How Green Becomes Wood

"They are very impressive at solving problems. Rats are really impressive creatures. I miss ours," She sighed softly, "Ophelia is still alive, but she's the last of our old mischief, and she won't be around for much longer either. I'm glad Gwen has taken such good care of them, and she has her own rats now." She thought about them for awhile, and then turned her face to Alec, "Why?"
 
Alec shrugged. "He just seems more like a dog person, and he seems more against a cat than a dog. I know, I know," he added to stem the conversation he knew would come from that statement, "his mental capacity to care for one more living creature is tapped out, at least for now, and it's possible we'll get one or the other in the future."
 
Daizi shook her head, "He does not want another dog at all. Yes, regardless of the creature he doesn't want new lives in our home---especially now--- but he is much more stressed by the thought of another dog. They take up more space and demand more attention, they're more risky with babies, and we don't know how Enkidu will react to not being an only dog. Cats aren't like that, they're more self-sufficient and less demanding. He's much more accepting of a cat."
 
"Huh. I hadn't read that in him at all," Alec remarked. Then he said cheerfully, "Hmm. That means I'm more likely to get my cat than Xander is to get his dog! He probably wants a scruffy dog, anyway. I want a clean kitty."
 
"He's just stressed. We haven't really had a peaceful time since you've both been really asking," Daizi pointed out, unsure about if she should mention how they didn't have room in that bedroom for a pet until recently, but decided against it for now, "A scruffy dog isn't wise. I don't mind adopting strays, but I'd feel better, right now, with a dog whose entire history we know. I'd never forgive myself if we brought home a dog with a bite history without knowing it. Cats are easier because Cooger would be certain we have a safe cat who is a good fit."
 
"Yes, Mama," Alec said, trying not to sound tired. They'd covered this already. Multiple times. He got it. He might never bring up pets ever again in his life! "Speaking of Enkidu, do you think he's had enough of a walk?"
 
"He has you and Xander too," Daizi pointed out, "Ivy is a very sweet little girl, but she doesn't know when to go and sit with him and when to leave him be. Unless she's napping, she's work, so she can only do so much. I know he'll be fine, but it's still a difficult night, and I wanted to make it easier on him." She sighed softly, "He just carries so much."
 
"Maybe, but she can crawl into his lap and bury her fingers in his beard, and he melts like a candle left in a car in July," Alec replied mildly. "So, how can we help? How can we lessen the load?"
 
"That's true, but it makes him sad too. Especially when dealing with what he is tonight. He's scared about ruining her innocence." Daizi admitted, turning down their walkway, "I don't know everything that's on his mind tonight, we haven't had much time to talk. But generally, your father... He just needs to know he's not..." She paused, thinking of the right word, "an aberration? He doesn't want to hurt anyone else with what he has on his back."
 
Daizi stopped just before opening the door, smiling sadly, "He's seen so much. Many people have run when he's attempted to mention it. It hurts me to think about it, I only loved him more after he could tell it to me."
 
"That is very sad," Alec agreed soberly, but he could understand why they would run. It made sense that they would, but that didn't mean it wasn't still sad and hurtful to those left behind. He reached down and patted Enkidu. "At least he has you now!"
 
"And he always will." Daizi said solidly, opening the door and going inside, unleashing Enkidu before taking off her shoes and touching the salt, listening to tell if Dark was still downstairs or if he had gone up.
 
"I'm freezing, but Enkidu loved it," Daizi replied, hanging up her coat. "Has Ivy been brought to bed?"

In fact, Dark had only recently come back downstairs from laying her down, but had crept downstairs so quietly it may have gone unnoticed.
 
"Thank you," Daizi replied, stretching. She'd go and look for him in just a minute.

In the living room, Dark had kept the main lights off but has switched on the table lamp and was drawing by it, too focused on what he was doing to hear what anyone else was saying.
 
"I'm going to go up and get into comfy clothes, I think," Alec told her. "I'll be back down in a bit." He headed up, half-bouncing on the steps.

Xander moved back into the living room and was about to turn on a light when he realized the table lamp was on and what was happening by it. He wandered over and looked at Dark, half peering through the dim light. "Are you sure that's enough light?" he finally asked.
 
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