Hiking Trip, Sam, Kes and Vlad!

[Vladimir_Draconovitch]

Whistling as he walked through the narrow passages of Tagaki's shop, Vladimir smiled happily, his life was planning out just as he had planned, he had Kes, he had a small bag of silver happily hanging from his belt (he thanked his luck for finding the kind hearted Justin who helped him out with his money issues), he had a long break from the Tu Xia Jiang patrol forces, a particularly promising day had dawned and he was here, in Tagaki's shop, rummaging through the items to find what he wanted.

Life is sweet.

The simple statement hung in the air around him, rebounding off the dusty walls and sending their harmonious blessings back to him. But...there was one thing...looking up into a backpack with shiny brass clippings, Vladimir looked at the scar that melted his face. Staring he once again cursed the Fire Nation and his own stupidity.

Shaking his head he sighed, brushing the clippings aside and pushing over a pile of shoes to uncover what he wanted, coughing from the dust he grabbed a thick walking staff and ran back to the front of the store,

Kes!!!

[KesQuest]

Kes was looking through some bags of dried nuts a berries. She was thinking of taking these with them. it would be something else to add to their meals and it would require her to have to go looking for edible plants, leaving Sam alone with Vlad.

Kes looks up as she hears Vlad call her name from across the cramped store. She stood up and grabbed a few bags then called out What is it? She could make out his head coming closer to her over the aisle but nothing else. Not for the first time she cursed her small stature.

[Vladimir_Draconovitch]

Pushing his way through the chaos of the shop, Vladimir hid the staff as well as possible behind him. Coming into view he realised how stupid he would look and sound and started to blush, stammering as usual,

Well, um, I know that you're other staff was hand crafted and very special. Um. I know that you're husband gave it to you, and I know that it was very expensive and perfectly balanced for you, um, and I know this is going to be stupid and probably unkind of me in one way or other. But, can you promise you won't be upset when I show you?

He bit his bottom lip, worried despite himself. His rough trousers and torn shirt that he wore as casual wear were covered in dust and his short hair was ruffled from the low ceilings in the store.

[KesQuest]

Kes looked up at Vlad with amusement in her eyes then frowned a slightly at the mention of her staff and who and given it to her.

Then she gets the idea that Vlad is trying to help her out with replacing it. She had been wanting to go look for one but hadn't had the time to go shopping till now. And didn't really think she was going to find what she needed anyway.

Kes sees that Vlad's bit his lip and thinks it's adorable and grins at him. And starts to bounce excitedly like a child. Now love I don't think you've ever been unkind to me. And why would I be upset about it?

Kes sees that his hand is behind his back and stretches her neck out to try to peek behind him.

[Vladimir_Draconovitch]

Vladimir takes a deep breath, readying himself for the shouting match of his life if this went wrong,

Ok...ok...look, we...we've been together a long time and, and I know I'll never be as great as Moshimi, but...well...I'm not trying to be. I'm trying to be me, and I thought...I thought you might like this,

Taking his hand from behind his back he showed Kes the staff, about as tall as she was and carved out of dark, glossy hard wood it shone in the grubby light, the curving groove swirling round it's length from base to tip.

[KesQuest]

Kes stares at the staff then at Vlad then back at the staff again. She reaches out a hand and touches the staff. It feels smooth but strong. She picks it up and tests the balance of it in her hands.

The staff was shorter then the one she had lost but this one was also perfectly balanced and the wood was strong enough that it wouldn’t break if she hit some one with it. She runs her figures along the groove, thinking that it added both strength and beauty to the staff

She knew that she would have to add some coating of fireproof lacquer, but she knew that she would have to do that with any staff she bought anyway.

She takes a step back so there is enough room between her and Vlad and quickly twirls the staff, listing to it hum in the air.

She closes her eyes and holds it in both her hands, the staff seems like the right fit for her, but….

Kes open her eyes and look up into Vlad’s nervous face. He knew that Moshimi had spent months making her that staff, she had told him how much it had meant to her. The fact that Vlad had found a replacement for her ….

Kes takes a step towards Vlad her eyes watering a little ….Vlad …. I ….

[Vladimir_Draconovitch]

Vladimir nods, half sadly,

I know if Moshimi was alive today he and I would be the best of friends. We've both lost loved ones in this war. But...we have to move on sometimes...if you don't want it...I'll understand.

He smiles sadly, still not sure what to expect.

[KesQuest]

Kes sees how sad Vlad looks and takes another step towards him, her eyes searching his own.

Vlad … it’s …. It’s not that I don’t want it.

I …that was the last thing connecting me to my past. … by giving me this instead of me finding it on my own … Kes drops the sentence not trusting herself to speak. She could recall the day she had gotten her old staff. She was 15 and Moshimi had made it just for her – it was the first time she had any idea that he looked at her as more then just a pupil. And he had given her a kiss that day.

Kes blinked back a few tears and threw her arms around Vlad’s neck. It’s perfect just like you.

This post has been edited by KesQuest on Nov 20 2006, 01:34 PM

[Vladimir_Draconovitch]

Taking a step backwards, Vladimir wrapped his arms around Kes, closing his eyes and whispering weakly,

Thank you. I would give you the world if it would make you happy.

Blinking back tears he held her close,

[Tagaki]

Striding foreward from the back of the shop, Tagaki shakes his head and rolls his eyes,

All right! All right, let's stop all this now. What can I do for you two love birds? Another hiking trip.

He eyes the extra backpack Vladimir holds,

2 people going with you? Becoming a bit ambitious aren't we Vladimir? I can always take care of your pretty healer if you want.

He waggles his eye brows,

[KesQuest]

Kes let out a small laugh through her tears, then whispers back to him. I don’t need the world to be happy. Just you.

She pulls back slightly and looks up into his face. thank you

[Vladimir_Draconovitch]

Vladimir smiles at Kes, then looks over to Tagaki,

Sorry, old friend, no one will pull her from me. But we're going with a friend to try to get her,

He motions to Kes,

To stop pulling each other apart over some wierd matter or other. Don't ask me, far too complicated.

This post has been edited by Vladimir_Draconovitch on Nov 20 2006, 01:41 PM

[KesQuest]

Pulls away from Vlad and wipes the tears from her eyes then looks over at Tagaki a little embarsed.

Yes Vlad here thinks some time together will do us good.

Kes mumbles something about making sure Sam isn't alone with Vlad for more then two minutes and probably not getting anysleep.

[Tagaki]

Tagaki laughed, rumaging and throwing Vladimir a few things from a large pile of products,

Well, these waterproofs will keep her dry in case of rain, that backpack will probably keep her pretty weighed down, I'd suggest one of these,

He holds up a rather smaller backpack,

There we are, light weight as well as being twice as waterproof, you've got your pretty healer, so not a lot of need for rations. Hmm, that's about it really, let's see, buisness has been slow sooo that would bring the total tooo....

He scratches a few calculations on a chalk board,

Yes, about 17 silver peices and 2 bronze please, that should cover it all.

[Vladimir_Draconovitch]

Counting out and handing Tagaki the money, Vladimir shrugged,

Fine then, you old rogue, but I'll remember this terrible bit of over pricing when we're in a tight spot with the FN

Smiling to his old friend he gave Tagaki the last bronze peice and nodded respectively to him.