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Post by Dina Doo on Oct 29, 2016 17:56:32 GMT -8
(LOL yes, a data sheet in braille)
There were certainly some perks to being child sized, Gabriel figured. And that simple fact made him smile softly. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Kaleb," the old ketsuki said softly. "Good night."
"Come on, Kally," Anderson said as he took a hesitant step closer to the bed. He had been reluctant to step any farther into the room only because he was more the stranger than Kaleb was. "Let's let these three get their rest, okay?" A rather mischievous smirk curled Anderson's lips. "And we have to get back so I can tuck Clyde in for the night." Oh Anderson, how have you not been fired yet?
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Post by clouds just clouds on Oct 30, 2016 18:04:46 GMT -8
"I'm gunna tell him you said that~" Kaleb giggled. He pulled off the bed and bounced to his father's side. "Then he'll pout, so I'll get a picture of him and set it as the background to your phone!" He smirked a bit evilly before he glanced over at Malcolm and Gabriel. "I hope you guys sleep well. Have Malcolm text me for anything, okay Gabriel?" He waved.
Timothy, like a responsible adult, walked the two of them towards the door and held it open for them. "Thank you for visiting, I hope you two get back to your hotel safely." He said.
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Post by Dina Doo on Oct 31, 2016 17:14:30 GMT -8
Anderson muttered his thanks to Timothy before stepping out into the hall, awaiting his son. If Cloudy is alright with this and Kaleb did follow and the door was closed, only then did Anderson turn to Kaleb. "Well, are you ready to head back?" He paused for a moment, considering his next question but found himself unable to resist the urge to ask. "Kally, how did you meet Gabriel again?" The ketsuki inquired. "Mm, I can't remember if you told me or not but I'm suddenly curious."
When maybe the two McCarthers were gone, Gabriel attempted to settle back against Malcolm. Exhaustion settled deep in his bones and he couldn't decide if it was because of his smaller body or his old age. "Timothy," the older ketsuki started, his voice small and tired. "Are you sure you will be alright with traveling with a large group? We can travel separately if you'd prefer."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Nov 1, 2016 15:47:42 GMT -8
Surprise colored Kaleb's face. He looked up at his father, his brows stretching towards his hairline. "Curiosity didn't do well for the cat," Kaleb said, automatically. Then a sheepish smile filled his lips, and his cheeks reddened. "U-Um.. it's a long story." Kaleb took his father's hand and started pulling him down the hallway. "I... forgot how old I was. But... a man found me, alone. And... he was with me for a little before he brought me to Gabriel. Gabriel sort of... helped me find happiness on my own, sorta." Kaleb stared down at his feet. "I... thought I needed someone else, before, to be happy. But that's... another long story. I just... I'm really happy now, a true happy, and I'm with my family. Can we... ignore that part of my past?" Kaleb's brows came together in shame. "It isn't a big deal anyways..."
As soon as the door shut, Timothy leaned against it. His cheeks felt as if they could cook a decent meal. Sighing under his breath, loathing himself, he almost missed his father's words. Slowly turning away from the door, Timothy eyed the child-looking old man. "It's... I don't care, as..." As long as I'm with you. "As long as I don't act like a complete buffoon as I had moments before," Timothy muttered.
Malcolm's brilliant laugh told him that they could hear him.
Clearing his throat, Timothy waved his hands through the air to make an excuse for his words, to cover them up, but it was too late. Instead he sighed again and fell into a slow crouch. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he squeezed his eyes shut. "Perfect. I'm really holding up the family name. Awe-inspiring that was, Timmy."
"It was... cute!" Malcolm smiled.
"Ah, that makes it all better," Timothy groaned.
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Post by Dina Doo on Nov 1, 2016 17:47:19 GMT -8
"Well, it kind of is a big deal," Anderson said in a hesitant tone. Because it was. There was a large gap of Kaleb's life that remained still a deep and empty void. Anderson wanted to know as much as he could about how his son grew up, what effects took place and how that turned him into the young man that stood before him. And yet... and yet he understood the space the two needed to maintain. The ketsuki was afraid of crowding Kaleb, even if Kaleb was more cooperative than his older brother by far. Even still, August had given him space when he needed it. Thus it only felt right to do the same in return. "I understand you not wanting to tell me anymore," he said with a soft smile. "Still, Kaleb, if there's ever anything you want to tell me.. anything at all, even about your past, you know that you can always tell me, right?"
"You expect far too much from yourself, Timothy," Gabriel uttered softly. "It's only natural to be shy and foolish in front of strangers- not that you were foolish in any way - but that doesn't mean anyone would think less of you for it." His young face curled with a light smile. "In fact, I'm sure Kaleb thought your nervous display was adorable. And I'm sure Ruse, my (commander ??) could tell you plenty of stories of me making a fool out of myself. It happened far more than I ever realized."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Nov 1, 2016 20:14:02 GMT -8
Kaleb hesitated. His eyes flickered up to his father and he searched his eyes. Guilt manifested itself in his throat, blocking part of his airway. His hand slid away from his father's and he slowed to a stop. He watched the carpet for a few moments, taking in a few breaths to figure out what he wanted to say.
"There's a lot that I don't even understand." He looked older for a few moments, more mature than he usually allowed himself to be. "Parts of it that... I can't wrap my head around. The... the man who found me alone... I-I... I lied about that." Kaleb glanced at his father for a second before hanging his head in shame. "The man was a hitman... and he killed the... the person who gave me the scar on my shoulder. He... didn't want to leave me alone, so he brought me to Gabriel. And... I don't really understand why. I don't understand... a lot of it, so I just... I ask you to..." Kaleb's eyes filled with hot tears and he turned his head away from his father. "P-Please just... wait for me to accept it. It's... it's nothing bad. It's... don't think it's bad, don't blame yourself-" Kaleb turned abruptly and grabbed his father's hands. "Don't think you have to blame yourself for anything because I left to find Kenny, and I... I didn't." He deflated. "I didn't find him, and I lost you a-and Mom, too. But we're together now, and it's no one's fault. Promise me you won't blame yourself."
Timothy raised himself from his rejected space and stepped towards the bed. "I suppose with your affinity it makes sense." He sighed softly and reached to pinch between his brows. "And... I suppose you understand with my affinity that... I have a lot of pride." He sighed and sat down on the floor next to the bed. He rested his cheek against the bed and glanced up curiously at his father. Gabriel hardly ever mentioned his past. "Commander, you say? Would you... tell me more?" He realized, for a moment, how childish he looked. A child leaning against his parent's bed, asking for a story.
He couldn't find it in himself to really care. His pride was already wounded anyhow.
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Post by Dina Doo on Nov 4, 2016 9:17:30 GMT -8
His poor little mouse... Was no one in his family allowed to find happiness? Anderson's brows knotted together and his hold on Kaleb's hand tightened. "I don't blame myself," the father said with a small smile. Though that wasn't necessarily true. Anderson did blame himself for his children running away from home, not being able to provide them a better life. A life free of poverty. Except he and his brother hadn't been able to escape that life at all without Clyde's help. "Thank you for telling me, Kaleb. Even if you don't understand what happened, thank you for trusting me enough to tell me what happened to you." Unable to resist the urge any longer, perhaps Anderson attempted to pull his youngest son into a hug. "And I'm glad you were able to find help." He held Kaleb close for a moment longer before his arms fell and for Kaleb he managed a soft smile. "Ah, if only we ate. Then I'd just have to treat you to some ice cream or something."
A wide smile curled the ancient ketsuki's lips at his son's interest. "Ah, I suppose I could if you really want. What exactly would you like to know?" He thought for a moment. "I could start with telling you about my commander. He's an old akuma named Ruse and he was in charge of our unit for a very long time. He was the one who took me in after I joined the Order and he was the one determined to make me the man I am today. Eventually he grew weary of losing the men he had grown close with so he left and made me in charge. I had a daughter several years ago named Winifred and for a time I helped him care for her."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Nov 4, 2016 12:28:40 GMT -8
Kaleb's eyes softened. Even if his father's hold fell, he didn't let go of him. "I like slushees! I can't taste them, but... they're fun to drink." He smiled sheepishly and shook his head. "Am I too heavy? Maybe you can give me a piggy-back ride on the way back." He stuck his tongue out at his father, "I don't want you to break your back though." With mischievous smile he pushed a button for the elevator. It opened for them relatively quickly. He bounced inside and waited for his father. "Um... thanks, for... not asking a lot." Kaleb's brows came together. "I know... you want to know more, but..." He sighed and shook his head. "Can... we not tell Kenneth any of it? Not anything? Or... Clyde or August... well, you can tell them because you probably want to, but... they can't tell anyone else."
Timothy's heart warmed at the smile on his father's lips. There were many things Timothy wanted to ask: if Gabriel had seen Ruse recently, if he was in contact with Winifred, what akuma were. Though he didn't want to flood his father with questions and instead asked, "What did your unit do, exactly? Did you... were you close with your unit?" He didn't want to ask his father if he had friends, because he didn't want his father to think that Timothy thought he couldn't make friends. Timothy was curious if there was anyone more significant than Ruse. Straightening, Timothy's brows raised with realization. "Was Mom a part of your unit?"
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Post by Dina Doo on Nov 5, 2016 15:14:06 GMT -8
"You can't expect me to keep a secret from August or Clyde," Anderson mused as he followed Kaleb into the elevator, pushing the button for the first floor. The doors closed soon after. "But I promise you I won't tell your brother or anyone else who doesn't need to know." If beautiful wants, maybe Anderson reached for his son's hand once again, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Maybe when you're ready to, we can tell August together. He's a very good listener and he'd always be willing to help his rather adorable nephews. Only when you're ready. For now, we can stop at that store next to our hotel and get some slushees just for us. Clyde and August don't deserve anything like that."
"We were a cavalry unit, rode in on war horses to turn the tide of the battle. Other times we would scout or carry out special missions. And yes, your mother was. She joined some time after Ruse had left. And she was the best of us. Courageous, headstrong, always ready to throw herself in harm's way if it meant saving anyone in our group." Gabriel's smile fell away as he thought about whether or not to tell Timothy about a certain somewhat he had been... close to before he had met Timothy's mother. "And... I was close with another (soldier?) for quite some time. His name is Merek, an elf. He and I became friends (maybe) after I joined." Ah, well, they were certainly more than friends. "I haven't been in touch with him for a while. I'm not quite sure what he is up to these days."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Nov 6, 2016 12:39:44 GMT -8
Laughter filled Kaleb and he grinned up at his father. He swung their arms and bounced on his tippy toes. "I'm going to tell Uncle August~ Then you're gunna get in trouble," he sang, then giggled. When the door open, he pulled them forward and towards the hotel's exist. He paused and looked up at his dad with a shy smile. "I really like Uncle August. I can't remember him much from when I was younger, but I really like him. Plus, he's always there for you." He pulled the two of them out if the hotel and held the door open for his father. "I... know he's a good listener. He listens a lot. Another time, I'll... think about it more."
"It might be... good for the two of you to visit again," Timothy said quietly. His gut ached. He wished he had visited Alan and his sister more when he could. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine his mother. His cheek pressed against the bed and he looked up at his father. It would be pointless to ask him what their mother looked like. A bit of anxiety ran through him, as he thought of other questions he might want to ask. He wanted to know more about his mother, to learn more of how the two were. But he didn't want to force his father to think about her. Instead he muttered, "Thank you, for... telling me."
"Merek's a funny name." Malcolm said thoughtfully. "It's kinda like Eric, but with an M."
"Merek possibly is a different race, Malcolm," Timothy muttered against the bed.
"What race was Merek, Gabbie? Is he in Calder? Can we meet Ruse too? Is Ruse in Calder?" Malcolm smiled widely. "I want to meet them!"
Straightening, Timothy almost felt nauseous. "I-I? What? Th-They're probably not in Calder, Malcolm."
(LOL THE FUNNY THING IS, they are)
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