Board Thread:Roleplay/@comment-31049256-20170816034817/@comment-28358106-20170821030745

(S9/Gemmi) "Mommeeee!" Gemmi hops down and runs up the beach, throwing her arms around a bewildered Regina. Tirush says nothing, but, evaluating the balloon, Baku, and the surrounding reaction, simply lays her head back down on her arms and watches them.

Regina picks up Gemmi and holds her out at arm's length. "Gemmi, what is that thing? Is that some sort of hot-air balloon?" Her voice is paced and unsteady, as she seeks to grasp what her youngest daughter has done this time. "Why did you make a hot-air balloon?"

"It's hydwogen," Gemmi says, "Stabiwized wif hewium. I made it so that I didn’t haf to wook at evewywone's ankwes to find you!  Aww ankwes wook the same!" she says, starting to look sad.

"But honey, you should've asked somebody to help you!"

"But I was wost, and you'we awways tewwing me not to tawk to stwangews!" Gemmi's voice becomes squeaky as she begins to tear up.

"Oh, sweetie, that's right..." Regina holds her close and pats her tiny back. "You did well. I'm so sorry you got lost, honey.  It's okay." Regina doesn't pursue the subject further, and simply comforts Gemmi.

At this, Tirush sits up and holds her arms out. "Come here, little dashka. Come." Tirush scoops up the tiny girl and holds her close, rubbing her nose and doing little things to make her smile.

Regina looks out to the deflated balloon, then up to Baku. She sighs, rubbing her sweating forehead with the back of her hand. "All right. So, how much do we owe..?" She says resignedly.