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 Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:30 pm
Dari showered quickly, not wanting to use too much water, and then came out fully clothed to say hello to the kitten. He sat on the rug cross-legged and held his hand out, making soft kissing noises to try and lute it over.
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:41 pm
The kitten ran right over to Dari, bottle brush tail sticking straight up in the air. It stared at him for a moment before bouncing into his lap and batting at his hand. It was purring enough that the little thing was trembling.
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:45 pm
Dari waggled his fingers to play with the kitten and pet its soft fur. It was hard to imagine that Peaches had ever been this tiny! He played with it a short while before scritching it between the ears and standing.
"Alright, I'm ready to go."
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:56 pm
"You like cats?" The woman was surprised. She smiled at Dari. "His name's Tiger," she added. "He doesn't come to it yet."
Oh, he was ready? "Where would you like to go?" She asked.
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:13 pm
"I do. I like most animals, but we have a cat at home. A big orange one. Peaches." Did Peaches miss him too?
"No, no, it's up to you. I insist. I also happen to like most food." He had no money and didn't want to suggest something that alluded to a higher-priced restaurant. Even fast food would be fine by him, although it certainly would dwarf in comparison to Toby's cooking. He couldn't wait for some of that again.
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:19 pm
The woman took Dari out to an Italian place and ordered two plates of spaghetti before Dari could object. She ordered bread sticks and side salads, too. Who knew if that ghost had simply kept Dari from starving out of spite.
"I can't imagine how your family must be feeling now," she said, glancing over her glass of water at him. "But I'm sure they'll be so happy to see you."
After dinner, she asked for directions to the motel. "I'll wait with you," she offered.
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:28 pm
Dinner was incredibly satisfying. It was his first meal since it all had gone on and it was a large and delicious one. Yes, he would have to send this woman something in thanks.
He happily chatted with the clerk and appreciated the drive in.
"Oh, you don't have to do that," he assured her, "The ride was enough. They shouldn't be long now anyway."
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:41 pm
"You're sure?" She asked, hesitantly. "What if you need a ride to Walmart or something?" She offered him her phone. "Why don't you call that fiancée of yours?" She asked. "Tell her you're okay! Or is she coming? Do you want to surprise her?" How cute! But the poor woman was probably worried sick...
"You should call her," she said again.
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 5:53 pm
"I'm sure. I'll work my charm on the receptionist," he teased. Dari wasn't really sure he had all that much charm, but he could try. Dinner had taken long enough anyway that he wouldn't really have to worry about waiting too long.
"Ah..." he said then, "Under the circumstances, I think it might be better if I see him in person first. The phone might be a bit much, and then it's a long way home."
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:22 pm
The clerk looked concerned, but didn't seem at all bothered that he referred to his fiancée as him. She sat beside him and took her phone, opening up a game app and offering it to him.
"Do you go travel often?" She asked. "I'm sure he's missing you."
It was at least an hour before she decided to head out. "I better head home," she said. "Take care of yourself, and try to avoid ghosts from now on."
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:28 pm
"Somewhat often. It's a part of the job." He took the game and played it out of politeness, now and again handing it back to the woman for her to try. He was grateful for her company even if he didn't really need it, but understood well when she had to leave.
"Well that's a part of the job too," he said with a smile, "Have a good evening!"
It wasn't fifteen minutes later when the doors slid open and Toby stood there in his civilian clothes, staring. Maia stood beside him. Dari's brow furrowed, then he stood and grinned. Oh, how he'd missed them!
Toby rushed the distance between them and threw his arms around Dari. He could not fight the tears of relief and joy that came, even knowing that this could be some sort of mimicing spirit.
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:40 pm
Maia took one look at Dari and ran over to hug the both of them. It was him. It had to be. A military ghost couldn't have come this far to meet them. He was alright! He was here!
"What took you so long?" She asked through her tears, wrapping an arm around Toby as well. "We thought you were dead!"
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:45 pm
The trio hugged in the lobby. Dari wrapped an arm around each of them and closed his eyes. Oh, the warmth. The love. He had missed it so.
"No, I'm not dead. I was never dead," Dari assured them. "Can we go home? Please. We can talk about it in the car."
Toby huffed and kissed Dari's cheekbone. He hid his tears in Dari's embrace for a bit but finally got himself under control and stepped back.
"You never had to do that. Please don't ever do that again."
"I had a plan," Dari said.
"It was a long plan..."
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 7:11 pm
"You can explain the car," Maia suggested. Never dead? Then...why hadn't he contacted them before now? "How about 'Never scare us like that again!'?" She suggested. She took Dari's hand and led him outside.
"It won't be too long before we're home," she promised. Just an airplane away!
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 7:22 pm
Dari nodded and began to exit the lobby. He hadn't allowed himself to think of how much he missed home, but with it so close now his heart ached.
"Hopefully it'll never happen again," he said, which was admittedly noncommittal but true all the same. The got to the car in the parking lot and he slid inside, sighing.
"Well?" Toby asked.
"I knew I could survive the blast, so I took the brunt of it rather than you losing a limb," Dari said. The words came like an uncontrolled waterfall. "I pushed the necessities into my arm and let it drop. The blast didn't do much to it. So I took my rings and went underground and just started eating. I have to admit that I did some things I may not be proud of, but when I could be whole again I was able to scrounge together some money. I got some clothes from the prison."
"Prison?!"
"I spent a night there. Public nudity and all."
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