So Sorry for the long update between a little writers block half way through this chapter and college been crazy, In two week i have written original short story, sonnet, poem, and fable. So i am really sorry it has taken so long. I hope you enjoy this long chapter 4. No i don't own rise of the guardians though. Read and Review. Grammar Updated!
Chapter 4 Dinnertime….or Not?
Aster gazes in the mirror as he ties his tie around his neck. Why did Sandy make me promise to go to this stupid dinner. His hands move away from his neck taking in the poorly done tie for the third time. Oh yes 'you need to meet some of the locals.' Not what I really wanted to be doing after meeting the local yesterday with the white haired kid throwing water all over me. But no, the bugger would not listen to me.
Aster turns form the mirror giving up on the tie, he would rather go without but Sandy wanted him to make a good impression. Apparently there was a chance some of the kids I would be teaching soon would be there. Also he had to tell me last minute after getting back from the school, Though, glad I didn't run into the drongo again. Aster grabs his grey jacket throwing it over his arm when a knock sounds at the guest room door Aster has occupied since Sunday when he arrived. It opens to reveal Sandy.
"Are you ready to go," Sandy signs to Aster looking him over form tasseled hair to polished brown boots.
Aster nods his head in affirmative. "Why didn't you tell me about this dinner earlier?"
"Because I didn't know about it until around lunchtime when my delivery boy said his family was having dinner with the Bennet's and North's and I should join. Something they only planned as of Sunday as it is, so it is not all that last minute. The invite was extended to you as my guest and such. Great food and a good time with friends sounded marvelous." Sandy crosses his arms at the dejected look on Aster. "Besides you will be teaching some of the younger kids and both families' attending has kids around the age 6 plus some older kids it would be good for you to get to know that could help you learn the ropes in the hosts family and North's."
Aster groans before moving to the door that Sandy lets him pass. "Yes, your friends. I will be the stranger that stands to the side as you all have a chin wag."
Sandy shakes his head as they make their way down the stairs and through the store. Sandy locks up his store before turning to reply to Aster. "It is good for you to know some of the kids you will teach in a few weeks for summer and then those in the fall but also the families. These three families are some of the best families around and they are kind so they will involve you."
Aster shoulders sag as he shivers in the cool spring night. He shoves his arms through the sleeves of his jacket to fight off the chill.
Sandy starts walking towards the path for the school but instead of turning right up the small hill he turns lefts towards the outskirts of town. They walk a bit passing the last house in town to the outskirts of the town. Up on the hill near the tree line stands a beautiful solitary two story home in a pale blue with a large front porch with its light on. The back of the house faces the forest only yards away from the tree line, and a large front lawn surrounded by a white fence. Dirt path leads straight up the hill and to the gate. Aster and Sandy make their way up the path toward the home with windows brightly lit waiting for company.
Upon reaching the door Sandy gives a light knock and waits after him and Aster hear a coming from the inside. Not a few moments later the door opens to reveal Caroline Overland.
"Sandy," she exclaims, "You and your friend are the first ones here. Come on in."
She bends in the entry way to give the shorter man a hug before she leads them to the parlor. "It is so nice that everyone is getting together tonight and all Jack's idea as well. Speaking of which Jack will be back soon as he left to get me some more wood for the fireplace as the nights are still cool and for my wood oven. Emma is upstairs and should be down soon."
Sandy nods and gestures to Aster standing to his side who is taking in the flower furniture and the sewing machine in the corner. Many types of fabrics surround it as well as a half made project abandoned for another time. As Sandy get comfortable in a high back chair Caroline moves to greet Aster.
"I am so sorry for being rude, I am Caroline Overland." She pats down her apron as she smiles large with a mischievous twinkle in her eye that he would swear he has seen before.
"E. Aster Bunnymund ma'me." Aster shakes hands with here, "Thank you kindly for inviting me to your home."
"Don't be silly. Any friend of Sandy's is ours as well so we are happy to include you to our little group and please call me Caroline like everyone else Mr. Bunnymund." She wavers her hand in front of her face while giving him a welcoming smile.
Aster chuckles lightly, "Well, then please call me Aster."
Carloine laughs but nods in agreement before moving to a small bar she asks, "Would either of you like a drink? Scotch perhaps?"
Sandy gets up from his chair gesturing Caroline off without signing, letting her know he will take care of the drinks.
Caroline laughs, "You are going to make me look like a bad hostess, Sandy," but she moves aside anyways.
Sandy pulls a bottle from his jacket that makes Caroline shake her head. "Well since Sandy has it all under control please excuse me as I must get back to dinner if we plan on eating anytime tonight."
She moves to the door that Aster assumes leads to the kitchen. "Well you seem very comfortable in this home Sandy." He exclaims as he watches Sandy move about the small bar like he owns it making more than just the two. Must be for the other guests.
Sandy hands Aster of tumbler of scotch and gestures for him to sit and Sandy resumes his abandoned chair. Aster takes a seat in one of the small loves seats laying his hat to the side on a table.
Sandy starts signing, "The Overland's is one of the oldest families in Burgess. They are also one of the kindest next to the Bennet's of course. When I moved here they greeted me with open arms like they have known me for years and they did the same for the North's. Were others where standoffish because I could not speak they all tried to find ways to communicate with me in other ways. It is why I knew they would not have a problem with you showing up."
At the end of Sandy telling some about the kind family a loud knock is heard at the door and before Caroline can come back out from the kitchen they hear an "I'll get it," from overhead and quick footsteps. Not long after, they see a flash of red at the door of the parlor heading for the door.
"Ahh little Emma how are you?" A loud voice is heard in a deep accent. "Where is rest of family?"
In the same voice heard from earlier, that must be Emma, "Mother is in the kitchen getting dinner ready and Jack is out back getting wood. I think Sandy is here already so come on in everyone."
Sandy and Aster stand as the crowd of people move into the room.
Moving into the parlor, Aster sees a girl with brown hair that must be Emma and Caroline's daughter she mentioned earlier as well as two families. One big man with a white beard Aster remembers from looking out the window the day he arrived as the Pastor though he is not wearing his color but a large red coat with black fur and the small lady on his arm in the bright green dress with, Are those feathers? Hiding some behind the women's dress is a little girl Aster would assume is about 6 in the same color dress as her mother and might as well be the spitting image of her as well with the amethyst eyes and all.
The other family is a women with brown hair and brown eyes in a simple dark blue long dress that form fits to her body. To each of her side is a boy about 13 with the same color hair and eyes as his mother he would presume. The little girl has the shape face of her mother but is blond with green eyes wearing a light blue dress with a pattern of triangles and a yellow collar. The Bennet's. Aster presumes as that is who Sandy said was attending. Aster has to ask himself though where the men of the two families were.
"Sandy old friend," The large man comes over picking up Sandy and hugging him. "How is job doing well yes?"
Sandy nods as he pats the man on his shoulder then pointing to Aster. The big man moves to Aster who puts the table between him and the oncoming affectionate man.
"Ahhh you must be new man in town. I Nicholas St. North, Pastor of the town and expect you on Sunday yes?" The man holds out his hand in which Aster shakes with a firm grip.
"North dear don't scare the poor man or he may not come." The women in green says.
"Don't worry ma'me I have seen Wallabies scarier than this big teddy bear." Aster says as he points his thump at North.
North laughs a loud belly laugh clapping the man on the shoulder that makes Aster wince at the contact making a note to keep an eye on where the man is at all times. "I like you," North says seriously. "Now this my wife Toothiana.."
"Please call me tooth," she sticks out her hand shaking Asters. "This is our daughter Natalie but everyone calls her Baby Tooth."
The shy girl peaks her head out from behind her mother before hiding again as Aster chuckles. Tooth continues "This is Diana Bennet and her two children Jamie and Sophie. Sophie and Baby are the same age of 6 and Jamie is the same age as Emma at 13." Tooth gestures to each in turn as Aster tips his head in greeting.
To the crowd Aster addresses them all, "My name is E. Aster Bunnymund and I was recently hired as one of the new teachers at the school."
"Wow your accent is so cool. What is it? What does the E stand for? What do you teach? I hope I don't have Black again." Aster hears from Jamie as Emma beside him smacks him across the head.
The same time Sophie exclaims, "Bunny, Hop Hop." She runs around Aster hopping from time to time.
"I'm an Aussie which means I am from Australia and I will be teaching these little ankle biters here," He exclaims rubbing his large hand at the beaming Sophie.
Diana scolds her daughter, "Sophie, do not be rude to Mr. Bunnymund." In reply from Sophie all she receives is "Bunny, hop hop hop," as she latches onto Asters leg.
"I am really sorry Mr. Bunnymund." Diana moves to take sophie.
"It's alright Mrs. Bennet. It is why I am teaching little kids." He picks up Sophie and puts her on his shoulders. "Please though everyone call me Aster."
Sophie giggles from the height Aster has given her pulling at his hair.
"Well Aster, call me Diana and welcome to the town. If you need anything let me know. Though please excuse me while I go see if Caroline needs any help in the kitchen." Diana moves to the kitchen as Aster and Sandy resume their seat and Nick and Tooth take the couch.
Jamie pulls Emma out the door again, "Let's go find Jack."
Emma pulls her hand out of Jamies turning, "Excuse him for being rude, but we will leave you adults to talk as we go find my brother. Would you like us to take Sophie and Baby?"
Baby and Sophie jump to Emma, "Jack, Jack, Jack."
Tooth laughs, "If you don't mind watching them Emma."
Emma shakes her head, "Not at all miss Tooth. We will be back and hopefully with Jack."
Aster watches as all the kids leave before asking a question on his mind. "I don't mean to pry or anything, but where are the fathers of the Overland's and the Bennet's?"
Tooth looks on sadly. "Both Tom and Mitchell are fighting in the war."
North nods his head solemnly closing his eyes, "Lord protect them that they come home safe to their family's. Lord also protect all that all family's with men in the war that they come home safety as well and give strength to those that are left behind. Amen."
"Amen," is echoed around the room as a steely quite comes over them before Sandy signs something.
"Yes, old friend, you are right. Even with the fathers gone for the time being they have us. Jack works himself so hard though, being the young man of the house and I see Jamie copying as well."
Aster sits back and ponders the fact this family is so lively with the war that has taken their husband and father away and the same for the Bennet's. He does not pry more though due to the solemn looks. As North and Sandy exchange conversation, Aster talks to Tooth asking her about the children in town, learning that Tooth is the Sunday school teacher to the children. Until he can talk to his employer at the school the best information about his students will come from this bright personality that is brighter than her clothes it seems.
They chat until they hear screaming and laughter from the back of the house as Caroline scolds someone for tracking mud and letting the children get dirty. "What have you been doing anyways you should have been back ages ago." There is a reply that is not heard over the commotion when they hear "Get to your room young man and get cleaned up. I don't care how old you are we have company."
North gives a huge laugh along with Sandy's silent laughter and Tooth's giggle. At Asters confused look Tooth elaborates. "The kids must have found Jack and they played before returning. Which also by Caroline, it seems Jack is back and probably in worst shape then the kids."
"You make it sound like he is an adult but it sounds like he is young tyke. How old is this kid?" Aster says in confusion to the ruckus ad why it is so funny.
North lets out another round of laughter, "Jack is young man at age 22. Caroline though could make him seem like a child though." North sobers when Tooth talks.
"Oh give Jack a break, since Caroline can make you feel like a child as well, North. Didn't she just reprimand you yesterday? What was it for? Oh yes, because you had a handful of cookies." Sandy slaps his knees as Aster chuckles when North blushes a rosy red.
The kids come into the room causing a lot of noise when Tooth stands moving to Baby who's face has dirt streaks on it. "Oh dear what did you children do?"
Jamie pipes up smiling while his mother frowns at his jeans covered in dirt, "we found Jack and tackled him to surprise him which turned into a chase through the woods."
Everyone laughs at Jamie's proud stance when his mother moves to wash his face with a wet cloth…."MOM."
"The party can now begin as the main event has arrived!" Everyone turns to the entrance to the parlor as Jack stands there in black slacks and black shirt with blue tie hair dripping wet as everyone but one laughs.
Everyone jumps where they are standing or sitting eyes wide. Silence hangs over the room as a loud voice screams out, "YOU!"
Again i am very sorry and i hope you enjoyed. Next time they get to final be properly introduced. Also i have another Jackrabbit in the works that is more about humor than drama. Be patient as the next chapter is in the works and my school is slowing down as it comes to and end. So until next time.
New Note Grammar has been updated for this story.