A Flower By Any Other Name

Flower clapped her hands together, jumping a bit. "Okay! I'll get right to work! And if I find anything elshe like thoshe thingsh, should I jusht leave them alone and not touch them?"

Monica was still embarrassed but slightly better, like the difference between being drenched wet and just being dozed with a lit bit of water. "Uh, yeah. Just leave them. And if you need any help or have any questions I'll be in the living room."

Flower nodded happily, and darted off into Monica's room to finish vacuuming. It wasn't long before she was finished, and took off to the kitchen to get to work cleaning there.

~~~~~

A couple of hours later, the front door opened as Karin stepped in, loosening the tie on her outfit she wore when teaching. "Ah, another long day... geeze, I love teaching, but the meetings and work after they go home.... ugh." She rolled her shoulders a bit, even as she started undressing. The family was used to her lack of modesty around the house, though she at least didn't run around naked when others were home. Usually, anyway. "Hey, Monica, you here?" She knew Monica had been left by herself today, which she felt a little guilty about. Being by yourself at home could be incredibly boring. Maybe she should have brought Monica in as a teaching assistant?

"Hey, Karin."

Monica came back, dressed in a apron of all things. "Welcome back. I have something to talk to you about."

She decided to give a quick summary of what had happened so far, she had talked to her parents after all about what happened. Monica already knew they would be fine with the whole thing, but it was nice to have it confirmed like that.

Karin was amused to see Monica cleaning, but found it cute. "I see... so, when can I meet this Flower of yours?" As if on cue, Flower bounded around the corner, grinning as she skidded to a stop in front of Karin, looking up at her. "...So cute..."

"Hello, I'm Flower. It's nice to meet you!" She bowed politely. The sucker had finally been finished half an hour ago.

"...Well, Flower, my name is Karin, it's nice to meet you as well. So, I hear you've taken it upon yourself to clean the house. Since you've roped Monica into it, I might as well help out. What's left to do?"

"Ah, okay! Um, all that's left is the yard, and all the bedrooms. After what happened with Miss Monica's room, I guess I should get permission before going into anyone's room." At this, Karin raised a brow at Monica, but said nothing.

"Sure, you can go into my room, sweety." Flower smiled, turning to go, then paused.

"Oh, I should ask! Miss Karin, are there any books of naked people or other 'private things' in your room that I shouldn't touch? Miss Monica said they were things she'd explain when I was older, so I guess they are things all adults have."

Karin's eyebrows seemed to be trying to fly to the moon, her cheeks flushing just a bit. "...Ah... well, um... just... don't open the shoe box under my bed, Flower." Flower nodded, and took off. Karin, after a moment, turned to Monica, a little grin starting to spread. "Books of naked people and 'private things', eh?"

Monica half covered her face with a groan. "Could..we please not talk about it? Flower just..found a few things she shouldn't have and that lead to a awkward situation." She really just wanted the whole thing to just die down.

"I was thinking of putting her in school," Monica said, recovering a bit from her emabarassment. "I guess its more up to Flower though. Just think it would be good to have friends around her own age, you know?"

Karin thought about that, deciding to leave Monica alone about her little embarrassment. "That's not a bad idea. She may not need the schooling from an academic standpoint, but she surely needs it from a social one... how old would you say she is, what grade would be best to start her?"

Here, Monica gave a half shrug. "Five and I don't know. I want you to get to know Flower a bit more, you and mom are teacher's so I'll leave that in your hands. Flower is smart for her age though, I can say that much already but that's a given."

Karin nodded a bit to that. "I'll discuss it with Terra then. Most likely, she'll start with kindergarten. Maybe 1st grade.... maybe I can get her into one of my classes, so I can keep an eye on her."

"Do you..think there might be bad people after her?" Monica said worriedly after a moment. "She's not just a Biodroid, but apparently a first generation one. Sure, Alus and Eldar have only recently opened doors but its been slow going. There would be people interested in something like that. I think they are still the only known android race that can pass things down like their weapons."

She wasn't a political person, but she was far from stupid.

"And..she was in a escape pod, so that has to mean something."

Karin conceded the point, but felt the need to calm Monica. "It's certainly possible, but it's just as likely that she ended up here because of an accident. It's best not to assume the worst here. We'll keep an eye on it though, of course."

"I guess," Monica partly let it drop. "Should we keep what her race is exactly a secret for now? If someone ask android is obvious but I mean more in depth. Technically wouldn't be wrong either but its still like saying someone is a demon; it doesn't say anything about the actual race in question."

Karin nodded to that. "Sounds like a plan. A 1st Gen being around would spread like wildfire if it got out, and eventually, it would attract unsavory attention. Nobus can keep a secret, but civilians can't."

"I'm going cook something, why don't you go talk to Flower and get to know her a bit in the mean time? It shouldn't take too long, its light." She planned on making some cookies as well, she was sure Flower would love them. Though it did occur between all of them they may end up spoling Flower a bit but that was fine as long as they taught consequences and limitations as well.

"..I'll finish soon." Monica chose to ignore the last comment and get to work.

* *

"Everyone, time to eat!" Monica had about finished everything and was satisfied with her work she had gotten done. She was a pretty decent cook and she was sure Flower would like it as well, but she didn't seem the type to complain about it but she wasn't sure. It was mostly spaghetti and a few things on the side.

She also wondered how the two clicked, but she was sure it was fine.

Flower came running in excitedly, hopping into a seat at the table. Karin wandered in after her, grinning widely. "This little one, dear god she's adorable. Life is going to be a lot more interesting than usual, I'll tell you that." She took a seat as well, watching as Flower fidgeted in her seat, kicking her feet.

Monica smiled warmly at Flower. "That she is. Go ahead and dig in Flower, I think you'll like it. Don't make a mess though."

She was going to say more when there was a knock at the door, so she went to go open it; revealing Terra, Damon along with a sleeping Chris in his mother's arms.

"Sorry it took so long, just had a few things to take care of." Terra apologized as she walked in with Chris. She smiled seeing Flower. "Nice to meet you Flower, I'm Terra and this is Chris."

"I'm Damon," The former hunter seemed amused by something. "You enjoying yourself so far?"

Flower, poor thing, could not answer at first. When Monica had said to dig in, Flower had gotten right to it. When Terra and the others arrived, Flower froze, looking at them with wide, innocent eyes, as she tried to deal with the mass of spaghetti hanging out of her mouth. Though, as Monica had asked, she was being careful not to make a mess. At least, careful not to make a mess out of anything other than the lower half of her face. Karin, for her part, just burst out laughing.

Monica giggled again but she left it alone, Terra on the other hand was amused along with her husband. She went to go put Chris to sleep, leaving the others alone for a moment before coming back not too long after.

"All right," Terra started but her voice was no less amused as she gave Flower a moment to compose herself. "Let's try this again. It's nice to meet you Flower. Glad you're enjoying my daughters cooking so much."

Flower had, by then, managed to clean herself up, and was smiling sheepishly. "Um, thank you. It's nice to meet you, Missus Terra, Mister Damon. Thank you for accepting me into your home!"

Terra grinned. "Not a problem." She sat down nearby where Flower was and Damon across the table a few spaces down. "So, how are you enjoying yourself so far?" Ignis had came in yet, but she would eventually as she was likely just busy doing her own thing.

Flower just smiled. "I love it! Everyone I've met so far is really nice, and there is plenty of work to do in a big house like this. So many wonderful people under one roof! Oh, and I haven't cleaned all the bedrooms yet. I have to ask if I have permission to go into your room and Mister Chris' room to clean." Here, Karin carefully set her face to a blank expression, waiting... and preparing to shut Monica up if she tried to stop Flower from talking.

Terra blinked a bit confused, but nodded. "Sure you do, I don't mind you cleaning the rooms though Chris is sleeping right now so it'll have to wait for his. You've been cleaning around the house?"

Monica made a noise in the back of her throat.

Flower nodded happily. "I like cleaning, it makes me happy. I'll get started on your room after dinner then. Missus Terra, Mister Damon, where are the books of naked people or 'private things' in your room that I should avoid touching? Miss Monica and Miss Karin both had them, and since Miss Monica told me she'd explain them when I'm older, I know they are something for adults, so I'm thinking now that all adults have them. So, please just tell me what to avoid!" Karin was clearly embarrassed, but struggling not to burst into laughter.