THE BABY PARTY

[afineknight]

WHO: everyone!!
WHERE: The Rec Room
WHEN: Day 33, around lunchtime

[ Since it is a Daffodil rite, the Daffodils (at least, the ones that are not children who have no idea what they're doing and therefore aren't Tart, the best baby shepherd ever) have set up a little party in the rec room for all the kids and their poor beleaguered adults!

They've set up snacks and pulled out a few games as well as some pillows from the library for naptime and books — including picture books — nearby before putting the word out to others to stop by the rec room around lunchtime. And hey, if they have anything they can bring along, all the better! ]

Comments

[catposting]

[ kitten is wandering around with a basket of apples, offering them to whoever looks interested. he refuses to be babysat ]

[apothekitty]

[ the basement cat has been in and out all day, including after the baby party starts, always coming back with bull baskets and buckets every time she leaves ]

[catposting]

[ waves! ]

Busy day?

[apothekitty]

Yes, as it turns out. The oceanside has a number of things that are very useful to store.

[catposting]

Huh. Like what?

[apothekitty]

Fish, shellfish, seaweed--and we can boil the seawater for salt.

The rest will be good to have, but it's the salt that I would say is the most important.

[catposting]

[ blinks. so salt is a scarce resource... ]

I see. Need any help with that?

[apothekitty]

How strong are you?

[ right now, at least ]

[catposting]

Strong enough to handle a few baskets and buckets for sure.

[ his brute strength is still capped but his utility is trashfire ]

[apothekitty]

Then if you're willing to help me carry things, I'd be grateful. But don't let me take you away from the party.

[catposting]

It's...

[ nice, seeing everyone be happy like that, where nobody wants to fight or kill, where adults care for children and look after each other, it's so mushy and pretty and warm that it makes him feel sick ]

— fine. I want to see the ocean anyway.

[apothekitty]

...If you're sure. Let me drop this off, and we can go.

[catposting]

I'm sure. Whenever you're ready, then.

[apothekitty]

One moment.

[ she heads into the kitchen to empty her current bucket, then returns with a couple more, holding one out to him ]

[catposting]

[ takes it! ]

Lead the way.

[apothekitty]

[ DOWN TO THE BEACH THEY GO. There are probably already little footprints in the sand because she's been busy this morning. ]

[catposting]

[ visibly relaxes once they're away from the party. he didn't dislike being there but it's complicated. ]

You think this will disappear once that shepherd comes back?

[apothekitty]

I wouldn't want to speculate. But I would say it's a decent possibility.

[catposting]

[ opens his mouth as if he wants to say something. shakes his head instead ]

Mm. I see why you'd want to gather everything you can right now.

[apothekitty]

[ she raises an eyebrow at that, tilting her head. ]

If you have something you want to say, then say it clearly.

[catposting]

This is the second time you've told me that you don't wish to speculate. Do you find it a waste of brainpower? Or is it... something else?

[apothekitty]

...It's a thing my old man always warned me about. "Don't speculate when you don't know all the facts." You can cause a lot of trouble for others by basing your conclusions on rumor and assumption.

[catposting]

[ with a non-zero amount of amusement and wistfulness ]

Sounds like a wise guy.

[apothekitty]

He is.

[ this is, perhaps, the most straightforwardly honest and sincere Maomao has ever been. ]

There's no one I admire more.

[catposting]

[ cute ]

What else did he teach you?