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 Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:04 pm
"They do it all the time..." Whitman smiled, wondering what Evie might like best. "I know they had the tiger out earlier. So would Evie like to see the bears or the owls more?" Those were the two closest that came to mind.
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Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:49 pm
As soon as the word 'owl' finished emerging from Whitman's mouth, Kari knew that there was no way Evie was going to want to go home. 'Owl' was among the collection of words that got the toddler's complete attention and turned her into an awestruck, handsy ball of energy.
Well, nearly everything did that, but specific words relating to magic or to Harry Potter magnified the reaction.
True to form, Evie's bottom jaw dropped, her eyes widened, and she stilled. "Owl!!!" was the only word she managed to get out, her tails moving to curl around his arms.
Kari gave a one-shouldered shrug, chuckling in a manner that suggested mild embarassment. "I think that's your answer."
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:17 pm
"Very well." Whitman smiled as they walked along. "Good for us, that it's closer than the other as well." He chuckled doing his best to shift the squirming child. "What time is it, Kari?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:31 pm
Evie, used to being held, did her best to be as manageable as possible, despite her excitement "Owlssss?! You gots owls?! Purdy owls??" she asked, her tails tightening their grip on his arms.
"Errrr... well, we got here an hour early, and that was ten minutes ago?" Kari felt rather stupid, mostly because she'd neglected to wear her watch. In her haste to remember her purse and figure out how to contain her rather unruly hair (as well as spend fifteen seconds staring at herself in the mirror), she had forgotten it. She had just chanced a glance at the clock on the way in. "I forgot my watch."
At that, Evie leaned forward to whisper, rather loudly, in Whitman's ear, the owls forgotten for a brief second. "Mama lookin' at heeerrrself in t' mirror. She no' wear dresses lots!"
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:37 pm
"Alright, we've got time then. After this though, I'll have to leave you all for a little while to go change for the show..." Whitman rubbed Evie's back lightly to try and get her to relax a little, lest he begin to loose feeling in his arms.
His smile brightened when he heard what Evie whispered. If she didn't wear dresses often did that mean this was a special occasion? That thought amused him slightly but he kept himself from chuckling again.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:23 pm
Kari was very glad that Whitman's attention was focused on Evie. The fact that her entire face was flushed a dark shade of green at her toddler's admission was a mildly humiliating detail. She shifted her purse on her shoulder and tapped Evie's tails where they curled around Whitman's arms. "Evelia. Remember what we said about tails?"
The toddler belatedly realized that she was gripping without permission, and she let his arms go and simply flicked her tails back and forth to show her delight. She did grin at Whitman's reaction. "Yeaaaaah. She looks purdy, yuh?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:25 pm
Whitman beamed, his gaze settling on Kari for the moment. "She does look very pretty tonight." He was grateful when she got Evie to let go of his arms with her tails. Under normal circumstances he wouldn't have minded, but she gripped rather tight and he needed his arms this evening.
The carnie stopped when they approached the owl enclosure. "Minnie, you around?" He waited for a moment or two, watching to see if the woman would appear or not.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:44 pm
While Kari flushed an even deeper green at Whitman's compliment, Evie looked very pleased with herself, giggling at her mother's blush. "Veeeeeery purdy!" she reiterated, twirling her tails about. Her nostrils twitched as she caught the scent of birds, though her brain couldn't immediately identify the type. "Owlsss?"
Still trying to regain her composure, Kari absentmindedly fiddled with her purse, padding alongside Whitman and feeling rather... awkward, since he was holding onto her daughter. "I can... hold her, you know. You don't have to carry her," she said, though the words didn't quite come out the way she wanted to. "I can."
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:57 pm
"S'alright...she'll probably want to get down if Minnie brings an owl out anyway." Whitman chuckled.
"Ah, Whitman...who did you bring with you?" A stout little woman came around the cage wearing a large leather glove on one hand, with a foot leash in the other.
"This Evie..." He glanced down at Evie. "...and her lovely mother, Kari." He grinned. "They are my guests tonight. This is Minnie, the bird handler."
Minnie smiled and waved her gloved hand. "Promise the little one to get to see one of my feathered friends up close, did you?" She chuckled.
"Well, not a promise, I told her we'd come and ask if your not busy." Whitman blushed sheepishly.
"Never too busy, just give me a minute and I'll have one out for you all..."
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:06 pm
Kari had to concede that Whitman had a point, and she turned her yellow gaze to the new person on approach, smiling--sans fangs, this time-- and nodding in polite greeting. "Hello, Minnie. Thank you for your time," she said, flushing a little.
On the other hand, Evie wasn't the least bit ashamed of blatantly staring at the newcomer or looking around for something of the feathery nature. "Biiirdies?" she inquired, glancing back and forth betwen the three adults and looking all-too-eager.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:11 pm
Minnie chuckled and opened the front of the cage and leaned in, looking over each of the birds before drawing out again. "Any particular bird she likes?"
"Some sort of owl, would be best I think." He glanced down at Evie. "That alright with you?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:15 pm
For a moment, Kari feared brain damage on Evie's part, for the enthusiasm with which the girl bobbed her head up and down was mildly frightening. After about five seconds of that, Kari relaxed, for Evie now settled to clinging to Whitman's neck, looking positively ecstatic.
"Yesyesyes! Owwwwwwwl!" the girl said cheerfully, managing to keep her voice down to a normal conversational tone, despite her obvious excitement. Kari was proud of her for that.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:44 pm
"Alright then...an owl it is." Minnie smiled and leaned back into the cage only to come out again with a Snowy Owl balanced on her arm, the leather tether on it's leg. "This is Snowflake, she's very gentle. You can come closer Evie.." She glanced at Kari. "If your Mom says its okay, and either her or Whitman comes with you..."
Whitman carefully let Evie down, knowing she'd want to go closer. "Make sure you go slow, you don't want to scare Snowflake."
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:52 pm
Kari chuckled softly as Evie's eyes grew wider and wider at the sight of the owl. Well, now, that was one way to get her attention.
Nodding and listening intently to Minnie, Evie ceased flicking her tails almost immediately, tucking her hands in close to her chest to resist the urge to grab. Nono... grabbing featheries was a bad idea. This, she remembered. When her mother stepped up beside her, the toddler edged closer, sticking right by Kari's side as she gazed brightly up at the owl. "Ssssnowflake?" she stumbled over the unfamiliar name, her voice several volume levels below the norm and sounding unusually quiet. "She puuuurdy! She fliessss?"
Kari gave both Whitman and Minnie a grateful smile, letting Evie take hold of her hand when the toddler reached for it.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:03 pm
Minnie bent a little so Evie would have a better look at the owl. Snowflake eyed Evie as she got close and fluttered her wings a little. She was accustomed to loud and bouncy small two legged folk. This was different.
"Yes, she flies dear. If your going to show you'll get to see her fly." She nodded. "If you promise to be gentle, you can pet her."
Whitman stood back and watched them, glad he was able to do this for Evie since she seemed to be enjoying herself.
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