Welcome to Gaia! ::

Orin waited for John to speak. When he did not, he beckoned once more for him to take a stool. John sat and Orin poured him a glass. "I suppose you're not as happy to see me, but I - for one - am thrilled. I hear you are getting married. Congratulations," he said, attempting to make light converstation. His remarks were met with cold silence. "Johnny, when are you going to forgive me? That was long ago. We were practically kids."

"You nearly killed me!"

"How was I supposed to know alcohol was flammable? I'd never even seen the stuff before! I was a kid, John. You have to have forigven me by now." John took a swig from the glass and eyes Orin. "If it makes you feel any better, they caught me. I was held for an entire year." John cracked a smile. "A year? And you couldn't escape? I find that hard to believe." Orin shrugged. "I felt bad. I wanted to do my time. So, where is this bride of yours?"

"Keira? Um..."

Orin smiled kindly and simply answered, "You smell human. Not bad, human." John neglected to mention this small fact... He shifted his gaze to his old friend, who refused to return the glance, but instead said, "So, how about we have some lunch? I'm starving."

Orin looked up at the high sun. "It's early yet, friend. What do you think, Lady Hatake," he asked polietely, still looking up at the cloudless sky. A hawk soared overhead and he gave a small nod before looking back down.

Orin accepted her compliment gracefully, but without smiling. "Please forgive me if I keep my distance. Old habits are hard to break," he said cryptically. John explained, "Orin's tribe were all but destroyed by humans that were supposed to be friends. When they had finally replenished their numbers, they were almost wiped out again by human illnesses, and then two times more - a fire set by human boys, and a violent take-over by humans wishing to learn the secrets to their magic. They've... uh, not had the best past, you could say."

Orin nodded solemly. "Wounds that deep are hard to heal. I hold to you no ill will, nor do I dislike you. But I must keep my distance, for your sake. It's easier to control my emotions and powers that way. I hope you understand..."

"I was not going to tell her. And perhaps you should not have done so, either. You have upset her," Orin said plainly, staring after Jamie. "Yeah. Bet I did. I'll make up for it later."

"No," Orin said, "I will. We should become friends if she is to be your wife. So, where is this lunch you promised," he teased.


An hour later, Orin entered the music room with a tray in his hand. He set it down on a table and bowed to Keira. "You play very beautifully," he told her, "I heard your music when I was coming down the hall. I enjoyed it very much." Silence. "I've brought you lunch," he said, gesturing to the tray. "I'm sorry you were not able to join us."

He walked over to a nearby chair and sat. He felt it best to get to the point. "John has upset you in telling you my quarrel with humans," he finally said after a long pause. "I can feel it is true; I have a gift for feeling what others feel. I appologize. I did not intend to tell you," he said kindly and waited for her to speak.