2 Encounter Part 1

(Dale)

The past wasn't something Dale took much stock in. It was full of disappointments and betrayal. But at times he couldn't help but remember. He had just woken up from a dream. One where he was reminded of a message that he had been sent. It was in the form of a beating by a group of first stage Cultivators. A message sent by his only childhood friend.

The message couldn't be clearer. Stay the hell away. The three curvy yet jagged scares on his right cheek were his life time reminder that he had no place in her life anymore. His only thought, 'Screw her'. Just as the thought had gone through his head. A slight tug was felt on the hem of his worn out blue bed shirt.

Looking down he saw a girl around the age of six. "Big brother Dale, I'm hungry", she said while cutely rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

Despite his previous mood. He smiled and picked the girl up. It hadn't been too long ago when the orphanage he had ran away from had to shut it's doors. Thankfully for a kind old rancher. Dale was, able to help Sister Meg, or former Sister turned desirable Escort. Establish a temp home. Her new career helped with getting connected to people who wanted to adopt.

The catch was food. So Dale being the oldest of them did what he had to for the bottom line. For nearly six months he did everything he could in order to keep twenty plus children fed. Thankfully by an act of good fortune, almost all of the children had been found a place to live. Good honest people. It also helped that since the noble who forced all adoption fees to be sky high all for the sake of his lavish lifestyle. Had been found out by an investigating noble of higher influence. Dale and the now ever connected former Sister. Reached out quickly to those who had desired to adopt. Now it was possible.

Being reminded of that made him both happy and sad. Happy that this day the last of the five kids would finally have a permanent home and parents. Sad because after today he would be alone again. To him, being alone wasn't just bad, when one added the fact that his body naturally rejected the Nano Machines that gave humans the ability to become Cultivators. His prospects for work were very limited.

There was also the matter that he had barely average looks. So not only was he considered the weakest of all humans. But the least attractive as well. The weight of it all was crushing. In a way it almost made him cry. The only good thing he had going for him was that he had good stamina and he could run fast. Thanks to that he found a part time job running errands for people in town.

As he prepared to meet with the former Sister who would be bringing the future adopting parents. Dale rinsed his hair in preparation of putting the dark hair paste in his hair. It was all for the sake of hiding his star light silver hair that no matter what he tried would never take to any hair dye. "Big brother Dale", the girl he had held just moments ago was trying to tie up her hair.

"Yes Lucy", Dale replied. He almost laughed at the sight of her fighting with her unruly dirty blonde hair.

She pouted at him. "My hair", was all she had to say. He smiled started to tie up her hair. "Why do you not like your hair"?

Her question caught him off guard. "It just stands out", he replied.

As soon as he and all five of the kids were cleaned up and fed. The six of them started out away from the makeshift home/stable that had been home to them for six months. Little did Dale know that today was going to be the end of his current self.

The owner of the ranch they'd been staying at had adopted a very enthusiastic thirteen year old girl almost a little over two years before. She was fifteen now. Although he had ran away from the orphanage to get out of reach of his tormentors. The girl still remembered him. Partially thanks to his hair.

"Dale, thanks for looking out for us", the oldest of the five said. He was thirteen and tall for his age with light brown hair. The other kids were nodding in agreement.

Dale reached out with his left hand and gave the top of the kids head a slight pat. "I'll always try to help you. We all belong to a undesirable club. We're orphans. Which means we have to look out for each other". He told them with a smile.

They were riding in the back of a truck powered by Qi produced by Nano Machines. Since all who lived possessed the foundation Qi within themselves, Dale being the exception. Everyone was able in some capacity to operate the Qi powered technology. One of the many advancements in technology.

Despite the feel of society, technology continued to advance at a steady pace. The Qi technology as it is referred to was top notch. Sadly, the tech available to them was old or third rate. Since they resided in the fridges of one of the five greatest domains on the Central continent. Only the high ranking officials could afford the tech from the main cities. The only way they could afford their luxurious tech was by exploiting the common people and hiking up the taxes which had started to become noticed. One Noble in the commerce area had already been busted.

After an hour of travel, the tall town wall's appeared. The kids could see the walls and they grew anxious. One of the girls by the age of twelve Sara brushed a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear and her light brown eyes which were a common trait amongst the people who lived on the continent mumbled, "Will they like me"?

Dale cleared his throat. He knew all too well that the five kids weren't your average orphans. They had naturally been selected by the Nano Machines to solidify their Qi foundations without the aid of a foundation device. Something only nobles or sect's could afford. The people who were seeking to adopt them were albeit Cultivators, who he hated for obvious reasons. But had been but had been checked out thoroughly by Meg, the former Sister. They were the only ones capable of helping the awakened kids to grasp their powers. "You don't gotta worry", he said in a relaxed tone. "They were checked out by Sister Meg, so of course they'll like you. Without a doubt"!

From the front an old man in his early fifties with mostly gray hair chuckled. "What Dale said is true. Just smile and be your selves and everything will be fine".

The old man was the owner of the ranch who had helped out Dale with housing the twenty plus kids and giving them a warm environment that as orphans they were always in need of. "The old man's right", Dale said with a mischievous smirk knowing full well how the man would respond.

"Old! See if you look anywhere as good as me when you reach fifty", the old man said with a grin. He liked Dale a lot. He was a hard worker and responsible. He glanced back and saw that Dale had his packed ruck sack with him. "You still planning on that path", he asked with inner concern.

That had been discussed between the two of them a few days ago. Dale gave a nod. "Nothing's changed", Dale replied. "Thanks Mr. Veer's". The old man gave a no wishing he could change Dale's mind.