[Askoga]: 89.Snippets.Kiera's Accounts.28Dec08

December 28, 2008

In the morning, when the boy and his father came in for their morning rounds, I leaped back down out of the loft to greet them. I twined briefly around the boy's legs again in thanks for the fish the night before, then sauntered away. Time to find a new place. I really wanted to find a city, so I could turn into a human again, at least for part of the time. I might even be able to stay for a while in a city, if I was careful.

Once away from the barn, I found a place to hide, then changed into a red-tailed hawk and flew along, generally following the road. As with the cat, I could hunt along the way, though I didn't much like hunting. It felt a little strange to kill things that I could turn into, and usually had at some point or another.

That afternoon, I came to a city. Once I reached the suburbs I swooped down and changed into a young woman. In order to hide my somewhat unique markings better, I kept my skin dark. Most people wouldn't notice the freckles or the strange birthmark that way, unless they looked closely. I kept my apparent age close to my actual age, because that was more comfortable for me. Clothing was a funny thing to add, and kind-of uncomfortable, so I kept it a little tight against my skin. Before stepping out into the open, I checked myself over.

I had short-cropped, tightly curled black hair, dark chocolate skin, I was about middling height on the slender side of average, and with toned muscles, but not toned enough to stand out. I knew without looking that my eyes were so dark as to be almost black, and I had high cheekbones, but a broad nose and full lips. I wore a cream-colored sleeveless top and a pair of close-fitting jean shorts with a pair of tennis.

Satisfied with my appearance, I walked out of my hiding place and toward the center of town. My first order of business would be to find a job, since I had no money. This town was big enough that I might be able to stay for a little while. I decided to apply to places that wouldn't think anything of it if I disappeared without notice one day. After the first place (a gas station), I realized that I'd need a phone that they could call me at.

Cursing my luck, I sat down in a nearby park to consider my options. Then I got up to wander around town, to see if anything came up. Eventually, I stumbled across a mechanic who was working by himself. I offered to lend a hand, and spent the rest of my afternoon helping him. I learned that he ran his business by himself, and didn't have any help at the moment. I learned quickly, and by the end of the day I was able to actually help, rather than just follow directions.

“You're a real blessing, Cassie,” I hadn't told him my real name, “Thanks for your help! Here, how long did you work today?”

“'Bout three hours, I think. Want me to come back tomorrow?”

“Sure thing! Here's something for today. How 'bout we start you off at eight bucks an hour? Give you a raise if you stick around.”

He handed me thirty dollars, grinning at me, “See you tomorrow, then!”

Embarrassed, I said, “Jake, I can't make change for this.”

“Naw, Cassie, that's a bonus for helpin' me out today! Go get yourself a treat, or something, ey?”

I smiled at him, grateful, “Thanks, Jake. See you tomorrow.”

“'Bye, Cassie.”

I left, looking at the money he'd given me and wondering what to buy first. Eventually, I settled on clothing. Food should be pretty easy in a town this size, and forming my own clothes was uncomfortable. I stopped by a department store and got myself a t-shirt and a pair of shorts, which used up most of my day's pay. I still had enough for a little food, though, so after finding a place to put on my new clothes I found a fast food place to eat.

Finally, it was late evening, and I was getting tired. I stepped out into the streets, remembering the park I'd stopped at earlier in the day, and headed over there. I climbed into a tree, tucked my clothes into a crook of branches, and changed into a hawk. I could roost there and sleep quite easily like that.