Welcome to Gaia! ::

I know he's here SOMEWHERE!!

A Sibling...?

Duncan peeked into the room that his son slept in though surprisingly he didn't see him straight away, something that caused his heart to skip a beat and he stepped into the room and went about searching it for the boy. He felt... panic, where was he? He couldn't have left without them noticing, surely... and nobody could get in without Duncan having been able to sense them, "Iah?" He called out.

There was silence for the longest time before he heard a little hiccuping sound as his son peeked out of his closet where he'd gone to hide. He starred up at his Father for a moment then looked passed him to the door as though expecting his mother to be there but he wasn't... he must be mad too? He lowered his gaze before ducking back into the closet.

Duncan tilted his head to the side before following, catching hold of the door to open it up and as he did he got a smack from one of the red tentacles while the other wrapped around Iah in a very possessive manner. The much older spawn gazed down at them before he reached down to take hold of Iah by his waist and easily picked him up. The boy gave a little gasping sound as he found himself in his father's arms. He blinked a couple times then leaned against him, arms sliding around his neck, and he clung to him tightly.

"Its alright, Iah." He murmured, turning to head out of the room and had to tighten his hold as his son started to squirm in an attempt at escaping his father's grasp, not wanting to leave his room.

Adriel was waiting as patiently as he could ...he got so angry at one point he grabbed Chii tightly and wrestled the writhing limb to the couch cushion. All the while thinking how much he hated it how much he wished he could make it just go away. He instantly felt bad...and released Chii who merely went back to protecting his stomach...stubbornly.

He sighed and shifted on the couch he chewed on his lower lip wanting to cry once again. What if Iah hated him?? He didn't want to think on it.

Duncan came into the room a moment later with the squirming boy in his arms, looking over at Adriel before he started to move toward his lower slowly, eyes on Chii.

Iah looked over his shoulder for a moment, eyes going wide, then ducked his head to hide his face in his father's long hair, arms clinging more tightly to him. No, no... he wanted to go back in his room he thought. He'd made his Mom and Chii mad, he didn't want to be in the room with them if they were mad he thought. His body was trembling and Duncan hugged him close, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, "Shhh." He murmured before looking at Adriel, "He was in his room." He explained, to fill the silence.

Adriel looked up noticing how scared Iah looked and he felt a pang of pain in his heart.

"Oh...but..he is okay? Physically?" He inquired softly as he shifted on the couch to allow room for Duncan to sit down. He swallowed and then firmly grabbed Chii in hand before pressing the writhing tentacle into the couch.

"I may need your help..." He muttered, "Iah...hunny? It's okay...are you hurt?"

Duncan moved to sit down, letting Iah settle down to sit in his lap. It felt strange to have the boy in his arms without the tentacles starting something. It would seem though that they were only interested currently in wrapping around Iah tightly, keeping themselves close to 'their' boy. If nothing else though at least they weren't currently starting more battles they couldn't win against Adriel's much larger ones. He drew the boy back and set to looking Iah over, "I don't see any marks, I think hes fine." He said after he was done looking him over.

Adriel chewed on his lower lip when Iah didn't answer him. He shifted glad that Chii was on the opposite side of them and leaned in closer.
"Iah hunny? It's okay...don't be scared.." He murmured trying to get his little boy to look at him.

Iah turned his head to look over toward Adriel slowly, peeking at him from against Duncan's chest then quickly lowered his gaze, "Ahh... C-chichi... and M-Mom... and F-fufu... is mad." He whimpered, clinging more tightly to his Father. He didn't want his Mom to be mad, he wanted to be allowed to hug him again, to be close to him again, but if Chichi wanted to hit him it meant the tentacle was very upset with him. Had his own tentacles finally pushed his mother to the edge?

Adriel felt his heart tug, He moved in closer to reach out and pet his sons hair. He flicked a look to Duncan as if asking in a desperate attempt for help.

"N..no hunny. I'm not mad...Chii...was just ...well..." He trailed off..trying to think of the best way to ..explain just WHY Chi was being so protective. He still had a firm hand on Chii who was still struggling. He was already getting tired of holding onto it though.

Duncan watched the pair closely before he rose to his feet, setting Iah down on the couch next to Adriel so he could go sit on the floor in front of Adriel so he could help in wrangling the tentacle, as he was stronger and not being drained by a child, "Behave Chii." He murmured, "There, we can all relax now."

Iah looked a little like a deer caught in headlights as he found himself sitting on the couch alone and he shifted so he could scoot back a little so that his tentacles couldn't reach his mother and start another fight. He looked up at the man then tilted his head to the side, "Ahh..."

Adriel reached out and noticing how scared his son looked he retracted his reach and flickered a look to Duncan. He was glad to have Duncan restraining Chii he felt himself shift on the spot as he lay his body against the back of the couch.

"Maybe we should tell him now..." He murmured to his lover before he looked back to Iah and smiled though it seemed a bit stressed.

"Iah, hunny its okay..come closer..Daddy has naughty Chii you don't have to be scared."

Duncan nodded his head as he looked between the pair, "Sounds like it would be the best time as any." He murmured, "Though... I wonder if perhaps..." He trailed off, a part of him wondered if maybe Iah should go and stay with one of their parents while Adriel was in this condition. Duncan had to work so he wouldn't be able to be here at all times... he couldn't watch after Chii like he was now and he worried about them both. He gave a grumbling sound in throat, "First thing is first though, telling him."

Iah looked back and forth between his parents, "Tell...?" He whispered, uncertain if he wanted to know what it was that they were wanting to tell him given their expressions. It must be bad...

Adriel peered at Duncan wondering what he could be thinking before he licked his lower lip and then gestured for Iah to come closer.

"Yes Iah we have something very important to tell you...we probably should of told you sooner but..." He trailed off as he had no real excuse for not having told Iah sooner.

His hand went to his belly, "Iah...come here its okay. Daddy and Mommy won't let anything happen to you."

Iah looked back and forth before he looked at Chii, quite uncertain before he slowly crept forward toward his mother as though moving slowly would keep the purple tentacles from noticing or attacking him again. "Por... tant?" He asked, looking at the hand that Adriel moved to his stomach and found himself if it was something to do with his Mom's big belly... it was new after all. Though as to what it meant that was completely lost on his young mind.

He nodded his head and then reached out and stroked his sons head as soon as he was within reach. Fuu kept close to Adriel as if it sensed how sensitive the subject matter was. Chii on the othe rhand sensing 'danger' as it was thrashed more.

"Yeah...important. You see...mommy is..uh.." he felt his throat go dry. "well...you see..." He flashed a look to Duncan for help.

Iah tilted his head to the side, "Mom... is?" He murmured, looking at his father when Adriel did so.

Duncan looked at Adriel first then back to Iah, "Ahh... well its your... sibling." He said.

Iah gave a nod of agreement, "Oh." He murmured, then shook his head. Wait... what was a sibling? Wait... that was like what Adelle was, wasn't it? His three eyes got rather huge at the thought. He already had one of those, why did he need another one?

Adriel nodded his head and then using both hands he reached out to try and gather Iah closer to him. He wanted to snuggle him..love on him.

"Come you want to meet your new brother or sister?" He inquired as he watched Duncan to make sure he had a firm hold on Chii.

"W-Why...?" He murmured, wondering why they were having another kid, it had him starring at his mother's round belly before he felt a bit of worry creeping up in him. Were they... needing a new baby? Was he not a good enough one? His eyes went immediately to the red tentacles that were holding onto him tightly, nearly squeezing him to the point that he was a little breathless. It would almost seem as though they didn't like this anymore then he did... and he found himself wondering if it were them, the fact that he wasn't able to get near people without them swinging... it was why Chichi and Fufu were mad at him... it made sense.

He looked at his mother's stomach for a long moment before shaking his head rapidly, "No..." He murmured, not wanting to meet the new baby that was going to steal his parents.

Adriel mistook Iah's no as worry about him hurting him. He gave a smile and lightly patted his stomach.

"Don't worry your not going to hurt me or him or her." He assured, "Soon you'll be a big brother...isn't that exciting?" He tried to sound encouraging though he was dreading the end of the pregnancy.

Iah starred at Adriel's belly and his three eyes started to trickle tears, "No..." He murmured again, it wasn't exciting... it was terrible, they needed a new baby because he wasn't a good and cuddly one like Adelle was... or even Edes or Pepper... Iah wanted to be cuddly like that but he couldn't be, when he went near others his tentacles tried to hurt people... they even tried to hurt Fufu who had used to like him. Even Chichi did... he wrapped his arms around himself, hugging his tentacles who were currently hugging him and then lowered his head.

"Maybe he needs time to get used to the idea." Duncan murmured, looking at the boy who wasn't taking it very well that there was going to be another baby in the house soon.

Adriel stared at his son who still didn't want to meet the baby. He felt angry all of a sudden and then he felt incredibly sad. All because Chii had to lash out...

"Oh...yeah I guess." He murmured as he went to push himself up off of the couch with some effort and patted his son on the head softly before he gently pried Duncan's firm grip on Chii off and then shuffled out of the room.

"I think I need to go lay down all this excitement had worn me out. " He used the excuse as he smiled and then looking at his son he forced his hand away from his belly.

"Iah...I love you, if you want to meet your sibling just ask ok?" He said before he shuffled out of the room and headed for the bed room.

A Growth Spurt

The days seemed to be dragging, as the baby grew within him he got more and more tired and grouchy. Miracle of life...bah. The first time was a miracle..this was just ...a nuisance. Still his hand went to his protruding stomach his shirt having slipped up over the baby bump exposing his skin and making him stroke the area as he felt the baby stir within him.

Despite the relief of having a girl...and Iah seeming a bit better about the idea of having a sibling, he was still anxious. He felt so..distanced from his son it was driving him batty. Chii was a lot to blame as it was so protective of his stomach. Currently the tentacle was acting as a pregnancy belt to help ease the pain in his back. Fuu was stroking the belly as if eager to have the baby out of there.

Waddling about he thought it was best to check on Iah. Duncan was at work...and he had to make sure Iah was tucked into bed.

When he got to Iah's room he would find his bed had been abandoned yet again, with the help of his tentacles Iah had been getting better and better at escaping his bed this this time it seemed as though it were in more of a rush as his blanket had been half pulled out of the bed when he'd left it. This time he hadn't left his room in search of his parents or something to eat either, he just seemed to have gone missing at the moment.

When Adriel had entered he's gaze went to the empty crib and he felt mild panic well in the pit of his stomach.

"Iah?" He called out looking about the room and then moving over towards the crib to remove the blanket it was still warm...he couldn't of gotten far.

"Iah??" He called out again, looking about the room he wasn't really in the mood for games. Not with this belly anyway.

"Iah where are you?" He called out once more.

There was a shifting sound, that of the various blankets and toys that had been drug from Iah's toy boxes and and the linen closet into his bedroom closet when he set up his little hide away fort. He didn't answer when he heard his Mother, instead he seemed to be trying to better hide himself, wrapping up in a couple of the blankets and hiding behind a large, stuff dog that he had... at least it seemed large before, now it felt a lot smaller. Of course currently everything was feeling smaller hence why he'd been once more forced to abandon what he'd been wearing though it to was in the closet with him as though he didn't want to leave behind a trail to wear he was. His parents... they would be disappointed that he wasn't their cute baby anymore, wouldn't they? He couldn't help but worry about that as he hid.

"Iah...this isn't funny," Adriel complained as he arched a hand to his back trying to get it to stop hurting. He shuffled around the room wondering where his son could of gone before he heard a slight sound behind him. Turning he noticed the closet was slightly ajar. He rolled his eyes and tried to remain patient. He moved towards the closet.

"Come on Iah, nothing to be scared of." He said gently as he went to open the door a bit to peek inside. Fuu slithered into the small opening that led into the closet as if going to investigate. Chii remained a belt.

Iah gave a jump when one of the tentacles came into the closet, he peeked at it from under his blanket, starring for a long moment, then reached a hand out toward it to give it a hesitant pat hoping that it was Fuu instead of Chii. He shifted again, gathering his blankets more tightly around him before he scooted forward to peek out passed the tentacle to where his mother was standing.

Fuu nuzzled against Iah's hand to let him know it was the friendly one before it withdrew, now that Adriel knew that Iah was there he gave a sigh of relief and then giving a grunt moved to the side of the door and sat down. God it felt good to sit down. His back up against the wall beside the closet he would let Iah come out when he was ready...he wouldn't yank his son out of there.

"What's wrong Iah? Did something scare you?" He inquired softly his hand rubbing his stomach as he felt the baby shift again. She was becoming more and more active...though not nearly as bad as it had been with Iah and two tentacles.

Iah was quiet for a while after Fuu left, listening to the sounds that came from his Mother as he sat down near to the door and he gave a shake of his head even though Adriel couldn't very well see it, "I... I a-am sorry..." He whispered to Adriel, watching him and the way that he was rubbing his hand over his belly made his worry increase, he wasn't nearly as small as his sister was anymore, was he?

There was a shifting as his tentacles roused and set to sliding around him in a possessive sort of manner and he struggled for a moment to get free of their grasp though it was in vein due to the difference of strength.

Adriel blinked and looked up to the ceiling. Sorry? Why was Iah sorry?

"What's wrong? Why are you sorry darling?" He inquired softly having to change position as even sitting was becoming uncomfortable.

"Come on out Iah, its no fun talking to a closet door." He chuckled trying to let the boy know everything was okay.

There was a soft sound from him, as though he were having a hard time in debating if he wanted to come to come out of hiding before he scooted forward lifting one hand to push against the door to open it and peeked out at Adriel. His trio of eyes were filled with uncertainty, all of them looking at Adriel, looking down at Chii, then back up again, "I... am s-sorry... I d-didn't mean to." He murmured, half coming out but was still clinging to the blankets that he was trying to hide in.

Adriel turned his head to look as the door opened, the first thing that should of clued in was the fact Iah's speech had...improved. But it wasn't until he saw Iah emerge that the height difference suddenly announce the sudden growth spurt. He stared at Iah dumbly a moment and then felt an overwhelming sense of pride. His little boy was growing up!

He reached out a hand a smile on his face,"Ah...so is this why you were hiding.." He murmured.

Iah starred at the hand that was held out to him and he reached out toward it, wanting nothing more at the moment then to be able to hold his Mommy's hand, knowing he would feel a little better. He was just about able to when one of the red tentacles slid out of hiding and grabbed hold of his wrist, yanking it back in a manner that made Iah wince. He felt his heart skip a beat and he withdrew a little, as though worried that having one of them come out into the open would make Chii unhappy with him, "S-Sorry..." He murmured again, trying and failing to free his hand so he could reach out to his Mommy again.

Adriel felt his anger spark. How ...how dare those tentacles stop his son from being with his mother! How positively selfish of them. Of course he glanced down at Chii who had slid out the instant that Iah had come closer.

"Chii...No." He stated firmly, Fuu on the other hand reached forward to Iah wanting to help him out. Adriel shifted a bit so that he was on his knees. Not really a position he wanted to be in for a long period of time but it would due for now, he felt the weight settle against his hips and then he reached forward to help untangle his son from his rather possessive tentacles.

Iah gave a little smile, reaching his other hand out toward Fuu, "F-Fuu..." He murmured, giving that tentacle a small pat when it came forward before his other tentacle appeared to reached out catch hold of his other hand. They were pulled down to his sides as the tentacles wrapped around the limbs like snakes and he starred down at them, giving a little sighing sound. He wiggled a bit but they seemed to only tighten their hold on him in an uncomfortable manner, "M-Mommy..." He looked up at him as he tried to help him in getting untangled from the red limbs that didn't seem to understand sharing...

Adriel was getting quite ..frustrated with those tentacles. They had no manners what so ever. Of course he recalled his trying days as a youth and how his tentacles didn't exactly behave how he wanted them to...though in more perverted ways.

"Chii..." Adriel gave a warning tone as the other tentacles snaked up his side and looked about ready to give a good smack to one of Iah's misbehaving ones. It hesitated...and then went about trying to burrow under a link of tentacle and wrap around it in a warning manner. Fuu imitated it in strength as it understood that they needed to know who was still stronger.

The red tentacles reacted by releasing Iah... though they seemed to wrap around the other tentacles in the same manner that the purple ones were catching them leaving them in an entangled mess with Iah sitting in the middle starring at them for a moment before he squeezed his eyes shut, fearing getting in trouble because his troublesome limbs didn't want to listen to him... or really anyone else.

Well that worked. Having Chii and Fuu wrestling with Iah meant it left him with his hands free. Reaching forward as best he could over his bulging stomach he placed a hand on Iah's head.

"Oh my look how you have grown. You look...so adorable." He murmured and it was true. He was reaching those years where a mother or father wanted to just squish them with hugs and kisses.

He felt the baby kick and he winced, apparently baby didn't like being squished. Sitting back he placed a hand on his stomach again and then gestured for Iah to get closer.

"My my your father is going to be so surprised to see how much you grew."

Iah opened his eyes when he felt the hand resting on his head and he gave a little smile as he shifted to try to get closer to Adriel, wanting to hug him but that was a bit of a problem since he had a big belly. As such he wiggled his way around more to one side of Adriel, the Fuu side, and snuggled up against him, eyes going watery as he did so, "S-Sorry... they n-never listen..." He whispered, he felt guilty of his tentacles were nicer, if they listened to anything he said things would be better.

Adriel wrapped an arm around his son and gave him a kiss on the top of his head glad that he was able to be near Iah. It felt like such a long time since he got to hold his little boy.

"It's okay, " he gave a bit of a whisper, "When I was your age mine didn't either." He divulged the information to the little boy, "You just have to show them who is boss."

The boy forgot for a moment about the tentacle battle that was going on so that he could cling to his mother, tears of relief spilling over now though they were tears of relief instead of sadness.

Adriel held his little boy as best he could happy to just be near him and hold him. He gave him many kisses to make up for the past he had missed. He then had to shift again as he felt like his legs were being crushed.

"Ah....nng....your sister seems to want out..." he murmured as the little one inside of him gave a rather sharp kick. "are you excited Iah? Soon you will have a little sister."

Iah lifted his head to gaze up at Adriel before murmuring, "I... y-you will k-keep... us b-both?" He asked, worried still that perhaps he wasn't what his parents wanted and that a little sister would be something closer to what they wanted to have. She might be nicer and not have the angry tentacles that didn't want to listen to anyone.

Looking a bit startled he looked down at his son and then gave a chuckle.

"Keep you both? Of course. Your our first child, you can't be replaced Iah." He stated as he kissed his son again. Taking one of Iah's hands he placed it on his stomach, as it to let him get to know his unborn sister better.

"No one can replace you Iah, but your new sister is just going to add to our lives, just like yours." He assured.

Iah relaxed more when he was told that he would be allowed to stay despite him being unable to be the most cuddly of kids... it wasn't as though he didn't want to be that, it was that his tentacles seemed to enjoy keeping everyone at bay. It was such a bother... The boy gave a jolt when his hand was placed on his Mommy's belly and he starred down at it, feeling the sensation of something moving against his hand and all of his eyes got big, "I... h-how will I... g-get to b-be near to her?" He whispered, sounding worried.

Adriel gave it a bit of thought. Given that Iah's tentacles were a unless your stronger than I we shall beat you up sort...he wasn't sure how Iah was going to get to be close to his sister.

"Well we will work something out after she is born." He assured the boy. Even if it meant tying the bothersome tentacles up for a couple of hours.

Iah nodded his head, sure that they would be able to figure something out. He turned his head so that he could rest his ear against his Mommy's belly as though trying to hear what was inside there. A sister... but one that would stay here, he wasn't sure what he thought now that he knew that they would both be staying here. Would he get to meet her maybe? Would be able to get to know her better? He gave a thoughtful sound and a little smile at the thought. It might be nice... if he were allowed near her.

Adriel chuckled and gave a nearly purring sound as Iah laid his head against his stomach. For the first time since he had become pregnant the second go around...he felt at peace. He wasn't so worried anymore, with Iah accepting of the new baby and ...having grown everything just seemed better. He gave a shift as he moved the blanket the Iah had been using to cover himself and then...realized why.

"Oh...my..." Adriel stated as ..he realized his son was naked. "We better find you some clothes before your father comes home." He chuckled.

Iah gave a little nod, pushing up to his feet before he gave a squeak, realizing he was still tangled up with Mommy. He turned to look at the purple tentacles and reached down to pet them both, "I-I... am s-sorry... FuFu... ChiiChii." He murmured to them, feeling bad for them having to fight with his tentacles.

Chii gave a sharp squeeze on the tentacle it was holding onto as it reminding it who was the boss before releasing. Fuu ..just gave a simple squeeze more like a hug before also letting go.
Once free Adriel with the aid of the wall got back up onto his feet with much protesting. Dear lord...yes he would be happy once the baby was born.

"Lets go find you some close so we can surprise daddy okay?"

He gave a nod of his head as moved to follow along after him, "Y-Yes, that s-sounds good." He agreed, eager to follow after him, to be able to be near him. He wasn't sure what was the hurry about clothing other then it would be a lot warmer.

The red tentacles were very unhappy as it would seem despite this latest growth spurt and the fact that Adriel was weak due to spawning they still weren't able to win against Chii and Fuu... they flailed for a moment in the air before wrapping around Iah, one of them around his chest and the other draped over his shoulders like a snake. They were displeased but at least for the moment they were only sulking instead of causing more problems for their boy.

Perper Visits

Pepper had been in a mood since he had spoken with Luthor, though he had been really happy to have the boy back home, part of him now wished he had stayed away. Constantly worried about his strange desire to bite his best friend he shivered and had begun to avoid him. H didn't like being awake, but then again he didn't like sleeping either...his mind never stopped thinking, and he had to be careful else the wraiths would take advantage of his weakened state of mind and plague him with nightmares.

Perching on a bench he rubbed his eyes, dark circles under them mostly due to stress.

Iah gave a little sighing sound as he tried once more to be able to wander outside, glancing at his tentacles as he did so. They were just waiting he could tell by the way that they were tensed up in the manner that they were... they were plotting something that he was sure he wouldn't end up enjoying. He let the door close behind him and took a couple steps forward, tromping across the snow and then gave a grunt when one of them caught hold of the closed door knob causing him to stumble, flail, but he was able to keep his footing much to the distaste of his tentacles that had been wanting to get a hold of more snow to go flinging about at random.

"Ha! I w-won that time." He told them, sticking his tongue out at the tentacle that released the door as he did so... then it wrapped itself around his head, blinding him and he flailed again, regretting having mocked and challenged his red tinged limb. The second one got in on it catch hold of one of his arms to help in winning the 'second round' as it were.

The cold wasn't enjoyable, but it did help to numb some of his thought process, he sighed as he moved off the bench the snow crunching underfoot. He had been forced to wrap bandages around his feet..else risk being frostbitten. He hated clothes...but it was required. And he couldn't stand being in the facility a moment longer.

With everything so cold it was harder to breath and scent things out, but he recognized even if he thought he was moving about aimlessly that..he seemed to be narrowing his walk towards...Duncan and Iah's place. He hoped the fence and balanced on top of it warily as he looked around, spotting Iah and his bratty tentacles nearly instantly. Hmm he had grown...

"Ow... oww... stupid t-tentacle... out of m-my hair!" He said, tugging on the tentacle that was wrapped around him, making life so much more difficult and he took a step back and landed heavily on his front... but if nothing else at least the snow caught him. He gave a groan when the tentacles released him, happily grabbing at and flinging snow about. At least he'd been on his feet for a little longer this time along he thought to himself. His extra limbs seemed to notice Pepper long before Iah as they turned the aim of their snow throwing from in random directions to at Pepper who was getting to close.

Pepper got hit by a snow ball smack dab in the face the first time only because he had been caught off guard. He got hit a couple more times and with a grunt finally fell flat against the grown to try and get lower. He growled in annoyance his anger flaring as he moved forward and was forced to take a couple more hits as the cold grown was far too cold for him.

When he finally got close enough to Iah he reached his hands out and tried to grasp a hold of the flailing tentacles.

"WILL YOU STOP THAT?" He nearly roared.

Iah let out a shriek of surprise when someone grabbed hold of his tentacles and yelled at him, having been trying to wipe all the snow out of his face and hair he hadn't even realized that anyone was so close. He blinked a couple times, looked up at the one over him, then his trio of eyes got watery. It was... Pepper? That he knew the one who was so mad at him seemed to upset him more then if it were someone random, "I... I... a-am s-sorry..." He said, ducking his head and lifted a hand up to scrub at his eyes, "S-Sorry... Perper... they d-don't listen w-well..."

The tentacles snapped out at Pepper, one trying to entangle him while the other just seemed to be trying to beat him for getting within their reach. If they could reach Pepper it meant that Pepper could reach Iah, not something the possessive limbs relished.

Pepper growled and then set about wrestling with the two rather possessive moronic limbs. He didn't like that they were so violent against him, what had he ever done to them? Well...except for holding onto them. The one limb that was trying to beat him got snapped at with his sharp teeth, though he was careful to not actually bite. His other hand trying to wrestle the other tentacle, though he knew Iah was talking he was too preoccupied to really pay attention or respond.

Iah's eyes got wide when he heard the snapping sound of teeth and he gave a gasping sound, reaching up to grab hold of one of his tentacles and he tugged, trying to pull himself back out of reach, so that his tentacles could no longer hit Pepper. He felt his heart racing as he struggled up to his feet, "S-Sorry... sorry..." He gasped out, scrambling back. He felt overwhelmingly frustrated with the tentacles, they were so mean... why couldn't they be all nice and cuddly like Fuu was? Instead they were mean in a manner that didn't go over well with people.

Breathing heavily it was easy to see that Pepper was less than impressed as he looked Iah over. He then seemed to catch himself and shake his head a hand going to press into his eye as if it bothered him.

"No ..no I am sorry Iah...I shouldn't of ..reacted like that." He muttered looking a bit cross for loosing his cool.

Iah looked up at Pepper for a moment, seeing the look on his face, then took another step back. That he'd upset Pepper of all people, one of the few he'd met on more then one occasion, caused his heart to sink, "I... am s-sorry..." He said again, tugging one of his tentacles to his chest as they were still reaching out at Pepper. It twitched and then wrapped around Iah possessively while the other seemed to remain on guard as though readying to attack again if needed.

He gave a roll of his shoulders trying to move past this...little bump in the road. He forced a smile on his face as he returned is gaze towards Iah.

"You sure have grown squirt. Seems like only yesterday you were toddling around and I had a much easier time keeping your tentacles in check."

He gave a little nod of his head, "T-They... were a little e-easier to d-deal with w-when smaller." He agreed, looking at the limb that had wrapped itself around his chest and then one of his arms. He gave a soft sighing sound, "I... am s-sorry they were m-mean to you." He whispered, feeling a bit guilty over the way the limbs acted and that he was able to do nothing about it since he was a lot weaker then they were.

Now that he had calmed down more he felt the overwhelming need to prove to those tentacles that he was stronger than them. He wanted to save Iah from them...

"They ...sure are possessive of you.." he commented as he inched a bit closer, trying to gauge just how much they paid attention.

He nodded again, "T-They... didn't want to let m-mommy near me e-either but... but Chii and Fufu can s-still win against them." He explained, tilting his head to the side as he watched Pepper closely, wondering what the other spawn was doing.

"Hmmmm oh? So they listen if people are stronger than they are?" He inquired finding this information rather useful.

"Tell me Iah...are you...scared?" He inquired as he continued to inch his way closer.

"Y-Yeah... they even t-try to fight w-with my Daddy." He said, though there were times when his Dad got into darker moods that the tentacles wouldn't even bother with trying to battle it out with Duncan, as though sensing that there were times that it just wasn't a good idea. He blinked a couple times, "S-Scared? O-Only when you y-yelled." He said, that caused his heart to skip a beat as he'd almost expected one of the bad guys that his Daddy said was out in the world to be there.

Pepper felt bad about that, he wasn't really sure why he yelled besides the fact he had been really pissed off and moody to begin with.

"Yeah sorry about that Iah..." He stated with a slow nod as he continued to inch his way closer. It seemed agonizingly slow but he was testing a theory.

He tilted his head to one side as he watched Pepper and then gave a little grumble as the one tentacle that was wrapped around him tightened its hold on him and the second one gave a bit of a twitch, "I-Its okay... I j-just thought you w-were something s-scary." He explained.

He rubbed his nose in a well yeah...sort of manner.

"Ah...yeah....I am surprised you ...didn't think I was scary to begin with.." he admitted as he stopped his advancement until he thought it was safe to move forwards again.

Iah tilted his head to the side then shook it, "N-Naw... your kinda like Daddy." He said, giving a smile. They both had reddish skin, the bone structures, sharp teeth, and apparently both could be temperamental as well.

The tentacles seemed to relax when Pepper stopped moving, the hold one had on him eased and it unwrapped from around Iah to instead just seemed to hover there in the air with its 'twin' as they moved in a waving motion. Iah looked up at them for a moment then back to Pepper again, "I... w-wish they were n-nice like Fufu is..." He murmured, of course saying that out loud got him a smack, "O-Ow... meanie t-tentacle!"

He gave a smirk seeing that the tentacles were rather sensitive as well.

He felt a tad better about himself at being compared with Duncan. Still... he watched as the other tentacle finally unwrapped from Iah and he continued his very slow advancement to Iah. Soon he would be close enough he could hug him.

Iah waved his hands at the tentacles as though to chase them off though the pair seemed only to tease the young spawn by poking at the waving hands as though to show that they weren't going anywhere nor were they going to give up in their protection of what was 'theirs'. When Pepper set to moving again the tentacle paused in their poking and both seemed to turn to 'look' toward Pepper, holding very still as though they were expecting to be attacked and grabbed at again.

The small spawn gave a sigh of relief when they stopped poking at him, "Perper?" He tilted his head to the side, wondering what his friend was doing, he seemed pretty daring, moving so close. He hoped that he didn't get to close as he didn't want Pepper to get hit and didn't want the tentacles to get themselves into a fight with Pepper.

"Hmm?" came his reply as if he was distracted and he was, he was basically staring the two tentacles down ...as if they had eyes. As if telilng them that he wasn't about to let up either. He slowly raised a hand to reach towards one of the tentacles, though he had the back of his hand coming towards it as it showing he wasn't going to try and grab it.

Iah lifted his gaze, watching the way Pepper was reaching toward his tentacle, "Ahh..." He gave a little wince, his big eye squeezing closed and the other two half closed as though he were expecting Pepper to get hit at any moment. In fact the tentacle he was reaching at seemed to arch up, seeming to be trying to make itself bigger, and it gave a twitch forward as though to warn Pepper to stay back else it would attack again. Iah had stopped them last time by stepping back out of range but they weren't going to let this person win!

It literally was coming down to a puffing up contest, lets see who was more intimidating. The tentacles or the spawn? He gave a low growl in his throat as if to tell the tentacles he wasn't going to back down either. Though he touched the tentacle with the back of his hand lightly. A slight bap of sorts. He sure was asking for a beating..

The tentacle twitched when the other tapped a hand against it, the tentacle reacted by giving Pepper's hand a smack against his hand, showing it was going to back off either. This was a sort of battle of wills between the red limb and Pepper. The second tentacle lifted up to better 'watch' what was going on between the pair, as though readying to attack if needs be.

Iah opened his eyes slowly to watch what felt like some sort of stand off, the pair taking swings at each other made the boy shiver in an uncertain manner. He half thought that he should reached up and try to stop them but before he could reach up that far his second tentacle moved quickly, wrapping around his wrist to make him stay put.

Pepper tried to not be distracted as the other tentacle reached up to grab Iah's wrist keeping him in check. He didn't like it, didn't like how they treated Iah. But he had to focus on the one tentacle he was facing off with. Nostrils flaring he uttered another low growl, he wanted to grab and wrestle. Instead he turned his hand around and with his pointer finger dragged the claw lightly against the tentacle. Lironax's seemed to enjoy that sensation...so he was testing it out to see if all tentacles liked it.

Iah blinked as he watched Pepper as he drug a claw over the tentacle that he was facing off with. The red limb seemed to take the scratching, however light it was, as a threat and it swung again slapping against Pepper's hand slightly harder then the last strike. It wasn't in any way, shape, or form a friendly creature, nothing like the host the pair were a part of it would appear.

Iah gave a wince as the tentacles smacked Pepper again and he looked as though he wanted to take a step back, to keep them the tentacle and Pepper from battling it out. After all it was alright, he was used to keeping people at arms reach... or at least tentacles reach to keep them from getting in a tangle with the unfriendly limbs.

Pepper raised a hand to Iah to show he was fine and for the boy to stand his ground. He rolled his wrist and cracked his fingers as he shook the sting away before he reached out again. This time he used the back of his finger to trail along the tentacle. Claw was a no so lets see if it was just contact in general.

Iah gave a little tremble but didn't move, not that he felt he had a choice. His tentacles would be rather angry if he were to try to move when this face off seemed almost as important as the ones that the pair had from time to time with Chii and Fuu. He looked at the one that had hold of his wrist, it gave him a squeeze, then released its hold on him to rise up and continue to 'watch' the face off as well. It swished back and forth but made no move to get in the way.

The first of the tentacles seemed to relax when Pepper raised his hand up to show it off to Iah but instead of backing off as he was supposed to do Pepper back back and ran his fingers over the limb. It stiffened before lifting up and brought itself back down to strike against Pepper's hand with a resound 'SMACK' sound which drew a gasping sound from Iah.

Pepper's sharp intake of breath was the only signs of pain, though he was getting angrier by the second his patience starting to dwindle. Still he shook his hand to rid it of the stinging. Then he repeated the gesture. Though this time ready to move his hand out of the way for the smack.

"Perper..." Iah whispered, wanting him to stop, he was getting himself hurt for reasons that the boy didn't quite understand, surely he didn't think he could defeat the tentacles in a battle of wills? He wasn't even sure if they had it in them to back down to anyone but Chii and Fuu or Duncan in a really bad mood... he once more started to lift his hand to try to stop the pair but this time it was him that got a smack from the second tentacle. He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, returning to watching the battle.

The first tentacle seemed to turn and 'look' at Iah for a moment before turning back to Pepper and made a swing at him once again when Pepper tried to pet it again. The red limb seemed to be swinging harder and harder each time that Pepper attempted to touch, not liking it in the least.

Pepper only grinned when he moved his hand out of the way this time, like a game he once saw kids playing called knuckles, since he avoided the hit he tried to hit the tentacle back with a bop. He wasn't trying to hit hard but to show the tentacle this was nothing more than a game to him.

The tentacle seemed to get more aggressive and more annoyed each time it took a swing at Pepper when it missed, if it could growl or snarl the limb no doubt which had done exactly that. It was getting upset and one could tell by the way it was swinging, faster and faster, swinging at the hand, annoyed with the fact that Pepper seemed to find this important battle to be a game.

Pepper nodded his head giving Iah a look as if giving him a warning before he sprung into action. After another hit he aggressively took the tentacle in hand with his other hand he reached out and wrapped it around Iah and dragged the boy close. Of course this offset his balance and soon he was tumbling onto his back landing in the cold snow though he didn't care as he had Iah tightly in one arm.

Iah gave a gasping sound as everything seemed to happen rather fast, he fell down onto Pepper with a little grunt, eyes closing for a moment before he slowly opened all three of them, gazing at Pepper for a moment, then over to the tentacle that he was holding onto the spawn blinked a couple times, "W-Wow..." He breathed, lifting his hands up to quickly grasp hold of the second one when it look as though it was going to take a swing at Pepper, "No... stay..." He whimpered, wrestling with it, "Please... let me..." He murmured, wanting nothing more then to curl against up against his friend.

The limb fought against his hold and then swung around, snapping at Iah anywhere it could reach, displeased over being held back by Iah of all people when it wanted to help in the battle against Pepper. The limb was rather surprised when Iah didn't let go, though he looked like he was going to start crying at any moment and it went from swinging to wrapping, entangling around that which belonged solely to the tentacles and nobody else.

"Oh no you don't" breathed the other spawn a bit breathless having lost a bit of air when Iah had landed on him. He reached with his other hand careful to not puncture the tentacle, though he greatly desired to.

"Let him be, jeez you two things are stubborn and stupid. Protect him from the real dangers...I am .." He trialed off his mind backtracking to his earlier mood. Maybe the tentacles were smarter than he thought.

"I am not going to hurt him." He stated firmly.

Iah trembled a little before he finally relaxed, happily curling up against his friend's chest and hugged him, "T-Thank you... Perper..." He murmured, happy to be able to be able to hug someone now that his tentacles seemed to have been, at least for a moment, subdued by Pepper's strength and determination. He only wished he were as brave and strong... it was normally far easier to let the limbs just have their way when it came to what they wanted.

The tentacle that Pepper had hold of wiggled, twitched, flailed... and then when it couldn't get away it wrapped itself around Pepper's arm best that it was able to and squeezed him in a displeased manner.

He gave a chuckle feeling the tentacle squeeze against his arm in displeasure. Lowering that arm he leaned forward and dragged his tongue along the tentacle in a evil sort of manner. As in HAHA i win this round. He gave another chuckle as he wished he could wrap his arms around Iah in return but...he was currently using all his strength to hold them back as it was.

"You know you shouldn't let them get away with everything like that." He lectured a bit before he tilted his head to nuzzle best he could against Iah's head.

Then tentacle that was trying to squeeze the life out of Pepper's arm seemed to freeze and if it could give a sound of displeasure it would have done just that when it got itself licked by Pepper. It would have taken a swing at him but that would mean letting go... it wasn't about to let go when it could instead keep the arm entangled. It wasn't enough though, even with Pepper tangled up Iah was still able to hug on their current 'enemy and rival for Iah' which made the tentacles writhe in an unhappy, snakelike manner.

"I... I am s-sorry... I c-can't seem to really b-beat them." He murmured, feeling bad that they seemed so much stronger then he was. He lifted his gaze to look at Pepper and then to his tentacles, he really needed to get tough and strong like Pepper and Daddy were... if he were like them he could battle it out with his tentacles.

Pepper only grunted a bit as he felt the tentacle continue to squeeze his arm to the point where it was getting rather painful. Still he wasn't about to let Iah go.

"Heh kid I don't know if that's really what the problem is..." He muttered before he teased the kids hair with his lips like a horse may.

"Your tentacles are...just going a tad over board with trying to protect you...if your afraid it may influence them..."

Iah looked little uncertain, "H-How?" He asked, looking at the pair of tentacles that were seeming to be having fun attempting to squeeze Pepper's arms off. He made a little face as he lifted up to tug on one of them in an attempt to get them release the other spawn. He looked quite guilty, "I-Its my f-fault?" He didn't want to be the one at fault for his tentacles going around hurting people... he gave a rapid shake of his head, "I'm s-sorry... I don't w-want them to h-hurt you..."

"Are you scared of me?" He inquired before he used a bunch of effort to sit up as the snow was starting to make him chilled. He wasn't wearing much for clothes after all.

"Cause if you are even a trifle bit scared of me then they may see me as a threat...of course I did snarl and yell at them.." He grumbled though he shot them a glare.

"Though I am not one hundred percent at fault because of that."

He looked at Pepper before shaking his head, "S-Startled when you yelled and... and l-looked like you were angry with m-me but... not scared. Y-You are my friend." He said, scooting back a little bit though all he wanted to do was hug his friend while he was able to do so it seemed as though Pepper wanted to get up the way he was shifting and moving to sit up.

He felt his body begin to shiver as he was no longer focusing so hard on the tentacles. Once he was sitting he stared down at the little one who was looking up at him. Iah was cute. Those tentacles were another story.

"You need nerves of steel Iah." He chuckled as he bent over taking a deep scent of his face before licking his cheek in a puppy like manner.

"I am glad you see me as a friend though."

Iah's eyes got a little wide as Pepper sniffed at him, half wondering if maybe he smelled bad... then he gave a little giggling sound as he got himself licked. His eyes sank half closed and he lifted up to give Pepper's cheek a kiss in return, "I-I... don't k-know where to g-get nerves of s-steel." He admitted.

He felt an itch coming along and his arms were now getting pins and needles. It was taking sheer willpower now to keep a hold of Iah's tentacles.

"Practice...your dad is pretty strong...why don't you ask him?" He asked as he groaned his hands were going numb.

"Sorry Iah one last nuz and then i got to let go, I am no diligence spawn." He chuckled at the ironic choice of words.

Iah looked a little uncertain before nodding, "O-Ok..." He murmured, scooting closer so he could hug his friend tightly for a moment, eyes closing, and he seemed as though he were trying to suck up all the closeness that he possibly could before drawing back once more, "A-Alright... t-thank you for the hug." He said in a happy manner.

Pepper nodded his head fully prepared for the beating he was most likely going to endure when he released the tentacles. He felt his hands like stiff branches finally let go.

Iah did his best to scramble backwards when Pepper released his red limbs as they started to swing at the older spawn, putting as much room as he could between himself and Pepper as fast as he could so that his friend didn't take to much of a beating since he already looked sore enough. He drew in a deep breath before letting it out slowly, head bowing for a moment, "I-I am sorry for them..." He murmured, knowing that the limbs would never apologize even if they were able to do so.

They got in a few good hits and then he chuckled and sighed he sat up and shook his head and rubbed his arms with his hands. They hurt...stupid pins and needles.

"Well lets just hope you have better control of them next time kay?" He stated as he went to stand up and shook his body as if a dog trying to fluff up.

"I think though its time i headed out."

"You... have to go already?" He asked, sounding a little sad at the idea that Pepper was leaving. He supposed he couldn't stay all day and who would really want to hang out around where they got all beat up if they could help it? He gave a little nod, "I-I see... a-alright." He murmured, pushing up to his feet and tried to wipe away the snow that was clinging to him and his clothing.

Pepper felt bad leaving him but he was freezing to death here...and he wasn't going to just crash on Iah's parents couch to warm up. Though it was tempting.

"Yeah sorry Iah, I got to ..." He tried tothink of something he could be doing, "Uh...talk to Luthor.." He stated with a nod of his head.

"O-Oh... a-alright..." He said, tilting his head to the side. He found himself suddenly wondering who 'Luthor' was and why he felt the urge to let his tentacles hit his unknown person... the feeling was something new that he found distasteful so he tried to shove it away since he didn't understand it, "You... w-will come back and v-visit again?"

Pepper gave a grin and nodded his head, "They can't get rid of me so easily." He chuckled as he gave Iah a wink before he trudged over to climb the fence.

"See you around kid!"

Iah lifted a hand up to wave at Pepper, "B-Bye Perper!" He called out after him as he climbed up the fence, relaxing a little when he realizing that his tentacles weren't going chase off one of his few friends that could defeat the tentacles in battle.

Meeting Sandy

Movie Time