~Marcus with the group in the Great Hall ~<br/><br/>As quickly as the air had seemed to turn a bit stale, it appeared to reverse itself, the mood lightening once again though exactly why, or how, that had occurred Marcus could not say.  In the end, it didn’t matter and so he didn’t dwell on it, simply enjoying the peace that seemed to settle over the group.  It was a magical night, the first of many he hoped would occur among them, these individuals who, with a little luck and a lot of love, would one day be his family.<br/><br/>Stepping off to the side so that he was slightly apart from the rest, Marcus let his gaze sweep over them again.  Mari was chatting briefly with Mila and Tool while Bo exchanged a few words with Nicci.  All seemed relaxed now and simply enjoying the night and the company.  Soon they would sit down and enjoy their first meal together, a moment that Marcus looked forward to, if only because it represented more time together as a group instead of in pairs.  He had no idea what was on the menu, or if he’d even like it, but tonight wasn’t about the food.  It was about these five individuals and himself and the launch of something bigger, better, and more loving than anything he had ever experienced before.<br/>