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 Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:01 pm
An account of my arrival and first day at LOTUS (1st person POV)
I have to admit, I had no idea what truly caused me to decide to join this organization. My suspicions lie with the fact that seeing time itself thrown through a loop and landing in a jumble on the floor reason. I have seen the past and future walking down the street together and it is enough to make me wonder how and why for hours on end.
My day began normally enough; I woke up in a motel room feeling slightly ill from staying up so late (I really have to stop doing these late night wondering sessions), I ate some rather dry oatmeal and a sunny side up egg for breakfast, combed my hair, and went about my toiletry business before dressing in the same clothes I have been wearing for the past few months. Luckily they are clean and dry from the laundering in the tub I gave them last night.
Today was the day I leave this motel and move on to another place, a place I had heard about on the grapevine while sitting in a bar in St. Petersburg. It was called LOTUS, or so I had heard. It’s goal was to right the wrong that had been made with the fields of time. Or so I had heard. I had become interested in this organization, but the exact means why escape me. Maybe my senses of travel and getting out of the rut were pawing at my insides and had finally reached the control panels of my mind and overthrown my feelings of fear for the unknown. That was months ago though, now I was in Nepal. Travel and Out of Rut were successful in their plans.
Anyway, I continued down to the motel owner’s home after packing up my meager belongings, collected back most of my monthly deposit after having difficultly explaining I wouldn’t be back, hopped on my bicycle and left. My map to what I hoped was LOTUS was directions written in shoddy English on the back of a bar napkin. I strained to see the words that were messed up do to the texture imprinted on the paper. Future napkins, much more troublesome than past napkins.
Twice I had gotten lost and had to ask for directions. I must say, one of the good things about this time slip business is that most people seem to have a decent grasp on English and directions. More so on the latter than I. After the second upheaval I was on my way with better certainty of my route than before. Despite this, I couldn’t help but curse in my native tongue at the state of my route. When it was not dirt and rock it was tar or cement and road holes. And it was congested with ages of transport. Literally. Llamas and carts, cars of all shapes, sizes and years, bicycles, and vehicles from the far future that did not seem like a vehicle at all. I saw a chariot. An honest to God Roman chariot. The light reflecting off of its golden surface momentarily blinded me as the two white stallions pulling it swerved to the far left then in front of me. I thought about cursing him out in Russian, but decided against it. I was never a raging driver…err bicyclist…and then again he probably would not understand me anyway.
My directions led me to a bus stop that, once I had found the bus listed and packed my things on board, took me to a small village nested at the foot of the Himalayas. The sight of those mountains was breathtaking. And though I love the snow, I was glad it was summer. I can only imagine what winter in those great mountains is like, but I believe it would be blood freezing. It was mid-afternoon and I rode around the village for a couple of hours, only stopping once for an extended period to play my cello to a group of children and their dog.
I returned to the bus stop and consulted my directions. Checking both front, back and inside the napkin I found only one last step. ‘Wait’. I was confused. Wait for who? Clearly a person, since no new bus number was listed. I sat on a bench and waited for hours and no one appeared. I was getting frustrated, I did not like to be played the fool and I had spent a great portion of my funds on what I hoped wasn’t a false lead. Bored, I looked into my now light coin purse. A few folded bills, the stuffed in bills from my returned deposit, and some coinage. I sighed. I would have to be tight with my cash until I had some form of steady work.
The sound of nearby footsteps did not make me lift my head, but a clearing of the throat did. Before me was a man that clearly was not Nepalese. His clothes were strange I could not place when he was from. He did not speak, but I knew this must be the person I had to be the one I was waiting for. I stood and followed, wheeling my bike with my cello tied on to the back, not entirely sure where I was going or why I followed so willingly. We reached a car and I lifted my bicycle onto the rack that was placed on the trunk then climbed into the passenger side. When we got moving we rode in silence right onto the trails that lead into the mountains. I was nervous, but I did not know if the stranger noticed. I know I nodded off against the door for awhile because what seemed like a short time later I was being shaken by the mysterious driver. I climbed out of the car, retrieved my things and looked at my comrade for the trip. Quietly he reached out and handed me a slip of paper before opening the driver’s door again.
“You’ll have to walk the rest of the way. Just up that pass. That paper tells you where your residence is, I hope the room is to your liking and that you don’t mind stairs.” He eyed my cello. As he got into the car he started the engine and hand rolled down the window. “Oh and by the way; welcome to LOTUS Mr. Gorgonroff.”
With that he reversed the machine and took down the road. I stood there confused for minutes on end, my bicycle’s handle in one hand and that slip in the other. Finally I came to my senses and opened the paper. The handwriting was pleasantly neat and I could read it with no difficulty. I folded it back up and pocketed it, grabbed the other handle of my bicycle, and started up the remained of the path.
I walked for a short time, which was surprising because when I turned around and looked down the road from whence I came it must have taken at least an hour to get up this far, and became aware of the air feeling thin. My head ached, I wasn’t used to it. Still I pressed on and felt elated as the crest of the hill I was on was within reach.
At the hilltop I saw my first look at LOTUS. The large white building stood proudly before me and I noticed it appeared to go into the mountain it was situated on. Gasping for air as well as amazement I proceeded on towards it, looking up as I got closer to the structure. I was intimidated by it as well as excited. The door before me was shut and my manners made me want to knock, but if my driver had known me even by not telling him my name, I must be expected and need not have to.
I pulled on the door and let myself in. The lobby was completely empty and silence pressed on my ears the moment the door shut. I pulled the new directions out and strode over to the stairs that were first on the list. I looked to the stairs then to my luggage. Quickly I removed my cello’s case from the back of my bicycle. It would go up first. If anyone wanted to steal something of mine, the bicycle would be the most likely choice. With my bag on my back and my bicycle in my hands, I proceeded up the stairs and then down the hallways the directions led me.
After what felt like several minutes I reached my floor. On my trek I noticed the stairways were narrow for a cello and a couple had some tight turns. This would bode troublesome for maneuvering my cello up when I went to get it. I sighed and let the thought drift; I would deal with it when the time came for now I had to count doors on my left to reach my bedroom door. At the door I turned back and recounted, just to make sure. When the number came up the same, I entered.
The room was bare bones and a sepia toned. It had all the things a room needed; closet, bed, shelves, dresser, nightstand, a desk, as well as another door that was a bathroom, but other than that it was bare. I sighed. I would love to have seen some color, in the curtains at least, but other than the sepia tone of the wood and the tan colored wallpaper there was none and I had no colorful objects other than my clothing, bicycle, and my Mastryoshka doll. I set my bicycle behind the now closed door and brought my bag to the bed. I would have stayed to look around but my cello was all alone many floors below and I did not want it picked up by anyone who happened upon it.
After much twisting, turning, grunting, and panting I had finally gotten my cello up my room. I swore it would never come back down that way. I set the instrument up on the far wall where it faced the foot of my bed and placed the case and back rack in the empty yet spacious closet. I was happy it fit. My back hurt so I lay on the somewhat hard mattress for a time, thinking about everything and nothing. Finally, I decided my back was fine enough for me to explore the building. I would have to get to know my new home and better now than later. Who knows, I might just even find some people in the halls of this marvelous place.
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:13 pm
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:17 pm
Seriously
Participants: Asmadai, Einar, Lai
Status: [PRP], Complete Lai loses himself in the large building but finds his way to the gardens where he meets a priest and a man with an eye patch. Life at LOTUS will be unique indeed!
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Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:38 pm
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Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:39 pm
A trip to the training grounds to pedal around leads to archery, an injury, and a sudden kiss.
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Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:41 pm
Lai finds Father Asmadai in the library and gets some help on his quest for music sheets
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Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:41 pm
Underworld
Participants: Einar, Lai, Lokiari, Moira
Status: [Mission], Underway ......
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:44 pm
Copious amounts of free time (1st person POV)
I must say I am truly not used to all this free time. I am happy to have it, but it also makes me feel lazy if I do not do anything during this time. I guess it is because I am conditioned to having little to no time to myself.
Ever since I can remember as a child my time was filled to the brim with lessons and other such things my parents…Well my mother…Had set up to keep me occupied and out of the way. In a nutshell, my existence was to keep with the tradition of what is now called a “nuclear family”. My father was a politician under Tsar Nicholas II; he might have been apart of the Imperial Council, but he might have been apart of the Duma. I was never interested in politics, but whatever he did, he made a lot of money and flaunted his wealth whenever he could. He never wanted children, so I never existed to him, unless there was some party at the household.
My mother on the other hand, who came from the upper-middle class, spent a great portion of her time opening invitations and tittering with other high society women, either at our home or at theirs. Mostly the woman took no interest in me, but every so often decided that since she lacked the daughter she wanted, her fair featured son would make a suitable replacement if “dressed properly”. I shudder when I remember those times. If you ask me why my hair is so choppy it is because I took care of the great length my mother made sure I kept once I had left her presence at twelve. (Despite my aunt’s protests I will not cut it out even.)
Anyway, like I stated, my time was filled to keep myself out of my parent’s ways. Lessons upon lessons upon lessons upon…You get the picture. Uphold the family name, do these things here like we tell you and of course you get no say, child. You live your life the way we want it, there is no time for play, not that you need it, your studies will be your play. Does it not look fun? I gag. Tutors were sent along with professors for many a field, so I could be that politician’s prodigy son that would follow in his father’s footsteps because no one knew the home life I lived, or cared what I wanted, not even the men who instructed me.
If I had time, with was extremely rare, I would go in search of some affections. None from my parents, none from the stern, ruler wielding professors or harried looking tutors, none really anywhere. I spent what little time I had with the hired help. I would never get feelings of real love from them, but they likened to me and would teach me things as well, though making sort of a game out of whatever I was learning. For me this was a fun time, if only it lasted so short a time.
At twelve I was sent off to Tomsk to live with my mother’s sister. Auntie had married down instead of marrying up in class, but she did not seem to mind. She married for love, not for grandeur and money. I loved her for this. Auntie was always my favorite and she stuck up for me on her visits. It was because of her I play cello and not piano. I was her only nephew and she treated me like her own son alongside my cousin Sasha.
Despite being free of Moscow and the parents that had bound me there, I was still occupied with tutors sent by my parents. To their friends and business partners I was away at a school for gifted boys in St. Petersburg while in actuality I was in Tomsk for no other reason than “you are staying with your aunt and her family now”. My lessons were extensive, with one being right after the other with little to no break between. Auntie was my saving grace. On numerous occasions she would “kidnap” me and steal me away to the kitchen for hour to two long rest periods. It was then she, per my request, taught me some more of the homemaking skills I had learned from my parent’s hired help. Sometimes Sasha would steal me from his mother and take me outside to explore. This meant mostly anything; archery and learning to ride a bicycle were two, though I was never very good at the former. Commonly we would wander about Tomsk for awhile, less in winter, or Sasha would attempt to “toughen me up” by roughhousing. The latter would end with me on my stomach and Sasha sitting cross legged on my back telling me what I did wrong. He said it was for my own good if he explained, but Sasha had and still has an ego.
Despite the bruises I enjoyed this little time when I was not surrounded by books and papers. I felt free then. Now being at LOTUS, I have more of this free time than ever. I can use it how I please and waking up and realizing this still startles me. I always seem to think that once I wake up I will be surrounded by those tomes and pens again. Time and time again I wonder “what will I do with my time today?” There is so much I could do at LOTUS in one day; peruse the shelves in the library, practice my cello, visit the gardens, stop by the kitchens and cook large meals to be put in the fridge for any members who are hungry, and of course, meet up and talk with people from all walks of life and times just to shoot the breeze or discuss the latest happenings, to just name a few. I feel free and I keep myself busy, though the lax atmosphere is easing me out of the busybody rut. I am amazed every morning and I am quite happy here with all the time in the world to and for me.
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 12:20 pm
A by-chance meeting with an Elite member of LOTUS leads to event planning, a cache of fabrics, and Lai running his mouth about a previous encounter.
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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:05 pm
Siren song in the garden leads Lai to encounter none other than Einar. Talk happen and lead to something deeper for both men...
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:04 pm
The letter home (3rd person POV with a letter)
Lai threw himself down on the Library couch with a faint 'whump' noise. In his hands were some sheets of paper and a pen he had gathered from the writing desk across the room. He set the paper on the coffee table in front of him and tapped the pen against his jaw. The letter he would write would be to his aunt and her family back in Tomsk. The Russian would tell them that he was fine, apologize for not writing sooner, and then ask that they send him some things that he was desperately in need of. After the letter he would compose a list. The moment struck him, and Lai began to write neatly on the paper in Russian:
Dear Auntie, Uncle Mikhail, and Sasha,
I apologize for not writing to you all sooner, my life has taken quite an odd turn since the events that brought about time collapsing. I want to tell you all I am quite fine, I have found myself a good place to lay my head and plenty of good people to talk to. Food is plentiful and I am in top health, I have never felt better. If you have not noticed the envelope I am, in fact, in Nepal. It is a lovely country, I must say, but I do miss home and you all dearly.
There are quite a few things I would like to say, but it seems a letter cannot hold them all. In actuality, I am sending you this not only to keep you all up to date on my whereabouts and health but to request a few things I am in need of. I have enclosed a list of things I need, with the underlined things I desperately require and hope you will send. Feel free to add or exclude items as you see fit. I am sorry if I seem demanding, but winter is coming and you all know my tolerance to cold.
All in all I am quite happy where I am and I have started working for a good cause. I cannot tell you much, as I think it would cause me to get into trouble, but put your minds at ease over me. If I am able I will try to take some pictures and send them to you posthaste. Thank you all so very much in advance and I hope to hear from you all soon.
Sincerely, your nephew and cousin,
Lai
Lai signed his letter and briefly looked it over. He was sure his extended family would send him things, his aunt in particular would probably have seven to ten packages all ready for him by the time she reads the closing. The Russian man smiled to himself and folded the letter into thirds before shifting it off to the side. Now for the list.
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:01 pm
The list (3rd person POV with a list)
Lai paused over the second sheet he had grabbed. This one was for the list he intended to write. Looking at the blank surface Lai wondered if the list he had compiled in his head was too long. He did not want to seem demanding like his letter had hoped he wasn't being. Then he realized even if the list was only one or two things he would be sent ten times that number of other items he could use. His aunt always sent at least three packages anywhere, and if she was sending to her "pretty little nephew" she would more than likely send thrice that number, with the second package arriving first like it always has. The Russian smiled as he recalled that happening and his aunt finally giving up with having the first one sent arriving first. Auntie had decided to send the important things second, and they always arrived first.
Here is the list I mentioned in my letter. I hope it is not too long. Again, underlined things are what I am desperately in need of.
--Lai
-List of things I require-
Clothing--multiple pants, shirts, undergarments, stockings, long underwear, a long coat, hat, sleepwear, etc
Boots--Two pairs if possible
Formal wear--Again, two if able
Sewing supplies--Thread, needles, thimbles, etc
Reading glasses--I left my pair in St. Petersburg I think
Toiletry items--Shampoo, bar soap, washcloths, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc
Hair brush
Fabrics--Cotton, wool, etc. I find myself needing material to sew.
Recipe cards
Quilt
Decorative things--Rug, drapes, pictures, shelving, knick-knacks, etc
Cello bow or replacement strings--Precautionary measure
Lai looked at the list he had written out. He still thought it looked long, but he had to admit it did look shorter on paper than it had in his head. After placing the pen to the side he picked up the paper, folded it into thirds and put it behind the letter. With neat writing he addressed the envelope, English in front, Russian in back, and put the two papers inside. Lai pulled a disgusted face as he licked the strip at the top of the envelope and closed it. The stamp was added last. With a pleased look he got up, put the pen back where he had found it, and left the library, eager to send his letter.
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:26 pm
Letter from home (3rd person POV with a letter)
Lai had sent his letter home off with a faint worry of how long it would take to get to its destination. Nepal and Russia were quite a distance away from one another and, despite the rush he had put on it, he was worried he might not get a response in time before winter had arrived. Just the thought of even trying to get mail in the snowbound mountains up to the LOTUS compound made Lai think that he just might not get a response until the snow melted in spring.
It was three in the afternoon and like everyday since this week (the third since he had sent his letter) he went down to the post boxes to check for any mail for him. Lai had his mind set for another day with an empty box and as he reached the Atrium he sighed. Probably nothing, but the walk from his room to this part of the compound was nice and helped keep him in shape. The Russian turned on his heel to view the wall of post boxes.
"Oh!" The sight of a large, brown paper wrapped box caught him off guard. With a spring in his step he went over to it and knelt down to view the addressee. A smile lit his soft features as he saw it was for him. The appealing expression got a bit happier as he saw the '2/8' written on the side. Just like always, the second one arrives first under his aunt's care.
Lai stood back up and opened the letter box. Nothing in there. Shutting it, he knew then that the letter must be in the package with whatever else his aunt had sent. The Russian reached down and lifted the box. Large and heavy, his aunt put the important things in the second box and by the feel of it, she thought a lot of stuff was important.
Carefully Lai brought it to his room. It took some time, but the wait was worth it as he sat on the floor and proceeded to use one of his sewing needles to pierce and cut the packing tape that held the box shut. After pulling back the flaps he first caught sight of an envelope underneath an eyeglass case. Lai opened the case, put on the glasses lying inside, then turned to the letter, happy to have a response so soon. Familiar handwriting on the letter, all in Russian of course, greeted him warmly. For the time Lai all but forgot the large box as he read the response;
Dear Lai,
Oh goodness how good to hear from you! We have all been so worried since you left for St. Petersburg and of course even more so since the whole time mess. Mikhail, Sasha, and myself are relieved to know you are well and safe dear. We all cannot believe you are in Nepal! So far away Lai, no wonder you have not visited or written! Not that I am trying to guilt you dear, I am sure you are plenty busy with your life over there. There is so much news I have to tell you, and all is so exciting! I shall try my best not to ramble of course, you must be busy Lai.
Firstly, we were able to get a new house! Do save the address on the package, poor Yelena had to deliver your letter and list to us and she is coming ill, the poor pigeon. Anyway, the house is lovely though a smidgen smaller than the one we lost in the fire. Of course this is okay, Mikhail and I do not need much space due to the second piece of exciting news! Lai, Sasha got married! Can you believe it? I was so worried about him you know, now thirty and all that, but the woman he married is Nataliya. We are so proud, though between you and me Lai I am not too favorable of her mother. Awful stingy woman, she is already demanding grandchildren of them and they have only been married a short time. I mean honestly, give them a chance to settle down after all the fuss! Oh my, I am rambling and writing in pen so I cannot erase. Sorry dear.
We took a picture and I put it in a nice frame and sent it to you Lai. It is of me, your uncle, and Sasha just after the ceremonies. I have never seen that boy happier and I am sure you would like to have a picture. There is one last piece of exciting news and that actually arrived after this whole time thing. Personally I do not understand it but then again I am sure many do not as well, but ever since it happened your uncle's tailoring business is booming. It is the oddest thing, but since the disruption all of these people seem to prefer the handmaid clothing to the factory made ones. Of course these people look like they came right out of a Russian history book, so I assume handmaid is what they are used to. Good thing your uncle was stubborn when the factories were buying the tailors out of shop and livelihood.
By now I am sure you have been aware of the package (which I am positive, as the second one I sent, arrived first). Lai, do not think that any list you send us is too long or demanding. We are family and we are all more than happy to pitch in to send you what you need. Now, a few of your underlined things are in this package, and the majority is the clothing you requested. Silly little thing you are Lai, going from one cold climate to another and having next to no clothing except the ones on your back. Imagine me wagging my finger at you and giving you a gentle scold dear, that was my expression when I figured out you probably had nothing else in the means of clothes.
Now, I have taken it upon myself to put a letter with what each package contains inside said boxes. That way you know what is there. This package here contains multiple pairs of the clothes you asked for (minus the formal wear, the box got too full before I could add those), and of course some add-ins of my own. Your reading glasses are packed in as well, plus a small do it yourself repair kit should a screw come loose or something of that sort. There are some toiletry items and grooming things as well. Sasha bought you a razor, please do not cut yourself on it Lai, it looks very sharp to me and I do not want your pretty face to get scarred up....
Lai stopped reading to raise a couple of fingers to his right cheek to a spot just below his eye. He had taken the bandage off a while ago, and the Russian was not at all surprised by the thin, two inch scar that had taken up residence there. After all, he was hit in the face by an extremely taut bow string when it had snapped during his archery lesson with Einar. All Lai could think was 'sorry Auntie' as he traced a finger over the healed mark. Dropping his hand he went back to reading.
...Though I figure your face must still be quite smooth even at twenty-two! Still, I worry over it and you. I do think that worrying might have rubbed off on you at some point, not that it is a bad thing, it just means you care for people.
As much as I would enjoy to keep on writing, it seems I have extended this over two pages and I am sure you do not want to read a novel, even if written by your Auntie! Do write back when you have the time, we all enjoy hearing from you and if anything comes up, anything at all, feel free to send a summons. We will be there as soon as we can if needed to be. Lai, stay safe and continue to update when you have the free time, I am sure you must be busy no matter how much Sasha says that cannot be true.
Hope to hear from our pretty little nephew soon,
Love,
Auntie, Uncle Mikhail, and Sasha
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 12:03 pm
The seven packages (3rd person POV)
Lai had been pleased with the contents of the first (actually second of eight) package he had received from his aunt in Tomsk. He was quite happy to see that most of his bureau drawers were filled in with the clothes that were sent and the Russian had been astounded as to how much his aunt could fit in one box. Sure, it was a fairly large one, but the woman had managed to fit thirty shirts of different kinds into it along with a bevy of other garments and some assorted, smaller items.
He let a little sigh of contentment pass by his lips as he pushed the topmost drawer shut. Filled up with socks and underwear, it couldn't hold anymore even if he tried to squish the folds down. Now he was sure he would not have to wear the same outfit every day. His aunt had provided him with much more than he had anticipated in regards to clothing. Much of it was long in the arm and leg, for which he was grateful as he was not a fan of short sleeved or legged clothing unless for sleeping.
Blue-gray eyes traveled to the box lying now empty beside the bed. Lai considered what he could do with it for a brief time before coming to the conclusion of just folding it up and storing it in his closet. That way, should he or anyone else in LOTUS need a box, he would have one to give. One for now at least, the mark on its side had read '2/8' so he could expect to have seven more folded boxes in storage in the near future. Lai patted the drawer he had just closed before going to the side of his bed to get a needle. He would use it to puncture and cut the tape holding the bottom of the box so he could fold it up.
That task was completed quickly and all the while Lai hummed some made up tune. He carried the parcel box to his closet and with a bit of pushing managed to get it behind his cello case. He would really need to find a better place for the large case, he might need the closet soon if any more boxes contained clothes. Lai looked around the inside of the closet, the cool, musky scent of cedar paneling a welcome one of his nose. The small room could hold a lot if properly organized and free of the case that took up its middle. He had a feeling he would in fact need it and with that he remembered he hadn't checked his mailbox in the Atrium since he had gotten the box a few days ago. Lai flicked the light switch on the outside of the closet door and the room fell dark.
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Lai arrived at the Atrium dressed in some of the new clothes he was sent. It felt good to wear pants, baggy ones at that and sans a skirt, again. They were just about the same ones he wore back in Russia before time had collapsed. The only noticeable thing out of place about his outfit were his shoes, the simple dark blue and red fringed slip-ons. They looked extremely out of place what with the slate colored pants and loose, pale gray shirt tied with a black strap he wore with them. What he was missing were the boots that were commonly associated with this particular outfit. Lai was hoping said boots would arrive in a package soon, but he knew the mail would get here when it did and to not get so antsy. They would come, he just needed to be patient.
Sweeping a few stray strands of his reddish tinted hair from in front of his eyes Lai turned out the door that lead into the heart of the Atrium and place where the mailboxes were housed. His jaw dropped in surprise as he counted the packages lying neatly against the wall. Eight brown paper wrapped boxes. Wait a minute, eight? He should only have seven.
"Maybe someone else got a box but they put it in my pile." Lai pulled aside seven boxes addressed from his aunt's house before finding the eighth. This one was lighter than the others, longer too, but still had some heft to it. He flipped it over so the address was facing him and the name struck him with some surprise.
"...Sasha." Shaking his head slightly he smiled as he saw the side of the package had '1/1' penned on it. In the first box his cousin had sent him a razor and lather kit, probably not wanting to feel left out, but an entire package from him was unexpected. "I wonder what is in this."
Lai gently rattled the box close to his head, like a child on Christmas morning. Something rattled with small parts, but something else made a 'thunk' against the box it was in. How peculiar. Lai turned back to his other parcels and wondered how many trips this would take him. Best to start now and get the heavier ones out of the way.
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Four trips and a lot of heaving later Lai lay on his floor surrounded by the eight still packaged boxes. His eyes were shut and he was breathing a bit ragged, but other than that he was happy all the packages, including the surprise one, arrived safely. He opened his eyes as his head turned so his cheek was pressed against the cool floor. First in his line of sight was the box from his cousin Sasha.
"I think...Yes...I think I shall save that one for last. It was a surprise after all."
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Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 2:41 pm
The event Lai planned with Shee!
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