I'd already stated on the chapter previous that there was definitely going to be a second chapter, because I, wrote far too much, (and it was definitely meant to be somewhat shorter) and here we are. It's definitely a habit of mine that needs working on to be honest. The first chapter got that long, that I had to move everything else onto a second chapter, and actually I don't mind doing so, considering I'm quite invested in Tala and Kai. Hopefully it's just as good as the first chapter was, but I'll never know until I get your thoughts, so if you have time, I hope you won't mind reviewing and just letting me know what you think! If this goes well, I might even consider writing more of Kai and Tala, considering this is a pair that I am constantly interested in discovering more of.
So this chapter is going to be more of a flashback chapter, so it focuses on what Tala mentioned during Kai's fight against Rei. It will focus on the fact that Tala followed after Kai to discover what he was doing, and it might get split into two separate chapters, (again) depending on how I feel about this chapter. But you should all know me by now I'm a stickler for drawing on peoples emotions and their feelings and discovering why they do things! I suppose, what you could say, is that this is somewhat a backdrop for my first chapter. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it my loves! - Ellis.
"No one's going to question what he's up to?" Bryan would utter, on numerous occasion, in fact, it was probably his favoured thing to say once Kai left, so much so, that Tala often made it into a game to see who could say it before the other. "Not that I really care where he's going, or what he's doing, but he really kills the mood, you know?" True, to some extent. There was an air about Kai that nestled around him, it was something that brought a peculiar chill to your spine, one that made you question whether he was in fact, real, or a mere figment of your imagination. Kai was genuinely someone who made you look at yourself twice within the mirror, or made you fuss unconsciously with your hair, because you wasn't all too sure if he was silently judging you amongst that crimson stare of his, or if he was generally just looking at you. He's the sort of person who made you question if you were holding your launcher properly, and he didn't even need to say anything. In fact, Kai didn't even need to be within the same room to make someone question their usual schedule. Truth be told, Kai didn't actually care what others did, or how they did it, each to their own, he'd suppose - just as long as they didn't get in his way. In the end, Tala supposes it might not necessarily be Kai's fault for the air in which he provides, never mind the way in which he carries himself. Their backgrounds are somewhat similar, chosen experiments from a young age in aid of fulfilling Boris' calculating plan, and he supposes that in reality, Kai never really let go of what he had been a part of, and to an extent, neither had Tala. And now Tala's making excuses for Kai's behaviour, and he shouldn't be doing that. No really. Not when he notices how Kai's attitudes makes Spencer sit straighter than he's ever sat before. Not when he notes the way that Bryan physically has to bite his tongue in order to refrain himself from saying something that might offend Kai. Which is unusual, because Bryan doesn't care what he says, and he's certainly never cared for whether it offends someone or not. Then again, Tala doesn't even want to warrant thinking about what it would take to break Kai's mould, nor just how far Bryan would have to push Kai in order to seek a reaction.
You see, Kai is like the sea. He's calm but broad, truth be told, he's mysterious like the sea. He seems pleasant at first glance, easily drifting amongst other people for the sake of it, but the closer to which you get, then you understand just how cold he is. Just like the sea, Kai can turn - Tala's witnessed it within his battles. Kai's abrupt and overpowering. A once natural state becomes a catastrophe of the unknown, and the next thing you know, Kai is drowning you.
"He does what he wants anyway. Kid's got a bad attitude." Spencer speaks next, and Tala is drawn the mental silence that he had created when he had retreated to folding his arms back against himself. He barely hums a response, but does so anyway to show Spencer that he was listening - or at least, claim that he had been listening. Frankly, Tala hadn't been listening, and had zoned out shortly after the door to the base had been closed. He'd always been curious about what exactly does Kai get up to when he leaves, it's almost enough to leave Tala insecure that perhaps the Blitzkrieg Boys aren't enough for Kai, and perhaps they never were. He sighs momentarily and finds that he's straightening back up, arms lowered from his chest, with hands that momentarily meet within the heat between his thighs. He supposes that someone has to find out what Kai has been up too. He's become accustomed to Kai's shifty behaviour, and before now, never really felt the need to go after him. At this point, Tala can't tell if his insecurities have got the better of him, and that Kai is simply playing him for a sap, or if he's generally concerned that Kai might have gotten himself into some sort of bother.
"Someone has to find out what he's doing." Tala finally muses, and he earns himself a side glance from Spencer, who actually looks like he's agreeing with Tala, but he's also not offering himself at tribute. Bryan on the other hand remains in his previous position, with legs thrown idly over Spencer's lap, and hands still supporting his head, although by now, he's canted his head further to get a good look at Tala.
"You're pulling at my ripcord, right?" That's when Tala realises, that whilst Kai might have the respect from Spencer and Bryan in terms of his blading skills, what he's capable of, and for that matter, what he could soon be capable of - neither of them actually care enough to see if he's okay. He supposes that they're simply putting up with him, until he can be discarded; when they win the finals. Tala probably could have gotten to the finals with Spencer, and maybe Bryan, but then Bryan's temper is almost as hot as Kai's Dranzer, and he'd hate to be disqualified, because Bryan reduced himself to a toddlers tantrum. With Kai, on the other hand, he has no fear of disqualification, Kai will carry the team to the final, because, in truth, he knows that, that is where the pair of them are destined to be. Either way, Bryan's contribution has earned himself a look from Tala, which Tala hadn't noticed that he'd even given, until Bryan had turned way, and had moved back into his previous position. No, he isn't pulling at anyone's ripcord, but he might actually consider it, if someone doesn't get himself together.
"No. I'm serious." Now how do you cover up the fact that you're actually concerned for someone, without saying that you generally concerned as to whether he's okay or not? There are many of scenarios that Tala imagines that Kai could be in. He's not the easiest of guys to work with, Tala has got first hand experience, so he'd imagine that Kai's obnoxious silence and bitter arrogance had to be enough to rub someone up the wrong way. Of course his mind is working over time, and Tala also realises that Kai actually doesn't have time nor any degree of interest in checking to see if someone was bothered by something he had done, never mind concern himself with the issue. He'll settle for Kai simply being up to something, perhaps he's wanting to perfect a move, or perfect something, anyway. Then again, he can't imagine that Kai has a lot to perfect, he knows that Kai is powerful and unpredictable, and takes his training extremely serious, and perhaps, he's more emotionally driven than anyone else Tala has ever come into contact with. 'How could I even think that? But it does come as second nature, after all.' Now he's imagining that Kai is no more than a machine, a robot that was hand crafted by Boris himself, - that's ridiculous. "You know he's been secretive lately."
"Kai is always secretive, Tala. I don't think it's much of a news story now." Bryan comments, opening one eye to see what look has earned off of Tala this time. Not much of one really, so either Tala had opted out of listening to Bryan, or Tala had realised just how right Bryan actually was. Which for the record, Bryan believed himself to be right the majority of the time, of course Spencer would argue otherwise.
"No, more secretive than usual. We all know he's secretive anyway, and up until now, I've given him space and we've respected his privacy. Now he's spending even less time at base, and more time away from here. I have to do something." It was inevitable, Tala had already known when he'd met up with Kai that it could be a matter of time before Kai created distance amongst himself and his teammates. He knew that it would be inevitable that Kai would disappear and do as he pleases, because apparently Kai has a schedule where he disappears for so long, and then resurfaces just when you think you've gotten rid of him. He knew that Kai had always been the lone wolf, the boy who preferred his own company, and mentally scorned anyone that seemed to attempt to say the word 'team' around him, but this was something else. This was something that Tala couldn't get his head around, and truth be told, it made him uncomfortable. He's the team captain after all, doesn't he have to know what everyone is doing, what they're thinking, feeling... 'Now I just feel like Boris.' What a disgusting thought. Tala might come across as hard on his teammates, but never to the extent of drilling doubt into their minds, or providing them with a one track mind, that is heavily plagued on the idea of being a lone wolf. Tala is not that sort of person, he imagines he's nicer, at least. Not the friendliest, nor is he the sort to willingly hold a conversation, but he isn't Boris.
"And what are you going to do when you do find him? Lock him in his room until match day, or throw him off the team... You know you can do that right? That's always an option." Bryan states, and true. Tala could threaten to throw Kai off of the team, in fact, he could even just discard of him now, if he wanted too, but that's childish. Awfully childish, and it doesn't surprise Tala within the slightest that it was initially Bryan that thought of it. He knows that he could throw Kai off of the team, but he also knows that Kai is one with his body language, and knows how to cover how he is feeling. It wouldn't surprise him if he earned a shrug, and nothing else got said, and if he really wanted to get under Kai's skin and seek a reaction - apparently that isn't the way to do it. He wouldn't throw him off of the team anyway, that'd be a dick move, and childish, and imagine what spectators would have to say, 'Russian team Captain Tala kicks Kai off of the team' - probably because Tala wasn't in the spotlight, not like Kai was.
Truth is, Tala wouldn't throw Kai off of the team not only, because yes, he needed him, but because, despite the fact that Kai might not be the warmest of individuals, he's Tala's teammate. Kai is Tala's friend, and you don't turn your back on your friends, and you certainly don't crush what hopes they have of getting to final, just because you didn't get your way. Not to mention that Tala wouldn't be able to look Kai in the face ever again if he even contemplated turning his back on Kai. 'He's my friend. Not my best friend, but I don't leave friends behind.' He doesn't say anything else, he's figured that he's left himself silent for long enough that he doesn't require an answer, either that, or Bryan had switched off a while ago, or simply chose not to acknowledge Tala's silence. Nonetheless, Tala is turning away and heading for the door.