Mutants V.S. Humans

Erika giggled, and again put a hand on his head. 'Yummy pudding.' She chanted. She saw blue fur across the room, and waved. 'Hi Beast.' She said.

Beast looked up and smiled. "Good morning Erika, Ben." He said normally. "I bet you can't wait for the court hearing today." He lighly punched Ben's arm. "I also bet you can't wait for her to officially call you her father."

Erika smiled. 'Me go to school?' She asked.

Beast looked at her. "Tomorrow you start kindergarten."

Erika frowned. 'Me no wanna go.'

Ben shook his head, "No, no I can not wait. Did you put in that good word for me, Beast? I know you have a few friends on the court."

Looking up at Erika, 'Oh, your going tomorrow. I'll stay there with you if you want.'

Erika pouted. She didn't like the thought of leaving HQ.

Beast smiled. "You know me Ben. Of course. I will be happy when Erika is officially yours." He said in a cheerful tone.

Erika's tummy growled, and she hit Ben lightly on the head. 'Food?' She asked.

Beast barked a laugh. "Are you happy Erika?"

Erika smiled, and nodded her head.

'Okay, okay. We'll go.'

About to continue walking, he said, "Hey, Beast. Have you eaten? Care to join us?"

Looking up at Erika, 'No more food fights, I just got the mashed potatoes from last night out of my hair.'

Erika smiled her sweetest smile. 'Yes daddy.' She said with a hint of mischief.

Beast laughed. "Sure." He followed them to the food room.

Erika leaped down from Ben's shoulder, and raced for the pudding. She got it and ate all of it.

Beast watched her, and grabbed himself waffles, which he ate just as fast as Erika.

Erika now full, went back to Ben. 'Uppy?' She asked.

(she says uppy when she wants to be held or be on Ben's shoulders.)

Ben grabbed some chocolate pudding for himself, and was half way through it when Erika asked her question, 'Sure. You'll have to climb up though.'

Erika took that as her challenge, and climbed onto his back. She stayed there, and rested her head between his shoulders. Her somewhat strong legs and arms keeping her on.

Beast looked at the clock and swore. "Court hearing in five minutes you two." He warned.

Ben had just finished the pudding when Beast gave the warning, he swore as well, "Brilliant. Come on Eri. Thankfully what you're wearing is fine enough."

He stood up with Erika hanging off his back, putting his arms under her legs to support her, he said, "Catch ya on the flip side, Beast."

Then he left, half-walking, half-running for the court room, which thankfully was in the same building. He skidded into the door two minutes later, everyone was already there, the jury, the judge and the gallery.

The judge, a mutant with a third eye in his forehead, leaned back, "Ah, here's the people of the moment."

Ben bowed his head, "Sorry, breakfast took longer than I expected."

"Just take a seat." And so, Ben did, but not before putting Erika in the chair beside him.

((I'll do the proceeding and everything after you post next.))

Beast looked after them. "Good luck you two." He whispered.

Erika enjoyed being with Ben. Sitting beside him, she started to shake. She hoped they would approve Ben's request to become her father.

The three-eyed judge rapped his gavel against the table, "This court is now come to order, today we are judging the case of Benjamin Jakob DaVine applying to become Erika's stepfather."

"Do you have anything to say, Benjamin?" He shook his head, he knew what he wanted, and he knew he was going to get it.

The judge sat back, "We have all heard good things about Benjamin here, his vendetta against the humans, his help with the construction of our township, and his caring for the children, and his supplying us with the intelligence to the AMA's plans. Personally, I cannot see a reason for the papers to be finalized, but that is for the jury to decide." He nodded to the jury who, taking the cue, all stood up and took their leave to the decision room.

Ben sighed as he rested his arms on the table, 'So far so good.' He thought to Erika.

Erika poked his arm. She pointed to her tummy, and made the hand sign for flip and jump. She smiled at Ben, then at the judge. 'Ben my daddy?' She asked, projecting her thoughts to everyone in the room. She cocked her head, and her eyes conveyed hopefulness. As always she wasn't able to stay quiet for long.

The judge looked down at Erika, "We'll see, young one. It's up to the jury."

Ben nodded in agreement.

Erika turned to face Ben, and started to poke his arm again. When that wasn't wroking, she began to bat at his arm like a kitten. 'Uppy in lap?' She asked, Ben.

Ben picked up Erika and placed her in his lap.

Erika curled up in his lap, and placed her head on his chest. She listened to him breath, and his heartbeat. She cuddled into him, not moving, and staying really quiet.