hyanaimne | Exsilium

Yeah, guess so. Uh. We brought you something.

[Before Tempest has time to wonder what he means by "we," a little girl peeks out from behind Stan. She glances at Tempest quickly and then retreats, hiding again.]

[oh . . . oh no. You've brought her weakness to cute things]

So I see . . .

[Tempest steps out into the hallway and kneels down, leaning to the side just enough to get a peek at the little girl] Hello, little one.

[The girl doesn't say anything, but she peeks at Tempest a little from where she has her face hidden in Stanley's jeans. Shy but curious.]

That's Peace. She's flying under the radar, okay? Oh. I mean...it's a secret.

Your secret is safe with me.

[she smiles a little wider at Peace and holds out a hand, palm up] Well met, Peace. My name is Tempest.

[Whatever Tempest is expecting, it's probably not the palm slap that Peace gives her, before ducking back between Stanley's legs to hide again. Stanley snorts quietly, amused. He might've taught her that one, whoops.]

[the palm slap startles her a bit, until she finds herself laughing. Cute weakness]

That is a high five, yes?

Nah, that's giving skin. But she knows high five too. Hold your palm higher and face it toward her.

[The difference between training a puppy and entertaining a toddler is apparently subtle.]

[she does so, trying to suppress even more laughter. Good job Stan, this is the happiest she's been since coming to the moon]

[There's a shy moment of hesitation, but it works. The little girl emerges long enough to slap Tempest's palm again and then does her best to disappear. Stanley pats her on the head absently, and digs something out of his school bag. It's possibly the only book that's ever been kept in there.]

[Tempest's first high five!! She laughs quietly and leans back again, glancing up at Stan as he pulls the book out]

She is quite adorable.

Huh? Oh. Yeah.

[There's a headtilt while he considers this, but whatever conclusion he comes to he doesn't share. Cute works. People never throw cute shit out of airlocks.]

Would you like to come in? [she gestures behind her] I am the only one home.

Yeah, sure.

[He takes Peace by the hand absently, clearly out of habit, and leads her inside.]

[Tempest shuts the door behind them and gestures, vaguely]

Make yourselves at home.

[A statement which naturally leads to the kids standing there absently, unsure of how to obey such an order. This isn't home, after all.]

[Tempest watches them for a moment, head tilted just a bit]

. . . you can sit wherever you'd like.

[Sit? They know that command. Both kids plop down on the floor and wait to see what's next. The book is mostly forgotten already, even though Stanley's still holding it.]

. . . I meant on one of the beds or a chair, but that also works. What brings you by? You said you brought something?

Oh. Yeah. Shakespeare. Y'know, to make you feel at home.

[Except that now they're on the moon. But it's the thought that counts, isn't it?]

To make me feel . . .

[it takes a moment to register, but then she's staring at him like he grew a second head. Wait, what?]

[Crap. Is she offended? Crap.]

Uh...well, I thought...

[wait why does he look like that did she say something wrong? Crap]

—that's-that's very nice of you.

[Whew. It's okay. She's not gonna hit him for being insensitive or anything.]

It is? I mean. Yeah, uh. You're welcome.

[she is an embarrassment to herself every time someone does something nice for her; she's used to it a little more now that's she's been here a few months, but it still throws her off, regardless if she's prepared for it or not.

She ducks her head, almost as if she's hiding under hood, but it's not up, and it would be entirely awkward to put it up. What would the little girl think?]

M-Mm. Thank you.

[That's pretty cute, actually. For the first time in months, Stanley cracks a little bit of a smile. It's nice, to do something for someone and have them appreciate it. It makes it totally worthwhile, even if somewhere the ghost of a librarian wants his balls on a platter.]

It's all good.

[Now, if he can just manage not to embarass her by asking about her ears...]

Are you like a fairy or something?

[...Damn it.]

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