"So this is your family home?" Alvis looked around. "You have quite a few children, don't you?"

"Yes, yes! Nopon not usually have many kids, but Riki have habit of bringing home orphans…" Oka sighed a bit. "Hard to take care of some many, but Oka understand and love all littlepon Riki bring her."

"I see. You adopt." Alvis hummed as a small, yellow Nopon saying something about a bestest crawled into his lap. "It must have been quite the challenge if Riki had to go out."

"No different than when Riki here! Riki very stupid, like all boy Nopon." Oka sighed. "Oka used to taking care of whoooole family, though Riki kisses does make easier."

Alvis snorted a bit, patting the Nopon in his lap's head. "You are certainly a hard worker. I do hope Riki can pick up the slack while you're away."

"Riki will, if Riki know what good for him! Oka hear of even one littlepon go missing and Oka will file for divorce!" She huffed, wings crossed. "Oka not take kindly to Riki not pulling his weight!"

"I see." Alvis laughed a bit, though tried to disguise it as a clearing of his throat. "I believe that is an understandable position to have."

"Oka know Alvis would agree! Alvis seems very smart for Homhom." Oka nodded, a smile on her face. "Metal friends seem very much smart as well!"

"They can be, though Egil is a bit dense when he gets caught up in his emotions…" Alvis sighed just thinking back on how his comments about mortals flew right over his head.

"Alvis seem annoyed by that, but…" Oka giggled. "Oka also think Alvis finds it fun! So Oka excited to see Egil be dense, too."

"Is that so?" Alvis snorted. "Make sure you don't tell him that, though. I doubt he would take to it all too kindly."

"Then it stay between Oka and Alvis! Our little secret!" She hopped up and down and for a moment almost seemed to hover. "Oka can trust Alvis, yes?"

"Of course, Oka." He held out a pinky. "Let me give you a special Homs promise."

"Good, good! Oka knew Alvis a good Homhom boy!" She smiled, though paused. "Er, what Oka do with Homhom pinky?"

"Oh, okay…"


Egil was starting to relax a bit as they all went about their nights. There was a place to sleep, so with that worry dealt with, he found himself exploring. The technology of the Nopon was strange, alien to what he knew as a Machina…

And it was for that reason he couldn't get enough of it.

Currently, he stood in the pollen works, looking at their contraptions for making their food. How fascinating… not a bit of metal to be seen, and yet it still worked like a charm! A lack of metal was not a worry on Mechonis, but the idea of making something without it… was interesting, to say the least.

"Egil." Linada spoke, pulling him from his thoughts for a moment. "It's quite late, will you be sleeping soon?"

"Ah, yes, soon." He didn't even turn to look at her, still studying the wheel. "I simply want to study these a bit more."

"So another all-nighter, I'll be sure to inform Vanea and Alvis you won't be joining us, then." She yawned as Egil turned to look at her. "Don't frown like that, we both know it's true. You get so caught up in machines you forget to sleep."

"I suppose you aren't wrong, but you don't have to be so candid about it." He huffed, turning back. "Besides, the Nopon have told me these are not what you would call machines, due to the lack of metal."

She snorted a bit, though covered it when a Nopon passed by. "I see… try not to get into a philosophical debate with the Nopon tonight, then, alright?"

"...You know I don't just debate with anyone." He made a face, though of course Linada couldn't see it. "Just go, you must be tired."

"Egil-"

"You two are still up, then?" Alvis approached, stopping next to Egil. "Are you both interested in the Pollen Works?"

"Just Egil." Linada waved a hand in the air. "We likely won't see him sleep tonight, but no reason to stop ourselves from getting some rest. Let's go, Alvis."

"Ah, yes." Alvis squeezed his arm a bit before stepping away towards Linada. "Though you should try to rest, Egil."

"I know, don't try to mother me."

Alvis snickered a bit. "Alright, no more mothering from me… Good night, then."

"Good night."


Egil was basically alone at this point, Nopon ignoring him. He was fine with that, listening to the sounds of nature, until a familiar click sounded. Even in non-Machina built heels, Vanea's footsteps were hard to miss.

"Brother. You're still awake." She came to stand next to him. "Thinking of Nopon technology, still?"

"Not exactly." It was still on his mind, but as time had passed, he had ended up letting his mind wander to the weapons he pulled from his chest. "I wonder what these weapons mean."

"Perhaps they are a sign from Lady Meyneth? Of what is to come." Vanea looked at the swords at either of his sides. "I cannot see her giving them to you with no plan."

"I only awoke to them due to Alvis urging me on." He frowned, pulling one free of the makeshift sheaths they had made him. "It almost feels as if it's for the sake of another. Not you, or I, or even Lady Meyneth."

Vanea frowned, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't say that. Lady Meyneth protects us, she wouldn't simply let this happen if it was of no use to us."

"You say that, but… Looking at these weapons, I feel fear." He bit his lower lip as he spoke. "And it does not feel as if it is just mine. It is as if Lady Meyneth and I are both in fear of it, what it means for our future."

"Egil… you are… simply paranoid." Vanea spoke, her voice soft. "You have been for years now. Please, do not let that paranoia rule you. Not after this long."

"Vanea! This isn't just paranoia!" He shook his head. "The fear is real and there's too much to simply be mine. It has to be-"

"Egil." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're overthinking this. Please, just calm down and breathe. If this is truly a problem, we will simply have to take the problems as they come. You aren't alone, we will make it through this."

"Vanea…" He sucked in a breath, closing his eyes. "I suppose you're right, but I… I feel so alone right now. So pathetic, with a target painted on my back."

"Now, now…" She pulled him into a hug. "No need to talk like that. I'll always be by your side."

He let the half of the Monado drop to his side before returning the hug. "I know, Vanea, you always have been."