Constructing a place to call home was not as simple as plunging materials into the ground. It was a complex feat that went beyond their scope, leaving them to rely heavily on the instructions of both Nav and the Archivist who had access to the relevant knowledge.

Wood was absolutely going to be the main material of choice. As powerful as they all were, creating concrete and the relevant construction materials was impossible with the tools they had. And even if they did have the tools, it wasn’t as if they’d know how to use them properly.

Another issue also arose.

The triplets’ idea of a ‘home’ was functionally a stick hut made from an assemblage of foraged material and wooden poles. When asked where they’d put a kitchen or a fire to prepare food, Cer and Ber pointed outside and said, “in the open, duh?”

It rained almost immediately, soaking the lands as animals sought cover in the forests and caves. But for them, Ignis erected a giant skeletal tent to temporarily shield them from the rain.

Then it hit them.

Why not also use Ignis’ bones as a material? It would simplify the headache. Anna thought it was a crazy idea, but she was about the only normal person present. Living inside of a house made from a bit of Ignis was incredibly low in the scale of morbid horrors.

“U-Um, Ignis? Is that ok with you?” Anna asked, a little taken aback by this.

“I want to also live under the same roof. If it’s me that holds this roof over us, then I’ll be more than happy. It’s ok Anna. It doesn’t hurt me either.” Ignis sweetly assured her.

There was something symbolic about Ignis being the one to consistently tether them together in a physical manner. She had plenty of Biomass to spare, and they could always use wood to act as a façade for the bone.

It’d be shoddy, but it’ll also have its own charm in a way. Maximizing the size of the house was perhaps the most important part, and for this reason, the triplets’ idea was understandably rejected.

Curious, and as Anna and Nav continued to alter the design of the house with Jury leading the operation, Frost asked why they didn’t want a house too big.

“It’s not for any distorted reason or anything like that.” Cer began, folding her arms as she shot her sisters a glance, waiting for Ber’s approval for something.

When Ber nodded, Cer lightly kicked the grass and confessed.

“Moons like us don’t stay in one place. When we sleep, it’s usually beneath a tree. Maybe upside down. On the tree. Wherever. Oh. And don’t feel sorry for us either. Going back to a place we can call ‘home’ would ruin us if we didn’t have Serum G. Moons never stop orbiting. It’d be against nature if we did.”

“Idiot…” Res sighed, taking over as Frost suspected that this wasn’t truly the reason behind their distaste. “Frost. As you’re aware, we come from an incredibly poor background. Although poor would insinuate that we only lacked money and food. I won’t get into the details of what was ‘normal’ there. But it was our ‘home’. It was where we were born, and where mom used to live. Inside of a tiny, little hut by the same lake Ber lived in.”

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Also, big houses were considered targets for humans, and places Demi-humans needed to avoid. You can guess why.” Ber added after a short moment of silence. “But that’s that, right!? Besides, how are we supposed to fit everyone into the same house with this new me!?”

She punched the air before pointing at herself with a thumb, grinning happily. Her breasts plopped onto Cer’s head as she leaned over. For some reason, Frost thought of a bipod for a machine gun.

“Ahem.” Cer cleared her throat before grinning as wide as Ber. That mischievous smile of hers was something Frost had gradually come to adore. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to stay too. Heh. How ‘bout it Frost? Won’t you take these orphaned Demi-humans under your wing?”

“How old are you again?” Frost laughed. “Yeah… You’ve been under my wing for a while now.” She patted Cer and Res’ heads simultaneously. Res immediately melted in her palms, whilst Cer stubbornly refused to allow herself to submit.

Her tail was all the proof Frost needed to know that she genuinely enjoyed being touched like this. Seeing that innocent side of them was always a pleasure. Ber didn’t ask for a head pad. Instead, she just waved the white, fluffy tip of her tail along Frost’s back like a feather.

“I want this place to be a sanctuary for us. A place we can live and come back to when things turn rough. We can call this our paradise. But it won’t be built at the cost of people like that city. It’ll be made with compassion.” Frost then exchanged gazes with all three of them before finishing with: “I want you to think of this place when you think about ‘home’.”

Cer’s eyes widened unexpectedly, and Res didn’t seem to know how to respond. But if anything, she could tell that it was a complicated concept for the triplets to wrap their mind around.

Aside from Ber, of course.

“’Compassion’ is the one thing lacking underneath us by people. Also! Don’t you think this is cool?” Ber suddenly exclaimed.

“What?” Res blinked.

“It kinda is.” Cer was on the same wavelength as her.

“That we can take off our boots for once! We’re building instead of breaking things! Think about it!” Ber’ excitement was infectious, and even Res couldn’t help but to smile at the prospects of dabbling on old things, and even lending her hand in new endeavors.

When one condensed their troubles and anxiousness, it all stemmed from the fact that they were never allowed to spread their wings for the better part of 30 years. Even standing around doing nothing was new to them. Res peered up at the sun, as if asking an authority if this was ok for her.

Frost entered her vision.

She was the only authority above all else in the Nexus, and she’d gladly allow the triplets the freedom they were robbed. Frost didn’t have to say a word because it was already so clear to Res.

“You’ve cried hard enough, right Frost…” Res began, slowly raising a hand from her side to gently hold onto the hem of Frost’s coat. “I’ve also cried enough times where I thought I couldn’t anymore. Frost. If I were to ask you for your chest, then would you lend it to me?”

The fact that she had to ask for permission for this saddened Frost.

So, she swiftly embraced Res, drawing her face into her chest as she crouched down to her level, feeling her saddening vibrations travel across her body. And soon, Frost felt a warm dampness soak in her chest, and she couldn’t be happier that she had become the first choice of support for the triplets.

They did see her as their ‘mother’, after all.

* * *

Later on, when they had finally arrived at a solid plan for the house, and when Res managed to calm down, it had already turned to night.

And this time, standing by the edge of the lake beside Frost was not just Cer, but her sisters as well. A reflection of a vibrant moon hovered over the surface of the lake, but it paled in comparison to the other three that smiled from the bottom of their hearts.

Everyone had their woes. No one was truly free of their past, vices and despair. People still tumbled in the night. Turmoil born from trauma was still ever present.

But here in the Floor of Amalgamation, they could ignore it for once and appreciate other facets of their life. Smaller things that made them happy. And it wasn’t until deeper into the night, as they prepared fish over an open fire, that Ber suddenly arrived with a needle and string.

Frost gave her a heartfelt smile.

Because Ber never forgot about the promise they made within her State of Mind.

It was time for her to teach Frost how to weave some cloth.