Welcome to Gaia! ::

Finally pushing the old doors open, Elle grinned as they creaked...tucking the root with a hum of thanks into her basket. "Denting won't be a problem." Lifting her gaze to the outside walls, crumbling stone covered in climbing vines, Elle shook her head fondly. "Stone floors, even in the bedrooms. Don't worry about what few rugs there are...they're already patchworked with stains! A few hoofprints would be a lovely change."

Offering him a wink over one shoulder, Elle pushed the doors open all the way...revealing a wide hall with high arched windows, just as promised. She loved this old place, it was so different from modern houses...the cold stone and warm lights, and the view of the tumbling waves beyond the cliffs!

Standing to one side, Elle made room for Devmani to pass. "I'm glad you decided to stay for dinner, and I'm even happier we've met." Her voice was low and sweet, Elle reached for one of Devi's hands and gave it a squeeze. "Welcome, and welcome again anytime!"

Letting the door swing shut after they both entered, Elle breezed in...basket still in hand as she gave Devi the brief tour. "This is the main hall! Living room to the right, bedrooms to the left! Here at the next intersection, you have the balcony straight ahead...kitchen ahead and to the right, and the hall to the bathroom and cellar to the left!"

Everything was rather open, since the Villa was huge...she was sure Devmani wouldn't have any trouble making his way around. Pausing for a moment to listen, Elle nodded to herself.

"Those are the stairs to the tower, through the kitchen there...that's where Melisande is probably sleeping at the moment. The kids are in Levi's room...and-"

Dishes rattled in the cupboards as the furniture began to shake. Vibrations coursed through the stone, and heavy footsteps pounded their direction. Trunk lifted, sniffing curiously, Desperate hurtled into the hall and tried to skid to a stop as the rug bunched under him.

"BRRRRRM!!" Trumpeting at the top of his lungs to summon the others, Desperate flapped his ears and stared in wonder at Devi.

"...aaaand that would be Desperate, Nisha's Daemon." She could hear commotion from the bedroom as Levi bundled his little sister up to come see the unexpected guest. Shrugging at Devi, a bit apologetic, Elle stepped back and watched the baby elephant and the centaur square off.

Any wariness he might have had at the new guest vanished as the apple appeared. Scooping it up with the tip of his trunk, Desperate crammed the fruit into his mouth and crunched happily...dribbling generous chunks of applesauce onto the carpet.

Elle chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "He's such a teddy bear..." Her voice lowered, pitched below what a normal person could hear...but she'd already learned that Devi was special. She continued in that tone as Levi and Nisha peered around the corner. "It's her you have to watch out for."

Levi's eyes went wide as his mouth fell open...he stopped bouncing the chubby baby girl he balanced on one hip as he stared. Grin appearing like sunlight through clouds, Levi took a few more steps until he was fully out into the hall.

Levi wore his tattered sleeveless jacket as usual, but his earrings were in his box. He'd learned that Nisha and earrings did not mix quite a long time ago. Though his expression was joyous, surprise and excitement warring between his brows, the girl in his arms simply glowered.

Nisha's little hand flapped as it lifted...fingers hooking under the collar of Levi's shirt. Her wide golden eyes were narrowed, lower lip thrust forward in a clear sign. Elle, however, grinned.

"Ooh, she hasn't thrown anything! She might like you!" Elle was only half kidding, and shook her head in wry patience as Nisha kicked a foot in her direction.

"Levi, Desperate, Nisha...this is Devmani! He's our guest tonight!" Smiling at the younglings, Elle gave Levi that look with a tilt of her head that clearly said 'mind your manners and watch Nisha.' The young pirate simply sighed and nodded. It was amazing how much a chick could say with her mouth shut!

Realizing she still held her basket, Elle ducked into the kitchen to unload. "Make yourself at home! Feel free to come into the kitchen, or settle into the living room...I'll be done in a moment! Would you like something to drink, Devi? Water, tea, juice?"

"Milk!" Levi made his suggestion with a serious nod. After all, it was his favorite, so it had to be good!

Levi grinned as the tiny flutterdrake appeared, laughing as it cooed. "Ha! Like Kaimana!" He set Nisha down on the carpet and shifted his gaze from Little back to Devi. Lifting one hand, he pointed a bit rudely (as Elle had tried to teach him not to do) at Devi's lower stomach.

"Eh hurt? Y'gotta built-in horsey!" Levi was amazed at this...he'd gone riding at Aki's stables on Reju Island, but he'd never seen a man and a horse as one!! Well, maybe he had...but only in the picture books!

Nisha, however, was as cold as a babe could be. Ignoring Devmani completely, she stared instead at Little...glare relaxing into a rather enraptured gaze. There was nothing but a real butterfly that could be as pretty as this, and life was all about butterflies in the mind of the girl. She didn't reach for it, because Nisha had learned that butterflies never come when they're called, but she watched with rapt interest.

Elle emerged a few moments later, handing Devi a tall glass of water with an apple slice settled on the rim like a lemon wedge. She held a glass of iced tea for herself, and stirred it gently with a stalk of lavender. "Levi, your milk is on the counter!" She offered Devi another apologetic look...the boy could be rude, but he meant well.

Elle blinked at Devi's comment to Levi, sipping her tea slowly. A brain? Of course Levi had a brain, but he was just a child...and a centaur wasn't exactly an every day sight!

Levi jumped at the snap, and laughed in surprise...leaning to the side to stare at Devi's tail. He didn't balk at the slighest at Devmani's warning, he sounded rather like Aki!

"Silver?" He knew that word, and straightened back up again. Eyes dropping to Devi's thick bands, his smile tugged. "A friend, hmm?" The fingers of one hand twitched, itching to pet the pretty metal. The pirate kept his paws to himself though, and only looked. "S'nice."

Nisha glanced up stoically as Devi babbled something and then looked back to the creature on her lap. What did it want? Was it hurting her? Her lip trembled for a moment reflexively before she realized she was just fine. Sniffling, eyes wide and wet, Nisha lifted a finger and poked Little gently in the belly. Petting was still a bit beyond her.

Elle staggered to the side as Desperate pushed past, trotting for Nisha in a hurry. Tapping her on the shoulder, he waited for his share of the attention...hooting sadly when it didn't come. He lifted sad black eyes to Devi. The butterfly had taken Nisha's love away from him!!

Sighing, Elle shook her head and took another sip. "You're welcome. You get used to them, don't worry. And after that show, I'm sure Melisande is awake...maybe she'll come down for dinner. Oh, I should get cooking!"

Ducking back into the doorway, Elle pushed the table to one side against the wall...scooting the chairs in after it. That opened up a lot more space, only the kitchen island would be in the way.

"Do you like cheese, Devi? Or are you vegan?"

Levi's eyes lit up at the mention of a werewolf, but he was distracted by Devi's speech on personal space. Pulling his face back, looking vaguely disdainful, he raised a single dark brow.

"Pet?! Noh, yer great!." Snerking at the idea, Levi dropped into a crouch as Devmani did...squatting easily and resting his elbows on his knees. Obviously, he was rather impressed with the centaur...and it took Elle a few moments to realize that the only male older than himself he'd ever really met was...Asra.

No wonder he'd glued himself to Devi!

Keeping half an eye on Nisha and the delicate looking creature she held, Elle washed what she'd gathered under a spray of fresh water in the sink. "Petting him gentle, Nisha?"

Nisha's finger relaxed somewhat, and she gazed up at Devi's face with her little mouth hanging open. She knew the word gentle, but hadn't quite figured out where to apply it. Finally, it dawned on her. The butterfly creature was delicate!

Folding herself forward, Nisha curled into a protective ball...making a cave with her arms that shielded the flutterdrake from harm.

Starting to chop veggies and toss them in a large wooden bowl, Elle nodded thoughtfully at Devi's question. "If you like! Levi doesn't have much of a sweet tooth, but the rest of us would love it! Thank you!"

Lifting her eyes for a quick smile, Elle also did a sweep of the room...making sure the younglings were behaving. Surprisingly, they were! "Allergic to anything? Aside from meat?" A smile in her voice, Elle tossed another handful of greens into the bowl.

Desperate decided not to watch Nisha covet the new butterfly, and instead amused himself by snuffling at Devi's hair. Ruffling it gently with the tip of his trunk, he tried to figure out where the apple smell was still coming from. It had to be close!

Levi finally plopped down on his bottom, glancing from Nisha to Devi. "Got kids?" He had no clue if it was a rude question, and didn't rightly care...if Devmani had kids, Levi wanted to invite them over as well!

"Weird plants, hmm? Let's see if we can't make this salad a little more exotic, then!" Humming happily to herself, Elle opened the cupboard and pulled out a stack of small bowls. Into these, she began to add unique ingredients...that way, everyone could add a spoonful of what ever they wanted into the base of their salad without having to pick out the things they don't like!

Nisha burbled quietly to herself, or perhaps to Little...still curled over in a protective ball. Occasionally, she'd tilt her head to the side to see if anyone was about to disturb her.

Desperate, however, was occupied elsewhere. At the mention of the word apple, the tiny elephant plopped back on his bottom and lifted both front legs...almost like a puppy begging! For him, however, the stance meant 'I'm patient, and I will wait for said apple!' His ears flapped with anticipation.

"Eh yung?" Mangling the word a bit, Levi raised a brow. Devi was huge...how couuld he be young?! The rest of the explanation was a bit lost on him...especially the fancy words that even Aki didn't trouble him with. The 'no' part he understood though.

"Ha! None fer me, too. Gotta nuff." Nodding sagely, Levi flicked his gaze to Nisha, giving her half a wary smile. A baby sister was enough to keep him on his toes! Though he was still far too young to understand about babies, and why people had them, Levi seemed pretty firm in his conviction.

"We're almost ready! Devi, if you'd like to take the kids to wash up, feel free! If you're not in the mood, or they give you trouble, I'll be right there." Elle set the table swiftly...putting the kids plates against the window side, and leaving the more open 'dining room' side of the table for Devi.

[Gone for a lot of today! Will be back tonight as usual! <3]