Welcome to Gaia! ::

Earendil nodded. "But it's very pretty, for being small and in such a dangerous place," he smiled. "And it is a very important flower. Kelirahc says that it can cure poison. He used it to save a life when he was young."

Due to the events of the night before, Miyuki hadn't had a chance to meet Omarerd. Maybe they would have a chance for that before they left.

Earendil looked thoughtful as he sat up again, trying to think how best to explain it.

"Well," he mused, using the Common Tongue so that she would be sure to understand the words at least, "sometimes when people eat something that's bad for them, or if something happens that makes them sick, there are certain plants that can be used to cure them, or make them better. This particular flower has that ability."

Meanwhile, while the group explored the volcano, thousands of miles away, another visit was taking place. Since Earendil and Lin and the others had left, Rhea had begun to feel a bit homesick, and started wishing her family could be there. As she was in no condition to travel, Aurin had decided that (with Aerin's permission) he would take Skyel and go and get her parents and bring them to her.

It was very late at night when he arrived - actually, very close to morning - but he was well rested. By this time, Skyel knew the way, and he was able to sleep just fine while she flew undirected. He was a little wary of knocking on their door so early in the morning, before the sun was even showing over the horizon; but on the other hand, he was certain that they would be glad to see him. Rhea had already told them about the arrival of the twins, he was certain, but they were bound to have questions, and want to know more.

With a final glance at the sky, the captain rapped solidly on the door with one gloved fist and waited for a response.

Cindy wasn't the only one who was wakened by the knock: Adonai and Shael heard her going to get the door, and so they took their time to get dressed first, but Vergil, curious, wanted to know who it was as well. He slid down the rope from his bed (the highest level of his room) to the floor and ran out his door and down the hall, trying to keep up with Cindy. By the time he got down the stairs, she was already at the door, and he ran as fast as his little legs could carry him to catch up.

Aurin smiled at Cindy. Her surprise was clear in her eyes, and from her state of half-undress he knew that she had not yet been up and about - though that didn't surprise him either.

"Good morning, Cindy," he greeted her, bowing his head respectfully. "Forgive me for knocking at this early hour, but I've just arrived ... do not worry, nothing is wrong," he added quickly before she could panic. "I ... are Shael and Adonai at home?"

"They sure are!" Vergil spoke up, slightly breathless, from where he stood now at Cindy's feet. He was wearing nothing but his underwear, but it was summer and he didn't feel cold at all.

Vergil pouted up at Cindy. "But you're not dressed either, Mother!" he protested.

Aurin chuckled and stepped inside. "She is wearing a good deal more than you are, young man," he winked. "Go on, get yourself dressed."

Vergil blinked at Aurin. "Hey! You're not my mother or my father!" he accused him, pointing one finger up at him. "You can't tell me what to do!"

Vergil huffed and folded his arms across his chest, but he turned and plodded obediently towards the stairs, and in a moment the tok-shuffle-tok-shuffle of him climbing the stairs could be heard.

Aurin chuckled and clasped his hands together. He was not wearing his armour, but nevertheless his mannerisms were somewhat military as he stood just inside the door of the house.

"After all of these years, he has not changed," he mused with a grin.

Aurin chuckled softly. "Well ... I can say nothing about that," he murmured. "You after all have known him much longer ..."

He trailed off slowly, and his gaze lifted to the ceiling. He cleared his throat quietly. He didn't know Cindy well, and wasn't used to making small talk ... and he was wondering when his mother and father in law were going to be down.

At that moment, however, Vergil arrived upstairs just as Adonai was leaving his bedroom. Adonai looked down at the boy as he headed off to his room to get dressed. "Who is it?" he asked, more curious than anything.

Vergil didn't even bother looking up at Adonai. "It's the guy that married Rhea," he told him flatly. "He's very bossy."

And without any further explanation, he disappeared into his room to get some pants on.

Aurin smiled at Cindy. "We have been doing very well, we-"

He was interrupted when Adonai thundered down the stairs and burst into the living room, his eyes wide with panic. "Aurin?" he gasped. "You're - Rhea? Is she all right? Did something-"

Aurin raised his hand to stop Adonai. "She is fine, do not worry," he assured him. "I apologize, I thought that Rhea would warn you I was coming ..."

Then again, considering Rhea's love for shocking people, maybe he shouldn't have expected that.