by muffinstud » Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:54 pm
"Master Kale, Master Kale!" The little girl ran into the alley, worry lining her delicate face. "Someone is saying bad things about you!" A barrel in front of her smirks. It shivers and Kale crouches down to her level. "What are they saying, Maira?" She stops to catch her breath. "I was taking some money from some of those gamblers you told me about, and they were saying that you're going to die!" Kale barks out a laugh and shakes his head. "Oh no, my child. They are simply betting that I will die. That doesn't mean it will happen." Maira lets her shoulders sag and she is visibly relieved. "Now child, do you know why they they were betting on my life?"
Maira nods. "They said that some people were coming to town after you. They hunt bonatees." Kale scratches his chin. "You mean bounty hunters?" Her eyes brighten. "Yes! That's it!" Kale tilts his head as he continues to scratch. "Did they say how many?" Maira shakes her head. "No, but they said you would either kill them or be killed. They said those things were most likely." Maira looks up at Kale with water in her eyes. "You won't die, will you?"
Kale smiles and puts a warm leathery hand to her cheek. "No. I'm not going to die as long as you don't want me to." She sniffles and hugs him as best she can. "Then you'll live for ever and ever!" Kale hugs her back. "For you I will. Now child, let's see what you stole today. If it's not worth more than yesterday's lot, you'll have to go without dessert like we discussed."
"Well, you'll have plenty of time to live in a van down by the river, when you're living...in a van down by the river!" --Matt Foley, motivational speaker