Settling In After Dinner

"You actually like dogs?"

Midna laughed. "Yes! Not liking them was the lie! Hahah! Very good!" She clapped.

"See?" Harley said grinning as Melfina nodded. "I told ya you'd pick this one up quick!"

Melfina smiled. "Yes and this is a good game to get to know someone better!"

Even Daphne was smiling. "I suppose it's my turn now, is it? Alright. I like books. My favorite color is green. I don't like tea."

"Oh that ones too easy, Daphne!" Tink said Harley nodding agreement but they were smiling. "We'll sit this one out."

Melfina, Midna and Hilda huddled conferring. "The thing about not liking tea has to be a lie, right?" Midna asked after they'd conferred.

Daphne raised an eyebrow and paused drawing out the moment before saying, "Correct! Well done!"

Dave grinned as the others laughed and congratulated each other playing Two Truths and A Lie now after dinner. He looked at Dorothy. "You can go join them if you want. I've got this," he said indicating the dishes.

Dorothy shook her head. "No... We both were the first ones out at Liars Dice. We'll do it together. Besides its faster and this is why you got a maid/butler type isn't it?"

Dave shrugged carrying dishes. "You're not wrong but I actually don't mind doing housework and it's good for you to spend time getting to know the others too and vice versa. Playing around is a good way to do that. Besides..." He winked. "I know you threw the game."

Dorothy looked up and roboticly blinked. "How?" She followed him into the kitchen. "And I happen to think you did the same thing, David."

Dave shrugged. "And why would I do a thing like that, Dorothy?" He started loading the dishwasher. It didn't actually "wash" the dishes as that was a terribly inefficient process and use of water as much as it was a modern particle scrubber... But old names for some things still stuck.

Dorothy considered that as she put things away. "For the reasons you gave previously. It's not so much a game as it is a familiarity exercise. That's why. That sort of thing is important to you."

Dave smiled and nodded. "Well reasoned, Dorothy. You're right. Tink, Harley and I likely know the most about everyone here so we were all trying to lose at Liars Dice too. It's why they're sitting out of guessing in most rounds in the game now. So the question is why were you trying to lose?"

"Because cleaning is my duty currently," she said.

Dave raised an eyebrow and checked as the light popped on. The current load of dishes was done. "Is that the only reason?" He asked as he started handing Dorothy the cleaned items.

"What other reason could there be?" She evaded as Dorothy started putting the items away with **** precision, speed and grace.

Dave grinned. Getting her really was an extremely good decision despite her peculiarities... No. It was precisely because of those very peculiarities that it made her even more special in his opinion. "I see," he said smiling. He made certain his hands were extra clean then reached out slowly to pat her head. "You are a very good girl, Dorothy."

Dorothy turned slightly to look at him expressionlessly. "There you go touching without asking or giving warning again. You really are a louse."

Dave noted that she hadn't said to "stop", nor moved away before or after which for someone of her abilities would have been easy. He was very tempted to call her on her behavior... but he didn't. He just looked into her eyes and stroked her hair.

Dorothy for her part tried to remain calm. Her master vexed her so! He didn't play "fair"... and not in the usual cheating way. Here he was throwing "the game", again, and letting her "win" on purpose. Unlike Roger or others he went out of his way to avoid getting angry or upset with her. He rarely rose to her baiting and he was a rather good opponent skillful with the evade, dodge and parry as well as the riposte in a match like this... so his behavior was puzzling and frustrating.

He should be scolding her. Displeased. Angry. Upset. Insulted. Furious. Instead he was very sweetly and gently reward-

*No,* Dorothy thought. *Don't think about or like that yet. That is his attack... and it appears to be quite effective! He's a bit similar to some on the surface but he's a different sort of opponent than those you've faced before.*

*So then how do I counter this?* R. Dorothy asked her "self"... and "Dorothy" was rather quiet. But "memories" of romance stories that the real Dorothy had read or seen and liked quickly flashed through her mind. *Which is annoyingly unhelpful,* she thought. *None of that stuff is realistic, relevant nor helpful. What good are the original Dorothy's memories if they're not going to be helpful? I know I shouldn't think like that. My original purpose is to be a vessel to carry her memories. But...*

"Sorry," David said as he kept stroking her hair. "As a louse, I should be in your hair... though, I'll stop if you like? I'm afraid I get a bit carried away when I start thinking about how special you are, R. Dorothy. You are very special lady."

"If it pleases you," she said keeping her face neutral as usual thinking about how irritable it was that he could make her happy with such a small thing... *But is it? I think he values me for me, R. Dorothy. Not Dorothy and her memories... And that also makes me happy too. His actions show that he wants me to have good experiences here with the others... And what are experiences but "memories" of my own? And that's-* "You're a tolerable louse sometimes when you act like a gentleman."

Dave smiled and seeing as they'd finished up he stopped and took her hand. "Then may I act as I please for a bit if I behave as a gentleman?"

Dorothy blinked but slowly nodded. He lead her back into the other room with the others and sat her down nearby and then sat beside her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a comb. "There," he said as he began combing her hair. "How's this?"

Dorothy blinked. "I wasn't aware my hair needed combing or brushing."

"It wasn't especially. I've just wanted to do this for awhile," he said. "I like doing this." He started humming as he worked gently.

"This is... nice. Thank you," She said.

Dave smiled. "You're very welcome." He kept humming away softly.

"Aww... Lucky!" Harley said. "Dave's good at that! I think all the girls should get a turn if you're up for it!"

"Agreed," Tink said. "Mel should be next since she helped cook!"

Melfina blushed smiling. "Only if you want too... And Hilda helped too and Daphne helped with redecorating!"

"What?" Daphne blushed. "But I don't need it and I didn't do it to get a "reward"... Not that that looks like a reward! I-"

Hilda laughed and nodded. "Yes, please. That does look like a nice reward but only if you're up for it. You've had a long day-"

"Everyone who wants will get a turn," Dave said. "I like doing this. Dorothy's first..."

"They look just like dolls like this," Tink said smiling as she perched herself on Dave's shoulder. "Good job."

"You've still got it babe," Harley agreed looking at Dorothy, Melfina, Hilda sleeping peacefully.

"What an usual magic," Midna said looking at the sleeping Daphne that Dave had just finished. She'd been the Fussiest of all but even she had succumbed sweetly and now was practically nuzzling him in her slumber as he carried her gently over to put with the others.

"It's not magic," he said smiling at Daphne as he made her comfortable. He chuckled trying to disentangle himself from her as she clung onto him like a snake. "It's definitely an ability of somekind but it's not magic. Not really a skill or knack either. It's not something I can remember learning so I don't think it's something I can "teach". Just something I picked up from mother, father and everyone else, I think." He kissed Daphne's forehead as she finally let go. "Next?" He asked turning their way.

Midna however changed into her imp form and took the comb from him grinning. "Your turn!" She declared. "Turn around!"

"Huh?" He said blinking. "But-"

Harley grinned and turned him as Tink said, "You want to fulfill her request don't you? Your turn!"

"But I... *sigh* I do," He said relenting and letting them push him back and get comfortable. "You know me too well! Fine. But afterward-"

Midna chuckled. "Yes, yes. Afterwards... If you're a good boy, "Puppy"!"

Dave rolled his eyes as Harley and Tink giggled. "Fine!"

Tink giggled. "Well that certainly worked! Nicely done!"

Harley waved her hand in front of Dave's face. "Oh yeah! He's totally out! Course it's not quite as fun but-"

Midna smiled stroking his head as Dave slept in her lap. "He's a good "Puppy"... and you've all said how hard he's been working. The last thing he needs to do is be working hard at pleasing all of us when he should be resting and relaxing from his endeavors. Silly, sweet Puppy."

Harley laughed as Tink smiled. "Interesting," she said. "You really have no memories?"

Midna blinked but nodded. "That's right. I don't. Why?"

Harley grinned. "Cause that's whatcha used to call him. Puppy. "Good Puppy" and "sweet Puppy" and stuff like that! Course ya were teasing him but he liked that kinda thing! Still does sometimes. It's just how he is!"

Midna smiled and stroked his face. "Yes, I see that... Not really a Puppy anymore... But he still likes to "play" and wants us to play and have fun too. That's obvious... And I think that's wonderful too. Such a good boy." She stroked his forehead. "As much as I wish I remembered I'm also looking forward to getting to know him and you all over again... Tell me...did I... Love my hero?" She asked a gamut of different emotions playing across her face

Tink and Harley smiled at each other and nodded. "Isn't it obvious?" Harley asked rolled by Tink, "What does your heart tell you?"

Midna smiled softly. "I see." She kissed his forehead, holding him smiling and shedding a tear. "Of course I did. What a sweet puppy... All grown up! I promise. I won't keep you waiting. Give me only a short while... To fall in love all over again."

Harley smiled at Tink supporting her friend and she smiled nodding back. She was totally "OK" with that. In fact it was something she wanted for all of them too. Sharing was caring, as Twilight would say. She hugged Midna and then Harley joined her. "Just so you know, you have our support and blessing. OK?"

Midna was surprised but smiled crying happily. *That's right,* she thought hugging them back. *It isn't just him but these two as well... And from the look of it the others as well. I really am blessed in a way!* "Alright... Thank you! Thank you so much! And I know I already agreed to the rules but I want you to know you can expect the same from me!"

Harley smiled. "Awwww!!! Welcome to the family, Sistah!" It was a touching moment... Until Harley pulled out the markers grinning with glee. "And now that they fell asleep on us... !!!"

Midna laughed and Tink facepalmed... But held out her hand. "Gimme one!"

[David Stark Pepper Tinker Bell Harley Quinn Melfina VSD02C Princess Hilda R. Dorothy Wayneright Lady Fingers Daphne Greengrass and Midna

Will Return In

TBD

Coming Soon]