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Chapter One

A Jivvin Called Jack

Piper approached the old building tentatively. From that morning when she found the thing on her doorstep, things had only gotten more and more strange.
It was a pretty thing, that much she'd admit. And she was never one to question fortune when fortune fell. So she spent the day wondering, and caressing the egg, for that is what she decided it was. What should she do? Should she follow the map? Well, over the course of several hours, she'd grown attached to the egg, with its greens and browns twisting mysteriously. And, after all, she had no idea how to care for it.
So, she grabbed her cane and headed in the direction the map had offered.

She bit her lip. Jivvin. Then she looked at the egg, and shrugged. What is there to lose?
Piper was always up for an adventure. Three clunks at a time up the steps. One, and two for her feet, three for her bright red cane.
She opened the door and stepped inside.

Moo...was insane. Sighing heavily, the once-Uuthli dropped onto the couch, lifting a hand to rub his temples. Would his mother never learn? She was supposed to be keeping a watch on the eggs. She was supposed to find homes for them before the date grew too near and situations like this came about. But nooo, she couldn't even keep up her end of the bargain...

Jack was furious, or would have been had he been a bit less exhausted. The day had been spent fending off phone calls from the various people who had woken to a Jivvin egg on their doorsteps. Door steps! How bloody irresponsible was it to leave an egg on someone's doorstep--especially if she didn't know that someone. And then she had sulked and fled to her lab when he had confronted her on it, and he was left dealing with the after effects.

One of which had just stepped through the door. Jack lifted his hand to peek past it towards the door, grimacing when he caught sight of the egg in the woman's hands. He lifted both hands as if to fend her away, meanwhile making himself more comfortable on the couch. He was done for today. "It's not my fault, I swear."

A curved eyebrow raised over the thick glasses that enlarged Piper's amber eyes. The strange, albeit good-looking, young - man - was addressing her. However, it seemed that paying any attention to her was the last thing he wanted.
Trying to take it in stride, and assuming her might know something of her mystery egg, Piper offered her crooked smile, and approached him.
She clutched the egg almost protectively as she spoke. "Oh, if you please, sir. I do not intend to issue any complaints, however curious and unorthodox my parcel's delivery was." Her language and tone of voice suggested that the woman did not get out very much. "I merely wish to make a few inquiries, if it's not too much of an inconvenience." She released a hand to adjust her thick lenses. "I am Piper."
She offered a long-fingered hand.

She wasn't going to complain? The pirate seemed momentarily baffled by her greeting, and, indeed, may well have been because of the strange wording. However, he quickly recovered and reached a hand to grasp hers, straightening up in his seat. "Jack," he replied shortly, offering a weak smile. "I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. Pardon my behavior. It's been a trying morning."

"It's a pleasure, Jack. May I?"
She took a seat on the couch beside him. This was all terribly confusing so far, but at the same time, so terribly exciting.
"And, do not think on it, please. I get the feeling that fate was smiling on me when I received this... egg.
Well, there you have it. My first question. What exactly is this egg?"
She stroked it lightly. It was very warm in her hands, which were always rather cold.


"Please." He gestured for her to sit beside him, scooting over to allow her some space. He smiled. "I hope you will think the same once the little thing hatches. But it shouldn't give you much trouble, I hope..." Jack paused briefly to gather his thoughts, glancing to the egg in question as if for inspiration. "That egg holds a Jivvin, which is...well, something like me. But not humanoid, yours. Yet. Um." Oh, this was going to be confusing. He quickly changed to Llar, cocking his head towards her. "Like this. But small."

Piper jumped back slightly as the charming Jack turned into something much more... fuzzy. She then chuckled to herself.
"Well, I suppose I may be able to handle that... Only, well... I never quite fancied myself a mother." She raised her eyebrows, inspecting the creature that now sat before her. Then she turned once more to her egg, holding it up.
"A Jivvin..." How was she to raise something, bring it into life? Jack was as good as human, then again even moreso. She pursed her already protruding lips in thought.
"What on earth have I done to deserve something like this?"

A brief moment later the fuzzy something was back to the charming Jack, and he resettled in his seat. "Honestly, I haven't the faintest. No offense," he quickly added, along with a somewhat nervous smile at potentially having offended her. "I'm just not sure how my mother goes about selecting potential bonds. Or if there is even any method to her madness, judging by the calls I've gotten today." Grimacing, he shook his head. "Still, the choices usually work out rather well, so she must have some idea what she's doing."

His mother? Assuming that Jack was the same as her own Jivvin, was this mother another Jivvin, or was she a - whatever he called it - a bond, as well? Did her Jivvin have a mother somewhere? Piper'd choose her questions wisely. She'd learn enough as time went on. But, goodness was everything happening so quickly!
She took her cane in hand, and tapped it on the floor a couple of times.
"You have been... incredibly helpful, Jack. And for that I thank you. However, I... I..." she paused. "I find myself rather lost for words, actually. Yesterday, I began packing, bound for University. It took me six years to realize that I even wanted to go. And now, this small life form is telling me that I have something else in store... Something possibly far greater."
Piper took in a deep breath.
"Tell me, Jack. Am I quite alone, here, on this journey? I hardly find myself capable of bringing something into life all on my own."

Ah, so the gift was not without consequences. Jack felt an immediate pang of guilt at the knowledge that this egg might have interrupted this woman's chances at the university. "Not alone at all," he quickly assured her, shaking his head and offering a warm smile. "The Center is always open should you need any help with the hatchling, as is the House. And my number's by the phone here, if you need me specifically. But regardless, I'm sure you'll manage just fine. Jivvin hatchlings are not quite as demanding as human newborns, thankfully."

Piper laughed, and nodded.
"It is certainly not my place to argue with Fate. Or, I suppose, your mother.
I am ready to accept this... Only one thing remains."
She spoke now to the egg itself.
"You need to tell me what your name is, Little One."

"Mm, I sometimes wonder how closely mother works with Fate," he mumbled, frowning faintly. However, he quickly brightened up, returning his attention to the egg. "This one... will be Olplyn, I think. And male. Yes. Yes," he repeated, confirming his own words. "If that helps at all."

Piper's face turned thoughtful, strange calculations whizzing behind her thick lenses.
"Hmm. hmm, hmm, hmm..." She turned the egg over in her hands, as though getting other perspectives would also aid in the process of naming. "I'll admit I have absolutely no clue as to what "Olplyn" means... But I think I know his name."
She rested the egg once more on her lap and closed her eyes, thinking over the decision she had made, or what he had made for her. Piper always believed that there were stronger forces other than her own at work. And this little Olplyn was one of them.
"On the Night's singing breeze... That is how he came to find me, and that is how he shall be called.
Ari'Nacht."
Later on, Piper would swear that she felt a quiver from within the egg when she first announced his name.

"Ari'Nacht," Jack repeated, quirking a brow. However, he simply nodded, sinking back in his seat. "A name more fitting to his origins than most you will find in this Center.. Good for you."

His thoughts momentarily went to his own name and how it clearly alienated him whenever he visited the village, but he quickly brushed said thoughts aside, refocusing instead on the woman beside him. "Did you have any further questions for me?"

Piper nearly beamed at the compliment. But, then again, it had nothing to do with her. It was not by her choosing. Now, Piper did not leave everything to chance, no. She simply believed that chance knew a great deal more than she did.
"I think that I shall manage for now. After all, you seem to need rest. I'll not tire you with my endless wonderings. I've much to learn, true. And it will all come in time."
She began to rise.
"You have been a great help to me, Jack. Thanks."

"It was my pleasure," he assured her, rising to his feet as she did to escort her to the door. "There's much to learn, but plenty of time to do so. I'm sure I don't know half of it myself just yet, so don't think there's any rush." He paused to open the door, stepping aside to let her through. "If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact me. Good luck with your egg."

Piper took her cane in hand once more, and followed him to the door, holding the egg crooked safely in one arm.
"I look forward to meeting again. And I look forward to my Ari meeting you, as well." She cradled the egg a little. So odd for her to have such maternal instincts!
She walked out the door, and nodded, having no hand to wave with.

Chapter Three

Quest for Knowledge. Olplyns.

"Egg egg egg egg eggggg~!" Halfling Elf chirped happily as she sat on on of the couches at the Center. She had a cloth with her and was rubbing the egg in her lap with the utmost care; of course, she'd randomly squeak with happiness and hug the blue and white Sel. And then back to making the shell shiny. She had no clue if the egg was a boy or a girl, or even what Rank it was (she'd spent some quality time with Sameil to get that out of her 'Olplyn'), but hey, it was another Jivvin! And a baby! The Gaian always got giddy when a new baby came to the house, and this was no exception.

Which probably explained why her Llar was nowhere in sight. Oh well.

Piper had spent the day and night after she had met with Jack unpacking her things, and calling the University, and cancelling on her loans and aid. (Which of course meant some unneccesary gold out of her pocket)
But, in her opinion, it was all worth it. She had to do what she had to do. All the while, she'd turn to her egg, caressing it and warming it.

The next day, she found herself not knowing what to do. She was completely preoccupied, comsumed by the demands of the egg. She'd already quit her job to leave for school. Everything was to start anew. All because of this little creature.

So, with nothing else to do, nowhere else to go, Piper placed her egg in a little padded pouch she'd fashioned for it. It hung around her neck, in the front, kind of like a baby caddy. Then, now able to use her cane, she headed once more to the Jivvin Center. She did, like she said, have much to learn, after all. And that was the only place she had to go.

She entered the Center, and began to stalk around for potential prey.


H.E. looked up from her egg, grinning happily at the newcomer. Of course, her blindfold decided right that moment to fall back onto her eyes and she muttered a moment or two before lifting it back onto her forehead.

"Hello! I'm Halfling Elf; nice to meet 'cha. You new here?" Her eyes twinkled over her egg as she hugged it again. "Your egg looks really pretty~"

So it happened that Piper's quarry found her. She smiled her awkward, crooked smile, and half-hobbled over to the couch.
"Greetings! I am called Piper. Piper Evertree. And, yes, I only just received this Little One. However, I have found myself greatly intrigued by recent events. And things can only get more interesting from here."

She took a seat, carefully positioning herself to sit while minding her egg and her leg.
"This here is Ari'Nacht. Or he will be, I suppose. I'm afraid I'm not very good at this sort of thing, yet."

Nice to meet you, Piper," H.E. greeted properly, and scooted over on the couch to give the other girl some room. "And Ari'Nacht, too, of course! I haven't decided what my little guy's gonna be called," she added, happiness at meeting someone new making her words a bit mushed together, "but I don't know what sex they're gonna be or anything. Not even their Rank."

She stuck her tongue out playfully. "Diro -- my Skull Monkey -- found it outside a couple days ago when the doorbell rang. I'm guessing Moo was in a rush, or something."

Tiana yawned as she trudged up to the center, clutching her fire-colored egg. She had an idea what she'd name it, if it were male or female now. Though she did hope she'd find out what rank it was...perhaps there was a Jivvin that could tell her? Though Luci hadn't seemed to know...oh well. She perked up at the sight of a couple others, also with their eggs...sels, she mentally corrected herself. Or was the plural just sel? "Hi..."

Piper pursed her lips.
"I met someone called Jack earlier. And he told me that Ari was a boy... He also said something about the word... Olpy... Oppin... something to that effect. I didn't get to ask him just what it was that he meant by that."

Piper smirked back. "Mine was at my door, as well... A curious way to deliver an egg. Sort of calls to mind the idea of an orphen, or an unwanted child."

She looked up through her obnoxiously thick glasses at the newcomer.
"Well, hello there!"

"Jack? I don't think I've met him, but my memory could be acting up again." The Gaian sighed over-dramatically before giving her egg a rub. "Could he have said Olplyn? 'Cause my Sameil's an Olplyn as well ---"

H.E. cut herself off as the new newcomer came through the door. "Oh! Hi! You new here too?"

Tiana nodded. "Yeah, only been up here once...met a Jivvin, Lucius." She perked up at H.E.'s statement. "You've got some experience raising them? I've studied a little on them, but just enough to guess what's what."

"You're not alone, honey," Piper said happily, offering her a seat on the couch.

"Olplyn!" Piper almost shouted, at having her memory refreshed. "That's the one. So... Ari is an.. Olplyn? Might I assume that that is a kind of Jivvin?"
She turned to the newcomer.
"It looks like we both have much to learn... uh- sorry, I didn't catch a name."

"Yup! An Olplyn is a Rank. Apparently all Jivvins are classified under Ranks, but I don't know 'em all. Almost everything I've learned about Jivvins, I got through Sameil. I should probably come here more and learn by myself." H.E. kicked her legs up and down, looking at both the girls. "Either that, or steal a book or two from Sameil."

A mental snort resonated through her head, and the red head grinned.

"Books? There's books on them here?" Tiana grinned, practically bouncing on her toes as she kept a tight grip on her sel. "I might have to find that library-assuming there is one-and raid it, if I'm allowed."

"The Jivvins are Ranked before they are even born? That hardly seems fair." Piper rubbed her egg gently, as though reassuring it that she would never judge it. She imagined the Jivvins being ranked as kings and pages, noblemen and peasants.

"I would have to follow you on that escapade... Now, what was that name, miss?" Piper attempted once more to learn the girl's name.

"Apparently? I was only told Sameil was an Olplyn after she had hatched. I think it has to do with their personalities, more than anything else." She mentally prodded her Olplyn curiously, and got a short :Talk later,: for her troubles.

"I'll third that motion. And hey, Piper has a point. What is your name?" Halfling Elf grinned again. "I could call you Newbie, if you don't want to tell us."

"Ooops." Tiana grinned sheepishly. "It's Tiana. And yeah...I tend to forget things. Yeah...the ranks seem to do with personalities, except for the Uuthli having wings?"

Piper sighed. She'd be getting far more information in the next few weeks than University could have ever offered.

"Uuthili... well... what exactly is a Olplyn's personality, generally speaking?" She was getting apprehensive as to what she might have to deal with when Ari'Nacht hatched.

“Nice to meet you, Tiana! But I've never heard the the Uuthli rank," H.E. commented, blinking. "And for Olplyns? Well, if Sameil's any kind of example, I'd say secretive. She doesn't like interacting much with anyone in my house, and she holes herself in her room a lot. She's usually polite to people, though~"

"I'd heard Uuthli were the winged ones. Not sure if their personality differs from the other ranks' though." Tiana looked down, stroking her egg. "Really...I think I'd be glad with any rank."

Secretive? Seclusive, even?
Piper wasn't certain if she could handle that. She was a rather open person, even if other people gave her a wide berth.

But, no matter what, she'd love the Little thing. "And I as well. Fate has granted me this gift, and I for one am grateful. Never one to ask why, not me...
Of course, that does not mean I'm not curious."

"I'm pretty sure you've got some rank, Tiana," Halfling Elf smiled widely. "We're all really lucky! Maybe we could hunt down that Jack guy and demand some answers. He sounds like he knows a lot~" She perked up a bit. "And maybe after our eggs hatch, we can have a play-date? So our Jivvins have friends?"

Tiana grinned ferally. "Hunting down a male...since when have I ever passed a chance for that up? And it'd be cool to maybe find out rank and gender, don't you think? Or was it him that told you that?" She blinked. "I forgot. But I'll have to pass for another time, it's time I started heading home. It was nice talking to everyone, though." She nodded and turned, starting back down the road to 'civilization.'

Piper pouted her lips at Tiana's comment. It's not like she was serious, so Piper thought, but Piper had what one might call a - diverse sense of humor.

"Yes, Jack knew almost immediately what my Jivvin was. He really quite kind and patient about it all... And he has allowed me to contact him if I needed it. He seems to be pretty high up as far as this Center is concerned. He'd said his own mother was responsible for delivering our eggs is concerned."

"His mom?" Halfling Elf scratched her head. "Could be Moo, I guess. Either that or there's more than one person handing out eggs. But, if he gave you some way of contacting him, shouldn't we try it?" She blinked as Tiana rose. "See you later, Tiana~ Have a safe trip home! Nice meeting you!"

Piper waved a farewell to the departing Tiana.

Moo... Jack's mother? And still Piper wondered, was Moo a bond, or a mother by birth? Where had her egg come from?
She snapped out of it, and turned back to Halfling. "Hmm? Oh, yes, yes. Though, I'd wait before going about it. He seemed so very tired when I had met with him. We are far from alone in receiving these eggs, it seems."

"D'awwwww~ But I guess it would be bad to disturb him when he's tired." She flopped back onto the couch, huggling her egg. "So, what do you wanna do while we wait, then?" She thought a moment. "I could see if Sameil wants to come, so you can meet an Olplyn."

"Oh! To meet Sameil would be marvelous, indeed!" Piper said excitedly. "The only Jivvin I've met 'till now was Jack, and he looked more human than anything else. That is, until he showed me his - other - self."

"And, after all, Ari'Nacht is an Olplyn himself. It would be wise for me to get a taste of what is to come."

Halfling Elf laughed happily and nodded. "It's always a good plan, to figure out what might happen." :So can you come, Sameil? Pleaaaaaase? Piper wants to see how awesome Olplyns are!:

There was an elongated pause before the red-head got an answer, but she knew better than to rush her Jivvin. :You are lucky I that I just finished my work. Tell this Piper that I will be there in a moment.:

:Thank you, Sameil! I'll make some cookies for you later, okay?: She grinned again as a snort was her answer, before blinking away the vacant look in her eyes. "Sameil says she'll be here soon. She's a pretty fast runner, so I wouldn't doubt her."

Piper blinked her blown-up eyes in confusion. "Run that by me again, if you will. It seems that I have missed something. How, how did you know that? You have spoken to her? I certainly didn't hear anything."
She looked around the room for some sign of this mystery Jivvin.

"Oh! Oh. Well, um." Halfling Elf scratched her chin for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. "Well, me and Sameil have a bond, you know? And since Sameil was a kid, she could send emotions and stuff to me. These days, she usually blocks it off so she's 'not disturbing me', but recently we can talk. If we want to. She doesn't like using it much, though, unless I mention her name or I prod her enough."

Fascinating.

"Oh! So it's like - telepathy, or something? Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic."
Piper was getting even more excited now. She adjusted the satchel that held her egg snug and secure, trying to shift the warmth to another part of the egg. Soon, she'd be able to know whenever her Jivvin needed her; she'd form a friendship unlike any she'd had before - especially considering she had never had many friendships in the past.

"Yeah, it's just like telepathy!" H.E. grinned. "It certainly freaked me out the first time, though, since I didn't expect it."

The door opened then, and the Llar trotted in. Looking around the Center and seeming to heave a sigh, Sameil walked quietly over to the couch and sat a polite distance away.

"Greetings; you are Piper, I presume?" The red eyes seemed somewhat bored.

Even having gotten forwarning like this, Piper didn't doubt that it'd startle her, as well. It was certainly out of the norm to hear someone else's voice in one's head.

Then Sameil walked in. She was gorgeous, Piper decided. The markings on her were so intense, exotic, the red contrasting marvelously with the green. She wondered vaguely whether Ari would end up looking like the pattern on his egg.

"That I am; it is a pleasure to meet you, Sameil. And this here is Ari'Nacht." She stroked the egg lovingly.

"A fellow Olplyn, if I have heard correctly?" Sameil nodded her head slightly to both the owner and the Sel. "A rank that is a proud one to bare."

"Of course you'd say that, Sameil; you're an Olplyn too!" H.E. grinned at her Jivvin, and merely received a cool look back.

Piper nodded seriously. "And I am sure he will be proud as well.
I will be sure to let him meet you when he comes."

She smiled at H.E.'s comment. They seemed to be different, she and her Jivvin. She hoped that Ari wouldn't be quite so cold, though she wouldn't be able to make judgment on Sameil just now. It wasn't fair.
But it would be a lie to say that she wasn't nervous.

"I look forward to meeting him when he has hatched." Sameil glimpsed at the Sel. "Seeing from his egg, Ari'Nacht will be a quite handsome Jivvin."

"Of course he will~! All Jivvins are cool." H.E. raspberried the Llar, who merely sighed again before giving her a look that quietly said are we done yet?

Piper swelled. Sameil certainly had an appreciation for other Jivvins, at any rate. Or maybe just other Olplyns.
This was all so... so fascinating. Piper couldn't contain herself. She needed to learn more. Her thirst for knowledge of these enchanting creatures was growing more and more. She had so many questions, even more than when she had spoken to Jack.

She wasn't certain about Sameil's patience, though.
Cool, indeed.
"I wonder, though. Does either of you know just how long it will take for him to hatch? Not that I am an impatient person, but it would help me to know." She straightened her frames.

"It varies from Jivvin to Jivvin, I'd guess," H.E. replied, looking over to her own Jivvin and recieving a nod. "Sameil took . . . Eight days? Yeah, around eight days for her to come out of her egg. I was bouncing as much then as I am now." She grinned happily again. "It's really exciting, watching them hatch."

"Only over a week? Goodness, I had best be ready, then."
She absently rubbed her bum leg, which was growing slightly achy.
"Now, I have now heard of Uuthli, which apparantly have wings. And of course, there are Olplyn, like you, Sameil, and my Ari here. But, what others are there? You wouldn't happen to know, would you, Sameil?"

"There are a few others," the Olplyn replied. "Vhaid. Afya. Daewl. Sargtlin. Books that are available in the Library go into detail about all of the Ranks." Halfling Elf blinked at a few of the names she hadn't heard of before -- only two, but still! -- and pouted slightly.

"Where's the Library?" She asked, and Sameil gave her a Look before replying.

"At the House."

"The -- House. . . Oh! The mansion! There's a library there? Damn, I could've learned this stuff already!" Halfling Elf face-palmed, while Sameil rolled her eyes and muttered something that sounded like 'humans' under her breath.

"The House... What is that place?
More importantly, does the Library have public access? If so, I shall be spending much of my time in there, to be certain."
She tried to mentally register the names of all the Ranks Sameil had given her. It would be a jolly time, indeed.

"The House is connected to the Center through a path in the woods." She gave another Look to Halfling Elf, who just sulked quietly. "The Library does allow the public to enter, however."

"The House is this big mansion thing," Halfling Elf chipped in, seemingly over the tiny funk she had been in. "It's got at least four floors, I swear! Huuuuge." She flailed with one hand, so the egg wasn't displaced on her lap.

Piper's disturbingly large eyes glistened.
"I will definately have to see this Library very soon," she said passionately. And a large mansion in the woods? Her Lady had led her down an adventerous path.
"-And of course the rest of the Mansion with it."
Piper tried to flex her leg now, and winced painfully. It was telling her that her time was short.
"I'm afraid that Cinderella's time is just about up. This leg's about to turn pumpkin on me.
However, I intend to make a trip to that Library, and would be pleased if you would accompany me when I do." She searched her pockets, until she'd recovered a small pen and a scrap of paper, upon which she scribbled. "Here, my contact information." She handed H.E. the scrap of paper. The back of it contained an old shopping list. "I look forward to seeing you again."

"Sure, that'd be fun!" Halfling Elf grinned and took the note, before ripping an end off and taking a pencil out of her hat and scribbling her own contact information on it. "Here~ I can't wait to see you later, too! Hope your leg feels better soon." She looked down worringly at the limb. "Do you need any help or anything?"

Sameil just watched from her seat.

She took the paper with a smile, and tucked it in the front pocket of her coat.
"Oh, no, no, do not worry about me." Piper rose with a slight groan, hand on her cane for support. "This old thing bothers me all the time. Just another one of those things that Life decided to throw at me. Makes me feel a mite older than I am, it does. As for feeling better soon - it comes and goes. It doesn't do well with sitting - or standing for that matter." Piper laughed oddly at herself. "But, again, don't worry. I'll make it alright."
She winked at Halfling. "Again, a right pleasure meeting you, it was. As it was meeting you, Sameil. Here's to our new Little Joys!"

With that, she turned an walked away, cane thunking faithfully at her side.

"If you're sure. Have a good day, Piper~!" Halfling Elf grinned and waved. "It was awesome meeting you! And here's to 'em!" Sameil nodded respectfully and watched Piper walk out.

"Ready to go home, Sameil?" H.E. chirruped, and the Olplyn just got up and walked out of the Center. "Oi~! Wait for me! You're not the one carrying an egg~!"

And the three walked home together in peaceful quiet.

Chapter Five

Knowledge Achieved. Stairs.

It was a nice day outside the Center, Halfling Elf thought with a grin. Her egg sat happily in its carry pouch (dutifully covered in stickers) on her back, occasionally wiggling from side to side with apparent joy. The Gaian had just biked over from her house to the Center after phoning Piper; it was a good say to go to the Library!

Piper was glad that Halfling had decided to call her so soon. It was rare that Piper's phone ever rang, so she almost shuddered with anticipation when she heard it. She hurried down herself, her egg safely padded in its caddy.

She squinted at the sun in her eyes as she reached the Center. She waved to H.E. happily, and ran over, as fast as her leg would allow.
"Good day to you! Are we ready to be off, then?"

"Hi, Piper~! Yup, let's go!" The red-head hopped up from her seat on the steps and cheerfully joined the other girl's side. "We have to go through that path and just stick to it until we get to the House~ Sameil says it's on the third floor." H.E. pointed towards the little opening in the forest, a well-trod path in the snow defining the direction. A cheeky grin flitted across her face.

"So how're you and Ari?" She asked as she started walking towards the path.

Piper followed along Halfling briskly.
"Oh, I do believe he's getting along rather nicely. I can sometimes swear I feel movement, but that could just be my being so excited."

"Where is Sameil? It seems she likes to keep to herself a lot. I suppose she's rather grown up by this point?"

Or it could not be! My egg like wiggling. A lot. Sporadically. It's kinda amusing to watch, if it's not near any drops." She laughed happily and crossed under the first branches that started to cover the trail.

"Yeah, Sameil's pretty all grown up. She doesn't like going out and exploring as much as she did when she was younger." The girl stuck her tongue out. "But as long as she's not trying to get herself hurt, I'm fine with whatever she does."

Piper smiled. It seemed that despite the fact that Sameil and Halfling were so very different, she still cared about her very much.

The path down to the mansion was beautiful. And the sun was not so harsh here, being shaded by the trees. Gorgeous greens and golds were splashed along their path, shimmering in the breeze.

Eventually, the building started to come into view.

"Ah! There it is~!" Halfling Elf grinned and ran the last few feet towards the middle door, waiting with her hand on the handle for Piper to catch up. As soon as her new friend was close enough, she grinned again and swept the door open, dipping into a goofy bow.

"Welcome to the House!"

Piper hobbled up excitedly behind Halfling Elf, taking in the great House in awe. How much knowledge, how many mysteries, were hidden within those walls. Sameil had said that the House Library was open to the public. But there were probably many places where she could never tread.

She laughed in appreciation of Halfling's mock gesture, and entered in.

"Third floor, you say?"

"Yup! Unless Sameil tricked me, but she's not the one to do that. So to the third floor we go~!" Halfling's eyes twinkled happily as she skipped over to the stairs and hopped onto the first step.

"After we mess around in the Library, do you wanna explore the rest of the place? I mean, it looks really cool and big, and I haven't gone past the first floor before." That was to phone for help, but she wasn't going to say that. Sameil would probably severely injure her if she did.

Piper nodded and headed to the stairs. Stairs. Piper lived in a one story house, and found all sorts of ways to avoid needing to walk up stairs.
However, she was more than capable, she just didn't prefer it, not by a long shot.

"I shall have to make a point of accompanying you, indeed. However, my plans for today revolve completely around just how consuming my latest knowledge endeavor proves to be." There was a hungry look in her buggy eyes, and she bit her lip to keep from squealing. She'd tackle a thousand floors of stairs to get to this library.

"O'course! Today, the library, tomorrow, the world." H.E. made a funny pose, trying to keep her balance on the stairs. "But we only need what's in the Library right now."

So she walked up the stairs with Piper, keeping to the other girl's pace and not hurrying ahead like she really wanted to to the third floor. She'd be there to help Piper if she wanted it, but she didn't ask; she'd met enough people that bit back if you asked too much, and walking up stairs wasn't something you could really help someone with.

"We're almost there~!"

"Oh, marvelous." Piper panted her way up the last of the stairs.
Note to self, Piper dear: No more stairs.

"Now." She put her hands on her hips. "Which way from here?"

"At least you're at your goal, now?" H.E. chirruped, looking around. "And I'd guess they're behind thost doors." Walking up to the decently sized doors and pushing them open, she stuck her head in before pulling it out and grinning.

"Yup! Found it!" She opened the doors further, giving Piper room to walk in. "Looks kinda disorganized, though."

Piper's large eyes widened at the sight of the books. Dissheveled as they were, it was a beautiful sight. After all, true geniuses were known to be complete slobs.

She hurried in, egg bustling at her side. Noticing, she gently lifted the pack over her shoulder, and placed it comfortably on a chair. She'd sit beside him as she read.

"Where... where to begin?" Her amber eyes glistened.

"Who knows?" H.E. grinned at the sight of all the books. She'd certainly be coming back here! "Do you want to start at one end, and me the other? We could meet in the middle and split all the books we find." She carefully took her egg off her back and cradled it in her arms. "Is it okay if I keep my egg with Ari?"

"Sounds like a plan to me." Piper stopped midstep.
"Oh sure! Ari'Nacht will take good care of it."

Then, she 'trotted' up the aisle to the far left, scanning the shelves keenly for books of her particular current interest. It was hard to not be distracted by everything else that was offered there.
So much... so much.

"Thanks!" She put the egg down next to Ari and gave it a good rub on top before skipping over to the other end and started skimming. There really didn't seem like much order at all, but that seemed to make it more interesting to H.E., and she'd take one or two down to flip through just for fun.

Some of the covers she couldn't even read, the elegant symbols making her head hurt whenever she started looking at them. She gave those ones a glare and kept going, treating the books with broken spines and covers the cautiousness they deserved. Eventually a stack started forming in her arms, and she actually had to drop the books off in front of the eggs in order to go pick up some more books.

"Wah~ This Library's seems to have everything~!"

Piper returned from her search with a stack of books that went up past her nose. Tucked under her arm was her cane. Without it she limped along, until she plopped down in a clear space, gently releasing the books onto the floor to sort.

"This should keep me occupied, at least for a while." She looked through them all. Histories, atlases, anything she could find concerning the Jivvins.
All I need now is a few days and a really comfy chair."

"Amen to that." H.E. brought both of her stacks to where Piper was, though she didn't put them down just yet. "I saw some tables near the back. Wanna use those?"

"Surely." She hitched up her egg again, and gathered as many books as she could, this time needing her cane to walk.

With their Jivvins sitting by their sides, Halfling Elf and Piper spent all the rest of the day reading and researching, learning. Often, they would turn to the other, showing them some other bit that they had found.
Sometimes Piper would read out loud, silently to Ari'Nacht. She had heard that reading to infants was good for them, as well as playing them music. Mayhaps it would aid Ari, even though he was not even hatched yet.

It wasn't until the sun had begun to set that the two friends even got the notion to leave.

~FIN~