Searing 41, 122 Age of Steel
True to the airfield's word, a welcoming party awaited the Michaelis family when they had finally made their way through customs. Anton only had the vaguest memories of his Gelerian relatives, and neither Amelia nor Karl had ever met a single one of them. When their mother embraced an elderly pair well-to-do figures however, the trio of children were quick to realize that these were their oft spoken of grandparents.
Lothar and Beatrice von Osten cut a striking pair, he in a charcoal gray suit that made the height of Zaichaeri fashion seem cumbersome and pointlessly ostentatious, and she in a dress that seemed to actually have been made with the prospect of walking in it in mind. Behind the pair was an entire assortment of individuals near their mother's age, their aunts and uncle and their respective spouses - save Sofia. Hugs, kisses, and exclamations of astonishment at Anton's age as well as the existence of his younger siblings were forced upon them, Karl and Amelia following their brother's lead of politely enduring it all as they were embraced by their family for the first time in their lives. A whole host of cousins followed, and not even Anton bothered to remember all of their names.
Fortunately, most of the family faded away when it was time to actually make for home, leaving the Michaelis only with Lothar, Beatrice, and Friedrich. A series of horseless carriages conveyed them from Eisenstadt to the Reichtum, a mercifully short journey after the long voyage aboard the Every Waking Moment.
Actually entering the von Osten estate was something of a culture shock. Anton was no stranger to the wonders of electricity, but stepping foot inside of the building, he realized that it was simply everywhere. Lights, automatic fans, even appliances that performed household tasks and continually broadcasted the frivolous and serious.
"Do make yourself at home, everyone," Lothar said kindly as he guided them through the palatial estate on a short tour.
"Ever since the children grew up the house has been rather empty," Beatrice agreed. "I hope you three don't mind staying in your aunts' rooms?"
"Of course not, oma," Anton replied, slipping into Kathalan as he already began feeling the bones of the ancient house. It was not the same as home, but it had a similar weight of ages upon it, the knowledge that he was far from the first of his line to set foot beneath its roof, and he would not be the last. "Will our bondsmen be able to stay here as well opa?"
"Hmm, we'll have to make room, but until something more appropriate can be found for them I don't think anyone would mind. Such a terrible thing you've gone through, all of you, you should stop worrying about these affairs. You are safe, Anton, and that is what matters."
