Welcome to Gaia! ::

"About...Twenty," Answered Mirror is slow awe as he once again observed the nalgae's talents. For a moment there, he forgot the number of sticks he required for his dance when he watched the grass blades leap up from the ground, "They're supposed to be replacing swords, dirks and daggers..."

The Al Sylian was in a trance as he watched the plants reluctantly obey Xo's will. He had lived among the plantlife and trees when he was little and he always had a favor and delight in trees and foilage. Especially high places, he liked those. The taller the trees the better.

Shade nodded, his suspicions confirmed. ~An inherent power over nature...that's a definate sign of trouble--still, even a force of Good can be useful if kept in the dark...~
Oblivious to Xo's suspicions, Shade nodded to himself a second time, resolving to continue along his current course of actin for the time being, and stay close to Exodus and his winged peasant friend. If he blew his cover now, he might lose his chance to assess the father...
"Very interesting, Sir Xo..." At a loss for more to say, but afraid to leave a suspicious silence, Shade turned to Mirror, "May I ask what is it that you're performing that requires so many swords and daggers...?"

"One should never feel hindered by the materials before them, regardless of shape, substance or size they all originate from the same source and as a result they all have the same impact - " From within the throng of people the tall man emerged, his rice hat placed firmly over his head to hide his eyes beneath. Still, that wasn't enough to hide his identity and Xo's expression immediately brightened upon recognising that it was in fact his father.

"It is through the imagination that these substances come alive and begin to hold meaning." He continued, placing a hand on his son's shoulder as he observed the pair, one of which he was unfamiliar with but the small one was one he recognised from a few occasions in the not-so-distant past.

"It is the same with the powers of nature." He seemed to turn his head towards pen as though aware of his curiosity, "Although my son does not quite understand it yet, it is possible to manipulate anything within nature into something else...it is simply a case of replacing it's substance with another, or it is simply a case of crafting it into a more distinct shape." He gave a wry smile as he turned his gaze back towards the Al sylian.

"That is why the grass cracked so loudly, nature is not something that is bound to constraints and it does not appreciate total order, so crafting individual strands of wild grass into shapes so distinct as weaponry can cause it to protest in its own way..." He cleared her throat as though talking for quite so long had caused him some discomfort and yet, oddly, he didn't make a departure at this point in time.

"A pleasure to see you again, small one."

It's good that she is making friends outside the family The GaiaCom thought to herself as she made an internal report of the events thus far. Only those regarding her human really interested her, but she recorded a bit of everything knowing that such things effected Trelweny as well. With practiced ease the young mother strapped her son back into his stroller. "I wonder if we can find a good spot between the singing platform & the dancing platform so we can watch both! Or at least switch between them! I know Theron will love the dancing nearly as much as I... and I have to admit to be curious about the other singers."

Moving away from the immediate area she waved in gratitude at the man behind the table. He was likely busy with the other competitors & she did not wish to disturb him but Trelweny was very thankful for all his help.

Trelweny looked at the thief she deemed both a friend & a surrogate little brother. "Will you be staying with us, Shyam? Or maybe participating in an event?"

"I am reasonably well, Small One." Roan shifted to a more comfortable position as he observed the trio, taking note of everything from expression to body language. It wasn't obvious however, as he ensured his glances were only fleeting but he very rarely missed anything of particular importance - especially when it came to men such as Shade.

As the man began to talk, his amber gaze shifted back to the individual and he took note of his words, first the question that many asked and then the chatter referring to how friendly he was with his son, he could only assume that the man was therefore seeking some form of approval which Roan was in no way inclined to give...not because he didn't want to, he just never really did.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, Sir Penumbra, it is good to know that my son is settling in well and has began to make new friends." He added, pursing his lips as he turned hi gaze towards the almost expectant Xo.

"So, when might I expect to see you perform this dance of yours, SMall One?" He continued, his brow slightly raised.

Shade smiled, being the easily satisfied schemer that he was. Ignoring the man's continuing conversations with Mirror and his son, Shade continued, "I was hoping it would be, Sir...--Roan, was it? An excellent name, if you don't mind me saying so..., and don't worry, I'll help so that your son will fit in simply marvelously..."
Pausing, the dark lord dropped his false enthusiasm for a moment, and eyed Roan intensely, "By the way, from what I have heard, you're a man of some importance around here. I was wondering--are you the ruler of this place...?"

The Dark Lord nodded in excited comprehension... "I think I see--you're not the ruler yourself...but you wield great power within the government!" Pausing, another realization cam to his mind, "And you--the Grand Druid--work with certain spirits that wish to aid you..."

Questions about the ghostly Overlord that he'd witnessed began to come to his lips, but the speaker's announcement halted his interregation for the moment.

Stepping slightly backwards, he took a deep breath and regained his compsure, before focusing on the podium...his eyes darting back to study Roan every minute or so.

Jumping as the intercom blasted over the crowd, Mirror found himself trembling with excitement. Turning to face his companions, the wooden swords and daggers collected in his arms after Exodus had pushed them into his arms, the Al Sylian was livid with bright emotions.

After finding his voice when it had fluttered out of his lungs and bounced about in excitement, Mirror smiled at his companions and regained his composure, "I'm up! I must hurry now, wish me luck!" He bubbled, his feet rising off the ground a good couple inches in his excitement with a flutter of his dusty wings.

Bowing his head to them all, Mirror hurriedly and reluctantly parted from that atmosphere of comfort and dived into a realm of excited nervousness as he made his way to the stage. Climbing the steps and keeping hold of his props, Mirror grinned at the announcer and replied happily, "I'm here, Mirror's ready to dance."