"Oh..." Ciara looked down, feeling awfully for acting out. "... I didn't know that..." She rubbed her forearm. "I'll have to say I'm sorry..." She said, hoping he wouldn't bring up how she'd called him papa.

"I'm sure she would appreciate that" Beast replied, giving her forehead a lick/kiss, "different cultures are difficult to understand sometimes, so we must always be sure to have our facts straight before we act, yes?"

She smiled at his kiss lick. But nodded, "Yes, Big Blue. But, you've been so sad and I didn't want to see you sad at their words." She hugged him, rubbing her head against his fur, "You're special."

Hank sighed and snuggled her, "My apologies, I have been of a sour mood I suppose, perhaps you might aid in my composing of a poem. To get all these sour emotions on paper and away from heart-where you belong more than they"

Ciara blushed lightly, "You mean it, Big Blue?"

"But of course, you like a daughter to me" he replied, nuzzling his fuzzy face in hers.

Daughter... He said the D work. "Do...do you really mean it? You're not mad I called you P...papa?"

"You must be joking!" he declared, "With all my heart and all my love, I would not deem another title with more honour than to be called, father."

Ciara looked shocked and shallowed hard, "D...Daddy?" She asked.

"Yes sweetie?" he smiled

Ciara felt the tears starting to surface. This was more than she could have ever dreamed for. "DADDY!" She yelled ramming herself into him, hugging as tightly as she could. "Daddy...Daddy<3"

Beast laughed and held her close, "Alright my dear, but there is still the matter to settle with Celeste. You should go see her"

"Just hug for a little longer? You're missed so many of your daily hugs." She asked.

"Hmm, I suppose that's true" Beast agreed and continued to hug her.

"The..."
"Dog." Polly said helping Celeste read the picture book.
"Dog... bar...barked. bowo wow." Celeste said continuing to try and read the book. Polly had fully come out of her room for longer than bathroom break or for meals.
"Good girl." Polly tickled Celeste's side lovingly.

"Celeste?" came a small voice from the doorway of the living room.
"Hm?" Celeste poked her head over the couch and then slipped out of Polly's lap and over to where Ciara was standing.

"Ciara-chan... I am sorry. I... meant no disre-" Celeste said slowly, trying really hard to make sure she was saying everything right.
"No I'm sorry. I didn't understand. Are you ok?" Ciara asked looking down at Celeste knee.
Celeste followed her gaze and nodded, "Boo boo better. Ciara not mad anymore?"
Ciara shook her head.
There was a pause between the two, "Come colour?" She asked shifting her weight back and forth.
Ciara smiled widely, "Yes!" She slipped her hand into Celeste and they hurried over to the small orange plastic table with all the paper and crayons.

(Daaww))

Hank hovered in the doorway to watch, a gentle smile on his blue features.

Polly couldn't help but smile as the two of them ran over and started colouring. She noticed Hank and put down the picture book. "I believe we haven't met... I must say I love the colour of your fur." She said warmly, her own light blue hair swaying back and forth as she walked over to him. "I'm Polly."

"Greetings and salutations" Beast nodded to her.

"When Celeste said there was a Lion-dog guardian protecting the house, I was quite surprised but you do seem to give off a protective vibe." She smiled warmly.

"Well I do my best" beast replied modestly

Polly looked over at the wall clock, "Victoria said Tea time would be on the patio. Would you like to accompany me, Mr...." Hank had yet to tell her his name.

"Mccoy" he replied, "dr. Hank McCoy and I would love to"

"Great. So tell me, what do you do here, Mr. McCoy?" She asked. Something about her made it feel like Hank could tell her anything.

"Doctor" Hank corrected, "I specialize in genetics, aside from a few science classes I teach, I do a lot of research into the x-genome. There is a lot we don't know yet about it. This blue fur is a... new development." he looked at his hands, "I do not know if I am going to ever become accustom to terrorizing everyone I meet. You seem to be taking it surprisingly well though."

"Well, in your defense, Celeste tends to scare very easily. She probably fall over and saw you from a strange angle. It will be an adjustment but I'm sure you won't find it too hard with your lovable personality. " Polly complimented.