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Lunch Break (AIM PRP)

Parties involved in order of first appearance: keetabirdy, and Kawaii_Hime_Ceres.

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Keeta pushed the stroller ahead of her as she neared the town square fountain. It was 5 minutes until noon and she looked around for a familiar red-head. Spotting a flash of red hair among the wandering crowd, Keeta headed towards it. She would listen to Cassara "Vlad's" music before they met. If nothing else Joel would like it.

Keeta couldn't help but continue to ponder why Cassara had sent the note. The only thing she could think of was that it was somehow related to her interlude with Rhine the previous week. If so, this was going to be one interesting conversation indeed.

Joel babbled from the stroller, as he looked back and forth at all the faces. He had a little containter of cheerios in front of him, some of which made it into his mouth, but most fell on the ground or in the stroller seat. Keeta would have a nice little mess to clean up later. He bounced, wanting to get out of the stroller and be part of all the excitement.

"Da! Mmmmm!"

Cassara's entire chorus was based on lyrics she had written herself. She had memorized them in her head. Each song was a tale about nature or a personal experience that she expressed through music.

Cassara was very personal on her final notes. She slowly opened her eyes viewing the small crowd that contained a few regulars. Bow in one hand, violin in the other she took a bow. Her shirt that unbuttoned a couple slots down hung loosely against her figure revealing more than she probably should have, but she didn't care.

Cassara's tail swayed idly behind her as she clipped the case shut. "I could smell you..." She said evenly. "Cannot say I was expecting you to show so early. Eager much, and with a baby no less." She rolled her eyes.

Keeta bristled, but tried not to take offence at Cassera's tone. She knew before coming here that she was a bit rough around the edges.

"I didn't mean to inturrupt. Joel likes listening to music, so I thought we'd listen for a bit before we had lunch, unless you don't wish to wait. And I had to bring him. I didn't have anyone to sit today. Unlike your mother I don't have a houseful of people who would watch him. Kael had to go somewhere today...." She said the last sentence with a frown and didn't add that Kael had been in a rotten mood when he had left. Her stomach churned slightly as she wondered whether Kael's bad mood and her visit to the fountain today were in any way related.

"You think your eating lunch with me?" Cassara tried hard to bit back her bark, and to hold her tongue. But she couldn't hold the second roll of her eyes. "With smarts like those..." She snorted as her tail curled at the tip.

Cassara took a moment to look Joel over. Not that she wanted one of her own, but there was something about kids. Even in their stupidity she couldn't forgive them unlike an adults.

"Ah, Rhine's about is he?" she asked, trying to keep her tone even. "There wasn't much to go off of in the letter. I'm sorry I take people at what they say...or write in this case. Anyways you're welcome to keep playing. I'm sorry for interrupting, I can wait for him here just fine." With a sigh, she dug out a wipe and try to clean off Joel's face, much to his dismay. After a moment, she glanced up at Cassara again, mid-wipe.

"Your mother doesn't know about this does she?"

"Why would I want to eat lunch with you?" Cassara snorted. "I don't know anything either... I'd like to keep it that way." She said frankly as she looked up at the sky. "And, no you don't need to leave and come back I'm finished for the day."

Keeta shrugged at her question, looking slightly crestfallen. From Cassera's tone one would have thought Keeta had offended her in some way. No, she didn't have to invite her out for lunch, but Keeta was frustrated that she wasn't interested in niceties. For Ceres' sake, she wanted to be at least on friendly terms with all of her children.

"I don't know. I just thought you were wanting to get to know me better or something. I wouldn't object to us trying to be friends. But if you'd rather I keep my distance I can do that. I'll certainly keep my personal life away from you, since that's your wish."

"I trust no man, no woman... Other than my rents and my siblings." Cassara said looking Keeta over. "I suppose though if you are going to be part of the family then I've got no choice but to learn to like you." With that said she turned and headed down the street. "Come along."

Keeta took a deep breath and got behind the stroller, pushing it after Cassara. Well she was not going to be easy to get to know, that was for sure. Perhaps the relatively pleasant attitude she had had the last time they had met had been a facade for Ceres. Well, she knew she would do her best not to provoke any bad feelings. She kept silent as they walked, letting Cass choose to guide the conversation if she chose.

Cassara wasn't sure exactly how to approach or handle Keeta. She knew her mother had good taste in people. But, on the other hand getting to know anyone and trust them... That was another can of worms in general. "My mother has never used a stroller in her life..." She said as she opened the door of the Cafe. "And, be on your best behavior. Not only do we work here we live here as well..."

Keeta wasn't sure whether she should take the comment about the stroller as Cassara's way of needling her, or just a statement of fact. She nodded in thanks as she stepped inside the open door.

"I'll certainly try to be good," she responded placatingly. Keeta at least wanted things to remain civil, if they couldn't be nice. Inside, Keeta looked around for the face she was hoping for.

"I'll take Joel upstairs." Cassara said already bending over the stroller. She was use to watching over little bundles from Natalia being around. "The person you want is in the kitchen... He likes cooking." She said rolling her eyes.

Keeta watched as Cassara took Joel away from the bustle of the dining room. She looked around and found an out of the way place to park the stroller, before heading towards the swinging door that lead into the kitchen. Facing it, she found herself hesitating. Aside from where she worked, it had always seemed 'forbidden' to go past a door such as this. Sighing she pushed the thought from her mind that made this taboo and gently pushed it open, peeking into the kitchen.

"Order up." Rhine hollered out as he sat the plates on the windowsill. Spatula in hand he turned his head to see Keeta standing there. He was already smiling, but somehow it just seemed to get larger the moment he saw her. He sat the spatula down, and then wiped his hands on his apron before crossing the room to meet her, and kiss her hand. "How are you today Princess?"

"I'm doing pretty well? And you my lord?" she asked teasingly in response to the pet name, her smile growing wide as well.

"It's so good to see you! I feel like I'm trespassing back here though, " Keeta said with a laugh, glancing around the kitchen.

"If I am Lord then you would be Lady." Rhine winked. "Now, if you are a Princess then I would have to be a Prince." He chuckled as he playfully teased her.

"Doing fairly well." Rhine said as he handed her a hair net. "You're a bit early, and my help won't be here for another 8 minutes or so." He picked up his spatula. "Even if I own the place this is my favorite place to be. Cassara prefers the stage."

"You'll have to teach me some then. Cooking has never been one of my better skills," Keeta said with a sheepish grin as she tucked her blue hair into the net. It was starting to grow out again as it had been some time since she'd cut it. The last of the brown dye still remained at the bottom of her length, but it would be gone the next time she got a trim. She would be glad to forget that stage of her life.

"So what can I do to help chef?"

"First things first." Rhine grins as he watches her tuck her hair into the net. "I must tell you, you are the most lovely thing to walk into my kitchen today." He rubs his tail against her leg playfully.

Rhine stands Keeta in front of him, and puts the spatula in her hand. "There is a burger in the pan." He says with a laugh. "We're going to squish, and flip... Nothing all that difficult." He puts his hand around hers, and helps her with this.

Keeta smiled and blushed at the compliment, leaning into him slightly as his tail brushes against her. She allowed him to "teach" her how to cook a hamburger, despite this being a skill she did manage to have in the kitchen. It was an excuse for constant and she wouldn't deny either of them that pleasure.

"Like this?" she asked as she worked with him, feigning ignorance on this subject matter.

"Exactly like that." Rhine grinned, and once the burger was flipped he scooted them over to the counter. "Onions... I hate them, but if the customers wants them then that is what they get." He said pressing against her as he leaned forward to grab the onion from the basket. Once he had the onion he grabbed a knife from the drawer. "Like this." He did the same thing again as he did with the spatula. Putting the knife in her hand, and then putting his over hers.

"I see..." she said raising an eyebrow, but then squinting as the onion started to make her eyes water. Keeta blinked and lifted her arm to wipe her eyes on her sleeve.

"I do like onions personally, but cutting them has never been one of my favorite pasttimes. Mmm....they're so good with a little butter and brown sugar...cooked until they carmalize. How can you not like onions?" she asked, turning to look at him.

"Because they give me the shits..." Rhine chuckled as he put the onions int he frying pan so that they could brown along with the burger. "Now, they'll want fries. I'm sure you have that down since I know you can good 'sticks'." He grinned, and took her hand. "But, still I've got to show you to the freezer."

Rhine couldn't believe how free he felt around her. It was like every problem he ever had melted away. He wasn't going to try and figure out how strong his feelings were for him... For now he just wanted to enjoy the ride.

Keeta gladly followed him to the freezer, just letting herself enjoy her time with him. She wouldn't think about how distant he had been this morning now. It wouldn't do her any good. If he had found out, well, she couldn't really make it worse. Rhine wasn't acting distant and it was clear he wanted her near him. It felt good to be wanted like that.

Rhine pulled out the cardboard box, and then from there the bag of fries. He carefully, playfully tossed it towards Keeta. "If you ever wanna help out around here... You know the hair net suits you." He smiled. "Besides, it would mean having more of you around." He winked.

"Well I might consider that. What do you pay?" she asked, sticking her tongue out at him with a smile as she closed her proximity to him with a step.

"I pay higher than minimum wage." Rhine said as he took a step for every one of her steps. "Not to mention we do offer sitter services, and meals. Both free of charge." He brushed his hand against her cheek. "And, for you there is a bonus involved."

"Bonus? Do tell..." Keeta asked with a grin, her voice quieting slightly as she nuzzled against his hand.

"I don't think I have to tell you for you to know." Rhine said leaning forward and closing the distance between him. His lips were inches from hers when suddenly the freezer door opened.

"Sorry mate." Charles said with a grin. "Didn't know you were busy heating up the freezer." He chuckled and took the bag of fries from Keeta. "I'll um finish up that order you have hanging over the grill." With that he turned and left leaving Rhine to look at the closing door before he looked back at Keeta.

"Errr...." Keeta said blushing and looking up at him, clearly feeling awkward about the situation.

"I guess we should have waited 'til you were off before starting on that. I hope your friend there isn't upset."

"All in good spirits Charles has been caught a time or two himself with one of our waitresses. She's a spunky red head. I know I probably shouldn't allow such things to happen in my freezer, but..." Rhine chuckled, and took Keeta's hand.

"How about we head up stairs to my place since he's got things covered. I can fix you some lunch, and things will be more private." Rhine said as he lead her out of the freezer where it was a lot warmer.

"Indeed, well as they say, 'all's fair in love and war'." Keeta responded chuckling slightly as they walked out of the freezer. She squeezed his hand. It felt good to know they weren't the only ones taking time out on the job for personal things.

"Upstairs sounds good to me. I wonder if Joel's fallen asleep or not. Cass- uh...'Vlad' took him upstairs. I didn't have anyone to watch him today. I hope you don't mind..."

"Vlad popped onto the island so that he could have a proper crib, and playtime with Natalia... But, why would I mind?" Rhine grinned as he gave Keeta a good looking over. "He's apart of you, and any part of you is good." Rhine gave Charles a wave as he put his arm around Keeta's waist. "Ring me if you need anything."

"I'm glad you don't mind, but your mom's not going to wonder why he's there and I'm not?" Keeta said her brow creasing slightly. Part of their plan had been leaving Ceres out of it for the time being. It was complicated enough as it was. She knew what she was doing wasn't necessarily right and she didn't need someone else telling her that.

"Mom won't question, but if she does. Simple enough you bumped into her at the town square, and she offered to give you a break. We've already planned things out." Rhine took a moment to unlock the door that lead to the upstairs area. "Place is a bit messy... I've been a bit-" He didn't think he needed to say anything more.

"No worries. I'm not the tidiest housekeeper myself," she said quickly, trying not to let his line of thought wander too far. The original goal here was to help him with his pain, even if she was interested for other reasons now.

"If you're sure we won't get caught. I'd better go see her soon though. She's supposed to be helping me plan the wedding, as you know. I'm sure she'll wonder what's going on if I don't seek her help in that in the next few days. Don't want her letting Kael wonder what's going on either." If he doesn't already know.... she added to herself. If he did....well it wouldn't be long before he confronted her about it. Maybe she'd been dumb to write about it in her journal, but there was no one else to turn to right now...Would he really read her private things like that?

"My mother hasn't caught me yet in anything that I've done. But, I've in the passed been dumb enough to confess." Rhine chuckled. "Now, that isn't saying that no one else hasn't caught me."

Rhine motioned her inside with a smile. "I've got help in making this mess. Vlad stays here." He was use to being one of the few that was able to get away with being able to call her by her real name. But he noticed Keeta catching herself and so felt it was better to help her buy using Cassara's preferred name.

"Well that's good to know that you know how to stay under the radar, so to speak," she said with a smirk, wrapping an arm around his waist.

"If she's staying here, will she mind that I'm here? I know she's already hard to be friendly with and I wouldn't care to cause more friction.."

"She shies away from anyone until she is sure that they are who they really proclaim to be... You see she fell for her who turned out to be a him and yanked out her soul. Raped the both of us. I was lucky in the fact that I could tear that b*****d apart and near eat him alive." Rhine ran his fingers through his hair as he looked out the window. "How about that lunch..."

"Ah...I see..." she said pausing awkwardly until he mentioned lunch, glad for an excuse to get away from this awkward topic.

"Lunch sounds good. I came hungry," she said with a smile. "We eating here?"

"If we eat here then I can cook for you. Or, if you'd like to go to the island then we can have lunch with the family. No telling who you will run into though." Rhine said as he looked her in the eyes. As he caressed her face his own softened.

"Well I think until we decide what we're doing, it would be better not to involve the rest of your family, lest we get to a place where we have to answer akward questions," she said matter-of-factly.

"Besdies, I would like to see what you can do in the kitchen," Keeta continued with a wink.

"I'm talented enough to cook and pleasure at the same time." Rhine said with a wink. With that he walked towards the kitchen. Grabbing an apron from the wall hooks just before the swinging door. "Come on Miss Hairnet Princess." He chuckled and wiggled a finger.

Keeta giggled and came at his beckoning.

"Do I really need to wear this when we're in your apartment?" she asked, tugging at the hairnet.

"Nope. But it does make for some kinky roll play." Rhine said putting the neck strap over her head so he could fit the apron snuggly against her before tying it.

"I suppose you could look at it that way" she said with a laugh, letting him tie the apron, using it as an excuse to be closer to him than perhaps was necessary.

"So what is on the menu this afternoon?"

"Mm I wish I could say you... But alas it is just this poor baked chicken." Rhine said as he opened the oven. "Been working on it off and on all morning." He flipped a few lids to show simmering mixed vegetables, and naked noodles.

Keeta took a good sniff of the inviting aroma that came from the food he was preparing.

"It smells wonderful! Why are you complaining about the 'poor baked chicken?' I can't wait to try some of it. I'm glad you know your way around the kitchen and hope I don't disappoint in comparison should you ever ask me to cook." She stepped behind him and leaned against his back, her arms around his waist as he checked the things on the stove.

"How can I find disappointment in you?" Rhine said leaning a bit against her, but didn't completely do so because of his bulk. He didn't want them both to end up on the floor... At least not in that manor. "So, mac and cheese, or tomato and noodle?" He said pointing to the naked noodles. He carefully curled his tail around, and up her leg.

Keeta shivered slightly as his tail wound up her leg. It was definitely not a way to keep her mind on the present, that was certain. Trying to concentrate she answered his question.

"Mac and cheese," was her decisive answer when she managed to voice it. Keeta had never been one for red sauce.

"I see you have 'kid' on the brain." Rhine chuckled as he slowly unwound his tail so he could get the block of cheese from the fridge. Then a grater from the cabinet.

"Is that a problem?" she asked, sticking her tongue out at him, before continuing.

"Is there anything I can do to help? You've got me all trussed up in the apron and hairnet."

"Since you put it that way, and we're not doing roll play in the kitchen-" Rhine growled playfully as he put the cutting board on the table. "How about shredding some cheese." He put the cheese and grater on the counter.

"I think I can handle that," she answered with a smile, picking up the cheese and beginning to grate it.

"How much do you need?"

Once she was leaning slightly over the counter to shred the cheese Rhine came up behind her. "Just grate-" He whispered against her flesh, and nibbled on her neck. "I like extra cheese myself."

Keeta shivered and closed her eyes, pausing in her work as he nibbled on her.

"That's a good way for us to forget about lunch you know," she managed after a moment, trying to resume grating the cheese.

"I told you I was good at both in the kitchen." Rhine chuckled and put his hands over hers to help steady her. "And, consider this a prelude to dessert before dinner."

"If you say so..." she said, having to try very hard again to keep her mind on the task at hand. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate his attentions, it was just that she thought it more prudent to wait until they were done with lunch.

Rhine stepped away from Keeta and slip the cutting board down the counter till it was closer to the pot. "Bet you thought it would lead further." He chuckled. "Butters in the fridge."

"Indeed," she responded with a raised eyebrow, before heading to the fridge to get the butter. She shuffled through a few things before finding the desired container and setting it on the counter.

"Who'd have thought you had such self-control," Keeta continued with a grin.

"I'm not floating away on alcohol." Rhine grinned. "But, trust me... Right time, right place and I'm insatiable." With that he grabbed a spoon and put a dollop of butter into the drained noodles. After that he dumbed in the cheese. "You want to stir?"

"Sure," she walked over and grabbed the handle of the spoon, stirring the thick mixture, trying to coat everything well and get the cheese to melt.

"Just don't blame me if it comes out all lumpy or something."

Rhine caressed Keeta's spine, and near purred. "If that happens we'll just turn the oven on medium heat. It happens once pasta cools. You really should have self confidence because cooking isn't all that difficult."

She shiverred again as he caressed her, almost joining him in the purring.

"I'm kind of overexaggerating just to be silly," she said, snapping out of it after a second. "And we're never going to finish here if you keep trying to side-track me."

"I just want to make sure you have enough self confidence in yourself that you can go home to the precious one and cook for him regardless if it is a can of soup and be proud of yourself." Rhine scooted away from Keeta so that he could retrieve plates, silverware, and cups. "And, besides half the fun is teething you regardless if you already know it."

Smiling, Keeta nodded in response, continuing to stir the pasta as Rhine set the table for two. She even snuck a small bite while she was working.

"Mmmm....tastes good. I think we may have a winner here Rhine."

"I know I've a winner." Rhine grinned. "After all I've got a Princess helping me with dinner." After the table was set he came back over to the stove. First he turned everything off, and then he carried things over to the table and put them on proper place holders. "Take a seat, and I'll serve you."

"Thanks Rhine," she said shedding her apron and hairnet, and laying them aside. Keeta leaned over and kissed Rhine on the cheek, before seating herself at the table and laying a napkin in her lap.

"Thank you my Prince," she said with a wink.

Rhine's grin went from ear to ear as he grabbed serving spoons. He discarded his apron, and put it with hers. After words he started serving her. "I cannot promise anything about this chicken... It was partially on auto pilot."

"Do I want to know why you were making it on auto pilot?" she asked cautiously as she nudged it with her fork. After a second she began cutting it, while she waited for his response.

"I was working down stairs." Rhine laughed as he plopped into his own chair. He fixed himself a plate with moderate proportions. He leaned forward and helped her cut her chicken. "I promise you." He took a bite for himself.

"If you say so," she said with a laugh, before also taking a bite. The chicken was moist and flavorful and she chewed slowly savoring the flavor.

"It's wonderful! If you hadn't told me you had made it 'on auto pilot' I would have never known," Keeta said, taking another bite.

After taking a couple more bites from his own plate Rhine was content to watch Keeta eat. There was just something about her. He felt content around her. He smiled, and sighed contently.

Keeta heard the sound and glanced over at Rhine. She took in his expression, confused as to why it would be accompanied by a sigh.

"What was that about?"

"Just content. I haven't been this content in a good long while." Rhine smiled, and finally started eating. "You really bright a light to the room..." He wasn't sure how to explain it, but he was sure that was good enough.

Keeta blushed and smiled, pleased at his response and that she could make him happy. She continued to eat in silence, not sure how to respond to such a compliment. The fact that it was her who could make him content where even his ex-wife could not, was a bit overwhelming.

Rhine's tail curled and uncurled around the chairs leg as he finished up what was on his plate. "Hope you are in the mood for dessert." He grinned. "Because I pulled out all the stops for you." He said as the last bite of chicken went into his mouth.

"Oh?" she asked, raising an eyebrow and continuing to blush. Keeta was curious what he had done, but also pleased and slightly embarrassed if he had gone to a lot of work on her behalf.

Rhine collected the dishes, and put them into the dishwasher. Next he covered up the left overs, and put it on the kitchen counter. "Dirt cake." He chirped for the first time in a long time as he stood up.

"Dirt Cake?" she asked, curious as to what it was. She didn't think it was real dirt, but something more akin to the dirt cups she had heard about with pudding and cookies. Still, she couldn't be sure until he explained himself. One thing was for sure, at least so far, Rhine never failed to surprise her.

Rhine chuckled both at her voice and expression of curiousness. He pulled the recipe card out from his little box of well kept dessert secrets, and handed it to her.

1 to 1 1/4 lb. pkg. Oreo cookies
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
3 cups milk
1 (12 oz.) tub Cool Whip (can use chocolate)
2 (3 1/2 oz.) pkg. instant vanilla or chocolate pudding
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 gummy worms and/or other critters

"I took the time to make individual 'pots'." Rhine said as he sat a flower pot in front of her. It had a yellow and green gummy worm sticking up from the 'dirt'. "Trust me I'm not the typical kid who likes making mud cakes..."

"Haha, it's such a cute idea," she said looking at the flowerpot with amusement.

"Thank you for going to the trouble for me. Maybe I'll have to make Joel one of these when he's a bit older." Grinning, she pulled the worm from the dirt and bit off the end, sucking on the sweet gummy flavor.

Rhine grinned watching her enjoy the gummy worm. It was good to know she still had playful spunk in her. Then again she had to, having a kid... "I have an extra that you can take home with you." He was purely delighted in the fact of how pleased Keeta was with the dessert. It really warmed him over. He handed her a spoon before grabbing a pot and spoon for himself, and taking a seat.

"Well, I'm sure he'd enjoy it, I'm just not sure if he's old enough to be enjoying such things. Especially not the worm," Keeta replied, before taking a bite of the creamy mixture.

"Mmm....." she said, showing her approval and licking her lips. "Chocolate is one thing I'm glad they have in greater abundance over here."

"In any case you can take the extra home with you." Rhine smiled, and continued to enjoy himself by simply watching her. He knew people enjoyed his cooking, but it was different when someone close enjoy it.

"I've got plenty of chocolate stashed about the kitchen. Perhaps next time you come to visit I'll have chocolate covers strawberries prepared for you." Rhine said finally taking a bit of his own dessert.

"Thank you" was all she could manage to say. Keeta blushed when her mind instead went elsewhere for what they could use chocolate, strawberries and maybe add some whipped cream for. To keep from having to speak further, she took a rather large bite of the mixture.

"You don't have to say it to express what your thinking." Rhine grinned wickedly. "Perhaps next time I'll just melt the chocolate, and we can dip strawberries as desired." With that he took a moment to pull a worm from the pot, and slurp it up playfully.

"You're a regular mind reader," Keeta teased, sticking her tongue out at him.

"Apparently neither one of us can manage to keep our thoughts where they are appropriate."

"Who wants to keep thoughts clean and appropriate... After all squeaky clean is hardly any fun at all-" Rhine chuckled his grin growing. "Unless of course you are in the shower."

"This is true..." Keeta said, before taking another smaller bite and licking her spoon clean in a manner she hoped he would appreciate.

Rhine squirmed a bit in his seat but tried to make it as unnoticeable as possible. Though his gaze was hardly adverted from that wicked but crafted tongue of Keeta's.

Keeta grinned as she watched him, pleased that her action had had the desired effect. With the way they had been bantering all through lunch though, she was slightly surprised at his self-control.

"Hmmm...I think I'll save the rest of this for later, in case I get hungry," she said with a wink as she stood and walked towards the fridge to deposit her remaining cake.

Rhine looked down at the flower pot that he'd hardly touched. It could certainly wait forever. He to put his in the fridge before he finished cleaning up the table.

Rhine gave Keeta a good look over, and licked his lips without thought. "Have something in mind?" He whispered as he turned on the dishwasher.

"What do you mean?" she asked, trying to appear innocent, but couldn't help the smile that slowly spread across her face as she leaned against the door of the fridge.

"Someone curvy with gray eyes, and silky blue hair." Rhine said not moving from where he was propped up against the counter. But, his eyes were very busy taking in every detail Keeta had to offer. "Catch my drift?"

"Hmm...I think so, but you might have to be a little more specific," Keeta smirked, never taking her eyes from him. Bantering like this was fun, she wondered how long they could manage it before the inevitable happened.

"Ever taken your hand and cleared the tabled of every dish." Rhine said taking a step towards her. "Been thrown down on the bare table naked a jay bird." He took another step. "Then teased, and pleasured till you cannot stand it anymore and your screaming your partners name... Just hoping for release." He was practically nose to nose when he came to closeness with her.

"N-no," she said in barely a whisper, the teasing lilt gone from her voice as he leaned over her. She couldn't take her eyes from his, memorized as she was by them and his words. Her chest rose and fell as she stood there face to face with him, her heart rate quickening with anticipation.

Rhine twined his fingers with Keeta's and led her towards the table. The table was already fairly empty with the exception of table cloth, salt and pepper shakers, and a napkin holder. He took his free hand and yanked the table cloth onto the floor with it the other few things.

Keeta followed him to the table, silent except for her breathing. She couldn't help but gasp, however, when he flung the objects off the table, even though he had warned her. Glancing up at him, she caught his gaze again, and suddenly couldn't contain herself. Her mouth was pressed against his with an intensity, betraying the level of need she was feeling right at that moment.

---- Insert Time Lapse ----

Rhine was half surprised that they didn't collapse the table in their love making. It had been a very long while since he'd even thought of, let alone done this in the kitchen. "I'd offer you a napkin, but there on the floor." He was trying to be crafty, but wasn't sure it was working. But his attempt was due to after dinner you also needed a napkin.

"I think I can manage without," she said, with a slight smirk.This had certainly been one of the more unusual experiences she'd had like this, but it had also been one of the more enjoyable. She ran a hand through his hair as she looked at him.

Rhine didn't make any attempts to move away from Keeta. He fixed his gaze on hers as he caressed her cheek. "I think between the two of us we've got one hell of a spark going."

Rhine wrapped his tail around the nearest something so that his entire weight wouldn't be all on Keeta.

"Indeed....Let's just hope it doesn't get us into trouble..." she said with a nervous grin. To help him in his endeavor to lessen his weight, she slid out from underneath him, so they were more laying side by side now.

Rhine caressed her cheek, and was content to watch her. If he didn't know better he would have said she was glowing. He smiled, and held her close. He hoped they could lay like this for a while.

Unfortunately, time was not on their side and after Keeta glanced at the clock a moment later, she gasped and sat up.

"Damnit, I've got to go! Kael's supposed to be home in an hour to watch Joel so I can do something with another friend of mine, and the last thing I need to be doing now, is coming up with excuses as to why I wasn't at home on time for him to babysit...." She started scrambling off the table searching for her clothes that had been strewn around the room.

Rhine sat up and watched her scramble. Though he understand he felt torn. He wanted nothing more than to hold her, to call her his. But, he knew that at this moment this was nothing more than an affair.

Finally he slid off the table, and found his pants and with it his mirror. "Go on in the bed room, and I'll call upon Cassara." He smiled gently enough as he kissed her. "Shower if you want."

She kissed him back, knowing it must be uncomfortable for him, with her having to scramble to meet the expectations of another man. For now though, she was offering all she could of herself.

"Thanks for getting Joel," Keeta said as she pulled her clothes on, finding the pieces one by one. "I'll wait and shower at home. There's fewer potential problems that way..." she said, trailing off and pausing to look at him, her expression tender.

"I don't want this to get more complicated than it already is. Neither one of us need that."

Rhine caressed her cheek before looking into the mirror. "You don't need to explain..." With that he walked into another room so summon Cassara.

With a sigh, Keeta continued to track down and don the remaining articles of clothing, before grabbing her other things, so she would be ready when Rhine returned. She felt bad for him, with the awkward circumstances, but she didn't know what else to do.

Cassara came into the kitchen with Joel in her arms, and little Natalia holding onto her tail. "He got a little cranky so we gave him some lunch and a nap."

"Thanks Vlad," she said, taking Joel from her and giving a little smile to Natalia, tossling her hair.

"Hi there munchkin! You're getting even bigger since the last time I saw you.... Rhine?" she asked, looking back at Cass, but figuring she already knew why it was her and not him who had brought Joel. Her heart sank slightly knowing that this delicate situation was hurting him. And that was what she had set out NOT to do.

"Big brother said he luf you... I ask him." Natalia smiled as she reached out to touch Keeta. "He luf you like he luf me, mommy, and everyone." She grinned proudly. "You see me soon?"

Cassara tried her best to remain neutral to the situation. The last thing she needed was for little ears to hear something and for it to get blown out of the water.

"Thanks for telling me that honey," Keeta said kneeling down to Natalia's level, wondering if it was meant in the way the toddler had described, or if it was something more. She swallowed hard, trying to calm her nerves, before glancing up at Cass and nodding, accepting her silence. She turned back to the little girl.

"And yes I plan to see you soon! I need to visit your mom anyways and seeing you will make it that much better!"

Cassara leaned into Keeta. "It is one thing to disappoint my brother, but I will not tolerate if you disappoint Natalia." She whispered trying to keep her voice even. She straighten back up, and put on her best smile. "You have a nice day Keeta." She said in full voice.

Natalia looked between the two of them and she continued to smile. "Okay, then. See you soon!"

Keeta took a step back, unable to control her expression for a moment, before managing to turn it into something neutral. Her eyes were still wide however. Forcing a smile she turned back to Natalia and nodded.

"Yes see you soon..." She cast a furtive glance at Cass before stepping out the door, a little faster than was perhaps necessary. The underlying threat in that statement had not been wasted. Had she disappointed Rhine? And she had no intention of disappointing Natalia. Hell, she wouldn't tolerate that either, but still...Confused, heartsick and worried, Keeta went downstairs to collect the stroller and return home, hoping she would appear presentable by the time Kael returned.

Unnamed (Thread RP)

Parties involved in order of first appearance: Kawaii_Hime_Ceres, and Krista_Darkangel_Silme.

----

Natalia walked, practically danced, into the clinic. She may not have had eyes, but she did have ears. And, those ears were tuned better than ever to her surroundings. She was a carefree spirit and ready for anything. Especially since she had memorized the area around her.

Ceres' hands was in Sky's as she leaned against him. They were just a little behind Natalia. She chuckled as she watched her anxious little one. She couldn't believe how quickly she was growing up.

Tinania push the door open slowly, allowing two small little toddlers to waddle into the clinic. With her wings folded behind her, she takes a deep breath as she glances around the clinic. Only one person was in today, so it meant she would be able to get what she needed then be out of here soon.

Seiji held Nirendra's hand as he makes his way around the main room. His blue dragon wings flapping alittle as he pauses in his step. Looking towards Ren, he points towards the chair "Ren sit?" he was trying to ask her if she wanted to sit in the small seat.

Nirendra chews on her bottom lip as her light blue hair falls into her face. Making a face that look very much like a frown, she steps closer to Seiji. Shaking her head, she herself unfolds her dragon wings from around her shoulders. It was a new place, thus she wasn't sure what to do at this point.

((Nirendra and Seiji))

Natalia spun around immediately in the direction she heard noise coming from. With her own sudden movement the bells woven into her tail jingled. "Mom," she said with a voice full of curiosity.

Ceres looked up from Natalia, and towards the door. Her eyes however never focused on one area. Noticing that these were people she had never met before she smiled most pleasantly. "Hello," she said volunteering a greeting first.

Sky's eyes and posture focused on the direction of where the people where heading. He kept his eye on the little ground. He was the eyes for Ceres'.

Looking towards Ceres, Tinania offers her a small smile as she bows her head alittle "Hello, I'm sorry if we are disturbing you. Just came in here quickly to grab some paperwork for a friend, then we shall be on our way." unfolding her fairy wings, they flutter for a moment before falling still once more.

Seiji looks towards the other family, his head tipping to the side as she studies them. Keeping ahold of Nirendra's hand he attempts to pull her behind him "Ren stay...." it wasn't the fact he didn't trust them, he just didn't know them.

Nirendra frowns before she pulls her hand from Seiji, finding she didn't like being told what to do. Crossing her arms she moves pass Seiji, so she can stand next to him. Her eyes watching the little girl for a moment. She was different compared to herself and Seiji, but what caught her attention the most was her tail. It made a sound when it moved, which Nirendra found more interesting then anything.

"You are far from disturbing us," Ceres said as she put her hand on Natalia's shoulder. "We came here in hopes that she could find someone to play with for a few moments..." She did not feel the need to mention that where they lived there were few children. There was a soft swish of her own tail.

Natalia touched her mothers hand. Feeling no tension she took a couple of steps forward. Their voices were gentle enough, and she could not see what was ahead of her and thus she was not intimidated in the least. Taking a couple of steps forward she could only guess how close/how far the others were from her.

Sky whickered and gave a flick of his own tail. He did not mean to seem stern. He was protective of her more so than any other child he had fathered. He kept a watchful eye on Natalia, if for nothing else to make sure that she didn't run into a table.

Tinania couldn't help but smile as she remembers when her mother use to do that for her. With a small chuckle, she leans over the counter to grab a few pamphlets "Well I guess it wouldn't hurt to stay for a little longer." placing the pamphlets into her back pocket, she nods towards her brood "My son Seiji, and my baby cousin Nirendra. I'm Tinania, I'm actually a child of this clinic also." moving towards the others, she kneels down on the ground near Seiji.

Seiji glances up when he hears his name, only to look towards the little girl again. Giving a wave, he rest against his mother as his tail smacks the ground a couple of times. His golden eyes dart from Sky to Natalia, then back to Sky. Wrinkling his nose up, he lays his head on his mother's lap.

Nirendra seem happy that Natalia was attempt to come closer, in fact she was hoping she would. Taking a couple careful steps forward, Nirendra held her hands out so she can reach for Natalia. Her wings were unfolded behind her, so she can keep her balance as she walks.

"This is Sky-," Ceres said as she put a hand on her companions side, "-he is Natalia's father and my companion." Her cheeks were slightly flush at the very fact of calling him her companion. "I'm Ceres and this is Natalia." She motioned to herself and then to the little one stepping forward.

"Just a couple more steps little one," Sky said with a whickered and a flicker of his tail. He did not know how much attention Natalia was paying attention to noise now that there were other more exciting things in the room than what she was familiar with. He was consumed with Natalia to pay attention to introductions.

Natalia giggled, clapped her hands, and flickered her tail. She was making as much noise as possible because she wanted to make the others knew she was coming. She didn't know if they could see or not. "Nice to meet you," she squeaked in anticipation.

Tinania bows her head towards Skye, then chuckles "A pleasure to meet you to Sky." her eyes turn back towards Ceres "So I'm guessing you must be new to the clinic?" she found that each time she came here, a new child was running about the room. Not that she mind, as she found it was nice to meet other parents. Plus being a fairly new parent herself, she found it more interesting to see how other parents were like with their own children.

Seiji giggles before he lifts his head up off his mother's lap "Renny not speking yet." looking up at Ceres, he gives her a small wave. She was blond like his mother, so were they related? Looking back towards Nirendra he falls quiet as he watches the two girls interact.

Nirendra attention was once again drawn towards the tail, as it made noise once again. Looking back up towards Natalia, she couldn't help but giggle herself at her. She was already fun to be around, just for the fact her tail made noise. Standing in place, her hand stay out in front of her as she waits for Natalia to come closer.

"May I touch you," Natalia asked to no one certain person. "... I want to see you," she felt the need to add. After all it had to sound silly to anyone else that she wanted to touch so she could see. She flickered her tail again so it made noise. She realized the other delighted in the noise.

"Pleasure is ours," Ceres smiled. Her every movement was fluid like, ancient even if her age was finally catching up to her. "I wouldn't say new but I wouldn't say regular either," she said gently enough. "May we sit next to you... It is easier for us to watch Natalia that way."

Sky wasn't as fluid as Ceres, but his degree of equine did show through in his breathing, and his movement.

Tinania taps the ground next to her, then picks up Seiji to settle him in her lap "I don't mind at all, your daughter is beautiful by the way." running her fingers slowly through Seiji's hair, she finds she was deciding they could stay longer then she intended. It couldn't hurt, plus it gave the little ones a chance to make new friends.

Seiji remains quiet as his mother's fingers brush through his hair. After a couple minutes, his eyes fall close. He wasn't asleep, he was just really really relaxed. As his wing relax back against his back, his small hand curl then un curl against his mother's jeans.

Nirendra looks back towards Seiji, only to find her own voice wasn't awake. Frowning, she looks back towards Natalia trying to figure out how to say yes to her. With a small nod, she flexes her fingers hoping someone would realize she was okay with Natalia's request.

Ceres fluidly bent down next to Natalia. "Easy now," she said as she held out Natalia's hand and showed her Nirendra's face. "You two will learn to communicate in your own way. You don't see with your eyes and she doesn't speak with words." She was in no way offensive with her words.

Natalia nodded her head and flicked her tail. "Alright," she said as she felt her fingers touch the others cheek. "She could clap once for no, and twice for yes." She was thinking of this as if it was a game and she was having a lot of fun.

Sky moved closer but still kept a bit of distance. His eyes were flickering from one person to the next so that Ceres' never missed a beat. He did make himself seem warmer by smiling.

The Lost Returns: Arrival (AIM PRP)

Parties involved in order of first appearance: Kawaii_Hime_Ceres, and [ X_Bleeding Roses_X ].

----

It was fairly early in the morning and the sun hadn't risen yet- but, it was working on making an appearance. Rhine had the kitchen warming itself up to prepare for another day. While he waited on that and the employees to arrive he was busy checking over last nights close down. Though the Cafe' was not open yet the door was unlocked.

A figure moved slowly down the street swaying as she walked to her own tune. There wasn’t much to tell of them as they had swathed themselves in a long cloak that had a hood hiding there face in shadows. As they walked the sound of twinkling bells could be heard showing that underneath they must be wearing some and the clink of jewels was also heard. The figure appeared to have reached their destination, a café. The sign read closed but they disregarded this having expected that from such an early time. Testing the doorknob and finding it unlocked they entered and let the door slam shut behind them.

Rhine looked up from behind the counter when he heard the door shut. "It will half an hour before we open up officially. Go ahead and take a seat I can bring you a drink of your choice," he said with one of the most charming, pleasant smiles a person could have and get away with without it being considered fake.

The figure cocked their head to the side and gave a light chuckle reveling through the pitch for them to be a woman. “I’m not here for a drink Rhine, I’m here to ask where Cass is so I can tell her,” as she said this she unfastened her cloak to hang on a chair, “that I’m back.” the cloak now off she turned around to Rhine having turned away to put it down revealing a much changed Kaida. Her face was very thin with high cheek bones and large almond eyes that where a familiar cerulean with cat like pupils, they glittered with a mischievous light. Across her nose and cheeks where pale lilac scales imitating freckles that shined in obvious health. Her lips where curved into a small smile that caused the tips of her fangs to poke out. Reaching up she brushed a loose bit of silvery blonde hair had escaped from the tight bun it was in and swirling around her horn to fall in her face. She tucked the loose strand behind her pointed ears that still held the familiar three piercings. As she moved her wrists to do so she tinkled showing she still wore her bracelets expect the one Cassara gave her that was acting as an anklet. That brought attention to her attire which seemed to now match her mothers with the amount of leather in it, of course she had gone for white and Lilac instead of black and red and did not wear boots because of her clawed feet. Shifting slightly with out of nerves her wings flexed uneasily as her tail uncurled from around her waist.

Rhine tried his best not to let the shock show. Instead of dropping what he was hoping he gripped it tighter. Thankfully, though he did not break it. "You're a site to behold," he said not meaning it to go good or bad. "Cassara is-" Before he could continue he was distracted by a door closing... A different one this time.

"I'm sorry Rhine I couldn't wait for you to cook breakfast," Cassara managed to say despite the mouth full of a bacon. "Wish I hadn't gone because mom's having a morning," she shorted as she held the plate for Natalia. "Hope you don't mind extra help in the kitchen..." She grinned knowing Natalia, though blind, liked to get into everything. She loved things that made noise.

“Cass..?” Kaida called out with trepidation as she moved swiftly over to the staircase to see her, completely forgetting Rhine. As she reached them her anxiety grew to record heights. Kaida was very nervous about how Cass would receive her, after it had been over three years since they had last seen each other and then she had been more than a little insane.

Cassara's large, red ears swiveled causing the hoops to tink together. The large, unfitting white button up shirt was sloppily covering her frame. The three top buttons undone slightly revealing a white undershirt. The undershirt so thin it revealed her chest that was wrapped. Part of the problem to her upper half is that she was holding her sister. Her pants were pretty snug and sat well on her hips. Hips that she hated because it made it that much harder to hide her feminine frame. Thankfully though in the past few years, though still thin, she'd thickened up. Her already farily narrowed yellow eyes narrowed further. Her large black and red tail swung forward defensively protecting Natalia. She was defensive because she had yet to recognize her mates sent, not that she would after the time apart and the changes that had occurred. It was obvious though that she knew this person because this person knew her name. "Say your name or I won't hesitate to defend," she said venomously.

Kaida let out a chocked sound at the venomous words. She could understand not being recognized by scent or even looks but there was one thing that had not changed in the years and that was her voice and it hurt more than she liked to admit that Cass didn’t recognize her when her brother did. Stilling her movements she drew slightly into her self and with a voice that wavered way more then she would ever admit replied, “It’s me Cass, Kaida. I’m Back.”.

Cassara looked over the woman and shook her head. "Impossible. As long as she's been gone she's dead," she said it without another thought as she brushed past Kaida and headed towards Rhine.

Rhine gave Cassara only a look a brother could give a sister. "You're letting your defense get in the way of things again-," he said gently enough not wanting to start anything. He looked over Cassara's frame and towards Kaida. He tried to give her a quick apologetic smile at how his sister was reacting before his sister noticed. "Or, else you'd at least remember her voice and her movements."

Rhine quickly headed from behind the counter. "Let me take Natalia... It might make things easier."

Kaida stood there frozen as Cassara brushed pass her. Waahh- Dead!?! How can she- Why would she- GAH! thought Kaida as her emotions spiraled in chaos. Of all things she had thought of she had not thought this! Mamwa Rose said she had explained to Cass why so how could she possibly think so! “Ca.. Ca.. Cassara it is me! How… How could you possibly think me dead!” she exclaimed whirling around causing her various jewels- which Cass should have recognized- to tinkle against each other.

Having handed Natalia off to Rhine she turned and gave Kaida a good look over. "So you robbed a dead woman and managed to put on a good act," she snorted. "Anyone could fool my brother. Bravo!" She applauded the girl. "Because the one thing you got wrong is that my mate wouldn't have left me for this long without so much as a word. Not even her mother has spoken to me in nearly three years... For all I know she's gone and found a way to off herself." She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes further.

Seeing as there wasn't any reasoning with his sister and that this looked like it could turn nasty before it got better Rhine headed to the kitchen after locking the Cafe doors... The last thing he needed was for his sisters stupidity to scare off any business that came through the door.

Oh. That was it. Screw devastated. Kaida emotions took a complete turn to furious. Suicide! Mamwa Rose would never! She already knew the horrors of hell having been there and she wanted no repeat performance, and Cass knew this! So to even suggest Mamwa would do so- unforgivable. “HOW DARE YOU! CASSARA YOU BLOODY WELL KNOW MAMWA WOULD NEVER, EVER, EVER, COMMIT SUCIDE! YOU UTTER b*****d SHE’S TOLD YOU ABOUT HOW THE SPIRITUAL PLANES ARE TO HER AFTER VICKY! SO TO EVEN CONTEMPLATE SHE FOUND A WAY TO RE-KILL HERSELF IS… IS… ARGH!?” Kaida bellowed our at Cassara channeling her rage cause a small amount of smoke to escape her mouth as she nearly breathed fire at her reduced to an inarticulate scream at the end.

"b*****d," Cassara spat back with a chuckle. She was fired up but she wouldn't let it show. She had better ways of voicing displeasure without having to raise her voice all that much. "I'm glad you know what I am." A smug grin made its appearance. "And, like I said you put on a damn good performance. But you haven't told me one thing yet that no one else couldn't possibly know about me."

"Rhine's got a business to run," Cassara said as a final note. She unlocked the door and brushed past Kaida once more. "As do I, and it certainly isn't going to be looking like this..." She was already up a couple of the stairs. Her tail swayed effortlessly behind her, but it was keeping her balanced- only a trained eye would know that, or another with a tail.

Kaida did a triple take. Did Cass not listen!?! In the same sentence she had referred to Rose as Mamwa, which no one else did and mentioned Vicky! Not even Ceres knew of Vicky! “Have you lost the use of your ears or have you become exceptionally thick in the intervening years! If there is no further proof than what I just mentioned, Vicky, Victor, Lily AKA The Mother ******** Who Raped You And Stole Your Soul Whom You Never Even Mentioned To Your Mother then I don’t know what there is!” Kaida whispered furiously as Cass passed her again- Way pass screaming which in anyone that knew her wound set off alarm bells in there head. Stalking after her she yanked on Cassara’s tail to pull her away from the stairs- She was not getting away from her that easily!

Something run up Cassara's spine and through her. It wasn't the touch of Kaida that had done it. It was her words. It had to be Kaida. It just had to be. She wasn't willing to believe that an actor could have been that good even if the information had been sucked from her. As quickly as she spun around she had to control her tail from not smacking the s**t out of Kaida... Although at this point she felt that the other deserved it. "Airing my laundry is inexcusable," she hissed as she picked up Kaida and slung her over her should haphazardly. "I can see I need to deal with you," she said as she marched up the stairs.

Kaida let out a small shriek as she was lifted up and swung on a shoulder. Struggling to get down she used her wings and tail to swing at Cass hoping to unbalance her. “Let. Me. Down! It was the only way to get into your skull who I am seeing as you’re so thick not to believe it was me despite proof, you brought it on yourself- beside it’s not like anyone would have heard me. Now let go or I’ll bite!” Kaida said curling up and around to bring her mouth next to Cassara’s neck.

"Go ahead and bite I like rough sex-," Cassara snorted. Although, she hadn't had sex in years... Not since Lilly-Vicky-Victor person ordeal. And, then she'd gotten close to Kaida and saw no reason to peruse anyone else not even for means of physical contact. She coudl wait. For some reason she had still been waiting even if she thought the other was dead. After punching in a ridiculously long pin number the door gave a clink saying it was unlocked. Her bedroom was just off to the left opposite the kitchen. She through Kaida onto the bed. "Happy now? I put you down." She snickered.

Kaida hissed though her teeth. Cass was mocking her! And disregarding her bite! Which she used to drink blood! Gods did Cass forget WHY she went away! Kaida let out a little oof as she was dumped on the bed glaring at Cass. “What in the name of all that is holy has gotten into you Cassara! I know you’ve got a temper but this is- is- RIDICULOUS!” Kaida asked propping herself up and practically hissing the last word.

Even though their 'appartment' was empty Cassara felt the need to close the bedroom door. "My sister doesn't need to know half of what you were spitting out of your mouth. She may not have site but she's got a voice," she said with a soft sigh. Now that she was more than certain this was Kaida she felt more at ease. She leaned against the door and studied the other that was on the bed. "And, last I recall... I've always been on the ridiculous side when it came to you," she said it more casually than she should have as she reach up to rub the tip of her ear.

Kaida’s ire crashed at the mention of a sister. She hadn’t even noticed anyone once Cass was in the same room but thinking back she remembered a girl- and a young one. Gods! How embarrassing! I can’t believe I said words like that in front of someone so young! she thought, mortified her cheeks heated up as she blushed. Ducking her head in the hope Cass didn’t notice she gave a tiny giggle when Cass brought up her attitude around her. It was right they seemed to bring out their ridiculous sides. “Yeah I guess you’re right.” Kaida said with a sigh at the end feeling tired after such an emotional morning – especially when she was usually asleep now.

"We'll call it even considering we were both pretty much asses down stairs for one reason or another." Cassara finally left the door and headed towards her bed. She slowly crawled to the center from the foot of the bed. She didn't make any motions to lay next to Kaida or touch her... She wasn't going to act like a spider drawn to a fly. She chuckled when she saw the blush and it made her think back to the innocent version of Kaida that had gotten left behind.

“Yeah I guess we can.” Kaida said with a bit of mirth back in her voice. Her head jerked up when she felt the bed dip as Cass crawled on the bed. This just caused her to blush harder. Dang it! Where’s all my bravado gone I was so confident when I walked in! She’s managed to reduce me back to when I was still just a dragon! Kaida thought making her pout a little. Searching for something to get her mind off her lack of nerve she spoke up, “So… Ah… Judging by the whole sister thing I guess a lot more has gone on here than it has for me… care to tell?”.

"Sky took on the form of a human so that he and my mother could do in vitro fertilization and have a child together... That is who I was holding earlier." Cassara said with a voice filled with boredom. "Rhine's busy getting his tail in trouble with mother because he's got involved with a woman whose engaged... And, so suddenly after his divorce might I add." She yawned suddenly feeling tired all over again despite having just gotten up. Her tail curled around her. "I haven't gotten my nose into anything since you've been gone..."

“Weehh Sky as in that Pegasus? How did THAT happen?” Kaida said looking at Cassara in surprise. “And divorce when did this happen! How could Rhine do that and whose this woman she should know better if she’s engaged!” She said her voice going higher as she got more and more surprised. Eyes wide Kaida flopped on her back head tilted to get an upside down view of Cassara. “This totally beats we got up to! Sorta.” she said with the last part mumbled. Kaida had to stifle a yawn once Cassara did and curled up before flipping around onto her stomached to get more comfortable.

"My mothers will is strong... That is all I will say. And, yes Sky the Pegasus. They share a bed but not each other although he no longer goes out to mate mares..." Cassara sighed as she stretched out her hand. But she pulled it back before she touched Kaida. She wouldn't be content for long to just watch. "And, Rhine... Well it just ended. Jasmine said there just wasn't anything between them anymore... And you know Rhine... He's a charmer."

Kaida made a neutral Hmmm noise to the reply to her questions about Sky. “Really? They seemed so perfect for each other when I left- ah well time does that. Though I’ve never thought your brother a charmer- too much of a big brother figure for me I suppose. Been like that since I first met him.” Kaida said with a sad tone when she spoke about time. “But you truly didn’t get into any trouble I find that hard to believe Cass.” Kaida said with a smirk and a teasing tone of voice.

"Life has been pretty fairly mundane," Cassara sighed as she took a deep breath. "I get up, I take a shower, I go down stairs... Help Rhine in the kitchen best I can. We eat breakfast together. Then we bust our asses through out the day taking care of the Cafe. Noon and Evening I play a performance downstairs... Occasionally on the weekends I'll perform at the concert all." She smiled gently enough. "In the evenings we take a long enough break to eat dinner at moms... At the end of the day I shower, and lay in the bed... Nearly crying myself to sleep because you're not around."

Kaida smiled as Cass talked to her about such a peaceful and normal life but when she got to the last part, about crying to sleep, she let out a soft gasp and looked at her with wide apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry Cass but Mamwa told you why, didn’t she? After the turning settled and she took me home I was insane. Vampric and Dragonic instincts don’t mesh. At all. I attacked anyone that got near me trying to drain them. Mamwa was the only safe one, so I had to leave so I didn’t hurt you.” Kaida whispered mournfully as her eyes gained a shine of tears, she hadn’t meant to hurt her Cass- only protect her!

"After that incident you were the only reason I wanted to live," Cassara said as she dug her fingers into the bed linens and twisted them so that she wouldn't touch Kaida. "I couldn't end my life with you gone so long as I was still able to cry for you becuase some where even if I felt you were dead I had hope..." She sighed at how shameful, silly, stupid even it sounded. "Death does not frighten me Kaida, nor does pain. I know you did what was best but I would rather have had the chance to try just to be around you." She shut her eyes tight trying not to cry... "Now I don't even know your scent, your touch... Anything to recognize you as you... Not even your voice or your step as Rhine pointed out." She bit her lip causing herself to bleed. She was angry with herself.

Kaida didn’t know what to say. How does one reply to that? Seeing Cassara near tears she scuttled up and hugged her to her chest. “When Mamwa took me away and… and… I couldn’t think with my mind going everywhere she’d just say ‘What about Cassara? Are you going to give up and leave her?’ and that’s what got me grounded made me sane again was the thought that you’d be safe and alive and there if I could just control my instincts. So… So even if you can’t recognize me now I’m here for good so you can get to know that stuff! Yeah!” she said with her voice going breathless at the end as she too blinked her eyes rapidly to try and not to cry- as well as to distract her self from the scent of blood.

"But at the end of the day, the night, the whatever my bed will be empty because you will go to her and not me. You choose eternity for your mother... not me." Cassara sighed softly as she looked into the others eyes. Now that she was being touched it was hard not to touch. Her arms wrapped instinctively around the other. She made it so their noses were touching.

Kaida stilled as Cass brought up what really seemed to be the problem. She tried, she really did but when Cass brought it up like that she just couldn’t help it, so she laughed, hysterically. “Oh Cass! You couldn’t be more wrong! My mother’s great but if I always wanted to be around her I wouldn’t have come back to Barton, I would have stayed in the country side! I came for you and only you.” she said smiling at her and nuzzling her nose to Cass’s. But then she stopped and her eyes saddened as she shifted away a bit looking down a nibbling her lip, “I just didn’t know how you would receive me.”.

"I never stopped loving you-," Cassara said breathlessly. She looked to the closed door when she heard the door to their apartment close not once but twice. She focused again on Kaida. She didn't worry because not everyone had a code to get into the house. "My bed has plenty of room... As does this apartment. I can assure you of that." She chuckled as she licked Kaida's lips. "Just don't ever leave me again."

Kaida snapped her head back around to Cassara when she said she never stopped loving her and the tension just melted from her frame as a smile threatened to split her face. “And I never stopped loving you Cass and if you’re sure then I would gladly stay here. You don’t have to worry about me leaving ever again, I’ve got eternity and there’s no where I’d rather be.” Kaida said with her happiness at the situation coloring her voice. Leaning forward she returned the favor and licked Cass’s lips, taking off the dried blood as she did so.

"Bout time I had someone to help me in giving my brother hell and a few sleepless night-," Cassara grinned, "-payback." She came close to a purr when she felt the others tongue on her lips. It had been a long time. She almost felt new at this. She pulled Kaida impossibly close as she tangle her fingers in the other's hair. She was happy for the moment to enjoy the closeness... That moment that to her was perfect. She had forgotten she was suppose to be working...

Kaida let out a mischievous giggle that resounded trouble for Rhine when Cass mentioned payback. Sighing contently as Cassara pulled her closer joining in with her purr and just basking in the warmth. But she knew they had to get up and out, if she was to move in here as Cass wanted she needed to get her stuff and wasn’t Cassara supposed to be at work…? “Come on Cass I’ve got to go get my stuff from home and you where working when I came in, although if you don’t feel like it you can come help me pack to get it done quicker.” Kaida said with a forlorn sigh as she pulled away and dragged them off the bed and towards the door.

"Hey, I didn't even get to kiss you-" Cassara said as she pulled from the soft glow of her lover. She couldn't help but to pout. "I'm not going to tackle you simply because there are customers down stairs and I doubt they want to hear us banging around..." She looks wide eyed at Kaida. "Work-s**t!" Her tail slapped the ground more solidly than she probably should have let it. "Well, Rhine can cover for me... I've covered for his a** before so he owes me." She grinned.

“Oh how considerate of you!” Kaida said with sarcasm as Cassara pouted. “Come on if his going to cover you then you best tell him, beside I need to get back into shelter before midday so we don’t have that long to get to my house.” Kaida said dragging Cassara behind her and down into the café before looking around for Rhine, scooping up her cloak as she passed it.

Cassara dragged Kaida to the bathroom. She bent over to check for shoes in the stalls. "Love-," she chuckled, "have you forgotten?" She pulled a mirror out from her back pocket. "You have a mirror at your house I presume..."

Kaida made a squeak of protest as she was dragged into the bathroom. When Cassara asked about the mirror it took a second for her mind to catch up. She blushed right to the roots of her hair at having forgotten something so simply as the mirrors; time really had made her absentminded. “Ah yes of course! There’s one right in the foyer, little one on a shelf.” she said with a sheepish grin.

"Can you picture it..." Cassara said. "Because I don't want to accidentally take us to where you use to live, or some other whacked out place..." As she spoke excitement fill her. Her mate was back, and wasn't leaving her. It was permanent. She wrapped her arms around Kaida. "Just focus, and once you've got it in your mind just touch the glass..."

“No problem!” Kaida said with a grin wrapping one of her arms around Cassara before imaging the mirror and reaching out to touch the one in Cassara's hand.. And as they disappeared her main thought was Bugger! We forgot to inform Rhine that his on his own today!

Business (AIM PRP)

Parties involved in order of first appearance: Surion Rakamash, and Kawaii_Hime_Ceres.

----

Surion sat in one of the back tables of the diner, he had two or three long rolls of paper in front of him, one partially unrolled. A glass of orange juice to one side which he periodically sipped on while he waited on Aurora to arrive. He'd told Rhine he wasn't going to order until she was there as well. He was dressed similar to the day before but was wearing a black tank and a blood red silk shirt open down the front and no wristbands.

Aurora Dawn came sauntering into the cafe. She had a sway and a song in her walk. She wasn't casual in the least. She held her tail and swung it in circles something she wouldn't let any one else get away from. Her large green eyes having a slight twinkle in the light. She had just enough close to be considered decent... For maybe the beach. Spotting whom she was meeting she headed that direction.

Surion reaches for his glass, his eyes still staring at the unrolled paper before him, he didn't notice the young woman's approach, he was too preoccupied.

"Surion?" She purred her question so pleasingly it could shivers down eve the strongest mans spin. She noticed her papers and made her assumptions. Before he could answer she was already setting herself. There was a slight bounce her breasts as she sat.**

Surion looks up, the paper before him rolling slightly "Yes?" he asks and then notices her sit and sits more upright "Ah... Aurora I presume?" he sets his glass down and takes in her appearance.

"Aurora Dawn," she said with a tilt of her head. She extended her hand in a means of greeting as she grinned wickedly. No mater how little or how much she moved she jingled and sparkled from the jewelry she wore.

Surion reaches taking the hand offered with a smile. His tail tapped lightly against the floor "I'm Surion, I see your mom gave you the message."

"In between the typical ******** up house hold news." Aurora chuckled. The tip of her tail flicked back and forth. "Have you found a location yet?" She was more than curious about what he had planned out thus far."

"Actually yes, I found a building that was up for sale, these are the plans for it" he unrolls the pages for her to see. They appeared to be for a large building, he was marking off some 'walls' that would have to be removed and there was some scribblings in another language here and there all over the paper "This is the first floor of the building, you see, this area here..." he runs his finger around a large area that had few walls to be removed "Will make a good dancing area... and this here" he pointed out a couple other areas "Tables, booths and a bar... With the DJ's platform raised over here" he taps yet another area just off the dance floor.

"It all looks good- And the second floor?" Aurora asked as she carefully watched every move his finger made. She liked the layout that he had, but she had a few suggestions. She decided to wait until she knew about the second floor and if he had any other plans.

Surion lets the first sheet reroll and grabs the 2nd of the 3 rolls and lifts it over the first to unroll it, there were a few notes on it but no where near as many as the first, and again some areas marked off "Okay this one here seems to be mostly rooms, but I figure we can knock out these walls here, and a couple floors here" he's pointing the entire time "To raise the ceiling of the club under it, these here make up a good area for a lounge, replace these walls here to be glass to overlook the floor below...." He'd yet to mention anything that had to do with offices.

"Have you thought about private areas," Aurora purred as she continued to watch him. He was pretty good at design- she'd give him that much. "You know nice little niche's with sheer curtains. But I'd leave the tops off so that you can watch from the glass enclosed areas." Her ears flickered. "And as for the lounge what are you going to put in it. And how about offices? Are we going to be doing paper work at the bar every night?"

"Private areas would likely be on the first floor, though only a few of them, we don't need to go overboard, this isn't meet-your-mate club it's a nightclub. The lounge would be VIP access for any VIPs to have access to... as for the offices..." he rolls the 2nd page and pulls the last one open "That's what these would be for.." the page has 2-3 dozen rooms on it, he'd marked a few walls to be knocked down but not many "Offices, a meeting room for staff if needed, and a half dozen apartments."

"I didn't mean for meet and ********... Hence why I shade sheer with no top." She said with a roll of her wrist. "They want to get risky they'll go to the bathrooms... You did lay those out- I hope." Her eyes settled on him with a grin. "And, don't just make them those stalls you can barely fit your a** into it..." Her ears flickered again. "It all sounds nice. Apartments, offices..." She purrs some more. "You know, there's just one thing your missing..."

Surion laughs "They are over here" he motions on the third floor and then unrolls the first floor again motioning an area "And what did I forget?"

Aurora's tail laid itself on the table but out of the way. It had a mind of its own most of the time. She held her head up with the palm of her hand, and the elbow on the table. She looked at him with thick eye lashes and a very slow close and open of the eyes. "You got a name for this place- or are you going to keep on calling it 'The Club'..."

Surion laughs, he'd expected some kind of architectural thing he'd forgotten "No no, I actually did come up with a name... 'Rhythmos' Greek for the word Rhythm, seems appropriate to me at least" he lets all the papers roll up next to each other once more.

"You know Rhythmos River would be nice as well. It could have several meanings behind the name... Even the initials." She said as she watched him roll up the papers. "You hungry? Dinners on me..."

"several meanings?" he inquires at her suggestion of the addition of hte word River "And yeah, I was waiting for you before ordering my food" he nods and moves the rolls of paper to the bench beside him

"Rivers are eternal... They always flow, and carry on them what is given. The name with the word River could mean Rhythm Eternal, or Rhythm flowing... You know like how Rhythm flows from a song," Aurora smiled as she mused her thoughts aloud. "The initials R&R generally means rest and relax... You know come on in and enjoy yourself. We've got good food, good times... The spirits are high." Her ears flicker as she raises her hand to get them a couple menus.

Surion hummed and hawed over this information in his mind, he wanted something that rolled off the tongue, he also remembered dancing in Nights Portal, it wasn't really restful and he inwardly chuckled at that thought.

"You know you could also put River first. Then it becomes Eternal Rhythm in the meaning... Or just make it Eternal to begin with." She winked when the lady dropped off the menus. She also purred a little louder. She slid him a menu.

He nods still thinking it over as he opens the menu to chose what he was hungry for. "I want to keep it simple one way or another, mostly cause then it's easy to remember and comes to mind just as simply" he looks to Aurora.

"I understand." Aurora settled her eyes on him as she continued to purr. Though she didn't have her menu open her hand was settled onto of it. It looks almost like she would open it any moment.

"The building is outside city, so noise violations shouldn't occur, there is no homes or businesses too close" he tells her then his blue eyes drop back to the menu.

"A fence around the property might not be a bad thing..." Aurora still not open her menu. She actually had not intention. She knew it inside out and then some. "And, if you do then perhaps a nice outside dancing area..."

"Maybe, the building needs to be finished first though. I've contacted contractors and have a meeting with them within the next couple days to go over my ideas and see what's doable within safety regulations and such." He made his selection then closed the menu.

"I really doubt we'll have any problems at all... If it as you say pretty much a vacant area." Aurora nods. "I can help with decorating and lights... Both inside and out when the time comes. Since you've got the plans I'll leave you to it."

She purred when the waitress returned. "Just let Rhine know the usual."

"No I doubt there will be an issue, just have to make sure the building meets code and such" he pauses and looks to the waitress, "A steak please, barely seared, and a side of salad, and a refill of orange juice please" he says before returning his attention to Aurora "Decor and lighting will come after the renovations" he smiles.

Aurora waited for the waitress to take a few notes, and clear the table of their glasses before she spoke again. "I must admit this type of club is a bit different for me," she chuckles. "Not that my mother knows I'm rather fond of a good steel pole," she winks.

Surion laughs "Well, it wont be any form of an erotic club... Dance yes, dancers on platforms, dancers on the floor, loud upbeat music, you know the like."

Aurora chuckles. "Like I said a bit different from what I am use to. But, probably a change for the better." She grinned. "And, trust me I'll know if you tell my mother about that little tidbit..."

He laughs and shakes his head "Not for me to tell Aurora" he leans on the table "Besides I know how she reacts when any time of topic that's away from straight comes up... Sky and I were having an interesting half conversation yesterday."

"Can you blame my mother... If I was 450 years old and had half the stories told to me she did I'd be plumb scared myself." She chuckled. "She's working on it though... At least she keeps company in the bed." She smiled. "... I am the one in the family that has more in my bed than I have fingers. Though at the rate Rhine's going..." She chuckled as her ears flickered.

Surion laughs and shakes his head "Definitely not an innocent kitten are you"

"I'm sure my mother has told you that I am quite hard to get a hold of... I never use the front door. Although I really shouldn't have to with a mirror. But something about standing in my room and well you know. I just like the good old fashion slip out the window. I've been like that since I was chasing butterflies... Before I had this body." She purred.

Surion smiles "Well regardless that's not something that I imagine effects this business that's starting up"

"You mentioned apartments... Naturally assume for employees." Aurora purred. "So, no it wouldn't be a problem. But I've always got my mirror if I need a get away, or a way to get home." She stopped talking the moment the waitress arrived with the food.

"When I worked in the Nights Portal, it was one of the fringe benefits I really enjoyed... So yes, some of the employees will earn that bonus." He pauses his words as well, making sure there was room in front of him for the meal.

Aurora nodded her head and as well cleared her space. She purred as the smell of fish filled her nose. She licked her lips as it was set before her. Her tail flicked in anticipation.

Surion's eyes saw her meal and he inwardly chuckled not surprised of it's contents. Then he looked at his and smiled, "perfect" he says as he slices into the meat, the juices indicating how 'rare' it was.

"Rhine's passion has always been cooking," Aurora chuckled. "Violin was sorta forced on him. He tried my mothers patience in that department." She barely touched the fish and it was in her forks. It separated easily and was very moist. "It is because of that passion that he practically lives in the cafe kitchen... He had a couple other chefs back there, and he could afford more... But like I said. I also think it has to do with the fact he doesn't have any other outlet for his spare time," she chuckled as she took a bite.

He chuckles. "Sounds like it, I'm picky about how the steak is prepared only cause I like the blood in it," he smiles as he takes a bite and chews it.

It takes Aurora a fair amount of time to finish her fish, but she doesn't leave anything on her place. Her ears, and tail flicker as she enjoys the meal. She licked her lips before picking up a napkin.

Surion ate like a typical male, there was only bone and gristle left on his plate when he was finished. He was drinking his juice as she wiped her lips

"Enjoy it?" She purred when she noticed he had finished. She had already assumed he had enjoyed it because his plate was pretty much cleaned. Not that he could see it but she wiggled her toes. "Do we have anything else we need to discuss... Business wise?"

"Yea I enjoyed it as much the last time I ate here.." he pauses finishing his juice and setting the glass down, the combination of his meal with orange juice might seem odd but it didn't bother him at all. "Business wise I don't think so... now i know how to contact your mom, whats the easiest way to contact you?"

"Me," she muses as she motions to chest. "Just find my mother... She'll tell me at the table during which ever meal is most convent." She purred. She wasn't about to let on she had a mirror- she only used it for travel which was fairly rare. She flicked her ears once more as her eyes went for those extended close and open sessions.

"All right, I guess that's easy enough" he thought to himself that he'd just have to remember to give time prior to needing her presence for the message to arrive "Was there anything you needed or wanted to bring up?"

"At this moment... No," she said as she rubbed her ear. She continued to keep her focus on him. "Unless of course you want to show me the building site..."

Surion chuckles "I could but honestly it's just a big building at the moment, nothing all that fancy ... yet" he picks up the rolls of paper from the bench beside him after the plates were taken.

"My sister proposed yesterday... So I am sure our house is about to get turned upside down. Unless of course she manages to run away and elope my mother will make sure the wedding is a big to do. Especially, since it is sorta like one of those long lost return to me ordeals..." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh geez sounds like your house has a handful to deal with" he moves to stand up "But if you want to see the building I can show you."

"Actually it will be Rhine that has the handful..." Aurora snickers. "Then again it might actually tame my sisters temper finally getting laid again after three years." Her tail flickered. "But you are right... My mother goes for grand when she can." She motions to the door. "Property is property no mater what shape it is in... So, lets have a look shall we."

"Okay... meet me outside, I'm going to get rid of this armful first" he indeed had an armful. And with that word he plane shifted out of sight.

Aurora made a stop at the kitchen doors to say a word to Rhine before heading outside. Once she was outside, and just away from the doors she stretched every inch of herself.

A couple minutes later he walked up behind her "Hope you know how to ride" he says not having priory announced his return.

"...I assume its thick and it purrs... Just what this girl likes between her legs. Besides how hard can it be when you are doing the driving... Got a helmet?" Aurora asked with a purr. She chuckles as her tail flickers a couple of times.

Surion laughs "Well lets see" he looks over sizing her up and he walks over to the lava red and black Harley parked to one side and digs into the saddlebags and pulls out a piece of chalk "Well I will if I can find what I need" he glances around for a board or something.

Aurora rolls her eyes as she lets out a low playful growl. "You have a bag like my mothers?" She quickly curiously as she watched him.

Surion laughs "Not really" he flips the bag open, it revealed only a folded piece of paper and a couple odd items "The dragonettes like the saddlebags to ride in." he grabs the nearest chunk of whatever nearby and stoops down drawing a circle with some other designs in it on the ground. setting the junk in it and tosses the chalk back in the saddlebag.

"My mother told me about those little guys," She grinned. "And I noticed you didn't feed them at dinner time..." She held out a container. "So, hope you don't mind..." Though she held out the container she continued to watch him with a generous amount of curiosity.

Surion looks up "Oh, I left them at home, thanks.. I'm sure they'll love it" he grins taking the container and setting on the seat of the bike before putting his fingers on the outter circle and a moment later it lit up and the junk was soon replaced with a helmet.

"Interesting," she said when there was finally a helmet. "So how long will it last? Because with you around... I might need it more than once." She purred. She again decided not to mention the mirror... Even if Surion knew it exist becuase of Ceres... It didn't mean that he had to know about hers even if travel was quicker.

Surion stands up handing it to her "Uh forever?" his eyes turn green and he washes the circle away "The law of equivalent exchange is the founding principle of alchemy.. I exchanged that junk for this helmet" he turns as his eyes return to blue setting the container in the saddlebag and grabbing his own helmet.

"Interesting. No one in my family practices Alchemy," Aurora smile. "We've not use for it with my mothers will. And, when she passes on then it will be the will of Natalia. The money we are using is from sunken ships." She chuckled. "We are rich off of dead mans treasure..." Her ears flickered once before she put on the helmet.

Surion slips his helmet on "I was taught alchemy at a young age, so it's force of habit" he admits as he climbs on the bike, righting it and then kickstarting it, bringing it to life with a loud rumble. "Hop on"

"Dirty boy... You'll make a girl wet herself." She chuckled as she straddle the motorcycle and wrapped her arms around his waist. "And, we were taught of many things... My mother didn't want dumb children."

Surion ignored the first comment, or rather just didn't reply to it, he backed the bike up and then took off down the road heading in the direction of the building he'd bought, and it wasn't too long before she'd see the building with it's land around it, plenty of room for parking and the lot.

Though they were moving a good, fast pace on the motorcycle Aurora was able to memorize the rout they'd taken, and a few minor details of the surrounding area. When she saw the large building coming into view she purred with renewed excitement.

Surion pulled to a stop in front of it and shut the bike off "Well this is it Aurora" he motions the dark building.

Aurora took of the helmet and though she had no hair to shake free, she shook her head regardless. Her ears flickered adjusting once more. Though her focus was on the building she in no time had her tail in her hands and was attempting to groom herself. "Looks nice for starters..." She purred.

Surion chuckles, setting the kickstand and climbing from the bike heading for the doors, keys in hand "Lot of work to be done, this is for certain."

"Nothing we cannot handle... I'm sure of that." Aurora purred as she padded towards the entrance way. Though she was barefoot she didn't pay much attention to where she walked. It was an indication that she was use it and had fairly tough feet.

Surion pulled open the doors and waved her in "Take a look, perhaps seeing it will let you picture the changes I want to make better".

"Yes, it certainly does make a difference. The place is a lot larger than the blue prints let on... At least to me," she said with a tilt of her head, and a slow spin. She wanted to take in as much of it as she could in one good full glance.

"Yeah, it's massive, it's the perfect place I think." Surion leans against the wall allowing her to explore.

"Perfect," she emphasized the 'p' before she purred. She took a couple steps would stop and stare... Take a couple more and look around. She was remembering his blue prints and was visually imagining it. She could occasionally make hand gestures.

Surion pushed away from the wall and followed her "If the contractor and safety guy agrees that wall, that one and the ceiling will be gone" he pointed at several wall and ceilings.

"I don't see why it wouldn't be possible," Aurora said with a nod. "I'm satisfied," she said as she looked at him with a grin. "I think we've got something good going for us..."

"Me too... Hopefully it'll be popular" he smiles "You'll have to forgive me if I decide to not only run this thing but to be a dancer.... I miss doing that" he stuffs his hands into his pockets.

"I don't think I could sit in a stuffy office all shift myself. Though I'll have to learn how to tame myself..." She chuckles. "I might put on to good of a show and give some poor fool a heart attack."

Surion bursts out laughing "That you might Aurora, that you might... was there anything else here you wanted to see?"

Aurora takes hold of her tail and swung it in circles. She put a hand on her hip, and provocatively leaned to one side. She was still well balanced. After a moments pause she shook her head. "Nope."

"Okay, sounds good then... I'll deal with the meetings with the contractor and such.. Unless you need to be there" He glances around and then back to her.

"No I trust you can handle that on your own. I'll take part in decorating, and such... Because that is where the woman's touch is most need," she said with a purr as she headed for the exit. "I can get myself home... You needn't worry."

Surion chuckles "All right.. I'll contact you via your mom when it's closer to completion then or if there's more details to work out" he nods.

Aurora nods her head. "All right then... Maybe I'll luck up and see you at our dinner table some day." She chuckled. "You are part of the family after all." With that she headed off into the night. The last to be seen was the glint of the jewelry on her tail.

Surion watches her leave and then turns and locks up the building before mounting the Harley and soon heading home.

You're it! (AIM PRP)

Parties involved in order of first appearance: keetabirdy, and Kawaii_Hime_Ceres.

----

Several days after Kael had departed, Keeta had gotten over the worst of the heartache and guilt that had come with breaking up with him. Despite Kael's challenges, he had not been the one to be unfaithful, and yet she was the one who had ended things. Regardless, what was done was done, and while she regretted whatever pain she caused Kael, she did NOT regret ending things. Something told her it would be better for the both of them.

Today, she had decided that she needed to get out and spend some time away from the house and work, and she couldn't think of a better place to go than the island. Ceres would be glad to hear that she had finally made a decision and maybe Joel and Natalia could play a while. He didn't have enough interaction with other children. And Rhine...maybe he would be there and he could at least know that she had chosen him.

After getting Joel ready (which was a bit of a challenge, as he was getting more and more mobile now), she got out her mirror. Holding tightly to her son, she transported the two of them to the island.

With their mother and father growing more tired as the days pass they had all eagerly decided to help them out by doing various things around the house, and helping in the rearing of Natalia. Today just happened to be Rhine's day.

"Come back here!" Rhine shouted playfully as he chased Natalia down through the kitchen, the living room, in an out of bed rooms, and down the long hall.

"No, no, no! You won't catch me that easily." Natalia giggled as she threw her hands up and taunted her brother before running once more down the hall. She had memorized every inch of the house... And, everyone was good about not changing things and keeping it picked up.

"Oof" Keeta grunted as she fell into the wall, trying to maintain her balance with Joel in one arm and the mirror in the other. She smiled to herself as she head Natalia's happy shriek and Rhine's deeper tones.

Joel frowned at being jolted during their 'landing' and wiggled to be let down. Relieved that she wouldn't have to carry him the whole time, she set him down and he instantly took off crawling to explore this environment. He hadn't been so mobile the last time he was here.

Natalia who was going by memory alone as she ran through the house. She didn't know that Joel was coming down the hall. In her laughter she had not even heard him. She just continued to giggle, and have a grand time as her brother chased her.

Rhine looked up just in time to see Joel coming down the hall... Right in Natalia's path. "Natalia!" He shouted a little more serious than his previous fun squeals... He reached out for his sister, and pulled her close. They tumbled off to the side away from Joel.

"You got me!" Natalia clapped and squealed. She was still unaware that anything was amiss in her surroundings. "Your turn now!" She exclaimed as she squirmed trying to get away from her brother.

Keeta had been putting the mirror away securely, and wasn't aware of the impending collision until Rhine called out, and her head snapped up in reaction. She didn't even have time to cry out in alarm, before Rhine grabbed Natalia and pulled her away from Joel. Keeta closed her eyes and uttered a sigh of relief at Rhine's quick action.

"Thank you," she said gratefully as she headed over the three of them. Joel didn't appear any worse for the wear. In fact, he was already on his way again. Apparently the almost-accident hadn't phased him much and Keeta was mentally wishing for one of the baby gates she had put up around the house, to at least keep Joel in the living room with his explorations. She chased after him and scooped him up, coming back to Rhine and Natalia.

"Sorry for the dramatic entrance."

"No, problem," Rhine laughed as he let Natalia go. He quickly stood up and brushed himself off. "Go ahead put him down... The house is safe,-" he ruffled Natalia's hair, "-unless you count her."




"Hey!" Natalia said as she stuck the tip of her tongue out of her mouth and put her hands on her hips. "I so not trouble!" Then a curious look crept onto her face. There were 'guests' in the house. "More people to play tag," she chirped as she clapped her hands. Her tail flickered and made noise via the bells.

"Hello Natalia. It's Keeta and Joel, my son. Do you remember him?" She asked, crouching down next to the little girl, her son still in her arms.

"I think we'll just watch you two play Natalia. Joel's not old enough to understand the game yet." She glanced at Rhine.

"I don't know if I should put him down....especially if you guys are going to be playing tag, I don't want him in the way. But if you are looking for a break, there is something I would like to talk to you about..." Joel fussed and wiggled at being denied his freedom to roam and Keeta struggled to hold on to him while she crouched next to Rhine and Natalia.

"I remember you!" Natalia clapped excitedly. She slightly understood that Joel could not play like her. Even she had some limitations. She also understood that 'dreaded' 'let's talk' phrase that adults said. "I have noisy toys that are safe for us to play with!" She beamed with pride.

Rhine brushed the hair out of his face and looked Keeta over. Finally he nodded his head. "We'll play tag later Natalia," he said as he offered her a bright smile. He carefully pulled Ceres' door till it was opened no more than a crack. "So, you don't give them a fright with all the noise you'll be making," he said with a wink.

Keeta nodded at Natalia's invitation for Joel to play with her and set him down on the floor again. He immediately took off, not wanting to be confined further.

"He might not play with you like you want him to Natalia, just so you know. He hasn't spent much time around other children and he can't talk or walk yet...." She watched him speed away, wondering how much faster he'd be when he could walk upright. Keeta looked over at Rhine as he closed the door.

"They asleep?" she asked, having wanted to tell Ceres her news as well.

Natalia toddle off in a dirrection of her choosing. She gave no second though to Joel and where he was headed... She couldn't see him. She opened her toy chest in the corner of the room and pulled out some of her favorite toys. She knew by the sounds they made, and their feel. She felt that if Joel wanted to join he would.

Rhine nodded as he looked from her then to the door and sighed softly. "Napping," he gave her the most positive smile he could manage. He took Keeta's hand and tugged her in the dirrection that was towards the sofa. "Come have a seat..."

Joel was headed in the direction of the kitchen, when he heard the noises Natalia was making by getting into her toy box. It was tempting, but he crawled a bit further. Right now he just wanted to MOVE.

Keeta tried to remain looking at least mildly happy as she sat down with Rhine. She thought she sensed some worry about Ceres any Sky in his response, but she decided not to press him about it. She knew they were aging as Natalia grew older and there wasn't much that could be done. They didn't like it, but it was something they were all going to have to learn to live with. Besides, Keeta came here to talk about a different matter entirely.

She followed Rhine's tug over to the couch and sat next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. For a moment, Keeta just sat in silence with him, before deciding to just say it. She didn't move her head or turn her face to look at him. She simply spoke.

"I...ended things with Kael. He's gone."

Natalia had half a dozen toys out by now. She had one for each hand. She was attempting to make as much noise as possible. She loved noise. To her near any sound was beautiful.

Rhine instinctively wrapped his arms around Keeta, and pulled her closer against him. He would not force the words out her. When she was ready she would speak, until then he could wait patiently. He could comfort her. He ran his fingers through her hair and occasion patted her on the back.

Finally, she spoke... It took his mind an insane amount of time to process exactly what she had said. He was the reason that she had ended things with him... And, he knew it. It was their 'affair'... But it was more to them. "Keeta," He breathed deeply and held her tighter, closer... If that was possible. He was slightly trembling. He didn't know was emotion at this moment was controlling him, but he did know that he was happy... For his own 'selfish' reasons.

Rhine slip his fingers under her chin, and tipped her head upwards. Their lips were just inches apart. "I love you," he whispered as he breathed again. He didn't know though whether to advance and kiss her lips and claim her as his... or just to remain as this... In this moment. Because he knew she must as well be grieving.

As the noise continues to increase, Joel turned around and started heading back towards it. He liked to make noises too, although he liked 'pretty' noises better. Like the ones the man he saw at mommy's work sometimes made.

Keeta enjoyed having Rhine's comforting arm around her. It let her know that perhaps she was not as foolish as she felt, in regards to her decision about Kael. They were sitting so close, she could 'feel' his reaction, how he trembled and pulled her closer, as if being possessive. This was also reassuring to her.

Keeta allowed herself to relax a little, until she felt her chin being lifted upwards. She stared into his eyes, searching them for more of how he was feeling at this news. Then he said the three magic words, that had made all of this worth it, and she allowed herself a small smile.

"I love you too," she whispered back. Leaning forward, she kissed him gently. It was not a kiss of passion or intensity, for she was not feeling either one of those at the moment. Rhine was correct that she was still grieving and it would take time to hear. But for now, knowing that he loved her was enough.

Rhine kissed her gently in return. Finally after a couple of seconds passed he released her head from the position he held it in. Though his eyes continued to look into hers. "I won't let you down-" The open ended phrase was all he felt he could say. He offered her a small smile to reassure her.

Natalia dropped the noisy toys and let out a sigh of discontent. As much as she was enjoying it, it just wasn't as fun. She normally could play alone or with her older sibling. But, knowing there was another kid in the house made things different.

Ceres cleared her throat as she scooped up Joel, and then Natalia. "How about we leave the big kids to their moment... Hm?" She chuckled as she carried them off to the kitchen. "And, we shall get some lunch going."

Natalia's thoughts of being alone no longer filled or phased her. "Lunch," She said as she eagerly wrapped her arms around her mothers neck and let out a content sigh.

Rhine didn't even notice that his mother had come into the living room, and gone into the kitchen... Or, that his sister had abandoned her box of toys... He was at the moment consumed by Keeta for a number of reasons.

"Thank you Rhine," she smiled and continue to cuddle with him, unaware that they were being watched.

Joel squealed slightly in surprise at being picked up by Ceres. He had been on a mission, to find the noisy toys. Now, however, he was confined again, in the company of another child, and the noises had stopped. He frowned unhappily. He understood the word lunch, but he wasn't hungry yet. He wiggled in protest.

Keeta wasn't quite as absorbed as Rhine (her maternal radar always on), and Joel's protests caused her to turn away and look for the source of them. She chuckled slightly seeing him get carted away by Ceres.

Ceres sat Natalia in her chair, and Joel in a high chair. She found a few of Natalia's toys on the counter and gave them to him. "Like this," she said as she shook it in front of him so he could see and hear the noise. She smiled. "One for you two Natalia," she said as she shook it in front of her face.

Natalia eagerly shook the toy and banged it on the table. "Noise, Mommy!" She squealed in delight. She was happy that the attention was on her, or at least directed at her... And, the promise of lunch was never a bad thing.

"What is so funny?" Rhine question as he noticed Keeta's demeanor do nearly a 180. He looked about the room and noticed that Natalia was no longer at her toy box... But, it didn't cause alarm in him because he knew Natalia knew this house from one end of the other.

Keeta grinned in amusement.

"Oh your mother just came by, grabbing Natalia and Joel, much to his displeasure, and headed for the kitchen. I think I heard her say something about lunch."

Joel continued to frown. The highchair felt like a cage at the moment. He didn't touch the toy at first when Ceres put it down, but when Natalia picked up hers and started to shake it, making noise, he decided to join in. Eventually his happy squeals joined her, and for the moment his quest to explore was forgotten.

Rhine chuckled. He was purely delighted that Keeta was smiling, laughing, and overall enjoying herself despite the brief moment of sadness and sternness that had come between them. They had, had a more positive move just briefly before his mother, but now if was even better. It was like 'home'. "Do you wish to join her?"

Ceres chuckled. "That's the spirit." She said as she grabbed a pot and a spoon and joined in. As her hands moved things about the kitchen also moved in preparation for lunch.

Natalia was having a lot of fun with her noisy toy. She occasionally flicked her tail and caused her bells to jingle. "Mommy have fun to!?"

Keeta tilted her head to listen as the cacophony trickled down the hall.

"From the sound of it, I think we'll be joining on more than lunch." Shaking her head and still laughing, she grabbed his hand and tried to pull him up from the couch, in the same manner he had pulled her to the couch moments earlier and started to head for the kitchen.

"I'm only letting you do this because your my girlfriend." Rhine chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair. It was different, but he didn't mind it he just felt a bit silly being led by Keeta.

Ceres and Natalia were both far to busy in their music to hear of Rhine and Keeta's talk.