Chapter Text
VR-LA lifted the box up off the wood of the porch, his son, Docent holding the other side of it, carrying it into the living room of the new family home. VR-LA other two kids were on the couch, Bing napping in his carrier and Emi sitting on the couch with him. She watched as VR-LA and Docent set down the box. “..was that the last box?” She asked, hopping off her spot on the couch.
“No, Emi. That wasn’t the last box. We said on the box before this one that it was the second to last box.” Docent answered, crossing his arms.
“Be polite to your sister.” VR-LA sighed. “The next box will be the last one. Why don’t you go and check that all the blankets on the windows haven’t fallen down?” VR-LA suggested, receiving an eager nod from his daughter.
“I can do that!” Emi declared, turning and running off to another one of the rooms in the house to check, her shoes squeaked against the floors and could be heard throughout the whole house. VR-LA was starting to wonder if letting her get shoes that squeaked like a dog toy when she ran was a good idea.
VR-LA looked over at Docent. “Let’s go get the last box.” VR-LA said, ruffling his son’s hair as he walked past. Docent just nodded, following behind VR-LA. They stepped back out in the warm summer air, VR-LA moving to one side of the box and Docent moving to the other. They lifted it together, both struggling a bit. “What in the world got put in this one?” VR-LA asked.
“Books.” Docent answered, backing up to take the box into the living room, VR-LA followed.
“I thought I said to spread those throughout a few boxes, not to just drop them all into one box?” VR-LA raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah.” Docent answer, and there was a brief pause as they got the box through the doorway. “I just forgot.” He added.
VR-LA sighed again, and they both brought the box into the living room. They set the box down on the ground. Emi’s squeaking shoes could be heard as she ran down the stairs and burst back into the living room. “All windows are covered!” Emi declared. “That’s the last box, right? We can unpack now? Right? Right?” Emi asked, her eyes practically sparkling.
VR-LA patted Emi on the head, ruffling her curly buns of dark hair a bit, making Emi giggle. “Yes. yes. We can unpack now, Emi. You two go sit on the couch with Bing.” VR-LA said.
Emi cheered, running over to the couch and sitting back down. She glanced over at Bing, who was somehow still asleep despite all the noise. Docent sat down so that Bing’s carrier was between Emi and him, but kept his eyes on VR-LA. VR-LA smiled, receiving one small smile and one huge smile in return.
VR-LA took a deep breath, light gathering around his hands and around the boxes. VR-LA made a swishing motion with his hand, the tape keeping the boxes closed was pulled off. Emi started flapping her hands as VR-LA floated the items in the boxes out. VR-LA chuckled at her expression. Normally he wasn’t this showy with his magic, but Emi’s pure joy at the showmanship was too adorable to pass up on. The tape disappeared in the air, and VR-LA used his magic to carefully float items out of the boxes.
All of the big furniture had been placed into the house by movers the day before, so VR-LA simply floated the items into their proper places. Books which had gone into the living room in their old home, went onto the bookshelf in the living room, the coffee table had the vase from their old home placed onto it. VR-LA would have to buy flowers for the vase until he could get his old garden for spell components restarted. VR-LA floated out more vases. Why did he have so many vases? Nobody ever gave him flowers! VR-LA floated the vases into the correct rooms, humming slightly as he found Emi’s box of plushies, floating the weirdly long frog plush out and over to Emi, who giggled and pulled it out of the air.
VR-LA got an idea, floating all of her plush toys into the air and slowly floating them over to the couch, Emi squealed, jumping off the couch to avoid what she believed would happen. VR-LA laughed, having the ball of plushies follow Emi as she ran out of the living room, her shoes still squeaking. VR-LA dropped the ball of plushies onto her, hearing her squeal and laugh. And, immediately, as though on que, Bing began crying in the carrier.
VR-LA carefully set everything down with his magic, picking Bing up out of the carrier. Bing kept crying, pink tinting his face. VR-LA started bouncing Bing, pacing around the living room searching for the bag of baby stuff for his youngest. Docent hopped off the couch, immediately finding the bag and handing it over to VR-LA.
“Thank you, Docent.” VR-LA said, putting the bag on the couch to dig through it with only one hand, the other carefully cradling Bing. Emi emerged from the pile of plushies, running into the living room.
“You handle Bing, Dad. Emi and I can put stuff away while you calm him down.” Docent said, looking over at Emi, who immediately nodded.
“We’ll put stuff away!” Emi said, running over to one of the boxes with stuff still inside of it, immediately starting on pulling out the spellbooks inside.
“Thank you, you two.” VR-LA said, pulling a rattle out of the bag and shaking it in front of Bing, who tried to grab at it while still crying.
—
VR-LA walked down the street, rolling Bing in the stroller, Docent and Emi walking together a few steps ahead. They hadn’t gotten groceries yet, so they were heading to a diner just down the street from their home. VR-LA hoped it was good, it was only a few minutes walk away and that would make his life a lot easier. Docent and Emi stopped in front of the cute diner, staring at the building, body language tense, and when VR-LA got closer he could immediately sense why. The buzz of recently cast spells was in the air. It could barely be considered hidden, like the person didn’t care enough to hide it.
VR-LA took a deep breath, trying to focus on the magic in the air. Healing spells. Nothing unsafe. The magic was warm, faintly reminding him of the magic AS-TR would cast when somebody within the coven got hurt. Magic hadn’t been cast here with bad intentions in a very long time. VR-LA motioned for Emi and Docent to head inside. “Let’s go in, I know you both are hungry.” He said lightly, and Emi and Docent both relaxed.
They entered the diner together. A man called over to them from the counter, leaning over something on the counter. “Hey! Welcome! Take a seat anywhere! I’ll bring some menus over in a moment!” The man called.
“Thank you!” VR-LA politely said in return. “You two can go pick out a spot.” He told Docent and Emi.
“Can we sit at a booth, Dad?” Emi asked, already dragging Docent by his sleeve over to an empty booth.
“Yes, of course.” VR-LA said softly, following the pair. Emi led the way to a booth, sliding in and patting the spot next to her. Docent sat down next to Emi. VR-LA pushed Bing’s stroller up next to the table, being careful to make sure the stroller wouldn’t block anyone’s path before sitting down across from Emi and Docent. Bing looked around briefly, holding onto his little teddy bear, shaking it to get the bell hidden inside to ring every time it was quiet for more than a second or two. Bing giggled at the sound of the bell each time. It was fine as long as he didn’t remember throwing it out of the stroller was an option.
The man who was at the counter walked over, placing three menus onto the table. "Howdy, I'm Finbar. I own this diner, thank you for coming here for lunch today." The man said, smiling at the three of them and pulling a notepad out of his apron pocket. "What would y'all like to drink today?"
"Chocolate milk!" Emi immediately declared, putting her hand up. The man chuckled warmly. "Please!" Emi added.
"..water please." Docent said, giving Emi a bit of side eye for being loud.
VR-LA gave the drink part of the menu, which was on the first page, a quick glance. "Coffee please." VR-LA really needed it.
Finbar jotted those down. "Thank you, I'll have those brought out to y'all in a moment." He said, before walking off with a polite wave.
Somebody on the booth behind VR-LA turned, and VR-LA noticed they looked a lot like Finbar. "Hey, sorry to bother you. Y'all new in town?" They asked, and the two others sitting with them seemed suddenly interested too.
"Oh, uhm!" VR-LA started awkwardly. "Yes, indeed. My family just moved in today!"
"Ooh! Welcome to town then!" The person said. "Why'd y'all move here if I may ask?"
VR-LA can't list natural magic as a reason. "For my kids' health. The last place we lived wasn't that great for them." VR-LA told a half-truth.
The person gave a sympathetic look, and the others with them gave similar looks. "Oh, I hope this place helps then." They said, not pushing the topic. "You got a job in town yet?"
These people were somehow both nosey and polite. VR-LA really didn't want to be having this conversation without some coffee. "I'm still working at my old job from home." VR-LA said politely, opening up his menu the hope that would give them the hint to stop asking him questions.
"Oh, what do you do for work?" Another one of the people at the booth behind him asked.
How nosey. "I work for a small business run by some friends. Nothing too interesting, we just do work for other companies." VR-LA gave a vague lie.
"Oh, what work?" The first person asked, leaning further over the booth.
VR-LA felt uncomfortable now. Finbar walked out of the kitchen with two glasses and a mug, setting them down on the table. He noticed the face VR-LA was making and the person leaning over the booth. "Leave him be, he's uncomfortable." Finbar said calmly, smiling. "I'm sorry about them." He apologized.
"It's fine." VR-LA said quickly.
The person slumped back down into their booth. "He's new in town, Finbar! He just moved here!" The person said, sounding quite excited.
"Oh! Welcome to town then." Finbar said politely. "I figured you were new, but just thought you were visiting family or something. Hope you haven't run into any trouble or anything."
"No, not at all! I haven't gotten the chance to talk to many people yet though, so we'll see." VR-LA said politely. Emi and Docent were watching the conversation quietly, and he could practically see the gears turning in Emi's head as she considered mischief.
"Let me know if you need any help around town or anything. It's always nice to get some new neighbors around here." Finbar said. "Now then, have y'all decided what to order or would y'all like some more time?"
-
VR-LA sipped his coffee and ate slowly away at his remaining french fries as Docent followed his slow, organized process for eating anything and Emi played with her food. Bing had fallen asleep in his stroller, hugging the little teddy bear to his chubby cheeks.
Finbar stopped by the booth again, politely nodding to VR-LA before starting to speak. "Would y'all like anything else while you're here? Something to box up for the other parent of these three maybe?" Finbar suggested, motioning to VR-LA's kids.
VR-LA froze, realizing he didn't have a lie prepared for something like that. "Oh.. uhm.." VR-LA began awkwardly, seeing mischief glint in the eyes of his older two. Docent and Emi looked at eachother, immediately faking sad looks. Docent poked at his food and Emi stopped playing with her food. VR-LA, panicking slightly, went with it. VR-LA wondered what those two would get from specifically this lie, what they were planning. He avoided eye contact with Finbar, feeling genuinely guilty that this was the lie VR-LA had to go with.
Finbar looked briefly embarrassed before giving them sympathetic looks. The people sitting in the booth behind them stopped talking to each other, mumbling something in tones of pity. "Oh, my apologies for your loss." Finbar said awkwardly. "How about this? To welcome y'all to town, I'll give y'all some free cheesecake. I just finished making one and I can box it up so y'all can take the leftovers home."
VR-LA immediately felt even more guilty. "There's really no need for that, that's very kind of you though." VR-LA said.
"No, no, I insist. I brought up a sensitive topic and y'all are new in town. If that's a bit too much, how about just three slices for you and your older two?" Finbar suggested.
VR-LA glanced at Emi and Docent, who stared back at him with pleading eyes. "..alright. Thank you, Finbar." VR-LA is not immune to his kids.
"It's no problem! I'll bring some cheesecake right out!" Finbar said, waving and walking quickly back to the kitchen.
-
Finbar and VR-LA had begun chatting again after Finbar brought the cheesecake. It was a simple conversation, Finbar was pointing out other good places for food and good spots for kids to play. Finbar apparently had quite a few younger siblings and knew the good spots well. VR-LA felt grateful for the information, and genuinely enjoyed talking to Finbar so far.
While they chatted somebody else entered the diner, a beautiful woman with curly hair pulled up into a tight bun stepped in through the front door. Finbar looked over at her and smiled wide, motioning for her to come over. “Elyse, hun!”
“Fin, good afternoon.” The woman, apparently named Elyse, said in return, walking over. She spared VR-LA and his kids a quick glance before looking back over at Finbar.
Finbar leaned down, giving Elyse a quick kiss on the cheek before standing up straight again. “Why’d you stop by? I thought you were busy today?” Finbar asked, putting a hand gently on her shoulder.
“I could handle everything else from home now that the kitchen repairs are done, so I decided to stop by and get lunch. Seems you were busy with a conversation though.” Elyse explained, before looking over at VR-LA. “Hello, I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Elyse. I run a cafe across town. It seems you’ve already met my husband.” VR-LA felt vaguely like he was being judged when Elyse looked at him, and he could sense magic from the jewelry she wore.
“I’m VR-LA, these three are my kids. Docent, Emi, and Bing.” VR-LA motioned to each kid when he said their name. “We just moved to town. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Elyse nodded, showing a small, polite smile. “Welcome to town, VR-LA. It’s nice to meet you too. We haven’t had anybody move in for a few years now, so it's good to have some new people around.” Elyse said, humming in thought. “I just stopped by to get Finbar to make me lunch, sorry to interrupt your conversation with him.”
Emi looked noticeably bored and she leaned over to pull the bag on Bing’s stroller off, digging through it for a book. Docent leaned over to look for one of his books from the bag too. Finbar spoke up. “I’ll go ahead and make something for you then, hun.” Finbar pat Elyse’s shoulder before looking at VR-LA. “I’ll be back in a moment. Enjoy your cheesecake!” Finbar waved, walking back to the diner’s kitchen.
Elyse gave Finbar a small wave as he walked off, looking back to VR-LA. “Have you looked into any of the stores around town yet? Stuff for your kids?” Elyse asked, pulling a little notepad out of her pocket. “I could give some recommendations, if you want.”
“Any recommendations would be very much appreciated! I did some research before moving, of course, but I know getting local advice might be a bit better..” VR-LA replied.
“I’ll write down some of the good grocery stores around here and where to go for the best deals.” Elyse said, already writing away at surprising speed on the notepad. “Repairs are all done by the same spot in town, for everything, from cars to appliances. I’ll put their number down too. Personally though, I’d get help from out of town for cars or other vehicles, if you can.”
VR-LA nodded. “May I ask why?”
“Repairs from out of town ‘last longer’.” Elyse said simply, putting air quotes around her words. “They do good paint jobs though.”
“Got it.”
Elyse hummed in thought, checking her list over before ripping it out and handing it to VR-LA. “The community center does free classes pretty often too. They get enough donations for it. So, if you or your kids like painting or crafts, I’d recommend it.”
Emi's eyes lit up with interest, and she looked over at VR-LA. He chuckled. “Do you know when their next painting class is?”
“Sunday at 3 pm. I attend them too. They also do a 21+ drinking and painting class on Friday at like.. 6 pm, I think? I haven’t been to one of the drinking ones in a while, too busy.”
Emi smiled, kicking her legs under the table. “Thank you for telling me.”
“No problem.” Elyse said simply.
—
VR-LA turned the dial on the stove, expecting for the burner to heat up, only for it to remain cold. VR-LA sighed, turning the rest of the dials to the burners, seeing if it was every burner or just that one.
It was only the first burner.
VR-LA picked up the list Finbar gave him, checking the number for repairs. VR-LA pulled his phone out of his pocket, dialing the number.
-
VR-LA heard a knock at the door, and he left the kitchen, where he had been making a grocery list while Bing finally napped. Emi and Docent had been reading at the dining table in the corner of the kitchen, Docent taking notes on whatever he was reading. Emi had been trying to, to mimic her older brother, but had gotten too entranced by her book.
VR-LA walked to the entryway, checking out the little window before opening the door. A young woman, with orange hair in tight curls stood on his front porch. She gave him an awkward wave. "Hi. I'm Dani. From Oto's. I'm here to check out your stove." She greeted, voice gravelly. It reminded VR-LA of a smoker's voice, and he noticed cigarettes poking out of her pocket, confirming that.
"I'm VR-LA, I'm the one who called. Come on in, I'll show you the stove." He motioned for Dani to take a step inside, and she did.
At that moment, VR-LA noticed a weak anti magic barrier around Dani, something untrained and unstable, but strong. "How interesting.." He mumbled to himself.
"Huh?" The woman asked.
"Nothing, please follow me." VR-LA said immediately, smiling to her. An untrained witch was something curious. This town had many more witches than he was expecting already. VR-LA led Dani into the kitchen, pointing the stove out to her.
Dani walked over to the stove, giving a few quick glances at the outside, and testing each of the burners. Docent and Emi both spared Dani a quick glance. Emi looked back at her book, uninterested, and Docent stood up and walked over to VR-LA. Docent just observed, and VR-LA figures he probably just noticed the anti magic too. Dani finished her quick examination of the outside. “I’ll check out what’s going on inside and see what I can do.” Dani said simply.
“Of course, do what you need.” VR-LA replied, keeping a polite smile on his face. Docent curiously looked at what Dani was doing as she messed with the stove.
After several minutes of the only sounds being from Dani checking around in the stove, she pulled back to dig through her bag and she began talking. "Well, you aren't missing anything on the inside, some wires aren't attached and some paneling is really loose. Whoever fixed it last messed up on it." She motioned for VR-LA to come look. She seemed pretty grumpy at the stove itself, like it had done something wrong.
VR-LA walked over, looking at what Dani was pointing out to him. VR-LA knew absolutely nothing about this kind of thing, so he stared blankly into the stove as Dani started explaining what she'd have to do.
VR-LA did his best to listen, nodding along and taking mental notes of stuff to look up online later. Docent was noticeably even more interested, actually starting to take physical notes.
Dani kept speaking. "So, that's why I'd have to.." Dani paused, noticing Docent. "Kid, this isn't a lesson, but if you're that curious, it might be better for me to show you how I fix the stuff. I'm just explaining this to your dad here so I don't get into any trouble." Dani was a bit rough around the edges, but she seemed noticeably prideful that somebody was taking an interest in her work.
VR-LA decided Dani was much more interesting than she first seemed. "Do you drink coffee, Dani? I could make you a cup to drink while you work." VR-LA offered. "I need to make a cup for myself anyway." He added.
Dani considered it. "If you're already making a cup for yourself, I'll take one too. Thanks." Dani turned to her work, Docent now looking silently over her shoulder with his notebook. "Okay, so, kid.." Dani started showing Docent what she was doing, her tone felt more like she was bragging about all of her knowledge rather than actually teaching, but Docent took to it regardless.
-
Dani packed up her bag as VR-LA washed the coffee mugs off. Dani slowly stood, putting her bag over her shoulder. Dani glanced over at VR-LA, humming in thought before saying something. “I’m the best at Oto’s, so ask for ‘Dani’ next time you need a repair on anything.”
VR-LA nodded politely. “Of course, I’ll ask for you next time, thank you for fixing the stove for us.”
“Right. Thanks for the coffee.” Dani said, waving briefly before heading out.
—
Emi looked around the area, hugging her frog plush close to her chest. She was.. a bit lost. She hadn't intended to go out this far when playing, but she couldn't see the house anymore through the trees. Emi heard something and frantically looked around, holding her plush ever tighter in case she had to run or attempt to use her magic to teleport. She wasn't familiar enough with the area to safely teleport long distance, but she could still try.
Emi spotted what made the sound, seeing a.. dog? with bright golden fur. The dog stared at her, letting out a high pitched bark at seeing Emi. The dog wagged its tail, but didn't approach Emi.
Emi loosen her grip on her frog plush, staring at the weird dog. The dog let out another high pitched bark, doing a play bow. Emi vaguely remembered somebody saying that was a sign a dog was friendly, so she carefully approached. The dog's tail sped up, but the dog didn't move, waiting for her to get closer.
Emi stopped in front of the dog, holding her hand out to it. The dog sniffed Emi's hand for a moment, before gently nudging her hand with its nose. Emi giggled.
"Hello, are you lost too?" Emi asked softly, receiving another friendly bark from the dog. "You're very nice." Emi petted the dog, who leaned into her hand.
The dog pulled back from the petting after a moment, nudging at Emi's torso for a moment before walking forward. "Do you want me to follow you?" Emi asked the dog, who nodded.
Emi thought the motion over, realizing the dog was either a person or a spirit of some kind. She had to be polite! Emi did a polite little bow, and the dog tilted its head at her. "Hello.. you may call me Emi!" Emi said, saying it exactly like her dad had taught her. "Are you trying to get me back to town?" Emi asked cautiously.
The dog nodded again, waiting for Emi to follow after it. Emi considered it for a moment before following the dog. Her dad's charms on her bracelets and necklace would protect her if anything went wrong!
The dog wagged its tail and kept trotting along, very happy to have Emi following it.
-
Emi found her way out of the woods, and she just as quickly found her way to the backyard of her new house. Her dad was on the back porch, looking around, panicked. "Emi! There you are!" He called, running quickly over to Emi.
Her dad swept her up into a hug, holding her tight. "I was so worried, I was about to go searching for you.."
The dog which led Emi out of the woods turned and ran off, its duty apparently done.
"I'm sorry, Dad.. I went too far and got lost.." Emi apologized, hugging her dad back with one arm, and keeping her frog plush under her other arm.
-
VR-LA heard knocking at the backdoor the next morning, and he carefully approached the door, his magic ready to defend himself were something to be wrong. He opened the door, seeing a short young woman with messy blonde hair, sticks noticeably poking out of her hair.
"Hello!" The woman greeted, smiling wide.
"Hello..?" VR-LA greeted more cautiously.
"Your daughter, Emi, got lost in the woods yesterday! I was the wolf that led her back." The woman had absolutely no caution in comparison. "Please make sure to watch her if she's playing out there that late, it's easy to get lost!"
"Oh, uhm!" VR-LA wasn't sure what to do about her sudden reveal of her supernatural nature, it certainly was not a normal thing to do. "Thank you for bringing her back home..?"
"I'm Kyana!" She said excitedly. "It's nice to meet you!"
"I'm VR-LA. It's nice to meet you too.." VR-LA awkwardly replied. "Did you want something?"
Kyana tilted her head, confused. "I don't want something. I just wanted to let you know that she shouldn't be in the woods alone when it's getting late. There isn't anything bad out there, but you seemed worried about her when she got back."
"Thank you then.." VR-LA didn't know what else to say, until he heard Kyana's stomach growl. "Do you want some breakfast? I was just making something for my kids and you can consider it my thanks for guiding Emi back." Werewolves usually need bigger meals after nights where they turn, right? VR-LA vaguely remembered the werewolf in his hometown eating massive meals the morning after a full moon before sleeping the whole day.
Kyana barely thought it over, just eagerly nodding. "Sure! Thank you very much!"
VR-LA moved out of the way, motioning for her to come inside. Kyana happily entered, glancing around the hallway for a moment. "Your home looks really nice! Did you just move in?"
VR-LA nodded.
-
Emi chased after Kyana, who had gone back into her wolf form to play with Emi. VR-LA sat on the steps of the back porch, feeding Bing as he supervised. Kyana seemed very friendly, and was very happy to get the chance to play with Emi.
VR-LA decided she'd be an alright person to befriend, even if she was a bit too open about her supernatural nature to be entirely safe.
Emi was laughing, grabbing VR-LA's full attention for a moment. It was nice seeing Emi so happy. Emi was still just playing what appeared to be a game of tag with Kyana.
—
A knock sounded out at VR-LA's front door as VR-LA was leaning over some paperwork. VR-LA sighed, having hoped for a bit more of a break while Bing napped. VR-LA adjusted his glasses, standing up to head to the front door.
He looked through the window on the front door, seeing a man in simple, somewhat formal dress clothes, holding a simple box tied closed with some yarn. The man looked a little uncomfortable and VR-LA recognized a religious symbol, he couldn’t remember what for, sewn onto the man’s shirt. VR-LA opened the door.
“Ah, hello!” The man spoke with a thick German accent. “Welcome to the neighborhood, I am Hans Jaeger Junior, I am the pastor at the church down the street. I made these to welcome you into town!” Hans spoke very stiffly, like he had been coached on what to say. He held out the box to VR-LA. “It’s cookies!” Hans added awkwardly.
VR-LA cautiously took the box. “Thank you, Hans. It’s nice to meet you. I’m VR-LA. It's nice to be meeting more of my neighbors, would you like to come in?” VR-LA hoped Hans didn’t, he was very tired.
“Oh! Yes, it’s nice to meet you too, Mr. VR-LA.” Hans said, and for a moment after, an awkward silence dragged on. “Well, I only had time for that and you seem busy, I should be on my way. Please stop by the church if you ever need any help.”
“Yes, thank you. I’m sure my kids will love the cookies.” VR-LA replied politely. He was probably not going to check out the church.
Hans awkwardly nodded before turning and quickly leaving, as soon as Hans was back on the sidewalk, VR-LA heard him incoherently mumbling to himself while looking up and to the side. Something about having done his best.
VR-LA decided to not question it, just heading back inside with the cookies.
—
HE-11 and Vice knocked at the door to their new neighbor, HE-11 holding onto the box of homemade fruit tarts and they waited for the new neighbor to open the door. The door opened and an exhausted looking young man appeared, holding a very grumpy looking baby, who clung to the man's shirt, little hands balled into little fists. “Yes, can I help you?” The man asked, looking like he might be moments from passing out.
That was concerning. “I’m sorry, is this a bad time?” HE-11 said politely.
“Ah, no, sorry for my reaction! You two must be some more of our new neighbors, it’s nice to meet you. Please come in.” The man said, and HE-11 smiled as kindly as he could to the tired man.
As the man was moving, so that HE-11 and Vice could step inside, a loud bang sounded from somewhere in the back of the man’s house. The man noticeably jumped, and his baby began crying. He held the baby more tightly to his chest, as though shielding the child from the sound too late. “Emi! Docent! What was that?” The man shouted, panicked, into his house.
HE-11 handed the box over to Vice, who silently took it with an awkward expression. “Oh, poor dear, let us help.” HE-11 approached the man. “If you’ll allow it, I can hold your child while you deal with.. whatever that is.”
The man gently rocked the baby for a moment, mumbling a “..Bing, please..” for a moment before processing what HE-11 said. “You will? Thank you.”
The man handed over the baby, apparently named Bing, over to HE-11. “Thank you, I’ll be back in a moment.” The man ran into the back of his house, yelling the names of his other two kids.
HE-11 and Vice stepped into the hallway connected to the entryway, Bing calming down on his own after a few moments of just being held, cries becoming sniffles. “That poor man, he looked like he was going to faint..” HE-11 mumbled to himself, bouncing the baby slightly.
Vice looked around the hallway for a moment, spotting the man’s kitchen. The counter was slightly bloody, sharp tools lined up next to a cut of meat and many vegetables and herbs, several of which Vice could not recognize. “Well then..” Vice mumbled to himself. “He-11.”
“Hmm? Yes?” HE-11 called back, following Vice as Vice went to set down the box on the least bloody part of the counter. Bing was reaching curiously up for HE-11’s face, trying to steal HE-11’s glasses and HE-11 leaned back to try to prevent that.
“Do you see what’s in their kitchen?” Vice said, looking back at his husband.
HE-11 curiously glanced around before speaking. “Ah.” HE-11’s voice took on a darker tone. “I suppose it’s nice to know we don’t have to hide ourselves from them, Vice. It’s nice to have another huntsman in town.”