A walk through the park (Nova/Open)

[Matrim Gallagher]

Well, I miss the motorcycle.... but I guess it was only a matter of time.....

"Are you sure you'll be fine?" Gale asked as he set up the baby seat in the mini-van. Shayne was in Gale's large arms as Matrim got everything ready for their walk together including the diapers and a set of clothes in case something goes wrong, and his bottle. Not to mention his stroller, but that was always in the minivan anyway.

"Yeah I'll be just fine Gale, I don't think A will be around, I'm feeling especially guilty about things... but I'll be fine, really," Matrim said, because Gale had to know about his condition since she was staying in the guest room of Reira's old house. It was where Matrim now lived. Matrim, Gale, and Shayne lived in that house. Gale took care of the baby whenever Matrim was at school, otherwise she was free to do whatever she wanted. She didn't do any cleaning or any cooking unless it was for herself since she wasn't a maid.

"Alright, but if he starts fighting for you, page me!" She said as Matrim walked over and took Shayne in his arms. Matrim looked down at Shayne and smiled at him, Shayne was in his left arm, and as he cradled the baby his right pointer finger tickled the baby. The kid was getting bigger, not too much bigger since he wasn't very old at all, but still a lot bigger from when he first was born.

"Yeah, sure thing, are you ready little buddy? Today I'm going to take you to Golden State Park! That's right buddy! You're going to see all the pretty trees and grass and get some fresh air! That's right! Who's my little boy, huh? Who's my little Shayney-poo?" Matrim tickled Shayne more as he started to laugh, Matrim's face was in front of the kid, and Shayne reached up and pulled on Matrim's hair. Matrim laughed a bit, the kid had a remarkable grip for being such a young tiny thing, "You are gonna be big and strong just like you're dad! Yes you are!"

Matrim walked over and put Shayne in his car seat before shutting the door and getting into the driver seat of his van. He turned it on with the music on low volume playing Sigur Ros, music that was pretty kid friendly since it was mostly Ambient stuff and it wasn't even in english. The icelandic lyrics sounded very comforting for some reason, and Matrim was beginning to enjoy this day.

Matrim drove to the park being careful along the way to not drive too fast, he pulled up to the nearest parking he could, realizing he was going to have to pay for the parking spot he double checked to make sure he had cash on him, "We're here Shayne! Come on, time for some fresh air and a nice walk outside! Maybe you'll make a friend, yeah?"

Matrim got out of the van and got the stroller set up with the baby bag. He lifted Shayne out of the carseat after unbuckling him and kissed the baby on the head before putting him in the stroller. He locked the doors of the van and shut the front door and the sliding door next to Shayne's spot in the car. He made his way to the park entrance and began taking Shayne for his walk, pushing him along through the paved trail.

"Looks like it's going to be a nice day, Shayne.... I wish.... I wish she were here to enjoy this with us. You would have loved her..."

[jiro]

It seemed that luck was in her favour! For once. There was no rain! There were no clouds! It was a clear and sunny day, not to hot and not too cool. Just right, which meant that the chance of a life time presented itself! yes, long had she waited for such a thing! Planning the day for years in advance, the girl was finally ready to seek her destiny! Yes, throughout history she'd be known as a great woman! A wonderful person!....A duck woman! Yes! Move over Birdman! Hawkman, Hawkgirl and so forth! There was a new hero in town! With the power to get along with ducks! The world would see her greatness!

Well, once she obtained said greatness! It would take days, maybe even years to accomplish such a thing! But it was all to begin on that sunny sunny day!

She was equipped with only the best! Orange gum boots, that seemed to be from last years spring fashion, along with knee high orange and yellow socks. She wore a golden yellow sundress, that had thin spaghetti straps, and a ribbon on the front! Around her neck was an orange ribbon, and clipped to it a yellow flower. Sure, it probably didn't look good with her tanned skin, and hair; but it was all for the sake of the ducks! She need to be colourful to get their attention. To be accepted was key to the whole operation!

Walking down the street, Nova felt the eyes of everyone on her as she passed. She probably looked like a freak, the thought of her looking good didn't really seem to cross her mind. Regardless, the girl continued walking a head, feeling confident and empowered by her quest!

To become one with the ducks!

Upon arriving to the park, the tanned girl broke into a run, she needed to hurry to the ducks. Before some rowdy kid chased them away! Yes, Nova was a girl with a mission. She'd rush past some guy and his stroller, nothing but a yellow and orange blur. Running down the path, towards the pond. She'd look back for a moment, the guy and his kid were barely visible! Turning around, she saw the duck, feeding on the ground. Searching for remnants of lost sandwiches, crumbs from the old lady who was there earlier! Anything.

Bringing her arms up, she bent them and let her wrists rest on their side of her chest. It looked as if she was trying to do an imitation of a duck. Squatting down a little, the tanned girl looked at the little birds. "Quack...Quack..Quack.." Nova tried her best to sound like a duck, it just wasn't working.

The ducks looked to the girl for oh but a moment, their beady little eyes locked on the yellow clad girl. It was as if they were staring into her soul, searching for her inner duckness. She waddled forward, trying her best not to fall over. Just as Nova assumed that they had accepted her, they walked away. In hopes they were only leading her to the land of the ducks, to be trained in their ways. She too took a step forward. Then they dashed for it, which just made nova follow them more so. Trying her best to stay balanced while she attempted to waddle along with them. The ducks made an escape in the pond, which is where they lost her. Tripping over a rock, Nova fell into the pond... Chasing the little ducks.

"I thought you accepted me!!" She said quietly to herself, still sitting in the water, watching as the ducks fled the scene. Standing up slowly, Nova took a deep breath and shouted,"WHY DO THINGS I LOVE RUN FROM ME?"

[Matrim Gallagher]

Matrim had been pushing Shayne around when he saw the girl trying to act like a duck. Beta quickly stopped and knelt down to pick Shayne up out of the stroller and lift him up so he could show Shayne the lady, "You see Shayne, there are some people in this world who aren't all there in the head, yesss. And your Daddy is one of them too! But don't worry, it's only for a little while I'm sure. Me and Alpha usually don't stick around for too long. This girl though...."

"WHY DO THINGS I LOVE RUN FROM ME?" The girl yelled after standing up from falling into the pond. Matrim couldn't help but think the timing of this random yelled out message was perfect for the lesson he was teaching Shayne.

"Some of them are just beyond help!" And that's when the stroller got hit by a gust of wind and went rolling down toward the pond. Matrim knew that if the stuff in the stroller got wet, namely the diapers, all would be lost and he would have to either deal with stinky diapered Shayne crying until they got home, or he would be down a t-shirt and Shayne would be having a lot less comfortable ride home with a t-shirt for a diaper.

"Quick! Crazy duck lady! Don't let that stroller fall in the pond!" Matrim called out. Normally he'd be able to catch it himself, but the fact was that he didn't want to run with Shayne in his arms, that would be careless. So instead he started to walk over carefully, but he really REALLY hoped the girl would stop that stroller.

I really don't want to use my shirt as a diaper today, pleassssse!

[jiro]

Standing with her back to the rest of the world, the girl looked out into the pond, watching as the ducks swam off. Leaving her alone, drenched, and a seeming like a weirdo. She had gotten nothing out of the experience, apart from the ducks in this pond were obviously stuck up snobs! Yes, only unpleasant experience was not going to stop Nova Lorelei Bryant. Yes, she would still become one with the ducks, to complete her goal.. But it would have to be at a different pond.

"Ahhh!! GO QUACK YOUR SELF! YA BUNCH OF QUACKERS!" Nova called out to the ducks on the other side of the pond, shaking her fist for a moment.

The girl began to laugh, putting both hands on her hips as she watched the ducks, laughing out in a very loud manner as she did so. Probably causing quite the scene, but she heard the person behind her talking. It was obviously about her and of course her obscure behaviour, what else could it have been? After all, its not ever day you see a girl dressed in such a manner, making such a scene. Just as she was thinking of something to saw back at the jerk.. she heard his voice.

"Quick! Crazy duck lady! Don't let that stroller fall in the pond!"

Turning around quickly, the tanned girl looked to see the strolled as it went flying towards her. Before she was able to do anything, the strolled collided with her, hitting Nova in the stomach, knocking the wind right out of her. The strolled all together stopped moving forward, but Nova fell backwards; back into the water. *SPLASH*. Thankfully it was rather shallow, so she didn't sink and drown! No no no! Right back onto her butt. The tanned girl looked up at the young man as he approached slowly, infant in arms. She laughed a little at the predicament.

"Saved your stroller!" Nova chuckled in a happy tone, remaining where she was for a moment or two. Forgetting completely that she was in the pond.

[Vespyr]

Vespyr observed the scenario with interest, now that she was fully awake. Due to the raucous shouting of the parkgoers the girl had awoken from her slumber and was now squinting against the sunlight to see what was going on. A guy with a baby. And a girl obsessed with ducks. This might be interesting...

She swiftly jumped down out of the tree and leaned against it with a yawn, folding her arms to be more relaxed. She couldn't tell what time of day it was. To her, any time the sun was out was time to not be in it, and that was that. But she had a feeling she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep even if she tried. So she stayed down here to amass any amusement she could just to pass the time...

The duck girl was now sopping wet but had tiumphantly rescued the stroller from the pond. She looked cheery, proud, and not discomfited at all. Kudos to her for not being like everyone else who flipped a bitch when a raindrop fell on their hair. Entertained slightly by this, Vespyr applauded the feat from her resting place against the tree.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"Saved your stroller!" The girl said, Matrim approached and with his left arm cradling Shayne, his right arm grabbed the stroller and set it to the side, and he then extended that arm out to the girl to take up. After all, it wasn't everyday a stranger helped him out this much, even if it was being taken out by his stroller. Which, never really happened since this was his first time taking Shayne out for a walk like this. It was all very exciting to him.

"Thank you from the bottom of Shayne's diaper. I needed the contents of the bag in the back to remain dry. Considering they are of no use to this little guy wet," Matrim said with a large smile on his face, "My name is Matrim by the way, and this little guy as you might have guessed is Shayne."

Matrim would tilt Shayne so that he could see the crazy duck lady. Shayne made some audible noises but mostly he was just playing his spit. Matrim would quickly take his hand back if she had taken it and gotten up (once she was safely up) to wipe away the spit from Shayne's mouth. It bothered him that he was playing with his spit. "So, whats your name... I assume it's not really crazy duck lady...."

[jiro]

Nova watched with a smile as the young man and his child approached, she was proud of herself! Who wouldn't be, well apart the the failure of becoming one with the ducks, yes there was that, but she'd brood a while later before retrying at some other location. She watched as he moved the strolled, then took his hand when it was offered. It seemed like a change in pace for the girl, after all, its not she'd ever been attacked with run away contraptions on wheels! Feet, walls, and lockers, but those were her fault mostly. Silly clumsy Nova.

The brunette spoke in a friendly tone and smiled, it made her feel way better. Nova laughed of course, when she heard his little comment about thanking her from the bottom of his child's diaper, for once she didn't feel nervous around a stranger; it was a good day. She smiled back, happy to know that not all buffish men were mean, apparently ones with children were extra nice. Or so it seemed to be the case with him at least. The tanned girl smiled back at the guy as she continued to listen to him speak, ignoring the feeling of wet knee high socks, and drenched clothing in general.

"My name is Matrim by the way, and this little guy as you might have guessed is Shayne."

"It's nice to meet you Matrim. You too Shayne." her voice was friendly, though she didn't speak any form of childish way when addressing the child. Nova was really trying her best not too.

She would then stay silent, wearing a smile. Matrim and Shayne, quite the pair of dashing young men... Well, adorable of course, since the infant was just soo adorable! Nova was trying her best to withstand the need to go into:omg omg omg cute baby fan girl mode. She liked kids, but she didn't want to seem weird. Watching Matrim as he moved the child, her green gaze would then focus mainly on the little boy. Listening as he made some strange noises, and enjoyed his time playing with his own goo.

"So, whats your name... I assume it's not really crazy duck lady...."

Chuckling a little, Nova re-realized how peculiar her behaviour earlier was. It was laughable, but at the same time was a little embarrassed about it. Eh, she'd get over it eventually. She smiled up at the obviously proud father of Shayne, looking a little angry, of course she was just joking around. "Heavens no young man! What of what gives you such an outlandish idea? What do you take me for boy?" She laughed a little, before smiling again."It's Nova! I'm not crazy! I just wanted to be accepted among the ducks early, so I didn't have to waste time doing so when I'm old and blue!"

[Matrim Gallagher]

"It's nice to meet you Matrim. You too Shayne." The lady said, and after she was asked about her name she replied, "Heavens no young man! What of what gives you such an outlandish idea? What do you take me for boy? It's Nova! I'm not crazy! I just wanted to be accepted among the ducks early, so I didn't have to waste time doing so when I'm old and blue!"

"Oh, well that makes sense."

In CRAZY town....

"Well, it's a pleasure meeting you Nova," Matrim said, wearing a big smile on his face. Sometimes crazy people like this could be the nicest, and it seemed this way with Nova. She may have been a few cards short from a deck, but she definitely wasn't dangerous or anything. Shayne seemed to pick up on this, because he began making noises of sadness and whining, like when he wanted something in front of him, and his hand reached out toward Nova. Matrim looked down and thought to himself what the possibilities of this could have been....

Either he thinks she's a duck... and likes ducks... which means I have to redo the wallpaper in his room to ducks... or he sees her boobs and wants milk. In which case it's time to break out the formula and give that whole 'heating the bottle with Qi' idea another go.... or maybe he just wants.... a hug? From her?

Matrim then held Shayne out toward Nova and very clearly said, "Hug the baby." Shayne's arms reached out for a hug as he did this.

(OOC: Just for lulz.... )

[jiro]

She wore a smile on her face, looking from Matrim to the adorable little boy in his arms. The noises were a little distracting, cute none the less. It was becoming a little bit of a difficulty trying to hold back from from being weird in any way, yes it seemed that Matrim was not the type to get angry. Perhaps, that was just her opinion because of looking at his arms. Regardless of them, the girl found nothing wrong with him; so she smiled away The fact that Matrim made no silly comments towards her odd explanation was wonderful, it really did make her a bit more at ease.

Talking to strangers, where against all rules that your mum gave you back in the day, was quite fun, since there were so many different types of people to meet. She had proven said point many times in the past. After all, it was how she met all of her most recent comrades. Looking back down at Shayne, the tanned girl smiled as she noticed him reaching out towards her. There wasn't much to be thought about it....except of course: adorable Her gaze wandered towards the pond again as she heard the quack quack quacking of the ducks, it seemed they deemed it fit to return to their spot... Not for anything more, then to mock her.

After making various weird faces at the ducks, Nova turned around to see Matrim holding out little Shayne towards her. There was a split second of confusion, before of course her cleared it all up. With just three simple words. A set of words every girl loves to hear. Well actually, perhaps she was really the only one who wished to hear them.."Hug the baby." Such powerful words indeed.With that the girl smiled at Matrim and then Shayne as she took the little infant into her arms and hugged him. Not knowing if she was allowed to do so or not. Nova didn't mean any harm, she just wanted to hold the cute baby.