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From that vantage point, Fell had a clear view of the approach of n'Barit and Kirkcaldy. Baby in one hand and crutch in the other, n'Barit hobbled along in an almost amusing fashion. He had developed a rather peculiar gait which allowed him to swing his crutch and walk without disturbing Kirkcaldy too much.

The little girl, for her part, looked healthy and happy to be out in the nice warm sun with the trees and the fresh air. She held her silver bauble, gripping it like a like her life depended on having the object. As she had never once been separated from the bauble, maybe it did. There were so many questions to be answered about the young Illusionary. Thankfully there was plenty of time.

The pair's destination looked to be the bench where Nikomas was sitting. It was the only bench available in the area, the other having been vandalized by teenaged Gaian hoodlums and taken out until it could be replaced. There was plenty of space on the bench for two, but something in n'Barit's determined face indicated displeasure at that idea. It did not bode well for an innocently happy day at the park.

N'Barit stopped quite short, readjusted Kirkcaldy in his arm to make sure no part of her was dangling within Fell's reach, and glared at the little boy. "Hey," he barked, "go away."

Out of reach, Kirkcaldy could only sigh in exasperation. Every time she got that feeling about a new person it ended badly through no part of her own. She had no reason to expect this time would be any different. Sometimes n'Barit was just too much. Idly, she wondered if she should just take a nap and sleep this whole thing through, but with n'Barit being so disagreeable there would probably be some shouting. "Pf," she concluded, accidentally sending spittle onto n'Barit's shirt.

N'Barit was less than understanding. "Then try a little harder," he snapped, and, glaring at Fell, added, "No touching, brat." The epithet was probably too much, but when had n'Barit ever done anything in half strides? Subtlety was an art totally lost on him. He stamped his crutch against the dirt in annoyance.

With a sniff of disapproval, n'Barit said, "Weak teachers make for weak students." It definitely dispelled any illusions about his parenting goals. "What's your excuse?" With that, he proceeded to make his way towards the bench, not really caring if Nikomas bothered to answer, so long as her little brat stayed away from his child.

Kirkcaldy noticed Fell's question and did make a little "Keee!" in reply, but she was distracted immediately by n'Barit.

As Niko spoke, n'Barit made a face and pantomimed talking, mocking the speech. Blah blah blah, he was saying as he walked away, look at the woman run off at the mouth. From his perspective, this was just a weak person making a weak defense of a weak position. Had he been paying attention he would have further decried her argument as being illogical and taken offense at the implications about his parenting, so it was probably for the best that he tuned Nikos out and made fun of her instead.

Kirkcaldy giggled at n'Barit's funny face despite herself. "Djiiideen!" she exclaimed, sounding somewhat exasperated. She knew at this point when he was being mean to people and funny as his face was, she did not approve. N'Barit obligingly stopped his impression and Kirkcaldy glanced back over his shoulder at Nikos (and to a smaller extent Blackfell) in meaningful apology.

"Why look!" said n'Barit in his loudest I'm-ignoring-you voice, "what have we here? An empty bench!" It was indeed the bench, vacated moments earlier by Nikos, and n'Barit dropped his crutch across the whole length of it with a clatter, claiming it at his own.

"Klay," said Kirkcaldy cheerily. At this rate no one would ever know her actual name, and she seemed to be accumulating nicknames from her varied responses at an alarming rate. N'Barit hcould have helped resolve the issue, but he only hummed at Kirkcaldy as he pulled the towel from the bag on his shoulder and laid it out on the bench with a flick of his wrist.

Time for that threatening move Niko was so wary of. "Don't touch!" snapped n'Barit, turning away protectively to keep Kirkcaldy out of reach. "Your filthy little hands aren't welcome." Kirkcaldy let out a little upset wheeze. Fell seemed just so friendly and nice! She jabbed her foot into n'Barit's ribcage to no effect.