LOG: Welcome to The House

[skyward_eyes]

Who: Nida (OU), Theta (Native), Any Ai family members
What: Finally at the Ai home as a guest, with packing
Where: Ai Household
When: Wednesday Afternoon 1/20
Warnings:

Nida, invited over and with express orders to see that Theta behaves and starts his packing for the family's move, waits at the door after he's rung the bell. In his hands rests a box of assorted cookies from the store bakery, in his backpack some games in case the littlest ones he's heard about need distracted, and on his lips a small smile. Finally he can check in on the little guy for real.

Comments

[skyward_eyes]

"Lots of training," Nida shrugs. "How do you get a dog to do what you want?"

[trustandfireworks]

'Show him how to do it, then keep doing the same thing over and over until he understands and does it himself.' He smiles at the thought of Rex. He hasn't seen the puppy in a while.

[skyward_eyes]

"And you reward them with treats. Chocobos love Gyshal greens," he explains. "Positive rewards are better on creatures without full sentience like us. Positive rewards and bearable punishments train people."

[trustandfireworks]

'Oh yeah, that really helps. Do they look really happy and excited when you give them a treat like dogs do? It's so cute!'

[skyward_eyes]

"They make happy noises and stomp their feet," Nida grins. "But I don't get to see them a lot."

He smiles and moves to sit on Theta's bed. "Come up here with me?"

[trustandfireworks]

'I'd love to see them.'

He wriggles out of the blankets and climbs out of the box once he's free, then sits down on the bed next to Nida, smiling up at him. 'Yeah?'

[skyward_eyes]

"I wanted to talk to you about something important," Nida notes. "Can you be willing to listen?"

[trustandfireworks]

'Yes,' he promises, shifting until he's comfortable so he won't keep wriggling while Nida's talking. 'What is it?'

[skyward_eyes]

"I'm worried," Nida admits. "It's important to have friends your own age as well, and all this time away from school can't be helping."

[trustandfireworks]

Theta looks down again and pulls his legs up onto the bed, wrapping his arms around.

'Didn't wae talk about this before?' he asks quietly. 'Is it really that important?'

[skyward_eyes]

"More than that important," Nida insists. "I get worried for you, Theta. I don't want you to be like me."

[trustandfireworks]

'Why? You're great! Anyway, I can't make friends while I'm not at school.'

[skyward_eyes]

"But will you promise me to try when you're at school?" Nida asks. "Even at the park. You could meet people who like to skate. But maybe don't start with the meaner big kids."

[trustandfireworks]

'I'll try,' he says. 'I wouldn't try with the big mean kids anyway. They try to chase me off the skate park, I don't want to be friends with them.'

[skyward_eyes]

"I know," Nida says, stroking his hair. "I didn't have many friends growing up. I know how much happier I am to have them in you, and Sigma, and my other friends. I want you to have that."

[trustandfireworks]

'But I've got you!' he protests. 'And Wash and Rex. I'm happy!'

[skyward_eyes]

Nida sighs and shakes his head. "That isn't... Theta, promise me you'll try."

[trustandfireworks]

'No! It isn't what? What's wrong with the friends I have?!'

[skyward_eyes]

"It's not enough, Theta. If I go home, who will you be friends with?" Nida counters. "You'll be lonely."

[trustandfireworks]

'Go... home?' Is he going to leave? Go back through the portal? It's his own world, but what about him? He can't leave! But... is it fair to make him stay?

[skyward_eyes]

"Maybe someday," Nida sighs. He's not managing anything here. "Theta, it might happen. I don't know how I got here other than a portal."

[trustandfireworks]

'I don't want you to go,' he whispers, tears pricking his eyes.

[skyward_eyes]

"And it might not be my choice," Nida reminds him. "It wasn't last time."

But that isn't what this is about, and he's not letting Theta get away from the actual conversation.

"You promise me, remember? You promise me you'll try to make friends."

[trustandfireworks]

'That's even worse!' Nida could suddenly be taken back to his world without getting to say goodbye and Theta wouldn't know until he tried to call him up and get no answer.

The tears spill over and he buries his face in his knees.

[skyward_eyes]

Geez. Nida pulls Theta into his hands.

"Chances are it won't happen. We don't have tech like that back home, and magic doesn't break the barrier here, Theta. More likely than not I'll be here to be your friend forever."