Arina heard michi's voice and turned around and smiled. "Awe you look so pretty too!" she exclaimed then gasped and ran over to her when she fell. "Awe hunny, be careful, you know, mommy bought a special present for you? I hadn't seen you to give it to you, but it's back in my room." She kissed her nose making sure there weren't any scrapes or bruises, and picked her up. "I'm sure you'll love them." she said smiling

Michaela

Michi srunched her nose as Arina kissed it and giggled. "Mommy got Michi a present!?" Clapping her hands the toddler held her arms up to be picked up and held onto her mom as she was carried. "What did mommy get me?" She asked excitedly, not being able to wait.

"If i told you it would ruin the surprise! I got two presents here and one on the way. It should arive in a couple of days." She said smiling and walked into the room setting Michi on her bed. You hold on right there and i'll go grab them." she said moving to the back of the closet and grabbing two boxes she had wrapped up in pretty pink and blue paper. She then came back out and sat on the bed handing them to her.

Rapping her pale knuckles on the door frame the elf told of her arrival before gliding in the door. She was humming to herself along to some random song playing in her ears, her head bouncing slightly so her shaggy raven hair danced around her face. It was a techno piece of some sort, the kind she liked. High energy… and annoyed the hell out of Kane.

She smirked slightly at the thought as she turned her eyes onto the entry room, enjoying the pleasant welcoming air…especially considering the night’s chill… She then saw Arina and Michi, curiously raising one slender eyebrow. A mother and daughter it seemed… it brought a bitter sweet smile to her face. She watched them go upstairs in silence, deciding to wait.

Just then Romeo poked his little black nose out of her coat pocket, looking at the girl closely. He was a mischievous little hedgehog and loved children. He flickered one rounded ear before making a soft sound to awaken his little friend in the opposite pocket on Enyora’s right hip. A dark brown nose soon poped over the edge, followed by a sleek white face and large black eyes. She too saw the child and chirped back to Romeo contently. Adults weren’t near as fun to play with… well except maybe for the elf in whom’s pockets they lived but that was different…

Michaela

Michi frowned lightly. "But i wanna knoooowww" She groaned slightly as she was set down. Yet hearing there was more then one her eyes lit up and she smiled. "How many presents for Michi?!" Once she had the present in her hand she opened it and marveled at its contents.

the two presents Michi had unwrapped, one was a box of candies, of all different flavors, and the other was a pretty dress, that would be warm in the cold. It was pale pink leather with fur lining for a dress and a matching pink hat and pink leather boots. [sorry took me so long to post fell asleep lol] "So do you like them Michi?"

Romeo… he always knew how to get himself into trouble… The hedgehog seemed intent to prove it as he suddenly bolted from Enyora’s pocket. He was quick for a hedgehog… his tiny little legs seeming nimbler then most of his kind. He was currently heading for the kitchen, likely having smelled something he liked… probably something sweet knowing him.

En shook her head, sighing softly as she ran after him and put one hand in her pocket to hold Juliet from following her friend. “Romeo you silly thing..” the elf chided in a loving tone. She slowed to a walk, however as she saw Romeo sitting in front of the counter, peering up at it sadly. He could smell a bottle of syrup somebody’s left open but for the life of him couldn’t figure up how to get that high…so simply stared at it longingly.

En laughed, picking up the spiny creature by sliding her hand under his belly and leaning her hip on the counter as she held him to her shoulder. For a moment she glanced around the room with a mischievous grin before sliding a fingertip over the open syrup to gather a little bit on it. Shutting the bottle she then held her fingertip up to Romeo’s face and let him lick it off. She never could deny her buddies what they want.

Michaela

Michi had a huge smiled on as she was the contents, hugging the dress close to her. Scrambling over the boxes and the tissue paper that was indoe of them, Michi held onto Arina. "Mommy theyre so pretty!" As the girl pet the dress she smiled. "Can Michi and RiRi go play in the snow?" She asked, opening the candy and popping on in her mouth.

Oni woke up from his nap to find Lukas gone. Oni curled up and tried not to cry but it seemed he never got to see Lukas anymore. He was trying to be strong but not having him around was really taking a toll on him. Once he finished crying he got dressed and like usual wore one of Lukas' sweaters. He grabbed his Xanic doll and then tested the link he had with Ti. . . nothing. He figured Ti must be asleep still.

Not wanting to be alone he decided to go downstairs and see if Dante was around.

Hearing Oni Romeo let out a squeak and hopped back into En’s pocket, his little black nose still popped up over the edge to sniff the air. Juliet, being slightly more curious pushed her head up over her pocket edge to watch Oni with delight sparkling in her eyes. Watching this the elf laughed to herself, patting Juliet’s head gently as she turned around to face the sound of someone’s approach.

She flickered one ear as she saw the purple haired boy, slowly tilting her head to the side. She was curious but also noted the slight redness around his eyes as if he’d been crying. The demon sputtered something about weakness, causing her to inwardly growl at it and a flicker of annoyance appear in her eyes in contrast to her smile. Pushing away the annoyance she pushed off the counter, her hands in her pockets of her jeans as juliet the hedgehog climbed up her clothing to her shoulder. With a false shyness Juliet hid in En’s feathery ebony hair, peeking out at Oni.

Oni walked in to see someone he had never met before. She had some sort of animal with her as well. Oni stopped, took a step back and tried to control his fear. Softly he asked, "W-who are you?" He clutched at his Xanic doll and wondered if Dante or Gab was somewhere down stairs. He remembered the things Dante told him that he was safe here now and Oni tried not to let fear over come him.

So fearful… It worried En a little but she simply flashed him a kind smile. “Names Enyora War’reni but you can call me whatever. En or Reni is a popular choice. What’s your name?” She asked quietly. For a moment she paused for his answer but the excitable juliet tugged a curl of ebony hair and hopped down to display herself proudly on the counter. She squeaked and Romeo jumped out to join her, his black nose touching against Juliet’s brown one briefly.

En rolled her eyes and jerked her head lovingly towards the two hedgehogs, use to their antics by now. “Oh yeah, and those dramatic little beasts are Romeo and Juliet.” She explained, her voice going slightly soft and warm, reminiscent of gooey freshly backed brownies. Seeming to understand every word she said, as all animals did, the two hedgehogs looked at her and stuck out their tongues in unison. They had learned the gesture of ill respect from their time with En. The elegant elf's response was to do so right back at them.

Oni stayed were he was but listened to her. He wondered if he should give him name but maybe it was good news. If she didn't know his name then maybe she wasn't after him. He said quietly, "I-I'm Oni."

He heard the squeak and turned his attention to the little animal when he noticed another one join the first one he had seen. His fear was ebbing a bit as his curiosity grew. When they stuck out their little tongues he let out a small giggle and said, "They're funny. Aren't they sharp though? Their backs look like they would hurt people." He lifted his gaze back to her, his eyes now filled with curiosity and wonder not fear.

Oni, hmmm? Never heard that name before. It’s interesting, I like it.” En mused aloud, glad to see him beginning to calm down. Just what had made him so fearful? That was what perplexed her. She’d known from the animals that this place was…different, but now she suspected there was a more violent side of the story.

As he spoke of her little friends, both of which seemed more human the more they connected with Enyora, she dismissed the thought however. She nodded lightly, reaching out to stroke Juliet’s soft white chin and smile softly at her. “They can be sharp, but they won’t break the skin unless you grab them really tight…. Hedgehogs are a lot like most animals. They only get prickly if you try to hurt them first. “

Ceasing her musing she picked up Romeo and put him on her shoulder before reaching out to pick up Juliet by scooping her hand under the belly area. She then walked closer to Oni, close enough he could reach out and touch Juliet if he wanted to. “See?” came the elf’s soft voice as she slowly put her free hand over Juliet’s back and flipped her over so she was laying with her spiny back on En’s palms. “Underneath it all they’re really loving little furballs…” Enyora said gently, stroking juliet’s belly with her thumb to show how plush and soft it was.

Oni gave a tiny smile glad she seemed to be pleased with his name. He listened to her as she spoke about the little animals. He had to admit that they were really cute but he was still unsure if he would want to touch one.

When En took a step toward him he couldn't help but jerk back out of reflex. He calmed himself though when he realized that she was only bringing over the animals so he could get a better look. He watched as she turned over the small creature and pet it's belly. "It does look soft. So it doesn't hurt your palm to have it's prickly back on it?" He glanced back up at her still wondering if the spikes didn't hurt.

She watched him jump, inwardly observing it with curiosity…and mild concern. What had scared this boy so bad? She found herself distracted, however, as he asked of the prickles. Slowly En smiled and shook her head no. “It’s a lot like having a hairbrush pushed gently into your hand, it feels kinda funny but I wouldn’t say it hurts. They like to lay on their bellies in your hand though anyway, and that’s just as soft as a kitten. I just wanted to show you Juliet’s cute little belly.”

The hedghog curled up a little at the word cute, seeming pleased somehow. Juliet …well… she loved to be loved and admired. She was almost what you’d call vain, if you could call an animal vain, but still a very loving little thing.

As he gazed upon the creature he said, "Oh like a hair brush. . .yeah that wouldn't hurt." He gave a little smile and said, "Her belly is cute." Oni paused for a moment. He wanted to touch Juliet now but wasn't sure if it was okay. He wondered if it would be okay to ask. He figured since asking was the only way to find out though he would have to. Meekly he said, "C-can I touch her please?"

As he spoke so meekly En had to resist the urge to giggle, finding it kind of cute actually. In response she simply nodded slowly, looking at Juliet with a mother’s proud smile. “Go ahead, Juliet loves attention.” The elf added, glancing at her pocket briefly as Romeo made a soft sound. Whatever he’d said made En chuckle and murmur “Oh don’t get jealous Romey” Juliet, meanwhile, ignored her partner and instead looked up at Oni with big loving eyes and reached out a paw. She could not understand Oni the way she could Enyora’s speech but she recognized from the part of the conversation she could understand that she was going to get some attention!

Oni took a very tiny step forward. He reached out his hand then drew it back bit a little uncertain. However, his curiosity got the better of him and finished reaching out and ever so gently touched Juliet. He met her little paw first with the tip of one of his fingers. She was cute. He then softly touched her belly. He smiled at look at En saying, "She really is soft. I think she's cute too." He was enjoying himself and for moment had forgotten his fear.

Oni meeting it’s paw caused Juliet to wrap her little toes around his fingertip briefly, stretching out a moment. The little hedgehog closed her eyes as he petted her belly, seeming to almost melt beneath his hand. It was enjoying very much the attention and it showed.

En nodded as he spoke, her eyes staying on her Juliet. It always amazed her how much Juliet seemed to love everyone and everything…long as it loved her. She smirked to herself at the thought but then slowly raised her eyes to oni. Tilting her head to the side so her raven hair fell gently over her face a moment En answered. “yes, I never Lie Oni. I don’t see the point, we all are who we are…. Oh, You can hold her sometime if you like, she loves being held. I’d hold her by the soft underbelly if I were you though, you’re still not use to how her quills feel.” With that En chuckled slightly, her musing roundabout speech clearly natural to her.

Oni was a little shamed by what she said and tried to apologize quickly, "I'm sorry En I didn't mean for it to sound like you had lied. I - I - I didn't mean it like that I promise. " He pulled his hand away feeling like he had wronged En. Oni knew he wasn't very good with words. Quietly he responded, "Yeah. . it would be nice to hold her sometimes. It's nice not to be lonely." He grew quiet again as he clutched the Xanic doll tightly. Xanic had left him and Lukas was always gone . . he tried not to cry. He closed his eyes and told himself that he had already cried today.

Oni decided to try and get him mind on something else and said, avoiding eye contact, "You hungry or the little ones hungry? I could get some food."

Enyora looked surprised as he apologized, not realizing what he thought she meant for a moment. It took her a minute but she smiled warmly, seeing as he clutched the doll. She did not feel wronged, she just spent most of her time talking to animals rather then people so was use to being frank, straightforward, and simple in everything she said.

Slowly she reached out to touch the back of Oni’s hand with one fingertip, her skin slightly rough from spending much of her time outside but not unpleasant. “Nobodies ever lonely with Juliet watching over us. I know you didn’t mean anything like that Oni, you need to relax and not worry so much.” giving him a bright smile she then patted the pocket the pouting Romeo was hiding in. “And Romeo’s always hungry so you never need to ask us twice! We haven‘t eaten yet really”

Oni had two very different responses at being touched. He jerked a bit at the suddenness of it but he also welcomed it. Oni had always enjoyed hugging and such. Contact always made him feel better. He did not know the woman but part of him wanted to hug her but he refrained from doing so. He had learned that not everyone liked being touched.

He gave a weak laugh and said, "Y-ya Dante says that to me too." Once she spoke up about the other little creature he responded, "Okay we have lots of food here. . what do they eat? Did you want something to eat too?"

Enyora only raised an eyebrow at his jerking away, reaching up to run a hand through her hair and twitch her pointed ears a little. He was a strange thing… his nature seeming…conflicted somehow. For a second she simply studied him before shrugging and smiling warmly. “Well I think all three of us will take some fruit if you have some.” She paused in her speech as Romeo squeaked something from her pocket. En nodded as if in response before saying quietly “An apple in particular would be nice apparently…” She chuckled a little as she finished.

"Okay I know we have fruit and pretty sure we have apples too," he said as he went to the kitchen fridge. He pulled out various fruit and made sure to grab a few apples. He set them down so they could pick through what they wanted. He went back to the fridge and pulled out some left over meat and the jug of juice. The meat he put on a plate and he filled a glass with juice. He sat down and began to eat the meat cold not having the motivation to heat it up. He looked at them and said, "So are you going to stay here?"