~ 20 [action]

[silverworld]

Now, I'd like to announce our new school project. You will be graded for this, of course, but most of all it is a learning experience. All the practical knowledge you gain may very well be put to use in the future. You see...

[She reaches down to pick up a small basket, placing it on the desk before her. What's inside the basket, you wonder? It's eggs. A lot of them. They aren't boiled or anything of the sort.]

For an entire week, you all will be proud parents. These [she indicates the eggs again.] will be your frail, loved children. You may name them, dress them or even try to feed them. As long as your child is still in one piece next Thursday, you pass the project. Of course, one can never become a parent on their own, which is why I've taken the liberty of assigning you all a partner. Both of you will have to cooperate and take it in turns to care for your baby. That is the trick behind parenting, after all. Stella, already being a proud mother herself, is exempt from the project and will be giving a guest lecture early next week.

When I call your names, you will come forth and take one 'child' out of the basket. Once you've all had your turn, I'd like you to take a while to get to know your partner better and make some agreements on the ways you feel this project should be handled.

Ages 6-12:
Kotaro, Chibi-Usa, Nanako
Klonoa, Hanyuu
WW Link, Kyrie
(Saku)Bo, Hikari "Kari"
Yamato "Matt", Rika
Taichi "Tai", Lymle
Takuya, Vivi Aislinn

Ages 13-16:
Simon, Yuzuhira, Hotaru
Karol, Anise
Florian, Shiki
Genis, Kairi
Riku, Seles
Roxas, Shirley
Raenef, Rena
Caesar, Usagi
Sora, Tear
Svein, Rachel
Tom Riddle, Ted

Ages 17-23:
Haruki, Hermoine
Harry, Yuzu
Draco, Charlotte
Atsuro, Terra
Minato, Colette
Alphonse, Uriko
Ryoji, Hero
Sonic, Mitsuru
Souji, Ramirez
Yosuke, Akihiko
Vyse, Estelle
Lloyd, Celes
Stahn, Kinon

Any questions? If not, feel free to start planning child care with your partner. You have fifteen minutes.


[[OOC: The pairings were randomly selected by me, mostly according to age. Whenever there was a third person left in one of the categories, they'd be placed with one of the younger couples in that same category. If I forgot your character, or you see any mistakes, let me know!]]

Comments

[prayingone]

We should give him a name.

[perplexme]

It wouldn't hurt him. Everybody needs a name. Any ideas?

[prayingone]

Um... [She thinks on it for a moment, before an idea comes to her.] Oh! Um. What do you think of Qelures?

[perplexme]

[He blinks in surprise at that.] What's it mean?

[prayingone]

It means "lively first flight." And... [A slightly sheepish look crosses her face.] The character for "ure"... it also stands for egg.

[perplexme]

...sounds great. Qelures it is.

[prayingone]

[... he kept an almost straight face at the pun! This is a good sign.]

I suppose the next thing to think about is how we're going to take care of him...

[perplexme]

Well...the words "very" and "carefully" come to mind.

[prayingone]

Y-yeah... even holding him too tightly would break him...

[perplexme]

Would hardboiling it be considered child abuse?

[prayingone]

Um... well... it's an egg, but... we're supposed to treat it like we would a real child, aren't we?

[perplexme]

Yeah...but if he was hardboiled he wouldn't break either.

[prayingone]

I... suppose so. But... if we're careful, he shouldn't break. Right?

[perplexme]

Hope so. What would be the best strategy for not breaking him then?

[prayingone]

Maybe we could find something to carry him in? Something that would be easier to hold onto than an egg...

[perplexme]

Would a basket work?

[prayingone]

That seems like a good idea. And... maybe we could find something to put in the bottom, so he won't roll around so much...

[perplexme]

A blanket would be a good idea. Plus then he wouldn't get cold and break.

[prayingone]

With how the weather has been lately, that's a really good idea.

[perplexme]

It'll be comfortable for it. Where should it stay, at your place or mine?

[prayingone]

Well, I'm the only one living at my house, so there wouldn't be a problem if I brought him home... [She looks a little sad at that, but covers it up with a smile.] But we could always take turns if you would like to take care of him too, Roxas.

[perplexme]

I wouldn't mind...but I think Axel would make fun of me for taking care of an egg. Maybe you should hold onto him and I can just have visiting rights.

[prayingone]

Oh? You don't want us visiting you? [Her smile, although shy, is also a little teasing.]

[perplexme]

Um. Well I mean, you could if you wanted...[Awkward Roxas is awkward.]