Hazel crept out of Terra's room in the form of a red salamander. She made sure that Audrey was nowhere in sight before continuing on her way. Because she was a salamander, it took her a bit of time to get to her destination. Eventually, she had made it to the outdoors.

She saw Vetiver running around aimlessly with a bow and arrow. The child seemed to be having a good time. The only problem was Hazel didn't remember getting her a bow and arrow…

Hazel tilted her head before changing back into human form. After that, she walked up to Heidi...with an arrow in her arm...again. "What is with you and arm arrows?" She asked the woman with a head tilt.

"My arm is just one of those places I guess…" Heidi said dryly as she stared blankly at the scene while ignoring a freaked out Kirby hiding next to her.

Hazel twiddled her thumbs before asking, "Well...you wanted to see me, right? Emotion training, I think." She said nervously.

Heidi nodded as she looked at the arrow with halved eyes. "I was going to try and have us do it out here...until I got hit in the arm with an arrow and tackled by Kirby." She said with a small sigh. "Vetiver isn't too...good with her aim." She said, mumbling out the last part so the girl didn't hear her.

Hazel looked at her excited child running around, randomly firing arrows. "That's because she's not concentrating. She's just letting them go." She said with a small frown.

"Yep. I haven't been able to get close enough since Kirby has been latched to me." Heidi explained, gesturing to the panicked and scared child.

Hazel took a few steps back before asking, "Have you tried calling Geo?" She tilted her head.

"Left my phone somewhere," Heidi said with a deadpan and shook her head. "Not to mention I'm not sure he'd hear me if I started yelling from my current position."

Hazel shrugged at that. "So...you need Vetiver to calm down before we start or…" She asked curiously.

"Unless you want an arrow like me, then yes. Plus I could send Kirby with her once he notices she's not firing haphazardly anymore." Heidi said with a nod and a small smile.

Hazel nodded at that. Before walking over in Vetiver's direction. The closer Hazel got to the girl, the more she had to beware of the flying projectiles.

Eventually, it had gotten on Hazel's nerves. "Vetiver," Hazel called in a deadpan.

Vetiver, who was running around, stopped running mid-air. She turned to Haze and gave her a nervous smile. "Uhhh...hi?"

Hazel looked her over with another bland gaze. "Vetiver, stop firing around willy nilly like this. You could hurt someone. More importantly...my bush carvings." Hazel said with a shake of her head.

Vetiver groaned, "But I like shooting people!" She pouted.

Hazel blinked. "Say that again and we're going to get you tested."

Vetiver pouted even more at this. She folded her arms in defeat.

Hazel nodded at that before beginning to walk off. "Don't hurt anyone. I'll meet you inside." She told the grumbling girl before making her way back to Heidi.

Once Heidi noticed Vetiver beginning to leave, she wrangled Kirby off of her and pointed him to go in. "Just go, you have advanced healing." She deadpanned, prompting the boy to frown before finally leaving once she gave him another stare.

Hazel watched him leave attentively. "Now that that's handled, what did you want me to do?" She asked with a head tilt.

Heidi walked over to the grass and sat down. "Just...meditate basically. Get to a calm state then once you are calm I'll slowly administer the feeling that you feel when you are around...ah you know." She said, waving her hands at the end.

Blinking, Hazel said, "Huh..?" She slowly sat down.

"Close eyes, get calm, and I'll tell you the rest," Heidi said, simplifying her previous explanation with a bit of exasperation in her eyes.

Hazel looked unsure. After a moment, she waved it off and got into her usual meditating position. She closed her eyes and cleared her mind easily. "Okay." She said once she achieved this.

"Okay, now give me your hands. You know how magic is...have to have some sort of touch sometimes." Heidi said with a shake of her head while she kept her voice calm.

Hazel made a questioned expression. "Yeah...I can't see you with my eyes close and I don't want to break my concentration." She held her hands out forward. "There. They're out." She told Heidi.

"Just didn't want to startle you by taking them," Heidi said as she took her hands. "Next I need you to focus on the calming feeling I am giving off. Think of me as...your lifeline, because once I induce the feeling and emotions you have around the you-know-whats, your own calmness is gonna go flying out the window." She said with a small hum.

Hazel took a deep breath. "Okay." She nodded at that.

"Do you want a countdown or do you want me to just do it? I didn't do the countdown and it was a sort of slap in the face." Heidi explained with a deadpan.

Hazel thought about it for a moment. "Um. I guess you can do it? I need to keep my focus." She said, trying to keep herself alert.

"I know, I'm just trying to be helpful," Heidi said plainly before stretching her neck. "Once I reach the end of the countdown you will feel the emotions, at that point you need to focus on me. Keep ahold of my hands and you can squeeze them as much as you want, they don't break easily." She informed her before pausing for a reply.

Hazel frowned slightly before nodding her head. "...Alright." She went back to focusing.

Heidi cleared her throat and took a deep breath. "Three, two...and one." As soon as she was done counting, her eyes glowed bright blue while her magic flew out and surrounded Hazel.

A few seconds later, Hazel began to react. Her heart rate immediately picked up and her breathing speed doubled. She had also gotten pretty stiff and jittery. Despite this, she kept her eyes closed with a frown on her face.

Noticing the signs, Heidi closed her eyes for a moment. "Focus on me, Hazel. That warm feeling? That's me. Just focus on that." She said calmly, tightening her hold on the girl's hands in reassurance.

"I'm trying…" She wheezed out. "I...can't breath…" She said nearly in a full-blown panic.

Heidi carefully pulled her closer into a hug. "I know. It's hard, but you have to focus on me. I'm real...those feelings aren't." She said as she shook her head.

Hazel fought to keep her breathing steady. By doing this, she was able to hold off from passing out completely. In the meantime, she tried her best to cling onto Heidi's warmth and keep her ice-cold fear under control. At this point, she felt like she was being pulled in two different directions. She didn't respond because of this. What she did do was shiver due to an icy feeling run down her spine.

Heidi sighed and softly hummed as she continued to attempt to calm the girl down. "Hazel?" She said quietly, trying to see if the girl was still there.

Hazel was still in her mind of sorts, but she could still hear the other woman. "Hmm?" She responded with her eyes still closed.

"You still there?" The blue-haired woman asked despite the fact that Hazel had responded to her.

Hazel had perked up the slightest at her question. She took a shaky breath before answering, "Uh-huh." She said as she squeezed Heidi's hand tighter.

"I...didn't make it this far, y'know. My aunt had to knock me out." Heidi admitted in a soft tone as she rocked in a calming manner.

Hazel let out another series of ragged breaths and winced as if she was in pain. "...Really?" She asked as she listened and fought through her emotions.

"I did this for my anger...not for fear. I couldn't focus on being calm, I...just wanted to blow up and beat the living daylight out of my uncle Zeus." Heidi explained quietly with a small sigh.

Hazel nodded while she struggled to hold onto consciousness at this point. She frowned before stiffening again. "I...am extra rock headed then…" She said softly, trying to keep herself awake.

"At least you didn't almost light your house on fire in a fit of fake rage," Heidi said dryly, keeping an eye on the girl in case she passed out.

Hazel slightly nodded, losing the majority of her strength. "I'm holding...back my powers…" She said, leaning more into Heidi as she became more and more tired. "I'm trying to hold on, but I'm slipping…"

"You're doing great...if you need to use your powers just use them on me. I absorb pretty much everything...and if you want to pass out, you can do that." Heidi said with a small smile.

Hazel's eyes opened just the slightest and looked up at Heidi. Afterward, they closed again. "Okay…" She said before allowing herself to faint, her body completely going limp as she fell into a deep sleep.

Heidi readjusted her hold before looking up at the sky as she decided she'd just stay there for a while.

88888888

The group heavily debated as they sat in the kitchen. It was getting nowhere fast, but they debated nonetheless.

Triple G folded his arms while talking to Freddie. "What kind of onesie is this!? We need one with soft fabric so it won't irritate the baby's skin. Not this!" He complained.

Freddie rolled her eyes. "It is a soft fabric." She turned the tablet to him. "I'm getting it, the baby's going to love it, and you're going to love it. If you have any more questions, talk to the smoke bomb."

Triple G was about to say something but paused at her wording. "Wait what?"

Freddie carelessly threw a smoke bomb at his face. While he coughed uncontrollably, Freddie smirked as she continued baby shopping. "I said no more questions."

Uma, not caring about what had happened, tapped Freddie. "Do you think this would look good as a head accessory?" She tilted her head.

Freddie looked at the small bows with a nod. "Fantastic work as always. Hey, you!" She called to Trip. "Be more like Uma!" She threw another smoke bomb in his face.

Trip frantically waved the smoke away. "Ugh! Where are Ara and Hazel!? I can't put up with your leadership!" He pointed at the prismatic girl.

Freddie raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Tough. Ara is bleaching herself clean in the shower and who knows where Hazel is." She said with a shrug of her shoulders. "So, I guess I'm the leader."

Uma raised an eyebrow. "Now, hold up a minute. Why do you get to be leader?"

Freddie scoffed at that. "I have the best leadership qualities so far." She folded her arms.

Uma shook her head. "No way. I am the one who owned a whole crew. I am the one with the experience."

JR stepped in since he said, "Hey, hold up. I think I should lead." He said with a smirk.

"No way! I should!" Triple G interrupted. "I have a way slower temper!"

JR looked at him in exasperation. "But you are also a big fluffy softy."

Triple G frowned before saying, "I am not!"

"Are too!" JR replied with a fold of his arms.

"I am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

The two brothers were about to tackle each other before George came and slapped them both on the back of the neck. "None of you all are qualified to be leader." George said in his usual calm voice.

Chester sighed at this. "Whew! I saw so many flaws with each one of them taking the lead." He smiled in satisfaction.

"Hey!" The rest of them screamed.

Chester shrugged. "Eh...it's true."

Deuce, who had been pretty silent during this whole thing, chilled out while playing on his phone.

Chester tilted his head. "Didn't you want to be leader?"

Deuce looked at Chess before laughing. "Ha! Yeah, right! Even I know that I would be a terrible leader. Why bother." He shook his head and went back to his phone.

Chester sniffed before saying, "My brother is growing up…" He smiled proudly.

George rolled his eyes. "Anyway, none of you qualify because Ara has already put a succession in place." He explained. "Ara is number one. Hazel is number two. CJ is number three."

CJ looked up in complete surprise at that. "Wha-me?" She asked as a slight smile made its way to her face.

"CJ!?" The rest of them complained in sync.

Chester sighed. "So...how many flaws is that? One, two, three, four…" He continued to count to himself while Deuce laughed.

Uma exclaimed to George. "CJ!? You can't be serious!"

George nodded emotionlessly.

CJ looked at her in annoyance. "What's wrong with me being in charge?"

Freddie spoke up at that. "You are a terrible leader and an even worse partner!"

CJ looked at her in exasperation. "I was younger then…" She rolled her eyes.

Before Freddie could say anything else, George stated. "And I am number four, so I am co-leader in this case."

Chirpy shrugged before smiling. "I'm fine with it."

JR glared at George. "I'm not! How did you get so high in the ranks!? Sucking up to the boss!?"

George blinked. "More like being responsible and correctly carrying out all of my tasks." His eyes halved.

JR frowned as he immediately took offense. "What's that supposed to mean!?"

George's eyes remained halved.

CJ, on the other hand got tired of all of the bickering and called to Audrey. "Auuuuudreeey..! They're being mean to us!" She complained with a sigh as she folded her arms.

"Snitch!" Triple G yelled from the back of the group.

Audrey, who had been typing on her phone, was startled a bit and nearly dropped her phone before she looked around. "Huh-what's going on?" She asked as she laid her hand on her chest to calm herself.

George walked up. "They don't like the thought of CJ and I being in charge even though we are the next in line if they were to...not show up." He explained calmly.

Audrey tilted her head. "Um...Wait, why do you have to be in charge? It's not like you guys are making a life-changing decision or it's between life or death." She said in a confused manner while looking at them.

CJ shrugged at that. "I guess it's to keep things flowing smoothly while Ara and Hazel are both gone. This has never happened before so I am just as confused as you are."

Chester spoke up. "The fact that we are on this conversation shows that we need someone to keep us balanced when we are together. Without them, we begin to bicker and frankly get lost. Every group needs a leader figure and every large group needs a leader and co-leader." He explained to her.

Audrey nodded. "And I understand that. Believe it or not, but I was trained ahead of time in case I ever needed to step up and be queen if my parents were ever endangered or removed from the throne. I just think that you will only cause more problems by following the whole "I'm fourth in line to be the boss" thing. If you have a problem...just vote on it or something. This is a friend group, not a kingdom with thousands of problems." She explained while lacing her fingers together.

They looked at each other and shrugged.

Chirpy walked up and said, "If that's the case, then my vote goes to CJ. There must be a reason why Ara and Hazel both chose her." She explained as she thought deeply on the matter.

Deuce looked at all of them before sighing, "You wanna know the reason why Ara didn't choose any of us?" He gestured to all of them. "For one, I'm an idiot. Two, Chester is too smart. Three, Freddie and Uma would be the first ones to say, 'every man for himself' and jump ship when we get into trouble. Triple G, is way too sensitive. JR is not sensitive enough."

Chirpy nodded. "And I'm bad at whatever Ara is good at." She explained to them.

Freddie smacked her lips. "I hate to say it, but maybe the cat has a point." She tilted her head.

"Right?" Uma tilted her head. "The truth is the truth. We are total ditchers." She told Freddie with a laugh.

Triple G scratched the back of his head. "Maybe I am a tad too sensitive."

JR shrugged. "Eh...I'm too macho for my own good." He smirked as he fist-bumped his chest.

CJ joined in and said, "Dudes, I nearly get myself killed every five minutes. Our flaws will always be there, but when we are together, we make up for each other's flaws...like a three-legged race, or something?" She said with a raised eyebrow.

Triple G nodded, "Yeah, I can see that."

George blinked. "Baby stuff needs to be found."

Chester gasped. "Oh! That's right!" He said before getting back to work.

That's when they all got back to business.

Freddie went back to where she was. "I forgot all about that." She said, pulling up her website on her tablet.

"Thanks, Audrey," CJ said before returning to baby work.

Audrey smiled before blinking. "Now if only I could figure out where Heidi is hiding...must be an unannounced game of hide and go seek." She said while rubbing at her chin with a confused look. "Has anybody seen her lately? I still need to discuss names with her."

Deuce answered while swiping on his phone. "I haven't."

Triple G shook his head.

JR shrugged before saying, "I have no idea…"

Freddie and Uma looked at each other and blinked.

Uma answered. "We haven't seen her since yesterday." She blinked once again.

Audrey sighed and folded her arms. "I need a second opinion, not to mention I can't think up a third name. If she doesn't show up soon, I'm going to have to start asking for names." She said with a shake of her head. "I'd even pay for her to get in here." She mumbled to herself while rubbing her arm.

JR perked up. "Are you saying you would pay someone to have Heidi brought here? Like...actual money?" He asked, curiously.

Triple G smiled. "And lots of it?"

"Uh, I guess?" Audrey said, somewhat surprised that they had heard her.

Deuce ran on all fours. "THAT CASH IS MINE!"

Trip laughed at that before laughing. "Not even in your dreams!"

JR chuckled, "Not in yours either!" He said before blasting off to find the bluenette.

"Hey!" Triple G said.

Freddie shrugged. "I'm going just for kicks." She folded her arms.

Uma shook her head. "I would go, but it's too hot outside for me." She said, continuing her search while Freddie ran off.

"I mean...It was more of a joke. I guess I can pay them though...I wonder if they like cash or the money in the form of diamonds?" Audrey asked herself after shaking off her surprise.

George spoke. "Cash please."

CJ winced before nodding, "Yeah...it wasn't pretty last time when they tried to…'make it rain' with diamonds instead of green paper." She said, using air quotes.

"Well, I was just wondering since the uh...diamonds sell for more," Audrey said with a small smile.

CJ shrugged. "At the end of the day, it's their choice." She shook her head. "Hopefully, they aren't going to be half of the idiots I think they will be. If so, they will be spending the majority of their cash on surgeries." She said, folding her arms.

Audrey winced. "Maybe I should just put it in a briefcase or something...If I knew that anybody here liked jewelry I'd be offering that as payment." She said with a small shrug.

Chester tapped his chin. "JR likes gold and Deuce likes anything shaped like a chain or anything that makes him look like an 'OG', whatever that is," Chester mumbled the last part. "As for Trip, he'd be good with cash."

The pinkette nodded. "I guess...I'll just give them what they request. Hopefully, I get nothing too weird." She said while blanching at the possible thoughts.

Uma nodded in agreement. "Hopefully." She chuckled.

"If they do...I'm...I might call in a favor from a certain someone who owes me." Audrey said slowly while shaking her head.

Chester looked at her with a raised eyebrow before shrugging, "Eh...we are not on their level of stupidity so...don't ask us!" He said before bringing his attention to his phone.

"I'm just saying, there will be punishment if the requests are weird." Audrey placed her hands on top of each other. "I happen to know a guy." She said innocently, looking at her levitating phone with interest.

The remainder of the group shrugged.

Uma carelessly texted. "They'll be fine." She stated plainly.

"Not if the guy gets angry…" Audrey said with a giggle and a smile.

"Meh." The remainder said, already knowing how this usually goes.

Uma chuckled at a video on her phone. "Yo, this guy failed while trying to stair shuffle…" She said while CJ tilted her head.

"Send me that vid." She said before Uma nodded casually.

After a few seconds, the trio returned with three different Heidi's.

Deuce smiled before saying, "I found Heidi and I'm ready for my money!" He held out his paws.

Triple G waved the cat off. "Nah, I brought Heidi and I'm ready for my money." He pointed to himself.

JR pointed to his Heidi. "That's where you're both wrong!" He said before they all began to bicker.

Audrey stared at them with halved eyes before clearing her throat. "Actually, none of you found Heidi!" She said loudly so they could hear her along with an amused smile.

The three of them looked at Audrey in confusion while blinking.

Triple G raised an eyebrow. "But, she's right here." He tilted his head.

"Those are clones." Audrey deadpanned, snapping her fingers and causing all three clones to disappear into blue dust.

Deuce blinked. "Oh, man. This is gonna be hard."

JR blinked before shrugging. "Well…back to the drawing board." He said before dashing off again. The other two ran off, following him.

"It's going to take them forever," Audrey said simply before returning to her phone.

88888888

It took a bit of time before Hazel gained enough energy to function, much less come back to her senses. Her head swam as she began to feel herself wake up. This whole sensation was not new to her. Holding back her powers was something she had been doing for as long as she could remember. To her, passing out was the usual.

She blinked a few times before sighing. Hazel stretched a bit as she regained her memory bit by bit. She didn't notice Heidi or the fact that she was still hugging her. She was mostly focused on waking herself up.

Heidi glanced at her before continuing to look up at the clouds. "Hey." She said quietly, keeping her eyes on the sky with a thoughtful look.

Hazel blinked and her eyes shifted between colors. She looked at Heidi in a confused manner before she remembered the reason why she was out there in the first place. "...I tried." She said with a sad expression.

"You made it farther than me. If my aunt was here, not the one always staring at me with an apple, she'd say you did well. Exceptionally, in fact." Heidi said before putting on her best Hestia impression at the end.

Hazel looked at her with a small smile. "If you say so." She replied with a shake of her head. "If you ask me, I should have gone longer…" She grumbled to herself.

"Hey, you go longer and longer with each try," Heidi said with a smile. "You don't exactly become fixed in one sunny afternoon."

Hazel nodded at that. "I guess you're right." She tilted her head as she looked around. She also noticed that she was still embracing the other woman and released her grip. She rubbed her eyes. "So...are we done for today? Or did you have other plans?" She questionably asked.

"Aside from hiding from my wife who has sent people looking for me? No, not really." Heidi said with a shrug.

Hazel's eyebrows furrowed at that before she shrugged. "I don't think I want to ask…" She shook her head. "I guess I'll...go to my room then. I still could use a place to lay down."

Heidi sat up. "I think I'm just going to ditch the people that are hunting me and...I'm pulling a Pinky." She said plainly while her eyes halved.

Hazel said with a nod, "Yeah. I will let you have fun with that. You seem busy." She said, trying to stand, but nearly falling over. She shook her head rapidly while gathering her composure.

"Actually I'm just uh…" Heidi's eyes halved again as she stood up and rubbed her arm. "Impulsively buying?" She said with a wince. "I spend money when I'm nervous, lots of money." She admitted as she looked away.

Hazel nodded, trying to stop her swimming head. "Yeah, I get it. You have a lot going on. I'm on my way to my bed...so, I can give you some space." Hazel blinked a few times and folded her arms behind her back.

Heidi looked around in an almost aimless manner. "Er...well...I mean I can help you with the uh headache." She said, folding her arms while also attempting to act casual.

Hazel blinked at that. Usually, she would be able to handle her own headaches. Unfortunately, her magic is still...rebooting from her previous activity. "You don't have to…" She said, looking to the side.

"It really isn't an issue...It's pretty simple." Heidi said, playing with her fingers as she moved her hands behind her back.

Hazel blinked at that before slowly nodding. "I...suppose I could stay for a little while longer, then." She said with a small smile.

Heidi smiled back momentarily before she quickly waved her hand and returned it to behind her back. "There...should be better now." She said with a head tilt.

Hazel nodded after she did this. "Much. Thank you." She said with a sigh. "Uh...did you need to ask anything else of me?" Hazel asked, catching the look on Heidi's face.

"Well...I was going to the mall so...I could ditch the wife. She can have all the clones she wants...but the moment I walk back in there I get pounced on." Heidi explained with a small deadpan. "I was wondering since we both are trying to avoid my wife, that you...could help me in hiding and wasting some money?" She asked hesitantly while looking away.

Hazel blinked before breaking into a smile. "Sure. I'd love to play hooky with you, Heidi." She chuckled, folding her arms. "...I'm hungry anyway…" She blinked.

"Hey, they have pretty good junk food there." Heidi said with a smile and a shrug.

"If they have pretzels, I am so in." She said with a chuckle as she prepared to teleport.

"Y'know, I think I saw a place when I was dragging my father out." Heidi said with a smirk.

Hazel's smile increased at that. "Sounds like a plan! Last one there has to do a split in public!" She chuckled before teleporting.

"I can do that anyway," Heidi said while blinking before teleporting away in a blue flash.

8888888

Hazel sat, Completely entertained as she watched Heidi. Of course she had teleported to the mall first which meant Heidi had to carry out the other end of the deal and do the splits in public. Hazel was very insistent that the other woman had to do it or it would break some type of friend law…

In the meantime, the ruby haired woman sat nearby. She also had a drink in her hand while stuffing herself with giant pretzels. "That's it. Get a gooood stretch in." Hazel said before taking another bite and sipping her drink.

Heidi stared at her as she subtly shot an onlooker a warning glare. "Y'know, this is pretty easy when you do yoga." She deadpanned, folding her arms and tilting her head.

Hazel nodded absentmindedly while she held up her smart phone. "I know it won't hurt you...but this will benefit me!" She said before holding her phone up to take a selfie with Heidi in the shot. "There we go...making my friends do the splits in public. Now for the hashtags…" She mumbled to herself while tapping her chin as she smirked.

Heidi shook her head with halved eyes. "And that is how both of the Hades ran over here once they saw the dude look at me-well, the attractive parts and everything except my face." She said with a shrug, stretching her arms.

Hazel, who still has her eyes on her phone, shrugged. "Eh...while they're beating him to a pulp, I'll get more pretzels. They help me not think about...everything that happened this morning." She cringed before glancing at Heidi. "Yes, I'm a stress eater." She sipped her drink at the thought.

Heidi continued to stretch before she got into a different position and stood up. "Better than a stress exploder runs in my family." She said while shaking her head.

"Nah. I don't explode." Hazel said casually. "I'm an eater or a runner." Then she thought. "Huh...maybe all of the calories I gain by stress eating burn off since I also stress run?" She wondered, looking up with thought.

"They disappear one way or another," Heidi said with a chuckle. "I never had to worry about that since...my mother…" Her face turned sour at the word before it cleared. "Goddess of Beauty and all that jazz. Guess I inherited the good genes and not the bad ones." She said plainly while looking around at the people around them.

Hazel shrugged at that. "Those are not my expertise, but I'm sure it has something like that around that area." Hazel finally looked at her with a smile. "So...you are the one that wanted to come here. Did you...want to talk?" She looked at her questionably.

"The real question is...about what?" Heidi said with a sigh. "Part of me wants to complain at the other parent of mine...and the other wants to panic about how I'm supposed to be a parent. Then there's the third who just wants to go look at puppies and kittens at the pet store." She said while laying a hand on her hip.

Hazel nodded at that before saying, "Well...you might not want to look at a pet store right now…" She said, referring to a few things with a blink.

Heidi appeared to not pick up what she was inferring and gave her a sigh. "...Is my father trying to illegally sell demon puppies to humans again?" She asked before beginning to look around.

Hazel looked at her with mild amusement. "I hope not." She stated. "I was referring to your coming children. I don't think you'll have time for another pet...or the brain strength…" Hazel winced at the thought.

"...Even if I said I was going mainly for the kittens?" Heidi said, the pleading look in her eyes screaming 'Pleeeeeease?' as she innocently blinked.

The ruby haired woman looked at her friend blankly before sighing. "Heidi, You are going to be raising three young goddesses. The closest thing I can compare those kids to is Jack-Jack from the Incredibles and you want a pet too? Don't forget. You still have Kirby." She said with a shake of her head.

"Kirby likes Audrey more." Heidi said matter-of-factly before continuing. "I can ask Aunt Hera to mainly watch the kids and she'll like it because it's been a solid thousand and a half years since she's had any with her idiot husband since he sleeps around with every woman in Greece." She said casually, turning her head away.

Hazel gave her a light shrug. "It's your choice so do whatever you feel is best. As long as you have it under control." She replied with a smile as she continued to eat.

"Aunt Hera can control ten kids if she wanted. She isn't the goddess of motherhood for nothing." Heidi commented before folding her arms. "Besides, I'm like the parent in the relationship who doesn't mess with the kids, I'm simply there. The people who like those kids can hang around them all day." She said before going silent as she looked off into the distance.

Hazel looked up at her with slight concern. "Are you alright?" She asked. "Not alright, but...alright alright." She clarified.

Heidi glanced down at her before looking elsewhere. "The Styx sounds better and better. That's how my father survived having a kid, by not being there and having servants and minions care for his kid instead." She stated with a blank look and a soft sigh.

Hazel looked down at her pretzel with a shrug. "I...don't have much advice to give when it comes to stable families, but I do have an abundance of advice concerning the broken ones. Just do whatever you feel is best for the kids. You can never go wrong with that." She said, still looking elsewhere.

"And that is letting the ones with instincts take over. Audrey had a stable home, she didn't have to worry about fulfilling some sort of apocalyptic size invasion just to earn her father's attention. Aunt Hera is...she's one of the strongest women I know. How many others can last that long with an idiot like Zeus? Me?" Heidi shook her head. "I'm neither of those, I'm...like my father, wanting to have somebody else care instead so I don't screw something up."

Hazel nodded before saying, "Like I said. Do what you feel." She stood, crumbling her wrapper. "This is a big deal. If your gut tells you something, do it. These kinds of things take time. Things will change. Some things will stay the same. Just...go with it." She said with a small smile, looking for a trash can.

"That's what Mal does...and she didn't want a kid during her first year of marriage. Yet royalty is a pain." Heidi said while shaking her head. "She'd usually hand the kid off to Ben and would run off since she didn't like that duty." She turned to face Hazel with a small frown. "Being Queen was one thing...being a mother wasn't something she wanted, not for a long time at least."

Once again, Hazel gave her a shrug. "Eh...Honestly, you have to be talking to the biggest hypocrite when it comes to children and families. I have completely no clue what any of that...this is like. I usually just rely upon my intuition. For others...the results vary…" She said as she trailed off, looking to the side. "I mean...we are alike, but not alike...if you know what I mean..?" She thought with a pondersum face.

Heidi chuckled and shook her head. "Like I'm any better. I had nobody till I was, quite literally, thrown at my dad who thought of me as the tiny kid he was gonna step on at some point. I didn't even recognize as having a brother since my dad just sent his minions to take care of him. And Mal? We...have already spoken about everything concerning that." She finished while averting her gaze.

Hazel played with her crumpled wrapper. "...I didn't have anyone until I was seventeen. That's when I met Ara and my mom shortly after. I know a thing or two about having nobody." She said softly, still playing with her wrapper.

"Ten years with two beings that didn't care about me...it felt more like a hundred years. Time flows fast when you are happy, and I can't say I was happy about being stuck with my father's minions...and not my father." Heidi said as she pursed her lips and looked out among the crowd.

"So…" Hazel started. "I guess the question is...will your kids be happy without you?" She glanced at Heidi before looking elsewhere.

"I don't know. You tell me...Would you be happy knowing that someone was so close yet they couldn't be there for you because they couldn't be? That's how it was for me...My dad was just a jump into the Styx away and yet I couldn't see him, hell sometimes I couldn't even hear him…" Heidi trailed off softly and sniffed a bit.

Hazel replied. "And you're hurting because of it. The fact that you've mentioned this so many times proves this." She said as she walked up to her. "Do you want to put your kids through the same pain?"

Heidi was silent for a while before she weakly shook her head as she tried to hide her shaking hands and stay silent about it.

Hazel looked away for a moment before offering Heidi a soft smile. "If you continue down this path, history will be sure to repeat itself. One of your children may grow and feel that they are unworthy, following the example you set." She continued, saying, "Your father wasn't there for you, nor was your mother and look at you. If you wish to break the chain, it starts with what you do right now." Hazel took a moment before opening her arms and offering a hug. "I know it's not going to be easy, but it's worth it."

Heidi sniffed again and accepted the hug with a pained look. "I...I can't even try to prepare myself...or try to learn...because there is nothing to help me. Not to mention Audrey will get concerned and start trying to do something ridiculous and over the top." She said quietly while closing her eyes.

Hazel sighed before saying, "You and Audrey...may need to have a talk…" She learned back to look at Heidi.

"She...she won't talk she'll freak out," Heidi said while shaking her head. "She's happy right now and I'm not gonna be the one to crush her joy because I didn't say something a year ago." She said in a somewhat stubborn manner.

Hazel blinked before saying, "But you are going to be miserable. Won't she freak out then too if you tell her the same explanation? If that's the case, you might as well get it over with now." She frowned at the thought.

"I've been miserable for a large portion of my life, what's some more time to add to that?" Heidi said as she looked away. "She'd freak out no matter when I tell her and she'll ship me off to Hestia and Vesta thinking I need another year of therapy."

Hazel sighed before saying, "If you don't say something, then I will. I don't like to get involved with matters that are not mine, but this is necessary." She said with thought.

"...If you do that, you are joining me for therapy. Each and every session with my crazy aunt and a version of your crazy aunt." Heidi said while turning her head a bit and folding her arms.

Hazel frowned at that before she ended the hug and began to pace. "Fine. Then I'll keep silent." She responded as her eyes changed a few hues.

Heidi looked at her for a bit before nodding. "And I'll keep silent as well." She said neutrally before looking away at the various stores.

Hazel kept her gaze away from her before taking a deep breath as she felt her blood pressure rise. "I uh...need to stop by my room for a bit. I have a migraine." She said, taking another breath to keep up her calm facade.

Heidi glanced back at her before shrugging. "I'm gonna go and get some ice cream...I'll catch you later." She said with a nod and a small smile before walking off in the direction where the crowd seemed to be the largest.

Hazel looked back at her with a frown and a look of confliction. She tried her best to control her warring thoughts. At the moment, it was impossible. So, she hurriedly teleported to her room without a second thought.

8888888

After a ton of, what they call, searching, JR, Deuce, and Triple G had finally found Heidi. They chuckled as they carried Heidi, passing Hazel as she race-walked down the hall in the opposite direction of the boys.

Hazel kept her breathing steady to the best of her ability. She already knew what she was doing and she felt bad for lying to Heidi...but she would not be able to sleep if she were to let this go. Her conscience wouldn't let her. She would much rather be put in therapy and get all her rest than to keep silent and get none!

So, she knocked on the door and awaited an answer. "Audrey? This is Hazel. Do you have a moment?" She asked, hoping Audrey had forgotten the whole godparent thing.

After a couple of seconds, Uma opened the door. She stepped aside, allowing Hazel to walk in, and said, "Hey, CJ. Good news. You're not in charge anymore."

CJ silently rejoiced at this before sighing in relief.

As for Hazel, she nervously walked into the room and kept a more than considerable distance between her and the pregnant woman. "Hi, Audrey. Do-did-did you have a m-moment?" She asked, looking around.

Audrey, who was finishing up a phone call, quickly hung up and smiled as she fumbled with the device. "Yes, what do you need?" She asked while setting the phone on a nearby table.

Hazel smiled in a shaky manner before saying, "Uh...it's an interesting...long-Well...Not too long-not very long story…" She scratched the back of her head. "I-I-I-I have s-some concerns…"

Audrey tilted her head and frowned slightly. "About what?" She asked in mild confusion.

Hazel, who seemed to get more jittery by the minute, swallowed. "I-I-I-I'm a-aware that it isn't m-my business, but I'm concerned for Heidi on a number o-of levels." She said speedily and stumbling over her words.

"Um...What's the problem? Besides the fact that nobody can find her today…" Audrey trailed off as she shook her head at the three boys who had brought in yet another clone.

The boys pouted before running off to find another 'Heidi'.

Hazel looked around before saying, "She was m-mostly with me all day and we've talked...a few times...there's just something that I'm trying to tell you that my brain won't let me because it's too busy having a way with itself!" She said in complete frustration.

Audrey nodded as the confused look only grew on her face. "Well...I mean, I'm sure it isn't bad...or at least the level of bad I'm thinking of. You can tell me anything."

"Well...therapy here I come…" She said with an audible sigh. "Look, Audrey. We were gone all day because we were hiding from you. She's hiding from you." Hazel said in defeat.

Audrey blinked and was silent for a moment before smiling in a shaky manner. "W-Well...She doesn't like shopping and she uh...must have known it was shopping day. She sometimes hides on those days anyway!" She said, almost as if she was trying to convince herself.

Hazel sighed before looking toward the ground. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if I don't say anything, no one will and that will cause pain...more pain," Hazel said before taking a deep breath. "Heidi is not well...emotionally. She's in a fragile emotional state whenever certain...trigger words are mentioned…" Hazel said, trailing off with a wince. "Such as...Mama Bear...or...anything to do with being a parent in general."

Audrey tilted her head at that. "W-What is that supposed to mean?" She asked quietly, looking around as she missed the boys charge in again.

Hazel frowned as she felt as thought the walls would cave in at this point. "She…" She twiddled thumbs repeatedly. "She...ah…" She found herself struggling to put her words together.

"WE FOUND HEIDI!" The boys exclaimed in sync.

Triple G pointed to 'Heidi' proudly. "This has got to be her." He nodded.

JR nodded. "This one for sure."

"Yup!" Deuce smiled at that.

'Heidi' gave them all a deadpan and lazily looked at the occupants of the room. "...You guys know I'm not Heidi, right?" She asked, not noticing the current situation at the moment.

CJ looked at the four of them dryly before saying, "Losers, meet Terra. Terra...Losers." She regained her smirk.

JR blinked before taking a double-take. "...You really need to add a mole or something."

Terra looked at him with halved eyes. "Not going to happen." She said simply while shaking her head.

Hazel blinked at them before trying to get her mumbled thoughts on track. "Audrey, she doesn't plan on being too involved with the kids. She believes that she'll be more of a liability than an asset and would somehow mess things up." She finally said, trying to keep her eyes off of the pregnant woman.

Audrey's face morphed into one of complete shock while Terra, who was finally observing the scene, let out an 'uh-oh' before running over right when Audrey decided to faint. "...Heidi wasn't lying when she mentioned that this woman liked to faint." She stated, slowly looking at Hazel as she repositioned the woman back in her seat.

Hazel, who was now visibly trembling, backed up to put the most of her weight on the nearest wall. "...uh huh…" She said as she suddenly felt nauseous.

Terra looked her over and subtly gestured for somebody else to watch Audrey for her. Approaching Hazel, she kept her calm facade up and tilted her head. "...What's wrong? Please don't tell me you are joining the fainting party…" She said, grimacing at the end as she continued looking her over.

While Triple G went over to Audrey, Hazel looked quite hesitant as Terra approached her. Hazel's eyes glowed as she slowly shook her head. "No. I just need to go. Now." She said with a gasp as her entire body caught fire.

Terra calmly raised a hand and placed it on Hazel's flaming shoulder. "Then...I'll go with you. Can't let you run off looking like how my sister does before she explodes. Not to mention I'm pretty fireproof." She said, gesturing to her hand that remained completely unaffected by the flames.

Hazel's eyes wandered around the room rapidly before she glanced at Terra. She nodded. "O-okay." She said as her lip quivered.

Terra nodded before looking back at everyone else. "Somebody, except you three-" She pointed to the three boys before continuing. "-Tell me when she's up and if she has anything to tell me. Tell her that I'm busy and messages only." She said with emphasis on the last word as she got ready to leave.

While the boys looked at her with halved eyes, the girls nodded.

Uma looked at CJ. "Congrats, CJ. You're in charge again." She parted CJ on the head.

CJ responded with a half eyed gaze and a sigh.

After a few seconds, Ara walked back into the room with a smile on her face. "Okay. I'm back from the shower and I feel much better after a good flaming bleach bath...as long as Susanoo's not in here, I'm good!" She said as she made her way into the room. "Have you guys started with the...what..?" She finally took notice of everything around her. "What the hell? Should I ask?" She asked with halved eyes.

Chester, who was there the whole time, looked up from his phone. "Probably not." Then went back to the device.

"I'll explain...maybe later," Terra said as she guided Hazel out of the room.

Ara nodded at that before turning to the rest of her group. "Who was the dumbest while I was gone?"

They all pointed to the three boys.

Ara smirked and said, "Congratulations! You three get to scrub soot off the wall! She snapped, causing sponges to appear before tossing them to the boys. "Have fun!"

JR was the first to complain. "Not how I saw this going down…" He said as he walked to the seared wall and got to work.

"Me neither." Triple G sighed.

Deuce frowned. "And we still didn't get any money!" His ears dropped as he scrubbed off the wall, promoting the other two to grumble complaints.