|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:29 am
The bus ride to Aekea was by no way the most comfortable of rides but for a fifteen year old teenager, it would have to do. Gareth yawned as he stared out of the window of moving bus and wondered how much longer it would take to reach Aekea. He was getting bored and the baby strapped to his carrier was starting to wave and be all nice to the various passengers of the bus. Not that Gareth was one to discourage the little kid from being friendly but the attention that the kid was attracting from various passengers made Gareth uncomfortable. It was obvious that they weren’t siblings as Gareth had brown hair and eyes and tended to look rather forlorn at times even without meaning to while Kaito, who had blue hair and eyes seemed to be the epitome of friendliness. At least it would seem that way to Gareth. He could never understand how he, Gareth, the boy who liked nothing better than living a lifestyle that was painfully clockwork could end up being entrusted with an infant. An alarmingly patient one at that. Sometimes Gareth wondered where exactly had Walker obtained the kid and if the kid was actually human. Scratch that thought Gareth as he gave Kaito a glance. The kid was obviously human and was obviously not missing his parents much judging by how Kaito was acting. Perhaps that was a good thing. Gareth did not fancy taking care of a baby who cried often and the thought sent a shiver down his spine.
Meanwhile the said infant was quite content to just stare and occasionally wave at the (mostly) friendly passengers as they got on and off the bus. Besides, it was fun hanging out with Gareth although the teenager sometimes went into a state of silence and seemed to stare out into space. Kaito was not exactly sure what had caused the teenager to be depressed but was more than happy to cheer him up (or at least attempt to).
The bus had by this time reached a stop and Gareth gave a glance at the signpost nearby. It was Aekea but it was not the stop he was hoping for. Giving a small sigh, Gareth went back to his silent musings and Kaito peered curiously at the various passengers as they got on and off the bus.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:54 pm
This day had not gone as planned, to put it lightly.
Waking up to a massive credit card bill hadn't been a pleasant experience for Azrael, not in the least. If he understood such things better, maybe it wouldn't be so stressful- but having someone tell him that he owed nearly half a million Gold, when he couldn't even figure out what the bill was about, had been a very unpleasant way to begin the day.
Just to make matters worse, when he'd gone into the office that day, the Newbie subdivision was closed. For "retraining", they'd said. The only place he could have to have gone to for advice, and it just had to be unavailable on the day Azrael really needed them.
So, he'd taken the bill that the Aekea Collections Agency had sent him, stuck it in an envelope with a few scribbled notes, and left it with the single receptionist that was manning that portion of the H&R department. Then he'd puttered around at work a few hours, refocusing on his current project, before his boss had come to his cubicle, taken one look at him, and sent him home for the day. Which, Azrael bemoaned, meant that he'd have even less money to pay back that bill with.
It was only through the grace of Emiree, the invisible, intangible, and inaudible spirit that kept him company, that he'd managed to keep his sanity- and, just as important, his sobriety. Azrael, don't you dare think about it!, she'd scolded him when he'd eyed the liquor cabinet. Look outside. It's a beautiful day, you've got the afternoon off. It's far too early to start drinking, and besides, there's always time for that later. Now, dear heart- what do you think you should be doing with your time here?
It hadn't taken much thinking to divine what the spirit wanted from him. Therefore, he was off, on a grand adventure to...! To. Uhm. Probably lunch, via whatever bus would get him there. And, seated in the frilliest, pinkest buggy that the store had had available, the little princess Peach was accompanying him for the day. At least he was starting to get used to the social embarrassment of single fatherhood, and maybe while he'd relieved Gil of baby-watching duties, the teenager would have an opportunity to do some job hunting.
Quite opposite of Azrael's estimations of the day, Peach couldn't be more thrilled with how things had come to pass. When she'd woken up early, it had been Azrael that had risen to feed her her breakfast! Normally, Gil (the one with the longer white hair- that was the easiest way for her to tell them apart, besides the fact that Azrael normally smelled a little more than Gil anyway) was the one that saw to such needs, but she'd been very pleased when Azrael had taken the chore. Even if he hadn't done half as well at it as Gil had.
The rest of the morning had gone pretty smoothly as well, with lots of playtime and readtime and funtime just so far. And then, surprise of surprises, Azrael had arrived home and taken her out for a special walk! She always loved going on walks with Azrael. She thought he was so funny, the way he'd grump and frown and act all melancholy about everything, but- well, just watch!
"Naa?" She called out suddenly, as though surprised by something.
Azrael stopped tapping on the pole of the bus stop immediately as he heard the sudden sound inside the buggy, quickly moving to its side in order to check on the little girl inside. She blinked up at him with adorable blue eyes, clearly in no discomfort or state of agitation.
"... Heh," Azrael uttered with a shake of his head, a smile sneaking onto his face. "I bet you just do that to get attention, don't you?" Seeming in a considerably lighter mood than before, the man fished through his overcoat a few moments before producing a soft, squishy plastic ring, which he then offered out to the young princess.
See? Great service, and a smile, even! It was a slow process, but bit by bit, Azrael was getting trained just the way she wanted. Accepting the toy with a happy coo, Peach wasted little time turning it around in her hands before sticking it between her gums. Smacking happily away at the object, her smiling gaze went up to her caretaker once more- then fell to stare at something behind him. The sight of the blue-haired baby that was sitting on the bus was far more interesting than Azrael, after all!
Azrael turned to look at the arriving bus, slow to find the route number posted on it. When he managed to find it, he quickly plucked Peach out of the buggy, folded it up as best he could and, lugging the heavy stroller under one hand and carrying the pink-clad girl with the other, struggled to pull it all onto the bus. All the other waiting patrons at this stop had already boarded and taken their seats- the white-haired man was, very obviously, holding up the line.
"Is there a stop by Brunssek and 19th?" He questioned the bus driver, who was already giving him stern looks for having stalled so long in boarding. At the impatient nod, Azrael fished out a token for the bus, fed it into the waiting machine, and accepted a transfer slip from the driver. Holding a baby or no, the bus driver didn't seem to want to wait for Azrael to stow the stroller and find a seat before lurching onward, nearly forcing a stumble from the burdened man. Fortunately, though, he didn't; and, a few hasty moments later, he'd managed to acquire the first available aisle seat. The stroller was half-tucked beneath the bench, Peach was settled onto his lap, and Azrael immediately entered the 'don't bug me' bus trance, in which he avoided all manner of eye contact, smiling, or any other signs that might suggest he would invite social contact with one of the other bus patrons.
Which was, as per usual, the complete opposite of the happy bundle sitting on his lap. After all, Azrael had picked the best seat, right next to the blue-haired baby! How could she not be sociable?
"Aaaa!" She greeted him in delight, a wide smile already grown on her face.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:10 pm
The arrival of the bright pink buggy, its owner and the baby had caught not only Gareth’s attention but probably the whole bus as well as it stood out like a sore thumb among the more somber coloured interior of the bus and its passengers. Shifting uneasily, Gareth had noticed too late that the stranger was approaching the seat next to his and before the teenager could raise any objection, the man and his daughter? had already settled themselves down quite comfortably beside him and Kaito.
Normally, Gareth would be inclined to smile just a little as a sign of common courtesy to the person next to him but it was obvious from the looks of that guy that he wanted no part in social formalities. Shrugging, Gareth then occupied himself with a pocket sized text book he had brought along. It was hard enough studying and maintaining his grade when he was single but with the arrival of Kaito, Gareth had learned that it was best to try and squeeze in some reading time between parenting. Parenting. Gosh, how Gareth hated that word. It was almost like a taboo or something. After all, fifteen year olds do not go about taking care of babies. At least, that was Gareth’s opinion of the subject.
Unlike Gareth, Kaito was delighted in having another baby sitting beside him and his ‘parent’. Glancing up, Kaito was surprised to see that Gareth did not share his excitement over the matter and with a tug on the teenager’s shirt and a gaze that was almost reprimanding, Kaito pointed to the duo sitting beside them. Kaito’s effort however was wasted as all that the blue haired infant had got from it was a quick ruffle in his hair and a “Not now Kaito, I’m busy,” from his parent.
Giving a slight frown, Kaito contemplated the benefits of raising a din in a situation such as this but knowing how his guardian would react (Gareth would most probably hit the red stop button and get off the bus faster than a bolt of lightning), Kaito decided against it and turned his attention once more to the other baby and her caretaker.
The baby was a delightful thing to behold for she had the most wonderful shock of golden hair and blue eyes just like his! Giving the child a friendly wave and a polite smile, Kaito gave a glance towards her guardian. The man was acting in a manner similar to Gareth and seemed to be in a world of his own. Do all grown up men behave like this? wondered Kaito before his attention was once again directed to the blond child before him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:24 pm
Ohh, waving! Peach knew all about waving!... sort of. She'd mastered the motion, at least, and was very happy to demonstrate her knowledge. After all, it was only polite if she was being waved to, to wave back, wasn't that right?
With an overabundant enthusiasm, the little girl waved her hand back to Kaito, exaggerating her motions as if the boy were some distance away. She had to make sure that he was able to see, after all!
The wild motion was more than enough to capture Azrael's attention, who tried sneaking a sideways glance to see what had gotten Peach so excited. Clearly, he should have looked before sitting down- the boy next to him was babysitting a baby of his own, it seemed, and Peach would naturally assume that this meant playtime. He felt very suddenly embarrassed, and stupid; it wasn't like him to miss details like that!
Returning his gaze awkwardly forward, Azrael tried to think of what he could do, given the situation. There were a few other open seats, but would it be insulting if he were to rise and move? It didn't seem to him like the stranger sitting next to him had taken any notice of the two babies. Maybe he ought to just sit it out, and hope that Peach didn't draw too much attention to herself. That would be a fool's bet, though; she thrived off of drawing attention, there was no way that she couldn't--
"Or you could just say hello," a voice suggested by his ear. Leave it to Emiree to find the obvious.
"... Hello," Azrael braved to say, and immediately regretted it. Why, exactly, was he making the situation even more uneasy by forcing the adults (well, adult and teenager) into the interactions?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:58 pm
Hello
Surprised, Gareth shut his book and gave a quizzical glance at the stranger with the baby. Was that greeting directed to him? It would seem so as the stranger was looking at Gareth when he had said it. But…Gareth was sure that the stranger was adamant about not striking up a conversation just a few minutes ago. Why the sudde-
Oh shoot… Gareth realized the reason why as he glanced down.
Kaito, the infant that Gareth had been placed with, was already attempting to be friends with the blond baby and their interactions had probably prompted the other child’s parent into striking up a conversation. Gareth hoped that the other wouldn’t start asking personal questions about him and Kaito. He had had enough of those questions from curious old ladies and it was hard making up an excuse each time.
On the other hand, the stranger did not seem to be the type to prod into another’s life and (in Gareth’s opinion), was looking like he’d regretted mentioning the word ‘Hello’. Feeling rather sheepish himself, Gareth gave the other a nod. “Hi…umm, nice kid you’ve got there,” said Gareth for want of anything else to say.
However, Gareth immediately regretted saying that as it was surely to lead to a conversation regarding babies and sooner or later he’d have to think up an excuse for being with Kaito.
Kaito was a little taken aback with the other’s frantic waving but having decided that she was a nice person, Kaito giggled and waved back enthusiastically before reaching out to the other. His hands however, did not quite reach the other and Kaito was disappointed. Why was it that his hands were never long enough to enable him to get what he wanted?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:07 pm
"Thank you."
Oh God, now Azrael was supposed to come up with something else to say, wasn't he? He could just answer, 'yours too', and maybe they could settle with that. Having properly acknowledged each other and the other's child, they could just let the kids be kids, and otherwise ignore each other. It seemed so easy- could it be that easy? Should he try?
But now it had been a few seconds, and saying that would be belated and unsatisfactory. But he'd have to think of something else to say instead now, and that would take even more time, and--
Emiree sighed. How did Azrael ever manage without her constant supervision? "Ask for names," she urged the white-haired man.
"... This's Peach," Azrael grumbled out at last, sounding strangely cross. With himself more than anyone else, of course, though he was slightly annoyed with Emiree's coaching as well. It wouldn't be so bad that she was walking him through the conversation, if he wasn't acting like he needed it so badly. "And my name's Azrael. Yours...?"
Ah, spatial reasoning, back so soon?
Peach was equally disappointed by the apparent distance between her and the other baby. With an expressive pout, she tilted back her neck to give her caretaker a stare, as if demanding that he fix the matter that instant! He seemed to be caught up in his own affairs, however, so she brought her gaze downward, working her fingers over the sleeve of his overcoat and wondering. She wanted to play... but they couldn't play, because they were too far apart. What was a little princess to do?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:53 pm
“Peach…that’s…a… unique name,” said Gareth cautiously. It was indeed unique and (in Gareth’s opinion) sounded like a name a parent would give to a pampered child. “It almost makes one think of princesses and stuff; not that that is a bad thing,” added Gareth hurriedly for fear of incurring the wrath of the parent. “And my name’s Gareth. The kid’s Kaito,”
Then a short but uncomfortable silence filled the air as Gareth struggled to think of something else to say before finally settling on “So, nice weather we are having aren’t we?”
In a desperate attempt to get his guardian’s attention, Kaito took up a piece of chewing gum wrapper that he had found stuffed within the many nooks and crannies of the bus seat and flung it in the general direction of Gareth’s head. The wrapper had some funny pink gushy stuff in it and felt odd when pressed; but for all that, it made a good attention getter and Kaito was sufficiently satisfied when he heard his guardian gave a yell as he found out what was it that hit him on the head. Then, looking as though he was the most innocent thing ever created, Kaito pointed shyly and Peach and gurgled. If that did not get him closer to the other, nothing would.
“Kaito…did you…do this?” asked Gareth in bewilderment as he tried to remove the sticky piece of chewing gum as well as its wrapper from his hair. The blue haired baby however merely smiled back and pointed in Peach’s general direction. “Oh, so you want to play with her then?”
The blue haired baby clapped his hands.
Feeling nervous, Gareth gave Azrael a glance. “Mind if Kaito plays with Peach for a while?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:13 pm
Azrael had been trained, once upon a time, in the art of defending "privileged knowledge". It was only thanks to that valuable history that he didn't start staring as Kaito stumbled on that dangerous word, the one that had haunted him ever since Peach had come into his care- princess princess princess, why couldn't it leave him in peace for even one day?!
"She came with the name," he answered, neatly evading the matter. He took the approach of a frosty silence after that, only answering with a small nod to Gareth's suggestion about the weather.
Inwardly, he was far less calm than he pretended to be.
Coincidence, or design? He was already incredibly suspicious of Walker, and whatever the strange youth might be involved in. While Azrael couldn't imagine what sort of idiot would make that clumsy attempt at subterfuge, he couldn't fully dismiss the fear that it had been an intentional dig for information. And if it was, what did that mean about Gareth? The teenager's youth meant little enough to the disillusioned man- the world where he came from, boys Gareth's age were fully capable of unspeakable acts. However different Gaia might be, people were still people at their core, and evoked a natural paranoia.
"... Do I mind?" Azrael looked at Gareth, and measured him carefully. What would happen, if he should say yes?... No, he was being needlessly concerned. It wasn't as though he was going to be passing Peach over to the teenager- it was safe. "No, I don't," he decided at last, after a strangely long pause for thought. Just in case, however, he kept one careful hand around the girl's pink-clad torso.
Oh, good! It was playtime! Peach bounced her palms off of her knees, utterly pleased. How perfect, she was getting to make a new friend!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:45 pm
Gareth raised an eyebrow at the mention that the baby Peach came with the name. Was the strange guy not her father then? If so, why was he with her? The answer that came to Gareth’s mind sent a shiver down his spine. Was the stranger a kidnapper or something? Was he targeting Kaito? Well, it would undoubtedly be relief to have the little bugger off his hands but on the other hand, losing the blue haired child seemed…wrong…
This brought Gareth back to the interesting question; was Azrael a kidnapper?
No, it couldn’t be. The child, Peach was acting fine around him, as if he was someone familiar. An uncle then? Perhaps, but Gareth couldn’t help feeling that it was not so. The thought of manny ( a male nanny) was immediately dropped as well as the guy did not look…well, nanny-ish enough. Then could it possibly be that…
Should he attempt it? It was a long shot but…
“That’s funny,” said Gareth, albeit hesistantly as he placed a delighted Kaito beside the baby girl. “Kaito’s name came along with him as well.”
There he had said it. Now either way, it was sure to raise the suspicion of the other. Well, Gareth guessed the option of hurriedly pressing the stop button of the bus could be done should the situation become any tenser.
Ah, he was now close enough to the other to play! For this, Kaito was overjoyed and the blue haired boy gave the blond girl a playful pat on the hand. There weren’t any toys about to play with but Kaito was sure that something could be thought up to remedy this setback.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:57 pm
KNOWS TOO MUCH KNOWS TOO MUCH KNOWS TOO MUCH--
Azrael's gaze turned harsh and dangerous. The princess slip was mistakable, but Gareth had just taken the step into someone that was too knowledgeable for total innocence. Was that a reference to Walker? What did the teenager want to find out from him? It was possible that it was mere coincidence in words. It was also possible that Gareth had come by Kaito in the same manner Azrael had by Peach. But there was also a chance of something further, something Azrael couldn't see just yet....
Or it could be nothing at all. And, a voice was whispering by his ear, probably was.
"Who gave him his name, then?" Azrael questioned carefully. It wouldn't come from his lips, was the only worry. He'd see how heavy-handed Gareth would play it first, and feel out his motivations from there.
Peach inclined her chin to watch the thing that had touched on her hand, giggling happily. "Aaa buh?" She inquired, leaning forward and reaching for Kaito's nose, trying to push it like a button.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:22 am
Oookay. Was it just Gareth’s imagination or had the other suddenly become a lot more terrifying than he had initially been? Warning sirens were going off in Gareth’s mind to stop the bus and escape with Kaito while he still had the capability to do so. But another part of his mind was reluctant to flee like a startled chicken. Oh well, thought Gareth as he shifted himself uneasily. You’ve already made your bed…there’s no turning back now
“I-I don’t know,” answered Gareth truthfully. “It was... on the disc… I got and…in the carrier,”
Great. That made perfect sense a part of his mind said with a tone that suggested that it was probably rolling its eyes as well. Why don’t you start telling him about how you were ignorantly entrusted with the kid on your way home from grocery shopping now?
Gareth chose to ignore that statement and eyed the other rather warily. He wondered how much damage could his backpack inflict upon Azrael should the guy suddenly attempt to attack him. He had heard and read about people suddenly becoming raving mad in an instant and wondered if this was going to be the case. Gareth also began wondering if he should make a grab for Kaito who was oblivious to the tension between the guardians.
Kaito’s eyes became slightly crossed as he tried to see what was it that Peach wanted with his face. When his nose was pressed, Kaito gave a small snort and made a grab for Peach’s hand. It had tickled him and Kaito wanted to return the favour!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:45 am
The white-haired man stared the boy down several moments more, as if trying to pierce through him through the sole power of eyesight alone. It was a pretty good lead-on, if it was meant to be one. If Gareth were some sort of enemy digging for information, trying to confirm a target, then he was putting out exactly the words that he'd need a reaction to confirm now--
But that was just a little more discomfort than any enemy worth trying Azrael with should show. And there was plenty of room yet for Azrael to mince words, if that was the game they were going to play. He could dodge a confirmation on Peach's origins straight up until his bus stop arrived, if that were the case. But more and more, the white-haired man was growing convinced that it simply wasn't. Gareth was digging too much, and too clumsily. This was just amateur talk, a real conversation, that Azrael was reading far too much into.
"... You too, huh?" He replied at last. Azrael didn't quite relax himself, but he wasn't trying to be threatening anymore. "Seems like a plague or something. You're just about the third, fourth person I've met...." Aside from myself, was the obvious follow-up, but that could be left unsaid.
With an enthralled laugh, Peach tried pulling her hand back to save it from capture, balling it up in front of her chest and grinning, crinkle-eyed, to her playmate. If Kaito wanted her hand, he'd have to catch it first!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:44 am
"R-really?" ventured Gareth as he carefully drew his backpack closer to him with one hand while the other sneaked its way over to where Kaito was. Although Azrael seemed to have calmed down a little, Gareth was not going to take any chances. Be prepared. Wasn't that what scouts were always told to do?
But another part of the teenager couldn't help but feel curious about all of this. Azrael had mentioned that there were others placed in a similiar dilemma as well. But were they talking about the same issue? Gareth decided to take the plunge. "When you mentioned that I was the third or fourth person you've met with this...'plague', you were referring to Walker right?"
There, he had said it and there was no turning back now. If it was really the same Walker that they were talking about, the last statement would be sure to trigger a response of somesort. Afterall, there shouldn't be too many Walkers about that distributed kids and Azrael had been rather evasive in most of his answers so far.
Oh, so the other wanted to play hard to get did she? Well, Kaito was more than willing to oblige her! Lowering his hand, Kaito was just about to crawl towards the other when Gareth's hand descended and took hold of Kaito's shirt. Surprised, Kaito turned around and gave his guardian an enquiring look but received no response and after a while, when he had realised that the hand was not coming off anytime soon, Kaito sat down in a huff and eyed the other with a pained expression. I'm sorry the expression seemed to say but my 'parent' here is being paranoid and there nothing much that I can do about it
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:26 am
"Might've been the name." Actually, Azrael was entirely certain that it was the name- but even a speck of plausible deniability could help him out later, if it turned out that he was stumbling into a mistake. He affected not to care much about the blood-boiling man that had blackmailed him into taking guardianship of Peach, instead saying in a casual manner- "Not the sort of thing they tell you about, when you move here. Are you a Gaian native?"
Bah! Now they couldn't barely play at all! Between their respective father figures, neither baby was free to move and play in the way they ought to. Who'd put those two joy-killers in charge, anyway?!
Well, if Kaito wasn't going to make complaint about it, then she would. Wiggling around, as if uncomfortable in her seating, Peach's eyes started filling up with tears as she tilted her head back and started with that short, broken baby-sob that sent pangs of terror through every parent's heart. Just you wait and see, the moment that Azrael noticed she was unhappy, he'd do something about it!
Oh, crap. Were they allowed to take a break from the "I know-you know" game to take care of the kids? It looked like they'd have to. The startled look on Azrael's face turned to one of awkward apology as he tried lifting Peach up from her spot on his lap and reclined her in one arm, hoping that all she needed was a change of pace to calm her down.
Noooooo, now she was even further away from the blue boy! Wrinkling her face in discontent, Peach began crying louder, and more insistently. This hadn't been what she'd wanted!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:24 pm
Gareth stared at the other incredulously. He had somehow managed to remain vague once again. Well, if Azrael did not want to talk about it, Gareth supposed that it would be useless to push the topic further. But the teenager was still curious! And that was what made this conversation so maddening!
While Gareth was still being indignant about the whole affair, Azrael had asked if he was a native in Gaia. Gareth nodded in affirmative but did not volunteer any further information. He couldn't have anyway as Peach had begun showing signs of wanting to cry and Azrael had immediately shifted his attention from Gareth to his 'daughter' and as Gareth watched the other craddling the blond child whose crying only increased in volume, Gareth stared worriedly at Kaito. Was he going to start crying as well? Gareth certainly hoped not as he had practically no experience in comforting a crying child...
Kaito stared at Peach worriedly. Why was she crying? Had he done something wrong? Or had he not done something that he should have? In the confusion that was his infant mind, Kaito's mouth too began showing signs of a quiver. He didn't like this at all!
Oh shi- thought Gareth as he noticed the quivering mouth. Kaito was going to cry and soon by the looks of it. With one frantic sweep, Kaito was lifted from the seat of the bus and placed onto the lap of his guardian. "What's wrong buddy? Are you hungry?" asked Gareth worriedly as he bounced the blue haired baby on one knee. Then with a desperate plea; "Please, whatever you do, don't cry!"
Kaito looked up imploringly at his guardian and pointed towards the crying Peach. Make it better the child's eyes seemed to say before those eyes were turned to the crying girl as well. "Pi!" said Kaito as he called out to her from across the seat. "Naaa," Kaito then added gently as he shook his head indicating that he did not want her to cry anymore. Then turning towards Gareth, Kaito pointed in Peach's general direction and clapped his hands.
Gareth stared in bewilderment from one baby to another before something clicked his brain. "Perhaps, they want to play with each other and somehow we are hindering them," suggested Gareth to Azrael.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
