Tears of The Rose-Chp77

[The truck ride was indeed quite long, abt 45 mins before they reach their destination]

Babs: We're almost there, right up ahead, the Dingleberry residence

Sylvia: (was napping the whole way)

Peepers: [was awake the whole time, leaning in to wake Sylvia] Hey, zbornak, we're almost there. Wake up

Sylvia: Zzz...hmm? (yawn)

Peepers: We're almost there. Right up ahead

Sylvia: (looks)... That's the place.

Peepers: Yup, just like the satellite videos show

[Up ahead, just like wat they seen in the satellite vids, there was the ranch, the home n everything else in perfect detail]

Babs: [slows the car to a stop once they were within the compound] We're here. Ur on ur own now [takes the delivery out of the truck] Mrs Dingleberry~ Mrs Dingleberry, ur delivery is here!

Sylvia: (watches, ducking in hiding a little)

Peepers: [rolled his eye n poked at Sylvia] Don't hide. We came all the way here, now man up [got off the truck with a leap]

Sylvia: Fine~~ (hops off the truck as well)

Mrs Dingleberry: [comes out to receive the delivery] Oh thank u, Babs [sees Peepers] Oh, who's ur new friend there, Babs?

Peepers: Actually we just hitched a ride here. We're here on some... important business [gestured at Sylvia coming frm behind him]

Sylvia: (steps forward) Um...hi..you may or may not know of me, but I was the one whose...

Mrs Dingleberry: Oh, ur here! I was sorta expecting u a little sooner, but better later than never

Peepers: Whut...?

Sylvia: ...Beg pardon? o_o;;

Mrs Dingleberry: Oh, where r my manners? Come in, come in! Thanks, Babs! Cya end of the mth!

Babs: [waved her goodbye n left]

Peepers: [followed behind, a little confused]

Sylvia: (also a little puzzled herself but follows)

Mrs Dingleberry: Hv a seat, kids. Make urself at home. I'll get u some tea n snacks [made her way to the kitchen]

Peepers: Umm... Wat just happened...?

Sylvia: I...really wasn't expecting this. ^^;;

Peepers: Yeah, I was expecting more resistance on her part

Sylvia: Same here.

Mrs Dingleberry: Here we are [comes in with a tray of tea n custard tarts] Hope u like custard tarts, they're my specialty [sets it dwn on the table]

Peepers: Umm, thanks

Sylvia: Yeah, thanks...

???: Mommy?

Sylvia: (perks up at the voice)

Mrs Dingleberry: [was a little surprised at first, then looked at the clock while pouring them tea n giggled] Oh, look at the time. I totally forgot tht school's ovr. Hey Shelly, we're in the living room! C'mere n see who's finally here!

Sylvia: (swallows)

Shelly: (enters the room) ... :O (notices Sylvia and Peepers)

Mrs Dingleberry: [motioned her to come closer] Come here, don't be shy [turns to the duo] My husband n I agreed tht we should nvr hide the truth of our adopted children's origins, n it would be pretty obvious we don't look alike judging by our species difference. So once they're old enough to understand, we would tell them the truth abt them being adopted n let them knw their birth parents' names, n its up to them whether they wish to pursue them to connect with them. Shelly here wanted to connect thru photographs, so we contacted the agency n got some photos of u frm them. She's too shy to admit it but she knew u would come see her one day, don't u, sweetie pie? [ruffled Shelly's head teasingly with one of her tentacles] (giggle)

Shelly:...(steps towards Sylvia slowly)

Sylvia: :( (little worried)

Peepers: [just give Sylvia an encouraging pat on the bk]

Mrs Dingleberry: Don't be shy, go ahead, sweetie pie

Sylvia: ...Hey...

Shelly:...Are...are you...? ;(

Peepers: (nod) She's ur birth mom

Mrs Dingleberry: [gives a "Awww~" face]

Shelly: ;( ...Mommy...?

Sylvia: (couldn't hold back anymore, pulling the young zbornak into an embrace) ;( My baby... my baby...

Peepers: [feeling all the feels just watching them, tho he tries to hide his tears]

Mrs Dingleberry: Aww~~ Just warms my heart every time I see a child reunited with their birth parents

Peepers: Every time?

Mrs Dingleberry: Oh this is not the first time I've seen this. We octo-s live quite a long life, bt I've passed my breeding age n all my kids hv left to live their own lives, but we love children, which is why we adopt, but once in a while they want to go bk to their birth parents, n its a good thing. U can say we're almost like a mini-orphanage of sorts, doing our part in society

Peepers: I see, only u adopt one or two kids

Mrs Dingleberry: Three at most. I'm not as spry as I used to be (giggle)

Shelly: (hugging Sylvia) ;(

Sylvia: ;( Mommy's here, baby...mommy's here...

Peepers: How old exactly r u?

Mrs Dingleberry: How rude, u don't ask a woman her age [snorted n giggled] Just yanking ur chain. I'm cool. I'm almost 250 yrs old

Peepers: O_O U don't look it...

Mrs Dingleberry: Well, to us, 250 is the new 40 (yn)

Sylvia: (looks up from the embrace with Shelly) So you...you knew I wasn't the bad parent...?

Mrs Dingleberry: Oh we try not to judge. Most of the kids we adopted were either let go coz of parents poverty, unwanted teen pregnancies or parent death with no nxt of kin, or once in a while due to parental abuse, but wen they come to see their child, we can tell frm experience whether they're genuine or not. U definitely look like someone who gave up Shelly either unwillingly or with a legitimate reason. Like I said, we try not to judge.

Sylvia:...Unwillingly...

Mrs Dingleberry: Lemme guess, problems with the hubby?

Sylvia: Yup...

Shelly: :(

???: Honey, we're home! Wat's for lunch?

???: Yeah, Mama, I'm starved

Mrs Dingleberry: Ooh tht sounds like my hubby n Baxter. We're here! U nvr guess who's here with us!

Sylvia: ?

[In came Mr Dingleberry n their adopted Minotaur son Baxter]

Mr Dingleberry: [sees Shelly in Sylvia's arms] Oh, is she...?

Mrs Dingleberry: Yup, Shelly's birth mom

Baxter: Hah! I knew it! Pay up, Pops!

Peepers: Huh? :|

Sylvia: ^^;; O...k?

Mrs Dingleberry: Oh u two! |-( Don't mind them, after they learnt abt their origins, they were betting on whose birth parent would come to see them first

Mr Dingleberry: Too bad we found out later on that Baxter's parents were already dead

Baxter: [shrugged] I'm not too surprised

Peepers: Lemme guess: the bet switched to how long it'll take for Sylvia to show up

Baxter: Correcto mundo! N I was right, she's here right before harvest! Pay up, Pops!

Shelly: (pouts at Baxter)

Sylvia: Heh.

Mr Dingleberry: I knew u had a head for chances. U should go for business [pays him the bet]

Baxter: Or placing bets

Mrs Dingleberry: Nuh-uh, ur not gonna grow up to be a gambler

Baxter: |-( Fine, stock market broker then

Sylvia: So...anyways... ^^;;

Shelly::) Did I have a different name?

Sylvia: (nod)

Peepers: U gonna tell her?

Baxter: Yeah, I'm curious too

Mrs Dingleberry: Shush, boy, don't interrupt

Sylvia: ... :) Tiana.

Shelly: ^^

Mrs Dingleberry: Aww, tht is just so sweet. This deserve to be a photo moment [takes out her camera]

Sylvia: (looks up) Maybe two photo, if possible? One for you and one for me to keep?

Mrs Dingleberry: Sure, I was thinking abt tht too. I do it for all my babies' reunions [gestured at the photos above the fireplace of all the reunion pics she took]

Peepers: [sees it] Wow, its impressive actually...

Sylvia: (nod) Cool.

Shelly: :D

Mrs Dingleberry: Say "CHEESE~" [holds up the camera at them]

Peepers: [moves outta the way to let them take the shot]

Mr Dingleberry: Why r u going away? Aren't u her boyfriend? U should be in the shot too

Peepers: Uh, I don't think its appropriate. Its her moment...

Sylvia: Oh get in here you. (pulls him close with her tail)

Shelly: (giggle)

Peepers: Uhh... Umm... OK... [blushed a little]

Mrs Dingleberry: Again, say "CHEESE~"!

Sylvia & Shelly: :D Cheese!~

Peepers: Cheese~!

Mrs Dingleberry: [took the shot twice] Alright, I'll bring this upstairs to hv it printed, y'all just wait here n enjoy each other's company [went upstairs with the camera]

Mr Dingleberry: So I hope u guys r staying for lunch, and maybe dinner. The missus makes a mean casserole, n I knw u two wanna spend some time together

Baxter: Plus I can give u the tour of the ranch

Peepers: Wat do u think, Sylvia?

Sylvia: Well maybe we can do the tour, but might not stay for too long. What do you think, Peepers?

Peepers: I don't mind staying long, I knw u n Shelly hv a lot of catching up to do. But its up to u

Shelly: :) I'd like to hear how you've been doing, Mommy.

Sylvia:... :) Sure, why not?

Shelly: :D Yay.

Peepers: Then its settled then. Lead the way, Baxter

Baxter: Alright! Tour time! Come this way, pls

Sylvia: :) (follows, with Shelly by her side)

Tears of The Rose-Chp76

[the bus soon flew thru space n made its way to Planet Vakaria 6.5]

Sylvia: This is our stop?

Peepers: Yup, seems like it [got off] Now we just need to find out where the Dingleberry-s live

Sylvia: (nod) Right.

Peepers: [looked ard n saw a sundry shop] Maybe we can ask whoever works there. They hv tons of customers coming in n out, they should knw everyone here

Sylvia: Okay.

Peepers: [enters the sundry shop, the door jingling the welcome bell]

Shopkeeper: Welcome to Brock's Sundry. How can I help?

Sylvia: We need directions to get to a place.

Shopkeeper: U come to the right plc, we make deliveries ard, I knw almost evry nook n cranny of the area. Where u going?

Sylvia: (tells him)

Shopkeeper: Oh, the Dingleberry-s. I do their deliveries twice a mth. They live quite far off

Peepers: U knw how to get there?

Shopkeeper: Hmm, u knw wat? I actually got a delivery for them today. I can ask my errand boy to give u folks a ride there if u want

Sylvia: Sounds good.

Peepers: Sure, we dont mind

Shopkeeper: Alright [turns to the storeroom] Babs! Hey, Babs!

Babs (errand boy): Yes, boss?

Shopkeeper: Ur taking the route to the Dingleberry-s, right? Give this nice couple a ride, eh? They're going ur way!

Babs: Sure thing, boss

Sylvia: :)

Peepers: [blushed at the shopkeeper calling them 'a couple']

Sylvia: Heh. ^^

[Soon the errand boy was ready]

Babs: I hope u don't mind sitting on the bk of the pickup, we've got some fragile food tht I need to put up front here n I can't risk putting at the bk. The road is pretty bumpy

Sylvia: That's fine with us, right, Peepers?

Peepers: We're cool. We've been on bumpier roads

Babs: Cool. Hop on [tapped the bk of the pick up to gesture them in]

Sylvia: (hops into her seat, holding out a hand for Peepers)

Peepers: [takes her hand n climbs up too]

Babs: Sit tight, u guys [starts the engine n rolled out]

Sylvia: (thinks: now there's no turning back, girl...)

Peepers: [sees her n able to tell wat she's thinking as he reached out n held her hand, squeezing it reassuringly]

Sylvia: (squeezes his hand in return)

Tears of The Rose-Chp75

[They soon flew thru space, following the coordinates of the planet keyed into the navigation, making pit stops along the way. Soon, after almost 5 days of travel, they were almost there, tho they're taking their final pit stop on a planet which is abt ten miles away frm their planet destination]

Sylvia: (looking out window at planet)

Peepers: Final stop here, wanna get me some supplies for the ship. I think frm here we can take the space bus to our destination

Sylvia: Alright.

Peepers: [landed the ship at the docks on the planet] Wanna grab a bite?

Sylvia: ...Sure.

Peepers: [got off the ship, then held out his hand to her to help her get off]

Sylvia: (takes his hand, getting off ship)

Peepers: [went ard to buy the supplies he needed, then stopped by the district area tht are mostly food related] Fancy anything to eat? My treat

Sylvia: Not really, maybe a slush and a sandwich of some sort.

Peepers: [looked abt] Ur in luck, there's a snack bar right ovr there [pointed to the east direction]

Sylvia: :) Cool.

Peepers: [led her there n took a seat]

Waiter: What'll it be, guv?

Sylvia: One raspberry slush and one grilled fish sandwich.

Waiter: N u, sir? [turns to Peepers]

Peepers: Chilli gumbo n a pickle berry smoothie

Waiter: Right on, guv [writes dwn their order n hollered to the kitchen]

Sylvia: :)

Peepers: [sat with his hand cupping his chin, staring at Sylvia]

Sylvia: (takes a sip of her slush)... What up? (notices he's staring)

Peepers: [slight pause] ....U nervous?

Sylvia: ... (sips more of her slush)

Peepers: ....U are, arent u? Aftr this snack, it's gonna be just a space bus ride away. Second thoughts?

Sylvia: Nope, don't think so.

Peepers: Good, bcoz we've travelled almost 5 days all the way here, n I'm not abt to be the bad guy dragging ur ass into the bus if u hv second thoughts [grinned a little]

Sylvia: << You wouldn't.

Peepers: I've once dragged Lord Hater kicking n screaming to see the dentist for a tooth cavity, n tht is AFTR he fried me with his powers. If u think I wouldn't, u dont knw me too well (smirk)

Sylvia: |-( Ugh, fine.

Peepers: [got his order n sipped the gumbo] Hmm, not spicy enough [grabbed the tobasco sauce n sprinkled it a little into the gumbo]

Sylvia: You and your spiciness. (smirk)

Peepers: I dare u to taste it [grinned mischievously]

Sylvia: >>... <<... (leans in to take a bite)

Peepers: [watches her take the bite, waiting for her reaction]

Sylvia: Mmm... o_o... (quickly gulps down her whole slush)

Peepers: [snorts, tries to hold bk frm laughing at her]

Sylvia: >< Man, that's hot... << What's so funny?

Peepers: [snorts again] U do realize u just finished ur whole slush... Pfftt!! Hahahhaha (rofl) [couldnt hold bk his laughter anymore]

Sylvia: |-( ... (pushes him off his seat) (smirk)

Peepers: Ack! [rubs his ass] Sore loser... [noticed today's paper tht was on the rack for public reading] ....Huh [takes the paper] I just realized something

Sylvia: ? What?

Peepers: It didn't reli show up on the navigation system, or maybe I was too concentrated on the destination to pay attention bt... [shows the paper to her] We're actually on Planet Yokel, the planet u n ur ex last were until ur girl was taken

Sylvia: :O We are...?

Peepers: Yeah. I remember in the files as well saying tht she was adopted by the Dingleberry-s on Planet Vakaria 6.5, our destination planet, which is also the sister planet of Planet Yokel. No wonder we only need to take a space bus

Sylvia: Hmm...

Peepers: Well [puts bk the paper] We still got plenty of time before the nxt bus leaves to tht planet. I'm gonna enjoy my gumbo first [tasted it] Mm, now tht's perfect spice

Sylvia: (pushes it towards him)

Peepers: (giggle) Lightweight [enjoyed his gumbo happily]

Sylvia: (smirk) Pipsqueak.

Random Costumer: Get a room, you two!

Sylvia: o.o;;

Peepers: [blushed n glared] Mind ur own business, u busybody butthead. Ignore him, he's just jealous

Sylvia: << Yup.

[The duo enjoyed their snack, n soon after, made their way towards the bus stop, tho they hv to pass by an apartment building, n it was something the zbornak was familiar with]

Peepers: [realized Sylvia stopped n stared at the apartment building] U okay there, zbornak?

Sylvia: ... (scowls at a window where she sees some figures)...

Peepers: [looked at the direction where she was looking] Wat r u looking at?

Sylvia:...He's still there...that bastard...

Peepers: Wait, wat? U mean Ryder? I thought u left him or something, or did he dump u?

Sylvia: I'm the one who left him... and apperently he bought back the place after I left...

Peepers: Geez he reli is quite the tool there, wat an ass... Although I hope he didn't stay there so tht he could keep an eye on u if u try to find ur girl

Sylvia: If he has...

Peepers: Then I'll give him a piece of my mind, dont u worry [sees a figure of a man n a couple of women] Seems like he wasted no time moving on with his life

Sylvia: :| No kidding.

Peepers: C'mon, lets leave him. He's not worth it [takes her hand] We better go before we miss the bus

Sylvia: (scowls but follows Peepers)

Peepers: [led her to the bus stop, tho out of habit, he kept up surveillance ard the area, watching out for anyone or anything tht might hint tht Ryder was spying on them]

Sylvia: (sits with him)

Peepers: [puts a reassuring hand on hers, patting it]

Sylvia: Thx...

Peepers: Don't thank me yet, we still hv one milestone to cross

Sylvia: I know... (squeezes his hand in hers)

Tears of The Rose-Chp74

Peepers: [was in the navigation room, plotting the map for the planets he had surveyed]

Hater & Sylvia: (enter the room)

Peepers: [turns at the sound of the door sliding open] Oh, hey, Lord Hater, sir [sees Sylvia behind him] Hey, zbornak

Hater: What do you have to report, C Peeps?

Peepers: I've surveyed some honeymoon spots as u requested. I've narrowed it dwn to three [prompted the map to show on the screen] There's Nexus 5.0, a tropical planet; Damasca 9.7, a winterwonderland type of planet; n finally Begus 6, the sister planet of Louvre, the planet where u had tht fake date with the zbornak there [stifled a laugh] All the specs r there, u can look thru it together with the furball urself

Hater: Mhm.

Sylvia: (breathes in)... I'll be ready to go when the time comes, Pipsqueak.

Peepers: [blinked] Umm, I, uh, excuse me, sir [leads Sylvia out of the room to let Hater deal with the honeymoon choice] Ur reli ready? For sure?

Sylvia: I'm serious about this, yes.

Peepers: [smiled] Tht's good. Technically I just got bk frm survey, bt we can go whenevr u feel like it

Sylvia: (nod)

Peepers: So, wat say u? Wen would u like to go?

Sylvia: Maybe later this afternoon?

Peepers: (nod) Sounds good. Gimme a chance to take a little breather. Join me for lunch? Ahem, I mean, tht is, if ur free [blushed a little as he looked away]

Sylvia: Heh, sure. (blushes a little also)

[The couple made their way to the ship cafeteria, where Peepers ordered his usual lunch of the day]

Peepers: [sits at the table munching his lunch] Mmm, Long John sub. My favourite

Sylvia: :) Glad they could whip up a little jellyfish pie. (takes a few bites) ^^

Peepers: Ur favourite, huh? Lord Hater prefers triple-pickled pie himself, n he could only get the best ones in that one planet he n ur furball ran into

Sylvia: Mhm. (takes a forkful)...You wanna taste?

Peepers: U sure? I don't wanna intrude...

Sylvia: No, I don't mind, rly.

Peepers: [wasn't sure whether he was supposed to lean forward to be fed or use his own fork to take a scoop frm her, n just stared at the pie stupidly]

Sylvia: (moves it a little towards him) Here.

Peepers: [blinked as he saw the fork moved closer to him, then blushed n leaned in to be fed]

Sylvia: (feeds him the bit of pie)

Peepers: [ate it, chewing a little] Hmm, slightly tangy n chewy, but not too bad. Tho I heard ur furball is not a fan of it

Sylvia: He prefers his pickle pie, that's all.

Peepers: [nodded, then held up his sub] Wanna try mine?

Sylvia: Hmm...:) Sure. (leans in a little)

Peepers: [hands one end of the sub towards her] Hope u like it spicy. Its fire onions, ice lettuce, BBQ yolk ham with ketchup n spicy mustard

Sylvia: (takes a small bite, chews a bit)... >< Woo, little spicy. But it's got nice flavor. (takes sip of water)

Peepers: Heh, sorry ^^;; I tend to prefer rich or strong flavours, or anything with a bit of kick to it

Sylvia: (has cooled the spice down in her mouth) I figured.

Peepers: Some ppl joked tht it might've contributed to my fiery attitude [scratched his chin sheepishly]

Sylvia: Heh, I see. (looks away a little, face a bit flushed)

Peepers: [blushed as well n tries to finish his sub]

Sylvia: (gets back to finishing her piece of pie)

Peepers: So... any plans on wat to do wen we see ur girl?

Sylvia: I'm just...hoping it goes well...

Peepers: I'm sure it'll will at least be civil

Sylvia: If you say so, Pipsqueak.

Peepers: [nodded] So did I miss anything while I was gone?

Sylvia: (tells him some stuff)

Peepers: Ooh, nice. The babies hv finally opened their eyes, huh. That's good news

Sylvia: (nod) Yup.

Peepers: I suppose nxt thing we knw they'll be running ard n we'll hv to chase after them all ovr the ship

Sylvia: Heh yeah as well as our own kid... (realizes what she just said) O_O I MEAN...!

Peepers: O_O Whut...? [was shocked speechless at wat he just heard]

Sylvia: ^^;; N-n-nothing! Forget I said anything!

Peepers: Rrrrright... Sure... [tries to finish his sub quickly, his face beet red]

Sylvia: (eats her pie quickly)

Peepers: [lets out a small burp as he was done] So, uh, we ready to go?

Sylvia: (swallows last of her pie) Yup, let's go.

Peepers: [finished his drink n got up] I'll get the ship ready

Sylvia: You do that.

Peepers: [nodded] Meet me at the ship port in 10 mins

Sylvia: Gotcha. (nod)

[10 mins later, Peepers was all ready with the ship]

Peepers: [making last min adjustments to the navigation system]

Sylvia: (arrives on the scene)

Peepers: [heard her footsteps] Issat u, zbornak?

Sylvia: Yup.

Peepers: Just a sec, need to calibrate this, aaaaand... Done [looks up to see her] All set?

Sylvia: Yeah, ready to go.

Peepers: Cool, hop in [got to the driver seat]

Sylvia: (climbs on ship)

Peepers: Just need to set the coordinates aaaand... [clicks a few buttons here n there] Right, all set. Let's go [starts the ship n flew out]

Sylvia: (thinks; Hope this turns out well...)

Tears of The Rose-Chp73

[the duo made slight quick work of their shower, then met up with Janet outside, in which Janet dematerialized the chateau they were staying in n materialized the carriage for them to go bk to the cabin]

Wander: [peeks out] Ooh, I see the pups there with Sylvia [pointed at Sylvia who is bottlefeeding the pups, all of them curled up in a bundle on her lap suckling at the multi-nipple attached to a big bottle]

Sylvia: (looks up) :) Hey Wander.

Wander: [waved at her, then waited till Janet's carriage stopped before getting off] Hey, Syl. How's the pups? Is evrything alright with them?

Sylvia: Couldn't wait for their feeding time, so...

Wander: Well, good thing I pumped my milk before we left for our wedding night. Here, I'll take ovr [takes the bottle n cradles the pups onto his lap n let them feed]

Hater: (sits with him)

Sylvia: (smiles at the pups feeding...before turning her gaze away)

Wander: [noticed] U OK, Syl?

Sylvia: It's...it's nothing...:(

Wander: Syl... U knw u can talk to me [gives her a concerned look]

Sylvia:...My little girl... I do want to see her again, but...

Wander: Ur still worried abt wat might happen, huh?

Sylvia: Either she won't remember me...or her foster parents won't let me speak with her...

Wander: Well, I wouldnt exclude tht as a possibility, bt isn't Peepers gonna help u out with tht wen the time comes?

Sylvia: Well, yeah, it's just...

Wander: Just wat? [sighs] I knw u hv doubts, bt u reli should stop worrying n making excuses for urself. Tht's not the Sylvia I knw

Sylvia:...I'll try it, then. I just want to be able to see her again.

Wander: :) Tht's the spirit. Wen r u planning to go then?

Sylvia: Well, I've been gvien three days to decide.

Wander: I see. How vry considerate of Peeps. Guess he reli does like u a little (giggle)

Sylvia: (blushes a little) Maybe he does...

Wander: Where is the little guy anyways?

Sylvia: Being busy as usual.

Hater: Hm, when isn't he?

Wander: [chuckles, then looked to see the pups were fidgeting a little] Ooh, u OK, sweeties? [cradled them close]

Hater: Think they need to be burped.

Wander: No, I've already just burped them. I think its something else [cuddled them as their heads were slightly fidgeting]

Sylvia: That's not normal...is it?

Wander: I dunno [looks closely again, then smiled widely] I think they're trying to open their eyes! Their eyes hv stopped fusing!

Hater: :o (watches closley)

[Slowly bt surely, the fused skin gently came off as they opened their eyes slowly, tho for the skeletor babies, they're a little different as its their eye sockets tht r fused, n with a bit of help frm their tears, the fused skin gently dissolved off to reveal the eye socket, then their eyes slowly peeked out frm the sockets, n soon all 6 pups were wide-eyed n chking out their parents. The nomads all had Hater's eyes while the skeletors all had Wander's eyes]

Wander: Aww, there's our little peepers. Hi~ Its ur Mama

Hater: :) and I'm your Daddy.

Pups: [squeaked n squealed as they finally were able to see their parents, tho prolly not very well since they're reaching their hands up to feel their faces]

Wander: Aww~ So adorable... (heart) (heart) (heart)

Hater: ^^ (holds out a finger to the pups)

[One of the skeletor pups nommed at it]

Hater: (gets teary eyes) :)

Wander: [giggled at one of them trying to pinch his nose] Aww, isn't tht cute~?

Hater: ^^ ~ (heart)

Sylvia: (nod) They are cute.

Wander: Let's go for a little walk, shall we? [puts them all to cling on his bk] Let u see the world more, n officially meet Janet n her sprouts

Janet: [pop out] Did someone mention me? :)

Sylvia: hey, Janet. :)

Janet: Oh hey, zbornak. Just saw ur little munchkin landed. Said he's done surveying planets for Wandy-poo n Hater's honeymoon. Think he said he'd like to see u first, Hater, then u

Hater: Right.

Janet: So wat's this I hear abt a walk?

Wander: Ooh, the pups' eyes r finally open, I just wanna bring them for a walk to let them see things

Janet: Ooh, aren't they adorable~ Count me in! [went off to walk with Wander]

Sylvia: Hey, what about us?

Hater: Well I gotta see Peepers so...

Janet: Tht pipsqueak wanted to see u too as well anyways, u might as well follow him. Ur on ur own [walked with Wander, no longer turning bk]

Sylvia: (shrugs, heading off with Hater to see Peepers)

Tears of The Rose-Chp72

[The couple enjoyed their breakfast n lounged at the porch, enjoying their me-time, even had a couple of romps along the way, n soon it was late afternoon n time for them to go bk]

Wander: [pants in ecstasy after their latest "session", purring in Hater's arms] I wish we could be like this forever, just u n me, n the pups

Hater: I bet. (hugs Wander gently)

Wander: U ever think abt... U knw, not conquering? Or maybe go bk to ur family? See them n find out how they're doing?

Hater: (pauses)...um...(looks unsure) Conqueroring I can leave behind but my parents...

Wander: I see... Were they reli that close-minded?

Hater: in a way... :(

Wander: So they disowned u? Just like that? Or did u leave them?

Hater:...I left on my own.

Wander: Maybe we can go see them, u knw, maybe they might've changed their mind after all these yrs

Hater: And if they haven't...? (hugs Wander close) I don't want them hurting you...or our babies, if they...:(

Wander: I knw, but u nvr knw till u try, n I knw u will protect me wen worse case scenario happens

Hater: Mhm... (simply holds Wander)

Wander: [nuzzled against him] I love u... U knw tht, right?

Hater:...I do, too.

Wander: [leans up to kiss him]

Hater: (leans in to kiss him as well)

Wander: I guess we better get cleaned up n get ready before Janet starts pestering us again (giggle)

Hater: ^^;; Yeah, let's.

Wander: Hop in the showers with me? [gives him googly eyes]

Hater: (flushes) Um...sure, why not? o///o

Wander: ;) [takes his hand n led him into the bathroom, n soon they were showering together]

Hater: (hums at the feeling of warm water)

Wander: [helps him with the soap, rubbing it on his bk]

Hater: Mmm, that feels nice~

Wander: Hehe, glad I could be of service. Now its ur turn

Hater: (flushes a little, taking the soap)

Wander: [bk faces him, humming happily as he waited to be scrubbed]

Hater: (gently scrubs the soap on the nomad's back)

Wander: Mmm~ Nice...

*knock knock knock on the window*

Janet: Yoohoo...!! U decent in there?

Hater: o///o Geez.

Wander: Janet~! We're not done yet! We just got in the showers!

Janet: My bad. Sorry to rush u, bt according to the zbornak, the pups need u, so better get a move on

Hater: ^^;; We're trying.

Wander: Alright, alright, we'll get on with it

Janet: Sweet! I'll be waiting outside [slinks away]

Hater: ^^;; She was always like this...?

Wander: She means well, Hater. Dont take it personally ^^;

Hater: Right. (continues scrubbing Wander's back)

Tears of The Rose-Chp71

[meanwhile, Wander woke up to the sound of birds chirping as the sun seeped thru the window shades]

Wander: Nnnhh... (yawn) Hmm... Wat a long night... Not tht I'm complaining (giggle)

Hater: (still alseep) Zzz... |-)

Wander: [giggled at the sight of Hater snoring quietly in his sleep, then slowly gets up to go to the kitchen to make breakfast for the both of them]

(little while later)

Hater: Zzz... (yawn) (sits up, rubbing sleep from his eyes)

Wander: [was still in the kitchen preparing food]

Hater: (smells something good cooking) :)

Wander: [was putting the last piece of food on the plate, now moving on to preparing the drinks]

Hater: (climbs out of bed and steps into the kitchen) (yawn) Morning.

Wander: Oh, mornin', Hatey. Sorry if I woke u. I was planning to surprise u with breakfast in bed

Hater: Nah, you didn't. (sees the breakfast) :) Looks good.

Wander: I hope ur hungry. I made a lot. We did do some pretty heavy exercise all night (giggle)

Hater: Yeah, kinda starving. (chuckle)

Wander: [chuckles as he finally finished setting the table n the food n drinks] Here ya go, dig in, Hatey

Hater: (sits down to dig into his breakfast) ^^

Wander: [smiled n sat with him, eating along as well] Hope my cooking is good enough

Hater: (eats some) :) It is good.

Wander: [blushed] U sure? [ate some] I feel like I might've lost my touch a little. My food tasted better than this

Hater: No, it's fine, really. Better then my cooking, anyways. (chuckles sheepishly at his attempt of a small joke)

Wander: Oh? U cook? (smirk) [giggled at the thought]

Hater: ^^;; Well, it's hard to get Peepers up at times when I need breakfast and such.

Wander: I thought all u need to do is go to the cafeteria to eat. N I'm surprised Peepers would rather sleep in. I'd expect him to do anything for u at the drop of a hat, by the way he fawns over u

Hater: I do give him a lot of missions and stuff to do around the ship, so...

Wander: Fair enough [hears some rustling, then sees a rose head poke thru the window] Hey Janet

Janet: Gooooood morning, newly weds! Enjoyed ur first night together as husband n wife? :D

Hater: (flushes) Yeah, sure did.

Wander: (giggle) Oh u, don't make us blush

Janet: Just stating the facts, Wandy-poo. Ooh, watcha having there? [peeks at their breakfast]

Hater: (nibbles some more) Little something he came up with.

Janet: [sniffed at the food] Smells nice. I'd eat it if I were human

Wander: So how r the sprouts, Janet?

Janet: Doing fine. It'll be any day now before they become full fledge buds, n maybe a couple of decades more before they become their own planets n separate frm me

Wander: Something like a second birth, huh?

Janet: U can say tht

Hater: Um, just cuirous, how would they be able to become their own planets?

Janet: Well, they're born btwn me n Maurie, n we're both planets, so it stands to reason they'll be born planets, they just need to grow into it like I did

Hater: Mhm. (nods interested)

Wander: Ooh, I'd like to see them grow to buds, n maybe nxt time we come bk, we'll see ur little planets (inlove)

Hater: Heh, yeah.

Janet: U ready to go bk to the cabin?

Wander: Not yet, maybe in a few more hours. Wanna spend our time together as much as possible

Janet: Alright, holler if u need me to take u bk

Hater: Will do. (nod)

Janet: [disappears bk into the ground]

Wander: I see u two r getting along well :)

Hater: Yeah, we have been.

Wander: That's great. For a moment, I was worried u n Janet would end up having a war with each other

Hater: ^^;; I don't think I can take her on anyways if we had.

Wander: (giggle) True that

Hater: Heh, yeah. (eats more of his breakfast)