(Untitled)

[puckishly]

You know, what's the good of having preternaturally fabulous weather if you aren't going to take advantage of it?

And furthermore, what's the good of having a sharkless lake if you're not going to take advantage of that?

And what's the good of giant squid in that sharkless lake if you don't occasionally descend to the depths to taunt them

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[call_me_kick]

And then a child appears near the shore, almost fairylike in her gracefulness as she picks some stray flowers, admiring their colors as well as the vibrant colors of the summer around her.

Puck has never seen her before, nor has she seen him, but she has been warned by her uncle, that we can be certain of.

Oblivious, she settles down in a patch of grass nearby and begins attempting to trace figures in the clouds with her finger.

[puckishly]

After a moment, Puck tilts his head curiously and turns to watch her.

"What are you up to, little mistress?"

[call_me_kick]

"Trying to see the shapes in the clouds," she says, a line of concentration denting her forehead.

"They're being very difficult today."

[puckishly]

"Ah," he says thoughtfully, and glances up at the sky.

After a moment's squinting consideration, he gestures and says:

"That one, I think, is a hen-- you know her by the trail of chicks. And the other by her feet seems very like a crocodile."

[call_me_kick]

Kick hums thoughtfully, tilts her head, and squints at the clouds.

"No," she says, and points at the one near the cloud!hen's feet. "That's an alligator."

[puckishly]

"Oh, I think not," Puck protests, pouting. "You see the dark spots, just there? Those, I expect, are his crocodile tears."

[call_me_kick]

Kick gives Puck A Look.

"His snout's not long enough."

[puckishly]

He Returns the Look.

"Who else among the reptiles do you know who sheds false tears, mistress?"

[call_me_kick]

Frowning and turning her attention back to the clouds, Kick says, very pointedly: "Apparently, alligators do!"

[puckishly]

Puck sticks out his tongue.

"Have it your own way. 'Tis only my fervent hope that you are never called upon later in life to tell the two apart."

[call_me_kick]

"I should hope I won't be," she says, looking a little worried.

They'd want to EAT her!

"So," she says after a moment, distracted by the passing balls of fluffy white in the sky, "who're you?"

[puckishly]

"That is rather a tricky question," Puck says amiably, gaze directed cloudward as well.

"Some seem to prefer Robin. But for others, Puck suffices just as well."

[call_me_kick]

Kick turns very suddenly, blonde hair swirling about her face, and she stares at him with wide hazel eyes.

"Puck?"

[puckishly]

Puck glances down to her.

"Occasionally."

[call_me_kick]

"Oh," Kick says, very quietly. After a second she stands, rather abruptly, and brushes her dress off.

She doesn't say anything, but watches him very, very closely.

[puckishly]

"I take it my reputation precedes me."

Pleasantly.