Flashback [Arvo] We're Going to be Friends

[Amoux]

67th Spring 502AV, The Cherry Grove

Amoux huffed in frustration as she jumped into the air, arms outstretched over her head, reaching for the branch above her head. She flicked her thick braid over her shoulder and scowled, the eleven year old's freckled nose scrunching as she glared at the Cherry Tree before her, its pink petals showering down around her and lodging into her hair each time her finger tips knocked the branch.

She had spent most of her day attempting to find a play mate, or at the very least something interesting and fun to occupy her time with. She had given up by midday meal; the only other children interested had been far larger and quicker than herself or had some other unfair advantage- One boy had a pet falcon that he had sent ahead to find her during their game of hide and seek. Cheaters.

Jumping again Amoux crowed with happiness as she caught the branch, holding on tightly with her slim fingers. She swung her legs to the side and braced them against the trunk of the tree, using the leverage to push and pull herself onto the branch. She crouched, carefully maintaining her balance as she shuffled along until she could press her back against the trunk, letting her legs drop down either side of the branch, sitting securely on the wider part of the branch.

Finally in place she reached to the blossoms around her, pulling off the small shoots. Smiling she twirled the little pink stars between her fingers, bringing them to her nose for a quick sniff. A woman walked under the tree and sent Amoux a disproving glare, to which Amoux replied by poking her tongue out tauntingly. She tucked the flower into her braid, adding a few more to the rich red locks.

Turning her attention back to the foliage she reached out and plucked sweet cherries from the branches around her, munching away on them happily. Giggling cheekily she flicked small twigs at the love struck couples as they passed, oblivious under her tree. As she enjoyed the irritated glances from the love birds as they hurried away a Chakama hopped down from some branches above her and settled, just out of arms reach, chirping and singing curiously at her. Just my luck, the only thing that' wants to play with me is a bird. Amoux thought, laughing happily as she whistled back to the pretty little bird, attempting to lure it close enough to pet.

[Arvo]

Arvo was in a mood. It hadn’t been long since he’d managed to find himself a hunter to take him on as his Apprentice, maybe a season and a half at most, and already the other kids were picking on him again. He’d smacked another boy in the face the other day when he’d told Arvo that he’d eventually fail, because he didn’t belong here. Unfortunately that reckless action had left him with bloody knees and elbows from being pushed into the ground too many times. The fourteen year old didn’t want to go home, nor did he want to run into any of the ‘friends’ he’d grown up with, so he’d come to The Cherry Grove to escape everything until Isil dragged him into work again.

It would help if he’d just grow a little taller, and get a little stronger. He was naturally weaker than his peers when it came to brawn. Mentally, he was definitely superior. But what did intelligence change in a place where people attacked first and reasoned later? Arvo scowled at nothing in particular and found himself a spare tree to sit under: One that wasn’t infested with too much cheerfulness. Speaking of cheerfulness, Arvo’s attention was momentarily diverted to the sound of giggling. A younger girl was climbing trees nearby. Arvo watched her silently through his mane of curly black locks.

The girl seemed in a world of her own, sparing very little concern for the disapproving looks she was getting from adults. From her perch on the tree, Arvo watched her dropping little twigs into the hair of passersby. It was amusing, especially when they noticed what she was doing. Arvo wondered what she was doing here all by herself. Surely she had friends to play with? She looked like she’d be popular with her peers. Since she hadn’t noticed him yet, Arvo kept watching her as she lured a bird closer to her, happily whistling a little tune.

Arvo thought about going up to her, because just watching her play had cheered him up a little, but immediately he dismissed the idea as stupid. There was no way she’d want to be seen playing with him anyway. No one wanted to be seen with him. That was just something he’d learned to accept. Anyway, her friends might appear soon and he had to be ready to leave if they did.

[Amoux]

Amoux grinned broadly as the bird finally drew close enough to touch. Suppressing delighted laughter she reached out her hand to pet it, but in her eagerness moved to quickly. The bird startled and leapt into the air, cawing in fear as it swooped past her cheek and out of the trees foliage. Amoux squeaked in shock as the feathers brushed past her cheek and reared back, losing her balance on the branch. She teetered for a moment, desperately flailing her arms to regain her seat, but gravity worked against her and she slipped from the tree, falling with a startled squeal into the bushes below.

Landing heavily on her rump, Amoux groaned, pushing herself onto her knees and rubbing at her tail bone. An embarrassed blush bloomed over her face as she looked around quickly, seeing that not only had the mean woman from earlier witnessed her clumsiness, but a boy around her own age had too. Huffing she pushed herself to her feet, gesturing rudely in the smug woman's direction before turning to regard the boy, who was sitting a few trees away.

He looks like a person shaped rain cloud... She thought, furrowing her brows at the boy. You can't be that grumpy in such a nice place, it drags down the mood. I'll just have to snap him out of it. She decided, marching over, always happy to meddle in business that wasn't hers.

The older boy didn't look like an Inartan to her, his hair was too dark, with no hues of red to speak of. Amoux was used to being the same as all the other girls her age, red hair, pale skin, freckles. She was more than used to getting lost in the crowd, but this boy stood out. Stopping in front of him she crossed her arms, her face as stern as she could make it.

"Stop being so grumpy and play Hide and Seek with me." She demanded simply, her stern expression giving way to a wide grin as she dropped her hands, swinging them at her sides. "And whats your name?"

[Arvo]

The girl didn’t notice him still, so he continued to watch her, and her attempts to pet the pretty perched bird in the tree. He saw it before it happened: The girl reaching her hand out too fast towards the easily-startled bird, and as a consequence, the avian would flee. Surprise when the bird nipped past her cheek as it flew away made the little girl lose her balance with a fearful little squeak.

Squealing like a stuck pig, she tumbled from the treetop and onto her bum in a most embarrassing manner. A ghost of a smile appeared on the boys lips as she watched her go almost as red as the colour of her hair. Arvo sniggered silently, but cut the sound off when she made eye contact with him. Shyke. He thought in a panic. He averted his golden eyes from her furrowed brow, and turned away, hoping she’d ignore him.

But of course she didn’t. He could hear her footsteps coming towards him, and then her chirpy voice sternly telling him to lighten up, and play a game with her. Arvo glanced at her, narrowing his eyes suspiciously, trying to work out weather she was serious or not. He stood up so he could meet her eyes “Did all the good red-headed friends ditch you or sommin’?” He muttered looking down again, off his guard a little since he wasn’t used to such normal Inartens inviting him to play. After concluding from her honest smile that she wasn’t simply messing with him, he introduced himself gruffly “Arvo… I’m Arvo” He said finally.

After scuffling his feet a little he remembered he should ask her name as well “What’s your name?” He asked, voice with marginally more volume than before as he met her smiling eyes again “Hide-and-seek, yeah?” He repeated, smiling a little “I’ve never played it, but I bet I’m still better than you, clumsy” He remarked, letting a small childish giggle escape his lips. He’d never played, but he’d watched others play from the sidelines quite a lot, so he knew how the game was carried out. Usually in large groups, but Arvo figured it’d require more skill to hunt down one person.

[Amoux]

Amoux's smile widened at her success. "Nice to meet ya, Arvo. I'm Amoux, but you can call me Moxy!" Only her mother called her Moxy, but her full name became a bit of tongue twister sometimes. "How can you have never played Hide and Seek!?" She demanded shooting him a disbelieving look, before realizing he had continued to speak after the initial revelation. "You are not!" She disagreed, setting her hands on her hips stubbornly. "I bet I'll catch you in the first three chimes!"

Though she preferred hiding Amoux decided it would be rude to make Arvo count after she had demanded he play. She pushed the toe of her shoe into the ground, pushing at a clod of earth. "You can hide first and I'll count to ten." She said smiling once more and turning to face the tree nearest them, covering her eyes. "And you have to stay within hearing distance." She called over her shoulder, finally beginning the count down.

She strained her ears as she counted, listening desperately for any clue to the direction the boy had gone, any rustling of trees or bushes. "...eight...nine...ten...READY OR NOT HERE I COME!" She shrieked at the top of her lungs, spinning around and looking around, whipping her head from side to side.

[Arvo]

Moxy, huh? Maybe she’s different than everyone else, or she could just be ignorant of reputation among the Yasi’s. She was a couple of years younger, so that was probably why. When he told her he’d never played Hide and seek before she looked as though she didn’t believe him. He laughed again when she told him she’d find him in the first 3 chimes. His mood had definitely been lifted. This was his first actual game of hide and seek, and he wanted to be good at it. There was no way he was going to let Moxy beat him. Even though he could only lose when he was hiding, he was determined to allude her for as long as he could, and longer that her when it was her turn to hide.

Suddenly Moxy was counting and Arvo had to spring into action. He only had 10 seconds, and the area he was allowed to hide in was very small. He ran for the furthest tree he could find, nearly knocking a couple holding hands over in the process and gaining dirty looks from everyone that saw him. Not letting this discourage him, he dove for a crawl space. The trees were all so close together that their roots made an excellent cover. Some of the spaces were even big enough for an adult to stand in, some no bigger than the size of a small fox.

Arvo dropped down into one such hole, out of sight. He could still hear his new playmate’s muffled voice, which meant he wasn’t cheating, even if he was slightly under ground. There was a certain hollow space Arvo had his eyes on. It was very dark, but Arvo’s eyes adjusted much quicker than anyone elses in the dark. They were above average, and he was going to use that to his advantage. Arvo squirmed into the tight space between the cherry tree roots. It was almost shaped like a claw, or talon, that encased him. The only problem was that it didn’t have an easy escape route if he heard her nearby. He’d have to sit tight, and then keep an eye out for a better spot.

[Amoux]

Amoux shouldered past people as she ran this way and that, searching for Arvo in a near erratic manner, determined not to loose their little bet. Weaving her way through the trees she showed no regard for the Inartens around her, stamping across picnic blankets and accidentally tripping over baskets in her haste, completely disregarding the scoldings yelled at her. She made a point to shove past the mean old lady, nearly knocking the woman over as she ignored the old hags screeched threats.

She huffed in frustration, slightly out of breath as she turned in a circle, hands planted firmly on her hips. She was close to three chimes, she knew, and it was unlikely she would find him any time soon. Frustrated she stomped in a circle, crushing a bright yellow mushroom under her boot as she did so. The dome gave an audible squelch as she moved her boot away and Amoux looked down curiously to watch as a puss like liquid seeped out of the crushed mushrooms cap. As the drops of liquid spread it caused the sprouts of grass it touched to darken and wither. Amoux looked on in fascination and plucked a flower from her hair to dip into it, bringing it close to her face to watch it turn brown. It must be poisonous... She thought with wonder.

After a few chimes Amoux remembered herself and leapt up, even more frantic that before as she realized she had run over her three chime limit. spinning in a circle Amoux finally noticed the perfect hiding space, a little hidey hole between the rots of one of the trees. Rushing forward she pushed her head inside without a second thought, almost butting heads with Arvo. "Found you."

[Arvo]

Arvo remained quite, counting in his head. She wouldn’t find him in time, at least, that was what he was counting on. There wasn’t really any other way for the hider to win a game of hide and seek. One chime passed, and he wondered if he should move from is spot and find a new one or at least have a little peek. But Arvo decided against it after hesitating for another chime. She’d definitely find him if he moved. Maybe if he just stayed still he could last longer. Three chimes went by and Arvo grinned to himself.

How weird was this. Arvo felt like a child. Technically he was a child, but he’d never played the same games that the other children played. Literally no on had ever come up to him and asked him to do anything with them. Why was this ‘Moxy’ different? How come she didn’t care that Arvo was a mongrel, or that he didn’t fit in. She wouldn’t be popular if she made friends with him. Maybe she hadn’t thought about that, or maybe she didn’t care. Maybe she was a loner like him? No, how could she be? She was just like them.

Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted with a jolt as Moxy found him. He frowned as her tiny head burst out in front of him, face full of triumph “Wasn’t as quick as you said.” Arvo grumbled. He was grumpy because this clumsy little girl had found him so quickly. He would just have to find her even quicker, because now it was his turn to seek.

“Fine, move, it’s my turn. I’ll find you even quicker.” He said squirming out of his spot to get back above ground. When they were both back on the grass, Arvo covered his eyes and began counting down from 10, barely giving her a chance to say she was ready.

[Amoux]

"Yeah, whatever!" Amoux laughed as Arvo began to count. Grinning she hurried away as quickly as she could, glancing around for a good hiding spot. She scampered across the clearing, glancing back at Arvo every now and again as she searched for a good spot.

Amoux scurried over a large boulder towards the out side of the Cherry Tree copse, glancing behind it, attempting to gauge its suitability. A small bush was growing close behind in and she immediately scrambled over the top to drop into the bush, wincing with a squeak of discomfort at the prickles of the small thorns. She furrowed her brow in frustration as she realized Arvo had found the best hiding spot in the clearing, crossing her arms and huffing as she settled into the bush, hoping it was deep enough to hide her bright hair from sight.

Next time I'm definitely hiding first. She decided with a satisfied smirk. Arvo did seem pretty weird, bu Amoux didn't really mind, preferring someone weird to someone mean and arrogant.

[Arvo]

oocSorry it’s late, Uni has been rather intense
Arvo finished his counting, and opened his eyes. He ran through the clearing, eyes darting this way and that, remaining focused on his goal. He checked the roots, in case she’d gone for a place she figured he’d never think to look, since he hid there previously. But she wasn’t there, and time was ticking. There weren't many other good hiding places within the confines of this grove, so his golden eyes moved elsewhere.

There were scattered trees and bushes that looked like sutible hiding places, so Arvo began checking the ones that looked large enough to hide a little girl. Fortunatly he didn’t have to move any branches because the girls hair would be obvious at a glance.

Growing frustrated, Arvo ran for a boulder, hoping she’d be on the other side. He scrambled up it’s side and peeked his head over the top. His mouth curved into a huge smirk as he noticed the distinctive red hair caught in the thorny bramble “Found ya.” He pointed out, giggling at the sight of her. He offered her a hand so she could climb back up the boulder next to him “You look like a porcupine!”