How Green Becomes Wood

Dark was, at that moment, in the kitchen taking inventory so he could make his grocery lists for that week. Normally he kept an eye on Ivy during the day, but Ivy was happy and Xander was playing with her, so he was able to trust they'd be okay for a little while. Daizi, meanwhile, was upstairs playing on her harp, finding some inspiration from the conversations she had been having with her friends lately.

But Ivy didn't know this, so when Xander asked her where her Baba was, she looked around and mumbled, "Baba?"
 
Ivy looked up at Xander and then began toddling that way, and when she saw her father she happily squealed, "Baba!!!"

"Hello, Tifla," Dark said, looking down at her, "Have you been having fun with your brother?"
 
Ivy gurgled, and after going up to her father lightly tugged on his pants. After setting his list aside, he knelt down to be on her level and asked, smoothing her hair with one hand, "Where would you like to go, Ivy?"

"Ah," She mumbled, still tugging at him.

"Would you like to show Baba?"
 
"We would like to show Baba," Xander agreed, nodding. "Right, Mini? Let's show Baba." He was already edging toward the back door, knowing what Ivy wanted, but also trying to let her say what she wanted.
 
Dark stood upright, then bent at the awkward angle required for him to take his toddler's hand, and told her, "Go show Baba."


Dutifully, Ivy toddled to the backdoor and then pointed at the glass, "This?"

"Ivy-Qadira, would you like to play outside?" Dark asked, having somewhat overheard their conversations earlier.

"This!" Ivy chirped, the delight on her face reminding Dark of Enkidu when he asked him the same question.

"You can, but you need your jacket and your shoes," He told her.
 
"Go follow Xander," Dark said, pointing after his son, and so Ivy toddled after him, doing what she was told. Then Dark followed, trailing behind her, unsure if Xander was planning to help her with her shoes and coat, or if that was something he would need to do.
 
Xander three on his own shoes quickly and got Ivy's coat for her. He held out her jacket and helped her get into it. It was a bit fiddly, but he managed to get her in. Shoes were harder. He stared at them for a minute and then handed them to Dark before getting his coat on.
 
Ivy was very helpful with her jacket and shoes, knowing exactly when to stick out her arms and legs. But Dark was more so impressed that Xander had helped her, "Some mornings she tries to dress herself," he told Xander as he knelt down to help her with her shoes, "Sometimes she fusses and tries to do it herself, but does not have the mastery of it yet. But you are very good at taking off your own shoes and socks, Ivy."
 
Enkidu scrambled to his feet, hearing his name and outside in the same sentence, and ran to the front door. Dark whistled to catch his attention and then pointed towards the living room, so he scampered that way instead.

"You should take some of her toys," Dark said, not inviting himself along. Xander was showing so much interest in his sister, he didn't want to intrude upon it.
 
"Alright." Xander detoured to pick up a ball, some blocks, and a couple of other things that looked like they'd be fine outside. He opened the door for Enkidu and Ivy and stuck his foot out to block Kiki before going out, himself.

"Mew!" Kiki called, offended at being left behind.
 
"You will survive," Dark told Kiki, "I do not trust you to run away."

The moment Ivy went outside, she began hurrying towards the grass, blissfully unaware of the steps down off the porch.
 
"Mew? Meow." Kiki said stiffly and stalked off, tail in the air.

"Wait, wait, wait," Xander called, chasing after her. He caught her by the back of her coat and lifted her off her feet. "Stairs, Mini. Stairs." He set her down carefully on the top step. He kept hold of her coat just in case. "Carefully, now. One step at a time."
 
Halted from accidentally throwing herself down the stairs, Ivy looked down at them and, being set down, rather than trying to walk down, she sat on the top step with a big frown on her face, trying to work out what to do. Then, cautiously, and taking frequent looks at Xander, she rolled over onto her belly and began climbing down the way she climbed off the couch.
 
Seeing Ivy was taking things carefully, Xander let go of her. He followed her, keeping to the side so she could see him and he could stay close enough to grab her if needed. "Nicely done, Mini. Good job. One more. There you go!"
 
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