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 Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:40 pm
Malo carried two thick books in his arms, five more stuffed in a messenger bag larger than he was, strapped around his shoulder. His eyes buldged as he hauled the tomes along, dragging the bag behind him on the ground. These were much too heavy for the little litwick and he still had a long way to go.
Preston had told him there was a bunch of new books, adventure books and astrology texts, plus a few scrolls, that he was unable to go to the Spade's boarder and pick up. He knew Malo could handle it and promised he'd be the first to read the adventure books if he went to get them.
And so, here he was, taking long breaks between stretches of hauling. He could barely float, weighed down by the books that felt like massive boulders. Stopping to pant again, he looked around for anyone who could help him, but it seemed barren today. He decided to sit down for a minute, taking the strap off his shoulder and sitting on the books, putting the two in his arms on the ground.
He wished he had some help. He just had to get to Diamonds, where he could get a carriage taxi to take him the rest of the way home.
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:26 pm
Amias tugged at his hood over his eyes in frustration as he drifted aimlessly. There was nothing to do outside, so why was Hessner so insistent that he played outdoors? The only activity he could imagine participating in out here was desperately avoiding the bullies... he didn't consider it very fun, certainly not as fun as staying in his room to work out the jigsaw puzzles he was so fond of. Amias was convinced he would never understand Hessner's rediculous requests.
After a long sigh, the young baltoy lifted the cloth from his eyes, almost expecting the local kids to have already swarmed him. Amias brushed his red bangs aside for a better look as he noticed the toddler not far off. What was that litwick doing?
Amias approached, curious and observant. "Books aren't for sitting on." He pointed out in a tone that could be mistaken for disgust. "Why are you doing that?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:05 pm
Malo was usually able to hear other coming, but had never met someone who could float as he did. He whirled to face Amias, his eyes huge and full of wonder. What WAS he?! He was speechless for a moment, tilting his head from side to side. He..didn't seem to be a ghost type as Malo was, nor did he have any wings. How was he floating like that?!
The little litwick finally replied. "I know. Chairs are for sitting on and I need a chair really badly. My papa wants me to carry all these books but they're so heavy!" He playfully pouted, but his eyes were still interested and friendly. He lifted into the air and circled Amias twice, then flipped and landed on the big books again.
"I was sitting on these books because I'm tired. I'm trying to get them to diamonds, but its too big a job and I can't make multiple trips." He pulled the sash of the bag back over his head and lifted the other two, pulling, to demonstrate his point. "see?" he asked over his shoulder, moving a few inches and almost popping his eyes out from strain.
"Could you help me carry them?" He asked with that goofy smile on his pale face. "Oh! I'm Malo, by the way!"
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 3:28 pm
The baltoy patiently waited for a response from the other boy, his head slowly tilting. He frowned when a response was finally given. "Your papa would make you carry books heavier than you... all the way across Spades?" His arms slid across his chest in disproval, and he kept his gaze locked with Malo's even as the ghost began circling him. "He didn't even send anyone with you? That was a bad idea." Amias hovered closer to the books as if to inspect him. Not only was it bad parenting, it was bad bookkeeping as well. "You probably already damaged them."
Amias hesitated as Malo asked for his help. He certainly didn't trust this stranger, but it was something to do. And who knows, maybe a friend might come out of it? "Okay, I'll help. But this doesn't mean I like you." Amias casually placed a hand on one of the books as he narrowed his eyes at the young ghost. "Because I don't." He shrugged gently, a subtle suggestion that there was a chance he could change his mind.
It was only until he turned his attention to the task when he realized that the job was too big for him as well. When it came to strength, he was definitely the weakest of his peers... likely the reason they chose him to pick on. Amias frowned and twirled his braid in his fingers thoughtfully.
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:59 pm
Malo nodded. "He's always really busy with stuff, so he sends me to do his errands. I don't really think he intended for all of this to happen, though. He usually knows what I can handle. And I have a taxi carriage waiting in Diamonds but I don't have enough shillings to ride it out here." He stuck out his tongue. "I ain't damaged 'em none! They're too big to be damaged like that.
When the other agreed to help, Malo beamed and triumphantly flipped, his flame burning brightly. "Thank you so much! With two people it will be twice as easy. I can take the bag if you take these two big books. And maybe one of the tomes in the bag. Then we'll have three each."
He dug into the bag, pulling out a book with a picture of the stars on the cover. "This is one of Preston's boring star books." He seemed oblivious to the other's plight, leaving the three books on the ground, at last able to bob in the air and use his now free hands to help haul the bag.
"Forward!" He cheered.
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Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:49 pm
The baltoy shrugged, dismissing Malo's attempts to convince him his guardian didn't intend to put him through this. Amias had already made up his mind that he didn't deserve any father-of-the-year awards.
Amias nodded with a determined expression as Malo started off. "I can carry these, I can do it." It was almost as if he was giving himself a pep talk as he stared at the books in front of him. With a deep breath, the little baltoy shut his eyes and appeared to be focusing deeply... until the books gently lifted from the earth.
"Let's go." Amias marched forward, his psychic energy carrying the books in front of him. It seemed to be going smoothly at first, but it wasn't long before plaguing thoughts disrupted his concentration. With a wiggle and a loud plop, the books hit the ground. Amias's hands met his face in humiliation as his cheeks turned a bright red. "I'm still practicing..."
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Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:12 pm
Malo stared as the other was able to lift the books with his mind. Amazed but internally a bit off-put. Why didn't he carry ALL the books, then? He didn't even need to use his arms. "That's really cool!" He announced, floating beside the other, putting his back into the bag.
He made some idle conversation but didn't seem to be getting much of a reply, so he fell silent. He jumped and turned in the air as the other dropped all of Papa's books.
He put his tonuge in his cheek and stooped to inspect them. There was one with a bit of a curled elephant ear that he bent back into shape, another with a small curl on the cover. He closed them and looked to Amias. "Its alright. Just try not to do that again." He chuckled, then frowned as thunder boomed far off, a tempest in the distance.
"W-we should hurry."
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Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:20 pm
The baltoy hadn't intentionally ignored the litwick's attempt to make conversation. Amias was preoccupied with the problem at hand... A puzzle that needed to be solved always had top priority.
Amias huffed and shook his head as if to shake away the humiliation of his minor failure. "I won't let that happen again." The litiwk was right, they really needed to hurry now that a storm was on its way. It would be uncomfortable to be caught in the rain, and it would likely damage the poor books beyond repair.
"Yes." Amias agreed as he glanced towards the dark, looming clouds. He lifted the books into his arms and used a combination of his psychic energy as well as what little strength he had to carry the heavy load. "Lead the way, Malo." Amias took on a hasty pace as he waddled behind the ghost. "Where are you taking them, anyway?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:22 pm
Malo surged onwards, going over the next little bump in the trail in the form of a sand dune. It wasn't really all the way across spades, just in a little corner of it. He hadn't spoken to anyone but Amias and the book clerk, not feeling very safe or welcome in spades. But he knew from Zale and now from this helpful Baltoy that not everyone in Spades was a total jerk.
He panted as he looked over his shoulder. "Where? Oh, well I'm taking them to Diamonds. And then after that I'm catching a cab over to Hearts where Preston's going to meet me. He's my dad! He tends the library in Heart's castle."
He panted as he hauled the heavy tomes, the thunder growing louder. "But I won't ask you to take them to hearts with me. I can manage once I get to the cab." He puffed a few more times, trying his best to keep up his pace.
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 3:04 pm
"Hearts castle has a library...? I would like to see it someday." Amias spoke to himself with a thoughtful nod as he carefully shifted the weight in his arms. He imagined the library in the castle might be bigger and more fantastic than his father's personal library, (a worn-down bookshelf) but it was difficult for the inexperienced youth to picture such a thing. It didn't even occur to him to ask the ghost to describe it for him, he was accustomed to figuring things out for himself.
Amias cringed as the thunder rumbled louder in the sky. Hessner was probably looking for him. He knew the cacturn would be upset that Amias didn't return home at the first sign of a storm. The baltoy hoped his father would understand his intentions, but he was still plagued by the possibility of disappointing him.
"I will be in trouble if it starts raining..."
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:08 pm
The library was a sight to behold. All oak and oil lamps with a big grandfather clock right at its front. Malo had become used to the spiral staircases and ladders. He didn't even notice the old book smell anymore.
Malo didn't even consider asking Amias where he came from. He was too focused on his task, but they were making progress. He could see the boarder to Diamonds in the distance, panting a bit. It wasn't far now.
"Me too. Preston sent me with money. A lot more than I make in allowance for a month!" He turned to the other. "But why would you be in trouble?" he panted out.
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Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:39 pm
"I'm going as fast as I can, but it's not fast enough." Amias whimpered, peeking over the books in his arms to keep an eye on where he was going. He was the least coordinated of his peers, but he wouldn't let that fact further ruin the books. The young baltoy was determined not to trip, and he was doing a pretty good job so far.
"I will get in trouble because Hessner will be upset." Amias was urgent with his explanation, but he felt as if more detail would be needed to satisfy the ghost. "Because if it rains, I might get sick. Hessner doesn't like it when I'm sick because of the germs." Of course, Hessner was much more concerned about the welfare of the boy than about the germs... but that wasn't something he'd ever expressed verbally.
One of the books was slowly slipping from his grip, but Mimi managed to save it with a burst of telekinetic energy. "Are we almost there? I can't go on for much longer."
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Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:58 am
Malo panted, happily. "Almost there, now! I can make out the cabby station where I'll be taken back to hearts! Put your back into it, Ami!" He heaved, making headway.
"I bet we'll be safe and dry in-" He was cut off and thunder struck not ten meters away and the sky opened wide, huge buckets of rain gushing down, soaking his clothes, his flame, his books, his new friend, the ground and everything else.
He forced a smile and turned. "Oh well...I guess Preston can dry them. Its his fault sending me alone." He coughed through the loud, seemingly un-ending downpour.
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