Raife
The taxi pulled up in front of Aki's house and Raife stepped out, helping the boys out of the car. She had run out of carseats with her newest addition, and Mik wasn't quite to bike riding yet. Helping Mikhael to his feet, she dusted the little boy off, and patted his butt, setting him off on a quick toddle towards Aki's front door.
Then she turned to the little one, his butt plopped on the ground, his fingers already following after an ant. Snatching him up before he could get any messier, she scooped him up on her shoulder with a sigh. The child was strange. In the mornings, he insisted on being dressed as neatly as possible, yet by midday...he was already a wrinkled, dusty mess. She smoothed his hair and tried to make him presentable for the visit.
"Mikhael, pull down your shirt, you look silly." She chuckled, and adjusted the shirt for him as she came up behind him, the nice button down looking ridiculous on the petit toddler already without it riding up over his little tummy. "Wanna knock?" Mik looked up at her and she gestured with her fist the motion for knocking. Declan did the same in imitation. Mik knocked softly on the door, as if afraid to hurt it.
Then she turned to the little one, his butt plopped on the ground, his fingers already following after an ant. Snatching him up before he could get any messier, she scooped him up on her shoulder with a sigh. The child was strange. In the mornings, he insisted on being dressed as neatly as possible, yet by midday...he was already a wrinkled, dusty mess. She smoothed his hair and tried to make him presentable for the visit.
"Mikhael, pull down your shirt, you look silly." She chuckled, and adjusted the shirt for him as she came up behind him, the nice button down looking ridiculous on the petit toddler already without it riding up over his little tummy. "Wanna knock?" Mik looked up at her and she gestured with her fist the motion for knocking. Declan did the same in imitation. Mik knocked softly on the door, as if afraid to hurt it.
Aki
Lifting her head in surprise at the knock, Aki brushed the hair out of her face with the back of her hand...leaving a streak of flour. Elle was busy struggling with Levi's penmanship, so it was up to Aki to get the door.
Sliding the pan into the oven, she paused to wind the timer before trotting to the front of the house. The silhouette through the stained glass was as recognizable as a tiny knock...kneeling a bit, Aki pulled the door open with a little smile.
There was Mik, eyes as wide and blue as the very sky. What a cutie!! Glancing up at Raife, Aki smiled...following up with a slow double take. Was that...
"Is that...a baby?!"
Sliding the pan into the oven, she paused to wind the timer before trotting to the front of the house. The silhouette through the stained glass was as recognizable as a tiny knock...kneeling a bit, Aki pulled the door open with a little smile.
There was Mik, eyes as wide and blue as the very sky. What a cutie!! Glancing up at Raife, Aki smiled...following up with a slow double take. Was that...
"Is that...a baby?!"
Raife
"I swear to god, it was a book when I picked it up, but somehow, yes, it turned into a baby." Declan gave a long suffering sigh. There was something distinctly unbabylike about him, even if he couldn't yet even speak or walk. "Hi." Raife smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to talk to you. I hope this isn't a bad time."
Mikhael tugged on Aki's skirt, obviously wanting her attention back on him. Not only was he still getting used to sharing the attention with his new "little brother," but his "big brother" was inside, and he wanted to see him, and he was sure Aki'd know where he was. "Eeei." He rasped plaintively.
Mikhael tugged on Aki's skirt, obviously wanting her attention back on him. Not only was he still getting used to sharing the attention with his new "little brother," but his "big brother" was inside, and he wanted to see him, and he was sure Aki'd know where he was. "Eeei." He rasped plaintively.
Aki
Aki's eyes got wider as Raife summarized the story, a small smile settling upon her lips. A baby? A book? What a small world! "...Well now." Raife seemed a bit unsettled...how best to approach this?
Reaching down for Mik, pausing to give the babe a long smile, Aki hefted him gently on one hip. "Wanna see Levi? He's studying, but I'm sure he can take a break." Mik was certainly growing up! He was almost baby weight!
Hearing noise from the hall, Levi finally poked his head out of his room...light glinting from his newly pierced ears. Grinning at Mik, he waved with one hand until Elle stepped out behind him. Sighing, Levi shared a shrug with his young friend and ducked back in to finish his paragraph.
"I'm sorry. Come in! What is his name?" Motioning to the coat rack in case Raife wished to carry less, Aki started down the hall. She didn't head for the living room and kitchen, though...instead, she angled for the bedrooms to the east. "And....his Daemon's name?"
Reaching down for Mik, pausing to give the babe a long smile, Aki hefted him gently on one hip. "Wanna see Levi? He's studying, but I'm sure he can take a break." Mik was certainly growing up! He was almost baby weight!
Hearing noise from the hall, Levi finally poked his head out of his room...light glinting from his newly pierced ears. Grinning at Mik, he waved with one hand until Elle stepped out behind him. Sighing, Levi shared a shrug with his young friend and ducked back in to finish his paragraph.
"I'm sorry. Come in! What is his name?" Motioning to the coat rack in case Raife wished to carry less, Aki started down the hall. She didn't head for the living room and kitchen, though...instead, she angled for the bedrooms to the east. "And....his Daemon's name?"
Raife
Raife set down a bag full of assorted goodies. Baby things. And followed after Aki down the hall, hefting Declan better in her arms. Just when she'd gotten one babe out of arms, then came another. The child in question was currently exploring her earlobe, as he'd been since he'd been taken up. Every time she picked him up it was something different. Her nose, her eye, now her ear. She winced a bit as he tugged a little on a piercing. At least that would keep him busy. "Mmh, Declan. Dec. And the bat...thing...whatever is Reasoning. At least, that's what I was told." She hadn't paid any attention to Wren hardly at all.
Speaking of Reasoning, the bat was tucked invisibly in the folds of Declan's jacket, avoiding sunlight and daytime and napping peacefully.
Mik, on the otherhand, while settled neatly in Aki's arms, was squirming inwardly to get to Levi.
Speaking of Reasoning, the bat was tucked invisibly in the folds of Declan's jacket, avoiding sunlight and daytime and napping peacefully.
Mik, on the otherhand, while settled neatly in Aki's arms, was squirming inwardly to get to Levi.
Aki
Bumping open the door to Levi's room with her hip, Aki smiled to see the lad just snapping his book closed. Elle was smiling patiently nearby, obviously a bit proud that the pirate and finished his lesson in time. Letting Mik squirm out of her arms, Aki lowered him directly to Levi.
He was ready to grab Mik, arms open just a little sider than his grin. Without a word, he toddled off....trying to carry the babe in his usual awkward manner. Nodding to Elle, Aki smiled as the girl followed quietly behind them. "There we go! This way!"
Pushing open the door at the end of the hall, Aki sighed at the broken stillness of the chamber. Desperate snored horribly, one ear flapping as the Daemon dreamed a little dream. Beside him, curled beneath a yellow blanket, Nisha slept soundly. Or at least, she had been sleeping soundly. Opening one eye at the intrusion, her tiny face scrunched as she glared at the intruders.
What was this, now?!
He was ready to grab Mik, arms open just a little sider than his grin. Without a word, he toddled off....trying to carry the babe in his usual awkward manner. Nodding to Elle, Aki smiled as the girl followed quietly behind them. "There we go! This way!"
Pushing open the door at the end of the hall, Aki sighed at the broken stillness of the chamber. Desperate snored horribly, one ear flapping as the Daemon dreamed a little dream. Beside him, curled beneath a yellow blanket, Nisha slept soundly. Or at least, she had been sleeping soundly. Opening one eye at the intrusion, her tiny face scrunched as she glared at the intruders.
What was this, now?!
Raife
Raife peered curiously at the little girl. Declan peered curiously. With all of the peering, one could wonder if the pair of them ever did anything else. "Mmmh...HM." Raife's attention was peaked by the baby elephant. "So there's our little troublemaker, hmm?" She remembered the discussion she and Aki had had about such matters and was glad Declan's..whatever it was..and whereever it was..was small. She wiggled her fingers at the baby and smiled. "Hi there!"
Aki
Gazing distastefully at Raife, Nisha flicked her sleepy glare to the babe in her arms instead. Taking a longer look, her irritation seemed to fade...replaced by a distinctive shine as she saw Declan's glasses.
Those. Those were lovely.
One little hand crept out from under the coverlet, lips parted in awe as Nisha struggled to sit up. Jerking awake with a snort, Desperate lifted his trunk in sudden shock. What was wrong? Where was Nisha going? What had he been dreaming about?! For a moment, that same soft word echoed in his heart.
Want!
Smiling in relief as Nisha's face smoothed out, Aki shared a look with Raife. "So. Tell me everything."
Those. Those were lovely.
One little hand crept out from under the coverlet, lips parted in awe as Nisha struggled to sit up. Jerking awake with a snort, Desperate lifted his trunk in sudden shock. What was wrong? Where was Nisha going? What had he been dreaming about?! For a moment, that same soft word echoed in his heart.
Want!
Smiling in relief as Nisha's face smoothed out, Aki shared a look with Raife. "So. Tell me everything."
Raife
"Well..I..." Raife paused then for a minute. Should she tell Aki everything? Why she'd been in the house? How she'd found her way through? The noises, the lockpicks, the dark...no, that wasn't necessary. "There was this old house...and this library...and I fell down a flight of steps...and....had sex with a book or something and then there was Wren, and then there was a baby..and a bat..and......" Raife shook her head. "I got hit on the head three times that night. I'm still not sure I've got it straight." She let Declan down onto the floor. He wasn't large by any means, but he was starting to get a bit heavy. He took the opportunity to examine a discarded button that had fallen on the floor.
With his mouth.
With his mouth.
Aki
Leaning towards the edge of the bed, eyes wide with surprise, Nisha watched the babe num a button. Her button?! One hand flapping, she reached for it from a desperate height.
Planting himself on his bottom, sitting on the bed, Desperate tucked the end of his snout through the loop of Nisha's sash. Making sure she stayed put on the bed, he yawned widely...ears trembling as he stretched.
"He's very handsome, Raife. You had good booksex." Nodding solemnly, Aki looped one arm around her companions waist. For a moment, she watched the babes 'play'...smiling wider at the silent interactions. "So...what was his...you know. His lines. The scrap!" Letting her arm drop she waited expectantly...one brow climbing steadily higher.
Planting himself on his bottom, sitting on the bed, Desperate tucked the end of his snout through the loop of Nisha's sash. Making sure she stayed put on the bed, he yawned widely...ears trembling as he stretched.
"He's very handsome, Raife. You had good booksex." Nodding solemnly, Aki looped one arm around her companions waist. For a moment, she watched the babes 'play'...smiling wider at the silent interactions. "So...what was his...you know. His lines. The scrap!" Letting her arm drop she waited expectantly...one brow climbing steadily higher.
Aki
"Yeah, he's a cute little thing, isn't he? Oh? Oh, the...that. Yeah. He likes to keep it with him. Lemme..." She leant down, her hand rummaging in the folds of his jacket, squeaking a bit as she touched something furry, then sighing as she remembered what it was. She'd seen the daemon tuck itself in there earlier on the car ride over. It didn't like the sun much. "Bat in there. Sorry. Mmmm..gottit." She drew out the piece of paper, eliciting a quiet noise of disapproval and squirming from Declan. "Yeah, yeah, yours." She read the paper to Aki.
After she finished, she scratched her head a bit. "It sounds a bit familiar, but I can't place it. Never did have a good memory."
After she finished, she scratched her head a bit. "It sounds a bit familiar, but I can't place it. Never did have a good memory."
Aki
Blinking slowly, still digesting half the picture that had been painted, Aki shook her head. "I have...no idea. Wow." She peered back down at the children, head shaking slowly.
"You know...babies are apparently rather easy to come by. We're lucky we've ended up with such interesting ones." Sighing, Ak suddenly perked...glancing wide eyed at Raife. "I forgot, I was cooking! Let me check my timer, I'll be back!"
Turning herself over onto her tum, Nisha finally slid off the bed...with more than a little help from her better half. Landing with a huff upon her bottom, she slapped her hands to the ground and crawled boldly forward.
"Bubahuh!!" One hand raised in questioning, she wobbled and lowered it quickly...leaning back onto her bum once more. See him answer that!
"You know...babies are apparently rather easy to come by. We're lucky we've ended up with such interesting ones." Sighing, Ak suddenly perked...glancing wide eyed at Raife. "I forgot, I was cooking! Let me check my timer, I'll be back!"
Turning herself over onto her tum, Nisha finally slid off the bed...with more than a little help from her better half. Landing with a huff upon her bottom, she slapped her hands to the ground and crawled boldly forward.
"Bubahuh!!" One hand raised in questioning, she wobbled and lowered it quickly...leaning back onto her bum once more. See him answer that!
Quote:
"Raife"] Raife settled, watching passively. She didn't have to be as concerned with this one as she had had to be with Mikhael. He didn't seem to have problems with touching or being touched. Rather, he touched everything in sight. He wasn't ever overly friendly, but more than a might curious. As if to reinforce her thoughts, Declan reached out and grabbed Nisha's hand, patting it experimentally, then sniffing it, then sticking it in his mouth. Might as well involve all the senses. Raife chuckled and winced a bit. "Ew, Dec. I'm sure her hands are clean, but honestly."
Aki
Joke was on him, they weren't clean at all. After half an hour of thumb sucking and elephant cuddling, Nisha wouldn't have refused a bath. She didn't wrench her hand away though...rather, she watched in shock as he nummed on her very fingers. Wiggling them in disbelief, she began to make a decidedly unpleasant face.
Checking the timer, Aki pulled open the oven anyway...sighing in slightly abashed relief that all was well. There was still another 10 minutes, of course all was well! Strolling back to the bedroom, Aki gasped as Nisha yanked her hand carefully out of Declan's mouth.
Nisha wasn't done, though. She reached forward a tiny bit more...trying to smudge Dec's cheek, or hopefully reach those glasses. Cooing in hope, she prepared to slime the unsuspecting lad.
Aki winced.
Checking the timer, Aki pulled open the oven anyway...sighing in slightly abashed relief that all was well. There was still another 10 minutes, of course all was well! Strolling back to the bedroom, Aki gasped as Nisha yanked her hand carefully out of Declan's mouth.
Nisha wasn't done, though. She reached forward a tiny bit more...trying to smudge Dec's cheek, or hopefully reach those glasses. Cooing in hope, she prepared to slime the unsuspecting lad.
Aki winced.
Raife
Raife shrugged over at Aki. The boy deserved whatever he'd get. Other people's fingers were not meant for your mouth. Or so she'd been told. She supposed he wasn't entirely to blame, being a baby and all, but still. The boy instinctively scooted backwards out of the way of her fingers, and batted them out of the way, still getting a thumbful smear of his own slobber on his nose. His whole face scrunched up in disapproval before rubbing his hands over his nose and shoving her away. Her fingers hadn't tasted very good. He categorized that under the file in his brain she'd already occupied on sight.
thing = does not taste good. feels soft. squishy.
"Slobberfest." Raife chuckled.
thing = does not taste good. feels soft. squishy.
"Slobberfest." Raife chuckled.
Aki
Nisha's smile suddenly blossomed, her feet drumming a bit in amusement. A rather amusing person, this one was! Leaning forward a bit, she tried another option. "Ahnum. Ma."
Desperate hopped off the bed, sauntering over to the pair of babies. Sniffing towards Dec and his rumpled jacket, his stomped curiously. What was that smell?!
Aki winced as Desperate trumpeted in questioning, nudging the Daemon with her toe. "Quietly, please! Inside voice!" She didn't know why she bothered, the pair rarely listened. "Is Dec always so nice and quiet? You lucked out twice!"
Desperate hopped off the bed, sauntering over to the pair of babies. Sniffing towards Dec and his rumpled jacket, his stomped curiously. What was that smell?!
Aki winced as Desperate trumpeted in questioning, nudging the Daemon with her toe. "Quietly, please! Inside voice!" She didn't know why she bothered, the pair rarely listened. "Is Dec always so nice and quiet? You lucked out twice!"
Raife
"He probably smells the bat thing." Raife reached down and pulled open Dec's jacket, despite squirming hands from the young one, to reveal a small young bat, clinging to the lining of the boy's wrinkled jacket. "And he's not always quiet. This morning he screamed with delight and babbling when a cricket found its way into his crib in the morning and he got something new to examine. Practically pulled the thing apart. But, usually, yeah. I mean, I haven't had him for long, but...yeah." She pet the daemon softly before wrapping the boy back up tightly in his jacket.
Aki
"Oooh, she's...kinda cute!" Aki said this from the safe distance of about five feet. Nodding politely, she leaned back a bit for good measure. "Well, you two should spend some time together if this is new for both of you! What do you say Elle and I watch your little ones for a day or two sometime soon here, and you and Declan find something fun to do!"
Desperate wiggled with excitement, almost like a puppy at play. He sniffed towards Reasoning happily, trunk never getting closer than a few inches.
Nisha glared up at Desperate, willing him to leave with little more than a cold look. As the Daemon shuffled back a bit she peered once again at Declan...still burbling absently. Crawling forward, she wandered well into his space and flopped back on her bottom. Would he crawl away now?!
Desperate wiggled with excitement, almost like a puppy at play. He sniffed towards Reasoning happily, trunk never getting closer than a few inches.
Nisha glared up at Desperate, willing him to leave with little more than a cold look. As the Daemon shuffled back a bit she peered once again at Declan...still burbling absently. Crawling forward, she wandered well into his space and flopped back on her bottom. Would he crawl away now?!
Raife
Dec didn't crawl away, rather, he lifted his legs and feet off the ground and levered, planting them onto the other baby's shoulders and rocking slightly, pushed her leg-distance away as best as he could. He didn't seem to mean to be mean or rough, but rather, just didn't seem to want her that close. Done with it, he pushed the button towards her, as some sort of ersatz peace offering.
"He's got the thing on a leash. it is kind of cute. And he's fairly independent. Not that I'm shrugging the idea off, but, he doesn't frankly seem to care one way or another about me unless he's investigating my nose or something."
"He's got the thing on a leash. it is kind of cute. And he's fairly independent. Not that I'm shrugging the idea off, but, he doesn't frankly seem to care one way or another about me unless he's investigating my nose or something."
Aki
"Well...you do have a stimulating nose." Nodding quietly, Aki was proud that she didn't even crack a smile. She was getting better at this!! "Think he'll be a doctor when he grows up?"
Gasping as his feet settled on her, Nisha was paused mid breath by the sight of the little button. Suspicious eyes lifting to Declan's patient face, Nisha's lashes lowered once again as she peered at her prize. Slow chubby fingers closed around it...little fist rising just as slowly to her mouth.
"No! None of that! Holding only!" Leaning down to bat the button away from Nisha's mouth, Aki pointed a warning finger at her daughter. "You know better, love."
Deciding to ignore her guardian completely, Nisha turned back to Dec...thrusting the button to him once again on a little palm. "Danah."
Gasping as his feet settled on her, Nisha was paused mid breath by the sight of the little button. Suspicious eyes lifting to Declan's patient face, Nisha's lashes lowered once again as she peered at her prize. Slow chubby fingers closed around it...little fist rising just as slowly to her mouth.
"No! None of that! Holding only!" Leaning down to bat the button away from Nisha's mouth, Aki pointed a warning finger at her daughter. "You know better, love."
Deciding to ignore her guardian completely, Nisha turned back to Dec...thrusting the button to him once again on a little palm. "Danah."
Raife
"As much as I didn't come here to mooch food, feeding them sounds like an excellent idea. I can never tell if he's hungry or not. He doesn't bother to say." She reached down and picked up Dec by his arms, gently, causing him to wiggle and pout a bit, irritated in the break in his "studies". "Eh, you. For all I know, you eat bugs when you "examine" the carpet. I don't trust babies when I can't see their mouths." She settled him back on his butt."There you go, buddy."
Aki
"My carpet doesn't have bugs!" Scooping up Nisha as she began to fuss, Aki settled the babe down on Desperate's back at the Daemon's prompting. Considering that 'prompting' usually consisted of strong nudges to the back of Aki's legs, she tended to oblige him.
Still steadying Nisha with one hand, even though she laid forward against the elephant's little back, Aki walked forward cautiously. As long as it kept Nisha from a tantrum, it was worth the trouble.
She pulled out her older highchair as well once they hit the kitchen...setting the two chairs up side by side at the head of the table. That way, the adults could sit across from each other but still have the babes close at hand. Settling Nisha in, plopping the dreamsphere down onto her tray to keep the girl entertained, Aki spun to the oven.
Desperate hummed hopefully as the warm smell wafted out. "Almost, just a few more minutes! So, what has he tried so far?"
Still steadying Nisha with one hand, even though she laid forward against the elephant's little back, Aki walked forward cautiously. As long as it kept Nisha from a tantrum, it was worth the trouble.
She pulled out her older highchair as well once they hit the kitchen...setting the two chairs up side by side at the head of the table. That way, the adults could sit across from each other but still have the babes close at hand. Settling Nisha in, plopping the dreamsphere down onto her tray to keep the girl entertained, Aki spun to the oven.
Desperate hummed hopefully as the warm smell wafted out. "Almost, just a few more minutes! So, what has he tried so far?"
Raife
"Tried? As in to eat? He'll stick anything in his mouth. He hasn't eaten anything yet. usually just likes to taste. But...well. He's a baby. I don't trust him." She slipped the little boy in the high chair.
It didn't go over well.
Declan kicked distemperedly and rocked the seat. It was clear that there wasn't anything entertaining or interesting enough for him in the chair. The bat inside his jacket squeaked at the sudden belligerent behavior, and jerked free of the jacket, whirling around anxiously. Raife sighed. "Okay, okay. Toy. Uhhmmmm....Here." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a big button. One of the extra ones that came with a jacket to fix it at a later date. "It's a different button." Declan didn't seem fully satisfied with this...he'd already had a button today.
But he sighed and nummed it anyway.
It didn't go over well.
Declan kicked distemperedly and rocked the seat. It was clear that there wasn't anything entertaining or interesting enough for him in the chair. The bat inside his jacket squeaked at the sudden belligerent behavior, and jerked free of the jacket, whirling around anxiously. Raife sighed. "Okay, okay. Toy. Uhhmmmm....Here." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a big button. One of the extra ones that came with a jacket to fix it at a later date. "It's a different button." Declan didn't seem fully satisfied with this...he'd already had a button today.
But he sighed and nummed it anyway.
Aki
Watching in growing awe, Nisha reached for the button. Still no response. Mouth open the slightest bit, she simply watched the lad for a few more moments...totally confused as to what was wrong with him.
He had another treasure, a bigger one this time. Was that better than her? Suddenly wishing for the button that so consumed Dec's attention, Nisha's little hand slapped down onto the tangerine sized orb...holding it stubbornly out to distract the other child. What she had was better! See? Somehow, his narrow focus was beginning to make her doubt.
Pulling the loaf pan from the oven, Aki blew across the top...sending steam curling from the hot peach cobbler. She'd been rattled by the sudden explosion of flapping from the bat, and tried to steady herself as she bumped the door closed again.
Chatting over one shoulder as she spooned cobbler and ice cream into bowls, she trusted Raife to keep an eye on the kids. "Do Mik and Dec get along? Mik is quiet, but he's certainly got some opinion to him, doesn't he?!"
He had another treasure, a bigger one this time. Was that better than her? Suddenly wishing for the button that so consumed Dec's attention, Nisha's little hand slapped down onto the tangerine sized orb...holding it stubbornly out to distract the other child. What she had was better! See? Somehow, his narrow focus was beginning to make her doubt.
Pulling the loaf pan from the oven, Aki blew across the top...sending steam curling from the hot peach cobbler. She'd been rattled by the sudden explosion of flapping from the bat, and tried to steady herself as she bumped the door closed again.
Chatting over one shoulder as she spooned cobbler and ice cream into bowls, she trusted Raife to keep an eye on the kids. "Do Mik and Dec get along? Mik is quiet, but he's certainly got some opinion to him, doesn't he?!"
Raife
Raife furrowed her brow, ignoring the kids to the point where she'd know if they were doing something dangerous, but didn't care what they did much else. They'd been around each other for a few minutes and hadn't broken out in a brawl. To Raife, that was a good day. "I'm beginning to think Mik's never going to like having a roommate. Honestly, I thought, hey, I'll move Cray out and Dec can be in that room, since Cray's getting a little bigger now and they don't get along anyways, but Mik started crying for Cray, and....ugh. I have no clue." She shook her head. "He may be the sweetest, kindest little boy, but yes. He does have his opinions, and they best not be crossed or the whole world hears about it. So I moved Cray back in and Dec's in my room for now."
Dec would very well have been interested in the orb, had he seen it, but he, indeed, was not paying attention to the poor girl or her wares. He was far too busy directing his baby attention span towards the button, which was now rolling unheathily around in his mouth.
Dec would very well have been interested in the orb, had he seen it, but he, indeed, was not paying attention to the poor girl or her wares. He was far too busy directing his baby attention span towards the button, which was now rolling unheathily around in his mouth.
Aki
Leaning as far to the side as her high chair would permit, Nisha reached with her free hand towards the lad...little fingers grabby. The orb slipped out of her other hand and onto her tray heavily, forgotten. Obviously, there was something far more interesting going on where he was sitting. She wanted in on it!
Desperate was looking a bit nervous, flinching every time Reasoning zoomed by. Every time the little Daemon completed another circuit, he would flap his ears and squint. What was this now?! He tried to use the inside voice to ask Reasoning, since Aki didn't like loud noise...but it was a bit tricker than he could manage. He settled for a honk instead, and got booted by his guardian gently.
"Hush!" The ice cream had cooled the peach cobbler, melting a bit at the edges. Setting a bowl in front of Raife, she held the other one with a smile. "Should we give Dec his own? It's up to you, I have a hose! Oh, and I saved the a bowl for Levi and Mik!"
Her smile faded as she watched Dec gumming on something with fading interest. One brow raising, she gave Raife a half second look before a tentative smile...which in the mommy world clearly meant 'that is a button and should be removed from the child's mouth at earliest convenience.' She scooped a bite of ice cream and peach slime from her bowl and blew on it gently...poking it towards Nisha's pink cheeked face.
Ooh, food! Surprisingly, Nisha relented in her pursuit of Declan...mouth opening absently for a spoonful of dessert. Desperate grumbled, chewing along with Nisha though he had no food in his mouth. Eyes bright with hope, he shifted his weight from foot to foot.
Desperate was looking a bit nervous, flinching every time Reasoning zoomed by. Every time the little Daemon completed another circuit, he would flap his ears and squint. What was this now?! He tried to use the inside voice to ask Reasoning, since Aki didn't like loud noise...but it was a bit tricker than he could manage. He settled for a honk instead, and got booted by his guardian gently.
"Hush!" The ice cream had cooled the peach cobbler, melting a bit at the edges. Setting a bowl in front of Raife, she held the other one with a smile. "Should we give Dec his own? It's up to you, I have a hose! Oh, and I saved the a bowl for Levi and Mik!"
Her smile faded as she watched Dec gumming on something with fading interest. One brow raising, she gave Raife a half second look before a tentative smile...which in the mommy world clearly meant 'that is a button and should be removed from the child's mouth at earliest convenience.' She scooped a bite of ice cream and peach slime from her bowl and blew on it gently...poking it towards Nisha's pink cheeked face.
Ooh, food! Surprisingly, Nisha relented in her pursuit of Declan...mouth opening absently for a spoonful of dessert. Desperate grumbled, chewing along with Nisha though he had no food in his mouth. Eyes bright with hope, he shifted his weight from foot to foot.
Raife
"Give him his own bowl, but barely fill it. He's not a big eater anyway, and if he does finish it, he can always have more. He IS messy." Raife, being about as motherly as a rock, did not comprehend the look. "What? Do I have something on my face?" She rubbed at her chin as if expecting to find something there. "This smells really really good, by the way. I love peach cobbler." She dug in whole heartedly, lifting an overflowing forkful of all assorted goodness to her lips and gorging.
Declan, on the other hand, seemed to handle the button situation on his own. He spit it out of his mouth, sniffing it a bit. A new internal file.
thing = hard, non-chewy, circular, small.
Of course, he couldn't have articulated these words even if he'd been able to speak, but his brain knew more than he seemed to yet. His fist closed around the button and he delicately placed it on the edge of his tray before suddenly slapping it away with a small smirk.
Declan, on the other hand, seemed to handle the button situation on his own. He spit it out of his mouth, sniffing it a bit. A new internal file.
thing = hard, non-chewy, circular, small.
Of course, he couldn't have articulated these words even if he'd been able to speak, but his brain knew more than he seemed to yet. His fist closed around the button and he delicately placed it on the edge of his tray before suddenly slapping it away with a small smirk.
Aki
Serving Dec a Dec sized portion, Aki gave him one of the soft spoons to use. Nisha was ready for another bite, and took it as soon as Aki returned...still watching the large button as it clattered to the floor. Chewing thoughtfully, ignoring her guardian as she wiped a cloth across her chin, Nisha finally comprehended what was going on.
The button....was on the floor.
Eyes filling with tears, her lips parted....little chin trembling. Glancing up, Aki gasped...hurrying to scoop another bite onto the spoon. Wait, that wasn't the problem! She still had a bite in her mouth, which in all likelihood wouldn't be there much longer. Grabbing the cloth, Aki caught the ice cream dribble as the wail began.
Eyes squinting closed at the noise, Desperate winced again. He hated it when she cried! As was his habit, he trundled over to retrieve the fallen object...but a button was a bit hard for a baby elephant to pick up! Nosing at the floor, he whined with worry. Poor Nisha!
"Honey, what's wrong?!"
The button....was on the floor.
Eyes filling with tears, her lips parted....little chin trembling. Glancing up, Aki gasped...hurrying to scoop another bite onto the spoon. Wait, that wasn't the problem! She still had a bite in her mouth, which in all likelihood wouldn't be there much longer. Grabbing the cloth, Aki caught the ice cream dribble as the wail began.
Eyes squinting closed at the noise, Desperate winced again. He hated it when she cried! As was his habit, he trundled over to retrieve the fallen object...but a button was a bit hard for a baby elephant to pick up! Nosing at the floor, he whined with worry. Poor Nisha!
"Honey, what's wrong?!"
Raife
Declan didn't seem to notice her wailing or anything, but rather, was arm deep in the bowl of cobbler already, his little hands plunged into the bowl, making it obvious why Raife had wanted so little in the bowl. He wasn't eating yet, but rather exploring textures, sniffing, and occassionally rolling it around in his mouth. Finally, he swallowed a bite. The cycle continued with every bite, and Raife rolled her eyes, peering down into the confusion Nisha was causing, trying to find something to do to help. She paused, leaning over, to flick off a huge piece of crust from Dec's chin.
Aki
Leaning forward to peer over the side of the chair, worried Desperate might be picking on her out of view, Aki's eyes went wide at his scrabbling for the button. Moments later, she'd retrieved it...and the wail settled down into loaded sniffles. "I'm...sorry, Raife. I...I'll make sure to get it back before you go."
Opening her mouth reluctantly for another bite as she snuffled and hiccuped, Nisha turned the button over in her hands slowly. Munching on the cobbler bits against her most eager teethbumps, she finally scowled at the buttonprize. It was boring! In almost the same motion, she banished it from her tray.
Instantly, Aki retrieved it...and watched it be batted away two more times. Finally giving up, she set it on the counter with a sigh. "I'm so confused. Here, Desperate." Setting a mixing bowl full of whole apples down upon the seat of a chair, she offered the Daemon some lunch. It wasn't cobbler, but he seemed happy enough!
"Anyway, sorry. Wow, look at him dig! Declan is totally going to be a doctor. Or a cannibal." Again with the straight face. So proud!
Opening her mouth reluctantly for another bite as she snuffled and hiccuped, Nisha turned the button over in her hands slowly. Munching on the cobbler bits against her most eager teethbumps, she finally scowled at the buttonprize. It was boring! In almost the same motion, she banished it from her tray.
Instantly, Aki retrieved it...and watched it be batted away two more times. Finally giving up, she set it on the counter with a sigh. "I'm so confused. Here, Desperate." Setting a mixing bowl full of whole apples down upon the seat of a chair, she offered the Daemon some lunch. It wasn't cobbler, but he seemed happy enough!
"Anyway, sorry. Wow, look at him dig! Declan is totally going to be a doctor. Or a cannibal." Again with the straight face. So proud!
Raife
"With the sheer disregard he has for people, I might be inclined to go with the second." Raife chuckled, watching the little boy, who had graduated into just eating now, although still at a rather slow pace. "He's a strange child. Healthy. Unscarred. But strange. Very very strange. Sometimes he'll look at me...and I'll feel intimidated. By a baby! He can't even speak yet, or use a toilet! And yet..." She shook her head. "That probably sounds pretty psycho." She smiled at Nisha and leant near her highchair. "Sweetheart, he pays that much attention to everything. If you get upset every time he examines something, that's going to be a lot of tears." She didn't care if Nisha understood or not. Wasn't really the point.
Declan, after finishing his share, finally looked up from his work to the people around him. He settled back in his chair and started to watch with that same disturbing look that Raife had just explained. His eyes would lock on one person's, then another's, staying just long enough to be uncomfortable, then moving on as if he hadn't done anything.
Declan, after finishing his share, finally looked up from his work to the people around him. He settled back in his chair and started to watch with that same disturbing look that Raife had just explained. His eyes would lock on one person's, then another's, staying just long enough to be uncomfortable, then moving on as if he hadn't done anything.
Aki
Aki agreed as the boy's gaze fell upon her...the tips of her ears dipping somewhat as she hurried for another bite. Nisha, however, seemed to perk right up...peering with as much interest as Declan as he seemed to give everything else. Her features clouded as he glanced away again, eyes settling with vague distaste on the cobbler bowl. She didn't acknowledge Raife's words in the slightest.
Aki did though. Nodding, she tried to get Nisha to eat another bite...and ate it herself after she failed. "I think this is rather new for her. Might be a noisy lesson...sorry again." Sighing, she finished her bowl and set it aside...pointing towards Raifes with a smile. "Seconds? I'm glad everyone liked it! Oh, should I call Mik and Levi in, or...would they rather play and eat it cold?"
Aki did though. Nodding, she tried to get Nisha to eat another bite...and ate it herself after she failed. "I think this is rather new for her. Might be a noisy lesson...sorry again." Sighing, she finished her bowl and set it aside...pointing towards Raifes with a smile. "Seconds? I'm glad everyone liked it! Oh, should I call Mik and Levi in, or...would they rather play and eat it cold?"
Raife
"It's alright." Raife smiled. "I'm used to crying babies, after Mikhael. This one's so...even tempered, I'm just waiting to find out what sets him off. He even puts up with Cray's squealing without making a face, and when I'm in a mood, that makes me want to cry. And, no thanks. I'm quite full." Raife patted her tummy. "That was delicious." Declan studied his fingers absently before turning his gaze to Aki, giving her a longer study this time. He didn't seem to be directly looking at her eyes this time, but everywhere else on her face. Her nose, her mouth her ears -earning a curious little noise, as if he instinctively noticed they were different- and even down to her eyelashes.
Aki
Little head nodding as the cry outbalanced the cobbler, Nisha yawned and blinked a bit owlishly. She never stayed awake for more than a few hours at a time...Aki was used to her frequent naps. "Aww. I'm going to get her washed up and put her down for a nap. Make yourself at home, I'll be right back."
Lifting Nisha from the chair, giving the girl a bounce as the babe gazed with sleepy half lidded eyes at Dec, Aki motioned for Desperate to follow. With her free hand, she moved the orb from Nisha's try to the table. "You can show him that if he gets bored! Okay." Drifting off down the hall, Aki stopped first in the bathroom to wash Nisha's hands and face. Swishing his tail against Raife as he passed, the Daemon fluted a brief farewell.
Lifting Nisha from the chair, giving the girl a bounce as the babe gazed with sleepy half lidded eyes at Dec, Aki motioned for Desperate to follow. With her free hand, she moved the orb from Nisha's try to the table. "You can show him that if he gets bored! Okay." Drifting off down the hall, Aki stopped first in the bathroom to wash Nisha's hands and face. Swishing his tail against Raife as he passed, the Daemon fluted a brief farewell.
Raife
Raife patted the Daemon's back softly as he passed, and then turned to her charge. She wiped his face neatly of extra peach and smoothed a little bit out of his hair before brushing it neat. "You have a lot of hair for a baby, you know that? And what's with those glasses, anyway?" She gently pulled them off his face to clean them. "What baby wears glasses?" He blinked owlishly and looked around the room. "They left, as I'm sure you noticed. Honestly, it's like the rest of you can't keep quite up with that brain up there. Hey. You." She pointed at the bat, who was still flying in circles."Calm down, will you?" As if the bat understood, it swooped down and settled back down on the outside of Dec's jacket.
Aki
"Just one more minute!" Calling softly as she poked her head into the hall, Aki hurried back to Nisha's side...patting her back gently as she fussed and tried to get to sleep. Desperate settled down as well, though he wasn't tired...he was always steadfast at Nisha's side.
A bit longer than one minute later, Aki tip toed back out...settling down at the table again with a smile. "Hey! Ugh, sometimes I don't know what to do with her. I know babies can be difficult, but she honestly won't settle down without getting what she wants. I hope she grows out of it soon, I have yet to win a battle of the wills!"
Leaning forward a bit, Aki let her worry go in a sigh...propping her chin in her hand as she gazed at Dec. She'd settled down right by him...and she was hoping he wouldn't mind, since he seemed to like to take such a close look at new things. She wanted to get a better look at him as well! "Hi there, cutie! Aww, even your friend is being cute, hmm?" She was glad Reasoning had settled down, but still looked as though she half expected the Daemon to launch towards her face any moment.
A bit longer than one minute later, Aki tip toed back out...settling down at the table again with a smile. "Hey! Ugh, sometimes I don't know what to do with her. I know babies can be difficult, but she honestly won't settle down without getting what she wants. I hope she grows out of it soon, I have yet to win a battle of the wills!"
Leaning forward a bit, Aki let her worry go in a sigh...propping her chin in her hand as she gazed at Dec. She'd settled down right by him...and she was hoping he wouldn't mind, since he seemed to like to take such a close look at new things. She wanted to get a better look at him as well! "Hi there, cutie! Aww, even your friend is being cute, hmm?" She was glad Reasoning had settled down, but still looked as though she half expected the Daemon to launch towards her face any moment.
Raife
Declan blinked at her owlishly, a bit disoriented-seeming without his glasses. He reached out and smooshed his hand on her face, running his hand over it, testing textures, his little fingers curling and spreading over bumps and curves of her face.
Raife chuckled. "This one's pretty stubborn too. Usually I give in though, because he usually seems to want ordinary things. He just...examines them in an unordinary way." She smiled and cocked her head at Aki's slightly concerned expression. "Not a bat fan? She's pretty friendly. Much more people oriented than her friend here." She set the cleaned glasses on the table.
Raife chuckled. "This one's pretty stubborn too. Usually I give in though, because he usually seems to want ordinary things. He just...examines them in an unordinary way." She smiled and cocked her head at Aki's slightly concerned expression. "Not a bat fan? She's pretty friendly. Much more people oriented than her friend here." She set the cleaned glasses on the table.
Aki
Giggling as Declan pawed gently at her face, Aki turned her head to the side...bringing a tapered ear within reach. Since she'd been comforting Nisha, she'd taken her earrings out...no point in a mistake happening. "I don't mind bats...I suppose...in a way. She is cute." Admitting the last with a rueful smile, Aki leaned closer for Dec.
"Maybe the time of year has me jumpy. Put a blue and black striped scarf on the lad, and you've got a cheap halloween costume!" Wasn't that what the wizard on Nisha's movie looked like? "I still need to pick a costume for her...any ideas? Oh, maybe we can take them all trick or treating together!! If you're not already going with someone, that is..."
"Maybe the time of year has me jumpy. Put a blue and black striped scarf on the lad, and you've got a cheap halloween costume!" Wasn't that what the wizard on Nisha's movie looked like? "I still need to pick a costume for her...any ideas? Oh, maybe we can take them all trick or treating together!! If you're not already going with someone, that is..."
Raife
The ear, like everything else, was tugged as close as Dec could to his mouth. He wasn't nearly close enough to get it in, however, so he just sighed, and, after tugging a little more, he let go of her ear, his mouth, which had opened wide at intention, closed slowly on a soft noise. He arched an eyebrow, and then brought both hands down, slapping the highchair. And again. And again. As if he was starting a rhythmic drum beat. Raife rolled her eyes and scooped him out of the high chair and right onto Aki's lap, without asking. "I don't really have any neighbors...and neither do you, really..where would we go?"
Aki
"Well..." Opening her arms wide, Aki accepted the lad with a hug, mumbling happy greetings into his mussed hair. A genuine contentment settled over her...strong enough to make her try a little smile at the tiny Daemon. Bouncing him a bit, in the same rhythm he'd been hitting, Aki shrugged at Raife's question.
"We could go downtown! That seems safe, and a lot of the stores are open late for the little ones! Or we could go to the casino...I hear they have candy machines set up, and golden foiled chocolate coins! Ohh, I love those! They might be a bit young though...but Levi would like it. Hmm!"
Obviously still thinking, she changed patterns abruptly...bumping her knee up twice before settling down for three swings. Two more bumps, three more sways...she waited to see if Dec noticed.
"We could go downtown! That seems safe, and a lot of the stores are open late for the little ones! Or we could go to the casino...I hear they have candy machines set up, and golden foiled chocolate coins! Ohh, I love those! They might be a bit young though...but Levi would like it. Hmm!"
Obviously still thinking, she changed patterns abruptly...bumping her knee up twice before settling down for three swings. Two more bumps, three more sways...she waited to see if Dec noticed.
Raife
"Maybe they are a bit young...I mean, Dec's not even one yet, I'd wager." She eyed the baby, as if she could gauge his age. "It might be nice for the older boys to go out though....Mik's never had a halloween before, and I bet Levi'd enjoy those gold coins for sure." She smirked a bit. "Levi doesn't even need a costume. Just his normal clothes and that cheeky pirate grin should get him anything he wants."
Dec seemed to tire of the swinging and bouncing after a while, or just tired in general, he curled into himself a bit on Aki's lap, tucking himself into his jacket, his little eyes blinking a bit. Raife looked triumphant and grinned and whispered. "He always falls asleep when I take his glasses off."
Dec seemed to tire of the swinging and bouncing after a while, or just tired in general, he curled into himself a bit on Aki's lap, tucking himself into his jacket, his little eyes blinking a bit. Raife looked triumphant and grinned and whispered. "He always falls asleep when I take his glasses off."
Aki
"You're right! I bet he'd prefer that anyway! Ooh, I'm sure he will be SO cute with Mik!" Settling down as Declan did, Aki was soon only rocking the tiniest bit...the unconscious way one held a tired babe. "Does he really? Aww, he's too much!" Speaking quietly, she moved to hand him back to Raife...looked like it was bed time.
"Thank you for coming by, and...well...showing me. Once the two of you are settled in, we can talk more about halloween plans." For a moment, Levi's laugh rang from the front yard...distant and muffled. Aki smiled. At least Mik would be easy to collect on the way out! Sleeping infants didn't make for the most social engagements, sadly. Aki knew this all too well.
"Thank you for coming by, and...well...showing me. Once the two of you are settled in, we can talk more about halloween plans." For a moment, Levi's laugh rang from the front yard...distant and muffled. Aki smiled. At least Mik would be easy to collect on the way out! Sleeping infants didn't make for the most social engagements, sadly. Aki knew this all too well.
Raife
Raife smiled, bracing the baby in her arms before standing. "Heh. Yeah...thanks for having me, and that delicious cobbler and being a source of entertainment for my children. Who needs TV when I have Aki's house anyway?" She grinned and shifted Dec so his head was on her shoulder. "There we go." She sighed as his jaw dropped slack and he drooled a bit on her shoulder. "Well, he's a normal baby in sleep, anyway." Her head turned towards the delightful happy noises from the front yard. She smiled softly. "I'm glad."
Aki
"You're lucky to have such sweet boys...and they're lucky to have a mom like you!" Aki made a sympathetic face and smiled, knowing what it was like to suddenly have a full nest. "Let's round up the boys, and get this one in bed."
Levi and Mik were down by the bridge it seemed...or so Aki guessed from the echo of rocks splashing into water. "Levi?" For several moments, all was silent...until finally the pirate came trudging into view with Mik not far behind. "Time to say bye, love!"
Smiling despite being a bit bummed about Mik leaving so soon, Levi trotted up to Raife and puckered up ridiculously. He wouldn't settle for anything less! After hopefully getting a little love, he scooped Mik up in a huge hug...grinning after setting him back on his feet. "Bye!"
"Bye guys! Congrats, Raife!"
Levi and Mik were down by the bridge it seemed...or so Aki guessed from the echo of rocks splashing into water. "Levi?" For several moments, all was silent...until finally the pirate came trudging into view with Mik not far behind. "Time to say bye, love!"
Smiling despite being a bit bummed about Mik leaving so soon, Levi trotted up to Raife and puckered up ridiculously. He wouldn't settle for anything less! After hopefully getting a little love, he scooped Mik up in a huge hug...grinning after setting him back on his feet. "Bye!"
"Bye guys! Congrats, Raife!"
Raife
Raife grinned, and laid a sloppy, exaggerated kiss on Levi. "That's the thing I like about this kid. Never too old for kisses. No girls have cooties stage." She ruffled his hair and straightened his bandana a bit before stepping aside so Mik could get his hugs. Levi swept him right up, his little legs dangling before he was set down again. He sighed exasperatedly at having to go, but lifted a hand to Raife. She took it and smiled at Aki. "Bye!" She waved to Aki as the cab pulled up for her to go even though I have no clue how it got there. <3
