Fill 31 Card 2: Shakespeare

[innitmarvelous_og]

Ethan was sitting at the desk in the corner of the living room, trying to get the last part of his homework finished when he slumped down in his chair, sighing heavily. He had just found one of the few subjects in school which bored him and that was studying William Shakespeare, specifically his plays. He had much rather be anything than this, like helping his Dad or Mom, or playing games with his cousins!

Pepper heard his sigh, saw his posture in the chair, and got up to go over to him, "What's wrong, Ethan?"

"This!" he said pointing to what was in front of him, "I just don't get how Shakespeare or any of his dumb plays will ever be used in real life!"

"Actually, honey, I think you'd be surprised how still relevant his plays are today," Pepper said, and at his "You've got to be kidding look!" she continued, I'm serious. William Shakespeare's work have influenced countless writers and filmmakers over the centuries, and his insights to humanity can still be applied even today in the 21st century."

Ethan blinked, not believing the passion in his mother's voice. She had never been this excited about anything related to his or Eva's school work before!

"I'm sorry, Mom," he said, still doubting, "It's just all so... well boring."

Pepper gave him a smile, "Well, maybe all we need to do is find a way to make the subject more interesting for you. I know playing games is one thing you like to do with your friends and cousins, right?"

Ethan nodded, "Yeah."

"Okay, so let's try to find some parallels between Shakespeare and video games."

Again, when the look of skepticism appeared on Ethan's face, Pepper chuckled, then pulled a chair over for herself.

"I'm being completely serious when I say let's try to find some parallels. Let's take MacBeth for example. This play of Shakespeare in particular has all the elements of one of those video games you like where a story is told and it's not just a blow everything in sight up. The story is riveting as about a man who after the encouragement of his wife murders the king to become king himself. There are crazy witches making prophecies in the story, more murder and mayhem, and ghosts."

"Wow really?" Ethan asked.

Pepper nodded, "Yes, really."

"What happens to the MacBeth guy? Did ever get caught and have to pay for killing the king?" Ethan asked.

"For that answer, my love, you will have to read the play yourself!"

"Aww, Mom! Shakespeare is so hard to understand! The guy was barely speaking English!" Ethan exclaimed.

"You know I am hear to help you, right? I know his language can be a little hard to understand but I would be willing to help you with what you don't understand, and I know JARVIS would be willing too," Pepper assured him.

"Indeed I will, ma'am," JARVIS added.

"Well, if you'll both help me..." "Are you going to read MacBeth then?"

Ethan nodded, "Yeah, I guess so. I mean I might as well since uh, my teacher wanted us to pick a play to read on our own anyway."

"Perfect! I think we should get started right away! JARVIS, could you please—"

"I've already taken the liberty, ma'am. There is a copy of William Shakespeare's MacBeth on your StarkPad," the AI said.

"Thank you, JARVIS," Pepper said, retrieving the pad.

Ethan turned to MacBeth.

"Let's read it out loud. That way I can help you when you have a problem."

He nodded.

"I'll start," Pepper said, "Act I, Scene I..."

Fill 32 Card 2: Broken Glass

[innitmarvelous_og]

It's Friday night, and the Stark family is having homemade pizza for dinner. Ethan was in the living room with his mother, showing her had to play some video game he's been obsessed with lately while Eva is in the kitchen with her Daddy helping to make their pizzas.

"Okay, that takes care of Ethan," Tony said putting the last piece of pepperoni on.

"That leaves Mommy," Eva said.

Tony nodded, "Yes, and Mommy wants Spinach Alfredo pizza!"

Eva made a face, and asked, "Why?"

"I don't have a clue, princess. I left the baby spinach in the refrigerator. Would you mind handing it to me, baby girl?"

"Okay, Daddy!" Eva chirped and started for the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, Tony opened the oven to pop Ethan's in when he heard exclaim a loud "Owwwie!" behind him.

"What's wrong, Eva?"

"I stepped on something that hurt my fo— Daddy, my foot is bleeding!"

Tony picked her up, and placed her on the counter so he could look at her foot. Sure enough there was a bit of blood on the bottom of her sole.

"I think you stepped on a piece of broken glass," he said gently probing her foot.

Eva hissed, "That hurts, Daddy!"

"I'm sorry, baby. Here let me get something to clean the blood away with.. I need t check to see if the glass is still in your foot."

The little girl nodded, "Okay."

Tony started to use a wet towel to clean her foot but then he turned on the cold water instead.

"Here, just stick your foot under the water."

Eva nodded, and placed her foot under the water, "Stings."

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but we need to clean it."

After the blood was gone, Tony checked to make sure there was no glass, and he found none.

"J, where's the First Aid kit?"

"Underneath the sink, Sir. In the back on the left."

"Thanks, J. Now, let me just grab the kit, put some ointment on your owie, and a band-aid and it'll be all better!" Tony told Eva.

"No, it won't, Daddy. You forgot to say you'll kiss it."

"Oh of course, how silly of me. Okay, I'll kiss it before I put the ointment on and that'll make it all better. Better?"

Eva nodded, "Yeah, Daddy. All better."