The Ride Home

The car ride home is mostly silent. A bit tense, but in a different way to the car ride over. Before it was tense due to apprehension. Now it’s tense because we’re all processing what just happened. Skylar most of all seems defeated. None of us are really sure how to react to this development.

About halfway through the drive, Skylar pulls into a petrol station to refuel. Mia and Skylar both get out silently, while Ivy and I stay in the car. The two of them wordlessly embrace, before Skylar starts to use the pump and Mia helps her. I hold hands with Ivy as I look around the service station.

Out of boredom, I start observing the people milling around. Nothing particularly interesting, until I spot a man sitting idly in his car. A chill runs down my spine to see that he’s an abyssal gang member. He’s not particularly dangerous to us, especially since he’s on his own and only level 34. But it’s a reminder of the dangers that Skylar’s parents are so worried about.

Skylar and Mia go inside to pay, and come back out within a minute. They both get inside, and we drive away. I’m still focused on the gang member though. He’s symbolic of everything that Mr and Mrs Whitley are so worried about for Skylar, and everything that we’re going to have to face at some point or another.

The fact is that we’ve made enemies. I don’t know how high on the list of priorities we are for the gangs out there, but the more we show our faces and fight, the more we make ourselves a target. With Mathias having lifted the protection from Mia specifically, and all four of us having gotten attention from some powerful people, we have to be careful.

I spot a well concealed gun in the gang member’s car, and I shudder. I feel guilty over not telling Skylar’s parents everything that’s happened. They don’t know just how close we were to getting captured and having horrible things done to us. It still makes me shudder to think about it. Yet this is the reality that we now face.

The exact thing Skylar’s parents wanted to shelter her from.

We make it back to the Fateweaver barrier, luckily without incident. Skylar parks inside the barrier, and we step onto the footpath before entering our Kingdom. The cold hits me, and I breathe a sigh of relief, releasing tension in my body that I wasn’t aware I was holding. We trudge inside and all four of us flop down on the couch, exhausted.

I press the button to unequip my clothes as I cuddle into Ivy, her own outer coverings melting away with a thought. She holds me close as I check visually on our kittens. They’re sleeping soundly and haven’t touched their food for the moment. Satisfied, I turn my attention to Skylar and Mia to make sure they’re okay.

“Mia, can we talk for a sec love?” Skylar asks, and Mia nods, a concerned look on her face. The umbramancer sits down on the couch cross legged and Mia sits next to her. Skylar turns to face the aeromancer, and holds her hands. “First of all, I want you to know that we’re okay and that I still love you.” She reassures, and some of Mia’s concern melts away.

“Thank you, I appreciate that. I love you too.” She replies. “I’m sorry for blowing up at my parents and causing a scene over lunch. I over reacted, and I’m sorry. I was really stressed about having to keep a secret like this from them, and it got to me more than I thought it would.” Skylar explains, and Mia nods in understanding.

“Ah okay, I was wondering what happened there. It’s not usually like you to act like that. I get it, and I appreciate the apology, but I also think you should probably apologise to your parents.” Mia says. “Yeah I’ll call them tonight after I’ve calmed down a bit and processed everything.” Skylar replies.

“I also need to talk about this with you. I understand you were just trying to help, but please don’t get in the middle of my family situation again like that.” The umbramancer continues. “What do you mean?” Mia asks. “Telling my parents that I joined your guild.” Skylar says.

“Oh yeah, fair enough. I’m sorry, I was frustrated because I could see how difficult hiding this was for you.” Mia explains, and Skylar nods. “I get that. Please don’t do that again though, it’s not your thing to tell.” She says. “I won’t, I’m sorry.” Mia replies. Skylar embraces our girlfriend, who cuddles her back eagerly. “It’s okay. I’d probably be much more upset if my parents hated me for this, but I think it might work out okay.” She says.

“Still, you’re right. It wasn’t my thing to tell them about, it was yours, and I’m sorry. I won’t do it again in future.” Mia promises. Skylar squeezes her gently. “Thank you, I really appreciate that. I love you.” She says. “I love you too.” The athletic blonde woman says.

“Are you okay Skylar?” I ask her. She separates from Mia, still holding her close, and looks at me. “Yeah I think I’m okay. That conversation shook me a bit but I’m alright.” She says. “Wanna watch a show? Something low energy and silly?” I ask. Skylar nods, smiling in response. I put on The Amazing World Of Gumball for no other reason than I used to love it as a kid, and sit back with my girlfriends to enjoy the show.

We spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. It’s quickly agreed on that we’ll skip training today, despite our earlier plans to try one of the new dungeons. We need some time to relax and process the difficult conversation, Skylar especially. We alternate between cuddling, playing games in the gaming room, and light, relaxed lewdness.

As evening comes, Skylar follows through on her promise to call her parents, and has a long talk with them about things. She hangs up after an hour and gives us all a tired smile. From what she says, this isn’t what they’d prefer her to do, but they respect her choices, and they very much still love her. I’m glad to hear that this hasn’t damaged their relationship.

As Ivy makes dinner, Mia announces that Elsa wants to see if we can hang out tomorrow. Ivy and I think it’s a good idea, but Skylar is a little more hesitant. After a few minutes thinking about it, she agrees that she’d like to come too. She thinks she’ll have the energy for that, so Mia responds to Elsa and organises an afternoon hangout.

During dinner, the conversation is much lighter and more relaxed. We’re all feeling a little better and more energetic, with Skylar being relieved that things between her and her parents are okay. We’re all a little excited to hang out with Elsa tomorrow, and despite the heavy conversation today, we’re still looking forward to what the future brings.