Crackplot!

[hniit]

Nita is sitting cross-legged on the floor of the main room, with her book open in front of her, deep in concentration

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[princesstena]

"Catdammit?" Athena echoes - which, we can only hope, means nothing particular in Ethiopic - and looks up at her placidly.

[hniit]

Ack. Nita goes red. "No, honey, don't say that, ignore me."

[thesunbird]

"There you are!" Telemakos says, with evident relief, and pounces.

[princesstena]

"Boy," Athena says happily, latching onto his hem. "Mama."

[hniit]

"Sorry," Nita says, blushing more. "I didn't know she was there--"

[thesunbird]

"You can't keep wandering off. I haven't got anything to make a carrier with. I'll put a leash on you!"

[princesstena]

She pouts at his tone. "Mama?"

[thesunbird]

"Mama isn't here."

[princesstena]

"Mama," she says, flailing a small fist in Nita's direction, and looks at Telemakos earnestly. "Don't touch."

[thesunbird]

"She isn't. We don't know her. You have to be good."

[princesstena]

"Good," she agrees, and clings to his leg.

[thesunbird]

"I'm sorry, woyzaro," he says to Nita, apologetically, and rubs Athena's head comfortingly. "Good Tena. Don't bother her."

[hniit]

She has, of course, no idea of the words, but she manages a watery smile.

[thesunbird]

Telemakos, not reassured, bows on the ground to show that he's very sorry his little sister is a pill.

[hniit]

Nita, flustered though she is, returns a bow of her own (experience having taught her, if nothing else, how to be reasonably courteous in most strange situations).

[thesunbird]

That presumably means he's okay. Telemakos gives her a tiny smile.