The Harcourt Family

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

06.06.13: NEW!!! Pictures of the mansion. I had nowhere else to add them and didn't want to interrupt the main story we have going so I'm posting them here in spoilers. I used the Sims 3 to make this mansion. It's a rough version as I'm no architect but you get the general idea...I left all the furniture and fittings out since A)it's going to take me a while to put them all in and B) I'm not sure my game or computer will handle that so I've shown them as blank rooms for now but I'll be adding the extras in later.

The Mansion:

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The Mansion Side-View

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The Fountain:

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First Floor: Marble floors and grand staircase

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Second Floor: Medieval theme with stone, tiles and wood

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Third floor: Halfway round is a red carpet and the other half is wood floors

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Fourth floor: Saberlin's office at top of stairs. Saberlin and Fern's room and the twin's nursery at far right wing.

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Hidden floor - the hospital: it's just under the ground floor

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Go down a level and find the laboratory

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And another level below ground shows yet one more big lab hidden away beneath the first floor

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PART ONE: (starts out in a luxury Inn for couples expecting. It can be found here: Pregnancy Inn)

This luxury inn is designed for expecting couples to enjoy thier last few months alone before their bundle of joy arrives. With five star ammenities, couple can relax and rejuvenate themselves before the birth.

Name: Fern
Age: 20
Height: 5'4
Pregnant with: 2
How far along: 5 months
Fern is a very kind and loving person. She has a strong motherly instinct and loves being around children. She can be a bit of a klutz but is very creative.
Name: Saberlin Harcourt

Age: 28

Height: 6 ft (? not sure but he's 'tall')

Description: Saberlin is part leopard due to being from a line of hybrid experiments. He was born with a leopard’s ears and tail as well as sharp, claw-like nails, which he keeps well manicured and hidden under gloves. Saberlin possesses two medium-sized fangs either side of his mouth and his hair is short/medium length. It falls in soft spikes and is flaxen gold. His eyes are light golden with feline (slotted) pupils.

Other: He can seem distant and driven when he is busy at work, though he is actually gentle and kind once you get to know him. Saberlin has a playful side that sometimes makes an appearance when he’s not too busy focusing on important tasks.

Saberlin's pale golden gaze flickered out of the window again as he drove carefully towards the Inn. Saberlin always drove carefully. He could see the building in question looming ahead and so far things looked promising enough. A soft sigh escaped him as a slight yet persistent ache in his neck and shoulders reminded him how hard he had been focusing on work lately. Maybe this break would be just what he needed, what both of them needed. There was still all that paperwork to get through and the issues with the new prototypes, not to mention...then again, he hadn't been spending as much time with Fern lately as he should have. It wasn't that he was trying to neglect her; he just wanted everything out of the way before the new baby arrived.

Fern sighed softly as she sat by the window, wondering when Saberlin would arrive. She knew he was probably busy, but hoped that it would be soon. They hadn't gotten to spend a lot of time together, and after the twins came they would have even less time. She frowned and folded her arms on the windowsill, laying her head on top of them.

Pulling neatly into the luxury inn's guest parking lot, he brought the sleek black car to a halt and switched off the ignition, stepping elegantly out of the driver's side before locking the vehicle. Saberlin ran a hand distractedly through platinum gold locks, sweeping stray strands out of his eyes as he walked casually up to the main reception.

He felt guilty that Fern had had to wait an extra hour and a half for him to arrive and let out another soft sigh, long leopard tail swishing in agitation. The building's automatic doors whooshed silently open before him as he entered the lobby, looking around for his wife.
Fern smiled as she saw the sleek black car pull into the parking lot for the window. She hurried down the stairs, arriving in the lobby just as Saberlin walked through the doors. She went over and hugged him tightly, smiling.

He was taken by surprise as she caught him up in a hug, seemingly from out of nowhere.

Saberlin’s pale gold eyes glowed warmly as he returned it, chuckling a little. “I apologise for being this late. Thank you for waiting for me, my beautiful flower” Gently tilting her chin up, he placed a light kiss on Fern’s cheek. “There was an unexpected delay but I finally managed to leave work behind. I promise, from here on in it shall be just you and I. No more interruptions” Although he looked slightly pale and there were dark smudges under his eyes, Saberlin was smiling happily, evidently joyful to see her.

Fern smiled, and laid her head against his chest. "I'm glad. You've been working so hard lately." She looked up at him. "You look so tired and pale." She reached up and laid her hand on his cheek. "You must have been working really hard on things."

He just continued to smile, though it faded slightly as a renewed wave of guilt washed over him at her mention of the work hours he’d been putting in. He was hoping she hadn’t noticed the effects. The last thing he wanted was to cause his beloved more concern. “Oh…does it really seem so? Well, it is nothing to worry about I assure you, my flower. I’m certain a good night’s rest is all that is needed” Saberlin’s leopard ears twitched as a faint blush tinged his skin. He decided to switch the subject. “More importantly, how are you feeling? Is everything going alright?” he asked with genuine concern, wondering if there was anything he could do for her.

She nodded a little, a good nights sleep would do the trick. She smiled a little. "I'm feeling fine. The twins are doing great. They've started to move around quite a bit." Her smile widened.
“That’s wonderful. I’m glad to hear it” Saberlin seemed to glow with pride when she said that, delighted that they were all doing well. He was proud of his wife and would do anything to keep her and their children healthy and happy, even to the extreme.

A sudden loud growling noise from the vicinity of his stomach interrupted him as he was about to place another light kiss, this time on her lips and Saberlin pulled away, blushing a shade of bright red. He tried to remember when last he had eaten and came up with a vague image of grilled fish sometime around yesterday morning. “Uh…are you feeling at all hungry? Perhaps we should find something to eat” he suggested, looking somewhat sheepish.

Fern giggled slightly, smiling. She was a bit hungry herself. "Food sounds like a good idea." She knew how Saberlin could get so wrapped up in his work. She worried about him often, as he would seem to tune out the world and focus on what he was working on. "Come on, lets get you something to eat."

“Alright, I think the restaurant is this way” he nodded, politely offering his arm to lead the way there. He had looked up their accommodation well in advance before they had booked it, being the organised soul that he was.

Wandering down a large, well-lit hallway towards the inn’s dining area, past bookcases and polished vases containing sumptuous flowers, he struggled to stifle a yawn, blinking back hot tears which prickled at the corners of his eyes. Saberlin resisted the urge to rub them, knowing that would only make it worse. He settled instead for loosening the tie around his neck. “Is there anything in particular that you feel like eating? I read that the grilled prawns and the tropical fruit salad are both exceptionally good” He smiled at Fern, ready to order anything she asked for.

Fern smiled, taking Saberlin's arm as they went to the restaurant. She though for a bit when he asked what she wanted. It all sounded delicious. "Hmmmm....Pancakes...I have a craving for Pancakes." She smiled a little.  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

“Then pancakes it shall be, with whatever toppings you desire” He agreed with a hint of amusement, finding them a table to occupy. Saberlin pulled out a chair for Fern first, assisting her into her seat and making sure she was as comfortably settled as a woman five months into her pregnancy could be before taking a place for himself.

Picking up one of the menus, he spread it open before him, curled his leopard tail out of the way of any passers by, and began to peruse the lists of available food; caught between ordering the inn’s famous grilled prawns or their lemon baked sweet fish. It was a tough decision to make when your brain felt sluggish as cold syrup.

She smiled. "Yum. Pancakes with strawberries." She smiled again as he helped her into her chair and thanked him. She watched him as he scaned the menu, trying to decide on what to eat. She smiled again. It seemed like such a long time since they'd spent time together.

Finally able to decide, he flipped the menu closed and looked up as a shadow fell across their table. A young girl had appeared, pencil and notebook at the ready. “May I take your orders?” she enquired in a cheerful tone.

Smiling at the wait staff, he told her their choices, ordering a pitcher of iced water as well. Once she had gone, he sighed and leaned back in his chair, regarding Fern with the gentle, warm gaze usually reserved only for her. “So…have you thought about any names yet?” he asked softly, attempting a conversation. “I know it’s a little early but…it doesn’t hurt to think ahead, right?”

She smiled. "Yeah, I suppose." She put her hand on her stomach. "I haven't thought much about names. I figured it was something we should decide together."

“Yes, you are right. I just thought I’d see if you had come up with any since the last time we talked about it. I…have thought of a few; nothing that seems to really stick out yet though” He fished something out of his white shirt pocket and placed it tentatively on the table in front of her. It was a small, lined notepad, the pages filled with all kinds of names scrawled in a neat and precise hand.

“I know our choices will probably change once they arrive but I couldn’t help thinking of potential candidates” Saberlin grinned. He was just about to ask Fern what she thought of ‘Sabi’ or ‘Cleo’ or ‘Asphodel’, when he was interrupted by the arrival of their food. The man quickly moved out of the way as the friendly waitress placed down a plate of pancakes with ripe red strawberries, a pitcher of iced spring water, crystal glasses and a dish of delicate baked fish. “Wow, this all looks delicious!”

Fern picked up the notebook, looking through the names. "Well it's definitely more than I've come up with." She smiled, laughing a bit. She set the notebook down as their food arrived. "You're right, It does look delicious." She smiled. It almost looked too good to eat.

Picking up his cutlery with mouth watering, he tried a small piece of the fish and found he was not disappointed in the slightest by its taste. It was cooked just the way he liked it; tender and delicate, without the flavour of lemons being too overpowering. After nothing but bitter coffee to keep him in check, this was something like a feast. Saberlin almost purred as he ate, his tail tip curling and uncurling in a pleased feline manner. "How are the pancakes my beautiful flower? Are they to your liking?" he inquired, watching as deep pink syrup dripped slowly over the fluffy pastry. They certainly knew how to cook in this place.

Fern smiled and watched Saberlin as he ate. He seemed to be enjoy the food. She picked up her own fork, smiling as she tasted the pancakes. "They're delicious. Nice and fluffy." She ate another forkful, making sure she got one of the strawberries this time.

There was a light snuffling sound from Saberlin’s end of the table. His normally composed self was fast asleep, completely oblivious to the world.

Somehow he had managed to fall face down on his plate of fish, one arm knocking over a glass of ice water as it sprawled next to him, yet he didn’t seem to notice the cold liquid soaking into his shirt sleeve.

Fern tried not to laugh as she looked up from her meal to see Saberlin, asleep face down in his food. She gently shook his shoulder, holding bak laughter. "Saberlin sweetie, come on. If you're tired lets go back to our room."

Ah, he had done it again hadn’t he; fallen asleep at the desktop computer when he was in the middle of something important. And now his assistant was shaking him awake, probably going to make him another cup of that bitter, strong coffee... Something was strange though. All the familiar aches and sprains were in the right places and his body was slumped in that awkward position but he didn’t remember his keyboard being so…squishy the last time he checked.

Saberlin’s light amber eyes flickered open as Fern’s hand on his shoulder shook him awake. He blinked a few times, trying to remember where he was. Then reality hit and he realised he was lying on a sticky baked trout with a soaking wet shirt sleeve in the middle of a restaurant with Fern.

“Ah…I’m…I’m terribly sorry” he apologised, bolting up into sitting position a little too quickly and watching the room spin around with a sort of detached interest. How had he been so careless? Had anyone seen?! This was completely out of character.

Fern frowned a little. "Are you alright Saberlin? Maybe we should go back to our room. You look like you could really use some sleep." She was worried. He always worked so hard he'd forget when to take a break, even for sleep.

Reaching for a napkin, he shook it out and began to clean off his cheek, sighing as he did so. Saberlin’s leopard ears twitched. He felt bad for causing a scene and worrying Fern.
Managing a smile, he pushed back his chair and rose to his feet as a waitress came to help clean up the spill, making sure not to trip her with his tail.

“I’m just fine. Everything seems to have caught up to me all at once that’s all. I didn’t realise…” he trailed off, not knowing how to continue. It was more like he was ignoring the warning signs rather than not ‘realising’.

“Anyway, please don’t let me ruin your meal. Stay here and finish, take as long as you like. I’ll just be in our room if you need me, honey” He didn’t want to leave her here alone, however he was sure he wasn’t that great company in his present state.

Fern smiled a little, gently rubbing Saberlins ears. "It's alright. You've been working hard, you just need to rest." She helped the waitress clean up the spill. "I dont mind. I'm full anyways."

A red tinge crept into his skin as she unexpectedly petted his ears and his eyelids slid closed for a moment over keen golden orbs. She had caught him off guard. Saberlin pushed away the desire to purr. Fern knew all of his weak spots. He supposed being part leopard had it's advantages at times, although he was glad that the person he trusted most was the only one who knew about them.

Regaining some composure once she'd released the soft cat ears, he offered Fern his arm to escort her back to their room, hearing her say she was full. "Well then, if you're sure. I promise I'll make this up to you later. All of you..." he leaned down with a warm smile, kissing her on the cheek before heading back out of the dining area together, walking slowly so the world stayed proper and steady without swirling.

Fern took his arm, smiling as he kissed her. 'Alright, but after you've gotten some rest. I think someones earned a nice long cat nap for working so hard."

She giggled a little, following him back to their room.

"Just wait until you see the new prosthetics we've been working on. It's almost in the final stages of completion. And we developed a new vaccine as well, for those susceptible to claw-scratch fever" Missing the slight tease, he began to ramble on about the lastest projects as they walked side by side, wanting to share the excitement with Fern and let her know about some of the things that had occupied his time so effectively in the past weeks. Unfortunately, Saberlin was cut short in his passionate explanations as the door to their room appeared in front of them, causing him to pause to look for the keycard. He searched through his pockets for the thin bit of plastic, turning a few inside out. Did he even have it? He couldn't remember too clearly.

Fern smiled and listened to him intently as they walked. She loved listening to him talk, no matter what it was about. Although his work didn't give her the same excitement that he got from it she was happy to hear it. She giggled a bit as she watched him fumbling for the key card and placed the small piece of plastic in his hand.

"Hm...what's this?" He stopped rummaging around abruptly when he felt something cool and thin placed into his left hand and turned to see that Fern had given him the keycard. Of course, she had arrived here before him and would have signed in. Laughing softly, he thanked her then ran the card through the slot on the door to release the lock mechanism.

After a second there was a small clicking sound. Saberlin grabbed the silver handle and pushed the door open slowly, revealing the room beyond. It was a luxury suite, complete with a large, luxurious looking bed, soft plush feeling carpet, an ensuite equipped with a spa, a flat screen tv and plenty of other useful or expensive furniture and appliances. The room had been stocked with practically everything they could need and there was even a small kitchen and lounge area. "Ladies first" Moving aside, he waited for Fern to enter, trying to cover a yawn.

Fern smiled at Saberlin and headed into the suite. It was beautiful and so roomy. "Wow." She couldn't think of anything better to say.  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

Following after her, he shut the door gently behind him with a flick of his tail and wandered over to the bed to sit down after removing his shoes. A sweet, tropical, almost musky scent filled the room, emanating from a vase of oriental white lilies arranged on the stand by the bedside. Climbing up onto the mattress, he lay back to relax for a while, intent upon chatting some more with Fern. However, his head had barely touched the pillows when everything dissolved into a peaceful darkness. For now, it didn’t matter that his shirt was still damp or his tie was mangled; Saberlin was sleeping soundly as a rock, flaxen gold spikes falling over his eyes.

Fern smiled slightly when she saw Saberlin asleep. She sat quietly unpacked a few books from her bag and sat quietly on the couch so she wouldn't bother him. He needed to rest. She wrapped herself up in a blanket and began reading, letting her mind wander among the author's words.

Saberlin had begun to dream. He was in a tropical jungle, surrounded by a myriad of sights and sounds; tropical birds trilling and chirruping, insects serenading and tiny frogs croaking. Jewel coloured butterflies flitted lazily through the warm golden air, hovering over all kinds of bright, beautiful flowers. He smiled as he padded through the jungle, feeling soft mulch crumble underneath silent paw pads, his spotted coat blending easily with the surroundings.

Coming out into a clearing where a small, musical waterfall tumbled down into a crystal clear pool thinking to get a drink, his smile suddenly widened into a large feline grin and Saberlin in leopard form bounded towards the maiden there with graceful strides; “Fern!”

“Nn…Fern?” Saberlin sat up as he awoke, blinking as the dream of the jungle dissolved. It had been so vivid that it was taking a few moments for him to realise where he was again. Still, it had been infused with such joyful feelings; Saberlin couldn’t wipe the glad smile from his face as he said her name.

Fern looked up from her book as she heard Saberlin call her name. She smiled at him and carefully got up off the couch. She sat down next to him on the bed, smiling. "What is it sweetie?" She gently stroked her fingers through his hair, gently scratching behind his ears.

((Sorry, that was my attempt at a time lapse. Lol. I assumed a few hours had passed since the time the dream began to the point of waking up. Just to make things clear. ^_^ Oh and there’s no magic involved in the transformation. It’s something to do with some enhanced jewellery he’s wearing.))

Saberlin shook his head at her query, shifting over to allow her more room on the edge of the mattress. He didn’t want his precious flower falling off. “Oh, it was nothing. Simply a very good dream, in which you happened to make an appearance” he chuckled softly, lifting a hand to trail claw tipped fingers through a lock of her silken, dark chocolate strands. Glancing towards the door furtively, he suddenly allowed an indulgent and very feline smirk to stretch across his features. It had been so long. Why not?

A pure soft white light filled the room for a heartbeat. Then there was a fully grown leopard stretched out beside Fern. Saberlin nudged into her hand gently, permitting the rumbling beginnings of a purr to thrum to life somewhere in the vicinity of his chest. He was careful to keep the sound to a minimum though. A leopard at maximum volume was likely to alert other guests.

Fern smiled as Saberlin transformed. She Laid down on the bed next to him, gently stroking his fur. She smiled. He was so soft, so beautiful. She began to wonder if their babies would have fur as soft and beautiful as Saberlin's. She laid her head against his shoulder, scratching behind his ear gently.

The rumbling sounds deepeened, increasing in volume as leopard-Saberlin leaned into her touch, his whiskers splayed out with pleasure. Curling his long golden tail around, he draped it protectively yet lovingly over Fern. He was careful not to lean too much weight against her, well aware of how much he weighed in comparison to a human female and of her current condition.

It was such bliss, simply to be able to spend time together like this! Forget about work, let stress melt away... Saberlin put a paw out elegantly, splaying large, wicked-looking claws as he stretched. He was pondering in amusement over the reaction should anyone happen to discover them at this moment. The vibrations from his purring were travelling through the entire bed by this time and probably through Fern as well; an obvious sign of his happiness. "I'm so glad to have met you. You know, you're one of the very few people I can trust with just about all my secrets" he smiled, talking softly out of precaution.

Fern smiled, giggling softly as she felt Saberlin purring. She was happy to see him so relaxed and at ease. He'd been working so hard latley, she felt partially responsible. She smiled as she heard what he said, and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad we met too Saberlin. I feel very lucky to be the wife of someone so unique, so special, so....Absolutely perfect."

Nudging her as she kissed his cheek, he gave a low growling sound that could be taken as laughter. "Be careful not to get fur on your tongue, my love. It wouldn't do to suffer a hairball"

His tail twitched somewhat mischievously as he spoke, teasing her gently. He loved the sound of her laughter, her selfless kindness, her creativity. There were so many things he loved about Fern and one of them was her ability to see past what was on the outside and accept him, and others, for what they were. "I am truly blessed to be with someone like you" he admitted. He knew, no matter how hard he looked, he would never find another just like her in all the world. She was his beautiful flower.

As Saberlin was mulling over these affectionate observations, he suddenly felt a faint flutter of movement near his side. "Was that...are they moving?!" he asked incredulously as he lightly nosed her belly, a note of delight creeping into his voice.

Fern giggled as she felt Saberlins tail twitch. She loved Saberlins playfulness. She giggled again as she felt his nose against her belly. "Mm-hmm. They just moved. I guess they're up from their nap now." She giggled and put her free hand on top of her belly, smiling.

His amber eyes gleamed as he listened to Fern’s giggling. Leopard-Saberlin twitched long white whiskers as he poked her again with his damp nose. “My apologies, am I tickling you?” he asked innocently, trying to hide a large grin. He wondered what it felt like for her when they moved. Like butterflies? Like gas? Hm, maybe not gas exactly. Saberlin couldn’t begin to imagine. The thundering sounds of purring faded a little as he lowered the volume so she could hear him speak. “What…what does it does it feel like? I mean…” How to ask such a question?

Fern giggled again, smiling. "Yes. That tickles." She kissed him again, giggling. She quieted down as she thought of how to describe the way it felt when the babies moved. "Hmm...Well...It kind of feels like I've got butterflies in my stomach or like there's a ladybug crawling across my tummy. It hurts a bit sometimes when they kick my ribs, but I enjoy the feeling most of the time." She laid her head against his side, stroking his fur gently.

Saberlin studied her closely as she answered, pale gold orbs reflecting both awe and curiosity. "Incredible. Simply amazing! And...they can kick your ribs from in there? It doesn't seem like there would be much room..." he murmured, beginning to purr more loudly again as he permitted another indulgent smile to cross his face. "You know, I can't wait to..." the joyful sentence trailed off. Raising his head as his sensitive ears caught the sounds of footsteps approaching their room, he froze perfectly still. There was a brief white glow just as, a few seconds later, someone knocked on the door with a message about room service and luggage.

Snuggled near Fern, now in his normal form, Saberlin let out a slow, shaky breath. Too close for comfort. Someone could have heard...and the door wasn't locked.

Climbing off the large bed, he kissed Fern lightly on the cheek by way of apology and went to investigate, opening the door. "Yes?" he politely enquired.

She smiled. "No, it doesn't, huh? I suppose right now they've got a bit of room,but soon they'll be rather cramped in there." She put her hand on her stomach as one of the twins moved again.

"Cant wait to what?" She looked over at the door when she heard someone knock. She was about to get up but Saberlin had already answered the door. She sighed a little, laying down on her side.

Outside stood two of the staff of the inn bearing a full suitcase rack in tow. Ah, of course, they had had to bring all the travel bags to their room. "Your luggage sir. Also, if you could sign here? Would you like breakfast to be brought the next morning..."

Signing the few forms they presented, he helped to bring suitcases and bags into the room then firmly closed and locked the door, turning back to Fern. "That was a little close for my liking. I forgot about bringing the things from the car" He sighed, brushing stray spikes of flaxen gold from his face. "Oh, I almost forgot something else. Hold on" Pausing in his movements, Saberilin's tail swished as he headed over to one of the bags, fishing something out of the pockets. Walking over to Fern, he kept his expression blank. "Please hold out your hand"

Fern sat up, smiling a bit. "What is it?" She held out her hand for him, wondering what he had in his hand.

He gently lifted her hand a little closer and brought his other hand forward to drop something cool, light and metallic into her outstretched palm. It glittered as it fell, the chain snaking into patterns. “I had a look at some of the shops on the way here. There was this store selling handmade jewellery and one of the pieces caught my interest. I thought of you when I saw it.”

It was a fine chain of bright gold, hung with tiny golden fern leaves and in the centre a larger leaf, almost an exact replica of the delicate plant it was crafted after. Miniature, light green crystals studded the large fern leaf, adding a splash of extra colour to the necklace. “It’s not much really...just something pretty” he added, trying to hide the pink warmth spreading into his cheeks. His leopard ears twitched as he spoke. Saberlin was hoping she liked it.

Fern smiled, gasping softly. "It's beautiful Saberlin. I love it, thank you." She hugged him, smiling. He may not have thought it was much but she loved it. She put the small cain around her neck, smiling.

Saberlin gasped as he was pulled into an unexpected hug, then relaxed after a second, lips curling into a fanged smile. "Really, it was nothing. Anything for you my flower. I love to see you happy" he kissed her cheek softly, moving away so she could fasten the chain around her neck.

The glimmering gold harmonised well against the earthy tones of Fern's hair and skin and the sprinkle of green was just enough to add extra interest without being garish. Saberlin smiled his approval, tail swishing happily. "My dear, you look radiant. I'm almost of a mind to show you off" he chuckled. Getting an idea, he held out his hand again, this time as a gesture for her to take it, should she choose to. "In fact, how about we go for a walk? This place is situated near the seaside so they may have a nice beach around here."

Fern smiled. "A walk by the beach? That sounds wonderful." She took his hand and stood up, fishing a pair of sandals out of one of her bags. She slipped them on and kissed Saberlins cheek.
Saberlin found his own shoes while Fern put on her sandals, even though they were probably just going to get sand in them. Once they were ready to go, he led the way out of the room and down to the main reception, where he asked for directions.

Saberlin soon found himself leading the way along a small track between flowers, lush foilage and palm trees. The sand was powdery, soft and golden white beneath their shoes. He smiled faintly as the tangy ocean breeze caressed their faces. It was refreshing.

Fern followed beside Saberlin, smiling happily. The fresh sea breeze felt so nice. She inhaled deeply, letting out a contented sigh and leaned her head against Saberlins shoulder.

Heading further down onto the beach, he walked slowly along the sea shore alongside Fern, watching as small, glittering waves rushed playfully onto the beach and soaked into the shining wet sand before another washed over their place, trailing frothy white foam. "It's so peaceful here" he observed, "A welcome change of environment. Do you think we should come down here for a swim tomorrow?"

She sighed happily as she listened to the sound of the waves, closing her eyes. She looked up at Saberlin and nodded. "That sounds like a great idea. We could bring a picnic too."  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

"That is a good suggestion" he agreed, thinking of putting in Fern's favourite foods. "We should bring some snacks along too. Swimming can work up quite an appetite"

Continuing to meander slowly along the serene beach, Saberlin looked out over the water at the glowing sun dipping into the sea along the horizon. Its beams tinged the shimmering waves with tropical tangerines and ruby reds and painted the sky with a warm peach glow. He took a deep breath of the salty air, enjoying the soft breeze sweeping off the ocean.

Curling his tail lightly around Fern's waist in an affectionate gesture, he appreciated the moment. There probably wouldn't be many more opportunities like this in a few month's time.

Glancing down at his wristwatch, Saberlin realised they would have to return to the room shortly. Unless..."It will become dusk soon. What do you say to a spot of stargazing? We don't have to stay late, just until the first appear"

Fern smiled as she gazed at the sunset, watching the sky change to beautiful colors. She looked up at Saberlin and smiled. "Sure, I dont mind staying a bit longer."

"Alright then" he nodded. Walking some way further along the beach, he waited until the tinge of pink began fading from the sky before eventually turning around to head back towards the inn.

By and by, pinpoints of bright multi coloured lights began to appear scattered here and there throughout the indigo heavens, lending their beauty to the evening world.

Fern stared up at the sky in awe as they walked. The stars were so beautiful. they were so bright and clear, she could make out almost every constellation she knew.

Saberlin found a hillock of sand and sat down so he could star gaze, swishing his tail around to pat the sand smooth. The grainy substance still radiated warmth from exposure to the sun's rays, countering the slight chill that had begun creeping into the ocean winds.

Leaning back on his hands, Saberlin looked up at the twinkling confetti of stars on display, leaving a smoothed spot for Fern to sit beside him if she wished. He eyes glowed slightly citrine in the growing darkness. "They really are magnificent, aren't they? I used to study them when I was younger. I never realised there were so many diffferent kinds of light before until I started to read about them"

Fern smiled and sat by Saberlin, gazing up at the stars. She leand against his shoulder. "They are beautiful. I didn't know you studied stars."

Idly scooping up a handful of dry sand, he let it sift through his fingers as he continued to watch the night sky, wrapping his tail lightly around Fern once more. "Mm, I used to. Just as a hobby. They used to have exhibitions on at an observatory I liked to visit and every once in a while, something special would happen, like a rare star or a falling star shower. It was something my father and I would do together" he smiled, recalling fond memories from times in the past. It was because of his father he had grown so interested in science and technology and what it could do. Out of that fascination had also sprung the desire to help others. That was one of the reasons he was so passionate about his work.

Fern began stroking Saberlin's tail as she listened to him. "That sounds amazing. I've never seen a shooting star before." She looked up at the sky, gazing at the sparkling lights.

"Is that so?" Saberlin asked quietly. He felt slightly sorry that Fern had never been able to see one before, fleeting though they were. He was going to suggest that they stay longer to watch for one, however, there were no guarantees of an appearance and the night was beginning to grow cold. Concerned for her health and safety, he decided they should probably head back to their room. Surely there would be plenty more nights for stargazing.

Smiling, he teasingly tickled Fern with his tail before slipping it out of her hands. Rising to his feet, he brushed off any sand then offered a hand to help her up as usual. "Come on dear, it's growing cold. I think we should go back to the Inn. Don't worry, I promise I'll find a way for you to see a shooting star some day. I have something in mind"

Fern continued to stare up at the sky, hoping to see a falling star. She giggled as Saberlin tickled her and looked up at him. She nodded, beginning to feel the chill, and took his hand. "Alright. It is getting kinda cold." She followed him back to their room, wondering what Saberlin had in mind.

Helping to pull his pregnant wife to her feet, he walked with Fern back along the cool, sandy beach to the Inn, listening to the rushing and sighing of the water and the chirruping crickets in the surrounding bush. His eyes gleamed bright yellow-gold in the gloom. Saberlin could see quite well in the darkness, aided by his feline sight, though it could seem a bit eerie at times.

By the time they reached the door to their room again, Saberlin was shivering slightly. Full night had fallen and the air had grown cooler as the temperature dropped a few degrees without the warmth of the sun’s light.

Procuring the key card from somewhere on his person, he swiped it through the lock and then swung the door open, stepping aside so Fern could go in first. He was thinking about this point that a warm bath would be just the thing.

Fern hurried into the room, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders. She shivered a bit, cold from being outside for so long. "Brrr...I wish it was warmer outside. I would have liked to stargaze with you a bit longer." She smiled at Saberlin, offering part of the blanket she was wrapped in to him.

“Well now that can hardly be helped. It would seem that autumn still has some bite left in it” Saberlin chuckled softly, watching her grab the nearest blanket to ward off the cold. “I’m almost certain the stars will still be hung in their places in the heavens the next night and the next…” He smirked, teasing her lightly. He had decided not to tell Fern about his brilliant idea yet, thinking it would be a nice surprise if he revealed it to her later. And besides, there were details to arrange beforehand.

Closing the door and locking it securely behind them, he glanced around the room then transformed sleekly into his leopard form once more. Grabbing a corner of the blanket she had offered him in his teeth, Saberlin instead began tugging on it firmly yet gently enough not to pull her by force, pulling her backwards towards the plush couch with little jerking motions. There was definitely a hint of playfulness about this.

Fern smiled as she watched Saberlin turn into the sleek leopard and reached down to stroke his fur gently. She giggled as he began to tug her towards the couch. "Alright, alright." She giggled and sat on the couch, leaning her head on the arm of the couch.

Bounding up beside her the moment she sat down, he snuggled close to Fern and began to purr softly, just like a giant housecat. He had taken up half of the couch but he left enough room for her to stretch out her legs if she wanted to.

Spotting the remote control for the television balanced on an arm of the sofa, he hit the device with a lazy flick of his tail, sparking the TV screen to life. “I wonder if there’s anything worth watching.” He remarked. Saberlin didn’t usually watch much TV, except for the occasional movie, the news or a documentary about animals. He believed most of it was rubbish.

Fern smiled and began to pet Saberlin. She loved the sound of his purring. She closed her eyes as she stroked her fingers through his fur. "Maybe. I'd rather take a nap though. I'm exhausted." She swung her legs up on the couch, yawning.

Flicking through the channels with a detached feeling of disinterest and a growing heaviness around his eyelids, Saberlin quickly came to the same conclusion. Fern had the right idea. Tapping the remote to turn the TV off again, he gave an enourmous yawn that showed all of his pointed teeth, laying his head down on Fern's lap as he drifted off to sleep with a steady, rhythmic purring. Prrr...prrrr...prrrr!

Fern ran her fingers through his soft fur smiling as Saberlin purred. It had a homey feeling, like the ticking of an old clock. She was quickly lulled to sleep by the rhythmic sound of his purring.

Saberlin awoke early the next morning as he felt gentle, radiant sunlight falling on his face. Pale golden eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks before the man's slitted eyes flickered open and he looked around the room, leopard ears twitching slightly as he tried to remember where he was. Glancing at his watch briefly out of habit, he noted that it was six thirty a.m exactly. Six thirty - no! He should have been up at five thir - ohh, that was right, he was on holiday now. He didn't have to wake up so soon.

Smirking and shaking his head at his own forgetfulness, Saberlin looked down at Fern sleeping beside him and a tender smile formed on his face. He lay back down beside his wife, trying not to wake her. She looked so beautiful and peaceful...almost angelic. Lifting a hand, he lightly brushed some stray chocolate strands from her eyes.

Fern slept soundly, smiling a little as she felt Saberlin's fingers. She woke up shortly after and smiled up at him. "G'morning..." She rolled over to her side, laying a hand across her stomach.

He smiled back warmly, moving away little so she wouldn't fall off the side of the couch by mistake. "Good morning my flower. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. Did you sleep well?" he asked pleasantly, wondering if their twins had kept her awake like they sometimes did.

Saberlin was feeling a lot more energised and refreshed this morning. It was a great feeling, knowing that they had the whole day to spend together doing whatever they pleased! Still, he was glad that he'd had the foresight to switch his mobile phone off. He would have been tempted to answer calls from work otherwise.

Fern nodded smiling. "Yes. The twins slept all night too." She sat up, stretching. "Do you want something to eat? I can make us breakfast...Oh, right...Or rather we could go get some breakfast." She giggled a little at herself.

Saberlin leaned forward and kissed her briefly by way of a morning greeting, glad that they had all rested well. "That's good to hear" he smiled, rising from the couch and trying to straighten his crushed suit at the same time. He'd forgotten he was still in his work clothes from the day before. It was going to be a pain to iron...oh well.

He held out a clawed hand to help Fern up off the couch, his expression showing a hint of amusement. "Eat here, dine out or make our own, whatever you would like my dear. I admit, I do feel quite the appetite coming on. Probably my leopard instincts" he grinned, his long tail swishing. "What are you in the mood for today?"

Fern smiled as she took Saberlins hand. "Hmm..well a breakfast of toast and eggs sounds really good. How about you? What are you in the mood for today?" She smiled at him.

Saberlin considered this a moment. “Hmm…I think I’d like much the same, except with the addition of bacon” he grinned. He was something of a meat lover, although, only if he did not have to prepare the meat himself. Saberlin couldn’t hurt a fly…well, maybe mosquitoes; they caused a lot of trouble. “Let’s go down to the café and see what they have there,” he suggested. “It shouldn’t take us too long to get ready. I believe they serve breakfast until ten o clock”

Fern nodded, smiling. "Alright." She got up to get dressed. She returned a few minutes later wearing a cream colored sundress. She was fidgeting with the clasp on the necklace Saberlin gave her. She was having trouble getting it on.

“Please, allow me to assist…” Walking out from the bathroom, dressed yet with his hair and fur still in damp spikes, Saberlin stepped behind her and gently brushed her fingers aside, helping Fern to fasten the delicate clasp. He smiled as he playfully spun her around to have a proper look at her. “There now, you look as stunning as ever” he smirked, feeling a swell of pride well up as he gazed upon the lovely creature that was his wife. The necklace matched quite agreeably with the attire she had chosen. “So then, shall we head down to breakfast?” he asked, being somewhat bullied by his own demanding stomach.

Fern smiled, blushing a bit as Saberlin complimented her. She nodded, grasping his hand. "Alright."  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

Walking into the Inn’s café with Fern, he found a nice table by some large, open style windows that looked out over the sky, the sparkling sea and the beach. It had turned out to be a sunny, mild morning with barely a wisp of cloud in sight. By early afternoon it should have climbed to just the right temperature for swimming and a picnic.

“Good morning, would you two like some menus to browse?”

Looking up at the friendly young waitress who had come over to greet them, Saberlin politely refused while pulling out a chair for Fern to take, if she wished. He tried to save her from having to bend down or strain herself too much with her growing belly but it was also out of politeness. “No thank you. We would like to order something though. Fern, would you like to go first?” he offered, smiling as he firmly told his appetite to wait its turn. There were some drawbacks to being part leopard.

Fern sat in the chair Saberlin had pulled out for her, smiling as she looked out the window. It was gorgeous out. She looked up at the waitress. "Could I get toast and scrambled eggs?"

Ordering bacon, eggs and a slice of toast for himself, he waited for the waitress to walk away before turning back to Fern. “So, what else would you like to do today? Maybe we should walk around and see what sort of things they have here. I remember reading something about local shops – or we can go straight to the beach. Personally, I wouldn’t mind spending the entire day there,” he grinned.

Fern smiled some and looked out the window. It was such a gorgeous day, she couldn't imagine doing anything but spending it outside. "Spending the day on the beach sounds great. I wouldn't mind it." She smiled. "We'll have to bring lots of sunscreen."

Saberlin nodded in agreement at Fern's comment. "You are right. The rays of the sun can be harsh, so I brought several bottles with me just in case - and some aloe vera gel"

One could never be too prepared, in Saberlin's opinion. It was better to be safe than sorry. He had even booked many hospitals and medical staff way in advance, so something like sunscreen was of course taken care of! "Ah, here comes our breakfast. It smells delicious" he observed, sniffing appreciatively as the waitress returned and placed their orders in front of them. The bacon was burnt just how he liked it. "Thank you, it looks wonderful" he smiled, picking up his fork.

"Good, then it's settled. A day of relaxing on the beach it is." Fern thanked the waitress as she brought their food and began to eat, smiling. The food was delicious. She stared outside as she ate, wondering what it would be like once the twins had arrived.

Saberlin set to devouring his food quickly yet neatly, making it disappear without spilling a single crumb. It didn't take him long to finish - he almost seemed to inhale it.

Soon, he was placing his cutlery on the nearly spotless plate with a soft clink, setting his empty glass of iced water down by its side. "Ahh, that was a great meal. It's the second time I've been so impressed" he smiled, thinking of the fish the other day with his tail swishing happily. "How was your meal, my flower?"

"Hmm?" Fern tore her gaze from the window, giving Saberlin a confused look. She had started to daydream and hadn't paid much attention to her food. "Oh, it was good." She smiled. She'd only eaten half of it, but it still had been delicious. "Should we go and get ready for our day at the beach then?"

"Sure, let's go then!" he nodded, standing up from the table to go back to their room together. He wondered what Fern had been thinking about before.

A short time later, back in their room, Saberlin had already ordered the picnic food baskets from the inn and was now busy trying to find everything he figured they might need for the beach. A beach umbrella, swimming clothes, drinking water, a towel, sunscreen...

As he was putting the last item into the beach bag he'd packed, something fell out of his pocket, bouncing on the bed a few times before falling off and clattering loudly to the ground.

"Oops, I think that was my phone!" he said, trying to see where it had gone. Picking it up, he checked to see if it was damaged, pressing the power button to see whether it would still work. "Bling!" The phone bleeped at him as the screen came to life, announcing that he had several unread text messages. Saberlin's ears twitched curiously. Hmm...okay, so the phone was still working...oh, that message was from his work colleague. And that one too! It could be important. Maybe if he just checked one...

Absorbed in what he was doing, he didn't notice whether Fern had seen or not. She probably wouldn't be happy if she knew he was thinking about work again.

Once back at the hotel, Fern changed into some more beach appropriate clothes, putting her swimsuit on underneath. She came back into the bedroom and spotted Saberlin checking his phone. She st down on the couch while she waited. It must have been something important from work.

Checking through the messages, Saberlin began to smirk, then smile, then grin so wide he was showing his fangs before finally he ended up with a frown. “Hmm…” Turning the small device off in disgust and snapping it shut, he tossed the phone into his suitcase, picking up the beach bag instead. Looking around, he spotted Fern on the couch and gave a somewhat sheepish laugh. “Ah, not good news from work I’m afraid. It looks like our experiment with the Fectious Mildslime vaccine backfired. They were going so well and now…ah well, I’m just glad to be with you, my flower. Let’s get going. Sorry for the delay” he smiled, leading the way out to the beach.

With the inn built right alongside the sea, it didn’t take long to get there. Saberlin dumped the beach bag on the warm sand and set up the umbrella to provide them some shade. “Come along, shall we go for a swim?” he grinned, feeling his playful spirit emerging.

She smiled a little. She knew Saberlin was worried about work, but part of her wished he would try and forget about it and relax. She stood up as Saberlin headed to the door. She couldn't wait to get to the beach.

Fern smiled as they aproached the beach. It was such a beautiful day. The water looked so cool and refreshing, she couldn't wait to get in. She looked to Saberlin "Alright lets go. But first," She reached into the beach bag, pulling out a bottle. "we both need to put on some sunscreen." She smiled.

“Oh, whoops, almost forgot…how careless of me” Saberlin’s grin slipped a little and his ears drooped slightly as she produced the bottle of sunscreen. He didn’t much care for the sticky feeling it left on his skin but Fern was absolutely right. There was no point in getting sunburn. Grateful for the reminder, he fished the other bottle out of the bag and squeezed some onto his palms, beginning to rub it in.

Suddenly feeling a mischievous spark, Saberlin leaned over and squeezed some cold sun cream on Fern’s back, trying to make her squeal. His tail swished playfully as he waited to see the reaction.

Fern squealed when she felt the cold cream on her back. "S-Saberlin?!" She hadn't been expecting him to do anything so childish.

She couldn't help but laugh, however when she saw the smile on his face. Even if it meant pulling pranks, she was glad he was enjoying himself.

He chuckled when she squeaked at the sun cream 'attack'. The expression on her face was so incredibly adorable; precisely the reason why he had done it.

“Ah ha ha! I got you well and truly” he laughed, holding up the bottle to show her as he finished undressing. Normally he was much more reserved and well focused on his tasks but Saberlin felt like he was finally starting to relax.

Fern…he felt like he could let his guard down around her and everything would be fine. Helping to rub the sun screen on where she could not reach, he clicked the cap closed on the container and put it aside. “So, are you ready to go for a swim? Let’s go…” he urged gently, getting to his feet to offer her a hand up, smiling all the while. He looked happy and full of energy instead of tired and serious.

Fern couldn't help but smile. It was nice to see Saberlin having so much fun. She finished rubbing in the sunscreen and put the bottle away. "Alright, lets go." She took Saberlins hand smiling.

Walking down to the tiny foaming waves at the water’s edge, Saberlin padded over the wet sand and waded out into the sea so the water came up to his waist. He was still holding Fern’s hand and happily tugging her along with him, though he was careful not to pull her off balance.

It was pleasantly cool and the waves were clear and lively. You could even see the sand sparkling underneath them. The water felt wonderful!

Deciding to have some more fun, he splashed Fern lightly with one hand, hoping to start a small water fight. "Got you again!" he smirked.

Fern squealed, trying to move out of the way of his splashing. The water was cold, and she hadn't gotten used to it yet. She giggled a bit. it was nice to see Saberlin having so much fun.

Saberlin laughed as she flinched at the cold water. “Sorry, sorry! I guess it was colder than I thought” he apologised; giving her time to get used to the temperature some more. “Ah, but this is nice, isn’t it? The water’s so calm” he remarked, swimming out a bit deeper to catch a piece of interesting looking driftwood floating past.

“Ow!” Jumping as something sharp panged through his tail, Saberlin brought it out of the water to see a small red crab on the end, nipping his tail tip with its big claw. No wonder it had hurt! He dropped the bit of driftwood in surprise.

Fern smiled, relaxing once she got used to the cool waters. She watched Saberlin as he saw towards the driftwood, giggling slightly when she saw the crab attached to his tail. She swam over to him and gently removed the crab from his tail. "Are you alright Saberlin?" She gently stroked his tail, kissing it where the crab and grabbed.

He laughed softly, looking slightly embarrassed as she unhooked the angry crab. "Yes, I think so. Thank you for saving my tail" he replied, trying to ignore the throbbing end where the claw had pinched it. He pulled her into a quick hug, kissing the top of her forehead lightly before letting go. "I was thinking...what do you say to a race? I was going to ask before the crab got me" he smiled. "Just for fun, nothing serious."

Fern smiled stroking his tail gently still. She smiled, giggling slightly when he kissed her forehead. "Oooh. Sounds like fun."

"Alright then, let's swim out to that rock near the centre." he raised a clawed, dripping hand and pointed out to the rock; a granite gray piece of stone encrusted with shellfish, weathered artistically by wind and tide and glistening with salt water. It would have made a good subject for a painting.

Saberlin swam back through the water, closer to shore. He didn't want to make the race too easy. "Our starting point can be somewhere here. Ready..." he began with a grin, waiting for Fern to move into place beside him so they could start.

"okay." Fern followed him to the sarting line, smiling. She knew Saberlin would probably win, but it was still fun.  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

"Ready..." Saberlin's tail swished in the water, stirring up wavelets. "Set..." there was a small amount of anticipation in the air now. He waited a few extra seconds, just to let it build. "...Go!"

Plunging gracefully forwards, he swam freestyle through the fresh, tingling waves, trying to head in a straight line for the grey rock before them. Saberlin enjoyed swimming in the sea and though he hadn't much practice at swimming he was fairly good at it. Definitely not an olympic athlete, however.

Fern followed after Saberlin, trying to keep up with him. She wasn't as good at swimming as he was however, and quickly fell behind. Still, it was fun all the same.

Reaching out, his fingers touched the dark, rough rock glistening with seaspray and Saberlin grinned in triumph, turning to see whether Fern had made it as well.

Seeing no other hand slapping the side of the craggy stone, he looked behind him and saw she was still swimming. Saberlin raised an arm and beckoned her. "Come on, you can make it. Just a bit further!" he encouraged good-naturedly, trying to cheer her on. "Swim like there's something after you!" he chuckled.

Fern laughed a bit as she swam up next to him. "Dont say things like that. It's too scary." She smiled a bit, and gave him a congratulatory kiss. She leaned against the rock, smiling. It was a very beautiful stone.

He wrapped his tail round her waist as she kissed him then pressed his forehead affectionately against hers in a very catlike manner, giving a deep, rumbling purr as he looked into her eyes. "I do apologise my flower. Nothing could ever hurt you while I'm around though. I would lay down my life to protect your own"

He apologised, yet there was still a faint tease in his tone as well as something else; an underlying thread that suggested he was dead serious. Letting go of her gently, he leaned back against the rock, resting for a moment before they raced back.

Fern smiled a bit. She leaned against the rock, looking up at the sky. She wanted to stay there forever. It was so relaxing. She sighed happily, closing her eyes.

Saberlin smiled as he caught the sound of her sigh, leopard ears flicking slightly. He was glad. It was one of the things he considered most important in their relationship: that Fern and the rest of his family, (though he was yet to meet them), were happy. If they were happy, that was enough for him. He swore he'd do anything to keep it that way.

Getting an idea as they waited for their breaths to come back (he seemed to be full of them today), Saberlin turned and climbed up the rock they were leaning against, wondering what he could see from the vantage point.

"Aha!" he remarked softly. Standing atop the rock, his keen golden eyes fell upon something quite interesting indeed. "Fern, come and see. There are seals sunning themselves on the rocks over there" He crouched down and held out his arm for her, offering to help pull her up. Saberlin knew this was the kind of thing she might enjoy. Maybe she could put them into one of her paintings.

Fern opened her eyes as Saberln climbed on the rock. She wondered what he was looking for. She took his hand and looked out to the ocean until she saw what he was talking about. "Oh! Wow." She watched the seals, smiling. They were all so beautiful. "Oh wow. I wish I could take a picture o them."

Saberlin admired the sleek seals from a distance. Their soft, dark fur and shining brown eyes. The powerful tails made for a life in the water. He watched some of them flapping a flipper, yawning widely or lazily rolling over on the sun drenched rocks. He would have liked to get closer. Maybe even swim with them. Fern would probably love that!

However, they were wild animals; they deserved to be respected. Well, he could do something about the photographs at least. "Hm...I think I may have brought something you could use for that" He told Fern thoughtfully.

"Wait here one moment my dear"Slipping off the rock back into the water, he dived under the clean waves and began to swim quickly back to shore to get the minature photographic device he'd left in the beach bag. It was a new piece of technology they'd been working on recently and Saberlin thought that a holiday would be the perfect opportunity to try it out.

"Okay." Fern watched Saberlin swim back to the beach, then turned her attention back to where the seals were. She sat on the rock, watching them swim around. It was definitely something you didn't get to see often.

Swimming back to the rock, he climbed up beside Fern again, dripping with sea water, and held up something that glinted silver in the sunlight.

"Here we go. Our newest miniature camera. It possesses infrared and ghostlight technology as well as being waterproof and able to store millions of pictures, among other things" he explained, slipping the device into Fern's palm. It was about the length of a finger and looked like a sort of flattened ball point pen with a round looking-glass piece in the top.

Saberlin was glad to let her try it out. He'd been dying to see what the picture quality was like but he wasn't very good at taking shots. "Go ahead, take as many photos and videos of them as you like. Just look through the viewfinder and press this button..."

Fern smiled as Saberlin handed her the small camera. The things his company developed were amazing. She took several shots of the seals, amazed at the cameras quality.After a while she began to get hungry though. It was probably around lunchtime.

Saberlin had been amusing himself by swimming all around the area gathering small bits and pieces of sea treasures to take back with them. He wanted to bring them to study but he also considered that perhaps Fern would be able to do something creative with them or use them in some way. The driftwood and shells made nice ornaments all on their own.

Starting to feel a little tired from swimming here and there, he decided to take another short rest on the rock. Saberlin swam over and clambered up beside Fern, balancing the seaweed strands over his shoulder and the rest (sculpted driftwood twigs and various shiny shells) in a crag on the stony side.

As he wrung out the dripping fur of his tail, he was just about to ask whether she had got any good pictures when a loud growling sound interrupted him. Saberlin blushed lightly. "Ah....I suppose it must be lunch time." he observed with a smile. "Maybe we should go back to shore. Are you hungry yet?"

Fern nodded. "Yeah." She glanced at the various treasures Saberlin had gathered. "Wow, where did you get all those?" she knelt down, admiring the shells and driftwood pieces. She had completely forgotten that she was hungry until her stomach growled.

Wondering what she was talking about, he followed her gaze to his 'collection'. "Oh, you mean those? I took them from the sea bed and the surface of the water. Some of them were just floating past within easy reach" he explained, looking rather pleased that she liked them. "I thought I would take them back to examine."

Crouching beside Fern, he picked up one of the shells lying in the crevice. It was shiny and elongated, with a lovely scroll design forming one end and a small hole in the other. It was covered in white triangular patterns, with thin lines of deep brown outlining them. "A cone shell." he remarked with interest. "Very beautiful! However, when the creature inside them is alive, never handle them. They may shoot a small barb very far and if it pierces your skin, you experience excruciating pain and in most cases, death."

Fern grimaced. "That sounds awful." She couldn't help but admire the shell's beauty, however. Her stomached growled again, this time accompanied by a soft kick from one of the twins. Fern giggled a little. "I guess the twins are getting hungry too."She smiled. "Lets go eat some lunch, then maybe take a look around the town?"

Saberlin nodded agreement. "It is. Fortunately, such cases aren't very common and instead we get to keep this lovely remnant" He was just picking up another treasure to show her (which happened to be a scraped cuttlefish bone) when..."grrrl!"

Interrupted by the rather loud growling, he grinned and laughed softly as her stomach protested. "Come then. I think you are right, my flower. Let's get something to eat before our own stomachs devour us. Looking around the town sounds great too. This place has a great amount of character" Saberlin rose and began to climb easily down the rock's surface, taking Fern's hand to help her down also. The rock was sightly slimy and he didn't want her to slip and be hurt.

In no time he was back in the tingling salt water, swimming for the shore and the picnic things. Exploring the town together sounded excellent. Maybe they could find a few unique gifts for the twins.

Fern smiled as Saberlin helped her off the rock and swam back to shore. She hoped that they would find time to come back here soon. It was so lovely.

As they got back to their spot on the beach Fern began to unpack the picnic they'd brought along. She made sure everything was still okay to eat after having been outside for so long.

Wading out of frothing waves which sucked playfully around their ankles, he strode up the beach and back to their picnic spot, grains of warm sand clinging to his wet skin and coating the end of his tail like biscuit crumbs.

Kneeling down on a beach towel, Saberlin opened one of the ice filled, insulated bags he had brought and began taking out cold honey soy chicken legs and small servings of cooked prawns.

He took out watermelon cubes and frozen grapes for dessert. Then, he also brought out sweet mud crabs, already cooked and ready to eat. Everything was still very cold. "The inn really was good. When I asked for a beach picnic they gave us the freshest sea food they had" he smiled, handing Fern a plate.

Fern smiled. "Oh wow! It all looks so delicious." Her stomach growled softly again and Fern giggled a little. "I wouldn't know what to try first. It all looks so good....You pick something." She smiled at Saberlin.

Saberlin's tail swished hungrily before he remembered that would cause sand to spray up and halted it. "Hm...okay then. How about - mud crabs?" he sugested, licking his lips. Saberlin loved mud crab. Taking the biggest one, he gave it to Fern, then added the other one to his plate and broke a leg open, revealing the sweet meat. "Ah, see that? They are cooked to perfection!" he showed her.

Fern smiled. "Alright then." She broke open one of the legs and smiled as she tasted it. "You're right It is good." She picked up the camera Saberlind had brought and began looking through the pictures she'd taken while they ate.

"Hm?" Saberlin leaned over towards her, trying to get a look at the pictures as well. "Did you get any good ones? Let me see" he asked, pressing a small clip thing that looked like the holder on a pen on the side of the camera and bringing up a tiny holographic screen. "Ha, almost forgot about that. Makes it easier to view them" he smirked, biting off another piece of crab. "Oh, that's a nice one" Saberlin grinned to himself. He had taken a few shots of Fern up on the rock as he had been taking the camera over to her. Her long hair was blowing in the sea breeze and she looked happy. It was a nice photo.

Fern blushed a bit when she saw the picture. "Eh? When did you take this picture?" She bit off another piece of crab, trying to think of when he could have taken her picture without her knowing.

Saberlin gave her one of his leopard-like smirks, oozing a bit of arrogance. "I captured it when I was swimming over to give the camera to you. We should put this one in a frame" he remarked, grabbing a honey soy chicken leg and starting on that. He had finished the crab easily, having worked up somewhat of an appetite after swimming. Saberlin was enjoying this picnic, happy to be spending time with his wife, sharing the simple things together. He was looking forward to exploring the town afterwards too.

Fern blushed and went back to eating and flipping through the pictures. She erased a few pictures, they were too blurry to see anything anyways. "So when do you want to head into town?"

Saberlin's expression turned slightly thoughtful, his ears tweaking a little as he spoke. "Hmm, how about straight after we finish lunch? We should go back to the room and get changed then I can drive us into town so we can look around. I noticed a lot of unique shops on the way here. And besides, I don't think we can carry around these bunches of seaweed and shells" he laughed. Seaweed could have a strong odour even when it stayed in the water. "That is, if you aren't feeling too tired. We can take a rest first if you like" He wasn't sure how much Fern would be able to take. As the twins grew bigger, they seemed to sap some of her energy.

Fern nodded a bit. She could use a little rest. "Sounds like a good idea. What will you do with the seaweed though? If you leave it in the room it will smell." She made a bit of a face at the thought.

After they finished their delicious picnic lunch down to the frozen grapes and watermelon, he helped to pack most of the beach things away, leaving the umbrella up until last so that Fern would be safely under the shade. Saberlin had a slight tan from being in the sun for a few hours but fortunately no sunburn.

Pullng the umbrella out of the sand finally, he shook it off and refolded it, collapsing it into a small, crumpled bundle. "There, that's all of it. Oh, don't worry about the seaweed my flower. I was planning to hang it outside over the balcony railing. It will dry quickly out in the sun and fresh air." Picking up the beach bag and slinging it over his shoulder, he got ready to walk back along the beach to their room.

Fern helped clean up, making sure they didn't leave any garbage behind. Once they had cleaned up she picked up her bag, smiling as they headed back to the hotel.

"What are you going to do with it once it's dry?" She didn't know of anything he would use the seaweed for, but she was sure he had something in mind.  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

Walking back across the sandy beach, he was grateful there was a brisk sea breeze to hide the very faint blush on his face as he answered her. "Well, I am going to take different samples from it and send them back to the lab for experiments. I was thinking of doing some examination of the structure and health properties myself..." Which meant that he'd have to have something to examine them with, which was the reason there was a small, high powered microscope and a few other instruments in his suitcase. Which also meant that Saberlin was once again being his old workaholic self and bringing his job with him when they were supposed to be on holiday. Fern was always able to find out what he was up to somehow!

Fern frowned. She wasn't surprised Saberlin had brought his work with him, but she wished he hadn't. "Saberlin..." She muttered and sighed a bit. There wasn't anything she could do about it now, so she figured she might as well get over it.

Saberlin felt a jolt of guilt at that. How did she know?!

Uh oh, that sigh wasn't a good thing either...and the way she said his name. His leopard ears had caght the low mutter.

Sighing himself, he gave in. "Ah, on the other hand, perhaps I shall send them all to the lab instead. I can always investigate more when we get back" he reasoned, trying to fix the situation. Looking up, he saw they had arrived back at the inn and moved closer to the main doors, causing them to swish open.

Fern pouted a little. She could tell he was trying to make her feel better but she couldn't help being sad. He always worked too hard.

She followed him back into the inn, and headed twords their room. She was eager to change and rest a bit. her clothes were a bit sandy and smelled like the ocean.

Seeing the frown on his lovely wife's face, Saberlin felt even worse.

He had told himself he would just pack the microscope...but he wasn't really going to USE it. He would just pack it and then, if anything happened to come up, it might come in handy. Besides, it was only studying seaweed samples, right? And his laptop...well, that was out of battery right now, so it was okay...

But another quick glance at Fern's expression told him no. He was being unfair again. This was supposed to be thier time together.

Unable to stand seeing her sad, Saberlin kissed her cheek as he closed the door to their room, having opened it for her to enter first. He could taste salt from the seawater residue on her skin. "I apologise my flower. I promise not to use the microscope after all. In fact, I'll give it into your safekeeping." he offered, seeing as he was unable to help himself.

Fern smiled a little. "It's okay. As long as your enjoying yourself, it really doesn't matter what you do." She kissed him back, smiling a bit.

"I think I'm going to take a bath before we go out. I smell like the ocean." She laughed a bit, making a face. "Dont forget to put the seaweed out to dry."

Accepting the kiss, Saberlin shook his head, smiling apologetically at her whilst he ran a hand through his platinum spikes. "At least we have been having a good time so far. I suppose that counts for something" he replied, putting the beach bag down in the kitchen area, where any sand could be swept up easily from the white tiles.

He nodded when she said she was going to have a bath. "Alright, I'll take the shower afterwards then. Take as long as you need" he smiled, getting a glass of water and sitting down at the table. He was a little thirsty after the sun and the sea. He had taken one sip when she reminded him about the seaweed. "Oh, right, of course! Thanks for reminding me. I thought something was beginning to smell strange"

Saberlin stood, sprinkling stray bits of sand and went over to the bag, picking out the slimy strands of water plants. He then carried them outside and draped them carefully one by one over the railing of the balcony, where they flapped slightly in the wind.

Fern watched him, smiling a bit as she waited for the tub to fill. She closed the door, turning off the water once it was full and got undressed.

She sighed happily as she slid into the warm water, and closed her eyes. Baths were always so relaxing for her. She felt like all her troubles could simply be soaked away once she was in the tub.

Finished with his task, Saberlin came back inside and waited patiently while she took her time enjoying the bath. Knowing Fern, she would probably take an hour or so.

He fished one of his favourite astronomy books from his suitcase and sat down at the table again to read it, pouring himself another drink and adding some ice cubes, sipping it occasionally.

He waved his tail about slowly whilst he read, unknowingly dislodging more salty sand. "Hmm...I wonder if I should book it now. Yes, that might be wise" Standing up and leaving his book to flap pages idly, he reached a clawed hand for the cordless phone and dialled a number into it, taking the opportunity to make all arrangements while she wasn't around. The surprise would be for tomorrow night!

Fern hummed a bit as she sat inh the tub, rubbing her stomach. The twins had started kicking again. She giggled a bit, smiling.

After about an hour Fern got out of the tub, wrapping herself in a warm bathrobe. She went over to Saberlin and gave him a kiss on the cheek, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Saberlin's lips twitched in a faint smile as his feline ears detected the sounds of Fern humming. She had a sweet voice that was pleasant to listen to. He never said anything to her, only listened when he got the chance. He was concerned that if he did say something, it might embarrass her and then she wouldn't sing anymore.

Absorbed in his book, he got a small fright when she came up and hugged him, losing his page. Saberlin chuckled, letting the book slip shut. He hadn't noticed her approaching. "You smell nice. Did you enjoy your bath?" he asked with a slight tease in his voice.

She nodded. "Mm-hmm. It was nice. I think the twins enjoyed it too." She smiled, giggling softly. She looked at the book in his hands. "Ooh, what are you reading?"

He held the book up to show her, holding it out so she could take it if she wanted and have a better look. The title was set over a background of millions of stars in a milky way galaxy and the large sparkling letters read "Advanced Astronomy and Stargazing - explore further into the secret depths of our magnificent universe. by R. H. Mortimer" It looked like it had been well read, the pages all thumbed through many times. "A favourite of mine. It belonged to my father." Standing and stretching, Saberlin headed for the bathroom and the shower. "Feel free to read some of it if you wish my dear. I won't be long"

Fern smiled. "Okay." She went and got dressed, putting on a soft green dress. She then sat down at the table and picked up the book.

She didn't know much about stars scientifically, except that they were just like the sun. She did know a lot about stars' roles in cultures, however. She opened up the book, curious to see what else there was to learn about stars.

Saberlin went into the shower and washed all the sand and saltwater out of his fur.

He exited the bathroom a while later dressed in his more normal attire, which consisted of a white long sleeve buttoned shirt, a pair of black pants and one of his many sets of elegant white gloves. He usually liked to keep his claws hidden as they were extremely sharp and rather long, giving some people the wrong impression. Looking around the room, he spotted Fern at the table and gave an indulgent smile, finding that she was now absorbed in his astronomy book. "Ready to go? Or would you prefer to stay and read?" he asked, walking over to talk to her.

Fern smiled at him. "Oh. No, lets go. I can read some other time." She closed the book and got up, sliping on her shoes as she headed to te door.

Following her to the door after finding his wallet, Saberlin let Fern exit first. His pale gold eyes made a quick scan of their room before he locked the door securely. He was confident that no one was about to break in, yet it did no harm to be cautious.

Saberlin withdrew a set of silver car keys from his pocket and walked downstairs, through the front entrance and out to the carpark, where he promptly opened the door to the passenger side so his lovely wife could get in. "Now, where shall we explore first? I suggest the older part of town as I beleive it possess more charm. However, the newer stores also have some appeal. I spied several clothing stores you may have found of particular interest"

Fern gave Saberlin a quick kiss as she got in the car. He was always such a gentleman.

She thought for a moment. "Hmm... well I'd really like to see the older parts of town first. The newer stores can wait." She smiled a bit.

"As you wish, my flower" He smiled and chuckled softly, inserting the key and starting the ignition. Saberlin had been almost certain Fern would go for the newer stores with their pretty seaside cafes. The clothing shops in particular.

As her pregnancy progressed she would need to buy more outfits to keep up with her changing figure and he knew that most women enjoyed shopping. What did they call that? 'Retail therapy'... He didn't mind it himself, actually. When he was with Fern, she made it quite entertaining. It was worthwhile seeing her smiling and happy when she found things that she liked. Not to mention, she was rather cute at times.

Saberlin drove the glistening black car smoothly out of the carpark and back onto the main road, taking them off to the charmingly antique part of town.

Fern smiled. She stared out the window as Saberlin drove to the older part of town. She was hoping to get some ideas for an art piece and maybe she'd even find an old nick-knack.

Pulling the car into a parking space on the side of a street lined with tall deciduous trees, he stopped the engine and stepped out, going to open the door for her.

The quaint seaside town held a lot of sights to offer. It had historical houses, several cobblestoned walkways, carved fountains in the courtyards and decorative stonework on some of the buildings and cafes. It also had a large museum, a marine museum with old shipwrecks and legends and plenty of antiques shops, as well as a stunning yet smallish church with stained glass in the windows. Not to mention, there were pots and baskets of beautiful flowers planted everywhere and they also used lamplights, though they were lit by electricity these days. The sound of the sea could still be heard quite clearly from here, along with the faint crying of gulls and other seabirds. "It seems we have arrived. There's a lot to look at!" Saberlin exclaimed, his ears swivelling towards the noise of some markets in the main square.

Fern stepped out of the car, gasping softly s she looked around. "Oh, wow! It's all so beautiful." She smiled, taking in all the scenery. "Where should we go first? There's so much, I don't even know where to start."

He considered a moment or two, though it didn’t take long to reach a conclusion. Oddly enough, Saberlin had a strange fascination with antiques stores and their items; things that were in almost direct contrast to the objects his company created. He liked to see how people had made things work without the use of the newer technology and what they had come up with from the resources they had at the time. Those old items were sort of comforting and unique in a way. They captured his interest. Of course, there were antiques and then there was just ‘old’. The word ‘junk shop’ left a bad taste in his mouth.

“What say you to that antique store, my dear?” he asked Fern with a light tone, gently taking her hand and pointing in the direction across the street with his other white-gloved hand.

Fern looked across the street to the shop he was pointing too. "Lets go!" She smiled, resisting the urge to jump around in excitement. It probably wouldn't have been the best idea.

He led her across the road to the little old shop and pushed open its wooden and glass pannelled door, the top of the door brushing against a dulled brass bell as it swung inwards on its arc and startling a brassy clamour from it to announce their prescence.

The room was lit well enough to see the wares on display, though glancing around, Saberlin could see wisps and cloaks of shadow which clung and hung in the depths and corners. "Hm...well, it has the proper atmosphere" he remarked with a smirk, curiosity already tugging at him.

Fern smile as she began to look around. There were so many things around the store, she didn't know where to start looking. As she wandered about she thought about the history each piece had. All the things it'd seen, people it had belonged too, everything.

He quietly wandered the store, occasionally picking up one thing or the other, or running an experimental finger over it and collecting a fine amount of dust on his gloves. "What do you know..." he murmurmed under his breath, very carefully lifting the receiver off an old fashioned telephone and gently inserting one fingertip to turn the simple number dial. It made satisfying tiny clicking sounds as it circled around the numbers underneath. His tail tip swished about somewhat, coming dangerously close to knocking over a stack of leathery books on a low table. Saberlin liked this antique shop.

Fern spotted Saberlin examining something and went over to see what it was. "What did you find?" She glanced at the phone and smiled. "Ooooh...It's an old rotary phone." She then noticed the books behind Saberlin and gently held his tail so he wouldn't knock them over.  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

Saberlin nodded, looking quite pleased. "Yes, I haven't seen such a well made model before. I wonder if it still works" He blinked and turned to see that she had grabbed his tail. "Hm? Is something wrong?" He felt a tad confused. Perhaps she is playing some sort of game with me. Although it didn't really seem like the sort of thing one would do in an antique store. "It's alright, I don't mind if you stay there." he smirked at her, thinking she would just follow him around like that or something. "Did you see anything you like yet?"

"Hmm, maybe it does." She looked up to see the confused look on his face. "Oh, you were about to knock over the books behind you... sorry." She let go of his tail smiling. She nodded a little when he asked if she'd found anything yet. "Yes I did. I found an old crib and rocking chair. They're a matching set and are both beautiful. They need a new paint job, and a bit of cleaning but are otherwise solid pieces."

"Ah well, if it doesn't, then I'll put it to use somehow."He picked up the rotary phone, deciding to purchase it. It would make a nice addition to his collection at home and be something new to fiddle with for a while. Saberlin looked behind him at the stack of musty books which he'd almost toppled and frowned. "Oh dear. I will have to keep better watch or they won't let me back in the store" he sighed, half amused. "Thank you, my love. Whatever would I do without you?" He patted her head slightly in an affectionate manner, leopard ears perking at Fern's description of her discoveries. "Is that so? I say, what a great find. Let me have a look at them. I'm sure I'd be able to fix them up a bit" he offered, feeling a glow of pride for his mate. She always was good at finding bargains.

Fern smiled. "Great! There this way, back here." She took his hand and led him towards the back of the store, where many of the larger pieces of furniture were. She looked around until she found the crib and rocking chair she had described. "See? Aren't they both just perfect?" She smiled. "The crib is even large enough for both of the twins."

Letting himself be tugged towards the nether regions of the shop, Saberlin dodged his way around ornately carved cabinets, dressing tables, dining tables and a grandfather clock, making sure to keep his tail under close watch. Finally, they halted and he spotted the items Fern mentioned straight away.

Surrounded by the pleasant scent of beeswax polish from the wooden furniture, he went closer and walked all around the crib and the chair, inspecting them with much interest. "Hmm...not much needs to be done with the chair really. I say it needs sanding down and a new coat of varnish. Ah and this arm piece will have to be re-fastened." he noted, giving the loose arm a bit of a shake to test it out. "Apart from that, it's quite suitable. This crib though...they certainly don't make them like that anymore. We'll have to make certain it's safe. I'm sure it is, but..."

Reaching into his pocket, he produced something that looked like an innocent box of matches and proceeded to press on the middle of it, making the end of a thin tape measure pop out from the top. "Tape measure...never know when it might come in handy" he smirked, beginning to measure between the bars of the crib.

Fern watched as Saberlin measured the spaces between the bars and made sure the crib was safe. "Well? What do you think? Will it be safe?" She hoped it would alright. She didn't want anything to happen to the twins.

He let the tape slide shut with a sharp snap, straightening up again from his bent over position. "Aha, this should be fine. All I need to do is sand it all back then re-paint it with a few coats to make sure they wouldn't get splinters. The wood is very old. Sturdy as a rock, however."

He wore a look of mild satisfaction. If it made her happy, then it would be a great addition to their household. So long as...Saberlin frowned slightly as a thought crossed his mind. "So long as they get along with each other, or we'll have to buy another crib" he joked. "Alright, let us find out how much this is worth" Saberlin started heading for the counter, looking for the elderly man who was the owner of the shop.

Fern smiled. "Thats great! We'll have to pick out a nice color for it." She was so happy the crib would be safe for the twins.

Fern smiled, laying her hand on her stomach. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. I'm sure they'll get along." She followed Saberlin up to the counter, humming happily as she rubbed her belly.

Saberlin chuckled, “A nice colour, hm? I’ll add my two cents if you ask for it” he agreed, thinking of one of the many rooms back at home which could be converted. There was the White Room, with high ceilings, overlooking the fountain and the rose section of the garden, the Blue Room, decorated with calming and cheerful blues and aquatic items, the Chandelier room; graced with a dainty, sparkling diamond creation, the Cat Room, filled with feline carvings and items relating to felines, the African Room, with natural wood carved products and imported items, the Primrose Parlour, the High Seas Room with its polished wooden floorboards and refreshing nautical theme...

‘At this rate, perhaps we will have to draw straws to make the decision,’ he thought with a chuckle.

Hearing the sounds of customers, the owner of the shop shuffled out from a door located behind the counter and dusted off his faded green apron which was coated with smudges and small amounts of grit. He seemed to be eager to get to the register, though his manner was friendly. It was as though he could sense whenever people wanted to buy something. “Hello, hello, welcome to Ancient Antiques, how may I help you?” he asked, a smile pressing creases into his homely brown face.

Saberlin was already fishing out his wallet. “You see, we would like to purchase a thing or two...”

A few minutes later, the items had been fully paid for. They were now set aside in a roped off area bearing large paper signs declaring their sale. Saberlin went and opened the door to leave the shop, holding it ajar for Fern. “So, where to next my dear? I heard some commotion coming from the middle of town, markets I presume! Or we can rest for a while and find something to drink. Are you holding up okay?”

Fern smiled. "You know I always want to hear what you have to say Saberlin." She followed him up to the register, leaning against the counter slightly while he paid for the crib and chair.

After they had been paid for Fern followed Saberlin out of the store, excited to see what the furniture would look like back at home. "Hmmm, How about we go see whats going on in town, then maybe head back to the hotel for some Ice cream and board games? I've been wanting ice cream since we left the hotel." She giggled a bit.

"Very well. On such a warm day, ice cream would be fine. Any flavour, any kind, we shall get it for you, my flower. As for the board games; I must warn you, I am rather good at scrabble" he smirked.

Leaving the odd little shop behind them with its doorbell clanking farewell, he nodded at Fern's suggestion then after offering his arm to her, escorted the way towards the hustle and bustle going on around the town square.

There were all kinds of different stalls set up by the owners and a steady stream of customers milling around, laughing and chatting or swapping money for items. Festive music could be heard drifting from somewhere.

As he strolled by several beading and clothing stalls, something caught Saberlin's eye. He was going to meander right past towards the stall selling all kinds of swords, yet something tugged at him to go and investigate. Saberlin hesitated. Halting his step half-reluctantly, he padded over to a small gem and rock shack and his hands immediately drifted over to a large grey specimen coated with dust. "My, my what is this?"

Fern smiled. "Good, It wouldn't be much fun if you were bad at it, now would it?"

She followed Saberlin as he headed towards the market in the town. She watched as people went from stand to stand, finding all sorts of little treasures. Shew turned to look at the stand Saberlin had gone to, curious to what he found. "Whatcha got there?" She looked at the rock, wondering what it was.

He only laughed softly at her comment, looking a little bit smug.

Saberlin's eyes narrowed slightly while he turned the rock over in his hands, getting dust on his white gloves. It was a mixture deep and light greys, covered with patches of plump, verdant green moss and the ocassional crags and bumps. "I can't tell for sure but... I must say; I have never seen moss growing in such a dry climate. What is it doing on a bare, barren rock such as this? It's...intruiguing. I think I'll buy it to take a closer inspection. Somehow, it seems more than it appears" he confided, keeping his voice hushed so that passersby wouldn't overhear, a bit above a whisper.

Fern smiled, nodding. "Sounds like a good idea. If anyone can figure out what it is ,it'll be you." She giggled a bit. "It sure is strange though. Hey, maybe it's some kind of alien." She joked.

He grinned at that and shook his head, handing the item over while he exchanged money with the shop keeper. "More likely it's simply a rock with unusual properties. I wouldn't be surprised if it came from outer space. Mayhaps it was part of a star once upon a time" Taking the bag which now contained the rock wrapped in twin layers of tissue paper, he decided to let Fern choose where they looked next, content to wander around all the stalls. He wondered if she would find something. There was a lot to choose from. Talking about stars also reminded him of his arrangements for tomorrow night. Fern would love seeing them the way he would show her, he was almost certain of it!

Fern grinned. "Well when you figure it out, I want to be the second to know. It such a curious little thing." She smiled and began to walk around with Saberlin again, looking around at the the little stands. There were some interesting craft Stands, but nothing really stood out to her much. She waited until Saberlin was done shopping before suggesting that they head back to the hotel.

"As soon as I uncover it's mysteries, you shall be the one to hear of them. I'll take it to the lab when we return and run some different tests" he confided warmly.

Fed up with browsing and shopping for the day, Saberlin took the lead and began heading back to the car. He was content yet hoping to rest for a while back in their room, desiring some peace and quiet after the hustle and bustle.

Once they reached the shiny black vehicle, he gracefully stepped over and swung the door open for Fern after unlocking it with the press of a button. "I believe your ice cream awaits. Ladies first" he purred, with a slight curl of the lip.

Fern smiled as she got in the car. "Mmm...Ice cream. Sweet, cold, delicios ice cream." She smiled again. She turned to Saberlin. "What kind of tests can you run on a rock?" She didn't know much about science and geology, mostly arts.

Closing the door beside her with a soft sound somewhere between a thump and a click, he walked briskly around and slipped into the driver's seat, white gloves on the steering wheel as the car was coaxed into life.

As they travelled, he wore a look of amusement upon hearing Fern's words, glancing over at his wife in her current disposition. Sometimes, he thought, she seemed to 'glow' from the inside outwards, radiant and lovely. It would be nice if she could always stay that way.

"Hmm, if I did not know better, I would say those cravings are getting the better of you" he remarked idly, trying to suppress a small grin.

Saberlin's golden furred ears dipped slightly as he pondered her next question, thinking of ways to explain it more easily.

"You see..." he began, dropping into the formal attitude he was most accustomed to, "I can take minute samples from the minerals and organisms coating the surface and analyse them using various methods to test for a variety of things. We can also chip a tiny part off to study the ingredients forming the make up of the rock and finally, cut open the object itself. Those are only a few of the things we would attempt. I'm curious to try growing some of the moss in different conditions as well as exploring it's properties. It certainly is unusual to see it growing in an area where there is insufficient shade, too much sunlight and not enough water." he mused, mind suddenly a million miles away as a plethora of ideas and possibilites sprang up and absorbed his attention.

He was silent for the rest of the drive, apart from occasionally making the odd sound of "Ahh" or "Hmm". In the distance, the Inn began to come into view, quickly growing in size as they approached.

Fern smiled a little as she watched Saberlin sink into his world of thoughts while he explained. It was kind of funny to watch. She began to slip into her thoughts as well as they aproached the inn, the tought of ice cream making her smile.

The car eventually glided into place in the Inn's reserved parking space and the rumble of the engine died and faded.

Saberlin put the windshield cover on, stepped out and got the door for Fern, then started heading straight away towards the Inn. He was determined to bring the ice cream to her (or she to the ice cream) as soon as he could. Simply because it was something nice he could do and he wanted to do it.

As for where to get such a thing; well, there was the restaurant and the cafe and the buffet. Otherwise they could have it delivered to their room. He stopped and waited in the main lobby until they could decide what to do. "Which kinds and which flavours of ice cream do you desire, my dear? Just say the word and I shall fetch them for you" he offered, tail waving behind him in a comfortable sort of fashion.

Fern followed Saberlin out of the car, yawning slightly. It had been a long day. She yawned again as they entered the lobby. "umm..strawberry and choclate ice cream sound really good...What about you? What are you in the mood for?" She smiled.

He waited patiently throughout the yawning for her to answer, politely pretending not to notice, though his tail tip twitched with a streak of mischief.

"Ah, those sound like fine choices! As for me, I think I'd prefer a lick of mint chocolate chip" he smiled. One of Saberlin's favourites. "Let's just order them from our room. I think it's high time we got out the board games you mentioned earlier and spend the rest of the evening quietly engaging one another in various mental battles"

Somehow his feet had led the way through the Inn while he spoke and he found himself facing the door of their room. After blinking at it a moment, he regained enough wits to fish out the key and unlock it, stepping aside to let Fern go in first.

Fern smiled and headed into the room. "Alright. I'll get out the games. It's been quite some time since we've sat down and played a game." She skipped off into the other room, coming back with several games. She set them on the table, picking up the other things and setting them aside. "What do you want to play first?"

Saberlin pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and sank into it to wait while Fern brought in the games. He watched as she dumped several boxes on the table and grinned in approval. He didn't know they had so many!

Saberlin reached over and picked up a fairly new looking box, making ther contents rattle a bit when they shifted around. "Hmm, how about Pictionary?" he queried, glancing up at her hopefully. Stick figures were his forte.

Fern smiled and sat at the table. "Okay." She loved Pictionary. She put the other boxes under the table, so they wouldn't be in the way. She opened the box, pulling out all the peices and setting them up.

Saberlin chose out a playing piece whilst Fern set things up, picking the blue square icon and placing it down on the board.

They would have to modify the game rules a little since there was only two of them, thus ruling out any team-against-team play, but it was still manageable. He took some of the drawing paper and then rummaged around for a pencil, finding a small, slightly blunt one. While Fern continued to set things up, he went over to the phone and happily ordered their ice cream, accidentally sweeping everything off the table with his long leopard tail.

Joining her back at the table again, Saberlin wondered why all the pieces were everywhere. "What happened here?" he asked, giving a soft laugh. "Anyway, I have ordered the ice cream. They say it will be here in two minutes" He picked up a dice that had fallen on the ground, looking around for more items.

Fern laughed a bit as Saberlin's tail sweeped the table clear of the game peices. "We're going to have to tie that thing to your back at this rate Saberlin." She laughed and carefully knelt down, picking up the game cards and peices.

She smiled. "Mmm..Ice cream...Whoever came up with icecream is a pregnant womans best freind." She put the peices back on the table, shuffling the game cards and setting them in their container.

"My tail does seem to have a mind of its own sometimes" he agreed, glancing down at it with a watchful eye. The tail gave an innocent twitch and stayed still.

He had just sat down and started the game at last; rolling the dice, moving his playing piece and picking up a card to read it when there came another interruption: Tap tap!

Saberlin shoook his head and rose to answer the knock at the door, making sure to slip the clue card under the board edge as he went. He knew Fern wouldn't peek but it was a good habit for this game.

Opening the door, he smiled at the waiter who had brought the ice cream and took the tray inside after checking over the contents. "That was quick. They must have rushed here to make sure nothing melted" he thought, giving Fern her ice cream straight away. It was still so cold that it sparkled with miniscule ice crystals.  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

Fern smiled as Saberlin handed her the bowl. She took a small bite, her sile widening some. "Mmm...It's really good." She giggled a little putting her hand on her belly. "It seems te twins aren't too fond of the cold though." She giggled again as she felt them squrm and kick some more.

Forgetting the game, Saberlin's ears flipped in curiosity and he shifted to be a little closer to Fern, peering at her rounded tummy with golden cat-slit eyes.

He paused a moment, trying to think of a proper way to ask what he wanted, but in the end, settled for; "What does it feel like, may I ask?" Really, he couldn't imagine. It must be such a strange feeling.

Their treasured twins...It'd be nice to finally meet them. I wonder if they will look anything like me? he thought, knowing they probably would have his leopard ears and tail at the very least, as well as a fine set of claws and some tiny fangs.

Fern giggled some. "It tickles a bit. Kind of like theres a ladybug crawling across my belly." She smiled and took his hand, placeing it on her belly as the twins kicked again. "I cant wait to meet them."
"Must be an enormous lady bug..." he remarked softly, fascinated by this description.

He wasn't quite sure what she was doing at first but looked down to see his hand on Fern's belly.

Letting it rest there with the lightest of pressure, Saberlin waited to see what would happen.

Nothing. Nothing...and then - "Ah!" Saberlin gasped suddenly, twitching slightly in surprise. There had been a soft nudge, like a whisper light tap. He had felt it even through the semi-thick material of his glove. For some reason it made him give a smile so wide the tips of his white fangs were revealed. Saberlin laughed a little then after a moment added with a smirk "I wonder which lady bug that was" He couldn't help feeling a strong glow of pride.

Fern smiled as she saw the grin on Saberlin's face. "Hmm..who knows for sure? I just hope both our little ladybugs are doing alright in there." She smiled, rubbing her stomach a little as she felt another little kick where Saberlin's hand was. "They seem to be happy to meet their father."

"I wholeheartedly agree with you" he replied gently to her first comment, his tone serious though he still wore the same warm smile.

It was possibly getting a bit tight on space in their twin's small world, but they had room to move yet. He was grateful he was not part house cat or things may have been very different.

He chuckled again at another tap nearer his wrist, a tiny bit stronger than the last. "Perhaps they are. I wonder if they know my voice. In any case, all of this movement is a good sign." Slowly removing his hand from her stomach, he lifted Fern's own hand and lightly kissed the back of it, like a prince would with their lady. His smile turned more reassuring. "I think all we can hope for is that they're both growing and developing the way that they should, without complications due to, well, 'mixed parentage' to put it quite bluntly. Whatever happens, I promise to give my fullest support to ensure quality of life and happiness."

He paused, giving a small frown as a new thought occurred to him. "Which reminds me; can you recall when we are due for the next medical examination? It has been a few weeks since last we went."

Fern nodded. "Yeah. They'd been moving so little today I was starting to worry a bit." She smiled as Saberlin kissed her hand and she leaned over to kiss his cheek. "You're so sweet." She kissed him again, and smiled.

"Our next appointment..? I belive it's supposed to be this weekend." She picked up her ice cream again. It was starting to melt. She took a bite, smiling a bit as the twins squirmed again. "I cant belive how close we are to meeting them. In a few months we'll have two little babies."

With the kisses and compliment, a small rumble started up and steadily continued. Saberlin was purring, though he was mindful to keep the volume down. His golden tail wriggled happily.

He nodded. "Okay then. We can see the nurses in the clinic near here. I must say, it is useful having it so close to the same building. They really are prepared for anything" he remarked, knowing they would have all the medical care they needed during their stay. It was an inn for expecting couples after all, so there were plenty of facilities around to meet their requirements. The hosipital was only a few minutes drive from where they were staying.

Seeing her eat some of her ice cream, he suddenly remembered his own. Saberlin got up and fetched it from the trolley, sitting back down and taking a spoonful. "Cold yet delicious!" he purred, enjoying the mint-chocolate swirls. He smiled softly as he picked up his playing card, resuming their board game. "In only four months, and those will go by faster than we realise. Our lives will be changed forever... Ah ha ha! Here we go, get ready to guess this my dear!" he chuckled, tipping the timer and beginning to sketch. It looked like he was trying to draw some sort of spiky fence on top of a sun hat.

She nodded. "Alright. I'll make sure to write it down so we wont forget." She smiled and watched as he sketched. She couldn't quite figure out what it was. She took another bite of her icecream, thinking.

Saberlin was trying his best. He really was. He had never had much of an ability for drawing though. Unless it was a room plan or a map or some such, the best he could offer was a stick figure and doodles.

So, when he got the word 'porcupine' on the game card, he had to think very hard about how one would look.

Making a face of concentration, he added a long sort of trunk on one side of the spiky sun hat and scribbled two round dots for eyes, one a bit larger than the other. Then he remembered they had legs (how many was it?) And began to draw some wobbly looking half circles under the porcupine. They looked a bit like upturned jelly drops.

Fern giggled a little at the faces he was making. She couldn't quite figure it out though. She turned her head to the side, thinking. This must be a tough word. "Hmmmmm....."

What did porcupines eat? Think, think...was it ants? Some kind of bugs? Saberlin could hear the faint hiss of the sand through the hourglass as the last seconds slipped away. He began scribbling little blobs with many wiry looking legs coming out of them all around the porcupine's mouth. Hopefully that would enable Fern to guess. So far all she had made was a thoughtful hum.

Just when she thought she knew what it was, Saberlin began to draw small blobs around the first shape. She now had no idea what it was supposed to be. She tried to figure it out, but she could quite get it.

The last grains of sand slid past the barrier and Saberlin saw that he'd won this round. Unable to supress a smile which held a hint of triumph, he picked up the dice again neatly between two fingers and rolled the next turn.

Able to move his piece forward twice in a row so far, he was off to a good start. "You'll want to try harder than that next time! I'll try and draw better too... somehow" he told Fern, sounding playful as well as rather amused at them both: Fern because all she had guessed was "Hmm" the whole time, and himself because his porcupine looked more like a roadkill with flies - Charming.

Fern giggled a bit. "Alright then." She finished her ice cream and set the bowl back on the tray, turning her full attention to whatever it was Saberlin would be drawing next.

Saberlin took another spoonful of ice cream, which was slowly disappearing because he didn't like the strange phenomonen called 'brain freeze' and rolled the dice again, picking it up and flicking almost casually. It skittered to a top just at the edge of the table, displaying a face with two small dots. He moved his playing square two spaces onwards and picked up a card. "Oh..." Saberlin tried to hide his disappointment. The piece had landed on 'difficult' setting.

He flipped the small hourglass and began to draw, lightly nipping the edge of his tongue with one fang as a thoughtful habit he sometimes did. "Skitch scritch, skitch" went the pencil over the paper and several things that looked like miniature fried eggs began to appear. They had small dots in the centre, slightly to one side, and little hairy tentacle bits around some of them. A few looked like kidney beans and some appeared to have tails. Whatever the clue was, Saberlin was trying his best!

Fern watched closely, chewing on her lower lip. She thought carefully. She was determined to guess this one correctly. "A slug..? No slugs aren't furry....an amoeba?"

He shook his head both times, making his light hair swish in front of his eyes. Wait..she wasn't guessing it. Maybe he should try a different approach. He sighed and stopped drawing for a few seconds, tapping the pencil on the table, waving his tail while he thought up a new way to draw the word. She had been so close with 'amoeba'.

"Um..." Saberlin quickly began drawing a stick man, bent over a bit. He then drew a stick arm holding a scribble that was supposed to represent a tissue and tried to make it look like the person was sneezing by drawing little lines and dots around it. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it would do. "Hissssssssssss" The sand in the timer was draining dangerously low once more.

Fern bit on her lip, thinking. She bounced in her seat, trying to figure out what this word was. She chewed on her bottom lip, frustrated. "Uh...Errmm...Flu?....uhh....Germs?"

Upon hearing that word, Saberlin threw down his pencil. So, she had said it with an 's' on the end. One letter really didn't make that much difference. He would let it go. "You got it! Well done...I was starting to feel as though I may as well be playing this by myself" he joked, picking up the dice and moving to hold it over Fern's hand. "Here...it's your turn. See if I can guess any better than you did" he sugessted, tail tip curling and uncurling slightly smugly in the background.

Fern Curled up against Saberlin, rubbing her eyes as she opened them. She couldn't belive it was already morning. She was still so tired. She mumbled and laid back down, closing her eyes.

Saberlin was caught up in deep slumber. Soft morning sunlight peeked through the open window between the fluttering curtains, highlighting his ashy hair and skin in a gentle shine.

He didn't notice Fern beginning to awaken and shift around just yet; far too content sleeping on this expensive luxury bed and resting in the gentle sunbeam. Sunbeams always made him extra sleepy. The light breeze of the ocean drifted into the room, making several long spikes of hair tickle the side of his cheek.

Saberlin's ear began to flick, as though trying subconsciously to bat away whatever was tickling him and he made a small noise. "Nn..."

Some moments after Fern had kissed his cheek, Saberlin's eyelashes fluttered before two fierce slotted eyes slid open. They shone keen pale gold and would have been slightly frightening to look into, were they not softened by the warmth of the smile he gave when he saw her. "Good morning my lovely blossom. Did you rest well?" he greeted, propping himself up on one elbow as he shook off the vestiges of sleep. He brushed some of her silk chocolate hair away from her eyes and leaned over to return her morning kiss.

She nodded, her smile widening. "Mm-hmm. I feel like i could still nap some more though. I'm really tired today." She yawned, leaning her head against him and closing her eyes. "Maybe it's just the weather today, but I feel exhausted." She giggled a little. "But what about you? Did you sleep well?"

"That's alright" he replied softly, shifting a little so she would be more comfortable lying on him. "We can sleep in as long as you like. There's nowhere we need to rush off to in a hurry.

Besides...It's not an easy thing to lay down one's own life for another's and you're laying yours down for two" Saberlin pointed out, warmth and amusement both evident in his voice.

He lifted his long tail and used the end of it to catch the curtain on the window, twitching it open with an easy flick. The window looked onto the distant sea and the view outside was gorgeous. The waves were a fresh, cool grey-blue in the morning sunshine, shifting under an endless blue sky filled with scudding white clouds. Another perfect day.

"I? I slept well indeed." he replied happily to her question, staring at the scene before them with inspiration. Spending so much time inside at work, he sometimes forgot to notice other important things. He turned his attention back to Fern. One thing he hoped he never failed to notice.

"I had one of those good dreams again. The one where I'm a leopard exploring a jungle and you are with me" he laughed. "Rather fanciful of course but still nice all the same"

He had to keep reminding himself that this would all be over soon. Their holiday couldn't last forever.  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

PART TWO: (this is the current roleplay, played out at the Harcourt Mansion)


Fern and Saberlin part 2
Introduction: The Beginning

The original RP involved pregnancy, however, the result of pregnancy is of course, usually a family of some sort or the other. XD This is the story of our small family of characters, their pets and friends, their adventures and thier lives.

Originally started in the thread called 'Pregnancy Inn' in this guild. We (Kyubii Kitsune and Meyaira Firespring) decided to start a new thread since it's a story between our characters who were staying there.

This role play is a one on one but if you want to RP with Saberlin and Fern and their family (In Character please!) then just drop us a PM and ask to join in. We'll either say yea or nay! ^_^



The characters:


Name: Saberlin Harcourt

Age: 28

Height: 6 ft (? not sure but he's 'tall')

Description: Saberlin is part leopard due to being from a line of hybrid experiments. He was born with a leopard’s ears and tail as well as sharp, claw-like nails, which he keeps well manicured and hidden under gloves. Saberlin possesses two medium-sized fangs either side of his mouth and his hair is short/medium length. It falls in soft spikes and is flaxen gold. His eyes are light golden with feline (slotted) pupils.

Other: He can seem distant and driven when he is busy at work, though he is actually gentle and kind once you get to know him. Saberlin has a playful side that sometimes makes an appearance when he’s not too busy focusing on important tasks.

Extras:

Handwriting: Neat and precise scrawl

Gifts: He gave Fern a fern shaped necklace: delicate and gold with small bright green gems.

Transformation: Is able to turn into leopard form by using a tiny, barely noticeable gold stud earring in his left ear that was developed in the lab.

Foods liked: Fish, seafood, meat, coral trout. Choco mint ice cream, mud crab.

Items gained/purchased: Antique double crib and rocking chair, old rotary phone, strange rock with moss perpetually growing on it.

Name: Fern
Age: 20
Height: 5'4
Pregnant with: 2
How far along: 9 months
Appearance: Long silky chocolate hair, bright red-brown eyes and pale peach coloured complexion. (There was an image posted...) Cute, pretty, feminine.
Description: Fern is a very kind and loving person. She has a strong motherly instinct and loves being around children. She can be a bit of a klutz but is very creative.

Name: Cheria Harcourt
Age: 19
Height: 5'8
Pregnant with: twin boys
How far along:
Description: Cheria is the half-sister of Saberlin, and she was born with the ears, tail, and nails of a lioness. Her mother was part-lion and her father part-leopard. Since her father is the same as Saberlin's, that makes her his half-sister. Her skin is bronzed, and her long straight hair is tawny and soft. She has multiple pieces of jewellery on her neck, ankles, and wrists that feature the lioness. Her tail is bronzed, with the soft tawny tip. She likes being in the gardens when she's not working. She got pregnant by her ex boyfriend and needed a place to stay for when her babies are born. She doesn’t know that she is carrying twins until she gives birth.




The Setting:


Saberlin inherited the family house he was raised in by his parents, who have lived in the place for generations, passing it down to each new heir. According to tradition, it was passed onto the eldest first born son or daughter but any other siblings were completely free to live there also, taking what areas of the home they wished.

The reason it sounds like a large home is because it is in fact, a mansion. It was built onto bit by bit with each new heir adding their own rooms and areas, so it can be a bit eclectic. (Hence the small observatory on a higher part of the house, where Saberlin's father studied the stars and the 'garden of roses' installed by his mother) However, it is a thing of wealth and beauty all the same.The house has its share of locked and hidden rooms so it's interesting to explore, even if you get lost. XD The grounds are naturally also very spacious.

The mansion is expansive and holds many secrets, including a giant laboratory in the lower parts of the building which comsumes two entire floors. (Shhh...no one knows, okay? )

This is used by the family organisation for creating new technology as well as cures and vaccinations to help creatures who are not human or only part human (although humans can use some of the stuff too). It's also a place where they can come and receive treatment when all other methods have failed and where people and creatures can come and stay.

The lab is known only to those close to the main family members. Those who have been employed by the family for generations are the ones entrusted with the family's secrets (maids, fellow scientists and researchers, gardeners, ect) . The lab is of course, where Saberlin dives into both his work and his passion, along with employees whose families have also been working for the Harcourts for years and some people whom have managed to gain their trust.

Unfortunately, being such a workaholic, Saberin's parents (and everyone else) was beginning to despair that he would ever find a partner to welcome into their world. No heirs would be troublesome indeed, as well as sad, ending a long legacy and a business which was used to help those in need.

Fortunately, he happened to meet Fern...and soon, the next generation of the Harcourt family will be welcomed in! But will it spell disaster or greatness for this family? What adventures will they encounter? There may be moments that are touching, happy, sad, nail biting, exciting, ridiculous...one thing is certain, we are going to role play them here and see how everything plays out.

*Extra notes: Money is plentiful enough, though the family is not the richest in the world or even the city. Some parts of the house have fallen into disrepair over the years.

**They own a unique pet which Saberlin and Fern discovered in the markets.


Sunday/Morning/September/Winter/Sunshine with biting winds and clouds sweeping in

Fern was sitting in a chair by the window in her and Saberlin's room, a book in her hands. She hummed a little, rubbing her stomach a bit. It wouldn't be long before the twins would be born. She set down her book, gazing out the window. "I hope I'll be a good mother..." she sighed a little.

Saberlin was sprawled in an elegant curve on the foot of their bed, eyes nearly closed, forming two crescent slits.

He was in leopard form, resting for a while after the long drive home from the inn.

The servants were taking care of the luggage for them, unpacking and cleaning clothes, putting items back where they belonged and the black company car was right now being cleaned and polished. The couple didn't have to worry about anything at all for the time being.

Saberlin sighed through his nose, s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g one long golden paw out and arching his back. His whiskers pointed forwards as he yawned widely, showing deadly powerful jaws. He was quietly enjoying the sound of Fern's humming, though he tried not to let her know he was listening in. "Mm...What book are you reading, my flower? Not that interesting?" he asked, noticing that she had set the book aside.

Fern smiled a little. "It's not that. I'm just being a worry wart." She got up, sitting next to him on the bed, showing him the book she'd been reading. It was a book about tropical rainforests. "I've always loved rainforests. They're so beautiful."

Due to the position he was lying in, his view of the book was sideways and half upside down.

Saberlin chuckled then rolled onto his belly and sat up some, opening his eyes fully so he could look at it properly. Something in him recognised the images and a small pang of longing whispered to him. "Ah, the rain forests. I've only ever been to them once. I can still remember it, though the details are sketchy. My parents took me to one as a child" he smiled. If you have ever seen a large cat smile, it is quite curious to behold.

Saberlin nudged her side gently with his nose; an affectionate gesture which showed his concern. "Perhaps I can take all of us to visit one after the twins are born. What is it that worries you, my dearest?"

Fern smiled. She felt one of the twins kick as Saberlin nudged her side, making her smile more. "That sounds wonderful. I've never been to a rainforest before." She sighed a little, leaning her head against Saberlin's side. "I guess I'm just a bit nervous about being a parent..." She ran her fingers through his fur, enjoying the soft silky feel.

Saberlin started up a rumbling purr, keeping the volume down but sending vibrations throughout the entire bed (and probably Fern's fingers and side) nonetheless. The stroking felt nice and soothing, even ticklish.

He was pleased to notice her smile returning and that made him purr a notch louder. "It's going to be alright. I must admit that I am nervous too. But everything will be fine. We have a nanny available should we need extra assistance. In fact, we have several of them."

Saberlin paused for a moment, wondering about how to tell her the next words. "You know...previously, all of the children in my family have been raised by those hired to look after them. When I inherited everything, I changed the rules somewhat. I wanted us to raise our children together. I..." He paused again, this time sounding a little embarrassed "I want to know what it feels like to be a parent. The nannies were some of my best friends growing up yet at times it could be awfully lonesome" he admitted.

Fern smiled as Saberlin began to purr. It was nice, calming sound, one of those sounds that remind you of home. She continued to pet him, smiling and snuggling against him.

"I can somewhat relate...to feeling lonely growing up that is. I was raised by my parents, but being an only child, I didn't have anyone to play with while I was growing up. It was very lonely..." She frowned some, then smiled. "But our babies will have us and each other. I don't want them to ever feel lonely." She put her hand on her stomach, smiling again.

Saberlin listened with interest, ears perked to catch every word. Although he had gotten to know Fern while they were courting and before they were married, there were still many things he did not know about her. Occasionally, she would say something like this that caught him off guard.

"I see. Well, perhaps you will have more knowledge than me about what parents are supposed to do." he laughed softly, gently rubbing the side of his face against her in what could be called a loving 'smooch'.

"Mine did love me, that I know. They simply found it a little awkward to fit raising a child into their busy lives. When they suspected I might be lonely, they had other children brought in to play with me, whether the children wished to or not. Some of them resented that" he laughed a little louder this time, sounding rather amused. "You are right. We will see to it that ours never experience such things. It will be somewhat difficult with them sleeping in the same crib" He was referring to the double crib and rocking chair they had purchased on holiday.

They were in the twin's nursery, waiting to be fixed up. Saberlin was planning to work on them the next day.

Fern nodded. "Yes, I supposed it would be. I guess that's one of the benefits of being a twin." She giggled some. She sat up, stretching. "Mm... I'm kind of hungry. How about we both go get some lunch?" She put the book she'd been reading on the bedside table, hoping to find some time to finish it later.

There was a brief burst of tiny yellow sparkles behind Fern and the purring leopard was replaced by Saberlin's more human form.

He sat up and slipped off the side of the bed, following Fern to the doorway with his hair slightly tousled. "Sounds like a fine idea to me. I feel like I could eat a whole fish" he yawned, still a little tired from travelling. He led the way towards the kitchen on that floor.

She giggled a little as she followed him to the kitchen. "Is that what you'd like to eat?" She thought for a bit what she would want.

Saberlin raised an eyebrow at her giggling. "Well actually I would like coral trout. We should have plenty since I instructed the cooks it's my favourite." he smirked, lightly flicking her with his tail.

"Here we are." he sauntered into the third floor kitchen and took one of the seats that two maids had pulled out for them, waiting for Fern to choose a place.

"Welcome back sir. What would you like to eat?" A suited butler greeted them, smiling at Saberlin as though he was an old friend, pen and notepad at the ready.

"Hello Jones. Hmm...I think Fern should order first. As for me, it's just the usual" he hinted with a grin, knowing that there were several dishes which could be considered 'the usual', most of them involving meat. He winked at Fern. Teasing the staff was quite entertaining.

Fern giggled at Saberlin. "Hmm...what do I want....?"She thought for a bit. "How about...grilled cheese sandwiches? Oh and maybe with some strawberries?" She had a serious craving for strawberries.

"Strawberries and grilled cheese" the butler repeated as he scribbled down the orders, trying to sound as though such a combination was perfectly normal. "And for sir, the...usual dish of..." Jones the butler paused, eyeing Saberlin hopefully for a more detailed answer.

"The usual" Saberlin replied calmly, giving absolutely nothing away. He was in a playful mood.

"Very good sir." Jones replied, trying to hide a grin while writing more notes on his paper. He knew this game well; he'd been playing it since Saberlin was a child. He pitied any of the newer staff who were not acquainted with the guessing game. "Thank you sir. Lunch will be served shortly" Jones bowed politely to them both before vanishing into the kitchen area to pass the orders onto the chef.

Saberlin turned to Fern with a chuckle. "Grilled cheese and fruit? That's a dangerous sounding mixture." he remarked. "Almost as terrible as fish with ice cream"

Fern smiled, giggling as Jones left. She loved when Saberlin played tricks on people. It was entertaining to watch. "I have a reasonable excuse for any weird combination I crave. What's yours?"

"Mm...it was a dare of some kind, if I remember correctly" he replied, leaning back in the chair some more and thoughtfully fixing his stare at a far spot on the wall near the ceiling. "I think we had a particularly difficult customer come in and they were so unpredictable, not to mention suffering a bad case of fectious mildslime, that the staff decided to have a dare over who would get the job of helping them out." Saberlin pulled a face at the memory. "Unfortunately for me, I lost. Two bowls full of sardines mixed in ice cream was all I could manage before getting ill" he laughed a little, shaking his head.

Fern giggled. Saberlin always had the best stories. "I don't think even I could eat something like that." She shuddered at the thought. She never really liked sardines anyways. She sighed a little as her laughter quieted, glancing out the window.

Saberlin tried not to think about it anymore. For a second he almost remembered what it tasted like.

A delicious aroma thankfully drifted into the room at that moment and the butler reappeared carrying a tray laden with items. He swept around the table and swiftly laid the dishes out in front of them, filling their glasses with ice water and lemon slices. The grilled cheese and strawberries appeared done to perfection.

Standing back, he gave a small bow. "Lunch is served. Please enjoy your meals" he announced.

Saberlin's tail swished happily and he smiled when he saw the plate before him. "Well done. You guessed correctly, as always" he chuckled, picking up a piece of the coral trout.

Fern smiled as he placed the plate in front of her. "Thank you." She picked up her sandwich and bit into it, smiling. It was delicious.

Saberlin watched her bite into the toasted melt out of the corner of his eye, ears lowered a little, half expecting some kind of reaction. He watched her carefully in case strawberry and cheese proved to be a volatile combination.

Meanwhile, his fish was disappearing in neat, quick bites. It was tender and sweet with a hint of tangy lemon juice; just the way he liked it. Although he had the appetite of a leopard at times, Saberlin still knew how to use his manners no matter how hungry he was. Half way through the meal, however, there came an interruption.

Two of the housekeepers who had been in charge of taking care of the luggage appeared nervously in the doorway and approached, one of them carrying the large oval rock that had been purchased at the markets in the seaside town on a silk cushion. "Excuse me Sir, Mistress, forgive us for intruding but we don't know quite what to do with this. Should it be added to the collection of gemstones or the garden ornaments? Or...is it that kind of item?" she asked politely.

Fern looked up as the housekeepers came in. holding the rock. "Oh, didn't you want to run some kind of experiments on that?" She turned to Saberlin, biting into her sandwich again.

Actually, Saberlin was thinking he might like to run some experiments on Fern after she finished that sandwich melt...

He spoke to the housekeepers with the polite, serious tone he usually always used around anyone other than Fern. "It's alright. Please add it to the repository for now. I'll see to it as soon as possible" he instructed.

The women dipped their heads and left the room, hurriedly taking the rock with them. Once they found out which category it belonged in, their expressions had quickly changed, hinting at flickers of fear. They seemed to want to get rid of it as quickly as possible, only holding the very edges of the cushion.

Turning back to Fern, he nodded. "That's right. I want to run some tests on the strange moss covering that rock. The more I think about it, the more I realise that we might have stumbled onto something special" He gave a small lopsided grin.

She smiled, finishing her sandwich. "I think you may be right. It's definitely special." She took a sip of her drink, wondering what secrets the strange rock was hiding.

"Mm..." Saberlin nodded again and took a few sips of the ice water but he was becoming more and more agitated sitting at the table. His tail and fingers twitched occasionally and he found it hard to sit still. He was increasingly impatient to head down to his lab and start running tests. Eventually, he gave up on making conversation and stood, pushing back his chair.

He leaned down to kiss Fern briefly on the cheek with a small smile on his way out. "I am sorry my flower; I simply must go and examine that rock. You may come with me if you wish, though I would prefer that you did not. My work area is not exactly the safest place..."  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

Fern smiled and nodded. "I understand, love. I'll find something to keep busy. Just don’t work yourself too hard, alright?" She smiled and gave him a quick kiss.

"Alright then. That's good. If you need me for anything just alert one of the staff and I'll be there right away" He assured her, leaning down a short way so that Fern could reach to kiss him (she was a fair bit shorter than his six foot height and probably had to stand on tiptoe many times).

He only vaguely heard the final words of her sentence, already on his way down the hall to the lifts by that time, mind whirring with ideas.

Saberlin was geared up! He had a huge grin stretching from ear to ear and was chuckling under his breath in anticipation; fists clenched tightly, ears perked.

Glancing around outside a marble statue of a mer creature in the hall, he secretively slipped behind it and vanished into a thin elevator behind a tapestry which covered the wall, pressing a small button disguised to match the wallpaper.

Fern sighed as Saberlin took off, eager to do his thing. She shook her head and headed back upstairs, returning to her book.

She picked up the book, looking at it. She contemplated relaxing for a bit and reading, but then figured that she'd get bored rather quickly, so instead she walked around for a while. The house was rather large, and she hadn't really seen everywhere yet, so she figured she could have a little adventure.

Once he reached the part of the lab where most of the simpler experiments were carried out, Saberlin donned a long white coat, hiking boots and a new pair of gloves, also taking a pair of clear protective goggles and hanging them around his neck for the time being.

Straight away he went to a small sealed room that housed many different scrolls, crystals and peculiar items on shelves that lined the walls. It was a storage room really; temperature, humidity and light conditions all controlled to be the best for preserving rare objects. He spotted the cragged, mossy rock straight away (easily one of the bigger items in the room) and picked it up carefully in both hands, mindful not to drop it.

Firstly, he did very easy tests, taking small samples of moss and dabbing them on agar gel, dripping different liquids onto them, testing oxygen levels, testing them in water and in heat and with different levels of pressure... He also took swabs from the surface of the rock and chipped tiny pieces off with sharp, precise tools, using these for similar testing routines.

Taking the rock out of the room he was in and into a second one, he waited for the round door separating them to reseal itself before going over to a strange looking capsule next to a large computer and setting the rock inside. He selected some options on screen, pressed a few buttons and the machine gave a high pitched whine, whirring to life. The 'capsule's' sides drew together and melded into a clear, enclosing wall, then parts of machinery began to spin and click, sending thin sweeping lasers to and fro across the rock. A thing which looked like a bar lowered down and moved slowly over the chamber, then slowly back again.

All the while this was happening, Saberlin kept staring at the screen and then scribbling notes down like crazy to add to those he had already taken. Then he froze...the pen he had held clinked onto the ground and rolled away. Saberlin stared and stared before practically leaping at the computer, pressing buttons and typing frantically on the key pad, zooming in, zooming out, printing graphs and charts...

Soon a powerful laughter along with exclamations such as "Yes!" and "Amazing, simply amazing!" could be heard echoing through the laboratory from the room he was in.

His colleagues were glad to have him back. Many of them rushed over to see what was going on, getting caught up in the excitement.

"There he goes. Saberlin's at it again..."

"Ah neat, sounds like he's got a new project! Come on, let's go see..."

"Ha ha ha! That laughter again...it's almost scary. Boss must be onto somethin' good..."

A very eventful evening was passing at Saberlin's work place.

((I time skipped a little so that's why this is more condensed than usual. It's funny to write. Lol))

((It is kinda funny))

Fern stopped for a while, sitting on the floor to rest. She wondered just how big the mansion was. She then began to wonder what would happen if she got lost. She shook her head, getting back up. She couldn't let herself think like that. She kept wandering until she found the library, taking a peek inside. She walked in looking around at the shelves of books. She was afraid to touch any of them, worried that she might unknowingly ruin an ancient and valuable book.

Name: Samantha (Sammie)
Age: 4
Appearance: Hazel eyes with bleach blonde hair. : http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff269/Junegirl1062/girls/Kit.jpg
Description: She is very shy but once you get to know her she is very funny. She loves wearing her black kitty ears. She wears pyjamas all the time.

(Is this ok? I thought maybe it could be a niece or something)

((Okay, that looks alright. Let's make her last name Harcourt so she seems more like she's related to them. She could be Saberlin's uncle's daughter's child or something. And her colouring is really good. (She has leopard colours! ^_^)

The cat ears look pretty realistic too so perhaps they could be real and we can say she also has a tail, only, they are panther ears and tail (Panthers are melanistic (black) leopards.) The Harcourt family is mostly a family of leopard-people who marry humans so any children usually get the leopard features as well.))

Setting aside his experiments with the 'rock' for now, (he needed to calm down a bit) Saberlin fetched the dried seaweed he had brought back from their holiday and shared it around the lab. They began to examine and test the different kinds of weeds at a more leisurely pace, picking out components that could be useful in healing balms or health items and identifying other possible uses. Seaweed had a lot of hidden properties. He had already been in the lab for around two hours but it felt like only half an hour since he'd arrived.

...

Later that evening, saying goodbye to his co-workers and friends, Saberlin hung up his coat, goggles and boots then left his workplace in a particularly buoyant mood.
He was halfway down the marble hall leading to the indoor conservatory when he remembered about Fern. Pushing aside the thought that scolded about how could one forget their own wife, he took a fine gold watch out of his pocket and flipped open the lid, wondering what time it was. Oh...six hours had passed already? How could that be?!
Saberlin's ears flattened and he let out a sigh and an exclamation under his breath "Bother!..." He turned on his heel and began marching in the opposite direction to whence he had come, in a hurry to find her. Poor Fern; he just hoped she wasn't completely lost by now.

Fern was still in the library, sitting behind a stack of books. She had gotten absorbed into the pages of the old books, slowly losing track of the time. The only thing that brought her out of her little dream world was the soft squirming of the little babies inside her. She stretched a little, groaning, as she picked up another book. She rubbed the top of her stomach gently, wincing a bit. They were moving around a lot.

He searched high and low throughout the house, looking on different floors but mainly the third floor where they had spoken last. Despite there being so many rooms and hallways the basic layout of the house was easy to discover after a while. He had memorised the layout of each different floor growing up, so he knew his way around well enough. It did help that each one also had it's own special quirks. Such as the third floor being the one with luxurious crimson red carpets lining the floors of its halls...until half way around, when they suddenly turned into polished dark wood.

Still, it took him quite a while to find where she ended up and a little longer still to search around in the right library.

Saberlin finally discovered her curled up behind a large stack of encyclopaedias and gave a sigh of relief, an invisible weight lifting off his shoulders. "Fern? So there you are. Thank goodness. I was beginning to think you'd been spirited away" he laughed, coming over to kneel down beside her and kissing her forehead affectionately.

Picking up one of the books she'd been reading, he turned it over to have a look at the cover. "What's this? Did you find any interesting volumes in here? I'm sorry I was gone for so long. Time got away on me somehow...You won't believe what I discovered this afternoon!"

Fern looked up, smiling when she saw Saberlin. "Hello love." She giggled a bit, kissing him back. "You were worried about me? I'm the one who should have been worried. You would spend your entire life down there in your lab if you could."

She looked at the book he picked up. "Oh, yeah. I found lots of interesting books. Some legends, some nature books, even a few good art books." She flinched a little, rubbing her stomach. "What did you find Saberlin?"

He looked suddenly sheepish at her first comment as well as a little embarrassed. Of course she was right: He probably would live in there if he didn't need to eat or sleep! "Then it's a good thing I have you as a reason not to, isn't it?" he smirked. "That's a fine enough excuse to be worried about you"

He perked up again at her mention of the different kinds of books she had found, however. Saberlin liked reading but he never knew what he'd find in this particular library. Most of the books looked suspiciously like history tomes with their old fashioned covers and large yellow pages. "Ah, I never expected there were those sorts of books here. That's handy to know: well done finding them. This library is one of the older ones, not like the new one with the internet and computers" he grinned. Saberlin had had that installed.

"I probably should have told you about it. It's on the first floor."

His tail started squiggling about when she asked him about his discovery and his eyes gleamed yet he tried to hide his excitement. "Ahh, that! How should I begin?! It's fantastic. It's amazing. My blossom, I believe we have stumbled upon something completely unheard of before. That rock we picked up at the markets that day isn't actually a rock. The moss, it turns out, is something unique produced from a living creature within the middle of it and to boot it seems to have medicinal properties. I do not know what kind of creature it is so we're using caution but I can say this with definite accuracy: that thing is some kind of egg. I'm not sure how it hatches or what it turns into. Something with four limbs and a tail from the images I picked up on the scanner" He was so caught up in the telling of details that he hadn't noticed her small signs of discomfort. Saberlin was being very single minded at present.

Sammie knocks on the door waiting for them to answer. She’s very exited to see her Aunt and Uncle.

She stood carefully, putting the books back on their shelves as she listened to Saberlin. "I like older books. There's so much more to them that their pages and words."

Fern smiled, laughing some. "So it is an alien." she joked. She flinched again and sat back down. "So what are you going to so with it? Aren't eggs supposed to be kept warm?"

A young butler quickly came to the main door of the house and, after checking the cameras to see who it was, smiled and swung large door open. He had been told that a family member was visiting today and her parents must have just dropped her off.

He smiled down at the little catgirl and bowed politely. "Hello Miss Samantha. You're here right on time. Please follow me and I'll show you to your Auntie and Uncle" he offered. He had a warm, ready smile and a friendly, calming manner. "My name is Michael. Shall I take your bags for you?" he asked, leading the way inside.

***

Saberlin had completely forgotten that his little second cousin was visiting today so it was a good thing Michael had found her. At the moment, the master of the house was still in the library chatting to Fern.

He helped her to put away some of the books so that she didn't have to bend down as much, often taking some of them before she could reach them on the ground to save her some effort. "Mm...yes, I am quite fond of them myself. They have an air of mystery. Just not some of the history ones. They go on and on...and on"

Saberlin joined in her laughter with some quiet laughter of his own. It was a sort of alien to them, though it hadn't come from outer space. "Turns out you were right about that too. So far, we're just leaving it as is and monitoring its progress. Extremes of temperature don't really seem to affect it too much. Also the chemic..." he trailed off halfway through his sentence, a slight hint of concern creeping into his expression when she sank back onto the ground. "Are you alright, my flower? Maybe you shouldn't have put those books away. Here...don't overexert yourself" he spoke firmly but quietly and sat back down beside her, brushing some of her dark hair out of her face so he could see her eyes better. "Do you want some pain medication? I have some here if you need it"

Fern nodded a bit. "I'm okay...I think." She leaned on Saberlin's shoulder, closing her eyes. "They've been moving around a lot. I think they're getting impatient...That's all."

After a few minutes she was feeling a bit better. She turned to Saberlin. "I'm sorry to worry you. I'll be alright, so don't you worry, okay?" She kissed his cheek, smiling.

"No thanks Michael." She smiled and skipped off to see Saberlin. "Where are you Saberlin?" She stopped skipping and stood by a book case and grabbed a book and started to read it.

"Good, good. Perhaps it's better if you rest more. We don't want to push them into acting on that impatience" Saberlin replied. He soon fell silent and just stayed with her, letting her rest for a while.

Walking all around the place...having to reach high shelves. Simple everyday things held small elements of risk in her condition and he felt guilty for leaving her so long now. This wouldn't do at all. If something happened to her... Saberlin frowned. Something would have to be arranged. Perhaps some hand maidens to help her out.

"It's alright; no need to be sorry. And I can't promise that I won't worry" he grinned " - but I'll try." He stood to his feet and stretched, trying to loosen stiff muscles from bending over microscopes and computers (and a 'rock' 'egg'...thing) for hours.

"Come on then, there's no way I'm going to leave you on the floor of the library all night" And with that he picked Fern up as easily as if she were a leaf in the wind and started marching back along the halls to their room. She'd done enough walking around for his liking.

***

Michael stood there kind of dumfounded for a moment as the little mite skipped past him and then his brain seemed to recover and he started to follow after her. "Hey, wait...! Miss Sammie! Please don't go that way...!" He was supposed to show her where to go so she didn't get lost. He'd be in trouble if she did.

Fern smiled some. "True, though it won’t be much longer now until they're born." She smiled again, resting her hand on her stomach.

She let out a small gasp of surprise as Saberlin scooped her up. She was about to protest, but knew it would be a hopeless case, so she closed her eyes, resting against his chest. She was looking forward to relaxing in her own bed for a while.

She felt exhausted, and began to doze off, curled up in Saberlin's arms. She yawned a little, trying to keep herself awake until she could at least change into something more comfortable.

He pushed open the door to their bedroom with his foot and carried her inside, laying her gently down on the bed with plush pillows to lean on. Saberlin called for some tea to be brought round.

When it arrived, he took the tray from the maids and brought it over to Fern, pouring her a cup and handing it carefully to her after he set the tray down on the bedside table. The tea cups were decorated with dragonflies and rimmed with real gold. "Here...it's green tea with a dash of vanilla. Nice and relaxing" he offered, pouring one for himself as well and taking a seat on a chair nearby. "Careful...it's still scalding" He blew away some of the steam tendrils curling and dancing out from the green liquid in his cup before taking a tentative sip.

Fern sat up some and took the cup from Saberlin, thanking him. She blew on the tea to cool it before she took a sip. It was delicious.

After she'd finished her tea she set the cup back on the tray, carefully getting up. She was tired and wanted to change into some comfortable pajamas. She got a white nightgown out of the dresser and went to go change.

When she came back she curled up on the bed, hugging one of the soft, cushion like pillows against her belly. She smiled as she watched Saberlin, reaching out to pet his tail.

She looked up at the butler with her head tilted sideways. "Um...ok. Michael, do you know where they are?" She asked him as she put the book back in the book case.

Finally catching up to Sammie somewhere in the halls on the first floor, he took a moment to catch his breath again and laughed a little. Reading a book was a funny way to look for someone. "You...are really...fast!" he panted, amazed at how quick she could run.

Michael nodded when she asked if he knew where her relatives were, unable to help smiling. That was what he'd been there for in the first place. "I sure do, Miss. They're this way, on the third floor. It's faster if we take the lifts" he answered, walking over to some elevators in a small lobby and pressing the button to call one. The lift promptly arrived and the doors pinged open, waiting to take them to the third floor.

***

Saberlin poured himself another cup of green tea while Fern went to get changed, settling back more comfortably in the desk chair and closing his eyes for a minute. He felt relaxed and was starting to become a little drowsy after the day's travelling and activities.

It was only now, when he had the time to think over things, that he remembered something. Something very important. His eyes popped open and he pulled his pocket watch out again, looping the fine chain between his fingers as he held it up and clicked open the embossed lid. "Eight forty five...she should have arrived by eight thirty. How could I forget?!"

He glanced up when he heard Fern returning and gave an affectionate smile. She looked cute hugging the pillow. Saberlin grinned and moved his tail away from her as she tried to pet it, swishing it first slowly one way then slowly the other way, making a small game.

"You know, I completely forgot; my little cousin is coming to stay for a while. She's supposed to arrive today" he remarked out of the blue. "You can stay here and rest though, my flower. I'll take care of her. She's only young so she has a lot of energy" he chuckled, still moving his tail this way and that, avoiding letting her catch it.

She pouted a little as Saberlin played with her. She was too tired to keep up with him.

She looked up at him when he mentioned his cousin. "Sammie's coming? I don't mind playing with her. I like Sammie, she's adorable." Fern smiled.

After a while of playing with Saberlin, she curled up against the pillow, frowning. She winced a little and looked over at Saberlin. "They're at it again..."

Sammie followed as they went up the elevator to the third floor. "I wish my house was this awesome!" She said as she looked at the butler and smiled.  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

Saberlin laughed quietly at her pouting and wrapped his tail around her hand. "There. You've caught me" he smirked, letting her win. He couldn't stand to see her unhappy.

"Yes, an adorable bundle of four year old energy" he agreed, taking the pain medication he'd spoken of earlier out of his pocket and handing her some more tea to take with it. "Here, take one of these. They are perfectly safe for pregnant women and the side effects are extremely mild to non existent. Safe enough for children as well. If you play with her, then promise me you won't overdo it?" he asked, somewhat concerned. "You're already like this as it is." There was a small nagging thought that whispered at the back of his mind but Saberlin pushed it away. That would be incredibly bad timing.

***

Michael smiled at her enthusiasm. She was so cute. "Well, I get to live here so it's kind of my house too...except I also work here. Oh, here we are. Third floor stop" he announced, stepping out of the lift. "This way along the hall and the thirteenth door on the left..." The young butler led Sammie to the bedroom of Fern and Saberlin and knocked on the door frame, since the door was already open. "Excuse me, Sir, your guest has arrived: Miss Samantha Harcourt" he bowed politely as he announced her presence.

Fern giggled as Saberlin wrapped his tail around her hand. She began to pet it gently, smiling.

She nodded some. "Alright, I promise." She took one of the pills he handed her, taking a sip of tea afterwards.

She looked over at Saberlin. He seemed worried. "Saberlin, is something wrong?" She frowned some.

"Gee thanks Michael! You’re so cool!" Sammie walked into the room and waved at Saberlin "I haven’t seen you in forever! I miss you a lot!" She ran up to him and hugged him. "Hi Fern!"

"...Thank you" Some of his anxiety evaporated with her promise, although it refused to leave completely. He was a little more at ease knowing that the medicine would help to free her from any pain, at least for several hours.

Still, he couldn't help thinking that she'd been forced to put too much strain on herself today, wandering around the house alone all afternoon.

Saberlin shook his head at her last question, shoving his concerns away; he didn't want to bother her when it might be something miniscule.

"No, no, it's nothing, I -" he was about to say more and apologise for being too over protective when the conversation was interrupted by the appearance of a small, excited panther girl. He returned her wave with a friendly smile.

"Hello Sammie!" he laughed, tugging the tip of her ear gently in a playful manner as he caught her up in a hug. "I missed you too. Wow, you've grown so big! What have they been feeding you?" Last time he'd seen her, she was shorter than the bedside table.

***

Michael tried to hide a grin as he left her with her Aunt and Uncle. He'd grown attached to the girl already. "It was my pleasure, Miss. See you later sometime. Have a pleasant evening" He headed off down the halls to do the next job on his list.

Fern smiled as he waved at Sammie. "Hi Sammie. He’s right, you have gotten a lot bigger." She smiled. Sammie was adorable.

She looked at Saberlin "What were you going to say?" she asked. She could tell that Saberlin was feeling guilty.

"I’ve been eating normally!" She said. Then she jumped onto the bed and listened to her Aunt and Uncle talking. "I think that Michael is really nice" She whispered quietly to herself.

"Oh...No, it's nothing to be concerned over right now. I've almost forgotten it already" Saberlin shook Fern's question off, giving her a reassuring smile. He should stop thinking over things so much and simply keep watch over her like he always did. There was no need to cause his beautiful flower any alarm, even if his suspicions were correct.

He laughed again at Sammie's reply, tousling her hair a little to razz her up. "So I can see! You're so strong and smart!" he told her, watching her jump onto the bed. "And your tail's nice and long now too."

"Yep!” Sammie jumped onto the bed, trying to jump higher and higher till she could touch the ceiling. “And my friend Amy said that my tail is longer than her older sister!" She laughed and kept jumping.

Fern sat up as Sammie jumped onto the bed. She smiled as she watched her. Sammie was adorable, and so energetic. It made her wonder what her own children would be like at her age.

She looked over at Saberlin. "Okay...But if there’s something I should know, don’t keep me in the dark, okay?" She smiled a bit.

Sammie finally jumped high enough and touched the ceiling. "Yay! I touched the ceiling! Yay!" Sammie jumped off the bed and fell to the floor, laughing with happiness.

"You'd better watch that you don't trip over it then. It's probably going to outgrow you before you grow into it" he warned her, though there was a teasing glint in his eye.

Saberlin carefully watched her jumping up and down on the bed, though he knew there wasn't much chance of her falling off with her level of feline agility. She reminded him of an elastic rubber band the way she pinged around everywhere.

He turned back to speak to Fern, ignoring the wobbling of the mattress from Sammie's bouncing. "Alright...I wouldn't do that to you, my dear. It's something you would probably know before I could tell you, in any case" he explained, giving her a faint smile.

Looking down at a sudden burst of excitable laughter he noticed his little cousin was now rolling around quite hysterically on the soft rug that covered their floor. Shaking his head with a small grin, he went over to kneel down by the girl and gently grabbed her feet and tail to stop her from rolling away. "Let's say we get you some dinner now, hm? It's quite late and I'm sure you'll be hungry. We have all kinds of food here so anything you want to eat, just say the word." he offered. Dinner time then bed time after that. Saberlin deliberately left off the part about bed time, unsure what her reaction would be. The last thing he needed was for her to go running off and get lost in the mansion at night. Some areas could be dangerous even in the full light of day.

"Alright, if you say so." She smiled as she watched Sammie. She wished she wasn't so tired so she could play with Sammie. But it was getting late. She lay back against the pillows.

"That sounds like a good idea. Why don’t you and Saberlin go get some dinner, then tomorrow we'll have all day to do fun stuff." She smiled at Sammie.

"YAY! For dinner can we have extra cheesy pizza with extra cheese?" Sammie asked as she waited for him by the door.

"Your aunt is right; we have the entire day tomorrow to do whatever we want. I even know of a special project you may be able to help me with." Saberlin added warmly, trying not to flatten his ears at the volume of Sammie's voice.

By 'special project' of course, he meant the double crib and rocking chair that needed to be decorated properly after he had fixed them up. He was quite positive she would enjoy picking out items with Fern and maybe even enjoy helping him to re-paint them.

He hesitated for a moment at the girl's childish meal request before giving in. Pizza wasn't as healthy as he would like but if he asked the chef to add lots of healthy and tasty ingredients, it should be okay. Besides, her parents couldn't have given it to her often. "Certainly we can have that...It sounds delicious." he conceded. "Let's order some for Auntie Fern too"

Saberlin followed Sammie to the door and led the way down the third floor hall to the combined dining room and kitchen, wondering what this 'extra cheesy pizza with extra cheese' would turn out like. Needless to say, the Harcourt family didn't order many take away meals or pizzas.

She followed him to the kitchen while looking around at the house. "Your house is really big"...."Almost in a scary way." Sammie added while they walked to the kitchen. The thought made her scared and she clung to Saberlin as they walked.

Fern smiled as Saberlin and Sammie headed off to the kitchen. It would be fun having Sammie around, she was so energetic.

She sat up some, adjusting her pillow, and picked up the rainforest book she had been reading earlier. There were so many beautiful photographs in the book. It made her want to know more about the beautiful forests.

After Sammie and Saberlin ate they came back up to the bedroom they were at before. Sammie jumped onto the bed next to Fern. "Hi again." Sammie said as she stood up on the bed starting to jump like she had before.

Saberlin didn't mind her clinging to him and slowed his pace a little so she wouldn't have to run with each of his strides.

"It is large! But I assure you, so long as you stay here, you will be protected. So long as you aren't alone, that is. It's tricky to protect someone when you don't know where they are" he chuckled. "There is nothing to be afraid of"

He followed behind Sammie at a more sedate pace on the return trip to the bedroom, marvelling at how good the strange sounding pizza had been. He had even gone so far as to instruct the chefs to prepare it as a regular meal more often.

Saberlin watched Sammie run on ahead, her black tail disappearing around the door. As he rounded the corner into the bedroom, he saw she was already pinging around once again and gave a soft sigh. How was one meant to sleep with so much energy? On a positive note, helping her to sleep would perhaps be good practise for later on. Perhaps...

On the desk Saberlin had sat near before, there was a covered silver platter and some plates and cutlery on a tray. The kitchen staff had brought some pizza into Fern whilst Saberlin and Sammie ate theirs. "Dinner was surprisingly good. How did you find it, my dear?" he queried politely before turning to the bouncing fizzing cub that was his cousin. "Sammie, don't jump on the bed any more tonight; you're all full of pizza and your Aunt might be too" he admonished, firmly but gently. "You can jump on all the beds in the house tomorrow, just not now."

Fern smiled at Saberlin. "It was alright, although I will admit, I wasn't very hungry." She closed the book she had been reading, placing it back on the bed stand.

"You must be tired Saberlin. You were working in the lab real hard all day." She looked over at Sammie, smiling a bit. "Sammie why don’t you come sit down here with me and Saberlin?"

"Awww. Ok" Sammie stopped jumping at sat down in the middle of them.

"Quite understandable" Saberlin replied amicably, moving out of the way as two maids swept in to clear up efficiently and take the tray away. He sat down on the edge of the bed next to her, curling his long tail to one side.

He smiled faintly when he saw that she had been reading the rainforest book again, ignoring the maids as they left. He was glad that she showed such genuine interest in something he liked so much.

Saberlin let some of his light wheaten bangs fall over his face at her mention of being tired, hiding his eyes. They were smudged with pale bruises like butterfly marks, which usually disappeared the next morning. "Oh...not really. Perhaps a smidgeon. I would say that you are possibly more in need of repose than I"

He did feel a little sleepy when he allowed himself to focus on his body's signals, but he'd worked longer hours than this before and well into the night. He was used to it.

At the mention of the lab, he glanced over to see whether Sammie had heard of it. Generally it was unspoken of around others, although Sammie's parents were well aware of its existence. Most of the younger family members were only told when they grew older, to prevent 'accidents' and 'trouble' from occurring.

He ruffled Sammie's ears affectionately when she obeyed their requests and smiled down at her. "Good girl. What say we get ready for bed now? You need to clean your fangs" There, he'd said the dreaded trigger word. Now all he could hope for was a good response.

Sammie jumped off the bed. 'You'll have to catch me first." Sammie ran out the door as fast as she could and down the stairs going to hide or find Michael.

Fern giggled a bit as Sammie hopped off the bed and ran out of the room. "Oh dear. Would you like some help getting her to bed?" she asked as she began to get up. She had had a feeling that getting Sammie ready for bed wouldn't be easy.

You could hear Sammie running around the house and closing doors and opening them around the house, you could also hear her laughing.

Oh no. That wasn't the reaction he was hoping for. Saberlin rubbed a hand over his face and sighed. He could hear her little footsteps disappearing down the grand staircase to the first floor.

"No, it's okay. Please, stay here and rest, my flower. I'll call for assistance. We'll find her" he reassured Fern, gently pressing on her shoulder to indicate that she should lie back down and kissing her cheek before he left.

Wasting no time, he quickly followed after Sammie at a steady pace, eyes gleaming eerily in the gloom.

He knew she could also see well in low light, yet if she tripped on just one of those steps...they were made of solid stone and there were many flowing onward before they reached the bottom.

A tall, shadowy figure was slowly making their way up the stairs to the second floor, covering a large yawn behind one hand as they dragged themselves one foot after the other towards their quarters. Michael had just finished another busy day of training and working as a butler and he was quite looking forward to passing out in bed, when all of a sudden, something small and dark could be heard coming down the stairs towards him, interrupting such peaceful thoughts.

He froze where he stood, trying to peer through the dark with his lantern. "Hello? Is something er - I mean, someone, there?" he called, trying not to sound scared. He prayed it wasn't one of Saberlin's escaped experiments from the lab.

Whoosh!

Whatever it was had sped right past him to the first floor, trailing a gleeful laughter with them. Wait a moment...he recognised that laughter. "Ah! Miss Samantha? W-Wait a minute!"

Michael lifted his lantern higher and began following after the girl at a brisk walk. He wasn't sure which way she had gone and couldn't see too well in the darkness but he could hear her pattering through the hall ways, playing with the doors.

She kept running and looked behind her and saw Michael as she went down the stairs. "Hi! How are you? Whoa!!!" She said as she tripped down the stairs.

Fern lay back down as Saberlin left, hoping he'd be able to find her alright. She couldn't help but worry some. The house was really big and could be dangerous. She knew both Sammie and Saberlin could see better than her in the dark, but she still worried.

((@XxThe Magical OreoxX: Sorry but I thought your character was running around halls, closing and opening doors right at this moment. There aren't any doors leading directly off the staircase, therefore she can't be running back down it again (unless you say she ran back up it first)...so where is she exactly? She cannot be somewhere else and then suddenly be falling downstairs - Fun as it is to push your own character down a flight of stairs. I just need to clear this up before I can write my next post.))

((Well Michael was going up the stairs right? Sammie ran past him, didn't she?))

idk. I just wanted to fall down stairs

((Okay, I guess we can have her fall down them then. I'll try and work my post around that. Please remember to make it easy for us to know where your character is so it's easier to understand and post replies. She can't fall downstairs from a hallway so I will assume she ran back onto the stairs between then and now.))

Unfortunately for Michael, the way he had gone didn't lead to where Sammie was at all. The way sounds could echo in the mansion, they were difficult to pinpoint as they bounced off the high ceilings and spiralled down the empty halls.

He kept going down the long hallway he had entered, for a short time, walking onward past paintings and statues but the sounds of giggling and doors closing and opening had stopped, so he headed back to the staircase once more, deciding to check if Sammie had gone to play on them again. He was halfway up when it happened.

"Hi! How are you? Whoa!!!"

"W-wha - Miss Samantha!" Michael looked around just in time to see Sammie sprinting past him down the dark staircase again, only this time it seemed that her luck had run out. He watched helplessly as one of the smooth stone steps slipped out from under her foot and she began to tumble towards a shadowy figure that Michael hadn't noticed on the stairs before.

***

Saberlin had hurried down the stairs quite quickly in his search for his cousin, though he was some time later than Michael in getting there, which explained why Sammie was already running back down the staircase by the time he was on them.

He was concerned she would become lost and fall asleep somewhere cold, or slam her tail in a door in the dark...or, well, these marble stairs were quite slippery in places. It was probably a very good thing he was still on the staircase when she fell because he heard the noise of her slipping one moment and the next he was the one breaking her fall.

"Oof!" Saberlin almost tumbled head first down the stairs himself as something small and very much resembling a young panther girl landed on his back.

He flailed a few moments, arms windmilling and tail lashing, before quickly regaining his balance. It wasn't too difficult because she weighed about as much as a dried leaf compared to him; it was just that he hadn't expected anyone to come hurtling down and push him suddenly from behind.

Saberlin sighed with relief, glad he hadn't fallen and let Sammie get hurt. At least, he assumed it was her. If it was something trying to attack him, he could always throw them over the balustrade. "Sammie? Is that you?" He asked, leaning forwards a little bit so she didn't fall off his back onto the stone steps.

"S...Saberlin?" She looked at her cousin, confused.

Fern frowned as she lay in the bed, worried about Sammie and Saberlin. After several minutes of fretting she sat up and went to get out of the bed, stopping when she winced, holding her stomach. She decided it would probably be better if she stayed put and laid back down, rubbing her stomach gently.

Saberlin let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding. Thank goodness. If he had been one step lower, Sammie could have been...

"That's right. It's your 'Uncle'. I think it's time you went to bed now, wouldn't you say? That was very dangerous!" He let a slight growl into his voice; just enough to reprimand her a little and be a warning not to do it again. Saberlin then let the growl fade, though his tone was still dead serious. "Pray, if you should happen to fall down these again, think of what may happen. I might not be there to catch you the next time" he warned. "And your mother and father would be very sad...very sad"

He had been heading back up the stairs, carrying her 'piggy back' style the whole way. Saberlin turned to walk down the appropriate hallway once they reached the third floor. After a pause, he added, in a more gentle tone. "Tell you what. Here is my proposal: if you go to bed now like a good little lady, I promise we can arrange some kind of treat tomorrow. How does that sound?" he asked, opening the door to his and Fern's bedroom.

He was going to let Fern know she was safe and sound before he helped Sammie get ready for sleep. "Look what I found on the staircase. You'll never believe it. There was a small pantheress hunting mice on the first floor" he announced, setting Sammie down on the bed and ruffling her ears.

***

Michael had dropped his lamp in shock when he saw the young girl trip down the stairs. However, when he went to look for Sammie in the darkness, he had been greeted by a terrible shadowy sight. Some kind of monster had appeared from somewhere, with waving whippy parts at the back and odd disfigured limbs in the front. Michael didn't hesitate to find out what had escaped from Saberlin's medical bay this time. He turned and ran for his life to go and find help. He spent the rest of the night searching the staircase with a handful of other servants, looking for Miss Sammie. Needless to say, they didn't get much sleep.

Sammie nodded. "That sounds great." She said to hi as they walked into the bedroom again. She sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at Fern.

Fern smiled as she saw Saberlin come back into the room carrying Sammie. "Oh good, you found her." She sat up some, looking at Sammie. "Are you two okay? You didn't get hurt did you?" She had been worried that one of them might trip and fall in the dark halls.

He joined Sammie on the edge of the bed and gave Fern a reassuring look and a faint smile. "No, my love, no one is hurt, although I nearly dived down the stair case head first when something landed on my back in the dark" he replied. "I did contemplate throwing it over the banister for one second"

He then chuckled a little to let her know that he was only joking and was well aware it was Sammie. Of course, the chuckle may have sounded a bit sinister if someone were to take it the wrong way.

"Now there is no need to worry and all is well so let us finally have some decent rest."

He then stood and attempted to wrap his long tail around Sammie and tug her gently forwards off the bed; a playful gesture. "Come along Milady, where might we find your toothbrush?" he asked with a smirk, preparing to lead his cousin to the room next door where she would be sleeping and which also had it's own small bathroom.

As they left, he could be heard saying "And we can discuss the details of your treat in the morning...sugar is, of course, permitted in this case I presume..." It may not have been the perfect plan, but if it worked this one time...

(I have an idea.)
The next morning Sammie woke up in the bedroom next to her aunt and uncle’s. She yawned and walked slowly to their bedroom. She crawled onto the bed and squished in between them. She smiled softly and went back to sleep.

Fern mumbled a bit as she felt something move between her and Saberlin. She opened her eyes a bit, smiling when she saw Sammie asleep between them. She gave a small yawn, closing her eyes again as she laid back down.

Later, Sammie woke up and looked at her aunt and uncle sleeping and yawned. She was sandwiched between them. She kept squirming trying to get out.

Fern mumbled a bit as she felt something move between her and Saberlin. At first she thought it might be the twins, but then remembered that Sammie had been asleep between them. She opened her eyes, sitting up some. "Nn…Sammie?"

Sammie looked at her. "Sorry I woke you up." She said to Fern. She squirmed out and crawled under the bed.

She laughed a bit as Sammie crawled under the bed. "No, it's alright.” Fern got up and went to go get dressed.

Sammie crawled out slowly. She looked around and didn’t see Fern. She shrugged and got up. "I’ll wait here for you." She said to Fern. She watched Saberlin sleeping.

Saberlin normally didn’t sleep so late (unless he was ill, exhausted or on holidays). He was usually up with the dawn or at six thirty exactly then straight into the shower, ready for a new day.

However, the events of the previous day must have tired him out more than he realised, even though they had rested for a while after the drive back home and so, he was still asleep when Fern went to get dressed.

Still, he had never been known to sleep in for long and soon the half-leopard began to stir, mumbling something about medicinal moss.

Sitting up and rubbing his eyes blearily, Saberlin yawed politely (hiding his wicked long fangs behind one hand) then stretched out luxuriously, right to the tip of his feline tail, making it quiver, before sliding off the edge of the bed and stumbling towards his walk in wardrobe.

He snatched a few simple clothes off their hangers and headed straight for the bathroom, intent upon taking a refreshing shower. He was never fully awake and alert till his hair, ears and tail were properly cleaned and groomed.

But wait, what was that blurry small thing in their room? It looked sort of familiar, like he’d seen it before. Saberlin blinked down at it and mumbled “Good Day…if you are one of my patients, I’ll be with you shortly. Please take a seat” And with that, he meandered off into the shower, half of his brain thinking he was already at work. (He didn’t realise it was Sammie of course and left her standing there for the time being).

Fern walked back into the bedroom once she was dressed, giggling a bit at Saberlin as he went about, half asleep. "Come on Sammie. How about we go get some breakfast while Saberlin wakes up, Okay?"

"Ok, Fern." She said as they walked. "First can we stop by my room so I can change?" She asked as they walked out of the room.

Fern nodded. "Okay." Fern brought Sammie to her room so she could change. "What would you like for breakfast Sammie?"

"Can I have pancakes?" She asked Fern as she got out her clothes from the closet. She pulled out a pair of jeans and a yellow shirt that said Sammie on the front and 2010 Happy New Years! On the back. "Like my shirt? My mom got it made this new years for me." She said with a smile.

He found his way to the sleek glass and stone shower more by memory and scent than by actually looking where he was going. Saberlin turned on the silver taps until a steady patter of water was raining down and the timer on the wall shaped like a jungle leaf automatically began to count down the five minutes allowance. He liked things to be precise and wasting water was something he frowned upon. Therefore, every shower in the house had a timer of some kind.

Undressing and stepping in, he leaned back to let the downpour flow over his face and push his ears back, imagining that he was standing under a waterfall in the jungle, smiling with his eyes closed as he pictured the scene.

***

Saberlin emerged from the bathroom a short while later, fully awake and recharged now and dressed in a clean white shirt with black pants, as well as his ever-present white gloves. His damp platinum spikes were still dripping; slowly drying into their usual style (he detested the hair dryer. It made his hair and fur go fluffy) and his fur formed small, almost comical looking spikes as it dried, gleaming golden against the black markings.

He walked down the hall towards the kitchen, easily trailing Fern and Sammie by scent and found them both, along with the smell of pancakes. Sammie was hard to miss in a sunny yellow shirt joyfully pronouncing a New Year and Fern looked very beautiful, as she always did.

The half-leopard hybrid sauntered calmly into the kitchen and took one of the seats at the ornate dark wood table, greeting the others politely with a faint smile. “Good Morning. Did both of you sleep well?” he inquired, giving his tail a flick to shake off a few drops of water as he looked at them.

Fern smiled at Saberlin as he sat down. "Morning sleepy head." she giggled a bit. "I slept just fine. Would you like some pancakes?" She began to get up to get him a plate, smiling.

"Me slept good." Sammie said as she devoured her pancakes that were covered in maple syrup and a little butter. Sammie happily ate away while she twitched her ears every now and then.  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

He chuckled lightly as he watched Sammie hoovering up the pancakes with apparent relish, noticing a drop of maple syrup land on her nose. Picking up a cotton napkin, he dabbed at the syrup. "That's good to hear little Miss. I'm glad you didn't have any nightmares after being so full of...cheesy...extra...that pizza we dined upon last night" he replied with another laugh.

"I would very much like some but not to worry, I can fetch them myself. I wouldn't want your breakfast to go cold while you run around after me. Thank you though my flower" Saberlin replied gratefully to Fern's offer.

Getting up from the chair when he saw her about to rise, he gently patted her shoulder to indicate she should sit again then went ahead before her, grabbing a plate for himself from the oven where all the pancakes were keeping warm.

Resuming his seat at the table, he also placed the entire platter of pancakes in front of them so they could pick them off of it without having to wander to the warming oven each time. He smiled at Fern, hoping she didn't feel put out. He did appreciate her trying to do things for him. It was just that she had to find it more difficult to move about in her current condition and Saberlin didn't like to cause her unnecessary stress. He had to admit though; he probably was a little bit over protective at times…

"Oh, alright…" Fern sat back down, finishing off her pancakes. She wished she didn't feel so useless. She put on a smile though and looked at Saberlin. "So, what’s on the agenda for today?"

Saberlin plonked a scoop of vanilla ice cream on his pancake and drizzled it with pure maple syrup, swallowing a bite before answering. He didn’t once hesitate in his plans. “Well, the first thing on the agenda is of course the discussion of Miss Sammie’s treat. It wouldn’t do to forget a promise. The second would be holding a discussion about these amazing pancakes, which are more delicious than usual for some reason. (He hadn’t yet realised that most of the staff were missing this morning or that Fern made the breakfast) The third is cleaning our fangs…er…teeth. The fourth is the task of refurbishing that antique crib and rocking chair so they’re fit for royalty and I presume the fifth and all following thereafter will be some talk about the weather, along with various other activities involving fulfilling the promise to Sammie and strolling around stores buying items for the nursery and future occupants” This said, Saberlin put down his fork and picked up another pancake with a pair of tongs, looking up to ask Fern “So, was there anything in particular you wished to do today, my dear? We can always make room in the schedule for your plans.”

Monday/Morning/September/Winter/Sunshine with persistent chilly winds. Rain predicted for the afternoon

Fern smiled as he complimented her pancakes. "Well thank you. I'm glad you think they taste so good." She got up to wash up her plate and put it away. Once Saberlin had gone over the agenda she looked over at him. "Sounds like a good fun filled day." She smiled some. "Oh, no I didn't really have any plans. Though I am glad we're going to go get the rest of the things for the nursery. I was beginning to worry we wouldn't get them before the twins were born." She giggled a bit, and sat back down at the table.

Sammie looked around and ate more pancakes. "These are great!" Sammie said. When she finished she washed the plates and put them away. "Can we go to the park?" Sammie asked. Her parents never let her go and she always wanted to.

Saberlin looked down at his empty plate with not even a crumb left and then back over at Fern in some amazement when she thanked him. He had thought the pancakes were less bland and rubbery than usual! The ones Fern had cooked were fluffy, with a slight crispiness on the edges and a sweet taste that wasn't overpowering. "You, you made these? That one recipe makes the cook's position a bit precarious" he chuckled. "I shall have them ask you for advice next time"

Hearing Sammie's request for the park, he smiled at her warmly. "Certainly. A fine choice indeed! I know of a good park in the town centre that's near all the stores. It's beautifully landscaped and I believe has a fish pond and a large playground. So long as you go with your Auntie, it should be alright. You may invite some friends as well" he offered.

Saberlin nodded at Fern's comment about it sounding like a fun filled day. "I don't like to waste any day and time is precious. It's good to have a few things planned to keep interest" he replied knowingly. Boredom was something he strongly disliked, as it had often accompanied loneliness when he was growing up. Keeping oneself focused and busy left no room for such things and also meant you were doing something constructive, as opposed to moping about, wondering this or that.

"If you would like, I can come shopping with you", he told them "though I thought it might give you and Sammie a chance to have some time together" Saberlin added, thinking perhaps his small cousin would like choosing items and gifts for her newest relatives with her Auntie Fern.

He laughed softly when Fern mentioned her concerns about not having enough items in time for their twins, getting up from the table with the intent of going to clean his fangs. "That's why I suggested it today, my flower. I'm not sure exactly how long we have left. I did have the maids stock up on necessary supplies for taking care of them, just not the accessories." By that he meant powder and shampoo and nappies were in abundance, however no clothes or blankets or toys or any of the cute stuff that normally accompanied a new life. He thought Fern would enjoy purchasing those. She had more artistic taste than he did.

"Alright then, I'm going to head off and start work on that furniture. I'll meet up with you lovely ladies later on." he farewelled, starting for the door. "Just call a butler when you're ready to go into town and a limousine or car will be arranged swiftly. By the way, I only just thought of it, but where on earth have all the staff gone this morning? I shall find that out too" And with that, he left the room.

Sammie watched him leave then walked over to Fern. "What shop are we going to first? I love going shopping with my mommy. I hope it’s just as fun with you!" Sammie said with much excitement to her voice. She never went shopping with Fern before. Sammie looked around. 'Michael? Where are you? We need a car or limousine to the mall" Sammie said looking around the area she was in.

Fern smiled at Saberlin. "Well I'm glad you decided on today. It won’t be much longer now until they come."

She turned to Sammie as he left, smiling. "Hmm, how about you help me pick out clothes for them first? The poor dears would be cold with out them." She smiled at Sammie's enthusiasm, giggling a bit.

Saberlin rang the staff headquarters to find out where the staff for the third floor had got to after he finished up cleaning his teeth and was rather displeased to find out that most of them were sleeping out on the stair case on the first floor or had gone back to their rooms.

It was most bizarre. He couldn’t think why they were there, except perhaps some kind of party or strange occurrence in the middle of the night. Still, he had things he needed to do today and since nothing had been broken and nobody was hurt, he decided not to investigate until later. He was informed there had been something on the stairs but whatever it was had disappeared and no one had been attacked so Saberlin was content to leave it be for now. He did however order everyone to do their jobs properly and requested someone be sent to attend his flower and his cousin immediately at the risk of having their pay docked.

“Thank you.” Saberlin replied primly as he hung up the antique rotary phone sitting atop the desk in his study, heading straight afterwards to the nursery where the maids were busily depositing all the supplies he’d asked them to fetch from the tool room. Different grades of sandpaper, tarpaulins and newspaper, varnish, a sealant gun, paint masks, the sanding gun, paintbrushes and various pots of paint and gloss were among the things he would need. He was determined to restore them perfectly.

***

Shortly after Sammie called out, a somewhat flustered looking yet familiar young butler appeared around the door to the kitchen and dining room, bowing politely to them both while apologising. “Good morning Mistress, Good morning Miss Sammie, I trust you slept well? I apologise for making you both wait on service.” He said, quite sincerely. “I have a limousine ready out the front for you if you prefer, as well as a selection of some of the smaller vehicles. Please choose whichever you want to travel in today and I shall escort you wherever you wish to go; the shopping mall or any other store” He was going to be their driver for the day, unless someone else was requested. Michael hadn’t had much practise with driving the limousines yet, mostly because he managed to crash one of the more expensive vehicles during a practice day. He gave Sammie a smile, then realised that his tie was on crooked and hurriedly attempted to fix it. He’d had to rush to get ready after waking up to find himself lying on some very uncomfortable stairs.

"I getta help get clothes for them yay!" Sammie jumped up and down. She gasped when she saw the familiar butler, Michael. She ran up to him and hugged him. "Hey!" Sammie said tugging on his jacket slightly. "We going to da mall! Let’s go" She said smiling very big, showing her baby fangs growing in.

Fern smiled at the butler, thanking him as she followed after Sammie. "Well, we should get going lest Sammie get any more excited." She giggled and smiled.

Saberlin waited until the door was closed, thanking the maids as they left, before he set to work.

He tied on a paint mask, (which made him look a little bit like a doctor with the clothes he was wearing), picked up a sponge that was soggily reclining in a bucket of hot, soapy water and started to clean the crib and chair thoroughly.

After that was done, he would dry them off and begin sanding them; first with heavy grade sandpapers then medium and then the lighter grade sandpaper, which had a fine grit to produce a smooth effect on the wood. This part would take him quite a while but he didn’t mind. He listened to the birds in the tree outside as he worked.

***

Michael jolted a little when she ran over and latched onto him so suddenly and then started to laugh, not worried that she was tugging on his neat black jacket.

He sighed inwardly with relief, glad to see that she was alright; he’d been worried ever since losing her on the stair case last night with that monster on the loose. At least, he hoped it was a monster. It had disappeared so easily, it could have been a ghost. Michael shivered at the thought.

“Hello little Miss, it’s good to see you in one piece today.” he replied cheerfully, though he kept his tone polite. “We are going to the mall, yes. Okay, we’ll leave straight away. Straight…er…away” Michael was trying his best to walk the two ladies promptly to the main floor where they could exit the front doors and find the cars parked outside, however it was a tad tricky with a small half feline girl hugging your legs.

He looked up and smiled at Fern’s thanks as well as her comment while he waited for Sammie to let go. “Oh, that’s alright Mistress. She doesn’t bother me any. It’s nice that she has such enthusiasm” he remarked lightly.

Sammie skipped as they walked. When they made it to the limousine, Sammie climbed in and looked around. "Whoa...big." She said as Fern and Michael got in. Sammie hugged Fern softly. "Hug!" Sammie felt like she needed a hug. She missed her parents and friends, though she tried not to show it.

Fern smiled and followed Michael and Sammie into the car. She smiled when Sammie hugged her and gave her a big hug back. "You're so sweet Sammie, the twins are going to love you when they get to meet you. We're going to have a lot of fun, today. I just know it." She smiled.

Sammie looked up at Fern. "You really mean it?" Sammie smiled at Fern. "Thanks." She put on her seat belt as they pulled out of the large circular driveway heading to the mall first.

Michael opened the doors for the car they had selected so that the two girls could climb in and then hopped into the limousine himself, getting into the comfortable driver’s seat and putting on a seat belt.

He was happy they had chosen the limo because it gave him a chance to drive it around. Checking to see that his passengers were comfortable, Michael turned on the ignition, pushed a button that made the soundproof window between the front compartment and the back compartment swish closed, put his hands on the wheel and carefully guided the shiny black car around the circular drive way then down it and out the main gates, looking very pleased indeed.

Soon, the limo was gliding along the main road, heading towards the shopping mall with all the other traffic, its black body gleaming brightly. All the cars of the Harcourt family were kept in top condition.

***

Scuff, scuff, scratch!

Saberlin was vigorously sanding off old varnish and trying to get back to the original dark wood of the antique furniture. He was using medium grade sandpaper by now after having taken off most of the old coating with a non toxic remover and rough grade sandpaper. So far, he was working mostly on the crib, the chair looking rather scruffy being only roughly sanded. He was glad there were enough newspapers and tarps because the residue and dust from the sanding seemed to explode softly everywhere.

Sammie looked at all the shiny cars as they left the large circular driveway. "Wow! Cool cars. Way better then my momma’s." Sammie giggled as they headed to the mall. Driving always made Sammie a little nervous so she scooted closer to Fern as they drove.

Fern smiled some. "I suppose they are." She looked out the window, watching the scenery roll by. She'd always loved watching the world roll by, it was relaxing.

When they arrived Sammie threw herself out and towards the mall.

Michael parked the car neatly in a reserved parking space and opened the doors for his two passengers, bowing then standing patiently and waiting while they hopped out. He would either wait with the car or, if they were going to be a while, take care of several shopping errands for the household and return to pick them up when they were ready to leave. “If there’s anything you need, just let me know” he informed them. Inside the limousine there were at least two telephones and Michael always carried a mobile phone with him.

***

Saberlin finally had finished sanding the rocking chair so basically what he now had were two skeletons to work with. They looked a little forlorn with all of their varnish stripped off but soon they would be shining and glossy, the dark wood beaming as it soaked up a conditioning treatment.

He first painted the crib and chair with the solution and a large soft bristle brush, then soaked some clean rags in it and began to apply it more carefully, rubbing it onto the carved places and small gaps where he couldn’t reach with a paintbrush. He made sure to have some windows open. Even though all the solutions were non toxic, the fumes were still a little heady. He was wearing a new mask by this time yet Saberlin’s nose still stung slightly from breathing the scent.

Fern turned to thank Michael then hurried after Sammie. "Sammie, wait up." She didn't want Sammie to wander off by herself.

"Huh?" She turned around and waited for Fern and Michael to come. 'Let’s go!" She exclaimed. She wanted to go in really bad. It was about 3 stories and Sammie loved the elevators.

Michael walked with them a short way however, upon reaching the entrance to the shopping complex he had to part ways, as his shopping errands for the main household did not include merchandise for infants. Not on this occasion at least.

He smiled and waved as he departed their company, heading off towards the kitchen and home wares stores in search of dessert forks. Usually, he would be the one to send other household staff on these errands but sometimes he took care of them himself.

***

Saberlin was waiting for the conditioning treatments on the furniture to dry.

Having not much else to do whilst that was going on, he called for some fresh tea to be brought as well as some home decoration books and magazines to flick through. He wanted them so he could get an idea about what sorts of items complimented well with dark wood furniture and whether or not he should buy additional pieces to go with the room. A wardrobe and changing table might need to be added, as well as a (large) toy box. And they would have to match. Yes indeed. For that, he would have to select more antique designs.

Fern smiled as she followed Sammie into the mall. "Alright. Where should we go first, Sammie?"

"Clothes?" Sammie suggested. She skipped over to the large map on the wall. 'Let’s go there and there." She pointed to a baby clothing store and furniture store. "I know Saberlin is working on the furniture but maybe you can find some cushions or pillows." Sammie giggled and waited for Fern to decide.

Now the half leopard was taking a cat nap. Back against the wall underneath the window, light spikes fallen in front of his eyes and his head tipped slightly to one side, Saberlin dozed lightly, his breathing slow and silent, expression peaceful. His long, golden tail was spread in a lazy sprawl next to his legs, lying still with nary a twitch.

It was in his nature to take rests during the day, although he was normally too caught up in whatever he was doing and ignored the instincts.

Fern smiled at Sammie. "Alright, that sounds like a plan. Let’s get going." She took Sammie's hand and headed off to the clothing store, happy that Sammie seemed so excited.

As they walked Sammie felt like asking Fern questions. “What’s your favourite colour?" She said as they turned a right corner, almost there.

Fern considered for a moment. "Hmm…I like green. How about you Sammie? What’s your favourite colour?"

((Um, I think you guys are doing a great job of role playing so far and this is a lot of fun. But…would it be alright for you to do a little more than a one line response every so often? It’s okay if you don’t, I was just thinking it would give everyone a bit more to enjoy reading and let us know more details so we can all be more absorbed into the story.))

Awakening from his short nap, Saberlin stretched, yawned, slowly got up and, leaving the room, went to splash cold water on his face.

He padded back into the room looking alert and inspired, ready to continue redecorating the room that would become his children’s nursery. Perhaps it was overly ambitious to attempt to do everything all in one day but, he reasoned, it was only one room, and Saberlin was extremely determined to give it his best effort.

Since the furniture conditioner still hadn’t completely soaked in yet, he turned to the second task of the paintwork. He and Fern had picked out the colours together long beforehand so the paint tins were already purchased and sitting in a scattered pile, some stacked on top of each other, beckoning to be prised open and used. He tied on a clean paint mask, chose a new paintbrush, cracked open a bucket brimful with paint and dipped it straight into a sunny savannah yellow.

Sammie nodded. "I like the green and the orange and yellow." She pointed to the soft green striped shirt. "What size do you think would be best?" She asked as she twitched her ears listening to other people talk.

Fern thought for a moment. "Hmm, well they'll probably need newborn sized clothes. Though, we should probably get some that are a bit bigger as well, since they'll probably grow out of them quickly." Fern looked over at the striped shirt Sammie was pointing to. "Those are great colours. They look adorable on that shirt."

Paint, swish, dab. Nearly the entire lower half of the nursery walls were covered in the savannah yellow by now, neatly decorated without any lumpy bits or smudges. Saberlin was being extremely fastidious, taking the time and effort to get them just right, like when he was helping to re-attach a broken bio-engineered wing segment on a client. A few splots of the sunshiny colour decorated his clothing, skin and hair but Saberlin was far too focused to notice them, stretching up on tip toe to reach a particularly tricky space near the window. As he worked, he sometimes wondered how Fern and Sammie were doing with their shopping trip and whether he should have sent maids to accompany them.

"Okie dokie." Sammie nodded and pulled out the shirt she had pointed to. "Like this size?" She asked Fern. She growled slightly when she heard people yelling at each other in a store next to them. "Why do people have to yell?" She said flatly as they continued looking for shirts and shorts or pants.

Cheria walked up to the carved wooden door to her half-brother, Saberlin's, house. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door and placed her hand on her still growing belly, which rested her little one. She heard of an opening for a maid, and so, she applied, got accepted, and today was her first day on the job, though....she was going to meet her boss and then get settled. Her tail swished behind her, and her ears pricked and swivelled around (as best as they can) to catch all the new sounds. Cheria was very excited to meet her half-brother, and was literally bouncing up and down in excitement...and that’s when the door opened, sealing her fate..

{{Just wanted to put an air of impending doom... Jk!}}  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

((Yay, first post. It's really good too!

I think it's Kyu's turn before me so I'll have to wait before I post again. Can't be skipping peoples.

Edit: I'll play an NPC in the meantime, so she's not left standing on the doorstep. Lol. ))

As soon as the first knock had sounded, a figure was walking across the entrance hall to answer it. The last echoes of the knocking had barely faded before the wooden portal was swung open and standing to one side before her was a butler, wearing a very formal expression to match his very formal outfit.

"Greetings of the Harcourt residence. I trust that you are the applicant for the housekeeping position recently accepted? The master of the household has been expecting your arrival. Right this way, if you please" he greeted, pleasant and polite, intending to lead her to meet with her employer.

He showed no hint of expression about her apparent lioness heritage or about her present condition. For the sake of his job, he didn't need an opinion.

((Sooo....he's leading her to Saberlin so he can meet his new staff member. Saberlin likes to know everyone in his house. ^_^ Edit2: Also, feel free to take control of the butlers, maids and other household staff/other NPCs any time you like!))

Fern smiled. "That's perfect. We should get some girls clothes too. Can’t leave the other twin out." Fern gently ruffled Sammie's hair as she mentioned the people in the next store. "Don't mind them Sammie, they're sure to quiet down soon."

“Ok. I think they have boys’ clothes on the other side." Sammie giggled when Fern ruffled her hair. "You messed it up! I’m sure you’re right." Sammie agreed and skipped over to the boys’ side of the store.

((Okay, I think I've waited long enough. Time to time skip.))

A steady tattoo drummed on the windows and pattered on the ground outside, accompanied by the soft hissing sounds of falling water and wind combined.

It was raining, as the weather report had predicted, starting shortly after two o' clock and continuing on in a downpour that wasn't particularly strong but did seem very persistent.

By the looks of the sulking grey sky, it was going to continue to rain all through the next day as well. At least the grounds and gardens would be getting watered.

Saberlin hummed quietly, finding the rain soothing and also that it helped to block out distractions, such as the growing ache in his neck from having to lean back with his head craned at a peculiar angle for the past several hours. He finally lifted the paintbrush he was using away from the smooth ceiling and placed it on top of the tin of deep blue paint sitting precariously on the top rung of the ladder upon which he was standing. There, that was the entire room done.

The walls were a wild Savannah yellow until half way up, where they turned into waving grass stems that poked out into a powder blue sky filled with cotton puff clouds. As the sky climbed higher up, it slowly merged into a deeper and deeper blue until the ceiling had become a rich blue black filled with a single crescent moon in the very centre and twinkling stars. Saberlin was satisfied with his work. He hoped Fern would like the way he'd interpreted her ideas.

As he was climbing down from the ladder again, rubbing his neck and shoulders with a small groan, Saberlin was interrupted by a maid entering the room. His ears perked in interest as he watched her approach. Was there something he'd forgotten? No one was supposed to disturb him unless it was something important.

"Excuse me, Sir but the lady accepted for the new maid position has arrived. I thought you might want to meet her before she gets settled. Jones is bringing her to your office" she smiled, giving him a small curtsey.

"Oh" he blinked, recalling that he'd indeed advertised for a replacement after the old maid turned out to be a cyborg. "That's right, of course, it's today. Thank you Sara, I shall go straight to my office."

"Would you like me to bring you some tea, Sir?"

"No thank you, perhaps some for our new maid" he suggested, leaving swiftly for his office, still covered in paint splatters.

Cheria clutched at her meagre belongings. She nodded numbly and followed the butler into the semi-dark interior. Cheria shook, fear replacing the excitement that she had earlier. Placing a hand on her belly, she followed the butler to Saberlin's office. Her tail twitched and her ears flicked, making her look more anxious than she really was. Looking around, Cheria realized that she wasn’t in the right clothes. Cuddle Duds, t-shirts, and jeans were more of her style, not stiff black and white maid uniforms. She shifted her weight and look inside her bag for the tenth time that day. Her bag contained a couple changes of clothes, baby blankets and clothes, pjs, personal hygiene stuff, and (to top it all off) a soft pillow to rest her head at night. ((That’s what she can afford, really.... )) Cheria gently put her bag on a plush chair, and looked around. He really is wealthy! More wealthy than my mom and dad put together! Her golden eyes gleamed when she saw a book on the different regions of the world. Taking it down, she quietly thumbed through it, stopping at a picture of the Savannah. Then her eyes darkened with worry. Once he saw her, will he ask her why she is pregnant? And if I tell him, will he chew me out for getting pregnant out of wedlock? Cheria gasped as movement in her womb surprised her. Dropping the book, she reached for the chair for support and sighed a sigh of relief. She ignored the butler, who for the first time, noticed her condition. "My child moved, don’t worry." Cheria tried to assure the butler, whose expression changed from curious to concern, but she was still shaken up by the surprise movement.

Sammie was wandering around that floor when she ran into Cheria. “Who are you?" She asked loudly and fearfully. 'Please don’t hurt me stranger." She back away and lowered her ears

Fern brought the bags from her and Sammie's shopping trip upstairs, hoping she wouldn't be in Saberlin's way if she put the clothes away in the nursery. She wondered where Sammie ran off to, and headed down the hall to the nursery.

Unfortunately, Saberlin had just missed passing Fern in the hall on her way to the freshly painted nursery because he was already on the next two floors up in the mansion, having arrived there quickly thanks to a hidden elevator behind an indoor water feature.

He stepped out from behind a strange black suit of armour and continued to his office, looking forward to the meeting. He was in a very good mood.

This was one of his favourite parts of the building. It was one of the oldest ones too. The carpet here was thick and lush yet its once brilliant red colouring and pictures of roses and thorns with mystical creatures had faded, leaving pale pink, washed out navy and light tan and grey. The walls here were rough grey stone and the windows were deep set and cut into patterns. Antique paintings, statues and furniture lent the feel of another time period to the area. No staff could be seen anywhere. However, the office was easy enough to locate as it was the only room allowed to be entered straight off to the right of the main stairway and had a sign hanging on the doors proclaiming what it was.

Upon entering the large room, he was fairly surprised to see Sammie there and caught her last words loud and clear. That must mean Fern was back from the shopping trip then.

"Sammie, what are you doing on this floor? You know you aren't allowed to be here." he reprimanded her firmly yet gently. "I have told you before, it is dangerous"

Placing a hand on her head in a reassuring gesture (and forgetting he had paint on it), he looked up to see the scary 'stranger' she had been talking about, who currently was leaning on a chair with her back to them. He didn't fail to notice the lioness tail and ears plus the figure looked vaguely familiar somehow but he'd worry about that in a moment.

"This lady is someone I asked to come here. She won't hurt you. Now, run along and go and find your Aunt Fern. I'll meet up with you later" With that, he gave her a little nudge towards the door and the butler, glancing at Jones, who nodded, understanding that he was meant to lead Sammie back downstairs, intent on leaving the two remaining occupants of the office in peace. Jones waited for the little panther girl to follow.

Saberlin walked across the room and behind his desk, elegantly taking a seat and gesturing for the new maid to do the same. He looked down at her resume and other bits of paper on the desk before him and hadn't yet seen who she was. "Please, sit down. Then we can converse more easily" he offered politely.

"Sowwy." Sammie said and followed the butler out of the room. 'Bye Lady!" She called from the corridor as she picked drying pant out of her hair.

Cheria shook, even though it wasn’t cold. She sat down in the chair Saberlin offered to her and clutched at her bag. "Saberlin? Is that really you?" Cheria's golden orbs grew wide as she looked at her half-brother. "You look different, not like the leopard cub 18 years ago." She looked down at the desk. "I'm sorry, sir, you look a lot like my half-brother, Saberlin. Again, sir, I'm sorry." Brandon Hicks contractions gripped her lower back, making her face pale. The contractions subsided; Cheria breathed a sigh of relief. Cheria flicked her tail, and twitched her ears. Cheria's stomach growled, loud enough for Saberlin to hear. She stroked the bulge that showed under the strain of the fabric of the shirt that she was wearing.

Turning a few pages, he finally finished the quick scan of the information and flipped back to the front of them, wearing a very faint smile and obviously satisfied with what he’d just read.

He was about to say something to start things off when she spoke his name and began to ask questions as though she thought she knew him.

Saberlin’s ears pricked. He recognised that voice almost instantly! He did not fail to catch the hint of nervousness in it, however. Was he really that frightening? Perhaps it was because he wasn’t wearing his gloves (having taken them off to paint the nursery) and his claws were in full view.

Looking up at her properly for the first time, he mentally scolded himself for not realising sooner that it was his own little sister. “Cheria!” he exclaimed softly, trying to swallow his astonishment at her being his new housekeeper. “My goodness, I never suspected…” Saberlin broke off and chuckled quietly at her mention of him looking different and then her misunderstanding about whom she was talking to. “Unless someone has replaced the sole heir to this household without anyone’s knowledge, why, who else should I be? Of course it is me. There’s no need to apologise.” He laughed softly and good naturedly, dropping some of the formality he’d held earlier. Saberlin was glad to see her again. “I would expect some changes to have happened after eighteen years; else I doubt very much that those who lived here would not think I was under a curse of some sort.” He smirked.

Leaning forwards a little and studying her face with interest, his fingers laced under his chin, Saberlin noticed her trembling and the way she held her position in the chair as well as the body language of her ears and tail. He saw that she had turned rather pale.

Saberlin tried to reassure her. “You need not be so anxious around me, little sister. Am I that terrifying?” he inquired, some amusement evident in his voice. “And please, you may call me Saberlin when we are not -”

They were suddenly interrupted by a loud gurgling noise and he broke off mid sentence. Blinking, Saberlin looked in the direction he had heard the sound coming from and then down, noticing Cheria’s belly at last.

From the fact that she was stroking it as well as that it looked very akin to Fern’s at present, he had to assume she was (heavily) pregnant. His pale gold eyes widened as he registered the information and his expression altered considerably. “You…you’re…Cheria, there wasn’t any mention of that.” he said softly, meeting her gaze with a more searching stare as his ears dipped slightly. Why would she have kept that fact secret?

“A house keeper’s work can be strenuous. Something can be sorted... but it would have been more prudent to let us know. I can tell you have a lot of news to share since we last saw each other” he observed warmly, expecting good news and looking forward to sharing some of his own. He didn't know whether she knew about the twins yet or not and couldn't remember telling her, though she had of course been invited to Saberlin and Fern's wedding before that bit of news became a reality.

"Oh, Saberlin!" Cheria looked at him with pain in her eyes. "I had a boyfriend until 8 months ago; when I found out I was pregnant, carrying his child. He dumped me, after I told him that I wasn’t getting an abortion, even though he urged me to. I worked a full time job up to my 7th month, and then I had to stop. With my money that I saved, I bought my self the little I could." Cheria began to cry, her face darkened by the tears. "I'm sorry, Saberlin...! I couldn’t find a job, and when I saw this job, I took it. When I got accepted, I couldn’t believe it. A wealthy man with a wife needed me to be their housekeeper. I just never thought that it would be you and Fern...Please don’t chew me, Saberlin, please, I already had to keep my pregnancy a secret from Father and Mother, but I don’t want any secrets between us, since you're my only friend! Please?" Cheria looked at him, her eyes pleading. Her ears twitched, and another Brandon Hicks contraction took hold, making her face go pale again and her hands grip the arm rest, making sure that her nails didn’t go in the wood.

Sammie sighed dramatically as the Butler showed her down the stairs. She tugged on the butler’s vest and looked up at him and smiled weakly and giggled. When they reached the nursery, Sammie skipped over to Fern. "I like the colours of the walls and everything." She said, looking around. "So... Who’s the lady in uncle’s office?" She asked innocently, rocking on the balls of her feet.

Fern looked at Sammie, smiling. "Do you? I do too. Saberlin did a wonderful job." She finished putting away the clothes she and Sammie had gotten and closed the drawer, looking over when Sammie mentioned Saberlin. "Woman in his office? I don't know. I'm sure we'll meet her soon. How about in the meantime you and I go get something to eat, hmm?"

Saberlin let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his hair, slumping against his desk a little. His tail flicked wildly in frustration and irritation. Well, this had turned out to be a fine mess indeed.

He had been about to say something several times, including the fact she had brought disrespect to their deceased parents and their entire family by throwing away a number of precious core values but when he looked up and saw her face and heard her heartfelt pleading, he was forced to bite his tongue and swallow his words. She was after all, still his little sister.

That didn't however, mean he was happy at all about being lied to or having secrets kept from him. He was sure he didn't deserve that.

Saberlin gently pushed a box of tissues closer towards the distraught lioness woman and spoke while he waited for her to clean herself up a bit, choosing his words carefully. "I know full well it is not my place to judge...although I must admit, I believe you did the right thing in keeping the child." He regarded her with golden discs thinly slitted, keeping his tone even. "I don't understand why you didn't think you could turn to me in times of trouble and took upon yourself that full time job, neither why you kept the fact hidden you had found someone you thought to be your partner or why you broke the values of treasuring one another enough to marry before intimacy, or why you kept the child a secret as well, though I won't ask for any explanations." He paused and gave another soft sigh "However, I want you to know you are welcome to stay here as long as you require and to live here if you wish for as long as you wish. You are as much a part of this family as I. I shall have words with the head butler and the head maid about your work and we can arrange for someone to stand in whilst you are on maternity leave. Should you have any debts or other financial needs, they can also be settled and of course, food, quarters, medical care and other requirements will be freely given." Pressing a button hidden under his desk, Saberlin summoned a maid to the office. She smiled and bowed before turning politely to Cheria. "This is Elsie. She will show you around and you can choose where you'd like to stay. For now, this will conclude our meeting. I have other matters to attend and much to consider"

With that, he stood and silently left the room, ears pinned back and wearing a light frown. It was a lot to digest all in one go but even so, a part of him was glad that she was here. He let his feet lead him back down to the nursery to meet with Fern, preoccupied in thoughts.

"Ye-es! Let’s have more pizza!!" Sammie said in a sing-song voice. "Pizza, pizza, pizza!" She said pulling on Ferns hand and stopped when she saw Saberlin. She slowly looked up at him. "Are you ok? You seem up-set?" Sammie mad her grumpy face, hoping to make him laugh.

Fern smiled and laughed a little. Sammie was so adorable. She looked up at Saberlin, her smile fading. "Oh, Saberlin. What’s the matter? Did something happen?"

Cheria followed Elise, her tail twitching nervously. Soon, she spotted a room with medieval theme, and when she looked inside, there was a medieval themed nursery. But the room and the nursery was dusty, so she found a duster and some polish, and soon had the rooms sparkling. Cheria also noticed the door to the huge balcony, and she opened it to get some fresh air. Just then, a painful contraction hit, making Cheria gasp and bend almost double. Feeling Elise touching her arm, Cheria was finally able to get out: "Get Saberlin...now!" Cheria reached for the railing, and clung on, while she waited for her half-brother. Cheria's water broke, forming a puddle at her feet, and also getting a little on her tail.

About to greet his two beautiful ladies, (and see what they had bought and inquire about the shopping trip) Saberlin looked somewhat surprised when they both inquired after him at once. He hadn’t realised his troubles were showing so clearly in his expression.[

Ruffling Sammie’s ears gently and giving a weak yet appreciative smile at her grumpy face, he glanced up at Fern before his pale gaze shifted to look out upon the grey rain pattering beyond the window panes, thinking of how best to explain.

“Ah ha ha, you two know me too well.” He chuckled softly, though there was little humour in the short laughter and it sounded slightly hollow. Looking pointedly at Fern once more, he spoke the first words with a meaningful tone. “My younger sister, Cheria.” There was a short pause as he let the words sink in. “I believe I have told you about her before. She’s the lioness sister. Today is the first time we have seen each other in many years and as it turns out, she is my newest housekeeper” he almost wanted to put his head in his hands and groan. “And she shall be immediately on maternity leave as both you and she are in similar condition, my flower.” He sighed, kissing Fern on the cheek lightly to let her know it was a precious condition nonetheless.

After which he briefly explained to them both (though still tactfully, he wasn’t trying to put Cheria down) how she had poured a treasure trove of news at his feet and the shocking truth of her situation. He felt undeniably guilty. The entire time he had believed she was off making her way in the world and living happily…whilst he had been living in relative luxury, running the mansion and business, enjoying the time with his loved ones.

He was just about to change the subject for a bit and suggest they get Sammie some pizza when light running footsteps approached them and a rather breathless maid who turned out to be Elsie, hurried up. Bowing in hasted manner, she straightened and blurted out squeakily “Excuse me, Sir, lady Cheria is in some sort of difficulty and she requests for your company most urgently. I-I don’t know what’s wrong, I came quickly as I could! I’m worried…”

Alarm bells were sounding in Saberlin’s head. Darn it, it was one thing after the other! He had a fairly good suspicion of what it could be; perhaps strong willed little sister had tried to do too much on her own for too long and finally overexerted herself. All the recent stress couldn’t have helped things much either. Blast.

Forcing himself to remain calm, he instructed his jittery maid. “Thank you Elsie, it’s alright. I would like you to take care of Miss Sammie whilst Fern and I go to her.”

Not forgetting his sweet cousin, Saberlin knelt and gave her a soft hug, tickling her with his tail tip to lighten the tense mood. “And you, my Lady Pantheress, would you like to teach Miss Elsie how to make extra cheesy pizza with extra cheese?” he asked, giving her a large warm smile. “We can all eat some for tea tonight

((its really good! I wish i could be so descriptive!><))"She does kinda look like she could be your sister." Sammie said, remembering when she had noticed her for the first time. She listens to Saberlin talk and nodding once in a while. When Elise comes in she hugs Saberlin and pokes him in the tummy with her tail. "We can? Ok!" Sammie jumped up and down, unable to control her excitement. Sammie waves as Elise and her go to the kitchen.

Cheria leaned against the railing, the contractions coming stronger and swifter than the last ones. "Come on, Saberlin!" She whimpered, being an inexperienced soon-to-be mother, she had no clue on what to do. "Aargh!"A rather painful contraction hit her full force, forcing her to almost double over and hang on to the railing. She was getting soaked, yes, but she didn’t care. Of course, she cared about getting wet, but when she's having contractions, she doesn’t want to move from the railing. Her ears drooped, soaked through. Cheria breathed deep, taking in the cleansing air. Finally, she sat down in a corner where it was sheltered, and sat there, shivering until Saberlin came.

Fern went to Saberlin’s side, wrapping her arms around him. "Oh, Saberlin. I'm sure things will work out to be just fine." Fern smiled a bit as she tried to reassure him. Fern looked up as she heard Elise come running in. She wondered what could have happened as she saw the worried look on Elise's face. She looked up at Saberlin, worried about him and his sister.

Elsie smiled at Sammie and held out her hand as an invitation for the panther girl to grab it should she wish to. She turned to lead the way out to the kitchen, brightening a little at something for them both to focus on while the others took care of things. She would help where she could of course but she knew little of child birthing. “Come on then Miss Sammie, you’ll have to teach me how to make them. I have a recipe for my favourite chocolate cup cakes. Let’s make dessert too!” she suggested, starting to gather pots, pans and utensils once they were in the kitchen, setting them out on the bench top.

***

After he found out where Cheria was, he watched to make sure Sammie and Elsie had left. Saberlin closed his eyes for a moment, reaching up to gently squeeze Fern’s hand when she embraced him and returning her hug with one arm. “Thank you. I hope they will be.” He added sincerely, tail lashing a little.

Thinking of the fastest way to reach his sister, it took him a few seconds before coming to a decision. He wasn’t about to make Fern climb any flights of stairs or walk along vast hallways to get to the medieval-themed room. “I’ve got it” His eyes slid open and he took Fern by the hand to pull her gently with him out of the nursery and to a section of floor in the hall under a painting of a fox and hounds chase.

There was nothing particularly remarkable about the section of flooring, which looked like every other bit of floor on this wing. However, Saberlin knelt down and, removing one paint-splattered glove, swiftly traced out a design with his fingertip. A tiny whisper of sound could be heard, like a piece of light fabric sliding over the ground and then a thin surface of floor he’d touched lit up and slid back like a camera lens, revealing a softly glowing symbol of silvery metal underneath. Wasting no time, he stepped on and they blinked out of existence to reappear on the level where Cheria was, out in that hall near a potted plant. “New teleporter system” he informed Fern with a brief smirk. “This is one of the safer ones. We’re still working out kinks.”

From here, it was much faster to get to Cheria and Saberlin strode down the hallways, almost at a jogging pace.

He glanced quickly around the medieval style nursery as he paced through the freshly cleaned room towards the wide open doors to the balcony, putting two and two together. These rooms had been neglected for a long time and had been very dusty and dirty.

The room was silent and cold, moth eaten curtains flapping, dust motes still hovering in the air from their recent disturbance. Rain and wind were sweeping in, splattering the decorative stone floor and making the doors swing on their hinges. Looking around with a feeling of dread, he searched the balcony railing for Cheria. Surely, she couldn’t have fallen? No, her scent was strong. She was right…there! Saberlin spotted the curled figure in one corner and hurried over to her, “Cheria, I’m here! Are you alright? What are you doing out on the balcony?” he asked gently, kneeling in front of her to shield her from the weather. “Fern, dear, do we have anything to dry her off with? She’s soaked to the skin”

Another contraction gripped Cheria, making her arch her back. "My water broke, and I'm having really bad contractions. I don’t know what to do!!" Cheria started to cry, her teeth chattering wildly. "I wasn’t expecting to give birth this soon....I was due in a month." Sweat started to bead on her forehead, the stress showing.

"First we are gonna need A LOT of cheese." Sammie said importantly." She gasped. "Chocolate cupcakes? Yay!" She helped Elsie get out the different utensils when they reached the kitchen. Sammie helped by taking out things from the pantry and cabinets. She started by deciding to take the flour and poured it on the dough, while also rolling it into a circle, although it appeared more as a square with the ends cut off.

Fern followed after Saberlin as he gently pulled her along, wondering where he was going. She watched him take off his glove as he knelt down and was about to ask what he was doing when they were suddenly on another level of the house. She looked around, startled. "T-teleporter system...!?" She'd always thought teleporters were things of science fiction. She had no idea that Saberlin made such things.

She tore her mind away from the teleporter as Saberlin rushed down the hall. Although she didn't know Cheria well, she too was worried. She followed Saberlin into the cold medieval nursery, startled when she saw Cheria, soaked and cold. "I'll go get something." She told Saberlin as she rushed out the room, returning shortly with some towels and a blanket.

Elsie giggled at Sammie's enthusiasm and nodded, making a mental note about the cheese. Getting a large block of cheddar from the refrigerator after she'd tied on a cooking apron, she repeated "Lots of cheese, alright! And what do we do with the cheese after we prepare it?" She helped to grate the block til there was barely half left before setting about chopping the other ingredients, watching Sammie's first batch of dough closely. Elsie was a terrible cook at the best of times but at least she would have lots of practise on this meal. They would have to make more than one pizza.

***

"Thank you sweetheart" he replied gratefully to his wife without glancing up at her.

Saberlin listened and watched over Cheria whilst Fern went to fetch the towels and a blanket. He wasn't going to leave her side.

"I see." he said softly and gave her a faint smile, keeping his tone calm and even in hopes of soothing her a little. "Don't you worry now. It's going to be alright. Just leave everything to big brother." He didn't dare touch her in case she lashed out from the pain, although he hoped his presence was somewhat reassuring.

There wasn't much else he could do or say. Things were going to happen how they happened and there was no use trying to halt what had started. He seemed to be thinking over what to do. Inwardly, he was fearful and worried but he wouldn't let it show. She was under enough stress already and now appeared to be heading into a full blown panic. The last thing she needed was them all panicking with her.

Hearing Fern approach with the items requested, Saberlin turned and, after thanking her again, took some of the towels from her, gently drying Cheria off a bit. Once they had her partly dried, he lightly draped the blanket around her shoulders and looked to his wife again. "We're going to have to get her to the bay as quickly as possible or at least the nearest bed. I'll call the medical staff in. Fortunately, we have a specialist team for...er...rare occasions." he informed her.

By this he meant to help with some 'clients' who weren't exactly human and were particularly tough on normal, innocent nurses and doctors who didn't deserve to lose an arm while helping their patients through labour. Saberlin fished in his pockets and pulled out the penlike camera device he'd once shown to Fern on their holiday at the inn. Pressing his claw into a small slit in the side, a fine holographic panel appeared and he touched a blue circular symbol which then flashed and blinked out.

"Alright, they'll be here any minute" he smiled reassuringly at Cheria, knowing they were on their way. "Sorry dear sister but we're going to have to move you off of my balcony. Can't leave you out in the rain" With that, he resigned himself to possibly being claw marked and scratched and carefully scooped her up off the stone floor without waiting for protest, carrying her to the nearest room's bed and setting her down on it. "Are you allergic to anything? They'll probably want to offer some pain medication" he inquired.

Meanwhile, something was happening in the laboratory...

Fern followed Saberlin out of the room, trying to hide her worried expression. She was worried not just about Cheria, but for Saberlin as well. She stood out of the way, wondering what she should do to help.

Sammie finishes the dough and cuts up some cheese. "Now we add the sauce." She takes out two fresh tomatoes and gives one to Elsie. She takes the rolling pin used for the dough and squishes the tomato around the dough. "Now the cheese!" She giggles and takes all the cheese they had cute or grated and dumps it onto the pizza. After Elsie put the pizza in the oven Sammie seemed to be reading her mind. "We should make another."

Cheria leaned against Saberlin, breathing in his scent. The contractions were coming faster and closer together, and just as painful. She let her head roll on his chest, her hand touching the golden eagle with the diamond around her neck. "Saberlin, will you leave me?" Cheria touched Saberlin's hand, her eyes dulled with the pain. "I'm not allergic to anything, at least I dont think so." Cheria felt herself being lowered into a bed, and she graped Saberlin's hand, consocious of Fern being there. "Would you stay with me, Saberlin, Fern?" Cheria pushed her self up, and looked at Saberlin and Fern in turn. Her fine tawny hair was matted with sweat and her eyes looked a bit more brighter than before. Her eyes sought their faces, her eyes full with fear, when she looked at them, fearing the worst, that they'll leave her, to face this alone, utterly alone, and no one to help her through the birth of her baby.

Elsie watched Sammie squash the tomato onto the pizza base and then looked uncertainly at the tomato she’d been handed, wondering if she could do this part. Well, it looked simple enough. It should be easy, right? Putting the tomato on the middle of the pizza, she picked up a rolling pin and then, figuring out the best angle to hit it, brought the pin down on the tomato, at once causing the fruit to explode.

‘Squirt!’ went the tomato noisily, splashing seeds and pulp at them. Elsie gave a soft cry and dropped the rolling pin on her foot as she clapped a hand to her eye. “Ow, I got seeds in my eye- Augh!, my foot!” she cried, hopping up and down. She could hear Sammie’s giggling as the younger girl said something about the cheese. Once Elsie had washed her eye and could see again, she saw the pizza was ready to go in the oven and put it in on a medium temperature. Of course, she had forgotten a tray so it would probably melt everywhere.

She giggled a bit nervously at Sammie’s words to make another one but put on a brave face. “O…okay! Let me get some more cheese…ehehe”

***

At Cheria’s question of whether he would leave her, Saberlin seemed slightly taken aback for a moment before he replied gently. “Only if you wish me to leave will I do so. I can see you do not wish it at this moment, thus I shall stay as long as you want or need me here. At least until the medics arrive”

Sensing Fern’s worry and picking up on the scent, he reached out and gave her arm a small squeeze then took her hand and pulled her lightly towards him, taking a seat on the edge of the bed near Cheria. He would keep both of the women he cared about close to him.

“Calm your fears, little sister; I have no plans on leaving anytime soon.” He soothed, giving Fern a comforting smile as well. “Besides, it will be good practise for us. Perhaps you will be able to return the favour some time” he chuckled softly, knowing he would have to go through something similar with Fern any day now. Hopefully not on the same day but with these things, no one knew…Saberlin’s tail lashed uncomfortably.

As he gave Cheria’s clawed hand a light squeeze to let her know he was there for her, there were footsteps outside in the hall which were swiftly followed by the appearance of several midwives, nurses and a few doctors in the room, carrying various high tech equipment and supplies. They seemed cheerful and relaxed, as though this sort of thing was an everyday occurrence, though they performed their actions quickly and with ease as they set up. Somehow, the bedroom was suddenly transformed into a delivery room, complete with (floating) trolleys and trays, a bleeping monitor, gas cylinders and syringes for pain relief and other odds and implements.

Surrounding the mother to be, they set about doing what they did best. One of the friendly nurses smiled at her from behind her mask as she helped make her more comfortable. “It looks like we might be going to meet your little one soon. Don’t worry, Miss Cheria, you’re in good hands with us. It’s a pleasure to meet you” she said cheerfully. “Would you like any pain relief? We have…” she listed a few of the various methods and would give Cheria whichever one she asked for. Questions and answers pinged around the room, such as how far along and whether they should do this or that…

As this was going on, there was yet another distraction. One of the geneticists from the lab came hurrying up to Saberlin, looking agitated and excited all together and kept rubbing his hands together in a gleeful manner that reminded Saberlin of a praying mantis. “Sir, that object you discovered and told us to monitor, something is happening to it! It’s only changing slowly but we thought you might like to see. Twin cracks have appeared in separate areas and it’s moving quite a lot. We have stunning lasers, sleeping gas, mind disruptors and other level one disruptives trained on it just in case, like you requested.”

“Really? Great! I’ll just…” Saberlin had instantly stood and made to leave - then remembered where he was and why and bit down hard on his lip, kicking himself. He still had to resist the desire to flee straight to his lab and get involved with the proceedings down there even so.

Darn it, why was ‘it’ happening now? He was going to miss the great event! But staying here was more important. He’d promised Cheria…

Fern sat on the edge of the bed with Saberlin, watching his tail out of the corner of her eye. She wished she could help him relax a bit somehow. She kept one hand on Saberlin’s and the other on her own stomach, rubbing it in little circles.

She wanted to give a huge sigh of relief when the medical team arrived. Fern stood off the bed to give them some room.

Cheria settled down in the bed, the contractions worsening. Searching for Saberlin's hand, Cheria closed her eyes and followed the doctor's intructions. An hour passed and then she opened her eyes. Her hair was matted, and plastered on to her neck, while she struggled to sit up. She put a hand on her belly, noticing that it wasnt flat. A loud wail was picked up by her ears, and flicked in that direction. Leaning foreword, her eyes widened at the sight. The nurses were holding a newborn lion neko boy. "Oh, Saberlin, your an uncle, and he's perfect! And, Fern, your an aunt!!" Weakening contractions raked her lower back, but Cheria barley noticed them. Thinking that she was done, Cheria flopped back, closing her eyes and sighed. Bolting up right, Cheria groaned when a rather painful contraction raked her back. Cheria randomly glanced at the window, and noticed it was dark. She then looked at the alarm clock, which said 1:00 AM. Glancing to her right, she noticed Saberlin and Fern still there. "Saberlin, go get some sleep. Its past midnight, and you look really tired. But if you want, you can stay here." A thin, and quiet way reached Cheria's ears, and she leaned foreword to see. A little boy, feet first, had been born. "Ummmm.....Saberlin.....? Can you stay here??" Cheria couldn’t grasp it. She had given birth to twin boys?!

Sammie watched the pizza melting in the oven and burst out laughing. Then saw the tomato explode around the pizza, smiling she says. "That’s one way to do it." Sammie was going to get out another block of cheese. But hesitated, feeling Elsie’s nervousness. "It’s ok. We can have just the two." Looking at the two pizzas, she saw one melting and the other burning to a crisp.

Elsie, noticing Sammie’s expression, turned her gaze to see what she was looking at and gave a giggle and a groan, pressing a hand to her forehead. “Ohh, not again! How does someone destroy a pizza?” she asked aloud with mock despair, giggling some more at herself for a moment.

Finally regaining some composure, Elsie stood up, straightened her shoulders, smoothed her skirts and sighed, a smile still on her face as she gathered more ingredients. “No, I think we should cook some more. I really need to practise my cooking skills. Let’s serve them something that isn’t a mess” she said gently, with amusement. “We’d better start the cupcakes afterwards though. I have a habit of mixing things together that really shouldn’t be - unless you want chocolate pizza!”

***

Saberlin’s hand had been unfortunately rather crushed and was also bleeding quite profusely from having claws dug into it as it was repeatedly squeezed. However, he barely paid it any heed and certainly didn’t blame the one who’d inflicted the injuries.

When the first baby was born and she announced he was an uncle, a large catlike smile spread over his face and he grinned down at his sister proudly, fangs and golden eyes agleam. “Congratulations, little sister! See, you have done well” he told her with pride. “He sounds healthy and strong”

He was going to relax at last, yawning behind a gloved hand and slumping slightly (the other hand still grasping Cheria’s) when the lioness mother suddenly bolted upright with a pained groan, making Saberlin’s fur bristle as he almost jumped out of his skin. “Shoot!” he swore quietly, wondering what was going on and quickly retracting his two inch sharp claws that had shot out on instinct. Oh well, he was used to his gloves being torn. He had plenty more. He gave Cheria a flat look as she tried to order him to bed which clearly said ‘not in a million years. I’m making sure you’re all alright first’ “I care not what the hour is, I have stayed up past the dawn many times” he replied stubbornly, giving Cheria a half smile. “In which iced tea becomes my close friend”

His ears swivelled to catch the weaker sounding cry and he smiled warmly at her despite the faint smoky shadows under his eyes. “Congratulations yet again. Twin boys! I believe you may now take the rest you have well earned” he said gently and happily, eyeing the infant as the doctors and nurses quickly took care of them. This little one’s lungs didn’t seem quite as powerful as his elder sibling’s and he was requiring a little extra attention.

Fern smiled when she heard the nurse announce the birth of Cheria's baby. She turned to Cheria, smiling. "Congratulations Cheria."

Fern moved closer to Saberlin's side, a little worried about him. His bleeding and he looked so tired. She was about to suggest they let Cheria rest when she heard the soft cry. She turned to Cheria smiling. "Twins! Oh goodness, congratulations Cheria."

Cheria smiled. "Thank you Saberlin and Fern." Cheria reached for her babies, but instead of two, she got her first born and not the second one. She marvelled at the tiny claws, and the tiny flickering tail. She wondered if he'd have darker dappled paws than she, since his father was a jaguar neko. Seeing only one way to find out, she transformed into a lioness, and with her, her twin boys. Her firstborn was lion with a dappled pelt and dark dappled paws. Her second born was a golden brown lion with a dappled pelt and dark dappled paws. Finally drawing her second child to her, she laid down, with her head on her paws, while she listened to the soft suckling sounds as her twin boys nursed. Cheria looked at Saberlin, her golden eyes looking very tired, but she tried to keep them awake. "Saberlin and Fern, do you want to help me name them?" Then she closed her eyes and slipped into a restful sleep with her children next to her.

"Its Ok. Its just a pizza." Sammie smiled at Elsies laughing at her mistake and making the best of it. "More Pizza!" She yelled in exitement. After Elise got out the ingredients she bgan re-making the pizza.

Elsie helped make another batch of pizzas with Sammie’s instruction (which actually turned out alright, except for another horribly melted one) and two batches of chocolate choc-chip cupcakes before helping Sammie to get ready for bed.

She put aside some cupcakes especially for the little panther girl, drawing pink and yellow icing letter ‘S’s on top of them and drawing little cat ears on top of the ‘S’, with the rest of it looking like a cat tail.

The maid took the room next door to Sammie’s to sleep in and bid her goodnight as she went into the room, saying that if she needed anything, Elsie would be right next door. She was wearing a frosted pink nightie with ribbons so she wouldn’t be hard to find!

***

Saberlin let a doctor tend to his claw-bitten hand, holding it up so they could apply disinfectant and wrap clean bandages, though his attention was still fully focused on Cheria and his two nephews.

He smiled faintly as he watched her change into her lioness form, her children with her. Saberlin wasn’t really surprised (it was an enhanced natural ability in their family, made possible by fitting tiny pieces of technology that looked like small jewellery which activated all feline genes and caused the transformation upon will. His was on his left ear) yet he wondered how she had the energy left to do so. However as she asked to help choose names, he saw she’d quickly fallen asleep. “Of course, I’d be happy to.” He told Cheria warmly, leaning over to lightly kiss the top of her head as she slumbered. “Rest now, little sister, you deserve it”

Watching her a moment more to make sure she and her twins were fine, he then turned to Fern and hugged her, pulling away to gently place a hand under her chin and kiss her briefly. “Thank you for staying up with us this late, my love. You must be tired but I know Cheria is grateful, as am I. Come now, I think we can leave them in peace for a while and catch up on some sleep” he started to laugh softly but it was cut off by a large yawn. 'I need some iced tea'

Fern smiled a little as Saberlin pulled her into a hug. "It's no problem Saberlin. I was glad to stay with you and Cheria." She smiled a bit as he yawned. "Alright, lets go get you into bed." She led him out of the room and back to their bedroom.

Sammie put away the ingredients as Elsie started on the cupcakes. She watched as they baked in the oven. After they had baked she watched as the maid put 'S' on her cupcakes. After they finished cleaning up and putting the cupcakes in the fridge, Elsie lead her to the bedroom. She sat on her bed and pulled the soft blanket over herself. Sammie waved Elsie to come in. "Do you think...Maybe... You could read me a bed time story like my mommy?"

Cheria woke up to a wonderful morning, her cubs next to her, and a prank forming in her mind. Letting her cubs nurse, she laid still for a moment, then cut off her cubs nursing short. Getting up, she lickde her cubs clean, and then grabbed them by the scruff. Cheria bounded out of her room, carefully speeding towards Saberlin's room. Finally getting there, she tiptoed to the bed, and gently put her cubs on the floor. Taking her littlest one, she put him next to Saberlin, with him nuzzling Saberlin's side for a meal. Cheria then put her oldest next to Fern, and then hid under the bed, wondering how long it will take Saberlin and Fern to realize what is going on. She flicked her tail, her eyes gleaming and her mouth in a lioness-like smirk she inherited from her father.

“Me? What about you? I’m not the one carrying twins here” he chuckled, helping Fern to her feet as she got up and tugged him back to their room.

Elsie saw the panther girl’s wave and knew she was being summoned. Giggling, she walked across the room to sit on the edge of the bed and then nodded at Sammie’s request. “Of course, I’d be happy to tell you one. We don’t even need a book. I know one that my father always used to tell me about a strange coin that would fall out of people’s pockets and reappear somewhere else. It was actually a fairy coin from the end of the rainbow” she smiled, beginning to tell the tale.

Once Sammie was asleep, she went back to her room next door and lay awake for a while, turning a small silver coin over in her fingers before she too drifted off.

Squeak, growl, grr, mewl! Saberlin’s ears flickered and he awoke to the most bizarre sounds of growling mewls and grunts and something poking him in the side. Broken claws, what on earth was going on?! Sitting up suddenly, he looked around for the source of the noises and saw not one but two tiny cubs wandering around and getting tangled in the sheets. By the sounds of them, they were hungry as lions and wanted a meal. Saberlin ran a hand through his tousled hair and gave a soft growl, freeing the one tangled near him from it’s snare of sheets and holding it close in one arm. “Cheria, what game are you playing at this early in the morning? It’s five o clock am.” He asked pointedly, pushing back the bedclothes and spying the swishing lioness tail poking out from under the bed. Saberlin raised an eyebrow at it.

Fern had been sleeping peacefully when all of a sudden she felt something soft and warm against her side. At first she thought it was Saberlin's tail and reached over to get him to stop. She was a bit surprised when her hand met something quite a bit larger. She opened her eyes, moving the blanket to see what was going on, her eyes widening when she was greeted by the small cub. She sat sat up quickly, startled, accidentally bumping into Saberlin. "Oh! Sorry dear."She untangled the small cub, cradling him gently.  

[Kasumi Roseglimmer]

"Just an early morning prank from my childhood, that's all!" Cheria got from under the bed, shaking the dust from her coat. She looked at Saberlin, a teasing light in her eye, and the lopsided smirk from her father. Cheria retrieved her smallest cub, licking his frazzled fur. "Shh now, momma has you." Cheria went to get her oldest, but noticed that he was being held by Fern, and deciced to let the two bond for a bit.

-----

The oldest cub, (who was in Fern's arms) stopped squirming and settled down. who ever this person is, she smells like momma! Letting out a frustrated sqeak, he settled back down in Fern's arms.

Sammie squrimed around in bed. Waking up, her face flushed and beaded with sweat. She looked around in the darm scardely. "E-Elsie?" She whispered. Sammie looked around and let out a small whimper. "I had a nightmare..." She drooped her ears and cried softly in the darkness of her room.

“I see. I should have had the door locked” he remarked flatly, noting her mischievous smirk and trying not to think who it reminded him of. Darn it, between her and his father, Saberlin had had to wake up with some really awful things over the years, always in the flush of dawn as that was when he rose most days; frogs hopping around, a slug on his forehead, glue and feathers, flour bombs, throwing knives that just happened to miss and destroyed his good pillows, sneezing powder, ice cubes!... “You’re obviously in a good mood today” he observed with interest, his tone holding no malice.

Saberlin felt a soft bump against his shoulder as his startled awake wife collided with him and held the cub more tightly to prevent dropping them as he jolted forwards slightly.

“Forgiven~!” Saberlin shot back warmly at her apology “Good Morning, darling. No need to worry, Cheria is feeling up to her normal self again, that’s all” he chuckled quietly, letting the mother lioness take her child from his grasp.

Listening to the cries of the eldest cub who was snuggled with Fern, he was able to interpret the feline mrowling. “Are you going to make it a habit to confuse your children often?” he inquired of Cheria, watching her grooming the other cub.

***

“…I had a nightmare”

“Mmm…a nightmare?” Elsie repeated blearily. She was awoken by the sounds of sobbing from the room next door. Elsie was a light sleeper and had also left the door open during the night so when she heard the young panther girl’s words, she rose without a second thought and stumbled into her room, tripping over a soft toy on the floor and going sprawling halfway across. “Give me a second, Mistress, I’ll be right th - ahhh!”

Thump! Elsie landed face first on the floor, bumping her nose on the wooden floorboards past the edge of the rug. “Ow! Fishheads, what does this room look like again?” she moaned, sitting up and rubbing her red nose.

Fern Smiled a bit as the small cub settled into her arms. She turned back to Saberlin. "Oh, well it's good to see you feeling better Cheria." She carefully got up, bringing the small cub over to where Cheria was grooming her other kitten. "As much as I'd love to bond with this little one me and my little ones need a bath." She smiled a bit, handing over the small cub and heading to the bathroom to take a nice warm bath.

"Elsie?" The young girl wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her baggy t-shirt. She jumped out of bed. "Are you ok?" Feeling around the room and finding herself bump into a leg, she clings to it with all the strength she had. "My bed is about 4 feet away to the left." She instructed to the maid. "When you leave the door is on the right wall and connects to the hallway."

Cheria nodded and took her oldest cub. "I was thinking, how does Luke sound for my youngest, and Caleb for my oldest?" Cheria groomed her other cub, making sure his fur was flat. "Hah,I remember all the pranks I pulled with father. Taht was a fun time."

Saberlin watched Fern go and then turned his attention back to Cheria, listening to her choices for names as the sounds of water running echoed faintly from the bathroom. There was a big luxury claw foot bath in there with lots of pretty rose petals, candles, bath salts, bubblebath and other items to choose from.

“Fun for you two, perhaps…” Saberlin muttered, looking away out the window with his tail swishing. He considered the names properly, saying them in his mind a few times. Saberlin slid out of bed and took a moment to stretch from claws to tail tip, raising his arms over his head and stretching his neck and shoulders as well. There was a slight ache in them from bending over the bed next to Cheria most of the previous night and his bandaged hand throbbed lightly.

Watching her groom her tiny sons, he gave a faint smile. “I have considered. And those are fine names, little sister. I believe my flower would agree.” Saberlin knelt down and petted her youngest one, Luke, on the head, his smile softening as the little lion cub hybrid tried to catch and chew on his fingers. He wondered how long she was going to keep them all in feline form.

***

Elsie giggled at herself and sat up with a bit of a wobble, still rubbing her nose. “Yes, I’m okay” Realising that her nose was bleeding a little bit, she pinched her fingers on it. “Thankoo” she replied, giving yet another giggle at the way she now sounded and adjusting her voice. “It’s been a while since I cleaned the rooms on this floor. I couldn’t remember in the dark…” Seeing the young girl still latched onto her leg, she leaned down and hugged Sammie gently, petting her hair and back in a soothing manner. “That’s right, you had a bad nightmare? There now, it was just a nasty dream…dreams aren’t real. It can’t hurt you, it really can’t, no matter how real it seems” she murmured, giving Sammie a small smile and continuing to soothe her. She lightly clapped her hands twice and the ceiling lights came on.

Cheria smiled at Luke, as he tried to catch and nibble on his uncle's hand. Getting up, she stretched and sighed. " I must go, brother, I need the get the cubs a proper bath." With that, she grabbed the scruff of her cubs and speeded back to her room. Once back, she transformed back into a human, got dressed, gave Caleb and Luke a bath, and put them to sleep, in the nursery. Pulling on an oversized hoodie, she walked out on the balcony, looked both ways, and then jumped down from the balcony to land in a wonderland of towering lilac bushes. Smiling, she sat down beneath one, and smiled some more.

Once Fern had made sure the water wasnt too hot, she slid into the tub, sighing a bit. The warm water felt nice and relaxing. She slid deeper into the tub, giggling a bit as her stomach poked out of the water a bit.

Sammie released her grip on her ever so slightly. "Your Welcome." Looking up she smiled as Elise pet her hair, soothing her. "I know dreams arent real." Looking over at the door, outside the threshold it was consumed in darkness. Sammie whimpered again. "I want mommy." She whispered.

"Alright, good day then. I suppose I'll see you after work" Saberlin gave one final affectionate ruffle to his baby nephew's soft fur and nodded curtly, watching Cheria gather her little ones and take them off to bathe.

Seeing that Fern was occupying the bathroom and Sammie was possibly still asleep at this hour, he went over to his desk and wrote a quick note to leave Fern, putting it somewhere she would find it before going to their walk in wardrobe and taking the clothes he preferred to wear for the day, walking into the large bathroom across the hall to shower and get ready.

The note he left read, in a slightly wobbly (from being half asleep and a little bit groggy) yet near enough to neat and precise, handwriting: "Good Morning my beautiful flower. *drawing of a wonky miniature rose* I trust you slept well? I have gone to prepare for work but we may meet in the kitchen for a quick bite of breakfast before parting ways for the day.

See you shortly, perhaps.

Love,

Saberlin."

***

Elsie smiled at the sweet, adorable creature before her and resisted the urge to smother her with hugs. She was sooo cute! "That's very good. Just keep in mind, there are good dreams that you can make come true, they don't all have to be bad nightmares" she reminded her gently. Hearing Sammie's whimpering, she gave her a 'big sister hug' and a warm smile. "Aw, then, how about this; let's go and ring your mummy and say hi. I'm sure she won't mind. We can go back to bed after that, or maybe a nice walk through the rose garden. I hear it's very pretty in the early morning. All the night dew sparkles on the opening flowers" she explained, getting to her feet and holding Sammie's hand. She would stay with her for now and babysit quite happily. Elsie didn't mind.

After Fern had finished her bath, she headed into the bedroom to get dressed. As she headed to the closet she noticed the note Saberlin had left. She quickly read over the note, smiling as she got dressed.

Once she was dried and dressed she headed down to the kitchen to meet with Saberlin. The idea of breakfast wasn't too appealing to her today, but she figured she'd try and eat something anyways.

Cheria got up opnce her stomach growled. Breaking off some liliac blossoms, she intertwined them into a couple of braids and set off to the kitchen. Stretching, she basked in the warmth, letting the scent of liliacs wash over her. Sitting in one of the chairs, Cheria put her head down and was not aware of Saberlin and Fern entering.

"Not all dreams are bad." Sammie repeated, agreeing. "Ok." She said and let go off her leg, holding her hand. "Ive never seen the rose garden, that sounds lots of fun." Sammie didnt feel as scared. "I want to say hi to uncle before he goes to work, if he does." Sammie told elsie as they walked down the hallway.

Elsie took Sammie's hand with a smile and nodded, leading her out of the room and into the hallway with a mind to head towards the gardens. "Yes, it's very fun. The roses were planted a long time ago by the first Mistress and she put in over a hundred different kinds"

She listened to Sammie's request to see her uncle and considered a moment, changing the direction they were going. "Well...I suppose we could go and visit the kitchen first. He always eats breakfast before going to work. And he always goes to work. Ever since I've been here, he's never missed a day" she giggled. "I think you would have to tie Master down to a chair to stop him from working. He seems to enjoy it"

***

Saberlin, his flaxen spikes still dripping water from his recent shower, entered the spacious kitchen and stode across to take a chair as a waiter pulled it out for him, curling his long tail to one side in a swift yet elegant motion. He ordered "The Usual" and the scents of the breakfast cooking soon filled the air along with Cheria's lilac blossoms.

Wait staff efficiently set the table before melting into the background and platters of crepes with various dishes of savoury and sweet toppings to accompany them appeared, along with green tea, iced water and fruit juice.

Briefly giving thanks, Saberlin picked up his fork, moved his hand towards the 'thinly sliced salmon' dish and addressed Cheria, whom he had known was there the entire time but hadn't wished to disturb her. "Dear sister, I see the lilac bushes are flowering quite nicely this time of year" he remarked in mild interest. "Their scent is rather lovely. I take it the twins are sleeping?" he queried, wondering how she was faring with them.

Cheria roused her self and gaped at the crepes. "Dont you think this is an awful lot of food, Saberlin? There's no way the two of us can eat all of this food! Oh, yeah, the twins are sound asleep. I think they were tired from being born." Cheria gazed at the crepes, wanting to eat one, but didnt know how. Picking up her fork, she scooted her plate close to the crepes and pulled one on to her plate. Pulling her plate back, Cheria quietly munched on te crepe, her golden eyes roving. Finishing her crepe, Cheria put her dishes neatly in the sink and went back to her room, where she crashed onto the bed in utter exhustion. Luke decied to torture his mother by waking up and wailing. Cheria got off the bed, took Luke, checked Caleb, smoothed his fur, and went back to her bed with Luke in her arms. Luke whimpered and nuzzled his mother, looking for food. Sighing, Cheria laid down and let Luke nurse. Gradually, she fell asleep, with Luke asleep in her arms, next to her warm body.

Fern wandered into the kitchen, sitting down next to Saberlin as Cheria left. She leaned onto his shoulder, watching him eat. "Isn't this an awful lot of food for one person?" She herself wasn't interested in food.

"Thats a lot of roses." She said to Elise. "I didnt know there was a first person that lived here, I always thought uncle just bought the house." She hmmed. "Did you work for her? Was she nice? WHat did she look like was sh-" She covered her mouth and giggled. "Sowwy." She laughs more, her face brightening. "I guess Saberlin really likes to work. I dont care for school that much. I muich prefer being here or with mommy."

“Superb. Well, that should give their mother a little break. Being born takes a lot of energy it seems” Saberlin replied amicably, wondering how long they would stay asleep. It was likely that being so young, they would need tending to every hour or half hour at the least after the first big sleep, despite the stressful experience of coming into the world. Cheria was going to need all the rest she could get in between!

He looked down and continued to speak as if to his breakfast as he laid thinly sliced salmon strips in the centre of the pastry circle, along with a dab of sour cream and some fresh salad greens before rolling it up and cutting a bite. “It is a fair amount of food.” He agreed calmly, “However, there may be more than just you and I dining here this morning. Sammie might be hungry when she awakes and perhaps my flower if she feels up to eating today. I always like to make sure everyone is well provided for.” He chuckled, swallowing his first bite before taking two more, eating swiftly and neatly. “I do tend to have quite the appetite when I wake on most days as well. Any leftovers can be taken by the staff and whoever else wants to have them but I should be able to manage half of this myself.” Saberlin explained; his tail swishing contentedly as he continued to fill his stomach, satiating the leopard appetite.

By now onto his third crepe of the morning, (which was filled with flaked tuna), he watched Cheria trying to eat hers with some interest, unable to hide a flicker of amusement at her actions. “They taste better with toppings inside them” he offered helpfully, noticing she had eaten one without anything added. He bid her a good rest as she tiredly got up and left, probably to see to her twins.

Hearing another figure approaching shortly after Cheria’s departure, he looked up and kissed Fern on the cheek as she leaned against him, smiling warmly and moving over in his chair so she could sit on his lap. “Hello, did you happen to find that mess of a note I left for you?” he greeted her, giving a low purr. Saberlin laughed softly when she commented on the amount of food, plonking another crepe onto his plate. “That’s exactly the same thing Cheria said. I am getting through them okay though” he assured her, spooning cream and strawberries onto a circle of pastry. “Would you like one my love? I requested strawberries and cream just for you, should you wish them”

***

Considering how to explain, the maid put a hand to her cheek thoughtfully. “Well, let’s see now... the first lady who lived here was your uncle’s Mummy and she married his Daddy and they had Saberlin” Elsie explained with a bright smile. “Oh, no, I didn’t work for her but my own mother did and she has lots of nice stories about her. Her name was Edelia Harcourt. I got to meet the second lady though. Her name was Winny and she looked a lot like Miss Cheria. She was in fact Miss Cheria’s mother”

Walking into the kitchen with the panther girl by her side, Elsie giggled and gave a polite bow to both Saberlin and Fern before she led Sammie across to the phone on the kitchen counter, spotted the button marked with Sammie’s parent’s names and dialled her mother for her, handing the receiver to the girl when the phone rang.

She smiled and stood by to one side while they talked, fiddling with the ends of her hair idly. She hadn’t had the chance to get dressed or help Sammie get ready yet either but that didn’t matter. It was still very early in the morning. The sun had risen barely fifteen minutes ago and they had plenty of time to get ready after breakfast.

Fern smiled a little, giggling. "Yes, I did. It was a lovely mess of a note." She wasn't surprised to hear that he had already been questioned about the copious amount of food in front of him. "Did she? Well it is an awful lot of food." She shook her head some when he offered her some strawberries. Even though they were her favorite, she didn't feel like eating them for the first time in months. "No thanks, I'm not really feeling to well today."

"Uncles mommy? Ive never met her." Matter-of-factly she said shaking her head. Sammie giggled. "Edelia? What a lovely name." Listening as they countined walking. Sammie waved at the two famailar faces in the kitchen with delight. Taking the phone she called her mom. She heard the voice and smiled. "Hi mommy! This is Samantha! I miss you so much mommy!" She talked with her mother until her mother explained she had to go pcik up laundry. "Ok, bye mom." She said and sighed, hanging up the phone.

Cheria yawned ad got up. She check on Luke, who was still sleeping. Noticing a smell, she hoisted him over to the changing table and carefully cahnged his diaper, and then put him over with Caleb. She did the same thing to Caleb, and put him back. Then she went back to her cool bed, and groaned a bit. Why do I feel hot? I shouldnt feel hot. Maybe some more food will help. Cheria got up and went to the kitchen, and sat down, staring at a spot in the table that didnt exist.

Saberlin only laughed softly in response to that. There were less than half the amount of crepes left by this time and he was looking (and feeling) satisfied. The kitchen staff had done a wonderful job, as usual. He greeted Sammie and Elsie politely as they came in.

“Hmm, I suppose it does make sense that you’re feeling a little off colour. We probably don’t have much time left to wait before the inevitable happens” Saberlin replied, nonetheless carefully reaching out a gloved hand and pressing it lightly against her forehead. Placing his other hand against his own forehead, he tested her temperature. “...In this case, perhaps you ought to rest or take a refreshing swim or even a nice, gentle stroll. It may help you to feel better.” He suggested concernedly, removing his hand as a small beep from Saberlin’s wristwatch signalled the time. “Whoops, it appears it’s time for me to depart. I’ll meet you later on this afternoon. If you want me before then, just send a message with one of the staff and they’ll come and find me down in the lab. Other than that, I shall have my mobile phone” He got up carefully and kissed Fern on the back of her hand, turning to give some parting instructions to Elsie before prowling off for work. The last that could be seen of him was an anticipating grin and the sight of a trailing leopard’s tail whipping round the side of the door.

***

Elsie waited while Sammie held a conversation with her mother, hoping that she would feel somewhat less homesick and a bit better after keeping in touch with her loved ones.
She conversed with Saberlin, listening to his instructions carefully whilst Sammie continued to chatter on the phone and when the little girl hung up; Elsie led her over to the breakfast table just as Saberlin left.

As planned, they would have breakfast, get ready and dressed, then take a fun, uplifting stroll around the rose gardens and collect their own bouquets to decorate the household with. Elsie was wondering whether Sammie would like making pressed flowers as well.

Seeing her Mistress still at the table, Elsie was about to ask Fern whether she would wish to join them on their rose garden tour when she noticed Mistress Cheria enter the room and slump down at the table, looking a bit distant.

“Mistress Fern, Samantha and I were thinking of taking a walk around the rose gardens and I wonder, would you like to accompany - oh, Good Morning Mistress Cheria! A-are you feeling alright today, Ma’am? Is there anything I can fetch for you?” She piped politely.

Cheria smiled, painfully. "No, nothing wrong. Just a headache, which, hopefully will go away soon." Cheria pulled another plate and started eating some crepes, the right way this time. Finally full, Cheria stretched and sighed. "Mind if I join? The boys are sleeping, and I have nothing to do!"

Fern thought for a moment. "Actually Elise, that sounds wonderful. I'd love to join you and Sammie." She smiled. "Oh, hello there Cheria."

Sammie waved at Cheria. Looking around while they adults talked she sat on the cool kitchen floor. Hearing more people coming she jumped up in exitemenet! "Oh boy oh boy oh boy! Im so gald you guys are coming, it wouldnt be as fun without you Aunt Fern!" She grinned from ear to ear.

Elsie had been looking forward to the rose gardens before and now she couldn't wait to go! "Okay, certainly ma'am, we'd be delighted to have you along Miss Cheria. And you as well, Mistress!" she replied somewhat breathlessly, turning to help Sammie up off the ground. She gently held both her hands and pulled to her feet with a playful tug.

Ushering the four year old into a chair, she pushed it into the table so that the small panther girl could reach properly then sat beside her, making up plates of crepes for them both. "Come on now, if we all want to walk while there's still dew on the flowers, we'll have to eat up and get ready!" she piped cheerfully, serving the toppings Sammie asked for.

***

Some time later...(but not too much later!)

Elsie was now dressed in her usual maid's uniform. She was smiling softly and humming under her breath as she swung closed the side door behind the small party of women while they stepped out into the grounds.

The maid carried several wicker baskets for the group as well as pairs of clippers for cutting the flower heads for their bouquets. She would lead the way to the sprawling rose garden if the other's didn't know it.

Cheria inhaled the sweet, rose and liliac laden air, as she walked along. But ws the most curios of all was that she was dressed in a old medival gown she found in the closet. It was all differnet shades of blue, fitting her perfectly. The train softly followed her, and she smiled at the blue sky. Her eyes, gold, with hints of brown, twinkled in the sun. "I wish Saberlin could've joined us, dont you, Fern?"

Fern nodded some, fiddling with the chain around her neck. "Yes...That would have been nice." She smiled some at the thought, then sighed. "But you know him, he loves his work."

She did wish the two of them could spend one day together before the twins were born though. She knew though that Saberlin was busy, and put the thought out of her head. If she couldn't enjoy today with her husband, she would at least try and enjoy today for herself.

"YAY!!" Sammie yelled in delight as she wolfed down a crepe. Followed by 4 others. Putting all different toppings on them.

Sammie dressses in a smiple outfit of her girl scouts shirt and pants. Following closly behind the adults. Getting bored with the conversation she kicked a rock. Looking up at Chria and Fern talking. "What does Saberlin do? You guys talk about it worrking. but ive never seen him actually work!"

Elsie led Cheria, Fern and Sammie under a trellis smothered in icy white and pink dusted blooms - a type of climbing tearose abundant with flowers and a sweet, light scent - and then meandered along little grassy or pebbled paths through sections of roses with luscious petals, stunning colours and captivating fragrances. There were splashes of colour surrounding them on every side and each one was fresh and alive, opening their petals toward the gradually lightening sky, every flower and leaf blade scattered with glittering dew.

Elsie took a deep breath of the scented air. "Mmm....isn't this lovely, Mistresses? I have baskets and clippers here to pick with. Please mind the thorns!" she warned politely, glancing with a knowing look at a particularly rare and lovely specimen with wicked spikes hidden along the stems.

***

What Saberlin was doing today was helping create a new mineral infused salve from the research they had done on the seaweed samples he had brought back a while ago.

The progress so far had been good and only a few minor problems had occurred. When complete, the salve should be a good relief for irritated and dry skin, cuts and scratches, bruises...it would be soothing and healing, especially for those with tough or scaly skin, such as mer types, snake types and dragon types. He dipped a small clean instrument in the amount of salve he was testing this time and dabbed it onto several plants which were taking the place of test subjects this round.

"Oh! These ones are the best, Fern!" Cheria gently broke one off, and twined it into Fern's hair. "You look lovely." Cheria ran a hand through her own hair, which was a plain tawny color. She secertly envied Fern and her brunette hair. ((I assume its brunette, right?Okay, sorry to interrupt my post, but when is Fern having her kids?)) Cheria moved away, and into the roses, the rose creating a 'screen' so that no one can see her as she sat down on a marble bench. She was different, and she didnt know how to act around Fern, her sister-in-law.

Fern gasped a bit, surprised by Cheria as she wove on eof the roses into her hair. "Thank you Cheria." She smiled, then turned to Sammie. "You know, I'm not really sure what Saberlin does exactly myself. He always talks about what he does, but a lot of the science goes over my head." She giggled sheepishly.

I wonder where Oreo went though. She hasn’t posted anything for a while. Hope she’s okay. Oh and sorry for the large post. I wanted to fit too much in. Lol ))

Elsie watched the brief exchange between the sisters and put a hand to her cheek, sighing softly and breaking into a smile. She thought it was wonderful they were getting along so well already. “Forgive me if I am being presumptuous Mistress but if you like those roses, why not let’s make a bouquet from them? We can put it somewhere prominent” she piped up cheerily, leaning over to snip several blooms with large, creamy white petals and put them in her basket.

The maid took a small squirt bottle from her apron pocket and sprayed the stems with a liquid plant solution that would help keep them alive longer without wilting, wrapping the ends in a special cloth.

By now, the sun was rising higher up in the heavens, sending rays of amber and peach spilling out onto the arbour, alighting all they fell upon with a fresh glow.

***

Saberlin was typing up his findings from testing the newest batch of seaweed balm, also comparing the information in different charts from each batch and each kind of test subject. (He never tested on animals. Only plants, micro-organisms and willing volunteers, who usually got paid for doing so.)

He was tapping his pencil sporadically while biting his lip with one fang, lost deep in thought and mild frustration at some of the unwanted side effects with the salve, when there was a commotion in the lab near the elevators down to the medical bays.

‘Hm? Whatever is going on over there?’ he wondered, spotted ears swivelling and interest perked.

At that moment, the elevator whooshed open and a male nurse hurried over, bowed briefly and requested his attendance at once in room number E1, his eyes showing a grave expression. This was serious then.

Standing up from his office chair, Saberlin’s leopard tail waved and wiggled as though it sensed something exciting was up. He gave the man a brief nod then spun on his heel, striding off to wash up and don medical garments, (which were mostly white all over, except for the symbol of his company on the front right-hand side).

Minutes later, he swept purposefully through pristine, colour coded halls and several metallic and transparent high security doors towards room E1, surrounded by staff rushing to and fro who dodged aside as they sped past him or across his path. Calls and instructions ricocheted around the medical area and Saberlin wandered over, curious to see what today had tossed him. His sun hued eyes showed no alarm and not an ounce of fear. This sort of thing was quite normal.

Saberlin entered the advanced medical room (getting hit with jets of cleansing spray as he did so) to join a team of busy doctors and nurses surrounding what looked like someone who had literally been ‘in the wars’…or, whatever was left of them anyway.

((Warning, don’t read if you don’t like injuries/blood. I toned it down a LOT so it’s really not that descriptive.))

They were half conscious, their complex mecha-bionic wings smashed and ripped as though by giant raking claws or crushing blows – which were oozing fluids and oils rapidly and sparking alarmingly. The figure was also missing an entire leg, a striking crimson eye and most of one arm - still shimmering brightly with intricate violet tattooed symbols. They were scratched, shot twice through the abdomen, charred, bruised, and struggling fiercely to stay awake despite multiple horrific injuries.

Various drips, IVs, bandages, liquid oil lubricants, electric pulse conductors, laser and ionic energy replenishers, oxygen and a specific type of blood supply, (along with other gadgets and technology) were attached to the man’s body as the team worked desperately to keep his existence alive.

Saberlin leaned over his client and his golden eyes narrowed significantly as he took this all in. “Hmmm…”

He may not have said much, but his mind was calculating things at a million miles an hour.

Without warning, he started firing out orders, grabbing up instruments, stitching and repairing, cutting, re-setting, melding, welding, streaming energy orbs from high powered devices, applying sprays and ointments…

He was renowned for being ferociously determined not to let anyone die under his ministrations…at any cost. Some of his methods were whispered and gossipped about in hushed tones of distaste.

The clients didn’t always like them either, but at least they came out alive.

Cheria wandered from the bench and deeper into the roses. Breaking off some different colored roses, she held them up to her nose and took a deep breath while the golden sun washed over rose, highlighting her fur and color of her dress. What she didnt know that she was right near Fern and Elise.

Fern smiled at Elise's suggestion."That's a wonderful idea. Perhaps we could even make ones to put in each of the nurseries, don't you think?" She turned to ask Cheria her opinion, surprised to see she had left. "Oh, Perhaps she's already gotten a head start on us Elise." She giggled a little.

Elsie giggled behind a hand, eyes shining good naturedly. She hoped Cheria wasn’t too far away. “Yes. What a beautiful suggestion Mistress. I’d be happy to help make them.” Walking by a particularly deep violet rose; she halted and gasped, bringing her clippers near it longingly. “Ooh! Let’s add some of these to a bouquet for the twin boys' nursery. I’m sure they’d look fantastic paired with the red miniatures over there” she gushed, pointing in the direction before snipping one of the purple flowers. The stems were tough, with small serrated thorns that prickled easily but Elsie handled it with only a few scratches.

As the maid pulled the flower away, it revealed a gap in the trellis which the rose plant was climbing, exposing a hint of blue fabric on the other side. "M-Mistress Cheria?"

***

The medical team were working as quickly and skilfully as they could but their time frame was disappointingly short. Behind the surgical mask he wore, Saberlin glanced over as the man finally lost his fight to stay conscious. He studied the face briefly and saw that underneath all the blood and grime, it was quite fair, with high cheekbones and a delicate yet still masculine profile. He wondered what sort of war he’d been fighting and which ‘side’ he was on. But there was little time to wonder. The man was paler than moonlight on a gravestone and as the array of specialist doctors and staff in the room fought to restore him to the world of the living, one by one, monitors and other pieces of cold, heartless machinery began to signal they were losing the fight. Too much blood loss, heartbeat weakened and erratic, scant warmth diminishing, breathing laboured, far too faint…

Darn it! Saberlin wasn’t going to lose. Maybe it wasn’t his place to decide such things. Yet somehow...somehow, he felt that saving this life was the right thing to do.

Feeling pressured and rushed for ideas, he looked up from repairing a wingnerve section and let his eyes rove the room, desperate for something, anything that might help. Twin golden discs fell upon three currently occupied, cylindrical cryochambers lining the walls which gave off a calming, greenish blue light, bubbling every now and again…yes, yes, of course!

Saberlin seized the idea and gave the orders. “It’s no good: this body is dying. There is nothing more we can do for him. At least, not in this state” he announced grimly, leaving little room for argument. “We’re going to have to use projects E, C or H and do an essence transfer.”

“What? You…you mean?”

“None of those bodies are really suitable, sir. Sir, you can’t be serious!”

“I know this is disrespectful but are you absolutely sure? Th-those projects are not yet one hundred percent complete. They’re viable, certainly, but they require further testing…”

“Actually, they’re quite sound. It’s just the small matter of which one to occupy”

Saberlin gave the last speaker a grateful look then took a deep breath, ignoring the sudden rush of nerves at the method he was contemplating. “Yes, I am unmistakably serious. It is only for the time being. Without it, we shall lose what is necessary for complete restoration. Prepare the program immediately! We use…” He swiftly scanned the three available bodies as he made his decision. There was another male – yes! Unfortunately, that body was at infant stage. Hmmm…his patient might not forgive him if he had to start all over again. Saberlin considered the next tank, sounds of a failed heartbeat flat lining in his ears; a colourful, hoppy, furry creature with large, bulbous eyes, sugary cuteness and a leafy looking nose floated therein. Hum. Maybe not. From what he remembered, it could shoot small darts in self defence. That only left...

The decision was made. “H; seven zero three. Drain the chamber and get ready to awaken them”