forum And The Winter Came (O/O) CLOSED

Started March 04, 2019 by @KalamariCakes

tune

James blushed, he never did well with praise. "I dunno,"

"Well, no you do." Ellen reached up and ruffled his hair. "You bring us so many wonderful friends." She smiled. She fed Leonord a few more words before setting the tweezers and worms to the side. She didn't want to feed him too much. "There." She sighed. "We'll feed him again tomorrow."

"Where will we put him?" James asked, "We can't leave him out here,"

"I don't know just yet." She admitted to him. She was thinking perhaps the cook could watch Leo overnight for her, he had done such favors for her before. But what will your parents say? She thought with a sigh.
"We'll…figure something out."

"I– I could clean out a drawer of my dresser!" James gasped.

"Hm, we'll see, James." Ellen answered with a shake of her head. She wanted to avoid the boy getting into trouble as much as possible. And with a bird, that could prove to be troublesome if she wasn't there.

"Please?" He continued to beg, trying to use his excellent impression of tears to convince her.

Ellen looked to him, her gaze soft upon him. When he acted like this, how could she say no to him? "James…." She sighed, conceding to his will. "Alright, fine. But as soon as your parents complain, you bring Leonord right back to me, understand?"

His eyes lit back up, a bit of a victorious smile across his lips. "Alright!"

She gave him a small smile before giving her hands a clap. "Well, how about we get this nest ready, huh?"

"What do I need to do?" He chirped.

"Well, you already gathered all of these lovely twigs. Do you thing you can find our friend some moss?" She asked him with a smile. "I'll get started while you go look."

"Okay, what kind?" James rocked on his behind, "I know where there's lichen, really green moss, leafy moss, sad moss.."

"Just green moss, please." Ellen decided. She took up some twigs and weaved a few together.

He nodded briefly, and scampered off.

((Do you wanna skip to a big event or continue?))

She watched him scurry off and she smiled. "Leonord," She looked to the bird. "You have a great friend, indeed." She giggled and continued with her word.

Skip)

~~~

Ellen heard her father come home late at night. His voice carried through the walls, speaking of Washington's inauguration, and, a dinner invitation.

She had been reading by candlelight when he arrived. As she shut her book and listened to his words, she dared to allow herself….to hope. Perhaps, her parents would allow her to join them this time around. Perhaps, she wouldn't be left alone at home with the cook. Perhaps…. she would be treated like she was normal, like everyone else.

Fueled by her 'maybes' she rose to her feet and walked to the door, stepping into the hallway to confront her father. If worse came to worse, she'd rather have her 'no' now.
"Father?" She called to him, her head down respectfully.

"What do you want, Ellen?" He spoke, "You should be asleep."

Ellen took a deep breath, her hands fisting her skirts. "I was having a bit of trouble sleeping, sir." She answered him. "So I was reading as you suggesting to me, but I couldn't help but overhear you mention Washington's inauguration and…. a invitation to dinner."

He shifted his jaw, and lips. "Yes, I did."