I tap the edges of my jeans before My father raises an eyebrow saying, "You would know better then us. We've only heard rumors of The Fog's existence. We haven't actually seen what it is or who its lead by. We think of it as more of a fairytale than an actual problem."

I smile as I say, "That's perfect. It will be much easier to work with a blank slate then a mind full of misconceptions."

I raise a hand pointing a finger up as I say, "The Fog is a heavily territorial existence that guards key areas of this planets resources. We actually fight The Fog primarily in pursuit of these different areas rather then its expansion as The Fog carved out very rigid spaces that it inhabits."

I raise my other hand with a finger pointing to the ceiling as I say, "In fact, you could even say the Empire attacks The Fog purely for the resources it guards."

I lower both my hands as I say, "Therefore, our best alternative would be to simply cede the territory The Fog wants to keep while maintaining our existence here."

My mother squints her eyes before she crosses her arms saying, "The thing is, if we keep such a devastating force so close to our homes, don't you think that would leave everyone in danger?"

I raise a palm as I point out, "Think of it this way. If you take a bucket of water, it's enough liquid for a person to drown, but that doesn't make it dangerous."

I shake my head, "It makes whoever wields it with the intent for harm dangerous. The Fog is much the same way. We just have to respect it's boundaries, which haven't shifted for many years as evidenced by the fact a border town like ours has been prospering for so long."

My father leans on the counter as he says holding his hand to his side, "So we have to work around it rather then trying to overwhelm it?"

I snap my finger as I say, "Exactly."

My mother grimaces with her head tilting upwards as she props on a single hip. She says, "I doubt the Melotic Empire would take kindly to such a suggestion."

I frown as I nod saying, "I agree, but what is an Empire?" I wait a moment for dramatic effect, "It's the people that make it up. If we can change what your everyday person thinks about the issue, then we can change the entire empire."

My mother says, "Fighting hundreds of years of entrenched hatred will be difficult. Surely you thought of that."

My eyes harden to stone as I say, "And I've seen the hellish alternative, mom. It isn't something we should continue. If we can stop trying to conquer everything we see, I believe the Melotic Empire can become something different. We've been expanding ever since our inception."

I open my arms as I say, "First we dominated our world before we expanded outwards chasing the Arbiter of Apocalypse. We've chased him for thousands of years to the point were people no longer believe he's even real. I don't think we're trying to find him anymore. We are just trying to dominate for the sake of domination."

My mother uncrosses her arms before she peers at a glass on the edge of the counter covered in knick knacks. The light from the windows crosses through the glass menagerie casting a dramatic flair on me before my words catch up to me, so I scratch the back of my head as I say with far more reservation, "At least, that's what I think from what I've seen."

My mother nods as clouds blocking the full extent of the sun uncover revealing light on her face as she smiles saying, "I can tell you've put a lot of thought into this. I expected you to never return, and low and behold you returned so...different. You carry so much power, yet you're fighting for peace rather then trying to just hurt people."

Her voice cracks as she murmurs, "I thought you would be a blood thirsty warrior whenever I saw you hulking into our shop...I never expected someone fighting for peace...It's moving."

I grin as I say, "I think I'm just trying to fight a different kind of battle is all."

Micheal opens the door running into the room laughing as Gorge chases him saying, "You'd better run before I getcha."

Micheal laughs as giggles running around the tables while holds her arms out with her fingers bared like claws running towards him before she shouts, "And I got yah!"

She scoops him up before she starts tickling his sides before Micheal squeals with laughter. The entire scene radiates a newfound warmth from Gorge. No longer does she hold a cold steel in her voice or motions as she talks with Micheal. She goofs off with a maniacal abandon as she smiles without weight on her shoulders. 

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The heart warming scene melts the grim atmosphere before I say, "I never knew you could smile like that."

She glances upwards as if realizing where she was before her stony exterior returns in an instant as she sets Micheal down. She says pursing her lips, "Children have a way of bringing me back to a different time, so I end up losing myself whenever I'm around them is all. Don't dig into the issue to deeply."

My mother walks over as she says, "The mark of a fine women is if she can make a child laugh. I can see you've seen more than just hardship, but what I just saw really brightened my spirits."

My father's eyes well with tears before he says with his voice cracking, "I can't believe it...my son wants to end a war that's lasted centuries and he returned with such a kind and beautiful lover...I couldn't have hoped for a better day."

I walk over hugging him as I pat his back. He razes the air with tender sobs before Micheal walks up patting the side of his leg as he says, "There, there, daddy. It's gonna be fine."

The scene starts cracking my own composure, so I breathe a deep lungful of air before I turn towards my mother saying, "I need to handle a few errands before I move in, but it was wonderful seeing you both. I really didn't expect this to be so...nice."

She smiles with the edges of her eyes creasing with age as she says, "I never expected my day to be this wonderful either. Thank you for coming back, and you're always welcome here." She turns towards Gorge saying, "So are you Allure."

For the tiniest moment, a look of intense yearning passes over Gorge's face as she blinks two, three times. She begins reaching out one of her hands before she clenches it as she says, "Thank you for the kind words. May I ask what both of you're names are?"

My mother says, "My names Lucy. My husband's is Mark. It's good to meet you."

Gorge returns the smile as she says, "Likewise."

I walk over To Micheal as I say, "You aren't scared of me, Micheal?"

He jumps onto one of my tails as he says, "You said you had super powers. I didn't expect them to be so awesome."

I roll my eyes as the tails play with him making sure to handle him with a gentle care. I walk over to Gorge as I lay a hand at her waist as I say, "We'll see you tomorrow. I'll keep in touch."

One of my tails lifts my robe from earlier while two others cover me while the other three slither away from Micheal. Within moments, I appear the same as a bulky man with a beautiful women at my side. My father wipes his eyes before he says, "We'll make sure to make you something before you swing by...Thank you both for coming to see us. It means the world to me...to us."

I shrug my shoulders before I slick my hair back saying with a heavy sarcasm, "It would mean the world to just about anyone."

Gorge elbows my side before she pulls me out the door saying, "Until tomorrow then."

She closes the door before I rub my side saying, "What was that for?"

She frowns as she says, "You had this dumb look on your face. I had to stop it at all costs."

I say as I rest my arms at my side saying, "Thank you for coning with me today Gorge."

She grins for a moment as she says, "I know what it's like to come back to a family looking different then what they expect. I figured you could use someone there as support for whatever lies you spun or to add some substance to your words. That and admitting that you're dating a siren would be difficult regardless of how open minded your parents are."

We walk side by side across the rustic streets as I say, "I'd have to agree...It meant a lot."

She rolls her eyes before she says staring forward, "I knew I would get free food, so it's a win win. Don't mention it."

I stare forward as I say, "It's going to be difficult explaining this to Allure though."

A malicious grin grows on Gorge's face as she curves her eyes towards me without changing the angle of her head before she says, "Oh, I can't wait to see it."