Forever Home renovated Chapter 3
“-Rip your toenails out one by one if I had the chance!” Richter spat. Alright, his tirade was unfair. He wasn’t sure what he expected when he stepped out into the open. He guessed just to be looked at? Possibly talked to? That he could have handled so close. Instead, he found himself hating the man outside the window.
“Couldn’t have just kept your grabby hands to yourself. You’ve earned every single bite you got!” He threw his hands down on his knees and stood up. It was irrational, but the whole thing had to be the giant’s fault. He didn’t blame him for the kidnapping that was probably well out of the bearded bastard’s control. He did however blame him for the most recent loss of dignity.
He spent the morning pouting and pacing around the house again. He tried to make sense of the books, failed, and stuffed them back in place. He tried to tidy the place or rearrange it in his own fashion. It occurred to him that years spent sleeping under any sort of stable roof, on the floor made him a poor housekeeper.
Any decompressing action he took just frustrated him more. In the end, he had only one real source of entertainment. He sat and watched the giant. Who in turn, only showed himself a few times, at least at an angle Richter could see from the house.
He had no real sense of time. He was aware quite a bit had passed however. Because his keeper was in and out of the room every so often. He had no choice but to assume it was the afternoon by now. He was starting to wonder when the next feeding time was. As his stomach was starting to tighten.
Richter groaned. He wanted something to occupy himself with. All he had so far was looking outside. There was a perfect track for jogging outside. The likelihood of being grabbed was too high though. He could only sit with his own thoughts so long. His eyes stared wistfully at the jogging track. Longing and fury built in his chest.
His frustration rekindled, and he stormed into the kitchen and grabbed himself a glass of water. He tried to decide if talking to the big guy was even helpful. If for no other reason, it was probably better for his mental health. He slumped against the counter with his back facing the clear wall. Light filtered in, but it lacked the warmth of a nice sunny day.
It also didn’t change position like it did outside. He found himself missing the clear sounds of the abandoned city. Silence didn’t happen. Not really. Even now, he could hear bird song outside his cage. Which made no sense because he was in a house, inside another house. He assumed. He’d been asleep when they arrived so he had no real concept of his master’s dwellings.
Maybe the birds were normal? He spun about and managed to catch a glimpse of them picking at the lawn outside. He couldn't help but laugh incredulously. There were actual sparrows outside. They fled when they saw him, and he couldn’t help but try and follow them.
They were well gone by the time he got outside. Though the giant spun about to look at him. Richter used the open doorway to shelter himself a bit, but kept his gaze outside for the animals. It was the first sense of familiarity he’d had since arriving.
When he was sure his little friends wouldn’t be coming back, he returned to his sulking. He sat in the kitchen and stared out the window. The birds were a surprise at first, but now, he could relate to them slightly. He too was dealing with something much larger than himself.
Idly he started to think about his situation. Maybe he was like the birds. Flighty and scared. Even if there was no real malice from the Jötun. He couldn’t help but compare himself to his apparent master. He meant no harm but the birds didn’t know that. They didn’t know he wasn’t going to chase and eat them. Or, maybe they did, but still thought of him as a big terrifying monster. He could relate.
Out the window, the Jötun watched him. Leaned quietly against the wall and staring into the enclosure directly at him. He really wished the big guy wouldn’t stare so. With a huff, Richter slid from the bench to the floor. He rested on his belly and relished in the cold texture.
Interestingly enough, when he stopped leering, the animals returned. Richter’s attention snapped back to them, and he made an effort to be smaller. Quieter. Even that movement spooked them. Thankfully they didn’t flee this time though. He supposed he really was like his avian friends. Only he couldn’t fly away. If he could, he wouldn’t even be here.
They flitted about and dug for worms. Though he was unsure if they’d find any. He wasn’t even sure sparrows ate worms. They lacked the sharp beaks that robins carried. Richter wondered if they were even supposed to be in the house. The giant gave no response to them, but let his hand droop into the enclosure. Richter was ready to watch the animals scatter again, but they paid him no mind.
Perhaps he was too big for them to fathom, or maybe they were accustomed to him. He was almost envious if that was the case. Slowly he scooted a little closer, and again, the birds were gone. Richter grumbled softly. He never had time to master the art of birds, he supposed.
Hunting, yes. Mostly urban hunting. His parents never dared to leave the city when he was travelling with them. His father thought the monsters were more numerous out there, where they could move freely. It was actually more likely to be the opposite, now that Richter gave it thought. The dense trees outside of the city made for better hiding and hunting.
It was too late to think about now. Richter shut his eyes. He could hear the creature above him cluck his tongue, and chose to ignore it. No point in paying close attention. He only reacted when the monstrosity cheered out loud. He snapped to attention and stared horror when he saw the back of the giant’s hand beside him.
Richter jerked violently to the side, and spat more curses at the brute. He rolled almost under the bench by the time he stopped to analyze the situation. When the hand didn’t approach or move at all, Richter played the situation out in his mind. He was inside the shelter, not in the yard. The Jötun was on the other side of the wall. Richter’s shoulders relaxed, and he let his eyes shut. This was acceptable.
He could live with slow exposure therapy. Richter was still halfway across the room, but he could stay there. It was about then he realized the Jötun was talking at him. His tone was high pitched and cheery. Slowly Richter pieced the idea together in his mind, and laughed. “Are you... Praising me?” He chuckled incredulously.
When the jötun brightened up and got a little louder, he shook his head. Probably something along the lines of ‘good boy’ or something like that. “You titanic nerd.” He snorted. Richter’s head lolled to the side as he rested his chin on his folded arms. He stared out the window softly.
He had to consider this situation as though he were the giant. Like with the birds, his master probably meant him no harm. On that note, if the constant grabbing weren’t so intrusive, he could actually see it as being enjoyable. The giant’s grip was broad and warm. He was careful not to squish Richter even when he’d fully encased the man.
The hand came a little closer, and Richter again tensed. His eyes locked warily on the giant as the dreaded enclosing fingers came to rest. Again, Richter could relax. His body slowed down and he settled into a comfortable position.
He started to feel himself drift off, sleep overtook him slowly. Until the giant clucked his tongue again. Richter snorted and clicked his own tongue back mockingly. He scooted out from under the bench, and looked to the wall. There was an entire hand covering the glass wall now. Richter’s gut churned uncomfortably. He shook his head and backed further away.
He was certain he wasn’t about to be grabbed. The brute wasn’t about to reach through glass. Nor was he reaching for the panel to open the wall. It made no sense what so ever to flatten your hand against the enclosure just to reach in anyways. He was already caught and couldn’t get any more ‘in captivity’ than this. So the Giant wasn’t about to snatch him up. Logically he knew he was safe.
Yet he couldn’t shake the association. He’d been snatched up by store employees and his initial captors so often that the sight of an open hand was disconcerting. He put as much space between them as he could. Once he backed into the counter, he started to climb it just to get distance.
The Jötun retracted his hand as though it had been burned. To be fair, Richter could still see the red mark from where he’d bitten down. He winced guiltily at that. Some things he couldn’t deny. The fact that he’d bitten the giant was one of them.
Come to think of it, the other was that he’d seen actual magic again. Seeing a gryphon and a mermaid had been one thing. Those paled, however, in the face of actual spells being slung about. It was hardly the first time he’d seen or experienced magic. The lights dancing around the ceiling were proof of that. He’d been pinned and had something done to him before as well. Some sort of spell he had no context for.
None of it compared to what his master just did. He’d absolutely been hurt from the fall down the stairs. Then miraculously, it was gone. The pain, the shock, even the residual damage. He was pretty sure he’d at least have scrapes on his chin from the embarrassing fall. Yet there he was, unharmed and unhindered. A hapless brute wouldn’t bother to notice such things.
Richter rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. He couldn’t exactly apologize out side of actively touching the spot he’d bit. That option was too out of the way right now. He wouldn’t be able to handle it. Instead he took a breath, and slid slowly off the counter top.
They hadn’t known one another long. His heart was still jackrabbiting any time he saw the big guy. But he knew when he was in the wrong. He took a breath, and scratched the short hair on the back of his neck while he spoke.
“I...I know you can't understand me. Other wise, this is the sickest joke I've ever seen. But you have to know that I need time.” He folded his arms around himself.
“I’m not an egotistical maniac. I can admit I’m scared. I don’t like this. I don’t want to be coddled and cooed at. I don’t want to be stared at all the time and picked up and told I’m a ‘good boy’ or what ever. But I don’t have a choice here.” He started to pace as he spoke.
They were both intelligent beings and he had to think of it like that. “Just don’t be a dick. Please?” The jötun was already walking away, having taken Richters food tray. He slumped. At least he’d get to eat. That was a bonus to being ignored. If it was anything like before, he’d be glad for the meal.
When the tray was slid back in place, he found it piled with new delights. More vegetables, but also fruit, and some small bits of jerky that he’d had in the store. He was about to go for the table until the jötun clicked his tongue again. Richter paid him full attention this time. Confused.
Apparently that was the correct answer, because the big guy smiled at, and praised him. A moment later the tray was pulled away, and something more was placed on it. Once it returned, Richter found himself staring at a small, round cake of some sort.
He was pointed to his meal, and the giant left his sight. So treats were on the table. Quite literally. Richter shrugged, and sat down to eat. Operant conditioning aside, he was genuinely glad that food at least was readily available.
With a huff, he decided to start with desert first. The cake just about melted in his mouth. He hadn’t tasted vanilla since he was twelve, and only found himself enraptured by the rediscovered flavour. It was sweeter than he was used to, and spongy like a proper pastry. It lacked some of the undertones that were burned into his memory, but he’d sworn he was just taken back in time via his sense of taste.
Of course it didn’t help that he was in a climate controlled building with no threat of muggers or predators. With a sigh, he watched outside the garden. The birds were back, and it finally started to make sense. They were like flies. You never knew how a fly got in the house, but there was always at least one every year. They probably slipped in through the door.
A house this large likely had plenty of food scraps they could subside on. More over, they were so small the big guy hardly had to worry about them. He almost appeared to enjoy their presence. He supposed if flies sang so beautifully humans would mind them less too.
With a sigh, Richter came to a grim realization. He’d go mad if he didn’t step out of the shelter at least once. It was worth at least stepping out when the unnamed master was out. A groan tore from his throat. “This is going to suck.”
He finished his meal and exited the house once he was sure the jötun was out of sight. Of course the back wall was solid, so ‘out of sight’ was more like ‘either out of the room or just behind the house’. He stepped onto the grass, and almost instantly he heard the shifting of the jötun behind him. Richter debated on springing back inside, but the last time didn’t end well.
There was a stain in the grass below his feet. Copper red. He probably split his chin on his fall. With a wince, he rubbed his own chin. Sure enough some crusty material came up on his fingertips. What he wouldn’t give for a pocket mirror.
He contented himself with sitting in the doorway, and watching with discomfort as his master took his food dish. The giant crossed the room, but beyond the high walls Richter could only see the top of his head. He could hear water, and the dish smashing noisily. He chose to lay his head on his knees. He wanted to explore the whole area but couldn’t bring himself to be so exposed again.
The garden was beautiful now that he took the time to look at it. The bushes bore fruit, the tree was in flower. The birds tapped his feet. Richter jumped, and frightened off the curious little feather balls. He slumped with disappointment.
A soft hiss alerted him to the fact he was being watched. The jötun sat with mild interest. Snickering at Richters failed attempt at bird watching. With dramatic flair, Richter dragged himself into the house. He was laughed at for his rebellion. Defeated, Richter shot him a middle finger, and stormed up the stairs. He glared at the step that carried a small splash of red.
The house was white. He hadn’t taken the time to think of it, but the stairs and lower floors were almost marble white. He scoffed. It would only be easier to see the mess that way. Possibly that was the point. Cleaning became easy if you saw every little splash and splotch.
His bedroom was a nice respite from the constant view of the larger world outside. He sat down and pressed his fingers to old scars. This would just become normal eventually. All things did. He hated change. Hated the unsure feeling of forces beyond his power acting on his life.
He wondered if his parents had a similar fate. Though he tried to push their memories back further, and further, he still thought of them. The terror in his mother’s eyes when their captor came. The angry shouts of his father while he hacked away at the beasts fingers with his hatchet. Richter’s mother had kicked him into a basement during the attack. Or, capture. Maybe they were still out there now.
Were they together still? Or did they get separated? Did they hold each other through these dark times? It was by far a better fate than drowning in a flooded river. He started to think of her. He shook his head violently. Better to deal with the giant right now than think of that. Richter forced himself to look out the tinted glass.
Sure enough, his Master was working on that book, looking down at him. He wondered what the man was even writing. He played with the idea. Hour whatever, the small angry thing took a nap. Further monitoring needed. He snorted and sat himself up. Probably was still calling him ‘Ricky’ in that damn book.
He tried to think of something less daunting. Maybe daydream. When he was a child, he went on adventures with his favourite cartoon characters in the private space of his mind. Until the world crumbled. Then they changed. Either about finding food during the lean times, or finding a community of people who skipped the collapse.
Now? He tried to think about something other than survival. That was almost guaranteed. He tried to think of the future, but saw nothing. Nothing he could definitively say ‘that’s probably going to happen’. Instead he thought of the immediate moment. With a miserable shrug, he realized that he was going to take a long time to adjust.
~
“Just once I wish these sorts of things were better handled. Why does it fall to the curious to explore every aspect of the world?” He tapped his pen irritably on the pages. What was he supposed to write that hadn’t already been said? Ricky was quite determined to avoid him. Though he did respond if prompted.
A sharp ache struck up Bear’s forearm. Unspent magic that sat just below his skin searched for an escape. A grim reminder that he had an actual job. A role that he’d been neglecting for a while. His time as a recluse was up. He’d have to return to his duties soon.
Being an elemental creature, Bear, as well as every other giant, had a role to play in his world. He bit his lip thinking about it. Other wars were fought, he’d fought in them. Never did they leave such a scar as the one fought between the true gods and the false dieties. The god war was long before his own birth and yet it still left shudders in the physical world.
Elements clashed violently, in an attempt to equalize and settle. They made waves that Trampled and devoured each other despite being the same force. Only after a god war would you find a desert surrounded by tundra.
Thus the need for Elemental giants to maintain some semblance of a boarder. Almost like dams in that thrashing tide. A wall to limit the damage. Without them, there would be no stability for life to flourish. It was indeed the lack of stability that led to many of the wars that occured.
Bear’s own forest was beginning to feel the ice from the neighbouring perimeter creep in. He could feel it. Unlike the natural sleep of winter, this was a biting chill that shook his bones. He gave a short prayer to the goddess of life, and stood. Time was up. He’d have to bite back.
The question was where to start. Bear made a small sketch of Ricky while he pondered his actions. Ricky himself was an unknown element to this. Where did his species fit in the natural order? Bear himself was responsible for nurturing the woods and wildlife. Did Ricky’s kind need to populate the land as well?
He drummed his fingers on the wall of the enclosure. That was until Ricky shouted at him. There was something strangely intelligent about the little stinker. It was like watching a grizzly figure out a complex puzzle. Gears were turning in that little mind.
He jotted down in his notes to try giving Ricky a puzzle to play with. It was probably best he took the time away. The break from his constant presence might encourage more natural behaviours. Though he hated to miss out on the little fellow’s exploration.
With a long suffering sigh, he stared into the enclosure one last time. Which must have upset Ricky, who promptly threw a pillow at the wall. The giant smirked. Bear wasn’t always the type to keep a pet. Aside from actual bears. They were more affectionate than they were given credit for. If not a bit sharper than Ricky. He stared at his bitten hand and huffed.
Ricky needed something to do. Other than being pestered by his overgrown master. So Bear stood. “You win, Ricky. Stay out of trouble alright?” He patted the wall twice, and walked away. He made his way out the door, and made a point to close it louder than usual.
The road wound before him, with the ever present crunch of debris under his feet. First order of business was to go and handle the encroaching cold from the mountains. He started west, and tromped his way to the mountain’s base. There he caught sight of the local ice giant. Though she tried to keep the wall back on her own, she was failing.
The freeze was turning the bark of the trees white. The leaves were a dully fatal brown. Several hadn’t even had the time to drop into hibernation. The worst of it was the rotted undergrowth. Visible only if he squinted, and invisible to any giant who didn’t know what to look for. Sometimes it paid to have a familiar, who could point things like that out. Who knew, he might need to consider a familiar someday.
She was young for a giantess. Only a fraction of his age. Created from sheer snow and ice, her body gleamed in the sunlight. Sparkling like fresh snow. She wore something like a rough tunic, with a large cloak of fur. Something she’d have spent ages to make.
He couldn’t help the guilt. He’d left this poor youngster to manage the whole thing for a little too long. Her hands were cracked from spending so much time outside of her frozen climate. The whole time she never complained, or tried to find him. Didn’t even send a messenger from the mountains. She just gave him time. He’d have to make this count.
Her cold blue eyes turned to him, and she huffed. “Took you a while old timer.” Ah, the impertinence of youth, he chuckled at her antics. The ice giant hurriedly scooped a couple of encroaching polar beasts into a fist. A snarl marred her features. Her frustration was more than understandable.
It wasn’t uncommon for animals to try and expand their territory. It was however, unusual for them to be so brazen in front of a carnivorous giant. He wondered if they knew she couldn’t focus on them for too long. He also debated on whether or not she’d devour them later. It took very little to keep ice giants full, but what they did take taught the younger, foolish ones the folly of expanding off the mountains.
They’d be uncontested if they were to breach into the temperate lands Bear oversaw. The climate was cool enough that the animals wouldn’t suffer the heat. The wildlife had no countering magic. Unlike the polar beasts they could not freeze the world around them. Just as magic warped the land, it warped the beasts of it. Meaning polar beasts were more than capable of stopping prey in their steps before even catching up physically.
She popped the animals into a pouch on her side and shot him a glare. Bear could only shrug. She could only make ice, make walls and breaks. She couldn’t restore what she failed to protect. That was his job. “Stand back pup. Let this old timer work.” He waved her off. With a stretch, he plunged both hands into the soil. It was still warm, probably from the efforts of the ice giant.
With a huff, he shoved as much innate magic into the ground. All about him new, green life sprung and forced the weakened ice back up the mountain it was contained on. Warm browns and shocking colours snapped from the earth. New flowers bloomed instantly in the surviving brush behind him. He shoved as much life into the ground as he could until nothing cold lasted in his border.
Satisfied with his work, he shook himself free of the dirt. Next, Bear collected the deadened trees from the Ice giants realm. “You’ve been gone a while.” She commented. She gripped a frozen tree and ripped it from the earth. “Every thing okay?” Her eyes grew more concerned as she spoke. She was young, but not foolish. He smirked and trapped the frost giant into a casual hug.
“All’s well. I’ve been preparing to take on a new pet is all. Yourself? I hear someone has been trying to steal your heart away.” He winked at the giantess and saw her flush a deeper blue. He could hardly remember her name. Though he knew she was entangled with a black ice giant. One who left invisible, impossibly cold stains at the highest points of their landmass. She welcomed him into her home. Both shared sides of the territory to manage.
The woman shoved herself hard from his form. With an awkward cough she turned her back on him. “Yeah well. He’s... Gods above and below Bear, don’t make me get all mushy. He’s nice. Alright. He’s nice.” She rubbed the back of her neck.
“You should tell him that.” He grinned. “Honesty is the best way to a healthy love life.” He bumped her hip. The woman rolled her eyes and shoved the older giant into the snow beside her. He was larger, but hardly cared to romp about like some young beast. The crack of ice and snow sounded below him.
“I don’t need relationship advice from someone who hasn’t even TOLD his intended.” She scoffed. It was his turn to grow red in the cheeks. Well, green. He couldn’t actually flush red.
“Now hold on a minute young lady. That’s not-” He ended up with a face full of snow.
“Don’t start. We all see it. You’ve known each-other for centuries now.” She rolled her eyes. “And for the gods favour stop dropping off the face of the earth like that. We debated on scrying just to make sure you were still alive.”
‘We’. That was a word he still had trouble grasping. The land around him was so vast for his part. But there were communities. He could name at least two more forest giants around. The lady behind him was also a neighbour, and her new partner. They had two fire giants nearby as well. Keeping the heart of their lands. They visited sometimes. Particularly around festivals. But for the most part, they were passing faces.
Giants spend most time solitary. They visited one another as friends, sometimes even joined territories to create something new. For the most part though, there was just no need to stay so close. It was kind of them to at least think of him.
Bear glared at her flatly. “You know, knocking exists. You could indeed, just visit.” He shook the snow out of his beard and scoffed. “And I’m not going to tell him squat. He’s shown no interest in me so there ain’t much point to it. Kiddo.”
The giantess stared at him flatly. Then burst into laughter. “Did you forget my name again? Going senile or something?”
“It’s been a decade since we last spoke. Scorn me.” He chuckled. He was starting to wish he’d had been a better neighbour. Satisfied with the overall management, Bear turned back to the woods. Neither of them were too concerned about his forgetting her name. He’d remember it eventually.
The woman spun about and shouted after him. “Tell him you idiot! The whole range has been waiting for you two to finally say something!” He sped out of earshot. His relationship with his long time friend was no business of the whole damn community. There were at least seven or eight Giants in the area. Making it awkward with one would only bring him trouble. Thus, he chose not to act on his feelings for Archibald.
The two had gone to war along side one another. When Archibald went missing for too long, it had been Bear who demanded his rescue. They found him inside a mountain, battling with a score of sun-elves. They’d tried to take up smithing from the magical stone that grew off the giant. Almost managed to pin Archibald down and properly chain him for mining.
As it turned out, nothing an elf could forge could not hold a giant down. Archibald had rooted through the whole mountain, snatching up his attackers. That had been a grim day for elf kind. When the dust had settled, the found Archibald lecturing his captives.
The iron wars were started from a logical place. Iron was poison to elves. Dwarves mined it and brought it readily into the surface. Conflict was bound to happen. It just happened a bit more violently than anticipated. No one expected the sun elves to start it. They also hadn’t expect them to try and turn on the giants. That was what started their involvement. Giants, dragons and other elementals hardly ever joined wars unless provoked. The kidnapping of three giants sure as hells provoked them.
While he ruminated on this, the sprawl of woodland around him thinned. The forest giant stumbled over a stump. Bear glanced to the bared earth below. Another patch of untended land. Something had taken the trees in a strange way. They were cut clean, mere stumps in the earth. He couldn’t think of a creature that took wood in such a way. He shook his head in confusion. New critters? Just one more thing to look into.
Perhaps he needed to be more proactive in his tending of the land. Things had fallen into so much disrepair. Bear would have to walk about and double check on the state of affairs more frequently.
He dropped one of the deadened logs onto the ground, and crushed it underfoot. With a sprinkle of magic, the land started to consume the rotted tree. Probably would become a nice meadow. Though he wondered what had taken the trees in the first place.
He stepped carefully to watch for any flushed out animals. Perhaps the culprits were among the dense woodland. For the most part he caught glimpses of birds, deer, and tiny creatures he could hardly comprehend. He’d had them described to him, but could never actually make them out.
He returned to the warp gate and stepped through. Fresh timber was good nesting material for certain dragons. As well as good feasting material for his own people. He brought it into a market stall to sell. From there, he returned to the pet shop.
A simple puzzle was best for now. He stepped into the building and came face to face with the same employee. “Mr Heart! Welcome back. Is your pet to your liking? Or were you looking to get him some company?” The young giant scampered around the counter.
Bear could catch just a glimpse of a glass cage. Inside was a familiar face. One of the elves he’d fought back in the war. “Is that... Avari?” The elf spun about. His ears pinned back, and he gave his biggest hiss. It was him alright. Same blonde hair loose at his shoulders. Same bad attitude. Though Bear couldn’t blame him much. He had been at the forefront of the war it’s self.
He’d been there, when the giants ended their bloodless campaign, and chose to simply end things. It had happened after a particularly nasty fatality. One Bear could not accept. Giants ended things peacefully if possible. However, it was never a guarantee. Which many beings forgot until the iron war.
Bear clearly remembered the bite of the elf’s weapon in his ankle. The sting of loosed magic snapping through his tendons in an attempt to wound him. Just enough to prevent the giant from moving. There was a sickening satisfaction that it hadn’t worked. That his body didn’t allow him to falter.
Avari likely only did what he did to survive. There was no ill will towards the elf. Though he still couldn’t help but feel bitter about the whole situation. Bear watched him now, as he stared into the giant’s eyes with recognition. There was a hint of fear in his body language. Although it was subtle, probably due to the size of the man.
“Oh, yes. He’s a surrender. He um... Tried to murder his last master.” The younger giant tapped his fingers together. “No more similar sized masters for him. I’m afraid. Though you two seem to know one another, it might be a good match if-”
Bear held up a hand to stop him. “We’ve got bad blood. I don’t think it’s in either of our best interest to make that arrangement.” He shook his head. He could hear the elf protesting much the same. With more swearing and far more hissing. He found elf hisses to be the funniest thing. They were tiny, and cute. Sad that they only really came from true hatred and terror.
With a nod of recognition, Bear passed by Avari. The sun elf hissed again, refusing to speak like an actual person to him in particular. Honestly he reminded Bear of Ricky. With less biting. Perhaps Avari would have been a more agreeable choice. He snorted at his own private joke.
“Getting my scamp a puzzle. Any recommendations?” He tried to include the youngster. Who, in turn, leaped at the chance to be helpful to his hero. Thankfully the boy had been dissuaded from any further pushing of another pet. The fresh giant brought up a list of puzzles and toys. One was a strange wooden structure, made into a dome of open windows.
“We’ve seen these where Scamps tend to hang around. The one’s we’ve found appear to be a metal of some sort. But we can’t really have that around the elves. So we’re trying shaped wood. Grown by giants like yourself!” He held it out. “They love to climb on top of these things! Some of the other critters like it too. Griphons love to perch on them.”
As if to prove his point, an indignant squawk dragged both their attention. A griphon had been climbing on it’s own little dome when it’s cagemate chased it off and sat atteh very top above it. They launched into a play chase around the enclosure. The dome ended up in his basket not long after.
With a chuckle, he took a glance at the scamp section. Just to see if any behaved like Ricky. A few did. Mostly males. Others hid. He laughed as one threw his entire bedding at the glass. So throwing objects was absolutely part of the behaviour.
Some of the enclosures now carried more enrichment, and he took note of the most used toys. Most of it was improvised from different animals. A large ball was being thrown at him by an adult. Some soft fabric tents were being hidden beneath. There was an odd individual who just sat and stared, holding a stuffed toy to his chest. Unconcerned by anything around him.
It was during his inspiration walk that Bear spotted his first youngster. It stayed close to the adult with it. He couldn’t discern whether the young one was male or female. The adult, however was female. She shoved the child behind her and balled her fist. He chose to back away.
“Oh those two? The ones who sold them to us say they were caught separately. But the little one clung to the adult so closely that we decided they’re a package deal.” The young cashier smiled. “I wish we knew where the actual parent was though.”
“Might have been orphaned. Though it is interesting that they’ll adopt unrelated young.” Bear commented. He chose a few small toys. Though he oped out of the tents for now. Stuffed animals were added to the selection though. One gripphon toy caught his eyes. A fluffy bundle of feathers on a stick. That too, was put into the basket.
With is new puzzles in tow, and a bath set up, Bear paid for his trinkets. Avari scoffed from his position. He took note of the scars on Bears hand. A satisfied smile spread over his features. “I hope your pet never stops biting you.” The elf spat. It had almost been a century since he’d last heard that hateful voice.
Yet he felt he deserved the scorn it carried. “And I hope you heal from the things apologies cannot mend.” Bear sighed. Avari hissed at him one final time, and threw him a rude gesture for good measure. He shut himself in a little tent to hide away.
With that, Bear gathered his new gifts for Ricky, and made his way back home. He wished the elf well, even if they were bitter towards one another. Bear found it hard to forgive the attempted hamstringing. At least at the beginning. Not one elf death had happened when Avari tried it. In fact, it was that action that cemented the deal. Bear still would rather see the little guy in a safe situation.
The war had come to mind a lot this day. It would probably be a bad night for sleep then. It always was when the memories came back. With a scoff, Bear sped up. He’d worry about that later. Or better yet, not at all. He wouldn’t let himself dwell on it this day. He’d feed Ricky, and give him toys, and watch him be happy and thrive.
Even if his heart was trying to beat faster. Even if the spot where he’d been struck in battle itched. Bear chose to block it out. He held it firmly with one hand. He quickened his pace. If he just got home fast enough, he might be able to catch Ricky outside of his shelter. That was a nice thing to think about. Ricky was his focus now. Ricky, and the forest.
His two responsibilities he could make his priority. If he could tame Ricky down enough, he might even be able to combine the two. He entertained the idea of carrying the little fellow along while tending his forest. A worthy distraction. He wondered if Ricky was much of an explorer.
~
Meanwhile, back at the house, Richter was climbing his shelter. He eyed the wall with a grin. It wouldn’t take much to build a way out. If he just was stubborn enough. Thankfully, he was indeed, quite stubborn. It wouldn’t be freedom, but it’d be something. Something other than the dull garden he was already growing tired of seeing.