Kierra

Bare feet are silent on the floor, but I'm dripping a little. Oh well, won't be the first or last time.

"Xavier, can you bring in the finished canvases and get them hung on the shelves like the others for me?"

With a nod, he goes to do so while I get to the kitchen and pick up my phone to check any messages. Playing first with Maii's hair before going to play in Bastion's.

I do so absently while listening through a few different voices. One's from mom, so that settles getting a hold of her. Her voice sounds relaxed, happy. So hopefully she's getting the, uh, rest, she needs. Her friend looked capable enough.

The second call was from the art gallery in Rockford; always willing to show my work for a commission. No biggy, I don't mind as long as it isn't ridiculous. I get that times are hard, but trying to get grabby with artists is not the way to go. Artwork doesn't always sell, called for less these days since no one has the money to spare. Yes, I want to share my visions, and I enjoy the work itself, but a payment for at least replacing materials is needed.

Price also goes off of the quality and size of the print. Print in my case, other mediums have their own whatsits. Dumbing down my work is not something I like to do, so galleries and I can go back and forth. I'm one of those that doesn't understand the draw one can have towards a five hundred dollar painting that's only a couple splashes of color on a blank background. I don't get it, never will. I need color, design. Purpose isn't always needed, but other things are.

Third call is from someone I've never heard of before, a 'Mr. Silverton'. An out of state collector who would like a couple specifically made prints from me. Huh. How would someone in Missouri even know about my stuff? I've never been out of state, even when doing my books. Aside from Wisconsin, of course. The art gallery has a website, maybe seen them on there? I write the number the man gives down, having to listen to it twice more to catch it all.

The fourth call is actually one I've been waiting on for months. Eager to do something for them, but not wanting to seem too eager and come across as begging for a spot. A local restaurant likes to feature things done by locals, whether it be art, getting some great award, or winning a high stakes game of whatever is popular at the time.

I'd been there admiring some of the items featured when a waiter had come up asking if they could help me. Guess it did come across as me loitering when gawking, but I wasn't meaning to be a nuisance. Was just my luck that the art galleries' auctioneer had been there and recognized me.

Guy embarrassed me all to hell by making a big fuss, wanting to talk to the owner of the place. I was horrified by that time but couldn't move, so upset that I was shaking and trying to contain my anger.

Turns out the owner of the restaurant and the auctioneer were actually friends, his making a fuss was just to cause innocent trouble. Didn't feel that way to me, but it helped me calm down a bit. They'd gotten into a big discussion on random subjects, so I figured I could leave. When trying to walk away without looking like an idiot is when he introduced me. Pretty sure the owner could see how uncomfortable I was, so he didn't believe I was very good. Rick, the auctioneer, didn't have any images on him, but I did.

Pictures were taken on my phone, so they could have been from anyone. That was exactly the look I got, so Rick invited him to the gallery to see some of my stuff. The owner had said if all went well he'd give me a call. Dude was a real prick, actually. Guess he finally got around to seeing my junk. He didn't specify to make anything specific, so it's artist’s choice. Could be a real bitch and make it derogatory in some way, but I'll try to contain myself. Have to remember what their theme was anyway, so I may have to take a trip.

Paintings I've done already I don't know if I want to part with. That's usually my problem. Always tell myself I can do them again and better, but it never seems to happen. They're done though and can be taken to the gallery tomorrow. Gets them out of the way so I have the space to make the commissioned ones.

Calling Mr. Silverton back, I get a recording so I leave a message that I need details of what they want. The gallery is called back to let them know I have four that I can get over there tomorrow, then leave a message for the diner that I'll get to theirs soon.

If he's going to try looking like a hotshot by having me wait so long, then he can just wait for me to get to it. Bastion hands me a plate of spaghetti and my eyes widen. He smiles and mouths he made it with Xavier and Maii.

Giving him a smile, I take a bite. Amazingly, it's really good. Giving him a thumbs up, I get Ava dialed. Need to get the boys' papers back to her too. Busy busy busy. She answers and we talk a bit before asking when the best time to bring them is. Want to ask about properties, but not in front of so many. ‘Either later tonight or tomorrow is good’. Perfect.

Something I've been wanting to ask Xavier for a while now and have yet to do so, I plan on snagging him for now. When the boys take plates out to the Arctic brothers, I pull him aside.

"You're proficient with a blade, yes?"

He just gives me a droll look, so I smirk. Already know he is, been wanting to get some instruction from him myself. I just love to be a pain, especially to him. He makes it amusing.

"I've been toying with the idea of Bastion learning how to use them. I'm good, but not good enough to teach a child. Same with Maii. I want them both able to protect themselves if for some reason none of us are around. Think you're up for it?"

He actually nods with a serious look.

"Been thinking the same myself. Where the rest of us have an animal to draw on, he's left out. He wants to do more, but with what's going on, he can't do much. Teaching them will give both more confidence in themselves. Do you have blades they can use or are we using butter knives?"

Don't think I've ever wanted to kick someone so hard as I do him right now.

Instead, my eyes narrow as I push past him into my room. The small end table-like thing on the one side of my bed has multiple drawers. Inside one drawer there's a collection of throwing knives. One set is balanced, which can be thrown by either end. Came as a set of twelve and are very pretty. Black and silver. No frilly stuff needed.

Another set of three is kunai based that I have a habit of playing with since they have a ring at the pommel. Since they need to learn the blade first, I pull out a couple butterfly knives. Usually the best to practice with, then move your way up.

Pocket knives, bowie, daggers, and a few OTF blades that are highly illegal. Commonly called the switchblade in most areas. Since I'm not the teacher, I pull them all out and lay them on the bed. And when I say all of them, I mean all of them.

On the last count, I had over a hundred different ones. Some are stashed around the house too. Few survival knives, couple karambits, and another that if caught with, I'd be taken in for some serious questioning. Why? Because unlike the others that can have some other use, as in protection, hunting, or utility, this one is meant for killing. A cyclone tri-edged spiraling fixed blade knife. It's a beaut.

Twisted blades like that are made for killing and that's all. I take it out so Xavier sees it, but it will not be touched by the boys. Used to have a few swords as well, but those got sold off. I like smaller blades better.

Take that however you wish.

When he sees it, his eyebrow goes up, even more so than it’d already been from when I started pulling out everything.

"Think I'm covered without needing butter knives, but I suppose those could be used too."

I smirk at him as he raises his hands in surrender. Most have their own sheaths, but there are a few that don't. The cyclone even has its own specially made sheath.

Best way to get rid of a handsy date? Start playing with your knives. Guarantee they may gawk, but then they are so gone. Especially if you're like me and like to pet them. I have these and several others in boxes in my closet. Some are actually collectible. Isn't that the saddest thing you've ever heard?

When I first started out, I trained with the butterfly. Well, no, I take that back. When I first started, I was always playing with my uncle's blades. He decided to teach me so I wasn't cutting off my own fingers.

When he was teaching me knife work, since I was so very young at the time, he carved a couple wooden knives for us to use. If Xavier hadn't been here, I think I would have gone to him for help. Blade knowledge and physical.

Faline and I have two uncles, our mom's brothers. Each has a totally different personality, complete opposite on the spectrum really. One is really into the physical aspect of life; fighting, mountain biking, blade work, outdoor survival, that kind of thing.

Other uncle is all brain. Biggest geek and nerd you will ever meet more than likely. Well, maybe not, there are some pretty crazy ones out there these days. Real smart, loves to talk about history, big gamer of all kinds, movie buff, and did I mention, really smart? Not sure how high the IQ, but pretty damn far up there.

So me, Faline, and our assortment of cousins were pretty set no matter which way we chose to go. Best part is they're both highly creative too, one being a carver and the other a storyteller. I shake my head hard to pull myself out of the past. Good memories this time, but they can still make me cry.

Blinking over to Xavier, I motion out over the bed, the cyclone in my hand.

"Even the decorative ones are usable, so use whatever you need. Don't worry about damaging them, they're meant to be used. Not sure if you know about the practice area set up over at Ava's. Since I have to run over there tomorrow, I can take you guys to check it out too."

He nods while looking over everything. Setting the heavy deadly blade off to the side, I head back out. Think that's everything I wanted to do before talking with the Vamp chilling on my couch looking amused.

I look at him for a second then turn right back around and go to my room again. Socks. I sadly need a pair of socks. Don't pay any attention to what the false wolf is doing, just grab them and scoot. Coming back out once more, Benji raises an eyebrow, so I hold them up. He just shakes his head.

"Oi, you might be able to wear shoes without socks, but I can't. Now...where'd I put my food?"