Early morning, I went for a walk to clear my head of everything, to just take a breather from the wreckage that currently is my fucked up life. How I ended up in my current predicaments from what my life preceded still confused me greatly and I could only proceed and see where it would go from here. Would Vylad and I find each other in the midst of all of this madness? Would everyone find out the truth of my past and my affiliation with the Ro'Meaves? The same questions continued to wrack my mind since we escaped from Irene's dimension and it didn't really help that each wrong turn could fuck me over greatly.

"Get a grip or you'll lose yourself" A voice inwardly told me, causing me to realize I had no idea where my current whereabouts were. I'd been leaning on the base of a tree, breath ragged and heart pounding against my ribcage. I ran a hand through my (h/c) hair and take a deep breath, standing fully to my feet once I regained my boundaries "You'll be perfectly fine, just sit tight for the ride"

I nod, taking another calming breathe as I push off of the tree. My head suddenly began throbbing, my feet losing their balance as I lean against the tree once more. I grit my teeth as I try keeping a grip on my consciousness "Fuck..."

"Tch. You're a wreck" A figure voices as they grab me, lifting and carrying me away from my whereabouts. My vision fades in and out from blurriness, the only evidence of who the possible stranger being a weird smudge of numerous colors. The voice, however, had been very familiar to my ears "How are you supposed to be Aphmau's personal guard if you keep fainting on the job?"

My lips and vocal cords attempt making a witty remark back, but I'm highly positive that whatever left my mouth probably sounded really hella stupid, like a jumble of noises and possibly a small hiss. I could almost feel the smirk on my current caretakers face, a laugh following. Whoever this was sure had been enjoying this sudden scene of weakness for me and I would ensure later that this would be the last fucking time too.

"I know I won't get an actual reply, but what are you doing up so late?" They ask, holding me closer. My eyes finally fall closed as I get more comfortable, my restless form getting the peace it needed "You'll never hear the end of this, (Y/n)"
~~~~~~~~~

Fire surrounded me as I held a small doll close in my arms. The doll, a gift from my late mother when I was young, had it's face hidden in my chest to protect it from the flames as one of my parents' guards lead me out of our home. Any questions I'd ask were completely disregarded as they loaded me into a cart, taking off as quickly as possible. I worriedly searched the streets as we passed for any sign of my parents, my whimpers also ignored as we continued travelling in the dark of night-

"(Y/n), Aphmau and Laurence are waiting on you" Zoey states as she helps me stand to my feet, fingers snapping in my face to assist in me regaining consciousness. She stopped once my teeth skim over her fingers "Someone's still a biter..."

"Glad you know" I state as I grab my items from the side table beside the bed I had resided. I quickly place them on and step out of Zoey's small building place thing immediately, waving before closing the door.

Aphmau immediately greeted me once I was noticed, explaining how our reuniting with Malachi would go. I simply nod as I follow behind her with Laurence, the two of us awkwardly quiet as Aphmau continued thinking aloud to herself on the way back to the docks.

With the sudden bout of silence, thoughts on my blackout prior to waking at Zoey's place constantly plagued my thoughts, mainly those of the anonymous person that decided to come to my aid so early or late in the night. Like seriously, why the hell were they up at that hour?!

My eyes land on Laurence, his light blue eyes staring back at me. I give him a questioning look; He cracks a small, suspicious smile.

"Malachi!" Aphmau's abrupt shout prevented me from further questioning upon realization that we'd made it to the dock.

There on the dock stood two boys that I watched grow into young boys at one point in another time. A smile graced my lips as I stepped a bit closer, almost sighing blissfully at the satisfying sight. Almost though, because I'm still supposed to be a badass around them to stay true to the stories.

Malachi immediately hugged Aphmau tightly at the sight of her, Levin stepping beside Laurence and me with a solemn smile on his face. It was nice being able to reconnect after so much time.
~~~~~~~~~

My back leaned against the corner of the room, arms crossed and a small smile on my face at the sight of Malachi and Aphmau conversing things on the couch. Originally, I had been posted beside the giant red and gold flag in one corner of the room, but ended up moving to my corner further away after unintentionally knocking the flag off the wall, gaining a look (either of annoyance or shock was beyond me) from Malachi, and having to place the flag back in it's spot. I decided to not attempt distracting myself with anything else in fear of being reprimanded for my messiness. Malachi was really scary for someone that no longer was a ghost... Then again, he technically was centuries older than me so... Elderly influence?

"I see... That has to be one of the most... Unique experiences..." He mutters once Aphmau finishes explaining, gesturing for me to come sit beside them. He continues as I approach, thinking more on the matter "So for you it was only 15 minutes... It's just so much to take in..."

"Tell me about..." I quietly comment, sitting on the floor in front of them. This whole experience alone had been a trip all on it's own and just knowing that such an occurence could happen intrigued me. How much did Irene scholars truly miss out on? Oo, maybe I should combine ancestral journal entries and write my own book-

"Now is not the time for such thinking" The voice in my head reprimanded, bringing me back to their conversation. Fucking bitch.

"Nice to know this isn't a dream and that you're all here to stay, though I do wish someone had at least gained a little maturity since leaving the portal" Malachi sighs as he glances down at me, a fake hurt look coming across my face as I tightly hold onto my chest in complete offense "Actually, I think they lost their maturity..."

"I never had any to begin with!"

"But anyway... What do you think of everything that has happened to Phoenix Drop?" He quiets a bit as he seems to go into a bit of thought, his smile dropping into a serious glance "Things sure have changed, huh?"

"I... I'm just glad everyone's safe Malachi" Aphmau seems to hesitate with her words, the expression on her face giving away how her thought process was moving. Her mind was everywhere, concerned about everything, but she wouldn't tell anyone that.
~~~~~~

"You old coot! How do you have 4 kids, a nicely aged wife, and still look like you're in your early twenties?" I ask in a daze as I lean against Logan's counter, teasing the older merchant as he searched his inventory for something. He laughed heartily at my exclamations, placing a heavy chest down in front of me "And now you're trying to give me chores already? What the hell, Logan? I thought we were friends"

He waves me off as he opens the old thing, only giving me a glimpse of the various items inside before slamming it back shut "I've been hanging onto this chest for 15 years, (Y/n). Extra charge for hold time" He states, holding his hand out expectantly.

"You and your profits..." I frown as I dig into my satchel, stopping and glancing up at the sound of that douchebag's obnoxious laughter, my inherited resting bitch face on.

"I'm just joking! You've been gone for 15 years, price is on me" 

"Better fucking be" I remark, grabbing the chest. I place it in my inventory, leaning back against the counter afterward "Plan on spilling who it's from?"

He shrugs, looking around before leaning closer, whispering a response that had my cheeks burning "A pretty boy Shadow Knight, had no clue you liked bad boys"

I quickly bid my goodbyes, escaping from the prick before he finds away to embarrass my ass further. Aphmau and Malachi insisted on their family meeting being private, leaving me to my own devices for a majority of the rest of the episode. I could annoy Laurence, or I could annoy Laurence. Annoying Laurence sounds really good.

"Oh, Laurence-"

"Blackout drunk"

"Harsh" I lean beside him against the tree, crossing my arms. He smirks, pushing off the tree to lightly ruffle my hair. I slap his hands away, quickly attempting to fix my hair "We both know I could fuck your shit"

"That's not the only thing you're fucking" He mumbles out, attempting to walk away. However, my persistence (stubbornness) wouldn't allow him to get too far without me.

"What the hell does that mean?" He slowly trails to a stop, turning to me a bit before shaking his head and ensuring he got away from me. I only watched him disappear with complete confusion, wondering just why he said that "Yeah, well... Uh... Fuck you too?!"

Seems some just don't understand the changes quite yet...

A/n: I deserve a medal for writing so many chapters in a day or something! Like I've been on a roll! Seeing as the next episode is somewhat short, this should be a bit easier. I'm almost caught up with my original part in the story too, so that's a mega relief! Another flashback chapter should be following too! Anyway, hope you enjoyed. MCI Out, Peace 😜