Welcome to Gaia! ::

A deep shadow fell over the courtyard, as the ship hovered over it.
Matasoga ushered everyone out, to spare them the trouble and confusion of going back in through the labyrinth. He said to Shandy "I'm going to get Ümadbro settled in with a tutor and his quarters and then see to getting him equipped. I'll be around later if you need me."
He then took Ümadbro and reentered the Guildhouse as the ship ascended back to its usual place.

Nana walked out into the courtyard in her new white dress, her wings against her skin again so they don't get caught on anything. Sitting in the gazebo, she closed her eyes and sang softly, trying to find some emotional clarity in the night.

After a time she went back to her room, working on scrubbing the walls free of handprints and organizing her room more to where she liked it.

Miles stalked up, quietly. He seemed to have lost any fear of her, familiar as he was with her. He sat before her, now, alert as ever, but unafraid, looking up to her in the dim light.

Kromli led the way over the widely spaced stepping stones set into the ground. He looked back regularly to make sure that Tinuviel was with him and didn't lose her way. There were other lights available but they were usually only illuminated for special occasions. Now the only light was from the clearly shining stars and moon above and the small lights set into the stepping stones.
They were on their way back from a midnight showing of an Xmas classic, so he asked her, "Did you enjoy the movie?"

"Of course!" he said. "I love that movie. I see it every year... But never at Halloween. I mean... Halloween ends within the first five minutes. No way is it a Halloween movie."
He stopped to admire the stars every few steps, while he talked to her. They shone very clearly, far from the light pollution of the rest of the city, though the lights of downtown were distantly visible in the horizon.

He noticed her shiver and stood closer to her.
"Would you like my cape?" he asked her, just before noticing that they were right in front of the door.
"I uh... I suppose you'd like to just... Warm up inside," he muttered, looking down, before beginning to open the grand door and gesture her into the vestibule, closing it behind them and enjoying the instant rush of the warm air and the faint smokey smell from the fires.

Shanderaa arrived in the courtyard, excitement about starting with her training having now turned to nervousness. During the night, doubts would randomly creep into her mind and nag at her. Maybe, she thought to herself, this would be harder than she had imagined it would be. Maybe she'd even completely suck at this! ...Oh no. What if she totally made a fool of herself in front of Kromli?! ...No. She tried to push all of her insecurities away. She was a queen now, and had better try to at least pretend to be dignified like one.

Trying to keep calm and not come across as an insufferable doofus, she approached the agreed meeting place. She spotted an array of battle-type items and her new teacher in the shadows, and tried to seem friendly as she approached. "Hey Kromli! I didn't keep you waiting too long, did I?" she asked with a warm smile.