CPOCT- R1P2- Saltydog

Khuna looked around his new environment despite its chaotic movements as it fully took shape out of the uninteresting dream-scape that he had previously inhabited.  The ground was oddly flat and clear.  Trees marked the edge of this close cropped green where the grass sprung up in the wild way he was accustomed to. He could smell the brine in the air.  This was not his home. He willed the grass on the golf green to grow up around his hooves.  Still nothing.  So perhaps this was another's dream, but he was unsure as to how he had come to be there. He remembered the oddly coloured dog that had formed out of the mist. Could it be the dog's idea? He looked down at the small animal's unusual eyes and snorted.  Dogs weren't that smart even if they had weird mold in their fur.  This dog however seemed to lack the common sense to give him space in the way that most animals did. In the past he had had weak powers of communication with animals, unlike his mother who could ask them questions with little more than a thought. He tossed his mane and allowed himself to be presented as a human.  It would help him blend in anyway.  He crouched next to the dog.  

"Hey there, is this your dream?" He reached for the dog but pulled his hand back.  He was hungry, and he didn't want the dog to stick to him as so many other snacks had in the past.

"No, stupid." He had heard of sentient animals and shape shifters, but he had never before met one and he had nearly toppled over when the dog that he had been speaking with was abruptly replaced by a dark haired scowling girl.  The pink highlights in her hair looked totally unnatural and the bright colors were off putting to the kelpie. That was one thing that he liked about Jessie.  Not once since she'd met him had she dyed her hair from its natural coppery blonde colour.

"So then, where am I?" The girl had moved farther away from him and was watching him with a guarded expression.

"You're in the Nothing kelpie.  I don't know how you got here, but if you want to go home you'll have to fight for it."

"Fight what?"

"The others that have been brought here." If he cared in the slightest he might have asked her more questions. Perhaps he would have even demanded answers from the teen about the "others" she had mentioned or for her to tell him where he even was, but he didn't really care.  Anyone carrying anything short of a gun had met with the same watery, and in his opinion tasty, end.  Which reminded him.

"So, when I fight these 'others' that are here I can go home…" And fish out that man before he bloats? he added mentally. The teen's face looked somewhere between and smirk and a grimace.

"Sure."  But now he was forgetting his manners.  Even though she was a shape shifter she would probably respond the same etiquette as humans.  Who knew if she'd be around again.

"Very well Miss…"  She hesitated.

"Naia."

"Lovely name." He smiled serenely at her.  It was the same smile he'd given that dumb valley girl that had thought it a good idea to go skinny dipping at night. Instead of blushing Naia bobbed her head in acknowledgment and was gone.  She didn't even wish him luck. Well then, let's see if I can't find someplace to grab a bite.

The place really wasn't that bad. His largest issue was how short the grass was, and the numbered flags that stuck out of tiny holes in the ground.  He took care to pluck these small pennants from their sheaths in the ground and trample them underfoot.  After destroying only three of the flags he became bored of the golf course and its man-made obstacles. He crossed his arms behind his head and strolled into the woods.  The walk was enjoyable and the sun defused through the canopy in a most lovely way.  There was a lake nearby.  It was as though he could feel it before he could see it.  He let his feet carry him to where he wanted to go.  Just across the asphalt path was a thin lake that widen gracefully on one side.  A sign was posted by the path that read "Chain of Lakes Dr E." He could make nothing of the last two words on the sign, but they were probably unimportant anyway.  He glanced in both directions before crossing the small path.  Someone was sitting on the lake shore. That was easy. Khuna looked over the person from behind.  He had messy black hair.  It was reminiscent of the way his father would present his hair to humans that he lured nearer. The teen turned to look at Khuna as he made his way down to the lake.

"Hello." The teen lifted a hand in greeting.  Khuna heard a small splash.

"Hi?"

"I'm sorry, my name is Calder." Khuna nodded that was a good name.

"Eric." Khuna smiled, but did not reach for the teen's hand.  "Are you from around here?" To Khuna's relief Calder nodded. "Great, so….where are we?" He felt stupid for asking, but for his piece of mind he needed to know just where he was supposed to be in this dream-land.

"San Francisco, or Golden Gate Park.  I really hope you knew you were in San Francisco at least." Khuna laughed a bit too loudly.

"Of course, how would I not know what city I'm in?" Calder nodded eying the drops of water that fell from Eric's hair. If he hadn't been trained in magical creatures he might have believed that the tan man before him was indeed a man. He slipped a hand into his jacket pocket and removed a letter opener.  Khuna looked at the small metal thing as the teen fidgeted with it. Calder would have to do better than that. He smirked and moved closer to the teen.  

"Did you need something?"

"Just a swim. Are we allowed to swim in this lake?"

"No." Khuna frowned.

"That's a shame." He reached for the boy's shoulder only to have a sword point hover scarily close to his face.  Where had that come from? He stepped back.

"Enough games kelpie." The teen had risen to his feet.  The sword was a new development. His gaze rose to the water that hung in the air behind the teen.  That was even odder. Does everyone in this city know what a kelpie is? Khuna raised his hands in submission. He only wanted an easy snack and this Calder had proven himself to be more trouble than he was worth.

"Very good Calder and very well. You're better learned than most." He kept an air of civility in his voice even though he was disappointed.  Calder sidled around the kelpie without taking his eyes off of him. "No need for fear boy. I won't pursue you." The teen ignored Khuna and chose to back away one step at a time until he disappeared from view. The boy was indeed well learned.  Khuna knew that it was wise of the boy not to trust him.  After all, he'd lied to people that had found him out before.  The major difference here was that it would not hurt for the boy to get away and tell others.  He didn't plan on staying in the city long.  He knew now that this was no dream, but he would get home and he would return Jessie's coat. For now though, he had to find his opponent and defeat him.  He reasoned that it would do him no good to go looking when he could just as easily wait. From what he knew the city of San Francisco was stuffed full of people, and he wanted nothing to do with them.