Post by Kay-El on Mar 16, 2016 3:40:35 GMT
The pirates swatted at them but most couldn’t fly. Three could and two went after Nana while the leader went after Kay-El, probably thinking her the smaller, weaker foe. He could not be more mistaken. Even in the weights, she was a powerful force on the battlefield. And as a battle raged below in earnest, people fighting to keep what was theirs and the pirates fighting to take it, another raged in the air.
“You murdered and wounded my men,” he said, and the two began to circle each other like birds of prey do to a meal on the ground.
“I did what I had to...to survive,” she said and he hesitated just a little. Maybe it was her age, or her size, both tended to throw off potential opponents at times - and Kay always used it to her advantage. She used the time to build up strength, her Ki charging as he circled and circled, buying her time to charge her attack and then some.
He barreled towards her and she brought her hands up in a familiar gesture. Two fingers out, the tips met her temples and then her arms swept out in the grand gesture. And then, on a whim, she remembered something Uncle Sam told her once. ‘You’ll do great things one day if you just trust your instincts.’ Continuing to channel her Ki through her voice, she brought her arms forward, the ‘guns’ that were her hands pointing at the charging, human pirate coming toward her. Picturing shutting him down completely, her haunting tune rang out loud and clear, a tune to stalk you in your dreams.
The rhythm picked up to match her heart beat, speeding, running as she continued channeling her Ki through her voice. She’d never heard of anyone else that could do what she could and in some ways that was pretty cool. In others, it was just lonely.
In her mind she pictured severing him from using his limbs, his organs, shutting doors in his brain so he’d never be able to function in normal society again. In hindsight, she might have thought this evil, but now she just struggled to survive. Feet from her, he seized up, eyes staring blankly outward. And without any other sign of struggle he fell gracelessly from the sky.
Below, pirates scattered, recognizing the fall of their leader. The collected his body and ran, the desert scum fleeing with their - wait, they didn’t have tails, but if they did, they’d be between their cowardly legs.
Nana gave Kay-El a searching look the child didn’t understand, and then the two hugged, celebrating their victory. While Kay fought the leader, Nana freed the slaves and they’d come to the town with the caravan.
In the end, Kay felt at least some satisfaction at that small, happy ending. Perhaps they’d all need therapy for life, but at least they’d live a life of their choosing.
Several hours later they finally pulled into town. Children, adults, slaves - everyone somber and grim at surviving the encounter. Thankfully, they’d lost no one, only a few minor injuries treatable by a med pack Sashi had on site.
“You take care of yourself, songstress,” Naan said, patting Kay on the head and the girl savored the attention. It seemed unlikely she’d get much attention from anyone other than Nana for a while. Usually, that was okay with her, but now all these goodbyes to new friends felt so strangely sad. Used to being a loner back home, having people actually like her and want to talk to her made her miss the camaraderie of having, well, having friends. Sashi and Nigiri came next, and then the engineers and the other children she’d actually befriended. None of the ‘stiff club’ as she’d come to calling the ones who forbade their children from playing with her said a word. Then again, that was alright, they’d lent their adhesive when the going got tough.
The axle repair was done and then there was no one left as everyone went their separate ways.
Alone in their rented room in some Inn where they worked for their stay, Kay-El opened her present. The small parcel from Naan contained a wooden miniature figure of Kay-El, wings spread, and she looked fierce.
For no reason she could think of, Kay-El began to cry. Every tear that fell represented something she’d lost or left behind. Her home, ruined by fire. Her friends, abandoned or dead. The myriad of stars holding her father’s spirit, could he even see her all the way over here? Hearing her, Nana came in and held her, rocking her gently until she fell into blissful sleep.
“You murdered and wounded my men,” he said, and the two began to circle each other like birds of prey do to a meal on the ground.
“I did what I had to...to survive,” she said and he hesitated just a little. Maybe it was her age, or her size, both tended to throw off potential opponents at times - and Kay always used it to her advantage. She used the time to build up strength, her Ki charging as he circled and circled, buying her time to charge her attack and then some.
He barreled towards her and she brought her hands up in a familiar gesture. Two fingers out, the tips met her temples and then her arms swept out in the grand gesture. And then, on a whim, she remembered something Uncle Sam told her once. ‘You’ll do great things one day if you just trust your instincts.’ Continuing to channel her Ki through her voice, she brought her arms forward, the ‘guns’ that were her hands pointing at the charging, human pirate coming toward her. Picturing shutting him down completely, her haunting tune rang out loud and clear, a tune to stalk you in your dreams.
The rhythm picked up to match her heart beat, speeding, running as she continued channeling her Ki through her voice. She’d never heard of anyone else that could do what she could and in some ways that was pretty cool. In others, it was just lonely.
In her mind she pictured severing him from using his limbs, his organs, shutting doors in his brain so he’d never be able to function in normal society again. In hindsight, she might have thought this evil, but now she just struggled to survive. Feet from her, he seized up, eyes staring blankly outward. And without any other sign of struggle he fell gracelessly from the sky.
Below, pirates scattered, recognizing the fall of their leader. The collected his body and ran, the desert scum fleeing with their - wait, they didn’t have tails, but if they did, they’d be between their cowardly legs.
Nana gave Kay-El a searching look the child didn’t understand, and then the two hugged, celebrating their victory. While Kay fought the leader, Nana freed the slaves and they’d come to the town with the caravan.
In the end, Kay felt at least some satisfaction at that small, happy ending. Perhaps they’d all need therapy for life, but at least they’d live a life of their choosing.
Several hours later they finally pulled into town. Children, adults, slaves - everyone somber and grim at surviving the encounter. Thankfully, they’d lost no one, only a few minor injuries treatable by a med pack Sashi had on site.
“You take care of yourself, songstress,” Naan said, patting Kay on the head and the girl savored the attention. It seemed unlikely she’d get much attention from anyone other than Nana for a while. Usually, that was okay with her, but now all these goodbyes to new friends felt so strangely sad. Used to being a loner back home, having people actually like her and want to talk to her made her miss the camaraderie of having, well, having friends. Sashi and Nigiri came next, and then the engineers and the other children she’d actually befriended. None of the ‘stiff club’ as she’d come to calling the ones who forbade their children from playing with her said a word. Then again, that was alright, they’d lent their adhesive when the going got tough.
The axle repair was done and then there was no one left as everyone went their separate ways.
Alone in their rented room in some Inn where they worked for their stay, Kay-El opened her present. The small parcel from Naan contained a wooden miniature figure of Kay-El, wings spread, and she looked fierce.
For no reason she could think of, Kay-El began to cry. Every tear that fell represented something she’d lost or left behind. Her home, ruined by fire. Her friends, abandoned or dead. The myriad of stars holding her father’s spirit, could he even see her all the way over here? Hearing her, Nana came in and held her, rocking her gently until she fell into blissful sleep.
~*~//Flashback~*~
