Cora's World and Backwater Nexus. Cora's Home, Black Dog, and Senaiji's Home. Starting Anew Part 2

[dens_extra_pups]

Continued from Here



man: *tall and strongly built, but showing the same physical softness that Cora does* *stands as Mirden appears from where he'd been sitting with his head on a table next to that of a slender woman* Who're you?

woman: *very slightly less tearful than the man as she looks up*

Mirden: My name is Mirden... I'm a messenger of the Greatest Creator. *is feeling very uncomfortable due to the heat*

man: *looks down at his wife, and then glances quickly around the smallish and comfortably lit, though spartanly furnished room before turning back to the unexpected visitor* I'm sorry, I don't understand. *absently rubs a hand over his shaved scalp* And I'm Sven, and this is Erin.

Mirden: *gently* I came to let you know what happened to Cora.

Sven: *knees give out and he plunks back down onto the stool* Cora...

Erin: *softly* A conduit blew. She's gone.

Mirden: *gently* Her story is over here... But it's just begun elsewhere.

Sven: *looks up*

Erin: *glances at him, and then turns back to Mirden* I don't understand.

Mirden: *quiet for a few moments, asking the Greatest Creator for guidance* *then* There is more than just this reality... *will begin explaining about the nexxi*

Erin: *silent for a moment after Mirden's finished explaining, but then stands quickly* I'll pack her things.

Sven: *expression says that he approves of this. Turns back to Mirden* What will she need there?

Mirden: Clothing, mostly. I have a friend who has a house she can stay at, and there's always someone looking for people willing to work.

Erin: *back with a small package in her hands* Here are her clothes and files, and I packed extra underwear. *offers it to Mirden*

Mirden: *as she reaches for the offered package* Where would I be able to find the young man she was going to be contracted with?

Erin: *slight, sad, smile* She hadn't made any choices yet.

Mirden: *slight frown and a small nod* I see.

Erin: It would have been a few more years before the best genetic matches were chosen for her to meet.

Mirden: *softly* Ah... *another small nod*

thought: *comes to her mind, the image of a young man with copper skin and laughing black eyes, and the name "Tommy"*

Mirden: *blink* Who is Tommy?

Sven and Erin: *confused looks*

Sven: *slowly, his expression saying he's pulling up mental data* I know about three Toms.

Mirden: *will describe the young man*

Sven: *face clears* Tom Smith.

Mirden: *small nod* Where would I be able to find him?

Sven: *slight frown* Why?

Mirden: *quietly* He's the boy Cora would have chosen, and who would have chosen her.

Erin: *sudden understanding* You've come to take him away too.

Mirden: *nod*

Sven: *taps a finger into his palm, and then starts flipping through holographic screens* He's at home. Corridor L, suite &. *looks at Mirden* I'll call the people who need to know.

Mirden: *another nod* Alright.

Sven: *more window flipping, and then a series of murmured conversations*

Mirden: *absently notes that the garments for the men cover the same amount of the body as the female ones, including the chest area*

Sven: *finishes talking and looks up with a sigh* Tom's coming. He told his parents to give him a little sister, so I guess that means Erin and I have to give Cora a brother.

Erin: *silently rubs her face*

Mirden: *understands better now what Elijah said about the population balance*

Sven: *quietly puts his head down again, though Mirden will feel that his sadness is no longer blind and stunned with shock*

Erin: *gentle fingers touch her husband's head and shoulders as she prays silently with relief for God to care for her child*

Mirden: *quietly* God watches out for His children, no matter where they are.

Erin: *eyes shut as she nod nods in silence*

Mirden: Everything will work out. *believes what she says*

Erin: *more gentle touches for her husband as he sighs again, and then she looks up as a soft chime sounds at the door* Come in.

Tommy: *tall, looks rangy. When he fills out he'll be a big guy. Right now you can count ALL his ribs* *dark eyes quizzical as they turn toward Mirden* *quiet and serious* I'm ready.

Mirden: *small nod* You'll need to touch my sleeve. *is really not liking the heat, but she's hiding it as well as she's able to*

Tommy: *embarrassed flush* Which part is sleeve?

Mirden: *will show Tommy which part of her shirt is sleeve*

Tommy: Alright. *quickly wraps a large piece of mesh fabric around his shoulders, presses his tiny parcel under his arm, and then stops and lifts his brows as Sven touches his hand*

Sven: *softly* Take care of her.

Tommy: *so serious* I'll do my best.

Sven: *big man is gonna cry now, puts his head back down on the table as Erin comforts him*

Mirden: *softly* God bless.

Erin: *looks her thanks, and then turns to her husband*

Tommy: *quietly, his voice a bit shaky now as he lightly touches his fingers to Mirden's sleeve* I'm ready.

Mirden: *quietly* Three, two, one. *will bring Tommy to the Nexus, asking Sideswipe to bring a spare change of his own winter clothes to the Black Dog*

Tommy: *shivering instantly, his big eyes wide with shock* I... i... its c... c... c... OW! *bit himself*

Mirden: My husband is bringing warmer clothes.

Tommy: *nods, looking miserable. Not quite as strong in self control as Cora is*

Mirden: -Sideswipe, how soon will you be here?- *reassuringly, to Tommy* Let's go sit with Cora.

Sideswipe: *appears with all the fuzzy things he just bought* :D Elijah told me to get some stuff. Here's an awesome hoodie 'n some fleece under drawers, and here's pants...

Mirden: *chuckles* Tommy, this is my husband, Sideswipe. Sideswipe, this is Tommy Smith.

Tommy: *polite nod, but he's afraid to try talking. His teeth can be heard, however*

Sideswipe: Yo. *more happy cheesy grin, and an offer of clothes*

Mirden: Sideswipe, why don't you help Tommy get dressed, and I'll bring Cora's belongings to her?

Sideswipe: Hokay! *drops the armload of clothes and then pokes through to find the first piece*

Mirden: *will head for the private room, listening to things unseen as she goes*

Senaiji: *got someone to grab a couple of Jaime's beautiful wool dresses from the table that's selling them right now in the Question Square, and is telling Cora about them when Mirden arrives*

Mirden: *very soft chuckle* Those dresses are nice. I have a couple, myself.

Cora: *looks up from running her fingers lightly over the embroidery on the bodice of one of the dresses, her eyes showing that shock is passing and sadness is setting in* Are they as warm as this one?

Mirden: *as she offers Cora the bundle containing the girl's belongings* Some are, most are a little lighter-weight than that dress.

Senaiji: *concerned look at the dresses he bought* Ah. Will they be warm enough, then?

Mirden: *nod* Especially with fur lined underpinnings.

Senaiji: *face is now PURPLE, and he's looking anywhere but at the ladies*

Mirden: *can't help but chuckle at how quickly the shopkeeper got flustered*

Cora: *confused expression as she looks from Senaiji to Mirden*

Mirden: *wiggles the bundle of Cora's belongings, trying to get the girl to take it* Senaiji's from a different culture, where a lady's undergarnments are hidden by a lot of fabric, and it's considered rude to discuss them.

Cora: *understanding dawns as she reaches to take her bundle* Oh. We don't look at them or talk about them where I come from, either.

Senaiji: *looks like a purple people eater with two eyes and no wings*

Mirden: *soft chuckle* Most don't around here, either. *quick check with Sideswipe to see how far he and Tommy have gotten*

Sideswipe: *killing himself laughing at Tommy*

Tommy: *trying to take his harness off from under his new clothes. Just gave himself a wedgie*

Mirden: *does her best not to snicker* *to Cora* Someone came to stay with you from your homeworld. *will use her abilities as a Guardian Fae to assist Tommy*

Senaiji: *startled from his horrified embarrassment by Tommy's surprised yelp*

Mirden: He's fine, Senaiji. *so amused*

Sideswipe: *clearly from down the hall* Holey *beep*, your buttfloss moved!

Senaiji: *purple again*

Cora: ...What?

Mirden: *one with her facepalm* -Sideswipe, you made Senaiji blush.-

Sideswipe: -Really? Cool! Um. How'd I do that?-

Mirden: -Mentioning Tommy's underthings.-

Sideswipe: -Actually, the underthings are these little sticker things. The buttfloss is on the outside.-

Mirden: *so amused* -Senaiji doesn't know that.-

Sideswipe: -Ohhh. I think I get it. ...I think.-

Mirden: -I'll explain it better later.- *to Cora* Tommy's trying to get his harness off from under the warmer clothes.

Cora: *bemused* Why?

Mirden: Because he's a teenage boy.

Cora: *faint, tired amusement shows on her face*

Senaiji: *still fighting the blush monster* Ahem. Er... I only have one empty house.

Mirden: *dots visibly at the Dragonkin man*

Senaiji: *embarrassment changes to puzzlement* What is it?

Mirden: Why would that be a problem?

Senaiji: *bewildered* I only have room for one of the young people.

Mirden: ... *still not seeing the issue. She's used to living in close quarters* *slight frown as she notices something* Where's Kae Yau?

Senaiji: *actually cries out in his sudden concern and dismay as he looks at the shoulder where his heart mother had been dancing when he met Mirden and Cora* Oh no! She was right here!

Cora: *big eyes of concern from Senaiji to Mirden*

Mirden: *quickly* Senaiji, sit down and take deep breaths. *has seen the Dragonkin man flip out in a panic before*

Senaiji: You don't understand! She's helpless, and too weak to exist on her own!

Mirden: Senaiji, you need to sit down and take deep breaths, because right now, you're the one I'm picking up most strongly, and I can't hear Him.

Senaiji: *small flail, and then sits and covers his face with his hands as his shoulders shake*

Cora: *worriedly puts concerned fingers on his shoulder*

Mirden: *will shut her eyes and listen for what the Greatest Creator is saying*

Cora: *watches the tall redhead, shivering slightly in reflexive concern*

Mirden: *startles and facepalms* Kae Yau hitched a ride with me, and now needs a lift home, because she's drunk.

Senaiji: *hands drop, and he stares at her with quizzical surprise*

Cora: ...What does "drunk" mean?

Mirden: *to Senaiji* Cora's world is one that is very hot, and there's a lot of fire from the planet surface. *which explains why Kae Yau hitched a ride with Mirden* *to Cora* In Kae Yau's case, it means she's taken in too much heat energy and is now singing rowdy songs that would make most people blush.

Cora: *eyes wide again* The heat did that to her?

Senaiji: *tired now* No. She's gone into the fire.

Mirden: Kae Yau is a person who can manipulate and control fire, because she's essentially a fire spirit. *sigh* I'll go get her.

Senaiji: *looks up with concern* Are you strong enough, Mirden?

Cora: *confused, and concerned for Mirden*

Mirden: I'll be alright. *as she reaches for her PINpoint once more* I think this rescue will require wings, though.

Senaiji: Alright... *bites his lip* Please hurry before she gets into mischief.

Mirden: *nods and PINpoints out, transforming in a cloud of bluish green sparkles and allowing Senaiji and Cora a very brief glimpse of black wings and an almost ethereal form*


back in Cora's original reality


Mirden: *flying as swiftly as she's able, given the stifling heat seems even worse now* -Kae Yau! Where are you?-

Kae Yau: -*bleepin'* flyin', me son!- *mental cackle*

Mirden: -That tells me nothing. Do you see anything that I can use to locate you? Senaiji is worried about you.- *still flying*

Kae Yau: *more cackle, but then she sobers* -Mmm right 'ere.-

Mirden: -Where is 'here'? I'm flying. I need you to be specific.-

Kae Yau: *gives her a picture of a massive mountain sticking up out into the brazen sky* -The day side!-

Mirden: ... *groans* -You would go to the hottest spot on the planet.-

Kae Yau: *muzzy confusion* -Aye...-

Mirden: -I don't know how to deal with that much heat... In any of my forms.-

Kae Yau: -Yer dainty *donkey* gonna melt?- *cheeky laughter and then a roar as a massive gout of flame shoots around from the horizon*

Mirden: -Considering I'm in Valkyr form right now, it's taking all of my strength just to keep flying.- *aims toward the gout of flame*

Kae Yau: *solidifies to show floating hair and a birthday suit, and also a wide grin* -No *beepin'* idea what t'at's supposeta mean.-

Mirden: -It means I'm better suited for a cold climate in this form.- *will grab the Ifiri woman and PINpoint back to one of the other private rooms at the Black Dog* -Sideswipe, can you go grab a tunic and butt cover from Desinex?- *a bit dizzy now as she returns to her preferred form*

Kae Yau: *unprintable* *hiccoughs*

Sideswipe: -Um. You mean those tabard thingies?-

Mirden: -Something to cover Kae Yau with... She's solid and streaking.- *trying to keep from letting her weariness leak through*

Sideswipe: -Full moon!- *laughter as he shows her himself going to talk to tDesinex. And then the laughter abruptly stops after his request as someone bowls him over*

Mirden: *startles*

Kae Yau: *snerks* What's wrong? Did yer derp do somet'in' stupid?

Tobias: *bursts in a moment later, a pair of shorts in one hand. Stops and scans the room, and then bolts toward the Ifiri woman* Yau!

Kae Yau: *startles and then she's grinning and moving to tackle Tobias*

Tobias: Yau! *arms around her even as he falls over and pads her landing* Yau! Yau better!

Kae Yau: *so much worry in her eyes as she realizes Tobias is hurt* Aye. I's better.

Mirden: *leans against the wall* -Are you alright, Sideswipe?-

Sideswipe: *dazed and confused* -Um. Desi's laughing, so I think so? What hit me?-

Mirden: -Tobias. He brought shorts... But Kae Yau still needs a shirt.-

Tobias: *put shorts on his Yau, and now he's got his own shirt off and is installing that, his expression earnest*

Mirden: -...Never mind.- *so much amusement*

Kae Yau: *quietly fussing over Tobias now, even as the felinid man puts his shirt on her*

Tobias: *winces as he strains the burned skin on his bandaged hand, then shudders till the splint on his poor denuded and shortened tail rattles*

Kae Yau: *very gently kisses the bandage on Tobias' hand* *softly* Oh, Tobias... What happened t' ye?

Tobias: *blinks at her uncertainly, then gestures with his unburned hand* Hurt. Boom. Head... *touches it, his slightly unfocused eyes uncertain, then glances to Mirden to see if she can explain better*

Mirden: *quietly* The reality ended, and he got a concussion in the chaos, as well as his tail getting broken, and he's lost some of his fur.

Kae Yau: *softly* What burned 'im? *feeling guilty now*

Tobias: Fire. *looks at his bandaged hand, and then tries to pull Kae Yau close* Yau safe. Yau better.

Sideswipe: *is a poky finger on Mirden's side*

Mirden: *startles* *was out of it enough that she didn't notice her husband approaching*

Sideswipe: *concerned frown* *softly* You've got dark circles under your eyes.

Mirden: *will lean against husband* -I went and grabbed Kae Yau. I needed to move swiftly, so I was in my flying form... Which doesn't like heat very much.

Sideswipe: *quiet worry* You need to lay down, 'n eat. There's still some of that rat. Uther's been eating pet food instead.

Mirden: *quietly* That sounds good... *nuzzle*

Sideswipe: What about... eek!

Mirden: *JUMPS, transforming on reflex* *and then she's having to sit down quickly*

Senaiji: *startled by what happened when he put his hand on the black-haired bot's shoulder*

Kae Yau: *nope, not printing it*

Tobias: *ears back as he blinks with confusion* *helpfully* Is Senaiji.

Sideswipe: *fussing over his wife!*

Senaiji: *quiet and apologetic* I came to let you know that Scott's offered Tommy a place in his apartment.

Kae Yau: ... Who the *beep* 's Tommy?

Senaiji: *startles, and then makes a choking sound before he comes to take her from Tobias and hug her HARD*

Kae Yau: *awks and lightly swats Senaiji on the arm* Oy! Lemme go, ye stunned stupid *beep*!

Senaiji: *soft apology, and then the big man has broken down into helpless tears*

Tobias: *concerned sound. Hugs!*

Kae Yau: *will squirm away from the tears, talking softly to Senaiji and Tobias now, reassuring the two men that things will be alright*

Senaiji: *broken whisper* You nearly died. Bathilda... Bathilda is only now becoming aware of the world around her again...

Kae Yau: *so serious* T'en we need t' be focusin' on 'er, b'y.

Senaiji: Yes. Yes. Let's... *remembers and looks for Cora*

Cora: *standing and watching uncertainly, her eyes going from where Sideswipe is fussing over Mirden to where Tobias is fussing over Senaiji and Kae Yau*

Mirden: *quietly, to Cora, her voice a bit rougher sounding due to the change in form* A friend of ours has room for Tommy at his apartment.

Cora: *nods* Yes, I was there when he came and spoke to Senaiji. Tommy's gone with him.

Mirden: Ah... *small nod, leans against husband tiredly*

Cora: *bit of a frown* Do you need help?

Sideswipe: No. I can PINpoint us home.

Kae Yau: *to Cora* We be arter needin' help. I figures Batsy'll like talkin' t' ye.

Cora: *walks over to the group* *softly* I'm to live in Senaiji's spare house.

Kae Yau: *blink blink, looks to Senaiji* Ye've got a spare house?

Tobias: *patting his weeping friend* Four house. One big. *hopeful look to Kae Yau* Home time?

Kae Yau: *small nod* Aye. The sooner we gits back t' Batsy, the better.

Tobias: *reaches down the shirt he's not wearing, then blinks and remembers before taking his medallion in his hand* Touch.

Cora: *uncertain look, but puts a hand on Senaiji*

Senaiji: *will reach for Kae Yau, who wraps an arm around Tobias' waist carefully*

Tobias: *quick check on Mirden and sees her being cuddled. Smiling a bit as he presses the button on his medallion and brings his family and Cora away with a swish and slight flash*

Sideswipe: *softly* You ready to go now?

Mirden: *small nod, returning to her human form* *quietly* Let's pay our tab and go home.

Sideswipe: We didn't buy anything.

Mirden: *confused* Didn't Cora get anything to eat?

Sideswipe: *shakes his head* She was too busy keeping track of everything that was going on.

Mirden: ... Oh.

Sideswipe: *reaches tentatively toward her PINpoint*

Mirden: *will let him work the PINpoint, is going to just lean against him and sigh quietly*

Sideswipe: *gets her home and brings her over to the box bed, then helps her sit on the corner of it before hunkering down to help her with her boots*

Uther: *walks over, his muzzle wrinkling in worried little soundless whickers*

Mirden: *trying to help with the boots, hands a bit clumsy*

Sideswipe: *finally gets them both off, and then hurries over to the stasis box to get out the remains of breakfast and bring them to his wife*

Uther: *watches this from where he's now standing near, then looks up at Mirden* Mama?

Mirden: *quietly* I'm alright, Uther... Just tired.

Uther: *wiffles softly* Why?

Sideswipe: *shoves the young dragon pony aside slightly so that he can sit on the floor in front of Mirden and hold up the platter of food*

Mirden: *to Uther* I helped someone, who happened to live in a very hot place.

Uther: *big eyes of sympathy, and then a squeak as Sideswipe shoulders him over for coming back*

Mirden: *will reach for part of the rat*

Sideswipe: *will sit and patiently play table till his wife has had enough, then help her into bed and cover her up*

Uther: *will then jump into the bed to warm up her feets!*

Mirden: *will wait for Sideswipe to get what's left of the meal put away again before reaching for him. Wants to snuggle*

Sideswipe: *shirt off! Hoo, skinny dude! Outer pants off and folded neatly before being set on the crumpled shirt. Settles carefully in the bed then and kicks the pony a couple times to let Uther know he's loved*

Uther: *giggle*

Mirden: *snuggles and lays head on husband chest*

Sideswipe: *reminded of why he's in bed. Stops kicking pony and starts carefully covering his wife up with furs before hugging her close and absently starting up the nearly tuneless humming that he's taken to doing when she doesn't feel good* *quiet whisper* Good night.

Mirden: *soft sound of acknowledgment and response, is soon sleeping peacefully*


meanwhile


Tobias: *looks around the shop as he appears, then lets go of Senaiji and grasps Kae Yau's hand to excitedly lead her through the door to the back room* Home, Yau! Home!

Kae Yau: *laughs as she's lead* Aye, Tobias. We's all home now.

Senaiji: *still shaky as he follows, guiding Cora* Do... do you remember anything of this place, Kae Yau?

Kae Yau: ... *very small frown as she looks around at the three little white houses that look like oversize dumpsters and the single... booth? that looks something like a police call box*

Senaiji: *gently steers Cora toward the empty Paco house, and then sighs and looks at Tobias*

Tobias: *points to the booth* Home!

Kae Yau: *looks* ... T'ats our house? *just a bit uncertain now*

Tobias: *nod nod!* Home!

Kae Yau: Alright, b'y. *trusting Tobias. Will lean on him fondly*

Tobias: *nuzzles, and then looks up as Senaiji walks up to the booth and rings the bell by the door*

Jane: *is a curly little copper cat girl with gargoyle wings and a bob tail. She opens the door and grins up at Senaiji before noticing his expression and flattening her ears* What happened, Boss?

Senaiji: *quietly* Kae Yau's better now...

Jane: *soft squeak, and looks past him* Oh wow! Oh wow! I'll go tell Shirley, and then we'll get out of your way! *turns and zips inside, her fur as poofed as tightly curled fur can get*

Tobias: *to Kae Yau* Jane is help.

Kae Yau: *small nod, watching the girl go*

Senaiji: *looks back at Kae Yau, his eyes overflowing again as he holds out a hand* Aren't you coming in?

Kae Yau: *blinks and then she's nodding and reaching for Senaiji's hand* *soft, shocked sound as the Dragonkin man leads her inside. The interior of the house resembles something she's seen before and can almost remember* *free hand to mouth as she sees a familiar-looking armchair and couch, as well as teacups set on a tea tray as though they were left hastily due to unexpected company*

Senaiji: *soft, embarrassed mutter at the cups* We interrupted the girls' tea. Bathilda won't like that they didn't finish.

Kae Yau: ... *seriously* Lemme see Batsy.

Tobias: *soft call from where he's already half way up the stairs*

Senaiji: *herds Kae Yau in that direction*

Kae Yau: *moves to follow Tobias, stumbling slightly as her inebriated state begins to catch up with her*

Senaiji: *big, gentle hands keep her on her feet* *softly* You know which room she's in.

Kae Yau: ... *small nod, will ascend up to the hall, pausing at the window*

Tobias: *over at the window already, looking out at his favourite view*

Kae Yau: *will look over his shoulder* *soft snerk as she sees the garden* *quietly* Batsy'll like that.

Tobias: *seriously* Does. Likes flowers. Likes apple leaf.

Kae Yau: Apple leaf?

Senaiji: *soft rumble from where he's waiting by one of the doors* An apple scented geranium that our friend Legacy gave us as a welcome gift.

Tobias: Likes tp leaf, too.

Kae Yau: *small nod, will give Tobias' hand a gentle squeeze before moving to approach the door she remembers as belonging to Bathilda* *will snort softly at Tobias' words* I'll ask 'bout t'at later.

Senaiji: *opens the door and peers inside. Gently* Bathilda? Do you want to see Kae Yau?

Bathilda: *quietly, from where she's propped up with a pretty back rest pillow. Has a needlepoint canvas in her lap* Mein needlepoint is not fuel...

Senaiji: *pulls Kae Yau inside* *softly* No. Love, look!

Kae Yau: *burp* *mutter*

Bathilda: *slight start* Ach!

Kae Yau: *startles too and says something unprintable* Easy, Batsy. Bad enough I's seein' two 'o ye.

Bathilda: *frustrated sound as her legs don't cooperate. Wants to hug Kae Yau!*

Senaiji: *hurries to move the needlepoint supplies and the big fuzzy leaf his wife had been amusing herself with. Then folds back the blankets so she can move more freely, and grabs Kae Yau and plunks the pink-haired woman down next to her*

Bathilda: *must hug best friend!*

Kae Yau: Yeah, b'y... I's back. *can feel that Bathilda's not that strong yet*

Senaiji: *sits down on the floor to quietly lose his mind again*

Bathilda: *crying softly as she hugs her friend, is doing her best not to get her tears on Kae Yau*

Kae Yau: *soft crooning as she pats Bathilda's back, but she's wibbly herself. And a bit wobbly*

Senaiji: *big man is crying rivers*

Kae Yau: *hiccoughs*

Bathilda: *very soft snerk*

Kae Yau: *quietly unprintable reply to the snerk, but her hug is still strong*

Bathilda: Kae Yau, language. *then she's noticing what Senaiji is doing* Ach!

Kae Yau: *laughing softly as she moves away from her friend to sprawl on her belly on the foot of the big bed* Senaiji, quit yer purdlin'.

Senaiji: *sobs*

Bathilda: *will lay back and sigh, feeling exhausted even though she didn't move all that much*

Senaiji: *couple tries needed, but he gets to his feet. The urge to fuss and protect his wife is stronger even than grief and relief. Big hands gently adjust Bathilda's blankets and backrest, and then offer her the big scented leaf which is usually her favourite comfort*

Bathilda: *quietly, tiredly* How did Kae Yau get better?

Senaiji: *hesitates, but then can't hold back a giddy reply* She went to Hell. The Chief always said that speaking the way she does would lead to that.

Kae Yau: *rude hand gesture*

Bathilda: *tired and breathless laughter after she gets over the shocked expression she had at Kae Yau's cheek*

Senaiji: *tucks the leaf into Bathilda's hand, and then sits beside her and rests his cheek against her hair* *softly* A little girl came from the same place. She's an exile, and has come to live in our spare cottage.

Bathilda: *softly* Ach. Ist she alvright?

Senaiji: She was frightened by the bartender's lecture to an obstreperous patron, but she seems to be strong. *lifts his head and looks around with a slight frown*

Bathilda: *quietly* Bar?

Senaiji: Yes. The local pub. *turns back to her* I brought you there to a private room for your birthday. You looked at your cake when Kae Yau jumped on it.

Bathilda: *quietly* Senaiji... I do nicht remember.

Senaiji: *gentle squeeze for her hand* That's alright. I can buy you another cake.

Tobias: *looks into the room* Cake here. Candy here! *presents boxes!*

Kae Yau: *chortles and rolls off the end of the bed*

Bathilda: *very slight start, is starting to get a bit of a dull look in her eye*

Tobias: *gently sets the boxes on the bed, and then takes out the prettiest one. Presents this hopefully to Bathilda* *softly* Sweets?

Senaiji: *takes the box and looks at his wife, recognizing her weariness* Maybe we should wait till you've rested.

Bathilda: *quietly* Danke, Tobias.

Tobias: *softly* Rest. *pats her hand with his uninjured one, and then goes to the end of the bed. Lifts Kae Yau and puts her over his stronger shoulder*

Kae Yau: Awk! *fervent bad language and laughter as she's carried out of the room!*

Senaiji: *so shocked!*

Bathilda: *soft chuckle*

Senaiji: *clears his throat sheepishly, and then carefully unwraps the box in his hand before opening it and offering it to her*

Bathilda: *looks and tries to reach*

Senaiji: *softly* Which piece would you like?

Bathilda: One of se pink vones, bitte.

Senaiji: *gets a piece of rose flavour Turkish delight and gently holds it up to her mouth*

Bathilda: *will nibble at the candy, shutting her eye in bliss at the delicate flavor*

Senaiji: *face lights up at her expression, and unnoticed tears trail down his cheeks.

Bathilda: *manages to finish the candy by going slow and nibbling at it*

Senaiji: *softly, when she's done* Do you want to save the rest?

Bathilda: *very slight nod*

Senaiji: *quickly closes the box and puts it on top of the stack, then moves the entire stack to the chair in the shady corner of the room* Oh. Tobias found Miss Natsume's cupcake shop. What a treat. *back to help his wife lay down*

Bathilda: *soft sound that might be a chuckle as she's laid down, manages to catch Senaiji's sleeve hem*

Senaiji: *blushes slightly as he looks at her quizzically* What is it?

Bathilda: *very quietly, is almost asleep* Ich liebe dich.

Senaiji: *takes his sleeve away and squeezes her hand, then scoots and looks out through the door. Catching no sign of Kae Yau other than faint laughter from the pink-haired woman's room, he closes the door and sets the bolt, then hurries back and removes his shoes so that he can lay down next to Bathilda*

Bathilda: *breathing quietly and evenly as she sleeps*

Senaiji: *hesitates, but then turns on his side and pulls her close. Hides his face in her hair and settles down to quietly feel thankful that she is returning to herself* *will stay here till it's time to rise and make her favourite supper*

((Written with random_xtras))