RP:First Day Of Work

Synopsis: Xersom and Emilia decide that they need an extra hand around their farm in Gualon, and they hire Lanara. The witch arrives at their home, meets their children, and they chit chat, over a delicious dinner.

Emilia | A small farm sits to the east of the road that leads north to the shop. The entire farm has been lined with a wooden fence almost giving it a homey look compared to the average open range farm. Within the fence is a wooden path that leads up to the porch of the two story home. To the left a barn with a fence around it, a much taller fence than that which is around the property. To the right of the house is a series of fields vanishing off into the back of the house and then yet farther east. Sitting on the porch is the odd sight of the snow white maiden in shorts cut off all too short to reveal those short pale legs, and a shirt tied up between her breasts to reveal just how underweight looking the Genasi is beneath the fabric. Toddling around the yard chasing one another is two small boys that are the spitting image of Xersom without the scars plus some green wings and tails, though they do have Emi’s bright blue eye coloring.

Lanara makes her way along the road and nears the farm, humming softly to herself, as a black kitten prances happily behind her, every so often bumping head-first into one of her ankles. “Here we are, Taylor.” She murmurs, as she plucks the kitten from the ground and hugs her close, eyeing the beautiful landscape before them. This was the first time she was seeing the farm up-close, and her first day on the job! Excited, but nervous, she unlatches the wooden gate, and closes it behind her, not wanting the small children to escape. Slowly, she nears the farmhouse and waves to Emilia with her free hand, her smile reaching her chocolate brown eyes. It was good to see her friend again, and the children were absolutely adorable! “Hi! I hope I’m not late?”

Emilia offered a warm smile for the newcomer to the farm as she latched the gate closed. However, it was not the Genasi that got to the witch first. It was a tiny toddler with curls black as the night sky without stars and just as wild as the Genasi’s. Were it not for the dark curls and the left eye being green while the right was blue one would think Emi had a clone with little wings and a tail. Lynn would skid to a stop before the new lady with a big grin on her face as she waved back at the woman with frantic enthusiasm that only a child could muster. “You would have to define the term late for that to apply. Because in this field of work things are always moving and never stopping. Time gets lost and becomes a blur. Sometimes I only know it is night time because the sun is no longer up.”

Lanara stops short as the little girl approaches her, and gives her a quick once over, admiring how much the child resembled her beautiful mother. Lynn was a gorgeous toddler, with the mismatched hypnotic hues, emerald wings and tail, and she seemed wise, well beyond her childhood years. Lana bends at the waist and smiles at Lynn, extending a dainty hand in greeting. Baby talk would not work with the child, she knew, even though she was indeed a tiny child. Her demeanor was as though she were a thirty year old trapped inside a woman’s body. Still, she was drawn to the child with the raven hair. “I’m Lanara. You mother hired me to work on the farm. It’s nice to meet you. And this here is Taylor.” As if on cue, the small black kitten sniffs the air and swats gently at the child’s arm, in greeting. Grinning, Lana raises her head to catch the gaze of the Genasi.

Emilia was curious to watch the interaction between Lana and Lynn to the point she’d gotten up from the porch to walk with lazy steps toward the pairing. Lynn could not contain herself the moment that Lana offered her hand toward her and took it within her own hand. A moment of flaming heat could be felt coming from the tot, much the opposite her mother’s deathly chill. With that a following of an attempt to prod herself into the mind of the witch would follow because Lynn never spoke. If she’d gotten through Lana would be reflected the image of Lana waving at her entrance to the farm along with what might be a dark shadowy figure standing behind her. “Lynn...Don’t you go probing into her head. You know that isn’t polite.” Emi would know exactly what the tot was up to the moment she took Lana’s hand.

Lanara, being an empath, was instantly notified at the toddler probing into her psyche, though she allowed her guard to be lowered, and allowed the small child to pry as she desired. A gentle squeeze was given to the tiny hand as Lana’s mind is filled with the image of her arriving at the farm, though the dark shadowy figure puzzled her. Taylor was a mere cat, and this figure seemed much larger. Not wanting to frighten the child, she merely unlatches her hand from Lynn’s grasp and smiles at Emilia as the fair haired woman stands at their side. “It’s alright, Emi. I don’t mind, really. She’s… Unique. I like that. How have you been?!” Leaning in, she gives Emilia a quick peck on the cheek, and points to her own figure. “I hope I’m dressed appropriately? I’ve never worked on a farm before, but I assumed leather pants wouldn’t cut it.” A small laugh was given as she ran her hands over khaki colored shorts, which reached mid-thigh, and tucked her hands into her back pockets. A pale pink tank top adorned her upper body, tan ankle-high boots were on her feet, and her long brown hair was worn in a loose bun, atop her head.

Emilia glanced down at her own attire where her shorts wouldn’t cover her butt if it wasn’t for the fact she didn’t have one then to Lana in her attire. “You can dress in whatever fashion is most comfortable to you. Honestly, I’d be naked out here if it wasn’t for Xersom getting jealous if I did, but that is because to me it is rather warm here and gets somewhat uncomfortable.” The peck to the cheek was return to one of Lana’s, only the Genasi would leave behind a frost print where her lips touched the cheek. “Lynn is unique for sure. She hasn’t said a word yet. She only projects images through touch into the willing mind. Though, I am fairly sure she sees more in this world that isn’t actually part of it anymore.” It would be this moment the two boys came over to investigate Lana with smiles and “Hewwo” said in the same instant as one another. “Meet Liam and Leo.” Emi would introduce the pairing.

Lanara nods in response to the talk of farm fashion, and grins. “Naked! Oh dear! It would drive him mad, I’m sure! You are so lovely; he has every reason to get jealous. You are such a catch, Emi!” She was sincere when she spoke, as Emilia was not only beautiful and intelligent, but a hard-worker, and maternal, as well. She offered Lana friendship, a home, and employment, when she came to the lands with nothing more than the clothes on her back, and a broken heart. Any man would be lucky to have the Genasi as their lady. The chill to her cheek was noticed, and somehow warmed her heart, though it iced her face. “Lynn is lovely, and she’s already quite wise, I can tell. I do hope you are schooling her? Mind visitations are amazing, but she needs to make sure she is protected, as well. My mother sent me off, when I started showing signs of being an empath. It took me five years to control it. If you ever need help, Emi, let me know.” Turning to the two arrivals, she grins at the boys and reaches out to ruffle each of them atop their heads. “I’m Lanara; I’ve come to work on your farm. Nice to meet you, both!” Lowering the kitten to the ground so she could frolic in the open fields, Lana looks at Emilia. “So… Triple L… Huh? Lynn, Liam, and Leo.”

Emilia chuckled softly, “Oddly enough for being such a catch I can’t swim. Must have been an easy target then?” A poorly done joke on the fishing world. Turning the Genasi started toward the house with those bare feet leaving behind small puddles of water on the walk way. With those curls in a mess of a bun atop her head and that shirt all tied up Lana would get a good glimpse of the Genasi’s lower back. The flesh there nothing but marred flesh with scar upon scar upon scar from what looked like old whip wounds to stab wounds to burns long healed. And yes, they vanished up the back of the shirt to the rest of her back that was hidden by the clothing. “Xialeo, Zeiliam, and Kiilynn if you wish to use their full name should they be in trouble. But it is easier to shorten the name for the most part of the day, easier on the tongue.” A soft smile as she glanced over her shoulder to look at the witch, “And it would be quadruple L now. Leo, Liam, Lynn, and a Lanara. Would you like anything to eat or drink?”

Xersom was, of course, never of any set schedule coming or going from the farmhouse; so long as it was home more often than out, Emilia tended not to mind too much. There simply wasn't enough room when he needed to stretch his wings. Tonight, however, he was home and in the kitchen wearing not but a pair of ragged pants faded at the knee and held up on the curve of his hips by a thin rope. Waist up was completely bare, however, and completely covered with line after line of tiny script that was literally carved into his flesh at some archaic, malevolent language like an infernal litany. Except for his face (or mask) however, which was eerily flawless and smooth. A knife was in one hand and a tomato on a cutting board, held down by his other.

Lanara follows the Genasi toward the house, her eyes taking in the heavily scarred back of the woman before her, as a frown appears on her pretty face. How could anyone hurt such a wonderful woman? The scars weren’t fresh, so she assumed they had to have been related to Emilia’s past, and she remembered that the woman briefly mentioned her past in previous conversations, though she never elaborated and often changed the topic. Lana’s pout remains, as she remains silent, not wanting to pry into her employer’s life, though she was curious. As she was peered at, she raises her eyes from the small of Emi’s back, and feigns a smile. “N-No, thank you. I have eaten, already. I had lunch with Hudson, earlier. Do you know him? He’s a funny fellow. And…” Her voice trails off as she is dubbed the fourth ‘L’ in the family, the thought of being included in Emi’s family touching her heart, much more than the Genasi would ever know. “Thank you… Thank you again, for everything. The farm is beautiful.”

Emilia was good at walking without looking where she was going, at least she seemed graceful until the first step up to the house which she missed and promptly tripped falling forward. The Genasi however, caught her own fall with hands landing on the third step up and righted herself with a laugh. “I swear, these things keep growing in how many there are.” Followed her embarrassed near face plant moment. Making it up the stairs onto the porch the Genasi stood to the side to let the climbing tots rush past into the house to go find their father. “I know a man who claims Hudson is his name, but every time I see that man he is buzzed and has a foam mustache from his drink. Mr. Buzzed Foamstache is his real name. Don’t let him fool you, Love.” A wink with a smile then followed. “As for Lynn I have no idea how to school her. I don’t have such the talent that she has.”

Xersom’s knife rose and fell fluidly and swiftly with a series of 'clicks' of the razored edge as it struck the cutting board in rapid succession. It was thankfully finished just before his legs were assaulted by infants, who garnered lofted faux brows and the quick twist of his eyes toward them down from around his shoulder; knife was placed flat on the countertop as his fake lips turned along the mask. Slowly he crouched until he was nearly of their height, and those scarred arms wrapped around all three of them in a hug to encompass the triplets against his bare neck, chest, and shoulders. His intense, almost luminous green eyes lifted as his wife entered, only to see Lanara in tow, "Ah," he remarked coolly, "You're moving in, yes?"

Lanara reaches out to catch Emilia, but stands back as the woman rights herself and avoids falling up the stairs. “You alright?” She worriedly asks, as she follows the woman up the stairs and into the two-story home. “Hudson is harmless, though he does enjoy his drink! And I gather that he’s a party boy, from the tales he’s told me. He’s just a friend, so no worries!” Laughing, she shakes her head, and is relieved that the conversation has turned to Lynn. Lanara was unusually awkward when talking about men, primarily because she was never in a relationship before, and was not experienced with matters of the heart. “Lynn is very young to be showing such mental invasion capacity; I would recommend a tutor, before the end of this year. I would love to help, if you ever are in need. She needs to learn to protect herself. For every time she taps into another’s brain, she’s opening the door to her own. And I can show her how to secretly tap into another, if she chooses, so they are unaware of her meddling. A nice trick that may help her in the future. But for now, she needs to learn to trust me and get to know me.” As the two women enter the kitchen, Lana shifts her gaze to Xersom, and smiles warmly at the male, as she wiggles her fingers in greeting. “Hi, Xersom. How are you? And yes… I’m moving in, and I’m ready for you both to put me to work!” Smiling, she takes in his half dressed form, and can’t help but be comfortable in their presence. The two were extremely welcoming, and laid-back.

Emilia was happy to hear that Lanara had made a friend with Mr. Buzzed Foamstache, who was a rather funny drunk that Emi had gotten the time to learn a bit about in a few different visits with the male out on the island. Inside the home was almost more spacious that it appeared on the outside. “I would love it if you could help Lynn with her gift.” A small pause as she glanced around for the three to find them entangled in X’s embrace. “When I was pregnant with the triplets I found myself seeing things that were not real. People that were long past and stuck living in something that appeared like an older version of this world. People thought I had gone crazy for a time. Since they were born I haven’t had another odd moment like that.” Then the Genasi was pointing to her hand, that same wound that was there when the duo met was there, “If you worry about me with every fall and scrape I might have to call you my wife. Xersom is always in a panic when I stumble or get hurt.” The tone as she used to call X a worry-wart over her was very much filled with a warm love for the man.

Xersom rolled his faux-eyes in response to Emilia's tease, "I swear you endanger yourself worse than any villain I've met," the man's sinister but soothing voice melted out in a playful reply to his wife as he stood. "Well, first settle in and get unpacked. Work is tomorrow, not tonight, surely. I hope... you don't mind my attire. I am most comfortable at home, and I think Emi likes it."

Lanara nods in response, delighted that she would help the little girl to master her skill. Too many would want to use the small child for nefarious means, but Lana would make certain that no harm came to Lynn. Tilting her head to the side, she tucks a loose strand of hair back into her make-shift bun, and appears to contemplate something. “Hm… You may have been experiencing Lynn’s gift, when you were pregnant with her. The child uses the mother’s life force, to grow, and I’m assuming she was sending you those images. It could have been intentional, or subconscious, I’m not sure. Do the boys show any sign of it? Or just Lynn?” She would wait for a response, before turning to Xersom and giving the male a grin. “We both will be in competition, with caring about Emi’s well being! Good thing I am capable of healing, though!” A playful laugh escapes her, as she glances at the diced tomatoes, her stomach betraying her earlier decline of food, as her stomach softly growls. “What are you making? Would you like some help? And… Of course I don’t mind. You both should be comfortable in your own home, so dress however you like! And I don’t have much to unpack, just a few bags, which I left near the gate. I will go get them, and be right back!”

Emilia would move after Lana had rushed out of the house to greet her husband for a moment with a long lasting kiss that only broke when the triplets in his grasp started to get fussy over it. Ending the moment the mother placed a small kiss to each little raven haired child. Words were exchanged between the pairing of adults before Xersom with arms full of laughing toddlers made his way out of the kitchen and up the stairs to begin the night time routine of bathing and bed for the small ones. Meanwhile, Emi would resume the chopping of the tomato with care to avoid slicing her fingers off. With red fruit all diced the Genasi would move to pulling apart a fresh head of lettuce for the salad as the smell of the cooking chicken started to fill the house, it wouldn’t be long until it was done. When Lanara would enter the home once more with her things the snowy woman would smile, “You are not allergic to anything, are you?”

Lanara enters the home wearing an oversized backpack, which causes her slender shoulders to slump. In her left hand she’s pulling a large ornate chest, and in her right hand is a big duffle bag, that was nearly bursting at the seams. All of the young woman’s life fit perfectly in a backpack and a duffle bag, and all of her spell work was kept locked up in the chest. The fact that she owned so little would likely make others eye her with pity, but Lana seemed rather content with her few possessions, as she meets Emilia’s gaze. “No, I’m not allergic to anything, that I know!” A chuckle, as she slides the backpack from her shoulders. “Where should I put my things? I don’t want to leave them in the walkway, so no one trips over them. And… I brought my pets. I hope that’s alright? I promise, they won’t make any trouble or hurt the children.” As if on cue, Taylor prances back into the house and morphs before their eyes, into a full grown lioness. She purrs and curls up on the kitchen floor, in a ball. “Um. Yeah. That’s Taylor. She has the ability to morph into whatever feline she chooses, at any given time. There are two others, as well.” Peering over her shoulder, she glances at the door which she left ajar. Staring back at her was a massive boar, with a studded collar, and a pure white wolf.

Emilia turned her gaze upon the items that the other woman brought into the home. Not much, but for a long time Emi had lived a life as similar with lack of things. Took Xersom and Leone a good long time to get furniture into the house. Each house the Genasi owned only has the most basic and simple of things within it, most made by the smith or Xersom’s crafty work. “Down the hall to your left is a series of four rooms that are all open. Each one has a bed, a dresser, an end table, a desk, and a coat rack. You can have whichever one you would like best.” Emi was also very glad that the newest wasn’t allergic to anything. She would hate to kill the witch with her cooking. “As for your pets, yes. This house is open to all animals big or small. In fact, if you would like we can arrange one of the rooms for your pets. Remove the furniture and replace it with proper bedding to accommodate each one.” If anything, Emi couldn’t promise that the guest rooms would house all her pets, plus Lana in one room with one being a boar of such size!

Lanara feels her jaw drop and her eyes widen as Emilia offers a room to her beloved pets, as well as herself. Shaking her head, she looks as though she may cry, though she quickly recovers from shock and nods. “Thank you, very much. Rolling Thunder will stay outside, he’s very large, and he can smell, at times. He hates baths. Is it alright if he just wanders the grounds?” She was referring to the black boar, of course, as he snorted in disgust at the women. Clearly, he didn’t wish to remain outside, but as Lana gave him a glare, he merely turned tail and stalked off into the field. “And Taylor follows me, everywhere. She will just morph into whatever animal will fit in my room. She doesn’t claw at furniture or misbehave, and she will be wonderful guardian of your children. Delilah…” Sparing another glance to the door, she pats her thigh, and beckons for the shy winter wolf to enter the house. “She’s a sweet girl; very shy, but very protective of me. She will sleep most of the day, at the foot of my bed. At night, she likes to roam the woods. I promise, they won’t make any trouble. They know better… Do you have any pets?” Glancing around, she begins to gather her things and proceed down the hall, to the third door on the left.

Emilia chuckled softly, “I am not worried about the house. If something gets damaged it is replaceable. What is not replaceable is what matters. You know. People? Pets? Those are things that matter most in this world. I can always have the house fixed a little allow another door in the wall to join two of the rooms and put in a door to the outside that will accommodate your boar friend so that he too can be in the house. I mean, I live on a farm with cows, chickens, horses, pigs, and live near a swamp! Smell isn’t an issue to me.” Finishing the lettuce in two bowls, Xersom would make his own later if he didn’t take off for a flight to feed. “I used to have a dog named Mutt, but he didn’t make it after the fire in Larket. Once in awhile a friend’s mountain dog comes to visit, but it has been many months since I have seen Bjarki. Otherwise, no. I don’t have an actual companion of my own. Haven’t found one that likes me or my chill yet. No worries.”

Lanara quickly settles her bags on the spacious bed, and pushes the heavy chest on the far side of the room, beside the desk. She would unpack later, as she was growing quite hungry, and looking forward to chatting with Emilia. She smiles as Delilah jumps on the bed, circles three times, and lays at the foot of the bed, keeping a watchful eye on the door. Leaving her wolf, she exits the room, and enters the kitchen, once more. “Oh, that is awful, Emi! I couldn’t imagine ever losing one of my pets… Somehow, animals always find a way to me. Normally they are lost, or wounded… I fix them up and set them free, or give them to someone I trust. Few choose to remain my lifelong companions, though. The wolf is my newest addition. She was caught in a trap in Frostmaw, and the hunters were after her, for her fur. I set her free, mended her leg, and she’s been attached to my hip ever since. Thunder was a gift from my sister, Talyara. Have you met her? She’s… Well, we are somewhat estranged, right now. I love her, dearly, but sometimes, we don’t see eye to eye. And Taylor has been with me since birth. She doesn’t seem to age… And my pets are your pets too, now. And please, don’t trouble yourself with renovating to accommodate the boar! I would feel awful!” Touched, she reaches out to lightly rest her hand on the snow woman’s shoulder. “Can I help you with anything?”

Emilia turned to place to a kiss on the cheek of the witch as she offered to help in the kitchen. “The chicken should be done if you want to get it out of the fire for me. There is mitts and stuff next to it.” The hardest thing for the Genasi was cooking things since the element fire was needed and she was the very opposite of it now. Lana’s offer to help was very much appreciated at this time with saving her the trouble of having to get near the flames. “I honestly don’t mind that or we can easily add a home outside for him. Kinda like an outside dog house, but we can figure out the right fit for a boar-house.” The salads were easy to put together with the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese that had been shredded, cut up bits of boiled eggs that were left over from breakfast, and sliced cucumbers. Then were was the chicken to go with it. “Here in this house we use as much out of everything that we can. Scraps if any that get left around too long are good for the pigs. Fat is saved for later in some glass jars that we keep around for future needs. And the bones get turned into things if we can. Also, out back behind the barn we do have a pile for excess waste that turns into compost that we then use to fertilize the fields.”

Lanara retrieves the chicken and places it on a large serving plate, which she brings to the table. She rummages in the cabinets and returns with silverware, napkins, plates, and glasses, which she arranges neatly on the table. Unsure if Xersom would be joining them or not, she leaves an extra place setting out, just in case. She quirks a brow at the Genasi as she listens to her speak, relishing in the fact that all the excess was reused in some way. Nothing went to waste, which was exactly how Lanara was raised to live her life. “That’s wonderful. I believe in waste not, want not. I do the same thing. If I hunt, or an animal dies, I use the pelts, meat, feathers, and bones, whatever. If I have extra herbs from spell work, I give it to the fairies. And so forth. I never had much, even growing up back home, so we had to live off of the forest, and our friends. But in a way, I prefer that type of living. Nothing goes to waste, or is taken for granted. And a boar house would be nice, maybe near my window, so I can keep an eye on him.” Smiling, she waits to see if Emilia would need further assistance, before she sits down. “It smells delicious in here!”

Emilia would follow Lana to the table with the salads, only two made. Lettuce didn’t seem to stay well to sit out on the table in her experience. “I was raised to use as much as can be used by my parents before they passed away. A farm life is a good way to reuse the world around us. After their death I can’t say I ever really had much.” A small shrug followed as she took her seat at the table next to the other woman. “And you can thank Xersom for that. He is an amazing cook! I can’t really get near the fire too easily anymore without getting sick. As such, Xersom turns out is very talented in the kitchen. Guess being as old as he is he has picked up on a good number of helpful skills.” A small chuckle as she picked up her salad fork. Emi wouldn’t bother to touch the chicken until it was stone cold. “Also, feel free to be as comfortable around the house as you please. That is the life we try to live around here. So, if you ever find yourself with a question or three, feel free to ask away.”

Lanara lowers herself into the seat, beside Emi, and raises her dinner fork and knife, as she gently cuts into the chicken. Taking a mouthful, she sighs softly, and closes her eyes, in pure satisfaction. Chewing, she opens her big brown eyes, and smiles at the Genasi, noting that she was starting with her salad, probably because it was a cooler temperature. “Mmm… This is delicious. Kudos to the chef, and your husband. You are a lucky woman. Most men hate the idea of cooking. I love to cook, especially sweets. I love making cookies and sweet cakes, things like that. I was handed the domestic gene, though my sister, doesn’t have a single housewife gene in her blood. And I’m sorry to hear about your parents… I don’t have any, either. My mother was murdered, recently. And before that, I haven’t seen her in over five years, as I was studying at the academy. Drow. Destroyed my forest and home. That’s what brought me here. And I never met my father. He vanished when my mother was pregnant with me…” Lana takes a bite of her salad, and shyly inquires about Emilia’s past, not sure what topics were off-limits, just yet. “So… Did you grow up in the lands? And how did you meet Xersom?”

Emilia could care less what order the other woman choose to eat her meal in, but she would slowly eat the salad herself listening to the story shared with her from the other. “I was born on the lands in Larket to my mother and father, a sister to four brothers. As it was I was never really theirs, but I was in part. I have a witch to thank for that, actually. I lived with them until my eighth birthday when they were murdered by bandits. I was then spared my life after a number of lashings per each death I was blamed for before given to a man as his slave. A few years of being beaten everyday for everything and I slipped some poison into his soup and then left. I lived on the streets for awhile before taking over the empty farm for many years running it alone. Then there was the fire and I lost the house. It was then after being attacked by a group of bandits out by Venturil with Eboric’s second wife that I was granted land out there on a hill top. I lived there for a time and by some strange accident that I do not remember in whole Xersom came into my life. We spent time together and then one day I gave him one chance to make me his or to leave. He wasn’t a fool. Then we found out we were expecting, got married here in Gualon, and then we had triplets. Shortly after that I fully shifted into my true self over being human and we moved here. I can handle Gualon without dying, but cannot take the heat of Venturil anymore.”

Lanara frowns, feeling sympathetic and listening to the woman, intently. The Genasi seemed to have lived a life of hardship, but she turned out beautiful and had a home and a lovely family, which offered some consolation. Lana nods, as the story concludes, and offers a sincere faint smile, as she lowers her fork. “Emi… I am sorry that you have had a difficult past; I honestly can’t imagine anyone hurting you, ever. You are full of life and love, and you are the type of person that always gives more than they take, I can tell… You are like Christmas morning. You make others smile, fill their hearts with excitement, and you make others feel comfortable. I am so glad that our paths crossed. And I’m so happy that your life seems much better now, with the triplets, Xersom, and your life here… And I dislike the heat, too, to be honest. I only visit the island now and then to frequent the cute shops, or to gather some sand for spell work. The sun isn’t all it’s made up to be.” A warm smile splays across her lips, as she picks up her fork again, and continues to dine. “Is there anything you would like to ask me? I’m an open book, always.”

Emilia shook her head slowly at all the compliments that came from the other woman about her frozen self being such a warm being on the inside. She listened and munched on her salad in silence until she was finished with it. “What is Christmas?” That was the current question that the frozen woman could think of. Out of the years that she had been alive that term seemed familiar yet also distant enough that she couldn’t place a meaning to it. A townsfolk thing, perhaps. Lanara raises both brows, and nearly chokes on her lettuce, as she reaches for her glass of water to smooth down the salad in her throat. “Oh… You don’t know what Christmas is? Well… I thought that’s what they called it, in these parts? Back home, it was known as Yule. At least that’s what the witches call it. You decorate the hearth with presents and fill little socks with treats. You also decorate a tree, with decorative balls, bells, and garland. Lights too! It’s the opposite of Samhain…” Shaking her head, she bites her lower lip. “Sorry… In these lands, it’s called Halloween. I keep forgetting that there are different names, in different parts of the realm. Holidays were a huge thing, back in Kelvar, that’s the remains of the elven kingdom, where I’m from.”

Emilia looked at the other as she nearly inhaled her lettuce. “The only holiday that I know of is when the year changes and the town folk get drunk over it. I’ve always lived way out away from the town. The house in Larket was on the edge of the woods. We didn’t celebrate much that I remember of growing up, but I had a short childhood. No bother. I am more than welcome to learning about such things if you wish to host them at this house. I am very certain that Xersom won’t mind it. Heck, I am sure he probably knows what you are talking about!” The Genasi chuckled softly before taking a slow sip of her water. “Believe it or not I live a rather sheltered life.”

Lanara smiles at Emilia, and nods, as she munches on another bite of chicken. She waits until she finishes chewing, before continuing. “I would like that, very much. Your children would love it, I just know it. Even if you don’t believe the religious aspects that are attached to most holidays, it’s still a good excuse to celebrate and join in on the fun. The next holiday coming up is Samhain, or Halloween. Everyone dresses up in costume, of whatever they desire, to ward off evil spirits, and to celebrate those that have passed before us. We bob for apples, eat tons of candy, and take the children door to door to get a treat from the neighbors. Though it’s pretty isolated here, so we can just make them treats at home. It would be lots of fun! And I can even set up a little bonfire. We can each write down a wish that we most want to come true, and burn it, to see if it’s granted!” Lana was getting excited now, and was getting fidgety in her chair, imagining all the planning she would do for Emilia and her family.

Emilia smiled at the way in which the other woman was explaining the next holiday that was to come. Dressing up the small ones in costumes, making candy treats, and spending time with family. The entire idea of it sounded like something she couldn’t believe that she missed this entire lifetime of hers. “I very much look forward to this next holiday, Samhain. I am sure all the kiddos will enjoy it and Xersom too. Believe it or not he is a very fun man to party with.” Chuckling softly the mother of three went silent for a moment, listening. “Sounds like the babies are asleep.” With that the Genasi would slip from her chair to go and make a quick salad for Xersom and bring it to the table.

Xersom did not forget that his wife and he had company over, though this was particular company that would be living with them indefinitely. So after the children were put to bed and the steps of the man signaled his approach, he came into view by turning around the corner and breasting the threshold into the kitchen. He did not put on more appropriate clothing; his scarred torso was evident and the infernal script apparent as he remained in his worn, faded-at-the-knees trousers held up on the curve of his hips by a thin rope. "How do you like it here?" He immediately asked Lanara as he sat in his seat as denoted by the salad. It was more of politeness than out of any hunger; his hunger took much -much- more to sate.

Lanara smiles in response to Emilia, and continues to eat her dinner, though her mind runs rampant with activities that the two could make up for the children. Samhain was two months away; they had much to think about! The sound of approaching footsteps and a low rumbling sends Lana to her feet, as she quickly gives Taylor a warning glare. The lioness saunters over to the table and lays at Lanara’s feet, though her amber eyes remain glued on the half-dressed male. “Sorry, Xersom. This is Taylor, she’s friendly, really. She just hasn’t seen me talking to you yet, and doesn’t know you are a friend, rather than a foe. She changes form, often. So if you see a random feline around the house, please, don’t harm her. She’s often a black house-type cat. She can morph into any type of feline she desires. I apologize… There’s also a white wolf and a boar on the property. Emi said it would be alright… And I love it here. The home is absolutely beautiful. I love my room, too! I never had a room, before. Always had to share. And this chicken is out of this world. You must give me your recipe.” She grins, and decides to stop talking now. Not wanting to ruin her welcome with babbling, and she really hoped Xersom wouldn’t mind her pets living here, also.

Emilia spent the next moment trying her hardest to not burst into a fit of giggles after watching Lanara’s quick reaction to the returning Xersom. “She is the cutest thing when she gets all rambly.” The Genasi admitted to Xersom with a wink knowing full well that he wouldn’t harm any of the pets that Lana had as companions in the house so long as they didn’t eat the babies. “Also, one of these days we should work together to build a boar-house outside her room window for her one pal that isn’t fit to enter the home with his lack of bathing nature. I hope you don’t mind that I volunteered you for the job, Mister million and one skills.”

Xersom lightly, though playfully, groaned at the idea that he was volunteered to build a place for the boar to stay; he was much better at destroying than building. But he managed a grin to his wife and company before the abrupt appearance of a lioness caught his eyes. His own faux gaze lowered toward it before those too-perfect brows lifted in curiosity at the explanation of Lanara. "Sure," he offered back. The fork's prongs were shoved to spear a bunch of the salad as he allowed the women to talk.

Lanara catches Emilia’s amused expression and feels her cheeks turn a dark shade of crimson, though she can’t help but smile at the loving couple, as she takes another sip of water. Upon the mention of building a gigantic dog house for her beloved boar, she chuckles softly, as she lowers her glass, finding it hilarious that Emi and her were already making plans to renovate the house and plan holiday parties. And Xersom was just now catching up! She waits for his response, and is grateful when he doesn’t object to her beloved companions living here, as well. Her shoulders even relaxed, as though she were newly relieved. “Rolling Thunder will help you, Xersom. He’s a friendly boar, but he often gets in the way. He’s always snorting and sweating, and I trip over him constantly. So just be careful where you step when you’re making his home, I can just about guarantee he will follow your every step.” Laughing, she reaches down and rubs Taylor’s head, as the lioness removes her intense gaze from Xersom, deeming that he was not a foe.

Emilia gave Xersom the oddest of looks, “Don’t groan at me. I’ll make sure you get paid for the job.” There was a wink that followed that with a small licking of her lips as she couldn’t take her eyes off him for a moment. Giggling the Genasi turned her gaze away from her love to look at the other woman, “You will find that Xersom isn’t as awkward to be around. Just imagine me as a man with a handsome face and ages of years of living.” A chuckle, “We tend to be on the same page with life, so if something is alright with me then he is normally fine with it and vice versa so don’t worry.” Then she turned to look at Xersom, “Lanara has explained to me this Christmas-Yule holiday and another one Shamashin? It is a few months away. Dressing up and making candy treats. Sounds like a bunch of fun.”

Xersom waited until he swallowed the bit of salad in his mouth before those vivid, nearly luminous eyes lifted up toward -first the Lioness, who did not pick up, apparently, that the man was a creature of pure evil reincarnated into a being with shreds of morality, and was probably one of the most dangerous creatures in realm, then to Lanara, who continued rambling. That was amusing to him and the corner of his mouth quirked upward. Then that stare slid toward Emilia at her scorn that playfully developed into a rewarding promise, which spread the smirk into a grin. At Emilia's explanation, the man spoke as he speared another bunch of lettuce and veggies, "Years. Lost track of that long ago. I keep up with ages, now, I think. Age of Man, Elves, Warlords, and so forth. Not in that particular order." He fell quiet as he chewed the bunch of salad that had been pulled off the fork with his teeth.

Lanara laughs, quite hysterically, as Emilia calls her sacred holiday, something entirely different. “It’s Samhain! And it will be lots of fun, I promise. We will dress up Xersom, Leo, Liam, and Lynn! And you and I will have to come up with something spectacular, too!” Grinning, she watches the way the couple eyes each other and has promises of a great reward, and she can’t help but blush. “Why don’t I clean up? And you two can head to bed? It’s already getting pretty late, and I still have to unpack, and tuck in Taylor and Delilah. I will try to be up early, so that you both can show me my duties.” As she speaks, the lioness seems to have morphed again, as she was now perched on Lana’s lap, as a black domestic cat, and eyeing the crumbs on her mistresses’ plate.

Emilia was caught off guard as Lana laughed at her for having very well slaughtered the holiday name. It turned her a pale blue in the face with a blush. When offered to go to bed while she cleaned up Emi nearly forgot that Lana was living here and almost, almost rejected her. Then she looked to Xersom waging his expression before nodding, “Alright. I think we can manage that. Thank you for joining our lives.” The Genasi said with a smile before getting up to kiss the top of Lana’s head then head up the stairs toward bed to wait for Xersom.

Xersom could only grin at the correction followed by the pair of blushes, as he finished off his salad; the plate was deposited in the sink, and the ancient said wryly to Lanara, "See you in the morning." Then the male was chasing after his wife.

Lanara smiles warmly at Emilia, and blinks back tears that were welling in her eyes, and merely nods, as she places Taylor on the floor and begins to gather up the dishes. Once she’s composed enough, she raises her head, and meets Emi’s crystalline gaze. “Thank you for allowing me to join your lives, and for giving my existence purpose. I can’t thank you both enough.” Her gaze shifts to Xersom, and back to Emilia, before she smiles warmly at the couple, and returns to cleaning off the table. As the two departed the kitchen and headed down the hall like lovesick teenagers, she finds herself softly humming, as her smile remains. She was quite fond of the two of them, and she would enjoy living here.