Here, kitty, kitty, kitty
Ranak Darkstar

Ranak dropped from the tree and shifted to human form, "How have you been Elyen" he said before getting an idea. "There's someone here who I think will be happy to see you" he said while thinking of the tigress rolling around on Galain. "Here kitty,kitty,kitty!" he yelled as Elyen's eyes widened.

Reina, Reina, please stay asleep....
Elyen Elf

Elyen shot up from his sitting position and stood before Reina had a chance to truly wake up. Maybe if he leaned against the tree, he won't fall over this time.

"Ah, shaddup Ranak!" He grinned and mock-scowled at the changeling. My, my, it was an invigorating morning.

"Reina? Reina, shhh, you don't want to get off the nice warm elf, do you? Lunzieeee..."

Restlessness
Jaina Jade

Insomnia gripped Jaina tightly. Finally she crept up and sat in the corner, quiet amid the chaos.

I've never seen Lu so... odd, she thought anxiously.

A sudden thought struck her. This isn't anything about my... profession, is it? Sweet Bast, I hope not. She knows I'd never hurt her.

Doesn't she?

Rolling over in her sleep, Lunzie thought she
Lunzie Istari

heard someone calling a cat. CAT?! REINA!

THUNK!

Sitting up, the Vampress rubbed her head and blinked the sleep out of her eyes. Reina? Where are you? Hearing a plaintive yell coming form outside, Lunzie knew where the Tigress was. Elyen.

Grinning Lunzie looked up to see Jaina watching her from a corner. Hey J. 'Sup?

What the heck?
Galain Elf

Galain held Enchanted in his arms, his face buried in her hair. A ruckus outside and Lunzie and Jaina's voices forced him awake and he lay there, realizing it was morning as he turned slightly and stared up at the ceiling. He'd slept incredibly well. He looked over at Enchanted and smiled. Small wonder. But the ruckus was growing louder and he groaned before sitting up, pushing back the sheets and swinging his legs over the edge.

He found his clothes shortly and threw them on, stumbling blearily over to the window to peer out. He really needed coffee.

mmm. . . .
Elyen Elf

Why did tigers like him? Was it his hair? The stripes? Maybe he should dye them out or something.

"Reina, please... I need to breathe."

Before we leave
Enchanted Elf

She was not use to sharing her home, Shalana had left long ago, first to be alone then to be with Jess. The commotion inside and out had her wanting to pull the covers over her head, and curl deeper into Galain’s arms. She immediately missed his warmth as he left the bed. Slowly she rolled over and silently watched him dress. She didn’t have to be a mind reader to know where his thoughts had taken him; with a soft smile she rose, wordlessly found her clothes and dressed.

Enchanted grinned as he turned from the window and held out her hand “Coffee?” She asked as her eyes twinkled. It was the small things she decided that kept them focused and on track. Opening the bedroom door, she greeted Lunzie and JJ then went straight for the coffeepot. Coffee then breakfast. Titling her head she frowned an looked back at Galain “Is that Elyen out there causing all that noise? Lunzie? “ She waited until she had her sisters attention “Did the meditation help? Do you know where we should begin the search?”

Restless moments
Shalana Elf

Shalana smiled at Jess as she watched him stare out the window. She remembered the dreams he wove for protection, knowing that he himself had rested little. The others moving about her mother’s home, had her up and dressing, and quickly in Jess’ arms.

“Good morning melinya.” She murmured as she drew his head down for a kiss, then sighed and hugged him tight. Wrinkling her nose she began to laugh “Is that coffee I smell?” Together they left the room and after a quick hug to Lunzie and JJ, Shalana went over to Galain. Teasingly as he raised the mug to his lips, she reached out and took it. “Thanks Atar!” She said cheerfully as she quickly headed out the front door. She could have sworn she heard Elyen.

Smiling and shaking her head to clear it
Jaina Jade

Seeing Lunzie's glance, Jaina tried to grin. "Oh, nothing much," she replied vaguely.

Lunzie smiled broadly. "Same as always?" she asked, teasing Jaina. The mood in the room seemed to lighten a little at that.

"Yeah," Jaina giggled. I'm just being silly, she told herself sternly. Lu knows I'm not after her. It's all in my head.

Gazing at her friend, Jaina decided. I won't even bring it up. She'd just get a chuckle out of it, that's all. Totally unimportant.

Crashing. . . . .
Flute Istari

Flute awoke to the sound of loud noises. *hinting here - Never wake Flute.*

Bouncing out of her bed of sorts, Flute crashed to the ground. Rubbing her forehead, Flute rushed around hugging everyone 'Morning' before rushing outside to see what another new day will bring.

Staring after Flute
Lunzie Istari

as she headed outside to see what was going on, Lunzie slowly returned her attention to Enchanted, she had asked a question hadn't she?

Not a clue Elfie, not a clue. Prehaps Flute can get some help from the plants? Lunzie grins mischieviously up at her adoptive sister causing Jaina to groan and roll her eyes.

Black Coffee, Blue Morning
Jess Phoenix

He never liked mornings much, but he did like watching Shalana wake up and this morning was no exception.

He was tired but that didn't matter much...he'd do what was necessary. At times like this, he always had more energy than was necessary. Then again, he wouldn't say no to the coffee, both him and Shalana smelled.

When they left the room, Jess softly chuckled at Shalana as she took Galain's cup of coffee before heading out.

He, himself, thought to wait until Galain had his coffee before reaching for a cup.

While waiting, Flute had already woken up and headed outside after hugging everyone good morning. He smiled watching her go outside.

Looking at her, he couldn't help but think of the long ago time. He started feeling off center a little bit and tamped down on that viciously so he wouldn't disturb the others and quickly went outside.

Seeing the clear blue sky helped somewhat, as did the coffee. It was then that he felt another familiar presence coming closer.

He closed his eyes, smiling, he pathed, Glad you could make it, Ari.

Upon opening his eyes again, he caught sight of Shalana and wondered not for the first time how it was that he wound up with a woman like her.

He thought back on his life and wondered what it was that was good enough to have deserved her.

New Time, New Place
Arising Phoenix

She had been on her way elsewhere when she had seen one of Jess's eagles on its way elsewhere and wondered if she could be of some use.

As she shifted into phoenix form and flew in the direction the eagle had come from, she thought back on earlier times. She also thought on how, in some instances the student had far surpassed the teacher.

She was glad that he had found Shalana. He deserved happiness in his life. She knew of the others and knew that even with Shalana, he still grieved over them, just a little.

As she neared the clearing, she heard Jess's 'path of "Glad you could make it."

She smiled mentally as she replied, "So am I. It has been a while hasn't it?"

"Yes it has," he 'pathed.

Flying into the clearing, Ari landed in an out of the way spot and transformed into human form.

She felt that Jess was sad about something, but didn't ask. She knew that if he wanted to talk, he would do so in his own time.

That was my coffee
Galain Elf

Never, ever take the elf's coffee from him. Especially as he's about to drink it. Galain sent a sour look after the laughing Shalana. That one sometimes asked for it a little too much. But he still had to smile. He'd have done the same thing to her if he could.

Happily, he got another mug and that went a long way toward improving his outlook on the day. He was impatient to be moving and more than a little curious about what today might hold.

Good Morning Vietnam....oops....Magic Land
Flute Istari

Flute bounced out the door, yelling good morning to the oak trees, pine trees, daisies, sunflowers & all other plants around Enchanted's home.

Spying a new person under Reina under a tree, Flute bounced up to them & yelled, "GOOD MORNING!!! CAN YOU HEAR ME UNDER REINA??? MY NAME'S FLUTE!!! WHAT'S YOURS????"

Reina jumped & ran back into Enchanted's home in fright.

"Oopss.... Was I too loud???"

"Yeah... you were real loud. My ears nearly got blasted off. And my name's Elyen."

"Ellen?"

"Elyen."

"Ellen."

"No... Repeat after me.... El-Yen..."

"No... Repeat after me.... El-Len..."

"No... El-Yen..."

"No... El-Len..."

"El-Yen..."

"El-Len..."

Elyen rolled his eyes, heaved a hugh sigh & prayed hard for patience.

Flute followed suit, rolled her eyes & heaved a hugh sigh.

H'okay. . . .
Elyen Elf

Elyen groaned as he sat up, trying to shake the ringing from his head. For a kid, that Flute had very healthy lungs. And oh gods, would they quit it with the "Ellen" bit already? Maybe two centuries ago, it was funny. One century ago, he'd gotten way tired of it. Right now, Flute was lucky he wasn't throttling her...

Elyen sighed as Flute ran into the house not too far away, yelling "Everybody, Ellen's here!" That name was going to haunt him forever, wasn't it?

He had enough of his mind left on him to push himself away from the tree and walk stiffly to the house before he started taking root...

Poor El-----yen
Shalana Elf

Watching with laughter in her eyes as she sipped her atar's coffee, she wondered how it was both Elyen and Galain became Reina's playtoys. Flute effectively scared Reina, and brought a chuckle from her as she watched Elyen try to be very dignified as he rose and shook is head over Flute's insistence of what his name was. Her poor kin...she knew her mother was to thank for several of the things he now faced, that horrid name was one of them. Grinning as he strode by she withheld her comment but could tell by the way he rolled his eyes at her, she didn't have to say a word.

The melancholy and sadness rolled over her in waves, and freezing she quested for Jess. It was more infrequent she felt this from him, but still, at times his past arose and she more than understood. Her soul sought his and in a warm loving greeting joined in a very special embrace. Content to be one as he greeted Ari she stayed where she was. She would know when he was ready for her physical presence....for now she waited and basked in the raising warmth of the sun.

Hearing some yelling
Lunzie Istari

Lunzie, Enchanted and Jaina all looked up in time to see Reina fly into the house. Going to calm her friend, Lunzie grinned. Flute's really got some lungs hasn't she?

Once Reina had settled down and was eyeing the boots of a certain High Elf, Flute was skipping back to them yelling something about an Ellen being there. Purplexed, and not knowing any Ellen's Lunzie had to sit and think about this so early in the morning. Ellen? Hmm. . .Oh! Of course, Elyen! Sighing at her own inability to think so early, Lunzie could help but think that being a creature of the night had something to do with the cloudy-ness of her thoughts during the day.

Seeing the day head slowly toward noon
Galain Elf

He'd drunk a pot and a half of coffee and was jittery. The high elf slipped out of the house and for some odd reason climbed into the nearest tree, crouching on a branch to look around and contemplate for a bit.

He'd been called here, but it seemed that many things were up in the air still. He sighed, nervously twiddling his thumbs until he suddenly jumped down to the ground and headed back for Enchanted's little house. He would leave for now and wait until Lunzie's directions for finding Lantri were clearer. The vampiress needed time and Galain needed to return to his shelter for a bit. He'd been contemplating a trip home to his own people's city and the longer he put it off, the longer he grew more anxious.

He found Enchanted quickly and pulled her to him.

"My lady, I can't stay too much longer -- things are calling me away but you and Lunzie know that I'll return as quickly as you beckon me." He kissed her gently and held her close a moment, seeing her disappointment, but certain she understood. She was more restless than he in many ways and he grinned against her hair, surprised she hadn't prodded Lunzie more. But time was sometimes a precious commodity to be measured out sparingly and that was the case here.

He took his leave swiftly then, bidding the others a temporary farewell and then vanished into the trees.

Where's the pointy-eared one heading?
Elyen Elf

Elyen was contemplating knocking on the door when Galain stepped out. The stripey-haired one raised an eyebrow in question while the High-Elf-type-person shrugged, grinned, then made his way off. Elyen stared from the retreating figure, then back at the doorway, then shrugged.

He poked his head tentatively into the doorway of Enchanted's home then spotted a wistful looking Enchanted.

"I dunno..." He started, hesitantly. "What's going on? How's Lunzie?"

Sitting at the table
(Distraught) Lunzie Istari

Lunzie looked after Galain. They were all going to start leaving soon if she didn't figure something out soon. But she didn't know what to do.

Noticing Elyen had asked a question about her, she looked up. Smiling feebly, she tried to convence him, and herself that she was fine. I'm ok Elyen. Really, just kinda depressed.

Lunzie winces at how unconvencing she sounds to herself. She couldn't even bring herself to call him Ellen or Skunk-boy. Sighing, she slipps further into her shell.

Sadness Sometimes Comes in Twos
(Ari and) Jess Phoenix

Talking with Ari, he let the memories flow for a little while, gently washing away soon after.

When he had felt Shalana quest, he replied with warm thoughts, not wanting her to worry.

I'm all right, cariad, he told her.

"Don't you start on me," he told Ari.

"Who? Me?" she asked pertly. "Why would I want to do a thing like that?"

"Because," he said, "you have a kin's right."

Quirking an eyebrow, she wisely said nothing.

"Shall we go back in?" he asked, once again tamping down on the memories.

"Yes, let's," she answered.

They got back to Enchanted's home in time to see Galain take his leave. To that end, they gathered Shalana and Flute and went inside.

Both Jess and Ari felt Lunzie's deep sadness and distress, Jess because he could due to his past and Ari because he did.

Looking at Lunzie, he could understand the shell she was drawing herself into.

If you would ever feel the need to talk, I'll be here, sweet lady, he 'pathed her, giving the sister of his beloved's mother a gentle caress on the cheek. I can understand the sadness. Just remember, we are all here for you.

Compassion
Jaina Jade

Sighing (softly, so Lunzie might not hear), the redheaded vampire slayer let the Niagaran be. Spying Jess, she introduced herself. "I'm Jaina, a friend of Lunzie's. I don't believe we've properly met. May I ask how you know Lu?

You can do better than that.
Elyen Elf