The guards at the gate saw the young lady just standing outside the large wooden gates very unsure it seemed, "oi misses, is there anything we can do for you?" one of the guards called out waving her over.

Santiana was so preoccupied with her own thoughts that when the guard called out to her, she all but jumped out of her skin. Her cheeks turned red in embarrassment before she took a moment to compose herself. Only then did she feel confident enough to approach. If she was going to find out about her family, there was no time to be shy.

"I'm here because I was told my relative lives here. Remiel? He's a cousin. I'm Santiana De-...Santiana Allemeade." It would take a bit to adjust to using that name.

The guards looked at each other for a moment and then they silently agreed that if this was family an appointment wasn't necessary.

"Follow me my lady," the guard said and would lead the Allemeade through the big wooden gate and across the growing property. They passed barns and houses, then through a large open space toward what looked like a giant tree only it was starting to look like a house. Standing on what looked the side of a awning over a deck about 30 feet was Remiel who saw the guard with Santiana DeCarlo, they had tried courting but ended up as friends so he took a step off the side and his short free fall was stopped by a vine and then another before it sat him on the ground.

"Lady DeCarlo, long time friend!" Remi called, the guard paused and looked between Remi and the woman, he was very confused.

Santiana was glad in that moment that Gideon was dead, because she just might have killed him herself. He was aware that she and Remiel were related, and yet he tried to play matchmaker with them. Just what had he been thinking?!

She smiled at Remiel pleasantly, trying not to snicker at the guard's apparent confusion. "It has been a long time. I'm also seeing more and more why we wouldn't have gotten along as more than friends.." she laughed nervously.

"Sooo...as it turns out... we're cousins!" She waved her hands like she was revealing a big surprise, although it was entirely enthusiastic.

Like a dog being talked to about being a good boy or being scolded Remiel's head titled to the side in his own state of confusion, the guard and Remiel just stared at Santiana for a good moment.

"what?" a bit of a smile broke out on Remiels face, "The Decarlo's are Allemeade cousins?" he looked at the Guard and dismissed him, "I..I got it from here Stanny...Santiana..do you want to go..do you want to take a walk and maybe clear up your confusion?"

The look Remiel was giving Santiana made her almost smile, but at the same time she felt embarrassed. She turned around as Remi dismissed his guard and pressed her hands to her forehead. What a day this was going to be.

"A walk would be lovely," she responded when she turned back to him. She'd let him lead the way, but she would speak first as she followed along beside him.

"I rehearsed this conversation a thousand times in my head over the season. But it just wasn't an easy one to bring up after all and I just made myself look like a fool. But to answer your question, no, no the DeCarlos are not Allemeade cousins. Just myself. As it turns out, I'm a DeCarlo in name alone. I was adopted. My parents and even my brother knew who I was, but never said anything. I can understand why though. I mean, my whole family is nothing but secrets."

Remiel was stunned and for the longest time, the sounds of their walking and the activities on the farm. He watched Santiana for a few minutes and now her blonde hair and blue eyes made sense, "that means he tried to marry us...knowing we was cousins?" he sounded astonished but he had once considered Bryce and she had been his cousin too.

"wh-who was your Mom and dad? Are you gifted?"

The silence was deafening, and the following words on made her cringe outwardly. "Yes, he tried to match us, knowing we were related. I'm still trying to figure out what he was thinking."

Santiana stopped walking and turned to face Remiel, biting the inside of her cheek. "I don't know who my parents actually were. There wasn't much information in the letter and I have no memories of them. I was a baby when it happened," she shrugged.

She looked even more nervous now. "I am gifted..I just haven't really told anyone outside my family. With tensions on the rise, I've been a bit nervous. And moreso after the dragon attack. I didn't want to be tacked in with her.." She, of course, meant Raine Eldouir.

"Raine? Why would they think that?" he looked her over again, "Unless you can turn into a large reptile I don't think they would confuse you all that much...," he asked and then he grew quiet again before speaking, "those damn Decarlo's and their secrets....an Allemeade, what...what are you going to do now?"

Santana bit her lip at Remiel's comment about becoming a massive reptile, but shook her head. "I meant more along the elemental lines of her power..." She took a deep breath and then clarified. "I'm a bit of a firebrand...if you know what I mean."

As for what she might do now, "I haven't a clue. I could continue my life as a DeCarlo and ignore my real heritage, or perhaps you've got some ideas? I have very little family left, it's been kind of lonely."