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 Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2023 6:54 pm
Kayde 8 "Oh. No. No, of course not." Backing away, Kayde sat down on a bench that was propped up against the side of the house, pulling his sad son towards him to sit on his knee. Elias was still of an age to allow him to do this, just on the edge of starting to reach that age he was dreading, where everything he would do would just be an embarrassment to the growing boy. When he wouldn't want to cuddle with dad. When he was too old to sit on a knee. When it would become much harder to cheer him out of these moods because everything Kayde would do as a father would just be wrong and make things worse. He had never been such a teenager himself, but he'd seen it countless times before. Both at the orphanage where he grew up and with the trope. Some of the performers had stayed for so long, that they had children not much younger than he had been when he joined. Full of all the angst that came with that age. He remembered well all the fights he would hear while relaxing in his wagon after a day performing. Hopefully Elias and Elenora wouldn't be as bad when they started to really reach that confusing age. "Elenora's strength is her intelligence, it is true. But we all have things we're good and bad at. You're still young, Elias. There's lots of time to find something for you to excel at. In fact," the Leaf patted the toy sword, resting over the youngling's knees, "a good swing with a sword is a good skill to have. Fighting is not something I've ever been good at, but maybe it'll be your thing. When you're older."
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Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2023 9:39 am
Elias 9 Elias got comfortable on his father's lap, shifting his weight so he wasn't sitting directly on Kayde's bony knee. He still enjoyed these moments with his father, hardly yet too old to sit on his parents' laps and have a little cuddle. He wasn't aware those times were coming closer to an end, when he would both be too big for it and embarrassed by even a simple hug from one of them. Children were always blissfully unaware of the future. "That's what dads are supposed to say," he countered. But despite his words, a small smile played across his lips. He toyed with the wooden sword, running one hand along the blade part of it. Wondering when he'd be old enough for a real blade. What Kayde said made some sense to him. He wasn't as smart as his sister, but he had strength where she didn't.
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Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2023 10:03 am
Kayde 9 And, just like that, Elias was happy, again. Kayde smiled back, patting the youngling's leg where it draped over the other side of his own. "But it's also true. Would I say anything that was dishonest?" The boy shook his head vigorously, nearly unseating himself. The man laughed, holding onto Elias around the waist so he didn't fall. "Do you think your mother is good at flips and tumbles like I am?" Again, the boy shook his head, with less force this time. "There, see? We all have strengths and weaknesses. You'll find something that works on your strengths, Elias, just as Elenora will with hers."
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Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2023 4:41 pm
Elias 10 The boy started to kick his feet, feeling silly for having such thoughts. It all made so much sense when his father was telling him. Kayde was so wise, always knowing exactly what to say in every situation. Elias hoped he would grow up to be just like him, so confident and well-spoken. But even if he didn't, maybe it would be fine. Just like he said, maybe a job in defense was more his style. He didn't think he'd hate that. It had never occurred to him before that fighting was something someone could indeed dedicate their life to. Maybe he'd protect other people than his family. Save a real damsel from some fierce beasts. Actually, no. He didn't think he wanted to save any damsels. The heroes were always awarded with a kiss or, worse, the lady's hand in marriage. He didn't ever want to get married. How gross! Sliding off Kayde's lap, Elias held his sword in both hands, first looking down at the ground at his feet, than up into the man's pale green eyes. "Could we continue our game now, Dad?"
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Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2023 6:29 pm
Kayde 10 "Mm." One look at the sky showed the sun still blazing down on them. A few grey clouds were slowly drifting towards it, ready to cover the world from its heat for a few hours of rain. Elka could easily spend all day in town, looking over the different shops from clothes and accessories to little decorations for the house. Rain would not be enough to send her running back home. Until than, the sun still worried him. He felt the sweat through Elias' shirt. He was about to say no, that they should retire back inside for the rest of the day, but couldn't make the words come out. The youngling was looking at him with excitement in his eyes, having clearly really enjoyed their game and wishing to finish it. Kayde sighed and bent down to pick up his branch once more, an easy smile crossing his lips. He didn't really mind continuing. He had found he had enjoyed the make-believe, as well. And spending a little bit more time out in the sun wouldn't do too much harm. He cleared his throat, taking on the deeper tone he had used earlier. "We meet again, mighty hero. You will not best me this time!"
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