Find her family.

"Still crazy, just how fast we got here," Niki says to herself as the two of you walk together. "No portal or anything either. You really are amazing."

People's eyes grow less intrusive as you distance yourselves from your landing zone, though many are still interested. Given your garb, people likely think you're some sort of foreign adventurer, especially with the Golden Sword not happening. You can't be a competitor. "Thank Lepo for that one."

"There it is. You got us pretty close." She points to a small, two-storey home ahead, nestled tight between two others. The front door is old and wooden, which Niki carefully drums her knuckles against.

After a short wait, it creaks open to reveal a lovely woman with long black hair, though speckled subtly with old age. Her silken dress is composed of purple and silver fabric wrapped around her body. Not far behind her is a slim man with hair much the same and a lengthy beard that comes to a point at his stomach. His clothes are loose, dark green silk. You know them to be her mother and father.

The breath is taken from the woman's chest. She reaches out immediately, and places her welcoming hands against Niki's cheeks. "Such a lovely gift, to see my precious daughter this late morning. Niki, it's wonderful to see you! Please, come inside. Come come."

Unable to disobey such a kind gesture, both of you head inside, and the door closes slowly behind.

"It's good to see you both too," you say.

The father bows his head. "Mr. Warren. We've only heard vague rumours of things happening in Tivera. The uncertainly left us worried, so thank you for coming. I see you've continued to take care of one another."

"You best be eating enough," says her mom, reaching a hand down to squeeze at her midriff.

Niki laughs. "Stop! Of course I am. You're embarrassing me."

"We actually came here for a reason," you explain. "A good one too. The world isn't ending or anything for once. Eva, Amara, and I, along with their parents, we were all gonna have a nice picnic lunch, and if Niki is going to join us too, I figure we might as well complete the family outing. Please, come with us."

Before they can answer, Niki speaks up while peaking her head awkwardly around the room. "Where's Hedi? He's invited too."

Her parents look to one another, and their smiles sink.

"... We don't know," her mother says.

Niki's brow furls. "What do you mean you don't know?" she asks. By the tone of her voice, there's a hint of panic. "Is he missing?"

Her father places a hand upon his wife's shoulder. "Hedi went off one day, and while we don't know where he went, he did come back more than once. We know he's alive, but he refuses to give us details of to where he keeps disappearing, and why. He insists he's fine, but we're afraid."

"He's not in Althudiyu either," her mother adds. "For all we know, he could be far from the desert."

"That's--" Niki looks to you with eyes of concern.

You take her hand and give it an affirming squeeze. "It's all right," you whisper. "They said he even came to visit. Whatever he's doing, while I don't like the sound of it either, you know him best."

She sighs and nods. "He can't be in danger, if that's what he said. But for him to disappear like that... Weird. Well, if he's not here now, I guess he won't be coming to our picnic. We'll just have to invite him to the next one, when he comes to visit you both again. And let him know he better come visit me too!"

Finally, her mother smiles again. "We will. And yes! Please wait. If we're having a lunch together, I must bring something!"

You raise a hand and chuckle. "It's all right. The food is already--"

"I insist!" In an instant, she's already going through her pantries and wrestling with pots and pans.

Niki's father shakes his head. "You best let her do it. She won't take no for an answer."

You watch her move. Then after a moment of thinking, you return your gaze to Niki. "You really do stand out, but when I see something like this, suddenly it makes sense how you're their daughter."