Welcome to Gaia! ::

[ Message temporarily off-line ]

... Dear Journal

Vin arrived at his home, crystal swing about on his chest, which still pulsed with the odd warmth.
"Why me?" Vin questioned himself... and the stone that hung from the bit of string. It was odd really; being chosen to... share his 'life force' with a stone to ensure that it had a chance to live.

"I better jot something down in my journal... my feelings and what not so I have something to remember this day of... this really odd day!" Vin headed off to his bed room and reached around his bed and retrieved a familiar old book, a book which was bound in leather with tarnished old pages. It seemed as if it was passed down between the families.

"Dear Journal,"
The writing began...

6|08|06

Dear Journal,

It hasn't been long since I arrived at home, but everything seems a little off to me really. Suddenly finding a crystal clasped to a piece of string hidden in a black rock on the beach... then being drawn to a cottage, where a woman in white with black and white wings greeted me. Who was she?

The crystal around me neck is still pulsing and pours out a warm light... it's rather odd. The seer told me about it sucking out my life force for it soon with have a life of it own, but what kind of life?

I guess I should be proud to be chosen to share my life with this crystal and give this being new life... but everything seemed to be moving fast and I didn't get much say in edge wise. The seer told me if I took this necklace off... the fallen angel will surely die, I don't want to be responsible for any deaths!

So I guess what I'm really trying to say is that... I'm rather happy about all this, but not in a way. Well see how things turn out in the future... for now!

[ Message temporarily off-line ]

[ Message temporarily off-line ]

It hasn't been long since the last visit to the beach, something kept Vin to put off the visit he should have done to the Medi a while ago. Something made a feeling dwell and build inside him that the visit wouldn't happen for a really long time. Even if he planned on heading down there today.

Cradling the baby Arranos in his arms, wrapped up in a blanket of blue and speckled with clouds of white. Vin made his way out to the Medi's home, knowing nothing would really happen. Being out was his main excuse... one that was probably over used by now.

Following down the familiar dirt road as usual, Vin began to rock his arms back and forth. Watching Arranos as he stared off into the sky, "not sleepy are we?" Vin chuckled to himself deeply. The same dark and non-perfect home began to swell and grow in the distance as the two came closer to there destination. Unsure of what would be there waiting.

"Khalindra...Gah! Emi! Please stay by me..." The plea of a young man could be heard wafting from the breeze and in the general direction of the creepy woman's house. Two small bundles were in his arm - one wriggling madly and one making soft babbling noises to itself but remaining perfectly still.

"But Daddy!" Khalindra complained, hopping on one foot and then the other, "I wanna go play in the ocean!"

Emi, the quieter of the two, looked up to her father with soulful brown eyes, "May we, daddy?" The swan absolutely loved water - which wasn't any surprise considering what she was.

With an exhasperated sigh, Aiden shifted the two infants in his arms and shook his head, "Not without supervi--" It was then he noticed the man with a bundle. Another Iridae? Or just some man passing by?

Selah let out a squeal, wanting badly to be put down so she could crawl around on the ground. Unfortunately for her, Aiden's grip refused to lessen.

"No, Selah...Sorry for the noise!" he called to the other.

Vin slightly glanced up, seeing... a man, who seemed to be drowning in children. Cocking his head slightly, Vin caught eye of the two being held in his arms. Looking around sheepishly.

"What noise?" The young man muttered, looking down at Arranos who began to squirm in his arms.

"What's your problem?" Vin whispered, fighting to release Arranos from his grip. It was rare for when Arranos would act at such.

"Why are you here?" Sounding a little curious and with a slight hint of surprise at the same time.
Vin looked around idly, hopping that this wasn't a trick of sorts... something of candid camera or such. Thinking that this place was at least secluded and only known to those who watched over there own... Iridae.

Khalindra plopped down, arms crossing over her chest and a look of displeasure coming across her face. She wanted to play in the water! And by the looks of it, her younger sister did as well. The babies ruined everything!

Aiden half smiled at Khalindra's little silent tantrum and thanked the gods it was silent, "Later, Khali, if you're good...Mm? Me? I decided to show my children to that creepy lady. They came from that damn crystal like she said."

Disliking the blankets she was wrapped in, Selah twisted madly til it started to come off her, leaving her in the loose silk clothing her father had bought for her. Aiden had quickly learned that loose, light clothing with bright colors was the only way to get Selah to not try and pull it off. At least Cyrus was good.

"Abbooooooo abbababa booooo"

"Pretty, Cy," he murmured, kissing the boy twin's head.

"And you?"

Vin looked at the twins the man held in his arms, seeing the wings planted on there backs. Vin began to put two and two together and came to a final and solid conclusion that those two had to be Iridae as well!
So those are the two...

Vin shook his head,
"Yeah I guess I'm in the same predicament,"
Twisting his own arms and moving the baby of blue and gems in his arms into view,
"this little guy came from a crystal as well."

Thinking of the whole thing began to fill Vin's mind with doubt. This all seemed a little farfetched to start with. Babies... coming from crystals? Now don't tell me that you think it could really be a plausible story right?

Arranos mouth hung open, seeing the bright colors of clothing hanging off the twins. After all bright and shiny things was the gemstones favorite of things.

"Ah, I thought you may be one of us. I didn't believe it, myself, but then I realized if I can have some agency track me down and give me a mutated swan girl.." he received a glare from Emi, "and a girl pop out of a book...Well, I guess nothing's too far fetched. Besides, it hap--Ah hold on a moment."

He set Selah down on one of the spotty patches of grass and sighed, rubbing his temples a moment after Cyrus followed. He didn't ever want to be too far from his twin and the moment they were set down, the copper haired children were playing some twisted and morphed version of Pattacake.

Khalindra and Emi stared at the twins for a moment before Emi slid over to them and started to play as well, leaving Khalindra alone. Much to her pleasure. She hated her siblings.

"Pened. There we go. Sorry about that, they tend to get heavy and Selah likes to move around...I should probably introduce myself. I'm Aiden Perry, and these are my children. Khalindra," he pointed to the girl wearing a long sleeved shirt and some kind of veil - she refused to go out in the sun without it now, "Emi," the man pointed to the swan girl who sent a beautiful smile towards Vin, "And those are the twins Cyrus and Selah."

At the mention of her name, Selah gave a happy wiggle and waved to the elf before shoving her fist in her mouth and gnawing on it. Cyrus simply looked at him before resting his head on his twin's shoulder.

Vin smiled,
"It's nice to meet you.. umm," Vin placed a hand on his head, trying his hardest to remember all there names.

"Aiden," moving his gaze away from the young man toward the gorgeous swan. "Emi," sending smile back. "Khalindra, Cyrus and Selah!" Vin smiled, proud of himself that he remembered them perfectly.

"Oh and I'm Vin and this little one is Arranos!"
Vin smiled, looking down at the blue child in his arms who seemed to smiling and staring at the three playing a game. Placing his hands on his head, Arranos looked up at his guardian Vin and gave him a grumpy look.

Vin shot back the same look and gave a shake of his head and quickly sat the child down on a patch of grass. Which to Vin's surprise, Arranos's grumpy attitude quickly dissolved.

"Nice to meet you too, Vin," Aiden said politely, crossing his arms as he looked down at his children. Khalindra eyed the new baby with suspicion.

"We are not taking home another one, are we?" she asked softly, reaching out to poke Arranos lightly on the arm.

"No, Khali," Aiden answered wearily, closing his eyes, "Kids, eh?"

Cyrus, however, tried to hide behind Selah at the new comer. Of course, the female wasn't having any of that and crawled herself over to the blue child, poking at him gleefully in greeting before offering her hands to play Pattacake.

The male twin narrowed his eyes and looked quite hurt at being abandoned and Emi sighed, wrapping her arms around her little brother and pulling him into her arms.

"It's kay, Cycy. I'm here."

Arranos cocked his head, seeing the new coming child. Eyeing her warily, as she raised her hands up. Arranos tilted his head, looking over her shoulder at the others then up to his guardian Vin.

The gemstone baby began to mimic her movement and raise his own hands up into the air in front of Selah's. A slight smile lifted on his face in amusement, thinking this is all that one had to do to play the game.

Vin shook his head in disappointment, "Yeah... children. They never really catch on quickly... well at this age at least." Vin smiled, eyeing Arranos. Something caught the guardians eye, the blue cloth was hanging more off one of the babies shoulder than the other. Bending down quickly, Vin remedied the problem and evened out the shirt. Twitching his eye all the while.

A brow raised at Vin's fixing of his son's shirt, but he said nothing, "Khalindra usually catches on rather quickly. I've been teaching her to read and she was able to read one of Dr. Seuss's books rather quickly. The problem is, she hates kids that take attention from her."

"You have that right," she muttered under her breath, moving herself over to her father and raising her arms, "Up?"

Aiden picked up his eldest daughter, who looked to be about four years old, up and into his arms. The blonde rested her head on his shoulder and yawned softly, thumb instantly going into her mouth.

"Khalindra, what did I say?"

The thumb popped out and she sighed, "Sorry."

Selah squeed in delight, her little hands patting gently his as she wiggled about, babbling incoherently in the sound patterns that she heard her father use to sing the Pattacake song.

"Aaa aaa aa aaa aa aaa aaa eeee ooooooo" came her sweet little voice, attracting her brother's attention. This earned her a quiet scowl from the little boy and he contented himself with leaning against his elder sister. At least SHE paid 'tention to him!

Vin raised an eye brow, watching the two play quietly to them selves.
"It looks as if you have a handful!" Vin chuckled to himself, seeing that he only had one child... and would most likely be the only one that would be stuck in his care.

Arranos followed suit, patting gently at hers as well. Slightly in a state of confusion at what the really sense of what this game was all about. A small gurgling and giggling sound emitted from his gapping mouth.

"I don't think he quite gets the idea of the game," Vin chuckled to himself. Leaning down and began to whisper the song into the blue babes ear. Causing the baby to squirm and giggle from the breeze of his words.

Arranos peered over Selah's shoulder and looked at the two holding each other. Watching the boys face. Arranos felt slightly nervous and scared.

"Seeeeeh!" Came Cy's voice, causing the little girl to stop her movements and look over to her twin with a look that purely said "IM BUSY" before sighing and crawling over to him and patting his head.

"Sssssh. Too. Gaaabaaabaaa?" her little voice came, her hands still patting at the calm Cyrus, who seemed to relax even further now that he had his sister's attentions. He was shy, and the only ones he really let himself get close to were Emi and Selah. His twin went without saying.

Emi protected him from Khalindra. She wasn't necessarily harmful, she just wasn't very nice unless it was nighttime and Cyrus was just a sweetie pie.

"I don't think Selah understands either, but she likes to move and make noise so it works."

Arranos looked glum, seeing his some what new friend leave. But that didn't stop him, the blue baby began to follow after her. Crawling on his knees and hands, catching grass on the gems that protruded from his arms. Which these of course sent slight jolts of pain as some blades of grass clung themselves to the shiny.

Arranos kept on moving, determined.

Vin cocked his head, seeing what was happening to his child.
Not even thinking about what would happen if one of those stones got tied up pretty good and was yanked out.
"Hey wait a minute," Vin picked up Arranos, rubbing his free hand on the babies arms.
"You ok? I didn‘t even think that those could have…" Vin muttered in a soothing voice.

Arranos shot him a grumpy frown, as the blue baby was only a few inches from the girl.

Setting Arranos back down next to Selah, Vin kept a close eye on the babies movements from now on. Worried that something bad could really happen.

Selah smiled charmingly at Arranos and waved to him again, once more abandoning her brother for the shiny blue boy. Cyrus was shiny - but Arranos was shinier. Besides, she could see Cyrus at ANY time, couldn't she? Yes. Yes she could.

Cyrus made a soft harrumph sound but he was determined not to let his twin bother him. He had his soft Emi and that was good enough! The anti-social rugrat nuzzled into the soft white down of his sister and started babbling to himself once more, blantantly ignoring the other two babies.

Arranos raised his blue arms into the air once again, hopping that Selah would play that game with him once again. Sending gurgling and giggling sounds into the air, Arranos slightly opened his mouth.
"Gaaa..."

Vin's eyes grew in size, "Something other than a laugh," Vin was excited. Thinking that the child might have turned out to be mute. "Didn't know he could make any noise other than a laugh!" Vin chuckled. Watching as the two play together once again, but this time the guardian took a seat on a patch of grass.

"Where did you find your crystal?" Vin looked up to the silent Aiden with curious eyes.

"A park not too far from my house. I kept hearing music and dance and merriment in my head. It kept growing louder and louder until I thought my head would explode."

The man sat himself down as well and yawned, "Found the pendant and the music stopped. You?"

Selah giggled again and clapped her hands, wiggling her body about on the grassy patch. Her hands started a rhythm, then, patting at Arranos's hands every other beat.

"Ssssssssh~" she said, keying for Cyrus. He was her music to her rhythm! Getting the hint, the copper haired boy whimper before singing to his sister's rhythm.

"Aaaa aaaa aaa aaaa aaa aaaaayyyyeeee oooooo."

"I found Arranos just down at the local beach hidden in a rock I was leaning against that just happened... to slip out from beneath me."

Vin watched while Aiden slipped a yawn, causing himself to yawn. The sounds the two twins made echoed through Vin's head.

Arranos began to giggle, listening to the two make a wonderful rhythm and sound.
"Gaa aaa... Maa.." gurgled and giggled the little blue baby. Trying to keep up with Selah at the game of patty cake. Enjoying that the other twin seemed to join in as well made Arranos feel happier. Giggling even more, Arranos began to catch onto the rhythm of the game.

It was then that Khalindra loudly complained, "DADDY! I'm BORED please can we go?"

Aiden jumped slightly as the little girl lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him, square in the eyes. It was day time, she was irritable, and she wouldn't begin to calm until night. Sighing, Aiden stroked her head.

"Selly and Cy are..."

She whimpered and placed her head on his shoulder again, "Daddy, the sun's hurting."

Em looked up and shook her head, "Daddy, maybe we should go." she was the one who shared a room with Khali and tended the pains of her skin after a day in the sun. Khalindra wouldn't let her father do it, and for that Aiden was grateful. At least the girls had something to bond over, rather than fighting like cats and dogs. Khalindra letting her sister do something like that took atl east somewhat liking her.

Of course the twins didn't look too happy at the prospect of leaving. Rather, Selah didn't seem too happy. Cy was over the moon and patting at Emi to tell her so.

"Well, I guess I'm outvoted. Sorry, Selly, Arranos, Vin. I should get the kids home."

With that, he scooped a protesting Selah into his arms, set Khalindra down, and then took Cy from Emi. The girls stood up and clung to his pant legs and he grinned.

"Look at me, I'm a baby machine. Uhm...Here's my card, Vin. It has my address and number on it since I'm sure Selly would like to see Arranos again."

With some skillful moves, the card was pulled from his pocket and handed to the elf before he took off with all four kids - Selah protesting loudly.

Vin took the card and smiled, placing it in his pocket. Looking over at Arranos... who happened to be shooting Vin a grumpy look. Seeing as the one and only child and friend the baby had was taken away.

"Well see them again, I promise!" Vin smiled patting Arranos on the head.

"It was nice meeting you, Aiden!" Vin yelled, watching as the group disappeared in the distance.

Standing up and scooping up the blue baby, Vin headed off to his own home. It was getting late and it was about time for the two to get something to eat before they get to famished to.

Sand floated through the blue clear sky, landing gently on the crashing waves of the ocean. Vin sat surrounded by the warmth emitted from the sand roasting in the sun. Arranos, the newly blue... shiny baby, rested between Vin's legs. Digging his own hands into the sand, permitting the sand to send the warmth through his blue, gem encrusted arms.

A slight grin grew on the baby's face as he dug and played in the sand. Feeling slightly more at home in a way here at the beach, rather than being at Vin's own home.

Vin stared out into the blue sea, watching as the waves crashed into the shore and riding onto the soles of the elf's shoes.
"Hey... Arranos, how would you like to go explore a mine that’s near here?" The elf looked down, peering over the babies multi color hair and into the crystal blue eyes.

A slight grin grew on his face, even though he understood very little of what the man was saying. Something just felt comforting about his voice.

"That look like a yes then," Vin scooted back slightly and stood up, reaching down and grasping on to Arranos, "I'm sure there will be a lot of shiny things in there!" Vin held the child of gems close to him and took off toward the mine's entrance, resting only a few feet... almost half a mile down the coast of the beach.

The mine was set into a cliffside, accessible by a well-worn path leading up from the warm beach sands. Seagulls and shore birds nested along the rocks. A cooling breeze came in from the ocean and the crashing waves echoed down into the cracks between the rocks.

As nice as the ocean breeze was, it was nothing in comparison to the rush of cold air coming from the mine's entrance. It was the perfect hot summer destination, except for the half-mile walk in the sun and general appeal of Gaia's wide beaches. Why march into the freezing bowels of the earth when you could lie along the shore and show off the newest swimsuit styles from Gambino?

Of course, such social hotspots did not appeal to everyone, and the mine saw a few visitors every day. As was soon evident, Vina and Arranos were not the first today. Along with the gust of cold air were voices, echoing exclamations, resounding out from somewhere in the mine's depths. The exact words were lost, too distorted by the mine's weaving turns, but the voice was distinctly female. She was accompanied by what sounded like a dog barking

Vin cocked his head, listening to the voices that poured out from the mines gaping hole. Strange was it that some one else had found this cave, but then again there happened to be a lot of people in the area. Vin shook his head and ignored the fact of reason.

Heading on in, Arranos tightened his grip on his guardians arm. The on coming darkness began to shroud the two in a cloak like darkness.

"You'll live little man," Vin protested. Holding tighter on his prized possession between his arms. The voices began to grow as the two kept there movement onward. Trying to keep the sound of the guardians foot steps to an absolute minimum, but not much could have helped remedied the problem.

Why am I trying to be sneaky? I doubt any one else is in here, but then again that voice from earlier...

It was awfully dark in the mine, and cold, and a bit damp, almost the exact opposite of the sunny day outside. And then, once more, a burst of voices. Louder now, with words discernible. "Don't worry, I'm alright!" said the unseen woman, laughing.

A second voice, somewhat high in pitch: "You have to be more careful, it's slippery here." And the dog's bark once more. The flash of lights bounced around the mine shaft ahead.

Wait a minute, that was right. Vin did hear more voices... now joined with another. Vin looked around confused then back down to his child in his arms. Who began to clench even harder against his guardians arm, jamming his gems into the elf's arms.

Vin winced in pain. Shifting his arms in a more comfortable position.
"Uhh.. Hello?" The young elf called out, readying himself to dart right out of the mine if need be.

There was a pause. Then, the female, something muffled followed by, "Hello!" and another set of muffled noise, this time from the second voice. Much confusion, if nothing else, but the greeting sounded friendly enough.

Vin shook his head and continued on ward, something about the female voice seemed friendly. The voices continued to grow louder and louder joined in with the sound of footsteps against the stone. Arranos began to whimper slightly, being in this mine seemed to set him off slightly.

"Hey... your fine." Vin mumbled, seeing a few flashlights up ahead. Giving it some thought, Vin didn't carry a flashlight with him. Something of his Elvin past seemed to give him a little more ability into seeing in the dark. But then again, Arranos was with him and things just seemed different with him around.

As it turned out, the lights were not flashlights but hmining helmets, as befit proper spelunkers. Rounding the bend revealed a trio of odd folk, one a young woman covered in smears of mud and grinning, the next a young boy of perhaps six dressed completely in black, and the last a small wolfen cub.

The boy and the cub were not quite human. Each sported a pair of softly glowing red energy wings from their shoulderblades, casting a reddish tint onto the dirt floor. The boy held a strange necklace in his hands, a faint energy around it as well, but grey in color. He was looking at Arranos and Vin with surprise. It was not surprise at their arrival but surprise at their identities, or perhaps merely surprise at the identity of Arranos.

Vin held tighter onto his child, looking at the three. The woman, boy, and the cub. Vin seemed to be overly protective of the boy, but than again these three happened to be strangers... and strange these three had been. With glowing red light emitting from wing like creations off the boys shoulder blades. That was probably the oddest thing the young elf had ever seen since... well meeting up with the medium.

Looking over at the woman then back towards the boy, what caught the guardians eye the most was what was hanging in his hand.
"You have an Iridae don't you?" Vin spoke softly, not knowing what kind of condition this mind was in. The next thing the two needed was a cave in on them.

"Yes," said the boy, almost breathless, because if he understood what the sensation from his Crystal was correctly... he swallowed quickly. "I'm Third, this is Constant, and Emperial." Constant cutely bowed to Vin and Arranos, stretching out her front paws, while Emperial merely smiled and waved.

"Out spelunking, eh?" Emperial asked. "It's a great day for it. Of course, any day is a great day for NOT BEING IN THE SUN, which is my archnemesis..."

"Just exploring, I thought I would bring Arranos here to a mine.." Vin smiled and waved slightly. Seeing Constant bow sent a giggling voice up and out of Arranos, giving him some kick and giggles. It was the first real happy look since the two had entered the mine.

Vin laughed slightly, hearing Emperial comment on the sun. Vin looked down at Arranos, seeing the light from the group begin to collect with in the gems encrusted on the boys arms and body.

"Yea, it's a great mine," agreed Emperial. She had not caught the fact that Arranos was an Iridae just like Third's cracked crystal, being too involved in her own little world. "It's easier than blocking out the sun at least, but someday!"

Third could only sigh. he had long since figured out that his guardian, while she did tend to dislike brightness, had no real interest in destroying or blocking out the sun as she frequently claimed. It was one of those things she said to make herself interesting and seemingly crazy. Unfortunately, she said such things so often she had begun to believe them.

Third studied Arranos, interest piqued by the collection of light. "It's like having your own flashlight," he commented, looking to Vin for confirmation and a sign that it was permissable to approach since neither party had any intention of harming the other.

"Yeah I guess you could say that," Vin smiled, looking down at his child proudly. Watching as the rays of light danced off the wall's from the reflective gems.

Arranos seemed to grin himself, feeling slightly head strong about himself. Event though he couldn't understand a bit any of the three had been saying... being a baby and all, but the slight hint he knew they had been talking about himself.

Emperial finally seemed to make the connection between Arranos and Iridae. She paled, which was hard given that her dislike of the sun meant she had skin about as tan as a sheet of white paper. "Wait," she began suspiciously.

"How old is Arranos?" asked Third, a quick diversionary tactic in both directions. On the one hand he was diverting Emperial from asking anything further, on the other diverting Vin from taking too much notice of Emperial, who was now reduced to dark mutters and mumbling to herself.

Third left it to Constant to approach Vin and Arranos, the daemon trotting forward and sniffing Vin for identification purposes. Her tail wagged softly.

Vin shifted his gaze away, looking at the one they called Third. Suspiciously he eyed the three. "Arranos..." Vin began to think, looking down at the baby boy of blue.

"How old is he... I think about one or two maybe," Vin thought back to the day the baby emerged from the colorful crystal, "It hasn't been to far back since the baby came from the crystal, but to sum it up... I would say about that!" Holding the baby in his arm in such a way to test the weight and take a guess.

"Yeah about that..."

Third turned his head to the side in question. "Have you not been with him his entire life?" Something about his relationship with his crystal, however vague and indistinct, told him Iridae were not the sort of "pets" you could pass around. At least not where Third was concerned. He had come to think of whatever lay inside the crystal as much a par tof himself as his daemon.

"No of course not... surely the medium explained things to you?" Vin tilted his head slightly, thinking about what it was the child did in his past life to deserve something such as this.

"I don't know what he did to deserve this, but it must of been pretty bad..." Vin looked down to the baby of blue and gems. Who in fact had looked back up at his guardian and smiled and giggled with unknown.

"I guess I have been with him here ever since he arrived from the crystal I found, but his mental and physical is unknown really." Vin gently smiled.

Third kept his expression neutral, but nodded as if in agreement, willing to let the topic pass.

Emperial was not so forgiving. Planting her hands on her hips she drew herself up, sticking out her chest (which, really, needed no emphasis beyond what nature had given it) and asked, "Then how old?" Part dare, part taunt, wholly demanding.

Vin looked around confused, wondering if the woman even heard what he had said before.
"Umm... two I would say!" Vin scratched at his head and gave her a gaze of confusion. Tilting his head to the left.

Arranos seemed to mimic Vin's exact movement. Tilting his own head to the left as well, shooting the woman a sign of confusion and a grumpy grin.

Emperial smacked her hand against her helmet. "Greek," she said. "If it's going to stay a baby for two years, Third, I don't see how you can keep it. At least not in my house. Maybe you can move in with Max and Sally? Two years, good gods..." She turned away, still muttering to herself as she thought aloud.

Vin looked around, rolling his eyes every so often. Then looking back to Third.
"Is she always like this?" Vin whispered.
"If your asking how long since Arranos materialized, it's been about a month." Vin shook his head and laughed.

Arranos grew a grin ear to ear, his grumpy frown washing away in an instant. A slight giggling noise arose from the depths.

"I was under the impression age was measure from the moment of one's birth," said Third, sounding honestly confused. "I'm only a year and five months old myself. Constant as well." He was always quick to include his daemon, who, being an animal of sorts, was easily overlooked by human conversation.

Emperial stomped her foot, annoyed. "Yes, well, we have a LOT of spelunking to do today, you should probably go get a helmet if you intend on exploring the cave more. We don't have extras."

"Ah... well I go by mentality really," Vin looked from Third back to Emperial and shot her a confused and annoyed look. Shaking his head left and right.

"I actually must get going," Vin looked down to Arranos, who happened to be gripping Vin's arm and pointing to his mouth.
"You see... it must be feeding time and I don't need to end up on his bad side." Vin smiled.

"It was nice meeting you, the name is Vin by the way," Vin turned his back to the group and headed off for the entrance.

"I hope I run into you guys again!" Vin chuckled as his Elvin figure was absorbed into the light pouring into the cave.

"It was a pleasure meeting you," offered Third, inclining his head politely. It was a motion he had unconsciously picked up from Trant. Emperial just glared until Vin and Arranos were out of sight.

"Well," she said. When she was quite sure they were beyond earshot, echoes and all, she added, "That was stupid," and turned her glare on Third.

Third gave a small sigh. "Em..." He trailed off, frowning at her.

Emperial scrunched up her nose, wincing at what she knew was a well-deserved admonition. "Who goes into a cave without a helmet!" she said, exasperated. "I mean the danger of loose rocks in the ceiling of a mine is enormous, and you can't tell me..." Emperial resumed marching deeper into the mine, fuming with each step.

Third and Constant merely exchanged mental looks and trudged along behind her. Third's hand found the Crystal. Emperial could dislike Vin and Arranos as much as she liked, but the Crystal seemed to resonate with contentment in Third's hands, and he rather hoped they might run into the elf and the gem-covered Iridae again.

It was with great enthusiasm that Third set out in search of Vin and Arranos. He could have just as easily gone to see the Medium, but for today's questions, another Keeper made more sense. He was looking for the outside perspective, the caretaker's perspective. The Medium did not strike him as much of a caretaker in any sense of the word.

He had obtained a baby carrier for this purpose, adjusting the straps to their smallest possible setting and then, when the smallest setting was still a bit too big, cutting the straps and resewing them to fit. The stiches were not pretty, but they worked. Constant helped him test the adjustments to make sure it was safe for Aelinye. Then came the real test.

Aelinye watched the development of the carrier with some interest. She was getting used to her brother and his daemon quickly, instinctively imprinting upon them. She was quiet for a baby, except for bouts of whimpering and soft crying when things scared or surprised her or something required attention. Third could always tell which was which. He suspected he had more of an understanding about the bond with Aelinye than she did, thanks to his experience with Constant.

Constant took up the job of supply carrier, gripping the handle of an insulated lunch box in her teeth. The lunch box held two bottles, a small light blanket, a diaper, and sunscreen. (Which Sally had warned them was very important.)

When Third approached Emperial, she was again flustered by her outsider status, wanting to be some direct help with Aelinye. She had chosen to be the outsider, but now she felt guilty about it. Third very politely forced her not to interfere, asking only, "Can you look up the address of Vin and Arranos?"

A bit of annoyance showed through. "Why--" she began, but stopped herself. If that was the help Third needed, by golly, that was what she would give him. She brought up her level-three databases on her system and searched through the records for the information. The former Fleet had been very good at collecting information on Gaians, information that was not considered to be part of the technological downgrade required by the peace treaty. Emperial wrote down the address and handed it off, watching regretfully as Third, Constant,a dn Aelinye headed off to find an escort to Gaia.

They first went to Trant, but he was nowhere to be found, so then Third walked up the street to Windhall, Trion's home. Trion, too, was out, but his partner Alin-Maya was seated under the trees in the front garden. "I'm sorry," he called out to Third, "Trion isn't here. Is there something I can help you with?"

Third considered the question. He was not well-acquainted with Alin-Maya, but he trusted Trion's judgment of people, and Alin-Maya had been nothing but pleasant towards Third so far. So Third asked if Alin wanted to go to Gaia.

The fair-headed prince thought about it for a moment, glancing skyward. He was hesitating for some reason. Third almost told him not to mind, that he would go find someone else, but then Alin-Maya said, "I'd be happy to go with you! Just let me leave a note." He disappeared into the house and reappeared a moment later, carrying a delicate parasol which he opened to shade himself from the sun.

Alin-Maya was surprised to find a baby strapped to Third's back. "This is Aelinye," Third explained, "my little sister."

"I've always wanted a sister!" came Alin-Maya's polite reply. "Are you sure you can manage?"

Third expected that response from adults, of course, and nodded. "We're fine. We're just supposed to take an adult with us when we go to Gaia." It was more than a little misleading; Third made it sound as if he, Constant, and Aelinye made frequent trips to Gaia when in fact this would be their first with Aelinye since her emergence.

"All right, then," conceded Alin-Maya with a smile, and they set off.

Third knew the way quite well, walking carefully so as not to upset Aelinye too much. The Iridae was none to happy about the excursion. She was happy to be with her brother, but outdoors? Walking around? Bright lights and unfamiliar things? She spent most of the walk curled up in faint fear, wondering what was going on.

It was slow going. Alin-Maya was easily winded and carrying Aelinye proved to be a bit tougher than Third expected. Still, it was progress.

They made a strange little group, hustling along to Gaia. Third was quick to choose the quietest route possible, able to tell that Aelinye was disturbed by the noises and images. He began to think maybe the excursion was not such a good idea, but since they were almost there, he plodded on until they found themselves at their destination.

"I think this is it," Third said to Alin-Maya. Assuming the databases were at all reliable...

A small hut rested in a grove of trees. No one really spent the time to identify the tree's that made up the grove, since many species had home there amongst the small hut made of sturdy wood, a thatched roof, and entwined in vines and ropes... which of course homed Vin the elf of wild persuasion.

Deep within the hut, Vin and Arranos rested on there hemp rug. Scattered amongst the floor where tiny trinkets and shiny objects... of course which attracted the gemstone baby's attention like nothing else.

"I knew these little things would catch your eye," Vin smiled gently, releasing a exasperated yawn. Vin's Elvin ears began to twitch, sensing something was aloft in the forest surrounding the two.

A tentative knock came on the door. Outside, Third and Alin-Maya shifted nervously, Alin-Maya most of all. Aelinye had given up all hope at this point and merely hung in her carrier, staring at the ground in near-despondence. Only Constant seemed at all enthusiastic, recognizing familiar scents on the air.

Vin cocked his head in suspicion, eyeing the door with a certain glance of pure evil. Standing up quietly and swiftly. The Elvin man moved with such grace and skill.
I wasn't expected anyone for the day...

Vin moved ever the silently, stepping one foot over the other. Every now and again looking behind him to check up on the baby of blue.
Vin pierced out the crack in the door, his blue eye staring down on the group outside.

"Third?" Vin scratched at his head, reaching for the door knob with his tattooed hand. Vin gently pulled it toward him.

"Come on in..." Vin muttered, still in a state of confusion.

It was Alin-Maya who answered, brushing strands of blonde hair from his violet eyes. His cheeks were flushed with red at the exertion of the walk. "Thank you," he said as he followed Third inside, closing his frilly parasol.

Third was utterly without reservation as he entered, Constant at his side. "I hope you don't mind us coming over unannounced," he said, shifting the straps of the carrier on his shoulders. "I was wondering if I could ask you some more questions. This is Alin-Maya Mauritius the Seventeenth."

The flush on Alin-Maya's pale cheeks was too heavy for there to be any noticeable sign of blushing. "Alin-Maya is fine," he said softly, extending his hand and bowing his head respectfully. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Vin shook the mans hand vigorously, "It's nice to meet you to!" Vin shifted his gaze over to Third. Tilting his head slightly, seeing the bundle resting in the carrier.

"Ahh, I see your Iridae has arrived," Vin smiled gently. "What's up? Oh and don't mind coming over unannounced... I rather like things that come surprised." Vin smiled. Glaring at the carrier. Looking over the weaving done to it, noticing that few places are... not in perfect order. Vin's eye began to twitch, but the Elvin man simple discarded the thought.

Alin-Maya winced ever so slightly at Vin's vigor, too exhausted to do anything but weakly acquiesce. "Ah, is there somewhere I might sit down?" he inquired, glancing around.

"OH ummm...." Vin looked around his wooden thatched home. Eyeing the place for a place to rest.
"Sorry... I don't have much of furniture. Vin nodded off into the distance where a rug made of hemp rested on the floor, "That’s pretty much the only place to sit," Vin sheepishly smiled, " I hope that’s ok?"

Arranos stared up at the group, sitting in the center of the hemp rug. Tilting his head slightly a small grin grew on his face as he put a memory to the face of Third. Remembering him from the dark cave at the beach.

"Of course, that will be fine!" said Alin-Maya. He gracefully made his way to the rug while Third carefully lowered Aelinye's carrier to the ground (with a little help from Constant). If Vin had any thought of trying to assist Third, it was quickly dissuaded as Third went about the task of pulling Aelinye free from the carrier with his back to Vin, Constant his only help.

"This is Aelinye," said Third, hefting the tiny girl into his arms. She seemed tired, her eyes half-drooping, already overloaded by the journey.

"Interesting," Vin smirked, eyeing the little girl. Peeking over to Arranos all the while. Watching him as the baby of blue eyed the new comer on the rug as well.

Arranos glared at the boy as if he was treading on private property. A small smile of deviousness grew inch by inch across the blue clouded face of his.

Vin smiled gently, seeing as the Arranos was getting along quite nicely.

"So how long ago did Aelinye arrive?" Vin returned his gaze to third.

"A few days," said Third, purposefully vague, but since Vin was vague about dates during their first encounter, it seemed to be something he could get away with.

Aelinye gave a little yawn, stretching her mouth wide as it could go, which was not very. Third looked over at the rug, where Alin-Maya was daintily perched, and headed in its direction. Constant followed, still carrying the insulated bag.

"I think she needs a nap," said Third. He marveled at the size of the hut and lack of furnishings, wondering how Vin and Arranos slept and ate with only a rug and not even any of the pillow-leaves or fuzzy plant blankets he remembered from World Zero.

Vin scratched at a pointed ear and followed the two toward the rug in the center of the room. Watching the expressions on thirds face.

"It's not much I know, but it's enough for us." Vin smiled looking around the hut and the lack of items that would of homed themselves in the hut.
It was really all that the tribe the young elf derived from really needed to survive. Food of course was stored off in some compartment off to the side hidden from sight of course... for safety reasons.

"So what brings you here," Vin took a seat, wrapping his legs around the blue baby.
"And how did you find me?" Vin smiled gently.

Third seated himself next to Alin-Maya, who seemed to be resting, and said, "My guardian has a lot of connections, she can find almost anything in her databases."

Actually, Emperial's boast was that she could find literally everything, but Third could only question the veracity of such a totalitarian claim. How could any computer find the secrets hidden inside a person's mind? Third set Aelinye down beside him and she draped herself across his lap, closing her eyes. Constant completed the trio, sitting down on Aelinye's other side and dropping the lunchbag on the mat.

"Hmmm...." Vin pondered, wondering if Third's guardian could really find just about anyone.

"Any ways back to the point," Vin draped his arms around Arranos. Who in fact had a shiny toy twirling between his baby fat fingers.
"what did you need to know? I'm sure that the Medium could have helped you... but she does come off a little creepy..."

Vin smiled remembering his first time meeting up with the woman. It was in fact pretty creepy... the way her house looked, the way the woman looked and acted drove shivers up his spine him out.

"I didn't want to bother her further," said Third, still worried what sort of impression Trant had left the Death guardian with. He smoothed down Aelinye's hair with his hand. "I was just wondering if there were any differences between Iridae and normal children in how they're cared for."

Meditating quietly, Alin-Maya listened to the conversation with half an ear.

"I haven’t cared for any other children before...." Vin smiled looking down at Arranos. The baby seemed to have a personality to call his own and already at such an age.

"But so far it's been nothing but cake for me, Arranos is so calm and usually never frets about anything," Vin scratched at his head,
"It's strange really..." Vin looked back up to Third and over to his guest.

"If you need help why don't you ask Emperial?" Vin cocked his head to the side.

"For what?" replied Third simply, as if the inquiry made no sense. Alin-Maya cracked open one eye. Third wore a look of stubborn determination on his face. Alin-Maya had to smile faintly. That expression reminded him a lot of Trion.

Vin raised an eye brow at Third, sensing the determination to do this on his own.
"Just thought I would say, I'm sure she could be much help." Vin smiled, running his hands through Arranos' multi colored hair.
"But if you want to do this on your own more power to you!" The Elvin man nodded, looking over to Alin-Maya then back toward Third.

Third wondered if Vin was simply too naive and good-natured to realize what Emperial of thought of him, but if so, it was probably better for the elf's sake. "No," he said, "Constant and I can take care of Aelinye. Why shouldn't we?" By some miracle, he kept any trace of indignation from creeping into his voice.

Alin-Maya softly giggled, opened both of his eyes and smiling at Third. "Of course you should! It's clear Aelinye likes you best." The Merovingian had a unique perspective on the situation, having been raised by servants the first six years of his life.

"You obtained the crystal, now your basically stuck with the child," Vin smirked, "Didn't the Medium tell you?" Vin patted Arranos on the head, who in return shot a disgruntled glare.

"You two share the same life force in a way...." Vin muttered, remembering how nervous and scared he was when he first found out about this.
"At least it doesn't kill you... heh..." The elf chuckled.

"We're not stuck with Aelinye," said Third, slightly appalled at the notion. "I was looking for her. Constant, too." He almost let slip that the desire was more his than his daemon's, that his finding Aelinye had been an act of selfishness. He pursed his lips. "Of course we know all about bonding."

Alin-Maya thoughtfully pressed his fingers against his lips and watched Third carefully, coyly avoiding comment.

"No means to offend you, I just put things in terms I'm used to," Vin scratched at his head, glaring down at the floor.
"Your right, your not stuck with her... there more like gifts I guess." Vin looked back up returning his gaze toward the group.

"Gifts to those who I guess deserve them most... I'm lucky I found this little one," Vin chuckled weakly. Ever since Arranos had arrived in to his life... things have been a little unplanned... something this elf needed most.

Alin-Maya relaxed with a gentle hum, glad for such a diffusive answer. "Children are so wonderful!" Alin said.

Looking at Aelinye, Third had to agree, and wonder if Emperial had at all felt the same way about him when he arrived. Constant assured him she had. Third remembered some of Trant's questions. "There aren't any dietary requirements or special procedures?" He was trying very hard to be a conscientious Keeper, trying to make sure there was not a single detail he was missing that would later be attributed to or blamed on his age.

"No, I guess there isn't anything special procedures," Vin smiled gently.
"Just do what you think is right I guess...." Vin patted Arranos on the head and ruffled up his hair.

"That’s what I've been doing so far and it's been working..."

Vin looked over to Alin-Maya, listening to his gentle hum then finally tuned in, "Sometimes they can be a nightmare too." Vin began to chuckle.

"We're not afraid of nightmares," said Third, as if saying it would make it true. It was in a way true and in a way false. Third and Constant had no fear of any nightmare that Aelinye could set upon them, but Third's fear of his own nightmares was very real, too real, so he denied it with a protective mantra.

In his lap, Aelinye rested lightly, strands of grey hair trembling at her breath and the gentle weight of Third's fingers. No hint of nightmare surrounded her; she daydreamed peacefully.

Third phrased his next question carefully, hoping to avoid confusion. He asked, "Can you tell me how fast an Iridae grows?" He knew that his own growth was accelerated beyond that of a human and suspected that Aelinye, with her Gaian origins, was the same. How fast she might grow was important. He had no intention of allowing her to outgrow him and turn their tentative relationship upside-down, reversing the roles of ward and protector.

"How fast... they grow?" Vin looked down toward the hemp sewn rug then over to Arranos... his own Iridae.
"That I don't know... I guess just over time they grow..." Vin pondered on it for a minute, wondering to himself why would some one ask that kind of question.

Vin looked back toward Third. Biting down on his lower lip, "That you'll probably have to ask the Medium... she would know better than any of us!"

Arranos continued to tinker with his own toys, looking over at the two new people every so often. The girl with grey hair stood out the most. Dropping the toy between his fingers, the blue baby began to crawl against the rug and toward the resting child. Plopping back down on his cushioned rear end once again. Arranos grew more daring by the second as he reached out to touch her hair.

Alin-Maya leaned forward, resting his palms on his knees. "Who is the Medium?" he asked, as innocently eager as a small child.

"She's another Iridae," said Third, "guardian of Death." He looked to Arranos for confirmation, and in the hopes that the other Keeper had more information on the strange woman. Third could only go by what he knew from the two brief encounters.

Vin nodded, "Yeah.."
Vin scratched at his head, thinking about how these Iridae fell. Why exactly did Arranos fall? Why did the Medium fall... after all she was the guardian of death.

"Did you find out why she fell?" Vin rested his hand back on the floor. Watching Third suspiciously.

Arranos patted Aelinye on the head gently with what strength his arms contained. Mimicking what his own guardian did to him every so often. Feeling her grey hair between his fingers, the color attracted him the most.

Third lightly edged Arranos away, but not soon enough. Aelinye and stirred at the unfamiliar touch, opening her eyes and then her mouth in a plaintive whimper. Her little fingers pulled at Third's jacket and she buried her head into the fabric with a shudder.

Blanking his face against reaction, Third repositioned Aelinye on the far side from Arranos and Vin and hugged her close, Constant taking Aelinye's place in front of Arranos. The daemon panted and wagged her tail in eager friendliness.

"No, We don't know that," said Third to Vin, wondering what Aelinye's mistake had been. Whatever it was, he was grateful, because it meant she was here now.

Arranos gave a grumpy frown, watching as Aelinye was moved away... but seeing the daemon Constant replace the child melted the frown in an almost instant. Throwing his hands up into the air, the little blue baby instantly latched onto the dog.

"Hmmm...." Vin scratched at one of his tattooed arms. "Well is there anything else you need answered... that I can try to answer.." Vin sort of chuckled, "Sorry that I'm not to much of any help..."

"No, thank you, you've been plenty of help," said Third. He glanced down at Aelinye, who was still shivering a bit. "I'm sure Aelinye is tired, we should get home." He smoothed Aelinye's hair down, which helped a bit.

Constant wagged her tail and licked Arranos, happy to acquiesce to the attention.

"No problem," Vin smiled "I wish I could have been more help to you!" Vin shrugged his shoulders. Latching his tattooed arms around Arranos, Vin lifted up the baby... who in turn shot his guardian a dirty look since he was having a blast with constant.

"If you need any more help, don't fret to stop by. Maybe I’ll be more help later on in the future!" Vin chuckled unknowingly. Glancing down to Arranos in his arms.

Vin and Arranos sat in there usual spot, shaded by a huge giant umbrella. Vin kept a weary eye on the little blue baby, obviously standing out against the sand beneath him.

Vin just kept his gaze between the blue ocean and the baby of blue. Blue seemed to be a favorite color of his. Surprisingly not many of his tattoos that coated his body had been splashed or dabbed in that shade of color.

"Hey small fry, having fun?" Vin smiled gently, staring into Arranos' crystal blue eyes. They seemed to have a ghostly matter about them... they had been so light that it was just surprising and stood out like a sore thumb.

Vin flicked a bit of sand at the babies feet, who in returned sent up a giggling sound and noise to his guardian.
"Aghoooba?" Arranos muttered, a small grin growing ear to ear.

Vin stared back into the ocean, hopping something unexpected might happen.

As far as Drake knew, there were others that were given the gift of being a guardian. But he was doubting this, along with some of the other things The Medium had told him.

The two crystals he had refused to take off were cracked and a mist was constantly around them. The mist attracted attention and was difficult to mask. Drake just had to stomach the attention, not like he wasn't used to it with white hair and his tattoos.

With things boggling him, he decided to go on another little job, but then reconsidered and settled for a walk, making sure he had his cell on him incase he needed to be picked up again.

Going for his walk he chose to go to the beach. Silently he replayed the meeting for the umpteenth time in his head, walking almost numbly until he saw the man and his child.

Vin's eyes grew twice that day, seeing the two cracked crystal hanging off a mans neck.
Two more had fallen...
Vin scratched at his head, remembering that one day he had met up with the medium. More thoughts of why the baby of blue had fallen filled his mind.
I want to know... I really do!

Vin returned his gaze to the man,
"Hey you!" Vin waved some what impolitely with a tattooed arm, "What is that hanging off your neck?" Vin prosecuted, needing answers to his question.

Drake almost fell over as he spun his head around being brought back into his own head as he was called. Had to have been him that was called, there was no one else around.

"Wha? Me?" Drake pointed to himself with a bit of a smirk. Putting a ringed fingered hand through his white hair he looked down to the two charms on his necklace.

"My twins..." He said as he walked towards the man. "Soon to be my Iridae twins.."

"Ahh... so there's more!" Vin began to worry. Where did these guys come from exactly and why had they been falling in such a mass quantity. Vin shook his head bringing him back to reality.

"Twins I see," Vin smiled, running a hand through Arranos' colored hair. "Your gonna have a handful!" Vin smirked.
"Oh and how did you come about getting your two crystals?" Vin tilted his head to the side and shielded his eyes from the sun light.


Raising a confused eyebrow Drake cocked his head. How would he know about them?

"Wait..." A little slow, he put two and two together. The little child must be his..

"Ah, good story, good story... I was running and tripped over them kinda... I think. I never usually run, but I've been doing it a lot more since these two. And what about yourself? How'd you come across this little cute guy?" Drake grinned at the little boy before returning his gaze to the man.

"Found this little guys crystal here... in this very location," Vin nodded toward a cracked rock just down the shore near a row of larger rocks.
"Just right over there in that rock, I just happened to be resting on it and... it slipped from under me!" Vin chuckled, seeming that the story was a little lame... but true to the point.

"Awesome. So what's your little guy the guardian of?" Drake asked he was, as the nickname of Monkey suggests, naturally curious.

Before the other man got a chance to answer, he hit his forehead and extended his hand. "I'm Drake, by the way. These two will be Kupalo and Hina."

"His name is Arranos," Vin shifted his gaze into the sand, watching as the blue baby began to construct something with the sand.

"What he's guardian of... I don't know yet..." A sense of concern hidden in his very breath, "I don't even know why he ended up here...."

"That creepy 'Medium' didn't tell you? She told me I have Lust and Fertility. Male and female." As he refrenced Kupalo he held up the blue charm and Hina was the pink.

"Oh well, I'm sure there's a reason for it." He said with a certain nod. Bending down, the many time father put on a huge grin and examined the thing the sand. "What're you building there little one?"

"I guess I didn't get around to asking her..." Vin scratched at his head.

Arranos looked up from his creation and at the strange looking man. A look of confusion on his face as he shifted his gaze between his creation and the stranger. Slowly stopping his hands, the blue baby dug his hands into the warm sand.

Vin chuckled, "I don't think he is really used to a lot of people really!"

Drake shrugged and stood back up. He was relieved no matter. "A I see. It's all good." With a wink he stood back up and cleared his throat.

"I don't think I caught your name.."

"Ah," Vin tugged at one of his Elvin ears.
"It's Vin" The tattooed wild elf smiled gently. Patting his hands on the blue babies head, which in returned as always returned a slight glare of evil.

"Are you from around here?" Vin tilted his head, the sun light glaring into his eyes and Illuminating the tattoos that collaborated around the elf's face.

Drake's tattoos only claimed a section of his arm and an entricate black tribal markings up and down his chest.

"Yeah, I live around the corner and down the street around that one drive-in coffee shop. How bout yourself, Vin? Mind if I take a seat?" Drake asked, feeling like he wished he would have brought his cane he had for when he had broken bones, which was more often then normal.

"Go for it!" Vin stared out toward the ocean, watching as the waves rode up onto the sand and crashed. Ending there tiny... lives, well if they had lives.

"I live a bit a way, in some forest..." Vin shrugged, not even recalling the forest he lived in... but than again he was the only one in there.

Drake plopped into the sand and took a load off, stretching out and relaxing. "That's pretty cool. I live with my wife and some 'kids' we've picked up. By we I mean I. Do you surf?"

As the island boy spoke he looked out into the ocean and imagened himself on his surfboard riding each wave. Each one was perfect for a different thing. Letting them go by, riding it, or jumping off and doing tricks on it. Each one he had a different board for.

Vin twisted his head and gave the man a look of pure confusion. One that speaks in sort of a way saying.. 'what did you say?' type of look.

"I don't surf... never have..." Vin looked back toward the sea, listening to the rush of the waves before he finished.
"Never will..."

"Ah, I see. I love it. But that's pretty cool. I should be getting home though. When my babies come, you want to get together again? Mabey get little Arranos there some interaction?" Drake asked as he stood up and dusted off his shorts.

"Yeah I think Arranos would rather enjoy that fairly well!" Vin smiled, digging his hands into the warm sand. Feeling the sudden surge of warmth pulse up his arms.

"I'll most likely be here, since this... is where Arranos enjoys being the most!" Vin patted the baby on the head gently.

Drake nodded and smiled.

"Hopefully it won't be too long.. I find myself more anxious then I think I should be." Laughing he nodded again.

"Until then, Vin. See ya later, Arranos!" Drake added to the little one with a big smile, trying not to frighten the little one.