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[just-me-and-the-toaster]

Audrey reached out, supporting him with her other arm too…but it still wasn’t enough. The man wobbled and collapsed again before Audrey could catch him. “Woah–are you sure you’re alright?” Most of his legs were covered by the sail, but from what was visible Audrey couldn’t see anything wrong. “Does it hurt? Is it broken?” Audrey knelt down beside him, resting her hand on his knee. She pressed lightly, but it didn’t feel swollen, and the man showed no signs of pain. He looked away though, and Audrey got the sense that he was feeling embarrassed. “Hey, it’s alright…we’ll figure this out,” Audrey chewed her lip in thought. The first thing she had to tackle was their communication. Kneeling down next to him, she rested a hand on his shoulder. Tentatively she said, “I know you can’t tell me anything, but do you understand what I’m saying?” Upon his confirmation, Audrey smiled. “Okay, that’s good…”. Audrey continued thinking. She couldn’t really ask for help, both because no one knew she snuck out and because she couldn’t leave him out here and go all the way back to the castle or the village. “Do you think it’s broken?” She waited for his response. “Sprained?” She paused again. 

The panic in Audrey’s chest increased as he continued to just stare blankly at her. Maybe he’s in shock, she thought to herself. And he wasn’t making any motion with his hands or anything, he was just looking at her. And the more she studied his predicament, she realized that he had absolutely nothing with him other than the sail. The entire situation was puzzling…how does a man end up completely unclothed and with no belongings in the middle of the beach on a perfectly sunny day? And why won’t he say anything, in any language.

Audrey gazed out across the horizon. There was not a ship in sight, and the sun was beginning to head towards the ocean. Audrey then turned to look up and down the beach. There was no one in sight. So Audrey made a decision. “Why don’t you come with me…I can get you help, something to eat, and give you a place to stay. It’s just…” Audrey sighed, “Where I live is a little different from the rest of this city.” She reached out a hand to help him stand. “Oh! I’m Audrey by the way. And despite what anyone else says, you can just call me Audrey,” She wasn’t sure he knew she was, and if he didn’t, Audrey wished that it could stay that way. But she couldn't help him without revealing her identity, and she couldn’t just leave him here.

[just-me-and-the-toaster]

still blooming 🌷🌼💐 | prints

[just-me-and-the-toaster]

Compilation of Audrey, Seymour, and the cute little dance they do during Closed for Renovation 💕

[just-me-and-the-toaster]

The panic in Audrey’s chest increased as he continued to just stare blankly at her. Maybe he’s in shock, she thought to herself. And he wasn’t making any motion with his hands or anything, he was just looking at her. And the more she studied his predicament, she realized that he had absolutely nothing with him other than the sail. The entire situation was puzzling…how does a man end up completely unclothed and with no belongings in the middle of the beach on a perfectly sunny day? And why won’t he say anything, in any language.

Audrey gazed out across the horizon. There was not a ship in sight, and the sun was beginning to head towards the ocean. Audrey then turned to look up and down the beach. There was no one in sight. So Audrey made a decision. “Why don’t you come with me…I can get you help, something to eat, and give you a place to stay. It’s just…” Audrey sighed, “Where I live is a little different from the rest of this city.” She reached out a hand to help him stand. “Oh! I’m Audrey by the way. And despite what anyone else says, you can just call me Audrey,” She wasn’t sure he knew she was, and if he didn’t, Audrey wished that it could stay that way. But she couldn't help him without revealing her identity, and she couldn’t just leave him here.

Audrey stared back at him, instantly lost in his big brown eyes. They struck Audrey as vaguely familiar…but Audrey shook the notion from her head. There was no way she’d seen this man before. She knelt down beside him and instinctively exclaimed his exposed skin for any injuries. She looked over the shipwreck he sat in, but it looked old. The wood was completely dry, apart from where the water lapped over it, and it was bleached a pale brown from the constant sun. So how had he gotten there wrapped in the ship's sail?

Audrey turned back to him, hoping that he would tell her what on earth had happened to him, but he uttered not a word. For a moment, Audrey thought he was going to speak, but nothing came out. But he did smile at her, which Audrey took as a good sign…but not good enough. “Are you alright?” She began to ask again when a thought suddenly occurred to her - maybe he didn’t speak English! “Do you speak English? Or a language from one of the nearby countries? I might know a little bit because I’ve had to study for – uh, for things…” Audrey stopped herself, realizing she may not want to reveal herself as the kingdom’s only princess. 

They stared at each other, and the more she stared at those brown eyes, the more she couldn’t shake the thought that she’d seen them somewhere before. “Are you…Do you by any chance spend any time at the royal palace?” She said, wincing at the fact her cover was slowly being blown. Well, she thought to herself, he’d have to find out sooner or later because she wasn’t going to leave him out here and the only place she could really take him was the palace.

[just-me-and-the-toaster]

Audrey stared back at him, instantly lost in his big brown eyes. They struck Audrey as vaguely familiar…but Audrey shook the notion from her head. There was no way she’d seen this man before. She knelt down beside him and instinctively exclaimed his exposed skin for any injuries. She looked over the shipwreck he sat in, but it looked old. The wood was completely dry, apart from where the water lapped over it, and it was bleached a pale brown from the constant sun. So how had he gotten there wrapped in the ship's sail?

Audrey turned back to him, hoping that he would tell her what on earth had happened to him, but he uttered not a word. For a moment, Audrey thought he was going to speak, but nothing came out. But he did smile at her, which Audrey took as a good sign…but not good enough. “Are you alright?” She began to ask again when a thought suddenly occurred to her - maybe he didn’t speak English! “Do you speak English? Or a language from one of the nearby countries? I might know a little bit because I’ve had to study for – uh, for things…” Audrey stopped herself, realizing she may not want to reveal herself as the kingdom’s only princess. 

They stared at each other, and the more she stared at those brown eyes, the more she couldn’t shake the thought that she’d seen them somewhere before. “Are you…Do you by any chance spend any time at the royal palace?” She said, wincing at the fact her cover was slowly being blown. Well, she thought to herself, he’d have to find out sooner or later because she wasn’t going to leave him out here and the only place she could really take him was the palace.

Audrey closed the hidden door softly behind her and took a deep breath of salty sea-side air. The tunnel from the palace’s interior to the beach was designed as an escape route in case of attack from some foreign kingdom…but it more often served as an escape route for a lonely princess, sick of royal rigamarole. She tugged her hood down lower to protect her face from the sun and conceal her identity. Then, she slipped off her heels and dug her toes into the warm sand. With a contented sigh, Audrey set off across the sand, heading towards the water’s edge where the waves were cooling and she could find various odds and ends the sea coughed up. s

She wandered along until the palace was mostly hidden behind the curve of the beach – only its highest turrets could be seen. Audrey knew her absence had most likely been discovered by now and caused a stir…but she couldn’t bring herself to care. She loved her walks on the beach, and it was getting harder and harder to get a quiet moment to herself with each passing day. After the “unfortunate”, and rather sudden, demise of her suitor – a beastly man who’s only hobby seemed to be hunting anything that moved out on the open waters – the kingdom was scrambling to find another suitor for his daughter. Personally, Audrey wasn’t all that interested in the hoards of princes who thought much too highly of themselves and not nearly highly enough of her, and she would rather have reigned in solitude than marry one of them. 

Unless…part of Audrey believed that she had just made it up, but another part of her was convinced it was real. The man who had rescued her from the same shipwreck that had killed her first suitor. All she could remember was his sweet smile and kind voice…but there had been no reports of another man being there that day. It seemed as if he had come out of the waves, only to disappear before Audrey could give him her thanks. 

Speaking of being washed up on the beach, Audrey paused as she spied a figure ahead on the shoreline. Well, if you could call it a figure. It was more of a lump wrapped in a white piece of fabric. But Audrey was sure she had just seen it move. Worried that it was a dolphin that had washed up on shore, or a turtle stuck in debris, she rushed forward. When she got closer, she realized that it was a person. A person wrapped up in a tattered sail and nothing else, blinking at her in the sun. Shocked, Audrey hurried to where the figure sat as questions rushed from her lips. “Hello? Are you hurt? Do you need help? How long have you been here?”

[just-me-and-the-toaster]

Audrey closed the hidden door softly behind her and took a deep breath of salty sea-side air. The tunnel from the palace’s interior to the beach was designed as an escape route in case of attack from some foreign kingdom…but it more often served as an escape route for a lonely princess, sick of royal rigamarole. She tugged her hood down lower to protect her face from the sun and conceal her identity. Then, she slipped off her heels and dug her toes into the warm sand. With a contented sigh, Audrey set off across the sand, heading towards the water’s edge where the waves were cooling and she could find various odds and ends the sea coughed up. s

She wandered along until the palace was mostly hidden behind the curve of the beach – only its highest turrets could be seen. Audrey knew her absence had most likely been discovered by now and caused a stir…but she couldn’t bring herself to care. She loved her walks on the beach, and it was getting harder and harder to get a quiet moment to herself with each passing day. After the “unfortunate”, and rather sudden, demise of her suitor – a beastly man who’s only hobby seemed to be hunting anything that moved out on the open waters – the kingdom was scrambling to find another suitor for his daughter. Personally, Audrey wasn’t all that interested in the hoards of princes who thought much too highly of themselves and not nearly highly enough of her, and she would rather have reigned in solitude than marry one of them. 

Unless…part of Audrey believed that she had just made it up, but another part of her was convinced it was real. The man who had rescued her from the same shipwreck that had killed her first suitor. All she could remember was his sweet smile and kind voice…but there had been no reports of another man being there that day. It seemed as if he had come out of the waves, only to disappear before Audrey could give him her thanks. 

Speaking of being washed up on the beach, Audrey paused as she spied a figure ahead on the shoreline. Well, if you could call it a figure. It was more of a lump wrapped in a white piece of fabric. But Audrey was sure she had just seen it move. Worried that it was a dolphin that had washed up on shore, or a turtle stuck in debris, she rushed forward. When she got closer, she realized that it was a person. A person wrapped up in a tattered sail and nothing else, blinking at her in the sun. Shocked, Audrey hurried to where the figure sat as questions rushed from her lips. “Hello? Are you hurt? Do you need help? How long have you been here?”

@just-me-and-the-toaster (plotted starter)

Seymour burst through the water with a loud splash, cool morning air burning his lungs as he coughed and gasped for breath. It took a few seconds for him to open his eyes and actually process the fact that he was alive after his frantic swim upwards. The moment his gills had closed up, he had thought for sure that he was going to drown before he even managed to reach the surface.

He felt a spark of hope in his chest as he spotted land off in the distance, not too far from his current location in the middle of the ocean. It was probably best to get there as soon as he could, especially while the waves were relatively calm.

Despite the tranquil sea, he found that swimming without a tail wasn't as easy or intuitive as he had hoped it would be, and by the time he finally got to shore, he found himself utterly exhausted from the effort of doing so. Crawling halfway onto the sand, he collapsed against a nearby rock, wincing at the ache in his legs.

...His legs!

Seymour's eyes widened as he stared down at his newly-formed limbs, and he ran his palm over the soft skin that had replaced his scales. He then lifted one of his feet out of the water, blinking in silent amazement as he wiggled his toes for the first time. Oh my god...

The magic had really worked. He was human now.

His heart fluttered with joy at the revelation, and suddenly, he no longer felt so tired. Using the nearby rock for support, he began to attempt to pull himself up onto his feet. It took a couple of tries, but he eventually managed to maneuver himself into a standing position, legs quivering beneath him all the while. However, he was only upright for a heartbeat or two, as when he attempted to take a step forwards, he immediately toppled face-first into the sand.

Despite his failure, Seymour knew he couldn't let himself become too discouraged. After all, how was he supposed to get anywhere if he couldn't walk? He couldn't give up already!

Come on, Seymour, old boy, He thought as he slowly stood up once more, focusing hard on maintaining his balance. You can do this.

His second try was a bit more successful, as he was actually able to take a few clumsy, trembling steps further up onto the shore before his legs gave out again, grains of sand pressing into his palms as he fell back down onto his knees. Walking was clearly going to be a learning process... Seymour just hoped it wouldn't take too long for him to get the hang of it.

A sharp, biting breeze blew, piercing his bare skin down to the bone and making him shiver. It was surprisingly chilly on the beach, despite the sun shining in the blue sky overhead.

He peered around at his new surroundings before his eyes locked in on a mass of fabric laying just a few feet away from where he knelt. An abandoned sail, from the looks of it. Would that be enough to keep him warm?

Not wanting to expend any more energy on walking for the moment, he crawled over to the sail, grabbing it and eventually managing to tie it around himself in such a way that it wrapped around his torso, concealing a good portion of his previously-exposed body from the sting of the icy air. No, he wasn't completely warmed up, but that did feel much better.

He sat in silence for a moment, staring out towards the horizon and listening to the gentle crashing of the waves as he began to ponder what to do next. How close was he to where Audrey lived? Would he ever be able to find her? And even if he could find her, what was he going to do after that?

...Would she even want anything to do with him?

Before he could be consumed by the worries that all seemed to hit him at once, the sound of distant footsteps caught his attention, and he turned his head to see someone-- a human-- walking in his direction from further down the beach. They weren't yet close enough for him to make out many details, but if he was lucky, maybe they'd somehow be able to guide him to Audrey?

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After she got Cosmo and Daisy settled with their plates, she went back to the kitchen to put a pot of coffee on. For herself, she put a kettle on the stove to make a cup of tea. When both were finished, she brought them out to the dining room table, along with some extra napkins. Even within the short time she was gone, syrup had already been smeared across rosy cheeks and eager fingers. Audrey sat down at the last empty place, next to Seymour, smiling at Seymour and Daisy’s somewhat one sided conversation. 

“Oh, thank you, hon,” Audrey smiled shyly, but she couldn’t deny that she was getting pretty good at making pancakes. Her first few attempts were a little shaky, but once it became a favorite with the kiddos and she began making it more often, she got better and better at it. Audrey smiled at Cosmo, reaching over to run a hand through his curly hair. “He’s too busy enjoyin’ his breakfast to worry ‘bout questions,“ She said with a small laugh. 

Sometimes she worried Cosmo was falling behind in the speech department, and it was easy to think that in comparison to Daisy, who seemed to be bounding ahead. Plus, since they were both simultaneously the Krelborns' first, Audrey had no idea where they should be at. Often Audrey worried it was her voice that was making it hard for Cosmo to pick up language. She’d read in countless baby books that young children picked up language by listening to their parents. What if Cosmo simply couldn't understand her? But, the other mothers in the neighborhood that she had befriended assured her that some kids took a little more time before they started talking. Still, she tried to be as clear as possible when talking to Cosmo.

“So, what sorta trouble should we get into today?” Audrey asked the table. As expected, she received happy babbles from Daisy. Audrey caught the name Lulu, who was Daisy’s stuffed giraffe that she brought with her everywhere. “Of course we can bring Lulu along with us!”

Audrey busied herself in the kitchen, concocting breakfast and trying to get the timing right so that once Seymour got the little ones settled in, she could swoop in as the pancakes hero. She giggled to herself as she peeked into the dining room to see Daisy scamper off into the living room while Seymour’s back was turned. Audrey continued to smile to herself as she listened to Seymour begin his search for her. For a moment, she wondered if she’d need to point him in the direction of the couch…But Audrey soon saw there was absolutely no need. To see Seymour know exactly where to find Daisy warmed Audrey’s heart. He was such a good dad, so attentive, careful, and patient – no matter what tricks Daisy had up her sleeve. 

When Seymour called out to Audrey she was setting the table: two big plates, and two little plates, two big forks and two little forks. The sight of 4 places still made her giddy. “Oh no! That’s too bad…it’s really a shame, because if she’s missing then I can’t give her any pancakes! I guess I’ll just have to eat them…” She winked at Cosmo, who looked up excitedly at the mention of pancakes. She watched with a smile as Daisy came running out, hands outstretched as if to grab hold of her pancakes before Mommy ate them. “Mm, that’s what I thought! You wouldn’t give up your pancakes for anything, huh?” Audrey said as she went back into the kitchen to get the food.

“All done! Who’s ready for pancakes!” Audrey brought out a plate piled high with pancakes and a bowl of fruit. She returned to the kitchen to get syrup and butter. “Thank you, darlin’...” She pressed a kiss to Seymour’s temple. “Do you want me to pour ya a cup of coffee?” She put a pancake each on the twins' plates and cut them up into bite size pieces. She did the same with some strawberries and blueberries. Finally, she poured a little bit of syrup over both of them, deftly dodging Daisy’s attempt to grab the bottle and pour it herself. 

[just-me-and-the-toaster]

hoppy valentines <3

[just-me-and-the-toaster]

Audrey busied herself in the kitchen, concocting breakfast and trying to get the timing right so that once Seymour got the little ones settled in, she could swoop in as the pancakes hero. She giggled to herself as she peeked into the dining room to see Daisy scamper off into the living room while Seymour’s back was turned. Audrey continued to smile to herself as she listened to Seymour begin his search for her. For a moment, she wondered if she’d need to point him in the direction of the couch…But Audrey soon saw there was absolutely no need. To see Seymour know exactly where to find Daisy warmed Audrey’s heart. He was such a good dad, so attentive, careful, and patient – no matter what tricks Daisy had up her sleeve. 

When Seymour called out to Audrey she was setting the table: two big plates, and two little plates, two big forks and two little forks. The sight of 4 places still made her giddy. “Oh no! That’s too bad…it’s really a shame, because if she’s missing then I can’t give her any pancakes! I guess I’ll just have to eat them…” She winked at Cosmo, who looked up excitedly at the mention of pancakes. She watched with a smile as Daisy came running out, hands outstretched as if to grab hold of her pancakes before Mommy ate them. “Mm, that’s what I thought! You wouldn’t give up your pancakes for anything, huh?” Audrey said as she went back into the kitchen to get the food.

“All done! Who’s ready for pancakes!” Audrey brought out a plate piled high with pancakes and a bowl of fruit. She returned to the kitchen to get syrup and butter. “Thank you, darlin’...” She pressed a kiss to Seymour’s temple. “Do you want me to pour ya a cup of coffee?” She put a pancake each on the twins' plates and cut them up into bite size pieces. She did the same with some strawberries and blueberries. Finally, she poured a little bit of syrup over both of them, deftly dodging Daisy’s attempt to grab the bottle and pour it herself. 

@just-me-and-the-toaster

"...Daisy? Daisy, where'd you go?"

Seymour looked around the dining room, a small spike of alarm fluttering within his stomach. His daughter had been standing at his feet only a moment ago, but it seemed she had run off in the brief time that he had his back turned, too focused on getting her brother settled into his high chair to have noticed the pitter-patter of tiny footsteps scurrying away from him.

He let out a small sigh, more out of disappointment than annoyance. This was becoming more and more of a common occurrence lately. The twins had only just learned to walk a couple of months ago, but the speed at which they had learned to use those little legs of theirs was astounding. Had Seymour not been so focused on his task of getting the little ones ready for breakfast, he might've gotten a bit emotional about it. His children were still small, yes, but they were still growing up so fast...!

...Sometimes too fast for their parents to keep up with, it seemed.

"Be right back...!" he informed his son, Cosmo, who, in contrast to his sister, was sitting quietly and patiently in the chair his father had just set him down in. Seymour gave the boy a quick pat on the head before hurrying out of the room in search of the other twin.

Don't worry, Seymour reassured himself as he made his way into the living room, calling his daughter's name out a few more times as he did so. She's in the house. All the doors and windows are locked. She couldn't have gone far.

...Besides, he thought as he neared one of the couches, having heard a tiny, familiar giggle coming from its direction. You know where she likes to hide.

He peeked behind said couch, spotting the little blonde girl crouched there, seemingly unaware of his presence as she laughed to herself at her perceived triumph in managing to escape from her father's watchful eye. Seymour's worry dissipated immediately, and he felt his lips curl into a tiny smile at the sight. Of course she would be in her favorite spot.

How did toddlers manage to be so predictable and yet unpredictable at once?

"Hm... Oh no..." he said, feigned concern ringing loud and clear in his voice as he turned and took a few steps from where he had found her, as if he were beginning to walk away. "...Audrey, she's missing! I-I can't find her anywhere!"

There was then the sound of small, quick footsteps, and Seymour whirled around to see Daisy running out from behind the couch, just as he had come to expect she would. He mirrored her ear-to-ear grin, quickly moving to scoop her up into his arms as she squealed in delight.

"Oh, there you are! I was so worried!" he cried, planting a small kiss on her cheek. He was unable to keep the laughter out of his voice, even as he attempted to keep up his act of ignorance. "...Come on, we gotta have breakfast!"

He carried his daughter back into the kitchen, where she was settled into the empty high chair next to her brother's without much protest.

Seymour stepped back and smiled fondly at the two children for a moment, a soft warmth filling his chest as he took in the sight of them; two perfect little faces bathed in the pale morning sunlight that shone in through the windows.

God, he couldn't believe how much he loved them. He had loved them with all of his heart since the day they had come into his and Audrey's life, and although they sometimes made things much more hectic than they had ever been before their arrival, he knew he wouldn't have traded them for the world.

The pleasant scent of freshly-cooked pancakes wafted into his nose, and he knew the twins could smell it too, as they were both looking in the direction of the kitchen expectantly.

He poked his head into the room where his wife was preparing their meal. Judging by the smell, it seemed she was almost finished. "How's breakfast going, honey?" he asked, stepping closer to Audrey. "...Finally managed to round the little tykes up, heh."