Birth of a Paladin

[goddess_duet]

[...and while all this partying and such is going on, Viridi is nowhere to be seen nearby else. The reason is that she's a good distance away, in a quickly sprouting forest. All around, the plants looks like a video put in fast forward. She, however, is focused in a person nearby, even smaller than herself. She seems... unusually satisfied.]

Very good, Lucas. Very good! You're getting it pretty quickly. Now try helping that flower grow. She already wants to. You just have to give her a push.

[Indeed, there is a little kid there, with her, looking as focused as only a little kid can be he tries to do it, purple glow around his hands. He's clearly doing magic.]

[Want to happen around to comment, cheer... or if you're Cora, probably fume?]

Comments

[goddess_duet]

[Viridi gives Richard a murderous stare. Seriously, we're doing something here. She waves a hand... and three seconds later Richard is going to find a large buzzard flapping at him and pecking at his head with "grieeek" sounds]

THANK you. [In the meantime, while the buzzard keeps Richard busy, Viridi continues] Now let's see if we can get this finished without more interruptions from the peanut gallery.

Now, Lucas, when a paladin is made, he gets a weapon. It's normally a sword, with you humans. Personally, I don't like swords much. I'm a bit more... old fashioned. [She extends the fingers on one hand... and breaks one of her nails with the other. The nail shines and turns into a pair of large three-pronged claws]

As a paladin of Nature, Lucas, you're my tiger. And these are going to be your new claws. They're a little bit from my nails - which can tear mountains down and break continents asunder! [She then smirks a bit] Of course, you're still a bit young. I'm sure your mother will be happy to keep them for you until you grow to size, won't she?

[armored_mother]

[Cora couldn't help but roll her eyes and give Viridi a mild look.]

Yeah yeah. 'Course I will... Seriously though. Claws? Why not give him a bear to ride around on while you're at it?

[Needless to say at THAT suggestion Lucas just looked even more excited, turning a bright and expectant expression at Viridi.]

... Don't you dare.

[goddess_duet]

Oh, Anderson, you had to go and spoil the surprise. [The evil glee is barely contained.

And in this, one of the nearby bushes rustles and a little grizzly bear cub emerges]

No paladin can go around without a companion, after all. It would make me look bad.

[paladin_robot]

Ow! Ow!

[Young master of the mystic arts he may be, but Richard isn't fond of personally harming animals, so that bird is pretty free to peck.]

N-Not to mention, if -ow!- if the animals of our world obey him likr she saaaaaays, then he could use any creature as a mount. Even one of Ann's cassowaries!

[This time he manages to duck as he speaks.]

[armored_mother]

[Cora holds her tongue about looking bad and was about to argue the point. Then she took a better look at the Grizzly Cub and- HNNGH!]

... I'm going to have to veto that. The Bear stays if that's the alternative.

[Yeah no. Cora remembered Scythe mentioning this one person that worked at the preserve who was mauled violently before he was all but hammered to death by a Cassowary's head.]

[Any more mulling on that was cut off by the cheery cry of Lucas rushing over to meet his new buddy, he didn't say anything - merely raising a hand to the Grizzly Cub - which was met by a small paw. Bear Five!]

.. Yeah he's definitely staying.

[goddess_duet]

I never expected otherwise.

You'll have to give him a human name, though, Lucas, if he's going to live with you. Don't worry, he's housebroken.

But yeah, that's why a cassowary would not be a good idea. They'll never hurt you - but I imagine your family wouldn't be too happy about it ruining the furniture! [Viridi laughs] Bears are smart and much politer than most humans, and this one is going to be brighter than most.

[paladin_robot]

Huh... Hadn't considered that. Never really had to raise a pet - or, really, had anything to raise.

So exactly how smart is this little guy gonna be? Like... talking animal? Tool user?

[armored_mother]

How about Fozzie?

[This earned a negative and a headshake from the bear. He'd look terrible in a hat.]

What about Basil? Or maybe Jasper!

[The Grizzly Cub looked thoughtful... then shook his head again. Lucas dropped on his rear and pressed his hands against his head in an adorable look of childish frustration before suddenly looking absolutely inspired.]

I got it! How about Sir Bearington?

[Both the bear cub and boy stood, looking absolutely excited about the name before they both thought about it a while.]

Naaaah...

Doesn't sound like he can talk... but Lucas understands him just fine.

... I think I got an idea. Does Walter sound good? Its the name of a writer who wrote a story about a bear so...

[There was a pause. Then the Cub voiced his approval, earning a cheerful whoop from Lucas.]