XLIX

[wilder]

[Aw yes, it's time that awkward morning after of a mass castle loss]

[....]

Wow, that was sure...something.

Normally I'd start asking questions about Earth and what sick minds think up places like that, but you know what? Nah. This time I'm gonna spare you guys. Because sometimes ignorance is bliss!

So! How about instead we all agree never to talk about those three days again, hm? I won't even point out which ones of you aged terribly! Consider it a free pass from your benevolent and great Zelos Wilder!

How's that sound? ♥

Comments

[wilder]

...Nothing!

[wolfchild]

Come on! I'm going to find you a crab!

[wilder]

A crab? Man, what's with you and crabs today!

[wolfchild]

I talked abou them once. You kept asking about them. Now we're going to find you one.

[wilder]

I really don't need one.

[wolfchild]

You're getting one.

[ And she scurries off to find crabs. ]

[wilder]

[HE SIGHS and slumps his shoulders]

Heh, kids...

[wolfchild]

[ A little bit later, the shout goes up. ]

Zelos, look! Look! There's two of them!

[wilder]

Seriously? You found some?

[But he's getting up to go look!]

[wolfchild]

There's a big one and there's a little one.

[ They're both clinging to large rock. The larger one is just above the water line. Arya crouches by them, hands clasped in her lap. She follows their movement fascinated. ]

The little one only walks to the side. Is it broken?

[wilder]

Huh, would you look at that.

[He'll squat down to get a better look, next to Arya. ]

Nah, I don't think so. Crabs just move like that!

[wolfchild]

For true?

[ She makes to push the smaller one forward, but it's not having any of that. It scurries off faster than she would have expected. ]

Craven! I'm not going to eat you! There's no meat on you.

[wilder]

For true!

[He chuckles at that scene. ]

Well how does it know that? You are much bigger!

[wolfchild]

It should! [ She remains stubborn. She circles around to find it. ]

It's not like I'm hungry either. If I'd found it a year ago I would have eaten it. Winter too. I'd have shared with Weasel. Mayhaps then she wouldn't have been eating so much dirt.

[wilder]

...See, talking about how you would eat it if you were hungry enough probably doesn't help quell it's fears.

[wolfchild]

It's not like it understands me!

[wilder]

I dunno...we're in a magic castle, who knows if it can!

[wolfchild]

[ She mulls that over. Tilting her head so she's more or less level with the crab's eye stalks, she apologizes. ]

I'm not truly going to eat you.

[wilder]

I'm sure it's glad to hear it.

[wolfchild]

[ Eventually, she leaves the poor frightened crabs alone. She returns to splashing about in the waves. Arya only comes out to stand dripping and red-eyed next to Zelos. ]

I'm hungryyy.

[wilder]

[And he was relaxing, watching on the beach]

Heh, are you?

Do you wanna go and get some lunch?

[wolfchild]

Can we come back after?

[wilder]

[a shrug]

I don't see why not.

-- But no more seaweed!

[wolfchild]

I promise.

[wilder]

Okay.

Then we can definitely come back!