry about us…"
"Jam?" Kat peeped in confusion.
"Now, now!" Samos clapped his hands together, gathering the teen's attention. "Jak, Daxter!" The two boys looked on, "We have business! It looks like we are now able to enter into the Blue Sage's village."
"Oh yeah!" Keira squealed, "I was able to use those Powercells you gathered to perfect that Zoomer. You two can now access the Wrap Gate so we can continue on our quest!"
"YES!" Daxter gripped his fists and jumped up and down, "Only DAYS now until I'm my beautiful self again!"
"We should head off first thing in the morning then." Jak added feeling anxious now about the journey into the Blue Sage's village.
"You two will be alright here in Sandover by yourselves?" Samos questioned as he looked at the two girls, one eyebrow cocked upward. "Right?"
Jam was quick to clear her throat, "Yes, perfect."
"Now, feel free to make yourselves at home, all right girls?" He continued as he turned away from the group.
"HEY!" Daxter yelped, "Why are you being all sweet to them! You're usually cranky when it comes to giving us orders, old man!" Daxter stamped one orange foot against the ground.
"DAXTER!" Samos hollered. "Just get back home so you can rest up for tomorrow, leave these girls be!"
Jak and Keira looked to one another as if one were to answer the other's question. Everything in this moment was quite odd and puzzling. But it was clear that they could not be of any danger if Samos felt safe. He of all Sages was the wisest; they could nothing more than to trust his better judgment.
And with that the group said good-bye and good night to one another. It was time to turn in for the night. They had a big event coming their way. They were to travel farther from home then they ever had before. It was time to take their adventure to the next level; it was time for their real quest to begin. And that quest was to begin at sunrise.
Act End.