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 Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 11:09 pm
It had been a while since Vincent had seen his best--and closest (besides Lissy, that was) friend. So the greed spawn, for once, decided to make the first move, so to speak. 'Zuba hadn't come to see him; and to be honest, he hadn't made much of an attempt to see her, except for her baby shower. He had been too busy planning weddings--his and Lissy's future. Still, he shrugged and dialed Zuba's phone number.
"Hey, Zu? It's Vincent. Come on over. Barton, 3rd avenue, house number five three six. You'll know it when you see it--old place." The small cottage he and Lissy had moved into was still a work in progress. He didn't really consider it nice enough to have guests--but 'Zuba was special.
She always had been special. "I've got something--er, someone for you to meet," he added. "We could watch a movie, or something. Maybe Star Trek? I dunno..."
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Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:03 pm
It was a pretty normal afternoon. The kids had just finished lunch, and BonBon was helping 'Zuba with the dishes. So far, they were both covered in suds and BonBon was soaking wet. The floor was coated in soapy water, in which Nini was doodling things with naught more but the soap bubbles and her fingers. And then, the phone rang. Drying her hands off on the bottom of her shirt, the spawn left the dishes to her son, carefully navigating across the slippery tile to the phone.
“Hello? Oh, hey Vinny! ….you mean now?” The spawn looked at herself; in her T-shirt and baggy sweat pants, she looked like a mess! She couldn't got out anywhere looking like this... Well, she supposed she could nab a quick shower to fix her hair and toss on something passable. After all, she hadn't seen Vincent since the baby shower.
“Oooh, someone? I can't wait to meet them.” 'Zuba chuckled, glancing back to check on the kids. “A movie sounds great! Is...is it alright if I bring BonBon and Nini along?” she asked, the smile never leaving her voice. “I can bring some popcorn too. Maybe some soda?” After all, he was being kind enough to invite her over. The least she could do was furnish refreshments.
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Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:03 pm
"I'd love to see Bonbon and Nini," Vincent smiled into the phone. He had never liked Nini much--the shadow was a pest, she tended to steal his things; and well, he was a greed spawn. Bonbon... He hadn't seen him in a while. "Sure, I'd like to introduce them to Bentley anyway," he walked over to the infant's playpen and carefully picked the boy up. "I'm sure they'll get along. I'll see you in a bit, then?" He held the phone with his cheek and shoulder, struggling to keep it at his ear.
"Popcorn would be great! I think Lissy's sleeping," he added as an afterthought, glancing at the stairs. "I'll set up the dvd player. Is there any movie you'd like to see? Any food you'd like?" He knew of his best friend's condition--he'd been to her baby shower! He hadn't thought--well, maybe these things took more time depending on the person, he didn't know. Elisabetta hadn't even been pregnant at the time of the baby shower. He wouldn't even pretend to understand the reproduction process.
"I'll let you go," he added. "Bentley's getting restless." Dilligence and all, it amazed Vincent that Bentley even slept at all.
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 3:14 pm
If 'Zuba could hear Vinny's thought, she would have hit him through the phone. Her baby was not a pest! She just didn't have self control yet. “I think they'd like that.” she said, smiling. “So,you had a baby boy? Congratulations!” As she talked, she used her free hand to start wiping up the suds from the floor, towel in hand. This gained a disapproving pout from the shadow as she watched her pretty pictures being wiped away. “Any movie's fine with me, Vincent. And you don't need to do anything special, alright? Don't worry about me.” She didn't deserve any special treatment; he didn't need to feed her, let worry about what food she might want. True, she was craving Taco Bell and Dairy Queen something fierce, but she could take care of that later. “Alright, Vincent. See you when I get there!” she said, smiling lightly before hanging up and going into action: had to get herself and the kids ready! ---- It was about half and hour later that the three showed up on the cottage's doorstep. 'Zuba's arms were laden with...shadow. Nini's little arms gripped the spawn's neck, refusing to be put down. She wanted to be carried, dammit, and that is just what she was forcing her mother to do. Since 'Zu's arms were full and occupied, BonBon took the initiative and was carrying the bags of popcorn and two-liters, along with a bag of candy he'd talked Momma Zu into bringing. And, since his momma was preoccupied, he had the honor of knocking on the door.
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:50 pm
Vincent was late opening the door. It took him exactly forty five seconds to clean Bentley's face (the infant had decided to spittle all over his chin, to his father's displeasure). He wondered what kind of lecture he should give the baby--the baby would understand it, right? "Now, I want you to be good," he said, as sternly as he could (which wasn't very sternly, at all). "'Zuba's my best friend, and your godmother. So no...you know. Messes? Be on your best behavior."
Bentley's only response was to flick his father with one of his bejeweled tentacles before cooing. He didn't quite register what Vincent was saying, but he liked hearing his father's voice! "Mine?" he reached up with a hand, attempting to reach the man's hair. 'Mine' was the only recognizable word the infant could utter--and apparently Bentley's favorite. It amused Vincent greatly--he supposed it made sense, seeing as his son had inherited a greedy nature.
"Yours. Now, be good." Vincent carefully held Bentley with one arm in order to open the door. "Hey, Bonbon," he greeted the boy with a smile. "'Zu, Nini." He'd hug her, but--well. Both parents had their arms full, it seemed--literally.
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:41 pm
Outside, 'Zuba was giving her child a similar lecture. “Now Nini, I expect you to behave while we are guests in Vincent's house. No stealing, no biting, no back talk. I expect you to behave like a respectable young lady. Do you understand me, Nini?” Grey eyes peered down at the child in question, waiting for an affirmation. She would NOT have her shadow causing trouble for Vincent. She didn't need to bother warning BonBon; the boy was usually pretty well behaved, hyperactivity aside.
Nini looked up at mother, offering the sweetest smile she could manage. “Ni?” she said, her tone oh-so-innocent. Her, steal? Never! Instead of giving Azubahiel the agreement she sought, the little shadow just hugged her before nuzzling her cheek, trying to be cute. Hey, if it got the cat out of trouble, why couldn't it work for her? Yellow eyes turned away from the spawn and towards the door as it opened. Hey, meanie had a tiny person with him. Hello tiny person! The little shadow let out an excited sound, waving to the baby.
“Hello, Vincent.” 'Zuba greeted, offering the boy a warm smile. And then, she saw him. “Aww! Is this handsome little guy the Bentley you spoke of on the phone?” she asked, looking at the little one. “He's absolutely adorable, Vincent! Congratulations!” She leaned over, smiling at the little guy. “Hey there, sweetie.” she greeted, her voice shifting into a soft, sing-songy tone.
“Ohmigosh HI MISTER VINCENT!” The warning was called out only seconds before the candy-cane snake launched himself at the poor, unsuspecting father, bags left abandoned on the doorstep as his newly-freed arms wrapped around the man's waist. BonBon giggled as he hugged the adult, looking up at him and the at the baby before bouncing in excitement. “Oh, is this your new baby? Hi baby! My name's BonBon, and we're going to be friends and have fun and welcome to the world and- Oh, hey! I missed you, Mr. Vincent! Lookit lookit me; I grow-ded up all big and stuff!”
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:43 pm
"This is Bentley," Vincent confirmed, beaming at his friend. Being a humility spawn, he wasn't quite sure what to say when she congratulated him--again. Lissy was the one who should have been congratulated. Afterall, she had carried Bentley in her womb for a few months (he didn't like to think about that, though, what if Lissy had been very seriously hurt?). "I wouldn't get too close, though..." Too late. The infant was already reaching for 'Zuba with both arms and tentacles.
"Mine!" Bently declared, flailing his tentacles as he reached for the young woman. "Mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine." The infant paused, seeming to notice Nini. Green eyes widened as he stared. His mouth opened just slightly, as if he was lost in thought. Was that thing edible? Was it yummy? Daddy brought him yummy things quite often--was this one of those things? "Mine!" He wasn't sure which he wanted more. The nice lady, or her tasty looking friend.
"Hi Bonbon!" Vinny chuckled at the pre-teen's antics, shaking his head. It seemed Bonbon would always be--Bonbon. He returned the embrace with one arm, struggling to balance Bentley at the same time. "I'm sure you and Bentley will be great friends." Of course they would be. Vincent had no doubt his son would be best friends with any and all of 'Zuba's children. He ruffled the candy-cane snake's hair gently. "I'll let you hold him, if you promise to be careful." He didn't want to have to explain to Elisabetta that he'd let a preteen drop the baby.
At least, that was his excuse for being a paranoid father.
"Mine!" Bentley pointed down, towards Bonbon. Yes. Everyone in this room belonged to him.
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Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:13 pm
'Zuba smiled, giggling at the baby. “A bit posseive, isn't he?” she asked, peering down at the little one and reaching a free hand over to ruffle the child's soft mop of hair. “Aren't you just the cutest little thing?” she cooed, smiling down at the infant. Though, in the back of her mind, a small spark of envy was forming. How come he got to have his baby before she did? It wasn't fair! It wasn't, it wasn't, it wasn't! Though, she did her best not to dwell on those thoughts; she wanted to be happy for her friend. Her baby would come when it was ready.
Nini peered at the other little one, leaning forward to get a better look. “Ni? Nini?” she chirped out, curious. A small hand reached out, poking at the baby. And then, she noticed. That baby...had shinies! But, sadly, they were attached. She could see that. And that made her sad. How was she supposed to collect the shinies if she couldn't take them with her. Then, it hit her. Just take the entire baby. “Ni!” she announced, grinning and nuzzling the baby she just claimed. This was hers. Her shiny. Hers.
BonBon grinned up at Vincent, pulling away to clap his hands together excitedly, a mirthful squee bubbling out of him. They'd be friends! Vincent even agreed with him! And friends were awesome, and fun, and totally wicked, and well...AWESOME! At the suggestion he could hold the baby, the boy's yellow-green eyes widened, his mouth forming a perfect little “o”. “You...you mean it? I can hold him?” The “o” slowly turned into a grin, and the boy held his arms out. “I'll be real careful! Promise!”
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Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:45 pm
"A bit," Vincent agreed with a smirk. "Don't know where he could have gotten that from." Bentley didn't do anything to respond to 'Zuba's attentions, except to grasp at her hand when it touched his hair. Tiny hands held hers with surprising strength. He then proceeded to wrap his tail around her arm, as well. He ignored his father's groan, and probably would have wrapped his tentacles around her arm as well--if they had been long enough. As it was, the infant struggled to stretch them to grasp hold of the woman.
"Mine," he told her matter-of-factly. It didn't matter that 'mine' was the only word he had mastered, he knew what it meant. She was his. His! "Mine, mine mine mine!" The infant paused, the edible thing had just touched him! He stared, wided eyed at Nini before releasing his tail's grasp on 'Zuba's arm. He carefully poked Nini with it and giggled. Success! He had poked her back! "Mine." The black jello thing might not have been edible, but it was his, whatever it was. He nuzzled her back, blowing a stream of bubbles from his mouth, which dribbled onto his chin.
"Sit down then, Bonbon," Vincent pointed to the couch. He was taking no risks. Bonbon might have been smarter than the man credited him for (he doubted that), but he wasn't going to allow his baby to be dropped. He went over to the couch, waiting for the preteen. "Alright. You've got to make sure you're supporting his head, it's too heavy for him, still."
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Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:40 pm
“Where indeed.” 'Zuba said, giggling and rolling her eyes at her friend. She looked back down to the baby, giggling as her arm was captured in the boy's grasp. “For such a little thing, he has a lot of strength.” Now, she was a bit surprised to see the boy's tail wrap around her wrist; she didn't know he could do that! “What a grip you have there, Bentley.” she cooed at him, her smile saturating her tone. She looked back up to Vincent once her hand was freed, chuckling lightly. “Just wait till he gets older; something tells me you're going to have your hands full.” she teased, grinning.
Nini let out a little sound that sounded like giggling. Silly little person; Mommy was hers! And she was her own, too! “Ni! Nininini.” she explained, grinning and nodding as she explained to the baby. Mommy was hers. Not his. HERS. But, she wasn't mad about it. After all, he was a shiny, and shinies weren't known for their smarts. She hugged the baby, then blinked as Bentley's chin was coated in drool. Ew, gross.
“Yay!” BonBon squealed, slithering over to the couch and flopping down, clapping his hands excitedly. It didn't occur to him why he might have to sit to hold the baby while the adult was allowed to stand; he wasn't too concerned about it. “I knows! Momma Zu's been teachin' me how to hold babies for when she has hers and I'm going to be the bestest older brother evers and I get to hold him and help my mommas with him and I can hold babies!” Again, the question of whether the boy had lungs and/or used said organs came into question
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Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:32 pm
"I think you're right," Vincent agreed with a grin. "But see, your hands will be full, too. I've made you godmother, you know." He beamed at his friend. Godmother, yes, that was the best position he could give her. She had been his best friend since before he could remember, she definitely deserved to have a close relationship with his son. "I'm hoping he stays this cute for a while," he added as an afterthought. "I can't even imagine how he'll be as a toddler."
He hoped that was a very long time away from now. Lissy needed rest; and toddlers caused stress.
Bentley blew a raspberry at Nini before giggling at his achievement. He wrapped tiny arms around the shadow's head, trying to get a good grasp on her. He opened his mouth, preparing to taste-test the shadow, when his father carried him away from Nini.
"Mine, mine!" the infant complained, before finding himself in another's arms. Bentley stared, wide eyed at Bonbon for a moment. This person... wasn't Daddy. This wasn't Momma. Why were they holding him? He wanted Daddy! The infant began to squirm uncomfortably, squinting his eyes and rubbing at them with tiny fists. When that didn't catch his father's attention, the infant's mouth became a square, black hole from which a wail escaped. Bentley didn't want this person! Bonbon wasn't anyone he knew!
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