kaisou | How Much Could a Pair of Knitting Needles Be?

WHO: Dan Heng and Zhongli
WHERE: The wildlife rehabilitation center
WHEN: End of November
WHAT: Dan Heng thinks it's a good idea to get Zhongli out of the house and help get him out of his depression spiral for a little while. What better way to do that than by being a grandpa to a bunch of baby Pokémon?
WARNINGS: Zhongli intimidating someone out of stealing their wool, an inability to understand what a pair of normal knitting needles are actually worth

[Dan Heng is grateful that Zhongli agrees to come with him to the wildlife rehabilitation center for this request. He feels obligated to be here to help anyway, given the profession he'll be getting into after graduation. Yet, this provides a good opportunity for his cousin to get acclimated to different Pokémon in a safe and mostly controlled environment. Maybe it'll also help to elevate the brunet's mood and bring a little bit of healing to him.

He picks out a table for the two of them and looks at the rambunctious babies they'll need to outfit. Dan Heng raises a hand to his mouth as he thinks.]

Hm... I think perhaps our Pokémon partners can help, here. Having them play with each other would tire out the younger ones and make it easier to take measurements.

[He looks up at the brunet.]

I can knit the sweaters themselves, but I'll need your help to take measurements and get them into one. What do you think?

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[Zhongli certainly wants to get out of the house even if he's still restless and grieving. He knows that this is good for him.]

Hmm... I think you have the right idea. Well, then... [He lets his Drampa out of the Pokeball.] Chilong, why don't you introduce yourself?

[Drampa is huge. But this just means that the babies can crawl all over him... Zhongli sighs a little with something like envy, and looks at Dan Heng.]

You can depend on me. I know how to stitch when things quiet down, but for now, you'll want my long reach for wrangling the children.

Who shall I grab first?

[Dan Heng tosses his Pokeball to allow his Altaria out. Before he can even say anything, Cirrus trills and immediately goes to hug Zhongli's legs with her cloud-like wings since she can't reach the rest of his body. Dan Heng huffs out a quiet laugh as he pats her head.]

Alright, Cirrus. I need you to help Chilong play with the little ones.

[She trills again before letting go of the brunet and flying off to let a herd of Skitty and Eevee chase her.]

Exactly. [He looks over at the gaggle they have briefly.] At the moment, you'll have an easier time with Turtwig or Happiny. The Skitty are far too wound up with all the new 'playmates.'

[Zhongli blinks at the hug, and then his expression warms. He gives Cirrus a little pat as well.]

It's good to see you again, little one. [He scans the room and their setup, then nods.] Understood. One moment, then.

[Despite writing himself out of the narrative, he hasn't lost his charm. He holds out his arms towards Happiny and clicks his tongue. It giggles and bounces over to him for some affection, which he gladly provides before picking it up and bringing it over to be measured.]

You are... very cute, [he murmurs.] Ah, can you be still for me? Just like that...

[Zhongli has the realization, suddenly, that if he is left alone with Pokemon he might end up being covered in them. Just like his Drampa.]

[Dan Heng takes this time to get a pair of knitting needles, scissors, and a good amount of wool. He has a tape measure out as well, though he spies a few middle-aged people giving him a look that he doesn't particularly like. As Zhongli returns with a Happiny in his hands. The shorter man smiles slightly as he starts to take her measurements.]

You're going to be quite popular, I think.

[He can just imagine March's comment in this moment. "He has those grandfatherly vibes!" ... He misses them, but he's given up on finding the Astral Express Crew, or even the High-Cloud Quintet, in this life. Even with Blade here, Dan Heng simply doesn't think it's likely he'll reunite with them.

As he sits down to start knitting, he sees movement in his peripheral that makes him flinch slightly, startled by the sudden movement. There's a subtle edge of uncertainty in his tone as Dan Heng reflexively asks:]

Zhongli—?

[Zhongli has already placed himself between someone else and their table. The guilty party is a woman of indeterminate age, obviously Pinterest Mom of some flavor, with her arm extended and her target now blocked by Zhongli's massive chest.]

I beg your pardon, [the dragon says casually.] Can I help you with something?

[His tone is polite and friendly, but his expression does not match the warmth.]

[Oh. Dan Heng stares at the woman who stares back at Zhongli. There's a moment of silence. Then the lady tries for a winning smile before making a half-hearted apology that sounds more like an excuse to Dan Heng's ears. She retreats back to her table with her friends (family?) and he notes that they seem to be talking seriously about something. He doubts this is going to be the last incident.

Still, he looks back up at Zhongli.]

Thank you. That was careless of me.

[A mistake he's not willing to repeat or become habit. Dan Heng sighs softly before rearranging his wool to make it easier to protect from would-be thieves. He didn't think he'd have to do this, but clearly he still has too much faith in humanity.]

You seem to be getting along well with Chilong.

[Zhongli's gaze warms when he meets Dan Heng's eyes.]

Think nothing of it. I simply have a certain awareness cultivated after being in a few different lion's dens.

[No one has ever pickpocketed him and lived, usually because they realize he doesn't have a wallet, but still. He snatches up another baby Pokemon, a Togepi this time, as it toddles by. He bounces it in his arms before settling it for measurements.]

I think we're of similar temperament. He's quite reasonable.

How Much Could a Pair of Knitting Needles Be?

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