Welcome to Gaia! ::

It had been sometime since Ambrosius had left the Giovanni mansion alongside his uncle Ambrogino. They had spent all their time traveling from one place to another. Searching, exploring. Well, the exploring side was more on Ambrosius’s part. He we new and green to the world outside the walls of Hemlock. There in the city was relative safety but out there in Faetasia it was antibodies game. But so far he has managed to go unscathed. Unmolested. Unbothered.

Every now and again when they would reach a town or someplace of particular interest to the fledgling he would write a letter home. Informing his fathers of his continued existence and giving them minor details on what he had been up to. Nothing about anything life threatening or dangerous of course. It was best to keep them in the relative dark about that or they might insist that he return home at once. And really he didn’t want that.

He wasn’t ready to permanently return to the mansion.

Ambrosius wanted to explore the world. Learn about every thing it had to show and offer him. To chase away his naievity with knowledge and experience. He had no skill for business of magic so becoming worldly was all that he knew he could do. Something different than what his brothers had chooosen to do. Of course, they were more inclined for those paths than he. So it was only natural that he try to forge his own path other than one that might have been expected of him.

Making his way through the city he took the old familiar paths that lead straight home. And as he reached the estate grounds he paused at the wrought iron gate. His hand placed firmly upon it as he took in a deep breath. Steeling himself for what was surely about to come once they knew he had returned home. He had sent a letter ahead to inform his father’s of his eventual return so someone would surely be waiting for him.

Pushing open that gate the familiar metal swueak brough back a flood of memories. They ran thick and deep here. This was where he had been born. Where he had grown up with his brothers under the watchful eye of his parents. Now they seemed like a distant memory. He was no longer that wide eyed boy who was amazed by everything he saw. Well, not entirely.

He made his way into the mansion, lingering in the foyer as he glanced around. It hadn’t changed. But then things rarely did for vampires. “Hello? Fathers? Are you home?” He waited for a reply. Any indication that they were here. Gold eyes continued to sweep around the room. He had been gone so long it almost felt like he was intruding.

Ok, so maybe things had changed just a little. There were certainly more and more pictures of him and his siblings smattered about the mansion. He was pretty sure that that had been his father’s handiwork no doubt. It made him smile to know that Vinny still thought about them and he guessed pretty often.

The smell of the home was the same. And even more memories came flooding back to him. It’s not like he had been gone years by this point but a good number of months had passed since he’d last been here. Ambrogino and other things tended to occupy his time as of late. Or well, perhaps a certain someone but that was something to discuss in all good time. For now he was happy to just reminisce about his time here when he was younger. All the laughter, the fights, the love he felt from his family. Even his memories of Augustus were filled with warmth though the Disciple was busy with his own work just as Claudius was.

Speaking of his father. When Vinxenzo finally appeared from a nearby drawing room he frowned just slightly. He had filled expected Claudius to be there with him to welcome him home but that just didn’t seem to be the case. His gold gaze flickering to the doorway behind Vinny, lingering there for only a moment as if expecting the Antediluvian to come rushing out just a hair’s breadth after the other. No such luck

That was only slightly disappointing but he understood his father had important work to do. Being a powerful vampire like they didn’t mean you could shirk your responsibilities to the family or the business. Ambrosius knew this all too well.

But his gaze flicked back to Vinny, a warm soft smile parting his lips as his elegantly pale face lit up at the sight of him. He expected the hug of course and only squirmed a little bit at how tight it was. Thankfully he didn’t need air to breath. “Ah, padre. Sono io, sono a casa. Per adesso.” The last part he added because he fully intended to stay a few nights but after that he had to return to Ambrogino. The Antediluvian had given him leave for a time but fully expected him back as soon as he was able.

“Come stai, Berna?” He laughed, then t was melodical in nature as he gave his father’s back a light pat. Vincenzo had always been a hugger. “I have lots to tell you, shall we sit?” He hoped maybe directing that energy into conversation might be better. “No no, sto bene. I ate before I left uncle tonight so I am good and there is nothing to take.” Ambrosius traveled light and anything he acquired he simply sent home when he could reach a post office so as not to bog himself down with trinkets. He even sent things for his fathers from time to time, things that he thought they might find interesting, useful or just objects he thought they might enjoy

At the encouragement to enter the drawing room he did with no fuss. This was what he had come home for afterall. To visit, tell his family of his travels so far. What ye could tell had to keep them in the dark about a lot but there was still many things he could talk about as well.

A smile settled on his lips at the spread his father had prepared. Just like him to pull out all the stops for a simple visit home. But then Ambrosius knew that his fathers likely missed him dearly and he had missed them too. The call to travel though called to him more strongly and he knew his family would always be here. He could always return home whenever he wanted there was no doubt about that.

He snagged a couple of treats and settled onto one of the large chaises. It was nice to rest of something soft after having been in the road where half the time he spent his downtime sleeping on floors or hard surfaces. But he wouldn’t complain. Ambrosius knew that warm beds and soft pillows were never a guarantee where they had been traveling. Popping one of the snacks into his mouth he savored it’s flavor for just a moment while his father settled in. “There’s no need to go all out and drag everyone away from their unlives. Just seeing you and father are enough for me. I know the others are quite busy in their own rights.”

Gold eyes shone with excitement as he turned to him. “I’ve seen so much, padre. It has been an exciting couple of months. We’ve been exploring old ruins, libraries, we even came upon a Ravnos Kumpania. It was rather charming I do say so myself. They have cats everywhere. And it was huge! It felt almost like Hemlock itself had picked up and started moving.”

But then his thoughts traveled to Gayal and a slightly reserved yet mildly bashful look came to the young Giovanni’s face. Did he tell him about Gayal? He had hoped he could tell both of them about the Ravnos Elder together but maybe it would be easier to break it in with Vincenzo first. Surely they would both have opinions about him. Ambrosius knew full well that his family would probably prefer him to be with someone within the clan but…..

Gayal was something else.

The fledgling had taken a great interest in the large man. He was worldly and smart. And he never made Ambrosius feel dumb or naive for his youth and inexperience. No, he was well and truly fond of him. Not that he could say that he was in love with him or that they were seeing each other exclusively, no. But Ambrosius’s feet tended to wander in the direction of his Kumpania quite a few times.

Taking in a slightly deep breath he smiled fondly at Vinny. He might as well just get it out in the open, so he could gauge his father’s reaction and maybe that would help him predict how Claudius might react as well whenever he saw him next.. “Ho... incontrato qualcuno.”

Ambrosius knew that family meant a lot to his father. That all the kids had meant a lot to him and their growing up had not been easy for the older vampire. Ignatius marrying, Vespara with her studies and boyfriend, Caelius with his own grown up life and Ambrosius leaving home to explore the world. He never expected his siblings to drop what they were doing simply to just come see him but their father seemed adamant and dead set on the idea. He didn’t want any special treatment. But in the end he would relent, not that Vincenzo would give him much choice in the matter even if he had vehemently protested.

It would be nice to see his siblings anyhow. “You’re right, padre. Family is everything after all.” It was true. If he didn’t have his family then who would he have? Well, Gayal surely. But that was besides the point. Ambrosius loved his siblings and fathers greatly. But he had enjoyed his time away as well.

Taking the glass of wine he sipped at it while his memories wandered to that first night he and Ambrogino had wandered into the Ravnos camp. Ambrosius had been wide eyed at all that he could see, smell. It was a vastly different world than he had grown up in and he could only imagine what life living there would be like from the short stays. “Yes, lots of cats. They were friendly, yes. Cautious at first of course but that’s to be expected when strangers come into your home.”

The shock and questions he had expected came as he knew they would. Their fathers always wanted to know about who they were hanging around. Who they might be interested to make sure that they were being well taken care of. Vincenzo honestly had no reason to worry. Gayal had treated Ambrosius very well.He was hesitant to talk much about Gayal at first though he really wanted to. The reputation of clan Ravnos proceeded themselves but Ambrosius saw it as very misconstrued. Perhaps it was more of a tale that the Ravnos spun themselves. They really enjoyed a good story. But even so what little experience outsides had painted them in a poor light. What would Vinny or even Claudius think? Gods he wished his other father had been here. Surely Vinny will relay all this but he’d rather deal with his fathers together when it came to this. “Gayal, is his name. He’s….a Ravnos. An Elder in fact.” He glanced down at the wine in his cup, swirling it around briefly before his golden gaze lifted once more. “I know what most people think about the Ravnos, padre. But Gayal is nothing like that. It’s nothing super serious if that’s what you are wondering.” No, they hadn’t agreed on exclusivity. He knew Gayal cared for him but to what extent he couldn’t even say. Besides, Ambrosius’s traveling left him little time to be tied down anyway. Though perhaps when he was done and more worldly? Then he might consider it. That and he was really in no position to ask that if the Elder Ravnos anyhow.

Who knew though. Things could change at the drop of a hat.

Vinny seemed relatively happy for him though. If not still a little shocked by the revelation. Of course, he would answer any questions he had about Gayal if he could. “He treats me well, he’s….amazing actually.” A dark claw traced the rim of his glass idly. The fledgling obviously thought highly of the Ravnos and he could only hope that perhaps the Elder did too in his own way.

If it would make his father happy Ambrosius would attend this family gathering. Though he did have other plans while he was in the city. A couple small errands for himself and his uncle. Nothing major or really pressing. It was one of several reasons why he had returned to Hemlock and not gone straight to the Kumpania like he usually did when Ambrogino gave him some free time. But it would be nice to see his siblings again. It hadn’t been extraordinarily long since he last saw them. Ah, but then what was time to a vampire, even one as young as himself, anyway?

It wasn’t as if he didn’t want to see his siblings. No. He missed them all a great deal. But the world called to him like a siren’s song. And his siblings would always be around he had no doubt about that. Though how interested they might be in his stories was another thing. He certainly had quite a lot he could tell them. And even more he couldn’t. But it was best that they stay in the dark about things. Even he didn’t know the full extent of Ambrogino’s ambitions. Ambrosius was just along for the ride.

He was surprised by Vinny’s response. Knowing full well how Vespara’s little dalliance has gone over he fully expected to be greatly interrogated but then perhaps it had been a learning experience for his father as well. Good. He could relax just a little bit even so breaking this news to Claudius might not go over as well. The fledgling knew his family would rather he marry someone in the family and if Augustus deemed it so he could, at a moment’s notice, be written into an arranged marriage just as Ignatius had been.

But then if that happened Ambrosius might take matters into his own hands. He could be quiet and obedient when necessary but to live a life without Gayal in it? Taking lovers outside of a marriage was a common thing but he could never, would never ask that of him. They hadn’t talked about exclusivity and Gayal had never asked that of him, but the thought of being with anyone else had never crossed the young Giovanni’s mind. He was smitten indeed. Perhaps more than that. But the relationship was still rather new. They could cross that bridge when, if, they ever got there.

Ah yes, now the real questioning could begin. He had expected them of course. His father wouldn’t let him leave until he sniffed out every scrap of information that Ambrosius might have. He gave a bright smile to his father, settling his drink down on the side table next to him. “As often as Ambrogino allows and as often as I can find the Kumpania. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to track them down since they are constantly on the move.” He mused. Though typically before he left Gayal would let him know which direction from there they would move and all Ambrosius has to do was track back to where they last were and go from there. He had only gotten lost a handful of times before he wound up at the Kumpania tired and bedraggled. “We met when Ambrogino and I ventured into the Kumpania. He had business with their Baro, that’s the boss, and Gayal was kind of the welcome wagon.” It was a very nice welcome indeed. “He showed me around and we got to know one another while Ambrogino handled his business and I just….kept wandering back.” Of course, he wouldn’t go into great detail about other things that they shared. That wasn’t the kind of conversation he wished to have with his father.