Oh yes, that carefree innocence in her eyes might always be there. Was she destined to remain appearing as a child while mentally she was smart as an adult? Fae were after all magical beings. Could she learn to make herself appear older, would her body ever know a growth spurt like Kyrian has had? She didn't honestly know. What she did know at the moment was that she was coming from her room right behind Mythras. Upon seeing her younger brother, she squealed with delight and flew down to hug him. "Mythras! When did you get home?!" she trilled in that delightful voice of hers.

Kyrian was there as well, greeting Verial and Moon, who she was surprised to see. Blinking those beautiful violet, golden speckled eyes of hers, she clung to Mythras for a few moments longer before lightly dropping to her feet and coming up alongside of Kyrian. He was now taller than her, looked more muscular, and would be a man in a few years. She was glad his wounds were almost healed. They still haven't gotten into trouble for their trip, but she knew it was coming. She -Knew-!

Spotting what Verial was touching, her fingers flexed as she spied the book. She had 'borrowed' so many of her daddy's books, it often got her in trouble. "Mommy's book?" she echoed Mythras. Blinked again, and then her eyes widened. "I didn't put it there!" she said quite innocently. She had just come from her room after a night of trying to sleep without having nightmares of all those dead people and the tentacled monster. Her wings fluttered non-stop as she looked from one person to the next, wondering what was going on.

"Hello Verial...ummm...Moon...Teacher..." She -still- wasn't sure what to call him, she's never liked her brother being away for so long either. All the consoling while she was despairing and distraught always led to her just passing out in someone's arms from exhaustion. Could smell the tea and in typical Fae fashion, she sat on the table, indian style, smoothing out her skirt, which she wore over some leggings. It was winter, and it was -cold-! While waiting to see what was going on, she grabbed a couple sweet rolls from the basket and began nibbling on them.

Post originally by Character_Prophet

The children's arrival would bring a small smirk to his lips. That was one of the smaller truths he had learned. A woman made a house a hearth, and children made a hearth a home. Idly his hands would run through Myrthas' hair. He was in his care, and had done well in his eyes and seldom offered praise enough. Sometimes though children didn't need to be given ovations. Merely a brush of hair, and murmur of acceptance.

Verial though answered him with a question, and he answered. " 'What?' is a dangerous thing. So is looking in things you should not be looking in. Even before she became my priestess your mother's book contained more then just simple words and thoughts. When someone transcribes the circumferance of their heart and sould into words it contains a power and authority that should not be trifled with.

He would then pause, and give a little bow of his head to the young man, "Even when done with respect." he said, rising back up as he moved over to the fireplace to tend the tea, adding various scents that Itarilde would no doubt notice. "Hello there little one..." he murmurred to her, and also to Kyrian. He had not had the pleasure of getting to know them as well as he did Myrthas. It was a loss, perhaps, but then for some things there was always time.

"No, you did not put it there little one. Dreamer did...possibly to call to her Son, to have her call to me. I am not entirely sure, and it is a woman's right to be a mystery in some things...so...we shall set aside for the moment who set it out, and why....and merely look to the heart of the matter." he said. He lifted the pot from the fire and stared down inside, murmurring..."I should have made Egg Nogg..." he grumbled. Setting it back over the fire he would take off his hat and set it over the mantle, The pins in his hair removed so that it would fall in a wave of black silk, looking 'up' to Verial as he was still crouched to the fire stirring the coals.

"You were seeking....and what you were seeking you did not know. Without clear thought you were set adrift in the idle rivers. "What?" is the question you ask. Neither I nor your Mother are the answer. However you and I have not spoken much...not since the wedding. Speak to me. Tell me your thoughts. Share some tea with me." he said. Looking to Myrthas, "Go to the kitchen, and get the cups. Enough for all of us." he said. Then smirking just a bit to Verial. "You know. Once, before I knew better, in thinking to bring a bit of happyness to my wards I had sugar cookies baked by the dozen. I don't think they slept for an entire day. The temple was a mess." he said, listening as the tea began to whisper. It wasn't a whistle, but it would be soon enough.

~P...or M for the moment.

Standing in the kitchen area with Moon, or any place for that matter, Verial was still unsure if it was a good idea. He seemed to definitely contrast with Verial to a certain degree; where Moon appeared more mystical, more spirit-like in a sense, Verial had grown to be more of a realist. Sure, he believed in the magic that dreams could bring as most Dreamers did, but he supposed it was largely due to his late wife Necia that he also realized dreams can just as quickly wither away... or be flat out wrong.

"It is not as if intended to do anything with her diary," Verial explained to Moon. "I'm aware of the soul that she has poured into the book ever since I was young." Apparently, this was something that Maiwen did not learn, though Verial did not know of the repercussions Maiwen had put on herself from messing with the diary in the first place.

Verial's attention was momentarily moved from Moon back towards Kyrian who was now speaking with Mythras. Part of Verial felt equal to Kyrian's awkwardness towards the little boy. As strange as Kyrian felt having a younger uncle, Verial also felt weird seeing that he once again had a younger brother whom he barely knew and honestly, didn't know if he would ever get to know... not because he didn't want to.

He remembered the day he realized Sorvynia was pregnant with Bansca's child; she had not said anything but he sensed a certain growth inside her. Life was forming within and unfortunately, she could not hide it from her eldest son. Verial found himself thinking about Julius, Alexander, Geno... and then Bansca who had so far not followed the trend of abandoning his offspring to Sorvynia completely.

Crouching down to become eye level with the two boys, Verial nodded to Mythras and placed a hand on Kyrian's back. "But all of us are getting better now, right?" Verial said to the two boys. He then leaned back towards Kyrian's ear and whispered, "There is something I must teach you later when we are not in so much company..."

Verial pushed himself back up from his crouched position, careful not to move too fast as it might disturb his healing wound. All of the children present had changed their attention back to the matter at hand - the open diary. Verial looked back over at it and the invitation the book presented by sitting open on the table. At Itarilde's remark, he turned back towards the young fairy and smiled at her.

"I don't know Ita..." Verial said thoughtfully as his hand rested under his chin briefly. "You do seem a bit guilty to me being the first to say you didn't put the diary there."

At the mention of Eggnog, Verial made a face but only looked at Kyrian when he did so. He hated Eggnog, just the taste of it. Subconsciously, he stacked this onto the list of things him and Moon did not have in common. Was he trying to find reasons to push the man away? Verial didn't know and right now, it didn't seem worth trying to figure out.

"I've already found what I was looking for though," Verial answered Moon and glanced down at Kyrian. He was able to secure Lumine's cure for his sick son. After that, Verial was pretty sure he wasn't seeking anything else... or at least he felt comfortable in his current state to believe so. "We've not spoken much since the wedding, because back then I thought you were just a priest, but I suppose you had more... purpose than that. And time had just not allowed us to be together until now in this room."

As Mythras brought back cups and beverages were poured, Verial picked up a cup very much needing the nourishment and herbs from the tea. Raising the cup to his lips, he blew on his tea for a moment and the steam rose against his face as he waited for the hot liquid to cool. His free hand absently closed the diary so as to not tempt any of the other onlooking children. In response, Verial observed Moon and wondered if he would poof into thin air with the shutting of the diary.

"Sweets often tempt the strongest of people," Verial said and he had a knowing, soft smile across his lips suddenly. "I had almost driven my mother to insanity with my constant sneaking into the cookie jar as a child."

Okay, at least he and Moon could agree that cookies were tasty if nothing else.

Remained sitting on the table for the moment and peering up at everyone else, idly playing with one of her wild untamed snowy tresses. No brush or comb could tame the mass of white ringlets which danced with her every movement. Watching how Moon treated Mythras, she wondered where her Papa {Bansca} was; that was until she heard the familiar thud of the shed door as it closed. He had just come back from gathering meat for supper no doubt.

No, he had not taken the route that other husbands and men in Sorvy's life had taken. There was -no- way he could leave his children simply for their mother to care for them unless death took him or someone kept him from them. Besides, Itarilde, his little Princess wouldn't allow it for a second! She had been utterly and completely distraught when Mythras was taken away, and when Kyrian was sick. Imagine how overcome with sadness she'd be if -Her- papa was taken from her.

Watching Moon, she continued toying with that lock of her hair, which was no doubt massively tangled beyond all help that a brush could give it. She did notice the various scents and grinned. Flying off the table, she darted over to where the honey was kept and picked up the large glass jar to carry it back to the table. She -loved- honey in her tea! "Kyrian..will you please get my hair ribbon? I put it on Daisy." she said with a grin. Daisy was one of the herding dogs, who was now getting up in age a bit, so she was retired.

Looked to her brother, Mythras, smiling. "My cup is the light green one, it has leaves and flowers all over it." Giggled and then flung a bit of 'Dust' at him. "Don't mind my dust, brother, it's -everywhere-." **Every** single object had 'Faery Dust' on it, making it appear as if it was dunked in a huge vat of glitter. "Did you say...sugar cookies?" Sweets...she couldn't survive without them! What Fae could?!

Staring at Moon's untangled long hair, she tilted her head, wondering what it would be like if her hair could be tamed by a brush or comb. Would it look that, or simply be curly? Amethyst eyes flecked with golden peered at the ebony locks for a few moments more before she set the honey jar down and then looked to Verial.

She blushed at his comment. "I didn't put it there, but...I....I..." Drat, there was that adorable stutter of hers she got when she was nervous. If he knew anything of the Fae, he should remember they had a tendency to 'borrow' things and then stash them in 'Hiding/Treasure Nooks' and she had quite a few nooks all over the house.

"I used to 'borrow' Papa's books...I thought they were coloring books." she admitted. There was no telling what was in those 'Nooks', if it came up missing, one would have to get her to search those nooks of hers. She honestly couldn't help it, shiny or interesting things attracted her. It was like putting honey out for a bee and expecting them to not bother it.

"Egg Nogg? Have I had this stuff before?" she queried, trying to remember. It didn't come right to her, so she supposed she's not had any. Faery's attention spans were short, so some things could be forgotten.

And cookies were -AWESOME-.

No exceptions. Only way they were horrible is if someone burned them or they never turned out right.

As the beverages were poured, she peered down into her cup at the tea, delicately sniffing it to inhale its aroma's. It smelled pretty good, but would it taste as good as it smelled? She'd forgotten about the diary already it seemed and looked up as her Papa came in, arms full of meat from the shed.[

~Sorvynia~

She had been listening. She had heard Verial ask if anyone was there. Sometimes she chose not to answer immediately for her own reasons.


"Cookies? If only I had been blessed with such trivial concerns and nothing more. But your exaggeration is amusing my Son." Sorvynia's soft voice preceded her with a distant and dolent memory in its tone. When she appeared from the Shadow that Moon's form cast, her pale blue eyes were smiling with a gift she bore in her arms swaddled like a humble Christmas babe.

After carrying the child for many moons, it had chosen its time for birth.

The Angel's ebony hair hung young and careless down her back and shoulders like a mantle that tangled over the feathering of her dark and contently folded wings. She wore a nursing smock that mostly hid the infant's face from curious eyes but an observer would see a lovely raven haired head nestled against its mother's chest. Her gaze wandered over the small gathering...just as it was assembling...

she glanced to Moon with a hinting glare, "Seems we have the makings of a Tea party..only Alice and her friends are busy being taught a lesson by the Jabberwocky. But...I come with a Parable..."

The Angel smiled with deep affection first to the smallest of the gathered young, Ita and Mythras, caressing the faces of both children before looking to Verial, her eldest child.

Her thoughts then turned to Angelus...her Psalm...her second born son. He was not present nor near. He had once more been separated from her since leaving Mystic proper. Perhaps one day he would find his way back to her. But this was not that day.

"My Son," she approached Verial, allowing her wing to gently brush Moon's body as she passed Him. "and everyone..." she paused, following Ita's glance to Bansca's arrival. She smiled at Bansca in her gently way, her pale blue eyes soft with conviction. She sat down then on a chair that drew itself away from the kitchen board, crossing her legs beneath a matron's smock as she rest the baby close to her body.

"Her name is Parable."

Her gaze caught sight of her diary in Verial's hands. "I'm pleased you found what you were looking for. But do you understand what it is you've found? Or what you're seeking?"

Her fingers idly grazed over Parable's sweet, baby-pout lips..

"It is my hope that you will begin your own book of dreams some day if you have not already. For mine will not be handed down, but that in while I exist much of it is a living legacy to you. But some, some of it is not for you but for me to serve and suffer."

Post originally by Character_Prophet

Verial did not like Egg Nogg? Sacrilage! Heresy!

He chuckled though. A part of him however was a pit taken back when he began to notice just...how...much...glitter...was in fact in the house. Already suspecting the Fae, he would give his hair a shake, sending a few 'sparkles' fluttering down...

Glitter. Everywhere.

He wasn't a god of Darkness, but it was a motif. Dreams...Death sometimes. It required certain thematic elements.

Glitter. Was. Not. One. Of. Them.

He sighed, softly, but didn't answer Verial right away...though when he did close the book there was a moment the light seemed to fade just a bit in the room..building back up again just before Sorvynia enters the cabin. He didn't expect her, in truth. His daughter was introduced, and he would rise up...a bit of a prideful smile on his lips as he welcomed his Priestess with a kiss.

And is daughter he would greet with the softest of touch to her hair.

It was Sorvynia though who posed the question, and maybe Verial would be able to more properly answer as he got a cup of tea for her and himself..."What was it you think you found?" he said.

To Itarilde he would subtly wink. He would make some egg nogg for her later.

Revenge.

~M

Verial managed to conjure up an innocent, almost charming smile when his mother nostalgically (and regretfully) remembered all his adventures he had as a child growing up. Of course cookies were not his only downfall as he journeyed throughout his child and teenage years. There were oh so many mishaps for the family of Dreamers, some which seemed to keep earlier members of the family away. Still despite all that he had put her through as a child, at least Verial always came home eventually - that much he could say for certain. He wondered if he would be able to say the same for Mythras and Parable someday.

Watching the way she moved about the kitchen, Verial sensed there was some sort of air about his mother that had grown over the last few months. It had been dim at first, but now its aura was one that was fairly noticeable. It made her move about the room like a ghost, almost mysterious and misty like as if she could vanish into thin air at any point she so decided. Verial wondered if it had been because she had spent too much time in the Abyss with Moon that she had become this way. This was her choosing however, and if she was content, then he had no right to tell her that she should be any other way. Perhaps the recent birth of Parable was the closest thing to reality that Sorvynia had been subjected to in a while; the union of Moon and Sorvynia seemed to prefer the dream world.

At least Sorvynia was safer and learning new things when resting in the dream world. After the plague catastrophe in Mystra and all the work she had done as a Priestess of Vita, she had finally been able to find a spot where she really belonged without all the frill and politics. Verial was sure she seemed happier, but he was still unsure a constant life in the Abyss was sanest thing for her.

Verial shook his head and pulled away from his thoughts. When he did, he realized his mother had joined them all, sitting at the kitchen table, and that Bansca's presence was noted as if he were a friend of the family. Verial resisted the urge to raise his hand and scratch his head in confusion. He did not allow his mind to be anymore puzzled, but he could not ignore the fact that he did feel a little awkward having both Moon and Bansca in the same room. Verial had no idea what was going on in their bizarre little love triangle; he assumed that if his mother wanted to tell him, Sorvynia could discuss it with him at any time. He needed to take a step backwards from the room, but stopped when he glanced over at Kyrian.

Sorvynia had questioned Verial in the same manner that Moon had earlier. It was always, "What are you searching for Verial? Did you find what you were looking for Verial? Where is the answer Verial?" And he had no idea, or at least he felt, he didn't need to be searching for anything. He was comfortable in that conclusion, that he could for now live his life without needing to punish himself by going on another quest. He looked down at his tea thoughtfully, as if he might answer her, and then crossed the room to one of the shelves on the wall. There he reached over, took a small jar and held it in the palm of his hands to show his mother.

"This is what I have been seeking," Verial answered. On the jar there was a small white label that read "honey". He took a small spoonful, mixed it into his tea and blew on the liquid to cool it just enough to where he could finally drink. After swallowing he turned towards his mother. "Oh, I have my own book, I assure you. I have had it probably longer than you knew. And you are apart of mine, as I am apart of yours."

Verial's wonderings could be answered and more, if he but allowed himself the curiosity to learn. She couldn't help but wonder as well, as she noticed how her Eldest son set his gaze upon her, as if he were looking through her as if she were- just that transparent. She was not always with both feet in the Abyss, for she was still warm to the touch and her ageless heart thrummed ever strong beneath her breast. The Angel felt the concern of her odd-eyed child but only smiled in her sweet and gentle way, unchanging.

Against certain lights she was in some ways sheer, like spidercloth to those with certain sights. There was an air of great affection that exuded from her spirit, for all and every one gathered. She considered that it had long since been past due for a heart to heart talk with Verial. She remained silent though, observing Verial as he considered his tea and made a show of fetching the honey jar before ultimately partaking of it.

At last.

"You speak falsely to me Son. Tell me now, since you have drank the Tea. Do you think to keep a secret from me? Honey? Nay."

Sorvynia glanced at Moon, she could feel the subtle flicker, see it, where others that had never taken the Tea could not. It was the touch of the Abyss, a tug of the tides. Parable's eyes opened for the first time in the material world, pale and crystal blue like a pair of perfectly cut jewels. And for a moment her thoughts briefly darted to a comrade elsewhere- fitted against a grindstone, cutting hour after hour through sleepless nights with every perfect gem.

The infant girl whimpered and the Angel turned the babe's face to the shelter and nourishment of her breast, drawing fabric down to shade and comfort the child. Mythras approached Sorvynia's knees and gave a soft pat to the bundle in his mommy's arms, "there there sister."

At the Villa, things were often more than what they were. Going off of this knowledge, Verial should have suspected the tea was more than just tea. Considering his thirst the moment he chose to drink, it didn't seem like a questionable matter at the time. Not too long ago, it was just tea but as Verial looked down into the dark liquid inside his half drunken cup, he had begun to realize there was something more to it. Still, despite knowing this, he could not stop himself from raising the cup to his lips and finishing off the rest of the tea.

There was some door inside of Verial's mind that was slowly opening whether he had wanted it to or not. Verial lifted a hand and rubbed his forehead for a moment, brushing some raven hair from his eyes. When his mother spoke to him, he lowered his hand and tilted his head to glance over in her direction, a knowing look on his odd colored eyes.

"I was not telling you lies," Verial began shaking his head. "I thought you knew I kept secrets from you."

An almost puzzled look crossed his face. Years ago, Verial had quite successfully managed to keep people out of his mind, even his closest of blood, should they try to invade his thoughts. He was not afraid of who he was in truth, but Verial did firmly believe there were things he did not need to share with others - things he could and would keep to himself. His belief had been that he was entitled to a certain degree of privacy even if he was a Dreamer.

However, he was not entirely sure now after drinking the tea that those walls would be kept up for very longer.