The Snowball King of South Dakota.

[call_me_snake]

Snake had been on the sly for this and stashed stacks of pre-made snowballs around the yard long before anyone else in the house was awake. Sure others could find them and that only made it all the more fun. Snake came back inside and got a drink while he waited for the rest of his family and any visitors that may have accepted his invitation.

He hadn’t been in a snowball fight since the first morning his squadron spent at the Helsinki base. That was almost twelve years and it seemed like even longer to Plissken. This one was much the same. It started with a challenge of his claims of Snowball King. Snake frowned at the drink. He hadn’t even thrown a snowball since he lost his eye.

Pushing the thoughts away he set the things for cocoa, tea and coffee out on the dining room table. He wasn’t sure how many people would come. It might just be him, his family and the nameless challenger he planned on blasting as soon as she set foot on the property. It didn’t matter to Snake. He was out to have fun with the kids, especially his little girl.

Finishing up in the kitchen he went to the living room to start the fire. The huge living room fireplace was one of the things that made him fall in love with this house. Once it was going he sat back on the couch waiting for his family to come down. He could hear all the feet upstairs and giggles. It was a sound that relaxed his usual tensed demeanor. He glanced out toward the drive. No cars yet. Content, Snake laid back on the couch to soak up the warmth from the fire and the alcohol.


OOC: This can be meta, bendy time or any other form of time frame. If it is taking place before or after something your muse and Snake is/will be involved in please make me aware so the muse reacts accordingly. Have fun! I promise Snake will not start shooting so go get him, now’s your chance. For Snake this is taking place just after the New Year so it is a bit back dated. You can assume all conversations that have been started took place before this event just to make it easier. Oh and despite the title this is taking place at Snake's ranch house outside of New York City.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

The puppies started to bark and Snake got up to look out. He didn't see anyone but that didn't mean anything, this was war after all. Snake let all three of the puppies (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/adira_tyree/Images/Snake/snake2/3argapups.jpg) out and put his coat on watching out the closed door to see where they would go.


OOC: That is exactly why we are doing this. The muse wanted to have fun.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

At the sound of the door opening, Sage peeked out and saw three adorable puppies bounding out into the snow. Thinking quickly she threw a pebble off to one side to distract them from her hiding place, she was determined to count first coup in this battle and she'd have to be crafty, her prey was no slouch at finding things out and she just hoped Snake would come out before the pups gave up on finding the pebble and went looking for her.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake pulled his coat on and went out the back door. He grabbed a premade snowball in each hand and inched his way around the house. Whomever was out there was in the front. Snake wasn't about to get hit so early in the day. It would upset his claim to the title.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

Hearing a door open around the house, Sage inched forward and dared a quick peek around the corner seeing Snake closing the door she made her way as quietly as she could around the other side. If he was on the look out her only hope was to try and flank him. Hunkering down behind a small bush at the corner of the house she found a stack of snowballs premade. Now if her throw went wild she'd have more ammunition. She bit down on her glove to keep from giggling and waited, listening for the crunch of boots on the snow.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake heard movement and froze looking around. He still couldn't see his assailant. The pups were sniffing around out front still and Snake took int he terrain more carefully. There were footprints in the snow. Too big to be the girls and too small to be Xena's. Snake's eye narrowed and he looked directly at the corner of the house.

Slowly he started to move again figuring the person was going around and might have made for the porch to get the high ground.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

Sage watched through the branches of the bush as Snake looked directly at her hiding place. She held her breath and waited, but as he moved forward again, she relaxed a little. So far he didn't seem to have figured out her hiding place, but her footprints would lead him to it soon enough. Waitng until he looked toward the yard again, she stood and let fly with her first snowball.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

It was the puppies who gave her away as soon as she stood. Snake looked just in time to see the snowball and barely dodged. Laughing Snake threw a snowball back and then made a run for the opposite side of the bush. He was taller and could throw over it. That was the kind of advantage he wanted.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

As soon as the snowball came flying at her, Sage ran around the corner of the house, giggling madly. The element of surprise was gone so there was no point in being quiet now. She slid around the corner just as Snake made it to the bush and chucked another snowball at him, ducking back to avoid any return fire.

She looked around for a new vantage point and spied a wood pile near the corner of the house. Running past it around the house, she stopped and quickly walked backwards in her tracks. Hunkering down again, she snatched a couple of snowballs from the pile in the corner and waited. With any luck, Snake would track her footprints and walk right past her hiding place, then she could peg him right in the back and win the first round.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake collected another snowball and crouched low using the porch and railing as a shield. He'd heard her run this way. He kept low and stopped at the corner of the porch. There were foot prints everywhere. Snake couldn't make sense of them. Looking around there were a few places to hide. The wood pile, the big tree, more bushes.

Snake stood and closed his eye, listening. He could use his gunfighting skills to an advantage. Once his mind was clear he listened carefully and stepped into the open. He was ready to clobber her. She had yet to learn he was ambidextrous but she'd find out soon enough.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

Sage's first instinct was to stand and fire when Snake stepped out, but she held her place, hoping he'd get careless. She kept her breathing shallow and prayed she could be quiet enough that he wouldn't hear her. She knew she wouldn't win, but at this point she'd be happy with a draw.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake listened and kept walking. He was headed right for the opening between the big oak tree and the wood pile. She was likely in behind one of them. He kept an eye out for any movement or sound though he had to stifle a chuckle now and then.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

Sage nearly peeked out from the woodpile, but the crunch on snow told her someone was headed in her direction so she held still, hoping he'd circle the tree to her right first, it was her only chance at getting him now. If she tried to shift her position, he'd have her.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake didn't hear anything. He made his way to the tree watching the yard in all directions. He was looking to put his back against it so he'd have less visual field to watch.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

The puppies came running across the yard barking and Sage took her shot. Hoping Snake would be distracted by them, she raised up slightly and fired at him.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake heard the puppies and glanced their way. They were running straight for him. He thought maybe she was around the tree. He turned to check. The snowball caught him in the shoulder and he turned throwing both snowballs at her.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

Sage jumped up laughing, her hands in the air as soon as her snowball connected. All this got her was two snowballs square in the chest and a mouthful of snow as they blew apart.

Sputtering out the snow she grinned at Snake. "I got you first!" She crowed giggling.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Two for one. Snake laughed. You're still down by one.

He was joking of course and walked toward ehr with empty hands though he was watching for more snow to come flying in his direction.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

"But I drew first blood." Sage giggled and brushed the snow off her coat, reaching out to hug him. "My tongue is freezing from the snow in my mouth, you owe me some hot chocolate, Snake."

occ-Snake will notice Sage looks less haunted now and more like a normal teenager. She's still too thin, but she smiles a lot more readily.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake laughed and hugged her. She was still waifish but her expression seemed a bit more happy.

You're looking better, girl. Snake grinned and kissed her cheek. It was reflex now with the children around.

Alright, one hot chocolate. Is that with or without star-shaped marshmallows?

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

"Tons of marshmallows." Sage grinned, relaxing into the hug and feeling very safe. "I feel better. I have a therapist now and my friend Abby is trying to help me find my father. Oh and I passed the tenth grade exit exam! Pretty soon I'll be ready to start college prep!"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

You've been busy. Snake grinned. You have any idea what you want to go to college for?

Snake loosened the hug so they could walk inside.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

Sage walked beside him, an arm loosely around his waist. She didn't let just anybody touch her and she still hated to ride the subway, but she knew Snake would keep her completely safe.

"I have no idea yet. I guess I need to figure out what I can afford to take first, which at this point is almost nothing." She grinned. "I can't afford to pay attention, but I'm looking into scholorships and grants."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Well if you can't get it that way don't hesitate to ask.

Snake really meant those words. He robbed banks for a living what did a few thousand dollars mean, nothing really. Snake opened the door and let the puppies in.

Hope you're ready to meet the family. Snake rolled his eye still hearing the noise upstairs. Whenever they decide to come down.

[touchme-not.livejournal.com]

"Thanks, Snake, I will if I get in a bind, but I really want to try on my own first." Sage smiled. "So how much family are we talking?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

I understand that. Snake grinned closing the door. My wife, her son, my daughter and my little girl's friend who is staying with us, oh and the puppies, the horses if you want and the snakes.