Nobody Loves Me [Nat]

[Nako]

There it was... belief. A shocking realization that everything Xolani said was true.
"Papa!" She breathed out whispily, curling up into his strong arms. It had all become so very real. She'd found him.. or at least he'd found her! He'd seen her and talked to her of all people on the street! It was fate from the very moment she was born, or so Xolani at least thought.

The people who walked by no doubt found this a touching scene... a father with his children. Nothing out of the ordinary save for a rare region on their pelts. But.. there were stranger things in the Capital to stare about.

Charlie's head tilted slightly at the mention of his name, looking up at the man with his dark, beady eyes. The prey animal in him still caused his heart to flutter around this human... but Xolani was so happy.. Happier than he'd seen her since they'd lived in the Court of hearts.

At the mention of her siblings, Xolani's face immediately fell. If only they'd been like her.. to have someone to grow up alongside on equal standing with her mother. But.. that had not been the case. "No... They're from a different litter and younger than I am. They're only half siblings."

But that crestfallen expression could only last so long. There was -more- family?? How many, she wondered?"Yes, yes! I would love to!" Her tail flicked to and fro so eagerly that the thing fanned right over the young baby's head. She squeaked. "Oh no, baybeee.." She reached out, perhaps to find one of those ticklish spots that Davy and Uluani had as a baby. "I'm a -good- babysitter. I can hold em and feed em with a bottle, and I'm real gentle. I'm sorry little baby, I've got a crazy tail sometimes."

Perhaps she'd get to babysit! Perhaps... she'd secret away for days whenever they visited the Capital to meet her papa. Her mama would never know.

She could never know.

((I hope my posts are making sense right now XD Not sure when I'm more wonky, with or without meds.))

[Nathalia]

When the girl actually curled up in his arms, Finistris knew that any arguments that could have been made, were over.
Anything his mate could snarl would be rejected outright.
This girl, this beautiful little girl, was his.

"Xolani. Such a sweet girl, I'm sure you'll fit in just fine." He murmured, returning the hug tightly before releasing her. "Well, half siblings are better than none at all, right?" He said with a flashed grin, tucking his son's head back into the sling as he stood so as not to bump the tiny skull.
Her expression had fallen though...and the expression change had not gone unnoticed.
Why would the mention of siblings make her seem so despondent when she was so exuberant over the idea of family in general?

At her excited demeanor to the mention of meeting the rest of her family, he grinned, motioning her to fall into step behind him. "You seem so excited, don't they give you enough love at home?" He joked, watching as the Ace began to follow as well. "I see your mother's bought you an Ace, good pets, Aces. I've been considering getting one for Boston, he's one of your brothers, he needs a playmate who's ah...a bit more advanced than his siblings. He's very bright."

He nodded to her statement.
"A good babysitter is always appreciated, I'm sure you're excellent." And she certainly sounded more enthused than poor Morpheus. He couldn't blame the boy, he supposed. The new baby marvel tended to wear off more quickly when they weren't your own, he'd been told. "You have five other siblings, and another father, should you take to him, my mate, Osias. There's Morpheus, he's the oldest, he's a good deal older than you, but he's quite the gentleman, I'm sure you'll like him. Boston and Malachite, they're twins; Sarahi, she's my only other daughter; and this little love right here." He gestured to the sling containing the squeaking baby Rat as he finished the sentence.

He hoped she wouldn't take fright to anything...this little girl was a treasure he could never have imagined.

[Nako]

Obviously her papa would not be able to understand the troubles she had at home, and she didn't really care to relay them to him, either. This was a happy time, not a time to think of loneliness and exclusion. She gave a soft laugh at his joke, shrugging her bone wings and allowing herself a grin. That didn't matter right now. She was about to meet family that appreciated her for what she was, and didn't hate her because of the pain she'd obviously caused with her birth.

"Charlie is one of my best friends." Xolani affirmed eagerly "I get scared when I'm alone so he's been there for me since before I can remember. He's always been very loyal." Her little feet pat an eager little rhythm behind the man, Charlie hardly a half-beat behind her.

"I want to meet them all! And another papa?" Xolani churred eagerly, absolutely mystified. There was just -no- way this day could go wrong! The young Hisstor would follow him absolutely anywhere he led, regardless of how things began to look around them. The darkness and the loud noises meant -nothing- to her, at least in that moment. Her papa would never lead her where she would be harmed.

There were so many questions that she could ask him, but she knew that it was not necessarily good manners to ask them in public. They could certainly wait until they were in a private place where such matters could be discussed.

[Nathalia]

Her little grin and the tiny clack of her wing bones was enough to lighten his mood further.
This was special.
This was not something that happened to ordinary people.

He had two daughters, and from what he had seen of the world, he had the two most beautiful daughters ever to be.
He turned the corner and nodded at her talk.
"A friend is a beautiful thing to have. My Osias, he's my mate, began as a friend and became so much more. Friends are wonderful things to have, remember to treat them well so that they don't run off, I've seen some make that mistake. My twin brother, for one."

He shrugged off a small frown at the thought and turned to glance at the Chicken.
"He seems the good sort to me, tell me, what's his favorite food? I have to pick up some steak for my dear Rat, but I'd be perfectly happy to gather something more to your tastes."

He couldn't help but chuckle a little at her excitement.
"Yes, you do. His name is Osias, he's a bit prickly, but he does like Hisstors, he'll probably get along quite well with you, my dear."

He pulled up along the butchers and opened the door, glancing at the produce off to the side.
"Why don't you pick out something nice for yourself and Charlie while I pick up the steak?" He murmured, eying the shopkeep and nodding when she pointed to a thin sirloin.

This would be quite the night.

[Nako]

How simarly the two of them looked at the world! It was like the affirmation she'd always looked for in her mother but could never find. Perhaps a home truly was broken without two parents. And a twin brother? Her interest was piqued immediately. But.. his twin brother had made a mistake with his friends. That sounded quite sensitive. She made a sympathetic noise in her throat and abstained from any questions on the matter... for now.

"You hear that, Charlie? Papa wants to know what food you like. Isn't that nice?" Xolani called cheerfully over her shoulder at the curious fowl.

"He'll eat most things, but he likes corn for sure, but he'll eat most anything. Mama said he was raised in a chicken coop as a baby, so he thinks he's really a chicken!" Xolani sniffed at the air, raising up on her haunches to see through the glass at the meats on the other side. "I like hamburgers, and hotdogs! Why do they call em' hamburgers, papa, iffen they don't have any ham in em?"

However long it took to pick the foods out, Xolani all but hopped up and down as the tall, blue-haired man paid for what would be their meal. Would mama care? Would she even notice she'd gone? Xolani had snuck out a few times just to see what would happen. Her mother was rarely as angry as Xolani had expected her to be.

Or wanted her to be, for that matter. Perhaps it'd scare mama into loving her more if she stayed away for a while? All the screaming, and even some of the hitting that might come from such a stunt would be worth the fierce hugs of joy at finding her daughter alive.

[Nathalia]

Listening to her talk to the Ace was endearing.
Perhaps dear Boston deserved a pet Ace? One that could talk, preferably, so that he'd have someone to chat with that wasn't his mother or his babbling siblings.

Yes...that was probably a good idea, wasn't it? He'd have to mention it to his Rat later.
"Corn we can do, why don't you pick out a few good ears while I negotiate with this good man here?"

He watched her prance away, motioning to the butcher for some ground beef.
Hamburgers were a splendid idea, they be great for the little ones, and he, his mate, and Morpheus could have steak.
Hmmm...cheese too, he gestured to some cheddar, enjoying the look on the butchers face as he slowly became more and more uncomfortable with the odd Human who would not speak to him.

Finistris glanced over at the called question.
"You know, I haven't the faintest idea. Perhaps they were created by someone with "ham" in their name?"

He grinned, paid for the food, and grabbed up the parcels, making sure that his son was tucked safely against his side, and that his daughter was right at his heels.

He chatted the girl up as they walked, asking her about her home, siblings, what she liked as far as colors and toys went, what her favorite foods were and so on.
She was a delight, a true delight.
He already couldn't imagine never having met her...in some way, he would have to find a way to thank her mother someday.

The alleys they took became darker and sketchier as they made their way toward his son's house.

"Nearly there, Xolani, please stay close...the neighborhood's not as wonderful as it could be." He murmured, keeping himself on edge in case anyone thought it would be funny to pick out a father and family as an easy tag.
Most around the area knew about himself and his Osias, and stayed away...but some would be new...and others would be stupid.

Still, nothing out of the ordinary occurred as they made their way up to the old building with the rather dented looking door.
"Come on in, dear. Welcome home."
Finistris murmured, unlocking and pushing open the door.

[Nako]

Xolani had never thought of that. What sort of name would that have been though... Mr. Hammington? Perhaps it was a woman, but Xolani could hardly think of having a last name that ended with 'ham'.

Her ears though, flattened slightly when he mentioned the state of the neighborhood. Even the profound sense of safety usually felt around family wavered as she looked over her shoulder. She'd be careful to stay right at his heel. After all, he wouldn't have mentioned it otherwise had he not had a reason, right? She flinched a few times at the random sounds of animals scurrying alongside the wall, or the flash of light from some spell or candle in another alleyway. It was with great relief on the little girl's part that they finally made it to their destination.

The door had... dents in it. Perhaps something had been trying to get in? Her hair stood on end as she thought the worst. Of course, it could be possible that the house was just in ill repair, right? Or perhaps the carpenter who'd made it wasn't very good. These thoughts quickly disappeared from her mind when the door actually opened, Tail flicking side to side in excitement, she stuck her head in the doorway. Squirrel ears twisted this way and that, listening closely to sounds as she edged her way inside.... well, until Charlie crowded behind her and pushed her in.

Charlie was not the brightest bulb in Corvistowne for sure, but even an idiot could get a bad vibe out of the shady alleyways and streets that brought them here. Once the door was open, Xolani's hesitation would not be abided; after all, he wanted to come in and be safe from the elements just as much as she did! With a few worried clucks he hurried the little girl in.

"Easy, Charlie!" The girl giggled, patting the tops of his feathers as he passed by her to hide under a chair.

[Kitty]

He'd been resting again, only this time instead of being cold ... he was hot. There wasn't anythign more uncomfortable to him then being overly warm and in his opinion these random bouts of fever should be damned to the deepest pits of the marshlands. His coat sat in a rumpled heap on the floor and he was presently stretched out on one of the counter-tops ... well, almost. Old, paranoid habits died hard and he had one leg bent... he never went anywhere without being armed. Reputation or not, he didn't want to take any chances.

At first he dismissed the opening of the door, it certainly sounded like the manner in which Finistris unlocked the door .... Mo had one to, there was slight differences, and he wasn't worried. Until the chicken caused a ruckus he wasn't expecting, had he just gotten far too comfortable as of late?

He tensed up, pulled the short blade from hiding spot in his boot and rose to a sitting position, fully ready to attempt and get whatever had come in. He couldn't see a thing as his eyes had crusted together as they often did, but his hearing was better anyhow.

And what the hell do you want?

Probably the most noticeable thing about him besides his ill temper was the lack of any suit or, rather, the scar that had replaced his suit.

[Nako]

Now.. -that- was a frightening sight. For a long moment, Xolani merely stared up at the human, eyes widening as her brain took in just what she was seeing. Too scared to move, the tiny Hisstor couldn't be roused to talk until she heard the quiet noises of movement behind her that was her father. It jolted her to action, clearing her throat before outstretching her hand to the man who was several steps away. "Hello sir; m... my name is Xolani."

Her eyes drifted toward his chest. There was a horrible scar there, no rank at all. What sort of horrible accident had he been in? Nervously, a paw reached up to brush her blue locks away from her face.

At the sight of a knife being drawn, Charlie further withdrew under the furniture. Sharp, shiny things rarely meant anything good; usually for him. And then... his little Master extended her hand toward the insane looking man! He made a worried noise, swaying back and forth.

[Nathalia]

Finistris pulled his lanky frame into the room behind Xolani more quickly; the trash cans on the porch could wait, he hadn't expected his Rat to be awake.

"Relax, Osias; this is Xolani, she's my daughter."
The tall Hisstor rested his hands on the Squirrel's shoulders as he spoke, his sentence carrying no tones of threat or caution; simply a statement and trust.
Patting his daughter gently on the back, he stepped around her and pecked the Rat on the cheek, pulling their burbling son from his sling pouch as he did so.
If nothing else, the gesture of his favorite little son being waved in his face would make that knife vanish as though it had never existed.
"Bones missed you today, love. Come on into the kitchen, Xolani and I will explain while I start dinner. Can you show her the bathroom, Osias? I'll find Boston, and he can help me with the pasta and cheese that the children like."

Cherrily, he placed Bones on the couch as he passed through into the kitchen, unloading the groceries and setting everything out on the counter before shucking his jacket and tying on a worn apron.
"Boston?" He called into the adjacent living room. "Can you give me a hand in here? Your sister can go in the playpen for now, or you can bring her if you like."

Digging through the drawers for a knife, he soon located a good one and began dicing the beef and some vegetables.
As soon as Xolani and Osias reappeared he gave them a grin.
"Ah, good. Xolani, could you hand me the corn? I'll get it going, thanks. Boston? The scarps need to be removed and I'll need that pot half filled with water. Osias? No, no have a seat, dear. Remember that Midori Squirrel I told you about a good while ago? Well, this is my daughter, Xolani, in case you didn't pick it up, it's quite a nice name. She stumbled across me in the Bazaar as I was getting groceries and was feeling...underappreciated. SO, I told her she could come and visit the rest of her family to cheer her up! She's gotten along quite well with Bones so far, but you know him, he loves everyone.

He paused to allow the girl a chance to add anything to the story, before reassuring the Rat.

"The Chicken is her Ace, Charlie, he can't talk, and when I found her she was completely alone, Osias. Isn't that sad?"
He gave his mate a pitiable face before returning to the pot he'd been setting up and dumping the meat and vegetables in. Sliding to the fridge, he began to search for some milk to thicken the sauce. He bent to nuzzle the Rat, and murmured.
"We weren't followed, and I made sure to get her lost, don't worry. No one will find us. If she must leave, I'll take her out the long way, no fear."

Giving the room at large bright smiles, he returned to cooking, helping Boston add cheese to the noodles.
"Thank you, son. Any idea where your big brother is?"