The two boys drove in silence. Each angry at the other. " Gggrrrroooooooowwwwwll", Kim's stomach protested loudly. Both boys burst out in laughter. Suddenly, in that moment, everything was alright in the world. Thia, wiping tears from his eyes from laughing too hard, opened up the glove box and rummaged through all the things and found some wrapped *mamris and handed them to Kim. Kim used one hand, unwrapped them and took a large hungry bite. Thia looked at him and laughed again while Kim smiled in embarrassment.
"You're the one who said that you didn't want to... " Thia said amusedly looking at Kim but stops when his face turns sour, grimacing . Kim pointed ahead of them using his chin. Thia turned and all amusement disappeared. Tension regained its position. Directly in front of them was the Hunters Guild, Mwas' group. Their HVs were heavily loaded at the back but they couldn't see due to them being covered. Kim swallowed hard and gripped the wheel, his hunger forgotten. Thia eased into his seat and unsheathed his leza knives. The boys were ready for anything. Warriors were known to steal hunts and some will resort to underhanded tactics just to cover up their crimes. There was one group that was known for this, the Hunters Guild, Mwas' group. Kim tightened his grip on the wheel. He had lost once to them, he never lost ever again. He had sworn never to lose anything ever again.
Slowly the distance closed between them. The tension thickened like a fog. Thia held his knives on his laps, gripping them tightly. However, they went unnoticed. The Hunters Guild warriors were in a good celebratory mood, their boss was treating them tonight. They didn't have time for a measly steal much less go for a fight so close to the Gate. To them, the fact that Mwas had actually volunteered to spoil them was a rare event. It was so rare that, the last time he had treated them was four years ago.
Both groups passed through the Gate without as much as glancing to each at each other. The tension the boys had felt disappeared as they slowly parked the HV. Thia went close to Kim and asked silently," Did we meet the quota given"? To which Kim merely nodded, his mouth full of mamris. Thia looked at his friend with renewed respect. There was a reason why Kim was considered the best warrior in the current generation. They went inside and followed the decontamination routine. They again found themselves in the large room waiting for the Deles. The door opened and Kim's face got hard. It was Shiru, the Resident Observer, smiling triumphiantly.
Her eyes met Kim's and she gave a satisfied smile. I'll crush you this time, she thought. Thia looked at the two of them locked in a staring contest before Kim broke it off and clicked his tongue. What happened between them, Thia wondered. Her smile was wiped off her face by Kamau the Deles on Duty. "Alright boys let's get this over with we've got a festival to prepare for ", said the middle aged man gruffly. Shiru was exasperated. The nerve of this man! He had ignored her again and again and now... she had had enough. Shiru stomped out in frustration.
Kamau watched her leave from the corner of his eye, he grinned a little. Serves her right, he thought. Loudly he told the boys," You should get home while you can before everything grinds to a halt ahead of the festival." Kim smiled and yanked Thia who was about to speak, and ran out of the building. Of all the days of the year, this was the only time the DD actually smiled and never bothered over the small things. Thank you festival, Kim thought happily.
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Shiru stomped out of there angry. Just why did her charms not work on Kamau. She was beautiful, with brown smooth skin, black shining hair held together in a bun, large light brown almost grey eyes and well shaped lips. She had an hour glass figure that made ladies sometimes envious. She was beautiful indeed so why, why didn't her charms work on him. She clicked her tongue. " What made you angry this time 'sister' ", a voice behind her said. A cold chill ran down her spine. She turned slowly frantically hoping it wasn't who she thought it was. Her hopes crushed instantly. It was Mwas, her 'younger brother'.
She tried her best to force herself to smile as dread filled her up. This wasn't gong to be good.