|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:48 pm
Part one: Breakfast
Keeta stepped through the mirror into the "front door closet" of Ceres and Sky's house. She had arranged to come over today on the pretext that she would go over some wedding things with Ceres while the kids played together. The actual reason for the visit, however, was to surprise Joel with his belated birthday present. She hadn't come over sooner do to Joel having been ill.
It had been hard for her to accept what "Madame" Amanda Raichert had suggested as a sure for her son's sudden lack of appetite, but within 24 hrs of Joel's complete removal from any source of natural light, she had begun to see improvements. Joel started to accept soup first, and then other semi-liquids, such as jello and pudding. Within 3 days he had gotten most of his color back and was returning to solid foods. After 5 days, Keeta called Amanda to report that he seemed to be eating normally again, and was told that she should try taking him outside. He was so happy to get to run around again, and he continued to eat well. Keeta was more grateful than she could ever express, to have her son back in full health. She would ever be vigilant of the lunar calendar now, however, and promised herself that she would never take Joel outside under a full moon again....at least not that close to sundown.
Fortunately Joel was back to his regular eating habits, but she had been so scared! In fact she was rather apprehensive about the whole horse thing at all, and to add him being sick on top of it. She knew having a pet would be a good learning experience as he grew, which is why she had gotten both the children a Bunkichi fluff, but...horses were a much bigger responsibility, and she wondered whether Camille might feel left out.
She looked at the little girl with the green hair that was standing next to her. Keeta felt like she had been somewhat inattentive this past week, as she was caring for Joel. She planned to make it up to her soon. Maybe they would go see a movie together or something.
Camille smiled back at Keeta. She didn't seem to have been terribly bothered by the decrease in attention this past week. The young girl had busied herself with coloring books and the few dolls Keeta had bought her. She was happy right now just to be included in the goings on. Ceres' house was no longer frightening and unfamiliar as she had been here many times now. She still had her bouts of shyness, but they weren't as severe as they had been initially.
Joel wiggled in Keeta's arms. He had had enough of being coddled day in and day out and now he wanted down. He really hadn't understood why his mommy had been upset and hadn't let him play and do the things he normally did. Now that they had left the house, the desire to be "free" reared it's head.
"Down. Down. Down," Joel repeated as he wiggled.
"Ok, Joel! Ok!" Keeta said with exasperation as she set him on the floor. Ceres hardly realized that Keeta, Joel, and Camille had arrived until she heard the demands of Joel. She looked down and her eyes went wide. She quickly headed back to her room to grab a house coat.
Since she had woken she had not been at ease. Natalia had been gone- when she left or for how long she didn't know. And, what made matters worse was that Natalia had not left a note. She knew she had to be somewhere on the island but it was a very large place.
Coming back out of the bed room she drew in a deep breath- she was trying her best to keep calm... She remembered why exactly Keeta was here and didn't want to disrupt those plans.
She came down the hall and clapped her hands. Suddenly the halls, kitchen, and living room where well lit. The kitchen also came alive with the sound of clanking pots and pans... breakfast was in order.
Once that was taken care of she went to properly greet Keeta, Joel, and Camille. Keeta frowned. It was unusually quiet and no one came to greet them right away. She wasn't upset, farm from it, Keeta was actually more concerned because the house was normally brimming with activity. Had she gotten the wrong day? She was about to call out, when Ceres appeared. Keeta offered her a warm smile.
"There you are. I was beginning to worry! How are you?" Ceres tried not to think to long or to hard on how she was doing. "Great," she said trying to make it sound as if she meant it. "Coffee, tea, juice, soda?" She asked trying to avoid the whole 'what's wrong'.
"Mother!" Perian exclaimed as she come into the kitchen in a near full out trot. "Someone left the stable doors open!" She crossed her arms as she whickered. "Irresponsible!"
Ceres tried to sigh her sigh of relief as quietly as possible. She avoided everyone's eyes. "Would you be a dear and close them?" She smiled most motherly. "Jooth, jooth!" Joel said with a grin as he hurried into the kitchen. Juice was always a magic word with him. He did his best to climb up on one of the kitchen chairs, but struggled with the height. Looking to be 'rescued' he turned to Keeta.
"Mommy up!" he said bouncing around, finding more ways in which to release his pent up energy.
"Up, please," Keeta emphasised, trying to get him to learn the words please and thank you at an early age.
"Pees," he repeated as Keeta hoisted him onto the chair.
Camille followed and walked up to Ceres, before speaking in a very small voice.
"Can I have juice too....please?" she added as an afterthought, after hearing Keeta remind Joel.
Keeta turned away from the table and watched the interaction between Ceres and Perian, her eyes slightly narrowed. Ceres was acting almost....evasive. It wasn't like her. Something wasn't right.....Keeta decided to wait a few moments to see if she could pick up anything else before bringing it up. The stable incident did surprise her though.
"Who would have done that?" she asked, clearly surprised. She had always known Ceres' children to be responsible, at least while they were on the island. Perian saw that look in her eyes and simply nodded her head. "Certainly," she said turning and trotting this time more gently from the kitchen. The flicking of her tail almost sounded like an angry smack against the wall... Who was she to argue with her mother.
"Certainly dears," Ceres said helping both Joel and Camille. She got them seated (boosters included) and pushed in. "And, here we go," she said as she sat a couple glasses of milk on the table.
Being a mother of eight made her a pro- not that she would openly boast.
Once they were settled she looked to Keeta. She knew exactly who had left it open. She chewed on her lip for a moment and pulled on her robe (as if it wasn't already closed enough). "It's really nothing..." she said with a smile. "So... Milk, Coffee, Juice, Tea, Pop?" She asked again. Joel looked at the glass of milk with confusion. He wanted juice! Not milk. And he wasn't used to big boy cups yet. Particularly not ones made of glass. He looked from the milk to Keeta.
"Jooth?"
The corners of Keeta's mouth turned down a few degrees, causing her to frown. Something was definitely not right. She shushed Joel with a wave of her hand while she watched Ceres. Was she starting to age enough to become senile? Keeta certainly hoped not.
"No Ceres, I'm fine...." Keeta said slowly. "But since you asked again...the kids asked for juice, and I don't think they're ready for adult glasses yet. Are you sure you're ok?" Her eyes squinched slightly as she scrutinized Ceres.
Suddenly there was the sound of breaking glass behind her. Keeta whirrled to look and saw Camille covered in milk, with broken pieces of glass littering the floor around her feet.
Camille sat there in stunned silence for a moment before starting to cry. She was both scared and sad. She didn't mean to break it! Ceres had given her a big girl cup and she wanted to try it. She didn't mind having milk instead. Unfortunatly her small fingers couldn't properly grip it and it slipped from her hands.
"I...I...sorry mommy!" she sobbed. "I didn'... didn' mean to!"
Keeta immediately went to retrive Camille, ignoring the fact that she was getting milk on herself. She carried the girl over to the sink and started to clean her up with water and a nearby dish towel.
"Shhhh....shhhhh, you're ok," Keeta said, trying to calm the girl. She didn't blame her and she hoped neither would Ceres. Camille had only been using what she had been given. "Dear, dear, dear..." Ceres said more than a few times over. She rubbed her temples. "This certainly won't do will it..." she chuckled something similar to Rhine (no doubt where he picked it up from). "Keeta... I'll have this mess fixed in a second..."
Ceres felt awful for the mess she had made. It was more than apparent how little she was paying attention and how far away she must have been. She gave a high pitched whistle and everything in the kitchen (within her power) came to a sudden stop.
Ceres waved her hand and Joel's cup turned from glass to plastic and from milk to juice. Two problems down. She snapped her fingers and the shattered glass and split milk disappeared. "Really we don't need to stain clothes or cut toes."
"Now then," Ceres said with a grin as a plastic cup with juice appeared in her hand. "This is for you," she said as she handed it to Camile. "And, I can clearly see it is a pancake morning with extra syrup."
She wasn't worried about the extra energy the sugar might cause because there was plenty of space to use it up in. And, she also had plenty of children to help keep up with the younger ones.
Ceres pulled out a chair and took a seat (more like plopped). It had taken more out of her than she realized. She really missed those days... She continued to wave her hand and reanimate the kitchen. Keeta watched gratefully as things returned to 'normal' leaving no trace of what had just happened aside from Camille's tear streaked face. Joel had already grabbed his juice, and started to drink, not questioning nor caring how it had come to be there.
Camille sniffled and looked at Ceres, as if waiting for her to get mad. When Ceres offered her the cup of juice though, a tenative smile appeared on her face as she reached for the cup.
"I sorry...." she said quietly.
Keeta leaned over and kissed Camille on the cheek before picking her up and placing her back in the booster seat. Once the girl was settled, Keeta took a seat next to Ceres. She was not normally one to be so direct, but clearly it was needed.
"OK...what's going on? This isn't like you. And please don't tell me you're fine." Ceres winked at Camille before smiling at them both. She was thankful that it had been fairly easy to fix what had just happened. She watched them for a moment enjoy their juice- but staid vigilant on the making of the pancakes (she didn't need another mishap).
"Everything really is fine now," Ceres said with a smile as she glanced out the window for a split second. "I know exactly where Natalia is." She hadn't even realized she had said it. It had just slipped out when she glanced out the window. Keeta frowned and looked away, feeling insulted that Ceres continued playing this charade. Weren't they close enough that Ceres could tell her what was wrong? She was about to say something expressing her frustration when Ceres said the second part of her sentence. Keeta turned back to Ceres, an eyebrow arched in surprise.
"You didn't know where she was earlier?" "All I knew was that her bed was a wreck as if she had struggled," Ceres said with sigh. "No note or anything... Makes one worry," she paused for a moment and looked out the window again. "Especially since this island is suppose to be relatively exclusive." She wasn't going to openly express her fears of the island and what it was capable of. Abstinent minded, she swirled her hand. "So...why did you feel you had to keep that from me?" Keeta asked coming behind Ceres and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe I can help. Do you want to try and look for her?" Keeta wanted to find the girl, as she was worried now too. If it had been Joel or Camille...and it had been bad enough when Joel was sick. Keeta felt her stomach twinge slightly at the thought of him being lost. She had to consiously make an effort to stay looking attentively at Ceres insetad of looking behind to her check that her children were there. "Because I kept hoping that she would come waltzing through that door and that all my worries would have been for nothing. There is no point in worrying you if there is nothing to worry about... Wait and see," Ceres said so gently it was almost frail.
"Lifes lessons can not all be taught by parents. Some have to be learned on there own..." Ceres without second thought put her hand on top of Keeta's when she felt it. She wasn't paying attention to the fact that she had used her cooking hand. And in a split second the spoon in the pancake batter acted as a catapult device.
"Oh dear..." she said with a worried laugh. Keeta dodged the flying batter, glad it had flown away from the children. She wasn't sure Camille could handle having something else flung at her this morning.
"I'm confused...." Keeta said, speaking carefully. "Why are you worried if there's nothing to worry about? And if there is something to worry about why am I not allowed to be concerned....And I understand that parents can't teach their children everything but...." After snapping her fingers to get the mess cleaned up Ceres waved her other hand to get things going again. The sooner breakfast was put together the better.
"I meant," Ceres chuckled at the confusion. What a morning it had been. "That there was no sense in worrying you before I even knew that there was reason to worry. I just worry to worry... My children can tell you that."
Perians heavy steps could be heard in the living room as could the slamming of the door. "Oh..." was Keeta's intelligent reply. She looked a bit sheepish, now understanding Ceres' reasoning. What she still wasn't certain about, however, was whether there was a reason to worry. Was Natalia missing? She glanced sideways at Ceres. but decided to push the matter. Instead her head turned towards the sound of Perian's approach. For a solid five minutes silent bickering between Perian and Natalia could be heard in the living room. Apparently each person had valid points and neither was going to budge.
Finally they into the kitchen- both red in the face and their arms crossed over their chests. Natalia was covered in flecks of mud from head to toe. They stared each other down.
"CHILDREN!" Ceres said feeling her strings of patience about to snap. Keeta felt herself withdraw at the tension in the room. Yes...she was Natalia's godmother, but she was not about to interfere when Natalia's real mother was there. She silently made her way to the kitchen table, seating herself by Camille and Joel, avoiding eye contact with the two girls. Whatever was going on, she didn't need to make it more complicated by getting involved. Ceres took several deep breaths. She was intentionally calming herself down as she made her decision about what to do.
With the pancakes flipping themselves on the stove she finally decided to speak. "Natalia we have company go and wash up," she said looking her directly in the eyes. She knew that Natalia was able to see.
"We'll discuss this later," Ceres said firmly the second she heard Perian snort. Keeta kept her head down and concentrated on making sure Joel and Camille didn't spill their juice. She would just stay out of it, until circumstances dictated otherwise.
Camille looked at the pair of girls nervously. She didn't care for it when people were angry with one another. It put her on edge and only made her shyness more prominent, especially after having milk spilled on her this morning.
Joel simply watched curiously. He loved his juice, but it wasn't nearly as interesting as this! "Come on," Perian said with a rise and a fall of her hoof. She held out her hand for Natalia. As angry as she was at this not being settled she wasn't going to linger on it considering their mother had already made their ruling.
Natalia looked from her mother to Perian and then to Keeta. She then glanced at Camille and Joel. This certainly had turn out not to be a good morning. Her head was throbbing as she rubbed her temples. Finally, she held out her hand for Perian to take it.
"That's better," Ceres said with a smile. Once they were out the room she focused on putting the pancakes on the table as well as bacon, eggs, syrup, and a few other breakfast items. Keeta watched them depart with rising curiosity. Something was going on. Normally she wasn't the type to pry, but Natalia was her goddaughter after all. That gave her the right to know....right?
"I don't suppose it's any of my business, but what just happened?" Keeta said as nonchalantly as she could manage. "I'd say that falls under sibling rivalry or sisterly dispute..." Ceres said with a sigh as she shoved pancakes onto Natalia's plate. "But, if you mean previous to the kitchen I haven't the slightest." She was being truthful- she really didn't know what was going on. "I see...." Keeta mused, trying to make a connection between Ceres' previous concern, Natalia's muddy appearance and Perian's frustraition. As she thought, she put a pancake on Joel's and Camille's plates, cutting them into small pieces so the toddlers could pick them up and chew them easily. Keeta did try end encourage Camille to try and use the fork. She was slightly older and it was time to start training her to use silverware.
The two children chewed contently, not even concerned about the row moments earlier. It was no longer happening and so no longer bothered them. Joel was even behaving himself, choosing not to throw any pancake pieces at his sister, and eating the whole thing, which was a far cry better from the last time he had been offered pancakes. Keeta was glad the worrisome time when he wasn't eating had passed. She just hoped it would be avoided in the future. Ceres really didn't know what to say or what to feel at the moment. Each of her children had their 'quarks' but Natalia's were proving to be strenuous on everyone.
Natalia returned looking far more suitable for the breakfast table. Her hair though not contained was no longer unruly. Mud, twigs, and outside in general had all been washed away. She sat in her normal spot. The way her eyes wondered was good indication she could no longer see. Frustration was still all over her face. "Good morning Natalia," Keeta started tentatively, taking a pancake and some bacon for herself. She reached for the jam and began to spread it over the top of the pancake, how she liked it best.
"How're you?"
"Nata!"
Joel waved at Natalia, too young still to comprehend that he couldn't see like he could. He grinned in her general direction.
Camille, however, knew better by now and offered a quiet greeting.
"Hello." "Morning," Natalia said glumly though she tried her best to make it sound as cheerful as her normal self. She sighed as she felt around for her fork... Some things got old quick and she could hardly wait to grow up. Probably later she would be in better spirits and ready to play.
Ceres could hardly say anything about Natalia's attitude because she was hardly the first to bring an unexceptionable one to the table. She smiled as she focused on 'company'. "Wedding plans first or..." She glanced out the window. "Well we can talk wedding until breakfast is over," she said, following Cere's example and ignoring Natalia's attitude.
"I want to make sure he eats, and if he gets too excited I don't think food will be on his mind," Keeta continued, looking significantly at Joel, who seemed to be oblivious to the fact she was speaking about him. She would be watching his appitite like a hawk for a good month at least.
"I know I want it relatively small...like no more than 50 people on the invitation list. And I know that still sounds like a lot, but I think between the two of us, we can fill that number pretty quickly...."
Camille quietly followed the conversation as best she could, while trying to manage the fork akwardly. She looked at Keeta embarassed, when a piece fell from the fork into her lap. It was still edible so she picked it up with her fingers and but it in her mouth, but it didn't seem Camille was destined to remain clean today. "Let me help you," Cassara said as she slid her arms around Camille and to the front of the little girl. "Like this," she said softly as she helped the girl curl her fingers around the fork and hold it straight.
"Morning Cassara," Ceres said glancing over at her daughter but kept her focus on Keeta. "Rhine coming?" She asked as she started a side conversation. "What ever number you think is proper. If we count close family I'd say we already have between 15 and 20. We cannot count the restaurant crew because well they will be working hard behind the scenes." Camille smiled at Ceres. She was still learning, but she would get it soon enough. She set about finishing her pancake.
Keeta started doing mental calculations, thinking outloud as she went. She nodded a silent greeting towards Cassara as she entered the room.
"Well let's see, you, Sky, Natalia, Perian, Cas-...um... Vlad and Kaida, Aurora, Aurora Dawn, Tinker, Ayisha and Masika...and if they don't bring the twins, that's 11 right there...." Keeta's eyes wandered toward Cassara wondering if the young woman had noticed the slip. Either way, she continued with her thoughts.
"Surion, 12....and I would want to invite Luna from the clinic, Jiao'lan and Ke'rehl, Amena and her husband Silver, even though I haven't actually met him yet. Then there's my Evin "family": Annata, Kyo and Momi, Tess, Brat and her son Woodz. That's...." she counted on her fingers adding the new people.
"23. So you were estimating pretty well. Can you think of any names I've forgotten, particularly on your side that I should add to my mental checklist?" Keeta looked in her bag for a piece of paper.
"I really should learn to keep a pad of paper and a pen in here...." "Imbri and I believe she brings two guests with her as well. Natalia is fond of the little boy," Ceres chuckled as she snapped her fingers and paper and pen appeared. "All you have to do is ask."
"Doubt Rhine's coming... This being a 'woman' thing and all," Cassara couldn't help but to grumble.
Cassara straightened up and then ruffled the little girls hair. "Did you mention Kaida... It would only be fitting that I show up with my fiancee." She walked around the table to take a seat at her place. The kitchen had grown as had the table in the past view months to accommodate the 'new comers'.
"I really doubt Ayisha or Masika would be able to separate themselves from the twins. There is Fauste and Lexi... They are my sisters." Ceres sighed and again looked out the window. "Though I doubt they'll show... It has been a while. Terrible isn't it considering we all live on this island." "Thanks Ceres. Imbri plus two, and the twins...Fauste and Lexi..." Keeta murmured as she wrote down the names, although she cringed somewhat internally. She hoped that the number of small children that were getting put on the list wouldn't be disruptive. She turned to Cassara.
"I said Kaida, I guess you just didn't hear me. I wouldn't forget your mate," she said politely. "And I don't know if the guest list is necessarily a 'woman' thing. He may want some imput on who gets invited." She turned back to Ceres.
"I know it'll be disappointing if they don't show. I don't expect even half of my Evin family will be there either..." her eyes glazed over for a moment as she thought of Tess. The owner of the bar had been almost nonexistant in recent times, since she had eloped with her new husband. Shaking her head, she brought herself back to the present.
"Those names bring us to 30. Now that we're adding children on there though, do you think I should include Jiao'lan's daughter and Luna's daughter? I'm also thinking about the fairy who attended the birthday party. He seemed very nice.""Good thing Rhine has plenty of room at the cafe," Ceres chuckled as the number of people on the guest list quickly rose. She took one last bite of pancakes and pushed the plate forward- she would grab it later.
"Rhine doesn't see today as guest list day he sees it as wedding day planning day... And that to him is for the woman folk to do," Cassara mumbled again as she wrapped her tail around the syrup. "And, I was a bit preoccupied," she said in response to Kaida already being on the list.
"Include all the little ones..." Perian said as she came into the kitchen. "We're great with kids... Almost to good," she said with a slight cringe knowing full well how many would want 'pony rides'. "It really is the least we can do considering you really don't need wedding gifts unless you count the skimpy kind..." She shot a look at Cassara already knowing what her sibling could come up with. Keeta nodded, thinking, wondering if there were more to add. Perhaps they wouldn't have a hard time staying within the limit like she thought they would.
"Well if we keep the numbers down below 50, which we seem do be doing ok, at least the kitchen staff won't be overwhelmed. That shouldn't be more than they would get on a normal business night. I sure hope it's not a bother for Rhine to ask them to cater it...." Keeta frowned slightly as she thought. She never liked asking things of people, even if it was for a good reason. She glanced at Cassara when she spoke about Rhine's interpretation of the day's events.
"Perhaps I should call him. I would like his input. Doesn't seem right to me that he wouldn't have a say in who gets invited..." she started digging in her bag for her cell phone when Perian made her 'wedding gifts' comment. Keeta froze and turned her head so she could see the centaur out of the corner of her eyes. She blushed all the way to the tips of her ears, before turning back to her bag and trying to occupy herself with finding the phone. "I really doubt Rhine will answer the phone considering he's gearing up for the breakfast rush," Cassara said as she sat the syrup down. "Besides... between our mother and myself we know everyone he'd invite."
Ceres was occupied elsewhere again thought wise.
Perian snorted at Keeta's blush. She was glad that she would never have to worry about those things. "I'm sure he's seen you in less and is a pro at taking it off in seconds... So why blush?" Keeta mumbled a response to Perian under her breath, that sounded something like, "Doesn't mean I want everyone talking or thinking about it." She cast a glance towards Camille, who just smiled at her innocently as she managed to use the fork to get another piece of pancake in her mouth. Well at least all of this adultish talk was going over the toddler's head. But what about Natalia? Keeta frowned slightly and considered the girl before looking back at Cassara.
"I suppose you're right...I just don't want to leave anyone out that should be there. I guess we can always add to the list later." Keeta turned her gaze towards Ceres, who seemed to be out of it.
"Ceres?" she said, pausing a moment so the older woman's attention could refocus.
"Is there any other wedding issue you wanted to address right now? It seems we have a place for the wedding and reception, a tentative guest list, I have a dress...." she trailed off waiting for input."Just the more specific things," Ceres said as she turned her attention back to Keeta. "Flower girl, brides maids- and their dresses... Men's tuxes and such. Nit picky things," she was still acting a bit absentminded as she waved her hands to dismiss the dirty dishes.
Perian gave a side ways look at Cassara before winking. Her mind was already racing at the possibilities especially the ones that would prove most embarrassing. "Well...I have been considering those things. Haven't made any final determinations yet. It's hard to pick sometimes...." she glanced between Natalia and Camille. Camille was of the right age to be a 'cute' flower girl (and quite literally with the lilies in her hair!) but Keeta wasn't convinced that she could be persuaded to walk down the asile in a realitively large group of people. Natalia was her other choice, but would she consider herself to be too old? She could be a Jr. Bridesmaid but....Keeta sighed and twisted a blue lock of hair around her finger.
"I've actually played with the idea of having an extremely small wedding party with just the best man and the maid or matron of honor...Makes things less complicated. I haven't really discussed that part with Rhine yet. I don't know who he might be considering for his best man, or other groomsmen for that matter." "Yes, those are things that you have to consider... Not really much I can do to help you out." Ceres smiled as she weaved her fingers. The pen was fast at work scribbling across the paper with random thoughts and such about the wedding.
"I'm going to take these and head over to see Ayisha," Perian said as she grabbed the remainder of the pancakes and headed out the kitchen. She left the syrup and such...
Natalia huffed entirely to uptight to care about eating. She had tried- the evidence was there in the picked over pancakes. Everything, and then some was racing through her mind. "Can we hurry up and play all ready..." "Do think anyone would get upset if I chose to have only one person up there with me, instead of several?" Keeta looked at Ceres, waiting for an answer, when Natalia spoke. The blue-haired woman raised an eyebrow and looked at the girl.
"Is something bothering you Natalia?" she asked, trying to be gentle.
"I thought you were excited about the wedding..." "Why would anyone have reason to be upset? It is your wedding," Ceres chuckled. Just as Keeta's attention was turned to Natalia so was hers. She pursed her lips- her patience was wearing thin, really thin.
Natalia entwined her fingers in the ends of her hair. She sighed more in frustration than anything else. She had thought taking a ride earlier would have helped her clear her mind but it hadn't even begun to settle maters. "No, no not your wedding... I just... suck," with that said she stood up and headed out of the kitchen.
Cassara quickly stood up. She had a feeling what this was about. It was turning out that Natalia was a lot like her brother (even if they weren't blood related). Keeta's eyebrows shot up in surprise. That was certainly not the response she had expected. And to make matters more complicated, she had no idea what might have prompted such a statement from her goddaughter. Blinking, she turned to Ceres, wondering if she might straighten things out, speaking only when Natalia was out of earshot.
"Do you know why Natalia think she 'sucks?' And perhaps what it is she thinks she is poorly qualified for?" This negativity and stubbornness was becoming more and more common in Natalia's personality. Keeta hoped she would be able to keep up when she was the girl's guardian. "Violin," Ceres mumbled. She wanted to crawl under the table or at least be able to hide her face behind something. She sighed softly and looked from where Natalia once sat to Keeta.
"Natalia is brilliant in her own rights doesn't mean she has the confidence," with that said Cassara left the room. Her tail accidentally hitting the door frame in her quickness. "Ok.....so she needs to develop confidence in playing her violin. That will come with time. After all, she's still relatively young...but why is she all upset about it? Did someone give her bad marks on performance or something?" Keeta understood how people could be shy about their abilities, such as Rhine being shy about his violin performance. But that didn't mean they stressed about them and made themselves disaggreable. Keeta felt like she was missing some vital piece of information that would make all of this make more sense. She had no idea what that might be, however. Rhine was hoping we could all play together at the Cafes grand opening... Natalia having her own solo. Like Vlad said she's brilliant in her own rights it is just the glam is holding onto her pearl." Ceres stretched and suddenly realized how under dressed she was- and with it how scatterbrained she had been all morning. "As for the tude you can blame Vald for that... Probably Aurora Dawn to." She shook her head absently. "Oh....Rhine didn't mention that to me...." Keeta frowned slightly at having not been informed of the family concert. Maybe he just hadn't gotten around to telling her yet.
"Well if she's not ready, emotionally, wouldn't it be better to let her wait? Some people just aren't the type that like to do solos." Keeta pictured what it would be like standing in front of a whole group of people, being expected to play a song all by herself; or at the very least where she was the focus of the song. She shuddered involuntarily. Being the center of attention was not her thing. Her eyes grew slightly wide and she got a few butterflies in her stomach realizing that that is exactly what her wedding day was going to be. Ceres gave an odd look at Keeta, almost one of those eye brow raising moments that clearly defined 'oh'. "Well I am sure it is because we are finalizing bits and pieces like this..." she motioned towards the door.
"That is where Vlad comes in... She has a knack for getting clams to give up there pearls... Amazing isn't it considering how..." she was afraid to think let alone say the work. She gave a nervous chuckle. "Interesting.....well I hope it all works out for everyone's sake. I'd hate to see Natalia have a bad experience..." Keeta pursed her lips as she thought.
Seconds later, however, the sound of a sippy cup hitting the floor could be heard. Joel looked over at his mother grinning proudly. Uh-oh....Keeta knew that look. He was in the mood to play slam dunk. Fortunatly, from the look of things, he had finished his pancake, so there really wasn't much for him to toss on the ground. A cursory inspection of Camille's place revealed the same thing.
"Perhaps we should continue this discussion outside," she said significatly, glancing in the direction of the stables. Ceres tapped her lips for a moment as she looked over at the kitchen mess... She really didn't mind it. It had seen plenty of messes as well as herself and the rest of the family. Seconds later dishes were washing and rags were scrubbing. "Yes, to the stables. But, first let me collect Natalia." "I have my own collecting to do," Keeta said with a chuckle. "Take your time." She set about getting Joel and Camille ready to go outside, getting them out of their chairs and such. Keeta was grateful for Ceres' magic, otherwise the three of them never would have made it through the meal as clean as they did. Not that it mattered much. They were going to a stable after all. Keeta leaned over to re-fasten the velcro on Joel's shoes, when Camille approached her from behind.
"Where we going mommy?" she asked quietly, having not been outside the house on the island very often.
"Well....we're going somewhere special. You'll see when we get there."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 5:38 pm
It took Ceres a good eight minutes to figure out which room Natalia and Cassara had hidden themselves in. To her surprise and happiness Natalia seemed to have calmed down a good bit and it didn't take much convincing to her to be sociable again or give out apologies.
Natalia's bare feet smacked heavily against the tile flooring as she came into the kitchen. "Sorry about earlier," it sounded sincere enough at least for a passing apology. With that sad she looked in the direction of her mother (she knew by the swishing of her tail). "Can we go now...?" "It's ok Natalia," Keeta said nodding out of habit, despite knowing it was unlikely the girl could see it. She looked up and caught Ceres' gaze nodding again.
"And yes, I think we're ready to go." She had Joel firmly balanced on one hip and Camille's hand in hers. Ceres chuckled as she noticed Keeta's 'load'. She kicked a few stray toys out of their way- she really had to pick things up. Next she held open the door for them. "I hope you don't mind Keeta but I made sure that this could also benefit Camille."
Natalia chuckled. Suddenly she was full of excitement about having 'playmates'. Doubly excited about having 'riding partners'. With a bounce in her step she began to jingle as they headed towards the stables. Keeta stopped midstride at Cere's "confession," causing Joel to lurch slightly and cling on to Keeta's shirt, to regain his balance. Camille looked up at her with confusion, wondering why she had stopped.
"Oh Ceres....you didn't..." she protested in the tone of those who are appreciative, but overwhelmed. Keeta felt like Ceres was giving her too much. There was no way she would ever be able to return the generosity and she hated the feeling of being in one's debt, even though she knew Ceres wouldn't view it that way. "I did," Ceres said approvingly enough as if it made things alright. She wiggled her toes the moment they touched the grass- it was one of her favorite things. Once at the stable she motioned her hand so that it would unlock and opened.
"Mines so pretty. Electric blue mane and dark blue coat." Natalia was only dropping a few hints about what was waiting inside for the other two. Then again it probably wasn't that much of a hint considering theirs would be different in color from hers. "But..." Keeta started to protest again, but stopped when she heard Natalia's excitement. Apparently this was going to give the little girl as much pleasure as her mother, if not more.
"I guess I just feel like it's too much..." she said resignedly.
Joel wasn't old enough to really follow the conversation, but Camille looked from Keeta to Natalia to Ceres and back again. She could tell that something was afoot, but she had no idea as to what. Even though it was many a little girl's dream to have a pony of their very own, very few actually believed it would happen. And even fewer had that wish come true, so the thought didn't even cross her mind, even though she could smell the sweet scent of hay and horses from the stable. "I hardly see how it can be considered to much when the island is plentiful in them and they are more than willing to offer their services to me and my family," Ceres chuckled. "They are a cross between a Clydesdale and a Shetland. Thick and sturdy- short and portable."
Natalia clapped in pure delight... Every bell jingled and told of her presence. The pony she spoke of looked up and snorted the moment he saw her. He was happy to see her there was no doubting that. What was questionable was if he was happy about all the recent bells that had been added to his mane. "I guess it's just because I know I'll never be able to respond in kind. I have nothing like this to offer, from natural sources or otherwise, and though I know you would never expect it of me, I wish that I could return the kindness in some manner," she sighed, but smiled when she saw the blue pony and how he responded to Natalia. The two clearly cared for each other, with a bond between humanoid and animal as it was intended to be.
"Pony!" Camille squealed in hushed excitement as she jerked her mother's hand and wiggled, her joy in seeing the animal up close evident in every inch of her small frame.
Joel was equally excited at getting to see the pony up close. He clapped his hands and grinned.
"Horsie!" "Your time will come Keeta when you will pay me back without realizing it. Let me just enjoy myself while I can... And, part of that enjoyment comes from giving to others and sharing what I have to offer." Ceres snapped her fingers and the other two ponies came from their stables.
Nothing was wild about them at all. Even their stride was gentle almost overly so. Their thick, shaggy manes fell into their eyes- but, there was no evidence they had a hard time seeing.
"I've waited on naming mine so that we could all name them together!" Natalia squealed and clapped. Every bell continued to sing and as her sang so did her ponies. Camille brightened even more when she saw the approach of the other two ponies, but she didn't put two and two together. She saw how excited Natalia was, but also the expectation on her face. The green haired girl looked from Natalia, to the pair of ponies to Keeta with confusion.
"Camille, Natalia and Ceres are giving you one of the ponies here...and the other one is for Joel. You get to pick a pony and it will be yours to name and ride and take care of. I'm letting you pick first because I think you will know better which pony would be good for you and which one would be good for Joel." Camille just looked back and forth between Keeta and the ponies in wide-eyed silence. After a long moment, she finally spoke in her tiny voice.
"I get a pony?" "Yes," Natalia began as she took Camille's hands in hers, "ponies!!" She danced in step merrily not sure if the other would follow her lead or not. Her bells only got noisier but none of the ponies seemed bothered by this.
"She's had the hardest time keeping this a secret," Ceres said with a slightly goofy grin that was similar to Rhine's. She clapped in delight and gave a light laugh. "Must admit so have I." "Indeed...even I didn't know all the secret," Keeta remarked.
Joel was infected by Natalia's mirth and started clapping and laughing again.
"Yay ponies!" he said repeatedly, although Keeta didn't believe that he had grasped the concept that one of these ponies was to be his. He'd figure it out sooner or later though.
Camille didn't seem to know how to process this information. She just stood there, her face a mix between shock and indecision, unmoving despite Natalia's enthusiasm. This was the biggest decision of her very young life! She stared at the two ponies. One was a very light brown with a dark brown mane and tail; the other was a medium, almost bluish grey, with a darker shade of the same color for his mane and tail. Then Camille's expression relaxed some, as a thought came to her.
"Are they boys or girls?" she asked, as if that would help her make a decision. "I'm pretty sure the bluish one is a girl and the brown is a boy..." Ceres said as she tried her best to recollect. She really didn't know why though she had to think so hard when all she had to do was ask.
Natalia let go of Camille's one hand so she could take hold of Joel's. She didn't want him to feel left out in all the excitement. Her 'bouncing' was becoming a little less erratic. Tentatively, Camille walked up to the blue-grey pony and gently reached to touch the soft fur of her muzzle. The equine stepped forward, meeting her halfway, nudging her hand and giving a soft whicker, as if realizing this little person in front of her startled easily. Her ears flicked forward curiously as she looked at the little person. Camille smiled and looked at Ceres.
"I can keep her?" She asked, trying to confirm for certain whether she understood. Her eyes twinkled with child-like hope. "Yes, they are for you and your brother and you get to keep them as well as name them and take care of them. However, since I doubt you'll have room to house them they'll stay here in the stables. Your mommy will help teach you how to properly take care of them." Ceres chuckled as she confirmed for the little girl.
"I finally have a name for mine," Natalia said as she dropped both her friends hands and reached out to stroke her pony. Knowing her disability he stretched out his neck so that his muzzle could touch her hand. He then proceeded to lick her fingers. "I want to call him Lir," she managed to say in between giggles as the pony licked her fingers. "Thank you!" she squeaked, not quite having the vocabulary to express how happy and excited she was. Camille grinned and turned back to her little pony. She continued to stroke the grey-blue muzzle as she considered names. As was typical of a little girl as young as she was, the names she considered were things like "Princess," "Cinderella," "Ariel." Keeta had been letting her watch too many Disney princess films.
While Camille considered, Keeta held Joel lower so he could pet the other pony. This pony was equally as gentle, but he flicked his tail with the excitement of getting to meet this little boy.
"Joel, this pony is for you. Ceres is giving him to you for your birthday. You get to give him a name, if you want. Or mommy can help you give him a name."
Joel for the moment ignored his mother. He was too absorbed in feeling the pony's soft muzzle and mane.
Keeta turned to Natalia, realizing that she didn't have Joel's attention.
"Why did you choose to name him Lir?" she asked. Natalia turned her head to the direction from which Keeta's voice was coming. "He reminds me a lot of the glowing sea critters and Lir was the name of a God of the sea of one of those earth countries. Since I cannot call him sea critter I'll call him Lir since they come from the sea. That and he does look godly enough and if not then at least princely enough."
"Well Natalia it certainly is a fine name... Very fitting," Ceres chuckled. She walked over to Joel and knelt down. With her kneeling so did Joel's pony. "Is this easier?" She had chosen to give most of her attention to Joel since the two girls were older and could handle themselves. Keeta gratefully set Joel on the ground when the pony knelt. Now he could reach it, without her having to hold him up. He giggled and wrapped his arms around the pony's neck. He held up a piece of the pony's mane.
"Brown!" he declared. Keeta had been working on teaching him his colors and brown was one of his more recent aquisitions. Joel grinned with pride at being able to identify something that was brown. Keeta chuckled.
Camille was still considering her pony. She had gotten closer to her, realizing that the pony was going to remain still and not pull any surprises. Stroking the pony's back she spoke.
"Can I call her Daisy?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 5:40 pm
 *Joel getting better
*Wedding Plans
*Ponies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 5:42 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:23 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:36 pm
Devious Dragonettes
Keeta puttered around the kids section of the library with Camille and Joel. It was about half an hour until story time and Keeta was helping her children pick out some books to read to them at home, particularly since she had packed up most of their books at home.
Only a few more days until she moved. Her heart fluttered when she thought about it. It was the last big step before she and Rhine tied the knot.
Joel was looking through all the books about planes, cars and trucks, like many boys his age. In this regard he was the stereotypical boy and loved playing with all forms of transportation, be it a boat, car, plane or train. He wasn't exactly delicate as he plowed through the books, leaving the discarded ones on the floor.
Keeta tried to keep up with him and protect the books, but it wasn't the easiest thing to do. Joel finally settled on one and plopped down on the floor. He flipped through the pages, looking at the pictures.
Camille was more interested in the Disney princess books and the books with pictures of animals and flowers. She was more cautious, treating the books gently and putting away the ones she wasn't interested in. She finally picked a book with a picture of a girl and a cat on the cover.
Smiling, she carried it over to one of the child-sized tables and started to turn the pages. Every so often she would point to a letter and proudly proclaim it's name. Keeta had been teaching her a few letters. So far, she solidly knew about five.
Pushing his hair out of his eyes the male scanned the shelves, he wanted to get another book about running one's own business to read... The book seemed to be like... missing. Surion looks up suddenly when the weight from his one shoulder lessened suddenly, Senti had gotten bored, Kuyl was still being good but the more playful of the two... he was harder to keep still... And the small dragon was more interested in exploring, and thus he bolted across the room and around the corner... into the children's area sensing more people
Joel, having had his 'pair' of eyes on the book, and the third center eye roving the room was the first to notice the small dragon. Quickly the other two eyes joined the first and he grinned."It fly!" He giggled and pointed, kicking his legs in excitement. He didn't know what it was, but it flew like the planes he liked so much, so it was instantly cool in Joel's opinion.
Keeta looked up as soon as Joel spoke and ducked out of instinct. She let a slight cry of alarm, along with a few other mothers who had congregated in the area. Was that a dragon?!
"What the...."
Camille didn't look up until she heard the uncertainty in her mother's tone. Her eyes grew wide and she ran over to Keeta, wrapping herself around her mother's legs, using her as 'shield' against the UFO.
Surion let our a sigh of exasperation as he his hand dropped from the shelf and he muttered under his breath to the red dragonette which was still atop his opposite shoulder that had been vacated. "Least you behave Kuyl". The male turned on his heal, his black cloak billowed around him as he headed towards the direction Senti had gone 'get your butt back here' he told the misbehaving dragonette in his head.
Senti paid little to no attention to this at all... Small people!!! This was far more interesting then books... He loved playing with Natalia, maybe these little people would be just as fun!!! He lands lightly atop the lap of the giggling boy standing on his hind paws chittering like a crazy thing to the boy.
"Hihi!" Joel said to the creature, pleased it had come to him. He giggled all the more and was about to pet the miniature dragon, when Keeta approached, drawing his attention.
Keeta had made her way over surprisingly quickly with Camille wrapped around her like she was. While this little dragon made keeta nervous, she was not about to let it do something to her fearless son.
Sometimes she wished Joel was more skiddish, like Camille. It would mean he might not get himself into as many pickles. She waved he hands at the dragon, hoping it would frighten it off. Keeta didn't know if this thing was dangerous or friendly, and Joel was not about to be the test subject.
Senti looked up at the woman like she was insane or something, he made no effort whatsoever to move, he'd seen far more 'frightening' things in his lifetime. His head tips at her chittering and bouncing playfully on the lap he was atop.
"Senti where the heck did you go" Surion goes from one room to the next of the library before entering the children's area, his cloak billowed with his movements. His long dark blue and silver streaked hair was again 1/2 covering his face, only half of his face visible, the side with the lip-ring showing. His wings were not visible, but his horns, sharp teeth and tail were visible, he wore hisnormal black pants with the belts around the legs which he usually wore, plus a white tank and red silk button down shirt (which was open).
He was soon in the line of site of the group in the children's library but had stopped moving and was looking around.
"Shoo!" Keeta said, continuing to try and get the dragon off her son. She didn't want to resort to touching it, but if it didn't get off soon, she would make an attempt to physically remove it.
"Get off him! Shoo!" she repeated, trying not to look as nervous as she felt. Keeta was so absorbed with the small dragon, that she failed to notice Surion's entrance.
Joel, however, was thoroughly amused by the sight of his mother trying to remove this creature. He didn't understand that she was afraid for him, rather thinking she was just playing a game. He was having a ball!
Camille scooted away, when she realized Keeta had actually brought her *closer* to the creature. Her mommy was not managing to get rid of it either.
The small girl looked around, as if seeking help from another source, and her eyes found the man who had just entered the children's library area. At first, his imposing appearance made her afraid, but as she looked longer, she realized he looked familiar. Tentatively, she approached him (but not too close).
"Frog man?" she asked, not knowing his name, but thinking of the gift he had given her at the pool
Surion looked towards the voices he could only guess when he heard the shooing what was going on, and this theory proved correct when he saw what exactly it was the female was trying to shoo... Then he recognized the shooer and smiled turning and heading in that direction. He paused briefly hearing the child's voice "Well I suppose you could say that, but... Surion fits better" he winks and pauses near her.
Senti looks towards Surion, he still hasn't moved despite this woman's attempts and starts chittering once more. The sounds of the chittering could almost pass as a child very excited.
Camille smiled, glad this big man was the person she remembered and not someone new and scary. She noticed the other dragonette on his shoulder and pointed from it to the one seated on Joel.
"Sur-on help mommy?" she asked, not quite getting his name right, but at least she tried. Her mommy definitely needed help.
Keeta looked at Senti, exasperated. Why wouldn't it move? She was about to try and pick up the creature when she noticed it's attention drawn elsewhere. Instinctively, she turned to look at what Senti was noticing, hoping as she did so that turning away wasn't a stupid mistake. She was relieved to see Surion there. True, they hardly knew one another, but recognized him. Noticing Kuyl, she spoke.
"Is this yours?" There was hope in her voice. If it belonged to Surion, surely it couldn't be dangerous. Plus, there would be someone else to take care of dragon removal.
Joel, taking advantage of Keeta's distraction, grabbed Senti's tail, laughing at the dragonette's chittering.
"Don't worry" he says to the girl before moving past. "That it would, that it would" he was scolding the dragonette in his mind and it pouted.... least till Joel took Senti's tail at which time it did an about face looking directly to Joel and started chittering happily. "He wont hurt your son... but he definitely needs to behave that's for certain"
Surion approaches the trio debating if he should try and extract the dragonette from Joel's grasp or let the dragonette learn the hard way
Joel grinned wide at the Senti's reaction and grabbed the tail with both hands now, tugging on it. This creature was harder to pull on than that Bunkichi at home! It was more of a challenge. Joel was always interested in meeting and overcoming a challenge.
Keeta frowned at Joel, shaking her head. She couldn't believe he was encouraging the dragonette. Sighing she looked back at Surion.
"I'm glad to hear it's not dangerous. It's a miniature dragon?" she asked for the sake of getting her mind in the correct position to deal with this obstacle.
"Sorry for the rude greeting," she said, blushing slightly with shame.
"I was just worried about Joel. I didn't know what it was and whether it would hurt him. Not that it seemed to bother *him* much."
Camille followed behind Surion, now using him as the shield between herself and the chittering dragonette. Even if it wasn't dangerous like she'd hear her mommy and 'Sur-on' say, she didn't want to get too close.
A momententary look of shock registered on Senti's face at the pull on his tail, though the look didn't last long as Senti began this new game... It was much different then the games he played with Nat, in fact it was more like a play-fight or tug-of-war as his attention didn't waver.
Kuyl by now had sat up and then hopped lightly off Surion's shoulder, the red dragonette gliding to land lightly on the top of a low bookshelf where he sat and observed.
"It's a dragonette" Surion nods "It's bonded to me, it helps me preserve extra energy for times of need, sometimes it just stays in it's natural form atop my spear as it was made by Eirnae years ago." Surion tried to explain as he gave his attention to Keeta now that he'd at least located the misbehaving dragon. "And don't worry I understand, Senti seems to like kids or 'little people' as he calls them. He plays with Natalia when I'm visiting them"
Joel giggled. This was MUCH more fun than playing with the Bunkichi. He wiggled so his legs were no longer under the dragonette, trying to get better leverage as he tugged again.
Camille watched as Kuyl alighted from Surion's shoulder gripping the edge of his cloak, ready to dive underneath it if need be. She relaxed when she saw the small dragon land on a bookshelf a ways away.
"Ah, I see." Keeta wasn't sure she understood the mechanics of how they were bonded to Surion or how they preserved energy, but she got the basic idea, which is all that was needed. When she saw how Joel was tugging on Senti's tail she scolded him.
"Joel! Leave him alone! You'll hurt him. He's not a toy!" Keeta didn't really believe Joel would, or could, hurt Senti, but she didn't want him to think it was ok to just start pulling on random creatures. Probability dictated that eventually one of the creatures he pulled on would not appreciate it, and would retaliate. Joel needed to learn this lesson sooner rather than later.
Surion looks down feeling the grip on his cloak and smiles "one sec" he says to Keeta and then crouches for a moment beside Camille "His name is Kuyl" he tells her though it sounded much more like he had said 'cool' as he motioned the red dragonette calmly sitting on the shelf, he pauses and thinks for a moment "want to feel something funny?" he asks her.
Senti looked up at the sudden scolding he heard from Keeta, and in this movement Joel 'won' the battle as the dragonette lost his footing and landed squarely on his butt. It sat there a moment and blinked in surprise then toppled back onto his back chittering away once more even more excited and loudly declaring in Surion's mind it was a fun and good fight
"Cool? Something funny?" Camille repeated, saying it like she heard it, looking from Surion to the dragonette. She looks back at Surion searchingly, as if trying to decide whether or not to trust him. She recognized the fact that to 'feel' something would require participation on her part. She wasn't sure about that.
"Feel what?"
Joel disregarded his mother. He was having far too much fun! When Senti 'lost' and landed on his bottom, Joel let go of the tail because he was laughing so hard. His gleeful laughter started drawing stares from the others in the area who were waiting for story time.
Keeta looked at them sheepishly, making a vain attempt to quiet him. She hoped the librarian wouldn't feel the need to come over.
Surion gave Camille a gentle reassuring smile "Well it might tickle a little, but I promise it's not bad... What you need to do is stand very still and put your hand like this" he tells her and holds a hand out just a bit, palm side up in front of him, never once leaving the same height as the child.
Senti stopped making noise though laying still exactly where he was, his little chest heeving up
and down as if he was catching his breath. His head looks to Keeta and then back to Joel an obvious grin on his little maw
Kuyl on the other hand stopped watching the room and just watched Surion with this small person he didnt know.
Camille stands there silent for a moment, before slowly and nervously nodding her head. She carefully modeled his pose, eyes wide with anticipation of what he was going to do.
Keeta raised an eyebrow at Senti's pleased expression, as if silently reprimanding him, as she crouched down next to Joel. She put an arm around him, pulling the small boy into her lap, trying to calm him.
At first Joel fought her, not wanting to give up his fun, but when Keeta told him they would have to miss out on story time if he didn't quiet down, he soon lowered his volume. Joel really enjoyed coming to story time and wanted to see the pictures in the books. None of his pleasure diminished, however and his grin matched Senti's.
He smiles and reaches to Kuyl, hand out palm down, the dragonette stands and hops onto Surion's hand which Surion then brings back towards the pair of them, but not too fast. Surion stops his hand shortly before the child's hand and the dragonette looks at her.
Kuyl's little eyes watch her for a short time before he leans forward, first sniffing at Camille's hand before licking it, in his own way judging if this little person was a threat to Surion at all. It didn't take Kuyl long to decide the child was not a threat and he stepped one paw onto her hand and stopped, looking up at her and then licking the tip of her nose before stepping back onto Surion's hand looking slightly bored.
Senti flips over onto his paws once more when the laughter quiets, and he moves into the pair's lap sitting there with tail wrapped around himself looking up at Joel then at Keeta, that grin never leaving his face
Camille hesitated in her stance as Surion brought Kuyl closer, but the 'frog man's' promise kept her there, albeit nervously. She flinched when Kuyl licked her hand, not knowing what to expect,. After a short moment she allowed a small smile to appear on her face and a quiet giggle passed her lips. It *did* tickle!
She gasped and froze, however, when the dragonette stepped onto her hand and licked her nose. Surion hadn't told her it would do that! Her breathing grew more rapid as she tried to be brave and she barely blinked, her eyes crossing as they watched Kuyl's face come close to her own. As soon as it had started it was over, however, and Kuyl's weight was fully back on Surion's hand. Camille didn't speak, she just stood there, still frozen.
Joel couldn't have been happier to have Senti sit beside him in Keeta's lap. Grinning, he wrapped his arms around the dragonette's neck in a hug.
"Shh...we have to be qwiet," he said, as if hoping that would appease Keeta and his new friend would get to stay.
Keeta gasped and then frowned when Senti joined Joel in her lap. She had not invited the dragonette to share the space, but apparently he didn't seem to think one was needed. Sighing, she relented, especially when she saw Joel's excited expression, and couldn't help but inwardly chuckle at the small boy's attempt to get the creature to follow the 'rules.'
Surion lowers his hand and the red dragonette hops off lazily sauntering off in the direction of his more hyper jaguar patterned companion leaving Surion and Camille standing/crouching where they were. "He likes you, and I don't blame him you are a nice girl" Surion addresses Camille softly, turning his attention back to the child
Senti nods his head a bunch of times as if he knew exactly what the child wanted and lifts his front paws to his maw as if to say 'my mouth is shut'
Kuyl stops beside Keeta and looks directly up at her
"That was scary when he stepped on me," Camille said quietly, frowning, willing to express herself now that Kuyl was a safe distance away. She smiled though when Surion said the dragonette liked her. It was good to be liked, but she still felt slightly betrayed, not having expected Kuyl to step on her.
Keeta raised an eyebrow as the other dragonette joined them. There wasn't more room in her lap and she wasn't about to try and accomodate him. It was bad enough already having Senti there.
Joel, always happy to make more friends waved at the small, red dragon. He smiled at Senti happy that he was ok with being quiet for story time.
Oh a lap wasnt needed though Kuyl's expression changed to one of jealousy when he looked at Senti who in turn stuck his thin tongue out
Surion nods listening to Camille "Did his tongue tickle? When he licked your nose he was giving you a little kiss" Surion grins slightly, though knowing soon Camille would likely want to join the other children, he'd seen the sign on the way in about 'story time'
Keeta frowned at the dragonettes. If she didn't know better she'd say they were acting like two small children! She sighed with relief when she saw the reader heading over to the story rug with a book in hand. Perhaps the distraction of the story would calm the smallish reptiles.
Camille noded in response to Surion's question. It had tickled. She opened her eyes wide when he mentioned the kiss however. Her expression turned to one of slightly disgusted amusement. Kissing except from mommies had started to become 'gross' to her, as it did for many children of almost school age. She wrinkled her nose slightly, but still smiled.
"I got a dragon kiss?"
The dragonettes didnt stop least not for a couple minutes. They both were sticking their tongues out at each other.
Surion smiles and nods "Yup" he glances up at the librarian passes "I think it's story time Camille" he motions to change the child focus from the dragonettes.
Keeta snapped her fingers in front of Senti and Kuyl's faces, hoping to move their focus elsewhere.
Stop it!" she hissed at them, not wanting to be seen as the responsible figure for these creatures.
Joel, however, thought it was great fun, and started immitating his two new friends. This, of course, caused Keeta to scold him as well.
Camille followed Surion's gaze and noticed the storyteller seating herself, just as Surion had indicated. She smiled at him, before going and seating herself next to her mother.
The reader smiled and chatted quietly with a few of the children and parents, while she waited for the last few minutes to roll around and allowing any stragglers to arrive.
Surion watched her get settled and then walks over to where his 2 dragonettes were seated, they'd both looked up at Keeta and were slightly glaring.... only for a second before going right back to what they had been doing. "I think it looks like you need a rescuing Keeta" he muses aloud
"Yes, please if you don't mind," she said gratefully. "I can't get them to stop. And Joel's trying to join in...." She frowned at the little boy as he once again stuck out his tongue like his new reptilian friends.
He shakes his head, typical... "Senti, Kuyl... Up" he says rather abuptly which in turn drew both dragon's attention immediately. He didnt even bother leaning down, both used their little claws to scrambled up to his shoulders.
"Thank you" Keeta mouthed, not wanting to speak aloud as the librarian had started to try to draw the children's attention for the story.
Joel had been about to protest, but much like Senti and Kuyl, his attention had been abruptly redirected by the reader's introduction of the story. From the picture, it looked like it would be about a kite. Joel liked kites.
"No problem" Surion mouthed back as Senti's long thin tail wrapped around his upper arm and the dragonette sulked looking down at the boy he'd grown fond of. "I should probably let you focus on this, as not to interupt the librarian" he continues quietly to Keeta.
"You can stay and listen to the story if you want," she responded with a whispered chuckle, watching the librarian out of the corner of her eye. So far their low conversation didn't seem to be upsetting the woman.
Joel and Camille's eyes were glued to the book, oblivious to the quiet conversation going on behind them.
"They'll want back down if I stay too long, sides I havent found m book yet.... I wound up chasing this one as is" he motions the sulking dragonette
"Alright, I'll leave you too it then. It was nice to see you. I hope you find your book," she said with a smile, giving him a small wave.
"Thanks, if ya wanna get away from kids for a bit one eve, feel free to drop by the club" he pulls a card out of his pouch and writes on the back 'no cover' with his initials and hands it to her
"Thanks," she says with a smile, grimacing slightly, as she heard a little 'eh-ehm' from the reader, who was looking over the tops of her glasses at Keeta and Surion. She gave the woman an apologetic smile, before turning back to Surion and waving her thanks.
Surion nods and stuffs his hands in his pockets as he turns and walks away heading back to where he'd come from scolding Senti the whole way through their telepathic link
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:42 am
Rhine turned off the vacuum and rubbed the back of his neck. He had been meaning to do this for days- the people he had contracted had made a mess (which was to be expected). He looked at the walls and was reminded of what else needed to be done. He sighed as he pushed the vacuum into the closet thankful that his mother would be helping with the decorating simply because it meant that he or anyone else would not have to be involved with paint, wallpaper, and the other numerous things it took to decorate a room.
He glanced at the clock as he shut the door. Thankfully, they had their mirrors that would make this move so simple it would make even the best movers look bad. He ran his fingers through his hair before pulling out his mirror... It would not be long now before his part of the house would be filled with the sound of small feet and his soon to be wife's voice... He overall hate the silence (which had only recently become an issue since his sister was now on a separate floor) as was welcoming the change. Keeta popped through the mirror a short time later, her hair up in a messy ponytail and in some of her 'grubbies.' Her face was slightly red with exertion and she knew she probably didn't smell very good. She had spent the better part of the morning packing up the last of the boxes in the kids room, which had caused no end of trouble. Joel didn't quite understand that the things were only temporarily going in the boxes and kept taking things back out of them when Keeta wasn't looking. She finally got Joel and Camille situated in front of the TV, hoping that would occupy them long enough for them to get started.
"Hello there love," she said, approaching Rhine and kissing him on the cheek. "Pardon my appearance. Guess it comes with the territory of moving small children." She chuckled and shook her head.
"Would you mind if we move the kids' stuff first? I think it'll make the rest of the move go smoother if we get them occupied with their own things." Rhine chuckled at Keeta's appearance and realized he probably didn't look much better considering that he had been cleaning the better part of the morning to make sure that they would be ready to merge right away... "Afternoon Darling- If you pardon mine then I'll pardon yours." He kissed her cheek and grinned wickedly before whispering in her ear. "You know if we didn't have kids and things to do I'd hall you off to the shower...""Seriously, you have toddlers running around," Perian said as she cleared her throat as she crossed her arms. "That's where I come in," Ceres chuckled as she pointed to herself. She couldn't picture herself moving without the aid of her magic (which was quickly diminishing). "We'll have you some more help in a moment or two." Keeta was about to make some equally naughty reply when she heard Perian's voice. She whirled to face her...and Ceres, surprise evident in her expression.
"Oh..." she said, pausing a moment to take in the presense of the others.
"I didn't know you were helping today. But it is greatly appreciated regardless!" "Wasn't expecting my mother until later," he mumbled equally as surprised as Keeta. But, he would easily admit how grateful he was for all the help even if it was already an easy task because of the mirrors. He put his arm around Keeta's waist and grinned. "Seriously did you expect us to just sit around on our hind quarters," Perian whickered. "Seriously Rhine after all these years I would expect you to have at least bought a brain by now," her eyes narrowed playfully. Ayisha couldn't help but to giggle. "Hope you don't mind but the twins wanted to held... Carrying the light stuff of course, but non the less..." She glanced from the corner of her eye to make sure they weren't getting into anything. "Really though I think they just want to know what is in the toy box," she chuckled through her whisper. Ceres laughed. "Alright lead me to the kiddies!" "Well if nothing else, maybe they can make some friends Ayisha," Keeta said with a chuckle. "If they can keep my two distracted with Ceres' help it'll be more than enough." She smiled and glanced at Ceres.
"They're still in front of the TV at my place. I'll leave it up to you whether you would rather watch them here or there." "My place would probably be best. That way they won't get into anything before it's time to," Ceres chuckled. "Besides I have plenty of toys and stuff for lunch..." She reached into her bag to pull out her mirror. It took her a few minutes to locate it for all the other stuff that was in the bag. "Don't wear yourself out," Rhine said wondering if this was one of those 'better' days. He then looked to Keeta and grinned. "Shall we then?" Ayisha rounded up her two and shuffled them off to Ceres insisting all the while that the best help would be them staying with grandma. Perian stepped aside as her other sisters arrived. Thankfully Rhine's place plenty large enough to accommodate everyone. Keeta nodded and popped through the mirror back at her 'old' place, and helped Ceres round up her two. When they were safely away, complete with a few favorite toys and a change of clothes, Keeta turned to Rhine.
"So...the kids' rooms first?" she said. "I personally think we should save the master until last...for various reasons." There were many things in life Rhine was content on doing on his own without the means of 'magic' or his mothers 'money' but moving certainly wasn't one of those things. He curled his tail around Keeta's leg and grinned. He knew he had just a couple seconds before everyone managed to pile into the room through their own mirrors. "Whatever is easiest for you," he said as he carefully sat his mirror on the floor. Keeta smacked him playfully as he wrapped his tail around her leg, before heading off to the smaller bedroom to retrieve a box. She knew there would be magic used in the moving today, but she wouldn't be able to help in that respect. So until she knew what form the magic was going to take, she would start hauling things the 'old-fashioned way." "Keeta, all you have to do is set the box on the mirror and it will just fall through... As long as your sure of its destination it will have no problems arriving there... Perian stayed behind to move them aside and keep things flowing." Rhine said trying to keep it as simple as possible. He picked up one of the heavier objects- Cassara following his lead. "Take an end and don't be a dumb a** about it," Cassara said giving her brother that look. "This isn't be a hero day." Rhine snorted. "Just move it already!" Keeta just smirked slightly, trying to stay out of the sibling squabble. Nothing she could say would make things any better, and would actually be more likely to make things worse. She simply grabbed one of the boxes full of toys and waited until Cassara and Rhine were clear, before placing it on the mirror, willing it towards the new place. She smiled when it disappeared just like Rhine had said, hoping it got to the right location.
"So is Ayisha helping Perian move the heavy things as well?" she asked, hoping the centaur wouldn't have to move the bureau on her own, on the other side. "Ayisha is probably helping Ceres settle in the kids. It takes a while to get the rabbit ears to pick up a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g..." Tinker chuckled. "Sky would be the one on the other end helping to move stuff around." Rhine and Cassara went for the next heaviest thing leaving the lighter, small boxes for the others. They used their tails to help them out. Despite their constant 'squabbles' they worked well together. Keeta nodded at Tinker and began grabbing things and putting them through the mirror until the kids' room had been cleaned out. She smiled, satisfied that they had one room knocked down, and ran her hand across her forehead, which was glistening slightly from all the moving of boxes, some heavier than others. The blasted humidity didn't help.
"Thanks for all your help guys. Rhine dear, what room do you think we should do next? I don't know how you want to go about getting things organized in the new place." With more people than space in the room Rhine had taken to wrapping his tail around his leg (as had all the siblings who had this appendage and could do so). "Love, as long as all the boxes have been marked properly they are making it to the right room. We can take time later to get them unpacked." Cassara ran her fingers through her hair before stretching the length of herself. "Let's move the kitchen next... That way once we're done we can shove my brother into it so we can get some lunch." She said with snorted laughter. Keeta chuckled.
"Sounds like a plan to me. Although knowing Rhine, he won't need any of my 'amature' kitchen tools," she said with a wink, before lightly poking Rhine in the ribs. "I'm sure there's something in your kitchen that I don't have," Rhine said as he wore that goofy grin of his. "Like I don't have a coffee maker, or a waffle iron- well they are in the cafe just not in my kitchen."
When the others weren't paying attention Rhine traipsed his fingers along her sides and whispered, "always need a spare kitchen table in case one breaks." Keeta swatted him half-heartedly and raised an eyebrow at him, before whispering at him.
"Shhhh, your sisters are here and I already get enough teasing from them with their active imaginations without you adding fuel to the fire." She smirked, finding it slightly amusing, but she was embarassed when Cassara and Perian teased her.
"Let's get that kitchen moved, otherwise there won't be a spare table. Or the time and energy to use it." She grinned and stuck her tongue out at him briefly, before placing a box of the children's dishware in his hands.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:57 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:00 am
Keeta moaned slightly and rolled over in bed as her stomach gave a slight twinge. Blearily she opened her eyes and glanced at the digitial clock. The bright red numbers read 5:30 AM.
Not again. She groaned inwardly and stuffed a pillow over her head and tried to fall back asleep, hoping the nausea would pass. But inevitibly, as she had two other times that week, Keeta found herself racing to the adjoining bathroom.
Well at least the sun was providing a little light by 5:30 so she wasn't tripping over things en route. Despite the bed being king sized the two found themselves cuddling up to save space. It wasn't that either of them were 'plus' sized people... It was Rhine's tail. He knew every move Keeta made, and he was sure it was the same for her.
The couple times previous he shook off Keeta's sudden urge to run to the bathroom as eating something that didn't agree with her. But a third time in a week was a little hard to ignore.
He watched the clock and waited. At this moment he wouldn't go running in there to comfort her... But in another second he would. Even while in the bathroom, Keeta found herself feeling guilty for having woken Rhine again. She knew he would have noticed her getting up from the bed and it frustrated her, because she knew he had to get up early for the breakfast rush in the cafe most days as it was. Whatever this was, it needed to stop, and stop soon.
Feeling better after having emptied her stomach, Keeta flushed the toilet and rose to freshen up in the sink, hoping Rhine would take it as a cue that she was ok. She would hate for him to get out of bed early on her account, in addition to having been awakened early. There was no part of her that wanted to be fussed over either. Rhine had waited as long as possible before his 'sanity' got the better of him. With all the noise going on Keeta wouldn't know he had ever left the room.
He didn't take long and was back at their room in no time. He waited outside the door with a pack of crackers, a cup of water, and a fuzzy robe.
With a free hand he knocked on the door... He hoped it wouldn't tick her off that he was worrying about her again. He couldn't help but to worry. Keeta was the love of his life and their family together Keeta started slightly at the sound of the knock on the door before giving a small sigh of frustration. Not with Rhine, for caring for her, because it was wonderful knowing he loved her, but just with the whole situation. He should still be in bed, getting his last precious hour of sleep before he had to get up for work.
Trying to compose herself before she opened the door so he wouldn't be inclined to worry further, Keeta took a deep breath and hoped she would look better than she felt. Finally, she opened the door and offered a shaky smile to her fiancee.
"Hello, love," she said softly, before noticing the items he held.
"I'm sorry I made you feel like you needed to get up for me...." After helping Keeta into the robe and making the outside of her feel as best as possible he put his arms around Keeta's waist.
"There will be times where I'll be getting you up... And there be times where the kids will be getting us up. And, there will be times where my family will be getting us up. However odd the hour I don't mind at all." His eyes fell directly in line with hers- he had the most loving smile on his face.
"What matters most is making sure you are alright." He placed a soft kiss on her lips as he wrapped his tail around her ankle. "And, don't try and go and make this seem as if it is nothing... It is something. If you won't see a doctor at least see my mother or someone you trust." He caressed her face. Despite having 7 sisters he was still not one to know all about lady troubles or the like there of. "Hmm...." Keeta swirlled the water in the cup around thoughtfully before taking a sip. Apparently Rhine was more worried for her than she had thought. She didn't really want to go to the doctor for something that only seemed to be bothering her periodically. Although she couldn't deny that she'd had a lot less energy in the past few days. In a way she'd felt almost sapped. Her temperature had been normal when she'd checked it, however, so Keeta wasn't inclined to believe she had an infection. She smiled up at Rhine.
"Thank you. I suppose I should go get myself checked out. I'll bet they tell me it's nothing though, as I don't have a fever, and my appetite is fine." She shrugged, trying make him see in her expression that he didn't need to worry so much. There was a little prickling at the back of her neck though as she thought. She had had symptoms suspiciously similar to this when....
Well she wasn't going to bring it up now. It might only get his hopes up unnecessarily. Better to know one way or the other first. She took another sip of her water. "Growing up my mother made a fuss over us... So, it's no doubt that I'll make a fuss over you just as much as I do the children you have brought into my life." He smiled and kissed her gently on the lips.
"Since we're up and all how about I make your favorite for breakfast," Rhine suggested as he tangled his fingers in the ends of her blue hair. Smiling over the fact that she was letting the nature color continue to grow out- he liked it better when she was totally herself. "That would be lovely Rhine, thank you," she said, returning the kiss, before seating herself gingerly on the edge of the bed. True, she didn't feel nasueated anymore, but she was still so damn fatigued. She smiled up at him.
"Why don't you get started with that, and I'll work on getting dressed. Then I'll feel better suited to help you in the kitchen." Rhine was already in the motions of pulling on a pair of worn out jeans- from the looks of them you could tell without a doubt they were a favorite pair of his.
"Love, that's what tails are for," he joked in hopes of getting her to smile more. He wrapped his tail around her ankle and gave it a squeeze as if he was hugging her in a normal way. Keeta scooted closer, smirking and poked him lightly in the ribs.
"The tail is for helping me get dressed or for helping you fix breakfast?" she asked playfully, hoping her tone might make him worry about her less. She didn't want him to think too hard about her symptoms and come to the same conclusion she had. It would break his heart if he thought she was carrying his child and then discovered he was wrong. "Or, I could be totally late for work and..." He paused for dramatics as he 'snaked' his tail further up her leg. He got really close to her- almost to the point they could be counted as one body instead of two. "And use my tail for unwrapping you." The idea of getting dressed further was abandoned along with his worries. Keeta stood then and kissed him again, before reluctantly stepping back.
"We have responsibilities love. Finish getting dressed and get to work. I bet the kids will be up soon anyways...." She caressed his face gently.
"There's always tonight though..." Her words held a promise, but she wondered if they might be having an entirely different discussion tonight instead. Rhine withdrew his tail and wrapped it around his own leg. He gave her a pitiful look, but then smiled. He knew the world would want him and his breakfast, but first his wife-to-be wanted breakfast- he was sure the kids did to. "Okay," he was still reluctant to withdraw especially since now that he was freed up again his mind could wonder back to what was wrong with Keeta. He pulled on a shirt and headed out the door. "See you at the table, Love." Keeta nodded and watched him go, before closing the door behind him. She took a deep breath before going back into the bathroom and standing sideways, looking at herself in the mirror. If she looked hard enough, was it possible there was a miniscule bump there, or was she just imagining things? With a sigh, knowing she couldn't answer those questions right now, Keeta walked away and started to get dressed.
She would make good on her promise to see a doctor...today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:02 am
So...guess what? I think I may be pregnant again. I've been ill several mornings this week and I'm not having my monthly on time. Of course Rhine thinks I have a flu bug or something, and maybe I do, but this seems suspicioulsy familiar. This time, however, at least I know who the father is.
Anyways, I promised RHine I would see a doctor about my symptoms, but he has no idea what I suspect. I'm afraid to suggest it, in case I'm wrong. He had never been confident that we could have children, despite the fact that he wants some. And I couldn't hurt him by raising his hopes and then discovering I'm wrong. Plud there's the fact that we haven't exactly gotten married yet.
Oh gods I'm nervous. I don't know why. I'm supposed to be seen at the GMFC at 3:00 and I don't know what I want the outcome to be. I mean, I will certainly be pleased to be carrying Rhine's child, but who knows how genetically compatible we are? Plus I'm not sure I'm ready to be a mother of three...wait four, if you include Natalia. It's challenging enough as it is, with Camille out of diapers for only a few months and Joel still working on it.
I looked at myself in the mirror this morning and thought if I looked hard enough I could detect a small bump, but maybe I'm just imagining things. I suppose there's no use woking myself up. I'll know one way or the other this afternoon. I'll let you know how things play out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:03 am
Rhine stopped on the second flight of stairs to rub the back of his neck. Being Friday it was a particularly long evening as far as closing was concerned. He was double checking in his mind to make sure everything had been done... After all he had, had a lot rolling around in his head that day with the morning starting that Keeta had been ill again. Sure as anything that everything was done he headed up the next flight of stairs
The moment he opened the door he was busing removing his apron and pulling his shirt out of his pants. He was trying to get as comfortable as possible. "Love," he called out unsure if she was home yet. Hoping she would be considering the hour... Joel was the one who responded to the greeting, however. He had been sitting in front of the TV watching an educational children's show when his soon-to-be-step-dad came in the door. He rushed towards Rhine on his little feet and wrapped himself around one of Rhine's legs.
"Whine!" he said, happily grinning up at him from his place near the floor. He was getting used to Rhine being around all the time now and was finding he enjoyed it. It was nice having a different grown up than his mom to hang on once in a while. Keeta peeked out from the kitchen and smiled at what she saw. It was good to see Joel bonding with her fiancee. She hadn't been home too long herself. Joel and Camille had been at Jiao'lan's for the afternoon, and she had had to pick them up after her appointment. Normally she would have left them at Ceres', but she didn't want her friend and future mother-in-law, to pick up on her suspicions before she had a chance to discuss them with Rhine. Sometimes Ceres saw a little too much.
"Hello love. I just popped a frozen lasagna in the oven. I know it's not as good as you would make it, but I knew you would be tired, and I didn't have enough time to make something better myself."Rhine chuckled and ruffled Joel's hair. "Evening," he said with a grin in his voice. He then picked the toddler up and swung him around playfully before resting the small boy on his hips.
His grin grew even wider as he saw his wife to be. "Evening, Love," he said as he maneuvered about the living room to get to the kitchen. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek... Keeping it clean for the younger eyes. "That does sound delicious. You know I really wish you would just let me cook and freeze... It would make it easier on you." Keeta smiled and returned the kiss, before giving Joel a loving tap on the nose. Her gaze returned to Rhine when she spoke, leaning against the kitchen counter.
"It's not harder on me. It means I get a chance to practice my domestic skills," she said with a chuckle.
"No I didn't "cook" tonight, but if you don't cook all the time, it at least gives me the opportunity to do it if I wish from time to time." Joel wiggled in Rhine's arms to be let down. The commercial was over and the show had come back on. He wanted to see what happened. Instinctively Rhine sat the toddler down while keeping his focus on Keeta. Out of the corner of his eye he watched him run back over to the TV. He was sure that the little girl was in her room, but still he wondered.
"If that is what you want is to work on your domestic skills then who am I to stop you." He laughed and kissed her again. "Just what ever you do... Don't stop sexy." He ran his finger down the front of her neck. He continued through the crease of the breast and down to her stomach. He growled playfully remembering her promise this morning- at least one of them. Keeta wanted to respond, but stepped away, trying to keep her feet and her hormones firmly on the ground. Her small son was just feet away in the living room and Camille had been in her bedroom, probably playing with her dolls, but would no doubt come out soon after the smell of cooking lasanga made it's way down the hall. Plus, she wasn't exactly in the mood. She had other, more important things on her mind.
"Not right now Rhine," she said, hoping he wouldn't be upset with her for sidestepping him at the moment. She was still trying to figure out the best way to tell him, without the kids overhearing. Keeta hoped that the two of them could share the news together, once Rhine knew it of course. "But, but," Rhine playfully began but didn't finish. He knew very well that the kids were still very much awake, and that there were still other opportunities once they were tucked safely in their bedroom. He just had hoped that she could have gone along with it even if just for a moment.
He gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "Alright then," he said as he looked back at Joel. He watched him watch TV. "I'm going to go and take a shower before sitting down to the table... Unless of course you need held with that frozen meal." He grinned. "I think I'll manage," Keeta said, distractedly returning the kiss before opening the frige to get out the lettuce for the salad she had planned on serving with the meal. She felt like she was going to burst with her news, but she wanted to wait until the kids weren't likely to overhear.
"Dinner should be ready by the time you're done with your shower," she said offering a smile.
"Would you mind peeking in on Camille on your way down the hall? And let her know she should start cleaning up for dinner?" A giggle could be heard from the other room, when a cartoon character did something to amuse Joel. "Keeta," Rhine said her name seriously for the first time in a long time. He couldn't shrug off her attitude this evening. He wanted to know what was wrong- it not now then very soon. He didn't like how things were going... He felt she was acting very distant and very unusual.
He finally sighed and nodded his head. "Yeah, I'll tell her to wash up. And, I'll grab Joel and get him washed up before washing up myself." He smiled and kissed her before turning to leave the kitchen. Keeta felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up at the way he said her name. She wasn't fooling anyone. But for now she was grateful for the excuse the children provided to delay her being cornered. She didn't turn from the fridge, but used the excuse of rummaging for something to keep from looking at him. Keeta didn't think she could handle his expression at the moment, whatever it was.
"Thank you." His hair still a bit on the wet side as well as his skin he left their bed room. He first gathered Camile from her room which almost proved impossible as she was immersed in her dolls at the time. Joel was no easier as he was glued to the TV... But, finally there they were the three of them.
Rhine pulled out the chair for Camile with his tail while he got Joel situated into the high chair. Afterwords he seated himself.
He then pulled out the chair for Keeta before settling down himself. He sighed in contentment. He had had time to calm down in the shower and was nearly back to is usual chipper (horny but contained) self. Keeta had calmed some also, when she wasn't being pressed so hard to hide her newfound knowledge. She served everyone a piece of lasagna and settled down to eat, letting the chatter of the children wash over her. Joel was giving a toddler's play-by-play of the nature show he had just been watching, featuring different kinds of snakes and Camille tried to get a word in when she could.
"It was a willy biiig snake!" he said, spreading his arms wide, to emphasize his statement. "It fit a egg in is mouff!" "Did it now," Rhine said encouraging Joel as much as possible. He was delighted in the boys interest in nature. Playfully and snake like as possible he used his tail to wrap it around Joel's chair. He tried to hide his grin.
He knew he would get looks later, but now- now as the time. He was living in the moment. Joel shrieked in surprise as he felt the "snake" brush his leg. And he looked down, trying to figure out what it was. Keeta felt compelled to look under the table to figure out the source of Joel's fright. She looked at Rhine with an expression halfway between a laugh and a frown before continuing to pick at her meal. Camille followed suit and grinned, laughing a little.
"Joel it's just Rhine's tail," she said in her quiet little voice. Camille looked across the table at Rhine, showing him that at least she thought it was funny. Joel pouted a little. Maybe he liked seeing snakes on TV, but one surprising him, even if it wasn' real, was an entirely different matter in his head.
"You scare me," he said in a scolding tone. He grinned as he caught Camille's grin.
"All in good fun," he said as he retracted his tail. "How about 5 more minutes of TV time after dinner and before bed to make up for it..." he stuffed a bite of food in his mouth.
He tried not to pay attention to Keeta and her picking. One of them had to set an example of cleaning off their plates. He would question her later since he knew she wouldn't say a word around the kids. Joel seemed to decide that this was acceptable and went back to eating his meal, while Camille took up a discussion of the trouble her dolls had gotten themselves into that day. Then she started talking about the real baby she had gotten to see today. Mi'ako, who belonged to Keeta's friend Jiao'lan. Keeta's face went red slightly at this topic. But she didn't try and dissuade Camille from talking about it. It would only draw further attention to the matter that Keeta hadn't brought the kids to Ceres' today, but to her friend's, while she was at the doctor. She hoped Rhine wouldn't connect the dots. "She was really cute! She's gotten bigger since the birthday party. Her feathers are all fluffy and soft!. Jiao'lan even let me hold her for a minute!" Camille beamed proudly at being allowed this "big girl" priviledge. Rhine tried not to look hurt- matter of fact he tried to look as if nothing was wrong at all. But he had this sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't eat another bite if he had to. He stood up with an abruptness but did not leave the table before giving each kid a kiss good night.
He just looked at Keeta. He didn't know how an illness could come down to this... He didn't consider that he was jumping to conclusions. All he knew was that all he couldn't believe this was happening again... Or, so he thought.
He didn't have any affection to give Keeta or even a word to give her. He just left the room... He was unsure what to do with himself. Camille stared after him as he left the room, before turning to Keeta.
"Mommy...why did Rhine leave?" she asked, confused, and perhaps a little hurt. She hadn't finished telling him about the cute things Mi'ako had done while they were there. "I expect he was tired honey. He had a long day," said said, trying to reassure her daughter.
"You can finish your story tomorrow. I think he'll be in a better mood then." Camille was disappointed, but resigned herself to the fact that she would have to wait. Keeta nervously glanced towards the dark hallway towards the bedroom. She knew he would wonder why she had left the kids at Jiao'lan's but she hadn't expected him to react like that...Her stomach twisted and much linke Rhine, she found she had lost what little appetite she had.
She stood and began clearing the table while she waited for the kids to finish. Within half an hour she had the kids cleaned up, in their pajamas and in bed. Only then did she apporach the closed door to the master bedroom. Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly and let herself into the room. Rhine didn't know what he felt like doing. He almost felt like disappearing through the mirror... But that really would be a cowards way of things. But, was confrontation much better especially when one was angered?
He instead stepped inside the over sized walked in closet. Heading towards the back. He'd decided just hiding out for a while wouldn't be that bad. He flopped down onto a pile of shiny objects and in the process made a huge bit of noise- he hoped it wouldn't be heard downstairs.
He tried not to think of where he went wrong or what was wrong... But, it wasn't possible. His mind drifted off into the worst possible possibilities. Keeta entered the room and was surprised to find it empty. The bathroom as well. She frowned, wondering where he could have left to....Perhaps he had left through the mirror, but she didn't think he would do that, would he? Just when she was starting to feel abandoned, she heard a noise from within the closet. Cautiously, she went to investigate.
"Rhine?" she called tentatively, sliding the door open and peeking her head inside. What would he be doing in the closet? Rhine had really 'let himself go'. He was something between human and dragon. But, due to shape and size... and closet limitations he was closer to human than dragon. He looked like a teenager again with his green and yellow skin instead of his usual tanned skin with colored freckles. His tail did seem a good big longer, larger. As some sort of comfort to a nervousness he tail continuously was racking over the silver he was sitting on. He had done just about removed every piece of clothing he was wearing.
He was brought from the darker parts of his thoughts when Keeta had called his name. He just looked at her... After all what was he to say? "Rhine...?" she said again uncertainly. Keeta had never seen him look this way before. Of course she had seen him full dragon, but that wasn't quite as unnerving as seeing him halfway between. She was also quite taken aback by the pile he was sitting on, but now wasn't the time to ask him about that.
She hugged her arms to herself, not sure what to say. And simply looked down at her feet. She felt guilty for causing him to be upset, but she couldn't figure out why he was this upset. What had she done to cause him to do this? "You just played sick to advert me from the truth didn't you... But the truth is you just don't like it here and you're leaving... Taking the kids too..." Rhine had never successfully managed to have children and these children were like his own. He never thought of them in any other way.
"You didn't take them to my mothers because she'd get one look and know so instead..." He sucked in a breath, and with it a few tears that had fallen down his cheek.
"How could I be so stupid..." he moaned. "...to think things were so perfect. That, that you would want me..." He continued to ramble. The more he rambled the faster his tail moved. He'd wear a hole in his silver at this rate. Keeta's mouth fell open and the words came out before she could stop them, his accusation was so rediculious.
"WHAT!? What in the names of the spirits are you thinking Rhine? You think I would fake being ill just to garner sympathy from you? You think I am leaving? Why in the hell would I leave the man I love and the man who is being a father to my children?" Her voice was harsh and broken as her outrage showed. Keeta's face flushed and her mouth was set in a thin line. How could he even imagine such a thing? She had gone from guilt to anger in a few brief seconds. Rhine looked at Keeta. It took every bit of him to control himself and the anger that was building up inside of him as he was being yelled at. He knew just what would happen when he got angry... And, it was never a good thing because he often said things he didn't mean.
"How should I know why you would want to leave me?" Surprisingly his voice was calm. "What else would you expect a person to think after the days events... You've turned down every gesture I've made sexual or other... You damn near stuffed yourself in the fridge to avoid me," he had to breath to keep his voice in check. "And, then to find out you took the kids to a friends instead of my mothers... Damn I know failing health and all but s**t... Keeta... Come on..."
With a suddenness his tail rose and fell making a large crash. Several pieces of silver cracked- some clear down the middle. He didn't know what to feel... "I have no intention of going anywhere," she nearly growled.
"I would have expected you to ask or wait for an explanation instead of jumping to conclusions and making yourself look foolish," her voice wobbled as emotion started to overtake her. She spoke more quietly now. "I cannot help it the fear of someone leaving me consumes me so easily... Would you expect any less when not only did a friendship fail but a marriage as well. You and those children are everything to me Keeta."
His tail thrashing around in broken silver was not helping maters any... If anything it was making them worse. Slowly they cut into his flesh and the more he thrashed about the more blood that got smeared about. But with them being so shallow he hardly realized what was going on.
"So, if you're not going anywhere... Then what in the world is wrong with you... Why is it that you are avoiding me... Not wanting to talk to me? Why do you get all closed up as if we are just starting back at the beginning?" "Rhine...you're injuring yourself. Calm down," she quietly, but matter-of-factly. She sighed and looked at the ceiling as if hoping to find some answers there, but none were forthcoming.
"I hoped to tell you in a nicer way than this but....I'm pregnant and I didn't know how to tell you and I didn't want your mother to know yet. There you are. Happy?" She shook slightly in anger, frustration and nervousness at having revealed her secret that she'd been carrying around all day. Rhine about asked the dumb question of who the father was... But managed to contain that one as he trusted Keeta. Instead he opened his mouth to other more dumbness. "I'm pregnant?" He'd stopped moving all together... He didn't even have a clue of what he'd just asked. He was still trying to fathom the concept. "Yes, you. Me. Us," was all she could manage to whisper, before she sunk to the floor, curling up in a ball. He was about to ask how but then realized how silly that question was... because after all he did know how and where babies come from. Hell if he didn't know how to by now he should be shot. Forgetting about himself all together he crawled over to Keeta and wrapped his arms around her. He didn't say anything because he really didn't know what to say. It still all had to sink in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:33 am
Things did not go off as well as planned. I did go to the doctor and yes I'm pregnant, but I'm afraid I'm not as happy about it as I thought I would be, because the situation, or at least the way I handled it, caused Rhine and I to get into a fight. I had been trying to figure out how to tell him, and I didn't want to tell him in front of the kids, because I thought we should tell them together. I guess my preoccupation must have caused him to start playing the "what if" game and he came to the conclusion that I was cheating on him and feeling guilty about it.
I wanted to tell him gently, to make it special and exciting, but I ended up blurting it out in self-defense. And now I have insecurities about the fact that he believes I'm capable of cheating on and/or leaving him. I wish I had thought of a better way to bring it up, but what's done is done. I imagine I'll feel better about it in a little while. This is just the first big fight we'd had and it has it's impact, particularly when the thing you're fighting about should be a happy subject.
Rhine seems happy enough about the pregnancy, now that he knows what's going on. He was in shock for a while there and I think it's still sinking in. I've been treading carefully around him, trying to recover from the emotional blow I took. I hope things go back to normal soon. I want to be able to tell Joel and Camille, but Rhine and I have to be on the same page before that happens.
I figure we have a few months before we have to tell the kids. I'm only 7 weeks along, but I don't know how quickly this pregnancy might progress. After all...the child will be half dragon. I suppose we'll have to wait and see. I made another doctor's appointment for my 12th week. I'm hoping Rhine will come with me so we can get any questions answered. And then we have to think about how we are going to tell Ceres....and then of course the wedding. We're going to have to kick things into gear if I hope to still fit in my dress by the time we walk down the aisle. I assume we're still doing that at any rate.... I think Rhine and I need to sit down and talk before I drive myself crazy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:34 am
Just For YouBrief Synopsis: Rhine asks Keeta on a secretive date to help repair the speed bump in their relationship, and spoils her all night. He eventually reveals that if she is willing, he has made the arrangements for them to marry that night, instead of waiting for the original date, with their new circumstances. She agrees, and Rhine and Keeta finally tie the knot on a beach under the stars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:58 am
Synopsis: Rhine disappears a few days after the wedding, leaving only a vauge note. He doesn't return or make contact for four days. Keeta finally gets tired of waiting and goes to look for him, only to discover that disaster has happened on the island and that her arrival only adds to the chaos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:59 am
Diary,
So guess what? I'm married! Rhine surprised me by taking me out and making arrangements to have the ceremony early, with our new circumstances. I guess that part was something I shouldn't have been worried about. It's after the wedding bells I should have been consiering. It's been kind of a rocky beginning.
Who would have thought my marriage would start out so tumultuously? Barely a week into it and we've already had more drama than I would have expected in a year. A few days into the honeymoon, Rhine disappeared, leaving me nothing but a note. After four days he didn't return and I went looking for him. When I found him, I could hardly believe it. He was in his full dragon form, fighting his little sister, who had been transformed into an equine by the sentient forces of the island his family resides on. Certainly not what I expected! There's a lot more to it than that, but I don't want to get into the nitty gritty details. What matters is that Rhine returned home safely.
That's not to say he didn't receive a verbal beating from me. I don't want to be that kind of a person that has shouting matches with their spouse, but I really needed to get some things off my chest. When he disappeared like that right after we got married, with me carrying his child, and didn't even try to let me know what was going on, or that he was ok, I felt abandoned and scared. Joel and Camille kept asking for him and I had to keep making up excuses as to why he was gone. When push comes to shove, he had a valid reason for needing to go quickly, but he could have at least tried to let me know that he was alive and safe. I think he won't ever do it again, after he saw how it hurt me and the kids. At least I can always hope.
There's another thing too. I'm worried about Ceres. The physical manifestaion of the Island spirit attacked her during this situation with the equine Natalia. She appeared to mend ok, but lately she's been saying things that make me uncomfortable and I can't even explain why. Like when we made the anncouncemnt about the pregnancy, she had to be slightly shamed into being excited about it, and then she kept insisting that we have the baby shower soon. I mean, I certainly don't mind having a shower, but it's hightly unusual to have it so early in the pregnancy, and we don't even know if the baby is a boy or girl yet! All told, this has been a stressful and confusing week. I just hope all the excitement, both good and bad, hasn't affected the baby.
Until next time diary,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
