FH: A…O, Episode 1
“Oh, I better run, it looks like I’m about to regain consciousness! Don’t fret, we’ll get to chat again…”
“Finnigan! FINN!” the short dwarf cradled the lanky human in his arms for a moment, worry and concern fighting for dominance on the battlefield of his face, before he reaches back and slaps the human square across the jaw. The fierce wake up call left four pudgy finger prints upon Finnigan’s pallid skin and rattled his head violently. “Damn it, boy! You’ll be the death of me, yet!” grumbled the upset dwarf. “If you die now… I’ll kill you! So wake up you wee lad…” “Dad… Daddy?” asked Finn, just starting to make out contrasting black shapes against the white of everything else. “Well, I’m the closest thing you’ve got lad, but you haven’t never called me Daddy afore…” answered the dwarf. “What?” asked Finn as world slowly came further into focus. Realizing he was clutching the dwarf tightly, he quickly let go, wiping his hands uncomfortably against his slightly singed and still smoking smock.
“Sorry, Sparky. I… uh… guess this one really rattled the old noggin’.” Finnigan embarrassingly apologized. “It’s amazing you still have a noggin’ to rattle. What is this your… thirty-fifth…” “Thirty-seventh…” “THIRTY-SEVEN EXPLOSIONS! THIS YEAR! What are we going to do with you?” Finnigan could feel the eyes of the maintenance workers peircing his thin hide, but Sparkgrinder forged ahead oblivious to the world around them. “I pulled some strings to get the Royal Engineer to give you a shot in the maintenance department but…” “I know: ‘You won’t always be here to pick me up off my arse…’” Finn interrupted with a mocking impersonation. “Don’t take that tone with me boy! I am a personal friend and confidant to the Hero of Krystara and when that call comes, I must abide. And you will be on your own. For better… or worse.” Chagrined, Finnigan made to apologize. “Save it! We all say things we don’t mean when we’ve just been Kaboomed by a Bombot.” The two shared a moment of silence, words passed that neither could voice. “Thanks, Sparky.” “Oh for the love of all things Holy! How many times do I have to tell you: When we’re at work call me…”
“SPARKGRINDER!”
Author’s Note: Here is a special post just for @jainus. Hope you didn’t have to wait too long for this one. Who could be yelling for Sparkgrinder? Find out in Finnigan Hinklebolt: Apprentice… Ordinaire, episode 2, coming soon to a forum near you!