Welcome to Gaia! ::

Hugging herself, she didn't insist. It was her fault...but she didn't want to have to explain. Didn't want to have to drag it all out again. She had already alienated both Chae and Nika, she didn't need to humiliate herself more than she already had.

Blinking back another threatened deluge, she kept walking. What the hell was wrong with her? She didn't always remember being this emotional. It never used to bother her when others...didn't understand. Why the waterworks all of a sudden and at the drop of a hat?

Pushing her way through the rough underbrush, she pushed her way in to the woods. She didn't want to go back to the garden now. It was too tame. She wanted the wild around her. And she wanted to not have to explain yet again to someone else why all of a sudden she felt like the floor had dropped out from under her. Maybe if she was alone long enough...it would stop hurting her so much to FEEL alone.

((Trivii since you are going to be gone...I am going to have Kasai say hi and bye to Sani...when you get back they can meet back up.))

Kasai smiles under his mask the sides of it upturning slightly. I am on my way home...just right over there. Kasai points to the house he lives in with Cin. You should stop by sometime. Turning Kasai pondered the new girl, and then he realized why he didn't quite like her. She had an affinity for water, this sent a chill down his spin. Shaking it off Kasai peered over at his guardian who appeared to be smoothing out some cement. Playing in the mud? He asks her grinning.

"I wish...get over here smarty. I am going to put you to work." Cin gestures to some boards laying beside the house. "We can start getting the base boards ready for the school."

Sighing Kasai grabs some boards and drags them over to his chosen, isn't there anything else we could do to help the colony that would be more interesting?

"Actually I have been thinking on that...and I may have something we could do. It will require daring though, and toughness." Cin grins as she says this waiting for Kasai's reaction.

I can help! I am tough and daring...what is it? Kasai's voice wavers slightly, unsure of what his chosen might be scheming.

Cin starts to explain and in the distance she sees something running, smiling she points up. See those Kasai, I think they could be used as pack animals...and help out around the colony. The trick is going to be catching one first.

Kasai turns to look at the horse-like creatures running and smiles, yeah he thinks that could be interesting.

Nika wandered through the forest, searching for something. He dropped stones behind him as he went to mark his path. It would be easy to find his way back to camp, as long as the stones weren't moved and he stuck to the path he was carefully weaving for himelf.

He had already passed a rather large lake, but that wouldn't do. The young man was searching for something smaller. Small and peaceful.

Pushing through a few low branches Nika suddenly stopped. He'd found it... It was the perfect place. He had the strangest feeling Shiva would like this place. Well... he hoped she would like it.

Now... how to get Shiva there?

((Assuming that the stone she kicked was a part of his path...))

After thoroughly looking over and checking to make sure the spot he had chosen for Shiva was safe Nika followed the stone path he'd created back to the camp. How was he going to get her to follow him? If she was still upset at him, there was a pretty good chance she wouldn't like to talk to him.

Nervous, he stepped out of the trees and into the camp.

Nika spotted Shiva almost instantly. He took a step towards her and then paused, his hands going clammy. Shiva had to have noticed him... why hadn't she said anything?

Perhaps she was angier then he'd thought. Nika cleared his throat and walked to her.

'Shiva...' he started, not sure what to say. Nervously, Nika clasped his hands behind his back and gently kicked at the ground.

Nika stiffened a little where he stood. She was so casual... too casual. How could she be so casual when he felt so awkward? It didn't make sense and seemed almost unfair.

He let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding.

'I wanted to show you something...' he gestured towards the forest, letting his voice trail off.

Nika nodded slowly, an unfamiliar feeling bubbling in his stomach. Was it guilt? Yes... he felt guilty. Why had he called her paranoid? She was only looking out for them. Always be prepared for the worst.

Nika ran a hand through his hair and tried to look Shiva in the eye.

'I've found something that I think you might like...'

Nika chuckled. It seemed fake and almost forced. He stopped.

'Yes, show you,' His eyes crinkled into an unsure smile. Was she trying to be difficult? No... Shiva wouldn't do something like that... Would she?

He looked her up and down, amused. 'You don't look that wet... Where did you sleep last night?'