the_lioness | (no subject)

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They're leaving Olau tomorrow.

The triplets aren't sad to be leaving. Court holds its own attractions for each of them, and after Corus they're bound for Pirates' Swoop with the Riders for their annual training camp. There's a great deal to look forward to, but there are also things they'll miss about home. This is why they are Hunting Uncle Raph while their Da is busy going over the orchards with his steward.

Raph isn't in his room.

He's not in the stables, either.

The next logical place, they decide, is the clearing near the path to the ruins. Sometimes he exercises there. Sometimes he shows them a new move there, then takes them to the ruins. Grace, Thom and Jamie decide it's a win-win situation and approach quietly through the trees, because keeping him on his toes is definitely one of those things they'll miss.

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It's odd how "having the triplets underfoot while I'm concentratin' on forms" will be strangely absent from Raph's list of what he'll miss about the triplets.

Still, once the impending shock and aggravation run their course he'll be forced to admit that they're all too damn clever for their own good. Chances are also good he'll be more than happy to point out how sad it is that they can't think of anything better to do with their time than stalk him.

For the moment though Raph is making his way through a particularly challenging series of Kata that Master Griffin taught him towards the end of their training together, and as such blissfully unaware of the doom headed his way.

They'll miss the trees, too.

They are ever so fun to climb.

And to drop out of with a loud "HA," right in front of Raph, while Thom and Jamie charge out of the woods to leap on him.

Grace simply smiles.

Sixteen years of Ninjitsu.
Three years of Security work.
Three years of practicing Shang.

And yet...he's still consistently surprised and outsmarted by three small children.

Though, one could easily make the argument that were it not for all the years of training he might have accidentally killed the children years ago. So there is that...

First things first: disarm the greater adversary as a lesson to the others. He grapples Grace with one arm, and makes to grab at Jamie with the other.

"GRAHHHHHH!"

It's okay. They know he really loves it.

The thing is, of the three of them, Thom is their secret weapon. He's small and not particularly given to horseplay or mischief, but he likes fighting. He intends to learn all he can before he tries for his shield. He watches and learns, and he's watched Raph for a long time.

Raph is smart to target Grace and Jamie, as they are so often the instigators, but it still leaves him vulnerable.

Thom comes at him from the right, making fairly good use of his momentum.

"Oh crap.

That good use of momentum send Raph's listing to one side, not something he was entirely prepared for. Especially given that these kids seem to weigh more and more with each passing day. He knows he's going to come down hard, there's no question about that. And there's no doubt that all three of them are going to come down with him. What's still up in the air though, is whether or not he's going to crush one of them in the process.

This...isn't really an option, and Raph knows it. Sure they're bigger than they were, but they're far from his size. It's all fun and games until someone has to go to the healer.

He sweeps the two he's carrying to the right in an attempt to land on his left.

They all go down, flattening the stiff winter grass. Unharmed, Grace rolls to the side and quickly gains her feet, brushing dirt and stray twigs from her tunic; her dignity is slightly dented. Jamie has the breath knocked out of him and Thom pushes his eyebrows together like he's analyzing the result of his tackle and pondering how to do it better next time.

Jamie laughs, once he's able to do so without coughing. "We found you!"

Clearly.

Oh yeah, that hurt. Raph grunts incomprehensibly as he mentally takes stock of the kids and himself. He could be swearing and yelling a blue streak, see how he's grown?

"Really. You sure?"

It's his best attempt at sarcasm, but it falls flat due to his concern about Jamie's coughing. Talking is good though. People that talk and make jokes are usually not bleeding internally.

Raph rolls onto his back in order to kip up to his feet.

"You a'right, Thom? Look like you swallowed a bug or somethin'."

Yeah, don't think you're getting off easy, Grace. Uncle Raph has a good ol' fashioned head ruffle for you.

Augh! Grace glares haughtily at Raph and ducks away, smoothing stray locks back into place. Mischief is all well and good, but she's been fussy about her hair lately.

The boys find it hilarious. Before she hits them.

Thom frows up at Raph. "Next time, I'll try a different approach," he says seriously.

There's something about being around small children that makes one pause and reflect one's own childhood. The subtle shift of perspective from child to AdultChild has the ability to grant one amazing insights into the behavior of own's own parents. Raph finds himself thinking back to similar mask ruffling done by Master Splinter that elicited a similar responses from his brothers...and Raph. It's only now that Raph realizes it wasn't just affection, but the reinforcement of the filial pecking orders.

Sneaky damn rat.

"What was wrong with this one?"

Asks Raph just now getting around to brushing the grass and dust from his clothes; partly because he's curious, and partly because he'd like some hint as to what he should be expecting next time.

Thom glances at the ground, assessing his position, then looks to Jamie, who is still trying to get his breath back around peals of unrepentant laughter. He feels the answer is quite obvious, but points to his fool of a brother in case Raph still isn't getting it.

Jamie catches on. "M'fine!"

Grace snorts. "If you say so. I think your head is damaged."

"Says the one who signed up to be decoy."

He gives the three of them a critical look.

"A'right you lot, line up. Come'on, double time."

There's only one way to end a training session, and that's with a bow.

Amazingly -- it would be amazing to their parents, anyway -- they follow orders without a word of complaint or concern. Indeed, it's one of the few times Grace and Jamie look as serious as their brother.

"Yes, sir." It's an automatic response.

They aren't completely barbaric.

Really it's not all that amazing. Even the kids know you can't get something for nothing, and Uncle Raph is a font of sneaky moves perfect for cheating at games and playing pranks on others.

What would be truly amazing is if the trio wouldn't use the stuff Raph teaches them against him.

Raph paces before them, hands behind his back like a general commanding troops.

"As plans go this one was a good one. Keep the target focused on one so the attack can come from the two they didn't even know was there. You worked like a team, an' that ain't always an easy feat.

All in all I say good work, an' nicely done."

Beaming happily at the praise, Thom sneaks a glance at Grace. She's smiling as well, clearly satisfied with the result of their hastily formed plan even if it doesn't mean as much to her as it does to Thom.

Jamie just grins.

"Thank you," says Grace, primly. "We're leaving tomorrow."

If anyone were to ask Raph he'd say that hasty plans are the best ones. The less time left open to second guessing the better.

"That's what they tell me. Excited?"

All three nod in unison.

"We'll see the King-"

"-and the Queen-"

"-and Uncle George!"

And Mama their faces say without them having to voice it aloud.

Edited 2009-01-07 20:18 (UTC)

It goes without saying how much he misses her too.
His smile goes down right evil at the mention of George.

"What do we think, ready to pick the King o' Thieves pocket this time 'round?"

It's Jamie who answers this time, with a boisterous "Yes!"

He really looks up to George, but that doesn't mean he won't take advantage of what Raph's taught them.

"We'll fool him proper."

"Properly," corrects Grace.

Thom looks pained. Sometimes George's former profession hurts his sense of order.

"Six o' one, halfdozen of the other."

Says Raph, who was never really all that fond of grammar to begin with.

"Ya'right there, Thom?"

It's probably mean to draw attention to the kid, but if he's going to wear his emotions on his face like that...well then that's what's going to happen.

"I am."

He blinks and manages a small smile.

"Do you think Grandda would want some of his books?" he asks earnestly. Maybe he can endeavor to deliver them while Grace and Jamie go after George. He'd rather get himself lost in the palace library anyway. He's going to be a knight. Knights don't steal.

Sure they do. Oh they might not call it that, but that doesn't mean they don't do it.

"I think he'd like that. Ain't really like a bookperson to turn a good book down. Maybe bring him one you think he'll like along with one you know you do."

Then he leans in a little closer, for a conspiratorial whisper.

"that way when you're logicin' him in circles he can can have something to skim."

"We don't talk about logic." Beat. "We talk about history."

Grace and Jamie give each other a Look. I'll take care of it Jamie says with his eyes, then reaches over to poke Thom's arm. Thom turns on him and pokes back. A poking war breaks out.

Grace shakes her head, ignoring them, and addresses Raph: "We were wondering something."

See, this is just further proof of the fact that he doesn't understand bookpeople. History happened, what's there to talk about?

A warning light in the back of Raph's brain begins to flash. Nothing good comes from these kids wondering about stuff, and yet...for some reason Raph completely ignores this light and turns his attention to Grace.

"An' that is?"

The poking stops. They stare at him with identical worried expressions.

"Is Olau going to be safe?"

There isn't a moment of hesitation in his response, nor an ounce of uncertainty in his voice.

"Of course it is."