Welcome to Gaia! ::

LuLu approached the set of sliding doors leading into the store cautiously. The noisy mechanism prying the doors apart and the frigid gust of air-conditioning almost sent the raevan skittering away. In spite of this, one thing kept her on a beeline path through those doors. She swallowed down her anxiety as she hovered quickly into the store. LuLu’s lips curled into the slightest form of a smug grin. She was pleased with herself and pleased that they had finally made it to the large toy store.

Josh’s arrival into the store was much less eventful compared to his raevan’s. He procured a shopping basket and strode rhythmically into the store. He had to admit, it had been a while since he had last been here. He had outgrown the action figure stage numerous years ago; though, it was somewhat refreshing to see all the new gizmos that had been created to amuse today’s children.

He paused in front of a large display showing off a mechanized horse. He was reading the signs scattered about it curiously until he felt a tug on his arm. Auburn eyes traveled further and further down until they met with harsh purple ones. LuLu’s face was scrunched into a fierce pout. Her voice chimed angrily, “No. Later. Now. Dolly.” Josh chuckled. He could not argue with that proposal could he? The boy took her smaller hand into his as he directed her to the doll section.

LuLu’s eyes grew wide in amazement with they arrived. The doll aisle seemed endless and graduated through a spectrum of pinks and purple as she advanced forward to examine its contents. Josh watched the raevan and snickered to himself as he watch her awe struck expressions. He just hoped that they would not end up buying the entire store today.

LuLu’s attention seemed scattered for a few moments, but in one instant of enlightenment, all of her concentration focused in on one object. A quaint little Princess Barbie hung a few shelves above her pigtail clad head. It soared over her like a mocking symbol of her desires. The frei’s mouth hung agape and she silently squawked her plea for the doll, “This one.” She cooed to herself and floated closer to the metal shelf. One hand firmly clung to it as her other hand reached up to just barely graze the doll’s pink packaging. She was not tall enough. Her tongue poked from her parted lips as she struggled and craned her body higher to snag at the toy. Nevertheless, her efforts went unrewarded.

She turned to Josh with a sigh of disapproval. “Too hiiiiigh.” She stormed over to her guardian in a huff and pushed him towards the doll. “This one. Now.” Josh smirked and pointed at the doll she obviously wanted. “This one. You sure? Not this one?” His finger drifted over to point at a Dora doll. LuLu’s face froze in horror as if her guardian had somehow shattered her reality. “N-no! Only Barbie!” Her mouth opened and closed in distress as she floundered in the direction of the doll she yearned for. Josh chuckled and smoothed over LuLu’s blond hair. It was too easy to send the girl into hysterics. “I know, I know. I’ll get you Barbie.” Josh reached upwards and grunted as his hand fell just short of being able to grab the pink package. “Uuuh…” He looked around for a step ladder. When nothing turned up, Josh debated simply chucking another toy at the Barbie doll to knock it down. He looked over at the revering gaze LuLu granted that doll. If he threw something at it, she would probably think he was trying to assault her guarding deity or something. Josh smiled and lowered down to LuLu’s level. He spoke sternly and affectionately, “I am going to find someone who will help get your dolly. Stay here and behave.” With that, Josh turned around and strode down the isle in search of a store employee.

LuLu was petrified in front of the shelves. Her gaze clung to the glossy packaging of her beloved Barbie doll. Her eyes only wavered once when they caught sight of gray skin. Her lavender eyes widened at the sight of Iorek. However, it wasn’t out of fear. No, joy was bubbling in her half-formed chest. LuLu’s eyes traveled over his large arms and hung on the way he towered above her. He would have to be able to free Barbie from the insidious shelf! LuLu squeaked in approval and approached the other raevan. “Mister, Mister. I need help.” LuLu wore a soft pout on her lips and her brows knitted to form the sappiest puppy dog stare she could muster.

LuLu jumped along with Reks. His frightened hop served to startle her as well. However, even with the added height, the female frei just scraped past the five foot mark. She slowly dwindled back down to her favored floating stance, an even four foot four.

The rabbit looked up at the rock frei with her large, doe eyes. She gave him a slight, tentative nod to affirm her status as a raevan. Josh had called her that before; yet, she had long forgotten the real implications of the word. LuLu's voice chimed again, "Yes mister. Pleeeease." The female frei gave a giggle then pointed upwards to the top of a shelf that seemed to tower over her slight form. Her finger rested in a position under the Barbie doll she desired. The girl gave one last, large stretch towards the toy. The motion was accompanied by a soft grunt of effort. "I cannot reach Mister. Can you?"

LuLu turned back around to face her would be hero. Her wings gave an eager twitch, grating together. Her ears soon followed suit, the blond furred appendages giving a few delicate flicks. "Yes. Yes. Yes Mister!" The excitement bubbling up within the small rabbit was practically tangible as it gushed out into her words. Her joy only took a small detour when she noticed the stark contrast of Iorek's discomfort. LuLu's eyebrows knitted together in slight confusion. She was about to question the other frei's behavior when Reks proposed his own inquiry. LuLu's worry was forgotten for now as her bell-like tenor rose to a shrill squeak, "YESSIR!" Her eyes focused on her savior. They grew wider and wider into two lavender disks as her prize loomed ever closer.

As soon as the doll was in her hands and tucked safely next to her, the rabbit bounded forward and assaulted the gargoyle with one of the cuddliest hugs she could muster. Arms wrapped around his stony shoulders and fingers struggling to lock together, it was a feeble attempt given that he was larger than her. However, as far as LuLu was concerned, it was worth the extra effort. This raevan was almost on par with her beloved Zul. "Thank you soooooooo much!" the frei could barely contain herself.

"It is perfect!" LuLu was brimming with happiness. She practically exuded it from every pore. Her grin was stretching from ear to ear as she embraced her new friend. The gentle pat on her back only served to encourage her giddy behavior. The rabbit bobbed in place. The doll was held firmly in her grasp, tucked away under and arm. The rabbit staved off examining her new wares in favor of coddling the gargoyle for a few more seconds. The girl practically had to peel herself off of Reks! However, once that tedious task was done, she began to examine her doll with a look of pure bliss and impatience. She wanted to tear it out of its package then and there.

However, at that moment, Josh turned the corner to trot into the isle. A store employee was in tow. The boy merely raised a brow at the two raevan. He seemed particularly interested about the doll in LuLu’s arms. His copper hued eyes hovered on Iorek for a moment to take the new frei in. This particular raevan was indeed odd. It was not as though any of the raevans were run of the mill. However, Josh could not help but be intimidated by the cold gray of his stone skin as well as the intensity in his lone moss green eye. Josh snapped from his stupor to talk to the store employee, ”It looks like someone got here before us.” The boy smiled at Iorek and gave a nod, ”Thank you and hello! I am Josh.” The boy greeted the gargoyle politely.

LuLu merely pouted at her guardian, ”Too slow! Reks is better.” She shot the male frei a demure smile as if encouraging him to boast about his accomplishment. In the rabbit’s opinion, Reks had achieved a level of greatness that day.