moments in time on the Jade Moon
Chine was paying back some serious sleep debt when the creature wakes them up for playtime. He's groggy and slow, sure, but It really did get him fair and square!
Duvall, clued in by the (adoring) swarm, comes to ruin their fun - but Chine *is* getting sort of dizzy, so if Duvall's willing to listen about how quick and quiet It was, then they're willing to go back to sleep and let him babysit
Duvall, master of long silences, is convinced that he can teach It to chill out (a hard skill to learn but one that will hopefully help Chine get some rest) - and mostly, he succeeds! they sit together all through the long foggy morning.
the fog burns off and so does It's tolerance for sitting still. Determined to make the day educational, Duvall passes It off to Marn, who has low-key suspected chine of neglecting to take advantage of the baby's critical learning periods - early cognitive learning exercises are important!
breakfast is *Also* important, and when the baby starts to get overwhelmed and frustrated with the barrage of new information Auntie Es is prepared with some of the fanciest treats It's ever had.
It cleared the plate in moments and is still hungry, but luckily Hazard has some tricks (and cookies) up their sleeve. Finally - education that the baby can get enthusiastic about!
Unfortunately Hazard has to go back to work, and the baby is left to wander. It finds Pickman and begs her to teach it all about the Majesty of the Shape, but she doesn't understand a word it says and when It becomes insistent things get a little dangerous
Lyke steps in before It gets sent flying, and offers to do the kicking for Pickman. Lye's stories aren't about the Shape, nor are they educational in the traditional sense, but he's got a lot of them and It is delighted to listen for the rest of the afternoon