Cherubplay

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"Well, I don't really know, I'm all for adopting when the time comes," Gamzee muttered, too busy watching the remaining grubs as he set them back in the respective cribs to be safe. "But if Tavros has any preference I'm okay with that too." He didn't really mind if any of his future children were genetically his or not. They'd still be his kids no matter what and he'd love and care for them. And hell, if these kids were going to be abandoned just on the basis of some issue their too good for that highblooded parents had with them? Obviously he could be the bigger troll and love them like they should have. If he hadn't had his lusus, after all, he would have been just like these kids.

2014-09-22 00:32:01
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Tavros could feel his cheeks heating again, and he wasn't sure /what/ his preference was. He, though, was not sure what the 'traditional way' was, and he looked, puzzled, to Tourna. "Uh. What exactly is the traditional way? I am afraid that I do not know much about, humans, or anything like that."

Tourna smiled wisely, "Oh, Alice! Should I give you and your hubby a quick rundown of procreation?"

2014-09-22 00:41:48
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Gamzee, who knew from textbooks exactly what she was getting at, was still kind of interested to hear how another troll would explain it. He kind of chuckled a little though, knowing Tavros would likely turn quite copper. Being called Tavros's hubby was pretty cute, too.

"Hey, I know something about the stuff you don't for once," he smiled, nudging Tavros lightly and nodding at Tourna. "Please. I think you'll do a better job than me. I'll just sound like a technical textbook."

2014-09-22 00:47:50
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The old woman laughed, "Perhaps a little love inserted will make this explanation easier! You see, Tavros, there are three ways to go about acquiring a child: sending off material, adoption, and the traditional way. That being, you and your partner become one flesh, the ultimate form of intimacy, but the penetrator, whoever that may be, does not pull away to empty into the bucket for sending. Instead, he stays nestled inside," She noted the somewhat lost look on Tavros's face, an expression half disgusted and half confused. Tourna patted his shoulder comfortingly, "You would, my dear, essentially become the Mother Grub of your own children. That is how things used to be done ages ago before we found a different way."

Tavros nodded slowly, thinking, "Ah...I can see why that would be preferable to some. You would really, uh, become attached to your grubs like that."

"It is a beautiful way, very natural," Tourna hummed, "You and your baby grub grow together, it is very wonderful to see. If you are considering it, perhaps you should consult my daughter, Halleo, she was a G-Nurse for quite some time and excels with midwife procedures. Otherwise," She winked, "You could also consult Borina, that potions woman for something extra in the respiteblock."

"M-Mrs. Tourna!" Tavros, somewhat scandalized that a motherly figure like her would even suggest something so personal, blushed darkly and murmured, "He and I are, um. Just fine in the respiteblock, so to speak."

"So to speak?"

" 'Zee," He looked at his matesprit, flustered, "Help."

2014-09-22 01:10:30
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Gamzee covered his laughter politely behind a hand, putting an arm around Tavros's shoulders. He was so bashful it was adorable.

"We didn't meet all that long ago, you see, and with all the Alice duties and such we're putting relations of that sort off, you see. Until a calmer time when we're both ready," Gamzee explained. "And Tavros is being very patient with my ignorance in the area, as really all I know is the technicalities of the whole business. Purple and living in the woods in a mixed area you see. Never even knew there were kinder cities until this whole journey! Always read about them in books, but figured they weren't real, you know?"

He looked down curiously at Tavros though, something in her speech not making sense to Gamzee. "What does she mean by 'something extra'?" he asked, as unaware as ever, and glancing to Tourna to perhaps explain if Tavros didn't.

2014-09-22 01:22:22
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He covered his browning face with his hands, and Tourna, heartily, laughed some more, "Going down that vein of discussion is inappropriate what with all these grubs and children around. How about this - you can stop by Borina's and ask her all about it, huh, my little blackberry? I am sure she would be happy to answer any and all questions about sex - and without blushing, I'll wager!"

Tavros lowered his hands, nodding a bit and wondering how he was going to request that to Sollux. He would just state that he had to talk to Borina, but he wouldn't go into specifics if he could at all help it. Borina may be able to help Gamzee if he had any questions, which Tavros would probably completely fail at answering and would just end up blushing about it.

2014-09-22 01:29:22
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"Our bakery name works already, Tavros!" Gamzee grinned, forgetting almost completely about the topic at hand as he was too excited about being called a blackberry. "And if you're not all up and comfortable with that sorta thing we don't gotta chat or go see anyone about it. I'm sure I'll find out eventually if it comes up, no worries." He didn't really want to go anywhere in the city, even if Borina was a nice lady from what he could gather from Karkat and Kanaya.

"Should we wander back? I wonder if Sollux is done yet." Furthermore, he had no idea what to really ask about. He figured he could learn enough to work with from Tavros, and through minor creativity and moving slow and asking questions he could learn. There were probably other books he hadn't bothered with either. It was really one of the last things on his mind for now.

2014-09-22 01:39:25
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"The children are probably ready for their naps," She mused, watching as the grubs, having settled in various spots in their cribs, were starting to nod off. "Aye, I ought to round them up now and get them out their dirty clothes. How they manage to get messy at /every/ meal still eludes me." Tourna threw her hands in the air in exasperation, motioning for Tavros and Gamzee to follow her out.

The children may have been wild and excitable, but they were disciplined. Each child, if they were able and old enough, cleaned up whatever space they had been in; if they spilled tea or dropped a potato from their soup or littered crumbs from their biscuits, they cleaned them as well as they could and piled their dishes in different areas in the kitchen where they were marked. Every meal had a little sign in the cleaning area denoting what belonged there for later cleaning in the sink: main dish, utensils, cup.

The older children helped to wipe the faces of the smaller ones, and the smaller children dusted off any lingering crumbs on the older. Despite not having any parents, the orphans loved one another dearly and treated each other like the family they never had. When the workers declared that it was nap time, some held hands on their way down the hall. Many said 'sleep tight!' to Gamzee and Tavros in their passing, blowing affectionate kisses and encouragements to visit soon.

Tavros smiled. Now he really wanted a child.

2014-09-22 01:47:58
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They were all just too damn cute. And it wasn't just that tugging at Gamzee's blood pusher, but like before the strong desire to give them a home. Somewhere nice to live, with nice people. Him distinctly being one of the nice people who actually wanted to give them a place to live. Tavros looked about like he felt the same way from Gamzee's estimation, or at least the interest in children.

There were so many things to do after the whole quest! But how long would that take? All the administration and planning and setting up new laws..... it seemed like it might take a while. At least they had a leg up on the laws with what they'd gone through.

After all the kids had disappeared to go and nap, he stood with Tavros and looked around for Sollux around the burned up area of the place. Once he found him he walked them over to check out the yellow's progress with his project.

2014-09-22 02:07:52
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Sollux was definitely making some progress; with the measurements taken, he was able to modify previously existing sketches and come up with a few better ones. He would present the finished sketches to Tourna soon, but he still couldn't get everything he needed without his office and workers. He hoped he could get off hive arrest soon.

Tavros approached him, questioning about his work and Sollux, trying not to be too prideful, showed off the sketches of sturdy but elegant brick buildings, a new playing area for the kids that wasn't just an open field, and even a section that had a trollmade pond. The brownblood looked on in awe, "You thought up all of that for here? Based off of some measurements?"

He smiled some, obviously proud, even if he tried not to display it too easily, "Yes. Once the measurements were taken, it was really quite easy after that. I just need to get the materials together and find a pricing..."

2014-09-22 11:15:53
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Looking over the plans with the other pair, Gamzee was also quite impressed with them. It seemed so creative to think up a whole building with everything inside and outside to him, and it looked like it would be really nice.

"Why don't they let you design the whole city? The brick looks much nicer than the gilded buildings around the palace," he muttered. "Pricing? Doesn't the city just pay for it? Or is it some private thing... I'd think people would take care of kids, at least." And where would the kids stay while it was being built? In the older parts slowly moving to the newer as they built it? Of course this may not have all been questions Sollux could answer or do anything about.

2014-09-22 18:16:28
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"Well." He furrowed his brows, "It's a little more complicated than that. The government takes care of the common things: water, electricity, enough money for food and blankets or whatever medical expense. The basics. But if there is an accident or crisis, it has to be taken out of their pockets." Meaning the huge part of the orphanage that was burned to the ground had to be funded by the workers, not the government.

Tavros frowned, "Is that why it has been taking so long?"

" 'Fraid so. I'll probably end up paying for it."

2014-09-22 20:31:47
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"That's stupid, they oughta pay for the big stuff too! ...maybe I'm just a big ol' stupid softy but it's not like they can prepare for a disaster. Whata bunch of ... ergh." Gamzee frowned. He really didn't get why the government couldn't just take care of it's people in need. They wasted all that money on fanciful things and selfishness and didn't look out for the citizenry. Why wasn't there more outrage about that? Did people like seeing some on top and others with less? It didn't make much sense to the purple blood.

"Do they have, like, charities or something for these sorts of things? So at least there's a little help?" He recalled a couple times when he'd seen trollscouts in Tulgey City selling things for some adventure they were going on or to help some one or something out like this, and wondered if Starnette had anything similar.

2014-09-22 20:40:23
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Sollux nodded, hoping to assuage the pair's worry, "There is some outside help. Charities and donations, mostly. Nonprofit organizations and all that," Still, there was, largely, independence on the side of the orphanage. The workers and Tourna managed the entirety of the orphanage, from outside expenses to getting the kids what education they needed, which did not extent very far from provisions distributed by the government.

The brownblood, moving with Sollux to the edge of the road as he waved to the workers that said their farewells from the door, questioned, "Do you have anything else that you need to do today? Perhaps have to call first?"

Sollux shook his head, "Not particularly. We can check out different places in the area, if you want. There is a pet store not too far from here, a candle shop, couple other places..." He paused, then remembered, "I have to get the prices for building materials. The building for that is across the street from the bakery, if you two would care to have a date or something while I get work done with the contractor."

2014-09-22 21:24:12
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"Do you think... since we've got a couple days presumably while they fix the train and all... that we might help somehow with raising funds?" Gamzee was hatching what could possibly be a wild and radical idea, wondering if it would help at all or really work. He was probably in over his head with it, as they'd soon enough have other things to do.

The suggestion to check places out seemed alright; they would just be careful. And if they went to the bakery, well that could give him some ideas for the possible future... and this plan of his with the orphanage. There would probably be some sort of restrictions he'd have to get around... but if he could manage it and if it were successful, it might be pretty useful. "Whatever you're up for, Tavros."

2014-09-22 22:18:49
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"It could turn out to be fun," Tavros decided, agreeing to some time in the bakery while Sollux worked; he could tell that the yellow blood was trying his best to give Gamzee and himself some much needed romantic time that was out of the scope of their friends. He definitely appreciated it.

"We ought to hurry, looks like snow soon." Sollux hailed over another carriage, following the same protocol as before, only heading to the contractor's this time around. It was a much shorter ride, and once they were out the carriage again, he pointed across the street, "There's the bakery. Here," Sollux fumbled around in the pouch of money, plopping a few gold coins into Tavros's hands, then did the same for Gamzee, "Go be romantic someplace."

2014-09-22 22:33:56
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"Well, another adventure in city goin', I guess," Gamzee half smiled as he deposited the coins in his pocket, even though he wasn't really comfortable with them, and took Tavros's hand. "Let these fuckers stare, eh?" he whispered, "gonna be all bothered anyways. Maybe we'll bump into some of the nicer ones, huh? So where do you want to start bein' romantical?" he grinned.

He looked in the bakery window, personally thinking a lot of the treats had too much frosting. Vaguely, he wondered if they were any good, or if they paid more attention to the looks of them and not so much to the taste and quality. But they would have to right? This place was ritzy, but it was easy to fool people into thinking something was expensive and worth their money.... woah, was he becoming a baking snob?

2014-09-22 22:43:08
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He swung their hands happily, starting to ignore whoever looked their way or made snide comments. "Can we go to the bakery? Maybe they have more of those little, uh, cake balls?" Tavros thought all the decorations were lovely, with the multicolored sprinkles or icing flowers. "Ah, I could use some tea..." He could smell the different teas brewing inside, and he smiled up at Gamzee, as excitable as always, "Would you like to?"

2014-09-22 23:08:00
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"Yea, let's go! ...do you think they have pumpkin flavored something or other?" he mused. He did like the individual pieces of design on the cakes... it was just that they had seemed to over done them in a fit of zealous decorating in some cases. But that was a the Starnettian aesthetic, so he supposed they must like it. To each their own. He crossed to the door with Tavros, opening it for him with a bow of his head and a smile... an opportunity to ham up knighthood again. He followed the copper inside.

2014-09-22 23:17:36
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The gentlemanly behavior was met with a couple audible gasps. Or perhaps it was seeing the fabled Alice in the flesh. Tavros supposed it was a mixture of both. Starnetians were used to their flair and expensive frivolities, but no amount of "culture" could prepare them for the absolute sweetness of the violet and brown's relationship. Many had never seen anything so pure and unadulterated - neither made any attempts to hide their love, their actions deliberate and purposeful to cause a smile on the other's face. Any rude comments or otherwise malicious words died off in offenders' throats. How could they possibly make evil of something so righteously saccharine?

"I sure hope so," He hummed, "I like pumpkins plenty - their seeds were a fun treat in Alternia. Do you all do that here?" He remembered eating roasted pumpkin seeds with cinnamon dusting them during the colder days. It seemed that the bakery was actually more of a cafe, serving all manner of hot drinks and bready foods. Tavros was immediately tantalized by the apple pastries and peach breads, eagerly looking over the displays of food behind glass, tugging along Gamzee's hand as he did so. Meanwhile, most patrons inside could not keep their eyes off them, so attracted by the simplicity of their love but too intimidated to admit that an affection shared by even them was beautiful.

2014-09-22 23:53:22
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Gamzee gazed around at the different treats, glancing at Tavros often to see what he was looking at and following along at the tugging happily. "Yea, we do that. Some grow in Tulgey! Next time they get ripe we can make some, and other baked things, of course... I can hardly wait, testin' out pie and bread and such."

There was a sort of... well, he didn't know what to call it. There was some sort of sweetened crust, large sugar crystals baked right in to the top, surrounding various fruits. "Turnovers..." he read the sign. That seemed more like instructions than a name for something, but they looked quite good. His quest for pumpkin was forgotten, as he saw what could only be described as a miraculous blueberry one, proclaiming also to have a sweet tree syrup he adored baked into the crust.

"Think I've found what I'd like, Tavros," he said quietly to the copper. Did you all up and figure somethin' out yet?" He turned his attention to the teas, but didn't know nearly as much about them as either Hatter or Hare, so couldn't really judge.

2014-09-23 00:12:36
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"Oh, not yet. There is so much to choose from!" He, eventually, settled on a thick slab of peach bread and some type of tea called 'Vanilla Rain Drop.' He wasn't sure what that entailed, but it sounded good and he placed his order once he was done wandering about.

The cashier looked bewildered that a violet was in her midst but wasn't absolutely wreaking havoc on anything with a consciousness, but called the order of Tavros' back to the barista and looked to Gamzee for what he wished to order.

2014-09-23 00:19:39
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"Just a, um, blueberry-maple turnover and a cup of, uh, Morning Dew Rose, please," he requested quietly, handing over money quickly and holding Tavros's hand a bit nervously. Honestly he was kind of terrified. He'd never actually ordered anything in a shop before; the closest he'd gotten to this sort of thing was the market in Undlegire.

2014-09-23 00:26:21
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The cashier, trying to be as friendly ad possible, though it may have only been for her job, directed them to the other side of the front counter to await their food and drinks. The foods were placed on delicate plates upon a silver, engraved tray, the teas soon following with a porcelain pitcher of milk and a glass bowl of sugar cubes accompanying it. Tavros thanked the staff kindly and, afraid that he would probably drop it all, looked to Gamzee sheepishly, "Can you take the tray? I am, uh, kind of apprehensive - I am not exactly known for being the careful type."

2014-09-23 00:33:53
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The purple nodded, smiling to him. Thank goodness Tavros had given him something to do; it made him feel much better. He could concentrate on not spilling now, not that he was worried, instead of potential reactions. Taking the tray, he also thanked the staff politely and followed his matesprit to a small table, setting the tray down delicately with nary a clink of china. Getting in the properly gentlemanly and romantic spirit, he pulled out Tavros's chair for him sweetly. The whole chair procedure was somehow somewhat relaxing, so he was smiling a little easier as he sat down himself.

2014-09-23 00:39:07