Epocheia -II-

[Doom]

Detria, her fear turned to excitement, tapped three times more in response.

[Sparrow]

Three taps copying her respond back. After a second four taps are heard. These ones change location however. Moving a bit further to the back of the bus.

[Doom]

"I'm going out there. I have to know what's on this roof." Detria started toward the door. She was going to find out what was on that roof if it killed her.

[Sparrow]

"What?" Sparrow says quickly.
"You can't go out there, the risk is too high." Steve says quickly.
There is a pull cable to open the door hanging next to it.
Snippers wakes up started by the conversation. It hops up a scurries to Detria side, staying near her leg.

[Doom]

"Risk? Is anything worth doing in this world if you don't risk something?" She saw their concerned looks at the cable and gives it a tug. The door opens and she dashes outside, then looks at the roof.

[Sparrow]

Snippers follows at her heels. The door automatically shuts behind here once the cable is released.
The tapper freezes. It's a young blond boy dressed in a light blue shirt and khaki pants, both are stained with red from the pollen. He appears to be about 7, 12 at the most. He looks to her slowly, surprised that someone had exited the bus. His eyes are fogged over, though he doesn't seem to be blind, as he stares directly at her. He stays perfectly still at this point.

[Doom]

Detria gasped, then whispered, "Hello there. What are you doing out here little one?" She wasn't afraid of him, but she instinctively scooped up Snippers and hugged him close.

[Sparrow]

The boy watches her with wide eyes, seeming confused that she is talking to him. He says nothing but cautiously crawls to the edge of the bus. Tilting his head he blinks twice. Snippers puts its ears back, watching the boy carefully.

[Doom]

"No need to be afraid. I'm your friend." She offers up a single hand, calm. However, she clutches Snippers tighter.

[Sparrow]

The boy leans back slowly to avoid her getting too close. After a second he jumps back a few inches and watches her cautiously. He sniffs the air lightly, checking for any tricks. Then hisses lowly in warning. Snippers returns the hiss then adds a low growl.

[Doom]

"Snippers! Don't be mean!" She sets him down, then continues offering her hand, the other raised to show that she meant no deception.

[Sparrow]

Snippers watches cautiously.
The boy stops hissing after a moment but still seems hesitant to get any closer.
After a silent pause he inches closer, then after another nervous pause he places his hand gently on her offered hand.

[Doom]

Detria grips it firmly then shakes it. "Can you speak? What's your name?"

[Sparrow]

The boy allows his hand to be shaken, though he doesn't grip back.
He doesn't reply in a language, not one she knew anyway, only making a soft clicking sound and watching her confused.

[Doom]

Detria was puzzled, but she simply answered, "Well, it's nice to meet you." She let go of his hand and backed up. She curtsied and said, "My name is Detria. Would you like to ride on this bus with me?" She gestured to the door.