1st floor lobby, Monday after classes

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

"Trees are to be treasured!" Tributary yelled, marching around the lobby carrying a sign decorated with a crying tree. "Not used for toilet paper!"

Blair waved his own sign, a roll of toilet paper with a big X over it, at River and grinned. She and Ananda were standing on the sidelines, acting as either bodyguards or very silent protesters. With a tired look, River directed Blair's attention to Tributary. Kid-watching was easier when you could read what they were thinking about doing.

"Uh, sweetie?" Blair hurried over and started dragging her away from the front doors. "Let's work on not defacing public property during this protest. Daddy doesn't need any more detentions."

[Open for interaction to everyone who has access to the 1st floor!]

Comments

[smalltributary.livejournal.com]

"They make some toilet paper out of recycled paper or something." Tributary frowned. "I'm not 'zactly sure how it works."

"No treats! I wanted to give out popcorn. Some kids came into Daddy's room last night and threw it on top of us. There was enough popcorn to fill up the whoooooole room prolly!" Apparently, Tributary also had her father's penchant for obfuscation.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale did have a little trouble following the line of reasoning that led from a roomful of popcorn to not having any treats at the protest, but he was very good at nodding and smiling and pretending to understand.

Had a lot of practice at it, through the years.

"Well, you do have a very nice sign, my dear. So I imagine that will do just as well as treats. Are you having fun?"

[smalltributary.livejournal.com]

"I'm having lots and lots and lots of fun!" Tributary bounced. "Even though Mommy and Daddy are acting funny and that mean Ananda girl is still hanging around and I got in trouble for saying butt."

"Oops!" She clapped a hand over her mouth. "Don't tell Daddy!"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

With a soft laugh, Aziraphale shook his head. "I won't tell him, I promise," he said, making a mental note to watch his own language around the little ones. "And I'm sorry someone is being mean to you. Have you tried making friends with her? Perhaps...offer her a flower, or a piece of candy, and a hug?"

[smalltributary.livejournal.com]

Tributary shook her head, her curls flying. "We got into a fight yesterday. I was prolly gonna win but Mommy made us stop."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Oh, well, that was probably a good thing. You shouldn't fight with people unless they're trying to hurt you. Or hurt someone you love."

Aziraphale knelt down so he could be a little closer to Tributary's level. "What else have you been doing, besides fighting and getting covered in popcorn?"

[smalltributary.livejournal.com]

"I had a boyfriend, but he kissed another girl so I had to shove him." Tributary shook her head. "Daddy tried to brush my hair this morning and that didn't work. I had a very yummy sammich for lunch. I went potty two times."

Tributary rattled off the list of things on her fingers, intent on sharing everything.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Okay, Aziraphale had to admit that he'd probably shove anyone who tried to steal his boyfriend too.

"In that case...I'd have to say you were probably provoked. But don't tell anyone I said so," he replied with a grin. "Why didn't the hair brushing go well? Don't you like having your hair brushed?"

[smalltributary.livejournal.com]

"Nuh-uh." Tributary shook her head. "It hurts and pulls and Mommy doesn't brush her hair so I shouldn't have to either."

Tributary rolled her eyes, this was obviously an old argument. "But Daddy says that I have to let him brush it til I'm old enough to drive."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"I'll tell you what. Would you like me to untangle your hair just this once, so it'll be easier for your daddy to brush it later? It might not pull so much, and I'll bet he'd be happy if he could do it without quite so much fuss."

[smalltributary.livejournal.com]

"Ooooh, angel stuff!" Tributary bounced eagerly and nodded, tilting her head forward.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

With a shake of his head, Aziraphale chuckled and reached out, mussing up Tributary's hair with his fingers.

Of course, the result was that it fell in nice neat curls and waves, rather than messy tangles.

"How's that, my dear?"

[smalltributary.livejournal.com]

Tributary reached up and patted her hair lightly. "I'm beautiful! Thank you Uncle Azzy!"

She reached up her arms to give him a hug.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale hugged her tightly, then kissed Tributary's forehead.

"You were beautiful beforehand, my dear," he said. "But you're very welcome."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"What happened?!" River ran up to Tributary and knelt in front of her, blinking. "Does it hurt?"

[smalltributary.livejournal.com]

"Silly Mommy!" Tributary hugged her tightly, not wanting to see her sad. "He didn't tug or nothing. It was just magic!"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale gave River a reassuring smile. "Just taking a bit of tangle out of her hair, Miss Tam," he said.

With a warm smile for Tributary, he added, "I think I see James, which means I'd best be on my way. Once you've had a chance to tell him hello, of course. It's been right nice talking with you, my dear."