1stmacleod | Warmest place in winter

((This is an open post intended for anybody who'd like to play a thread visiting Connor at his forge. I consider any threads on this post fair game for Kai to jump in on, too. Additional similar posts available on request!))

The smithy, Connor's pride and joy, is technically a refurbished shed a little ways out from the back of the house he shares with Kairos. What started as an ivy covered, mostly stone building has since had most of one wall removed and replaced with a set of barn doors, with a sturdy support beam between them. It makes the place drafty and cold in winter, when it's not in use, but once the big forge has been going for an hour or two, it can get hot enough that the open doors let in a welcome breeze.

He has the doors open now, and the open side of the building faces the huge garden plot that takes up much of the back yard. It's covered with snow, now, cross-crossed with doggy pawprints of two different sizes. There's a semicircle of ground before the open doors that's free of snow, although it may be muddy in places. Frequent opening and closing of the doors combined with the heat of the place have melted it away. The sound of hammer on anvil rings out across the yard, and Sorcha is rolling at the edge of the snow with a big stick dragged from the nearby woodsy patch. It's a peaceful scene.

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Jonathan is at his grabbing stage. So he might pull at dog ear's or fur, when Sorcha gets too close.

"Ohhh somethng for Kairos?"

Sorcha puts both paws up on the bench to sniff at the baby, once she's settled down just a little. She may end up getting more than an ear grabbed, but she's a very good-natured dog.

Connor nods in answer, shakes off the heart he's just made, and sets it on the worktable to finish cooling. Rather than explain in words, he takes a moment fussing with the other three hearts he's made, then brings them over held up between both hands. The metal hearts are just a little open at the bottoms, and he's linked them together in a chain. "Not sure what use it is, really, but maybe she could try the same thing on a small scale for jewelry..."

"They are beautiful Connor." April admires the work with a smile.

"It's always hard making things for her, because it can't be iron..." He comes to sit on the bench beside her, close enough to give Jonathon a hand to play with. "Hey there shortstuff." Every time he gets close to Jonathon, Connor seems to melt a little.

Sorcha schnuffs at the child but settles as Connor nudges her down gently.

Jonathan grabs his hand and babbles softly to him. He giggles at the schnuffing from Sorcha. And babbles to the dog too.

"He recognized you."

"Shouldn't he?" Connor gives Jonathon that special smile reserved for babies, and plays with his hand in return. "They're a lot smarter than people give them credit for."

Sorcha whines softly and sits, head tilted. What is that little thing? It smells funny.

Jonathan seems to be telling a story right now. Not that anyone could understand him.

"The older he gets, the more he can do. It is really amazing watching him some days."

Connor nods distantly, watching the baby babble. "John was barely three months old when we adopted him... He made us a family."

"How long did you have him in your life?"

"...Nine years." His expression darkens, but he continues to play with Jonathon, carefully uncurling his tiny fingers, then letting him grip again, absorbed in his hands.

April gently touches his hand. She can not imagine how hard that must have been for Connor.

Jonathan seems content to play this little game of catch and release.

Connor looks up after a moment, smiling very sadly. "I'm... okay. It was almost a decade ago, now."

"He is still in your heart." April smiled softly.

Connor makes a grumbling sound and a vague waving gesture with the hand Jonathon doesn't have possession of. "Lots of people are. Still hurts."

Jonathan has his attention back on the doggy. This doesn't look like Shelby. And he is very curious.

"I am here to listen." April offers.

Since Connor is distracted, Sorcha puts her paws up on the bench again, ears twitching and head tilting one way, then the other. What is baby?

Connor sighs, and forces a little smile. "No, thanks. Today's too nice to spend thinking about that."

Jonathan reaches for the doggy's head. What is doggy? Will doggy know what he is saying? Adults don't get it.

"So tell me more about your project."

Connor watches carefully, monitoring the interaction while Sorcha pushes her big dark nose at Jonathon. She has a slender muzzle, and longish curly, wiry grey fur just right for grabbing.

"What, the chain of hearts? I'm still not sure what kind of finished product it should be. A wall hanging? Is that romantic enough for Valentine's Day? I know Kai is easy to please, but..." He still wants his gift to be a good one.

Jonathan knows how to give kisses. So the puppy nose gets a sloppery baby kiss. And his tiny fingers might grab some of that wiry fur.

"I think it is pretty romantic for Valentine's Day. I am sure she could find a good use for it."

Sorcha's tail wags, and she licks the chubby little hand grabbing at her muzzle-fur.

"I hope so. She gave me a good birthday, I want to give her a good Valentine."

Warmest place in winter

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