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"They go find places to flirt," Adwin grinned - but Alyse slapped his arm.

"Don't tell stories," she told him harshly. "They all work together to do the chores, and then they go for rides or walks."

"During which they flirt," Adwin nodded, ducking out the door before Alyse could hit him again.

Alyse glared after her twin, then looked to their father. "Ada ..."

Amdir raised one eyebrow. "You expect me to argue?" he asked. "As far as I can tell, it's true. At least on Adanedhel and Rose's parts." He looked over at Feng and Ryu. "As far as I can tell, Adonijah's just got his first friend and wants to do everything with her," he explained. "But Adanedhel ... I think truly likes her, perhaps loves her ... Rose at least outwardly returns the affections of both of them, but I sometimes get a feeling she's got a soft spot for Adanedhel."

Aliya rolled her eyes. "Now you're the one starting rumours," she chided him. "Now come on, let's get outside, Haradhel and Kara are there and I have the feeling they're here to see Adonai and his family. Out now, shoo shoo." And she shooed them out of the house like children.


Haradhel was enjoying herself chatting with Kara and watching Miyu's curiosity and enthusiasm. It never ceased to amaze her, how long the Winters children seemed to stay young ... and how innocent they all were.

"Shall we stop and pick up Feng and Ryu and the others before we continue?" she asked Kara when they arrived at Aliya and Amdir's house. "Adanedhel did say something about Feng and Ryu planning on seeing Rhea as well today ..."

Haradhel smiled at Kara and headed towards the house, and she was about to knock when the door opened instead and everyone came outside.

"Oh," she laughed softly. "I guess we don't have to look for them after all."

Alyse smiled at Haradhel. "We saw you coming," she admitted. "Hello, Kara, it's lovely to see you again. It's been far too long."

Considering she'd only been eight years old on Kara's last visit ... yes. Far too long, indeed.

Alyse looked over her shoulder. "Well, they're right behind me," she murmured, "so I think so ... Mother's sort of shooing everyone out, so I really don't think they have much of a choice."

She hopped off the porch and smiled at Miyu ... but she didn't say anything. The last time the little girl had been there, Alyse had been about her age ... though of course taller.

"I saw Lin with Elros last night," Amdir offered as he and Aliya came outside. "I think she stayed out with him all night for his shift ... I'm sure she's fast asleep somewhere."

Aliya looked at Amdir suspiciously. "Just how late did you stay out last night?" she asked him.

He shrugged. "Late."

Haradhel laughed. "Well, let's go before Shael starts Rhea's lessons," she grinned at everyone. "Otherwise we'll have to wait again."

"Are you coming?" Aliya asked Amdir as she moved to follow after Haradhel and the others.

Amdir shook his head, looking a little sheepish. "I had actually hoped to check on Adwin and his falcon, maybe help him out a bit," he admitted. "He's going to need training tools ..."

Aliya nodded. "I'll let you get lunch ready for us then," she grinned. She kissed his cheek and started off. "See you later!"

Amdir chuckled and headed back into the house.

Alyse smiled at Miyu, though like the child she didn't seem to quite know what to say. Instead, she simply started off towards Adonai and Shael's house, leading the way for the others.

They passed by Ulrich and Ulani's house on their way, but the house was still and silent. The two had gone to the city for winter supplies, and they would not be back for another week at least.

When the group finally arrived at Adonai and Shael's house, Shael could be seen out back hanging clothes up on a line that was strung between two trees. Her long black hair was braided today, and as usual she was wearing a white blouse and a colourful skirt.

A little girl was near her, kneeling on the ground near the river, her back to Shael and the others. She also had long black hair, but it had been pulled back into a loose ponytail, rather than braided, and she was wearing a red blouse and black skirt.

"Hello!" Aliya called out cheerfully as the group approached them. "Visitors!"

Shael turned around upon hearing the voices, and when she saw the group that had come to visit them, she broke into a wide smile. She called to the little girl, who jumped to her feet excitedly and ran to meet them.

The unusual thing was, despite the fact that it was nearly winter, she had a handful of fresh blue roses in her hands.

"Hello," Shael called brightly as she and the girl drew near. "Welcome back!"

The little girl was hopping and skipping all around Shael. "Who are they, Mama?" she asked excitedly. "Who are they? Are they the friends you told me about?"

Shael laughed. "Kara, Feng, Ryu, Naida, Miyu, Toshiro ... this is Rhea. Rhea, say hello."

"Hello!" Rhea looked as though nothing would please her more than to greet her new friends. "Look look I have presents for you! Pretty flowers!" She giggled and started to hand them out, but she didn't have quite enough - by the time she got to Miyu (who was about the same size as her) she was out. She didn't seem worried, though - she simply knelt and touched one finger to the ground, and a moment later another rose, bluer than the others, sprung up and blossomed, and she plucked it and held it out to Miyu happily. "For you!"

Rhea giggled, her eyes a beautiful hazel just like her mother's and sparkling with her excitement.

"You're welcome!" she beamed at Miyu. "It's pretty, just like you are!"

She grinned up at Kara. "It's really really nice to meet you too," she said brightly. "Mama tells me all kinds of stories and so does Papa and it's really exci-"

She broke off, her eyes growing wide, as she spotted Kara's wings. "Hey!" she exclaimed, circling around her so quickly it was as if she had teleported herself. "You have big wings! So pretty!"

She scooted back out in front of Kara, giggling mischievously. "Watch this!" she grinned, turning around. There was a faint glow of blue sparkles behind her back, and then large white wings, each of them longer than she was tall, sprouted from her shoulderblades. They stretched out wide, then folded against her back.