Aura and Mirror decided to spend the last day before the trip with their parents.
Caster and Fenix came along.
To welcome everyone, Nicolai and Sera made a huge breakfast with fluffy pancakes, fruit, fried eggs, bacon, and sausage.
The dining table was packed with food and people.
"I'm going to miss you both so much! You said you could be gone a month?" Sera asked, wiping her eyes, then sipping her mimosa.
"Yeah," Mirror replied, piling pancakes onto her plate. "There's a way to send messages through Pierce's company, so we'll update you every day," she added while adding some sausages to the pile.
"I'm going to miss you both too... but this mission is important for our future... the future of everyone on the island a-and," Aura paused and hesitated for a moment before finishing her sentence, "I need to go so I can support my husband."
Mirror choked on her pancakes, Fenix blushed and looked at Aura in shock, both her parents looked flustered, and Caster continued eating as if nothing unusual had happened.
"I... don't think I've ever heard you call him that," Mirror noted hoarsely while reaching for her drink.
"... I just figured I should get used to calling him that," Aura twiddled with her fingers while talking, then slapped her cheeks and began filling up her own plate.
"I'm glad to hear it, wife," Fenix said with a smug smirk.
Aura's face heated up, but she didn't reply, focusing on making sure she got plenty of everything.
"What exactly do you guys have to do?" Nicolai asked, clearing his throat.
"Well... the nearest continent is Awita, we plan to head there first, traveling to different countries and major cities to seek audiences with governments there." Fenix continued speaking while cutting his pancakes into smaller slices. "Also seek television interviews with major media outlets so people will know what really happened to the Academies... and why," Fenix took a bite, then swallowed, "It shouldn't get dangerous... but if it does, we're ready."
"I'll make sure everyone returns safely," Caster added, while setting his fork down on top of his empty plate.
Mirror smiled and lightly nudged him with her shoulder.
"I really appreciate you saying that," Sera replied with her hand against her heart.
The conversation continued with lighter topics, and after everyone finished eating, they watched a movie projected on a hologram in the living room.
Mirror cuddled up with Caster in the recliner. Aura and Fenix sat beside each other on the loveseat, holding hands, partially to keep Fenix's hand preoccupied so he would control himself in the dark room. Sera and Nicolai sat on the couch, with Sera's feet propped up in his lap as he massaged them.
After the movie ended, the group prepared to leave. Sera held both her daughters, teary-eyed.
"Don't forget your promise to stay in contact!" she said while hugging them tighter.
They both laughed, savoring the affection.
"We won't, Mom," Aura assured.
"Trust us," Mirror added, giggling. Once the hug ended, Nicolai spread his arms for his turn, and both his daughters tackled him in a hug, toppling him to the floor.
"We need to do something together as soon as you get back," he cried while they squeezed him, crying and nodding in agreement.
Fenix watched quietly for a while, and when the hug ended, walked over to help Aura to her feet. Caster helped Mirror, and then he also helped Nicolai stand.
Caster gave Nicolai a quick hug, and after that, he walked over to give Sera one too. She giggled, and as he tried to pull away, she yanked him back in for a longer embrace.
They said their goodbyes after that, the girls waving as they walked out the door.
As soon as they got through the front door of Aura's place, Fenix sighed heavily and slumped over like a deflating balloon. Aura gave him a puzzled look, and he avoided her eyes while speaking.
"Do you think they resent me... for taking you away so soon after you've reunited?"
Aura sighed, then a soft smile covered her face.
"Not at all. You're the reason we reunited in the first place. I had long resigned myself to never seeing them again... my only goal was to ensure they stayed alive and safe..." She reached out to stroke his back as she added, "You made something I thought impossible, a reality. Neither my parents nor I could ever resent you."
He stared at her silently, then gave a bashful smile.
"... Then I guess I only need to make sure the mission goes off without a hitch," he declared.
Aura nodded, then she jumped slightly as he stepped toward her. He placed his fingers under her chin, tilting her head up to meet his eyes.
"I still can't believe... you called me your husband," he murmured.
Aura blushed and turned away.
"Why not? You've been telling everyone I'm your wife this whole time," she argued shyly as she walked away.
He trailed after her with pure joy radiating off of him.
"Of course you're right, my wife. Thank you, my wife," Fenix sang out behind her as she groaned and picked up her pace.
On the other side of the island...
Vision and Clair sat on the floor playing a board game. They both had serious expressions as she rolled the dice. It landed on a six and a five, so Clair shouted,
"Whoo yeah!"
Then she immediately moved her character across the board.
"You must be cheating," Vision grumbled.
"And you must owe me 500 MoBucks. Now pay up."
He exhaled and placed the play cash into her palm.
"Your turn to roll, not that you could possibly catch up," Clair said, while placing the dice into his hand.
Vision rolled his eyes, then tossed the dice. It totaled five.
When he moved his character, he landed on a special square. Trumpet sounds blared and digital confetti burst from the board, along with a voice that happily said,
"Draw a card!"
He blinked in surprise before shifting his attention to the deck.
After drawing his card, he read it aloud,
"Swap positions with one of your opponents or take $300 from the bank."
Clair gasped,
"No... no... no," she muttered. He eyed her game piece, so she shouted, "Just take the money!"
Vision smirked at her without moving a muscle.
"What are you thinking?" Clair asked, her voice shaking.
"Let's swap," he answered cheerfully.
"No fair! I'm only three spots away from winning!"
Vision moved the game pieces around with a smile as she complained.
Clair pouted as she rolled again, then grumpily folded her arms as Vision took his turn and reached the goal.
"Your luck is insane," she muttered.
"You're right..." Vision replied. He walked over to sit next to her, then pulled her into a tight hug. Her heart quickened and the silence stretched between them until Vision uttered, "I'm going to miss you."
She stiffened in his arms, but after a moment she gripped the back of his shirt and said,
"I'll miss you too... I'll message you every five minutes."
"That may be a bit overboard," he commented quietly.
"It's fine, I know you'll miss me tons so... I'll make things easier by describing every aspect of my day," Clair assured.
Vision gave her a weak smile.
"I'll reply when I can," he said. Clair stared at him as if expecting more and he turned away under the weight of her gaze.
"What should we do now?" Clair murmured while making circles on his chest with her finger.
Vision stopped her by holding her hand and asked,
"... Want to play another round?"
Clair pouted.
"That's not what I meant and you know it," she grumbled with a red face.
"... Then what did you mean?" he asked looking down to meet her eyes. This time she turned away and muttered,
"It's our last day together... it should be obvious what I mean."
"... You're the one who wanted to play this game," Vision pointed out sounding a bit irritated.
"We've been playing for hours, and you leave in the morning," Clair argued, now meeting his gaze directly.
Vision smirked and stood while lifting her up in his arms.
"You're right... I did know what you were talking about," he stated softly as he set her down on the couch.
Clair sat frozen with her eyes fixed on him as he removed his shirt and then lightly kissed her.
"I'll stop wasting your time now," Vision whispered while slowly lifting her dress. Clair swallowed hard, her boldness wavering under his intensity.
She shut her eyes tightly as he pressed gentle kisses against her neck, while he gradually pushed her back onto the couch.
She cracked her eyes open to glance at him but squeezed them back shut after seeing him undo his pants.
"Why am I so nervous?" she muttered mostly to herself.
Vision stifled a small chuckle, then leaned down to kiss her lips over and over until she relaxed.
Meanwhile Veil was at Flow's place...
His suitcases were set near the door as he sat on the couch reading through a book.
"Okay... I should tell you something before we leave tomorrow," Flow stated nervously as she plopped down beside him. He immediately snapped his book close, the sound made her jump slightly, but she continued speaking once his attention was on her.
"... Pierce is my step father so he may be extra protective over me."
Veil stared at her for a moment, not uttering a word or changing his expression at all, but then he clicked his tongue and said,
"So?"
Flow gasped and replied,
"... I'm not trying to tell you what to do... I'm just suggesting you be careful... because we are going to be traveling together as a team."
Veil tilted his head, placed his book down, and thought over what she just said.
Then... a wicked grin covered his face.
"I'll be good," he muttered, trembling as if he was trying not to laugh.
"You look like someone who is up to NO good," Flow noted, glaring at him.
When his eyes met hers, her expression softened and he lifted his hand to her cheek. Smiling again, this time looking more sweet, yet sinister at the same time.
"Don't worry princess, I'll try not to piss off your stepdad."
Her skin tingled under his touch and heat blossomed onto her face.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Veil licked her neck, she squeaked involuntarily then he held her hips, tugging her toward him as he kissed up to her earlobe.
"You didn't really believe I'll keep my hands off you for a whole month, though, right?" he whispered directly into her ear.
Flow shivered, her breath caught in her throat so she couldn't muster a word in response.
"But for you... I'll be careful. I won't leave any evidence," he vowed, gripping her chin and then kissing her deeply and passionately.
Afterward, Flow's head was spinning too much to protest.