The sun was at high noon, but the feathery clouds partially covered it, giving the park a bit of shade that wasn't already provided by the trees.
Kaze was wearing her usual attire, but something was different about her. Ah, yes... it was her first time bringing Sierra out into the public. She wanted to give her a few days at home to adjust, but it was finally deemed time to bring her to the park when her husband ran out of ear plugs.
Sierra was whining, not screaming (thank goodness), but whining at the sun. Being a nocturnal baby, she much prefered to be awake when the moon was out... or at least in a dimmed room.
Still, Kaze was determined, and Sierra finally quieted when Kaze sat down underneath a large tree that provided some shade.
Ezri peered at the woman as she sat down next to her...then turned her attention to the baby,
"Awww, how cute!" She smiled, setting down the book that she had been reading on the bench next to her. It was a -fairytale- book, her favourite, and had been about a prince on a mission to save a princess...well, most of the fairytales were like that, but she liked them anyhow. Especially when they had unicorns in them!
Kaze was absolutely shocked to see a princess next to her!
... Okay, so she was dressed up as one, but still... Kaze preferred to have her head stuck in fantasy-land.
"Thanks," Kaze smiled as she looked down at the squinting owlet. She'd have to get her sunglasses or something, "Her name's Sierra, and I'm Kaze. What's your name, your highness?"
That's when Sierra dropped her beloved King Graham doll.
And SHRIEKED.
"Cover your ears, miss!" Kaze winced as she fumbled around on the ground for the hero doll.
Ezri giggled at being called a princess-- just 'cause she was dressed up like one today!
"Oh, I'm Ezri," she said, swinging her feet over the bench and then covering her ears at the screech,
"ooooh she's loud!" she observed.
"Yeah," Kaze sighed as she put the doll underneath one of Sierra's wings, effectively plugging up the noise.
"I did some research on barn owls," Kaze shook her head, "And if they REALLY scream, they can shatter your ear drums."
She laughed nervously, "I got into more than I had planned, I suppose... say, what's that book you're reading?"
Ezri giggled,
"Well, at least you'll know if she's ever really in trouble. She could summon a million princes to her rescue with that noise!"
She offered the book to the woman, holding it up for observation,
"Just some fairytales. I was reading about Rapunzel."
Kaze practically swooned, "Oh, I love fairy tales! Can you recommend some good ones for me to read to my little Sierra?"
Sierra perked up at her name, and finally saw Ezri when she opened her eyes. She started to twitter happily and wiggle, her crown was so pretty and sparkly!
Ezri beamed,
"Sure! I have lots of good fairytale books. Maybe you could come by sometime and I'll let you borrow some?"
She couldn't bear to part with any of them forever, but Sierra could probably use some fairytales in her life! Babies loved that sort of thing just as much as little girls.
"I'll find some that don't have scary dragons in them and everything."
"Maybe if you have some with fairies in them?" Kaze's smile widened, "I love stories about fairies."
Okay, was this for Sierra or for Kaze?!
Speaking of Sierra, she was squirming now. She wanted to see the princess!
Kaze looked down at Sierra and tilted her head, "You want down?" She sighed before setting the blanket down on the ground.
Sierra scowled. That was NOT what she wanted.
SSSCCCRREEEEEEEEEEEEECCCHHH!!Ezri looked at the little one. She didn't seem very happy,
"Maybe she's hungry?" she asked, tilting her head,
"I think I heard an ice cream truck a little while ago...maybe we could still catch it? They're slow!"
...well, really, how was Ezri to know that babies don't usually eat ice cream? She didn't know anything about babies!
"I have a couple of fairy books. I have lots of fairies, though, at home!"
Kaze's eyes widened, "Fairies? You have FAIRIES at home?!"
"Oh, oh, oh!" Kaze picked up the crying baby and tried to rock her, "Do you think you could hold her while I get some of her formula out?" The wereduck looked hopefully at the red panda princess.
Ezri bit her lip,
"Well, they're not -exactly- fairies. They're actually just little statues. But I pretend...."
She smiled at the little owl baby and held her arms out so that Kaze could put her in them. She knew enough to remember that you had to sit still to hold a baby!
Gratefully, Kaze placed the wailing owlet in Ezri's arms.
.... And she was quiet.
Kaze looked up from her baby bag and over at Sierra.
"..... Hold on...." Kaze picked up Sierra.
"SHHHHRRIIIEEEEEEKKK!!"Cringing, Kaze put her back down.
And all was silent.
".... I think she likes you, highness."
Ezri giggled,
"Awww! She's so sweet!" She reached over -very- carefully to pat the little on on the head,
"Do you think she does, really really?"
She liked that idea. Ezri hadn't been here in Gaia very long, and though Papa had said she'd make lots of friends, she hadn't thought she'd meet one already!
As if to answer her question, Sierra craned her neck meet Ezri's paw, nuzzling it gently and twittering happily.
"I haven't seen her that calm since..." Kaze pondered, "... Well, ever, actually."
Sierra hugged her doll close and continued to bask in the princess' attention.
Ezri giggled at the little girl, beaming,
"D'you think she'd like to hear a story? There's lots of good ones in that book!" she pointed to the little book of pictures and writing she'd been reading before the two had come upon her,
"Papa says reading makes babies and children smarter."
"I bet she would," Kaze nodded as she handed the book to Ezri, "Especially ones with princesses, unicorns, fairies, evil trolls..."
Yeah, who was the reading session for, again?
Sierra looked at her mother like she was insane.
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