How Green Becomes Wood

[pandakatiefominz]

"It is a great idea," Dark told whoever he was speaking with, his eyebrows furrowed as he sketched using a green crayon, "Obviously it is great, it is only going to take me time. I am working on the design now."

Ivy heard her brothers whisper and got up to run over to them, which did attract Dark's attention, as he was not so focused on his phone call and plan to lose track of exactly where Ivy was at all times. When he saw his sons, he nodded to them in greeting, then looked back down at his page.

 

[BookKnight]

Alec knelt down and offered Ivy a hug. "Hi, Mini!"

"What are you coloring?" Xander asked, leaning over to be closer to her.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

First, Ivy hugged Alec, and then happily went to get her piece of paper to show off. It was an absolute colourful mess, but she had been enjoying herself.

"Okay, look, my kids are home, so I will talk more with you later," Dark said, "You need to help pay for it though---because I have three children, a single income, and I am doing all of the work."

 

[BookKnight]

The twins exchanged puzzled looks. What could he possibly be talking about? A wood project? That seemed unlikely, but what else could it be? Maybe he was agreeing to help Cooger build something? Honestly, it was difficult to imagine Dark asking Cooger to pay for anything, but he did have a point about three kids and one income. Especially when two of those kids ate half of what was in the kitchen every day. They turned their attention to Ivy and tried not to blatantly eavesdrop on Dark, instead praising her for her colors.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

Dark made his goodbyes, hung up the phone, looked at his sons and said, "I am building a trebuchet."

 

[BookKnight]

The twins stared at him. Then at each other. Then at Dark.

"One of those long-armed flinging things?" Alec asked uncertainly.

"The HOA is going to enjoy that," Xander remarked.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Yes." Dark replied, handing over the half-finished blueprint done in crayon, "As long as I do not fire it here, the HOA can make no complaints. There are no bylaws against siege equipment."

 

[BookKnight]

"Are you building it for someone?" Alec asked as Xander studied the blueprint.

"I don't think your arm is long enough here," Xander said, pointing at a blue squiggle.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"This is only a first draft," Dark told Xander, "I am building it to go to war with Cooger. His land may have enough space for a battle, otherwise he has a friend with farmland he thinks will let us use it."

 

[BookKnight]

The twins shared another glance. "Okay," they agreed.

Xander handed back the blueprint. "I'm glad you found a hobby that involves other people. Mama will be very proud," he said, completely straight-faced.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"This is very important work," Dark said, tapping his blueprint, "Our one regret is not having a castle to siege."

 

[BookKnight]

"I suppose you could always make one? Or siege Uncle Cooger's house?" Alec suggested.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

Dark snorted, "Cooger is not a liege lord, he's a forest hermit. Regardless, I need to build the trebuchet first."

 

[BookKnight]

"Every man's home is his castle!" Alec said sagely.

"And his cats and chickens and goose his tenants," Xander said dryly.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Spoken like a true peasant," Dark shook his head, "It does not make sense, Cooger is many things, but he is not a member of the nobility. He does not even have fortifications."

 

[BookKnight]

"He's never had need," Alec pointed out. "So, if there's no fortifications or castle to siege, maybe you don't need a siege weapon?"

"Everyone needs a siege weapon," Xander stated.