Welcome to Gaia! ::

Elle was already approaching as Crow peeked inside. Her sleeveless crimson dress brushed the floor, carefully trimmed and laced up the front. The branches in her hair clacked quietly as she trotted forward in a post unformal manner upon spotting a few familiar faces.

"Ah, you all made it! You look stunning." It was obvious that she meant it. "Please, come in....you're the first to arrive!" She smiled warmly at Crow and Lenore, and introduced herself to the gentleman with a smile that threatened to dimple. "I'm Elle." <3

The smell of food was enhanced by the smell of flowers...lovely orchids, delicately scented, were potted at every corner. Nodding to a place for shoes and jackets, Elle waited for a moment for introductions, then ushered them in.

In the sitting room, upon the carpet, Kudzu sat happily. Beside him was a colorful basket, entwined with ribbon. His face lit up as he spotted the arrivals, semi-precious feet bopping against the carpet as he shifted.

"Oho. Naa." Wiggling his fingers at the female Mishap, Kudzu summoned her closer with a smile. It was just like Elle had said! He looked tidy in his own white robes...hand made by Elle, and accented with brown and purple. He didn't usually wear fancy clothes, since his complexion was rough on fabrics.

The dining was visible in the room beyond, high stone ceilings shading tables laden with appetizers. Roasted nuts, handmade cheeses, rounds of bread and fancy arrangements of sliced fruit were laid out next to a stack of glass plates...candles dancing just out of reach of the young ones in sconces upon the wall.

"This is the Villa! My home, and in exchange I help with the childcare. Aki and the little ones might be returning later, if you'd like to meet them! Please! Make yourselves at home, and feel free to snack if you'd like!" The last bit was mainly directed at the boys with another smile. If they were anything like Levi...

"Julian. Ethan." Nodding to each of the introductions, Elle smiled at both young men...motioning for them for follow Crow to the tables if they wished. "Please, help yourselves! As soon as I make sure Kudzu is settled, I'll join you for an appetizer."

Kudzu appeared quite settled indeed! His eyes focused more easily as Lenore came closer, and his cheeks bunched with a smile as she spoke. Nice, he knew that word!

Unable to return the same sentiment vocally, Kudzu instead peered down into his basket of colorful little bottles...drawing one out with a clink. Ooh, a red one! Holding it up in offering to his friend and guest, the babe cooed. It was for her!

As Elle approached, she grinned at the pair. Red, appropriate! She offered the girl a ribbon from the edge of the basket to tie the little bottle to if she wished. "I brewed it myself! Have a sip now, or feel free to save it."

Elle brightened as Ethan opened his mouth to speak, and smiled as he skittered away. Oh, the shy ones were the cutest! Where was Levi to learn this lesson?!

Joining the others at the table, Elle made herself a little plate as well. "I've been thinking of planting a few things on the grounds near Kudzu's rooms! I think there is a space for that, isn't there?" She pitched her voice so Lenore was part of the conversation as well...after all, the living room was right through the adjoining door! "A few of these things came from our own garden...I think Kudzu, and perhaps his friends as well, might enjoy trying to grow some of the same!"

Elle motioned to the veggie tray as she spoke, obviously indicating the tiny carrots and tomatoes that lined the edges. "Do you have a garden at your house?"

Kudzu watched as she took a sip, eyes wide with delight. She liked his gift! He knew what the red ones did...they were the ones Melisande always tried. He was too young to sing in demonstration, but he gazed up at Lenore as he tried his best. "Nananana!" The red ones made anyone's voice sweeter!

Few words caught Elle's attention like the word 'seeds.' "That would be lovely. I'm not familiar, but I'd love to see something new! Thanks!"

Turning a bit to peer into the front room, Elle smiled at the sight of Lenore and Kudzu. It was so nice to see kids getting along! All her time with Nisha sometimes gave her doubts.

Turning back to Crow and the boys, Elle entrusted Kudzu to Lenore. The girl seemed very responsible, and Kudzu was easy going! "We have plenty to drink, as well. Help yourselves! None of it is alcoholic, but the tall bottles..." Elle pointed, just to be clear, at the row of three tall and delicate bottles stoppered with tiny corks. Glasses were nearby. "...are still very potent, even if they aren't classic spirits. Probably not meant for our younger guests." With a wink to the boys, Elle excused herself for a moment...drifitng to the record player in the sitting room to start some gentle music.

Kudzu stared, obviously enraptured. Oh, how he loved singing! Elle sang to him sometimes, but even her voice wasn't this sweet! It was partly the potion, he knew. That's what they were for! The red ones, at least. Humming a bit out of rhythm, but happy nonetheless, Kudzu tried to follow the words of the song.

One little hand found the corner of Lenore's garment, and Kudzu tugged on it happily...not needing attention, but enjoying the contact. "Mmmhmmhmmm!" She sounded so pretty!

Elle's brew had a slightly euphoric effect, relaxing and exciting, all at once. Aki usually had a glass or two when she was in a poor mood, and still had a long day ahead of her. Worked wonders!

Music picked up from the record player, something classic enough to soothe the older crowd, but fast enough to let the little ones bounce along with it. She caught the tail end of Len's song as she made her way back to the kitchen. "Oh, you sing beautifully! Lenore, if you'd like something to eat, please join us in the kitchen! Kudzu will come when he's ready...doesn't walk yet, but he's great at crawling!"

Kudzu beamed at the praise, even if he didn't know exactly what Elle was talking about, and turned the smile up to Lenore as well. She also had nice things to say, and a lovely presence about her...he'd follow her where ever she wanted to go!

Tumbling to the side, settling in full crawl position, Kudzu waited to see where Len wanted to be. He still wanted to touch the pretty feathers, but the babe hadn't forgotten her warning.

Elle made her way back into the kitchen, and checked the oven as she passed it. "We'll be eating in just a few, but perhaps I could pick your brain for a bit, before we get to it! I've been working on a new batch, but I'm out of two of the main ingredients! So, the potion base is complete, but I have no new ideas for effect. Since I have to tailor it one way or another, I was wondering if there was anything you guys think would be helpful to have bottled around the house?"

Elle knew it was a bit of a confusing question, so she tried to clarify. "I can't make invisibility potions, or anything like that, but I can amplify the effect of almost any herb or mixture. What do you think? I have a few relaxation and energy blends already, I was hoping for something...unique!"

Pouring herself a glass from the bottle on the far right, Elle took a sip...thinking along with her guests. Sometimes it was the idea that was hardest!

Elle nodded and listened, laughing kindly along with the idea of healthy brews. It wouldn't be easy, but that was an excellent idea! At Ethan's suggestion, however, her expression stilled into one of wonder.

"Ah, out of all the mixtures I've created, that is the one I use." It was a coincidence, surely, but Elle was surprised by his insight. It was a very good idea...and she realized that perhaps a simpler brew (without her usual blue lotus) might benefit more than herself.

Starting as the bell by the oven chimed, Elle rose with a smile. "All good ideas...perhaps a blend that does a little of both! Mind and body." Turning to the oven, she tugged the main dish carefully...crisp broiled wild chicken, with lavender mint garnish, surrounded by roasted veggies and potatoes.

Kudzu crawled after Lenore...occasionally pushing almost all the way up to his feet. He wasn't walking quite yet, but soon! Everytime the girl glanced back, Kudzu offered her a peaceful and warm little smile. He would be there soon!

Once the table was set, and everyone seated, Elle changed the subject to the children. She was interested in arranging schooling for Kudzu...and eager to learn about Lenore's schooling especially. First and seconds were served with joy, until the potatoes no longer steamed and there was time for more than a sentance between bites.

"Do you take classes, then?" Elle asked, nodding to Lenore as she pushed around the last few bites on her plate. She was stuffed!

Kudzu drummed his crystalline heels gently against the bar of his highchair as he munched...a slice of apple gripped in one pale bluish hand. He looked to Len as well, even if he wasn't following the conversation.

Tugging the little wagon along behind her, Elle hummed as they made their way down the leaf littered path. Fall was making way for winter, and so many of the trees were bare....she almost couldn't help but sneak a look back at Kudzu, to make sure he wasn't going bald!

The babe sat in the wagon, gazing up at the cold canopy of branches without a word. There was a hint of a purple blush in his ashen cheeks, and the crystals creeping across his skin glittered brightly....amethysts peeking from his sleeves, from the bottoms of his cuffs, and of course from amid the leaves that covered his forehead. He was getting too heavy for Elle to carry, but certainly didn't seem to mind the wagon.

"We're almost there, Kudzu. Are you excited?" The boy perked up at her words, odd eyes settling on Elle's form before he nodded. He knew that word, excited. That meant something lovely was going to happen!

As they reached a little creek, Elle veered off the path a bit to head for the bridge. Usually, she just stepped over the tiny flow of water, but didn't want Kudzu splashed when he'd kept his robes so clean. The wheels rattled over the petite arch of wood, a bit unevenly as Kudzu leaned way to the side, trying to trail his fingers in the water.

"Eeah! Careful!" One of the ingredients in Kudzu's life spell had been iron, and that much was obvious. Keeping the wagon balanced by stepping on the other side of it, Elle waited until he gave up on reaching. "There, look! See it?"

Crouching next to the boy, she pointed across the orchard to the spreading lawn in front of the small house. In the center, surrounded by fallen leave, was a tiny jacaranda tree. "That's the same one I planted when you were born! Isn't it lovely?"

Kudzu nodded, eyes wide. It was lovely indeed! It was young, younger than he was, it seemed, and so delicate! A large part of the boy was cold, distant...semiprecious stones and perfect cogs of iron...but this tree was all alive.

He remembered the story of his birth, it was the one Elle told him most often. Where were the twins, the two children who had shared their life with him? Gazing up in questioning, Kudzu met Elle's eyes patiently.

The woman laughed, pulling her red coat tighter. "Want to see the others? Let's go inside!"

One hand reached out for the little sapling as they passed it, but Kudzu barely let his cold fingers brush the dark branches. It would be a fine tree, someday! Elle knocked quietly, letting herself in at a distant voice from inside, and tugged the wagon into the warmth of the cottage as well. "It's just us, we're be right there!"

Leaving coats and scarves at the door, Elle scooped Kudzu up from the wagon...grunting at his weight. He could walk if he edged along the couch, always keeping his hands upon something, but she didn't want any accidents. Not here.

Her old friend, Mira, was settled by the fire. The twins were asleep, it seemed, in the crib beside her...little faces turned to the slats of light from the fire, that shone between the wooden bars. Mira pushed to her feet, a bit heavier than she had been las Elle'd seen her, and offered the pair a hug.

"Oh, Elle. Is this him?! He looks like a forest spirit! Well..." Sinking back to her knees as Elle sat her boy down on the rug, opening her arms for Kudzu, Mira gathered the boy up for a hug. She grunted once she realized how heavy he was.
"I suppose he is, hmm? Hello, sweetheart!"

Kudzu smiled, the flowers upon his temples blooming the slightest amount in pleasure. This was a nice woman, and she seemed ever so slightly familiar...but it was the babies in the crib that fascinated him. Why were they so small?

"They're tiny, aren't they, Kudzu?" Being an empath had its perks. Kneeling next to Mira, who was fuzzing over Kudzu, Elle nodded to the crib. "You grow faster than them, but then again, there is two of them!"

"There certainly is!" Mira sounded a bit wry, but smiled fondly at the sleeping twins. "Their birthday is coming up soon. Well, ALL of their birthdays, huh?"

Elle laughed. "Indeed! January....16th? 17th? Right in there."

"Did I tell you about the outfits I made for them? Here, let me show you. Is he okay near the fire?" Nodding to Kudzu as she got to her feet, Mira offered Elle a hand.

"Should be fine. He's a careful boy. Let's see them!"

Kudzu watched as the women ducked out of the room, listening to their voices fade. It was just him, now, and the two babies in the crib. Using the sides of the bed to pull himself to his feet, the boy wobbled and stared inside. They were much different than him...pink and fat and still almost leafless. Kudzu tilted his head as one of them began to stir.

Brown eyes in a sleepy face peered back at him, reflecting the light of the fire. For a moment, all was well, until the babe realized mother was no where to be found. Kudzu knew what happened next. The little pink face scrunched up, just like Nisha's did when she was gearing up for a fit....but this wasn't Nisha.

Taking a breath, Kudzu blew gently....something close to the 'Shh, shhh" noise Elle always made when trying to comfort a crying child. This didn't sound like shhh, though....this sounded like spring, gentle wind through green leaves, rustling grass and sweet breezes.

Within moments, the babe was peacefully back asleep once more, and Kudzu smiled. They were good babies, for that he was glad!