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 Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:58 pm
Aubrey laughed softly, settling himself to sit in front of the girl. "'scuse you." He said, pulling out a plain cloth to brush at her nose, then to brush off the fur and handing it back.
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:09 pm
Matilda scrunched up her nose, taking the fur and clutching it tightly to her chest. She continued to pet it and looked up at Aubrey, "Mine?" she held up the fur.
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:25 pm
Aubrey tilted his head, pursed his lips and tapped a finger against them as if in deep thought. Then he nodded, a warm smile broadening his face. "Yes, you may have it. Be nice to it now." He stroked her hair as she was stroking the rabbit fur.
He would never have guessed that his first gift to his first child would have turned out to be a simple square of rabbit fur. It wasn't even big enough to be a blaket. As long as she liked it though, it would be fine.
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:37 pm
Mattie beamed, "Thank kew!" she rubbed the fur against her cheek, turning around to run to Palladia, "Pwetty! Pwetty Mama!" she held it out, wanting her mother to feel how soft it was.
Palladia smiled, "It's very pretty." she stroked it gently and nodded to Aubrey, "You should kiss him for a thank you." she pushed the child towards the male again, "Go on."
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:44 pm
Though he couldn't bring himself to smile to Palladia, Aubrey's eyes were able to not go cold when he looked at her after hearing her. It seemed that she did really want Matilda to know her father.
He looked at Matilda and held out his arms openly. "Can I have a thank you kiss Mattie?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:55 pm
Mattie toddled uncertainly towards Aubrey, her arms held out. The only person in this world she had ever kissed was her mother so she was a little nervous, but it did not bother her at all. She grabbed onto Aubrey's arm, but she was still unable to reach his face. "Up." she said pointing upwards.
She simply watched. It was possible she could get through this. Even if she hated his guts, the affection he had for the child was enough for her to bear with him.
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:12 pm
Smiling at how brave she was, Aubrey pulled her into his lap, arching his back slightly to give her the kiss. Then he hugged her close, pressing his cheek lightly against her head and closing his eyes. Oh, his little girl... He was amazed at how quickly he was learning to accept this fact. He gave her head a kiss before letting her settle back to the ground at his knees.
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 2:20 pm
Mattie pouted, "I gibe you kiss!" she clung to his shoulder as he still held her and planted a kiss onto his cheek. The child smiled, proud of herself.
Once set back onto the ground, she grabbed Aubrey's hand and tried to drag him into Palladia direction, "Mama!" she said, pointing at her mother, "Mama!"
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:09 pm
Laying on the ground, it was impossible for the baby to drag the adult anywhere. He shook his head, his smile now being forced into place. "Yes, I know your mom." He said while nodding.
He glanced up at the female adult and sighed, realizing some things needed to be worked out. He stood, scooping Matilda with him, and walked a few steps closer before plunking down again, a few steps away from Palladia, and setting his daughter back to the ground. "So, how do I get to see her regulary?" They obviously wouldn't be moving in together, so how would he be able to act as father?
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:40 pm
Mattie giggled, running over to her mother and sitting down next to her, still clutching the piece of fur to her chest.
"I don't know..." Palladia ran her fingers through her bangs, thinking, "I guess you'd be welcome in my house whenever you wish but..." she trailed off, what was she going to do about Riome? She would offer to let Mattie stay at Aubrey's, but she couldn't bear to part with her daughter. "...Do you have any ideas? I'm up for anything."
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:58 pm
Aubrey scratched at his neck. "Maybe, I could come over every few days, and you bring her to me, so that she gets used to being with me. Then I could take her on day trips somewhere, like to my house or the market."
He figured it would be a while before he would think himself confident enough to let her stay with him for a night or two. Maybe once she was older. "That might be a good start."
He smiled at Mattie holding the fur close. "You called her Mattie. Is that her full name?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:13 pm
"Her full name is Matilda. But I call her Mattie." Palladia reached out to pick out a few specks of dust off of Mattie's flank, "That sounds fine with me." she pointed south, "I live on the outskirts of town. It's a tiny cottage by a lake. I'm sure you wouldn't miss it." she sighed inwardly, it was so awkward talking to him. Palladia decided to stay silent, still picking little pieces of dirt off her daughter.
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:28 pm
"Matilda." Aubrey said softly, tasting the name. How lovely it was.
His eyes followed the direction her hand was pointed and gave a small nod. "South. Outskirts of town. You never did like big crowds." He said, mind drifting to old days. It was a slight attempt at polite small talk, and he wondered if it would really be worth the effort. He would tell her where his own home was after he went to her's first.
"Times are changing." He said softly, mostly to himself. This meant his tavern would be delayed in starting. He'd have to change the house around so the child wouldn't get into anything sharp. Maybe something so she couldn't get into the kitchen at all? Again, his mind started to bounce ahead again.
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:34 pm
Palladia couldn't help but chuckle briefly, "I don't like loud sounds in general." She was glad that Aubrey was so interested in taking care of Mattie, she would get to know her real father wouldn't she?
"I guess I should tell you what Mattie's favorite foods are?" she continued, trying to keep up a light tone. "If I do remember you had an affinity for cooking..."
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:43 pm
Aubrey looked up in suprise. Even back when they'd first met, before things had gone sour, that laugh had been a slippery thing to find.
Looking deep enough, he managed to find a smile. It was a tiny one, but it was honest. "Yes, I do. I... I've actually been thinking about opening my own restaurant. I'd like to know what she prefers."
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