Sikeri Behavoir Exam

Nightingale closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. A Sikeri had followed her home. No big deal. Right? She opened her eyes letting out the breath as a long sigh. The Sikeri pointed at himself. The katragoon tilted her head to the side in confusion. "O...k...?" she asked out loud. Then the Sikeri pointed to Nightingale's home. "Yes that's my home." The Sikeri sat down with a nod. Nightingale blinked trying to understand what he could be trying to tell her. After a few moments, she gave up with another sigh. "Let's just take you back to where all your friends are." She turned around and started walking back the way they came. After a few steps she glanced back to see if the Sikeri was following her. When she saw that he wasn't, she stopped and turned. "Come on. I'm taking you back to your friends." The Sikeri shook his head and thumped his tail on the ground. The Katragoon narrowed her eyes at the stubborn Sikeri. Then an idea came to her. Her voice. The group of Sikeri that she would hang out with would react to her voice. Maybe she could get this Sikeri to follow her if she sang. She turned back and started walking away again but this time she started vocalizing a few notes. She tilted her head to the side as if to listen for the sounds of the Sikeri following her. She vocalized a few more notes still making her way back to where she had first met this Sikeri.

The Sikeri followed Nightingale all the way back to the park, entranced by the Katragoon's song. As they neared the tree that Nightingale loved to sit under, more Sikeri ran up to join them. Nightingale continued her song for them. Some of the Sikeri jumped for joy that Nightingale had returned so soon. She sat under the tree and after a few more bars concluded her song. The Sikeri vocalized their approval. Nightingale smiled and then looked over at the Sikeri that had followed her home. "Now go play with your friends. I guess I'll stay for a little while longer." The Sikeri nodded as a few of the other Sikeri ran off to start their game. He then ran off to join them. Nightingale watched from under the tree. 'What if that Sikeri followed her home again?' she thought to herself. 'Would he refuse to leave?' Nightingale opened her mouth and started singing again. She let the song take over her. This was her favorite past time. She would try every day to go to the park to just sing and watch the Sikeri play. Then a thought crossed her mind. She abruptly stopped singing. She would have to take the Sikeri Behavioral Exam. Her eyes widened. Would she be able to do it? The Sikeri stopped and looked at the Katragoon. A few of them walked up to her, including the black and purple one that had followed her home. He placed a comforting paw on Nightingale's. She glanced down at him and gave him a soft smile. The Sikeri that surrounded her looked up her with varying emotions. If she had to she would do it. She would take the exam if the Sikeri followed her home again. She looked down at her hand. She had a strong feeling that he would. She glanced around at all the other Sikeri. What was she worried about? She considered all the Sikeri in the park her friends and it seemed like most, if not all, of them felt the same about her. Her smile grew and she opened her mouth to start singing again.

---~~~---

Nightingale had been right. The Sikeri had followed her home again. Now here she was waiting to take the Sikeri Behavioral Exam so she would be able to keep him around without any trouble. The Katragoon in charge of the exams today approached Nightingale. "Hello Nightingale," she said in an overly cheery tone. "We've assigned you to Sikeri #344 for your test. We think that the two of you would make a great fit."

Nightingale tilted her head in confusion. "Wait. You mean I won't be testing with one of my choosing?" she asked alarmed.

"No ma'am," the other Katragoon replied. "All Katragoon are assigned a Sikeri based on personality to ensure the Katragoon and Sikeri get along."

"But-"

"No buts," the Katragoon interrupted. "Would you still like to apply for the Sikeri Owner Permit?"

Nightingale paused. It was beginning to sound like if she continued the process she wouldn't be able to keep this Sikeri that had for all intents and purposed moved himself into her own home. If she tested with this new Sikeri and had to take them home how would he react? Would this agency that was doing the testing for the permits check up on her to see if she only had the one Sikeri? Could she get in trouble for this other Sikeri having moved himself in? She didn't think she would be able to keep him away without others having to get involved. She looked down at the Sikeri that was with her and then back up to the other Katragoon. She would look into it later. Right now she was her for the exam. If that meant having to keep a different Sikeri for a while then so be it. "Yes."

"Good. Then right this way."

Nightingale followed the other Katragoon. The Sikeri followed Nightingale. He nudged her looking up at her with concern. She looked down at him and gave him a reassuring smile. "It'll be alright," she said to him. She patted his head as they reached a door.

The Katragoon turned to face Nightingale. "Once you enter this room your exam will begin," she stated. She glanced down at the Sikeri that was with them. "He will not be allowed to enter. To be honest, I'm not even sure why they allowed him in here. You're not his owner."

Nightingale put a hand on the Sikeri's head as he started to crouch in an aggressive stance. She leaned in close and whispered to him, "It will be alright. Just stay here and then we can go back to the park once I'm done." She straightened back up once the Sikeri backed off. She looked to the other Katragoon. "I'll be taking him back once we're done here."

The Katragoon opened the door for Nightingale and she stepped into the room with the other Katragoon moving into the door way. "You are to walk over to Sikeri #344 and then get them to walk back with you," she instructed Nightingale.

Nightingale nodded in acknowledgement before crossing the room. The new Sikeri looked up at her and she sat down in front of her. Nightingale reached out to her humming a few notes. The Sikeri sniffed the Katragoon's hand before looking back up tilting her head. "Will you come with me?" Nightingale asked.

There was a scuffle at the doorway. Nightingale turned to find the other Katragoon grabbing the Sikeri she had left behind. The Sikeri screeched in defiance as he tried to wiggle his way free. Nightingale stood up wings outstretched. "Let him go!" she cried. The Sikeri continued to squirm but the Katragoon refused to let him go. Nightingale started to sing a soothing song as she walked back towards the door. The Sikeri stopped and looked at Nightingale. She held her head high and while her song was calming her eyes held a warning for the Katragoon. She finished her song once she stepped in front of the two. "Let him go."

The Katragoon let go of the Sikeri. He ran behind Nightingale but peeked out. "See as had I not stepped in to hold this Sikeri back he would have ran to you and he followed you here I will grant you your permit," she said. She held out a piece of paper for Nightingale.

"Thank you," Nightingale said as she took the paper. "What about the other Sikeri though?"

"The Sikeri will be assigned to someone else who would fit her personality when they come to take their exam," the Katragoon said. "Now please leave before I have to explain what happened here."

Nightingale and the Sikeri left the building without a word. They turned heading for the park. "Well I'm going to have to come up with a name for you now aren't I?" she said looking down at her friend.

The Sikeri looked up at her. "S-sa-sabas," he managed.

Nightingale blinked in surprised. "Wh-what was that?" she stuttered. The Sikeri pointed to himself. "Is that what you would like to be called?" The Sikeri nodded. "Well alright then, Sabas. Let's go see your friends."