The Among

Chapter 2

Finally! Flamour thought as she sat back in her designated seat. Airport security is really tough, and to think I was a threat! She huffed a breath as she took her seat next to the window. She buckled her seatbelt and looked out the window just watching the people down below bustling about trying to make last minuet preparations before the plane took off. The scenery was rather dull and uninteresting, still it was better than looking through the complimentary magazine dozens of times at useless junk that nobody could possibly afford. Her eyes shifted to the top of the radio tower and scanned her eyes back down to the runway where she saw an empty luggage cart drive away. She couldn't help but be distracted by something peculiar. It was the same damn bird that was following her during the taxi ride. She tilted her head as she watched the bird mimic her expression with a sense of curiosity. The bird watched her curiously for a few more moments before opening its wings and flying off. Flamour sighed as she turned her attention to the aisle of the plane as a tall, red-skinned man followed the stewardess down the narrow aisle of the plane.

"Here you are, enjoy your flight, sir" the woman said politely as she gestured to the seat next to Flamour.

"First time flying, this is bound to be an adventure," he said, "Thank you so much." The woman smiled at him as he sat next to Flamour, tucking his arms in his sides. He turned his head towards Flamour and smiled.

"Hi!" he said excitedly with a friendly grin. Flamour scowled as she cocked an eyebrow, tucking a strand of blond hair behind her ear.

"Hi," she said softly but with a cold tone of disinterest.

"First time flying," he said. Strong odor of musk and amber emitted from his breath and his clothes as spoke. His skin smelled rich of cherry tobacco as if he had just stepped out of a charred pit,

"You?" he asked.

"Flamour turned her head away from the window which she stared from as the Native American stared at her awkwardly waiting for a response.

"Me what?"

"Is it first time flying for you?" he asked.

"No, I have flown before," she said quietly. "Just not with a red-skin." The man frowned as he looked at her for a moment.

"Oh, I am sorry you feel that way, excuse me," he said politely as he stood up to leave his seat.

"Excuse me, miss, is there another seat I could possibly take?" he asked. The stewardess shook her head.

"I am sorry but the plane is almost ready to take off, please return to your assigned seat," The man shook his head politely as he walked back to his seat sullenly. He sat down, and looked at his hands which were scarred and chapped, then took out his version of Sky Mall and began flipping through the pages lazily, before he put it back in the pouch. Flamour sat awkwardly as she glanced at him at the corner of her eye. He had a dignified expression that displayed a confident sense of purpose. He had no hair except for rich black streak that went from the top of his scalp to the back of his neck in a Mohawk fashion. He wore a necklace that had many beads but in the center a giant talon hung above his sternum. The man glanced over to Flamour and scoffed a little bit.

"Find something fascinating, white skin?" he asked mockingly. A jolt of embarrassment shot down Flamour's spine as she looked away and cleared her throat softly.

"I, um," she stammered briefly. "I am sorry, I should not have said that," she said briskly. The man turned to the girl.

"Many Thanks, Sokw," he smiled briefly. Flamour raised an eyebrow and shifted her weight.

"What did you call me?" she demanded.

"I called you Sokw...it means.... 'Sour,"

"My name is....Shilah.....it means 'Brother'" the man smiled, teeth curved with a gleaming with a radiant hue. "However, my brother was not so lucky with his name, the chief dubbed him Machakw which means "Horny Toad." Flamour couldn't help but let out a soft giggle from hear this information.

"I make you laugh, eh?" he said giving a small smirk.

"My name is Flamour...but you can call me Sokw, if you want, I probably deserve the title any ways," she frowned and looked up at the seat belt light that began to flash.

"Just perfect! I was wondering when we were going get the show on the road,"

"Good afternoon passengers, this is your captain speaking. I would like to thank you with flying with us today. I would like to ask everyone fasten your seatbelts at this time and please turn off all electronic devices. We will begin our departure in just a few moments, and thanks again for flying with us today," the intercom clicked off and the stewardess began to go over standardized safety precautions. Once the presentation on safety had concluded, the plane began to rumble as the the plane began to pick up speed, soon with enough velocity, the plane thrust into forty five degree angle and proceeded to ascend high above the clouds and into the muggy atmosphere. 

It hadn't been long before the plan finally settled into a smooth glide at a comfortable thirty thousand feet. The aircraft tilted and swayed in a gentle rocking motion keeping up with the flow of the air currents. Flamour stared out the window vacantly expecting to see the Kestrel stalking her.

"Snacks?" the stewardess asked as she lugged a small cart down the aisle. 

"Water for me, please" Shilah spoke in a moderate polite tone.

"Anything, but seltzer," Flamour remarked. The stewardess popped open a can of sprite and filled the soft drink into a clear, rounded vessel and passed it towards Flamour who took it graciously. 

"Anything else?" the woman asked. 

"No, thank you," the humans chimed in unison. The stewardess smiled and pushed her cart down the aisle. Continuing her routine. 

Flamour took a sip from her cup as she stared out the window, casually glancing down at the earth below. 

"So, now that we got acquainted, do you want to tell me about your family?"  Shinah asked curiously. 

Flamour didn't take her eyes off the window as she spoke with a slight monotone. 

"What do you want to know?" she asked. 

"Well, what are they like?" 

Flamour pulled away from the window and let her silky blond hair drape over her eyes. 

"To be honest, there is nothing really to tell. I disowned both my parents when I was younger. The constant fighting, the bickering, the manipulation....I was just so sick and tired of being in the middle of it. So I vowed when I became an adult I would shut them out and become more independent. And that's what I did. I graduated high school early, worked hard at two part time jobs, saved my money and here I am. just a two hour flight away from sweet freedom,"

Shilah stared at her for a moment then reached over and put a hand on her wrist in comfort. 

"I never knew my original parents. I was always passed around the village like some sort of unwanted necklace. You should be happy that you have parents who love you," 

Flamour scoffed as she pushed the Native American's hand off her wrist.

"As flattering as that sounds, I don't believe it, my parents are manipulative people who try to twist the truth from one another, like a winding snakes...constantly at each others throats," Flamour gave a soft sigh as she reached down and pulled the lever to recline her chair. 

"If you excuse me," she said shutting her eyes. "I would like to get some rest, its a long flight, and I need to save energy for my grand adventure," 

Shilah smiled softly as he too reclined his chair. 

"What are you doing?" Flamour asked.

"Resting its not easy being a Hania," he chuckled. 

Flamour sighed softly.  

"Fine, whatever, just stay on your side,"