Welcome to Gaia! ::

Grumbling under her breath Amelie struggled with the blankets that she had managed to get herself tangled up in while she slept. Sure she was normally perky, or at the least she was pleasant. But after volunteering her services to help move everyone's luggage into the villa and a bought of fitful sleeping she wasn't at her best. She knew voices had woken her, which meant that it was morning for the rest of the world.

Groaning unhappily she rolled out of bed, letting her feet hit the ground first. Taking light steps she moved to her bag and began to dig through it as she listened to the voices out in the hallway. Maybe she'd get a nap in when they went down to the beach. She hadn't minded staying at the library, the cold and the wet suited her. But she did like the idea of going someplace else for a little while. She could use the sun, she was starting to get a little pale.

Pulling on a pair of jeans she moved for the door. She could change out of her baddy sleeping shirt after breakfast. Letting out a yawn she ducked her head out, her dark hair a tangle around her bronze cirlet and bags under her brright green eyes.

"Did someone say food?"

The cubs had finished eating and Cloudchaser worked to round them all up carefully. They tussled and rumbled with excitement around his feet as he sighed patiently. It didn't take them long to join in the very same chorus Parvarti began. They were just as eager to get to the beach and swim as she was. Even Farclimber, still having difficulty with speaking, was tugging urgently on poor Cloudchaser's tail with his sharp cub teeth. The eldest gave her an imploring and hopeful look.

Ilia giggled softly at her friend and the young cubs bouncing around. It was impossible to guess who had the most energy out of the lot. She rolled her eyes and shrugged over-dramatically.
"Well... I guess we could go. I should probably wait for Daddy and Mama, but I don't think they'll mind." she grinned, drawing it out just to tease them a little. She wandered over to the pantry and dragged out a cool box, shouldering it as easily as if it were no more than a pack of sandwiches, though it contained enough various drinks to suit the youngest clan members for a very long time. A small hamper she pulled under one arm contained snacks. Finally she threw a large beachtowel over one shoulder.

"Lady Aya, I have left a large beach parasol beside the little outbuilding by the gate. I figured you might like it." she grinned, wading into the pool of cubs and waiting patiently for them to organise themselves. "Come on Parvarti! Let's get a good spot!" she grinned, stumbling towards the door with the cubs and Cloudchaser in tow and waiting for her friend to catch up as she paused to look back into the kitchen cheerfully. The beach was visible from the gate and it would take just a couple of minutes to walk there.

Guyy turned and looked back at Amelie with a grin and a wave. It looked like she had been woken by the noise in the hallway. She was still in her sleeping clothes and he had to guess she had just dragged herself out of the comforts of her bed.
"Morning!" he greeted far too cheerfully. "We're just heading down there now if you want to tag along too."

He turned his rubies down on Kaori as he unexpectedly (but not unwelcomingly) received a kiss on his cheek. A small reward for the effort he was putting in not to kill Raven. Promises were promises after all, and he was doing his best to keep every shred of possible stress away from his beloved for the time being. "Oh. My pleasure." he murmured softly into her ear.

Jack blinked between them all. It was a delight to see them almost being civil with one another. He still held out hopes, in his optimistic way, that one day they would all be the best of friends and one big family. Perhaps, he thought wryly, they were already too much like a real family. Real families fought after all.

He turned to look at the girl, giving her a bashful wave of greeting as she stuck her head around the door. But his attention was called for as Raven began loping down the hall at his own pace. He stumbled and caught up with him, matching his easy gait and keeping at his heel as though he were a human puppy. He was still a little bit miffed at the way Raven seemed to casually dismiss Jack when company was around, but he'd address that some other time. For now he had good company and a chance to eat!

Guyy nodded at Amelie, giving her a reassuring smile. This trip would be a good opportunity for them all to get to know one another. he understood her bashfulness but at the same time grinned charmingly to let her know she needn't worry too much about being on show here. They were family, and family saw one another both at their best and at their worst. And first thing in the morning before really waking up too.

"Well, in that case I would be honoured to have your company at the breakfast table. The clan does put on some great breakfasts." he chuckled, thinking to the many times he'd had pancakes and waffles and fruit and bacon and eggs...

The thoughts made his stomach rumble quite audibly. "Ahem. Well, yes. Come with us if you are unsure as to where to go. After that we'll be heading off to check out the beach. It's quite private here, we probably won't see another soul the whole time we're here unless you want to drive out to the town to see the local sights." he smiled.

Jack glanced back as the group in the hallway fell out of view. It was one way to prevent arguments, but he didn't want to spend the whole holiday avoiding Guyy. He'd have to make time for drinks later at the very least. He considered the possibility that getting them all together with a little alcohol might relax Guyy and Raven suitably in one another's company they might even start having fun, but part of him suspected it was more likely to cause a fight.

He sighed, breaking the silence between them, but didn't speak until the entered the kitchen. Raven too was staying silent in an almost uncomfortable way. The sight of the kids and cubs caused him to smile warmly. He did enjoy seeing them. He would steal the cubs and keep them if he could, they were so cute! But he doubted that a club was the best place to raise any kind of youngster. His eyes flashed to Raven for a second. He suspected that the blond had been raised there himself and he hadn't turned out too badly...

Nah. Their parents would come looking for them. At least when they were visiting he could steal chances to hug them and play with them to his heart's content.

Breakfast smelled very good. Jack lingered by the table a little awkwardly. Raven's sudden change of mood was welcome too, he much preferred to see him in a semi playful mood like that. Though he was still somewhat miffed. Breakfast was not a time to bring it up though.

Jack giggled softly as Parvarti embraced her mother and ran out the door, issuing a challenge to the other youngsters. That was very cute! It cheered him up a little. He caught Aya's sneaky move in front of the stove as well, clearly stopping Raven from helping himself. He didn't mind, Aya was a great cook.

He tilted his head thoughtfully, twirling his hair around his finger and swinging his feet a bit. His green eyes flickered to Raven and for a moment he looked completely lost in thought. He snapped back to Aya suddenly and grinned.
"Is there any chance of an omelette?" he asked sweetly.

Ilia grinned and waved at Uncle Jack and Mister Raven. Before she had a chance to greet them Parvarti pushed by her and started running for the beach. The cubs took up the cue immediately, jogging along behind her. Cloudchaser calmly took up the rear, keeping an eye on them and shooing the slowest (little Farclimber) along ahead of him. He wouldn't be able to blink to the beach, having not seen it yet.
"Oh! You cheat!" she pouted, speeding to catch up with them.

Having finished eating, Carys was in the process of standing up to head out to the beach with Ilia, the cubs and Aya’s daughter when the group of adults finally made their way into the kitchen. After a moment’s indecision, instead of heading down to the beach, she grabbed a cup of coffee and returned to the table, with a “Good Morning” to everyone. She sat back and enjoyed the flow of conversation around her.