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 Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:09 pm
Flower Power!
Ever since Alabaster was small, he knew he was different from the others in his class. Even if he were a pureblood like the rest, it was as if he just wasn't the same, but it never really bothered him. He was confident in himself and his capabilities, even if his matted locks at times blinded him as he practiced his steps in mock battling. It was glorified dancing to him, really. Nothing more than silly nonsense that his teachers tried to teach him with as much care as a wild animal running through a crowded market square. Blind, stupid, and ignorant, the lot of them! He'd fold his arms and flip his hair around, his eyes fervent and flaming. How was he supposed to get anywhere with this talk of battling? The world around him was more interesting. He would much rather stick his nose into the home of an insect than watch his teachers slash into things and boast. But how could he make them see that? How could he prove it to them that he was just as much use without having to hurt someone or something else?
Stubbornness ran through his blood like the red in his hair, and his peers knew that all too well about him. So when it was his turn to stand at the front of the class and repeat the motions his teachers had tried to instill in him, it was of no surprise that instead of fancy calls and kicking around, he produced a jar of dirt from his back pocket. Flabbergasted, his teacher demanded he take whatever he'd brought to school home with him and continue with the lessons he'd been taught, but by the time the words fell to the floor, it was too late. The jar had been dumped upon to floor and an eager Alabaster held a cluster of bulbs in his hands like pounds of treasure. He displayed his knowledge of the plants and allowed his classmates to hold them if they wanted to, only to be pulled out into the hallway for a scolding.
"This is not what warriors are supposed to do!" His teacher groaned, giving Alabaster a bop on the shoulder. "You want to make your family proud, do you not? Clean that mess up off the floor this instant and stop this nonsense!"
But Alabaster had more tricks up his sleeves. After cleaning up his "mess", the curly haired child stood, once again, proudly at the front of the class with a bag behind his back. A bag of foliage from the neighborhood, perfect for his next demonstration! He passed the bag around eagerly while his teacher stormed out of the class, grumbling something about contacting Alabaster's father, and spoke about all the different things he knew about the plants he'd harvested. Rose petals, stalks, bulbs, and a vegetable or two, all being passed about and spoken about openly, it was as though a door had opened! A door that would ultimately earn him a scolding from every teacher in the school. He was poorly taught, he was a terrible listener, he would never amount to anything! But Alabaster had heard it all before. He stuck his nose in the air, folded his arms, and blew a raspberry at them all.
He'd work with plants if he wanted to and he'd work with plants if they didn't want him to! They didn't get to dictate who he wanted to be! They were nothing but jerks, stuck up, old, smelly, jerks! One day, he'd be called into the very school for a meeting, and it would be the day he got hired as a teacher of herbology! He'd show them all, even if it took years! It wasn't like he didn't have the energy! He'd spent hours collecting all of those things just so he could show off his knowledge, how dare they underestimate him! He'd show them all!
Word count: 657
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:12 pm
Bought off with Celestial Tear: #1
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:14 pm
Of all the people who would teach me...
(Teaching solo #1)
Alabaster leaned his head out from the front door anxiously. His father had gone out a few hours ago saying that he was bringing someone home, and no one else in the house knew what he'd meant by that. Was he going out to pick up a family member? A friend? Maybe even a girlfriend? The apprentice shuddered to think about having to deal with a step-mother, let alone a girlfriend, and returned to pacing back and forth around the hallway. How could his father leave without telling him what he was doing? They were so close! Alabaster folded his arms at the door step and sighed, before letting his body plop down against the ground and gather into a seated position. Ugggh, maybe he should take a walk or something while he waited. If he had been waiting this long, who's to say he wouldn't be waiting until sunset? Or worse, until midnight? He pursed his lips, groaned, and planted his head smack into his knees. It was so hard being a kid, really, it was. You couldn't do anything but wait around and look stupid. If only he were older, maybe then he could get somewhere, but he was just a kid right now. He couldn't do anything without an adult's approval.
Finally, after what felt like forever, Alabaster's father appeared on the horizon, causing the young boy to jump for joy. However, as the gentleman approached, another man standing with him made Alabaster cringe. It was the school nurse, a very gentle, but strict man who Alabaster resented. What was his father doing with him? Did he invite him for dinner or something? He sat down again and pursed his lips. No... This didn't feel right. This seemed like a set up of some sort.
"Oh, Alabaster!" His father greeted, bending down to tousle Alabaster's hair. "I was just about to call for you. You know Silas, right? From school?"
Alabaster turned his gaze to the other man and gave a faint nod. Yeah, he knew him, he knew him alright. That didn't mean he was pleased to see him, not at all.
"Hi, Mr. Sherwood." Alabaster replied, turning his gaze away. "Are you here for dinner? It hasn't been put on yet. We were waiting for my father to come home."
"Dinner? Oh, goodness, no." Silas said, shaking his head. "Hasn't your father told you? I thought you'd be more excited about this. I'm going to be teaching you herbology from now on."
The words hit Alabaster like concrete blocks and set his eyes ablaze. What? He looked to his father who nodded and grimaced. No way, of all the people his father could've gone to, he chose someone from his school! This wouldn't do!
"Are you sure?" Alabaster asked, almost pleadingly. "You know me, right? Like... From school."
"What does that matter?" Silas replied, folding his arms. "I've seen great promise in you, Alabaster. Come, I want to take you on a walk for our first lesson. It's to the forest."
Alabaster paused, considering the offer. Silas seemed confident in him and he wanted to take him to the forest... It had to be a trap. Still, why not test this new "teacher"? Maybe he'd surprise him...
"Mmm... Alright." Alabaster said, moving to stand beside Silas. "But only if I get to pick the direction we go."
---
Less than an hour later, Alabaster was back home and sitting with his father and Silas. Silas, looking less than pleased, was covered from head to toe in mud, and Alabaster looked about as happy as a kid who'd lost his kite. After a while, Alabaster and his father rose and watched Silas leave, before Alabaster was taken upstairs.
"Alabaster, I've tried everything for you. I really have." Alistair said, disappointment in his eyes. "But if you don't cooperate, you'll never learn. Silas was very eager to teach you, I'll see if I can't smooth things over, but if not, I've run out of options. No one else has offered to teach you, and I'm afraid to ask any more than I already have."
Alabaster sat on his bed, his hair covering his eyes, and curled into a ball. His father had never scolded him before, and it wasn't pleasant. Why was all of this his fault? Silas should know what to expect when he walked through mud! Stupid Silas, stupid school, stupid stupid stupid!
(739/500; finished)
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:16 pm
Bought off with Celestial Tear: #2
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:17 pm
Bought off with Celestial Tear: #3
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:21 pm
Necessary Distance
Alabaster wandered slowly behind his father, his favorite coat tied limply at his sides. His father, not just a hour or two ago, had told him the news. He'd be staying with Silas while his father went on a long trip, in hopes that Alabaster would learn something from the man while he was away. The apprentice was less than thrilled and held himself stiffly even as his father waved goodbye, not wanting his father to think for a second that he appreciated this in the slightest. He was given his room and board by Silas the second he came in and the house rules laid out like iron bars. No running around, no touching anything that didn't belonged to him, no fun, no playtime, just shut up, stay away, and listen. Staying away proved to be the easiest thing to do out of everything he was allowed to do and lurched away from Silas every chance he could. However, toward the evening, Silas found a way to coax the boy over to him.
"Alabaster, I've got something for you!" Silas called from the sitting room.
He waited patiently, and then impatiently, before calling again.
"Alabaster, come here!" He called, his frown only satiated when the boy slowly made his way into the room. "Ah, there you are! Good, now, sit here and come see what I've bought for you."
Alabaster slid into the chair like a rock into a stream and watched, curiously, as two tomes were handed to him by Silas. What? His teacher bought him tomes? He looked to the other man with a puzzled expression before gazing down to the cover of the first tome. Plant Growth, huh? That sounded fun, but what about the other one? He placed the first tome on the table and smiled at the second tome's cover. Earth Healing, a book he'd always wanted! It taught you everything you ever needed to know about plants and the healing properties they held within them.
"Thank you, Silas." He said, holding the books to his chest. "... Can I start reading them now?"
His smile broadened as Silas nodded and Alabaster flipped the tomes open, more than eager to read everything they had to offer him. He liked reading, honestly, and was grateful that Silas had been kind enough to think of this for him. Maybe being here with his teacher wouldn't be so bad? He glanced up at the other man, as he turned a page, and arched a brow when he noticed him smiling back at him. Why was he so happy? He tilted his head.
"... Why are you smiling like that?" Alabaster asked, pursing his lips.
Silas blinked as if he hadn't noticed that his expression had changed and sighed.
"Ah-uh, well... I just..." He began, his gaze becoming pensive. "I haven't seen you be like this while you're at school, Alabaster. So quiet, so, well behaved... You seem so content to learn here, why can't you be like that elsewhere?"
Alabaster's back arched. He placed the tomes on the table and turned his face towards the window, his eyes filling with tears. Why couldn't he be well behaved? Why couldn't he be quiet? Why couldn't he just be what everyone else wanted him to be? He sniffled, glared toward Silas, and fled from the room.
"Alabaster! Where are you going?" Silas screamed, racing after him.
"I'm going where no one makes me feel invalid!" Alabaster snarled as he threw himself out the front door and into the forest. "A place where I know I belong, where you'll be too squeamish to come get me! I don't care what my father wants anymore! I hate you, I hate this place, and I don't want to be here anymore!"
And with that, he was gone, leaving Silas silent at the front door.
(642/500; finished)
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:40 pm
In the Trees
The dirt made a surprisingly good bed to a boy who enjoyed his creature comforts. Alabaster gave a stretch, yawned, and surveyed the early morning sunlight as it pooled into his eyes. Yep, morning, time to get up and... Figure out just where the hell he was. Birds chirped loudly overhead, animals scurried around his feet, and a light breeze waved it's way through his hair as he padded along the path. He wasn't anywhere near town, which also meant he was quite far from where Silas was. The thought of being so far from home was a little frightening, but when it came to not being near his teacher, well, that feeling of freedom trumped just about everything. Soon enough, he was sauntering down the path and laughing. The forest was his playground, his library, his school. All the things he wanted to learn, all the things that could be learned, were right here in these woods. He didn't need books, he didn't need Silas, he didn't need anyone! He would be fine here in the shade and the sunlight.
He spent hours rolling around in the dirt, simply happy to be by himself, and found himself a plethora of berries to snack on. He'd seen these specific ones in a field journal his uncle had given him for his birthday, they weren't poisonous and were perfectly ripe, and made an excellent meal. They were also good for healing, too, apparently. Something about stomach troubles, certain kinds of sores and burns, all sorts of other minor things, but, for the moment, everything about them was simpler than that. He'd eaten his fill before he knew it and moved towards a shady spot to rest. His hair spread out against the grass and encompassed much of what was under him, like a big floofy pillow, and a sigh slipped from his lips. He could see so much from where he lay, but yet, he could see nothing at all. The world was filled with these sort of things, wasn't it? Dual ideas that mirrored one another, but made sense together as a pair. He simmered into his position and drifted easily into silence, until something from above him caught his eye. Snake-like, scaled, shiny... What was that flying up there? He sat up and clamored towards a tree, his eyes watching the creature intently. Was it... A... Dragon? What was a dragon doing all the way out here? More importantly, had it seen him watching it?
He sucked in a breath as it twirled around in the air and hoisted himself into the tree. He wasn't the best of climbers, begrudgingly, and held onto the tree for dear life at certain points. Eventually, to his relief, he reached the top and found himself a thick enough branch to stand on. He shimmied himself out and stared toward the horizon. He'd just barely missed the dragon, thankfully, and lowered himself to sit and watch it fly into the distance. It was... Beautiful, like a star. How could something so beautiful be dangerous? He wished he could call it back, talk to it, maybe even ask it for a ride on it's back, but... He didn't know how to speak dragon, and what if it mistook him for a battler who wanted to challenge it? He'd surely be killed before he could find the words to say, but still, it was nice to dream, wasn't it? He squinted his gaze as the dragon swayed in the distance, drawing a laugh from the young Orderite. What was it doing, flapping around so awkwardly? Was it looking for something? He moved towards the edge of the branch and leaned out, only to freeze in terror as the dragon turned it's head towards him. He couldn't tell if it had actually spotted him there or if it had merely turned it's head in his direction, but it's stare alone was enough to make him freeze. It appeared to stare right through him, like an angry adult preparing to scold him, and stayed just as still as he was. Was it preparing to let out a blast of fire? Was it going to blind him with light? Place a curse on him? Was it judging him from afar? Sizing him up for a meal? Alabaster's eyes grew wider and more terrified the longer the staring session went on, until, finally, the dragon seemed to lose interest. It turned, glanced back to Alabaster, and continued along it's way as if nothing had ever disrupted it, leaving the boy without his breath. That was too close for comfort, what if it had attacked him? He would've been a goner before he had the chance to blink! He shook his head, sighed, and turned towards the trunk of the tree.
Then, it happened. A blast of shining light thrashed it's way across his vision, startling him from his descent down to the ground. He slipped, flailed around, and found himself ensnared in the branches by the shredded bits of his favorite coat. Why had the dragon waited so long to attack him? Was he not supposed to turn around when he had? He didn't understand dragon etiquette, he was an Orderite! He thrashed, pulled himself out of his coat, and turned to climb back up to where he'd been. However, as he reached the branch, a bright shining object caught his attention. Whatever it was, it was embedded in the side of the tree, and likely whatever the dragon had used to attack him with. He shimmied slowly through the branches and around to it, before tugging it straight out from the trunk. It was a dragon tear, a really shiny rainbow one! He'd heard all about these in school! They had quite a few uses, but he'd never really thought he'd need one, much less have one hurled at his head. He traced his finger along it's many etches and grooves, a broad grin stretching across his face. Maybe... This was a gift for him? A token to remember this odd meeting by. It was highly unlikely he'd never meet a dragon again in his lifetime, after all, he wasn't a battler. So, this was a very special surprise. He turned his head towards the sky and nodded.
"Thank you, I'll figure out a good use for this!" He cried.
"Alabaster? Thank goodness! Is that you?"
The red-head peered down to see Silas looking up toward him. Oh, so he'd come all this way to find him? Alabaster had to admire that about him at the very least. Silas cared about his feelings somewhere in that head of his. However, that didn't mean he'd come down just for that alone. He turned his eyes away and held the tear close to his chest.
"Oh, come now, please!" Silas called. "I've been worried sick about you all night! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Alabaster, I'm sorry! Honestly, I didn't realize how much you disliked school and how hard it was for you to cope with your classmates. Please, let me make up for it. Give me one more chance?"
Alabaster could feel his stubbornness losing it's grip as Silas begged him to come down and hopped down a couple of branches. He paused just above Silas' head and perched, his eyes meeting the other's much like how the dragon had met his, before lowering himself to the ground and grabbing onto Silas' sleeve.
"Alright, I'll give you another chance." He said, his cheeks flushing red. "But, can we not talk about school and just... Start over from here? You know... Like we're just meeting and stuff."
"If that's what you think will make this work..." Silas muttered, a relieved smile rising to his features. "I'm Silas, your teacher and neighbor. What's your name?"
"Alabaster Lindenburgh." Alabaster replied, echoing Silas' smile. "It's nice to meet you, Silas."
"And the same to you, Alabaster." Silas replied.
(1327/500 words; Finished)
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:45 pm
Things Unseen
The sound of a tea kettle reaching full boil was Alabaster's alarm a few mornings after his forest adventure, followed by the sound of Silas calling him down for breakfast. He allowed himself to simmer a moment to give his eyes the time to adjust, before springing out of bed and down the stairs. There were eggs cooking in a pan, he could hear them, and his stomach gave a grumble. He'd lost track of the days now since his father had left, though... Surprisingly, it really didn't bother him. Silas and he were getting along, and that meant a lot of good for the both of them. The Orderite slid into his chair in the kitchen quietly and waited for Silas to turn and greet him while he rubbed his eye. However, as he sat at the table, a hand not much bigger than his grasped onto his shoulder, giving him a start.
"Whoa! Hi there!" He exclaimed, looking to the child he hadn't seen beside him.
They had dark hair and pale eyes, reminiscent of Silas', which looked to him curiously. Were they Silas' child? He didn't know that Silas had any children! This was a new development! Where had they been hiding all this time? He offered them a smile which widened as a plate of food and a cup of tea were placed in front of him.
"Good morning, Alabaster!" Silas exclaimed, echoing his smile. "I see you've met Sae'tsu, my... Erm..."
"Son." Sae'tsu chimed, shaking his head. "Hasn't mother been keeping you up to date with things?"
"Erm... No, not quite, Sae." Silas replied, sighing. "Ah, well, that aside... Alabaster? ...Alabaster!"
"Whafg?" Alabaster asked, his mouth full of egg and toast. He looked between Silas and Sae'tsu a moment before swallowing and dabbing his mouth with a napkin. "Sorry, I couldn't wait. What's going on? How come I've never seen Sae'tsu before? I mean, I know everyone in this town, you've done a good job of hiding him!"
Sae'tsu burst into a fit of laughter while Silas placed his hand over his face in his usual manner. What? He was only being honest! Alabaster slumped into his seat and mimicked Silas' mannerisms, further irritating the man. However, Sae'tsu fell silent and began to move his hands about, his face twisting around in confusion. Alabaster sat up and watched him fumble, wiggle his hands, and eventually grasp onto Silas' sleeve. Why was he acting so strange? And, more importantly, why wasn't Silas yelling at him for reaching across the table?
"Uhhhh..." He said, arching an eyebrow at Silas. "Is... Is everything alright?"
"Oh, uhm, yes!" Sae'tsu replied, his cheeks turning red. "I just... I uhm..."
"He needs his eye drops, that's all." Silas explained, rising from the table. "Alabaster, would you like to help me make a new batch from the herbs we gathered yesterday? He'll need them if he'd like to see more than the tablecloth today."
Alabaster nodded furiously and rushed another fork full of food into his mouth before following Silas out of the room and into the study. Sae'tsu followed, albeit slowly, and sat on a cushion by his father's desk while Alabaster helped Silas prepare the plants. There were some familiar things, like wildflowers and berries, while others were foreign to Alabaster and appeared almost alien. However, he had faith that Silas knew what he was doing, after all, Sae'tsu was his son, and he didn't know a father who could be incompetent when it came to their child. They crushed quite a few of the flowers and mashed the berries, while most of the unknown things were ripped and popped. The entire process was interesting, especially when the mixture needed to added a milky looking solution and bottled in a tiny vial. Alabaster felt proud of himself once they were done and grinned when they handed the vial to Sae'tsu.
"Alright, here you are, fresh eye drops!" Alabaster exclaimed, smirking. "They're not really made from eyes, so don't worry."
Silas scoffed but Sae'tsu laughed. He didn't know what it was about Sae'tsu's laugh that made him feel so accomplished, but that didn't bother him. He watched, curiously, as Sae'tsu applied the solution to his eyes and blinked furiously, before their gazes met. Sae'tsu's eyes had appeared gray before, but now had a distinct shade of lavender, something that had Alabaster staring.
"... Are you... Are you...?" He gasped, his mouth gaping open.
"Dovaa? Yeah!" Sae'tsu replied, before giving his father a sheepish look. "... But nobody knows that about us."
"Us?" Alabaster squeaked, his eyes darting straight up to Silas. "You're Dovaa, too? I can't believe it! Are you full Dovaa? Half-Dovaa? Less than that?"
"Alabaster." Silas heaved, his hand folding into his hair. "If it satiates you, I am Dovaa and Sae'tsu is half. However, no one else but you and your father know about that. Please don't tell anyone."
"NO WAY!" Alabaster shouted, immediately covering his mouth. "... How did you keep this a secret for so long? Where are your horns? Your scales? And your wi-"
Suddenly, Sae'tsu's hands clamped over Alabaster's mouth. Shocked red eyes met stern lavender in the moment, taking whatever breath Alabaster had left in his lungs and leaving him dumbfounded. What was his problem? He was just curious! His gaze went to Silas who, to Alabaster's shock, had lessened the tie on his sleeves, revealing glittering blue scales that curled around his arm. The room was silent while Silas retied his sleeves, took a breath, and rolled his eyes.
"My horns and wings were sawed off when I was captured as a young man, that's why I don't have those, if you must know." He said, patting both children on the head. "... Now, how about we go clean up the kitchen and take a walk? It's too nice of a day to stay inside."
"Right!" Sae'tsu chimed, looking to Alabaster. "I'll grab the dishes if you grab the forks!"
Alabaster nodded, still coming down from shock, and followed Silas and Sae'tsu back into the kitchen. However, he took every chance he could to watch them as they walked, just to relish in the fact that he'd met two people of a different race. Still, he couldn't help but wonder... Why hadn't his father told him about this before?
(1057/500 words; Finished)
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 8:47 pm
A Taste Of Your Own Medicine
(Profession master solo)
Two years after starting his lessons with Silas, Alabaster was deemed ready for his final test. He rose from his bed, now at home with his family, and slipped out the front door to meet Silas somewhere in the forest. He wasn't quite sure where his teacher wanted to meet him, but figured that he didn't need to go too far from his cabin, and sure enough, spotted Silas five minutes down the path from his garden. The apprentice stretched, beamed, and hopped over to him.
"Morning, Silas!" He cheered, waving. "What's on the agenda for tod-"
"Quickly! Tell me what this is!" Silas exclaimed, thrusting his arm out toward Alabaster.
In his hand he held what seemed to be a wad of pine needles, which Alabaster greeted with an arched eyebrow. The hell was wrong with Silas today? Throwing pine needles at his face, was he feeling alright?
"Silas, those a pine needles, they're everywhere." He replied, folding his arms. "Now, I came because you wanted to test me about someth-"
"Okay, great, what are these?" Silas interrupted, once again shoving a plant in Alabaster's plane of sight. This time the plant had visible buds on it, each a shade of pink depending on the age of the bud. However, what gave the plant away was the thorns that ran along each stem. Roses.
"Those are roses." Alabaster said, his lips pursing. "Are you feeling alright? You're acting stra-"
"HEY! Tell me what these are!" Silas flailed, throwing a handful of berries at Alabaster.
Alabaster quickly shut his mouth tight as the berries were thrown, having had too many incidences where he ate poisoned berries, and caught a berry with his hand. The juice in his hand was a deep-reddish color and smelled sweet, so he decided it was safe to try a little. However, once the juice hit his tongue, the flavor made him pucker.
"Ew, blueberries!" He spat, wiping his tongue with his sleeve. "You know I don't like them, they're so sour and-"
Suddenly, Silas began to laugh, further perplexing Alabaster. Something wasn't right. Silas never laughed, at least not something above a chuckle. He had to be sick! He grabbed Silas by the wrist and dragged him toward the house.
"Alright, come on, you're obviously under the weather!" He grumbled. "Throwing berries, flailing plants at me, you should know better! I thought I was coming for a test today, not this sort of... Weirdness!"
"But, you don't get it, that was the test!" Silas laughed, bending over to catch his breath. "I just wanted to do it in a way that would disarm you and make you think on your feet! I didn't think you'd get so irritated!"
"That's mean, Silas!" Alabaster exclaimed, placing his hands on his hips. "How would you like it if someone spent the whole day flailing things at you and asking what they are like that? It's not pleasant!"
"But you've done that to me for two whole years!" Silas continued, nearly doubling over from laughing. "Can't you take a joke?"
Alabaster folded his arms, scoffed, and eventually started to laugh. Silas was right, he'd done a lot of flailing and questioning over the years. Time really does fly, doesn't it? He shook his head, took Silas by the arm, and started toward the house.
"You're right, I've been a hard kid to teach." He said, looking up to Silas. "But, hey, it proves that you're an excellent teacher, you know. So... Thank you for not giving up on me, Silas. I hope, one day, that I can return the favor."
(601/500; Finished)
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:30 pm
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 5:13 pm
 WELL, PUBERTY TREATED YOU KINDLY, DIDN'T IT ALABASTER? 8D
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 1:54 pm
Leaving the Nest
Alabaster knew in his heart that he couldn't stay in Silas' or his father's home forever, but the idea of moving out was still a little daunting. He was so used to sharing his space with people, like his younger siblings and Silas' son, Sae'tsu, that he couldn't even begin to fathom what it would be like to be alone. What would it be like to live in a place without the feet of others running back and forth? A house devoid of noise and clutter seemed lonely, almost dismal and dark. How would he learn to deal with the silence?
The Orderite held his cup of tea solemnly as Silas returned home from his walk, and turned his gaze up to greet him. After all these years of living with him, it was still so hard to believe that this man was Dovaa and not Orderite, but it only seemed to further Alabaster's point about the races. All that mattered was your character, not your appearance, and there was no sense in getting ruffled about the differences you had with someone else. He smiled and scoffed as the taller male shuffled in, his arms filled to the brim with bags from town, and slowly followed him into the kitchen. It seemed that they'd be having a plethora of vegetables for dinner, not that Alabaster minded. He'd gotten used to his teacher's home cooking which consisted of some meats, but plenty of seasoned vegetables. It was a transition at first, but not something insurmountable. He sighed and looked to the table, his thoughts drifting upon what his first meal in his new home would be, until Silas dropped a potato on the ground. Laughing, Alabaster bent to retrieve it.
"I wonder how you carry it all, Silas!" He chuckled, placing the potato back on the counter. "Do you want help prepping dinner or should I go check on Sae for you?"
"Oh, no, no. I'm all set here." Silas replied, his hands busy wrangling a bundle of lettuce that had come undone from it's binding. "And I'm sure Sae is fine, I think he wanted to be left to study quietly today. He's so close to mastering this one potion, or at least that's what he keeps yammering on about."
Alabaster watched as Silas tossed the offending lettuce aside in frustration and turned toward the cupboards for, undoubtedly, his favorite cooking spices. Garlic, rosemary, ginger... The aromas from each jar filled the air as their contents were spilled out, leaving Alabaster with feelings of nostalgia. One of his very first tests was identifying spices based on scent alone, and he remembered how funny it had been when he'd sneezed and a giant cloud of cinnamon filled the room. Sure, Silas hadn't found the accident all that amusing and they spent the rest of the afternoon looking for cinnamon bark to replace the powder with, but it was still something that Alabaster found memorable.
Come to think of it, he had made quite a few life-changing memories here, hadn't he? Meeting a Dovaa and a Dovaa-hybrid. Coming nearly face to face with a dragon and getting one of it's tears. Learning about potion making with Sae'tsu and watching Silas heal... Everything that had made him who he was today had happened here. It was kind of... Eye-opening. Usually you grew up in the arms of your parents and were taught things by them, but after moving in with Silas, he'd learned so much more than he'd ever could've with his father. He looked to Silas as he sprinkled salt over the celery he was preparing and found his eyes misting. ... Why did Silas feel more like a father to him than his own? More importantly, though, why was he only just realizing this now when he was getting ready to leave? He clutched his teacup and pursed his lips.
"Is something bothering you, Alabaster?" Silas asked, having turned from his prepping to look at the oddly silent Orderite beside him.
Alabaster froze, his eyes wet and lip quaking. What was he supposed to say? He couldn't come out right with it, could he? That would seem rude and inconsiderate. He shuffled his feet and placed the tea cup on the counter beside the potato from before.
"S-Silas, I think it's time I moved out on my own!" He blurted, his hand reaching over to clutch his arm. "I... I mean. Maybe not too far away, like, a little down the path or something, but... I want to branch out on my own. ... Is that okay?"
Silas paused and wiped his hands off with a towel, before moving to place his hand on Alabaster's forehead. After a moment or so and a nod, the light haired male took a breath in and sighed.
"I thought you had a fever for a second there, my goodness." He said, shaking his head. "I... I don't know what to say, Alabaster, honestly. I..."
The older male turned, briefly, his expression mirroring Alabaster's, before he moved to envelope the redhead in a hug. Alabaster quickly reciprocated and leaned his head on top of Silas' until they parted to look at each other.
"I don't know if this sounds weird, Silas." Alabaster began, breaking the silence. "... But I've begun to think of you as a father figure." He paused, his lip curling upward. "... Especially after my family kind of... Left me here, you know?"
"That's not weird at all, no!" Silas said, shaking his head. "I'm here getting all misty eyed like a child because... Well, I've taken to you as if you were my own. You brought something to my life that I never thought I needed, Alabaster, and..."
They found themselves staring at each other again and eventually began to laugh. It was emotional laughter, one that brought back more memories for Alabaster. They'd spent many years laughing together over dinner and out in the forest studying. This bond he had forged with Silas was so easily missed, but just as easily cherished.
"I love you, son." Silas continued, patting Alabaster on the shoulder. "... We can talk more on the subject of moving tomorrow, but for now, I think we should get dinner fixed before Sae finishes his work. I have no doubt in my mind that he'll be hungry."
"Alright, dad." Alabaster said, turning to help Silas with the food. "... Hey, uh..."
"Yes?" Silas asked.
"... Thank you for everything you've done for me." Alabaster said. "I promise I won't let you down."
"You're welcome, and I know you won't. I raised you, after all." Silas laughed.
(1109/500+ words; Finished)
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 6:57 pm
A Cabin In The Woods
Three months after announcing his desire to move, Alabaster found himself looking at the finished log cabin he didn't know he'd even wanted. It wasn't something of majesty, but it was sturdy two story building complete with a kitchen, living room, and three bedrooms. Plus, it overlooked the scenic waters of Lake Amafel, how could you beat something like that? He grinned and adjusted his hold on the box he was holding so he could stand and drink in the beauty of the area. This was his, all his. The front lawn, the backyard, it was something out of a dream! There was a creeping feeling of paranoia that he might wake up and still be a child, but it fluttered away with the sound of the front door opening.
"Hey! Are you coming inside? This place isn't going to decorate itself, you know!" Sae'tsu shouted, his sleeve covered hand waking Alabaster from his thoughts.
"Coming! I just can't help but stare!" Alabaster replied, hoisting the box back into his hands. It was true, though, he couldn't help it. The outside of his house drew him in every time he wandered past, almost like a siren's call. The Orderite wandered up the front path and nudged the door open with his foot, before slowly turning to view the front hall. The paint that they'd used was a gorgeous red-brown that seemed to enhance the natural color of the wood below it. It radiated an almost autumnal feel. Warm, comforting, woods-y, just what he felt a home should be. He proceeded down the hall and into what would become his living room and placed the box down next to the others in the corner, before turning to join Silas and Sae upstairs.
The floorboards on the upper floor had a pleasant squeak to them, the kind you'd expect from a log cabin of any age. He admired the carvings and pictures they'd hung up so far and smiled when he reached his room. It was still fairly bare, aside from his bed and dresser, but he had no doubt that it would soon be cluttered with all of the things packed downstairs. His hand drifted along the top of the dresser for a moment until Silas' voice called out to him from down the hall. He wandered out, lingered, and found himself staring into the guest room where Sae and Silas were busy hanging curtains.
"Oh, guys, this room doesn't need much yet. Just leave it to me, okay?" He said, nudging his way around the boxes littered around the room. "While I know you two will come over from time to time, I don't think this room needs to be finished quite yet."
"Well, we just thought it would be nice if we started it off for you, 'Bast." Sae replied, tugging the lacy curtain toward him. "Less work for you to do alone, right?"
Alabaster nodded and wandered further into the room, his eyes making a beeline for the bed set up against the furthest wall to his left. It was his childhood bed, taken from his home back in the village. His uncle, the only one of his family members who remained in the house, had helped as much as he felt he was able until he went down for his usual afternoon nap out in the backyard hammock. Alabaster couldn't blame him, though. He couldn't wait to test out the hammock for himself, honestly. A lakeside laze sounded so nice... He shook himself from the thought and turned to Silas.
"Are you ready for some tea? I can make us a pot!" He offered.
"That sounds lovely, yes." Silas agreed after a moment's pause. "It'll be the first cup of tea in your new home. A good way to christen the place!"
Again, Alabaster nodded, and turned to head back down the stairs. The kitchen was set up across the hallway from the living room, like Silas' house, and was the first room to be fully completed. It had the kettle, a stove, and plenty of storage space, which were already filled with some of the extra spices and herbs that Silas was willing to part with. He lit the stove and dug around for the tea, before laughing to himself. He'd need water to boil for the tea, wouldn't he? Where was he going to find some fresh water? He gazed out toward the lake, put out the flame, and took the kettle outside.
Though the water wasn't exactly perfect, he knew boiling would take most of the impurities from it, making it safe to drink. He filled the kettle for three cups and raised his gaze toward his uncle in the hammock. How long had he been there? Two hours? Maybe three? It didn't matter, it was time for him to wake up anyway. The kettle went under again for a fourth cup and the redhead trotted back inside to light the fire again.
"Hmm, what to brew, what to brew?" He mused, his fingers tapping along the jugs of tea leaves in the cupboard. "Ah, I didn't know I had rose tea! This must've been snuck in by someone."
He pried open the jar, plopped a decent amount of leaves in each cup, and poured the water in as it reached boil. Then, after several minutes steeping, the Orderite strained the tea and sugared it to taste. The amber-rose color of the tea made him smile, as well as the sweet scent that waved it's way upward through the air. After allowing the scent to envelope him a moment more, he turned toward the stairs and clapped his hands.
"Tea's on! I've left yours out by the counter!" He called. "I'll be outside with my uncle if you need anything!"
And out he went, tea in hand, to nudge his uncle awake. The dark haired man snored away peacefully as his nephew approached, but surprisingly woke easily when Alabaster held the tea underneath his nose. The young man watched his uncle blink twice, click his tongue tiredly, and take his tea with a smile.
"Ahhh, rose tea..." Salister sighed, taking a quick sip. "If I remember clearly, it's your favorite kind, Alabaster. Isn't it?"
"Yep, it is." Alabaster replied, nodding. He nestled himself quietly against his uncle, his head partially leaning against the other's shoulder, and sipped at his tea. They were quiet like this for a while, seemingly content to watch the glittering water just beyond the trees, until Alabaster moved to lean against his uncle's chest. The sigh he released paved the way for tears, which Salister wiped away with his free hand, and the words that followed didn't come easy.
"... Promise me you won't vanish, like dad?" He muttered, rubbing at his nose. "I... I know I have Silas and Sae here, but, you're the only true family I've got left. Please, please, don't disappear. I don't think I could handle it."
Salister's face fell as Alabaster expressed his sadness and pulled him into a hug. Alabaster pressed himself against his uncle's chest and shuddered against crying, while his uncle quickly set to smoothing his hair and hushing.
"Love, I hope you know that I'm just as hurt as you are that my brother left." Salister said, leaning his head on Alabaster's. "I will never understand why he felt the need to leave, or take your little siblings with him, and I sure as hell will never forgive him for it. However..." He moved to cup Alabaster's cheek. "I assure you, I will never leave this village without coming to see you. I won't disappear and I will never abandon you, not like my lousy, good-for-nothing twin. Don't you worry about that, okay?"
"... Okay, I believe you." Alabaster said, before moving into a seated position. "I... Just... Do you think... Do you think he left because of me? Was my lack of racism an issue for him, or was I too difficult to deal with? Do you... Think he hates me, like mom does?"
"No, I don't." Salister assured, patting Alabaster's back. "Your father has never been able to stay in one place, not since the day we were born. It's inexcusable, I know, but... I think he left you here because he knew you were in safe hands with Silas. After all, he's a healer and herbologist, and he really wanted to teach you. You've had quite a lot of good times with him and his son, and I'm sure you'll make plenty more memories with them as you grow. Even if Alistair was careless and selfish for leaving and taking your siblings, I'm sure he only had what was best for you in mind."
Alabaster paused, allowing his uncle's words to sink in, and eventually brought himself to smile. Yeah, his dad didn't hate him, what was he thinking? He may have disappeared, but he was trusted into the safe hands of Silas, the person who had raised him from a childish brat to the man he was today. Even though it still hurt to not know what happened, Alabaster was grateful for the life he was allowed to have. He turned his head toward the house and sighed, contently, once more. It was thanks to Silas and Sae that he had this gorgeous home now. One day, he'd make it up to them.
"You want to head inside and help unpack the rest of the stuff?" He asked, chuckling. "Or would you rather nap for another three hours until suppertime?"
"Oh, alright." Salister scoffed, slipping out from the hammock. "Show me what needs doing. I'm ready."
"Thanks, uncle Sal." Alabaster replied.
(1614/500+ words; Finished)
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 10:53 am
Empty Spaces
(Adoption solo 1)
Time passed quickly for Alabaster after everything had finally settled in his new home. The tail end of spring skipped by, as did the entirety of summer, and then, suddenly, the briskness of Autumn was there to greet him in the morning. He'd seen Silas, Sae'tsu, and his uncle a few times and had them over for dinner. They came and swam in the lake, participated in annual festivals, and even helped him weed the garden from time to time. However, like the seasons, these visits seemed to pass by too quickly for him to capture. Even if his uncle stayed the night or the week, it still went by in a flash. He wasn't used to having an empty house. It just... Didn't feel right. The lack of sound, laughter, chatter... It made him sad, and he didn't like feeling sad.
"Ugh, this sucks." He muttered, his hands busy lightly tapping the edge of his coffee cup. It wasn't exactly what he wanted to say, but it was good enough to scrape the bottom of his emotional barrel. He was lonesome, a feeling he wasn't used to, and one he didn't want to continue feeling. But, he couldn't move back in with Silas and Sae, or keep asking his uncle around for dinner every night. It would make him look desperate for attention or, worse, like a child. He didn't want to be a burden on his family or seem incapable of being alone, no matter how bad he felt. He fiddled with the cup again before placing it down and turning toward the staircase. There had to be something still left to do in this house. Maybe he could make a mirror? Frame something and hang it up? Anything was better than standing around and moping. He headed down the hall and studied the walls, his eyes catching hold of an empty space between his room and the guest room. Hm, a mirror could go there, couldn't it? Or maybe a table with a vase? He pushed his lips out and tapped his feet, before heading into the guest room. He was keeping some of his old things in there, maybe he had something that fit that wall?
"Wow... I need to clean this up, don't I?" He laughed, bending down to inspect a stack of paintings in the corner. This room was more full of things than he thought! It would take hours to get through it all on his own. The Orderite pulled a small painting from the stack and blew the dust off of it, before smiling at the colors below it. Aw! His brothers had painted this one for him in school! Sure, it was crude and nowhere near genius, but it was perfect to hang up in the hallway! ... Right? His face scrunched up as he turned the painting around and slowly placed it to the side. No, now that he thought about it, he didn't want to be reminded of his brothers. After all, they weren't here and couldn't see his new house. He sighed and scuttled over to another pile, his hands pulling thing after thing from within it. Then, he went to another pile, and another, until the entirety of the room had been sorted to his liking. He stood, took a stretch, and looked everything over.
His entire childhood had been in this room. His toys, his clothes, his old bedspreads... It was overwhelming to think about how much time had passed and how much he'd grown. He eyes turned toward the corner of the room, where his old bed sat, and he inched to sit down on it. The covers were still so soft and colorful, weren't they? He allowed his hands to linger over the cloth and chuckled when he felt a bump underneath them. What had he left under the blanket? Could it be?
"Oh my gosh! Fawnie, old buddy!" He exclaimed, tugging the ragged plushie into a hug. "I can't believe I left you under there all this time! Poor thing..."
He turned the Elkun plushie over and marveled at how small it was. It used to be as big as his head, if he remembered correctly, and now it's legs barely hung from the outside of his palm. All the memories of this fluffy buddy came flooding back to him, espescially the day where he swore he lost him. Maybe he'd been stuffed behind his bed all this time and someone thought to tuck him under the covers when they found him? He wondered if Fawnie missed him all these years and found himself laughing again. No, that's something a child would think. Plushies couldn't feel, they weren't alive. However, that didn't stop him from placing Fawnie in his jacket pocket and flopping on his back.
"Mmm... Maybe I could donate some of this stuff somewhere..." He mused, his hand raising to pet Fawnie. "... Or..."
He sat up to survey the room again, a grin growing on his features.
"... I could adopt!" He continued, clasping his hands together. "Yes, this room would be perfect for a child! The curtains, the toys, the bed, everything!"
He stood and moved to the center of the room, his arms folding while he thought. He would, of course, need to buy a crib and baby gates for the stairs... But what else did kids need? His lips pursed again, before his eyes opened wide. He could ask Silas! He would know what kids needed. After all, he'd had Sae'tsu and raised them to adulthood. Who better to ask but him?
(935/500+ words; Finished)
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 7:22 pm
How To Dad
(Adoption solo 2)
Alabaster reached Silas' home toward the middle of the afternoon and took the liberty of letting himself in. He removed his shoes and lined them up against the wall as per the rule, and smiled as Silas' voice called out to him from his work room down the hall. The Orderite wasted no time and slipped into the room faster than Silas could react. He grinned, took a short look around, and reached out for Silas' hands.
"I... I need to ask you something really important." He began, leaning to the side so he could see Silas' eyes. "Do you have a moment to talk?"
"Uh, sure! I've got time." Silas replied, smiling. "What's up? Something about the house?"
"No, no, nothing about the house." Alabaster said, shaking his head. "I was just... Uhm."
He paused, his hand moving to tap his lip, before finally finding the words to go on.
"I was thinking about adopting a child. Do you have any advice?" He asked, grabbing his arm nervously. "I mean, you raised Sae'tsu and, well, me. I figured I could talk to you about this."
Alabaster watched Silas carefully as the other man turned, lowered his arms to his side, and stared. Oh, no, did Silas think adopting was a bad idea? He leaned away, feeling as though the next words to come from his caretaker's mouth would be negative, and squeaked when his arms were grabbed instead.
"You... Want to adopt?" Silas said, his eyes wide and curious. "I mean, I'm not disapproving this idea, I think you'd make a wonderful father! My only concern is whether or not you've... Actually put some thought into this."
"I have, I promise!" Alabaster retorted, his face heating with blush. "My house is lovely, but it's lonely, and I really want to fill this empty space I have with someone I can watch grow. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yes, of course I do." Silas agreed, nodding. "Alright, I know when you set your mind to something, you're going to do it, so... Let's talk about how you're going to go about this."
The pair moved into the living room and chatted over tea for a while. They discussed everything that a child would need and what additions to the house would need to be made once they arrived. Child gates, cushions for the stairs, playpens... Alabaster knew he could make most of this stuff by hand himself. However, things like diapers, toys, and blankets for swaddling, he would need plenty of money for. The Orderite admitted that it was daunting to hear just how much he'd need to spend on daily things for an infant, but didn't let that damper his spirit. His son or daughter would be worth his weight in gold, no matter how difficult they got when they grew up. Towards the end of the conversation, Silas presented Alabaster with a map that had all of the local orphanages listed. The orphanage that was closest to Alabaster's house was in a small town just a mile away, one that he was more than prepared to walk to the next day.
"I'll pack a few things tonight and I'll make the trip tomorrow." He said, grinning. "... We may very well have a new Lindenburgh in the next few days if all goes well!"
"I wish you the best of luck, Alabaster." Silas replied, patting him on the back. "I look forward to meeting your child!"
(579/500+ words; Finished)
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