The big man seems to take all this in with a surprising thoughtfulness, considering his appearance; he nods now and again to show that he is listening, taking in the story with a touch of amusement. By the time that Patrek shrugs, however, a certain melancholy has overcome him, so that he must reach out to lay one hand upon his Guardian's shoulder, as if to support the weight of the thought that has just now occurred to him. Once more he hesitates to speak, wondering if he dares to broach a deeper topic of speech, and once more he seems to decide that he can be more frank with a soldier where in front of another he might more carefully watch his words.
"They be thieves, then? Plenty of call f'r them as is quick-fingered, quick footed, an' clever when there's battles to be fought." The statement is spoken quietly, and with a certain seriousness, for it is true -- and though Macaire means to proffer it as something which can be brushed off if Patrek does not understand, his tone is too serious, too solemn. Because with Cadence to stand beside him, Macaire believes that there is a war brewing, and every man he can muster to stand beside him is a few seconds more bought for the lives of those like his little Faye --
The twins are more than of an age to participate, aren't they?
Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:32 pm
LoveByLetters
How did I not notice this earlier?!
"You want to make soldiers of them?" Patrek considered the idea. As a soldier himself, he was a firm believer of discipline and the benefits of being part of a regiment, learning to trust others and be trusted in return. Some of the most upstanding men Patrek knew were army men, after all.
"Their skills could certainly become useful," he agreed. And the twins were certainly clever. If their creative energy could be channeled toward something good...
"But I imagine convincing them to take part in battle may be difficult," he said finally. They seemed content enough with steering clear of any such mess, and last Patrek had seen, they seemed equally keen to stay away from magical things. Even if they did have a Guardian of their own now... "I can't see them willingly signing up for the army. Especially not for this war."
"Ach, willingly, nae." The very idea of it makes Macaire chuckle; the boys had fled at the mere suggestion that their wee lamb could use a bit of training, imagine how fast they'd run if someone asked if they'd sign on to become soldiers! "Ye kin do mair with a kind word and a shillelagh then ye can with jest a kind word, aye? Every man's ainly as heavy nor light as a lever what can be used tae pish him -- oi'd wager, them of the age they be, 'tis as easy as finding a pretty lass or twain tae say the right words."
They come down the way then, to the tavern that Macaire had spoken of, and indeed the bartender brightens when he sees the big man, and looks fit to explode with glee when he sees that Macaire and Cadence are not alone. There are a few well-worn tables out beneath the trees outside, and if the trees are a bit thin from city living, well, they provide shade all the same. Cadence will sit down with prompt obedience, nudging Careo urgently to do the same, and then sit with his head up and his ears towards the tavern, giving the building all of his rapt attention. Why this is soon becomes plain, as when a pair of strong beers are brought for the soldiers, they are accompanied by a pair of wide, shallow dishes full of all manner of wonderful treats for the Guardians. Crisp carrots, still-wet lettuce, cut fruit, even flowers! It truly is paradise, at least as far as Cadence is concerned.
<"Oh, willingly, no. You can do more with a kind word and a heavy stick then you can do with just a kind word, right? All men are only as heavy or as light as the lever that can be used to push them -- I'll bet that at the age they are, it'd be easy to find a pretty girl or two to say the right words.">
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 7:18 am
LoveByLetters
XDD Cadence. Love.
"A pretty lass, you say?" Patrek echoed, grinning. The idea was tantalizingly simple - and effective, he would say. When he had been that age, any lady who looked his way twice could have convinced him to do anything, especially the slightly older ones who seemed to know what they were doing. More than once he had found himself in trouble after listening to the brain between his legs and not the one between his ears.
When they reached the tavern, Patrek took his seat and watched curiously as Cadence promptly set himself down and stared expectantly at the building. Beside him, Careo looked on in bewilderment, but seemed to accept that the older Guardian was no doubt wiser in the ways of man that he, and imitated the stag as best he could. His eyes grew wide at the sight of the two platters of treats. Flowers! The yearling tackled his plate with uncharacteristic enthusiasm.
Like boys chasing after girls. Patrek had to laugh. "Your idea sounds right perfect for these lads, though I'm not friends enough with many women to be much help in finding some for the job."
.. and in today's installment of 'boy is he going to get in trouble for this one at a later date' .. also careo = adorable.
"Ach, tisn't that the way of it?" Now Macaire seems slightly embarrassed himself, to have offered up this grand plan without any knowing of how to actually put it in action. "Ol' soljers as we cannae easily go asking wee lasses tae court young gennelmun 'thout drawing note, aye?" He sighs over this, sliding the second of the two beers toward the other man and taking his own first draught. "Happens oi know a lass or twa, but ye knows lasses .. they b'ain't much for doin' what ye'd loike them tae do. As 'tis said, there be three creatoors beyond ruling -- a mule, a pig, and a woman."
He takes another swallow of his beer, as Cadence nuzzles his nose into the the bowl, eyes half-closed with purest pleasure. He may no longer be a fawn, but his Awakening does not seem to have made him any more serious; the tip of his long tail twitches back and forth as he eats, as if he cannot contain his excitement.
<"Ah, isn't that the way of it? Old solders like us can't easily go asking young ladies to court young men without drawing notice, right? Happens I know a lady or two, but you know women .. they aren't much for doing what you'd like them to do."
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:00 am
LoveByLetters
Patrek grinned and raised his mug in agreement. "Ah, and the man who first said that was certainly wise in the ways of women." He brought the mug to his lips for a long swallow of beer. There was a sort of simple pleasure in this, in two companions drinking cold beer for no reason other than that they enjoyed it.
Meanwhile, Careo and Cadence seemed to be partaking in a similar sort of pleasure, though their fare was much different from their Chosens'. The yearling nibbled at each treat in turn, though the flowers remained his favorites.
"It's worth a try, though," Patrek continued. "I don't have any fancy tricks up my sleeve to convince any women to do as they're asked, but maybe we'll get lucky." And he, in turn, could give his best with the few women he knew better than as acquaintances. He was hardly an expert in convincing them, though.
