Chat over some food.

You sink your teeth into a rather delectable ham and cheese sandwich with some spices and vegetables you recognize, but others not. What you thought was lettuce at first is completely blue in colour, so it may be something else entirely. Whatever may be inside, the crunch is perfect and the taste is excellent, and you wash it down with some honey mead. The warmth of the drink brings out a sigh of relief. You stare up towards the cracks of blue between forming clouds above and ground yourself by touch of the gentle breeze, and the soft blades of grass brushing over your palm as you stroke your hand left and right off the edge of the blanket.

Rada Beela, pyromancer of the Circle, nurses a mug of his own which he keeps tucked between his crossed legs. It seems he's deep in thought, enough to where he hasn't yet grabbed food for himself. Finally he does glance back up to reality, and once Eva meets his gaze, he speaks. "My sweet girl. You're not little any longer, that's for certain. Thank you for agreeing to this lunch with me."

As he speaks, she takes a long draw from her mug. Her focus twists, and she seems distracted by his words, enough to where the water begins to run down her chin, making quite the mess, though she doesn't seem to notice. "Of course," she replies. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Why indeed," he says softly. Then after a moment, he musters up the courage needed. "Eva. I want no lies between us. I wish to tell you all I've been thinking about, as blunt as it may sound. Is that fine?"

She shifts uncomfortably but nods.

"... When your mother passed..." Already it seems like he's mumbling, though he quickly clears his throat before continuing. "After I lost her, I distracted myself with work. I think that perhaps I never really recovered. I believed you'd be fine. While not the most in the city, we had money and power, but deep down I knew that wasn't enough. I was never there for you. Not enough anyway. I know that now. I knew that then, I suppose. Her **** is not to be used as an excuse. I believe that I've always had difficulties pulling myself away from work. I can't make up for time lost in the past, but just know that I'll always be here for you if you need me."

Eva squeezes her mug up against her chest. "Thank you," she whispers back. "I know."

"I'm so proud of you, Eva. Of course I am. And not just for the great deeds you've done, but the sort of person you've become. You remind me a lot of her, you know. From a father's perspective, you've definitely inherited her beauty as well as her unbreakable will. I'm sorry that she couldn't be here today to enjoy this lunch with us, though I know she's still here in spirit."

She smiles. "It's all right. I wish she was here now too, but that doesn't mean I'm alone."

"Indeed you are not," speaks Yaera nearby. She stands proudly and with an elven grace between here and the lake--wind blowing through her head of long golden hair, and a dress like a wispy cloud clinging to her body. "None of us are. And you, my dear daughter Amara, I am proud of you as well. I can see that you follow in my footsteps, and you have done fantastic things, and helped many people."

Amara sits up on her knees. She licks her finger, having just finished a chocolate chip muffin. "Thank you, mother."

"However." She makes her way closer. Slowly, she kneels down and wipes a crumb from her daughter's lips. "Just remember that it is not I who you should be. You are a wonderful, intelligent, caring woman, and it warms my heart that you wish to be more like myself, but you also must not forget you are your own person. Do you understand?"

She nods. "Yes. I believe so. During my time with Kyle, I have grown much. I am still trying to fully understand who I wish to be, but--"

"I don't think people ever really figure that out," Niki butts in. She hangs an arm around the elf girl's shoulder and pulls her in with aggressive affection. "I mean, I'm no expert, but I feel like no matter how old you get, you just kinda get better at pretending you've learned to understand the world."

Her mother Mavaia whispers to her husband beside her. "She's so clever. What a wonderful girl we have."

The most profound thing she's said, and it's while her parents are nearby. I wonder if that's just a coincidence.

"The only thing I need to figure out is who made these yummy sandwiches," Eva says, chomping her teeth down into one.

Amara giggles. "Those were mine."

"No kidding!" she says with cheeks still stuffed. It's a miracle you understood her.

"Yes. Though, Summer made most other things. I watched her bake these muffins, and I am glad to finally be eating them."

Niki's father Padrui looks to his wife and speaks quietly. "I know we haven't ventured to Tivera in a long time, but style has really changed. I don't think I'll ever understand the youth."

"Oh. Well, these outfits are pretty one-of-a-kind," Eva replies, even if those words weren't for her. "Luna made them. They're based off talks she's had with Kyle about his home."

"They dress quite differently back where you're from then, Kyle?" he asks.

You cross your legs and lean back before whispering, "Ah... Right. Not everyone knows." You then look to Niki's parents and say it rather bluntly. "I'm not from around here. Not even this world. I'm from Earth. It's kind of a whole thing."

The culture shock has finally proven to be too much. Between Niki's colourful friends, the differences in Tivera versus their homeland in the Oraang Desert, and now the reveal of dimensional travel, it seems they no longer know what to ask or add. They're simpler folk by comparison, and hardly leave their little town. The closest thing they get to excitement is the annual Golden Sword tournament. You expect questions, but they say little more on the subject, and opt to instead enjoy the food, drink, and company. Once people have filled their stomachs, the picnic moves to the edge of the lake, and there the party speak with the Lady for a time.

A few hours pass by as if they were minutes.

It's about when your group decides to begin preparations to head back to Castle Phoenix when the hairs on the back of your neck stand on-end. Quickly, you turn your eyes to the beautiful yet intimidating appearance of two massive figures who have made themselves present around the side of the lake. Your hand moves instinctively to the handle of your sword. You're not alone. Everyone else, besides Niki's parents, stand and defend themselves.