Amyla Edana
"Yana, you silly goose, stop wiggling!" Amyla exclaimed with a soft laugh as she strode into the kids' clothing store. She didn't usually enjoy shopping, but it had to be done every now and then. Since Aiodhan was busy carrying for a high-maintenance Caleb, she had decided to take Yana out for a necessary shopping trip.
Yana, however, wanted to be walking and was not pleased about being carried. She had been squirming and making noises of displeasure since Amyla lifted her out of her carseat and began walking into the store. As soon as she saw the abundance of clothes, though, the girl froze, watching all of the clothing racks as they strode by. Her mismatched eyes grew wide, and she held out a hand to point at a nice-looking blue dress. "Ooooh!" she declared, looking disappointed as Amyla headed out toward the shirts and pants.
"You need clothes with more freedom, dear. You're constantly on the go," her mother chuckled, ruffling through racks of shirts on hangars.
Yana, however, wanted to be walking and was not pleased about being carried. She had been squirming and making noises of displeasure since Amyla lifted her out of her carseat and began walking into the store. As soon as she saw the abundance of clothes, though, the girl froze, watching all of the clothing racks as they strode by. Her mismatched eyes grew wide, and she held out a hand to point at a nice-looking blue dress. "Ooooh!" she declared, looking disappointed as Amyla headed out toward the shirts and pants.
"You need clothes with more freedom, dear. You're constantly on the go," her mother chuckled, ruffling through racks of shirts on hangars.
MCDRaddictedrose
A young man, not over 25, sighed and ran a hand through his bright red hair. Blank white eyes followed the movements of a toddler in paint-stained clothes flying crazily through the aisles.
"Daddymommydaddy look at all these!!!" said toddler exclaimed happily, turning around to face his father. "Daaaaaddy, whe'e Mommy and E-u?"
A shorter adult ran up to 'Daddy' and glared at him as they held another toddler, this one without wings. "Orous. Get your son under control." This statement was spoken dark, giving the indication that it would be best not to let the new person shut the loud toddler up themself.
The winged toddler grinned a toothy grin and flew up to the two newcomers. "Hiii, Mommy and E-u~!"
'Mommy' gave an annoyed sigh and silently handed the wingless toddler to Orous. "I'm getting a drink..." she muttered darkly, nearly stomping out of the store.
Orous looked at his flying son in amusement. "Emes, you know that if you keep spilling paint, we will have to keep buying new clothes..."
This logic was lost on Emes, however, as he began playing with his sleeping brother's ears.
"Daddymommydaddy look at all these!!!" said toddler exclaimed happily, turning around to face his father. "Daaaaaddy, whe'e Mommy and E-u?"
A shorter adult ran up to 'Daddy' and glared at him as they held another toddler, this one without wings. "Orous. Get your son under control." This statement was spoken dark, giving the indication that it would be best not to let the new person shut the loud toddler up themself.
The winged toddler grinned a toothy grin and flew up to the two newcomers. "Hiii, Mommy and E-u~!"
'Mommy' gave an annoyed sigh and silently handed the wingless toddler to Orous. "I'm getting a drink..." she muttered darkly, nearly stomping out of the store.
Orous looked at his flying son in amusement. "Emes, you know that if you keep spilling paint, we will have to keep buying new clothes..."
This logic was lost on Emes, however, as he began playing with his sleeping brother's ears.
Amyla Edana
Amyla came up short as a paint-covered something flew past her as she was emerging from an aisle. After a momentary pause, she stepped forward to look about for the crazy flier, figuring it was some small child escaped from their parent. She rounded a corner and came face to face with the painted ... child. Yes, it was a child. She had no idea who the child was, but the parent looked vaguely familiar.
Yana, however, had no idea who these strangers were. After a few moments of watching, though, she deemed them safe and waved to them, uttering a slurred 'Hello' of greeting. The toddler tilted her head to one side, bemused as to why the one boy had paint on himself. That sort of decoration was supposed to go on paper, wasn't it?
Yana, however, had no idea who these strangers were. After a few moments of watching, though, she deemed them safe and waved to them, uttering a slurred 'Hello' of greeting. The toddler tilted her head to one side, bemused as to why the one boy had paint on himself. That sort of decoration was supposed to go on paper, wasn't it?
MCDRaddictedrose
Emes turned instantly to the 'hello' and zipped over to the fellow toddler. "Hiiii!" he exclaimed happily, grinning like mad. "I'm Emes! My twin's Eku, bu' he sleeps a lot." Emes perched on the cart like a giant bird, his wings partially curled up. "Wanna meet him?"
Orous raised an eyebrow as he heard his son chatter away. An eyebrow rose as he saw the new victims. Pretending not to recognize the mother, he walked over calmly to his winged son.
Orous raised an eyebrow as he heard his son chatter away. An eyebrow rose as he saw the new victims. Pretending not to recognize the mother, he walked over calmly to his winged son.
Amyla Edana
Yana, her eyes trying to track the toddler's mouth as it moved, looked adorably confused. Her eyes were wide and rather lost-looking, and Amyla had to chuckle at her confusion.
"She can't hear you," the woman explained to the other toddler, not sure how to communicate that Yana could only read lips when a person spoke slowly. She gently touched Yana's shoulder and got her attention before carefully spelling out E-M-E-S with her free hand.
Yana processed the letters and then glanced back at Emes. "Eeeeeeeeeesss?" she said hesitantly, tilting her head to one side.
Happy at the effort Yana was making to speech, Amyla turned her gaze to the approaching parent and second twin. Some portion of her mind was nagging at her to recognize this other person, but she couldn't come up with a name. Having kids wreaked havoc on the memory. "Cute boy you have. I'm guessing he likes paint?" she asked with a wry grin, noting Emes' 'decoration'.
"She can't hear you," the woman explained to the other toddler, not sure how to communicate that Yana could only read lips when a person spoke slowly. She gently touched Yana's shoulder and got her attention before carefully spelling out E-M-E-S with her free hand.
Yana processed the letters and then glanced back at Emes. "Eeeeeeeeeesss?" she said hesitantly, tilting her head to one side.
Happy at the effort Yana was making to speech, Amyla turned her gaze to the approaching parent and second twin. Some portion of her mind was nagging at her to recognize this other person, but she couldn't come up with a name. Having kids wreaked havoc on the memory. "Cute boy you have. I'm guessing he likes paint?" she asked with a wry grin, noting Emes' 'decoration'.
MCDRaddictedrose
Emes tilted his head, some hair falling into his face as he did so. "She can't hear? Is tha' li' Eku not talking?" His attention was drawn back to the one his age. "Nuh-uh. has 'n M. E-mus." For once in talking, he spoke slowly, as if she would hear him if he spoke slower.
Orous smiled politely. "Actually, this is the son who likes paint." He held up Eku, who blearily opened a single eye. Along with that reaction, his two fuzzy, pink-stained ears rose up a little. "The other just likes to practice abstract tattoo designs." He blinked for a moment as he looked at her. "Have I seen you before?" he asked slowly, as if remembering something from far away.
Orous smiled politely. "Actually, this is the son who likes paint." He held up Eku, who blearily opened a single eye. Along with that reaction, his two fuzzy, pink-stained ears rose up a little. "The other just likes to practice abstract tattoo designs." He blinked for a moment as he looked at her. "Have I seen you before?" he asked slowly, as if remembering something from far away.
Amyla Edana
Amyla smiled faintly. "I wish it was like that. But she'll never hear anything, ever," the woman said quietly, watching the toddlers interact. Oh, if only Yana could just turn her hearing back on. It'd be magnificent, but then again... she wouldn't be Yana.
Yana looked confused still, but she made a genuine attempt. "Eeeeehuuss. Eeeeeehhuuuuuuuuuuus," she drawled out, blinking as she noticed his mouth moving more slowly. Well, that was an improvement, even if she still couldn't get his name right. Uttering a frown, she opted for spelling out the boy's name with her hand, quickly making the appropriate signs for the letters. That, she could do.
At the sight of the two painted ears, Amyla had to grin. That was simply too cute, albeit quite messy. "Well, maybe you have two budding artists... or interior designers," she chuckled, wishing she had one semi-artistic child among her lot of offspring. No such luck there, though. At his question, she nodded an affirmative. "Yes, I believe so, though I'm afraid my memory fails me again. Having kids does that to you, I've noticed. I'm Amyla, and this is my daughter, Yana."
Yana looked confused still, but she made a genuine attempt. "Eeeeehuuss. Eeeeeehhuuuuuuuuuuus," she drawled out, blinking as she noticed his mouth moving more slowly. Well, that was an improvement, even if she still couldn't get his name right. Uttering a frown, she opted for spelling out the boy's name with her hand, quickly making the appropriate signs for the letters. That, she could do.
At the sight of the two painted ears, Amyla had to grin. That was simply too cute, albeit quite messy. "Well, maybe you have two budding artists... or interior designers," she chuckled, wishing she had one semi-artistic child among her lot of offspring. No such luck there, though. At his question, she nodded an affirmative. "Yes, I believe so, though I'm afraid my memory fails me again. Having kids does that to you, I've noticed. I'm Amyla, and this is my daughter, Yana."
MCDRaddictedrose
Emes focused his attention on Yana. "Nuh, Emus. E-MUS. Wi' an eM. Like Mom. And Money and Mark and other stuff." The head was tilted again when she started making hand gestures. "What are dos?"
Orous smiled politely, mouth firmly closed. "Oh, I think Emes has already started with interior design." Eku was the one more likely to be an actual artist. "My name is Orouborous, although many simly call me Orous. I prefer that, as it is much easier."
Emes looked up from Yana. He knew what introductions sounded like! "An' I'm Emes an' my twin's Eku an' Mommy's Drana!" the mix finished happily.
Orous smiled politely, mouth firmly closed. "Oh, I think Emes has already started with interior design." Eku was the one more likely to be an actual artist. "My name is Orouborous, although many simly call me Orous. I prefer that, as it is much easier."
Emes looked up from Yana. He knew what introductions sounded like! "An' I'm Emes an' my twin's Eku an' Mommy's Drana!" the mix finished happily.
Amyla Edana
While Amyla longed to intervene on Yana's behalf, she conceded that the girl was simply going to have to learn to deal with this serious communication barrier. As a result, she let the little toddler puzzle the issue out, while she processed the introductions. "Orous... I do remember you. I believe I saw you before, and your mate was with you. Mine was with me as well, if my memory serves me correctly," she added, trying to cast her mind back that far. Oh dear. That had been ages ago. "Your twins are adorable. How old are they?"
"Sssssiiiiiiiiiiii," Yana said carefully, very slowly spelling out Emes' name with her hand as she tried to make him understand the concept of 'speaking' with one's hands. She frowned briefly at the other toddler, trying to figure out how exactly to copy his speech. "Eeeeehuuuuusss?" She frowned. No, that wasn't how he made that sound. How frustrating.
"Sssssiiiiiiiiiiii," Yana said carefully, very slowly spelling out Emes' name with her hand as she tried to make him understand the concept of 'speaking' with one's hands. She frowned briefly at the other toddler, trying to figure out how exactly to copy his speech. "Eeeeehuuuuusss?" She frowned. No, that wasn't how he made that sound. How frustrating.
MCDRaddictedrose
Orous pretended to think back to when he first saw her and her mate. "Ah, I think I remember. Another half-dragon, was he?"
Emes blinked and tilted his head. "What are you doing with your hands?" he asked slowly, in the same way he did when he first said his name.
Eku climbed out of Orous's arms and sat down in the cart, underneath Emes. The mute child gave a shy wave to Yana with one hand and gripped his brother's marvoulous tail with the other.
The father paused to think about how old his children really were. "Well, what age do children normally beguin to speak?" Orous asked slowly. Emes was speaking rather fluently, but Eku had yet to do anything but squeak...
Emes blinked and tilted his head. "What are you doing with your hands?" he asked slowly, in the same way he did when he first said his name.
Eku climbed out of Orous's arms and sat down in the cart, underneath Emes. The mute child gave a shy wave to Yana with one hand and gripped his brother's marvoulous tail with the other.
The father paused to think about how old his children really were. "Well, what age do children normally beguin to speak?" Orous asked slowly. Emes was speaking rather fluently, but Eku had yet to do anything but squeak...
Amyla Edana
Amyla nodded, sighing. "Yes, that's him. He is... ahhh... different." That was, perhaps, the understatement of the millenium.
Yana looked frustrated for a moment. It was obvious that he had no idea how to sign, and she couldn't speak to communicate to him. Well, she couldn't speak enough to adequately communicate, was more accurate. She watched the other twin for a moment as he climbed into the cart. She smiled and waved back at him and then turned back to his brother, determined to find someway to cross this difficult chasm. "Yannnna," she articulated carefully before spelling out the letters with one hand and then pointing to herself. "Yana."
After giving her daughter a look of approval (and sending a silent prayer of thanks to whatever gods there were), Amyla had to think about the inquiry. How old were kids when they started to speak? "Most start when they are less than a year old, but it's mainly babble plus a few coherent words. That depends on the child, though. Boys usually speak later, and sometimes, the kids just don't speak until late. Yana is really behind in speaking orally, though she speaks very fluently with her hands."
Yana looked frustrated for a moment. It was obvious that he had no idea how to sign, and she couldn't speak to communicate to him. Well, she couldn't speak enough to adequately communicate, was more accurate. She watched the other twin for a moment as he climbed into the cart. She smiled and waved back at him and then turned back to his brother, determined to find someway to cross this difficult chasm. "Yannnna," she articulated carefully before spelling out the letters with one hand and then pointing to herself. "Yana."
After giving her daughter a look of approval (and sending a silent prayer of thanks to whatever gods there were), Amyla had to think about the inquiry. How old were kids when they started to speak? "Most start when they are less than a year old, but it's mainly babble plus a few coherent words. That depends on the child, though. Boys usually speak later, and sometimes, the kids just don't speak until late. Yana is really behind in speaking orally, though she speaks very fluently with her hands."
MCDRaddictedrose
Orous smiled. "I believe I understand..." Some things were just unexplainable.
Eku studied the girl intently, especially her hands. He barely touched her to get her attention, then mimicked the hand signs she made and pointed to her. The mute made the handsigns he had seen her make earlier with Emes, pointed to his brother, and tilted his head.
Orous gave a small smile as he ran his toungue over his fangs. "I can see that. However, as I think you may have experienced firsthand, Emes is able to make coherent sentances. Do you believe that his twin brother should be able to?"
Eku studied the girl intently, especially her hands. He barely touched her to get her attention, then mimicked the hand signs she made and pointed to her. The mute made the handsigns he had seen her make earlier with Emes, pointed to his brother, and tilted his head.
Orous gave a small smile as he ran his toungue over his fangs. "I can see that. However, as I think you may have experienced firsthand, Emes is able to make coherent sentances. Do you believe that his twin brother should be able to?"
Amyla Edana
Yana watched Eku for a moment as he repeated the handsigns. When he pointed at her, she nodded vigorously. "Yaaaanaaa!" she said, pointing at herself and repeating her handsigns to spell out her name. When he spelled out his brother's name, her grin broadened, and she nodded again. "Eeeeehhhuuus!" she affirmed, spelling out E-M-E-S with her hands.
Amyla pursed her lips. This was tough territory, and she was no child psychologist. "Well, as a doctor, I can tell you this much: there is a generally accepted age by which a child should be able to communicate orally. If he is this far behind his brother, then I'd say there is a good medical or psychological reason that he isn't talking. And I have to say, I don't think it's a learning disability," she added, watching the way Eku was able to pick up the handsigns. "I'd be looking at either a problem with his larynx or some kind of error in a neural connection in his brain. But then again, I'm just an ER doctor and a mother; that's really a question for a specialist," she added. She did have to grin at the way that Yana and Eku seemed to find common ground to 'converse' on. That was a step in the right direction. "If he can't speak aloud, try sign language. He seems to be picking it up already."
Amyla pursed her lips. This was tough territory, and she was no child psychologist. "Well, as a doctor, I can tell you this much: there is a generally accepted age by which a child should be able to communicate orally. If he is this far behind his brother, then I'd say there is a good medical or psychological reason that he isn't talking. And I have to say, I don't think it's a learning disability," she added, watching the way Eku was able to pick up the handsigns. "I'd be looking at either a problem with his larynx or some kind of error in a neural connection in his brain. But then again, I'm just an ER doctor and a mother; that's really a question for a specialist," she added. She did have to grin at the way that Yana and Eku seemed to find common ground to 'converse' on. That was a step in the right direction. "If he can't speak aloud, try sign language. He seems to be picking it up already."
MCDRaddictedrose
Emes tilted his head, watching them. What are you doing?
Eku looked up at his brother. This, he signed 'Yana', is her name. This, here he signed 'Emes', is your name. I don't think she can hear herself or others for some reason. He looked back at Yana. Ask her what my name is.
Emes tapped Yana to get her attention. "What's the hands for Eku?" he asked slowly, seeing that if he spoke slowly, she knew what he was saying.
Orous smiled sheepishly and ran a hand though his hair. "I'm sorry, I doubt it would be a learning disability. I am simply a bit concerned..." his voice tapered off as he began to think. "Would not having a need to speak decrease the swiftness of learning it?" he asked, eyes on his two sons.
Eku looked up at his brother. This, he signed 'Yana', is her name. This, here he signed 'Emes', is your name. I don't think she can hear herself or others for some reason. He looked back at Yana. Ask her what my name is.
Emes tapped Yana to get her attention. "What's the hands for Eku?" he asked slowly, seeing that if he spoke slowly, she knew what he was saying.
Orous smiled sheepishly and ran a hand though his hair. "I'm sorry, I doubt it would be a learning disability. I am simply a bit concerned..." his voice tapered off as he began to think. "Would not having a need to speak decrease the swiftness of learning it?" he asked, eyes on his two sons.
Amyla Edana
Yana glanced back and forth between the two brothers, sensing that there was some sort of communication going on that she had no knowledge of. Whatever it was, Emes was now trying to get her attention, and she turned her gaze to him, watching as his mouth moved. Eku... that was a new name. She wasn't entirely sure how to spell it, but she decided to go with the simplest route anyway. She raised her right hand and very slowly spelled out E-K-U. Afterward, she pointed at the mute twin and made a noise of inquiry, asking if that was, indeed, his name.
Nodding in understanding, Amyla had to admit she knew where the other parent stood. She had been wondering about Yana before, herself. "I understand. Aiodhan and I were very worried when Yana wasn't speaking or responding to noises around her. It's a bit scary at first." At his question, she had to think for another moment. "I suppose so. If he has alternate means of making himself understood, he might find it unnecessary to speak. Yana was like that at first until she realized that not everyone could sign."
Nodding in understanding, Amyla had to admit she knew where the other parent stood. She had been wondering about Yana before, herself. "I understand. Aiodhan and I were very worried when Yana wasn't speaking or responding to noises around her. It's a bit scary at first." At his question, she had to think for another moment. "I suppose so. If he has alternate means of making himself understood, he might find it unnecessary to speak. Yana was like that at first until she realized that not everyone could sign."
MCDRaddictedrose
Eku nodded slowly, making the hand signs and pointing to himself. That meaned his name, hopefully. And that is my name. I think.
Emes rocked back and forth on the edge of the cart, trying to think. "E-u, 'm boree. Y dun we play something with-" here he made the hand sign for Yana, not mastering it as Eku had done, but close enough. Mostly.
Brother, I don't know how to hand-speak anything except three names.
"I see..." Orous commented. He glanced at the three children out of habit. "I think Eku might have discovered something else to do besides draw. Good thing, maybe they won't need 5 baths a day now."
Emes rocked back and forth on the edge of the cart, trying to think. "E-u, 'm boree. Y dun we play something with-" here he made the hand sign for Yana, not mastering it as Eku had done, but close enough. Mostly.
Brother, I don't know how to hand-speak anything except three names.
"I see..." Orous commented. He glanced at the three children out of habit. "I think Eku might have discovered something else to do besides draw. Good thing, maybe they won't need 5 baths a day now."
Amyla Edana
Yana nodded vigorously, letting slip a giggle that she couldn't even hear. To have someone be able to communicate with her in her own language was unbelievably exciting. She saw the way Emes was rocking back and forth, and she frowned for a moment. Maybe he was restless? Or bored... yes, bored. Probably bored. What were they in this store for anyway? Ah yes... clothes! She tugged gently on her mother's sleeve and made the handsigns for 'down' and 'please', grinning broadly when Amyla nodded and set her on the ground. She glanced up at the boys and made the sign for 'clothes' before pointing at her own shirt, shorts, and shoes.
Still keeping a close eye on her daughter, Amyla had to chuckle at the image of bathing the two male toddlers that many times in a single day. "I imagine that'd get tiring after awhile, having to keep cleaning them. Him being able to sign could help," she added, overjoyed that Yana was speaking with children her own age, even if it was only with her hands.
Still keeping a close eye on her daughter, Amyla had to chuckle at the image of bathing the two male toddlers that many times in a single day. "I imagine that'd get tiring after awhile, having to keep cleaning them. Him being able to sign could help," she added, overjoyed that Yana was speaking with children her own age, even if it was only with her hands.
MCDRaddictedrose
Eku tilted his head as he watched Yana carefully, trying to figure out what her hands were saying. When she made that sign, her mother put her on the floor. She said floor... or ground....or down. Eku then watched her other signing. Handing for...um, cloth?
Emes grinned. He was finally catching on. Clothes, silly brother. Emes jumped into the cart and grabbed his brother, ignoring the silent yelp of disapprovel. With a bit of effort, the winged toddler managed to get them both over the side of the cart and onto the floor.
Orous found himself smiling at his sons' antics. "I was meaning that he would be more involved with learning this, the less time he would spend with paints." He didn't mention that the twins hated water. Maybe they had inherited too many things from Drana...
Emes grinned. He was finally catching on. Clothes, silly brother. Emes jumped into the cart and grabbed his brother, ignoring the silent yelp of disapprovel. With a bit of effort, the winged toddler managed to get them both over the side of the cart and onto the floor.
Orous found himself smiling at his sons' antics. "I was meaning that he would be more involved with learning this, the less time he would spend with paints." He didn't mention that the twins hated water. Maybe they had inherited too many things from Drana...
Amyla Edana
Yana grinned as the two boys made their way to the ground, swishing her spiked tail about behind her. She waited until they were safely on the floor before she made a beckoning gesture and skipped over to a nearby clothing rack, pushing the clothes about in search of something bright, preferably blue in color. Blue was good. "Lluuuuuuuu?" she inquired at the other toddlers, turning to face them whilst pointing at a blue shirt hung on a hanger.
"Ahhh, I see," Amyla chuckled, watching the three toddlers closely. She didn't think Yana would stray far, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Watching a toddler was easier than trying to find one. "Well, if he ever needs someone to practice with, I'm sure Yana would love that. Ohhh, that reminds me... I promised to take her to the pool at some point," she added, muttering the last bit to herself. She had to remember that; she'd promised the toddler a trip to the swimming pool.
"Ahhh, I see," Amyla chuckled, watching the three toddlers closely. She didn't think Yana would stray far, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Watching a toddler was easier than trying to find one. "Well, if he ever needs someone to practice with, I'm sure Yana would love that. Ohhh, that reminds me... I promised to take her to the pool at some point," she added, muttering the last bit to herself. She had to remember that; she'd promised the toddler a trip to the swimming pool.
MCDRaddictedrose
Emes grinned and followed, walking steadly over to where she was. Eku, on the other hand, was still clutching his brother's neck. Besides, he couldn't walk well yet.
Emes tilted his head and looked at the shirt. "Blu? Nah, I li' bla' besser. Black. Li' dis." He grabbed one of the black chunks of his hair as an example.
Orous nodded, looking around the store. He could hear heartbeats, after all. He didn't need to watch them. Even though their hearts were no longer needed, they would beat for about half a century. "Eku usually only talks to his brother, so this is slightly...There's a pool around here?" The last question was asked in mild surprise. He did not know of such a pool.
Emes tilted his head and looked at the shirt. "Blu? Nah, I li' bla' besser. Black. Li' dis." He grabbed one of the black chunks of his hair as an example.
Orous nodded, looking around the store. He could hear heartbeats, after all. He didn't need to watch them. Even though their hearts were no longer needed, they would beat for about half a century. "Eku usually only talks to his brother, so this is slightly...There's a pool around here?" The last question was asked in mild surprise. He did not know of such a pool.
Amyla Edana
Yana was at first perplexed by the way he tugged at his hair, but after a moment, it became apparent that Emes was naming another color. She watched his lips closely but couldn't figure out how to mimic the sound. She glanced at his hair and shrugged casually before slowly padding over to the next clothing rack. Her eyes danced with glee as she spied a bright green shirt, and she pointed to it as well. "Yeeeeeeee."
"Maybe he's just a little shy," Amyla mused, smiling a bit in the toddlers' direction. They were quite cute, the two boys, even being so different. She looked surprised at Orous' question but nodded an affirmative nonetheless. "Yes, there is a public, indoor pool not too far from here. I don't take the kids there often, but Yana has never been. I promised her we'd go sometime," she said by way of explanation. It was difficult to explain how a part bird, part dragon, mostly human child would like water, but... well, Yana was Yana like that.
"Maybe he's just a little shy," Amyla mused, smiling a bit in the toddlers' direction. They were quite cute, the two boys, even being so different. She looked surprised at Orous' question but nodded an affirmative nonetheless. "Yes, there is a public, indoor pool not too far from here. I don't take the kids there often, but Yana has never been. I promised her we'd go sometime," she said by way of explanation. It was difficult to explain how a part bird, part dragon, mostly human child would like water, but... well, Yana was Yana like that.
MCDRaddictedrose
Emes nodded once. "Green's okay. I don't like bright colors much, though." He needed to practice speaking properly again.
Eku looked around at the clothes, trying to find something good. He reached out and grabbed a red shirt. This any good?
Emes looked at the shirt. I don't know... "I wanna eat it."
Eku nodded. He knew the feeling, too. But it's a shirt.
Orous smiled as an evil tint came into his eyes. "Hmm. I believe I shall have to try that sometime. Where is it?" in a barely noticable motion, he began rocking slightly back and forth.
Eku looked around at the clothes, trying to find something good. He reached out and grabbed a red shirt. This any good?
Emes looked at the shirt. I don't know... "I wanna eat it."
Eku nodded. He knew the feeling, too. But it's a shirt.
Orous smiled as an evil tint came into his eyes. "Hmm. I believe I shall have to try that sometime. Where is it?" in a barely noticable motion, he began rocking slightly back and forth.
Amyla Edana
Yana couldn't quite understand the whole statement about 'eating' the shirt. She looked confused for a moment and then made a casual shrug and then glanced at the red shirt. It was bright. Yes, it was bright. She grinned for a moment and then skipped a few more steps, glancing up at this new clothing rack. "Ooooh!" she said aloud, tugging cheerfully on the denim jumper hanging on the hanger. She glanced back at the boys and pointed at it.
Amyla grinned at Yana. Poor dear. The little girl toddler didn't understand that boys generally didn't wear jumpers. "Ahh... it's about half a mile down this road, I think. It's pretty well labelled, so you can't miss it," she added, a bit bemused by the evil glint in Orous' eyes. What was he up to?
Amyla grinned at Yana. Poor dear. The little girl toddler didn't understand that boys generally didn't wear jumpers. "Ahh... it's about half a mile down this road, I think. It's pretty well labelled, so you can't miss it," she added, a bit bemused by the evil glint in Orous' eyes. What was he up to?
MCDRaddictedrose
Emes and Eku both looked at her, the shirt somehow in both their mouths. "Ah'w go ge' eh," Emes replied with a mouthful of fabric. He spit the shirt out and flew up to where the jumper was,tossing it down before perching on the metal bar. "What is it?"
Eku picked up the jumper and turned it over, the red shirt still in his mouth. It's...... I don't know. It's like a single pant leg.
Orous smirked. "Your information is appreciated." His mind was already plotting all sorts of evil deeds that involved manipulation and getting Drana extremely mad. "Well, she has such excellent timing..." he muttered under his breath.
Eku picked up the jumper and turned it over, the red shirt still in his mouth. It's...... I don't know. It's like a single pant leg.
Orous smirked. "Your information is appreciated." His mind was already plotting all sorts of evil deeds that involved manipulation and getting Drana extremely mad. "Well, she has such excellent timing..." he muttered under his breath.
Amyla Edana
Yana looked appropriately shocked at the site of the two boys trying to eat the shirt. She made a noise of inquiry, her mismatched eyes very, very wide. Why were they eating it?? It was to be worn, not eaten! She grinned when Emes tossed down the jumper, watching as Eku turned it over. She waved him off and then held it up to herself, liking the way it buttoned near her shoulders. It looked nice. Long skirt, down past her knees, with straps that would go down past her shoulders. She liked it. It was nice!
"You're welcome," Amyla said, more than a little disturbed by the smirk. It sort of bothered her, and she didn't even want to try to translate what he was muttering about. Oh well. Maybe it was time for a new subject. "Do you have any other children besides these two?"
"You're welcome," Amyla said, more than a little disturbed by the smirk. It sort of bothered her, and she didn't even want to try to translate what he was muttering about. Oh well. Maybe it was time for a new subject. "Do you have any other children besides these two?"
MCDRaddictedrose
Eku tilted his head as he watched how one was supposed to wear a jumper. Interesting. It was now he realized that he had a shirt in his moth, which he quickly spit out. He looked around for more different types of clothes.
Orous smiled a more normal smile and shook his head. "I think that two are enough, don't you agree, Drana?"
The shorter person that had origionally entered the store with Orous and the twins stepped from behind him and frowned. "Why can't I sneak up on you?"
Orous smiled patiently. "You forgot I can hear heartbeats."
Drana frowned, then turned to Amyla. "Hey....you're that one girl, aren't ya?"
Orous rolled his eyes at his mate's speech. "Spoken eloquently as always."
Orous smiled a more normal smile and shook his head. "I think that two are enough, don't you agree, Drana?"
The shorter person that had origionally entered the store with Orous and the twins stepped from behind him and frowned. "Why can't I sneak up on you?"
Orous smiled patiently. "You forgot I can hear heartbeats."
Drana frowned, then turned to Amyla. "Hey....you're that one girl, aren't ya?"
Orous rolled his eyes at his mate's speech. "Spoken eloquently as always."
Amyla Edana
Looking very, very pleased with her find, Yana toddled over to her mother and held up the jumper. When Amyla accepted the article of clothing with a laugh, the toddler grinned and then turned around and padded away to find something else. She passed a large shelf of jeans and peered at it. "Ehuuuuu? Eeeehhhussss?" she inquired at the boys, pointing at the jeans.
Amyla, looping the jumper over her arm and still chuckling over Yana's clothing search, looked up in surprise at Drana's entrance. "Ahh, hello. Yes, I do believe we've met before," she said, unable to be in the least bit offended by the other female's abrupt speech. "And I'm complimented. Most people don't think I'm that young!" she added cheerfully.
Amyla, looping the jumper over her arm and still chuckling over Yana's clothing search, looked up in surprise at Drana's entrance. "Ahh, hello. Yes, I do believe we've met before," she said, unable to be in the least bit offended by the other female's abrupt speech. "And I'm complimented. Most people don't think I'm that young!" she added cheerfully.
MCDRaddictedrose
Emes tilted his head at the jeans and swooped down, imitating a hawk. He played with them a little before dropping them.
Eku paid no attention at all. Really, he knew what jeans were. He looked around and climbed up the clothing rack and investigated the items on there, which was a sales rack with a large variety of things.
Drana shrugged. "So, where are the twins?" Her voice sounded light, but at least Orous could tell that he better have an answer ASAP.
Orous just shrugged. "Eku's on a clothes rack and Emes is on the ground about 5 feet away."
Eku paid no attention at all. Really, he knew what jeans were. He looked around and climbed up the clothing rack and investigated the items on there, which was a sales rack with a large variety of things.
Drana shrugged. "So, where are the twins?" Her voice sounded light, but at least Orous could tell that he better have an answer ASAP.
Orous just shrugged. "Eku's on a clothes rack and Emes is on the ground about 5 feet away."
Amyla Edana
The boys didn't seem interested in the jeans, and Yana was only marginally intrigued. She shrugged her tiny shoulders and toddled on, watching as Eku climbed up a clothing rack. Content just to grab what she could reach, she paged through one rack, grinning broadly as she found a short-sleeved blue shirt, button-up. Yes, now that was intriguing. Now... how to get it off...
Amyla chuckled as she watched the toddlers. They were so adorable.
Amyla chuckled as she watched the toddlers. They were so adorable.
MCDRaddictedrose
Emes, bored already, flew up again and looked around. When he saw his prey, his wings tilted down, and he sped like a speeding flying thing into his target.
Who gave a silent yelp and fell off the clothes rack.
Orous sighed as he heard Emes dive-bomb Eku. Those two were either going to be inseperable or hate each other when they got older...
Drana sipped happily on her coffee drink thing. She had no idea what it was, but it was a warm beverage, so she didn't care.
Who gave a silent yelp and fell off the clothes rack.
Orous sighed as he heard Emes dive-bomb Eku. Those two were either going to be inseperable or hate each other when they got older...
Drana sipped happily on her coffee drink thing. She had no idea what it was, but it was a warm beverage, so she didn't care.
Amyla Edana
Amyla grinned as one boy dive-bombed the other. Ahhh, that reminded her of her own little boy. Thank goodness he wasn't fully mobile yet. She saw Yana struggling to get a blue shirt off the rack, and she went over to her daughter, carefully taking the shirt off the rack and hanging it over her arm with he jumper. When Yana looked up at her, Amyla spelled D-R-E-S-S with her free hand, grinning down at the girl.
Yana understood immediately and skipped a ways down the aisle until she reached a rack full of dresses. She squeaked happily and began rifling through them all, stopping when she found one dress that was a deep, dark shade of purple. She tugged once, and it came down, hanger and all. She picked it up in both hands and held it up to investigate, eyes wide with wonder. Pretty...
Yana understood immediately and skipped a ways down the aisle until she reached a rack full of dresses. She squeaked happily and began rifling through them all, stopping when she found one dress that was a deep, dark shade of purple. She tugged once, and it came down, hanger and all. She picked it up in both hands and held it up to investigate, eyes wide with wonder. Pretty...
MCDRaddictedrose
Eku was the first one to notice what Yana had, and what was it? He walked over on all fours to the girl, tapped her lightly, and tilted his head. Whatever it was, it was pretty.
Emes completely missed the dark purple dress, as he was currently playing the 'Lets-hide-Mommy's-drink' game.
Emes completely missed the dark purple dress, as he was currently playing the 'Lets-hide-Mommy's-drink' game.
Amyla Edana
Yana glanced down at Eku and made a chuffing noise, noting that he was looking at the dress in her hands. She removed one hand from the dress and spelled out 'dress' before gesturing at the purple article of clothing. She grinned and stroked the fabric, liking the way it felt. It was so pretty.
Amyla, meanwhile, was not sure whether to laugh or find a dress of a more appropriate color for Yana. Maybe it was better to let the girl choose, after all.
Amyla, meanwhile, was not sure whether to laugh or find a dress of a more appropriate color for Yana. Maybe it was better to let the girl choose, after all.
MCDRaddictedrose
Eku imitated the hand sign for 'dress' and creeped closer to the purple article of clothing. He reached a hand out to it as well, trying to think of what it was made of. He tilted his head, tapped Yana, and signed 'Yana Dress'.
Orous smiled sadly and shook his head as he watched Emes zip out of the store holding a coffee drink. Drana not being far behind. Oh, how I love my messed-up family...
Orous smiled sadly and shook his head as he watched Emes zip out of the store holding a coffee drink. Drana not being far behind. Oh, how I love my messed-up family...
Amyla Edana
Yana watched him spell out the words and nodded. If he was trying to indicate that the dress was in her possession, then he was, in fact, correct. It was currently hers. She petted the dress again and then grinned up at Eku. It was pretty, yes. He had to agree with that.
Amyla raised an eyebrow as Emes and Drana disappeared out of the store. Oh dear. Well, that wasn't good. She cast a glance at Orous and then shrugged, striding a bit closer to the two remaining toddlers and the purple dress.
Amyla raised an eyebrow as Emes and Drana disappeared out of the store. Oh dear. Well, that wasn't good. She cast a glance at Orous and then shrugged, striding a bit closer to the two remaining toddlers and the purple dress.
MCDRaddictedrose
If it was possible for a 3-year-old to sigh, then that's exactly what Eku did. He never had much of a backbone, so when she claimed the pretty dress, he didn't object. Instead, he looked at the rack of dresses, trying to find another pretty one, maybe one even prettier. Wouldn't that be good!
Orous, too, was watching the two toddlers. He wasn't concerned about a squabble; he knew that Eku didn't have enough of a spine to stand up for himself.
Orous, too, was watching the two toddlers. He wasn't concerned about a squabble; he knew that Eku didn't have enough of a spine to stand up for himself.
Amyla Edana
Yana continued to pat the dress for several more minutes, humming in a rather off-tune fashion. She realized, after a beat, that Eku was looking elsewhere, and she followed his gaze to the rack of dresses. She shrugged and was about to turn back when something caught her eye.
Something... blue.
Entranced, Yana instantly dropped the purple dress and padded slowly over to the rack, shoving the other dresses aside until she saw the dress in all of its bright blue, rhinestone-studded glory, complete with a ribbon sash. Oh yes. Perfection.
Amyla's shoulders shook with barely-contained mirth. Oh, what a strange child she had.
Something... blue.
Entranced, Yana instantly dropped the purple dress and padded slowly over to the rack, shoving the other dresses aside until she saw the dress in all of its bright blue, rhinestone-studded glory, complete with a ribbon sash. Oh yes. Perfection.
Amyla's shoulders shook with barely-contained mirth. Oh, what a strange child she had.
MCDRaddictedrose
Eku jumped back a few inches at the sudden movement. When he saw her go for the not as pretty blue dress, he was surprised at first. Why would she want an uglier dress? And then, the great answer clicked in Eku's brain: That meant the purple dress was hi-is~! He scampered over to the disregaurded piece of clothing and snatched it up before Yana could realize her mistake.
Orous merely smiled and shook his head. These children never cease to amuse me... especially when they snitch a drink and fly off with it.
Orous merely smiled and shook his head. These children never cease to amuse me... especially when they snitch a drink and fly off with it.
Amyla Edana
Yana was too entranced by the blue-ness to care about the purple dress any longer. She stroked her new find once or twice and then glanced at her mother before making the sign for 'please'.
Amyla nodded and went over to free the dress from the rack, eliciting a happy giggle and a dance from Yana. Well, I think we can call this trip a success... the woman thought, watching the excitement in her daughter's eyes. She then glanced over at Orous. "Are you going to let him wear that?" she asked curiously, nodding her head at the boy and the purple dress.
Thoroughly content now, Yana wandered back over to Eku to watch him and his new possession. She quickly signed 'Eku dress'. Yes, it was, indeed, his dress now. She didn't care; she had a prettier one. And it was blue... with shinies!
Amyla nodded and went over to free the dress from the rack, eliciting a happy giggle and a dance from Yana. Well, I think we can call this trip a success... the woman thought, watching the excitement in her daughter's eyes. She then glanced over at Orous. "Are you going to let him wear that?" she asked curiously, nodding her head at the boy and the purple dress.
Thoroughly content now, Yana wandered back over to Eku to watch him and his new possession. She quickly signed 'Eku dress'. Yes, it was, indeed, his dress now. She didn't care; she had a prettier one. And it was blue... with shinies!
MCDRaddictedrose
Orous merely shrugged as he watched Eku madly clutch his new clothing item. "If he wants it," Orous began to reason, struggling not to laugh, "and he will wear it, than I see no reason not to."
Eku looked up and grinned widely at Yana, revealing his four pointed canines for the first time.
Orous shook his head, still smiling, as he picked Eku up. "Well, shall we find something for your older brother as well?"
Eku looked up and grinned widely at Yana, revealing his four pointed canines for the first time.
Orous shook his head, still smiling, as he picked Eku up. "Well, shall we find something for your older brother as well?"
Amyla Edana
Amyla resisted the urge to giggle. "I'm sure he'll look lovely," she said, not able to keep the grin off her face. Toddlers were so cute. Hellions, usually... but always cute. She looked down at the articles of clothing draped over her arm and then at her own daughter. Well... did they need anything else?
Yana, completely unperturbed by Eku's sharp teeth, grinned right back and fluttered her mismatched wings. "Ehuuuuu... esssssss," she said, articulating 'Eku' and 'dress' as best she could. He did have a fine dress now. It wasn't as fine as hers, but it would do. "Eeehussss essss?" she inquired, wondering if the other brother needed one as well. She tilted her head back as Orous picked up the other toddler, and she looked thoughtful for a moment. Then she promptly toddled back to the clothing rack and rifled through it for a moment, re-emerging with a black, velvet dress held high in both hands. "Ehhuuus esss!"
Yana, completely unperturbed by Eku's sharp teeth, grinned right back and fluttered her mismatched wings. "Ehuuuuu... esssssss," she said, articulating 'Eku' and 'dress' as best she could. He did have a fine dress now. It wasn't as fine as hers, but it would do. "Eeehussss essss?" she inquired, wondering if the other brother needed one as well. She tilted her head back as Orous picked up the other toddler, and she looked thoughtful for a moment. Then she promptly toddled back to the clothing rack and rifled through it for a moment, re-emerging with a black, velvet dress held high in both hands. "Ehhuuus esss!"
MCDRaddictedrose
Eku grinned widely again as he clapped his hands, nodded repeatedly. Sogning 'Emes Dress', he crawled down Orous and took the black velvet dress carefully from Yana. Making sure both dresses were secure, he climbed back up Orous.
Orous managed to smile with his mouth closed. "I'm sure they will..." he replied, his voice unsteady as he tried not to laugh. "I do believe that's enough shopping for today..."
Orous managed to smile with his mouth closed. "I'm sure they will..." he replied, his voice unsteady as he tried not to laugh. "I do believe that's enough shopping for today..."
Amyla Edana
Feeling quite sophisticated in her talented matching of outfits and dresses, Yana held her head high and watched Eku climb back to his father. Oh yes. She was talented, no doubts there. Grinning from ear to ear, the little girl sidled up alongside her mother, happily waving her tail about behind her.
"I concur," Amyla said, still trying hard not to laugh. She let slip a cough to hide her giggle before she was able to maintain control of herself. "I think Yana has picked out enough for now. It was wonderful to see you again, Orous, as well as to meet your kids. If he needs signing company, I'm sure Yana would love to see him again," she said, using her free hand to gesture at Eku and his dresses. Oh, he was too cute.
"I concur," Amyla said, still trying hard not to laugh. She let slip a cough to hide her giggle before she was able to maintain control of herself. "I think Yana has picked out enough for now. It was wonderful to see you again, Orous, as well as to meet your kids. If he needs signing company, I'm sure Yana would love to see him again," she said, using her free hand to gesture at Eku and his dresses. Oh, he was too cute.
