(Untitled)

[embitterdinetna]

Even gods need a breather now and then. Hephaestus has been nowhere to be found, these past few weeks, but now he's emerged into a shallow, smooth-walled cave east of the lake, as a man might take the air on a balcony; looking, as he generally does on such occasions, a little sooty and bedraggled.

Comments

[a_waywith_words]

Kit's out exploring, scrambling up and down the sides of the lake, thoroughly muddy and pleased with himself. He checks himself when he notices another possibly human presence, and smiles. "Hello!" he says.

[embitterdinetna]

He is not, as a rule, terribly fond of children; but this one is polite enough, and he's in a good mood right now. "Hello," in what can only be described as a noncommittal rumble.

[a_waywith_words]

"Morning!" Kit says, aware this is kind of redundant, but saying it anyway. "I'm Kit."

[embitterdinetna]

A nod. "Hephaestus," he says, after a perceptible pause; he's never gotten used to introducing himself, most of his conversation being with those who seek him out.

[a_waywith_words]

Kit's eyes do a remarkable job of widening. "Oh, wow," he says, and bows.

[embitterdinetna]

He begins to smile, then, slow and rueful -- though less rueful than usual. "You're young to know that name. Or to be that well-mannered."

[a_waywith_words]

Kit smiles. "Well, I am a wizard. We're not much use if we're rude."

He bounces lightly on the balls of his feet. "And you made so many useful things!"

[embitterdinetna]

A lift of those formidable eyebrows. "Practical young man, I see."

[a_waywith_words]

Kit grins.

[embitterdinetna]

"And tactful," the smile widening a wry notch, "not to mention the other things made for my family's vanity. Or my own."

[a_waywith_words]

"Oh," Kit says earnestly, "But those aren't as interesting."

[embitterdinetna]

He has no way of knowing what a rarity he's uncovered: an outright grin from Hephaestus, awkward, craggy, but warm as firelight. "In retrospect," he says, "you're quite right. --Your feet must be wet."

[a_waywith_words]

"A bit," Kit says, grinning back, and gets mud on his face as he tries to brush his hair out of his eyes.

[embitterdinetna]

He considers a moment. He doesn't really have much to do with people, particularly young people, although he has a vague notion that they ought to be kept out of the damp. "What are you about down there?"

[a_waywith_words]

Kit shrugs cheerfully. "Looking around. I thought there might be something interesting. My friend went off in the other direction earlier, so I thought I'd come this way."

[embitterdinetna]

"And are you finding anything interesting?"