ohshit a gargoyle.
300 +
Kansas stood at the edge of the field, icy eyes locked upon the windmill. He gazed at the beautiful, ancient structure for two reasons. He always loved looking at it, especially from a distance like this, when it spun easily with the shifting breeze. Today, though, there was also a special reason, and that was because he actually needed to be sure there was enough wind. It didn't take him long to smile, for it churned at a steady pace, reassuring him beyond the way his bangs flew about in front of his face. It really was a perfect day for what he and Cambria had planned. On top of the wind being sufficient, the sky was crystal clear, the air brisk but not freezing. Thoroughly excited, Kansas held the kite carefully against his chest, its string and spool resting in one hand, and ran across the field toward the windmill. He went as fast as he could, thrilled by the wind in his face, until he'd reached the middle of the field, with the windmill still a couple hundred feet away.
He couldn't wait for his daughter to get there. He'd told her to meet him this early afternoon, that he had a surprise for her. What she didn't know was that he actually had two. He was proud of himself for having planned this for her; she deserved it after all she'd been through. But he hoped she'd enjoy it as much as he hoped she would. Pushing this concern out of his mind, Kansas got on his knees, one nail in his mouth as he examined the kite. He made sure the frame was in place and that the patches he'd sewn over what had been old holes were still holding. Everything was fine. Giddy, the boy sat cross-legged in front of the kite, hiding it so Cambria wouldn't see it when she approached. His worn knapsack hung around his shoulder, with her other surprise tucked sneakily inside one of its inner pockets. He sighed happily, resting his chin on his fist, and waited.
