Runaway --by trash bins--

Calesta had wandered around in the woods just outside of town for a good solid four hours atleast. She finally stopped and sat down the kitten she was carrying with her and played with if for a while. Getting hungry Calesta finally reached into her bag to get some cat food and a sandwich for herself out. After getting done eating she relaxed against a log on the lush forest floor. As she laid there for a bit she thought about how odd the town was and how oddly quiet it is. She hadn't looked for a quick job yet because she wasn't even sure if there was a job in town for her. Which was not good for her she was running out of money to live on.
She finally got up again and picked up the kitten and started to walking again. The sun was going down and she saw a building off in the distance as it suddenly began to rain. She raced up to the building and crawled into a box near the recycling bin and dumpster and fell asleep since the storm didn't seem to be letting up.

Bardem had been desperately looking for something to save him from this boring day. He wasn't very proud of the fact that he got all of his work done today, because that meant that he wasted the better part of it inside. The weather had been cold and wet lately, but Bardem can only stay cramped up inside for so long. He decides to clean up his space, quickly rearranging books on his shelf and picking up crumpled papers from the ground. When it becomes too tiring for him, he decides to take out the trash. At least I'll get some fresh air. Bardem then walked toward the office entrance, small bag of trash in hand, wishing for tomorrow to be more exciting. He sighs.

When Bardem passes through the doors, a strong current of moist air sweeps across his face, clothes, rippling slightly. The rain looked like it came from nowhere, finding its way out of the darkness and unto the still earth. Bardem liked the rain - it seemed poetic. However, he could do without the wind. It made the experience less enjoyable and the cool breezes found their way under the edges of Bardem's loose sweater, making him shiver. He made his way over to the trash bins, a few feet away from the entrance doors. He threw his little bag of trash in the bin without looking, more interested in getting back inside where it would be warmer. Bardem stopped. He didn't hear the CLANG that he was quite accustomed to, so he went back over to see what had stunted the noise. He was the only one to use that particular bin, so he thought it would be a sleeping animal or that it was full of water. He was partly right. It was a girl and her kitten, sleeping through the storm. What the hell? Bardem then leaned into the bin and tapped the girl's shoulder.

"Excuse me. Excuse me, miss..."

Calesta wasn't happy or excited about her choice of sleeping area but it kept her from getting completely soaked. She jumped slightly at a loud noise but passed it off as thunder, though it didn't sound like it, she settled back down closing her eyes wishing the storm would pass already she was exhasted. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and it nudged her awake. Blinking and yawning she looked up at a man around her age calling to her.
"huh?" Was all she could get out as she tried rangle herself out of the small box she was using to try to keep dry.

As the girl began to wake up, Bardem realized that her clothes were a bit worn, indicating she was recently in the surrounding wilderness. Perhaps she wasn't from here. He assumed that she must be homeless or running away from something. He also considered the fact that she might be an Heir, looking for safety among others like herself. This seemed likely. I don't see an signs, though. You look normal to me... This made him even more curious to find out. Bardem stepped back slightly as the girl started to move. She seemed rather tired and he could see why - the trash bin didn't seem like the most comfortable place to sleep, especially on a night like this. The rain didn't ease up, still pouring heavily, forcing Bardem to speak louder than usual.

"Sorry to wake you, but you can't sleep here. This is private property."

Calesta smiled weakly as she stared at the man and then slowly nodded.
"I figured it would be." She sighed and placed the kitten safely in the collar of her shirt and then began climbing out of the trash bin thinking of somewhere else she might be able to sleep safely without being caught since she didn't have the money to get a hotel room tonight. As she was getting down from the trash bin her ribbon got caught caught on the dumpster and untied itself. She immeditatly paused for a minute almost in painic at what the man would say about her now flaming hair.

The girl's response made Bardem feel a bit guilty. She obviously wasn't disturbing anything, but rules are rules. He didn't want to get in trouble for this somehow. Bardem was about to help the girl down, when something amazing happened. Her hair seemingly caught on fire. Each strand ignited in a brilliant swirl of red and yellow, lighting up the dim area with the joyful warmth it needed. Bardem smiled, eyes wide with surprise. He was also smiling, because he was able to confirm what he had already thought about the girl. He then quickly composed himself, hoping he didn't seem too surprised. He saw this sort of thing all the time. He stared at her hair for another moment and then motioned toward the entrance doors.

"You're an Heir? Great. Come inside, then...where it's warm."

The warmth of her hair was drying her even through the rain. The light hurt her eyes for a moment but got used to it. She fumbled around setting the small kitten on the ground and grabbed her ribbon quickly so she wouldn't lose it. She collected herself from her slight painic and realized he said something to her. When the words set in to her mind, looking confused she tilted her head and stared at him. She wasn't quite sure what to make of him or if this was a trap to get her caught by the cops not that she would mind the free bed, but then the kittin would be out on the street. IT then downed on her she had no idea what and "heir" even was.

"What's an heir?"

Bardem found it hard to not laugh at the girl with fire for hair. He managed to soften it down to a breathy chuckle, aware that it may offend her. She seemed to grow more cautious of her surroundings with every passing moment and he began to feel awkward. Bardem didn't know how to go about explaining to her what she was. He didn't want to make it sound too cold and scientific, nor vague and creepy.

"An Heir is what you are...almost human, but not quite."

Bardem then looked down at the kitten. It seemed just as confused and clueless as her. They were oddly similiar - two of a kind. He still didn't know what exactly to say. He was never good at explaining things in the way he wanted. The constant PLOP of rain falling into a nearby puddle made it even harder to concentrate. Out of frustration, he sighed heavily, pretending to thoughtfully scratch the back of his head.

"And this is the Institute. This is where Heirs can be themselves and learn to improve their skills and abilities..." Bardem then pointed at her. "...like your hair."

She bit her lip in thought, slightly processing what he was saying but honestly too exhausted to argue or really think about the matter. As wary as she was of the man she was far more tired. Happy to hear that for once being diffcultly different than most people would give her aplace to rest and possibly eat for once in her life.
"Okay." She said before yawning and taking a moment to look over the man once more. He really didn't seem to want to do her any harm or the kind of person that would if she said no. She was not interested in looking for somewhere else to sleep in the rain and was rather pleased that she actually was asked to stay the night in the building rather than the trash bin. Scoping up the kitten which was soaked now and she small bag that she was carrying with her. She crept into the building slowly trying not to look uncomfortable and completely out of her element in the building. She pressed the small trembling kitten close to her and looked back at the man.
"I'm Calesta by the way." She gave him a small smile as her soaked clothes dripped on the floor. Looking something between a wet rat and a lost bed raggled doll.

Bardem was relieved that the fiery girl didn't react to his offer in a negative manner. He wouldn't of blamed her if she did, but it was just one less thing he didn't have to worry about on a bleak day such as this. She seemed extremely cautious and Bardem could pick up on the awkward energy between them - every meeting of strangers felt the same. He imagined what it would feel like to not be able to trust anyone around him. He connected with her on that level at least. Bardem grinned for a moment when the girl finally responded.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Calesta. You can call me Bardem. "

Looking at her made him even more tired than he already was. He then gestured for Calesta to a set of doors as they crossed slowly over the office's glossy oak floorboards. Each door lead to a different part of the Institute, their multiple colors indicating order and individual purpose. Bardem gestured toward the narrow, crimson door.

"This will take you to the dorms. Turn left at the end of the hall and you'll find the girl's section. You are the second Heir to enter the Institute, as it is still relatively new, so you'll find dry clothes laying neatly on an empty bed of your choosing." Bardem yawned. "Any questions?"

Calesta nodded acknowleding his name. She picked up the kitten and walked to the door and stared at the color to put it to memory incase of having to escape it would be an easy way out. She turned back to Bardem and thought for a moment when he ask if she had any questions.

"The kitten is able to stay too? And what will I have to do in the morning?" She knew very well nothing came for free in the world and she didn't really care to wake up to any surprises.

Bardem then annoyed - not with Calesta or her justified curiosity, but with the situation. He wasn't a good host to people in general, let alone strangers. He looked down at the kitten and then back at her. Bardem couldn't remember there being a rule against having pets in the Institute.

"Sure. Keep it close to you, though. I wouldn't want it to get lost somewhere in the building..."

He didn't quite understand the second question asked. He pasued for a brief moment, brushing a piece of lint from his collar. The distracting pitter-patter of unforgiving rain could still be heard from the large nearby window, which also allowed the shimmer from a single lantern trace their figures into distorted shadows. Ah, I see. Bardem then assumed Calesta thought he was expecting some kind of payment for the overnight stay.

"Huh? Nothing is expected of you. You could leave in the morning if you want. However, this is a sanctuary for Heirs. Everything's free. The government supplies everything, I mean."

"...I see. Thank you...." She yawned and streteched a bit. She felt quite a bit out of place and not having much good experince with people in general she figured she would leave it at this and find herself some comfortable, and dry, clothing. The kitten was shivering and very whiny now. Calesta turned to the door and walked through it. Not sure of what tomorrow would bring but sure of one thing. The government wasn't the most giving but it's possible she might be able to stay here for a while and learn about her own abiltys and what 'heirs' were exactly she had some interesting thoughts about some things but left the ideas for a different and less exhausting night.