[Avrie Eventide Drega]

ooc: Hanzi, you crack me up. Sure, I'm game for a little riding adventure. How about everyone else?

Avrie grinned slightly as she stood beside Venn. The Bardess had noticed Hanzi's antics stealing the show. She turned, and gave 'Uncle' Luca her Drifting instructor a knowing smile even as she realized what he'd done. By forcing a horse on Hanzi, he'd pretty much guaranteed the group would be thoroughly entertained for the journey north, no matter how long or tedious it became. She suspected that he'd provided Hanzi with not only the most stubborn horse he owned, but the cleverest one as well. The colorwash Hanzi was mounted on was nobody's fool. She smiled slightly, knowingly, as her fingers trailed down Venn's arm and entwined with his when she touched them. She felt sorry for her husband, in that instance. He had no idea what he was getting into when he'd agreed to join them on the trip north.

Avrie had listened carefully and respectfully to Jehan's explanation about the Air'riela beliefs in regards to death and ascension. She glanced up, and though it was daylight, she could imagine her birth mother there, wandering the stars happily... faceless, voiceless... She hadn't known, not at all. No one at Cloudkiss, and certainly none of the Air'riela who often wintered there had spoken of death. And although when they'd buried Evan, the gypsies had lit a bondfire for him and danced well into the night, she hadn't understood it, far to lost in grief to care. What she did catch though, was Venn's sideways glance, and the curiously blank expression on her reserved husband's face. Slowly, she'd been getting to know him better, and in the short summer months they'd been a pair, she had came to understand the less emotion he displayed the more he worried about it. He was thinking about death, either his mother's or hers. She squeezed his hand, and said nothing, willing herself to make time later to explain the significance of Luca and her new found hobby to the half elf. He'd have no clue, she suspected, but once they talked about it privately, she hoped his worry would ease.

Avrie grinned at Gitana and Jehan's kindness though. Already, they were acting as if Venn were a part of the group, even with such sadness surrounding the reason behind the trip. Surprise after surprise. Her half siblings were amazingly personable, generous, and open with family. It wasn't something she was used too.

Once the greetings were over, Avrie turned to Venn, and quietly said "The word you'll want to know is Sastimos... it means a sort of greeting.. fair weather, good travel, fine meals.. that sort of thing. It's the Aire version of Serale and the elven Vedui" And if no one else provided a translation, she'd quietly translate the mixture of Aire and common to full common for Venn. It was obvious, by Jehan's lack of good common, and Gitana's thick accent, that the naturan paladin would have to have a crash course in Aire along the way.

Only Hanzi, and he was being deliberately coy, had a true mastery... and he was far too busy managing his mount. Avrie gave a laugh, only half trying to stifle it, before she too released Venns hand and turned to Cirrus. The mare was saddled, and packed for the trip. Along with her mistresses things, and a mandolin case tucked against her saddle, there were gifts loaded for the family. They'd be passed out at the campfire that night, for Avrie was a big one for presents... especially for little Everilda... whom Avrie's heart broke most for.

Avrie swung onto the strong mare, well and easy able to climb onto her tall back now that she'd had her for so long. Venn, of course, had thought well in the gift for there was no more useful one ever. She barely touched the reins, for the mare could sense the other animals excitement and was herself ready to go. Luca nodded, and even Haldo, Caldo's twin seemed prepared...and when they were all ready to go, they set out together, making a rather odd group.