Spiral of Ants

Catching Up

Introducing a new character! I really need to focus more on the hunters lore. Also Timors whole story. So far I've only written him as sorta a side character to other plots but he's got a whole thing his own going on that I've been neglecting

Timor knew he was nearby the second he saw the feather. He knew it well. The avian was never the best at cleaning up after himself.

"You guys have to get moving. Now" Timor said to Nora, picking up the feather "Hunters"

While Nora wasn't a fan of Timor, this was the very reason she let him stick around. He had a valuable amount of inside knowledge.

"Soap, Emmy, you heard him" she said, getting up and grabbing a duffle bag. They were just about to set up camp, but that plan was out the window.

Emmy looked worried, "Wait aren't you coming with us?" She said, quickly grabbing Timor's hand.

"I know this one. I'll be fine, I promise. I'll catch up" He said, squeezing her hand before letting go. "Just keep moving. I'll catch up in a couple hours, max" he said. Before Emmy could protest further, Timor headed out of the clearing, into the more heavily forested area. He knew Kaia well, and knew he preferred to wait in branches out of reach and out of sight until he could strike.

So he wasn't at all surprised when the hunter landed only a couple feet in front of him, causing Timor to have to quickly stop his pace or risk running right into the winged hunter.

He was going to say something, but Kaia got to it first "Wow, you really made it, didn't you? You were really the last person I expected to find a way to leave, but you really did it. I mean, look at you. No emotion blocker or anything. You look like you're doing good, man"

Timor was struggling to understand what Kaias tone was. It sounded... genuine. But he was here. Most likely hunting Timor and the group. Timor couldn't trust him.

"I am doing good," he said, nodding. Not adding on anything else. Not until he knew Kaias angle.

"That's good, that's really good. You were always so off putting with that damn blocker. It was just... wrong"

"It all is," Timor countered.

"I mean, yeah. You were one of the only hunters who didn't believe that. The rest of us were and are pretty up-to-date with that. Which is why it's so awesome that you made it. I'm proud of you, I really am"

"So what are you doing here?" Timor said. As genuine as it sounded, as much as he wanted to trust the interaction and catch up, he couldn't. The rest of Kaias squad could be anywhere. Closing in as they spoke. He could just be biding time.

"You know the answer to that, man" Kaia said, a bit of guilt seeping into his tone. He was right. Timor did.

"I don't want to fight you," the ex-hunter said. However as he spoke, he shifted, making sure his feet were planted and ready.

"I really don't want to fight you either, Timor. I already know how it's going to end. And I'm not going to win"

Now that Timor was really looking, he could see that Kaia looked... rough. His Hunter uniform was more worn. There were dark dried staines, and Timor could only assume there were wounds underneath. He could see similar stains on Kaias lighter feathers. Timor had a feeling most of it was from his own wounds, not ones he had inflicted.

"You don't have to stay, Kaia. You can join us."

"I'd love to, Timor. I really would. But I can't. You had nothing to lose, you never cared about the rest of the hunters."

Timor opened his mouth to argue but Kaia continued "I don't take it personally, man. That emotion blocker did a number on you. You were doing what you thought you had to. My point is, leaving us was different for you. But that's the closest thing I've ever had to a family. And if I leave, I know they're going to pay for it. I can't do that. I appreciate the offer, I really do. But I really don't have much of a choice."

"I don't think you believe that. If you did you would have struck by now"

"I guess I was hoping you would throw a punch first. Maybe that me showing up would startle you, you'd shift, and make it quick... But I guess you've got a lot more control these days. I mean it when I say I'm proud of you. It's.... inspirational"

Timor assessed the avian for a moment, before relaxing his posture, crossing his arms and leaning against a tree. Maybe it was a risky move but Timor was certain at this point that Kaia didn't have a plan beyond hoping Timor would start it, and he was confident Kaia didn't have it in him to start a fight with him. So he'd de-escalate it himself. He'd force Kaia to retreat, move or take his offer, leaving the ball completely in his court.

"Well, I'm not going to fight you, Kaia. We both know it's an unfair match up, not to mention you're clearly wounded.

"Well, I can't go until something happens" Kaia "If I get back to the lab without you, your group or both, Doctor Williams might kill me himself. So you might as well do it"

"No. I have enough blood on my hands for a lifetime. And the fact that most of it is oddity blood... I can't do it again. Especially if you're not even going to fight me"

Kaia was silent for a long while, staring at Timor. His expression was... distressed. Weighing his options, none of which were desirable, as Timor understood it. He empathized, he really did. Still, he would not make the decision for Kaia. He would not do what the hunter wanted him to.

"I'm..." Kaia trailed off before continuing "I'm so tired, man... Recovery times before missions are just getting shorter."

"Then rest for a little. Take a nap. I can stand watch for you." Timor said.

"I shouldn't trust you", Kaia muttered. Timor couldn't help but think the 'shouldn't' was doing some heavy lifting there.

"You can trust me more than you can trust the lab, at least. It was never easy to sleep there... I'd imagine it's only gotten worse"

"It really has... fine. And... thank you"

–

Timor stayed true to his word, keeping watch while Kaia slept in a makeshift bed of leaves, using his wings as a blanket. He had no doubt he would be able to catch up with the group, even if he took longer than expected. Tracking was his strength, after all.

Helping Kaia just get some rest was the least he could do, after everything the poor Hunter had been through. Arguably as a result of Timor's actions, even if he didn't regret leaving. There was something almost nostalgic about sitting under the stars with Kaia.

Timor had worked on his own for his latter years as a Hunter, sent out mostly for solo missions. When he first joined though, he was in Kaias squad. He had never been social, yes, but he spent a long time in close proximity with the avien, and got to know him well. Without the emotion blocker now, Timor could see the two even becoming friends. Maybe it was still possible. If Kaia ever left, that is.

When Kaia finally started to stir, Timor got up. He ripped off some of the fabric from the bottom of his dress shirt from his old hunter uniform, handing it to Kaia. "Tell Doctor Williams you almost had me, but I knocked you out. Proof always helps with that sort of report. You think that'll go over better?" Timor asked, as Kaia took the fabric, still a little groggy from sleep.

He nodded "I... do. But he'll just send me after you again... what then?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. I'm not going to say too much for now, I don't think it would be safe for you to have knowledge Ezra wants. For both of our sakes... but we're working on something. I think there might be some hope for us. All of us oddities."

Kaia pocketed the fabric, an unsure look on his face. He didn't try to argue or pry though. "Yeah... alright. Thanks. For keeping watch. I hope you know I mean it when I said I'm proud of you"

"I know. Thank you"

Silence filled the clearing for a moment. Timor felt there was more to be said, but he couldn't quite grasp what. He was sure Kaia felt the same. Finally the avien spread his wings, ready for take off. 

"Till next time. Take care, man"