108.0

[encryptedlock]

[Sup, Paradisa, it's an uncommon sight in the lobby tonight. Having reassured himself that the Meta is still a cat, York is down in the lobby and out of his armor with his four-year-old princess. It's not just Daddy's opinion of her, either; though her mother's been gone form the castle a while, York had once found himself waking up in a bed with

Comments

[inmylight_comdr]

[Loping into the lobby, out of armor as well and looking as harried as if she'd just single handedly taken out a wave of Elites. She's carrying her kid lucked against her waist like a tactical nuke. Carter doesn't seem to mind, he's pretending he's an airplane.]

Mommy! Cookies! Can I have a cookie!

Sure. Why not. [Then, belatedly, setting him down and trying not to drop onto the couch so hard it breaks,] Ask York first.

Who's York?

Who do you think. [She gives a wave in York's general direction, and Carter goes over undeterred.]

Can I have a cookie?

[encryptedlock]

[He beams a smile at the two of them.] Hey Carter, Kat. Of course you can! Do you want to decorate your own?

[Little Laura proudly holds out one with a very Nintendoesque flower drawn on it.] Can have this!

[inmylight_comdr]

Yeah! Cool!! [He takes the cookie excitedly from Laura, and after a brief pause Kat adds,]

Manners.

Thanks!

[She turns to York as Carter alternates between experimenting with the icing and munching on the cookie from Laurah.] Looks like you're holding up alright.

[encryptedlock]

[He gestures at her to sit down if she wants to--there's enough room.]

Yeah, it's not so bad. Just a little busier than normal--good change of pace, if you ask me. How's little Carter been?

[cricketycricket]

Hallo York, Delta ... Gary ... [little girl who he doesn't recognize quite as much ... hm. interesting. he'll bustle on up anyway and flash her a smile] And hallo to you, too.

[looks over the cookies, then BEAMS] Edible ball bearings! Marvellous. Mind your teeth, though!

[encryptedlock]

HELLO, DOCTOR. HAVE YOU RETURNED FROM SPACE?

Shut up, Gary.

[cricketycricket]

As a matter of fact, yes, Gary. I most certainly have. And I see you've still got your mother's stunning manners.

[encryptedlock]

I MISS MOTHER. AND THE MULTICOLORED ROTATING PUZZLE CUBE. IT WOULD HAVE HELPED ME TAKE OVER THIS CASTLE.

[York rolls his eyes, though he and Delta exchange a glance at the mention of the Cube - they miss their buddy, too.]

Which is exactly why I'm glad we have you to ourselves this year. Better control.

[cloakand_danger]

[Yuan and Kieran were headed back to their room from outside, but if there's one thing that will always get the attention of a four year old child, it's-] Cookies!

Kieran, wait! [Yuan chases after the child who has rather unexpectedly darted out of his grip.] They aren't your cookies!

[York and company, there is a little boy with teal hair and slightly pointed ears looking at your cookies hopefully. Wat do?]

[encryptedlock]

[Laura beams and holds out a yellow star-shaped cookie on which she's drawn a smiley face in white icing.]

Only if it's okay with his Dad.

[She looks up to Yuan.] Is okay?

[cloakand_danger]

[Yuan nods and smiles down at her, because having a child of his own for a week turns him into a complete sap I don't even-] Well, all right, I suppose one or two won't hurt.

[Kieran beams, and takes the cookie happily, managing to stuff about a third of it into his mouth at once.]

Kieran, chew your food, don't inhale it. And what do you say when someone gives you things?

F'ank 'oo! [A few crumbs fall from his mouth in the process, but he manages to catch them and stuff them back in. Yuan sighs.]

And don't talk with your mouth full.

[encryptedlock]

[She giggles.] Welcome!

[And York grins, of course.]

D'you two want to decorate? I got plenty.

[deminuit]

[ this one is coming in the front doors. he gives the four of them a perfunctory once over, and grunts something like an acknowledgement before settling in a nearby couch, and taking out his journal ]

[encryptedlock]

[Laura looks at this person with wide eyes and then leans up to whisper something to her father; knowing castle residents can't harm the kids, he nods.

She starts drawing determinedly and in about three minutes she's sneaking over to this person to give him a cookie with a badly-drawn impression of his mask on it.]

[deminuit]

[ ...his mouth starts twitching even as she's walking over, and he looks up from the journal. the little girl who obviously has the most beautiful name in the world gets a tiny smile as he accepts the offer ]

This what I look like, huh?

[encryptedlock]

[She giggles and blushes a little, nodding as she holds it out if he wants to take it.]

Have a mask. Are you dressed up for Halloween?

[inafadingcrown]

[Not only is it an uncommon sight; it's an interesting one, especially to small adventurous half-elf children. Way more interesting than continuing to play with mom.

So there is a little boy, no more than two or three, with blue hair and pointed ears toddling your way with elven speed. His mother is close behind, letting him approach but watching him carefully.]

My apologies. It seems Finrod has invited himself to join you. [The voice might be familiar. She's smiling-she hasn't yet got a good look at who she's addressing.]

[encryptedlock]

[York does recognize the voice, though, so he beams a smile up at her.] He's welcome to, Lady, and so are you. This is Laura, my partner Delta, and Gary. [He points to each in turn.

Laura looks at her with wide eyes. Except for not wearing pink--] You look like Mommy!

1/2

[inafadingcrown]

[I'm sorry, York and Laura, did you say something? Because as soon as she saw that face with that smile her own eyes went wide and she momentarily forgot just what she was doing.

She'll just be staring for a good long while. Finrod, surprised at his mother's reaction, is, in turn, staring up at her inquisitively.]

[inafadingcrown]

[Oh, right. Manners. Eventually she snaps out of it and offers a warm smile, slightly more sad than it had been before, though, and places a reassuring hand on Finrod's head. When she speaks her voice is very soft.]

It is a pleasure to meet you all.

[She bends down to address Laura] Do I, little one?

[And then she looks back to York.] You must forgive my manners, Master York. You bear a great resemblance to someone very dear to my heart.