Welcome to Gaia! ::

The Crystal Garden (2): The Crystal Garden takes up the majority of the Event Hall and is an expansive collection of hand crafted crystal flowers created specifically for this event. The garden is impressive and magical; while there is little effort to make identical replicas of the flowers used for inspiration, each cut of crystal seems to capture the light and make the flowers glow. Many of the flowers are easy to recognize and are true to life in size and shape, but there are sections of the garden with flowers that come in fantastical sizes and shapes. It feels like stepping into another world. During the daytime, the natural light from the glass windows and sunroof makes it easy to see fine details, and when the sun goes down, the artificial lighting spreads beautiful rainbow prisms across the ground and walls. No matter what time of day you visit the garden, you’re guaranteed a beautiful sight. There are several locations specifically designed for photographs you can take on your own, but the venue has also hired professional photographers to help you capture yourself in the moment.

She had been freed from her table where she practically hid behind her art, avoiding talking to damn near everyone outside some people she recognized… or anyone who was interested in commissioning her. By far the best idea she had done was tape a business card with contact info to the table. It made it so much easier to just point to it. Dessie had been able to escape from the ‘public attention’, what little there had been, when Nate came back with Sarah sleeping in her harness. He wanted to put her down so she could sleep more comfortably and wanted to give Dessie a chance to check the rest of the event out.

You didn’t have to ask her twice. As crowded as some of the areas were, one would have figured she would avoid them but contrary to her standard actions she went for the ‘main event’, the crystal garden. There were a few reasons, the main one being it was just so damn pretty looking. It also took up a majority of the event hall and as such wasn’t as crowded as the other areas. There were still plenty of people but she wasn’t standing on anyone’s toes, nor was she dealing with people breathing down her neck. It was pretty though. So damn pretty.

The crystal garden was one of the first things Ai wanted to visit on their little mini family trip. She held Mirabelle in her carrier while her husband had the twins, holding each of their hands while they walked beside him. Rowan tugged at Yatora’s sleeve, trying to get his attention, “Otou! Look at the pretty flowers!” Ai smiled and kissed the top of Mirabelle’s head, a bit sad that her other husband could not come with them on this little family trip. Perhaps they could get him something since he wasn't able to come? Ai tapped her chin, figuring that would be the right move. She did hear that Ryan and Dessie were participating in the event so they would have to take a trip to the gallery as well.

Yatora looked down at his son, “Yes Ro. Can you tell me what colors are sparkling?” He wanted to make this educational for the children, just to keep them on their toes. “UmmmUmmm Ummm! Orange!” Sage frowned, looking at the flowers, “Otou, there is a purple color too! Like our eyes.” Yatora grinned and rewarded the twins with a slight swing, “That’s correct! Can you name more? So you can tell daddy what you learned when we get home?” Both twins nodded enthusiastically, pointing out more colors as they went. It was Rowan that noticed a familiar looking blonde, letting go of Yatora’s hand before he could catch him, “Big sis Dessie!!!” he instantly attached himself to her, looking up with deep purple eyes. Sage quickly followed his brother, getting her from the opposite side. Yatora shook his head, glad it was the boys recognizing their older sister.

Ai’s eyes lit up when she saw the boys almost tackling Dessie, walking up to the woman with Yatora. As much as she wanted to pull her into a hug, she remembered the no touchy policy, giving her a warm smile instead. Mirabelle chose that time to wake up so she adjusted the carrier on her chest to make sure she was facing Dessie instead of looking at her chest. “Hey Dessie~ Enjoying the sights? Did Nate and Sarah come with you?”

Her name was really the only warning she got before two little gremlins practically suctioned themselves to her legs. Rather than react the way her body practically screamed to do, Dessie just flinched slightly before smiling down at the twins. “Well it looks like someone let the zoo animals out,” She teased the two, ruffling their hair lovingly. “What brings the two koalas out?” Dessie asked the twins even as she spotted Ai and Ya making their way over, easily noting Mirabelle in her harness. Light blue eyes flicked over the rest of the garden to see if she spotted the bright red hair of Xander but when he wasn’t easily spotted she focused directly on the other two who were now standing there with her.

“Very much so,” Dessie answered Ai while making a face at Belle. “I almost wish I had brought my sketchbook with me.” A shrug proved just how ‘concerned’ she was, not that much really. “Yes, they are back at my table, booth, thing. Sarah is napping and I think Nate ended up walking a few miles while trying to get her down for said nap so he is taking a load off while I get to check out the event.” For whatever reason walking, or driving, was the easiest way to get Sarah to sleep so when she started to get a bit fussy because she was overly tired it wasn’t surprising for Nate to go on a walkabout. “How about you two,” This she directed more at Yatora so he didn’t feel too left out as ‘the women’ talked. “I am assuming Xander’s working so how are you two enjoying it all?”

Both Rowan and Sage made their way back to Yatora, taking one of his hands in theirs, like they were told before starting their journey. “Yes, Xander is running the clinic right now, but we will try to see if we can get him to just close for once and come see the sights.” Not that he minded Xander working, but the big guy could use a break every once in a while, this is something he and Ai came to the conclusion to and strived to make their husband work less and play more. Getting into a squat, he allowed Sage to climb up on his shoulders for a bit while Rowan made his way back over to Dessie, wanting to be picked up for a bit.

Ai sighed at her sons, nuzzling Mirabelle while she giggled at the face Dessi made. “Everything is amazing so far~We haven't been to the gallery just yet but that might be our next stop so long as the boys aren't hungry. Did you want to walk with us for a bit while we looked around?” Belle made grabby hands for Dessie and she wasn't sure which one entertained her more. “If you want, do you want to take Belle for a bit and I can handle Ro?”

Dessie smiled at Ai but shook her head at the offer to hold on to Belle as she bent down to scoop up the little boy, easily making a face at him even as she settled him on her hip. She knew that soon enough she would have to get used to doing this with her own daughter. “Sure, walking with everyone sounds great, right Ro?” She asked the little boy in her arms.

“I’m sure Xander will come by when he can.” The blonde shrugged and stuck her tongue out at Sage. “I mean, who can pass up such pretty colors right boys? Oh hey, what color is that?” She pointed out a particularly vivid rainbow thrown by one of the flowers. She was mostly curious to see what colors the twins would pick out from the cascade of color. Her adoptive father was always quite busy but he was also very family oriented so Dessie figured he would show up at some point.

“Oh and apparently Ryan has a few photos in the gallery as well. Pat stopped by already and told me.” She looked at Ai and then Ya before shrugging slightly, “Did either of you two know he was submitting stuff?” She had been pretty wrapped up in finishing her own pieces but still… Did she miss some kind of general family notice? Yeah, Ryan wasn’t ‘family’ but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a family friend. She would have to stop by and check the pictures out and show some support for his work.

Rowan clapped and nodded, “Yes! Walking is always fun~” He was so excited to see more colors, “Purple! A-And Yellow!” Sage stuck his tongue back out at his sister, pointing out more colors, “Red and Blue!” Yatora chuckled and shook his head along with Ai, not knowing that Ryan was going to be present at the event. “No, but now that you mention it, we could go look after this?” He was sure the pictures would be stunning and he was a fan of Ryan’s work. Ai brought her hands in front of Mirabelle so she could grab onto them. “Yes I think that would be pretty good for the boys as well.” She looked at Dessie, wondering what she would say.

Dessie just smiled and agreed with the twin’s color skills. “Sure,” her response was pretty short but that was kind of standard for her. “It would be interesting to see what the kids think of the other artist’s work. It is alot of glass work though so you boys can’t go running off ok?” She informed not only Ai and Ya about the artwork but also looked at both boys, nodding when they agreed. “Good. Ok so Sage…. What color does red and blue make?”

She started to play a ‘game’ with the twins as the small little family strolled through the crystal garden. Dessie got the boys to guess colors, ‘mix’ colors, and even name things that are various colors. She might not be a big people person but she was really quite good with children.

She just really had to get better with adults… it was still a work in progress.