NaNo Day 6 - Short and Sweet

This morning I gave myself a full three hours to write something new on my story. I had written down some short bullet points in my notebook last night and thought I was ready to go. Sitting down at the computer, I started my first scene.

It took me ONE WHOLE HOUR to write a paragraph >_>.

Like what just happened? I had my bullet points and story outline, right? Why couldn't I figure out what these characters needed to do?

So for the next two hours, I went back and fleshed out some older scenes. Came again to the end of my writing and stared out my MC waiting to do something new. Apparently I had to invent a short, balding old man named "Jenkins" (lol) to lure my MC out of hibernation. Thus I have written something completely unplanned, way under my word count, but I think I'm still happy with it.

And tomorrow I have a free day to write as much as I want, so we'll see if Jenkins can survive for 24 hours. Otherwise I will disappear him!!! :D

That leaves my word count at a kinda piddly 10,200  
Not a big increase from yesterday. At all. BUT I BROKE 10K!
And got a badge on my NaNo dashboard :D

In a small way, I feel proud.

EXCERPT

While waiting for the ship to power down and release the boarding platform, Jason scanned the crowd of people beginning to gather around the landing site. A set of gray, furry eyebrows caught his attention and Jason caught himself smiling. Soon the hum of the engines died and the freighter creaked as its dock lowered into position. A bald spot and mass of wild gray hair to match the eyebrows bobbed through the crowd and Jason quickened his pace down the dock’s stairs. Within range the older gentleman picked Jason’s light body off the ground with surprising strength and a relieved laugh.

                “Ah I’ve missed yeh, me boy. I knew the Mayor’s letter would’a got you here again.”

                 “Hey Jenks, it’s nice to see you too.” Jason coughed and patted the old man’s shoulders. “Please put me down now.”

Jason was released and hit the ground, his legs wobbling as the air was released back into his lungs. Jenkins then looked past the boy’s shoulder and his voice instantly changed in soft, gentle tones. He extended his arms and walked forward.

                “Me dear lady, “ Jenkins bowed and proceed to hug Shiri as she walked up beside him.

                She smiled sweetly against the man’s unapproved embrace and affection. “Hello Mr. Jenkins. Didn’t I tell you that I’d get Jason to visit you again?”

                “Aye ye did, ye did.” Jenkins continue to pat the girl on the back without releasing her.

                Jason coughed again. “Yeah well, you can let her go now.” After a moment, Jason had to physically unhook Shiri out of Jenkins embrace. The old man composed himself with stars still in his eyes.

                “My is it good to see ye both again.” The eyes of the old man sparkled. “Must be the luck of de spirits that I came into town today.”

                “Luck of the spirits?” Jason asked inquisitively. “You actually believe that stuff, huh?”

                “Aye and I might not be the only one…”

Old man Jenkins swiveled away from the crowd with a coy smile. This obvious action was a silent command for the two young people to follow him. The downward slope of the landing site was slippery with evening mist, and the way Jenkins maneuvered through the rocks was very deceptive of his old age.

                “That book I sent yer mum and dad last summer. Did ye read it yet?” Jenkins echoed over his shoulder.

                 “Yes I did. The information is both fascinating and…” Jason’s ankle slipped and Shiri grabbed his arm to steady him. “…and confusing. It’s almost like the pages were mixed from different books.”

                “How do ye mean?”

                “Well, you know. I don’t understand how the creation myth of our world has anything to do with the scientific study of different energy sources.”

Both he and his sister exhaled as the ground leveled out under their feet. There was still a ways to walk into the town square, but now the trek would be easier.

                “I am absolutely convinced, me boy, that there is a connection between what is myth and reality.” The old man before them turned around and gave a toothy grin. “Especially now with my latest discov’ry.”

                “Uh huh. What is that, exactly?”

                “There might’en be more fun in showing it to ye than just talking about it.”