Wouldn't this have been fun as a kid?

This is an excerpt from Essence.


     Chyrs grabbed a plate, and shuffled some greens, and gnocchi onto her plate, and sat down at a picnic table. She picked at the fresh leafy lettuce, and watched a few children play. They eluded Kristopher and had hidden behind a few saplings and thick bushes.

     “What are they doing?” Came the familiar low voice. Chrys nearly chocked on her cucumber, and turned to see Talon. He wore a brimmed hat, that shadowed his face, and a different coat, more like the ones they had. Chrys smiled, and looked around quickly, but Gaia was at the very far end, speaking among some Supremes.

“They’re playing Scuttle.” She explained as he sat down. It used to be Chrys’ favorite game. “Each player chooses a seed from the pot at random. No peeking! Then you would lay your seed down at the start line. When the announcer says ‘go’, you use your magic to make the little seed sprout legs, and run down to the finish line. First to cross wins.”

Talon smiled and looked amazed as, sure enough, the little seeds sprouted vine legs and ran down to the line.

“Wow. So, what do you do with the seeds, when they’ve been used.” He asked.

“Well, you can always keep them in that form, and shelf them as trophies. Most like to plant them, and let them grow. But, I always recycled mine.”

“Recycled?” He asked, puzzled.

“Yeah, I would turn it back into a whole seed, and throw it back in. Especially if I won with it. It would give the next kid a chance with a good seed.” Talon smiled at Chyrs, and pushed a stray lock of hair from her face.

“You really are amazing, you know that?” Chrys blushed.

“I better go. But, I will see you tonight.” Chrys wanted to tell him that it’d be impossible, but he was too quick. He planted a kiss on her cheek, and was gone.