Settling Into A New Existence
“I didn’t know you had a brother.” Bailey said.
It was later that same evening and Bailey was on the bed in the room Alika had taken her too, it had a couple of single beds, so it looked like she and Stranger were still going to be together. Bailey was secretly relieved, she wasn’t yet comfortable enough in these new surroundings to not have him nearby.
Stranger relaxed next to her and Bailey lay against his stomach, just a little lower then his Steef forelegs.
“Neither did I,” Stranger said quietly, his eyes were closed, feeling and looking peaceful, “Until three months ago.”
“Nice to have a family again, hm?” Bailey asked. Stranger opened an eye and looked at Bailey unfathomably, Bailey gazed back impassively.
“I already had one. It just got bigger s’all.” He said softly, his voice rumbling. He opened both eyes and sat up, “C’mere squirt.” Bailey cuddled up to his chest and Stranger put his arms around her comfortingly. “And yer family just got bigger as well.”
“Hrm,” Bailey chuckled, “Guess it did.” She rubbed her cheek on his soft fur and Stranger growling a soothing purr. He laid a hand on her cheek and stroked his thumb across Bailey’s temple. Bailey let out a deep, comforted sigh and put her arms around Stranger’s middle, burying her face in his fur. “They’re nice…” she finally murmured, “I like ‘em.” Stranger chuckled deeply,
“They like yer too kid, they may not-a trusted tha otha humans, but they know yer different. Somat about tha eyes, Alika put it.” Bailey smiled to herself,
“Windows to the soul.” She thought fleetingly as just then, another voice called from down the passage,
“Stranger! Bailey! Dinner’s on the table!” Bailey’s lethargic mood immediately dispersed and she picked her head up interestedly. Stranger laughed to himself, as always, in any situation, Bailey’s voracious appetite won out.
Smiling, he set Bailey on the floor and eased himself off the bed. Together they left the bedroom and trotted down a couple of twisting passages to the dwelling’s kitchen. It was bright and warm, cosy, but not cramped. Daimen was already sitting at the table when Stranger and Bailey arrived, in one of the strange chairs that accommodated the Steef’s centaurish body shape.
Bailey stared thoughtfully at her chair for a moment, Daimen and Stranger shared a quiet grin, Bailey completely oblivious to their amusement. Finally, with a determined expression the short human scrambled onto the nearest, unoccupied chair. And found herself eye-level with the table-top.
Even though the two Steef males could only see her eyes, they could clearly see the peeved expression. Bailey looked at Stranger, scowling.
“Oh stop laughin’.” She muttered, but that only made Stranger grin all the more broadly.
“You might find these helpful.” Said another voice, Bailey looked at Daimen who was also grinning, but offering a pile of cushions. Bailey accepted them with a nod of thanks and shot a glare at Stranger before making herself comfortable on the cushions, at an entirely more suitable height.
Just in time too as just at that moment Alika called to Daimen to come and help her bring in dinner. Stranger made a move to stand as well but Daimen waved him down;
“You’re our guests, and you’ve had it rough. Just relax bro, even if it’s just for tonight.” Stranger sank back into his chair. Bailey’s stomach growled in anticipation as an absolutely divine smell wafted to her as Daimen opened the swinging kitchen door and went in.
“Ummm, yummy…” she muttered half to herself and half aloud. Soon Daimen reappeared with a couple of plates and set them before Bailey and Stranger, Alika came in right behind him with their own meals. Daimen and Alika re-took their own seats.
“Dig in.” Daimen grinned and without any further cajoling Bailey did just that. It was even better then it smelt, she decided.
The talk during dinner was light and easy flowing;
“Where’s Haigar?” Stranger asked after a moment,
“He’s staying at a friend’s house tonight,” explained Alika, she smiled at Bailey, “Didn’t want the little one to feel besieged.” Bailey returned the smile but doubted the honesty of the female Steef’s words.
“It’s because you didn’t know if I could be trusted isn’t it?” but she let the lie slide, especially when Daimen and Alika glanced uneasily at each other. Obviously they didn’t think Bailey was a threat anymore. Bailey acted as if nothing was amiss and dinner was a pleasant affair.
¤§¤
Towards the end of dinner, Bailey found herself extremely drowsy, so much so that she nearly twice fell asleep at the table.
“Bailey?” Bailey blinked and looked up, resting sleepy eyes blearily on Stranger,
“Wotsmatter?” she slurred. Stranger grinned slightly,
“I think it’s time yer went ter bed.”
“Burr I’m not t-t-t-tired.” She yawned and shook her head slightly, before dropping off to sleep right at the table. Stranger caught the tired youngster before she hit anything and stood up with her in his arms.
“I’ll jist take the squirt to bed.” He muttered, he saw his brother and Alika smile slightly before he left.
A few moments later, he was tucking Bailey into bed when she woke up slightly with a jerk, Stranger put a hand on her forehead,
“S’alright liddle one, jist got ter sleep.” Bailey blinked groggily at him. then she made an ‘hrm’ sound in affirmative and nodded off again. “G’night liddle one.” Stranger stroked her hair and turned the lamp nearby to a soft nightlight glow, then left, shutting the door quietly behind him.
¤§¤
“And then I brought ‘er here.” Stranger finished, he’d just told Daimen and Alika his adventures (or misadventures) with Bailey.
“She’s a very special person.” Said Alika after awhile, “You better take good care of her Stranger.” Stranger smiled to himself,
“I know, jist hope I
can take good care of ‘er.” They were sitting in the lounge, just relaxing, talking now and again about nothing in particular, asking polite questions. On another occasion Stranger would have found the relatively small talk somewhat frustrating but here he was too relaxed and too at home to really be bothered.
There was no one hunting him or Bailey, no one out to hurt them, Bailey was safe and he was once again among Steef, something he thought would never happen. Having Bailey around as well just made Stranger feel more at ease.
“So lil’ bro,” grinned Daimen after a pause, “When are you gonna get a girl and some kids of your own hm?” Stranger blinked and his green eyes bulged slightly,
“
Wha’!?” he spluttered, nearly falling from the couch in shock, “Now, steady on, I’ve only jist got home. And anyway, I got’s Bailey ter look after, and she’s already a handful.”
“I think she’s a sweet little thing.” Alika commented amusedly,
“Don’t be deceived ‘Lika she ain’t always sweet I can tell yer. Righ’ horror when she wants.” But it was clear to anyone that Stranger was really more then fond of Bailey, despite whatever he said.
The comfortable lull in conversation was suddenly shattered as the three Steef suddenly heard what was clearly Bailey’s voice, yelp in terror;
“STRANGER!” Stranger was up and out of the lounge like a shot, Daimen and Alika right behind. Stranger burst into the bedroom where Bailey had a minute ago been peacefully sleeping to find the young human in a terror-stricken panic, the lamp had gone out and the room was in darkness. Stranger knelt by the bed and tried to calm Bailey down.
“Bailey,” he soothed, “Calm down liddle darlin’, s’alright, I’m here. No one’s gonna hurt yer.” Bailey clung to Stranger like a life-line,
“Night- nightmare,” Bailey stammered, “W-w-was all dark an-an-and there was s-s-s-something here, but I couldn’t, couldn’t see it.” Stranger stroked her head,
“Shh, it was just a dream Bailey, just a dream, nothing’s here, no one can touch yer. I promise liddle one.” Bailey buried her head into Stranger’s fur,
“It’s so dark.” She whispered, “Just like Sekto’s dungeons…” Stranger tensed, Bailey never had told him what had happened to her when she’d been taken. “Stranger?”
“Yes, I’m here, what is it?”
“I’m scared.” Bailey whispered. Surprise flooded through Stranger but he didn’t comment and held Bailey close. He glanced at the door of the bedroom. Alika and his brother stood in the doorway, Alika’s hands were clasped and tears puddled in her eyes, sympathy for Bailey’s fear and unknown experiences tugging at her kind, gentle heart. Daimen stood by his wife, a supporting arm around her.
Stranger gave them a helpless look and laid his cheek on Bailey’s head, rocking her gently, murmuring soothingly.
“If you want Bailey,” began Daimen in a low voice, Bailey peeped at him, “You can, come into the living room until you feel better.” Alika nodded,
“I’ll go and get a warm drink.” She smiled at Bailey and left. Daimen followed, leaving Stranger and Bailey to themselves,
“Whadda yer say kid? Stay up fer abit?” Bailey nodded into his shoulder. “Alright then,” Stranger said and scooped Bailey and blanket into his arms, before carrying her into the front room.
Stranger settled himself on one of the couches, Bailey curled up next to him, wrapped in the blanket, leaning her head on against his ribs. Stranger put his arm around her and curled her hair around his fingers. Soon Daimen and Alika reappeared, Alika carrying a steaming mug;
“Careful, it’s still hot.” Bailey drew the sleeves of the huge nightshirt she was wearing over her hands and took the mug, enjoying the warmth seeping through the cloth from it.
“Thank you.” She said in a quiet voice. Alika smiled and sat down again. In low voices, the adults talked while Bailey blew and sipped her drink.
She’d only just finished it when she nodded off, her head drooping against Stranger. Sensing her relaxing, Stranger gently took the mug from her grip and set in on a nearby side table.
“Do you know what she was dreaming about?” Alika asked at last, Stranger shook his head and kept his eyes on Bailey, frowning slightly and stroking her hair. Daimen put an arm around his wife and hugged her, Alika rested her head on her husband shoulder and they both smiled as they watched Stranger with his kid.
Stranger would make a good parent.