Whoo! First chapter of the New Year! Now I'll be listing first everythings for a while like I always do until I get bored, tired, or forget. I think New Years should include a newly included character don't you think?
My thoughts laid scattered in my mind up until seven when I woke up Dave. He left to take a shower and then I took one after him. Dave put on his Kick-Ass attire while I returned to wearing my suit; then we left to start my integration back into human society. Like before, everyone stared as I passed. Dave waved and even stopped to talk while I looked around. I opted to stay quiet and just familiarize myself with the surroundings I already knew but now saw in a different stand point.
I felt that I shouldn't talk to anyone unless I was spoken to, that way they could come to me on their own and I wouldn't seem like a threat. I was determined to show them that I had control; that I was every bit as like-minded as them; that I could be trusted and an individual they didn't have to fear. Dave took me with him to see the captain after our walk. When we got there, the captain gave me a dirty look. I fought to hold back a sneer.
"What do you need?" the captain asked Kick-Ass. I noted the slight hostility in his tone.
"We have to head for land soon. We must track down the remaining rogues before they get out of hand," he answered. The captain raised his eyebrows.
"I've heard of this from a few newcomers but I didn't think we would actually do it. Do you think it's possible?" he asked. Kick-Ass nodded.
"With the help of the newcomers I think we will be able to find most of them. If anyone wants to volunteer they can but Hit-Girl and I are ready to go alone. Whatever it takes to exterminate them," Kick-Ass responded. The captain glanced at me again.
"Take a picture, it lasts longer," I commented with crossed arms. The captain was momentarily shocked before he glared. Kick-Ass looked at me pointedly and shook his head in warning. I knew I wasn't helping but my attitude got the best of me.
"What?" I asked. He sighed before turning back to the captain.
"I'll come back with information on the whereabouts of the rogues," he said. The captain nodded and went back to steering. Kick-Ass grabbed my arm with a frown and led me out. When we were alone in the hall he turned on me.
"Try to be a little considerate. I know having a strong…opinion is your thing but it isn't helping the situation. You can't be intimidating right now," he reminded me. I huffed out a breath and nodded.
"You're right. I'm sorry. Tough has always been my defense. I'll stay quiet if I feel like saying something unneeded," I said sincerely.
"Good, I'm hungry so let's head to the cafeteria. They should have something I can pick up and take to the room," he said. He walked off and I followed. The girl from before caught up with us as we walked; I sensed her coming before she even reached us but I said nothing. Kick-Ass did a double take when she appeared by his side.
"What are you doing here? Where are your mom and dad?" he questioned curiously.
"I'm exploring to kill time. They don't know I snuck away but if I told them where I was going they wouldn't have let me," she responded with a shrug. Her eyes momentarily found mine before she looked away. I smirked.
"Wanted to gawk at me like everyone else, don't you? Except, you aren't afraid like they are; I could sense that in you back when we met. You have courage that they don't quite want to dig up. Not many have helped our cause but the majority of the few that do end up dead. What's your deal? Are you trying to get on my good side? Do you have your own agenda or are you just curious?" I interrogated her; trying not to sound hostile. She laughed without humor.
"Don't kid yourself bloodsucker. I'm not here to force you to like me. I'm not a suck up; in the literal or metaphorical sense," she stated. I smiled at her morbid joke.
"I'm only here to study you. I believe that you are still you but something must have changed in your hardwiring and I want to know what," she continued.
"Big words coming from someone so small, but I can't guarantee you will like what you see. I may be me in every sense of the word but I am also…different. I can't deny certain things," I responded. I didn't like the small amount of unnerving tone present in my voice. Dave stayed quiet, no doubt listening intently to our little exchange without being intrusive.
"It doesn't matter what you've done or will do from now on. I want to understand," she persevered. An idea occurred to me but it must have registered on my face because Kick-Ass was immediately attuned to my actions.
"You sure you won't be put off by anything upsetting?" I asked nonchalantly while my stare pinned her in place. I made sure my smirk revealed fang and my gaze translated my constant yearning to quench my undying thirst. Her eyes widened momentarily before she steeled herself. I had to admit she had unwavering determination.
"You can't scare me away," she stuttered out. Kick-Ass glanced at me and frowned but said nothing. I knew it was his silent way of understanding I didn't want this girl following me around.
"You should; after all, you are food," I commented. I saw her shiver and her step faltered. She looked spooked this time but she remained firm. She was beginning to remind me of myself more and more. She stayed silent after that. We arrived at the cafeteria not too long later. The girl excused herself when we were about to enter.
"I'm going to get something too. Catch up with you guys later," she said. She pulled open the door but I stopped her before she could leave.
"Hey, what's your name?" I asked. She hesitated but answered any way.
"Sasha," she replied. I nodded.
"See you around Sasha," I responded.
"Get used to it," she shot back before leaving. The door swung shut behind her. Reluctantly, I found myself smiling.
"I like her," I confessed grudgingly, turning to Kick-Ass. He smiled too.
"Yeah, she's a lot like you. When you were gone, she had a knack of reminding me of you," he said quietly.
"Come on. Let's go get you something to eat," I said, dodging the emptiness brought to the conversation. He nodded and led the way inside. After breakfast we hurried over to see the newcomers. They were grouped at one part of the ship, possibly for comfort reasons but it could have been because they didn't know anyone besides each other or they were not assimilating as well to the others. After talking to the trainer, whose name was Demetrius, we secured a location where the coven would go to gather rogues. A few of them offered to go but I refused. I didn't want to lose our new additions.
"Kick-Ass and I will report back to the captain and take care of it ourselves," I told Demetrius. He nodded sagely.
"I understand, but you know where to find us if needed," he said. I paused at his choice of words and decided now was the best time to ask.
"Do you feel that you have to serve me or what? Because I hope you know I won't ask you to; any of you for that matter. I'm nothing like that heartless ass. You're your own people now," I reminded him and everyone present.
"I can't speak for everyone, but I think most feel that we owe you for freeing us," Demetrius spoke up with a small smile.
"No problem," I replied. I glanced at Kick-Ass before turning and walking back to the captain. Kick-Ass followed quietly. When we had to communicate, Kick-Ass took the lead with the people that know him best while I handled the newcomers because they felt I was still their leader in some sense. I liked how Dave and I knew this without asking. It was something we felt and understood. When we made it back to square one, Kick-Ass stopped me at the door.
"Wait outside while I talk to him. You know, to keep the mood light," he told me with a half assed smile. I knew that was his 'sorry to exclude you' smile. I shrugged and took a step back.
"Do what you have to do," I responded. Relief covered his expression. He pushed open the door and entered, shutting it behind him. I could hear the captain greet him happily before they started a conversation concerning locations and maps. I lost interest quickly in favor of a familiar scent drawing near. I smiled; knowing that Sasha had found us again.