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Finn had figured out that it was easier to carry Maya in a baby backpack than it was to carry her around all the time. He'd made his purchase fairly recently--only a couple of days before--but already, he was more comfortable walking around with her. His arms were now free to do other things, and he didn't have to worry about dropping the grumpy Forgotten.

And surprisingly, Maya was pleased with the backpack situation too. She didn't have to be held all the time anymore, something which annoyed her to no end. Even though Finn was her guardian, she still didn't like him touching her all the time. Now, she could look around and see everything, and take in the sights and sounds of wherever they went. Before, it seemed like she was sheltered from part of the world around her, pushed up against Finn's chest.

And so, that day they were heading to the grocery store to stock up on a few necessities. Maya needed formula, and Finn needed...well, he needed something to eat. He wasn't sure quite what yet, but something good. And tasty.

It just happened that Finn headed to the dreaded produce section first. Though he liked fruit, most vegetables didn't suit him. He could be a meatatarian if such a thing existed. Maya, on the other hand, loved her strained peas and mashed broccoli. Finn was almost afraid the girl would become a vegetarian, but he figured he could make her eat meat and get her used to it (and enjoying it) before she knew better.

As Finn turned into the fruit section, he saw a couple of familiar figures. Figures he never thought he'd see again after that day in the Library. "Quinny?" he asked, heading over to her and Sevan. "That you?"

Maya twisted around in her seat, trying to see what her father was looking at. It was obviously people he knew. But did she know them too? She caught a glimpse of tanned, tattooed skin, and knew who it was almost immediately. The girls had arrived together after all...

Finn wasn't expecting the very enthusiastic greeting from Quinny, but took it with a smile, returning her kiss on the cheek with one of his own. He thought immediately afterward that he should have expected it. He remembered Quinny and her bubbly personality as soon as she threw her arms around him, and couldn't help but laugh. "How've you been?" he asked, looking over to Sevan, who was now tied to the dispenser. He turned around just in time to miss seeing the first thrown grape.

"I'm hanging in there," he said, a slight blush coming to his cheeks. "It's not been easy being this kid's dad. She's...sorta angry most of the time." He paused and tilted his head to one side. "And what's it like being a mommy?" he asked, chuckling. "Having fun?"

Maya wasn't expecting the first grape. She jumped in her seat as it came whizzing by, missing her face by mere millimeters. Her head snapped around to look at the culprit, scowling as she did so. She'd even been in a good mood!! And now, she had to deal with this?

She held her hands up to block the incoming fruit attack, and squealed unhappily. Why was this girl throwing things at her?

Finn chuckled, watching Quinny struggle with her new charge. The little girl had not one, but three sets of wings, and Finn thought that she could be difficult to handle. With so much wing-power, he figured she'd be all over the place, regardless of what Quinny wanted her to do.

"Yeah, I'll bet you've got quite the challenge on your hands," he laughed, glancing at Sevan in the meantime. "Adults are good to have around. I'm glad I've got a roommate. If Iris wasn't around, I think I'd go crazy. Maya's not much for talking. Just pouting."

He heard her squeal, and carefully pulled the baby backpack from his back, rotating it to his front. "What's up Maya?" he asked her, seeing yet another grape whiz by. "Oooh, I see now. Well, you'll be fine up here. I'll try to block for you," he told the little girl.

Maya struggled in the seat. She wanted to get down! If she couldn't get away, she'd continue to get pelted, she thought with a frown. "Baaaja!" she squealed at Sevan, hoping to get her point across as she threw her hands in the air. Mortality looked a bit shaken, winding his way down Maya's arm and to her wrist, where he poked his head out of her sleeve cautiously. He didn't want to get hit with anything either...

It was then that Finn saw Sensations bite Quinny and he gasped, hoping she was okay. "Dude, what a mean little mouse! Are you okay?" He looked concerned. "I doubt he's got rabies though."

Girlfriend...heh. If only. "No, she's not my girlfriend," he said, giving Quinny a slightly sarcastic grin. "I'm not so good with the ladies," he admitted, shaking his head. "You didn't get the rabies, did you?"

Mortality squirmed out of Maya's sleeve a bit more, exending himself to check out the little white mouse that accompanied Sevan. I'm not a snake, so I can't eat you--unfortunately. Mortality grinned as much as he could in his metal skin, emerald eyes twinkling mischeviously.

"Well, at least they're apologetic," Finn said after watching the mouse snuggle up to Quinny, and hearing Sevan apologize as well as a baby could.

Maya simply stared at the girl, not quite sure what to make of her. Was this an apology? "Baaaaah," she intoned in he rmost serious voice. I accept your apology, was what it meant, even though her body language suggested otherwise.

He chuckled. "Well, that would be quite the experiment," he said, giving her a light poke on the tip of her nose. "You know, we should really hang out more often," he added. "You're always highly amusing." He tried to suppress the pink color rising to his cheeks--to play it cool. But he was never good at such deceit.

Instead of adding more in an attempt to be suave, he picked Maya up out of the baby backpack, and set her down on the floor, not too far from Sevan. "You kids play nice now, okay?"

Maya couldn't believe what was happening. First, she was pelted with grapes, and now, she was sitting on a dirty grocery store floor! What kind of father put their kid on a dirty floor to play around? Suddenly, Maya wished she could walk. Or stand for that matter. She grabbed onto Finn's pant leg and pulled herself up as far as her baby muscles would allow, propping herself up against his legs and sitting directly on top of his feet. It was cleaner than the floor at least.

Then, when she was pleased with her seat, she reached out and took a few grapes from Sevan's hand. It was a peace offering, so she supposed she should accept. She left a couple for Sevan to enjoy as well, and then popped one in her mouth and tried her best to chew with what small semblance of teeth that she had.

It is too bad... Mort said. You look young and tasty--for creatures that eat other animals. What's your name?

Now, Maya had met Althalus not long before, and he had impressed her by doing something she wished she herself could do. And now, Sevan was also showing her a wonderful thing--the girl was hovering just off the ground, not ever touching the germ-filled floor. Pointing at the space between Sevan's feet and the concrete, Maya smiled widely, cooing at her while holding a grape in the other hand. Now that was talent! Sevan had redeemed herself fairly quickly--but how long would it last?

"Heh. Not completely boring? Should I consider that an insult?" he asked jokingly. It was then that he noticed the fangs. Before, he hadn't payed much attention to the fox-woman's mouth...and now that he was looking at a few sharp spikes...well, she'd become slightly intimidating. "Any time? I'm sure I'll take you up on that offer. Hopefully not at 3 a.m., but you never know what'll come up," he winked at her, a grin plastered to his face. "As much as I'd love to take you up on that tray of lettuce..." He grinned further, hinting. "I don't think it'd be G-rated..." He paused. "But I think we can handle doing a little shopping together."

At least he hadn't messed that bit up too horribly.

Mortality chuckled. Yes, you're right about that. You'd better be careful around some of the other daemons. They'd actually be able to make you a snack. He paused to listen to his introduction. Sensations. What an excellent name. Sen is quite nice as well, so perhaps I'll call you that. I am Mortality, but you Sen, can call me Mort if you'd like.

Maya laughed aloud as Sevan flipped upside down, in an attempt to see what was under her feet. This girl was silly AND talented. Maya turned her head as far to the right as she could, in an attempt to look at Sevan like she was looking at Maya. Maya just pointed at her and giggled, enjoying the sight.

I just think it's good that I warned you, Mort said. It's a pleasure to meet you too. With that, he began to squirm down Maya's arm, and then, in some amazing feat, he inched down to her feet and onto the floor, moving toward Sensations so that he could examine the other daemon. How have you been faring?

As Quinny grabbed the carts, Finn picked Maya up from off of the floor, placing her in the cart next to Sevan. He quickly picked Mort up too, placing him on Maya's shoulder. "Sounds like a good plan," he said, winking at Quinny. "Perhaps a bed of toilet paper would be more sufficient for a comfy bed?" he suggested, giving her a light jab in the side with his elbow.