Lord Bug arrives

From FiranMUX

Idalia sits on the steps of the red brick house watching the day pass.

Pia leads little Teonia by the hand, making their way (slowly) out of the estate and towards the Palace district. Teo babble cheerfully as they go. "Bir!" "No dear, not bird, bug. Can you say bug, Teo? Say bug for mommy..." "BG!" "B-ug." "BU-UUUGH!" Pia beams, and Teonia promptly starts naming everything in sight. "BUGH! BUUGH!"

Idalia looks up at smirks. She gives a deep nod from her seated position. "Good day M'Ladies."

Pia glances over and smiles at the mes. "Good afternoon, Mes." Teonia grins brightly, "HI!!"

Idalia gives Teonia a small wave. "How do you two fare this day?"

Pia inclines her head. "We are quite well, off to the baths for some hope of respite from this heat!" Teonia waves her hand excitedly, pointing proudly at her new discovery. "BUGH!"

Idalia laughs at the girl and nods. "Indeed, a wise decision on a day like this."

Baphyra walks along, accompanied by a pair of Didoron guards. All are in mourning clothes, although Baphyra is wearing a lovely fur wrap, that, as she approaches, lifts its narrow head and peers around with bright black eyes.

Pia stands talking with Idalia. "Teonia loves the baths, thankfully. Some children kick and scream when you try to get them in the water, but not Teo!" Pia's motherly pride shows through as Teonia busily sqats down to examine ants crawling along in a line. She points. "BUUUGGGHHH!"

Baphyra waves and smiles, brightly as she approaches. "Pia! Teonia!" she calls.

Idalia looks to the Teo and her marching ants. "Must mean we shall have rain soon." She comments, "At least it would be rescue from this heat."

Baphyra approaches the little group. She nods and smiles to Idalia. "Hello, hello." she says, pleasantly, clearly on some sort of mission. "Pia, my darling." She leans over and kisses her daughter on the cheek.

Idalia glances to Baphyra. "Hello m'Lady." She greets politely.

Baphyra's fur stole peers around, curiously, and snuffles Pia's ear as Baphyra leans over her.

Pia glances down, "Yes Teo, more bugs." She frowns faintly. Does this mean anything? What does it mean that her toddler has a fascination with bugs? Will she grow up to be a weird bug-loving freak? She is distracted from this line of thinking by her mother's greeting, leaning in to return the kiss before she shrieks and jumps backwards, staring at the 'fur stole'. "It .moved.!" Teonia giggles, waving her arms, "BUGH!"

Baphyra laughs and nods. "Yes... Lord Pangaros gave him to me. Isn't he precious?" she unwraps the ferret from her neck and holds him out to Pia. The sleek critter peers around, curiously, his sleek fur shining and his black eyes mobile. "I named him Simon."

Baphyra says "He and Isa and I went to this horrid little hole in the Old City and Lord Pangaros bought ferrets for us all."

Idalia thought she was imagining the fur's movement. "What kind of animal is that M'Lady?" She asks, now knowing it wasn't a figment.

Baphyra smiles at Idalia. "IT's a ferret. I bought one for you, Pia. I thought it was about time I started spoiling my granddaughter."

Baphyra gestures to her bodyguard who steps forward with another, similar rodent and gives it to Pia.

Baphyra says "Don't worry. The merchant assured me they are very good with children."

Idalia smiles. "Are they much trouble M'Lady?"

Baphyra shakes her dark head, smiling. "Not at all. Although little Simon here did rather frighten Lord Pertinax." She beams, affectionately at her pet.

Pia blinks, peering at the creature. "What... ooh, it's so cute!" Teonia apparently agrees with her mother, reaching up with urgent bouncing. "NA! ME UP! ME UP!" She watches the exchange of ferrets, then focusses on her mommy's mommy again. "UUUUPPP!"

Baphyra grins and reaches down to scoop up her granddaughter. "Here you are, sweet. Here pet his head. Gently now..." she murmurs, introducing the child to the furry thing.

Baphyra says "His name is Simon. Can you say Simon?"

Baphyra says "Si-mon."

Teonia squeels excitedly, reaching out to bash poor Simon on the head. "SIIIII! BUGH!" Pia studies the little creature in her hands, then blinks at her little girl. "Gentle Teo.. no, it's not a bug. It's a ferret... What shall we name ours, dearest?"

Baphyra chuckles. She juggles child and rodent in her arms, and manages to catch the pudgy little hand before it causes ferret brain damage. "Gently, like this... see?"

(Here Pia fails to tame ferret twice before getting it to work)

Pia wrestles with the ferret for a minute, letting out a little yelp as the creature tries to bite her, but finally manages to reach some sort of understanding. "There now, see, we can get along just fine..." She crinkles her nose. "I haven't an idea what to name him." Teonia ooohs as her hand is guided, "BUGH!!" Pia giggles, "Maybe I should name him Bug, as Teo suggests."

Baphyra laughs and nods. "Well, they're omniverous, according the merchant, and are quite happy with kitchen scraps. Although that means you'll have to keep Teo from feeding him under the table..."

Baphyra grins at her daughter.

Baphyra says "I think that's a fine idea."

Idalia laughs as she can just imagine the little girl doing that... for some strange reason.

Pia giggles, "Maybe something a little more dignified, though? Lord Bug?" She grins at the thought. "Lady Butterfly? She'll learn to say butterfly someday..." Teonia burbles at Simon, clapping her hands together. "BUGH!"

Baphyra laughs and cuddles her granddaughter, and lets little Simon climb over her shoulder.

Idalia smirks.

Pia crinkles her nose. "What do you think, mother? Shall I name him Lord Bug?" She remembers Idalia after a moment and smiles to include her in the question as well, out of courtsey of course. Teonia waves her hands at Simon, then leeeans over to get nose-to-nose with the creature. "HI!"

Baphyra grins at Teo and nods to Pia. "I think that's a great name."

Simon snuffles and then darts out a tiny pink tongue to lick Teo's nose.

Idalia shrugs. Who is she yea or nay the name of pet. She smiles warmly while watching the girl.

Pia nods firmly. "Lord Bug it is, then." She taps the ferret on the nose, "I hereby declare you to be Lord Bug." Her chuckle is cut short by a faint grimace, and the non-ferret-occupied hand goes to her belly.

Idalia says "Are you well, M'lady?"

Baphyra looks over, immediately, her dark brows furrowing. "Pia...?"

Pia crinkles her nose at the two other women, "Oh, I'm fine... just little cramps, you know how it is." She waves her hand lightly, offering a reassuring smile. "Teonia and I were on our way to the baths, mother. Would you like to join us?"

Baphyra nods, but still looks a bit worried. "I'd love to, but I have some work to do today. Your father left things in a bit of a mess." She grimaces.

Baphyra says "I just wanted to give you Lord Bug and see you both."

Baphyra kisses Teo on the cheek, and hands her off to her mother, reluctantly.

Pia is disappointed, but nods. "Of course. Let me know if I can help with anything?" Teonia is less than pleased to be handed back, clinging to Baphyra. "NA! BUGH!" She calms a bit when she realizes mommy has a Bug now, too, but gives Baphyra a big, watery-eyed look. "Na?"

Baphyra grins and kisses Teo. "I'll see you soon, spice. Be good for mommy?"

Teonia gives Baphyra a babykiss in return, putting one little hand on either side of her Nana's face and kinda pressing a slightly damp smooch on her nose. Bug decides this looks intersting and wriggles down along Pia's arm to poke his nose into Teonia's face, too, at which point the little girl shrieks, giggles, and grabs him. Pia blinks, and begins to get the faint impression that maybe this is going to be a dangerous combination... "Thank you for the gift, mother..."

Baphyra chuckles. "It was my pleasure. And... you can pass on a message from me to your father in law..."

Baphyra smiles, sugar-coated evil. "With my compliments."

Baphyra chuckles in not a nice way at all at the idea of Teo and ferret let loose in Taleo's lovely home.

Pia looks faintly bemused, but nods. "I'll tell him..." Bug seems to have taken exception to being grabbed. He wriggles loose and dashes back up to Pia's shoulder, settling around her neck and staring at Teonia suspiciously.

Baphyra smiles. "Well, I'd better be off. Enjoy. Love you, love you." she says, kissing them both again.

Baphyra nods, pleasantly to Idalia. "Have a pleasant evening, Mes."

Pia smiles, returning her mother's kiss. "Love you too, mother. Take care of yourself!" Teonia waves to the departing Baphyra, "BYe-byE, Na!"

Pia smiles delightely, "That's the longest phrase she's ever said!"

Baphyra grins. "well, I'm glad I was here for it then!" Beaming, she turns and sweeps off, bodyguards in tow.