#new babs

The flyer fluttered in the slight wind as we walked along, chatting and teasing each other, giggling at the mock-annoyed remarks and each other's laughs when something struck one of us as particularly amusing. AJ saw it first and hovered in front of it so she could read the small print. I heard her breath catch as we walked up behind her. "Something wrong, AJ?" I asked, holding my arm up so she could perch on it. She looked a little shaken. Her fore and back paws gripped my forearm and I automatically brought her close to my chest, exchanging a look with her little Curly, Dylan, as I did. He looked as puzzled as I felt. "That paper" said AJ quietly, her eyes fixed on it. The rest of us glanced at it, taking in the long list of- "Bitties?" I asked, confused, recognising some of the type names. "What's the problem? It's probably new breeds." I glanced over the paper again. "Yeah, look. It says 'Mini Bitty... Protection... Organisation...'" I trailed off as the words sank in. Exchanging a look with Ami, we leaned forward a little to read the flyer properly. "Aw jeez" he breathed as we read down the too-long list of breeds and the headings they were under. Breeding ring raid. Found in alley. Storm drain during heavy rain. Found in dumpster and various alleys. Fighting ring rescue. Warehouse rescue. Box at main door. Breeding ring. My heart about stopped as I read the last name under the last heading on the list. Miscellanous. Blank. Male, blind. I resisted the urge to scoop Ami off my shoulder and hug him but I felt his hand tighten in my hair as his eyes scanned the last name too. "They- they're not all homeless?" I asked, frantically looking back up the page, hoping it was just a list of rescuees who had been adopted after being taken from these horrible places. AJ nodded sadly and I followed her gaze to the top of the list where I had somehow missed the largest text proclaiming "Available 4 Adoption." "Oh, the poor babies." I felt my throat swell even as I snapped a photograph of the flyer and immediately posted it to my blog, simply captioning it "These poor babies :( Can anyone help?" We took a last glance at the long list before AJ took off to fly beside us, Dylan on her back.

***

We all seemed subdued as we reached our front door. Gone were the jokes and teasing of before, it didn't feel right to be laughing and light-hearted after seeing that flyer. We went through the motions for a while, each of us lost in our own thoughts until; "We have to do something." "What would you suggest?" I asked, not needing to ask what AJ meant. "Adopt one. We have the space, Cat. We have the experience and the boys will help. Won't you?" she asked, glancing at Dylan who was already nodding fervently. I sighed. I had known one of us would have to suggest it and my soft-hearted AJ was usually the first to offer a hand to anyone she felt was in need. "I don't know-" "You know you would not leave a Blank to perhaps be abused further. I know you would not do that. And this one is blind, Cat. What chance does he have?" "He's got the same chances as the rest of us" said Ami. "Who's ta say he'll go on ta be abused again? He's in a Rescue Centre, AJ. Ya really think they won't check out potential owners?" "Then who is to say he will be adopted at all?" AJ asked, quickly changing tack. "He is blind. He is going to need a lot of love and patience." She turned to me. "Blanks are normally adopted due to their ability to take traits from their owners and to develop their own style and look, yes? This one will never be able to do that. Do you think he will be the first choice for someone looking to adopt a Blank?" "AJ" I groaned. "Please." It was hard enough to stop my thoughts straying down the same road. She sighed and nuzzled at my arm until I wrapped it around her. "I know, I am sorry. I just cannot bear to see abused Bitties." "Me neither" I said quietly, stroking her. "I'm really temped to call the centre, I have been since we saw that flyer." I saw Dylan's little face light up and AJ glanced up at me, her crescent moon forehead marking glowing. I glanced at Ami on my shoulder and he shrugged a little, his expression unconvinced. At a questioning look, he sighed. "Look. I ain't tryna be a douche. I feel real bad fer the poor things - nobody should be treated like that. But..." "But?" I prompted, gently stroking his littlle skull and smiling as he leaned into my touch. "Well..." He continued reluctantly. "Like AJ says - if ya were ta adopt this li'l guy, he's gonna need a lot a' patience an' time an'-" he glanced at me and looked away. "An' there ain't no way ta say this without soundin' like a heartless bastard, but-" "Y- you're not sure about sh-sharing" said Dylan, his soft voice nevertheless ringing out in the stillness. He blushed and smiled shyly as we looked at him. "I- I can understand that. B- but Ami - we would not be- be deprived of time. If we were to take another into our group here, w-we would all be involved in caring for and h- and helping him." "I know, Dyl. I got that. But don'tcha think he'd feel a bit left out? I mean- we're all pretty close. You an' AJ got yer li'l projects an' hobbies an' stuff ya like ta do tagether. Me an' Cat are the same. I think it'd be kinda hard fer a new guy ta find his place." We thought about that for a moment. Ami had a point. We were closer than any group of friends probably had a right to be and there were plenty of times we were all together but there were also times where we split into pairs to do whatever little hobbies and activities that the others didn't share an interest in. Where would a new Bitty fit then? "Then-" AJ began slowly and fluttered her wings in surprise when we all quickly turned to her and blinked as she collected her thoughts. "I was simply going to say perhaps adopting one of the available Bitties is not such a good idea." "You're probably right" I conceded, trying to ignore the slightly sinking feeling in my stomach. "I just hope they all find homes. Good homes. Where they get treated right and spoiled rotten." Ami and Dylan nodded slowly, their little faces showing disappointment. "Well now wait a moment" AJ chuckled, her melodic voice going up a tone in amusement. "I did not mean we should simply abandon the idea!" "W-what did you mean then?" asked Dylan, leaning on her and looking into her face with big eyes. AJ giggled and ruffled the curls of water thar formed his hair with the tip of her nose. "I meant, my little prince, that perhaps we should not be thinking of adopting just one Bitty in need of a loving home. Perhaps we should consider two."

***

As AJ outlined her thoughts, we found ourselves nodding along. Adopting two Bitties not only meant that two little names on that list could be crossed off but also that the new Bitties would have each other to lean on if things got overwhelming. Bringing a single Bitty into a group would be difficult and where adopting two would no doubt have its own set of issues, it would likely offer at least a little comfort to them. "So... the question is who?" I said, bringing up the photgraph of the flyer on my phone and feeling everyone crowd around. I knew I wanted the little Blank, but we all had to agree on the choices - it wouldn't just be me that would be affected, after all. "Am I right in thinkin' ya want the li'l blind Blank, sweetheart?" asked Ami, a mischievous grin on his face. I felt myself blush and gently prodded him off balance, making him giggle and catch my finger. "That obvious, huh?" I asked sheepishly, seeing the others grin as well. AJ shrugged and gave me an amused sideways glance. "We know you have a soft spot for them. I am happy to have another Blank in our group - providing he does not turn out like this one!" She cuffed Ami gently with her wing and he swatted playfully at her. "Whatcha tryna say?" he asked mock-annoyedly, pulling AJ's tail and making her turn with a feigned snarl. "I am saying that one of you is quite enough, little brother!" she grinned evilly, pinning him under her front paw. Dylan and I burst out laughing as he yelped "have mercy sis! Yer like fifty times my size!" AJ lifted her paw. "Are you calling me fat?!" Ami giggled and quickly scooted out of reach before climbing to my shoulder and cheekily sticking his tongue out at AJ. She growled at him but it quickly changed to a chuckle as she sent a tiny ice blast at him, making him grab onto my ear to keep his balance and giggle madly. "What ab-about a Ray?" said a soft voice, making us all look back at the phone. "Uh... You think that's such a good idea, Dylan?" I asked. "They're fire elementals." "Yes, b-but they do not get hot enough to cause real d-damage. N-no need to worry they will burn you." "What Cat means, my little prince, is that they are your complete opposite. We do not want you or a Ray being harmed, even accidentally" said AJ gently. "They- they are only my opposite in element. Personality wise I- I think we would get along. There were Rays in the Ad-adoption centre. We had to be a little more c-careful around each other but no more than- than that." Ami , AJ and I glanced at each other. Rays were lovely little souls, very like our gentle Dylan in personality and likely to fit in well with the group. "I guess as long as we set up your sleeping arrangements to you can't come into contact..." Dylan smiled and gently touched my hand. "He- he would be good for you too. I know you are always cold." For the second time, I felt myself blush. "Aw. Hey, don't think you have to-" "I do not" he interrupted. "I would like a Ray to join us." "I think I would as well" AJ mused. She had been toying with getting a Ray before she'd adopted Dylan. Ami was looking at the phone screen and turned to me with his teeth worrying at his lower lip. "The Rays were rescued from a fightin' ring, Cat" he said quietly. "Rays are... sweetheart, they ain't cut out fer that kinda thing. The poor li'l guy musta been terrified." "Then we'll make sure he never has to be scared again" I said, picking Ami up and kissing him. He snuggled close, his SOUL glowing at the contact and I felt a wave of love from all of them. "I guess I better call the centre, huh?"

I hadn't realised it was so late. The voice on the answer machine at the centre prompted me to leave a contact name and number along with a quick message. I did so, just saying we wanted to adopt the little Blank from the flyer if he was still available, along with a Ray. "D-do you think we will be allowed to, Cat?" Dylan whispered to me as I hung up. "I hope so, little guy. We'll see." He smiled and blushed as I offered him my palm and followed AJ and Ami into the bedroom.

*

None of us are especially early risers and we didn't even hear the phone ringing the next morning. The insistent light of the answering machine blinked at us as I sleepily made coffee and tea for everyone. AJ swooped over and clicked the replay button with a yawn. A moment later we were all on the move, trying to get organised as quickly as possible - the Protection Organisation staff wanted us to come and meet the Bitties we were interested in.

*

The Organisation headquarters looked like a cross between a large house and a police station, an atmosphere not entirely at odds with what we assumed were the staff members. They seemed a bubbly lot and the person who showed us to one of the cosy meeting rooms was no exception. "It was the Blank and a Ray you were interested in, right?" they asked, glancing at the clipboard they carried. "That's right. If that's okay?" "Of course!" they smiled brightly then it faded a little. "The Ray may be a litle skittish" they warned. "He was rescued from a fighting ring. But all they need is love and patience - they'll make wonderful companions." Their tone was almost pleading and I smiled gently. "That's not a problem" I gestured toward AJ, sitting with her ears pricked up in interest, Dylan's little head just visible between them, and to Ami who was in his customary place on my shoulder, his tiny hands wrapped in my hair. "We have plenty of both." The staff member smiled, glanced at the clipboard again and disappeared out of the door. AJ investigated one of the beanbag chairs curiously, chatting in a low voice with Dylan who seemed fascinated with the sound of the beans inside one. Ami and I exchanged a look and he leaned against my neck with a contented sigh. "Ya remember our first meetin', sweetheart?" "Of course I do. I didn't even know if you were looking at me or not but I totally lost my heart to you." He giggled softly and I felt him kiss me. "Couldn't take my eyes off ya." I grinned and turned my head to kiss him back and he nuzzled my nose gently. "I was the luckiest guy in that Adoption Centre." I stroked his back gently and he leaned against my hand, his eyes half lidded. "I was the lucky one, babu." He grinned and opened his mouth to reply, but the sound of the door opening again made us all startle and turn toward it. The staff member was back, the clipboard held horizontally in one hand, the other cupped around two small shapes in the middle of it. AJ swooped to my knee as the staff member approached, Dylan balancing between her wings with practiced ease. "Here we are" said the staff member, settling in the chair next to us. "As you know, this little fellow is blind so please don't grab at him. And be careful not to set him close to the edge of anything he could fall off. Blanks don;t tend to react to much at this stage, I know, but-" "I know" I smiled. "Ami here is a Blank too." They smiled at Ami as they handed a scant handful of material and bone over to me. My Gods, this little guy couldn't have been much older than a babybones, he was barely three inches tall. He was wearing the usual grey tunic that all Blanks did, the long sleeves almost going past his tiny hands. I held him carefully, Ami watching from my shoulder and Dylan appearing to be holding back a squeal of delight while AJ grinned like a madman. "How- how do you know he's blind?" I whispered, as though even a loud voice would cause the tiny skeleton in my hands to vanish like a soap bubble. It was true that he had no pupils in his tiny sockets but that was normal for a Blank. "We had a healer check him when he was brought in" said the staff member sadly. "They confirmed it. Poor little guy was deliberately blinded." "Oh Gods..." I felt my eyes fill up and AJ bit back a sob. Ami muttered an oath in my ear and I rasied one hand to stroke him gently as Dylan clung to AJ, his eyes wet. The little skeleton in my hands was tilting his head this way and that, listening to the noises from our various directions. He was very thin, I could hardly feel him sitting there. I supposed he hadn't been fed properly either, wherever he'd come from. Poor little baby. "His hearing is top notch though" said the staff member with a smile that didn't quite cover the sadness on their face, jolting me out of my thoughts. "He just needs someone who'll be patient with him, someone who will take care of him until he's a bit older and learns to adapt. Which he will, of course!" They bit their lip. "It's a lot to ask, I know-" "Not at all" said AJ firmly. "He will be loved and welcomed with us." Their eyes lit up at her words. "You'd like to adopt him?" We exchanged unneeded glances and replied "yes" all at once, making the little skeleton jump slightly and tilt his head. "Fantastic!" Their eyes moved to the second little form huddled on the clipboard. "Ray? Would you like to say hello?" They smiled gently at the little flame and offered him their palm. After a long moment, the Ray uncurled very slightly and managed to climb on, holding their thumb with a grip that almost looked painful. I had seen Rays before - they looked like little living fires, and reminded me of the dancing flames of a candle. Usually. This little fellow reminded me more of the embers of a dying campfire, even the small light he gave off was dull. "Heya Ray" said Ami in a gentle voice. "Howya doin'?" The Ray didn't raise his head. "It is lovely to meet you" AJ tried. He still kept his head bowed. Dylan took a step closer. "We- we would like to know if you- you would like to come- come home with us?" Still nothing. We exchanged glances and the staff member bit their lip, looking like they were willing the little Ray to speak, to raise his head, anything. "Is he shy?" I mouthed and they shook their head. Maybe he just didn't like the look of us. I supposed we did look a bit of a motley crew. "Ray" said the staff member softly. "Won't you speak for me?" The little flame took a deep breath and raised his head to look at us and I heard AJ choke back another sob. The little Ray's right eye was swollen shut, bright blue bruising surrounding it. The other wasn't quite as bad, he seemed to be able to see out of it at least but his little face was a mess of bruises and half-healed cuts that glowed a deep red. He still stood hunched over and now I wondered if it was due to pain in his torso. Flame elementals didn't have bones to break (as far as I knew) and I didn't even want to think about how they had hurt this poor Ray so badly. "He'll heal" said the staff member. "He's just very sore at the moment but- he needs to be out of here. He needs contact, love, someone to treat him gently." I looked at the little flame and to my surprise, he gazed back at me. I couldn't tell with the cuts and swelling on his little face but I thought I could see a miniscule hint of hope. Maybe it was just wishful thinking. "We'd love it if you gave us a chance, Ray" I told him gently. He moved his gaze to Ami, still seated on my shoulder, to AJ who was having her furry cheeks stroked by teeny little hands (much to her amusement) to Dylan who was watching him curiously. He looked back at me and nodded once. The staff member breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at us all. "Let me just get you the proper paperwork."

***