Tales Of Arcadia Ficlet Collection

Visiting Home

Requested by Mad_Be_Green
Sorry for taking so long!

-----------------------------------

"Ah young Atlas! Good to see you!" Strickler greeted as he opened the door to his classroom. "Everyone, this is my stepson Jim Lake Jr, also known to all as the Trollhunter!"

Jim stepped into the dark classroom as several students stood from their seats to get better looks at him.

"Hello Jim!" The students yelled, waving to the one student they didn't know existed until a few weeks before summer break.

"Er...hi?" Jim greeted and gave them all a small wave before turning to Strickler. "Uh...when did I become your stepson?"

"Oh it's not official yet, but your mother and I are currently engaged."

"Oh boy..." Jim muttered as he to the teacher's desk. "Uh so...what's Troll Club exactly?"

"It's where Mr. Strickler teaches us the history of trolls!" One student piped up excitedly.

"Basically it's troll school, and I would have held today's meeting at night so we could speak with you but every parent protested about letting their children be out so late on a school night so I had to arrange it for the day." Strickler explained as he plucked a large leather book from his desk. "I'm sure you're familiar with this book, seeing how your mentor tried to have you read everything on trolls now that you are on one."

"Uh yeah, but you need a translator for everyone to read it. My amulet acts as one." Jim said patting the amulet in his pocket.

"Well everyone has been learning Trollish, now that we've declared it an official language to be taught here in the school, so your amulet won't be needed." Walt assured him as he turned to his students. "Now who did their essay on translating an old text from an old history book into Trollish?"

~~~~~~~~~

"Mom please...I can't breathe!" Jim wheezed as his mother gave him another hug that felt like his ribs were being crushed. Even as a troll this hug was hurting his ribs. Did his mother take on another martial art or continued her krav maga?

"I know but I just missed you so much!" Barbara laughed as she released her son before reaching up on her toes to gently ruffle his already messy hair. "Did you get taller?"

"No...I don't think so. So...where are the little ones?"

Jim's question was answered by a loud cry coming from the kitchen and something metal hitting the floor. The two hurried over to find Walt trying to pick up a pan from the floor while holding onto a baby Jim didn't recognize that wouldn't stop pulling at the poor troll's ears.

"Zelda no! Stop that right now!" Strickler groaned as he managed to stand and place the pan on the stove before trying to pry his ear free of the toddler's grip. "I told you already, if your mother doesn't like you pulling her hair or ears you can't do it to me either!"

"Walt she's just a baby, she doesn't know what no means." Barbara chuckled as she walked to him and held her arms out. "Come here you little silly."

Jim could now see the familiar set of green eyes the infant had as she cooed and eagerly waved her arms as she was placed in his mother's arms and started to suck her thumb.

"You also adopted Nomura's familiar?" Jim asked wiggling one finger at the baby, earning a giggle from her.

"No one had adopted her yet, and little Walter kept crying whenever someone came to see about adopting her." Strickler explained and frowned a bit. "She's a bit of a pain as her troll familiar."

"Oh Walt, be nice. Little Zelda is an angel!" Barbra scolded as she bounced the toddler gently in her arms as she cooed. "Aren't you little Z? You're such a good girl just like your brother Walter!"

"So...where is Walter?" Jim asked before his ears caught the sound of soft crying from upstairs. "And he just woke up from his nap."

"Could you get him please, Jim?"

"Sure thing mom."

Jim hurried upstairs (as carefully as he could to avoid breaking them and avoid hitting his head) and heard the crying coming from the spare bedroom. Opening the door, he was greeted with the sight of two small cribs with a set of cushioned rocking chairs and various small stuffed animals scattered around the room. A bookshelf sat in a corner with various picture books and even more stuffed toys, these looking more like large trollish creatures and not animals. Who the heck made those?

"Hey little Walter, miss me?" Jim said softly as he approached one of the cradles to find a crying baby boy. Walter's little cries ceased and turned into happy gurgles at the sound of his voice, and Jim smiled as he carefully leaned over the cradle to smile down at his adopted brother. "Hello to you too little guy, man you've gotten big!"

Walter cooed as he kicked his little legs while Jim lifted him out of the cradle and reached up to try and grab his tusks. Jim chuckled as he carefully cradled the infant in his arms before moving to the door and making his way out of the nursery.