Seeing

7- Loyalty

The sun was perched high in the sky, just beginning to swing past it's zenith. A salty breeze wafted lazily through the marketplace.

With full bellies and hearts, Bon, Pip, and Dan said goodbye to their new friend and headed back to the fortune-teller's modern wagon.

Calista was washing a few, very nice, handmade looking dishes. She didn't turn around as the children entered the room, but nodded towards the seats and made a slight hum to acknowledge their presence.

A light colored cat creature, who had definitely been there the whole time and was slightly upset at not having been mentioned sooner, rubbed past Calista's skirt and walked over to the children.
It peered up at them with those big, shiny eyes that can only be interpreted as "please, give me attention in the form of petting, now."

Pip and Bon rubbed the adorable creature's fur as it cozied it's self between them and purred contently.

Pip had been waiting patiently for Calista to finish her dishes and sit down, which she now did, drying her hands on a elegantly decorated little towel.

Before he could find how to begin a conversation, however, Bon went ahead and started explaining everything that they had done, starting with finding a restaurant...

"And I couldn't believe it, there he was! The thief I'd seen a vision of, well, sort of. But it turns out the he was actually a girl! And not a thief, AND actually really nice because he- I mean she, gave us some delicious pie and bread after we helped them find a locket in a tree! Well, actually Pip really did it. You won't believe, he actually used his power really well to help that person find what they lost! He found it just from a photo!! Isn't that amazing? Can you do stuff like that too? Do you think I'll be able to use my powers for good things like that?!"
Bon talked so constantly, one would think she didn't have to breathe.

Pip was still a bit confused and annoyed by Bon's run-on sentences.
Though it made him a little happy to hear how excitedly she explained the way he had helped.

Calista sipped a cup of herbal tea. Her expression was so soft, she almost looked proud.
"Very well done. I must say, I am impressed not only by your aptitude with your new powers, but by your helpfulness as well. It is always good to use a gift that you were given by luck, to help others who are less fortunate..."
Calista's gaze looked distant for a mere moment, before settling soundly back on the children.

With a more serious tone, she continued, "You are both progressing very well, I... Would like to continue to keep an eye on you both. I still feel it is my responsibility, of course!" The slightest change of color could be detected on her face, as it incorporated an ever-so-slightly reddish hue.
She quietly cleared her throat and took a sip of tea.
"I plan to leave this town and move on to the next one over in just a day or so. You, three, are invited, or rather, it would be most convenient if you come as well. You are also traveling, correct?"

Dan had caught up and stood resting his arm on the back of the seats.
"Yeah, that sounds fine! I had a few places in mind I wanted to show you kids, but I'm sure we can all stop by them on our way!"

Both children were exited, though Bon was a bit more eager, while Pip couldn't help feeling like he would miss the friend they had just made...

Either way, it was time to move on. That's how life works.

Pip and Bon spent the next few days training with Calista, and when they were finished they would go visit J.
Bon sometimes went to explore the area a bit more before they left, while Pip tried to stay at the bakery as long as possible.

J was glad to have a friend so interested, and she taught the little boy all the basic tips and tricks for making delicious pastries.

That night, four days after they had arrived, they all packed their things and loaded their bags into Uncle Dan's van.

When they had to part ways, Pip tried his hardest not to show that he was sad. He blamed the occasional sniffle and misty eyes on allergies that he didn't have.

J was smarter then that. She gave him a hug and left with a casual "See you later!"
She would miss those little kiddos too, they had brought a lot of fun in the short time they'd known each other.

With everything done and all goodbyes said, the four set out on the road.
Calista was going to travel separately in her vehicle, but Bon asked to join her. The fortune-teller likely wouldn't admit it, but this made her a little happy.

So they traveled. In to new and exciting towns!

Pip sat in the back seat of Dan' van and, after attempting to write and doodle while on the bumpy dirt road, decided to take a nap on the drive.

Bon questioned Calista enthusiastically for a good thirty minutes, before getting distracted by the fast passing beauty of the open road.

For long hours they rode, with patches of forest passing quickly, followed by long stretches of open, deserted land. Time and space seemed to lose its meaning here.

They waited patiently, for the next town to appear in front of their view.