Welcome to Gaia! ::

The house situated on the low slopes of Ishel Mountain, fairly large though only consisting of one level, is maintained entirely by the one, hermetic monk who lives here. Every room is clean and ready at all times to be used in some way...many are guest bedrooms. They are open to whomever needs a warm place to sleep or a hot meal, whether for one night or many months, at only the cost of some simple chores.

There are two smaller buildings completing this compound and a serene garden centered around a large rock garden between them. The entire compound, excepting some emergency communication devices and a large freezer beneath the kitchen, lack electricity and modern convenience. The monk who watches over all this is the very solitary Thenai Daran. Although not friendly, exactly, this largely quiet woman is hospitable and willing to help however is needed.

OOC musings of note...

Waiting...

Waiting...

It's the better part of a minute before there's a response...and that comes from behind and below, not inside. "Welcome. The door is not locked." A silver-haired woman in grey-blue monastic robes finishes this last leg of the path as she speaks, picking over the rocks with practiced familiarity and a heavy load of firewood slung across her back. She lets out a slow breath, trying to contain it enough to speak clearly despite the exertion. "Feel free to take shelter here, if you came to flee the coming storm. It is my privelage to provide lodging for..." her voice trails off under just a moment's strain as she sets down the wood and eases the strap off of her forehead to finally looks to the visitors. A slight pause. "...to Miss Nemora and Master Soyokaze."

Thenai's empty grey eyes dont' seem to register anything potentially surprising about her knowing their names, and she packs a few pieces of wood into a smaller parcel, covers what sits here, and pushes open the door, stepping inside and holding it open for the two visitors. "Welcome. Come in."

Thenai smiles at both of them, particularly Soyo, though only with her mouth. "You both look thoroughly chilled. Seat yourselves by the fire and let me fetch you some blankets. Whatever brought you here can wait at least for that, I am sure."

There aren't any chairs in the room, but there are some fairly comfortable cushions seated by the fireplace, which the monk is currently busied with feeding. "Would you two like some warm water, or some tea?"

Thenai smiles at Nemora, bows slightly, and takes her leave, seeking the various "warm people up" supplies in question.

A minute or so after she leaves, a fuzzy, spotted young cat--more specifically, a fuzzy, spotted young cat that's three feet long from nose to rump--paces uneasily on the outskirts of the room. The little cougar has a splinted leg and, though it doesn't usually like people, is horribly curious about Soyo and his unusual smell, inching a little closer now and again, its wide eyes just begging for recognition.

Thenai returns before too long, bearing some blankets. "Here you are. The tea is still steeping." She glances at Nemora as she sets the blankets down between she and Soyo, then follows her gaze to the cub. "Oh, dear, I hope she hasn't upset you too much...Cougar is really quite well-mannered, I assure you." She walks over and lifts up the cat, bracing its weight carefully. "Alright, dear, you needn't upset the other guests. It won't become you to become too acclimated to humans, anyway, regardless of temporary lonliness."

The monk looks down to Nemora and Soyo. "Forgive me...I had not thought that she would cause a problem." She holds the animal in her lap as she seats herself on a cushion just far enough away to put some distance between "Cougar" and the visitors. "Her leg already knitted, really...the splint is a precaution. She has lived with me for many weeks now, and will until she is older." The cat is grateful for the attention, but its tilted, innocent gaze still settles on Soyo.