The grounds of the orphanage encircle the building, enclosed by a high (though in many places, somewhat structurally unsound) stone wall. Rows upon rows of vegetables, a small group of fruit trees, a small pond, and a paddock where a few goats and sheep roam -- a single wooden swing hung from a tall oak tree -- the building itself can oftentimes be dull, dark, and depressing but the grounds are usually cheery and bright. Even in winter, at least there are animals and other children to play with.
The children do the majority of the work in keeping up the gardens, tending to the animals and weeding the vegetable beds. Still, free time is spent here as well.
It is currently WINTER -- the grounds are cold most days, but there is little snow to speak of yet. It is often sunny, despite the chill.
The children do the majority of the work in keeping up the gardens, tending to the animals and weeding the vegetable beds. Still, free time is spent here as well.
It is currently WINTER -- the grounds are cold most days, but there is little snow to speak of yet. It is often sunny, despite the chill.
Kiro loved the cold. He was unsure why. Was it a racial trait? He had never had direct contact with another of his kind, so he did not know. Perhaps he had simply acclimatised himself with the cold from his time on the streets. Or maybe it was just a personal preference. Whatever the case, he was able to brave the winter temperatures with nothing but a pair of shorts and a basic short-sleeved shirt to maintain his temperature.
Sat with his back to a tree, Kiro idly plucked at the grass that grew just within reach with his long, prehensile toes. His bare feet had some soil residue stuck to them, but he had not really done much else whilst outside except sit around and enjoy the chill; and thus they were still clean enough for an encounter with the doormat to be enough to clear away the dirt. He was quite sure he could get away with returning to the building without getting scolded for not wearing his socks.
With a soft sigh, the white-haired monkey-boy eventually stood up and stretched. He had spent enough time relaxing - it was about time that he got back to studying. Having spent most of his life without a formal education, he was determined to master everything that a child of his age would normally be taught with a full childhood of schooling. He was getting close with mathematics and sciences now, but other areas - included literacy - required a little more work. With those thoughts in mind, he began a slow, calm walk back toward the front door, tail angled just right behind him to catch the breeze and allow the wind to brush through the fur that grew on it. Perhaps he would do the studying in the common room today... as long as it wasn't too crowded.
Sat with his back to a tree, Kiro idly plucked at the grass that grew just within reach with his long, prehensile toes. His bare feet had some soil residue stuck to them, but he had not really done much else whilst outside except sit around and enjoy the chill; and thus they were still clean enough for an encounter with the doormat to be enough to clear away the dirt. He was quite sure he could get away with returning to the building without getting scolded for not wearing his socks.
With a soft sigh, the white-haired monkey-boy eventually stood up and stretched. He had spent enough time relaxing - it was about time that he got back to studying. Having spent most of his life without a formal education, he was determined to master everything that a child of his age would normally be taught with a full childhood of schooling. He was getting close with mathematics and sciences now, but other areas - included literacy - required a little more work. With those thoughts in mind, he began a slow, calm walk back toward the front door, tail angled just right behind him to catch the breeze and allow the wind to brush through the fur that grew on it. Perhaps he would do the studying in the common room today... as long as it wasn't too crowded.
A witch, they called her. Maybe it was true. Maybe she was something else. Whatever the case was, she was almost inclined to believe it. Where she was from, magic wasn't natural. But that didn't stop her from trying.
Raven walked outside, taking a deep breath of fresh air as she walks over to the tree and sits underneath it. She holds her hands out in front of her and breathes. She closes her eyes, and a small spark ignites from her hands before quickly dissipating. She smiles and she continues trying to practice.
Raven walked outside, taking a deep breath of fresh air as she walks over to the tree and sits underneath it. She holds her hands out in front of her and breathes. She closes her eyes, and a small spark ignites from her hands before quickly dissipating. She smiles and she continues trying to practice.
Kiro didn't pay Raven much heed as he passed her whilst heading indoors. His social skills weren't exactly great, nor did he really understand the point in small talk - though that would not stop him from reacting to greetings from others; it was only polite, after all. He gave one last look out across the grounds before stepping into the foyer and wiping his feet carefully on the doormat. First things first, he needed to pick up his notes from his storage box in the dormitory. There was no point in studying with no information to study.
The little squirrel girl bounded past Kiro on fours as he was heading in. "Hello!" She chittered happily and excitedly but then she was out into the grounds.
The weather was cool and she wanted to enjoy some time out. She was a bundle of energy and the cold didn't bother her. She looked like she was dressed for the summer. The fire elemental was warm as a bug in a rug.
Gimmy was rather happy, darting about on her own before scampering up a tree and peering about the area from her vantage point. "I'M QUEEN!!! SCREW YOU FUCKERS!" she yelled out before giggling to herself.
The weather was cool and she wanted to enjoy some time out. She was a bundle of energy and the cold didn't bother her. She looked like she was dressed for the summer. The fire elemental was warm as a bug in a rug.
Gimmy was rather happy, darting about on her own before scampering up a tree and peering about the area from her vantage point. "I'M QUEEN!!! SCREW YOU FUCKERS!" she yelled out before giggling to herself.
Linwood decided to head outside to cool off, looking rather unnerved as he sat down on the log-chopping stump, arms crossed to preserved warmth. He didn't much like the cold, but it was nice to be out in nature, even the sparse and hibernating nature the winter provided.
His demeanor slowly changed from that of a recently spooked animal to much more calm in the serene silence -- until it was interrupted by a crude shouting from a tree. Lin started, took a breath, and looked up to see what it was.
It was that new girl, the squirrel-y one. What was her name? Gim... Gimmel? Gimble? He didn't remember, but he was sure it started with some Gim- sound and that that would suffice for calling her attention.
"Gim..." he chided, "would you mind not causing such a ruckus? It echoes inside the building."
His demeanor slowly changed from that of a recently spooked animal to much more calm in the serene silence -- until it was interrupted by a crude shouting from a tree. Lin started, took a breath, and looked up to see what it was.
It was that new girl, the squirrel-y one. What was her name? Gim... Gimmel? Gimble? He didn't remember, but he was sure it started with some Gim- sound and that that would suffice for calling her attention.
"Gim..." he chided, "would you mind not causing such a ruckus? It echoes inside the building."
Gimbold was enjoying the wind in the trees. She always liked being high up, listening to the wind among the trees, the footsteps of those below her.
She was on an adventure. A safe one considering her location but an adventure nevertheless. The little squirrel was eager to write back to her mother when lessons came. It never occurred to her that she would need a return address. To her "to mother" was a sufficient enough address. The mailman should know who she wanted!
She didn't realise that she was no longer alone at the grounds until Lin called to her. Oh that odd fellow. Her ears folded back against her head. Well she may not know all the words but she knew when she was being chided. Can't have any fun around here.
"Wossa ruckus?" She asked. "And you're talking loudly too!" He had to for it to reach her ears.
The squirrel made her way down nimbly to Lin's side and didn't look too happy but at least she started talking softer.
There was a brief bit before she said, "Sorry. Me ma's said the same thing 'erself." She at least had the decency to look sheepish.
She was on an adventure. A safe one considering her location but an adventure nevertheless. The little squirrel was eager to write back to her mother when lessons came. It never occurred to her that she would need a return address. To her "to mother" was a sufficient enough address. The mailman should know who she wanted!
She didn't realise that she was no longer alone at the grounds until Lin called to her. Oh that odd fellow. Her ears folded back against her head. Well she may not know all the words but she knew when she was being chided. Can't have any fun around here.
"Wossa ruckus?" She asked. "And you're talking loudly too!" He had to for it to reach her ears.
The squirrel made her way down nimbly to Lin's side and didn't look too happy but at least she started talking softer.
There was a brief bit before she said, "Sorry. Me ma's said the same thing 'erself." She at least had the decency to look sheepish.
"Oh, don't feel too badly for it," Linwood responded in a softer tone, looking up at the young squirrel from his seat half curled up on the stump. "Just frightened me. Inside's a bit too much of a party for me now, I doubt you bothered anybody. Do speak up, though."
He paused to think on that bit of hypocrisy, having just told Gimbold she was being too loud.
"Er," Lin picked a splinter from the stump and idly turned it over between his fingers. "That was quite impressive, how you climbed that tree so quick. Is that a favorite spot of yours?"
He paused to think on that bit of hypocrisy, having just told Gimbold she was being too loud.
"Er," Lin picked a splinter from the stump and idly turned it over between his fingers. "That was quite impressive, how you climbed that tree so quick. Is that a favorite spot of yours?"
The squirrel's ears perked up as Lin told her to speak louder.
"Well make up your bloody mind! I can't speak both loud and soft at the same time." Such language from an eight year old. She looked somewhat frustrated.
At the question as to her quickness and favourite spot, Gimbold shook her head.
"Naw, I just like climbing them trees. Me fav's spot up there," she said pointing to the roof of the orphanage.
"Least it is at the moment. No idea when Spring comes if there'll be birds and them peckers coming after me tail. Tree climbing's pretty easy. You just grab and pull yourself up. Getting down's the tricky part."
"Well make up your bloody mind! I can't speak both loud and soft at the same time." Such language from an eight year old. She looked somewhat frustrated.
At the question as to her quickness and favourite spot, Gimbold shook her head.
"Naw, I just like climbing them trees. Me fav's spot up there," she said pointing to the roof of the orphanage.
"Least it is at the moment. No idea when Spring comes if there'll be birds and them peckers coming after me tail. Tree climbing's pretty easy. You just grab and pull yourself up. Getting down's the tricky part."
Lin glanced up at the roof as Gimbold pointed, hoping not to miss anything she started to say next. He had to admit it was a bit difficult to make out what she was saying -- he wasn't so used to reading speech from a squirrel -- and he was beginning to tilt his head and squint a little in concentration.
"With my luck, I'll get stuck up there and be surviving off of tree bark and beetles," he joked. "You'll have to teach me sometime, when it's warm."
He flicked the splinter of wood away, watching it land upright in the thin layer of frost that had covered the sparse grass of the yard.
"What I mean is, my hearing's a mite lousy," he explained, pointing to the cloth that covered a distinct lack of ear. "So, normally you shouldn't shout. But long as it's to me, you won't get in trouble. Does that make sense?"
"With my luck, I'll get stuck up there and be surviving off of tree bark and beetles," he joked. "You'll have to teach me sometime, when it's warm."
He flicked the splinter of wood away, watching it land upright in the thin layer of frost that had covered the sparse grass of the yard.
"What I mean is, my hearing's a mite lousy," he explained, pointing to the cloth that covered a distinct lack of ear. "So, normally you shouldn't shout. But long as it's to me, you won't get in trouble. Does that make sense?"
Gimbold for starters, was not exactly a very quiet kid. Her level of quiet was a stage whisper. For the whole audience to hear. The short little squirrel chuckled when Lin said that he would be eating tree bark and beetles.
"Awww don't worry bout it. If you get your head up stuck in there I'll make sure to feed you nuts and berries. Although there's some nasty ravens and sparrows there sometimes. Least there were in other rooftops I've been to. Sometimes pigeons. " She spoke louder for the sake of the other slightly deaf fellow.
"Makes all the sense to me. Me'Ma used to say that if you can't make sense, then you gotta learn to make gold bits. Although I never got the idea why. She wants me to write back on what I've been doing here. Though I'm not sure what to write yet. Um... It's just cold but the people and trees are nice."
The girl started to bend down to pick up some snow to make snowballs.
"Awww don't worry bout it. If you get your head up stuck in there I'll make sure to feed you nuts and berries. Although there's some nasty ravens and sparrows there sometimes. Least there were in other rooftops I've been to. Sometimes pigeons. " She spoke louder for the sake of the other slightly deaf fellow.
"Makes all the sense to me. Me'Ma used to say that if you can't make sense, then you gotta learn to make gold bits. Although I never got the idea why. She wants me to write back on what I've been doing here. Though I'm not sure what to write yet. Um... It's just cold but the people and trees are nice."
The girl started to bend down to pick up some snow to make snowballs.
"Well then, it's good to know someone's got my back." Linwood laughed, looking around the frosted yard now that he could vaguely make out what Gimbold was saying by ear. He dug his fingers into the cold snow that had piled up along the stump and joined the squirrel in making a few snowballs, piling a handful onto the stump before he decided his hands were too cold and wiped them off on his shirt.
"I'd reason she means the rich folks," Lin thought of an explanation that suited his knowledge. "Some people have so much gold, they don't need to make sense, since people'll be just as happy with gold in their pockets as with a good bit of sense. Me, I don't have gold, so I'll have to settle for making sense... Anyway, if you want help with the writing, I've been practicing my grammar when there's no chores."
He looked at the pile of snowballs. "What're these for?"
"I'd reason she means the rich folks," Lin thought of an explanation that suited his knowledge. "Some people have so much gold, they don't need to make sense, since people'll be just as happy with gold in their pockets as with a good bit of sense. Me, I don't have gold, so I'll have to settle for making sense... Anyway, if you want help with the writing, I've been practicing my grammar when there's no chores."
He looked at the pile of snowballs. "What're these for?"
The squirrel continued making snowballs. She wasn't too cold despite her dressing. The fire elemental knew how to keep warm. Although she was careful not to melt the snowballs.
She brightened up at the offer for writing the letter. "I'd appreciate that much! Haven't had the chance to tell her much about my travels," she said happily, dividing the snowballs into two piles. One closer to him, one closer to her.
At the question of why they needed snowballs, Gimbold broke into a grin and Lin had only a few moments to react before a snow ball came at his direction from the little scamp.
She brightened up at the offer for writing the letter. "I'd appreciate that much! Haven't had the chance to tell her much about my travels," she said happily, dividing the snowballs into two piles. One closer to him, one closer to her.
At the question of why they needed snowballs, Gimbold broke into a grin and Lin had only a few moments to react before a snow ball came at his direction from the little scamp.
Lin was nearly knocked from the stump by the surprise of the sudden impact with a snowball and his shoulder.
"Hey!" he called, stuffing a few of the snowballs deemed for him into his arm before darting away for safety. "I wasn't ready!" He hid behind the well, about midway between the stump and the tree, a suitable stone barrier between him and any incoming projectiles, so long as he kept Gimbold on the opposite side. After scanning the area for where the little squirrel had gone, he lobbed one of the snowballs in her direction.
"Hey!" he called, stuffing a few of the snowballs deemed for him into his arm before darting away for safety. "I wasn't ready!" He hid behind the well, about midway between the stump and the tree, a suitable stone barrier between him and any incoming projectiles, so long as he kept Gimbold on the opposite side. After scanning the area for where the little squirrel had gone, he lobbed one of the snowballs in her direction.
Gim grinned when Lin was nearly knocked off, and once he had collected a couple of snowballs, she'd search for her own hiding place. It would be no fun if she picked a spot he'd have difficulty reaching!
The girl figured the other side of the well was a good enough location and eeped as a snowball hit her.
Her grin widened and soon, she returned not one, but two, three at Lin's direction, not caring if her aim was off!
Her tail made a fairly large target though. It was the largest, fluffiest part of her and stuck out even when she bent down to get the snowballs.
The girl figured the other side of the well was a good enough location and eeped as a snowball hit her.
Her grin widened and soon, she returned not one, but two, three at Lin's direction, not caring if her aim was off!
Her tail made a fairly large target though. It was the largest, fluffiest part of her and stuck out even when she bent down to get the snowballs.
Just as Linwood peeked over the edge of the well to see where Gimbold had was, he was greeted by a snowball straight to the face. He dropped the snowball he was about to throw and set back heavily on his bum.
"Got me," he laughed, wiping the quickly melting snow from his face. "S' quite chilly."
From his spot on the ground, he could see Gimbold's tail occasionally flick out, visible around the side of the well. Picking his snowball back up, he crept a bit around towards it before throwing the snow at the big, fluffy target.
"Got me," he laughed, wiping the quickly melting snow from his face. "S' quite chilly."
From his spot on the ground, he could see Gimbold's tail occasionally flick out, visible around the side of the well. Picking his snowball back up, he crept a bit around towards it before throwing the snow at the big, fluffy target.
Gimbold giggled when Lin said he was chilly. "Don't worry I'll warm you up later on," the girl said as she flicked her tail about. She wasn't aware that her beautiful tail was a looming target... until she bent down.
Lin's aim was true and he was rewarded by a shriek from the girl as her tail was hit. Considering how thin squirrel tails are, it was mostly her fluff that caught the snow. The shriek was more out of surprise than the chill. The girl jumped, startled, heading towards Lin. in a ball of fur!
Lin's aim was true and he was rewarded by a shriek from the girl as her tail was hit. Considering how thin squirrel tails are, it was mostly her fluff that caught the snow. The shriek was more out of surprise than the chill. The girl jumped, startled, heading towards Lin. in a ball of fur!
Laughing at Gimbold's snow-covered tail, Lin turned and ran from the squirrel. He circled halfway around the well before heading for the tree, using its trunk as a defense from a possible snowy onslaught.
He picked up some snow from the ground and packed it together, holding it up in his hand to see. "I've got more where that came from," he threatened, managing to hold a straight face for all of about two seconds before cracking a smile.
He picked up some snow from the ground and packed it together, holding it up in his hand to see. "I've got more where that came from," he threatened, managing to hold a straight face for all of about two seconds before cracking a smile.
Now Gimbold was all ready to take on Lin until he went to hide behind the tree. Well this wasn't a problem for the little squirrel and she decided to cheat a bit.
She waited until he had bent down to pack more snow before she scampered up the tree bark, carrying three snowballs with her as she perched on a lower branch.
"Mmhmm but I have height!" she retorted before lobbing one down at him and giggling before she scampered to another branch. She stuck to the lower parts of the tree... within throwing range.
She waited until he had bent down to pack more snow before she scampered up the tree bark, carrying three snowballs with her as she perched on a lower branch.
"Mmhmm but I have height!" she retorted before lobbing one down at him and giggling before she scampered to another branch. She stuck to the lower parts of the tree... within throwing range.
Linwood looked up to find that his squirrel friend had taken quite the advantage of his hiding spot. A snowball smacked into one of his branch-like horns.
"Why, you're clever!" he commented, tossing a snowball up at her just as she moved to the new branch, missing and hitting the old one. Undetered, he bent down to make another snowball, causing the snow from his horn to fall down on top of his head. He shook his head to clear the snow off, took a step back for better aim, and tossed the new snowball up at Gimbold.
"Why, you're clever!" he commented, tossing a snowball up at her just as she moved to the new branch, missing and hitting the old one. Undetered, he bent down to make another snowball, causing the snow from his horn to fall down on top of his head. He shook his head to clear the snow off, took a step back for better aim, and tossed the new snowball up at Gimbold.