Siblings

"Taya? Are you Taya?" The woman pulled down her hood and scanned me from head to toe.

"So it is you, Tali. I finally found you!" I wanted to run up and hug her but I was weary of the man beside her.

"Oh my god, you've grown up so much!" There were tears in her eyes. "Ty, lay off. This is the sister I told you about."

"I see." The man pulled his hood down and stared at me. "Hello little sister. As it turns out, we share a nickname." He grinned with squinted eyes.

Yup, I don't like him. Everything about him rubs me the wrong way. He stole my sister and has the audacity to steal my nickname! Tali gave me that name. I glowered at him. Demi put his hand on my shoulder, presumably to keep me from making rash decisions. You know, like punching that smug face! Haa, calm down, Taya. Now's not the time to get amped up. I took a deep breath. "I'm happy to see you again sister. I really want to talk with you, but we encountered a mutant tainted and Demi got hurt. We need to return to the village and properly get it treated." By this time, the whole group had removed their hoods, revealing their faces. At my explanation, all of their expressions turned grim.

"A mutant?"

"Yes...a tainted with greater than average abilities. They use the mist differently and they self-heal."

"I see...and where is this tainted now?"

"Dead in the woods somewhere. I killed it."

"You killed it. That's hard to believe. Don't you mean your partner killed it?"

Demi's hand tightened on my shoulder and I glared at the presumption. "I mean what I said. It doesn't matter if you don't believe it. The point is, we need to return to the village. And you should be careful on your way back to wherever." Grrrr. I really don't like this man. He better not be dating my sister!

"Tyler." Tali gave him a look of disapproval. He just shrugged his shoulders. There's nothing more dismissive than a shrug. Why I oughta!

"Taya, I'll come down to the village next month and talk with you. Where are you staying?" my sister intervened.

"We're staying in the little house at the edge of town. If we're not there, then we're probably at the hunters guild."

"Okay, then I'll see you soon Taya." I narrowed my eyes. I've heard that before. My sister made a face, probably thinking of the same thing I was. "I really mean it this time. If I don't come for you, you'll definitely climb this mountain again, right?" I nodded my head.

Feeling somewhat relieved knowing Tali's whereabouts, we parted with my sister's group and returned to the village. We made it there just as the sun was setting. It was too late to find a doctor but I informed Demi that he was seeing one whether he liked it or not, tomorrow. Guilds typically have doctors on hand, given the nature of the work. We were both disgusting, covered in dirt and sweat. I told Demi to washup first, afraid that the grime would cause an infection. He knew better than to argue. I asked if he needed help but he just gave me a dirty look. I really don't think I deserved that. When he finished, I bathed and hopped into bed. I was filled with thoughts of Tali, but my eyelids were heavy and I eventually fell asleep.

*************

A month has passed. Because of Demi's injuries I started helping with his class, doing the demonstrations the doctor had forbid. He wasn't happy about it but I told him to just be good and listen for once. He looked kind of betrayed but it's in his best interest. Boys. They think they're invincible. Anyways, I actually learned a lot being Demi's stand in. As far as I'm concerned, this arrangement is mutually beneficial. As I was demonstrating the proper way to land, I heard a commotion coming from the main building.

"I'm telling you, it doesn't matter, you can't come in!"

"Just let us speak to them! We've worked with them before; they know us!"

"Do you know how many people claim to know the captain, just to sneak into his class?! I'm not falling for it! If he was expecting you, he would have said so!" Hmph

"I told you we should have sent a message!"

Curious about all the shouting, and the somewhat familiar voices, I gave the class a ten minute break. Demi and I made our way towards the noise.

"Hey! Demetri, it's us! Tell these people you know who we are."

"Brandy!" the growling voice of Derek was heard.

Demi and I looked at the confrontation before us, taken aback. Demi had a grim face but nodded at the staff to let them in.

"See, I told you!" Brandy sassed the staff who had prevented her entry. Jer promptly covered her mouth before she could make more enemies.

"What are you guys doing here?" Demi asked, his face composed. But I knew, he wasn't exactly happy. Apparently everyone else picked up on that as well, everyone except for Brandy.
Having escaped Jer's grasp, Brandy enthusiastically answered.

"We came to see you guys! I can't believe you ditched us!"

Wow, it's like she totally forgot she started a fight. I'm not sure if that's just brazen, or a skill. Demi furrowed his brow and Jer smacked his own forehead. Dave and Derek just stared at her, like it wasn't worth intervening. I decided to talk before Demi could say anything against social etiquette.

"We didn't exactly ditch you. The job was done and since there was a disagreement, we left." I tried to sound as diplomatic as possible. I could feel myself starting to sweat; this wasn't my forte.

"...right. Well-"

"We were worried because of that storm, so when I heard of a pair that sounded like you guys, I told everyone, and here we are." Jer hastily interrupted. I guess I wasn't the only person worried about what their partner would say. Derek has it the best. He will never have this problem.

"Haaaa, come in for now. I'm teaching a class so you either participate or get out." Demi gave an ultimatum.

"We'll participate!" Jer quickly replied before Demi could change his mind.

"Hold up. Dave, what's with the eye patch?" Instead of answering, the four of them looked at each other as if deciding what to say.

"We encountered a bit of trouble about a month ago." Derek reluctantly explained. Okay...but why are they being so weird about it? I looked at them with narrowed eyes. That's when drill sergeant Demi butted in.

"Okay everyone, get into position!" Demi called everyone to attention. The lesson continued with Demi barking orders and me, demonstrating. Once the training was over, we headed over to the hunter tavern to talk.

"Taya, captain," our usual server greeted us. "Who are your friends?"

"Umm, former colleagues" I answered. Brandy seemed disappointed by the distant title but it's not like we're friends.

"I see. The usual?" Demi and I nodded. "And for you four?"

"We'll just have some stew and bread."

"The bread here is really good." I informed them, after Jer had finished ordering.

"Tch. You love bread so much." Demi shook his head at me.

"Don't judge. It's not my fault your tastebuds are dead."

"Wha- my tastebuds are not dead. I'm just not a foodie like you!"

The server came back while Demi and I were still bickering. She set the food on the table. "By the way, Taya, those people from before are back." I swiftly turned my head and saw my sister and Tyler in their signature hoods. Holy crow, it's been a month already! I frantically waved so they wouldn't ignore me. If they run away, I really will chase them up the mountain this time! Maybe I could ask Dave to carry me on his back; his quads are huge. Thankfully, that was unnecessary, as they had begun to make their way towards us.

"Tali, you came!" my voice expressing pure joy. I know she said she would but there was always that chance...let's not think about it. She's here now.

"Haha, I told you I would."

I smiled wide, as my sister bent down to give me a hug. Then, I heard the astonished voice of Jer. "Tyler?"

Now what's going on?