A LEAP OF FAITH

Chapter 25: The art of charm.

What stood in front of the two was a strange sight, and it most definitely wasn't Kiren.

They were incredibly tall, and box shaped. Their skin tone wasn't shown, considering they were wearing gloves. They were wearing a brown vest, and an autumn-themed wool sweater under it. They wore baggy jeans and black square-toed boots. Though, the oddest part about them was the fact that they were wearing a jack-o-lantern on their head. The pumpkin was carved into a happy smile, it didn't look rotten or old at all. Atop their head was a large witch hat, similar to Ari's wizard-like hat. Their voice was muffled by the pumpkin, but they had a very noticeable Southern accent.

"The name's August!" He held out a hand, motioning for Maverick to shake it. He didn't seem at all interested in Ari, for some odd reason. Maverick hesitantly took his hand, shaking it softly. "What're you two doin' in these forests?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Looking for our friend, have you seen him?" Ari replied, gently pushing Maverick behind him.

"What's he look like?" August inquired.

Ari thought for a moment, "Fiery-?" He mumbled, not necessarily knowing how to explain his appearance.

"Well... now that I think about it, I haven't seen anyone around these parts until you two came along." August shrugged his shoulders.

"Why are you wearing a pumpkin on your head?" Maverick asked abruptly. August only shrugged again; he didn't answer. Maverick debated on just pulling it off of his head, but this guy was a lot bigger than him and could easily crush him.

"Anyway... I'm sure I can help you guys look for your little friend, I know these woods like the back of my hand," he said cheerfully, clasping his gloved hands together. Ari looked down at Maverick, his smile turning more strained and forced.

"Um..." he mumbled, fidgeting around anxiously. "Sure, I guess." Maverick answered for him. Ari stayed quiet; he didn't fully trust him. His voice sounded oddly familiar, but he just shook it off as a coincidence.

"Cool!" August exclaimed and turned around, leading them around the forests.

He wasn't lying about knowing where he was. It was strange how he knew every single twist and turn of the forests, despite everything looking the same. Though, he led them back to a small cave.

"Is this your home?" Maverick asked as he stepped into the cave behind August.

He nodded, "Not too shabby, huh?" He chuckled and lit a torch, hovering it above the two. He placed it in a holder that was hammered into the stone walls. Ari glanced up at it nervously, something about the torch made Ari anxious. He sat down beside Maverick, making sure to keep close to him. "So, where'd your little friend go?" August asked, sitting down cross-legged in front of them.

"Well..." Ari swallowed the lump in his throat, "I suppose he... got a little stressed and... ran off," he said softly, shrugging his shoulders.

"Sorry to hear that! Well, I hope we can find him soon!" He said sympathetically.

Ari gave a soft nod, "Yeah..."

"I hope so too."

They talked for a bit; Maverick was warming up to him slowly. Ari still didn't trust him; he knew that Maverick was extremely gullible. He had to figure out a way to fix his programming now or later, everything was wrong.

"So, what are you two? Friends... something more?" August chuckled softly, leaning a bit closer to the two in the slightest.

Ari nodded quickly, "Boyfriends," he said sternly. He didn't like the questions he was asking. Maverick's face reddened in the slightest, he nodded.