Welcome to Gaia! ::

He had no intention of replacing the stuffed toy she had made herself or any of the others she had brought along with her from the lab, but Vilyum still thought that maybe she would like a few more to go with the ones she had. He didn’t intend to spoil her, nor did he intend to bribe her into being happy with her new family. He just hoped that they might lift her spirits, make her feel more comfortable. She had belongings when she came, but still, the bedroom was crowded with Áróra’s things. Maybe if she had some more things of her own, to keep inside her bedroom, with her, she might feel that it was more her room, her home, not just some room she was staying in.

Vilyum couldn’t help but think he had been awfully demanding of his friend Vladimir lately. Recently he had him over, quite often, to act as a babysitter, which is what allowed him to come here with just Luska. He did have another babysitter, an older friend Áróra had made, but she was young, he didn’t want to constantly burden her with watching his kids.

The store they went to was fairly large; it had quite the variety of things. Vilyum considered getting some paint after getting the toys. He knew Áróra would love splattering some brightly colored paints on the walls, maybe Luska would as well. If not the actual splattering, he was sure she would like the bright colors that resulted from it.

He had grabbed the cart when they entered and started making his way towards the aisle with the plush toys and dolls. It was just located just passed and directly next to the infant department. Luska stuck right next to Vilyum, all the way from the car and passed the carts. He plush tiger, Sunny, dangled from her right hand. She had made it herself, while she stayed in the lab, and she valued it dearly. Luckily the seams were a bit loose and it was slightly misshapen, she didn’t have the best materials to work with than, so it was easily distinguished from the ones the store sold; there was no chance of it being mistaken as one they sold.

“Lulu can get a new doll?” she sheepishly asked.

“Yep, a new doll or a new plush toy, or maybe even a few, if you see several you like. You should have more of your things in your room,” Vilyum replied, smiling down on her.

“Ok, Vilyum,” she responded, in a barely audible tone. She had to admit though; she liked the sound of that. It was true she envied all the things Áróra and her other siblings had, it was in her very nature, after all, but there was one thing they had that she envied even more, a home. She shared the house with them and the bedroom with Áróra, but it still didn’t feel like it was hers. It was just a place she was staying till they took her back to the labs. She hated that she couldn’t help but think that, she didn’t want it to be true, but deep down, the worry nagged at her. Just getting a few new things to put in it, even if they were very pretty, wouldn’t make it her room, she didn't know if she would ever truly feel home, but maybe, it would help.

She had a smile on her face as they turned down the aisle, dolls and stuffed toys on the right, random infant things to the left.

All the stuffed toys and dolls managed to distract Luska from her thoughts; for a time, she was contempt, as she looked though the rather large selection. Stuffed bears, puppies, kitties, rabbits, and even snakes, as well as a variety of other animals, both real and imaginary lined the aisle. In her hands, she was currently examining a plush bunny. It was a very pretty pink bunny in a dress. Some might think it looked a bit silly, but Luska thought it was adorable.

Glancing up, she noticed a winged man looking in her direction. Not really paying him any mind, and more intent on the bunny then why he might be looking over here, she went back to examining the bunny. It had the cutest little ears and the dress had a lacy trim. Then it clicked in her head, his peach colored feathers, his wings, she knew who that was. Looking back up at him, tears filled her eyes. In the past, she might have been embarrassed about crying in public, but not this time; this was something different; these were tears of happiness and she didn’t give them any thought.

It had been so long since she had seen a familiar face; she had been taken back to the lab and hadn’t seen any of her old friends for what seemed like ages. Sure she had a new family, but they were still new to her; they were still strangers that she was just getting to know. It felt nicer then she could have imagined, seeing an old, familiar, friendly face, a friend that she had thought she might never see again. Chastity and cooties be damned, she ran up to him and hugged him tight.Tears streaming down her face, Luska whimpered, “It was so so bad, Lulu went back to the lab. Lulu missed Cody.”

“Cody had to go back too?” Luska asked, looking up at him, “Why did Cody have to go back to the lab?”

She eased her grip around him, and backed away, not far, just to a more comfortable talking distance. Her eyes and cheeks still glistened with the tears that had flowed, but the appearance of new ones had stopped. “Lulu hopes things get better,” she started and then continued after a brief sigh, “Lulu has a new daddy and 3 sisters now, but, it still feels….off.” Luska wasn’t really sure how to explain it. She should be happy, she had a new family and they seemed to care about her, but her old family seemed to care about her as well, and now they were gone. How did she know this new family wouldn’t do the same?

Turning to look behind her, she saw that Vilyum had already approached, she turned back to Cody and gestured towards him as she said, “This is Lulu’s new daddy, Vilyum.”

Vilyum held his hand out to Cody and stated, “Yes, I am Vilyum. Cody is it? And I guess you two already know each other.” He was a bit shocked to see her behavior, but he assumed the man was an old friend. He had to admit, it was nice to see her want to socialize with someone.

After Vilyum had a chance to introduce himself, Luska replied to Cody, “Yes! Lulu would like to look at the stuffed animals with Cody!” She loved the idea, looking at stuffed animals with a friend, even if it did seem slightly odd for him. His other question though sparked some curiosity and she would like to help him if she could, so she asked, ”Or, what did Cody want Lulu’s help with?”

“Oh, ok,” Luska replied not really sure what to say. She did remember, though, that he was acting very oddly, the last time she saw him. One moment he would say or do something, and the next he would seem different and wouldn’t remember what had just happened. It had confused her greatly. She couldn’t help but wonder if that was at least part of the reason why. “Were they able to help Cody then? And Cody’s mom… she took Cody back?”

“Lulu will try and give it some time. Lulu hopes she is able to stay; she hopes they want to keep her,” she muttered before adding, almost inaudibly, “but if Cody has to make them change their minds… doesn’t that mean they didn’t want Lulu. Lulu doesn’t want to go back to the lab, but… if she is unwanted; Lulu doesn’t want to stay either.” The thought quite visibly saddened her; it wasn’t something she wanted to think about. She decided to push it from her mind for now; she had just met an old friend, this wasn’t a time to worry.

“Oh?” Vilyum asked, eyeing Cody, “You two were toddlers together? I think it will take me some time to get used to the advanced rate of aging that your kind possesses, but I guess, looking at you two, it varies on the individual.” A bit of worry tinged his voice. He didn’t think of it often, their accelerated aging, but he couldn’t help but worry about its possible future repercussions. He couldn’t help but wonder if it might, at times, increase past adulthood. It wasn’t a thought he wanted to consider; it always struck him as odd that they sped through the younger years, but how old could they actually get. Each stage seemed to take an increasing length of time, was it possible that one of his daughters would suddenly wake up, after a few years of adulthood, suddenly to find themselves infirm? He was told they would age normally once they reached adult hood, but how long had this project been going, could they know for certain? Also, if some aged at different rates, as these two, Cody and Luska, obviously did, how did they know there wouldn’t be exceptions, those that would age quickly to an increased age? If there were a few cases, would they really inform potential guardians? Unfortunately, due to his lack of aging, he was nearly guaranteed to lose them one day, it would be something he would have to deal with, but he wanted them to get a chance for a full life first. The unfortunate prospect wasn’t one he could do anything about now, first was the task of getting his newest daughter, Luska, to feel comfortable, to feel like she belonged. She seemed to get on well with Cody, it was nice to see and they weren’t in any rush, she could spend some time helping him shop.

“Cody is going to be a dad?” she asked, slightly shocked. Luska couldn’t help but find the thought odd; she remembered when they were both younger and they had first met, looking back on that, it was hard to picture him having a hid of his own. She likely wouldn’t know the person, but she had to ask, “Who is Cody having a baby with? Does Cody know if it will be a boy or a girl?” After the initial shock faded slightly, she noticed the redness in his cheeks; she couldn’t help but giggle slightly at his embarrassment. With a grin, she stated, “Lulu will help Cody! What does Cody need to get?”

“That was nice that she took Cody back,” Luska uttered lightly, she couldn’t help but wonder why she had been taken back. She felt bad that Cody had also been left there, but he at least knew a reason and was able to go back home. Maybe Cody was right though, maybe she did have to give it some more time; t had only been a couple of days so far, not nearly long enough to get use to them. She had to give them more of a chance.

“Yeah, that’s what they said when I got my first child, Áróra, though they weren’t very specific about the growth spurts. They never mentioned any variance in aging, and while that is normal in any child, how quickly they develop differing with the kid, the sudden growth spurts serve to make it much more obvious. I never have actually met the man in charge, but I can’t help but wonder if he knows more than is revealed to perspective parents,” Vilyum stated to the soon to be father. Then, with a shrug, he added, “Well, enough of that; a casual department store encounter isn't the time or place for such worries.”

Luska thought real hard for a moment, trying to remember if she had ever met anyone with that name. With a shake of her head, she replied, “No, Lulu has never met Edes. Is Edes nice? Does he not tell Cody because Cody really wants it to be a surprise?” Leaning in to look at the list that he pulled out, Luska examined its contents. “Hmm,” she started with a grin, “well, Lulu thinks Cody should start with the crib. There are a couple right behind him.” She couldn’t help but giggle when she revealed that he had completely missed them. “Cody should save the stuffed animals for last, that way he can help Lulu picked one out for herself and Lulu can help pick one out for the baby!”

“Well,” Vilyum stated, “I will have to take your word on it then.” He was more than capable of being long winded when he wanted to be, but he figured he would keep quiet and end it at that; he didn’t want to distract Luska from her old friend. He hoped she would get some enjoyment out of this day.

“Lulu is glad that Edes is nice,” Luska commented with a smile, “Does Cody have any names picked out for the baby?” Smiling was often times infectious, and this happened to be one of those times; Luska smiled deepened somewhat when she saw Cody’s goofy grin while talking of Edes. She was glad Cody was happy. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to form that kind of connection with someone and to have a baby. She liked little kids, but the thought of making one with someone, seemed slightly strange to her.

As Cody turned around, to see that the cribs were in plain sight, right behind him, Luska brought her hands up to her mouth and giggled. She couldn’t contain them, especially when he slapped his hand to his face. “Um,” Luska began, trying to remember,”Lulu thinks the baby clothes start two aisles over. When she first walked to the stuffed toys, Lulu noticed them because they reminded her of doll clothes.” At that she started down to the aisle to lead Cody and Vilyum to the baby clothing.

“Oh,” Luska replied, “well Lulu is sure whatever name Cody picks out will be a great name.” She couldn’t help but wonder what the baby would be. She thought of Cody almost as the brother she never had. Maybe the baby could be like a niece or nephew to her. “Do you think Lulu could meet the baby?” She really hoped she would be able to. She could be Aunt Lulu.

“Yes, baby clothes,” she stated as she led Cody to the baby clothing, ”It was good that we found the cribs, but really, Cody should start with the clothes. That way, Lulu can help Cody pick out a crib that matches the baby’s pajamas!” She giggled as she thought about it; of course the baby should have pretty clothes and a pretty crib to match.

Luska listened to his comments as she scanned about the infant clothing. A lot of the clothes weren’t pretty enough. Not pretty enough for Cody’s new baby anyways. Then she saw it, it was a small little baby sized dress. It was a pretty shade of pink and had a white trim. With much glee, she picked it up and rushed over to Cody, holding up the dress. “Look what Lulu found! It looks great! It doesn’t have wing slots, but Lulu can help! She can sew doll clothes, this wouldn’t be much different. She will be the prettiest baby ever, if she is a girl, If the baby is a boy, well, then he will still be the prettiest baby ever!” It was clear that, at least for a time, she had forgotten all her worries. She was having fun.

Lightly biting her lip, not to injure, just mid thought, she commented, “Well, Lulu could meet Edes and the baby? That way Edes won’t have to let the baby out of his sight!” She was going to meet this baby, she was sure of it.

“Of course they should match!” Luska proclaimed with a nod. Turning to Vilyum, who had been silently watching, she asked, “Right Vilyum? They should match like Lulu’s pretty bed and pajamas.”

Laughing and glad to see her mood so elevated, he replied, “Yes, just like yours.”

Smiling, she turned to Cody, “See?”

Thinking, she repeated under her breathe, “A couple more dresses and some gender neutral clothing.” She moved about as fast as a teen without wrath DNA could move, as she went through the clothing racks. It took her a few minutes, but she returned with an arm full of clothing. She had two more dresses; the first dress was a very pretty lilac color and it had an aubergine colored print of a flower on it. The second dress actually would have matched Cody, if he was a lot smaller and a girl; its main color seemed to perfectly match his head feathers. The sleeves of the second dress, however, were a different color, a light gray. She also had three more gender neutral outfits; little shirt and shorts sets. The first set was, fittingly, baby blue with a cerulean trim and a puffy white cloud on the chest. The second outfit was a very light tea green; it had a viridian trim and a small cute frog, which was also viridian, on the sleeve. The third and final outfit was a light cream color with a swirly chocolate covered pattern. She also held, 6 pairs of socks, one pair for each of the 3 dresses and 3 outfits. “Does Cody like them? Did Lulu do a good job?”