Welcome to Gaia! ::

((Kay, this is important for this next bit so it's not confusing. Because elves age differently they have a different year system. Every five human years is like one elvin year. So while a normal child would be five the elf would be one, but they would look the same. Only as elves get into their fourth year, which would be twenty human years [they would look twenty as well], does their appearance slow down as far as aging goes. Make sense? So basically Loque would be about 100 in human years and Booker would be 85.))

Loque looked up to Satella, a bit surprised because he hadn't seen her there before. He nodded to her, "Yes, if you would please . . ."

But he didn't wait untill she left to begin explaining things to Booker. "My father was part of our malitia as we are now. He taught me in my early years. When he was killed in battle my mother was distraught, but not much later she wished to be married to another man. I was furious . . . I was angry that she did not remain loyal to my father and had not asked me if I thought her remarriage was right. I left home with my regiment and did not wish to go back. My mother and the man she married, your father, had you and I became even angrier. I didn't want to have anything to do with any of you. They died not long after your birth. The city was going to put you up for adoption, but I felt remorse in knowing you were the only family I had left, and me your only family. So I watched after you, not as a brother or as a parent, just as a mentor, and wished you not to know what past I felt such anger in. No one knew we were half brothers and so no one thought anything of it."

Silence filled the air again as Loque took a breath and looked to Booker. Now it was he who was staring out into the water.

"I'm sorry I had not told you about this. It was selfish of me to hide it from you because of my own anger. I was so very dissapointed in our mother and I was afraid you'd be too. But the truth is, you are my half brother and that is why I watch after you so carefully. If anything happened to you then I don't know what I would do."

"Why . . . why did you choose to tell me about this now?" Booker asked.

"Because I didn't want us to fall apart . . . and I wanted you to have some comfort in knowing who you are when you need it most. And no matter which way we go, even if it is seperate, you will always be my little brother."

After a couple moments Booker gave him a small smile, "And you my big brother . . . though I do have to say I turned out to be better looking."

Loque laughed and ruffled Booker's hair then pushed him over. "Come on, we need to get back."

"Oh yeah . . . about that. I'm afraid if I go back now Rosette might carve my brain out. I kinda yelled at her for snapping at you."

Loque sat back down, "Well then, we can wait just a bit longer."

"Oh, yes, right then." Loque got to his feet and helped Booker up, mussing his hair. Booker pushed him away and started walking.

"So what did you exactly say to her?" Loque asked Booker. The younger elf shrugged and scratched the back of her head.

"You couldn't hear me shouting? I'm surprised Blaise slept through it. Oh well, it doesn't really matter what I said, I'm just lucky she didn't pound my head into my torso. I feel kinda bad for yelling at her but I didn't want her bringing you down, it's the last thing we need, to be brought down more."

----

Blaise couldn't remember how she'd fallen asleep but she had and it seemed to her a miracle. How long had she been out? Ther would be no telling but her body told her it wasn't long enough. She was still very tired and felt completely weak, like all strength had left her. She moaned a bit and rolled onto her side, opening her eyes.

It seemed as if she was the last one awake and the only two people that were there with her were Rosette and Chrono. It was obvious that something hadn't gone right, like so many things. It came to her realization after a few seconds that she was in a large cave. How strange.

Blaise pushed herself into a sitting position, her body protesting every move. Where exactly were they?

Blaise was too tired to really think anything of Rosette's expression. She only listened to what Chrono said and shot him a confused look.

"Eida? Who's E--?"

Just then Cleadies stepped in and Blaise gave a shout and fell back. Cleadies gave a small quiver in surprise then slowly backed out. Eida came in next to see what the scream was about. Blaise's expression went from one of astonishment to one of confusion. Hadn't she seen . . . ? When had she seen that little fairy before?

Booker and Loque were close enough now to hear someone shout. Without hesitation they bolted for the cave. Loque stayed outside, not too keen on going back in, but Booker had no problem with it.

"What happened?" He asked Eida who he'd nearly pushed out of flight.

"Oh, Cleadies only startled your friend. You alright?" She asked Blaise.

Blaise nodded slowly, the confusion not leaving her face. "It's alright Blaise." Booker explained, "Do you remember when you ran into them yesterday? Her and the cenataur? Well . . . they're helping us out a little. Heh . . ."

The puzzled look disappeared and was replaced by an impassive expression. She then looked up to the fairy. "Sorry . . . tell your friend as well that I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout. I was just . . . surprised."

"It's quite alright." Eida smiled, then looked to Booker, "Breakfast should be ready very soon. You all look like you could use a good meal."

Loque stepped out of the way and watched Rosette go, avoiding her gaze. After she was gone, and Chrono after her, he walked into the cave to see Blaise rubbing her eyes with the palms of her hands and Booker sitting down next to her.

"Everything alright?" he asked.

Blaise nodded looking like she was just about ready to sleep again. "M'fine. How'd we get here? I can't remember."

"You were sleeping." Eida answered her. "After you'd run into Cleadies you were just so distraught. WE didn't want any others of the clan who might be hostile towards you to hear you so I made you sleep. Sorry to have had to do that."

"No, it's alright." Blaise told her, "I needed it . . . I still do. What's up with Rosette?"

"Rough morning." Booker answered shortly.

After a moment Cleadies came in with several bowls of steaming soup. He handed one to everyone there then walked back out. "Does he speak?" Blaise whispered curiously.

"Yes." Loque replied, "He just doesn't like to talk much."

"Sorry we don't have much of a difference in the menue of Breakfast and dinner." Eida apologized, "We use what we have and what we have is soup!"

"It's fine, I'm grateful for anything you have to offer us." Blaise smiled.

"Not as easy as it sounds." Blaise said tiredly. "Sometimes I can get through to her but others . . . knowing her you should understand what it's like. ."

Loque looked up to Blaise and sighed, setting his bowl down. "Lieutenant . . . I would still like to know about . . . Chrono. You said you would explain . . ."

Blaise paused for a moment, then said solemnly, "To the best of my ability I will. But you must promise me not to look at him any differently. He is still the same person you have met, it's just that now you know a little bit more about him. Treat him differently than you would me or anyone else then you'll be sent as far as I can kick you."

Booker and Loque nodded and Blaise began. She told them everything she had been told and as close to the word as she could remember. She spoke soft and slow, recalling as much as she could. Niether elf asked questions and were very quiet as she finished.

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Loque said after a while. "That's all we needed to know. Know that we support him just as we support you. We do not judge."

Blaise nodded slowly then looked to Satella and shrugged a little.

Blaise nodded and muttered quietly so the two elves could not hear. "Yes . . . I understand where you're coming from. Something like this is not something to just throw over your shoulder like the rest of lifes troubles and keep on trekking. I'm sure they might feel a bit strange around him for a little while untill the knowledge of what Chrono really is settles into what natural groove it may have, but I swear to you they would not treat him badly. I will be sure of that. If either one is out of line then I will put them in their place and it will not be an issue again. While I may not know everything about you all, I know that I have trusted you and it has been proven to be well placed. We are all too torn to be making enemies within our own ranks, so it's either comlply or the alternative, and they won't want to know what that is. Please don't worry . . . I'm sure things will be alright, or I'll at least try to make them seem that way." she finished sadly.

Blaise sighed and rubbed her eyes, "And it's hard not to doubt him, I know . . . But Chrono was able to change, wasn't he? There has to be something in him for that. While I can't say I know he's an entirely different person, completely reformed from his old ways, I can assume he's trustable; he hasn't failed us this far. Some of the things he keeps from us . . . could be for the better, but that's entirely up to his judgement."

By this time Blaise had nearly finished eating, feeling much better now that she had something in her stomach. Eida and Cleadies had long since returned to their previous positions outside and Booker and Loque were quietly talking amongst themselves. It seemed as if their topic was not of Chrono and Blaise was thankful for that. He did not need to be further scrutinized.

"I'm going to go see what happened to Rosette and Chrono." Blaise murmered, "It's been a little long since they've left. I don't want . . . anything happening."

Blaise pushed herself up sorely and arched her back to streatch a little. "I'll . . . go find them . . . and hopefully not make anything worse."

Pushing aside the curtain of vines Blaise stepped out and saw Eida and Cleadies, the little fairy on the cenataurs shoulder. Cleadies sat beneath a tree with a smaller piece of wood and a carving knife in hand working steadily. She could see Rosette and Chrono standing a distance away, out of earshot. Eida looked up worriedly as Blaise came near.

"Oh, you shouldn't be up yet, you should still rest." She mothered, "You were so weak just yesterday and surely you haven't regained all your strength in on night. Here, we can get you some more soup and you should go lie down."

"No, it's fine, really." Blaise insisted, "I just need to check on Rosette and Chrono."

Eida huffed and crossed her arms, "Alright, but you really should sit down soon."

Blaise nodded and smiled for her kindness then silently approached Chrono, her footsteps making no sound. Touching him on the shoulder lightly she stayed quiet, unsure if things were alright or if he'd rather her go. She would be happy to go if he wanted it that way, she really didn't want to be bothering Rosette right now.