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<02/15/1972 – 13:49 | Manhattan, New York, United States>

After the long drive of usually unwanted traffic and the complaining of how much longer the drive would be from the kids, Nyar finally managed to pull his Ford Escort into the somewhat rocky area known as Chapel's Creek. It's just the name of the small neighborhood with a few houses set far away from the inner city of Manhattan, up in the mild hills and generally isolated. While maintaining a much nicer level of serenity to that of average apartments inside of the central city, Chapel's Creek homes are usually expensive to maintain for the very reason the land takes away much of usable business space from the county. But the neighborhood is nothing more than a collection of about thirty well-spread apart houses with roadway paved only with gravel or run-down stone.

All around them were tall trees that were populated at such a low-density level, obscuring very little of the view back towards the visible city of towering buildings. One could hardly even call this a small patch of forest or woodlands; this is just nice decor with the low amount given in the mildly elevated hills heading towards Nyar's personal house. While continuing to push the pedal towards the driveway of the home, Nyar had to remind himself which day this was. February 15, 1972. A simple thought process excluded the need for a calendar, strengthened by his constant work having him memorize many details to civil case files.

Nothing else right now was needed to remind Nyar how the welcoming feeling of home flushed over him the moment Nyar's eyes met his house once more. He carefully pulled into the driveway while decreasing the vehicle speed, and allowed for his company to gaze upon its beauty.

Danny knew he wasn't alone in analyzing every aspect of Nyar's house right now. After all, the houses in New York could be very different than those in Sprawn Valley or in Slatetown, Kalamo. At first glance, the relatively small house was well designed and painted on the exterior to appeal in a less symmetrical sense. Windowpanes that could not be seen through populated the left side of the house more than the right, where the front door also resided. All around the house was flat land consistent of dying short grass and leaf corpses, mixed in with residual gravel that simply made up an empty lawn with no real purpose, spanned in all directions. While Danny did not understand the reference to the terminology or functionality of a standard garage, there was no need to understand it since this house does not have one.

Nyar parked the car into the more solidified section of the lawn in front of the right side of his house, after which he turned the key the other way to kill the power to the engine. While he waited on Jane to get her "Wow!" expressions of awe out of the way, he noticed in his mirror that Danny and Taylor were taking in all of the sights too. Nyar himself remarked his attention to the somewhat distant house on his right, partially obscured by small shrubs or tiny dying trees. The neighbors here are usually spaced apart by 170 meters, thus private homes here are actually private, unlike those horrific apartment structures deeper in the city. Having to live in one for a short time, Nyar shuttered at the very reoccurrence of the memory, and put his focus back on getting inside.

"So this is where you live?" Danny continued to take it all in while climbing out of the car from the back door and stepping his shoes onto nature's floor. There was a mild noise of crunching every time his feet shifted in the ground beneath him, of all the rocky mesh mixed in with a few residual leaves being displaced by the disturbance there. Perhaps the most immediate noticeable change was the rapid shift in the air temperature here. It's much colder right now than it was back at the airport. Wherever the sun was, it was now hidden behind the sky, blocked by a solid color of clouds acting as one coat of fog. Though still bright to glance at, Danny could feel the strong winter shift take over as the wind speed picked up and spiraled down to himself and his friends exiting from the vehicle. Even though he was better at keeping himself warm in the cold, Danny too shivered with his arms hugged tightly around him in response.

"Course it is," Nyar replied. "Better head in if you don't want to freeze." He held his keys after shutting the driver-side door, but stopped short of locking the car. "On second thought, we better get all this stuff out first. Danny? Help me carry."

Jane was close to shivering already, when she hovered closer to Taylor and began to complain about the cold. "I'm guessing it's always this cold here?"

Nyar glanced at Jane with a soft grin of regretful sympathy for her. "Nope... It's usually colder." He opened the trunk and lifted one of the two large luggage cases over his shoulder, coaxing Danny standing near him to do the same. After slamming the trunk with nothing else to retrieve, it was a simple walk to the front door.

As Taylor and Jane grouped closer to Nyar and Danny, Taylor wondered in hope that the temperature difference would be positively higher inside. "You have a working heater system inside, right?"

Nyar had to momentarily process Taylor's reaction, only because she and Danny were unusually unfamiliar with a lot of things here in America. Back in Kalamo, most houses supposedly have usable heater or cooling systems installed despite the situation there; but it depends, both on how well your standard of living is, and by how much truth there is to this rumor. "It will only go so high, but I promise it's more comfortable there than out here, unless you like the cold that is."

His failed attempt to attract even a hint of laughter or tongue scuffing soon kept Nyar silent. All three of them are apparently in a negative mood just by cold weather? Isn't it winter time in Sprawn Valley too? Maybe it just doesn't get this cold there. Nyar fiddled with his keys to insert into both locks of the front door, having an installed top lock for slightly extra security. This of course makes it take somewhat longer, but being used to this, Nyar had the door open in just a few seconds, after which was a barreling of people inside at once, rather forcefully. Once the door was shut behind them and the main lights turned on, the atmosphere of the mood was once again changed.

Danny and Taylor both felt just a small amount of familiarity to this setup of a personal home, but Jane on the other hand was immediately in her hyperactive excited mood again by the new scenery alone. "Wow! This is much nicer than where I live. It's great in here."

"If that's the case," Nyar began to conclude, "then I must be doing enough out here for myself."

The moment they walk into the house, they are literally aligned with the narrow hallway down the path further, where to their right and left is a split of rooms between the dining room and the living room space. Jane immediately went to the living room since there wasn't much taking up the space in the center, as she spun around once with her arms out. Was she pretending to be a princess in a fancy home?

Nyar knew it wasn't as impressive as they believed it to be. Their lack of exposure to anything greater than this right here was actually concerning to say the least, but it's also a more realistic position to be in for an average... Actually, Nyar realized that on certain technicalities, he had it easier by inheriting some of this. The average person really does have less, at least if they live in New York, Kalamo, or Sprawn Valley. How tragic!

Taylor let the space fill in, though careful not to bump into anything while approaching the dining room table. There were actually four wooden chairs of the same design perfectly tucked evenly under the same patterned table, showing that Nyar somehow prepared to have herself and Danny here on possibility. Maybe the fourth chair was just an extra surprise, but that is good news for Jane.

Taylor treaded her way into the kitchen area, which was relatively small compared to the rest of the house so far. The standard appliances were tucked against the wall, plugged in where you wouldn't be able to see it. The metallic looking fridge and freezer unit was actually the tallest thing in the kitchen, much less the stovetop, which was combined with an oven unit both made with an analog interface, yet the dishwashing machine that Taylor heard about was absent here. Perhaps Nyar hand washes everything that gets used... That means chores will get heavy around here.

Jane noticed the nice though singled out couch against the wall with a small wall lamp above it, and she sat down with a bounce to feel for its texture and everything else. The television stand was nothing impressive, and the TV unit itself actually appeared to be incredibly similar if not exact to the same model and type she had back in her house, the one in the living room of her home. "Does New York get the same stations as us?"

"Hardly." Nyar crossed his arms, mildly upset by Jane's insolence. She should at least know better that all countries have their own unique broadcasting. Actually, states have their own as well, but not all of them broadcast under a local level. The word New York seems to be in context of America too often where it should not be, but whatever. It matters not right now. "Don't get too comfortable with the idea of entertainment through television. My TV is currently non-functional."

Danny winced just barely, not expecting Nyar to have a broken TV. "What's wrong with it?"

"It just doesn't power on anymore. I simply haven't had time to fix it right now, so you'll just have to go without one this week."

Jane lifted herself back to her feet quickly, now interested in the maroon colored curtains on the wall set to block out the natural light behind two large windows. Jane pulled both curtains aside, despite Nyar's late warning not to touch anything such as those. In fear that Jane might break something, she actually managed not to come near ruining the curtains, and now showcased the shut windows in their absence. Quickly did a lot of natural light from outside flood the living room interior. Though there was a limit on how much that affected the view given current weather conditions, Jane still wanted to open the windows, failing to pull the frame upward like she was used to.

Nyar was immediate to speed walk over towards the property that Jane was soon to break on some level. "That's not how these work." His tone was firm, and Jane backed up by a space, expecting Nyar to demonstrate for her. "Fine. I'll show you how to open these windows, just in case - god forbid something happens and you need to unlock them. Don't open these windows when I'm not home, or without telling me first, understand?"

"Of course." Jane nodded with her answer, but Nyar hesitated before showing Jane how it worked. Much to Jane's surprise, and that to her friends since this was a design unique to this house, Nyar flipped a tiny metal lever attached to the side seal, and then pulled from a side latch towards the center of the pane. The windows open sideways instead of sliding upwards, and there is enough room in the center buffer space to open both all the way at the same time. Nyar however shut this rather quickly since it was cold outside, and that his electrical heater system would not appreciate the stress. "So that's how it works?"

Taylor noticed a grandfather clock taking up a bit of space right next to Jane, made more visible when she opened the curtains to let more light in. The unit told time as expected, but its very placement and existence gave a unique feeling to the room that it did not have a moment ago. The same could be said for some of the small dressers near the TV set. In all summary, this is actually impressive, and somehow so comfortable. "This place is really nice." Taylor didn't mind giving the compliment. In fact, Nyar didn't object to it as he usually would with any compliment to anything.

Nyar took his time to analyze how much Danny and Taylor were both liking this place by first impression. "Yes, well... You know if you both sustained yourself with good careers, you could both own a house as nice as this, and then decorate it however you would want to. I couldn't say such a thing to Danny before, because you both live in Kalamo, and Kalamo is by definition closer to a communist union than a free country like America is. Anyway, my point is, you need money in this world to get anywhere."

Jane went then to the large bookshelf next to the grandfather clock, and sure enough were there massive collections of books she had never seen before. She studied the names on the spines extensively, aware by now that Nyar would get upset if she unorganized all of them by pulling each one out of place.

Nyar noticed that all of their luggage was sitting on floor beside the dining table, reminding him that these people needed to be settled, not just shown around. After grabbing the suitcase full of clothing and leaving his own briefcase behind, Nyar cast himself down the hallway. "This way - if you want to see where you'll be sleeping tonight."

Like tourists, Jane, Danny, and Taylor stayed close behind down the short narrow hallway, with a side room door leading into a small bathroom. Nyar actually showed them in here first. With the bright lights on, they could all make out the mirror above the sink, next to the shower station, and of course the toilet somewhat behind the opened door. While there was a nice floor mat right under the sink and plenty of space for just one person, it was quickly evident that this was the only bathroom in the entire house. Nyar however didn't even bother concerning himself with the potential fights that might break out over that problem. His rules were much more important. "I trust that all three of you know how to use a bathroom and take care of it at the same time. If you wreck my bathroom or do anything to disorder the place without fixing it, I'll wreck you."

Without much of a response to his decree, Nyar continued down the hall, where the section then split left and right, evenly distributing two master bedrooms. Nyar went to the left room, which had the same amount of space available, though minor differences with pictures on the wall of Nyar's family added to the uniqueness of the area. There were two beds set into this room, despite its small size. It actually made things cramped and tight, but Nyar figured Danny and Taylor would have to sleep in separate beds. Luckily, this works out for Jane, since one of the two beds is much larger in size. The smaller bed would be hard not to fall out of, but Danny has little choice, thanks to Jane joining so unexpectedly. "This is your room, all three of you. Danny, Jane and Taylor will have to share the bigger bed. Therefore, I give you the option of this small contraption here, or the sofa out there."

He glanced back up at Nyar, affirming why he got the short end of the stick here. "Are you serious?"

Looking cutely disappointed, Nyar had to make sure he tries to separate Danny from Taylor, for obvious reasons. "I do have some rules to this house while we are all here. While it may seem arbitrary to set yourself and Taylor or Jane apart simply due to gender, I must remind you of your age as well. I don't necessarily approve of you dating so openly right now, so know that I'm actually giving you a long leash by making an exception between you and Taylor, given your shared traumas in Sprawn Valley. The least you can do is sleep apart."

Danny didn't know exactly what else to say besides agreeing with Nyar's authority, but he just said this in front of Taylor and Jane as well. Unable to prevent himself from blushing, Danny simply wanted to change the subject rather quickly. "Yes sir."

Jane felt like laughing after seeing the look on Taylor's face. She's just as easily messed up by that lone suggestion as Danny is, and it's just so cute! Jane however didn't say anything or hint to any joke, since it obviously seems like Mr. Buzzkill would have her head for it.

Nyar pointed to the one and only closet in the room, as small as it was, and then gently set down the suitcase. "You can use this closet here to fill its void with all the clothes I've packed for you. Taylor? It goes without saying that Jane will need at least one extra change of clothes that can fit her." Good luck with that too, since Jane is naturally taller and bigger than Taylor, even if by a small amount. "We have a working washer and dryer for clothes, so I do expect the three of you to keep up with your own, and to not break anything in the process."

Danny spoke up to ask why Nyar was constantly teasing them with this. "Why do you keep assuming we're going to break something?"

Nyar retorted, "I'm not the one here who couldn't understand the basic principles behind how an automobile or its functions operate - even by concept. However," he pointed directly to Jane Venn while she was testing the comfort of the bigger bed, already outfitted with clean sheets and pillows. "It's your friend Jane that I'm expecting to break things, being that she is more of an outsider to basic things than the two of you are. You both saw for yourselves how archaic things are in Sprawn Valley."

Danny didn't say anything again, but he wanted to beam his own thoughts of memories to Nyar as much as possible. Nyar doesn't know anything about Sprawn Valley despite its deceptive appearances. Fronas for example appears to be an extremely poor town. Actually, it really doesn't accumulate a lot of income, but just check out the Dakota training academy, specifically in the dark room. He hadn't even seen the vault unit before, but by its description, vaults stored in training facilities are more advanced and secure than banks located in this very city, most likely. Then there is the interior of Eldora Tower. There are more advanced technological aspects to Sprawn Valley than one would think at first glance. Whether these advances have to do with the existence of Leray magic and its direct involvement or not is beside the point Nyar was trying to make a moment ago, singling Jane out like that.

"I mean it," Nyar reaffirmed. "If you don't know how to use something here, ask me first. Also, the room next door is my own, and I keep it locked when I need to. So don't enter if I'm not home. I'd rather return to it the same way I've left it." Nyar began walking back to the dining room leaving them with his sentence, when Danny followed quickly and demanded for one more thing.

"Hey, wait a minute Nyar!"

Nyar stopped cold and turned around. "Yes?"

Danny kept himself serious, reminding himself about the promise he made the moment he arrived here. As impressive as it could be to run around excited to explore the area, there is dire need to fulfill some responsibilities first. "Where's your phone? I need to call home and check in."

Nyar's stiff expression was lifted, and he simply showed Danny to the connective area between the dining room and the kitchen. Hung on the wall was an old fashion telephone with a turning ring. "This is the phone, and I only want you to use this in case of emergency if not checking in with your parents. I'll give all three of you a business card with my number on it. Call this number only if you have a concerning emergency, and nothing else." Nyar handed Danny the card.

"And if you don't pick up for any reason?"

Nyar had to accept this possibility as well. Anything could happen, especially with the incredible bad luck Danny or Taylor somehow attracted since they left Kalamo. "I advise against it because this is a last resort thing to do... But in the event of an emergency that directly threatens your life or anyone else here, and you cannot reach my number for any reason, you must dial zero for the operator, and ask for emergency services. This can however create chaos, so I simply ask that you don't get into an emergency. Don't try to cook, don't touch the thermostat, don't wildly explore outside, and don't horseplay."

"I got it."

Danny seemed to be paying close attention, and Nyar was thankful that the boy has enough sense and concern for himself and other people to be as responsible as possible. Hopefully he can be in charge of Taylor and Jane while he goes away to work. After all, Nyar has no way to babysit any of them. Many states forbid this as being against the law, but they also don't mention the inability to afford such a service, even by personal means.

Danny watched as Nyar nodded, his mood lifted perhaps by his sudden lack of worry, and he pulled up a small bag, emptying the contents onto the table. The slight sound of the smack of the bags of chips and a few candy bars actually had Taylor and Jane running through the hallway back out into the dining room. How did either of them know that was food?

Nyar disregarded the lack of manner in the two girls, assuming them to be starved at this point. "These snacks should hold you down for now, and I'll have some real food sometime later tonight when I go out for it."

"They have snacks and I'm hungry," Jane assessed. She was allowed by Nyar to sit down and eat what was here, but Jane remained mindful enough to make sure Taylor and Danny would have enough themselves too.

Hmmmm! Nutrients!

Danny however went to the phone, and with Nyar's permission, used it to dial only the number to his own place, where Arias and Jenson were at right now. Luckily, Kalamo doesn't charge any high fees for international phone calls like many other countries do. Danny even knew about the process of adding a number one to the beginning of the number when making a long distance call, and Nyar attended to his own unpacking while Taylor and Jane somewhat watched Danny in curiosity.

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Chapter Theme Shift: Cloud Forest ~ Jon Dahlander

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After calling the 11-digit number by spinning the dial and waiting for it to return to position, Danny heard the familiar noise on the speaker of the system dialing the number, and he waited several seconds.

"Mason's Residence." It was Arias Mason, though some minor amount of noise reduced the clarity of what could be heard, likely on both ends.

Danny knew this voice anywhere, and with everything he had ready to say or ask in mind, it was immediately melted away. "Dad!"

"Danny? Ah, god! Finally! Now I know you're safe. I'll have to thank Nyar for this later. But how are you? Tell me what's going on!"

Taylor and Jane were both holding their food in place, halting their teeth to realize who Danny was in fact calling on that phone. Even though they could hear just the faint amount of voice from their distance, there was no way for anyone other than Danny to make it out since his ear was to the phone. Taylor didn't know why this suddenly felt so awkward, but Danny is finally calling home like he is supposed to. It's actually a wonder why he didn't do this before back in Sprawn Valley. Jane is just curious for now.

Danny held his voice firm, but he couldn't deny the warm feeling of his family, bringing him close to glossier eyes. "It's a long story dad. I don't know what Nyar told you, but we're in New York now."

"Well then that's very good news. Thank god nothing ever got worse."

"Dad?" Danny didn't know exactly what Arias meant in his context, but figured he might break it down.

"I mean, falling off a cruise in the middle of the ocean, what were you thinking? You had us worried to death!"

Danny knew that Arias wasn't yelling in anger right now, much more was he venting all of his thoughts since this all first started, but even now, there was reason enough to hold so much guilt. It really was Danny's fault in the first place. What was I thinking? Even after making it to Sprawn Valley and nearly killing Taylor in the process, twice, Danny never called his parents; instead he called Nyar. Danny knew he called Nyar of first choice only because he was the one to be expecting them in the first place. But why didn't he call home at some point in time? Why?

"What? Yes. Danny, I'm putting your mom on the phone. Here..."

Danny waited patiently to hear his mother still in recovery from her illness, uncertain of whether she would sound better or worse, or whether such a distinction could even be made over the questionable phone quality. Still, he needed to hear that voice right now!

"Danny? Is my son okay?"

Danny nodded despite only being on the phone. "Mom. I'm fine now. I didn't mean to take so long to call back—"

"Awh, don't beat yourself up over that! We just needed to make sure you were safe. I feared the worst."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Sh— shouldn't you be resting?" Danny wasn't sure if it was the right moment or even authority to ask, but Jenson should defiantly not be moving around too much after the chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

"I think after what you've been through, you should be the one resting. I've had enough rest anyway, so you let me and your dad worry about me."

"Fair enough," he replied. Danny could sense and literally catch the glimpse of Jane and Taylor eyeing him like a zoo animal, much more Taylor than Jane. Still, all he had to do was glance back to push their attention back on the chips and chocolate bars.

"But I've also heard something happened with Taylor and her folks. I don't know what's going on, but she's fine too, right?"

Nyar told them about that? Danny hardened his teeth together at the thought. Nobody else has the right to share that information. Even if her own parents are the one who squeaked, they should at least do so honestly. Danny should just say that Taylor is fine, but... Taylor is far from okay, mentally speaking. Her country, the same one he is from has an illegitimate kingdom trying to falsely recruit young or attractive women for a behind-the-scenes slavery operation. Even fit men or children are recruited for hard labor, and they make it seem legitimate or worth the while by hiding the dark truths behind pension and reward money to the respective families, which actually comes from the taxpayers there, the citizen's own money. This fake empire is called the Banshee Empire, and their victims are known as either the Banshee victims or Banshee slaves, sold off by their families who don't do enough research to see the massive fraud for what it is. It's a wonder how the monarch hasn't been caught yet, or if these propositions from up top are really as optional as advertised.

But Taylor did her research. She has friends who she knew, friends that have never returned nor were heard of again who were Banshee slaves. Despite that bit of knowledge, against all claims, Laura and Lonagan Feer are willing to put their only daughter out there just for a big boost of money they can use for themselves. Somehow, they even believe Taylor would be able to come back and visit, the idiots. Everyone has been supporting her against this movement, and because of that, she's actually a legal Sprawn Valley citizen right now; that is until she literally sets foot back into Kalamo. But Danny knew he could only imagine what kind of traumatizing feeling this has given Taylor, where her one and only family are literally against her very way of life in all forms.

So, no! Taylor is not doing okay, but it's such a long story to tell, and there isn't time for it right now, not unless Taylor is up for that. Danny peeked at Taylor for a few seconds, who skittishly kept her head down. "It's complicated, but she's alright. Nobody is hurt."

"That's all I needed to know. When Nyar told me that you and Taylor were trapped in Sprawn Valley, I feared the worst for days. And naturally, nobody else could come to get you. Your dad was watching after me. Only now am I finally recovering from this disgusting illness."

So she knows about Sprawn Valley and magic as well. "Mom? Be honest with me here. I grew up never believing in magic, nor have I ever heard of it before... So why wasn't I informed?!" Danny's voice shouted at a new volume, letting all of that rage he held back finally consume him. All of this time, the simple knowledge of this could have changed everything, even prevented them from ever going to Sprawn Valley had he believed it to be real yet dangerous. But it's too late to lie about it now. "Why did you lie to me and Taylor for all of those years?"

"You were there, weren't you? You saw what it was like for yourself. Magic is nothing but a complete waste of time, an evil art that claims to help when it can only destroy. Making people live forever? Yeah right. I wasn't about to let you get dragged into that mentality, where magic was some wonderful form of grand adventure. Even your father beside me is shaking his head in agreement."

Complete waste of time? What about people like Jane then? People give up so much of their life just to experience the fun of magic battles. Even if it is exclusive to that one section of the entire planet, who cares what it can't do? It wasn't designed for people to live forever, or for destruction. "Oh, yeah? Were you ever there? Just once, in your entire life, did you visit Sprawn Valley?"

"Son, I never had to be there in person to hear through the noise of lies that government spits out."

"Don't you talk to me about the noise of lies like you know it all! Leray magic isn't this evil art that you people make it out to be. And yeah, people need to learn it responsibly, but I've seen what Leray magic can do for people in the world. It actually can help save lives, just as much as it can take them."

"Christ, will you listen to yourself?! Though Nyar warned me about this. You must have been there long enough to test the magic for yourself. But trust me Danny. You've not been there long enough to see the whole picture. Leray magic is dangerous. Even the top officials there don't know everything about it."

"The same goes for you too." Danny made his moment to calm down. Yelling at his own mom certainly wasn't something he let happen before, but this was beyond insanity. How can people hate magic when they've never seen the true potential? And so what if it isn't natural? It saved Taylor's life from certain death, even Jane. In fact, if Jane weren't marked to help out in the dark zone incident, that black hole of evil could have swallowed up the entire country and killed everyone who wasn't ready for it. Dark magic was the culprit behind Alpha Zero, but Leray magic was able to resolve the situation. It works! "So I like to use a little magic. I guess that makes me an evil criminal, huh?"

"No one is saying that. I—" "Give me that..." Danny could hear the voices shifting with the sound of noises against the device on the other end. Arias was obviously taking the phone from Jenson. "Listen Danny. There is no need to stress out your mother anymore. You know that she and I both don't approve of you using that magic voodoo from Sprawn Valley. Take whatever you want in life, you can have it as long as it doesn't involve magic."

"Why is this suddenly out of my hands? You both criminalize what you don't understand."

"That's where you're wrong, to think we don't understand. Why else would we lie to you about it then, huh? I didn't want you getting involved with Leray magic. Even Nyar thought the same way, so that's how it is."

Danny held the phone so tight his hand may snap through the plastic. But he couldn't get anything else to escape his breath. What more could he say? What's supposed to happen then?

"Now... I don't know if Nyar is busy unpacking, but if you know what he plans to do in order to take you back to us, please let me know."

Danny sighed slightly away from the phone. He knew this much at least, and might as well fill them both with the probable hope that he will go back home. "Nyar is looking after us until he can raise enough for a flight home. He estimated that it would take around thirty days before it could happen realistically. So we're just sitting tight right now, and he'll of course give you updates."

"As will you. I want you to call us every single night, whatever time it is, I don't care. Got it? Tell Nyar to call me whenever he gets a free moment."

"Okay." Danny didn't want to waste time arguing about magic, but it still bugged him to no end. How could they be so stupid? It's just like Taylor situation... No, hers is still much worse. Fine then.

"I love y—"

Danny threw the phone back on the hook before he let his dad finish. He already acknowledged giving Nyar the task, so there was no more need to continue talking about it. Finally, that was over with, but now Taylor and even Jane may be bursting with questions... No? They're just sitting there eating. Well, nibbling really, pretending to eat to hide their nosiness.

Taylor finally let herself study Danny carefully. He hadn't shown this much stress and frustration since he first learned about her personal situation back home. But what was that all about in the first place? Taylor heard her name come up in part of that mess. Danny looks like... He looks like he's about to put his fist through the wall. Taylor stood up, preparing to comfort him in some way.

Danny noticed immediately what sort of look this was with Taylor. She's too sympathetic, especially given that her situation is much worse than his own. No, no hugs this time! "I'm fine." Danny marched forward, nearly brushing Taylor's side hard enough to upset her if not for the near miss, and he continued down the hallway to find his uncle, give him the news.

Jane didn't understand what was going on, but it felt troubling. Taylor looked so empty right now, and the way Danny just pushed her away like a bad thought... "I don't really get what's happening sometimes," she started. Jane was careful not to sound like a total jerk. "But I hope your luck turns around, for both of you."

Taylor held her hands together with her index and pinky fingers outward, the other two folded inwards while she stood in a depressing trance. There wasn't anything she could do for him, is there? Danny wouldn't even share with Taylor what that was about, but it didn't sound all too good. Something about it was magic related, since he was obviously defending the existence and practice of it. Nyar shoots it down all the time too, but somehow, instead of Jane being upset by it, Danny is the one affected?

"That's what I'm saying."

Jane and Taylor heard Nyar's voice from down the hall, as he was walking quickly down towards them with Danny marching out in front. Danny still seemed to be pissed off, but Nyar was into it now.

"They left me the message," Danny repeated for the third time, "and I delivered."

"That's not the point. I was expecting you to hand me over to the line as soon as you checked in."

"Well it didn't go that way, okay?"

Nyar was still stunned by this. Danny hadn't been showing very much emotion since their flight began, but he initially assumed that this was all for the best. Why is he so bent out of shape? Clearly, there were details missing, and it's time to throw the books. "Alright. Everyone listen to me right now. All of you!" After having the attention he demanded, Nyar decided it was time to get real with all of them, right here at this dining room table. "I've let the three of you get away with your half-assed explanations for long enough. I know that Danny and Taylor were trapped in Sprawn Valley for over a full month of time. And in that time, I have absolutely no idea what happened among the three of you. But whatever it is has obviously changed you both; the way you think life works, the sudden glorification of Leray magic. I'm not going to ask to argue with anyone. I just want to hear the full story; the entire bag of bull that you suffered, all three of you. Nobody leaves here until then."

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Chapter Theme Shift: Alone ~ Jaia

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There was silence, not entirely out of shock, much more out of study. Taylor, Danny, and Jane were all staring at Nyar and his serious expression, as he has already realized the presence of some kind of problem. Since nobody was talking, and since Danny knew Nyar well enough to understand that he was also as serious about nobody leaving this very room, he decided to go first with the summary.

"Fine." When Taylor and Jane both glanced back at him, he gave them no mind. "I'll share it all, my whole life experience on that rock," Danny admitted. "And when I do, I want no more heat about this evil magic thing from you, from anyone. Then you leave us alone about what happened in Sprawn Valley, since I'm about to say it all anyway."

"Yes," Nyar agreed. "I won't fuss over what happened in the past. I just need to know what you all went through. Because until I know that, I can't truly be with you or take care of you, see?" Nyar's words were meant to be figurative, but he soon realized that they might have taken that the wrong way, the literal way.

Danny kept it summarized since it was such a long story he played in his head over and over like a metronome. How could he forget the days that changed everyone's lives? Through it all, Danny kept himself composed as best as he could while spilling his memory, but the beginning was the most difficult for him. Nyar listened silently while Danny explained in full detail what happened on the Tidal Max. When Danny got to share his experience, in that the reason for getting himself and Taylor locked out, Nyar almost lost it respectively.

Holding his head as if to display a migraine, Nyar dared to analyze why Danny would make such a poor choice. "You went outside into a deadly storm after being told not to just to check out a light?"

Technically, Taylor wanted to know a bit more about the unusual glowing light, but Danny took it fairly since he should have stopped her curiosity as well. "I still have no way to prove this, but I believe it was an unusual glowing source of Leray magic, some magical burst gone astray making it all the way into the sky above us at night. We were close to the shore of southern Sprawn Valley after all..."

Taylor wanted to interject where Danny failed in memory. Danny wasn't merely curious about the green light source he saw outside, and Taylor didn't run out like an idiot either, not until Danny wen first. Does he not recall the trance he went into? What were those words he mumbled that day? It was too difficult to recall now, but something strange happened to Danny in that moment; he didn't exit to go outside willingly, rather out of total confusion.

Satisfied with the blunt explanation that the presence of something fully unknown to Danny got the best of his defended curiosity, Nyar let him continue uninterrupted. Danny continued to explain, on the moment where they were locked outside on deck by the sudden reset in electrical power. And then when the rain grew heavier, the floor getting slipperier, Danny and Taylor fell off of the cruise together into the ocean during a near capsize effective tip of the vessel.

But as unbelievable as it sounded, Danny continued to quickly amaze both Nyar and Jane with the excruciating details of their arrival to the new country. It began with surviving in place in rapid dangerous waves of ocean rushing in all directions, with a storm as deadly as ever and no way back onto the Tidal Max. With no way to signal for help, the crew didn't even realize that two of their passengers were in peril.

After the storm calmed down with the very slight rising of the sunlight, Danny spotted and swam to an unidentified rocky island with Taylor in tow. After that, sensing no source of clean water or fresh food, Danny decided to try and scale the 250-meter rock wall, vertical and slippery in its natural design of a barrier.

According to what he learned later on, the proper way into Sprawn Valley by sea is Vanon Port, which of course the Tidal Max does not acknowledge, but if they had arrived there, Danny and Taylor would have quickly made it to Blue Port Town, and learned about the secrets of the land much quicker. Instead, they cut through a section of forest after having to bypass the wall in some other way, after causing Taylor to have such a fatal injury from her fall.

At this point Nyar couldn't breathe if he wanted to. He tried to imagine what that sort of process this would do to a young boy, having his best friend fall down a wall to their death, much more under guilty circumstances from allowing her to climb in the first place. Somehow, despite the obvious injury and skin damage, Taylor though unconscious didn't fall dead. Danny said that even at that time, despite not knowing anything about magic was he able to confirm much later on their stay that Taylor's full demise was just barely blocked out by the veil's protective effects, which wasn't as effective since they were at the very edge of the effective veil.

When he got further into the forest with Taylor in his arms, a short nap woke the both of them, with Taylor's injuries only partly visible, and her stamina mostly restored. Nyar could feel it; he could feel the fear and confusion from Danny as he spurred his memory back to that moment in time. Danny saw someone who should have died in the realistic circumstances, totally revive herself from a critical injury, after which such an injury was instantly healed as if with magic. It is common knowledge for those who know about Leray magic that the process has this effect, this property of extending the life of people simply by rejecting naturally inflicted critical injury. Even if it isn't natural to anyone's state of mind, in Danny's case, the very magic he didn't know about saved Taylor's life...

Danny didn't stop there though. After arriving to see the first of civilization in the town of Fronas, Danny learned so much at once. First, he learned that the so-called island was actually a very large country normally off map. The second thing was of course the existence and integration of Leray magic as well as its functions. All they would have to do is show Danny and Taylor simple demonstrations to prove that as well, and that's when Nyar got the phone call from outside his residence, from Danny himself, outfitted with the terrible news.

After learning about Leray magic, Taylor wished to stay behind for a bit longer to learn magic. Danny only agreed for the potential of self-defense, but was pressured by one of the agents there.

Danny continued in summary, and eventually got to the part that would normally upset Taylor. With her permission from a single nod, Danny went forward to tell Nyar that during a weekend training session in Fronas, Taylor broke the one only secret she had towards him, that of being an enlisted Banshee slave.

Jane quickly conferred the connection of this with the moment in her memory, when Danny and Taylor asked to have a moment alone, only to return Taylor in tears with no explanation at all. That was the big secret?

"Taylor?" Nyar eyed. "Does this mean that your vacation here was initially just a means of escaping that horror? You planned to come here to visit with Danny, only to later run away somewhere in the city?"

Taylor nodded without any verbal response. She couldn't get the words out. Danny was the first one before to draw that conclusion about her little plan, flawed as it was.

"It's not the same reason she went with me this time," Danny clarified. "Taylor could have stayed in Sprawn Valley and easily have avoided being part of that Banshee recruitment..." Danny gave Nyar a concise look. "But I knew we would have better luck with family, if not her own, then some of mine."

"Then that was the reason for such a long delay?"

Danny made sure it made sense to him as much as it would for Nyar. "There were other delays of getting sidetracked, but mostly was it us trying to figure out a way for Taylor to avoid having to put up with this."

Then you should have left Taylor behind like you suggested. Nyar couldn't help but seem ashamed of this development. After all the judging he did, Nyar assumed his own family got wrecked up in Leray magic simply for the aspect of amazement. These people have more going on than they've let on, but this is indeed a problem. "Danny? Taylor? I have to be as clear as possible so that you understand the full purpose of your stay."

What is it now? Danny didn't want to push his luck with Nyar, but this didn't sound anymore condescending from before.

"Danny, as your uncle, I do have immediate right and care to you as your legal guardian. As for Jane, the laws set in Sprawn Valley with her parent's approval to travel gives her the right to be here. But as for Taylor, even as a citizen of Sprawn Valley, her family lives in Kalamo, and they still have full lawful custody of her no matter where she is, being that Taylor is underage to be an adult. Much more is this true since you are now in the United States, where adulthood is considered at the age of eighteen."

"What are you saying?"

Nyar began to spit it out, realizing that his hop around the subject was only making this harder to contemplate. "Legally speaking, I have no right to hold Taylor here, despite that I'm doing it right now." Getting angry glares, Nyar assumed they've already misunderstood. "Right now, we're under the radar, but the first moment a child custody lawsuit is filed against us, which would only come from mister and Mrs. Feer, I will have to hand you over to them, else would I be in violation myself."

Naturally was everyone shocked by such defeating words, but Taylor would also take this to be the worst news. "What do you mean send me back? I can't ever go back!" Unable to fight tears to her eyes and the familiar trembling sensation of wanting to melt, Taylor didn't know what else to do.

Danny popped out of his chair fast enough to backslide the seat behind him, and he stood in front of Taylor, getting up in his uncle's face to decree a better idea. "I've heard about enough of that. You and I talked about this! Taylor isn't going anywhere near that sad excuse of what you call her family." Danny generated a near T-pose, assuming Nyar to react negatively to his defense.

Nyar only sighed with his arms folded in front of his chest. Danny really is more grown up. That short time he spent in Sprawn Valley may have twisted his mind some, but not nearly out of phase. If anything, the experience has only toughened him up, and seeing Jane hugging Taylor could only mean that the two girls here are not as powerful as they may seem. Still, Danny would willingly go out of his way to ignore and deny any sort of law just to make sure Taylor is okay? Would he even let her live by herself in Sprawn Valley to avoid this? Because that is the only current solution available.

Even Jane made sure to voice her opinion on this, after getting along with Taylor for so long now, and seeing that Danny had the exact right idea. "I'm not letting anything bad happen to my Tay. If her parents do come for her, I'll hide us both."

"There is no need for such threatening actions." Nyar puzzled the situation more strongly, sensing that this wasn't going to work as he initially thought. How could he send Taylor back? She would simply just avoid it somehow, and his successful attempt if ever made would do the world one big harm. Danny would never forgive anyone if that happened, if Taylor became a Banshee slave. "Alright," he sounded. "There might just be one other way to change this situation for the better, but the chances of success are incredibly low."

Danny lowered his guard, sensing that Nyar wasn't actually on the side of the enemy. He can't be so calm right now if he was in opposition. "I know some interesting tricks to transfer custody from one person to another. It's not an easy legal process, and it will be made more difficult by the fact that I am in current illegal custody of Taylor Feer. But if I somehow succeed in a side-case session, I might be able to manipulate the power those criminals have over you." To this, Nyar addressed Taylor directly, making Jane let go and Danny step aside, though unnecessarily.

Taylor didn't have anything she could prepare to say. This was defiantly a shock, but a confusing one to say the least. Nyar is saying that if he can succeed in a case-custody battle, he will become her new daddy.

Sensing the tensions change quickly, Nyar quickly put his foot down fast enough to make sure no false hopes are given out freely. "I remind all of you that this is unlikely to go my way. If in the event that you desperately need to escape persecution from the Banshee Empire, Taylor, I must inform you that there is one other thing that you can do."

Danny gasped upon realizing what Nyar was about to say. He wanted to protest, but there was no other way to contemplate a way of doing so. If this happens, Danny will have to make a life changing decision.

Nyar made sure not to be cryptic in his explanation of Taylor's final resort option. "If you were to return to Sprawn Valley, then your active status of their citizenship will apply more strongly, and you will have independence so long as you reside there, but this also means you can't leave Sprawn Valley until you've reached eighteen years of age."

That's the catch, Danny realized. Taylor could very well avoid legal transfer back to her monstrous parents and avoid being a Banshee slave, if she went away for almost two years never to be seen or heard from. She could hide in Sprawn Valley, and even defend herself there, but Danny would either have to stay behind for the sake of his own family, or use the same escape method Taylor would use to be with her, having little to no contact with his own family in the process for the same amount of time. This just sucks Nyar!

Nyar quickly changed the subject, hoping nobody would be stupid enough to make a delicate choice on something so heavy right now. "I urge you not to even think about this right now. We won't be faced with this issue for over a month of time. Even if a child claim lawsuit is filed, I wouldn't be able to send Taylor back in the first place without money. So we do have time on our side to figure out a solution, and time I can use to change the status of her custody. That is, if you can trust me to try."

After everyone fell silent, confused thoughts colliding with the contemplation of a serious puzzle of legality issues Nyar was faced with, the offer he made sounded more pleasing the more it was thought of. Eventually, Danny and Taylor both answered with agreement verbally at the same time, and her tears were soon to dry away. Jane sighed in relief that she was just overstressing about a bigger fear, and realized that Nyar really was on their side.

"I do apologize for bringing up such a heavy subject in the middle of your explanation—"

Danny cut Nyar off; he didn't allow Nyar to apologize for this, since it was so required. "Don't have to," he claimed. "I think this was something we should have covered right now. I want Taylor to be free and happy. If you can help us do that Nyar," Danny was quiet for a few more seconds, only to process how he could thank the man, "then I know that we can always trust you."

The fact that Danny doesn't trust him right now is a bit disturbing, but Nyar took this to agreement, assuming Danny meant other things, such as his disposition towards Leray magic and everything else. Either way, this large summary wasn't over yet. There is still the matter of their new friend to discuss. "Jane Venn? I realize you haven't had much of a chance to talk about your experiences in Sprawn Valley. I am of course only interested in what happened to involve yourself with my nephew, and urge you to discuss with me how this all started between the three of you."

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Chapter Theme Shift: {Phantoms (FFX)} ~ Final Fantasy X (Remaster)

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Jane prepared to explain her version of the story, but soon found it less necessary to summarize what she already knew. It's not like anything different happened than what Danny already told him, and there was only one important aspect to it all. "All my life in Sprawn Valley, I've loved Leray magic to its fullest, and I still find it beautiful."

Another nutcase. Jane's eyes even light up like he'd never expect just from talking about magic. Nyar exhaled silently and let the girl continue.

Finding the topic more exciting, Jane let herself drag every thought from the concept to her lips. "I love all of the amazing spells people can use, all of the different strategic ways we can fight, and the fair sport of it all. I've dreamed ever since of becoming a Leray master, the best Leray wielder status in the world."

After letting that ideal sink in, Jane quickly shifted her subject and tone. "But after meeting these two, I learned that there is more to the world than just Leray magic. Don't get me wrong, I still love it to my heart's content. I'll never get tired of it. But..." Jane eyed both Danny and then Taylor with her bright green eyes and smiling luster, using her memories to best guide her tongue. "Danny and Taylor are my best friends. We trained together, traveled together, even fought together in Sprawn Valley, and they're both such nice people. I'll admit that I first believed they loved Leray magic as much as I do, but even as I find that not to be certain, we all take care of each other now."

This is certainly a stunning development, and neither one of them is denying her claims. Why then is this so? It doesn't make any sense. Jane is saying that just because Danny and Taylor met her in Fronas, they've been tight friends? What purpose would that have served? If she loves Leray magic more than them, how would it even last?

Jane continued quickly from where she left off. "Maybe it's because I've never had friends like these before, but I'd never trade them for the world. I—" Jane almost stuttered to make sure that her explanation wasn't too embarrassing for them, but she didn't want to hoard the truth either. "I love Taylor and Danny as my best friends, and I'd never let anything change that."

Danny was surprised to see this much admission from Jane, since she is often passive aggressive about it in the first place, but even her face was saturating a little more just by saying it. Still, it is true. Danny felt this way too. At first, it was only between himself and Taylor. But now that they are romantically involved, the way Jane describes love in a format of friendship, it just fits how it feels. One can have an acquaintance that they know and sometimes call a friend, but it won't guarantee to mean much with little connection. With a situation like this, Danny would die to protect Jane, more so for Taylor than for Jane. In truth, it feels like all three of them would do the same both ways. Jane is that type of friend.

"I must say that is quite odd." Nyar didn't know how else to put it. A simple friend who would go through such amazing lengths even though she can't be anything else? Does Jane really feel so strongly about Danny and Taylor as to treat them like family? It can't be so. "And what of Sprawn Valley and magic? You came all the way here knowing that your magic would be disabled temporarily."

Jane knew that answer was a no-brainer. "Duh. Why would I stay behind when I can have a vacation with my favorite side-kicks?" Jane knew her phrasing felt mildly cringy, but seeing the smile return to Taylor and even Danny even if from embarrassment was just as heartwarming to her.

"You do realize they might not ever return to Sprawn Valley, right? What would happen then?"

Jane's expression sunk fast, realizing this to be true, although she knew of the possibility beforehand. "Wh— well then I'll just have to make the most of it, I guess." Nyar had a point. If Danny and Taylor were to go back to Kalamo, Jane would be screwing herself to follow them. She has a family too, and even a full situation back home that she cannot ignore.

Danny broke the silence before it began to sting. "If that ever happens, we still have phone lines and other ways to stay in touch."

"I know what you're thinking Nyar," Jane assumed. "I must miss Leray magic really bad by now, especially after being away from my home for so long, and you're not wrong to think that. I do miss it." Jane acknowledged that Danny and Taylor were comfortable with her words before finishing her statement. "But my home is always right here, with the people I can trust. Spending time with Danny and Taylor is the reason I wanted to come with. I do have a curiosity about this country, but I don't think I would have been able to leave if not for them."

So that's why she came along? Nyar didn't protest to the idea, but Jane wasn't trying to be annoying after all. This certainly complicates things, because now separating one from the three of them is going to be much harder... But Jane can't live like this forever. Taylor has her own problem to deal with, and no magic in the world can save her. As for Danny, well... There's no way to tell what will happen here. Jane, you should have stayed behind too, for your own sake. With a loud sigh, Nyar didn't know what to make of this, though he did try to piece together one thought to another. "I don't know what's happening anymore. Why does Sprawn Valley do this to people? They willingly throw their young children into a vast array of dangerous Leray magic. And from there, it's just every man for himself to figure out these problems. Just chuck everyone into the void!"

Jane nodded left and right blissfully, knowing Nyar to be wrong. "Hm-mn! That's incorrect. You're acting as though magic is dangerous because it has the power to harm. In truth, it does, but Leray magic and dark magic are classified by those different terms for that reason of separation. Only dark magic has the power to cause harm, but Leray magic does so much great to us all, and it can save anyone who uses it the right way."

"Yeah, so long as that person intends to," Nyar retorted. Here we go again with this. "Why is this so hard to understand? Dark magic is made illegal in Sprawn Valley, right? Do you think that a criminal gives a load about whether something is legal or not?" Having their distraught attention, Nyar made his point very firm and clear. "Let me make this simple for you all. Magic is magic. There is no difference between the two, since virtually everyone has access to it by sheer desire. Therefore, magic can be used to create or to destroy. While you make it sound like this is a controllable situation, it won't stop villains from using such magic to pursue their own nasty plots."

"But Nyar," Danny protested. His attempt wasn't even allowed through his uncle's talking.

"Oh, but Leray magic can be used for good and stop the evil." Nyar had shifted his tone entirely to sound completely sarcastic in an ideological manner. "Don't give me that crap. What makes you think a sixteen-year-old girl can stop all of the horrible things happening in the world? And how could the very possibility cross your mind when the top officials of Sprawn Valley are currently struggling to do the very same, against this new cult I've been hearing about? You don't think news travels? That place is doomed to hell, and there isn't anything you can do to stop it! Trying will just get you all killed."

Jane opened her lips just enough to show her teeth, but she couldn't get anything out. Why is he saying these things? Why won't Nyar just see how wonderful magic can be? Jane knew that she used Leray magic to stop the spread of Alpha Zero. They've already won! The Scarlet Cult won't be around much longer with Danton on the hunt for their leaders. Magic isn't this terrible evil thing people make it out to be.

Nyar saw Jane sink her head lower as she went silent. Oddly, all three of them synchronized to the same behavior. Though he sounded harsh, Nyar knew this to be the truth. It doesn't matter how much time passes; the same thing never changes. If all of the bad guys in the world were to suddenly go away, new ones would be born, right in the backyard of that terrible nation. If magic were made available to the whole of this planet, the world would live in anarchy and chaos.

Just as he was about to say more, Nyar's pager began beeping and making noise, distracting everyone. He forgot that it was still clipped to his back pocket, though surprised it was going off at all. It was only used for work, and he wasn't expected back in office until tomorrow. Nyar pulled the pager up and read the digital text on the device slowly.

Danny watched as Nyar's mood shifted rather quickly, and he began rushing his own things together, already dressed in a button tie jacket that was well suited for something formal. "What's happening?"

Nyar didn't realize this much time had already passed, but he would have to take care of this now, less he regret missing the appointment later on. "I have to catch this appointment with one of my associates. I have a new case already that I have to assist with." Nyar began packing up by holding his small briefcase and his car keys. "I won't take all night, but I need the three of you to look after yourselves until I come back home, with supper. Danny, do it just like we talked about."

Nyar was simply referring to Danny being left in charge, but this was so sudden for all of them. Nyar is just going to leave already, back to his job? What the hell are they supposed to do in that time? Even the television doesn't work! Come on, Nyar!

"I know you'll be fine. And Jane?" Nyar waited for Jane to pay him any attention, though her previously excited expression was transformed into a total obvious depression, which he knew was there no hope of fixing right now. All the same, "Just do as they say and stay out of trouble."

"Yes sir." Jane couldn't even sound remotely positive about this, but it wasn't because Nyar was leaving the house for a while. Despite everything she knew, Nyar wasn't totally wrong about what he said, at least it didn't feel the same anymore.

After Nyar left the front door and locked it from the outside, Danny and Taylor both crept closer to Jane, trying to cheer her up and comfort her in spite of Nyar's pointless argument. But now that things were back on Jane's mind that she wished she could forget, it was no use right now. Jane at least tried to let them cheer her up, but she needed to sort some things out in her head first.

Taylor asked Jane if she was going to be back to normal yet, after failing to bribe her with more candy. "It can't be that bad back at home."

Without even glancing up, just staring down at her shoes, Jane let it all sink in, particularly about how things are going back home. There is Alyssa and Iona to worry about, though she did leave them with enough instruction not to get themselves into trouble. Right now, Danton is dealing with the Scarlet Cult, but that isn't the only thing he has to deal with. If these problems don't ever get solved, nothing will ever change. If only, "Sir Danton..." Jane didn't mean to say that out loud from her thoughts. Naturally, this caused Danny and Taylor to ask what about Danton was bothering her mind. It wasn't much of a bother as it was a solid memory from before. There is so much to fix right now, for Jane and for Sprawn Valley both. Right now, Danton is performing the task of his leadership title well, though with incredible stress. But this also involves her directly. Danton must know what he is doing...