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 Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:40 pm
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Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:55 pm
A long Day...
On the drive back Ira felt his eyes flickering against his will, lids straining to closed and stay closed, it had been a long day and the night before had brought little rest for the man, work had been rather demanding over the last few days. He’d taken on the running of a Pharmaceutical company and it was trial to say the least, he was looking forward to a warm bath, a glass of wine and maybe some television before a welcoming bed. Ahh just thinking of it was threatening to send him into dream land once more. He scolded himself mentally for being so whimsical. The car already pulling into the drive, the twenty minutes had seemed like one or two. And the driver was opening his door. He took his Cane and climbed out stretching the scarred limb again to try and force it to comply with his wishes that it operate correctly for once, but that was not to be of course and he nodded his thanks to the driver before limping up the small flight of steps to the door, it already opening, his man servant standing there to great him.
“Ahhh William.” he sighed grateful to see the mans face, old and kindly but with stern eyes that gave some window into his sometimes fatherly disposition and habit of scolding his master even which Ira often welcomed as it showed he cared for him. “See a bath is run for me William and a meal prepared, I’ll be taking an early night.” William frowned and paused, Ira looked up surprised not to hear the brisk ‘yes sir’ that usually followed such a command. “Sir…Tonight you have a dinner meeting with the major share holders. Shall I cancel it sir? I can inform them you are unwell.” Ira sighed and waved it off. “No, prepare a shower and lay out one of my suits I can not afford to miss tonight.” William frowned again, clearly disproving of his choice but nodded curtly lips pursed, knowing he couldn’t fight him on it, as it would do little good. “Very well sir. I shall see to it.” Ira nodded again and headed towards the main Lounge Stretching out his arms he set down the small ship in the bottle on the table and turned on the television to catch the last of the local news report, it all seemed thoroughly depressing at the moment, yet the news reporters almost seemed gleeful in reporting the latest bombing or serial killer. Ira huffed in disgust and turned it off once more. Leaving the bottle standing proud in the middle of the coffee table he went to attend his shower and get ready for the formal dinner.
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It would be well past midnight by the time he returned, each limping step even heavier than usual weighed down by exhaustion even William had retired only a few servants were still up. But he choose not to disturb them, despite having such advantages he was perfectly capable of managing on his own. Strangely he paused at the open door pf his lounge to look at the item he had been given that evening sitting on the table. The room was dark apart from a stream of light coming from the window where the curtains had not been drawn correctly and the light of the outside street lamp was invading the house. It feel directly onto the bottle, melting through the glass and illuminating the ship within, it almost looked like it was moving at times in that strange light.
Ira shook it off and turned away. His bed was calling at he wasn’t one to deny its sweet embrace any longer.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:00 am
It had been quite a while since Ira had been woken in the particular way he was jolted into consciousness on the morning after visiting the odd curiosities shop. A warm body wriggling down beside him followed by a sharp elbow in the ribs. And Needless to say it had never before been such a small elbow. Alarmed he bolted upright to notice the sun just peeking through split curtains and beside him...A lump hidden under silken sheets.
Curious but also extremely weary of whatever had disturbed his rest he slowly started lifting the covers. He may well be over reacting after all, he reminded himself sternly it could just be the kitchen cat. But of course he had no such luck, blinking back at him from the gloom were a pair of eyes, strange mismatched, but very human looking eyes. He stifled the undignified sound that threatened to escape him at the sight but he had dropped the covers and now he quickly pulled himself out of bed, stumbling and limbing over to the lightswitch on the far wall.
The light illuminated the room with a flash and flicker that made the man wince. It also seemed to attract the attention of the lump on the sprawling bed, as it started to shuffle upwards. Now Ira could really see how small it was, not a cat surly but only about twice the size of your average domestic tabby he would wager. And since he was still sure he had seen two eyes that left only two options. A midget, which he doubted or....a child.
He was proved correct in his assumption when a second later a head popped up out of the silk nest and grinned at him. "I win." It..no she. Declared with great relish. "I scared the giant out of his cave so now its mine!" And with that she happily sprawled herself across the whole bed, which was quite a feet for such a small body on a kingsized mattress.
Ira stood by the door meanwhile, mind racing a million miles perminute as he tried to figure out exactly who the child was, one of the servants children? Maybe but this strange rather enchanting creature with her white hair and mismatched eyes didn't look even remotely like any of his staff. However, she could not have gotten past the complex security system surrounding the house if she had not been allowed through by one of them. He sighed softly and answered in soft mono tone. "Indeed. You win so will you tell me who I was defeated by? Are you one of the servants children?" He questioned, not limping slowly back towards the bed. The girl giggled and shook her head. "No silly I'm a sea captain."
Ira allowed his brow to twitch in what might have been bemusement at that statement as the girl smiled at him, He bowed his head softly in mock subservience "Well Miss Sea captain, can you tell me your name?" Another line of questioning as he got closer at last easing himself onto the bed. The Naked child seeming to take that as a clear invitation to climb into his lap. His eyes widened not such to open affection from anyone. Well not contact wise, least of all a child. However he awkwardly let his arms settled around her and she seemed content with that. Only when she was settled did she seek to answer the question looking for the first time a little sheepish and unsure of herself. "I don't have a name." she admitted. It was not hard to see she was telling the truth in this matter, but really it was very strange, a child with no name that appeared naked in his bed one morning. Whats More as she stretched little arms up to loop around his neck e noticed there seemed to be something stretched between her fingers.
Ira sat there frozen for several minutes, he simply had no clue how to deal with a small child, especially a girl. God only knows how long he sat their trying to maintain himself because the next time he looked down the unnamed child had fallen asleep against his chest.
The soft look of her sleeping face seemed to spur him into action and he lay her as gently as possible back on the bed, Smoothed out his nightclothes and rung the bell to call William.
A few moments later a small knock, Ira shoot a look to the child but the sound appeared not to have disturbed her. "come" he called. William entered and bowed his head. "Are you ready for breakfast sir?" he asked, the manservant quite used to the routine although this was a little earlier than usual. So he was suprised when his master shook his head. "No William. I would like you to tell me why there was a small naked child in my bed this morning who seems to have no name."
To give him his due the man managed to control his suprise fairly well. And Ira allowed him his minute of gawking opening and closing his mouth like a gold fish as he tried to come up with a suitable response for his employer. "You did not bring her back with you last night sir?" He ventured and was quickly shot down "No I did not." The rebuff was delivered in the usual controlled voice but there was an edge to it that made the manservant flinch. Poor William. He still seemed unsure, after all this was a new one on him as well. "I will double check with the servant to see if anyone knows anything about her." he promised, "but sire if that can not be done we will have to report this to the poli..." "no, no police." "but Sir." "No buts, I will find out the answer to this mystery myself before I hand her over to incompetent fools. But you will check to see if there are any missing children with her description. It should not be hard she seems quite unique." William sighed and simply nodded. There was no agreeing with his master when he got like this. "Also get one of the maids to find her some clothes. Whatever fits. And tell cook there will be another one for breakfast." he added as he mulled over the plan of action, so quickly breaking into his stride. "One more thing, see if we have a book of names in the library." he finished. William hesitated, he seemed like he wanted to argue still, until Ira locked him with a cool gaze, the one that brooked no argueement against him "that Will be all William." the butler sighed and bowed "Yes Sir."
Of course she did not belong to any of the servants, and she was in no reports on missing persons. And it was only later that Ira discovered the bottle that he had left on the coffee table the previous evening that had once been decorated with a perfect miniature ship with in was now empty.
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:01 am
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:37 am
Meta Prompt Response
Kailani had well and truly taken to Life in the Avery household like a ship to water. She had instantly charmed all of the servants and soon had them thoroughly engaged in her games and imaginings. The only one she could not get to engage fully in her Fantasies was who she now took as her adopted father Ira. He indulged her but he didn't have fun. He didn't run around. And he never seemed to stay around for very long. Always working,and leaving her with the servants. It was true she didn't mind them and William was very kind even though he scolded her allot. But it vexed her beyond belief that the one person she really wanted wasn't really there for her. He even worked on weekends! Or was rushing off to this or that emergency at the company.
Good thing she was not one to give up easily. And with determination, constant nagging and deploying the puppy dog eyes routine on multiple occasions she finally managed to win her prize. Ira agreed to take the day off. Completely free from any work related emergencies or meetings. He was even banned from taking his mobile phone with him. Another issue that caused some debate. But Kai found out she had a powerful ally in William on that front. And they were a team that even Ira has to give into eventually.
And luck was with them. As the day rolled around for Ira's much anticipated day off the weather improved. Winter got its first taste of the coming spring. The sky was clear and blue with only a few clouds rushing merrily across the vast expanse, the wind was still to chill to go without a jumper and coat but the sun was out and shinning and if you stood in the right spot out of the wind you could really feel its blessing on your cheeks and bare skin.
So it was decided that a walk and picnic would start the way well. The cook packed as many good things into a basket that she could, cold meats and sandwiches, cheese and pickles, crisps, as well as chocolate and home made cake for afters. There was also a flask of hot chocolate, for as mentioned the weather was still quite chill. Bundled up and loaded up the two set off on their walk, they didn't even have to travel by car, the grounds of the old manor house were vast in themselves but they also backed onto public walk ways and farm land. Greenery stretching for miles with houses scattered like the first raindrops of a storm. In short it was the perfect place for a walk and a picnic.
The first part went extremely well, Kailani carried the picnic basket and Ira took up his usual role as giant/orger trying to steal her treasure, in this case food. Through sheer persistence Kailani even though she got Ira to truly enjoy the game and live in the fantasy if only for a little while. But he was improving all the time, she could turn him into a top notch adventurer/evil giant yet!
She giggled as she ran ahead of him, holding the basket up and waving it tauntingly infront of him, although it was heavy she seemed to manage it surprisingly easily as she pulled it back to her chest and darted a little further ahead. They were reaching the edge of the managed grounds now, past all the neat flower beds to wear things were allowed to grow wild, in short. The fun bit. Still giggling in glee as Ira issued a giants challenge that he would catch her and her treasure she darted round a corner. Just for a moment she was out of sight and she took full advantage of it. Diving into a nearby bush to wait and jump out at her unsuspecting victim as he rounded the corner. A momentary switch of roles. She was going to poke him with her trusty stick sword until he was dead. But it didn't happen, she waited, but then she heard a sound that made her little heart sink. The sound of a ringing phone. But he said he wouldn't...he promised... Maybe it was someone eles's phone. Praying and hoping she snuck from her hiding place and peered back around the bend. Sure enough Ira was on the phone.
Dropping the picnic basket she marched out onto the path infront of him. He must have seen the hurt in her eyes for he mutter a quick dismissal in to the cell and hung up. But he'd spoken on the phone, and he had that look, she knew what that meant. "No!" she yelled stomping a small booted foot in the ground "you promised, you promised you wouldn't work today!" Ira did his best to look apologetic but it was hard to ring and true expressions from the controlled mask. "I apologise Kailani, but to keep all this..." he waved a hand around him at the grounds and back towards the house "I have to keep this company afloat. We can still have our walk and our picnic..." Kai brightened "But I have to go back to the offices in the afternoon." Kai's mood quickly sunk again "But you promised, you said all day, just you and me you promised!" her large beautiful eyes were starting to go glassy with liquid covering of tears, her fists clenched with the coming tantrum and above them the sky darkened. "It can't be helped Kai, you'll learn that some day." Ira stressed, stern and cool as always. Kai was not having any of it "Meanie!" She yelled before she threw her head back and started to brawl her eyes out. And as she did the heavens opened and the rains came down. Which only made Kai cry harder as the cold rain stung her face Cold hard bitter rain that drenched you in an instant. Unable to do anything, or rather not having a clue what to do with a crying child Ira's logical mind kicked in. They weren't far from the house yet, he had to get them back in out of this rain.
Limbing forward he scooped up the girl, although she struggled intialy, pouring a host of bad names on him as well as the rain she soon gave up and sunk against him sobbing. But as Ira turned around he noticed something remarkable, a few feet away from them the ground was completely dry, and above it the sky was still blue. What on earth was going on? Freak weather?
He marched forward towards the dry patch but the rain seemed to follow them. The more he walked the more he realised he wasn't imagining it. The rain cloud was following them. Whats more as Kai calmed and her sobs became lighter sniffles the rain seemed to slackens its driving force. He decided to try something, slowly he looked down at the child in his arms. "Kailani, I'm sorry I was wrong, lets go back and play in the manor okay. All day, like I promised." Still sniffing the girl looked up blinking back the few remaining tears. "Really?" "Really." And with those few words Kai smiled, throwing her arms around him and giving him a hug while above them the cloud vanished in a instant along with its rain. "Kai, did you do that on purpose?" Ira asked gently "what?" she asked puzzled "Make it rain." She shook her head. "No, but when you made me cry I knew it would." Well understandably the young man did not know what to make of that answer, the girl was just full of mysteries.
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Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 6:10 pm
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Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 11:19 am
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Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 11:21 am
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