Krolia wondered over to the kitchen trying to guess what Kai was cooking because whatever it was smelled really good. Octfi trailed behind her never wanting to be that far from her owner unless told that she couldn't. It had been officially three months since Krolia had come to live at Kai's house and she was at this point beginning to delve into learning about the culture that surrounded her as well as beginning to search for the lion that was somewhere around the area. Upon entering the kitchen Krolia discovered that there were already several pies on the table and Kai was pulling two more out of the oven. "What are all of these for?" She asked puzzled at what he wanted all of them for.

"It's for a holiday we call Thanksgiving, remember I told you about it last week." Kai replied sticking two more into the oven.

"Oh right, but I thought we would be eating more than just pie."

"We are, these are for the family dinner we're having with my family and my best friend's family."

"I thought I had to stay hidden." Krolia shivered a little at the idea of being studied by scientists.

"You do, I have a plan to get you there safely and don't worry no one there will sell you out." Sensing that Krolia was getting nervous Octfi nuzzled her leg to comfort her. Picking her puppy up to cuddle with, Krolia went to the living room to try to process this new information. She was going to be able meet more people and see more of what earth had to offer, it was exciting but at the same time it was also a little scary. After all Kai's family could betray him and try to bring her to the authorities.

Noticing that Kai had left a photo album out Krolia picked it up and began leafing through it until she came to some pictures that caught her attention. They each showed a group of teenage boys each holding a fishing pole in one hand and a fish in the other. Krolia smiled as she looked at them, it was apparent they were close and were having fun. Written below each photo was a little comment, date and the names of the boys.

As she continued to look through the album, Krolia's worries faded as she was able to see what kind of people his friends and family were through the moments captured in the photos. But Krolia also began to yearn for her family again, when she was painfully reminded that Octfi was the only real family she had with her on earth by seeing a recent family photo that was taken only a month ago.

Just as she was about to put the album back where she had found it, Krolia noticed a note that had been under the album before she had picked it up. Grabbing the note and setting the album down, she looked at it and gave a little surprised gasp when she saw what it said: Would you like to go and have a little picnic with me as a date? Because I know I would love it and I think you would too. Sensing that something was happening Octfi jumped off her lap and barked as if to say "Well what are you waiting around for? Let's go!" Krolia rushed back to the kitchen, unsure if the note meant what she thought it did."Does this mean that you are asking me if I want to go out on a ewaka?" She asked as Octfi caught up with her.

"I don't know what that means." Kai replied hoping that it was what he thought it was.

"You know… what Josh asked Emma on in Air Bud World Pup."

"Oh, ok you mean a date so yes, I'm asking you out. You don't have to say yes if you don't want to?"

"I was afraid that you weren't asking me on one, so of course I want to go out with you on a date. When were you thinking?

"Once the last of the pies are done, we can go if you'd like." Krolia nodded eagerly, without quite knowing what made her so excited about it. Turning towards the stairs to return to her room, she tried to think of what she needed to do to get ready. After a bit of thinking Krolia decided that she didn't need to do anything, except maybe to put on the shoes that Kai had bought for her and she hadn't worn yet to show that she appreciated them. While Krolia didn't mind shoes and knew it was best to wear them at times, she liked being barefoot better as no one in her entire village had even owned a pair and they interfered with their ability to walk on wall.

0o0o0o0o

Kai laid the blanket on a grassy area where they had a good view of the nearby lake in a clearing of the forest. It was a nice spot and Krolia had enjoyed the hike up there. For the first time in months Krolia felt like she could be outside without having to worry about someone seeing her, because hardly anyone came out there due to a superstition about it. "Krolia, there's something I need to tell you." Kai said abruptly.

"What is it?" She asked sitting on the blanket next to him.

"This might be a little bit of a shock, but I'm not a normal human. I'm a fae, my people traveled through a portal on earth to another planet a long time ago. As time went on, we began to change as a result of our diet. We gained the ability to manifest wings, befriend and understand animals. One day some of us came back to earth and settled near the portal where we could still use our wings. Eventually some, like me, decided to move elsewhere on earth and that's the whole story as far as I know."

"Can you show me your wings?"

"Not right now, it's only possible in certain areas. But there are stories of some who learned how to do it anywhere, you'll see them when we go to the family gathering." As Kai turned to the basket to get out the food, Octfi ran off chasing a squirl coming back shortly after when it got away. They had a wonderful time chatting as they ate and then took a little stroll around the lake, as Kai told stories that the ancient alteans had passed on to their descendants who were still living on earth. Krolia was especially interested in the stories involving the blue lion being hidden under that very lake and moving to another place after saving earth from invaders. All in all, she hoped that they would have more moments like this as their relationship continued to develop.