Carl and Klaire enjoyed their family night with their mum's, Squidge, Levi, kitsunoko, and two dragons.
The next day they wished Omedra farewell as she returned to work, Tiamutael a good day as he went on a day trip with his sister and Kyubi to explore the territory.
For Carl and Klaire, their destiny was aura training on Archyon.
"First of all, did you finish stockpiling your absurd divinity?"
"Yes, I did. All fifteen levels worth, after my cultivation system was re-patched."
"Carl, your communication skills are appalling, why didn't you tell me?"
"Well I was going to, but then Venusiah, Nergal and family night..." He went on to explain everything that happened between everyone else going inside and Venusiah's arrival.
Lillim decided that aura training was even more important in light of the revelation and them both train the entire day.
---Back on Lugaria---
Blanc was busy trying to upgrade their system security and not having much luck at all.
He picked up his new pet after running into the hundredth programming error of the morning.
"Sorry, I know you can help, just don't want to put too much pressure on you too soon." The long cable-like serpent coiled a bit tighter to show its appreciation.
"Hey Blanc! I know you said you're doing programming stuff, figured I'd meet your new baby and see if you need anything whilst Alysse is going full gnome." Sophie shouted as she entered the work station.
"Do we have enough caffeine to kill a gluttonous slimedra? Because that would be appreciated." Blanc replied without looking.
"Going well then?" She laughed as she pulled a chair up next to him and looked at his screen.
"If by well you mean scared this guy's gonna be an orphan by the time I finish." Blanc grumbled. "These variants can portal in whenever they want and can do god knows what... I won't let everyone down."
"Dude relax, at least you haven't woken up the big bad ten-star, or whatever, vampire. I had a nightmare he controlled me into making me betray you all... I miss the days when exams were the worst of my worries."
"Sounds like you need to relax. Even if you do betray us like that, we wouldn't hold it against you, we'd deal with it and moved on. If you think you're killing anyone with the pets and omina-class threats everywhere, you are definitely dreaming and we all miss exams."
"Why did you join Blanc?"
"Carl said I can burn down the committee orphanage, didn't laugh, didn't judge, just said "If it needs to happen, you can do it... Just no casualties." That was it."
"Honestly, he always seemed a bit soft, between the crying and public lovey-doveyness. Then he goes and picks a fight with the Margo, then the committee, then that Nergal. Guy's got a heart of gold and not a single screw tightened. I'm in for life."
"Yeah no what you mean, has a way of making you feel like you belong... Doesn't give you the chance to even put yourself down."
"If you have a crush, I'd keep it silent, bad enough Kyubi is putting enough effort into her thinly veiled crush as is."
"Don't worry it isn't Carl I have a thing for Blanc."
"Good, enough drama without a banshee in a love rhombus..."
Sophie laughed then stood. "Glad to put you at ease. Anyway, Alysse is done gnoming out so no caffeine from me today... Why don't I bring you some tomorrow?"
"Eh, we'll see how it goes." Blanc said before starting to type once again, leaving Sophie to see herself out.
As she disappeared Link's voice sounded in his head. 'Dad, I know I was born yesterday, but even I can see she has a thing for you, the electrical field around her was pretty easy to read.'
The last thing Sophie heard on her way back up to the workshop was Blanc groaning and banging his head against the console, but she decided to continue on her way as a grin spread across her face,
----Back on Mirage---
Gillian was in the middle of the latest diplomatic meeting with the dwarf representative, one who had decided to do everything in his power to bring diplomacy grinding to a halt and fray Gillian's nerves.
To make matters worse, he absolutely refused to come to Mirage and since Carl had barred him from going there until he had gotten used to working with Scorch, the conversations had devolved into yelling matches via what the Dwarves called "Talking-stones".
"Scorch, can you please explain to this guy why we aren't agreeing to that!?" At Gillian's words, Scorch grew, though for his flaming form it seemed more like burning out of control. "NO! No! No! No! That's not what I meant, he can't even see you. Look, we aren't going to agree to anything at this rate."
"Aye! You damn wolves are too stubborn!"
"You know what? Yeah, we are and a dwarf would know. Let's make this simple, take it or leave it... Thanks to the Boss, the dragons, Kyubi, Lillim, Faylorna and Margo, we have enough on our plate, you don't have anything we need and we don;t have anything we can afford to offer at this time. Let's call it for now, wait for some of ours or some of yours to wind up through an incursion gate and go from their."
"Are you threatening us boy!?"
"No, I'm saying that's how it's gonna be, hopefully nothing happens while one of the boss' kids is out exploring because that will be war."
"What do you mean by exploring?"
"Well his kids are tough little ones, sorry for saying this boy, Scorch here is on the weaker end. They like exploring on their own, and the boss has his new son ou-... Speak of the devil, you know what, why not come over and meet the little guy. You can see for yourself the kind of kids he has."
"Aye maybe I should, so far I haven't seen anything to make me think this boss of yours is as scary as you make him sound and I wouldn't trust anything that drunkard says if my mother's life depended on it."
"Come over whenever, you know the way, the kids are asking for juice."
Gillian stood and walked away from the talking stone to go meet Kyubi and the kids. "Hello, Gillian. I hope we didn't interrupt you."
"Actually, perfect timing. Hey, Tiamutael, this guy is looking for a reason to take your dad seriously, mind helping me out?" Gillian said as politely as possible through gritted teeth, making Kyubi chuckle.
"Just don't be gone long, I need to get these two fed, then burn off some energy. Aparently watching a movie with Papa and Mama Klaire gives them more than I possess." She sighed.
Gillian gave a thumbs up so tense, his muscles were shaking, then led Tiamutael outside. "Don't change just yet, wait until he starts shouting." Gillian instructed as he led him by the hand.
"Uncle Gil.... Why are you depending on a child instead of bullying him yourself?"
"Simple, because if I do it, it's bad end of. If you do it, he's a guy who got beat up by a kid and no one will take him seriously..." Gillian laughed maniacally and made Tiamutael shake his head.
They eventually came to a clearing outside the complex and a gate opened a short while late before the dwarf stepped out, closely followed by his entourage.
"Greetings "chief diplomat Gillian", is this the big bad child in question?" The dwarf sang sarcastically to the laughter of his followers.
"Ooooohhh, I get it now uncle Gil."
"Now, now Tiamutael, don't be rude to the itty-bitty diplomat and... Whoever the rest are."
"Don't you dare insult me boy!" The moment he yelled, Tiamutael transformed, blocking their escape with his flames.
"Would dad be mad if I ate them? He interrupted lunch and Kyubi small portions anyway."
"No, he did insult you, that might be enough to end any chance of diplomacy as is... Honestly wasn't expecting that from someone who has "been a diplomat since before your bastard leader left his papi". Just try not to eat them all, we need one half dead and burnt to a crisp and one well enough to show the example ."
"Oooo, well, now-now. No need to be hasty, I admit I was wrong and think my people can make some concessions in compensation."
"Yeah, you know what, on second thoughts little guy I don't think Kyubi will appreciate me giving you all that extra energy. If he does anything else, I'll tell your mummy, that soul-serving she performed yesterday looked sufficient."
"Yeah, mummy gets scary when she's angry. I'll be good." Tiamutael laid his tail over the fire to put it out, the proximity charge from his yellow scales shocking those closest severely enough to render them unconscious.
"Master Remus, it has been a pleasure as always, I will return with a revised proposal tomorrow evening."
"Noon, that's the deadline I have."
"How about I come for breakfast?"
"That sounds delightful. See you in the morning."
As the dwarf and his minions returned, dragging the unconscious ones back through, Tiamutael transformed back into his human form.
"Uncle Gil, you know Mum's gonna kill you too for getting me to do that..."
"Yes, I do... You know what, worth it. Watching that guy squirm was the only thing on my bucket list... Let's get you back so you don't have to watch me kick it."