First Floor Lobby [mid-morning]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was hoping he'd get ALL the extra-credit for this, as well as the thanks of his grandfather for saving his droid babies from makeovers, experiments in being flung from a window and whatever else the now-small Ethics class would come up with to torture their homework.

Which was why he had a sign (that he would be happy to explain to the non-readers) that read:

I'LL TRADE YOU A LOLLIPOP FOR YOUR DROID BABY

It was worth a try, anyway.

Comments

[hoorayimrich.livejournal.com]

"Droid baby?" Sorry, Ben. You were too late there.

[momslilassassin]

"Really astral, life-like dolls," Ben explained. "Have you seen one?"

[hoorayimrich.livejournal.com]

So, that toy Tony took apart the morning?

"...no."

[momslilassassin]

"Good," Ben said, sounding relieved. "Want a lollipop anyway? I've got lots."

[hoorayimrich.livejournal.com]

He shouldn't take one, but...

"Do you have any cherry?"

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

Kenzi was reading that sign with a lot of skepticism. "Are you a bad man?"

[momslilassassin]

"Of course not," Ben said, looking slightly insulted.

There hadn't been a lot of "don't take candy from strangers" talk in Ben's home.

[regretiz4suckas.livejournal.com]

Kenzi was hugging Darya the awesome doll, who was whimpering. "Aunt Ludmilla said bad men offer little girls candy and then they take them away and make them work in the kitchen forever and ever. If they don't end up dead in a ditch. Stupid little girls," Kenzi clarified. She gave Ben a considering look. "You don't look creepy."

[momslilassassin]

"They don't let creepy people into the dorms," Ben promised. "I just want to watch your doll for a little while."

Which, he reflected, sounded kind of creepy. Oops. He pressed on. "And I'm not going to make you work in a kitchen at all."

[exactlyaverage.livejournal.com]

Jack walked into the lobby and chuckled.

"It'll take two lollipops for me to give up my kid," said the fully-grown Jack. "Plus, I assume you have CPR training?"

[momslilassassin]

"You were exactly my target group," Ben replied dryly. "And I do. I'm just hoping I wouldn't need it on one of Granddad's droids."

[exactlyaverage.livejournal.com]

"You and me both," Jack agreed. "Anyone take you up on the offer?"

[momslilassassin]

"One so far," Ben said, "so I'm optimistic. Pretty sure they'll thank me on Monday."

[dollpocalypse]

"There are droids here?" Topher asked, peering up at the sign. "Can I see, please?"

Yes. His tiny self had manners. Gape in shock, Ben.

[momslilassassin]

Ben held up Kenzi's droid. "See?" he said. "They're pretty astral but not exactly built for kids."

[dollpocalypse]

"Astral," Topher repeated. "That's a good word for 'cool.' Because space is awesome. I wish I could go to space."

[momslilassassin]

"Mayeb you can someday," Ben said, smiling. "What's your name?"

[hasadestiny]

By now, Lex come to the conclusion that if he had been kidnapped, they were the worst kidnappers ever, since they'd left him alone, the door unlocked, and this crying thing with him, which he cheerfully offered up to Ben.

They hadn't left any food either.

[momslilassassin]

"Hi," Ben said, taking the droid and holding out the jar of lollipops. "Pick your favorite."

[hasadestiny]

Lex grinned and took a purple one. "Hi."

[momslilassassin]

"Who are you?" he asked, grinning back. "I'm Ben."

[holy-daughter.livejournal.com]

Lucrezia had Cinna Rodrigo tucked under one arm. Cinna Rodrigo also had a very pretty dress on. Never mind that Cinna Rodrigo was a boy. Boys could wear frilly dresses.

"Cinna Rodrigo is my a'sponsibility," announced the girl in a very haughty voice. "I don't think I'm allowed to trade him 'way for lollipops."

No matter what flavors the boy might have in stock. Sigh.

[momslilassassin]

"Are you sure?" Ben asked. "I'm sure you're being a very good mother, but even the best Mom's need breaks."

[holy-daughter.livejournal.com]

"Like a nanny?" Lucrezia asked, perking up. "Mommies still need to go to court, so they get nannies."

Would that violate the lollipop part of the agreement? Just out of curiosity.

[momslilassassin]

"Like a nanny," Ben said. "I'll be a nanny for the weekend and you can have your baby back on Monday."

He smiled. "And you still get a lollipop."