First Floor Lobby [Saturday Evening]

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

Benton woke up this morning to Dief licking his face and wanting to go outside. So, after sliding on clothes and tying his own shoes, Benton wandered into the lobby with Dief at his side.

He's got a book in front of him, a puppy at his side and cereal to eat.

[So open!]

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[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"Yeah!" Benton said and watched Dief try to jump up and get Vladdie. "Hi!"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Hi!" she replied. Vladdie hovered a little lower. "And hello to Dief, too!"

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"You're big and tall," Benton said helpfully. "Well, kinda tall."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I'm elderly," Rory agreed. "How old are you, Benton?"

Vladdie hovered low enough to reach a wee paw out to Dief and bark happily.

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"I'm this many!" Benton said, holding up an array of fingers. Dief barked back at Vladdie.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"That's a good age," Rory said solemnly. "You're practically a grown-up."

Vladdie settled onto the ground and pawed Dief on the nose.

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

Dief let Vladdie paw at him because new friend!

"How old are you?" Benton asked.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Eighteen," Rory answered. "I am an old lady."

Vladdie bounced up in the air and showed Dief how he can do flippies. It was the best trick EVER.

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

Dief saw the flips and started barking and jumping. He couldn't do flips but he was quite taken with someone who could.

"Wow, that's old." Benton looked at her, wide eyed. "But you is still pretty!"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Aww, thank you!" Rory replied. "Want a cookie? They're chocolate-chip."

Vladdie, being...well, Vladdie, had never quite understood why his friends couldn't do flips in the air too. So he yipped in confusion at Dief.

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

Died yipped back and started running around in circles.

"Cooooookie!" He bounced at Rory.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory handed the cookie over, and Vladdie landed and began to mimic Dief's circles. "What're you reading?"

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"A book on boats!" He wasn't really reading it but the boats were big and cool looking. "You gots a boat?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Ooh, no, but my friend has a big boat," Rory told him. "Boats are so cool."

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"Your friend has a big boat?" Benton bounced again. "Can I be his friend too?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Sure! He has a helicopter, too," Rory said. Naturally, she was in no way ever letting any small child near Colin or any of the other boys she knew through her grandparents, but hey, Benton didn't need to know that

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"A heliflopter?" Now his eyes were huge saucers. "Like to fly in the sky?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Uh huh!" Rory said, nodding. "And a big stretchy car, too."

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"Wow!" Benton smiled again. "Is the the President or something?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Nope. He just has cool toys," Rory said

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"Is my doggie cooler than his heliflopter?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Much," Rory said solemnly.

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

And that's when Benton hugged her legs.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Awww."

Rory patted his little head and hoped her ovaries made it through the weekend.

[just-add-starch.livejournal.com]

"Can we be friends too?" Benton asked against her legs.