Loamhedge Orphanage

In truth Bialis had begun to act terrified moments before the sparking sound -- he huddled behind the loom and the half-finished weaving upon it, trying to quell his shaking and to think rationally -- but the white-haired boy was turning -- "No," he gasped hoarsely, "Don't, that's -- where it came from --"

Which might, of course, seem entirely irrational and obvious, and be easily ignored!

Still, he'd huddle, making himself small as possible, holding fast to the green toddler and trying to keep her quiet.

The original sound hadn't even startled the green babbu, not beyond the possibility of a flinch or two. No, it's instead Bia's reaction which leaves her worried, which only grows the longer Ruth stays away! Another quiet whine escapes Kalene, golden hues narrowed up towards her mighty protector. "Wut..?" She whispers out, perhaps trying to ask what is happening. There was some strange, though not alarming sound, others were told to run, then she found herself scooped up and hidden away. Surely, something dangerous happened!

Bialis remained huddled in quiet fear with the toddler -- but no one new was coming into the room just yet -- so he whispered answer to her, not daring to peek out to see if the albino would return, or if Poppy had hid or fled --

He whispered. "'s magic... dark, awful sorta magic an'... an' it's faded a little but it ain't goin' away... shhhh. Shh, they migh' come in here..." Who they was, if they was anyone, he did not state, if he even knew -- just held the toddler tight, fear ebbing and flowing in him in waves as time passed.

Walks back in fully dressed now and ready for the day, going over to the two with a small grin. "Someone just feel off their bed in the dorm, they are fine, everything's fine." Walking back to a chair to sit and get comfortable and looking to the toddler. "You're safe, do you want to come out now?" Leaning forward and holding out a hand.

It's clear that the little green toddler is listening, yet she only answers by nodding a single time. Whether she understands each word is up for debate, however! Chubby hands remain clinging, perking right up the moment Ruth returns. "Yush.." She answers him, first lifting her head towards Bia. One hand rises higher still, gently patting him reassuringly upon his cheek, should he allow. Silently telling him he's okay, apparently. Kalene wishes to climb out of her cocoon of crimson hair, but not without poor Bia! He needs further cheek-pats.

At the sound of Ruth stepping back into the room, Bialis flinched and closed his eyes tightly, heart still beating rapidly -- his jaw clenched at the amused, confident words. He shook his head repeatedly, over and over. "... No... It ain't, weren't... I... it ain't th'sound, it's... th'magic..."

And still clinged to the poor tot, not letting her go, wincing in confusion at the face-pats, remaining huddled -- "Mmmiss Marle -- tol' me t'watch her, ahhh... I..." He shook his head again, before suddenly looking dead at Ruth, and inquiring in hushed, stone-serious, tones: "You tell em there was someone got freaked out or something...? In here...?" Rising, holding Kalene -- it was beginning to look as if the spooked boy was about to run with her!

Leans back on the chair again and gets comfortable, "maybe it was magic I dunno lad. People do magic when they get scared and he fell off the bed, maybe some magic happened." Shrugging again and looking to the girl. "Come on Bialis, you're scaring her. Also yeah I did tell them someone was scared in here." Scanning the two over with a frown. "Where did Marle go anyway?" Scanning over the room with a sigh.

Bialis just kept shaking his head, full lips pressing thin and pale, the level of trepidation over such an apparently minor thing making him look a bit unhinged, or a bit addled -- the head shaking didn't help -- "No, no, weren't justa moment, still there an' Miss Marle entrusted me with her so I can't let her go knowin' that's about, an' now they know here's where we hid, y'dolt... ain't you never hearda tellin' too much..."

Holding poor Kalene fast in his arms, he'd make for the hall, unless stopped!

On cue, the hallway door swung open and Marlemier stepped back inside, nearly colliding with Bialis. She closed the door behind her, and noticed that the room had all but emptied, leaving only three of the children.

Bialis commanded her attention immediately. Her soft thoughtful expression faded quickly into worry, and she knelt beside him. "Bialis, what's wrong?" she asked. "Do ye feel well? Perhaps we should go tae the infirmary ..."

Marle shall find a very confused green babbu! The little one remains clinging to Bia's front, swaddled within her own crimson hair. Only her chubby face remains visible, content to keep clinging away like some little monkey for the moment. Golden hues only glance towards Ruth in silent question, beyond confused at what happened minutes prior. Head turns enough to peer towards Marle, tiny hand lifting to try and pat Bia's cheek yet again, as though to reassure him. "Beeuh.." She offers softly, wishing she knew how to halp.

Looks to Marle with a frown, "someone fell off their bed in the dorm and there was some strange sparking sound. It scared Bialis and for a moment Kalene. I checked in the dorm and everything was fine." Standing and turning to face the woman with a small shrug and frowning to Bia. Glancing to Kalene with a small smile, cute girl. Brushing hair out of his face before stuffing hands into pockets and scanning the room.

Really, it was hard for it not to seem funny -- to anyone else -- as the boy, poor hair-swaddled toddler in his hold, nearly ran smack into Marle. Looking for all the world as if he were on a mission of deadly importance, stern and pale and wincing and -- his head whipped round, to Ruth, to Marle again -- "Bloody hell... you don' even believe me, do you," he growled under his breath to Ruth. Even the toddler -- even the toddler, patting and trying to calm him down as if he was so mad as to frighten even a child so young --

Frustrated, he set Kalene down once more, and muttered. "Sure. Whatever. Infirmary then. Ain't sick. Was jus' tryin' t'watch her, dammit..."Eyes gravitating towards the floor.

Marlemier listened to Ruth's explanation, nodding along. But no matter how spooked Bialis was, she wasn't about to tolerate sass. Her fur bristled and her tail lashed behind her, a sure sign of her anger if it wasn't already obvious by her scowl. Heavy forepaws planted on her wide hips, arms akimbo.

"Don't ye talk tae me like that," she chided. "I'll hear nary a word of sass from ye again, ye ken? Nor a single swear, by the Primes, or I'll strap yer bottom! Primes, children these days ..." As warm and cuddly as the big badger was, she could nonetheless be ferocious. Huffing, she let one arm dangle at her side for Kalene to grasp a claw, if she wanted. "But if ye don't want tae go tae the infirm, Bialis, I willn't force ye."

While it likely goes as no surprise, the mostly-feral toddler grows silent yet again. Little face peers towards whoever happens to be speaking up at the time, grateful that Ruth appears calm. Words are generally a hit or miss, but Marle's irritated manner is immediately noted, golden hues narrowing. Why are scolding?! Gosh, grown ups these days. Chin lifts to stare towards Bia as she finds herself lowered towards the ground below. Each chubby limb stretches out, as though she were hatching out of her cocoon of crimson hair. Slowly, she manages to stand on wobbling little legs, right hand wrapping around one of Marle's claws. "Beeuh..?"

Frowns to Bialis and shrugs, he really didn't know what's happening so the lad wouldn't put in anymore input. Looking to the toddler and offering her a smile while watching her waddle around. "Going to the dinning area for some food, unless anyone needs anything?" Glancing to each person with a raised brow and if not he'd make way to get some grub.