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The store was unusually empty that day, no Tales bumping into other Tales, no customers looking in out of boredom or neccessity. There didn't seem to be anything amiss in the shop, except for a sign declaring the store was closed for a few hours in celebration of Mother's Day. And for one special person, it was to be Father's Day...

Aiden Perry had been not been looking forward to Mothers Day. Without a mother, the day was, quite frankly, just a reminder of his mistakes. Not that Aiden was bitter or anything, he was just lonely.

Alex had been gone for a few days on a business trip, which only seemed to heighten the young man's antsiness for company. For that reason, and that reason alone, Aiden had decided to go on an adventure and leave the small apartment the two men shared.

Strolling along, everything seemed to be closed. Just his luck, really, since he had money that his lover had thoughtfully provided to him and he was...Quite eager to spend it on something, anything, to get his mind on other things.

One shop in particular seemed to catch his eye. A stationary store? He used to love to go into those shops with his mother to help her pick out pretty paper to use when she wrote her obligatory letters to her friends. Perhaps he could take a stroll down memory lane?

Turning to open the door, it was then he noticed the sign announcing it closed. Just his luck. Still, he tried the door anyway.

False hope, anyone?

Luck was with Aiden that day, luck or carelessness of the owners who's to say? Regardless the knob turned easily, and the chimes tinkled softly as the door opened and welcomed him into the shop.

Surprise wrote itself across the young man's face as the door opened. Odd. Perhaps someone really was there and he just hadn't realized it? Maybe they had forgot to take the sign down!

Ah well, still, he couldn't resist the temptation of memories and slipped inside the shop, carefully closing the door behind him.

It wasn't as if he was going to steal paper, after all, right?

Bright blue eyes looked around the shop quietly in vain hopes of finding a shopkeep.

A shadow stirred from the kitchen straight ahead, it was brief and swift. The whistle of a kettle sounded and the clinking of glass quickly followed. Someone was expecting company, perhaps?

The young man jumped as the sounds reached his ears, eyes wildly looking about. Ah! He WASN'T alone! Well, at least the claim wouldn't be made that he was breaking and entering...He hoped.

It would look really bad. He could see the headlines now! "Ex Gaian Police Officer Charged With Breaking And Entering A Stationary Store"

Yeah. Bad.

Taking a few steps and quietly peeking into the kitchen, Aiden once more scanned the area for someone, anyone, "Hello?"

The kettle continued to whistle, and there were a few glasses on their sides rolling back and forth, occasionally hitting the other ones. It seems they had been left this way. Thankfully the stove was electric and did not run on gas. Or did it?

Whatever sort it was, it would be best that it be turned off and the kettle silenced.

Simply blinking at the carelessness, Aiden made his way into the kitchen and looked for the correct knobs to turn the stove off. If anything, his years as a bachelor living in a run down apartment had taught him to conserve.

And try NOT to burn things down.

It was then he removed the offending kettle from the top and placed it someplace away from the heat. The noise was enough to give him a mild headache.

"Carelessness," he murmured as he looked around the kitchen. He really should get back to the pretty papers and start his trip down memory lane. The thought lay heavy on his mind as he began his trek towards the main room yet again.

The door had been left unopened, and from that a strong gust of wind entered. It blew some of the displayed products off their stands, knocking a knick-knack off here and there (thankfully none were breakables, it did help that whoever owned the store had child-proofed the decorations).

"What am I now? A caretaker?" Aiden grumbled, moving to pick up the scattered products and placing them in what he hoped to be the correct places. Idly he thought he should be getting paid for this.

Hell, he needed a job. Maybe when the owner came back he'd put in an application...Shrugging his shoulders, "Any other tasks you want of me, Casper?"

Clever. Witty.

Not really.



To ask "Casper" himself was fine, but even as a jest it was not wise to ask the unseen force that was causing all these little 'mistakes.' Something skitters past Aiden's feet, darting into a room to the right of the store's entrance. The door was open, and the room was dimly lit.

Aiden half jumped back as something skittered past him. Something he couldn't see. This was like the start of every horror movie he had ever watched.

Something in the back of his mind told him to LEAVE and GET OUT before the boogeyman jumped out with a hacksaw and cut off his head.

However, the man seemed a little more logical than that. It had to be a rat or a mouse or something. Stationary stores just were not haunted.

Since he had already done a multitude of tasks around the store, he figured catching a mouse wouldn't be too much more to ask, and then he could leave. There had to be other stationary stores he could daydream in.

Slipping into the room, Aiden squinted to adjust his eyes to light, as dim as it was.

"Helloooo?"

Pointless, but still, he said it anyway. The silence was getting too eerie.

Something tugs at him, draws him closer inside towards the table at the far end of the room. It was under the only souce of light, a dirty lightbulb that threatened to burn out any moment. There doesn't appear to be a switch, just a chord connected to the ceiling.

The youth did indeed move toward the table. Call it following an impulse of sorts, because for the life of him, he had no idea why he was going towards the table instead of going after the mouse.

That had been his task, right? Right. Going towards the table was stupid!

...But there was light, and maybe the mouse had gone towards it? Carefully he picked his way across the room and stood in front of the table, getting ready to bend down and look for mouse holes.

There was no mouse, or no holes for that matter. The room was completely sealed save for the door that leads into the shop front. On the table, however, was a large leather bound Tome. From the worn cover and the faded letters it was evidently old. Older than the shop itself.

Again something skitters past Aiden's feet, heading for the door.

The very same door that slammed shut and promptly locking itself.

"Well that's just great," Aiden glared at the door as it slammed and his sensitive ears heard the click of a lock. Just like every bloody horror movie in the world. Great going, Aiden.

You just won the putz of the year award!...If you make it out alive!

The man took a moment to stare at the book. How could a book be harmful though? Unless it suddenly sprouted teeth...

Carefully a finger moved to trace the old leather. He had a fondness for books...In fact, it had been annoying his lover lately that he'd rather read than do other recreational activities.

Ah well...Maybe a peek wouldn't hurt...

At his touch the bearskin rug beneath him is pulled out from under his feet to reveal it had been real bear. It raises its paws and strikes at him, tearing a gash across his back. Or it would have if this was the sort of Tomes you found in horror movies.

The Study seemed to snigger at the thought, heard only as the bulb flickering on and off.

At the touch the Tome opens completely to reveal nothing. Absolutely nothing but a blank page.

Briefly Aiden looked up towards the bulb, glaring at it, "What do you find so funny?"

Aaand...now he was talking to inanimate objects. Maybe it was some kind of fun house that wanted to make you lose your mind. Either way, he'd go out doing something he loved! Reading! That was the best way to die, really! And he was half excited about the prospect of a new story.

...Until he looked down and noticed the pages of the tome were empty.

Well that didn't do at all!

He'd...Have to remedy that somehow. A book so old and wonderful needed writing. Imagination.

Aiden patted his pockets, looking for his trusty pen.

No luck.

As Aiden searched his person for a writing instrument, a fountain pen rolled out from the Tome. It is stopped by an inkwell with its lid still on. Judging from the layer of dust, it hadn't been used in a long time. And in the span of time it took for the pen to appear a question had formed on the pages.

Why is the night always darkest before dawn?

Blue eyes stared as the question appeared on the pages. Oddly enough, it reminded him of a book he had read. What was the name of it? Ah well, he couldn't remember, but it had basically said not to trust anything with a brain when you can't see...Or...Something to that effect.

Oh well. He had gotten this far in this place, why not see what happened next?

Dutifully, he picked up the pen and lifted the lid to the ink well, dipping the tip into the substance he assumed was there before staring at the page.

How to answer the question?

A moment pondering before he brought the pen down to the paper and wrote out quietly, the only sound in the room the scritching of the pen

The stars dim to make way for light.

Lifting his pen he nodded. Very poetic.

And in his experiance...It was very very true.

The bulb gave up its struggle to illuminate its surroundings and allowed the darkness to flood the room. For a strange reason it was not eerie or frightening, this lack of light. It was comforting, calming, almost as if promising something magnificent was about to take place and it was just setting the stage.

There was a soft breeze, sweet, and cool as it caressed Aiden's skin.

Normally, Aiden would have jumped like a rabbit on crack at the sudden darkness. And in the back of his mind, his little inner voice was screaming at him and calling him an idiot for talking to something that had a brain he couldn't see.

Or something to that effect.

But he didn't care. The breeze that touched him calmed him, and the voice, down. But how was he supposed to get OUT of here with no light and the door locked?

A sigh.

"Okay, Casper, you done playing your tricks now?" he murmured.

There came a giggle, melodic and innocent, like the soft tinkling of bells. It wasn't that of a ghost boy, it wasn't that of a boy at all. It was of a little girl, it was clear as day.

But there was no sign of her, come to think of it there was no sign of anything save for the darkness.

"Who's there?" Aiden asked softly as he strained his eyes in an attempt to see the figure in the darkness. It sounded...Like a child.

How could a child be in a room, a locked room, when they hadn't been there before? Maybe it was Casper!

...But it didn't sound like a boy...

Aiden reached up for the cord hanging from the ceiling, tugging at it in the vain hopes it would turn on despite the burned out bulb.

Nothing made his heart race faster than a child. He loved children.

And if a child was stuck in this madhouse it was his job to get it out!

Blades of grass tickled at Aiden's feet, well he would have felt him had he been barefoot, which he wasn't. From the distance came a dim glow. It was faint, too small and too far away to make out its source. But it brightened considerably with each passing second. It was the sun, rising from the horizon. It illuminated the sky, bathing the clouds with a golden glow that danced with the azure hues.

The laughter rang again, joyous and eager.

The sky grew brighter as stars began to shine in unison, joining with the golden orb the heavens. It grew blinding, but before it had only one word could describe it: Beautiful.

And so was the child that sat before Aiden on the table once the light died down.




The man's blue eyes widened at the display before him, making his heart beat quicken...And then die down into a slow, steady beat. Calm. Peaceful. One thing that Aiden had always loved was a sunrise, and he had witnessed one, for the first time in a very long time, happen before his very eyes.

Nevermind that it was in a locked room.

"Hello, sweet heart," he murmured as he saw the little girl on the table, his voice full of awe and wonder. She was...Beautiful. Sweet. Innocent.

A million words flooded his very confused mind to describe the blonde haired, silver eyed child before him.

"What's your name?"

The silver eyes of the child looked up at the man with a bright sort of gleam in them, glittering like the stars in the night sky.

She didn't say anything, simply looked at him. Perhaps she couldn't speak?

Aiden reached out to stroke the girl's cheek, "Where's your mommy and daddy?" he tried again.

Again, he was met with silence.

Was she his?

"That was a lovely meal, thank you everyone."

At Huni's voice, the door to the Study swung open, alerting those inside and outside the Study that there was someone here.



Aiden perked at the voice and carefully took the small child into his arms. She rested there, content, her small head finding a comfortable place on his chest and closed her eyes. She was oh so tired.

Making his way to the door, and now that it was open, he moved into the main room and blinked.

"Hello," he muttered, seeing Huni there, "You must be the owner of this place...Is she yours? Does she have a name?"

His head indicated to the sleepy girl in his arms. She fit so perfectly there...

Huni leaps back in surprise upon hearing a voice. "OMGBURGLARDON'TKILLMEMONEYISUPSTAIRSAND- what?" she blinks seeing that the someone had come from The Study!?!

"Oh, sorry, sorry. Uh, I'm Huni and yes I'm the co-owner..."

"And this Tale is not ours, she is yours. The Study and the Tome have given you this gift and you are responsible for taking care of her." Linneas explained, "I'm the first born Tale, and I can answer any question for you if you'd like Mister...?"

A single eyebrow raised at Huni's shout and he simply laughed, "You're lucky it's not a burglar. You left the door unlocked."

The young man's eyes moved to the little girl in his arms and he smiled. A daughter, huh? Well, things could have definitely turned out worse. He had thought he was in a horror film!

...He would be, when Alex got home. But he could deal with that.

"Perry. Aiden Perry," he supplied the young man, shifting the tiny girl in his arms with little protest from the sleepy princess.

"Nomove," she muttered, her silver eyes fluttering open to look cutely at Linneas, "Hi."

Aiden's heart nearly melted at the words, "The only question I have is if she has a name...And all I have to say is Thank You."



"There should be a smaller Tome back in there with her name on it." Linneas gestures, "I could get it for you if you want."

"No! Room! Now!" Avitus demanded from Linneas' shoulder. The Feien glared at Aiden and the little girl. More people. Doesn't anyone know the meaning of personal space!? And this entire shop was his personal space! Only Linneas, Ning and maybe Huni had permission. He wasn't even sure he wanted Paestri around.

Paestri was giggling at Avitus and she waved to the two new face.

"You're welcome, Aiden. I think..." Huni chuckled.

"I'd like that, since she doesn't seem too talkative.." he smiled charmingly...then looked down at Avitus, "Well, you're an outspoken one, aren't you."

Khalindra shifted again in Aiden's arms and wiggled her fingers silently at Huni and then the little girl. She was cute! And pink! And...Maybe, when she wasn't so sleepy and the lights weren't so bright, she could play with her.

But for now? She was tired, the lights were irritating her skin, and she just wanted to snuggle into her new father and sleep. Sleep was a good thing. She'd wake up when the stars were out again.

Linneas sighed and went into the Study regardless of Avitus' objections. He handed the tome to Aiden.

"Here you go."

Avitus glowered and glared at everyone, including his bonded.

"Thank you," Aiden said quietly, aware that the little girl was now trying to sleep. Carefully he opened the dome and searched.

"Khalindra. Is that your name little girl?"

Silver eyes opened, slightly annoyed that she had been disturbed again when she had been so close to that elusive sleep. Giving a small nod of her head, she brought her thumb to her mouth, stuck it in, and closed her eyes again.

"Obviously she doesn't like being disturbed," Aiden chuckled and handed the tome back to Linneas, "There are others, then?"

Linneas returned the Tome to Aiden, "That's yours as well. Each Author is given one and that will keep the records of whatever happens to you and your Tale. And yes, there are others..." he smiles fondly. He had lost count, to be honest.

"I'll just be going upstairs to tuck Pae in for a quick nap. Then I'll probably join her as well." Huni voiced as she headed upstairs with a yawn.

Aiden tucked it between the girl and his arm and smiled at Linneas, "Thank you, again. I'll...Be back, then, to see if there are any others out and about...I don't want Khalindra to be lonely.."

Seeming satisfied that Aiden had been properly scolded with her silence, Khali cuddled closer and sighed pleasantly. It was good to be held. But she wanted to go home, "Home." she quietly demanded.

Aiden shook his head, "And apparently, I need to bring her home and figure out where she's going to sleep. Pleasant to meet you all," he gave a bow, or something akin to it, and left the shop.

His new daughter tucked safely in his arms.

Journal Entry:

May 15, 2006

Dear Journal,

Jesus, I'm actually writing in a journal? I guess I should start, you know, having a new life and all that good stuff. I mean...I'm a dad now. And you're too little to really start reading and writing yet, Khali...At least, I think? But I may as well start a journal for you to read when you can and continue when you learn to write.

I found you yesterday and my head is still reeling from the fact that I'm a father. It's not something I ever imagined myself being. But you've taken to being my daughter wonderfully. You snuggle up to me at night in the bed and I just hold you. You want to sleep all day, but I can't let you do that. Since I'm purely diurnal, I can't have you up all night while I sleep. It simply wouldn't do.

I took you out to shop today. I started fixing up your room while you simply sat and looked at your picture books. They seem to amuse you to absolutely no end. I also ended up buying you a star necklace and put a picture of both myself and Alex in it for you. You won't take it off.

You haven't met Alex yet, because he's on business and will be for a few months. I'm sure he won't mind if I convert my office into a bedroom for you. It isn't as if we can't share a space or I can't work out of the living room. But I've told you all about him and you're excited to meet him.

I also bought you a beautiful little blue star plushie. It fit you so perfectly that I just had to get it for you, and you won't let go of it. You take it everywhere with you.

I wonder if you'll forget about it in a few days. Maybe, maybe not. Right now it seems to be attatched to your arms.

But anyway, I started painting your room. It's a nice, navy color. Light hurts your eyes and the added darkness in the room should make you feel more comfortable. I've also covered the windows in heavy star-covered curtains and hung lanterns in your room. They give off light, but just enough to see. It's on a dimmer so I can make them brighter if I need to see as well.

It's a new world for me, and I'm loving every second of it. I should make your dinner now, though. I love you, princess.

-Daddy

Armel was the first to come into the shop, just pretty much pushing the door open and letting it fall closed again as he meandered right in as if he owned the place (which, we all know, he doesn't, but let's not crush his little ego just yet). The boy's golden eyes had squinted slightly as he glanced around idly taking in his surroundings.

Before the door clicked closed completely a green eyed man caught the door and pushed it open and slipped in, "I told you to wait up, kiddo," the man was only half-heartedly scolding the boy he had followed. It seemed as if ram-horned boy had selective hearing and simply crouched there for a moment staring at the ground for some odd reason.

Pales moved over to stand next to the boy with a raised eyebrow, "Find something?"

Armel glanced up at his Author with a small shrug, "Sorry, Da, jus' get so excited when I come aroun' here. I can ne'er seem t'wait t'get inside."

The man smiled and crouched next to the Tale and patted him on the head gently, "Hey, it's alright. I understand..."

In response he got a grunt.

"You are my sunshine," Aiden's voice came softly as the tinkling of the door welcomed him to the shop he had been to just yesterday looking for a stroll down memory lane. Things hadn't gone that way, but he had come out better than he had gone in.

The product of that visit was currently cradled in his arms and resting her head sleepily on his shoulder. She didn't like the sunlight. She didn't like the day time. And she most CERTAINLY did not like her father trying to change her sleeping schedual to suit HIS needs.

The moment he walked into the shop he noticed the other man and the child, a smile scrawling over his lips, "Hello!" he said cheerfully. Too cheerfully for Khalindra's liking.

Her head tilted to the side to look at the pair, and simply smiled. She would be polite. Or as polite as the sun would allow her to be...Hopefully.

"Is he from the book?" the man asked, raising a brow. He had been told there had been others...Maybe he'd found someone?

There was a brief silence between Author and Tale until the door of the shop opened again. Pales turned and glanced at the one entering and gave a simple nod. It wasn't too unusual to have people come in. Though before Pales turned back to Armel he noted the child cradled in Aiden's arms.

Was this one new? It appeared so, that is if his suspicions were correct.

Armel stood up now and also faced the other two with a tilt to his own head, the opposite way that the girl was tilting hers. The boy's features were absent of a smile, but it wasn't unfriendly either.

The question Aiden put to Pales put the man off guard, "How did you...Ow!"

Armel dropped his fist and looked off innocently while muttering something about stupid questions.

"Well, yes, he did come from a book," Pales laughed nervously as he bent down to rub the spot where his Tale had not-so-gently nudged (punched) him, "You are ... new I take it? My name is Pales D'Arcy."

Pales glanced over at Armel with a small parental glare crossing over his young face before continuing, "That is my ... son Armel." The man seemed to prefer the familial route.

Anyone looking at Armel could note a faint playful smirk on his lips.

Aiden laughed softly and gently set the little princess down, standing up straight again. While he adored holding Khali, his arms were getting tired and she really didn't need to snooze there any longer. She'd never get to sleep that night, otherwise.

Scowling ever so slightly at being put down, Khali straightened herself and smoothed her dress out, "Hello," she said softly, almost shyly, to the little boy. She wasn't used to other people and despite the crankiness she felt...Well, she'd do her best to be polite. So long as he returned the favor.

At least she wasn't in direct sunlight any more. She really would have to ask her father to get an umbrella or something.

"Yes, I'm new...Yesterday, actually...I'm Aiden. Aiden Perry...And that's my new daughter, Khalindra. Say hello to Mr. D'Arcy, Khali."

The blonde girl lifted her head to look at the adult, her silver eyes glittering slightly in the light of the shop, "Good afternoon, Mr. D'Arcy."

Well, they'd managed to get more words out of her today than yesterday, at least.

Pales nodded, "Good to meet you both," the man smiled at them and glanced down at Armel curious to see what the boy would do without having to remind him...

When addressed by the girl Armel seemed to stand still as if searching for a proper response. He obviously only played with very few girls...Though she seemed sort of different than the others after a moment he murmured, "'Allo ... to ye both." He glanced at Aiden for a moment offering a smile.

Pleased for the moment Pales nodded and looked at Aiden, "He's been having an interesting couple of days..." He shrugged, "and he has his shy moments as well, especially around girls."

Armel frowned blushing now, "I'm not shy 'round girls," he grumped softly.

Giving a small bow to both of them, Khalindra smiled charmingly and took a few steps towards Armel, "Your hair is pretty," she said, tilting her head to the side a bit. Her father had gone out and brought her pretty star barettes that were glittering in the blonde, loosely curled hair hanging around her face.

But she didn't have anything as neat as a second color in her hair, "How did you get two colors?"

Aiden visably winced. If Khalindra wanted to dye her hair at such a young age...Ah well, he wouldn't let her! He wasn't wrapped completely around the toddler.

At least, that's what he told himself.

"I've been having an interesting couple of days. Until yesterday, I was happily living alone with my lover with no children, and now he's off on business and I'm alone with a little girl I never thought I'd have," he laughed softly, "How long have you had Armel?"

Armel's blush deepened a bit at the compliment, but now he was smiling, "I dunno," the boy shrugged a bit crossing his arms over his chest, "always been like this, born wi' it.." The term of being born was the best way Pales could ever explain Armel's existence, and so the boy also used it. Now, to compliment her back, what did girls always like...Hair and eye compliments, right? It was worth a go, "Yer barrettes look beautiful in yer lovely hair." He mumbled his gold eyes staring at the ground now shuffling his boots along the surface. He felt like an a**. After a moment he glanced up at Khali and watched her through his dark bangs.

Pales smiled a bit watching the children before looking to Aiden again and replying, "Well I can see how that can be quite an experience for you," the man laughed a bit before continuing, "as for how long I have had Armel...I'd say about a year."

"Ahh, then you're used to it. How do you keep from melting when they turn those big eyes on you and ask you for something? I'm afraid I'm going to end up spoiling her rotten if she keeps it up..."

A faint blush touched Khali's already rosy cheeks and she smiled at the compliment, obviously ignoring her father's comment. He had complimented her much in the last day, but this little boy had some charm.

Reaching a hand up she gently undid one of the tiny stars hanging in her hair and handed it over to him, "Here then, you can have one for being my first friend, ever," she looked down to her feet, golden blonde hair falling over her face.

It was enough to keep her crankiness at bay and light her silver eyes up to that of silver stars.

There was certainly an air of...regality around her.

"You please me."

That...Was a compliment coming from her. It really was.

Pales looked thoughtful as he replied, "Well, I cannot give you a magical answer that'll work for you. It's just something you have to learn. No matter how much it hurts you to do so, be stern when you need to be stern and be constant," he smiled, "There is a trick to it of course...You can't run their lives for them they have to be allowed their mistakes..."

"T's an honor t'be yer first friend," Armel smiled a bit as he moved to accept the token of appreciation from the girl before him, though the last part raised the hackles of something within him. He cleared his throat a bit and smiled, however, refusing to take what the girl before him said to him as insult. She meant well, he told himself, just accept her as she is, "Glad I coul' please a friend," he replied after a moment.

The only thing he ever showed Khali was a smile and a friendly expression. He didn't want her to think badly of him and he didn't want to think badly of her. In the end he took it as a compliment as it was given.

Aiden nodded his head, "Never expected to be a dad, you know? Not fond of women folk...But I guess anything's possible. She's just so cute, it's hard to say no..."

Khalindra simply smiled charmingly at the boy and looked around the shop quietly, "You do, very much so. And your hair is so pretty..." she murmured that part, reaching out to stroke at the hair, directing her attention to him again, "It's nice. And...And...I don't know."

She giggled softly and pushed her golden hair from her face, now giddy with the fact she, Khali, had made a friend, "Is there any activities to do here?"

Aiden looked down at the children, "And how does she talk so...proper when she's so little? I was still grasping to say 'Bottle' when I was her size..."

Pales chuckled and nodded, "I totally understand what you mean on both counts..." he smiled at Aiden, "Though, I was more prepared to take care of children than I ever was to have a lover at my side..." He shrugged, "I had sorta grown used to being a single dad until my ... other half stepped into the picture."

Armel almost withdrew from Khali's touch. After all he wasn't usually a touchy feely boy, especially with strangers. He stood still and let her touch his hair, his willpower winning over his urge to push her away and call her a girl in the most insulting way possible. He was drawn out of his thoughts, thankfully, by her question, "I dunno -- I don' come 'ere a lot. Sometimes there are more people here, an' sometimes there is a party goin' on and stuff. Jus depends on th' day." He smiled at her all too glad to have questions to focus upon. If she wanted to play or something he was sure he could help come up with a game.

Pales looked down at the children as Aiden did and seemed to consider the comment carefully before replying, "Armel had some trouble speaking when he came out. I think it is probably different for everyone. I never really asked anyone specifically how their child was as far as speaking went. I know how each comes to being is definitely different..."

"Getting Khali was...Quite the experiance. The door locked behind me, the lights ended up going out, and a sunrise pretty much happened INSIDE...It was beautiful. Just beautiful..." he paused a moment and shrugged, "I wasn't prepared for either. But both fell into my lap quite pleasantly..."

"Games are fun," she smiled a bit, "But reading is even better. Daddy starting reading me Charlotte's Web last night and he bought me a bunch of books..." she looked a little perturbed for a moment, "I can't read by myself...But I really want to...Do you read?"

The blonde girl plopped herself on the ground and wrapped her arms around the star plushie that she had came into the shop with, her blue dress falling around her. She looked like a princess sitting there, barettes glittering in her hair, a sparkle in her eyes, and the dress.

"I am sure it was wonderful," Pales smiled at Aiden and seemed to think, "I remember the door closing behind me and another event happening before Armel was ... brought forth. During his emerging it was like I was in the heart of a whirlwind but through it I could see a scene...a forge of sorts. There was a hammering sound and ... Well as noisy as it was, it was enthralling and wonderful." He smiled a bit, "I am not good at putting stuff like this into words..." Pales blushed a bit and shrugged.

Armel nodded, "Playing games are fun," he murmured seeming to relax again when she moved to sit he moved to crouch in front of her, seeming to favor that position than sitting. In his hand he still held the barrett he had given her, and after all that had to mean something. He never once let it drop from his grasp.

"Aye, I read, an' I can write too." He smiled a bit, "Takes time t'learn. I 'aven't had the chance to read Charlotte's Web, yet." He went silent for a moment, "I like th' fairy tales best. Y'know, faeries, princesses, knights, an' stuff like that." Armel admitted quietly. Apparently the gruff and tough exterior hid something softer that he didn't often let out.

"Neither am I, but I think you did just fine..." he shrugged his shoulders, "I've never been one for words, so anything above plain descriptions seems perfectly wonderful to me...I'm used to scientific terms and rough housing. Med student and ex police officer..."

Khalindra beamed, "Daddy calls me a princess. I think...I think I am," she nodded her head, "But I don't know. Am I supposed to know?" she looked a little confused, then shrugged it off, "I'd like to read 'n' write...Maybe you could teach me!"

Silver eyes looked at him, hope filled and alight with pleasure. She certainly wanted to learn, and she liked Armel. He had pretty hair, and he spoke nicely, and he liked books. Definitely an A Plus in her book.

It was a wonder she had shed her normally quiet and shy demeanor. Who knew why.

Aiden sighed, "I hate to do it, but I think it's time Khali and I go. I need to pick up things for dinner and still need to finish setting up her room. She can't sleep with me every night."

Khali looked up at her father, "But...I don't want to go."

Her lower lip jutted out cutely as her hand reached for Armel's.

"I am used to moving from place to place, I used to drift around a lot," Pales admitted with a small shrug, "So I guess I am just used to being sort of a loner anyhow...Now I can't do that so much." The man chuckled, "I am happy for it, however."

Armel smiled at Khali, "Well ye look like a princess," he replied to her, "an' ye act like one too." He tilted his head at her a moment as she asked if she should 'remember' if she was a princess he just shrugged, "I believe t's wiser to enjoy yer life righ' now than t'worry about any pasts," he murmured, "build yerself a support group o' friends t'help ye through discoverin' yerself. Y'know?"

He liked Khali, and he could admit that openly, "Well I dunno if I could teach ye m'self. M'Da helped me and I am sure yer da' would rather teach ye himself, bu' if he wants I can maybe come o'er one day an' help when he thinks yer ready." Armel replied to her.

Pales nodded at Aiden, "Indeed, Armel and I should continue looking for some supplies -- we were just in the neighborhood and all."

Armel looked at the hand and then took it in his free one and stood gently pulling her up with him, "'Ay, now, no poutin' we'll see each other again. I promise," he didn't want to leave anymore than Khali did, but grown-ups were damned stubborn. He pocketed Khali's barrette, "An' next time I see ye, I'll bring ye a book to read."


"I got used to being alone. Wouldn't go back to it if they paid me a million gold," he grinned at the man and offered his hand to his daughter, "I hope we see you again, Pales, Armel. I'm sure Khalindra would skin me alive if I didn't take her back here to see her friend..."

Khalindra gave a small courtsey to Armel and squeezed his hand as she was pulled up, her eyes glittering quite happily despite the prospect of leaving. She had made a friend and he had agreed to help her learn to read! It simply made her day and she was almost glad that her father had made her sleep nights and be awake during sunlight hours. Almost.

"That sounds lovely. And I'd like you to come over when my room's done!" she leaned up and plopped a little kiss on his nose, "Bye boy with pretty hair!" she called as Aiden led her out of the shop, shaking his head.

Ohboy he was in over his head.

"I am most certainly sure we will see each other again, Aiden. Have a safe trip you two." He moved to his son's side as everyone made ready to depart, "Yes, Armel is always quite insistent that we go visit his friends and such." Pales nodded his agreement.

"Sounds like a plan, Khali," Armel smiled at her as he was innocent to what came next - a kiss on the nose. His face went gradually into a deep red, but still he smiled. He was beginning to like girls and their kissing thing. Where most boys were repulsed he seemed practically enchanted by it, "B..Bye!" She had begun to leave before he could return the favor (drat)!

After the two had left Pales raised an eyebrow and peered down at his son, "Gathering a harem?"

Armel just shrugged a bit still red in the face, "N..not really... Let's just go, Da."

Pales just laughed and moved to the door opening it for the Tale and slipping out after him.

Angelus' big boots plopped against the hard cold sidewalk. The only type of lighting he had were the street lamps that seemed to be his only companions for that night.

Quickening his pace, he hoped that the shop was still open. Whenever he came by, it was usually in the day.

Mom had sent him to pick up a book for her at one of her 'Book stores'. The stationary shop was along the way so he thought he'd make a quick stop and see if anyone was there.


It seemed someone was. Aiden had been forcefully dragged from bed in the middle of the night because Khalindra had decided that she wanted to go see where she came from once again. Why, he had absolutely no idea. He supposed it had something to do with the girl's mission to learn about who she was.

Or at least learn about the place she came from, as much as she could.

"Daddy, stay UP," she almost demanded, her bright silver eyes looking at her father with a look that simply said to listen to her.

"I'm up, I'm up," Aiden muttered, brushing hair from his eyes. In all actuality, while Khalindra was rummaging through things, Aiden had sunk to the ground and half fell asleep.

"No you're no--" she was cut off by the feeling she wasn't alone with her father after all. Head lifted to look at Angelus and she beamed, "Company!"

As Angelus passed by the first large window of the shop, he noticed that the lights were on. So someone was there!

Within moments, he reached the door and pulled it open in swift movement. The motion caused a small breeze to ruffle his wings.

And, as always, the bell rang his prescence. It never failed. How could one go unnoticed in this shop? He wasn't sure, but he'd ponder the question later.

Caramel eyes scanned the two beings before him. An older man and a little girl. The older man smelled human but the little girl didn't. She smelled like a Tale! She must be one of the recent children to arrive, he thought.

"Um, hello. Are you looking for something? The shopkeeper is usually here but sometimes she does her errrands at night." he stated.

Khalindra beamed at the boy, shaking her head slightly, "Nuh, just...wanted to...uh...." she blinked, searching for how to explain what exactly she was doing in the shop that late. She hadn't even explained to her Author yet.

Aiden opened one half-drooped eye and looked at the winged boy, "She's a knowledge vaccuum. She wants to know everything and anything, therefore, she dragged me out of bed at....God knows what time it is? And made me come here."

It actually wasn't that late, but Aiden didn't to sleep late into the night, or early into the morning. Late afternoon and early evening...Well that was his sleep time.

Shooting a look at her father, unsure whether or not to be insulted or not, Khalindra harumphed.

"What he said."

Her face went back to one of happiness as she moved towards him, "I'm Khalindra! Who're you?"

It didn't cross her mind to ask why he was there.

Angelus looked from the little girl to the man as she tried to come up with an explanation. The human helped her out.

A knowledge vaccuum? Interesting choice of words. "So what exactly are you trying to find out?" He was curious. "Because, if my nose knows, and it does" he tapped his nose. "The most useful information is on the second floor. And that's usually locked." he explained.

"I'm Angelus and by your scent, you're like me. Right?" Some of the Tales companions usually didn't tell the child where they came from so he let his statement be as general as possible.

Aiden decided to take advantage of company and slip back to his nap, laying himself fully on the ground and hoping to heavens that the gypsy child, his princess, didn't walk or sit on him.

"Just...Anything really," Khalindra answered, smiling up to him, "Your nose knows what? And..." she giggled, realizing the usage of words, "Your nose knows! That's funny! It's up in the second floor? Can we unlock it?"

She looked absolutely perplexed at that. Why would someone lock knowledge away? She was brought out of her thoughts by the boy's question and answered him with a nod.

"Uhhuh. Came from that big book."

Angelus couldn't help but smirk at the still body whose chest rose with every even breath.

"You have a scent. Not like a bad one, but a unique one. Some Tale's can smell it while others can, I don't know how you say it, feel it?" He didn't know if that made any sense at all, but it did in his head.

His eyes looked up to the stairs that led to the second floor and smiled. He remembered his adventures when he was younger.

Shaking his head, he looked to Khalindra. "Nope. There's not really a key to it anyways. It unlocks and locks itself when it wants to."

Just saying it out loud made him realize how weird the shop really was.

"Ooh...I never know 'cept the people I met from here...Don't look normal?" she shrugged, "Viddy has blue skin...Mel has orange bright hair stuffs...and Sylvester is a giant plushie..." she tilted her head, taking him in, "You have pretty wings."

She didn't see anything too different when it came to her, though. She guessed she was just special inside rather than outside. At least she had a scent!

"Poo. Wanna try it?"

Nothing could stop her on the quest for knowledge! REALLY!

Angelus chuckled and nodded in agreement. There were very few Tales who could pass for normal.

"I know Viddy and Sylvester. Sylvester a giant plushie?" He thought about it. "Yeah. I can see that." He smiled.

Scrunching up his forehead in confusion, he took a glance at his wings. Sometimes he forgot they were there. His wings were a part of him now, they didn't feel awkward like they did in the beginning.

"Try it?" He took another glance up to the door. "Sure. But don't be too surprised if it's locked. Huni says that door can be a bit finicky at times." he noted.

Looking to the human, he nodded towards him. "What about him? Is he a sound sleeper?" He really didn't want to get in trouble again.

"Daddy gets 'bout five hours o' sleep, has four kids 'n' is a med student. He'll sleep through...uh...." she couldn't think of a good thing for him to sleep through, but that was all right. She had made her point.

Holding out her hand, Khalindra waited for the boy to take it. Despite her search for knowledge, she was still shy and nervous about certain things. Not the bravest girl in the world, it'd be good to have something to cling to.

"'N' If he does wake up, if somethin' bad happens, he can scare it off. Daddy's good at scaring monsters away."

Five hours of sleep, four kids, and a med student? He was surprised the guy was up at all at this time of night. "I bet he'd could sleep through an apocolypse." he chuckled.

Angelus looked at the reaching hand. This was a first. Slowly, he took her palm into his and gave it a small squeeze. He gave her a warm smile.

"That's a Dad's job." His mom was one of the monsters in the closet, but she gave up that life a long time ago. It didn't mean she couldn't pop up in the oddest places. Damn her vampiric abilities. But he was slowly honing in on his skills as well. Hopefully soon enough, he'd be able to scare his mom by appearing in odd places as well.

"Ready?" he asked Khalindra.

The hand was a definite comfort, and the blonde nodded enthusiastically with her previous vigor restored, "Uh huh...But what's an apoc...oh....lips?" To her, it quite frankly sounded like chicken pox on someone's lips...Didn't sound too appealing, especially when she'd seen the chicken pox at the hospital where her father visited.

"I'll protect you!"

...Okay, it was a false show of bravery, but hey, she had pride, didn't she?

Angelus bit his bottom lip in as he thought of the many different ways to define 'apocolypse'. "Well, um, it means, like, the end of the world." How else could he say it? There was no beating around the bush. He should have used a different analogy, like a parade of penguins playing cymbals down a street.

His forehead quickly smoothed away the worry lines when he heard what she said. "Thanks. I appreciate it. And I'll protect you to. Deal?"

"End of the world? That mean we'll all be space people?" she giggled at the thought and then nodded solomnly, "Deal. We take care of eachother, yes?" the flutter of her dark blue dress as she gave a little jump sent a small spray of light from the silver specks on it.

Definitely going through the princess stage, "So...Upstairs," she smiled then, "Let's go!"

It was then that she started to pull him in the direction of their destination.

Angelus nodded. "Yup! Space people! Not like fire and doom, but like craters and aliens. That sounds much better." He quickly grabbed onto her idea.

"Deal. We take care of eachother in case of anything." Angelus noticed how her dress would shine in different angles of the light.

"Upstairs we...Umph!" Before he could finish his sentence, she quickly made her way towards the bottom steps. She was much stronger than she looked.

She giggled as she started up the stairs, careful not to trip over the long dress that she had and refusing to let go of her new friend's hand. So long as she was holding that hand, nothing bad could happen. Nothing!

He had the pretty wings, after all. And he was bigger than her.

"You been up here before?"

Angelus made sure to watch his step as he was pulled up the stairs.

At her question, he nodded, still looking down at his feet. "When I was your age, I went with a few friends of mine. We kind of sneaked up here though. It was an adventure." Man did he miss his adventures. What was life without a little adventure from time to time.

He finally looked up to notice that they were only a few steps away from the door. It had definately been a long time since he was up here. He wondered if the claw marks were still on the walls?

"This will be my first aventure!" she beamed as she stopped at the door, reaching tentively out to open it. Her hand paused just above the door knob and then she looked, slightly nervous, at Angelus.

"D..do you wanna open it?" she tried to hide her nervousness though it was hard to hide when her silver eyes reflected it so perfectly, "I mean, um...You want the honor of opening it?"

Nice save....Not really, but she was still little.

Angelus looked at her oddly. "Your first adventure? That's not good. You and I are going to have to change that." he smiled and nodded.

Looking to the knob, he remembered opening the door before to a whole new hallway that looked much different than the shop downstairs.

He nodded and went up a step further than Khalindra. Using his wings to shield the girl from any 'surprises', he slowly turned the knob.

To his surprise, the knob made a familiar click that signaled that the door was unlocked. Slowly, the door creaked open on its own.

She beamed at him, hiding all traces of the previous nervousness, "Yes!" She was liking this boy! He gave her adventures and he had pretty wings. Two very good points for him. Almost as many as Armel now!

That was special. If he gave her a book he'd be #1!

At the click of the door, Khalindra peeked from behind the boy's wings, "It's almost like it...wants us to go in?" she asked, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Nothing'll eat us, right?"

Angelus looked from end of the hallway to the other. It seemed like everything was okay. Stepping off the top step onto the wooden floor of the hallway he made sure the coast was clear.

"It must be because we originated from here." he replied to her question.

At her statement, he raised an eyebrow at her. "Um... I'm not the right person to ask. But the last time I was up here nothing ate us. That's a plus, right?"

Looking at the walls, he noticed the familiar claw marks that Jiro found.

"Must be," she agreed, clinging to his hand once more as she stepped into the hallway with Angelus, eyes looking back and forth to make sure nothing would jump out and try to eat them. Even with his assurance, she wasn't quite convinced nothing would eat her.

Then her eyes caught the claw marks, "Wh...what's that?" she pointed to the claw marks and clung tighter.

Angelus looked at the marks and sighed. "From what I remember, my brother, Jiro, told me one of the Tale's had done this when he was much younger. I don't think you've met him, but I have. Only briefly though. His name is Khia." he explained to her.

He wondered if the child's play room was still up here?

"Oh. Nope. I haven't met yet," she said, instantly relieved. If it was another Tale, like them, it wouldn't hurt her. Or, she hoped it wouldn't hurt her. Angelus was still alive after meeting him, so it had to be okay.

"You have a brother?" she took a few more tentative steps, still looking around her warily.

"He doesn't seem so bad." He smiled. Boot clad feet made their way towards another door down the hallway.

"Well, not blood, but yes. Jiro. He's also a Tale. Due to a....situation in the past, he gave me a blood transfusion. That's why my wings are streaked with red. And we also have a psychic connection. When I was younger, I was able to talk to others using my mind but that trait has faded. I can talk to animals though." He added.

Caramel eyes scanned the numerous doors down the hallway. Now where was that nursery?

"Oh." She didn't know what a transfusion was, or what psychic meant, but she wouldn't bother him by asking. Oh, who was she kidding? Of course she would! She was on a quest for knowledge! "What's a tra..trans...fusion? And...Psychic?"

Khalindra stopped at a door and pointed to it, "Wanna see what's behind that one?"

"A transfusion? It's when a person doesn't have enough blood to live so someone else donates their blood." Unconsciuosly, he fingered the choker that covered the scars on his neck. No matter how much time would pass, the memories would always be there.

"Psychic? Well, that means I can talk to Jiro without speaking out loud. We use our thoughts to communicate." he smiled. "It's a pretty nifty trait." He chuckled. It had its good and bad. He could hear Jiro's thoughts and so could he.

Looking back, Khalindra stopped at one of the doors of the hallway. "Sure. How about you open it up and see what's inside."

Her? Open the door? Ahhhh...That didn't sound like a very good idea, but....Oh well, she wouldn't chicken out, she was supposed to protect him too, right? Reaching out, Khalindra reached out, grabbing the knob, and turned it slowly.

"How come you didn't have 'nuff blood? IF I had been around, I would o' give you some of mine," she turned her head to look at him with a small smile before pushing the door open.

Well. What luck. It was the play room and not a big scary monster.

Angelus stayed close by in case anything happened and luckily nothing jumped out of the room, so it was safe.

His hand reached up to his choker again as he remembered what happened. "A...really bad person from my mother's past came and took me away. My mother is a vampire and the one who took me away was the one that made her. He wanted to get rid of me to get her back. But thankfully Jiro, Akiya, mom, and Aido found me and stopped him. But he bit me and took a lot of my blood. That's why I didn't have enough."

He gave her a genuine smile, grateful for what she said. "Thanks. I'm sure you would have."

Looking past her a smile came to his lips again. Stinky Cheese man! The book laid at the same spot when him and his friends left the room.

"Oh...I'm sorry!" she felt the need to do something, anything, to make him feel better and immediately gave him a quickl little hug before bounding into the room. Nothing scary popped out and...Was that a BOOK?

Silver eyes lit up with pure joy as she rushed over to the book. She couldn't read yet, but that didn't much matter to her. There was a lot you could learn from pictures.

"Oh it's a book! A book Angelus!"

Stating the obvious, but there was no mistaking the happiness something so simple brought to the gypsy child.

"Oh!" He wasn't expecting the hug, but he returned it happily. "It's okay. It's over... for now." He whispered the last part under his breath.

He chuckled as he watched the expression of enthusiasm run across her features. "I see that. And it's not just any book. It's the Stinky Cheese Man. When I came here, me and my friends found it and Aido read it to us. It's a pretty funny book. How about you take it home and have your dad read it?" he offered.

She smiled, "Or...Maybe you could read it to me?" she looked at him hopefully, cocking her head to the side ever so slightly. The girl was never one to pass up the opportunity to have something read to her, and they were there and...While Aiden read to her every night, she was certain he was too tired to do so TONIGHT.

"Armel said he'd teach me but I haven't seen him in a long time."

Angelus had to look behind him to make sure no one else was there. Was she asking him to read her a story?

Slowly, he took the book from her small fingers. "Sure. I've actually never read to anyone before." he said shyly.

"I could help you if you want. Maybe we can do a little tonight." he smiled at the excited girl.

"Really?!" She gave a little bounce as he said he'd read to her...and then her eyes widened even further when he said he'd help her learn, at least a little, how to read. This was turning into the best day of her short-lived life!

"Oh! Thank you!" she bounced again, obvious excited, and looked around for a place to sit.

"You're welcome." he smiled at the bouncing girl. If he kept looking at her he was going to get dizzy. Shaking his head, he looked around the room for a chair.

There was only a rocking chair and a foot stool. "How about over there?" He pointed to the rocking chair and foot stool.

Giving a small nod, the blonde made a beeline for the foot stool and sat herself onto it, looking up at her new friend adoringly. Anyone who would read to her was A-Okay in her books. That meant he should get the rocking chair because he was doing the reading.

Daddy always sat in the rocking chair at home. Granted, she sat on his lap - but he was her daddy. There was a difference.

He couldn't help but chuckle at her antics. Making his way to the Rocking chair, since the footstool was now occupied, he carefully sat upon its wooden frame making sure his wings didn't get in the way.

"Okay. Ready?" He opened the book and laid it flat on his lap so she could see it was well. Turning the book on his side, he made sure that they could both see it.

"Here we go. Once upon a time there lived a... What's that word?" He pointed out the word Baker.

"I can help you sound it out if you want." he offered.



Khalindra leaned over to look at the book and squinted at the word, "B.." she looked a little frustrated, "I know that's a B...And bees make...buh...Buh...k...er? Bucker?" she looked up at him then, definite hope shining in her eyes.

Did she get it right?

Angelus was surprised at how well she was doing for her first time. "Almost! But the a makes an a sound, just like the letter itself. Now try again." He said in excitement.

She was soo close!


Khali beamed, "Ba...ker..? That right?" the only reason she knew about the 'er' sound is because she had asked her daddy how to pronounce the second name he'd given to her younger brother. Alexander. Er. Errrr.

Angelus smiled and raised his hand up for a high five. "Good job! You got it right! You're doing really well for your first time Khali." He smiled.

The gypsy girl giggled brightly and let her smaller hand touch Angelus's in a return of the high-five. She was beaming and smiling so hard that her cheeks were starting to hurt, "I got it right!!!!"

It was amazing the little things that made her so giddy.

The room was filled with laughter as both Tale's read from the story book.

He smiled as her palm touched his in excitement. "Want to keep going? I know it's getting a bit late, but we can do a bit more if you want. How about this sentence."

His finger trailed under the sentence as he read. "The baker made a son out of stinky...What about this one?" He pointed to the word cheese. This word was a bit easier than baker.

"Yes!" she exclaimed, giving a small bounce on the stool until he pointed to the new word. Baker was easy because she knew some of the sounds. But...She didn't know those sounds!

"K...hee...see?" she looked up at him, blinking her eyes. It made no sense to her, and the tale looked absolutely lost.

"That's not right, is it?" she looked crestfallen, but looked back to the word.

"K...hee..z...?"

"Almost! Sometimes C sounds like K. But since it's next to an h." he pointed out the ch part of the word. "It makes a chu sound. Now try it again using the chu sound." He helped her along.

"And there's only one e at the end so don't drag it out. We'll do the first part and then the second. Okay?" he smiled at her. "You're doing a good job so don't worry." he nodded.

"Oh. Weird." she smiled at him once before going back to the book, "Ch..ee..z? Is that it?"

That sounded a lot better than 'Kheesee' or 'Kheez' to her. But why would someone make a son out of stinky cheese? Things didn't make sense, but hey, she was READING.

Angelus smiled and raised his up again. "That's right! See? It's not too hard. Reading can be a bit finicky at the beginning, but it gets easier as long as you practice." he nodded.

The little girl beamed yet again, tapping her palm to his before looking back at the book and wrinkling her nose, "Why would someone make a son out of CHEESE though? Specially stinky. Wouldn't it...like...Smell?"

Duh.

A flush touched her face, "I mean..."

Having the read the book before, he'd elaborate on it.

"Yes it would have, but the baker was so desperate to have a son that he used what he had. And since he was poor, he didn't have a lot of options. But the thing is, the stinky cheese man is not a good son. The book tells the story of how he left the baker and ran away. He was rude and snotty to a lot of animals that he passed. And at the end... well, you'll have to read it on your own." He smiled. He didn't want to give away the ending! What fun was that?

"Oh. He can have my brother and sister!" She really didn't like the new twins. They, or at least the girl, was loud. The boy was slightly more tolerable because he was quiet, but...Meh.

"Kids are fun," she agreed, "But I don't think I want them. Daddy says we'll give him a...heart tack. What's a Heart tack? Is that what pins your heart to your chest?"

"You have a brother and sister? I just have a much older sister. I don't see her though." he chuckled. "But my mother and I have a lot of pets though!" He loved animals and his mother felt the same way.

"I think your dad meant a heart attack." he chuckled. "A heart attack is when your heart starts to beat very fast and then it stops. It's not a good thing."

"You know, you remind me of my friend Rhea. She likes to ask questions too. I think you two should meet. You'd both get along well, I'm sure." He nodded.

"Uh huh. I have two sisters and a brother 'n' they're all younger than me. They take daddy's attention 'way from me. I don't like it." she pouted a moment, and then her eyes went wide.

"Do people die? I don't wanna kill my daddy!" she looked positively frightened until the tale changed the subject.

On to better subjects! Yay! "Maybe! I wanna meet everyone. Is she like us, then?"

"I bet they would need a lot of attention since they're so young."

"You won't kill your dad! Don't worry." He gave her a hug to comfort her. "I'm sure he'll still be around for awhile." He nodded in affirmation.

"Yes she is. She has cool tattoos on her back and arms. She's really nice." he smiled.


The girl hugged Angelus back, a relieved look coming over her small countenance, "I hope so. I'd miss him because he's nice even if he's a party pooper sometimes...And NEAT! Tattoos. Daddy has a tattoo. He said I'm not allowed because I wouldn't like the needles."

She blinked, "And I'm too young. When do you stop being 'too young' to do things?"

So many things she was too young to do.

"Yup. Tattoos. Well, she was sort of born with it. Your dad must be cool, not a party pooper if has tattoos." He nodded.

He thought about her question for a bit. When did one become too young to do things? "I'm not sure actually. When you realize what's right and wrong? When you're old enough to know what can and can't be done. I'm not sure. I'm still too young to do things, so I guess it all depends on that person." he tried to answer her question to the best of his abilities.

"He has a tattoo," she said, as if that made any difference. Really, her Author was her hero. It was the only reason she was so possessive of him was because she adored him with all of her heart.

Even if he didn't pay all his attention to her anymore.

"Oh. I know what's right from wrong," she said, beaming, "It's wrong to kill people but it's nice to help them. It's wrong to steal, but it's nice to give. Right?"


Angelus nodded at her examples. "That's right. See? You've got the general idea of it. I guess it all depends on how someone was raised and just the person they are." he added.

"I suppose," she answered, looking to the book yet again. This was a very interesting read, wasn't it? "Can we continue the book? I wanna try readin' more words."

The small Tale seemed to jump all over the place - but it did seem that she was quite wrapped up in the idea of being able to read. Maybe Angelus would teach her more later!

She liked this boy.

Angelus looked at the book as if it were a new discovery. "Oh! Sure!" He totally forgot about the book when the topic of conversation changed.

He looked back to the book with pictures and words.

"Now where did we leave off?" he asked.

"Cheese," she answered, pointing to the book which lay open across their laps. The sentence was about the baker making his son out of stinky cheese. She remembered because that word was very confusing. Not to mention it was confusing the way a baker would make something out of stinky cheese, let alone a son.

"That word is evil."

Angelus chuckled. "Yes. A very evil word. But we'll see it more later on." He smiled.

Looking back down on the book, he started to read from the last place they left off. "All right. Here we go."

He pointed his finger at the sentence that he was reading. "When the baker opened the door, the boy jumped out and ran out of the..." He pointed to the word house.

"What does this say?" He looked to the interested toddler.

Khalindra squinted her eyes at the word. There was an H...That meant it made the 'huh' sound, right? Her tiny tongue peeked out between her lips as she concentrated, trying to sound it out.

"Huh...Oo...You...Ss...Eee Huhooyoussee?" What kind of word was that? Confusion scrolled itself across her face and she looked up towards Angelus.

It couldn't be right, but that's how those letters sounded!

Angelus waited for her to sound it out. He could help but chuckle at her facial expression.

"Almost. You've got the beginning right. But the u is silent. Try it again." He encouraged with a smile.

The Tale blinked. Silent? How were letters silent? She'd try it without the U, though. It was annoying her and maybe she'd actually get it closer if she cut it out of the word.

"H..Hosee?"

She really was trying...But she wasn't getting it.

Angelus chuckled. He guess he should have explained himself better.

"Almost. The U doesn't sound like You. It makes an ooo sound in this word. Try that. Maybe that will help." He offered.

She looked down at it, attempting to use logical deduction. She only knew a few words that would go well with that sentence. Hose wasn't one of them and the others did not start with H.

"House."

It wasn't the fact she was able to sound it out, though, "It makes more sense than hose."

Silver eyes lifted for approval.

Angelus had a big grin on his face. "Good! That's right! I'm sorry I gave you another evil word." He apolgoized.

Khalindra giggled, "It's okay. I have to learn anyway, right?" besides, with evil words the sooner you learned them the better you were at learning new ones. Or, at least, she hoped so.

"Whats the next one?"

One evil word was NOT going to stop her!

Angelus nodded. "Yup! Once you overcome the evil words, the easy words will be a breeze." He smiled.

Looking down, he scanned the page. " I don't know. How about you pick." he offered to Khali.

Her silver eyes scanned the page, "Th...the f...farmer? Ran a..af..ter h..him but the cheese man cried...Run, run, as fast as you can, you can't cat...catch me I'm the steyenkey cheese man!" she tried, attempting to read the next sentence. She really stumbled over the word 'stinky' though. It looked like Steyenkey.

But she'd never heard of that word before.

Angelus beamed with delight. "Great job!! That was really good! You almost got the whole sentence."

He looked to the word stinky. "Here. Try and sound this word out again. Instead of pronouncing it with eh, prounounce it like the letter e." He offered.

"I did?!" she beamed brightly at that, giving a small bounce in the older Tale's lap before immediately going back to the book with a renewed passion. If she could get almost an entire sentence all by herself...

"Stinky," she tried, taking his suggestion. Well. That did make more sense, didn't it?

//Play Date: Vin, Arranos, Khalindra, Emi, Cyrus & Selah

It hasn't been long since the last visit to the beach, something kept Vin to put off the visit he should have done to the Medi a while ago. Something made a feeling dwell and build inside him that the visit wouldn't happen for a really long time. Even if he planned on heading down there today.

Cradling the baby Arranos in his arms, wrapped up in a blanket of blue and speckled with clouds of white. Vin made his way out to the Medi's home, knowing nothing would really happen. Being out was his main excuse... one that was probably over used by now.

Following down the familiar dirt road as usual, Vin began to rock his arms back and forth. Watching Arranos as he stared off into the sky, "not sleepy are we?" Vin chuckled to himself deeply. The same dark and non-perfect home began to swell and grow in the distance as the two came closer to there destination. Unsure of what would be there waiting.

"Khalindra...Gah! Emi! Please stay by me..." The plea of a young man could be heard wafting from the breeze and in the general direction of the creepy woman's house. Two small bundles were in his arm - one wriggling madly and one making soft babbling noises to itself but remaining perfectly still.

"But Daddy!" Khalindra complained, hopping on one foot and then the other, "I wanna go play in the ocean!"

Emi, the quieter of the two, looked up to her father with soulful brown eyes, "May we, daddy?" The swan absolutely loved water - which wasn't any surprise considering what she was.

With an exhasperated sigh, Aiden shifted the two infants in his arms and shook his head, "Not without supervi--" It was then he noticed the man with a bundle. Another Iridae? Or just some man passing by?

Selah let out a squeal, wanting badly to be put down so she could crawl around on the ground. Unfortunately for her, Aiden's grip refused to lessen.

"No, Selah...Sorry for the noise!" he called to the other.

Vin slightly glanced up, seeing... a man, who seemed to be drowning in children. Cocking his head slightly, Vin caught eye of the two being held in his arms. Looking around sheepishly.

"What noise?" The young man muttered, looking down at Arranos who began to squirm in his arms.

"What's your problem?" Vin whispered, fighting to release Arranos from his grip. It was rare for when Arranos would act at such.

"Why are you here?" Sounding a little curious and with a slight hint of surprise at the same time.
Vin looked around idly, hopping that this wasn't a trick of sorts... something of candid camera or such. Thinking that this place was at least secluded and only known to those who watched over there own... Iridae.

Khalindra plopped down, arms crossing over her chest and a look of displeasure coming across her face. She wanted to play in the water! And by the looks of it, her younger sister did as well. The babies ruined everything!

Aiden half smiled at Khalindra's little silent tantrum and thanked the gods it was silent, "Later, Khali, if you're good...Mm? Me? I decided to show my children to that creepy lady. They came from that damn crystal like she said."

Disliking the blankets she was wrapped in, Selah twisted madly til it started to come off her, leaving her in the loose silk clothing her father had bought for her. Aiden had quickly learned that loose, light clothing with bright colors was the only way to get Selah to not try and pull it off. At least Cyrus was good.

"Abbooooooo abbababa booooo"

"Pretty, Cy," he murmured, kissing the boy twin's head.

"And you?"

Vin looked at the twins the man held in his arms, seeing the wings planted on there backs. Vin began to put two and two together and came to a final and solid conclusion that those two had to be Iridae as well!
So those are the two...

Vin shook his head,
"Yeah I guess I'm in the same predicament,"
Twisting his own arms and moving the baby of blue and gems in his arms into view,
"this little guy came from a crystal as well."

Thinking of the whole thing began to fill Vin's mind with doubt. This all seemed a little farfetched to start with. Babies... coming from crystals? Now don't tell me that you think it could really be a plausible story right?

Arranos mouth hung open, seeing the bright colors of clothing hanging off the twins. After all bright and shiny things was the gemstones favorite of things.

"Ah, I thought you may be one of us. I didn't believe it, myself, but then I realized if I can have some agency track me down and give me a mutated swan girl.." he received a glare from Emi, "and a girl pop out of a book...Well, I guess nothing's too far fetched. Besides, it hap--Ah hold on a moment."

He set Selah down on one of the spotty patches of grass and sighed, rubbing his temples a moment after Cyrus followed. He didn't ever want to be too far from his twin and the moment they were set down, the copper haired children were playing some twisted and morphed version of Pattacake.

Khalindra and Emi stared at the twins for a moment before Emi slid over to them and started to play as well, leaving Khalindra alone. Much to her pleasure. She hated her siblings.

"Pened. There we go. Sorry about that, they tend to get heavy and Selah likes to move around...I should probably introduce myself. I'm Aiden Perry, and these are my children. Khalindra," he pointed to the girl wearing a long sleeved shirt and some kind of veil - she refused to go out in the sun without it now, "Emi," the man pointed to the swan girl who sent a beautiful smile towards Vin, "And those are the twins Cyrus and Selah."

At the mention of her name, Selah gave a happy wiggle and waved to the elf before shoving her fist in her mouth and gnawing on it. Cyrus simply looked at him before resting his head on his twin's shoulder.

Vin smiled,
"It's nice to meet you.. umm," Vin placed a hand on his head, trying his hardest to remember all there names.

"Aiden," moving his gaze away from the young man toward the gorgeous swan. "Emi," sending smile back. "Khalindra, Cyrus and Selah!" Vin smiled, proud of himself that he remembered them perfectly.

"Oh and I'm Vin and this little one is Arranos!"
Vin smiled, looking down at the blue child in his arms who seemed to smiling and staring at the three playing a game. Placing his hands on his head, Arranos looked up at his guardian Vin and gave him a grumpy look.

Vin shot back the same look and gave a shake of his head and quickly sat the child down on a patch of grass. Which to Vin's surprise, Arranos's grumpy attitude quickly dissolved.

"Nice to meet you too, Vin," Aiden said politely, crossing his arms as he looked down at his children. Khalindra eyed the new baby with suspicion.

"We are not taking home another one, are we?" she asked softly, reaching out to poke Arranos lightly on the arm.

"No, Khali," Aiden answered wearily, closing his eyes, "Kids, eh?"

Cyrus, however, tried to hide behind Selah at the new comer. Of course, the female wasn't having any of that and crawled herself over to the blue child, poking at him gleefully in greeting before offering her hands to play Pattacake.

The male twin narrowed his eyes and looked quite hurt at being abandoned and Emi sighed, wrapping her arms around her little brother and pulling him into her arms.

"It's kay, Cycy. I'm here."

Arranos cocked his head, seeing the new coming child. Eyeing her warily, as she raised her hands up. Arranos tilted his head, looking over her shoulder at the others then up to his guardian Vin.

The gemstone baby began to mimic her movement and raise his own hands up into the air in front of Selah's. A slight smile lifted on his face in amusement, thinking this is all that one had to do to play the game.

Vin shook his head in disappointment, "Yeah... children. They never really catch on quickly... well at this age at least." Vin smiled, eyeing Arranos. Something caught the guardians eye, the blue cloth was hanging more off one of the babies shoulder than the other. Bending down quickly, Vin remedied the problem and evened out the shirt. Twitching his eye all the while.

A brow raised at Vin's fixing of his son's shirt, but he said nothing, "Khalindra usually catches on rather quickly. I've been teaching her to read and she was able to read one of Dr. Seuss's books rather quickly. The problem is, she hates kids that take attention from her."

"You have that right," she muttered under her breath, moving herself over to her father and raising her arms, "Up?"

Aiden picked up his eldest daughter, who looked to be about four years old, up and into his arms. The blonde rested her head on his shoulder and yawned softly, thumb instantly going into her mouth.

"Khalindra, what did I say?"

The thumb popped out and she sighed, "Sorry."

Selah squeed in delight, her little hands patting gently his as she wiggled about, babbling incoherently in the sound patterns that she heard her father use to sing the Pattacake song.

"Aaa aaa aa aaa aa aaa aaa eeee ooooooo" came her sweet little voice, attracting her brother's attention. This earned her a quiet scowl from the little boy and he contented himself with leaning against his elder sister. At least SHE paid 'tention to him!

Vin raised an eye brow, watching the two play quietly to them selves.
"It looks as if you have a handful!" Vin chuckled to himself, seeing that he only had one child... and would most likely be the only one that would be stuck in his care.

Arranos followed suit, patting gently at hers as well. Slightly in a state of confusion at what the really sense of what this game was all about. A small gurgling and giggling sound emitted from his gapping mouth.

"I don't think he quite gets the idea of the game," Vin chuckled to himself. Leaning down and began to whisper the song into the blue babes ear. Causing the baby to squirm and giggle from the breeze of his words.

Arranos peered over Selah's shoulder and looked at the two holding each other. Watching the boys face. Arranos felt slightly nervous and scared.

"Seeeeeh!" Came Cy's voice, causing the little girl to stop her movements and look over to her twin with a look that purely said "IM BUSY" before sighing and crawling over to him and patting his head.

"Sssssh. Too. Gaaabaaabaaa?" her little voice came, her hands still patting at the calm Cyrus, who seemed to relax even further now that he had his sister's attentions. He was shy, and the only ones he really let himself get close to were Emi and Selah. His twin went without saying.

Emi protected him from Khalindra. She wasn't necessarily harmful, she just wasn't very nice unless it was nighttime and Cyrus was just a sweetie pie.

"I don't think Selah understands either, but she likes to move and make noise so it works."

Arranos looked glum, seeing his some what new friend leave. But that didn't stop him, the blue baby began to follow after her. Crawling on his knees and hands, catching grass on the gems that protruded from his arms. Which these of course sent slight jolts of pain as some blades of grass clung themselves to the shiny.

Arranos kept on moving, determined.

Vin cocked his head, seeing what was happening to his child.
Not even thinking about what would happen if one of those stones got tied up pretty good and was yanked out.
"Hey wait a minute," Vin picked up Arranos, rubbing his free hand on the babies arms.
"You ok? I didn‘t even think that those could have…" Vin muttered in a soothing voice.

Arranos shot him a grumpy frown, as the blue baby was only a few inches from the girl.

Setting Arranos back down next to Selah, Vin kept a close eye on the babies movements from now on. Worried that something bad could really happen.

Selah smiled charmingly at Arranos and waved to him again, once more abandoning her brother for the shiny blue boy. Cyrus was shiny - but Arranos was shinier. Besides, she could see Cyrus at ANY time, couldn't she? Yes. Yes she could.

Cyrus made a soft harrumph sound but he was determined not to let his twin bother him. He had his soft Emi and that was good enough! The anti-social rugrat nuzzled into the soft white down of his sister and started babbling to himself once more, blantantly ignoring the other two babies.

Arranos raised his blue arms into the air once again, hopping that Selah would play that game with him once again. Sending gurgling and giggling sounds into the air, Arranos slightly opened his mouth.
"Gaaa..."

Vin's eyes grew in size, "Something other than a laugh," Vin was excited. Thinking that the child might have turned out to be mute. "Didn't know he could make any noise other than a laugh!" Vin chuckled. Watching as the two play together once again, but this time the guardian took a seat on a patch of grass.

"Where did you find your crystal?" Vin looked up to the silent Aiden with curious eyes.

"A park not too far from my house. I kept hearing music and dance and merriment in my head. It kept growing louder and louder until I thought my head would explode."

The man sat himself down as well and yawned, "Found the pendant and the music stopped. You?"

Selah giggled again and clapped her hands, wiggling her body about on the grassy patch. Her hands started a rhythm, then, patting at Arranos's hands every other beat.

"Ssssssssh~" she said, keying for Cyrus. He was her music to her rhythm! Getting the hint, the copper haired boy whimper before singing to his sister's rhythm.

"Aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa aaa aaaaayyyyeeee oooooo."

"I found Arranos just down at the local beach hidden in a rock I was leaning against that just happened... to slip out from beneath me."

Vin watched while Aiden slipped a yawn, causing himself to yawn. The sounds the two twins made echoed through Vin's head.

Arranos began to giggle, listening to the two make a wonderful rhythm and sound.
"Gaa aaa... Maa.." gurgled and giggled the little blue baby. Trying to keep up with Selah at the game of patty cake. Enjoying that the other twin seemed to join in as well made Arranos feel happier. Giggling even more, Arranos began to catch onto the rhythm of the game.

It was then that Khalindra loudly complained, "DADDY! I'm BORED please can we go?"

Aiden jumped slightly as the little girl lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him, square in the eyes. It was day time, she was irritable, and she wouldn't begin to calm until night. Sighing, Aiden stroked her head.

"Selly and Cy are..."

She whimpered and placed her head on his shoulder again, "Daddy, the sun's hurting."

Em looked up and shook her head, "Daddy, maybe we should go." she was the one who shared a room with Khali and tended the pains of her skin after a day in the sun. Khalindra wouldn't let her father do it, and for that Aiden was grateful. At least the girls had something to bond over, rather than fighting like cats and dogs. Khalindra letting her sister do something like that took atl east somewhat liking her.

Of course the twins didn't look too happy at the prospect of leaving. Rather, Selah didn't seem too happy. Cy was over the moon and patting at Emi to tell her so.

"Well, I guess I'm outvoted. Sorry, Selly, Arranos, Vin. I should get the kids home."

With that, he scooped a protesting Selah into his arms, set Khalindra down, and then took Cy from Emi. The girls stood up and clung to his pant legs and he grinned.

"Look at me, I'm a baby machine. Uhm...Here's my card, Vin. It has my address and number on it since I'm sure Selly would like to see Arranos again."

With some skillful moves, the card was pulled from his pocket and handed to the elf before he took off with all four kids - Selah protesting loudly.

Vin took the card and smiled, placing it in his pocket. Looking over at Arranos... who happened to be shooting Vin a grumpy look. Seeing as the one and only child and friend the baby had was taken away.

"Well see them again, I promise!" Vin smiled patting Arranos on the head.

"It was nice meeting you, Aiden!" Vin yelled, watching as the group disappeared in the distance.

Standing up and scooping up the blue baby, Vin headed off to his own home. It was getting late and it was about time for the two to get something to eat before they get to famished to.

“A. Ah. Bee.Buh. See. Kuh. Sss. Dee. Duh…” Khalindra dutifully went through the alphabet, trying her best to remember the sounds that each letter made. Her father had noticed her avid interest in learning to read after her visit with Angelus and had taken over the schooling. She had been looking forward to learning from Mel or continue with Angelus, but so long as she could learn, it was no big deal.

“Very good, princess,” Aiden murmured, stroking the golden haired child’s head. She beamed up at him as she finished the last of the letters, Z, and crossed her arms. Learning the sounds was all well and good, but she wanted to learn how to read words, not letters. Of course at this point she didn’t care that letters were a vital part of words – she just wanted to be able to read that lovely book that Sylvester had purchased her.

“When can I read words?” she asked, looking at him with a look that purely said she was bored of learning just letters. Her father smiled before handing her a pencil and a piece of paper.

”As soon as you can spell your name I’ll start teaching you sounds of letters together and help you read.”

Khalindra stared blankly at him, looking to the pencil and paper now in her small hands. Spell her name? She pouted cutely, “But…”

“Do you want to learn to read or not, Khali?”

“Read,” she said, “definitely read. Okay, I’ll try.”

The work book that Aiden had gotten for her was now laying open before her, tiny tongue pressed between her lips as her hands moved diligently, attempting to copy the letters to paper. She did fairly well, though several of them were backwards.

Aiden shook his head a bit, “You did a good job, Khalindra, but not quite good enough. Those letters,” he pointed to the D and the B, “are backwards. The K is as well.” He took the pencil from his daughter and wrote the letters she missed out on the piece of paper, “You try.”

Disappointed in her mistakes, the celestial child took the pen back and attacked the paper viciously with her attempts at correcting the letters she had done wrong. She continued to practice until it was no longer hard for her to write them out. Finally pleased, the blonde looked up to her father for approval.

“Perfect. But that’s our lesson for today. I have to feed the twins and spend some time with Emi before I go to class and drop you off at the sitter’s."

His mouth dropped down to place a kiss on his daughter’s forehead, but he was met with thin air and almost toppled over. Khalindra had moved out of the way and was glaring at him.

”But you’re my daddy,” she said possessively, her eyes showing hurt that he would choose her siblings over spending time with her. Aiden sighed and ran his fingers through his hair like he did when he was nervous.

“I’m their daddy too, Khalinda. I’m their daddy too.”

Daytime was usually a trial for Aiden to deal with when he was with Khalindra. However, the young star child had been calming down or at least trying to surpress her crankiness. Perhaps she was getting used to the harsh rays? He'd been taking her outside enough in the hopes that she'd grow an immunity.

In all honesty, it was probably the little parasol and the long sleeved clothing that she'd taken to wearing. They gave her more shade than she had before. Her dress had changed, though.

Rather than the usual victorian clothing, she had been enthralled by the long, loose skirts and peasant-style tops that she saw in one of the windows when they were shopping sometime in the last week. Abandoning the pretty princess clothing, Khali had begged her father to buy her some of the colorful skirts and a few long sleeved white shirts that were just the slightest bit poofy.

He did, gladly. Those victorian era dresses were expensive and difficult to lace up. So now, the star child was dressed in a long skirt that went down to her ankles and flowed in colors of dark purple and a slightly brighter red. Silver and gold threads were embroidered through it.

And her disposition was a great deal happier. Today, Aiden was being dragged to the stationary shop by a very enthusiastic young child. She had been learning to read and wanted to show off to one of her friends. Anyone! Maybe Angelus was there...or Armel! Or...SYLVESTER! That pretty stuffed animal boy that bought her a book.

"Daddy, daddy come ON please?" She was pleased that Aiden had listened to her and left Emi at the sitters. She couldn't get him to leave Selah, though, and he was currently holding the copper haired child in one arm while being dragged by the other.

"Khalindra, we're there. You don't have to pull me anymore."

The door was pushed open and a very happy looking star child rushed in.

"I'm here!"

Elena was already in the building, sprawled over a couch, looking rather dead. Khali's exuberant cry caused a wince to pass over her face and she sat up slowly, pressing the back of her hand to her head. "Yes, you are," Elena replied, her eyes scrunched closed. "How nice for you," she added in a dry tone her mum would have been proud of. A small chirp chided the girl and Elena opened her eyes, tugging a small dragonish creature off the top of the couch. "I didn't ask for your opinion," she told Hadar, holding onto the Kyuu by it's tail as it spun slowly in the air, wings spread to maintain some semblance of balance. He chirped again and waved a wing at Khali and Aiden.

Elena sighed and looked towards the door; she'd been napping and Khali had woken her up. "Stupid baby sisters who can't sleep all night," she muttered under her breath before she figured out who was at the door. "Ah," she breathed out, nodding her head regally towards the smaller girl, "Hello again Khalindra. And Aiden, yes?" she asked, tilting her head to the side a bit, causing her hair to fall over her shoulder.

Sylvester was in fact "here" as well, but not "here" as in, in the room. He was in one of the back rooms, where he and Rhea had once played Hide and Seek, and he was sleeping. He started awake as the front door's little bell clattered, and sat up quickly, still half asleep. Someone was here.

It took the Tale a couple of minutes to get into a standing position and wander out into the main room, but when he did, he couldn't help but smile. "Hi Khali," he said, holding his hand up to his mouth and yawning. He gave Khali's author a short wave, and nodded to the sparkly, irritable girl on the couch. How long had he been asleep?

" I keep telling you it's not my fault " Tiwaz grumbled sending a crimson glare in her mother's direction. " It was Riycan's idea in the first place all I did was hold the candle and spill the ink." It wasn't fair, Ricyan was the one who'd wanted to see if he could make invisable ink that only came out when you put heat near it. Tiwaz had agreed to help and accidently spilled the ink pot and dropped then candle when the flame had burned her fingers, how was she to know ink was highly flammable.

" I don't care who's fault it was you were both involved and you're both being punished, Riycan has to clean everyhting up and you are buying him a new journal from your allowance " Talon's tone brooked no argument as she lead her daughter towards the stationary store she'd been born in.

Tiwaz strode sullenly into the store muttering under her breath. She stopped short at the sight of the other's, Sylvester in particular, the last time she'd seen him had been when she'd met the horrid twins and that had not been good experience. Warily she moved towards them saying nothing just yet.

Khali's silver eyes blinked at Elena's words, though the smile didn't waver from her face, "Yes, it is nice for me," she chirpped before looking around the shop. Was she the only one there?

If she was, that was okay. The princess had amused her greatly when she had first met her...Even if she did scold her and take her father's side. Of course she realized she had been an undeniable brat, too, so she supposed she deserved that.

"Hello again, Miss Elena."

Aiden shifted the copper haired child on his hip, who was currently wiggling madly with an attempt to get down. She hated being confined to her father's arms. Why couldn't she move? Her little wings fluttered madly and Aiden sighed, setting her on the floor.

"Yes. A pleasure to see you again, Elena."

Khalindra was about to say something else when Sylvester wandered into the room, her smile blooming further, "Sylvester!"

The child took off running, skirts swirling around her legs, and flung herself onto him, hugging his legs. The stuffed animal! He was there! She could show him how she could read and..."I can read!"

"She can read a few words and write a few letters," Aiden corrected, crossing his arms, "She likes to embellish."

Turning her head, Khalindra glared, "I can read," she insisted stubbornly. She didn't notice the new people entering the shop, too busy being involved in the staredown that she had started with her father.

Ah. Well, at least she was remembered. Elena curtsied to Aiden and eyed the child he'd set down on the floor warily. More babies? She couldn't seem to escape them! "It's nice to see you again as well," Elena finally mustered a response in the name of politeness. Another nod at Khali and what? What was going here now? Elena's sleep fogged and deprived brain was having a hard time keeping up with everything going on but it looked like there was...a giraffe? Right, okay, Elena was obviously still asleep.

"That's still...kind of reading?" she offered, trying to forestall any argument and argh! More people! Elena closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Why was it whenever she wanted to be alone, people always found her? Offering a weak smile towards Sylvester the not real giraffe because giraffes didn't walk around town, Elena turned to face the door and the new arrivals. "Hi."

Sylvester stumbled a little and grabbed onto the edge of a nearby bookcase as he got a legful of zooming Khali. "Kind of reading, yeah," he agreed. He still couldn't do much more than read and write his name, but he had a sneaking suspicion that if he sat down and looked at it, english wouldn't be terribly different from the one language he already knew. It just seemed like such a waste to sit and read things when there were movies to watch. "That's cool. How'd you learn so fast?" he asked, trying to break up the staredown.

The last time he had seen the strange red-eyed Tale currently sneaking around the door, she had been more than a little pissy. She was scary too, and that was partially the reason he even remembered her name. Tiwaz the Terminator. "Hey Tiwaz," he said, kneeling down to be closer to Khali. The little Tale was the perfect size for a human shield, and Sylvester wasn't afraid to admit it to himself.

" Hello" Tiwaz responded tonelessly to the older girl, nothing else had been spoken to her by the girl and so she offered nothing more in return. Her gaze felt once again to Sylvester and she gave him something between a smile and a smik " Hello Sylvester they aren't around are they? An who's the girl?" she asked nodding towards Khali.


Talon hadn't brought Tiwaz here to socialise but it couldn't hurt to let her do so. Besides, it gave her a chance to judge how her daughter related to those of an older age. At home most of her children were seperated by only a few years, whereas here there were children of all ages for Tiwaz to interact with.

"Fine. SORT of read, but I can still read," she answered, relenting. It wasn't worth an argument, but it was an important accomplishment for her! So she couldn't say otherwise. She looked up at Sylvester and pulled away from him.

"Angelus helped me, and Daddy..." she paused as he knelt closer to her and greeted the new person she hadn't even noticed. The girl turned her golden head and locked her silver eyes on the darker child entering the room.

Hmm.

"He--" she was cut off by the girl's speech and blinked, "Khalindra," she answered, giving her a look that purely said 'You don't know who I am?' and was almost indignant.

"Who are you?"

Yay for not caring about who you're talking to! Elena was all for a little apathy right now, as she was far too tired to be her normal polite and attentive self. Good thing Lance wasn't here, she'd have been mortified if he'd seen her in such a state.

"It's a start," Elena said to Khali as she twitched the skirt of her dress into a semblance of order. Turning to face Tiwaz, Elena straightened and mustered all of her (considerably) royal bearing. "And who would you be?" she asked imperiously, as Hadar unwrapped from around her wrist to escape the extreme cold escaping from her tatoos.

They? Oh right. Probably Elana and her brother. "Nope, not unless they're sleeping somewhere too," he said, voice trailing off as he spoke. These girls were getting a little... icy. He didn't feel the need to give Khali's name again since she had done such a good job of it herself, so he just stayed where he was, crouched on the floor.

" If you had been listening you'd know who I was," Tiwaz responded coldly to the two inquiring girls. It was clear to her that she probably wasn't going to like this older girl, who so obviously thought the world revolved around her. Khalindra she'd tolerate for the time being, she had some of the older girls attitude but gave off no presence than demanded respect.

Ignoring them she smiled at sylvester " Good" was all she said before turning her back to them . After all she was here for a purpose.

"It's only polite to introduce yourself," Khalindra countered, raising a brow at the darker girl. Immediately she decided she didn't like her very much and moved closer to Sylvester, small head nuzzling into him before she whispered loudly, "She's not very nice."

Her head turned to stare at the one she dubbed "Mean Girl" and blinked her silver eyes. Had she been that rude? She was sure she hadn't been but she couldn't be sure. Not with her crankiness often clouding her judgement.

She hoped not.

Sylvester's eyebrows furrowed under his hair. He really didn't feel like breaking up a fight between the girls and was silently grateful when Tiwaz turned her back. "Um, sure," he said to Khali as quietly as he could, hoping that Tiwaz didn't hear. She sure looked focused about something.

"What are you looking for?" he asked Tiwaz, patting Khali on the head. Why did he just ask that? He should have just kept quiet.

"It's redundant to give out information already known" Tiwaz retorted not bothering to face the girl while answering, secretly she wondered how long her mother would let the verbal sparring go on. She was enjoying herself to be sure, it was always fun to argue, even if the other person is really annoying.

" I need to buy my brother a new journal since his was wrecked, even though it's not my fault" Tiwaz said turning her head slighty so she could see the only male tale in the room.

Khali furrowed her eyebrows at Tiwaz's words. What was...Re...done...dant? Curious, Khali leaned up and whispered to Sylvester, "What does Re-done-dant mean?"

Khali was usually not afraid to ask questions, but Tiwaz made her feel slightly uncomfortable for some undescribable reason and...Well, she'd rather not ask her anything that may make herself look stupid.

"She just means she thinks she'd be saying it twice if she told you, since I said hi to her and said her name and then you asked her name again and stuff. No biggie." He sighed and flopped the rest of the way to the floor, gathering his legs under him and stifling another yawn with the back of his hand. Sylvester looked up at Aiden and Talon, suddenly feeling very old. He was never having kids.

Feeling proud at having won that argument, Tiwaz continued her search all the while occasionaly glancing back at the others just in case one of them pulled something sneaky. It annoyed her that so far two of the three times she'd been here she'd found the visit less than pleasant.

"Oh. Well, it's not always bad to repeat things," her silver eyes narrowed in on Tiwaz and she simply shrugged, "She should learn some..." she searched for the word that her father always used with her, "Manners."

Aiden raised a brow. Even if he agreed, he did NOT want to get in the middle of a chick fight.

Even if said chicks were children. Women were scary sometimes.

Elena rocked back on her heels slightly. "Yes, she should," the older girl said softly, a wicked smile cutting across her face. "My dear, I'm sorry I didn't hear your name mentioned earlier. I thought I was still asleep and I try not to pay that much attention to things I think are figments of my imagination," she said to Tiwaz in a honey sweet tone with an apologetic nod towards Sylvester. "Now, would you care to repeat it, or shall I simply make one up for you?" she asked, her hand on her hip and eyes glimmering coldly in the light. The temperature of the room has dropped slightly overall, and significantly around Elena herself. The skin around the tatoos on her wrists looked like they were covered in frost, while the marks themselves were the same bright blue that glaciers were on their deepest levels.

Sylvester had wondered what Elena had been doing, staying so quiet for so long. Apparently, she was bringing out the big guns. He leaned forward onto his knees, glad his Tale shield was still present. "Her name is Tiwaz," he whispered faintly to nobody, the tiniest flicker of anger drowned in Elena's sudden chill. He was reminded of little Elana's handshake... had that only been yesterday? Sylvester didn't want to butt in. He just wanted to sleep.

Frost-covered tattoos were pretty cool though.

Tiwaz shrugged manners meant little to her at this point and would probably continue to mean little until she felt a need for them. " You were able to say hello to me and speak with Khali more than once using more than one or two words, either you were paying attention to what you thought were figments or you're lying, which is it" She asked wondering how the girl would explain her slip up.

She was aware of the temperature drop, particularly in the membranes of her wings were the blood was thinnest. Tucking them to her back where they could rely on her body heat she turned to give Elena her full attention. She was probably in for a fight and having made no allies she was on her own. She wasn't going to make the first move though, oh no she had enough problems as it was without being accused of starting a fight. She just stood there and attempted to lock eyes with Elena to show her she was not intimidated in the slightest.

The cold temperature didn't bother the star child much at all. Truth be told, she barely noticed the temperature change. Khalindra supposed that it was a large advantage to be a star child at the moment.

However, the animosity that seemed to be brewing in the shop was not something she wanted to be stuck in. But she didn't want to leave her friend, either, by requesting to go home.

"...Can we go somewhere else?" she asked quietly to Sylvester. Maybe that play room that Angelus showed her?

"You seem to have misunderstood me. I was asleep when Khalindra first arrived and I woke up then. Then," here Elena furrowed her brow, trying to remember what Khali had called the giraffe boy, "Sylvester showed up and I wasn't entirely sure I wasn't still asleep. Your arrival, however, assured me that I was indeed awake." A pause, for emphasis. "I certainly would never dream up anyone quite so rude as you." Elena met Tiwaz's gaze firmly and after another pause, laughed. "Don't get above yourself dear, you're beyond a certainty not someone I'd lie to. Not worth it," Elena finished dismissively.

"Yeah, I guess... wait, what time is it?" Sylvester said, remembering that he hadn't been home for more than a day. He slowly got to his feet and reached out for Khali's hand. "We're gonna... yeah... okay," he mumbled, realizing that no one cared where they went. Had Elena really thought he was a dream? That was a first.

Tiwaz shrugged the dismissal away, Elena's opinion of her mattered not to her and she was quite content to let the girl feel she had won that round. It wasn't worth risking damage to her wings to continue anyways so it was best to drop it. Still in the back of her mind part of her wondered if the tension between them wasn't somehow caused by residue left by the twins, heck Elena's name was even similar to Elana's.


"I...don't know," she answered, looking around. Clocks weren't her thing. She didn't know how to tell time and wasn't planning on learning any time soon. Well, maybe she would, now.

"Outside?" she suggested, sending a glance towards the door, "Or somewhere else...Just...Away."

"It's Four," Aiden supplied, hearing Sylvester's question.

Tiwaz's indifference towards Elena was more than returned; the older girl had decided based on their last exchange that Tiwaz wasn't worth bothering with. Khali possibly was, and Sylvester was currently an unknown, so Elena toned down on the chill from her tatoos, although the coldness remained in her icy blue eyes. "Four? Already? I must have been asleep longer than I thought," Elena said to Aiden, twirling a bit of her hair around a finger. "It's so hard to get a good night's sleep with younger children around," she continued, smiling at the man in a conspirital fashion. "But I should be returning home, my mum probably needs my help," she sighed here, and tugged gently on Hadar's tail. "Goodbye Khali, Aiden. It was good to see you again. Sylvester, we'll have to meet again under..better circumstancs." Elena pointedly ignored Tiwaz as she walked out the door of the Stationary Store, Hadar flying behind her, the starry markings on his hide nearly as bright as Elena's hair currently was.

Sylvester waved at Elena's departing figure, frowning slightly at how late it was. "Actually, I don't think I can stay either," he said to Khali. "My mother's going to start looking for me, if she hasn't already." He bent down again, and gave Khalindra a hug before addressing Tiwaz. "I guess I'll see you around too," he said. He wondered if she would ever want to see him again, actually. He seemed to bring bad luck, at least as far as she was concerned.

The star child hugged the giant plushie before he left and looked over at Tiwaz. Well, she didn't want to stay with her there. Bad manners were so unbecoming. She was reminded sharply of Tybalt and shook her head.

"Daddy, can we go home now?"

Aiden nodded, picking up the half asleep child that had managed to curl herself unnoticed in the corner, "Selah looks like she could use some sleep anyway, yeah?"

Khalindra nodded and moved towards Aiden, her skirts swishing around her ankles, "Bye, Tiwaz," she said politely before the entire family left the shop.

At least Khali showed some manners. Even if she didn't like someone it was only the nice thing to do to say farewell.

" Bye Sylvester I do hope to see you again" Tiwaz said, she wasn't sure if this boy was a good one or a bad one but it wasn't his fault there were problem people around him all the time; well at least she didn't think so, the next meeting would tell for sure.

"Bye" Tiwaz replied somewhat startled by Khali talking to her again, perhaps there was hope for her after all.


" Let's go mom I couldn't find what I wanted" she muttered somewhat annoyed that they'd have to go someplace else to find the replacement.

Talon nodded and said nothing, while she didn't fully approve of her daughter's actions, she could feel that there had been more going on than was being understood. Opening the door she followed her daughter out.