(no subject)

[vance_prime]

It's funny how time flies, isn't it.

It seems like only yesterday that Hope and Eli were newborns, tiny little things you could fit in the crook of your arm. And yet, this weekend they turned seven months old. Seven months! Has it really been that long?

Well, they're certainly a lot bigger than they used to be. And more mobile. Which is why their parents just spent the better part of the day going over their living quarters to double-check that everything is babyproofed. It is, as far as they can tell, but the experience left Alyx with a burning desire to get the hell out of the house for a little while.

Thus, we find her sitting cross-legged on the floor near the fireplace, surrounded by a variety of stuffed animals and the two small children they belong to. Please don't trip over any of them.

[tinytag: Autor]

Comments

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

Tripping will not be happening. That would require the odd-eyed blue heeler to be willing to get anywhere close to the toys.

Dogmeat is hanging back several feet, eyeing them warily.

[vance_prime]

Some of them are pretty odd-looking. Like the brightly colored two-limbed dragons or the stylized fish-dog-lizard things.

Eli spots the dog, smiles, and flails his arm in what might be intended as a friendly wave.

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

Dogmeat's tail is wavering uncertainly; he pads forward a step or two, head lowered and ears pricked. The nearest dragon gets a cautious sniff.

"I don't think he's going to disturb them," says Ellen, who was looking for the beast and has only now caught up with him. "But I can take him away if you like."

[vance_prime]

"I think he'll be okay," says Alyx. "Just be warned, Eli likes to... explore faces. With his fingers."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

Ellen smiles, crouches down, and murmurs something reassuring to Dogmeat. To Eli she says, "It's okay. He just wants to smell. It's okay."

She's not going to interfere unless Eli looks like he's about to do something dangerous, or unless Dogmeat indicates that he's going to bolt or bark or bite. One hand on the collar ought to do it.

[vance_prime]

Eli crawls over to the dog, a look of rapt fascination on his face.

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

Dogmeat eyes the baby.

Sniiiiiiiiiiiiiffsnifsnifsnifsnif.

[herr_bookman]

Autor smiles at the rugrats from across the room. He's not used to smiling. It looks odd on him, and possibly off-putting. But it's genuine all the same.

[vance_prime]

Alyx doesn't notice. She's too busy trying to keep Hope from digging around in her shoulder bag.

Eli has noticed, however, and is staaaaaaring back at Autor.

[herr_bookman]

Hee, Autor thinks. He's an egotistical prick and he knows it, but when there's a baby, well...

He crinkles his fingers in a wave, but doesn't approach. One doesn't approach other people's children, but looking at them? Should be all right, he rationalizes. Until their mother looks his way, at least.

[vance_prime]

Eli waves back, tentatively.

[herr_bookman]

Attentive little thing, he thinks fondly.

Autor covers his face with his hands, and then swiftly uncovers it to reveal his grin. Peek-a-boo!

[vance_prime]

:D! goes Eli.

[fantasticfireferret]

Well, there's a firebender with a red scarf around his neck watching them with a nostalgic smile on his face.

He's nowhere near tripping over any of them, but.

[vance_prime]

"Blgh aaah gihblh?" inquires Eli.

"Da da da da dh," replies Hope, shaking her plush bobcat for emphasis.

(Their mother observes the 'conversation' with bemusement.)

[fantasticfireferret]

"What are their names?"

The abruptness of the question startles even Mako.

[vance_prime]

Alyx starts in surprise a little, but recovers quickly. "This is Eli--" she indicates the red-headed child-- "and the other one is Hope. They're both seven months old as of this weekend."

[fantasticfireferret]

Mako nods, leaning forward from his spot on the couch. "Twins, then?"

(No, Mako, they just happen to be the exact same age.)

[vance_prime]

"Mmm-hm."

The twins resume their nonsense conversation. Whatever they're talking about, they clearly have Very Strong Opinions on the matter.

[guppy_sandhu]

Coral runs over and picks up one of the stuffed toys.

"Coral, that's not yours honey." Guppy says, coming up behind her. "You sshould ask Alyx first."

[vance_prime]

Better yet, ask Hope. You know, the baby who just burst out crying because you took her favorite dragon plushie?

[guppy_sandhu]

Coral drops the plushie and puts her hands over her ears.

Guppy hands the dragon back.

"Here you go Hope."

[vance_prime]

Hope snatches the toy back and clutches it to her chest protectively.

Her dragon. Not yours.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Nobody shares with me." Coral complains.

"That's not true." Guppy says gently. "Fry shared decorating the tree. Even if we did have to divide it top and bottom."

[vance_prime]

"And your dad's right, you need to ask first," says Alyx. "Hi, Guppy. Hi, Coral."