Welcome to Gaia! ::

The calm of the park was broken by the groups arrival. Stasia ran as fast as her legs would carry her, sprinting across the grass as a high breathless laugh came from deep inside her. The prize was gripped in her arms; a rather large, rather old-looking book. A Cheshire cat-like was plastered on her face as she ran.

"Anastasia, I fail to see the humor in this. Give my book back at once!" Matthias was none too enthused about having to chase after the half-elf. His long black tresses flew out behind him as he ran, a small frown on his face. His gait was different, almost bordering on predatorial as he chased after her.

"Josh!" Ginger called out, waving to her friend, a grin spread across her face. She grabbed her brother's hand and all but dragged him along as she ran over towards their friend. "Josh, check it! We finally grew too!"

'Zuba was one of the few still just walking. She held one of her infant cousins in her arms awkwardly, as if afraid she might break her. Aife simply snuggled against her older cousin and, more importantly, the hoodie.

Nataya was carrying the other cousin, holding the little deer-boy close. She glanced around with half-closed eyes, stifling a yawn. She looked like she'd just woken up, or like she was about to fall alseep. She smiled serenely, looking up and waving to her friends before going to comfort the scared little boy she was carrying.

"Anastasia, this is not funny! If you don't give it back, so help me, I'll-" The fae's rant was cut short by a high peal of laughter.

"You'll what? Sprinkle pixie dust on me or something? Psh." True, Stasia knew taunting Matthias wasn't the smartest thing to do, but it was hella fun. She giggled, busy evading her old friend as she made her way to the picnic tables.

Matthias, for the moment being, ignored the others. He wanted his book, and he wanted it now. He reached out, managing to grab Stasia by the collar. The half-elf squeaked as she was jerked back and let go, falling backwards onto the ground. Matthias plucked the book from her arms as she fell, heading over to the others and leaving Stasia there on the ground. Served her right...

Ginger grinned, skidding to a stop in front of her friend. "I missed you too, buddy!" she said, giggling before proceeding to give the boy a mild noogie. She then looked to Miles, smiling. "Hi there!" she said, holding her hand out. "The name's Ginger, nice to meet you."

Zemel looked to Josh, nodding. "Yeah, still cooking. 'Zuba and I worked together to make the food." he said, motioning to the picnic basket he had looped on his arm. He smiled at Miles. "I've been pretty good. How have you been?"

'Zuba offered one of her faint smiled to Vinny. "'Lo, Vinny." she said softly, nodding once. "Yeah, I-" She was cut off, then shook her head. "No, not pretty, but thanks anyways." What was it with people wanting to call her pretty? Were they all blind or something?

Aife took one look at Vincent and cringed; oh no, new scary person. She hid her little face against 'Zuba's hoodie, whimpering. Why wasn't 'Zuba making the scary monster go away?

Nataya avoided all the hubbub and heading for the picnic tables, taking a seat. A small yawn escaped her lips, despite her efforts to quell it. She leaned against the table, resting her chin lightly on her cousin's soft hair.

Koloro literally clung to Nataya, his large doe-like eyes peering out at all the strangers. Strange stranger people were strange and scary!

Stasia smiled as she was helped up. "Yeah, Vate, I'm fine." she said, rubbing the back of her head. She then shook her head. "You won't do anything. Pixie-boy and I hurt each other all the time; that's how we show we care." she explained, chuckling. "Thanks for the concern, though."

Matthias smiled, chuckling at the nickname. "Hello, Thali." he greeted formally, bowing slightly. "Hello, little one." he said, adressing the infant in the woman's arms.

Zemel tried to hide his shock; burning everything? "Of course I'll show you!" he said, almost too quickly. It was a crime not being able to cook, wasn't it? Apparently, in Zemel's book, it was. "It's not that hard once you get the hang of it. It takes practice."

Ginger smiled, nodding. "Yep!" she said, feeling flattered that he'd heard of her. And that Josh had talked about her. D'aww, she felt so special!

Zemel looked, then smiled back to Miles. "She's adorable. Congratulations, Miles!" he said.

'Zuba shook her head. "It's not, really." she said, frowning slightly. "There are lots prettier."

Aife was currently trying to hide behind 'Zuba's sleeve, away from the scary monster that knew her name.

Stasia smiled, nodding. "Yeah, sitting sounds good to me." She said, following him. Yeah, her and Matthias' way of showing they cared was a bit unconventional, but it worked for them, and that's all that mattered.

Matthias nodded, smiling faintly in return. "It is rather nice seeing you again." he agreed, then smiled. Ellie, huh? That had to be a diminutive of some other name, but he could ask later. "Yes, I would." he said, carefully taking the green-hued infant from the elf, holding her carefully.

The raven-haired man looked down at the child, listening. He then sighed. "Do not they have classes at the Liberty Center you could take?" he asked. Teaching was not something he wanted to get roped into, to be honest.

Zemel tilted his head. Flowers appear? "Well, at least she doesn't tear up stuff like someone else I know." A meaningful glance was shot at his sister, along with a snicker.

"That was only once, Zem!" Ginger said, pouting and crossing her arms in a very childish manner. She shook her head, smiling slightly, as if she'd shaken the negativity off. "Making flowers sounds cool; she'd be good to have around a greenhouse or something."

'Zuba just shook her head, but didn't argue. What was the point? He wasn't listening. She hugged the infant she held, offering a small smile. "Doesn't do well with new people." she explained.

Stasia smiled snagging a sandwich before taking a seat next to Vate. "Already got something." she said, waving the sandwich a bit before taking a bite. The bread was a bit soft from the Miracle Whip, but it still tasted pretty good.

Matthias just chuckled at the infant. Saw him before? They hadn't met before, and he was sure he'd remember seeing a green infant. He then looked back down to Josh. "I don't want your gold." he said politely, shaking his head.

Ginger giggled at the thought. Dandelions? That'd be awesome! Dandelions were such a pretty shade of yellow, and they were a very enduring plant. (And they were NOT a weed!)

"Remind me not to make her made." Zemel said, a little disturbed at the thought. Everyone as dandelions? Wouldn't they get run over by lawnmowers, or sprayed with herbicides, or yanked up by little kids? It was a truly scary thought.

Stasia nodded, turning her attention to the little boy. "Hey there, Lexie." she said, smiling at the little guy. She blinked, then chuckled. "Well, I guess that is one way of putting it." She then held her hand out to the child. "My name's Stasia." she said, introducing herself.

Nataya, who had been dozing a bit, jolted up. "Wha?" she said, the word mumbled and barely intelligible. She took a second, letting what he said sink in. "Yeah, I'm fine." she said, smiling at her mother's pet boy, as 'Zuba had described him as.

Nataya's jolting startled and woke Koloro, which was a very bad thing. The little boy let out a startled wail, causing Nataya to flinch. Oh snap, scary guy right in front of them! He curled up into a little ball on the older girl's lap, hiding his face. Duck and cover!

Matthias listened to Ellie. What in heavens was she talking about? He was about to respond to Josh when an all-too-familiar wail sounded. "Please excuse me a moment." he said, heading over to see what had spooked his son.

Ginger looked a bit disappointed, but then smiled. "So you've got Einstein as a little sister? Sweet." she said, nodding and grinning. Yeah, that's what she got out of the boy's words.

"You mean something like reincarnation or something?" Zemel asked, tilting his head to the side. "Hm.....well, atleast she won't have as much of a hard time in school, right?"

Nataya smiled back, hugging her little cousin gently. She rubbed the baby's back, trying to calm him down. "He's just a bit startled." she explained to Vate, smiling slightly. She held the little deer close, hugging him gently.

Koloro sniffled, his crying accompanied by the occasional bleating sound. He looked up as his daddy approached, immediately reaching to be picked up. Daddy'd make the scary scariness go away!

Matthias carefully took his son from the little girl, doing his best to manage both babies, giving his son a gentle hug. He shot a look at Vate; not necessarily a hostile one, but one conveying his annoyance.

Koloro glanced at the other indant who was making a rather scary face. He sniffled, hiding his face away from scary green baby.

Stasia shook Lexie's hand slowly, showing him by example before letting go. "He does, does he?" she asked, curious. She noticed an odd sense of calm hit her like a brick wall. She didn't even feel like bugging Matthias, which was odd, even for her.

"The witch on the Wizard of Oz was green." Ginger pointed out, smiling. "Tell me, does your little sister threaten people and their little dogs, too?" Sad thing was, she was being completely serious.

Zemel almost face-palmed. "Maybe she's a fairy...? Mom has a picture book with green fairies in it; maybe she's one of those?" he suggested. Well, that was the best he could come up with.