Welcome to Gaia! ::

Alex hadn't thought that the next time she'd see Vyn would be to take her to a new home. It was bittersweet to see the beautiful rose Raevan again. She didn't anticipate the other recognizing her, even going so far as to reintroduce herself and explain that she would be taking the Frei to a new home - one that she personally guarenteed would take good care of her. The Italian had met Ethan only once, but he was a smart man, quick of wit and with a natural curiosity she found endearing. When Kyou had told her to call on him about care-taking for a Raevan, she was beside herself with joy!

Now, however, in her large beast of a truck with the two Raevans in the back seat, it seemed more somber. It had hurt her severely to have to had given the beautiful female a new home at all, although Vyn herself never really seemed perturbed by it, not outwardly. Green eyes flicked into the rearview mirror, taking a quick glance over the dark femme and the light male before returning to the road. Yeah, she was sure the calm Raevan would do well with Ethan.

The demonic Raevan had been quiet for the majority of the ride, unusual for the inquisitive and opinionated Frei. Zul had probably liked the idea of rehoming less than Alex; he'd never really thought about it before, and although he didn't know his woman very well yet, he'd be loathe to start over and try to build from a new foundation. There was a nitch that one fell into, a comfort zone, a sense of belonging. He hadn't fit into it perfectly yet, but he knew it was there, and that the female next to him had lost it.

She was different than LuLu: her hair was darker, but still a light color; her eyes a brilliant red, but her sclera black; her skin was a pale he'd not seen before, and her attire was dark. The rose Frei was an opposite of he, and as such, completely something he did not understand. Even so, he had offered his hand to her to hold, his wide smile in place, bright blue eyes keenly interested but mindful. Zul was not familiar with what it meant to put on a happy face for the sake of others, but be damned if he wasn't trying anyway.

Such was the ride until they arrived at Ethan Blake's residence, to which Alex parked outside and turned off the vehicle, looking behind herself at the two. "Here we are, Vyn," she smiled at the beautiful Raevan. She wouldn't say 'home,' as that was a bit crude just then. "Are you ready?" she asked softly, concerned eyes turning over the delicate feminine face.

The male was quiet before he slipped out of the truck, floating from the back seat with ease and shutting the door behind him. Gliding around the vehicle, he carefully opened Vyn's door and extended his hand to her again, this time to help her out. He was, if anything, trying to impart something familiar and friendly to the female Raevan. "Mister Blake is nice," he offered up lightly, having met the curious man the month before. "If he's not nice to you, I'll come get you."

"Zul," Alex murmured with surprise, smiling a little. She could tell he was just being a 'well-mannered helper,' and she was grateful for it. The woman was certain Vyn didn't need a pity party.

Ah, she speaks! Alex hid her smile in the crook of her elbow, watching the two wistfully for a moment before sliding out of the truck herself. Stuffing her keys into her pocket and brushing an errant lock of hair from her eyes, she tilted her head towards the penthouses and began to make her way towards them, thumbs hooking into the belt loops of her jeans.

It would be a good meeting for Ethan, at least, to see him again and to speak with him of his Raevan, but she couldn't help but be worried. Biting the inside of her lip, the woman made her way to the door and pressed on the buzzer, glancing over her shoulder at the two Frei's. It was okay if they wanted to take their time, to give Ethan the time to observe and ask her any questions he had. Alex knew the man was decently versed in knowledge and experience with the Raevans, but it never hurt to be certain, especially when the case was so...delicate.

The smiling boy, as it were, retained his smile with a light bow of his head. "You are welcome," he replied in his soft, hazy voice, pleased that she had spoken at all. Even though Zul was much younger than most of the Raevans - the exception being LuLu - he felt protective of them. Perhaps it was his woman's job that elicited such a nature in him, but he felt guarded against each new human that they were entrusted to.

Granted, he knew Ethan, but he was still reserved in his thoughts. He was a nice man, a knowledgeable one, but would he be good for Vyn? His clear gaze turned over her features again, lingering between the rose in her hair and her enigmatic eyes; she would have to decide, ultimately, if she liked her man or not. Zul relaxed his hand around her own so that the femme could pull away if she so chose, boney wings curled against his back in a non-threatening manner. He could only be concerned so far, as he did not know Vyn.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his smile slipping just a little to show that he was serious. Or at least, he thought it meant he was serious. His woman was smiling all the time, although on the few occassions she'd been upset with him, she hadn't looked very happy. Humans were strange, strange things, but his own kind seemed to react well enough to them, and so it was through the expressions and habits of humans that he was trying to learn more about his own species.

"Right-o, Ethan!" the woman chirruped back happily, pleased to hear a familiar voice. In all the hubub of things being new and unfamiliar, she felt comforted to know that she at least knew this man...or at least, knew of him. Alex liked him well enough, otherwise she wouldn't have brought Vyn to him.

Turning to the two Raevans, she hooked her hand in a 'come here' motion, opening the door so it wouldn't lock them out. "C'mon guys! Up we go!" Zul had never been in an elevator, so she didn't know what to expect, but she was fairly certain Vyn was familiar with them. She thought she'd read somewhere in the file kept on the Rose Frei that she had lived in an apartment with Shuura, but she could have been mistaken in her haste.

Patiently, she leaned her back against the door, bright green eyes watching them with almost motherly affection.

The lack of vocalized response elicited a quiet reaction from Zul as well, simply inclining his head in acknowledgement. At his woman's voice, he gave her a wave of understanding and turned back to Vyn, his bright blue eyes curious and vividly interested. He would follow the other Raevan's lead in this, both because she was older and because she was a female; both things meant he had much to learn, both in observations and through the Raevan herself.

The demonic Frei floated a fair distance from Vyn, his smile in place but far more subdued than normal. He didn't mind silence, it was just unusual to him, as most everyone else he'd met either had something to say or to ask him. Her lack of either was fascinating, and he couldn't help but wonder if it was the perpetual darkness around her that kept her secrets.

The door clicked softly behind them, and even Alex felt a strange sense of finality at the whole thing. She was still worried for Vyn, but seeing where Ethan lived - a clean, well kept apartment complex even - gave her a great deal of relief. It was true that the Rose Frei would want for nothing, as no doubt a man who could afford such a comfortable place would make it as comfortable for her as possible.

Following Vyn into the lift, Zul at the Raevan's side, she glanced over to the female Frei and smiled. She wasn't sure if it was instinct or if she could actually see Vyn wilting, but she had to keep herself from reaching out. The woman was aware this one's file had stated she was not fond of contact. "Don't lose hope Vyn," she offered in quiet reassurance, "we'll make sure you're happy, one way or another. So just relax a bit, lets see where this excursion takes us."

The demonic Frei was continuing to retain his silence, inwardly looking forward to seeing Ethan again. At least he liked to talk! Not that Zul himself was a chatterbox - even he could enjoy the silence - but this was a different one. Like he could feel it, and if he clicked his teeth together, he'd be able to bite right into it. He vaguely wondered if it had a taste, and decided if it did, it would be tart and cool. The line of thought sent Zul off on a self-considering thought process of what 'tart' would taste like at all, since he'd never had such a thing, only heard it explained.

Outwardly, he simply floated by Vyn, blue eyes turned forward towards the door of the lift, one hand adjusting the band on his arm. He was thoughtful, but it was easy for his thought to stray down different avenues when there was nothing to keep him on track.

Alex smiled softly, shaking her head slightly as the lift ascended. "I can only base my opinion off of credentials and appearances; it's up to you to decide where you truly belong, Vyn." It was hard to believe that it was the same Raevan she'd met so long ago, the one that Lorenzo had been so enamoured with. It did hurt her to see the Frei nervous at all, but it was her sincere hope that the life they were clicking floors towards would be better.

Her attention shifted as the doors open, bright green eyes lighting upon the familiar man. "Ethan!" she called back happily, waiting for the Raevans to exit the lift before following. "You look well," she complimented the man warmly as they drew closer, although she made no move to overtake the Raevans to greet him. She saw his eyes shift, could see Vyn's eyes also find the man. Not yet a moment of truth, but an important one all the same.

Silence was expected, but it bode better to her than Vyn outright turning back to the lift. Coming up behind the two, she gave Ethan a wink. "Nice complex," she commented, briefly touching Zul's back to indicate he should also go in. "Kind of reminds me home, just bigger."

The demonic Frei acted as bid, his expression lighting as his blue eyes turned briefly over Ethan. "Good afternoon, Mister Blake," he greeted the man carefully in his smokey voice, inclining his head politely. His smile remained in place as he floated into the apartment, keen gaze shifting around to absorb his surroundings with open curiosity. It was interesting to have met the immaculate man and to see his similarly immaculate home; he'd really expected no less. Boney wings spread with a jangle of rings before nesting against his back again, fingers tracing over his gorget as his interest was constantly captured by something new.

Floating forward, he caught up with Vyn and paused by her side, looking around a bit more obviously. "Clean," he commented in amusement. His own home with his woman was often in some state of disarray, although it really was through his own fault with his dear Gwee. Zul glanced around, mind making trails he could chase his friend over, uttering a satisfied sigh that sounded like steam over warm water. So much room to roam, so many things to experiment on!

The woman took the offered seat with a kind smile, leaning her elbows on her knees. "Oh I'm fine Ethan, thank you though. We wont stay long - I'll answer any of your questions you may have and be on our way. I don't want to get in the way...y'know, let you and Vyn get acquainted." Either her years of working with animals had gotten to her or it was just an easier way of doing things, but Alex was firm in her belief that dallying too long after such a tedious move would only make things harder. The last thing she wanted was to make things difficult for Vyn anymore than they already were.

She spread her scarred hands in a gesture of joy. "I'm so happy it's you, Ethan," she confided in a chipper tone, "I know you'll be wonderful! Vyn is..." Her bright eyes turned momentarily to the female Frei, her excited visage warming into something near maternal and fond. "Vyn's a strong girl, definitely a rose to withstand much. I'm...really happy to see her again." Her confession was quiet and intended for the ears of the man only, but it would not hurt her if the other two heard. The truth could be a bit easier to swallow in such awkward circumstance.

The demonic Frei had decided Vyn didn't much need him just then, although he didn't float too far from her. His crystal gaze flitted over the arrangement of the room, the blue lines of his gorget pulsing beneath his fingers, which remained against the tooled fabric to keep from touching everything in sight. "It's..." Zul turned around, turning his gaze between the three. "Wide. Pretty."

"Aesthetically pleasing?" Alex offered lightly.

Zul stared at his Guardian, blue eyes ticking over her face while he tried to hold on to the word.

"Another time," she laughed softly, rubbing the back of her neck. "You'll learn Zul, you always do."

That satisfied the male, although he cast Vyn a curious glance to see if she understod what the heck the two-legged female had said. "Egg-set-ick," he repeated quietly beneath his breath, his attention settling beyond the large tinted windows to the vision of the sea beyond. His smile returned in full force, having positive conotations with the sea in his short time, and thus finding it to be a good omen. "Aix-thet-tick. Pretty." The Raevan's smokey voice cooed softly towards the window, the dilemma of expression apparently forgotten for the time being.

A kind smile returned the invitation, inclining her head politely to Ethan. "That's very sweet of you. Thanks," she replied lightly, not entirely sure if she'd take him up on it. Green eyes turned momentarily towards the Raevan, watching her reaction, taking mental notes for her file. Nervous, uncertain...unsettled, but surprised. I wonder why. Alex turned her gaze back to the older man as he began to speak, nodding as he rattled off the basic information, pleased beyond expression that he paid attention. It was a relief that he was taking Vyn's adoption so seriously.

"That's right. From what we've found, she finds a food source in shadows, although it's hard to determine which are best. Like," she leaned on her elbows pointedly, holding out her fingers and tapping her index digit, "example. Faint shadows," middle finger, "or strong? If the object casting the shadow has any influence?" A touch to her ring finger. "And interestingly enough, what of night shadows?" Her pinky. "Artificial shadows - cast against a flash light or the ilk - we don't know either." Her thumb extended, looking at her minutely scarred palm before smiling lightly to Ethan. "These are all things to consider, to see what makes her feel best."

She again glanced to Vyn as the Frei spoke, heartened. "Then again, she is a beautiful rose, it's such a delicate balance." Alex crossed her legs at the ankles, keeping her nervous energy to a minimum. "You can write reports to Kyou too, if you'd like, of things you've noticed or have concerns over. It's not like we're leaving you high and dry."

The male Raevan lofted his small brows, turning his gaze back to Vyn. She was such a pleasant distraction. "Yes," he said softly, husky voice little more than a sound, keeping their words between them. "You are smart, Vyn." Zul could admire that, especially since he hadn't been certain of her capacity upon first meeting; it was a traumatic experience, to be sure, and she was so quiet. It was pleasing to know she was still there, still growing beneath the difficult sun that was beating down upon her.

"Is nice. Not cluttered. Freedom to move, it's very nice," he repeated airly, returning his voice to its normal smokey tone. He greatly appreciated freedom of movement and enough room to run free. Zul considered his woman's beach house to be his domain, as well as the cliffside is was perched on and the waves beneath. While this building wasn't quite as encompassing and wide as his home, it was suitable, acceptable even to his tastes. He was certain the delicate female would be able to flourish again within the clean and well-kept containment of a home.

On a whim, he turned to her fully, fingers drawing off of the window. "Anything we can do to make this better?" His inquiry was soft again, not sure if there was anything he could do, but perhaps to be company while she looked around would be enough. It may have been something of an altruistic offer on his part, but it was also to satisfy his own curiosity of the place the polite Mr. Blake called home.

Keen green eyes caught Ethan looking at Vyn, as well as Vyn's response. She had a feeling her nerves weren't out of having a new home; she found it puzzling. "She'll learn to find her own balance," Alex assured the distinguished man kindly. The Rose Frei didn't strike her as the type to not be able to handle herself, didn't seem like the type to give up and fade away. She had faith in the femme.

The woman inclined her head at the inquiry. "He is, with his partner. He's often very busy furthering our understanding of the Raevans, so he rather likes the reports that the Guardians send in. Sometimes people think of things that a scientific mind might have over-looked. Of course, you're free to call me at anytime if you have any questions or concerns," she tilted to the side on the couch, digging a card out of her back pocket before righting herself.

"My cell is on twenty-four seven, so I'm available no matter what." She handed the card over to Ethan, smiling lightly. Not that Alex thought Ethan would need the help - he was a very thoughtful individual - but it never hurt, just in case. One never knew.

Her answer didn't do much to ease the demonic Raevan's mind, although really, the situation was for her sake and not his. Bare shoulders rolled in an accepting shrug, continuing to inspect the spotless abode. His ribbon whispered over the immaculate carpet, blue eyes continually drawn towards the windows and the view provided there. Zul felt as though he could just spread his wings and soar with the great blue sky and twinkle of ocean off in the distance, although even he knew that was folly. It was still a pleasant and inspiring view to take in everyday, one he hoped Vyn would take advantage of when needed.

A gloved palm and bare fingers ran through his bi-colored hair; there was only so much he could do in a strange home before he wanted to do more. Unfortunately, more often came hand in hand with trouble and a certain Gwee, and with the absence of said Gwee, he was feeling a little restless. Zul paused in his floating to gaze out the window in earnest, arms crossing over his bare chest, letting himself imagine that he could smell the ocean and feel the breeze; it was a technique Alex had taught him to keep him busy when he couldn't do anything (namely when she was sleeping).

"Do you like the beach?" he inquired after a time, eyes brighter than the sky sliding to the side to observe Vyn again. There was something fascinating about the contrast of the bright, vibrant blues outside and the dark, cloying blackness of the pale being at his side. She was fascinating, but he'd certainly not press any closer, not when she seemed so disinterested herself.