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The Next Step

Clinic RP

Elle flopped into a chair in the GMFC and sighed. On feet all day at library, on feet all night for toddler who apparently was sharing her biological 'gift' for not needing much sleep, and she... though she wouldn't admit it to anyone... was craving to do what others her age did. Sex, of course, but relationships too. Males and females ran at the sight of her teeth and if not her teeth, they ran pretty quickly at the sight of the toddler. Elle's expressionless face broke into a small weary frown. She'd be an old virign with this kid latched onto her tail.

As if he'd been aware of her, Spock looked up from where he lay under the chairs and smiled at her with that horrible smile of his, the one described by her own mother as 'full of sunshine and love', the one that made her forgive him for anything and everything. Bah. It had to be Luna's genetics. He even came out on his hands and knees and reached up for her, a little chubby toddler with his eyes, face and tail full of smiles, so she hoisted him up into her lap and hugged him close.

"Spock, my darling." Elle murmered very softly, glancing around to see if anyone had noticed. She was alone, she hoped, and tugged her hood off her head and onto her neck so that she could kiss the silky straight hair on his head as she brushed it out of his face. Elle was very bad with the public affection thing, it made her nervous and shy, put her on edge, but the way he squirmed and was clearly delighted with it made the risk all worth it.

Elle leaned back and yawned again, trying to not smile when he mimicked her, both of them yawning with their fangs hanging out and their tails twitching. "I don't know what genetics the aliens gave you, but if you can somehow conjor a lover for your mum before she goes mad, it would be very helpful."

She put him back down and watched him as he crawled away for the pile of toys that had probably been drooled on as long as Elle herself had been a toddler. Oh well. Maybe he'd run into some of Winny's old spit and have a strange genetic reunion with his aunt.

Keeta waddled into the waiting room, looking like she was about ready to burst. She had come for one of the final checkups before the baby was born, to make sure there weren't going to be any predictable complications. As she headed to the sign in desk, she saw a mother and toddler already seated. With a weary nod, she acknowledged them as she sat down. That would be her before too long, she knew.

"What's his name?" she asked, indicating the toddler.

Surion enters the clinic, something just kept drawing him back to this place, perhaps it was that he ran into more people here that knew him then anywhere else... But he did not know. He looks around to see if there was signs of life, and found some. He nods as he undoes his cloak

Elle looked up to the woman and then back to where Spock had dug himself into the toybox and was now hiding in there, the tail and wings clearly still sticking out and wriggling from side to side as he played... somehow. How did a toddler play like that? She looked back to the woman and smiled, a small smile, brushing strands of loose dark hair out of her own face. "Spo... Jonathan. He's Jonathan. And I'm Elle." She felt a bit sympathetic for the woman, Elle KNEW how pregnancy felt. "How's it going? Is your baby bouncing on your organs yet?"

She was distracted by the sight of the young man. He was familiar but Elle was more distracted by how good looking he was. She scowled at herself and pinched her arm, then tried to smile a hello. It didn't matter how lonely she'd been lately, being tempted to jump the nearest hot blooded male wasn't exactly socially acceptable... essically with her toddler in the room.

Surion slips the cloak off setting it on a chair, the red psudo dragon jumping down and landing atop of it. The male himself lifts the other dragonette from his opposite shoulder and drops it with the first lightly. "Hello" he greets the pregnant mother and then again to the young woman with teh toddler before crossing the room towards them

Keeta glanced and nodded at the man that entered, before returning eye contact to the other woman. She smiled and looked over at the toddler when Elle told her his name.

"He looks like a handful, but he also looks like he's having fun. And yes mine is definitely bouncing up and down on my bladder lately. I'll be glad to have some relief from that," she said with a sigh, a small smile still on her face

"Hello." Elle replied, and tore her eyes off him, cursing the stupid elf genetics. She had become more aware of it lately, and those stupid elves in the estate had been smirking at her with that knowing look and suggestion that she join their 'festivites'...

"He is, but he wears himself out and falls asleep wherever so he isn't too bad." Elle looked back to where the little gwee tail and wings were still batting away in what she hoped was a happy mood. His head popped up soon with a barbie doll in his teeth, the fangs piercing the stupid thing's head. Yep. He was happy. Dolls got bitten when he was happy.

She smiled sympathetically at the woman and nodded. "I remember that part. Maybe she's wearing herself out now for you."

Surion smiles and drops into a chair a couple away from Elle. He glances at the child and chuckles "Well thats one less head to worry about" his observations of the child made him grin. "I cant help but agree your clutch seems to to have enough energy to keep anyone busy."

"Well thats good. Gives you a little chance to rest then? And I like to think that my little one is wearing him or herself out, but, you never know...." she paused for a moment realizing that the other woman had introduced herself, but Keeta hadn't returned the pleasantries. It wasn't her intention to be rude, she had just been so distracted lately.

"Oh, I'm Keeta, by the way. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier." She offered her hand to Elle, and then the blue-haired man. Keeta couldn't help but laugh a little when she saw Johnathan peek out with a Barbie in his mouth, however.

"Him even. Boys are good too." Elle shook the woman's hand. Spock dropped the barbie and headed for Keeta's legs, slowly, crawling low, apparently trying to stalk the woman's foot. Elle tried to shoo him away with one hand as she glanced up to the male.

"Clutch? That's a way to put it." That was a dragon saying, she realized, and pushed Spock off the woman's feet as he tried to sit on it. He was part gwee so... "Yes, he's my exercise." She was staring at his smile though, at the fangs, curious and unsure. Were they dragon too?

"Well if he's your child yes, I appologize if he isn't." He pauses "I'm Surion by the way" he introduces himself looking at the trio from behind the bangs that covered half of his face.

He observes the 'hunt' of the young child and grins again "You will be a good hunter one day won't you little one" he addresses the child

"He is my child." Elle answered and waited for the interest to die out all of a sudden, as it often did when someone found out that she had a child. She glanced down and some of her protective emotionless died away as she looked at him, and for a few seconds her affection for the toddler showed in her eyes and her small smile. He would be a good hunter. Elle hoped she could teach him well.

She looked back up to Keeta and smiled at the way the woman touched the bulge. "You'll miss that stomach when the baby's crying. But it will be a relief to get the weight out of you."

Keeta nodded. Speaking of relief...

"If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back. I just need to use the facilities." She hoped that wasn't too much information, but she didn't feel she should leave without an explaination. With a smile at the others, she headed towards the bathroom, careful not to step on Johnathan in the process.

It's a boy!

Several hours passed and it was now around midnight. Kael had shown up a bit earlier in the evening and hadn't left her side since. Eventually Keeta progressed to the point where they transferred her to a delivery room. Now she sat upright, bathed in sweat and clearly exhausted. The doctor was at her feet, keeping track of the progress of the delivery. She looked over at Kael every so often, gripping his hand when she needed to, in the back of her mind, hoping she wasn't hurting him.

"Alright Ms. Harding, as soon as you feel the next contraction, I need you to push again," the doctor said. "You're almost there."

With a weary nod, Keeta took a few deep breaths and when she felt the pressure, she pushed as hard as she could, straining from the effort.

Kael was fine with the contact, keeping keeta's hand steady as she delivered her child.

After several more pushes, the doctor reported with a smile that she could see the head, and encouraged Keeta to keep pushing. Despite her weariness, Keeta complied and a few minutes later a cry filled the room, and Keeta sat back, letting her body truly rest for the first time in hours.

"It's a boy!" the doctor said, over the baby's powerful lungs. A odd expression was on her face as she got a good look at the baby, before she looked to Kael, assuming he was the father.

"Would you like to cut the cord?"

Keeta tried to sit up and see her son, but her immediate view of the baby was obstructed by nurses and her own body. There were some whispers being exchanged by the nurses, however, with occasional furtive glances from the baby to Keeta. Was something wrong?

He glances blindly and nods his head with a swift gesture the cord was cut, if he had a blade it wasn't one that set off any alarms, could have been magic too, regardless, it was a clean, surgical cut, "There, it's been cut." he squeezes Keeta's hand, not noticing the third eye on the child either.

The doctor raised an eyebrow at Kael, at the manner in which the cord was cut. It didn't entirely surprise her, however. In a hospital in Gaia, one saw all types. It was the baby, that unusual to her. She thought perhaps that was why the father kept his eyes concealed.

"Can I see him now? Is he ok?" Keeta asked, craning her neck as she tried to get a glimpse. The nurse gave a unsteady smile to Keeta before passing the baby off to one of the nurses to get him cleaned off. Keeta saw a shock of blue hair as he was carried off to the other side of the room.

"He's fine. Let's get him cleaned off really quickly and then we'll bring him over," the doctor said, and true to her word, the nurse she had passed the baby to returned a moment later, a cloth wrapped bundle in her arms. Keeta opened her arms to take the baby, but didn't miss the glance that was exchanged by the doctor and nurse, as he was passed to her. With apprehension, she looked down at the child in her arms and knew instantly why they had been looking like that.

In her arms was a baby boy with blue hair and ears that pointed at the tips, matching her own. What she hadn't expected to see were three eyes, instead of two. The two she would have expected to see were a handsome green, however the third sat in the middle of his forehead and mirrored the shade of grey in her own eyes. Upon further examination of her son, she also discovered jewels on his hands. His left hand had ones in the shape of the sun, and his right in the shape of the moon.

Keeta bit her lip, as she gently stroked his hair, not quite sure how to react to what she saw. Was it her fault that her son was born with these peculiarities? Or was it the genetic contribution of his unknown father? She reached over and squeezed Kael's hand.

"Do you know what you would like to name him?" the doctor asked, trying to break the tension.

"Joel..." Keeta said after a moment's thought. "Joel Alston."

Kael squeezed Keeta's hand back, lifting his own blindfold now to reveal green eyes instead of milky whites, "...green eyes...not bad...

"How did yo-" Keeta started turning to look at Kael, seeing that he had lifted his blindfold and had eyes that no longer appeared sightless. Her mouth gaped open a moment, before she shook her head, as if attempting to clear her vision.

"Kael.. your eyes...you can see?"

He rubs his forehead, "I was...on my way to tell you that it came back...when...ya...this happened and sorry?" he blinks and glances at the kid.

"You don't have to be sorry Kael...It just surprised me...." She trailed off and looked down at Joel, who had drifted off to sleep after his trying night. Keeta delicately brushed his cheek with her fingertips. She wanted to know more about how Kael's sight had returned, but for now, all her focus had returned to her newborn son. Despite his unusual features, Keeta still thought he was the most beautiful thing in the world.

"Isn't he wonderful?" she asked Kael, turning to him again. "Would you like to hold him?"

He nods his head as he gently accepts Joel from Keeta, "Heh...Kaelwin, Keeta...and Joel...almost expected a third K...or another not so...normal human name..."

Joel fussed a little bit as he was transferred, opening his eyes briefly, before falling asleep again. He looked content sitting in Kael's arms.

"Well...I didn't want to give him a crazy, long name or anything. It's hard enough learning how to write your name, without having to worry about 10+ letters. This way he only has to worry about four," she teased, leaning over the bed rail, watching the two of them. After a moment or so she yawned widely.

"Well one thing I will say, is giving birth can really wear you out...."

He smiles as he holds Joel, "I can't imagine it honestly...but you managed successfully...congratulations mother."

"Thanks Kael," Keeta smiled and kissed him on the cheek, before leaning back again, watching the two of them. She was so tired and her eyes fluttered. Maybe she'd just close them for a minute. She wasn't going to fall asleep, she just wanted to rest her eyes. In a few minutes, however, Keeta was fully asleep, despite herself.

He smiles at Keeta falling asleep before passing Joel off to one of the nurses who wanted to take him and tend to him properly. He sat there and fell asleep next to Keeta

New Customers

Keeta sat at the bar in the club, Joel asleep in a carseat in the counter. She knew it was strange to have a baby in a bar, but this is where her "family" was, so it settled ok in her mind. It had been a slow night, so she had offered to fill in, letting the scheduled person go home. She'd been hoping Tess or someone else from the family would come in, but so far no luck. Even Kael was out on one of his expeditions

Night. The time when he was truly alive. It was odd for him to go to someplace where he'd actually have to pay, but he had been told to give this place a shot. What was even stranger was he had been told by Sadoko of this particular club. And the strangest part of all; Sadoko had volunteered to spend her day off from all her usual responsibilities tending after the Obsidian and Pyrite. It wouldn't look good on him if he was seen with them in public, after all.

Wearing his hair in the usual pigtails, he seemed more like a date for his companion who he had decided to lock arms with. What was the harm in seeming like a flirt with Toshiro? Wearing a rather cute red tank-top with the words "Heart breaker" and a short black skirt, he definitely seemed to be doing what he did best: Cross-dressing.

"Ain't ye glad she gave us the evenin' off, Toshiro?" A smirk spread across his black lips. It had been but a month since Toshiro complained about the two of them not being able to do much thanks to those crying responsibilities that pooped by the pounds. Either way, it was an evening for them to relax...

Hooray it was time for some fun~ The boy had almost given up hope for having time to go venturing out to a bar again but out of no where the chance emerged. There was no way he was going to turn it down. With a smile on his face Toshiro happily escorted his date to... wherever it was they were going. The boy paused in step when the question reached his mind. "Wait... where is this place again?"

Since they were going to a bar and most had that whole "no shirt no shoes" sort of thing Toshiro tossed on a tank top for a shirt, the bare minimum. His physique and tattooed left arm were easily visible, awesome. Following down the boy he wore a pair of black jeans that had a hole emerging in the left knee. Romping around was too much fun and something had to pay the price. Down further was a pair of slip on shoes, anything easy to get by the "no shoes" part.

Keeta stood up as two men entered the bar and smiled a little. Hopefully they'd stick around for a while, so it wouldn't be so quiet in here 'til closing. She glanced at Joel, making sure he was still asleep, before wandering over to them.

"Evening gentlemen, what can I do for you?" she asked. Keeta looked them over, she didn't think she'd ever seen them in the Casbah before, but it was always good to get new customers. She had taken a second glance at the one in a skirt and realized after closer examination, she...was a he. Pretending not to notice, she smiled politely and waited for their responses

To his partner in crime, he replied "Weren't ye payin' attention t'the walk?" After that, he offered a shrug. "T'was Sadoko's suggestion, afterall..."

And then he heard the greeting. Narrowing his eyes at the young girl, he frowned. He wasn't merely looking at the bartender, but he was glaring at her now. Obviously if someone was wearing what he was, they weren't looking to be addressed as a "gentleman." However, if he responded to her, she'd be getting exactly as she wished. So instead, he'd leave Toshiro to do any sort of greeting if he wanted. Daikenkai just sat himself on a stool, giving the tender a cold shoulder of sorts.

Being the friendlier of the two Toshiro happily gave a wave and returned the greeting. "Hi!" His eyes took to glancing over the scenery. This place was indeed different from the bar he was used to going to. Not only did it look cleaner it smelled nicer too.

The boy spoke back to Daikenkai though he wasn't particularlly looking towards him. "I was kinda paying attention... I just didn't know where exactly it was so... I just asked to make sure..." Eventually his eyes set on the bar and his feet led the way over to it. With his arm interlocked with Daikenkai's he wound up leading him along. At the bar a strange thing stood out. "whoa.... a baby... who is dumb enough to bring a baby to the bar?" He laughed not thinking to link the child to the only other person in the bar. And so, he turned to the bartender and began to joke about it. "We left ours at home where its nice... well not to say it isn't really nice in here its just that a bar really isn't the place to bring a baby from what i've come to understand. Smoke and booze.. psssh..."

As soon as the person in the skirt glared at her, Keeta realized the mistake she had made. It wasn't intentional...it had just kind of slipped out. She wanted to say sorry, but Daikenkai's friend apparently hadn't noticed and she figued that drawing attention to it, by apologizing would make it worse, so she just turned her attention to the second person who had entered.

About to ask them if she could get them anything, her train of thought was interrupted by the man's comment about somone being stupid, bringing their baby to a bar. Trying not to glare at the man, she answered his question by silently going over to Joel and lifting him out of his carrier, doing her best not to wake him in the process. Keeta raised an eyebrow in the man's direction, as if daring him to comment further.

The crossdresser could care less about there being a baby at the bar. However, his partner really did need to work on keeping things quiet. Upon mentioning their own kids, he bumped the boy a bit harshly at the hip to get a particular point across, the subject he had just spoken of was taboo.

Just then, his falsely crimson eye caught upon something. Internally, a cruel smile wanted to curl upon his lips, but instead, he kept his serious expression upon his lips. He'd wait a bit, take a look around to see if there were any signs that'd prevent him from enjoying this trip further. Trying to distract the others from what he was seeking, he uttered "Toshiro, sit yer a** down and tell the 'tender what ye want."

It truly was one of those "foot in mouth" situations. Though he still believed in his comments he kept any further ones to himself. Instead he plopped his bottom down and stared at the bar's counter surface. "hmm.... uh... um... yeah..." Bringing his hands up he began to tap his fingers on the counter. "Long island iced tea?"

"Long Island Iced Tea coming up," Keeta said, a small smile returning to her face. There was no point in creating an unpleasant atmosphere, over what she hoped was a misunderstanding. She set Joel back down in his carrier, where he fussed for a moment, before dropping back to sleep. She turned to Daikenkai and cleared her throat before addressing....him? her?

"Would you like anything?" She'd start making Toshiro's drink as soon as she knew whether she would have a second order.

Not seeing any evident posted signs, he rather openly reached into his skirt from the top and down even further into his panties. When his hands came up, they held a lighter and a pack of cigarettes. Glancing up and making certain he had this bartender's attention, he then opened up his packet and began to light up a cigarette.

"Vodka" was the only word that would escape Daikenkai at this point. One would have never guessed he was careful about not smoking indoors when at home from how he was behaving at the moment. It wasn't long before he had inhaled and exhaled, leaving a trail of smoke in the air near where he sat.

Usually it wouldn't have bothered Toshiro if Daikenkai had lit up a cig in a bar. However, there was a baby just a few feet from him. He glanced between the two repetitively and then stared at Dai. "uuh..." Toshi wasn't sure if he should say something or not. Sometimes little things got Dai into a poor mood and he really didn't want such on their free evening

"So...you smoke around your babies at home, too? I believe he said you had children." Keeta said to Daikenkai, with an edge in her voice, nodding towards Toshiro. She moved the carrier further down the bar, away from the smoke, before moving to get their drinks. She'd give him a couple moments to see if he would alter his behavior.

Trying to not let his thoughts deceive his expression, Daikenkai couldn't help but grumble in his mind about how Toshiro had screwed things up here.

"He calls them 'our' kids... but I'm just the nanny, m'dear. A live-in nanny, tis all." He was pretty good at lying through his teeth, but it would take two to play this game. Hopefully Toshiro would remember the problem with the crossdresser laying claim on either of the children at home.

Continuing on with the lie, he added "If I were paid t'take care of yer kid, then I'd not smoke in front of... it... seeing as then I'd be paid t'take care, rather than t'harm." With that, he took another puff. He was quite stubborn, and even more stubborn when set off, which he already had been.

The boy groaned. Not only was he unhappy with Daikenkai's chioce to continue smoking with a baby around he had coem to realize his mistake. Why did things have to be so complicated? He let out a sigh then sat up straight and patted his cheeks to snap himself into thinking more on the moment and his upcoming drink. "drink drink drink..." His fingers took to tapping on the bar counter. It would be ther ein a moment and then he could begin to fuzz his brain's thoughts. To pass the time... conversation was always good. "So.... why do you think Sadoko likes it here? Is it because its empty?" He gave a small chuckle.

Keeta couldn't say more to the smoker, as there were no rules against smoking in the bar, but there was definitely an underlying tension in the room. She had no reason not to believe the story about the nanny, especially since the one telling it seemed to be the more lucid of the two. Still...if s/he was a nanny, Keeta thought s/he'd care more for children in general. A moment later, she set the drinks down on the bar, maybe with a little more force than necessary, but she turned to the non-smoker having thought she'd heard him mention a familiar name.

"Sadoko? As in the one who was getting her pre-natal care at the Gaia Maternity and Fertility Clinic?"

Turning to Toshiro, the slender man brought to light the reality of why they were there: "Sadoko's never been 'ere before, she said she heard about it when she went back t'school. A couple girls were tryin' t'get her t'come 'ere, but she refused, as expected." His eyes glanced down to the drink as it was set down, but he didn't pick it up yet. He would have spoken up again, but instead found himself listening to some words which the tender offered.

"I take it tis where ye went when ye found out about yers?" He paused and took a drag, then added "Do ye have a boy or a girl?" He sounded minimally interested at best, but any who knew him well enough knew that he bothered to ask, so he did want to know.

"uh... I guess it was her unless theres another person with that name..." The boy shrugged to the bartender thent ook up his drink. First he took a small sip to sample how she had prepared it. It wasn't too bad but still not as good as the one he had recieved in another bar. As he began to sip away at his beverage his eyes glanced over towards the child. "They didn't seem to be all too discomforted by the cigarette smoke in the air. Perhaps all that was needed was some distance to keep a child happy."

"Yes, the GMFC was where I recieved prenatal care for my boy....Joel, if you're wondering his name." Keeta replied, the edge in her voice betraying the annoyance she was trying to keep under control. She went over to the carrier and gently removed Joel from it so they could get a better look at him. Maybe that would bring about some sort of interest in the well-being of the child. Joel fussed slightly, opening his three eyes breifly and Keeta cooed at him, trying to soothe him back to sleep. After a couple of moments, his eyes were closed again and he rested peacefully in Keeta's arm. She gave Daikenkai another look that said she would appreciate the cigarette being put out, then turned to the grey-haired man.

"Perhaps distance is enough. I don't know enough about the effects of smoke to say for sure, but I think I might take him upstairs before too long, regardless....

"As for Sadoko, I believe she was having twins. Did the Sadoko you speak of have twins? I keep hoping to run into her so that I could see them. She was a real comfort to me my first visit to the clinic...."

Seeming disinterested in the infant, he turned away and let out a small trail of smoke from his lips. Why did it seem that all infants had mutations of some sort these days. Their own kids weren't exactly mutation-free, though mutation wasn't really what it should have been called. Daikenkai did know better.

He did grin mentally in a wicked manner, fully knowing the answer to the mother's indirect question about the effects of smoke in the air. He might have been addicted, but it didn't mean he was ignorant about what cigarettes did. Yet, even with the cruel smile curling his mind's lips, his actual lips remained almost a straight line.

"Kid looks nothin' like ye" was the first thing he offered. The thin man paused to take another drag, then added "...he fathered twins, last I checked... I'm sure yer dying t'find out more about the kids, so I'm certain 'Daddy' 'ere will be more than willin' t'share." Finally, he picked up his glass with dainty fingers and brought it to his lips for a sip.

There sure was a lot of talk about children... wierd children. He had actually hoped to get away from them this evening. To at least save himself from a few moments of talking about babies he drank down his beverage. Once it was gone he no longer had an excuse not to talk.

"Well... she had them a while back. Both are boys. One of them really looks like me, which is neat... I probably looked like him as a baby. The other one looks more like her, dark hair and what not." He knew his boys had strange fingernails and somewhere layed a hint of demonic genes but he didn't want them to seem strange... he wanted them to be normal and not have to worry about such. As he thought on such he seemed to stare off for a while. Eventually he snapped out of his thoughts and looked back up to the bartender with a change of subject. "May I have another drink please?"

Inwardly cursing Daikenkai, Keeta outwardly only gave him a curt "Oh?" when he mentioned that he thought she and Joel looked nothing alike. Funny, she thought, her mind voice laced with sarcasm, I thought our hair color and ears looked quite similar. Why in the world am I alone here tonight? Oh right, I sent the other girl home. Don't think I'll be doing that in the future....

She tuned to Toshiro. "Well that's nice that you each have a boy that takes after you," she said, kindly, offering him a smile. "Another drink? Sure. Same as before?" keeta asked, walking over to the carrier and setting Joel down once more.

"It sounds like you and I are talking about the same Sadoko, sir. Maybe you could tell her hi for me, and that if you two are willing, I'd like to have a chance to let the boys play together when they're a bit older."

Ah yes, he was definitely irritating this lady, which inwardly made him smile. Outwardly, still not even a hint of amusement. However, it seemed his smoke would shortly be ending. The cigarette was almost done, and he really wasn't in the mood for a second one. Pity he muttered silently in his mind.

To continue to grit on her nerves a bit, Daikenkai uttered "I'll think about it" in a manner which almost sounded like "fat chance." Perhaps the response wouldn't get as much of a reaction as he hoped, seeing as Toshiro would probably say "Sure thing" or something positive. He glanced around in search of an ash tray, and once located, he snuffed out his addiction.

"Yeah, another of the same" He paused to think of her offer of letting the boys play together. Friends were always good to have and perhaps the boys could be friends. It seemed like a good idea. "I think that sounds like a good idea to let them play together. Maybe they'll be friends" The man smiled to the bartender. Chances were that the nanny may come along to the play date as well.

Keeta didn't even turn to Daikenkai when he spoke. The kids weren't even his, supposedly. Instead she turned to get Toshiro his drink. She mixed it while he thought and smiled broadly at his response.

"Great!" she said, clearly happy. Keeta finished mixing his drink and placed it in front of him, before grabbing a napkin and scribbling something on it.

"Here's my number so you or Sadoko can call me, if you want to get together. Or you can generally find me here." She was very excited at the prospect of Joel having some friends.

Being left without a cigarette, the feminine figure gave his beverage more consideration. It didn't take long for his beverage to dwindle off. Sliding his glass forward, he uttered "Same as before." Manners weren't his thing and he was only proving to be just like a majority of bar-goers.

Of course, he was pretending to not be listening to the conversation, but he couldn't help but wonder if he could eventually snatch the napkin and toss it out. Perhaps blame the lack of the napkin on laundry. Leaning in against one of his hands, he completed the image of boredom.

Taking the napkin the boy carefully folded it before stuffing it into his pocket. "Nice" With a smile he took his second drink and began to quickly sip away. After taking his fill for the moment he set it back down on the counter. "You mix these pretty good..." He felt a little silly afterwards remembering that she was a bartender after all.

Feeling pretty good at this point he began to slide his finger over the rim of the glass. Eventually his glance turned towards Daikenkai giving him a small smile. It was a bit hard to hide the strange love he felt for the cross dresser.

Keeta silently raised an eyebrow and looked over at Daikenkai when he asked for another drink. She half considered ignoring his request, but knew it could get her in trouble, so she grudgingly moved away from Toshiro to fix the drink. The elf-girl smiled at him when he complimented her drink mixing skills.

"I try. If I didn't I'd likely be out of a job," she said with a shrug, finishing Daikenkai's drink and placing it in front of him. As she did, she cast another glace at Toshiro and caught the expression in his eyes that was directed at Daikenkai.

Why is he making eyes at the nanny? And a rude one at that? He aparently has Sadoko and two boys... she couldn't help wonder to herself. Keeta held her tongue, however. It was none of her business. She just hoped if she visited Sadoko that she wouldn't need to have interactions with the crossdresser again. It was doubtful he'd be more plesant on his own turf.

"Can I get you anything else?" Keeta asked, breaking the silence. "If not, I think I'm going to take Joel upstairs and then start closing up. I know it's a little early, but I'm here on my own and need to get the baby home."

It was fortunate for the bartender that the crossdresser had not noticed his partner's eyes, for it could have led to him being even more of a pain than he had been before. When he got his drink, he didn't hesitate to put it away, and this time much more quickly. He had a high tolerance for alcohol, despite his thin frame, and so when the bartender asked about anything else, he lifted his shot glass and uttered yet again "Same as before." Daikenkai was not a light drinker, which probably made up for the fact that Sadoko just flat out didn't drink.

Upon hearing the talk of closing up and Daikenkai's order for another drink before the bartender left he decided doing the same was best. "yeah, yeah... i'd like another one too before you go out. I'll be good after that" Well.. such wasn't the truth. He would most likely be drunk off his arse. Oh well... they were paying for their drinks and most did come to get buzzed if not drunk.

Keeta nodded, wondering how well they would take these final drinks and whether she would need to be calling any cabs. They both looked like they could be relative lightwights based on their figures, but one never knew. It didn't really matter, knowing she would serve them regardless, and began to get their drinks.

"You're welcome to stay as long as you need to to finish them. I'm not going to kick you out or anything. Just not going to mix anymore after this. Should I call a cab while you're drinking or do you have a ride?" she asked, setting Daikenkai's drink in front of him and beginning to get Toshiro's.

Picking up the shot glass delicately and looking at the liquid inside with a careful eye, he uttered "Whatever ye want, sweet cheeks." He took the glass to his lips, and once more the alcohol seemed to vanish like magic. First he took a look at Toshiro, knowing his limit was probably coming up, then he took a look at the bartender. His expression was about the same as when they arrived, which was disinterested and uncaring. However, his eyes still seemed to be quite alert.

"S'pose we owe ye some money, right?" Without hesitation, he reached into the top of his skirt and began to dig for something. It was something he commonly had to do since he had a lack of pockets and rarely used a purse. Once his fingers had fished something, the hand pulled up and out came a bill. It was actually quite a large bill, but he didn't even seem concerned as he set it on the counter.

"There."

With his two drinks infront of him he was now a happy boy. With a smile he tended to his second drink. Bringing it up to his lips he slowly sipped away at it. "ahh~ You can go we're alright" With a smile he turned to glance over towards Daikenkai again. "Should we take a cab? Right now I can walk but iunno about later... but if we wait a while it'll be fine..." After speaking he turned around to look around the bar. How were the restrooms there?...

Sweet cheeks? Keeta felt her face turn red with whether pleasure, anger or embarassment she wasn't quite sure. Mostly because she couldn't decide how the cross dresser meant it, considering his passively hostile attitude.

Her confusion was forgotton when she saw the bill Daikenkai placed on the bar counter. It was clearly more than the value of their drinks. Keeta shifted uncomfortably. She didn't want to offend him if he had meant the balance as a tip, but she in no way wanted to assume he meant to leave anything for her. Taking the bill, she went to the register and removed the change, placing it on the counter, where Daikenkai could get it if he wanted.

As she waited for them to decide about the cab, she saw Toshiro looking around the room as if searching for something.

"You need something?" she asked.

Not showing a hint of amusement, he couldn't help but inwardly cackle about the color that came to the tender's face. It was the effect he was aiming for. However, when she brought back change, he rolled his eyes a bit. If he had wanted change, he would have been the type to ask for it. So when the change was placed in reach, he rather conveniently looked the other way like a cat that just didn't get its way. Not being one to read his friend's mind, he didn't bother to answer. How the hell was he supposed to know what Toshiro was looking for?

Unable to directly see a restroom either from simply missing it or being too buzzed to take everything in the boy turned around to answer. "Bathroom" It was a short answer but all that was needed. A bit of a chuckle followed. As if he needed to go right then he got himself up.

Keeta noticed Daikenkai turn away, but she wouldn't compound her error by picking up the money now. She'd just take it when they had gone. Pointing to a hallway just past the bar, Keeta spoke to Toshiro.

"It's just in there, first door on the right," she said with a nod. "Maybe we need to get better signs in here..."

He would wait until Toshiro was in the bathroom before stating one truth he figured from this lady's lack of description: She obviously had her kid on accident, and it would seem she had little to no relations with the father at all. Afterall, if there was even a slight hint of being on decent terms with the father, his comment from earlier would have probably been greeted with a "Oh, it's because he looks like his father."

For now, he remained in his seat at the bar, seemingly uninterested, but he was like a snake that was ready to strike. It would be a lovely way to leave things for the evening.

With a smile Toshiro slowly got himself up and wandered off in the direction shown. "Lets see what kinda bathroom ya've got here..." His steps were slow and his breathing had deepened. The first drink was hitting him.

Pushing the door open he wandered into the restroom. He first paused and took in its layout. With various ideas hitting him he giggled and then went over to a toilet. After emptying his bladder he exited the bathroom and returned to the bar with a smirk. "Bathrooms seem nice...."

By the time Toshiro returned, Keeta had headed over to Joel and busied herself with strapping him in the carseat properly for the ride home. She didn't know what devious intentions were on Daikenkai's mind. When Toshiro returned, she looked up at him and gave him a slightly bemused smile.

"We try to keep them that way," she said, shrugging slightly.

Placing his arm around Toshiro's waist as he came back, the crossdresser seemed to smile that wicked smile of his. "Come on, m'dear, should git on our way..." He glanced to the busy bartender and tossed out what seemed to be a casual question:

"Can I see a picture of yer husband? I want t'see who the kid takes after." His voice didn't say it, but his smile seemed to be confident, nearly cocky.

Perhaps it was the alcohol but he was rather amused that the bar tried to keep thier bathroom's clean... or maybe it was his mild daydreams of making them rather messy and imagining them cleaning it. Either way he seemed to have a mischievous smile.

With Dai's hand around his waist he slowly leaned forward to get his last drink. "Thank you for the drinks, and thank you for keeping the bar open even though its just you... it must kinda stink, especially with a baby to tend to. At least I've got Sadoko or Daikenkai to make sure they are safe and happy" It may have been interesting to see how Keeta ((I can't recall if she introduced herself as such but its just a ref. BTW, just note if that isn't what you wish to be referenced as )) imagined how Daikenkai kept a baby safe and happy with his present actions.

What was this now? A picture of her husband? that sounded sweet. Being more genuinely concerned Toshiro nodded his head and chirped in. "yeah! do you have a picture of the babies daddy! I know my one boy looks just like me!" He let out a soft drunken giggle. "He must be handsome... except for.. that like eye thing... weird... uh!" He paused and seemed to change his focus a bit. "well.. weird for me.. just... uh.. cuz I haven't seen another eye like that... but... that makes him special right?" Wait.. was the baby a boy or a girl... he never really asked... fudge... damed booze! "uuuhhhh...."

"It was fine to keep the bar open. It is when we say we'll be open after all. And Joel's not much trouble," she smiled at Toshiro and turned to grab the diaper bag.

Keeta froze when Daikenkai asked her for a picture of Joel's father, Toshiro parroting the request. She looked up at the pair, her face slightly flushed and she saw the smug grin on Daikenkai's face. Damn him. She looked down again, trying to play it cool, but adjusting the straps on the carrier more than was probably necessary.

"I don't have one," she said flatly.

Daikenkai took his loose hug and turned it into something slightly more sensual by rubbing his fingers firmly against Toshiro's washboard stomach. It was so easy to keep himself amused with his lover there. He pretended to not notice, but from the corner of his eyes, he saw the panicked expression in the young bartender's eyes. Certainly, she seemed to try and move to covering up quite quickly, distracting herself, using vague statements, and most of all, keeping her eyes off of his.

Somewhat repeating her previous statement, Daikenkai aimed to reveal the exact meaning, even though in his mind, he was quite certain what the meaning was: "Ye 'don't have one?' Shall I take it as ye don't have a picture, or ye don't have a husband?" This time, he didn't even let that smug grin adorn his black lips. He had already won, or he had convinced himself of such.

Distracted for a few moments the boy began to purr softly. Adding to what confusion there may be he seemed to grow excited by such as his pants tightened slightly. Then again he was drunk after all. Eventually his brain caught up to the topic again. "oh... that sucks..." He stared off for a few moments and then added "heh... I don't think I have any pictures of.. well... anyone. My father said people weren't allowed to take pictures of me so I didn't bother with pictures. He was wierd like that..."

Keeta didn't answer for a long time. She was a terrible liar and knew that even if she told him something that would made Joel "legitimate" he wouldn't believe her.

"I don't have either," she said shortly, not looking up and so completely missing the 'show' Daikenkai was attempting to put on with Toshiro.

Why did Toshiro have to bring up that person? Snorting mildly in disgust, he nearly hissed out the words "David was quite th'hypocrite, now wasn't he?" Shaking his head quite noticeably, he turned to face the bartender once more. She owned up to it, which meant she had guts. However, now she'd have to deal with the crossdresser's assessment.

"Such a prim and proper young lady I take it?" he said in a surprisingly clear voice. No slur, no accent, just a seemingly well-spoken question. Continuing on, he added "You will be quite the role-model for your boy. I sincerely hope he makes decisions as well planned as his mother's were." He laughed a bit in a cruel manner, before nudging Toshiro a bit. Leaning in so his black lips were nearly touching the boy's silver-adorned ear, he whispered "We should go, love." His sarcasm probably wouldn't allow them to stay at that location too much longer.

Toshiro was far too far gone to keep up in the conversation anymore. His mind was set on one thing and it meant he would have to move at least out of this room. "Okay Dai..." He leaned into his friend/lover/babysitter with a smile. "Bye nice lady...." The boy giggled a bit then slowly turned himself, forcing Dai to move with him, and slowly began to walk towards the bathroom. That was the way they were going right? or was it home? their bathroom was alright... it was good to pee in... "bathroom?" His eyes now half open he glanced to Dai. "or.... no... I don't have to pee yet so... uh..." The liquor lingered on his breath as he breathed into Dai's face.

Keeta froze again, but this time, it was in barely restrained anger. She stood to look at him directly, trembling, her fists clenched at her sides.

"You b*****d!" she spat, her eyes glinting dangerously. It took a LOT to get Keeta angry, but when she was, she didn't mess around. She wished she had someone to restrain her, because it was requiring almost all her concentration to keep herself from attacking the cross-dresser...and despite his lean and toned body, she doubted he had the fighting background she did.

"You have no idea about who I am or what my life has been like! How dare you come in here, to what I consider my second home, and spout s**t like that. Look at your own choices and tell me I shouldn't judge you for them?!Get the hell out of my bar!"

Turning so he was facing his friend, he brought a hand up and squeezed the boy's cheeks a bit as he swayed it from one side to the other.

"Nay, tis time t'go, love" he said calmly, almost seeming to ignore the bartender's rage. He was never the physically strong type, but he attempted to hoist the young man up so he was somewhat propped up on his shoulder. Only once he figured he was as best situated as he could be, he then turned to Keeta with a smirk on his pierced lip.

"Have a good evenin', M'dear." Most likely they wouldn't be returning. There were reasons why it was best for the crossdresser to remain at his usual bar, and this was one of them. He was an utter a**hole.

Boy there was a lot of noise going on. "Did someone leave the TV on?" Totally in his own little world the drunken boy made his way to the door with his human crutch.

It most likely was the best that a fight didn't break out. He was out of it but if someone attempted to hurt him or Dai he wouldn't have the sense to think over the possibility of not fighting. Well built, flexible, and unfortunatly used as an assasin Toshiro was not one to pick a fight with. He was a bit slow though... and in being drunk as well who knows how the bar would have managed if he started taking out his anger on a stool thinking it was a person.

Either way... the two were now slowly making thier way home. "I hope I don't have to change a diaper tonight..."

Still trembling, Keeta watched them go, not saying another word. A long minute passed after they disappeared, before Keeta sank to the floor, sobbing over Joel's carrier.

An evening at home
Kael and Keeta

It was pouring, and had been all day. Keeta had been out trying to run a few errands, with Joel. Now, she was outside her apartment, dripping wet, trying to juggle the baby carrier, her purse, the diaper bag, the umbrella and her keys at the same time. She ended up just dropping the purse, diaper bag, and umbrella, hoping they didn't get too wet on the ground while she took Joel inside.

"Wwwahhhh!" Despite being more dry than she, having been covered in his carrier, Joel was crying loudly, none to pleased with the cold air and wind, not to mention he needed his diaper changed. Keeta tried to soothe him as she set him down and rushed back outside to retrieve the things she had left on the porch.

"Shhhh, shhhh, it's ok honey," she said, dropping the things in the entryway and going to unstrap him from the carrier.

Kael had already been there and by the time Keeta made it back inside with her possessions he already had Joel's dirty diaper off and thrown out, a clothespin on his nose as he breathed carefully during the process of cleaning Joel of his mess. His form was a warm one, with eyesight, the glowing red eyes keeping track of what he was doing,

"Welcome home Keeta." he says the fire spirits could be heard outside in the rain, whining as they weren't allowed inside after the last time they set off the smoke alarm.

"Hello yourself Kael," Keeta said with a laugh, shedding her wet coat as she walked over to him and Joel. The baby had stopped crying for the moment, having his most immediate need taken care of and being in a warm, dry environment. It was pretty clear he was still fussy though. It had been a long day.

Keeta wrinkled her nose slightly at the smell, but she'd started getting used to it in the time since Joel had come into the world. It was just part of life. Standing behind Kael and wrapping her arms around his waist, she leaned her head on his back, enjoying the warmth that emanated from his body. She hoped he wouldn't mind too much that she was all wet.

"Thank you for taking care of that for me. He was really in need of it."

He smiles warmly at Keeta, "I get the feeling both of you are liking me being a space heater right now." once Joel is powdered and re-diapered he begins to hold the boy close as he enjoys the feeling of Keeta holding onto him from behind.

"That a bad thing?" Keeta teased, before standing on her tiptoes and kissing him on the cheek. She pulled him close again and stayed there another minute, not wanting to leave his warmth, despite knowing she should really nurse Joel and put him to bed. Finally Joel began fussing again, letting them know he didn't want to wait any longer.

"I think our little man is hungry... I'd better go get into something dry before I feed him though. I don't think he'd much care for sitting in a wet lap right now." With a sigh, Keeta pulled away from Kael and started heading down the hall.

"Be right back!"

Kael sat down and held little Joel in his arms still, "Don't worry, your mom will be back and you'll get to eat, just a little patience Joel."

True to her word, Keeta returned a few minutes later, in a t-shirt and pajama pants, carrying a blanket to cover herself while she nursed. Smiling, she sat down next to Kael and gently took the fussing Joel from him.

"Shhh....shhh..."she said, trying to soothe him. "You're gonna get to eat now big guy, don't worry..." Keeta draped the blanket over herself and Joel, before leaning back against the couch and letting him nurse.

He smiles at Keeta sitting there for a bit before turning the TV on for some noise, "So what did you and joel get yourselves up to while away? Just noticed you were gone when I got home from wandering around."

"Well we went to the bank, I set up an appointment for a check-up for the two of us, I stopped by the Casbah and took care of a couple things there, returned some clothes I had bought and a couple other things. It's been a long day. I don't blame him for being worn out," she said, stroking his head through the blanket. "I know I am."

He nods his head slightly, "He's a good boy though...very patient, even with me who doesn't have as much of a clue as you do with what to do with the child."

"You think I have that much of a clue?" Keeta asked, laughing lightly. "So much of this is just instinct and trial and error. I'm learning as I go, just like you are. But yes, he does pretty well, considering."

He waves a hand about and sighs flopping backwards, "I don't exactly have a paternal instinct, I'm going by ear and figuring out what I can from observance and that I want you to be happy...maybe I do have paternal, don't know...so much is weird with me right now..."

"Well you've certainly got a lot to deal with, trying to figure yourself out lately. I wish I could help with that, but I think it's more of a personal journey, right?" Keeta shifted Joel under the blanket, so he could nurse from the other side. She could see him growing sleepy as his belly was getting full, and she smiled down at him

He smiles and nods his head, "Yea, kind of getting bull-rushed with it all...still I'll figure it out and be better for it I am sure of that." he smiles a bit more before leaning over and kissing keeta upon the lips gently.

Keeta kissed him back, using her free hand to hold Kael's head as their lips met. Joel was blissfully unaware, happy just to no longer be hungry.

"I don't think you need to be any better though," Keeta said with a smile when they broke the kiss.

Keeta wandered into the clinic a little after lunchtime, pushing a stroller. Four month old Joel was sitting in it contentedly sucking on his fingers and making little babbling sounds. The stroller was new to him and he enjoyed this way of getting around. The carrier had begun to get too heavy for Keeta of late, and Joel was just as content to give up a bumpy ride for a smooth one. His eyes wandered the room when they entered, focusing on things here and there, his free hand waving excitedly.

Navagating the chairs in the waiting room, Keeta made her way towards the receptionist and signed in. She was told the doctor was running a bit behind and she sighed a bit, but was grateful she had thought to bring some things to keep Joel occupied.

Jiao'lan headed into the clinic, an old worn and loved leather sling bag over her shoulder. She took her habitual seat near the basket of brightly coloured books and began to rummage around in her bag. It was made fairly crudely as if by indigenous people without many modern advances. She pulled out a tuna sandwich and a box of mango juice and began to eat quietly.

This was her second appearance in the clinic without her mate.

Busy, trying to settle Joel on a blanket with a few toys, Keeta glanced up when the woman came in. She was like no one Keeta had ever seen before, but definitely had a exotic beauty to her. In some ways she was like a bird, but in others....Keeta offered a small smile to her, wondering if this woman was in the same predicament she had found herself in, or if she was here intentionally.

Joel incessantly babbled away to himself, gurgling and spitting as well, propped up for the moment in Keeta's lap. He had a little rattle-type toy which he started to bang against the floor, enjoying the sounds.

Jiao'lan finished swallowing the bite she had taken before offering a smile in return. "Lo dere, Miss." She said, her dialect thick and heavy like a Jamaican. Her grey eyes settled on the blue haired little boy. Seeing his mirth warmed her heart. " 'Ow ol' is 'e?" She asked curiously, before taking a sip of juice.

"He's a little more than four months old. His name's Joel" Keeta said, continuing to smile, but at the same time, trying to interest Joel in a less noisy toy. She didn't want him in irritate this woman or anyone else who might come into the waiting room.

Joel would have none of it, however and continued to noisily bang the rattle, a smile on his face. His two "normal" eyes were busy watching his hand and the rattle, but the third one wandered a bit and for a moment settled on the person with the new voice.

The harpie-esque female waved to the little boy. " 'E's such a cute ting." She paused. "Oh! Where are me man'ars? Ah'm Jiao'lan...s'good ta meet'cha." She said with a nod of affirmation. She took another bite of her sandwich in lieu of saying anything more.

Jiao'lan still wasn't used to situations outside of her little tight-knit community in her village cut off from Gaia, off the coast of Gambino. She hated being socially awkward. Worst out of it she felt she had failed her family.

But that was a completely different matter.

The smile never left her face, ever. In her home a woman was not allowed to show anything but respect toward her mate and show perfect grace in public. She had left before she was due to marry. An arranged marriage. Now she was going to have a child with her clan's enemy.

"Nice to meet you Jiao'lan, I'm Keeta," she said, her tounge rolling over the strange name, trying to pronounce it just as the other woman had. She wondered whether the other woman was from Gaia at all, or if she came from somewhere else, like Keeta had come from Evin. Her accent was certainly not one she was used to hearing, but then again, Keeta hadn't spent much time in the coastal parts of Gaia.

"Where are you from, if you don't mind my asking? I'm not used to hearing an accent such as yours. It's lovely."

She chuckled lightly. "You are de firs' t'call eet loveleh...but tank you, Keeta." This next question took some thought. "We dun realleh have a name fer our lill' islan'. But eet's abou' twenteh mile off de shores o' Gambino." She explained. "I must admit dat I'm very new t'Gaia," She smiled. "As if yeh couldn' tell." Jiao'lan added good-naturedly.

"But me clan's call de Ban'ku meanin' 'de dark feathers'. Not dat I think dat'd 'elp ya's at all." She was never used to talking about herself so much but seeing as she looked very different from the other woman, it probably couldn't be helped.

"Ah, well I'm not from Gaia either....I'm from even further across the ocean from a place called Evin. It was a bit of a culture shock for me as well. There are no such things as cars, skyscrapers, cell phones...." Keeta shrugged.

"I got lost in all the craziness for a while. It's actualy how....er..." she cleared her throat, blushing slightly. "How Joel came to be about."

At hearing his name the blue-haired boy smiled widely and akwardly tried clapping his hands together, dropping the rattle in the process. He didn't seem to mind much. Instead, his fingers went back in his mouth and he went back to looking around the room, his eyes taking in everything. Occasionally the third one would flit back to his mother, as if checking that she was still there.

She smiled. "Same 'ere...we were...what people 'ere woul' call 'tribal'." She explained. "I, heh, actualleh left wit me mate fer dat very reason." The woman paused. "Dat an' our issues concievin'." She explained. Jiao'lan sighed. "I'm still learnin' 'ow t'write an' read." She admitted, a slightly sheepish look on her face.

She wouldn't even go into how big of an idiot she thought herself for being unable to finish 'Goodnight Moon'.

"Ah, we still come from very different experiences then, it sounds like. I'm sorry to hear you had or are having troubles conceiving." Ah so this woman was here on purpose. So far only Sadoko seemed to share her circumstances, although she had it twofold.

"Don't be ashamed about not knowing how to read and write. Am I correct in thinking that perhaps it wasn't a necessity on your island like it is here in the "modern" world? I still feel dumb not knowing how to use a computer, when everyone around me seems to know how to work them with ease..."

"I didn' grow up wit English." She explained. "De when de missionaries came dey taught us how t'speak eet in case we ever needed eet." She added. "So eet's been a maj'a cult'a shock. I dun even know 'ow t'turn a comput'a on let alone use eet." Jiao'lan took another bite of her sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. "I feel a beet like a fish outta wat'a, t'say de very least."

Keeta nodded. She understood completely, even if her circumstances weren't quite as extreme as Jiao'lan's were.

"Where is your mate? I'm slightly surprised not to see him here with you...Sorry if I'm being nosey, you don't have to answer that..."

Joel flopped forward onto his belly now, continuing to babble and make little motorboat noises. There was a toy juuuuust out of reach, his little uncoordinated fingers stretching for it, but he just couldn't manage to grab it.

"Ngh!" He made some fussing sounds and started to kick his legs a little, as if trying to propel himself forward.

" 'E's lookin' fer work at the mom'ent." She explained. "An' 'e'll be 'ere fer de appoin'ments an' such...I'm jest in now t'try an' get a 'andle on tings." She smiled. "S'no' too noseh 'o yeh." The female added.

"I'd be liein' if I didn' say dis 'ole ting wasn' about de scariest ting in de worl' dough..." She admitted with a soft sigh. "So much coul' go wrong wit our diff'rent sub-species' genetic diversteh. 'E's kin' bares live chillin's while mine...lay eggs, if yeh will. Not ter mention 'is species has 'orns." She shuddered at the thought.

"Ah, well that certainly is important," Keeta said, turning to her son to see what he was upset about and quickly placing the desired object within reach.

As soon as Joel's fingers closed around it, it was in his mouth and all wet in moments. He stopped fussing though, seeming to gnaw on the toy almost thoughtfully as he now took in the world from this slightly different vantage point.

Keeta looked concerned at Jiao'lan when she mentioned the issue of her and her mate's reproductive differences. "I can understand why that would be difficult, but from my understanding, this clinic has done amazing things for people who thought that they otherwise would be unable to reproduce....As for the horns though, are they developed that early? Most species I know with horns only have blunt stubs when they're born...perhaps that can offer you some comfort?"

"Dat I'm not too sure abou'. I do know 'is species is born ready t'figh' staigh' outta de womb. Claws an' all. Bu' my species jest 'as blunt 'uns at firs' so...dere's realleh no way a knowin'." She gave a dry laugh and shook her head. "Bu' as ye said every'un's good 'ere so even if dat ees de case I pro'ally 'ave noting t'worreh abou'." She said more for herself than anything. "I jest 'ope de chil' isn' creepled." She added softly.

Her eyes drifted back down to the little boy as she watched him gnaw on his toy. Her heart warmed at the sight of him. She absolutely adored children.

"Well I wish you the best in that. I know I was worried, not knowing what Joel was going to come out like either, but as you can see, he turned out just fine," Keeta said, rubbing his back gently. "Do you really think he...or she...might be crippled? Why? You come from the same....general background, right?"

Joel seemed to sense he was being watched and all three of his eyes turned towards Jiao'lan and he smiled, making happy baby noises.

" 'Ey dere lill' 'un." She sad to Joel sweetly, a slight chuckle lacing her voice. She glanced up to Keeta. "Our gene pool's so...diff'rent now...dat I dun really tink it's completeleh safe." She bit her bottom lip. "I feel like I'm bein' really selfish...riskin' a ting like dat." She smiled ruefully. "But Gaians dun seem t'wan' t'let two...oddities like us adop'. An' no'un of our own woul' let us adop' eith'a." She explained. "So eet's dis or...bein' content wit a dog or someting." The woman said, eyes welling slightly. "Our chillin's migh' 'ave all sorts a'mental delays or...God ferbid 'e or she can' walk or...worse yet, fly." She added.

Joel's smile widened when he discovered she was talking back to him and he flapped his arms, waving the toy happily.

Keeta's mouth formed a line at the injustice of not letting them adopt. "I don't know why they would be so prejudiced. It seems like a family is a family and there are pleanty of children who need homes...." she shook her head.

"Again, I sincerely hope everything works out as you wish. If not...well each child has things you don't expect. I'm still trying to figure him out to some extent and what he sees with that extra eye of his. It seems to work independant of the others...I'm sure your child, even if it has differences will still be very special."

Jiao'lan smiled. "Yes well, I know we'll love eet no matt'a wha' 'appens...I heh, jest can' 'elp feelin' selfish s'all." She admitted. She focused her grey eyes back on Joel. "Well aren' ye jest a 'appy lill boyo." She said to him, forgetting her sandwich and juice completely now.

Keeta nodded, smiling wryly. "I understand. Believe me. I didn't know I was pregnant for quite a while... and I was doing some stupid things early on. I was worried that I hurt him. I still don't know if he's...different....because of my behavior. So I was 'selfishly' hoping he's be 'normal.' It's only natural.

"At least you're going in to it knowing what you might be dealing with and are still doing it. It shows your dedication and love." She patted Joel's back and smoothed his hair.

"Yeah, he is pretty happy. I'm glad, I don't know if I'd know what to do with him otherwise."

A dark woman pushed the door open, and looked down as if waiting for something to go through before her. She pushed her red bangs back from her eyes and tucked it behind her ears. Although she was very pale, most people would call her 'dark' in appearance, as she seemed to wear a perpetual scowl on her face, and her eyes were dark and forboding. Even when she was happy, it barely lifted that cloud that seemed to surround her.

And she wasn't happy right now. At all.Impatiently, she pushed something-no, someone, forward with her foot.

"Well NOW you're just being silly," she said, tsking.

Amena wasn't being silly! Amena was being stubborn! A picture of a mule flashed in Imbri's head. No, the image said. Can't make me.

Imbri rolled her eyes. "I'll say. But I'M bigger than you. I'll pick you up and CARRY you in."

Imbri wouldn't dare. Amena let out a low hiss, sending her jumble of thoughts, which included stubbornness, worry for 'Little Silver' and defiance of Imbri.

"MARCH, young lady," Imbri responded shrilly.

Amena was an adult too! She crossed her arms. Just in time for Imbri to scoop her up and carry her all the way indoors. The little Amena struggled in Imbri's arms, but finally was subdued, worried about her ever increasing belly.

She smiled. "S'no' selfish t'wan' de best fer yer chil'." She said. " 'E sure seems okeh." She had so many questions. Pregnancy wasn't something to be spoken of in her clan and then it was only "need to know" information from one's mother. She wouldn't have that. "D'yeh min' if'n I ask yeh wha'...'regnancy's like?" She asked honestly. "I have'ta admit I dun know much 'o anyting abou' eet."

Jiao'lan nearly jumped out of her skin at the pair's entrance and she did her best not to stare.

"Sure, ask away. I don't min-" Keeta cut off her last word as her attention was diverted to the entering pair. She quickly turned her gaze away not to be rude.

Joel, however, had no such inhibitions. His middle eye stayed focused on Jiao'lan, but his other pair had turned to them with intense interest. Why were they so noisy?

"Jest...I dunno...I 'ave no idea what t'generelleh 'spect...what was eet like fer you?" She asked, canting her head to one side slightly.

Imbri resisted the urge to snark at the woman that was obviously watching them, but if things kept up today they way they had been going, she wouldn't bother holding back cooking up a nice nasty dreamscape to send to someone to disturb their slumber.

Amena looked up at Imbri. Eaaasy there, tiger. She wrapped cuddily warmth and a general feeling of happiness around Imbri. Callmmmm down. And put the Amena down! Silver would not like to hear that crazy grandma-to-be had injured his child. Or phased through her and got her doublely pregnant. The small doll-like woman couldn't help it. She let out a raspy giggle. It was just too much!

"Fine? You want down? Walk then! Just don't run away." The sulky redhead finally relinqueshed her hold on Amena. She crossed her arms and noticed the young boy, and turned her back on both him and Amena.

Amena wouldn't run away. But she didn't see why she had to come here with Imbri. If Imbri wanted to make sure it was a safe place for her girlfriend-

"She's NOT my girlfriend," Imbri said outloud, interupting Amena's mental tauntings.

Keeta shrugged. "It was fine, really. I mean I had morning sickness and all, but...nothing really strange. I got tired a lot more easily as the pregnancy went on, but...I guess I'm not to good at explaining things, unless I have a specific question." She looked at Jiao'lan sheepishly, before glancing over at the pair again, which almost seemed to be having a one-sided conversation. There was something familiar about the way the smaller woman looked though....

Joel took great delight in watching the goings on. He laughed a little and had all three of his eyes glued on the pair. Being only 4 months old, he had no idea that he was committing a social no-no.

Jaio'lan rubbed the back of her neck. "Uh...I s'pose...I wan' t'ask...what de delivereh was like...eet's de par' dat scares de life outta me. Not t'mention I'm 'fraid I won' be able t'carry meself 'roun'...I'm not de strongest ting an me mate's a big'un." She explained.

Amena smiled sweetly and approached Joel. Awww! Lookit the baby, Imbri!

"I don't give a darn," she said, looking away, then finally walking across the room, trying to look interested in that half of the room.

The little Porcelain wiggled a small finger at Joel. He wasn't too much smaller than herself, and she found that stranged. Everything was always bigger! It would be nice to have her own that was just Amena sized. She looked between the two woman, and at both of them, aimed her 'question'. She emitted a feeling of curiosity and motherhood. Although she didn't say a word, she hoped the meaning was clear enough.

Jiao'lan was a mere 3'11, quite a bit smaller than most. She looked to the tiny woman and smiled after giving her a nod of welcome. "Yer more den welc'me t' 'ave a seat wit us." She offered.

"Mine wasn't too bad, but I did have them give me medication...I didn't want to feel everything the whole time. Yeah, it can be a little scary, but I don't know that there's any way you can truely prepare yourself for the moment. I don't think I can quite describe what it feels like to know all of the sudden that in a few hours your whole life will change....and the experience varies from woman to woman I'm told.

"I wouldn't worry about getting around. A woman's body is built to deal with the stress of pregnancy...and I'm sure if the doctors become concerned about it, they'll let you know and tell you what they think is best..." Keeta shrugged again, not knowing if she was being at all helpful.

Joel was only too happy to smile at the new person approaching him. And she was small! He waggled a hand in her direction as if trying to reach out to her.

Keeta wavered slightly, as she recieved the feelings emmited by the small woman in front of her. Now she knew there had to be a connection between this woman and Luna somehow, they looked and "spoke" in a similar manner. Although Luna was much bigger....

"He's mine...Joel...If that's what you're wondering. I'm sorry. I'm very new to this kind of communication..." She hoped the smaller woman wouldn't be offended by her lack of understanding.

Amena nodded emphatically. It was what she had asked! She was glad that someone other than Imbri might be able to understand her. Only being able to talk with or through her 'Mother' left a lot of the meaning out.

She wasn't sure how to address the next question, and thought. How to portray the concept of age? Amena thought of a tree, with it's ever growing rings, and poised the question to keeta. How old was the boy?

Gratitude to the shorter woman. Amena took a seat, climbing up with some diffeculty. The smaller woman still dwarfed her by almost 2 feet!

"I 'spose yer right abou' tha'." She paused. "Per'aps I'm jest borrowin' trouble." She muttered before listening to the exchange between the two. She had no idea how they were communicating. She had never been exposed to anything such as mental communication in her life!

My, Gaia really was diverse!

Keeta didn't have too much trouble with the next question. It followed logically, as most people were curious about such things. The mental communication was still strange to her though, having someone else in her head, in a way. She was grateful she didn't have to respond in the same manner as she didn't have the first inkling as to how to go about it.

"He's a little over 4 months old."

Joel followed her with his gaze when she climbed up on the chair, still reaching out. He almost seemed a little miffed that she had gone farther out of his reach, not understanding that as a person she probably would not enjoy being grabbed.

Keeta turned back to Jiao'lan. "I don't know what else to tell you...I wish I was an expert and could fill you in on everything, but I'm not..."

The female nodded. "Oh no...everting you 'ave tol' me 'as 'elped me greatleh." She reassured Keeta. "Sorreh I tend t'babble an' ask loads a questions. Fear of de unknown I tink." She then went back to her sandwich and juice, realising she was quite hungry.

The Porcelain nodded. He really was cute! Amena glanced over at the still sulking Imbri. She had had a child before. Amena remebered. She projected an image of a cranky, swollen-tummied Imbri to Jiao'lan. She could ask her questions too.

Imbri looked over sharply. She had been paying close attention to Amena's conversation. "You'll never let that go, will you?"

Negative. Amena smirked.

"Well I'm glad to have helped in any way...." she smiled at Jiao'lan.

Jiao'lan glanced to the tiny woman and merely nodded before stealing a look at Imbri. Somehow she thought trying to start a conversation with this woman wouldn't be the best of ideas. She polished off her sandwich and the last of her juice before rising to pitch the wrapper and juice carton.

Keeta looked back to the porcelin woman perched on the chair, and then briefly to the person she had come in with.

"Why are you here, if you don't mind me asking? Are you going to have a baby, or is it your friend?"

Amena cupped her hands over her mouth and her head bobbed back and forth, as if she was laughing (but no actual sound seemed to emit from her throat). After Imbri's son had been born, Amena remembered her pacing back and forth in her study, her arm cupped protectivly around her son, the other flinging wildly back and forth, swearing up and down that would 'never again!' happen to her.

The Porecelain shook her head, then patted her own stomach. She and Silver were having a baby! She bounced, wasn't it just wonderful?

She glanced sideways at Imbri. Imbri...well, she'd have to explain it herself. Amena still couldn't wrap her head around what had happened.

Keeta nodded, understanding the smaller woman's meaning. "How long until you have it?" she asked, not knowing if gestation for a porcelin was the same as a 'normal' person.

Joel had gotten tired of being on the floor and looking around. He was starting to get hungry and it was almost naptime. He was quiet for a few moments, before starting to fuss a bit.

The woman glanced toward the corridor she knew housed the washrooms. " 'Scuse me for a mom'nt." She said before rising to her feet and going into the women's lavatory.

Small shoulders lifted up once then dropped and she shook her head. She really wasn't sure. She watched Keeta carefully, and wondered if motherhood came naturally to everyone, or if it varied from person to person. Hm. Amena sat back in the chair. This could be harder than she thought.

Keeta sighed and picked up the fussing Joel, looking past him to see the porcelin woman's shrug and almost frustrated body language.

"You ok?" she asked above Joel's head as she tried to calm him down. He wouldn't be soothed though. He was hungry, tired and wanted to make sure everyone knew. Keeta cradled and rocked him, having hoped she could wait to feed him until later. Why did doctor's offices always take so long?

She nodded. Amena was fine. She smiled quickly and gave a little thumbs up. After Imbri had had her son, Amena had practically run the household, and all the adopted children in it. This couldn't be that much harder.

Right?

"If you're sure..." Keeta said, smiling weakly as Joel's frustrated noises grew louder. "All right, all right!" She started pulling a blanket from the baby bag at her side.

"Would you mind if I fed him here....? Or I can go into the bathroom if it bothers you..." Keeta had gotten enough looks from people when she was trying to nurse Joel in semi-public places to know not everyone was ok with it. She hated going into bathroom if she could help it though. It was hard for her to understand what the problem was. What was more natural than a mother feeding her child? Back in Evin, it had never been an issue...

Amena shook her head. She didn't mind. Nodding and radiating sympathy she stared out the window. People never wanted to accept things that they didn't quite understand, which made them uncomfortable. The auburn haired porcelain glanced over her shoulder at Keeta and seemed to indicate faintly towards Imbri.

Imbri was her mother, by adoption, and a lot of people never seemed to like her or care enough to try to get passed the mean exterior. But she understood Imbri, and in return, Imbri hadn't ever treated her funny or like she was different.

Jiao'lan came back and sat down. "Sorreh, s'all these sthupid meds dey's got me on." She said sheepishly. In her clan women would walk down the roads of the village, half of their top off, a child latched on. But the female had a feeling it was quite taboo here. So what little she knew of pregnancy and child rearing would probably be obsolete here. She felt so, utterly, lost.

"Thank you," Keeta said, smiling faitly, but seeing the porcelin look towards her friend, the half-elfen woman thought she should make sure the other woman was alright with it as well. And maybe it would be a way to get her included in the conversation.

"Excuse me," she tried to addrerss Imbri softly, but had to speak above the cries of her son.

"Would it bother you if I nurse him in here?"

Imbri lifted her eyes from the pamplets that she had been engrossed in, and looked at, almost past, Keeta. She laughed, a hollow laugh, and her blank face somehow managed not to change at all.

"Of course not. Why should it bother me?"

Amena shook her head. Well...she never said that her mother was normal.

"Just trying to be polite..." Keeta said shrugging, before throwing the blanket over her shoulder and Joel, and starting to let him nurse, his cries dieing almost instantly.

"You know, you are more than welcome to join us over here if you wish," she said, trying to include the woman again. She found it a bit odd how she chose to alienate herself.

Jiao'lan had no real idea what to contribute to the conversation and thus, didn't say anything. She grew up in a 'women are seen and not heard unless addressed directly' or among other women, sort of culture. Females were also expected to be eloquent, which she was most certainly not, as well as socially graceful. She felt she butchered the English language and had no clue about customs or the etiquette on Gaia.

Amena met Imbri's gaze and stared her down.

"Oh, very well," she sighed, although it was unclear if she was talking to Amena or Keeta. Her bare feet skimmed the floor as them moved quickly and decidedly across the room and her long skirt swished around her ankles. As she reached their side of the room, she dropped a quick curtsy.

"Imbri," she said. She would have extended a hand, but she didn't think the woman could spare either of hers. The corner of her mouth twitched in amusement as she thought that.

"My daughter, Amena," she added stifly, knowing the porcelain girl wouldn't really have a way to communicate her name.

"Nice to meet you," Keeta said, smiling sincerely at Imbri and then Amena when she decided to join them. "I'm Keeta, and my little one is Joel."

"Good ta meet'cha." The woman said with a dip of her head. "I'm Jiao'lan." She crossed her legs at the ankles for lieu of the typical 'Gaian fashion'. Part of it was due to her anatomy. "Joel certainly seems ta be a goo' eat'a, eh?" She asked Keeta. "S'good ta see a boi wit such a 'ealthy appetite."

"Yeah, he's sometimes a little hard to keep up with. And he's growing so fast it seems!" She could feel him growing heavier in her arms as time went on and he started to get sleepy. Keeta clucked her tongue, looking towards the door that lead to the exam rooms. What was taking them so long...?

Just then the door to the back opened and a nurse with a chart in her hand peeked out at the laides in the waiting room.

"Keeta and Joel?" she asked looking around expectantly.

"That's us!" Keeta said, starting to collect their things while, still trying to hold Joel in one arm. Eventally she got it all up and headed towards the door.

"It was nice talking with you ladies. Maybe we'll meet again sometime," and with a nod and a smile she headed into the back.