DTC, Two Families forming

[dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com]

'Jack: *adjusting the mask he wears over his mouth and part of his nose, since he knows his scar makes people nervous*

Thrrpt:  *sits up from practically sticking her nose onto the page of one of the necromancy texts to squint at the newcomer and then toss the book aside as she sees the cut of his clothes*

Kriti: *lounging in a chair near the newcomer, is watching him without seeming to*

Sunstreaker:  Hey, watch it!  *caught the book the hard way*

'Jack: *blinkblink, soft chuckle and headshake as he gets out what might look like random pieces of junk to anyone else, but is really parts of a new invention*

Thrrpt:  *watches him, a very wary expression in her green eyes.  She'd like to go see what he's doing... but he's fresh from the Steel Kingdom and could be an informer*

Wake: *flops in a chair with a sigh*

Thrrpt:  *very softly*  Thrrpt.

Wake: *small smile for his daughter* Hey, Thrrpt... Anything new happen while I was gone?

Thrrpt:  *nods toward the new guy, then pulls out a trashed piece of parchment and painstakingly writes on it with a beat up pencil and her sprawling, over sized kanji*

Wake: *headtilt, notes that his Sworn Daughter is sitting near the new guy, gives Kriti a Look and gets a small nod in return, before he's turning his attention to what Thrrpt is writing*

Thrrpt:  'Quiet Red didn't go hunting, but disappeared'.

Wake: *used to decoding Thrrpt's massive dyslexic turnarounds* ... *raised brow, quick glance around* I wonder what Percy got up to? *will get up and look*

Thrrpt:  Thrrpt.  *rubs the writing off the parchment and puts it back in her pouch*

Banshee: *over in a corner, laughing at the crazy antics of Don Quixote as the mad Cavalier rushes out the door on another mis-guided adventure*

Thrrpt:  *glances that way, then remembers something and razzes loudly for her dad's attention*

Wake: *looking to Thrrpt again* ?

Thrrpt:  *pulls at a white bit of ribbon tied on her wrist, then pulls on her hair before making a motion like shoveling horse poop.  She saw Percy talking to the stable hand*

Ironhide:  *wanders in to stand right in the stable door and sip her stein of cider as her egg makes the front of her tunic look funny*

Wake: *Small smile, heads for the stable*

Ironhide:  *kinda in his way*  'Ey, Wake.  Y'know th't gah?

Wake: The newcomer? Slag, no.

Ironhide:  *dark scowl*  Ah guess Ah'll havet' sell Thrrpt's books f'r 'er.

Wake: Kriti's keeping an eye on him right now... I'm trying to find Percy.

Ironhide:  *lifts a brow*  Fahnd Percy?

Wake: *nod* Thrrpt said he didn't go out adventuring today.

Ironhide:  *frowns at that and scans the common room, making sure to peek under tables*  'E ain't in th' bathin' room?

Wake: I think he might be in the stable. He was talking to Kia.

Ironhide:  *blinks with surprise, and then turns and strides toward the stable.  Pauses when she notices the sawhorse standing in front of the open hatch, and then goes over, drops to her knees, and sticks her head down the hole.  Chuckles*  D'awwwwww.

Wake: *following Ironhide* Is he down there?

Ironhide:  *chuckling very very softly as she sits back on her heels and nods*  Look'n see.

Wake: *kneels and sticks his head down the hole, not sure what to expect*

Kia:  *just visible under the lump of skin blankets on her wide bed. Is snuggled in the arms of Perceptor, who is deep in exhausted sleep*

Wake: *quiet chuckles as he leans back and moves to stand* Well, at least he's sleeping.

Ironhide:  'S 'e clahst'rphobic?  *absently patting her egg and having another swig of cider*

Wake: Naw. He's used to sleeping in cramped quarters... Heck, when he and I were living in the same city, I'd find him in the library, surrounded by books, just sleeping away.

Ironhide: Ahlraht, then.  Ah oughtta close this so's no drunk yahoos fall in on 'em 'n start stupid rumors.  *stands and gently closes the hatch*

Wake: *nod* And your louts...

Ironhide:  *sudden scowl*  Ah w's a lout short t'day.  Flash 'n Tracks bettah show th'r faces soon.

Wake: .... Did they finally?

Ironhide:  Tahd th' knot last naht while Ah w's too slaggin' drunk t' know which way mah aft w's pointin'.

Wake: *chuckles* I wonder how long Flash had to sit on Tracks before he realized he was doomed?

Ironhide:  *pauses, lifts her eyebrows, and then snorts cider out her nose with amusement*

Wake: We'd better go make sure Kriti hasn't tried to make off with the new guy's gold and loot.

Ironhide:  *wipes her face on her sleeve and nods, still chuckling*  'N make sure 'e ain't gonna cause no trouble f'r anybody else.  *as she turns to walk out with him*  Oh yeah, Iste snared Young Lumen, too.

Wake: ... Wow. I hope he can be happy with just one set of boobs for the rest of his life... You know how he is....

Ironhide:  Considerin' Iste's kinda honorary in th't regard....

Eruiste:  *From overhead somewhere*  I heard that!

Wake: *Looks up* Good morn' Eruiste. ^_^

Lumen: *Snuggling Eruiste*

Eruiste:  Thrrrrpt!

Ironhide:  ...Don't tell me yuh were sleepin' on th' slaggin' roof!

Eruiste:  Thrrrpt!

Wake: *chuckles* Just remember, you two, that corner where the ferns grow is Jill's and mine.

Lumen: *Razzes Wake*

Ironhide:  *shaking her head*  Crazy slaggin' Elves.  *glances over toward where the old willow tree that forms the roof and two walls of WakeJumper and Wheeljill's bothy trails branches over the stone wall of the orchard*  'N Ah still say that's a slaggin' Elf house.

Wake: *one-shoulder shrug* It's comfortable.

*And then there's a very minor explosion from inside the tavern*

Ironhide:  THRRRPT, YA SLAGGIN' LIL'....  *barrels inside*

'Jack: *Coughing and poking at the doohicky that blew up in his face* Well, that didn't work....

Kriti: *On the floor, cracking up*

Thrrpt:  *walking over to point to the part that was in wrong, her green eyes laughing up at the stranger*

Ironhide:  *stops short right in front of WakeJumper*  Slaggin' PIT, th're's two 'a 'em now.

'Jack: *Blink blink* Ooooh. Well, no wonder! *cheery grin* Thanks, miss.

Wake: ... We're all doomed.

Kriti: *Cracking up even more*

Thrrpt:  Thrrpt.  *frowns into the doohicky, and then turns something else over*

'Jack: *pointing out what he's built so far, and using the hem of his shirt to wipe the visible parts of his face free of soot*

Wake: *Quietly, to Ironhide* He seems harmless enough...

Ironhide:  *frowning.  Not really happy at having a stranger from the Steel Kingdom so close to her little girls.  Walks over and slaps him on the back*  Hey, new meat!  When'd y'u git in?  Y' plannin' 'n stayin' long?

Thrrpt:  *looks at Ironhide and then cracks up*

'Jack: *Surprised, but gives Ironhide a friendly grin, though because of the mask covering the lower half of his face, all that really shows is the crinkling at the corners of his eyes* I got here the other day... I'm not sure how long I'll stay yet, but going on what I've found materials-wise, I'll be here awhile. ^_^

Ironhide:  Realleh now.  Oh, fergive mah mannehs.  *sticks out a hand*  Ah'm Ahrnhahd 'a th' Mahntain Kingdom.  *knows that many Steel Kingdom people spurn those of the Mountain one, so this is another test.  Will he respond with the grasp of friendship?*

'Jack: *more grin, grabs Ironhide's hand in a firm grip* Wheeljack of Bedua Laboratory in the Steel Empire. It's nice to meet you, Ironhide. ^_^

Thrrpt:  *suddenly wide-eyed*

Wake: *attention on Wheeljack now*

Ironhide:  *frozen, her eyes wide too as she stares at the young man*

'Jack: *Blink blink* What? What'd I say?

Ironhide:  *glances at WakeJumper, then to Thrrpt*  Y'u're... Wheeljack?

'Jack: *Nods* I usually go by 'Jack, or "Hey, numbskull!"

Ironhide:  *pulls her hand out of his and grasps his arm*  Y'u're mah brothah.

'Jack: *Blink blink, a bit surprised at being claimed as a sworn sibling this soon, but nods and grasps Ironhide's arm* And you're my sister.

Thrrpt:  *putting out her hand, wants to claim her mother's Name Brother as her Sworn Parent, too*

'Jack: *gently takes Thrrpt's hand into his own* Sworn Sister or Daughter? *guessing it's the latter, but just wants to make sure*

Wake: Daughter. Her mother is your Name Sister.... *hand on Thrrpt's shoulder* And Thrrpt's not able to speak...

'Jack: *Sympathetic wince, nods, gently squeezing Thrrpt's hand*

Thrrpt:  *nods*  Thrrpt.  *lifts her head to show the nasty scar that roughens the skin of her neck and chin*

Ironhide:  She's th' one th't blew up th't school down th're a few yeahs back.

'Jack: Really? What with? *as he moves to gently grasp Thrrpt's arm*

Wake: ... *facepalming and snickering*

Ironhide:  ....Ah'da th't th' story would'a ben all over th' slaggin' place bah now.

'Jack: Just that a student blew up the school... Nobody ever told me what was used...

Wake: *Resisting the urge to ask "I wonder why?"*

Ironhide:  ...Ah have no slaggin' clue.  *looks at her Sworn Daughter, absently reaching toward Kriti as she does*

Thrrpt:  *shrug*  *can't remember*

'Jack: Aw... Oh well, can't be helped I guess... ^_^

Kriti: *catching her breath, is limp as a dishrag*

Wheeljill:  *blows in, a bundle of chuckling glee with a bug on her head*  Guys!  You'll never guess what I just got!

Ironhide:  A brothah!

Kriti: *gonna steal your mug of cider, Ironhide! And she'll drink it, too!*

Wheeljill:  ...Huh?

Wake: Jill, c'mere and meet 'Jack.

Wheeljill:  *blinks, then walks over curiously*  No way.  You're Wheeljack?

'Jack: *nods, grinning cheerily behind his mask*

Wheeljill:  *gleeeeee!*  And you're a renegade, or you wouldn't be so happy standing here with 'Hide.

'Jack: Outcast engineer... Those old farts back home just weren't any fun, and they never let me build what I wanted to, so I left. *chuckles*

Wheeljill:  Thrrpt's an Outcast Engineer!  And she's the youngest Crackpot ever titled.  I'm a Steam Crafter.

'Jack: No kiddin'? *more grin*

Wheeljill:  *nod nod, griiin.  Then reach for Kriti*  This' my other daughter.  Kriti.

'Jack: *blinkblink* How old is she?

Kriti: About the same age as Thrrpt... *snuggling Wheeljill now, is glad to see the older woman*

Wheeljill:  She's my Sworn Daughter.  And Thrrpt is Ironhide's.

Ironhide:  *nods*  Y'r gonna have a sight more sistahs before th' week's ovah.

'Jack: Really? *clearly surprised*

Ironhide:  Ah got two othas besides 'Jill.

Flashpoint: *yawning as she finally makes an appearance*

Tracks:  *peaceful expression as he walks beside her, one arm around her protectively*

Ironhide:  *spots them*  OI!  Y'u owe me a lout, Flash!

Flashpoint: *razzes Ironhide, moves to sit near the better-behaved of her louts, which include Magnus, Dion, and Bumblebee*

Dion: *makes room for Tracks at the table*

Tracks:  *frowns at Ironhide, but then smiles and thanks Dion*  Really, Ironhide, yelling that loudly when someone's just gotten up is atrocious.

Ironhide:  *scowwwl*  Ah c'ld always yell loudeh.

Flashpoint: 'N Ah c'n throw s'meth'n 't y'u f'r doin' th't. *grumbles, is still not a morning person*

Ironhide:  *thunder on her brow!*

Wheeljill:  *sticks her mug of Buckenbroth Mead in front of her Sworn Sister's face*

Ironhide:  *backs away, gagging*

Thrrpt:  *silent sniggerfit*

Magnus: *going to get everyone breakfast now, just like he always does*

Ironhide:  'Jill... th't slag's nasty.  *pinching her nose*  Ah tol' y'u wh't Ah think'a it.

Wheeljill:  *Cheerfully* Yup, but I'd rather have you grinding your gears at me than slagging Flash off.

Kriti: Besides, you know she's not awake enough to understand much of what's going on right now... *gonna try stealing the mug of mead now*

Wheeljill:  *hands the mead to Kriti and then hugs the girl close to her side as she grins down at her*

Ironhide:  *scowwwwwwwwwl*  *then turns to Wheeljack*  Y'u ready ta start runnin' yet, kid?

'Jack: *Blink* Why?

Kriti: *happy sounds as she drinks from the mug*

Ironhide:  *expression goes from dark to laughter in a blink*  Ah think y'r gonna fit raht in.

Thrrpt:  *nod nod nod as she hugs her dad*  Thrrpt!

Wake: *chuckling and calling for more mead*

Ironhide:  *sighs and rolls her eyes at the order, then blinks and looks at Kriti as she realizes the girl just had cider AND mead*

Kriti: *leaning on 'Jill now, is just a bit tipsy*

Ironhide:  *frown of concern*  *softly, the sudden gentleness out of keeping with her rough appearance*  Y'wanna sleep in th' loft t'nahght?

Kriti: *blinks a bit before nodding*

Wake: *Small frown, mouths "The nightmares?" to Ironhide*

Ironhide:  Alrahght.  *nods to WakeJumper, and then turns back to Wheeljack*  Flashpoint's anothah sistah.

'Jack: *blink blink, nods* And what's this about her owing you a lout?

Ironhide:  *scowls again*  Tracks was one'a mah men.

Bumblebee:  *soft voice speaking up*  Flashpoint, I'll go with Ironhide's squad.

Flashpoint: *blink blink, startles as Magnus sets a plate of food in front of her*

Bumblebee:  *gentle pat pat for her captain*  Then she won't be short a soldier.

Dion: While you're there, give Sunny and Sides a good kick to the butt for being dumb.

Bumblebee:  *glances around for the twins*  Um... I don't think I can get my foot that high.

Hound:  *laughing at that from where he's sitting with Trailbreaker and some other guys, playing dice*

Magnus: *baps Dion on the head* Be nice.

Ironhide:  *frowning* Y'u sure, Bee?  Ah don't got no other gals on mah squad.

Bumblebee:  *nods*  I'm sure.  I don't mind.  I was the only girl in Flashpoint's squad too.

Flashpoint: *blink blink upon hearing her name, was working on nomming something*

Tracks:  *softly explains the situation to his groggy wife*

Flashpoint: *slight frown, before she nods*

Bumblebee:  *happy little squeak, and then gets up and scoots over to grin at Ironhide like the teenager that she is*

Ironhide:  *sighs and puts an arm around her, wondering again how something so little and cute can be so deadly with a sword*  Fahn, wh'tevah.

Thrrpt:  *trying to chase everyone but maybe Mom away.  She wants to tinker with Wheeljack*

Wake: *moving to guide Kriti to a chair*

Thrrpt:  *starts making suggestions by pointing and by pulling things out of her satchel, her green eyes bright and her thin face intent*

WheelJill:  *rubbing her chin and nodding as her bug blinks*

Ironhide:  *snerks softly and goes to sit by WakeJumper and Kriti, Bumblebee a concerned shadow in her wake*  Hey, darlin'.  Y'want s'me meat?

Kriti: *nod, is a bit preoccupied with trying to check Wake's pockets for shinies, and getting her hands gently pushed away*

Ironhide:  *reaches over and pulls the small teen closer to her, knowing that her own pocket is empty but for bread and dried meat she stuffed in there earlier*  C'mere.  Lemme lookit y'u.

Kriti: *Will check your pockets then, Ironhide*

Ironhide:  *nods as she finds the food*  Go ahaid 'n eat that.  Should tone down that drunk y'u got goin'.

Kriti: *found no shinies, but did find noms.... will try and climb onto her Sworn Aunt's lap now*

Ironhide:  *lets her do it, and then hugs the youngling close, feeling the bulge of the egg pushing against her belly as she does* Shhh, darlin'. Try 'n git s'me rest.

egg:  *pushes against Kriti, too*

Kriti: *curling up carefully so as not to accidentally squish the egg, works on making the bread and meat vanish as she snuggles close to Ironhide*

Ironhide:  *rests her cheek on Kriti's hair and softly hums an old song of the Mountain Kingdom that's been passed down for hundreds of years*

Anna:  Is Viisaus here?

Whiplash: He's out kicking Pirate butt!

Anna:  *frowns and sets one of the little warning lights she keeps to tell when one of the regulars needs help getting home after a severe injury on the counter.  It's Nightwish's*

Wheeljill:  Well darnit.  *frowning with concern*  Wasn't she in Ravenwatch too?

Trailbreaker:  She'll be alright.  She always is.  *frowning too.  Knows nobody without wings could get there in time anyway, with the light that colour*

Quickstrike: Five to one odds that 'Wish comes back with an epic haul.

Hound:  *slaps him in the head*

Quickstrike: *returns a smack*

Hound:  *sissy slapping!*

Trrpt:  *frowns toward the bar, then prays as she turns back and shows Wheeljack which chemicals make lightening*

Wheeljill:  *distracted from what Anna said by that*  0.o;


Out in the stable


Roy:  *thunder!  Stamps hooves and whinnies at the noise*

Deepdancer's pony:  *gives him a stink eye*

Perceptor: *wakes with a start*

Kia:  *murmurs softly without really waking, as she's done each time he's had bad dreams*

Perceptor: .... *Taking in his surroundings for a few moments, before he's 'ack'-ing softly and trying to scramble out of the bed when he realizes he's not alone*

Kia:  *sits up and uses all her slight weight to hold him down*  You are not getting up yet.  You need more rest. *pale face is stern in the light of her night light globe*

Perceptor: B-Bu-but miss, this is far from proper! *is blushing furiously*

Kia:  Don't be silly.  *still holding him down*

Perceptor: *trying to get out of bed again*

Kia:  Don't make me knock you out.  *very firm tone in her voice*

Perceptor: *Regarding her with comically wide eyes now*

Kia:  *easing off on the holding him down now, watching to see if he tries to bolt*

Perceptor: *still giving her a o_o look*

Kia:  *sits up and then walks over to a table, where she lights the lamp*  Do you want to eat?

Perceptor: *blink* Er... Yes... that would be nice...

Kia:  Meat?  *pouring something into a mug and coming back with it*

Perceptor: Yes, please... *moving to sit up*

Kia:  *gives him the mug of cool buttermilk*  I will get you some.  You can get up, if you need to.  But you must come back, please.

Perceptor: *nods as he accepts the mug*

Kia:  *smiles at him, and then slips into her outer garments, pulls her hood up, and leaves the cellar*

Moonbeam:  *slips in from some other entry a few moments later, pipping and sniffing around on the floor*

Perceptor: *is up and looking at the titles of the books Kia has, curiously musing to himself*

books:  *seem to be mostly written in a script composed of stylized birds, leaves, and other things from nature.  But he'll also find a set of chapbooks made from thick barkcloth and sewn together at the spine with a neat and precise hand*

Moonbeam:  *kisses his feet and moves on to check for things under the bed*

Perceptor: *Carefully examining the different books, musing about the ones written in a script that he's not familiar with, and drinking from the mug* *pauses when he comes to the chapbooks*

Moonbeam:  *comes back and stands by him, whiskers twitching*

Perceptor: *Setting the mug down where it won't get knocked over on accident, carefully getting one of the chapbooks out to examine it a bit closer*

chapbook:  *is written in precise mountain script, and details the life habits of the Greenwig Stump Hag*

Perceptor: *Curious, continues reading*

Moonbeam:  *gets up into the book box and pushes another chapbook out as he sniffs around*

Perceptor: *curious sound as he reaches for that chapbook*

fallen chapbook:  *about efreet*

Perceptor: *headtilt, opens the book and begins reading*

chapbook:  *describing in detail the habits of the efreet that live on the Ocean Islands, and also telling the one plant they cannot stand*

Perceptor: *continues to read as he reaches for the mug he set aside earlier*

Moonbeam:  *leans out, little front paws flailing, and then beetles along his arm and up to his shoulder*

Perceptor: *Blink blink*

Moonbeam:  *settles down and 'reads' with him, making soft little sounds*

Perceptor: *moves to sit on the edge of the bed and continue reading*

Kia:  *is a sound at the open hatch, and then she's leaping down to land in a crouch, her eyes going toward the bed and her face lighting in a smile as she sees that he's still there*

Perceptor: *has tuned out his surroundings, is reading*

Kia:  *relieved that she didn't startle him, and amused at his focus.  Walks over to the table and quickly prepares several fat sandwiches of roast drake and brown bread from the joint and loaf she absconded with, then makes sure that none of them are leaking before stacking them up and bringing them over to the bed*  Perceptor?

Perceptor: *doesn't seem to notice Kia, is that engrossed in reading*

Moonbeam:  *whiskers twitch as he smells the food, lifts his head and gently kisses Perceptor on the cheek to ask if he will share with him*

Perceptor: *blink blink, looks up from reading* ?

Kia:  *soft chuckle as she offers the stack of sandwiches*

Perceptor: *Sheepish grin as he thanks Kia for the food, will offer Moonbeam a bit of the food as well*

Moonbeam:  *noms politely.  He's full of rat at the moment, but he loves to share with his family*

Kia:  What were you reading?  *pulls over her chair and sits near him, then stifles a yawn on her sleeve*

Perceptor: Well, initially, I was reading about the life habits of the Greenwig Stump Hag... Though this book regarding the Efreet of the Islands is most intriguing.

Kia:  *blink blink, looks at it.  And then her cheeks are turning pink*  Oh.  ...You think so?

Perceptor: *nods, pointing out information that he had previously been unfamiliar with, sandwich forgotten for now*

Kia:  *nodding her head, then*  Yes, that point does seem unbelievable.  But I wrote only what I saw, and I have seen it more than once.

Perceptor: *blink blink* Miss, you wrote this book? *And now he's even more curious*

Kia:  *looking down, her cheeks once more colouring*  Yes.  I did.

Perceptor: It is a very well-written book, Miss...

Kia:  Thank you.  I....  *am slightly flustered*

Perceptor: *Acks softly and apologizes for upsetting her*

Kia:  *shakes her head*  Forgive me, Perceptor.  I am not upset.  I only had never thought that anyone would read those pamphlets.  But if they can be of help, then I am glad.

Moonbeam:  *cleaning his whiskers.  Clean clean clean*

Perceptor: I believe it would be quite the useful tool to those adventuring in the Bravaki Wastelands....

Kia:  But the efreet it addresses are from a very different habitat.  *looks up quizzically*

Perceptor: *considering* Perhaps more research should be done....

Kia:  *frowns slightly and pulls her knees to her chest*  It should.  But there is no one willing to spend time studying the creatures, and I fear that I myself would not last long in the Wastelands.

Perceptor: Hmm.... Perhaps a War Master or a Cavalier would be willing to lend their assistance..... *and then he's off on a tangent, sandwich long forgotten*

Kia:  *leans over, takes his sandwich, and gently lifts it and his hand toward his mouth*  *yes, Perceptor, you are being mothered*

Perceptor: *Blinks, sheepish expression, begins to eat*

Kia:  *approving smile*  *softly*  I think that you had better wait to try and find someone to study efreet until you have had enough sleep.  *concern shows*  And recovered.

Perceptor: *Blink* Recovered?

Kia:  *quietly*  Your dreams were restless as you slept.

Perceptor: *Quietly* My apologies if I disturbed your rest....

Kia:  *stern look*  That is not my concern.

Perceptor: *confused look*

Kia:  *shakes her head at him*  Please eat your fill so that you can rest again.  *reaching with her free hand to take the chapbook away from him*

Perceptor: *more sheepish, resumes eating*

Kia:  *tucks the book under her bottom and then begins to eat herself, her bites dainty and careful as her pale eyes take on a thoughtful and musing look*

Moonbeam:  *does Perceptor need his face washed?  Well it's going to be washed!*

Perceptor: *Soft ack, tries to gently discourage Moonbeam from facewashings*

Kia:  *clucks to the ferret, and then laughs softly as he hops down onto the bed and then to the floor to look for the chicken*

Perceptor: *bemused look, continues to eat, taking small, neat bites and chewing each bite thoroughly*

Kia:  *eats much the same way, but is soon finished and offering him the last sandwich*

Moonbeam:  *has vanished through one of his drain holes.  Is going to find chickens!*

Perceptor: *quiet as he thanks Kia for the sandwich*

Kia:  *smiles at him and then moves to store away the rest of the meat and bread.  She's not used to eating meat often, and the nicely cooked acid drake has her eyelids blinking sleepily*  You are welcome.  If you need another, let me know.

Perceptor: *is a bit blinky-eyed himself*

Kia:  *finishes with the meat and bread storage, then walks over to her three tiny crates of books and takes out a large one whose cover is carefully covered in dried banana leaves.  Opens it up and flips to a certain place, then bows her head and squints just a little as she reads*

Perceptor: *giving himself a small shake when he realizes he's falling asleep again*

Kia:  *looks up at the movement, the book closing in her hands*  Are you ready to sleep again?

Perceptor: *sheepishly* I believe so...

Kia:  *softly, as she smiles and rubs one eye*  Good.  

Perceptor: *Confused sound*

Kia:  *sets the book down and comes over to lean against him tiredly but with humor*  I have not yet had my full quota of unconscious moments.

Perceptor: *Going to gently fuss over you now, Kia*

Kia:  *soft laugh and then a very gentle push toward his side of the bed*

Perceptor: *goes and moves to lay down again*

Kia:  *slipping out of her outer clothes once more, and then pulling up the blankets and snuggling close, her small cold feet tucked against each other as she shivers slightly and waits for their body heat to fill the space*

Perceptor: *blinking a bit and still trying to fight sleep, though it's a losing battle*

Kia:  *warm now, starts to hum softly, her eyes closed and her mind already starting to sort through dreams*

Perceptor: *going a bit limp as he succumbs to sleep*

Kia:  *sighs, snuggles, and has happy dreams of a home far away*


Back in the common room a couple hours later


Ironhide:  *ignoring the gleeful, noisy activity around her.  Is strangely silent as she sits and holds the sleeping Kriti and gazes at nothing*

Old Lumen: *has noticed this, is coming over with a new skin blanket that he got from one of his kills, intends to wrap it around Kriti and Ironhide*

Ironhide:  *blinks, and then smiles at him*  Ah'm claimin' 'er, Lu.  She needs all th' family she kin git.

Old Lumen: Claiming her as your own daughter?

Ironhide:  *nods*  'N invahtin' 'er t' sleep out in th' loft.

Old Lumen: *Seriousness on his face as he nods* With all the times we've found her up there with us... *quiet chuckle* Does she know yet?

Ironhide:  *slight head shake, then gently rubs Kriti's back*

Kriti: *Soft murmur of sound, snuggles closer to Ironhide without waking*

Old Lumen: *slight frown* How much, and what, did she have to drink?

Ironhide:  Mug'a mead, 'n mah stein'a cider.  *lips pressing together*

Old Lumen: *Frowning more* Slag... Those nightmares of hers must've been pretty bad then...

Ironhide:  Yeah....  *frown and wrap the blanket a little more firmly around the slender teen in her arms*

Old Lumen: *quietly, leaning to whisper to Ironhide* I found out from some of the gypsies that Kriti's blood parents... passed on shortly before she arrived here....

Ironhide:  *just as quietly*  Ah know.  Ah've heard 'er talk 'bout it in 'er sleep.  

Old Lumen: *reaches to gently smooth the teen's hair* We'll need witnesses to be sure it's legal... But I don't think we'll have a hard time with that part...

Ironhide:  Gotta make sure she's alrahght wit' 't.  *sigh*  She's jes' 'ad 'Jill 'n Wake f'r a long tahm.

Old Lumen: *nods, reaching to gently pat Ironhide's arm* Maybe we should go and get some rest, and get started on this in the morning.

Ironhide:  *looks up*  It ain't th't late....

Old Lumen: I know... but Kriti's already asleep... *and he wants to snuggle*

Ironhide:  *sees that look in his eyes and chuckles, the adjusts how she's holding Kriti so she can get up*  W're gonna have a tahm gittin' 'er up th' ladder.

Old Lumen: *Quiet chuckle* We'll figure something out.

Ironhide:  *grins and heads for the stable door, feeling the soft movements of the egg inside her tunic as she goes*

((co-written with random_xtras))