Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

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Just Old Al
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Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by Just Old Al »

Sitting quietly in front of the fireplace, Al was nursing a cup of tea. Television did not interest him, and the hypnotic flickering of the fire was more than enough to hold his interest.

Daisy was about the house on her own tasks, and on this early January night Al had no interest in doing anything more than what he was about. Dinner was done, bed not yet and his task for the day (planning on the new engineering shop for his business) was proceeding well enough for him to not obsess over it.

Suddenly, a door slammed, and his tranquility was shattered, however in a welcome manner.

“AL! BUDDY! PAL!” boomed Buck, his brother Rowdy a step behind him. “Get your coat on, you’re coming with us.” Al, never completely relaxed, immediately went to DEFCON 1 at this pronouncement.

“And where are we going, then?”

“TRUST ME!”

All right, Al thought to himself. I am getting hazed. To be honest, he had been expecting this since the fait accompli of marrying their mother on Christmas these few weeks ago. He knew these two jokers were going to come up with some way to pay him back for not informing them – even though their own mother had dropped it on him completely unannounced (and was still unbearably smug about it).

Now, it seems was the time.

More seriously, Buck looked at him and said “Come on over to the guest house. We just want to talk – nothing serious – and we really just want a bit of male bonding. We do have one thing to talk about, though – and that’s the reason.”

Well then – he certainly wasn’t going to turn that down. In any case, he wasn’t going to get away without getting serious with them and that was just NOT on.

Putting on his elven-leather coat and fedora he walked the distance to the guest house. He was escorted into Buck’s office/den, and settled in front of the fire in one of the deep leather chairs. Buck and Rowdy settled in the others, and Katherine came in with a laden tray.

Setting the tray on the coffee table, she bowed out silently, not leaving without a grin and wink at Al on the way.

Door closed, Buck and Rowdy helped themselves to the cognac decanter on the tray, and Al to the teapot, cream and sugar. Settled back in the chairs, Al waited for the subject to come around.

However, the brothers were bound and determined not to come to it.

The tea and cognac flowed, though none to excess. Settling in, all shared stories – some appropriate to the male company but all welcome. Toasts were exchanged, and Al began to feel at home.

A signal passed between the two brothers.

“Well, now that you’re all settled, it seems you’ve got a choice that you have to make.”

Al immediately got concerned – what was this about?

“As I’m sure you’ve noticed, all of us have a “paddock name” as well as our proper names. These names are not shared except among friends, or among members of our own species. These are the names that you go by among family and friends, in short. They’re also a tribute to the equine part of our ancestry – the names that we might have had as horses. They’re very much a chosen nickname – given by those who love us.

Katherine’s is Shadowdancer for her dark eyes, Castela is known as Briar and Atsali is Flyer. Normally, your name would have come from the family and you’d just grow up with it.”

“However, with all these two-legs horning their way into the family we’ve had to do something about it.“ Rowdy grinned. “In short, we’re here to decide on your paddock name – and you don’t get to choose.”

Now Al knew he’d been set up by these two jokers.

“Buck and I have been discussing this for a while. Considering your rugged resemblance to Sean Connery“ Al choked at that one “and the Aston Martin, we’ve decided it’s going to be something Bond-ish.”

Well, that’s not too bad, Al thought. He’d heard these silly jokes ever since he’d been in the States, so not that big a deal. Hopefully it wouldn’t be anything too weird – like Dr. No.

“The first thing we thought of was Dr. No – considering how many times we heard that word when we were weapons training.”

Oh, Goddess. Nonononono….

“Then we decided perhaps Moonraker, or better yet, Thunderball. ESPECIALLY considering the damage to the North Wing, which STILL hasn’t been completely dealt with. We thought that Thunderball was JUST PERFECT.”

Nonono….anything but that…Nonono….Grandpa Thunderball was just not on….

Both of them gleefully grinning at him, he knew that this was payback time…he was going to get his for the marriage, and avoiding all of the male bonding rituals like the bachelor party.

“Okay, what HAVE you jokers got lined up for me?”

“We really didn’t like all of the ones we mentioned –- however they DID come up. Don’t be surprised if Katherine calls you Thunderball at least once in front of Momma. She’s still laughing over that choice.”

At this point both Buck and Rowdy grew more serious, and Al realized that the real choice was coming out. “We did choose one for you, though. How would you feel about Goldeneye?”

Goldeneye. Hmmm. The name Ian Fleming gave his villa in Jamaica. A beautiful place, and a very dignified name – Al had stayed there on a holiday once – it was now a hotel.

Goldeneye. He could wear that proudly.

“Done.”

With that, the three men hugged, and then Buck called out to Katherine and the children. They entered, and Buck proudly said “Meet the newest member of the family – Goldeneye!”

“Awwwww, you mean we don’t get to call him “Thunderball”?” Katherine was laughing unashamedly now, and Atsali blushed furiously. Castela walked up to Al and asked “Grampa, can I still call you Grampa Al? Thunderball is DUMB!”

“Castela sweetie, you can call me whatever you want, as long as I get my hugs.” Al reached down, picked her up, hugged her and all was very right in his world.
"The Empire was founded on cups of tea, mate, and if you think I am going to war without one you are sadly mistaken."
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Mark N
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by Mark N »

Well done. A truly beautiful piece.
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Just Old Al
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by Just Old Al »

Mark N wrote:Well done. A truly beautiful piece.
When one becomes a member of a society, one does have to adapt...

DEFINITELY better than THunderball...and kudos to Joe Houk who came up with the suggestion.
"The Empire was founded on cups of tea, mate, and if you think I am going to war without one you are sadly mistaken."
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GlytchMeister
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by GlytchMeister »

I think Castela is a perpetual "Warm n' fuzzy" generator. Reading her character as written by Paul, writing her character myself, or reading her character as written by you or Sarge or Dinky...
(Did jwhouk or Taz write her too? I bet jwhouk did... Not so sure about Taz...)
Anyway... No matter how she comes into my awareness, I can't help but get a good, solid *foomph!* of warm n' fuzzies from her.

:P

I sure know writing Glytch's scene with her and Atsali toward the beginning of Doing it Right was one of my favorites... Followed closely by the scenes where he enters the Madness Place.
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Just Old Al
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by Just Old Al »

GlytchMeister wrote:I think Castela is a perpetual "Warm n' fuzzy" generator. Reading her character as written by Paul, writing her character myself, or reading her character as written by you or Sarge or Dinky...
(Did jwhouk or Taz write her too? I bet jwhouk did... Not so sure about Taz...)
Anyway... No matter how she comes into my awareness, I can't help but get a good, solid *foomph!* of warm n' fuzzies from her.

:P

I sure know writing Glytch's scene with her and Atsali toward the beginning of Doing it Right was one of my favorites... Followed closely by the scenes where he enters the Madness Place.
Remember this is a sentient blackthorn. Be VERY glad she likes you or the hugs could be of a much more pointed character. I think in the beginning of the story it was described as "Being strangled with barbed wire".

i do not disagree at all, though - love working with Castela - small children that belong to someone else are a joy. You get to enjoy them...then send 'em home. :)
"The Empire was founded on cups of tea, mate, and if you think I am going to war without one you are sadly mistaken."
Warrl
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by Warrl »

Just Old Al wrote:Remember this is a sentient blackthorn. Be VERY glad she likes you or the hugs could be of a much more pointed character. I think in the beginning of the story it was described as "Being strangled with barbed wire".
Nope. Body-surfing on barbed wire. (Ouch.)
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by DinkyInky »

Just Old Al wrote:I do not disagree at all, though - love working with Castela - small children that belong to someone else are a joy. You get to enjoy them...then send 'em home. :)
I have the opposite problem...I never want to send them home...which is why I'm always asked to babysit.

I think my record was 16 children, including my son, with kids ranging from four to thirteen. The parents bought all the ingredients for food and dessert that day, paid for movie and game rentals, popcorn, and crafts. I was paid $40 per child not in double digits for eight hours of childcare including meals and treats. I only got paid for the teens if they caused fights, so eleven kids @$40(four teens and my son not included).
The teens signed papers that they would behave and help keep me sane, plus not let the littles see the games they got(God of War and Call of Duty were among them), and I convinced the parents to rent them.

When it was done, I asked them when the next "growed ups get a vacation day" was, because it was fun.
Yanno how some people have Angels/Devils for a conscience? I have a Dark Elf ShadowKnight and a Half Elf Ranger for mine. The really bad part is when they agree on something.

Aphyon chu kissa whol l'jaed.
--Safyr Drathmir
Warrl
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by Warrl »

DinkyInky wrote:
Just Old Al wrote:I do not disagree at all, though - love working with Castela - small children that belong to someone else are a joy. You get to enjoy them...then send 'em home. :)
I have the opposite problem...I never want to send them home...which is why I'm always asked to babysit.
When our youngest was about three, my lady started making noises about having another baby. I'd get on the phone to some friend with a baby under a year old and ask if they wanted an evening of free baby-sitting.

I did this three or four times, and never had to make a second call. And my lady wouldn't make noises about another baby for several months.
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by DinkyInky »

Warrl wrote:
DinkyInky wrote:
Just Old Al wrote:I do not disagree at all, though - love working with Castela - small children that belong to someone else are a joy. You get to enjoy them...then send 'em home. :)
I have the opposite problem...I never want to send them home...which is why I'm always asked to babysit.
When our youngest was about three, my lady started making noises about having another baby. I'd get on the phone to some friend with a baby under a year old and ask if they wanted an evening of free baby-sitting.

I did this three or four times, and never had to make a second call. And my lady wouldn't make noises about another baby for several months.
Thing is, the next time, I didn't get paid. Parents needed Christmas shopping and wrap time. I sent them with money and my Christmas list.

I have a ten year old, very soon to be eleven...he's a lovable handful(especially when the teachers introduce epic fail levels of "new" ways to do math problems, and corrects my sons spelling...he spells better than some English teachers).
I have watched the neighbours special needs children several hours at a time during the Summer for free to give them a break. I still want more kids.

Right now I have a kitty, and as he is a hurricane rescue, he's baby level clingy when it rains, or gets windy.
Yanno how some people have Angels/Devils for a conscience? I have a Dark Elf ShadowKnight and a Half Elf Ranger for mine. The really bad part is when they agree on something.

Aphyon chu kissa whol l'jaed.
--Safyr Drathmir
ShneekeyTheLost
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by ShneekeyTheLost »

DinkyInky wrote:Thing is, the next time, I didn't get paid. Parents needed Christmas shopping and wrap time. I sent them with money and my Christmas list.

I have a ten year old, very soon to be eleven...he's a lovable handful(especially when the teachers introduce epic fail levels of "new" ways to do math problems, and corrects my sons spelling...he spells better than some English teachers).
I believe Tom Lehrer had a song about that.
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by DinkyInky »

ShneekeyTheLost wrote:
DinkyInky wrote:Thing is, the next time, I didn't get paid. Parents needed Christmas shopping and wrap time. I sent them with money and my Christmas list.

I have a ten year old, very soon to be eleven...he's a lovable handful(especially when the teachers introduce epic fail levels of "new" ways to do math problems, and corrects my sons spelling...he spells better than some English teachers).
I believe Tom Lehrer had a song about that.
Hey Monk. I'll spot you a few yards. Start running.

Remember the last song you got stuck into his head?
Yanno how some people have Angels/Devils for a conscience? I have a Dark Elf ShadowKnight and a Half Elf Ranger for mine. The really bad part is when they agree on something.

Aphyon chu kissa whol l'jaed.
--Safyr Drathmir
ShneekeyTheLost
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by ShneekeyTheLost »

DinkyInky wrote:Hey Monk. I'll spot you a few yards. Start running.

Remember the last song you got stuck into his head?
Oh, did it get unstuck from his head? I can re-link it for you if you'd like :mrgreen:

And yes, thank you, I'll take those three steps for the door...
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by DinkyInky »

ShneekeyTheLost wrote:
DinkyInky wrote:Hey Monk. I'll spot you a few yards. Start running.

Remember the last song you got stuck into his head?
Oh, did it get unstuck from his head? I can re-link it for you if you'd like :mrgreen:

And yes, thank you, I'll take those three steps for the door...
Why not...corrupt the masses, yanno...right?
Yanno how some people have Angels/Devils for a conscience? I have a Dark Elf ShadowKnight and a Half Elf Ranger for mine. The really bad part is when they agree on something.

Aphyon chu kissa whol l'jaed.
--Safyr Drathmir
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Just Old Al
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by Just Old Al »

DinkyInky wrote:Why not...corrupt the masses, yanno...right?
Can't be any worse than the damn hamster dance. I already have Lehrer's entire discography in memory - including Silent E and the Masochism Tango.

And BOTH versions of Lobachevsky.

ajr
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by DinkyInky »

Just Old Al wrote:
DinkyInky wrote:Why not...corrupt the masses, yanno...right?
Can't be any worse than the damn hamster dance. I already have Lehrer's entire discography in memory - including Silent E and the Masochism Tango.

And BOTH versions of Lobachevsky.

ajr
He chose down!
Yanno how some people have Angels/Devils for a conscience? I have a Dark Elf ShadowKnight and a Half Elf Ranger for mine. The really bad part is when they agree on something.

Aphyon chu kissa whol l'jaed.
--Safyr Drathmir
ShneekeyTheLost
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by ShneekeyTheLost »

Just Old Al wrote:
DinkyInky wrote:Why not...corrupt the masses, yanno...right?
Can't be any worse than the damn hamster dance. I already have Lehrer's entire discography in memory - including Silent E and the Masochism Tango.

And BOTH versions of Lobachevsky.

ajr
Oh no, this one wasn't Lehrer, although it was likely inspired by his work. You remember his Elements of the Periodic Table song? Well, ASAP Science did a version which goes through the table in order to the tune of the Infernal Gallop by Offenbach in his operetta Orpheus In The Underworld.

I'm sure you will immediately recognize the tune by the now infamous dance done to said song when used out of the original context
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Re: Paddock Name, or At Home With The Centaurs:

Post by DinkyInky »

ShneekeyTheLost wrote:
Just Old Al wrote:
DinkyInky wrote:Why not...corrupt the masses, yanno...right?
Can't be any worse than the damn hamster dance. I already have Lehrer's entire discography in memory - including Silent E and the Masochism Tango.

And BOTH versions of Lobachevsky.

ajr
Oh no, this one wasn't Lehrer, although it was likely inspired by his work. You remember his Elements of the Periodic Table song? Well, ASAP Science did a version which goes through the table in order to the tune of the Infernal Gallop by Offenbach in his operetta Orpheus In The Underworld.

I'm sure you will immediately recognize the tune by the now infamous dance done to said song when used out of the original context
My son couldn't sit still in class, was humming and muttering it under his breath. Teacher thought it was inappropriate until she heard words, then had to step outside the class to laugh, then call me asking where he learned it. This was after the "Kiss a Wookie, kick a droid" incident...but not by much.
Yanno how some people have Angels/Devils for a conscience? I have a Dark Elf ShadowKnight and a Half Elf Ranger for mine. The really bad part is when they agree on something.

Aphyon chu kissa whol l'jaed.
--Safyr Drathmir
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