Winter, age 7

After the incident with the crystal host, my relationship with my parents has improved a lot. My mother is still very strict with her training, but we came to an understanding.

I do my morning training by myself, for three hours, and every night before I go to bed she teaches me swordplay for two hours. Once a month, we take a trip to the mainland forest where we do mental endurance and pain threshold training for three days. I still hate it, but I'm coming to terms with it, and I'm slowly starting to get used to pain and panic.

I'm still not learning magic though. Last I asked my mom, she told me it was a few months away. Fair enough I guess, I'm still having a lot of trouble with imprinting. I still can't control the time dilation, and I can't breathe and imprint at the same time. Alfred told me the two might be connected, and so we're focusing on trying to find a way for me to control the time dilation. So far, with little results.

But enough of that, we've arrived.

A big hulk of a man greets us at the pier, his arms spread out welcoming.

``Look who's here! If it isn't my favorite nephew!'' [Graham]

And of course, it's my uncle Graham, almost twice my height. I'm not even off the boat before he catches me in a bear-hug and squeeze the life out of me before he puts me down.

``Ugh, did you grow bigger since the last time uncle? How do you even get that big, did you tow houses when you were my age?'' [Nathan]

He leans back and laughs heartily.

``Hahaha, never towed a house, just bundles of trees.'' [Graham]

I never know if he's joking when he says stuff like that, which he often does. And at this point, I'm afraid to ask.

``Now let's go see the girls, I'm sure they missed their cousin, it's been too long since we last saw all of you!'' [Graham]

Leading the way with his usual rant of fruit trees and orchids, he led us through their snow-covered garden and into the house. Waiting inside their living room was my Aunt, Caitlyn, and my two cousins, Elena and Samantha.

They both grew up a lot since I last saw them. Elena grew her amber hair out, it's a little past shoulder length, it looks great with her emerald eyes. Small horns are poking out of her forehead, I'm guessing she got them from her father.

Samantha on the other hand cut her hair short. It almost makes her look like a boy, which is just odd with the bright blue markings around her eyes and nose, barely hidden behind her bangs. Like a boy that tried on his moms makeup.. Doesn't really look that good... She's currently sitting on the couch with a fractured shin and an obstinate look on her face.

``Sweetie, your sister and her family arrived.'' [Graham]

``Don't you think I can see that you big tree? You don't need to tell me that you brought people INTO the house when they are STANDING in my living room. Sigh.. Good to see you Shale, Jessica.. Nathan.. `` [Caitlyn]

She's still as coarse as ever, and absolutely does NOT accept me..

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``Greeting aunt Caitlyn, it is good to see you.'' [Nathan]

All I can do is not make it worse, which means best behavior all way round. Tedious.

She exhales dismissively and looks away with an annoyed look on her face. Typical.

``If you wouldn't mind Shale, Sam's in a lot of pain and I don't think there's any reason for her to suffer any more than she has to.'' [Caitlyn]

Halfway through saying that, she turns to look my mother dead in the eye. She really does have the worst personality.. Can't wait to get out of here.

My father kneels down in front of Sam.

``Of course Caitlyn. Here Sam, let me see.'' [Shale]

My father invokes his aura and begins treatment.

``Come now Nathan, I have some rabbits out back, do you want to see them?'' [Graham]

``Sure, show the way.'' [Nathan]

I have a feeling that Graham wanted a son. He's always showing me things he's messing around with, and even if it doesn't interest me, I do enjoy listening to him ramble on about it. He's a gentle passionate giant, and one of the most pleasant people in this world.

Leading me to a spot behind the house, he shows me a small enclosure with roughly ten rabbits. They all cover the moment they see him, even though he's bringing them food.

``Poor things are still not used to their new home, they are always shivering.'' [Graham]

``Sure uncle Graham, that must be it..'' [Nathan]

We spend half an hour talking about everything from apples to reindeer before Graham puts on a serious face, looking at an old necklace he's holding in his hand.

``Nathan, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. You know how your mom and your aunt has a bit of a.. Strained relationship.'' [Graham]

``Yes, I noticed. Aunt Caitlyn isn't one to bury her feelings when the alternative is to yell at someone after all.'' [Nathan]

``Haha, no that she is not. I do love that about her though, she is honest to a fault. Too few people are.'' [Graham]

His look turns distant for a second before he shakes his head shortly.

``But that was not what I wanted to talk to you about. I heard from your father some time ago that your mother started training you.. There is something you should know, about your mother and Caitlyn..'' [Graham]

``I know. Father told me.'' [Nathan]

Graham turns to me with a shocked look on his face.

``He did? Really?'' [Graham]

He turns back to the rabbits with a look of disbelief.

``.. Never thought I'd see the day.. Excuse me Nathan, I have to go talk with your father, he should be done treating Sam by now.'' [Graham]

As he turns to leave he puts the necklace back in the inner pocket of his coat.

I don't really want to go back into the house, especially with the risk of being alone with my aunt, so I simply stay with the rabbits. Now that Graham is gone, they are a lot more calm.

A few minutes pass in silence before a I hear tiny footsteps followed by a small voice.

``What are you doing?'' [Elena]

The girls are standing a few feet away, looking at me. Sam is hiding behind her big sister, peeking out from behind her hair.

``I'm petting the rabbits, want to join me?'' [Nathan]

Elena's face lights up in joy

``Sure!'' [Elena]

She runs into the enclosure, and the rabbits flee from her as she chases them around. She looks happy though, so all's good. Sam on the other hand is just standing outside of the enclosure, fidgeting.

``Do you want to pet the rabbits too Sam?'' [Nathan]

``She looks at me nervously before nodding her head a little.

``Well then come on over, you can pet this one.'' [Nathan]

She timidly gets closer and squad down as far from me as she can while still being able to touch the rabbit. She timidly reaches out her hand and stroke it's ears. When it doesn't flee from her touch, she reveals a small smile. It almost makes her look like a girl for a change.

``Look look! I got one of them to eat from my hand!'' [Elena]

She really did make one of them to eat from her hand. Impressive, considering she was chasing them around just a second ago. She does have a calming aura about her, and she looks very elegant feeding the rabbit.

Her little sister, on the other hand, looks about as elegant as a frozen Popsicle.

They are truly like night and day.