Walking upstairs in steady footsteps, Justin accompanied the Brisby Widow as Mr. Ages and several guards assisted their Prime Minister Nicodemus along. As the wise man assured the children would be downstairs with IM-Human women who agreed to assist the family of late Jonathan, Elizabeth agreed to guide him to where her second son Timothy was. Other than Mr. Ages, Nicodemus would be able to see and recognize the boy's condition.

"This way, sir…" She politely gestured to the bedroom Timothy stayed in.

As the wise prime minister approached closer, they could hear a small whine from inside the bedchamber. Out of concern, Elizabeth opened the door and called for her son, who had been hiding under the blanket.

"Timothy… Please come out. Someone wishes to see you."

Hearing his mother's voice, the boy peeked from his blanket. His pair of blue eyes blinked, hostility decreased and curiosity rose up. Nicodemus waited at the doorway, as if silently asking the boy's permission to enter. When the boy showed no discomfort, the leader of IM-Humans walked in with his staff gently tapping the floor at every footstep until he stopped at a distance of a few feet from the boy, his glowing yellow eyes inspecting. Despite the hair and eye color differences, the boy had uncannily resembling eye shapes, same jawlines and similar hair length as his father. Timothy wasn't a talkative child since sickness, he could tell. But, the perceptive gazes of a six years old boy could have made several IM-Human adults tense up as they would know what type of look he was displaying and the purpose of silent, yet observant inspection. Timothy was trusting the wise prime minister, but the rest?

He would still watch whether they are harmless to his family…

…or the threats of his mother and siblings.

"Hello, Timothy…," Nicodemus greeted, tone calm and soothing, "your mother told me about you… I'm sure you remember me a year ago?"

From his question, Timothy crossed his arms and tilted his head to the side. Eyebrows furrowed, his nose scrunched, letting out a small, contemplating grunt. Justin, who has been witnessing the child's behavior, silently smiled, unable to take the boy's overly serious yet inquisitive gesture seriously. As if remembering the first yet short encounter, Timothy's eyes widened before smiling, letting out an "Ah!" of revelation. Nicodemus' hand gently stroked his hair and patted his head.

"You remind me so much of Jonathan…, how do you feel…?"

Timothy let out a sad sigh, releasing another grunt and frustrated "hmph!" with his cheeks puffed. It was evident he did not like the idea of being in his room for a long time. No surprises, as he was in the age children would want to go outside and play with friends or their family.

"I understand…," the leader of the Bund chuckled a bit, "but, eventually… you will be able to walk under the sunlight…"

Timothy's eyes sparkled, hopeful.

"As long as you promise to not be outside at day time only. I wouldn't say you are entirely ill, but there is a change in your body."

The boy tilted his head again.

"You'll understand…, but dear boy… promise this old man you'd do as what Mr. Ages or your mother say… it is to protect you and your family."

Another blinking of his eyes, but Timothy nodded obediently. He giggled as Nicodemus gently stroked his head, complimenting him before walking away from the child approaching Elizabeth.

"Um…, sir…? About not being outside at day time…" she began.

"I can only say this…, he will become sicker and easily get hurt if he goes outside in the sunlight…," he warned in a reserved tone, "for now, it is best to keep the windows closed for the daylight."

"...I'm not sure what really is happening to Timothy, but if that could help with him recovering, I understand." Mrs. Brisby responded, feeling several weights of burdened stresses lifted off.

"Good…," noticing the three curious children downstairs, he gently walked down with help of the guards, "now, children…would you like to hear stories…?"

Three children excitedly nodded as they followed Nicodemus. Elizabeth turned her attention to Timothy who was now peeking from the doorway, glancing at Justin this time. The IM-Humans' guard captain smiled and waved to him. Mrs. Brisby expressed slight concern when her son didn't move at the spot, wondering if he was still skeptical with guests in their house. However, Timothy's next act surprised her and the captain of the guard as well. The petite six years old boy waddled with his short arms reached forth and hugged Justin's leg, looking up with big blue eyes and welcoming smile.

"Oh…! Well," his mother blinked her eyes, a bit surprised, "I think he likes you…"

As if affirming her words, Timothy giggled. Gazing down at the second son of Jonathan and Elizabeth, Justin smiled back and patted his head. Witnessing the scene before her, they reminded her so much of those times her late husband would return home late and Timothy would greet his father with a hug despite his small figure. And, Jonathan usually returns the greeting by reciprocating the hug or patting his second son's head. The sight she missed so much.

"Eliza! Come down and help me with cooking!" Auntie Shrew's voice was heard from the kitchen.

"Oh…she must be back from groceries…" Mrs. Brisby walked downstairs, then noticed other IM-Human guards were patrolling outdoors.

She had only met them a day ago learning of their identities and some traits as IM-Humans. However, never once did she see them eating proper meals. In fact, all she had given the invited guests were desserts. Motherly concern clouded her thoughts, Elizabeth approached her aunt. She knew her aunt Sue would throw a fit about the idea of serving whole meals to IM-Human strangers as the middle-aged woman doesn't trust them entirely. After minutes of persuasion, Mrs. Brisby thanked her for agreeing to do so and got her apron on, to get ready to cook. Despite the IM-Human women's offer to help, she and her aunt insisted they'd be fine on their own.

Stoves on, frying pans making a sizzling crescendo with butter melting on the metallic surface, the staccato of knife cutting vegetables and fruits. Soon, the pot was boiling for the soup. Auntie Shrew laid out dishes and bowls. Elizabeth steadily, yet at a surprisingly fast pace, stirred the soup and kept the temperature of meat in check, steaming the rice, mashing potatoes, and even had spare time to make salads, impressing the IM-Human women. And the smell of cooking was enough to grab the rest's attention. Noticing them from the window, Brisby Widow smiled and gestured for them to come in. As they all seemed hesitant, Justin gave them a nod of approval, finally allowing them to enter. Although, they insist to eat outside as they don't wish to scare or disturb Mrs. Brisby and her family.

Perhaps it was because of years raising four children, Elizabeth must have failed to control the amount of food to cook as even the tray looked befitting as a plate. Auntie Shrew facepalmed as her niece was flustered, Mr. Ages seemed unfazed as Jeremy simply accepted his meal to eat in his guest room. Nicodemus's eyes half-lidded, but his eyebrows raised in slight amusement with a smile as Justin turned his head away silently chuckling before offering to deliver the tray of meals for Timothy, which the boy's mother thanked him for.

"They aren't special, I'm afraid…but here…" Elizabeth served a tray of food for Nicodemus who, with a gentle smile, thanked her with a slow nod.

When walking out of the front door, she approached the last IM-Human guard, Brutus, who stiffly stood but carefully accepted the tray of food she cooked. Gazing at the tray of food, the imposing guard felt an unknown sense of nostalgia, as if he was forgetting something. Holding the fork, he started by eating a bowl of salad. No words, yet. He then tried the steamed rice with sliced seasoned meat. Elizabeth noticed a light and a moist from his eyes. As Brutus took a spoonful of soup, his eyebrows furrowed slightly, eyes blinking a couple of times, facial expression strained. Holding his emotions back. For the first time in years, he was back from what he was before the war; a boy who was encouraged and relieved from his late mother's cooking. A few differences were that he was now a grown man and sole survivor among his family.

The once scowling IM-Human soldier was regressed into a vulnerable man, painfully missing his childhood and family that were robbed away, crouching on the spot as he silently cried. Watching from the window, Auntie Shrew's frown softened and sighed before turning away to resume to kitchen. The tray of meals finished up as Elizabeth remained next to him, her sapphire eyes shaded with maternal sympathy.

"...would you like to eat more…?" she asked, her voice tender and caring.

Like any mother would to their children.

Without a word, Brutus nodded as he wiped his tears. She held the tray and decided to go back to fetch more for him. Only to blink in bewilderment briefly, then understood as soon as she saw a scenery before her of IM-Human guests displaying similar behaviors Brutus has shown.

"Oh my…," then, she smiled as she approached them, "anyone else want more..?"

No sooner, Elizabeth sighed in satisfaction as she successfully fed all of her family and guests. Some of them grow attached towards her. Brisby siblings were with Justin who was more than willing to spend time with them as Timothy shyly partook in the small activity. Auntie Shrew was smacking Mr. Ages' back to ushering him to stay still to replace the bandage around his leg as Jeremy was holding the medical aid for her. Nicodemus was resting by the fireplace but his magic was strong enough to maintain the temperature and inspect the house's condition.

For Mrs. Brisby never had a chance to engage in conversation with women of her age or older, she couldn't remember when was the last time she ever enjoyed talking to fellow ladies. Though, it felt nice to talk to people other than her family members as she smiled when they talked of their encounter with her late husband. They were helped by him escaping the military brothel and were offered to become just like him and his comrades, via the blood of Im-Humans. It was best Jonathan could think of to save them, but Elizabeth was content they are happy with their new life.

"We were surprised when we learned he was married and had children." The black-haired IM-Human lady in her mid 20s pointed out.

"To be honest, due to his reserved and emotionless demeanor, we thought he'd die alone." The red-haired IM-Human in her 40s playfully giggled.

"And here we are, in a house of heroic Jonathan Brisby and his wife…," the olive-skinned female IM-Human of nomad descent sighed, "having FOUR children, even!"

The IM-Human women heartily laughed, one of them lightly nudged the ever shy Elizabeth, who was internally relieved Auntie Shrew was in time to urge her children to rest upstairs.

"Though, we have the biggest question to ask you." The blond-haired woman among the group chimed in.

Mrs. Brisby blinked her eyes as the IM-Human women's attention was on her, their faces serious and excited at the same time.

"How did you meet and wed Jonathan Brisby?"