My little brother wants to try character chatting. Please be patient with him.

Cricket: "Me neither. It's too loud," he said.

Callie: "Too loud?" I asked confused.

Cricket: He took a step onto the leaf-littered sidewalk. A loud crunch sounded.

You're gone again So soon?

Gordon: "Yea i love tag! you're it!"

Lucy: "Not fair!" She giggled and ran after Gordon.

Callie: I smiled to myself, "I see."
I crunched a leaf of my own. That was actually one of the only things I liked about the fall.
"Do you read much?"

Cricket: He pricked up when he heard that line. Those were the exact words that Annaleah had said the second time they met. "No," he said thoughtfully, and decided not to metion that he couldn't read. Not in the language most knew, anyhow.

Callie: I recoiled a bit when he jerked.
"Oh.. I just, I mean... Do you write often, or..?"

Cricket: He chose his words carefully. "No, not for fun anyhow." He looked back at Callie. "Do you?"

Callie: "Yeah, I'm a poet. Or- I'd like to be. I'm only 14 so its not like anyone's ever read anything but, I'd like to be." I stumbled over my words. I had to work on my people skills.
"I just thought you sounded very... poetic."

Cricket: He smiled slightly. "Poetic, eh? That's a new one."

Callie: "Well I've never heard someone describe autumn as loud. That's a new one." I countered.

Cricket: He flashed a full smile. "That's just 'ow I think. All riddle-like."

Callie: "You should try poetry. I think you'd like it." I stole a glance at Lucy. She was running around, giggling. I smiled lovingly.

[[ BRB shower ]]

Cricket: He ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe," he said thoughtfully, and watched Lucy play. He smiled to himself. Once Annaleah taught him to write, maybe he could. One step at a time, Crick, he reminded himself, You've got other things to worry about.

Callie: "So do you know your way to The Coffee shop or..?"

Cricket: He'd forgotten all about the coffee shop. "Oh. Aye, I remember, thanks," he said, and started to back away to leave.

Callie: I glanced over at Lucy, who saw me watching and ran over. "Are you having fun?" I asked her.
"Where's he going?" She asked.
"He's going to go eat."
"I wanna come!"
"Lucy I-" But she ran off. She caught up with Cricket and started running circles around him.
"Lucy!" I tried calling her back.

Cricket: Then the kid popped up at his feet, grinning up at him. He couldn't help but laugh a little. She looked so bright-eyed. "I think your sister is calling," he said, a weak attempt at getting her to listen to Callie. He looked back at Callie and shrugged, mouthing, 'kids.'

Callie: "Luce, come back here," I jogged to catch up with them. I tried to pull her aside.
"No!" She yelped.
"Lucy stop it, he has to go now."
"I'm hungery too!"
"No you're not."
"How do you know? I am!" She huffed and sat on his feet. I looked up at him and blushed, giving an apologetic smile.

Cricket: And suddenly she was sitting on his feet. Her sister seemed embarassed, but he just laughed. "Lucy," he said, and she craned her neck to look up. "Lucy, I've got a surprise for you, aye? But you can't 'ave it 'til you get off my feet."

Callie: Her eyes grew big and she jumped up immeadiately.
"What! What! What!" she cried. I raised an eyebrow.

Cricket: He knelt down to her height. " 'ave you ever petted a raven before?" He looked at Callie in a way that said reassuringly, 'don't worry, it's not what you think'

Callie: "Um.."
"Thats a bird, yeah?" Lucy asked.

Cricket: "Uh-huh. A real pretty, big black bird. My bes' pal's got one as a pet, named Develyn. She does tricks an' all. And maybe, if you're real good and listen to your sister, I can convince 'im t' bring 'er back 'ere and show 'er to ya. How's that?"