Welcome to Gaia! ::

Flying Swords Tenryuu looks over her shoulder at an imposing building behind her. She was never that fond of schools, and now she finds herself employed at one. Her interview went well, fortunately. The 'head coach' was at first doubtful that a woman of her stature could 'hold her own on the court,' but was impressed by Tenryuu's stamina and dexterity. And, Tenryuu suspects, she was simply in the right place at the right time. The coach seemed desperate for assistants.

So now she carries a folded gray 'sweatsuit,' loose pants and a top made of a blend of materials that is furry on the inside, and that will certainly make her sweat during exercise. But the sweatshirt is emblazoned with the school's logo as well as the word STAFF in block letters, to mark Tenryuu as one of them. She is pleased with her success at securing a job that won't embarrass or bore her. Her only hope is that her mother is having similar luck.

As she walks to the school gates, she spots a boy sitting on the lawn. He is leaning against a winged, furred beast that is about the size of a large mount, with a book in his lap. This is an odd sight, since class is supposedly in session. But odder yet, this boy is Porcelain!

Curiosity gets the better of Tenryuu. Once she is close enough, she nods to the mount, bends over, and looks closely at the boy. When he does not seem to notice, she laughs softly. "Is your book so interesting?"

If Xue were indoors, he might have hit the ceiling. As it is, he jumps up and knocks into the mount, which then topples him forward. It is only through some creative twisting that he manages to avoid falling directly into Tenryuu, and instead sprawls on the grass.

The furred creature is similarly surprised, and tips this way and that before slouching next to Xue. "Please do not do that again," says a low, shaky voice. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."

Now it is Tenryuu's turn to be shocked, and she lets her bottom drop to the ground with a thump. She knows now that Gaia is full of wonders, both magical and innovative, that she had never imagined. But coming face to face with a talking mount caught her quite off guard. She offers her sincerest apologies for startling them both. She did not mean to cause any harm.

"... yes, well." The beast does not seem to fully comprehend the sentiments, but is at least reassured that she will be more careful.

After a few moments on the grass, the Porcelain boy springs to his feet. Porcelain Porcelain Porcelain! Friend Friend Friend! He is wildly excited and not entirely coherent, but seems clearly surprised to find a Porcelain here. And an old one too! surprised

For a moment Tenryuu stiffens. Then she bursts into laughter. She is probably not much that older than he is, she suggests. And she is at least equally surprised to find a Porcelain child here. Is he a student at this school? She is pleased at the idea of possibly working with Porcelain children.

Amused as well, Xue shakes his head. He does not go to school. Des is here looking at schools for some of his brothers and sisters, but not all of them. Lin probably won't go to school, and Xue doesn't think he will either. Of course, it's possible that none of them will. Des has looked at schools before, and nothing has happened. sweatdrop

But but but that is not really important because now Xue has a new friend he wants to know about! And he is sorry he called her old. Xue is Xue, and his friend is Sirry, and he is very happy to meet new friend!

"Tenryuu. I am pleased to meet you, Xue and Sirry," Tenryuu says. She wonders why only some of Xue's family would go to school. Perhaps they are not all of the proper age, but he seems to be. She is also curious how such a large Porcelain family is established, since Xue's projections indicate a great number of siblings.

Xue is very happy to meet Ten! whee

Not at all bothered by Tenryuu's perhaps nosy questions, Xue cheerfully explains that his family is large and interesting. He is the only Porcelain in his family- except for Oneechan, who is not Xue's sister but some other weird relation through a dinosaur. It is very complicated, and Xue does not entirely understand. But not everyone in Xue's family is suited for school, as Des put it, which is why she's never sent them, and why Xue doubts she will send them now.

Did Ten go to school? Or does she go to school now? Is it fun? Xue has never been, except to look, and he is curious what it is like.

Xue will have to be careful that his nickname does not confuse her and her mother, Tenryuu warns. Or her aunt, she supposes, but as far as she knows her aunt is not here, and that is probably for the best.

The situation with Xue's family seems confusing indeed, and Tenryuu does not waste time trying to sort it out. Instead she nods; she has indeed been to school. She never found it that fun though. She enjoyed the learning and most of the classmates, but the setting did not always work for her. She supposes it will have to now, since she is to be working at this school.

Really? Oh, Xue wishes he could go to school now. He would like to have her as a teacher! But he is not very good at lessons, so Des has mostly stopped trying. He thinks she is disappointed in him. sad

But maybe not, because she always says that Xue is a big help in the kitchen and with the little ones. He is good at doing things, if not at thinking things.

For a moment, Tenryuu is angry. Why is a human dismissing him? He is definitely hyper and a bit scattered, but he seems intelligent enough. Then her expression softens again, and she pats Xue on the head lightly. As long as he is happy, she is sure that this Des will be happy too. And she is certain he is a big help.

And, of course, he doesn't need to attend school in order to see her. If Xue would like, he can come visit Tenryuu... when her family finds a place to live, anyway. sweatdrop

No house? Oh no! gonk Then Ten will just have to come stay with Xue until she finds a place! 3nodding

If Ten likes, he can take her to a yummy place he knows. There is a place that serves delicious noodles, and the cook is also a Porcelain, though he has mostly been out when Xue has visited.

Although the offer is wildly impractical, Tenryuu is touched and promises to call on Xue if she needs the help... though privately she hopes she is never quite that desperate.

She quickly recognizes the description of the udon-ya, and nods. So, Setsushi is not always home for his customers? Tenryuu will have to have a word with him about this.

Ten knows the giant noodle-man? surprised

In that case, Xue insists on meeting her there sometime. He thinks that she must be new on Gaia, or he would have met her before. He has lived here for some time, and has at least seen most of the Porcelain who were here before the new ones started coming. If Ten is new, Xue can show her around! Or better, he can show her around when Des gets back!

Tenryuu pauses, considers... and bursts into laughter. "Noodle-man!" she shrieks. "Giant noodle-man!" It is perfect! She will have to mention it to Setsushi sometime. It is an amusing description, in more ways than one. Her laughter peters out, and she catches her breath. Truly, Xue is a genius.

At this next generous offer, however, Tenryuu is uneasy. She does not want to divert this Des from her business, nor does she want to pull Xue away from her. Yes, she would like to know more about the area, but-

Then there is no time like the present, Xue insists firmly. Then he looks around, as if suspecting an eavesdropper. When he is satisfied, he confides that all there is to do at home is more school-searching, something that Xue is tired of. He suspects Des is tired as well, but she doesn't notice being tired until she falls over.

As he mentions this, a young woman with long blue hair approaches from behind. She pauses a few feet away, as Xue tells of the time she accidentally made lemon cake with soap, and frowns. "Xue, who are you telling all my faults to?" she asks. Her voice is cheerful enough, but there is exhaustion lingering beneath the surface.

Xue jumps again, this time landing on his feet, and runs to DS. Des Des Porcelain Porcelain! He quickly introduces his friend Ten to his Des. Ten, Des. Des, Ten. Xue would like to take Ten exploring!

More guarded with the arrival of Xue's guardian, Tenryuu bows. "I am pleased to meet you, Miss Des. I am Tenryuu." Though she would never turn down Xue's generosity, she insists that today is not the best day. Surely they have other things to do.

DS, garbed in her favorite kimono, bows in return. "I am equally pleased to meet you, Tenryuu-san. Please just call me DS- or Des, if you like." She looks at Xue and smiles widely. "A tour. What a wonderful idea. I could use a bit of a break. Unless you are busy, Tenryuu-san." They could postpone the outing to another time, of course. If that is the case, DS would like to give Tenryuu-san her contact information. Xue sometimes loses track of his friends, so it is fortunate that he makes new ones so easily.

Xue pouts slightly. Just because he makes new friends does not mean he likes to lose the old ones! Xue wants to be friends with everybody!

Tenryuu laughs and pats Xue on the head again. While she cannot guarantee he will be friends with everyone, she promises that he is off to a very good start. wink

She also nods deferentially to DS. While she is still not fully relaxed around the woman, she is at least content that she is not mistreating Xue. And she meekly admits that, so long as they are really not busy, she would enjoy accompanying them a while longer.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! blaugh

Without waiting for another word, Xue grabs DS with one hand and Tenryuu with the other, and starts to drag them towards the gate. Now that they have decided, what are they waiting for? There is so much to see and show and tell!

DS allows herself to be dragged along. "Sirius, you can go home if you like. We probably won't be heading there for a while yet."

"Nonsense." Sirry, or Sirius, shakes his head. "I would be more comfortable staying with you." The creature, which Xue will later tell Tenryuu is called a Tala, and that they tend to several Talaye, stretches his wings and follows the crowd, mindful not to inadvertently block the road.

At first, Xue's steady touch makes Tenryuu uneasy. She does not like prolonged contact with others. But Xue is so innocent, so carefree, that it is actually somewhat refreshing. She relaxes again, and begins to enjoy herself.

A job, a new friend, and even a tour of her new home. Tenryuu never expected that one morning would bring such bounty... or how grateful she would be to have it.

[Something like a solo will go here. Soon. I hope.]

[What a strange girl. As sorry as I am about her situation, I am sorrier still that it falls to me to explain.]