As the sun sets, Neera's ship takes off. With Lilac bathing in the restorative elixir, and Maria and Tai enjoying some intimate time together in a private room, Milla walks the ship alone, wanting to sleep but being unable to. Eventually, her aimless wandering brings her to the bridge.
"Ah, Milla, wasn't expecting you to still be awake," Neera greets.
"Can't sleep," Milla shrugs. "Got any tips?"
"Chamomile tea," Neera advises. "But that's not the issue, is it?"
Milla fidgets nervously.
"Come with me," Neera requests. "We'll find a quiet place to talk."
A few minutes later, Neera and Milla are sat in a small room in private, each with a fresh cup of chamomile tea.
"What's on your mind, Milla?" Neera asks.
"Well…" Milla tails off, unsure how to begin.
"If I may?" Neera prompts.
Milla nods her permission.
"You're worried that an attempt to reunite Team Lilac will fail, and you'll end up alone," Neera guesses.
"They're the only family I remember," Milla admits. "I mean, I know I had parents once, but I've learned to accept that they're gone. I still hope to meet them one day, but until that day comes, I want to focus on my new family… if it can be rebuilt."
"It's my belief that both Lilac and Carol want to repair any damage done between them," Neera assures. "With luck, Lilac is finally learning from her mistakes, and the reformed Team Lilac will be much stronger as a result."
"I pray to the Ancients you're right," Milla sighs. "Any news on a cure for the Shade Virus?"
Not expecting the question, Neera takes a moment to construct her answer. "I'm sorry, but there's no news," she replies. "It's been a struggle to get anyone to work with it, given the risks entailed."
Milla sighs despondently. "It's been two years…"
"I know; we're trying as hard as we can."
"I know, and I'm grateful beyond words."
"Honestly, you're probably better off asking King Dail," Neera suggests. "While Shang Tu is researching the Shade Virus, their priorities are energy storage and new technologies. I may be mistaken, but Shuigang's current research focus is more on defence and medical treatments."
"I'll arrange a visit after this business with Corazon is over," Milla decides. "Will you go back to working for the Magister?"
"Not sure," Neera answers. "There's some serious trust issues to work out first."
"And if they can't be worked out?"
"Then I'll return to Shuigang. King Dail's already confirmed I'm welcome back any time I choose."
"I don't know where I'd go if I can't remain with Lilac and Carol," Milla thinks aloud. "I know the Scarves is an option, but I'd rather go back to living in the wild."
"You won't have to do that," Neera assures. "Given your status, you'd be welcome in any of the three kingdoms. You could even be my student if you like. I could teach you how to truly harness your powers and combine them with whatever elemental affinity you may or may not have."
"Thanks for the offer, but with the training I received in the Western Empire, I'm already pretty handy with my powers," Milla replies, unsheathing her sword and surrounding it with jade fire. "This is the piandao that once belonged to my earliest known ancestor, the original Tiāngǒu. It uses the same materials that are in my bracelets and anklets, which allows me to channel my powers into it. Makes short work of locked doors, among other things." Milla deactivates the blade and returns it to its sheath. "And I can do this," she continues, summoning three miniature Phantom Cubes and juggling them. However, fatigue means her co‑ordination is slightly off, and she drops the cubes onto the table, where they burst on impact, leaving scorch marks on the otherwise pristine surface. "Sorry," she blushes.
"You need to be more careful," Neera advises kindly.
"Yeah…"
"You should get some sleep," Neera suggests, noticing the hound's eyelids are drooping.
Milla finishes her tea and yawns. "Yeah, that's a good idea. Will Lilac be OK?"
"She'll be fully healed in a few hours."
"Good."
Neera watches Milla leave the room. She's a sweet kid. In a way, it's a shame she ended up with Lilac and Carol, given all the trouble they get into. But it's clear she can handle much more than most give her credit for. She'll go on to achieve greatness in her own right, I'm sure of it. I just hope the Order of the Phantom taught her the right lessons…
A few hours later, deep in the heart of the ship, Lilac stirs gently from her sleep. Hmm… That was relaxing… Didn't have any weird dream visions either, not like last time. Slowly, the dragoness opens her eyes, sits upright, and looks around the room. Alone. But in a good way, given I'm naked. Which reminds me: need to check I'm complete again. A quick check confirms all her burns are healed and her fur has regrown, but it's not until she reaches behind her and grabs hold of her new hair whips that she's satisfied.
Lilac climbs out of the bath, takes a moment to sense her balance, then walks around the tub. Yep, they work. Spotting a full‑length dress mirror, Lilac decides to get a better look at her whole body. Good: back to what I normally‑ Wait… Something's different. Lilac turns her back to the mirror and looks over her shoulder at the curious change across the back of her neck and shoulders. Did… Did I have scales there before? I'm sure I used to be all furry… Is my tail longer too?
Confused, Lilac turns her gaze away from the mirror and looks for some clothes, spotting the outfit and a towel left for her near the bath. She dries herself quickly and puts on the outfit, only to find it's not quite what she expected. Returning to the mirror, she observes her new look: gone are the usual fitted blue sleeveless jacket and tight shorts, replaced with a high‑collared fitted blouse with cap sleeves and matching capris, both in the same shade of blue as her old outfit, but with an unusual sheen. Her gloves are different too: instead of the previous loose fit and flared cuff, her new gloves are tight‑fitted and have built‑in forearm protection, armour plate on the backs of the hands, and stiff ridges on the backs of the fingers. Finishing off the ensemble are new lightweight boots, fitted to cling to her calves, with armoured shins, titanium toecaps, and wings made not of stiffened cloth, but titanium alloy, and sharpened to pointed blades.
"I took the liberty of making a few alterations," Neera greets.
Lilac turns in surprise. "Oh, Neera, didn't expect to see you down here."
"I heard you'd woken up, so I came to see how you're doing," Neera explains.
"Confused, and frankly, a little annoyed," Lilac admits. "Medically fine, at least. Well… Did I have scales before?"
"Not that I recall," Neera confirms. "Why do you ask?"
Lilac pulls a shoulder of her top back to reveal her new scales, coloured to match her hair. "They run across the backs of my shoulders and onto my neck. I've not checked, but I think they run under my hair too. I also think my tail is longer than it used to be."
"I've never seen the elixir do that before," Neera admits. "Normally, a body heals in a way that matches what existed before injury."
"Why has this happened?" Lilac asks. "And why is my outfit so different?"
"I can't explain the scales or the tail, but I can explain the outfit: it's designed to better suit your profession," Neera explains. "The blouse and capris are made from a new material that is part cotton, part elastane, and part para‑aramid synthetic fibre, and in theory, immune to tearing. The gloves are armoured for protection and greater impact, and the blades on your new boots offer you new ways to attack. And their tight fit means they'll be a lot more predictable, since they won't flop about."
"But… This outfit isn't me." It is her though.
"It will be."
That worries me. "I prefer my old clothes."
"They were beyond salvage, especially the karategi."
Lilac sighs. "Guess I'll just have to get used to this then."
"It'll happen quicker than you think," Neera assures.
"How's Milla?"
"She's sleeping."
"Maria and Tai?"
"Doing what young couples do."
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that was a quip."
Neera simply shrugs and smiles.
"How long before we catch up to the Sigwada?" Lilac asks.
"We're not chasing the Sigwada."
"What‽" Lilac exclaims. "Why‽"
"This ship's not fast enough," Neera explains. "However, it is fast enough to gather some reinforcements for Corazon's inevitable return."
"But what if she finds the Bakunawa?"
"You of all people should know that running headlong into danger is a recipe for getting yourself killed. We need to prepare."
"Dammit, you're right," Lilac admits. "When do we start?"
"We've already started," Neera answers. "You have your new outfit, and Milla will get hers in the morning."
"I guess you have one for Carol, too."
"Yeah, but delivering it's gonna be tricky," Neera quips.
Lilac shakes her head in bemusement. "It's gonna be a while before I'm used to you having a sense of humour."
"Hey, I can't be the Ice Queen all the time, can I?" Neera smirks cheekily. "Come: I've got something else to show you."
