closed 🪶⚡ but all i really know, you're where i wanna go

[garudas]

Who: Cidolfus Telamon & Benedikta Harman.
Status: Closed.
Where: The Roost.
What: While making the glass charms, their owl has a little big surprise for them.
Warnings: Cute baby owls and disgusting, domestic fluff.


🦉

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[ramuhs]

Hmmm, you, perhaps?

[A playful chuckle and squeeze of her hand because he's not like that noooo.... (yes he is).]

But what do you think he wants to show us? Eggs, perhaps?

[garudas]

Eggs?

[In her surprise, she teeters in the air, and Benedikta looks between Cid and Biddy up ahead, who spins around mid-flight and gives a panicked hoot before flying off faster.]

You do not think—there is no way that...

[She is not prepared!?]

[ramuhs]

[There's a small look of surprise as he pulls her back to steady her.]

Well why not? T'would only be natural, and why else would he be in such a hurry to bring us over?

[garudas]

Because—! He is...

[He is still a baby!!! Or a baby to her! He is growing up too quickly, and there's a strange feeling twisting in her chest at the thought.

But as they near the top of the tree where their large nest is, she starts to get the sense that he might be right about it because there is Willow hopping up onto the edge of their nest so that she can shout down at Biddy. Something about "taking too long and he almost missed it!"

And there is something quivering from within the nest.]

[ramuhs]

[...Oh...?

Perhaps Cid can catch an idea of what she is feeling—after all, he feels that way towards Mid quite often. Perhaps it's because Bidowlfin is an owl and a male that he feels less of that same feeling, more able to separate the two and be more eager to see his growth. Unlike with Mid, where he at times wishes to return when she was just a wee lass, a feeling likely deepened due to his death and losing those five years.

But just as he is considering Benedikta's feelings, he sees Willow and Bidowlfin hooting at them... And some more movement? Would eggs move?

Tightening his hold on her hand, he'll help guide her down closer to the nest.]

Now, what's all the ruckus about?

[garudas]

[Honestly, she is glad for the interruption. It's not something that she would rather get into at the moment—at least not when the owl in question is right there and can hear everything. And then there's the fact that something important is very clearly going on, and she glances at Cid before he helps guide her to the nest through the thick branches. It's there that she perches, her wings folding, as she pulls Cid down to join her.

Biddy spreads his wing and gives a long hoot-hooooot, and even without her magic, it sounds very much like a "surpriiiise!"

And a surprise it is, even if Cid had guessed correctly on their way in. Inside the nest are three eggs, and one of them is already starting to crack open.]

You...

[She looks up at Biddy and Willow.]

How long has this been...? And you never told us?

[ramuhs]

[He joins her on the branch, the nest and the eggs in clear view as he stares in wonder. He was right, true, but...]

This must have been a few weeks now, hasn't it? They're already hatching?

[Wait.

HE HAS TO RECORD THIS SO fumbling with his shellphone to try and capture this.

Meanwhile, Bidowlfin looks at them and there's a bit of a half sulky, half uncertain series of hoots. They had been busy, understandably so, especially with Cid's abduction and recovery. He felt he couldn't bother them...]

[garudas]

[Don't drop the shellphone!?

Benedikta looks at Biddy with an apologetic smile at his hoots, though she is feeling very conflicted right now because how could he not tell them!!!]

We have been very busy, it is true, but that did not mean that you could not come to tell us.

[Honestly, the news might have made them both feel better, especially Cid.

There's another series of hoots where he apologizes, and Willow nudges him with her beak to tell him to stop sulking because their babies are hatching!!! The first one even cracks the egg enough that they can see its tiny beak poking out of it.

Benedikta smacks Cid's leg when she sees.]

Cidolfus, look!

[ramuhs]

[HE'S GOT IT

Also focusing on recording so he only half listens to their conversation. So it was because of everything that was happening in the past few months...? Well, it is true there was quite a lot, so he can understand the owl's decision.

But then—]

Not to worry, I got it all in focus!

[He looks over at Benedikta and grins cheekily.]

Can you believe it? We'll be witnessing our first grandchild.

[garudas]

[She glances at him, utterly appalled. Even Biddy is laughing.]

When you say it like that—I am not a grandmother.

[ramuhs]

What, how can you say that in front of our grandchildren?

[Oh he's definitely having fun with this. Especially as he leans in closer to the eggs, especially the one still hatching.]

Don't mind her, she didn't mean it.

[garudas]

[She nudges him in the gut with her elbow.]

They cannot understand you.

[But despite herself and the harsh tone she takes on, there is a glimmer of amusement in her eyes as she leans in close to the hatching eggs as well.]

Make no mistake, he is the old man here.

[As the first baby's head peeks out of the egg!]

[ramuhs]

They'll learn!

[But oof, that smart—]

But look at the little bugger.

[CAPTURING ON VIDEO]

[garudas]

[Willow and Biddy hop down from the nest's edge to get a closer look, mother owl leaning down to pick away some of the broken egg that's around its head so that it can stretch its neck up a little higher. There's an inexplicable feeling then, as she watches mother and baby, hearing Willow's gentle coos and the soothing words that she whispers to it as it screeches and cries.

Her amusement fades into something soft that she quickly clears away when Cid's voice sounds in her ear, and she clears the choked feeling in her throat.]

It is so small, it could fit in your hand.

[ramuhs]

Could fit all of them in my hand. Remember Biddy?

[A few days, maybe a week or so old and he still fit perfectly in his hand.

But then there is a small peep! and a crack as another egg starts to break.]

[garudas]

I remember. There were days when I wondered if you would put him down.

[Her voice is soft and quiet, as she leans in closer to the baby owl as it tries to open its eyes and look at mom, but the crack of another egg startles her.]

A shame they do not stay so small.

[Biddy gives a dissenting hoot!!]

[ramuhs]

There might be smaller owls that are out there.

[Another hoot!!]

But they are quite small now, aren't they? You better watch them well, Bidowlfin.

[Oh, Dad used his whole first name, that's serious.]

[garudas]

You might have to teach him the ways of caring for young owls.

[She reaches out to take Cid's free hand again.]

You recall how much of a handful he was as a little owlette, don't you?

[Biddy gives a few more indignant hoots, puffing out that he almost knocks Willow with his wing, and she screeches at him.]

[ramuhs]

[There's a wry chuckle at that as well as shooting Bidowlfin a knowing look.]

Certainly he could use a few lessons. But perhaps he should learn it the hard way.

[garudas]

You mean to push him into fatherhood wings first?

[It's Biddy's turn to screech gently at him, and this time he earns a swat of a wing from Willow because sshhh, the second baby is still trying to hatch! And Benedikta only laughs.]

Well, he is off to a good start, don't you think?

[ramuhs]

It's a trial all first-time fathers—and mothers—will need to go through.

[He's still capturing the moment, alternating between video and tanking photos as the little owlet finally breaks free from the rest of its shell, only to flop forward with little cheeps. Willow will immediately reach out to try and help nudge them up as Bidowlfin seems to hoot in a grumbling manner.]

But I am sure they will be fine. At least they don't have to change any diapers.

[Yet there is still one egg that has yet to show any sign of hatching...]

[garudas]

Is it?

[She chuckles, reaching out to help Willow with the little owl, taking care to only brush it with a bit of wind rather than touch it, not wanting to mess around with whatever bonding that might be going on.]

If I recall, you had quite a bit of help with the beginnings of your fatherhood.

[Bidowlfin tilts his head and hoots at Cid curiously, and Benedikta has yet to notice that third egg...]

[ramuhs]

[A wry chuckle as he looks at her knowingly.]

Aye, but besides you and the maids, there wasn't much else, and he has Willow to fill those roles. Besides the advice from other commanders and my own memories, being a father is something I had to learn on my own.

[Just a dry look at her before his gaze turns a little melancholic as he looks back at the nest.]

Besides, isn't our job as grandparents to just enjoy and spoil the little ones? Surely Bidowlfin can hunt and protect his own without my help.

[He then grins as Bidowlfin hoots as if indignant.]

Not that we can't help them at all, of course. Especially if he starts dawdling and Willow comes to us with complaints on him slacking.

[A playful wink as Bidowlfin hoots again!!]

[garudas]

[She just lifts a playful brow at him, matching his dry look with a grin of her own as fond memories of those days resurface.]

I am all for spoiling, but if Bidowlfin starts to slack...

[He screeches at her, yelling "I AM RIGHT HERE!" that she pretends to ignore.]

Then I think a fitting punishment would be in order. We are still his "parents", after all. So, I suppose that is learning the hard way. Especially if you do not intend to pass down your fatherly wisdom.

[ramuhs]

[A low chuckle as he watches Bidowlfin while Willow is eying him, as if to agree with their words. Oh she definitely looks like she won't hold back in reaching them if anything amiss.]

Well I can. I just want to see how he handle things first. I suppose my first bit of advice is make sure the bairns don't fall out of the nest.

[A slight nod at the first one is kind of wiggling a bit closer to the edge of the nest. It's in no real danger, but the words are enough to spark a fire under Bidowlfin as he hoot hoots and quickly moves to bring his wing over to shield the hatchling.]

Have to keep an eye on the rascals, and they can't even fly yet.