Welcome to Gaia! ::

Their skills were well-rewarded by the glowing look of awe on Galatea's face. She stood, watching intently, hands clasped together and over her heart, chin ducked slightly. She was even chewing on her bottom lip, her attention was so complete. As they finally slowed to the end, she suddenly burst into applause. "That was spectacular," she announced. "It was like watching the Captain back on the ships when she sparred with Mr. Thomas. You are both very quick. Your coordination is precise."

The look on Galatea's face was clearly puzzled at Silva's assertion and she hesitated. How to correct him politely? Finally, she just smiled faintly and gave the older feien a little bow. "But I already know that sort of dancing, Mr. Silva," she answered. "I have learned it from the Captain. She exercises every day and such martial arts are usually a portion of her routine."

"Perhaps..." Galatea hesitated shyly and then linked her fingers behind her back, rocking a bit until she was balanced on the balls of her feet. "Perhaps some day I could spar with you, Mr. Silva? Or watch you? I wouldn't be a problem, I promise. I just would like to try properly against someone. I would like to see what I have learned from the Captain." She glanced at Soho and smiled shyly. "Or I could work with you, Soho? If you're learning as well?"

Caught up by the others' excitement, Galatea smiled more. "I can bring things," she offered. "The Captain lets me put things on her shopping list. Please let me know what we will need and I will see that we have it."

As if the mention of bringing things reminded her of her original purpose, though, Galatea suddenly paused and went wide-eyed once more, flushing with embarrassment. "Oh, dear," she murmured. "I forgot because you were being so kind." Gracefully, she flowed down into a crouch beside her little pack and began untying the knot in the fabric. "I have brought you thank you gifts." Addressing the package, she added, "Perhaps they could also be very, very late Valentine's Day gifts. You see, I did not know about Valentine's Day until Hadrian explained it to me. He gave me a very lovely heart with glitter."

"I did. Well, I made you things." The blood feien was still addressing the pack in front of her, a sure sign that she was once more nervous. She hoped that she had picked the right things for them. All of the research she had done indicated that she had chosen wisely but real people had a worrying habit of surprising you. Carefully, she withdrew a smaller bag - clear and tied with a piece of pink thread. Turning slightly, still balanced on the balls of her feet, she offered the bag. Inside the bag, there was a riot of pastel colors - tiny bits of blue and pink and yellow, delicate little disks that looked slightly powdery. Upon closer inspection, each disk had a tiny letter painted on it in dark brown. An A or an S or a RS. "These are for you all to share," she explained. "The Captain helped me find them at the store. They are a sort of candy topping for cupcakes. I put your initials on in chocolate."

"Sugar." A furrow appeared between Galatea's eyebrows. "Sugar and water and coloring, I believe." The thoughtful look disappeared and she looked sheepish. "It took me a while to finish enough of them, though. I kept nibbling at them while I worked. I ate the mistakes that I made, you see. I should not have been doing it while I watched television. The show Mythbusters is distracting."

Then she turned her flushing face back to her pack and began digging again.

The little blood feien nodded. Finally, she pulled out three loops of colors and again pivoted to face the other two feien. Shyly, she separated them out between her hands, holding them up high. Displayed like that, they could see that the loops were actually three necklaces, long enough to easily slip directly over the head, made of tiny seed beads. One was all purple, another was all dark read, and the third was a mix of red, white, and black. Quietly, she held them forward.

"I didn't know what else to make," she murmured. "I understand that most males do not wish to wear jewelry but... I did not know what else you and Mr. Aleric might like, Mr. Silva."

The smile that rewarded reactions was as bright and unselfconcious as the one she had worn while watching Nick and Nack "dance". This time, though, her cheeks were flushed pink with pleasure. Eyes down again, she neatly folded her piece of fabric around the Skittle from Soho and knotted it before she stood. "I'm glad you like them. I was worried."