Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sajuuk returned the kiss and held Rose close to him. He loved her more here than ever before. Being removed from anxiety and worry seemed to free him of what ever held him back before. "Let us follow the river out of here and find the imperial palace. When it is all over we can just come back here, the two of us and relax a little while. Maybe sometime even bring Skadi here, I think she would like this place to." He said.

What ever it was had not left Sajuuk. His mind was a little more focused on his gaol but the over all effect remained. Eventually they made it out of the bamboo forest and found a road that was sign posted in the native language. unfortunately neither of them could read the native language. Sajuuk decided to follow his gut and lead them down a road. Sometime later it appeared to have been the right choice as they came upon what looked like a self contained city. the walls were large but the palace could be seen even from their vantage point. these Cathayans sure knew how to treat royalty. "Looks like we are here... maybe..... Think we should try getting inside?" Said Sajuuk. he was more than a little awestruck at the sight of this.

Sajuuk walked over to the guards by the large door of the walls. Their written language was different but the spoken language was supposedly similar to theirs. "I am Sajuuk of the Carstine house of Malkesh. We have visited your world before and respectfully request an audience with your emperor." Said Sajuuk with a bow of respect. The guards looked confused by this development, not sure what to do. They looked at each other with blank expressions before one finally walked off to what looked like a superior. After a few minutes of discussion the guard returned. "Follow the path, do not stray from it. They will be watching you." Said the guard. They were being cautious which was understandable. Sajuuk walked down the path, the very long path. Many guards paroled this path to the imperial palace situated at the centre of this city.

Sajuuk kept his cool during this walk only finding the time to respond to Rose mentally, "Of course they are watching us. We are two strangers who requested to see the emperor. They have every right to be suspicious of us. Also none of our kind have come here for a very long time. The only ones who have heard of us would be the educated ones who study history over all other things. The emperor is the most educated, required to know the history of his nation so he will remember us by insignia if nothing else. Also they stare because they have most likely not seen anyone like us before. Look at them, their clothing, their mannerisms, the tanned skin with an almost olive hint to it. Our pale skin would be very odd to them, especially deathly pale." Said Sajuuk, mentally to Rose. They had to keep up a regal appearance right now until the emperor confirmed their identity if he even did remember them. They now found themselves walking up a great many steps that lead into the palace itself, now standing in a courtyard that was filled with guards standing shoulder to shoulder with only a path between them marked by a carpet that lead to even more stairs where the emperor and his wife were sitting. Someone had obviously ran ahead and informed them of their presence. Sajuuk walked to the bottom of the steps, removed his arm from Roses and knelt down before the emperor with his head down. "I am Sajuuk of the Carstine house of Malkesh. I request to come within 10 feet of the Emperor's majesty and speak with him as one royal to another. As proof I provide my ring, marked with the insignia of my grandfathers father." Called Sajuuk as he removed his ring and held it out in front of him for one of the servants to take and show to the emperor.

A servant collected the ring and presented it to the emperor. After a few moments the ring was handed back. The emperor rose with his wife and walked inside the palace. Sajuuk remained and heard a whisper in his ear. He had been invited inside the palace itself, a rare honour. Sajuuk stood and took Rose by the arm now walking up the stairs and into the grand palace. A small table had been set out ten feet form the emperors throne with a two chairs and a pot of tea. Sajuuk took a seat, poured out some tea for himself and Rose. "Thank you for granting me this audience Emperor. It has been many years since my kind has presented itself to you." Said Sajuuk. The emperor looked Sajuuk and Rose over before speaking. "I am Chan Wen, Emperor of the celestial throne. Protector of Cathay. What business bring the Carstine house to these lands after so many long years? My predecessors had the impression that none would ever return here." Said Chan Wen. he watched Sajuuk closely, trying to figure him out and his intentions. Sajuuk followed up, "Unfortunately it is dark business that bring me here today. We ask for your support in a battle against Sokar, a vile evil that threatens all life. We request military aid in the coming conflict so we can effectively defeat this evil once and for all." getting right down to business here was for the best, pleasantries could be exchanged later on. The emperor let out a small sigh, "I will need time to consider this but you offer nothign in exchange for my army in aid." Said Chan Wen. Sajuuk was quick to respond, "I offer nothing out of respect. Any offer I give will lack the value of you soldiers and so I leave this open for you to make a request of me great Chan Wen." What Sajuuk said seemed to strike something within Chan Wen. He nodded, "Give me time to think on this. until then you and your companion are free to wander the halls of my palace. A guide will take you where ever you need to go." Said Chan Wen before leaving to consult his military advisers. The Empress however remained. "Well Rose, we have done what we can for now. I believe you can now raid the library for knowledge or what ever else you wish to do while we are here."

Sajuuk rubbed the back of his neck when he realised the empress was still there and heard him. "Von Carstine sense of humour I am afraid. Well more like fathers sense of humour." he said. hearing Rose communicate he looked at her wondering why she had to transmit that mentally. "The servants will have prepared a place for us. Have them lead you there since we might be here a while. I will remain here and discuss something with the empress while you change." Said Sajuuk, he had an idea about something and was trying his hardest to keep that information from Rose. This was just a little surprise, or would be if he could pull it off. That is if Rose would leave him alone for a little while so he could arrange everything quickly.

Alice sighed softly as she walked up the path toward the manor. She hadn't seen Kaden in a while and she had waited at the inn, until she couldn't wait any more. Her heart hurt at the thought of her being alone again. "Kaden......" she whispered softly as s he came to a stop, starring up at the sky.

Seth sighed softly as he slowly walked in through the manor's front door, having been suddenly called away by his and Hitome's family. He didn't want to bother Hitome with this matter so he went alone, having told her to stay put. Seth was glad he hadn't let her go with him because he had been severely beaten, that it was a wonder he was able to make it back to the manor by himself. Once inside the door he suddenly collapsed to the floor scars all over him and blood dripping out from them onto the floor.

Hitome slowly placed her hand over her mouth as she walked out of the bathroom on the first floor. She had been having morning sickness like crazy and she just wished it would stop. No matter what she ate or smelt, something would always set it off. Though as she as she stepped out the bathroom door she couldn't help but feel as though she was going to get sick again from an overwhelming smell of blood. But she couldn't help but recognize who's it was. ".....Seth...." she said softly as she looked in the direction of the front door, seeing him laying there all bloody. She quickly ran over to him, kneeling down beside him. "Oh my god......I knew I should have gone with you...." she whispered softly as she looked at the beating he had endured, tears coming to her eyes.

Sara hummed softly as she helped Diana get ready to go to the manor. She had yet to take her to go see her sister and the rest of the family. Plus she hadn't seen her grandson since he was born. "Blade if you don't hurry we are going to leave without you!" she said playfully as she slipped on her coat. She then grabbed Diana's and tried to put it on her, which it was rather difficult since she wouldn't stand still. "Diana sweet pea, please stand still so I can put your coat on you." she said as she chased after her.

Diana laughed as she ran through the house, leading her mother on a wild goose chase. After a few minutes of running she finally came to a stop by the front door, letting her mom put her coat on her. "Papa papa lets go!" she called, excited to be able to meet her sister.

Julia slowly woke up, stretching slightly as she sat up. She then looked around to notice that Tristan wasn't beside her. She then got a telepathic message from her mother saying that they were getting ready to come to the manor. "Oh no...." she said as she quickly jumped out of bed and ran into her bathroom. "Where can Tristan and Chris be?...." she asked herself as she jumped into the shower. "Mom's going to be here soon and now I have to find them and get them ready before they get here." she whispered to herself, letting the warm water run over here.

Sakura sighed softly as she sat before the piano in the ball room, just starring at the keys. She then slowly started to play a song she had heard a while back called Listen To Your Heart, singing along as she played. For some reason Raven was on her mind, unable to stop thinking of him so there was a sad tone in her voice as she sang her song.

Naomi laid on the roof of the manor, starring up the sky. She was a little tired and hungry but for some reason she couldn't eat anything. The thought of drinking blood out a bottle or glass didn't sound good and neither did drinking from someone sound any easier. For some reason she was craving Raven's blood but she couldn't tell him that.

Julia smiled softly when she heard Tristan come into their room, having left the bathroom door open. "Tristan....Come here please!" she called softly with a slight smile. She then made a serious face to make him worry a little.

Diana laughed when her papa picked her up and trow her into the hair only to catch her. "Papa papa....Mama chase..." she said with a laugh, not that good with speaking yet. She then laughed when she felt him kiss her nose and then rub his stubble against her cheeks. She then placed her hand over her mouth, coughing slightly.

Sara gasped slightly when Blade picked Diana up and threw her into the air. "Please be careful with her. She's not as strong and healthy as Julia was." she said softly, worried that all this movement Diana was doing was going to start up her usual fever and coughing fits. "See. What did I tell you!" she said as she started to worry if going today was the best thing.

Diana only coughed a few times before placing her hands on her papa's shoulders, smiling at her parents. "We go see sissy?" she asked softly, rather excited.