Welcome to Gaia! ::

Dragain steped into the HQ, Ingina in her arms. Ingina looked around curiously and blinked. She had never been here before and as Dragain carried her closer to two other girls, she started to get interested in the place. She watched as Dragain greeted them and sat her down beside.

~

Turel looked over at Kayin & fixed his gaze upon the child. Who was this? Turel pondered curiously & crawled onto his mothers lap.
Kohenkyo smiled & patted Ivy on the shoulder as she sat down.
"Very well indeed Ivy. Turel is learning fast & has already spoken his first two words." Kohenkyo replied proudly, sitting turel up.
"How about yourself? I see Kayin is rather bright eyed today." She said, looking at Kayin with a smile. Turel attempted to shuffle a little closer & sat now on the other side of his mother, next to Ivy. He looked up at Kayin & flapped his wings.

~

"Oh that's so cute, he's spoken already? Kayin's trying to... I think..." Looking Ivy noticed Dragain come in. This was somebody new. "Hi," she waved merrily and noticed Ingina in the woman's arms. "I'm Ivy. And who's this cutie?"

Kayin stared at the boy with some interest, he moved his wings and he had to admit that was pretty impressive. Turning to look at the new people he saw two of them and one of them had wings too... why didn't he have wings? He got a really funny feeling inside him as the gold haired one got closer... he didn't like this feeling... so he returned his attention to the other boy, he liked that feeling better.

~

Ingina looked at the two infants that are sitted next to their mothers. Suddenly, she felt left out and crawled over, her blue eyes staring at the other two infants. Dragain laughed and watched, not knowing what Ingina was thinking in her young mind.

~

Turel could sense great strength in the one before him & allies with strength was something he indeed craved. He reached out a hand to Kayin, noticing the angel out of the corndr of his eye. He glowered at her & looked at once back to Kayin. A servant of god....how irritating...

Kohenkyo smiled & nodded to Ivy & waved to Dragain. She knew her as one of the keepers at her refuge.
"Hello there Dragain." She smiled brightly & looked at the child in her arms. My my, what a pretty young lady you have there."

~

What was she doing?! Kayin eyed the girl wearily and resisted the urge to scoot away. He was a man, Keith said so, and men didn't scoot away from girls. The funny feeling inside him got stronger as she got closer. He really wanted to get away, but that only made him stay put. Then, noticing the other childs out stretched hand made a grab for it, happy for a way to back out while still seeming manly. He turned his face back to the girl and tried to hide the caution in his eyes.

Ivy observed how strange her son was acting but her attention was caught up by Ko and the new girl Dragain.

~

"Oh, hiya! This is Ingina... She's abit shy." Dragain said, giggling.
Ingina was puzzled at the way one of the Infants, the one with wings, was treating her. She dislikes being ignored. However, she liked the other two ladies - they had called her cute and pretty.

~

Turel pulled Kayin down to sit beside him. He was sure that this other felt it too! That horrible sense of dread! He looked to Kayin now, flapping his wings in an angry manner. He wanted to tell Kayin...but could not given his limited speach. Turel looked from the angel to Kayin & glowered, expressing his dislike.

Kohenkyo looked down at her child & smiled.
"Well Turel seems to like Kayin alright." She giggled & looked to Ingina.
"Who is this young lady then Dragain?"

~

"Ah well isn't she just sweet looking?" Ivy commented. A bit weary about having a female around Kayin, she didn't really want to know if the feminine touch was what hurt him, but she couldn't just pick him up and pull him away so she watched instead.

Kayin settled in his place near Turel and decided, yes he liked this one, with his flapping wings. But the other one, he didn't really dislike her, she just put the funny feeling in him. He almost felt bad for scampering out and didn't quite understand the other boys instant dislike. Maybe she put the funny feeling in him too. But you couldn't really tell that he liked anyone as his face was still set in his apprehensive stare. Still, he gestured to the other boy, at the girl as if to say, "Well what's wrong with her? There's obviously something wrong..."

~

Turel looked to his devilish wings & then to hers. Those lovely feathery wings....Turel looked upon them with a buning hatred. Why? He wasn't sure. But her prescence unsettled him greatly & set off fire in his soul. Turel did the same thing again, trying to get Kayin to see what she was. She was like Melanie!

Kohenkyo nodded.
"A pretty name for a lovely young lady." she replied, looking down at Turel.
"Aren't you going to say Hi Turel? Is something wring?" She asked him.

~

Dragain signed and said, a tone of sadness in her voice.
"Her name's Ingina. I guess she can be called a fallen angel. She's actually very mischievous... But you can't really tell can you?"

Ingina was feeling very irritated. She is being ignored by both of the infants present. Don't they like her? She sure don't, judging from the cold looks they were looking at her. She pouted and pulled Dragain's skirt. Determined to get some attention.

Dragain looked down at Ingina and wondered what was wrong. Realising that the other two Infants were cold towards Ingina, Dragain asked curiously,"Do Turel and Kayin have something against angels? Ingina seems abit loney..."

~

Oh! Maybe the boy was mad cause she had wings, maybe that made him feel not special. Well any idiot could see that they were very different wings. Kayin, still perplexed looked from the boy to the girl and back again. He wished he had wings... Now he felt bad though, his mamma had said to make friends, and he was with the boy he thought... but shouldn't he make friends with the girl? This was most annoying, and the reason why he liked it alone best.

Seeing the girl tug for her mamma he felt the little bad inside him grow... but the other boy wouldn't like him if he tried to make friends.

"ah, Kayin be nice to Ingina." Ivy said lightly as the girl tugged for her mother. She looked at the mother, "I don't know what it is, Kayin's very weary of females in general I think. She certainly doesn't look mischievious, and she has such beautiful wings."

~

Kohenkyo picked up Turel & placed him next to Ingina.
"Turel...be nice." Kohenkyo chided him.

Turel gave her a disdain ful look & then looked to Ingina. Best to please his mother, else she would not be so willing to serve. He held out a hand to Ingina, his expression blank. He figured that Kayin had not understood him, but wanted him to come & sit with him. This other TOR upset him much & Kayin had not made him feel so.

~

"Ingina's appearance is kind of misleading... Anyway, she is actually very trusting to her friends. I don't know, but I think that it's due to her past... Yes, her wings are pretty, aren't they? I do hope that Ingina will make her wings white again." Dragain said as Ingina kept tugging at her skirt.

Ingina glanced sideways at the other two infants again and decided that he did not like Turel. There is something about him... However, she found Kayin okay, and both of them are cute... So does the problem lies with her?

~

Kayin was okay when Truel had been wisked away. Being alone was okay, alone he didn't have the funny feeling. Imagine his anger when Ivy lifted him up to set him next to Turel and Ingina.

"Kayin sweetie, play nice with everyone."

How was he supposed to play nice with everyone when he had the funny feeling back... Still he followed Turel's example and held out his hand to the girl in a peace offering. It was okay to make friends if the other boy was trying, though he didn't look happy about it. Kayin wasn't happy about the entire situation, too many people, one of which put the funny feeling in him, and already he wasn't feeling manly.

"Oh, I don't know much about Kayin's past at all." Ivy felt kinda dunced since she didn't.

~

Turel raised an eyebrow. Rebuked? No matter. Angels would only cause him trouble. Something about angels.....& god. Turel looked to Ingina, giving her the impression that if she was bored with him, he could quite easily wriggle back to his mother. He would make friends & be good.....if she would like.

Kohenkyo nodded & looked at Turel warily.
"I think he irks her." Kohenkyo observed, pointing to her son & noting Ingina's air of dislike.

~

Ingina took Turel's hand and smiled. A weird feeling in her. However, glad that she had made a new friend, she stopped tugging Dragain's skirt and focused her attention on Turel. She looked over his shoulder and glanced at Kayin. She flapped her own wings and looked at Turel's devil wings. She found them cool actually. She resisted an urge to touch them and wondered what they were thinking.

~

Kayin wondered why the girl only touched Turel while he was there with his hand out. Maybe she didn't like him and that's what put the funny feeling there. He wasn't aware that he'd made anyone mad, besides his stupid sister. Maybe it was cause he didn't have wings like Turel... He'd ask his mother (or try to) why he didn't have wings...

~

Turel shook her hand. Something about her made him inclined to be less angry & he managed a slight smile. What had that awful feeling been? He flapped his wings & gestured to her own. They looked soft...very soft. He extended a little wing to her. Would she like to touch it? He looked to Kayin & put on a grin. He could be good if he tried. He wanted Kayin to be encouraged.

Kohenkyo smiled & watched them, looking to the others proudly.
"Well aren't they a picture." She giggles proudly.
"So very sweet!"

~

Ingina looked at both infants sitting in front of her, wondering what to do. Both of them seemed so distant... All she had wanted to do was make friends. Kayin seems scared of her, while Turel looked kind of bored. Ingina started to stared at both infants, making no move to touch them. They called her an angel, but she knew that it isn't totally true. She can feel it, but she know nothing of her past.

"I have to go now. Come on Ingina..." Dragain whispered. She lifted Ingina up and stood up. "Goodbye... I will come back tomorrow. I think it'll do Ingina good to have some friends!" With that, she walked out, Ingina waving, presumly goodbye.

Dragain walked into the HQ, Ingina in her arms. She saw Ivy whom she had met last night, and a new guy. She walked over, and gave a cheerful smile. "Hiya! I've brought Ingina back... She seems to like it here." Dragain said as she placed Ingina down beside Kayin.
Ingina remembered Kayin from last night and decided to approach him first. As for the other infant, she liked his hair, but wondered why she received no responce from him.

~

"Oh well, I guess that's just normal behavior between siblings. But someday, they'll be gald that they have eachother." Gabo spoke softly, keeping on eye on Storm..That boy was so unpredicible at times. The half demon noded at Ivy's comment. "Maybe.." Gabo's waved suddenly as another appeared in the HQ, an unfamilliar but friendly face. "Hey." He greeted with a wave.
Storm's body moved like a limp rag doll, Kayin's nudge causing him to lean slightly off balanced to the side. The boy's eyes took their attention from the floor, meeting that of the other boys. As the moments passed, nothing but scilence came from Storm, the boy taking joy at just studying the other infront of him quietly.

~

Happy that he'd got the childs attention Kayin was still a little peturbed at the odd mannerism the boy had. Well... people would be what they were. Kayin felt Ingina before he actually noticed she was there. The funny feeling came back and he looked over at her. This time he'd be a man... As she came nearer to him he held out his hand in a peace offering, ignoring the feeling. Maybe he'd introduce her to the other child.
"Hi Dragain!" Ivy waved cheerfully. She scooted a bit on the couch so the girl could sit down. "Nice to see you again. This is Gabo." She said gesturing at the boy. Ivy was pleased that there were so many people.

~

Kohenkyo skipped into HQ, her mood greatly lifted when compared with the day before. She had dressed Turel smartly & lo & behold...the child was smiling! Actually smiling without a trace or hint of hate on his eyes! She slowed to a bouncy walk & skittered over to Ivy. "Hello there Ivy! How are you this morning?" Kohenkyo asked, bringing round another child that had been following her, this one VERY different to any TOR. The little girl dressed in a pretty red dress had raven black hair to her waist, bright yellow eyes & a resemblance to a white lion tamarin. She waved to Ivy, following her mothers example.

~

Ivy smiled as Ko sailed in with Turel and someone else in tow. "Hey Ko, how's it? You seem in bright spirits today." There were so many people coming in and out. Ivy smiled down at the girl, "And who might this be?"
Kayin took his attention from Ingina and spotted Turel. He almost smiled but it didn't quite reach his face but he did wave. He was beginning to feel a bit cramped, there were too many people here, but he was glad that the boy from before was back.

~

Kohenkyo sat beside a little way from Ivy & placed Turel a little way from Kayin. She smiled brightly to Ivy & gestured to the little girl with her. "This is Melanie. She's a Zephirae angel." Kohenkyo replied. "The first of my adoptees." Kohenkyo adds with a giggle. Mel giggles also, looking over to Ivy & curtseying. "Mama has too many Miss Hawthorn." The little girl says with a smile. Kohenkyo gives her a gentle poke. "You cheeky thing you, one can never have too many." Kohenkyo replies fondly, turning back to Ivy. "How is Kayin today?"
Turel waved to Kayin & smiled, looking about himself. He didn't feel all that crowded. He looked to Kayin, wondering if the child was keeping the ball he had given him nicely.

~

Gabo grinned excitedly as Kohenkyo walked into the HQ, and he offered her a very friendly wave. "Hey, Koh! Long time no see." The half demon's eyes fell apon Turel, a very strange but charming boy that he had yet to lay eyes on until now.
Storm continued to stare at Kayin, even though it was apparent the boy's mind was elsewhere at the moment. He didn't seem to notice the other children gathering around, nor the grown ones talking up above.

~

Ivy smiled at the young girl, "Well it's lovely to meet you Melanie. Your mamma's right though, one can never have too many." Ivy returned her gaze to Ko, "Oh, he's doing just fine, he's met so many new people in these last two days. But he seems to like your boy a lot, he showed me the stone that Turel gave him. He's quite pleased with it."
Kayin reached into his pocket and pulled out the stone that Turel had given him, showing that it was still safe. Reaching into the pocket again, he produced a little medallion about the size of a quarter with pretty designs etched into it. Keith had gave it to him so he could give it to Turel and he felt quite proud of himself. Offering it to Turel, he nodded.

~

Kohenkyo waved to Gabo & looked from Turel to Ivy again. "They seems to get along well enough." the dragonwolf smiled & patted Melanie on the head. "Turel & this one here made up this morning for their misgivings about eachother, so it shows how used to others he's getting." She added in a contented tone. Melanie nodded & clambered into her mothers lap, she recognised Gabo as Kenji's keeper. "Hello Mr Gabo Sir!" the zephirae hailed him loudly & in a rather giggly manner.
Turel accepted the medallion gratefully & marvelled over it. This would be one thing that he would NOT break! He held it out to his mother who smiled & put it round his neck. Turel grinned broadly & then looked over at storm. The pinkish purple hair of this youngster piquied his interest straight away!
Kohenkyo giggled & caught Ivy's attention. "Peace offerings already." She smiled fondly.

~

"I think it's sweet that they're making friends. It's Kayin's first friend... well if you don't count my dopey brother and the guy we live with." Ivy smiled at Melanie again, "I'm glad you and Turel made up, it's nice when siblings can get along." She nodded sagely and the turned back to Ko, "I sure wish that Kayin and Iralia would make up already."
Kayin was delighted that the boy accepted the gift and mentally noted he should do something good for Keith as a thank you. Letting a rare smile cross his lips, Kayin placed the stone back into his pocket. He'd been really careful not to break it, the way he'd broken one of mamma's ear rings.

~

"Hi Ko!" Dragain said with a smile.
Ingina kept looking at all the other infants and suddenly felt very left out. She sighed and pouted, hoping that would catch their attention.

~

Remembering that he wanted to be manly, Kayin, again, reached out his hand to Ingina. Inviting her to come over and sit near them. He almost wished he'd brought something nice to give her... but he didn't really know her yet, and she still gave him the funny feeling...

~

Ingina was delighted that Kayin had at least warmed up to her. She accepted his invitation and nurged closer to him. Then, she held his hand and smiled brightly at him. Then, she made a note to herself that she ought to give him a gift of friendship.

~

Turel did likewise, holding out his hand along with kayin to encourage Ingina over to them.
Kohenkyo waved to Dragain & sat Melanie on her lap. Melanie nodded to Ivy & smiled. "It was for the best that we make up, else everyone else would indeed be sad & uncomfortable." She stated in the sage manner that children usually do when they are being serious.

~

Kayin was glad that the girl and him could be friends... until...
Pain shot straight through her grip right into his heart. His eyes went large for a moment and all there was, was the blinding pain. Then he started screaming, his scar blistering and reddening. He quickly yanked his hand away and curled into a ball. In the distant back of his head he could hear a woman screaming and a man laughing.
"Oh, my god!" Ivy swooped down to scoop Kayin up. "Baby, baby, it's okay." She looked at Ko, Gabo, and Dragain, "Sorry, this only confirms it. Geez... how absent minded of me... Kayin can't touch girls, it makes his scar burn every time. It happened with me the first time, and it's still happening with his sister." She rocked him in her arms and patted his back.
The pain was burning, right over his heart, and the screaming continued inside his head.

~

"Hello, Melanie. It's nice to see you again." Gabo chuckled to himself quietly, what a sweet girl she was. The half demon sighed suddenly, glancing down at Storm. The poor boy couldn't be much fun to the others, consitering he was a livly as a tree stump. Though maybe if he surrounded himself with others from time to time he would begin to snap out of it a bit. Gabo consitered picking the boy up and away from the other children, but he seemed to be doing fine on his own.

~

Ingina smiled even more. She really liked her new friends and decided that she would bring two over the next time Mama brought her in. Giggling, she tried to sit herself in between Turel and Kayin, feeling weird that she is the only female around.
Ingina remembered about the promise she made to herself the last time she left, and offered for Turel to touch her wings. She smiled and pointed at her wings, hoping that he would understand.

~

Kohenkyo jumped up worriedly, letting Kayin have space. "Is he alright Ivy?!" Ko exclaimed. Melanie let out a frightened squeak & hid behind her mother.
Turel looked horrified! What was wrong, he looked confusedly from Kayin to Ingina. Something was indeed wrong...but what was it! He settled his gaze on Kayin & let out a whimper. His friend....Kayin was hurting. He looked to his mother imploringly.
Kohenkyo went over & picked him up, shushing him & then setting him by storm to allow Kayin some space. Turel curled his wings around himself.

~

Ingina was really upset. There was something up with Kayin, the really nice boy. She looked at him, teary eyed, as his Mommy picked him up. She can understand abit of the adult's talking, and was sure that his pain was her fault. Tears ran down her cheeks as she started crying, mad at herself and sad for Kayin.
"Oh dear! Ingina!" Dragain said, getting worried. "I'm sorry Ivy... Ingina, come her." Dragain picked Ingina up and craddled her, whispering comforting words. Dragain stroked Ingina's hair, and Ingina's crying slowly stopped.
Ingina wipped her eyes, still feeling bad about Kayin. She refused to release her grip on Mama and remaided slient.

~

Kayin had settled down into a few fitful sobs but curled against his mother. He had enough thought to be mad that he'd come across so weak to his friends and hoped that he didn't look like a wimp. Still, the scar was already beginning to not hurt as bad and settled into a low throb.
"Oh, dear, my baby boy, it's okay." Ivy gave an apologetic look to everyone in the room. "I'm really sorry about all this, I wasn't sure, I am now. It has to do with his past I'm sure, but he really can't touch girls, they give him a lot of pain. With one hand she reached into her purse and brought out some ointment. Spreading it on his scar she let it do it's effects.
Kayin struggled against his mother while she applied the medicine but finally accepted it. It was cooling his scar down and his sobs ceased. He had to be brave and strong... He looked at her his eyes still a little red from the screaming. Pointing at the ground he announced he was ready to be put down.
He looked at Ingina in her mom's arms and felt bad that she was crying. Furrowing his brow, it didn't really make sense, but he put on a rare smile for her and waved as if to say it was alright... it wasn't though... he wasn't going to touch her again...

~

Turel wriggled, demanding that he be allowed back over to his friend. Kohenkyo went & picked him up, bringing him back to Kayin's side. Turel spread a wing & put it round him protectively. He looked to Ingina & waved the other wing to her.
Mel came out from her hiding place behind one of the sofas & sat back down. "Is Kayin alright Miss Hawthorn?" She asked quietly. Kohenkyo watched worriedly, wondering what on earth would cause Kayin to have reacted in such a manner.

~

Kayin made it a point not to hiccup into sobs again. Men didn't cry in public, nor did they make women cry and he still felt bad about Ingina crying. But having Turel put his wing around him really made him feel somewhat better. A sense of kinship was there and it helped him be more steady.
"Oh, Melanie," Ivy felt bad that the girl had seen the outburst, "He'll be okay sweetie, it's just..." she tried thinking of an easy way to explain it, when nothing came to mind, she said the first thing that came to mind, "He's allergic to girls. Except for me." Damning herself for not thinking of something better she nodded as if to assure herself.

~

Ingina looked at Kayin. She can feel Kayin's pain, and she hated that feeling. She was sure Kayin was just putting on a brave font. She let herself be placed on the floor, and sat opposite Kayin. She did not dare to touch him again. Glancing at Kayin, she was sure he felt the same way.
Ingina remembered that one of her wing feathers had dropped out the other day, and it was with Mama. She tugged at Mama's skirt and pointed at one of her wings. She hoped Mama will understand what she wants.
Dragain smiled at Ingina, pondering for a while before finally understanding what ingina wants. From a pocket, Dragain took out one of Ingina's wing feathers. "Here you go, Ingina." she said.
Ingina took the feather and offered it to Kayin. Her eyes pleaded. Can you accept this? She waited for Kayin's responce.

~

Melanie shook her head & smiled. "Its ok Mrs Hawthorn......Turel cries like that...so I'm used to it." Mel replied, her tone trying to be as bright & chirrupy as possible. Kohenkyo patted Ivy. "I'm sure it will go with time." She said comfortingly.
Turel watched Kayin like a hawk, looking back to Ingina every so often.

~

Kayin watched as Ingina sat across from him, in not a little wearily. He would be strong cause that's what he was supposed to be. She didn't look like she was doing too well either and if he caused her pain... well he felt bad about that. Still, when she held out the feather to him, he wasn't sure what would happen if he took it. "Men accept gifts when they're given and say 'Thank you,'" that's what Keith had told him and he was a man.
Reaching out he gripped the end of the feather and was desperate with relief when all he felt was the softness of it. Smiling and nodding at her he tried to say thank you, but it came out more, "Thk oo." He would need to get her something pretty. Still he retreated back to Turel.
Despite the situation, Ivy beamed at how well mannered her son was being. "I hope it goes with time too Melanie."

~

Turel held out his wing again to Ingina again as he had done last time they met. It was his kind of odd handshake. He kept his wing about Kayin still, reluctant to take it away.
Melanie nodded & sat down by her mother, who was trying very much to calm down. Despite her often bouncy attitude, she did get rather upset by people being hurt.

~

"It'll be okay Ko." Ivy felt the tension from the woman. "I just no to keep a better watch on him now." Letting herself fall into the couch. "Too much excitement for me." Ivy mentally kicked herself for letting it happen, she'd had the idea that it was bad for Kayin to touch females... but she hadn't guarded him against it. Negligence did not have it's place in parenthood.

~

Ingina was relieved that Kayin had accepted her gift and watched as he retreated back to Turel's side. She had expected it, but felt happy anyway. She wondered what had caused the other infants to be cold to her when the only one should be Kayin.

~

Kayin was actually rather taken with the feather, it was pretty and kind of glossy. If he got her something nice, and he had a reliable source that said girls liked pretty things, maybe they could still be friends. Friends who didn't touch... He nudged Turel and gestured the feather and pointed at her, saying it's okay.

~

Turel petted the feather & nodded, giving Ingina a smile & offering her his free wing again as a truce. He could sense that she thought he was indeed being cold...but he was trying his hardest.
Kohenkyo nodded & calmed herself a little. "& I thought Turel's nightmarish turns were bad." She chuckled to herself & cuddled Melanie. Melanie watched Turel curiously.

~

Ivy let out half a laugh, "It really doesn't happen often at all. I think he'll get it soon that it's not just his sister that causes the pain but all girls. It normally doesn't last long either. He seems fine now, but I'll still re-apply ointment to his scar when we get home." Ivy looked down at the children and how Turel had his wing around Kayin. "It's sweet, the way Turel wants to shelter Kayin."
Knowing that putting the feather in his pocket would ruin it, Kayin stuck it behind his ear, the way you would a pencil.

~

Kohenkyo watched her son & nodded in agreement with Ivy. "Indeed....it looks like something from their pasts might make them kindred spirits." She giggles girlishly, watching her little Turel. Melanie smiles & watches her younger brother, very much intrigued by Ingina, whom she suspected to be an agel like herself, maybe not a zephirae...but an angel none the less.
Turel sat & waited to see how Ingina would take to his handshake.

~

Ingina reached out and touched Turel's wing. They felt so leathery and rubbery. They are so cool! She offered him one of her wings to touch and decided that he is nice too.

~

Ivy smiled, "I wish I knew more about Kayin's past... but I hardly know a thing." Still it warmed her heart to watch Kayin make friends with other kids his age.
Kayin was happy that he, Turel, and Ingina could get along. He'd leave the physical communication to Turel and just use motioning.

~

Turel smiled & reached forward, careful not to catch his sharp wing talons on Kayin. He petted the soft, downy wings of Ingina & let out a small noise that basically meant the softness pleased him. He looked at his own & felt ever so slightly odd & looked rather ashamed for a few seconds afore masking it with a smile. He looked again to Kayin, smiling to show that he was being friendly.
"Oh would you look at that." She smiled & pointed to Turel, Kayin & Ingina, Turel & Ingina exchanging friendly gestures with Kayin tucked into Turel's wing. "Thats the nicest I've seen him yet." Kohenkyo remarks proudly. Mel lets out a happy giggle.

~

Kayin smiled again, and it was becoming easier, everything was going to be okay. He was still a man, Turel was now his closest friend, and he hadn't totally damaged his budding friendship with Ingina. The pain over his heart was almost like a forgotten memory and all was okay.
"They're so cute." Ivy's heart softened looking at them. "And this is the most I've ever seen Kayin smile. He's usually so solitary." A little thought popped into her head, "I bet they cause all sorts of trouble as they grow..."

~

"Well, Ingina is mischeivous... It's just that she looks so innocent, dosen't she?" Dragain said with a laugh. "I hope that they grow up behaving themselves... Now... What are the chances of that happening?"
Ingina was sure Turel liked her wings as much as she liked his. She liked both Kayin and Turel! She flapped her wings lightly and giggled cheerfully.

~

Kohenkyo let out a chuckle & nodded. "Call it intuition, but I have a feeling that those three will definately be as thick as theives throughout their lives." The dragonwolf says with a little tilt of her head, nodding to Ivy. "You might be right."
Turel patted Kayin & looked to him in a manner as if asking whether the pain had gone. He took his other hand from Ingina's wing & gave her a broad grin.

~

"Oh, they'll behave alright... while we're watching." Ivy laughed and looked over at the children. "Kayin has a slight ego... if someone puts him up for a dare, or a challenge, most likely he'll take it. It doesn't matter what type of trouble they get in though, as long as they stay friends."
Kayin, understanding Turel, pointed at his scar which was back to normal and shrugged his shoulder as if to say, "it just left." He looked at Ingina and then at Turel and realized that he felt a since of belonging, for the first time. It was a good feeling.

~

Ingina listened to the adults talking. She picked out some words which she recognised and had a funny feeling that the adults were talking about them. She looked at her new friends and smiled happily. If only she could talk. She wanted to tell her friends that she really liked them...
"They look so sweet together... I bet they would want to meet the others." Dragain said, grining happily.

~

Turel felt strangely safe with these three. Prehaps it was because he had met them before once already, or maybe it was something more potent than that. He smiled & nodded to Kayin & let out a relieved sigh, turning back to Ingina to see what she was doing. She had fallen rather quiet.
Kohenkyo nodded in agreement with Ivy, hoping that Turel would indeed be able to keep friends throughout his life, rather than pushing them away.

~

"I'm sure they will meet the others sometime." Ivy said, looking down at her watch. "Well it's been fun Ko, Dragain, Melanie, but it's time for me and Kayin to head. out." Ivy looked down at her son and felt bad for tearing him away. "Kayin sweetie, time say bye bye."
Knowing that familiar phrase, Kayin smiled at his two friends and waved to them as he got up and was swept away by his mother. Over her shoulder he peeked up and waved again.

~

Ingina wanted so much to hug her friends, but she felt weird about hugging without permission, and was afraid that she might hurt Kayin if she touched him again. She took out her drawing book and offered it to Turel and Kayin. She love to scribble in that book and would like them to doodle inside too.

Dragain saw what Ingina was doing and said,"Ingina wants the boys to draw in her drawing book. How about keeping it for a day? I have to go now, so Ingina will be back for her book tomorrow!" Then, she carried Ingina up as Ingina waved goodbye to Turel, Kayin and their Mothers.

Ingina hoped that they draw in her book. She want that from them, to keep forever.

Ingina placed all the gifts she had received from all her friends in the HQ on the table top. There was the shiny black pen with gold designs from Seth, the untrusted boy. The beautiful pink hairclip from Turel that she love so much, she refuses to take it off until now.

She smiled and clipped the hairclip back into place. She eyed the pen and wondered if Seth deserves a gift back. She had something in mind. From what she knows from their last meeting, she had picked up something about Seth - He loves shiny and pretty things.

Dragain walked into the room and saw Ingina pondering on the tabletop. Ingina spends most of her time in the playroom. It has became her personnal room, and she doesn't allow any strangers in.

Dragain held out a beautifully decorated box, with designs of swirls and wave-like patterns. It is gold coloured, with hints of sliver, blue and white. Ingina looked as Dragain gave it to her.

"I bought it for you... You can put all your gifts in here!" She piped. "And it's pretty too!" Ingina took the box. It felt heavy, and cool to the touch. She opened it and placed the pen into the box. The hairclip is still in her hair, and the necklace around her neck. They have became too precious to take off.

She opened her drawing book as Dragain left the room, smiling to herself. There was her own drawing, Turel's drawing then Kayin's drawing. She hugged the book and put it into the drawer along with the box. She grinned, satisfied at herself for being neat. Next, she is determined to learn some words.

I brought the sleeping Karimaru into Ingina's room and placed him on the bed next to Ingina's. Then, I went to off the lights.

I have made up my mind. Tomorrow, I'm going to introduce Ingina to his step-brother. I hope that they can get along well... As their caretaker, or mother, I hope that they will help each other in times of need. Their characters are quite different, with Ingina as the more understanding one, and Karimaru as one who is more serious and smart.

If they do get along, maybe this burden of mine will lessen, and they will grow up happiler and as better individues.

I smiled and got into bed. As my eye-lids fell, I wondered what their reaction will be next morning, when they wake up. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, with this thought in my mind...

Dragain sped into the HQ, laughing away madly with Ingina on her back. Ingina was also laughing and as Dragain sat her down on the floor, she smiled up at her. Dragain laid back on the comfy sofa and waited, hoping that someone will drop by soon.

~

Astraea approached the building nervously, wondering what lay instore for her. Resting firmly against her hip was young girl she had come to name Lorelei. After the strange circumstances in which she had became the guardian of the fiery haired infant, she had learned much about what exactly the girl was and had been quick the learn that there were other children in the same situation. It was her thirst to know more, as well as her desire for her daughter to meet other such as herself that she had come.

Pushing the door open only enough for her to slip inside, she made her way toward the lounges that first captured her attention. Her jade gaze was quick to come to rest upon another woman and a young girl. Quietly she made her way over to the woman. "Is this seat taken?" she asked, indicating to the vacant seat beside the other woman.

From her perch Lorelei watched the other girl curiously, quick to notice the wings upon her back. Wanting to investigate further she squirmed in her mothers arms, until she was set gently upon the ground.

~

Pave walked into the HQ with Mosrael on her shoulders. He ducked when they entered, so as not to hit his head on the doorframe. Pave looked around and saw two new people. She pulled Mos off and set his down, holding his hand as they walked to the new girls.
"Hi there!"

Mos could see a pair of...somethings. What were these new things, were they as friendly as Storm?

~

Dragain looked at the new woman that had just entered and replied, "Take a seat! I'm Dragain, but feel free to call me Dra." Upon spotting the female infant in her arms, Dragain smiled warmly and nodded. "You have a beautiful child. May I ask for both your names?"

Ingina looked at the young Infant. A new girl! That means that she may have a new friend soon...

~

Dragain saw another pair of mother and child, and thought happily, Today's going to be lively!" Dragain made space on the sofa for all three of them and introduced herself again.

Ingina moved towards the new boy and held out a hand to him. "Her-lo" She managed to say as she beckoned him forward. Then, she turned to the new girl and held out her other hand, hoping that they can sit together and make friends.

~

Astraea smiled warmly at the other woman. "My name is Astraea" she replied brightly, "and this little lady is Lorelei".

At the mention of her name, Lorelei turned to grin widely at her mother before turning back to the winged girl before her. Placing her hands upon her chest, she became thoughtful for a moment. "Or" she said matter-of-factly, trying her best to introduce herself.

Not having noticed the other child before, Astraea smiled at her before turning her attention back to Dragain. "I could say the same about you golden-haired babe" she replied still smiling. Hearing another voice behind her, Astraea turned to see another woman. "Hello" she called back to her.

~

"Well, we've really got a party here, eh? I'm Pave, this little boy is Mosrael, but everyone calls him Mos." Pave smiled and sat down on the couch.

Mos didn't react to his own name, prefering instead to stare emptily at the girls. Lorelei and Ingina? Those were odd. Where was Storm? Now he looked up to his mother questioningly. She didn't notice, so he turned his attention back to the girls. One of them had her hand out, as he had had for Storm. He grasped her hand and looked at her. There was something on her back. Wings!

~

Dragain grinned and said, "Yes. There is quite a party tonight! Thanks Astraea!"

Ingina smiled when the one the adults called Mos gripped her hand. She felt so happy, and warm inside. Lorelei was really nice too, and Ingina smiled at her, beckoning her to come closer to Mos and her.

~

"I'm Astraea and the little red-head is Lorelei" she replied, introducing herself to Pave. Scooting over in her seat, she patted the empty seat beside her, indicating that Pave should join them.

Satisfied somewhat with her introduction, Lorelei followed the path made by Ingina's out-stretched hand. A small frowned creased her lips as she noticed another hand and the end of hers. Raising her green eyes, she was surprised to see a raven-haired boy attached to the end. Smiling at him she mimicked the same movements she had used with Ingina. "Or" she enthused, shuffling closer to the pair.

~

"Hello." Pave watched the children interact. "They're so cute, aren't they?"

The girl without wings, Lorelei, had said "Or." What was that supposed to mean? She was coming closer and Mos could see that she was nice. He held out his hand to her. Would she take it? The girl with wings, Ingina, was still holding on to Mos's hand, but he didn't feel that connection like he had with Storm.

~

Ingina grinned happily. She flapped her wings a little and placed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She wondered what they could do next. It's boring to just sit there. Then, a sensation, like a thought of some sort, ran through her brain. 'Mos... Lambs...' The thoughts seem to whisper in her mind. Then, the feeling went away as sudden as it had came.

Ingina shook her head. It wasn't the first time, and it won't be the last. She strecked out a wing to Mos, seemingly wanting him to have a feel. She looked at Lorelei and did the same.

~

Noticing the Mos's other hand was extended toward her, she cocked her head slightly almost as if she were examining it. Satisfied that is had passed her inspection, she nodded curtly before placing her hand into his.

Astraea nodded, smiling to herself as she watched the children. "Do they stay like that no matter how old they get?" she asked, still being new to raising children and with all her current children still being mere babes-in-arms.

~

Mos saw that Ingina was holding out her wing to him. He felt the overwhelming urge to take hold of it. He let go of Ingina's hand and felt the feathers of her wing under his soft fingers. They were smooth and dark. He could feel some sort of energy coursing through them. He almost pulled his hand away.

"He likes her wings, I believe." Pave observed. "Mos, careful on those wings, okay?" He looked to her and back at the wing in his hand and nodded.

~

Dragain smiled again and said, "Children all grow up." Then, looking at the children playing and holding hands, she continued, "Although Ingina was always be my little girl..."

Ingina was delighted! They had made a little circle by linking hands. She would have been happiler if Mama haden't decided to scoop her up at that time. She pouted and struggled, but Mama just smiled at her.

"I have to go now, Karimaru's alone at home. He's her step-brother." Dragain said. Ingina peeped over her Mama's shoulders and waved goodbye.