Welcome to Gaia! ::

A long winding dirt road exiting from a sunsoaked forest, brings you to a long red bridge. Gold lettering on the entry posts of the bridge state in japanese "Bath and Tea House district", but that decribes only the main buildings. As you walk over the bridge you can look out over the edge and see the beautiful clear water, flowing under the bridge, out into a deep fresh water lake. Koi Fish and swan are seen in the spring and summer swimming in the water. As you cross the bridge you find a large set of stone stairs before you.

The stairs are of stone, and sightly polished. The set is an easy climb but very side as if something like a grand enterence. When you reach the summit of the stairs a grand sight is there to behold. A small temple stands before you. The temple stands a testament to engineering, and japanese culture. Every tile on the roof and stone foundation are exactly as they should be perfectly placed by the hands of monks. The stone tiled floor that surrounds the castle is something like a courtyard bears a dangerous looking guard to the castle. There on a stone platform stands a statue of a Samurai on horseback.

Out to the left of the statue lies a water garden, than has a small waterfall where River water flows freely down into the shallow pools. Floating lilys sit upon the waters surface, there milky white petals drifting ever so gently across the water, to collect in the corners of the pool. A short stone path leads up to the water pools, and along the sides are arangemsnt sof many different kinds of Orchids and Lotus Flowers.

A small awning extends from the doors to allow persons to avoid the frequent rain. Two heavy wooden doors lead you into the main section. In this section patrons can wait for friends, or visit the tea houses as they appear first. Or they could enter the temple, take of their shoes and change into sadnals or look at the Buddha Altar and pay respects to the mightly lord.

Most tea houses are designed as follows: The Kitchen is found here where many different kinds of foods are served, and of course tea. On the perimeter of the room was the private tea rooms. Thin paper sliding doors keep you away from the other patrons, so you and your party may sit and have your tea in peace. But for those who are more friendy there are open tea tables and cusions for all who wish to sit and talk amoungst friends. finally there are no alchoholic bevereages , other than sake served here.

The bath houses: On the left is the men's bath and on the right is the woman's bath. Also in this area, is a change room one attached to each Bath area so that you may change in and out of your clothes to bathe. On the next floor; the second floor is where the private bath's are, small infloor tubs that are about 6 feet in diameter and complete circles, Sit in seperate rooms from one another. Usually used for the more higher class guests or those uncompfortable with public bathing.

Small hotels and rest areas can also be found here. They are normally rented out by the bathouses and reserved for patrons that come to stay at the bathhouse overnight. Wooden sliding doors, that lock from the inside close off the rooms. Inside the room is a small flat matt style bed, traditional to the japanese. Also a small table and a set of chairs. Usuals may have rooms to stay in for a cumulative amount of days.

Pale knew she should be getting back to the kids soon, but it was also her buisness to check up on any new activity, and someone as wealthy as Fay certainly drew attention to herself.

Once Fay's ship had docked and Fay herself off it, Pale approached her and with a smile gave her a traditional Faye greeting. "Come to see Aes?" she asked. She knew the truth, but it felt more polite to ask this way.

With a look of utter disbelief Quin watched as the ship moved through the river. Trembling lips spoke softly his thoughts: "What the ******** is a ship doing up here away from port?"

Shaking his head he grabbed his cane and stood up from the little table he had sat at. His real only gripe with the situation was that it was disturbing what remained of his peaceful vacation before he would need to get back to work.

Leaving the bottle of sake upon the table he moved down towards where the ship had made port. Seeing Pale he waved to her wondering what the hell was happening.

Shuffling past Pale his eyes narrowed for a moment as he scrutinized this, this interloper. Being sure to keep the weight off his left foot he angled his cane upwards to point at the new comer.

"Why the hell do you berth a ship here and not down by the mouth of the river? Sure from what I've seen we haven't gotten the port all the way up yet but don't you think it be wiser to send smaller craft up the river. Or are you confident enough that what ever you have onboard will sell?"

Taking a step back he leaned upon his cane and gave her a grim little smile. This would prove ultimately interesting.

Poor human creature. Why had she wanted it there? Because she wanted it there. And it would sell. Otherwise she wouldn't have brought it. Her eyes dances as she relished the rise in the pitch of his voice, something she'd only seen that species do. And she'd have to deal with him all the time?

Ignoring the comment about his former fiance, she inclined her head to Pale, and began: "If I may, Pale DeNuer-"

She paused a moment, and produced a list of the luxeries her craft carried, handing them to Quin "That way does not make sense to me. If it harms no one and gives my fair folk excercise, then I shall continue in my own manner."

"Kimache" she corrected, reminding herself that Faye hated her marrying a human "Pale Kimache. Anyways, I have to pick up Illiana and Caderyn right now, and still visit the mines. Broadcast if you need me." they needed something for people that couldn't. Why the hell did Quin announce something that embarrasing about himself?

As Pale left, Fay wasted no time in launching into buisness: "Agriculture accounts for slightly over 15% of the gross national product, while manufacturing accounts for some 20%. Magic for hire a part of the growing service sector, provides a vital source of revenue. The chief agricultural products are corn, wheat, barley, citrus fruits, fish, tomatoes, sugar beets, grapes, currants, cotton, and flax. Large numbers of sheep and cattle are raised but for the sake of the Bukhara youkai trade talks we have refrained from slaughtering them.

The island's main centers are Pateros-Taguig, Thessaloníki, Piraiévs, Pátrai, and Breena. It is Breena that I directly represent. The principal manufactures are textiles, chemicals, metal products, and some construction materials. The chief minerals produced are lignite, bauxite, high-grade iron ore, magnetite, zinc, and iron pyrites. Ki is generated mainly by hydroelectric and thermal means through these.

The main exports are food, clothing, and textiles the leading imports are machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, meats, and manufactured consumer goods. The principal trade partners are the youkais under Queen Hikojunya and a small sector of Norman mortals ruled by Gallahad du Lac. We're currently under trade talks with the westernly Bukhara youkai under the Gupta family."

Fay turned as she heard the approaching man. She'd finished what she intially needed to tell Quintilius and waited for his exchange. But the newcomer was an interesting development. He was under Quin's jurisdiction and she waited for him to reply.