Sorry for taking so long to get this chapter out! It just stood on my desktop forever, waiting to be revised. BUT, I hope it was worth it, so please enjoy!
Kalas managed to arrive back in camp just as the rest of the group was getting up. The flight home had been spent mostly in silence, with Kalas wondering just how in the world he was going to get those feathers and hair. Talis's silence hadn't helped much either. He snapped out of his thoughts as Xelha came up and greeted him.
"Ah, Kalas! You're back," she said, sounding pleased, "did everything go okay?"
"Uh, yeah...everything's good." Kalas lied. Just looking at Xelha brought up the question of how he was gonna get a feather, or whatever was on her wings, from her.
"Well, if that's the case, then why don't you come and get some breakfast? We've got some more walking to do after this." Gibari came up to them holding a slice of toast.
"Don't worry, it came from the camp magnus, so it's safe to eat." Savyna commented.
"Hey, are you implying that I'm a bad cook! I'll have you know that I'm well-known in Nashira for my cooking skills!" Gibari shot back. Savyna just shrugged lightly and walked away.
"Man, you two act like an old married couple." Kalas teased, and Xelha giggled slightly as Gibari's face turned slightly red.
"Well, she's the one that started it, anyway."
The group had only been on the road for a couple of minutes when they were suddenly attacked.
"Kalas, think you can fight today?" Lyude asked as they prepared themselves.
"Yeah, don't worry about me." Kalas replied, releasing his wings. This time though, he was prepared. Instead of reaching for his deck, Kalas drew out his sword. He had to trouble in eliminating the monsters and the battle was quickly won.
"Nice job, Kalas," Gibari complemented him, "guess yesterday was just a bad day, huh?"
"Uh, yeah. But I'm back in the swing again now." Kalas replied, trying not to star at Gibari's giant...sea star wings.
'Wow, you're gonna have one helluva time getting of those scales off.' Talis commented. Kalas sighed. The cure just had to be something near impossible. "Well, no use in worrying about it. We'll think of something."
There were several more battles, but with his sword at the ready, Kalas had no trouble. It was almost noon by the time Talis came up with a plan.
'Hey, I've got an idea. Why don't you go up to Xelha after the battle and just talk to her. Keep her distracted while you nab a feather.' Talis suggested. Kalas dodged a blow and shoved his sword neatly into the beast. "That's really vague, you know? What, I'm just supposed to walk up and start talking?"
'Don't worry, I'll guide you. Quick, go over now before she puts her wings away!' Talis made Kalas walk over quickly.
"Hm? Oh, Kalas. Is everything okay?" Xelha looked up as Kalas came stumbling over.
"Oh, uh, err, nothing really...just wondering how you were doing?" Kalas finished lamely. He could hear Talis groan in the back of his head, but he ignored it. Hey, talking to girls wasn't his strong point!
"I'm fine, thanks for asking. How about you?" Xelha inquired. Good, she didn't seem to be folding her wings away just yet. Kalas slowly sneaked his right hand toward her lower wing.
"Uh, I'm fine. I kinda want to work on my swordsmanship right now. Gotta keep practicing, you know." he explained, hoping she wouldn't notice anything.
"Well, you seem to be getting better. I'm sure we won't have anything to worry about with you around." Xelha smiled, then started folding up her wings.
Kalas froze. "No!" he shouted. Xelha looked a bit stunned. "What, what is it?" she asked anxiously.
"Uh, I...just...I mean, don't fold your wings away...not yet." he said.
"Hmm? Why?"
"Uh...you look prettier with them." Talis smoothly talked through him, not being able to take Kalas's awkward sentences any longer. Xelha immediately flushed, but looked pleased. Kalas, on the other hand was too busy panicking about yanking off a feather. Fortunately, Xelha turned to the side, and he quickly plucked a small feather off her wing. It was slightly sticking up, so Xelha didn't notice anything.
"Well, if you like it, I guess I'll leave them out." she said quietly, the smile still gracing her face. Kalas couldn't think of anything to say, but managed a smile.
'Mission accomplished!' Talis congratulated once Xelha left. Kalas looked at the small feather in his hand. It was a shimmery pink, and very smooth. He put it carefully into his pocket. There was no way he was going through that again.
"You know, next time, warn me before you're gonna talk through me!" Kalas told his spirit.
'Well, forgive me, but you were gonna screw it up if I had let you continue any longer.' Talis replied, causing a scowl on Kalas's face.
"Yeah, well I'd like to see you try the next time!"
'Maybe I will. Maybe I will...'
It wasn't until their noon break did Kalas find out that Talis wasn't joking.
"Hey Lyude, can I talk to you for a moment?" Kalas was surprised to hear his mouth moving.
"Sure, Kalas. What is it?" Kalas panicked as Lyude turned to face him.
"I was wondering if you knew what kind of tree that was? Talis wants to know." Kalas pointed to a giant blue-leafed tree behind them. Lyude turned around, "Oh, that. I believe it's a Naaf tree. They're quite common in Alfard as well."
"Oh...thanks." Kalas hadn't figured on Lyude answering so quick. He hadn't even had time to try and grasp one of the strands of ruby-red hair. Fortunately, Talis came to rescue again.
'Well, what about that animal in those branches?'
"Hmm? Which one?"
'It's in those branches over there. By that cluster of leaves.' Talis directed Lyude's attention to a small, furry creature hidden behind some leaves.
"I think I see it..." Lyude craned his neck to get a better view. He turned his head enough for Kalas to quickly yank out a strand of his hair.
"I think it's a-ouch!" Lyude jumped as he felt a stinging sensation on the back of his head.
"Is everything okay?" Kalas asked, clutching the strand of hair tightly behind his back.
"Um, yes, I'm fine. I guess my hair got snagged by one of those branches here," Lyude replied, glancing up at the low-hanging branches above their heads, "anyway, it's a squirrel, I believe." He finished, still rubbing his head a bit.
'Well, thanks for your help, Lyude. Sorry to call you over like this.' Talis said, releasing the hold over Kalas.
"No problem. I'll be glad to help you with anything."
"Yeah, thanks Lyude." Kalas said slowly as he felt Talis's hold fade away. He was just about to rejoice when the squirrel leapt down from the branches and snatched the ruby strand away.
"What the-GET BACK HERE!" Kalas took off after the squirrel, determined to make it pay. Lyude blinked as he watched Kalas hunt down the squirrel.
"Ya! Gotcha!" Kalas snatched the squirrel by it's tail and yanked the strand of hair from its grubby little paws. "You thought you could get away from me, did you?" Kalas's eye gleamed. He was just about to give that squirrel a piece of his mind when Xelha suddenly appeared.
"Kalas! What do you think you're doing to that poor thing?" Kalas froze, just as he was about to draw his blade. The frightened squirrel quickly took this opportunity to escape.
"I, uh, it took something from me!" Kalas quickly defended himself.
Xelha frowned, but accepted it, "Well, next time try not to be so violent, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah..." Kalas decided that he officially hated squirrels now.
'Well, we're halfway there! Just two more to go!' Talis said joyfully after Xelha had left.
"I can't wait for this whole incident to be over." Kalas muttered darkly. It was only by pure luck and some quick thinking on Talis's part that he had managed so far. But who knew if they'd be as successful later on? Especially Savyna. Kalas winced. How in the world was he going to pluck a tail feather from a woman who greeted her enemies with a line like, "Here's your first-class ticket to hell!"?
'Don't worry Kalas. I'm sure we'll be able to think of something!' Talis said. 'Maybe we can use her interactions with Gibari to our advantage...'
"How? There's no way I'm telling Gibari!" Kalas protested.
'No, we don't need to tell him. I'll think of something.'
"I sure hope you know what you're doing."
"Hey, Savyna?"
"Yes?"
"You think Kalas is okay?"
"He looks okay. Maybe a little quiet."
"I wonder what he went back to Reverence for?"
"It's none of our business. If he wants to, he'll tell us. Don't be a busybody."
"Right, you always are."
"You're not too bad yourself."
"Well, I guess you're right. We should get going. Care to walk with this 'busybody'?" Gibari offered his arm in mock ceremony. Amused, Savyna accepted.
I tried to put in more interactions between the characters to keep the story amusing, instead always being so plot-driven. I hope I did a good job? Thanks to my beta all who reviewed!