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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 25: Diplomacy, of Silly and Serious

To be completely honest, that experience Taffy shared with Mora and I seemed to really bring some resolutions to a few issues that had risen up ever since the Gossamer Harvest Festival. The Bunny had definitely gained some liveliness and calm during her daily routine, her stress severely reduced at the confidence boost she received from that occasion. Mora looked a little more entertained by the idea of being closer with the girl, and I felt… happier. Not that I was upset by anything before that, but I definitely felt a positive change at the fact my relationship with Mora was open to proposals from both sides. Some of which could be quite unusual for normal standards, but those were still signs of a good relationship in the making. There was no hesitation we were both taken for each other, but it would be foolish for anyone to assume a seemingly rock-solid bond didn't have some limits and some weaknesses that can still make things really complicated for the two of us… and other people.

Still, Mora was of her word and I was of mine. While the bond we both shared with Taffy had changed, it didn't mean we were outright going to pressure her in anything and ask her beyond what we settled up for. It was surely going to happen again, but not anytime soon. Not with the chances of that awkward development opening up a new can of worms to deal with for the Bunny Prime. Despite this little development, some elements of awkwardness remained for the first day. And I found it difficult to look at Taffy without giving off a nervous or embarrassed look at how I had seen it up close.

The pinkette seemed to share the same awkward approach, and we were both surprised when a certain Cow Prime showed no major reactions to this matter. Actually, her light-teasing of the younger woman didn't seem to change and that really threw us in a loop or two. Still, that was actually good considering how that casted away any unneeded attention and suspicions. It avoided people asking what was up or even investigating on their own. The rest of the farm was unaware of the situation, with perhaps the sole exception being Digit due to her awareness of people in rooms and her capacity to deduce on her own why Taffy spent the whole night in our bedroom. The Nanozell Spirit didn't ask any questions, but there was that knowing smile that just matched Mora's own attitude about it. It was really easy to confuse them both as mother and daughter at times with how similar their behavior would get when it came to moments of mischief.

So I didn't feel particularly worried for anyone discovering what happened in the bedroom, but I definitely started to grow a legitimate surprise and concern in the form of attention I was receiving by someone in particular that seemed to be trying to study me. Eyes narrowed at me, a light pout caused by her complex thoughts and her tail softly wagging left and right as she didn't seem to mind getting noticed in that bizarre attitude she had taken. Sarah was plotting something, and I could tell that it wasn't anything simple from the way the blonde was thinking so much about… whatever had her in such a pensive mood.

Rachael noticed this too, but was baffled when Sarah merely replied with false reasons. First it was to prank me, then to take a picture, and finally to ask me something about Goblins. It was clear that something was cooking with the Cat Prime, and I really knew too little to understand what got her so fascinated by me. It would take roughly the first half of the shift right the day after that interesting night for the situation to finally urge my attention. As I took a moment to shrug some of the sweat off my forehead during a troublesome session of picking up vegetables and fixing up the ground so it could be used for later seeding tasks. With my gaze back to look around and check on the progress me, Sandy and Sander got through with, I ended up looking on the side and noticed that a certain blonde was sitting by a tree branch at the edge of the apple orchard. Staring right up at me with that very expression she had earlier on during breakfast.

I stared back for a little while, trying to think what really got her to be staring at me that creepily and I ultimately decided to go and check for myself with the excuse that I had to go to her and bring her back to work- because it was clear that she was skipping her job from the looks of it. Sandy merely nodded, while Sander actually looked up in surprise at the element and noticed the staring, and then he glanced at me with utmost confusion. I could only shrug at that since it was really the only thing I could do or say to show my own perplexity on the matter. Ultimately I reached the girl and she looked at me without saying a single word.

…

"What are you doing?" I asked without hesitation and she kept on staring. "Sarah, what's wrong? I can tell you are doing all of this for something really big so… just speak up."

Her lips twitched and then… the girl spoke up.

"Why was Taffy sleeping with you and Mora last night?" The blonde asked, her gaze intensely aimed at me as she said those words and I felt my face paling at that blunt question. It caught me off-guard how this eventuality hadn't gained my attention- at least just so I could have asked Digit for anything suspicious on the matter that could have avoided this entire conversation.

"I… you saw?"

"Yes," Sarah replied curtly. "I saw Taffy leave for your bedroom and then I saw her leave it earlier this morning."

That definitely solidified my dreadful position, but it still offered me the chance to try and fix this matter for good. It was going to be a little bit tough, but I knew it was doable.

"Well, that shouldn't exactly be a concern of yours. Why were you awake at those hours?"

"That's not important," Sarah replied and I could tell it was tied to the fact she had a thing of waking up really early so she could get 'midnight snacks' for… the sake of midnight snacks actually. She heard of those and she just thought they were a thing many did. I wasn't sure why Rachael said nothing about it to her, the truth that is, but the situation sure got Taffy incredibly irritated on the matter itself.

"What do you think happened there?" I interrupted with a serious tone, knowing that we were far enough to discuss this without fearing any eavesdropping.

The girl blinked and gave me a long look. "You… you did that with her."

"And Mora."

She frowned even more at that. "Really? I thought… wait, that's actually a thing? It can be more than just two?"

"Some relationships can be that open, yes," I confirmed. "It's uncommon, but yes."

"But… then why don't you do it with Rach or Sandy?"

"That's because I don't want to. And Mora doesn't want that either."

Her mouth opened, yet Sarah took a moment to grasp at the answer I gave her. "You said that it was… 'normal' for- open relationships?"

"Yes, but if there is a will from all parts to do it. What kind of good boyfriend I would be if I just bypassed Mora's consent in this regard, and the same applies to her if she tries to do something like that behind my back."

The Cat Prime took a moment to completely soak in what I just said. "So, you would be fine if Mora was fine with it and-"

"I was fine with it too and the same for the other individual."

…

"Oh. So, that's why you… decided to do it with Taffy."

"To be fair, Taffy asked Mora and then Mora asked me," I summarized properly. "We all agreed and we did that. Simple… as that."

Not really that simple considering that there were conversations, more context as to why Taffy was interested in that and… yeah, that was all. But still, the girl seemed satisfied with what I told her and took a moment to let it all sink in deep within her mind. She blinked, tilting her head to the side and… then hummed.

"This is way more complicated than I thought it was," Sarah admitted with a huff. "Are relationships that tough?"

"At times. Those are things that can shape whole lives and so should be treated as tenderly and carefully as possible," I argued with a small smile. "Could also be of the lasting kind if it's based on love. And those are really rare nowadays."

A nod, then she smiled back at me. "Ya know… I like that thing we do, when we talk."

I blinked. "What about?"

"Well, when I ask Rach this kind of stuff- you know, about… sex. Or stuff that is mature, she just says that I shouldn't be thinking about it but…"

"How are you supposed to not think about it if that could happen?" I guessed and she nodded swiftly.

"Yeah, I know Rach is just worried that I might do something stupid, but… I wouldn't do something stupid with something that important. I know that it isn't something silly," The blonde vented a little bit. "Is it wrong that, you know, I'm being so… annoyed by it?"

"Not really, but you've also to accept the fact that Rachael took care of you since you both were really young. While you might say that you have a right to know these things and you're correct about it, I think you should know by now that Rachael thinks more to keep you safe than anything else. She might see you taller and older, but in her mind you're still her younger sister," I pointed out and Sarah nodded in agreement.

"Yeah… it's just that it seems easier to… not ask her at all."

"I believe you're just experiencing what many would have with their mothers and fathers. And that is having someone older and overbearing keeping tracks of what you do. Something it feels like they are nagging, but in the end they are just doing it for safety's sake," I added with a sigh and she sported a surprised look.

"Wait… parents do that too?"

"Sometimes they do. I got that from grandpa and grandma," I admitted while nodding. "But yeah, that's pretty normal and it can happen. The best way to handle that is to study stuff on your own, without putting any risk on yourself in the process."

…

"Oh."

Oh, indeed.

The girl seemed really satisfied with what she got and was easy to convince to go back to her shift considering how much time she took out of it. She looked embarrassed and panicked when she realized we took almost a full hour to discuss this, and she bolted after saying a quick 'thank you'. Shaking my head at how adorable Sarah was with that kind of attitude, I went back to handle my own shift, finally certain that this problem had been solved once and for all. As the shift was over and we were back to the house, I ended up getting a call by Tootsie and the girl made it clear that it was really important.

"What got you this worked up, Toots?" I asked with a confused tone. "Anything to worry about? Is the situation at your job fine?"

"As… fine it can be after Alexandria lost the Gossamer Harvest Festival," The Mouse Prime admitted with a minor annoyed tone. "But no, things are mostly fine. Except for the fact that the Board of Directors decided to veto Alejandra from taking further steps to harass your boss' farm."

I blinked. "I guess that's what happens when you waste so much money like that."

"That's the forwarded excuse but… Alejandra didn't surrender without making promises of showing some people off. She has yet to announce anything against Las Lindas." Tootsie added with a quiet tone. "Except an invitation. For you."

"What?"

"It surprised me too, but the boss just wanted to invite you out for dinner. For a proposal."

"I hope it isn't what I think-"

"No, I think she knows how much entrenched you are with Mora. I believe she is just trying to get as much info as she can by being coy. And friendly."

"I see," I muttered quietly.

"I know you will not be a dumbass but-"

"I'll be careful and… when should that happen?"

"Tonight."

…

"What?" I commented flatly, caught off-guard by the absurd timing.

"I know, there should have been more time for this notice but Alejandra said that it was a point of her strategy. Something about 'forwardness' would work well with you."

"Did it ever work on me, Toots?" I rhetorically asked, knowing the girl was aware that was the best way to gain my disdain than anything else. Forwardness through personal interactions was a thing, but forwardness as commanding the time for a date and making it so sudden was just something thought with poor taste.

"Not my call, Dec. Still, are you up for it or not?"

I sighed. "What do you suggest?"

"You should go. At least to understand what the boss is planning since she has been rather quiet about her plans and that worries me she is going to do something really… really stupid."

"Understood. I'll have to talk with Mora about it. Don't want her to get this misunderstood since it's not really something common."

"I'll call later. Hear ya soon."

The call ended and I was left with quite the situation to handle. Alejandra wanted to talk to me, and I wasn't sure if it was an attempt at peace or just an escalation of this unneeded 'war' between her and Mora. In the end, Mora agreed reluctantly to let me check on this myself, on the promise that I wouldn't have gone elsewhere but at the date and then back to the farm. Something that I eagerly agreed to as I prepared to face quite the challenging situation.

But if this was to close this matter once and for all, I was up to face it without hesitation. One less mess to be worried about for the farm's future…

The place that Alejandra picked for this reunion wasn't one I was familiar with, but it definitely fit with the high-class society standard that I expected her to pick for the occasion. It was in the 'refined' core of Gossamer and the place forced me to make use of Digit's teleportation skills to bring me there. Once we arrived, she went back to the farm as she couldn't stay away for too long from Mora and we had already agreed to have her pick me up once I called to say that we were done with this event. To match the formality of the location, I had picked my good tuxedo and made sure to care for my appearance to the point where I knew there would be no reason to lament about it. And I was quite ignored by the rest of the customers as one of the waiters took me in as I showed the code of the appointment that was signed Coldthorn. The trip was a short one, but it provided me with further confirmation of my expectation of what kind of behavior I had to keep to avoid any awkward situation in here.

Everyone was pretty distracted either with their sophisticated meals or some posh talking about society itself. Nothing new or interesting to say the least, but my wait wasn't a long one. Alejandra decided to still stick with a blue dress, but the darker shade of the more tame style she had chosen for the circumstance made it clear she wasn't trying to drag attention to herself. At least, not at the same intensity as back as the festival. She approached slowly, following the waitress that had been assigned to lead her to the table. Out of etiquette, I stood up and nodded her way. "Ms. Coldthorn."

A hint of surprise, but a smooth understanding soon replaced any uncertainty regarding my genuineness with that politeness. She still nodded back regardless of that matter. "Mr. Stone."

I saw the waitress, a Fox Prime, stiffen up in surprise at the familiar last name but she offered more details or moves that would have dragged attention right at her. Instead, I focused on the taller woman as I moved to help her with her chair. Alejandra was impressed by the manners I was displayed, but offered no major sign of reaction beyond raising her brow in pleased surprise.

Once she was seated, I walked back to my chair and sat down myself. "So… do you wish to discuss now or do we order something first?"

"I believe we can check the menu early on. One would say you're being impatient to leave."

"As much as you are, Ms. Coldthorn."

Her lips twitched. "I'm glad the feeling is mutual then."

Then why did you plan out this situation?

Still, ignoring that bizarre approach to the situation, I decided to follow through and allow the waitress to take my order and then Alejandra's. The girl nodded before leaving to get both requests to the kitchen. As soon as we were alone, the Cow Prime spoke up once more.

"Tootsie told you that I seek an… understanding."

"She said that you wanted to discuss something, but she didn't add much about it," I elaborated without hesitation. "How about we go straight on the point and avoid any misunderstanding at once?"

"A fair point," The woman said while nodding. "But first, I would like to ask you a couple of questions. Things that matter to the overall discussion."

I shrugged. "Then start asking already."

…

"I am under the impression that, despite what I previously expected from Mora, that you really managed to… keep things clean. Am I right with that statement?"

"In which regard?" I requested, the question just feeling so open in that aspect.

"Regarding the farm. And also your relationship with her," Alejandra elaborated with a hum. "After my… indecorous outburst, I decided to verify the High Prime's claim that Las Lindas had gained an outstanding momentum after its proper 'reopening' and I was surprised to see that she wasn't wrong. The production level, albeit far from optimal due to the size of the arable fields and the lack of the potential manpower that could be invested for maximum efficiency, is doing rather smoothly and show a solid work schedule from all farmhands and other associates hired at the farm."

"We've been quite serious, yes."

"And the same extends to your relationship with… Mora."

"Yes. She is a lovely girl," I calmly added and she seemed rather upset by something about it.

"Despite the fact she used to sleep around-"

"To survive without a stable job. Not the noblest of works, but definitely something that makes sense due to the context."

"She left her house by her own volition after a fight with Dia-her mother went south," Alejandra pointed out sternly. "If this is the context that you're trying to use to justify the matter, then I believe you're blinded by… material objects and can't see the truth."

"Oh, but I can see the truth alright, there is no worry about that," I flatly remarked. "You see, Mora would never try to justify the fact that what she did back then was reasonable. She already knows it wasn't and she blames herself about it to this very day. But there is no way you can genuinely and factually connect her own inability to handle her temper about a particularly tense matter to what she had to do to live on her own."

Her mouth opened as if the Cow Prime was close to protesting this valid argument, but she stopped herself from setting herself up as a fool. Differently from before, there was really a strong pull from within that prevented the woman from going all out with her own harshness. Something had really happened to her to be behaving legitimately this… tame.

"I suppose you're right. I wish to tie both arguments because those would favor my… interest in discredit someone I have long grown to harbor negative feelings for."

"You blame her for what happened to her mother. To Diana Linda," I brought up and she snorted.

"Mora was the cause of it," The woman rebuked sternly. "The woman started to suffer after her abrupt departure. I don't know what they spoke about, but something about set Diana for a bout of depression she never recovered from."

I glanced at the table, taking a moment to gauge if I should be truthful about what I knew of that very circumstance. And, after what felt an eternity, I finally told her the truth. She kind of deserved to know, since I knew from Mora that Alejandra considered Diana as the mother she never had. So I mustered as much courage I had and spoke up once more.

"It wasn't Mora that caused that situation. Their discussion only increased the pace of something that had sparked that very conversation," I admitted with a serious tone and the Cow Prime regarded me with a frown.

"What are you talking about? How does this connect to her father?"

I sighed. "Diana preserved some papers tied to transactions she made towards a hospital. Or a facility. It wasn't clear since the place isn't really easy to find through normal searches," I explained while nodding at her question. "These transactions started to get… quite expensive a few weeks before Mora spoke with her. And Mora ended up noticing because those transactions started to hurt the farm's economy, with many workers lamenting some due payments having been delayed for a few months due to the lack of enough money to sustain it all."

"That shouldn't be possible," Alejandra argued. "The farm at the time was large enough in Gossamer to allow paying the wages of all workers. And even more considering the far reach it had back in that time period."

"Yet it couldn't because a large amount of the income was being devolved into these transactions meant to pay for… someone named Maverick. Which Mora deduced being her father since these transactions were generally sent with romantic letters aimed at the man himself."

"She was still in contact with him?" The woman inquired with surprise. "I thought he just left without a trace."

"That seemed to be the case, but the man just reappeared to ask for money. And then… well, the talk happened."

"Mora wanted to know the truth because it was hurting at home," Alejandra guessed, and I nodded at that assumption.

"It was clear that her father was trying to drain them of their money and that Diana was going through with this without asking about the logic or the issue that meant to her own home."

There was a brief pause after this, but Alejandra seemed to recover from her thoughts just fine as she rekindled the conversation mere minutes after, moments after two waiters quietly coming at our table to deliver the food and the drinks we asked for.

"So that's why Mora was angry? Because Diana just… didn't tell her who was taking these money?"

"That would be the case, yes," I agreed with a sigh. "The situation ended up with the fight that saw Mora leaving and… then you know the rest of the story."

"This… this is way more complicated than I knew about. Diana… she never told me about any of that," Alejandra pointed out and I had the reasoning why that was never told to her until now.

"Maybe she expected a reaction as harsh, but more tame to what she had from Mora. She didn't want to lose you too."

The last comment had her lips take an upset turn with her gaze aimed at her plate for a couple of silent seconds.

"...The reason why I thought it proper to converse with you and not Mora is tied to the fact the High Prime gave me something as a 'reward for second place'. She considered it a need of mine to put an end to my own… troubles," The woman changed the topic to finally address the reason why she brought the meeting to happen. "A small blue gem. I know it's one of those that harbor Nanozell Spirits and I've studied well enough on the matter that the reason why sometimes those don't form properly and manifest is tied… to their partner's inability to handle a problem they consider important and life-changing."

"And you believe it's tied to this situation."

She nodded. "And I want to bury the war hatchet. I… I'm well-aware now that I might have been too aggressive on this matter and allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment, damaging myself, others and my own life-long work."

Smiling at that explanation, I decided to add my own thoughts on this matter. "To be fair, I can say for sure you… are not a bad person. I know you're not, Mora and Randal spoke highly of you and I can tell by myself that they meant those good words they had for you."

Alejandra looked pleasantly surprised, but even more when she realized I mentioned a name she didn't know was currently living at the farm. "Rand… al? Randal Hawthorne?"

"Yes."

Blinking about it for a moment, the Cow Prime sighed tiredly. "I guess the family is almost complete… Still, the point is that I wish to visit and… bring an end to this. To address the matter itself thoroughly and as civilly as possible."

"I can help set up something about it. I will give more info to Tootsie once I've talked with Mora about it."

That guarantee settled up the entire conversation for the night as we finally started to eat the food we were brought and… it was actually good. Not enough to warrant the insane costs, but still good enough to finalize the positive closure of that tense 'negotiation' I felt having won somehow. I was rather quick to enjoy my food before drinking just half a glass of wine. Never been much of a drinker of exotic beverages, I just let the woman handle her own share and… I discovered that Alejandra couldn't hold much alcohol, especially when it came to wine. After just two glasses, she looked ready to fall asleep. Because yes, I was now aware that the Cow Prime I was sharing that dinner with was the cuddle-sleepy kind of drunk. After getting through the meals and telling one of the waiters we were done, I helped the woman out of the building while calling Tootsie to know what to do in this case. The girl mentioned something about going to eat something quick and then being the one parked somewhere near the entrance to get Alejandra back home.

The Mouse Prime was actually parked right on the first parking spot available near the entrance and she left the car to help me take care of the taller girl. Alejandra recognized Tootsie and, in her inebriated state slowly leaned down to the blonde's level in an attempt to greet her with a kiss on her cheek. Much to my surprise and Tootsie's immense luck, the kiss on the cheek ended up being an intimate but brief smooch between lips. Tootsie turned to me to show her shocked look, her mouth hanging open as she tried and failed to reorganize her brain at that sudden and yet well-received kiss on her lips. Alejandra, still mostly drunk and dizzy, didn't seem to realize that her 'greeting' had been way warmer than she would have normally gone through.

After bidding a good night to the two women, I walked back to the transportation area and started to call back to Digit, telling her that I was on my way back to the farm. With a light sigh leaving my lips, I looked up at the half-moon in the sky and wondered if this was really going to be the end of this family feud. If this was really the moment where the 'Linda' family was back together for good. Good hopes, most of which knew were going to shape the future of the farm with this new status quo.

Especially when it comes to competition.

AN

So, going for the classic 'kiss and make up' solution or something lamer?

It all depends on two factors.

And… those are?

First, did you enjoy being part of that Prime Cuddle Guide for humans?

I… stand by the fifth amendment.

Ambar-

You abused the trust I had for you… but cuddling me so well. So fluffy, and you didn't even bring me out for a date.

...Then I guess I can invite someone else for the second part of the guide-

As the High Prime, it's within my priority to take on the hardships that could befell on Primedom, so I will take this challenge head on, little Author.

Oh-kay~! Still, what I can say is that things will soon happen about Hope, about apologies from someone that made a brief cameo in the story, and… something about someone that many readers are waiting to see soon. After all, if the feud is getting mended and recruitment of new workers is around the corner, then that means-

My favorite cute bundle of Wildness is about to strike the farm like never before!

...Yeah.