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"Are you sure you don't want my help?" came the maternal coo as Namini turned and watched Prajna struggle to carry its massive cello case. It was as she had originally feared when leaving the Nao apartment: Prajna's lack of lower body made it somewhat hrad for the Frei to maintain a firm and steady form of balance and it would consistently wobble left and right as it struggled to control the weight pulling it lower and lower to the Earth.

"Is fine. Is -ugh- fine." Prajna grumbled, swinging the heavy container so that its weight pulled the Frei forward for a moment. It hadn't broken a sweat yet, thankfully, but its arms were beginning to ache. Namini's brows knitted together in concern but decided that the only way she'd really be able to assist the Frei was by quickly finding a nice location for them to settle. It was a pity David wasn't available to enjoy the afternoon with them, but work was work. Nearby there rested a majestic oak tree, occupied by playful squirrels, and it seemed to provide enough shade to cover Namini, Prajna and its large companion. "Let's just take a seat over there, Prajna. That tree looks good," Namini explained but just as she headed over to the tree, Prajna turned at the cry of "“Look out! Fly ball!”

"Fly wha--?" Prajna inquired a few seconds too late as a small baseball hurled itself directly into the Star's face. A string of unidentifiable profanities escaped the androgynous soul's mouth, having dropped the case abruptly to the ground. Namini let out a small squeak of surprise as she rushed over to Prajna's aid, "Lemme look at it. Are you ok? What was ...??"

Namini bent over and picked up the stray ball and examined it like some unfamiliar object. That's when a smooth edged sunset-colored ribbon poked its way into the teen's line of sight. The Nao's cerulean eyes followed the spiraling ribbon upwards until it met the face of a beautiful but unfamiliar Raevan. She released a small "oh!" and dropped the ball again as Prajna peeked through its clenching fingers, furious and still in pain, "Who the HELL are you?"

Prajna's eyes held no flame of interest like Namini's did as they met, for the first time, Cesc, the newborn deerling!

“Are you hurt?!" exclaimed the concerned stranger but just as Prajna was about to ask,quite sarcastically, whether it LOOKED unharmed, another stranger, a tall, muscular human came over and immediately began examining the Star's small, angular face. As the man announced that nothing was broken and that the Star would pretty much live, Namini rejoined her charge and did another examination of the fiery Frei's face, only to confirm Shepard's conclusion with a nod, "Prajna, your face is fine. I promise. Let's just take the nice man's offer and get you some ice if we can. I know how upset you'd be if your face was to swell or if the pain got worse.."

Prajna made a gruesome scowl which only grew when the pink haired deerling picked up its precious cello and offered the two another apology, "Fine. Let's get ice."

After that, Prajna floated on ahead, touching its right cheek and eye carefully as if trying to develop some kind of mental picture of what kind of state its beautiful face was currently in. Namini offered Cesc a forgiving smile and walked beside him, whispering very quietly but affectionately, "Please don't mind Prajna. It has a quick temper and worries greatly over its appearance. I bet if you were to flatter it later, after we get the ice, you'll be easily forgiven." Namini's grin widened and when Prajna turned around to glance back at the duo for a moment, she made sure that there was plenty of unsuspecting space between her and the stranger Frei, as if she too had not quite warmed up to the newcomer. Before turning back around though, the scowl still on the androgynous soul's face, Prajna's twilit eyes paused on Cesc and took him in: his hair was light, reminding Prajna of something sweet and weightless like cotton candy. The Frei's warm amber eyes seemed nothing but welcoming and free of judgment. His clothes also seemed bright and sympathetic. Prajna turned back to the front, hiding the fact that the skin that had been hit had started to throb lightly. Overall, Prajna came to the conclusion that...

Cesc was like its twin. But the good twin.

Prajna remembered all the television shows it had seen with good siblings being dressed in bright clothing with beautiful hair and smiles everywhere, while the evil sibling would be in darker fashions with smirks and edgy locks and... Prajna could not help but think that was an applicable concept to their current situation. It was as if good-twin-hero Cesc had tried to "destroy" the wicked-twin-villain Prajna... with a baseball. Prajna made note to keep its guard up, at least until it got some damned ice for its face.

As Prajna's icy gaze fell upon the kind foreigner, offering the Star some ice for its wound, Namini's own cerulean orbs met those of the Stag, widening just so with surprise, unused to such courtesy and good behavior. Prajna could learn a thing or two from the young Frei, the brunette thought, though she responded aloud with a simple introduction and compliment, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Cesc. My name's Namini, thank you for asking. You're very well mannered, do you know that?"

Namini could not restrain a soft chuckle, confessing her inner thoughts perhaps, and Prajna partially turned to gaze back at the pastel-haired Frei and the Star's own guardian, suspicious but admittedly...curious. What could those two be discussing so softly and with such glee? Out of fear of expressing too much interest in the others, Prajna returned to meet Vivi, the dark haired woman approaching the redhead cautiously but humbly. She did not seem to feign interest or worry over Prajna's wounds, but genuine concern as she lightly applied the cool napkin-wrapped ice pouch to Prajna's reddened eye and cheek. Though biting and uncomfortable, Prajna quietly accepted Vivi's care, a response that surprised both the arriving Namini and the Star itself. Perhaps it was the French woman's tender but probably unconscious compliment, a foreign tendency, calling Prajna a "poor lovely one", that caused the redhead to simply inherently trust and accept her, or the fact that the throbbing was dulling thanks to Vivi's ice. Either way, Prajna was unusually quiet and polite today.... though the androgynous Frei still had not uttered a "Thank you" or a forgiveness to Cesc yet. Time would only tell.

As Namini approached Vivi and her now subdued Star, she couldn't help but notice the basket of goods and the cloth which the small group was now residing on and frowned a bit, apologetic and wary, "I'm so sorry. We didn't inconvenience your picnic did we?"

The young girl turned to Shepard and Cesc, as if seeking some kind of reassurance, but Prajna's more uncaring nature shone through for a moment as it released a kind of scoff, an obvious "pfft", as the Star thought what was wrong with its human. Prajna got hit in the face and yet Namini was worried about inconveniencing THEM? Prajna's good eye turned to peek up at Cesc once again, continuing to feign disinterest in the Stag as it wondered, Who in their right mind would throw a hard as rock ball around just for entertainment?

”Your sweet one”” had been sufficient in getting Prajna to finally release all remaining tension but something about the way Cesc’s rich and humble words complimented the Star’s physical beauty and tenderly cradled its bruised ego made Prajna just melt. The redhead had heard so many accents and vocal varieties on television, and while attractive in their own ways, nothing seemed to compare to meeting someone real breathing life into those same scripted words and sentences, now elegantly phrased and coated in high class honey. As was in its provocative nature, Prajna very soon found itself gawking at the deerling’s rosy lips . It began to wonder if Cesc was used to be stared at, and at the introduction of that thought, the androgynous Star quickly looked away, beet red in the face. Surprisingly, in its attempted escape of Cesc’s amber gaze, the words “It’s fine. It’s fine. Accidents happen.” were hurled abruptly into the deer’s general direction.

Perhaps Prajna had misapplied the concepts of good-twin-evil-twin: Did Cesc know he was even capable of such seductive sorcery? Perhaps he was actually the evil twin in disguise, attempting to overpower the innocent, good-twin Prajna with his fancy words and European charisma!

Having noted Prajna’s silenced, blushing state of submission, Namini felt comfortable enough to accept Vivi and Shepard’s lunch invitation and sat herself carefully on the blanket’s edge. The young girl wasn’t going to lie, “I don’t think I got your names. I’ve been so mesmerized by your gorgeous accent. French, right? You sound so regal, I hope you don’t mind me saying. I’m not trying to mock you; I really am…prettttty envious!”

Namini released one of her signature giggles and then took a quick gaze around the park. It truly was a beautiful afternoon and she was happy to see that it wasn’t going to be wasted by a small accident. Silently, she prayed things would go well enough today, to the point where the Naos could walk away with three new friends. She could only hope.

Namini's eyes widened in a way that made her already cheery face bright up even more. Wine was something she had not really tried, even though she was of legal age. She wondered if she should seize this opportunity...but with a quick glance over Prajna, she told herself and simultaneously said aloud, "Just a little bit of wine. Please."

A little couldn't hurt right? She saw David drink many times, in his own company or in the company of others, so if he could handle his own then, with similar blood running through her veins, she should be able to handle a glass or two of white wine. ...Right? For a short moment, Namini looked back over the brawny Shepard and the elegant Vivi. She took in their compatible nature, envious. Swallowing hard, she hoped if she did drink she didn't end up making a fool of herself in front of this wonderful duo!

Prajna, on the other hand, focused on a different duo. Protectively yet tenderly, as a mother would slid her arm around a young child's shoulders, the Star extended one of its pale hands and slid the palm across the smooth surface of the cello's case. Immediately it felt at ease and full of pride once again. Perhaps this was an opportunity that needed to be seized? Perhaps... Prajna turned its piercing gaze back to Cesc's delicate face. Perhaps the stag really was just nice and charming and only wanted to know Prajna a little more.

It really helped that Cesc was male too. Perhaps he could be trusted. Prajna let out a small sigh of defeat and tried to be as courteous as possible for once, though an air of superiority still childishly clung to its words.

"Yes. Prajna plays the cello for now. Cesc can call Prajna like everyone else... Prajna" the redhead stated, its cheeks still a bit pink from the unusually polite manner of speaking. It sounded so...foreign.

A bakery?

Namini immediately began to smile ear to ear as she accepted some of Shepard's hand sanitizer, then graciously received the delicate glass from Vivi. Namini remembered one of her first memories of the Lab, "When I first joined the Lab family, it was summertime and really hot! I had seen a flyer for this beach side event so I went. This was before Prajna was born and I have this brother, David, too but he couldn't come so it was just.... me. It was busy and crowded and I scared but there was this cooking contest, you see..."

Namini smile, if possible, seemed to brighten and light up her doll-like features as she continued, "And I made this dish my mom taught me. It was this light almond cake topped with a bavarois mousse made of currants. Inside it is a mixed berry jam that balances out the tartness of the currants. It was a good dessert if you don't mind me saying."

The young brunette took a small swig of the wine, forgetting the sharp taste that comes with alcohol, and nearly choked. Coughing, surprised by the unfamiliar burning sensation, Namini tried to continue as gracefully as possible, "I -cough- I'm a nursing student. I have a year left before I receive my bachelor's and and -cough cough- I like to bake too in my spare time." After regaining her composure, she blushed and apologized. "Sorry. I'm not very used to drinking alcoholic beverages..."

Prajna cocked an fiery little brow at Cesc's "name-tasting", as Prajna grew to describe the action. Each time the pink haired Frei said it, Prajna felt its heart quicken a bit. His accent was so sophisticated and seemingly effortless. And just as Prajna was about to ask him to stop saying its name so much, he changed the topic, though still playing with Prajna's name pronunciation.

"What could I do to entice you to play a little?"

Ah.

Prajna looked over at its cello case, imagining the onyx beast resting inside, before turning its gaze back to Cesc. Did it even know anything worth performing?

"Prajna... only knows some. Don't joke or laugh," came the childish response. "Even David or Namini never really hears Prajna... play something. So if Cesc wants music then.. give.. Prajna something..something~---ah."

Prajna smirked, returning back to its old ways.

"Give me something only Cesc can give me."

If it had not been for the alcohol of the nostalgia, even Namini would have picked up on Prajna's unusual usage of proper pronouns and been a bit concerned or at least intrigued...

As Vivi explained the wine, Namini couldn’t resist blushing suddenly, embarrassed at the thought of a “naughty” wine. Was Vivi speaking from experience? That had to be some play on words, right? Namini couldn’t help force the color out of her cheeks either as Vivi proceeded to shower her in compliments. Namini mumbled a soft protest but made sure it was not loud enough to come across as rude, “I’m not the best nurse to be quite honest. Definitely not the prettiest but…thank you.”

The blossoming brunette turned to Shepard and offered him a small apologetic smile as well, repeating her thanks. Then she returned her attention back to the elegant baker, prodding for some basic information, “So when did you become …erm.. ‘parents’ to Cesc? He’s really handsome, definitely a lot of boyish charm!”

A soft breeze ran through the park and with her free hand, Namini tucked some chocolate curl behind an ear, still smiling. Prajna, on the other hand, looked like a fish out of water. Except, like its guardian, its cheeks were turning red, not blue. As the mischievous redhead absentmindedly accepted Cesc’s offer, rubbing the soft surface of its thumb against the silky rose-pink feather, the gears in its young mind slowly began to turn. For once… the Star felt humbled and absolutely flattered and… it just could not understand this feeling. It wasn’t sure how to respond! All it could do was blush stupidly before suddenly lashing out at Cesc, tucking the feather in a small pocket within the lining of its checkered vest, “Just shut up, ohmygod. You’re not talentless! Just…GOD. ”

In a swift motion, looking for something to take its mind off of Cesc’s and his attractive features and his kind words and alluring accent and just…him!, Prajna reached over to its cello case. Continuing in haste, it undid the latches and flung the case open. All of the hustle and bustle caught Namini’s attention, though she did not move. Even she was excited! She leaned in to whisper to Vivi and Shepard, “I think we got lucky today. I don’t know how you’ve raised him or if he’s just naturally charismatic, but something about your Cesc has got Prajna reeling! We may be able to catch some of Prajna’s cello playing~.” She ended with a giggle and even attempted to take another sip of wine, attempting to adjust to the tingling sensation of alcohol.

As Prajna pulled its magnificent onyx cello out of its case, floating higher so that it could avoid scratching the instrument against the casing, it immediately felt nervous. It had never played in front of anyone else aside from a mirror, sometimes Namini. Looking back at Cesc’s awaiting face for a moment, the Star tried to wrap its mind around which piece it would even attempt to play. And all this for some pink feather! Prajna’s mind scolded. Not even a kiss like was typically expected but… a feather! Prajna wondered if Cesc had cast some spell, performed some kind of hypnotic performance to cause the Star to feel such anxiety. Nonetheless, the Star corrected its stance and lifted its bow high before making direct eye contact with Cesc once more. A fervent blush still trickling over the Star’s pale features, the redhead murmured, “A promise is a promise, Cesc. Prajna will get that first something. Remember that!

Then Prajna closed its eyes, soothed its breathing and began to play. It was a warm day, a happy day and, as Prajna looked down at the strings and its guiding hand, it thought of meeting Cesc, fate and how things were just so odd and out of even its control…so it started to perform this.