Because none of my other muses seem to be cooperating...

[shadedlight]

[It's not too often that new arrivals come in pairs, is it? Well, whoever's out and about today will probably notice the silver-haired young man that's appeared pretty much out of thin air near the apartments. Or maybe the small child that appeared with him, clutching his hand, also silver-haired with bright green eyes.

The young man looks concerned, frowning at the scenery like it's personally offended him somehow, absently tightening his hold on the child, who makes an irritated noise and tries to pry his fingers apart. "Ow! You're squishing my hand!"]

What just happened...?

Comments

[shadedlight]

No one in particular. I'd rather not run into my younger self if he's around, though.

[He glances at Aden, raising an eyebrow. Is there a meaning to those screeches?]

What's up with Aden?

[dawningcoast]

Pretty much inevitable these days, but you might have more luck than I did. Uh, he's being social.

[She reaches into her jean pockets and pulls out two pieces of candy, which she hands over to Aden. He abandons the bloodied bag for now and wanders over to the other two, holding one piece out for the other kid. The screeches? Those are perfectly normal.]

[shadedlight]

Maybe I will. I'm used to him talking more.

[Or screeching less, at least. Riku's kid accepts the offer of candy, looking from Aden to the candy in his hand, then unwrapping it slowly.]

Kaj, what do you say? [The kid, about to put the candy in his mouth, looks up at the girl Riku and mutters a quick 'thanks'.]

[dawningcoast]

[Riku gives him a smile, and Aden beams delightedly. It looks kind of wicked and perhaps a little deformed, eerie, like his grin is too large for his face.]

He doesn't like talking around strangers. I don't know why. He's definitely not shy.

[shadedlight]

[Kaj finishes the candy, and smiles back, though he doesn't seem to like Aden's grin, because he reaches for Aden's face, attempting to cover the lower half of it with both hands. He may be a couple years older, but he still has tiny hands and it doesn't work very well.]

I didn't--haven't seen him very much when he was younger. Where I came from, he's almost a teenager.

[dawningcoast]

This place really screwed up its timelines.

[Aden stays where he is, head tilted slightly. He looks perplexed, then just leans forward and starts licking Kaj's hands.]

[shadedlight]

[Kaj yelps and tries to wipe his hands on Aden's face. Getitoffgetitoff.]

Because it can't keep everyone in the time they belong in?

[dawningcoast]

Sometimes I wonder if such a thing exists.

[Aden shrieks with laughter, not trying to move at all.]

[shadedlight]

Maybe, maybe not. Welcome to the DR, enjoy your stay but don't expect things to make sense.

[He glances down at Aden, making sure it's him and not his kid and that they're not fighting or anything.]

[dawningcoast]

Sounds accurate.

[He has a lovely, horrifying laugh. The kind you'd hear from demented, possessed toys.]

[shadedlight]

[And he hasn't driven Riku crazy yet how? Must be a mother thing.

"Shush, shush! Stoppit." Kaj has his hands on Aden's face again, trying to muffle his laugh-shrieks this time.]

I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.

[dawningcoast]

[Aden makes a disturbing sort of ghostly howl, and Riku rolls her eyes a little. But it's an amused, fond sort of way. She loves her baby.]

That sounds accurate, too.

[shadedlight]

This is one of those rare times I'd rather be wrong than right.

[He crouches down to separate the two boys, because while Aden is having fun, it's agitating Kaj, who just doesn't quite get what's going on or why the younger boy is making disturbing noises.]

[dawningcoast]

I don't blame you. Aden, come pick this up or it's going bye-bye.

[Aden squeals and immediately turns back to run to his mommy.]

[shadedlight]

Should I ask what he's got in that bag or am I better off not knowing?

[dawningcoast]

...consider it dog food.

[Aden's grabbing hold of it quite possessively, though.]

Dog food that he wants to play with.

[shadedlight]

...Got it.

[He totally doesn't believe that, not that it really matters. But he's not going to try to figure out what it is. Aden can keep his toy.

He distracts himself from Aden by looking towards the apartments.]

I should probably find a place for us to stay in case we're stuck here for a while.

[dawningcoast]

...you probably will be. I showed up here before he was even born.

[She shrugs. Also technically it is dog food.]

[shadedlight]

[In the sense that dogs would eat it if they had caught it while it was alive?]

So you've been here for about two or three years, right?

[dawningcoast]

[In the sense that Aden got a new pet today. But that too.]

Little over two. Today's his second birthday.

[shadedlight]

[He was close.]

I'll have to remember that. I'd give him a present if I had anything he'd like.

[Or actually anything period. He kinda didn't bring anything except for his son here with him.]

[dawningcoast]

Don't say that, he'll want organs. But we found him a puppy.

[She smiles. If it's a puppy for Aden, from his parents no less, it's definitely not of the normal variety.]

[shadedlight]

[That's sort of disturbing. Also, pretty tame gift considering...well, Aden.]

What's he think of that?

[dawningcoast]

He likes it. And the other heads, too.

[Still tame?]

[shadedlight]

Other...heads? Kaj, get over here, now.

[Wups, his son is trying to escape. Though he stops in his tracks and makes a face at Riku before obeying, dragging his feet. He wanted to go play in the river. :(]

[dawningcoast]

Three of them.

[She holds up the exact amount of fingers, smiling. Her eyes are on Kaj. Aw, children.]

[shadedlight]

[Riku secretly loves him. When he's not required to chase and catch him.]

...A three-headed dog?

[dawningcoast]

Mmhm.

[She nods.]

It suits him.

[shadedlight]

Where'd you get one of those? I only know of one, and that's Hades' pet.

[dawningcoast]

[She glances between the kids, then shrugs.]

I'll tell you later.