closed; backdated to just after the dead dogs plot

[crotcharrow]

Who: Tommy Shepherd, Aña Corazon, Matilda Wormwood
Where: the hobo hovel (Tommy and Aña's shitty warehouse)
When: just after the dead dogs plot
What: So Tommy brought home a kid and didn't tell Aña. First meetings!!
Warnings: None probably

[It's been a loooong few days. Tommy felt time completely different to normal people of course, but for everyone he was sure it had been a long few fucking days. Between looking for Aña, rescuing Matilda, beating up cyborg dogs and getting his nose broken by a naked sidekick, he's not really sure when he last got a good night's sleep. The moment that they'd gotten back to the warehouse, Tommy had pretty much passed out with Aña on top of him on the couch.

He'd set Matilda up with some take out, a pile of blankets, and a small pile of books, and then had gone to get Aña from the clutches of the Trailblazers. Everything after that had sort of been a blur.

He's vaguely coming back to consciousness, thanks to the heavy weight that's pressing down on him, and groans a little, light from a broken window streaming on his face. He squints down at the mop of brown hair laying on his chest, and gives a yawn, before deciding that he doesn't have to get up quite yet.]

Comments

[crotcharrow]

[He looks between the two of them, and okay so maybe he's a little annoyed at Matilda for ruining that moment, but he can't stay mad at her she made him breakfast, and so he probably could've warned Aña about her, but things hadn't exactly been conducive for talking things out.

He realises he's been gawking into space for a few beats, and clears his throat, letting go of Aña rather suddenly, so he can sit up as the plates float over.]

Uh. Yeah. There is. I brought her here. [Duh, Aña, god.]

--And I'm totally starving.

[cazamitad]

[Aña looks a little horrified at that declaration, because to be honest she is not coming up with a lot of explanations for WHY there is a six-year-old in their house.]

Oh my god, did you steal a kid? We have to take her home. [to Matilda] We have to take you home. You parents are probably worried sick.

[crotcharrow]

[Oh my god. That sure gets an eyeroll. He looks at Aña.]

Of course I stole a kid, Aña. I just straight up, went out and kidnapped her. Didn't even tell her parents.

[You can practically see the sarcasm.]

[cazamitad]

[she swats at him (with her non-metal arm) and glares]

Well I don't know! I get kidnapped and come back home to find out you either became a father at a criminally young age and suddenly decided to take custody, or you've picked up some random kid and brought her home!

[nailsandglass]

[This was it. This was where things didn't work and they either tried to drag her off to an orphanage or left her to fend for herself. Matilda's face flushed in embarrassment over the situation. Why did she have to keep getting her hopes up like this?]

He rescued me.

[crotcharrow]

[He swats her back, and then looks over to Matilda.]

Yeah! See! I rescued her! I'm a damn hero.

[cazamitad]

You are so not helping.

[Aña stops glaring at Tommy and processes suddenly that no matter what the situation is, this kid is probably feeling like Aña doesn't want her here or something. Which... well, she doesn't, but mostly because the kid probably has a better place to go, right?

She pushes off the couch and gets a little closer to Matilda, crouching down to get on eye level. She's not talking down to her, just trying to be on a level playing field.]

I bet he did, mija. He's a good guy that way, even if I yell at him. Did he save you from the crazy cyborg things that were running around, or something else?

[nailsandglass]

[She folds her arms carefully behind her, slightly placated by Ana's tone.]

He did. Save me from the cyborgs, I mean.

[crotcharrow]

[he sits up on the couch the moment that Aña leaves it, and huffs, eying the rapidly cooling pancakes.]

I also saved her from being homeless, for the record.

[cazamitad]

Eat your pancakes if you're gonna sulk about it, you big baby.

[yeah, she sees you eyeing them, Tommy. ...you're a speedster, she doesn't blame you.

Okay, so this is clearly a complicated situation. She plops herself on the floor and pats the floor in front of her to encourage the kiddo to sit.]

Okay, so we got off on the wrong foot. My name's Aña, and if my stupid best friend over there will busy himself with pancakes instead of talking, I'd like to hear what's going on with you. That cool?

[nailsandglass]

[After a moment's hesitation, Matilda steps forward to sit next to Ana.]

My name is Matilda. [She really wasn't sure how else to present the information, so she told it the same way she did with Tommy:]

My family left me. I've been on my own for a while now.

[cazamitad]

The left you? [Aña sounds scandalized] Like, they packed up and moved while you were at school kind of leaving?

[nailsandglass]

[Matilda fidgeted] At the library. [But aside from that minor detail, Aña had pretty much hit the nail on the head]

[cazamitad]

[Aña just kind of stares for a moment. She can't believe that anyone would do that to their child - like, she knows not everyone was as awesome as her dad, but...

She nods decisively to herself, and turns back to Tommy.]

Okay, she's staying. [to Matilda] If you want, I mean.

[crotcharrow]

[In the time it's taken them to discuss this, Tommy has eaten all but one of the plates of pancakes, his mouth full of the warm breakfast food by the time Aña turns to talk to him. He tries to look innocent. It doesn't work.

Don't blame him, he'd spent all night running, and then not eaten anything. His reserves are empty. He manages to swallow what he has in his mouth though, before replying. So there's that.]

Yeah. See. I told you. We're keeping her. No way I'm gonna let another kid like me get messed up in that system. [Okay. well. Maybe that might've been more than he was willing to give away, but. Whatever.]

And she makes amazing pancakes. It's win-win.

[nailsandglass]

[At that Matilda felt relief wash over her, and she gave Aña a smile and eager nod.]

I do!

[So it looked like she would be sticking around a little longer. Hopefully, it would be permanently. The comment about getting stuck in the system did not fly over her head but she didn't really know what Tommy was referring to. When she saw his face full of pancake, she became too distracted to ask and simply laughed instead.]

[cazamitad]

Yeah, I've heard some horror stories. All right, well, welcome to the family, kiddo.

[Aña ruffles Matilda's hair, then looks over at Tommy and the plates of pancakes finally before rolling her eyes]

I swear to god, veloz, if you don't save some for me, I'm gonna kick your ass with my new robot arm.

[crotcharrow]

[he almost chokes on the last piece of pancake he's eating, and promptly stands up, still holding the plate and fork to his mouth, heading away from the pair, still eating.]

Nope!