[audio/action, forward-dated to 10/28]

[werewolfing]

So, uh. I'm pretty sure that a bunch of people know that kid Stanley. He's a really lucky asshole, because he up and freaking disappeared. Went to take a piss and never came back. Just poofed. Great for him, sure.

But he sorta left me with...something. That he'd brought here.

[underneath peter's voice, which is pretty soft and even considering what he's saying, there's what sounds an awful lot like the sound of muffled sniffling.]

Which was big of him and all and fine for right this second, but this is not an ideal long-term arrangement. So if anybody wants to help out with that, it'd be great. I'm in the cafeteria, we can talk.

[anyone who comes to the cafeteria will find peter there with peace, who has cried herself out for the moment and is sucking on peter's hair and falling asleep on his shoulder while he walks her around and rubs her back, singing little snatches of songs in some foreign language. getting to this point was obviously a feat; parts of his hair and the shoulder of his shirt are soaked with toddler tears and snot and his ever-present leather jacket is draped over a chair to save it from the babypocalypse. he doesn't seem that fussed, though, for a seventeen year old boy left with someone else's small child. surprisingly good with kids, this one.

ooc: tempest is going to end up with the baby, but everyone is welcome to fuss or help out.]

Comments

[controlledvariable]

[She tries to be careful about telling people what Jesse can do, but since he made a network post about it, she knows it's not necessarily a secret.

And she doubts Peter would hurt him over it.]

He can take people's powers and give 'em to someone else, I think he grabbed a bunch over in the United Earth, so...

[Since he gave Saul regeneration

Which sure does work with more than just injuries.]

[werewolfing]

[and he looks relieved, so her bets are probably pretty safe.]

As much as that has far-reaching creepy implications, the other option was much weirder. Yeah, that'd be good. This whole thing's kind of a clusterfuck, but it's not Peace's fault.

[controlledvariable]

He won't use it on any Transports against their will, unless they're hurting someone.

[Just to... make sure Peter knows, since he's one of those people with powers.]

I'll ask him in a bit. And is there anything else I can do for you while you've got her? Even if you just want a cup of tea or something.

[Since he's got his arms full of toddler.]

[werewolfing]

That's good. He seems like a pretty good guy.

[peter's certainly not gonna judge the whole drug thing, considering. he looks thoughtful a moment, considering whether he needs anything.]

Water would be awesome, and aspirin or something. Kid's got lungs and they were aimed right at my ear.

[controlledvariable]

He's-- Yeah, he is.

[She adores Jesse, but her feelings about his goodness are still complicated.

Water and aspirin are easier to deal with, so she nods.]

I'll go grab you some, anything else?

[Because if not, she's going to disappear and come back a few minutes later with a bottle of water and her utility belt.]

[werewolfing]

I'm good.

[while steph goes to get stuff, peter's just going to make a circuit of the cafeteria, because peace seems to stay more settled when he's moving but swaying is getting old. if she sneaks up on him, she'll catch him singing some sort of lullabyish song into peace's hair in a language that's definitely not english. his voice isn't excellent, but it's on pitch and passable. the baby doesn't hate it, at least, since she's finally passed out for real.]

[controlledvariable]

[She doesn't quite sneak up on him, but she does catch that singing. And she notices Peace is asleep, so her voice is soft as she screws the lid of the water bottle and holds it out for Peter.]

It helps, huh?

[Steph figured it out when she first met Peace, singing to her to keep her calm through a shower.]

[werewolfing]

Thanks.

[he takes the water bottle with a rueful little smile and takes a few swallows before letting out a relieved breath. babysitting is apparently thirsty work.]

Yeah, helps some. Maybe her people were musicians.

[controlledvariable]

Maybe, I never really asked much about what her life in Exsilium was like. Stanley didn't really cope with losing the city.

[So she tried to avoid talking about it.

She fishes a bottle of asirin out of her utility belt, tips two pills into her hand, and holds them out for Peter. She'll take the water bottle back if he needs her to, since one arm is occupied with Peace.]

[werewolfing]

Yeah, never seemed like a thing to bring up. Doesn't really matter right now anyway.

[he considers trying to juggle water and pills, but in the end he hands her the bottle, chucks the aspirin in his mouth and then takes the bottle back to chase it with another swallow of water.]

Ever heard her talk? I haven't, but that doesn't mean much.

[controlledvariable]

Guess not.

[Since they're dead and Stanley is gone. This is so fucked up.]

A little bit, she's got a problem with her ear, though. And whatever she spoke back home wasn't quite English, so there's a bit of a language gap.

[werewolfing]

[about ten kinds of fucked up and nothing at all to do about it. peter kind of wants to be mad about it, but there's no point. all anyone can do is take care of the kid, who doesn't deserve any of this.]

Thought it might be something like that. Didn't seem to matter what I said as long as I said it pretty enough.

[he sighs.]

Whoever she ends up with, probably gonna point them at you, unless there's someone better. I haven't spent that much time with her.

[controlledvariable]

She gets the basics, like dinner and nap time.

[Which makes it a little bit easier, but it's still tricky.]

I'm okay with that. I brought her some toys, so hopefully she thinks of me as a friend.

[Hopefully.]

[werewolfing]

Oh, sweet, toys? Probably should raid Stanley's room for her things.

[controlledvariable]

Yeah, I just got her some little stuff while I was away. She should have a decent amount of clothes, too, since Ella made some for her.

[werewolfing]

Any toys are better than no toys. Definitely gonna have to raid his room. No need to make this shittier on her than it's going to be.

[controlledvariable]

I'm pretty sure he won't mind, though it might be an idea to not take Peace with you when you go.

[Since it might set her off.]

[werewolfing]

Wouldn't be the first time, anyway. Wasn't planning on bringing her, though. Can't really get a good raid going with only one arm.

[controlledvariable]

[She's quiet for a moment, thoughtful, then:]

Want me to go round up some stuff for her? Saves you having to do it.

[werewolfing]

[he actually starts shaking his head before he stops. there's no reason to turn down her help, especially when it means he can hang around, not disturb the sleeping baby and hopefully wait for someone to show up who can actually take care of her in the long term.]

That'd be really cool of you.

[controlledvariable]

I'm here to help.

[Her tone is light, but she means it.]

It'll probably take me a while to get everything together, so let me know if you end up leaving the cafeteria or anything.

[werewolfing]

[people helping peter is still kind of a weird thing for him. but, he figures, steph is helping peace as much as anything.]

Will do, but we'll probably be here for awhile.

[controlledvariable]

Thought you might be.

[She sort of - pauses for a moment, then puts a hand on Peter's arm, giving a brief squeeze before letting go. It's just a little gesture, but she wants him to know she really is there to help.]

I'll see you in a little while. Good luck.

[werewolfing]

[he glances down at her hand and then up at her, and gives her a small, slow, crooked sort of smile. it's somehow more genuine than most of his other expressions, although it doesn't last too long and definitely makes him look kinda dorky.]

Yeah. Thanks.