Welcome to Gaia! ::

"See you," Shiro called back. He was startled when Miyuki kicked his chair, but he promptly returned to his work.

After all, kids were kids, and he had spent enough time in the city growing up to know that kids generally were not very nice.

Elnara was home with the two sets of twins: Storm and Starr, and Hana and Garrick. Storm was reading a book in his bedroom (which he no longer shared with Starr, since they had grown), and Starr was sitting in the living room with Elnara, helping her keep an eye on the children while the two of them worked on some sewing.

Since it was such a warm day, the window was open slightly, and Elnara and the young twins could hear voices coming up the path (what with their elven hearing and all).

"Lin!" Garrick grinned, dropping the blocks he was using to make a tower and running to the window. "Mama! Lin heah! An' huh baby!"

He stared at the two out the window. "Baby not little no mo'," he said, his tone amazed.

"I get it! I get it!" Garrick squealed, already scampering towards the door.

Elnara laughed softly and set her sewing aside, and followed after Garrick towards the door. "Yes, yes," she grinned. "You always do."

She opened the door, but before she could speak Garrick popped up and grinned at them.

"Hiiiii!" he beamed.

Elnara smiled. "Come on in," she invited Lin and Miyuki. "What brings you here?" It was so rare that Lin ever came to visit them - that she was ever home, really.

Elnara smiled at Lin. "Well, I have to say, it's good to finally get a chance to talk to you," she laughed softly. "You're always gone. You've spent more time with my family than even I have!"

Garrick grinned and reached for Miyuki's free hand. "Come!" he urged her. "Come see ou'h toys! Play with us!" He tugged her towards the living room, where Starr and Hana were.

Elnara closed the door behind Lin and motioned for her to follow after Garrick. "You'll have to tell me how everyone is doing," she smiled. "Grandmother and Grandfather and all my siblings and nieces and nephews ..."

Elnara smiled. "Perhaps I shall talk to Lore when he gets home tonight," she mused. "It has been a while, and of course so much more time would have passed for them ..."

Yes, it would be a good idea to visit her family again. So much had changed, she was sure of it - even what Storm and Starr had told her of the Southland and about their trip was startling, she could only imagine the ranch!

"But for now," she beamed, "tell me all about them. Start with those at the ranch, it's been far longer since I've heard about them. And Seeker and her family."

Elnara laughed. "Well, I think that about covers it. I can't think of anyone else that I'm curious about, and of course, I don't know who else has changed so I wouldn't know if you did miss someone."

"How is Leyenda and her family doing?" Starr asked curiously, tilting her head towards Lin as she continued to work on her sewing.

Starr smiled. "It's good to know they're doing fine," she murmured. "I have to admit, I was a bit worried, what with knowing how prejudiced or racist some of the people there can be."

"Sad, but true," Elnara murmured ruefully. "But from what I understand, things are getting better."

She paused and looked at Lin thoughtfully. "But you never told me how my nephew is doing. How is Earendil? From my understanding, that was his first time away from the Southland too, while remaining in the Four Lands."

Garrick blinked at Miyuki's outburst. "Ada?" he repeated eagerly, jumping to his feet again. "Wheah?" He ran to the window. "Ada? Ada?"

Elnara giggled softly, but she had the tact not to say anything on what was clearly a touchy subject for Lin.

"Well, I'm glad he enjoyed it," she smiled warmly. "The first winter can always be somewhat ... worrisome. But it sounds as though you enjoyed it as well?"