"Wow ... you four really did great job ..." Firia and Aeyka stared in awe at the building that had been built in the place of the dilapidated old house. Admittably, the design had curves that were unusual to normal japanese construction, giving the whole place a rather organic look. The top two floors had walls built from a sturdy type of glass blocks and steel, letting in the maximum amount of sunlight. Atop the building, almost hidden from sight, were the tv antennas and chimneys for the three fireplaces. The first floor was brick, but the brick was hiding very sturdy concrete and steel construction.
With a sleepy mumble, Washu handed Aeyka the key, and stumbled back through the gate to her lab. Through the gate, the snores of three males was joined by one female. The gate shimmered, but would hold steady until Firia and Aeyka were ready to return.
"They've really been working hard on this, haven't they?" Firia commented, listening to the snores. Aeyka smiled fondly, and with no little pride. "Indeed they have ... all this effort, to bring a dream of ours to life."
With a shared smile, the door was unlocked, and they stepped in.
The inside was no less spectacular, if still a little barren. There were no plants yet in the aviary-garden, no animals at all. But one could imagine the beauty that would grow and flourish here, growing along the flagstone paths, suspended from the ceiling in large clay pots, steel bowls, or delicate glass orbs, growing in the scoop-shelves along the three chimneys that reached all the way up from the basement to the roof.
Firia walked slowly, trailing her fingers in the small fountains found here and there, picturing how it might look, with it's mish-mash of plants. Plants from Jurai, earth, and her own home. The pleasant trickling sound of a particular fountain, one made to look like a small waterfall no taller than five feet, echoed in Firia's ears. Out of curiosity, she decided to follow it around the garden. It curved and looped, going under small bridges, over small falls of rocks, until it eventually ended in a pool near to the original waterfall. A simple set of strings of bamboo cups on a rope belt moved the water from the pool to another pool that fed the waterfall.
"Lovely, isn't it?" Aeyka's voice broke the calm, but didn't startle.
"Yes, it is."
"Let's go see the top floor, yes?"
Firia nodded, turning her back on the charming fountain. It would be wonderful to see it when all the plants would be in place.
The top floor was no less stunning, if equally bare. The floor was thick panels of some clear material, most likely glass, with blurs and veins of transparent colors going through them like exotic flower petals. The floor panels were held in place by a sturdy steel lattice, supported by the concrete columns and the arches that connected them and the walls. Aeyka could see through the floor crystal prisms suspended so that they reflected rainbows of light, not just on the lower area of the aviary, but through the floor, making it seem surreal, as if she was walking on a cloud of color.
"How beautiful ... " Aeyka whispered, her mind's eye pulling up delicate paper fans and standing screens, most likely painted with blossoms and birds, low tables and cushions to sit upon.
"It would be best to blend all three styles to decorate here . ." Firia murmured, her hand upon her chin as she looked around thoughtfully.
"All three styles?"
"Oriental, my own home, and english-american ... it would match better with the lower levels then."
"Interesting thought ... I had originally thought we would go for a mix of Jurian and Japanese on the top floor, your country and a general mix in the aviary, and American-English in the basement bar."
"Mmm ... probably not a good idea. There's some subtlety to that scheme that implies that the American and English are unholy, or at least, lower beings."
"You are right. That would not be a favorable impression to give ... but how to balance such differing styles?"
"That could be a problem ... Best to keep designs simple."
"True. Shall we return and talk with the others about it?"
"Yes, let's."
"Oh, we should ask Zelgadis about statuary appropriate to the garden."
"Is there a reason why we should ask him in particular?"
"He has an affinity with stone and a great sense of the aesthetically pleasing."
Things back at the house were hardly calm, as several unexpected guests had shown up. Mihoshi was still squealing and being a ditz over Kiyone, much to Kiyone's disgust and Kyhdin's astonishment. Azusa was talking with Yosho off to one side, along with a rather groggy Kagato. Misaki and Funahoe were cooing over Sasami, Ryoko was plastered to a wall by Misaki having thrown her there, Xeros and Zeris, were watching all of this with amusement, and Minagi was looking utterly confused sitting on a cushion nearby Xeros.
Zel and Lina exchanged glances with Tenchi. Zel spoke softly, not wanting to draw the attention of those downstairs. "And who are these people?"
Tenchi spoke just as quietly, pointing out the people he talked about. "The man in the formal robes with the dark hair is my great-grandfather Azusa, and also the Emperor of Jurai. The woman in the uniform with the dark green hair is Kiyone, Mihoshi's partner . . though by the look of things, the young man sitting next to Kiyone is now her partner. The young lady who looks so much like Ryoko is her half sister Minagi."
"They look a lot alike for being half sisters." Lina commented, a slight frown on her face.
"It's tough to explain. The two women with Sasami are Misaki and Funahoe, my grandmothers and the two Empresses of Jurai. Yes, they're both married to Azusa. Grandmother Funahoe was originally from earth but she was taken back to Jurai, and is Grandfather Azusa's first wife. She is the mother of my father. Grandmother Misaki is Grandfather Azusa's second wife and mother of Aeyka and Sasami." Tenchi finished, only to find Zel giving him a considering look. "You have a family history almost as weird as my own."
Greetings for the newcomers, and introductions of them to the newer houseguests, was a bizarre mixture of formality, courteousness, and sloppy emotionality.
It was only later that Zel would be able to remember Misaki's greeting of Rezo without laughing. That was the first time he had ever seen his grandfather in a state of complete and utter shock. But then, he had not been expecting to be yanked down to be face-to-face with Misaki to recieve her tear introduction and thanks for watching over her daughters, nor to be given a raging bear hug and then thrown into a wall as soon as Misaki caught sight of the next person.
All in all, Zelgadis had found it very amusing, amusing enough that Misaki had asked about his smug look.
"Excuse me, but why do you look so amused?"
Zel had gestured at Rezo, who was just beginning to pick himself up. "It's not often I get to see him completely at a loss for what to do."
Misaki's face had become slightly hostile, most likely offended by Zel's amusement. "And why would you find that amusing?"
"I have no reason to think kindly of him."
"And why is that?"
"Reasons that are private business."
Rezo had spoken from behind him, annoyed. "He's still rather annoyed with over my giving him what he wanted."
Zel had grabbed onto the collar of Rezo's shirt to jerk him around to face Zel. "I didn't ask to be made into a monster!"
The conversation had only degraded from there, becoming a rather enjoyable fight. Or at least until Misaki had slapped them both and told them to sit in the corner.
Dinner was a strange combination of chatter and silence. Everyone had been introduced to everyone else. MIhoshi was babbling on to Kiyone and Khydin about how much she enjoyed things here, and that she and Gourry were going to be married soon. Her last statement had sent a wave of vague horror through almost everyone at the table, excluding Mihoshi, Gourry, and Misaki. Misaki had begun discussing wedding arrangements with Mihoshi.