Welcome to Gaia! ::

"He has always been one to plan ahead," Vanya nodded. "And he has only the well-being of the children at heart. I know that there are some, perhaps not here, but other places, who work only for the gold. Having him here is a blessing, I truly believe that."

She smiled again. "Most employers would not care about the opinion or lives or their employees."

Vanya nodded grimly. "The frightening part about it," she murmured, "is that if Aragost were not here, as ... startling as he is ... they would have passed completely unnoticed."

Ulrich nodded his agreement. "It is indeed fortunate that he is with us."

He couldn't help but wonder if Donovan would want to 'catch up' with him as well.

"At any rate," Ulrich said gently, smiling at Vanya, "we should continue if we're going to reach everyone before dinner. I'll be back later for a full report."

Vanya nodded, smiling back. "Yes, I should get back to work," she replied easily. She bowed her head at Donovan. "Until next time."

And with that she turned and headed back out into the field.

Ulrich thought about that for a moment.

"Elros, Aragost, Celeborn, Halmir, Arthael," he began, ticking them off on his fingers, "possibly Bronwe, if he's up already - he always takes the night shift - Sir Ryder ... but he's out on shift right now ..."

He glanced over at Donovan. "We could go find him if you wanted, though he will be back here around dinner time as well."

"I have to admit," Ulrich agreed innocently, "you are at your social best when you're trying to irk someone ... and Aragost ... is not someone that you want to irk. I've never seen him angry, and I never want to."

He started off towards the barracks.

"The others, I believe, are in their quarters," he went on, normally now. "There shouldn't be any problems with visiting them. Ah ... and Halmir and Arthael moved their quarters, both of them - their individual rooms were too small for two of them, let alone three or more, so they've got the larger suite downstairs instead now."

Ulrich chuckled deeply. "Well, it's been a good long while since either of us have had the chance to surprise anyone. In fact, these past several years, we're the ones who have been getting the surprises."

He opened the door of the barracks and waited for Donovan to enter first.



Elros noticed that Lin was no longer paying attention, and he followed her gaze to a butterfly that was crawling along her arm.

"Is everything all right?" he asked her softly, concerned. He knew how upset she could get when the butterflies bothered her at times.

Ulrich laughed heartily. "I don't blame her," he chuckled, heading down the hall. "How often is it that you can be taken by surprise? Honestly, it's an accomplishment more than anything."

He grinned at Donovan. "Who first?"



Elros's normally expressionless face changed, slowly appearing amused. He put his elbows on the table and folded his hand just in front of his mouth to hide his grin.

"Is that a fact?" he murmured.

"Halmir and Arthael," Ulrich replied immediately. He stopped and pointed back the way they had come. "Bronwe and the other night shifters are on that end of the barracks, it makes it easier when it comes to keeping quiet for people who need to sleep. Elros and Aragost of course are on the second floor."



Elros tried to hide the smile that was growing bigger and bigger by the second.

"I can well imagine," he replied innocently.