Alfred, mouth still open to say his next words, quickly shut it with a snap as he saw Connall’s face. There was a vein throbbing in his jaw, and he looked about ready to snap him in half. And while that normally wouldn’t have been possible, now he had to worry about self preservation and all that stupid junk, because of this stupid body change thing. Alfred turned back to the window, pouting a little. Damn, he actually had to listen now when people told him to shut up. It was… kinda weird. He hadn’t listened to what anyone else told him to do for centuries. Arthur was the only one who could tell him to do anything, and while he often threatened bodily harm, it wasn’t like he would actually go through with it. But that was what partners did, listened to each other. It had taken a lot of screaming to figure that out though.
When they turned off the main path, the gravel road crunched and popped beneath the Focus’s tires, and Connall turned into a parking space probably a little harder on the poor car than was strictly necessary. Alfred smiled brightly, as the best way with Kirklands to forget some incident was to just smile and pretend like it never happened, and practically leapt out of the car, bouncing on the balls of his feet a little and feeling the last dregs of sunlight on his skin. It was a nice feeling, warm and friendly. Alfred had always liked the sun.
The trunk popped open, and Alfred strode quickly to the bag, and hauled the backpacking backpack over his back with a little difficulty and a grunt of exertion. Connall finally reached the back of the car, muttering something indecipherable in Irish slang. Alfred wrinkled his nose. Yep, he really did hate that.
“Alright you overeager, gone in the head puppy,” Connall said, rooting around in the trunk for the additional things he brought. “Here’s salt. Salt everything you come across, especially if one of the fae offers you food. Don’t forget, or you’ll probably spend an eternity down there. And watch out for certain that you don’t stuff any pomegranate seeds down you gob. Those are especially bad. This here’s some herbs that’ll help you ward off stuff. They’re from my little patch, so they’re fresh and potent. Should be helpful. And this,” Connall said, finishing off the stack in Alfred arms with a single, think, cream colored envelope, “Is a letter of introduction at the Seelie Court if you ever get there. If you’re in danger, and the thing that’s got you is fit to be bargained with, don’t give them any part of you that you’re willing to lose. Never agree to a memory, and if they say you won’t miss whatever it is, you certainly will. This here promises payment in gold for your safe return to me, Aboveground.”
Alfred turned the paper over in his hands, marveling at it. It reminded him distinctly of the blood chits Yao had issued his pilots during WW2, except those had been written in Chinese, and these in Old English. Alfred nodded, grateful. Hopefully no one would have to send Matt an Old English version of a Chinese form letter with fill-in-the-dotted-line places for his name and date of death. Alfred felt a little sick to his stomach when he thought about Matt. He still hadn’t called him back all day, so he probably thought it was still an elaborate hoax or something. On a slightly panicked whim, he pulled his phone out of his pocket, and hit speed dial ‘4’ again. Ring… ring… ring… Voice mail. Oh. Alfred deflated, feeling sick again. It usually rang five times before it went to voice mail. That meant Matt had ignored him. He must be pissed, if he’s being this passive aggressive. Still, it would’ve been nice to hear his brother again, even if it was just to yell at him.
Connall must have noticed his distress, because a thick hand clamped on his shoulder. Connall looked him straight in the eye. “I’ll take care of him, lad. He’ll know how big of an eejit you are, and what a noble thing you’re doing.”
Alfred gave him an admittedly slightly watery smile. “Thanks man. Say… you know we’d both have a better chance if we went together. Why don’t you come with me?” Alfred looked up at him imploringly, eager to have a familiar face with him.
Connall blanched, suddenly looking a little sick himself. “I can’t. If I do, I’ll never come back. You don’t get lucky twice. Besides, a Kirkland has to take care of the stupid world, and it’s me, now that Artie’s gone.”
Alfred nodded, and decided to leave it at that. It was Connall’s decision after all. “Right then. How do I get to a Gewind thing?”
Connall brightened a little now that they weren’t talking about him going back Underhill. “Well, you should go into the tomb, and when that amulet starts vibrating like crazy, you know you’re close. I need to leave. Use your mobile and call me if you can’t find one in two hours. I need to get out of here though. All this magic and such…” Connall shivered a little. “The dead talk here, and that’s a bit… well, good thing you like ghost stories. You’re about to become one.”
And with that, Connall turned and got back in the car, without so much as a backward glance. Alfred mouth hung open at the abruptness of it all, and he rested his hands on the trunk, trying to peer in through the back window. Connall met his eyes in the rearview mirror and honked the horn, brake lights coming on. Alfred scrambled out of the way, that stupid self preservation thing kicking in again. In his mad flailing, he fell flat on his rump, and watched as Arthur’s precious Focus backed up sharply in the gravel, then shifted into drive and left the parking lot.
Alfred winced, rubbing his back beneath the backpack as he stood. He didn’t allow himself to think of Connall’s closing mention of ghosts. He really, really hated ghosts. Or, as Arthur would say, vehemently hated. That was a good word, ‘vehemently’. You almost had to spit to say it, which was how Alfred felt about the ghosts. Alfred looked around on the ground, and began to pick up the items which had spilled from his arms in his Quest To Not Get Run Over By His Boyfriend’s Brother, which was a subquest of his whole, Quest To Save Arthur And Possibly His Brothers And Return To Normal Life With Some Pretty Awesome Sexing Upon Return. QTSAAPHBARTNLWSPASUP? That was long, and didn’t have a cool little pun or acronym or anything. Perhaps it needed a better name, Alfred mused as he tucked his precious envelope in his backpack. He’d have to think on it.
Alfred took a deep breath in. Nope, no ghosts here, despite the fact that it was getting dark. He fingered the handles of Bess and Amy. If it came to anything, he’d just put a bullet through it. Yep, that usually did the trick. Yep. Alfred’s self cheering grin was admittedly a little wavery, but he clutched the amulet thing in his right palm tightly, and stepped off in the direction of Brú na Bóinne, the first step somewhere in the middle of a long line of first steps in this Grand Adventure. Yep, he liked Grand Adventure more.
And thus we say goodbye to Connall. Bye Connall! This was a bit of filler, but basic facts were established, and hopefully laid some groundwork for the courts. Links to the passages:
Mercutio’s Monologue: http://www.monologuearchive.com/s/shakespeare_067.html Midsummer, full play: http://shakespeare.mit.edu/midsummer/full.html
I’m doing my own summer camp this week, and I can’t participate in the USUK one, but I do have this, which I’m writing at a pace I find a bit astounding, given my usual writing style, which is write everything and then post it. So you get quick updates, and I have to foreshadow very, very carefully. This next week is again going to be a bit spotty because of Girl Scout camp. Thank you so much to you commenters, reading those today really made me write this. Also, filler chapter, so there will be megaloads of action in the next chapter!
A!anon here: Yes, I will work on refinding that link... Crowe is often in mythology presented as a slightly sinister storyteller in some court or other, be it a King or the fae. I was inspired to look up more stuff from her creation. There is also a Celtic goddess of death who could turn into a crow, so I morphed and changed and fenaggled. You haven't seen very much of him yet, so there isn't a lot to differentiate him from shigo's. Don't worry, differentiation will come... eventually. Alfred has a long way to go before he meets up with Crowe.
Thanks a lot for reading! Again, comments are what keep me going!
This is a brillant fill, A!A. I've enjoyed every moment of it. And, I keep finding more things to like, even in the filler. It didn't really seem like "filler" to me, because you gave some good info, and Alfred had to get from point A to point B some how or other, right? I guess he's on his own now. Poor Alfred will have to contend with ghost as he is trying so hard to contend with himself without his superpower strength. I look forward to reading more about him coping with that.
Oh, and, by the way, I absolutely LOVE nerd!Alfred. I think I squeed a couple of times when he started to get all scientific. Kudos. I love this so much you have no idea.
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Crowe 4c/?
(Anonymous) 2012-07-23 07:08 am (UTC)(link)When they turned off the main path, the gravel road crunched and popped beneath the Focus’s tires, and Connall turned into a parking space probably a little harder on the poor car than was strictly necessary. Alfred smiled brightly, as the best way with Kirklands to forget some incident was to just smile and pretend like it never happened, and practically leapt out of the car, bouncing on the balls of his feet a little and feeling the last dregs of sunlight on his skin. It was a nice feeling, warm and friendly. Alfred had always liked the sun.
The trunk popped open, and Alfred strode quickly to the bag, and hauled the backpacking backpack over his back with a little difficulty and a grunt of exertion. Connall finally reached the back of the car, muttering something indecipherable in Irish slang. Alfred wrinkled his nose. Yep, he really did hate that.
“Alright you overeager, gone in the head puppy,” Connall said, rooting around in the trunk for the additional things he brought. “Here’s salt. Salt everything you come across, especially if one of the fae offers you food. Don’t forget, or you’ll probably spend an eternity down there. And watch out for certain that you don’t stuff any pomegranate seeds down you gob. Those are especially bad. This here’s some herbs that’ll help you ward off stuff. They’re from my little patch, so they’re fresh and potent. Should be helpful. And this,” Connall said, finishing off the stack in Alfred arms with a single, think, cream colored envelope, “Is a letter of introduction at the Seelie Court if you ever get there. If you’re in danger, and the thing that’s got you is fit to be bargained with, don’t give them any part of you that you’re willing to lose. Never agree to a memory, and if they say you won’t miss whatever it is, you certainly will. This here promises payment in gold for your safe return to me, Aboveground.”
Alfred turned the paper over in his hands, marveling at it. It reminded him distinctly of the blood chits Yao had issued his pilots during WW2, except those had been written in Chinese, and these in Old English. Alfred nodded, grateful. Hopefully no one would have to send Matt an Old English version of a Chinese form letter with fill-in-the-dotted-line places for his name and date of death. Alfred felt a little sick to his stomach when he thought about Matt. He still hadn’t called him back all day, so he probably thought it was still an elaborate hoax or something. On a slightly panicked whim, he pulled his phone out of his pocket, and hit speed dial ‘4’ again. Ring… ring… ring… Voice mail. Oh. Alfred deflated, feeling sick again. It usually rang five times before it went to voice mail. That meant Matt had ignored him. He must be pissed, if he’s being this passive aggressive. Still, it would’ve been nice to hear his brother again, even if it was just to yell at him.
Connall must have noticed his distress, because a thick hand clamped on his shoulder. Connall looked him straight in the eye. “I’ll take care of him, lad. He’ll know how big of an eejit you are, and what a noble thing you’re doing.”
Alfred gave him an admittedly slightly watery smile. “Thanks man. Say… you know we’d both have a better chance if we went together. Why don’t you come with me?” Alfred looked up at him imploringly, eager to have a familiar face with him.
Crowe 4d/?
(Anonymous) 2012-07-23 07:09 am (UTC)(link)Alfred nodded, and decided to leave it at that. It was Connall’s decision after all. “Right then. How do I get to a Gewind thing?”
Connall brightened a little now that they weren’t talking about him going back Underhill. “Well, you should go into the tomb, and when that amulet starts vibrating like crazy, you know you’re close. I need to leave. Use your mobile and call me if you can’t find one in two hours. I need to get out of here though. All this magic and such…” Connall shivered a little. “The dead talk here, and that’s a bit… well, good thing you like ghost stories. You’re about to become one.”
And with that, Connall turned and got back in the car, without so much as a backward glance. Alfred mouth hung open at the abruptness of it all, and he rested his hands on the trunk, trying to peer in through the back window. Connall met his eyes in the rearview mirror and honked the horn, brake lights coming on. Alfred scrambled out of the way, that stupid self preservation thing kicking in again. In his mad flailing, he fell flat on his rump, and watched as Arthur’s precious Focus backed up sharply in the gravel, then shifted into drive and left the parking lot.
Alfred winced, rubbing his back beneath the backpack as he stood. He didn’t allow himself to think of Connall’s closing mention of ghosts. He really, really hated ghosts. Or, as Arthur would say, vehemently hated. That was a good word, ‘vehemently’. You almost had to spit to say it, which was how Alfred felt about the ghosts. Alfred looked around on the ground, and began to pick up the items which had spilled from his arms in his Quest To Not Get Run Over By His Boyfriend’s Brother, which was a subquest of his whole, Quest To Save Arthur And Possibly His Brothers And Return To Normal Life With Some Pretty Awesome Sexing Upon Return. QTSAAPHBARTNLWSPASUP? That was long, and didn’t have a cool little pun or acronym or anything. Perhaps it needed a better name, Alfred mused as he tucked his precious envelope in his backpack. He’d have to think on it.
Alfred took a deep breath in. Nope, no ghosts here, despite the fact that it was getting dark. He fingered the handles of Bess and Amy. If it came to anything, he’d just put a bullet through it. Yep, that usually did the trick. Yep. Alfred’s self cheering grin was admittedly a little wavery, but he clutched the amulet thing in his right palm tightly, and stepped off in the direction of Brú na Bóinne, the first step somewhere in the middle of a long line of first steps in this Grand Adventure. Yep, he liked Grand Adventure more.
And thus we say goodbye to Connall. Bye Connall! This was a bit of filler, but basic facts were established, and hopefully laid some groundwork for the courts. Links to the passages:
Mercutio’s Monologue: http://www.monologuearchive.com/s/shakespeare_067.html
Midsummer, full play: http://shakespeare.mit.edu/midsummer/full.html
I’m doing my own summer camp this week, and I can’t participate in the USUK one, but I do have this, which I’m writing at a pace I find a bit astounding, given my usual writing style, which is write everything and then post it. So you get quick updates, and I have to foreshadow very, very carefully. This next week is again going to be a bit spotty because of Girl Scout camp. Thank you so much to you commenters, reading those today really made me write this. Also, filler chapter, so there will be megaloads of action in the next chapter!
Re: Crowe 4d/?
(Anonymous) 2012-07-23 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)Is Crowe a real mythical figure? I assumed he was just someone's creation.
Re: Crowe 4d/?
(Anonymous) 2012-07-24 04:57 am (UTC)(link)Thanks a lot for reading! Again, comments are what keep me going!
Re: Crowe 4d/?
(Anonymous) 2012-07-31 04:10 am (UTC)(link)Oh, and, by the way, I absolutely LOVE nerd!Alfred. I think I squeed a couple of times when he started to get all scientific. Kudos. I love this so much you have no idea.
Re: Crowe 4d/?
(Anonymous) 2012-08-02 09:04 pm (UTC)(link)