Monday night at Nell and Gladio's

[mylandmyrules]

After work Nell headed home to get things ready for the evening. She thought simpler was better, both in case there were children and in case people chose to stay home with their children instead.

It would be easy enough to throw together an extra simple pasta bake or plain noodles to go with the fresh bread she'd made. And, of course she had plenty of cookies and brownies.

If she was perhaps a little quieter than usual, well, there were a number of things occupying her mind.

Comments

[sword_chocobro]

Yeah, the turnout for tonight's gathering might be a little all over the place, but, at the same time, it seemed like a good way for some tired and beleaguered unexpected parents to get a little break and some much needed grown-up conversations. Who knew? Gladio had only had this happen to him once before, and it had been an impossible alternate ending, so he didn't give it much thought. The fact that there weren't any additional tiny barefoot Nells or bare-chested Gladios running around was definitely a point of introspection for him, but, well, wasn't much point in dwelling on it too much.

Although it did, maybe, feel like a good discussion for later.

For now, he was just going to take care of his usual Monday errands, which did include proving to Summer's kids that he could a absolutely bench press and lift both of them, and then returning home with some of those Japanese sodas with the balls because they seemed like they'd be fun for any kids that might be coming by (and Prompto) and went to find Nell.

"Hey," he said, setting aside the drinks and moving in for the usual kiss in greeting, "anything that still needs doing?"

[mylandmyrules]

"Nope," Nell said - after the kiss obviously, "Not much to do till we see who's here. It's the clean-up that could be a little crazy.

She had some things she wanted to talk about as well at some point. Questions. Things this weekend had started her wondering about.

But for now she was content to curl into Gladio and hug him tightly.

[sword_chocobro]

When Nell curled up against him and hugged him like that, Gladio could tell she needed the extra squeeze he put into the hug back. And he was just going to hold her for a moment before asking, "So....what've we got ahead of us tonight?"

[mylandmyrules]

Nell loosened her hold, but stayed snuggled against him. "Well, since there's a possibility we'll have kids tonight, I thought pasta was a safe bet and it's easy to make up quickly. We can do plain with butter or with sauce, we can cook up some sausage to add in, or just throw together a salad."

She sighed. "But since we don't know I didn't want to make much ahead of time - beyond some cookies nad brownies."

[sword_chocobro]

"Well," Gladio assured her, "if no one does end up swinging by tonight," which some would! Once capitalism stopped being a jerk! "you know I can definitely put away some extra pasta like it's nobody's business."

[mylandmyrules]

Nell laughed. "I will totally make you all the pasta your heart could desire. Tonight or any other night."

[hashtag_chocobro]

At least there was one kid who was totally expected (assuming, anyway, she didn't get too tired or cranky), and so Prompto was here with Noctra because she'd been pretty good and excited and even spent a good deal of time by the door back home once Prompto was done with work patting it and letting them know in very insistent tones that it was time to go to Aunt 'Ell and Uncle 'Ladio's.

And they'd get there....eventually. Apparently, Noctra also insisted on going up the stairs all by herself today, which meant....this might take a while....

But at about the halfway point, Prompto decided he needed to step in because by the time they got up to the apartment, everyone would be getting ready to leave, so he just called out, "SPEED RAMP!" and swept in to pick her up and make sounds like a video game race car to blast her up the rest of the way, much to her squealing approval.

"And in the very last second, it's the Noctra 5000, pulling ahead for the win! Ladies and gentleman, what an upset! And the crowd goes wild! Yeaaah, Whoo hooo! Goooo Noctra!"

[mylandmyrules]

Nrll had heard the yell and hurried to the door to see if anything was wrong and laughed when she w=saw what was going on. "Congratulations on your win, Noctra, welcome, Prompto."

[chef_chocobro]

At some point, eventually, the topic of Gladio and Nell had come up with Calli, and, of course, she was hoping to get the chance to see them. So when she was still around on Monday, well...he supposed it wouldn't hurt to invite her along so she could go see them, especially as her curiosity grew even more as she started to come around to the fascinating fact that all of this was in the past for her.

Only problem was that Calli wanted her other father to be there, too, but Stark had pointed out that he'd hardly had any time to spend with his other children, and Calli, riding some sort of magnanimous high from her successful dinner plans last night, loftily decreed that they could come too then.

So there was a sigh and a warning voicemail sent to Gladio that apparently, they were bringing a whole crew with them, with Stark and Calli and Summer and Bixby and Cass all thrown into mix.

At least they'd had time to make two different kinds of cupcakes, what else?

[mylandmyrules]

"How are you holding up," Nell asked sympathetically. "Sounds like it's been quite a weekend."

[chef_chocobro]

"Yes, well," Ignis said with a sigh, "I suppose it was time for Prompto to finally pass the torch to someone else for having a particularly chaotic one of these weekends. But it has been...enjoyable. I can't say it's been like that for any of the others."

All apologies to Spero and Lancea, of course, but he knew they would understand.

"Have you and Gladio been enjoying the quiet, at least, on your end of things?"

[mylandmyrules]

"I... yes, I suppose we have," Nell said slowly. "It has been quiet. The party was fun on Friday night. I think Gladio might have missed being a part of the chaos."

[very_serious_cupcake]

Calli was very excited to get to see Nell and Gladio here at their place on this island where everyone met, and she was very relieved that it was the complete opposite of the scary (albeit much nicer inside) mansion.

"Oh, this is so cozy!" she gushed, and then her attention was caught elsewhere. "And you have kittens!"

Her father was against pets, even no matter how much she promised to take care of it, so she was also loving that everyone seemed to have cats around here, too.

[mylandmyrules]

"Welcome," Nell said. "I'm Nell. Hospitality and safety while you're here."

She smiled over at the kittens. "The orange one is Rigel and the black and white one is Cygnus. And they're both very friendly."

[somethingwithturquoise]

Summer had to admit, this was a little weird for her, but, well, Gladio and Nell were her friends, so it's not like they'd be all ew no why would you let her in our house Ignis?, and honestly, she wasn't going to trust Stark to be able to handle keeping Bixby and Cass in line all by himself, and they did love hanging off Gladio's arms earlier when he made his Monday stop to the store...

So she was there, with her kids, half-wondering if she should have brought a jello mold or something.

"Just....don't touch anything unless you're expressly told you can," she warned them. "And for the love of god, Cass, if I see you anywhere near those cats, I will throw you straight into a portal to Screaming Sun planet."

"I wasn't gonna!" Cass insisted, deftly stepping away from the kittens with her hands promptly darting behind her back and her face as innocent as could be.

[mylandmyrules]

"Summer, welcome. Hospitality and safety to you while you're here," Nell said. "And welcome to your children as well."

Even if she was going to keep a close eye on Cass and the kittens.

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Hey, Nell! Hi!" Summer said. "Thanks for letting us crash thing thing, everything just got really....complicated? Between....everyone? You know with me and Stark, and Stark and Ignis....Your place is so cute! And this is Bixby," gesturing to the boy with the mop of redhair, who waved his hand, "and Cass," the girl smiled big and wide and oh-so-innocently.

[mylandmyrules]

"You're more than welcome," Nell said warmly. "And thank you, it's very cozy."

She smiled at the two children. "Hello, Bixby and Cass. Welcome."

And oh, she had hee eye on Cass. Cassreminded her entirely too much of her little sister Mud.

[stykera]

Stark was feeling not at all sure of himself but he was here at the request of an impossible child and he was on good terms with nearly everyone who would be here. It would be fine.

Gladio and Nell, at least, he had smiles and hellos for without having to worry too much about it.

[somethingwithglowing]

"Dad," Bixby sidled up to Stark at some point, in the evening and gave his hand a tug for his attention. "Gladio says I could be big and strong like he is if I ate enough Cup Noodles, is that true?"

[stykera]

"It worked for Gladio," Stark said. "It might work for you. But he does work out a lot. You'll need to do that, too."

And probably come from more substantial stock than your parents. Sorry, kid.

"How many cups of Cup Noodle do you think he eats every day? Can you eat that many?"

[somethingwithglowing]

Excuse you, Stark. Summer had been working out. Canonically, buff Summer could bench press her grandfather.

Who...admittedly looked like he weighed 98 pounds soaking wet, but there were a lot of mechanical parts in there, you know!

"Hmmm." Bixby considered this carefully, narrowing his eyes at Gladio across the room to get a good measure of him from this distance. "Probably a lot. He probably has one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I could probably eat that much, to start with."

[stykera]

"Will you still have room for cupcakes?" Stark asked.

"And... you aren't planning on eating any hearts, are you?"

[somethingwithglowing]

"There's always room for cupcakes," Bixby countered with a laugh, before shaking his head. "But no, I'll leave the heart-eating to Cass. She said she was going to eat mine, too, but you know she's just full of it."

[stykera]

"I'm glad one of you doesn't want to eat me," Stark said with a heavy mock sigh. "Though I don't want her eating you either. Maybe she needs more noodles. Or cupcakes."

[somethingwithglowing]

"Maybe," said Bixby, with a little bit of the excitement of a brilliant plan starting to form, "if we made her cupcakes that looked like hearts, and then it's the best of both worlds!"

[stykera]

"Very good idea," Stark said approvingly. "Gross hearts or valentine hearts?"

He had a feeling, somehow, that gross was going to be the winner.

"I wonder how much like real hearts we could make them look..."

[sword_chocobro]

"Stark," said Glaido, nodding to him as he ignored everyone else in this post before him, for some weird reason, and then had to grin, looking over at where Calli was trying to convince Cygnus to come sit on her lap, then back to Stark with a lift of his eyebrow. "You and Igs, huh?"

That was much funnier than giving him crap over the ones he had with Summer, after all. That barely even warranted mentioning.

[stykera]

Kids with Summer were expected by other people, probably.

"Apparently," Stark said with a tiny sigh, looking over at Ignis. "I don't know how. But she's here all the same."

[blueblackbrat]

"Stark," Liliana said, coming up to him with a black-haired, purple-eyed teen in tow. Irrim really was a miniature version of Liliana, her father present more in her magic than her looks. "I would like to introduce you to Irrim, one of my visitors for the weekend."

"Hi," Irrim said, giving Stark a small wave. "I heard you come in the other day, but I didn't want to intrude."

So she'd eavesdropped telepathically because obviously.

[stykera]

Had she heard a lot of internal flailing from Stark? Rude, little Lili-clone!

"Hello, Irrim," he said, nodding. "Liliana."

[blueblackbrat]

Have you considered getting good, bro?

"So you're the other guy Ignis had a baby with," Irrim said. "Why are you all weird about it. Mother's not being all weird about having a child with Dean. I mean, outside of how weird she's being about having children at all."

Liliana looked like she wanted to protest and then subsided. No, Irrim was right.

[stykera]

"I don't think I realized you had a child with Dean," Stark said, glancing at Liliana. He'd been a little distracted this weekend and hadn't paid close attention to the radio broadcasts.

"And I'm not being that weird. It's just...unexpected. And complicated. And impossible for a number of reasons."

Sorry Calli!

[deathsmajesty]

"Yes," Liliana said. "It was quite the surprise to all of us. She's certainly...precocious."

"One way of putting it," Irrim muttered. She did not look to be a fan. But she did look curious about Stark's answer. "Complicated? Because--" She gestured at Liliana and then Summer and their pair of redheaded children.

Liliana was going to sip the wine Nell had given her and be of absolutely no help at all.

[stykera]

Stark looked over at Summer and Cass and Bixby, then at Calli and Ignis, then back to at Irrim, then glanced at Liliana and wondered if he could get a drink as well. Maybe he'd just drink at home tonight.

"Complicated because of everyone involved," he said in an attempt to be diplomatic. "The way things stand now, here, in this version of the universe, she couldn't possibly exist. But she does."

[blueblackbrat]

Yeah, drinking a lot at home seemed to be the plan for most people. Also, Stark, get your own wine if you wanted some. After a week of children, Liliana seemed to be in even less of a mood for sharing than otherwise.

"Ohhhhhh," Irim said, nodding as she got a fuller understanding of the situation from...somewhere. She looked up at Liliana. "For once, this isn't really your fault!"

Liliana looked torn, her desire to evade responsibility for most things at war with her pride in a kind of, 'It could if I wanted it to be' kind of way. In the end, she opted for a non-committal, "Mmm," and drank more wine.

"Sounds like last night didn't help?" Irrim asked. She was also torn. On the one hand, served everybody right for taking Ignis away for the evening. On the other hand, rude to take Ignis away and not even move the needle much.

Vess women contained multitudes, okay?

[stykera]

Stark was a little lost. Maybe more than a little.

"How would it be her fault?" he asked. "It's not. If anything it's mine. And last night was...awkward? She seemed happy. Calli did. The food was good. I just don't think it's going to help with...the complicatedness of it all."

[blueblackbrat]

"Because lots of things back home are her fault," Irrim said with a shrug. "Especially interpersonally. She is a very divisive figure."

Liliana also shrugged. That tracked.

"Well then, what will help with it being so complicated?" She was a telepath. Maybe she could help!

Well, only if Ignis wanted help. She didn't know you, Stark. And Calli was on thin ice. By, you know. Virtue of existing or whatever.

[stykera]

"Are they ever your fault?" Stark asked, eyebrow raised.

It was a very reasonable question.

"I don't think she's to blame here. Not for this. And...talking. Might help. But it's hard."

[deathsmajesty]

That question made Irrim withdraw, hunching over herself a bit. Without even thinking about it, Liliana stepped between the two of them, offering Irrim the silent safety of her shadow. "Honestly, Stark, she's a child. If two adults have some kind of falling out, I highly doubt it's the child's fault."

Normally, Irrim would protest that she wasn't a child but for some reason she was staying quiet.

"And obviously talking is hard. If it weren't, you'd have done it already. The question is, do you think salvaging the relationship is worth doing the hard thing. And before you say something about it depending on what Ignis thinks - which is obvious - I'm going to remind you that the first step is asking him."

[stykera]

"I didn't say it had to be something between two adults," Stark said. "I just asked if things were ever her fault! I didn't even say that was a bad thing. It isn't, necessarily. I meant no harm, Irrim," he said in a softer tone, "I'm sorry if it seemed that way."

He sighed and straightened his stance.

"I know. But not tonight. Calli is happy and there's no need to end that happiness early."

[deathsmajesty]

"S'all right," Irrim said softly. "And yeah. Lots of things are my fault."

From Liliana's glare in his direction, neither Stark's explanation nor Irrim's answer had made Liliana any happier with this line of questioning.

"I agree with your assessment of the situation," Liliana said. "Upsetting the children seems a poor choice all around."

[stykera]

"Lots of things are my fault, too," Stark said conspiratorially, leaning in towards Irrim a bit. "More often than I'd like. But some things aren't anyone's fault, you know. Sometimes things just happen."

[blueblackbrat]

Irrim had been looking up at Liliana in astonishment, but she glanced back at Stark as he leaned in.

"Was this one your fault?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Or a thing that just happened?"

[stykera]

"Yes," Stark said. "Some of both. Not explaining myself properly, or apologizing...that was entirely my own fault."

[blueblackbrat]

"Mmm," Irrim said thoughtfully. "Do you think Ignis would be happier if this all got sorted?"

Because she could make that happen. Pretty easily even.

[stykera]

"I don't know," Stark said honestly. "I'd like to think so. But I can't be sure."

[blueblackbrat]

"I could find out," Irrim offered.

"Absolutely not," Liliana declared.

"But if it will help--"

"Stark and Ignis will work this out - or not - in their own time," Liliana said. "You're not using telepathy to solve this for them."

Irrim scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Never mind, I guess" she said, because clearly Liliana was being unreasonable here.

[stykera]

"I know I prefer when my thoughts are my own," Stark said. "I would think Ignis feels the same way on the subject."

He frowned a little. "You could tell him you don't think I'm terrible, if you'd like to help. Or... not. You shouldn't worry about our issue. It's nothing to do with you."

[blueblackbrat]

"I wouldn't do it without permission, Arden protested. "But I don't know you well enough to know that you're not terrible. You could be." She shrugged. "That's why I was going to ask."

[mylandmyrules]

"Hello, Stark, welcome to our house," Nell said with a smile. "Hospitality and safety to you while you're here. Please, come in and make yourself comfortable."

[stykera]

"Thank you for letting me, letting us, come," Stark said. "It's appreciated, Nell."

[mylandmyrules]

"You're always welcome, Stark," Nell said. "How are you holding up? Is there anything I can do to help?"

[stykera]

"I'm fine," Stark said. Which was true for now, at least.

"And you've done enough, I think, opening your home and offering to feed us. But thank you."

[mylandmyrules]

Nell smiled. "Well, there's wine and some beer in the kitchen if you'd like some. And pasta. So very much pasta."

[stykera]

"I will certainly be eating pasta," Stark assured her. "Perhaps a drink later. For now I'm just...letting the evening happen, I think."

He knew it had to end soon. He wasn't ready. But he was going to enjoy the children while they were in his care.

[mylandmyrules]

"Then just make yourself at home," Nell said. "You're welcome to anything that's set out and if you need anything else, just ask."

[stykera]

"Thank you," Stark said again. "And...it's lovely. Your home."

It felt very home-y.

"It's just...it's nice in here. Soothing?"

[mylandmyrules]

"Thank you," Nell said warmly. "I wanted it to feel warm and cozy, so I'm glad it feels good to you."

[stykera]

"It's very cozy. It feels very much like a home," Stark told her. "Very comfortable."

[mylandmyrules]

"Thank you," Nell said again, feeling deeply touched. "I appreciate that. It feels good to have so many of my friends here tonight."

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana had considered staying at the mansion that night - no offense meant to Gladio or Nell, but her patience for children was very low and it had been exceeded days ago - but Irrim had very obviously wanted to accompany Ignis. She'd also considered just sending her along with Ignis and enjoying an evening to herself (that sounded woooonderful), but that also felt somehow like admitting defeat and so here she was, in attendance, wondering if she shouldn't have brought several bottles of wine to indulge in.

[sword_chocobro]

Well, it wasn't wine, but how about a novelty Japanese soda with a ball in the neck of it? Gladio was grinning faintly as he offered one (grape, of course) out to her with a nod.

"Lils."

Forget dealing with all the kids, Liliana! Now you had to deal with Gladio!

[deathsmajesty]

"Beefslab," Liliana sighed, feeling her headache spike, even as she took the soda with its distressing lack of alcohol. Oddly enough, the greeting made Irrim laugh.

"That's what you call Uncle Gideon, too," the girl said. "Well. Other you." She gave Gladio an assessing look. "I think you're bigger though."

"Well, I shall add that to my list of exciting things to look forward to," Liliana drawled. "A second Gladio to meet. Huzzah for me."

[sword_chocobro]

"Yeah?" asked Gladio, preening for a moment with a crooked grin on his face, making the most out of all six foot six of him and however broad those shoulders was. "I do hear I make a good modern casual of that guy, apparently."

He gave the girl a once-over, then glanced to Liliana and snorted faintly. "Yours?" he asked. "Nah. I don't see it."

[blueblackbrat]

"The resemblance is very slight," Irrim agreed. "She's mostly taking my word for it."

"I have been very accommodating that way, it's true," Liliana agreed. "Gladio, meet Irrim. Irrim, this is Gladio."

"Pleased to meet you," Irrim said, with something like an abbreviated curtsy. "Thank you for inviting me into your home. I know I wasn't expected. Apparently a theme for the weekend."

Liliana was just eying the girl skeptically. "Where were these manners all weekend?" she asked.

"They're not you."

[mylandmyrules]

"Liliana, glass of wine?" Nell offered. "I have a bottle of Sister Erasmus' and you seem as if you might need a glass. Not that you don't look fabulous, of course, but i've listened to radio."

[deathsmajesty]

"Nell," Liliana said in an undertone, "it's possible I have never adored you more than I do in this very moment."

And that included the entire cake fiasco.

Cakes could be bought! Liliana's sanity could not.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell laughed and handed Liliana the glass of wine she'd poured. "Why don't you take a seat in the living room and put your feet up for a minute. I can run interference for a bit."

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana had done the impressively mature thing by showing up, she wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to enjoy a nice sit down with wine for a bit.

"Yes, that sounds delightful, dear one, thank you. It has been...a time."

Next time, she was procuring babysitters and fleeing to Argentina.

[mylandmyrules]

"Maybe this week would be a good time for that spa trip?" Nell offered.

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana snapped her fingers and pointed at Nell. "You are absolutely and without a doubt entirely correct," she declared. "I'm so tense my masseuse is going to need a masseuse. Someone needs to massage me into a puddle and then carefully move me over to the sauna to finish the job."

Had Nell always been this brilliant? No matter, she was now and that was what was important.

[mylandmyrules]

"Then I think we have a plan," Nell said, amused at the image of Liliana as a puddle. "Any day better for you?"

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana made an excellent puddle.

"How does Wednesday sound?" Liliana asked. "Thursday I'm giving my final and Friday is...prom?...I believe?" She wasn't sure what that was but it had something to do with the school and therefore her presence might be required also I'll be focusing on Arden. "Or the weekend, I suppose."

But...you know. Wednesday was closer.

[mylandmyrules]

"Wednesday sounds good to me. I have class in the morning, but I'm free after that," Nell said. "We could have the whole afternoon for pampering."

[deathsmajesty]

"Speaking my language," Liliana said. She glanced around, noting the lack of giant, shirtless children. "Is this something you've gone through before? I understand that this is a regular occurrence."

Gaia help them all.

[mylandmyrules]

"I've... " Nell hesitated. "I've never had any children show up. Last year I believe Gladio had a son show up." She hadn't made the connection really back then, but it seemed clear looking back on it now. "But no one this weekend."

[deathsmajesty]

It would be impolitic for Liliana to say 'Lucky' on any number of axes, and Nell had the wine, so she was opting for discretion being the better part of valor.

"It was quite a surprising wakeup," Liliana said. "Perhaps next time they could choose a day that didn't follow a party."

[mylandmyrules]

Nell grinned. "It does always seem to follow some sort of party - like prom."

[deathsmajesty]

"What is prom?" Liliana asked.

[mylandmyrules]

"It's sort of a close to the end of the year dance for the school," Nell said. "Couldn't tell you much more about it."

When she went to the school she'd been married, so it wasn't so much a thing.

[deathsmajesty]

"Ah," Liliana said. "Like the Magister's Masquerade at Strixhaven, I see. And that explains why everyone seemed to expect the children after it, too."

[mylandmyrules]

"Yes..." Nell said. "I suppose...?"

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana shook her head. "I simply didn't know what prom was or why there was such goings on about it, so I simply asked."

[mylandmyrules]

"I'm afraid I'm not much help on socializing type things," Nell said ruefully. "But I think any student or teacher can go."

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana waved that off - and then looked thoughtful. "I don't think Ignis would wish to go, but I suppose I could ask," she said dubiously. She was disinclined, but if he were truly interested...

They could put in an appearance. A very short appearance. Liliana's enjoyment of dressing up and dancing didn't involve also making sure no one spiked the punch.

[mylandmyrules]

"I don't know if Gladio and I will go," Nell admitted. "I actually hadn't even thought about prom until you just brought it up."

[deathsmajesty]

"And I had only heard of the concept being spoken of in general terms and wanted to understand," Liliana said. "I don't know that mingling with students holds much appeal right now. I think it's likely that Ignis and I will enjoy a quiet evening at home."

[mylandmyrules]

"There don't seem to be many students - at least not young students these days," Nell said, "But I am never one to argue with the idea of staying home and having a quiet evening."

[deathsmajesty]

"I doubted you would," Liliana said with a small smile. "But thank you for explaining, darling."

[mylandmyrules]

"Of course," Nell said, "for whatever my explanation is worth."

[blueblackbrat]

For all that Irrim had wanted to accompany Ignis to his friends' house, now that she was here, she found herself oddly shy and hesitant, sticking to her mother's shadow, of all things.

But for all that her mother was an expert in making Irrim feel unwelcome, she knew that she'd raise a fuss worthy of the entire Abyss if someone else did.

[deathsmajesty]

"You're very quiet," Liliana couldn't help but notice. What with how Irrim had suddenly swapped from 'can't get away from you fast enough' to 'suddenly underfoot.' "Do you not want to play with the other children?"

[blueblackbrat]

Irrim gave her mother an irritated glance. "They're children," she pointed out.

And Irrim was a very adult thirteen. Obviously. Yet another reason for her to be standing over here, with the grownups.

"That doesn't explain why you're so quiet."

Irrim flushed and looked a little pugnacious. "I've never done this before. Met...your friends. Socially."

[deathsmajesty]

"Ah," Liliana said, voice softening. "Would you like an introduction then? I am sure that everyone would be pleased to meet you albeit handwavily, since we probably don't want to break L's brain."

Irrim gave the shrug of I'm a teen so obviously I'm too cool to care but yes, actually, I would like that a lot.

"All right," Liliana said, leading her over to Summer to begin with. "Summer, I'd like to introduce you to Irrim, who came to visit this weekend..."

And yes. Everybody would be kind and welcoming to the girl, or Liliana would do something drastic. Sure, she didn't expect otherwise, but she was surprised to discover the feeling existed anyway.

Huh. Time to completely not examine that.

[mylandmyrules]

"Welcome. I'm Nell," she said. "Hospitality and safety to you while you're there. Please make yourself comfortable."

Nell would not tolerate someone be unwelcoming to a guest in her house either.

[blueblackbrat]

Irrim nodded slightly. "Thank you, ma'am," she said quietly. "Extending the invitation to me was very kind of you."

[mylandmyrules]

"Oh gosh, you'un don't have to call me ma'am," Nell said easily. "M'just Nell. Even if the Detective insists on calling me Ms. Ingram. And I'm sory, but I'm afraid I don't know your name."

If Irrim was reading her mind she'd see Nell was just as honest and welcoming as she appeared.

[blueblackbrat]

Weeeeelllllll....Irrim wasn't not reading her mind. You know. Just surface thoughts! Had to stay on top of things and Liliana had forbidden her from reading Ignis' mind and neither she nor Jace had ever been able to read Liliana's, so clearly, this was just self-defense.

...Or something?

"Oh! I'm Irrim," she said. "Irrim Vesseren. Pleasure to meet you."

Because there had been no way Liliana was going to let Jace be the only one giving his surname to the child.

[mylandmyrules]

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Irrim," Nell said warmly. "Can I get you something to drink? Gladio bought these very cool sodas. And I have pasta with all sorts of options for toppings and some fresh baked bread if you're hungry."

[blueblackbrat]

"Oh, yes please," Irrim said, because she was a thirteen year old magic user and therefore she was pretty much either hungry or sleeping and sometimes both. "Can I ask...Gladio and Ignis and Prompto are...brothers?" Everybody's thoughts on that were confusing. And they didn't look like brothers. But then, not all brothers looked alike, either.

[mylandmyrules]

"In heart and spirit if not in blood," Nell said as she led Irrim to the kitchen and handed her a soda. "They've been through a lot together, so they've become family."

She hesitated. "I'd better let you pick what you want. There's a pasta bake and plain pasta that you can add sauce or butter to and some sausage and bread... Help yourself or tell me what you'd like and I can serve you."

[blueblackbrat]

"Pasta...bake?" Irrim said, looking at both options curiously. "I've never had this. The food we eat at home is very different. Could you tell me about them?"

If nothing else, the prospect of Learning Something<sup>TM had her relaxing.

"And what's Cup Noodle?"</sup>

[mylandmyrules]

Nell opened her mouth to explain the pasta bake, then had to laugh. "Cup Noodle. Oh, it's one of those things tbat are extremely tasty and no doubt terrible for you. Gladio's favorite food. He'll love you forever if you try some and tell Ignis how delicious it is."

She nodded towards the Cup Noodle. "Just add boiling water. And after that you can try the bake which is pasta baked in with sauce and some ground beef and more cheese than is probably healthy for you."

[blueblackbrat]

Irrim's expression was very dubious as she peeled back the paper and looked inside. "Do we eat the cup, too?" she asked, because the texture between noodle and cup were not particularly far apart.

[mylandmyrules]

"Oh no," Nell said. "Pour the water in and cover it up to sit for a few moments and then you just eat the noodles and broth."

[blueblackbrat]

Ignis was probably inwardly dying at the idea that Nell, an adult he trusted, would be leading a child astray like this.

"The...carrot chunks? And...corn kernals? Look very weird," Irrim noted, but she was pouring the water in as instructed. Learning was important, after all.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell laughed. "It is strange, and certainly not up to the standard of anything I would cook - or Ignis for that matter - but they are tasty."

[blueblackbrat]

"Yes, this pasta looks much better," Irrim said, carefully holding the paper lid down. She looked very dubious about this. "Cheese is good."

She was thirteen. The concept of 'good for you' did not yet apply.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell laughed. "Cheese is wonderful! So after you've tried Cup Noodle and made Gladio very happy, you can havethe pasta bake. I even have extra cheese to sprinkle on top."

[blueblackbrat]

"Is it ready yet?" she asked, looking down at the cup in her hand.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell nodded. "Should be. Just give it a stir and then take a taste. Be careful you don't burn your mouth, though."

[blueblackbrat]

Irrim nodded. Irrim stirred. Irrim took a mouthful - and immediately made a face.

"Salty!" she declared. "I. Uh. No thank you." She put the cup down and immediately started making plans to 'accidentally' knock it over if Nell looked like she was going to insist Irrim finish it.

It was possible that Ignis was feeling an unexplained swell of pride in the other room.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell laughed. "They are, yes. Let me take that from you and trade it for some pasta bake instead."

[blueblackbrat]

Irrim was suddenly looking at the pasta bake with a lot more apprehension. It smelled good, but Nell had assured her that this cup of noodles was good too and, well...

"Perhaps a small bowl?" she suggested. "Just to start?"

#NailedIt

[mylandmyrules]

Nell could read the room. She offered Irrim a small spoon. "Why don't you try a bite first and see if you like it. If not there's plain pasta that you can doctor up as you like. Everyone likes different things after all."

[blueblackbrat]

Irrim nodded and took the spoon, and dug into the bake. Another dubious look and then she took a nibble.

Her face cleared and even brightened. "Oh! That's very good!"

[mylandmyrules]

Nell smiled at her and nodded to the pan and the dishes nearby. "Help yourself to what you want. There's some fresh baked bread there as well."

[blueblackbrat]

"Thank you!" Irrim said, happily adding a mound of pasta to a dish and several slices of bread.