He'd spent longer under the hot jets than he had wanted to, washing off the months and months of traveling grime that had accumulated, he'd washed his hair what seemed like a million times and scrubbed his skin until it was practically raw. As he had run the comb through his long, straight hair, he noticed how much his reflection had changed. He didn't seem to look as young as he had before he left. There was a wisdom in his serpentine eyes, a sort of gypsy quality in the set of his lips. And, his garments had become a little more flamboyant as a result of staying with the Teu'Tel'Quessir for so long. Not only were they a nomadic people, they also had a love of bright colors and exquisite textiles. This day, he chose an emerald green tunic which brushed his knees and had an elaborate sapphire moonscape embroidered all throughout, sapphire trimming on the bottom edges and the ends of the belled sleeves. Underneath the tunic he wore a sparkling silver shirt whose sleeves came to rest on the backs of his hands, the sharp point resting just below the first digit of his middle finger. Simple black tights and black, shining boots completed the outfit. Save for that last finishing touch of the black leather belt, whose buckle was made of mithral with the symbol of his chosen goddess, Sehanine Moonbow, etched into it: a large, multi-faceted crystal that formed the full moon portion of the symbol topped with a crescent-shaped haze.
He had one other person he wanted to see, and he only had to go and speak with his aunt, Krista, to figure out where to go. Then, he was off, wandering the western outskirts of Barton, hoping that he would meet his oldest friend somewhere along the way. Krista hadn't been too clear on where he should look, probably because she was so shocked to see him.
Krista: Her mother had been right as to where Tinania lived now, since her moving out on her own. Tinania as of late wasn't able to get home as much as she wanted to. Her life was now at Moon Haven, and it was perfect for her. She was able to relax and get use to being married and having children to take care of.
On this day, she was out at the park in West Barton. The day was perfect, and she just been inside too much. But that was how it was with newborns. She couldn't go outside for at least two weeks with them. So as she watches her older son Seiji chase after Sellexi, she finds herself chuckling as she looks down at Dani and Calvin.
Calvin was watching his mother with much interest, his small finger lightly wrapped around her finger. He was calm, just enjoying the presents of his mother and the feel on the breeze. Kicking only for a moment, he was still again as his mother lightly touches his nose.
The little girl, Danica was very much lively. Her feet kicking as she makes little cooing noises. A new place that was bright, and she wanted nothing more then to see everything around her. Looking over to her brother, she giggles at him as she loosk up at her mother. When Tinania holds a finger out to her, she also wraps her small blue hand around it.
Finally catching Lexi, Seiji lifts his sister into up over his shoulder. Giving her a spin, he laughs as she screams out with laughter.
To Tinania, the only thing that would make this more perfect would be if another blue dragon was running with them. That and Zhane was here with them this afternoon. But with her not being able to work, he decided it would be best to go look for a job.
And so, she was by herself with her kids.
Lenore: Feet brought him to the park. He could only assume it was because it was the least developed part of the area, what with its trees and grass ... even if it all was a little new. So long has he been out in the forests, amongst what he now considered his people, that he wondered if he would always gravitate toward such areas.
He looked around at the children playing, some with their parents some without, and a small smile curled his lips. He remembered what it had been like to be that age. You didn't have a care in the world, and all that mattered was that you were having fun ... preferably with a family member. If he thought about it too much, he might just miss it. But, he was happy for the wisdom that came with age, the freedom that came with it as well.
He didn't loiter in one spot for very long, he did not want one of the parents thinking he was a little too interested in their child. He wandered, letting the carefree feelings of those around him wash over him, allowed himself to have a little more pep in his step, so to speak, as he walked with the breeze. At once he wished he had pulled his hair back; having the strands dance in front of him all afternoon would be annoying, at best.
A particularly loud squeal stopped him and he looked over to see a little girl playing with ... someone. Serpentine eyes scanned the area, and he was just about to move on when something familiar caught his eye. Or, rather, someone. He blinked, slowly, allowing what he was seeing to fully process, until he couldn't take it anymore. Silently, he made his way over to her. If it wasn't who he was looking for, he could always apologize, after all.
When he was close enough to the familiar woman, he asked softly, "Nani?" Even his voice had changed, it was a little deeper now, and had a stronger hint of his elven roots in it. Though, to anyone who had grown up with him, it wouldn't be too hard to recognize.
Krista: Tinania didn't hear the foot steps, not like she normally would. It was the voice that caught her attention. Almost like a dream from so long again, a voice she long thought would never brush her ears. Looking up slowly, her eyes go wide as she felt her jaw drops. She seem almost pale, as if she seen a ghost. But to Tinania, seeing Damien again was like seeing a ghost. A ghost in which she was actually in shock and happy to see.
Calvin looks up at the man high above him, realizing it wasn't his father. This seem to upset the child, as his bottom lip started to quiver for a moment. A small cry came from it, and it didn't take much to set off his twin. Danica was soon following suit, only she did cry. Her screams were high pitch, almost like Nani's squeals use to be.
Looking towards his mother, Seiji frowns as he see the man above his mother. Allowing his sister to slip down into his arms, he moves quickly towards his mom "Mom!!" his feet picking up into a quick run.
The mixture of the cries of the twins, and her older son's voice snapped Tinania out of her shock. Shaking her head, she quickly picks up the twins holding them in her arms from a moment "Shh, Dani its okay. Cal please don't cry." she looks at Damien for a moment, and spoke as if he never been away "Could you give me a second Mein?"
As Seiji moves to his mother's side, he finds himself rather shocked that his mother shocked expression vanished. His golden yellow eyes staring at Damien for a moment before he sets Lexi's down on the ground "Here mom, I'll take Dani." as Tinania turns to Seiji, she carefully hands her daughter to Seiji. He smiles as he wiggles his hands at his sister, causing her to stop crying and giggle.
Resting Calvin against her chest, Tinania soothes him as she stands slowly. Her aqua eyes meeting Damien again "Is it really you Mein...? I mean...Damien...?"
Lenore: Mom? he thought. Well, he had been away for a while. Before, he had assumed that the two infants that his childhood friend had with her had been children she was babysitting. She'd tell him if she wanted to, though. And, knowing Nani, she would be brimming with pride ... once she got over her seeming shock.
It had been a long time, then. He almost sighed over that. Instead, he gracefully sat down beside Tinania, his legs out in front of him and crossed at the ankles. He leaned back on his palms, which were planted in the grass behind him, and turned his head so that he was looking at her again. "Of course it's me," he said, his tone a little more confident. "How many people do you know with elven ears and green scales under their eyes?" he continued, tilting his head to the side to study his friend.
She'd changed, but then again he had expected that. She looked joyful, or at the very least content with where she was in life. As he studied her, he wondered how much he had missed.... Rather than dwell on that, though, he said, "I, uhm, hope I didn't startle your family outing. Aunt Krista told me the general area in which I could find you," he explained in an almost apologetic tone. But, his eyes were soon twinkling with a sort of mischief that only Nani had been able to bring out in him. He'd bite his tongue, though - for now. Oh, he had something on his mind....
Krista: Tinania shakes her head before she finds herself laughing "No its alright Mien, its just been so long..." part of her wanted to cry and hug him. The other half was just so happy to honestly see him again. Carefully reaching out, she lifts her hand to brush at the green scales under his eyes "I thought I would never see you again Mein." her eyes glisten over but she hid it well behind a smile, something she couldn't do a long time ago.
Calvin squirms, attempting to get his mother's attention. His eyes still on the man before him. As he feels his mother hand return to his back, he settles contently just watching. He didn't make a noise at all, with his small hand resting near his mouth.
Danica however, was squirming like crazy in her brother's arms. Trying to get a better look at the man. Who was he, as he wasn't her father. As best as she could, she lifts her small head, so she is able to watch more clearly with her aqua eyes. Just like her more, full of life, and too curious for her own good.
Seiji took a seat down next to Sellexi, who was also looking at Damien with owl wide eyes. Her mermaid tail smacking the ground every once in awhile. Turning to look at Seiji, she looks back at Mien rather curious again. Shaking his head, Seiji found himself frowning at this newcomer "Mom....who is this man?"
Tinania glances at her son, almost blinking before she actually blushes "Where are my manners, I'm so sorry. Seiji this is Damien, he my cousin and in my eyes brother." looking back to Damien, she smiles at him "This is Seiji, Sellexi, Danica, and Calvin. My children, and joys of my life. When they aren't being little brats." that got a giggle from Sellexi, and a glare with turned into a laugh from Seiji.
Lenore: Damien was aware, all too keenly, of several pairs of eyes on him. Suddenly, he was uncomfortable, and on the point of actually standing up and taking his leave. But, then, the introductions were made, and he didn't think he could get out of it. So, he nodded to each child as they were named and pointed out to him, all the while the growing need to bolt grew more intense. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, though his voice was as soft and uncertain as it had been when he first spoke to Tinania.
So, he was uncomfortable ... which made his nest words all the softer so that he could at least pretend there weren't ears around listening. "I should have left a note or something, I just assumed that Mum Lenore would tell everyone what happened. I'm sorry I didn't kep in touch, Nani," he started, his tone sincere. "That's part of the reason I wanted to come and find you as soon as I got back. And, of course, I missed my favorite cousin," he said, his tone a little lighter at the last comment.
It was then that his eyes moved to the infants, studying them and tacking off the resemblances they had with Nani. They had to be hers, even if the father was one he would not speculate on. After all, he did not know anything about what had happened recently. Instead, that one comment that he had held back seemed to roll up his throat and tickle at his tongue. Oh, why not? "Remember when we were younger ... and I told you that you were going to have twins?" he started, very tongue in cheek, his eyes twinkling once more. "I'm guessing that what you may have thought of as a curse at the time has turned into a blessing, am I right?" he asked, tilting his head in the direction of the child Tinania was holding to show her what he was talking about. "Or, are you still fussed with me?"
Krista: Tinania wrinkles her nose up, before she shakes her head laughing "I remember, and I should curse you with ten kids. All triplets or twins." smiling, she looks down at her son, as she rubs at his back slowly "Actually, I'm happy to have them Mien. Zhane and I are thrilled to have them apart of the family." carefully setting Calvin down between her and Mien, she turns towards Seiji "Sei, why don't you let us talk. You and Lexi go play okay?" taking Danica from Seiji, she smiles as he picks up his sister.
Watching the two take off towards the park again, she settles Danica also down on the ground between them. Shaking her head, she push her hair from her face "Aunt Lenore vanished shortly after you did Mien. In fact the only person still around from your side is my step father."
The moment Dani was set down, she rolled over onto her stomach. Attempting to push up, she reaches out towards Damien, trying to get him to pick her up. She wanted to knwo who he was, and why he look different.
Calvin didn't seem at all curious, in fact he was just content to be laying near his mother. He would let his sister figure out who the man was. Lifting a hand, he once again rest it against his cheek. Kicking his feet, he making a small cooing noise as Tinania's hand tickles his small stomach.
Lenore: He blinks at her comment. Children were the farthest thing from his mind, and after his engagement to Rhi had dissolved, so had any thoughts of dating. So, almost out of reflex, he narrowed his eyes a little at Nani, and said, "Keep dreaming, Nani. There's not even a small chance that I am going to have one child, let alone ten." But, a smile curled his lips and he began to relax as the older children when away and they stopped staring at him.
Though the news that Mum Lenore had vanished did manage to trouble him. "Did Mum Lenore even tell anyone where she was going?" he asked, a frown of worry beginning to take over as the words that she had told him finally sunk in. As a result, he didn't notice Danica's attempts to get his attention, nor did he even look at her at first. He reached his scaled hands upwards, pulling his hair back and twisting it, hoping to keep it out of his face - even if the breeze was threatening to kick it up again.
Finally, he looked down and stared at the little girl who was doing her best to reach out to him. What could the harm be? It wasn't as though he hadn't been around children before. Gently, he picked the girl up, cradled her in his arms, before casting his eyes toward Tinania once more. "Did I hear you correctly when you said the name 'Zhane'?" It didn't ring a bell at all. He hoped that Nani would supply him with more information without him having to pry.
Krista: Tinania watches Damien, then turns towards her bag near her hip. Pulling out a black hair band, she stands carefully then moves behind Damien. Pulling his hair into a ponytail, she nods a little "You heard right. A lot has changed since I last saw you. Including the fact that Surion and I went different ways. I married a wonderful man name Zhane, after knowing him for maybe less then a year." shaking her head, she takes a seat again "And we ended up pregnant much to my surprise, and well now you see."
Picking up Calvin, she brushes a little of his blond hair from his face "Your mother told no one, not even Aunt Mel. Who has also vanished it would seem." she chews on her bottom lip "And fine you won't have ten, just five." watching Dani, she finds herself laughing at her daughter.
Dani, the moment she was picked up was now trying to get closer to Damien's face. He had green stuff on his face, something that was very odd to her. She wanted a closer look, so as he held her, she was reaching up towards his face.
Calvin closes his eyes for a moment, only to open them to watch Dani again. Lifting his head, it wobbles a little as he tries to get a better idea as to what she was doing. Laying it back down, he turns his head, to rest it against his mother's chest. The heartbeat was soothing him, making him not really care at this point.
"Can you tell Dani my active little one? And a lot like me?" she already knew Dani was going to be a handful, but then she also seen both the twins together. So either way, she was going to be running around a lot when they got older.
Lenore: He was shocked, to say the least, when Tinania pulled his hair back into a ponytail. It didn't make him uncomfortable, it was just something he wasn't used to. Further proof that he had been away from his family for far too long. Before he had left, something like that would have been done without the blink of an eye. Inwardly, he sighed. It seemed that he had to get used to the day to day again, especially now that he was home.
He did, however, cringe when she said he was going to have five. "Yeah, because I want a whole mess of kids," he said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Then, there was a pause, as he realized that Nani had very close to that number now. With a small smile, he added, "No offense."
He let the news that she was now married - and, boy, how he regretted not being around to at least see the wedding - and lowered his face toward Dani. He remembered Nani doing this when she was younger, she had been curious about his scales. He'd grown used to it since, most children went for the scales. "I hope you'll accept my belated congratulations, Tinania," he started. "I can see that you're happy." With a small smile, he turned his eyes away from Dani and back to Nani, "And, I hope that I get to meet this Zhane soon...."
Krista: Tinania chuckles as she nods "I hope you get to meet him soon also. He currently out looking for a job, so I know it won't be today. Maybe you can come by later this week and meet him though." she pauses as Calvin moves a little in her arms. Looking down at him, she finds the little one was trying to get a better view of his sister.
Lifting his head, Calvin makes a few small noises before he moves his fingers a little. Watching his sister and this man was interesting. However not enough to where he wanted to join in to see what the big deal is.
Once Calvin seem to be comfortable again, Tinania looks back up at Damien "And thank you, I'll have to show you pictures soon. I have a feeling you would have love being at the wedding." she wasn't going to admit it, but she really wished he was. It just felt so strange for her to get married without him there.
Danica giggles again, before she lifts her hands to Damien's nose. Attempting to pull herself closer, she was going to try to take a bite out of it. He look pretty neat, so he must taste interesting to right?
Lenore: Distracted, Damien leans away from Dani again, giving his full attention to Tinania once more. "I'm really sorry," he said, frowning a little. "If I'd even thought, for a moment, something that important would have happened, I would have stayed at least until it had passed."
He looks away again, glancing down at the infant in his arms. He quirked a brow at her, tilted his head to the side. "I would like to see those pictures, however," he continued. "Perhaps when I come by later this week, as you so graciously invited me." He then shifted Dani a little so that he could get his arms more comfortable. When she was situated, he turned to look at Nani once more, "I don't know where you live, though...." he laughed softly, and then reached his hand up to try to poke Dani lightly on her nose.
"Calvin does seem to be the more mellow of the two," he added, agreeing with Tinania's earlier statement. The boy hadn't really been making much of a fuss, after all, while Dani seemed to be ... well, exactly like how Tinania was when she was younger....
Krista: Tinania glances back, then nods "See the dirt path? Follow that road. Then off to the right, you'll see a part in the trees. Once you step through it, you'll notice the same feeling you get when you get to Emerald Haven. Only you won't be force to forget." chuckling, she shakes her head "Then just keep going down that path, until you come upon a large wooden fence. Talk to the guards, and tell them your looking for me. They'll let you in." running her hand over Calvin's back, she smiles as she hears the little boy giggle a little.
"Then just make your way around the lake, until you come upon a house with a fairy in the door. That would be my place. And I hope you don't mind, but all the homes are built under trees. A lot warmer it would seem." as she finishes, she lift one hand to push the hair from her eyes.
Danica frowns when she is not able to attack Damien's nose. Sticking her tongue out, just a little she slips a thumb into her mouth. She would leave it alone for now, but she will get that nose of his.
Lenore: He filed the directions away, even as he smiled when Dani stuck her tongue out and then started sucking her thumb. "I won't be attacked, will I?" he joked. He thought Nani would have warned him if there was a chance that he might be ... and, he had been attacked far too many times while he was away.
"I'm curious, though ... why would you think I would mind about the houses being built under trees?" he asked, tilting his head to the side as he reached down to try and tickle Dani's stomach. "I mean, Emerald Haven is full of trees...." And, of course, he hadn't really said anything about what he had been doing while he was away. Nani didn't know about how many trees he had slept under or what kind of homes he had stayed in when they stopped long enough to stay somewhere.
Krista: Tinania shrugs before she finds herself smiling "Well I live about six to seven feet under ground. Most of the homes art built liek that. Unless you live it a treetop builiding. So I figured you would want to know." she thought for a moment over his next statement "No you will not be attacked, the guards can sense when a person has bad intentions." giving him a nudge with her shoulder, she relaxes as she lays back.
Calvin eyes go wide before he looks down at his mother. Lifting his head, he wobbles sightly before laying it back down. With his feet kicking, he attempts to move himself, only to find that he goes no where. Lifting his head again, he opens his mouth then close sit.
Danica watched her brother, then looks at Damien. Placing her hand on his shirt, she attempts to pull herself up with it. Finding it however hard to do as she was still very weak. Pouting again, she squshies her face up as if she would cry. This doesn't happen however, she just ends up blowing bubbles.
