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 Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:04 am
Force of Nature
Simon pushed up the visor to his helmet, allowing his pupils to adjust to the tree-filtered sunlight of the forest surrounding him. Darn... he muttered as he heard the receding footsteps of the blood-thirsty wolf he had been hired to exterminate.
He removed the helmet, light blue hair falling haphazardly in front of his face. Time to track the beast then... He closed his eyes a moment as he felt the magic power within him gather before rasing his arms to release it, and in a swirl of smoke a grizzly appeared in front of him with a dull groan, standing on all fours and reaching near his shoulders. Immediately the grizzly began his work, having no trouble following the blood-scented path of the wolf as the young druid followed behind, helmet back on his head and sword across his back. Obviously this wolf was going ot be far more stubborn than he had thought, and only hoped that he would leave the forest.
The spirit grizzly led Simon to a large clearing with reaching branches hanging almost to the center, though far above his head. Old trees, obviously, as this forest was ancient. The wolf sensed them and turned, growling and baring its teeth at the pair, a death-seeking gleam in its eyes. "Sorry, I can't jave you continue killing people..." Simon sighed, knowing this would be a mess to clean up later, but gathered the magic quickly within him and released fire across the long grass toward the wolf, surorunding him into a blaze that quickly ignited the clearing. It yelped and whined, cowering from the flames, but quickly quieted as it either suffocated or burned - Simon wasn't quite sure. His grizzly roaned and dsappeared in another swirl of smoke as the flames engulfed it at as,, and Simon looked around with a heavy sigh. "Sorry old friends, but let the new growth continue your legacy..." He gathered the magic once more and summoned small tornadoe after small tornadoe, using the strong gusts of wing to extinguish the fire in the clearing leaving nothing but charred black earth the generously burned corpse of the wolf.
A far less than graceful job completed, but completed nevertheless, and he removed his helmet and knelt to pack it into his pack and return to his home in Barton Town. As he stood and turned an ember that had been blown further into the forest ignited, and seeing as the forest had been drier than usual (the clearing at least had dew ot keep it moist, while the upper canopies of the trees absorbed that, leaving the ground quite dry) the fire spread more quickly than Simon would have guessed. "Oh... Bother..." he muttered in utter disbelief at his situation. "No use standing here..." He summoned the magic again, this time surrounding himself with a powerufl hurricane of winds that picked up debris as well, and he plunged into the forest hoping to make it back alive and with as little damage as possible to the foliage.
As the winds subsided and the spell wore off, simon covered his mouth and nose to avoid breathing the smoke as he tstopped to resummon the hurricane. As he did so a startling crack sounded and an enflamed tree came crashing down toward Simon, crushing him beneath and scalding him right through his leather armor...
Usually when one died their soul left their body to go into the realm of the dead. But in this case Simon's body and soul remained together, being vanished from their current position. For his death had not been natural however it may have looked. A bit of a tug on his reality by spirits which actually bore him no ill will had caused that tree to fall on him. For Simon had been chosen to be a guardian.
While his job was finished up by some of these spirits, others were repairing his body and still others were removing his soul and takign it to another plane where it would bond with the soul of the deity he would guard.
When his body was repaired a strange silver chain was left on his neck and his body was placed upon the Tison Space Ship the Samadueanna. The chain would hold a relic which would house the soul of the god that Simon was bonding with.
The captain of the ship was informed that Simon had arrived. Taking a small PDA type thing that held all of his information the woman went to the room to read up on him and await his awakening.
After the bonding-a bonding that neither would remember-Simon and the god's soul were now sent to their houses. He suddenly woke up back in his body with a relic like a quill hanging from his neck.
Simon found himself staring at a ceiling a moment before his thoughts caught up with him, along with a throbbing headache. Am I dead...? He sat up with a hand to his head and found himself facing an unfamiliar woman. He blinked at her a moment - it appeared she was reading something - but said nothing. Words escaped him - wasn't he supposed to be dead?
Rouge's one eye raised to look at Simon. "Oh! Hallo there." she said cheerfully putting down the PDA. "Glad to see you up. How are you feeling?"
Like I was just hit in the head with a tree... He thought smugly, but shoved the thought away, "Fine, albeit the headache..." He figured it was time to voice his question, "If I'm dead... how or why do I have a headache?"
"You have a headache because you are not dead though it's rare that you should have a headache since every other guardian who shows up here doesn't feel anything from their death though yours may have been rather painful and your brain may just automatically still think that your skull is crushed. Either way I'm Rouge. Nice to meet you. Now would be a good time to kiss your life behind because from now on you're gonna be a parent."
For a moment he only stared at her, trying his best to process what she had just said, "Parent? ME? How? Why? ...What?"
"Yes. A parent. To a reborn god. Through choosing methods unknown you got killed, had your soul bonded with that of a god, and were revived to bring that god back into the world. Luckily you don't have to do have it the natural way. The little necklace you are wearing is where the soul of the god is currently. That necklace is magically on and unable to be removed until it vanishes when it becomes a baby."
Simon chuckled at her joke, then looked down to the necklace he now wore. The charm rested on the leather chestplate of his armor, and he could almost feel the pulse of a soul inside. This idled his mind to the thought that perhaps everyone could feel it, or was it just because of his connection to the spirits? But he quickly pushed the thought away, That's not important...
He smiled at her, obviously not having any problem accepting the fact that his world was going to be turned upside down with this God-child. "I think I understand, and it seems I have no choice, were I not ot want to help the soul..." His job didn't exactly call for a connection to the Gods, but he was loyal to them, and even if these were not gods of his realm or planet or world - whatever one would call it - he was more than happy to help out another world.
Rouge smiled and nodded. "I know for a fact taht the child will arrive in 2 days time and that they won't really seem to get powers till they get to the child stage. They seem to grow in periods of a few weeks." she assured him.
And suddenly the door burst open as a little boy of about 6 or 7 with a big bouncing ponytail rushed into the room. "Mommy Mommy! Sasha says he needs your help!" he said urgently. Rouge blinked a few times and walked out the door.
Witthin moments of Rouge leaving a voice that sounded rather childish entered Simon's brain. "I'm sorry about that," she informed Simon. "The ship's linguistics officer just went into labor and Rouge had to go help out the doctor. I'm in the middle of fixing something so Diyaka will have to show you to the transporter room. Have a good day." and then the strange voice was gone.
The boy smiled at Simon. "Hallo. Are you a guardian?" he asked.
Simon swung his feet to the floor, surprised that his boots were already strapped on. "Yes, now I am" he said, smiling at the boy. "Are you Diyaka?"
The boy nodded. "Yes. The tall blonde lady is my guardian technically but I just call her Mommy. This way please" and with that Simon had recived his charge.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:29 pm
Reborn
I never thought my life could change at this point, since the past few years have been the same thing every day, wth the exception of what exactly my job was.
But apparently by now, I've died, been... "reborn" you could say, and am going to be a parent in a couple of days. Strange what life - or death - throws at you.
After leaving the sihp I was back in the forest, which was pretty well charred, though the fire had been extinguished. Fortunately for me no one had come ot investigate the fire quite yet, so I had time to slip away and back home to receive my pay. As was our agreement, the city council asked nothing of my methods (they hadn't yet heard of the fire, much to my fortune) and paid me the generous sum they had offered for the task, and I returned home, the only differences being that I was a good deal wealthier and that I had the necklace now.
I can't help but wonder how much grief this necklace will bring me. But I do not yet know what powers the god will possess, so I can't even begin to fathom what I've been brought in to. I just know that it will somehow interfere with my work, so it's a good thing the wolf job brought ina good deal of money. Hopefully enough to hold me over until the child is old enough to be trusted alone (assuming I canot find a babysitter) while I go on a job...
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:31 pm
Lucky
I was on a job today. A pretty simple one - had to follow a guy and take notes, then return them to his wife. No big deal. Finished it pretty easily, and on my way home from the wife's apartment - located in the slums, of course - I was jumped by a theif who was determined ot tae my valubles. Very lucky for me the woman had paid me in credit (she and her husband own a leather shop, and they're the best in town. So she gave me store credit the next time I need new equipment) and since I don't carry any other valubles wiht me, the only the the robber could find was my necklace. I had momentarily forgotten that it couldn't be removed and became scared to death that I may lose my god-child as he grabbed the pendant to rip it off. As he pulled, nothing happened - and let me tell you I think he was as surprised that the chain didn't break as I was. I didn't have ot do anything after that, because he didn't really have a gun like he said. Just ran off muttering to himself about magic or something... Good thing he didn't have a gun, because then he would have seen that his musings were real.
So I suppose for me it was lucky that these necklaces can't be removed. I would have been in BIG trouble if they could be...
As the days come to a close I get more anxious and more excited for my child to be born. I guess that even though it will stop of work for awhile, it will be a different kind of enjoyment... and one that I can be proud of in the process and not just in the end (which sometimes doesn't even happen).
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 12:09 am
Leather and Sleep
Simon shut the door of his condo and leaned back heaving a heavy sigh of exhaustion. He had completely botched that job and had surrendered payment. His client was extremely unhappy by the time he brought back the notes.
Not that it was his fault he had been caught spying on that woman's husband. Mirrors are a dangerous thing!
With a frown he took off his longcoat and threw it over the chair. He was roasting in his leather armor beneath, but he had been warned about he so-called mistress (though she was actually another mercenary like himself, so he was glad he had had the armor incase things had gone awry) and so he wore it anyway.
Well, time for bed then... He peeled the armor off and was acquainted with the familiar scent of sweat and leather - a sweet smell that you quickly got used to if you often wore leather garments. He then pulled on some plaid pajama pants and a white undershirt and flopped down on his rickety wooden bed, quickly falling into a deep sleep after a hard day's work and dealing with an angry client.
As he slept however a force he didn't control began to work. His soul floated up, above his sleeping body-though he could look down and see that he was just fine-and in his ghostly state, the relic still hung on his neck. And across the room, a door-which had not been there before-was seemingly beckoning him to enter it and go to a place unknown.
Suddenly Simon was looking down at himself, "...Huh." He peered around for a moment before noticing the door. This was strange, but strange was what he assumed from this necklace. He was sure nothing could freak him out from this point forward...
With a shurg he moved toward the door and reached his hand to the knob and opened it - he couldn't stop himself - and stepped through.
Once on the other side the door vanished behind him. But there was a sight in front of him that was more interesting.
Laying before him on the floor was a young man. He had large feathered wings with lovely green tips. His hair was green tipped as well. His bangs were let out but the back of his hair was held underneath a black velvet cover on a headdress. His robe was white with a black sash and vest like bit that were trimmed with gold. He wore a lot of gold jewelry and his headdress was gold.
The place they were in was white with black obsidian looking rooves. The edges of the windows was surrounded with gold and there was a gold net like structure on the dome rooves. They were high up on a spiral walkway. And inside seemed to be a large library. Wherever this place was it had been a place this man had been comfortable in.
The man himself had a circle on his skull but no wound. The mark indicated how he'd died. He'd had his head smashed in with something-a book most likely. Either way this young man's body seemed to be drawing him nearer, beckoning him to touch it.
He couldn't help but stare a tthe man in wonderment... He was beautiful and handsome at the same time... As though by force - though a much unneeded one by now - Simon moved forward, hand extended and shaking... How could he be allowed in the presense of someone so magnificent? With calloused figners he gently touched the mark on the man's head, curious....
THe man's body began to glow when it was touched. A blinding glow that kept Simon from seeing him. And so did the relic. It seemed to grow warm too, shooting from his neck like a star and leaving his throat feeling bare. And when it shot into the body, the figure shrunk until it was much much smaller. The glowing stopped and before him on the ground was a baby version of the man taht he had seen before, blinking cheerfully up at him.
Simon closed his eyes against the blinding light, shilding his face with his arms to further block the light. It seemed to last a long while, but when he thought it was safe ot open his eyes again he seemed to immediately look down to see a small baby boy lying on the ground. He smiled and knelt to the boy, picking him up in his arms. How adorable...
When Simon had claimed the child the door reappeared, wide open, so he could exit and both could return to their bodies and wake up. And with taht the guardian had gained his babe.
Simon stood and moved back through the door and into his body to finish his slumber and wake to the babe in the morning...
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:06 pm
What to do...
After the strangest dream last night I awoke this morning to find that the necklace was gone and that I had an adorable baby boy sleeping on my chest. He awoke when I did, smiling at me, but then he started to cry. Rarely have I heard such a sound before...! It surely jolted me awake, but I wasn't exactly sure what to feed the god-child... Or what to name him, as it quickly occured to me.
To make him stop crying for the time being I gave him my old teddy bear from when I was young and deciding which occupation to take up. He had inspired me to beocme a Druid because I loved bears, hence my chief summon.
I rushed ot the store and found baby formula - and bought a LOT of it - plus a bottle, then rushed back home as the tears started to well up again. I quickly made the formula and handed him a bottle, which he sucked on graciously. The bear, however, stayed in his arms, despite how ragged it looked. To him it was a cuddly toy. Ah well, I don't use it anymore...
so now came the name, though that wasn't too difficult. Somehow the name of a philosopher and the founder of Epicureanism, Epicurus. somehow the name seemed fitting- for whatever reason - and when I looked down to the child in my arms he was already smiling up at me as htough he knew what I was going to say. "Epicurus it is then," I said, and the child laughed and smiled at me before returning to his breakfast.
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:17 pm
Trouble Brews.... In the Coffee Aisle
I figured that since Epi has been keeping me a good deal of the night I'd go to the store to buy some coffee to help me stay awake during the day. Well, of course he had to come with...
In the coffee aisle I was holding a bag under the grinding machine - I like my beans fresh-ground, and since I figure I'll go through it quickly enough, the fresh ground beans won't spoil - and Epi in the other arm. Next to the grinding machines the store unwisely puts the high-priced ground coffee and coffee beans. Well, Epi managed to reach far enough and get his hands on a couple of the bags and easily pulled them to the ground leaving a pretty decent mess of ground coffee and coffee beans on the floor. In a frustrated panic and puled him closer to my chest and finished grinding my coffee before seeking out an employee to inform them of the spill and to offer to pay for the spilt product.
By the time we got back to the aisle people had uncourteously trod through the mess and tracked it a good way down the aisle - it was everywhere! I apologized and took the packages to the check out with me, thoroughly embarassed (Epicurus was smiling the whole time, but stayed quiet, I'm assuming because he sensed that either he had done something wrong or that I was just not happy) and paid for the dropped coffee (which ended up being far more expensive than my fresh-ground beans, considering just ONE of the packages was nearly twice the price) and my own and left the store. I think I'll need to find a new grocery store, however, since they didn't seem too pleased. But what can you do with a baby? Of course they're going to get into trouble...
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:24 pm
Godly Beauty
In the instances that my mind recalls the dream of the God the most vivid image is of the figure upon the ground in that great space. I can recall minor details of the surroundings - a library in white and gold... But the only specific image is of the man - presumably a God - upon the floor in such glorious attire and his.. unfathomable beauty and elegance, even in lying there.
When I think of this image I can't help but wonder a couple of things:
Who could have the heart to kill someone like that? I mean... how is it possible for someone to ruthlessly murder a being that looked so tranquil and serene. Perhaps he didn't look so comfortable in death, but it just felt... right for him ot be in that library. Like it had been his home - or perhaps his home away from home. It makes me want to travel to tihs library and experience it for myself... To try to understand why he felt so comfortable.
Also, is that what Epicurus will look like when he grows into a God once more? I'm not sure if I could be so proud to as see my boy grow to such a vision of beauty and elegance and serenity... I think that this is what I most look forward to...
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:09 pm
Sledding [x]-TS- Alex Simon carried the saucer sled lashed to his back like a large round shield, with his bow slung in it's leather case over a full, covered quiver of arrows beneath it. Epi was bundled up in his winter wear, his wings hidden beneath his bulky down winter coat. The only way anyone would be able to tell he was a god-child was that his pointed ears stuck out from beneath his knit winter hat, in their strange down-turned way. He had a bow-case and quiver slung across his back as well.
He said he wanted to learn how, so why not combine the two? It's the first reasonably temperatured day we've had in awhile... Simon adjusted his scarf to it no longer covered his mouth. By reasonable he meant that is was above 20 degrees, through still below freezing. They were approaching a large hill nestled into the edge of a forest, and there were sled tracked already adorning the slope from past sledders. It was around dinner time, so it didn't surprise him that the hill was empty. Besides, it was starting to get dark...
But that was fine. he had a large lanturn in one hand, and Epi was carrying a flashlight. It would be plenty of light to sled by it they had the lanturn at the bottom and carried the flashlight at the top. CrimsonCutie666 Smiling Jessica looked down at her darling little girl. Dolly was wrapped up in a large pink coat, a green scarf dangling around her neck. Her big ears were exposed and Dolly was so happy to let them free. Jessica really didn't care that her little goddess was showing them since they hadn't seen any people in the area. Gripped in the little girls hands was a rope which was attached to a bright pink sled white hearts painted on it that dragged behind her.
Having gotten off from work early Jessica surprised her little one with this new sled, that had taken forever to paint, and had taken her to the best hill for a girl her age. "Awr we der yet?" Dolly asked her mama big eyes looking up questionably. "Almost sweety." -TS- Alex As the pair was climbing the hill, Epicurus still and looked down the hill, "Someone's here," he said, looking up at Simon with a grin.
The druid knew that his God-child didn't point that out unless it was another like him, and he wondered who it would be this time. "They must be coming to sled," he said with a grin, and Epi's face lit up. "C'mon, I'll race you!" He challenged, started to high-step up the hill in a silly manner, his boots kicking up snow with every step.
Epi started to follow, trying to stay in Simon's boot-prints. "No fair, Daddy!"
Simon laughed as he reached the top of the hill and started to pull the sled from his back. It was nice to have some time alone with his oldest, the twins at home with a baby-sitter. CrimsonCutie666 Coming very close to the hill Jessica felt a childish joy take a hold of her. Leaning down she swept Dolly up into her arms and placed her on her shoulders making sure to take the rope from her hands. "Be sure to hold onto mommies head! Now lets go Dolly!" Taking off into a slow run Jessica finally made it to the hill.Giggling dolly held onto her moms head gripping with her legs like she was taught to. "Weeeee!"
Laughing at her daughters laugh Jessica finally noticed two other figures on the hill. Slightly worried about them making fun of her daughter Jessica stopped and took a breather. -TS- Alex Epi reached the top of the hill and stopped to catch his breath; the snow was up to the middle of his shins, while it barely reached the laces of Simon's boots. Simon grinned at him, and Simon looked up, first annoyed, then breaking into a choking laugh while he still worked to regain his breath.
Simon then pulled a small blanket from somewhere on his outfit - it was an elaborate combination of his usual armor and winter clothing - and laid it on the ground, setting his bow and arrows on it so they wouldn't get wet. Epi was looking down the hill, and immediately noticed Dolly's ears. "Daddy, look!" he said with an excited gasp.
"What is it?" he replied, a bit alarmed as he jolted up.
"It's Dolly!!" CrimsonCutie666 After trudging up the hill Jessica was tired. Having kept Dolly on her shoulders and pulling up the sled she realized why she hadn't been sledding in years. Almost to the top she suddenly heard Dolly's happy squeal.Ears wiggling Dolly squirmed around her mama's shoulders trying to get down. "Epi! Epi!" Calling out to the little boy she held out her arms as if trying to run to him."Settle down Dolly! I'll let you down just a second!" Stepping on the sled to keep it from slidding down the hill Jessica let the pink haired child down making sure to keep a good eye on her."EPIIIIIIII!" Squealing loudly she rushed to her friend excitedly. -TS- Alex Epi set his bow and quiver down on the blanket and rushed to Dolly, arms in front of him, "Dolly!" he shouted with a happy grin.
Simon smiled at the two, then looked up expecting to see the odd gentleman from the first time the two godlings had met. He was about to yell a greeting when he saw a woman instead, and stopped a moment, words caught in his throat. ...Well that's new, he thought, walking toward her and making himself smile. He had thought that maybe he'd avoid meeting someone new... "Hello there," he said, stuffing his gloved hands in his pants pockets. CrimsonCutie666 Rushing into her friends arms she purred happily, ears twitching uncontrollably as she hugged him.
Surprised that her daughter knew this young boy Jessica was greatly surprised when the man greeted her. "Hello, I'm sorry my daughter seems to know you and your son from somewhere but I'm completly clueless. My names Jessica what's yours?" About to shake his hand she noted that they were stuffed in his pants and quickly decided against it. Taking her brown eyes from his hands she looked into his eyes instead her brown eyes questioning. -TS- Alex Epi squeezed her tightly, "Long time no see!" he giggled, happy to feel the softness and warmth of her fur.
Simon looked at the pair, "My name's Simon, and that's Epicurus." He returned his gaze to her, a brow raised, "We originally met Dolly at the mall awhile back, but she had a different guardian, so excuse my bit of confusion there. It's a pleasure to meet you, Jessica." Now he pulled one hand from his pocket and offered it for a handshake, the glove being made of very dark, soft leather. It was his archery glove, after all. CrimsonCutie666 "I mwissed you!" Still having her little speaking problem Dolly tried to speak correctly like she was being taught to, but failed, slipping into her normal speech.
Nodding her head she could understand his confusion as she shook his hand. "Yes I'm afraid whoever was her first caretaker couldn't take care of her any longer. I found her on my doorstep with a note attached to her. She was very distraught but she's seemingly forgotten about him." Taken aback by the soft feel Jessica looked down at what she was shaking. "That is the softest leather I've ever felt!" -TS- Alex Epi smiled, backing up so he could see her, "I missed you, too!" Hr saw the pink sled, and got even more excited, "You came to sled, too!?" His words were oddly well-pronounced for his age, especially because he was a bit younger than Dolly. Still, when he talked he sounded much older than he was.
Simon nodded, "I can understand that; they're a huge responsibility to take on without a choice." As she complimented his gloves, he smiled, "When it's tanned properly and worked, this is how it should feel. For archery, they're ideal for their flexibility... Though the fingers are reinforced with some harder leather," he explained, turned his hand palm up to reveal the slightly lighter, slightly harder leather on the first joint of three fingers. CrimsonCutie666 Nodding her head quickly she beamed at him. "Yea me and mama go sledding! She made me sled! See?" Pointing to her pink sled she beckoned him over to see.Hearing Dolly say mama Jessica looked over and smiled at the two. "They may be a responsibility but they're well worth it." Running her hands over both sides of the glove Jessica stared in wonder at it but quickly shot her hands away blushing red. "I'm sorry I shouldn't be touching it like that! I apologize." Smiling sheepishly she put her black hair behind her ear as she tried not to look like a complete fool. -TS- Alex Epi followed her, beaming like a madman, as he looked closely at the pink sled. "It's really pretty! And matches your coat, too!"
Simon put it back in her pocket, "No worries," he replied with a chuckle at her embarrassed behavior. "And yeah, they are. Not only do we have children, but they'll eventually grow into Gods and save another world." CrimsonCutie666 Giggling she noticed his sled out of the corner of her eye. "Tank you! Is tat you sled?" Cocking her head to the side she looked at him smiling.
Jessica's eyes widened at that. "They'll save another world? I only knew they were gods I had no idea that they were going to save a world!" Though the note had given most of Dolly's information it apparently hadn't given all the needed information. -TS- Alex Simon nodded, "My daddy said he likes saucers the best, cause they go fast." He shrugged and smiled, "I donno, never tried!"
Simon scratched his head, "I think I heard that from someone once, but I don't really remember the whole story... Or where I heard it, so I might be wrong. Even if I am, though, they're still Gods." Now he shifted a bit in embarrassment; he wasn't sure if he had gotten his wires crossed or something... CrimsonCutie666 "Oh tat's cool!" Smiling she looked at Epi with happiness. "Race? Mama me go on pink sled. You papa go on swahceer!" Smiling at her brilliance Dolly's eyes sparkled.
Feeling bad for the man Jessica placed her hand on his shoulder. "Hey I'm sure you're right I'm just so new to the whole thing. Actually yourself and Epicurus are the first guardian and god I've met." -TS- Alex Epi bounced with excitement, "Yeah! Yeah!" He grinned widely now at the idea of the race.
Simon raised a brow, "Really? Well, you're in to meet some real characters." He smiled then, "I haven't met too many, really, but it's been interesting regardless." CrimsonCutie666 Rushing as fast as her little legs would let her Dolly gripped onto her mothers leg tugging at her pants. "Race mama! Me want race! You join yes!"Laughing at what Simon said Jessie was about to reply when Dolly came and basically demanded she join in the race. Sighing at her daughters speech problem Jessica lifted her up and looked at Simon. "Apparently I'm going to be in a sled race!" -TS- Alex Epi was tugging Simon pants before Jessica could say anything. "C'mon, Daddy! Race!"
Simon chuckled, "Me too, it seems." He looked down at Epi, "All right, relax," he said with a grin, and Epi nearly squealed and turned to Dolly.
"A race!" CrimsonCutie666 A grin nearly splitting her face Dolly ran to her sled tugging it to the hill and getting on. Suddenly the sled started slidding down the hill making Dolly cry out.
Luckily Jessica was watching to make sure nothing would happen and caught the sled before it hardly moved at all. "That was a close one wasn't it Dolls?" Settling herself onto the sled and hugging Dolly close she smirked at Simon. "Ready to be beaten by a couple of girls?" -TS- Alex Simon sat down on the saucer after bringing it next to the pink sled, placing Epicurus snugly in his lap. "I've got a bit of leather on, and a little extra weight never hurt the weight of a sled!" Epi giggled at Dolly, then tucked himself into his dad's body, making sure he was secure. CrimsonCutie666 Leaning against her mom Dolly tucked her legs into herself. And giggled back at Epi.
"Hmmm we'll see! I'll start whenever you say the word!" Wiggling to get herself comfortable on the very wooden sled Jessica gripped the rope in her hands wrapping them around Dolly so she wouldn't slip off. -TS- Alex Simon nodded, and shifted a moment. "Go!" he yelled, giving just a half a moment to allow her to react and reacting to the word himself, starting the near-flat sled down the powder-covered slope. CrimsonCutie666 Laughing Jessie pushed the sled feeling gravity do it's business. Jessica had a feeling that they would have many races tonight if Dolly had any say in all this. -TS- Alex Epi grinned wildly, laughing the whole way, and Simon held him tight so he wouldn't slide off. However, he then noticed that they were heading straight for a mound of snow crafted by the teenagers who wanted a slightly more interesting sled hill. Oh boy... he thought, and shifted his weight hard to the right to try and veer the sled off to the right. CrimsonCutie666 Noticing what Simon was headed for Jessica's eyes widened. "Hey be careful!" Hoping that they would be ok she made sure to keep a close eye on the trail in front of her. Dolly just giggled and clapped her hands as the snow blew into her face. -TS- Alex The sled veered to the right, but not far enough, and the sled went over the side of the mound. It sent them both off of the sled, Epi breaking free of Simon grasp as he reached out to try to catch himself instead of faceplanting into the snow.
Epi landed with a dull thud, and slid/rolled down the rest of the hill, stopping on his front, leaving him lying face-down in the snow.
Simon soon followed, stopping on his back and breathing heavily after landing on his chest and having the wind knocked out of him. "Ooooh..." CrimsonCutie666 Coming to a halt at the bottom Jessica got up and raced over to the two of them. Concern written all over her face. "Epi! Simon! Are you guys ok?!" Going to check on the little boy first Jessica picked him up, sat next to Simon then laid the little boy down in her lap wiping the snow from his face. Looking down at Simon's face now Jessie looked him over. After seeing no bones were broken she breathed a slight sigh of relief.Dolly on the other hand was a little wreck. Having followed her mama over she teared up at what happened to her friend and cried into his chest. "Epi! Epi got hurt!" -TS- Alex "Ooof," Epi groaned as soon as he gained his senses back. He wiped his eyes and sat up in the woman's lap. "I'm not hurt," he said softly to Dolly, pouting a little and placing a hand on her head, which slid down when he sat up. He didn't like seeing her cry, especially with it being so cold.
Simon sat up and fished his hat out of the disturbed snow around him. "Wow," he said with a chuckle, shaking the snow off and replacing it on his head after shaking the snow out of his hair. "That was quite the tumble!" Looking at Epi sitting in Jessica's lap, he smiled, "You okay?"
Epi nodded, and smiled up at Jessica a moment before returning his gaze to Simon, "I'm fine~ That was fun!" His hand was still on Dolly's head, rubbing it gently. CrimsonCutie666 Hearing him say he was ok made Dolly brighten up slightly. "I glad you no hurt." Hugging him tightly she slowly stopped crying. Ears twitching Dolly started purring at his rubbing.Feeling complete relief flood through her Jessica was glad they were both ok and felt her own giggle escape as she realized the true hilarity of the situation. "Well hey it was interesting way to win but you still won!"Smiling down at the little boy she laid a hand on his hair and ruffled it a bit. -TS- Alex Epi grinned when she brightened up, "You can't cry in this weather... you'll get sick!" He giggled at his hair being ruffled, not even noticing that he, too, had lost his hat along the way.
Simon stood and shook the snow off, "I wouldn't call it an ideal finish, hm?" He laughed and walked a bit up the hill to grab Epi's hat. He walked back and put it on his head after shaking the snow out, "And you'll get sick without a hat!" CrimsonCutie666 Pouting a bit Dolly was upset that Epi stopped petting her Dolly smiled. "You want to go again?"
"Ideal? No. Entertaining? Very much!" Laughing she watched Simon pull Epi's hat over his head. "You two better not get sick! I'd blame myself if you guys did." Hearing what Dolly asked Jessica smiled. "You guys can keep sledding but I'll pass. I've had enough sledding fun for awhile I might later though. So long as you stay safe though Dolls I don't care just be careful ok?"Nodding her head Dolly looked to Epi with big puppy-dog eyes begging him to sled with her. -TS- Alex Epi giggled as his hat was replaced, and he give her a pat on the head, "Of course I'll sled with you! As long as daddy doesn't make me flip over again." He shot Simon a mock-glare, then laughed and slid from Jessica's lap.
"Sure, blame me," he huffed, and offered a hand to help Jessica up. "I think my bow needs a little attention anyway," he said with a wink. He could chat and shoot at the same time. CrimsonCutie666 Giggling Dolly got up and ran to get her sled. Happy that even after Epi's big fall he was still willing to sled with her.Laughing herself at the cute mock-glare Epi had given Simon Jessica took Simon's offered hand and stood up. Seeing his wink she smiled slightly and shyly. "Hurry up Dolls! If you want to sled you better get going before it gets dark!" -TS- Alex Epi grabbed the large saucer and started to drag it up the hill, even though it was quite large compared to him.
Simon chuckled, "We brought a lantern and a flashlight in case we were here past dark, if you guys decide to stay that long," he said, watching the two climb the steep slope. "But at this rate, they might get tired quicker than that." CrimsonCutie666 Trudging up the hill with Epi Dolly set her jaw determinedly as she pulled her sled up the hill.
"It's all up to Dolly on how late we stay. I don't mind staying late but I have a feeling she'll get tired in the next hour or more." Smiling as she watched her daughter go up the hill Jessica realized that she hadn't taken her hand from Simon's. Blushing at her mistake Jessie removed her hand from his and motioned up the hill. "Shall we?" -TS- Alex Epi was breathing hard, making every attempt to stay in his boot prints from the last trip up. "This hill is steep," he huffed, dragging the sled with some difficulty.
Simon with-held a chuckle at her embarrassment and started up the hill after the two godlings. "After that tumble, I think I'm done sledding for the day... I'm going to feel it in the morning," he sighed the last phrase, and did some brief shoulder stretches. They were tense from trying to catch himself, and he didn't need to be pulling anything but a bow string whilst shooting. CrimsonCutie666 Dolly huffed in agreement. "Not so fun going up as going down." Luckily the sled she was pulling wasn't heavy at all. Well ok it was heavy but Dolly could handle most of the weight. For such a cute thing she had some muscle to her.
Already feeling the burning in her legs Jessica laughed and decided to play a joke on this new acquaintance. "Oh you sure you won't fall again? This hill is mighty slippery." Smirking she bumped into him hoping that he would atleast trip but would be ready to grab him before he actually fell. -TS- Alex Epi shook his head vigorously, "No, not even close!" He reached the top, and flopped down in the snow, though hanging on to the sled so it didn't go down without him. "Phew!"
Since Simon was left-handed, and she had bumped his right arm, she met hard leather. It made him chuckle, "I don't plan on falling again, though it might be your turn," he jested, bumping her back. CrimsonCutie666 Following right after him Dolly rested on her sled panting her big ears drooping.Feeling the hard leather Jessica was surprised. Her plan had been thwarted. She was even more surprised when he bumped her back successfully catching her off guard and causing her to stumble. Close to falling Jessica reflexively grabbed the closest thing she could to catch her balance and that thing was Simon's arm. -TS- Alex Epi looked over at her and couldn't help but giggle.
Simon flexed his arm so it was a stable catch, and reached around his body to catch her other side. "Oops!" he said with a grin, gripping her arm and helping her to catch her balance. "We don't need anymore casualties!" CrimsonCutie666 "Watcha laughin at?" Cocking her head at her friend she looked confused."Hmph how come I think you enjoyed doing that a little to much?" Smirking and pouting Jessica pretended to be upset. "That oops sounded too happy mister!" -TS- Alex "You looked cute, being all outta breath," he admitted. "Your ears were drooping and it was funny!"
Simon chuckled, "No, not at all," he lied, grinning wildly. He then realized he was still holding her, and released his grip quite quickly in a manner that seemed almost identical to her own. "Er-" Hastily, he thrust his hands back into his pockets. CrimsonCutie666 Smiling hugely Dolly got up to hug little Epi. "We go down now?"Smiling as she noticed him getting flustered Jessica laughed at him similar to how he had laughed at her before. "You shouldn't be so embarrassed! You did save me from a very cold fall and wet......back!" -TS- Alex Epi stood and nodded vigorously, "Yeah!" He then settled into his sled - making sure to situate it in a different starting spot than before - and waited for Dolly to do the same.
Turning his nose up her her, he huffed. "You do it too, y'know." However, he couldn't keep a straight face, and laughed, clapping her on the back and replacing his hand in his pocket, "Hah!" CrimsonCutie666 Laying down on her sled Dolly gripped the rope and nodded her head ready to go when Epi was.Smiling Jessica was glad when they finally got to the top. "It's my job to make people laugh. Looks like I'm not slacking even when I'm off work." She was lying about her job it wasn't making people laugh all day that was for sure. -TS- Alex Epi grinned and started to scoot the sled forward, "Let's go!" he said to her, working his way up until gravity finally pulled his sled down the slope.
"Oh?" he inquired, bending down at the blanket and picked up his bowcase. "What do you do?" Carefully, he unbuttoned the flap and pulled it back, pulling out a six-foot long bow of red maple, well cared for, but showing it's age from the worn dark leather of the grip. CrimsonCutie666 Giggling she pushed herself down the hill happily feeling the wind blowing in her face.
Watching him carefully Jessica was in awe of the arrow. It was beautiful and was the most elegant looking thing she had seen in a while. Snapping out of her daydreaming she realized that he had asked her a question. "Me? I have the most boring job on the planet. I'm a business woman who sits around and does nothing fun." -TS- Alex Epi couldn't help but close his eyes against the snow that was being thrown at him, but he was giggling the entire way until he hit the flat ground and eventually slowed to a stop.
"Oh really?" Simon slung the quiver over his back after pulling the cap off to hang limply near the mouth. "That sounds... exciting," he commented with a low chuckle. "At least it pays well, I'm sure?" CrimsonCutie666 Dolly laughed happily the snow brushing against her cheeks lighting them a bright pink. When she finally landed at the bottom of the hill she rolled off the sled.Sighing she shook her head. "Yes really. It pays well yes I just wish I had the courage to just say screw it and leave. But now that I have Dolls I don't want to not have means to take care of her." Watching him prepare to shot she had to ask. "What about you? What do you do?" -TS- Alex Epi crawled from the sled and stood, dusting the snow from his coat and snow pants. "Wanna go again?" he asked with a wide grin on his face.
Simon nodded at her explanation, "Completely understandable." As he drew a perfectly straight 30-inch arrow, headed with narrow steel that was obviously quite sharp, and set it on the bow string, he shrugged, "I'm a freelance mercenary and druid, though what exactly I do is as varied as that of a general physician." CrimsonCutie666 "YEA!" Getting up from her spot in the snow Dolly grabbed the sled and raced over to the hill. "Come Epi?"Rolling her eyes she got closer to him but still stayed far enough away that she wasn't going to mess up his aim. "Would you shoot already? Goodness! Wait any longer and I'll take it and shoot it for you!" Smiling she was impressed by his job. Beat hers anyday. -TS- Alex Epi grabbed the saucer and ran after her, "I'm coming!"
"It's hard to shoot and talk at the same time," he grumbled, lifting it and pulling back, finding his mark at a tree about 100 yards off; not too far for his 80 lb. draw. He took only a moment to aim before releasing it from near his ear, the string making a sharp shik sound against the leather vambrace under the right sleeve of his coat. A few moments later it was replied to with the quick sound of metal puncturing wood. "Happy?" he said, looking slightly over his shoulder and winking. CrimsonCutie666 "Hurry!" Trying to run up the hill she stopped half way up pausing to get her breath back.
"Very happy sir. Thank you!" Laughing she suddenly noticed his wink. "Fine sir! Winking at a lady? That might be considered flirting." Smirking she cocked an eyebrow at him. -TS- Alex Epi followed, making it barely further than her before stopping and wheezing air back into his lungs. "Bad idea..."
"Oh ho, the lady thinks so, does she?" He pulled another arror from the quiver, set it on the string, pulled back to his ear and shot again, hitting the same tree 3 inches directly above the other arrow. "Well, I suppose that is the lady's call then, isn't it. I have little to do with what the lady may think of my actions." CrimsonCutie666 "Bad idea yes." Puffing out of breath still Dolly stood and looked the rest of the way up the hill which seemed like an incredible way away."Oh yes that is what the lady thinks and as they say a lady is always right." Watching the arrow sail out of sight she had to admit he was good. Very good. "The lady may call it but the intention behind it is what she's truly looking for. Will the good sir provide the answer? By the way this Lady thinks that, that was an excellent shot." -TS- Alex Epi waited a few moment more, still having trouble regaining his breath, before tromping the rest of the way up and meeting Dolly at the top, "This hill is high..."
"Well now, my lady, I'm sure that you may guess right, unless it is just in my nature." He drew a third arrow and shot it up just above 45 degrees. It sounded again at it sunk into the wood less than an inch above the second, and at quite an angle. "It is not, however, in my nature to offer even the finest lady a straight answer." CrimsonCutie666 "Yea maybe too high. We go down again?" Smiling Dolly still looked flustered.
"That is just cruel." Huffing Jessica crossed her arms glaring at him as if she was really upset. "No straight answers? How do get around in the world. If someone even asks you a simple question and you can't answer it." -TS- Alex Epi nodded and dragged the sled back to his original starting spot, "Yeah! Again~"
The druid rest his bow on his boot toe and leaned it against his shoulder, making a few hand signs before a shadowy spirit raven appeared hovering over his shoulder farthest from Jessica. It disappeared into the tree edge to retrieve his arrows. "I said to ladies. Generally the people I do business with are men in some sort of trouble, and my communication with 'ladies' is limited. I think my most recent dealings with any women at all was some low-life hussy I was following because her husband suspected she was cheated. Turned out she had her own business on a street corner, which I discovered by the only way possible to be sure of such an activity." The raven returned to him, three arrows in it's talons which it dropped into Simon's open palm. He made another few hand signs after stowing the three arrows, and the Raven disappeared in a brief wisp of black smoke. CrimsonCutie666 Following Epi Dolly slid her sled down straight away to excited to wait for the go. "Epiiiiiiii!"
Watching the raven in wonder Jessica heard what Simon said and winced. "Oh......I'm sorry I shouldn't have made assumptions. Also I'm sorry your last encounter with a female led to such.....unpleasantness as I think it did. Most of us aren't like that I assure you." -TS- Alex Epi scooted himself forward as quickly as possible to follow, and landed at the bottom of the hill a few seconds behind Dolly laughing hard.
"I'm sure not," he said, the smile returning. "But she was certainly no lady in any sense. She charged far too much for what she offered," he joked, winking again then busying himself with stowing his shooting gear. "Boy, it's getting pretty late..." he observed, glancing up at the now nearly completely dark sky. CrimsonCutie666 Smiling Dolly rolled around in the snow."Yes it is! Oh I nearly forgot about getting Dolly dinner! She's probably so hungry right now! I'm sorry Simon but I have to go I feel so silly for being so forgetful."
About to run down the hill Jessica suddenly got an idea. Turning back around she leaned up and planted a kiss on Simon's cheek. "Well whether you were flirting or not I enjoyed spending this evening with you and your adorable son. Maybe we can do it again. I know Dolly and myself would enjoy that."
Grinning Jessie practically slid down the hill and ran to Dolly. "Hey Dolls I know you're having fun but we have to run and get dinner. Hurry and say goodbye to Epi."Grinning at her mom Dolly's tummy gurgled. "I is hungry mama. Bye bye Epi!" Hugging him quickly she darted into her mom's arms ready to get food. -TS- Alex Simon grabbed the blanket hastily, taking everything on it with in the process, and ran down the hill, sliding to a stop, his scarf hiding the slightly blush on his face, "It was fun, I'd be happy to meet again some time," he replied with a grin, the blanket-sack thrown casually over his shoulder.
Epi smiled at Dolly and waved, "Bye bye!" he said, grabbing the saucer sled in his small hand, ready to go; he was starting to get cold.
Simon smiled down at Epi, "They'd enjoy it for sure, as would I," he said before returning his gaze to the female pair. CrimsonCutie666 Giggling Dolly watched him go off with his saucer and made sure to point her hand toward her pretty pink sled. "Mama?"
"I know Dolls getting there. Hold on a minute." Smiling at the male Jessica blushed. "Anywhere we should meet? Just about anywhere is good for us right Dolly?"
Nodding her head Dolly was happy to hear she and Epi were going to hang out again. "Yes I love Epi! We go anywhere?" -TS- Alex Epi nodded vigorously, "Yes, anywhere!"
Simon smiled, "There's an old-fashioned tavern that serves good food downtown Aekea called the Sheath and Sickle. It's kid-friendly. Epi, the twins and I go there every Sunday evening, is you care to join us some time." He glanced down at the two godlings, "Ready to go, Epi?"
Epicurus nodded, said good-bye once more, and started after his father, dragging te sled behind him.
"Hopefully see you there some time!" he called back over his shoulder as the pair disappeared behind him into the heavily descending darkness.
Fin~
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:59 pm
Learning the Craft
Simon heaved a heavy sigh and leaned his cased longbow against a tree, setting his quiver beside it. Epicurus followed, his bow being a great deal shorter than his guardian's. Simon looked down at the child and smiled, "Finally ready to learn how to shoot?"
Epi looked up at his, eyes sparkling above a toothy grin. Their previous try hadn't gone well, since Epi hadn't been able to draw the bow back to his ear to loose it with a reasonable amount of strength, but some time had passed now and the god-child was a bit bigger now. "Yup!"
Simon demonstrated how to care for the bow and arrows, then drew a line in the snow. "We'll shoot from here, hm?"
Simon nodded, and pulled his small leather gloves from his pocket. The dark leather was dark and supple, moving easily when he flexed his hand, but still have reinforced fingertips to pull the bowstring. They looked much newer than Simon's, which were faded and well-aged with the joints of the fingers well-worn. "Do you remember how to put the arrow on the string and draw from our last try?"
Epi nodded as he held the bow in his left hand; it was only about three feet long; not close to qualifying as a long-bow for someone his age. It had a draw of only thirty pounds, which, Simon assumed, he should be able to draw now, even if with a little bit of difficulty. It was made of a softer yew, making it easier for the boy to draw, and the grip was wrapped in braided leather.
Simon held his in his right hand, being left-handed, and the long six-foot stave was a double recurve longbow made of a dark maple. It looked very traditional, but was used mostly for practice, since his work usually required movement as he fought. (Really, he often didn't bring a bow along, and if he did, it was his 3 and a half foot short bow with a draw of only 80 pounds. He could, however, move and shoot with it, though his accuracy wasn't nearly as good while moving.) It had a draw of 120 pounds, making it quite deadly if used against anything short of full steel armor at a full bow-shot range.
Epi stepped up to the line, setting his feet slightly apart and turning as he drew the string back, allowing his entire body to be behind the power of the shot. He had a bit of problem drawing it the full draw back to his jaw-bone, and it slipped from his fingers early, sending the shorter arrow into a tailspin that left it stuck in the snow only half-way to the tree - only about 40 yards away.
Simon laughed, and Epi frowned, looking a bit tearful. "Aw, don't worry about it!" He squatted down and patted the boy on the back, "It takes a lot of work to draw all the way back. Try again."
Epi nodded, and pulled another arrow from his quiver, setting it on his string and pulling back. Simon helped him get that last little bit, and then Epi released it, sending the arrow in a mostly straight course right into a tree at about 90 yards.
"I did it!" Epicurus squealed, bouncing in excitement. "Lookit!"
Simon grinned and stood, "Good job! That was a great shot!"
Epi put another arrow on his string, and drew, shaking as he pulled it the last few inches to the full draw. He loosed another arrow and it suck a bit low, but stuck into the tree regardless. "I did it again!" he said, jumping now and looking up at Simon, who was pulling an arrow out and getting ready to shoot himself.
"Now you're getting the hang on it!" he said, grinning. "You'll be as good as me in no time!"
The pair spent the next hour shooting, taking short breaks to retrieve their arrows to refill empty quivers, and a short break for a picnic dinner. Near the latter end of the hour, Epi sighed, and looked up at Simon, "Daddy, my shoulders hurt," he said, though it didn't hint at a trace of whining.
Simon stretched his shoulders and nodded, "I think it's time to call it a day; it'll be dark soon."
They packed up their bows and arrows, slinging them over their backs. Simon picked up the picnic basket that was full of clattering, empty dishes, leaving the small clearing just as it had looked before, marred a bit by their footprints They walked into the forest shadows, back to the city to return to the house and relieve the babysitter of watching the twins, who were doubtlessly making her uncomfortable with their conversational looks.
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