The creature had awakened—the only question remaining was whether it had gained enough sentience to converse with us.
My child didn't wish to make me guess any longer, evidenced by the fact that…
A loud, high-pitched, girly cry reverberated across my home with the might of a volcanic eruption.
"DADDY!!"
"…"
"What?" I gasped, utterly flabbergasted. I was uncertain how to react appropriately.
Its parent had a deep, masculine voice, making me refer to it as a male, even though Geims were technically genderless. This baby Geim had the exact opposite tone of voice.
After shouting, the Geim's branches moved with newfound vitality, no longer swaying mindlessly in the wind but reaching forward with clear intent. One extended toward me, then another, then several more, moving in frantic motions.
Their tips curled around my face, tracing the contours of my cheeks, my jaw, my hair. It was exploring me.
She was taking in every detail with utmost care, memorizing me diligently and eagerly as if she had been waiting for this moment her entire life.
Yes, from here on out, I'll just refer to this creature as if it were female. I can't help it, she has such a girly voice.
Then, with the same enthusiasm, she reached for the seven women standing around her trunk. One by one, her branches gently brushed against them, sliding through Blossom's silky blonde hair, tracing Ayame's sword-calloused hands, and ruffling Aurora's locks playfully. "Blossom Mommy… Ayame Mommy… Aurora… Sis?"
She muttered while exploring them, her uncertainty was evident. Just like a newborn child, she was trying to get used to her new family.
However, she didn't hesitate when it came to Lucille. Sensing her overflowing warmth, she wrapped a vine around her waist in a squeeze, hugging her like a little daughter would.
Each mother was given attention, her motions growing more confident with every touch, like a kitten nuzzling its way into the scent of its family.
Once she had her fill, her movements changed, being more deliberate—more possessive. Her branches coiled around me, then around my girls, pulling us inward until we were pressed against her thick, sturdy trunk. It wasn't a forceful embrace, but it told us very clearly she didn't want any of us to detach ourselves.
"Wele to our family!" Lucille squealed while returning the needy hug with every fiber of her being.
I had to give it to this woman. I'd given them a herculean task when I decided I'd basically adopt a damned tree-looking creature, but Lucille had no qualms to give whatsoever. She embraced the child as if it were her real baby, with all her heart. All my girls were doing excellently, considering the extremely strange situation, but she went above and beyond.
"Blossom thinks her daughter needs a very cute name."
She put an extremely heavy emphasis on the word 'very,' letting me know I wasn't permitted to give her a name I found humorous.
My dog girl knew me perfectly, for I was about to suggest calling her Geimette.
"Name?" she asked, confused.
"Just like I and your mothers have a personal name, so should you. We can't call you 'Geim,' that would just be plain distasteful. Giving you a proper name will make everyone's life easier and also give you a unique, personal flair." 𝙧â𐌽ȱ₿ЕŠ
"Okay, Daddy!"
"What a well-mannered daughter you are…" I said, giving her trunk a few good strokes.
"Ehehehe!"
Ayame whispered dryly.
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