Silence in the Nursery

[Becka *Pone*]

(hehe, I love playing on words ^_^)
(Continued from the Cafe)

The rain was coming down hard as the three ponies walked to the nursery from the Cafe. Kail's keys almost slipped out of her muddy hoof as she brought them out to open the door, but she managed to unlock it and let Silence and Lilly in. Flicking on the lights, she almost tripped over the cooler she had laid on the floor on the way to the Cafe.

"The bathroom is straight that way, first door on the left," she pointed to a small hallway just next to the stairs. In fact, that bathroom was underneath the staircase itself. "There are clean towels in the closet, just one door back, and all the soaps you could ever hope to own in the cupboard below the sink. I will start some hot water for tea and chocolate - we will warm this one up in no time."

The Nursery was actually quite muggy itself, none of the windows having been closed before the storm broke. But there was a cool enough breeze that using the stove wouldn't make it unbearably hot. Kail washed her forehooves and then realized that rain was coming through the windows in all of the rooms. She ran around the lower floor, shutting windows and checking the floor beneath to see how damp it was. Not too bad on the living room side thank the Rainbow. Once that was done she went upstairs and did the same. Her room was quite wet, but Spooky's was still dry, as was the extra room upstairs. Well, perhaps she would just have to sleep in the extra room then.

[spookytale]

From what had been Swirl's room there came a rather loud THUNK, like something very solid had been dropped on the ground. Then some rustling and what sounded like someone moaning. An inside door, most likely the closet, began to rattle as the doorknob was tested against it's lock.

[Becka *Pone*]

Kail was just leaving Swirls room after checking the windows when she heard the noise in the closet. Her ears fell back against her head and she stood for a moment, listening. She crept a little closer and could hear the moan, and gently put a hoof on the doorknob. She could feel it shaking underneath her - whatever was in there was trying to get out.

Forgetting completely what Swirl had said about coming through the closet herself, Kail grabbed the nearest blunt object (whatever that might be) and carefully turned the knob on the closet door, opening it a crack...

[spookytale]

A large blue eye peered out, it's pupil dilating in the crack of light.

"Hello?" A very deep voiced asked, as a slight pressure on the door increased as the stranger tried to get out.

[Becka *Pone*]

Kail jumped back at the eye and voice, holding in a scream so she wouldn't worry Silence and Lilly. She held up the blunt object and kept her ears back. "Who are you and what do you want?" And why was he/she/it in Swirls closet?

Kail was suddenly very glad that most of the nursery residents were at the Cafe. At least there was only one little foal in possible danger from this... thing.

[spookytale]

(OOC: This is the second time I've tried to write this. Silly computer)

The door slowly creaked open, revealing more of the stranger. He pulled his head up tall, revealing that he had a lot of height on Kail. The slim thread of light from the barely open door cast his features in sharp shadows. Then he slowly stretched out, trying to better see Kail.

A bright smile spread across his face, revealing a friendly demeaner, a well chiseled visage, and deep surprisingly warm soulfull blue eyes. His pale lavender coat drew attention to them, as did his slightly toussled bright wavy mane. "Kail? Are you Strawberry Swirl's friend Kail? She always said that you were a hero, and I think she was right."

The stallion very slowly inched forward, a slight scent of spicy musky vanilla wafted out. "May I come out? I don't want to startle you...My name is Triple Treat, if that helps. I'm part of the same group Swirl is..."

TT felt pretty cramped, and a bit sore after The Sisters had whooshed him into the closet. But he didn't want to be pushy, Kail looked pretty worried, and he could see why.

[Becka *Pone*]

(*melts* awwww! He called her a hero Kail might have to have a fling or five soon )

The thing in the closet was tall, probably a whole head taller than Kail, but she didn't back down and gripped the blunt object tighter. It raised up to its full height, then walked out of the closet, smiling, and quite handsome to say true.

"Kail?"
Her ears perked up as the stranger said her name, wondering quickly if she had ever met him. Oh, but she thinks she would remember!
"Are you Strawberry Swirl's friend Kail? She always said that you were a hero, and I think she was right."

"Yes, Im Kailani. You know Swirl?" Kail's heart jumped that someone (nwo two someones) thought she was a hero. Swirl had never even really seen her do anything heroic. And certainly standing up to a monster in the closet didn't make you heroic. She gave a small smile at that and put the blunt object gently back where she had found it.

"May I come out? I don't want to startle you...My name is Triple Treat, if that helps. I'm part of the same group Swirl is..."

"Oh yes! Sorry, please do." Kail took a couple steps back to let him know that it was safe, she wasn't going to try to grab up the weapon again and beat him back into the closet. Her lavendar eyes searched what she could see already - my but wasn't Ponyville become the hot spot for stallions these days!

"Kailani Hoofspen," she said to him in a very offical tone. "Partial owner and maintainer of the Ponyville Nursery, where you now stand, and local closet boogy-man inspector at your service." She gave him a warm smile, hoping she didn't frighten him anymore than he had frightened her and wanting to make him feel welcome.

[spookytale]

(OOC: It's raining men! LOL!)

"Yes, Im Kailani. You know Swirl?"

"Oh..Kailani..." He gently tiptoed a little bit more out of the closet, then paused when he heard her full name "Kailani Hoofspen, what a fine strong name. I'm afraid Swirl usually called you Kail." He shrugged his wide well muscled shoulders and grinned apologetically. His grin was a little lopsided and he had a dimple.

(ooc: *snerk* Am I laying it on too thick?)

He gratefully noted her giving him some space, and couldn't help but notice she was rather attractive. Youthful looking, maybe, but he couldn't believe it. Partly because Swirl had told him she was about her age, and partly because she had a certain something glimmering in her eyes. He found himself hoping she liked home baked pie.

...and local closet boogy-man inspector at your service."

At this he broke into a bright laugh, and trotted the rest of the way out. "Oof, I'm afraid I kicked someth...Oh Swirl, you nut."

TT had turned to look at what his foot had bumped, and recognized it. It had one of The Sisters' symbols on it - a cornocupia with strawberries and Olive leaves. It was a box - about the size of a large jewelry box, and it had a handle.

"That was supposed to be given to you, Kailani. Swirl said you had a better head for the stuff then she." He turned to flash her a smile, and a slight wink. Then he bent down and picked it up, his muscles seemed to strain just a little bit before he thwunked it down on the dresser. "It's enchanted so it will open if you touch your nose to the lock."

[Becka *Pone*]

(*omgsquee* he's got a lopsided grin AND a dimple? *dies* Razzaroo who? )

"Yes, you may call me just Kail also, mostly its only my parents that call me Kailani, and I don't belive anyone has ever used my whole name, I've always been a bit of a goody-two-horseshoes." Kail blushed slightly, and melted inside as he gave his lopsided grin. If all closet boogymen were this handsome and nice, she really would become the local closet boogy-man inspector!

"Oof, I'm afraid I kicked someth...Oh Swirl, you nut."

Kail's ears perked straight forward and she leaned, trying to get a good look into the closet at what it might be. She straightened up again as Treat brought it out and put it on the dresser.

"That was supposed to be given to you, Kailani. Swirl said you had a better head for the stuff then she... It's enchanted so it will open if you touch your nose to the lock."

Kail looked up at Treat with a doubtful smirk, "touch my nose to the lock?" She laughed softly, "if you say so." She leaned forward, paused for a moment as she wondered exactally how stupid she must appear, and bit her lower lip before briefly touching the lock. She jumped back as the lid flew open and caught her breath, tears springing into her eyes right away.

The whole box, it was filled with money - like a treasure chest in some fairytale her father used to tell her. "Oh Rainbows," she said softly and covered her mouth with a hoof. She looked at Treat again, questioningly, before turning back to the chest. She wasn't sure how much was in there, but it would be enough to keep the nursery going, without her having to run back to SunnyD, for quite some time. Razz would be so pleased!

[spookytale]

(OOC: Do'h! Sorry Razz! )

Treat grinned his lopsided grin, puffing his chest out and looking rather proud. Sometimes, he thought we do good work. And sometimes we do good work.

"Yeah, uh, Swirl did some fundraising. For the "adorable war orphans" and all. Speaking of which, is this where they live? I can't wait to meet them, I just love kids." Treat looked around, somewhat expectantly.

[Becka *Pone*]

(do you know how many times I've squeed during this thread? Lots. Treat is so adorable! Now Im gonna have to go out and get him - and Im trying to not buy any ponies! )

"Oh Great Rainbow," Kail whispered again, still in shock. The sight of all that money put all her earlier fears to rest. Fears that she would have to go back to work for SunnyD, that the Nursery would be closed, that she wouldn't be able to spend as much time with the children. Even her fears about the ponies who were calling themselves gods and trying to gather mages was temporarily shoved aside.

Running her hoof through the chest she mentally estimated how much money was in it. "This is easily enough to keep us open through the winter," she looked back up at Treat, the tears in her lavendar eyes threatening to spill over, "thank you."

"Yeah, uh, Swirl did some fundraising. For the "adorable war orphans" and all. Speaking of which, is this where they live? I can't wait to meet them, I just love kids."

Kail wiped at her eyes quickly and smiled, still a little in shock. "Yes, this is where they live. Razzaroo and I took them to the Cafe' today for treats, but a foal came in that needed a bath and I brought him and another back here. We were using the last of our money to get them treats at the Cafe." She gave him a hug, forgetting that he had just been the closet boogy-man, "you have no idea how much this will help."

She blushed as she released him, "sorry." She paused for a minute and looked around self-conciously, "I should go back to the Cafe and thank Swirl! I need to tell Razz too. Oh he will be so happy!" She gave a warm smile at the thought.

It wasn't like she couldn't leave - Lilly and Silence would be ok here by themselves right? She wasn't worried about them stealing anything, there was nothing in the nursery to steal anyways. Except of course this new box of treasure.

[spookytale]

Treat gladly accepted the hug, he felt a little tingly. His grin got even bigger as Kail's mood spread to him. He could feel his eyes getting a little watery. When Swirl had arrived back with The Sisters she'd described the situation as "Ok - for now." It looked like the "for now" had almost run out - almost.

He cleared his throat. "It was all Swirl, really."

"I could stay and help with the kiddle, or we could walk to where Swirl is. I could, uh keep you safe from the rain." He looked at the rain outside and chuckled goofily. He still felt a bit tingly.

[Becka *Pone*]

I could, uh keep you safe from the rain

Kail laughed to herself, "I didn't realize heros needed protecting from the rain." She gave a wink, "I walked here in the rain, but I wouldn't mind someone to accompany me." She closed the closet door, opening it again and peeking inside to make sure there were no other boogymen inside, and then led him out of the room and down the stairs.

Lilly and Silence were still in the bathroom, so she decided to leave them a note on the board by the door. Hopefully they would see it.

Lilly,
Triple Treat and I ran back to the Cafe real quick, we shouldn't be long. There is hot water on the stove and cups in the cupboard just above for hot chocolate or tea if you would like it. Both chocolate and tea are in the next cupboard over. If you need anything else feel free to look around for it, there are probably cookies somewhere.
Kailani

"Ok then, let's go shall we?"

(Paradise and Stella - you guys can just play that you were in the bathroom the whole time the Kail/Treat thing was going on.)

[spookytale]

Treat chuckled a bit, a bit abashed for offering to protect someone who so obviously did not need it. "I would be happy to provide company. Good company, in the rain, sounds like a wonderful time to me."

He grinned, snapped the box shut, and helped himself to one of Swirl's hair bands. They were "Sisters" after all. He pulled his hair into a loose ponytail. The front lock of wavy magenta hair dipped in front of his ear and stubornly hang a little over his eye before it could be tamed into the rest of the tie. The rest of his hair rested loosely on his back. "Uh, for the rain." He offered Kail one, in case she was interested.

Triple Treat had actually learned how to braid, and even could make a nice bun, if he had to. He'd always been pretty easy going when the women he worked so closely with had dragged him along for hair brushings, and relaxing. Though he did look rather aweful in perky pigtails, he had to admit.

He followed Kail downstairs, taking the time to appreciate how well run The Nursery appeared to be. Though some edges were worn, it was obviously well cared for.

"Ok then, let's go shall we?"

He grinned again. "Nothing would delight me more, my new friend." He hoped that didn't put her off, but he found he really liked her sense of humor and presence. Plus Swirl talked about her so often that Kail didn't feel like a stranger to him.

He opened the door, letting Kail out and blocking most of the rain from coming in with his big bulk. He rather liked the feel of it, rain was something he enjoyed, even in a storm like this.

(con't in Ponyville, walking along)

[Stellaluna]

Silence squirmed as Lilia cleaned him up in the bathroom. He didn't like having to hold still for so long and she was starting to agrivate him. It reminded him of when he was just an infant and his mom wouldn't let him do practically anything and she gave him way too much attention. He always thought Butterscotch was a bit too over protective at times.

When she was finally done Silence spread out his wings and jumped of the counter, where he had been sitting to be level with the mare, only to fall on the floor with a loud thud due to his soggy wings.

....Ow. He thought to himself blankly. He stood up and shook his head for a seccond and walked out of the bathroom. Kail had disappeared! He searched every room and still no Kail. Huh?....Where could she have gone to? Finally he saw a note posted on the refrigerator door. He tilted his head and sat down on the cold tile floor of the kitchen, looking up at it quite puzzled. He hoped Lilia was following him so she cold read it.