Thread: Death Planet (DarkAngel76 and Kosmik_Khaos)

Kaira looked up into the sky as the clouds rolled and billowed. A storm was coming and that only meant her job would be harder. She heaved a sigh and blew at the tendrils of hair that had fallen down and into her pale face. If only her hands had been free, she could've easily brushed it away. Her tiny hands tightly gripped the handles on the water pails, the things filled to the brim with water. Her hands ached and she was forced to suffer having hair in her face, partially obscuring her vision. She scowled and blew again at the hair in her face. But try as she might, the long auburn locks weren't going anywhere. Damn it, Kaira muttered, her pale eyes clamping shut as she tried not to dwell on her current situation. The night was about to get a whole lot worse as it was. Once inside, Kaira set down the pails and began working her fingers, trying to get the circulation moving. Her hands hurt terribly and a blister had popped making her job all the more painful and slow. Perhaps Hal would have bandages stashed away somewhere and she could wrap her hands. The guy was always hoarding stuff, trying to keep it under wraps since he didn't want the new sheriff to confiscate it for public use. What was his...was his. Just then, she frowned. She knew damned well that Hal wouldn't give her shit. She was lucky she had a corner of the storehouse to call her own. As it was, she didn't have the money he wanted her to pay even for that dusty hole. So, she was forever working, doing chores and other menial tasks to appease him for letting her have some sort of shelter over her head. That the water? Hal bellowed, peeking his head into the back room where Kaira stood rubbing her hands. Dump that into the basin stores and get some more, Kai, he demanded, his gaze hard and his expression serious. Kaira's face contorted and she gave Hal a disgusted look. Despite Hal's size, the girl wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Not like Saffy who cowered any time the brute so much as sniffed. It was infuriating. I'll get it when I'm ready, Kaira blurted, her eyes locking with Hal's. She knew he could easily kick her out, but so long as she was willing to work...he wouldn't do anything. And, she knew it. Hal just grumbled, muttering something about women and other such nonsense. Only, Kaira paid him no mind. She put her nose in the air and stalked off to empty the pails. One by one, Kaira emptied the things, but she was in no rush to head back outside. It was a fair distance to the well and she didn't like the looks of the clouds after her last run. The thought of becoming soaked to the skin hardly appealed. As she stood there, lost in thought, she overheard a voice she didn't recognize. Her curiosity piqued, she edged toward the door and looked out into the main area of the saloon. She saw Saffy standing there, glued to the spot and quivering like some ridiculous kid getting caught stealing by the authorities. Her eyes narrowed as she looked over toward the source of her timidity and silently huffed. Well, the new guy did have an air about himself, that much was plain. Kaira could immediately tell he was the sort who thought he was always right. She wondered if that was true or just his own self-perception. The notion made her laugh inwardly, so she shook her head and let her lips quirk up into a smile. Saffy still stood there, her nerves clearly getting the better of her. At that, Kaira pursed her lips and walked out of the back room and toward the shaking girl. Come on, Kaira suggested, her hand finding Saffy's. Saffy glanced over at Kaira and winced. Kai... she whined. But Kaira shook her head. Just go, don't let this dunderhead scare you. She gave the stranger a look, daring him to say something cruel. She could take it. She dealt with Hal daily. But as she looked into the stranger's eyes, she felt a tiny flutter. Pushing it away, she held her ground and tugged on Saffy's arm. It didn't take much to get Saffy to move. The girl wanted out of there. Once Saffy was gone, Kaira turned toward the newcomer and placed her aching hands on her hips. You know, Kaira began. You're a bit of a jerk for someone so new to this place. She frowned and then raked a hand through her auburn tresses. When they reached the back of her head, she redid the sloppy knot she'd made earlier, finally tucking away those wild tendrils that had been bothering her and itching her nose. So what brings you to New Hope?