Topic: "I want to see an Elephant."

Ethan Kaiser

Date: 2008-01-25 12:47 EST
Ethan wasn't surprised at how quickly he'd begun to make friends and acquaintances; he was surprised how quickly the one had trusted him. In some ways, it unsettled him. If Missy Maeve was so quick to trust a stranger to walk her home at night....something terrible could happen to her. Good thing it had just been him that night and not some pervert.

Walking down the road to the Refuge where he was to begin working that day, Ethan pondered on his new found friendship. Yes, he'd agreed to help Maeve in trade for being fed by her Bru, but he didn't normally offer his handyman services for anything but money. Maeve was adorable, but even that wasn't why he'd taken such a liking to her. It was her innocence and genuine attitude that had caught his attention.

Now standing before the entrance, Ethan stared up to the sky. It looked like it was going to snow. Transferring his toolbox from one had to the other, he soldiered on to find Maeve...or someone who could direct him to her.

Ethan Kaiser

Date: 2008-02-17 11:04 EST
That was how it had all started. The weeks following only served to liven the fire of Ethan and Maeve's friendship. If either of their affections were deeper, both were careful to keep it hidden. There were times that Jahi and Tomas watched the pair closely, making their own whispered observations to each other, but Ethan surmised they were simply looking out for their sister.

Another thing Ethan noted was that Maeve and her Bru's didn't exactly look as though they were related. He'd either misinterpreted the meaning of 'bru' or Maeve called the people she worked with her brothers.

He'd taken a liking to Jahi—the man liked to tease Ethan relentlessly. Much to his chagrin, Ethan could return it just as well. Ethan's days at the Refuge were much looked forward to and filled with hard work, laughter, time spent with Maeve, and around people he felt comfortable with.

It had taken him some time, but over the month he'd known Maeve, Ethan had grown out of his shell. He felt at ease around Tomas, Jahi and the others—despite all their weapons. Maeve had explained that the animals were quite safe to be around (though he didn't know how that was possible) so he didn't know why they were so heavily armed.

But Ethan found Maeve's words to be true. He never got very close, but the animals left him be. Ethan felt at ease enough to ride his four wheeler through the enclosures to fix various things without feeling threatened. That didn't mean he was going to chance any close quarters with the animals. Gators, Elephants, Lions....yes, all very intimidating in real life. Tomas had offhandedly offered that Ethan could carry a firearm if he felt threatened, but Ethan declined. Gun were not exactly his forte.

As time went on, Ethan found himself constantly thinking of the next time he'd be at the Refuge. His time with Maeve grew shorter each day as he was in the middle of starting his own shop, but spent every last moment he could spare with the African woman he'd grown so close to. Ethan knew his own thoughts and feelings and his attraction to her couldn't be denied any longer, and yet remained unvoiced. His jaded heart refused to allow him to speak up. Maeve's thoughts were unknown and only aided in his heart's reluctance.

He was content for now. Friendship was all they need now anyways. There would be time for more when they knew each other better. Much better.