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Of course, Nana would be allowed to move soon enough. Than and Nana would have time to reacquaint later, with any luck. Nana may have found it good that Than had taken it upon himself to become stronger, she may have been the only one to think that way.

Sho smiled, reminded again of how nice it was to have an unbridled little girl in his family. "^_^ Hi there, birthday girl and birthday boys. Thanks for letting me be here today." He found it only polite to extend his thanks to his nephews and niece.

"Get a little side tracked on your way here, Sho?" Mastema inquired with a sarcastic grin. "Maybe had the daylights scared out of you?"

"Shush, bro! >< You're already taller than me, no need to rub your undying valor in my face too." Sho huffed in return, amusing Mastema, before Sho sat down on the opposite side of Mastema. One could only hope Micha and Eecheb would have an equally 'loving' relationship.

Sho returned Nana's smile, putting his hand up in a half wave, half salute, giving the same response to Eecheb as well. "So.... um..... we're still waiting for--" Sho began, but was cut off.

"Hi," Thanatos blurted out as Sho began, causing Sho to blink in his direction. "Um.... thanks, but a little late, huh Than? ^^;" Sho chuckled nervously.

"Hmm? Oh, I didn't mean you Ojisan..." Than responded, then pointing to the door. At the entrance, Proto beeped in greetings, and waved to the others.

Having found his place beside Trilla at the table, Slayer arrived some time later after his talk with Yuri, though he didn't keep everyone waiting long. After all parties were in attendance, Nana was able to make the grand unveiling of the cake, and the kids were free to drool if they really forgot their manners.

Proto would find some way to amuse himself while the others ate. It was a wonder how long he would be able to keep the recent events that had been troubling him a secret. Slayer and Sho had no trouble eating the sweets of the cake. Hopefully, Nana was having a conversation with her kids as well. It would help the children if they could be casual with her, instead of just seeing her as a teacher.

Eventually, and after some hesitation in thinking what to talk about, Mastema would finally give some conversation to the kids, though mostly Trilla and Eecheb since they were more talkative than their brothers. Surprisingly, Mastema had kept up the conversation for more than ten seconds with relative ease, a big accomplishment considering he had trouble bringing his speaking tone down to children appropriate levels.

"I realize learning to make a light out of magic may not seem like much," Mastema said, after seeral exchanges with the kids already, "but it's more than you might think. Hmm.... I think I may have been nearly twice your age before I was able to learn the same skills." It was a few 'firsts' for Mastema to the kids: not only was Mastema giving the children a sense that they had in one way overcome heir father, but it was one of the first openings he'd made about his past.

While Trilla and Eecheb showed they were listening, Mastema had to wonder how much Nana had talked of her past to them. She had been a witness, so she must've had her fair share of interesting stories to tell them. "Not even that," Mastema answered Eecheb, "in fact, I think I must have been nearly ten before I mastered any of my first magic spells." Mastema couldn't remember how old he was when he'd first learned a spell or casting, but he knew it was not only older than the kids' current age but also older than they age they looked. "Granted, it wasn't as easy first spell as producing light, but I was still much older before I even mastered it." Mastema took another bite of his cake.

Though Slayer and Sho continued to chatter, and Thanatos seemed to be uninterested, they were all paying attention to Mastema's interaction with the young ones. Mastema was somewhat aware of it, and wished he had the audacity to tell them to mind their own business.

Maybe it was for the better that the children hadn't asked 'what' his first spell was. Given, it wasn't making a light, but it was still between 8 and 10 years before he learned it. However, that was mostly due to the fact it wasn't his choice of what to learn and when. "Indeed, almost ten. Of course, I think you'll be far ahead of where I was by the time you all turn ten years old, seeing as you have almost 8 years head start." Mastema chuckled lightly, seeming that he'd got something right with the kids.

Slayer and Sho, would chuckle as well, albeit nervously under Micha's stare of doom. Than was eating cake while he listened, so he wasn't really prying. Of course, there were a few things he could think to say at this point.

"Once I started, I didn't stop studying the matter, so yes; even if I don't use all of the magic I know, I at least know about other types and also how to use them, if necessary. However, my real specialty is telepathy, which isn't quite the same as magic." He let Trilla and Eecheb have their little chatter before he responded, though it was probably a good sign to see Eecheb defending Mastema's ability. "Of course, I believe Slayer has studied it much more extensively than I have." He chuckled, perhaps giving an invitation for others to join the conversation.

With a rather goofy smile and a pleasant laugh, Slayer waved lightly as eyes were turned on him. "Oh I get so bored I suppose I just can't help but meditate on magic, martial arts, and anything else that catches my interest." Slayer was very old compared to just about anything else on the planet, but even magic wasn't his main specialty, just one of them. Being so old, Slayer had the opportunity to study many things, not just magic. However, some time ago, he had taught or at least aided Mastema in masterig most every technique he commonly used now.

"Yeah," Sho interjected, "we all know his real specialty is in kicking my butt ~_~" it was Sho's light humor to give him a reason to talk. It did give Slayer and Mastema a light chuckle. "It was only a matter of getting used to your technique, my friend. Don't take it personally; afterall, I've been doing this since long before you or Lord Mastema were born. My fighting is more elegant than my magic, in most cases."

"Indeed," Mastema interjected, "how old were you again when you first mastered magic, Sho?"

Sho snorted, mocking annoyance at Mastema's question. ".......I think 20 or 30........." Sho said with some reluctance, but quickly continued as to give a reason for his late 'blooming.' "I was all about the swordsmanship. Combining that art with magc doesn't come until you've practiced for a loooooong time, you know."