010 ☯ Alma [VIDEO]

[alma_karma]

[The feed clicks on accidentally as a small hand brushes by, the PDA tipped sideways in a tuft of tough, wet grass by what looks to be the edge of the apartment building. Alma is very close, only the lower portion of his body visible as he kneels in in the dirt, both arms stretched out in front of him as he prods at a pile of mud.

He continues his efforts for several minutes, ignoring the inclement weather and building his pile into a small pillar of sorts before pinching off a higher section on top. He pulls back and, after a moment, leans down far enough for the camera to catch his expression as scrutinizes his odd little creation, nose wrinkled and eyebrows furrowed. After a few more careful jabs and pokes he sits back again, the end product before him looking vaguely familiar.]

Comments

[alma_karma]

Yeah!

[Alma uses his pinky finger to poke eyes in the front of the head, giving his creation one last look over before presenting it to Allen proudly.

It even looks mostly like a duck head!]

[tothelastbreath]

[Excellent! Combine Alma's mostly duck-like head with Allen's mostly duck-like body, and they just might have at least half a duck between them.

Allen tilts his head in careful appraisal of Alma's creation, then quirks his lips, the cant of his smile mild but affectionate.]

I think you have me beat. [He cups his half in a hand, then; holding it up to Alma.] Shall we?

[alma_karma]

[Alma wiggles happily under that praise, lifting his half to try and stick the head and body together.]

[tothelastbreath]

[Quickly dabs some semi-wet mud on the joining point to help it stick, then just holds the bottom half steady for him while Tim flutters his wings at the approach of this monumental moment.]

[alma_karma]

[Alma fiddles with the duck for a few long moments, tongue sticking out between his lips in extreme concentration. This part is crucial!

And finally, with some careful smoothing and adjusting, the head is in place!]

There!

[tothelastbreath]

[Allen continues to hold very, very still for a moment, only lifting their joint creation to eye level when he's absolutely certain the head won't roll off.]

[holding it out for inspection:] Well? I'd say we did good.

[alma_karma]

[Alma nods enthusiastically, throwing his muddy hands in the air.]

It's excellent!

[tothelastbreath]

[Blinks as some flecks of mud go flying from Alma's enthusiasm, but eh, what's a bit of mud when he's already wrist-deep in the stuff.]

And it's yours! [ He lowers the mudduck, clearly meaning to deposit it in Alma's hands. ] Here, want to hold it?

[alma_karma]

[Alma accepts the mudduck with a smile, cradling it carefully with both hands.]

How long do you think it will last?

[tothelastbreath]

[Absently rubbing his palms together to rid them of excess mud.]

Can't say for sure, but it should at least last a few days if you bring it indoors.

[alma_karma]

[Alma's not at all worried about mud, admiring their creation.]

We should show Yu.

[tothelastbreath]

[A pause. Since his return to Nesreca, Allen has yet to deal with both Alma and Kanda in person, and it's going to be... Difficult, knowing as much as he does now. There are days when he doesn't quite know how to be around Kanda, because things do change when you finally come to understand someone. In the end, though, he supposes it's best to act like nothing's changed, at least for the moment. Keep that part of everyone's lives constant.]

I don't see why not. Want to go now?