Sowing Seeds

[buon_giorno]

"Come here...isn't your paw hurt?"

Giorno had full intentions of stealing a mid-day nap, but Croccante was high on one of the broken pillars beside the door to his room. The white cat eyed him but didn't come down. Giorno sighed and rubbed his head. Just looking up for too long was hard when he had been on his feet for longer than an hour or two.

It had been just two days since he cured Joseph. He had slept almost the rest of the day through and that was all he was allowing himself after making himself so scarce for a whole week. At some point doubt would creep into the community gossip and that was the last thing he needed to manage.

Giorno leaned against the pillar and put some of his energy into the ivy vines that crept up it. The flowers burst open, surprising the small cat, and urging her to leap down--right onto his head. He quickly pried her out of his now-mussed curls and inspected her paw. A little splinter poked out of the pink pad, and he squinted to pluck it out--and missed. And tried again--and missed. His hands were shaking. Croccante's tail was swishing in irritation. He summoned all his focus and managed to fix his fingers around it to pull it out, and the fluffy cat bolted out of his arms not a moment later.

"Yes, yes...you're welcome." Giorno watched her take off down the hall.

Comments

[julibahana]

"I really like it!"

[shepard]

"Hope you have more of those names up your sleeves in case she's eating for more than one."

Shepard couldn't help it. She loved giving Chilchuck a hard time.

[buon_giorno]

"Cats are known to seek out human assistance when they're expecting. Perhaps it's the same for foxes."

[unchill_chuck]

Chilchuck's ears burned. 'Oh good. Since when did Mr. Detached join in on the hyuks?'

"Right. I think I've named enough girls for one lifetime."

[scholarandaprincess]

"What was that?" Zelda asked, not quite able to make out his mumbling.

[unchill_chuck]

"I said sure. Now get on making that enclosure nice and big."

[julibahana]

Juli hummed to herself. "I know we still need the official report before we really get building, but I can think of two people who can probably get an early start on drafting the enclosure."

[shepard]

"This is easily the most efficient government I've witnessed in the entire universe and half of you are still minors. Wonder what that says about us adults."

Shepard took a final swig of her drink.

[buon_giorno]

“I truly appreciate hearing those words from you, Commander, but let me be clear: if it weren’t for Chilchuck’s experience and perspective, we wouldn’t be half as efficient as we are now.”

[unchill_chuck]

“What’s that, Giorno? You’re not the type to lay it on all thick.”

[buon_giorno]

“I’m not, so please make no mistake. Reluctant as you were to accept a position of leadership, you did it for the same reason you do anything: because it needed to be done. If there’s any adult whose lead I’m to follow, I’m grateful it’s yours.”

[unchill_chuck]

“Oh.” Giorno sparing with words, and even more sparing with praise. It was kind of overwhelming to hear him be so sincere. “Um…thanks.”

[shepard]

"He's right. You have a good head on your shoulders and a lot of perspective that only comes with age."

[unchill_chuck]

Even no amount of ale could make him get all sappy, the way his eyes crinkled warmly over the rim of the pint gave Chilchuck away.

“What is this? Is it my turn to get ambushed with a big ask?”

[buon_giorno]

“When a beautiful woman gives you a compliment a simple ‘thank you’ suffices.”

[unchill_chuck]

“Oh hush up.” Chilchuck snatched his wine and slid it away. “Shouldn’t even be drinking that at your age.”

[shepard]

Shepard laughed huskily. "This beautiful woman doesn't even have a date to the prom yet." Her eyes turned over to the halfling. "Hey, Chilchuck, you want to go with me?"

[unchill_chuck]

As petty as it was, Chilchuck enjoyed seeing Giorno pout.

"Oh, sure!" He indulged in a sip of the pilfered wine and regretted it almost immediately--'too sweet!' "Wait, sorry, where are we going?"

[shepard]

"The festival. You do know about the festival, right?"

[unchill_chuck]

"Of course I know about the--oh."

[scholarandaprincess]

"Well, I'll be off to work on that proposal, then. Thank you all again for your help," Zelda said quickly as she departed the table.

[shepard]

"Oh?" Shepard echoed.

[julibahana]

"Wait up, Zelda." Juli was up a half-moment after her elven friend. "I'll help too!"

[unchill_chuck]

Chilchuck's large brown eyes rapidly scanned the vacant table. Even Giorno was gone in a flash--probably to get more wine. 'Damn kids!'

"Oh...ah...the wine dried out my throat."

[shepard]

"If you want to give it a little more thought, I won't hold it against you."