Chasca finished inspecting the flight test zone and returned to the starting point, where she found the strangest-looking Qucusaur she'd ever seen waiting for her. Rotund, with blue feathers, white robes, and a teapot body, its lazy eyes regarded her warmly.

"Hello, Chasca. My name is Tubby. I'm an Adeptus who serves Aether."

Chasca didn't say anything. She eyed the finch with a hint of hostility to see if it would crack and change its story. Anyone could claim to be Aether's friend. Chasca wouldn't trust just anyone who said it. Tubby only smiled all the wider.

"Trying to scare me? Don't bother. His friends are scarier."

Chasca decided right there that she liked Tubby.

"What can I do for you?" she asked.

"Two things. First, may I interview you? Aether invites many friends to his home, and I like to keep them all straight."

They went through several questions about herself. Tubby asked about her birthday, allergies, preferred furnishings, and much more. Nothing was off limits, not her income, her social security, or even her sexual history (or the lack thereof). Tubby was one brave bird.

"Last question," she said, "how do you feel about Aether?"

Chasca recalled her conversation with Mom about cloacal kisses. She covered her face with the brim of her hat so Tubby wouldn't see her redden. Clearing her throat, she spoke.

"He's a good guy and a strong warrior. I can see why Mualani loves him."

"I see," Tubby mused as she made her final notes in the journal. "Now, have you heard of the UHA?"

"Yeah, Chuychu mentioned it back when she was…but I never really knew what it was."

Tubby showed her the constitution and gave her the run-down of the organization. It sounded interesting, bunch of women sharing one guy. Some Qucusaurs had similar familial setups. Chasca never thought a human would try pulling it off though.

Tubby asked Chasca if she'd like to join, which threw her for a bit of a loop. Seriously, they wanted a feral bird-girl in the harem? She almost laughed at the ridiculousness.

"Well?" said Tubby. "Do you have any interest?"

Chasca scratched the back of her head. "Do I have to decide right now?"

"No, of course not."

"Then, give me some time to think on it," she said. "Now, you mentioned there were 'two things' I could do for you?"

Tubby's expression became grave.

"One of Aether's friends needs to speak with you. It's a most urgent matter."

Tubby handed her what she called a realm dispatch and gave her some instructions. Using it brought Chasca to an island in the sky, clustered with buildings from all the nations. Tubby gave her a quick shpiel on the Realm Within. Chasca took a moment to soak it all in.

She'd seen a lot, but a world inside of a Teapot was definitely not something on her bingo sheet. Mom and sister would never believe this.

Tubby escorted her to a mansion. A chandelier on the ceiling had reflective glass beads—Chasca had never seen a chandelier before—and the tiled floors were perfectly cleaned. All around, there were knickknacks, pictures, and furniture that she'd never seen or imagined. It was sensory overload.

"Wow," she murmured.

"Yes, most people react that way," said Tubby with a hint of amusement. "Come, this way."

They entered a living room. There on the couch sat two women, both beautiful. The tall one had dark red hair, a pale complexion, and a veil. Her expression was calm outwardly, but the movements of her eyes betrayed constant vigilance. One look told her that this woman was lethal when pushed.

Her companion, a shorter woman, wore blue. She had a comically tall hat, pigtails, and gloves. Her eyes glinted with intelligence, but unlike the tall woman, hers was a more academic intelligence. Beneath that, she sensed pride. This woman prided herself on her intelligence.

"You're Chasca." She said it not as a question but as a statement like she already knew the answer. "Hello. My name is Mona. I'm an astrologist and I can see the future. We should talk."

Cautiously, Chasca stepped inside and sat on a couch opposite the women. Mona seemed pained. She couldn't meet her gaze, turning her somber eyes into her lap where she wrung her hands.

Mona took a deep breath. "It's about your sister."

Chasca leaned forward.

"A few months ago, Tubby nominated Chuychu to be one of Natlan's judges on the UHA. Out of curiosity, I divined her future and…and I saw how she would perish."

Mona studied her as if expecting rage or sorrow. Chasca was just too stunned to react. Her silence frustrated the astrologist.

"Don't you understand? I saw how she'd die, and I chose to do nothing. I let your sister die."

"But you had to," said the second woman. "For Natlan to survive, Chuychu had to fall in battle. It's not your—"

Mona gave the second woman a halting glare, causing her to fall silent. The woman offered an apologetic bow but remained defiant, ready to object at any moment. Chasca sensed this conversation was one these two had before. They must have a close relationship. Chasca would've been more interested, if not for what Mona had said.

"Hold on," Chasca interjected. "My sister's death saved Natlan?"

Mona nodded sadly. Memories of her sister's final words hung fresh in her heart, as did the emotions of anguish, rage, and hopelessness. Carrying her still body to the Colosseum in utter silence. Telling Mom and Dad what happened, unable to comfort them as they mourned…

It all happened for a reason. All that suffering brought something positive to the world. Chasca couldn't help but grin weakly.

"That's good," she said. Mona and the other woman stared at her in surprise.

"I don't understand," Mona sniffed. "Don't you hate me?"

"I'm upset with you, sure, but I don't hate you. Honestly, right now, I'm grateful."

"Grateful? Why?"

"Because if what you're saying is true, Chuychu didn't die for nothing after all." Chasca got up and crossed the room, clasping Mona's hand in her own, she said, "I'll pass on what you've said to mom and dad. They'll be so proud of her. When I tell my Clan, I think we'll all sleep a little easier."

Mona seemed skeptical. She summoned a scryglass, twisting the outer and then the inner rings. Her eyes widened.

"You mean it," she said, not as a question but a statement. "You're thankful. But… why don't you blame me?"

"Don't get it wrong," she said. "I do kind of blame you, but I'll work through those feelings. Far as I care, there's nothing to forgive."

She squeezed the astrologist's hands once more.

"Thanks for giving me closure," she said. Chasca tipped her hat to Mona. "If you're ever in Natlan, come visit me. You and your friend."

"I… I will."

Bidding a final adieu, Chasca departed the Teapot with Tubby. Once the Adeptus left her, Chasca broke down into joyful tears.

Her heart felt lighter than ever before like a huge weight had been removed from her soul. Chuychu saved Natlan. If she were here now, she'd be hogging it over Chasca whenever they argued. Maybe you should listen to the savior of Natlan, sometimes. Just the idea made her laugh.

Lifting her gaze to the sunset, Chasca spoke.

"Hey, sis. Thanks for saving Natlan. You've given us all another tomorrow. I won't let your gift go to waste."

Oh, so you'll finally get married so Mom and Dad will stop pestering me for grandkids?

"Maybe I will," she replied. "One thing at a time, sis. One thing at a time."