Welcome to Gaia! ::

River giggled and shifted her grip on Andarien again. He was getting quite heavy for her ...

"So it's settled," she grinned as they reached the banquet hall. It was a different hall from the one where they usually ate: it was easily six times the size, set up so that the tables were in a U-shape. In the middle was a large, polished hardwood floor, a stage opposite the head table. It was decorated in crimson and gold, the colours of the Westland monarchy, and above the head table an enormous banner hung, taking up nearly the entire wall, bright crimson, bordered with gold, a golden griffin in the middle of it.

"Wow," River breathed, her eyes growing wide as she looked around. Even the chairs were plush, covered with crimson velvet. The tablecloth was crimson as well, and each place setting had a golden place mat.

"It looks like we're a bit early," Leyenda commented, glancing at the stage. "Aunt Amalthea mentioned something about musicians but they don't seem to be here yet."

Leyenda giggled at the look on Miyuki's face. "Yes. It's quite common when royalty have special guests at a banquet. I'm looking forward to it, really. I love music."

It was rare to hear music, especially good music, and it was something she always enjoyed.

She slipped her hand out of her son's and moved to sit down. "I suppose we just have to wait, then."

River shifted Andarien again, and the boy frowned at her as if asking her why she couldn't hold him still. "Let's go wait by the entrance hall, Miyuki," she suggested. "Then we can meet Jess and his family when they arrive." She smiled widely. "I'm looking forward to meeting his mother!"

With how much they'd played with Jess during the past two weeks, and visiting his father's shop a few times, they had only seen Jasta twice more, and had yet to meet their mother.

River looked down at Andarien, who was pouting up at her.

"Maybe we could let him walk," she suggested. "I mean, from here. We don't have to worry about the stairs anymore, we're on the main floor now."

She knelt down slowly, careful not to wrinkle her dress or to let Andarien step on it, and put the boy on the floor, still holding one of his hands. Andarien broke into a huge smile immediately, and looked up at Miyuki, his violet eyes shining brightly. "Mi!" he said, holding his other hand up to her.

River giggled. "Maybe we should both hold one of his hands, he might be a bit more stable that way."

As they made their way slowly towards the entrance hall, Andarien toddled along between the girls, chattering happily.

"Mi, Wivah, Ada, Nana," he said happily. "Up'taiahs, up, up, Ada, Nana, Mi ..."

River giggled. "He's really starting to talk a lot," she commented to Miyuki, switching back to Common Elvish out of habit - and because Andarien was speaking it.

"I think he's just happy to be walking again," River giggled. "I don't think he likes being carried all the time."

Andarien just kept babbling to himself, content as things were.

As they approached the entrance hall, there were footsteps on the stairs above them, along with the tap-tap-tap of a staff. It was Aethos, leading Alassëa carefully down the marble steps, making sure to keep her away from the unguarded edge.

Alassëa had some more new clothes as well, something that seemed to be standard for everyone on this occasion. Her dress was a deep hunter's green with golden trim, and she was even wearing jewelry: an emerald necklace set in gold, with matching earring that dangled from her lobes. Her misty eyes, though unfocused, were warm. She showed no particular excitement for the evening, though she was quite content and calm.

"Good evening, girls," Alassëa greeted Miyuki and River as she and Aethos reached the main floor. "Are you looking forward to dinner tonight?"

Alassëa's smile widened. "I'm very much looking forward to meeting all of them," she said sincerely. "I've heard so much about them, I feel as though I know them already."

River blushed slightly. She knew it was because she had prattled on about them, especially Jess, nearly nonstop.

Aethos chuckled at the look on her face. "Well, we won't get in your way," he grinned at her. "We'll be waiting in the banquet hall with the others. Just remember, you do have to introduce them the moment you all set foot in the banquet hall."

"I know," River giggled. "We'll see you there."

"Later," Aethos replied as he ushered Alassëa away.

Andarien tugged on River and Miyuki's hands, trying to walk towards the stairs. "Up'taiahs!" he said insistently. "Nana, Ada, up'taiahs!"

River planted her feet. "No, Andarien, you're too little for the stairs," she said firmly. "Especially since there's no railing!"

Earendil and Lin were indeed ready at the moment, and heading toward the stairs to head down. They weren't the only ones either: Leilani and Aric had joined them, with Remiel in tow, and Alena and Elros, Shiloh in Elros's arms, were not far behind.