a goat load of love

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Clara Honeyfield
Note: better gif coming soon!

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Slade had never thought he would have to nurse a goat back to health. They had been traveling and Evelina noticed a small creature on the side of the road. Truthfully, Slade did not even think it would survive the carriage ride back to their estate -- which had not been that far at all. But Evelina was adamant, holding it in her arms the entire way. All Rueben could think about . . . was how he was going to have to explain it to her when the goat drew it's last breath. She had already been exposed to death with the passing of her mother; he did not wish for her to constantly be surrounded by it. However, the goat lived to the estate. And still, Slade did not believe it would survive. Each hour that passed, he was proved wrong. And those hours, turned into days. Evelina seldom left the goat's side, telling him stories, petting him, feeding him when she could . . . it was truly a miracle and Slade had to admit, touching to witness.

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For it was that love and determination that quite literally, nursed the goat back to life. Where it had practically no odds of survival . . . Rueben Slade had been proven quite wrong. And it was fortunate, he did not share what he had thought was a sealed fate, to his daughter. Currently, he was sitting outside in the garden, a table with snacks and refreshments, Clara in another chair and the goat -- who Evelina had named Gilberto and nicknamed Sir Gilly -- and Evelina chasing each other and rolling around in the grass. And he knew, Evelina wanted to keep him. And Slade . . . would have a hard time saying no. So instead, he wondered what Clara's thoughts were, as he slightly turned his head to look at her watching them . . . trying to determine where her thoughts were before she would hopefully voice them.

[Clara Honeyfield]

Lina was growing too attached to the goat, and when the goat went to the farm it would be hard on her. It saddened her to know that Lina would miss her pet, however, goats were meant to be on farms--not as pets. Perhaps it was the proper daughter in her that did not assume that Mr. Slade would let his daughter keep the goat.

Clara laughed as the goat's limbs got tangled into themselves and he stumbled, only to pop back up and keep going. Tilting her face to the side to speak Clara's laugh was still on her face and in her tone. "What a clumsy little thing. Clearly it has yet to grow into it's limbs." Much like his daughter.

Looking back at Lina for a moment, Clara turned her whole body to face the table, so she might partake in the tea service and snacks that was there. Once, sitting with him would have made her unease, but after coming to know him, and learn the type of man--and more importantly the type of father--he was; she now felt at ease in his presence.

Reuben Slade & Evelina Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Clara Honeyfield
Note: better gif coming soon!

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Slade emphatically agreed with Clara's words, of the goat being rather clumsy. And yet, there was a . . . joy to him. He was a joyful creature in all the ways he was able to move and the small bleating noises that were growing progressively stronger as he recovered. He was a kid though, and in some way . . . could envision him and Evelina growing together. Especially with how much she loved the animal. How could he deny her that? She now expected the goat to remain with them forever and Slade . . . lacked the ability to tell her otherwise.

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Even though it was a most unconventional pet to have outside of a farm. He glanced at Cara while she looked at Evelina, then turning his gaze to his daughter and the kid whilst Clara reached for the refreshments. "She wishes to keep him," Slade stated, almost avoiding eye contact with Clara as he said it. He knew that it was assumed . . . but this also opened the conversation to him having, accepted her desire. And the reason Clara would need be informed . . . is that it would not only be Evelina in her charge, but also the goat. Who Evelina had apparently named Gilberto, or Sir Gilly. As if it could not be any more . . . . . . unconventional.

[Clara Honeyfield]

Clara was just reaching for a sugar cube when he spoke the all too telling words. Her face lifted toward him in surprise, for she had thought he would send the goat to a farm. Yet after a few seconds of looking at him, her face shifted to a different expression. Perhaps it was acceptance mixed with a very slight exasperation, but the biggest expression was the pressing of her lips as she tried to hide the smile. Lina would always get the world from her father.

"Does she?" Clara asked, looking at the said father. While her tone held a playful offset, she already knew how this conversation would end. "Has one expressed to her that goats are farm animals who love the outdoors?" Doubtful. He more likely just agreed with her his daughter. Though to be fair--he was not the one who was going to be cleaning up after it.

Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Clara Honeyfield
Note: better gif coming soon!

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Slade kept his gaze on Evelina and Sir Gilly as they played in the grass, while Clara continued with her own inquiry. Though he was not looking at her, he could see her looking at him in his peripheral vision, a light tease in her voice. "One has," he confirmed. But he certainly had not told Evelina in a way to . . . dissuade the idea of keeping him.

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He had not told her to say no. He had merely . . . reminded her -- perhaps that was as best put as it could be. The moment he could see how attached she was to him, was the moment he knew he could not deny her of a goat -- of all things. "One is also willing to increase ones wages for the additional care that be required due to his permanent stay." Words that held truth, that he was willing to pay extra for the added responsibility of a kid. And also, his words telling what she may have already known: that Gilberto the Goat was here to stay.

[Clara Honeyfield]

After a extended silent moment of only looking at him with an knowingly amused expression, Clara closed her eyes to shake her head once, before opening them and finishing fixing her tea. It was the only sign of her feelings toward the matter, which where amused and knowing. Amused because Mr. Slade was nothing if not controlled in all areas of his life--and he now had a goat for a pet. And knowing, because the goat would make things very interesting around here, and Clara for one, was excited to see it.

Even if she was a little apprehensive about taking care of a goat.

"It is not one's wages that raise concern." She told him, her lips tilted into a knowing smile as she prepared to make a point and tease her employer. "It is the rugs, and the drapery, and countless of other things that a young goat will enjoy to nibble on." there was the point, so here came to tease, "And Mr. Slade, you do enjoy a certain amount of order in your household. I will enjoy seeing the goat put that to test."

Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: Clara Honeyfield
Note: better gif coming soon!

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

Her words held truth. Slade was incredibly meticulous and orderly. Everything had to have a system, everything had to have a place. Diligent and methodical in all that he did. And now . . . they had a goat. He supposed Evelina was the first exception to all his otherwise, intense organization. Children -- he had quickly learned -- required a level of flexibility. But that of course was where Clara had come in and been incredibly helpful with. The system however, was threatened to be disrupted with this creature they now adopted into their family. "Should such be the case," he began to say, turning his head to look at her as he continued to speak.

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"I shall know who to come to for explanation." An ever so slight smile touched his lips, for the words held a bit of a tease to them -- a tad bit truth though. But the latter not because he would lay blame at her. But rather, he went to her for updates and accounts of the day. Wishing to know what had happened, if there was anything of concern . . . and any milestones or behaviors that he had missed in Evelina. Turning back to look at the two playing, Slade knew that it was moments like this that warmed his heart. "She is happy." Seeing her bright smile, her jovial laughter, her affectionate actions. It was easy to tell that she was quite happy with the goat. "Everything else is secondary." Rugs, Draperies. Furniture. Anything material. It all was irrelevant compared to the happiness of his daughter.

[Clara Honeyfield]

He turned to look at her, and for a moment she could see into his eyes, as he made a joke--one that made her shoulders lift as a soft laugh escaped her lips. These moments were nice. Spending time talking with him, while Lina played. Mr. Slade looked away, but Clara's eyes lingered for a moment before she lifted her tea cup up to her lips.

He spoke of his daughter's happiness, and Clara looked over at the said little girl. "Tis hard to be anything but charmed and happy in her presence." She admitted in return. Curious, Clara broached a subject that she did not often, or perhaps even had never really asked about out right. "Does she take after her mother?"

Looking back at him, she watched to make sure this was not a unwanted topic. Clara had been hired just before Lady Slade had died, and had not really gotten her to know her as the timings were so close. Sometimes it felt as if she had never known the woman, and she had to remind herself that she had met her.

Reuben Slade