Parents Talk

Over dinner, the conversation turns to Skylar’s parents. Like Paige, Skylar still technically should be going to school. She’s chosen instead to train full time with us, a fact which she doesn’t think her parents will appreciate. “I want you all to meet them sometime soon.” Skylar lays out. My head snaps to Skylar at that.

“Really? Why now?” Mia asks. The maiden of shadow sighs. “It’ll have to happen sometime and I’d rather sooner than later. They already don’t like that I’ve been spending so much time away from home. They know I’m in a relationship and don’t like that either.”

“They respect my choices but they’re extremely protective. I love them and I don’t want them to worry. They will regardless but hopefully meeting you will help them.” I nod in understanding, having managed to process the request. “Alright cool. I’m in.” I say. Ivy and Mia voice their agreement.

Skylar smiles at us. “Thank you loves. I’m sorry to put this on you so suddenly.” She says. “It’s okay sweetie. We understand.” Ivy says gently, kissing Skylar on the cheek. “When do you wanna do this then?” Mia asks. “Maybe the day after tomorrow, if that’s all good?” Skylar asks, looking around the table. We all agree, and the date is set.

“Thank you. I’ll see what I can do to organise like a lunch with them.” Skylar says. “It’s not like I don’t understand where they’re coming from. We’re trying to pick a fight with dangerous people, and we’ve already had some close calls. I just wish they’d stop making such a stink about it.” She sighs.

“Actually about that…” I say, drawing the attention to me. “I wanted to apologise for putting you all in so much danger. I’m sorry about Saturday. We were really lucky to be able to escape. If anything had have happened to any of you…” Tears start to well up in my eyes at the thought. “I…I don’t think I’d ever be able to forgive myself.”

Mia puts a hand on my shoulder and comforts me gently. “It’s okay love, we all agreed to it. We’re okay and safe now.” She says. Ivy wordlessly stands up from her chair and hugs me from behind. I smile sadly, taking comfort in the gesture and holding her back. “I knew what I signed up for when I joined this guild.” Skylar says.

“This stuff is dangerous, and the risks are inherent to what we’re doing. Please don’t beat yourself up about this. It’s done now and it worked out okay in the end. We know a lot more about what to expect and what we’re up against. It was super dangerous to blunder around into the city, and we’re lucky it didn’t go worse, but we got what we went for.”

I nod, smiling at her and silently thanking her. “Actually I was also wondering,” Skylar continues. “Couldn’t we have asked Olivia before we went?” I facepalm and Mia giggles. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t think of that.” I sigh. “Now I feel even more like an idiot.” Ivy hugs me tighter. “It’s okay love, these things happen.” Ivy comforts, kissing the top of my head.

Skylar smiles at me. “You’re still learning. We all are. It’s okay to make mistakes.” She says. “Thank you. Still, I’ll try to do better next time. I guess I didn’t really consider it an option because she said she wanted to stay out of things as much as possible.” Ivy kisses me on the cheek and sits back down again.

“Yeah I get that. Are we still planning on asking her to join us soon?” Mia asks. I nod, mostly recovered from the guilt for now. “I think so. I say we adjust to having Paige around and a part of our guild before we go to Olivia. Sound okay?” I ask, looking around. More nods of agreement cement that plan.

After dinner, we wash the dishes and check on our pets. While Skylar plays for a bit with Dave, Ivy and I continue the slow process of bonding with our cats, and showing them that we respect them. We give them another treat each, as well as refilling their food bowl. Sol meows at us loudly, while Luna purrs quietly as she eats her treat.

It takes everything in me not to reach out to pet her. She melts my heart with her cuteness, but I’ll only pet her when she comes to me. We go upstairs and fool around more. Now that Paige is gone, clothes are no longer needed, a fact which we’re quite happy about. Sleep is easily reached for me, happily squished between my loving girlfriends.

At breakfast, something occurs to me that I’ve completely forgotten to check. “Hey Mia?” I start. “Yes honey?” “Didn’t you say that you thought you had a breakthrough on Saturday? Like you felt more powerful?” I ask. My girlfriend giggles. “I did say that. It’s taken you this long to remember?”

“Shut up, we were all stressed!” I defend myself and Mia cackles. “How much stronger do you think you got?” Ivy asks. Mia shrugs. “I have no idea. Gemma, wanna observe me and find out?” “You seriously haven’t checked yourself?” I reply. “Nah, been caught up in other things.” She teases. I roll my eyes, smiling.

“Huh, level 61, that’s pretty good…holy shit, your spellpower has absolutely shot through the roof!” I exclaim. Mia nods. “That kinda makes sense. I mostly felt my magic get way stronger. I didn’t think I could use wind that strong.” She says. “Oh fuck you, you’re the strongest again!” I complain. “Aww, poor diddums!” Mia cackles, and I tickle her playfully.

Skylar snorts at the scene, before asking a question. “We’re testing out some the new dungeons today, right?” She asks. I nod in response. “Yeah I think so, if everybody is down for that?” Ivy and Mia nods, but Skylar hesitates. “I’m falling behind a bit. I guess I have a lower potential than you three. I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be able to safely train with you.” She says, regret in her voice.

“That’s okay hun, we can train in other ways!” Mia says. A cascade of thoughts run through my mind. Wondering how high my levels can actually go, but also something else. “Hey, do you think there could be something to fix that, that’s related to the mark of love skill?” I ask.

““What?”” Ivy and Mia ask at the same time. “Like Skylar, you’re talking about potential as in how much power you can get, right?” I ask. She nods, confused. “Do you think maybe an upgrade to the mark of love could solve that problem? Like everybody who has it, has their potential raised or something?” I postulate.

Mia shakes her head while Skylar’s eyes widen slightly. “Look, I would absolutely love that. But if you could do that, that would be absolutely ridiculous. It would be genuine horse shit if that was possible.” She says. I shrug, smiling to myself. “Only one way to find out, right?” “You’re insane. I love you.” Skylar laughs, and I chuckle with her.

After breakfast and washing the dishes, we check on our pets again. Sol and Luna are still happily sleeping in their beds, their food bowls half full. Luna looks so peaceful, sleeping with what almost looks like a smile on her face. Smiling, my heart melting at the adorable sight, we quietly refill their food bowls, before leaving them to sleep to their heart’s content.

We’ve been pretty lucky so far that they seem to already know to use their litter boxes instead of letting loose on the floor. I’m sure Ivy would know how to handle it if they did, but I’m still pretty happy it hasn’t come to that. Skylar meets us outside, with Dave following her, bounding into the woods.

“Aren’t you worried he’s gonna get lost?” Mia asks the umbramancer. Skylar shrugs in response. “Nah, wolves are pretty smart. He’ll find his way back when he wants to. Besides, worst case scenario, he’s wearing a tracking collar.” She says. I open the monster table so we can choose the first new enemy we’re facing today.

“Angels, demons, murlocs and centaurs, those are the four new enemies.” I report with interest as I scan the table. “Murlocs?” Mia asks, raising an eyebrow. I shrug amusedly. “That’s what it says. They’re kinda like fish people. I really hope it’s not a dungeon that requires us to swim.” I shudder. “Let’s hope Gaia isn’t that cruel.” Skylar agrees with me.

“Babe, Gaia literally told me through the achievement when you joined our guild, and I quote: ‘Treat this girl wrong and I will smite you.’” I tell her. The umbramancer bursts out into a fit of giggles. “She did not!” She manages to get out, between laughter. “She absolutely did.” I confirm. “I take back what I said, you’re a sweetheart Gaia.” Skylar calls out.