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 Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:31 pm
With a shifted sigh, Karma sped away as fast as he could. He must have been going over fifty, because man was he flying away fast-
A resounding smack stopped the toddler dead in his tracks. He had hit his head hard against a familiar pair of legs...
"There you are." came a relieved voice, two arms gently scopping the boy up. "I thought I lost you... I was kind of worried."
Karma was too tired to fight against the woman who took him into her arms at the moment. It had been a long day, and he needed some much desired sleep.
"Come on Karma." Baniru cooed softly, holding him close to her heart as she quietly slipped out the door. "Let's go home."
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:50 pm
Calumet smiled as he was scooped up once more, always glad to be held--and by his favorite bunch of color, no less! He settled against the older boy with a happy sigh, the lightball hovering above the toddler almost protectively. Multi-colored eyes blinked as he was introduced around, only to widen at the sight of Shauna's fluffy tail. With considerably less energy than usual, he made grabby hands at it. The ball of rainbow-colored light shot towards Elle and Shauna only to dissipate completely before reaching them. Cal yawned; that was exhausting!
Inle's eyes narrowed slightly as she spotted Nio and his cargo, a thricely-pierced brow rising. "Not bad, considering...does your wife know you're in the business of carting off strange women against their will?" As if the question was a summons, Enoh popped outside. Inle leaned towards her, a silent show of support. "I'm fine...yourself?" Her eyes narrowed further, this time in suspicion. Enoh knew this woman? What was Nio thinking??
Inle, being Inle, suspected the worst.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:46 pm
Inle's comment was the first that both cabbits had heard, and Alania bent upward slightly so that she could eye the woman. The left ear of both cabbits slowly rose curiously at Inle, giving her an odd and slightly disgusted look at the mere thought that Nio was carting Alania off in some.. non-sister way. The synchronized movement the two of them performed, coupled with their twin colored hair and ears, probably answered the woman's question better than any words could have.
In fact, it was more than a little creepy.
The synchronization fell apart once Enoh spoke however, as the twins reactions were anything but similar. Nio looked altogether relieved to see his wife, while his sister's face fell in a look of damp apathy. She looked like someone had just dropped a bucket of water on her. Civil or not, it was clear the woman didn't like her.. and the sentiment was relatively returned.
"I'm so glad you came baby." Nio murmured, clearly ignorant of his sisters dampened looks as he looked down at his wife and child. "Aww.. poor Iva looks so tired. Did she have too much fun?"
The brief distraction of mentioning someone elses name made Alania's gaze travel to the sleeping cabbit in Enoh's arms, and her dampened look melted away into confusion.
"Alania, you've never met our little Iva have you? You probably would have, if you had been at my wedding." Nio looked around at his sister, giving her a pursed frown.
"Put me down."
"Ohhh no, I'm not putting you down until we're inside and you can't-"
"Put. Me. Down. I won't run away." Her eyes tore away from Iva to rest on the emerald gaze of her twin. "I promise."
Nio paused in silence for a moment, before sighing gently and setting Alania down on her feet. He crossed his fingers that she wouldn't make him regret trusting her.. and she didn't.
Alania turned so that her back was to her brother, and walked straight up to Enoh boldly, stopping in front of the slightly shorter woman. Her eyes were focused on the child in her arms.
"Nio.."
"Yeah?"
"May I hold her?"
Nio let out a choking cough, half expecting his wife to kick his sister in the shins and run. He took a step forward, standing behind his sister. "Why?"
Alania pursed her lips, and her frow burrowed. "Because she's my niece."
"You've never been interested in your family before."
Alania swiveled around wordlessly, glaring up at her brother with a pained and angered look. Nio felt the strangest urge to take a few steps back away from her, but stood tall. She continued to glare up at him, until he finally broke under the pressure of her stare.
"It's okay, sweetheart." Nio whispered to Enoh, before looking up at his wife and reaching out gently for their daughter. He held the sleeping Iva protectively in his arms, double guessing his decision for quite a few moments before slowly settling the child into his sister's arms. Alania curled her embrace around Iva, and watched her sleep, a sad expression etched on her face.
Children. Her brother was having children. Not just any children.. cabbit children.
It was a recipe for disaster.
She reached out and took one of Iva's tiny fists in two fingers, holding it up closer to her own face. The child looked so innocent, so calm. It had no idea of the dangers that lay within.
Out of the corner of her eye she caught a flash of red and looked up quickly, only to freeze in surprise. There was Aki, but not just Aki.. not normal Aki..
Aki in red.
If Iva had been perceptive enough, the desperate thumping of a heart that hadn't beaten in years would have woken her.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:57 pm
Asrafel was so wonderfully innocent. He had no idea what Shauna was trying to imitate, nor what Elle was talking about. He stood there, simply satiated in her presence, smiling lazily.
"Oh.. the hostess. Yes, well.. she kind of didn't show up. But that's okay! I'm playing hostess!" He didn't bother to correct himself, perfectly happy with being considered the hostess of a party, despite his obvious gender. It was so nice to see Elle get along with Shauna, to whom he'd found himself a connection with since their little adventure.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:40 pm
"You are the host?!" Elle's lips parted in a genuine smile, hair falling to frame her face as she offered the bouquet to Asra gracefully.
"Well! Then this is for you!" Finally, her arms were free...she pulled Shauna around into a more comfortable position. "And you know, something to drink sounds lovely. What would you recommend?"
Peeking down at Shauna to see if the mention of goodies had generated any interest, Elle strolled slowly towards the snack table...nodding at the little ones around her feet.
Perhaps, if Asra would like, she could spin a little tale for them later!
**
It took Aki a bit longer than it had taken Lani...perhaps for one simple reason. Alania was the last person she'd been expecting to see.
The wind pushed against her gently, urging her back. A few more steps, and she stopped...still clutching the velvet bag. She hadn't even recognized the others...she hadn't looked past Alania's sad, sweet face. Nio was there, and Enoh...
Lani's family. Something cold and lonely settled into her stomach, warring with the heat of her cheeks. She didn't belong here. This wasn't what she'd been expecting to see. Such a tiny babe, sleeping so peacefully in Alania's arms...
Her heart squeezed within her. A perfect family, it wasn't missing anything. Especially not Aki.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:46 pm
Shauna giggled and stuck out her chest even more, almost losing her balance on Elle's hip and throwing her arms around the girl's neck. That was close! She squealed when she was bounced again, smiling brightly and putting a hand on her cheek when her mark was mentioned. It was nice, wasn't it? The child couldn't help but watch with the highest curiosity as Elle got pollen all over her finger, bouncing on Elle's hip with a happy laugh when she noticed what Elle planned on doing with the pollen. It was pretty now!
"Ew siwwer?" Hey, that wasn't too bad for a first attempt! She had absolutely no idea what 'ample curves' were...but if Elle said that made them sisters then Shauna must have had them!
Eight's jaw dropped, staring in shock at her daughter. She spoke! "Sh-shauna!" Eight gasped, clasping her hands under her chin with the most delighted look on her face. Kind of odd how her first words weren't the typical 'momma' or 'dadda' but 'Elle sister?' was pretty cute!
Shauna was looking back at her mother, slightly confused, after she'd heard her name. Had she done something bad...? Well Mommy looked happy, so she must have done something good...but why was Mommy so happy? Her attention was caught once again when snacks were mentioned, waving to her mother again when Elle carried her to the snack table. But just because you wave to someone doesn't make them leave, Eight followed close by of course to hear if Shauna spoke any more.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:52 pm
Asrafel looked down at the bouquet and blinked, cocking his head. "For me~?" He chirped quietly, and though he took it, he knew he would put the beautiful bouquet in water and leave it for Orestae when she did return to her Daycare. "Oh Elle, it's lovely! Thank you so much! As for drinks, I recommend anything really. We have soda, and fruit punch, and water of course~!"
---
It was ironic, that the only person who had managed to perform the kind of miracle involved with jumpstarting a dead and cold heart was the one who felt like she didn't belong. As far as Alania was concerned, she would have been perfectly happy if no one but that particular woman had come to celebrate her dreaded birthday.
Still carrying the sleeping cabbit in her arms, Alania approached Aki, keeping her face out of sight of Nio - if only because she knew there was no stopping a smile should it come now.
"Aki?" Alania breathed out quietly, her brow furrowing in confusion. "It's.. I didn't expect to see you here. I'm glad, though.. for whatever reason brought you."
Maybe Eight had invited her. Maybe she just.. knew, somehow. It didn't matter. At least this party was worth something. It wasn't so bad, after all.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 7:08 pm
Aki's brow furrowed as Lani walked slowly towards her. Her chin dipped, though their gazes stayed locked. Here it was, the polite suggesting that 'later' might be a better time...
Lani's soft words brought her chin back up. Glad?! A smile touched her eyes, though her lips were still gently parted in shock. "A friend invited me. She...said it would be worth my while.
"She was right." Taking a breath, Aki quelled the fluttering of her heart...dropping her eyes to the babe in Lani's arms. Something was different. She recognized the child, though she couldn't recall her name. But it wasn't the babe, nor was it the way Alania so gently held her...
It was there. In Lani's eyes.
"When...you're free...come find me? I will wait." The words held more weight than Aki had meant to give them.
**
"Just juice would be fine!" Nodding happily at Asra, Elle peered down at Shauna as she child babbled up at her.
"Sister! That's right!! How about love? Can you say that one?"
She turned her body slightly, bringing Eight into view. She didn't know the connection, but the sheer joy and excitement rolling off of the woman was enough to give her a clue. Perhaps the sight of one that loved Shauna so much would help her place the word.
"See? Love." She winked at Asra as she gave Shauna another bounce. Surely, he would understand!
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:45 pm
When Aki's eyes dropped to Iva, so did Alania's. "My niece." She coo'd, a little softer than what was usual for her voice. "The poor thing." She shook her head sadly and brushed a single finger against one ear, before looking up at Aki's proposal with an arched brow. She leaned in, whispering as quietly as she could.
"Are you kidding me? I will take any excuse to get out of this party. You wait right here, I'll be right back."
Alania turned, forcing her face to steel in order to return the child to her father's arms.
"Friend of yours?"
"You could say that. I need to speak with her."
"Ah ha.. no. You probably asked her to give you an excuse to leave! I don't think.."
Nio's words faded off as he noticed the look his sister was giving him. Rather.. the lack of such. Alania refused to look in her brother's eyes. In fact, she refused to face him. She turned her head and left her eyes on the unlikeliest of places, to meet with Enoh's.
There was a hint of pleading in them.
"Oh for crying out loud, Lani, would you at least look at me?"
"I'll come back, I promise. It's my birthday, can't I ask for this one thing?"
Still, she wouldn't look at him. It was too dangerous.
There was a deep, welling pause, before Nio sighed in exasperation. Alania took it as an agreement, and turned to walk towards Aki. She met the woman with a gaze that signified a hint of desperation this time.
"Come on, we'll go around the back, we can get to my office from there."
Alania may have seemed a little anxious to talk with Aki in private, and perhaps she was, but her main concern at the moment was one no one understood. It was one that left her feeling very disconcerted, and wishing she was miles away from her brother.
If not farther.
---
Asrafel fluttered upward as Elle chose, and peered over her shoulder to watch the scene for just a moment longer, resting his chin against her shoulderblade and looking at the child with a cherubic gaze. He then fluttered backward, and chirped a quick "One juice coming up~!" Before zipping off toward the concessions.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:07 pm
Ophiuchus blinked his golden eyes at Asrafel, clearly curious as to what the boy was doing. The serpentine child craned his neck out slightly as Asrafel's other hand came up and plopped something into on of his. Blinking again, he released the fingers he had been toying with and sat back, curling his small fingers around the piece of chocolate that had been placed in his palm. Turning his hand over so it wouldn't fall out, he slowly spread his fingers out and looked down at the candy. After a moment he let out a soft, exaggerated gasp, his small mouth becoming an 'O' shape that revealed his fangs, and he lifted his other hand and pointed at the item that sat in his hand.
He turned to look up at Hannah, and with her smile and nod of approval, he turned his attention back down to the chocolate, a cheerful grin spreading across his pale green face. He scrunched up his shoulders once and let out a soft giggle, nose crinkling as his finger gently poked the candy before he dipped his head and sniffed at it. His tongue, thinner than a human's and forked at the end, slipped out from between his lips and brushed through the air above the chocolate, getting extremely close but never actually touching. Though he picked up scents through his nose and not on the roof of his mouth, this seemed to be a habit of his and he did it with every new thing he acquired, food or no.
His slit eyes looked back up in time to see Asrafel hand Alexei a drink and not even stick around to hear the deer boy's mumbled gratitude. He hurried away to greet other guests, though the toddler being so little, he didn't yet understand that Asrafel had duties elsewhere. He let out a soft squeal of disapproval, fingers curling around the chocolate, and he leaned against Hannah's shoulder; the upper half of his face peeking above it so he could watch the pink-haired boy leave. The child's lower lip jutted out in a pout and he raised one arm; his empty, chubby hand flapping up and down in a childish wave. "Mmm, buh-bye..."
Hannah smiled at this and gave him a hug, pressing her lips to his temple and giving him a quick peck. "Don''t worry, Ophi, he had to go talk to the other people here. It's alright, just eat your chocolate, okay?"
Ophiuchus frowned and gazed after Asrafel for a moment longer, as if it wasn't alright, and perhaps in his small mind it wasn't, but as his fingers revealed the chocolate when they uncurled, he seemed to forget that Asrafel was no longer around. It hadn't melted at all in his grasp, his palm and hand cool to the touch, and after a moment's hesitation he opened his mouth and lightly slapped his hand to his face; the chocolate tumbling into his awaiting mouth. He frowned for a moment, running his tongue along the smooth surface of the chocolate, then he swallowed it whole and grinned broadly.
"Ophi!" Hannah laughed softly, though her eyes were regarding him warily.
"We should probably get him to stop doing that soon, I don't know if it's good for him to swallow things whole." Alexei said quietly, sipping his soda.
"I'm sure he'll stop soon, maybe it's just a phase or something. I really don't know all that much about kids." The tigress glanced around, pale, round ears swiveling on her head before she looked back at her brother. "You want to get out of here and go check out the store? We really should get him a booster seat if nothing else."
Alexei nodded and headed quickly and nimbly for the door before Hannah had any time to say anything else. Waiting a moment to see if she could catch Asrafel and thank him for pointing out the store, she noted there was quite a few other people (and babies) here and guessed he had his hands full. Besides, she wasn't really in the mood to socialize at the moment anyway, and it was obvious Alexei was feeling the same, more so than usual. She sighed softly and trailed after her brother, one hand coming up to hold Ophiuchus' in a comforting manner as he made a soft protesting sound, wings arching, at leaving the place where he had been gifted with his first piece of chocolate.
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:32 am
Maybe it was time for her to leave. It hurt her heart to sit and watch all the children each one looked amazing and beautiful. It only sh could hold one and mabe get one of her own someday. That would be nice though unlikely.
She looked at the toddlers again before turning to leave. She loved children and these were just amazing. She didn't want to leave but untill she had one of her own she would have to as she had no real reason to stay.
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:37 am
Rocking onto her toes as Lani left her, Aki peered at the distant group...raising one hand in slightly confused greeting. Thumping back to her heels, she smoothed her skirt over her hips with her free hand. What had she wandered into?
Lani's expression did little to reassure her. Aki was moving before Alania even reached her...hurrying forward in the direction the girl indicated. "Office? Ah! Sure?" Alania worked nearby? Alania...worked? Modestly reaching back to make sure her skirt handn't flipped up yet again as she trotted, Aki took one last (and rather untactful) glance back at the group outside the doors.
If only she could help make things better!!
Ah, she'd fallen behind again. Tugging up at the top of one of her over the knee boots, Aki blushed the palest pink. "I'm sorry, I'm not used to walking in these..." Though she wanted Lani's hand in her own, Aki settled for a smile...not wanting to be so forward in case Lani's family disapproved. Only a few more steps and they could talk!! Taking a breath, calming her fluster, Aki resolved not to ask any questions.
Alania would share what she wanted to share.
**
As Asra fluttered off to grab a drink, Elle continued to murmur encouragingly to Shauna. Her eyes, however, were not on the babe. Taking a good look around for the first time since she'd arrived, Elle took note of the children around her. So many bright souls...
Eyes settling on the hooded lad, Elle watched his chocolate adventures. Her own stomach rumbled at the thought...she hadn't eaten yet today! The cobbler she'd made for Aki hadn't been ready by the time she'd left the house.
Giving the boy a tiny smile, Elle blinked as the group stood to leave. So soon?! Wiggling her fingers in a private goodbye to the lad, she watched him tugged towards the door.
So, he liked chocolate! Smiling, she filed that silently away.
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:08 pm
Love? That was a pretty word! But what did it mean? Whatever it was, it must have been as pretty as the word! Shauna lit up when her mother was in view again, clapping her hands with a delighted squeak before she looked back up at Elle again. She wanted her to say the word to Mommy? Why? Was it another way of saying Mommy?
"Come on, sweetie! I know you can say it!" Eight chirped, startling Shauna who'd been busy staring into space while she tried to think of what love meant. Eight had come up closer to stand in front of Shauna, leaning over so she was eye level with her daughter. Shauna's yellow eyes widened slightly in surprise, suddenly feeling just a bit awkward until she saw the look in Eight's eyes. Mommy looked so happy and hopeful right now, she couldn't let her down! Shauna moved her mouth a bit before she actually to say the word, it was as if she was trying to mouth a warm-up before she actually used it, grinning and lifting an arm to point at Eight.
"...'ove!" Well it was getting off with a good start! Eight cheered and clapped her hands excitedly. Shauna was talking now! How wonderful! "'ove! 'ove! 'ove!" She chanted, bouncing and clapping every time she said love. Poor Elle would need a plastic hip by the end of the night.
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:24 pm
Eyes going wide as a ball of dancing light raced towards them, Elle blinked at Cal before letting her shock melt into a smile. Quiet a talent! The girl in her arms began to babble once more, drawing her attention.
"That's it!" Giving Shauna a squeeze, Elle offered a smile almost as happy as Eight's. Remarkable progress, but then...she seemed like a remarkable babe. "Keep trying new words, it'll be worth it, I promise!!"
Hefting her gently, Elle offered Shauna to who she assumed awas her caretaker. "Thank you for letting us play! We had fun, hmm Shauna?" Making sure she was safely in Eight's arms, Elle stretched..rubbing her side ruefully.
"I'm Elle, by the way!" She took a bit of enjoyment out of offering Eight her hand...especially considering the other woman's arms were now as full as hers had been!! Her smile might have hinted at such.
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:09 pm
Eight gratefully took Shauna from Elle's arms, bouncing her once just to get her comfortable on her own hip and tickling under her daughter's chin. Shauna was such a sweetheart! As was this brunette girl she'd been playing with! Eight was grinning ear to ear, looking from Shauna to Elle when she was spoken to. "I should be thanking you! I doubt she would've spoke tonight if you weren't around! You can see her anytime! She seems to adore you!" Eight's grin faded into a sheepish smile, adjusting Shauna so she was sitting more comfortably in her arms. "I'll pay for a replacement hip if you need one after all that bouncing." A joke, obviously.
"I'm Eight, nice to meet you, Elle!" Once again Shauna was moved in Eight's arms so the woman could take Elle's offered hand to shake, teasing Shauna with one of the headwings she was batting at already. "...Why are you..." She'd felt Shauna move again and looked down to see what she was doing, noticing that the child had her chest out as if she was proud of something; it didn't hit her until a minute later when she finally came to notice the huge chest Elle had. Aw, Shauna was such a sweetheart! In her own little way.
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