tushanshu_logs | It's Christmas!

Heeeey!

[ Suddenly, Cassie is running back, casserole in hands, to get to her dad and help him up. She sets down the container on the ground, leaning in and holding out a hand for Scott to take, if he wants. ]

What happened?

[ She's not going to frown at the turtle baby - because baby - but she thinks it might be necessary to explain a few things to him. Like maybe that humans were a bit more fragile than shell-protected folk like the hatchling himself. ]

Just having some fun, sweetheart, don't worry about it.

[If it sounds like his voice is coming through slightly clenched teeth, that's probably because it is. One of the perils of old age is that bones and muscles and other assorted ligaments are nearly as sturdy as they were about twenty years ago, and Scott's pretty sure he's going to have a nicely-colored bruise on his tailbone when he wakes up tomorrow.

But he takes Cassie's proffered hand, pulling himself up and dusting off the snow that now covers his lower half.]

Did you bring something for him to eat?

[ As soon as he stops moving, he gets a hug. Just because. ]

I think we should reconsider the length of flight involved, when defining falling as 'fun.'

[ Lighter, though. He's okay, that's fine by her. ]

And, of course I did. Um.

[ Peeking around her shoulder to see what the hatchling is doing. And. Awww. He's sitting there, looking all. Practically guilty. ]

... oh, dear. Daddy? You wanna give it to him yourself?

[And she gets hugged right back, because as far as Scott's concerned he's already missed out on too many hugs and like hell is he going to miss out on any more.]

If you do that, you're gonna have to add things like parachutes to the mix. Some people consider free-falling from 30,000 feet fun.

[Not him, but the point is there.

At the question though, he turns his head to follow Cassie's gaze—and wilts a little when he sees that mournful gaze pinned on him.]

Yeah...yeah, I can do that. [Untangling himself from the hug, he grabs the bowl of food and offers it to the turtle, who brightens considerably and starts attacking it with vigor, emanating happiness in all directions.]

Hey Cass, is there anything else left in the fridge?

[ Cassie clears her throat, rubbing her neck a little. ]

Some people haven't been taught how to disable a helicopter without hurting the people inside... much.

[ Giant size gives you a very odd perspective on aircraft, let's put it that way. But her smile returns, watching Scott with the turtle. It's... good, to see them - and feel the happiness - like this. ]

Of course there us. But I think I'll be making kinda regular grocery trips in the near future, yeah?

[Her last comment gives him pause and he taps at his chin, thoughtful. Regular grocery runs are a great idea but Scott's always liked a little bit of spontaneity in his life.]

How 'bout we go out for lunch today? Make it a family thing; you, me, Cassie Jr. [Never mind that the turtle is clearly a boy and has a completely different name.] Just get out and enjoy the day a little bit.

[ Cassie kinda coughs in surprise at Cassie Jr. Really just. Chokes a little, and then throws her head up and laughs. That was. Completely unexpected, and, for some reason, just hilarious. Actually, many reasons, including that the turtle is a boy. Still! ]

Um. [ It takes her a bit of time before she can speak again, and, by that time, the turtle is nudging her a little, like checking that she's okay. Actually, checking that she's okay, by the mental curiosity that wraps around her with the touch. ]

I mean. Yeah! I'd love that!

[ Considering the size of the turtle, the regular grocery trips totally aren't excluded in addition to that, but it's definitely a start that Cassie's looking forward to. ]

[ (And, by 'regular', she means 'when we run out' - rather than scheduled. Spontaneity is a way of life, with her.) (Yeah, that's not changed.) ]

[What? It's a perfectly acceptable name, and honestly one he'll probably keep using until either Mike or Rory catch him using it and start berating him for it.

But her concession to have lunch outside today pleases him, and he smiles almost boyishly as he gives Cassie Jr. a pat on the head and then Cassie Prime a kiss on the cheek.]

Awesome. I'll even let you pick the place. What're you in the mood for?

[ And Cassie kisses his cheek right back, giggling. (Hey, if the turtle doesn't object to the name...) ]

[ Then she gives him a very innocent, wide-eyed look. ]

Why... I think I'd love some fish, today!

[ Because of all the variety that Keeliai offers, of course. Then she grins and Cassie Jr. ]

Would you like some fish?

Fish?

[How absolutely...turtle-y. Scott stares at Cassie for a moment, not sure whether she genuinely wants fish or if she's just saying it to make Raphael happy. If it's the latter, she's doing a good job; the turtle immediately perks up, eyes wide, and bumps Cassie gently in approval.

Scott, for his part, just shakes his head in defeat, though there's a smile on his face.]

If the both of you want fish, then who am I to say no? Fish it is then, though none of that raw stuff. Only cooked fish.

[ Actually, Cassie was trying to make it easier for Scott. Because she knows he'll try to get her what she wants, and, since she doesn't have anything she's really craving for, she goes for the easiest option. ]

[ The turtle's enthusiasm takes her a bit by surprise, but she laughs, and hugs his head, petting a little. ]

Cooked fish! With mashed potatoes-like veggies! Or something else, if you want!

[ Then she turns the blue eyes at the turtle. ]

May I ride? At least a bit of the way?

[ It's not that she doesn't like walking, not it at all. It's just that there's something really, really nice about the way he moves. Almost like floating, a little. (Maybe it's just her imagination, but she's allowed that, right?) ]

[The turtle, of course, doesn't dream of saying no; he chirps happily and slowly moves forward until he's in a prime position for Cassie to hop up on his back and ride. Anything for his favorite older sister.

Scott, for his part, just laughs.]

Just don't make a habit of it, alright? We don't need you turning into a roly-poly just because you've got your own personal taxi service. [That said:] Need a hand up?

[ Cassie laughs as she scrambles up the shell, because the idea is just ludicrous. She gets her exercise, all right? It's just... like nothing else, being in touch with the turtle all the time, and knowing she can trust him in a way she really hasn't thought of trusting her motions to another being. Yes, she's ridden on the shoulder of fliers, knowing that if they dropped her, she might be in trouble. This was just... different. Or maybe the baby turtle was different. ]

No, sir! [ She grins at her dad. ] But I'd like a hand down, later!

[ Because coming down is always trickier than climbing up, right? Especially when there's snow and ice involved. ]

You need anything?

[ She sprawled on the turtle's back, making herself comfortable and just a little smaller, to make it easier for him. Not enough for most people to notice, but. ]

[He looks up, shading his eyes a little against the midday sun. If she weren't on the back of a giant turtle, bundled up in winter clothing, Scott would swear he was looking at some princess shrouded in sunlight and headed off to war. As it is, she is on a turtle, but maybe it's just some twisted version of one of those fairy tale stories he used to read to her all the time when she was younger.

'On the back of a turtle' does have a nice ring to it anyway.]

I need something that'll magically turn me back into a 20 year old again, but since I don't think they've got any of that here, whatever passes for a burger here will do.

[As if on cue, his stomach gives a nice loud rumble. Good to know some things still haven't changed.]

But let's go then. I'll even be nice and let you two lead the way.

[ Cassie wrinkles her nose, even if her tone is light. ]

Yeah, but twenty years younger means you wouldn't know me. And that is a state of things that I have objections to.

That way!

[ Obediently, and with amusement at his 'daddy,' the turtle starts moving in the direction she pointed. ]

Once we reach the intersection, it'll be a matter of simply following our noses, anyway!

It's Christmas!

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