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 Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:56 pm
Aina's crying wasn't the only thing momentarily placated by Mordekai's question; the croc's eyes lit up and his guardian's browns lifted curiously. They weren't up to much else today, so if it was possible – but it wasn't meant to be. Anita nodded knowingly while Cruz deflated at Aina's strengthened tears.
”Aw, that's okay,” she tried to assure everyone, but an air of disappointment seemed to permeate not just the raevans.
Cruz wrung his hands anxiously, brows raised high and knit tight. Little Aina was so quiet and sheepish before but she certainly had a set of lungs on her. At Mordekai's encouragement, the mistletoe frei attempted a smile in turn. Though he wanted her to stay just as much as she didn't want to go, their plans were already set and Aina didn't deserve to put herself into such a sad tizzy.
Her small hand was taken into his own, long fingers delicately holding hers. He regarded her for a time, finding it harder to smile while she hiccuped but building his resolve for just the same reason. ”It's okay,” Cruz tried to purr, though the upset clinging to the air caused his voice to waver, ”Me and 'Nita go over Duncan's a lot now. We'll see you a lot.”
”Um,” Anita paused to think about Duncan's inquiry, ”I don't know if I'm working that Saturday but Cruz should be here if he's not doing anything.”
At this, the croc's spine straightened and he snapped to attention. ”Not busy,” he assured, looking each of the humans in the eye before settling back on Aina. Cruz rested his chin atop Aina's hand and peered at her with doleful green eyes and an eager smile. ”Come over Saturday. It'll be better.”
Behind them, Anita raised her chin towards Duncan and Mordekai then silently mimed clapping.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:57 pm
Aina folded her fingers in while her small, cold hand held onto Cruz's. It helped relax her a bit, and as Aina deatched from Mordekai, the blond let her go so she could go ahead and face Cruz more fully. Instead of looking directly up at him, though, the shy Frei opted to immediately hugging him instead. Mordekai smiled emphatically and his back eased a little, now that the crying seemed to be over.
"That's right, Cruz an' 'Nita come over alla time. You'll see 'em so much," Mordekai assured, patting the back of Aina's head as she nodded, though her sniffing was threatening to transform into sobbing again. At Anita's answer, Aina and Mordekai both glanced back toward her with curiosity and complacence. Once Cruz was able to add his own two cents, Aina turned back toward him with a shy dip of her head, then returned to hugging him.
"Okay," Aina replied, her voice muffled against the crocodile's chest. Anita's mimed clapping was received with an easy chuckle from Duncan, and Mordekai laughed in relief. Mordekai sighed a little as he rubbed the back of his hat and shrugged in gesture toward the door.
"Thank you, Cruz. I'm sure Aina's looking forward to it." Duncan watched as Aina gave a small nod before heading toward the entryway.
"We'll see y'all later, then," Mordekai smiled toward Anita, then turned back toward Aina to give her a small pat on the head, "Can we say bye to Cruz an' 'Nita?"
When Aina nodded but remained where she was, Mordekai glanced down with a curious smile. "You lost your voice, girl?" When she shook her head, he laughed, "It's okay. S'not bye forever."
Though Aina didn't seem to move at all, still, Mordekai chose to give Aina space and walked toward Anita. He was a great deal more tired than before, it seemed, but he offered Anita a warm smile nonetheless and extended his arms out in offering for a hug. "Thanks for havin' us, 'Nita."
Upon hearing Mordekai speak, Aina at least mustered the will to say sometihng to her new friend. "Bye, Cruz," she said, quietly; she looked up toward him and floated away from the hug, wringing her hands together. "Saturday? Soon?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:58 pm
”All the time,” Cruz offered quietly after Mordekai's assurance. It seemed to be helping and the more relieved the croc felt the easier it was to give a convincing smile. He had to convince himself, as well, that it was the truth even though he knew it full well to be.
The child frei's sobbing turned to gentle hiccups before long. Her movement surprised Cruz and he gave a small gasp at the sudden hug before his arms found their way around Aina. His face nestled against her soft hair, the scent of fresh autumn rain and pomegranates comforting in its own way. Over her head, he gave Duncan a smile – he was excited, too, and Cruz was glad Aina would be even if she seemed swallowed up by her sadness now.
Still, the more they all spoke, the less she seemed to cry. Anita smiled fondly at the two raevans as Mordekai attempted to collect Aina once again. Despite their efforts, it seemed she wasn't quite ready yet but the man had the right idea when he initiated his own goodbyes. ”Any time,” she smiled.
Cruz took notice, watching the two carefully; their movements in the hug were less hesitant and the slight squeeze Anita gave Mordekai perked Cruz up. He looked back at Aina quickly, thankful to catch her eye just as she lifted her head rather than seeming distracted. The croc's hands followed loosely after Aina until she slipped from him.
”Very soon. Promise.”
Beside them, Anita pulled back as well before the hug drew on too long. ”Have a good time, guys. Say hi for us.”
E N D
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