Kindle Dahlia Tributes: Spark Between Us: Caretaker

The day had been rather uneventful for Dahlia and her group, not having much they were allowed to do because it was supposed to be a rest day for her and Seraphae, and Kindle wasn’t allowed to help because no one really trusted a newcomer to know how they wanted things done around here. So, the trio merely spent the remaining hours of the day hanging out below ground in the shade, trying to entertain themselves. Today had been odd, since it was one right after a big event the night before, meaning there was lots to do for the cleanup crew and trainees, but not much for the battlers of the previous night. These types of days were always the same for Dahlia; boring and uneventful.

 

The three had decided to take a nap, a temporary escape from the heat of the day overhead, but partially because they were all naturally nocturnal as well. Dahlia was the first to awake, blinking her eyes open and raising her head in a yawn. Looking over Dahlia could see Kindle very close by, maybe without even realizing it she’d rolled closer in her sleep. Dahlia’s body felt hot all of a sudden, but she chose to ignore it and simply chalk it up to the fact that she was waking up, therefore the day’s weather must be getting to her again. She quickly looked away as Kindle opened her eyes, mirroring the yawn Dahlia had done when she had woken up too.

 

“Evening.” Dahlia chirped. Kindle looked sleepily at her, something that made Dahlia’s heart jump into her throat. Not now, keep it casual. She’s your friend.

Dahlia fought her emotions as Kindle pushed herself upright, faltering a bit as she stood, which didn’t go unnoticed by Dahlia.

 

“I’m going to get some more water.” Kindle stated, making her way over to the nearest water station. Was Kindle…limping?

 

“You like her, don’t you?” Dahlia startled at the sudden voice behind her. It was Seraphae, who had probably been awake the whole time and just did nothing to signify that.

 

“What?” Dahlia said, voice still a bit raspy from sleep.

 

“Don’t play dumb, you know what I mean. You like Kindle. Love her, even.” Seraphae poked at Dahlia’s emotions.

 

“No I don’t! She’s my friend, and I don’t even know if she likes girls anyway.” Dahlia trailed off at that last bit. She looked over at Kindle, who now had her head dipped to take a drink from the trough-like setup that was full of fresh water. She held her right leg slightly off the ground, only the pads of her toes touching the surface. Something was definitely wrong.

 

“Hey Kindle, walk back here for me.” Dahlia asked. Kindle looked back at her puzzled, water droplets dripping from her beak. She suddenly realized what Dahlia was asking and her eyes widened slightly. She turned around and began walking.

 

“You’re limping. What happened?” Dahlia asked, suddenly concerned for her friend.

 

“Nothing, just a little pain is all.” Kindle tried to cover her limp by walking normally. She faltered once again, wincing a bit at the stinging sensation that shot up her thigh. Dahlia was not convinced.

 

“You’re hurt, Kindle. Come sit down, I’ll get a medic to check your leg out.” Dahlia stood up and helped Kindle over to where she had been sleeping, lowering her carefully and waiting until she was properly situated to leave her with Seraphae to find one of the medics of the arena.

 

Dahlia went up the ramp leading to the surface, squinting in the sudden sunlight that assaulted her eyes. She held up a wing to look around at the activities going on, finally spotting what she was looking for.

A rather large pair of Harpias stood across the pit, near the entrance conversing with one of the medics. Richter and Crowley were frequent visitors and battlers in the arena here, despite living some distance away at a place called Rocface Rookery. The pair are often seen with each other, and are practically inseparable. They fight together, train together, and have known each other since basically their hatch dates. They’re often here for the larger events in the region, being some of the bigger name arena fighters.

Beside the two stood a sphinx, one that belonged to Crowley and matched his plumage closely. It was apparently called Agnar, as Crowley had mentioned in passing a few times.

Dahlia approached the group, relieved when the walls of the coliseum blocked out the sun as she got closer.

 

“Hey, Richter and Crowley, right?” She asked. The silken Harpia nodded, while the Royal simply grunted in greeting.

 

“Oh, hello Dahlia! Richter and Crowley are here for the big event later this week! They’re our special guests.” The medic, a young Tyto named Kanji, covered in mottled orange colors and white patches, seemed very excited to have the two Harpias present for the next handful of days.

Dahlia nodded to the two Harpias before turning her attention to Kanji.

 

“Kanji, I may need some help. My friend might have hurt her leg and I want you to check it out for me. She’s limping and it seems to be painful.” Dahlia explained. Kanji’s face grew into one of concern.

 

“Oh dear, yes I’ll be there right away!” Kanji said, turning back to the two Harpias to redirect them to someone else to address their business.

Dahlia led the way back to the opening to the underground where she’d left Kindle with Seraphae. Once back inside, she could see Kindle curled up where Dahlia had left her, Seraphae nowhere to be seen. “So much for helping” Dahlia thought with an eye roll.

Kanji took charge as soon as she saw Kindle’s leg sprawled out beside her, examining it and asking all kinds of questions.

 

“So where exactly does it hurt?”

 

“The back of my calf. The muscle itself hurts real bad.” Kindle motioned to her leg with a nod of her head. Kanji nodded.

 

“And does it hurt when I do this?”

 

Kanji gently stretched Kindle’s leg outwards and back inwards a few times, gauging the level of pain from Kindle’s expressions.

 

“Yeah, quite a bit. It also hurts to walk.” Kindle grunted. Kanji placed her leg back down, keeping it lightly outstretched so she could continue the assessment.

 

Dahlia had subconsciously leaned inwards a bit more, standing very close to Kindle now. Something inside her mind felt protective of the other Harpia all of a sudden.

Kanji proceeded to ask a few more questions, then left to retrieve some medical supplies to help relieve the pain and keep the injured leg still.

 

“Alright, Dahlia, you stay with Kindle for the next few days and make sure she doesn’t overdo it. Don’t want that sprain getting any worse.” Kanji instructed. Dahlia sighed in relief.

 

“Good, so it’s just a sprain.”

 

“Yes, but that still doesn’t mean she’s back to normal. She should take it easy for a while until it has time to fully heal.” Kanji tapped her talons on the ground and shot Dahlia a firm look before padding off to go get her supplies.

 

Dahlia huffed, but turned her attention back to Kindle, who was looking up at her with her golden eyes. It was almost enough to make Dahlia’s breath stop, the way Kindle was, even in her injured state. She didn’t even process that Kindle had said something until she attempted to stand, instantly falling back down with a thud.

 

“Woah, take it easy. Can’t have you hurting yourself further.” Dahlia lowered herself down to Kindle’s side, ignoring the nerves in her body setting themselves off at the close proximity to her friend. Kindle wasted no time in inching closer until the two were pressed side-to-side, making Dahlia’s brain go haywire. What is she doing…?

Before Dahlia could process further, Kindle was preening the ruffled feathers around her neck gently. Dahlia felt lightheaded all of a sudden, this was overwhelming. Not in a bad way, but…she wasn’t sure what she was feeling actually.

Dahlia decided not to dwell on it too much, allowing Kindle to continue taking care of her feathers for her. It did feel kind of nice, after all.

 

“You’re stressed.” Kindle’s voice suddenly cut through Dahlia’s thoughts like a blade.

 

“What? No, I’m fine. You’re the one who’s hurt, I should be taking care of you!” Dahlia responded quickly, denying what she knew was true. Kindle didn’t seem all that convinced.

 

“Alright guys, I’ve brought some compression bandages, ice, and a few pain meds to help you relax a bit and recover.” Kindle immediately stopped preening Dahlia as Kanji approached.

 

“Thank you Kanji.” Dahlia gently said to the Tyto as she wrapped Kindle’s leg in bandages and applied the ice.

 

“Oh it’s not a problem, Dahlia! It’s what I do.” Kanji finished tucking the bandage in to keep it secure, handing Kindle the pain medication she’d brought with her and watching as she swallowed it. Kindle’s face scrunched up in disdain at the taste, but she said nothing.

 

“Now, you two lovebirds take it easy for the next few days! Call me if you need anything.” Kanji shouted over her shoulder as she hurried off.

Dahlia froze at the remark. Lovebirds? Did Kanji think they were…?

Suddenly a weight was pressed further into Dahlia’s side as Kindle leaned into her. Kindle nudged Dahlia’s wings on her left side, forcing her to lift them so she could get closer and relax the way she wanted. Dahlia hoped Kindle couldn’t hear or feel how fast her heart was beating. To her dismay, Kindle picked up on it.

 

“What’s wrong?” Kindle asked nonchalantly. Dahlia didn’t respond at first, but in favor of not worrying Kindle any further, she spoke out.

 

“Nothing really, just thinking.” Dahlia lied again. Kindle didn’t seem convinced.

 

“ It’s me, isn’t it? You know you don’t have to be anxious around me, right?” Kindle’s voice was quiet now.

 

“No! No, of course it’s not you. Well, not in the way you’d think.” Dahlia admitted, trying to reassure Kindle.

 

“So it is me in some way, right? What is it about me? You can tell me, I won’t be mad.” Kindle’s voice sounded so kind and innocent, Dahlia felt bad for keeping her feelings a secret from her for this long.

 

“Kindle…there’s something I haven’t been completely honest about.” Dahlia sighed. Kindle looked at her puzzled.

 

“You know how when you’re around someone you really like, you get that kind of fluttery feeling in your gut? Like you just leapt off a cliff?” Dahlia explained, and Kindle nodded.

 

“Well, I get that feeling around…you. I really like you, Kindle, and I haven’t known how to tell you until now. I still don’t really know how to be honest.” Dahlia felt Kindle’s body tense beside her, and she instantly knew she’d royally and truly screwed up. Kindle was going to get up and leave, never want to talk to her again. This was it.

Suddenly, Dahlia felt Kindle’s face press into her neck feathers, a chuckle escaping her beak. It almost felt like Kindle was…smiling?

 

“Dahlia, you’re such an idiot, and I mean that in the best way possible.” Kindle laughed.

 

“W-what?” Dahlia stuttered.

 

“Dahlia, I like you too. A lot. Always have, and I’ve been petrified that you’d reject me or never want to speak to me again, so I just kept it all bottled up inside and chose to ignore it in favor of believing a friendship was the best I’d get with you.” Kindle said, exhaling deeply. Dahlia felt her world spinning, but it was welcome for sure. Kindle likes me too. She really does.

Dahlia spread her wings over Kindle, pulling her closer. They sat like that for a good while, simply basking in each others’ presence.

 

“I think you should get some rest, Kindle. The only way your leg will heal is with rest.” Dahlia stated contentedly after a while.

Kindle hummed in response, eyes closed and breathing growing more even. Dahlia could tell she was ready to fall asleep at any moment now.

 

“You won’t leave, right?” Kindle asked quietly. Dahlia shook her head.

 

“Not for a long time, Kindle.”

 

Kindle

2038 words- 40 AP

Tribute-4

Extra stryx-3

Personal-3

Total= 50 AP

 

Dahlia

2038 words- 40 AP

Tribute-4

Extra stryx-3

Personal-3

Total= 50 AP

 

Seraphae

584 words- 10 AP

Extra stryx-3

Total= 13 AP

 

Crowley

281 words-4 AP

Extra stryx-3

Total= 7 AP

 

Richter

281 words-4 AP

Extra stryx-3

Total= 7 AP

 

Kanji

552 words-10

Extra stryx-3

Total= 13 AP