Welcome to Gaia! ::

Picnic Part 7:
Regroup

(The next couple posts will be posted in both Rhine and Aurora diaries.)

Connor was curled in a whole of a near by tree trunk when Ceres entered the enter of the Grove. Tinker was at her side, and Aurora was behind them still with a tucked tail and folded back ears. Ceres had kept her temper low enough for it not to be of notice, which worried Aurora even further.

"I didn't mean to let time slip from me." Aurora thought to herself.

Her thoughts were quickly broke from when Mother Tree awoke. Everyone exchanged a hello except for Rhine. Ceres spoke up. "So where is Rhine?"

Mother tree made a shh type sound and uncurled her branches to reveal the slumbering dragon. "He is so adorable." She whispered.

Ceres smiled. "Thank you mom."

Tinker went over and collected him.

"Been a while hasn't it daughter?" Mother Tree asked.

Ceres blushed. "Been a bit busy with this one." She pointed a thump behind her. "Her name is Aurora Dawn."

"And equally as precious. I bet she loves mischief. I can tell from her expression that she's been doing something she wasn't suppose to. She's young, don't be too hard on her her." Mother Tree winked.

Ceres laughed as Aurora perked up a bit, and bounded towards Mother Tree giving her a good rub.

"It is late. We better get out of here before it keeps us till dawn." Ceres said the smile not leaving her face.

"Promise to stop by sooner rather than later. And I want to see more of Rhine. He's such a chatter box, brings life to this old place." Mother Tree smiled.

"You've got him to talk?" Ceres asked before leaving.

"No but I opened him to mind communication. Try it sometime. He seems to like it." Mother Tree yawned.

Ceres led the group out of the Grove and back to the house.

________________________________

Tinker tucked Rhine in. Ceres followed Aurora to her room.

"I'm disappointed in you. No picnic for us tomorrow. Perhaps the day after if you are good." Ceres said as she leaded in the door way watching Aurora curl up.

Aurora just nodded. It was lighter than she had excepted.

Ceres walked over and tucked in Aurora. "I love you. We all love you. That is why we worry." She kissed her, turned out the light and left."

"Night Mother" Aurora called out.

The Beach

"Mother." Rhine called out in gentle tones as slithered down the hall in slow procession to the kitchen.

Ceres looked around the corner, and smiled. "Yes dear?" Ceres said this in the truest voice she could muster. Her ears where talked out several lessons later in speech.

"May we go swimming? It is almost sun up." Rhine was very polite and well spoken considering just a week ago his gruff undevolped tones.

Ceres breathed a hidden sigh of relief thinking a request, and not a question. "When breakfast is done, and the girls have finished their chores I don't see why not." Ceres paused. "We'll have to wiat on Tinker though to finish what she is doing." Ceres smiled, and went back into the kitchen with one last call out. "And, make sure your room is clean dear."

Rhine's eyes rolled, but was happy enough. "My rooms clean." He called out. Then he slithered his way towards his favorite rug and streatched up. Comfortable enough, and in good view he watched out the window waiting for sun up. He hoped that his sisters wouldn't be too noisey in doing their chores.

Shortly after sun up Ceres brought him a large breakfast of fish and eggs. This happened to be one of Rhine's favorites. Aurora soon joined him this also proved to be her favorite dish as well. Tinker, Ceres, Kitty, and Perian sat in the kitchen to eat their breakfast.

After breakfast when the chores where done it was warm out sides, but over caste enough for Rhine to enjoy the day. Ceres and Tinker took him to the beach this time for a swim.

Rhine hadn't been to the beach yet, and he was very excied. When he got there and was put in the sand Ceres and Tinker went back to sit in the grass, but close enough to keep a good watch on him. "Have fun" Ceres called.

Tinker called out after Ceres. "Try not to get too much sand between your toes."

Both Ceres and Tinker laughed.

Rhine, however, didn't seem to pay much heed to the warning. First thing he did was wiggle his claws into the sand. The dry sand which he had been placed proved scratch and hard to move in. Once he reached the cool wet sand he was much happier and could move quicker. He was a little displeased when the water washed up and he got a mouthfull. He gagged at the salt like taste, but still it felt good eough as it wet his skin and made him cool.

Ceres and Tinker watched him from their position and giggled a bit at his reactions.

Several hours later, around lunch time they ate and then headed home. First thing when they got home Tinker took him in for a bath. He muchly enjoyed this. The salt water stuck to him, and made him feel as if he skin had shrunk. Ceres was waiting for him in his room, and read him a story before nap time.

Mother Tree Part 2:
From Hatch-ling to Child

Connor took them straight through the thick of the fog with ease. Towards the center of the grove the fog thinned and faded. In the middle stood a huge old tree something between a cross of Weeping Willow, and Ancient Oak. Grand in splendor, and something Rhine enjoyed seeing again.

"GraMa!" Rhine exclaimed now squirming in Connors arms.

Connor set him down, rubbed his head, and then headed off. "He's really excited!"

Mother Tree chuckled. "I see. Is that the name you have given me?"

Rhine nodded. His skin was starting to itch again and quickly found himself distracted and rolling against the earth. Flakes a skin stared to peel from his body.

"Is it to grow little one?" Mother Tree inquired as she watched him. "Such a surprise."

"Arent I suppose to keep my body?" Rhine asked, it sounded almost silly.

Mother Tree just smiled, with a ruffle of her leaves. "Silly." She laughed. "You shed skin, not your body." Mother Tree thought for a moment. "Out with the old, in with the new."

Rhine sat up right, his size was already noticeable. "Sounds fun. But this is so irritating. I just wanted a normal visit. I was looking so forward to it."

Mother tree swayed a bit, lowering her branches to run over Rhine. "You've given an old woman the best gift. Getting to watch a grandchild grow into their next stage. And after it is all done we can still have our visit. Don't forget you are always welcome here any time." Mother tree smiled.

Rhine nodded, and gave a low growl almost like a purr that Aurora had taught him. His tail became further pointed, and his two back and head fins elongated. They looked a tad sloppy as they drooped from lack of knowing better, but well suited for his size. The horn on his head extended just a tad. He rolled a couple more times releasing the rest of his skin, and then sat up. He looked almost toad like on his haunches.

"So grown up, so handsome." Mother tree smiled.

Rhine tried to turn his head, but him being rather thick couldn't get much of a behind look. "Am I really that good looking?" He couldn't help but smile.

Tinker's Promise

Shortly after he got to his bed room he decided that he wasn't really that tired. He was more excited than anything. He headed back out, and straight off to find Tinker. This was not a hard task. She always seemed in her room working on something if she wasn't with Ceres. He slung his tail around and tapped on her door. Shortly she came to, and was equally impressed at his growth.

"What is that you've got there?" Tinker asked pointing at what Rhine was holding in his mouth.

He dropped it on the floor. "Mom says it is a diary to write stuffs down in." Rhine shrugged. "I am not sure if I like the idea. I think I prefer things to stay in my head." Rhine sighed.

Tinker smiled. "Diaries, or what ever the writer chooses to call them can be splendid things. They help us remember, what sometimes we forget no mater how hard we try to remember." Tinker thought a moment. "If you like to keep your thoughts in your head because you don't want others prying then perhaps I can fix you up something."

Rhine started to give that growl like purr. "I'd like that very much." He seemed more relaxed, feeling relieved. If no one else could read them, then it could be easy to write things down. "Thank You." Rhine paused. "I forgot to ask mother to tuck me, and now I think she is busy." Rhine yawned. "Could you tuck me in?"

Tinker nodded. In one swift swoop she lifted him and in diary and headed to his room. In no time he was tucked, and the diary on the dresser.

"I should have it ready by tomorrow evening." Tinker smiled. "Dream well."

"Thank You again." Rhine yawned. "Good night."

Rhine's Diary Entry 1

Mom surprised me with a visit from another dragon. The dragons name was Renor.

We went to the castle, and had a picnic.

Afterwords, we went into the castle to explore. We disobeyed our parents in doing so.

It was a lot of fun, until we got stuck in some muck. Then some black creature with a slick and not scaly snake like body, two tails, and three eyes came at us.

We did alright against it; however, in the end it was our mommy's that saved us.

I don't think they were too happy with us.

After that it was time for him to go home... I hope to meet him again soon!

Itch Attack Part 2:
Entering the Grove

Rhine went straight on past the gates, and onto the grove. He followed the path to the letter that Connor had taken him a couple times before. He'd lost track of reality till the fog became thick and the air thin.

His mother's words ran through his mind. "Promise me you'll never go through it alone. The middle and outer edges are the safest place." It was haunting him. It didn't leave him. But this was important, or at least he thought. He wanted his GraMa.

"Clear your mind." He chanted this over and over in his mind. He remember Connor saying something about it. He'd never had to, so he'd never tried it. He took deep breaths.

Feeling ready for anything he stepped forward.

Itch Attack Part 4:
Confidence

As the fear of a let down swept over him like crashing waves the fog thickened. His tail thrashed as a branch danced across his back with the swaying wind.

"I must not loose focus." He thought to himself.

Deep inside he could feel himself maturing, even if in the smallest aspect. He was almost glad he had stormed out, this Grove was proving to teach him a few lessons. He had just wished that he had left on happier terms, and with better intentions of seeing his GraMa.

With himself calming down once more, he reared his head, and went up on two legs. Pawing at the sky, his large tail thrashing once more, he let a roar from deep inside. "Set me free." It shattered through the night like a thin sheet of glass. With a loud thud, and shaking ground he landed once more on all fours. Renewed in himself he trudged forward.



Connor awoke started. He ran quickly to meet Mother Tree. "Mother Tree some one is in our grove."

"Yes, Yes I know..." Mother Tree smiled. "Perhaps you should go help my grandson out a bit."

Connor gave a startled look. "Why didn't he just ask for help instead of doing it on his own? Surely Ceres has warned him?"

"He's been out there for a while, and I am sure we will know soon enough." Mother Tree settled her roots.

Connor nodded and was off.



An easy ten minutes later for Rhine he had met company. Connor was approaching, and at fast rates.

"I've come to escort you the rest of the way." Connor smiled.

Rhine nodded. "I'm sure you are, but I want to do this alone." Rhine looked forward. "I got myself into this mess, it is time I grow up. I need to stop being a lazy, and do things for myself." The more he said, the better he felt.

"I understand. It was Mother Tree's request." Connor watched him, a smile still on his face.

"Then please return, and let her know I am safe and on my way." Rhine started forward again. His slither like walk leaving a trail behind him that picked up after itself.

"I'll do just that, and best of luck. You are doing great!" Connor was gone again.