Quest PD III (Tall Tale; Shop RP)
Khali & Armel: Meeting with a Princess.
Khali & Armel: Meeting with a Princess.
Armel was the first to come into the shop, just pretty much pushing the door open and letting it fall closed again as he meandered right in as if he owned the place (which, we all know, he doesn't, but let's not crush his little ego just yet). The boy's golden eyes had squinted slightly as he glanced around idly taking in his surroundings.
Before the door clicked closed completely a green eyed man caught the door and pushed it open and slipped in, "I told you to wait up, kiddo," the man was only half-heartedly scolding the boy he had followed. It seemed as if ram-horned boy had selective hearing and simply crouched there for a moment staring at the ground for some odd reason.
Pales moved over to stand next to the boy with a raised eyebrow, "Find something?"
Armel glanced up at his Author with a small shrug, "Sorry, Da, jus' get so excited when I come aroun' here. I can ne'er seem t'wait t'get inside."
The man smiled and crouched next to the Tale and patted him on the head gently, "Hey, it's alright. I understand..."
In response he got a grunt.
"You are my sunshine," Aiden's voice came softly as the tinkling of the door welcomed him to the shop he had been to just yesterday looking for a stroll down memory lane. Things hadn't gone that way, but he had come out better than he had gone in.
The product of that visit was currently cradled in his arms and resting her head sleepily on his shoulder. She didn't like the sunlight. She didn't like the day time. And she most CERTAINLY did not like her father trying to change her sleeping schedual to suit HIS needs.
The moment he walked into the shop he noticed the other man and the child, a smile scrawling over his lips, "Hello!" he said cheerfully. Too cheerfully for Khalindra's liking.
Her head tilted to the side to look at the pair, and simply smiled. She would be polite. Or as polite as the sun would allow her to be...Hopefully.
"Is he from the book?" the man asked, raising a brow. He had been told there had been others...Maybe he'd found someone?
There was a brief silence between Author and Tale until the door of the shop opened again. Pales turned and glanced at the one entering and gave a simple nod. It wasn't too unusual to have people come in. Though before Pales turned back to Armel he noted the child cradled in Aiden's arms.
Was this one new? It appeared so, that is if his suspicions were correct.
Armel stood up now and also faced the other two with a tilt to his own head, the opposite way that the girl was tilting hers. The boy's features were absent of a smile, but it wasn't unfriendly either.
The question Aiden put to Pales put the man off guard, "How did you...Ow!"
Armel dropped his fist and looked off innocently while muttering something about stupid questions.
"Well, yes, he did come from a book," Pales laughed nervously as he bent down to rub the spot where his Tale had not-so-gently nudged (punched) him, "You are ... new I take it? My name is Pales D'Arcy."
Pales glanced over at Armel with a small parental glare crossing over his young face before continuing, "That is my ... son Armel." The man seemed to prefer the familial route.
Anyone looking at Armel could note a faint playful smirk on his lips.
Aiden laughed softly and gently set the little princess down, standing up straight again. While he adored holding Khali, his arms were getting tired and she really didn't need to snooze there any longer. She'd never get to sleep that night, otherwise.
Scowling ever so slightly at being put down, Khali straightened herself and smoothed her dress out, "Hello," she said softly, almost shyly, to the little boy. She wasn't used to other people and despite the crankiness she felt...Well, she'd do her best to be polite. So long as he returned the favor.
At least she wasn't in direct sunlight any more. She really would have to ask her father to get an umbrella or something.
"Yes, I'm new...Yesterday, actually...I'm Aiden. Aiden Perry...And that's my new daughter, Khalindra. Say hello to Mr. D'Arcy, Khali."
The blonde girl lifted her head to look at the adult, her silver eyes glittering slightly in the light of the shop, "Good afternoon, Mr. D'Arcy."
Well, they'd managed to get more words out of her today than yesterday, at least.
Pales nodded, "Good to meet you both," the man smiled at them and glanced down at Armel curious to see what the boy would do without having to remind him...
When addressed by the girl Armel seemed to stand still as if searching for a proper response. He obviously only played with very few girls...Though she seemed sort of different than the others after a moment he murmured, "'Allo ... to ye both." He glanced at Aiden for a moment offering a smile.
Pleased for the moment Pales nodded and looked at Aiden, "He's been having an interesting couple of days..." He shrugged, "and he has his shy moments as well, especially around girls."
Armel frowned blushing now, "I'm not shy 'round girls," he grumped softly.
Giving a small bow to both of them, Khalindra smiled charmingly and took a few steps towards Armel, "Your hair is pretty," she said, tilting her head to the side a bit. Her father had gone out and brought her pretty star barettes that were glittering in the blonde, loosely curled hair hanging around her face.
But she didn't have anything as neat as a second color in her hair, "How did you get two colors?"
Aiden visably winced. If Khalindra wanted to dye her hair at such a young age...Ah well, he wouldn't let her! He wasn't wrapped completely around the toddler.
At least, that's what he told himself.
"I've been having an interesting couple of days. Until yesterday, I was happily living alone with my lover with no children, and now he's off on business and I'm alone with a little girl I never thought I'd have," he laughed softly, "How long have you had Armel?"
Armel's blush deepened a bit at the compliment, but now he was smiling, "I dunno," the boy shrugged a bit crossing his arms over his chest, "always been like this, born wi' it.." The term of being born was the best way Pales could ever explain Armel's existence, and so the boy also used it. Now, to compliment her back, what did girls always like...Hair and eye compliments, right? It was worth a go, "Yer barrettes look beautiful in yer lovely hair." He mumbled his gold eyes staring at the ground now shuffling his boots along the surface. He felt like an a**. After a moment he glanced up at Khali and watched her through his dark bangs.
Pales smiled a bit watching the children before looking to Aiden again and replying, "Well I can see how that can be quite an experience for you," the man laughed a bit before continuing, "as for how long I have had Armel...I'd say about a year."
"Ahh, then you're used to it. How do you keep from melting when they turn those big eyes on you and ask you for something? I'm afraid I'm going to end up spoiling her rotten if she keeps it up..."
A faint blush touched Khali's already rosy cheeks and she smiled at the compliment, obviously ignoring her father's comment. He had complimented her much in the last day, but this little boy had some charm.
Reaching a hand up she gently undid one of the tiny stars hanging in her hair and handed it over to him, "Here then, you can have one for being my first friend, ever," she looked down to her feet, golden blonde hair falling over her face.
It was enough to keep her crankiness at bay and light her silver eyes up to that of silver stars.
There was certainly an air of...regality around her.
"You please me."
That...Was a compliment coming from her. It really was.
Pales looked thoughtful as he replied, "Well, I cannot give you a magical answer that'll work for you. It's just something you have to learn. No matter how much it hurts you to do so, be stern when you need to be stern and be constant," he smiled, "There is a trick to it of course...You can't run their lives for them they have to be allowed their mistakes..."
"T's an honor t'be yer first friend," Armel smiled a bit as he moved to accept the token of appreciation from the girl before him, though the last part raised the hackles of something within him. He cleared his throat a bit and smiled, however, refusing to take what the girl before him said to him as insult. She meant well, he told himself, just accept her as she is, "Glad I coul' please a friend," he replied after a moment.
The only thing he ever showed Khali was a smile and a friendly expression. He didn't want her to think badly of him and he didn't want to think badly of her. In the end he took it as a compliment as it was given.
Aiden nodded his head, "Never expected to be a dad, you know? Not fond of women folk...But I guess anything's possible. She's just so cute, it's hard to say no..."
Khalindra simply smiled charmingly at the boy and looked around the shop quietly, "You do, very much so. And your hair is so pretty..." she murmured that part, reaching out to stroke at the hair, directing her attention to him again, "It's nice. And...And...I don't know."
She giggled softly and pushed her golden hair from her face, now giddy with the fact she, Khali, had made a friend, "Is there any activities to do here?"
Aiden looked down at the children, "And how does she talk so...proper when she's so little? I was still grasping to say 'Bottle' when I was her size..."
Pales chuckled and nodded, "I totally understand what you mean on both counts..." he smiled at Aiden, "Though, I was more prepared to take care of children than I ever was to have a lover at my side..." He shrugged, "I had sorta grown used to being a single dad until my ... other half stepped into the picture."
Armel almost withdrew from Khali's touch. After all he wasn't usually a touchy feely boy, especially with strangers. He stood still and let her touch his hair, his willpower winning over his urge to push her away and call her a girl in the most insulting way possible. He was drawn out of his thoughts, thankfully, by her question, "I dunno -- I don' come 'ere a lot. Sometimes there are more people here, an' sometimes there is a party goin' on and stuff. Jus depends on th' day." He smiled at her all too glad to have questions to focus upon. If she wanted to play or something he was sure he could help come up with a game.
Pales looked down at the children as Aiden did and seemed to consider the comment carefully before replying, "Armel had some trouble speaking when he came out. I think it is probably different for everyone. I never really asked anyone specifically how their child was as far as speaking went. I know how each comes to being is definitely different..."
"Getting Khali was...Quite the experiance. The door locked behind me, the lights ended up going out, and a sunrise pretty much happened INSIDE...It was beautiful. Just beautiful..." he paused a moment and shrugged, "I wasn't prepared for either. But both fell into my lap quite pleasantly..."
"Games are fun," she smiled a bit, "But reading is even better. Daddy starting reading me Charlotte's Web last night and he bought me a bunch of books..." she looked a little perturbed for a moment, "I can't read by myself...But I really want to...Do you read?"
The blonde girl plopped herself on the ground and wrapped her arms around the star plushie that she had came into the shop with, her blue dress falling around her. She looked like a princess sitting there, barettes glittering in her hair, a sparkle in her eyes, and the dress.
"I am sure it was wonderful," Pales smiled at Aiden and seemed to think, "I remember the door closing behind me and another event happening before Armel was ... brought forth. During his emerging it was like I was in the heart of a whirlwind but through it I could see a scene...a forge of sorts. There was a hammering sound and ... Well as noisy as it was, it was enthralling and wonderful." He smiled a bit, "I am not good at putting stuff like this into words..." Pales blushed a bit and shrugged.
Armel nodded, "Playing games are fun," he murmured seeming to relax again when she moved to sit he moved to crouch in front of her, seeming to favor that position than sitting. In his hand he still held the barrett he had given her, and after all that had to mean something. He never once let it drop from his grasp.
"Aye, I read, an' I can write too." He smiled a bit, "Takes time t'learn. I 'aven't had the chance to read Charlotte's Web, yet." He went silent for a moment, "I like th' fairy tales best. Y'know, faeries, princesses, knights, an' stuff like that." Armel admitted quietly. Apparently the gruff and tough exterior hid something softer that he didn't often let out.
"Neither am I, but I think you did just fine..." he shrugged his shoulders, "I've never been one for words, so anything above plain descriptions seems perfectly wonderful to me...I'm used to scientific terms and rough housing. Med student and ex police officer..."
Khalindra beamed, "Daddy calls me a princess. I think...I think I am," she nodded her head, "But I don't know. Am I supposed to know?" she looked a little confused, then shrugged it off, "I'd like to read 'n' write...Maybe you could teach me!"
Silver eyes looked at him, hope filled and alight with pleasure. She certainly wanted to learn, and she liked Armel. He had pretty hair, and he spoke nicely, and he liked books. Definitely an A Plus in her book.
It was a wonder she had shed her normally quiet and shy demeanor. Who knew why.
Aiden sighed, "I hate to do it, but I think it's time Khali and I go. I need to pick up things for dinner and still need to finish setting up her room. She can't sleep with me every night."
Khali looked up at her father, "But...I don't want to go."
Her lower lip jutted out cutely as her hand reached for Armel's.
"I am used to moving from place to place, I used to drift around a lot," Pales admitted with a small shrug, "So I guess I am just used to being sort of a loner anyhow...Now I can't do that so much." The man chuckled, "I am happy for it, however."
Armel smiled at Khali, "Well ye look like a princess," he replied to her, "an' ye act like one too." He tilted his head at her a moment as she asked if she should 'remember' if she was a princess he just shrugged, "I believe t's wiser to enjoy yer life righ' now than t'worry about any pasts," he murmured, "build yerself a support group o' friends t'help ye through discoverin' yerself. Y'know?"
He liked Khali, and he could admit that openly, "Well I dunno if I could teach ye m'self. M'Da helped me and I am sure yer da' would rather teach ye himself, bu' if he wants I can maybe come o'er one day an' help when he thinks yer ready." Armel replied to her.
Pales nodded at Aiden, "Indeed, Armel and I should continue looking for some supplies -- we were just in the neighborhood and all."
Armel looked at the hand and then took it in his free one and stood gently pulling her up with him, "'Ay, now, no poutin' we'll see each other again. I promise," he didn't want to leave anymore than Khali did, but grown-ups were damned stubborn. He pocketed Khali's barrette, "An' next time I see ye, I'll bring ye a book to read."
"I got used to being alone. Wouldn't go back to it if they paid me a million gold," he grinned at the man and offered his hand to his daughter, "I hope we see you again, Pales, Armel. I'm sure Khalindra would skin me alive if I didn't take her back here to see her friend..."
Khalindra gave a small courtsey to Armel and squeezed his hand as she was pulled up, her eyes glittering quite happily despite the prospect of leaving. She had made a friend and he had agreed to help her learn to read! It simply made her day and she was almost glad that her father had made her sleep nights and be awake during sunlight hours. Almost.
"That sounds lovely. And I'd like you to come over when my room's done!" she leaned up and plopped a little kiss on his nose, "Bye boy with pretty hair!" she called as Aiden led her out of the shop, shaking his head.
Ohboy he was in over his head.
"I am most certainly sure we will see each other again, Aiden. Have a safe trip you two." He moved to his son's side as everyone made ready to depart, "Yes, Armel is always quite insistent that we go visit his friends and such." Pales nodded his agreement.
"Sounds like a plan, Khali," Armel smiled at her as he was innocent to what came next - a kiss on the nose. His face went gradually into a deep red, but still he smiled. He was beginning to like girls and their kissing thing. Where most boys were repulsed he seemed practically enchanted by it, "B..Bye!" She had begun to leave before he could return the favor (drat)!
After the two had left Pales raised an eyebrow and peered down at his son, "Gathering a harem?"
Armel just shrugged a bit still red in the face, "N..not really... Let's just go, Da."
Pales just laughed and moved to the door opening it for the Tale and slipping out after him.
The End.
Note: This was more or less an in-between-interlude, and a fun way for Armel to meet someone new!
A young, pink haired woman peeked over a bush, before she let out a sigh. She stood up straight, and pushed some hair out of her face, before she rested some long, delicate fingers on her hips. Her skirt blew in the wind a little, and she scrunched her nose, dissapointed in the fact she couldn't find what she was looking for. She had been looking for hours, and had finally arrived close to Armel's house without knowing it. She had been close, but, never realized this was where the horned Tale lived. It was then that Pales stepped out of the house, and called Armel's name, causing Chieko to notice him, and introduce herself. As the two headed into the house, they were watched by two shimmering blue eyes.