[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Ykr0chB.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/zCtOt85.png[/img] [h1][color=ff7360]Loni Rodriguez[/color] & [color=15A663]Moriah Motta[/color][/h1] [sub]with [@AtomicEmperor][/sub][/center] [right][code]Sin Sisters. 12:30pm.[/code][/right][hr] It wasn’t until a fair few hours after the attack on the Cozy Bakery, by whatever it was, that Loni found herself standing in front of Momo’s office door. There was some hesitation there. Had it been long enough? Should she even bother her boss? While Loni had come back to the Sin Sisters’ after getting some help from others at the bakery followed by proper medical attention at an affiliated clinic, she’d spent the time in one of the staff rooms just trying to calm down both herself and her daughter. But it wasn’t working. Luciana clung to her, face hidden against her chest. Loni had managed to detach her enough to properly get off her torn wool sweater, leaving her in just a black bralette with a toddler hanging off her front. The little body in her arms still trembled, even if she wasn’t actively crying right now. But it was on and off… and nothing Loni was doing seemed to be working. Because she was struggling to feel much at all. It was so difficult to comfort her daughter when a cloud of apathy hung over her. She didn’t want to be a bother, but… for Luciana. She carefully shifted Luciana so she could support her with just one arm, her other hand coming up to knock on the door. [color=ff7360]"Momo? You busy? Can I come in? I need help with somethin’."[/color] Outside of any magical detection, it was obvious that something was wrong. There was none of the normal excited fluctuations in her voice, and no door shoved open to let a demanding toddler run in. Momo had been aware of Loni’s arrival some time ago, one of the many mouths attached to a pair of eyes tipping her off about anything that happened around her. There were problems to be dealt with, and she’d been on the phone with her relatives South of the mountains for some time. There were no plans to move troops, but there was an offer to extend an olive branch back to the Motherland. It wasn’t something the Matriarch could justify. Nothing had really happened yet, aside from the scant few problems here in town… It was unsettling, but she hadn’t needed to bristle up yet. Not until she got the call that Loni and Luciana had been into the clinic near the Storror Apartments, at least. After that, she was dying to get results, and found herself just waiting in her office in the quiet. Not wanting to pry, she stuck her phone in the drawer and waited for that knock. Not forcing the young woman to push open the door, Momo heard her voice and stood up to open it [i]for[/i] her. As soon as she opened the crack, she could smell the seeping stench of Apathy curled around Loni’s hair. Lingering. But there couldn’t be hesitation. Not with this one… She would feel utterly dejected and there’d be no comforting her after that. And why make the baby suffer more? Seeing both of their faces, it was clear that something had happened… However, whether it was another foolish man in her life, or something more sinister, was yet to be determined. [color=15A663]"Mia Coccinella!? Dio mio, Loni, what’s this I hear about you at one ‘o my clinics? What happened, Darlin’? Luci, amore, come to Momo Zia! What happened to Mami, huh?”[/color] she immediately wrapped them both in her embrace, very quickly adjusting her arms to take the baby like she usually expected to happen… Loni, unusually, didn't say anything immediately. But the tension held in her body began to drain out when Momo got close, leaning into her slightly… hesitantly. She knew her Black Lux still clung to her, and didn't want anyone getting hurt. But she was much less reluctant to hand Luciana over. Not because she didn't want to keep holding her daughter, but because she was sure Momo could actually help. She was Luciana's favourite person… after her Mamá and Vin. She wasn't stuck after using magic that sucked away her emotions. “[I]M-mama,[/I]” Luciana whimpered, big dark eyes filling up with tears again. Her hands reached out to snatch Loni's hair, tangling it in chubby little fingers as Loni passed her over to Momo. Loni froze mid motion, head tilting forward as Luciana tugged. [color=ff7360]"I- I- I let her go. We got attacked and I gave her to someone else and I used [I]it[/I] but I didn't wanna, and she ain't been fine since, and I dunno what t'do, I was just tryna protect her but- but I failed her."[/color] What eventually came out of Loni's mouth was a mess that didn't actually answer either of the questions, somehow panicked without much variation in her tone. Momo was very used to Loni’s form of panic at the least. They’d been around one another long enough that she’d come to learn the different ways that Loni could be comforted. It was truly about acceptance and warmth; that Loni simply needed someone to convince her that everything was okay. Naturally, joy would conquer these feelings. All she had to do was express that, and the warmth would radiate from her into these two. At least, that’s what she told herself when something was [i]actually[/i] wrong. It worked well enough. Noticing Luci’s non-compliance immediately, she couldn’t help but smile at the love of a daughter for her mother. It was a projection, and she wasn’t ashamed: It gave her great joy. She reached her arm out, holding Luci up by her rump until she scooted just a bit closer to Loni. The other arm, like the cape of a superhero, draped over Loni’s shoulders and pulled her tightly into them both. Now, she took the pressure of the baby off her mother while letting her continue to be close, and Loni would get the comfort she really needed. Moriah spun the two of them in her arms, slipping them into the office while nudging the door shut with her hip. It gave a weighty [i]thunk[/i] as the hardwood echoed from the hardware within locking up tightly. [color=15A663]"Easy, easy… Ain’t nobody gonna get you here. You know how safe you are here? And, c’mon, what’s this about failure? I see the two of you in my arms, don’t I? There’s no [i]failure[/i] here, Loni… My little Ladybug. Breathe with me, and smile at your small triumph. You made it. You did everything you could, and you kept her safe.”[/color] she almost sang, a great well of Green slipping into Loni’s own Emotional Field, trying to bolster her with pure joy. The joy of being united, and of being alive on their world together. Loni nodded, trying her best to just breathe. It was a little easier like this, so close to so much warmth without having to bear the weight of the toddler she’d been carrying for hours now. She closed her eyes as Green Lux washed over her, head tilting forward towards her daughter. Luci’s little hands moved from gripping her mother’s hair to grasping at her face. The dark cloud of Apathy that Loni hated so much lifted, moving back towards its normal dormant state within her. Shoved right down and ignored like it didn’t exist, unless she really needed it. When Loni opened her eyes again, she was calmer. Not quite happy, still panicked, but it was closer to her normal flustered self. [color=ff7360]"M’sorry ‘bout that…"[/color] she mumbled, meaning the lingering Black Lux more than anything. She tilted her head up to actually look at Momo with clear brown eyes. Her hand moved to wipe away the tears that had fallen down Luci’s cheeks. The little girl seemed to relax a little bit too, reacting to her mother’s emotions. [color=ff7360]"Sorry, Mijita, Mamá wasn’t herself, was she? But your Aunt Momo’s got you."[/color] Loni rubbed Luciana’s curly head, taking another deep breath. Luci babbled quietly in response, not saying anything actually understandable. They were safe now. She knew that. That was why she’d come back here, instead of going home… She felt safe. But she didn’t feel like [i]not[/i] a failure. But she’d go back to that later. [color=ff7360]"We went to a bakery to get some treats- cause I didn’t get her a cake on her birthday, I figured it’d be nice. We were just relaxin’ when this man made her [i]cry[/i]. I- I confronted him and then he…"[/color] Loni shuddered, and Luci reactively started to get upset again. [color=ff7360]"Shh, shh, it’s ok, Mamá’s okay. But it [i]wasn’t[/i] human. I checked… and it was gonna hurt us. There was a lady at our table- she was nice, so I got her to hold Luciana so I could make a circle outta salt. Y’know, the Black Lux one? I did that but I couldn’t take her back cause I got hurt, and I hadta use everythin’ to keep it up, and to weaken it so it didn’t- didn’t…"[/color] she trailed off, not able to bring herself to voice the possibility of it [i]killing[/i] them. It hadn’t in the end. [color=15A663][i]Oh… So this is going to be a problem. Oh, good.[/i][/color] There was a long moment where Momo just held onto the two of them, her voice humming deep in her chest; a tune that she often hummed when she was just working at the bar or dealing with some kind of paperwork. A gift from a Mother long gone. She was trying to process the situation and decide how best to break the news without spilling the beans. [color=15A663]"Tell me about it, Loni… What’d you see, my girl?”[/color] she gently cooed, her hand rubbing Loni’s shoulder in comfort. [color=ff7360]"The actual… thing? It had this smile- it wasn’t right. Its eyes went all black- but not all black, not like mine do when I use that kinda magic cause there was a blue bit in the middle. It cracked its body all over- not like Green where y’change stuff, it got all twisted. Its head turned ‘round while its body was the other way- and its fingers went like knives. Not claws, not like Vin does, like black knives. They were sharp, as- as knives."[/color] The hand not on her daughter moved up to her shoulder, though it was now healed. If she hadn’t fallen out of the way… if it’d hit where it was supposed to… [color=ff7360]"It was an Apparition, cause it was bright when I looked at it like that, but it died. Not like sealed, actually dead."[/color] Cataloguing the information, Momo’s eyebrows raised up in surprise for a moment, the rest of the face remaining as a concerned neutral. She assumed they were constructs, or something made by another Adept looking to get straight for something the Untouched Glory had done long ago. But, if they were apparitions, then… Were they [i]really dead?[/i] There was no way of knowing, but the other problem- [color=15A663]"Just… One?”[/color] she asked quietly, face turning down to look Loni in the eye. Loni’s eyes widened. Why wouldn’t there just be one? Were there more of them out there? Was she going to have to watch out for these things as well as drunk or aggressive men whenever she walked home at night?! [color=ff7360]"Yeah, it was just one… I ain’t seen anymore. But it coulda been anyone. No, no, it did some mind magic on a buncha the people in there. Must’ve been just the one. There ain’t others out there, are there?!"[/color] [color=15A663][i]Care, comfort and convincing. Care, comfort and convincing.[/i][/color] All Momo could do was nod her head, taking a deep breath. [color=15A663]"I know those kids up in Raven’s Rest got a taste of one. I… Fought three. In the train station, outside of… Y’know, [i]that train station?[/i]”[/color] she hinted, knowing that Loni had accompanied her there a few times due to business. But she took in a great deep breath of air through her nose, puffing herself up a bit. [color=15A663]"I can’t know how many more there are… [i]If[/i] there are more: We don’t know to begin with, right? But think about it, if you had trouble killing one? I [i]didn’t[/i]! Whose better to protect you both than me, huh? How about this: We send you home, you, and I’ll get a few people out with you, and you go pack your bags and come here. Stay upstairs, you and her. We cook for you, we clean for you, you keep working and doing what you need to do. And we [i]figure it out[/i]! Huh? Won’t that be a big help? Plus, you know I wanna see my little bambina, I mean look at you!”[/color] Momo swept her free hand back around, starting to poke Luci in her sides and known ticklish spots. [color=15A663]"Huh? Chunky Monkey? You gonna eat Zia’s spaghetti from the restaurant and get it all over your clothes? Huh?”[/color] she chided at the little girl, poking and joking and getting in close to try and grab her attention. Just to ease the burden a little more. Luciana started giggling immediately, wriggling around and babbling away with what were probably protests in a two year olds language. Her hands flailed about, one hitting Loni square on the nose as she pulled back. It didn’t hurt, instead it just made her laugh. And she’d moved back a bit to be out of the disaster zone, leaving Momo to be hit by thrashing baby hands. [color=ff7360]"That’d help but-"[/color] “Ahn, ahn! Uhp, [i]uhhhpppp[/i]!” Luci interrupted, arms now reaching up towards Momo’s face. While her face was still red from all the crying she’d done it was much brighter, lit up by a giggly smile. Momo’s face brightened with the child’s, and she finally scooped her up with both hands under the arms to raise her high into the air. [color=15A663]"There she iiiiiiis! Loco-Luciiiiiii!”[/color] Momo laughed and giggled, holding the baby up in the air and making an engine noise with her lips as she flew around overhead. For all the fun, however, Momo heard the [i]but[/i] in Loni’s voice. Still piloting the child around like a mid-century fighter jet, her face turned back down to her dear Loni. [color=15A663]"Listen… I’ll play ball! Tell [i]the other one[/i] that they’re more than welcome upstairs. I would just… Rather them be here and you be comfortable, than knowing that you’re somewhere that we can’t reach you.”[/color] She knew what the hangup was before Loni even said it. She didn’t blame the girl; Momo understood what that relationship was for the two of them. Orphans, everything together. Even if the other one was fully Yang to their Yin, Vin was still part of Loni’s life. Luci’s too… And the more people around to raise and protect the young, the better off they’d be. [color=ff7360]"Well…"[/color] Loni was distracted for a moment by Luciana’s pure joy, her laughter filling the space. It was contagious, and Loni smiled as she watched. It was all she wanted- for her daughter to be happy. So she was willing to actually think about it, even if she knew what Vin would think and there was also her own reluctance to leave a place that was home. Even if she knew it wasn’t great and it wasn’t safe, it was where she grew up… [color=ff7360]"I’ll talk to Vin. But I ain’t sure, cause they hate it up here, and the Black Lux. And they got their work down in the South… I dunno if any bar up here would take them, y’know? It ain’t easy to get passes for the bridge if there ain't any Upper District folks involved. I can’t just decide myself… But I’ll talk to them! Cause it’d be safer…"[/color] With both hands free, Loni was able to more easily pull out her battered phone. Her eyes narrowed a little bit as she unlocked it, almost frowning. Remembering something else… [color=ff7360]"It ain’t just that. I don’t think my boyfriend’ll be too happy, he’s already upset I ain’t going round tonight cause I ain’t gonna leave my baby girl to sleep alone… He’s been tryna get me to move in with him, so ain’t it bad if I move elsewhere first?"[/color] Momo could only giggle stupidly at the mention of another man in Loni’s life. Another bastard to make things worse overall. [color=15A663]"Honey, you know damn well that if he can’t handle you putting Luciana first, it ain’t gonna work out. May as well break it off early; the only thing you’re building at this point is an unhealthy split.”[/color] It wasn’t like she was [i]trying[/i] to be Loni’s Mom… And ultimately, she was responsible for the consequences of her actions. But, [i]not the child.[/i] Children, it was communal. You raised them together, and they came to learn based on that platform. That everyone needed to be respected, and that everyone deserved it, because they were working toward the joy of the future. She felt it was just as much her job to do for Luciana as it was her job to create a good environment for people like Loni. [color=15A663]"If its about getting a little play, I understand! But, you can get that here too; I’d even be happy to watch the little one so you can get your jam on whenever you want…”[/color] Of course, they played this game often enough. Loni would complain about something that Momo knew she could insulate her from, and then Loni would do the opposite anyway. It was necessary, at least… One didn’t learn from their mistakes without making them. Loni’s nose scrunched up and her lips pushed together into the little pout she got when she was going to double down on some misguided decision. It was one place where her and Luciana looked identical- Luci had the exact same expression when she was about to throw a small temper tantrum. But it really wasn’t a problem this time! It wasn’t like what Momo said at all. [color=ff7360]"It ain’t like that- it’s serious! Sure, he’s really good at that- but it isn’t just for s-"[/color] Loni cut herself off, looking at her daughter, then back at Momo. [color=ff7360]"Y’know. He even said he’d pick me up from work [i]and[/i] Luciana could stay round at his, just he ain’t met her yet… and then I couldn’t really sleep in the same room as her, could I? But I’m gonna soon… I ain’t worried, he’s good with kids."[/color] Her head tilted from side to side, still wearing that obtuse expression with her arms folded but becoming a bit less certain. Why hadn’t she introduced him to Luciana yet? But of course, she just doubled down more as if she was trying to convince Momo instead of just… leaving it at that. [color=ff7360]"This one’s properly serious, just a bit fast… but that’s cause he’s older. He’s gotta… biological clock tickin’ or somethin’! I dunno, I ain’t smart like that… but it’ll work out this time. He buys me things, and he’s gotta nice house, and he wants kids too! So he’ll be great with Luci."[/color] Momo didn’t say any words at first, slowly and surely moving Luciana through the air until she was face to face with her mother. The wriggling child, Momo figured, would be enough to focus on. [color=15A663]"You look at this face ‘n tell me why you ain’t introduced this man you’re movin’ in with to her yet. Why’re you afraid, huh?”[/color] she prodded, giggling as she presented her point. [color=15A663]"Ain’t a single biological clock more important than this ticking timebomb you got. Tell that man that you’ll be wherever it is you’re most comfortable from now on, capice?”[/color] she grumbled, finally pulling Luci back to cradle her in her arms. [color=15A663]"Can you believe your Ma, Lu? She’s [i]hiding you[/i] from another [i]worthless man.[/i] I know you’d be mad if you kneeeeew…”[/color] she teased the baby again, confident in her lack of ability to understand the greater mood of the teasing. Regardless, she turned her head back to Loni and frowned. [color=15A663]"I won’t tell you what to do. But I’ll tell you I think it's the wrong choice. I always do.”[/color] she did her best to be calm and still instill some kind of joy from the response, knowing that as long as it was open-ended, Loni wouldn’t feel too trapped. And Momo started to move a bit further away, toward her desk to open a drawer for the house key set. It was over a hundred keys, varying sizes and shapes, which had always been a favorite of the little one in her arms to mindlessly play with. [color=15A663]"Ooooh! Its the [i]keeeeeeeeeys[/i]!”[/color] she cooed at Luci, wriggling and jingling the pile of metal. “Ahh-ee bah bah, ahh- Mama! Miwah! Ma!” Luciana babbled away happily, hands reaching up to grasp at the keys. She batted them about, giggling at the jingly sound they made, before grabbing a few and shaking them about. [color=ff7360]"[i]Mi-ra,[/i]"[/color] Loni gently corrected, trailing after Momo further into the office but stopping before her desk. She couldn’t keep her face scrunched up watching Luci. She was the light in her life… and Momo was right that there was nothing more important than her. Just about that bit, though. “Miwah!” Luci responded stubbornly, shaking around the key she was holding. “Miwah, Mama!” [color=ff7360]"Si, estoy mirando," (Yes, I’m looking)[/color] Loni shook her head with a laugh, looking up from her daughter to the keys she was playing with. Luci started giggling happily, jangling them about more. It didn’t take her long to be so completely caught up in it that Loni didn’t actually have to look [i]at[/i] the keys and could look Momo in the eyes again. [color=ff7360]"I’m not hidin’ her, is just… he’s a teacher, and she’s…"[/color] Loni looked at her daughter again, happily playing with the keys. She probably couldn’t understand what she was saying. Hopefully. [color=ff7360]"I wanted to talk to you ‘bout some things, cause she ain’t where she should be, but it seems silly with everythin’ else happenin’."[/color] Momo furrowed her brow, trying to understand what Loni meant by “where she should be.” As in, herself? Certainly not the beautiful little monster in her arms… She was [i]perfect[/i] in Momo’s eyes. [color=15A663]"If he’s a teacher, he should understand children, Loni… What’s the matter, Love? You can talk to me about anything, I mean… We [i]are[/i] technically discussing your safety here. So, go on. Whatever silliness is in your head, you’re safe here.”[/color] she urged the young woman on further. [color=ff7360]"He’s a highschool teacher, it ain’t quite the same,"[/color] Loni started grumbling, before catching herself. That wasn’t what she was focusing on right now! This was about Luciana, and it was a worry she had whether there was a possibly judgmental boyfriend in the picture or not. [color=ff7360]"It ain’t about safety, it’s just… everythin’ I’ve read said when they’re two they should be sayin’ at least fifty words. Puttin’ together two words too! She ain’t. I dunno if I’m doing somethin’ wrong, and there ain’t… there ain’t any kid clinics in the South, and I don’t want a North one judgin’ her or sayin’ it’s just cause she’s a Southsider. And I dunno if I was the same! Cause there’s no one to ask- Vin said they bet I wasn’t cause there’s no way I’d be quiet, but she ain’t quiet, she just don’t say many proper words… I dunno what to do…"[/color] Momo’s face became blank. Terribly so, almost, like she’d become a stone figure. She did, after all, come from a culture where her peers were born with a grasp on several languages. She herself had known several by the time she gained full consciousness, witnessing a thousand lives pass by her in the blink of an eye. It wasn’t something she had a great deal of experience with… By the time she’d gotten back home, a bunch of the kids had already been born, and Momo hadn’t witnessed any of them growing up in that stage. [color=15A663]"There is a [i]solution[/i] for all of this, Loni… I know for a fact that there is [i]nothing[/i] wrong with this child. She’s just… She’s confused! She’s got you goin’ on in Spanish… Me trying to use Italian… Any number of the other girls upstairs could be speaking Polish, Arabic, fuckin’ Mongolian? She’s almost certainly overwhelmed!”[/color] Momo tried to downplay the severity, mostly because it’s actually how she felt. And even if the child was a bit slower on the uptake, Momo felt like she was really just building up a base! [color=15A663]"You wait; she gets a couple years older, and she’ll be babbling about a thousand different things. I bet you any money… And if she doesn’t? We do something about it. We take her to doctors under [i]my name[/i], and we make sure anyone who doesn’t want to take care of her will do it anyway.”[/color] she offered strongly. Loni let out a long exhale, and nodded. It was difficult to just accept it, because she was a mother- she’d always be worrying about her child in one way or another. But Momo was probably right here. She was, after all, much smarter than Loni was. Luciana was around a lot of other languages. Loni had only grown up with two, and she’d turned out fine… though she did want Luciana to grow up to be smarter than she was. [color=ff7360]"She does know words in English and Spanish- like [i]Miwah[/i],"[/color] Loni half imitated her daughter with a smile. The little girl’s head snapped towards her mother. She paused playing with the keys. “Mama, miwah?” [color=ff7360]"There’s nothing to look at, baby,"[/color] Loni smiled gently. Luci tilted her head, looking a little confused, before getting over it and going back to happily batting keys about. [color=ff7360]"You’re right… for all I know some of the things she says are in language I dunno! She’s probably fine… and you’ll really do that in a couple of years if she ain’t? You’re already doing so much for us… but thank you. I don’t want her to end up like me- not that I’m unhappy! I love my job… I just want her to go to school and learn and not skip cause it all seems too hard and pointless."[/color] Momo found her love for Loni to be so natural. She was everything that the woman wanted in a daughter, and she hoped that at least [i]one[/i] of her own would turn out like that. Simple, and fully able to place themselves in a situation of humble understanding. Frankly, it was behavior she still wanted to emulate on her own. [color=15A663]"I can’t guarantee you that I’m right about my assumptions… But I can guarantee you that I’ll be there with you to figure it out every step of the way. Orphan’s club.”[/color] she stuck a fist out, letting Loni bump it if she wanted. But, they had the keys in them… “Ee, ee!” Luciana complained as soon as [i]her[/i] toy was out of her reach. She squirmed in Momo’s arms, before launching her little body [i]towards[/i] those dangling, tempting keys just out of her reach. Loni’s hand that was going to bump against Momo’s immediately dropped to catch her daughter’s shoulder. [color=ff7360]"No, don’t grab."[/color] Her tone was far too soft to be properly stern as she pushed Luciana upright. Her little face scrunched up… an awful lot like how Loni’s had been just a bit ago. “Mama, ee! [i]Ee![/i]” She waved one hand towards the keys, the other patting her own chest. [color=ff7360]"They ain’t yours, Luciana. Your Aunt Momo is just nicely lettin’ you play with ‘em. Just like she’s helpin’ me so much with you."[/color] Loni smiled warmly at Momo, her warm [i]joy[/i] and thankfulness about what she’d just said clear in her expression. Even if anything she was going to say was interrupted by the little munchkin flailing around. Luci turned her scrunched up face towards Momo. “Ahn Mo, ee?” Momo cracked up with laughter, immediately conceding the keys to the little girl with her huge dark eyes. She only ever wanted joy in this child’s life… Hopefully to avoid those [i]other feelings[/i] that she may be prone to one day. All the testing and the prodding that doctors did? What good was it for besides making her question herself all her life? [color=15A663]"I s’pose you can have ‘em again… Only ‘cuz you asked so nicely though! We’ll work on please, maybe… Next time you want somethin’, we’ll go for it. Show Momma that you’re a good learner, and we just need something to get you into it!”[/color] Her hand slipped under Loni’s, fingers brushing against hers in a comforting fashion as she took Luciana back fully to mess with the keys again. [color=15A663]"Now, Loni… Please, sweetness- sit, have a drink, take a minute to breathe. ‘Cuz we [i]are[/i] gonna have to kind of talk about the situation still… That girl Bryn came to see me. She’s sleepin’ upstairs, I think. Says she’s got a lead that there’s worse things coming over the mountain. So, I [i]seriously[/i] want you to consider putting yourself up in a safer place. I won’t be having a repeat of the Brutal Days.”[/color] she said, her tone still bright, but absolutely stern in its conviction. With the keys back in her hands, Luciana went back to cheerfully playing. Confident that there weren’t going to be any tantrums- not that Momo couldn’t handle that- she did as she was told and sat down. The minute to breathe or whatever wasn’t so possible. Just sitting wasn’t really something Loni did, unless weighed down by a sleeping toddler. Her body swayed from side to side and her legs bounced, head snapping all around the room like she was a kid in a new place. But it snapped right back to looking at Momo when she mentioned [i]worse things.[/i] Worse than that thing today? But they’d barely killed it. She’d been practically [i]useless[/i]. [color=ff7360]"Worse? Like- like then? I am considerin’ it, and I gotta- oh! I was gonna call Vin!"[/color] Wherever Loni had been going with ‘I gotta’ was completely lost when she remembered [i]why[/i] she’d pulled out her phone in the first place, before it ended up being about her boyfriend. So knowing she’d forget if she didn’t do it right now she pulled her phone back out, ignoring her other messages to go right for Vin’s contact. She hummed quietly as it rang… and rang… and rang, before there was a beep. [color=51684c]”[i]I ain’t free- and if you ain’t Loni, I ain’t picking up. Don’t call back.[/i]”[/color] [color=ff7360]"They must be busy, guess loadsa people wanna drink early today,"[/color] Loni shrugged one shoulder, playing with her phone in her hands a bit. Vin probably wouldn’t want to… was there even any point in asking? But Momo was saying it so seriously. And if it wasn’t just those things, but worse too… She couldn’t even protect Luciana today. [color=ff7360]"I’ll talk to them tonight when we’re both home. I’m workin’ pretty late… but I can say tomorrow! I know you said today but I can’t just move like that, not with Vin not around… if they come back and all my stuff’s gone they’ll think I ran away again, and I ain’t. I don’t wanna worry them like that."[/color] Momo nodded with a soft smile, having been dealing with Luci’s grabby hands. Pulling them away, trying to balance them on her nose to make her laugh… [color=15A663]"Nope, you don’t. I totally agree with you! Y’all are safe right now, right? So, let's not make people panic, and we’ll just work on it as it comes. But, uh… You understand that we’re gonna be doing a whole lot more check-ins, right? As a group, I mean. We’ve gotta make sure that we haven’t been infiltrated, so… Lots of shifts! Lots of work, even if that means you’re just sittin’ around waiting for a private call. I want you all where I can see you.”[/color] [color=ff7360]"That ain’t a problem- I ain’t bothered by more check-ins."[/color] Loni tilted her head, looking a little confused that Momo was saying it as if she would be. It made sense… for safety. And she was a relatively simple person when it came to her life- taking it as it came. Really, her main priority was being [i]not alone.[/i] [color=ff7360]"It ain’t like I got much to do… I already picked up loadsa shifts in the next few weeks, cause christmas is comin’ up and I gotta get loadsa presents. I’ll be here all the time… ain’t so sure about just sittin’ around work, I ain’t built for that stuff, can I not?"[/color] She switched her phone from one hand to the other, just spinning it to do something with her hands. She spent so much of her time here anyway, so more shifts and work wasn’t really a problem. She did genuinely enjoy her work… when it was her actual job. [color=ff7360]"Oh, I can see if someone ain’t them real easy- oh, but it's Black Lux… but I bet it’s easy to check with White too. Just gotta detect Apparitions."[/color] [color=15A663]"I’m certain it is, my dear. Baya and Nemo will both be in; I’m sure they’ll pick up easily. Nothin’ a lil’ Recollection can’t solve.”[/color] Momo was always lost in Luci’s absolutely joyous smile when it was in front of her. The keys, the keys… [color=15A663]"Okay, my girl… [i]Key![/i]-”[/color] she stated very clearly, holding up the keys and keeping them just out of her reach. [color=15A663][i]”-Key, please!”[/i][/color] Momo was thinking about what she could do with the extra hands around the building. It wasn’t just going to be Loni; pretty much everyone on staff was going to have the offer for room and board presented to them. This was a family business, after all, and she made the decisions. The coffers looked good; she could take everyone onside for a few months… That was the simple fact of the matter- They all counted on her, and she had to make sure their trust wasn’t misplaced. [color=15A663]"If you need to work, Loni… Why don’t we try putting you into the kitchen in the restaurant? On your spare time, of course. It’s like dancing, y’know?”[/color] [color=ff7360]"Oh- was worried for a second you thought I was [i]bad[/i] at my actual job."[/color] Loni laughed, finding it funny that she’d thought that- cause it was silly when she’d been working there for four years with no problems. [color=ff7360]"It wasn’t really like dancin’ when I helped out before? Guess I was pregnant, so it ain’t gonna be the same… but sure! I can do anythin’ so long as I don’t gotta use my brain too much."[/color] Luci’s little face was scrunched up as she was having to use her little brain a [i]lot[/i]. Her hands reached out for the keys, flailing around. “Ee. Ee! [i]Ee![/i]” She let out a little huff, trying her best to grab the keys. “Ee! Tee! Tee!” [color=ff7360]"Oh!"[/color] Loni’s eyes lit up. [color=ff7360]"Good job, Cariño. That’s a new sound!"[/color] “[i]Teeeee[/i]!” Luci was practically wailing the one word at this point. Momo laugh aloud again, passing the keys back to Luciana at the sign of her Mother’s praise. Didn’t want to confuse her too badly by sending mixed messages. [color=15A663]"Yesssss! Good girl with the keys!”[/color] she giggled, holding the keys close and pulling Luci in to give her a million kisses on the top of her head. [color=15A663]"We’re so proud of you! Smart girl, smart girl! Luciana the Learner!”[/color] She’d made her way behind the desk, flopping down into her big swiveling chair to kick her feet up. She was wearing slippers at this point, telling Loni just how long she’d been there at this point. For a moment, the large woman sat and played rattle-the-keys… Then she sighed. [color=15A663]"I… Haven’t heard anything from my home… I did send word for someone in the Accumularium to send me potentially relevant information, but I haven’t gotten anything yet. And, uh… You remember my brother? Lazarus? Haven’t heard from him yet either, Bryn was supposed to get in touch with him…”[/color] she said with only the most vague hint of worry in her voice. [color=15A663]"I feel like if anyone knows something, it's that Apparition he’s paired with.”[/color] Loni nodded along, watching Luciana happily play with the keys again. She managed to dredge up a memory of the name… she didn’t think she’d met him, though. Or maybe she had and she forgot. That wasn’t really important anyway! [color=ff7360]"Didn’t you say Bryn was sleepin’? I bet she ain’t called him yet, I always mean to do somethin’ like that before sleep then I just fall into bed and that’s it. Ain’t it easier to just call him yourself? Since it’s important."[/color] Momo’s face was blank, then increasingly concerned. [color=15A663][i]That’s not a joyous thought.[/i][/color] Fully handing the keys to Luciana, she leaned forward and let the girl sit fully on her desk while she shuffled for her phone. [color=15A663]"Agh, I mean… Is it important? We’re just [i]sitting around waiting for nothing[/i].”[/color] she groaned, pulling up the last known number for her younger brother. The number she’d gotten from Bryn… The only time she’d actually tried to apologize. Still, as if her fingers were compelled, she let them slide to his number, then the call button. The phone slipped up to her ear, and she waited and waited. [color=0D6793]”Hey-”[/color] [color=15A663]"Oh? El-”[/color] [color=0D6793]”-What, you thought I was going to pick up my personal number? Fuck off. Don’t leave a message either.-”[/color] BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP. [color=15A663]"[b]Fuck![/b] Elay, [i]please[/i] call me back when you get this…”[/color] She hung up with a pained look on her face… And then a smile cracked across it. [color=15A663]"Geeze, what a jerk that guy… Gonna make me call him at work?”[/color] She scrolled up. [i]Colombo-Waiting Detective Agency[/i] As it started ringing, Momo let her finger reach out to poke Luci, causing her to slump over slightly and forcing Momo to reach out further to stop the girl from falling. “Hello?” a shrill voice on the other side of the phone answered. [color=15A663]"Ah, hi… Is this the Co-”[/color] “Yeah, it is. What do you need?” Momo shook her head. What passed for staff in that little hole-in-the-wall agency wasn’t exactly loving their job. [color=15A663]"I was looking for Detective Motta?”[/color] “That bum hasn’t been here in a week. Did you have a case?” [color=15A663]"N-no! I’m his Sister!”[/color] “Oh, shit. Then I haven’t seen him in at least a year!” There was a cackle on the other end before the call abruptly ended. Momo looked up at Loni with a sense of shocked humor on her face. [color=15A663]"I… I don’t think he wants to talk to me.”[/color] she said very quietly, with a little pain in her voice. [color=ff7360]"I- I- I’m sorry! I didn’t think it’d be like that!"[/color] Loni immediately did what she was best at- a bit of panicking. After all, she’d suggested Momo call him in the first place. She jumped to her feet, hands thrown in the air. What should she do?! Oh, comfort! [color=ff7360]"Maybe he’ll call back on the normal number? I- I dunno, I shouldn’t’ve suggested it… It ain’t so important, is it? That you needed to call…"[/color] Luciana shuffled around on her bottom to face Momo, hands waving in front of her like she was reaching out for her face. A bunch of senseless babbling came out of her mouth. Rather than reacting to Loni’s worried panic, she looked at the child with a slightly shocked face. A smile still curled her lips upward, so it couldn’t have been [i]too[/i] troubling. [color=15A663]"Oh, my goodness… I’m [i]so[/i] sorry, Ma’am! I forgot, we were going to have a business meeting, right?”[/color] Momo grinned and spoke like she would to an adult, hoping that a lack of “baby talk” would maybe jog something in the child’s mind to give her a wider understanding of language. Though, there was some internal consideration of giving the child an “Evergreen Checkup”, a basic spell widely spread across the many branches and leaves of the tree that was the Whispering Flesh. It was a flashing spell, one that gave the user an overall picture of capability and capacity through intrinsic understanding. Only so useful as the caster’s ability to parse out the information given, there were few with more qualifications than Momo. She could feel a contributing line in her own body and mind calling backward hundreds of years in time. A memory that wasn’t hers, of a little baby boy in fine silk. Homozygosity ran rampant through his alleles, lungs half-shriveled with a weak heart to boot. Low chance of survival. The Prince of- She shook her head, taking a deep breath. Still smiling, however, her face didn’t change. The only option was to continue on. [color=15A663]"Now, what is it you were trying to say my dear? Something about… Taking over the detective agency!? For [i]ten cookies a week!?[/i] There’s gonna be some serious negotiations…”[/color] she said playfully, both her hands cupping the childs’. “Oo-ee?” Luciana tilted her little head, seeming to be trying to figure out what Momo was talking about. After a moment she let out a happy giggle, arms flailing up. “Oo-ee!” [color=ff7360]"Yes, [i]cookies[/i], you love those, don’t you, Mijita?"[/color] Loni was able to relax a bit when Momo seemed to brush it off… And she could only be happy in the face of her daughter’s joy. Of course, her relaxation just meant a different kind of frenetic energy. [color=ff7360]"I think she’d be a great detective… She can always sniff out when Vin’s drank more than they said. Then she wails and hits them when they try hug her- Oh! I got some stuff from the bakery, I thought you’d like some- i know it ain’t fuel for you like that but they smelled really nice. Uh…"[/color] Loni shoved a hand into the other pocket of her long skirt - surprisingly roomy, something she really liked about it. Though it was mostly just cute outdoor wear, when she was in the mood to dress up a bit more. She pulled out two bags, looking inside. Oh. Whoops. Both the pink macaron and eclair were squished. [color=ff7360]"Well they ain’t so… shapely as they were when I got them."[/color] Taking the squashed bags from Loni, Momo’s face became soft and weepish, and she leaned across to plant a playful kiss on Loni’s head. [color=15A663]"You know I love when you get me things. Thank you, Ladybug.”[/color] Her hand dipped into the bag with the crushed macaron, taking a chunk and popping it into her mouth. For a moment, she sat and seemed to consider the flavor, then her hand dipped in again. A much smaller piece came out, and she held it up in front of Luciana. [color=15A663]"Open! Cookie!”[/color] Luciana let out an excited squeal, leaning forward to eat the piece right out of Momo’s hand. She crunched on it happily. [color=ff7360]"Make sure to chew it all,"[/color] Loni urged, leaning forward and watching Luci intently. She’d gotten the macron because her daughter wanted it, but she hadn’t been sure if she would be able to eat it… really, it was a good thing it was all crushed! [color=ff7360]"She picked that one out, probably cause of its colour. It was [i]so[/i] cute she was just starin’ at it till I got it… then she ran off! She gave me a real fright going over and tried to get a [i]stranger[/i] to lift her up. Thankfully she was friendly… I guess it was on me, not keepin’ a good eye on her."[/color] Though Loni gave a little exasperated gesture, she was energetic as she rambled. It was just nice to talk about the little mundane stresses sometimes… and Momo always listened, unlike a lot of people. It was comfortable, and her smile was open and warm towards Momo. “Mo, mooo,” Luci had finished the piece she’d been giving and was reaching out for the bag with her hands. Pink crumbs covered the sides of her mouth. “Mama? Ma? Ma ea?” [color=ff7360]"Hmm, what’s that baby?"[/color] “Mama ea. Mamaaaa.” [color=ff7360]"Eat? You want me to eat too?"[/color] One of Luciana’s hands came up, close to smacking Momo in the face, and she babbled cheerfully. The other still tried to grasp for the bag. Momo was more than happy to share the cookie at the behest of the adorable little girl. [color=15A663]"You wanna give Mama some?”[/color] She held the bag open for Luci’s little hand to dip into. [color=15A663]"Gentle, Pupa! Not too much, don’t throw it in her face!”[/color] Momo instructed as best she could, but who honestly knew what one was going to get with a child. Regardless, she slid her a little closer to the edge so that she could hand her beloved mother a piece of cookie. Luci’s hand shoved right into the bag, grasping around for a piece of macaron. Eventually her stubby fingers curled around a bit and she pulled it out. She waved her free hand. “Mama!” [color=ff7360]"Ask nicely, Mijita. Mama, please come closer,"[/color] Loni chided gently. “Mama,” Luci said in a much less demanding tone, followed by a bunch of gibberish that was probably meant to be imitating Loni. Some of the letters were right. [color=ff7360]"Much better, mi amor."[/color] Loni smiled, standing up so she could lean towards Luci. She proceeded to absolutely smack the piece into Loni’s mouth- who’d thankfully opened it in time to catch most of it. Her hands came up to catch the pieces that fell down and she laughed. She’d experienced Luci’s ‘feeding’ before. [color=ff7360]"What about your Aunt Momo? Do you wanna give her some too?"[/color] Loni asked with a playful grin, wiping pink crumbles off her face. Luciana turned to look at Momo with wide eyes. “Ahn mo!” Little hands immediately went into the bag, before imminently coming for Momo’s mouth with a handful of crumbly pink goodness. Momo knew the only way to prevent being coated in pink dust across her face was to use the overcompensation method. As her little hand started its rush forward, she opened her mouth wide- far wider than a normal human, her cheeks peeling up the side of her face slightly -and clasped the child’s arm up to the wrist in her mouth. Of course, she expected the child to squirm a little at the uncanny instance, and hoped that she’d quickly drop the morsel of food before pulling away in panic. Luciana did drop the food immediately, trying to pull back her arm. Her eyes went wide and her bottom lip started trembling. It was an instant drop from laughing to scared. She turned around, wriggling as best she could and holding out her arms towards Loni. “Mama- Mammaaaa!” And then she started absolutely wailing. [color=ff7360]"It’s alright, baby, it’s not like that."[/color] Loni immediately ran over, crouching down in front of Momo and Luci. Her arms went around her daughter, hugging her into her shoulder without actually taking her off of Momo. [color=ff7360]"Sh, Mamá’s here, but that’s just your Aunt Momo. It’s like… it’s like Tio Vin, when they get orange and black stripes! Or Mamá when she gets wings… it’s not scary magic!"[/color] Loni comfortingly rubbed Luci’s back, looking up at Momo with apologetic eyes. [color=ff7360]"The… creature, its smile went unnaturally wide. It really scared her, she probably just remember it…"[/color] Of course she felt a little stupid. They’d started fighting so fast that she didn’t even really remember their faces to realize they’d been smiling… But they had. They were so [i]friendly[/i] in spite of it all. Still, this left her with a problem that she’d have to deal with. Uncanny mindfuckery, she’d probably accidentally scarred the poor thing. A lesson for later, she assumed… But how to repair it [i]now[/i]? [color=15A663]"Oh, Luciana, Auntie’s so sorry! No, no, Aunties not scary! I promise I’m… I’m not…”[/color] She was. She was a horrifying weapon of pure Green Lux whose greatest extent changed the natural world around her. It wasn’t exactly a good thing to raise a child around… Her hand dipped into the eclair bag, getting a little frosting on her finger before holding it up. [color=15A663]"Here, honey bunny! Num nums, it tastes good! Show Auntie how wide you can open your mouth!”[/color] she tried to play around. [color=ff7360]"Look, Cariño, come on, stop hidin’."[/color] Loni gently rocked Luciana, trying to coax her to turn around instead of hiding against Loni’s neck. As she swayed and gently rubbed Luci’s back, the girl slowly started to detach herself again. Even though she was scared, she still recognised Momo’s voice… [color=ff7360]"Good girl, nothing scary- go on, show your Auntie!"[/color] Luci kept one hand clinging onto Loni, opening her mouth wide with a cute little ‘ahhh.’ Her face went a little red as she tried to open it as wide as possible, patiently waiting for the yummy frosting. [color=ff7360]"[i]Woww[/i], that’s so wide,"[/color] Loni encouraged. [color=15A663]"Woooow! See, you do it too! Now, go [i]mwah![/i]”[/color] Momo smiled, trying to make sure the skin of her face slotted back into place without anymore undue stress to the little girl. As she pursed her lips, she held out the finger with the frosting on it to let her slide it off. [color=15A663]"Mmmmm tastyyyyy!”[/color] Momo giggled, looking at Loni and letting her expression soften a bit. [color=15A663]"Sorry… I wasn’t really looking at their faces. My boots were talking.”[/color] she tried to joke. “Mmmm,” Luciana enjoyed the bit of frosting she got, before turning back around to curl in on Loni’s shoulder. She wasn’t as energetic as before, but she didn’t seem scared now. She was probably sleepy… she hadn’t had a nap yet. [color=ff7360]"It’s alright, it ain’t like you were tryna scare her,"[/color] Loni shrugged the shoulder Luci wasn’t resting on. She continued to make gentle rocking motions, smiling. [color=ff7360]"It’s cause it looked at her first… probably smiled unnaturally. She’s used to a lotta magical stuff cause of me ‘n Vin and people here, but just not that. I dunno… it doesn’t matter so long as she’s safe, does it?"[/color] [color=15A663]"Naw, probably not… But, she’s getting sleepy after a cookie… I hope she ain’t got diabetes… Does she?”[/color] Momo’s eyes widened, regardless of how softly she was speaking. Loni shook her head, biting her lip to hold back laughter. She just found it funny how Momo suddenly got concerned like that. [color=ff7360]"She ain’t. She’s just due a nap. We got up early this mornin’, and then all the shit that happened… there ain’t been a chance. I guess having a bit to eat was what did it."[/color] She rubbed Luci’s back, gently kissing the top of her head. [color=ff7360]"You sleepy, Mijita? Wanna nap on Mamá?"[/color] The only response was a little wriggle, her face rubbing into Loni’s shoulder more. [color=ff7360]"That’d be a yes… lucky I ain’t got work till later."[/color] Momo made sure to slide Luciana fully back to her mother without too much motion, a warm smile as they parted ways for now. [color=15A663]"Go upstairs… Get some sleep before work, get in touch with Vin… I’ll get the house warmed up for you tonight, eh?”[/color] she offered, her hand gently patting Loni’s left cheek. [color=ff7360]"Mhm, assumin’ Vin agrees,"[/color] Loni nodded. She straightened up, arms shifting to fully support Luciana in her arms. Her smile was soft, and a bit sleepy now that Momo suggested sleep. She had gotten up early… and would be working as late as normal. [color=ff7360]"See you later, hopefully… c’mon, Mi Amor, let’s go nap."[/color] Loni continued to murmur softly, switching to Spanish, as she left, door closing quietly behind her.