Animation Source Forums

"Oh, excellent!" Setsuko responded. "Let's see here..." She took the blankets from Rue, counting them up quickly. 1, 2, 3, 4 large ones...no wait, 5, there's another....1, 2, 3 medium ones....1, 2, 3, 4, 5 small ones...1 very small. "There's enough for all of us, including Jaci," Setsuko announced. "But they'll need to be dusted, and perhaps washed."

"We can go down to the lake for that," Rue said, picturing the normally still, blue waters in her mind's eye.

"Yes, though I don't think it's necessary to bring all the kids to the lake," She glanced at Kuilak. "Would you rather baby-sit or clean some old blankets?"

Rue would prefer to do what Setsuko did, whether it be baby-sitting, or washing blankets. She had only recently gotten re-acquianted with the bi-bender. She waited for Kuilak's answer, knowing Tariq would have no objection to doing either of those.

Kuilak hesitated, thinking over either situation. "I suppose I'll wash blankets," He answered. He wasn't sure how much longer he could watch Yuumi. "Ok then. Jaci can lead the way," Setsuko responded promptly.

Rue handed the blanket's in her arms over to Tariq. "Mind helping Kuilak do laundry?" she asked. He shook his head, taking the blankets from her. He had been rather silent since reaching the cabin, and RUe supposed he was still adapting.

Jaci trotted out the back door, constantly glancing over his shoulder to be sure that Kuilak and Tariq were following. Setsuko watched as her faithful pet, her husband, and a her new acquaintance walked toward the lake, slowly vanishing from eyeshot. A faint smile sat upon her lips.

Rue was about to walk over to Setsuko, but was interrupted by a cry of surprise and pain. Motherly instincts making her heart pound, and worry appear in her eyes, she turned around quickly, to see Tess sprawled on the floor, Gale looking on guiltily, and Maddy looking concerned. Tears made streaks down Tess's young face, and Rue immediatly dropped to her knees beside her youngest daughter, cradling her in her arms comfortingly. "What happened?" she asked, voice firm as she looked up at the twins. "I, uh," Gale begin, then stuttered off. Maddy filled in for him. "We were playing, then Gale pushed Tess, and she fell." "It was an accident!" Gale protested.

Tess turned her tear-streaked face to her brother. "You did it on purpose," she said, between the tears. "Gale," Rue said, her voice stern. He turned a pleading face on her, making a sigh escape her lips. "Say sorry." NOrmally, she would address a punishment, but she decided not too. "Sorry," he muttered, looking at the ground.

"Well, there's been pushing around all over the place!" Exclaimed Kya, really speaking up for the first time. "Be careful and watch where you're going...we don't want anyone else getting hurt!" Setsuko nodded, flashing a glance of appreciation at her daughter. A moment of silence reigned in the room, which was unusual considering there were nine kids in one setting, all varying in age from six months to fourteen, and three of them having wings. Setsuko broke it. "Why don't we play a game?" That stirred up some interest, particularly from the younger kids. "What kind of game?" asked Kanna. "A get-to-know-you game," Setsuko replied. "Yeah!" agreed Misaki. "Sounds fun," Kanna commented. "Yay, game!" called Yuumi, clapping his hands in a goofy, toddler-fashion.

Tess's tears stopped at the mention of a game, and she broke free of her mother's hug. "I want to play," she said, interest showing in her grey-blue eyes.

"Ok, great," Setsuko laughed, glad to see how enthusiastic the children seemed about this. "Now let's all sit in a circle. You too, Sumi..." she added when Sumi stayed away from the ring. He sighed and sat down "This is childish," He muttered under his breath. Kya nudged him harshly.

Tess sat down beside Misaki, her older brother and sister not following her lead, preferring not to participate. "Go join your sister," Rue said, looking at them. Maddy walked into the circle, Gale releculantly trailing along.

"Rue, you can join up too," Setsuko invited. She turned to the children. "Now then. We need to introduce ourselves. We'll say our name, then nickname if we have one, then age, then something special about us. Got it?" The children nodded. "Who wants to go first?" A chorus of hands shot into the air. "Ok, put you hands down," Setsuko said, amused by their anticipation. "Rue, why don't you choose the first introducer?" As she waited for Rue's answer, she twisted around and pulled Li out of the baby-pouch, setting him on her lap.

Rue sat down, the rough wooden floor pressing into her. She looked around the group, her brown eyes stopping on Sumi. "Sumi, you can go first," she invited.

Sumi looked a bit surprised by her answer. then sighed and began. "My name is Natsumi, just call me Sumi, I'm 14, and..." He thought a moment before deciding on the last part. "I'm an Airbender," He finished at last. He turned to Kya. She began. "My name is Kya, I don't have a nickname, I'm 12 years old, and...." She too needed a moment to think. "I like children," She decided. The her gaze, in turn, shifted to the winged child sitting next to her.