Welcome to Gaia! ::

George nodded. "I'd love to share a bed. However I need to bathe first and I'd rather you not bathe with me." Too many scars, too much history. She was too young to see that. "All right? You can sit outside beside the doorway, I'll leave the door open and we can talk."

"Uhm, you don't need to cry. Miss?" he asked, unsure whether he should reach forward and wipe away the large teardrops. "I-it's okay ify ou're going to help me--" and gave a squeak as the dog suddenly got uncomfortably close, face turning red with embarrassment at her being female, but his entire body stood rigid with fear at the fact she was a dog and could easily kill him. "Y-Yes... Tsume..." and was turned around and led by the hand. When was the last time a girl had been so nice to him? it was nice to know Falia was this kind. "S-So what part of Falia did I land in?" he could feel the water rolling around in his empty eye socket and it wasn't pleasant.

"W-Well a lot of them are Falian books but there were some in Nalaeniran language as well. S-So... a bit of both?"

(( watcha think of the new layout? ))

>> Timeskip One Week >>

The week had been rough on George. After cleaning himself up he stuck close to Nix. The man was hardly seen without her in his arms or lap. Physical touch with anyone else made him incredibly uncomfortable, though it was to be expected. Only to Birch did he explain the cruelties of Reta once Nix was asleep, explaining to her to tell only the heads of the clans what to expect when it came to fixing Reta. He had wanted to talk to Alvaro but between meal times and rest he hardly saw the man. It was okay though, he was enjoying many things with Nix, telling her her mother's favorite places or Leo's and memories of back then, and at night they'd sleep together, the father holding his daughter tightly for fear he'd wake up and she be gone. He loved her so much. They could be a family once Leo and his wife awoke. Poor Elliot, not leaving Leo's side.

And he didn't. The lynx stayed put, sleeping right beside the bedding. He feared if he stayed an animal too long it would affect his mind. For the first two days he hadn't eaten in worry and fear but the third day he saw food along with the shadow twins eating. So with that he ate, realizing it was Hasta who delivered the food. Justin slept on the bedding that was provided, and after a week Elliot felt being a lynx was messing with his mind, doing his usual pacing and mathematics in his head to keep from giving in to whatever instincts animals held. He'd hacked up a hairball and Hasta had found that absolutely hilarious. But Elliot hadn't left the library let alone past the shelves closest to the center of the room. He merely stayed on his side, watching the vines for any movement, any thought, any proof Leo was alive under there.

The triplets had shown their father and Uncle around during the entire week, spending two days of said week looking at flowers and even sleeping in them! And then they made them change clothes, finding clothes to give to Elliot as well when he came to hang out with them. And they ate new foods and drank what Annabelle liked to call 'liquid sunshine' because it was golden and bright and warmed you up when you drank it.

And Alvaro had to admit he'd never seen his girls or Lewis happier, running around flowers and laughing like there were no troubles in the world. Even he had to admit, he'd forgotten about Nalaenir

Alvaro chuckled. "They'd certainly be in for a rough shock! it might just kill them!" and kissed Lewis on the cheek. When they'd first witnessed homosexuality in Falia Alvaro had practically jumped on Lewis with his girls watching. They were fully supportive of this.

However the dropped food made the family turn and look at Birch. "What is it?" Alvaro asked, laughter gone from his face. "Is it the library?"

"We're going to the library!" Emily yelled, removing herself from the table and running. Annabelle soon followed and Martha, dragging Oliver to accompany them (really she wondered why he hung out with them and not Justin) and ran out.

"Go!" Alvaor exclaimed, letting them exit the house before following soon after. Was it Leo? Please let Leo be okay!

Kashi wasn't going to try it. It looked disgusting. Nope. But his ears raised, body sensing something and that the forest had gone eerily quiet. Then panic. "tsume!" he called, standing up and easily running after the man into the library.

George had been away from Falia for too long but as soon as the air changed he knew it was Leo. He picked the girl up and ran down the stairs, wanting to jump down yet knowing he couldn't handle it quite yet. Once the grass was under his feet he dashed forward, moving around the curious crowds which could sense it as well.

Elliot had been teaching Justin how to read, surprised at the boy's progress but he was still very far behind. A lot of these words were too long or complicated for his tongue. He noticed the light on the book dim, so while turning to look out the window he stopped, realizing the light from the center had faded. His sister's were suddenly around him in shock, watching, smelling his father and Uncle behind him.

George was panting slightly as he arrived, barely acknowledging the king when he noticed the vines shrivel up. Then a sudden warmth in his body and he had to look at himself. Older muscles, his hair wasn't brown. He was older. Why? A small yet old, familiar voice hit his ears and he looked up, heart almost stopping at the woman before him. "Ambrose." he murmured, carefully setting Nix down before running towards her and holding her tightly. "Ambrose. Oh by the goddess you're alive." he whispered, eyes hot with tears, pulling her face up to kiss her passionately. "Oh by the gods above. You're alive. You're alive and well."

The lynx stood there watching as the woman walk out before the silver eyes returned to the center, waiting, but there was nothing. Disappointment filled his heart, shifting back and walking forward to the rail, not grabbing it, just looking with wide eyes as the ears remained perked with the smallest hints of hope. "Leo...?" he whispered towards the empty space, searching it. Tsume said he was strong... why wasn't he there? "Leonard...?"

"Daddy." Annabelle whispered, tugging on his sleeve. "Daddy where is Leo?"

Alvaro didn't know. That was the same look, the same voice, Elliot had when he was looking into the casket for the final time, not understanding his mother wasn't better, not understanding that she was dead. Leo couldn't be dead...

Justin grew teary eyed and Emily held his hand before hugging him. "B-But he was nice to me!" he cried softly into her shoulder. "He was really nice to me and! And!"

George looked sadly at his wife. "Leo was in there." he murmured before hearing Nix cry out, his wife soon taking her into her arms. "He's been in there for a week."

The lynx just stared, smelling the sadness in the room, smelling the depression. He gave a yowl/bark mix, the only thing his species could do, clawing at the barrier in anger and depression finally. Why?! Did Elliot have to wait six years before being reunited with Leo?! Why were the trees being so cruel! He was pregnant god damn it! He was pregnant!

"Elliot," Alvaro said before the howl interrupted him.

The lynx moved back quickly as the vines suddenly merged and tightened, rotating and forming before opening. "Leo!" he shouted, going and the barrier blocking him again. He gave a snarl and clawed at it, feeling it burn at his paws but not shooting him back like it had with Tsume or Hasta. Birch stopped him before he actually did make the barrier shoot him back, staring at her before shifting back to his more human form.

He looked back at the barrier and stood, shoes lightly hitting the ground. "Please, Leo." he murmured, passing through the barrier. He looked at the people on the other side before walking forward, looking at the unmoving trio. "Leo." and stroked his lovers face before looking at the stillborns with pain. "They look like you. It must run in the family to look like your mother." and gently lifted one, frightened at how limp it was, tears in his eyes and crying. He checked the gender of the baby before wrapping him back up. "A son." he said hoarsely, sitting down and checking the other, giving a weak laugh. "Twin sons." but the smile turned bitter and sad, pressing his forehead gently against the child's. "Leo." And looked at the male before bending down. "Please, please come back." and set the child back in his arms to hold the Falian's face. It had no temperature. He was cold with death, wasn't he?"I hurt. I miss you so much please. I love you, you know that. You and Rin and Yuki." he whispered as the tears fell. "I'll wait six years if I have to." and pressed his lips softly against the others.

Elliot waited, gritting his teeth in depression and despair, clinging to the three before a small whimper made his ears twitch. It grew louder into a cry and he moved away, watching one squirm and cry and then the other began to squirm and cry. what did he do? The prince was in so much shock that he didn't know what to do.

"Elliot?"

The silver eyes snapped up, tears stopping in their tracks. He gave a small laugh and nodded, tears resuming their course and falling. "Yes. They're absolutely fine. Perfectly healthy babes." and strokes one of their small faces before kissing Leo, showing how much he cared and loved the Falian before breaking away. "Rin and Yuki." he murmured before kissing their crying heads and taking one from their mother. "Which is which?"

Alvaro had to wipe away at his tears, clearing his throat. "Th-This is a very happy occassion."

"This is damn exciting!"

"Martha!" Annabelle exclaimed. "That's a bad word!"

"I think today," Alvaro said, "Today we'll let it pass."

Emily was holding up Justin who was crying harder before allowing herself to sink to the floor with the boy in her arms, trying not to cry herself and patting his head gently.

Martha grinned, grabbing Oliver and swinging him around. "Heck yes! Everybody lives!" And paused. Crap, she was an Aunt.

George couldn't hold back the tears, covering his eyes with one hand but smiling at the joy. He had his wife returned to him, his son, his daughter and two newborn grandchildren. "This... so much..." and chuckled before hugging Nix and his wife happily. "This calls for one large, country-wide celebration."

Elliot tried to stop the baby from crying but Lewis bounded up and the cat immediately gave a low warning growl before Rin was snatched before his ears lowered that Lewis got him to quiet.

"Don't feel so down!" Alvaro called. "he silenced you when your mother or I couldn't!" and laughed before looking and Ambrose finally, walking over and giving her a polite bow. "If it wasn't obvious before, I am Elliot's father. Like your son, mine gets his looks from his mother." and gently kissed her hand.

Annabelle rushed over to Nix and hugged her. "We're family now! We're sisters! We're Aunts!"

"I'm old." Martha said as Oliver congratulated her. "I'm only nine and I'm so old. I'm an Aunt."

Kashi lightly clapped before looking at Henry and Megan. "There's going to be a proper wedding once we get back to Nalaenir."

Megan nodded. "I need to think of the perfect cake. And birthday cakes for our two heirs!"

"I'm not raising these two princes." Henry said. "I'm too old! You hear me Alvaro! Too old! I deserve to be retired in a house with a dog that can't bark!"

Elliot carefully took the child, looking at little Rin and smiling. "Well I would certainly hope so, I'm his father." and stroked the fat cheek happily. "You're so wiggly. You were the one kicking around in Leo's stomach weren't you?" and nuzzled him before giving a loud purr that rumbled in his chest.

George nodded, looking outside as well. "I wonder how many have gone to spread it to our son-in-law's country."

Alvaro nodded and looked at Elliot. "I've never seen my own son this happy and pleased. It's really... he was just sad for so long." and gave a small yet happy sigh. "They're both so incredibly happy."

George gave her a small smile. "My dearest, don't cry." and cupped her face in one hand gently. "I am here now. I am with you and our family is not only complete but has quite literally spread to two countries." he gave her a small kiss, lifting her head. "There was never a day in Reta where I did not think of you. You were always with me."

Elliot snapped his teeth at his uncle's finger before finally giving a smile. "What? Henry was there raising me?"

"Shut up you fool! I wasn't the one contorting myself to fit in a crib!"

"Henry," Megan said, trying to calm the older man down.

Elliot stared. "Perhaps he shouldn't help raise the children." and looked as Tsume lifted Leo, the lynx standing as well and nodding. "All right." and paused as Hasta stepped forward and spoke, placing his fingers over Rin's mouth the silent the noisy baby before feeling them suckled in, letting him suck on those before the baby spit them out. "Hm, the both of you?" he asked, looking over both Hasta and Pasa, "I do like the color blue more than I do red." and stared at Hasta before finally bowing his head low. "All right. I can agree to it."

"Yes! Thank the trees! You woke up thinking today would be good and it is good! It's wonderful!"

Martha looked at Oliver, "No. I'll get wrinkles. I'm old."

"Why are you worried about getting wrinkles?" Emily asked "I thought you were a boy."

"I'm a girl! These clothes are girl clothes!"

Justin chuckled. "It'd be the first time she considered herself one." and Emily burst into giggles.