Tyrea came to with a groan, noting the bindings around her arms and legs. She looked around, placing all the annoyances in the villa. Seer Alvis and the largest Machina stood near the only exit, so fleeing was not an option. Another Machina and the Nopon stood with that stain, Melia, cooing at her like she deserved any pity… It made her stomach turn.

The other Machina, the one with the gun, sat on her knees behind her, hands on her shoulders, as if searching for tension in them. She shrugged the hands off, not wanting them touching her any longer, and looked forward. Prince Kallian stood in front of her, arms crossed.

"I see you are awake, assassin." He spoke, pacing in front of her. "Or does the Bionite order allow for names? What should I call you?"

"I am Tyrea, agent of the order, and loyal servant of First Consort Yumea!" She tugged at her restraints. "You will not stop our goals, even if you stop me! Your mother will ensure the dirty half-breed never takes the throne!"

"You're quite cocky, aren't you?" Kallian reached out and, before Tyrea could even object, her mask was pulled from her face. "Perhaps you'll be less biting without-"

He stared at her, wide eyed as the mask in his hand dropped to the ground. Tyrea began fighting her restraints harder than before as Seer Alvis moved closer and the Machina behind her held her by her shoulders again. She couldn't be seen…!

"Oh my, wouldn't you say she looks a bit like First Consort Yumea?" Seer Alvis smiled as he spoke, the rat. "How interesting."

"Indeed…" Kallian nodded, eyes glued to Tyrea's face. "But why in the world…?"

"Could she be… related to you, Brother?" The half-breed brat moved past the Machina and Nopon guarding her to stand next to Kallian. "Though that would mean mother-"

"You have no right to call her mother!" The words came out before she could even think to stop them. "Someone like you…!"

"Ah." A spark in Kallian's eye as he moved to pick her up. "I understand now, Alvis. Please ensure our guests make it back to their rooms. I think I need to have a talk with Tyrea. Alone."

"Of course, I assume you will speak with them at a later time?"

"Yes." He nodded. "Please wait for me, everyone. I will come as soon as Tyrea and my mother are dealt with."

Kallian's grasp didn't feel like that of an angry prince on a prisoner as much as it felt like an older brother on a petulant younger sibling. If you asked Tyrea, though, the former would have been preferred.

Out into the Palace halls they travelled, and she broke her silence. "I won't tell you anything, you know!"

"That's fine." He looked up at her, eyes serious. "I'll just have to ask mother where this little sister of mine came from."


Egil didn't like being back in this gilded cage. Kallian would come speak with them later? He didn't quite buy it, if he was being honest. They had served their purpose, keeping the little princess safe, and it would be easy enough to leave them here to rot now.

That was why he did not return Alvis's smile as the Seer stayed in the doorway.

"My, what a look on your face." Alvis clicked his tongue. "Don't look so upset. You'll likely be hailed as heroes by the people soon enough."

"Yes, because your people would have plenty of reason to reveal we're here and not just sweep us under the rug now that we've been useful." Egil scowled at him. "Forgive me, but I cannot so easily believe in the good-will of any life of the Bionis."

"Egil…" Vanea placed a hand on his arm, a frown on her face. "Calm down."

He huffed, looking away. "I am calm."

"I see, I see…" Alvis chuckled, shaking his head. "I cannot force you to change your mind, but I swear to you, you are not prisoners. You may even wander Alcamoth, if you would like, though do be careful. You wouldn't want to miss Prince Kallian's visit."

Egil frowned, but decided against biting back against that. "...I believe we will stay here, thank you, Alvis."

Alvis gave him another smile. "Then I'll be taking my leave. I hope to speak with you all again soon."

And with that, he was gone, leaving the other four staring after him. He was still so much, Egil noted. So much of what? Well, he wasn't actually sure, but it probably wasn't a good thing.

"Well… while we wait for Kallian, we should try to relax." Linada took a seat and gave Egil a very pointed look. "Especially those of us who have a habit of stressing themselves."

"I agree." Vanea looked at Egil as well, a small frown on her face. "Maybe someone who is already teetering on the edge."

"Psst! Egil!" Oka gestured for him to lean down. "Oka need to say something."

He sighed, kneeling down so she could whisper in his ear. "What is it, Oka?"

"Oka think Vanea and Linada talking about Egil."

Another sigh escaped his lips as he pat the Nopon's head. "Is that so? Thank you for telling me, Oka."

"Oka here to help!"


The group had been lounging around the gilded cage for quite a while when Oka made her way to Egil. He glanced down at her and gave her a small smile before going back to staring out the window. "Did you need something, Oka?"

"Oka curious… Egil and Vanea dadapon really a chief like Chief Dunga?" She looked up at him. "Oka so surprised!"

"I suppose, though Miqol and your chief function quite differently." Egil shrugged. "They're the same in name only, really."

"Miqol…?" Oka frowned. "Does Egil not call dadapon dada or daddy?"

"Ah…" He scratched the side of his head. "No, I do not. There is a...distance between us that has only grown. I'm afraid calling him father just doesn't seem right anymore."

"Oka not sure she get it, but…" Oka swayed from side-to-side. "She not mad at Egil for it. She just sad…"

"Sad?" He frowned, looking at her. "Why is that?"

"Egil sound sad when he talk about dadapon. And Oka just think it very sad to grow distant from littlepon." Oka looked at the ground. "Oka think Miqol probably very very much sad Egil not close to him anymore."

"Sad I'm not close to him anymore, hm…?" Egil let his forehead rest against the windows, letting out a sigh. "He seems perfectly fine to me."

"That because parents not show littlepon when struggling." Oka pat his leg. "Riki and Oka always be strong for littlepon, even when sad. Miqol probably do same for Egil and Vanea."

"Is that so…?" He closed his eyes for a moment. "Perhaps you are correct, Oka."

"Oka mamapon! Mamapon always right!" Oka hopped up and down. "Egil not know that?"

"Well, I know it now." He chuckled, pulling his head from the window and smiling down at her. "You're always right, and I'll be sure to keep that in mind, Oka."

"Yay yay! Oka really happy!"