fandomhigh | Library [7.03]

Library [7.03]

Karal was late. It wasn't to be helped. He was simply thankful he wasn't a horse any more, and would not be thinking about waking up in stalls.

When he opened the library, and immediately got a face full of dust from a fluffy, orange, hopping rabbit, he just sighed. "Altra?"

The Firecat crouched and pounced, the bunny skittering away, Altra giving chase, and the two ran into the stacks.

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There were dirty paw prints all over the tables and the desk.

Karal was trying to clean them off, but as soon as his back was turned, another bunny bounced out of nowhere and made more.

"They got you too?"

Paw prints on his cream-colored sweater and a singularly displeased expression indicated exactly what he meant. He walked over, Andrew still asleep in his little pocket holder, and put his usual Friday bag of food onto the counter. After a thought, he opened it and slipped two of the last of the brownies (http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/2006/07/15/by-special-request-aztec-gold-brownies/) in as well.

"They did," he said, and grinned. "But I am no longer a horse, so I'm finding it difficult to mind!"

...he blinked.

"Hoarse or a horse?"

"Well, the one led to the other, I suspect, but, yes, a horse. Ears, tail, hooves, the whole thing," he explained. "It wasn't actually too bad, just very strange."

"...I suppose it wouldn't be?"

It couldn't be said that he was asking anything, but it certainly wasn't a statement by any stretch of the imagination.

"And you turned back today?"

Liir's eyes went to the tiny lump in the pocket that was only a few inches from his heart.

"This morning, in the stables. I was, umm," he coughed, "without clothes of any kind." He followed Liir's gaze. "I'm sure Andrew will return to himself, soon."

"So I've found, horses generally are," he said with a snort. "Or were you a Horse? Could you speak?"

He didn't want to discuss Andrew.

Edited 2008-03-07 21:56 (UTC)

"they'r enot, but it was still a shock!" he said. "I could still think like a person, but I couldn't speak, and I felt very...horsey."

"A horse then, as Andrew seems to be a rabbit."

He shook his head.

"It makes no sense to me, honestly. It's not as if this island doesn't have enough oddities to be a fairy land itself, after all..."

He breathed out before patting the bag.

"Your lunch is in here. It's a beef and squash dish with some heat to it. There's a bowl with just the meat for Altra, of course. Also a pair of brownies for you. Spiced as well, so I hope you don't mind."

"Many things on this island make no sense at all," he agreed. "It was an interesting experience, though. I think I will be able to understand Trenor far better than I could before."

Altra appeared, and jumped up to sniff the food. :It smells perfect.:

"It does. Thank you, Liir. It will be especially after a week of grass and grain."

He didn't know what else to say for the moment and so stood awkwardly before reaching out a hand to see if he might be allowed to pet Altra.

...he was feeling ridiculously touch starved this week for some reason or another.

Altra bumped his head against Liir's hand, purring. :Patting is always good.:

"Lirr," Karal said hesitantly. "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

Liir very meticulously patted Altra before looking up.

"Hmm?"

Karal could probably tell it was mostly a stalling tactic, but he didn't know what to say quite yet so it would have to be.

"Nothing," he finally decided on. "Just nothing to say. I should probably head to work."

Karal frowned and touched Liir's elbow. "Are you sure?"

He immediately leaned into the touch, a visceral reaction as opposed to anything thought out.

Then he swallowed, though he didn't move.

A nod.

Which is when Karal figured out what was wrong. He shook his head and moved to give him a hug. "You only have to ask, you know."

"I shouldn't have to," he said, very quietly. This was not when he wanted to wake up Andrew.

"It's ridiculous. I lived without it the entire rest of my life and now I'm acting like a nit because I haven't been hugged all week. As if it's food or water or a roof over my head."

Not that he hadn't gone without those at various points either.

Karal poked him in the shoulder. "Everyone needs to be touched. It is part of what makes us people," he said firmly. "It is nothing to be ashamed of or to feel silly for needing, especially when you went so long without."

"If I went so long without," he said, wondering at his sanity that even the poke had been mildly satisfying, "then I don't need it."

Karal huffed and just looked at him. "No, it means you need it more."

He looked at Karal skeptically.

"That logic doesn't quite work."

Not that he was moving out of Karal's arms.

"Yes it does. If you never have enough food to eat, that doesn't mean you somehow no longer need food. If you are trapped in the desert with little or no water, you do not suddenly case to need water." Karal hugged him firmly. "My logic is perfectly sound."

He rolled his eyes but didn't argue with Karal. Instead he breathed in and soaked as much warmth from Karal and his black robes as he could get into himself and stayed there, content not to move until he was told to. Or until he would be late to work.

But it worried him.

Because what would he do when eventually everyone went away?

Karal just held him, rubbing his back, until he knew Liir was going to be late, and then he stepped away. "Better?"

"You're not Andrew," he admitted very quietly, "but you are Karal."

Brother time wouldn't make up for boyfriend time, but brother time made things much better.

"Thank you," he said. He was somewhat ashamed of himself for needing it as he had, but he had to admit he felt better.

"I'm going to have to fly to get to work on time," he said with a faint smile.

He laughed and ruffled Liir's hair. "With anyone else, that would simply be a figure of speech!"

He smiled at the ruffle to his hair and leaned to give Karal a kiss to the cheek.

"Yes, well, I've always got to be difficult, as well you know."

He nodded and pulled back.

"But I should be going, if you don't mind."

Karal waved him off. "Go, or you'll be late. I'll speak with you later."

"I'm sure. Enjoy your lunch!"

At which point he started running off, slinging one leg over the broom before pushing off the ground and going.

Thank Ozma that Andrew was still asleep.

Altra reappeared and the bunnies scattered, bouncing away from the Firecat, who leapt onto the top of a shelf, the better to track them.

"Try and keep them away from the books!" Karal called after him.

The dirt had been cleaned up, Altra was prowling through the library, keeping the bunnies at bay.

Karal was reading at the desk.

"No, you cannot eat the bunnies for lunch, Altra."

:Why not?:

"Well, for one thing, all that dirt cannot be good for you."

:Fine.:

The library was closed, and Karal and Altra were eating lunch.

Not bunnies.

Edited 2008-03-07 10:52 (UTC)

Altra, looking as smug as smug could be, was dozing on the table, satisfied he'd vanquished the bunnies.

Suddenly, with no warning, a herd of bunnies appeared on the table and leapt on Altra, bouncing up and down and covering him in dirt.

:VKANDIS DAMN YOU TO THE HELLS!:

Altra yowled and lunged to his feet.

The bunnies flipped their ears at him, looking very pleased with themselves, and disappeared.

Karal had one hand clapped over his mouth, trying to stifle his laughter.

It might be bunnies.

Dirty, dirty bunnies.

Not dirty.

...also, ":VKANDIS DAMN YOU TO THE HELLS!:" made me giggle all damn morning.

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Library [7.03]

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