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]

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.

[garudas]

If they are anything like their father, it will not be long before they are trying to take to the skies. Even if their wings are not fully formed yet.

[She shoots Biddy a look because someone certainly did try that in the past. Don't think she hasn't forgotten.

But she points at the third egg when it doesn't even give a wriggle.]

... What is going on with this one?

[ramuhs]

That small egg there?

[Cid frowns as he looks over.]

I did notice it earlier... Could be a late one?

[garudas]

Do they usually hatch together?

[There's a low, concerned chirp from Willow as she leans down and nudges the egg with her beak.]

... You are worried?

[ramuhs]

Depends on when they were laid. Eggs that were lain later are more likely to hatch later than the others... But what is she saying?

[garudas]

[There are more chirps from Willow, and they grow sadder and more urgent with each one while she listens, and Cid will feel Benedikta's hand squeeze his gently.]

They were all laid at the same time, but while the other two had shown signs of hatching, this one has not. Not even a bit of movement?

[Willow gives a sad trill that probably answers the question clearly enough for Cid to understand.]

[ramuhs]

[He frowns a bit at that and looks at the egg before looking at Benedikta.]

Do you think you can sense anything from it? Perhaps hear a small voice inside?

[garudas]

Me?

[She looks between all of them in surprise, the two owls watching her with hopeful eyes.]

May I?

[Willow gives an affirmative hoot, and Benedikta carefully reaches into the nest and scoops up the egg.]

It's warm... That is good, yes?

[ramuhs]

I'd say so.

[The owls hoot with hopeful confirmation.]

Can you feel or hear any movement inside?

[garudas]

[She brings it up close to her ear, cradling it closely in her hand to try and sense any movement inside, as well as listen for sounds, but...

With a worried glance at all of them, she shakes her head.]

Nothing.

[And before the owls can hoot sadly, she holds the egg out in between them.]

But that does not mean it is hopeless. Surely there is... something we can do?

[She looks at Cid, hopeful.]

[ramuhs]

[Cid rubs his chin with a pensive frown.]

Now I'm no bird expert, but I do know that for chicken and chocobo eggs they may try to add a bit more heat to try and help the incubation.

[garudas]

[She straightens, her eyes widening slightly.]

Heat... Do you suppose your magic might work?

[ramuhs]

It...might.

[He hesitates as he looks at the little egg in her hands.]

Electricity is a different kind of heat compared to a flame, and I've never really tried anything like it before, least of all on an egg.

[garudas]

[Biddy hops along the nest closer to them as Willow tends to the screeching babies that have hatched, and he hoots.]

He thinks it may be alright? You, of all people, have the greatest control over it. And trying to find either Rosfield brother might prove to be too late by the time we get them here...

[ramuhs]

[There's still some hesitation, but seeing and hearing Bidowlfin softly hooting at him and looking at him with sad, hopeful eyes breaks him. So with a quiet sigh, he looks at the egg again before taking off his gloves and holding out his hand.]

All right, I can give it a go.

[garudas]

[All eyes are on him now, anticipation suspending in the air around them.]

Should it get too much, I can cool it with my winds... but perhaps that is just what this little one needs. A bit of a jolt.

[She gives him an encouraging look, having complete and unconditional confidence in him, as Biddy and Willow both hoot softly when she hands him the egg, letting it slide from her palm into his.]

[ramuhs]

[He can feel the pressure from their gazes!!

But with the egg now safe in one hand, he cups his other around it as he holds it up closer to him. Hmmmm.]

Feeling all cozy in there, aren't you? But it's time to come out, can't be in there forever.

[Can it hear him? Who knows, but he's also saying it to try and ease the tension around them. Then slowly he releases some of his levin, a little trickle of electricity that skirts around the egg as if to tickle it before he concentrates it more on his palms to generate that heat. Not too hot, but should be hot enough to be felt...]