Welcome to Gaia! ::

Body language was one of Elle's native tongues. Scooping up the fox eared lass with a bounce, Elle settled her on one hip. "Well, Redtail! Where shall we go?"

Something was nagging at her, like a distant voice she couldn't quite understand. A soft surge of emotion from nearby...swelling hope, with a whisper of sadness. For a moment, her gaze settled on the quiet woman standing a few feet off, her eyes wet with unshed tears. Nodding, Elle kept her small smile in place...curious about the reaction. Did it have something to do with the babe?

The connection faded as her attention shifted back to the girl in her arms. She was barred from a guarded mind, or a suspicious view, but children were often open and frank. "Shall we dance, my lady? Or perhaps a snack?"

Elle kept one eye out for Asra...still curious if she was in the right place. Such a colorful collection of characters assured her she was...the young Skydancer would be right at home!

Asrafel was enraptured by Ophi's reaction. It was simply adorable! He looked at the chocolate piece still left in his grasp, the only one he had managed to take before moving to greet the new guests. Ahh well, he was sure the lovely mousechild would grant him more if he wished, and it was always nice to share!

He lifted up the little piece of chocolate, and placed it in the palm of one of the hands separating his fingers. "There you go, Ophi!" After all, it was Joce (of all people) who had taught him just how sweet it was to share.

"Oh.." Asrafel breathed out as the two mentioned what they were looking for. "A guard rail.. I must admit we actually don't have one of those.. I'm sure we have a booster chair but it is for the Daycare, and I believe Miss Orestae would be upset should I give it away. However! I know where we bought it, and perhaps they have a guard rail as well! There is a store nearby, two blocks down, and to your left. I hope that helps!"

He giggled down at Ophi, leaning in and smiling gently. "I believe I will see you again soon, little one. Please, stop by anytime should you be in need of our services! Speaking of which.. I believe I will get you that drink! I hope soda will suffice.."

Asrafel was not about to go over and try to get a glass of beer, even if it wasn't for himself. He headed to the drinks table and poured out a glass of soda, all too happy to be helpful. It was his position and situation that made him miss Elle's entrance, so that when he turned to walk back and handed the boy his drink, he felt quiet at the sudden realization that Elle had indeed come. What's more, in her arms was Shauna! His heart leapt to his throat, and he excused himself profusely from the group, wishing them well a thousand times over before padding toward Elle shyly.

If one paid attention to detail, one might notice his pink ribbons turning pinker in lieu of a blush.

Fu poked her head in the door sheepishly, shoving her large round glasses back up her nose.
They were late.
Very, very, very late.
Not even fashionably late stretches to how late they were.
Fu was frantic with worry. She wasn't supposed to be late to the first party she had EVER been invited to!
It wouldn't be polite!

Flu brushed past the woman's slender legs, flapping her immature wings when her feathers touched Fu's skin.
Honestly.
Didn't she know how to enter a party?
Flu took it all in her wobbly toddler stride, and rose her beaked head in welcome to all there.

Still swaying to a simpler version of the beat, Elle rocked Shauna smoothly to the left, her hair swinging lightly as the babe's tail. As she turned, her eyes were attracted to Asra instantly...his splash of color a welcome sight. Holding the girl a bit closer against her side, she freed her other arm for a hug after setting the bouquet upon the floor.

"Skydancer!" Genuine warmth sounded in her voice, healthy pink showing high upon her cheeks. Her hand was positioned for shake or embrace, a simple turn and she could accomodate whatever the lad was comfortable with. From what she'd seen of Asra, though, and what she sensed in the air between them, Elle assumed it would be the latter.

Never once did her arm around Shauna falter...instead, she gave the babe a gentle squeeze to make clear she was included in the hug. "It's good to see you."

She held back her other questions. Many of the children around them had that certain aura...her heart stirred in wonder at the possibilites. For now, however, she needed to properly thank Asra for inviting her, and see the babe in her arms was content. The tale would come later.

"It was...sweet of you, to travel so far to invite me." Her words had a gentle ring to them, closer to lines from a remembered poem than idle chatter. Leaning forward, Elle waited to brush a kiss against his cheek. What a sweet boy, and so full of love! His heart shone bright and eager in her eyes, strong enough that she could feel the sweet pull without looking within him.

He simply glowed!

There was no question as to whether Asrafel would rather hug Elle hello or shake her hand. That was silly! Hand shaking was for the weak! Or the scared, at least. He practically leapt upon her and wrapped his arms around her middle, giving her a much needed bear hug. Yay, it was Elle, Elle had come! It was obvious by the blatant snuggling that he was very happy to see her.

He hopped away once he had snuggled to his hearts content, and held his hands back behind his back while grinning foolishly. "It's good to see you too! And think nothing of it, I'm only too glad you got to come!" He sounded just a bit too high pitched, a mixture of the chocolate and his affections for the pretty woman making for a light headed reaction, which was only worsened when, wonder of wonders, she kissed him on the cheek!

Ohhh. So this is what they mean by Cloud Nine.

He giggled childishly and pulled his hands tighter behind him, shrugging. It seemed Elle made Asra feel like a schoolgirl.

Which may or may not be just a little odd.

"Would you like something to drink, or eat perhaps-Cal!" He felt the latching against his leg and had looked down sharply, catching a glimpse of the boy. His eyes turned up just enough to see Karma, or his back at least. "And Karma! Aww.. bye Karma?" He pouted softly, picking up Calumet in his arms and hefting him to comfort. "Calumet, I want you to meet Elle! Isn't she pretty? And I see you've already met Shauna." Asrafel eyed the fox child in Elle's arms, giving her a knowing wink.

---

"LET ME GO!"

Alania had been beating on her brothers back the entire trip. It was now sore, and probably highly bruised, but he was not going to let her go. He'd spent most of the trip in silence, letting her screams take up much of the weight of conversation. Otherwise he hummed. But now, nearing the Center, he piped up softly.

"Oh look, we're here."

Alania's beatings paused momentarily as she bent upwards to look at the building she worked at. She could hear music thumping and there were a few people milling outside - how obvious could you get?

"You know, this is actually kind of pathetic Nio."

"I agree. But there's cake!"

"Ugggh.." Alania groaned, her stomach turning in disgust. She'd eaten that entire half of her cake.. it was enough.

Nio crossed the street and stopped just short of Inle, readjusting the woman in her arms and patting her on the back. He had a pleasant look on his face, as if he wasn't carrying a woman in his arms against her will.

"Hey Inle. How goes things?"

"Nothing for me, thank you!" Giving Asra one more squeeze before letting him loose, Elle scooped up her flowers and gave Shauna another bounce. Tilting her head to the side, she shared a look with the babe...should they give Asra a flower?

Definately.

Pink seemed appropriate. Pulling a long stemmed sweet pea out of the bouquet, Elle offered it to the boy with a hint of a curtsy. Ah, and more babes had arrived!! Smiling down at them, Elle nodded at their names. "Cal, Karma! And Shauna, hmm? Is that your name, little Redtail?" Giving her a tiny poke of the nose, Elle laughed.

"Asra, could you point me towards the host or the hostess, please? I'd like to give my thanks!"

**

Still scanning Elle's note, Aki wandered forward uncertainly. She should have worn different boots, that was for sure. These were killing her feet!! Under one arm was a long velvet bag, the crystal beads sewn into the hem glinting in the evening light.

Was this the right street?!

Far ahead, a group of figures seemed gathered outside a fully lit building. She angled towards it without thinking, intending to check the address when she got there. It was rude to interrupt a conversation, though, so Aki slowed even more about half a block away.

She hadn't spotted Elle's signature green...only some purple and a flash of silver and black. Squinting, Aki leaned forward a bit as she walked. Purple?!

Head raising to look for the host, Elle caught sight of Shauna's face...grinning at her burbling. The girl was leaning back oddly, little tummy thrust forward like an overstuffed teddy bear. It took Elle a few moments to figure out that she was being imitated...she had to do a quick scan of the babe's mental state before she realized she should be flattered. Apparently Shauna was rather impressed!

Giving the child another bounce, Elle laughed...a soft and warm sound. "My goodness! You're going to grow up to be quite a woman! I'm rather fond of the print on your cheek, to be honest..."

Dabbing a free finger in the bouquet, Elle lifted her fingertip from the wild lily and held it up for the babe's inspection. Dark orange pollen covered it, the kind that stained clothes if you didn't wash it out fast enough. Lifting her finger to her own cheek, Elle smudged on an approximation of Shauna's print mark.

"There! Golden eyes, ample curves, and matching cheek pictures? We're almost sisters!!" She shared her smile with Asra and a woman hovering curiously nearby. She didn't mean to leave them out, but babies commanded a certain amount of attention!