Unexpected guests in the deep deep woods

[Gabriel Sionoma]

He clicked his tongue as he smiled, offering her a piece of apple over his shoulder.

"Well...he can be obstinate, that one." Chewing on a piece of apple, he squinted as he looked over to the baby, tonguing his cheek.

"Spoke to Relit in passing..." Gabe shook his head. Still couldn't seem to have more than a few passing words with the Jedi Master, for whatever reason. "Seems he has an issue with cotton as well. He said it wasn't unusual for Zelosians to have a small allergy, though it doesn't reveal itself in hives. We could bring in Sel to check him out, she seems to have taken a liking to Svora." Struck him as odd, either way. Plants allergic to plants.

He shrugged with an exhale. "Or we could just avoid cotton with him. Simplest solution, I think."

[member="Avalore Eden"]​

 

[Avalore Eden]

"Cotton?" replied the Jedi to her friend, an eyebrow raising and a lazy eye opening to the sensation of a slice of something being put onto her lap. Avalore smiled at the something and picked it up to nibble. Nearby in the playpen Armaud watched Gabe with wide interested eyes.

"Ah-bah," said Armaud as he pushed grabby hands through the wooden rungs of the pen, "ah-bah-bah-bah."

Destin churbled at his blocks. He'd never cared much for apples.

"I think you better share," the Healer smirked over at her pink-skinned son, having found an unusual fondness for him as the odd child out between two green brothers. S'vora continued to doze.

"Do you suppose Sel could do anything about it? The allergy, I mean. I just assumed he preferred the leaves because...well, he was born in a flower bloom."

[member="Gabriel Sionoma"]

 

[Gabriel Sionoma]

He pondered on it as he cut another slice of the apple. Looking over to Svora, he pursed his lips.

"She might be able to do something. Quite frankly, I don't pretend to understand their abilities."

He offered a pause, enunciated by the loud crunching of the crisp apple. It was the pink sort of apple, the kind that tasted like a healthy blend between fruit and fruity candy. He had gotten a special deal at the market for them. Agricultural exchange, crops for apples they called it. He reaped some of the fields and in turn, scored an assortment of fruits that he was otherwise unable to grow on the land. Apples, oranges, the lot.

"I'm not sure that's what you want though." He looked over his shoulder. "The ankarres and the bafforr are one thing. But to manipulate a child like that..." He shook his head. "It's not up to me. But I'd assume the better way to go about is just avoid cotton."

Pushing up off the ground, he moved quietly over to the pen, avoiding disturbing Svora. Offering Maud a slice of the apple, Gabe ruffled the boys head to the lock of a smile and a gentle laugh.

"Nothing wrong with catering to his preference. Good for his health, good for him." The boy seemed to enjoy the feel of broad leaves over production value linen. There was nothing wrong with that. Endearing, if Gabe had to admit it.

[member="Avalore Eden"]​

 

[Avalore Eden]

"Oh I didn't mean to ...alter him in any way," Avalore chewed on her apple slice as she glanced over to the babe sleeping in the leaves. Not alter or manipulate, no. The boy was perfectly healthy and if, by chance, his kind happened to have adverse reactions to cotton - by jove, she would find alternative things to use.

The Healer sighed, "this whole experience is just one big learning curve. I thought after getting the care of the twins down I would be more prepared, but learning zelosian biological needs by the seat of my pants is exhausting."

[member="Gabriel Sionoma"]

 

[Gabriel Sionoma]

He smiled as he cut deeper into the apple, going entirely for flesh. Hitting the core, he cut a wedge out and slowly chewed. "Well..." He glanced up towards the sky. The shine of the sun was pushing through the leaves, providing just the briefest glimmer of the more intense rays. And despite that, it was more warming than outright hot. Being of Kiffar descent, the impact of the sun was never something he could consider intense. Particularly upon Sulon, in the presence of children, resting beneath a tree with his closest friend.

"I'm actually expecting a bit of company that might be able to alleviate some of that pressure..." He looked down at the apple, mourning the nature in which this individual came to meet the Marshall. Not that he didn't enjoy her company, quite the contrary, but that her circumstances were catalyzed by an awful occurrence. One from which he couldn't shirk the responsibility, despite how deeply he was manipulated in the past. It was easy to fall prey to the notions of being a victim by himself, but it simply wasn't his way. There was good to be done here, in this situation, and he would try to make the best of it. And the feeling of guilt and responsibility was a natural part of this process.

"I was actually expecting her here alrea--" Diiiiiing, Dooong. The faintest sound of the doorbell could be heard in the distance, the sputtering of the ship that arrived was, however, almost entirely missed. It surprised him so much that he was slightly shocked at first, though he quickly moved on to cutting Ava off at the pass. Standing up, he knelt down next to Ava and placed a hand on a shoulder, pressing the remaining apple into her hands. "Do me a favor. Keep an open mind. She's had a spot of bad luck."

He recalled the last time they had visitors, one being slightly more outlandish than the rest of the crew. And the way Ava had reacted, a primordial response to dogs and dog like creatures in the form of fear. Standing up, Gabe reassured her with a gentle gesture, as if requesting her to remain seated. "I'll go get the door. Just...give me a moment."

[member="Avalore Eden"]​

 

[Avalore Eden]

"Oh?" well that was certainly bait for intrigue. Regardless of whether or not he wanted the Healer's full, undivided attention, he had it now. There was a certain hint of apprehension to her tone and the lines of her expression but she was attempting to remain hopeful, positive. Two things she really had to make a conscious effort of some days.

"Well...wait, what?" Avalore glanced to the apple now in her hands and back up to Gabe. She sat up, attempting to stand with him but found his hands holding her in place. There came a confused bewilderment along a hint of irritation. A frown drew a faint line across her lips as she watched him going, witholding a holler at him for the sake of her sleeping infant and her peacefully playing toddlers.

Have faith, she told herself, he hasn't gone and hired another beastly thing to work at the Homestead. He's found a nice, simple, normal someone to help cook and clean and tend to the children. Surely that's what he's found...

[member="Gabriel Sionoma"]

 

[Gabriel Sionoma]

No chance was provided for her to rebuttal the suggestion. Have faith, that was all that he would leave her with, as he trudged through the house with a long gait. In the distance, he heard the muffled carbon emissions of an engine - a transport that was running behind. Looking through the pane of the front entrance, he slowly opened the wooden door to the look of confusion upon the wookiees face. Giving a gentle nod, he strode past her to wave the ship on. With a return of the gesture, the ship was gone in a moment, leaving silence and curiosity behind on the wind swept porch.

"Was your trip fine?"

Not a word from her. Just a simple and nervous nod. He offered a smile in return, a gesture for her to enter the house with a wave of his hand. It would be a few meager steps to exit back out into the back yard, where the children played and Avalore rested against a tree.

"I'll take your bag."

She pulled it away before he could grab it, tucking it towards herself. Insecure and sheepish, Gabe lifted his hands, understanding her concern. Such was the way of perpetual travelers, unsure of whether they were coming or going. Appreciating her circumstance, he grabbed another apple and moved towards the back door. "Come out whenever you're ready."

With that, he stepped back out, leaving the door wide open. Pulling up a chair next to the pen that held Armaud and Destin, he chuckled as he moved raven black hair from the green childs face. It seemed like eons would pass before she felt safe enough. But with the glass there at the kitchen, he looked over to see her staring out towards the children. Such delicate features, Gabe thought, as he leaned back against his chair, refusing the offer of a building block from Armaud.

And then she stepped out, hugging her bag, feeling the sun upon her slick and well maintained coat. Looking towards Avalore, Opi smiled, though for the unaware, it may have appeared as a snarl or silent show of aggression.

"Avalore..." He said as he stepped up, approaching Opi. "This is Opi."

[member="Avalore Eden"]​