Welcome to Gaia! ::

A Quick Stop at Home

He'd returned home for a short spell from Aylana's place, mostly it was to gather clothing for himself and various other things that he would need for long spells with his angel. He stuffed everything that he would need in a bag, a smile on his lips as he did so. He'd yet to see Rayne though according to Jing she'd been out for a while, the Doushikai had commented on her odd attitude and he had found himself explaining everything from Nova to the new baby in detail so that the man would know exactly what all was going on. He was after all the closest thing that Lucien had to a father even if Jing and his mother had a platonic sort of relationship. The Doushikai had taken the news well, better then his mother in fact. He'd even offered to keep an eye on things here and an eye on Rayne so that he could keep the scorpion up with how things were going. For that he was grateful.

He had his pack over his arm and was heading down the hallway to fetch a few things from the bathroom when Rayne had returned, he met her gaze from the top of the stairs and she gave him a smile, a real smile that reached her eyes and his heart sort of flipflopped. She looked to be in a much better mood this time around, she seemed happy and not at all ready to start yelling again. He smiled back then headed into the bathroom to grab his brush and comb, his toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and all the other random supplies that he might be in need of at some point. All of it was added to his already full stuffed bag, best he could hope for was that it wouldn't bust a seam or something.

He then headed down the stairs and peek into the diningroom, watching as Jing and his mother spoke quietly. He was so close and listening closely but he couldn't make out what Jing was saying, then again he grown used to that. If Jing wanted to say something for only one person to hear that was exactly how it would be. He swished his tail, waiting for a chance to step into the room. His chance came a moment later when the Dou motioned to him to come over, "Hello Mom." He said, setting his bag down on the table and she stepped over to give him a little hug, looking up at him with big eyes, ears laid back, "Hrm?"

"I just... I wanted to appologize for my behavior. I know that I was acting a bit childish and for that I feel like a bit of an a**." She muttered, stepping back and looked away, "I mean... the worst time for me to do that too. Aylana must think the worst of me."

Lucien reached his hand out to pat his mother on the head, "Its gonna be ok. It was a stressful day for everyone." He told her, giving her a smile, "Things will work out though I am sure of it."

Rayne nodded, perking up some before she gave him a little shove, "Stop acting so grown up, sheesh." She said, crossing her arms.

Lucien made a face before drawing himself up to his full height, "Hey! I am grown up so I am allowed to act that way." He told her, grinning a bit.

"Ha! If you say so." She said, "I still see you as the same little boy that refused to let me dress him to the point of stinging to escape pants." She told him a matter-of-fact sort of way. In such a tone that Lucien's face with red.

"Moooom! Not in front of Jing." He said, such talk would no doubt make Jing see him in the same way and the Dou was finally seeing him as grown!

Jing gave a laugh as he sat down at the table, "Sorry kid. To late to try to make her quiet down since I saw the same thing."

Lucien shook his head, "Augh... parents." He muttered to himself, shaking his head, "You know I want for you both to be able to meet the babies. Nova and the one that Aylana is gonna have." He told them, smiling some as he looked over at his bag.

Rayne nodded, "We would like that, wouldn't we Jing?"

Jing nodded, leaning back in his chair, "All this talk about kids is making me feel really old." He said, not because he felt old but because it would get Rayne in a huff over the fact that she too was getting 'old' now that she was a grandmother. Lucien laughed a bit glad that things seemed back to normal and picked up his bag putting it over his shoulder.

"I'm gonna head out now. Everything is cool right?"

Rayne looked up from her bickering with the Dou and nodded, "Of course! I will try to come and visit you and Aylana soon ok?"

"Sounds like fun. I am sure that seeing you in a good mood would do Aylana some good." He said, then headed out leaving her and Jing to their argueing. There were days that those two seemed like an old married couple despite their not having a relationship like that.

Lucien and Nova Head Home

He'd visited home quickly while Nova stayed behind for a short amount of time with Aylana and Cielra, now he and her were heading back while Aylana and the kitten rested up both in need of naps. He was hesitant as he started along the path that would take them up to the house. He was a little nervous even though his mother already knew about the girl and knew that she had appeared since he'd come home for some of her things. Everything was going to be ok of this he was sure, he had no reason as to why it wouldn't be after all... he looked up and then around. Aside from maybe the large swarm that had been gathering since they had started their walk home from Aylana's place. He gave a shake of his head, bunch of them had followed them home for which he knew he was going to get a kicking by Yukito if any of the bugs in this group were the sort to eat flowers, "Any chance on you telling your friends that its time for them to go home?" He asked of Nova.

The girl gazed up at him with fathomless blue eyes, blinked, then started to giggle before turning back to her friends, reaching and several of them landed on her hands and arms seeming to be enthralled by the very presence of the girl. Her touch had them in a tizzy of flapping wings, buzzing, and other excited motions. He gave a smile unable to resist it, she seemed so happy so Yukito would have to just deal with the fact that they were around.

Upon reaching the door he did his best to wave them off with his tail and claw and once he had a good enough amount of space to himself he used it to duck into the house, door slamming shut after him with the insects trapped outside. He gave a sigh of relieft then turned, giving a jump when he found a couple members of his family starring at him like he had gone insane, "Look out the front window." He explained to them before slipped into the diningroom, smiling when he saw his mother standing there. Good, just he one that he had wanted to see, "Hey there mom." He said, walking over to her and sat down at the table with her and Jing.

There was a sound from the front room from his brothers who'd been curious enough to look out the window to see the swarm that was there though it was starting to break up, without Nova around they seemed to no longer have a desire to just hang around.

Rayne was already reaching her hands out, motioning with them for Nova to be handed over. The girl gave a little sound, clinging to her father's shirt and hid her face against him, "I'm sorry. She's a little shy." He said to Rayne who had her ears laid back.

Jing tilted his head to the side as he found himself starring at the little girl's wings and it seemed almost as if they were starring back at him. He shook his head as he realized that he was starring at them and blinked to break what felt like a locked gaze, "She is a cutie." He said, not always one for kids himself but this one he didn't mind, maybe because it wasn't one of Rayne's? Or maybe he was just getting old and starting to settle down? He didn't like that idea as he pushed up to his feet, he wasn't ready to settled down, he started to walk off when a little hand caught hold of Jing's shirt and yanked at it.

It was hard to tell who was more suprised by that Lucien, Rayne, or Jing but it seemed that the little girl was interested in Jing and she was soon holding her hands out to him, making grabby motions. He looked back and forth between Rayne and Lucien, "H-Huh?" He mummbled, unsure.

"Take her." Rayne said, giving a pout. Why would any kid want to go over to look at Jing when he was all scary looking? Ok... not really but normally his gaze was able to chase off anyone that bothered him and yet the blonde wanted picked up by him and not her? She watched as he took the girl as half expecting her to break from contact. When she didn't he blinked and gave a slight smile, "Huh... this is..." It wasn't that bad he supposed.

Lucien leaned back in his seat, smiling some. He relaxed watching as his parents loved on Nova, Jing kneeling down in front of Rayne so that she would see the baby as well.

Coffee with Vin and Arranos

With Parvana and Yukito

He'd been put in charge of babysitting by threat of a very painful death if anything were to happen to her while her father was away, the dragon Sin'aeis looked down at the insect child that was in his arms and gave a little sighing sound. Lucien was being very honest, maybe brutally so about that too. After all the Fa'e WAS venomous so it would be painful if Lucien were to sting him to get back at him were anything to go wrong.

How though he had been the one to get this job was beyond him. He had been minding his own business, brewing some new sorts of potions and then poof! He was babysitting... He supposed it was because Lucien had some things to do and their mother and Jing both were busy, that left only Yuki as old enough to do the job, "So umm... what do you want to do?" He asked of the little one. He was good with kids, had a knack for taking care of people since he was hoping to be a doctor. It was a little harder though when your charges couldn't talk and tell you what it was that they needed...

Nova though wasn't really paying attention, did she ever though? Her attention span was lacking and in the blink of an eye it would find thirty things to focus on then forget, currently she was reaching for his tail, making grabby hands at it, flailed a moment then gave a happy sound when she got hold of it. He gave a laugh, "I don't know what it is about that thing that everyone you age loves so much." He told Nova, sitting down on the couch and wiggled the tail in her grasp which made her giggle and try to hold onto it tighter to keep it from escaping.

He could hear the frantic movement as Shana came down the stairs, muttering to herself. As she got into the room Vana was in her arms, she stopped blowing hair out of her face. "Yuki?! Are you babysitting today?" She panted softely. Vana squeeled in joy, "Yuki!!! Nova!" She sing sang happily.

Yukito looked over at his aunt then gave a nod of his head, "Yeah, Lucien needed somone to keep an eye on Nova for him." He said, motion to the little blonde who was hanging off his tail. It was immediently abandoned though as new people showed up, she lifted her gaze and it stuck on the brightly colored girl... and her wings. It was a butterfly girl! This one was like her! Instantly all her attention was focused solely on Parvana.

The dragon sin got up to his feet, walking over to Parvana and held his arms out to his cousin, "Hello Vana, you seem to be in a good mood."

"Yuki!!!" She squeeled agian happily giggling as she squrimed out of Shana's arms and pretty much leaping into Yuki's arms, her wings flutterting for a moment. "Do I get to stay and play with Yuki?" Shana looked pleadingly at Yuki, "Is that okay? I'm late for an appointment and Vana would just be boared anyway..."

Yuki nodded, "Sure, what is one more little one to watch." He said jokingly, snuggling his cousin after catching her then sat down on the couch, "I am sure she could help me to entertain Nova too so I would be glad of the help."

"Oh thank you Yuki." Shana looked relived as she pressed a kiss on the top of his head and rushed out. Vana looked down at the little girl and waved. "Hi Nova, Momma told me 'bout you." She grinned at the little girl as she tried to squrim out of Yuki's arms and down to her level.

Yuki flushed some at the kiss his aunt gave him, then shook his head. He was old enough that he shouldn't be bothered by such things! He released his hold on Vana to let her go so she could sit on the floor with the little angel girl. The moment she was in arms reach Nova gave a squee sound and moved quickly to catch hold of her hand, tugging lightly. She wanted to see the wings, the wings that this girl had were like the ones that Nova had on her head.

"She seems to like you, normally she can be a bit shy." Yuki told Parvana, he figured that it was due to Nova thinking that Parvana was one of her insect friends.

Parvana giggled as she took the other girl's hands, she genteally touched the other girls wings genteally. Her dark eyes widing in fasnaction. "Wow....." She whispered softely. "Those are very neat!"

Both sets of Nova's wings set to flutter, the ones on her back were quiet but the ones on her head made a sort of buzzing sound as they moved, she then gave a happy sound. She liked this girl, so pretty colored she MUST be a bug of some sort. The eyes, the wings, the colors nothing else would make sense if you asked her!
Yukito watched the two of them as they got to know one another, glad that they were getting along so well.

Vana giggled and clapped her hands as she watched the girl. "You are very pretty Nova..... do you like music?" She asked as she stood up, watching the girl, pushing stray shiny purple stands of hair out of her face.

Nova blinked a couple of time, tilting her head to the side as she watched the other girl as she got up and moved away. What had she said? Music? OH! So the girl was related to crickets then? They made music after all, so she nodded rapidly. She! She did like music, she gave a loud sound trying to encourage the cricket girl to play for her.

Her feet thudded agaisnt the floor as she ran up to her room, and then back down agian this time holding her flute. She grinned at the other two as she sat back down, her small fingers covering the keys, pursing her lips just so as the haunting sound slowly floated from the instramnet. A slow lullaby, the low tune filling the rooms.

Nova sat and listend in awe, this was like no music that she had heard before now. It was lovely, beautiful, something that was so amazing that it held her attention completely. Even Yuki sat forward, arms resting on his knees, eyes closing to listen closely to the sound that Parvana was making with her flute. Was so amazing...

Parvana blushed happily as she held the flute in her lap. "YAY, I'm glade you like it." SHe giggled happily as sat on the floor.

"Very much so. It always makes me feel regenerized when you play, like I could do anything." He told her, smiling.

Vana clapped her hands excitedly, thrilled they all liked it so much. "Do you want to hear another one? Or do you want to go outside and play Nova?"

Nova's eyes got wide, outside? Could they? She turned her gaze quickly to Yukito who looked unsure for a moment, "So long as we get on coats then go out to play in the greenhouse it should be ok since its warm in there." He didn't want to chance Nova or Vana getting a cold even if his potions could help treat such illness. Best to avoid the problem altogether instead of chancing it, "Let's get ready and we can go out."

Vana squeeled happily as she ran to her room once again, tossing her flute on her bed as she found her coat and shoes before running back into the living room, plopping down to put on her shoes. The tip of her tounge stuck out as she finally able to tie her shoes.

Confusion

Nova was clinging to her uncle, face buried against his chest before lifting it up again hoping that she had thought she saw was gone... then she hid it again. What was going on? What was wrong with her Daddy? He was... he was broken! She started to sob and Lucien found himself taking a surprised step back, "Nova...?" He murmured. He hadn't thought that she would take his change so hard, she didn't seem at all to like the fact that he had changed so much since the last time that they had crossed paths, "Nova it's ok. Its still me..." He said, quietly.

She sniffled, clinging to Yukito and shook her head. She didn't believe him, he wasn't the same. He was different, his arm was different, his tail was gone, the streaks on his face were missing and his ears had changed... She looked over at him again, lifting a hand to scrub at her eyes, "Ahh...?" She whimpered, shaking her hand at him.

"I know that I look different but its still me on the inside." He said, stepping closer and took her from his brother. The white dragon quickly backed up before she could try to get ahold of him again so that Lucien could hold her and talk to her.

Yukito quickly moved out of the room, giving a sigh of relief. As much as he wanted to figure out what had happened to his brother as well he was going to let him talk to Nova first.

"Are you ok Nova? I promise that there is nothing for you to worry about."

Nova starred up at him for a moment then down at his chest, "Hmm." She murmured, reaching over to touch his arm that had once been an impressive claw like the scorpions wandering around the house it was all plain now, where had his claw gone too? Why would be change from what he had been to what he was now? And HOW did he change? Was her Daddy magical?

"I will have to explain it more into detail when your older but for now... for now just know that it didn't hurt or anything." He assured her, there was no way he could explain the changes in himself to a little kid.

Nova patted it again then looked back and forth, then poke at it him in the chest. He looked ok... so... did that mean that there was nothing she had to worry about? It didn't hurt he had said so that meant that he had to be ok, be safe. She sighed and curled up agianst him, nuzzling his chest. She was a little lost but now that Daddy was home from wherever he had been she was sure that things would be better, she wouldn't be waiting anymore.

Though still there was something she felt as if she were missing...

An Angry Nova...

Nova was normally a really quiet, curious, sweet little girl. She was shy and more likely to be sitting in the arms of a loved one quietly examining the world around her and occasionally giving a comment on something. Today was not a normally day though was it? And Nova wasn't reacting as she normally would either. She was screaming on the top of her lung, not sad but angry! All of her anger was pointed at one person in particular too, Uncle Marik... The Gold Dragon though seemed completely and totally amused by her actions, continueing on with what he was doing to upset her. He'd found the most amusing fruit snacks ever, ones that were in the shape of bugs. He was sitting there in front of the Insect Guardian munching away on them. To young to understand that they didn't contain real bugs the little blonde was raging, how dare he! How dare he eat her friends! What sort of sick monster was he?

Her screaming had drawn a crowd too, first Rayne who was the closest followed one by one by the rest of the family members including a fuming Lucien. He stalked over to where his daughter had been playing happily among her toys while he got her something to eat and looked over at Marik, "What the hell are you doing!" He snapped at the dragon child.

Marik looked up at Lucien for a moment before popping another fruit snack into his mouth, chewing. He didn't see a point in explaining himself to Lucien after all he knew his brother to be all bark without any bite, "Nothing." He said, giving a bit of a smirk.

Nova looked up at her father, then over at Marik flailing a little fist at him. Surely now that he had arrived things would be better, they would get fixed and Marik would be punished for eating her followers. She demanded vengence for all those that had fallen to his appetite and she knew that her father would do just that for her, it was his job to make things better because she was to tiny to do it herself, to weak. Lucien reached over to grab hold of Marik's wrist lifting his hand up so that he could see what it was exactly that he was eating. Whatever it was it was the basis for why his daughter was so upset.

"Bugs...?" He grabbed them from the dragon's hand looking them over. They weren't real bugs but at the same time they were in the shape of..."You little brat! Do you have any idea what your doing?"

Marik jerked at the grip that his brother had on him, surprised to find it rather solid, "What? I'm eating snacks. Not my fault the brat doesn't like it." He said, his tail lashing in an uncomfortable sort of way. Great, this was a bad sign, normally Lucien was getting worked up over this. Oh well, wasn't as if he was afraid of him, especially now that he wasn't really much of a threat to him anymore.

"Your a sick little brat." He said, throwing the snacks aside and lifted a hand up into a fist ready to pummel his brother right there for what he was doing... he didn't get the chance though as Rayne jumped forward, wrapping her arms around Lucien's arm and sort of hung off of it, "Mom...?"

"Let go of your brother Lucien." She murmured, shaking her head, "I know that you have had a rough few days with everything but that is no reason to take it out on Marik. You know how he is. He doesn't think."

The red eyed teen gave a little hiss and shoved Marik away from him, "Your lucky Mom is here to save you."

"Feh, any time you want a piece of me Lucien." Marik said, crossing his arms to give his brother a dark glare, "I will gladly take you down, you don't scare me. Just cause your bigger then me doesn't mean a damn thing."

Rayne looked over to another of her sons for help and Yukito stepped forward, "Come on Marik, lets go." He said, taking the gold dragon's arm and lead him away so that both he and Lucien could cool off before they set to beating on each other for no good reason. Teasing Nova wasn't at all nice but at the same time not punishable by a beating. Marik grummbled the whole way out of the room and was soon out of Lucien's sight.

Once he was Rayne let go of Lucien, patting his arm, "Come on now. How about you cheer up Nova? I will go and talk with your brother. Sound good?"

Lucien gave a grummbling sound as he sat down in front of Nova who had been watching the proceeding with wide eyed interest, she had known that her Daddy would come through for her! She fluttered her wings, all of them both the ones on her back and on her head in delight as she reached her hands out to make grabby motions at her father, quickly scooped up into his arms. Lucien gave her a smile, "Its alright, Marik was just being an idiot." He told her, smiling softly.

Nova settled against him then pointed at one of the 'fallen bugs' wanting it come be given to her. Lucien plucked it up off the carpet, "Its alright, see. Its not a real bug." He said letting her take it from him hand to examine it.

Hmm, it didn't look like a bug. It didn't feel like a bug, it didn't even smell like a bug... She blinked in confusion, "Ahhh?"

"Not a bug, its candy shaped like one. Marik was just being mean to you." He said.

A snack? A snack that looked like one of her precious bugs? What sort of sick and cruel world was this that they made her treats that looked like her friends! She gave an angry flutter of her wings... squeezing the snack tightly, "Come on Nova, dinner is all ready do you want to eat?" He asked wanting to get her mind off of the fact that she had been being teased by her none to kind uncle.

The 'treat' was tossed aside and she nodded, food sounded good. Well most anything did so long as she didn't have to look at those yucky snacks anymore. Lucien rose up to his feet Nova cradled saftely in his arms and he headed towards the diningroom where the food awaited them.

With Gram

Lucien was sitting out on the front porch of the house, looking out over the yard. Spring was coming again and with the spring would come warmer weather, flowers blooming, a time of growth and change. He looked down at Nova who was nestled in his lap bundled up with her coat on but no longer did she have to wear mittens, a scarf, and a hat. He could just tell what she was thinking when she was looking out over the yard, could tell what she was feeling just by the look in her eyes. She was growing anxious. Winter had left almost completely alone and devoid of her normal entourage of insects only the pair of shiny critters he had gotten for her at the mall had been there to keep her company, currently the pair were snuggled down in her coat to stay warm. He wondered if they were talking to her, the way that she watched them some days, eyes wide with rapped facination it made him almost certain that she could hear their voices and knew what it was they were saying. He nuzzled the top her her head, "I know how you feel kiddo." He told her, "They are all going to be back to see you really soon. Already there are some starting to wake up." The warming weather had brought the occasional insect by to say 'hello' to the pair of them though it was Nova who could hear their voices not him.

He gave a smile then rose to his feet, Nova cradled in his arms, "I think we should go inside what do you think? Go in and play with the buggies inside?"

She nodded her head though the look in her eyes was still hopeful, as if she were waiting for them to come to her, waiting for her insect followers to appear and flutter around her. It wasn't happening yet though and her eyes got rather sad and she wrapped her arms around herself, around the two that were snuggled down in her coat. She didn't like the winter at all. Why couldn't it be warm here all the time? Why did the cold have to chase off her friends?

Lucien hugged her close, "Its going to be ok Nova, they will be back really soon. Soon, I promise." He didn't like that she felt lonely, he wanted for her to be a happy child and for the most part she was. It was just when she went outside and there was nobody there waiting for her that her happiness faded and there was nothing but saddness within those blue eyes of hers. Nova lifted her gaze to stare up at him for a long while before she finally nodded her head, she believed him as he had no reason to lie to her especially about something important. Soon, once it warmed up the bugs would be back and she would have someone to play with again in droves...

Rayne looked up from the piece of jewelry that she was working on as the door opened up and her son and granddaughter came back in from there small outing, she rose to her feet to stretch out form head to toe before walking over to them, leaning forward to nuzzle against Nova's cheek affectionately, "You know the cold weather is almost over." She told the pair causing them both to look her way, "Its a depressing season, its cold and everything is sleeping. Just wait, Spring is gonna come and everything will be good again." She said, tail wagging. She wanted nothing more then to cheer the pair of them up. She wrapped her arms around them, snuggling them. Lucien's form stiffened for a moment before he relaxed in her grasp.

"Your probably right." He murmured.

She laughed, "Probably? No, no. I am right! I always am." She said, ears turning forward and she smiled brightly.

He blinked a couple times, mouth opening as if he meant to remind her of all the times that she was far, far from being right. Those times that she wasn't even in the same zip code as right... then gave up. No, no point in trying as she would be sure to figure out how to make sure that she sounded right. Or she would change the subject onto something else that didn't involve whether she was right or wrong or whatever, "I guess so." He murmured, easiest to let her have her way or she would pout. There were days that Rayne acted far younger then even her children did...

"So! Everyone is going to be home for dinner tonight." She said, walking back over to the diningroom table to sit down and motioned for Lucien and Nova to join her, "Its so hard somedays to wrangle you all into one place."

With as many people as was in the house it was quite a surprising when they all showed up for a meal all at the same time, he wondered it were a special occasion or something. That or maybe it was just luck and/or prodding on the part of Rayne or Jing. Lucien sat down at the table and set to getting Nova out of her coat and set it out of the way. She then set her in the highchair that was near by with the two shiny bugs on the tray. She was soon watching them, eyes wide in facination at whatever it was that they were saying to her before he shucked off his own coat, "Is Eros alright with getting all of the food together?" He asked, glancing over towards the kitchen. He could see his brother in there drifting around back and forth between cabinets, stove, fridge, and back again working on various things all at once.

"He always is. Its his passion and no doubt a personal challenge to please everyone as well. Eros has his cooking, Marik has his hording, Yukito has his herbs and potions, Sasarai has his books, Meena has her swimming, and you have your training." She said, then looked over to Nova, "And little Nova has her bugs." One could tell how much she loved her family just by the tone that was in her voice, she looked over at Eros, then back to Lucien to watch him for a moment before turning back to the piece she was working on, manipulating the metal and stones, "So... how have you been?"

One of those questions that he had been hoping she wouldn't ask of him, "I'm... alright." He said, giving a shrug. She looked up at him and those grey eyes of hers seemed to almost look through him a moment and he sighed, "I am! Now, I mean it. I am fine... Things have been settled between us finally so I am feeling... good." He didn't want her to worry over him anymore. For a while maybe he hadn't been himself for a while, had set to sulking a bit in his room and generally avoiding things that he normally did that made him happy but now... things would be different.

"I am here for you alright? If you need anything, anything at all." She told him as he held up the piece to look it over critically then set to working on a few details here and there to perfect it.

"I know that Mom, if anything comes up where I need your help I will be sure to let you know. Ok?" He assured her.

She nodded, "I know that your all growing up but that doesn't mean that you can't turn to your mother now and again." They were all getting so big, she felt a bit lonely without any babies left to take care of aside from Nova who wasn't really hers. A grandbaby yes but no baby, babies anymore. They were all getting far to big! They should all be little kids again for her to snuggle and take care of. She may not rate high on that mother of the year chart but she had done what she could for them all, gave them what she could, and all the love in her heart.

She looked over at Lucien who's eyes were looking somewhere that she knew she couldn't reach herself, "You know... I can watch her for you, I will be as good a grandmother as I was a mother, maybe better since I have a lot of practice."

The teen looked over at her, for a moment confused before he blinked a couple of times, "Mom?"

"I... can see it in your eyes. You always have the same look in them when you are planning on going somewhere alone, planning on doing something that I might not approve of." She lowered her gaze again back to what she was working on, hands moving over the piece to manpulate the metals into the shape that she desired it to be, "And while I know I can't go with you and I know that I can't help you face what it is that is in front of you because you want to do it on your own... I still want to help where I can. Leave Nova in my care?"

Lucien nodded his head, "Thank you Mom, I will feel much better knowing that she is safe with you while I go out." He murmured, he knew where it was that he was going too. It was as if the answer was suddenly so clear to him, as if he knew that was where that old woman and Antares both were awaiting him. Rayne got up to her feet and walked over to him, holding out piece to him, an armband with a scorpion motif, "I know that its a few days late but I worked extra hard on it. Happy Birthday Lucien." She murmured, wrapping her arms around her 'baby' tightly.

He took it from her, holding it tightly in one hand before he wrapped his arms around her leaving Nova to stare at them a little confused upon what was going on but then she gave a happy sound and reached forward to make grabby hands at her grandmother.

"Just... promise me that you will come home." She said as she drew back, moving over to scoop Nova up into her arms.

Lucien pushed to his feet, "I always come home no matter where I go, this is where I want to be. This is all that I didn't have in my past life and all of what I enjoy, a warm family and a mother who cares for and loves me, a safe place to rest. Why wouldn't I come home?" He gave a smile before he put on the gift she had given him. His birthday... he was two years old wasn't he? It didn't sound like a lot in human time but in Fa'e time... he hurried up to his room. He had a lot he wanted to get ready before he headed out. He was going after Antares, going to meet that woman, going... to Greece.

With Uncle

Dragonflies, butterflies, bees, and beetles fluttered in the air around her with several other sorts of bugs, ants crawled around her all of them milling about her in an excited sort of way. It didn't matter what they were doing at the time the moment she was brought outside it was always the same they started to gather in swarms like something out of a story. It made her happy to look across her 'kingdom' of beautiful bugs a rainbow of colors and so many shapes and sizes. They were her friends when she felt alone, always there at her side as others were not. She looked up and her head wings gave a little buzzing sound which cause a ripple of response in those around her. She felt like a queen amongst the smallest creatures in this world. A brighter smile when the bugs landed on her giving her a beautiful, highly decorated look. She looked from them to the pair that had brought her outside to play on her blanket. Her uncles Yukito and Sasarai, they were looking good spirits as well for some reason though it was above her what made older people happy. They were far more complicated then the bugs were, sipping nectar and enjoying the warmth wasn't exactly what made teens happy. She turned back to hold up a small hand and it was instantly the perch for a couple of large butterflies whose wings had on them a similar design as hers, something that looked like eyes.

"Are you having fun little Nova?" Came a voice behind her which drew his gaze again, Yukito had dared to come closer which caused a buzz among the more dangerous of the bugs. Even the bees that normally tended happily to Yukito's gardens seemed to be a bit on edge at his approach as if readying to attack giving the word from Nova. She didn't say anything though, then again she'd not learned things such as speaking yet, didn't seem all that interested in such skills. You learned far more when you listened quietly then you did when you were loud.

"Enjoy the sun I think its supposed to rain tomorrow, the plants with be happy but I don't think the bugs will be out." He said taking a seat carefully next to her. Sasarai kept his distance though seeming to be a bit more timid, not daring enough to approach a child that had bees and wasps readying to defend her. She felt a bit bad about that, she liked her Uncle Sasa he was a good boy unlike Uncle Marik who had just been mean to her all the time, enjoying nothing more then getting to taunt her with childish jokes. Even so she did almost miss him since he had been away, Uncle Eros, Gram, and Daddy had all gone too though and such things she was getting used too.

She leaned back against Yukito, resting against his side. Uncle Yukito seemed always to be there though, always at her side.

"I miss Gram." He said suddenly, looking over towards the porch and gave a bit of a sighing sound. Nova understood what he meant, the house seemed to have lost the binding that kept it together with her not there, even Jing had started to revert back to how he'd been when he first came to live with them. He was so quiet... The little girl turned and buried her face against his side, eyes squeezing closed as she clung ot him her wings all sagging some. It was a sad house now, not as lively and happy as before. She wanted everyone to come home even mean old Uncle Marik...

"Ahh! Hey, don't cry now. Uncle Sasarai and I are working on a plan to bring everyone back home ok? Pretty soon we will all be back together at our loud dinners again just like before don't you worry." He assured her, patting her blonde hair gently.

She looked up at him with big, blue eyes and after a moment gave him another smile. She trusted him, trusted his words. If Uncle Yukito said that things were going to get better then she knew that they were going to get better. She leaned into him again, listening to the voices of the bugs around her as they spoke and she let her eyes close. Everything was going to turn out alright, things were going to do as they were supposed to do... soon Daddy, Gram, and everyone would be like they were before. They would be home and happy.

"Come on Nova, how about we go inside with Uncle Sasarai and get some dinner. Won't be as good as what Uncle Eros made but I will do my best." He held his arms open to her and she nodded, crawling into them. He pushed to his feet and headed for the house. The moment the girl was inside with her two uncles the bug swarm that had gathered was gone as quickly as it had appeared as they resumed their normal lives.