Welcome to Gaia! ::

Helix walked upstairs, and set Lan on the bed. "Oh," he said, noticing Lan was awake. "I thought you were still asleep. How are you feeling?" His face was full of concern. He stroked Lan's hair, and put his warm hand against Lan's cheek.

Helix seemed upset. "Do you need some time to yourself, or..." He wasn't sure what to do. He just sat there, holding Lan's face, trying to figure out what he should do.

Umi came in after a bit, and sat down with Lan. She handed the teddy to him, and gave him a gently squeeze. "It's okay to be sad," she said. "She wasn't a very nice person. But there are lots of people out there who love you. You're going to be okay, I promise." She kissed Lan's forehead.

Izumi stared out the window of the train. She wanted the train to go faster, but it puffed along at its usual speed. She sighed.

Hang on, Zachery...I'm comming... she thought.

Umi hugged Lan tightly, and smiled. She was happy to have him with her. She smelt the smell of pancakes being cooked downstairs, and realized that Damien was finishing breakfast. She lossened the hug. "So, who's hungry?" she asked.

Umi smiled, and squeezed Lan's hand. She walked with him downstairs with Helix close behind.

Umi was surprised to see Eichie in the kitchen, making pancakes. She blinked in surprise.

"Good morning!" Eichie said, grinning. "When no one came to work, I came to see what was keeping you all! So I thought I'd finish breakfast!" Eichie giggled. "I know the boss can't cook."

Damien hid behind his paper, grumbling.

Umi smiled, and Eichie put a large helping of blueberry pancakes in front of Lan. They were covered in blueberry sauce.

"Hope you like them," Eichie said. "Eat as much as you like, there's lots." He then searved everyone else.

Umi sighed happily as she ate breakfast. "Eichie, these are so good!"

Eichie blushed, and scratched his head, embarrassed. "Aww, shucks...I just finished what you started, Umi-chan! And the sauce was easy to make!"

"I have the best cook in Central--NO!--All of Amstris!" Damien said, his eyes sparkling. "I have to be the luckiest guy ever!"

Eichie went red from all the praise.

Helix finished his second helping, and leaned back, sighing happily. He rarely felt this full, and he loved it. He looked up, smiling. If staying here means feeling this good, I guess I can live with it, he thought.

Umi smiled. "So, after work, I'll take you two shopping," she said, pointing at Lan and Helix. "I'll see if I can't get you some more clothes."

Umi stared off into space, trying to think. She really wanted to look after the boys, but at the same time, she felt a lot of pressure. Lan was absolutely crushed, and she was sure she wouldn't be able to fix it very easily. She sighed unhappily, and caught herself thinking about Greed again. She felt her appetite vanish, and held back tears.

"I...I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I have to go...take care of something. I'll be back." She got up, and walked upstairs slowly.

Daien blinked in shock, and went to answer the door. Sure enough, Izumi was standing on the stoop, looking mildly annoyed.

"You must be Izumi," Damien said.

"Where's Zachery?" Izumi asked dryly. Damien gulped.

"Inside--" he said, and Izumi pushed past him. Damien was rattled, and didn't try to stop her.

Izumi walked right over to Zachery, and gathered him in her arms. She said nothing, and just held him.