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 Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:58 am
The chill of winter had finally given way to the gentle warmth of spring; and with the beginnings of new life inspired a renewed sense of wellness and energy in Guinevere. It had been challenging over the colder months, a time that the naga usual spent in hibernation, to remain the active and doting parent to her daughter Aya; but all this was of little concern now that summer was approaching once more. In fact, Guinevere’s exuberance had even driven her to face a dreaded and most challenging task – shopping. The woman hated crowds and the claustrophobic feeling that accompanied them, but the need for supplies, both for Aya and her unborn child, could no longer be denied.
Lifting her crimson eyes upward to take in the bright pastel sign, decorated with cartoon images of bucktoothed children sporting wide grins, Guinevere inhaled sharply and pushed her widened figure the stores entrance. What greeted her, isle upon isle of unfamiliar and frightening paraphernalia, caused her head to swim; and the naga found herself grateful that Aya was still sleeping comfortably in her arms, leaving her to deal solely with the startling reality of the store without needing to tend to her child also.
“I wonder if a look assss losssst as I feel” Guinevere hissed quietly, ivory countenance turning from left and right as she attempted the gain her bearing.
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:35 pm
"For the one hundred million, billion, trillion, gazillionth time... you are not fat!"
A few passersby gave Aiodhan the oddest look as the words fell from his mouth, probably wondering why he had projected his voice so loudly. Truth be told, Aiodhan himself wasn't quite sure what had inspired him to speak so loudly, loud enough likely to carry from the sidewalk outside through the doors and into the store itself. Being half-dragon had its drawbacks, and a naturally loud voice was one of them.
Oops.
Attempting to look innocent, Aiodhan quickly padded after his mate, realizing he had just created a scene for absolutely nothing. Amyla wasn't listening; she had tuned him out somewhere around the word 'million.' That meant that his little stir had been all for naught, and he was still faced with the problem of a cranky, occasionally weepy, hormonal mate who wasn't pleased by the fact that she was getting awfully... large.
"Keep up, Fuzz," the short woman called back over her shoulder, making the hybrid growl and hurry his pace all that much more. He hated that name. He let out a prolonged groan as soon as they were inside; how had he gotten himself roped into shopping again?
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:05 am
Much like the passersby outside, Guinevere too turned at the rather loud statement. It wasn’t hard to find the source of the sound, and, despite the sentiment behind the words, it clearly hadn’t had the desired effect. For a moment, sympathy over-road the naga’s feelings of bewilderment, although the emotions were quick to return as Guinevere turned back to the baby products. When Aya had emerged from her scroll she had been a toddler, and, although there had been the process of toilet training, there hadn’t been the need for the same delicacy and an overwhelming number of confusing knick-knacks.
Lost in her myriad of thoughts, the albino woman failed to notice Aya stirring from her slumber, undoubtedly the result of Aiodhan’s vocal projection, until the child uttered a noise that registered halfway between a yawn and an excited squeal. For, even in her drowsy state, she had managed to spot the winged and tailed draconic male. Wriggling in her mother’s arms until she was finally lifted her higher, Aya hung over Guinevere’s shoulder with her arms extended toward Aiodhan, continuing to squeak and babble to gain the man’s attention.
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:11 am
Amyla moved inside with assurance born of many years of praactice. She knew exactly to where she was headed, and she had every intention of getting there as soon as possible, until she heard a lot of curious baby-talk that distracted her from her mission. She spied the toddler and the female the toddler was held by. Long years of treating those of various races told her instantly that the female was a naga, and she was instantly curious.
Her mate, however, was more curious, especially since the girl was aiming her baby talk at him. After a brief moment of simple, inquisitive staring, the dragon-man padded a few steps closer and gave the happy child a wave. "Hi there. Wish I could be as happy as you about being here," he said, knowing his words were likely falling on uncomprehending ears. Ah well. It made him feel better about being dragged out here.
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:41 pm
Delighted that the unique man was moving closer, Aya grinned broadly and returned Aiodhan’s gesture with a two armed, enthusiastic, wave of her own. Now that he was closer, the toddler found the extra extremities all the more intriguing and commenced wriggling and squirming within her mother’s arms, designed to cause her mother to set her upon the ground so Aya could get a better look at the dragon-hybrid.
At hearing an oddly familiar voice from behind her, one whose words left her rather puzzled (especially considering Guinevere wasn’t all that happy at being here), the naga turned abruptly; crimson eyes widening in surprise at the figure standing behind her. For a moment the woman merely studied Aiodhan, unsure of his intentions, but was quick to relax when she noticed Aya’s eagerness; trusting her daughter’s judgement. Setting the toddler on the floor and ensuring she was steady, Guinevere turned her attention back to the draconic man. “At leasssst I’m not the only one unhappy about being here” the woman uttered, forked tongue flicking past her lips as she spoke.
Now free from her mother’s arms, Aya charged quickly toward Aiodhan, by passing the man entirely in favour of latching onto his tail.
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Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:21 am
Had it been a few years earlier in his life, Aiodhan would likely have run for the hills at the sight of a strange child charging straight for him. As it was, he had experience with small beings and was well-used to having various portions of his odd anatomy being grabbed at. He simply chuckled softly as she claimed ownership of his tail.
He then turned his attention back to the mother, who wasn't of any species he knew of. He tilted his head to one side to look curiously for a moment and then gave a wry grin. "Yeah, this wasn't exactly my idea of fun. Has to be done at some point, though." He made a face. "Who dragged you here?"
It took Amyla a few moments to realize that her mate hadn't followed her into one of the aisles. The woman sighed and placed the boxes she had been looking at back on the shelves before backtracking to find where her mate had... wandeered. She found him, talking to the naga she had seen earlier with a small, strange child clinging to his tail. Her frown instantly transformed to a grin; she was never going to let him live this down.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 3:47 am
“I dragged mysssself here” Guinevere replied, pallid hand lifting to caress her swelling stomach. The woman still sounded unenthusiastic at having to find herself in the current environs, although knowing she wasn’t alone in her reactions provided some comfort. “Wassss a bad decissssion made after the post winter sssslump” Guinevere elaborated, adding a moment later – “and one made worsssse by my utter lack of product knowledge…and ussse”
Having been victorious in seizing Aiodhan’s tail, Aya stroked the scaled appendage in wide-eyed awe; small fingers tracing around the scales awkwardly. The man’s tail felt a lot like her mothers, baring the same unique and crisp texture, but at the same time it was different – and, within the toddlers mind, there was one way to tell the difference. Clinging to the additional limb to steady herself, Aya lifted one leg over the tail until she was straddling it, and, once she had seated herself, proceeded to squirm and stamp her feet. “Rwide, rwide!” the little girl chanted, grinning broadly up at Aiodhan.
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 9:39 am
Aiodhan had the good grace to cringe in sympathy. He knew enough about pregnant females-- oh gods, did he!-- to note that the snake-like female was with child. At her explanation of how she had reluctantly come to be in the store, he nodded. "Ahhh. Yes, not knowing what everything is makes it a bit challenging to shop," he said, sighing quietly. "After the first or second infant, it's sort of permanently engraved on your brain. The first time around is kind of scary, though."
He was momentarily startled by the added weight of the toddler on his tail, and he glanced back and down to see her straddling it as one would straddle a horse. This was a new game to him, one that he wasn't sure how to play. Sure, most of his young children loved clinging to various portions of his anatomy, but they had never treated them like mounts. He lifted his tail a few inches and then plopped it back down, hoping this was something along the lines of what she had been after.
Chuckling softly at Aiodhan's new friend, Amyla came up beside her mate, smiling in a friendly fashion at the naga and nodding in greeting. She started momentarily when Aiodhan's arm curled around her waist, relaxing after she realized it was only him being... clingy, as usual. "You give me a heart attack, and you're taking me to the hospital," she said, waggling her finger at him and scowling at his fully unrepentant smirk.
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:36 am
Offering Amyla a brief smile, in return to her greeting and in response to the comment directed toward Aiodhan, Guinevere found herself unable to deny the question brewing within her mind, blurting – “Perhapssss you might be able to aid me in gaining a handle of thingssss? Your experience in thissss area, I’m ssssure, will prove invaluable when my little one decidessss to make an appearance”.
As Aiodhan lifted his tail a few inches from the ground, Aya shrieked with joyous laughter; her feet stamping rhythmically upon the floor as the draconic appendage was lowered. “Rwide den, rwide den” Aya demanded, smiling innocently.
Glancing to her daughter, Guinevere frowned apologetically. “I’m ssssorry, sssshe is rather energetic and I think I’ve rather sssspoiled her by allowing her to ride my tail. I can sssstop her if you would like” the naga offered politely.
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 11:26 am
Amyla returned the smile in full, looping her arm through her mate's. Having missed the majority of the conversation, she wasn't completely sure she knew what all was going on, but Guinevere's question and Aiodhan's sudden wariness told her all she really needed to know. "I'd be glad to help you, if you're working on picking out baby things."
"Ahhh, good plan. I know stuff, but she knows more," Aiodhan said quickly, nodding so vigorously that Amyla was afraid his head might separate from his neck. He started momentarily at the shrieks the little girl let out, only relaxing when he realized that she was happy about being on a flopping tail. He grinned down at her, unable to resist the cute, if somewhat bossy, child. He obediently lifted his tail again and then flopped it back down, repeating it over and over again. He waved a hand in Guinevere's direction. "Nah, it's okay. She's not hurting me, and my tail could use the exercise." He glared at Amyla as the woman covered her laughter with a cough. "Not funny, May."
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Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 6:57 am
Inclining her head in gratitude, Guinevere smiled as she uttered – “I would eternally grateful for an assssisssstance you could offer”. Although her words were a drastic understatement of her thankfulness, the naga had felt that anymore extreme expressions may have made the encounter rather awkward. “I musssst admit however, I know very little. I hope thissss will not place a great burden on your time” Guinevere added, her lips twisting downwards in a light frown.
Holding tightly to her mount, Aya continued to laugh and squeal with delight as Aiodhan lifted and dropped his tail in successive motions.
“If you are certain?” Guinevere questioned once more, smiling softly as she glanced toward Aya. Glancing to Amyla in time to catch the exchange between the pay, the woman couldn’t help by utter a muted chuckle herself. “Sssshall we then?” Guinevere enquired as her laughter subsided. “The ssssooner I am free of escessssive rabble” – at this she motioned to the crowd – “the better”
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Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 7:04 pm
"It isn't a burden," Amyla reassured the naga quickly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind one ear. "I need to do more searching for baby clothes, while we're here." That was, perhahps, a mild understatement. Caleb had been a monstrously huge baby, and Yana had been incredibly small. The middle ranges had to be filled. She nodded in agreement, shifting her purse on her shoulder. "Yes, let's get this shopping over with! First of all... do you have a crib or bed?" she inquired, heading for the furniture section.
Still attempting to keep up the tail motions while not making the toddler fall on her head, Aiodhan padded along carefully behind the two females. He kept glancing back at the creature on his tail, wishing that Caleb would grow and get mobile soon. The boy was getting too damnably heavy to carry about. He flashed a fanged grin at Aya. She was rather cute, even if his tail was going to be sore later. Ahhh, it was worth it!
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Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 5:50 am
Slithering along beside Amyla as they woman led her toward the furniture division of the store, Guinevere shook her briefly in response to question posed. “I wassss never sure which ssssleeping arrangement would be most ssssuitable” the naga elaborated, gnawing upon her lower lip. At the beginning of her pregnancy Guinevere had intended to read masses of parenting and baby books, but these plans had been decimated with Aya’s arrival and the subsequent lack of free time for the naga. “If indeed there is a meanssss more ssssuitable, or whether it issss ssssimple a matter of perssssonal preference” Guinevere continued, casting a curious glance over the furniture.
Scooting further up Aiodhan’s tail as they began to move, Aya held tight to the appendage so as not to fall; shrieks of delight giving way to imitations of a speeding, screeching race car, noises she had heard a group of boys making at the park a few days earlier. “Beep, Beep” she enthused, pushing a hand against Aiodhan’s tail as she gave a wide grin of her own.
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 2:38 pm
"Well, I think it is a matter of personal preference, as to what sort of bed you want. Whether the baby will sleep with you or in their own crib... our kids always slept in a crib, and it made it easier for them to transition to a bed when they got older and bigger," Amyla said, gesturing at a few wooden cribs, some more elaborate than others. She gave a slightly embarrassed shrug. "They were always in the room right next to us, though, so we could hear them if need be. I think I spoiled them all, by getting up every time they so much as whimpered." She glanced back at Aiodhan, giving a bemused sort of grin at the new set of noises coming from the girl on his tail. Perhaps it was better not to ask.
The dragon-man snorted softly, shaking his head at this transformation of the use--or was it abuse?--of his tail. "First I was a horse, and now I'm a car? What's next... a plane?" He paused at that thought and then resettled his wings against his back, giving Aya a wary look. "Nuh uh... not a plane."
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Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 6:35 am
As Amyla answered Guinevere’s question, and inadvertently clarified the difference between the two terms, the naga instantly knew the choice she would make – one made easier by the fact that Guinevere didn’t sleep in a bed, but rather slept upon the coils of her tail. “Sssshould you not do that? Resssspond to every whimper?” Guinevere asked, casting Amyla a glance over her shoulder as she slithered forward to examine a wooden crib. The construction was simple, made of smoothed but untreated dark timber and appeared to be convertible, adjusting to a toddler bed with ease.
Luckily for Aiodhan, Aya had no interest in his wings or acting like a plane. Instead the toddler was content with continuing to screech and beep, leaning into the ‘turns’ in response to her jerky manoeuvring of an imagined steering wheel. In her enthusiasm, Aya yanked sharply on the invisible wheel, her body over-balancing as she did so; the action causing her to screech in surprise as she tipped of Aiodhan’s tail. Perplexed by the sudden new tilt of the world, the youngster awkwardly straightened herself into a seating position before casting the dragon man a confused expression, silently asking what had just happened.
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