Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kate bowed, a blank smile across her lips, but Adi bowed lower, "master, there is no need to take us. a chance to walk outside is always welcomed. we-we are not allowed out of the harem often. only to go to the rooms of master's guests or to go to the master's parties. none of which are pleasant experiences. this is unbelievably nice in comparison."

Lewis lifted up a skain of a dark blue silk with silver embroidery and found himself criticizing the stitches without meaning too. the design was beautiful, but the thread was too tight, it would break easily. "too bad, i bet they would have liked that." he shook his head and put it back down, "al? when should we head back?"

Tsume nodded, "agreed, there are many things indeed. we'll just have to make sure she doesn't get recruited for their army while we are here." the store owner's son was watching them from the rafters, thinking he was hidden out of sight, but Tsume had smelled him the moment they came in. he stretched nonchalantly and used that to look up. he gave the boy a small smile and a wave before bringing his arms down and focusing on his group once more.

Leo nodded, "the king, he was willing to kill him right there just to hurt Kashi. his life meant nothing to him..." he broke off and had to look away for a second, pulling himself back together. "someone like that is not fit to rule a kingdom. what happened here? it's as if the land itself is sick, infesting the minds of the people. the world would be a better place if Reta didn't exist!"

Heather blushed a little at the hare trying to serve her, "i-um," she didn't want to insult him, but she didn't feel right having a master bring her something. "a little more water would be nice..." she finally whispered, looking down, "if it isn't too much trouble for you, master."

Lewis smiled a little, "i'd like to go back. leaving the boys alone in that place has me worried. i-i don't like it. there are more than one way to hurt people and sometimes the physical blows are the least painful."

Adi bowed again, "as you wish, masters. this way." she turned and head back towards the palace, Kate trailing beside her.

Tsume nodded, "you are probably right. these fabrics are course compared to even the cheapest of clothes in our lands. they have the proper material but do not weave them properly. it is a waste." he shook his head and followed after the group, wishing they were all in Falia. things would be so much simpler, so much cleaner if they were back home.

"only if you lay with me," Leo whispered, standing up with Elliot's hand in his and walking with him to the bedroom. "kashi, Heather, call us if you need anything. we'll be right here." he smiled and shut the door behind them. he sighed softly, feeling a bit dizzy, but he pushed that aside. "poor things, maybe we shouldn't leave them alone?" he took a step toward the bed, his dizziness returning and making him fall against Elliot. "maybe i'm a bit more tired than i thought. the babies are ok, i can still feel their life force as strong as before."

Heather bowed low as the masters left, which meant she was alone with the poor hare. there was a long pause of silent, him watching her with that sad eye and she looking down, not sure what to do. "it wasn't your fault," she finally whispered, putting the half empty glass of water down. "the master beating me. i forgot my place and spoke far too boldly. he was being kind, i have been whipped for such acts before." she bit her lip, fiddling with her hands in her lap, "the master likes me because i cannot help what comes from my mouth. i speak too much, it gives him many opportunities to discipline me."

Lewis gave Megan's hand a squeeze, "i bet dear Leo will heal that right up for you. you really shouldn't have hit him so hard! headbutts are never a good idea." he fawned over her as they walked, treating her like she was made of glass.

Tsume poked Henry's arm, "all humans have thin skin. so soft and easily torn. an interesting thing for a race that loves to go to war as much as yours. Falians have thicker skin than that. shockingly enough, the race with the toughest skin are the unicorns. well, and the dragons but they have all but died out."

Leo smiled as he was laid on the bed, "yes, yes. i know, rest, eat, rest, eat. that's all i'm allowed to do ri-" he let out a small gasp, his hand going to his stomach. "i think-i think one of them just kicked me...." he frowned a bit, his hand over the spot when he felt another kick, "oh! there he is again, Elliot feel this! he's so strong!"

Heather looked at the hare curiously. No one had ever asked about his family. among the bentiens such a thing was not allowed, you were beaten if you spoke of the past, but if a master requested the information...would that be allowed? "No," he said softly, taking up the water once more and staring down into the glass. "there was a fire. my parents died and since we had no other family my sister and i were sold into slavery. she had an ability, she could lift rocks and throw them so she was sold into the army. i'm grateful for that. she is beautiful, but in the army she shall be protected as a precious user. there is no one else."

Leo giggled, "i think they heard you. he's calmed down. i wish i could see them!" he closed his eyes and leaned his head back down, "i bet they will be beautiful, our babies. i wonder who they will take after. will they have white hair like you or darker like me? what color will their eyes be? their powers will have something to do with water, but there is some fire masters on both sides of my family, and many, many other kinds of powers too. i wonder which ones they will take."

Heather bit her lip, "i-do. have one, i mean. but it was deemed to be useless by the Empire." he held his glass tightly, the water rippling inside as he tried to keep from shaking. "it's a weak power, pathetic really. they almost didn't seal it away, but no bentien is allowed any kind of power. no matter how weak." and the sealing ceremony had been hell. pure hell.

Leo nodded, "of course you can. they are your babies too." he opened his dress and exposed his belly, letting Elliot do as he like. "just don't push down, there isn't much room as it is. poor boys, i worry that i'm too small. do they have enough room in there? i thought i was huge when there was just one, but not for two!"

Heather gave a self mocking smile, "I can-could create love," he said softly. "if there was a spark i could see it, could help it grow into true love. if there isn't a spark i can put it there. make friends out of enemies, love from hatred, friends out of strangers. a useless ability. what need is there for love? of what use can there be for such a thing?" he shook his head, "it is worthless, just like me."

Leo smiled, "something is telling me they are boys. i don't know why, and there is no way to tell for sure, maybe i just want boys. what about you?"

Heather shook her head, unable to believe that a power she'd been told was worthless for her entire life was actually that great. she didn't dare say anything, not wanting to disagree with a master and anger him. "you are wiser than i in such things. Reta finds no use for such base emotions as love."

One of the babies kicked right where Elliot had placed his head and Leo couldn't help but laugh. "I think they know you are there, my love. maybe he was just trying to say hi?" there was another kick and leo bit back a twinge of pain, it was too funny to care that it hurt a little

Heather instinctively pulled away when the hare grew more animated, more passionate. "I-I see, forgive my ignorance, master. i am only a bentien." she lowered her head in a bow, "it is pointless now, my power is locked away, master. if i-were i ever to display even a hint of it i shall be cleaned once more..." he shivered, growing sick at the idea, "i never wish to face that again."

Tsume entered the room and lifted an eyebrow, "what are you doing to the poor boy, Kashi? he looks sick."

Lewis came bursting in after him, "Our ShiShi wouldn't hurt anyone! not on purpose. poor dears!" he hurried over to hug them both, "such sweet children though-Heather. you seem less hurt than before. did dear Leo heal you?"

Kate and Adi came in as well and moved to kneel next to Heather, keeping quiet in the din of their arrival