Welcome to Gaia! ::

Finally able to decide, he flipped the menu closed and looked up as a shadow fell across their table. A young girl had appeared, pencil and notebook at the ready. “May I take your orders?” she enquired in a cheerful tone.

Smiling at the wait staff, he told her their choices, ordering a pitcher of iced water as well. Once she had gone, he sighed and leaned back in his chair, regarding Fern with the gentle, warm gaze usually reserved only for her. “So…have you thought about any names yet?” he asked softly, attempting a conversation. “I know it’s a little early but…it doesn’t hurt to think ahead, right?”

“Yes, you are right. I just thought I’d see if you had come up with any since the last time we talked about it. I…have thought of a few; nothing that seems to really stick out yet though” He fished something out of his white shirt pocket and placed it tentatively on the table in front of her. It was a small, lined notepad, the pages filled with all kinds of names scrawled in a neat and precise hand.

“I know our choices will probably change once they arrive but I couldn’t help thinking of potential candidates” Saberlin grinned. He was just about to ask Fern what she thought of ‘Sabi’ or ‘Cleo’ or ‘Asphodel’, when he was interrupted by the arrival of their food. The man quickly moved out of the way as the friendly waitress placed down a plate of pancakes with ripe red strawberries, a pitcher of iced spring water, crystal glasses and a dish of delicate baked fish. “Wow, this all looks delicious!”

Fern picked up the notebook, looking through the names. "Well it's definitely more than I've come up with." She smiled, laughing a bit. She set the notebook down as their food arrived. "You're right, It does look delicious." She smiled. It almost looked too good to eat.

Fern smiled and watched Saberlin as he ate. He seemed to be enjoy the food. She picked up her own fork, smiling as she tasted the pancakes. "They're delicious. Nice and fluffy." She ate another forkful, making sure she got one of the strawberries this time.

"No, no, I'm fine." she replied. Her mourning sickness had lingered on longer than expected, triggering Jack's worries. But the crisp ocean breeze did wonders on her nausea. "I'm so glad we can have some time to ourselves, even if it's just for a little while."
After a little while, Michi spotted the quaint oceanside resort.
"Look! There it is! Oh, Jack...it's so pretty."
They had arrived later than expected and the sun was already setting when they pulled into the parking lot. A valet propmtly took the car while a bell boy unloaded their luggage.

Ah, he had done it again hadn’t he; fallen asleep at the desktop computer when he was in the middle of something important. And now his assistant was shaking him awake, probably going to make him another cup of that bitter, strong coffee... Something was strange though. All the familiar aches and sprains were in the right places and his body was slumped in that awkward position but he didn’t remember his keyboard being so…squishy the last time he checked.

Saberlin’s light amber eyes flickered open as Fern’s hand on his shoulder shook him awake. He blinked a few times, trying to remember where he was. Then reality hit and he realised he was lying on a sticky baked trout with a soaking wet shirt sleeve in the middle of a restaurant with Fern.

“Ah…I’m…I’m terribly sorry” he apologised, bolting up into sitting position a little too quickly and watching the room spin around with a sort of detached interest. How had he been so careless? Had anyone seen?! This was completely out of character.

Reaching for a napkin, he shook it out and began to clean off his cheek, sighing as he did so. Saberlin’s leopard ears twitched. He felt bad for causing a scene and worrying Fern.
Managing a smile, he pushed back his chair and rose to his feet as a waitress came to help clean up the spill, making sure not to trip her with his tail.

“I’m just fine. Everything seems to have caught up to me all at once that’s all. I didn’t realise…” he trailed off, not knowing how to continue. It was more like he was ignoring the warning signs rather than not ‘realising’.

“Anyway, please don’t let me ruin your meal. Stay here and finish, take as long as you like. I’ll just be in our room if you need me, honey” He didn’t want to leave her here alone, however he was sure he wasn’t that great company in his present state.

A red tinge crept into his skin as she unexpectedly petted his ears and his eyelids slid closed for a moment over keen golden orbs. She had caught him off guard. Saberlin pushed away the desire to purr. Fern knew all of his weak spots. He supposed being part leopard had it's advantages at times, although he was glad that the person he trusted most was the only one who knew about them.

Regaining some composure once she'd released the soft cat ears, he offered Fern his arm to escort her back to their room, hearing her say she was full. "Well then, if you're sure. I promise I'll make this up to you later. All of you..." he leaned down with a warm smile, kissing her on the cheek before heading back out of the dining area together, walking slowly so the world stayed proper and steady without swirling.