Risa was getting everything ready. She'd put the popcorn over the fireplace, and had put the dvd in. (It was a wonder to her son that she knew how to use it--she seemed pretty old fashioned.)
"So Matthias is coming over?" He asked, with a knowing smile. "I look forward to meeting him again." He said. Though, again was hardly the term. Miles had seen Matth, it was true. They had never really spoken.
"What movie are we going to be watching?" He asked.
"Oh.. I was thinking a family movie--because you know.. He has kids." Miles shook his head at his mother.
"I'll keep Aife and Koloro busy. You two watch whatever you like."
This was already not boding well. Koloro was screaming, and Aife was crying. Joy. Matthias sighed, making his way up towards the house. He hoped they wouldn't do this during the entirety of their visit.
Aife was clinging to her father, burrying her face in his shoulder as she tried to shield her ears with chubby hands. Brother was loud!
Koloro was screaming, scared. There were so many new people, and this was a new place, and...and...and he wanted to go home!
Miles opened the door. "Hi, Mr. Matthias." He said brightly, raising his voice so the fae could hear him over the screaming of the two children. Joshua stuck his head out.
"Hi Kole!" he said with a smile. "Mr. Matth, I'll take care of him while you guys watch the movie, alright?" He asked. "He likes me." He said proudly, course he would. He put his arms out to recieve the child.
Miles looked to his cousin, frowned, and then looked to Aife. "Hi baby." He said, trying to imitate what his older cousin had done with Kole. "Want to play with me? I have toys."
Matthias smiled lightly. "Hello, Miles." he greeted, nodding once.
Koloro shut up, immediatly turning into smiley-happy baby as he babbled, reaching out for Josh. It was nice boy again! "T'pid f'lers!" he greeted, giggling.
Aife was never as happy as her brother. Silver eyes looked up at the boy, peeking shyly at him. "T....toys." she murmured, mimicking him. Toys.....that was the term Orita used to describe her teddy bears and dolls.
Joshua took Kole, and giggled slightly. "Yeah, that's right." He agreed. "Stupid flowers." He smiled at Matthias innocently. "Mom sent me here to make sure your date goes well." He told him. "So don't mess up--or I'll get in trouble." He said.
"Miles?" Risa had gotten up from the couch. "Is Matth here?" She walked over to the door. "Nice to see you again, Matth." She said brightly. "Why don't you let the boys take the babies? Joshua's especially good with them." She ruffled her nephew's hair.
Miles offered to take Aife. "Come on," He told the golden haired baby. "I have some dolls you might like. I'll give them to you--Mom got them for me before I was born." He frowned slightly, and whispered. "She thought I was gonna be a girl."
Matthias shook his head, pink tinging his cheeks. "It's not a..." he trailed off as Risa came to the door. "It is nice to see you too, Risa." he said, bowing slightly. He then nodded, handing off the babies carefully to the children.
Koloro clapped his hands, laughing. He then proceeded to his usual greeting: the nomming of the shirt. Josh's shirts generally tasted different than Daddy's....he could probably pick Josh out of a crowd just by shirt smell.
Aife caught the word 'dolls', but that was about it. She looked a little worried, a small sound coming from her throat. Was Orita leaving her? She didn't want to be left? Had she been bad? Was he throwing her away? She tried to be good, really, she did.... A scared sniffle came from the girl.
Joshua just gave Matthias a knowing smile, before turning and taking Kole to Mile's room. He'd succeeded in making the man blush, that meant it was a date, obviously. He grinned. He knew just what to do--but he wouldn't carry out his plan until later. Oh, he looked forward to it.
Miles hugged Aife gently. "It's okay." He said. "He's not going to leave you." He muttered, trying to cheer the infant up. "He'll be right here, and when we're done playing with toys--I'll give you some."
Risa looked from Joshua's back to Matth's face, and smiled. "You're blushing." She said. "Josh giving you a bad time?" She asked. "He's been doing that ever since the bonfire. I think Thali puts him up to it."
Koloro eyes wandered around, looking at all the new things in the new place. It was all so...new. He babbled, reaching out for random things along the way. Looks like it won't be too hard to keep him distracted.
Aife didn't calm down till Matthias stepped closer to the house. That meant he wasn't leaving her...yet. She leaned against the older boy, tiny fists rubbing at her eyes to dry the tears.
Matthias shook his head. "I'm not blushing." he stated calmly, regaining his composure. "And yes, he was....but most children are apt to do as such. And I would not doubt that. Not in the least."
Joshua smiled at Kole, and set the baby down. He set a ball in front of him, and gently rolled it to the younger boy. "See?" He asked. "This is how we play ball inside--outside we can bounce it. But not until you're bigger." He shook a finger at Kole, as if the baby would break this rule.
Miles hugged the infant gently. "It's okay, Aife." He said, taking her into the room. "Your Daddy's not going to leave you." He said, trying to comfort her. He offered her a small basket of dolls. "Here, we'll play with these." He said.
Risa gave the fae a knowing smile. "Alright, it was my imagination." She said, easily agreeing with him. "You want to watch a movie? Or something else?" She asked.
Koloro looked at the ball, stopping it with his hands. He inspected it a moment before giving it an experimental push. He then bleated; oh my gosh, the round thing was moving! He hadn't expected that.
Aife looked up at the boy questionly, eyes shiny with unshed tears. She still wasn't sure about him. She then looked to the dolls, picking one up cautiously. He'd offered them, so she was allowed to play with them, right? She picked on up, looking at it curiously.
Matthias frowned; now she was lying. He sighed, letting it drop. "It is your house, there for your choice of activities." he said calmly.
Joshua giggled at the sound Kole'd made. He'd never heard a baby make that kind of sound before--did all babies make that sound? If they did, how come his sisters never did? He rolled the ball gently back to him.
Miles smiled at Aife, and handed her another doll. "This one looks like you, kinda." He said. It was blonde and tan. "Maybe you'll look like her when you're bigger--except for your eyes and your wing."
Risa looked to Matth, and smiled. "But you're the guest, that means you get to pick." She teased. "If you like--we can watch a movie, I already made the popcorn." She pointed to the fire. "Or, we can sit and talk--or play game. Anything really, it's up to you."
Kole caught it, giggling. It was almost funny how easily amused he was. He hit at it, sending it off to the side a bit. He made a sound and grabby hands as it rolled; hey! You were supposed to go the other way!
Aife looked at the dolly he handed her, giving it an experimental pat. She caught the words you and eyes, but the rest was just a garbled mess as far as she was concerned. She looked closely; the dolly didn't have her eyes! What was the boy talking about?
Matthias shifted, not sure. "A movie will be fine, since you've already gone through the trouble of making popcorn." he said, nodding his head once. "Your pick of film, though....I'm not too familiar with the newer picture shows."
Joshua went and got the ball, and rolled it to Kole. "You're good at this game." He complimented, rolling the ball back to the baby. He liked playing with Kole! He was more fun than Sammi or Reiya. This made Josh wish he had a baby brother. Vinny wasn't much fun anymore, he got a little too upset if you made fun of him nowdays.
Miles took a teddy bear from the basket. "Hi, I'm Mr. Teddy." He said, moving the teddy bear with his hands. He wasn't very good at this--he knew he'd never be a puppetmaster.
Risa nodded at Matth, before going to the VCR. "Oh, there's already a movie in there. Want to watch that?" She asked, looking to Matth. "Miles must have picked one out for us."
Kole grinned as the ball came back to him, proceeding to hug it. Unfortunately, the ball rolled forwards, and he went sprawling across the floor. He then scuttled back away from it, eyes wide. The ball attacked him!
Aife blinked, silver eyes regarding the boy. What in Iirntaire's name was he doing? She tilted her head, not sure what to make of it.
Matthias shrugged. "Sure. It makes no difference to me." he said, offering a polite smile before sitting himself on the couch. This would prove to be most interesting....
Joshua sighed, and picked up the baby. "You okay?" He asked. "Did the ball hurt you?" That mean ball, scaring the poor baby.The older boy gave it a glare so it'd know it was angry with it--if the ball'd had eyes.
Miles frowned slightly, and handed the baby the teddy bear. "Here." He offered, with a small smile. "You be the bear then."
Risa hit play, and then went to get a bowl of popcorn she and Matth to share. She eventually sat on the couch next to him. "Popcorn?" She asked. When she realized what movie she'd put in, she went pale. Miles knew she hated spiders! Why'd he pick this one? She didn't even know why she owned -this- one. Probably one of the Christmas gifts she'd gotten from Thali.
Kole sniffled; how could his new round friend do this to him? He clung to the older boy; he'd protect him!
Aife blinked as she was handed the teddy. She then shrugged, then began babbling, moving the doll and the bear. The babbling didn't seem so much as babbling as it did a foreign language.
Matthias nodded, taking a couple pieces. His eyes widened a bit. "How'd you get it in color?" he asked, absolutely amazed. He'd never seen a film in color before! He then looked to her, blinking. "Are you alright?" he asked, noticing her paleness.
Joshua hugged the baby gently. "It's alright." He said, rocking Kole a bit, like he'd seen his mother do with an upset Sammi. That is, when she wasn't getting burnt. "I'm sorry it hurt you."
Miles blinked. "You're not--hey, that sounds like a language." He said, pausing. "But it's none of the ones I've heard before." He commented, as if to himself. He held up another doll, and started to move it, as if it were walking towards Aife.
Risa would have been amused at his amazement, if she hadn't been so frightened of the spiders on screen. "I'm f-fine." She managed, giving him a small, though forced, smile. "Oh--and they come in color now, they have for a while." She explained.
Koloro seemed to calm down a bit, the unshed tears dying down and diminishing the risk of overflowing. "Sorry..." he repeated, catching onto one of the words.
Aife made the teddy wave it's hand and, very slowly and carefully, made it greet the doll. "Nindai." she greeted, glancing up at Miles. He understood, right?
Matthias looked a bit embarrassed at his lack of modern knowledge. "I...I did not know that." he stated softly before looking to the screen. It was...interesting, to say the least.
Joshua smiled, glad that the baby had seemed to calm down. "Here." He said, setting the baby down. He handed Kole a teddy bear, as there seemed to be several in the room. "It won't hurt you, promise."
Miles blinked. Maybe that was her way of saying hello? He had his doll wave back. "Hi." He tried. Maybe he would learn her language someday.
Risa's hand was slowly making it's way to Matth's. Another spider came on screen, and devored someone. She took hold of his, and clasped it tightly. She didn't seem to notice what she was doing--her eyes were fixed on the tv.
Kole hugged the teddy; he knew what this was. A grin spread across his face, and he proceeded to nom the bear. A smile was shot towards the older boy.
Aife concentrated a moment. "Nindai.....hi?" she asked slowly, mumbling the words. Did the mean the same thing? Or was he just using baby talk with her?
Matthias blinked as his hand was suddenly clutched. He looked down at it; not sure what to do. She seemed scared, for some reason. Didn't she know that it was just a movie?
Joshua looked relieved, and decided that it was safe for him to go get Ellie. He walked into the green toddler's room, took her out of her crib, and set her on the floor. He grinned. "You know what to do." He muttered. The infant nodded, and started to crawl in the direction of the living room.
"Right." Miles said with a nod. "Nindai means hi." He was just guessing, he thought that was what it meant.
Risa tore her eyes from the tv screen, and blushed. "Matth, I'm so sorry!" She said. "Spiders have always scared me--ever since my sister... she's a witch you know...spi...tried to eat me..." She sighed, and folded her hands in her lap, as if to make sure that didn't happen again.
Koloro blinked as the boy left, but luckily, didn't get upset. Instead, he happily chewed on the bear, oblivious to the plotting around him.
Aife smiled slightly, waving. "Nindai." she said, greeting Miles. This was proving to be rather....interesting.
Matthias was a pale shade of pink. "Oh, well....it's okay..." he muttered, trying to regain his composure. "If you want, we can change films. I will not mind." he patted her, trying to cheer her up.
Ellie reached the living room, and crawled over to Matth's leg. She used it to help her stand up. "'Ug?" She asked. She was doing just what her older cousin had told her to do.
Joshua grinned as he watched, then he entered Miles' room. "Hi Kole." He greeted the baby. "Still playing with Teddy?"
Miles smiled, and waved back. "Hi." He said. At least he knew one word in her language, whichever that was.
Risa gave a relieved sigh, but then seemed to think about it. "If you're enjoying it, I'm fine." She said, taking a handful of popcorn. She'd noticed his blush, and was smiling to herself about it. He must like her, at least a little bit, if he was blushing.
Matthias blinked, looking down at the infant. "Oh, um....sure." he said, picking the green infant up and giving her a hug. He then looked to Risa, unaware of his blushing. "Are you sure? I have no problem with changing films."
Koloro looked up, grinning at the nickname. He then held out the chewed-on bear to Josh, offering it to him to play with. After all, sharing was caring, right?
Aife giggled, clapping her hands. This learning stuff was kind of fun. "Hi." she repeating, her soft tone sounding almost happy.
Ellie smiled, and hugged the adult as best as she could. She leaned against his chest, and muttered something that sounded remotely like, "Daddy."
Joshua shook his head at Kole. "You keep it." He said. He wasn't been generous in the least, he didn't want a slimed on teddy bear. He picked up a bunny plushie, and started moving it around as if it were dancing.
Miles smiled at Aife. "Yeah, hi." He said, waving to demonstrate.
Matthias blinked. Daddy? Oh no, no no no.... "Matthias." he corrected, his tone as gentle as he could manage. He patted the little girl's back, feeling more than a little awkward.
Koloro grinned, laughing and clapping at the dancing bunny as if it were the most amazing thing he'd ever laid eyes on. Again, he was almost as easily entertained as he was scared.
Ellie frowned at the adult. "Daddy." She insisted. "Futuwe Daddy." She whispered, so her mother couldn't hear here. "Luv ooo, Daddy." She looked to Risa, who was back to being pale. It wasn't going as planned, yet then. She pressed her lips to Matth's ears. "She luv you, Maff."
The poor fae didn't seem to have heard Matth's comment about changing films. She kept looking over to him, and smiling secretively, however pale she was.
Josh was pleased that he could entertain Kole so easily. How he'd love an younger brother. Maybe that was what he'd ask Santa Claus for this year.
Matthias turned pale, almost the color of paper. Love? Oh no. He was NOT going down this road. Nope. No way, no how. The look on his face was a mix of fear and shock which, to those who didn't know him that well, could have been attributed to the movie. His eyes were locked, staring straight ahead.
Risa gave Matth a concerned look, before taking his hand. "You okay?" She asked gently, before going to turn off the tv. "If the movie's frightening--we can do something else." She suggested. She didn't think it was the movie though.. She looked down to Ellie and groaned.
"Not you again." She muttered, before taking the baby into her arms. "What did you say this time?"
Matthias looked at her, blushing a pale shade of pink. "I'm fine." he said, forcing his tone to its usual calmness. "The movie was fine, though if you wish to switch activities, I shalln't mind." He fell silent as she took the baby, shifting uncomfortably.
Risa sat next to him. "Was she being mean again?" She asked, looking at her daughter. "I don't know where she comes up with these ideas..." She looked down the hall and spotted a certain dark haired child. Her eyes narrowed. "Joshua..." She started, folding her arms.
"You guys aren't moving fast enough!" The boy complained, before racing back into Miles' room. Yikes, that'd been close.
Matthias shook his head. "No, she wasn't...." he said, being honest. Technically, nothing the infant had said anything that could be considered mean....but it was a bit awkward.
He then widened his eyes at Josh; just what was that supposed to mean?
Risa grumbled for a moment, before looking at Ellie. "Thali's put them up to this." She complained. "They say fae are too slow at dating--I know, this isn't a date--but yeah.. Elves are hasty, I suppose. And Joshua's worse." She paused, and seemed to be thinking.
"If only to humor them, would you like to go somewhere with me? Like.. On a date?" She asked.
Matthias just sighed as he listened to her explaination. "I believe it has to do with individuals, not the entire species." he said, shrugging. He then froze. Wait....was she asking him out. He fell silent, not sure how to respond. Crap, he was in neck-deep and sinking fast, wasn't he?
"Probably." Risa responded, before pausing awkwardly at his silence. "You know--just to make them leave us alone. Just a one time thing, if you like.." She shrugged. Of course she didn't want it to be a one time thing, but she could never know with Matth.
Color tinted the fae's cheeks, much to his chagrin. "I....I suppose we could." he said, looking away in an attempt to hide his involuntary blushing. What was he getting himself into?!? Now, not only was he neck-deep, but now he was wearing concrete shoes.
Risa gave him a bright smile, resisting the urge to jump up and down. He'd said it was okay, and he'd blushed. That obviously meant he didn't want it to be a one time thing either! He must have liked her, even a little bit.
"Okay." She said, still smiling. "When?" She paused, and decided to be mean. "Matth, you have something on your face." She said, putting her fingers where the blush was. Oh, what the heck. She planted a kiss on his cheek, before turning away and blushing.
Again, he was struck speechless. Did....did she just kiss him?!? The blush deepened, though his face was still blank. Oh hell, he was sunk, dammit. "U....um.....you may pick the day and time...." he muttered quietly, staring at the floor.
This time, Risa had been expecting his silence. She turned back to smile at him, still blushing. "How about tomorrow night, at the park? There's supposed to be a good view of the stars on the hill there--" She grinned at him. "You know, it doesn't have to be a one time thing." She started
Matthias took a deep, calming breath. "That would be acceptable." he said, nodding. He fell silent again; not only was he under, but now he was getting dragged further. Great. He shifted, deciding that no answer was the best answer.
"Sounds good." Risa said with a smile and a nod. Stars, that was a romantic date. She liked it. Matthias could pretend all he liked--but she knew he liked her. He wouldn't have blushed so much if he didn't. "And maybe we could go to dinner beforehand." She suggested.
Matthias nodded once. "As you wish." he said softly. He fidgeted, feeling rather uncomfortable and awkward. How was he gonna get himself out of this mess?
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