did you see the words you know

[handelaar]

CHARACTERS: Netherlands handelaar and Takeshi throwsdown
LOCATION: Takeshi's room (002 » 030)
WARNINGS: Cute stuff.
SUMMARY: No really Mr. Ned is reading a book about bunnies to a kid it should be some cute shit.


His knock on the door is softer than usual and he huffs to himself, shifting his weight. Stupid, to be worried about whether a five year old will like the children's book tucked against his side, but even after discussing it with Heather and telling himself there's no need for it - Takeshi will like it and he knows it, on a logical level - well. He'd still like to smoke and that's a pretty clear indicator. Nervous about showing off part of himself to a child a hundredth of his age or something, Christ he's in deep.

But he can't even pretend that he won't be a little crushed if the kid gets bored halfway through and decides he'd rather play heroes and dragons and giant robots. Compared to that a simple little tale about two rabbits and their daughter isn't very exciting.

His own rabbit is at his feet, insistently tugging on his trouser leg like ruining the hem will make Takeshi's door magically open. After a moment to shush the little guy he clears his throat and calls out. "Hey, kiddo. It's Mister …Ned."

Maybe he should've called first, or something. Penciled it in.

Comments

[throwsdown]

Oh, gosh. He flusters.

"I... some words... I'm not very good at reading. But I--I can try to!"

He doesn't think he's too smart, though. He's not so sure he's a good learner.

[handelaar]

"Oh." He tries not to sound too surprised, but frankly, he didn't expect for Takeshi to be able to read any of it.

"S'fine. Show me the ones you know."

[throwsdown]

He appears to be straining his eyes quite carefully at each word, biting his lip; truth be told, reading frustrated him very easily. He didn't like words. Words were hard. Words took more time with him than adults, and it made him feel bad. But he'd try--for Netherlands, he'd try!

"... the--this is 'the'."

An easy word. He learned that one quick.

He skips around with his finger.

"He... wuh... wehded duhg... and--"

Blink. Pout.

"You're better--you should read it."

[handelaar]

As Takeshi points out each word - and gets them right for the most part - he nods along, tiny grin on his face and with each one gives a little squeeze to a little shoulder.

"I will. But it's good to know words. In case someone isn't around to read them for ya, any- " Uh. Clearing his throat. He points at weeded and mutters it.

"Took me a long time to read. You're better than I was."

Of course, he never had someone around to teach him, but even so. He'll just leave that part out.

[throwsdown]

He seems surprised by that fact; Netherlands, not being a good reader at some point? It's hard for him to wrap his mind around it, and it's very very easy to forget everyone was small like him at some point. "How'd... you learn?"

Maybe it'll be a way for him to get better, too. A tip!

"Did you go to school?"

[handelaar]

That gets yet another huff of humor out of him, and he shakes his head as he reaches over to tap at the corner of the page a few times. The intention is to let Takeshi know he can turn the page, but whether that'll get across - well, first thing is to answer the questions.

"No. There weren't any schools when I was a kid. Guess I learned..."

Goddamn, it's hard to remember let alone explain, so he taps again and murmurs that Takeshi can control the pages while he thinks. "Mm. From maps, first. What the sounds were - didn't know about the alphabet. Learned some from the Church, too."

[throwsdown]

Without even missing a bet, Takeshi knows what Netherlands is getting at; he turns the page without taking his attention off what the man was saying. He stops, because he doesn't want to ruin the story — it's important to read it all. "Chuch? Like — Murphy's church. Like in the garden With the bees and butterflies."

[handelaar]

"No. Wasn't like that. Didn't teach ya like they do in - Murphy's church."

It sounds weird to his ears, because he's always thought of it as Nathan's church, or maybe Mattie's. But if Takeshi wants to call it Murphy's church then why not. He clears his throat - anyway.

"So you'll learn hell of a lot faster than I did. Uh," and a nod down to the page, "howbout - you point at words an' I'll read 'em. That way if you know a word you say it with me."

Is that a good idea? It seems like a good idea. Interactive.

[throwsdown]

He presses one finger to the second word, smiling a little bit. He knows what it says, but hearing Netherlands say it would make him feel happy; he's not sure why, it just would. And all the while, there's some hesitation in the way he speaks up, though his face shows nothing but contentment.

"Mama Bunny?"

[handelaar]

"Mrs," he corrects, trying to sound neutral about it. Doesn't want to shoot down the kid's efforts immediately, or anything, especially if he's not sure about reading aloud in the first place.

"Not a - uh. Mama Bunny, yet."

That comes later in the story.

[throwsdown]

"Oh." Well, he doesn't seem too disappointed in that; facts are facts! He just looks at the page and starts reading each word slow and steady that he knows — to, and, plan — looks up, something hopeful in the way he leans close, because he can only hope he's doing a decent enough job that Ned will be proud of him — her, was —

He manages to pronounce basket with a little urgency, like it was the final level of a video game he just had to beat.

"Eh...aht."

Eat. It was supposed to be 'eat'.

Letters confuse him. puh-lan was easy.