Hippophobia

Date/Timing: 22 November 2023
Setting: Vos quarters, Vladivostok Shatterdome; Vladivostok, Russia
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Pietr sits on the living room couch with Anni and Rika each tucked under an arm, Izzy and Princess squashed in beside them, watching /The Wizard of Oz.
- A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR! COME ON IN! -
Izzy leans across Anni for popcorn from the bowl on Pietr's lap.
She hisses, swats at him.
- CABBY! CABBY! JUST WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR! -
Pietr pats her head.
Anni huffs, tucks herself closer.
- TAKE YOU ANY PLACE IN THE CITY WE DOES. -
Griet heaves herself to her feet, shuffles off to the washroom, patting her stomach.
Pietr sighs sympathetically.
- WELL WOULD YOU TAKE US TO SEE THE WIZARD? -
Rika grabs hold of the bowl, tips it—
Pietr taps her fingers—
- THE WIZARD? THE WIZARD? -
—lets go—
—offers a few puffs.
- I ... CAN'T ... WELL ... YES OF COURSE -
—nips them from his fingers.
Pietr kisses her crown.
- BUT FIRST I'LL TAKE YOU TO A LITTLE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN TIDY UP A BIT WHAT? -
Princess slides Rika into her lap, scootches up under Pietr's arm
He hugs her head.
She sighs.
- OH THANK YOU SO MUCH WE'VE BEEN GONE SUCH A LONG TIME AND WE FEEL SO MESS -
Anni takes some popcorn, then Princess does.
Pietr eats a few kernals, too.
- WHAT KIND OF A HORSE IS THAT? -
Anni stiffens.
Pietr looks down, queries.
- WHAT KIND OF A HORSE IS THAT? I'VE NEVER SEEN A HORSE LIKE THAT BEFORE! -
Anni's staring at the screen, eyes huge.
He nudges her.
- NO AND NEVER WILL AGAIN I FANCY. THERE'S ONLY ONE OF HIM AND HE'S IT. -
Anni shudders, flings herself off the sofa and toward the bedrooms.
Izzy hops down, goes in pursuit.
- HE'S THE HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR YOU'VE HEARD TELL ABOUT -
Pietr pauses the film, freezing the bright purple horse on the screen, squeezes Princess' arm, and goes after them. He peeks into the girls' room.
Izzy's peering under the crib.
Pietr crouches down beside him, smiles reassuringly at a cowering Anni. ::What's wrong, sweetie?::
::The movie got scary.:: 
::We don't have to watch it any more.::
She snuffles. ::Really?:: 
::Really.:: Turns to Izzy. ::Please go turn the movie off.::
Izzy nods, darts off.
::We can have a tea party instead, if you want.::
Anni wipes her eyes.
Pietr opens his arms.
Anni crawls out.
Pietr gathers her up, carries her to the playroom, sets her on the Snorlax. ::I'll be right back with the tea.::
Anni smiles a little.
He waves and walks toward the kitchen for the tea set, water, and some cookies.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Vladivostok Shatterdome (setting)
Category:Pietr
Category:Pietr's POV
Category:Pietr (ficlet)
Category:Anni
Category:Anni (ficlet)
Category:Izzy
Category:Izzy (mention)
Category:Rika
Category:Rika (ficlet)
Category:Elize
Category:Elize (ficlet)
Category:Griet
Category:Griet (ficlet)
Category:Pietr is a dad
Category:The Wizard of Oz (reference)
Category:Griet is pregnant
Category:Ficlets with comments
Category:Comments