How Green Becomes Wood

Xander waited until Sloan had walked to her front door and let herself in before turning the van around and parking it in its usual spot in front of his own house. He stretched and headed inside, feeling fully drained.
 
Sloan waited outside for a few moments to psych herself up before she finally took a deep breath and went inside, bracing herself for whatever was to come.

Inside the Necropolis, though, Daizi was in the kitchen, and when the door opened, she said, "Xander, are you home? We kept your dinner warm for you."
 
"Thanks," Xander said, taking off his shoes and touching the salt. "Sorry I was out so late. Something came up, but I'm back now. It's all good." He went to the kitchen, sniffing. "It smells good. What's for dinner?"
 
Xander went to find his dinner portion. "Kind of? Her mom was getting on her case, and she needed an out. I didn't want her driving as upset as she was, so we went for a drive.
 
"Yeah," Xander agreed, sitting down to eat. "We both kind of vented a bit, talked about British nannies in movies, and mused on what the future's going to look like. Stuff like that. She gave me an idea for hanging out with Alec, too, so that's cool of her."
 
"Ugh, British nannies," Daizi shuddered, "For about a year, I had a British nanny. She was not my favourite. I was very glad to get my old Governess back. What are you planning to do with Alec?"
 
"Planning to do with me?" Alec repeated as he walked in the room with Kiki supported in one arm. The cat lounged like she was queen of the house, blinking smugly at the world around her. "It sounds like something a mob man would say."

"Nah, we were just thinking of what to do with you while the rest of us went on holiday," Xander said.

Alec frowned. "Holiday? Have you been hanging out with Peter? Is that why you're so late?"

Xander snorted. "No, it's just we were talking about British nannies."

"Oh," Alec nodded. "That makes sense. Did you have a British nanny, Mama?"
 
"For a year," Daizi replied, leaning against the counter, "I think her name was Elizabeth, or something. My usual Governess was from Egypt, although she went to school in England, but there was a year a relative was really sick, so my father hired someone else temporarily. I didn't like her very much, though."
 
"That doesn't sound much fun at all," Alec agreed. "Xander, why were you so late?"

"Slo was having some issues. We went for a drive and a vent," Xander replied.

Alec nodded, frowning. "I'll send her an amusing video later to try to lift her spirits. Mama, why didn't you like your nanny? Was she too strict?"
 
"She was," Daizi sighed, "And strict in that way where everything needs to be just-so. And she was very serious about quiet time, which has never really suited me. The worst thing, though, were the lunches she prepared for us. My brother was convinced she was doing it on purpose out of some sort of malice."
 
"Was it the absolute stereotype for bland, English cooking?" Alec asked, hypnotized. He sat next to Xander, who was polishing his plate efficiently. Even Kiki perked up as if listening. Or she was interested in the kitchen smells.
 
"I'm fairly certain it's what they used to serve Oliver Twist," Daizi said, "she told me she always ate it, and I remember telling her I have no proof of that, which made her laugh and then apologize profusely for laughing."
 
"At least she had the capacity for laughing," Alec said.

"Laughing, or cackling like a witch?" Xander asked.

Kiki climbed out of Alec's arm and hopped over into Xander's lap.

Xander looked down at her, puzzled. "What?"

Kiki blinked up at him happily.
 
"Faid enough," Xander agreed. "Alec, get your cat."

"She just wants to say hi," Alec said, rolling his eyes, but he did lean over and scoop Kiki up. "Aren't you, pretty little thing? You just like saying hi to people."

Kiki exploded into happy purrs as Alec scratched her neck.
 
The next Saturday, the 9th of March, was a big day. Over the last few months, Cooger had been working on purchasing another plot of land to extend his, mostly so more of the forest could be protected and some of his trails could grow a bit longer. The more he owned, the less could be cut down and "developed," removing homes for all of the wildlife. He had finally managed to close negotiations, and the new plot of land was finally his!

To celebrate, of course, he invited his family, Lex, and Toby over. Most of the land was a bit of a walk from off the trails he knew, but even if they didn't all go hiking, it was nice to have his people over to celebrate another acre being added to the homestead. Of course, Enkidu was also invited, because after a long winter, a brisk nearly Spring day was exactly what he needed.
 
Alec sat on the floor saying hello to the cats and petting all the ones that would let him. He told them about Kiki, that she'd found a lovely home and was enjoying herself. "Uncle Cooger, you could get more chickens! Or a goat. Or even a horse," he told Cooger, winking.

Xander hung out outside with Enkidu on his lead, keeping it loose and mostly following the dog around.

Lex arrived a little late with Toby, having stopped to get Cooger a "land warming" gift. She got out of the car and looked around for chickens, cats, and a goose as she walked toward Cooger, a small cardboard box in hand.
 
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