five tests

[valuedstrength]

[Room filter]

[Steve sadly is getting used to ending up with ladies mysteriously in bed with him so there's no awkward panicking this time. He simply pulls up the sheets higher so there's some decency going on here. He's happy this time it's his room too. It will make getting pants a whole lot easier. These small comforts quickly disappears when he notices the woman in bed with him is not one of his friends or even anyone he knows. Then there's the matter of a small girl next to her trying to wake her before noticing Steve. She jumps on him instead, wrapping her arms around his neck much to Steve's confusion.]

Daddy! [Yep... more confusing. Steve clears his throat. Please wake up Xena if you can possibly sleep through all this.] Ma'am? Is this your daughter?


[Much later on: Steve is in the kitchen cooking breakfast. This scene wouldn't be all that special if it weren't for the raven haired toddler sitting on the counter insisting she can help... and trying to sneak bacon. She's a growing girl.

Anyways, Steve will be dictating to the journal at some point during cooking time.]

So anyone want to explain to me how this works? [He's being purposely vague to spare Lysandra's feelings.] This isn't like waking up somewhere new. If you could write down your answers too that would swell.

[Lysandra is pouting at that for any observors. Steve gives her a winning smile and pats her head.] I've got company with me today.

[Friends]

Everyone okay?

Comments

[forgedinbattle]

[Okay, at "mommy," she's shooting out of bed. I'd say that Steve is lucky that she actually fell asleep dressed, but let's be honest: it doesn't cover much more than most people's underwear.]

This is beyond weird.

[valuedstrength]

[Steve is averting his eyes. Thankfully Lysandra is a good excuse to.]

That's the castle for you. Do you mind checking the journal? These things usually happen to most of us. There's gotta be an explanation already.

[forgedinbattle]

Right.

[She fumbles around for her journal for a while. Eventually she finds and it and there's the sound of pages flipping.]

We're definitely not the only ones. Looks like it's an annual thing?

[valuedstrength]

Another loss? [He is currently making a play show of tug and war with the blankets. Sadly he has to let Lysandra keep losing in order to keep up decency and all.]

I'll look into it later. One of the older residents must know something. [He's quiet a minute.] What do you want to do?

[forgedinbattle]

[What does she want to do? She looks for a minute from the kid to Steve, trepidation plain on her face.

This little girl... She doesn't deserve her. Shouldn't be allowed anywhere near someone that innocent, that dependent. But there's a second train of thought running through her mind. This wasn't like Solan. This kid knows her. Will miss her if she just takes off. Her own father- she brushes that thought aside. Not relevant.]

I don't...know.

[valuedstrength]

[Steve's face sets into a line. He remembers how his mom took care of him alone before she got sick. He could do what she did if it came down to it.]

Well I think we're ready for breakfast. If you want to think about it, you must know where the kitchen is.

[There's a pregnant pause on Steve's end as Lysandra rambles about how she wants bacon. Eventually Steve interjects.]

My name is Steve by the way. Steve Rogers. No matter what you decide just promise you won't be a stranger.

[There's an implied 'she'd miss you' from Steve. Lysandra is busy calling Steve silly because of course Mommy knows his name.]

[forgedinbattle]

[Oh, gods, Steve don't look at her like that. That look combined with Lysandra's little rambling is like a punch to the gut.]

Look, it's not like that, alright? I just- [She looks at the kid again and sighs before offering a faint smile.]

I think I could go for breakfast right about now. And I'm Xena. [This has to be temporary, right? She can avoid screwing up a kid (or letting her know too much about her) for a while.]

[valuedstrength]

[Okay that's enough to appease Steve. He gives her a little nod.] Nice to meet you, Xena. Can I ask your a favor before we go?

[He glances at a chair with a pair of sweat pants draped over them.] Do you mind handing me my pants?

[forgedinbattle]

[You know, if Lysandra weren't making such noise about being hungry, she might tease him a bit here, but as it is, she just smirks and tosses him the pants.]

Guess your dad might look pretty silly walking around without pants, huh, kiddo?

[Lysandra giggles and nods her agreement.]

[valuedstrength]

[He's trying to put them on underneath the sheets. It's as hilarious as it sounds.]

I don't think it'd go over well with the other ladies in the castle either.

[forgedinbattle]

[Sorry, give her a minute. She's cracking up.]

You might be surprised.

[valuedstrength]

[Somehow he manages to get his pants on and comes out of bed.] You think so?

[He's not wasting any time waiting for an answer. Steve is scooping Lysandra up to sit on his shoulders. He'd leave now, but there's still one more thing...]

Do you want pants too?

[forgedinbattle]

[Xena looks down, somewhat puzzled.]

This is what I always wear.

[valuedstrength]

Oh. [Wow is he walking really fast toward that door? He is.]

[forgedinbattle]

[Sorry, Steve. She's just following you and laughing to herself.]