"Daddy?"

"Yes, M'love?"

"This place is biiiiiiiig!"

"Why yes it is my sweets, very big. Are you scared?"

"Nuh uh, I'm not scared. Cause you and Mommy know this place! I don't have to be scared."

"That's my girl. You're such a big girl, daddy loves you so much."

A little hand lifted from the side of one Elena Isuelt Ravenlock, 5 years of age and stretched towards the large main hall of Ravensheart School for the Gifted, as her father, Brian Ravenlock stood beside her with a smile on his face.

"This is where you will be going to school my dearest. It is called 'Ravensheart School for the Gifted' and some dear friends of Daddy's take care of this place, and those who come to school here. Some people Mommy knows too. Your Aunt Icer, comes here sometimes too. As well as some other friends of Daddy's and Mommy's."

"You said gifted! I'm gifted aren't I, daddy? Mommy says so all the time, and so do you and Jenai. And that nice lady Kat said so before, didn't she?"

"Yes my little heart, you are very much gifted. Like your cousins and many others in our family. That's why you will learn to use your gifts here. And on top of that you'll have a lot of fun and make new friends too!"

"Yay! I like making new friends, daddy! And I can't wait to see Aunt Jewell and my cousins again too! Oh Yeah and Aunt Kerri, I wanna see her again soon, she is silly! Oh wait.. Will my brothers come to this school too?"

"Well we can visit Aunt Jewell and Kerri soon, I promise. As to your brothers, that is up to your Mommy. I can't say."

"Oh okay, well she should be here soon right?"

"Yes she should, she said she would meet us here, and Jenai will meet us here too. Then we can meet with Lady Shauri and hopefully headmaster Briarius too."

"Then I can go to school?"

"Then you should be able to go to school, here."

"Yay!"

And like that the smallest of the Ravenlocks ran along the cobblestoned path ahead towards the main door of the School, as she giggled and skipped along the way. Brian soon caught up to her with a chuckle, as they stood before the massive door. Small fingers trailed the massive frame a bit, as Brian grabbed the rung and knocked loudly announcing their presence and waiting for entry, and the others to show.

The Ravenlocks had arrived.

"Hello? Hi there. Welcome to Ravensheart School. Can I help ye?"

Brian regarded the young lady with a friendly smile and bow.

"Actually, yes you may. We are here to--" That was about as far as he got before...

"MY NAME IS ELENA ISUELT RAVENLOCK!! An I'm gonna go to school inside THAT building! Hee! Are you a school mate! Cause I know you're not Lady Shauri. Can I bring a Moor cat? Do you have Moor cats!? Do you have a 'Kerri'!? Is my mommy inside? When does school start? When do--."

Such enthusiasm indeed.. If Brian had half of her energy at times. A gentle came patted the sweet child on her golden nest of locks a bit, as he chuckled and then raised a brow, as he recalled something..

"Elena, dear? How do you know this isn't Lady Shauri?"

"Cause it isn't her Daddy, I just know it. Her colours say so!" said the little Ravenlock, as she pointed to the young lady once more, with a most inquisitive look on her face.

"Sweetheart is isn't nice to point, like that. Or to yell out."

A sheepish grin took form, as the little one blushed a bit, her small foot dragging the top of her shoe, along the concerete floor a bit, as she smiled to the young lady once more.

"I'm sorry, Miss School Lady. I didn't mean to point, but your colours are so pretty, even if they are not Lady Shauri's."

Brian smiled and leaned over kissing the little Ravenlock upon her head a moment, and turned to face the young lady once more and offered yet another bow, as he handed a small piece of parchment to her, while he stood upright once more. Little Elena copying the bow, in turn as father and daughter looked quite the pair.

"My name is Brian Ravenlock, and this is Elena Ravenlock. We are here to see Headmaster Briarius and or Lady Shauri. Elena here is rather gifted, and we would like to see about having her attend, Ravensheart. We have some others who are meeting us as well, Elena's mother Charlotte and Lady Jenai Angelique of the Scathachian Order."

"And I'M gifted! Tee!"

"She most certainly is."

Brian chuckled once more and nodded to the young lady in the doorway once more with a smile. He had a good feeling about this.

Mirth twinkled in her eyes as she watched the exchange between father and daughter, which she found quite adorable. His name was also very familiar to her. She remembered it because Mistress Sha'uri called him Bri and she also called the Headmaster Bri. It was confusing but something she wouldn't forget.

"Ah, I've heard of ye. Mistress Sha'uri has mentioned ye before with much fondness. It's a pleasure, Sir. I'm Lyndra Nightbloom, Head of household and master chef here at Ravensheart."

She pulled off a glove and held out her hand to shake his with sincere warmth. Once done, she turned to the girl with a smile, offering a hand to shake hers too.

"And a pleasure to meet ye, too, Elena. Such a pretty name for a pretty girl. Sorry, though, I seem to be fresh out of Kerri's. But I have some pecan chocolate chip cookies if yer interested or perhaps some uber cool, wiggly, jiggly jello blocks, all flavors.. and I've got flavored whip cream - vanilla, cherry and orange, too, if ye'd like that atop yer jello. Come on, I'll take ye both inside."

She opened the door and led the way in, moving to a parlor room off to the left.

"Ye may gather here, since there are more coming. I'll fetch some refreshments and try to gather the Mistress and Headmaster. If ye'd be so kind and let them in... I may be a little bit before I return. Make yerself at home."

She motioned them into the quaintly decorated room with lots of windows along the front wall, a fireplace behind it, a sofa, a love seat and a few chairs were strategically placed round a serving coffee table in such a way as to enjoy the outside view for the summer. There were several potted plants, mostly flowers and a small Rose tree set throughout the room. The rose tree had a few blooms, yellow with fiery orange tips.

Leaving the two there, she went to the kitchen and magically whispered a message to the two in question while she fixed up the food swiftly. She came back to the front with the tray and as she was about to walk into the parlor, the loud Crack resounded, startled poor Lyndra and the tray of food was dumped as she flailed!

The knock followed and Lyndra, a bit distraught now, was torn for a moment between cleaning up the mess or answering the door. A long sigh escaped and she moved to the door, opened it to stare inquisitively at the person there.

"Hello. May I help ye?"

A brief glance back to the mess, she clapped her hands soundly together once and the mess began to clean itself up. Her gaze came back to the woman with the child. Smile.

****

Several minutes later, she brought yet another fresh round of refreshments, setting the tray on the coffee table in the parlor and served up the goodies to the people gathered there, waiting on the Headmaster and/or the Mistress to show.

Something about a loud crack followed by clattering on the floor had gotten her attention where she sat in her room clear back on Exodii. She was at her desk grading a few test papers when the noise arose from the depths of the school, came up the stairs, down the hall, through her bedroom doors there and in through the opened closet door.

She peered out curiously and extended her senses. The mixture, both new and familiar, beckoned to her sense of curiosity and she left those papers behind.

By the time she got down there, Briarius was standing the doorway of the parlor room and the guests were seated round a table of some of Lyndra's goodies. Normally, her pregnant tastebuds would've overrulled her senses and drawn her to the table first, but... as she came into the room, stepping around Briarius, she realized her senses hadn't been lying to her. He was really here. A surprised and elated smile beamed.

"Brian? It really was you I sensed. I thought maybe my pregnant plagued self was messing with me again, but it's not. It's so good to see you! I've missed you so much!"

She crossed the room with arms wide open, giving Brian a heartfelt hug as best she could, being well into her second trimester. Pulling back from the hug she glanced round to the others, giving polite nods of greetings. Though Charlotte looked familiar, she couldn't remember if she'd ever been introduced before. Then she glanced over the children and went back to Brian. She wondered where Jen was.

"How've you been? How's Jen?"

Charlotte smiled kindly in response to Briarius and cradled Megan against her chest, rocking gently as the infant began to fuss.

"Begging your pardon, Headmaster, but I've been remarried since we last spoke. It's Lady Steele, now." Her cheeks flushed a bit. She hasn't been called Lady Ravenlock in quite a few years now.

"As for enrolling Elena Isuelt, I saw no other choice. I've stepped down from teaching to raise my four children and, to be honest, Briarius, I'm not sure that I could aid Elena in everything in which she needs to grow. She astonishes me every day with something new. I mean, the child has abilities that neither Brian nor I have...

"Of the few that I know, she uses mindspeak, telekinesis, and I'm almost positive she can talk to animals somehow. She seems to just know things about people... I mean, she even figured out I was pregnant with this one," gesturing to the infant in her arms, "before I had a chance to inform my husband." There was a small laugh as Charlotte glanced over at the little girl with curly blonde hair standing next to her Daddy.

Looking back to the headmaster, Charlotte smiled. "She's only five. I don't know how to control her." And that was the main reason she'd agreed with Brian about bringing Elena to Ravensheart Academy.

"Ah, I've heard of ye. Mistress Sha'uri has mentioned ye before with much fondness. It's a pleasure, Sir. I'm Lyndra Nightbloom, Head of household and master chef here at Ravensheart."

"Lady Nightbloom, a pleasure indeed. Meeting you, now I see why this school is such a marvel to behold. They are lucky to have one such as yourself here."

Brian took her hand into his own, and offered a respectful bow and smile in turn. Releasing her hand, he rightened once more, smiling against as he watched her introduce herself to Elena.

"And a pleasure to meet ye, too, Elena. Such a pretty name for a pretty girl. Sorry, though, I seem to be fresh out of Kerri's. But I have some pecan chocolate chip cookies if yer interested or perhaps some uber cool, wiggly, jiggly jello blocks, all flavors.. and I've got flavored whip cream - vanilla, cherry and orange, too, if ye'd like that atop yer jello. Come on, I'll take ye both inside."

Elena blinked a bit, and looked to Brian once more. She nodded and looked to Lyndra and laughed, her eyes beholding a playful glint.

"Thank you, I like my name too! No Kerris!? I guess that's okay, cause daddy says she is one of a kind. Daddy also says he is thankful the gods didn't bless the lands with more than one of her cause of cull-at-ir-allz and damages. hee!"

A giggle or three escaped from the little Ravenlock as Brian in turn, laughed and stroked her hair gently, with a nod. Elena looked Brian and laughed too and then regarded Lyndra once more, her eyes widened at the mention of jello-y goodness!.

"Ooo-ber cool wiggly, jiggly jello!?"

*blinkblink* and then a ponderful expression took hold, and suddenly out of nowhere!

"Dad! Guess what!? Guess What!?"

"What is it, baby?"

"She has Jello! And it's wiggly and jiggly, and Oooo-ber cool too! Can I have some?!"

Excited wasn't she?

Brian laughed and nodded to Elena, once more as he watched Lyndra open the door, and in turn he and Elena were ushered inside. All the while, the little one sang away happyily.

"Jello, Jello, it's a dream, Ole!"

Upon entry into the decorated room, Elena shot like a bullet for the window and looked outside, letting her wonderous eyes take in the landscape of the school grounds, as she hummed to herself a bit. Brian bowed once more to Lyndra as she instructed them, and excused herself.

"Dad! Daddy! It's a horsey mixed with a woman on top! Woooow! Will I go to school with one, you think I could ride one!? WAIT! Oooooh I see a wolf and dragons too! Like Aunt Icer! Isn't Yotsuba coming here too, Daddy! WOW some kid is flying Daddy, looklooklooklooklook!"

Brian moved to the window, and smiled as Elena pointed out several things, all the while chattering like a rabid chipmunk at times. Brian was truly happy to see her this excited about attending school here, and offered a sweet kiss to the little one, as she then lifted her head a moment and offered a cant in turn.

"Daddy. Momma is here, and Megan too."

A certified nod, as Brian faced the door once more, as Elena peeled herself away with a smile, and awaited her mother and sibling.

Brian smiled warmly as he approached Briarius and embraced the headmaster a moment in a somewhat hug of a greeting, and released him promptly with a friendly smile.

"Headmaster! A pleasure to see you once again, you look well and I am glad for it. The school? Bah! It's perfect. As to Lady Ravenlock, Jen will be here soon. But uh, don't call her Lady Ravenlock, she still get's nervous sometimes about that, and Elena here, says Charlotte has arrived."

Bri's eyes it up at a most familiar voice, as he looked to the doorway, and saw Shauri enter and in turn was embraced and embraced her back warmly as he laughed. He released her and looked her up and down, and smiled ear to ear.

"Shauri! Hah! gods it is great to see you all together here! You look amazing, and look at you, ready to burst soon enough are we? I missed you too, very much and I am sorry we haven't been around as much."

Brian watched as Shauri looked about, and regarded Charlotte and the children.

"Shauri, this is Elena here. And also Charlotte, her mother. Wth her is Elena's sister, Megan."

Elena laughed a bit, and piped up as she bolted to her Mother and wrapped up Charlotte's leg in a serious huggle-fest.

"Mommy, Megan! I missed you!"

Elena quieted as Charlotte and Briarius spoke, and played with her sister's hands, while making funny faces. When she was addressed, she turned to Briarius and nodded to him, as she then took a thoughtful stance, and expression.

"Hello, sir! I mean Headmaster! I'm Elena Isuelt Ravenlock, and I'm gonna go to school here and I am special. I'm special cause Mommy and Daddy made me that way, hee!"

Brian smiled warmly, as he chuckled.

"Elena, why don't you tell the headmaster, what you can do sometimes."

*lightbulb!*

"Oh yeah! Hee, sorry. Um.. I hear things.. Um, sometimes when no one is around. Um.. Oh yeah, I tak to animals sometimes, and Jenai says I am pretty good, I started with my Moor Cat Eliza, and talk to Daddy's Jean Luc, and also Jenai's monkey, hee! He likes to steal Jes' food and hide it in the kampher tree!"

Brian made a quick note, as that was not something he knew Jes would like that info in his never ending battle against that dreaded howler monkey.

"I talk to my sister in my head, yeah. Sometimes we do it good, sometimes it's mixed up. Um.. Oh yeah! I knew Megan was in Mommy's tummy, she had a glow onher belly, like that pretty lady there."

As she pointed to Shauri, with a smile and then looked to Briarius.

"I also do some other things too, like moving and stuff, Daddy says it is 'hit or miss' at times, I think, right daddy? So mister headmaster, can I go to school here?"

Brian smiled proudly, and regarded the headmaster once more.

"She is right about the hit or miss, some things are stronger then others, also we do not know where these talents exactly came from given Charlotte's background and my own as well. But that can be discussed out of the ears of wee ones. Jenai will be here in a moment, and honestly between all of us, I think we are in agreement that this is the best place for Elena to learn about herself and what she may be capable of."

"That sounds good to me, Headmaster. Jenai should be here any moment, and I am sure the children would love to play around a bit, while we discussed the finer details. What do you think, Charlotte?"

Charlotte hesitated. It wasn't that she distrusted anyone here at Ravensheart, but to let someone else watch Megan? It was odd. She had trouble, at times, even letting Cassie watch the baby.

"I think... that would be acceptable. Hopefully Jen won't take too long." Looking from Brian to Sha'uri, giving the woman a warm smile, Charlotte then turned to Elena. Sure, the child was only five, but Charlotte felt more at ease handing the 6 month old to her than to some strange woman. It was obvious that Elena would more than likely hand Megan over to Lady Nightbloom eventually, but right now Charlotte felt comfortable doing this. Besides, Elena loved taking her baby sister out to play in the yard at home and bugged Charlotte and Dakota incessantly to hold her.

Elena gladly held onto the baby who flailed her arms and feet excitedly as she found herself in Big Sissy's arms. Those two got alot so well. Charlotte smiled and ushered Elena in Lady Nightbloom's direction. Elena obeyed swiftly, chattering softly to her sister and blowing in her face to make her laugh.

Barely thirty seconds behind Jenai came Dakota. Ever tattooed and pierced, with wild raven black hair flowing freely, the old outlaw hadn't changed a bit. He really didn't have much interest in this school at first......but recent events had showed him otherwise.

Little Elena had a lot of people who loved her, didn't she..?

He was her papa bear....and she was his baby girl. Naw...he wasn't missing this. He just needed to get his head on right, as usual.

"Sorry I'm late, folks....I'm just gon' stand to the side over here and listen..."

Sha'uri raised a slight brow as Charlotte handed a six month old over to a five year old instead of a capable adult. The lack of trust was painfully evident, like a slap in the face, and she hoped the baby would be okay in such small hands. Of course, she would respect the mother's wishes and that much was relayed to Lyndra to do as well. She put on a smile, though, and conjured up a blanket and some appropriate toys in a small basket next to Lyndra.

"It's a nice day, perhaps out in front by the tree would be a good place in view."

Seeing Jen enter, she stepped aside while the two lovebirds went through their greetings to each other. She laid a hand on the woman's arm and gave a gentle squeeze and a quick wink of greeting so as not to disturb Jen's hello to her sweetheart of a guy.

"Jen, it's good to see you. Welcome to Ravensheart. And you as well..." her gaze went to Dakota. "I didn't catch your name?"

A warm smile and nod of greeting went to the guy who just entered. She could only guess he was perhaps Charlotte's spouse, but it was clearly evident that he was expected. She approached the man and extended a hand in greeting.

"Brian.....how in the hell you doin', boy...?"

A crooked grin was offered towards his old friend before quickly regaining his composure as he was approached by Shauri. Extending his hand to take hers, he bowed his head respectfully and spoke up in that inimitable drawl.

"Name's Dakota Steele, ma'am...I'm with that pretty woman right over there..."

Eyes darted to Charlotte as he offered her a smile while releasing Shauri's hand.

Charlotte looked from Sha'uri to Lyndra and then down to Elena holding Megan. Her expression was slightly amused, having been able to sense the feelings and aura's around the room. It wasn't that there was a lack of trust with these particular people--she was allowing her child to be schooled here--but Megan was special. She hoped that Sha'uri wouldn't take too much offense and would just trust her judgement.

Charlotte waited quietly, grinning as Dakota introduced himself and then found herself at his side, an arm going about his waist. She sent a smile and a nod to Lyndra as she disappeared outside with Elena. Her gaze then drifted to Jen, pausing for moment on the young woman. After studying her briefly, Charlotte's eyebrows rose ever-so-faintly.

As Briarius spoke up, Charlotte nodded. "Yes, I believe so. I don't have anyone else coming... unless Brian and Jenai do." And her gaze turned in their direction.

Brian offered an imaginery tip of the hat towards, Dakota with a smile.

"Im doing quite well, Dakota. You look incredble. I'm glad for ya both."

Brian smiled yet again, as he watched Elena and Megan move off with Lyndra, and settled his eyes on Briarius, as he questioned the assembled and then his blues drifted towards Charlotte as she answered. He chuckled a bit, as he recalled one party that had wanted to attend, but was given notice that she was not needed at this particular moment in time.

Not for her lack of input and what not as Bri and Jen trusted Kerri with their very lives and more so.. They just shuddered visibly at the very idea of what kind of chaos the queen of Mithra Mayhem, could be capable of in this very place.

Brian listened to his beloved's answer, and placed a sweet kiss atop her locks of flame, as he chuckled once more and shook his head softly a bit. He regarded the assembled a moment, and then nodded to the headmaster.

"My Jenai is correct, I believe we are all present, so there is no need to delay any further. Let is discuss our little one's future, shall we?"

Such a lucky girl, Elena Isuelt Ravenlock was indeed. A miracle child in every way, which such a loving family. Both in closed circles and extended. She meant so much to each of them, and Brian felt this was a true step in the right direction for Elena and all involved. A hand settled on Jen's tummy a bit, as a soft caress ensued for a brief moment. Brian then offered another kiss to her head, as he awaited what was to come next.

With the blanket spread, she watched Elena carefully as she laid Megan down. Lyndra pulled out the toys for both girls and just tried to keep them entertained by playing with them and using her cantrip to make up silly lights and tiny, harmless little fire people that danced and did silent slapstick comedy.

Capable she was, but hardly experienced. She hoped she was doing all right with this little one and tried to be gentle. They were so fragile, these little babies. It amazed her. It was actually the first time she'd seen one up close. She wondered what it would be like to be one. It reminded her of her recent time with Knite, which brought about a very happy smile.

"Megan? What do ye want to be when ye grow up?"

Sha'uri had followed along, letting Briari have his fun by keeping herself quiet. He always seemed so enthusiastic about giving tours and she knew he enjoyed showing it off. Other then teaching a class, it was one of the few times he would rattle on about anything and she could tell he was very much enjoying this.

He had a right to be proud of the place he'd worked hard on. It was that fact that she'd enjoyed so much - that Briari loved it so much. It was something she didn't even bother to hide, so clear in her eyes as she watched.

Of course, the exchange between Briari and Brian drew the ironic smirk briefly to her visage, having caught enough from Briari's point of view and the chuckle coming from Brian to gather the gist of something... some conflict now resolved between them. She could only wonder with amusement if it had anything to do with their common pet name of Bri. She was just glad they were on good terms, now.

"Personally I do not have any questions, save when can we register. Baby, do you have anything?" as Brian smiled to his beloved, and then looked to Charlotte and Dakota, and offered a friendly smile. "Do you all have any questions?"

"You may register any time you wish.....today if you like. We have summer courses available. Most don't want to take classes then, but they are here if any have need."

Sha'uri offered the answer. It seemed, and she truely felt, Briari was a little ... lost for words at the moment and she would fill in the gap where she could. It's what she did, had always done.... Jack of all trades to fill in the gaps, lending a hand where ever she was needed. She felt she was needed now.

Her smiling eyes sparkled as she looked to the others to see if they had any questions, too.