It's Christmas!

[alderwood]

Characters: Baby turtles and you!
Date: December 25/26/27!
Location: All over Keeliai!
Situation: The baby turtles are hatching, and Christmas spirit comes with them!
Warnings/Rating: Please include warnings in comment subject lines, otherwise have at!

OOC Announcement

Comments

[demon_brat]

Usually, that would have resulted in a retort. Maybe 'shows how little you know' or 'I'm always right, why would being right again be out of character?' - but, with Taraja there, deep inside his mind, the initial reactions which he usually just brushes past got broadcast, instead. The dull pain, the nearly resigned disappointment in the spirit. Just for an instant, before Damian caught himself and carefully boxed them away, then reassured the hatchling that he was okay; he didn't get to formulating an actual response to Jack's words at all. Nothing was wrong. The renewed love and care in his direction made him relax almost despite himself. And, while what he had to send back was much less, it was nonetheless real.

In moments, she was returning to munching on her greens again, yes, she was looking forward to playing in the snow with the new person, very much indeed.

"Of course," was all Damian said.

Then he got up, bringing out cookies - one of them broken in smaller pieces for Baby Tooth's convenience - and water from the kitchen.

[wintershepherd]

Jack moved back to let Taraja return to eating but moved down her side, running his hands over the complicated texture of her shell, sending an unfeigned and steady stream of exploratory delight and wonder. Unconsciously he began to hum under his breath as he went.

Baby Tooth chirped softly, looking at Damian. When she had his attention she motioned and between that and her expressive face, she definitely conveyed it's all right to him.

[demon_brat]

Taraja was content, and happy, and excited. That was good, and Damian looked at Baby Tooth immediately when she called to him. After a moment, his lips curved up in a small smile.

"Thank you."

Quietly. And he held out his hand, in case the fairy wanted to come there. Unlike the more negative emotions, he wasn't walling off the gratitude, even if it was milder.

"It is, yes."

At least it didn't change anything, and that was the same thing, right?

[wintershepherd]

Baby Tooth's wings fluttered uncertainly at the extended hand, her gaze going between Damian and where Jack was affectionately rubbing Taraja's shell. Then her hands spread a little, it's complicated and her amethyst eyes dropped, staying where she was on the back of the chair.

Meanwhile the infant turtle had finished her meal of greens and moved right onto blues. Jack laughed as he gently, gently disengaged the sleeve of his sweater from Taraja's mouth. "Whoops," he said brightly, though there was only a tiny bit of correction in his tone and echoed in his mind. "Blue but not blueberry, I'm afraid. Clothes -- the things people wear -- they're not food even if they're soft," he smiled. "'Kay?"

[demon_brat]

Damian nodded at Baby Tooth's decision. There was a reason why he'd merely offered a hand, rather than attempting to pick her up or anything of the sort. He merely motioned at the cookies, and then folded his hand back in his lap.

He had questions he could ask, of course. He always did. But, instead, he chose not to aggravate anyone, instead working on keeping up his emotional balance and... sort of resting, observing the play, not interfering or making anything worse. Taraja would always get what he could give her, everything that he could give her. His own peace and well-being seemed to be one of those things, so he would try.

"If you think I should bring her more food for her, let me know. Even if you are outside - she can reach me at any time, if you tell her."

His words were quiet, just letting Jack know. Including that the Spirit had the freedom to do with the baby what he saw fit.

[wintershepherd]

"Okay," Jack said agreeably to Damian's offer regarding food and contacting him. "She definitely wants to get out of the house though. Maybe we can work up a bigger appetite, huh?" The last part was directed back at the young turtle who radiated happiness and approval into the minds of everyone present and Jack was happy to bounce it back.

Then there was a flash image of one of her siblings sliding around on some ice and an eager barrage of thoughts wanting to mimic, making the spirit laughed delightedly.

"I can make you all the ice you could ever slide on, zusje."

[demon_brat]

Damian caught that image, and the enthusiasm, and he was smiling without even being aware of. The brightness still colored his voice when he called after them for one last thing, his tone soft.

"Frost... be careful, out there. All of them are in danger."

The last word was added without hesitation or doubt, or the usual condescending tone. He meant it, completely.

"Please."

[wintershepherd]

Jack glances over at Damian, noting the smile on the younger one's face that's nothing like the expressions he normally wears, thinks for about a millisecond about commenting on it before wisely deciding not to. Instead he holds Damian's gaze evenly and nods once, conveying that he knew it was not an idle warning and that Jack understood the weight of the caution.

"I will."

Then he rubbed Taraja under the neck again, taking a few steps towards the door so she could see that they were ready to go and having a very excited turtle trundling right after him.

Wrap? Or keep going?

[demon_brat]

"Thank you."

The same intensity that usually went to threats, or firmness of statement, or what have you? It was now filling up the simple words. Between the job to protect, especially children, and the way he cared about the creature that so much might depend upon?

There were no hidden thoughts or conditions to the gratitude. Simply something that came as close as Damian ever got to hope.

[wintershepherd]

((If Damian's staying behind, we can just wrap and handwave. If he's coming along with, we can keep threading!))

[demon_brat]

((Sob, staying behind. He'll probably 'hear' all about it later, too. Have fun and a good break with 0 judgment at all, Jack!))