 | ShatterStorm Productions
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| ShatterStorm Productions
|
Primary Character(s): Jane Pappas & Mel Tairnghael
Secondary Influences: Plato's Symposium & "Prometheus" [Xena: Warrior Princess, Season 1 Episode 8]
Special Thanks: To tellitslant & vassilissa for giving me the origins of the story Jane tells at the end. And more special thank to katiedammit & newbie_2u for getting me the exact episode and verbatim translation of the version of the tale that Gabrielle told, which I borrowed for this story.
Disclaimers: See Index page for full disclaimer info
++ Mel ++
"You're going to spoil them, Jane," I reply, watching the kids playing with the foam tubes.
"I'm not spoiling anyone," she replies with a grin. "It's good exercise and helps to develop great hand-eye coordination. Or at least that's what someone once told someone else."
I snort and shake my head, hearing the same snort in the back of my head. "You're never going to let that one go, are you?"
"Nope, no matter how many incarnations they go through, Gabby will not let it die. Sorry."
"Auntie Jane? Am I doing this wrong?"
Glancing up, I can see young Fawn pouting, arms crossed defiantly over her chest. Jane grins and moves over to pick up the tube as she leans down next to the girl. "What's wrong, Fawn?"
"I am too little to do this. Cubby and Em'ly are beating me."
Watching Jane work with the small children makes me smile. I lean back against the beam in the gazebo, letting the warmth of the sun warm my skin. That part of my psyche that holds Xena revels in the warmth, memories of Greece flowing through our collective thoughts. Gabrielle was always good with children, and most of her descendents since then have been, as well. Gran Janice swore she hated children, yet she was one of the biggest softies I've ever known.
Seeing Ingle again made Xena and Gabrielle realize just what is coming in the relatively near future. Of course, at the center of all of that is Dace and the rest of these up and coming young Sentinels, Guides, and spell casters. Kat and young Rose have potential that I haven't seen or felt in a long, long time. I can see the caring warrior persona already developing in Lindsey and Emily. Lindsey's become a little jack of all trades; she can accomplish almost any task set before her. And oddly enough, Emily also appears to have the gift of the bard. Oh, she can't sing, but she can tell stories that fascinate all of the children younger than she is. No, it's her mate, the pouty little Fawn who has the voice of the bards in her. I'll have to remember to suggest some training for her with Jane. It would do them both a world of good.
"Do you see how small I am, Fawn? I can best a lot of people with my staff, people much bigger than I am. Well, except for her."
With a chuckle and a wave, I acknowledge that she's pointing at me. "You do give it your best shot, Jane," I reply warmly. "And sometimes I do let you win."
"Oh is that how it is?" she calls back, smirking impishly in that competitive way I love about her. "Wanna prove that you're 'letting' me win?"
"With foam? I can wipe you into next week, just like I have in pretty much every life we've shared together," I reply, stepping closer.
Jane shakes her head. "Foam's for the kids, so they don't get hurt. Kat? Would you be so kind as to grab those wooden staffs you and I were working with earlier?"
With a grin, the young spell caster moves to grab them. She reverently passes the well-worn, feathered staff to Jane, who strokes it lovingly, and then hands me the other almost as well loved staff. She clears her throat and starts to recite the words that Jane uses when the children practice their sparring. "Okay, now this is a clean fight. No sneakiness, no outright meanness, no blatant shows of unsportsmanlike conduct. If one of you yields, the other will stop immediately. Are we clear on this?"
"I can work with that," Jane replies with a devious grin. "And no pulling punches, Mel."
I raise an eyebrow and chuckle. "Fair enough. No pulling punches and no whining when I've wiped the floor with you."
"Okay, kids, go sit down and see how the grownups do this. Fawn, I want you to play close attention to this. I can go one on one with Mel here and hold my own. In fact, I'm gonna do my best to beat her."
The kids move to sit on the steps of the gazebo as Jane and I get into position. We easily begin a dance that's millennia old for our ancestors, and just as comfortable for us. Even given the comfortable teasing I gave my lover, she is a fine warrior in her own right. She's the perfect choice to replace Jesse when he chooses to retire, and I know both Xena and Gabrielle are thrilled that Jane's once again gathered together a band of women warriors to rule.
My woolgathering ends up being my downfall, and Jane plants a perfect thrust with her staff. She ends up winning fair and square, and I can hear Fawn cheering loudly, but all I can see from where I'm flat on my back on the ground is Jane's merrily dancing eyes as she leans against her staff.
"Told you I could beat you," she taunts lightly and blows me a kiss before turning to the children. "See, Fawn? If you know how to use your weapon, your size can be to your advantage, too."
I get up with a hand from Jane and pull her close. "It's Xena's fault you won," I murmur good-naturedly. "She got distracted."
"And you say that every single time I win," comes the easy reply. "You and Xena really need to get better excuses, Mel."
"Auntie Jane? Will you tell us a story?" Of course, it's young Cubby asking. The boy has a fascination with Jane's stories.
And, right on cue, I can see the light in Jane's eyes at the question. She moves to sit with the kids, letting them gather closer as Rose crawls into her lap.
"Once, a long, long time ago, all people had four legs and two heads," Jane begins in that tone of voice I never tire of hearing. "And then the gods threw down thunderbolts, and split everyone into two. Each half then had two legs and one head. But the separation left both sides with a desperate yearning to be reunited, because they each shared the same soul. And ever since then, all people spend their lives searching for the other half of their soul."
Isn't it wonderful when they find it?
