Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ebony nodded at Rivener as she took her plate and walked past the piano, through the dining room and opened the sliding glass door to the patio. It was your typical English styled teak furniture with a giant umbrella to keep the sun at bay when it was at its strongest. "I like books too. I have many in the study. I could show you later if you want. A little tour perhaps? Though there's not much of the house you haven't seen already now." She laughed before sitting down. They were sure to ask about the huge greenhouse just a few feet away, but she would let them ask at their own leisure.

"So what's been happening with you all? How is your brother Aphismet?" Ebony had to quickly input the last part before she chickened out in her curiosity. How odd for her to be somewhat afraid of someone much younger than herself? Yet, Isikoro had a knack for making her feel like she was about nine years old again. Not that she would ever admit to that.

She was just about to take a bit of Aphismet's casserole when Rivener's comment made her pause. Mention of the soon to be Raevan was giving her conflicting emotions a lot lately. Before the capture Ebony had been proud and looking very much forward to her ward's arrival. She still felt that way sometimes, but other times she felt this incredible pressure well in her chest. Fear most likely.

Forcing a smile as best she could muster, "Why would I mind? Not like I'm hiding anything." After all, they didn't need to know the house had a basement. "Besides, you should feel welcome here for when the kid comes along. He or she could do worse than be friends with you. At least...I hope you can be friends with them...if you want..." Again feeling like she was rambling, Ebony quickly placed a fork full of chicken and broccoli in her mouth. It was delicious!

"I'm glad. They deserve to get out of the house every now and then. And I am sorry for backing out of classes as of late. I've not being feeling that well and well, there's work too." It wasn't a lie persay. She really had been sick, if not physically or medically. And she was working if by a looser definition than what others might consider. "I should be more up for it next week if you want to start again. Oh and by the way, this casserole is absolutely amazing! Maybe you should give me cooking lessons in exchange from now on." Ebony chuckled before taking another bite.

Silver orbs stared off after the Scorpion as he quickly fled the patio, floating back inside. Though she was curious as to what he was up to, the woman didn't protest. After all, no matter how menacing Rivener looked, he really wasn't the type to steal things. And Ebony would know!

Between bites, "Smashing, then I shall pencil you back in. For the same day and times I assume?" She was eager to have a sparing partner again and also to be learning something entirely new, but just as Aphismet had silently predicted to himself, the purple haired female worried about his brother. Though with the youth out and about more often now, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad?

Ebony laughed at the banter between the two. They seemed so close and on some level she was wondering and perhaps praying that her and her Raevan would be as such someday. "Oh! I almost forgot! I ran into another guardian and her ward not that long ago. I believe you all are friends with them as well. Natsuki and Sa'ida?"

"Indeed. Natsuki holds such an air of confidence and strength all while not being...how do I put this...stand-offish like myself I suppose?" Ebony wasn't sure if that was the right way to put it necessarily, but it was the best she could explain to the chef. "And yes, Sa'ida is very, VERY hard to miss. Yet a sweet girl none the less. I enjoyed their company very much. I'll have to see about going to her shop sometime since I haven't been yet."

After finishing her plate, the Brit daintily (if that is even possible to see from her!) placed the fork down and pushed it a little out of the way so she could fold her arms on the table and listen better to her guests. "Oh, it was more of research really." She gave a thoughful, yet amused smile at the memory towards the red head and her colorful Frei. "We met at the new botanical garden that opened up here in Gambino. Trying to get ideas for our gardens and such. I really ought to give them a ring, it's been a while."

She peered over towards the small, glass building that held tranquility and reflection for her when the beach was not feasibly available for such. Ebony nodded to Aphismet, though she wasn't necessarily agreeing to the whole Isi thing. Perhaps she would give it some thought though. "Gardening is one of those few things that helps me to relax and focus whatever pent up energy I have towards something constructive." The woman gave an embarrassed blush when she added, "It's also a means to um...cure me of my phobias against dirt and bugs..."

Recovering quickly, "No I haven't really made a real decision in the direction I wanted to put the garden towards yet. But I think it'll be more flower based this year. In fact, when you came to the door earlier I thought it was the postman with some of the plants I ordered." The British woman looked to Rivener thoughtfully. She really hadn't pegged him the flower type in all honesty. But she supposed like humans, Raevans couldn't be easily judged by their appearances either.

"I have a few yes. Like I said, I'm still waiting for some, but I have some azaleas, hydrangeas, lilacs, gardenias...oh and some fire flowers as well. Just to name a few." She listed off, counting them on her fingers as she went. Taking a stand, "If you're done eating, I'd be happy to just show you, Rivener."

"It helps, but sometimes it can be just as frustrating depending on what you're trying to grow. Like vegetables..." She replied while unlocking the door to her greenhouse. It probably looked odd for her to lock it, but you could never be too careful, especially since she put so much time and effort into the place! "Painting...now that's something! You'll have to show me your work at some point. As I'm a true patron of the arts."

She pushed the doors open wide, allowing the pent up heat some room to breathe as it graciously escaped out, unintentionally assaulting the group in the process. Just as she had said, the inside was mostly bare except for a batch of flowers off to the far side of the house. Their scents although not as potent as a whole field still gave off a delightful mix of perfume. There where also a few potted vines with tiny spiked, flat heads standing residence in the greenhouse as well. Yet, they weren't very big and not so impressive as some of the flowers already were.

Ebony laughed at the white haired man's question, "Of course you are Aphi!" As soon as the words left her mouth, there was a certain tension in the female's stance. She'd gotten far too comfortable with the two then, the invoking of the chef's nickname was evidence to that. As it was too late to take it back, the woman merely walked inside and pretended like nothing had happened. If something was brought up, she could simply deny it. "You may take some if you want Rivener. Maybe some of the fire flowers as more of them have bloomed fully. They really like the warmth of Gambino and have taken nicely to growing faster because of it I've noticed."

"No problem. You can take some others too if you want, though they're not as impressive as the fire flowers yet. Nonetheless, I hope your friend likes them." She had a feeling that it was for someone special otherwise Rivener would never have asked, and although curiosity was gnawing at her, Ebony didn't press for more information. It was none of her business after all and would not garner anything for knowing.

Since they were there, Ebony figured now would be a good time to tend to the plants a little. While raising a plastic watering can and carefully dousing the flowers one by one, "Well I love purple if you haven't noticed, so the garden demanded something in that color. But yes, I like my art as well. Have you done portraits of people? What's your favorite medium?" The Brit suddenly felt compelled to know more about her student. She really didn't know much at all even though they'd known one another for months now. For whatever reasons, Ebony found it hard to get particularly close to others. Maybe all she needed was a more comfortable setting? Even if that were so, she still was aware of maintaining a certain buffer zone as there were things she didn't need them to find out about her life.