[FINI] A Gathering in the Park

[Shinigami]

Every single inch of Maxwell wanted to fling himself forward and gather the little trembling child into his forepaws and squish the ever-living stuffing out of him. Then he'd take him home, place him someplace warm and soft, and reassure him that nothing bad would ever happen to him, ever again, because it wouldn't - he'd make sure of it! Unfortunately, Maxwell also knew that he couldn't exactly make good on that promise all of the time, because you could never predict the world and the way things were going to go. It just didn't work that way, and he knew that more than most. It didn't stop him from wanting to wrap Tavor in cotton anyway.

Oh, the poor thing looked so scared. He really did. And the squeak tugged on his heartstrings all the harder, but it was that terrified little nod that finally broke him. Easing forward, he gathered the boy up against him as gently as he could, rubbing a reassuring cheek against the top of his head and purring like one of his own little mechanical toys when the motors were running. Tenderly he started grooming the child, because it was obvious that no one had ever done this for him properly.

"It's alright, little one. I won't hurt you, I promise. I'm one of those silly people who adores children, and it's obvious that you've had no one to love you and take care of you like you should be. So don't fret, little Tavor. Everything will be alright, for as long as I can make it that way," he said soothingly, as if he was pulling one of his children from a nightmare, soothing away the tears and the grief, and reassuring them that yes, the sun would rise again, and no, the monsters couldn't get them. Not ever, not while he was there.

Helen, on the other hand, ignored the byplay entirely to mince forward, one step at a time, gaze focused on Cecilia as she came closer and closer. It was a bit of a game of chicken, maybe, because she didn't stop until she was almost directly in her sister's face.

"Do you know," she whispered softly, "what depths you will sink to, for the chance to rise to the greatest of heights?" Creepy? Look in the dictionary. Helen's picture should be there.

[ooc: Maxwell couldn't stand it any longer. Tavor was quite sucessfully pushing every single one of his buttons.]

[Kitty]

He flicked his ear at the lick, turning his attention back to Xylia long enough to not realize the cat was coming toward him. He squeaked again when he was picked up and his body went completely rigid. In the process his fur bristled and the feathers on his tail fanned out, giving him a rather comical look.

Oh god... oh... this is when he'll... he'll eat me...

Tavor had been terrified of getting eaten ever since his encounter with those bloody equines, he'd never even thought of it before then, actually. And the cat had fangs and claws and... oh my he was utterly terrifying. But.... he didn't even nibble at him instead he was... purring? Odd... And then he was being cuddled and groomed and it was all so very reassuring and he couldn't help but relax his body, although the tremble didn't completely dissipate. He was fully at Maxwell's mercy now, but he didn't seem to want to hurt him. Actually, he seemed to want to hug, groom and cuddle him to death which was certainly new to the rat-eagle.

His words reassured him even more and that tremble died down into an every now and again type of involuntary action, like the stuttered breaths you got when you cried really hard. He didn't exactly trust the cat but... he was being kind and Tavor wasn't exactly the hardest youth to win over, his little bruised heart wanted so much to find the good in anyone.

He turned those pretty blue eyes of his up at Maxwell, regarding him as he spoke. The fear his body no longer expressed lingered within those pleasantly hued pools, but he didn't say anything. He probably wouldn't have been able to find and hold onto the right kinds of words anyhow. This was turning out to be a rather strange, but pleasant day indeed.

[Kiki]

Kitty, Shini and Vyn receive 2 tokens each, to be redeemed in Ashwin's Shoppe. This will automatically be added to your recorded totals in the shoppe. Congratulations, and keep up the good RP!

[Vyn]

Xylia made a small noise as Maxwell abruptly swept Tavor into his arms, aware of the boy shaking and quietly afraid of what he might think... Yet, he wasn't protesting with anything more than his little trembles and even those were starting to fade away. A sigh slowly escaped the doe and she sat back, watching Maxwell and Tavor.

It was adorable and she was beyond happy that Maxwell had taken so well to the child. He really needed someone to love him and teach him all the ins and outs of life. In fact, he probably also needed someone to teach him reading and writing. She'd mention that to her Mom when they got back to Corvistowne.


Cecilia flinched as her sister drew closer, wanting to move but also determined to stand her ground against the creepy child. GUH. How on was she related to this weirdo!?!

"What in the name of the suits is that supposed to mean? How am I supposed to sink in order to get somewhere high?"

The little Torque turned her head away, drawing back a few sullen steps. Something about Helen's words had been...just not right...and a sinking feeling had made itself a home in her gut.

[Shinigami]

See Maxwell. See Maxwell melt. Melt, Maxwell, melt.

Had the little mixed-breed child asked for the moon and the stars just then, he would have found himself holding the celestial bodies in the very next instant. It was probably a good thing that he didn't realize how quickly he'd gotten the feline wrapped around his finger, because he'd pinged off of every one of the cat's instincts. It would probably have taken an army of extremely determined soldiers with the best crowbar in the world hours to haul Tavor out of Maxwell's arms just then. That there were big, watery blue eyes being turned up to look at him, so trusting for one who had probably never known who exactly to trust, didn't help things in the least.

"Now, little one," he finally said. "I think Xylia said something about you staying with us? I'd love for you to come, and I'm sure that Ophelia will adore you too." And if she didn't, then he'd...he'd...well, he'd probably have to attempt to beat her upside the head with something suspiciously heavy until she regained some sense. Either that or else try the Diamond charm.

Her sister's retreat was watched with empty eyes, though Helen made no move to follow after the other deer. Slowly she tilted her head to the right, ears flopping over, and then spoke again.

"Before every mountain, there is a valley. But there is a valley after the mountain too. Have you seen the second valley just yet?" she asked, drawing the silence out just a little bit longer. Then she turned on one foot as best she was able, chains jingling around her legs, and approached her half-sister, nodding delicately to her. "What secrets have the flowers whispered to you today, Xylia?"

[Kitty]

He relaxed all of his muscles, effectively becoming something akin to a rag doll in the cat's grasp. He hadn't been devoured yet, and he saw no real reason to prolong his own internal torment without some implication that it was warranted, so he'd just fully give in. And, had he any idea that Maxwell was wrapped around his claw, well, it wouldn't have made much of a difference. Tavor wasn't exactly the type of card to ask for, or expect much, and he simply wouldn't ask for it. He was utterly low maintenance and if these three were any implication of how the rest of the family was he'd probably be able to effectively worm his way into the background and not warrant himself to much attention.

But, snuggled up and warm like he was, he was beginning to realize that he was so very tired, being afraid of absolutely everything was quite a tiring business. He tried hard to fight that yawn that was begging to escape and eventually lost the battle, adding a cute little squeak to the end before his mouth closed again. As much as he wanted to be frightened of him, Maxwell was extremely comforting, even if he was big and had fangs... .and claws....

[[ Mmmph, time skip to Ophelia intro.... maybe? O.o ]]

[Vyn]

Cecilia was so very thankful when Helen relented...whatever it was she was doing...and instead turned her weirdness upon Xylia instead. Cecilia let a shudder run down her spine and slid smoothly away from the group. Guh! Sister or not, Cecilia couldn't stand that little weirdo!

Xylia, on the other hand, took Helen's approach in stride. A small smile touched her muzzle and the doe briefly tilted her gaze onto Helen. "A great many, I think." Her bright eyes had fallen back on the exhausted Tavor, watching him sleep. If nothing else, they had shown her the loneliness that Tavor was experiencing and that was the best of the secrets she had learned today.

* * *
(Timeskip to Corvistowne and Ophelia~)

The carriage stopped just up the street from Ophelia's little home. Too small, in appearance, to contain the number of children that stuffed inside but which actually suited everyone just fine. Xylia, at very least, was happy there.

Severus had moved out long ago, which made more room, and Mephitisia preferred wandering the city to being at home. So, really, Tavor's addition wouldn't cause any trouble at all. Bounding up to the door, Xylia rung the bell to warn Ophelia of visitors (in case she was in the basement working) before opening the hoof-friendly door and bounding inside.

"Mom! We're home and we've brought a surprise!"

Cecilia sulked along inside, quiet and determined to avoid further acknowledgment from Helen. She would hurry to get out of the other doe's view as soon as possible.


Ophelia stepped into the room, Vilya on her shoulders as usual and the doe's expression twisted in confusion. A surprise? "What in the name of the Suits could you have brought home? I thought you were all just going to the park?"