How Green Becomes Wood

"Woo-hoo!" Alec cheered. He took Dark's arm lightly and headed off in the direction of the stalls. "Come on, Mama! Xander! We're going to the shinies!" He did not go quickly despite his excitement, conscious of keeping everyone together.

Xander sighed and turned. "Looks like we're off," he told his mother. "I'm not even sure what he sees."
 
"What a coincidence," Daizi replied, mostly because she knew it was expected of her.

The tent of 'shinies', as Alec put it, was primarily jewelry made by a local craftsman. In addition to wire-wrapped pieces, utilizing beads or crystals, there were copper hair pins and other accessories.
 
Alec happily pored over the creations of the craftsman, loving everything he saw. He pointed out a lot of the crystals and gems to Daizi, naming as many as he could and commenting on the craftsmanship of the copper wiring. He was even able to show Ivy a few things. He considered getting a pin for himself. His hair was just long enough.

Xander tried not to show it, but he was rather interested in all of the shiny things, too, looking over the various stones. He liked the crystals, but he wasn't sure he'd actually wear any of it.
 
Although Dark really did enjoy looking at what they sold, because he never stopped looking for things to delight his wife with, as they looked in this tent, Dark, after making sure his family all knew his plans, eventually stepped out of it because he could tell Ivy was getting frustrated. To her credit, she was doing her best, and she liked looking at the things Alec showed her... But to her, looking also meant holding and tasting, which she couldn't do.

When Dark took her just outside the vending stall and played with her in the grass, though, she was perfectly content while inside, Daizi chatted happily with the twins about the pieces she liked and what different crystals meant.
 
Alec decided to pick up three hairpins, but not for himself. He picked out small ones, one for Becky, one for Sloan, and one for Claire. He would have considered walking around more before picking out gifts for his friends, but these ones were so perfect! Plus, not too expensive (while being reasonably priced). Sloan's, he picked one that was unadorned in case she wanted to use it for gymnastics, and it was in an epic spiraling twist that promised to hold any hair type more secure than just one pin. He didn't know if it would actually work, but it looked amazing! Becky's had a spiral head, and in the center, a beautiful pearl that he thought would stand out against her brown hair. Claire's he agonized over the longest before choosing. He finally picked out one that had a bit of rose quartz on the head, and "As-salamu alaykum," inscribed along the side in flowing Arabic script.

"What do you say we do something for Ivy?" Alec suggested as he carefully tucked his purchase into his crossbody bag.
 
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"She probably needs it," Dark agreed, holding his little girl up and making her laugh, "I do not believe shopping is something she enjoys."

"We can go listen to the musicians," Daizi offered, "There's a space to dance, which means there's space for her to sit and play."
 
"That sounds great!" Alec agreed. "Mama, will you dance with me second?"

Xander waited for a knot of people to pass before making his way cautiously out into the walkway. It was not too crowded, but people tended to travel in clusters.
 
"I should argue against that, but I'm not sure I can," Daizi laughed, reaching out to touch her husband's arm.

"As long as I have time to dance with your mother, I do not mind the order," Dark replied, looking contentedly down at the rest of his family.

"We'll find a place with benches, so you can sit, Xander," Daizi assured her other son, "How are you handling it?"
 
"So far so good," Xander said, hopping along after them. "I wouldn't mind sitting down for a bit, but I'm still good to go."

"I wish you could dance," Alec said wistfully.

"And I am suddenly very grateful for a busted foot," Xander said dryly.
 
"See? Everything has a silver lining," Daizi teased. "It sounds like it is this way. It's been too long since I've visited Egypt, I've missed just going through my day and hearing music in my first language."
 
"Once Ivy is old enough, we're going to spend a summer over there, aren't we?" Alec asked with a grin. "Mrs. Hollis will probably want to hide in our luggage!"

Xander drew back a little, wanting to be able to see more without trying to see around Dark.
 
"I don't know about a full summer, because I work, but by the time she's old enough I'll have built up enough vacation days again to at least spend two weeks," Daizi replied, "Maybe a little bit more. And I think Sally can probably get to Egypt in more comfort than we can."

"Especially now," Dark commented, looking around them not at the various stalls, or the people, but at the flags flying. It pulled at him and warmed him to see his own up there.
 
"That's a good point, but she's also terrible at taking vacation time," Alec grinned. "Here we are! Wow, those scarves are amazing!"

Xander spotted an empty bench with space in front of it and pointed it out to Dark.
 
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