Welcome to Gaia! ::

Once the show concluded, Sa'ida took a deep breath, releasing it slowly and deliberately. The night sky in the day time was pretty, but still not as pretty as the real deal. She was happy that she could enjoy it with someone who wouldn't have lapsed into a coma midway through. "Yes, but can we watch the real night sky together sometime?" she asked, slowly taking his hand. Her body felt strangely heavy, and he head surprisingly light. The young Frei did so at a leisurely pace, hoping the other children with their staring problems would file out quickly.

She liked spending time with Rivener, and they had only just met. "Shall we go, Sir?" Sa'ida giggled feeling a surge of resilience. Natchi and Aphismet were waiting on them. The show was great, but the guardians couldn't sit there drinking bad coffee all morning, now could they?

Natsuki simply gave into the emotions washing over her. It felt good to finally unload everything, though her timing and location left much to be desired. "I'm surprised that I even stayed in that house after he broke in, leaving a ransom note and Chloe's glasses on my pillow in my bedroom." the redhead couldn't help it. Somehow, the police had covered up many of the details. "I had to stay with Kyou and Tsu for a little because I couldn't even stand to be in my own home. The police were no help either..."

She placed her own hand atop Aphismet's comforting one. How long had it been since she'd even been close to someone else. Not in the intimate sense, but even just in the friendly one? She couldn't remember. What started out as 'just a cup of coffee' had gone completely the opposite way."Aphi, I'm sorry, I usually have better control..." she apologized, taking her hand from his and reaching into her purse for her handkerchief. As Aphismet talking about his experience with helping Chloe, peppering his story with reassuring words, she relaxed.

Natsuki listened intently, as if his up-to-date information was purifying her heart and absolving her state of solitude. Though she didn't like the idea of Vyn with someone else, at least that individual was taking good care of her. She was impressed with his diplomacy in regard to Julian, as the young scientist was notorious for his 'people skills'. When Aphismet touched her cheek, her eyes instantly closed. Such a simple, empathetic gesture, put her aching heart at ease. Passersby might misconstrue their interaction as intimate, like several of the departing school kids did, but at least Natsuki understood Aphismet's unspoken intentions.

"Thank you for just-- listening and being here, Aphismet. I guess today's my lucky day. Coffee and a therapy session all for under $3.50, and I didn't even pay. I should be the one paying you." she said, opening her eyes slowly and bringing her handkerchief to her eyes. Sai'da and Rivener would be floating up at any moment and she couldn't be seen like this.

Sa'ida enjoyed being at Rivener's side. She ws convinced that he some sort of magical powers as the kids kept getting out of their way. Taking a look at spines running down his wings, she got a very good idea as to why. Unlike her simple, crystaline wings, his were leathery and meanacing. He looked like an unlikely hero in a story. Perhaps it was the hair. Sa'i really liked his hair, and voice, and secrets.

"I like watching the full moon. Oh look, there's a meteor shower coming soon!" the rainbow Frei smiled, pointing to a poster near the exit. An impish smile traced her lips at the thought of a night time meeting with Rivener. She'd have to tell Natchi though, at least that he was coming over."Do you really think the stars will talk about me? I hope they say nice things. I've been a good girl, I promise!"

Seeing Aphismet and Natsuki together at the coffee shop made her smile. It was nice to see her guardian actually taking time to enjoy a cup of coffee with someone.

"No. No. I should be fine. Thank you though, Aphismet. You're a lifesaver," Natsuki reassured him, taking a deep breath. Setting her handkerchief on the table, she reached into her purse and took out her compact, a lip gloss and a bottle of eye drops. In 90 seconds flat, her drops were in, lips were glossed, and she was slapping the compact shut. In a quick sweeping motion all the items, including the hand kerchief were back in her purse. "Let's meet them half-way. It'll be easier to get to the garden." Natsuki gave Aphismet another soft smile, appreciating his well-times humor. "...and you're right about my cakes. There's a reason why I am the Queen of Cafes in Gambino, Aphi. When you visit, you shall have a feast fit for a king."

When Rivener said that he'd travel all the way to Gaminbo to visit, not only her smile, but all of Sa'ida's colors grew brighter. Even if they didn't get to play during her favorite time of day, at least it would be something they could do together! Just the two of them.

"I-I-I- won't tell Aphi, but I might need to tell Natchi. After a friend of hers was taken, some man broke into the house. He scared her really bad. Natchi won't talk about it much, but she told me to always tell when someone is coming over," Sa'ida whispered to Rivener, with an apologetic look her in eyes. Holding his arm gently, she squeezed it, hoping he'd understand despite the lack of information or details. "I hope that's okay. Whatever happened was just really, really bad."

Natsuki nodded in agreement with Aphismet a last time, as their reaevans approached. A soft smile tugged at her lips seeing Sa'ida cozied up beside Rivener. Something was different about the Sigel-- aside from his rather... robust new torso. Unlike in their meetings so very long ago, he seemed calmer almost gentler. Last time she'd seen Rivener, he was impulsive and rebellious. It didn't seem like the raevan she met so long ago. "Perhaps, we'll catch the show next time," Natsuki mused, looking at how happy her young Frei was, despite spending so much time in the dark. From she remembered Rivener had a 'special connection' with Roux, so hopefully the icy raevan wouldn't see her little girl as competition.

The next time she'd see Chloe, they would need to have a loooooooong talk. The cafe manager didn't feel guilty about spending with the chef, or her close gal pal's ex-- she didn't quantify the situation as such. She was just as much Aphismet's friend as she was Chloe's. As far as she was concerned, she was Switzerland-- neutral. "Thanks for taking care of her, Rivener. I hope she didn't chat your ears off."

"What are you waiting for, slowpokes! Let's make like a tree and leaf!!" Sa'ida giggled, craning her neck, trying to figure the fastest way outside and into the sunshine! So many pretty, pretty roses.

Sa'ida followed suit, thinking she'd be the one dragging Rivener out into the sunlight. She liked how he snuck her away, kept her close. It was like having a big brother, that wasn't a hound dog like We'rika. She listened to the scorpions clarification, a light bulb went on, making everything so clear. "Oh, no-no-no-no-no! I wouldn't tell Natchi about that, Rivener. I promised! Sometimes, I don't follow things well, sorry for the mistake," she nodded, holding a single finger to her lips, this time in acknowledgment of the star speak, which she wouldn't tell Natchi OR Aphismet about. She liked that the other raevan confided within her about his secret powers. He was like a superhero!

"Maybe one day, I'll have a secret that special to share with you. I'll know you'll keep it safe. I trust you," her green eyes gazed up and she wrinkled her nose cutely. Taking a deep whiff of the rose garden, her eyes drifted shut as if the scent alone was enough to intoxicate her. the midday sun was warm overhead, and she simply turned her face away, welcoming the rays of sun. "This is a magical place. Not shiny, but still magical..."

Natsuki nodded in agreement with Aphismet a last time, as their reaevans approached. A soft smile tugged at her lips seeing Sa'ida cozied up beside Rivener. Something was different about the Sigel-- aside from his rather... robust new torso. Unlike in their meetings so very long ago, he seemed calmer almost gentler. Last time she'd seen Rivener, he was impulsive and rebellious. It didn't seem like the raevan she met so long ago. "Perhaps, we'll catch the show next time," Natsuki mused, looking at how happy her young Frei was, despite spending so much time in the dark. From she remembered Rivener had a 'special connection' with Roux, so hopefully the icy raevan wouldn't see her little girl as competition.

Natsuki strode along with Aphismet, watching the two raevens zip ahead of them. Her heeled shoes clicked lightly on the stone walk way. Both hands held the handle of her purse, and the ruffled undergarments of her skirt peeked out slightly, making her look slightly out of place with the teachers in jeans and polo shirts. Turning to Aphismet, she smiled again, "She's a handful, but she's a good kid. Rivener's grown a bit from when I saw him. I thought he would be... wilder..." like flaming hell on wheels of death' wilder. The Rivener walking side by side wasn't the pretentious little boy she argued with over Roux so many moons ago. It was like he was an entirely different raevan. Maybe the two had an unspoken understanding. What it was totally eluded her. Aphismet's last comment caught her off guard. Stoppig short at a small alcove with a fountain and roses, her eyes remained fixated on the pair of raevans, "I was just thinking the same, exact thing..."

"Oh I know, but your colors tell me differently. They said you're not a bad guy, you just have that 'bad boy image'. You wouldn't smell like licorice and cinnamon if you were bad. You'd smell like... I dunno..." Sa'ida giggled, taking the Sigel's kind advice, nodding in agreement. Though he was taller than her, she flapped her wings a little, flying a little bit higher. She enjoyed sounding like an adult, but her heart laughed like that of an eternal child. Her arched brows huddled together as she tried to think of things that didn't smell like the boy perfume that Rivener had. "Dirty socks or loading dock dumpsters-- but not the ones at Cafe Jubilee. For some reason, Natsuki's dumpsters smell like freshly laundered linen. I dunno how she does it..."

The sunshine was warm of her skin. Given the choice, she'd bask in the glow of the sun all day, but then she'd get nothing done. "Natchi says that my 'rune' means 'sun'. I'd show it to you, but Natchi says that its really rude and 'ladies don't do that sort of thing'." the young Frei giggled, doing her best impression of her guardian, complete with wagging finger and stormy gray eyes. The chestnut brown curls momentarily took the faintest twinge of red orange, but that could have just been the sunlight.

Her giggles chimed like bells, perfect attune to the word 'shiny'. The metal globes along the path were beautiful, broadcasting how they saw the garden in their own "eyes", each one with different angles and colors. Telling their story very subtly. "It's only just a garden, if you see it that way, but to me. It isn't just that," the young Frei said as if channeling someone else. The voice was melodic and smooth, intentionally and accurately putting emphasis on the situation and not the individual. Letting go of Rivener's arm, she floated over to the golden mirror ball. Her fingers traced the ball with interest, as if she were reading a crystal ball. The reflection of the sun cast a soft glow, making the rainbow girl look like a mystical gypsy. "Yes, yes. It's so shiny it's almost blinding. I love it," Sa'ida mused, as her green eyes swirled into the matching gold.

Aphismet's recounting of the incident with his younger brother, Isikoro rippled a chill down her spine. Her hand leaped up to her chest, covering her heart. She remembered when Kyou was in the hospital and she went there to visit. She barely made it in the door, but fell to pieces regardless. In the wake of Gage's passing, she realized that she had taken many of the people in her life for granted, especially long time individuals who were part of her life. She'd kept people at arm's length for far too long. The redhead resolved to make up for lost time and make things right in her world.

"That's terrible, but I am so relieved that everything worked out. I don't know if Isi remembers me, but if he's up for it, I would like to see him again. I hope that Eiry and Sa'i will hit things off like Rivener and her," Natsuki said, taking out her handkerchief and dabbing her brow lightly. The sunshine was refreshing, but also warmer than she had thought. Why did she leave her parasol home today? Pointing to a wooden gazeebo with roses and other flowers wrapped around it fashionably. "It's reassuring to know that Rivener hasn't gone completely soft. Mind if we sit under there for a while. Unlike "Little Miss Sunshine" over there, I don't fare so well in the sunshine these days. Perhaps, I'm working too hard." Natsuki giggled, giving the chef a kind smile.

"Yeah, Natchi's always right. I don't know how she does it!" Sa'ida nodded, trying not to sound frustrated. "Natchi took me to this place with all these books. You can read them there for free!! We found this book full of mysterious symbols and languages. Seriously it was like *this* thick and *this* big," the young frei held her hands about three inches apart. The size was roughly the thickness of a phone book and the size of a extra large pizza box.

Sa'ida's jaw dropped a little bit when her companion mentioned not being 'big on gardens'. "Maybe I'm used to it. Natchi had a gorgeous one on the roof of the cafe! She designed it herself. We're planning one for the house. It's gonna be awesome, but I know what you mean. Sometimes, I dream of sand," Sa'dai replied thoughtfully, looking at her distorted reflection in the golden orb. The young raevan looked at the way her face was skewed as if examining a piece of art and not herself.

Placing both palms flat on the globe, she gaze drifted afar, as if slipping into a reverie. She saw an expanse of desert with a castle floating in the sky. "beautiful powdery sand dunes, but they always lead to this lush, green oasis. I wonder what that means..." she shrugged, pulling away from the globe and rejoining Rivener by his side. A golden gleam lingered in her green eyes. "What kinds of things and places do you enjoy, then? I'm sure you'd like Cafe Jubilee. Natchi bakes the best desserts on the planet!"

"You mentioned martial arts earlier. Which form are you studying? I took some stage fighting classes when I was at Durem University, like fencing and some stunts, but I studied a teeny bit of capoeira. Other than that I mainly studied voice training and dance. I do miss DJ-ing and singing in a band. I used to be wild. When did I get to be so... 'vanilla'," Natsuki said thoughtfully, setting her purse down and stretching her arms above her head, giving a light laugh at the end. It was the truth, after starting her own business, the redhead ended her wild nights of partying until dawn and finishing bar fights. Though it was the first time she'd ever really mentioned her former self. Pulling a hair comb from her hair, red waves cascaded over her shoulder, shimmering in the sunlight.

"I'd love to take Sa'ida to your place. You live near Durem, right? I haven't been there in a while. From Durem is a bit of a long haul, so if you and the gang want a place to stay in Gambino for free, there are plenty of beds at our house," she smiled, making a note to double check planner to see when she'd be free for either outing. "There will be none of this paying for cake nonsense, Aphismet. When you are guests in my home or I am one in yours, its free. You like the smell, taste, and price of free, right?" she laughed, taking a playful matronly tone.

Floating along with and hanging out with Rivener was defintely cool. sa'ida enjoyed the conversation, largely in part, that he was chatting up as much as she was, so she wasn't being one of those chatterbox things. Natchi had always said the name with a very not good look and that matronly shake of her wild hair. "Ooh! The sand garden sounds cool. I like the sand, so luckily, we live near the beach." Sa'ida giggled, bouncing along the stones again. Near by was a fountain, and she loooooooved fountains! The frei didn't think much about leading the sigel to water, but she just wanted to play-- like most kids did! "We have one of those rooms, too! Natchi said it looked like a green house attatched to the rest of the house, but I like hanging out in there."

"Yes, yes, of course you can take my picture, but... only if I can have one with you. Like a trade! Natchi has all these photos of her friends in the living room, so I want to put mine there, too!" Sa'dai replied getting excited thinking about all the cool and nifty photograhs her guardian had. The young raevan knew that Natsuki didn't talk about her family much aside from her cousin, Shuhei. She didn't know why, but she figured it best not to press the issue. "Oh look!! A fountain! More dancing water!!" she cheered, picking up the pace and zipping forward.


Aphismet was right, Natsuki was young, and the cafe manager's youth was far from dwindling. Like most kids, she too, had her wild streak, but sometimes she feels it creeping back up on her. Perhaps, she could do something about it, and find a balance. She listened intently as her friend laundry list the tricks and gags that Eity, the raevan of his younger brother, could do without batting an eyelash. From one chef to another, she appreciated Aphismet's careful assessment of a potentially disastrous situation. One could mess with Natsuki all she wanted, but leave her business out of it!!

"Oh! You live up by DC? I know where that is. There used to be music festivals near in that place... in the parts that weren't marshy. My band played there a couple of times. As for shenanigans, if I can put up with drunken college spring breakers walking into my cafe drunker than skunks and trying to start a bar fight in an overtly girly cafe, I am sure I can avert some danger with Eiry," she winked, putting quite a positive spin on that annoying situation from a few months back.