llv. Senaiji and Bathilda's Holding. Old Friends and New Part 1

[dens_extra_pups]

((OOC: Warning: Alternative word for "donkey" is in this log))



Optima: *standing by a window and looking out over what seems like an ocean of clouds, though which may be seen glimpses of lower mountains and a green valley below. The room that she and Ira are in is carved from the living rock of the mountain. Behind her, Ira is patrolling the room with Monster Mash in his arms*

Senaiji: *quietly talking to someone unseen, nodding his head on occasion*

Ira: *covertly studying Senaiji as he walks. The fact that the room only seems to have one entrance and exit aside from the window worries the old soldier slightly, as does the fact that he hasn't caught sight or sound of whomever it is their current host is speaking with*

Optima: *turns as she hears him come close, a question shooting toward him from her eyes* *report?*

Ira: *slight headshake. He hasn't seen anything or heard anything from whomever it is Senaiji's speaking with* *rubs Monster Mash's back gently and rumbles quietly*

Optima: *walks toward him, a hand going up to gently touch the baby's back as she reaches them. And then she looks toward the door*

Ira: *also looks toward the door*

red-haired man: *is quiet laughter from the doorway in response to a clearly female swat and a rumble from Senaiji, and then he's looking into the room before entering with a swirl of kilt and plaid* *voice a pleasant baritone with hints of the Highlands and the South* I've got tae apologize fer my wife. She's inflating tents in Iraq and seems t've fergot the time.

Optima: *looks at her husband, telling him that this is his show right now*

Ira: *frown* Inflating tents?

man: Aye. Those people need somewhere t' sleep. *studies Ira a moment and sees that the larger man can easily free a hand, so he smiles and offers one* Hardy MacKenzie o' Yasu.

Ira: *rumbles quietly as he reaches to shake Hardy's hand* Ira Irons. I'm with the Pax School.

Hardy: Well met, lad. *easy smile that softens at a sound from the baby* And the lil' bit? Does 'e need aught?

Ira: *rumbles quietly as he checks on Monster Mash*

Senaiji: *rumble gets cut off abruptly*

Hardy: *soft grunt as a silk-clad arm pushes him gently but inexorably aside*

Nightwish: *clad in a flowing golden kimono of ancient cut, and a cap of rooster feathers that makes it seem like she's got close-cut iridescent black hair* Well, you haven't improved with age, Ironhide.

Ira: *snort* Your manners're just as bad as Nightbird's.

Nightwish: *lifts one hairless brow as her mouth quirks just slightly at one corner* In what way?

Ira: Talkin' smack without even a "hello". *snort*

Nightwish: *soft snort* I learnt that from you, old man.

Ira: Yeah, right. Yau's known you longer than I have.

Nightwish: All I learnt from her was the dispensablity of clothes. And which drinks are the most flammable. *golden eyes study the child that Ira's holding, and then meet his gaze* And that's not true, anymore.

Ira: *frown*

Nightwish: *still meeting his gaze, though there is compassion there that the coldly logical girl that Ira had known would never have experienced* Her memory only goes back to the night of the explosion at the hive.

Ira: *complete and utter gobsmack on his face now*

Bathilda: *softly from the door* She vas a baby again vhen ve found her zhat night.

Nightwish: *nods, still watching Ira*

Ira: *frowning and trying to make sense of the news*

Senaiji: *quietly* We should wait inside for Kae Yau.

Optima: *speaks then* Inside? *glance around the comfortably furnished room* We're not inside?

Hardy: *chuckles* Nah. This's th' lobby, where th' lads go when they're in disgrace.

Bathilda: *amused snerk* Or vhere you sit vhen you haff had whiskey, Hardy.

Hardy: *surprised expression* I thought that was disgrace.

Bathilda: Nein. Sat ist vhen Fairy whomps sem.

Hardy: An' yer only tellin' me this now?

Senaiji: *chuckles* Well, you never asked before.

Hardy: See if I share my next batch t' come off. *eyes dancing*

Bathilda: *calmly* You said sat se last time, too.

Senaiji: *trying hard not to crack up*

girl: *wisps into the room like a slender flash of living pink and green flame* Whatt'reye all doin' standin' out here 'n jawin'? Ye tryin' t' leave me outta... *stops as though smacking into a brick wall as she spots Monster Mash, and then gives a soft cry of delight and reaches to touch his fur* Ohhhhhh!

Ira: *rumble of warning for the unfamiliar girl*

Hardy: Fairy... watch yerself.

Fairy: *sharp snort and a very clear snub of a shoulder toward the kilted man*

Bathilda: *calmly* Rin Fei.

Optima: *softly* You're not Kae Yau.

Rin Fei: *blinks and looks toward the blue-haired lady, then sniffs* Nah, I's 'er babeh sister. *expression turns hopeful as she glances from the lady to the man holding the baby* Is 'e betrothed yet?

Optima: *startled* I... beg your pardon?

Ira: *frown* You're asking my wife.

Senaiji: *one with his face palm*

Rin Fei: *aristocratically dainty nose wrinkles as she points to Monster Mash* HIM, ye jackass.

Ira: *expression darkening*

Bathilda: *moves quicker than humanly possible to grab Rin Fei by the ear* Sat ist enough. *tone holds no room for arguing*

Rin Fei: *angry whoosh of flame and Bathilda's left with a bodysuit laying at her feet*

Optima: O_O?

Hardy: *so ded*

Ira: *displeased and growling a bit*

Bathilda: Kae Yau vas nicht sis temperamental. *frown*

Hardy: *chokes on laughter* *gasping* Thi... this time! *more amusement*

Senaiji: *headshake. Looks to Ira and Optima* I apologize for Rin Fei's behavior. We're still working on teaching her to respect boundaries.

Optima: *still quiet with surprise* How old is she?

Bathilda: She ist seventeen.

Optima: Is she related to Kae Yau?

Bathilda: *nods* Ja.

Senaiji: They're sisters by name and by blood.

Optima: *quietly* How do their people age?

Senaiji: That depends on how much fuel is available when they're new. With sufficient fuel, Ifiri solidify around a year in age, and resemble a human toddler. They grow quickly after that, and it's usually within five or six years that they start to slow down and resemble humans of around eight or so. After that, they age at a similar rate to humans, until they reach maturity.

Optima: *slight frown* So she's a young woman. *shares that frown with her husband*

Hardy: She doesn' mean aneh harm.

Bathilda: She's a teenager.

Hardy: *quietly* She didn't mean anehthin' wrong by yer son. She was offerin' honourable wedlock when 'e came of age.

Optima: That will his decision when he gets to that age. *looks to Senaiji, who is giving Nightwish a disapproving look for her wry smirk* I'm sorry. We'll go inside now, if you like.

Kae Yau: *speaking up* Well, t'en, le's get inside 'n get the lot o' ye somet'in' t' eat.

Optima: *startles, and then startles again as her husband rushes past her*

Kae Yau: *startled blurt as she's suddenly hugged*

Ira: *laughing quietly as Kae Yau tries to slug him*

Kae Yau: *getting very creative as she tries to put some room between this big stranger and herself*

Optima: Oh, please be careful. He's got our baby!

Hardy: Yau, he was yer teammate.

Kae Yau: *manages to wriggle free and scoot back a few steps to give Ira a scowl* *to Hardy* Ye'r pullin me leg.

Hardy: *expression steady and serious* Ask 'Wish.

Kae Yau: *looks to the silk-clad woman*

Nightwish: *quietly* I told you about Ironhide and Chrome.

Kae Yau: *much frown, and much tipping her head back as she thinks*

Nightwish: They were at the hive.

Ira: *quietly* I thought you were dead. I searched the place...

Kae Yau: Never mind t'at. 'Ow's th' idjit?

Ira: *steps close and holds out his free arm again* *gruffly* Are you alright?

Kae Yau: Answer me question, dumb*aft*.

Ira: *snort* Which idjit? Chrome or 'Bird?

Kae Yau: *snort*

Ira: Well I know you don't mean Rachel. She wasn't there yet.

Kae Yau: The one t'at's part o' yer clan, b'y.

Optima: *softly* Chrome's fine. And he's a father. *comes to stand beside her husband and watch as he once more tries to hug Kae Yau*

Kae Yau: *surprised cuss*

Ira: Well so am I. *glances at the little guy snoozing on his shoulder*

Kae Yau: *eyes widen and then she says something really unprintable*

Optima: *throat clearing sound*

Ira: *amused snort* *to Optima* That's just how Yau is.

Optima: She'd still upset Monster Mash if he heard her.

Kae Yau: *amused snerk*

Optima: *eyes harden just slightly, and it's the look of a mother protecting her child*

Kae Yau: Named fer th' song?

Optima: *surprised to find out that the Matriarch wasn't laughing about her son's potential upset, and disarmed by the knowledge* I've never asked. But I don't think it could have come from anywhere else.

Ira: *to Optima* Ask Allie. *to Kae Yau* We got your letter.

Kae Yau: *perk*

Optima: *nods to her husband, and then turns back to Kae Yau* Senaiji says that they're... dragons?

Bathilda: Vell, I'm going to go sit down. *turns and walks away*

Kae Yau: *slight headtilt, studying you now, Optima. Then she's snorting* Couple'a young'uns, aye. 'N Ifiri.

Optima: *eyes widen* The same people?

Kae Yau: Aye. 'N one ot'er. *considering* T'ere's a Gaoit'e, too.

Optima: *looks to Ira* *and then gasps as she and Yau BOTH get hugged* Oh!

Ira: *quiet rumble*

Kae Yau: *suddenly silent*

Monster Mash: *little rasping chuckle in his sleep*

Optima: *is looking toward that silence and reaching to touch the other woman's shoulder*

Kae Yau: *softly* I remember somet'in'...

Ira: *about to comment, gets a hand to the face*

Kae Yau: Ye owe me a drink, b'y. *smirk.

Optima: *doubtful look* Is that a real memory, or do you just want a drink?

Kae Yau: Made a bet wit' t'is idiot. Fergot what 'bout, but I was right.

Ira: *snort* Nightbird owes you money, too. *to Optima* I was broke, so I said I'd buy her a drink if she could blow something up that was supposed to be fire-proof.

Optima: *dryly* Well, at least it wasn't another bet that you'd die a virgin. *thinks of the two others of those they've run across since their wedding day*

Kae Yau: *blink* Who'd be stupid 'nough t' wager on t'at? *confused now*

Ira: *to Optima* Nope. It was something interesting. *to Kae Yau* Just stupid people.

Kae Yau: *snort* Obviously, b'y. *headshake* Le's git inside 'n eat. Me stomach's arter t'inkin' me t'roat's been cut. *pauses, then looks to Optima and Ira* C'n I hold the li'l bit?

Optima: *eyes go to those of her husband. Should they?*

Ira: *small nod. Trusts Kae Yau*

Optima: *nods back. Alright*

Kae Yau: *looks back and forth between Ira and Optima, then chuckles softly*

Optima: *questioning look as she moves so that Ira can let the pink-haired woman take Monster Mash*

Kae Yau: Ye've been married long? *accepts Monster Mash, will hold the furry little carefully*

Optima: Careful. He's younger than he looks. *soft sounds as Monster Mash peeks*

Ira: A few months.

Kae Yau: *soothing sound for Monster Mash* *surprised glance for Ira*

Optima: What's the matter? *blue eyes rest quizzically on Kae Yau*

Kae Yau: Ye've only been married a few mont's?

Optima: Oh. *nods* Yes. We married this spring.

Kae Yau: Ah. *small nod and a soft chuckle* Ye act like a couple t'at's been married fer years.

Optima: *quick glance to her husband. I feel like I've known you for years* *eyes back to Kae Yau* He's easy to work with.

Kae Yau: T'at ain't what I's heard.

Ira: *soft snort*

Nightwish: There are a lot of people who'd disagree with her. *glances over her shoulder* Bathilda's started muttering impolite words.

Kae Yau: *amused snerk* T'en we need t' go inside, so she'll quit purdlin'.

Optima: *hand to her mouth as her eyes widen* Oh. We forgot. Yes, let's go. *glance to Ira. Hurry*

Ira: *nods*

Kae Yau: *moves to usher friends old and new into the Clan home* *thinks that things will be really fun tonight*


In the wee smas


Kae Yau: *quietly humming as she uses Hardy as a pillow* *there was much talking, catching up, and feasting on traditional German dishes served on dainty Japanese porcelain plates earlier in the night. Now, almost everyone is asleep where they sat down* *Bathilda insisted on using the Great Hall, which has been comfortably furnished with cushions and pillows as well as many blankets. The torches along the walls have been extinguished but for a few kept alight to aid in night time navigations, and the massive central hearth has burned down to embers, ready to be stoked anew in the morning. The slight glow from the torches doesn't reach the high ceiling, though earlier there were many tall tales about the giant, painted clam shell that makes up said ceiling, and the guests were treated to the sight of Bathilda and Senaiji changing forms to assist with lighting torches just out of reach of the tallest bipedal Clan members*

Optima: *sound asleep with her face on Ira's belly. Is curled around a cuddly Monster Mash and nearly invisible under a heavy blanket* *had an enjoyable conversation with Kae Yau, in which both women found out that they were leaders with strong soldiers for husbands*

Ira: *dozing, though he'll wake up every so often to look around. Being in a very large and unfamiliar place is making it hard for him to relax and sleep*

Hardy: *propped up against the table and watching the tall man's restlessness. There's a slight smile on his face as he thinks of the Ira that he knows and fights over lemon curd with*

Senaiji: *is providing backround noise with his quiet snoring* *which is also making part of the wall vibrate*

Optima: *remembers learning that Kae Yau's husband is cousin to another Denver MacKenzie. And then startles and sits up as Ira jerks slightly* What is it?

Ira: *quietly* It's nothing. Go back to sleep.

Optima: *stretches and looks down at herself* *thinks that sleeping in her clothes isn't very comfortable*

Bathilda: *quietly* Senaiji, you are snoring. *slight rustling sound*

Senaiji: *groggy response and a bit more rustling, then he quiets down*

Hardy: *voice a quiet rumble* Ira, what's wrong wit' yer lassie?

Ira: *quiet rumble of his own, will fuss over Optima a bit*

Optima: *gives him a slightly groggy look. Has her clothes on. Isn't comfortable*

Ira: *very soft rumble* *quietly* Ready to go back to the hotel?

Optima: *blinks* That was my house.

Ira: *surprised* Oh.

Kae Yau: *soft snerk*

Hardy: *laughing now, and shaking his lady*

Kae Yau: *moving to get up*

Optima: Oh. I'm sorry to have disturbed you. *mutters quietly and then repeats herself in Japanese* *no, she's not really awake at all!*

Kae Yau: Ye di'n't, lass. Le's git ye some night clot'es.

Optima: Oh. Yes. *hand brushes at her creased blazer* I should...

Ira: *low growl* You're still a pain in the *butt*, Kae Yau.

Kae Yau: *poop-eating grin* I knows t'at, b'y.

Optima: *disapproving look for her husband as she stands* You said that already, Ira.

Kae Yau: *gets a Look in her eye*

Ira: *SUCH a Stinkeye for the pink-haired woman* Don't even say it, Kae Yau.

Kae Yau: *GRIN*

Optima: *with quiet dignity* Please don't.

Kae Yau: *pout*

Optima: *grateful look for the silence* *softly* I'm ready.

Kae Yau: *nods and stands*

Ira: *moves to get to his feet, will reach for Monster Mash*

Monster Mash: *sighs and makes a tiny sound of protest. Sleeping babby is*

Ira: *quiet rumble, much gentle backrub*

Monster Mash: *too sleepy to protest much. Rasps a little more, but he's already asleep again*

Optima: *soft grin for the little one. Turns shining eyes toward Kae Yau and sees a Rin Fei pout behind the older ifiri woman* *frown*

Rin Fei: *gone with a flash of flame*

Kae Yau: *frowns at the flash of flame, quick check to make sure the younger Ifiri didn't burn the back of her clothes again*

Hardy: *gently mocking from his nest of pillows* Oh now yer worried about clothes.

Kae Yau: *thrrpt* The weat'er's goin' t' be cold 'n wet soon.

Hardy: 'N y'u've got me. *grunts and frowns at Ira for that boot*

Ira: *much frown on his face. Wants to get his family to bed*

Kae Yau: *amused snort, will move to lead her guests to private quarters, using a handful of pale blue and lavender flames to light the way* T'ese should be clean. Bathilda keeps 'em up 'spite 'o nobody really usin' 'em.

Optima: *sleepy but trying so hard to be mannerly* The clothes?

Kae Yau: T'ose should be clean, too. *moves aside to let Optima, Ira, and Monster Mash into one of the private quarters, the one with the big bed*

Optima: *looks at that king-size platform bed with wonder, and then makes a soft sound of surprise as a silken garment is put into her hands by a person unseen* What?

Kae Yau: *calmly* T'ey's part o' t'is place, Optima.

Ira: *looking around and trying to spot the "they" Kae Yau's talking about*

Optima: *sleepy mind goes to her little daughter* Oh. I see. *to the air* Thank you. *watches as Ira suddenly has a sleeping robe too*

Ira: *slight frown and a quiet rumble*

Kae Yau: *chuckles* Git some rest.

Optima: *quietly, as her husband growls* Not now, Ira.

Ira: *frowning muchly*

Optima: *gently* Let's get some rest. *to their hostess, with a small, grateful smile* Thank you, Kae Yau. *absently wonders about that handful of tinder that the pink-haired woman is holding*

Kae Yau: *nod* Good rest. *will head off down the hall, absently humming something she learned from Hardy*

Optima: *checks on Monster Mash, and then turns to the bathroom to clean up and change into the robe*

Ira: *is that quiet rumble as he baby dances a bit*

Monster Mash: *quiet sigh, and then peeks at his Dada and gives a sleepy smile*

Ira: *small smile for his son*

Monster Mash: Bed? *looks around and blinks when he realizes that he doesn't know this place*

Ira: Soon.

Monster Mash: *grunts* Mama?

Ira: Getting dressed for bed.

Monster Mash: *looks down at himself, dressed in a loose shirt and a pair of comfortable shorts* Uh? *does baby need to do that?*

Ira: *soft chuckle* You're ready for bed, Monster Mash.

Monster Mash: *happy raspy sounds, and then a chuckle as he sees the bed and points to it agreeably*

Ira: *nods and moves to sit on the bed, waiting for Optima* *surprised rumble at the discovery that the mattress is memory foam*

Monster Mash: *sleepy bitty wriggles down to crawl up to the pillows, then lays on his back and wriggles stubby fingers at his Dada*

Optima: *steps out of the bathroom, one hand rubbing her eyes as the other holds up the trailing hem of the night robe* Hmmm. Ira?

Ira: The mattress is foam. *sounds so surprised*

Optima: *wanders over and sits beside him* *quiet surprise* Oh! Memory foam. *soft chuckle as she looks up at him* You'll be comfortable tonight.

Ira: *small nod*

Optima: *pats him on the arm* Go ahead and get ready.

Ira: *another nod, will move to get up and head for the bathroom*

Optima: *crawls up beside Monster Mash and helps him out of his shirt, then pulls the soft covers over both of them, snuggles her son, and drops off to sleep*

Ira: *emerges from the bathroom a few minutes later, very small smile on his face as he watches Optima and Monster Mash sleep. Then the old soldier's moving to lay down by the door, intending to guard his family as they rest*


the next morning


Optima: *sitting by Kae Yau and Fei Rin at the table in the great hall. Is sharing breakfast with Monster Mash and listening to the sisters squabble quietly. Seems to be totally unaware of the knock down drag out war that Ira is having with Hardy a few yards away*

Kae Yau: Bah. I's tired 'o t'is slop.

Fei Rin: Ye cooked it, ye *donkey*.

Kae Yau: *thrrpts sister. Then sticks a kitchen match in her mouth*

Fei Rin: *makes her sister's match vanish in a flash of flame*

Monster Mash: *chuckles at that*

Kae Yau: *says something sharp in Ifiri*

Monster Mash: *gives her an uncertain look, and then balls up one fist and taps her gently*

Kae Yau: *grumbles quietly and sticks another match in her mouth*

Optima: *apologizes quietly, and then offers her son another piece of grilled sausage*

((Written with random_xtras))

Continued here.