Alaya turned left on Savile Row and sees her mother Jenny entering a cab with a large box. She runs yelling, "Mother! Mother!"

Mother Jenny stops herself midway, "I must hurry."

Alaya, "Where are you going?"

Jenny, "I have to get this to Fiona."

Alaya steps aside and watches her mother leave.

She runs inside and there is Mother Vastra waiting. Alaya goes right up to her mother, "Where is mother going? Is Fiona safe? ..."

Vastra hands Alaya a telegram

LEAVE IN TWO DAYS
SWH SENDING ME TO SERBIA
LOVE YOU

Alaya grabs her mother's arm as she catches herself from falling to the floor. A sound bellows from Alaya's chest and screeches out of her mouth. Vastra pulls Alaya entire body into her arms. Alaya just screams in agony.

Miss Shaw stands up. "Let me get some water."

Miss Gardner exits her office with a white face. She asks her Tori, "I heard a cry."

Miss Shaw whispers, "A telegram came, our dear Fiona is assigned to Serbia."

Vastra attempts to calm her daughter, "Your mother has packed up more bread, oatmeal, heavy clothing and your latest letter. The telegram just came and we acted quickly. Your mother is going to cross the channel and hand deliver the package to your Fiona. "

Alaya attempts composure, "Please, can we look at map. I want to see exactly where is Serbia located."

Miss Gardner coughs, "I am sorry but I could help overhear. I might be of assistance. Geography and travel is my speciality, outside accounts for your business, of course."

Miss Shaw hands Alaya a glass of water, "It is true. Our Miss Gardner has hidden talents of global information. I also would like to point out her credentials of confidentiality and her loyal personality. She is of course, in charge of your business' finances."

Vastra nods in respect, "Excellent. Please join upstairs in our residence. We have questions."

First thing Vastra does is pull out the atlas and brings over the globe. "Where is Serbia?"

Miss Gardner points on the globe and map Serbia's location.

Alaya looks at the locations, "This is too far, too far."

Vastra turns to Miss Gardner, "Please, tell us about Serbia."

"Where would you like me to begin? That is like asking me to tell you about England. Please clarify your request for information." Miss Gardner humbly requests.

"Ah, yes. I see it is my mistake." Vastra ponders what information she would like to know. "From the beginning, please."

Miss Gardner sits down and begins, "First think we need to establish it its proper name, it is 'The Kingdom of Serbia'. The Kingdom is or has been ruled by two dynasties: the House of Obrenović and the House of Karađorđević. King Milan Obrenović ruled from 1882 to 1889, when he abdicated the throne. He was succeeded by his son, Aleksandar Obrenović, who ruled from 1889 to 1903, when he was deposed by a group of officers. I was too young to remember, but the slaughter of the the King and his wife Queen Draga change the region drastically. Which places in the current Sovereign Petar Karađorđević on the throne starting 1903. The significance of the change in politics gives the Black Hand exclusive to the region. Any questions?"

Vastra, "You are a wealth of information. I have a few, but please continue. I will have questions at the end of your dissertation."

"I do not mind talking, but there is a question of health. Miss Shaw and I have our supper around this time. Shall I make something, we can continue this in the kitchen?"

"My apologies. Alaya's Mother has made a stew, it is already in the kitchen. You surprise me Miss Gardner. Also am wrong to surmise that you and Miss Shaw are familiar?"

Miss Gardner blushes, "What is the consequence of my answer?"

Alaya jumps in, "I am so sorry. Mo ... Madame Vastra has difficulty with social courtesies. Please, let us eat."

"I am a small but brave woman. I will answer Madame Vastra's question, if you answer one of mine."

Alaya and Miss Shaw take the roles of serving the food.

Vastra sits down, "How about we play a game. You seem like the intelligent sort."

Miss Gardner take the seat directly across from Vastra's, "How do we play?"

"We only answer questions using one word. Truth is singular. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Vastra smiles, waiting for the first question.

"You and Alaya wear the same bracelet. Are you both related?"

"Yes."

"What is your relationship to Alaya?"

"Mother."

Miss Gardner smiles, "What is Alaya's relationship to Mrs Jenny Flint."

"Mother."

"Is Alaya adopted?"

"No."

"Did one of you give birth to Alaya?"

"Yes."

"Which of you?"

"Jenny"

"Was she married?"

"No."

"Was is a stranger?"

"No."

"A male friend?"

"No."

"Was she inseminated by a male?"

"No."

"How was Alaya produced?"

"Naturally."

"What is your genetics based?"

"Evolution."

"Evolution from Apes?"

"No."

"Are you the Wadjet Goddess of Egypt."

"No."

Alaya puts down her spoon of stew and interjects, "I am sorry. Please who is the Wadjet Goddess of Egypt?"

"She was said to be the patron and protector of Lower Egypt and depicted as a snake-headed woman."

Alaya gets defensive, "Why would you ask such a thing?"

"Because I had a glimpse. I came to visit once with my father, before I came to work permanently. Vastra wore a veil, she has a beautiful green scaled face. I immediately thought of the Goddess Wadjet. My father said that you had a skin disorder and not to stare. I assume you received medical help with the skin disorder. Miss Shaw has also seen your beautiful face when you would visit Mrs April Saint-Clair." Miss Gardner turns to Vastra, "Did you receive medical help?"

"No."

"How do you keep hidden?"

"Bracelet."

"If you remove the bracelet does your skin disorder return?"

"No."

"Do you have a skin disorder?"

"No."

"Am I allowed to see your proper face?"

"Yes."

Vastra concedes and turns off the perception device.

Miss Gardner is please. "Please to meet you Madame Vastra."

"Where do you live?"

"London."

"With whom to you live?"

"Tori."

"Is that a nickname for Miss Shaw?"

"Yes."

"Do you have a nickname?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"Allie."

"Do you have separate beds?"

"No."

"What is your goal in life?"

"Travel."

"Where would you like to go?"

"Everywhere."

"Does your Miss Shaw share in your travel desire?"

"Yes."

"Why do you know so much about the world?"

"Research."

"Thank you. That is all for now. I can see that my daughter is anxious to learn about Serbia, as I."

As the three sit at the kitchen table eating while Miss Gardner shares information about Serbia. After supper was over Vastra had a few questions but it was getting late.

"We are at your service, for any reason." Miss Shaw and Miss Gardner let themselves out.

The doorbell rings. Alaya licks the air, "Telegram."

Alaya runs downstairs. Vastra listens as her daughter returns running up the stair skipping more than two at a time. Alaya hands the telegram to her mother.

CROSSING CHANNEL NOW
RETURN TICKET TO DOVER NOON
STAY

Vastra sighs, "We both wait."

Alaya licks her mother's cheek and tastes worry, love and fear. "I understand worry and love. What do you fear?"

"You will do something rash."

"I want to get on a boat and pull her back. I want her safe."

Vastra gets up and goes to her drinking cabinet and pours two drinks. She hands one to Alaya while sipping hers. "Humans are resilient. Time and time again Fiona has surprised you. These times expect greatness. Take a chance. Believe in her humanity and her abilities. They look like if you touch them they will crack into pieces, but I was wrong they are strong. Equal to my sisters, your Aunts. We are to stand by their side and allow them to wield what ever weapon they choose. We have fallen in love with two women that make all others nothing more than little girls."

Alaya sips her drink, "Yes, you are right."

"Lets continue our Serbia research. Mother Jenny will want to know what we discover."

Alaya smiles, stands and quickly hugs her mother Vastra. Vastra holds her daughter tight and appreciates her half-human side, the hug tight like her mother's. Alaya looks up, "I love you. Thank you for everything."

Vastra melts and pulls her daughter back into her arms. "You are loved so purely it aches to feel how much. I have been lucky. I am sorry you suffer for your love."

Alaya pulls back and sits down to the books. She looks up, "Mother, we both suffer for our love."

Vastra sits down, opens the the book in front of her, "My Alaya, you speak truth."