Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Aha," Galanna smiled, satisfied. "I thought as much."

"Forgive me for asking," Earendil spoke up, confused, "but usually when we tell people that Lin is from another world, they are absolutely astounded. They can't believe that there are other worlds, let alone understand how someone can be here from another world. How did you come to that conclusion yourself, and so quickly?"

The sickly human woman smiled at Earendil, and she seemed amused by his question.

"In the fifteen years that we have been in this country," she replied, "I have done more than simply embroider. Aennan is a translator at the library, and he has read - and translated - many books on many subjects, and has brought them home for me to read as well. None of the books say anything obvious - actually, I don't recall ever reading or hearing about other worlds specifically. But here and there, there are hints ... clues ... tales of things that took place that were never able to be explained. On their own, they can be put down to coincidence, or some magical accident. But if you know of enough of them ... well, another world becomes the only truly logical possibility."

Aennan was astounded. "Then why have I never seen this?" he asked her in surprise.

She laughed. "Because, dear boy, you focus on translating. Your mind is on the stories that you write. My mind is blissfully clear, and I notice these things. It's that simple."

"I'm sure there must have been," Galanna murmured. "I could think of no other explanation. And I know that in our world there are people who are able to teleport, to go from one place to another without taking the time to travel there. I don't know how they do it, I just know that it is possible. And if people here can do it, why not people in other places? And for that to be the case, then the other places had to exist."

She shrugged. "To me, it's logic. To most people, fantasy. Impossible."

They were interrupted when the front door opened and a water elf, taller than Aennan, though they looked very much alike, stepped inside.

"Good evening," he greeted everyone warmly. "I see our guests have arrived. My name is Lykor, I am Aennan's brother, Galanna's husband."

"I am Daeron," Daeron smiled, bowing his head in greeting. He put one hand on Iorlas's knee. "And this is my wife, Iorlas."

"Pleased to meet you," Iorlas said warmly.

"Likewise," Lykor grinned.

"And I am Earendil," Earendil introduced himself when the man looked towards him and Lin. "And this is my wife, Lin."

"And you," Lykor grinned. "We have been very eager to meet all of you."

He knelt next to his wife and greeted her with a quick kiss. "Sorry I'm late."

She smiled at him. "That's all right," she murmured. "You know we wouldn't eat without you." She put one hand on her husband's arm and smiled at the others in the room. "Well, dinner is ready whenever you're hungry," she told them. "Now or later, it's up to all of you."

"Truth be told, we did spend quite a bit of time at the celebrations," Daeron spoke up, "and there was lots of food ... if you're not hungry, Galanna, I think we would be all right with waiting a bit."

"Not at all," Galanna replied with a smile. "I don't have much of a schedule, I have to say. Not doing anything physical means I haven't much of an appetite."

"You always eat whatever I make for lunch," Aranxia pointed out.

"Well someone has to see if your cooking is improving," Galanna teased her.

"Oh, we certainly have been," Galanna grinned at Lin. "It's been a long time since I've had company through the day, and I had forgotten how wonderful it is. Originally, Aranxia's intention was to do her painting here while Aennan worked, since painting there was too distracting for him-"

Aranxia blushed and smiled at Aennan.

"-but that developed into all sorts of activities for the two of us," Galanna went on. "She asked me to teach her to cook, and though admittedly I haven't much real experience myself - Lykor makes most of our meals, since I can't - I have to say, I think she does a wonderful job of it."

"I think there are some things that are too easily ignored in a royal education," Aranxia said softly, lowering her gaze modestly. "Especially as our family seems to have a habit of going off places."

Aranxia brushed her hair behind her ears and smiled softly. "I like it very much," she said warmly. "It's nice to do something that I know will be truly necessary someday. But Galanna has been teaching me much more than simply cooking ... she has also been teaching me sewing and tailoring and embroidery ... though I think I can safely say I'm better at cooking than the rest."

She laughed softly.

Aranxia grinned, and her eyes sparkled mischievously. "That's easy," she replied. "Illustrating."

Aennan laughed and poked her ribs, making her squeal. "I don't think that's what she meant, Aranxia."

Aranxia giggled and slapped his hand away. "She didn't specify."

"I did," Aranxia giggled, clamping her hands over her ribs so that Aennan couldn't poke her again. "But I'm not changing my answer. Illustrating the books is my favourite task right now. I'm sure I'll enjoy cooking and sewing more when I get a bit better at them - and I like cooking all right already - but for now, I'm just really enjoying having a purpose to my painting. I love the stories, and I love that other people will enjoy them as much as I do. Before, my painting was all for myself."

"And for those back home," Earendil reminded her.

Aranxia blushed lightly. "Yes ... yes. And for those back home." She looked over at Aennan and set one hand gently on his knee. "There's one painting I wish I could do ... but it's hard to do a portrait of yourself with someone else and make it look right."