Thursday, July 23rd
A couple of days following Daniel's birth, Ahsoka was finally allowed out of the hospital and back home. She was grateful that Lux was now capable to drive on his own. The ride back home went much smoother than when they first rushed for Daniel's birth. Mina was in the car seat at the back, grinning with pride. She had a little brother that she would be able to play with, in a matter of time.
Their ride was interrupted when Lux was forced to stop at a red light. Before Lux could proceed once the green light appeared, Ahsoka's montrals caught the sound of distant sirens and air horns. "Wait ! Don't you hear that ? Sound like a couple of fire trucks will be passing on this intersection soon. Let's give them the chance to get through." She suggested.
Lux knew better than to doubt her hearing. A minute later, a total of 5 trucks were passing through. "What in the universe ?! For 5 of these going at the same site, it must be something big !" They were forced to follow them if they wished to get through the traffic jam.
Of course, Daniel is awakened by the sirens and begins to cry. She holds him close. "It's ok, little buddy. You're ok. You won't be hearing these for very long." When they were finally able to clear themselves from the flow of traffic, they saw where the trucks were heading to. Jim's apartment complex was in flames. Ahsoka gasped at the horrifying sight. "Oh. My. Force. Our old apartment ! Poor Jim ! He must be devastated ! All those tenants lost what they called home !"
Lux rode very carefully through the streets and finally arrived at their driveway. "Whew ! That was not exactly what I would call a pleasant surprise. It's a good thing we chose to seek a house of our own. I do feel sorry for those tenants being temporarily homeless, but we have to focus on ourselves. How's our little buddy holding out ?" He asked.
"He's good. I think the latter part of the ride lulled him to sleep." She got out and quickly entered inside, placing Daniel on the sofa for a minute while looking for a couple of blankets before she could place him on the floor.
Lux entered with Mina, in tow. "Mina, keep an eye on your little brother, ok ? We'll be right back."
"Ok, Daddy." She sat next to her brother, waving to him while he was still asleep. "We're going to have lots of fun together." She whispered gently.
Ahsoka soon walked back in the living room and was pleased to see Mina already taking a shine to her little brother. "Ok, Mina. Can you carry him to the floor ? Careful not to drop him." She placed the blankets on the floor.
Mina got down from the sofa and reached for Daniel. Suddenly, he began crying. Mina looks up to her mother, startled. "Mommy, did I scare him ?"
"It's ok. He's probably just a bit hungry. Give him to me, please." She extends her arms to her daughter, holding Daniel and sat on a rocking chair, ready to nurse him. She turned to Mina. "Go play with Daddy, ok ? I would like to be alone with him for a little while." Mina nodded and ran around the house looking for Lux.
She found him in the laundry room, placing a load in the washer. "Hello Daddy. Can we play ?"
"Sure ! As soon as I'm done with this, ok ?" He started the machine and was bringing Mina upstairs. As he approached the staircase, he quickly glanced at Ahsoka, whom was busy nursing Daniel. "We'll leave your brother and mother alone for a bit. Come on upstairs, we'll do something really fun !" She quickly followed her father, excited of not knowing what to expect.
They arrived in her room. Lux reached in the closet and brought out a small box. He opened it and tipped it over, revealing many pieces of different shapes and sizes.
Mina looks on with curiosity. "What's that, Daddy ?"
"This is called a puzzle, Mina. What you have to do is to help me put the pieces where they belong. When we'll we done, we'll have a picture to look at." Lux explained as plainly as possible.
Mina looked at a couple of puzzle pieces and quickly figured out that two of them matched. "Those two, Daddy ?" She handed the pieces over to him.
Lux is astounded at how quickly she is catching on. "Let's see here... Hey ! What about that, huh ? You're absolutely right ! They do fit in with each other ! Ok, let's try to find the other pieces."
With some trial and error, they managed to complete the 24 piece puzzle. When they were done, there was a picture of a cute white animal. Mina had no clue what thing was, but it looked adorable. "What's that, Daddy ?"
Lux cleared his throat. "It's a baby seal, Mina. They're native to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. It's really cold over there, so these seals have very thick fur to withstand the cold."
"Wow, Daddy ! You know so much !" Mina exclaimed, gaining a chuckle from Lux.
"Well, Daddy does a lot of reading. You like books, don't you, Mina ?" He points to a small library in her room.
Mina nodded happily. "Uh huh. I like looking at pictures."
"Pictures, huh ? Well then, I think I might have something here that we could enjoy together, how about that ?" Lux suggested.
"Yay ! We're gonna look at pictures ! We're gonna look at pictures !" Mina bounced around happily.
Lux glanced outside Mina's room and saw Ahsoka going into Daniel's room. No peep was heard from their son. He was sound asleep. As she exited the room. she held a finger in front of her lips. "He'll likely sleep for a few hours before he wakes again. Come on, you two. Head back downstairs. Let's allow him much needed peace and quiet." She whispered to them.
The three gathered on the sofa. Lux pulled out a book he knew Mina would enjoy. In little time, the couple found out their daughter was very fond of animals. She saw all sorts of animal pictures, such as lions, gorillas, dolphins, wolves, snakes, etc...
Ahsoka retired to the dining area and sat on a stool by the counter. She chose to turn on the radio at a low volume. She set it to her favorite station.
"Good morning, everybody ! Welcome to NYC-98.9, New York's finest rock station. I'm your host, Tim Savvy and besides me is my trusty co-host, Ed Thomas."
"You know, Tim... Just this once, let's throw our listeners in for a loop. I know the majority are expecting the hottest heavy metal and hard rock tunes to be played. Fear not, loyal listeners, you are in for a treat later."
"What do you have in mind, Ed ?"
"We rarely play progressive rock aside the occasional Deep Purple, Pink Floyd and Genesis songs. How about we dare our listeners with something really unique ?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get to the point, Ed. We don't have all day, you know !"
"Ok, Tim. It's been a real long time since we've played anything from Emerson, Lake & Palmer."
"Oh Goodness Gracious, Ed ! I'm seeing you coming a mile ahead. You really want to subject our listeners to that ?"
"Since you seem to know what I've got in mind, why don't you introduce the song, Tim ?"
Tim sighs. "Ok, Ed. If it's what you really want. Folks, what we're about to play will not please everyone. This is a behemoth of a track. A 20+ minute monster. We have Keith Emerson on synthesizers and various organs, Greg Lake on guitars and vocals... and finally Carl Palmer on percussions. Here is Tarkus... from the self-titled album, Tarkus. Hold on folks, I promise that I'll give you all what you really want to hear next."
The first of seven segments, titled "Eruption", began. At first, the synths sounded serene, but the pace quickly moved to an aggressive number. Emerson's keyboards skills were apparent right off the bat. The second segment, titled "Stone of Years", featured Lake's soaring vocals. Nothing like the high pitched screams Ahsoka was used to, his voice was soothing.
Has the dawn ever seen your eyes?
Have the days made you so unwise?
Realize, you are.
Had you talked to the winds of time,
Then you'd know how the waters rhyme,
Taste of wine,
How can you know where you've been?
In time you'll see the sign
And realize your sin.
Will you know how the seed is sown?
All your time has been overgrown,
Never known.
Have you walked on the stones of years?
When you speak, is it you that hears?
Are your ears bone?
You can't hear anything at all.
The third segment, titled "Iconoclast", featured more of Emerson's keyboard skills. At some points, Ahsoka gritted her teeth as some particularly high-pitched notes were heard during the piece.
The fourth segment, entitled "Mass", featured more of Lake's voice. It featured a layered effect on his voice, causing a trippy feeling. There were some guitar chords, but they were few and far between.
The preacher said a prayer.
Save every single hair on his head.
He's dead.
The minister of hate had just arrived too late to be spared.
Who cared?
The weaver in the web that he made!
The pilgrim wandered in,
Committing every sin that he could
So good...
The cardinal of grief was set in his belief he'd saved
From the grave
The weaver in the web that he made!
The high priest took a blade
To bless the ones that prayed,
And all obeyed.
The messenger of fear is slowly growing, nearer to the time,
A sign.
The weaver in the web that he made!
A bishops rings a bell,
A cloak of darkness fell across the ground
Without a sound!
The silent choir sing and in their silence,
Bring jaded sound, harmonic ground.
The weaver in the web that he made!
The fifth segment, titled "Manticore", featured more of Emerson's work and also Palmer's percussions. It was especially grating at points. Thankfully, the sixth segment, titled "Battlefield", featured more of Lake's vocals and some of his guitar playing.
Clear the battlefield and let me see
All the profit from our victory.
You talk of freedom, starving children fall.
Are you deaf when you hear the season's call?
Were you there to watch the earth be scorched?
Did you stand beside the spectral torch?
Know the leaves of sorrow turned their face,
Scattered on the ashes of disgrace.
Every blade is sharp; the arrows fly
Where the victims of your armies lie,
Where the blades of brass and arrows reign
Then there will be no sorrow,
Be no pain.
At the end, began the final segment of the piece, titled "Aquatarkus". It featured once again Emerson's amazing keyboard. This was a piece like none other. Ahsoka had never heard anything quite like it. At the same time, she both loved it and hated it. She hated the high notes, which hurt her montrals, but loved Lake's voice.
"Whew ! What a trip ! ELP are really one of a kind. Are you folks still with us ? It's time to get back to some delicious metal. Danish metal, that is. Can you predict my next pick, Tim ?"
"The only thing on my radar, Ed, is Abigail by King Diamond, released back in February. I've enjoyed Fatal Portrait a great deal. No doubt this one will also rock my socks off."
"Most likely, Tim. I've heard it myself, King really stepped up his game here. It's so melodic and downright catchy. Say we go for the title track, Abigail ?"
"Sure thing, Ed. Let's see how they've improved since last year's album."
Oh Abigail, I know you're in control of her brain, Abigail
And I know that you're the one who's speaking through her, Abigail
Miriam, well, can you hear me?
I am alive inside your wife
Miriam's dead, I am her head
I am alive inside your wife
Miriam's dead, I am her head
Oh Abigail, don't you think I know what you've done, Abigail
I'll get a priest, he will know how to get her soul back
Oh Jonathan, this is Miriam, our time is out
Remember the stairs the only way
Oh Abigail, nothing I can do but give in, Abigail
Follow me, unto the crypt
Oh Abigail, you'll also be reborn when you die, Abigail
Jonathan, I agree, yes I do
I am alive inside your wife
Miriam's dead, I am her head
Soon I'll be free
"Woah ! What a devilishly delicious track, Ed ! Oh, there goes my socks ! They've just been rocked !"
"Hahaha ! I knew you'd get a kick out of it, Tim. Now... we'll take a minute before we move on to today's major treat."
"Holy Force ! That was amazing ! One more artist to definitely stay up-to-date with. His first album was so good, and this one seems even better !" Ahsoka felt chills creep up on her. She hadn't felt this way since she first heard "Children of The Sea" from Ronnie James Dio when she was busy cleaning the McCoy apartment over 3 years ago.
"Ok, Ed. What's that "treat" you've been talking about ?"
"Simple, Tim. There's a new band in L.A., it's not trash metal like Metallica. It's classic hard rock, closer to what we'd expect like AC/DC. These new guys, called Guns N' Roses, comprise of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Steven Adler. From their first album, released two days ago, titled Appetite For Destruction, we have... Welcome to The Jungle ! Here we go ! Wooooo !"
Welcome to the jungle
We've got fun 'n' games
We got everything you want
Honey, we know the names
We are the people that can find
Whatever you may need
If you got the money, honey
We got your disease
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your
knees, knees
I wanna watch you bleed
Welcome to the jungle
We take it day by day
If you want it you're gonna bleed
But it's the price you pay
And you're a very sexy girl
That's very hard to please
You can taste the bright lights
But you won't get them for free
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Feel my, my, my serpentine
I, I wanna hear you scream
Welcome to the jungle
It gets worse here every day
Ya learn ta live like an animal
In the jungle where we play
If you got a hunger for what you see
You'll take it eventually
You can have anything you want
But you better not take it from me
And when you're high you never
Ever want to come down, YEAH!
You know where you are
You're in the jungle baby
You're gonna die
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your
knees, knees
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Feel my, my, my serpentine
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your
knees, knees
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your
It' gonna bring you down-HA!
Once the song was over, Ahsoka face palmed. "Terrific ! Just what we needed ! Another song about sex ! But this time, it's even better. It's a song about sex AND drugs ! Seriously guys, you call that a "treat" ?! Give me a kriffing break ! Ugh !" With that, she shut off the radio and shook her head a few times in disgust. Thankfully, the volume was so low it didn't catch Mina's attention. She went to sit with her and Lux as they were looking at the picture book. Mina was fascinated by the different looks of so many animals.
Suddenly, a proverbial light bulb appeared above Lux's head. "Mina, since you like animals so much, would you like to see them up close ? When Daniel will be a bit older, we'll take you two to the Zoo. Would you like that ?"
"Oh boy ! Oh boy ! Oh boy ! Oh boy ! We'll go to the Zoo !" Mina said in excitement. She soon looked up to her mother. "Mommy... what's a zoo ?"
"It's a place you get to see all sorts of animals up close, Mina." She explained.
Lux cleared his throat. "You know, I really don't mind the arachnids, but wouldn't it be time for us to have a bit more life in this house ? I mean, aside Mina and Daniel."
Ahsoka raised an eye marking. "What do you have in mind ?"
"A dog. I've heard they make great companions. It's also something Mina could play with until Daniel gets old enough to really interact with." Lux suggested.
She leaned against the sofa, deep in thought. "Hmm. I'm not sure, Lux. I've seen clients with dogs at work. Some are really friendly, others would have bitten my hand off if the owners didn't warn me about them."
"The head of our Human Resources department, Charlie MacAdams, is a dog lover. He has a Golden Retriever named Benson. He tells me that breed in particular is very good around young children. Did you know that our current president, Ronald Reagan, has a Golden Retriever named Victory ?" Lux added.
She shook her head. "I wasn't aware of that, Lux. You seem to have your mind made up already. Ok, I'll stay with the kids while you get him or her. I guess a puppy wouldn't be so bad after all."
Mina's face brightened up. "Mommy, we're really getting a dog ? Yay !" She hopped on her mother, giving a quick hug.
Lux rose up and grabbed the car keys by the entry closet. "You really don't mind about this ? I'm sure we'll get used to the idea in no time." He smiled as he left to check out several dog pounds in the area.
"It's going to be a brand new experience for all of us, Mina." She soon heard Daniel crying upstairs. "I see that your little brother is awake. I'll go check up on him. Wanna come along ?" She offers her hand to her daughter.
The moment Ahsoka appears in the bedroom, Daniel quiets down a bit. She picked him up and placed him on the carpet. She quickly ran to the bathroom to pick up a few blankets to cushion him. After a quick diaper change, Daniel was giggling. She brought him downstairs to the living room. She sat on the rocking chair and hummed gently, calming him down.
"Now, Mina. You're almost 2 years old. You're no longer a baby, so things will begin to change. These small chairs you've used will go to your brother, ok ?"
She looked at the chairs and she soon wouldn't be able to sit in them anymore. "Ok, Mommy. I'll give them to Daniel."
"Good girl."
A few hours later, Lux arrived in the driveway. Mina looked out the living room window, she saw him holding a bundle. As Lux entered, he placed the puppy on the floor. At first, it seemed scared of its new home. Mina walked over to the puppy. "Puppy ! Hello puppy !" She extended her hand to it. The puppy wagged its tail and slowly approached Mina, whimpering slightly.
"It's a little female, 8 weeks old. She's weaned and ready to go with puppy food." Lux took out a bag of puppy food, along with a food and water bowl for her. "We'll place these right here, by the staircase. It'll be her eating and drinking spot."
The puppy licked Mina ceaselessly as she giggled. Mina was obviously very ticklish. "He he he ! It tickles ! It tickles !"
Lux knelt before her. "Now listen closely, Mina. This dog is still a baby, you need to be gentle with it, ok ? Don't play rough with it."
The puppy soon made itself at home. Too much at home. It tried to jump up the sofa, but wasn't high enough to reach it. When it landed, it curled up and whimpered a bit.
Ahsoka was very pleased. "Well... now that it's home, we need a name, don't we ?"
Lux looked out to Ahsoka, whom was holding Daniel, asleep in her arms. "You've came up for Mina's name and all. I came up with Daniel. So it's your turn to come up with a name." He suggested.
She closed her eyes for a moment. "Obi. We'll call her Obi."
Lux quickly caught on to her intention. "I see. You wish to honor Master Kenobi, huh ? I'm sure he would approve."
"Obi the puppy ! He he he ! It sounds funny, Mommy." Mina observed.
Obi seemed to approve. She was wagging her tail and walked over to Ahsoka, carefully sniffing her leg before licking it."
"Ah ha ha ha ! That tickles ! Obi. Go see Mina. Mina, call her."
"Obi. Come here. Come here, Obi." Mina pointed to herself.
The intelligence of Golden Retrievers was once again proven. Obi raced to Mina and began to lick her as she rolled on the floor.
The next following weeks were spent "potty training" Obi so she would do her business on the provided newspaper instead of anywhere on the floor. In time, she would ask for the door when needing to relieve herself. And since Mina was almost 2 years old, she no longer needed to use the high chair for feeding. She was provided a tall chair with "arms" to prevent her from slipping to the side. It would only be a matter of time until Obi learns to play fetch with Mina.
Didn't see that bit coming, have you ? By now, Ahsoka is obviously fully grown. You can imagine her as her Rebels counterpart if you wish. I wasn't especially fond of the new design at first, but I got used to it with time. She doesn't look all that bad. I still think her adult self on the Mortis Arc looked slightly better. On a sadder note, the reason why I placed a Emerson, Lake & Palmer song in this chapter was to honor keyboardist Keith Emerson, who passed away on March 10th, at 71 years old. I never stopped to listen to their music until very recently. It's an acquired taste, but he brought synthesizers to the forefront of rock music like Jon Lord of Deep Purple and Rick Wright of Pink Floyd. At the very least, have a look on YouTube for the Tarkus album. Aside electric guitars and a good voice, I always had a soft spot for synthesizers. Over the next chapter, we'll cover more of Daniel's growth until his 1st year. Things will never be the same. Feel free to leave a review.