Ryans
"Look at all the other pets here Mr Snuggles!" Libby said.
"Why did you bring that ka'millian of yours?" Ivan asked.
"Because. Hey look! There's Mitch at the pet stall!"
"Or one of the pet stalls anyway," Ivan pointed out.
"Shush you!" Libby replied and bounded over to her older brother. "Hi Mitch!"
"Hey Libby," Mitchel smiled. "Hey everyone."
Taylor, Sheldon and Ash G
Taylor was watching Sheldon closely as he directed a Dutch woman toward Courtney at the information bay. He was a lot more withdrawn than usual, that was for sure. Normally he was joking around and more than enthusiastically greeting everyone. Today he seemed more sullen. Not quite brooding, but none the less... just plain sad.
Next in the line was Ashley and Mindy.
"Hey! Long time no see, stranger."
"Well it's not like a I have a barbed wire topped fence around the house yet," Taylor raised an eyebrow as he shook his hand, "hey Mindy."
"Hi Taylor," she smiled as Ashley put his arms around her, "where's Mouse?"
Taylor hesitated, immediately looking uncomfortable.
"I'm not sure. Maybe you'll see her later," he managed a smile, before the next person in line began making a fuss.
Ashley and Mindy made their way inside.
Mouse
Mouse was quietly getting more and more freaked out. If someone else commented on Flynn's wings, or Jason's horn stubs, or Melusine's golden eyes, she was going to scream. And let Fafnir hurt them. A lot. Personally, she thought her children looked perfect and wouldn't change a thing about them.
She didn't want to leave till she'd either talked to Zac or Ike, or seen Taylor. And besides, she should interact with people. Besides animals that looked like people and Riss and Bee.
She looked down at Jason who she was cuddling while Keltie was looking after Melusine and kissed his forehead softly.
"Love you."
He cooed at her, hands waving to catch her hair.
Isaac
Isaac shoved his hands into his back pockets as he wandered around. Then he spotted someone.
"Hey Mouse," he greeted, walking over. "How you doing?"
He smiled at the babies.
"Aww, they're so cute when they're little. Who's who?"
Mouse
"I'm alright," Mouse said softly.
"This is Jason, Keltie's holding Melisande and Flynn's in the stroller."
Jason looked around at Isaac and cooed. Melisande blinked at him slightly, then closed her glowing eyes again. Fafnir rested his head on his paws, looking tired.
"Faf's out of sorts. Flynn keeps trying to bite his tail," Mouse explained.
Isaac
"Ahh," Isaac nodded. "Yeah, Saku still likes to chase after people's feet. Hasn't quite gotten out of that habit yet."
He was quiet for a moment.
"How you've been?" he asked softly.
Mouse
Mouse shrugged slightly and Jason whimpered fretfully, trying to soothe her with his empathy. She rocked him gently and shushed him.
"It hurts. I try not to think about it otherwise I'm going to go insane."
"Silliness!" Melisande declared, opening her eyes and staring at Isaac with an intelligence and focus that shouldn't have been there in a baby not even two months old.
"Shut up, Mel!" Flynn retorted, soft growl coming from the pram.
"Leave Mum alone."
"Silliness, that's all it is!" Melisande retorted.
Isaac
"Zac and I have been trying to talk to him," Isaac said, looking at Mel. "He's been acting rather odd lately. Mel's rather bright eyed, isn't she?"
Mouse
"Um, yeah..." Mouse said.
"You kinda just get used to it."
Keltie hummed a snatch of lullaby melody to Melisande, then looked up, tilting her head to the side slightly.
"And what would you be expecting from one of those related to them that hunt the night anyway? And those that hunt the seas. The wolves of land and sea are smart, ye ken. They have to be. This bairn shares that red heritage. But she's going to be a good one, we will see to that, won't we?"
Mouse nodded slightly.
Isaac
Isaac nodded in agreement.
"She won't be able to help it, with your for her mother," he said sincerely to Mouse. "And how have you been Keltie?"
Mouse
Mouse smiled faintly.
"Thanks, Ike."
"I been fine, jist fine, looking after the little ones, ye ken," Keltie drawled in her thick brogue.
"And yeself?"
Isaac
"Good, thanks," Isaac replied.
He sat back thoughtfully.
"Anyway, I should go. Lots more people to talk to. But I'll see you two later. And don't worry Mouse, we'll get Taylor back to you."
Mouse
Mouse dropped her head for a moment and breathed in deeply, fighting back tears.
"Thanks. See you later, alright?"
Isaac
Isaac nodded.
"You bet," he replied.
He paused a moment, then gave her a hug.
"Everything's gonna work out, okay?"
Mouse.
"Yeah."
Mouse hugged him back briefly.
"Have a good day, Ike. I'm thinking about going hom soon anyway. Too many stupid people asking stupid questions abit my babies."
Isaac
Isaac smiled.
"Well, I hope you don't go home because of what other people do," he said. "It's going to be fun. But whatever you decide, hope you have a good day too. See ya later."
And he departed.
Taylor
Taylor could hardly stand watching him anymore.
As soon as there was a break in the line, he made his way over to Sheldon.
"Hey Sheldon..." he began once he was in hearing range.
He switched to guinea pig for a moment.
"Is something wrong? You've been acting weird all morning."
Sheldon didn't reply as he saw another couple through, but then there was a break.
He sighed.
"The funeral's on Tuesday," he replied in guinea pig.
"Oh."
He hesitated, then glanced upward.
"Where and when?"