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Post by Koedi on Jun 10, 2008 19:45:27 GMT -5
Not saying another word, I stomped off to the sound of Denaik's voice, grabbing Koda by the scruff of the neck along the way. Koda was equally as silent as I, but only because now didn't seem like the time to talk.
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Post by Epesi on Jun 10, 2008 20:52:09 GMT -5
Nita watches bitterly as he storms off, feeling an uncomfortable mixture of unresolved anger and regret. There's a painful tightening in her throat and a stinging in her eyes, but she ignores them, setting her jaw and marching along far behind Kenai.
What a mess...she split up their little group, leaving their guests behind, and now everyone's in a worse mood than before. She knows this part is her fault, which is difficult to bear. However, she was only trying to patch up the situation that Kenai created in the first place. Perhaps when they're both in a better mood, she can try again.
---
Footpad can see someone coming now -- at first it looks like just one, which worries him, but as it gets closer he can see that it's Kenai, carrying Koda by the scruff. He looks angry, which almost makes Footpad consider staying up in this tree and forgetting about giving the bear a piece of his mind. As it is, he's going to watch and wait a while longer to see what develops before he makes himself known.
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Post by Koedi on Jun 10, 2008 21:39:48 GMT -5
"I don't see them anywhere..." I said to Kirchy. I sat down. "Great. Now we're lost." I sigh, but moments later I see Kenai, with Koda in his mouth, walk through the bushes.
"Hey! So where have you guys..." I trailed off because Kenai did not look like he was in the mood for any questions. "Ya..." I clear my throat.
"So this is Kirchy. She wants to travel with us to the salmon run." I push Kirchy forward with my paw, hoping to take the spotlight off of me.
Kenai doesn't give a second glance to Kirchy as he continues on his way back out of the woods.
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Post by Epesi on Jun 11, 2008 8:18:38 GMT -5
Nita appears a few moments later, not looking anywhere near Kenai and only looking indirectly at Denaik. With a sigh, she begins a prepared speech without much feeling. "I'm sorry, Denaik, I didn't mean to leave you behind. It was my fault..."
She trails off suddenly, looking surprised -- she's just noticed Kirchy. She didn't hear Denaik's introduction a moment ago. "Oh, hello. Who are you?"
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Post by Kirchy on Jun 11, 2008 12:25:51 GMT -5
Kirchy grins at Kenai. But when he ignores her, her smile fades. She looks up at Nita as she addresses her. "My name's Kirchy," she said. "I'm on the way to the salmon run too, so Denaik said I can travel with you guys." She gave a small smile.
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Post by Koedi on Jun 11, 2008 12:49:15 GMT -5
"That is, if it's ok with you guys. You all are the boss." Denaik hurriedly inserted in, looking worriedly at Kenai. "Did I do something wrong again?"
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Post by Epesi on Jun 11, 2008 13:31:18 GMT -5
Nita smiles back at Kirchy, though halfheartedly. The cub could hardly have come at a worse time, but it's not her fault, and Nita doesn't want to make her feel unwelcome -- though she suspects Kenai saw to that already. "Pleased to meet you, Kirchy; I'm Nita."
Turning to Denaik, she says, "It's okay with me. Don't worry about Kenai -- you didn't do anything wrong."
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Post by Koedi on Jun 11, 2008 13:42:09 GMT -5
Denaik sighed, relieved that it Kenai's anger wasn't his fault.
"We should probably --" He was interrupted by Kenai, who yelled, "Are you guys coming or not?"
"-- get back..." He finished lamely, and walked back to the path by the stream.
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Post by Kirchy on Jun 11, 2008 13:54:18 GMT -5
Kirchy smiled slightly at Nita. She let out a sigh as she heard Kenai yell. She slowly padded behind Denaik.
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Post by Epesi on Jun 11, 2008 14:08:44 GMT -5
As they start to leave, Footpad decides he's been hiding long enough; he still has no idea what happened -- if anything he's more confused than before -- but he's not going to get any answers this way, and he doesn't want to get left behind again. He scrambles down the tree and hurries to catch up with the group.
"Anyone feel like telling me why I was dumped back there? Ya know, if you're tryin' to get rid of me, all you gotta do is say 'get out of here!' and I'll take the hint."
Nita is startled by the voice, but when she sees Footpad she feels another pang of guilt. She forgot about him -- she's not even sure where he was when she ran off. She looks at Denaik hopefully.
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Post by Koedi on Jun 11, 2008 18:12:04 GMT -5
"Oh, hi there...raccoon." I hesitated, having forgotten that I had left him back there. "When Kenai ran off after you, he left the raccoon with me, and, since he, the raccoon that is, was asleep, I gently put him on the ground and went to find you guys." I explained, and added a quick sorry to the offended raccoon.
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Post by Epesi on Jun 11, 2008 19:18:13 GMT -5
Footpad looks unimpressed. He might have more to say, but Nita speaks up first, head bowed in shame. She feels even worse knowing that this was her fault, too. "I'm sorry...er...Mr. Raccoon." She never caught his name, either. "So sorry. Don't blame Denaik; it's my fault."
The raccoon is a bit taken aback by her deep regret, not realizing that it's not all for him. He doesn't have the heart to press it any further. "Ah, well...don't worry about it," he mumbles.
Moving on, he turns to greet Kirchy. "Another one for the Salmon Run Express, eh? Welcome aboard, kid. Name's Footpad." He emphasizes the last part with a meaningful look at Nita and Denaik.
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Post by Koedi on Jun 11, 2008 19:34:31 GMT -5
"Let's GO." Kenai was starting to get angrier, and with a nod at the raccoon in recognition of his name, he rushed out to the clearing, coming to a halt in front of Kenai. Koda was on the rocks near the stream, following the fish.
"I'm ready." Denaik said.
"Finally..." He said in annoyance, walking off without bothering to wait on the others.
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Post by Kirchy on Jun 11, 2008 19:52:52 GMT -5
Kirchy smiled at Footpad. "Nice to meet you," she said. "I'm Kirchy." She turned her head as the others said it was time to go. "Ok, alright." She followed after Kenai. She sighed as she shook her head. What was with that bear?
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Post by Epesi on Jun 11, 2008 20:20:28 GMT -5
Footpad scurries along, wincing at the anger in Kenai's voice. What's he so steamed about? He's not about to ask for another ride while Kenai's in this mood. Anyway, after getting left behind, the raccoon has resolved to walk the rest of the way, tired as he is.
Nita brings up the rear this time, scowling. The way Kenai is acting would be bad enough if it was just the three of them, but in front of guests it is humiliating. She doesn't plan on saying a word to him until he's remembered how to be civil -- perhaps longer if she hasn't calmed down herself by then. Walking in silence, she replays their argument in her mind. It hurts to think she must help him keep secrets from nice people like Tug, and that she can't speak freely about their past. Worst of all, it hurts to think that Kenai might be keeping secrets from her, too.
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