The Fest
Part Five
Disclaimer: Mulder, Skinner, Scully and anyone else from
the X files don't belong to me, I just play with them a bit, the
Danville people are not mine either, and didn't even break
them, much, the RenFest items, shop names and events
are semi accurate, and taken from a visit to the 2000
Michigan Renaissance Festival who did such a wonderful
job that inspired this flight of fancy. I own nothing but my
computer and two kids, and I do this all for free.
Note: Many of the events in the story actually happened,
including but not limited to meeting the Queen, winning the
contest, and riding the ponies, but of course, some things
were changed to protect the innocent or something like that.
Thanks to Joey and Claire for Betaing.
A few minutes later they stepped behind a partition at the far end of
the field, where the fest was being held. It was relatively secluded
and out of sight of passersby. "Take down your pants and hose,"
Walter commanded firmly without preamble.
Fox complied as he looked around fearfully. Best get this over with quickly he thought.
Walter set his foot on a log and pulled Fox over his knee. "What is this spanking for?" Walter slapped his hand down sharply on the upturned bottom.
"Oww!" Fox yelped at the sting. "For not telling anyone Haley was with me. OUCH! And that we were going to the ponies Uahhh."
Walter's hand slapped down several more times. "And why was that wrong?" He asked as he concentrated on the sit spot for a few swats.
"Because it, OW, worried people, OUCH, and if something had, yeouch, happened no one would know where we were."
Walter landed three more sharp swats then stopped. The spanking had been brief but memorable. Fox's rump was hurting when Walter let him up, he eased the hose and pants back over his sore rump with a wince and a sniff. He
was then hauled into a tight hug. "That is just a reminder Fox, We were very scared that Haley had wandered off or had been kidnapped, never do that again." After another minute, Walter handed Fox a huge handkerchief. "Now lets go have some fun." Walter said as he smiled to the younger man.
Fox managed a smile back, his rump hurt but he was not in serious pain. It was just a his dad had said, it was a reminder. "Sure," he agreed as Walter tousled his hair.
The next couple of hours flashed by as the men played several games. Fox got a certificate for archery and Walter managed to ring the bell with a strong man hammer. They found the family by a ladder game. Two ropes with slats across them were stretched from the ground up to a point 5 feet up on a pole at a 45 degree angle. At either end of the ladder was a single rope so it was easy to flip over. The family cheered on Brian, who was a third of the way up the ladder.
Just as the two men got there, the ladder shifted and flipped, Brian dropped to the soft padding below.
"Good try son," Andy said as he hugged the laughing boy.
Fox slipped up behind Eileen and Andy. "I'm sorry," he murmured.
Andy looked at the contrite man, and nodded. "Its over Fox." Then patted Fox on the shoulder as Eileen smiled.
Mike was next up. He opted to go up the ladder fast. That is exactly how he came down as well. Fast. One moment he was half way up and the next he was on his back on the ground. He laughed harder than anyone.
Fox was pushed forward next. "I don't think," he started.
"We know that," Joe joked. "Now get up that ladder and uphold the Skinner name."
Fox laughed and took off his belt and spit on his hands. He rubbed them together then rubbed them on Joe's shirt. Joe made a face then laughed even harder than before as he playfully cuffed his nephew.
Fox looked at the rope ladder for a moment, he got on the end carefully and began to move his hands only up the rungs until he was centered on the ladder. Then he stretched out amid the encouragement and cheers of the family, and crowd.
Walter, Joe, Andy, Mike, and Walter Sr. had all moved where Fox could see them.
"Slow and steady Fox." Walter encouraged.
"You can do it."
"Spread out your weight Fox."
"Don't over compensate."
The words surrounded him as he went up slowly, inch by inch.
"Just a little bit more."
"You can do it!"
"Way to go Fox!"
Fox moved up one more rung, the ladder teetered before it stabilized. Fox's face had flashed with fear. "what if I fail" he thought, "I will let everyone down."
Walter said that fear, fear of failing the family, of falling, in the younger man's face. "Fox focus on what your doing, its just a game, have fun with it, no pressure." Walter smiled to his boy.
Fox looked at his dad and saw that smile, the love in his brown eyes, and Fox understood. He was accepted no matter what, he was loved no matter what, it didn't matter if he made it to the top or not. Fox relaxed and with a sudden burst of energy he scrambled up to the top of the ladder and rang the bell.
The family cheered wildly with the crowd. Fox grinned and fell off the rope ladder on his butt. He lay there for a moment still laughing hard, as Walter gave him a hand up. Fox bounced up and bowed with a flourish. He was then hug attacked by the family.
"Good job!"
"Well done."
"All right!"
"Awesome!"
"Way to go Fox!"
The words filled his ears and warmed his heart.
"Well met M'Lord." The young man who was manning the game said with a smile as his braces flashed in the bright sunlight. Then he presented Fox with a certificate of achievement for mastering the ladder. And another for
a free drink at any of the food vendors.
Fox was flushed with pleasure at the well wishing, He buckled the
belt back on and adjusted his sword and dagger. "I'm starved, lets
eat."
To be continued.