Welcome to Gaia! ::

A few minutes later, after Lin and Miyuki had been served and were eating, Elros entered the dining hall, wearing the armor of his new station. The golden sheen of it suited his blond hair, but it made his icy blue eyes seem brighter than ever.

"Good morning," he greeted them warmly, his movements as free as if he weren't wearing any armour at all. "I hope you slept well."

"I'm glad," Elros smiled warmly at the two. "Captain Striate tells me that you would like me to accompany you to the city today. I would be delighted to do so. Did you have any plans in particular?"

He remained standing a few paces away from Lin. He had already eaten, and he wasn't one to sit down unnecessarily - that, and he wasn't entirely certain what Miyuki would do if he did sit down. She seemed a bit wary of him.

Elros chuckled at Miyuki. "Perhaps my armour puts her off," he suggested. "I didn't wear near so much in the Eastland. Though I'm sure she wouldn't even remember me from that time anymore," he added with a chuckle.

He smiled at Lin. "But I do agree, it is a good idea for Miyuki to meet more of the children in the city. They are very sweet ... Alena has told me of your reception in the city the first time you visited." He chuckled. "The children were quite attracted to your entire group, were they not?"

"They are quite acceptant of those who are different," Elros smiled, "and very curious. The first time Alena and I went to the city ... I was touched. In all of the years that I worked on the ranch, and all of the children that I helped there ... even after weeks of travel, none of them were as warm to me as the children of Amon Darthir."

"They are wonderful children," Elros murmured. "It is a wonderfuil society."

He smiled softly. "Are you ready to go, then?" he asked. "Or do you need to get anything from your room first?"

Elros smiled and waited for them all to be ready before he began to lead them to the city.

When they passed through the gates, the city was alive much as always. Filled with life and laughter as the elves went about their daily lives.

It didn't take long before one of the children spotted Elros, Lin and Miyuki, and soon there were more children approaching them curiously.

"I like your tails!" one of the bolder children beamed at Miyuki, green eyes shining brightly. "Are they real?"

"Nice ears!" another called out sincerely, no mockery in his tone.

"Where are you from?" "I like your doll!" "What's your name?" "How old are you?" "What a funny looking animal you have with you!"

The children were curious and energetic as ever.

"Shy?" "New" "Different language?"

The children knew that Miyuki was new there, obviously, but their world was very small, and they didn't know there were other languages.

One of the children, a little girl just Miyuki's height, stepped forward. "Do you want a candy?" she asked brightly, holding out a peppermint drop.