Small Annoyances (End!)

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Lariel saw him flush with social embarrassment and rolled her eyes. She didn't think it was rude he hadn't introduced himself, she just wanted to know whose water she was about to accept. The Bobcat turned her attention to the canine as he chimed in.

"You seem to be feeling better," she remarked, noting his wagging tail. Did she really want him to know her name? Well, it wasn't as if he would ever run into her again, or even if he did the pup would probably forget about the whole thing.

"My name is Lariel, and as soon as I get that water I'll be out of everyone's hair." She shifted uncomfortably and looked at Casanova. Didn't that angle hurt his neck?

[Kitty]

Socially awkward was quite a big understatement for the rat-eagle, but he did try to handle himself and stick to some form of ... normalcy in social situations. He'd doubled the effort he put into it for his children though, they didn't need to pick up any of his silly habits ... although it seemed Brokat already had. He lingered just long enough to hear her name before he turned and disappeared into the other room, feathered tail tip curling ever so slightly.

The fiery little canine blinked a few times in rapid succession before he wiggled himself carefully to the edge of the couch and, being careful of his paw, leaned over quickly in an attempt to give the bobcat a sloppy puppy kiss on the cheek, tail thumping all the more.

Thank you.

He may have been hyperactive and maybe, just maybe a little on the air headed side sometimes ... but he was a sweet little thing, and his mother had taught him manners; even if that had been quite hard.

It wasn't long before the triple-breed returned and almost slunk across the floor, not quite sure of how to react to the stranger, but not out of any real fear ... he was just terribly shy. The little tray the water was balanced on was interesting as well, specially rigged for the animal forms in the house to be able to carry by some decorative looking ropes with turned up edges so anything that sloshed out would be caught on the tray and not wind up on the floor. All three of his children only had their animal forms, so he had to come up with little things like this all the time to accommodate them.

The full Lowlander set the tray down gently on the floor near the feline and backed away to a 'safe' distance to peer at her, his thick fur and feathers fluffed ever so slightly.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Lariel had made unintelligible sounds while protesting against the pup's movement. It looked as though he was trying to shimmy off of the couch! Not waiting until he fell off, Lariel had stepped closer in order to brace him. Apparently there had been no need, however. Whatever the Bobcat had been expecting, she had not been prepared for the assault of tongue and saliva. Her fur stuck out and together in odd direction where he'd "kissed" her and all attempts at flattening them down were futile.

Dumbfounded, Lariel just stared at Casanova. She was so unsure what to feel. Part of her was disgusted she had someone else's saliva on her fur (when it hadn't been invited), part of her shied away from the display of affection and gratitude, and all the more shocking was the biggest response she felt.....pleasure. Had it not been merely minutes ago as she thought on the lack of affection from anyone including her parents? Even though she'd been pretending for years the need for attention and affection didn't exist, the craving would always be a part of her.

Feeling as though some mask had been stripped violently away from her, the Bobcat turned her head in hopes no one would be able to see how glossy her eyes had become. Unfortunately, it was then the other young Card came back into the room with a tray and a glass of water on his back. Lariel took the glass, grateful for any distraction from the emotions this little pup had forced her to feel. The liquid was cool and refreshing against her parched throat, and in a matter of seconds the glass had been drained and placed back on the tray.

Uncomfortable, Lariel eyed the way out. "I should leave...,"

The Bobcat didn't move, however. Lariel stood there and contemplated something. It was so against her nature she visibly cringed at the mere thought of acting on what she was considering, but that small part of her that had been denied for so long had seeped out when Casanova made a small crack in her wall of apathy. Deciding to grimace and bare it, Lariel walked back over to the firey pup...

...and licked him on the cheek.

[Kitty]

There was the occasional noise from the other room as the rat-eagle went to preparing a fresh batch of his herbal remedies; little things that Ophelia had been kind enough to help him figure out ... .but it would be awhile before he'd return. Which left Lariel with the two boys.

Brokat wasn't quite horrified, but he also wasn't quite sure what to think when his brother leaned over and licked the stranger's cheek. His little rounded rat ears twitched back for a moment and an odd expression touched his features for a moment before it disappeared. His brother was so ... odd and gave his affections so easily ... it made him uncomfortable, more so since the canine didn't seem to care at all. He knew father was like that as well ... but it still shocked him. Their sister didn't do things like that and neither did he ... so that made Casanova just .... weird in his book.

Cas continued to thump his tail softly until he realized that the feline was trying to get the hell out of dodge. His tail ceased all movements and his ears flopped to the side a bit as he watched her. However, one flipped forward again when she moved back toward him and her return of affection breathed new life into his tail. But she still seemed to want to leave, and he didn't want her to, not yet .... so he brought out his most effective weapon; the puppy dog look.

Awwww .... don't go yet! I'm sure you've got some awesome stories you could share!

He gave her a hopeful look and dropped his head between his paws, trying to coax her into staying with his cuteness. Brokat, on the other hand, rolled his eyes at his brother's display and leaned himself against the wall he was sitting near.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Lariel saw the glimmer of excitement in the pup's eyes as soon as she pulled away from his face and new it meant doom. The puppy dog look was one of utter cuteness, but it didn't over write her extreme embarrassment at having showed affection to someone. Supremely uncomfortable, all she could think about was escaping. Why had she done that?

The Bobcat looked at the Lowlander in the room for help, but realized from his facial expressions he wouldn't be of much assistance. She turned back to Casanova and groaned mentally. If she just verbally denied him, Lariel was sure the pup would take another route of attack. She'd have to make her exit a quick one.

"Maybe some other time. I've got to get going, but thanks for the water." She spun around and began walking towards the door, nodding at the Lowlander as she passed him.

[Kitty]

The triple-breed pressed himself against the wall at first when he was noticed before he relaxed and returned the simple, safe gesture. So that was it then, their guest was leaving? Eh, no one ever stayed long unless they were 'related' anyhow ... he sure wished Ilana would come back from her visit though ... he missed her. He got up and started to slink around the corner when a shuffling noise caught his attention and he turned his head to it's origin, puffing his fur up again, this time with worry.

Cas!

He didn't want her to go, not yet ... but she didn't seem very interested in staying. How could he change that? Well, sitting on the couch like a wart wasn't going to accomplish anything and in one quick movement he was up and hopping down to the floor. He gave a little yelp, a mix of pain and surprise, and fell face first into the floor ... he'd completely forgotten about his paw! But he didn't let that keep him down, and in a rather embarrassing, uncomfortable position either ... oh no, he was making his way over to the bobcat, a pout on his little muzzle.

You'll come back though, right?

He held his paw close to him and gave a hopeful little wag of his tail trying to be cute and patethic and ... convincing all at once.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Cas!

Lariel's head whipped around just in time to see the idiotic youngling hopping off of the couch towards her. The Bobcat turned around and hissed as she walked back to the canine.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" she asked, her voice raised with anger. Was there no brains in that tiny head? Maybe the firey thing had done so many stupid things by now there weren't any brain cells left to function. Lariel turned towards the Lowlander Mix. "You'll have to help me get him back on the couch, or get your parent. Now."

Lariel heard Casanova whimper and hissed again. Suits! She put a paw on his chest and shoved lightly. "Don't you dare move any more. You do and I'll knock your lights out so you don't."

[Kitty]

He stopped, ears perking a bit when he noticed the feline was heading back toward him, tail swaying cheerfully from side to side behind him. Well, that was until she raised her voice at him. When that happened his red lined ears drooped to the side and a little pout appeared on his muzzle as he looked up at her with sad, orange, puppy eyes. He didn't want her to be angry with him, he just didn't want her to leave quite yet ... his family was rather boring. Well, papa wasn't ... but he didn't live here. He also wasn't quite used to raised voices in general ... mama just ... never seemed to raise his and he couldn't remember papa doing it either.

Brokat was just about to sneak around the corner and check and see how much longer it would take mama to finish up whatever he was doing when the bobcat addressed him and his fur bristled all over again. It was straight up weird having a stranger in the house, and he really didn't deal with them that well .... but she was asking for his assistance, but he still didn't know quite what to do. He dropped his head down and very lightly tucked his bushy tail between his legs as he crept toward her, fur still bristled.

However, no one had to wait long for Tavor to return, and when he did he had a nice little tray of various things. He had a bowl of warm water to soak the paw in, and odd, gross looking green concoction in what appeared to be a shot glass and, of course, a wrap and a little towel. He knew the injury wasn't serious, but he was also well aware of the fact that the better he cared for it, the faster the pup would heal ... which would mean the least amount of whining in the long run.

He looked over at the couch and, not seeing the fiery child, shifted his gaze down and along the floor until he found him .... and sighed.

Might as well just leave him there ... he'll probably forget about his paw again and hop down well... again.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Lariel watched Casanova's face droop, but paid no attention to it. She was more concerned with the Lowlander coming towards her with his tail tucked between his legs. Great, what she really needed right now was a youngling that was apparently terrified of her. He wasn't going to be much help. She'd been about to tell him to just go get his parent when Tavor walked back into the room. Relief flooded her face, but only for a few seconds before confusion overtook her features once more.

"You really think it's good for that ankle to not be elevated...and on the hard ground?" she queried. Although she'd never been a parent herself, injuries were not unknown to her. "Look, let's just put him on the couch one more time. I'm sure he won't be so ignorant," she said, pausing to look at Cas, "as to try and get off the couch again. Right?" she asked, the question directed at the canine.

[Kitty]

The rat-eagle sighed softly as he looked down at his flame-winged son ... he definitely was his father's child and he was certain some of the more ... blond aspects of his personality were inherited from the wolf as well .... he just didn't do some of the things this boy did, not even when he was a boy.

He won't do it on purpose .... but he'll just .... forget he hurt his paw if something distracts him... which isn't hard to do.

He set his supplies down onto the coffee table gently and peered back at Nova, he really should restrict him to his room for the afternoon, but that would be about as difficult as pulling teeth from a turtle. Then again just picking up the boy was difficult without smothering him in one of the blankets Maxwell had given him for the boy to use so he wouldn't set his things on fire.

Nova peered up at Lariel and flopped his ears down to the sides of his head and used his best weapon on her .... his puppy dog face. Not only was it his puppy face, but it was the best one he could muster. He knew precisely what momma intended to do if he wasn't to be set up on the couch again ... and he really didn't want to go into his room for a whole afternoon!

Brokat was quite content to stay on the sidelines and simply watch the goings on ... he'd never admit it out loud but ... this was amusing.