Gather the picnic squad.

It doesn't take long for Niki's mother to gather some snacks, and to place them within adorable baskets covered by coloured, hand-woven blankets. Niki holds them, as neither her parents are certain what you're doing when you pull them all into a huddle--mother on your left, father to the right. Niki bumps up against you in the front, rear pushing firmly up against your groin. You then focus your mind on home, and as always, it comes easily. Recalling back to Castle Phoenix is definitely the least strenuous Bunny Hop possible.

"This is gonna be weird," you assure them. "But hang in there. Hold on tight. We're going to teleport, and just to be transparent, you probably will feel sick after the first couple times. It's a weird experience."

"Teleportation? Amazing," says her mother as she squeezes your arm. "Oh my. You have more muscle than it looks."

Her father peers over from the other side. "Settle down there, dear."

"Ready?" you ask. Then you take a deep breath and count down in your head.

Three... Two... One...

Bunny Hop!

Just as before, the world stretches away as the ground gives out from under you. Both her mother and father shout in surprise and fear as the four of you are sent through space. The sky folds over itself, and in an instant, the book's page is turned over to Castle Phoenix. As you're far more familiar with this landing, you easily hit the ground exactly where you first left, and you do so in a manner to make it as smooth as possible for your new passengers.

It only helps to a degree. Both of them fall to their knees straight after.

"That was... a lot," says her mother.

Niki takes hold of her and helps her to her feet, at the same time her father joins in beside her. "Are you all right, you two?"

"I'm fine," says her father, brushing himself off. "Just dizzy--" Though in that moment, his thoughts are taken away by view of Castle Phoenix with his own eyes.

Coming down the path are four individuals--Amara, Yaera, Eva, and Rada. It's both parents who carry baskets of their own, presumably filled with snacks and drinks to have for lunch, as well as blankets to set it all upon. They notice you near the gate, as well as the new guests not all recognize.

"Hey! Good timing!" Niki shouts. "Everyone, come meet my parents if you haven't."

They aren't dressed nearly as you are, as this is no quest from the Adventurer's Guild. They're garbed far more casually. Actually, you've seen the outfits before, at least on two of them. Eva wears her poofy, breezy top that's white with pale lavender flowers all over, which between the sleeves and collar, it doesn't begin until the curve of her bust, being rather generous with her shoulders. Upon a very close inspection of her breasts, there's a tiny rabbit stitched near one of the flowers. This shoulderless top is tucked into a pair of jean shorts with tattered ends. A thin silver chain adorns her neck, which holds the pendant of a tiny carrot, though it tends to nestle itself rather helplessly between the squeeze of her cleavage. On her feet are purple flats. She also carries with her a fancy purse to match.

Amara is wearing the other familiar attire--pale overalls, with the straps reaching up and over a pink shirt. They're shorts as well, showing off her long and slender legs. To match, she wears pink sandals, and atop her head is an adorable white summer hat. She has her choker on as usual, as she can't take it off without you anyway, but it matches perfectly with the rest. A single earring hangs from her left side--silver, with three tiny green gemstones. On the rump of her shorts is a little flower stitched over top her right cheek.

As for their parents, they're also dressed differently.

Rada has a red shirt on beneath an unbuttoned, dark brown, breezy top covered in muted flowers. His shorts are black, and he wears deep crimson sandals as well. It may be autumn, but the day isn't especially cold, and perhaps a a pyromancer, he burns hotter than most. He looks rather uncomfortable, however. It seems he's used to wearing his same red robe.

Yaera, however, is more than happy to wear what she was given. Firstly, she wears a near identical hat to her daughter's, surely on purpose. A gold ribbon is tied around it. The dress she wears is surprisingly simple. It's pure white with spaghetti straps, though it's cut to fit her body perfectly. The thin, delicate fabric gentle lays upon her bosom, and down her slender body, to where it seems she may not be wearing much beneath it, though it's overwise rather modest without any sort of risqué cuts or gaps. A familiar ribbon of gold wraps around her waist to tie it all together, and it leads to a large bow just above her protruding backside.

Amara is the first to approach and bow her head low. "I did not expect this, but I am incredibly happy to see it." After standing back up straight, she looks to Niki with a warm smile. "I will be more than happy to have you and your parents with us."

"The more the merrier," says Yaera.

"Oh yeah! I forgot Kyle could just kinda teleport and grab them too. I didn't even think of that," Eva says.

"Truly remarkable," Rada says, running his fingers down his short beard. "He moves across the land so freely, and without breaking a sweat."

First, it's Niki's father who steps forward. He places a hand upon his heart and bows politely. "This is all so overwhelming for us. Forgive our ignorance. We're a simple folk, and this is a strange land of grand individuals. Even now, I look upon some of you and become short of words. The elf... Apologies, but the older of you two. I've never seen such a divine woman. A priestess, certainly."

Her mother nudges him with her elbow. "You speak more poetically than usual. I'd like to be called divine too."

"S-Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

Yaera chuckles. "Such kind folk. Such wonderful parents. It is a pleasure to meet you both. I am Yaera Tedrilui, mother of Amara here beside me. Yes, I believe priestess is a fine word to describe me."

"She is very divine!" Amara says with pride. "Many lives have been saved due to my mother's actions. She travels the lands, vanquishes evil, and aids those in need."

"You are rather excitable today, my dear," she says with fingers running back through her daughter's golden locks. "Is it because you will be eating lunch with Kyle?"

"Mom--" Her cheeks turn pink as she gently nudges her mother's hand away.

Eva and Rada look at one another. It's the former who speak first. She waves a hand and says, "Hi! I'm Eva, Kyle's top mage."

Rada then chuckles. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, parents of Niki. My name is Rada Beela. I'm one of the chairmen of the Circle of the Unicorn."

Niki's mom opens her mouth wide. "Just like Lady Sulta," she whispers to her husband.

He nods. "This is truly overwhelming." But his attention returns to those in front of him. "Excuse my lack of an introduction. I am Padrui of clan Vakila, and beside me is my lovely wife Mavaia."

"Enough talk!" Niki blurts out. She slaps her bare stomach with an opened palm. "Let's get going to Crystal Lake and fill our bellies already."

"That's my girl," says Mavaia. "Always thinking with her stomach."

"That I understand," Rada says quietly.

Eva poses with fists against her hips. "And I'm not even fat."

Niki chuckles. "Yeah. It all goes to your chest--"

"You're the same!"

"Do you not think perhaps a change in clothing is due?" Yaera asks, with eyes specifically on you and Niki.

Your sunheart warrior doesn't understand at first, but then she looks down over herself. "Oh yeah. True! I'll be right back. Come on, Kyle. If I'm getting changed, you are too."