Welcome to Gaia! ::

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Sena said and laughed a little at his daughter's excitement. It was true that he'd been dragging his hooves. Yes, he wanted to see the family, but travel wasn't one of his favorite things to do. However, he missed his mate and his other children. So he was finally giving in to Leila and heading up to the meeting place. "We should be nearly there, shouldn't we?"


"C'moooooon dad! I wanna see mama and Tian and Rakshi and everybody else! Let's goooooo!" Leila said as she pranced around her father. He was so slow! She just wanted to see their family, and meet the newer additions she hadn't met yet. It was so boring sometimes, sticking with her dad. But she didn't want him to be lonely, either. She knew her mom was more inclined to travel than he was. "Yes, yes, we're almost there! Listen! I hear voices!"

Rhosyn rode on Leila's back, tiny paws clinging to her mane. "Careful, Leila!" she warned. She didn't want to fall off from all of Leila's prancing, but she was happy that her bonded was excited. The little rabbit clung tighter to her mane as Leila continued to dance about excitedly.

Albert stood quietly at the crest of the hill, looking at the gathering herd that was there. It had increased greatly since the last time they had gathered, and there were many new faces that he did not know. In a way, that made him sad, as he could not be as close to his children, and their own, as they had once been. But that was one of the drawbacks of having a large family, not that he would ever complain about their own. He loved all of his children; even those he never saw anymore. That was probably why they had adopted the young hippogrif that had crashed into their lives; they had missed having the children nearby.

He turned to look at his mate, and the small herd that traveled with her. She was still spry and light on her hooves, and he wondered if there were yet still children in their future. But that was for another time. At least two of his children where here with them, and Meru was fretting about something or another. Tal hadn't learned enough yet to move away when she was like this, so he had been trapped in the confines of the herd to try and comfort her. Albert snorted with mirth. Poor boy. He would learn soon enough.

Meru pranced in place, nervous and excited. It had been a while since they had last met up with the large 'herd' that consisted of their children, grandchildren, greats, adopted, and more. It was astounding that there were so many of them now, and she just couldn't help but wonder how all of them were doing, and if all of them were fed and being taken care of; even those she had not known by name. She couldn't help it. She was a mother after all, and quite frankly she worried. Now she hoped that her veils were straight, and that she looked presentable. They had been walking for a bit after all, and though she didn't mind the roads and trails, they could leave you looking rather ragged and worn, and she did not want to be presented looking like that. Her mate was no-where nearby, though she could see him as a small figure up ahead. Apparently he was waiting for them.

Damia huffed as she walked along by her mothers right flank, with a bag over her shoulders containing supplies. She had just come back to see how her parents were doing, an lo and behold, she was being carted off to see people that, well, she didn't much care for. Yes, she had a sister and other family members there, but frankly she had more important things to do. She couldn't believe her father was coming along too for this, but he was getting older, and slower, and he was mated so of course he would go after more of a slow life. She would just have to accomplish his deeds for him out in the world.... and not be reduced to some pack mare. How had her mother ever talked her into it? Oh, that's right. She didn't. She just threw them over her daughters back, and started to walk. Her pride was being bruised with each step she took.

Tal was nervous. There hadn't been a family reunion since he had come into this herd, and he wasn't sure how the others were going to accept him. Sure, Albert and Meru had claimed his as their own, and had raised him like he was a son born unto them, but that didn't mean the others were going to accept him. His eyes shifter over to his sister, Damia. She certainly didn't make it clear what she thought, but she didn't call him 'brother' either. It was more like 'hey you' then anything. He wasn't even sure she knew his name. Meru had him walking along her left, and he couldn't understand her fidgeting. Was this really going to be bad? Maybe he should have declined the offer to come when Meru had told him, and had just stayed around the herd grounds until they had come back. It was too late for that decision now, and his crest flattened tightly against his head in stress.

Tian lifted her head as she heard others approaching. They were voices she wasn't familiar with so figured they must be from the extended family oreven just some one from the family they just hadn't met yet. It wasn't uncommon for her not to know some one. After all, she travled quite a bit. It wasn't that she didn't like being among her family.. She just wanted to see the world while she could. There would be plenty of staying and settling when she finally decided to settle down.. but till then? She was content to roam.


Briallan perked her ears. Excusing herself politely, she separated herself from the growing entourage and went off to see who belonged to the voices. She was small, dainty looking as always she had been and when she finally saw her sister and niece, she had two emotions. The same happy feeling of seeing her family swelled up inside of her and the fear of those wings.. those wings that, when she'd seen them first, had made her relive the most terrible time in her life. "Florian!!" She screamed in excitement and raced forward. Now she'd come to terms, accepted the difference in her niece.. she couldn't change who the young mare was any more than she could change the mishap that had happened in her young adult-hood.



Mera Flicked her ears and chuckled lightly. Giving a shake of her head, she continued on and matched her stride with that of her grand daughter and great grand son. if anyone fell behind, well then they'd just have to catch up. After all it wasn't like the meeting place was too very far off. they would be there soon from what she could remember. If only Sena would hurry up.. and that was when she heard it. Her other daughter's voice clear as day and she slowed her pace to allow them to catch up, a knowing smile on her maw. that just left her parents and other siblings.. if they were going to come...

Alone in the distance, Seraphiel slowly rose over the crest of a hill. It gave him a good vantage point over the herdlands, though the bright morning sun shone into his eyes and cast a long shadow far behind him. At the crown of the hill, he paused and stood, silent and still, squinting his gray eyes against the light to look upon his herd and family. There were few faces he recognized. His mother and sister were the first to catch his eyes, and he instinctively took a step forward in their direction, then took a moment to scan the herd for his brother. He was disappointed when he didn't find Canaan; it would just be the two of them, then, in stark contrast and darkness against the rest of their family. This was slightly disconcerting.

'Better two of us than being alone,' Seraphiel thought, subconsciously excluding his mother from the reunion with his sister, but he meant no harm to Florian. While he loved her as any son would love his mother, she was not the same as Discordia and himself. Her beauty might have been darker than that of her family, but even a glance would reveal that she was, in fact, family, not a kalona or some manner of unnatural beast. The eyelid on Seraphiel's shoulder flickered, betraying his unease.

Sera looked further, and found his grandparents -- brilliant Shoshana with her wreathes of roses, and Oracle with his glistening white coat -- and his aunt and uncle, but the rest were all faces he did not recognize.

"That's a crowd, isn't it?" Sera murmured to himself, shifting from one foot to another and finally making his discomfort evident to observers. He was too far away to be heard, but he wondered if anyone could see him, had noticed him, a gleaming speck facing the sun, fallen angel dark. Suddenly feeling insecure, Seraphiel folded his wings against his back, flattening them and then tossing his mane over his back to cover them. At least he had feathers... maybe it wouldn't be too obvious. The color itself did not bother him; a black beauty he would willingly be. But he knew of kalona and their unmistakable traits, and he could assume nothing good with the way his mother kept silent about his father, especially in spite of his stubborn prying.

'I'm just happy I don't have horns,' Sera abruptly broke through his own thoughts, running from his fears, 'but these aren't easy to disguise, either.' It didn't occur to Seraphiel that his attempts to disguise himself would only emphasize his own traits. Through his lashes Sera thought he noticed a face turned his way, but he could not be sure. The sunlight was starting to burn his eyes.

Sera shook the dew off his hooves and then took careful steps down the dew-wet hill, eyes focused on Florian and Discordia, walking towards them and hoping to go unnoticed. He knew Discordia would likely appreciate the support. He certainly would. At least his sister was there, even if his brother was not. At least he wouldn't stand out alone.

Discordia shifted a bit on her hooves as she trailed after her Mother. She felt rather uncomfortable and at edge about being surrounded by her family. Of course Discordia understood that no one here would harm her, but she was pretty much convinced some feared her. Rejection is something that Discordia disliked. She never found it easy being rejected by friends and family because of the way she looked. Slowly but surely she was starting to accept her appearance with the help of Requies, a stallion she’d only met some few months ago. She stopped and looked around. Some of the family here she knew of while others didn’t look quite familiar. Even her Mother said she didn’t recognize some of the family members whom were coming to the gathering. Discordia figured it would be best to say hello to her Aunt, Uncle, and Grandparents before lurking off underneath the shades of the forest.
“Might as well get this over and done with,” she exhaled with a heavy sigh. She dipped her head down, ears pulled back as she sulked her way towards her Mother whom was approaching Bri.

“Hm,” Discordia paused for a moment as she felt an itch. Or was it the creature crawling its way through her mane. She hoped that the unnamed creature made of earth and twigs wouldn’t make an appearance anytime soon. The young mare lifted her head and there was that itch again. It was unpleasant and annoying. She snorted and stomped her hoof on the ground, pretty much sure it was the creature trying to grasp her attention.

“What do you want?” she whispered, turning her head to see two little beady eyes peeking out from her mane. “Please try to remain quiet. And would you please stop scratching me!” she nearly snapped. But the eyes didn’t blink, but instead looked ahead. Discordia sighed and followed the eyesight towards a very familiar stallion—her brother.

Discordia gleamed as she looked to Seraphiel. Wonderful! She thought to herself. Him being here made all the difference for Discordia. Her lips parted as her smile blossomed and she quickly changed her route and began galloping towards him.

“Seraphiel!” she called out, not carrying if the rest of the family heard her and what they thought. Laughter escaped from her vocals as she hurried towards her brother.