Frankenstein's phone buzzed with a text from Tao, telling him that Muzaka was on. He headed to the area of his lab, where he had a large screen and punched in the code. "Ah, Muzaka how nice of you to return my call," he said, with a slight hint of sarcasm.

"Fuck off, I was busy. Now, what did you want to talk about?" Frankenstein had been the first to call, after all.

Frankenstein laughed, "That's not like you, normally you like to slack off where responsibility is concerned." Getting to the point, "we were investigating an abandoned Union base a few days ago and found some subjects in stasis."

"...Okay?" Why was he telling him?

"Most of them should be fine, and with a little rehabilitation should be able to fit back into society," he stated. "There is one, however, who wishes to see you. She asked for you by name."

"She?" That was strange. "I'm afraid I don't know anyone in the Union." He'd come to investigate all the same.

"Well, she certainly knows you. It would be better for you to come here and meet her in person," Frankenstein suggested, not wanting to give him specific details via video.

"Yeah. Yeah. That seems the only real option here."

"We'll see you in a few days, I look forward to your company," Frankenstein replied, sarcasm still evident in his voice.

"I'm sure. You always have."

Frankenstein wasn't going to dignify that with a response and hung up. He'd be here in a few days, which would be enough time for Ashleen to fully heal. Muzaka stared at a now blank screen. Well, fuck him too! He'd be there if only to spite Frankenstein now.

The next few days passed quickly, Ashleen had fully recovered, by the time Muzaka arrived. He went to greet his guest. "Ah, Lord Muzaka welcome." Frankenstein wasn't happy to see the werewolf, but he didn't want to start a fight with Master's friend. Not with Master watching, at least.

"Sup, Frankenstein?"

Frankenstein rolled his eyes, but he'd be polite, nonetheless. "You remember what we discussed, a few days ago?" He asked, wondering how to bring up the subject or whether it would be best for him to meet the girl.

"Yeah. You said there was someone who wanted to see me."

Frankenstein nodded as the young girl entered the living room.

"Uncle Muzaka!" Came the excited little voice as she ran up to him giving him a big hug. It felt like she'd not seen him in a long time.

This... This wasn't possible. His daughter? What? "Ashleen." He knelt, taking her face in his hands, searching for anything that would prove this to be the lie it had to be.

"Huh, what are you doing?" She asked.

He shook his head. "This... isn't real. You died. I held your body." Tears started dripping down his cheeks as he said that. He'd lost her. He'd lost her. And he'd never stopped mourning.

"... But I am real." Ashleen said, tears welling up in her eyes seeing Muzaka's reaction.

Frankenstein stepped forward, "Lord Muzaka, she is real. She is your daughter, Ashleen. I could hardly believe it myself when Tesamu returned." If Muzaka wanted further details on the experiment he could go into that later, but for now, he'd let father and daughter get reacquainted.

Muzaka picked up his daughter, holding her close and kissing her forehead, temple, cheeks, hair... His daughter. His daughter! And she was here safe in his arms again. He still could not believe it. He sobbed into her hair, fully unable to contain the combination of grief and relief.

Ashleen sobbed. "Uncle Muzaka." She was so happy to see him again. She wrapped her arms around his neck. She'd never let him leave her alone again.

"...Father. You're my daughter, Ashleen. I know I said that I was just a friend of your mother's, but... that was a lie." Meant to protect her. One that had failed to protect her.

Ashleen was surprised at the sudden revelation, but it made her even happier. She loved him with all her heart. He'd taught her everything she knew and taken care of her. Deep down, part of her always knew. "Father, I'm so happy." She held onto him tighter, still sobbing.

He pet her hair, holding her. He'd be taking her home of course. He'd need to wait until they both calmed down to explain things, but... she wasn't a normal human. That was why they'd stayed separate from society after Erin died. And he couldn't have taken her to the werewolf lands back then, so travelling it was.

Seeing father and daughter reunited was a heart-warming sight. Frankenstein thought there would be lots of things they'd like to talk about and discuss, and so, felt it might be better for them to have a little privacy. "Lord Muzaka, you're free to use my study if you'd like to talk to Ashleen privately."

"Yes." He cuddled her close, still carrying her. "Lead the way."

Frankenstein led them to his study, he left the tea and snacks he'd made on the table for them. "Please take all the time you need," Frankenstein said, before leaving the room, closing the door behind them.

"..." He sat down with Ashleen on the couch. "...You know you're far stronger than any human, right?" He didn't know if she'd noticed or not.

"Yes! Does this mean you're finally going to teach me how to fight!?" She asked, rather excitedly.

"..." He sighed. "No, Ashleen. I'm telling you this because... you're not completely human."

She furrowed her brow a little. "What do you mean, not human?"

"Your mother was one, that's for sure, but I... I'm not." He swallowed, reaching for a snack to munch on. "I'm a werewolf, Ashleen."

"A werewolf." Her eyes widened. "That's so cool! No wonder you're always better at hunting. Does that mean I'm one too?"

"Ah..." He scratched the back of his head, taking a bite of the biscuit he took. "I don't know. Not quite? You're very human, even if you do have my strength."

"Oh." She sounded slightly disappointed. "Well, I guess being a strong human is something at least." She helped herself to some of the biscuits as well.

"...You... would you like to see my homeland?" There weren't many kids right now. Not with all the casualties. But it was her home just as much as his, by right.

Ashleen's eyes started welling up with tears. "Really?" All those years of travelling around, never having a place to call home, and finally, they'd have a place that was all theirs. She hugged her father. "Yes! I'd love to!"

"All right. We'll go home then." He preferred travelling and had intended to leave once his family was back in order, but... he could stay as long as Ashleen needed him.

Raizel sat in his room, happily looking at the picture Frankenstein had printed out for him. His baby! They were so cute. A knock at his door had him opening it psychically without looking. He knew who it was. "Come in, Muzaka."

"It's nice to see you again, Raizel." Muzaka was happier than he'd ever been. He had his daughter back, and he wanted to share his joy with his friend.

He nodded, still staring at his baby. "Frankenstein got a picture of what's in the egg."

Muzaka was excited, "Let's see it then, is that your baby?" he asked looking at the picture in Raizel's hands.

Raizel stretched the picture out to him. "Yes."

Muzaka had an idea, "Hey after your baby is born, he or she could play with Ashleen when they're older."

Raizel nodded. "Though Lunark's will likely be closer in age to them."

"Lunark's? Is she pregnant as well?" Muzaka was excited. That meant there would be others like Ashleen.

"Yes. She's ten weeks along now, according to Frankenstein." Which apparently actually meant 8 weeks since conception. Human fertility descriptions were weird.

"Well, I'll have to be sure to congratulate them at dinner." Muzaka was rather overjoyed. This day just kept getting better and better. "I'll be taking Ashleen home with me when I return."

He nodded. "She could also play with Tesamu." Tesamu was close to her age. But... he'd heard him at dinner. Her strength might be a problem there.

"Yes, Frankenstein did mention someone by that name earlier." Muzaka wondered what Tesamu would be like, it'd be nice for Ashleen to have friends.

"He's a student of Frankenstein's. He's around Ashleen's age." And also was just as dead. But that could be left unsaid. It was crass, inelegant, to mention it.

"That's great, it'd be nice for Ashleen to have friends her own age. That means I could probably visit more often." He smiled. It'd be just like the old days when he'd stay at Raizel's mansion.

Raizel smiled at that. "Yes." That would be nice indeed.

Muzaka and Raizel continued their conversations, for a while afterwards, until there came a knock at the door. Frankenstein entered after being given permission by his master, "Master, dinner is ready." he said bowing.

"Of course." He set the picture down. He could look at it some more later.

They all sat down to dinner and had a pleasant conversation. Muzaka looked over at Lunark, "I hear congratulations are in order." He smiled, looking from her to Frankenstein then back at her.

Lunark raised an eyebrow. "For what? You can't just say that and not specify. There are multiple things." It could be any number of things. Their impending marriage, their child, adopting Tesamu.

"I hear you're having a baby, congratulations."

"So not about Frankenstein having proposed then?" She smiled in turn. "But yes, I am pregnant." Not that they knew how that was going to turn out.

Muzaka almost choked hearing that. "He proposed? Good on you! Congratulations on your engagement. I assume you'll be inviting me to your wedding?" He said, smiling.

Frankenstein glared at him, he didn't want him there and wanted to say something, but he couldn't be rude in front of his master.

"It'd be rude not to. You are the Lord." It was matter of fact. She couldn't not invite him, even if she was overall indifferent to the man.

"Great, I'm looking forward to it. Have you set a date for it?" He asked, continuing with his meal.

She looked to Frankenstein. "No, not yet. Things have been kind of hectic lately." They could set one soon, she thought. Once they got Tesamu settled in properly and attending school.

Frankenstein looked back at her, "We haven't really thought much about it, but we could set the date for a month and a half's time?"

"All right." She smiled at the man. "Won't that be a bit soon? We need to get Tesamu settled."

"No, it'll be fine, it won't take long to get Tesamu settled," He smiled.

She nodded. "If you're sure." She looked over at Tesamu, quietly eating his food since he couldn't understand the language.

After dinner, Muzaka and Ashleen left for the werewolf territory. Muzaka promised he'd visit again soon. Frankenstein was annoyed by that revelation, but at least Ashleen would be a good friend for Tesamu. For now, at least, life could return to normal.