Lost in a Cavern Sari tag Christophe

[Sarissa Zouvelekis]

"What about an orca and its baby coming out of the water. It won't be too big. I can make it small enough to fit on your shoulder or your shoulder blade. Or if you have another place in mind let me know." Sari said, "Maybe the word Takoda under neath it. " She smiled. She was not going to tell him what that word meant or that it would soon be his new name around the Reservation, but Christophe would find out soon enough. "Its a very nice word. I swear." She couldn't wait. It was funny that no one had told him yet. Even she knew about her ceremony before it happened.

"Ahh and now you can see why the phrase is called 'dont judge a book by its cover'. Tyler and I may have appeared close, but that was not the case. I mean sure we talked a lot, but I never would have told him half the things I have told you or my other friends. Appearences can be decieving." She explained. Sari let out a shrug. "Doesn't bother me though. Its for the best."

Sari laughed, "Yes I am a romantic. I love cheesy lines, romantic dinners, and guys who pick scary movies just so I makes us cuddle. Call me a cliche but I love it all." She told him. "What exactly is a whale license or what is is you called it?" It sounded pretty basic, but you never know. "And just how are you romantic? You mean you carry all hurt girls to saftey." She joked smiling.

"I see the enterance." She commented pointing the way. "I am excited to see you put these romance skills to the test. I am curious just what you can do. I mean I can't unleash you on the girls without first making sure you really are a romantic." Sari was only kidding. She believed Christophe. It was just friendly joking. "I will keep you to that promise of going to the spring with me." She led the way to the medicine man.

"Here we are. Christophe this is the medicine man." The man looked at the young duo. "The caves can be a tricky place. Just put her down there. I will fix her right up." The medicine man patted Christophe on the back, "Looks as if you may have a destiny in helping people as well." He smiled. "Now Sarissa, I seem to remember the same injury last time. You never learn."

Sari smirked, "On the contray. I think I learned a lot." She said smiling at Christophe.

[christophe]

"That sounds intriguing," Christophe replied to Sarissa's tattoo idea. "I was thinking of the inside of my upper arm maybe... or the inside of my wrist..." He hadn't honestly contemplated the idea much... until now. "Takoda? What's that?" Sarissa positively refused to translate the word, making him as suspicious (and curious) as hell!

He listened as she explained about her nad Tyler not being as close as they seemed. They'd put on a seriously good act in that case! "Yeah... probably is for the best as you say," he replied in a little more than a murmur. If only things had been different that day...

"The license I mentioned... It was so that I could legitimately take a group of tourists out to look for whales. I had to go through all the health and safety sides of it as well as boat management. A tour craft like that is a lot larger then the RIB I used to take out. There was a lot to it... first aid and stuff like that as well. As for my romantic side... I save that for my dates," he told her with a brief grin. "Can't have you knowing ALL my secrets, can I?"

He gently lowered her down onto the ground and then stepped back so that the Native American medicine man could take a look. He seemed to think she'd be fine... and for that Christophe was deeply relieved.

He looked down at her when she made her comment about learning something... and he couldn't miss her pointed look.

If only she really knew his deepest secret... If only she knew... But she never would.

Instead he simply smiled back...

[Sarissa Zouvelekis]

"I tell you what, how soon did you want to get this tattoo? Cause you can always get it right after graduation as a present to yourself, of I could buy it and that could my graduation gift to you. So why don't you come over after school one day next week or before graduation when ever you have time cause I know you work and I can draw it for you and we will both see where it fits you better." She said referring to the locations he had just mentioned.

She nodded, "Yeah, tell me about it. " Sari said. Of course she had no idea just how badly she had hurt Christophe that day. That was part of her being naive and stupid. She was just glad he had forgiven her and was now her friend again. Sure there was no denying Sari was attracted to Christophe, but then again who wouldn't be. She knew how to tame her attraction.

"Your dates...and what does a girl have to do to get asked out on one...just so I could see this romantic side?" Sarissa teased. Perhaps there was more to it then teasing, but still. It was playful banter at best. "I don't think knowing all your secrets would be that bad." She winked.

The Medicine man looked between the two and shook his head. "Ow." Sarissa said as he touched part of her knee. The medicine man began to put herbs and lit them, as well as salve on her knee. "Mohini your knee shall be fine, just sprained my child, but you should still see a doctor to confirm." sure the reservation might not believe in such practices but they did live in modern times, if something was bad they had it checked out.

"For now Mohini, crutches are your best friend, I suspect you will be able to fully walk in a week once the swelling goes down." He said smiling.

Sari muttered, "I can walk just fine. I will just limp." She said, "I don't like crutches."

The medicine man smirked, "No arguments. You are blind Mohini." He said before leaving the tent, of course his blind comment was for other reasons.

Sari was not happy, "Well I guess I will sit here and rest a bit, why don't you go back and tell everyone some story about getting attacked and how you saved me." She laughed.

[christophe]

"A graduation gift..." Christophe nodded. "That sounds like a good idea to me!" Not that he'd let Sarissa pay for it, of course, but getting it for himself to mark the occassion? Not a good idea... A great one! "If you are sure then yeah, I'd like you draw it for me. How about next Monday after school?" Sarissa nodded. "Bien," he stated with a smile.

"As for being a date..." He laughed. "I actually haven't had one... Not since Lia... " He frowned. "Not since she finished with me and left town." He shrugged and offered her a dry smile. "I don't seem to have a lot of luck in that area... do I?"

He fell silent when the medicine man began to speak, telling her what she'd done to her knee. Thankfully it didn't sound too bad. Not broken anyway... Not that the old man could see.

"You should listen to him, Sarissa," Christophe interrupted. "You might hate crutches but its better them than damaging your knee further." The man left and Christophe dropped down to sit alolngside Sarissa. "I will sit with you for a while but are you going home today? If so I shall drive you. Its not like you can do that for yourself! I will be able to bring you back here tomorrow if we saet out early enough." He'd be back in time for classes then... not that many were taking place this close to the prom! "Or are you staying up here until the wedding?" If so then with luck she would be fit to drive home on Sunday...

[Sarissa Zouvelekis]

Sari nodded and made a mental note to write it down. Next Monday check. She was free. She didn't even have to think about it, she knew she was free. She was always free for her friends. When the subject turned to Christophe and his dating life Sari couldn't help but feel for the guy. "It's not you that has the bad luck, it's the ladies, cause they have to be crazy not to realize what a catch you are." She said with a soft smile.

"Maybe you just haven't asked the right lady out yet?" She said, "It's Lia's loss." She told him, which was true. Christophe was such a nice and great guy how could someone be blind to that. "I am thinking girls don't know your french. I mean its so not obvious and then you should offer to teach them french lessons." Sari said with a wink and a smile. She was only kidding. "Love sucks sometimes. I am sure you will have better luck once you meet the right girl. Thats assuming you haven't already met her and are too shy to ask her out. Thats another story." She commented.

"Well sadly I cannot miss much more school. Since it's only Wednesday, I need to go home. But I hate to make you drive me and then drive me back here. That's not fair to you." She said with a sigh, "You really are way too nice you know that. I really don't see why you have no girlfriend. You would make one hell of a boyfriend." She truly didn't see why he was alone. Those girls were stupid, if only she knew she was included in that one. "Okay, since you said it so nicely I will use the crutches. But only cause you told me too. So when are you leaving from here?"

[christophe]

He laughed at the luck comment. He knew she was simply trying to be kind. He was the one that screwed up every time. He always did. At least, he did since moving south from Canada. Lia... Sarissa... Who was next on the growing list?

"Maybe," he conceded at the 'right lady' statement. Perhaps that was it? Or perhaps he couldn't ask the right one out. Not now. Not after what had happened. "Yeah... her loss," he answered with a wry and half-hearted smile. Lia's? Maybe he was talking about her. Maybe not.

"They don't know I'm French?" he replied with a surprised look on his face. His name was definitely French... as was his accent. Maybe he needed to be more obvious, like Sarissa had suggested? "It does suck but..." Christophe lifted his shoulders, "... it is always worth while."

Too shy to ask out the right girl? No, that wasn't the case. He simply wasn't so keen on getting hurt all over again and now that he knew how Sarissa felt about him he wasn't going to set himself up for yet another fall.

"Bon, I will drive you home in that case," he stated. "I can bring you back up here either tomorrow evening or Saturday morning... Whichever is better for you. As long as I am home to get ready for the prom then anything else is fine with me! I am ready to leave whenever you are," he finished.

[Sarissa Zouvelekis]

"Don't worry about Saturday, you spend that day getting ready. I can have one of my parents drive me here or ask one of my girl friends. It's not that big of a deal. I am more stranded on this side then i am when i return home." Sari would never put that much pressure on him. She was not stupid. What happened if the car broke down or he had an accident, then he would miss his prom and Ella would have no date. That was just to selfish, so no way.

"The ride home is more then enough anyway." She squeezed his good arm and smiled. "Well given the time I guess we should be going now. But you see I haven't exactly eaten so would it be too much trouble to pick something up on the way home. i promise to pay for you...and I will make it worth your time.." She said in a sing song voice as she attempted to get up off the ground. "could you um...help me..please." She asked.

Sari was not good with being dependent on other people. She was use to be independent. She hated having everyone else do things for her. Lucky she wasn't that bad off, but still she couldn't even stand up by herself which was frustrating. "You need to tell me all about Prom on Sunday. I demand details from bad dresses to other peoples embarrassing moments."

Perhaps Sari should be going to prom and she might go if someone asked but actually she was more looking forward to coming up Saturday to help the bride prepare for the wedding, it was a lovely ritual. One for women only. The men had their own ritual that took place the day of the wedding. Sari was looking forward to it more then prom which is why she had opted not to go. "Oh I know what about a blind date...I could set you up. Could be fun? Or for now we can commiserate as two single friends about how lucky we are and how much couples suck." She said laughing. She was not serious, she was just trying to get Christophe to laugh a little.

"You really are a great guy."

[christophe]

"As long as you are sure..." he replied. "I mean, its not like I need an entire day to get ready. An hour at the most!" He shot Sarissa a glance. "Call me if you are atruggling to get someone to bring you back here, ok?" She nodded in response and he helped her carefully to her feet, slipping one arm around her waist to take as much of her weight as he could and alleviate the pressure on her injured knee.

"Stopping for food is not a problem," he added. "And I have some money with me so it will be fine..."

He half carried her across to his car. "I will be sure to tell you everything that happens on Saturday evening. All the little dramas and fights... There are sure to be plenty of those, non?" He laughed at that but at least he wouldn't be playing any role in either a fight or a dramatic scene. Saturday would be fun... and spent with a friend. How much better could it get? Ok, so a full date would have been good but that would have seen him delve closer to the dramatic scene side of things!

"Pretty sure there will be some dreadful outfits too," he agreed with a laugh. "A shame you won't be there to see them for yourself." Maybe Tyler would ask her after all? That said, he had a feeling she'd far rather be back up here at the reservation. After an hour of the prom dramas and foul frocks he might even wish he was too. Thank god he had Ella to keep him sane!

"Set me up? On a blind date?" Christophe shook his head. "Oh no!" he quickly added. "My dating so far since arriving in California has been terrible. I am not about to try it again... Not yet." Not for some time, in fact! His heart was still bruised from his last two disappointments! "And I doubt you will be single for long," he added.... not that he really agreed with her opinion of himself. If he was THAT great why did he keep ending up hurt?

He opened the passenger door and helped her inside. "What place did you want to head for regarding food? A take-away or something to cook at home?"

[Sarissa Zouvelekis]

"Since you twisted my arm, deal. I will call if I cannot get back here in the afternoon. Cause the ceremony takes all day. I really wanna be here for Aponi. " She was not referring to the wedding which was Sunday morning. It was all planned. The naming ceremony was Sunday evening. The Chief had done this before. He likes to get all ceremonies out in one day cause it was a cause for celebration and the Chief believed in celebrating multiple occasions at once.

"I still want it to be my treat. I insist. If you are willing to drive me around then the least I could do is pay for gas and food." She had her own money from the TV show, so she was beyond poor, but still she wanted to do something nice. Sari leaned against Christophe as best she could as she grabbed the crutches to start heading out, but having Christophe practically carry her helped. "If I do need a ride I will actually call you in the morning just to make sure you do have plenty of time."

Sari laughed as Christophe told her about telling her about prom as she requested. "I have a feeling you might be shocked by just what goes on at a Prom and one piece of advice, avoid the punch, kids always find a way to spike it." She told him. Assuming he knew what she meant by spiking the punch. Sari was sure Ella could fill him in.

"Okay, so no blind date, but you really shouldn't be so down on yourself. You won't be single for long either. No one can resist a Frenchman who is sweet as you." She told him. She wondered why he had bad luck so far. It was a shame. "As for being single for long, you are too kind." He really was. Sari was beginning to realize just how lucky she was to have a friend like Christophe.

"I was thinking take out. I don't feel much like cooking or getting out of the car and trying to walk on my knee so going through a drive thru sounds lovely right now. I am starving so you can pick the place."

[christophe]

“No need to pay for petrol,” Christophe assured her. “The tank is full and so I don’t have to get any.” If Sarissa felt she wanted to repay him for the food then that was up to her. He didn’t expect it and would never have asked!

“Avoid the punch. Got it,” he repeated as he helped her inside the car. He assumed ‘spiked’ meant that it will be laced with alcohol. Not something he particularly cared for himself and so he would heed her warning and only drink bottled refreshments.

“Ok so we have this narrowed down to a take-away meal.” He knew they passed a McDonald’s but personally couldn’t stomach their food. Pizza? That was always pretty decent. Or maybe she’d prefer calling at the Taco Bell on the outskirts of town?

Probably pizza was favourite and so he headed for Ocean Park Boulevard... and a place called Il Forno Trattoria. Not precisely a normal take-out joint but far nicer and more up-market. Their pizza alla roiese was superb... as was their barbecued chicken variety. Ok, so it was a touch more pricey but so worth while.

He drew up at the front of the restaurant. “I can run in and place our order while you sit in the car,” he said in suggestion. “What would you prefer? They do all kinds of pizza to take away. Chicken, vegetable, mushroom, margherita... For myself I like any of them but the one with goat’s cheese, rocket and prosciutto di Parma is the best.”He paused. Ï think you call rocket something else... Arugula maybe?” A word like that anyway!