Time Warp: It's been far to long (Kales)

[Salem Hirch]

Early Spring 2024

Pilot Ridge. It had been so many years since Salem had laid eyes on the town, that he had almost forgotten what it looked like. Though, as he walked the streets it all came back. All the memories, good and bad, mostly good ones. Friends and closer, the way he used to hide from people, the many days walking these streets to buy some delicious (though very bad for you) sweets. Salem felt at home again. Not that he didn't in his new life, but Pilot Ridge is where he felt his life really began. Some of his life long friends were still in the area. Including one in particular, the one he was now waiting for outside a familiar cafe. 

Kailin, Kales, the sweetest girl he ever met in his life. His eyes shown with a twinkle of happiness for a little while. It was still there as he watched a handsome gentleman crossing the street, holding the hand of a little girl who was obviously his daughter. Salem shook his head with a smile and leaned against a nearby wall. He still spaced out from time to time, so as usually he couldn't remember if he was late or early. Though, if he was late, he was sure Kales would have called him and told him he was. He pulled his much longer hair into a ponytail and stretched tall. Little had changed about the guy. He was still a bit gangly, but a little gruffer looking. Truth be told, he liked how he looked now. 

Chuckling a little, he wished he could have saved his new appearance as part of a surprise for Kales, but the one he had planned should be good enough. In fact, he wouldn't be surprised if his dear sweet friend didn't yell at him for it. To this thought, he whispered out loud.

"Worth it.."

[Kailin Bishop]

Kailin had been traveling around the United States for various reasons, but she resided in Pilot Ridge. How could she leave such a place that had always brought her so much joy? That, and majority of her family still was in the relative area. Some moved, others stayed, and some just went a little further out in search of housing.

Kailin wasn't married, nor was she even in a relationship; her job had dictated most of her time, and she never felt compelled to really start a relationship that she would have to half-ass, in a sense. It never bothered her, because she enjoyed her life, but sometimes the brunette would get a bit lonesome.

That was also another difference. She no longer was the blonde she was in highschool, but instead she dyed her hair brown most often, mainly because she felt it suited her far better than the blonde had.

When Salem asked to meet with her, she couldn't help but say yes almost instantly. Upon seeing a picture of his appearance, she was a bit shocked, truth be told, but he looked happy. And if he was happy, then that was all that Kailin cared about.

Kailin was punctual, as always, but it seemed that her friend had already gotten there and sitting there in a dazed like state. She approached, smiling as she did so, before catching his attention with her words. "Hey! It's been a while, Salem."

[Salem Hirch]

Yes, Salem was deep in the thoughts of his old friends and the town. Though, now older, his powers didn't effect his train of thought much anymore. Oh, he still had his flighty and flakey moment, but for the most part, he was pretty normal. Still, a voice pulled him out his small fog of memories and his face lit up. It was a bit more mature, but he would recognize that voice anywhere. "Kales!" He almost screamed the woman's name as he turned to see her. "It has been, yeah." With that, he flung his arms around her in a tight hug only to let go shortly after. 

He stepped back to get a better look at her now and grinned at the darker hair. "You look more like your brothers now." Salem chuckled. Granted, he missed the blonde, but this did suit her. It made her look more mature and grown up. Unlike Salem who looked a bit, shabby, but was very happy. That much was obvious to anyone who saw him. Taking a quick look around, he offered his arm to Kailin. "Shall we grab some lunch then?" It was the original idea anyway.

There were a million questions he wanted to ask her, a million things he wanted to tell her. It could all wait though. He was more than happy to just see his dear friend, his Goldielocks. 

[Kailin Bishop]

There was a small squeak of surprise that was forced from the woman's lips at Salem's hug. It had been a while, most definitely, but once she had gotten her bearings, Kales responded with a hug of her own. "Seems like you're excited to see me," She laughed, pulling away when he did.

Her hair was something she had always loved, blonde or not, but she loved the idea of being a brunette for even a short while. However, considering she had never dyed her hair at the time that she went brunette, she was kind of nervous to. It ended up turning out wonderful, but when Salem commented on her looking like her brothers, she crinkled her nose.

"I'm much better looking than my brothers," She said adamantly, though there was a touch of amusement laced in to counteract the seriousness of the statement.

"Of course, I haven't eaten since dinner last night." Kailin laughed, glad to be back with her Prince Charming, talking as if not a day had even gone by.

[Salem Hirch]

He giggled at the little noise she made from the hug and let out a little grunt of his own from her own hug. Overplaying that she may have been just a little stronger than him, most people were really. That and Kales was still taller than him, no shocker there. "Of course I'm excited to see you!" Then Salem pouted playfully. "Aren't you excited to see me?"

As he shifted positions on his feet, the man pulled his now much longer blonde hair up into a high ponytail. It seemed as if he was preparing himself for something, truth of the matter was that he was. That would wait a little longer though and it brought another smile to his face. Another chuckle came from Salem as Kales mentioned being better looking than her brothers. "I don't know, I'm pretty sure Zach's still adorable as ever."

Moving towards an outdoor table, Salem held a chair out for her. It sparked more memories of all the times he did this at Hammel or when they were out, always playing up the nickname she gave him all those years ago. Though he supposed he was a bit less charming now, but maybe a bit more prince like. "Last night? Dang, I just ate this morning and I'm hungry again." This was a bit unusual for Salem, he was the type as a teenager that never really ate that much. Running after someone shorter than you all day however will tire you out and make you hungry.

Now he was just waiting for Kales to sit so they could order they food. Maybe (hopefully) he could wait until she had a mouthful of whatever she chose to drink before dropping his double news on her.

[Kailin Bishop]

"No, I'm not." Kailin said, suddenly sounding very serious, but she couldn't keep the act up for long. "I'm super excited to see you! I missed you so much!" Honestly, after this interaction, she didn't plan on leaving without his phone number and his home address. She didn't care if she had to take a plane to see him every so often; she would do it with no problems.

"Zach is really complicated to figure out," but she found that she had become significantly closer with her elder brother starting the time she met Salem all those years ago. It was kind of funny, actually, the way they went from not really caring for one another aside from the fact that they 'had' to, to being like a typical, close bonded brother and sister. Hell, she even learned to get along with Savvy. She was 25 now, while Kailin was 27. They were adults, and they needed to resolve those childish differences.

Kailin sat, offer a snort-like laugh about Salem's comment. She was really interested in how Salem's life was going. When the waiter came to take their order, she asked for water with a side of lemons, a favorite of hers. "So how has it been?"

[Salem Hirch]

This was just too perfect. Everything was, it was like they hadn't missed a beat since the last time they spoke. Still, a little devilish smirk appeared on his face as he watched her order, and he order a sweet tea. "Oh, ya know. Just teaching at an Elementary school and loving it." A bright smile broke on his face. He really did love his job, the kids were fantastic. "The kids, oh man Kales, they're great. I've helped one or two of the older students too, ones that have powers. I usually talk with them before the recruiter's show up." Now, Salem was just stalling for time to tell her the big news. "There is one, well...two, other things I should probably mention."

Luckily the waiter was quick with their drinks, because Salem was waiting for just the right moment to say something. The waiter brought their drinks and Salem took a long sip of his and waited for Kales to do the same. Right as her lips made contact with the glass, Salem cleared his throat. "Yeah, those two things..well...One. I'm married." He held up his left hand to show off the beautiful silver band, and the engagement band studded with diamonds. A wide smile on his face as he waited to see his friends reaction. He wanted to laugh a little, but he could wait.

Around this time, a little blonde girl came running through the tables and right up to Salem. "Daddy Sa!" She exclaimed and flung her arms around the man, the best she could. Salem got the biggest smile every and hugged her back. "Hey Lil' Darlin'. Thought you were waiting with Daddy Jas." She shook her head and looked shyly at Kailin. "Oh yeah," Salem nodded at his friend. "That's my friend Kales, I told you about her." The little girl nodded and blushed. "She's pretty daddy." The man beamed and nodded. "That she is." He lifted the girl into his lap and smiled at Kales. "And Kales, this is my daughter Elizabeth Mae." The girl shook her head quickly. "Lizzie Mae, Daddy Sa." Salem laughed and patted her head. "Yes, Lizzie Mae."