Sora’s tail swayed throughout her restless pacing on the terrace as she let the hot ocean breeze sweep in and blow back her hair and dress. September was one of the hottest months of the year for Miami, and after the short shower, the temperature had risen to thirty degrees Celsius.
She left Aiden to further question Ferdinand about the Foundation’s questionable actions now that everything was calming down. Her ears were trained on their conversation, and she kept up with the information the firebird was able to piece together, but her heart was flitting between her mom and sister or anxiously waiting for Stephanie’s delivery and her dad’s awakening.
Today was Labor Day in the US, a day of celebration and relaxation. Yet, the island city was filled with more than just festivals and party-goers—it was abuzz with parades. It was a day of unexpected events, and so many amazing things were happening right now.
Her mother had come home, Stephanie was giving birth, Noelia had returned, and her father was waking up, all on the same celebratory holiday. It was a day that would be etched in her memory forever. It was barely half over, too.
Folding her arms over the railing, she saw the army of boats spaced out across the ocean and packs of people along the beach. People didn’t even seem to notice the aurora borealis that blanketed the sky every once in a while as the SCC wiped the world population’s memory about the trans-dimensional aliens that had brought her mother.
How often have they done this? Noelia is protecting all of us… I can’t even sense her magic, but these waves are passing through us as if we’re not even here. And she’s supposed to be super, super raw and untrained like me… I guess a few thousand years will do that to you. Is this okay, though?
Sora watched as the ripples across space faded again. She heard Aiden ask some insightful questions to the Ethics Committee representative, but even he didn’t know much about the technology. Apparently, he would also have been affected had Noelia not been actively saving his memory.
Maybe I shouldn’t overthink it since Mom seemed okay with it. She knew Noelia would be around to prevent any effects on us. It’s just…weird. I mean, I have a whole realm to myself, only a floor down that has a gateway to Avalon in it; things are wild… But most of what I want to do is just normal stuff with everyone.
A smile lifted her lips as she looked around. Here in Miami, summer and parties truly never ended; yacht parties were already in full swing. If this were an average year for them, then her dad would have already been invited to several.
This month, all the restaurants showcased their dishes, and the incredible chefs made 3-course lunch or dinner packages. When they were eleven and twelve, she and Wendy used to make a big deal of trying a new place every day, narrowing down the best place in the month.
On the other hand, September was also the month of home design and remodeling shows, which her father was a fan of. He’d often take them around to look at all the cool new things they could make a part of the suite and lives.
The arts launch was another big event and interest that had drawn not only her father but also her former caretaker; for one, they had organized workshops and activities for kids. Noelia had taken them the three years before they’d turned twelve, and the woman had always loved the creative performances. She also loved to go to the local amusement parks with them.
Doing partial splits, she sank down to rest her chin on her arms. There were so many dreams and conversations now floating around her twitching ears.
Noelia liked the Brazilian Film Festival. Should they go? Would Eyia and Kari like to do the Miami Trial Festival since they would probably enjoy the sports-oriented activities? What about exploring Jungle Island? Wendy loved it when they were kids.
Sora gave a start, realizing she’d lost a few lines from Aiden and Ferdinand’s discussion to her daydreams of the future. She’d have time to plan things out later. If Stephanie was losing her powers, as scary as that was for the giantess, it meant that she and Ron would be around more. Howie and Daisy were going strong, too. She had to protect her growing family.
Pushing herself up, she glanced around at the grilling, spa, and entertainment areas on the expansive terrace. They had more than enough space now after the Foundation bought their building—bought being used very loosely. Nonetheless, there was a lot that needed to be done to make it her home again after their invasion.
Going through the open doors, she interrupted their conversation about the alien branch of the SCC. “I want all of your Foundation goons to be confined to the ground floor. Only hotel staff that worked with me growing up will be allowed above there. Cool?” she asked, expecting it to be done while dropping into an armchair.
Ferdinand rubbed his cleanly shaven chin, studying her. “I can pass that along to the security team and management crew. You can give all your demands to Ms. Jeddings; she is in charge of…anything related to the public. I’d just be sending her your memo. I hope everything has been satisfactory since returning to Earth.”
Sora crossed her legs and repositioned her tail to rest at her side, giving Aiden a thumbs-up to let him know she was good.
“I’ll do that later, then. So, essentially, the Monster Program was defunded because you guys weren’t getting enough out of it anymore. The alien friendships are thriving, and the monsters are all money sinks rather than beneficial. Do I get the jist of it? It’s all about the money.”
Aiden hummed, swapping angles to look at her. “It’s about improvements to humanity overall. Much of the more groundbreaking research passed onto the public is done through proxies the Foundation uses to disseminate new technology. Essentially, there is a new world order they’re trying to slowly build toward, which is why the internet and other similar advances have skyrocketed lately.”
Sora rolled her finger in the air. “The Foundation is the underworld government. Yada-yada. They want to bring their one-world shadow government into the public. Yada-yada. And push toward a more space-age era without totally reshaping humanity overnight. Monsters are kind of an eyesore for that vision due to their nature, so they’ve pushed them toward Avalon, erasing them over time. Right?”
Ferdinand forced a laugh. “You make it sound sinister, but the Foundation isn’t cruel…”
“It’s cold and rational,” Sora finished, having heard it a few times in Aiden’s discussion with the man. “I’ve heard the pitch. It’s too troublesome to incorporate monsters. Obviously, that’s bullshit. Miami is proof that there are plenty of monsters that can mingle with humans.”
“My point exactly,” Aiden chuckled, holding up a fist for her to air bump. “Humanity has far more bad eggs than the monster community, and I know that may be a numbers game. My point stands, though. It smells like blatant discrimination. I’m guessing the alien species you’re flirting with have a grudge against the fae and, by extension, the whole monster community.”
Sora snapped her fingers, connecting the dots from what she’d heard from High Queen Titania. “The fae devastated the nearby alien empires when they sided with humans to try and claim Earth tens of thousands of years ago, and they’re still pissed! C’mon…”
The man shrugged his shoulders with an unsure grimace. “Maybe. I may be a higher-ranking person within the SCC, but the Foundation compartmentalizes everything. That would be something more in Dr. Diane’s wheelhouse than mine. I’m concerned about the ethical treatment of the monster community now, not what may or may not have happened in the past.
“My knowledge only goes back eight thousand years, and in that time…monsters have been less than accommodating to humanity. Humans were dominated without the fae’s protection and were wiped out of whole sections of the planet every century or so. It’s only been in the last few thousand years that we’ve actually become the dominating species.”
“With…the help of aliens who hold a grudge,” Sora added.
“I can’t deny that the Alyrans and Tolmak have a sour outlook on magic, in general, and anything dealing with mystical creatures,” he admitted with a sigh, ruffling his hair. “A race of beings as strong as your mother contacted and brought to the Foundation’s attention would certainly…cause waves,” he winced. “I can also imagine that it would be insulting to them that Mia didn’t contact them.”
Sora’s head sank against the cushion, shooting a dull stare at the man. “They hate me already, don’t they? I shouldn’t be surprised; I’m the embodiment of magic. Right? Avalon opens its doors the moment I take the stage, threatening their expanding empire or whatever they’re doing.”
Ferdinand glanced toward the windows as another wave of light rippled the atmosphere. “I won’t say I haven’t been getting a lot of heat from certain departments within the Alien Branch. The world has become a very…hostile place toward magic with the advancements of technology and mysticism, partly by design, I suppose you could say.”
Aiden got up to study the phenomenon by the glass wall, playing with a soda can that she’d given him from the fridge earlier. “I feel underqualified to be talking for everyone in the monster community… This affects a lot of scared and hiding creatures around the world…each with their own culture and customs. I’ve seen their fear… Can I suggest something radical?”
Sora’s ears flew up, her head tilting to the right as his focus went to her instead of the ethics man. “What kind of radical are we talking about, and what does it have to do with me?”
The blond shifted to glance between them as he spoke. “The aliens—the Alyrans and Tolmak—don’t want monsters here on Earth; mainly, they just don’t want anything to do with the fae or Avalon.
“Avalon and the fae are dealing with their own crisis with The Darkness, as well as their missing or corrupted Founder fae goddesses. They’ve brought in a lot of refugees, starting a whole academy over it to integrate the population better… However, that isn’t necessarily what these refugees want.
“Many monster communities I’ve visited in the last three years around the world are more scared of humans than humans are scared of them. After all, humanity has all the power now with the Foundation moving in its shadow. To the monster community, humanity is the monster. That said, there are some groups who do wish to live amongst them. So…”
He gave her a thoughtful look and crossed his arms. “Your mom gave you an entire realm…a massive mini-universe, you could call it. It’s likely totally fresh, and I would bet my life it has gateways to many, many other worlds within its interconnected planets. Why not open the way for them to spread out and build a new life? Away from the primary hub that is your planet, of course. It’s just a thought.”
Sora brought her feet up under her butt, lifting her tail a moment while leaning into the side of her chair. “That…could be dangerous for Avalon since they have a gateway in my realm. I guess I could see if Noelia could help me reshape it a bit, which could be fun, but…oh.”
She sat a little straighter when his previous explanation connected in her brain. “You want to bring together all the major players and hash out a deal—a truce…and you think my reputation can make that happen. Am I right?” she asked, ears tilting back a little.
“That’s the gist of it,” Aiden nodded, glancing at Ferdinand. “Would that work?”
Ferdinand drew in his lips, his left eye creasing while pondering what looked to be heavy thoughts. “Please…don’t take this the wrong way, but…no. You’re both not grasping a much bigger field. The Foundation is not the only big organization. Yes, it may be the critical dominant one here on this planet. The thing is…there are alternate worlds that run in parallel to this one that are dominated by powerful magic users… The Occult World Order.”
“Pfft!” Sora couldn’t help but double over, unable to control her fits of laughter. Aiden and Ferdinand didn’t seem like they were following by the looks on her faces. I was too much for Sora, though. “The dreaded OWO! Haha. Not the UWU! Who named it that?”
Still wearing a confused smile, the Foundation man shrugged. “As far as I’m aware, it’s a translation from another language.”
Aiden leaned against the glass. “Huh. Are they as strong as Avalon?”
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Not even close,” Ferdinand didn’t even hesitate. “In fact, it tells the Foundation a lot about the threat they face if they are only in a stalemate with this corruption infecting their realm. By the way, Dr. Diane used to be a part of the OWO after leaving Morgen la Fée before swapping to our side.”
Sora restrained her giggles, glancing toward the firebird. “That’s not concerning. What if something changed after Avalon opened, and I showed up?”
Ferdinand rolled down his sleeves to button them up. “It isn’t my place to look into her. She answers directly to the EC Council. I will say that the Alyrans and Tolmak have developed anti-magic technology for the use of combating the Occult World Order in conjunction with the Foundation scientists. And it’s ironic since the giant tower we surround on the moon is a mysterious magical monolith of the Moon Wizard.”
Once again, Sora’s sailor scout and magical girl childhood sparked images in her mind while recalling the colossal black tower and forest on the moon’s surface. However, before she could jump into it, the man had stood up and was already putting on his dress coat.
“I have a lot of calls to make. I will pose your suggestion to my superiors, Aiden. I wouldn’t count on anything, though. It isn’t a topic anyone really wants to approach at this time…maybe in the future. A lot is changing… So, is there anything else, Sora?”
Sora shook her head. “I can talk to Ms. Jeddings, I guess. Umm. Diane has access to Avalon Academy through me, doesn’t she?”
“She does,” Ferdinand confirmed. “She is confined to certain areas, but it was negotiated that she would be able to perform regular inspections of the facility on behalf of the Foundation as its expert in the field.”
“Right…”
“Oh…” He paused just before turning to leave. “What do you want me to do with Wendy’s mother? Jane is a question mark that has been slapped on my desk.”
The topic instantly soured her mood further when remembering the previous day’s confrontation with the broken alcoholic. “If she wants to forget about Wendy, then do that again. Otherwise, I don’t care what happens to her… No, Wendy would want her to be taken care of,” she growled. “Just…make sure we never see her again—send her to China or something.”
Ferdinand nodded. “I’ll see it done. We’ll move her across the world and make sure she lives a decent life.”
“Just not too decent,” Sora grunted, watching him go with a light scowl.
It wasn’t aimed at him so much as the news he’d delivered. Jane was just the rotten cherry on top. There was a tug-of-war and cold war between the Foundation and Avalon. She guessed that Avalon would have stomped had not The Darkness been involved, which was one reason that the fae were so defensive. Things were happening behind the curtain, and different factions were starting to rear their heads.
Aiden took the nearby chair suddenly looking tired as he rubbed his slightly red forehead. “You’re really wrapped up in a spider’s web. Sorry that I couldn’t be more help.”
“No, you did great,” she encouraged, looking him over as his invisible aura rose and fell in microbursts. “Are you okay? What’s going on upstairs?”
He rubbed his mouth and used his knuckle to press against his nose. “Mmm. I think the delivery is happening… There’s just a major draw on my energy in ways I’m not accustomed to. It’s…weird. It feels like…I’m fighting myself, in a way. Don’t worry. I can manage,” he said, settling back with a charming smile. “Can you do something that should come easy to you?”
“Oh?” Sora questioned, lifting an eyebrow. “And what comes easy to me?”
“Distracting me!” Aiden chimed, flashing his teeth and folding his hands in his lap. “I’ve been thinking about growing out my hair a bit. Some of those ponytail pictures and man-buns look killer on human guys. Do you think I could work facial hair? I tend to burn it off in the morning, but I’m up for experimenting.”
Excitement building at the topic, Sora flipped postures and held up her fingers to frame him in them. “Hmm! Yeah, I can see it. Hah. You do have a pretty mature face for seventeen, which is cool. So…why don’t I do some illusion work, and we can run through some styles?”
“I’m game,” he said, turning his bright rainbow eyes to the duplicate she made stand on the table. “Turn me around…that’s it, hmm. How about dying my hair black?”
“It’s different…definitely different,” Sora considered, heart feeling light again as she made the adjustment. “Red hair…pink, haha. So many options…”
Having fun playing makeovers and dress-ups with the firebird, Sora was in the right mood when her mom and sister returned. She jumped to her feet and jogged over to the pair, throwing her arms around them as Aiden got up to observe from a distance.
“You two look a lot better! There’s, like, no stress between your auras now. Are you okay?”
Wendy strained a laugh and held up their mom’s intertwined fingers with hers. “We just had a good first mother-daughter talk… How are you, Little Sis? Playing dress-up with boys, I see.”
Heat rose from Sora’s chest to her nose, and she fought tears while pulling them both in tighter. “Little Sis… Aww! I’m doing amazing, Big Sis. I’m just trying not to go crazy here. Mom, did you check on Stephanie?”
“We did, and it shouldn’t be more than another thirty minutes or so, which will be around the time the food arrives,” she smoothly replied, her nine tails weaving slightly to show her positive mood. “Howie and Daisy went to set it up for us, which means Noelia would have added them to the protection. It should be getting easier for her. In the meantime, we came back because I suspect something important will happen soon.”
Sora saw the light red marks under her mom’s eyes; she and Wendy had definitely cried together. On the inside, Wendy looked so much better and stable. Was it her imagination, or did her mom feel a little less cheery from how she felt when leaving? It was probably nothing since it was hard to detect. Her mom’s last comment dashed those thoughts.
“Important? You don’t mean…”
Wendy tucked in her bottom lip, her face a little red. Tender relief flooded her radial emotions, which hit Sora in the face like a blast of fluffy bunnies. She cleared her throat, fighting the dam behind her eyes from breaking.
“He’s waking up… Ahem. D-Dad’s waking up.”
Chills ran through Sora’s spine to the tip of her tail, making her shiver. Saliva thickening in her throat, she felt the pressure against her chest rise; it was hard to breathe.
“…Right now?”
Their fox mom’s tails linked around hers while the others moved to draw them into a mother’s hug. “It’s okay to cry, girls. It’s going to be okay… We’re a family…a complete family.”
Arms quaking, Sora melted into the warmth that surrounded her on all sides. Memories surged through her heart, recalling all the times she’d caught her father looking at the sole picture of her mom in his wallet throughout the years. The pain and love she’d connected with when he’d opened up about her mom’s past with him and their courtship. He was her dad. Her loving, faithful, and strong dad. He was waking up to the dream he’d always wanted—the embrace of his wife.
“W-What about Eyia and Noelia… They’re a part…ahem, a part of the family, too,” she squeaked. She gulped, remembering how tender her dad had been to Kari when she’d collapsed in the elevator. Her dad really did have the biggest heart. “And…and Kari is in the den. That’s, umm…what I’m calling it… I just…I don’t know. Dad will want to know she’s doing okay,”
Her mom’s caring hands stroked their hair as they shook in her all-encompassing embrace, veiling them in fluffy fur. “Everything will work out…trust me.”
Her mother guided them both to the second floor by hand, using a tail to motion for Aiden to join them. Filing into the room, she sent Aiden and the nurse to gather more chairs from downstairs to gather around her father’s bed.
It was hard to breathe as she waited, anxiety rising as her mother guided the conversation, mainly poking Aiden with searching questions. Fifteen minutes later, the elevator opened downstairs, and a lone figure casually walked across the granite, took the light elevator, and stopped in the hallway.
Kari wore shorts and a tank top, and her swaying tail came to a stop when she spotted some of them through the open doorway. Her unenthusiastic amber eyes fixed on her mom before she walked into the doorway to give an acknowledging glance toward Aiden.
“Hey, Kari,” he greeted with a two-fingered salute. “What are you up to? Sora’s dad is going to wake up soon, so we’re waiting for that.”
“Yo… Cool.” Fingers half hidden in her pockets, she nodded toward her smiling mom. Sora held her breath.
“I’m going to take a nap. Oh, and, uh…thanks for letting me stay, Lady Mia, Sora.”
Brow furrowing at the casual response and nonchalant attitude, Sora’s ears tilted to the side. “Huh? What—”
Her mother squeezed her hand. “Have a lovely rest, dear, and I hope to have a chance to talk to you one-on-one. There are some…important things I believe you would like to hear from me. Let me know when you have time.”
“Sure…” Turning around, her thick wolf’s tail regained its casual rhythm for a few swishes before pausing. Half shifting back, she said, “And congratulations, Sora. Let Eyia know that I’m up for a game of basketball later tonight.”
“Uh, yeah… We’ll have food in a bit…if you want.”
She held up her hand in recognition on her path down the hall; Sora’s ears twitched at the booms that audibly came from Kari’s super strong heartbeat, confusing her.
“Thanks. If I get hungry, I’ll come down. Night.”
Sinking into her chair, Sora didn’t want to talk about her behind her back but also didn’t want to say what was on her mind aloud. Was she overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted after spending all day with Mary? Why was her heart beating so hard? Was she scared, seeing her mom? Kari did have a lot more fears than she could have imagined. Maybe she should bring her up a plate of food later. That would be nice, right? She’d like that…hopefully.
She couldn’t reflect on it for long since the elevator dropped down again, called by the floor below, and when it came back up, Eyia and Noelia’s voices were heard. Uncharacteristically, Eyia jogged through the hall and jumped up to the second level instead of traveling in her misty state.
“Sister!” she chimed, sounding and looking a little tired but as energetic as ever. “The baby is of normal size! It is unlike anything that I saw from the giants I knew on the Island. Very unusual and odd, but he has the suppressed strength of legends! He will be a great warrior in the future. Your father awakens from his slumber, yes? Like my father when going into the Odinsleep?”
“Similar, yes,” her mother chortled, rising to welcome the girl into a welcoming embrace. “What message did Stephanie send you with, sweetie?”
“She asked to see you when she awakens. Currently, she wishes for the silence of her black home with its creepy ice. My powers soothed her to sleep, and she can now hold the ice flower my sister so graciously returned to her care. Ron is listening to the advice of the fussy witch doctors and will stay with his beloved.”
“Excellent report… And you do not look too well, Noelia,” she chuckled. “Take a seat.”
Sora’s tail bristled as she saw her bushy-tailed caretaker, hair a mess, and looked drained.
“Eh-heh-hehe…ugh. Sorry, sorry, uh, I’m just a little tuckered out, Mistress. Umm. Is it really okay, eh, for me to…you know…be here when he wakes up? I’m not sure if he’d…want to see me after our last, umm, fight…”
She felt so bad for the awkward tanuki with her uncomfortable fidgets and super puffy tail, no doubt way puffier than usual due to her agitation. It really was hard for her to come to terms with where she should land within their family dynamic.
Her mom was far more forceful with the woman than anyone else she’d interacted with thus far, taking her by the hand and guiding her over to a spot next to her. “Nonsense. Can you hear yourself? I know you have developed an attachment to my husband.”
Sora’s lungs jumped into her throat, Wendy seeming to have the same reaction, and Aiden averted his eyes, not wanting even to have the chance to enter the conversation.
Noelia’s stress-filled face turned another shade of white. “I-I, uh…”
“Do you think I am so easily threatened, Noelia?”
“No, absolutely not, Mistress, I, umm—I don’t know…”
“You don’t know,” her mother promptly agreed, keeping her hand and looking right into the woman’s swirling light blue eyes. “I do, though. Look at me…”
Noelia’s tail stood straight into the air, watery gaze snapping to the red fox’s firm stare.
“Mhm!”
“Eyes don’t lie, Noelia, so look into mine. I understand.” The uncomfortable seconds gradually dissipated as the raccoon woman’s tail slowly lowered with the progressing vibes. “You’ve wandered aimlessly for so long…and you found purpose with my little girls. You made them feel loved. You fought for my daughter. I’m not mad. I understand. It’s okay, Noelia.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, the tanuki’s fingers curled around her mother’s.
“You’re…not messing with my heart, Lady Mia?”
“I’m not, Noelia. However, can I ask something unfair of you?”
Noelia’s vision fell for a moment, eyes creasing a little with the tears that slid down her tired face before they rose to meet hers again. “…I have nothing else in my life… No one. So I will gladly be your slave.”
Sora’s heart ached as her mom lifted a hand to cup the woman’s chin. Looking into her eyes with a soft smile, her tails weaved in to embrace the enemy of their family.
“Noelia, will you forsake your family…and join with mine? Will you be an aunt to my daughters?”
“Yes. Without a second thought… I was lost in darkness until…I found them.”
“Good…” Her mother didn’t release the petrified woman’s chin, soft as it was. “And if I am not capable of taking care of my husband, will you be there to support him…to guide him…to take my place when I am not there?”
“W-What?” Noelia’s face turned bright red. Sora was 99% sure it was a trap; it had to be! However, as the stillness continued, Noelia got her quakes under control. “It…that is your desire…mmm.”
“I asked you,” her mother pressed. “I have given my permission, but we both know he will never reciprocate. Therefore, it is unfair of you… I ask nonetheless.”
Sora felt the weight of a universe fall off the tanuki’s shoulders, and the half-Latina and Japanese woman shivered, a teary smile lifting her wet cheeks. “It would be my honor…sister-wife—co-mom? Ehehe. Too soon?” she asked with a semi-unsure smile. “I’m still nervous. Sorry, sorry!”
“I think you’ll fit in fine with our family,” her mother laughed, pulling her into a tighter hug. “You’ve shown restraint and dedication…I wish I had sooner, and for a girl so young. Your family doesn’t know what they’ve thrown away.”
Tears fell down Sora’s cheeks as she joined the hug. “My fox mom and tanuki mom! Aww. Thank you, Mom! Are you sure, though? I didn’t expect this! Wendy?!”
She was shocked as her brunette sister joined the circle of crying and laughing girls.
“I am sure, Sora. Noelia has earned her place in this family… She’s more than proven where her heart is, and it’s protecting her little adopted kits. It would be an insult to you girls if I didn’t accept her efforts… Her only flaw is that she is flawlessly pure.”
“Awww! You’re making me bawl! Can I still call you mistress—it just…doesn’t feel right to say anything more…”
“What did I say…flawless,” her mother whispered, kissing her cheek. “You can call me whatever you want, sweetie. To me, I could see you as a baby sister—the fifth vulpes.”
“…Mmmgm. Well, haha. What’d I miss… Mia?”
Sora’s ears flew up as she pounced toward the bed without a second thought—it was her dad’s voice—her dad was awake!
“Daddy!”