Leora let out an exhausted sigh as she finally returned home. After working over all the information again she had managed to find a connection. If only ever so tentative. But before she had been able to do a deeper analysis, whole Central Guard was set to alarm because of something that had gone on in Coastal. She had been excused from general Guard Duty, but she still had been forced to sit through the debriefing.

“First a hot shower and then a warm and filling meal.”

With that promise made, the feathery feline gave herself a firm nod and closed the door behind her as she slipped out of her shoes. An amused smile flitted over her lips and she announced her arrival.

“I’m back! Monty didn’t blow up a wall while I was gone?”

The joke was that that was an actual possibility. Again.

“Nope!” Came Venus ‘Vee’ Yubilia Zepehn’s bored answer without delay. Leora exhaled in relief.

Throwing her old clothes off into the washer, Leora soon enough wandered through the halls entirely nude on her way to the bathroom. Locking the door behind her, she started the hot water and gingerly pulled her special, very much not little friend out of his hiding place. Today had been exhausting and she had earned a little bit of relief after everything. The sounds within the shower were thankfully, for Vee’s sanity, drowned out by the running water and then further muffled by the door.

Half an hour later, plus an additional half taking care of her feathery hair, Leora finally stepped out of the bathroom. A fluffy pair of pants and snug shirt hugged her pleasantly. Leora practically glowed with new energy. It was like a weight had fallen off of her and with a smile she skipped down to the kitchen.

The sweet smell of pancakes and fruits began to fill the house a few minutes later, luring a hungry Vee out of her room finally as well.

“Wow, today must have sucked.” The chameleon weasel stated bluntly as she leant onto the table, a black, oversized shirt hanging loose from her shoulders. Otherwise she was just wearing what was practically lingerie. Her eyes sparkled hungrily, licking her drooling lips as the delicious smell and sight of pancakes greeted her.

“Yeah, and the next few days will probably, too.”

Leora sighed at the truth of her niece’s words, setting down two large stacks of pancakes. Chocolate Syrup, Honey and Maple Syrup were already standing ready on the table.

“Ah, well I can say that Rehn’s perfectly innocent. Her dad’s not heard a peep from her in that regard.” Vee hummed.

“Heh, so I can safely curse her father, then?” Leora smiled bemused.

“Sure, I do that all the time.” Vee smirked. “Fuck that asshole for keeping her from visiting!”

“I heard nothing.” Leora chuckled and poured herself a generous amount of chocolate.

“Any change in plans for the Lebensfest?”

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Leora changed subject, no need to elongate a sore subject. Her eyes twinkled mischievously at the chance of juicy teenage gossip.

“Rehn finally get asked out on a date~?”

“Yup, Thale finally asked her out.” Vee immediately grinned, teeth gleaming sharp.

“And her excuse that it’s just her showing him around the new park cracked like sandstone~” She chirped smugly between bites.

“Cute.” Leora smiled amused and shook her head. “She should have known better.”.

“Yeah, as if I hadn’t been standing two steps to her right.” Vee snorted, a strange look crossed her face as she seemed to search for the right words. “Incidentally…”

The stack of pancakes was already half gone and the jug of juice had been quickly emptied. The chocolate syrup had been used up near entirely by Leora herself, Vee meanwhile preferred both Honey and Maple Syrup.

Vee’s words immediately caught Leora’s attention and with a raised eyebrow she gave her a niece a curious look.

“Oh…?”

“I got a date for the Lebensfest now, too.”

Vee revealed unceremoniously, smiling as she popped another fork of pancake into her mouth.

“His name’s Jak and he’s from the slums.”

Her aunt nodded understandably for a second before promptly choking on a sip of juice as she finally processed her words. Where the Abyss had that suddenly come from?! Until now Vee had never really shown any interest in dating, at all. Which had been somewhat relaxing, truth be told. Kinda balanced out her hobby of giving Monty explosives and weapon grade upgrades.

“T-that’s… surprising…?” Leora coughed lightly. “Where did you meet him?”

“Today in class. But I saw him around the Gym a few times before. Rehn dared me to ask out the next person to enter.” Vee grumbled lightly, poking her food.

An amused smile played over Leora’s lips.

“Heh, seems like her sandstone didn’t crack easily. But the Gym? How did he get in?”

Thoughtfully she tapped her chin, musing the possibilities over.

“Probably though the vents, seeing as he fell out of them and into my lap.” Vee snorted.

“Ah, that would do it…” Leora nodded wisely, stifling a giggle before freezing for a moment, eyes widening. The Vents. Something clicked in her mind and she would have to take a look over her notes again, but she was certain that it held a vital clue for her case. But that wasn’t important right now and could wait.

“So, do I need to keep an eye out for him or just ignore him~?” She instead asked with a teasing twinkle in her eyes.

“Jak’s good.” Vee waved her concerns off, completely misunderstanding. “He even had a cute Rust Slime with him. Though pretty sure he just snuck in with him. Doubly sure he came up with the name Vex on the spot.” She chuckled with an amused smirk.

“Well, Rust Slimes do like the vents.” Leora smiled.

Vee looked a bit awkward as she corrected her.

“It’s more that they live with him or something since he complained that they were always keeping him from sleeping…”

“Well, that sounds annoying.” Leora sweatdropped.

“Oh! Anyways, you got any tips for babysitting by the way?”

Her aunt blinked, completely thrown for a loop by that sudden turn of question, and looked at her flabbergasted.

“Wha? Where did that come from?”

Her niece groaned with a roll of her eyes.

“He already promised his little sister to show her around the festival and now I have to stick around, too. Also, can I have an extended curfew? Otherwise it’s just me and him babysitting a brat the whole date.”

Vee fluttered her eyes hopeful at her aunt, earning herself a snort from her.

“Sure, I can give you time till midnight. And the first tip I can give you, don’t be a bigger hassle than the kid you’re supposed to babysit.”

“Hey!” Vee squawked indignant, puffing up her cheeks. Yeah, that was exactly what she was talking about, Leora sweatdropped.

Internally Leora wished Jak the best of luck dealing with now two kids he had to babysit. If he actually managed that, then he would definitely have her approval of marrying her niece. Her sister didn’t have any say in that matter, her opinion. And Vee’s, too.

“And what are you staring at the ceiling all dramatically?!” Vee exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air with a glare.

Leora just chuckled in response, annoying her niece only further much to her amusement.