We're A Happy Family

[Vyn]

Imre made a happy noise deep in his throat at the kiss he received and his tail wagged cheerfully as he returned to his cooking. Rosemary being here made the world a grand place, a grand place indeed (and she would see this so enthusiastically written across her pelt, though Imre wasn't paying attention to that just then -- in fact his mind had wandered off to all the necessary little preparations of cooking and a variety of other uninteresting things). Meanwhile, however, he kept an ear on the interactions of his little family as they received their gifts.

They were a wonderful family.


Vergel watched his mother intently, his single eye bright and curious as she withdrew her items. He wanted to see the book that was Just For Father and he was, secretly, a little envious of sister's toy but a book was always perfect for him. Vergel's existence was painfully limited and absorbing knowledge was one of the few things that he was just plain good at.

I do! Had she brought him an Esterberry book??? Vergel really, really hoped so! Esterberries had such beautiful writing techniques and they were always so in depth in their studies. So particular. That's where you met the 'pretty' man with the weird Suits, right? Vergel didn't really need to verify, he knew he was right. He never forgot anything.

[Kari Muffin]

Rosemary grinned at her son. He had a wonderful memory. Then again he was a book, and from what she had deduced he was fairly high when it came to rank--unlike his sister.

"Yep!" She said, "I managed to sneak over to library without being caught by any of the Esterberries and purchased some of the books they had on sale. It's an older edition of some false history on the Tulgey Woods. I thought you would appreciate an Outsider's perspective."

She pulled the book out of the pack and presented it for the boy to see. It was fairly thin compared to the book for his father, but once opened the text would prove to be far smaller and dense.

The little girl continued to struggle with the paddle ball. Her coordination was lacking for her age. Then again she did only have one proper appendage that could be used for such activities. She made a frustrated sound as she focused her attention back to her sibling and father.

[Vyn]

Thank you, thank you! Outsiders are so stupid. The little boy laughed aloud so that his father could hear and tried to pass along the impression of a smile as best he could.

Inside, however, there was a dark frustration at the perpetual lack of knowledge in the world. Esterberries! They were supposed to be so smart but even they were full of misconceptions. The little boy would have furrowed his brows if he had some and, though a hint of darkness may have shadowed that big purple eye of his, no emotion would truly be readable upon his cover.

That was impossible without a face.

He tilted his singular purple eye to watch Kafzi for a moment, taking pleasure in the sight of her playing even though he could not. He admired her -- even if it was just one limb, it was a limb. Someday... Someday he'd be a person with real limbs or, maybe he didn't even need that. If only he could just move himself around he'd be happy. Back to Father.

What did you buy for Mommy? His tone was more secretive now, 'whispering' so that Mother couldn't hear (not that the masked Tulgey-mix was paying attention as he cheerfully galumphed about the kitchen) though he ensured that Kafzi was invited in on his secretive whispers.

[Kari Muffin]

Rosemary grinned at her son's statement. There were plenty of smart outsiders but hopefully he wouldn't find out. The only reason people didn't know about the Wood was because they were rightfully afraid. And it was nice if those rightfully afraid people would stay out.

Kafziel's ears perked when she heard her brother's whisper. She floated closer to him and their father. She would have had a curious expression if she had the features for it. As it was her ears were the only thing displaying her emotions. "I want to know too," she whispered.

Rosemary shook her head at both the children. "It's a book for Daddy. I have no intention of telling you what his surprise is until he's ready to look at it. And it will be your bed time by the time that happens. So you'll just have to wait until tomorrow."

[Vyn]

Vergel wished he could do something to see the book. He loved books, but not having hands or anything made it really hard. He could possibly convince Kafzi to be naughty for him, but he figured that would be even worse of him than being nosy. Kafzi didn't deserve to be in trouble because of him.

The bookchild sighed and his wings drooped a little. Fine. His big purple eye rolled back to Kafzi. We can read my outsider book instead if we must wait until tomorrow for Mommy's book.


After years of being confined behind his mask, Imre's daily routine had almost become mechanical and so it was with perfect precision that Imre was plating the food just as the clock began to chime an off-tune announcement of 4pm and his mask finally relinquished him. "Ahhh." The long sigh of pleasure rolled off his tongue, mingled with Ace's own pleasure, and the bird monstrosity turned cheerfully toward his perfect little family. "Food's done!"

[Kari Muffin]

Rosemary was happy for the distraction of food. It left very little time for her book-son the pout, which he was somehow amazingly good at for being a book. She wandered over to get her dish worth of food, as well as Kafziel's.

Kafzi really didn't like eating. It took a good deal of effort to try to, and not having a lower jaw made things messy. So more often than not she ate very little and it was in a liquid or slightly mushy state. Maybe one day she would learn magic so she could have a lower jaw or something? Mommy had gotten all sorts of things with her magic so why couldn't she?

She wandered over to the table, carrying her brother and propping him up in the proper place. The food was set down in front of her by her mother, with a fork. Mashed potatoes had been piled onto the plate along with a few vegetables mixed in.

Shashi, meanwhile was floating with a disgruntled expression in the background. Guh. Family time.

[Vyn]

Dinner time? Vergel would've frowned if he had a mouth to frown with. He'd never been able to eat and truly couldn't see the desire, but he understood the need from a textbook prospective. His lack of that need, that very vital need of the living, that made Vergel suddenly feel very 'left out'.

He sighed to himself, momentarily glad that he could only be heard when he projected. He wouldn't say anything, of course. Mommy made is very clear that he was loved, no matter what, but there was no hiding the truth. Even a child could see that Vergel was a monster.

Vergel thanked his sister as she carried him to his spot at the table and sat in silent contemplation as he watched his family indulge in the acts of living.


Imre was a master of his confinement. He mixed chatting and eating like it were an art, filling in Rosemary on their days in her absence and all the adorable little things Kafzi and Vergel did. His babies were his world, they filled the emptiness in his life so much more than even Ace and Shashi.

When eating was finished, Imre was pleased to note that he still had plenty of time left. Perhaps enough to sneak away with Rosemary? He brushed up against her, tail curling affectionately around one of her legs as he whispered his idea into her ear. Just a little time until Imre's mask resealed, and the kids would be safe under Shashi's watch.

[Kari Muffin]

Dinner was mostly consumed by Imre chatting about all that Rosemary had missed. The Queen was curious, for the most part, and enjoyed listening to what her strange children did when she wasn't around. They were almost normal... sort of...

Kazifel spent most of dinner poking at her food. She always took forever to eat, and when she did she ate very little. The meager portions on her plated were only half touched when dinner was concluded, and she was stuffed.

At the suggestion of getting away Rosemary's face told all. Her devious smirk and nod in agreement followed. She took her animal form and lead the way to their usual secluded spot. She was never truly sure about the invisible ghost rabbit that Imre insisted would be a good babysitter, but what was the worse that the two children could do? They hadn't inherited her complete and utter disregard to everything.

And Forge wasn't about to help baby sit the little monsters.

Shashi always found himself whimpering when the bird-monster left him alone with the children. The little freaks couldn't see him, and normally poked around in his skin for things their father left behind.

Bed time stories would be told upon the Queen's return.

[Vyn]

One day, Imre thought as he and Rosemary returned to the children, he would be free of this infernal paper prison and he would no longer have to cram these little moments like dinner and conversation and love into tiny hour segments. It never left him with enough time for anything, he couldn't even share stories with his children as Rosemary did this evening.

As Rosemary began to tell her story, Imre shoved off his depressing thoughts (lest the kids read them on her coat), and curled up with his precious little monsters and their wonderful bard.


Bed time stories were one of Vergel's favorite parts about Daddy's visits (aside from simply getting to see Rosemary) and his little wings fluffed up eagerly as it was announced. Stories were the only real way for him to experience the Outside and he savored every tell with almost perfect memory.

It helped to be able to recall one's pages fairly clearly.

Curled against Kafzi, the bookchild focused a large, curious purple eye upon the off-white Queen. What story do we get to hear today, Daddy? I want to hear something that we haven't heard before!

[Kari Muffin]

Rosemary enjoyed story time with the children. They were far nicer than her other audiences, and rarely interrupted her. They also rarely disputed her claims. Which she greatly appreciated.

Kafziel snuggled up against her brother. Cheerfully waiting for her mother to begin the story. Shashi hovered in the background watching family time with a bit of disgust. He didn't get it, and he honestly never would.

"Well I suppose you're old enough to hear my Dad's story. I'll even be nice enough to tell you the uncensored version, since that's far more exciting." She gave the boy a wink before launching into the tale. She started with the early years of her father's life, and how he was a doll maker who loved his sister more than anything. In a desperate attempt to help her extend her life he helped her with a dangerous experiment and ended up becoming a doll. His darling sister, Cassiel, died horribly by the hands of the Queen of Hearts.

It was a long tail, long enough that it would hopefully lull Kafziel to sleep at the very least. The girl liked to be stubborn sometimes and use her ability so she didn't have to sleep.

And she knew her son would stay awake the entire time.