As the young woman brought the alleged algae with magical properties closer to her eyes for inspection, her concentration was disrupted by a faint knock originating from the outside of the room. Exhaling softly, Rhajat disposed of the substance and retrieved a tea-towel to wipe her hands, the sounds of her workstation's door being gently pushed open coming from behind her.

After cleaning her hands, Rhajat returned her attention to the visitor, and her ingenuous father greeted her with a bashful smile.

"Tea's ready" he announced politely as his fingers absentmindedly drummed on the door's surface, his trepidation visibly evident to the young woman.

Although she had developed a reputation for being quite unforgiving towards her father, deep down Rhajat cherished him very dearly; despite the uncanny age difference between them (because of the Deeprealm's effects), Rhajat still greatly aspired to be like him.

Rhajat folded her arms. "…I'm not hungry" she replied politely.

The young woman had expected her father to object but instead she was greeted to another weak smile from him as he acknowledged with a nod. "…OK" he replied timidly, "that's…that's alright – I just thought I should let you." He gestured towards the outside of the room with his thumb. "If you ever do feel hungry, you're more than welcome to come upstairs."

Rhajat acknowledged. "Thank you, I will."

She watched attentively as her father bid her farewell with a wave, a gesture she returned weakly. Just as Rhajat was about to return to her work, she was treated to the sound of footsteps emerging from behind her, followed by the door shutting. Turning her head, Rhajat was concerned to see her father standing by the door with an uneasy expression.

"…Are you busy, because there's something I wish to talk with you about."

Exchanging a glance between her work and her father, Rhajat returned her attention to him and shook her head politely, curious as to what he wanted to discuss.

As he entered the room, Rhajat observed as her younger father fiddled with his hands, visibly timid and uncertain. "…I" he announced quietly, "w-well…we've noticed that you've been leaving the house quite frequently as of late."

Rhajat furrowed her eyebrows. "And this is a cause for alarm?" She responded seriously; she hadn't meant to sound provocative.

"No, of course it isn't. You're not in trouble, if that's what you think" he replied nervously, "we just…your Mother and I are just…curious, that's all – like if there's anything she or I should be concerned about?"

Feeling her cheeks develop heat, Rhajat folded her arms; the care and concern of her parents were qualities she hadn't quite become accustomed with after her time in the Deeprealm. Much like her boyfriend, Rhajat too hadn't enlightened her parents that she and the wyvern rider were seeing one another, and the notion of sharing was a distressing one for her.

Rhajat composed her breathing before answering seriously. "…I've been conducting my research outside of our house…with somebody."

The young woman observed with uncertainty as a small, hopefuls smile developed on her father's face. "Oh, really?" He asked in disbelief. "That's…that's wonderful to hear. I'm so happy for you." He cleared his throat softly to try and dispel his excitement. "So..a friend?"

Rhajat nodded nervously. "Of sorts; they've been assisting me with my work." She fabricated an answer, still unprepared to share with her parent what she'd really been doing to occupy time.

Hayato continued to beam delightfully. "That is so great to hear" he confessed, "it really is. I…I know you've had some difficulty…readjusting…after your time in the Deeprealm – and for that I'm truly sorry – so I'm so overwhelmed to hear that you've been able to express yourself a little better."

…Father...

His poignant profession resonated with Rhajat as she averted her eyes with embarrassment.

"So" he began courteously, "what is…what's this friend like, if you don't me asking?"

Rhajat observed her father's enthusiasm and did not wish to disappoint him, despite her resistance to share about her and Percy's relationship. "…Their support has been greatly appreciated."

"Alright" answered Hayato eagerly, nodding understandingly, "that's fantastic." He laughed softly. "They sound really nice. Does your friend have a name?"

Swallowing anxiously, Rhajat rationalised that her parents would inevitably find about Percy, and elected then was the most opportune time to confide in her father about the relationship. After hesitation, Rhajat bit her lower lip and whispered.

"…His name is Percy."

Just as she predicted, her father reacted with visible astonishment and disbelief as his eyes widened from the announcement. "Oh, right" he answered nervously.

His response was less than reassuring. Feeling her cheeks burn ever more intently, Rhajat's grip on her arms tightened as she observed him.

"Oh" he answered after a moment of inactivity, "oh, right. I…I see, I understand now." He acknowledged with a timid smile. "Sorry, I don't mean to be intrusive. So…the two of you are…?"

With reluctance, Rhajat nodded her head weakly. "…Yes, we're seeing one another."

Hayato laughed nervously. "Right, OK, now I understand." The diviner shrugged his shoulders bashfully, visibly overwhelmed. "Is…is he nice, because he sounds nice."

Rhajat responded quietly. "I very much enjoy his company."

She watched uncertainly as her father averted his eyes. "That's…that's really good to hear. When do we get to meet him?"

"We've decided to take our relationship slowly, so I cannot say when you and Mother will be introduced to him."

"That's very mature of you", he spoke earnestly.

Rhajat shrunk with humiliation. However, she observed out of the corner of her eye her father closing the distance between them. She stared at him with confliction.

"…I'm…I'm very happy for you, Rhajat" he whispered excitedly, "and I only wish the very best for the two of you."

While she still harboured some regret, Rhajat was relieved by her father's reaction, one she hadn't expected.

After a moment of inactivity, Hayato announced that he had better return to the tea table, and Rhajat bid her father farewell. As he approached the entrance to the room, Rhajat observed as he turned around once more with a hopeful smile.

"Do you mind if I share this with your Mother?"

Although she would usually have objected, the comfort and reassurance she was experiencing after sharing the exchange with her father was more than enough for Rhajat to respond with an approving nod.

And with that, he smiled politely and gently shut the door behind him.

Though torn in two, we can be one

I...I will begin again / I...I will begin again