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 Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:14 pm
Etain nodded quickly, scratching absently at his sandy scalp. "M'fine," he assured, offering the older boy a cheerful smile. "But thirsty." Thinking hard, Etain seemed to think that Tovar had brought lemonade with them -- or at least he knew his guardian had something to drink on him. Tovar was what one would call freakishly over-prepared. Give the chance, he'd probably be the living epitome of the 'Always be prepared' school of thought. Etain shot the other boy a quick glance, trying to think for a few seconds if he knew the other's name.
He decided he didn't, but -- well, they'd got this far without them. Though, Etain did feel a little bad that he'd forgotted what Tovar told him about good manners and 'introducing' himself. He chewed briefly on his lip, floundering forward a few paces through the sand. "Y'want sumfink t'drink?" he chirped back at the other horned boy.
Tovar nodded absently, continuing to turn the book over in his lap. Maybe it was time for a subject change. Unfortunately, at the moment he couldn't think of anything beyond 'So...weather's nice today...' or something equally annoying. After a few seconds grappling over topics, he finally settled for something slightly less bland that the cloud coverage.
"So, uh, you teach at D-Corp then?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:57 pm
Pacing a bit to keep his legs stretched, Anoki tried not to look at the swing. It had been so much fun! But the other kid was tired, so he would stop too. If he wasn't nice, the grown-ups might bet mad. Besides, they could probably go on the swings again later, right?
"Th-thirsy?" That didn't sound right. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "Thirsty?" He wasn't, not really, but his thorat was sort of dry. Maybe some water or juice would help that a little. "Yeah, a l-little."
It certainly took him long enough to snap out of his stupor. Honoring the subject change, Raven nodded. "At the very least, I was hired to. I have yet to teach a class, as the children are not quite ready to begin magic. At least D-Corp has that much sense. If they wanted the children to start any younger, I'm not sure the potential damage would be controllable."
Raven shuddered. Just the thought of arming prepubescent genetic experiments and dragons with magic was enough to give her nightmares, arming juvenile maniacs would be far worse.
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Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:11 pm
Tovar shuddered slightly at the thought. "Well, that's good to know. Are they making you teach in a class room session or one on one? I can't imagine a whole cluster of magic users and their dragons." Talk about chaotic... He grimaced slightly at the thought. To be frank, the thought was just plain scary; but technically speaking, he couldn't imagine teaching that many children magic one at a time, much less in groups, not for one poor person heading it all.
"I can honestly say I wish you luck with that. You'll need it." Tovar smiled faintly up at her, shrugging with one shoulder.
Etain nodded cheerfully, staggering through the sand -- it was hard to walk in this stuff for long!-- and toward the end of the playground. Clambering off the sand and across the pavement to where Tovar sat, the little unicorn scuttled forward apparently without noticing the second guardian. With a slight thump, he chest into Tovar's knees and raised his arms into the man's lap.
"Tov'r, 'm thirsty. Lemmynade?"
((Aaaaaand, this is going to sound weird, but...haha. >> Due to Etain's unicorn-y zomg!purity dectection, is there anything about Raven that might make him "itchy?" xDD;; ))
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Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 8:27 pm
"The classes will be in groups, yes." That was both a good thing and a bad thing. Tovar had a good point, handling that many rambunctions kids AND their dragons would not be a fun task. But the alternative was private lessons for each student, and that was far too time consuming. After all, she did have her own agenda.
The wish of luck brought a faint smile to Raven's lips. Yes, she would need all the luck she could muster. "Thank you, Tovar."
Anoki bobbed his head thoughtfully, then with a start clopped after Etain. The sand didn't bother him at all, and he could probably have kept playing for some time, but it was deemed breaktime. Besides, he really could use a drink.
When he neared the adults he stayed back, instead of trying to interrupt. Only when it was clear that Etain had started to speak did he step forwards, keeping his eyes down.
((XDDD Um. Physically Raven's, er... intact. XD; So no itchies there. Though if he can detect impure intent (by which I mean intent to do not-so-nice things as opposed to anything sexual) then there's that.))
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Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:33 pm
((*snickerfit* Lovely.))
Tovar hadn't even realized the two children where approaching until Etain came thumping along and bumped against his knees. Blinking, he glanced around to peer at the little boy. It took some concentration to decipher the unicorn's speech, but Tovar made a faint noise of affirmation once he had it figured out.
"Oh, right. I forgot." Without delay, Tovar rummaged around through his napsack and tugged a stack of paper cups and a small canteen out. He hesitated and cast a glance to Raven and the other boy. "Either of you thirsty?"
Etain hadn't taken notice of the other guardian until Tovar adjusted his attention back to her. Biting his lip, he quirked his head to one side and eyed her thoughtfully from the corner of his big brown eyes. Chin pressed against his guardian's knee, the little boy was the picture of sugary brain-melting cuteness. He straightened up slightly and offered Raven a tentative smile.
"Hi," he squeaked, words half muffled by Tovar's knee.
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2006 9:04 pm
Before Anoki could open his mouth Raven shook her head. 'We are both quite fine, thank you very much."
Anoki made a face. HE was thirsty, even if Raven wasn't, and lemonade sounded good. Usually he only got it when Mahou went to the grocery in Gambino, and while it wasn't his favorite drink it was definitely yummy. But if Mama Ray said he wasn't allowed to have any, she'd get upset if he asked for some, so he stayed quiet, eyes following the canteen.
Hopefully Tovar would finish and send the two on their way again soon. His child clearly needed a few lessons in manners. Interrupting an adult conversation, asking for a beverage without saying please or thank you, and now he seemed to be bumping against her leg in a plea for attention. She turned towards Etain, a harsh criticism on her lips, but it withered when she actually saw him.
"... Hello," she replied uncertainly. Something about him was unsettling, but whatever it was, Raven couldn't tell. "What is your name, child?"
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Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:26 pm
Etain watched her silently for a few seconds, witholding an answer from simple curiosity. Head canted to one side, he blinked at Raven a few seconds before shrugging both narrowed little shoulders and burying his face further into Tovar's knee. "Etain," he mumbled, long white ears flicking just slightly in her direction, then down again.
Tovar smiled absently, shaking his head as he offered the paper cup of lemonade out to the little boy. Etain took it eagerly, holding the cup with both hands as he sipped awkwardly at the edge. "Yer Tovar's friend?" Etain prompted further, eyeing Raven sideways.
The man chuckled and shifted uncertainly as he stuffed the canteen and the extra cups back into his satchel. "Excuse him," he offered to Raven, casting her a quick, apologetic smile. "He's awfully talkative to the right people; can't figure out why he likes some people and not others, though..."
"Tovar, will she scratch my head?"
His attention snapped sharply back around. "Wha-- no. Uh, no."
"C'n you?"
"Uh."
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:09 pm
Only after Etain had said his name did Anoki realize they'd never really introduced themselves. It didn't matter anymore. Etain was a pretty name, and his new friend certainly was pretty. Anoki tried to focus on that, and not on how thirsty he was getting, or how dry his throat was, or how cold and sweet the lemonade looked.
It was harder than he'd thought it would be.
"A fine name," Raven commented idly. The boy's next comment made her utter a small laugh, though there was no joy in it. "I am still getting to know your guardian, so I am not sure that you could consider this friendship. He is, however, amusing to talk with."
She ignored the rest of the conversation, as it didn't make much sense to her. Very odd people, the pair of them. Instead, she watched Anoki like a hawk, to make sure he stayed in line.
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:26 pm
Etain nodded slightly, continuing to watch the female in a speculative, thoughtful fashion. After a time, seemingly satisfied with her answer, he turned his attentionback to Tovar, offering his cup out for a refill. "Like her," he chirped, the words mumbled against his guardian's knee. "Pretty n' tall."
Tovar blinked, biting back a laugh as he refilled the cup. "Oh, that so? You don't like many people, do you?" He handed the cup back. Etain sipped at it once more as he shook his head slightly.
"Make me itchy," the unicorn mumured before withdrawing with the cup of lemonade from Tovar's knee. "Gonna play." Offering a bright smile to the two adults, Etain picked his way back through the sand and toward the other boy. Etain nudged him slightly with his elbow, keeping the cup of lemonade carefully balanced as he moved back around to the swings.
Tovar shook his head, putting away the canteen and the cups. "He's an odd kid. I honestly have no idea how they got his DNA. I don't think even Michael knows; I asked him and he didn't tell me anything." Not that Michael told him things unless he wanted to...
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Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 8:24 pm
Anoki followed Etain back to the swings wordlessly. He was afraid that if he opened his mouth he would ask for lemonade, and then he would be scolded. But once they were a safe distance from the parents, Anoki couldn't help inquiring about the beverage. "I-is it g-good?"
Compliments from a toddler were not exactly what Raven was looking for, but they did do something for her mood. She turned a fresh, mildly interested face at Tovar and nodded. "I was intrigued myself... it's not an imitation then, but a true unicorn? I was unsure. Some researchers are trying to alter genes, find suitable substitutes. Ghastly work in my opinion."
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Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 9:58 pm
Etain nodded, casting a quick glance back toward the two guardians. Hastily, he hunkered down in the sand, his back in the vague direction of Tovar and his friend. He motioned to Anoki with one hand, offering the cup of lemonade out with the other. "Wan' some?" he squeaked, peering with those large, brown eyes up at the other boy. Tovar said to share with people. It didn't seem very nice that that lady wasn't letting Tovar share with this boy...
Tovar nodded in the affirmative. "As far as we -- Michael and I -- can tell, he's real." He hesitated, lips pursing into a thin line. "I really hope they didn't do anything...unsavory getting it." He didn't know how exactly they could have gotten Etain's DNA, but every suggestion came to mind was somewhat shady in nature.
So Tovar was opting not to ask. Etain was there, and that's all that mattered. It wasn't like he was going to demand they take the little boy back, even if D-corp had obtained his DNA through some twisted, black magic rites -- or something like that.
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Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:50 pm
Startled by Etain's question, Anoki's voice caught before he could spit out an answer, launching the ibex into a coughing fit. Breathing all that dust, while not detrimental to his well-being, was not helping either. It took several seconds of choking on dry air before Anoki wheezed out what was not exactly an answer. "It's y-y-y-yours."
"I hope you don't harbor any fantasies of D-Corp being honorable," Raven commented dryly. From what she could tell, the organization was as crooked as they came. If they weren't willing to pay her well she would have left long ago. "After all, it deals in blackmail, self-serving sciences, and allows criminals and worse to care for children. How it aquires its raw material is the least of my worries."
Not that she worried. It wasn't worry that caused her expression to soften, or that prompted further comment. It was simply manipulation, she told herself. Giving the man what he wanted to hear.
"But now that he's in your care, it's up to you what becomes of him. And from what I can tell..." Raven hesitated. "As far as I can tell, he seems to be coming along well so far."
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Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:40 am
The boy tipped his head briefly to the side, clearly a bit puzzled by the other boy's rejection. Most people he knew didn't say no when he offered them things. Like when he'd offered to share picking up his room with Tovar. His guardian hadn't said no then, and that wasn't even fun! Absently, Etain swirled around the lemonade in his cup, blinking thoughtfully at the older boy. "Y'sure?" he piped, nibbling briefly at the edge of the cup. It tasted like cardboard.
Tovar sniffed absently, settling back where he sat as he peered after the two boys. "Well, I suppose," he muttered, snapping the bag shut and placing it behind him. "That's as much as anyone can reasonably hope for. Er..."
The young man hesitated, casting Raven a swift sidelong glance as if totally unsure what to say in order to continue the conversation. He was fairly certain he didn't want to cary on speaking in the same vein of topic they had been previously, but... -- well, sitting and reading did get a little tiresome on occassion. Right?
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Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:56 pm
Was he sure? It was like Etain wanted to make it hard for Anoki to refuse the drink. Of course he wasn't sure, but he didn't want Mama Ray to get mad. Still, he was so thirsty, and now his throat was even dustier. And It WAS offered to him. It would be rude not to have a little. And if he would get yelled at either way, Anoki would rather have a wet whistle.
"J-just a l-little," he whispered, eyes darting from the cup to the bench where the adults were sitting, and back again. Maybe no one would notice.
"Indeed," Raven said boredly. It seemed the man was running out of juice- literally, at the rate the unicorn boy was drinking. Perhaps he only had it in him for so much polite conversation. Not that she could blame him, there wasn't much more she could add to the table either. At least, not much she thought Tovar would understand, or be willing to converse about.
So she let the chatter fall off. After all, Raven Millner was not the sort of woman who had the need to constantly hear the sound of her own voice, or to gossip.
"How did the child come into your care?" It wasn't gossip, just simple information gathering. After all, a teacher had to be well informed.
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:22 am
Etain honestly looked utterly pleased that his ploy had worked - or that Anoki wanted to share his drink, one of the two. "Okay," he piped up, pitching his voice low as if he'd been perceptive enough to determine that the other boy was nervous about something and didn't want them to be seen.
Conversely, rather than handing Anoki the cup, Etain picked his way awkwardly through the sand apparently expecting the other boy to follow. Almost immediately, he took refuge under one of the large climbing structures of the park, tucking himself carefully out of sight of the two adults. A bit of lemonade sloshed over the edge of the cup in the process. "Kay, here." Cheerfully, he offered the cup out.
Tovar blinked. Apparently he hadn't been quite so ready to start up talking again, or in the very least he'd expected a different topic or... But he supposed Raven was a teacher; she'd need to keep up to date with all her prospective students, wouldn't she?
"A...they sent a letter." It hadn't even been addressed to him, but the end result... "I'm not even sure what it said - it was addressed to Michael. From what I can tell now it was probably some sort of information he'd rather keep quiet, so in exchange he took Etain off their hands. Or rather, had me take him off their hands."
Tovar paused a moment, lips compressed into a thin line. He glanced across the park, watching thoughtfully as Etain crawled under some playground structure and dissapeared from sight. "At a risk of sounding sappy and parental, I'm fairly glad he did." Nevermind the fact that Etain tended to avoid Michael like the plague, which probably would have resulted in some interesting parenting techniques if the older man hadn't given responsibility to Tovar.
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