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[apuckalypse]

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[ruevealing]

Right now?

[Just gonna wiggle their talons at him threateningly. Not at the breakfast table, Rue.]

[apuckalypse]

[Genuinely for a moment looks like he might consider it.]

Not right now. I'd knock over my juice.

[The only logical reason to not do it.]

[ruevealing]

We certainly can not have that! Another time. As for that spell, I will have to work on advancing my magic, so we'll still have access to all of the owlbear cuddling we'll need by the time we return to New York

[It's not a terrible idea. Rue's been so focused on their shop and their family and throwing more parties than necessary, that their magic has certainly taken a backseat as of late.]

Until then, we'll have the real thing. Speaking of, are you up for more lessons later this week? I was thinking we could take a break from our regular plans and maybe just explore Willow together.

[Their very gentle way of saying they don't mind dipping their talons into being a little more wild with a run through the forest on all fours.]

[apuckalypse]

[Casey's eyes brighten at the suggestion, happy to leave the magic option in their capable paws- he'd be of little use there. Owlbear lessons, on the other hand, is something to which he can eagerly contribute.]

I'd love that! A walk in the woods sounds great. Especially as an owlbear- it's so cold, but all those feathers and fur must make it feel like nothing at all.

[He's a little jealous. Even his nice coat or feather sweater can't hold a candle to the natural layers of a bear.]

[ruevealing]

It's true, I find I hardly have to bundle up to face the winter chill. One of the benefits of the bear part of my name, I suppose.

[The idea of being wild still frightens Rue a little, but with their plans solidified, they feel a sense of tingling anticipation for their lesson. With Casey by their side, they have nothing to fear. He will not judge them.]

Did you know that there are some bears who simply choose to live in the ice and snow? I could hardly believe it!

[apuckalypse]

[Yes, Rue, learn how to be wild from your feral apocalypse child who has zero social shame. It's a perfect arrangement.]

Oh, I've heard of those! I've met a yokai for that kind of bear. He looked like he had all red fur, but we had to shave off a patch after a fight, and it was transparent.

[ruevealing]

[Let's be real, Casey is still one of the very best things to ever happen in Rue's life.]

How wondrous! The ones I've seen on television are called polar bears because they live in the polar ice caps. Their fur is entirely white, to help them blend in, and it must provide even better insulation than mine, because they often swim in the freezing water, surrounded by ice! I was utterly fascinated.

[apuckalypse]

[The feeling is deeply mutual.]

Huh... I wonder if there are different kinds of owlbears, the way there's different kinds of owls and bears.

[He only knows the kind of owlbear that Rue is, and since his is modeled after theirs he's the same.]

[ruevealing]

[.....

Casey, you have just blown Rue's mind.]

A polar-owlbear? A sun-owlbear? A panda-owlbear?! I have never once even considered but there must be!

[apuckalypse]

[His eyes go so wide, they've almost got stars in them.]

I want to see a panda-owlbear...!

[ruevealing]

[these two having a moment in this booth while everyone else simply eats their breakfast and reads the paper in silence]

I simply must! Wouldn't they be so absolutely darling?! Those sweet ears and paws!

[apuckalypse]

Next time we're at your place we need to watch a panda documentary.

[he demands it.]

[ruevealing]

At least two of them!

[Rue will raise that demand!]

I wonder what kind owl would pair up well with a panda.

[apuckalypse]

[Hmm...]

I don't know many owl species. We better watch owl documentaries, too.

[ruevealing]

I think this calls for a panda and owl slumber party this weekend. We have much to learn.

[apuckalypse]

Sounds like a plan!

[One of the best kinds of weekends.]

[ruevealing]

[look. not to be dramatic. but rue is PLOTTING]

Would you like it to be just us or should we invite our beaus along?

[apuckalypse]

[Plot away, he is here for it 100%.]

Hmmm.

[Genuinely feels weird to demand a party with just them when Hob literally lives there. But also Casey happens to like said beaus. (He does not know what a beau is. He's guessing from context clues.)]

We can invite them. As long as they don't mind if we don't surrender the TV until we've satisfied our owl-and-bear documentary thirst.

[ruevealing]

[That's fair, Casey, it is a little awkward, but Hob knows the importance of Rue getting time alone with all of their children, just the two of them, and he's been so generous in offering to give them space.

But having said that, sometimes getting to include Hob just makes it that much more fun for Rue. Even if it is just the three of them, to see the way their husband interacts with their boys, Casey especially, thrills the owlbear endlessly. He's a long ways from it in regards to all of Rue's boys, but they would like to believe he's stepping into the role of father effortlessly.]

It is still our party, we are just being generous in allowing them to join us. I had a thought, that if it is to be a proper owl-and-bear party, we should get costumes.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey doesn't envy Hob the journey he's taking- adopting Rue as Mom had been relatively easy, but all of them seem to have hang-ups about various father-figures. Probably the only one ready to grant him a title is Hunter at this point (and really, none could blame him), and some of them may never be able to. Still, he admires Hob's determination to get on well with all of them. His heart is in the right place for sure.]

Some... owl-and-bear costumes, I'm assuming?

[He can see what they're putting down, yeah. Though now he's imagining Hob the bugbear dressing up like a regular bear...]

[ruevealing]

[Honestly, just to be allowed to be the new step-father would mean the world to Hob, but from what he's whispered to Rue in the night when they speak about their future here in Folkmore and the family they've built up, he readily accepts the journey ahead of him.

It helps that he already loves each one of them, Leo included.]

I saw this on an online video -

[Give Rue a moment to fiddle with their relic, it takes a little bit longer to navigate with their talons, before they are flipping the device around to show off a panda onesie.

Look, does it help if he's dressed as a panda instead of a regular old bear?]

Isn't it darling!?

[apuckalypse]

[Oh no, he just coos. That is one precious costume.]

It's so cute! I love it... it looks so fuzzy, too...

[Dammit Rue you know he has a huge weakness for soft warm things. He's instantly on board.]

We should totally have those!

[ruevealing]

[What's the point of having a son if you both don't just hype each other up over everything all of the time! Rue knew Casey wouldn't say no.]

I can do two pandas and two owls. Which would you like?

[apuckalypse]

[Decisions, decisions...]

Mmm... I think we should both be pandas. If you're up for it.

[Because how funny would it be if the two owlbears were bears and the others were the owls-]

[ruevealing]

[Rue looks delighted.]

I was going to suggest the very same! That whatever you picked, I would match you, and make Hob and Hunter pair off with the other. Oh, Casey, I love how you always know exactly what I'm thinking.