I never want to have this week again...
Jul. 6th, 2007 06:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lavandarlizard2Up, down; good, bad. Three trips to SD (60-80 miles round trip each), a trip north (180 miles RT) and a damn do-se-do trying to get a particular prescription medication, with the pharmacy calling the doctor's office, me calling the doctor's office and both of us getting different blow-offs. >.< Finally having to make a trip to the office to pick up a new prescription. They couldn't just call it in? O.o
Finally, the hamsters have left off harassing the neighbors and gotten to work. I did promise them that if they settle down, they can go play in the pool and crap on the swimmers' heads this weekend. Can you tell I'm not crazy about my neighbors? ^.~
In any case... I have fic. ^___^ Not a lot, but then we're almost done with this part.
“IchiBan, you requested my assistance?”
Duo jumped; he hadn’t heard the Wyvern enter. To his surprise – and yes, embarrassment – it was Algol, bowing respectfully to Giniro.
“Indeed, I have. You’ve Chosen, have you not?”
“Yes, IchiBan; about seven years ago I Chose Nageya and she was kind enough to Choose me in return.”
“Excellent!” cried Giniro. “Sit, please. Duo and I have questions. Heero has Chosen him, as you know...” Algol nodded. “But Duo does not understand what Choosing entails. I tried to explain the process to him and discovered that I don’t understand it either!”
Algol blinked at her. “But...”
“I have never Chosen, Algol, so I am not a good example. And Heero has not been very clear about the process.” She paused thoughtfully. “That is very unusual for Heero; he is generally very detailed.”
“I remember when I Chose Nageya,” said Algol. “I won’t say I was irrational, but logic was not at the forefront of my mind while I waited for her decision. Maybe Heero is being a little... illogical?” He gave Giniro and Duo an apologetic look and a shrug.
Duo stared at the elegant Wyvern. Heero? Irrational? Impossible! And yet....
“Interesting...” murmured Giniro. “Perhaps the dreaded hormones are somehow involved.” Both males blinked at her. “In any case, I am interested in what it means to those involved in the matter. Please explain what ‘Choosing’ is, Algol.”
Algol blinked again. Twice. “Well.... It’s a sort of bonding... but not like the formal marriages of Humans and some other creatures. It involves love and companionship... and oneness... and... and respect... Um... trust.” He ran down, looking rather nonplussed. “It’s... just knowing that you can’t bear to be without another person...?” He sounded uncertain of that. “It’s a bond... but it’s not... binding? It doesn’t limit or control...” Duo began to feel rather sorry for the Wyvern; the poor guy didn’t seem to have any better idea of what Choosing was than Giniro.
“Maybe,” he began hesitantly, “if we ask questions? Maybe it would be easier to nail it down that way?” He couldn’t remember if Wyverns got cranky over not knowing things or if they simply found the information and went on.
Algol looked relieved, though. “That may work better.” He looked at the IchiBan apologetically. “I’ve never tried to explain the... the emotions involved before. I just one day decided that Nageya was the person I wanted in my life and Chose her. We’d been together for a few years already.”
“Ah!” cried Giniro. “So, you already had a history together when you made the decision. That sounds logical.... You were compatible or in love?”
Algol hesitated briefly. “Both, I suppose. She hadn’t had occasion to want to kill me and we disliked being apart, so perhaps that was it.”
Duo raised his hand slightly to attract the Wyverns’ notice. “Heero and I have only known each other a little over a year; could he be so sure in only a few months?”
“I don’t see why not,” said Algol thoughtfully. “Temsa and Bean Chose each other only a week after they met.” He glanced at Giniro. “Didn’t Kohaku and Kiba Choose fairly quickly, as well?”
“I believe they did...” she said slowly. “Yes. They met in the early spring and Chose each other by summer’s end.” She snickered softly. “I remember Heero was rather annoyed that they waited that long; she wanted to be sure of his agreement, and he said she was being silly, since she was the one who had to live with Kiba.”
Duo blinked. “Kohaku had to have Heero’s permission to Choose?”
“No, that’s the point. She didn’t need anyone’s permission, but she insisted that Heero and Kiba get to know each other because of the children. Heero adores his children,” she smiled. Seeing the incipient question forming on the Banshee's lips, she continued. “In a Wyvern way, of course. But that was never a problem; Kiba is a natural with kids. His Clan jokes that Kohaku bore two children and Chose a third.”
“Oh. Oh...” He nodded to himself a bit.
“Perhaps I should call Kohaku; maybe she can offer some opinions.”
“IchiBan, maybe Yasu and Kohelo can also offer more help. Kohelo Chose Yasu ages ago, but Yasu has never Chosen him, yet they’re still together and show no sign of ever splitting up,” suggested Algol. “Maybe their point of view would be helpful to Duo?”
Before Duo could protest that he really didn’t need this much attention, Toshi had again been summoned and sent on his quest.
“IchiBan, I’m beginning to feel like a real idiot here,” he tried anyway. “You’ve both been very helpful, but I really think I need to figure-“
“Nonsense, Duo! This is a very important subject; I am surprised that we’ve never discussed this amongst ourselves before.” She cocked a single eyebrow at him, reminding him strongly of his own Wyvern. “We like to know about things; who, what, where, why, when and how. Especially why. I’ve only just realized we don’t know the ‘why’ of this. That might be all right for me, never having been in the situation, but for someone who has been there and done that not to know... Well, that is simply unacceptable! We are Dragons! We must Know!”
Duo blinked. Swallowed. Blinked again. Glanced at Algol for help. The male Wyvern frowned thoughtfully to himself, giving the impression that there would be no help from that quarter.
Great. He might as well hang a sign around his neck; “Worm Cans Opened Here.”
“Algol, have you anything in progress right now?” Giniro asked briskly.
“Just finished a project,” he replied promptly. “Nothing else on my schedule at all.”
“Good. I want a survey of every adult in the Clan on the subject of Choosing. I want to know have they ever done it, thought of it, rejected it; been successful, been unsuccessful, said yes, said no; you know what I want.”
“Yes, IchiBan. Shall I contact the other Clans, as well?”
“Yes. I want to Know if it is just this Clan or if it a general Wyvern thing. Start today,” she commanded imperiously. “You may draw assistance as needed.”
Duo gaped unattractively. Holy shit! Giniro was opening a whole project, just because of his confusion over Choosing?! Well, she seemed to be less than knowledgeable herself, but still....
A light tap on the door frame made him look up. Toshi stood, waiting respectfully, with two adult male Wyverns.
“Ah!” cried Giniro, waving them in. “Yasu, Kohelo; thank you for coming so promptly!”
“With pleasure, IchiBan,” said one. “Toshi has not failed to please, has he?” he asked.
“Not at all, Yasu! Toshi is a very bright child; very quick and clever. No, this concerns the concept and execution of Choosing.” The two Wyverns glanced at each other, and then back at their IchiBan somewhat warily. “Duo is Heero’s Chosen, but he’s somewhat confused by the whole concept; Banshees do not have that custom. I thought to explain, but soon realized that I have no real understanding of it myself. And Algol attempted to describe the matter, and was quickly overwhelmed, as well. I have decided that we need research on this matter, which Algol will be undertaking immediately. In the meantime, I would like you to give Duo an idea of what Choosing meant to you, and how is it that Kohelo Chose, but Yasu did not.” She fixed them with a laser-like stare. “Please.”
Yasu and Kohelo looked at each other. Kohelo frowned. “You want to know why, IchiBan?” he said slowly.
“Exactly!”
“Um... We are compatible... I love him... He cooks... I would rather be with him than anyone else...” He shrugged apologetically. “I’m not sure there is a single ‘why’.” He smirked at his Chosen. “He’s Yasu and I wanted him.”
Yasu looked a bit more uncomfortable. He obviously didn’t enjoy being put on the spot about his lack of Choosing. “I just never felt like I could say the words and mean them.... I love him, passionately, and I can’t imagine anyone else in his place.... I just.... I don’t know why... the words never came.” Kohelo nudged his shoulder against Yasu with a smile. Yasu returned the smile and rolled his eyes.
Giniro regarded them thoughtfully; Duo sat very still, hoping no one would notice the Banshee who had started this whole thing.
“Again, we have not answered the ‘why’,” she muttered with a frown. Her phone chirped and she flipped it open automatically. “Hai. Ah, Kohaku! Excellent! I have questions regarding the Choosing...”
Duo swallowed and shrank down in his place. Oh, shit! She was calling the whole family! Holy mortification! Intellectually, he knew he wouldn’t expire from humiliation, but damned if it didn’t seem like a very good idea right now. He really needed to be... somewhere else. He looked around furtively; everyone was following Giniro’s conversation.
Finally, the hamsters have left off harassing the neighbors and gotten to work. I did promise them that if they settle down, they can go play in the pool and crap on the swimmers' heads this weekend. Can you tell I'm not crazy about my neighbors? ^.~
In any case... I have fic. ^___^ Not a lot, but then we're almost done with this part.
“IchiBan, you requested my assistance?”
Duo jumped; he hadn’t heard the Wyvern enter. To his surprise – and yes, embarrassment – it was Algol, bowing respectfully to Giniro.
“Indeed, I have. You’ve Chosen, have you not?”
“Yes, IchiBan; about seven years ago I Chose Nageya and she was kind enough to Choose me in return.”
“Excellent!” cried Giniro. “Sit, please. Duo and I have questions. Heero has Chosen him, as you know...” Algol nodded. “But Duo does not understand what Choosing entails. I tried to explain the process to him and discovered that I don’t understand it either!”
Algol blinked at her. “But...”
“I have never Chosen, Algol, so I am not a good example. And Heero has not been very clear about the process.” She paused thoughtfully. “That is very unusual for Heero; he is generally very detailed.”
“I remember when I Chose Nageya,” said Algol. “I won’t say I was irrational, but logic was not at the forefront of my mind while I waited for her decision. Maybe Heero is being a little... illogical?” He gave Giniro and Duo an apologetic look and a shrug.
Duo stared at the elegant Wyvern. Heero? Irrational? Impossible! And yet....
“Interesting...” murmured Giniro. “Perhaps the dreaded hormones are somehow involved.” Both males blinked at her. “In any case, I am interested in what it means to those involved in the matter. Please explain what ‘Choosing’ is, Algol.”
Algol blinked again. Twice. “Well.... It’s a sort of bonding... but not like the formal marriages of Humans and some other creatures. It involves love and companionship... and oneness... and... and respect... Um... trust.” He ran down, looking rather nonplussed. “It’s... just knowing that you can’t bear to be without another person...?” He sounded uncertain of that. “It’s a bond... but it’s not... binding? It doesn’t limit or control...” Duo began to feel rather sorry for the Wyvern; the poor guy didn’t seem to have any better idea of what Choosing was than Giniro.
“Maybe,” he began hesitantly, “if we ask questions? Maybe it would be easier to nail it down that way?” He couldn’t remember if Wyverns got cranky over not knowing things or if they simply found the information and went on.
Algol looked relieved, though. “That may work better.” He looked at the IchiBan apologetically. “I’ve never tried to explain the... the emotions involved before. I just one day decided that Nageya was the person I wanted in my life and Chose her. We’d been together for a few years already.”
“Ah!” cried Giniro. “So, you already had a history together when you made the decision. That sounds logical.... You were compatible or in love?”
Algol hesitated briefly. “Both, I suppose. She hadn’t had occasion to want to kill me and we disliked being apart, so perhaps that was it.”
Duo raised his hand slightly to attract the Wyverns’ notice. “Heero and I have only known each other a little over a year; could he be so sure in only a few months?”
“I don’t see why not,” said Algol thoughtfully. “Temsa and Bean Chose each other only a week after they met.” He glanced at Giniro. “Didn’t Kohaku and Kiba Choose fairly quickly, as well?”
“I believe they did...” she said slowly. “Yes. They met in the early spring and Chose each other by summer’s end.” She snickered softly. “I remember Heero was rather annoyed that they waited that long; she wanted to be sure of his agreement, and he said she was being silly, since she was the one who had to live with Kiba.”
Duo blinked. “Kohaku had to have Heero’s permission to Choose?”
“No, that’s the point. She didn’t need anyone’s permission, but she insisted that Heero and Kiba get to know each other because of the children. Heero adores his children,” she smiled. Seeing the incipient question forming on the Banshee's lips, she continued. “In a Wyvern way, of course. But that was never a problem; Kiba is a natural with kids. His Clan jokes that Kohaku bore two children and Chose a third.”
“Oh. Oh...” He nodded to himself a bit.
“Perhaps I should call Kohaku; maybe she can offer some opinions.”
“IchiBan, maybe Yasu and Kohelo can also offer more help. Kohelo Chose Yasu ages ago, but Yasu has never Chosen him, yet they’re still together and show no sign of ever splitting up,” suggested Algol. “Maybe their point of view would be helpful to Duo?”
Before Duo could protest that he really didn’t need this much attention, Toshi had again been summoned and sent on his quest.
“IchiBan, I’m beginning to feel like a real idiot here,” he tried anyway. “You’ve both been very helpful, but I really think I need to figure-“
“Nonsense, Duo! This is a very important subject; I am surprised that we’ve never discussed this amongst ourselves before.” She cocked a single eyebrow at him, reminding him strongly of his own Wyvern. “We like to know about things; who, what, where, why, when and how. Especially why. I’ve only just realized we don’t know the ‘why’ of this. That might be all right for me, never having been in the situation, but for someone who has been there and done that not to know... Well, that is simply unacceptable! We are Dragons! We must Know!”
Duo blinked. Swallowed. Blinked again. Glanced at Algol for help. The male Wyvern frowned thoughtfully to himself, giving the impression that there would be no help from that quarter.
Great. He might as well hang a sign around his neck; “Worm Cans Opened Here.”
“Algol, have you anything in progress right now?” Giniro asked briskly.
“Just finished a project,” he replied promptly. “Nothing else on my schedule at all.”
“Good. I want a survey of every adult in the Clan on the subject of Choosing. I want to know have they ever done it, thought of it, rejected it; been successful, been unsuccessful, said yes, said no; you know what I want.”
“Yes, IchiBan. Shall I contact the other Clans, as well?”
“Yes. I want to Know if it is just this Clan or if it a general Wyvern thing. Start today,” she commanded imperiously. “You may draw assistance as needed.”
Duo gaped unattractively. Holy shit! Giniro was opening a whole project, just because of his confusion over Choosing?! Well, she seemed to be less than knowledgeable herself, but still....
A light tap on the door frame made him look up. Toshi stood, waiting respectfully, with two adult male Wyverns.
“Ah!” cried Giniro, waving them in. “Yasu, Kohelo; thank you for coming so promptly!”
“With pleasure, IchiBan,” said one. “Toshi has not failed to please, has he?” he asked.
“Not at all, Yasu! Toshi is a very bright child; very quick and clever. No, this concerns the concept and execution of Choosing.” The two Wyverns glanced at each other, and then back at their IchiBan somewhat warily. “Duo is Heero’s Chosen, but he’s somewhat confused by the whole concept; Banshees do not have that custom. I thought to explain, but soon realized that I have no real understanding of it myself. And Algol attempted to describe the matter, and was quickly overwhelmed, as well. I have decided that we need research on this matter, which Algol will be undertaking immediately. In the meantime, I would like you to give Duo an idea of what Choosing meant to you, and how is it that Kohelo Chose, but Yasu did not.” She fixed them with a laser-like stare. “Please.”
Yasu and Kohelo looked at each other. Kohelo frowned. “You want to know why, IchiBan?” he said slowly.
“Exactly!”
“Um... We are compatible... I love him... He cooks... I would rather be with him than anyone else...” He shrugged apologetically. “I’m not sure there is a single ‘why’.” He smirked at his Chosen. “He’s Yasu and I wanted him.”
Yasu looked a bit more uncomfortable. He obviously didn’t enjoy being put on the spot about his lack of Choosing. “I just never felt like I could say the words and mean them.... I love him, passionately, and I can’t imagine anyone else in his place.... I just.... I don’t know why... the words never came.” Kohelo nudged his shoulder against Yasu with a smile. Yasu returned the smile and rolled his eyes.
Giniro regarded them thoughtfully; Duo sat very still, hoping no one would notice the Banshee who had started this whole thing.
“Again, we have not answered the ‘why’,” she muttered with a frown. Her phone chirped and she flipped it open automatically. “Hai. Ah, Kohaku! Excellent! I have questions regarding the Choosing...”
Duo swallowed and shrank down in his place. Oh, shit! She was calling the whole family! Holy mortification! Intellectually, he knew he wouldn’t expire from humiliation, but damned if it didn’t seem like a very good idea right now. He really needed to be... somewhere else. He looked around furtively; everyone was following Giniro’s conversation.
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Date: 2007-07-07 01:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-08 02:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-07 01:59 am (UTC)*Pats you and hands you chocolate*
And despite all that, you give us such a wonderful present.
I adore how completely involved IchiBan has gotten in this. But poor Duo! LOL. Why do I get the impression that he's gonna sneak away while they're all discussing 'Choosing'?
Wonderful part.
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Date: 2007-07-08 02:12 pm (UTC)Working out how far he can get before they notice he's gone? O.o
^___^
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Date: 2007-07-07 03:47 am (UTC)Now excuse me while I wheeze and choke over helpful Giniro! ^o^ She totally does not understand the fine art of humiliation!
Worm Cans Opened Here *snickerfit* Poor Duo, out of the frying pan and into the fire! ^o^
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Date: 2007-07-08 02:16 pm (UTC)I don't think that female has ever even heard the word. ^__^
Poor Duo is going to be second, third and fourth-guessing everything he says around the Clan. ^.o
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Date: 2007-07-07 04:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-08 02:18 pm (UTC)Duo doesn't do planned ports; at least not of a distance that would do him any good right now. ^__^ Now, an UNplanned port, he's quite good at. ^.o
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Date: 2007-07-08 02:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-07 05:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-08 02:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-07 09:54 am (UTC)Lovely chapter! Thank you so much for posting.
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Date: 2007-07-08 02:25 pm (UTC)There is a bit of the bride-to-be stuck between the two mothers and realising that the 'nice simple wedding' she wanted has turned into a three ring circus complete with dancing bears, aerialists, jugglers, clowns in tiny cars and (gasp!) mimes! An elopement seems the only solution.... O.O
*snerk!*
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Date: 2007-07-08 02:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-07 06:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-08 02:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-10 02:50 am (UTC)Thanks for the new BFB. Poor Duo. I wonder what Heero's going to think?
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Date: 2007-07-10 03:13 am (UTC)*snerk!* Heero will think his Clan and his grandmother need to stop scaring his Banshee. ^___^
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Date: 2007-07-10 03:37 am (UTC)Heheh. No overreacting?? No little meltyness when Duo makes some sort of stuttering ramble about why Heero Chose him and how he might Choose??
You're killing me here.