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Howl, the escape artist that he was, had once again managed to get out of his playpen. Though he had been carefully followed this time. Zee was following his son silently, making sure the toddler didn't know he was there. The elf was skilled when it came to this, after so many years of being an assassin, it was simple.

Anyway, Howl wasn't exactly the hardest toddler to follow. He always had an orange ball of fire, for which Zee hadn't figured out the purpose for, hanging over his head. Howl insisted that this ball of fire's name was 'Calthifer', and that he was an extremely powerful fire demon. Unfortunately the elf didn't seem to understand what the toddler meant by this, especially when he'd told his father that Calcifer refused to talk to him.

Then Howl's blue eyes widened in wonder, and Zee groaned when he saw what the toddler was looking at. Three people, one had to be around Howl's age. Speaking of Howl... He was moving as fast as his tiny legs would carry him, towards the group.

Zee frowned slightly, noticing Howl head straight for Natalie. The poor girl! She wouldn't know what hit her after Howl was done with her! The toddler seemed to have bad luck with women. Meaning he asked out every girl he met. Zee had a feeling this girl would be no different. The dark elf sighed, and walked over to the picnic table where Maru and Luke were sitting. "May I sit here?" He asked politely. "I believe you know my friend, Thali," he said, glancing at Maru. "My name is Zee, and uh. I think my son's taken a liking to your daughter." He gestured to Howl with another sigh. "Be forewarned, he'll come after you within five minutes."

Indeed, as Howl reached Natalie, a smile made it's way across his face. "You pretty," he told her, before pausing. "I Howl," at this he stood up as straight as he could, which didn't make him much taller anyway. But he did it with an air of pride. "What your name?"

Zee smiled and sat down, "Nice to meet you too," he said with a nod. "Oh, Howl's nice enough. It's just that..." He leaned in, as if sharing an unpleasant secret. "He tends to fall in love with every girl he meets. He's an escape artist too, and not just figuritively. I always have to keep an eye or two on him. You see that fireball hanging over him? That's Calcifer. He talks to it, and it does what he says. It burnt a hole through the playpen I put Howl in this morning." He shook his head and sighed, looking to the two children. "But for some reason, I think that fireball is more than just a pet."

"Natalie a pretty name. You pretty, Natalie," he said with a sunny smile. Uh-oh. He was putting his charm on. Luckily the toddler didn't know how to use it yet. Howl looked over his shoulder, and giggled. "Thith Calthifer, he my--"

"I am an all powerful firedemon!" Calcifer boasted, gazing at Natalie with interest. "Pretty? I'm frightening!"

Zee sighed. "See, what you don't understand is... I don't think he's an average toddler. He keeps talking about his wife, and a baby, and a castle that moves. And Aaron mentioned something about him 'arriving', and I think that implies that he wasn't born like the rest of the kids here... he was somewhere else, and brought here." The darl elf shook his head sadly. "It's like I'm keeping him in a prison, he seems so upset. I wish I could help him. He keeps looking for someone named Sophie, do either of you know what he's talking about?"

Howl gave a rather vain smile. "Tank you," he said. He looked to Calcifer as if interested in the fire demon's response.

"I am not pretty..." Calcifer protested, before catching Howl's look. "Alright, maybe I am. I'm still frightening though! Fear me!"

Zee sighed, and leaned over the table. "I think that's exactly what happened, Luke," he said seriously. "I can't be sure though, with his lisp. He says all his S sounds like Th's, it's almost frusterating. I'll have to ask Darcy when she's well again. Thali implied that it wasn't normal for her to be sleeping on the job... The way she was when I was summoned." The dark elf shrugged. "Anyway, just warning you. Don't be surprised if he comes over and asks you something... unexpected."

Calcifer gave Natalie an almost parental smirk, and looked to Howl. His young master nodded his head quickly, and the firedemon could see an all too familar look in his glassy eyes. Uh-oh. The firedemon didn't have it in him to warn the girl, but still. "Alright, pretty and scary," he reluctantly agreed.

Howl gave Natalie a sunny smile and trailed after her; eventually he made his way to her side. "Natty, I luv you," he told her with absolutely no hesitation. "You pretty, you nice. I luv you."

Zee recognized the line as well, and grinned. "But I'm not talking about Startrek," he muttered, his smile fading slightly. "I mean... He might ask Maru to marry him or something. He's done it before--almost to every girl he's met so far." He paused, and looked to the two children. He knew that look, the one Calcifer was wearing. Uh-oh. "I knew it."

Howl smiled brightly, before returning her hug. He was loved back! It was the first time one of his 'girlfriends' had said anything like that before! Well, except his mom. And maybe his sisters. But those weren't really dates, he just liked making people take him places. And she loved him! And even thought he was pretty and nice! "Kay, we boyfriend and girlfriend now," he informed her, taking her hand.

Zee looked at Luke and Maru dully. "You have no idea," he said. "Howl... Well. Maru, you said you've heard the story. Do you remember what his love life was like before he met Sophie?" The dark elf was being intentionally vague, casting Luke a concerned glance. He knew how protective fathers could get--he was one of them! He still didn't like Almie's husband, Duncan. And somehow, he had a feeling Luke would be the same way.

Howl was in Heaven! He'd never had anyone agree to be his girlfriend, either! He leaned towards her and brushed his lips against her cheek. Then the toddler side of him seemed to take over. He promptly pulled away and blushed. "Kay, we go play on jungle gym." He pointed towards it with a chubby finger, and started pulling her towards it.

Zee sighed and followed after Luke. "Listen, don't hurt him!" He protested. "Heart thief or not, he's just a baby!" He paused when he noticed Calcifer watching, and hoped the firedemon would warn his small charge. You could never know with these fireballs. He nodded at Maru, thinking that was the best plan. Yes, defensive measures had to be taken.

"Howl..." Calcifer started, giving Luke an alarmed look. "Howl, I think that's enough playing for today." He was trying to warn the toddler subtly, but Howl didn't seem to pay him any heed. "Uh... Howl? ...Angry parent approaching."

That did seem to get Howl's attention. Well, at least he looked up from the place he would have been playing with Natalie. He caught sight of the angry adult, and almost shivered. Yes, the great wizard Howl was a coward. He had only one defense. The blonde haired, blue eyed toddler made his way towards the angry parent and wrapped chubby arms around his legs. "I luv you."