Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Well, I won't say anything about that," Kaito quipped. "You are who you are. Just remember to ask someone about it once we get there."

The valley was much closer to the portal than the ranch was, and so it didn't take them long at all to get there. It was early evening, and Kaito took a moment to admire the setting sun as he and Lin headed towards the house of Adonai and Shael.

"I hope they don't mind unexpected visitors," Kaito murmured as he raised one fist to knock on the door.

"Hope so," Kaito murmured, rubbing his arms again as he waited for someone to answer his knock.

It was Adonai who answered the door this time, tall and dark as ever, and there was no surprise on his face when he saw who their visitors were. "Kaito," he smiled warmly, "Lin. Welcome. Come on in, we've been expecting you."

As he opened the door wider for them to enter, Kaito cast Lin a curious glance. How could he already have been expecting them?

Adonai chuckled softly. "Rhea likes to know who our visitors are," he winked at Lin. "And to tell the truth, in times like this, we like to know as well. However, she did not say why you were coming - I'm a bit surprised that you didn't come with your parents, Lin, to tell the truth."

Kaito stepped inside and took off his cloak. "We're here for training," he told Adonai. "Are Obaa-san and Ojii-san here?"

Adonai nodded, then smiled at the two. "Come on," he murmured, "join us for our meal. We'll explain everything there."

He held his hands out for their cloaks, and Kaito handed his over promptly.

Adonai took Lin's cloak and was about to hang up both of them when he saw the wings that were draped over her shoulders. He stared - he knew it was rude, but he couldn't help himself - and then he smiled and laughed softly. "You are indeed your mother's daughter," he murmured. "Come."

And with no further reaction, he motioned for Lin and Kaito to follow him into the dining room.

Shael reacted very much like Adonai did - a smile and a comment about how much like her parents Lin was turning out to be - and then she greeted Kaito as if nothing unusual had happened. They were all in the middle of their dinner, and without anyone saying anything to the effect, Shael got up and got some more dishes from the cupboards and set some places for Lin and Kaito.

Rhea giggled at Lin. "They're such pretty wings," she said warmly. "It must have been very unexpected. How did it happen?"

Kaito laughed at Senka's outburst. What an entrance!

Shael and Adonai stared at Senka in amazement, but Rhea squealed. "Ooohhh, you're so cute!" she exclaimed. "Whisper, come and see!"

There was a soft padding sound as Whisper, who had been resting in Adonai's study, came into the dining room. Her pale blue fur almost hid the white swirls that covered her body, but the crescent moon on her chest was clearly visible, as were the white tips of her folded wings. Her halo glittered in the evening light.

"Well well," she smiled softly, "it seems we have yet another interesting guest." She sat back on her haunches, then crouched down on all fours and looked closer at Senka. "What's your name?"

Whisper smiled and purred softly. "That's a pretty name," she murmured, sitting up again. "Welcome to Haven, Senka. This is your first visit here, isn't it? Have you met Saki yet?"

While the two cats were talking, Rhea was focusing on Lin. "Since you came here instead of going to the ranch first, I'm guessing that you didn't come with the intention of going on a hunt," she said warmly. "What brings you here?"