RP: Cornerstones
Date: 14 May 2005
Characters: Caradoc Dearborn [Cai]
Location: The Warren (#4 H Circle)
Status: Semi-Private (Outside)
Summary: Caradoc and Cai finish the final exterior repairs on his claim.
Completion: Complete
"That's the final one, Cai." Caradoc wiped his brow and sat down on the walk to relax for a moment and admire the work. The man and elf had just finished the final repair to the exterior of their soon-to-be home. "No. 4 H Circle is starting to look like home now, isn't it?"
"House is being called 'The Warren', Master. I is telling you this. House is not liking numbers and letters." The house elf glared at him, she had told her master many times, if he kept calling House by wrong name, House would be difficult for them.
"Cai, it is just a house. The plantation house in New Orleans didn't need a name." Caradoc looked at the elf curiously. She had been insistent since the very first day he called her to look at the house that it had a name.
"That was just a house until we gaves it magic, Master. The Warren has its own magic and its own name."
"It is a magical house, Cai? You didn't tell me that. Perhaps it has owners, then." Caradoc's face fell. He had loved this house from the moment he saw it. Something drew him to it and he wanted to keep it, but he even though he'd staked a legal claim to the property, he would never try to enforce it if the previous owners returned and wanted it back.
"House not having witches and wizards for long time, Master. The Warren is telling Cai they is fightings bad mans Grindlewald and not returning. House is having muggles until house is hurt and they is leaving it. House is happy Master and Cai is coming and fixing. I is telling we is living here soon."
Caradoc laughed. "Well, a magical house. Imagine that. How does the house... The Warren talk to you, Cai?"
The old house elf rolled her eyes and gave him an exasperated look. "Is not having lips, Master. Is not talking. Is telling. Cai is house elf. The Warren is house. House tells, Cai listens." She wondered for a moment if her master had too much sun thinking the house could talk.
"Does the farm house in Tregarron tell you things too, Cai?" Caradoc finally realized she was perfectly serious and really was communicating with the house. He had no idea how, but then Cai had always seemed to know things that needed to be done or repaired around the house, so he thought he shouldn't really be surprised.
"Each house is being different, Master. Family house is where Cai is being born. It is very bossy house." Caradoc chuckled at this bossy elf saying the farm house he grew up in was bossy itself. "Is telling Cai all times what to do even when Cai is knowing. I is liking this house better, Master. The Warren is happy to be havings company and magic again. Is not too bossy."
"Alright then." Caradoc stood and dusted himself off. "If The Warren is what our new home wants to be called, The Warren it will be." Caradoc walked out to the curb and took out his wand. There were two large rocks on both sides of the driveway. On the right cornerstone, he cast a chiseling spell and cut the words The Warren in a large neat script. On the left cornerstone, he used the same script, but a smaller letter height to add Dearborn then 4 H Circle below.
"What do you think, Cai?"
"Cai is liking it, Master. House is liking too. When do we move?"
"Don't you think we need to fix the inside first?" The house... The Warren may have been ready on the outside, but it was far from habitable on the inside yet.
"Cai supposes, Master. I is getting to works now." With that the elf took herself off to work on the interior. Caradoc thought it likely he'd have a livable home by the end of the month.