Welcome to Gaia! ::

About Horatio


Guardian: Evie Danvers
Distinguishing marks: Very brightly colored.

Personality: He's, well, sparkly. That's about the only way to put him.

Finding the beast-

The snow that had started fell in Gambino for the past few months had tapered off to rain, and Evie splashed herself home with a bag of groceries in one hand, keeping her hood pulled down with the other. She ran across the street and onto the sidewalk by her house.

Movement in the gutters attracted her attention. There was something trying to pull itself out of the sewers. It was small, making a weak little whimpering noise, and unable to move any farther. It's little claws were clinging to the sidewalk, but the water moving down into the sewers was dragging it back down. The poor thing whimpered, trying so hard to get out.

Evie dropped her bag and rushed over, fear of injury non-exsistant. She reached out and grabbed onto the poor thing's paws, dragging it out and pulling it close. It was freezing, shuddering against her. Evie picked up her groceries again and moved into the house.

Grabbing a towel from the laundry pile, she worked at drying the poor thing off. The more she dried the more it snuggled closer to her, shuddering with cold.

"There now, it's okay." She shushed, petting the poor beast. It made a strange noise, nuzzling against her.

"Warm." The little beast said, shuddering again.

Evie just cooed, warming the little beast up. The more it was warmed up, the happier it got, and the happier it got, the more loving and affectionate it was.

"Here we go..." Evie murmured, making the little beast a bed on the couch.

"Nice." The little beast told her, nuzzling. Evie petted it's head.

"Get some sleep." Of course, when the little beast healed, it would undoubtedly be on it's way. But that was all right.

Later, as Evie lay in bed trying to sleep, the door was pushed open, and the little beast hopped up on the bed with her.

"Warm here." It said, snuggling under the blankets. It was warm, and it cuddled, and Evie had missed both of those things.

Evie didn't really know what the thing was that she'd found half drowned and frozen outside her house was. It looked like some sort of strange cross between a ferret, cat, and dog.

But damned if the little beast wasn't friendly as hell.

Horatio, as the little monster had been dubbed, was acting quite frisky, bouncing ahead of Evie, in his own little mind protecting her from the dangers of snow and old leaves. Horatio was fierce, yes yes.

Oh ho! An interloper! Horatio made a mad dash for the beast, but stopped when Evie called his name.

"Horatio, what did I tell you about harassing the squirrels?"

". . . Don't?"

"Yes. Don't. Come back here, fool."

By now, Barry was accustomed to his beast, if not a little intimidated by it. Quinn sat at his hip in a baby sling and Kas trotted beside them, watching for any kind of threat that may hurt his Warm Thing. Ugh...another Jivvin! If only he had known enough to discern its rank.

"...Evie?" Barry asked as he remembered the Supermarket-Woman's name.

Oh no!

Evie turned, a grin breaking out over her face when she saw Barry. "Why, hello! How are you, Barry?"

"OHM!" Horatio 'said'. New people! How delightful! And one would be his friend, because they were the same! How amazing! Horatio started to skuttle towards them, once again stopped only because Evie called at him.

"Horatio, not everyone wants your special brand of love, dear."

"Why?"

"I'm good, I'm good!" Barry grinned, "I'm--! A father!" He laughed slightly, motioning toward the sleeping infant with its tiny doll.

Kas, however, lifted one lip and snorted. Oh, no, he did not want this "special brand of love".

"Really? Congratulations!" Evie beamed, stepping closer. "May I see...?"

Oh, but it was far too late, Kas. You had been spotted by something that could only love with all of it's furry body. While Evie was distracted by the idea of a baby, Horatio carefully crept over towards the furry brown him and beamed.

"Hi!"

"Uh...it's not...biological," Barry smiled as he lifted Quinn slightly, "Its name's Quinn." It?

Kas snarled slightly. No. No, you hyper little ball of evil.


"Oh..." And Biological or no, Quinn was beautiful to Evie. All babies were. She was a loving woman. "Quinn is beautiful, Barry." She didn't question the 'it' too much, she had been raised in Gaia. Weird s**t happened there.

Oh, poor Kas. Horatio could not understand the anger. Hissing meant that you wanted to play! His tail wiggled and the hyper purple little ball of love pratically radiated sparkles of joy.

"Hiiiiiii! I Horatio! Hi!"

"Thank you," Barry smiled, "I see you have a...a...Thing too."

"Kashultz," Kas growled, "Go 'way."

"Why?"

"Remember what I told you about that question?"

"Mo-do-a-sun."

"Yes." Evie laughed. "And, yes, I have a thing. I found him half frozen in the gutter by my house. Brought him in, warmed him up, and he gives lots of random night time cuddles."

"She warm." Horatio told Kashultz, nodding and smiling. clearly, the jivvin did not understand 'Go away', because he just got closer. Yay, fuzzy friend!

"Mine invited himself in," Barry smirked and shrugged.

Kas gave a low growl and dropped his front end to the ground, arse sticking up in the air.

"Go 'WAY!" Kas yelped. He did not like this annoying purple thing one bit! Why was it so pushy?!

"Hopefully he won't attack H." Evie said, sounding worried. "He's an annoying little bugger, but he's someone to talk to that talks back."

Oh, but Horatio was gleeful at this movement! He mirrored it, little furry bum wiggling in delight. How amazing! Play! "Yay!"

"He...he might try..." Barry said a bit hesitantly.

Kas' eyes went wide in confusion and his muffle fell. He tilted his head. What in God's name...?!

Horatio wiggled his bum again. Oh, how he wanted to pounce on this delightful other furry creature! But! He had been told the Don't word at pouncing small things.

But, then again, Kashultz was the same size as him. Interesting.

He held out one paw, batting the air lightly. "Play. Plaaaaaaay." He said, tail and bum both wiggling.

"No! No play!" Kas said angrily, eyes narrowing. Oh but he'd be damned if that wasn't cute. Maybe he could use a friend...NO! No.

Bat. Bat. Batbat. "Plaaaaaaaay." Horatio insisted, covering his nose with one paw, batting with the other. "Fun! Why not want?"

Ugh! THAT WAS THAT! Kas roared and lunged at Horatio, tackling him to the ground.

"NO!"

But Horatio just made a shrill noise of glee. Awesome, play! He started wrestling with Kas, making various joyful noises. It was fun to play rough!

"Yay!"

Kas writhed and kicked and bit and growled, making a half-assed attempt at tearing Horatio's throat out. How dare he initiate a playful wrestling match when he--?! Well, it was pretty fun...

Bunny kicking at the other Jivvin, Horatio kept making his silly happy noises, a worried Evie looking on. This was fun! He nommed back, clearly just playing. Whee~

And Kas fought and fought and fought and played and played and--OH NO! He had been turned to the dark side! He gave a wild, childlike laugh and flailed playfully.

Yay! New friend was friendly and having fun!

"Plaaaaaaaay~" Horatio nearly sang out, play nomming more. Hooray!

"AWUGH!" Kas said brilliantly after a particularly hard tumble.

"Huh!" Barry commented, "and to think he tried to tear my face off this morning."

"He's got a good affect on most people." Evie said, watching the little ball of purple fluff with a laugh.

"Aha!" Horatio said with glee, rolling on top of him. He grinned, nomming on one of Kas's ears. "Gotchoo!"

Kas laughed and pawed at Horatio's face, folding his other ear back to try and protect it. Aww, the beast had been tamed.

Letting go of the ear, Horatio moved up and nibbled at the paws, pushing past them to get to Kas's face.

And then...

He licked him. Right over the cheek. "Aha! Good play, yes! Fun!" The little purple beast laughed, tail waggling.

"OOOOAURGH!" Kas roared, face contorting and trying to pull away. No! No licking, damnit!

Why yes, licking! Horatio stayed on top of him, flopping down.

"Fun! Like you! Playing good, yes! Playing hard fun!"

Kas growled and wriggled away, running to hide behind Barry's legs. No. No licking.

Oh, but he didn't get such subtle hints! Horatio followed him, rubbing against Barry in the process.

"Hi!"

Oh, God, not that again.

Barry couldn't very well let this poor thing be eaten...

"Horatio, I think Kashultz is done playing for today." And Kas growled. Oh, jeez.

Horatio looked up at Barry, nibbling at his pants.

"Why?"

"He gets...tired easy," Barry nodded and picked Kas up. The green thing just flopped, still growling. Hey, it was better than being attacked.

"Wh-"

"Is that a squirrel?"

"OMH!"

And the little bundle dashed off, in chase of the phantom squirrel. Evie laughed softly.

"He's chatter at home, at least."

"Aww, but he's adorable," Barry smiled, and Kas turned to growl at him. Eek!

"I should...probably get going," he said as he began to walk away, "I'll see you some time soon, okay, Evie?"

"Of course. Good luck with your little one, Barry. Good bye, Kashultz." She called, hearing a familiar yelp. "Did you find the squirrel?"

"Tree."

"Thought so." Sighing, Evie went to help the little creature out.

Jesse stood outside Evie's house, fidgeting and knocking lightly. He'd taken the time to shower and shave in a campground's restroom, and he cold only hope he looked satisfactory.

One always had to look nice for one's woman.

Silas stood beside his father, holding his hand with a thornless rose clutched in the other tiny fist. He'd grown to like Miss Evie. He really had.

The door sprang open quite quickly. Perhaps Evie had been sitting in wait? Evie smiled at both men, giving Jesse a little squeeze before leaning down to hug Sy gently.

"Thanks for coming to see me."

Jesse gave that odd, sweet smile of his and Sy giggled, wrapping hs arms around Miss Evie's neck for a moment.

"I bo'ot you a fowa!"

"Any time," Jesse smiled. Ah, love.It made you do strange things. Like buy a polo shirt.

Evie scooped Sy up, grinning at him. "Well, thank you for the flower! I think that I just happened to pull some cookies out of the oven. Do you know anyone who likes chocolate chip cookies, Sy?"

She reached out one hand and gave Jesse's arm a little squeeze and a grin. "Nice shirt."

Jesse colored slightly and laughed.

"Uh...thanks."

Silas, however, looked to be in awe. His hands flew over his mouth, pink eyes going wide.

"Miss Ebie, Miss Ebie!" he said, practically bouncing, "Miss Ebie, I like tockolat cookie!"

Evie gasped. "Awesome! Because I have a bunch in there that I need help eating." My God, this little boy was precious. She stepped back inside the house with her little stolen bundle of Sy, waiting for Jesse to follow. The whole house smelled of cookies, with a hint of lemon as well.

Jesse stepped in and inhaled the sweet scents. Oh, yes.

"You treat us so well..."

Giggling, Evie lead them into the little kitchen, past the sleeping Horatio who was on the couch. There was a plate of Chocolate chip cookies on the table, and Evie put Sy down in the chair so she could go to the fridge.

"Oh, I enjoy it. Would you guys like lemonade or milk?"

Sy bounced happily and leaned over, taking a cookie and nibbling. Mmm. Nummy.

"Miwk!" he said, mouth full. Jesse just snorted.

"Lemonade for me, please."

Sy made a face. Ew. Sour.

Evie laughed at him, pouring a little glass full of milk and setting it on the table before getting a glass of lemonade for Jesse.

"Here you are... And to find a vase for Sy's flower..."

Jesse took the glass and smiled, following Evie as she wandered. Pretty lady, pretty hair, pretty neck.

She wandered over to the counter, climbing up on it before retrieving a little vase from the upper cabinets. She hopped back down carefully, turning around and smiling at Jesse.

"Is it good? I made it earlier this morning." She asked, nodding to the juice as she added some water to her vase.

Jesse wrapped an arm around Evie, far enough from anything inappropriate to be even vaguely friendly. He smiled and kissed the top of her ear.

"It is."

Sy, cookie in mouth, slid out of his chair and toddled over to his napping fuzzy. He waited there, sanding, watching, nibbling.

A slow smile moved over Evie's face and she leaned against Jesse lightly, looking up. Mmmm, Jesse.

"Good." Was all she could really think to say, blushing lightly. Awwww.

The fuzzy in question kicked his leg a few more times, snoring.

"Hor-a-sho," Sy said, prodding at the Fuzzy's belly, "Hor-a-sho. Wake up."

Jesse just smiled, swaying slightly, and put his glass down to hold Evie with both arms. No words, just loves.

The fuzzy snorted, opening one eye. "Hnn? Hnnn?! Syyyyyy!" Ah, and a very happy Jivvin tumbled down off of the couch, tail waggling a mile a minute. Wheeee!

Oh, God yes. She'd missed this sort of thing. Sighing, Evie wrapped her arms around Jesse, leaning against his chest. She smiled, eyes closed.

Silas giggled, teeth covered in chocolate.

"Hi, Hor-a-sho!"

Jesse closed his eyes too, resting his head atop Evie's hair for a moment before leaning down to kiss it. Beautiful woman, beautiful person.

"Ooooh! Sy! I got a ball, so we can play, and you can see the fishes Evie has, and and and I'm glad to see you!" Ah, happy fuzzy!

Evie hummed slightly, rocking against him. Hmmm, nice, strong man. How nice.

"Otay!" Sy nodded, trying to lift Horatio from the floor, finding he couldn't, and resolving to get some more cookies, "One minnit."

Jesse gave another little headkiss and half-grinned, whispering to Evie out of nowhere.

"You're beautiful."

"Kay!" Horatio hummed, looking for his ball. Yaaaaay~

Evie smiled up at him, eyes fluttering open. She reached up and gently rested her hand on his cheek. "Thank you."

After grabbing the full plate, Silas toddled after Horatio. Hm! Ball-hunting mission!

Jesse's smile grew a bit, and his neck moved slightly, face lowered...

Oh my! What was he planning?!

Horatio flopped on his belly and pawed under the TV stand, pulling out his ball. He looked over at the humans, momentarily wondering why they were so close, and then headed for a small room. "Can play here or outsides." He told him.

Evie just looked up at him, calm as anything. Whatever he did would be fine.

"Ou'side," Sy nodded, "Dada wan' be 'lones." He knew this, because every time Butchy and a girl were that close, he'd yell 'HEY YOU GO AWAY GET THE HELL OUT OF MY TENT OH GOD'.

Jesse leaned in further, kissing Evie's upper lip hesitantly, waiting a moment for a reaction, before kissing her full-on, gently and lovingly.

Yay, first kiss!

"Kay." Horatio dropped the ball by the door and hopped on his back feet, opening it up the door. He grabbed the ball again, flouncing out into the fenced yard. A white picket fence, for Christ sakes.

Eyes closing again, one of Evie's hands moved up to fluff at his hair as she softly kissed back. God, she'd missed this....

Sy followed, staring at the fence. Hm! What was this?!

Jesse again began to sway, one of his hands moving to Evie's back. Oh, Christ, it'd been years...so many years...

"Like fence?" Horatio asked, tail wagging. "Have pond too!"

Evie smiled as they swayed, touching his cheek lightly. She hummed quietly. Ah, yes...

"Fenss," Sy said, tilting his head, "Is pretty." As for the pond? Ponds were water. He knew water. He could go without water.

Jesse pulled away, opened his eyes, closed them again, gave Evie a very brief, final kiss, and then pulled away for good, smiling down at her.

"Keeps us in. Keeps others out! Not squirrels though." Horatio flopped down in the grass, rolling on his back. Whee!

Evie smiled, stroking his cheek. She let out a little sigh after a moment, leaning up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "My..." She laughed slightly.

"Oh," Sy nodded, "Otay!" He lunged into the grass with Horatio then, wriggling about. Yay! Fuzzy knew how to have fun!

Jesse chuckled slightly and blushed.

"Quite."

Horatio laughed, feet kicking in the air before rolling over to Sy. "Grass nice!"

Evie smiled, petting his cheek. Well, s**t. Jesse had passed all her expectations. They'd went on dates, he'd never made an inapropriate pass at her... It looked like he'd be staying around. Which meant that he needed to know a few things about her.

"Come sit down with me."

Sy giggled, reaching out to snuggle Horatio.

"Grass nice than sand!"

Jesse nodded. His grin turned to a simple smile. Sitting down meant something serious. He waited for Evie to sit before joining her.

Horatio snuggled back. "Sand gritty! Grass prikly."

Evie sat carefully, hands folded in her lap. "This will, undoubtedly, sound a little crazy. But what is your plan for the future. Do you want more children?"

Sy nodded.

"Prikly," he said, nodding seriously.

Jesse blinked. Wait a second. They hadn't ever...was there someone else? Nonono, best to not jump to conclusions.

"Well, I mean...yeah, I guess. I like kids."

Horatio flopped on Sy. "Sy squishy."

And Evie just smiled. "I don't think it would be fair for me to string you out. If you want children, then it would be best if you found another woman. I'm sterile."

"Hor-a-sho squishy too," Sy smiled, "...play now?"

Jesse's eyes got wide and apparently nervous for a moment, until the last bit sank in. His brows furrowed and his mouth screwed over to one side. He placed one of his hands over Evie's, squeezing lightly.

"No, Evie," he said, smile slowly returning, "I love you. No matter what." Oh, God...was it too early?!

"Play now!" Horatio beamed, bouncing up and going for the ball.

Evie's face twitched slightly, blinking fast. She leaned forward, free arm wrapping around his neck and face resting against his chest. Oh, God. He wasn't running, or calling her names...

"...I love you too, Jess."

Sy giggled, standing and waiting, arms out to receive the ball.

Jesse wrapped his arms around the woman, kissing the top of her head gently.

"I'm glad. I'm so glad," he whispered. His heart was tingling and alight.

...he was in mutual love again.

Horatio dropped the ball, kicking it over to Sy. He laughed, chasing his tail.

Humming, Evie caressed his hair. "It's nice... Feeling this way. I've been lonely, expecially until Horatio turned up."

Sy pickde the ball up and tossed it in the air, arcing it at Horatio.

Jesse head-kissed again and rubbed Evie's back.

"...Sy and I could...I mean...if you wanted us to...we would gladly come keep you company twenty-four seven."

Horatio raced back, jumping up in the air to catch the ball. Yaaaaaaaay! He giggled around it, racing in circles around Sy before tossing it back.

Evie looked up at him, eyes slightly wet. "You.. Would?" Oh, God... To live with someone she loved with a child and a dog behind a little white picket fence....

Sy giggled and tried to catch the ball, failed, and picked it up from the ground.

"Catch this!" he dares, tossing the ball almost straight into the air and stepping back, squinting as it passed the sun.

Oh noes! Tears! Jesse chuckled softly and placed a hand on Evie's jaw, caressing her cheek with his thumb.

"Mmhm."

Horatio waited. And waited. Then, aha! Ball was spotted! He jumped in the air to catch it, missed, and got whacked on the nose. He yelped slightly, shaking his head and snuffling. "Sun hurt eyes."

Evie hummed slightly, leaning against his hand. "I'd like that. We could move some things around and turn the little office into a room for Sy...."

Awwww. Sy rushed to Horatio, petting the fuzzy's face to try and make the pain go away. Oh no!

"I sorry."

"That sounds great," Jesse nodded, "I don't mind the couch." Oh my...he was moving in with someone the boys were NOT going to be happy...

"Is okees. Good frow!" Horatio nuzzled, pain forgotten. Yay!

"Just for a while." Ah, and Evie turned colors! "I'm.. Not, you know, a loose woman by any standards. But..."

Sy giggled.

"Okay!"

And Jesse blushed too. Oh my!

"Oh, no. Even if we were sleeping in the same bed, I wouldn't ask...that from you. Things just...happen when they happen. And anyway, I miss having someone to hold..." What a moosh!

Horatio carefully picked the ball up and tossed it back at Sy. He looked up to the house.

"Evie likes Jesse. An' Sy."

Laughing, Evie stroked his cheek.

"Being held sounds nice."

"Good!" Sy nodded, "Sy like Evie!" He tossed th ball back, eying he house. Were they outside? Nooo. Hm!

Jesse's smile grew. He kicked off his boots and laid back against to arm of the couch, kicking his feet up, and pulling Evie up with him.

"Then held you'll be."

"And Horatio like Sy!" Horatio caught the ball, moving around Sy happily and rubbing against him like a cat.

Evie made a little noise, smiling and resting against him. Her eyes closed and she let out a long low hum. Ah...

Sy laughed.

"Good! Sy like Hor-a-sho!"

Jesse closed his eyes ad let his head hit the arm, one of his hands caressing Evie's stomach, again comfortably far from anything inappropriate. Ah, a real woman. How nice!

Horatio licked at Sy's ear, nuzzling his neck. Oh, what was that he saw out of the corner of his eye? A squirrel? How delightful! "SQUIRREL." Horatio called, dashing for it. Whee!

Evie hummed again, stroking his cheek and nuzzling against him. This was nice...

Silas was knocked to the ground and laughed, standing and giggling as he wiped the grass from his behind.

"Fuddy!"

Why, yes. Yes it was.