Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Ah, it's always been a dream of mine, even if our parents hadn't drilled the thought of marrying early and producing heirs into all of our heads. When we were all much younger, we used to play house, as children do. I was the husband, Ophelia my wife, Izzy our child since she was just a little waif in those days. I would sit there, in my father's big chair, wearing my slippers and robe, with my father's pipe in my mouth and the paper in my hands, my feet up on the stool." He grinned, squatting down so she wouldn't have to tilt her head up as much.

"Ophelia, she would sit on the little ottoman by me, crocheting and talking of the weather, of mainland gossip, for even then she was interested in such things. And Izzy would be on the floor, barely able to crawl, blowing bubbles with her mouth and surrounded by toys and dolls. We thought we were quite mature, you see, quite the responsible parents. But I think I was the only one who wished it were more than a game."

With a sigh, he looked into the water, dipping a finger into it, watching the ripples. "But what business did I have starting a family, courting a woman, that one special woman, if I couldn't protect them, couldn't keep them safe. I could provide for them, there was never any question about that. But beyond that, I was helpless. I didn't always specialize in shields. I used to focus on culinary magicks. But, as my father pointed out, a man can't protect what's his with flour on his hands. I paid him no mind at first, for I enjoyed what I was doing. But one day...One day Ophelia traveled out too far in the surf, with the swells coming in. And I could do nothing, couldn't swim fast enough, couldn't shoot my magic out far enough, to help her. My father saved her, and I felt useless. So I learned. I learned, I honed, I perfected...And you don't much care to hear me ramble on this way." He said suddenly, with a sheepish grin.

Ambrose saw the look in her eyes, the blush in her cheeks, but didn't dare to hope. She's not for you, bucko, he warned himself, even as his hand reached out of its own accord, stroked down her cheek, lingering on her chin for a moment before he dropped it again, staring at her,

She's not for you, not this one who's pure perfection. She's for a man who can give her more than a few promises and undying love. She's for the one who can protect her, one who would've been able to keep her from seeing bloodbath, as he'd been unable to do. He'd failed her, so he didn't deserve her. Sometimes he hated his own code of honor.

Ambrose felt her hand shaking, and kept his eyes open even as their lips hovered near each other, met in a kiss that had his own eyes drifting shut as his hand moved to cup her cheek, his other hand moving into her hair.

Finally...The word moved through his head like a prayer, and he kissed her softly, carefully, slowly.

((I FOUND IT. GOOD GOD.))

Gia listened to the...enthusiastic responses of the two students in front of her. "I...I see. Well, I'm Professor Saffron, and this is Milo." She gestured to the creature on her shoulder, who let out his strange cry of welcome.

Kan-Shin nodded back at the creature and faced Professor Saffron and asked while taking out the letter "By the way, I cam back to this school on the account of this letter! Do you find it similar to anyone's handwriting in this institution? A student or a staff member?" Kan-Shin gave the letter to the female professor for her to observe and then asked "By the way, do you know of any job openings for this school? I am currently looking for a stable job instead of doing odd-jobs here and there! I went through the most dangerous to some of the most disturbing stuff and I really want to settle down!"

Min-De asked "Master! What about lodging? Are we gonna live in an apartment or-" Kan-Shin shrugged and said "In terms of living space, the school will do just fine! I don't mind patrolling the school at night and making sure no one causing trouble!"

Gia laughed a bit, her eyes friendly. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, young man, but I'm new here myself. I wouldn't know of any openings, but you can feel free to help me try and find the headmaster. Surely he can help both of us out."

Lin couldn't help but laugh softly. "Well, my parents will be very happy with this, since you are part elf. I have always wanted to please my parents, but that is not why I... I would like to be with you."

She was quite terrified right now. It was so hard to tell Ambrose that she wanted to be with him. What if he died, too? What if he had to leave her? She was so unbelievably terrified to open herself up again. But she couldn't deny her feelings. She never could. That was not in an elf's nature.

Lin closed her eyes and sighed raggedly. True, her pendant wouldn't kill Ambrose, or even hurt him, since he was part elf and had white energy in him.

A single tear fell down her cheek. "You... you cannot control that, Ambrose. You cannot guarantee that you will not... die."