Welcome to Gaia! ::

Earendil smiled and took his seat next to Lin. "It was good," he told her, ignoring the look he was getting from his youngest niece. "For some reason I seem to have extra energy today."

He chuckled softly.

"What about you, all rested and ready to go?"

Earendil smiled. "That's good. We're probably going to be traveling for a while, so it's good if we don't have to worry about her wandering off too much."

Their breakfast was served, and everyone began to eat.

"So I would imagine we will be leaving right after breakfast," Earendil commented. "Make the most of the day. It's going to feel like such a small group this time, only two or three flying together ..."

Earendil chuckled. "You know I don't mind," he smiled. "Right Senka?"

He grinned at the cat, who was sitting on his lap, and flipped her a piece of the fish he had requested specially for her.

Earendil smiled and rubbed Senka's head softly. "She'll take possession of her eventually," he murmured. "You know how she is. She's just jealous of attention. Once Miyuki is old enough that she doesn't require your attention every waking moment, things will get better, I'm sure."

He tapped Senka lightly on the top of her head. "Right?" he asked her, arching one eyebrow to make his point.

Earendil laughed. "She's a baby, babies put anything in reach into their mouths," he grinned. "Besides, she eats her own tail, you really shouldn't take it personally that she tries to eat yours as well. It's just what babies do."

He poked her on the tip of her nose ever so gently. "I'm sure she'll grow up to be just like the rest of us," he murmured with a warm smile. "She'll dote on you just like the rest of us."

Well, other than Aranxia. The poor girl had completely freaked out when she had first heard Whisper and Senka talking, and hadn't come near either of them since that time. Even the quarter year that Whisper had been there now, she had not come near her.

Earendil smiled at Lin, continuing to stroke Senka gently. "I know," he murmured, his eyes soft and warm. "And time, as always, is something that we have lots of."

He gazed at her a moment longer, then turned back to his meal. He was sure they would stop for a meal on their trip, but he didn't know how long that would be, and flying or not he wanted to be able to last the day.

The queen and king had come to see them off, and Aurin put his fingers to his lips and called Skyel to them. While they were waiting for the roc to arrive, they were startled with Aranxia ran out of the castle gate suddenly.

"Uncle Earendil! Uncle Earendil!" she cried, running towards him at full speed.

Earendil was surprised by his niece's actions, but he turned towards her. "Yes?"

She threw her arms around him, then motioned for him to lean down. He did so, and she cupped her hands around his ear and whispered softly to him. Earendil chuckled and hugged her tightly.

"Don't you worry," he winked at her. "I will."

Aranxia giggled and kissed him on the cheek. "Be careful, Uncle Earendil!" she beamed at him. "I'll see you when you get back home!"