Warmest place in winter

[1stmacleod]

((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.

Comments

[slayers_desire]

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

[1stmacleod]

"...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.

[slayers_desire]

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.

[1stmacleod]

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

[slayers_desire]

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

[1stmacleod]

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."

[slayers_desire]

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.

[1stmacleod]

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."

[slayers_desire]

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."

[1stmacleod]

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.

[slayers_desire]

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."

[1stmacleod]

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."