Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was strange to visit after such a long while, and it was long even for Donovan it was an insanely long time since the last he had been to the Borderlands. Yet this was also a wonderful familiar feeling, after all Kara was there beside him (even though he would rather she stayed home this time around).

Lin of course was waiting with her bag on the floor her arm crossed over her chest. She hadn't changed that much... well except she had friends outside of the family, and was more wise in the ways of the world (even though he really really wished Kara had let him hunt down those damn Jonson boys). Though he wasn't too impressed with the fact she wanted a cellphone (he blaimed her new best friend Raven for that one).

Miyu was... more or less the same as always, she was trying to crub her skittering tend as far as he could tell.... it was sort of working. Some days were better than others, but at least her self esteeem was improving the healing the headmaster thing worked wonders.. and Tracy was no longer drugged up (though Tracy didn't know that).

Feng and Ryu of course were going to come because they always came and they always insisted on coming because of Aliya whom had become their closest friend outside of the family since they were teens, and with Feng and Ryu Naida also became another regular because there was no way Feng was going anywhere without Naida.

Toshiro was going to come this time, he liked hanging around Miyu for some reason (Donovan suspected because Toshiro felt like he owed Miyu for letting him leech magic from her). The saracastic child with the mind of a cycnical teenager was one Donovan could understand the best, even though it was kind of weird on most days.

After taking note and stock of everyone he made a note and stock of the bags... which was the usual things he would need for the Hunt... Kara's bag full of clothes.... new medical supplies... and oh yea... ginger, ginger candy, mint leaves and enough almond candy to keep back any cravings and morning sickness Kara was going to get.

"So, are we forgetting anything?" he finally asked.

It was late afternoon in the Borderlands, and the crisp air and golden leaves showed that it was early Fading, and that Winter was only a matter of weeks away. The days were growing shorter, and so it was that while it was indeed still the afternoon (though it would shortly be evening) the sun was already beginning to lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the ground.

To the east, smoke rose from chimney tops, and from the west the sound of horses could be heard afar off. The air was peaceful and calm, and every once in a while, if one were to listen ever so closely, soft giggles could be heard.

Donovan waved a bit back at the retreating trio before ushering the younger ones namely Miyu and Toshiro in the direction of the Ranch.

"Come on, the sooner we go the sooner we can get there."

"And even if you can't go on your hunt, we are staying right?" Lin asked, though it was more like a request than anything else.

In Lin's own odd way.

Kara tried to place where she might have seen the young woman, but couldn't... how much time had passed she wondered. Did anyone have any children or did anyone new come along? She smiled though trying to reassure the young woman before her.

"My name is Kara Winters," she laid a hand on Donovan's arm, "This is my husband Donovan Lau, and our children Lin, and Toshiro, and my granddaughter Miyu."

Miyu stood stalk still staring back at the woman before her, even though she was a little below elvish height, she was still tall to Miyu and well it was Miyu to be honest, "Mi...." her lower lipped quivered.

The young woman looked thoughtful.

"Winters," she murmured softly. "Donovan ..."

Suddenly her eyes lit up, and her nervousness seemed to vanish instantly. "Donovan! You're the one who rescued us when we were children!" She smiled widely, her eyes now filled with excitement. "I'm Rose, you rescued me and my brother Roydon from the slavers when we were young!"

Now that she remembered him, she realized that yes, he was exactly the same as he had ever been ... which was strange for a human, but that didn't cross her mind because she was so used to immortals.

"What brings you here?" she asked cheerfully. "Are you going on another trip?"

Rose blushed at Donovan's comment and fidgeted slightly. "Well," she murmured softly in reply, "it's been over a decade ..."

She giggled at Lin. "He is," she nodded happily. "We've been here for ... about two years now, maybe a bit more. We would have headed back home sooner, but Arwen said she wanted to say goodbye befo-"

She cut herself off midsentence and clamped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide with horror. "I promised not to say," she gasped softly. "I'm sorry ..."

Kara giggled at Donovan, unlike Lin she found Donovan's quirks amusing actually.

"Let's go then," she turned to Rose, "Are you heading somewhere else? I guess we did startle you greatly."

"Don't let us keep you then," Kara replied, "I'm sure you probably want to talk before dinner."

Otherwise she figured Rose wouldn't go so early, and besides they had gone to the ranch by themselves many times before. Today would be no different except that it had obviously been a very long while.