Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ever since she had gone to the Gallery and Noi emerged from the painting, things changed dramatically. For one thing, Huni now had to worry about bringing Noi around whenever she went to work, unlike with Tamis who didn't seem to mind being left alone. But then again, Missy was a shield, Noi on the other hand was a living, breathing baby. Who cried. A lot.

Huni had to find a way to juggle her time into taking care of Noi, keeping the house clean, and getting to work. Maybe she should start advertising for a housekeeper? If she got really desperate, she'd ask Rae for help, but that would be the last option as Huni risked drawing Arson's attention. But first things first, she had to think up of a way to explain to Haze about Noi without her employer teasing her to death.

Noi decided that this person had enough time to think about things, because she was hungry and she wanted food. Now! She began to wail in Huni's arms, it wasn't the heart-wrenching, ear-piercing one she made when she first met the red head, but it was loud and urgent nevertheless.

Huni winced at the shriek that emerged from the tiny figure. She wondered how such a small person could make so much noise as she wondered what could be wrong now. She took a sniff and when her nose declared that the air was relatively fine, she crossed out the need for a diaper change. That left needing to burp or being hungry and since they haven't eaten yet, Huni decided it was the latter.

She rushed to the kitchen, cooing to Noi as she rummaged through the pantry for the powdered milk and the baby bottle. It was difficult to do things one-handed, and it took a while before she finally managed to give Noi her bottle. She retreated to her bedroom where the delivery men had set up the crib and thought that she'd have a few days to adjust with having Noi in her life.

Little did Huni know she'd have less time to adjust and more things to adjust to, for the shield that had been named "Tamis" began to tremble. It rattled against the wooden table and eventually drew Huni's attention.

Still bottle-feeding Noi, Huni approached the clattering sheild when there came a bright flash of light and a loud bang.

The sound startled Noi and caused milk to go down the wrong way. After a sputter and a horrible coughing fit, the Soul once more began to cry.

"Why you crying?" a young boy with short cropped pink hair asked, his deep pink eyes wide in curiosity and concern.

'Yrast help me, not another one!' Huni mentally groaned at the sight of the young boy. It's not enough that she had Noi to contend with, now she had another mouth to feed. But upon looking at the smile on the young boy's face, Huni felt somewhat relieved.

"Tamis, right?" Huni clarified over the noise that Metanoia was making. "I'm Huni, your Guardian, I suppose. And this is your little sister, Noi." She introduced, awkwardly showing the still crying infant to the Malepharin.

Tamis nodded, and rummaged for something in his pocket. He retrieved what appeared to be some sort of chocolate and offered it to Noi.

"Maybe this will cheer her up?" he asked.

Noi's crying began to soften and eventually quieted down into a whimper. She rubbed her eyes and blinked away the remaining tears. What was this pink person offering her? She clung to Huni tightly, not entirely trusting Tamis.

"It's alright Missy," Huni smiled, gently patting the boy's head. "Noi's just cranky because she's hungry. How about you?"

Tamis grinned, "I would like something to eat, please. And can I help make Noi's food?"

Noi narrowed her eyes at him, and once she was certain the malepharin posed no threat, she accepted the chocolate. But rather than eating it, she just held it in her hands, chubby fingers gripping around the soft material, deforming it. She liked this thing, whatever it is. It bended to her fingers, but it made them sticky too. How interesting.

And for the rest of the meal, Noi was too focused on playing with the gooey chocolate.

Huni was on a mission, namely to find Noi a suitable toy. One that the Soul would like, and since Noi's tastes were as erratic as her mood, Huni had to bring the infant along. They had combed nearly every shop nearby when the red head decided to go to Chinatown.

She had heard there were interesting shops there, and maybe one of them had something Noi would like.

Noi clung to Huni with a vice-like grip. They were going out. Again. Not that she blamed her guardian, the red head wasn't very good at figuring things out, was she? Noi didn't want a toy, she wanted a pet! It was when she noticed some people exiting a store with animals did she suddenly try to fling herself at the store they came from.

Huni practically screamed when Noi attempted to lunge for this Pet Shop. She held the Soul against her chest, jade eyes wide in terror.
"Noi! What's gotten into you?!" she gasped, feeling the little girl squirm in her arms. It took a good few minutes for her to realize the infant wanted to go inside the pet shop.

"You're not old enough for a pet, sweetie. But maybe looking at a few puppies or hamsters wouldn't hurt." Huni added with a goofy grin. She always did have a soft spot for furry animals.

With that, they entered the pet shop. "Hello?" Huni called out.

The ornate doors open to reveal a small anti chamber ringed in curtains...the faintest whifs of a delicate insence tickles at the edge of your sences... a curtain to the left is brushed aside by a light skinned hand...stepping through silently emerges a young man whos dark rimmed eyes gaze balefuly from beneath furowed brow.
Across his back he caries an enormous 'Bottle Gord'...
"Welcome to the Pet shop of Count D...." he says in sullen tone. "Hes buisy right now...."
He stares down at the wiggling infant with a small tweek at the corner of his eye.

At first, Huni thought they had gone into the wrong shop (that has happened on some occasions). There was no yipping or squawking, no noise that animals generally made. Not to mention there was no smell! It was a very odd Pet Shop indeed, if it was one. She was about to exit when she heard the rustle of cloth and saw the young man arrive.

What he said confirmed that this was indeed a pet shop and that the owner was currently unavailable.

"Oh, is this a bad time?" she asked, feeling Noi squirm again.

Noi blinked at the male before her, golden eyes staring curiously at the mark near his eye. She wondered if that was like the scar on her face, or was it paint? She reaced out to him, trying to get a closer look, as if pulling at the air would drag her closer to him.

The young man pauses as though weighing some hidden gravity to the question....
"No...." he says after a long pause.. "He's just in the back....." He glances over towards a curtain at the right.. "Follow me.......I'll get.....cookies"
he lifts aside the curtain. Holding it back with his arm...turning back to gaze at the reaching child. He tips his head in answer to her golden curious eyes...head canting slightly down as though he could, by force of glare determine what she was reaching for.

"Ah, alright, for a moment there I thought the shop was closed." Huni smiled, though she couldn't help but feel uneasy around this young man.

Noi would have beamed in approval at the big person's reaction, but her fingers were far too busy trying to trace the mark. She was surprised to find that portion was smooth, as if his skin actually took on that hue by itself. She wasn't aware of tattoo's yet, hardly even realizing that not everyone had scars on their faces.

Wordlessly she stared back at him, eyes asking how it was possible to have skin in a different color that made a different shape.

He scowls as hes prodded at by chubby little fingers. "no....he almost never closes the shop...." He says straitening..."Does......-that- need milk?" He points an accusing finger at Noi staring at her like she was somwhere between fastinating and....horrid.

Huni tried to keep a straight face at the young man's reaction to Noi's curiosity. "He almost never closes? That's wonderful! Isn't that good news, Noi?" she smiled to the infant in her arms. "When you get bigger we could go here and you can choose a pet for yourself."

Noi puffed out her chest at Gaara, almost trying to mimic his stance as best as she could while suspended in her guardian's arms.

"That?" Huni frowned a little, feeling tad miffed that the young man referred to Noi as a thing. True, Noi wasn't human, but she should still be referred to as nothing to the contrary. "She is fine, no self-respecting shop-a-holic goes on a spree without eating before hand." she adds with a chuckle.

Gaara leans down again as Noi puffs out her chest... tipping his head he dosen't quite know what to make of her...he sticks out his own finger as though to poke at her puffed chest... "I.....-she- wants the pet then?" he says correcting himself..."
"Shop-aholic?" he says looking back up at Huni with a tip of his head.

"You could say that, I don't think she's ready to have a pet yet. At least not one that's actually alive." Huni nods, grinning fondly at Noi. "Shop-a-holic, yes, I'm just grateful Haze doesn't mind footing the bill. Then again, that woman has more money than she knows what to do with. And very few people meets her brother's standards." the red head adds with a shake of her head.

Oh good! He came closer! Noi thinks happily as she reaches out with both hands towards his face. And because she wasn't interested in the latter as Huni had red hair, she focused her attention on the part of his face that was protruding. Namely his nose. Her palms press together as if in prayer, only with Gaara's nose in between her hands.

"Noi, sweetie, that's not nice." Huni scolds, trying her best to keep the laughter out of her voice.

Gaara stops dead as his nose is grabbed...somewhere between stunned...and appauled...and quite frankly at a loss of what to do.
"You....child....I..." He sputters....He reaches up to...suprisingly gently...take her small wrists in his fingers.. "-My-....nose.......please" he says trying to loose her 'prayer' without damaging a future customer....

Noi pouted as she parted her hands from the young man's nose, her lower lip trembling at Gaara. Her wide golden eyes started to brim with tears. Why won't he let her play with his nose? It's not like she wouldn't let him do the same...

Jade eyes saw the signs Noi was making and knew what was coming.
"Now, now, Noi. Don't start. Please." Huni stated, though the last word sounded more like she was begging.

eek "What...whats she doing...no...no crying!!!" He looks at you demandingly. "Make her stop!!!" He says in harsh panicked command. eek

"She doesn't exactly listen to me all the time." Huni replied in distress, though she wasn't as distraught at Gaara was. "Look Noi, what's that over there? Pretty curtains, aren't they pretty curtains?" she cooed, trying to distract the infant from her objective.

What was Noi's objective? Well, that was to start wailing at the top of her voice, and with Gaara's harsh tone, she was even more determined to fulfill said objective. Huni's attempts were ignored as she burst out crying her little lungs out. What would appease the little infant?

Noi didn't know exactly, she just wanted to cry at the moment. The duration of her wailing could last as short as two minutes, or as long as half an hour.

"Auuugh! "No!! Don't CRY! H...HERE flower! like the flower? He yanks one of the peonies fron a nearby vace and thrusts it towards her....No? He glances around in a panic for anything that might apease the wailing Noi. eek "RRrrrrr!" He slides the gord off his shoulder and uncorks it...pouring forth a torent of somewhat coppery sented sand...-dang that thing must be heavy-
"Counts going to have a FIT..." He grumbles... "SAND! how bout sand...see?! Shiney?...sorta?!"

The flower was ignored. Completely. And the blonde infant continued to wail. But when Gaara released the sand, Noi instantly stopped crying. Her golden eyes widened in curiosity at this thing the young man called 'sand.' Wordlessly, she reached out for it, wanting to touch it, smell it, maybe even taste it as many infants are want to do.

Huni crimsoned in embarrassment at the fit Noi was throwing. She tried her hardest to comfort the babe, but to no avail. Relief soon flooded her when Gaara decided to show her the contents of the large gourd he carried.

"Good thinking." she gasped, patting Noi on the head and wiping away the tears from her face. "I'll help you clean up." she offered, it was partially her fault that he had to spill the sand.

Gaara lets out an extended sigh of relief as the flood of tears sputters to a halt..."its fine" He says sounding a bit petulant....He puts the cork back into the gord for now and scoops together some of the sand on the floor. "Many of the others here enjoy sand as well...." Standing he pulls the gord back over his shoulder "There....she.....can play in it...." a small smile quirks at the edge of his mouth before it vanishes again.
"I'll get tea...."

"Oh, tea would be great, but would you happen to have some coffee?" Huni asked, "If it's not too much trouble." she quickly adds as she lowered the curious Noi down.

Noi squirmed downwards in Huni's grip, trying to wiggle her way onto the floor where the curious substance was. When the red head finally set her down, Noi was just all over the sand. She kept silent, staring intensely at the millions of tiny specks that littered the floor. Whenever she scooped some of it into her hands, she was surprised to find it 'broke' apart. In a lot of ways, she thought it resembled water.

Only it wasn't wet.

Noi's golden eyes rose to meet Huni's, as if demanding for an explanation.

Huni's jade eyes blinked as she turned to Gaara, as if asking for his help in the matter.

He cracks his neck by craining it to one side.. " Count dosen't keep coffee...don't sweet enough and none of us drink it...the Civits eat the berries but I don't think you want whats left..." he says with a quirk of his mouth..
His eyes drink from Noi to Huni again as she looks to him expectantly... as though to say.. "What do you want -me- to say....before opting for a quick if brief escape..
"I'll get tea..." he says and vanishes though a curtain.

Noi tilted her head to the side as Gaara left and her gaze fell upon Huni once more. Taking a handful of sand, the infant poured it onto her hair to see if it would flow like water.

"But-" Huni began as the young man exited. "Noi! No, don't do that sweetie, some if it might-"

Noi started to wail as some of the sand got into her eye. Needless to say, it stung.

"Uh, young man, could you get some cool water as well?" Huni called out, picking the infant up.

He returns forthwith with a silver tray balanced percatiously on one hand...he sets down a bottle of milk and a tall glass of water....then sets down the rest of the tray revealing a beautiful tea-pot and matching cups.

"I got it..." He mumbles and crouches down near Noi "Hold still..." He says in a dull tone and places a suprisingly gentle hand under her chin...espcaily for someone so brash.. "look up....alright?" he instructs the girl..

Noi hiccuped a bit but did as she was told, sniffling now and again.

Huni stays perfectly still, as if breathing would break the silence that had fallen upon Noi.

The stinging sensation moves away with the cautious application of a finger near the corner of Noi's eye...though...one would almost swear he never came close enough to actualy draw it out... He stares at it for a moment...sitting on the end of his finger then runs his hand though the pile of sand on the floor.

Gazing back up at her he moves his head to lock his own jade colored eyes with Noi's incredible gold ones. "Sand hurts sometimes....ok? you don't want it near your face... tastes bad and stings if your not careful..." he chides in almost comedicly serious tone... having gone from calling her "it" to treating her as though she understood exactly what he was saying.


He turns slightly...and makes a small pillar of it between his hands...crimping it to the shape of a slightly tippy turret..
"There....try that..." He says and glances back at her... "Sand castle...."

Noi practically threw herself at the sandcastle, but thankfully she learned her lesson about being careful when sand was involved. She took a handful and pile it atop another pile, trying to build her own version.

Huni looked at Gaara for a while, she was mildly surprised at what he had done, but not in a bad way. "Well I'm glad someone here has some abilities." she nodded in approval.

A rare smile quirks at the edge of Gaara's mouth as he watches the girl....then he glances upward eyes back to that dangerous blandness.. "The scar...where did it come from?" he says in near monotone...

"You'll never believe me, but she was born with it. Well, she wasn't born per say, more like appeared from a painting... uh, it's complicated but simple but still complicated." Huni rambled, she really didn't have a clue how to explain what Noi was because she wasn't entirely sure to begin with.

Noi continued to play with the sand, ignoring Gaara and Huni.

He blinks slowly....and finaly nods.. as though such things made perect sence...glancing down at Noi he finaly stands...and pours you some tea...
"I wonder....who would paint her that way..."

Huni was relieved when Gaara didn't question her further about the circumstances of the infant's arrival.
"Well, it wasn't a portrait of her though. It was a heart, half was white, and the other half was black. And there was a rip on the painting, like someone cut it with a knife or something. I guess that's why she has a scar when she emerged."

It took a while for Huni to realize she didn't know the young man's name. He wasn't wearing a name tag, which at first made her wonder if he was an employee or the owner's friend. "I'm Huni by the way, that's Metanoia or Noi for short. You are?"

the youn man's face creases in a frown at the description of slashed painting but he forces it smooth again with an almost tangable effort... "Gaara....my name is Gaara..."

"Nice to meet you Gaara, if you don't mind me asking, but do you work here?" Huni asked as she poured herself some tea.

"Mm.....you could say that...I live here....." He says... and sets the teapot down again.. "Sugar?" he queries as though hes said nothing out of the ordinary

"Hmm? Oh no, it's fine. I prefer sugar in my coffee than my tea." Huni explained, "You live here? Interesting place to live in, Chinatown. Or so I've heard."

Noi had gotten tired from all the crying she had done even before they had left added with the two times just moments ago. She gave a wide, silent yawn and started to crawl towards Huni and Gaara. Where once she arrived, she started to tug at Huni's pant leg.

Huni blinked and then scooped the infant into her arms, and Noi promptly snuggled up against her and fell asleep.
"Well, it looks like Noi's all tuckered out. Will the Count be here soon?" she asked.

Gaara stands "I hear the count....follow me...I'll bring you two him...I think he'd be interested in meeting you..."

"Oh? Really? That's great." Huni smiled as she carefully got up so as not to disturb the napping Noi. Quietly she followed after the young man.

The curtains from another room lift and a young mand with bright red hair and dark eyes...
"D-san.....this is Huni...I belive she has some buisness with you.....I'll fetch him...." He lets Huni pass by him and lets it drop without entering.

Christin looked surprised at another person showing up, blinking back surprise before turning to Count D. "There are other people staying in your shop?"

"That was Gaara...he is a Tanuki." A gentle smile. "Please excuse me, Christin." He stood up, bowing a bit to Huni.

"...Good day to you."

"What? But I-" Huni stammered as Gaara left, well she did say she wanted a pet for Noi. But the Soul wasn't old enough to take care of one, but then again, if she got one now and she took care of it, Tamis and Noi and the yet-to-emerge Tala would have something to play with.

"Er, hello." she squeaked, waving a little awkwardly given she wasn holding a sleeping infant in her arms. "I'm uh, well, looking for a pet."

"I already know that, dear." A gracious smile.

"Actually...your information was relayed ahead. By mail."

Weird....

"...And I already have the contract written up for him. A charming creature."

"You do? He is? What?" Huni blinked, she was certainly confused. If she finds out Haze had something to do with this... she wouldn't do anything about it. Rather she couldn't do anything about it.

"A contract, you say?"

"Yes, dear." He smiled and walked over to the cabinet, filing through the parchments that had been prefilled.

"...I'm sorry if this feels so sudden...I only know what I have been told."

He pulled out a sheet, looking back at the curtain.

"Gaara, dear? Would you be so kind?"

The curtain lifts again over the back of Gaara's pale hand...he shifts the gord on his shoulder and mutters "Im not a dear....Keith.....c'mon....."
He steps aside gaazing frun under his brow back and Huni and the sleeping child...


Folowing him...comes a man in the....strangest clothing.....and with the most vibernt....green...hair!

"Keith?" Huni echoed, 'Now I know this is Haze's work. She always did have a penchant for names that start with K...' the red head groaned to herself. Well, it wasn't a total loss, at least she was sure Noi would have a pet to grow up with. "What sort of animal is he?"

When she turned to find the 'pet' that Gaara was bringing her jaw fell open. This was no pet. It was an adult male! And he had... bright, green hair. "What? But that's, but he's, and I'm.... in the wrong shop!" she gasped.

Keith frowned, what? Wasn't he good enough for this woman? He raised the bright yellow goggles as he stepped towards her.

Suddenly seeing the new 'pet' that showed up, Christin's mouth hung loose from her jaw at the Count giving a person away as a pet. Surely this was some kind of joke.... right? Or maybe they're just friends, and the pet was yet to come...? Not saying anything, Christin watched from the couch. Whatever he was... he certainly was a cutie.

"This is no mistake, dear...this is Keith. A handsome young chameleon, isn't he?"

D smiled at him, patting him on the shoulder. "Keith, dear, this is Huni."

Gaara smiles...well....smirks might be a better description... "Watch the child Keith..she grabs....But shes alright..." He adds...the last bit being high prise from the less than socialble Tanuki...

Huni could scarcely believe her ears, this young 'man' wasn't a man?! He was a reptile!? Then again, Noi did come from a painting, what was weird about a reptile that looked like a man? It's not like he could-

"Sure." Keith murmured softly to Gaara, feeling unnerved at how many people were around. He stared at the red head, then the infant before lowering his goggles back, his dark green manicured nails evident against the bright yellow tinge of his eyewear.

He could talk!?!? For Huni it was like getting Noi all over again. Only with a much more older and articulate 'child.' Keith looked old enough to be her brother. One with a very... unique sense of style.
"Wait, can I see the contract first?"

"Count" Says Gaara with a small bow... "I'm going to go help T-chan in the back....goodbye for now Noi....good bye miss Huni...Keith..." he bows...adjusting the heavy gord over his shoulder and lifts the curtain aside...
"I'll clean up the sand in the loby as well..." he says and lets the curtain drop behind him before the scolding can begin for messes made.

"-That's- a chemelean?!" Christin asked with just as much surprise as she had seen when finding out Scarecrow was a spider. "But he looks like a regular guy...." She hadn't left from the couch, but didn't feel like being ignored.

He forgot his glaring at Gaara to smile at Huni. "But of course, dear." He handed it over.

"If you agree to the clauses, you may sign it...Keith is all ready to leave the shop at any time."

Huni took the contract and read it over, it sounded suspicious really. Especially considering Haze had something to do with it. The red head still wasn't sure that the man named Keith was indeed a chameleon.

Keith suddenly latched onto Huni, as if scared out of his wits. Christin's exclamation had startled him, and the chameleon's first instinct was to hide. However, rather than shapeshifting, his shirt began to change to resemble Huni's clothing. It was as if the red head had grown an extra head.

At the sudden impact, Huni stumbled forward and when she saw what Keith had done, she was sure now that she couldn't leave him. For one, Haze would kill her for 'rejecting' her gift. For two, Keith's skin did feel like a chameleon's. For three, he looked so terrified it would have broken Huni's heart to leave him like that.

"Alright, I'll sign. I take it payment has been made? Or did Haze leave me to foot the bill again?" Huni chuckled, she wouldn't have been surprised if it was the latter.

Noi stirred briefly but went back to sleep.

Seeing the man's shirt change colors she shut up. These people were deffinately odd ones, but they were most certainly animals. "Er- sorry for startling you." She said to Keith as she stood up, walking toward Huni and her new pet.

Keith spied Christin approaching and instinctively inched as far away from her as possible while still keeping himself attatched to Huni.

"You'd better not be trying to cop a feel..." Huni warned, chameleon or not, Keith still looked like a man and the fact that he was latched onto her was very... weird.

Unable to help but laugh quietly at Huni's new pet, she smiled at Huni, and offered a hand. "Hi there, I'm Christin." She said cheerfully, glancing toward the lizard-man. "I'm really sorry for scaring you hun."

D watched this exchange, smiling softly.

"...To answer your question, dear, yes. Payment has been dealt with already. Just sign on the empty line there...."

Keith frowned, he didn't like how he was being talked to. "Don't patronize me." he said quietly.

With her free hand, Huni shook Christin's hand, before retracting it to sign the contract. "Nice to meet you, I'm Huni. And as for scaring him, don't worry about it. He looks fine, if you ask me." she said absently as she scribbled her signature onto the contract.

"Oh, would you happen to be carrying insects or would I have to catch them myself?" she asked D.

"I will start you off with a supply, dear, and you can purchase them here afterward." A kind smile.

"Patronize?" Christin looked to Keith. "I wasn't patronizing you... You got scared of me for being surprised and shouting." She said calmly, looking to Noi and back to Huni. "I'm going to have to bring my pet here to see the pets Count D is selling... Maybe your new pet can even meet him?"

D was very calm, considering the commotion.

Just a good thing that Scarecrow was asleep. Otherwise, he would be having fun with Keith.

Glancing to her watch, Christin gasped. "I'm sorry! I have to hurry to that job interview!" She said quickly, waving as she hurried towards the door. "Bye D! Good bye Huni!" And with that, she disappeared out the door.

Christin shouldn't take Keith's dislike too hard, the chameleon wasn't a jolly sort. He scowled and clung tighter to Huni, even after she had 'warned' him.

"Oh, thank goodness! I don't think I'd be able to catch the amount he'd need." Huni sighed in relief.

"A pet for a pet?" Huni blinked at Christin, well whatever floats her boat. "Well I guess Keith would want to check if the insects are enough for him, sure why not?" the red head smiled.

Noi yawned and opened a cranky eye, they were all being so noisy. However, when she saw Keith was latched onto her guardian her first instinct was to point and scream.

At the scream, Keith winced and let go to cover his ears. What ever made Gaara think Noi was alright?! He couldn't help but wonder.

"Oh no, uh, I think Noi wants to go home, right now. I'm sorry but I have to go. Er, Keith? We're going now." She offered him her hand, treating him as if he was one of her children rather than a 'pet.'

Noi settled down when the green haired man separated from Huni and curiously stared at his shirt, which had reverted to the original pattern they were in when he arrived. She began to reach out to him, squirming in Huni's arms to maneuver herself closer to inspect Keith.

Keith stiffened at Noi's approach but nevertheless, he took the red head's hand and followed her out of the shop.

"Goodbye, and thank you Count." Huni smiled and exited with her two charges.

Huni was stretched out on the sofa, trying to regain her strength. Having to answer the needs of a manic-depressive infant, a clingy anti-social chameleon, and two malepharin children were draining her of her energy.

A few hours ago, she had just given Noi a bath, which the Soul had thankfully taken a liking to but unfortunately decided she didn't want it to stop. It was a real struggle to calm the infant down and get her into dry clothes and into her crib.

Keith had been quietly plotting revenge on the two malepharins for insisting they tag along wherever he went inside the house. The only thing the chameleon wanted was some solitude and quiet. When he couldn't take it anymore, he had gone straight to Huni to demand she keep the two knights-in-training away from him.

Tamis and Tala however began to reason that they were only trying to protect their "brother" from the unknown dangers of the small two-story house. Their argument then caused Noi to wake up from her nap and she promptly began to wail.

Huni wasn't sure how she managed to keep her sanity in check, because her temper had obviously been lost. She was livid at Keith for not humoring the boys, angry at the two Malepharins because of their lack of consideration and just plain pissed off at herself for not being able to handle this situation better.

And if things couldn't get any worse the phone began to ring.

"Oh no... please, let it be anyone but her..." Huni prayed.

"Huuuuuuniiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!" came the familiar childish wail.

"Hello Haze, what's wrong?" Huni asked, though the fatigue was evident in her voice.

"Arson is being such a jerk about my party so I'm staying at your place in Gaia for a while. Fix my room because I'll be there in a few hours," Haze ordered, completely oblivious to Huni's exhaustion.

"But Haze I-" too late, Haze had already put the phone down. The red head forced herself off the couch, dreading her employer's arrival. She wasn't sure how she would explain her situation without looking like a total loser to the visiting aristocrat.

Reserved for Noi exploring the house under Haze's "care"

"Retta, no! Give that back!" Haze angrily ordered as she struggled to take the brush from the Mishap. She had taken Retta out of the Mishap HQ and gone to her room, which was connected through a portal as suggested by the ones in charge. There, she brought a few essentials such as toiletries and a pair of the brush and mirror set she purchased earlier.

Haze was hoping for a quiet afternoon of grooming, her brushing Retta's hair while the Mishap sat obediently on her lap. Instead, Retta had been squirming like anything and was trying to take everything in sight. Haze never understood why infants had this tendency to think everything belonged to them, which was odd, considering that was how the red head perceived things back in Silar.

"Listen to me, young lady, if you are to be under my care then you need to learn how to appear like you're under my care." Haze snapped and viciously yanked the brush out of Retta's grip.

It was not so much as having her wrist sting as much as it was losing her brush that Retta's eyes began to taper into slits. She took a deep breath and despite the look of horror on Haze's face, she let out an ear-piercing cry. It was a cross between a shriek and a bleat, but whatever it was, it sent Haze reeling.

In fact, the volume was loud enough to draw the attention of Huni who burst into Haze's room while carrying another wailing infant.
"What was that?!" she gaped, face ashen.

Upon hearing another person enter, Retta silenced herself and stared at the new figures. There was another large person carrying a smaller one. What were they doing here in her room? She let out a soft and innocent bleat as her tail swished side-to-side.

Haze took a swipe at the stars that got in the way of her vision, and it was several minutes before she recovered.
"Did one of Corsae's children just attack me?" she muttered.

"I'm pretty sure whatever it was came from that baby of yours." Huni replied in between her cooing at Metanoia.

"I forbid you to address her as my baby. She is merely my responsibilty and she is most certainly not mine!" Haze hissed, her face heating in outrage. "I didn't want this brat in the first place! She doesn't do what I want her to do and she won't listen to me in any way! She's unfit to be my charge." Haze glared at Retta.

The Mishap took it all in stride and merely stared up at Haze with innocent, brown, doe-eyes. The rage did not go unnoticed, however, but Retta seemed to absorb this sensation and allowed it to take root somewhere inside her. It burrowed deep within the infant, but it wasn't about to grow just yet. It would have to be nurtured it seemed.

But judging the way things were going, whatever it was inside Retta, it would certainly grow.

"Now Haze, I warned you about visiting shops I've never been in. Look what happens, and you wouldn't believe me when I told you how I got Noi." Huni chuckled, feeling rather pleased at Haze's distress. "Besides, kids don't do what you want them to do, it's the otherway around. Now you know what it was like catering to your every whim."

"I don't want her anymore! I didn't want her in the first place." Haze whined as she reached for the brush she had dropped.

"Tough. You can't just say "I don't want her anymore" you have no choice but to take care of her. She's bonded to you somehow, and there's nothing you can do about it." Huni shrugged.

The softness and concern that Huni spoke off were also taken without so much as a bat of an eyelid. Retta preferred the gentle tone of Huni, but the other person already belonged to someone else, it seemed as she set her gaze at Noi.

Metanoia had been woken up from her nap and was cranky as anything. She squirmed in Huni's arms, trying to get comfortable enough to go back to sleep. It was only when she noticed Retta staring at her did she forget her sleepiness.

"Aa?" She gurgled, tugging at Huni and gesturing to Retta.

Retta decided to mimic the other small person, but Haze had little clothes on, and it was so much nicer to yank on her hair. She liked the reaction she got whenever she managed to get a fistful and tugged. Hard.

"OW! Stop that you little brat!" Haze ordered, a little wary of Retta now that she learned what the Mishap was capable of. "If you wish to draw my attention a simple "Haze" would suffice."

"Awww, does widdle Wetta wike to pull Hazy-Wazy's hair?" Huni teased.

"Don't address her in such a manner! The last thing I want for her is to grow up into some simpleton incapable of holding a decent conversation. And from the lack of her vocalization I'm fearing the worst." Haze frowned, if Retta wouldn't do what she wanted, she could at least grow up the way the Silarian woman wanted.

"Lighten up, you've become waaaaaay too uptight ever since you got Retta." the Gaian laughed. "Well, I think miss Cranky Pants needs some time alone, but if you're ever so desperate for some time alone, you can leave her with me since I've done the same to you with Noi." Huni offered as she exited.

"I expected nothing else." Haze brightened, turning to Retta as the door closed she gave the infant a wide grin. "Did you hear that, Retta? You can go with Aunt Huni sometime. Maybe everytime. Maybe always!"

"Don't count on it!" came a muffled cry from behind the door.

"Oh drat, well I'm still going to teach you the proper ways of grooming and you had better like it." Haze warned, "I have purchased you quite a selection of playthings, so leave my belongings alone. Now then, I truly hope you are not colorblind, but the color of this brush will come to symbolize the day it is. If there's one thing I would want nothing more than for you to learn is proper grooming." and the red head went into a lenghty explanation of the importance of hygene.

Retta yawned mid-explanation and promptly fell asleep. She remained undisturbed even as Haze brushed her hair, fluffed her fur and combed her tail. Though she did stir ever so slightly when Haze brushed against the teacup.

With the Count away on business, and T-chan busy elsewhere, (perhaps assaulting "The Detective" again...occasion finds Shouryu waiting in the shop, sprawled very informaly, for someone in such dramatic robes, across one of the couches, his expression content and deceptively sleepy.

"Noi, not so fast sweetie." Huni called out to the young girl speeding down the sidewalk towards Count D's shop.

Keith instinctively chased after Noi, believing himself responsible for anything that might happen to the Painted Soul.

Metanoia laughed in delight, giggling at her newly found mobility as she ran as fast as her legs would allow her without stumbling. She had grown! Older. Taller. And it seemed faster.

And now that she was bigger, she could have a pet of her own. Keith didn't count, he belonged to her mother. She wanted a pet for herself. All for herself. She reached the door and tried to push it open, not even bothering to twist the knob.

Keith finally caught up to the child, a hand protectively gripping Noi by the wrist. "Noi," he panted, trying to catch his breath, "Your mom said to wait."

"I am waiting! I'm waiting for this door to open." she declared with a stamp of her buckled shoe.

Finally arriving, Huni opened the door to the shop, keeping a close eye on Noi this time.

The inside of the shop smells like the familiar strange and exotic insense as it always does, though the figure who awaits them inside shares only his glossy black hair in common with the count.
Shouryu blinks at the strange gathering for a moment or two, as though expecting...something, though it's difficult to say what, before rising to his feet languidly.
"Good afternoon...I'm afraid the Count is otherwise occupied, so I beg your pardon while I stand in for him..." He dips his head faintly in the hint of a bow at this.

"Oh, good afternoon then. What do I call you, Sir?" Huni asked as she eyed Keith to make sure he kept a good hold on Noi.

Noi was moving towards Shouryu as best as she could, Keith's vice-like hold on her wrist kept her from getting any closer.

"I want a pet!" she declared in excitement, not whining or demanding the way a brat would. She was sincere in her desire, though whether she was capable of caring for one has yet to be seen. But Noi was a fast learner.

"Noi, what did I tell you?" Huni warned, hoping the young man wouldn't take offense at Noi's enthusiasm.

"Oh, sorry." the child coughed, "I want a pet, please!"

Shouryu raises an eyebrow at Noi's outburst, though he waits to answer her as he introduces himself. "I'm a friend of the count, you can call me Shouryu. My companion Enki and I are his guests for the time being." He smiles warmly, and though formal you can see a wink of mischeif in his sleepy eyes no less than that that Noi is likely capable of. "So the young lady is here to see about a pet then?" He inquires, glancing toward Noi in amusement. "Had the count already arranged something with you or will we be looking today?"

"Ah, alright Shouryu, I'm Huni, you might have some records of me somewhere. I'm Keith's guardian." the red head introduced, before gesturing towards the young man with the vibrant green hair.

The chameleon nods quickly, inching towards Huni as if trying to hide behind her.

"Haven't talked to the Count." Noi answered instead, "Me want kitty!" she exclaimed, most children her age seemed to have some fluffy little creature and peer pressure was such a powerful thing.

"Now Noi, we discussed this," Huni quickly cut in, laughing sheepishly, "We'd prefer something a little easier to care for. Something that won't run away or get loose in the house." she supplied, as if begging the young man for a pet that could easily be cared for.

Shouryu considers both requests thoughtfuly, nodding sagely to Keith. "I've heard of you both..." He notes. "And I have an idea...if the young lady could come with me for a moment, I'll see if I can't satisfy you both."

Huni was a little wary about letting Noi out of her sight due to recent events in the Gallery's HQ. "By herself? Can't I or Keith go with her?"

Noi squealed in delight, "I get kitty that no run away?" she asked, her gold eyes shining brightly.

"Well I've got an idea you might find more appealing, and more special, than a kitty, certainly more rare..." He Smiles, eyes winking with the sort of bright mischeif of one child to another. "If Kieth would like to come he can, I thought I might be able to show her something you'd both enjoy..." He offers, though the unspoken part is and make her think it was her idea...

Huni felt better knowing that Keith could go along with Noi and she nodded to the young man.

"Be careful you two." she says, seating herself down to wait, somehow feeling that they'd end up with another Keith-like 'pet'.

"Better'n a kitty?" Noi's eyes shone in wonder, was there such a thing? It must really be grand then! "Okie!" she nods, tugging Keith forward as she approached Shouryu.

Nervously, the chameleon follows after Noi, hoping that whatever it was, it didn't eat lizards.

Shouryu offers his own hand to take Noi's, among other things, to effectively pin her between himself and Keith, which should help keep her out of trouble, his sleeves giving the distinctive rustle of silk.
"Yes, little miss." He assures. His large hands a little rough from work, in spite of his royal looking robes. "A truly grand creature, and one that I'm sure your mother will love as well...In my home, we have many spectacular creatures, but none of them are quite like the one I'm going to show you." He notes, which is true, he's certainly never seen anyone quite like this woman, although he knows her nature. "And very gentle." He notes, with a wink to Keith as he escorts them through a set of elaborate doors and down one of the many corridors in the Count's shop.

There was a spring in Noi's steps as they walked down the corridor, and she notices the scent of incense is a lot stronger in the back. She isn't bothered by it, not really understanding what it does.

He winked? Why did he wink? Winking to someone usually meant either something really good, or really bad was going to happen. Keith felt it would be the latter, it was always the latter. Apprehension evident on his face, he held Noi's hand tighter, squeezing it more to reassure himself rather than Noi.

"Fishie no furry..." Noi pouted, but then again lizards should have some scales and Keith had none. She turned back at the fish-girl? Fish-woman? "But fishie shiney." she countered, more herself than Shouryu.

"She sounds nice, Noi." Keith spoke up, thinking it entailed he would have some help in caring for the household members.

"Ooookaaaaaay~" Noi chirped, holding her hand out to the woman. "You Shimmer! Shimmy~" she declared with a giggle.

The woman blinked (surprisingly as fish normally weren't capable of blinking) and broke into a smile. She trilled in delight, gliding towards the little girl with the out stretched hand. Pretty, pretty hair and skin. Though the scar was a rather sad sight.

Cold fingers entwined around Noi's while the other hand stroked the child's scar. Shimmer coo'ed softly, the fish-ties in her hair catching the light as did her locks.

"I take it we've got an match then?" Shouryu asks quietly to Kieth, pleased with the results. "I was rather hoping they'd work out well together, it could be an good experience for your little Noi...and for...well...Shimmer."

The chameleon nodded, folding his arms over his chest as he watched Noi and Shimmer. So far, he seemed rather pleased with the events.

"Shimmy meet Keith! Yes?" Noi declared, pulling the goldfish towards the green haired man.

Shimmer cooed and allowed herself to be led away. Once she was close enough, she let go of Noi and embraced Keith fondly.

"Hug!" she trilled in delight.

Keith's shirt suddenly flashed a myriad of images, indicating his surprise and stress. "No! Let go! Now!" he snarled, trying to wrench himself free from Shimmer's grasp.

Noi found this scene extremely amusing, "Shimmy like Keith!" she giggled and joined in on the cuddling.