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 Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 2:44 pm
 Wayne was minding his own business in the park. He was playing quite contentedly with some of the other freshlings when one of them accidentally kicked the ball a little too hard. It soared overhead, getting impressive air-time before its arc dipped down and had it landing in a tree. The imp gave the other freshling a look. The kind of look that said Don't worry. I got your back. But just in case, he said it aloud, "Don't worry. I gotcher back." And he was off, running towards the tree to retrieve the ball. It didn't look like it was that high up.
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 2:47 pm
Verve did not think herself as a creeper, though when she paused to think objectively on her hobby she might understand why some might think her actions would be those of a creeper. She was hanging by the playground, watching the freshlings play rather than hanging with the older caretakers and chatting with them. It wasn't that she disliked Nightmares her own age. But she just really liked freshlings, even if she herself never ever, ever, ever wanted any of her own. The mere thought of that very real future made her shudder. Which was also another thing that, when considered objectively, made her presence at the playground odd. But Verve wasn't the sort to do philosophical analysis of her actions, and when the desire to do so struck, she did what she always did: She ignored it and did something else.
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 2:48 pm
And that was probably why Wayne, who was staring up at the tree like it had just committed some unspeakable act of hostility, suddenly found a shadow looming over him. He spun around on his heels and saw that it was a chimera giving him a grin.
"Can I help you, Ma'am?" he asked carefully, because he was nothing if not polite to older people, no matter their race. At least at first. Or until they did something to prove to the freshling imp that they were not worthy of his respect and obedience. For now, he was simply being cautious because this was still a complete stranger and his caretaker seemed preoccupied with their friends.
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 2:56 pm
Verve let her eyes wander from the freshling to the tree then up to the branches, wondering what the freshling imp found so fascinating. Eventually, she spotted the ball stuck in the branches and figured it out. "Nah, it ain't about what you can help me with. But," and here she paused, raising the shuttershades from her eyes and up to her head, "Maybe I can help you."
With her tail, she gestured upwards, specifically at the direction of the ball. "Looks like you need someone to get that for you. And guess what!" She spread her wings open, "I'm totally your girl for that!"
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:00 pm
Maybe Wayne should be more welcoming. Maybe he should be more trusting. After all, in his short time after being awakened from his stone, the adults in his life have been nothing but helpful and kind and nurturing. Except there was a certain smugness in the chimera's face and Wayne himself didn't believe in free lunches. One way or another, the imp was going to repay the Academy back for educating him and taking care of him (whether the Academy expected him or not) and he wasn't going to let even the little things slide.
"Uh huh," he said, folding his arms across his chest. "So yer just gonna help me, just like that? What's the catch?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:16 pm
Verve sort of just stared at the freshling, torn between being taken aback and from giggling in amusement at how adorable he sounded. In the end, the chimera went with the latter, "Aw jeez, wouldja listen to this cuteling!" she snickered, bending forward to pinch the imp on the cheek. "What's the catch, he asks. There's no catch, silly!"
She was a little surprised when the kid not only dodged the pinch but even tried to smack her hand away. Ooh, a feisty one eh? Verve had to admit she had a soft spot for kids with spunk (though sometimes it was just attitude but she had blinders when it came to freshlings.)
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:17 pm
Wayne instinctively stepped away from the chimera's out-reached hand. While he didn't think they were going to slap or spank him, the imp freshling did not like the idea of a strange adult touching him. Other freshlings had a free pass because, well, they were the same age and they could just be playing tag or something. He wasn't so sure about his feelings on juniors, having not met many yet, but his caretaker wasn't particularly touchy-feely so strangers being grabby? They were met with him trying to bat their hands away. He thought the older chimera was lucky that that was all he did. Because what he really wanted to do was to bite her fingers.
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:31 pm
The chimera held her hand, not because it was injured or anything but because well, what else could she have done at having had a kid swat her hand away? The look of amusement on her face only grew more manic. "Well, now there's a catch. I mean, I was totes down for just helping you out 'cuz you look so cute and all. But listen up, cuteling, I'll help you and your friends get your ball back. Provided," Verve grinned, hands on her hips, "You tell me your name."
She didn't think it was that unreasonable a request. After all, she would have given hers directly afterwards but that seemed like an obvious conclusion.
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:40 pm
Unfortunately, Wayne was not the sort to want to assume things. And as far as the freshling imp was concerned, the chimera hadn't given him reason to be sorry or trusting. "My caretaker says not to talk to strangers. And yer acting pretty strange. So no, I ain't gonna give you my name. Imma go get the ball on my own." And with a huff, the freshling turned on his heels and started climbing the tree.
Or rather, he started trying to climb the tree. Yes, he had claws, and imps were stronger than they looked (in fact they were starting to gain a reputation for being so strong despite their short stature, not that Wayne personally was aware) but the tree was smoother than he expected and each time he thought he managed to gain enough traction, he ended up sliding back down.
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:52 pm
Aw jeez, if Verve thought Wayne was adorable as ******** before, this little tough-guy act he was putting? Had him topping the totally adorable freshling charts Verve had in her head. She had to suppress her giggles each time the kid ended right back at the base after a decent climb.
While she could spend all afternoon watching him climb up a few inches then fall back down, she could hear the rest of the freshlings the imp had been playing with start to get restless. Soundlessly, she unfurled her wings and using both feet and tail, she kicked off, launching her airborne to snatch the ball.
"Here you go, cuteling. On the house," she declared and dropped the toy by the tree's base before flying off.
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