OPEN | prompt one | RAIN

[wrens]

prompt one | R A I N I have been one acquainted with the night. I have walked out in rain - and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane.

 

Comments

[ex_fetches_494]

Course I'm fast. [ This comes out even more proudly than his last assertion. Among Harvick's men (and Harvick's children) there isn't anyone faster, save Baby Jane — and Baby Jane is in a league of her own. ] An' course I did. Fifteen around the edge, five south, three west.

[ Fetch recites this carefully, the tripping pace of his speech slowing carefully, like a child whose dutifully memorized the name of all the city-states and their respective despots for class. Being just a boy, he might not understand the significance of each test spot and why even one missing figure might throw off his survey, but what he does understand is that they each mean something to Harvick.

Which is good enough for him. ] Even did 'em in order, jus' like you said. No short cuts or anythin'.

[reactive]

[ Harvick narrows his eyes, watching Fetch's face for any sign that he may be exagerrating or lying, but the boy is as painfully honest as usual. It's a quality Harvick can admire and appreciate as long as he keeps his mouth closed around customers. ]

Well, come on, then, [ he says, closing his book with one hand with little regard for the page he was on (he was barely paying attention and will probably have to restart from the beginning anyway) and pushing himself off the bench with his others. He gets up and goes to the porch door, holding it open so that Fetch can proceed him inside. ] We'll write it down before you forget. [ He smiles a little now to show he's teasing. ]