[Voice]

[automailed]

[It's been a few days since Gracia was sent home, and Edward has suddenly found himself to be in something of an awkward position: without her primary caregiver around, Elicia needs somebody to watch her. Winry is the logical choice, but she actually has a job, so she can't be around all the time. It's true that he keeps himself busy, but the truth is that most of his time is eaten up with studying, trips back and forth to the library, and keeping himself fit. The library and exercise business can be done with a kid around, no problem, but to study he kind of needs... you know, quiet. And Elicia is a self-starter, but you can't just leave kids unsupervised for hours and hours. It's irresponsible.

So now he's... what, a stay-at-home dad until school starts?

Crap.]

[Voice / Filtered from Elicia]

Hey, uh... a couple questions. What're some good ways to keep a little kid entertained? And... you know, if you've got any advice for caring for one in general, I'll take it. It's not something I've really done that much...

And the other question is- are there any trustworthy babysitters around? In case- ...yeah.

Thanks in advance.

[ooc: going out, tags will come when I return c:]

Comments

[filtered]

[corrinesbell]

It's about Elicia, right? I'll help out anytime if you need somebody. Babysitting or checking in or whatever.

[After the family experiment, she is pretty much family. And then Sheena tries to think of who might know stuff about caring for kids. Who's been a mom or dad or...any of that here, for a child older than Sophie?]

I can think of a couple people who've had little kids. Raine for sure, she raised her little brother, and I think there's a couple moms who showed up in the last cycle.

[filtered]

[automailed]

...Yeah, it's for Elicia. Not like I'm trying to replace her parents or anything - I know I couldn't - but I want to do something to make it easier for her.

[He makes a mental note to keep an eye out for kids in case they have any caretakers who could help, though.]

[video]

[brokethefourthwall]

Got any good jokes~?

[video]

[automailed]

Jokes aren't really my thing.

[Oh god it's another one of those talking horses D8]

[filter]

[losthorn]

It depends on how young the child is, and their interests. Usually playing games with them helps.

[filter]

[automailed]

Any suggestions for games?

[Voice]

[goldenglasses]

A lot of times I find kids just need someone to listen to them and be willing to play the games they come up with. They're pretty good at that. Back home cops and robbers was always a big hit. So was hide and go seek.

Also, I'm always happy to help watch kids. Although I'd probably be better at it when the Malnosso turn me back to my right age.

[Voice]

[automailed]

Right age? They made you older...?

[Guess who doesn't recognize him |D]

[voice]

[vor]

What's your name? [Because he's suspecting this has something to do with that little girl.]

[voice]

[automailed]

[Nosy bastard 8|]

Edward.

[Voice]

[rollypolyclover]

[Who better to ask than an actual kid huh?]

Play! Playing is really fun, like if you're a superhero and Yotsuba is a superhero. I'm Sailor Cicada! Drawing too, and gardening because sunflowers are really pretty. Go to the beach, that's fun! Swimming!

[Voice]

[automailed]

Sailor Cicada... so you're her partner, then.

[He's heard some stories by now.]

Do you guys play a lot?

[filtered]

[theoniongirl]

It would depend on the kid, but if they know you actually enjoy spending time with them, it makes a world of difference.

[a quick scan of the other comments backs up her own suspicions on who this is about...not that it would matter, except that a kid would be more comfortable being watched by someone they already knew]

My days are pretty wide open. If you need a hand.

[even if she was working in her studio, she had plenty of extra paints and canvases to share]

[filtered]

[automailed]

Well... being happy about hanging out with them doesn't really answer the question of what to do, but I'll try to keep that in mind.

And thanks for the offer- do you know Elicia?

[voice]

[childofthefullmoon]

You could read to or tell them stories.

[voice]

[automailed]

I don't know if I'd be any good at making them up... but I go to the library a lot, so I guess I could give that a try.

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

[Aang has a good enough idea of what's going on, between the housing records at the Welcome Center and his own conversation with Elicia. And he knows it must be tough - even though Tenzin eventually took them off his hands, it wasn't too long ago that he and Katara were in a position like this.]

There's lot so different ways to keep kids entertained, like games and stories and tricks! They also like to eat sugar, but you shouldn't let them have too much!

And I'd gladly watch over her whenever you need a babysitter. I... kinda have some experience from my granddaughters being around. And I really love playing with kids.

[Voice]

[automailed]

[So there's a lot that he could respond to, there- games, no sugar, sounds pretty standard, Aang seemed like a pretty decent guy, and he's Sokka's friend, so he's probably trustworthy with Elicia.

But.

But.]

Granddaughters?

[cherishedmiracle]

[She'll give him a few suggestions in a moment, I swear..! But first, uh...]

..Um... Did you... have a child, Edward...? [sorry]

[automailed]

[jkshjdhfsf LET'S JUST SQUASH THAT LITTLE RUMOUR BEFORE IT SPREADS]

N-no!! I'm just- I'm helping to look after someone!

[Action]

[installing]

[Later at night, when Elicia has gone to bed, Winry collapses on the couch. She look tired, but not irritated at the work she had to do when she got home. Cooking dinner, helping clean up after, and getting Elicia in the shower and to bed with a story can take a lot of energy. She'll have to do all the laundry this weekend. She doesn't look forward to it, but it's a task she won't shirk. With a sigh she readjusts herself on the couch.]

[Action]

[automailed]

[He wouldn't say he'd been waiting for her to finish up and come back out, but... honestly, he kind of has. When he hears her in the living room, he heads out of the kitchen to check on her.]

Hey, Winry-

[And then he halts, seeing her, and hesitates. She looks exhausted. Maybe now isn't the time for this.

...But it's taken so much to push him this far in the first place... dammit.]

[Filtered]

[godbent]

How often do you guys want me to bring dinner over? Or make it there, I guess. I should probably be asking Winry and not you, but it's worth asking. [A beat] Not that you won't have a million babysitters, but I'm here too.

[Filtered]

[automailed]

Uh... you should probably talk to Winry about that, yeah. Or I could ask her. I'm not much of a cook, so she usually handles dinner.

Elicia likes you though, right? I'm pretty sure you're the first one we'd think to call if both of us weren't available to watch her.

[He's just... a little reluctant to be asking her if his talk with Winry goes well. Considering... yeah.

Not that he's expecting it to go well but djkshjdhf.]

[kickingcatcher]

[Oh, Crys has this. Taking care of little kids? She's a pro.]

It all depends on the reason. But a good one is keeping them company. Children like having people nearby to play with whenever they feel they need it. Kids like to be outside a lot, but with this weather, it's best to stay inside. A favorite of theirs is playing pretend. Making up stories to tell them is another good one.

[automailed]

Making up stories...

[Uuugh, not his strong spot at all.]

Guess I'll have to give it a shot. Any ideas come to mind?

[Voice]

[of_sablier]

... you sound awfully young to be a father.

[Voice]

[automailed]

[This again, seriously?]

I never said I was a father, did I?

[Voice / Private]

[markofthewise]

[Poor Elicia. He feels pretty bad for this whole... situation. Which is why Sokka doesn't reply to it! He really has no tips for it.

But laaaaater? Sokka sends a different message.]

Tick tock.

[Voice / Private] LIKE AFTER ELICIA-BEDTIME LATER? |D

[automailed]

[What, Sokka. He does not understand clock.]

Is this a new language you're inventing?

[voice] you get a twofer

[avaricious]

Elicia seems easily entertained. And to have a multitude of adults who befriend her. They all seem unusually close to her.

[Observations of your friendly neighborhood stalker.]

[voice] oh snap

[automailed]

She just kind of has that effect on people. I think she likes adopting family members.

[After all, it took her less than a day to adopt he, Al, and Winry into the family upon meeting them.]