Somber yet Joyful, a conflict of emotions [Attn: Miahala Aes Sedai]

[Roan]

The pair walked along the path with a slow gate, neither in a hurry to be anywhere else, and, for Ria's part, basking in the moment and cherishing each and ever passing second. "Hmm, a good question," she replied. "To be honest, we hadn't gotten that far, Memme. Word arrived that you were alive and at the Tower, which was enough for us to wrap up our work in Duron and return here. We left not long after. . .well, not long after Great Grandfather Ives returned you to Saldaea. I wanted, or perhaps needed a break, but that break went from weeks to months to years."

She looked to her great grandmother, "Now that we are here and getting settled in, I'm not sure. He and I both get wanderlust from time to time, but having the Tower as our home base will have advantages now that the twins are older. I suspect, though, that there will be a fairly serious conversation between the two of us. . .about what's next." She shrugged, "In the mean time? Integrate ourselves back into the fold. Perhaps I'll mentor some would-be warders, or teach. Beyond that? I am not sure."

[Bella]

It seemed that returning from the dead was a life-altering experience for more than the just dearly-deceased-turned-resurrected.

Miahala listened to her kin and smiled a little in sympathy. The feeling of uncertainty was apparently shared, and so she could understand it all too well. It seemed almost cruel to put people through the process of grief over your death only to reappear years later, although it was hardly her choice. Deep inside, she was troubled by it all, but what could she do? Maybe at some point she would go out and try to find answers, or find people she could...demand them from.

For now, she had the Tower and family here. She nodded as she listened. "I am sure that you will figure it out. It just takes time. I can at least vouch that the Tower can be a good place to raise your family," she said, her expression knowing. "Of the five I bore, three chose to remain in here and two to leave. Only Sadira ever had the spark, though." Interestingly, of the three who remained, they all followed in the footsteps of their fathers: Ryne and Haeden became Gaidin, while Sadie entered the Blue.

[Roan]

"I think life here will be good for both Tia and Einion. Whether they follow in our family's footsteps remains to be seen, but Einion may well lose himself in the library, and Tia? She is a bit more rough and tumble," Ria admitted. "Given your return, though, there is no other place I would rather be."

((OOC: Short, I know. Do we want to save meeting the family for another post or fanfic? ...perhaps we should scheme via email, eh?))

[Bella]

That drew a laugh from the Green. "Tia sounds like her mother," she said and then her smile warmed again. "By the way, I like the name. I am sure my daughter would have been proud to have a namesake."

((OOC: Bella Fail on that one, also short. I'm game either way tho ))

[Roan]

Ria couldn't help but feel a bit of pride for her daughter, "There is no doubt about who Tia's mother is. Both twins were named for family members we felt taken from us far too early. Losing Grandmother Tia had a deeper impact than I was willing to admit. As for Einion, he is named after Gareth's adoptive father, who died in a fire at his smithy."

"It is odd, you know? Talking about my children with you. . .and realizing how many years have passed. When I look around here, it feels as if it was only yesterday that Father and I arrived for you to see if I might have the spark. . .never mind earning my fancloak. I can't help but wonder where the time went, and then I look to my kids, and there's my answer," Ria reflected. "That day you sat with Father and I. . .I would never have guessed how the Wheel might turn for me, or that this would have been the path I traveled."

She laughed softly, "Enough reflection, though. Would you care to join us for dinner this evening? Meet the children, and Gareth?"

[Bella]

It pleased Mia to know that the names we carrying on, not just from her own line but from Gareth's as well. She thought it good to remember where you came from, and up until her death, she had kept track of all the members of her family from her parents down, on through many generations. Now that she was alive again, she would return to it. She would keep track of them all, because family, and home, and love, and loyalty had always been very important to her.

Children were great markers of time, and takers of it while they were young...but it was a joyous burden.

"I would enjoy that greatly," she said. "I look forward to meeting your husband and your children." The spark of humor glimmered in her eyes again, for a moment. "I hope their great, great grandmother will not unnerve them too much."

((OOC: My OCD says that when this part is done, we have to start a new thread for dinner in Tower Life, unless they are eating in the Gardens... >.> ))

[Roan]

Riahana smiled, "I doubt you will unnerve either of them, as I think both are going to be quite curious of you. They've heard stories, and I think they are looking forward to meeting their mysterious Great Memme."

Nodding towards the Tower, she added, "We have time yet before dinner, but I will show you where we live, and then...perhaps we can gossip a bit about our family back in Saldea."

((OOC: I'm down with that...End here, and do you want to start a thread in Tower Life?))