Magnets

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Myra Elspeth"] | [member="Danger Arceneau"]


"So we're not far now....See? Dad and I only lived here a little while. I've been working on my room, put shelves up all by myself....well....still workin' on them. Dad and I were in the middle when you came. Don't matter though, I don't got all my stuff here. Did you bring a bag? I should have carried it."


They were closer to the house now, windows open to allow tropical breezes to blow through. The guest house was off the right, where Makai was leading the girl. Tropical vegetation and flowers lapped at the path at their feet before opening up into an expansive patio that connected all three structures.


"Are you hungry yet?"

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

[member="Makai Dashiell"]

Oh! A bag! Myra suddenly gave a stop, clutching the doll she had carried earlier to her chest. Her eyes went wide, expression becoming anxious. She gave a quick shake in the negative at that question. Turning back to Danger, her eyebrows scrunched forward.

She didn't have her bad. Was she supposed to? The youngling immediately began to nibble on her lower lip, all of a sudden self-conscious.

So much for being hungry. Right now, Myra was just a bit out of sorts at being without her bag.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Makai Dashiell"] [member="Judah Dashiell"]

"Thank you kindly, Judah." Danger replied, shining him a warm smile. Her hand went reaching out, giving his forearm a gentle pat.

A soft breeze came across them then, lifting the wavy strands of auburn hair away from Danger's face, tickling her cheeks.

"We'll do just fine." she assured him in regards to Makai. However, that was when the woman noticed Myra standing shock still. One could read the anxiety running across her tiny body, all legs and arms as she clutched her doll to her chest.

"Myra honey, what's wrong?" concern coated Danger's voice, and she sped up a few steps to come beside the youngling. Bending down, Danger gave a comforting coo, brushing back the strands of hair away from Myra's cheeks to tuck them behind her ears.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Myra Elspeth"] | [member="Danger Arceneau"]


Makai easily understood that, a shake of the head meant no. His little shoulders shrugged, unconcerned about a bag. Miss Arceneau was always prepared and she most likely left it back on the shuttle. Or it was expected to arrive later. Either way, he could swim to the next island over, grab their stuff and bring it.


"Oh...well, I can get it later, its no big deal."


Miss Arceneau came over and he spoke up for Myra.


"I asked her about a bag, said I should have carried it. I guess you left it on the ship though, right Miss Ar-cen-now?"

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

[member="Makai Dashiell"]

One would consider that small bit of anxiety to be a rather silly thing for a little girl to be concerned about. However, for Myra, who came from so little, it alarmed her so.

The little boy Mah-Kai said she could pick it up after, which soothed her a bit. Seeing Danger come over and tuck her hair away from her face also made her feel better.

Awareness bloomed across Danger's face at the reason to Myra's alarm.

"Ahh, I see." Danger said, her smile broadening. "We can go get it later honey, it is fine." she assured the youngling.

"How about we have Makai here get you that ice pop, alright?" a glance over to the Dashiell nodded in encouragement.

"'Don't you worry, Makai's pa and I will take care of your bag soon."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Myra Elspeth"] | [member="Danger Arceneau"]



"We sure will Miss Myra. Best to leave the hard work to us men folk" Judah said in a slight exaggerated drawl, a grin on his face. Hand came to clasp Makai's shoulder, subtly about to lead the boy. Judah suspected his son was working the girl up a little. Over excited at the prospect of a new playmate for awhile that wasn't his father.


"Come on inside."


Leading Makai by the shoulder, Judah opened the patio door and they stepped straight into the airy kitchen. Releasing a grip on his son, Judah made himself busy pulling the ice pops out of the freezer. He had made all sorts that morning. Some had fruit chunked through them, others striped in different colors and flavors.


Makai went to go reach and Judah shot him a look. Scaled hand retreated, trying to remember his manners. Ladies first, right? Myra would have her first pick of the ice pops. In the meantime, Makai slid onto a bar stool, resting his head in his hands and watching the girl. They were going to have fun, especially if he could figure out how to make her seem less scared of everything.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

"See, there we go." Danger assured Myra. The tension eased from the little girl's body and she gave a small nod. Two pink spots went blooming over her cheeks, a mite bit embarrassed about the entire ordeal. Would they think different of her now? Would they say she was a baby?

That was a rather gut twisting thought. For a moment, Myra desperately wished she was back at home with Mister Tuggles. Everything was new and a bit overwhelming for the youngling.

None the less, Danger's hand lightly encouraged her adopted daughter to walk up towards the house. Once inside, they all congregated in the kitchen, where Judah was quick to bring out the fruit flavoured ice pops. Seeing Makai make a grab for one only to get a glance from his pa in mild warning made her chuckle.

"Go on now, Myra... just go pick one out." Tentatively the little girl did as she was told. She took a step forward, a bit shy in her manner. Until finally, after another nudge from Danger, she stretched out a thin arm to take a brightly pink colored one. This one was filled with strawberries.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]


"Good choice Miss Myra. I was secretly savin' that one for you anyways."


Judah winked at her and allowed Makai free reign at the ice pops now, watching as the boy picked up a white one studded with berries. Makai was secretly inching towards [member="Myra Elspeth"] once again, wanting to talk to his new friend. The ice pop would keep him quiet for the most part, until he was done and the next adventure would begin.


Sliding the ice pops over to Danger, he wasn't sure if she would partake but since it seemed the little girl was watching her every move, it might be wise. Easy grin came over his face and he ruffled Makai's curls, leaning against the stone counters.


"Its a pleasure to have both of you ladies out here. The place gets even better in the evening. Sunset is probably the best I've ever seen. Its real quiet too, nothing but the four of us and a bunch of vegetation. Well...and the tropical birds....and little lizards. Beach crabs...."


"While you're here Myra you're free to treat this as your own home, alright? Don't you worry about getting anything dirty or running in and out all day."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

To be honest, Danger hadn't been one to have an ice pop before. A scoop or so of ice cream yes, but not an ice pop. Let alone a homemade one.

However, since Myra was also curious to see if the older woman would take one, then take one she did. Her's was a green colored one. Maybe lime? Honestly, Danger didn't know. For all intents and purposes, the tentative lick and nibble from the pop would give her the first indication on what flavor it would be.

Her nose gave a little scrunch.

Lime.

Okay, it wasn't too bad, and since the younglings were watching her intently, she gave a smile.

"Pretty good ain't it?" she said, although Judah might find her whole manner rather amusing. Meanwhile, Myra was more than happily enjoying her ice pop. Already a small ring of red was coating around her mouth. Soon enough, the struggle would be real as the ice pop would start to melt and she would have to struggle with trying to lick as much of the liquid off before it spilled!

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Myra Elspeth"]


"You're lucky you didn't get the kelp flavored one I made for Makai."


Judah was thoroughly amused by [member="Danger Arceneau"]'s reaction to the lime ice pop. Being from a desert world, the cold and ice was foreign to her, possibly unpleasant. He could easily sympathize, it had taken quite some time to get used to the ocean and all around tropical life. Ice had become a staple for drinks and desserts, Judah had merely gotten used to it.


He reached over and got napkins for Myra then put the rest of the ice pops away, looking at the two sticky kids. It could be worse, they could be fighting. Judah worked his way over to Danger, speaking low.


"Does she need a nap or anything? Don't want to tire you two out, don't know your schedule."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

While Myra was trying her best to come out, the victor in the 'eat the ice-pop before it melts' battle, Danger managed to grant Judah a small nod.

"She'll likely need to rest a bit in a few... get her cleaned up and she'll be fine for an hour or so," she admitted, although she too was now tackling the potential trickles of melted lime ice pop. The pink dart of her tongue went lashing out, lapping up a stray trickle that managed to curl around her hand.

She had a confounded expression on her face, all due to an ice-pop. Another lick of her lips and the redhead fought again to suck up another trickle.

"It just gets everywhere don't it?" murmuring to Judah, curling her full lips around the icepop to try and beat the melting.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]


"Not quite sure who is more skilled at this, you or your daughter." Judah chuckled, the two were struggling a bit. By the time they were done with their stay they would be ice pop pros for sure. Makai was done first, turning himself into a slightly sticky mess. There was a slithering down the bar stool and to the trash to throw away his stick.


"Did ya wanna come up and play Myra? I got a lot of my toys here."


"Lets give Miss Arceneau and Miss Myra and chance to get their breath. They aren't going anywhere Makai. You and I have some things to handle anyways."


Like the bags. Judah didn't bother mentioning it out loud in case the poor girl panicked again.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

A small blob of lime ice pop went plopping onto the counter. It fell with a tiny splat, scattering lime juice on the counter and a few stray drops on Danger's shirt.

"Oh hell." she managed to quietly curse, which caught Myra's attention and promptly gave a little giggle. That small noise seemed to brighten the little girl's features, lips coated pink by the strawberry ice pop and sticky fingers coming close to her face to try and muffle the noise.

"Oh think it is funny don't you Myra Elspeth?" Danger eyed her with a mock stern expression; one that only amounted to another round of giggles and a nod from behind tiny sticky red fingers.

"How about you go show this little giggly miz where to go wash her hands, Makai?" Danger suggested, shaking her head as she turned to the bit of ice pop on the counter and picked it up. Popping it into her mouth, she finished it right up.

"Your Pa and I can get things settled here a bit 'fore ya'll go on runnin' amuck a bit. It's Myra's first time seein' an ocean and beach and all."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]


Makai was clearly eager to going 'running amuck' with his new playmate. Sure she couldn't talk but that just meant less time listening to girly things like My Little Ropo and nail polish. He had no concept of everything being to new to his new friend. Makai wanted to take her around and show her everything. His room. The beach. The cool reef off the islands. The yacht. Anything and everything.


It seemed the bathroom down the hall would have to do for now.


"C'mon Myra Els-beth....Elsteth.....Ellypeth...." Makai struggled a little, did this little girl really go by her whole name? "Well, just follow me."


Chatter followed as he lead her down to the guest bathroom on this floor. He really was curious.


"You're first time seein' the beach? Really? Thats so wizard. Did you live in the desert like Miss Ar-cen-now? I can only visit there, kinda makes me sick. Good thing you came here then. I mean....does water make you sick? I don't think so. Doesn't make Dad sick and he don't got any scales.....maybe only some people...."


Little voice drifted away from view and Judah couldn't help but chuckle softly.


"Poor Myra, Makai is probably already on her nerves."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

[member="Makai Dashiell"]

At least Myra didn't mind [member="Makai Dashiell"] calling her all kinds of different things. In the end, the little girl knew that he meant her. Although, as her little head gave a slight cant to the right, Myra caught sight of those odd little flat blue fanned shaped marks on his cheek again.

Did he glue them there?

Contemplating this, the little girl went to follow him, clutching her doll in one hand while the other held the leftover ice pop stick in her sticky hands.

At Judah's words, Myra gave a simple nod but now did her best to make sure she wasn't touching anything. Now she was worried she would make a mess!

Meanwhile, Danger took to searching for a napkin of sorts to clean up after herself. Myra wasn't the only one who was having sticky fingers.

"She'll get plumbed overwhelmed I'm sure," she teased, but with good humor. "But it'll do her some good."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Myra Elspeth"]


Reaching the guest bathroom, Makai opened the door and flipped the light on. The young scale-speckled boy made himself busy, opening the cabinet doors under the sink. He pulled out a small step-stool and closed the doors once more, putting it in place for Myra to actually reach the handles.


"Can you reach? I'm a bit taller and I do just fine....I can go find a chair or somethin' if that don't work."


Makai went and sat on the edge of the tub, waiting his turn at the sink.


"Do you like it here so far? I haven't been here long....but....its okay. I mean.....I like Ceto a lot. I was born there and a lot of people I know are there. Its hard for Dad though, so maybe I'll get used to being out here instead, for him."


---------


Judah moved about the kitchen and presented [member="Danger Arceneau"] with a fresh roll of paper towels since it appeared she was still struggling long after the ice pops were gone. He could hear the muted voice of Makai still talking, probably not realizing his conversation was quite one sided at this point in time.


"Maybe. You would know better than myself." A small pause, Judah was clearly thinking. "Thanks for coming out. I appreciate it....wasn't sure what I should do....maybe this visit will help right the ship, so to speak."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

[member="Makai Dashiell"]

Shyly, the little girl gave a nod, peering at the little boy from under a veil of thick hair. She was grateful for the step stool, what with being a good number of inches smaller than Makai. Malnutrition had managed to stunt her growth a bit, but with time and good nutrition, she would catch up fast. Sticky red hands came up, holding them over the sink while she peered around to see how it would turn on.

Was it a sonic? Or was it water? This one wasn't like the one back at home, where she had a sonic sink back at the station. A flush of embarrassment arouse to color her cheeks pink as she wasn't quite sure what she was supposed to do. Swallowing hard, Myra went leaning forward to try and check things out for herself. Maybe she wouldn't make too much of a fool of herself.

Where were the buttons???

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Makai Dashiell"] [member="Judah Dashiell"]

"Mighty grateful," Danger said, using the napkin to clean herself up as well as the counter before her. At the mention of Judah's appreciation and gratefulness about her and Myra being here, Danger's hand came up in a slight gesture to wave off any semblance of trouble he might think this would be.

"I'm happy to be here." she told him honestly. Truth be told she'd been worried about both the Dashiell men. Checking up on them was as good of a time as well as that of keeping Myra entertained.

"Wanted to make sure you two were doing fine." green eyes went panning up to catch Judah's oceanic blue. "If there is anything I can do to help, just ask. "

 

[Makai Dashiell]

[member="Myra Elspeth"]


Legs stretched out before him, Makai seemed at home resting on the side of the tub, chatting without a care to the girl who only nodded at him thus far. Hand came up to scratch his shaggy hair, watching with those pale blue eyes. Bare feet sunk into the bathmat and he wiggled his toes in the thick, deep plush of the carpet.


"So later tonight maybe I can convince Dad to build a fire on the beach. We can have smores!" He seemed a bit overexcited at the prospect. "Sometimes, if you get the right pieces of driftwood the salt is all in 'em and makes the fire real yellow. Kinda cool to watch!"


Eyes took her in again. The girl seemed kinda frozen, searching. Makai wasn't sure what to do but he stood up and got on the edge of the step stool. He figured maybe she couldn't reach the handles, so he pulled both to create a lukewarm stream.


"Couldn't reach 'em? Its okay."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]



"Oh, we're doing alright " Judah lied smoothly,or as smoothly as possible for himself.It wasn't an ingrained habit. "More worried about Makai than anything else. He'll have moments of being perfectly normal and then....night is the worst. Probably because he starts winding down for the day, his thoughts probably drift."


At least this was his own experience. Judah imagined it was most likely the same for his son. Throughout the day they were constantly busy. Yet at night the weight of what had happened would press into the mind. Or it could be a routine thing. Being out of town quite a bit meant Thessa performed the bedtime stories, the tucking in and turning out the lights.


"Come on, let me show you where you two are staying. Its not too shabby. Gives you and Miss Myra enough privacy as well. I'm sure she will need it, Makai is bound to drive her insane. I swear I still hear him talking."