Nexus, Metalworkers' Family Home, Fae and Things to Think About...
Nyaan: *is 'stalking' Al, for lack of better things to do. It's too cold to go outside, except if she shifts to human form. And she's still having trouble with that, as she can't make up her mind about her hair*
Al: *seems to be uncharacteristically ignoring the skinny teen instead of giving her hunting pointers as he usually does. Doesn't even growl softly at the stuck bolts he's working on*
Nyaan: *Small frown, knows she's still kind of lousy at hunting, will move so she's standing just inside Al's field of vision* *Going on a hunch* Something's wrong?
Al: *quietly, without looking away from his work* Yes, but it isn't anything that you can fix, Nyaan.
Nyaan: *slight ear flick, small frown* Are you sure about that?
Al: Yes. *bolt off, starts working on the next one, his nose wrinkling absently at the smell of WD40 coming off it*
Nyaan: *more frown, also wrinkles her nose a bit at the smell of WD40*
Eclipse: *coming to see where Nyaan got to this time, is really hoping she's not wedged herself between the walls again*
Al: *works at the bolt, then stares blankly at the bend in the handle of his tool before setting it down and reaching for the bolt cutters*
Nyaan: *arguing softly with Eclipse for a few minutes before she goes off in a slight huff*
Eclipse: *will reach for the bent tool, and work on getting it unbent* *Quietly* I hope Nyaan wasn't being a pest...
Al: *SNAP!* *growls as he's beaned with flying nut, then looks up blankly* Pardon?
Eclipse: *Still working on getting the tool unbent* Nyaan... She's been getting antsy since the snow came down... *finishes fixing the tool and offers it back, earfins flicking a bit as she studies the man before her*
Al: Oh. *slight frown as he takes off the clamp that had been holding the rusted pipe up under the bathroom sink* No. She's no trouble.
Eclipse: *Gently* Something is troubling you? *knows that Al usually gives Nyaan hunting pointers. Also knows that today, he's been oddly quiet*
Al: *still intent on work* Yes.
Eclipse: Is it something that would be made less troubling by talking about it?
Al: *quietly, still focused* No. I don't think so.
Eclipse: Alright. *will go get Al something to drink*
Al: *yelps as water shoots from the wall and hits him in the face. Scrabbles for the valve, though he knows he turned it off*
Beacon: *peeks* *soft chirr* Did it get you?
Al: *jams a plug into the hole and then gasps and wipes his face with his hand* Yes.
Beacon: *Snerks* Better you than me... *Acks as he's grabbed and yanked away by Moonglide*
Moonglide: *Scolding brother for being a pest!*
Al: *startles and looks over his shoulder*
Nyaan: *is back, and facepalming at her aunt and uncle*
Eclipse: *back with some lemonade, optics widening a bit when she sees that Al is wet* Oh my...
plug: *pops out and lets the water go see Beacon*
Al: *ducks*
Beacon: *Yelp! GONE!*
Eclipse: ... The slag... *Will go and double-check that the water is off*
Nyaan: *hisssss, eyes the valve*
Al: *jams the plug in again and then pounds it with his hammer a few times for good measure*
Nyaan: *Frowning muchly* I thought the water got shut off...
Al: *finds a towel and wipes face and chest* I turned off everything I found.
Nyaan: Hrm... *ears flick a bit*
Eclipse: *back, and looking a bit confused* I checked the main water supply, and it's been shut off...
Al: *frowns* You're sure?
Eclipse: *nod* I double-checked... and Skyfire's checking the rest of the pipelines...
Nyaan: *ears flick, chatters a bit* Maybe it's a spirit?
Al: Hrrm. More likely a living thing, if there's someone behind this.
Nyaan: *Attention sharpening at that* Something to hunt?
Al: *getting to his feet* Where's the opening to your cistern, Eclipse?
Eclipse: I'll show you.
Al: Thank you. *moves to follow her lead*
Eclipse: *will lead the way to the cistern, making note that Nyaan has decided to tag along*
Al: *out in the winter weather in his shirt sleeves, and unbothered by that*
Nyaan: *pulling her parka tight and grousing about the cold as she follows*
Al: *hunkers by the opening of the cistern and lifts the lid, then sniffs cautiously at the air coming from below. He's careful not to put his head within visual range of anything that might be inside*
Nyaan: *scooting to peek*
Al: *holds Nyaan back to keep her safe*
air: *smells very wet and somewhat like a fish lives there, but there's also a Fae-like scent that permeates the cistern*
Al: ...There's some kind of Guardian Fae animal Changeling in there.
Nyaan: *chatter!*
Eclipse: O.o;;
Al: *cautious peek into the cistern*
creature: *Spits water at him from the other side of the cistern!*
Al: Ack. *recoils and wipes his face on his arm*
Eclipse: *startles and stumbles, landing on her butt*
Nyaan: *HISS*
Al: *reaches for a nearby board and sticks it over the opening*
creature: *Somehow manages to get water around the board, sends it to see Al again!*
Al: *sputter!*
Nyaan: *HISSS, will chatter and growl at the creature*
creature: *Gets Nyaan too!*
Nyaan: *yowl!*
Al: >_o Well, if the stories I've heard are true, I know why your water's so good even with those rusted out pipes.
Eclipse: ...Stories?
Nyaan: *Tail lashing even as she watches the opening*
Al: It smells like a fish, but the cistern's always full, and the water is the purest I've seen. It sounds like this creature my brother read about called a fairy carp.
Eclipse: ...Huh... *Will have to send Beacon or Moonglide to the Nexus Library for information*
Nyaan: Why's it spitting at us though? *Scowl*
Al: I'm not sure. In the Chinese story the carp acted up till the people built it a temple. But I know all the Guardian Fae who wanted to be worshiped were banished from all the worlds of mortals. Unless Aoife was telling me a tale.
Nyaan: *low growl, annoyed tail swish and ear flick*
Al: Do you have any lettuce?
Eclipse: In the kitchen... *Will send Nyaan to get it*
Al: *musing to self* I wonder if it's trapped... *glances over to where Starchart's watching them quizzically through a window*
Beacon: *bringing the lettuce, since Mrrrna made Nyaan go and change clothes*
Al: *thanks him for it, then rips some leaves from the vegetable and tosses them into the cistern*
Beacon: Nyaan said it was some kind of carp?
creature: *surfaces to nibble at the lettuce, is a huge white koi with a red spot on its head and flowing fins*
Eclipse: *Surprised sound* It's a fish...
Al: *calls down to it* I've got some bread too.
koi: *amused* Oh?
Beacon: *Butt, meet ground*
Eclipse: *optics almost white with surprise*
Al: Unless you'd rather play water gun than eat.
koi: Hrm.... Food is better than play...
Al: Can you come out of there? Or are you stuck?
koi: I come up. *and then there are small sparkles as a stream of water shoots out of the cistern*
Eclipse: *Skitters back*
Al: *stands his ground and watches*
koi: *is now floating in an orb of water, at eye-level*
Al: *quirks a brow* Hello. I'm Al Fangor. I was trying to fix the pipes.
koi: I am Luka. *knowing look for the man before him, and the metal woman nearby*
Al: Luka. *frowns slightly at that look* Want to come inside? I left my sandwich in my coat.
Luka: *gives the impression of a nod* *is amused that there are people who have multiple forms* Lead way.
Eclipse: *Getting helped up by Beacon*
Al: *turns to check on Eclipse, and then heads inside* You'll probably only wind up with a taste of the bread, unless you like boiled eggs and horseradish too.
Luka: Eggs pleh... Horseradish... *hopeful expression*
Al: Well, the horseradish is on the eggs, inside the bread. *looks quizzically at Mrrk as he meets them in the entrance to the main family room*
Mrrk: *blinks at Luka*
baby: *in Unca Mrrk's arms. Sees fishy! Offers fishy his cookie!*
Eclipse: *To Mrrk* This is Luka... He is why we have good water.
Luka: *will humor the baby and nibble on the cookie*
Mrrk: o.0 Thank you. Errr. What are you?
baby: *happy chattering!*
Luka: *in between nibbles* Am fae-fish.
Mrrk: ...Fae like that big blue guy?
Luka: *was not aware of more Guardian Fae in the area* Big blue guy?
Mrrk: Yeah, the one at the bar. *ears go down, and then up uncertainly*
Luka: Hrm... Not know him...
Al: His name is Scattor. I hear he hasn't been Guardian Fae for very long.
Mrrk: He gives little sparkly wishes that turn into drinks.
Luka: Hrmm... *considering look*
baby: *offers the rest of his cookie, after having a few bites himself*
Luka: *Nibbles at the cookie*
Al: Let's talk about this where it's warmer, alright? *bit of amusement at the cute little baby*
Luka: *muffled agreement, is still nibbling on the cookie*
Eclipse: *Quietly telling Mrrk about how they found Luka*
Mrrk: *squints one eye shut* So when Wrrml said the bathtub tap spit on him he wasn't pulling my tail? *moves out of the way to let everyone inside*
Eclipse: *headshake*
Luka: *Dirty rotten chuckle*
Mrrk: *heading over to the cushion with the little pile of nephews on it* So what'd he do to slag you off?
Hhhchee: *squints at the fish from where he's sprawled in a hammock, then gives the contents of his tea mug an impressed look*
Luka: *As he finishes the cookie* Was bored, thought would be funny.
Nyaan: *will try and flip Hhhchee for being a derp*
Eclipse: *To Hhhchee* You aren't seeing things... Luka is why we have good water.
Hhhchee: *swats at baby sister and absently offers her his tea, his attention going to Eclipse and then back to the floating fish* Huh... He's going to need somewhere to sit.
Nyaan: *Trill, will sip at the tea*
Luka: Am fine where am. *dips down a bit in a nodding gesture*
Hhhchee: Nah. Here. *darts out into the courtyard and is gone for a few moments. Then returns with the spare bathtub and his cousin grousing cheerfully about having to carry the other end* Sit here, friend.
Trrrl: *grins at everyone, and then goes back to the forge*
Luka: *Surprised by the hospitality, will float his orb over to the tub and settle in it with a chuckle*
Hhhchee: *looks thoughtfully into the tub* Hmm. Maybe a couple more buckets of water... oh yeah. The water isn't working right now.
Eclipse: *Considering look, goes to grab a bucket and bring in snow from outside*
Al: *steps past her as he comes back with his lunch* Couldn't you fill the tub yourself?
Mrrk: ...What do you have that for? It's not time to eat yet.
Al: I promised Luka my sandwich if he came up to talk.
Mrrk: *frowwwn* *looks at Luka* What do you want to eat? I can get you some nice cooked grain. Or cheerios. Or vegetables.
Luka: *will pull some of the water he knows is still in the pipes* Help not bad thing...
Eclipse: *going to melt the snow over the radiator now*
Nyaan: *chattering and going to get more of the tea*
Luka: *Will turn his attention to Mrrk* Sandwich is fine.
Mrrk: *hunkers down near the fish and lowers his voice* But if you eat Al's sandwich he won't have any lunch.
Tchee: *wanders in with a big bowl of baked beans*
Luka: *hadn't realized that* *can smell the beans, curious look*
Mrrk: *stands up and puts a hand on the sandwich* Keep it, friend.
Al: *frowns at him, and then watches as Tchee notices the fish and offers him a spoonful of beans*
Luka: *Nibbling at beans*
beans: *not sweet. Actually spicy*
Luka: Oooo... *more nibbling*
Mrrk: Is that enough, friend? *hand still on Al's lunch bag*
Luka: Is good. *dips down slightly in a nod*
Al: *frown* Are you sure?
Luka: *Another dip* Am sure.
Tchee: *pauses to nom some beans himself, right out of the bowl*
Tchee's younger brother: *gets in the tub with Luka. Nudie little toddler splashing happily!*
Mrrk: Ack!
Luka: *amused and pleased laughter, will gentlly splash the baby*
toddler: *laughs and splashes*
baby: *sees brother having bath and fusses!*
Mrrk: *face. Palm*
Tchee: *grins and eats and shares beans*
Nyaan: *Will put a mug of the tea in Mrrk's hands before moving to put the other baby in the tub as well*
Luka: *playfully splashes both babies, is a happy Guardian Fae*
Tchee: *climbs up to sit on the edge of the tub and feed beans to anyone who asks of the three in it*
Al: *chuckles and pats Mrrk on the arm* I think they're happy.
Mrrk: *sips tea and sighs, wondering what his sister will say*
Eclipse: *Will add the melted snow to the tub*
Nyaan: *chatters and moves to go get Al some tea*
Al: I should get back to the pipes.
Luka: *in between bites of beans* Show true form?
Eclipse: *Earfins up*
Mrrk: What? I'm wearing it.
Luka: Meant lady and Al.
Mrrk: *blink blink* *looks at Al* You can form shift?
Eclipse: *Earfins flat against her head*
Al: ...I can morph. Yes. *sets the lunch bag on a table* This isn't the species I was born as.
Luka: *nod* Sensed.
Eclipse: *quiet chattering, is a bit unsure now*
Al: *quietly morphs to Andalite, then stamps a hoof*
Tchee: Ooooooo. *beans frozen halfway to mouth*
Nyaan: *Surprised squeak from the doorway*
Eclipse: *earfins up* ... I've seen you in that form before...
Nyaan: *excited chattering, warbling and trilling*
Al: *nods to Eclipse and to Mrrk's agreement with the woman* I usually wear it when I'm not working. *morphs back and looks at the fish*
Luka: *another nod* Shapeshifter... *Attention on Eclipse*
Eclipse: *Quiet sigh, will shift forms* *in her true form, she's pinkish brown, with green-gold eyes*
Mrrk: *offers her a blanket*
Ee-chirr: *wraps the blanket around herself*
Luka: Hrrrm....
Nyaan: *Will fuss over aunty now!*
Mrrk: She stopped using that form when the Elders kicked us out. *gentle pat for the young woman's shoulder*
Hhhchee: *back in the hammock with his tea, chin resting on the edge as he watches everything*
baby: *gonna test Luka fin for flavor*
toddler: *hands over mouth at baby brother*
Luka: *Splashes the baby* *Will nod at Mrrk's words. He understands, to an extent*
baby: *gasping and laughing and flailing. That was great!*
Ee-chirr: *will shift back to her preferred form, but keep the blanket wrapped around her for a little while*
Mrrk: *surprises himself slightly by putting an arm around her shoulders and rubbing his cheek against hers*
Eclipse: *Quiet whisper of a purr*
Luka *Will keep an eye on the babies*
Eclipse: *soft clicks as she snuggles against Mrrk*
Nyaan: *Scooting over to Al, chattering quietly*
Al: *as Mrrk moves to lead Eclipse over to the cushion and offer snuggles* What is it, Nyaan?
Nyaan: Didn't know that was you! *soooo excited!*
Al: *quiet chuckle* Oh. Yeah, our scent changes when we morph. *looks around* Let's go get some of those pipes fixed.
Nyaan: *nodnod, will help with that!*
Al: *heads out, acquiring a couple of other young Mrrpt-Nyaah along the way. It's snowing again, he notes* *watches as Trrrl's daughter pounces on her older cousin* None of you are in school?
Nyaan: *Squeak, cuddles cousin* What's school?
Al: *brow quirk as he goes into the suite with the bathroom that he'd been working on* It's where kids go to learn.
Nyaan: *slight headtilt* Do the elders not teach your young? *puzzled*
Al: *thinks about that as he sets to work* Some things. Even in the schools it's the older people teaching the younger ones.
Nyaan: *Shares a confused look with her cousin*
Al: *will talk about his own experience with school as he works. How he attended classes with other youngsters till he was old enough to go away to the Academy*
Nyaan: *looking intrigued as she listens and fetches tools and parts*
Al: *then goes on to talk about what Ax and Tobias and the other youngsters in his care have said about school on Earth*
cousins: *helping Nyaan, and also listening*
Nyaan: *slight ear flick as she considers* That sounds nice...
Al: *sits back on his heels and measures pipe* I hear it can be pretty rough too. *tells stories of attempted bullying that Ax and Tobias have experienced or witnessed. Doesn't mention how good his brother and son are at breaking such attempts up*
Nyaan: *more ear flick* Hrnn....
Al: *and then, because it's on his mind, tells the youngsters about how Ax and Tobias aren't interested in going to college*
Nyaan: ... What's college?
Al: Like Academy. Where you go to learn the fancy stuff for jobs.
Nyaan: Ooooh, like when we learn about metal working or being warriors or hunters....
Al: *nod* I guess so. *looks around. Looks under his butt. Looks in the toolbox* Alright, who took my blasted pipe wrench??
Nyaan: *Chatters and begins searching for the tool in question*
cousins: *help*
Al: *watches them, and is reminded of other kids. Back to brooding as he works*
((co-written with random_xtras))