FA'E: Nozomi's Diary (Youkochylde is Guardian)

[Youkochylde]

Monday, February 14, 2005 - The Phone Call

Youko muttered as he heard the phone ring the first time. It wasn't too late, but it was definately past the fox's bedtime, considering that he'd been moving for most of the day. Raven had long since passed out, and Envy was, from the sound of it, downstairs watching television still. Sometimes, he swore the incubus barely slept.

Fumbling on the nightstand, he picked up the annoying, glowing, beeping object that was his celphone and flipped it open. "H'lo?"

The voice on the other line made Taka pause and think a couple seconds. Now, it certainly wasn't one of those embarrassing situations where it was a squeaky girl voice, or even a tiny pibsqueak little kid voice.. but at the same time he still wasn't sure if it wasn't Youko or not. And also, at the same time, the person on the line didn't sound too particularly upbeat.. granted, it maybe wasn't even close to afternoon or anything, he'd admit..

"Is," He started, but stopped before he said 'Mr'. That not only would sound dumb, but.. well.. would just sound plain dumb. He was just nervous, that was all - and he figured he had reason to be! First of all, Kia was having the babies, second of all, NEITH was probably coming, and third of all.. he didn't know who the heck was on the line? And if it wasn't Youko, he was in trouble.

"Is Youko there?"

"S'me," came the reply, the fox sitting up and yawning. The voice sounded familiar... who... who...

Suddenly, his ears pricked straight up as the brain cells met and made a spark. "Taka? Is that you?" And if Taka was calling... "Is it Kia, is she alright?" The kitsune was already out of bed, yanking on clothes.

SCORE.

It was Youko!

Oh phew, that was SO good. If he would've told Kia there was no Youko phone number, haha.. it would've been the end of his short little life. But he really didn't feel too much like smiling, it was a serious time right now - ..sort of. Twins, birthing.. more like stressful?

"Yeah, it's me!" He answered, a little more forceful and enthusiastic than he meant. But he was just happy it was Youko and not someone else - very happy! Either way, he continued:

"Kia, well - I say she's fine, but she's currently having her twins.. or about to."

Nodding, Youko buttoned his pants and grabbed a shirt, taking off towards the stairs. "Calm down, for starters... she'll be okay. Are you taking her to the hospital now? Let me know which one and I'll meet you there." Once he hit the bottom of the steps, he saw Envy's head and a pair of grey ears poking over the back of the couch. From the looks of it, one of the 'Jaws' movies was on.

"Envy?"

"SHH!" The double-hiss from Raven and Envy stopped him cold. Sighing, the fox leaned over and swatted Envy right across the headwings.

"LISTEN! Kia's having the twins, I'm going to head down there to help keep Taka alive and with his jewels intact. Can you watch Raven while I'm gone?"

"Yeah, whatever..." Envy's hand waved dismissively as the shriek of 'SHARK!' came from the screen and Raven let out a yell.

"YOU UNF IN THE SAND, YOU DIE!!!" The girl grinned from ear to ear, munching on popcorn.

The fox's ears flattened as he glared at Envy. "YOU taught her that..." Dismissing it just as quickly, he pulled the phone back to his ear. "Taka, I'm on my way. Whatever you do, don't let go of her hand. That keeps her from grabbing anything more important. And for the love of the gods, just agree with anything she says right now, unless it's negative about her. Then just tell her that she's beautiful, you love her, and everything's going to be fine. You'll live longer."

"Yeah, I'm taking her now.. well, as quick as we can get there." Taka said with a slight grin, and he thought for a second - what was the fastest hospital? He still didn't know the area that well.. oh! He knew!

"That.. huge hospital next to the old jail? You know? I think it's near some Burger King too. I always thought the hospital looked like a giant marshmallow but it's supposed to be really popular or something.."

He raised an eyebrow curiously for a second as Youko warned and advised him.. and had to choke back a tiny laugh - mainly at the 'don't let go of her hand' part. As silly as it sounded, it was also probably very true - and he didn't quite wanna die yet.

"..Gotcha."

Was having children really all this complicated?

Chuckling, Youko grabbed his keys and headed out the door. "I'm on my way. I'll meet you guys at the hospital. Tell Kia I'll be there, okay?" With that, he closed the phone, getting into the car and heading towards the hospital. He was just very happy that this time it wasn't HIS fault someone was having kids. After the birth of Raven and Kendall, he was more than content to NOT spread his genes anywhere else.

[Youkochylde]

Monday, February 14, 2005 - The Delivery

Youko was there...

From the moment he'd walked into the hospital, he'd stayed in the room, unless Kia had asked him to leave while the nurses were examining her. Despite his own nerves, he realised that this was technically NOT his child and he had no right to stay throughout everything, no matter how much he wanted to.

So, when Kia threatened the genetalia of every male occupant of the room, he did what any red-blooded male would do in that situation. Handed Neith the bag he'd brought, stated that Kia wasn't to have it until after the birth... JUST in case he wasn't allowed back in before then. Then he headed out into the hall and curled up in a chair to wait.

He'd almost dozed off there when he heard his name being called, both ears swivelling upward to catch the sound. He was up and gone in a shot, darting into the room and looking towards Kia. "I'm here, kitling," he said softly, smiling to her but not wanting to get in the way. He managed to sneak in just long enough to brush his fingers through her hair soothingly, then let Neith and Taka be the ones to comfort her. They seemed to be the ones she needed most.

The first birth was rough... he remembered the doctor trying to tell Kia not to push, but she couldn't exactly stop herself... then there was a wailing sound that filled the room. At first, he thought it was Kia...

Then he heard the Doctor.

"It's a girl! ...with wings? Is the father cutting the cord?"

He was grinning then. That was the baby he was going to be the guardian of. He tried to step out of the way so that Taka could cut the cord, then he heard Neith tell them that it was HIS baby... and the next thing he knew, the scissors were in his hand. The rest was a blur to him... the cutting of the cord, and the long pause before a squirming, blanket-wrapped girl was handed to him, shrieking at the top of her lungs.

Well, he had to admit... if he'd just been shoved out of somewhere warm into somewhere cold and was still soaking wet from the effort, he'd probably be screaming too. "Shhhh..." he whispered, not really thinking it would quiet the newborn just yet. "You're alright Mushiko."

"Is that to be the baby's name?" asked a nurse from beside him, the one apparently in charge of taking down the exact time of birth while the rest of the present staff helped Kia with the second baby.

"No," he said, shaking his head with a smile. "Mushiko means 'little bug'... her mother's been calling her Bug since the first day she started kicking." He'd been thinking of names for a while, and finally one settled in his mind. "Her name is Nozomi. Nozomi Gingitsune."

Youko walked towards Kia then, holding the baby so that she could see. He knew she was still busy with Omi's twin, but he thought that maybe... just maybe, if she could see what the pain was for, it might be a bit better for her. "And there's your mother," he whispered, smiling to Kia. "Your beautiful mother and your father. And your sister will be joining them soon."

[Youkochylde]

Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - WAY too early in the morning

Youko moved through the house quietly, cuddling Nozomi gently. She'd had her bath, gotten put into her new pyjamas, and now he was heading towards the small nursery room that had been made into her new 'place'. Raven had long since gone to sleep, having exhausted herself playing DDR for most of the evening, just because she knew she couldn't get yelled at for jumping around anymore.

So the house was quiet as he lay the baby in her crib, one hand stealing out to brush the soft hair away from her face. "Goodnight, Mushiko," he whispered, using the nickname that had inadvertantly been inspired by the girl's mother. As he flicked off the lights, he moved to leave the room, the door remaining open in case she woke up.

~* * *~

Dark...

It was too dark. The sound of feet pounding against the ground were the only sound, that and the fact that he KNEW something was behind him. He didn't dare look... he'd made that mistake already. Somehow, he couldn't remember just what he'd seen, but it was plain enough that he had to get away from it.

Something was in the darkness. Something that was getting closer with each step, until fetid breath could be felt against the nape of his neck.

Green eyes flicked open in the darkness, a faint rustling sound as wings shivered against sheets. She couldn't see anything, except flickers of lights through the drawn blinds. No sound... but something was out there. Something was in the darkness...

~* * *~

Youko sat bolt upright the moment the first piercing wail broke the silence. Without even bothering to pause and wonder why, he dove out of bed and raced down the hall, nearly killing himself in the process as he came around the corner into Nozomi's room. Flicking the light on, he saw the infant in her crib, her face red from her screams.

This wasn't normal... this wasn't a child that had woken up hungry or in need of changing. This was sheer terror th at he heard, and he immediately went and scooped her up. "Shhh... shhh, it's okay little one. I'm here, you're alright." Tiny fists beat against his chest for a moment, wings slapping against his arms and feet kicking until Omi's eyes opened up again and she seemed to finally realise just who was holding her.

The screaming didn't stop, however... not for a long while. The fox was frantic, pacing back and forth across the room and rocking her as he tried to think of anything that might work. By this point, Envy had stumbled out of bed and was at the doorway, rubbing sleep from his eyes. In one hand, he held the closest thing to salvation that Youko had ever seen.

A portable stereo.

The incubus moved without saying anything, plugging it in and hitting 'play' on the CD player, and within a few moments, sweet flute music drifted through the room. Both of them had seen how well Raven and Kendall had responded to sound when they were children, and now it seemed to do the trick here as well. Settling intot he rocking chair that was at one corner of the room, Youko started to hum softly with the music, hoping that the sound and motion would calm the hysterical infant.

It seemed to work. A few minutes later, Nozomi let out one final piercing wail, then settled into gasping coughs that shook her tiny body. One could only imagine what it was like to put their vocal chords through that much for that long. Once she seemed to calm, Youko looked up at Envy gratefully, a smile coming across his face as the other man left the room and stumbled back to bed. The fox, however, was staying right here, still rocking the newborn Fa'e even after she had finally drifted back to sleep.

[Youkochylde]

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - First Meetings

Silver walked into the hq again, this time to retrieve the sack he had left behind. Humming a sad little tune.

Youko was curled up in one corner of the couch, a small bundle of blanket wrapped in one arm. At first, he seemed to be talking to himself.. until the blanket kicked idly and let out a muffled whimper. "I like the zable on the table, and the ghair under the chair... but that bofa on the sofa, well, I wish he wasn't there." He blinked at the kick, then reached to move the blanket slightly, revealing one purple-tinged arm that waved for a moment before latching onto a lock of his hair and not letting go.

"Better?" he asked, chuckling softly. As Silver entered, the fox glanced up, his head now tilted to the side where his hair was caught in a vice-grip. "Hi there, Silver!"

The soft chime of metal rings accompanies the apparence of the taller golden Fa'e. The crimson horn glints in the light - but the staff she carries attracts even more bizarre looks, fo rat its center is an eye, blinking slowly, placid.

SIlver blinked, and set down next to Youko. "So what have we here Mr. Youko? A little bundle of joy? Hmmm. Seems to resemble someone i know though." He held out one finger to tickle the little girl.

"This is Kia and Taka's daughter," he answered softly, beaming a smile to the little girl. "I'm honoured that they chose me as her guardian. Her name is Nozomi... it means hope, or wish, in Japanese."

Nozomi stared up at the wolf Fa'e, blinking vivid green eyes at him as she gnawed on the strands of Youko's hair that she'd managed to catch. She seemed most interested in his eyes, adn the patch that covered one... that is, until the sound of chiming caught her attention and she swivelled her head towards the sound. She wasn't yet old enough to be able to see that far, but the chimes brought a gurgling response from the baby, her free hand waving as if she were trying to catch the notes from the air.

Silver looked up to see who was coming "Hey there Ra......Wow!" Silver remains speechless, not knowing that Raeith had grown, blinking a few times before turning back to Youko. "Kia spawned? Oh no! Hide the cheesecake!" He chuckled a little, sitting back against the couch, waving to Rae. "Hey there Rae. How are you? Grown i've seen?"

Rae simply smiles at Silver, peacefully, and chuckles. "I've been away too long... the population is growing too fast to keep up with!" She moves closer to Youko and teh baby, bowing slightly to both as she leans her staff against the wall, then kneels in front of Nozomi, wiggling a golden finger. "Hello there little one. "

Then she smiles up at Youko - hoping it's ok she's addressing the baby ^^; "You are glowing from parenthood."

Nozomi's eyes seemed to widen as she finally was able to see Raeith. Letting go of Youko's hair, she immediately reached both hands towards either Raeith's hair or her horn... it was hard to determine which.

Smiling to the dragon girl, Youko nodded softly. "I don't think I've stopped smiling since she arrived," he answered, watching the baby's motions. "Watch out though... she's got a good grip and loves hair." He moved Nozomi then, letting her rest in his lap so that she was partially sitting up, her head supported against his stomach. He wasn't sure if it would help her see the other two better, but she seemed to like the change of perspective just fine.

Silver scooted over on the couch to give Rae room to sit down, leaning back and relaxing, smiling a little. "You'll be a good daddy Youko. I know it."

Rae giggles, despite herself, and pulls down a lock of golden, silky hair to offer the baby. "Hair is nothing to worry about. Little Mortimer loved to bite and chew." She smiles at Youko. "May I hold her, or is it still too soon to ask you to part contact?" Though the question is softly jesting, ther eis a seriousness to it as well - Rae wouldn't ask a new father to let go if he really would rather not.

"I don't mind at all," Youko said, beaming at the girl. "I'd wanted her to meet other Fa'e, that's why I brought her here so soon. Part of me is still nervous that I'll do something wrong." With all the care one would show a newborn infant, Youko scooped up the bundle of blanket and Fa'e, handing Nozomi to Raeith gently.

Letting out a soft squeal, Nozomi fussed for a moment as she was moved, then settled again once she felt arms around her. Blinking up at Raeith, the girl caught hold of the silken gold, winding both hands around a lock of Raeith's hair and clinging to it. Tiny legs kicked in the blanket idly, sending the fabric askew.

Rae grinned and tickled the tiny feet with one finger. "I think, sometimes, " she winked at Youko, " that babies only like me because I'm shiny. She is a beautiful, sweet little thing though."

She strokes the girl's cheek with her thumb, feather-soft. "So much of taka-bat and Kia.." Rae grinned even more broadly. "I wonder if you will want to be a superhero, like your father, or if you will have your mother's exuberance.. " She touched af igner to Nozomi's nose. "You are a very special litlte Fa'e, being the first born of a Mother, and a Father. And you will be loved all your days.. by a wonderful Daddy."

Rae smiles up at Youko. "Don't hesitate to ask me if you ever need anything, Mr. Youko. I can babysit.. or help you change diapers.. Give yuo an afternoon off.." She chuckles. "Please. I'd love to help. According to my Guardian, Fa'e are horribly traumatizing to raise." Rae's grin splits her face, laughter shining in her eyes.

"I will most definately take you up on that offer, once she's settled with me and I feel comfortable leaving her." Youko grinned at the girl. Raeith had grown so much since last he saw her, and he was grateful for the offer of assistance. "She seems to love you."

Nozomi was more than content with Raeith's hair, gnawing on it as she let her wings shift in the blanket slightly. She was content and happy.. until she suddenly wanted to be free of the blanket and started to whimper as she kicked at it and squirmed in Raeith's grasp.

"Aww... Omi, what's wrong?" Youko asked, looking to the little girl. She couldn't be hungry, he'd JUST fed her. And changed her. "Maybe she's too warm? When Raven and Kendall were babies, they'd get fussy if it was too warm in the apartment."

Rae chuckled and gently pulled the blanket free - for some reason, baby needs had become intuitive - heck, she even understood their babbling at times - and settled the girl back into her cozy lap.

"I still say they like me because I'm shiny, " Rae grinned. "Not many shiny people around." The kirin Fa'e waved a golden finger in front of Nozomi slowly. "Now, I need ot figure out what sort of present you might like, little butterfly. Somethign to welcome you to the world."

Once the blanket was gone, Nozomi stretched, wings flaring and nearly wrapping around her shoulders as she smiled. This felt MUCH better, now. The cool air was welcome, and now she didn't feel like she'd fall if someone else moved. Now, she could just grab on.

"Shiny or no, you're still doing well with her. She's a bit fussy at times, and I'm still getting used to her quirks." Smiling, he took the blanket and folded it neatly, setting it nearby in case it was needed again. "We'll get used to each other in time, I'm sure."

"Of course." Rae beamed at Youko. "You _are_ a wonderful father.. each baby has its own, as you say, quirks. I've developed a small ability to understand their gurgles and wiggles.. I guess I've been around so many of them.." She grinned sheepishly.

"Perhaps you would like something musical?" Rae chuckled and pulled of fthe new bracelet she wore - a tiny linked piece with 13 tiny hidden bells - the kind that chimed ont eh inside, but looked solid ont eh outside - painted with the chinese zodiac story. She jingled it softly near Omi, seeing if she liked the sound.

Omi had been content to play with the girl's hair, but at the sound of the bells, she immediately fell still, eyes going wide as she tried to figure out exactly where it had come from. It took her a few minutes to fix her attention on the bracelet, watching the gold reflect the light as it moved over Raeith's wrist.

Amazing!!

Letting go of the hair, the little Fa'e instead batted at the bracelet, at first trying to grab it, but then gurgling happily when she realised that her hand made the noise when it hit the bangle.

"Thank you," Youko said gratefully, appreciating the compliment from the Fa'e girl and relaxing a bit to know that he was doing alright. He watched NOzomi then, grinning when she caught the bracelet. "I do believe you've positively fascinated her."

Rae laughed, softly. "I think it's so wonderful how they find delight and joy at such simple things. If more people coudl appreciate the little things, the very basic elements of nature.. I think they would be happier."

She jingled the bells again, letting Nozomi do as she pleased - there's little a baby coudl do to harm teh jewelry, and it was affixed firmly to Raeith's wrist.

"Ah, true enough," Youko said almost wistfully, knowing that at home he had a juvenile foxcoon waiting for him, who was going to be REALLY annoyed if he didn't come back with a present for her. After all the gifts that Nozomi had gotten, Raven had been growing jealous of the baby. The least he could do was give her something too.

Ignoring the two grownups, Nozomi was prefectly content to bat at and chew on the bracelet, making as much noise with it as she could. It sounded nice... and she realised that depending on what she did, the bracelet would make just a little noise, or it would chime loud enough to be heard throughout the room. Then again, where two was good, four would be even better. Lifting her legs, Omi started to bat at the bracelet with feet AND hands, letting out a happy squeal in the process.

Rae giggled, ticklign Omi with one finger as she kicked and had fun with the bracelet. Babies were such joy to her.. though she woudl never have her own.

Thoughtful, she glanced up at Youko. "You mentioned you had other children..?"

Nodding, Youko leaned back against the couch. "I have twins... a boy and girl. Their names are Raven and Kendall and they're getting to the age where they want to kill each other on a daily basis. Kendall is staying with his mother and Raven is staying with me until they can stop fighting with each other every day." he didn't say that it was also to preserve his sanity for Nozomi's arrival... and th at he'd thought it would be best if the baby was able to arrive home without having older 'siblings' ready to throttle one another.

As the two spoke, the batting began to slow, until Nozomi was laying nearly motionless in Raeith's lap, her eyes half closed as one hand stayed clinging to the bracelet.

[Youkochylde]

Thursday, February 17, 2005 - Fa'e HQ

Youko walked in quietly, one arm supporting the bundle of arms and wings that was currently waving around, trying to grab at the braid of his hair that fell over one shoulder. Capitalising on the discovery that Nozomi liked music, he had tied two jinglebells onto the tail end of the braid, and this was currently holding the baby's undivided attention.

Rae, seated in one corner in her own quiet way, glanced up a the tinkling sound. Her hand covered her mouth as she giggled. "New entertainment for Miss Nozomi?"

Grinning, Youko nodded, giving the infant just the opportunity to grab the bells and cling to them as her Guardian walked over to Raeith to sit. "She loves them... I went and got her a crib mobile last night that plays music as well, and she loves it. How are you doing today, Raeith?" he asked, turning towards her.

Yawning and stretching a bit Devi woke up on the couch, peering over the back to see what was making the jungling noise.

Then his eyes opened properly and an ear quirked. Eh? What was that? Weird little thing with wings and markings.

Raeith grinned, tickling the little fa'e's cheek. "I'm alright. I have missed so much, being away.. But I will catch up. She is darling - some young Fa'e can be very fussy. Poor Yanisin was very fearful.. Nozomi seems happily adapted."

Unable to help herself, she makes the typical "cootchie" face infront of Omi, tickling her nose with one finger. "And how are you and Nozomi today?"

Nozomi giggled at the face, one hand letting go of the bells to reach towards Raeith. Then she caught sight of someone else... with blue hair! That was pretty... and she waved her free hand towards the boy, letting out a soft coo in curiosity.

"I think she's adjusting well... we're having some issues at night, but I think she'll get over it as she gets older." Youko honestly didn't know about that... generally speaking, babies woke during the night. The twins had, and so did Omi. But the twins hadn't woken up screaming bloody murder at the top of their lungs and taken hours to calm afterward. As the baby's attention shifted, Youko glanced over his shoulder, revealing the source of the jingling to be the bells in his hair. "Hi there," he said, smiling to the centaur Fa'e.

Curious, Devi got himself off the couch and walked over. "Who's this?"

Seeing Nozomi reaching towards him he put a gentle hand out for her to touch.

"This is Nozomi," Youko said, beaming proudly. "She's Kia and Taka's firstborn." He held Nozomi so that Devi could see her a bit better, making sure that she was still in Raeith's reach since she seemed to take to the golden Fa'e so quickly.

Nozomi caught hold of Devi's finger then, clinging to it with all the grip a baby could muster. She seemed to smile then, a bit of the dark teal hair falling forward against her face.

"Hold it! My big brother had a KID!!!" Oh man, the things that happened while people were away.

His attention went back to Nozomi. Well that was ... cute. "Hi, I'm Devi." He wiggled his finger a little bit and watched the baby. He'd never actually seen one before that he could remember.

Nozomi thought that this was wonderful! Here were two people who were more than happy to see her, and they were even playing with her! Giggling softly, the infant finally let go of Youko's hair, using both hands to grab hold of the wiggling finger. The moment her wings extended, it became VERY apparent who her father was, the multi-coloured leather-like limbs flapping against the blanket and sending Raeith's hair flying for a moment.

"She does that when she's happy," Youko said, explaining as the smile continued to creep across his face. "They seem to be little mood gauges."

Devi laughed a bit and smiled. Wiggling his fingers again against her tummy to see if she was ticklish. Ok, this could work out nicely.

[Youkochylde]

Thursday, February 17, 2005 - Motherly Advice

Kia made her way into HQ slowly, one arm and the wing on that side curled protectively around a tiny bundle in a baby carrier around her chest. She didn't want to wake Tiegan, that and she was STILL sore.

She grinned at Youko, making her way over to stand next to him and Nozomi. Kia reached down with her other hand to stroke Nozomi's hair affectionately. "Hello, beautiful baby. Hello Youko, how has she been?"

Kia's attention didn't turn to anyone else but the baby or Youko for a few moments, and when she looked up, she even looked surprised. Other people were there too? "Hi!"

"Kia!" Youko immediately got to his feet, motioning her to sit where he had been. "You shouldn't be up and around too much yet... sit!" Chuckling, he curled up to sit near her feet on the floor, Nozomi blinking her eyes open as she stared at the woman.

She knew that person...

Almost immediately, she let out a squeal, arms reaching for Kia as her wings buzzed happily.

"She seems to know exactly who you are," Youko said, laughing as he moved Nozomi closer to Kia. "And we're doing well enough... a few issues here and there, but she's still new to the world."

Kia sat down slowly, carefully, trying to not jolt herself and do more damage. It worked, and she adjusted Tiegan's carrier on her chest. "I wanted to see people again."

Nozomi remembered her! That made any leftover pain worthless, Kia's hands were already reaching down to let Nozomi take her finger... or hand, depending on what the baby wanted to cling to. "I missed you too, little Nozomi. What issues do you mean, Youko? ... I do not mean to pry, but I know about issues. Babies are so tiring."

Nozomi was more than happy to cling to Kia's hand, gnawing on one finger as babies are wont to do. Watching his new charge wistfully, Youko pricked an ear at the question and sighed faintly. "She's having issues at night," he said, not quite sure how to put it. "She wakes up screaming... not crying, SCREAMING. It generally takes at least an hour to get her to calm back down and go back to sleep. I thought maybe she'd do better with someone else in the room, so I moved her crib near my bed. That didn't help... nor did putting her in the bed with me. She sleeps fine and wakes up fine during the day, however."

"Aww, poor baby. Maybe she gets nightmares, or is scared of the dark like me, I could never sleep without a light on." Kia's mind was already starting to whirl with ideas, worries, self-blame. Had she scared her while she was pregnant? Or something?

...or was it just because Nozomi was a fa'e, and that meant a few things were harder to cope with when they were little? "I'm suer you make her feel better though, she likes you."

[Draconayzia]

"Come on you gooberfluff!"

"Mumm!"

"Yes sweetie?" Drac was enjoying her son's newly developed sensitivity to nicknames. It was amusing. He just seemed to like being contrary about them.

The duo kept walking, coming up to Youko's house. Devi had pretty much bowled Drac in his excitement to tell her about Nozomi. Babies required goodies, and the partents a good dose of coffee. The basket had plenty of both.

Soon enough they were at the door. Devi knocked and waited for someone to come open the door. Drac couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the fact Devi was prancing in place with anticipation.

[Youkochylde]

"I GOT IT!!!" A girl's voice yelled from inside, clattering through the house until the door pulled open and a young foxcoon was standing there. "Hi, who're... you?" Raven stopped dead, staring at Devi as a grin crossed her face. "Are you really a centaur??" she asked, her father having told her of the boy he'd met at the HQ earlier that day. "That is so COOL!"

"Back, heathen," came Youko's voice, smirking as he stepped into view and saw the pair. Hi there Drac! Why don't you two come in, as soon as mu daughter stops gawking."

Raven was about to retort, then snapped her mouth shut and tilted her head all the way back to stick her tongue out up at her father. "No fun."

[Draconayzia]

Devi stared. "Umm, yeah?" Weirdo!

Drac just laughed and nudged Devi forward. "Move your hindquarters before I embarass you. Hey Youko, thought I'd bring over some goodies and a slightly hyper horseboy. How're you?"

Devi gave his mum a bit of an annoyed look. Did she have to do that in front of others? Seeing Omi though he smiled and moved closer, wigging a finger in front of her. "Hello, remember me?"

[Youkochylde]

The baby in Youko's arm let out a giggle and waved her arms towards him. "I think she remembers you just fine, Devi," Youko said with a grin.

The moment Raven realised that the visitors were there to see the baby, she quickly lost interest and vanished down the stairs into the basement. As the sound of dance music came blaring, however, Youko reached and closed the basement door, settling the noise into a low roar. "That's my daughter, Raven," he said, chuckling faintly. "We just moved into the house here, and she's getting used to things. On top of that, Nozomi arrived, so she's got to adjust to having a baby around the house."

As they walked into the livingroom, he reached and cleared off hte small sofa that was against one wall. "Did you want to hold her?" he asked Devi, motioning towards the couch. It was the perfect size for the centaur to curl up on, and that left the other couch for him and Drac to sit on.

[Draconayzia]

"Oh wow, can I?" The child had a hard time supressing his excitement. He was kind of sad the weird girl had left, she looked interesting but maybe she'd be back up later.

Drac chuckled a bit and moved to one side to let Devi through. "You know I don't mind helping you out a bit if you want. I know Devi'd love some playtime with others his own age, or atleast close to it. Been cooped up out at the Hollow for too long."

[Youkochylde]

Nodding, Youko grinned. "Jump on up there and get settled," he said, pointing to the sofa. "Then I'll let you hold her. She seems to like you quite a bit." Once the boy was there, Youko leaned forward and set Nozomi in his arms, the girl obviously happy by this change and letting her wings flutter excitedly as she started gurgling up at Devi.

Once that was done, Youko moved to sit on the couch, his legs curled beneath him and patted a cushion for Drac. "Oh believe me, I will likely need the help. This is a learning experience for me, and everyone I've spoken to has said that raising a Fa'e is a far different challenge than raising any other child."

[Draconayzia]

Devi did as he was told, being careful not to rip any cushions. He took the baby carefully, making sure he wouldn't drop her. He was tense for a moment then laughed at the wing fluttering.

"Why it it you like me so much?" He was still trying not to giggle like mad. She was definately a cute baby.

Drac nodded and sat down, leaning over towards Youko so Devi wouldn't hear. "Speaking as someone who's not even part human, yeah it's different. Then again I wouldn't trade it for anything. You learn to live without sleep. Oh, I almost forgot. Devi convinced me to go shopping for the both of you. Would you like to see?"

[Youkochylde]

Whatever the girl's reasoning was... she couldn't say it. All she did in reply was reach and snag hold of a lock of Devi's hair, gnawing on it as those green eyes just watched him. Fascination was a bit of an understatement. Nozomi seemed to enjoy the company of others, and was more than happy to let that joy be known.

Youko just grinned in reply, gold eyes flicking towards the other fox. "Oh believe me. I know. I'm not even close to human myself... I just act like it sometimes. Raven seems to have gotten my temper as well." At the mention of sleep, however, he glanced back to the baby in Devi's arms. "She doesn't like the dark, I don't think. She's woken up shrieking every night so far."

He would have elaborated more, but at the mention of gifts, the fox's ears pricked upright and he tilted his head curiously towards Drac. "I'd love to see!" he said, his tail flicking back and forth against the couch.

[Draconayzia]

"Hey!" Devi laughed and let his hair be gnawed upon. There was something about that face with the bright green eyes that refused to let him get mad at her.

Drac laughed. "Well then I have a few things that should help. Keep your tail on." She laughed and unpacked her basket one item at a time, setting them on the table.