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September 20, 2004

This is going to read much like a 'status report', I know, but I really want to jot down how our son has been during the last few days. Perhaps one day I can have him look through this and we'll smile together over how things have changed, or even how things have stayed the same.

What has our Little Prince been up to? Mostly going into the library, either with his sisters or not, and gathering up a bunch of books before finding a comfy place to settle in for a good long read. He's turned Vinyn down three times in the last two days when she's asked him if he'd like to go outside and play, him being far too engrossed in the book he was reading to want to abandon it right then. Shina tells me that he's read through almost every book I have that even hints at elven weapons and fighting styles. What could he be up to?

That's not all he's been doing, of course. He was all for us starting his schooling as soon as possible, and with as many family volunteers to teach him various subjects as we have, there has been no end to the things he says he's learned. Emmy was especially proud when Damien asked her if she would show him how she does the cooking and cleaning so well. At first I thought she would just thank him for the compliment and leave it at that, but instead she agreed to teach him when he has the time. Leave it to Damien to get Emmy to share her secrets.

Damien has many a tutor, as I said. I told him I would handle his combat training as soon as he picked a weapon he'd like to learn first. I'm still wanting for his answer on that, but I won't remind him again till tomorrow. Lenore will be taking over his potion studies, though he's just starting on the basics. Nyoka said she would try to help with that as well in her 'off time'. With Ernia to take care of, it's no wonder she has so little free time these days. Calavel volunteered her services to train Damien in the ways of magic, something that really got Damien excited. According to her lesson plan, he starts that in two days. She's already given him an empty tome to fill with the spells he'll learn over time. As for his 'meat and potatoes' lessons, like math and history, Lenore and I are sharing that responsibility. We keep each other updated on what lessons we want to do each morning and go with that. Maybe one day we'll get more technical about it, but for now this works. I would include Vinyn in Damien's studies, but Shina's basically taken over her schooling entirely. Eira and Harry constantly sit in and listen, and it would be amusing indeed if they prove to catch on to the lessons.

Damien's taste in clothing has changed somewhat. Lenore is very amused by his sudden interest in soft while elegant fabrics, joking that he is just trying to live up to his nickname. If that's the case, I swear he is not getting a crown from any member of this family, if I have my say. Fine taste in clothing is all well and good, but getting a large head over oneself is not. Damien is an attractive youth, that's true, and I won't tell him otherwise. However, I put my foot down on the crown. Why am I so insistant? Lenore thought it would be cute if we commissoned a crown for Damien, just as a 'We're really proud of you, son!' gift. I am proud of him, but I'm not about to give him delusions of grandeur.

I'm glad that Damien has gotten out and made some friends at the Maternity Clinic. I hear that he's played with a few of the children, even though he doesn't often talk about them. I wonder if our Damien is shy? No, that cannot be it. Perhaps he's just wondering how to be a friend to these children he rarely sees. We definately need to visit the clinic more, if only for his sake.

~ Eirnae Slytherin-Natenhar

Calavel listens to first Faen's words then Rayne's, her catching Jing's look to the female accompanying him provoking a hint of smile on her otherwise neutral visage. "If you are expected, then enter. However, know that should a single mishap occur to endanger a member of this family, I will know of it." She then abandons her assumed to be comfortable position against the wall, straigtening to brush down the front of her travelling leathers before turning slightly and walking into the deeper shadows being cast by the house, disappearing in a swirl of darkness after a few steps.

The band of various animals disperses, going back to their prior activities now that they no longer need to guard their home from possible danger. Had the Guardians sounded the alarm before the trio got to this point, they would have worked as a team to take down the threat to their home and family. As things stand, they are more concerned about breakfast than introducing themselves to the visitors.

"Come in!" Eirnae calls as she scoops out choice bits of meat into Harry's bowl at one of the kitchen counters, oddly knowing that the door had opened and that they had company even with her back to that specific direction, "Make yourselves comfortable!"

Vinyn catches the tossed slice of apple in mid-air, but not with one of her hands. A light gust of wind curls itself about the slice and floats it gently down to Vinyn's plate, only after which does she scoop it up and take a bite out of it. "No need to apologize if you don't mean it," she replies, taking another bite of the apple slice and swallowing before adding, "Thank you for the apple, though," in a tone that drips with innocent sweetness.

Shina ignores the bout of sibling rivalry between Ernia and Vinyn, as she knows from past experience that butting into that long standing mess only serves to get your own self dirty and nothing solved. "'Oka, Mother made you a special plate. I'll pass it down to you," she says as she hands a plate full of artfully carved thin slivers of raw pork, all curled into a shape much resembling the blossoming petals of a morning glory over to Arlath for it to be passed down the chain to reach Nyoka eventually.

Arlath relaxes somewhat as the others do, but it isn't enough to calm her entirely. She stays keen on the possibility for trouble, as always, even as she passes on Nyoka's plate. Now there is something to ponder that the fruit and vegetable loving elf allows herself to puzzle over for a moment. How can raw meat be healthy?

Damien need not even ask Eira if she wants to test his pancakes for him, she's already flown over to where the closest tiny pitcher of maple syrup is and has flown back with it secured. She pushes it closer to Damien, practically bouncing in anticipation of the sweet stuff that pitcher holds. "Pour, 'Mien! Pour!"

Rayne looked down at Faen and smiled, "Yes. I thank you." She said to the one leading them. She looked back at Jing a little wide eyed, "Wow. My heart is racing." She said then blinked, "What?"

"Next time think to send a message or call ahead." He said looking none to pleased over the welcoming party that they had greet them.

"Well we are here arent we? And still in one piece so I think that we did ok." She told The Snake. The warrior sighed and looked at Muffin.

"Be glad your staying here instead of having to stay with her." He whispered to the little kitty. The rest of the walk to the kitchen was silent for the most part aside from Rayne's 'Ooos' and 'Aaahhs' over the place. Much bigger, much flashier then their little farm for sure.

"Most welcome, Nyoka and Damien, but you know I enjoy this sort of thing. Making food for my family is always a pleasure," Eirnae replies, looking up at the swiftly cleaning Emmy with a grin as she adds, "Of course I must thank Emmy for allowing me the use of the kitchen."

Eirnae then smiles down at Harry as he eats, daring to pat his head once before heading back to her previous seat. She does pause as she sees Rayne and her companion being led to the kitchen by Faen, coming to a full halt in order to greet them properly. "Welcome to our humble home," she offers warmly once she is sure they are within earshot.

Her visual focus then shifts downwards as she says for Faen alone, "Thank you for guiding them here, Faen. As always you and your wife's help is greatly appreciated. Why don't you go and have some breakfast, mm?" She straightens and smiles at Rayne and Jing, lifting a brow at the sight of Jing's 'passengar'. "I assume that is the gift you mentioned?" she inquires, though she does not point to the cat.

Now that all of the pancakes are in front of everyone, Shina can finally eat her own breakfast. She doesn't dig in till she replies to Nyoka's thanks, however. "Most welcome," is offered with a wink before she becomes absorbed in buttering up her pancakes and then adding a bit of syrup.

Arlath nods once to Lenore's comment on Nyoka's eating habits, though her agreement is only partial. She simply cannot fathom Nyoka's refusal to eat anything else but that stuff, but she doesn't choose to regard it as disgusting, just different. Just before the trio's approach to be close to the kitchen, Arlath silently rises from her seat and interposes herself between that side of the room and Lenore, hands going to where two of her daggers are hidden. She'll wait to see just how 'trustworthy' these folk are before allowing them near those she regards as family. She feels Eirnae can hold her own, and thus is not worried over the moon elf being so close to these new folk.

Shina looks up from preparing her breakfast right then to call over to Damien, "Damien, could you show Arlath the surprise you and I made for her in her room? I think she may have missed it this morning. Don't worry, I'll make sure your pancakes stay untouched and warm for you and Eira."

Eira huffs at that, as she was looking forward to this, darn it! However, she finds staying upset at Shina is like trying to out fly her, she simply cannot do it. "I go with 'Mien!" she announces, before flying up to land atop his head.

Muffin's stops his chewing on Jing to look over at Damien his intense blue eyes looking the boy over and instantly he knows his master. He jumps down from the shoulder of the one he had been riding on. There is a moment when in Damien's eyes only he would look less like a cat and more like a pretty human. When he landed once more on all fours the vision was gone. Muffin ran over to Damien mewing at the boy.

"Hello and good morning everyone." Rayne said then looked over at Damien, "That kitten is our gift to you as I wasnt sure what sort of jewelry to make you." She told him.

Then she looked to Lenore and Eirnae, "Ahh. No thank you. We were just on our way about doing some errands so we will have to take a raincheck on the sitting and eating part. I thank you for your kind offer though."

"Have to gift and run, I see," Eirnae chuckles, moving to sit down again at Lenore's side so she can start fixing up her own breakfast before it gets cold. "Please remember that raincheck, as Emmy is a marvelous cook, and Lenore and I try our best to keep up with her talent." She winks at Lenore before setting to buttering her pancakes.

Shina turns in her seat to offer their guests a wave and a smile before also getting back to her food, though she does lift her gaze now and then to keep an eye on Damien's pancakes, as she promised.

Damien is now rather torn, as he wants to pick up the cute little kitten, but he doesn't want to let go of Arlath's jacket either. If Shina wanted him to redirect Arlath, what will happen if he lets go? Still, the kitten is a gift, and he doesn't want to be rude...

"Thank you very much!" he offers to Rayne and Jing, bowing without releasing Arlath's jacket. He then looks up at Arlath's softening facial features, shooting her one of his best and brightest smiles as he asks, "Sis, could you pick up my kitten for me? We can take him with us to your room! I'm sure he'll want to see the surprise, too!"

Arlath cannot say no to that sweet face, or to the adorable bit of brown fluff near her feet, so she bends down and scoops up the kitten, cradling him with amazing gentleness against her chest. Once she has Muffin balanced with one hand she reaches for one of Damien's with her free one, turning and heading towards the hallway with her little brother in tow. At least if she is with him he will be safe, and she can check the animal she is holding for disruptive magics, just in case.

Eira is currently eyeing the newest member of Damien's growing assembly of pets, not sure if she trusts this other feline. Of course what she's truly puzzled by is... how handsome he seems. She shakes her head, mentally berating herself for even considering something so silly. Her, take a normal housecat as a mate? Ack! Did she just think the word mate?! She quickly takes her eyes off of the male cat and snuggles down into Damien's hair, muddling over her own assortment of mixed feelings.

Rayne nodded, "I will be most pleased to dine with you when I am not in a rush." She said then grinned turning to Ernia, "I will have to have him wear his armor next time so we can throw magnets at him."

Jing blinked, "You were the one putting notes on my back with magnets." He grummbled.

She laughed and waved, "Everyone enjoy your meal and your day. I hope to see you all soon!" She said. Then blinked, "Oh. By the way. If kitty grows up to be a... big kitty thats normal for his breed." She said. Then headed out with Jing trailing behind her after waving to everyone himself.

"How did they manage to find you?" Neith asked, although she knew that she'd feel pretty strange if the same thing happened. "I mean, it's not like you've been looking for them as well? I'm glad she's settling in," Neith glanced at Nyoka and back at Lenore, "According to Elspeth, she's a ... not particularly nice."

Elle glanced around at Nyoka in surprise, but instead of being scared... she grinned a bit. Maybe being around these people weren't so bad, because they were like her! ...they weren't like humans!

"Well... Winny got kidnapped by the fairy Moon Court, and rescued." Neith didn't explain all of it, leaving out the worse parts.

"By FAIRIES!"

"Yes, by fairies. Now she wants to be a fairy, right, Winny?"

Winny nodded, and Neith continued, "And not much else other than that, really. Kia's got her eye on her own house."

Kia nodded, unable to speak with her mouth full. Again. Finally, she swallowed and told Nyoka, "It is strangest feeling though, Oka, having moving things inside you. I might miss it even, but not the pain."

"I would have trouble believing such a story, but then, I've got the feeling that I have no living family. If my father was human, he'd be long gone." Neith shrugged, and glanced at Nyoka. Egyptian or not, the tone was clear enough. "It must be hard, having them come all of a sudden? With such differnet lives, and personalities..."


She could tell her story! Winny liked this, and she beamed happily. "OH! Well, it was scary. They DRAGGED me out and MADE me ride these big wolves, and then locked me up in a room. But the good fairies saved me, they were riding big horses and had swords!"

"That's not how it happened." Elle inturrupted. "I saw her, she followed a boy outside on her own."

"...but he put a spell on me."

Elle rolled her eyes, a kid could never do that. But she went quiet, lettign her sister get the spotlight again. Like always. She was good as a shadow to Winny, and she let her eyes drift over the room curiously instead. Finally, when Winny had goen quiet, she told Damien, "They are tall in their land, with wings like a dragonfly, but in our land, they're only this high," She showed a few inches, "...and not very powerful. But in their land, they can do magic and everything."

Kia made a face, and shrugged at Nyoka. "You have got to come to the birth, and you can see the end part? But it would be nice for you to feel it, it is really strange. Only, it is not always good, because there are organs underneath the heavy babies."

Neith didn't say anything, only sipped at her drink. She wasn't going to get into the arguement, so she sat there for a few moments as she gazed around the house. "I hope you got a nice place to live, Nyoka?"

"Get another feather, and wear it around her!" Winny piped up. "She'll get all angry, because she didn't beat you!"

Elle shrugged, sipping at the drink in her hands a tiny bit. "Mommy has a fairy from the land, and she isn't bad. They know about bad fairies now, so they arn't letting them near. I wish I could do magic like them though, it would be nice."

Kia nodded, and wrapped an arm around Nyoka's arm. "I need you there, because you are my sister, and you are stronger than Taka... I need someone strong like you."

Krista appears with a crack, she looks around her face hidden by her hood. She looks to Tinania who had on her little cloak, she was holding her mother hand looking at the shop. All these things look like the wand her mum and sister had.

Krista smiles and squeezes Tinania's hand "You ready to go inside to support your cousin?" Tinania looks up at her mother and smiles "Yes mommy I am. Can we go to the candy store afterward?"

Krista smiles as she pushes the door open "Yes we can little fairy." she smiles and looks towards her family "Sorry were so late, I forgot all about the time..." she holds her arms out to Damien and smiles "Come give your aunti a hug Little Prince."

Tinania looks around the shop her eyes wide. She had never seen so many wands in one place, her wing flutter alittle as she looked around.

Neith held onto Elle's hand, as they continued shopping. They both held three bags each, but it was Neith who looked like she was having fun. Elle just followed with a resigned 'I give up' look, clutching onto bags of clothing she knew she'd hate to wear.

It was while they were shopping, that Neith had an idea. Why didn't she drop into Lenore's wand shop, to see if her friend was there? She hadn't seen Lenore for a long time, and Elle could do with some sort of social life. Apart from the night life she'd been having...

"Come on, Elle!" Neith led her in that direction, pushing at the door. She glanced around, a little surprised to see... well... a small crowd. "Hello!"

Elle stood there, clutching onto the bags and stared at the wands instead of the people. She didn't know people could make so many.

Krista smiles as she pulls off her cloak then takes a seat. She couldn't help but smile remembering what it was like to get her first wand. She looks around as she crosses her leg playing with her ring. She looks up and smiles waving to Neith "Neith hello, long time no see...."

Tinania was still looking around curious, she looks over when she two new people walk in, she tilts her head. Somehow she knew the faces, her wings flutter as she tried to think of the names.

"Really? He's getting a wand?" Elle asked, eyes going straight to Damien. A wand! She wanted a wand too, that sounded so cool... Elle crawled onto the chair, ignoring her mother's 'Come sit on my lap' look that Neith had somehow perfected in the past few weeks. Elle was starting to get a bit annoyed at how clingy Neith had gotten...

Neith gave up on that idea, and shook her head at Damien. "No, it's all right. They're very light, all clothing. Hi, Krista. It has been a long time, haesn't it? How have you been?"

Krista smiles looking at Tinania "Well I was going to wait until she was alittle older but if she wants to." she smiles and nods "Then she may try out a wand...." she looks to Lucius "I would love some tea, thank you." she glances at Neith and smirk "Let just say its been very interesting....."

Tinania smiles and walks over to Damien she looks at him and nods "This is going to be fun.." she seem happy not a all nervous. She glances at Damien "I bet your happy to be getting a wand..." she looks toward the other girl and smiles "Hello I'm Tinania..."

"I don't know if she does. I mean, she does all right with our magic..." Neith leaned over to push at Elle slightly. "Want to try?"

Elle grumbled something, but stood up. She did want to try, but with Neith's prodding... "Okay. Hi, Tinania, I'm Elle."

Neith leaned foward to pick up a cookie, and watched them.

Tinania walks up picking up a wand also, she holds it in her hand looking at it. She glances at Damien and smiles then looks to Elle, before glancing back down at the wand in her hand again.

Krista takes a cookie and a cup of tea. She takes a sip of it then watches the kids. She knew Tinania had powers she saw what had happen to Aylana's hair because Tinania had Aylana's wand. She had only hoped that Tinania didn't get all of her powers. She smiles and shakes her head waiting.

"Same as ever." Neith shrugged helplessly. "Trying to find a new house, I'm moving out of that damned one. I can't even sleep in it right now, and I don't think Elle ever sleeps."

If Elle had heard that though, she didn't make any remark back. Instead, she turned her back onto Neith more and reached out to pick up one of the wands. "Ready."

Tinania waved the wand alittle, when nothing happens she shrugs and places the wand back in it box. "Hmm this is not as easy as it seems..." she tilts her head to the side and wrinkles her nose up.

Krista laughs alittle and sips her tea, she continue to watch the kids making note of the wands Tinania picked up.

"Yes, real funny, everyone laughs when their fiancee kidnaps their child and vanishes." Neith muttered, drowing the tea as if it was some sort of alcohol.

Elle waved a wand, and found nothing happening. She wasn't even sure if she was as magical as the other two, and looked a bit unsure as she tried another wand... which didn't work. When both were put back in their boxes, she glanced up at Damien and Tinania to see how they were going.

Krista looks at Neith and her eyes flash alittle but doesn't bother to say anything as she finishes her cup of tea. She keeps watching Tinania as she goes through five more wands.

Tinania was getting alittle mad, she had put places down the last wand. She crossed her arms and frown ready to give up when she see this wand that was about 8 inches and a light color in wood.

She walks over and picks it up giving it a slight wave. The light in the room flicker on and off a few time and she gasp looking at the wand. Krista smiles watching her daugther, it seem this wand was made for her.

Elle was getting a bit discoraged, and even more so when she saw the other girl had managed. But she still kept trying, if slowly, trying to find wands that she liked before trying them. It was all about following feelings, right, or something like that?

Neith looked down at her stomach, and then put the cookie down. She'd taken to ignoring Krista, pretending that she didn't care about the 'mocking'.

Krista smiles at her daugther then to Damien "Congrats Little Prince. And congrat Little Fairy...." she looks at her watch and frowns as she stand "Lenore I would love to stay but I must be going I have to go do some shopping. I will talk to you later." she hugs Lenore then nods to Neith before looking to Tinania "Come on Tinania..."

Tinania looks to her mother and nods before turning to Damien "Congrat Mein. I have to go okay "She hugs him then curties to Elle "It was nice meeting you Elle."

Grabbing her cloak she hold her wand near her chest before waving to every as she follows her mother out the door.

Elle watched them both as she idly waved wand after wand around. She didn't think she'd get any so... what the hell was THAT?

"Um." Elle stared down at the wand she'd picked up, almost as if she was afraid it'd suddenly go 'KIDDING' at her and blow up. It was a pretty wand, as dark as Damiens but with a white wood handle. And it was smooth and apparently flawless, without any sort of marking or blemish apart from one wood knot in the handle.

"I think this one likes me."