The Gig: Thursday [12-2-10]

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

It didn't take Helen long to get all of the barn chores done. She and the horses went outside for a bit, but mostly they were inside the warm barn, while Helen read. Sometimes she read out loud to the horses, who, oddly enough, seemd to enjoy that.

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[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

James made his way into the barn making just enough noise--foot scuffle here, shoulder brush against a post there--to announce his presence but not enough to cause Helen to stop reading, especially if she were reading aloud.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Helen glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled, but continued to read aloud to the horses.

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

He leaned against a post, trying to hide his grin as she continued. He started paying attention to the words and not the speaker, closing his eyes.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

She continued to read till she got to the end of the chapter then closed the book and turned to James. "Enjoying yourself?"

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

"Quite," he said, opening his eyes halfway. "Now, what happens next?" he asked, tilting his head a bit at Helen and the book. "What is it about?"

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

"It's about a young girl in a magical kingdom who is turned old by a witch and ends up living with a magician and a demon in a moving castle." She smiled at him. "It's for younger students, but I am quite enjoying it and the horses seem to be as well. As for what happens next, the chapter title mentions something about green slime."

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

"Interesting. I would love to hear more. Why did the witch turn her old?" he asked, curious of the story.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Helen shrugged. "I haven't gotten that far yet."

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

"I won't disturb you if you wish to find out." Hay bales were comfortable to sit upon and listen to stories.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

"You want me to read more?" she asked curiously.

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

"Yes," he said, simply.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

She looked up at him curiously for a moment, then shrugged and gestured for him to sit near her before opening the book again and starting to read about the wizard ezpressing his feelings with green slime.

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

James made himself comfortable and tried to make sense of a magician speaking to slime. Magicians were a funny lot. It wasn't too outlandish, and he found himself interested despite...slime.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Helen giggled despite herself as the main character swept up the slime and scolded the wizard.

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

He tried to hide his snickers so that Helen would continue the story, but to no avail. His laughter was quiet, at least, and even the horses would be able to hear the story over his mirth.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

"It's fun, isn't it?" she said with a smile. "You can see why the horses and I like it."

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

"I as well," he said, grinning. "I like this story."

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

She smiled. "Perhaps I can read you more later. In a more comfortable setting."

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

"More comfortable than this?" he asked, gesturing around the barn. He quirked an eyebrow in a teasing way and asked if the horses would be jealous they wouldn't hear the ending.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

"If you can possibly imagine such a thing," she said dryly. "And I can always read more to the horses another day."

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

"I may be able to imagine such," he said, his tone almost serious. "I might get jealous myself if the horses hear more than I." Yes, he was teasing.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Helen laughed. "I think you might be able to convince me to read to you."

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

"This is good news," he said, his eyes twinkling. "I rather like this story."

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

"And I as well," she said, reaching out a hand to smooth his hair from his face. "It's nice to share it with you."

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

He leaned over a bit into her hand. "This is your first time reading it?"