Let’s Rock and Roll
02 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Fox Hunting, Mini-story, Team Gamma Tags: Ezra, Loki, Mischief, Morgan
Ezra lay back on the blanket and stared up at the sky. In spite of the gathering darkness, Missy and Loki were still playing with some of the other children who had come to the park. Morgan was sitting on the blanket beside Ezra, while they waited together for the show to begin.
“It was a nice day,” she said, her voice soft.
Nodding, Ezra said, “More peaceful than normal – no complaints here.” He sat up and then looked over at the kids. “Loki! Missy! The show will be starting.”
As he was calling their children over, other parents were doing the same. Missy bounded over and flopped down in Ezra’s lap. She leaned back against him, like he was a chair. Ezra smiled fondly and settled the noise dampening headphones over her ears.
Loki knelt on the blanket beside Morgan, his eyes locked on the sky. “What are they waiting for?” he asked, sounding like the impatient child he appeared to be.
Morgan laughed and pointed at the sky. “Begin,” she said, her tone commanding. As if in response, the first firework exploded in the sky, spreading out in a spray of bright crimson and violet.
Loki looked at Morgan and then shook himself and focused on the show. “Time to rock and roll,” he said, grinning.
Ezra reached out and took Morgan’s hand. He couldn’t help but smile as he looked up at the fireworks display. The times when they could just relax and be a family together were few and far between. To Ezra, that made them all the more treasured.
Here We Go
01 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Fox Hunting, Mini-story, Team Gamma Tags: Ezra, Loki, Mischief, Morgan
Ezra looked at the things he’d gathered for their picnic. He had the blanket all set in the tapestry bag that it came with. The little trays were washed and ready to use. Plates, napkins and flatware were all packed in the picnic basket. He’d packed their sandwich fixings into little containers, along with their salads and some snacks. The containers were also packed into the picnic basket. Finally, there was a large thermos with lemonade. They had everything they’d need for the picnic.
He looped the tapestry bag over on shoulder. Then he took the thermos in one hand and the picnic basket in the other. “All set,” he said, grinning at Morgan.
Morgan flashed him a smile and handed Loki a bag of toys that he and Missy could use at the park. Then, she took the picnic basket from him. “We’re ready too,” she said.
“Here we go!” Missy said, as she scampered out the door past them. The little bell necklace she wore chimed merrily. It was the only remaining hint of her former nature.
Shaking his head, Ezra called, “Missy, your hat!” The growl of frustration made him smile. She was, in many ways, still very feline.
“Some of the noises she makes,” Morgan said, shaking her head in amusement. “I’m surprised that no one realizes the truth.”
“People often overlook things when they can’t wrap their minds around them,” Ezra said, shrugging. Then, they were outside and walking, while Missy alternated between running ahead of them and waiting impatiently for them to catch up.
A Fire
24 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Character Prompts, Mini-story, Team Gamma Tags: Ezra, Loki, Mischief, Morgan
Ezra’s eyes flew open. “Smoke,” he gasped. He sat up and shook Morgan awake. “Morgan,” he said. When she moaned softly, he shook her harder. “Morgan, wake up! There’s a fire!”
Morgan was awake in an instant. Grabbing her housecoat, she ran to the door. Ezra was close behind her. “Get out, Ezra,” she said, her tone brisk. “I’ll get the kids.”
Nodding, Ezra headed for the steps. He was halfway down the flight when he remembered it. He bit his lip and ran to the base of the steps. The fire was in his workshop – probably something as a result of the chemicals he used in his art.
He could hear Morgan getting Loki and Missy out the back. They were safe. That just left one thing. He ran across the little den, coughing as he tasted smoke at the back of his throat. He took down the painting and hurried out through the front door.
Morgan was already on the front lawn with the kids. Neighbors were rushing in to throw water at the fire. Ezra dropped to his knees beside his little family and sighed. “All right?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
“We’re fine,” Morgan said, kneeling beside him. She looked into his eyes and frowned. “What, in the name of all that is, could be so important that you’d risk your life to get it?” she said.
Ezra gave her a weak smile and held up the painting for her to see. “My father,” he said. Then, he coughed again. It was the only painting he had – the only image that existed – depicting him with his brother, mother and father.
Practically Perfect
16 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Character Prompts, Mini-story, Team Gamma Tags: Ezra, Loki, Mischief, Morgan
Ezra sighed quietly as he stepped into the little house he shared with Morgan. “I’m home,” he called.
Morgan peered out of the kitchen. Smiling, she said, “I thought we could eat on the back deck tonight, since it’s so nice out.”
A faint smile touched Ezra’s lips and he nodded. He shed the jacket he had worn for school and pulled on the comfortable one he wore around the house. Then, he followed her outside, through the kitchen.
Missy and Loki were already sitting at the table waiting for them. Dinner was a simple meal of pan-fried chicken, baked beans and corn fritters. They spoke about their days and of events that would be coming up in the weeks to come.
After dinner, Missy and Loki played in the back yard. Ezra settled beside Morgan on the porch swing to watch as Missy chased fireflies and Loki chased Missy. A faint smile touched his lips and he looked at her.
“I like quiet evenings like this,” she said, resting her head on his chest.
Ezra nodded, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Nights like this… are practically perfect.” This, Ezra felt, was how a family should be. He knew Missy and Loki wouldn’t play so nicely for long. He resolved to enjoy it while he could.
Willful Creatures
16 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
in Drabble, Ezra's Memories, The Underground Tags: Ezra, Mischief
Ezra was learning quickly that Mischief was entirely different from Josiah. Where Josiah lived to please Ezra, Mischief seemed to think Ezra lived to serve her. He returned to his chair to find her firmly ensconced there. When he scolded her, her ears pinned. When he picked her up and set her on the window seat, she chirped and jumped down.
She was headed for his chair when he sat. Then, she lay down at his feet and attacked his shoes. “Excuse me,” he said, lifting her into his arms. This, he found, was just what she wanted.
The Slender Man Yet Again
28 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment
in Lessons in Magic, Mini-story Tags: Loki, Mischief
Lucas stood beside Mischief on the deck of the ship. She was staring off into the distance, hugging her stuffed rabbit close. Lucas had to wonder. Did being this way bother her? How long had she been in the form of a little cat? Was it strange to be in her natural form again?
“Don’t,” she said, as Lucas started to turn away. Without looking back, she reached out and caught his hand, drawing him over to the rail. “Don’t look over your shoulder, Loki,” she repeated, her voice hardly more than a whisper.
Lucas tensed. “Why not?” he breathed back, dreading the answer.
“He’s there,” she said. She looked away, suddenly focusing on the water again. “Look at the fishies, Loki.” Her voice seemed too loud, somehow. He could tell she was trying to force him to thing about anything except the strange man standing just behind them.
Forcing his own gaze out towards the horizon, he said, “You’ve got better eyes than me, Missy. I can’t see fish at all. There’re birds, though.” It was difficult to not think about something, but thinking about something else… that, Lucas could do. Luckily for both of them, he supposed.
