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"Volpe. Reeshie Volpe, but some of my friends call me Reesh," Reeshie replied, extending her hand in an offer to shake the other owner's. "I understand completely what you mean. I have nearly 21 what I would consider children in my care, though quite a few are grown and are considering having children of their own. When they were younger I could barely stand to let them out of my sight for two minutes," she paused there to laugh.

"They each are different and grew up in different ways, sometimes even in another place. The ones that didn't spend much time at home as young ones... They were much slower to adjust to the crowded household. They have permission to leave if they so wish," she finished and took another bite of her browning. A red and pale-green mouse poked its nose out of her pocket and uttered a faint squeak. Reeshie blinked and smiled as she handed it another piece of cracker after she had broken it off.

"Berry has been suffering from a minor cold, and I couldn't bear to leave her behind in the apartment," she explained and Berry let out a little mousey sneeze.

Reeshie smiled at Trin. She liked her personality, as well as how she reacted to her large family.
"Yes, I do realize it is a lot. I'll admit, only a handful of them are humanoid, but they comprehend English, some understanding more than one language, actually. I consider all of them my children, so I have very few pets, Berry being one of them," she replied, dabbing at Berry's whiskered nose with the corner of a handkerchief. She sighed as she put the item away.
"It is true, the house gets rather crowded of sorts, but it is spacious enough for us, as well as room for guests. You're welcome to stop by for tea or something if you'd like. Bring yours. I'm sure the little ones would love to have someone new to... play with," she added with a smile and a quirk of an eyebrow.

"I only have two that can compare to a human, and I'll agree that I'm not entirely normal myself," she replied with a wink.

"Wonderful. Most of Sophie's older brothers and sisters have grown too old to play with her as often as she'd like, and the tinies have gotten rather bored lately. A new friend would definately placate them," Reeshie replied with a smile. She nodded at Trin's explanation of having anti-social children.
"I understand completely what you mean. One of my children was recently given to me from a nice lady who was moving and couldn't take her along. I fear she's had trouble coping and is extremely shy towards the others, except myself and the other two of her species at home," she added with a shake of her head.

"Though I wish to have my Dumyr taught, I also plan to see that as soon as he or she learns to read and write, he or she receives letters from the others so that they can get to know each other... So they won't be total strangers," she added with a firm nod. If she had to teach her Dumyr English and be the post-woman as well, so be it. She suddenly burst into laughter.
"Oh my! I must sound like an old maid, talking about my children all grown up and all!" she laughed, her cheeks turning a couple shades pinker with her hearty laughter.

Hakim felt a bit left out of the conversation. Children...now that was a scary thought. He hadn't thought that taking this Dumyr on would be like having a child, he hoped he hadn't made the wrong decision.

"You both sound so experienced." He smiled taking a brownie though he didn't usually eat sweet foods. "Though we all need to start somewhere I suppose. I have few commitments, so hopefully I will be able to see him often." He took a bite of the brownie and thought again about what they had been saying. "I wonder if I could call on either of you for help, should I need it. I'm rather nervous, and you both seem so knowledgable."

Maggie snagged a brownie and nibbled on it thoughtfully as she listened to the others talk. She considered everything that Aubri had said and smiled slightly. She'd made her final decision and her Dumyr would stay in Baarikmet, provided these Elders accepted s/he as an apprentice. If not, well, they'd deal with that when and if it happened.

"Good brownies," she murmured, eating the last bite. "I wonder what Aubri meant by paperwork?"

Trin smiled. "That sounds like agreat idea! Unfortunately, I wouldn't be traveling with you, but it sounds like it would be much more fun for you guys to travel together rather than go all on your lonesome. However, the progress comparisons and such seem like a great idea; as long as it doesn't get too competitive." She giggled at the thought of the new owners fighting over whose Dumyr was the best.

Kat idly listened to the talk of the others. She wasn't the kind of person who warmed up to people quickly, and listening was far easier. They seemed to be talking about their "children." It was a good thing Kat sat there with a blank look on her face; she only had one "child" by her definition, and Lepus was a teen when he fell into her lap. He was the first, and last, of the humanoids in the household, so Kat knew very little about how to raise "children."

However, it did seem that far more of her house's inhabitants could speak English as well as understand it. "Maybe that's why some of them were so suprised when they first came here," Kat thought. "They've never seen talking animals before." That made Kat feel better for a split second, before she mentally chided herself for feeling better at other people's lack of experience on the subject.

A thought occured to her as the other people were talking of traveling to visit their Dumyr together, and she couldn't stop herself from voicing it. "Can't we be pen pals with them?"

"Twenty one children, I think your advice would be better than anything I could come up with on my own." Hakim laughed. It was good to know the other owners were so friendly and eager to lend a hand.
"I suppose just because they cannot write back it does not mean we cannot write. Surely their mentors would be proficient enough to translate if we keep it simple."

Noticing one of his shirt sleeves was sticking out of his jacket further than the other he adjusted it. "This will be quite an interesting challenge." He said making sure both cuffs were equal.

"So," He began in a bid to keep the conversation flowing. "Did any of you grow up in Barton? If you don't mind me asking. I'm rather new here myself."