Reflections Of Angels

Parlor Games

"I saw the kid again." Nyx declared flatly as he walked into the kitchen the next morning, going to the sink to get water.  Nyx was sitting on a chair beside Grizelda, helping to peel an orange, offering her segment by segment which Grizelda happily stuffed in her mouth.

"There is no kid." He poured himself a glass, swallowing it down in long gulps before going back for more.

"Then what? We're haunted? -Oh, thank you, darling." Grizelda had handed her an orange slice, thrusting it towards her in a tightly clenched fist; Nyx took it and put in her mouth.

"We most certainly are not."

"Then what?" Nyx repeated sternly. "You think I'm making it up? -Thank you, darling." Grizelda had handed her another.

Putting down the glass, he turned and looked at her.

"... I'm not making it up." Nyx said slowly.

He smiled kindly. "Look, I'm sure you thought it was real. You were quite tired both times you saw him, right? It could have been a dream. A lucid dream, one you thought was real."

Nyx opened her mouth to object, but then slowly closed it again. He had a point, it wasn't impossible; in fact, it wasn't the worst theory.

She was interrupted by another orange slice. "Zelda, do you not want your orange anymore? You keep giving it to me."

"Not for you." Grizelda insisted with a frown. "For... other." She then, holding Nyx in her unwavering, dark gaze, mimed eating with her fingers, making "Mmm" sounds and rubbing her other hand against her little belly.

Slightly stunned, Nyx raised the piece slowly to her lips, then lowered it again. "Okay, let's get you upstairs and dressed." Picking the baby, she swept them both away.

A while later, Nyx emerged from the nursery after struggling to get Grizelda changed for the day- the little girl was both very particular about her clothing, and incredibly messy. Running her fingers through her hair, she walked across the landing, until suddenly, he was there. The little boy was crouched in the corner at the top of the stairs, watching her with smiling eyes.

"You!" Nyx blurted. "Little boy! Come here." He did not, just grinned impishly, cocking his head curiously at her. Nyx stepped closer, holding out her hands as if soothing a frightened animal. "Then just... stay there." She stepped closer. "Stay. Stay!" With a playful bound, he leapt away down the stairs, out of view; Nyx lunging after him, catching herself on the bannister post, before chasing him down the steps.