Chapter Three: Brotherly help

Slenderman really really did not want to tell his brothers what had happened some six years ago They already thought he was odd, but to father a child was going above and beyond merely odd in the pasta community. Still, Splendorman was his best bet to get his child a safe home If not, he d have to find yet another stranger to care for her, and look how this one had ended up With a sigh, Slender knocked on his elder brother's door.

"Come in." Splendor almost sang. Slender gave an involuntary twitch at that and entered. "Ah, Slenderman! To what do I owe this honor?" He smirked.

I have a problem, Splendy and-

"Are you finally admitting that killing is wrong?!"

...don't make me regret coming to you...

"I thought not. Continue."

Slenderman sighed. You remember how about seven years ago I was avoiding being in the mansion...

"I did think that odd, but thought maybe you were getting tired of your duties or the blood..."

It was neither...I...I... Slenderman mumbled the last of his sentence.

"It's not polite to mumble, brother, you know better."

I said I found... Mumbled again. Now Splenderman was getting annoyed at his younger brother.

"Just spit it out! I mean-"

I FOUND A HUMAN WHO LIKED ME, DAMN IT!

Splendy blinked. "What do you mean by liked you...?"

They...liked liked me. That house that was a ways from the mansion...that was...

"Male or female?"

...female. I don't swing that way.

"Nothing wrong with it, but alright. So...what is the problem now? From what I remember the human there was found dead some time ago...I hope not by you."

Not the way you re thinking.

"Then how?"

...she birthed.

Splenderman...gasped! "Slender you old dog! So I m an Uncle!?"

...you're an idiot. I come to you for help with this and you're all excited about that-

"Well, why not? Was it a boy or girl?"

Girl. She's five now.

"AWWWWWW! A cute little niece! Why didn't you say anything sooner? I mean...wait. I haven't seen a child that young around the mansion..."

...I left her...as an infant with a human woman. I hoped the child would grow up normal, but she's more pasta than human it seems...

"...she killed the woman?"

The woman was trying to cut her hair and she freaked out. Seems her hair is her version of tendrils.

"Ouch. That would have hurt."

Indeed.

"Well, seems the apple didn't fall far from this twisted tree." Slender shot his brother a look. "Hmm... so the issue is where to keep the girl?"

Yes. And do NOT suggest the mansion. She's too young and I'm afraid not pasta enough...

"If the child can kill, I'd say she's enough of-"

No.

"Alright, alright...you know, there is one way..."

Which is?

"There is a human who knows of us. No worries, brother others think him a fruitcake for believing. Add to that fact, he's pretty wealthy and you got an eccentric old coot."

...and you want my daughter to live with that?

"Not live with him, be sponsored by him. He can pay her way through a private live-in school and she won't have to deal with the creepypastas until she's older."

How do we set that up?

"Leave that to Uncle Splendy!"

Slenderman groaned at the name. Fine. I leave it in your tendrils...

"Thank you! You won't regret it!"

I hope not... With that, Slenderman left to check on Toby and Bella.

Ticci Toby was spraying off Belladonna with a hose, which she seemed to like much more than bathing in the tub for some reason. Probably it was because she could keep her clothing on: Toby had noticed a mark on the child's shoulder that looked like the Slenderman mark she'd drawn on the floor. Only a part of it because she'd quickly hidden it, but it was there. A birthmark, possibly?

Tobias. What are you doing?

Toby jolted a bit, sheepish. "Um...w-w-washing the bl-blood off the k-k-kid?"

...very well. Give her a towel and tell her to dry off and put on clean clothing. I need to speak with you...

"Yes, s-s-sir." Toby went up to Bella and smiled behind his mask. "Okay k-kiddo, that's en-n-enough of t-that. Ready to ch-ch-change into something n-n-not painted?" Bella nodded, splashing Toby a bit, causing her to giggle. "Oh, is that f-f-funny?"

Bella giggled louder as he tickled her before suddenly speaking. "M-mask!"

Toby...blinked. "Y-you want the m-m-mask off? I do-do-don't think..."

Tobias, no.

Ticci Toby nodded. "Right. M-m-maybe when you're o-ol-older you m-might be ready f-for what's under h-here..."

Bella seemed disappointed but nodded, as if understanding.

"G-good. Go on in-inside and change th-th-those wet clothes, o-okay, k-kiddo?" She nodded again and headed in. "Phew..."

Slenderman came over as soon as the child was out of sight. She seems to enjoy your company...

"S-she's a s-s-sweet kid. You wo-wouldn't think she's a p-p-pasta...unless you s-s-saw her kill."

Heh...well Splendor had an idea, as you thought he might. Hopefully we can keep her from killing again so we don't need to bring her to the mansion prematurely.

"It l-lo-looked like it was d-de-defensive."

Yes, but killing that way even defensively could get her in trouble...

"T-true."

Slender heard the girl coming downstairs from her room, finished changing. He quickly left Toby, stating, If she sees me, I worry she ll want to come to the mansion. She must NOT come yet. She's too young.

Toby nodded in reply as the child Belladonna came to his side. She was dressed in a white top and black skirt with matching socks and shoes. Her hair was still damp and wriggled a bit proof that they were indeed her tendrils. "C-cu-cute outfit, k-k-kiddo."

Bella pointed at Toby then pointed to herself. "Bell."

"Oh, you w-want to know m-my na-name? It's Toby. And I k-kn-know your name. It's B-Bella, not B-b-Bell." He smiled.

"Bella!" She squealed, happily, before giggling. "Toby!"

Ticci Toby smiled under his mask. He'd never had a younger sister, but this kid was acting the part very well. "Y-you would make L-Lyra very ha-ha-happy being so n-nice to me..."

Bella cocked her head to the side in question.

"My elder s-s-sister...she's gone t-t-though..."

Bella hugged his arm, bringing a lump to his throat. He pet her head a bit before taking her by the hand.

"C-c-c'mon kiddo. I'mma take you s-som-somewhere you can s-st-stay now."

"Okay." She smiled, following quite willingly.