The Make Over [kali]

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Ryan tried to hold his smile in, not wanting to offend her or upset her feelings.
I'm going to say, that yes, we are officially dating. You, Kali, are my girlfriend.
He laughed when he made it a very goofy comment, hoping she took it serious. When she spoke of her loving his company and not wanting anyone else as a boyfriend, his body temperature shot through the roof. The butterflies in his stomach went crazed swarming aruond and prying to get out. When she began to stumble through the words and the color flow to her cheeks, Ryan leaned down, turning her body towards him and kissed her in the most passionate way he has yet to kiss her. He locked lips with her and pulled her body as close to his as it would go. He raised his right hand to her cheek, and gently caressed her skin with the back of his fingers. He pulled away only slightly to whisper in her ear,
You are so very special to me Kali, I would do anything to keep you in my life.
Deep down inside, he knew he loved her. But he also knew it was so soon for such feelings that he should not yet reveal them. And for her always wanting to move slowly, would definitely shock her if he were to say them out loud to her.

[Kali]

His words and movements made her face grow even more flushed, her stomach squirm with delight, and her heart race. His kiss nearly made her lips tremble, and his body so close to hers made her lungs stop breathing for a few moments. He took her breath away.

His whisper sent a shiver down her spine that sent electricity through her entire body. Her lips slowly opened in a smile, and she leaned in close to his ear to make her own whisper, but she couldn't find the words. He had taken away her speech as well, so it seemed. But she wanted to tell him that she felt the same way. So she kissed him back, her fingers running up his shoulder blades and into his hair.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Ryan took in everything about her down to the smallest detail and savored it all. He almost felt like he had had too much wine and it was starting to go to his head, he couldn't believe how much she affected him so. And when she kissed him back, it was all too much for him. He pulled back to take a breath, takng a chance, a leap, hoping for her to catch him.
Kali, I'm falling in love with you.
He was going to say it outright, I love you, but something changed the words as they were coming out of his mouth. He bit his lip, hoping he didn't move to fast, or go to far. He reached a hand up to her face, stroking her skin and sliding a piece of hair behind her small ear.
The wind outside began to pick up as he looked into her eyes, perfect.

[Kali]

Her heart nearly froze. Time ceased to exist. The wonderful blue globe stopped its ever-winding rotation. Her breath was gone completely, as if God himself had reached into her chest and taken her lungs away. The blood that coursed through her body raced, as if she were a thoroughbred mare that had just run a competition. Her heart pounded against her chest, fighting to break free of its cage like a wild tiger.

Kali opened her mouth to speak, but was speechless still. His fingers brushing so gently against her face took away any hope of a word. Her jaw hung open, only to be closed as her lips smiled. Then, finally, she found the courage to speak. But what should she say? Kali wasn't sure. Deep within her, something pulsed. Alive in her heart, though it wasn't blood. It burned warmly, like a flame. Was this love? She had nothing to compare him to. Taking a step back from it all, her mind went to the childish fairy tales that she had been told as a little girl. She surely did feel like the love-struck princess now, but different. Kali possessed not nearly as much confidence as the imaginary characters did, written up by an author's hand. This was real life, and she was nervous. Maybe even scared. But she had never felt so much joy in all her life.

Her fingers reached up to his face, stroking his cheek as the firelight danced over his handsome features. She took a breath. "I think I'm falling, too." Kali whispered.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Ryan flicked his eyes back and forth, searching his face for signs of, well anything. He feared he had spoken to soon and scared her away, for she seemed to be withdrawing. He watched her as she opened and closed her mouth, looking for words to say but finding none. This gave him worry and his heart skipped a beat.
I...um.
He had no idea what to say. Should he stutter and try to cover it and make it seem less important so she could find a way out easier? Did she not feel the same? Or maybe...maybe she did?
Ryan's head swam and swirled. He may have been with many girls, but has never gone so far before and had no idea what the expected reply was. He very slowly lowered his hand from her face, fearing the worse and preparing for the decline.
And then she spoke.
His breath swooshed out of his lungs in a big sigh of relief. His head lolled to the side only for a moment before he lifted it to look at her.
You had be scarred there for a minute. But I guess thats why they call it falling huh? Or a crush?
he laughed hoping that he didnt make that sound bad, like falling and crush were something that always hurt people. He bit his bottom lip not sure if he should cover that one up just in case she thought that much into it.

[Kali]

"I still am scared." she told him honestly. "But in a good way, I think." Kali scooted closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes to let the fire warm her face. Very slowly, she reached down, taking his hand in hers and holding it. Her blue eyes lifted again to meet his. She smiled, her eyes sparkling with happiness. Who would have ever thought that that one night at Oceana would have evolved into such a thing. Love? It was still a mystery to Kali, but she was beginning to understand more and more of it even as the seconds ticked by.

Her other hand stroked the bruises of his face, so faint even now as those few days had passed. They were healing just as quickly as his lip. Kali sat up and kissed each one, knowing that if the Hunters ever laid another finger on him again, she would go after them like a predator, and the Hunters would become the hunted.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

(haha, have a plan)

Ryan smiled and leaned in when she went to kiss him again. He put his arms around her waist, pulling her onto his lap, so both of her legs were on either side of his own legs. He sat there, his hands on her hips and continued to kiss her. His hands slowly, gently moved under her shirt to caress the soft skin of her back. He, using slightly more force, pulled her waist and hips closer to his, feeling his body against hers. He gave the smallest hint of a moan while his hands moved to the clasp of her bra. The moment before he squeezed his fingers to unhitch the bra, the cabin door flew open.
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Jocelyn stood in the doorway breathing hard, sweat trickled down her temples, glistening in the light of the fire. There was a cut just above her right eyebrow, her shirt had a hole in it, and around the edges was blood. Her jeans were covered in dirt, ripped in some places. Her white shirt was now brown and red. She held a five inch knife in her right hand.
She eyed them, seeing the way Kali was on this mans lap whit his hands under his shirt. Must be Ryan. She thought. She walked into the cabin, slamming the door shut with a kick of her leg. She walked over to the kitchen table and tossed the knife on the wood, hearing the clunk of the metal. She plopped down in a chair next to the table, turning it so she could see and talk to them.
Sorry to barge in on...you..this. Had to get somewhere safe. Phew those Hunters are tough. Tricky too.
Jo leaned over to inspect the small knife wound on her side, it was small, but a little deeper then she had thought. She clamped her hand over it to try to slow the bleeding.
Jo had been following a Hunter for three days now, only to have him set a trap for her. She had no idea how he had known about her. But in any event, she had barely escaped. And even so, she had some wounds to prove it.
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Ryan let his hands fall quickly to Kali's hips again, his mouth had fallen open from the shock of the door bursting open like that. He pulled himself together just enough to mumble that it was ok, and not to worry about interrupting. Although he did see it as that and was irritated to boot. He looked at Kali, able to close his mouth now.
I take it, this, is Jo?
He said in a hushed voice, barely audible to Jo.

[Kali]

A flag went up in Kali's mind as his hands went up the back of her shirt, but still she allowed it, not wanting to ruin the moment. The position they were in worried her as well, but she trusted Ryan. When she felt her bra unhitch, Kali stood straight up, fixing it hurriedly. That was where she drew the line. "Ryan!" she grumbled harshly, her eyes angry. But she didn't want to argue with him for the first time in front of Jo, so she bit her tongue.

Upon seeing the blood on Jocelyn's shirt, Kali rushed to the cabinet and brought back a first-aid kit that she had bought that day at the store while picking up groceries. She set it on the table and began to find things for Jo. "Ryan, this is Jo. Jo, this is Ryan." she introduced them. Her eyes flicked to her boyfriend, her face pink. Kali was embarrassed, angry, confused, and even more scared now about falling in love. She was, somewhere inside of her, pleased that Ryan cared about her so much. But that happiness was dormant at the moment, covered by all of her other emotions. She had trusted him, and still did trust him. But what he had done shocked and stunned her.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Jo raised a single eye brow at the two, not wanting to say anything that might make things worse.
Ryan.
She said in a greeting, turning towards Kali as she rushed around getting things to treat her side. She gave the girl a smile and let out a sigh, relieved.
Thanks Kali. I was so hoping you were here, I knew you would be good at these things.
She gave a soft laugh for she never had been. She lifted the side of her shirt, revealing the small, yet semi deep wound, blood oozed thickly as it slowly began to clot. She glanced down at her side as she felt the hot liquid drip down her skin. A wave of nausea drifted over her and her eyes slowly started to roll into the back of her head.

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Ryan saw Jo's head start to loll to the side, so instead of worrying about Kali being mad at him for moving to fast, he jumped to his feet and rushed towards the sink. He grabbed a towel and ran cool water over it, squeezing it out before putting it on Jocelyn's forehead. He felt uncomfortable, here was a leader figure in the eyes of the Innocents, people who he had been fighting since he could remember. And here he was caring for her, not knowing, if she knew, that he was a Hunter, even though a weak one...
His eyes flicked at Kali in silence, an apology swelling in them, begging for her to forgive him.

[Kali]

Kali cleaned the wound carefully, not a word from her mouth passed. She looked away from Ryan's eyes, frustrated. She would speak to him after this was done. She had questions, as she always did. Why had he done that? He hadn't had her permission, and it angered her. He knew that she wasn't that kind of girl. -Should have, at the very least, gotten the hint when she refused to shower with him. She had even told him that she didn't do those kinds of things.

She got a warm cloth and held it to Jo's side, waiting for the blood to stop before she could bandage it. On the flip side, Kali knew, it wasn't really Ryan's fault. He wasn't used to girls like Kali. He had told her so. He used to be a player, and it showed in his actions. But, what also shown was his efforts. Kali knew that he was trying to slow himself down for her. She knew that he had been trying to be nothing but a gentleman. It was her fault for allowing his hands to go to her shirt. She should have warned him then. She couldn't expect him to be perfect, even if everything he did seemed so wonderful. Could she really blame him for just one mistake? Probably not. But it didn't ease her frustration.

And so, the woman was caught between two sides. She could never stay angry at Ryan, no. That wouldn't be right, nor was she willing to. Not only was he a friend to her, but he was falling in love with Kali, and she with him. Something such as that couldn't be broken with one mistake. But still, anger coursed through her blood, fed only by embarrassment and shock. Her mind was whirling, unable to stop its constant turning from her side to Ryan's side of the story. Only would it be settled when she spoke with him.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Ryan flinched slightly when he saw the look in her eyes and knew that he had made a big mistake and she was very upset with him. He took a step or two back from Jocelyn and Kali, knowing that he would just be in the way. He held on to the cloth he had gotten, wringing it in his hands trying to think of something to say. But in the end he came up short and went to the sink to rinse the clothe clean. He placed the cloth on the sink and went to take a seat at the table across from Jo, keeping some space between him and Kali.
So Jo, how did you come across this place?
He motioned with his hands the cabin around him.
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Jo bit her bottom lip as she felt Kali press her side trying to stop the bleeding. She tried not to look for she wanted to keep the queezy feeling to a minimal. She eyed Kali and Ryan, knowing something was going on between them, but not sure exactly what it was and hoped she did not make it worse. Jo had felt bad, when Ryan took a step away from them as if he had done something really wrong. She eyed him again but let him wander off. When he had come back and asked her about the cabin she gave him a polite smile.
Just happened across it when I was exploring. When Im upset I take really really long walks, this being a result of one.
She turned her head to Kali as she watched her work.
Thanks Kali. Don't know what I would do without you.
Jocelyn searched her mind for something to talk about that might get them back on better terms.
So, Kali, how did you two meet? I mean, Ryan, being a Hunter.
She said the term with some doubt in her voice, hoping she could trust him, until then he was under her eye.
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Ex-Hunter.
Ryan corrected her and tried to steal another glance at Kali, but before he could catch her eyes he dropped his head to fiddle with his fingers on the table. He took a deep breath, thankful for Jo's company. He figured without Jo Kali would be ripping his head of right now. At least with Kali having to deal with Jo she might be able to calm down a bit.

[Kali]

"We met at Oceana." Kali told answered, taking the cloth away every few seconds to check to see if the bleeding had stopped. "I work there too." she explained, knowing that she had met Jo at Uncle Sam's. "Ryan and I went for a walk, to the boulder in the forest. I searched his pockets, but he didn't have anything in them. Just some gum." A hint of a smile touched Kali's face when she remembered the gum. She never did give it back to him. But then it was gone again as she spoke. "He is an ex-hunter, if he was ever a Hunter at all. His heart isn't evil, Jo. He actually has a heart, unlike the others. Ryan is perhaps the best man I've ever met." Kali told her. "Even if he is a bit stupid sometimes." she added under her breath, so that only Ryan could hear what she said, so that he'd know that she wasn't through with him.

Kali took the cloth away, finally the blood had stopped. She sprayed the wound with the antiseptic spray and placed a patch of cotton over it, before wrapping it in gauze bandage. She put the first-aid kit away and took a seat, a few chairs away from Ryan. "The Hunters beat him, Jo. Two days ago he was covered in bruises. He killed one of them in the forest not long ago. They want to catch him, Jo. And God knows what they'll do. Ryan's one of us now." Kali looked over at him finally, wondering if he wanted to add anything.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Jocelyn bit her bottom lip lightly, but then realized she was being a bit of a wimp and let it go back to its normal position. She watched Kali wrap her with bandages, occasionally looking away fear of getting light headed. She listened to her story on how they met and even gave a small smile or two. She wished she could meet a guy in an odd but cute way and have something blossom from it. Instead, she meets them and they never call back, or don't even see here. Like Duma, she had liked him, saw him twice and then hasn't seen him in like over a week. Whatever, she couldn't think about it now, she had other things more important then boys.

She hesitantly looked over at Ryan when Kali went on about him having a good heart and not really being a Hunter. She gave a short quiet 'ha' when Kali said he was one of us now. She wasn't so sure of that. But he had killed a Hunter, well Hunters could easily kill another Hunter to follow a story...
she gave a small thanks to Kali one more time as she got up to put things away.
Have we heard anything about their recent movements?
Jo asked Ryan and Kali, looking between the two but settled mostly on Ryan, assuming he would know the most seeing as he used to be one.
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Ryan could feel himself smile when Kali gave him some praise and good complements. But he flinched slightly when she made a comment about him being stupid. He knew he had been, but he got caught up in the moment. Not that he was assuming it was going to go all the way, just fooling around a bit. But sure, he could do it the way she wanted to. Ryan eyed Jo, knowing she didnt trust him...yet. But the little 'ha' was getting to be enough. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to bit back the words he so wished to say to her. He was glad when it was moved the Hunters current actions.

Well, last thing I heard was they were getting a group together to hunt down a few Innocents. All I know is that it was on the west side of town, don't know who they are, or were if they are already caught. They brought in another innocent a few days before I left. Didn't know him either. My guess is that they bring them to the warehouse, down by the boats, do their thing and then when they think they are ok to trust, bring them back to the mansion. Then they usually have to meet with the Elders before they can be let loose on the streets.
He drummed his fingers on the table top, looking between the two girls, hoping he knew enough to get them moving forward with a plan.

[Kali]

"You're welcome." Kali told her, then listening as Ryan spoke. Her eyes went back to Jo. "We can trust him." she assured her. At least as far as the whole Hunter and Innocent thing went. Kali frowned to herself, her mind still stuck on what had happened moments before Jo had walked in. She had trusted him then... but she had to remind herself not to pin him to his one mistake. Silently, Kali wished she could talk to Ryan about it now. Her questions were burning a hole in her head, and she didn't like being angry with him. But this conversation was important, and couldn't be left for later.

Her fingers drummed on the table lightly as she thought, keeping her mind on the Hunters. Or at least trying to. "How big of a group?" she asked Ryan, though from now until the end of this conversation she would keep her eyes off of him. She didn't want to cool down too much before their talk later. She needed her emotions to make her confident. The sight of his handsome face only soothed her fury, something she didn't want just now.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Ryan shrugged his shoulders slightly, looking from Jocelyn to Kali. He searched his mind, trying to remember hearing anything that would give them a hint. He used to hear a lot of things, just hanging around. But it has been a few days since he has been there.
I would have to guess 10, maybe 15. I would assume them to spread out in groups of 2 to up to 4. But if they remain together, then we have a problem. Hunters don't always like to work together, so if the Elders are keeping them together they are planning something, something big.
He tapped his own fingers on the table, knowing this can't be good for them. He looked at Jo as she shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
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I have noticed a lot of movement in the mansion. Didn't know at the time it was a big thing to worry about...but now? You know what I need? A pigeon, or clever fox...or hawk, or something that I can train to bring a message to someone....so then they can warn others and spread the news. You know where I can get that? Like a real animal, so in case its captured its no big deal.
She gave a small chuckle out how ridiculous she sounded, but it was true. If they Hunters were working together, and not just big picture, but for one mission, then they needed to get word out to warn people.