So I had a small thought recently; as of this chapter, we're technically in a new 'season.' By that, I mean if this were a proper soap opera or something, this chapter would start the second season. Last chapter would have been the 'finale' of season one- which, of course, ended with Ephemer and Anora together. But I've always seen this story covering at least a year and a half worth of in-universe content, we're still going at it. This chapter for example takes place in September. Although I have about 100 chapters planned, I do not know when this 'season' will end. I'm sure I'll know when we get there. xD

Thank you for reading!

Invi had met Kadin Nyoka two years ago, give or take. She and the other headmasters had decided to attend a teaching summit one summer instead of going to the summer place right away. But she didn't actually meet Kadin there, it was at the luncheon after. About an hour and a half after and she was in his hotel room.

For the next year or so, they kept in contact. She would not tell anyone, but Kadin was who she spent the most time with during her sabbatical; he made for some excellent company for what she was going through at the time. She still enjoyed his company when he happened to be in Departure County. Today happened to be one of those days.

"Invi!" the man greeted as she sat down across from him. The cafe they chose to meet up in was quiet this time of day, and his voice was just loud enough that it nearly brought some attention their way.

"It's lovely to see you too, Kadin." Invi smiled. "Did you already order for us?"

"Yep." came the chirpy agreement. "I wanted us to get down to the nitty-gritty today."

Hearing this, Invi raised an interested eyebrow.

"Oh?" she wondered. "What has Vidia gotten into this time?"

Kadin snorted. This wasn't exactly what he meant, but he was more than willing to share details about his daughter. "I think she's entered a dragon phase. She won't shut up about them- which, honestly, is the only coherent thing you can hear her talk about."

"She's only 22 months," Invi remarked with a light chuckle. "How bad can it be?"

Kadin looked down at her- almost all amusement washed from his face. "Invi, I don't think you understand- she's literally 'blah, blah, blah, blah, dag-in! Blah, blah, blah, fi-roar!' And then, of course, the all important, 'Smash peoples!' before knocking over a block tower as tall as she is. It's so funny, but it's so awful!"

"Sounds like it." Invi smirked. Kadin gave her a hard look before letting it melt into one of humor again.

"See, look," he offered as he pulled out a folded up piece of paper and handed it to Invi. "She did that last week. Knew I had to hold on to it so you could have it."

"Thank you." Invi told him as she took the drawing. A small smile crossed her face as her thumb gently traced the deliberate scribbles. If she squinted, Invi could see that the main scribble -a squiggly shape drawn completely in a dark purple- had a pair of horns at the 'head', and a pointed 'tail' at the end. Invi wondered where she was going to hang it without too many people asking where she had gotten it from; even if she lied and said it was from a student, it would be more than obvious that it came from someone much younger than a 10 year old.

"When are you going to tell her?" Invi questioned with a partially worried glance. Kadin only offered a simple shrug at first.

"I'm thinking I'll leave it as a 'when she asks me' kinda deal. Which, honestly, might happen on Mother's Day in kindergarten."

"You're not going to send her to preschool?"

This earned her a smirk from the man. "Have you forgotten that I majored in early childhood development? Shame Invi, for shame."

Invi gave him a mischievous grin. "I thought you only said that to butter me up."

"Even if I did," Kadin mused with a cheeky grin of his own, "It still worked. Didn't it? You melted in the palm of my hand like it was a hundred degrees outside."

"I melt to any man that buys me a drink and doesn't act like a total creep." Invi snorted. "Just because you watch over Vidia, doesn't mean you're special, Kadin."

The man let out a loud, joyful chuckle that Invi joined in on. When they finally settled down, Kadin gave Invi a small grin.

"There's another reason why I called you here, besides to gush about Vidia." he told her. "I'm getting married in November and I wanted to invite you in person."

For a moment, Invi's jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"

Kadin nodded before handing her the wedding invitation. "I'd really like you to meet Marjorie. You two would have a lot in common."

"What about Vidia?"

"She's going to be our flower girl!" Kadin beamed. "We had her pick out the dress itself and, let me tell you Invi, it will look so adorable on her! Assuming she doesn't grow, like, a whole foot between here and November."

"Hopefully not." Invi thoughtfully agreed. "I remember my mother once told me that I didn't have a major growth spurt until I was seven. The doctors assumed I would have dwarfism."

"So glad that wasn't the case; imagine how much more terrifying you'd be if you were only four feet tall!"

The two shared another happy laughter for a few moments before settling down again. Invi turned her attention back to the drawing and gave a small smile at it. Vidia was growing so quickly. If she ever got into Daybreak, Invi could see her fitting in well with Ursus or Unicornis. But it was still too early to tell. As Invi continued to study the drawing, the more her smile started to turn into a frown. A small pang of regret hit her heart and all too suddenly she felt the need to cry.

Kadin must have noticed this because he placed a gentle hand on hers.

"Look, you don't have to come if you don't want to." he said to her- his voice low and soft. "I know that you're afraid of seeing her again, and..."

"No." Invi said, interrupting him. "I want to be there. It's an important day for you guys."

Kadin raised a worried eyebrow as he removed his hand from hers. "Are you sure? I don't want you to feel forced because of her."

"Positive." she agreed before putting the drawing safely away in her purse. "But I do have a question; you wouldn't mind me bringing a plus five, would you?"

"Plus five?" Kadin repeated before going into a belly laugh. "Please tell me it's your fellow headmasters and their kid, and not five separate guys!"

"If it's all the same to you," Invi mused, "I think I prefer to keep my affairs with one man from now on. Having two caused a lot more micromanaging than you'd think."

"In what way? Who got which side of the bed on what night?"

"No." Invi spat. "Aced could eat us out of house and home on a good day, and Ira's finer palate almost left us without one. And, of course, I could never say no to a good aged wine..."

"Along with all those designer duds and jewels and scarves you love so much..."

"Oh, shut up." Invi playfully chuckled as she gave Kadin a light smack on the shoulder. Kadin retaliated with a bright grin.

"Alright," Kadin laughed, "Here's the deal- you can bring as many guests as you want, (so your guests can have guests if they so please) but just let me know before the RSVP date. Catering ain't cheap, madam."

"Kadin, did I ever mention that you are the sweetest guy I've ever had the honor of pleasuring?"

"Maybe not recently," he smiled before leaning in close, "But I wouldn't object to a reminder."

Invi laughed as she started to get up. She gave Kadin a less than chaste kiss on the lips before leaving the cafe. She might have to invite him over again at some point. He honestly was one of her better lovers- goosebumps blissfully ran up her arms as she remembered their last liaison. But then she remembered; Kadin was getting married. She couldn't do that to him or his future bride.

Not unless they wanted to of course.

Threesomes were considered exotic for a reason.

Invi shook her head. What was wrong with her? She gave herself a small, admonishing huff as she waited at the curb for a taxi. But it only allowed her mind time to drift from Kadin to Vidia. Almost unconsciously, she pulled out Vidia's drawing and admired the simple crayon drawing. She wondered if Kadin's wedding was placed so close to Vidia's birthday on purpose. Maybe it was easier to remember the date if they were so close together? She really should have called him out on it.

"I'm happy for him." Invi decided out loud, putting the drawing away just as the taxi was coming up. As Invi climbed into the taxi to head back to school campus, a small thought crossed her mind that quickly made her remorseful again; Vidia was going to love having a mother, even if it wasn't her.