Lazing (a story) (original) (raw)

I decided to revise this story before posting it on another community. It's sequel needed revision more, but while I was at it, I figured I might as well look this one over, too. {Smile}

The tart taste of an apple fresh from the tree - from Akinaj

Also about Avilee and Forster.

Characters: Avilee, Forster
Acknowledgments: I would like to thank my parents for their help. Also betaed by Jennifer.
Word count: 289
Warnings: none

Lazing

by Anne Elizabeth Baldwin

copyright 2007

Avilee yawned and stretched. There were few things she liked better than a lazy afternoon. She looked up, and realized how close a particularly nice, ripe apple was to her current perch. If she braced one foot on this branch, and the other on that one, and grasped the branch out there with her left hand, she ought to be able to push herself up enough to...yes! Grab it, just like that! She grinned broadly.

It was a very good-looking apple, she thought as she polished it on her blouse. It was mostly red, with a pale yellow cheek glinting in the sunlight. Biting into it, she found it was as crisp and tart as a proper apple should be when it's just been picked from the tree. Yes, she thought as she wiped apple juice from her chin, there were few things as nice as a lazy afternoon, particularly with tasty snacks in ready reach.

She froze in the middle of her third bite to listen. Yes, those were voices she heard coming down the path thru the orchard. She hurriedly tucked the rest of her apple in her pocket to finish later. Then she reached up to draw her feathered cloak tightly around her shoulders....

******

"Mommy! Mommy! I saw a swan take off out of that apple tree!" a young boy below cried.

"Don't be ridiculous, Forster," the woman just in front of him scolded as she turned to look at him, "Swans don't like apples."

Ridiculous indeed, Avilee thought, snorting softly to herself as she flew off. Swans didn't eat apples often, though they would if you left some close enough to the water. However, swan-maids certainly did eat apples when they found good ones!

Anne Elizabeth Baldwin