“First island pottery?” Hannah asked while they ate. That was, essentially, all Matteo decided she needed to know.

“That’s the last thing Tara’s parents asked for her,” he explained. “Do you know any good places we can get some? It doesn’t have to be a full vase, if that helps.”

Hannah leaned back in her chair and took a few more bites, thinking about it. After a minute, she said, “I sold off everything I got from my last trip a while ago. Your best bet will be to go over to the first island directly.”

Tara shrunk down in her chair a little, either unwilling to go to the first island or too afraid of water to make the detour. Or both, honestly.

“Could we buy it anywhere?” Matteo asked on her behalf.

“Not for cheap or with guaranteed authenticity,” Hannah replied, shaking her head. “Ly might know of a few places you can look, but I can always take you over on the way back to Dakari. It won’t take a lot of time.”

“…I would rather avoid it,” Tara admitted quietly, taking another bite of her dinner.

“Some things just can’t be helped,” Hannah reasoned, albeit with a sympathetic look. “You wouldn’t have to be there long, either—some kitsune purposely break things and set them out for humans to find, so one of the ports should be sufficient. It’ll be a quick in and out, then back home for you two.”

Tara murmured some kind of understanding. They continued eating in a bit of silence until Matteo thought of something different to talk about.

Going to the first island might be more exciting if the reason for going wasn’t so dire.

——

The next train back to the port didn’t leave for another two days, so Hannah made sure the kids got some souvenir shopping in. They found another score book for their mother, some candies and a small set of fancy paints for Tara, and Hannah got a few sweet things for Lykke. Matteo even picked up a decorative knife for his uncle. Rene’s ‘gift’ was a letter letting her know her kids were still alive and well.

The train left around five in the morning and arrived near eleven. Hannah led them back to her house; right as she prepared to knock on the door, Lykke opened it to leave. Hannah offered a little smile while her partner took a few seconds to realize she was there.

“Were you heading out for lunch?” Hannah asked.

Lykke took a step off to the side so they could come in. “Yeah. Do you want me to get something for you and the kids while I’m out, or..?”

“I can make something myself; you don't need to head out.”

Hannah offered a light peck on the cheek as she passed Lykke, then went right to the pantry in the back of the main room after shedding her coat and boots. Lykke followed behind her, taking a spot on the floor as per usual, while Matteo and Tara took off their heavier clothes and found a seat wherever they saw fit.

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She got out a little pot and a few vegetables, using the little table next to the pantry to prepare it. Lykke didn’t wait very long to speak up.

“Is your next step to bring the kids home?”

“Not quite.” Hannah just tossed or poured whatever they had on hand into the pot; actual recipes were a bit too annoying to follow. “They need a piece of first island pottery—do you know any good places to get it?”

“You can’t ask the Risu kid? They usually have extras.”

“It’s been about a year. They would’ve sold it all by now.”

“In which case, no, I don’t have any ideas.” Lykke sighed as Hannah moved the pot over to the stove and hung it up to cook. She waited to continue until Hannah sat down next to her. “Let me guess—you’re heading over to the vortex of hell to get something for them.”

“I’d go to the vortex of hell for you if you ever needed something,” Hannah pointed out. “I already said I’d take them if I have to—I have enough room to take you with us and we can spend some time in Dakari, or you can stay here and I’ll come back as soon as possible. Your choice.”

Lykke didn’t immediately respond, taking a few seconds before she leaned on Hannah’s shoulder. “I’ll decide later. But I’ll forgive you if we go out tonight.”

“Deal.”

Hannah waited a minute before she looked at Matteo and Tara, who had regained a book and drawing supplies from their respective bags.

“With that decided,” Hannah said to the siblings, “Do you think you two would want to go with me on the island, or stay on the ship?”

“I might,” Matteo replied, albeit not with full confidence. “It would be interesting to see, at least—and something I probably wouldn’t be able to do again.”

Tara, on the other hand, frowned a little and continued drawing.

“…It depends. I don’t know if I would feel safer on the ship than on land.”

“I can’t blame you,” Lykke said. “Some people see the appeal more than others.”

“You can mull it over while we’re heading over,” Hannah reasoned. “Good weather should get us there in two days; there should be enough things for us to scavenge near the port that we can be out in a few hours at most.

“How long is the trip back to Dakari?” Matteo asked.

“Six days, give or take,” Hannah replied. “In roughly a week and a half, you’ll be back home.”

Matteo nodded, glancing back at his sister after a second. She still drew, but Hannah couldn’t see any real sketch forming on the paper. It looked more like absent scribbles, less purposeful than the ones she did before.

“Are you all right?” Matteo asked his sister.

“Just thinking,” Tara murmured back. “It’s fine.”

“Anything I can help with, or that eating might solve?”

“Not really.” She paused for a second, and when she continued her scribbles had a bit more meaning to them. “…Thank you, though.”

Matteo didn’t pester her, and the conversation ended. Hannah, too selfish to make Lykke move, eventually had Matteo help stir the soup every now and then. She started mentally planning for the trip to and back from the first island.