Welcome to Gaia! ::

Nataya shuffled down the aisle, stifling a yawn with one hand, holding her younger cousin in her arm. Honestly, she would have preferred staying home....but her uncle had been acting a bit weird, so she figured he probably would need some help with the younger ones. So here she was, half-asleep and shuffling about in an almost zombie-like fashion, holding a curious toddler. Not a good mix by any stretch of the imagination.

Matthias was dead silent, the only noise coming from the squeaky wheels of the cart and the sniffling baby sitting in it. He seemed blank, his movements almost robotic as he headed to the infant/toddler section of the clothing department. Aife had grown recently, and was in need of new clothes. Well, she had some...but best to have a variety, right? That, and shopping made a good distraction...

Nataya offered a small, half-awake smile. "It's okay.....Miles, right?" She vaguely remembered seeing him at the picnic. If she was more awake, she might have noticed the plastic quality in his smile. But, through fatigue-glazed eyes, the smile looked genuine.

Aife offered a small smile. "Hi!" she greeted, happy to see him. She reached out, making grabby hands. "Up!" she said, giggling. Apparently, she hadn't quite understood his question.

"Hello, Miles." Mathias answered, nodding once. "Clothes." He answered simply. He just nodded, trying his best not to care.

Nataya offered a small smile. "It's nice to meet you formally." she said softly, rubbing at her eyes with one hand. She was tired, so tired... She leaned against one of the clothing racks, stiffling a yawn.

Aife smiled as she was lift up by the older boy. "Missed." she agreed, nodding before hugging the older boy.

The pang of guilt hit him again, right in his gut. "Oh...." was all he managed to say.

Nataya nodded. "I...I'm fine." she said, offering a sleepy smile. "Just fine...and I've been sleeping..." Over-sleeping, that is. She seemed to be taking naps throughout the day, slept soundly through the night...it wasn't lack of sleep that was afflicting her.

Matthias noticed something was...off. "Alright." He said after a moment, despite his better judgment. He cut ties with her; he shouldn't care. But, he did. Damn it.

Nataya chuckled. "I'm getting enough. Honest, I-" She was cut off as a yawn issued forth. "Honest I am." she finished,smiling. "I'm fine, really. Just peachy..."

Aife looked up at Miles, tilting her little head before hugging him. Something was wrong; she wasn't so dense that she couldn't notice.

Matthias blanched. "What?" he said, not sure if he wanted to trust what his ears had heard. Dies? What in Heaven's name was the lad talking about?

Aife patted at his check. "Leak." she said, frowning. Why was he leaking? Did he break or something?

He thought he was doing the right thing, but no, it had to come and slap him in the face. Whoever was up there had a sick sense of humor. He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. Dammit, what was he supposed to do in a situation like this? He was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. He deliberated in silence for a moment before speaking. "Alright.....Meet you at your house, then, I suppose?"

Aife hugged the older boy, trying to get him to stop leaking. Why wasn't it working!? "Are leaking." she said, mumbling.

Matthias was about to say something, but froze. "How...?" How in seven hell's had the boy known that? Obsidian eyes narrowed, looking at the boy. He wasn't sure whether he should feel reassured or whether he should snap the boys neck. He chose the first, seeing as the latter was a bit...over-kill.

While they discussed the serious matter at hand, it seemed Nataya was taking Mile's advice. She was asleep....standing up and leaning against the clothes rack. Good thing they were screwed into the floor, or she may have gone toppling.