Claudia had barely slept. She paced, arms folded over her stomach, head down. They'd landed in a forest meadow miles away from Katolis Castle. Dawn was just beginning to break, but the pale light and beautiful morning only made her more anxious for everyone else to wake up.

Viren had woken up too, but he was still snuggly immobilized by Aaravos in their cocoon of a sleeping bag. He'd tried to get up, but Aaravos had clung to him in his sleep with such a dejected noise that Viren couldn't bring himself to rouse his partner just yet.

She rubbed her temples as she paced, only stopping to give Viren such a grieved, betrayed look that it took all of his willpower to not shut his eyes again. "All these years?" she hissed, anger only muted because of the sadness in her tone. "The mysterious disappearance, the little funeral we had after so many years had passed, all I went through, but you knew! You caused it!"

Viren was unable to meet her eyes. "I'm sorry, Claudia."

"How could you?!" She was on the verge of tears. Her pacing stopped and she rubbed her face. "He was like family to us. I missed him so much, and you could've told me anytime before last night about this, but you planned to die and get away with it!"

He'd gotten away with nothing. The corrosive guilt that ate him from the inside out never truly faded. Viren finally sat up despite Aaravos sleepily trying to keep him close. "We fought bitterly at the end. I regret it, but at the time I felt I had no choice-"

"What could possibly make you choose between sticking Kpp'ar's soul in a coin and… and I don't know! Not doing that? And lying about it and letting him suffer for years?"

Everyone in camp was fully awake and stirring. Viren didn't see the point in keeping his voice down anymore either.

"He was going to stop me from healing Soren!"

Claudia winced. She stopped pacing, looking away as she internally admitted defeat. She'd also gone to lengths that had left permanent impacts to heal her family.

Aaravos groaned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. As powerful as he was, spending several days flying made him need as much sleep as a human normally did. "I'll release him now. That way, we can all lecture Viren at once."

"What a time-saver," Viren muttered.

Callum put away his bedding and anxiously flattened down his bedhead. The concept of meeting Viren's old teacher, another Dark Mage, made his heart pound. Kpp'ar must be a treasure trove of magic and knowledge, but if he was where Viren learned it all… He took the coin out of his pocket and looked at it. Kpp'ar leaned back in the coin, bored. Callum almost took back wanting to free him, but he'd helped set Aaravos free. No one should be thrown away. Kpp'ar also deserved a chance. "Okay, here it goes."

He handed the coin to Aaravos and everyone gathered around, Claudia still looking distraught.

Aaravos held up the coin. What he saw made him chuckle. "Oh, I can't wait to hear the shock that comes with that expression. I do miss seeing humans' faces when they first behold a Startouch Elf."

Violet light leapt from Aaravos palm to a clear patch of ground in front of him. Energy swirled as he chanted the spell to free Kpp'ar, the coin vanishing as the light grew until it obscured all sight of the being formed inside of it.

Callum shielded his eyes, only lowering his arm once the light faded.

Kpp'ar was shorter than he'd expected. His black and white hair mostly wasn't natural, the patches of pure white suggesting he was a Dark Mage. Kpp'ar leaned on an ornate cane with an unusually shaped handle trimmed with gold, almost more a knob or lever than cane top. He seemed to have a headache, palm on his forehead and unsteady on his feet. His blue robes were well kept and he seemed unharmed except for bandages and bloodstains on the inside of his left arm.

Viren took a step back, more apprehensive than Callum had ever seen him.

"Kpp'ar!" Claudia rushed forward and hugged him, nearly knocking Kpp'ar off balance. Callum wasn't sure it was a good idea to get so close but Kpp'ar didn't mind. "Welcome back! I missed you so much."

"Claudia?" Kpp'ar's voice was rough from lack of use and disbelief. He carefully returned the hug, expression awestruck. "Oh, it is you! It must've been a decade in there," he mused. "But I'd always know you, dear." He pulled back out of the hug, sorrow flickering across his face at her white hair. "I see we have much to catch up on."

Kpp'arms warmth dissolved the second he made eye contact with Viren, who looked afraid.

"Oooooooohohoho," Kpp'ar let Claudia go and advanced towards Viren. "YOU!"

Viren took another step back. "I'm so sorry-"

"Sorry?! Don't give me that, boy!" They went back even further than Callum had realized. Viren wilted, wincing as Kpp'ar advanced, taking the scolding despite Kpp'ar's shorter stature and presumed physical frailty. "What is WRONG with you?! Don't answer, I know exactly what it is. You couldn't take no for an answer, you couldn't accept you have limits, and you couldn't accept my decision, and you didn't even have the guts to murder me and be done with it! What was your thinking anyway? Keeping me alive in case you ever needed me? Yes, thank you Lord Viren, High Mage of Katolis, for so graciously coming to my aid after I could finally get into your head after all this time!"

Callum waved awkwardly. "Oh, uh… I'm the High Mage now. Hi."

Kpp'ar turned back to Viren. "I see, you dispose of me and can't even keep the job! If only your blasted common sense could ever hope to rival your zeal and lust for power! Have you squandered every other talent you've mastered?"

Viren's shoulders slumped. "Yes, in fact."

Aaravos observed with a bemused smile. "Don't be like that. We haven't even gotten to the good parts."

Kpp'ar groaned and rubbed his head again. "Now listen, I've been imprisoned for years, and I don't have my manners back, Elf."

"I can sympathize," assured Aaravos.

"So pardon me for saying-" Kpp'ar kept lecturing Viren, waving his free hand at Aaravos. "-what are you thinking?! You lost your job, also known as my job, let Claudia get into Stars knows what, now you're traipsing around with a Startouch Elf in the middle of the woods? Whatever you're doing, you're in too deep."

Claudia folded her hands, head angled. "Ummm. Should we tell him?"

Terry tapped his chin. "About him dying or overthrowing King Ezran before he died? Or did you mean the thing with the Sunfire Forge?" He held Claudia's hand. "Or… us?"

Kpp'ar's mouth fell open. "King… Ezran?"

He really had missed a lot.

There was a little bit of good news to share. Callum smiled. "Hey, you forgot that we're both primal mages! Did you know humans can actually connect to an arcanum?" Callum drew a rune in the air, not waiting for Kpp'ar to answer. "I know, I know, no one usually believes me, so watch this: Aspiro! No primal stone!" Wind blew into a nearby bush, rustling its leaves.

It was all too much.

Kpp'ar sat down heavily onto a tree stump, sighing. "I see we'll be here awhile for you all to tell me everything. I do mean everything- you owe me at least the truth, Viren."

Viren crept back near everyone else. He still looked like he wanted to bolt like a frightened animal. "Yes, yes I suppose I do."

Kpp'ar looked more weary than angry. He raised his head, meeting Viren's gaze. "Any other big world shaking news you'd like to get out of the way before we get to the finer details?"

Aaravos stood at Viren's side. He was almost giddy with the chance to talk to someone else who knew Viren. "We have quite a bit of that sort of news. On an interpersonal note, Viren has another child."

Viren blanched.

"No, Aaravos, we can't introduce him to people like th-"

"Come here, Sparklepuff!"

The homunculus skittered to take his place in front of Kpp'ar. He opened his vibrant wings and tilted his head, wide eyes staring into Kpp'ar's.

"I… see." Kpp'ar's voice wavered. "Well it's a nice change to go from using Xadian creatures to adopt-"

"He isn't adopted," clarified Aaravos, grinning widely as he put an arm around Viren's waist.

Viren groaned from the bottom of his soul. "I didn't give you my blood in order for you to make that thing!"

Kpp'ar choked. "Gave him your what?"

"Not right away!" Viren frantically waved his hands. Even Callum and Claudia were getting news. "I was desperate and-"

Kpp'ar put his face in his hands. "If I couldn't teach you to not give strange cosmic beings your blood I truly failed you."

Aaravos chuckled lowly, thoroughly enjoying Viren's hot faced mortification. "It's alright. I've given him years off my own lifespan. More than repays a few drops of blood." He looked at Kpp'ar'a bloodied arm and drew a sigil that glowed orange with sun magic. With a wave of his hand, the sigil dispersed into golden dust that rushed to Kpp'ar's wound. "See? I'm not so bad."

Kpp'ar sighed again. He unwrapped the bandages, revealing a cut and scar free arm. "May I ask why Viren needed years off your lifespan? He died doing something stupid, didn't he? For the supposed good of all mankind, I'd guess? I only got bits and pieces when we connected and I demanded he come back and get me out of that coin."

"Something like that," mumbled Viren. "I'll tell you everything over breakfast." Claudia sat next to Kpp'ar, eagerly pulling out supplies to make hot brown morning potion while Viren hung back, looking ill. Aaravos bracing rubbed Viren's shoulder and Viren leaned into it, still downcast.

Aaravos planted a kiss on Viren's temple. Kpp'ar raised an eyebrow. Aaravos wasn't one to withhold touch, fully hugging Viren from behind, giving him another kiss on the cheek. "Hmm? Oh, that's more news. Don't think I don't care for Viren. He's my little glow worm," Aaravos cooed.

Callum coughed on a laugh and even Viren froze, so unsure of how to react that he simply stalled with a comically baffled look on his face. Kpp'ar spluttered and outright laughed, not expecting such a phrase to come from someone as majestic as Aaravos and be about Viren.

It broke the final membrane of ice between Kpp'ar and the rest of them.

"This is the most embarrassing day of my life," said Viren, looking like he'd love to sink into the earth and never be seen again.

Terry tried to be helpful. "Well it's only the most embarrassing day of your life… so far!"

Kpp'ar ate from their supply of trail rations like he was starving. Callum supposed that even if he'd been magically frozen that he'd miss food or maybe need extra after coming back. Claudia was proud to show off her hot brown morning potion and even leaned on Kpp'ar while Viren recounted the highlights of the past years with input from Callum and Claudia to fill in the blanks.

Viren's face was cast in a sorrowful shadow for most of it. His regret had rarely been clearer as he spoke of the back and forth vengeance plots between Xadia and Katolis and of losing Sarai, Harrow, and eventually his coup and loss of his own life.

At first, Callum relished seeing Viren squirm. Callum's comments to flesh out the story's early chapters were pointed. Viren had lost friends, but Callum had lost family. It was Callum's right to be angry, to claim he was hurting more. He hadn't realized how bitter he still was deep down.

It felt good to rub salt in Viren's wounds, nevermind that some of it seeped into his own wounds in the process..

But…

As they caught up closer and closer to the present, Callum didn't like seeing Viren miserable anymore.

He'd changed.

Sometimes, Viren actually had felt a little like extended family Callum was only just getting to know.

Callum remembered how Viren had been after Callum had saved him from falling in the Uncharted Forest. I don't deserve your compassion. Viren had been more open and honest than he'd ever been, often to his own detriment. He laid out his flaws and mistakes with merciless clarity.

Viren was punishing himself enough.

Kpp'ar seemed to share Callum's view. When Viren finally summarized their late night trip to Katolis Castle, Kpp'ar nodded to himself. "Quite the tale… quite the tale. For what it's worth, and by now it may not be much, I'm proud of you."

With Viren's parents gone and Harrow gone, Kpp'ar was the last remaining mentor figure to him, the last person from his old life he held accountability to, the last authority he'd ever held respect for.

The praise seemed to knock the wind out of Viren for a moment. Shock flickered across Viren's face. He sat up straighter, confused, unable to accept what would clearly mean something to him. "I just outlined a life in which I've made more mistakes than most people could ever dream of, with horrific consequences. I personally hurt and imprisoned you. What is there to be proud of?"

"It's true, you've dug yourself a remarkably deep pit that you'll probably never fully get out of," commented Kpp'ar. "But it's because of your long and winding disaster of a life that the present you is so special. As your mentor, it's less about the Ocean Arcanum itself, and more about the change it represents inside of you. It is easier to move a mountain than to change a stubborn mind, but you've done just that."

Kpp'ar stood up, cane tapping the ground every other step. He put a hand on Viren's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm truly sorry to hear Lissa left. Soren's distance from you too is painful to process, but I believe that as you become more and more your better self that this separation may not be permanent."

Viren's eyes were moist.

"You aren't angry with me?"

"Oh, I wish the majority of what I just heard wasn't true, but you can make it up to me by staying in a nice inn somewhere. My back isn't ready for sleeping on the ground."

Viren weakly smiled. "We can do that." He glanced at Aaravos. "Right? Is there one nearby?"

"It's a few miles away, I saw it by air." Aaravos yawned. "We're heading south to begin restoration. We'll be right across from Evenere."

Kpp'ar smiled with a hint of mischief in his expression. It made Callum feel as though he knew something they all didn't. "You should go there. Take my word for it. I'll even go with you. I think you'll find it interesting."

"Very well." Aaravos nodded to Kpp'ar. "Let's go. We could all use a good night's sleep."

Aaravos and Viren led the way along the forest path. Callum stayed with Kpp'ar behind Terry, Claudia, and Sir Sparklepuff. "So, you used to be the High Mage," said Callum. "I've been kinda doing my own thing, but I was wondering how it was back in King Atticus's time."

"The position of High Mage is supposed to be akin to High Problem Solver." Kpp'ar took in the world around them with a similar zeal to the way Aaravos had once he was free. "Granted, some of us turn out to instead be High Problem Causers. Our job is for figuring out creative solutions to whatever is plaguing the kingdom. Doesn't even have to be magical." Kpp'ar withdrew an object from his pocket. Interlocking metal shapes like a tangled, unevenly sized piece of chain mail clinked as he spoke. "See the one miscolored ring? The goal is to get that ring off of this, and it takes patience. Solutions to life's little puzzles come in many forms."

Kpp'ar handed the puzzle off to Callum who fidgeted with it as they walked. Despite seeming small, it took him a long time to figure out how to twist, bend, tip, plan, and finally get the little puzzle apart.

Claudia hung back to chat with Kpp'ar while Callum struggled with the puzzle. "It didn't fit into the big arc of things, but I wanted to let you know that Soren and I broke into your house when we were kids."

Viren whipped his head around. "You what?"

Kpp'ar ignored him. "Ah, did you find the surprise I was making for the two of you?"

"Yes! The little animal ride was so cute! Your house freaked Soren out a bit, but I knew you wouldn't have made a puzzle without a solution."

"True." Kpp'ar sighed, mostly to himself. "Though some puzzles aren't meant to be solved."

Callum finally got the ring off of the chain puzzle, holding it up triumphantly. "Got it! You could sell these, you know." He held up the little ring and then worked it back on, retracting his steps to twist the chains and interlocking loops.

"Well, I've given up magic, so I'll have to see what use I can be as a tinkerer to this world."

Given up magic, just like that?

"Even if you're not a Dark Mage anymore, what about primal magic? Now that we've proven humans can learn it, I'm sure you'll find an arcanum to connect to."

Kpp'ar examined where his arm had been bandaged. He scoffed. "Dark Mage. Primal Mage. Human mage. I'm not so sure these labels mean as much as you think they do. Are you a Dark Mage when you make a habit of Dark Magic, or is it when you first do it? Is it possible to just be a mage? Have to be honest, I've had enough of magic for my time. Even if I had a primal inside of me, I think I'll pass. You can still ask me anything you want about being High Mage, though. All of my obsolete information is yours."

Hearing about the time of Harrow's father felt far from obsolete. It had been his childhood, back when Callum hadn't been able to pay much attention to matters of the court. So much had changed, Callum and Ezran had lost so much, it was easy to forget just how young they still were.

Kpp'ar was just getting into Opeli's start in the council when Aaravos held his hand up.

"Stop. We're getting close." Aaravos gestured for everyone to gather around him. "Terry and I will have to be in disguise when we're around humans. I can cast it so it will stay active until I manually disable it."

Claudia glanced at Terry. "Even Terry? I mean, you're a Startouch Elf, so you stand out, but no one knows he's with us."

Aaravos smiled sympathetically. "You know how humans view elves, especially this far from the border."

"Right." Claudia's shoulders sagged. "Yeah, it's for the best."

Terry patted Claudia's shoulder. "It's okay. It's just time for you to all meet…"

Aaravos snapped his fingers and he and Terry glowed white for a moment.

"Human Terry!" Terry spun around dramatically, facing them all with a bright smile. He wiggled his five fingers on each hand. His ears were rounded and his horns were gone. He tried his best to replicate Callum's accent and it made Claudia giggle. "Pleased to meet you! I do human things, like waiting for my plants to grow normally and unaided by magic. I'm from Katolis and I love jelly tarts. All hail King Ezran!" He paused. "It is Ezran, right?"

Callum laughed, a blush on his face. "Wow, pretty good!"

Once again, he missed Rayla so much it was almost a physical wound. It hurt to breathe as he saw her over Terry in front of him, showing off her own Human Rayla disguise, waving around gloves with empty pinkies.

Claudia held Terry's hand. "Not bad, but I like Elf Terry better."

Aaravos was back as his human self too. Although he had forgone finery and elaborate clothing, he still carried himself with elegance and confidence. Callum wished he knew how Aaravos could give the impression of power even in commoner's clothes. He guessed it was the same way Aaravos had managed to feel like a threat even when he was in a cage. It was an aura Callum wanted to master, since Callum tended to trip over his own feet and fumble around even as the Prince High Mage.

Kpp'ar observed their group. "Alright, let's get the story straight. I don't have 'traveling circus' energy in me. What's it going to be?"

Viren scratched his head. "Uh…"

"We'll be a family."

The words were out of Callum's mouth before he really thought them through. "I mean… I think we can make it work!" He gestured to Claudia and Viren. "You're already related, and then that explains your partners, and Kpp'ar is, you know-"

Kpp'ar folded his arms. Callum hesitated but Kpp'ar urged him on. "Say it, boy."

"Grandpa."

"That's what I thought. That's fine. Nothing wrong with looking older."

"I suppose this could work," admitted Viren.

"Great!" Callum nudged Viren. "Let's go, Uncle Viren."

Even though it was just part of their disguise, Viren's expression softened.

Sir Sparklepuff gurgled.

Kpp'ar looked at him as Sir Sparklepuff stuck his long tongue out and swallowed a dragonfly. "Despite his blood relation to you, which I do my best to not think about, this little creature doesn't exactly fit in without questions."

Claudia tapped her chin. "He's our exotic, Xadian… dog?"

Sir Sparklepuff nodded eagerly and flapped his wings.

"Flying dog!" exclaimed Terry.

Viren sighed. "It's more believable than the truth."

Sir Sparklepuff paused. He crawled over to Aaravos and Viren, sitting back on his haunches and angling his head. "Hjjaksskdj?"

"Can you understand him?" asked Viren to Aaravos.

"I think he knows we're his parents." Aaravos picked Sir Sparklepuff up. "Awww, do you miss when I looked like you?" Sir Sparklepuff rapidly flapped his wings and chittered. "It's okay. I'm still me." Sir Sparklepuff poked Aaravos's cheeks curiously where starlight used to shine through like freckles. "Yes, I'll have my stars again with the disguise off."

Aaravos's form flickered and he reverted back to his true look in all of his Startouch glory. Sir Sparklepuff clapped his hands happily. Aaravos changed back to his human form and Sir Sparklepuff chirped, pressing a purple hand to Aaravos's then plain brown cheek. Aaravos changed back and forth between appearances, smiling as Sir Sparklepuff reacted. Aaravos locked eyes with Callum, as though he was trying to wordlessly tell him something as he changed his appearance back and forth.

It was moon arcanum magic, but what was it that Callum was missing?

"This is the weirdest peek-a-boo I've ever seen," said Viren.

Sir Sparklepuff's ears twitched. He opened his mouth wide, hurling green goo at Viren as he exclaimed, "Boo!"

It was perhaps the only exclamation of 'boo' that Callum had ever jumped at.

"Awwwww!" Claudia took Sir Sparklepuff from Aaravos's arms, holding him and bouncing him lightly in her arms while Viren tiredly wiped away the green slime behind her. "You're so cute! You're a baby… but sometimes you really understand a lot."

"He's an intelligent creature," confirmed Aaravos, stroking Sir Sparklepuff's hair back. "He's a child, but with some amount of my knowledge. Anything connected to the stars will always have a little more to them than meets the eye."

With the elves' disguises up, they walked along a more heavily traveled road, approaching the nearest inn at sunset. Callum's aching feet and unfortunate scent drove home exactly how long it had been since he'd slept in a real bed and gotten a hot bath. He adjusted his travel pack with an exhale as they crossed the threshold of the inn, hoping it would have enough room for them.

The innkeeper took a look at them, professional smile in place. "Welcome. How many rooms will you need? Things have been rather slow, so we can spare a few for you."

Viren slid an arm around Aaravos's waist. "My husband and I would like our own room, and something tells me my daughter and her boyfriend won't mind having their own as well." He glanced behind, as if he had to think about it. "My nephew and his grandfather could room together if there's an option for two beds." Callum waved, hoping his nervousness was endearing and not suspicious.

"Certainly." The innkeeper smiled. "It's nice to see such a close knit family come through. Tents and bedrolls getting a little old?"

"You have no idea." Viren chatted easily, counting what little gold he had and piling all of their resources together as everyone turned out their pockets. Callum had grabbed some of his loose savings while in the castle, and he didn't want to ask Claudia where she'd found some coin too. Kpp'ar accounted for a comfortable amount with enough left for them all to have a little to spare having been imprisoned with his wallet on him.

It seemed like they would get their rooms without a hitch, but Sir Sparklepuff chittered and curiously poked his head over the counter, wings out.

"Oh my." The innkeeper stared at him. They took a step back. "What is… that?"

"He's Xadian," explained Aaravos smoothly. He hadn't spoken since they'd entered the building, and his voice clearly surprised the innkeeper. He gave them a sweet smile, picking up Sir Sparklepuff so they could see him. "I assure you that none of us will be any trouble, including this little one. He's a rare kind of giant butterfly. With the border open, I've been able to do some traveling, and I've brought him back with us as our companion. The kids are thrilled to have him. I would love to tell you about all sorts of creatures I've seen, many of them far more interesting than this one."

The innkeeper seemed to sway on their feet, more attuned to the richness of his voice than anything he was saying. "Yeah… yes. Sure. That's great. Did I get your keys? I'm so sorry, I nearly forgot, can't imagine why. Here. Please talk to me specifically if you have any trouble, or just want to talk."

Aaravos winked. "With pleasure."

Keys and their belongings in hand, everyone filed up the stairs to their rooms.

Viren was more than his usual amount of sour as he unlocked their door. Aaravos hovered at his shoulder, silent until he could shut and lock the door behind them. The disguise fell away and Aaravos faced Viren, puzzled. "What is it?"

"I know you're used to lifetimes of attention and probably still miss it, but I just…" Viren rubbed his forehead. "Could you please not so overtly flirt with other people? When I'm right there?"

"Oh." Aaravos spoke gently, understanding. "I distracted them long enough for us to not have to put down a security deposit for our little butterfly. I didn't intend to make you uncomfortable. I won't do it again."

Viren had expected some kind of pushback. He awkwardly folded his arms, looking to the side. "Oh. Thank you."

"I may have been in solitary for three centuries, but I remember a thing or two about relationships. When I have a partner, they matter to me." Aaravos gave Viren a quick kiss on the cheek as he walked by, setting down their bedroll and supplies. He opened the door to their washroom and sighed. "Ah."

A hundred different worries about what that could mean made Viren rush to the door, looking for the issue. The bathtub, basin, mirror, and everything seemed to be in working order. "What?"

Aaravos gestured with his hands. "There is no magic known to man or elf that could make that bathtub big enough for two grown men."

Viren shook his head with a scoff, fighting back a smile. He should've known Aaravos would want to make the most of their newfound privacy. "Then the whirlwind romance you're seeking will have to wait until neither of us is covered in dirt. You go first."

"Very well. I'll see you in two hours."

"Ha ha." Viren looked at Aaravos's long hair and remembered how vain he could be. "Wait. You're kidding, right?"

-BREAK-

"After you, my lady." Terry bowed with a grin as he let Claudia and Sir Sparklepuff into their room. Claudia stretched out her arms and ran at their bed, flopping onto it with a laugh.

"Ooooh, a real bed!" She rolled over, sighing. "I can't believe I used to live in a castle and took it all for granted. I don't even have to cook breakfast in the morning either."

Sir Sparklepuff tittered as he wandered around their room, sniffing the rug, the bedside table, the desk, and a plush chair with cushions and pillows of its own. He hopped up onto it, wings wide.

Terry patted Sir Sparklepuff's head. "Looks like the chair is permanently taken."

They unpacked and sorted their few belongings in comfortable silence. So much time on the road had worn them both down, but Claudia was especially tired.

It wasn't just Viren who'd rehashed some of his worst moments that morning.

She hadn't mentioned it, but it still weighed on her.

"Terry?" Claudia sat on the edge of their bed, idly kicking her legs. Her hands were braced against the edge of the mattress, expression troubled.

"Yes? What's wrong?" Terry was at her side instantly, sitting next to her with a bounce.

"It's about when Soren and I broke into Kpp'ar's house."

Terry shrugged. "He seems to have forgiven you- you guys were just kids."

"No, no it's about what happened later." She folded her hands as she spoke, eyes down on the rug. "He didn't just have a carousel ride for us. There was a giant he'd captured in the basement. I set him free, and the giant gave me a scroll. This scroll was special. It could only be read by someone who was pure of heart. Apparently, Kpp'ar couldn't read it since he'd left a note about being unworthy. When I brought it back home, my dad couldn't read it either. It was just a high quality piece of blank paper to him, maybe because he'd imprisoned Kpp'ar, or maybe because of something else I never knew about.

"The scroll was a map to a unicorn. I could read it! That meant I was supposed to be the one to follow it, right? One day, dad was working out a spell to be able to bring down Avizandum as revenge for the dragon king killing our queen. Everyone mourned Queen Sarai. I wasn't close to King Harrow, but I know it never stopped troubling dad. He missed Sarai, and he was watching his best friend suffer and grieve, and he mentioned needing a unicorn horn."

Terry paled. "Oh, Claudia…"

"It was easy to find- exactly where the map said it would be. The creature even spoke to me. It was beautiful, pure, powerful, and I- I-" Claudia sniffled. "I killed it. I saw a horse with a horn, not a person , not like you would. I took the horn. Dad was so surprised and so proud of me, I felt like I'd done something for the good of all humanity, that I was a hero.

"When I went back to my room and looked at the map again, it was blank."

Claudia curled up in on herself, knees to her chest. A tear freely ran down her face. "I hadn't thought about it in so long. Looking back, I feel horrible and I think maybe…" she wiped her face. "I think I'm a bad person."

Terry didn't put an arm around her or leap to encourage her. He thought deeply, an unpleasant weight in his chest. "In Xadia, we'd consider what you did to be murder."

"I know."

He looked at his own hands and sighed. "Then again, I'm guilty too." Defense or not, the guilt had never faded.

Claudia rested her forehead on her knees, voice quiet. "What does it make us?"

"I don't know. People who are trying their best." Terry finally did put a hand on her shoulder. "Would you go after another unicorn?"

"No." Claudia stood up, wiping her face again. "No, but I still don't think Dark Magic is wrong! Remember those puffer bats we needed to get to the top of the Storm Spire? Or how I fly? There's been so many times it's saved my life, or even Soren's life!"

"I agree. There's things we do because we have to."

Claudia waved her hands. "So where's the line? Before unicorns, after bugs? That's pretty vague!"

Terry looked as helpless as she felt. "I don't know that either."

She was finally getting to the heart of the present problem, pacing as she spoke. "And now that Callum and my dad can access primal magic, I feel like they'll expect me to give up Dark Magic! But I can't- I can't give up what's saved us so many times, and I haven't connected to an arcanum either, but I feel like it's my fault somehow. Even Aaravos can't just tell me how to do it. So what do I even do!?"

Claudia stopped pacing and sighed. She looked over her shoulder to see Sir Sparklepuff also sigh. Terry chuckled. "He was imitating your pacing too. I think he really likes you."

"Do you think I'm the person he should be imitating?" Sir Sparklpuff hiccuped in response.

Terry stood up and took Claudia's hands in his. "We're a bit of a mess, aren't we?"

"A bit."

"I know one thing, though." Terry squeezed her hands. "Whether or not you ever find out how you can connect to an arcanum, you're still the coolest girl I've ever met. I'm glad I'm on this wild journey with you." He pressed his forehead to hers. "You don't need to earn love from me. You have it."

Claudia went in for a hug, holding Terry close. She really did miss his horns and pointed ears. "You have mine too. Let's get some rest."

-BREAK-

Aaravos did not take two entire hours to take a bath, but it felt close.

"What took so long?" Viren wasn't actually upset, but he was genuinely curious. Aaravos stepped out of their bathroom in a couple of towels. He drew a sigil in the air and pointed it back at himself, casting a spell that dried his soft and silky length of hair instantly. Viren gestured to him. "See, that was instant!"

"Well, I had to use what was provided to shampoo, condition, and detangle my hair so that magic trick would work perfectly on the first try, plus exfoliating, general scrubbing, moisturizing, nailcare, and treating my face which is about five steps in and of itself. Oh, and there was some cologne to use too." Aaravos stretched leisurely. "A rush job, but it's the best I can do. All I ask is that you use a different soap on your body than on your hair."

Viren chuckled. "I have a bit of class, thank you." He paused, eyeing Aaravos as Aaravos laid down on the bed, legs crossed, hands behind his back. Aaravos regularly walked around with an open shirt, but it didn't make him any less stunning. "I have no idea what else you'd have to do. You're already impossibly beautiful."

"Say that again."

"Stop it, you heard me."

Aaravos smirked as Viren got up to get his own bath. He was still reclining on the bed when Viren came back out, towel around his waist, wet hair spiked up from rubbing it with a towel. Aaravos unabashedly stared. Viren met his gaze. "Yes?"

It wasn't difficult to guess some of what was on Aaravos's mind. He slid off the bed and slowly strode towards Viren, taking him in, laying his hands on Viren's bare waist. "Well, I was just thinking about earlier, what you said when we arrived." Leaning in close, Viren heard that voice he'd grown accustomed to directly in one ear, low and soft. "Husband, hm?"

Viren couldn't blame anyone who heard more than three syllables of that voice and caved into whatever Aaravos wanted.

He could fall right into Aaravos's arms, or he could play too.

Viren laid his hands on Aaravos's shoulders, but raised his eyebrows. "Did it throw you off guard? What about little glow worm?"

Aaravos laughed, deep and wonderful, eyes closed with amusement. Viren reflected it back with a smile, letting Aaravos pull him closer. "I suppose between the two of us I'm the glow worm. Although, I didn't mind being called your husband either."

Cool as he was trying to be, Viren's cheeks were undoubtedly rosy. He'd been married for years. It had seemed best to introduce them as such, but he hadn't seriously thought about it. He realized that he didn't have a different vision of the future other than being with Aaravos. That alone made him lightheaded, in a good way. "I suppose my phrasing has given you ideas."

"Perhaps." Aaravos stroked Viren's hair. His expression simmered down, replaced with something more serious. "You look exhausted. I don't want to rush things. Not when it's important like this."

"I'm fine."

"Emotionally exhausted."

"Oh." Viren was completely honest. "It's difficult for me to tell."

"It's okay." Aaravos pulled Viren flush to himself for a hug. Viren was awkward at hugging back, but he did it anyway. "I want to be close to you, in whatever capacity we're both comfortable with."

Viren backed out of the hug and took Aaravos's hand, tugging him towards their bed. "Then come here." They both fell onto the bed, Viren on his back with Aaravos over him, exchanging a few kisses. Viren fully laid down, hugging Aaravos on top of him. "Is this okay?"

Aaravos rested his head on Viren's chest. After years without anyone, he was more than willing to cuddle. "Definitely."

"I see I'm your preferred pillow."

Aaravos smiled. "You're warmer than the actual pillows. Though, there is something you could do for me."

"And what's that?" Viren had no idea what Aaravos was going to ask, and the answer was a cute surprise.

"Elves love it when you rub just behind their horns. I've been through a severe head rub deficiency."

It wasn't a chore for Viren to bury his fingers in Aaravos's soft hair and gently press behind his purple horns, massaging his scalp. Aaravos's entire body trembled and then relaxed, practically melding to Viren's. His eyes slid half closed like a cat basking in the sun. He clearly enjoyed the touch, pressing into it with a hum in his chest like he was trying to purr.

Viren grinned, enjoying the sight and the sensation of petting Aaravos. "You're like a big cat."

"I have insatiable urges to knock glasses off of tables, yes."

"Adorable." Viren's tone didn't have a hint of sarcasm to it. He kept up the soothing touch. They locked eyes and Viren's heart swelled with affection. The intimacy of it all broke down his filters. "You know, it may just be me, but you seem to shine a little brighter when you're feeling happy."

That was news. "Do I?"

"I'd like to keep seeing it." Viren fell asleep with his hand in Aaravos's hair. Aaravos carefully pulled their blankets over them and drifted off to Viren's calm heartbeat against his ear.

-BREAK-

Callum was surprised at how easy it was to room with Kpp'ar. Kpp'ar took a bath and went to bed immediately with barely a goodnight before hitting the pillow. He had no idea if being imprisoned inside a coin had allowed for any sleep or mental rest. By Kpp'ar's snoring, it didn't sound like it.

It left him with his thoughts.

Callum leaned back in bed, spellbook in hand. He opened it to a blank page, drawing the first thing to come to mind- Rayla, reaching for him.

He realized a few minutes into the drawing that he'd accidentally drawn rain in the middle of the castle hallway, and then he realized it was real water and he was crying.

He could've stayed with her.

Ezran, Rayla, Soren, Amaya, Opeli, Corvus, all of them were a blink away in his mind's eye, and all of them made his heart seize to visualize. His time away worried them all and he missed them every day. Rayla had even been willing to come with him to keep him safe. Callum had insisted on leaving with Aaravos. It used to be out of desperation, to keep the elf mage in check, but he wasn't so sure anymore that Aaravos would snap on a world ending scale if he left.

So… why?

We'll be a family.

Growing to care for other people shouldn't hurt so badly, but Callum felt like he was being torn in two. He had two places to be, two groups of people he cared about, but they could never mix. At least, he didn't know how they could come together.

If it was ever going to get better, it had to start somewhere.

He turned to more blank pages. He set one aside to write a letter to Rayla in the hopes that it would make it to her again by some miracle. The next page was his focus for the remainder of his time awake: a carefully detailed portrait of Soren, grinning at one of his own jokes. He was handsome, scruffy, and in his newest uniform design- the Soren Viren had never gotten to know.