Welcome to Gaia! ::

Guyy finished showing the new bus driver the ins and outs, though he was pleased to find the little nervous man was quite competent. He gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, letting him know that if he needed anything he just had to give him a little shout and he'd do his best to help out. He also provided a map and pointed out various areas he wanted to stop in.

He left Esteban fiddling with the GPS system as he stepped back and took a seat next to Kaori. Somewhere near the back he could hear the kids bouncing around. He gave a small laugh and took one of his beloved's hands in his own. It was an idle touch, but warm and affectionate. Unlike Caine, he didn't move Kaori deliberately towards the window like the Sidhe had with Aya. He was possessive enough, in his own way of course, he just didn't view anyone on that bus as a threat to him. Maybe Raven, once upon a time, but Jack had him distracted.

The doors to the bus closed with a hiss and the engine rumbled into life. He stared out the window and gave Kaori's hand a small squeeze. Before long the streets of Durem passed by the windows in a display of architecture and variety. Eventually the buildings began to thin out and they were surrounded by pleasant countryside. The Reclamation Facility passed by on their left and they were on their way to Barton.

Jack relinquished the drink without effort as Raven reached for it. It really was delicious. He licked his lips and watched Raven sucking on the straw with a bright gleam in his jade eyes. His cheeks seemed to pinken, though that may have been the reflection of the sun. He glanced up at Raven, a little startled as he continued the conversation. His nose wrinkled up at the suggestion of Jimmy and his men.

"I mentioned it to Kaori." he sighed a little reluctantly, as if he was passing on some gossip or a secret. "I just don't know what I can do about them myself. And I certainly don't want you getting involved with all this any more than you already are." Jack frowned, concerned. He didn't want Jimmy even getting a hint that Jack might see Raven as more than a mere employee, he'd use that sort of knowledge to draw him out of hiding. And the methods... even the thought of the sadism the man was capable of made Jack visibly shudder.

"Wait! Wait for me!" Esetelle cried out once the engine on the bus started, bags dragging behind her. She huffed and puffed running to catch the bus. " I'm Here" Esetelle wheezed, almost out of breath. Once on the bus she took a look around. Full bus, crowded and compact. She squeezed her way through saying her "Exuse me's and Sorry's." Once at the back of the bus she spotted her seat and after forcing her bags into a cubby, she finally got to relax. Esetelle stared out her window day-dreaming. It was the perfect day for a road trip. Sky is blue, grass is a marvolous green. Outside the bus Esetelle saw three little children playing in the grass. One sat on his tricycle, one was playing with her dolls, and the last one was tearing the grass from its dirt. Roots and all. Esetelle smiled and giggled.

Until the little kid pulling out the grass threw the grass at the other two children and both were screaming as loud as they could. Its as if they want to ruin my trip. Esetelle sighed and quickly pulled out her ipod to stop the sound from hitting her ears. At last. . .peace. . . Esetelle scratched through her pixie like hair and let her wings relax and spread. She hoped she wouldn't take up too much room.

While buildings and homes of people passed by her view. She knew this trip offically started. After turning off her ipod Esetelle was glad to hear silence, besides the odd noises the bus made as it dashed along the road, but those noises were familiar and calm. She slunk into her seat getting ready for a nap. When a women near her decided that games and singing road trip songs was a requirement. Esetelles eyes popped wide open and she sat up again.

Guyy nodded as another joined the trip at the last minute, waiting for her to settle down before he turned back and leaned gently against his beloved. Carys made the suggestion of songs and games and he chuckled wryly. The demoness beside him was clearly as unsure about road trip activities as she was about many normal human things and he found it entirely endearing. He even lifted a hand to give Yaone a little rub under the chin as she poked her head out.

"There are many traditional songs and games. I wonder, are you familiar with I Spy at all? It's a very popular game for such situations, though normally reserved for smaller groups." Guyy grinned, speaking to Kaori. he wondered what sorts of games she might enjoy. It was hard to guess, but given that she did not know most they would all be new and interesting to her.

Ilia heard Kaori call back softly but firmly and she stopped bouncing on the seat. Instead she swung her arms over the back of the seat in front and stared out the window. Someone mentioned games. She liked games, though she wasn't very good at songs. She bet Parvarti was good at songs. She was still thinking about making the bus fly. She didn't think Daddy would like that, but it would be faster and more comfortable.

Raven did what he did best, and that was to neither confirm nor deny anything. His poker face was quite unmatchable. Jack turned his face up to the larger blond, bright green eyes meeting shining turquoises. He didn't want anything to happen to Raven because of him. It wasn't right. It wasn't fair. And worst of all he knew he couldn't stop him from coming along if he wanted to.

He gratefully accepted the ice cap and sipped at it, finding comfort in the sweet flavour. Slowly he leaned sideways, his shoulder meeting Raven's arm comfortably. He idly listened to talks of games and songs, smirking at the thought of Raven playing his sort of song. He doubted that was what anyone really meant, but he wasn't much in the mind for a game at the moment. His head swam with memories, even as the bus approached Barton, the countryside becoming more and more populated before the familiar town walls came into view. They'd be slowing and stopping soon. Maybe a little shopping would cheer him up.

The lady shinigami eyed the intruder that had ran after the bus and rode it outside for most of the trip.. past the reclamation facility and was now stopping in Barton. It was one of those, 'be on time next time' sort of unimpressed stares. Air hissed as the vehicle stopped and the doors opened.

"Welcome aboard miss Mills."

Raven got up and headed for the front door already, the movement was enough to break the eye contact between Kaori and the young girl, his feet thudded down the stairs and he stepped out onto soft grass and took a look around. They were parked under a shady tree, that would keep the bus cool anyway in the summer heat, but what he wanted to see was the city on the other side of the bus.

He made his way around and got a clear view of the water fountain that was at the town's center. The Guilds Building was off to his right and the jewelry store was then off to his left over and across the street.

There was food on the air, delicious smells of drink, bread and bacon. His mouth watered. Despite the snack Kaori had made he had already decided what direction he was going to go off in, bring on the pub! (and grill). After that, he'd probably hit up the music shop, see what new tracks had come out recently and maybe even check out what new items Ian had in stock. His store was usually good for browsing in anyway but he learned from Kaori to always check the marketplace on Gambino Isle and price compare. He was excited.. more or less he was still hungry as heck and wanted to get moving already but held up for the others. It didn't take long for Kaori to join him at his side.

"Keep an eye on Este.. he'll be more comfortable around you and Jack then around us." Kaori murmured gently as the others began to pile out as well. He nodded once ever so slightly and that was plenty good enough.

Emma Jane flushed as Kaori stared at her, immediately wishing she had stayed behind. There was something very scary and forbidden about the imposing, and beautiful woman. She frowned in an abashed way as her honey colored eyes slid over to Guyy, who was talking about the PAD.

Doh!

She pulled the thing out of her pocket and looked at it apprehensively. She didn't like all this high tech stuff. The only thing she enjoyed or made any use out of were her ipods. Everything else could go to the dogs, as far as she was concerned. Not that she knew a whole lot about it. She supposed she would have to learn to properly use the PAD.

She nodded grimly and put it back in her pocket. Calling to ask them to pull over? What could have possibly been more mortifying? Even if the idea had occurred to her, she doubted she would have acted on it.

Emma Jane followed the line of people getting off, being one of the last to step off the bus, looking around the town with a slightly bored expression. She wasn't a particular fan of cities, having spent most of the worst years of her life that she could remember living on their streets. Not many happy memories of window shopping and ice cream cones to associate with the pretty place.

At least she wasn't a kid, although it wouldn't be too surprising if someone mistook her for such.

Caira would have laughed her a** off at Emma's stunt, if Kaori hadn't given her such a look. But, as they all shuffled off the bus, she caught up with the girl, reaching over to give her shoulder a squeeze. "So. Where to first?" It was easy to see the shadow was totally at ease here. But, she hadn't spent much of her childhood alone on the streets.

It was pretty clear Max was still partly asleep. The teen half stumbled off the bus, catching the edge of the door to right himself. He'd been up most of last night, prowling around Durem. Dawn had broken before the werewolf had dragged himself down to his room and collapsed on the bed, worn out from racing around town.

He stretched, trying to work out the kinks in his back from sleeping on the bus. "Is there a..." He stopped, yawned, trying to cover it. "Sorry. Is there a coffee shop nearby?" A hot cup of mocha would help him wake up. Hopefully. He didn't want to spend the rest of the day stumbling around like this.

Once Auntie K issued the order, Parvati flailed around a bit before stopping her bouncing and sitting still. She had a small pout on her small lips as she swung her feet, trying to keep herself occupied while they were on the bus. She looked out the window, staring at the zooming scenery until she spotted an old man walking down the street. Wouldn't it be great if she caused him to get a heart attack? Nevertheless, such thoughts were mere passing ones and by the time they were over, she was already looking at the next best thing.


Meanwhile in the land of the two lovers, the activity in the bus didn't do anything to Aya as she was soundly sleeping. She had the back of her head resting on Caine's lap while the Sidhe lord's own hands were playing with her long strands of hair, braiding it and then unbraiding it before running his fingers through them. Caine had taken the liberty of casting a sleep spell on her once the bus started to move because he knew that she had to of been exhausted after cooking for everybody. Never didn't do her any good after all. And once they were in Barton, the Sidhe Lord stole a kiss from his princess in order to awaken her from the sleep spell he'd placed upon her.

As their lips touched softly, Aya slowly opened her eyes and blinked, trying to think as to how she ended up where she was. She looked at Caine's warm eyes and before she can speak, he was already settling her back up on her seat and telling her that they were in Barton. Thoughts of what had happened left her as she stared at the city. It had been a while since she had last gone to Barton. And once everyone was going out, Aya didn't waste any time grabbed Caine's hand (even though she did pinch him for putting that sleep spell on her) and went out of the bus, Parvati following closely behind.

"I ought to spank you for casting that spell on me. And you WON'T enjoy it."

Before she could hear Caine's response or his see his smirk, her attention was captured by Kaori's question. While the notion of spending time alone with Caine was appealing, she wanted to spend some time with Kaori too as well as all the other girls. A bit of girl time if you would. And, this would teach Caine not to put sleep spells on her so suddenly.

"Actually Kaori, I would like to do a bit of shopping as well. I would like to come with you if you do not mind."

Beside her Caine was gaping. No! He won't stand for this! He would not!

"Aya..."

Unfortunately, Aya didn't seem to hear the warning tone in his voice and instead of acquiescing to his 'lordy' tone, she called over to anyone able and asked if they would like to show Caine around Barton since the Sidhe Lord was not accustomed to cities such as these. He grumbled as he glared at his beloved before sighing and resigning himself to his fate. He wouldn't be able to spend time with Aya in this town.

Parvati meanwhile, grasped Ilia's hand and told everyone where she wanted to be. Right beside Ilia wherever they were going to go and if that meant shopping with mommy than that was even better! Even though her mommy liked giving her dresses that she seldom wore.