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"From what he's told me, you've been avoiding him since you found out about his age," Thali muttered. "I don't remember you actively going to see him, either. Even when Demyx was sick. The only time he told me he spent time with the girls was when you wanted to talk about his age. Has he really spent much time with them outside of that?"

The elf sighed, and kneeled down by Tish and gave the woman a hug. She wasn't good at comforting. "Forget what the girls may have told you, and be logical. Have you seen him mistreating them? Maybe when he visited you, he was genuinely tired. He hasn't been sleeping well. Demyx is basically nocturnal, you know." She paused, she didn't know how to handle a crying woman. She was used to tantrums, and crying children--yes, but an adult...

"Maybe when you demanded he come over, he was a little upset, and perhaps disguised it with disinterest. The times I've seen him with your girls, which are rare, since he's been dealing with a sickly baby, they've been happy. I've never once seen him treat them like anything less than princesses. They might have taken something he did wrong. Maybe he didn't make them the kind of cookies they wanted, or told them a good enough story--I mean, yes, it's quite obvious that he's envious, but he loves them. It's even more obvious that he cares for them."

Thali was silent for a while, and attempted to hug Tish again. "Were you looking for a reason to leave him, then? So you wouldn't lose him?" She petted Tish's hair, like she did when her twins were upset. "Do you think you can fairly judge him for not getting over his own issues, when you haven't gotten over your own, Tish? Hm? You're both unhappy this way."

She paused. Maybe it'd be okay for her to treat Tish like she would have one of her children. Maybe--that was the best way to comfort her. "You know," she said, "you're losing him this way, too."

"I don't think he'd agree--wait, who are you talking about?" Thali asked, with a slight frown. "Niko won't die on you, promise." Was Tish worried that Niko would die on her? Was that what this was about? Somehow, she didn't think so. The elf released her friend, and tried to take the pillow from her.

"I think this is causing you more pain than you think," she said, with a soft, sad sort of smile. "Niko will be here soon, with Demy. He'll want to leave the baby with you. Don't let him go, Tish. Don't let him. Humans, they have a second chance at love. Elves don't. Niko's your second chance. I suggest you take it."

The doorbell rang. Thali shook her head, putting the pillow aside. "Right on cue," she muttered. "You'll see, Tish. He'd had a bout of teenage angst, I believe. Most likely it's an attempt to get your attention, but he won't admit that. Go on," she said, gesturing to the door before offering Tish a tissue.

"A rule about men, Tish. Never let them see you cry. They always, always try to fix it, and end up making it worse."

Niko stared, blue eyes widening in disbelief. Was Tish suddenly bi-polar? Was she pregnant? What was going on? He had thought she didn't want him around any more. So he had planned to leave for Lynwood in the morning; leaving Demyx with her. Or that was the story he'd tell Tish, anyway. "You want me to stay?" he asked, astonished.

Thali took Demyx quite willingly. "Hello, Demy," she greeted the baby, cradling him. The poor dear, he looked like he had just been woken up. She went into the kitchen and started to look for a bottle.

When Niko found himself under Tish, a smile crept to his face. He wrapped his arms around her mischeviously. "I wouldn't leave you, even if you paid me," he said. He held up her ring. "Do you want this, or shall I keep it?"

"Of course I'll help, if you let me." Niko said, before noticing Thali in the hall. "Princess!" he gasped, trying to sit up. "What are you doing here?" He stared at her for a moment, as if trying to remember something. Something about the princess seemed stretched. Her delicate form was somehow different, he couldn't tell what it was. "What are you doing here--" he repeated, before looking down at Tish.

He stared. He looked back over at Thali, then to Tish. He stared some more. Whatever Thali had, it was catchy, because Tish had it too! Would they die? Was it some kind of rare sickness? Would he get it too? Concerned, he kissed Tish on the cheek. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked.

"You've got this glow about you," Niko said, frowning in confusion. "And Thali's got it too, so she must have given it to you--" he hesitated when he heard Thali snickering. "What did you give her?" he demanded. And why did she find it so funny?

"I didn't give it to her," Thali said with a smirk. "You did."

"But I'm not sick..."

"It's not a sickness. And she won't die from it," Thali promised. "You'll see. It's one of the greatest things in the world... when it works out." The elf looked vaguely sad.

Thali sighed, were they both so clueless? Did she have to explain the birds and the bees to them? "You're going to have a baby," she explained. She watched with amusement as Niko's face went crimson.

"Judging by his face, he knows why," she gestured to the younger elf. She made her way to the kitchen to allow the couple to do embarassing things--like faint.

Which Niko promptly did.