When Sophie left, Gillian followed to go let Scylla know that the dinner was happening, leaving Blanc with them.

"So guys, there was something else I wanted to speak to you about."

"Sure Blanc, what's up?"

"I've heard back from Jesiel, seems your meeting request has been honoured and he's being guarded from a distance by "someone high up the ladder". I want permission to act like we still haven't learned anything, but didn't want to act in case I got in the way of whatever you're planning."

"Hmm, actually it might help them to act like Jupiterran is helping us out."

"Figured you'd say that... Carl, want you to know, any of them join and I leave. If they want to be apart of what we're building, they need to follow Narcissus' example."

"I completely agree, don't worry. How is Narcissus and the others doing?"

"They're proving themselves incredibly helpful, but they are clearly not telling us everything."

"Give it time, they are trying to work out if they can trust their species with us."

The conversation had been between Blanc and Carl up to that point as Kyubi had become focused on soothing Klaire through the bout of hunger, but at that point the others joined in with fresh curiosity,

Carl went on to explain everything that happened, how Narcissus was looking to start a safe haven for vampires freshly released from Dracula's control and how some of their original group had remained loyal to Dracula secretly.

"So they went with them to get all the deserters in one place and then betray them... I see, we were the best chance at a good future and a way for the things they had done while enthralled."

Carl nodded and let the others digest, culminating in an admission from Kyubi. "Personally, I think I have my own sins to make up for. I don't want to pretend like my conscience is clear either, so I'll try to do some work with them."

"I guess you can share the responsibility of overseeing them with Aegis as and when. You also have the job of making sure the leader doesn't do anything stupid though, so don't neglect that duty." Carl chuckled.

"Luckily I have someone to help with that duty and it has the benefit of family time."

Blanc groaned, then continued. "Right, well I think I understand. You know you're too nice for your own good, right?"

"I'll forgive anyone willing to pay for their sins and sincerely change, but you're wrong. I'm not gonna forgive people who aren't willing to admit they did wrong and try to make amends." Carl said as he took Kyubi's hand, reassuring her that as far as he was concerned she had.

"Ugh, well as long as I can burn down that damn orphanage I'll try and be more forgiving I guess..." Blanc gently clubbed his fists on the the kitchen island a few times, then stood. "...Anyway, I have to go think about what to cook, can I be cheeky and borrow your daughter?"

"What the hell kind of diet do you have you can't cook at all?"

"A normal teenager responsible for feeding himself. I live off protein bars and caffeine."

"Ki-ko!..." Carl called with urgency, listening to the sound of scrambling.

"Yes Dad?"

"...I need you to go teach Blanc how to cook. Be a good girl and we'll brush your tails before bed."

"Deal!" Ki-ko quickly collected a few things from the kitchen then chucked them at Blanc. "Dad can remake them, these are yours now, I won't let you cost me tail brushes."

Whilst that was happening, Raziel snuck up to her parents and whispered. "Mums, Dad, can I go make sure she behaves? She was trying to convince me to pull pranks."

"You really are a little angel, keep an eye on her for us and we'll make you some special cookies I happen to know angels love." Kyubi whispered as they each gave her a kiss and cuddle.

"It seems Raziel wants to join you guys, Ki-ko, will you be a good sister and teach her how to cook as well?"

"Course Mama Klaire, I will be a good girl."

"Right, well now I've got two out of six of your kids to babysit me, I'll leave you guys to prepare for dinner."

As Blanc stored everything in his armlet, the girls took his hands and led him away and as they left Carl looked over to Klaire who was carrying a sleep Squidge and Levi. "Can you two go stealth and make sure Blanc doesn't have a breakdown?"

"Thank you, we were going to be panicking all night."

Carl, Klaire and Kyubi chuckle lightly before deciding that they should prepare somewhere for the inevitable challenge, but they also wanted to make a place that could be used for sparring.

"Why though?"

"Well, the children will need to train as they start coming into their power more and more and quite frankly sparring would be good for all of us as well, you two barely know how to use your current power still and I'm rusty after a few centuries in my sanctuary."

"Sure when you put it like that, it makes perfect sense."

"Also... Lockable doors..." Klaire added

"Okay... Why?..."

"Private sparring..." Klaire explained with a tone of absolute uncertainty.

"Was that a reason or a question."

Klaire cleared her throat then looked at Kyubi and then after a second they both turned to Carl and replied. "Both, just do it."

Carl built the sparring room where Alysse had made the stat viewing room, essentially just extending it out so they could still view stats as and when they wanted.

A short while before the usual dinner time, Kyubi and Carl went to start preparing dinner, which left Klaire to get Tiamutael ready for the event. "Where's Omedra? I haven't seen her much since breakfast."

"Oh she was planning with Ki-ko, then she asked me to send her to Bahamut, something about him knowing Tiamat better than anyone."

"Well, no worries, just keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't mess with Tia too much. The girls?"

"Ki-ko is trying to corrupt an angel, Raziel is trying to purify a fox, Squidge and Levi are watching them and trying not to reveal themselves."

"Is there anything you can't see?"

"I struggle to see Dad when he channels divinity, other than that, I try to watch everything that happens in public spaces."

"Sweetie, I have to ask, you know not to look into bedrooms and bathrooms don't you?"

"Yes Mum, Dad told me when he found out I can see anything I want."

"Good, promise me you'll never break that rule unless it's an emergency." She asked as she finished buttoning up the clean shirt she had put him in.

"I promise Mu-... Guests are here."

"Hey! Don't you try to weasel out of it Mister, make the promise."

"I promise Mum, now let's go make sure she survives. I don't want Mama to kill her, if Dad goes too easy and gets hurt."

Downstairs, while they were chatting, Carl was welcoming their guests.

"Hey Gil and you must be scylla, Gillian told me so much about you it feels like we met already."

"Even your excuses are as dumb as Gillian's."

"Let me guess, still want to fight me?"

"Of course, I don't know what's gotten into the packs, bowing to somebody who hasn't beaten them."

"I mean, sure, I guess, but I took out Gil in like two seconds flat.."

"Cheers for that Buddy."

"...You're welcome. Anywa-" Half-way through the conversation, a chill ran through Scylla's spine.

"Do you guys feel that?" Scylla had slumped lightly. "Something's watching us."

"Hey! That's my kid, Tiamutael, not "something". He likes to keep an eye on things, but not sure why you're reacting so strongly."

"It feels like he's staring into my soul, how strong is he?"

"Well, he has the most potential, but he's not the strongest of my creations. I think Equinox holds that title for now, but it might be close with how strong Omedra and Aldra are, I could have made Aegis stronger but I was told not to."

"Wait, they're all your creations? Gil, why didn't you tell me that?" Scylla said before leading everyone in glaring at him."Damn it, well, I challenged you already so I can't back out."

"Sure you can, no shame in walking away from a fight you can't win."

"No I can't. Where would you like it to happen?"

Carl sighed with exasperation. "No offense, but I thought Gillian was going to be the prime source of lycan nonsense. Luckily I prepped in advance and just finished the training room."

"Oooo! Wait for us!" Klaire shouted as she heard from the doorway of Tiamutael's room, when she finally arrived she had Tiamutael in her arms.

"Tiamutael, try not to stare too hard at people with good senses."

"Sorry Dad. Sorry Scylla. I was excited to see your eyes again, they're pretty."

"That's very sweet, but, "again"?"

"Yeah, sister Ki-ko used me like a telescope to watch that awkward dinner you two had with Blanc and Sophie."

"Ah. Can I ask you not to watch me please, not to be rude but it's unsettling."

"Okay, I didn't want to watch anyway, but Ki-ko was pestering me, I prefer watching "Mega-changing Colour Heroes" anyway."

"You mean the kid-vid from like ten years ago?"

Everyone else just groaned sensing a long winded spoken essay on Tiamutael's favourite show, but luckily Carl remembered about the challenge in time. "Sorry Kiddo, but it's nearly dinner time and I want to get this over with."

Carl led the way to the hall, they agreed on rules, then Carl destroyed her effortlessly, then they sat down and had dinner as they ran the trip past her.

"Well I suppose I should get to know you all, now that I can follow you with pride. Sure, I'll come on this trip with you all, I'd hate to let my fiance shame all lycans because I didn't keep an eye on him."

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