Drabble: 'Boxing the Compass'

[dwgm]

175 words for the 'Box' challenge from a couple of weeks ago. Many thanks to hereswith for editing! This is from the same universe as that six chapter story I wrote last year, Hero.



~ Boxing the Compass ~

Nautical term. To know, and be able to recite the 32 points and quarter points of the magnetic compass from North, both clockwise and anticlockwise.


Gibbs found Jamie in the lad's favorite hidey-hole, below decks. "There ye are. Trouble with maths again, is it?"

Jamie pressed his lips together, but then said, shakily, "Said he washed his hands of me. Not to come back 'til I'd learnt to box the compass double quick."

Gibbs suppressed a smile, and instead gave a wince of sympathy. "A hard fate. But yer talkin' to the right man. I've coached many a young gentleman in the art."

Jamie's brows lifted. "You can teach me?"

"It's been a while, but I reckon so. Move over, lad." Gibbs hunkered down and Jamie scooted over to make room for him. When they were seated companionably, side-by-side, Gibbs intoned, "Now, a compass has thirty-two points, the cardinal, and the ordinal between 'em."

"Even Uncle Jack's?"

"Aye. It's different and magical in some ways, but alike in all the rest."

Jamie gave Gibbs a sidelong glance. "Like he is himself?"

Gibbs chuckled. "Ye might say so, indeed. But not to 'is face, if y’know what's good for you."



~.~

Comments

[erinya.livejournal.com]

Hee! I like that. I think Jack is very like his compass in a number of ways. Not broken...just unique. And I like Gibbs' and Jamie's interaction.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Unique is the word, for sure! So happy you liked it. :))

[ladymouse2.livejournal.com]

I YAM a Heppy Heppy rodent *little Snoopy jumps*

You've added a wee glimpse into your post-AWE universe. Tiny, but I'll suck up any crumbs I can get!

I like your crusty but avuncular Gibbs and his easy way with the rawly hurt youngster. Heh, and also their observation on Jack. Erinya said it: "not broken but unique".

Sits on haunches begging...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Cute Snoopy jumps! And how can one resist a begging Ladymouse? So happy you enjoyed the drabble!

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

This kind of piece is what I call a 'gem'; small and lovely.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

Sweet. I love Gibbs mentoring Jamie, and the revealing glimpse of Jack in this. Brava ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[captaintish]

Cute! I love Gibbs. Thanks for sharing!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading and commenting!! I'm glad you liked it.

[cymbeline.livejournal.com]

What wonderful interaction between these two. Jamie is a quick study of Jack. :-D

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks! So happy you liked it!

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Now that was WONDERFUL! *cheers* Gibbs is so great.... *sigh* Hero was such a wonderful story (still is) and this fits so perfectly with the rest. :-)

I really need to add a Gibbs icon to the rest of my icons... *ponders*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and Hero, too. It was a fun one to write.

[torn-eledhwen.livejournal.com]

Nice use of the metaphor - clever Gibbs! Lovely as usual.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it. :))