RP:A Babysitter's Worst Nightmare

Summary: Meri has to run a few errands and drops Fleur off at Tiber and Lanara's apartment so they can babysit for a few hours. Things don't go quite as planned as the couple isn't the greatest with children, but they try their best! Fleur and Lana bicker over a board game, Tiber gets clawed by a cat, Fleur eats a tray of cookies for lunch, and Tiber tells the child a horrific story about a wolf-pig hybrid that is sure to give both the child and the witch nightmares! Meri is grateful that Tibara survived watching her darling daughter and considers using their babysitting services in the future.

Part of the Lunar Tides and Silver Linings Arc

(Post 1 of 2) Lanara had been busy all morning preparing for the arrival of Meri and Fleur, making certain to baby and puppy proof the apartment, as she didn’t know what sort of child they would be babysitting. Tiberius hadn’t been overly thrilled when she told him that she offered their caretaking services to her newly divorced best friend, but seeing as the psion did help him with the Sketch situation, he relented. Plus, the pair is still reeling from their spat the night prior, and she had been walking on eggshells so she doesn’t upset him any further. “It will give us some time together to connect more…” They wouldn’t have the opportunity to be parents, not that either of them imagined kids in their future! “Remember… Meri doesn’t know about my, um, situation.” There’s a pause as Lana’s hand idly trails up to the pendant that dangles a few inches above her bosom, the hourglass tantalizingly reminding the witch that her death day is rapidly approaching. “Also. I’m not sure if Fleur understands that Meri and Callum split, so try not to mention anything.” The last thing they need is an insoluble wolf child! “I went to the market and bought a wide variety of snacks and things to entertain Fleur, and I also wrote an itinerary…” An itinerary? Clearly, Lanara takes babysitting seriously! Perhaps it’s because the only kids she ever took into her care had been Ansel’s pre-teen boys, and Emilia’s pre-teen triplets. Unless she was tending to a typical toddler or one rapidly approaching adulthood, she finds herself at a loss. Tiber will spy the entire kitchen table and all the countertops stacked high with every snack item imaginable, and it’s likely that it caused quite a dent in his bank account! “I’m not sure what she’s into… Probably not the makeup kit I bought, if she’s anything like her mother!” Meri is a tomboy, whereas Cal was the more feminine of the two, and Lana wonders if perhaps the plethora of lipsticks and eye shadows had been an impulse purchase. The living room has various areas with all types of items ranging from coloring books and paint sets, to building blocks and small dolls, and a neat pile of board and card games. “I hope everything is perfect… Tiber, you go over the itinerary while I go and dress into something more sitter-like.”

(Post 2 of 2) The brunette returns dressed in a pair of denim overalls with a pink tank top beneath, and a pair of tennis shoes. Her hair has been brushed into two high buns which rest side by side atop her head, and a few strands have deliberately been left loose so they frame her fair face. Lana noisily smacks her lips together as she chews on some bubblegum and lurks near the door, pacing back and forth. Casting a wearisome glance at Tiber, her expression is a little hard to read, “I just want to make sure everything goes according to plan, because Meri deserves some time to herself, and although I watched Fleur for a weekend last year, this is different. She’s older now and lycans grow at a faster pace.” A bubble is blown before a ‘pop’ is heard and she sucks the pink wad back into her mouth, “I’m still more trustworthy than my sister, though! She adopted this weird albino kid and when she didn’t want him anymore she just left him in the woods in Xalious! He’s feral now.” Of course, Lana also has a dark past with orphans, as she had slaughtered nearly a dozen! She was found innocent, as it was an entity that had overtaken her form during the use of astral projection, but she knows that some still think she’s capable. Cinder perches on the edge of the sofa, glowering at Tiber, though she tilts her head and focuses on the door as though someone would soon knock. “I think they’re here!” Lana stands on her toes to deliver a quick kiss to Tiber’s lips, “Sneaking one in before we have to be responsible adults…”

(Post 1 of 2) Tiber was not up for drool. How old was Fleur again? Even little kids had slobber on their mouths and snot dripping from their noses. Tiber sits on the couch--mostly in sulk since they had to babysit a child. Tiber was not the most helpful in this situation right now. Not unless he was being bossed around, for he was still tied to the conversation of last night. “You really think this is the appropriate time to babysit? And waste time? Doesn’t Meri just know a kid next door? Or that hippie doctor?” His arms are crossed, and suddenly he is moving to help the witch with setting up another baby-proof area of the apartment. “I won’t say anything,” about the split he means before he stands up tall. Amber eyes scan over the snacks and activities and his face looks dumbfounded. Was this how much kids cost? Was that paint? Paint that would possibly stain white apartment walls. “Don’t you think a simple book would have sufficed?” He asks slowly before the itinerary is shoved in his hands. “Gods,” while Lanara moves away, the lycan skimps over the schedule before resting it on the dining table without a second glance. Kids were supposed to just be, right? Have fun?

(Post 2 of 2) Tiber observes Lanara as she comes out in her overalls and sneakers with a mouth full of bubblegum. “You know, you didn’t have to dress like the teen next door. It’s a kid, what’s the worst that can happen?” Tiber is pretty relaxed in his plain minimalistic khakis and white t-shirt. His girlfriend is talking very quickly about past children she sat for, and how lycans grow like tumbleweeds--literally. “Uh, I think we’ll be fine. You know… your boyfriend is a lycan, right?” Of course she knew--considering the conversation of last night. The man takes the kiss quickly before he lingers in the background to let the witch open the door.

Meri knew that Lanara was excited and she had faith that nothing would happen to Fleur during this outing, yet the blonde could not help but be slightly nervous. She knew Lanara a lot better than she knew Tiber and she wasn't entirely sure how the lycan male would take to the notion of watching Fleur from time to time. The two arrive and after a quick knock, Meri shamelessly shows herself and her child into the apartment. Fleur was about four years of age, old enough that she could walk, talk, and was mostly past her drooling stages. What she has not yet grown out of is the 'I need to get into everything and anything' stage. It's good that Lanara and Tiber have tried to child-proof the place, to the best of their abilities at least. For the moment, though, the black-haired child was feeling a bit shy and was currently clinging to her mother's leg while she tries to process this strange and unfamiliar place. It was hard to say if Fleur took more after Callum or Meri. She definitely had her father's black hair, but both Meri and her ex had blue eyes. So does Fleur. Meri has also come armed with a bag full of Fleur's most favorite toys. Sure, Lanara's probably done a great job and Fleur will absolutely love to ruin one of Tiber's walls with that makeup set, but when trying to convince a toddler they are going to hang out at x place for a few hours? That toddler is going to insist on bringing some of -their- toys. She also packed snacks that she knew Fleur would like, to spare the couple the headache. Meri tries to step away from her child so that she can greet the two, starting with Lanara and ending with Tiber. "Heeeey, so I was thinking that I'd just let her hang out for a couple of hours. Just test the waters while I run a couple of errands. I won't be gone for too long, yeah?" Probably longer than Tiber would like, but whatever. While saying hello to the couple, Meri catches a glance at the itinerary and can't help but smirk. Toddlers and itineraries? Oh my.

Lanara gapes at her boyfriend as he expects Meri to just hand off her precious daughter to some neighbor, or worse, to the ‘hippie’ doctor. Penelope has to care for a building of sick people and that’s the worst place to bring a healthy child! The lycanthropy comment goes unanswered, but it’s obvious that it stings as it’s so soon after last night's confession. Case in point, she should have told him that she was terminal at the moment of their reunion, and now they are left trying to pick up the pieces and running out of time. Lanara shoves her hands into her pockets and scowls at Tiber’s lack of enthusiasm as she pops another bubble, “I want her to like me, is all. So I’m trying to be more at her level.” She shrugs as one of the denim straps slides off her shoulder, “I don’t think it would be appropriate if I babysat in a bikini or a cocktail dress.” That is the norm attire for the witch, so perhaps her point is valid? Despite her best efforts at fitting in with a child, it looks as though Lana is second guessing things, thanks to Tiber’s comments about her outfit. It’s too late to change though, as Meri and Fleur are walking into the apartment! After greeting Meri with a few pinches and pokes, as is their custom way to say hello, the witch moves over to the dark haired child and bends so that she’s at eye level. “Hiya Fleur! I’m Lanara, and I watched you for a fun weekend in Frostmaw last year but you probably don’t remember as you were so little. I am excited for a day of fun because I know we are going to be best friends!” Perhaps Lana is so cheerful that it’s not coming across as authentic, but she’s trying her best! Extending a hand, she waits for Fleur to take hers, and if she does she will introduce her to Tiber. If not, Lana will gently coax the child to trail after on her own, “This big guy is my friend Tiber, and as for the kitties…” She points to a long haired cat, “That is Salem. And the bigger, dark kitty, is Cinder.” Meri is placing down the snacks and toys and announces that she will be gone for a few hours, and Lana motions to the itinerary which she spent hours working on, “Take your time, I know you could probably use some ‘me’ time now and again! I figured we could spend most of the day here, or if Fleur is growing bored, we could visit the sanctuary? It’s not too far, and the chicks and ducklings are so cute! Or we can grab some ice cream by the beach.” Lana is rattling off tasks on the itinerary, which is bolded, highlighted, and underlined, in various parts. She is taking this -very- seriously. “I’m so excited! She’s in great hands, Meri! And it gives Tiber and I a day to be pretend parents!” She blanches at her last line, having let her excitement get the best of her, and she avoids looking at the Catalian at all costs. He is more likely to horribly maim her than he is to warm up to the idea of being a ‘pretend’ father.

Tiber nods in understanding Lanara’s point-of-view with the teenie-bopper outfit she chose. “Oh, so you’re the ‘cool’ mom. Or the cool… sister?” A smirk plasters on his face for a mere second, but that smirk does not last as long as one would really hope, for he was still thinking this was a horrible idea and horrible timing. Those thoughts are suppressed for a moment as the knock echoes through the minimalist apartment. The lycan leans against the back of the couch as he watches the two come into the apartment. The Catalian finds his eyes stuck on the kid as if they are already having a staring contest--mostly on Tiber’s end because Fleur looks embarrassed and shy like young toddlers do. Gold eyes fixate from the trance he was in to greet the blonde with a wave and nod before his eyes cast back at the kid and Lanara. The shrilling voice Lanara is giving is over-enthusiastic for his tastes, but he gets baby-language. This lycan was still not getting the fact that Fleur was not a baby. “Hey, Fleur,” his tone is even, but his face is not as inviting as Lanara’s. The lycan would, in fact, look intimidating in his brooding mannerisms. “Wait… take her ti--” he is cut off as Lanara is explaining Meri needs ‘her time’. Was Tiberius all-star father material? Absolutely not, and so without further ado, he is cringing when Lanara says they are being ‘pretend parents’ today. Two reasons why, one, Tiberius was anti-kid and second, the witch was knocking on death’s door. Instead of blatantly glaring at Lanara, he keeps his gaze steady and forward as if he was just a zoned-out, neglectful baby-sitter. It was going to be a long ‘couple’ of hours.

Meri gives both Lanara and Tiber strange looks as they debate the semantics of it all. Pretend parents? Cool mom? Cool sister? The blonde is lifting her brow at all of these implications, giving a faint shake of her head. She offers a gentle correction, "I think the Aunt and Uncle angle might be a bit more appropriate, all things considered." What was Tiber trying to say? That Meri looked old enough to have birthed Lanara? Rude. She'd let it slide though, this time. Tiber had enough on his plate to deal with and Meri was trying to make her way out the door. In order to do that, however, Lanara had to successfully coax Fleur off of Meri's leg. The witch's attempts are not successful at first, it does not matter to Fleur how sugary sweet Lanara's voice is at present. Based on the toddler's reaction, she does not recall Lanara. Unsurprising, she was just an infant then. Lanara manages it though, even if she is having to gently herd the child away from Meri. The blonde takes this chance to bolt out the front door, leaving Tiber and Lanara with the following parting words, "Good luck!" And then it was just Lanara, Tiber, and the wolf-kid. Lanara is trying to show Fleur cats, except this is the first time that the child has encountered one. She's used to dogs. And so she tries to pet the cat like she might a dog, you know. A good scratching on the side, just how dogs like it. And exactly how cats hate it. At least she's trying to be gentle even if she's doing it all wrong.

Lanara narrows her eyes at Tiber’s words, nearly forgetting that there is a child present though she catches herself in time, “So wait? You would sleep-” Is her boyfriend suddenly into incest!? Had he just made an aging comment about her best friend!? Lana shakes her head and storms into the kitchen to deposit her gum in the garbage as it had lost its flavor, before she gives a parting wave to Meri, “Have a great day!” The ‘good luck’ is a tad foreboding and the witch hopes that it was a mere slip of the tongue. Cinder stiffens as the child attempts to pet her, though it’s far rougher than she’s accustomed to, and although tikifhlee’s are known for being sentient creatures, this one is anything but, likely because she’s the familiar of a crazy witch! Cinder is glaring at Fleur and every time the palm strikes her side she hisses, but so far the claws haven’t come out. Lanara happens to be eyeing the toys that Meri dropped off and is pulling out a board game comically called ‘Trouble’ and she sits lotus style on the floor and pads the carpet. “Fleur. Can you show me how to play? I think this will be fun for us! I want to be red!” She glances up in time to see Cinder’s fur bristling around her neck and the cat arches her back and gives a loud hiss as she readies a swipe, “Tiber! Grab Cinder!” It would take too long to exude her empathic abilities, and each second is precious, as she doesn’t want the little girl to get harmed within the first five minutes of their watch. If the lycan gets there in time it will be -him- that the cat sinks her claws into, otherwise, she hopes that Fleur dodges the attack.

Tiber raises his brows at the concerned and confused women, but Tiber is now stuck on, “Aunt and Uncle…?” He blinks and gives Lanara a look. A look of ‘I did not sign up for this’, but really, being with Lanara, he would know that he had to suck it up like a buttercup. The Catalian watches in his amused way to see how Lanara can pry the little one away, and in his mind, all he wanted to do was just pick her up and haul her away. Would that not be the easiest route? Maybe not the most trustworthy, considering Tiber and Lanara were both new faces. Tiber lets Lanara sort this one out and he breaks away. “Enjoy your time,” how sincere was that? Well, there was a bit of niceness behind it, but also regret because now he had to care for a child. Then, now, there were three. “You know, nap time could last a couple hours. Some of Lana’s special potions, eh?” Of course he is joking, but right now he deserved a great big elbow to the gut. The man then twitches for a moment when he notices the little lycan scratching Cinder in such a poor-way--Tiber wanted to like it because Cinder deserved it, but there was also a twitch of instincts. “Uh, kiddo,” and Lanara is already hollering at the Catalian, “Trust me, we don’t want any scratches on your hands,” and of course he swoops the bigger feline and the claws clench into a part of his chest and upper arm. “You monster! Ah!” He gasps. He quickly runs to toss the tikifhlee into the spare bedroom and close the door behind it. “We’ll just keep you in there for the time being, demon!” He then turns around with the newly-found scratches. Five minutes in and this might have been his own personal hell.

Meri isn't here to defend that topic any further -- but Tiber and Lanara were the ones who started it! Don't go making weird faces about Meri's correction. Fleur doesn't need to get confused and start thinking that Lanara is Mom 2.0. She's also not there to personally punch Tiber in the gut for his jokes on drugging her child. Lanara will have to deal with that. Though she may very quickly start to rethink the thought of putting Fleur down for a nice little nap as a result of what happens next. It starts with the fact that the child ends up giggling over Tiber getting clawed by the cat. Not that odd of a response from a child. They seem to get particular enjoyment out of these moments. "Monster." This is now the cat's name. Lanara's going to have to spend a considerable amount of time correcting this confusion before Fleur will accept that the cat's name is in fact Cinder. Except the animal is quickly out of sight and out of mind, focus is soon on the board game. Lanara thinks that she gets to have first pick of the pieces? Wrong. WRONG. The correct answers is that Fleur should have gotten the first pick, because the first thing the toddler does is start whining, "No I want to be red." Whining may turn into crying depending on how determined Lanara is to be that red piece. It would really be much easier to cave, let the toddler be red. She really wants red. She's always red. Red. Red. Red. Lanara's going to let Fleur be red, right? Okay. Good. We can proceed with the nonsensical rules. They're not even clearly explained and they often seem to contradict each other. Example. In one turn, Fleur rolls doubles. She gets to move forward ten spaces! When Lanara rolls doubles though? Somehow the rule is that Lanara has to go back seven spaces. Long story short, if they play by Fleur's rules? Fleur is winning.

Lanara holds the red play piece in her hand and stares at it, forcing herself to remain calm, because right now -she- is seeing red. Had Tiber just called her beloved companion a ‘demon’ and locked her in the spare bedroom?! Sure, he saved Fleur from getting injured and took a few swipes himself, but Cinder is very special to Lanara! The witch scowls at Tiber as he returns to the room, but upon noting the claw marks in his shirt, her expression seems to soften. “Do you need me to tend to those scratches?” It’s probably not the best idea to lead the lycan into the bathroom and sanitize and bandage him up, while leaving Fleur unattended in the living room, but she’s trying to equalize being the perfect girlfriend and the best babysitter! “You shush about potions, Lowell! The last time you used a glamour potion on Salem!” Perhaps a sleeping potion for the lycan and the wolf pup wouldn’t be such a bad idea? Lanara could even head out and meet up with Meri! The two could have a grand time shopping and grabbing some drinks, while their wards were safely sleeping in the apartment! As she is daydreaming, Fleur is whining and trying to pull the red piece from her hand, and Lana is full on pouting, “But, -I- picked red, first!” Are they truly arguing?! The toddler and the witch bicker back and forth, each whining over the other, though when Fleur threatens to shed that first tear, the ‘adult’ finally caves and hands over the pawn. “Okay. Well. I will be blue?” Either Fleur doesn’t know her colors, or she’s being spiteful because Lana tried to have first choice of a color, because Tiber is handed the blue piece and Lana gets the yellow piece. The four pawns of each color have to circle the board and arrive ‘home’ but somehow none of Tiber’s pieces land home, Lana loses two of her pieces at some point, and Fleur wins by a landslide! “How come the rules keep changing?” She’s honestly confused, and as Fleur corrects Lana each time around, Lana in turn corrects Tiber, so it’s a chorus of changed rules after each roll. “Do you want a snack now, Fleur? Or... I can make some lunch! Do you want a sandwich? Fruit?” She is a wolf, so Lana offers, “Some strips of salted beef?” Did she have any allergies? “What do you like to eat and drink?” Pushing herself off the floor, Lana glances at Tiber, “Mind watching her while I make us all some lunch? Maybe she will get into the makeup or one of the crafts?” Hopefully, the male wouldn’t be injured this time around! Fleur mumbles ‘monster’ again and Lana states, “Cinder. Cinder. Cinder. Just like Cinderella, the fairytale! Tiber, be a doll and tell her that story? I will only be like thirty minutes.”

Tiber lifts his hands up in defense. “I’m -kidding-. Unless maybe Fleur wants a new hair color, eh?” The lycan slaps his knee at his own joke, and he is sure by this moment his girlfriend is not very amused. He then watches Fleur’s resistance to another color. “Well, maybe I wanted to be red,” perhaps Tiber was just trying to really tick off a child for fun, who knows. He got a kick out of that which was entirely obnoxious probably on Lanara’s part. Of course, however, he standed corrected because what started at frustration turned into a melting hissy fit between, now, two children, and Tiber eventually caves into a groan. “For the love of Sven, Lana, just let the kid be red already!” Fingers press against his temples before a blue piece is being forced into the hand that lingers by his side. “Oh, blue,” he grips the piece and smirks before sitting down and playing the game. Eyes trail to Lanara. “Yellow because… you’re bright and shiny,” he winks towards the witch to make her slightly feel better. As they play the game though, that light-heartedness fades away. Tiber and Lanara are now in their own fits because the game is changing so much. “You know, kid, life doesn’t just give you what you--” he cuts off because if he truly said ‘life does not give you what you want’, he would be asking for dagger eyes from his girlfriend. Thankfully, the game switches to the thoughts of food which Tiber is sulking due to having to be on entertainment-duty. “Cinderella?” In honor of the monster? No way. “Sure, babe,” he then looks at Fleur. “Have you ever heard the story of Little Red Riding Hood? Or… the Three Little Pigs?” Darker tales. About wolves. Of course he would whisper those tales. Whatever Fleur chose, he would do it with a wicked grin, but if she wanted Cinderella, she would get the tale with eyerolls. Or if nothing, he was on the next move!

Meri :: Fleur most certainly knows her colors. Her mother is an artist! This is one of the first things that Meri actually thought to teach Fleur. Just because Fleur knows her colors, doesn't mean she cares enough to correct Lanara on blue versus yellow. It didn't matter to the toddler, not as long as she got her red piece. The game proceeds and it seems that Tiber is getting frustrated with rules and with the fact that Fleur seems to be determined to get everything that she wants. She might be trying to push buttons and test limits just a wee bit, then again....? It does serve Lanara and Tiber right for trusting a four-year old to explain the rules. Maybe they should have picked up the rule book themselves! It's probably good that Tiber stops trying to explain that life does not always give you what you want, for Fleur is definitely paying attention to that. All ears, eyes glued hard on the lycan. Thoughts of lunch are less interesting to Fleur, poor Lanara is just picking all the more challenging tasks. Feed? A toddler? Expect an actual answer for what Fleur wants to eat for lunch? None of the above of course. Mom isn't here so maaaaaaaybe this will work, "Cookies." That's right. The toddler wants cookies for lunch. Shocking. For a bit, it does not seem like Fleur is interested in story time. Cinderella? This did not sound that interesting to Fleur. Nor did Little Red Riding Hood, maybe if the toddler had an understanding it was about wolves. Three Little Pigs though? Mmmm. Bacon. Fleur likes bacon. Also the way that Tiber is whispering in a conspiratorial manner makes the toddler think that she should not be hearing this story....which means she definitely wants to hear it.

Lanara is preparing lunch and thinking over Tiber’s comment on yellow being her color because she’s bright and cheerful, and she gnaws on a carrot, a sweet smile on her face. The Catalian -is- dreamy and his wink had her melting, but of course she couldn’t focus on the compliment from her charming boyfriend, because she was so caught up in not being able to be the ‘red’ player and the rules had her mind spinning in circles! Truth be told, she assumed Tiber would think her ‘yellow’ because the sun can be a monster and burn one's flesh, and after she ‘volunteered’ their babysitting services and his home, she didn’t think he’d find her ‘shiny’ in the least. The witch finishes making sandwiches for Tiber and herself, and she puts a few cookies on a plate for Fleur, along with a glass of milk. Turning the corner, she sees Tiber whispering to Fleur, and the two look rather suspicious, so she quirks a brow and clears her throat to get their attention, “Secrets are not nice, you two!” Feigning a pout, Lana crosses her arms over her chest, “Lunch is ready! I wasn’t sure what kind of cookies you like Fleur, so I gave you a few of each.” Sugar and toddlers are a dangerous combination, but Lana feels that as long as she keeps doing things with Fleur, that it’s a step in the right direction. A hand is extended to both lycans, before she would aim to tug them upwards and into the kitchen, though she falls a step behind so that Fleur can choose where she wants to sit. She learned this game the first time around with the choosing of play pieces! Strange how a toddler has two full grown adults wrapped around her finger all in under an hour! Lowering her voice, Lana leans into Tiber, “You better not have told her any scary stories! She could have nightmares and Meri will kill us both! My life is already almost over, but you will be on the chopping block, so keep everything toddler level, Babe!” Sliding onto a chair, Lana bites into a turkey sandwich and studies the little girl, “Do you like to dunk your cookies? Back in my homeland we used to dip them in jams or milk.” Their lunch continues, with the offering of more cookies as Fleur is a growing girl, and the witch glances into the living room. “What should we do next, Fleur?” It seems the itinerary had gone straight out the window, likely with the directions for the board game!

Tiber is gesturing all the motions of the story in a lowered voice so Lanara could not hear. It was a kid’s tale, right? What was -really- the harm of it all? Tiber goes on how each pig worked their piggie feet to the bone to build their houses before hiding in them from the biggest, and the, of course, baddest wolf around. Of course the wolf he describes is himself--in his own form because, honestly? Tiberius was big and bad, okay? Bad to the bone, or at least he imagined himself that way. “So, the wolf huffed and puffed and blew the twigs DOWN!” The ‘down’ happened to be a booming sound, for the lycan was getting into telling the story as he outstretched his hands as if the twigs dispersed in a wind explosion. Tiber was a story-teller, and that was one of the wonderful qualities about him. The drama. The anticipation. It was unique that such a brooding man could have such exaggeration and flare for a good tale. “Then,” teeth were gleaming at the little girl, and his fingers began to trail to poke her gently in the leg. “As all the pigs were hiding in this brick house,” he slowed his words as if something scary was about to happen. “The wolf huffed, and he puffed,” the lycan inhales, “and he blew! He blew like he never blew before!” There was that exasperated whisper, “And--” ‘Lunch is ready’! Fleur would be left on a cliffhanger. “Les go,” he makes a funny accent to point to the dining area. As Lanara leans into whisper to him. He gives Lanara a side-eye, and one that had a distant look. Did the Kelvarian have to bring up her sentence again? The one that had her knocking on death’s door. “I didn’t even get to the good part anyway.” Truth. He did not get to the end of his possibly grim version of The Three Little Pigs. He looks to Fleur who has the cookies on her plate. “You best eat that sandwich before you touch those cookies. I want good bites before cookies.” His voice is parently for once, but who knows how long that would last. Lunch continues, and the next act almost begins!

Meri :: Story time seems to be going over much better than the board game did. Maybe because she didn't have full control of the rules, causing much frustration to everyone but herself. Tiber being so animated during story time helped. The fact that she had to pause for lunch though? That was not something that pleased the toddler. At least not until she catches sight of those cookies. Yesssss. Coookies. She'll temporarily forget about that cliffhanger because...cookies! To the dining area she goes at the instruction of Tiber and Lanara. Did it seem like she was actually going to start listening for a change? Sort of. Kind of. How long it would last....Well she gets her tush into a chair and reaches for one of those cookies, but then Tiber corrects her. Sandwich first. What. Well she reluctantly reaches for her sandwich, but they might have differing opinions on what constitutes 'good bites.' What could have been a quick lunch is drawn out painfully as the child drags her feet on actually eating the main course of the meal. She'd nibble. And nibble. And nibble. And pretend she doesn't like it. Then nibble some more. We're talking a good thirty minutes of this game. Until she was finally allowed to eat those cookies, which were promptly scarfed down. Such a good eater then, isn't she? Mmmm. Sugar. As for what Fleur wants to do? "I wanna hear about the wolf. Did he get to eat the pigs?" It didn't seem like Fleur was very unnerved. This story was right up her alley. She needed Tiber to finish so that she could have those nightmares....

Lanara didn’t catch herself as she mentioned her death sentence to Tiber, likely because it’s all she thinks about day and night, it incessantly pokes her on the shoulder and whispers bitter nothings in her tapered ears. It’s natural to speak of heavy topics to the witch, especially since she had to keep it hidden for so long, and so she assumes that Tiber’s faraway glance is because he’s upset about his lunch. She forgot to place a cookie on his plate! Of course, she mentally facepalms herself, and places two peanut butter cookies on a napkin and nudges it beside his sandwich. “You can’t have dessert until you each all of your sandwich too!” Rather than pig out on junk food, Lana has a few small carrots on her dish, and she nibbles on them as Fleur decides what they should do next. The next words out of Fleur’s mouth have Lana inhaling so sharply that bits of carrots get caught in her windpipe and she begins to choke. “What… Pigs?” Tears are streaming down Lana’s cheeks as she fights to catch her breath, all the while coughing into a napkin and glaring at Tiber for telling the toddler a scary story. After several gulps of water and rubbing her throat, the carrot slides down the rest of her throat, and one crisis is diverted. The other, main crisis? It’s only beginning! Fleur is sure to have nightmares and it would come back to bite Lana in her legendary ass! Meri will never trust the couple with her child again and this is not how she imagined the day playing out. Leaving half of her sandwich untouched, she immediately begins to clean up and shakes her head, “You. Promised.” That’s all she says to Tiber, through a clenched jaw, before she heads over to the sink to do the dishes. On the matter of Fleur hearing the rest of the story, it’s left undecided. On one hand the kid may be frightened, but on the other hand, she would rather Tiber tell her the ending rather than have her ask Meri!

Tiber finished his lunch probably about ten minutes in. That meant another twenty painful minutes. “Looks like you gotta stay at the table and finish eating some good bites of that sandwich,” the man stands up to grab his plate and bring it to the sink before returning. He could sit in the moment. Thank Sven the kid does eat her sandwich though, but as Tiber is sipping on some water, he almost coughs up some that goes down the wrong tube at the kid’s question. “Uh,” he glances at Lanara quickly. “The wolf tries to blow the house down, but then,” Tiber goes on this rant about a wizard pig and how it turns the wolf into a pig-wolf. Odd ending. Made up ending, but he did not want the silent treatment for the rest of the night because he traumatized Meri’s child. After the petty ending of the story, he walks over to Lanara. “What the ending wasn’t bad? And you -love- animals.” He was trying to play it off as if he was not in the wrong. At least he saved the kid from hearing the naturally bad ending. Instead the wizard pig turned the wolf into a wolf-pig. How cool was that? Tiberius was in the dog-house now. "Here, babe, I'll clean up. You hang with Fleur. I'm sure Meri will be here anytime, anyway."

Meri :: Why yes, Meri would be there at any time. In fact a knock on the door announces her arrival, but like last time she did not wait for someone to answer the door for her. She just shows herself in. And when she does? She is promptly tackled by her child and greeted with 'Mommy, mommy, mommy'. And guess what the first thing Meri learns is? The story that Tiber told her. That expertly crafted story is watered down and recounted for Meri in about thirty seconds, including the weird ending where he turns into a wolf-pig. Meri is lifting a brow and staring at Lanara and Tiber. Was she mad over the fact they told Fleur one of the darker fairy tales? The blonde speaks, but to Fleur, "Oh. Honey. That's not how that story ends." Meri is just going to have to set the record straight, thank you very much. She will not have her child grow up believing in man-bear-pigs....or whatever nonsense these two were trying to teach Fleur. "For the record though, her favorite is Hansel and Gretel. So far at least." You know, the really spooky one about these kids that got lost in the forest and almost baked in an oven by a witch? And here Tiber and Lanara were worried. Meri traumatizes her own child all the time, thank you very much. "Get your stuff packed up," she says to Fleur. Then to Lanara and Tiber, she smirks, "By the looks of it...you two mostly survived. For the most part. I hope she wasn't too much of a handful. Thanks again for watching her."

Lanara honestly doesn’t expect Tiberius to do the right thing, not because he is a jerk, but because he is an avid storyteller and she had her doubts that he would alter the ending. His words are a surprise that likely leave Fleur unfulfilled, but it’s not -as- scary as the true ending. Perhaps the lycan girl isn’t going to have nightmares, but a pig-wolf hybrid is enough to have Lana wrinkling her nose into an expression of disgust and she mutters that -SHE- will have nightmares thanks to Tiber’s tailored tale! The animal empath inside is begging to be hung from the ceiling, as the mere image of such an abomination is too much to handle, so she distracts herself by taking Fleur back into the living room area where they color for the remainder of the time until Meri returns. Lana is all smiles as she greets her friend and they make some small talk, before she abruptly interjects, “I did give her a few cookies with her lunch and Tiber told her some, uh, colorful fairytales. I’m sure she will be fine, but just wanted to give you a heads up! Fleur was such a joy to watch and we would be happy to look after her anytime!” There’s a fraction of guilt for not telling Meri that she’s knocking on deaths door, but her best friend is going through enough right now with being a single mom, plus they just traumatized her daughter with a story about misuse of magic and a horrific beast, so she thinks it best to keep things short and sweet. After hugging the psion and toddler goodbye and helping them pack up their belongings, Lanara rounds on Tiber. The male likely thinks he’s in the doghouse, but life is short, especially if you’re the witch, and so she gives the lycan a come hither glance and heads into their bedroom. “I don’t want kids, nor can I have them… But we can ‘pretend’ and go through the motions of making a baby.” A seductive smirk is on her face as she waits to hear if he is ‘game’ and wishes to spend the remainder of their day doing adult things.

Tiber perks up when Meri shows herself in. Realizing it is -just- Meri, he lowers himself back into washing dishes. The man then places the last dish on the drying rack before moving towards Meri who is explaining the real ending to the tale. His head then rolls to Lanara to give her the look of ‘knew it’. “It’s Meri, babe, see? She tells Fleur Hansel and Gretel. Besides, you know the -real- tale of Cinderella? I could’ve told that one.” He then looks at Meri and smirks sheepishly before nodding. “Bring her over whenever,” that meant Fleur was Tiber approved, if Meri would take it. “I got her to eat her sandwich before the cookies at least,” he shrugs. The man holds the door open for the mother and daughter before Tiber waves goodbye in his short way. “See ya, Mother Meri Scary,” it was a small tease. “Be safe,” he concludes with sincerity before he waves goodbye to Fleur with a lighter face than the previous one he had. As for being led to the bedroom when the two are gone, Tiber does not fight against the witch’s suggestion. “I think we can pretend. Maybe once. Twice. Three, four,” the numbers drag on with a grin until he is pulled in. Adulting was really his way of life, so yes, he was game.