“I was born in the wrong family.”
“You were adopted.”
“That is even worse. I chose to join this family willingly.”
–Maniac after being subjected to a ga night with Faith.
As I am laying in my bed trying to fight the fog of sleep that is occupying my mind after last night's excursion, I have just one question. How in the na of the Protectors am I tired when this is not even a real body? Instead of getting the ti to contemplate the answer to the question, I hear a little pitter-patter on the floor and then a loud thump as the bed moves slightly.
“Mom, why are you still in bed?” Cali asks as she crawls towards , lying down over my stomach. “I want to play.”
“Mommy had to work late last night,” I say, patting Cali's head. “Also, it’s hard getting out of bed when you are on top of , my baby.”
“Is work fun?” Cali asks, getting off to allow to sit up.
“It’s okay; it has its fun and unfun parts,” I answer, dragging myself out of bed.
Cali looks at for a bit as she tries to decipher what is going on. “Then why do you work?”
“Because it is important.” I say, smiling at her. “If I do nothing, a lot of people will get hurt. So, while I might not like it all the ti, it does allow other people to be happy.”
“So you are like a fairy princess from TV,” Cali says, looking excited.
I blink. “Uhm, I am not a fairy, and your other Mom is the princess, so maybe.”
“Okay, so you are more of a sparkle light knight than.” She says more than asks, as she is nodding to herself.
“Yeah, probably sothing like that.” I agree.
“Is the other Mom with green also a knight?” Cali asks.
“No, she is my sidekick. Think of an animal companion or sothing,” I say, giving her a wink.
“I fucking heard that, asshole, and what do you an, sidekick? I do all the fighting, so that makes you the sidekick,” Maniac complains in my mind.
I try my best to suppress a giggle. ‘Exactly, I tell you where to go and as a good little sidekick you go and do it.’
I quickly throw on so more clothes and escort the chatty toddler back to the living room, where Nonon and Boo were building a tower with foam and hot glue together with Cierra.
“Hey, why are you still here? No work?” I ask, kissing her on top of her head.
Cierra frowns, “You think I will happily go to work with what happened yesterday?”
“So, what are you building?” I quickly ask Nonon as I lean down to look at the structure.
“Ho,” she says, pointing at the top. “We live here, and Rose is here, and there is a big parking lot here.”
“I see well; it is already looking good. Keep working.” I say as I am dragged along by Cali to the coffee table where so kind of small forest has been set up.
“Play with ,” Cali asks and/or demands, pointing at the board.
I go and sit down on the ground in front of the table. “Of course, what are we playing?”
“We are playing Super Fairy Princess Adventure,” Cali says excitedly.
I try my best to keep my face neutral. “Okay, how do we play?”
“We all chose a princess, and that gives us our fairy power.” She says, pointing at several holographic figures. “This one has crystal power, this one plant, this one has star power, this one music, and this one animal powers.”
“Right, and which one do you want to play as?” I ask, looking at the different figures.
Cali points at the little pink figure. “I want to play the bubble-gum fairy.”
“Right, I will take the green one then.” I say, “What is their na?”
“That is Licorice,” Cali says with a smile.
I nod, and we start playing the ga; the ga itself is rather simple. It runs to a story scenario, and you beat it by using your imagination, conjuring different items to help your character complete the adventure. The story itself is rather childish, but it at least stimulates your imagination, which is definitely a good thing.
After we stopped the gno syndicate from selling knock-off fairy dust. I lean back to look at the ga again; it seems too advanced for a simple tool. “Hey Cali, how did you get this ga?”
“Aunty Maggie gave it to ,” Cali says, moving the pieces back for another round.
I look back over at Cierra to see if she knew who Maggie would be. Sadly, she seems to be focused on the model and making sure the twins were not glueing everything together.
“Want to play again?” Cali asks with big puppy eyes, making feel like saying no is no longer an option.
“Of course, but should we grab so snacks first?” I try to tempt the child with different options.
Cali raises her hands in the air. “Yes.” And runs into the kitchen.
I smile, walk into the kitchen to open the snack drawer and give the kiddos so options.
Well, they are looking at their options. I am surprised to see a call appear in my vision. I walk back slightly to give myself so quiet room and accept the call. “Hello?”
“Hey, is this Maniac?” a man asks on the other side with a strong accent that I can't imdiately place.
“In a way.” I answer. “Who are you?”
“I am Lion Spirit. I am sorry for coming back to you this late, but we had so issues here.” The man's answer made realise that the accent was African.
“No worries, I get it. I an, I feel like I have been doing this for years when I have only been a Samurai for like three months.” I complain.
The man laughs with a deep rumble. “I feel you. Anyway, we got it sorted around here, so if you still want to bring so children over, I would love to be a guide.”
“Yes, great, thanks. Just, uhm, we also have an orphanage under our managent, so would it be okay if we bring a lot of kids?” I ask, feeling a bit unsure.
Lion Spirit laughs again. “Don't worry, we have several trucks and a big bus we could use. Just make sure you bring enough caretakers since we don't want any accidents with our animals.”
“Well, I think I can get more than enough chaperones,” I say with a smile. “So when can I bring everyone over?”
“Probably soti next month would be good, if you can get it all together then.” Lion Spirit suggests.
I open up my calendar app and mark so dates.. “Yeah, sure. I will send you the exact numbers soon, just have to confirm it with so of the people here.”
“Yeah, no problem, and have a good day,” Lion Spirit says as he drops the call.
I send a quick ssage to Ashley asking her for the itinerary of the orphanage, then I send a quick ssage to Annika and my sister-in-law so they can prepare their stuff for a little trip.
“Mom, who are you talking to?” Cali asks, walking up to with half a chocolate bar in hand.
I pick up the toddler and put her on my hip. “I was talking to a colleague. He owns a big park where a lot of different animals live. So, I asked them if I could take you, your sisters and a bunch of other kids there to see the animals. Would you like that?”
Cali seems to hesitate for a second. “Will you be there?”
I give her a kiss on her forehead. “Of course I will be there.”
“Okay,” the girl says, then raises her hand. “Want so cocoa?”
“No, I am fine, but thank you. That is really sweet of you.” I say, walking back to the couch and put the kid back down. Then I turn back to Cierra. “Babe, can you send when you are free next month so we can plan a little holiday?”
Cierra nods, “I can. Want to send it to you or to your assistant, so we actually get it done.”
“Hey, I am not that bad at planning,” I complain.
Cierra gets a wicked smile. “Oh, then how is our wedding planning going?”
“First off, that is Maniac’s responsibility, not mine, and second, she is planning it. Sure, it is in a strange order, but she is getting there.” I defend my sister.
“Ooh, what is she doing now then?” Cierra says with a teasing smile.
“I am, for your information, looking at rings as well as selecting colours for dresses and making sure the space is big enough to hold the wedding.” Maniac’s voice echoes through the speakers around the room.
“Oh, you're already looking at spaces?” Cierra asks.
“Yeah, Mom has a place available that should allow to elevate this wedding to out of this world.” Maniac informs the group.
Cierra raises an eyebrow. “Really, you are already that far along?”
“Yeah,” cos Maniac's answer in a satisfied tone. “The only thing I still need is the invitations, wedding cakes and finishing my wedding vows.”
“Right,” Cierra says, looking a bit stunned. “So, have you picked a date yet?”
“How about in 2 weeks?” Maniac answers, surprising mostly everyone.
Cierra looks at , then at the kids. “Sure, but you know, make sure our friends can actually make it.”
Maniac gives her confirmation, and about fifteen minutes later, a wedding invitation appears in my inbox. The invitation is rather simple but pretty, making wonder if Maniac outsourced the process. We spend so more ti playing with the kids when the door opens up, and Magenta walks in.
“Aunty Maggie” Cali shouts as she runs up to her.
“Hey kiddo.” She says, patting Cali on the head. “So, Jason has set up a children's event with bouncy castles and candy floss and everything. And I thought you three might want to go.”
Cali looks around for a bit. "Will Mommy co too?”
“Uhm, I have to discuss sothing with your aunty Maggie, but I am sure your other Mom can.” I say, looking at Cierra, who gives a small nod.
“Do you two want to go too?” Cierra asks Nonon and Boo.
The redheads nod. This starts a long sequins of events trying to get the kids ready to go out. In which we have to explain to Nonon that going in just underwear was not okay. Eventually however we mange to get the shoes on the little tykes so they can finely leave.
“So, are we going to talk about the aunt thing?” Magenta asks, looking rather awkward.
I frown in confusion. “Uhm, no? I an, I kind of had you down as one of their parents rather than an aunt, but that is beside the point. The Maggie thing is confusing, but you have always been weird, so who knows.”
Magenta lets out a sigh and sits down next to . “I think Cali calls Maggie because she struggles saying Magenta.”
I smile slightly. “That is believable. Also thank you for the ga, it's, uhm, interesting.”
Magenta smirks. “How many tis have you played it?”
“I stopped counting at ten,” I admit.
Magenta burst out laughing. “So you do have a weakness.”
“I have several, most notably hot girls and fancy pens,” I huff out.
“Ah, so if I want to beat you, I just need to beco prettier?” Magenta asks.
“Nah, I think if you were any hotter, you would beco too distracting for your allies.” I point out.
Magenta’s head snaps to . “You think I am hot?”
“The fuck do you an, are all your mirrors defunct or sothing? Of course I think that, because you are hot.” I tell her.
Magenta stays quiet for a while. But slowly she nuzzles against my side.
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