Welcome to Gaia! ::

The crisp sun gleamed off silver hair as Raken moved through the City Market. Menolly normally picked up supplies now a day's -in the very least she would be glued to his side- but he had insisted on her staying put today. Under the guise of needing some solitary time to think, he actually was looking at procuring a gift...an anniversary gift of sorts.

When in the name of the Guardians had he EVER cared about such things? He must be losing his mind. He reasoned that Menolly would remember though and her giving a gift without him having one to return would be... awkward.

So there he was, looking at the jewelry stand. He was completely out of his depth, but Menolly didn't seem the type to care for such trinkets...but maybe she would like it if it came from him? She'd probably love anything he got her, but if he was going to do this he wasn't going to carelessly choose. Maybe some sweets? That seemed too simple. A pet? She'd love a pet, but there was no way he'd want to bring that irritation into his life.

Unbeknownst to him in his thought, he was now glaring at the selection of necklaces. Causing the poor warespae to sweat and fidget.

She already had so many stuffed animals. They infiltrated his bed. And she didn't seem to care about fashion...

Hai!

He heard the greeting but ignored it. He didn't care to engage in conversation.

Then the name Alma. Then Chal. Followed by grandfather. The demon sharply looked up to the colorful female, hiding his surprise a second after it flashed in his face. "...No idea who you are talking about. You've mistaken me." How anyone could possibly believe that when he and Chal looked practically identical, he was hoping he successfully could bluff. Or she was a complete airhead.

And then right back to the jewelry, picking up a necklace as though truly interested in it.

Meanwhile the hairs on the back of his neck stood straight. What was she doing here. It was only a matter of time before outside family came again after shooting away Tristen, but he always needed more of it. The Guardians hadn't dealt with the Faun yet. It still wasn't safe for anyone.

Raken could not believe his ears as not only did she continue to insist on their relation, she implicated even MORE family! Feeling his ears warm, he shoved a few pelts at the merchant before taking both necklace - and Alma's wrist - and walking off. "Do you not understand 'no' as an answer?" The demon whispered sharply, keeping his voice low until they could break away from pae and their prying eyes. "If you don't want to endanger your children, I'd break away from me and never look my way again. Don't even think of me."

If bluffing didn't work, perhaps fear or his rudeness would scare her off.

He had great grandchildren. He'd be elated if he wasn't finding out in the middle of a crowded square filled with potential spies.

Was she dense? Absolutely lacking of any kind of awareness on social cues? How she'd even think he hand any link to Dragnid was so beyond him, his head actually ached.

No matter, they were away from the crowd now, and he suddenly pulled her into an alleyway. Trying to be subtle didn't work. Trying to be direct didn't work. Fine. He'd spell it out for her. "Did Chal never tell you to stay away from me? My brother was supposed to tell him, no family visits." He spoke rather coldly, imagining airheaded Tristen 'forgetting' his important message to the family to stay away. Her bright smile stood in stark contrast to his piercing stare. "It's not Dragnid or this Morena you should fear. It isn't safe to be near me. To be even associated with me. Is that not clear? There are pae who want me dead and they will use you, or your children or anyone who even knows me, to get or hurt me in retribution."

Tristen built a new baby room? Why? Surely Adora or Lorelei would have moved out by now.

That was irrelevant right now though. He obviously was having difficulties getting through to this red head. Was this what happened with Chal? Kind of reminded him of Menolly, only she knew what no meant. Just looked like you kicked a puppy if you said it.

He sighed, giving up the right. It was probably safer to explain things then it was to leave her spouting off nonsense. He continued walking down the alley way. "Because they're the Faun and I blew up their tree." He grumbled softly, reaching up to rub his temple. "Malek is still missing right? How's Hemi? How old are your kids?" The questions rolled out of him now, his heart dating to ask before his mind told him to stop. "You might not see the danger but believe me it's there. If anyone asks you anything about me, you pretend like you've never seen me in your life, clear?"

Accident? As accidental as a premeditated attack could be. "Not exactly. And no. For a multitude of reasons." For one he didn't regret his actions and two even if he did it wasn't the sort of thing that was easily forgivable. At least she somewhat understood the gravity of the situation now- and there it went.

Three kids. Did she say found? They adopted this Pip then. Why did every pae he know seem to revolve around Alpaca? If only Kurt was around still, the old grump could talk for hours about the creatures. "I never would have thought. But he always did well in what ever he tried in." And then rather suddenly, the very familiar feeling of arms being thrown around him.

Only it wasn't Menolly. The demon almost tripped over his own feet, quickly prying himself out of her grasp. Alpaca and huggers, how did he attract these pae?! "Alma, this is very important. Maybe it will be okay some day, but you have to swear to me that if any one asks about me, you say nothing. Even if you're just humoring me to do so. If anyone asks, you do not know me. I'm still just the missing grandfather who you've never seen. I need you to swear it." He looked a little less cold, and little more weary. Being paranoid and secretive for so long was not an enjoyable experience.

"And also...what do you mean by babies room for Tris?"

He felt his heart sink at her refusal. She didn't even realize what sort of danger she'd put herself in. Her whole family in.

Well, then he had done well in not divulging any additional information. If she could not keep a secret, best keep the secrets to a minimum.

That could explain why Tristen hadn't conveyed his message! Too busy with a baby! With a...false idol. He stifled a groan. Guardians forgive his blasphemous kin. At the mention of her visiting he perked up slightly. If he could give her the slip, that meant less chance of them being discovered and less information gleamed from him that could be spilled. "You should. You definitely should. Tristen loves company and family visits."

As finally one of his strategies actually paid off, the demon gave a small smile. He was truthfully a little envious. He would love the ability to drop by on Tris and see the kids for himself. "I'm sure he would love that."

Did she just sat bricks from his cave?

She...she cannibalized his cave for her house?!

He felt his jaw drop slightly as his eyes widened in surprise. It wasn't easy to get a visual emotional change in him. But by Guardians. She had done it. "Ah. Great. My house is your house." Quite literally. "Have a safe trip. Don't talk to any strange Faun!" He knew his warning was on deaf ears, but he still stated it anyway. And as quickly as she had appeared, she was gone. Like a tornado of activity and frustration.

Shaking his head l, he looked down at the necklace he had hastily bought. It wasn't that bad admittedly, a heart shape locket on a simple leather string. Simple, but well crafted. With a deep breath, he started heading home.

Menolly was going to be quite curious what took him so long.