#grant tracy

[lenle-g]

I feel like I've never seen anyone draw Grandpa Grant, so here's Jeff and his parents pre-grandkids

#The OG Gront

[janetm74fics]

Ten Little Pin Feathers

Inspired by comments from @thebirdfantasy and @womble1 on Wings & Feathers. Unfortunately their comments won’t work with Marks & Wings…but that’s doesn’t mean it won’t work with Eagle!Scott. With thanks to @mariashades for allowing me to use her lore of 'weres needing to eat raw meat, and for her and @the-original-sineater for the read-throughs.

This is a standalone series that isn’t canon with my Transformation series.

~ ”Really little babies sure are ugly” was the thought that ran through Jeff’s mind as he held his three-day-old carefully.

He yawned widely as he regarded the wrinkled object of his thoughts. As if he’d known his father was thinking about him Scott’s eyes seemed to focus on Jeff…and he screwed up his face and began to cry in earnest.

‘I’m sorry! I’m sorry, Daddy didn’t mean it, Scotty!’

Jeff repeated the refrain over and over while gently jiggling the affronted tot, but Scott would not be comforted.

Eventually Lucy appeared. Even freshly woken up from her nap earlier than hoped for she looked radiant. And as Lucy took Scott and settled him to her breast Jeff could help but fall in love with her all over again.

Nor could he stifle a little grumble at how easily Scott had stopped fussing…

Of course, once Scott hit nine weeks he began to look like the usual baby seen in pictures, and Jeff stopped worrying so much about having an ”ugly” baby.

Lucy had thumped him quite hard when he’d voiced this out loud one morning. And then she’d fixed him with a fierce glare that promised worse if he should ever dare to say such a thing again.

Then she’d been deliberately cryptic with what she next said.

”Just remember that when you see Scotty change.”

His wife had never hid from him her other-self. She was a wolf - a beautiful white wolf when she wanted to be or needed to be - and as such there was a distinct possibility that their children would inherit the gene from her.

What animal that gene would produce would be anyone’s guess - anything was possible, and while Lucy secretly hoped for at least one of her children to be a wolf too, she’d be happy with any creature, or even if they didn’t inherit anything.

It was as Scott began teething a couple of months later that his very first transformation occurred.

One moment he was a beautiful (if dribbly) baby boy, the next he was a mass of pale fluff. The bird clacked his beak at Jeff before whatever raptor Scott had turned into carefully settled on Lucy’s lap.

A look at Jeff’s face had her laughing quietly, trying her hardest not to disturb the little eaglet, but Scott let out an indignant squawk at being jostled so, with some very visible effort, Lucy got herself under control.

‘Jeff, you’ll hurt Scotty’s feelings if you keep looking at him like that.’ ‘Like what?’ ‘Like you have no idea what he is!’

Flushing, Jeff muttered and he also pulled himself together.

‘Do we even know what bird he is?’ ‘He’s an eagle I think. Very distinctive beak. Which one we won’t know until his feathers grow in.’ ‘An eagle, huh? Nice.’

Again Lucy suppressed her mirth. She’d laughed along with Ruth at Jeff’s shock at discovering newborns weren’t necessarily the most beautiful and now he’d have to go through that all again.

Baby birds were definitely not…pretty. But if Jeff thought a down-covered eaglet wasn’t that pretty she couldn’t wait to see his reaction as Scott’s feathers grew through.

But the pale downy fluff was soft and she enjoyed gently scratching her nestling and Scott seemed to thoroughly enjoy the attention too.

From that time onwards they could never be sure what would greet them first thing. There seemed no pattern as to whether Scott was a baby or an eaglet, but what was certain was that during his roughest times teething he’d frequently change into his bird self.

And as baby Scott reached his milestones so did the eaglet.

The pale downy covering was quickly replaced by a thick grey down. This stayed for a couple of weeks before the pin feathers began to emerge through the down.

Poor Scotty went through a miserable few weeks as this coincided with the breaking through of his upper incisors. Both his selfs were uncomfortable…

Eventually though he had four incisors as his baby self and black-brown feathers on his wings, back and shoulders.

The rest of the eaglet stayed dark grey down, and sometimes, especially when Jeff was feeding Scotty raw meat strips, Lucy would catch him staring at the juvenile with a puzzled look.

The next stage of growth for both selves seemed to arrive suddenly, although Lucy knew that wasn’t the case.

As Scott began to crawl in earnest so his down began to be replaced with his juvenile plumage. Light brown and white feathers replaced the down and a small crest grew at the back of his head.

All this meant that his parents finally found out what species of eagle he was. And Lucy laughed for quite a while. Of course their baby was going to grow up into the biggest eagle there was…

But for now he was still small…ish, and was beginning to flex his wing muscles, so Jeff and Grant set about building several perches at various heights and they cleared the surroundings so Scott could stretch out to his fullest without fear of damaging himself or anything else.

The crest that Scott sported amused both parents.

By the time his eagle-self was a fledging his wing and tail feathers had grown in. His flight feathers had hardened and Scott enjoyed flexing his wings. He’d lost that ‘ugly duckling’ look and was a quite majestic Harpy Eagle even though he wasn’t an adult yet.

Both Jeff and Lucy had done much research on raptors and Harpy Eagles in particular. The wingspan he had now would be a little longer than as a fully-grown adult bird – the web had referred to is as “training wheels” to provide extra help while learning to fly.

It was at this time they came to the realisation that their apartment, while reasonably roomy, was not fit for a growing bird, and as a walking Scott was just as difficult to keep an eye on as a flying Scott…

Grant came to their rescue, letting them know about a farmhouse with land going on the opposite side of town. It was a large building with several outbuildings and fields that Grant would get his men to work if Jeff was interested.

Now eighteen months old, toddler-Scott was into everything and had a turn of speed Jeff frankly envied. He could get into places in the apartment that his parents were sure he shouldn’t be able to. The boy had no concept of “slow” as both human and bird, and it didn’t take long for Scot to take a serious tumble and break his arm.

Thank goodness he’d been human at the time…

It was the deciding factor in them taking the farmhouse. That, and finding out they were expecting again.

~

Part One of Meet The 'Weres

[icomb-ici]

WIP

"He was- he was a hero, and I was his girl. I was what he wanted, what he loved- and the way he loved... he didn't feel the need to protect me, hide me away from the dangers of that life, he wanted me by his side, he wanted me to be with him, live his life, not to be seperated and worry for him. We were always dead set on a new adventure, and we helped whoever we could, however we could along the way. He was a hero, but he used to say that I was his."

I may have Sally and Grant on the mind, and am quite starved for content

[the-original-sineater]

Flufftober:

20: Secret Crush

Dealer’s choice

I'm trying to get back into the swing of writing, before I tackle some of my older, harder stories. So - Please enjoy. ...

It started small, the way these things usually do. An off-handed kindness at a moment when it was needed most. Whatever the gesture was, it had been lost to the mists of time, but the feeling - the feeling was still there. A touch of light and warmth in a moment of cold darkness, enough to drive the shadows back.

They were in several classes together, so there was the comfort of knowing that there was an almost-maybe friend around. Someone to help buffer the gut-sinking nickname of 'New Kid'.

The little kindness continued; a saved seat at lunch, a passed note about a teacher and their temper, a presence near the lockers at the end of the day. Enough repeated meetings that it was less of a chance and more like being friends. 

The end of summer drifted into fall and while she was sure it was friendship on his side, it was become far, far more on hers. 

She watched him from the corner of the hall, tall, impossibly handsome, with eyes so blue, it made the sky jealous. She shook her head at the last one. Too much analysis in Mr. Rowe's English class. 

It was two weeks to the Fall Formal, which was also the Homecoming Dance. She wanted to go, she wanted to go with him. But she was still the 'New Kid' and he was on the baseball team. But she'd die inside if she saw him dancing and laughing with another girl. But was she brave enough to maybe wreck the best friendship she'd ever had on the chance he'd say no?

"Tis better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all." More from Mr. Rowe, but it still fit. 

So, Sally Farmer put on her brightest smile and went to ask Grant Tracy to the dance. 

[pareidoliaonthemove]

Down by the Lake

It was a rare opportunity for Grant and Sally Tracy to spend some time with just one of their grandsons. With his mother still exhausted with a new-born baby, his father at work, and his three eldest brothers safely at school and playgroup, they had taken the opportunity to take Gordon into town – starting with the large park, hoping to let the boy run down some of the seemingly endless energy he possessed.

After all, the worst Gordon could do was get a little damp and dirty, right?

Neither of them worried unduly when Gordon immediately raced to the edge of the ‘lake’, screaming “Fishies!” The boy had promised – promised – that he would stay out of the water this time, not that it really mattered, it was a warm spring day, and Gordon could swim like the fish that so enraptured him.

So it was without any urgency that they followed him down towards the water’s edge, enjoying the day, and each other’s company.

Grant was distracted by an old acquaintance, and stopped to talk, while Sally continued on towards where her grandson was squatting by a large patch of reeds, looking for the fish.

She was unprepared for Gordon to suddenly scream, and start running back towards her.

Pursued by a very large, very angry goose. A hissing, and spitting, and flapping goose.

As her grandson ran past her breathless with terror and tears running down his face, Sally stepped forward, and without thinking, grabbed …

… and suddenly found herself holding an enraged goose by the neck, as it flapped its wings at her furiously, and tried to bite at her arms and fingers.

The men had heard the commotion and came running, skidding to a stop a distance away, and staring in disbelief.

“What the h…!” Grant only just managed to stop himself from cursing in front of his grandson.

“It was attacking Gordon!” Sally said, grimly.

Grant looked towards the long reeds, “Must have gotten too close to a nest in that lot.” He turned back to his wife and chuckled, “Are you going to let it go?”

Sally stared at him. “If I let it go, it’ll attack me! You’re the farmer, you deal with the animal!”

Grant threw his hands up in mock despair. “Fine. Give it here, Sal.”

Sally happily let her husband get a good grip on the bird and released hers, and watched from a safe distance – with her grandson hiding behind her legs – as he all but dragged the bird back to the water’s edge, before kneeling down and awkwardly lifting the goose’s body up. Standing side on to the water’s edge, Grant began rocking the animal back and forth, before with a heave, throwing the animal as far as he could towards the centre of the lake.

The goose recovered quickly, and flew to a gentle-ish landing on the water, before swimming rapidly for the safety of the reeds, all the while honking loudly and indignantly at the man standing resolute on the water’s edge.

Grant stood for a few minutes after the goose had disappeared, waiting to see if the bird would make a reappearance. Eventually he took a couple of steps backwards, before turning to make his way back to his family.

“Well, that was exciting, wasn’t it?” he smiled cheerfully at Gordon. “You know what, after that adventure, I think we all deserve ice cream, don’t you?”

As Gordon shouted happily, and shot off in the direction of the general store where the he knew his grandfather brought his favourite ice creams. This time Grant and Sally hurried after him.

After all, there was no telling what trouble he could find.

Notes:

I was recently reminded of a story of my grandparent’s antics when a goose tried attacking my younger sister in a public park (many, many years ago).

The goose never stood a chance. Not when Grandma was there.

The standard disclaimers, I do not own Thunderbirds, either the Original Series, the Movies (both Supermarionation and Live Action), or the Thunderbirds Are Go Series. (Although I do own copies on DVD.)

I do not do this for money, but for my own (in)sanity and entertainment.

[gumnut-logic]

Wire (Bit 1)

Quickly before work...

Warning: Whump.

-o-o-o-

The wire was cold between his fingertips, but the memory was warm.

“Virgil, hold this please.”

His grandfather handed him a hammer and turned to yank the wire towards the fencepost. Pulling a u-nail out of his tool belt, he held out a hand, obviously asking for the hammer back.

Virgil, barely seven years old, found the hammer heavy, but managed to hand it over.

“Thanks, squirt.”

He jumped as his grandfather hammered the nail into place. It was a temporary fix for a broken piece of fence.

Sheep stared at them in the distance.

“Maintenance is important, Virgil. Fix it now, you don’t have to worry about the mess it will make later if you ignore it.”

“Yes, Grandpa.”

Grandpa Tracy looked down at him and smiled. All the freckles on his face crinkled up and the wind had blown his pale red hair into a funny mess.

As if sensing Virgil’s scrutiny, he rubbed a hand through the thin curls and muttered. “And don’t forget your hat because Grandma will toast you more than the sun.”

Virgil giggled.

And coughed.

Oh god.

Pain radiated out from his stomach, wrapped around his brain and took out the memory and slapped him with reality.

“Grandpa...”

But Grandpa was long gone, taken with his mother. Red curly hair, freckled smile...

His eyelids drooped.

“Virgil, honey?” His grandmother’s voice was laced with electronic static.

“G’ma...” He cleared his throat and groaned. “I’ve got my hat on, I promise.”

“Virgil, dear, your brothers are on their way. You hang in there, you here me?”

Grandpa smiled at him. He had come out all this way for the ride in the tractor. Grandpa sometimes let him steer a little.

“Virgil?”

“Yes, Grandma.”

“Always listen to your Grandma, squirt, she knows what she is talking about.” His grandfather smiled. “Except in the kitchen.”

“Yes, Grandpa. I will.”

“Virgil?”

He forced his eyes open. The space he was in was lit up in flickering yellow and orange as something burned somewhere. His fingers traced the wire, the far too thin rebar that had led to the building collapse. Cheap and poor design. People were dead.

Somewhere inside Virgil the engineer screamed against the injustice. Rebar, little more than fencing wire...how...?

“If you’re going to do a job, squirt, do it properly the first time. Good work builds a good and lasting product.”

Seven year old him nodded attentively.

“Good work will look after your own. Keep them safe.” Grandpa waved a hand at the suspicious sheep. “Us builders have a responsibility to those we build for.”

“Yes, Grandpa.”

“Virgil, honey? Talk to me.”

Grandma?

Something sparked and hissed of to his left. Virgil jumped and had to gasp at the pain that shot through him.

God.

“Grandma? Help...”

-o-o-o-

Next

[cg29]

A young Sally with Grant - Also we can see where Virg got his taste in clothes from.

[darkestwolfx]

EOS - Re-Review #8

Above photo credit: Jackardy (DeviantArt) P.S. I’ve always loved this poster and I wish ITV had issued more like it for episode promos!

This episode stands as another of my favourites! John and Alan in space, John getting screen-time, the creation of EOS, the family worry and eventual relief - there’s just so many reasons (in my book) to love it. It felt to me like everything I’d been waiting for. And it was written with perfect expression as a nod to the absent Jeff - the family had a really believable reason to react as they did and it makes me imagine how hard it must have been on them to lose their Father.

Anyway, let’s actually get onto the episode!

And lets start with the bagels!

I actually quite like bagels, although I think homemade ones are best (not that the boys here would probably agree with me on that - and so I’m assuming John’s aren’t made by Grandma, else I doubt there would be this smile.

And yeah, I’d have alarm bells ringing in my head when an emergency alert doesn’t get you a response. Seriously though, look at those red eyes! I don’t like how EOS can move so fast either, it’s a little scary!

Look at that evil fake! No cares in the world... and John is up there dying.

And this face says it all! It’s all fun and games until it’s not, remember. No, really, serious note, take the happy moments whilst you can.

“She sent a selfie?”

Yeah, I know, I shared the feelings John. How Penelope thought that I will never know! Parker made me laugh again - deep sea bonkers is not a thing, especially not when on dry land!

It seemed appropriate to me that cookies foiled EOS’ master plan - really though that was what did it over John’s strange messages. Cue EOS learning the line;

‘and I would have got away with too, if it wasn’t for Grandma’s cooking!’

I could actually imagine that happening though strangely...

Anyhow, the pressure was all on Alan really - he was the only one sent up there (I never quite understood that - well, I did, but I didn’t at the same time if that makes sense) and it was kinda in his hands whether John lived or died - I mean what if the poor kid had to live with being too late?

* Sorry - I took a break to note a new episode tag idea  Don’t mind me *

Have a picture of EOS whilst you wait!

Ooopps, sorry that’s an EOS R - Sort of close?

Real thing - much better!

EOS really can cause havoc when she wants to! I think it’s a good thing she ends up on the side of our heroes, else there might have been worse than the Chaos Crew a whole lot sooner!

I’d just like to say... John knows the meaning of a red button - whether that was always there or learnt after ‘Ring of Fire’ who knows?

The montage of expressions was seriously the best, and I know this image is overused, but I love it, so there.

It seemed like a really nice way to end the episode too, and it was a really lovely concept to give John a friend that could live with him. I mean, John claims not to be lonely, and it is an often made assumption that people who are alone must be lonely because-

But actually, part of John was lonely deep down and that was a lovely take from TOS;

“Gets kinda lonely up here. Oh well.”

And it was done in a really nice way. In fact, I think Alan’s lines in Runaway were a well-written way to get John to actually think about how lonely he might be. A really good bit of writing there - someone send the writers a bag of sweets on my behalf?

Rescue count: 11

P.S. Gordon and Virgil know how to pull off a high five, Alan; go speak to them;