Welcome to Gaia! ::

Xiu was excited. Lazarus was coming! It had been too long since they had last met each other but…the both of them had agreed that it was for the best. After what Lazarus had done during the infection, it was probably a good idea to keep this away from Hazeline for a while. Xiu hated to admit it but…he had the suspicion that his guardian would not be too happy about it if she knew. The housekeeper certainly wouldn’t at any rate. Why, just the other day the petite old lady had snorted with disgust at a comedy about a man finding himself liking another man. It was…awkward enough being around her as it is already. There was no reason to rub more salt into it.

But today was different! The housekeeper was off for the holidays to be with her sister and Hazeline had brought Joshua over to see their parents for a couple of days. This meant that Xiu would be left alone to man (or in this case, raevan) the bookstore. Lazarus had seemed delighted at this bit of news too (Xiu had sent him a text message and after getting the reply, immediately deleted it)and had immediately offered to come over.

And today was the day. Xiu wondered what was making the Fiery Sigel so happy. Perhaps Lazarus was feeling rather lonely in the lab, he seemed that way in the past or perhaps it was because they would be exchanging gifts Or…or…

The white Sigel smiled. They would be able to finally spend some time together.

Floating over to the counter where Lazarus’ gift was wrapped in a gingerbread motif wrapping paper, Xiu picked the parcel up with a silent chuckle. He hoped the Sigel would like his Christmas gift. He had spent an entire day looking for it in those crazily crowded malls.

The clock on the wall chimed indicating that it was already eight thirty and that Lazarus would be here soon. No sooner had the white Sigel put the kettle on to boil then the bell rang. Trying his hardest not to grin, the white raevan floated down and opened the door.

“Lazarus,” mouthed the white Sigel with obvious delight. “Good to see you,”

The blue eyes then strayed to the bundle in Lazarus’ arm. Curious, Xiu tilted his head and looked from the bundle to Lazarus questioningly. Was that his…surprise then?

Xiu nodded at Lazarus’ request and floated back to allow the other in before shutting the wooden door. Lazarus looked flustered and excited at the same time. Xiu wondered what could have made Lazarus this way.

The sudden soft chirp that came from within the bundle surprised the Sigel and Xiu found his curiosity once again aroused as Lazarus placed a protective hand over it. Just what was it that the fiery raevan was hiding from him?

Lazarus? mouth the white Sigel questioningly as his gaze shifted from the bundle to Lazarus’ crimson eyes. What is that?

It was then that the kettle Xiu had set decided to boil. Momentarily distracted from the chirping bundle, Xiu took Lazarus’ arm and indicated that they should head upstairs where it was warmer and cozier. There were also some ginger biscuits and buns should Lazarus feel like having a snack.

While for lunch …

Xiu hoped Lazarus would like what he had prepared. Well…perhaps not really prepared…more like merely heating up the food but…it was the thought that counts, right?

Blue eyes trailed from Lazarus’ apologetic face to that of the little bird nestling quietly in the scarf Lazarus had bought him. It did not help that the baby bird chose at that moment to defecate on the clean white scarf and looking perfectly content to do so now that it was warm and dry. Letting out a soft chirp of contentment, the little one tucked a head under its stubby little wing and was soon asleep in the pseudo nest made from the scarf.

The sight made the white Sigel laugh. The expression of Lazarus’ face as though he had done something simply terrible by saving a life was both rather cute and amusing. It became especially amusing when the Fiery Sigel saw what the nestling had done. Reaching over the counter, Xiu patted Lazarus’ shoulder comfortingly before pulling the scarf over the tiny bird once more. It was best to let the little one rest until it was well again. Perhaps when the snow thawed they’d figure something up then.

Help me find a box. We’ll make it another nest to rest in wrote Xiu quickly as he floated around the counter and gave Lazarus a shy hug. Don’t feel bad. I would rather you save the bird than keeping the scarf clean. I’ll wash it and wear it the next time we meet on a cold day alright?

Xiu nodded. The ice sculpture exhibition sounded fun. He’d seen pictures of such exhibitions in magazines. Hopefully the snow would still be around by then as it would give him a reason to wear Lazarus’ gift. Tilting his head a little, Xiu watched as Lazarus explored the kitchen. The housekeeper had recently cleaned the place up so Xiu was doubtful that Lazarus would fine anything of use here.

His doubt in the fiery Sigel was wrongly placed as no sooner had the white raevan thought about it Lazarus had spotted an empty basket under the kitchen counter. Xiu had never seen this basket before. It was a woven rattan basket, rather small, like the kind people will use to throw their car keys or perhaps clothes pegs into it. Perhaps in the past it was used as such but with the dryer installed, the poor thing had probably lost its purpose.

Floating over, Xiu nodded. Yes, this basket would work well. Pulling open a drawer, Xiu pulled out a few pieces of loose tissues Hazeline had thrown in. It was the kind you obtained when ordering a takeaway but never found the need to use it. Not wanting to waste them, Hazeline had simply tossed them into this drawer just in case they were needed in the future. Passing the tissues over to Lazarus, Xiu pursed his lips. The tissues were probably not enough for the little bird. It needed something a little more insulating to keep it warm. Snapping his fingers as an idea entered his head, Xiu floated over to Hazeline’s room and emerged later with a roll of facial cotton. Pulling out a couple of tuffs, Xiu hoped that his guardian would not notice their absence.

“Try this,” mouthed the Sigel offering the cottony white tuffs over. “It should work.”

Meanwhile, the nestling continued to doze, unaware of the makeshift nest what was being constructed right beside it.

Xiu blushed when Lazarus leaned over to give him a quick peck on the cheek. The kiss was as sweet as it was sudden and the sheepish look that accompanied the Sigel after the kiss was also very endearing to the white sigel. Xiu would have returned the kiss then and there if Lazarus hadn’t suddenly popped the suggestion that they find something else to keep the nestling warm. Pursing his lips thoughtfully, Xiu gave the kitchen a scrutinizing glance. What else was there that could be used as a blanket?

Think, think… got it!

Snapping his fingers, Xiu floated down to the bookstore and unhooked one of the many woolen Christmas stockings that hung around the shelves as decorations for the season. This should suffice. Maybe they could slip the little hatchling into it or something; like a sleeping bag.

But the young hatching would hear nothing of it. Puffing out its scruffy chest as it was handled for what felt like the umpteenth time that day, the bedraggled looking nestling began cheeping and screeching with all its might. It was due a feeding! It was due some pampering! It was not to be manhandled!!

Xiu watched the protesting bird with a mixture of surprise, curiousity and worry. Why the sudden cheeping? How could such a small thing like that produce such a loud noise? And…was it normal for a hatchling to be rolling about in the palm of Lazarus’ hand like that?

The nestling continued to make a fuss as Lazarus tried ineffectively to calm it down. Perhaps the firey Sigel was right. The baby bird certainly had a hungry look about it. But this was a bookstore and not a petshop. The housekeeper might have some sesame and poppy seeds stored for baking purposes but the white Sigel doubted that the young bird would like it very much. It was then that Xiu remembered about the half eaten loaf of bread in the fridge. It was a couple of days old and going stale. Perhaps…they could try feeding the baby bird that instead?

Taking the loaf out of the fridge and setting it beside Lazarus, Xiu then went to the dish rack and filled a saucer with warm water. The bread could be dipped in the warm water to soften it before feeding it to the bird.

The young bird was now opening its beak expectantly and attempting to peck any fingers that drew near. Tearing off a small piece of bread, Xiu gingerly dipped the bread into the water and offered it to the hatchling. The young bird made a couple of furious stabs at it but did not swallow; its face now covered with soggy bread. Confused, Xiu offered the bread again and similar results were obtained. The white Sigel frowned. What was wrong with this nestling?

Xiu was as puzzled as Lazarus when the nestling refused the bread offered to it. This was starting to get rather perplexing and not to mention annoying. Letting the Fire Sigel take over, Xiu watched as Lazarus gave the feeding a try.

The nestling gave the piece of bread in Lazarus’ hand a rebellious look before taking the opportunity to peck at Lazarus’ thumb instead. Now that the cold was starting to wear out of it, the nestling was feeling a lot more lively and rascally. Flapping its stubby wings, the pudgy little bird rolled about Lazarus’ palm while its beady little eyes took in its surroundings. It was…different from what it was used to but…as long as it was warm and provided round the clock attention, the little hatchling did not mind. Pecking at the piece of bread, the hatchling continued to make a mess of itself on Lazarus’ palm before letting out another white coloured piece of poop.

Xiu could not keep a straight face on despite Lazarus’ expression of agony. It was…so funny! And almost as though Lazarus was being bullied by the small ball of feathers in his hand. Mind you, the little rascal probably had him by the string as well but for the moment, Xiu delighted in watching Lazarus try to handle the cheeping little thing, its insistent chirping bringing noise to the rather empty house.