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Filling Aki's cup to the brim, Elle nestled back as she settled the little clay tea pot onto the table between them. "So...the Center was an orphanage?"

"Of sorts. An adoption center, perhaps! I didn't approach them for a child, however...I just followed the footsteps of the beasts that burrowed upward from below my house."

Leaning forward, Aki blew the steam from her tea...watching the cream swirl with the jasmine. Flicking her gaze upwards to Elle, she caught the girl's attention with her soft words. "They came in droves, in search of the dark egg that tempted them with its power. Power that would sustain their vile machines."

Elle gripped her tea with both hands, palms sweating against the scalding porcelain. She loved to listen as much as she loved to spin...a well told tale was a rare pleasure. She could almost see the great slapping feet and beady eyes of the Kofula as Aki described them...shuddering at the recount of their attack on the Reju center.

"So...you sold them the sun." Eyes bright, Elle peered at the laughing elf...sipping her tea slowly.

"You could say that. Every time a solar panel fails, I replace it. Every time they burn out an elemental stone..." Hefting the ruby in her fist, Aki tossed it suddenly to Elle...giggling as the girl splashed her tea in a hurry to catch it. "...it comes to me. They have the power they desire, and I have the means to keep providing it." The arrangement suddenly sounded a bit cold. She'd already explained the bit about splitting the proceeds with the Reju Center, though...that surely counted for something.

Settling back into her chair, Elle wiped the tea from the back of her hand and cuddled the heavy stone upon her lap. "I see. Well, perhaps you're right...it's silly of me to argue against a shopping trip. I appreciate it....thank you, Aki."

Beaming in relief, Aki leaned back as well. She hadn't been sure how Elle would react, but she seemed to be comfortable with the situation. "But..."

Ah, there it was. "But?"

"I insist that you let me give you a hand, and any time you have need of a brew...let me know?"

"A...brew?"

Elle nodded...fingers caressing the herb sprig upon her sash. "Once I have a few days to gather, I should be able to mix a tea or tincture to suit any needs....you might have." Finishing her tea in a smooth pull, Elle let her cup clatter back upon its saucer and rose. "I think, until we pick up some bedding, I'll rest here in the living room. Is that okay?"

Aki accepted her hand, rising as well. "Yes! That-yeah. That's fine! Well, I'm going to peek in on the kids, Ready to meet them tomorrow?"

Silently, Elle nodded...pulling Aki in for a warm hug. Patting her cheek, she stepped back...gathering both cups from the table. "Sounds wonderful. Goodnight...and thank you again."

Watching Elle stroll to the kitchen, Aki stood befuddled...brows knitting slowly. "Ah, but...your tale! I haven't gotten to hear it!!"

Glancing back coyly over one shoulder, Elle offered her a wink. "What's the rush? We can chat more tomorrow!"

Aki nodded as Elle vanished into the kitchen...the plumbing groaning as the hot water was called for. Tomorrow...of course! No rush at all...

Yes! Yesyesyesyesyes! Finally, a legitimate reason to invite Elle to the Benedict Center! Asrafel had flown up to where he knew Aki and Elle now lived, and slipped a business card for the center into the mail slot. On it was written a date and time in bright colored crayons, and on the back was written a very colorful note written in similar crayon manner.

Levi scooped the last bite from his bowl, dropping it into the sink as he finished chewing. "Hanku!" He was already on the move, dashing towards the door to get some play time in before Wasa arrived.

"Don't thank me, Elle made it!" She called after him, but it was no use...he was already up to his knees in the pond. Sighing, Aki tapped the spoon against the side of her daughters bowl to shake loose the crumbs, and popped the spoonful of warm cobbler into her open mouth.

"Yum?"

Smiling widely, some fruit from the cobbler dotting her chin, Nisha shrieked with affirmative laughter. Her hands slapped the tray of the high chair gleefully...the crumbs from the oat filled cobbler jumping as the tray shook. "Maaaabuhbuh!!"

Another bite followed, and another, until the little bowl was empty. Holding it up proudly, Aki showed Nisha the picture of the butterfly they'd uncovered at the bottom of the bowl. "All gone! You did it!!"

Nisha clapped, still laughing loudly...sticky hands slapping together and throwing up a spray of cobbler bits. Desperate was doing his part by cleaning the still warm kettle...finishing the rest of the cobbler aside from the two bowls set aside for Aki and Elle.

Her new housemate was already out for the day...the note she left said she was at a party. Smiling wryly as she wiped Nisha's hands and face, Aki shook her head. She'd been living here for months before she finally met her neighbors, and Elle managed to get invited to a party within the first twenty four hours!

Well, she'd implied Aki was invited as well. Perhaps she'd stop by, since she had intended to go out shopping with Elle today anyway. It was even the right part of town!

"Okay, all clean! Oooh, and listen...Wasa's here! Want to see Auntie Wasa?" Levi's happy greetings already rang across the lawn. Plucking the babe from her high chair, Aki shuffled Desperate away from the kettle and towards the door.

"Come on, you two! Time to go!!" Grabbing Nisha's changing bag that she'd placed by the door, Aki wandered out into the morning sun to meet Wasabi.

**

Twisting this way and that, Aki modeled her new red shirt. It was a little bold, but considering how Elle was dressed, she should fit right in. Smoothing the crimson fabric across her chest, Aki sighed. She looked young, but she didn't always feel it.

Letting the off the shoulder shirt lay across the foot of the bed, Aki dug out her shortest red shirt. Some tall black boots, and her biggest ruby necklace and her outfit was complete.

Still clad in only her short plush bath robe from the morning's shower, Aki plopped down in the chair on the deck. A small bottle of crimson nail polish weighed down one of the pockets...giving it a few good shakes, she unscrewed the lid. She couldn't help but feel awkward and showing up alone, and only invited second hand. For a moment, she considered trying to track down Alania to go with her, but couldn't get over the feeling of vague rudeness at inviting someone third hand.

Sighing, Aki spread her fingers and smoothed the brush across her thumbnail. It would do her good to get out and have some fun, even if it was only a drink or two. Blowing lightly on her crimson nail, Aki wiggled her sun warmed toes. She'd be fashionably late, of course!!

Brushing the panels of her skirt to either side, Elle crouched gracefully by the glazed pot...fingers running lightly over the silhouette of the dying plant. A bell tinkled from within the folds of her sash as she leaned forward, carefully pinching only the driest golden leaves from the green stalk. She didn't know much about growing houseplants, but more than Aki it seemed...the soil was dry, and the leaves fading!!

No, what Elle knew was the potential of the plant. How to harvest, how to dry...how much to mix, when to grind. This species, however, was empty. Good for the soil, and good for the air, aside from that it was only pretty to look at. Her easy smile appeared as she gathered the leaves in her palm. All the shades of gold and green, yes...pretty to look at, indeed.

Standing slowly, keys clinking and jewelry chiming, Elle strolled back into the living room with the leaves cupped gently in her hands. Even in death, they held some delight! Silently, she fed the leaves into the glow of the fireplace one by one.

They browned and curled, staining black before fading white...a gorgeous prelude to the thin plume of grey smoke that pushed sinuously upward. Eyes catching the light from the brief flare, Elle settled down with a quiet sigh. Her hair plumed and settled behind her as she did so, seemingly caught on a breath of wind that touched nothing else in the room.

It was so rare to have time to herself...having a family was a complete path. She loved their wide eyes and the tug of tiny hands, just as much as she enjoyed such leisurely time. Shaking her hair back as she leaned forward, Elle warmed her hands over the tiny fire. Best to use such time wisely. Perhaps after she'd warmed herself, she'd throw a pinch of sweet sage to the fire and draw up the recipe for the tea she'd been working on. Nisha would be cutting her first teeth soon, and from what she'd gathered that meant Desperate would be in pain as well. Tea strong enough to soothe an elephant would be quite a feat...a challenge she was looking forward too!

Brightening with a small smile of contentment, Elle crumbled the last of the fallen leaves into the fire...bringing her fingers to her nose as she inhaled gently. Such a fine time of night...surely an auspicious time to brew!!

**

The fire was banked, and the children tucked in. It was cool in her lower room, the high windows open to let in the evening breeze from the sea. Always a restless time of night, despite the peace of the sleeping house above her.

Picking fine chains and delicate leaves from her hair, Elle settled her trinkets upon the nightstand by her low bed. Her dress followed, folded carefully into the cedar trunk atop the lavender. Clad only in the shaft of moonlight easing through the glass, Elle stretched and gathered her hair into a ponytail. A few sharp twists, and it was knotted into a bun...held in place by a sliver of ivory.

She knelt on the cool stone of the cellar floor, rummaging quietly through the box Aki had given her. There were a few things she had in common with the elf...style, however, was not one of them. Finally selecting a cream colored night slip, Elle tugged it over her head...pulling it down over her hips. The pale satin was rumpled from being folded, but smoothed as it was pulled tight across her chest.

Elle lifted her ring of keys from the bedstand as she passed. The little bronze one fit the antique armoire, and the doors eased open with quiet protest. It wasn't kept locked out of secrecy. The freestanding closet held no clothes, instead, potent herbs hung drying from the bar, and dark stoppered bottles crowded the shelves. It wasn't for her protection, it was for the children.

Soon, her little copper brazier was filled with bright coals, and all her ingredients for the teething tea had been gathered. For now, Elle let them rest...dipping her fingers into the pouch she'd pulled from the very top shelf of the locked wardrobe. A small purple pouch, sewn with crystal beads and bright gold embroidery. From it she pulled a pinch of dark herb, and sprinkled the crushed leaf gently upon the coals. The sweet smell of salvia divinorum, Diviner's Sage, coiled upward in a white blossom of smoke. Eyes drifting shut as she took a deep and calming breath, Elle mentally reviewed her recipe. All seemed in place, and the warm buzz of the smoke had finally settled through her.

In a large wooden bowl, Elle began her mix. She started with the base of the tea, jasmine and popcorn for taste, with a touch of chamomile for sweet dreams. For an adult, she'd have added green tea leaves, but a wired elephant wasn't a pleasant thought. Instead, she thought about Nisha's situation. Teething would lead to superficial pain as well as a headache...not to mention low moods.

Thin strips of white willow bark and a pinch of feverfew blossom would help with the ache. The ginger root and rosemary would hopefully be smothered by the jasmine....as much as Elle enjoyed a bold taste, the babe seemed to have a delicate palate. Ginko would balance the babe's mood, and a tiny pinch of ground skullcap leaf to ease her mind and gums.

For many long minutes, Elle knelt upon her cushion, working over the bare stone floor. The snap and hiss of the Diviner's Sage assured her it was still burning, though she paid no attention to the rising smoke. All her focus had been given to the herbs. They had been dried properly, she could tell by the way they crumbled. The doses were correct, and easy on the stomach. Nisha would have a much easier time of teething than Aki suspected...even Desperate would be at ease.

Elle sifted two pinches into each square of cheesecloth. Tying each off with a length of anise twine, she kept careful count. The batch should have been enough to produce over two dozen tea bags. Twenty eight tea bags later, the bowl was empty.

The brazier was moved to her nightstand, smoke leaping upwards once more as she added another pinch of sage to the coals. Everything was once again in its place...the armoire locked and new tea mix wrapped in a linen bag. Settling into bed, still clad in the short nightgown that Aki had gifted her, Elle pulled her covers close. The divinorum had done its job, her body was tired, and her mind calm. Her thoughts did not stray to blurred faces and distant cries...instead, images were rising before sleep had fully claimed her. The peace of the house seeped into her, and Elle let it do so...waiting for the deep silence that seemed so rare.

Tomorrow would be a busy day, she was taking both children out for their lessons in town. A busy day, in a busy city...that all seemed so very far away. Smiling just a bit, Elle listened to the crackle of leaves upon coals until dreams gently took even that away.

Asrafel had been only too happy to walk Elle home, for a variety of reasons. The most important was, of course, to spend more time talking with her, but there was an overwhelming need to act on his own decisions, and walk his own paths. There was no hidden agenda in his actions now, no guiding hand to rule over him.

He was on his own.

He took advantage of his freedom only too happily, and every smile he gave was just a little brighter, a little more genuine because of it.

"It was nothing, Elle. I love doing it! I'll walk you home anytime, just let me know and I'm there." He nodded sharply, and slowed once they neared the treehouse. At Elle's suggestion, his face lit up at the idea.

"Oh, I'd love that! It sounds like a great idea." He turned to look at her briefly, worry clouding his mind for a moment. "No one will mind that I'm here, right? I wouldn't want to upset anyone.."

As worried as he was, he was just a bit excited at the prospect of a treehouse. He'd never been in one before!