strangetrip | [OTA] such a nice way to start people

The past few days had been at least a year's worth of emotions and exhaustion, and Vex... and Vex didn't even know how to finish that thought. What she did know was the suite was starting to feel way too small and constricting, and if she didn't get out of their rooms for a little while, she was going to go batty.

She'd finished feeding Elaina and changed her diaper – thank Pelor they no longer looked like something a black pudding left behind – and by the time the baby was dressed in the light layers all the books insisted were the only way to go, she was sound asleep again. And even more miraculously, the rain that had been falling all day decided to take a break. Vex grabbed one of the ever-present towels she was using as a baby blanket and draped it over Elaina where she slept tucked against Vex's chest. If she needed anything that wasn't already in her bag, she could always call Percy or Vax over the earrings to bring it.

Vex took a deep breath of rain-fresh air when she stepped out of the suite, and then paused, waiting and hoping she hadn't disturbed the baby's sleep. Elaina nestled closer, but didn't seem to wake, and Vex started a slow stroll, falling into an almost instinctive movement that lightly rocked the sleeping baby. She tipped her head up toward the sky, smiling at the sun peeking out from behind grey clouds. It felt so good just to be out and moving around, but it wasn't long before her attention turned once again to the bundle she carried and how her heart filled with warmth and love.

Who cared if there were dark circles under her eyes? If there was still a carefulness to how she walked that hinted at some hidden discomfort? There was an easy smile in the curve of her mouth that didn't fade, but got brighter and wider whenever she got to introduce someone to the youngest de Rolo.

Eventually she headed to the cafe. Maybe she could find out what those bug-things were the chef was cooking today.

[ooc: Meet Vex and baby Elaina either walking outside or in the cafe.]

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"I know. It's hard to believe someone could be so little." Awe and trepidation robbed Vex's voice of power. That she could be responsible for this tiny, fragile person.

When the baby continued to bunch and move, Vex turned her, tucking Elaina into the crook of her arm. "Are you going to wake up? Hmm? Let Snow see you?"

Snow's eyes went wide with more than a little alarm, but for the moment at least she stayed right where she was. She wanted to see those blue eyes, even if she didn't know why that was a thing she'd want. Blue eyes had been the bane of her childhood. But right now, she didn't think about that.

For all that her attention seemed to be entirely on Elaina – to be fair, much of it was – Vex was keeping a watch on Snow as well. She'd been wary at best ever since Vex told her about the pregnancy, and the broken wildness seemed just on the brink of breaking through and sending Snow fleeing. Which wasn't the point. Vex wanted Snow and Elaina to get accustomed to each other. So Vex continued to act much as she would with a feral animal. Slow, careful changes, not too focused attention, giving Snow a chance to adjust and her curiosity to keep her interested.

With the baby settled comfortably in one arm, Vex brushed a teeny tiny hand with one finger, and smiled when baby fingers opened wide then wrapped around hers.

Her hand was so tiny that Snow's breath caught in her throat. She felt something welling up inside her, but not knowing what it was she ducked her head awkwardly and took a step back.

Feeling too much and not knowing what to do with it all was something Vex was getting to know very well the past few days. So she recognized it in Snow now. She didn't call attention to it, though. If it had been her, someone mentioning it would only have made things worse.

"The books say it's a reflex, the way she grabs on like that. Something about baby monkeys not falling out of trees. But it makes me melt a little every single time."

Darwin's theory of evolution was one of those things Snow has absorbed mostly by being a child with a gun and books for company in a rich man's house. Her governesses had never considered making it part of her education. But it did mean that Vex's words weren't nonsense to her.

She wasn't particularly concerned either way.

One tentative hand reached out to touch the baby's finger's lightly with one of her own. But at the last second she hesitated and looked toward Vex for permission.

Vex smiled and nodded encouragement when Snow looked to her. For permission?

Snow knew how to be gentle; Vex had seen it watching her with various animals. Probably because Snow had known so little gentleness herself.

"It's okay. I know you won't hurt her."

Snow's eyes briefly lowered, but she found her nerve and lightly ran one finger across the back of that little tiny hand. The skin was so impossibly soft, the bones beneath so fragile, that it made her gasp. They'd been talking of her like a kitten, but touching her Snow was reminded much more of a bird.

A faint, knowing smile played over Vex's expression at Snow's reaction. "It takes your breath away, doesn't it? It does mine. How anybody can be so tiny, so delicate."

It was about that time Elaina's eyes tried to open. Slits at first, then a little wider, then open completely at Vex's, "hello, treasure," showing off their soft blue color.

"Oh," was all Snow said.

A bunch of weird feelings flitted through her as she watched, thinking of her own mother. Gun That Sings had died giving birth to her, had tried to slit her own wrists when she found out she was pregnant. Would she have ever looked at Snow like that? Her mother was practically a character in a story rather than a person. She had no idea. And that made her uncomfortable.

Words were hard for Snow at the best of times. When faced with something that left Vex and Percy regularly speechless still, her reaction felt completely understandable.

She gave Snow a moment, bending to press a kiss to the top of Elaina's head and to breathe in that new baby smell.

It was enough for Snow for one day, she knew, something inside her telling her that she needed to retreat and do some processing. It wasn't running away. It was... "I gotta get some lunch," she said.

Vex nodded. "Little Lady Elaina probably should too." And while Vex thought nothing of whipping out her tits around most people, Snow wasn't most people. Besides, she probably needed a break from mother and child.

"Enjoy your lunch, Snow-darling. You know where to find us if you want to visit. Or if you want to pick up Trink for some buddy time."

"Okay." And giving Vex a flicker of her rare smile, Snow turned to head back inside.

[OTA] such a nice way to start people

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