Kib wakes up first. This has always been the case. He kisses his sleeping husband and gets up, prompting Charp to start making breakfast and boiling a kettle so Aydanci can have tea whenever he's up. Kib finished a book yesterday, so he picks up a new one. He should make some more storks if he can't think of anything useful to do with the day; the world can always use more storks.
do_over
Aydanci wakes up earlier than usual today, but that's really not saying very much. He yawns and grouches in an undertone about creaking bones and stiff muscles and shuffles his way out of bed. Tea? Tea. Good Charp.
"Good morning, love," he says, when he is somewhat more coherent.
"Good morning, love," he says, when he is somewhat more coherent.
do_over
He shrugs and makes a noncommittal sound. Sleep's become more of a chore than something to be enjoyed, at this age.
"You?"
"You?"
secondchance
"As if I'd kick you out of the workshop. But you just do the puppeting from a comfy chair, okay? I don't want your joints getting worse trying to fiddle with the chassis or interrupt the automata."
secondchance
Kiss. "I can't just build you a golem to carry your brain around. Won't work."
do_over
"Would they be carved onto my golem body's surface, or painted on? I need to know if I would be colorful."
do_over
"Truly, the world is lesser for the lack of colorful paint and sequins. Though maybe we could decorate Charp..."
secondchance
"Charp I think would benefit from ribbons tied in elaborate bows."
"Whatever milord suggests, of course," says Charp in complete deadpan.
"Whatever milord suggests, of course," says Charp in complete deadpan.
do_over
Snicker. "You will be the prettiest of golems."
He finishes his tea and breakfast. "To the workshop, then?"
He finishes his tea and breakfast. "To the workshop, then?"
secondchance
"To fill the sky with additional storks, since I'm not feeling creative today," agrees Kib, getting up. He offers Aydanci a hand.
do_over
Aydanci takes it, and stands, smiling.
Halfway to the workshop he slows, his breathing quicker than usual.
Halfway to the workshop he slows, his breathing quicker than usual.
secondchance
Kib snaps his fingers a couple of times and his chair comes running. "Here. What's wrong?"
secondchance
"Charp, get a glass of water."
"Yes milord," replies Charp from the kitchen. It is along presently with a glass of water.
"Yes milord," replies Charp from the kitchen. It is along presently with a glass of water.
do_over
Aydanci takes the offered glass, and sips at it a bit. After two mouthfuls he puts it down on a nearby table.
... He is sort of wheezing. Strange, he hasn't done anything strenuous.
... He is sort of wheezing. Strange, he hasn't done anything strenuous.