News of Jodi Cartwright aka Chimera’s arrest was such a second thought they sandwich the article in between two ads for fancy jumpsuits for Gremlins. That didn’t stop Sylvia from sending the clipping out to be framed. She was currently wading in the ocean with her Kirin walking next to her. After the events of the summer, she had decided to name him, Stormrider.

The other two kirin of their small herd was not too far away frockling in the ocean with Tide Breaker. Since arriving at the island he hadn’t felt the need to disguise his true form anymore. Yrsa had chosen the more comfortable option of sitting inside next to the circular fan. Sitting on the floor she was picking through the recovered articles from her grandparent’s RV. The pile of unsalvageable was growing at an alarming rate. So were her only other pair of shoes. Smoothing out some of the paper money that got wet she heard Sylvia squeal with delight from the shore.

Curious, Yrsa looked up to see Sylvia waving wildly at the passing ferry drifting by. The cyclops gave a half-hearted wave back as he made his wave to the next island. He made a shape in the air before pointing back to the docks further down the island. The selkie gave an even louder screech of joy as she tore up the beach.

“Yrsa! Get the keys. We need to pick up the mail.” She cried out. Moving to the side Yrsa allowed her partner to dash by.

“Don’t slip.” Ordered Yrsa getting up. Their floors were made of polished wood which was easier to get sand off but was just as easy to slip on. Yrsa liked that she could forgo shoes since she didn’t have to worry about her nails getting caught in the carpet. In a whirl of excitement, both girls were driving down the unpaved road towards the only pier on the island.

It was nearing Samhain though the island looked as an idealistic daydream as ever. One song from Empresses later they were parking right where the dirt road met the pier.

Once upon a time, the islands were used for tourism. After the Atlantis Group took control back from the mainland the remaining buildings were left to rot. The only building the group kept up on was the souvenir shop attached to the pier. Using that as their office it was nice to have a cooler they could keep their drinks/lunches in. Even though the mailman had a key he would just open the window to slip in the letters. After a few days, Yrsa got a basket to catch the letters. She even put a pillow in it just in case something fragile might’ve been dropped off.

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Sylvia let herself in rushing over to the box to pull out the brown paper wrapped frame. Turning on the light Yrsa maneuvered around the crouching girl. Looks like the mail carrier decided not to drop the mail through the window today.

“This is going to look so good in our living room!”

“Uh-huh.” Yrsa supplied checking on the rest of the mail. An insurance statement. An official letter from the main island. What caught her focus was a handwritten letter from the Windstrider Ranch. She felt a pang of guilt since she didn’t recognize if it was from one of her parents or Orion’s handwriting. Setting back down the rest of the mail she ripped open the letter.

Dear Yrsa,

We hope this letter finds you well. Your father and I are in good health. Your brother is entering his prized elk to the Samhain Festival this year. If your schedule permits it we would like to invite you to the End of Year Feast. Send your reply ASAP.

~Your Mother

“Could’ve saved herself some postage if she wrote that on a postcard.” Commented Sylvia from Yrsa’s elbow.

“Reading someone else’s mail is a crime you know?” Yrsa said stuffing the letter back into its envelope.

“Oh yeah. So anyway, here are your orders from Konani.” The selkie handed her annoyed wendigo friend the opened letter. Huffing Yrsa snatched the letter from Sylvia, careful not to scratch the other girl.

“Looks like we’re headed to Puma Parks. Hey maybe if we get done early we can head to your parent’s place. Bring the kelpie to show them what you are capable of.” Sylvia leaned against Yrsa with a bright smile.

“Ah. There it is.” Pointed the selkie from her position on Yrsa’s elbow.

“Where's what?”

“You’re smiling.” She said pointing her finger at Yrsa’s face.

“You know I can’t smile.”

“You smile with your eyes.” Syliva sang before making her way back to the truck with a spring in her step. Yrsa followed after reading while walking.

“Says here to report at six tonight. Considering it is four now we need to be packing thirty minutes ago.” Said Yrsa trying to change the subject.

“Oh, that fine. Besides not like you have a lot to pack.” The second those words left her mouth Sylvia's smile fell.

Before the smaller girl could stumble over herself apologizing Yrsa reached a claw out to poke her in the chest. To her surprise, she felt something hard on the normally soft material.

“What in the-”

Sylvia reached up to touch the spot.

“Oh. My button is coming in.” She half shouted bolting to the passenger side mirror to look in the small mirror. Giving a small chuckle Yrsa decided she was going to take Sylvia with her to meet her parents. Having someone that energetic around the ranch would be very amusing. For now, though, they had work to do.

Soon the island would have herds of kelpies before too long. It was nice there was a job just for Yrsa.

“You're smiling again.” Pointed out Sylvia still searching for her button in the pelt.

“Shut up and buckle up. We got a job to do.”

Syliva gave a nod as they took off towards their next adventure.