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They were. They were empathic. Not just the 'oh I have empathy for you' variety either. Hemi kicked himself for not noticing it in his sister sooner. Perhaps that was the reason she was always sequestering herself away? Possible. He wondered if Nahanni's lessened reaction was because she did not know Edward as well, because she was only now showing signs of such a talent, or because Atae was simply stronger in said ability than she was. Whatever the case, Hemi would do his best to be there for them.

Now... what had upset Edward so that it caused the girls such clear distress? His garden variety empathy fueled by a kind heart went out Surely the pain now could not be the same Hemi had seen in the alchemist when he left the library? No. Whatever startled the girls had been more sudden.

~~~

The wild look to her eyes faded. She watched him studiously, as she would in a lesson to a professor, nodding that she heard and even if she did not understand at least had the information stored & tucked away. Gratefully Liliana took his nudge with a soft smile as it quelled her shaking, letting him continue until finished. It was almost forced, when Lily quiped up in an teasing voice. "It was a yes/no question..."

The rare moment of joking vanished and the winged female turned to face the door with him, her body lightly leaning on him as their fur brushed together. "Thanks. I appretiate you telling me." Her eyes smiled at his chivalry, then turned confused when he could not open the door. Realization was a little slow and when it came the crimson furred female laughed at herself. "The door's already open. Hopefully Atae's getting Edward."

Liliana leaned into her friend's stary pelt with a silly, nervous laugh. It was hard not to think about what he had told her -especially with Endless being right here- but he was attempting to not change her actions too much because of it. Some just could not be helped. "We're stuck until someone closes the door in the main room."

The teen girl gave Atae a confused look, her mind replaying the words. She didn't....understand. She had no experience with the word friend, even with the few kitsus she had met. They were merely faces to greet and wave goodbye to. Would she ever be forced, or willing, to go out of her way for another? Her thoughts were cut off as the door was open, and she turned her head away, taking a quick peek at Hemi before focusing her eyes on the ground. From what she had read.....she didn''t want to make eye contact. Even so, her fur still stood on end at the vibrations coming from the opened room.

Hemi did not comment as he followed Atae into the room before the door shut, barely giving the unfamiliar room a second glance before seeking the fullmetal's golden eyes with his baby blues - an unspoken 'no one should bottle forever' within their depths. Remus & Nari's youngest knew it would not be good for Edward. Nor Liliana, if this new development made the alchemist draw away from her. "Ginny's got dinner started. Thought you wouldn't wanna miss it. And the girls were worried about you."

His cheerful smile was there, as was the happy flick of his tails but his eyes remained serious and concerned.

Crimson maw grinned, and Liliana felt both like a kit and a lady all at once as she playfully made a movement like a cross between bow and curtsy which was the best she could manage as one that walked on four legs. "Gramercy, M'Lord." she played back, listing her head and tails in a queenly manner and stepping past him into the main room. She did not make it very far inside before collapsing in a fit of silly & overly nervous giggles.

They did not last long. Edward. Her head shot up from where she had fallen to the ground. Green eyes looked aroundin concern. Where were the others?

Nahanni remained where she was as the two entered the room and shut the door. The tension was gone, and the teen blinked in surprise. Was this...similiar to mothers ability? And did Atae have it too? She jumped as the door clicked, ready to open once more. Darting up, she shot back to her chair, curling up and ducking behind the armrest. She raised a brow as she heard Lily and Endless enter in a silly fit. She peeked her head over the chair, about to answer her question to the where-a-bouts of the others. The door, however, beat her to the answer. Nahanni's ears perked at the sound of the knob, and with her back shuddering, she flew off the chair and into the kitchen in a blur.

"Guys rarely kid where food's concerned. And Ed's quite an eater!" Hemi conceded, letting some of his smile touch his eyes. Turning to follow the others out he caught his sister's innitial beaming smile at seeing Edward around the fullmetal through the open doorway. It was followed almost immediately by a crestfallen look of confusion and surprise as he went by, his name falling silently from her mouth when it was clear to Hemi that Liliana had been about to shout it in something like exaltation. Green eyes fllicked to Endless, as usual seeking comfort. The remnants of his grin drew her own forth however and Lily set aside her recent ache to continue their charade-game. "Yes. We shall." The crimson female countered playfully. Trotting towards the kitchen.


Inside the kitchen a very pregnant Ginny Weasley was alternating standing and sitting while using her wand to direct the cooking. She smiled that the majority of their hosemates would not be bothering them tonight. Having found the decaffenated tea the red-headed witch had come to the conclusion Endless was here. Now she could not know what transpired Ginny had her basic suspisions. So she had called in a favor from the twins while promising to send their supper to them later then sought the others who were primarily 'in control' around the home and explained her request to keep the familial horde as contained as possible. Trel had promised, hurriedly devising games to keep Tien, Theron, and many of the smaller or more childish personalities occupied. Luckily most of them preferred games to dinner so the later could esily be postponed.

Tonight's dinner was pretty simple. Mashed potatoes and sausage -bangers and mash- with cooked sides of asperagus an carrots. Simple for two reasons: if what she thought had happened did then anything too fancy could be disgreeable, and for herself some spices and seasonings were just not appetizing right now. Besides... Ginny had been craving this meal today. Strike up one for the pregnant female's perogative.

She nearly jumped as a blur darted into her kitchen, mor surprised at whom she thought the blur to be than the action itself. Nahanni? It mde her glance out the door however and she smiled welcomingly at the others making their way to the kitchen. Oh yeah. Something had happened. Ginny really wanted to know what. She did not say anything, just waved a paw to invite them all in & smiled that warm & welcoming smile.

If anyone told her she resembeled Molly Weasley in that moment she would probably have decked them. Just as she felt a surge of pride.

Nahanni skidded to a stop under the table, finally glancing around to catch her bearings. "Ginny?" She padded to the edge of the table and peeked up at the robed female, giving her a tiny, and somewhat embarrassed smile. Ears flicked forward as Edward entered the kitchen, followed by the others. Obediently, she hopped onto a chair at the table and waited patiently for the others to eat. c__c; Though, the teen was finding it difficult with the zoned out Ed sitting across the table. She sweat-dropped, and tried to focus her own mind and senses on other things, so as not to intrude on the other's thoughts. She needed distraction till the food arrived. Hug me Hemi! DX

((rofl @ Atae))

Ginny smiled at her shy niece, giving a nod that it was okay and the teen had only startled her before returning to last minute dinner preparations.

Blinking and grinning at Atae nudging him at all, Hemi trotted obediently over to his sister to give her a hug. He had been intending to do so, once he saw Nahanni sitting like that -but the nudge had been particularly nice. He would ask Aunt Ginny how she got the rest of the family not to show up to the scent of dinner later; Hemi was glad the group was small. Better for Nahanni & likely better for Atae too. Hopping to a seat beside Nahanni he snuggled her reassuringly even as he bust out laughing at seeing Atae nooggie Ed.

How long will we play this game? "Gramercy." Liliana wondered to herself as she accepted the proffered chair with exagerated regal dignity and a smile for all those gathered around. It was the smile of one trying to make light & cheerful of a difficult and unaccustomed situation. Ginny & Hemi silently cheered her for the effort. Games had never been easy for the studious daddy's girl.

Brown eyes sparkled with inner laughter. "Lemon zest, hm?" Her gaze flicked to Liliana's gold tips and Ginny almost laughed out loud, wondering if that too like the glance was tongue in cheek for the night-pelt male. "Yes. I found them quite well. I don't think it was a lemon zest one I set to seep though. Thank you, Endless. For the tea and the offer to help, but 'too many cooks' you know." She winked and sent bowls & plates whizzing from the counter to be filled and set on the table before each seat. "Don't worry, I'll get to everything in time."

Her eyes danced merrily at this word game, knowing that for certain it would at least go over Liliana's pretty head. She worried at Ed's apparant lack of appetite though. He had always eaten well, being in the eating department like Shippou, Miaka, & Zell. Oh yes. Even Ginny could see something was wrong. darn it.. most frustrating, this not knowing!