Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Finn stood on the edge of the cliff looking down over the desert valley floor. The wind whipped sand against their goggles and ruffled the cloth tied around their face. A thin line of smoke drifted out of the chimney of the house sitting in a small grove of bare trees nestled around the only known water for kilometers in any direction. Two old Horde skiffs, one in pieces, sat in front of the house. Izzy focused binoculars on the house, holding them steady on a rock, and said, “Blue door with a green design on it. That should be the place.”

Oak, standing next to Finn, looked at the map in her hand and said, “It does match up with what we were told.” 

Artho, squatted down next to Izzy, said, “Even if it doesn’t, it’s not like there’s anything else out here.”

“Now what?” Finn said. 

Izzy stood up and tucked the binoculars away in the case strapped to her hip and then took Finn’s hand. Finn tried to see her eyes through the goggles she wore but the tinted glass hid them away and a cloth covered her face. Her horns poked out of the felt hat she wore and curved along the broad brim.

“Well, I think we go down there and see if that’s your biological mother in there or not,” Izzy said, squeezing Finn’s hand. 

This had started some time before when Finn and Izzy had walked into Bright Moon castle. They’d camped out the night before and had started planning on how they were going to search for Finn’s biological family. They’d stopped at Finn’s house long enough to unload their camping gear and then went right on to the castle. 

Izzy looked around as they walked in under an arch and said, “You know there’s some discussion in the architectural community on whether or not some of the style of the castle was directly influenced by the First Ones while they were still on Etheria. They point to the arches and high pointed features of it. Others argue that it’s just the original architects being aware of the First Ones work but having only known them as ruins. Then of course there’s an argument that it’s just a coincidence and that it is its own style that predates the First Ones. It doesn’t help that no one knows just how old the castle actually is beyond certain parts that were reconstructed.”

Finn was about to ask if she had an opinion on the matter when their Uncle Bow came around a corner and said, “Izzy, I couldn’t help but overhear you. You really need to meet my dads sometime. I think you three would have a great time talking.” 

Finn ran up and gave Bow a hug and said, “Hey, Uncle Bow!”

“Hey, Finn,” Bow said, hugging them back. Izzy held her hand out in a formal handshake and Bow took it and gave it a shake while keeping one arm around Finn’s shoulder. “And Izzy. It’s good to see you both. What brings you up to see us?” 

“I was going to show Izzy the castle a bit,” Finn said. “We’ll drop in and see Capella too but don’t let her know. I want it to be a surprise.” 

Bow smiled and said, “Well, I would but Little Miss Capella is grounded right now.”

Finn gave a little laughing groan and said, “Oh no, what did she do now?” 

“She thought it’d be funny to use her illusion magic to put a big sign that flashed ‘Poop’ behind Glimmer while she was having a state function in the throne room,” Bow said. “To be fair, Angella thought it was funny. Micah looked a bit proud himself.” 

Finn said, “Well, judging by your smile, I’m assuming Glimmer was the only one who didn’t find it funny?”

“No, she did, afterwards, and it’s just a short grounding,” Bow said. 

“And I’m sure it’s a horrible punishment being grounded in her opulent room with her many toys,” Finn said with a laugh.

Bow rolled his eyes and said, “We took the toys out. Most of them.” 

“She’s got it rough,” Finn said. “Anyway, we’re going to look around.” 

Bow gave them a short side hug and said, “Alright. If you want to stay for dinner we’d love to have you. At least drop by before you go.” 

“I’ll let you know and I will. Thanks, Uncle Bow,” Finn said as they and Izzy started walking again. 

As Finn and Izzy started down the spiral staircase into Bright Moon’s lower levels Izzy said, “Did he intend to leave me out of the dinner invitation?” 

Finn looked at her and said, “I didn’t think he did. I assume he meant you as in us.” 

Izzy nodded and said, “Ok.”

“Are you worried about it?” Finn said as they came out into a broad low ceilinged corridor.

Izzy said, “I just… well, you know I just wasn’t sure.” 

“You want me to ask him?” Finn said. 

Izzy wavered for a moment as they walked and then said with resolve, “No. I will take your word that he intended to ask both of us.” 

As they walked down the corridor Finn pointed out a few places and then they stood in front of two average looking doors. Above the door was a simple sign that said, “Archives.” 

“I expected something a little more…,” Izzy started to say.

“Extravagant? Somber? Elegant? Stately?” Finn said with a grin. 

Izzy gave a little amused noise and said, “Yes.” 

Finn smiled as they opened the door for Izzy and the two walked into a small room. It had a few nice carpets on the ground and a wooden desk with a potted fern on it. Two comfortable office chairs sat in front of it. Behind the desk a woman blinked both sets of her eyelids as they walked in and tucked a lock of green hair behind her ear. Izzy looked around the small room and saw a few chairs, a small coffee table and a couch but nothing else except a bookcase behind the desk with some books in it. 

The woman gave a toothy smile that still managed to be friendly and said, “Good morning, my name is Ledgeren. How can I help you two today?” 

Finn stepped forward with a big smile and said, “Yes, my name is Finn and this is Izzy. We’d like to have access to the archives please.”

Izzy looked around the room some more. She was wondering if the archive was elsewhere and this was just an office for arranging access. Then she looked at the bookcase and realized it was nothing of the sort. She felt her heart speed up a little as she realized that entrance was hidden behind the bookcase. 

“Well, I may be able to arrange that for you. Are you looking for something in particular? We don’t really allow people to just wander through the archives,” Ledgeren said. 

Finn debated making something up but from what they had heard, the collections were vast and if they ended up in the wrong section they might not even be able to sneak over to where they needed to be or even necessarily be able to ever find it. 

“Yes, I want to review the files that were deposited here that relate to the search for Adora and Catra’s adopted child’s biological family,” Finn said. “I believe it would have gone in here about ten years or so ago if that helps.”

There, they’d said it and Finn felt a thrill run through them as they waited. 

Ledgeren looked at Finn and Izzy and Finn realized she didn’t have any data pads or anything electronic on her desk, just a few notebooks and some pens and pencils. She nodded after a moment and said, “Well, I will say that’s not something we’ve ever had anyone ask for since it went in here but it’s also something that I can’t allow you to access.”

Finn got a frown on their face and said, “Why not? And not to be rude, but how do you know? You didn’t consult a data pad or anything and they are a huge collection of stuff. You even said that you don’t ever have anyone ask for it.” 

Ledgeren gave another toothy smile and said, “I know you’re an Etherian so I’m surprised you can ask how I can know something without using technology.”

Izzy nodded and said quietly, “Magic. You use magic to know what’s in the Archives and what its status is as well don’t you?”

“Is that a question or a statement?” Ledgeren said with a tilt of her head.

Izzy straightened up and said, “I did say it as a question but it’s a statement. That’s how you do it and you’ve got the entry hidden behind the bookcase, probably magically protected as well as technologically protected.” 

Ledgeren grinned and said, “Well, you are a bit perceptive.” 

Finn looked at Izzy and saw the bookish Izzy, the Izzy that was confident in the facts she read and absorbed as easy as breathing, as she said, “How can we access them? It’s very important to us.” 

“Well, I could say you shall have to answer some riddles, pass some test of wits, or solve an ancient puzzle to gain what you seek but honestly, we haven’t done that kind of thing in hundreds of years. All the best puzzle answers always get out anyway,” Ledgeren said.  “To answer you though, I’m not going to tell you.”

Finn started to get upset but Izzy nodded and said, “So it is a test then.” 

Finn looked at her and said, “Izzy, there’s no test. She’s just not going to help us.” 

Izzy sat down in a chair in front of the desk and gave her little smile again as she looked at Finn and said, “Yes, there is, but she’s being very circumspect about it.”

Ledgeren leaned back in her chair and said, “Or I could just be telling you that I’m not going to tell you how because I’m not going to tell you.” 

This was a problem and Izzy loved to solve those but she had to take a breath all the same as her heart raced. Facing off against someone wasn’t part of her normal problem solving. Izzy thought for a moment and tried to parse what Ledgeren had said to her already when she thought of something.

“I think you would have already told us to leave then,” Izzy said. 

Ledgeren gave a short nod and said, “Maybe.”

Finn sat down in a chair and watched Izzy think some more. 

“I’ve heard about accessing the Bright Moon Archives before. It’s not supposed to be a big deal,” Izzy said. 

“This is true, we do pride ourselves on making parts of the Archive accessible to the public,” Ledgeren said with a nod. 

“Which means that some parts aren’t accessible to the public but what’s the point of even having them if there’s not a way to get in for those who need it?” Izzy said. 

Ledgeren just sat and waited as Izzy thought some more. 

Finn said, “What if I get the Queen to say it’s alright?” 

Izzy looked at Finn with a little flash of irritation. She’d wanted to solve the problem, not circumvent it.

“I’d tell her no,” Ledgeren said with a shrug.

Izzy looked back in surprise and said, “Wait, you’d tell Queen Glimmer that she can’t grant access to her own archives?” 

“They’re not hers, they’re Bright Moons, and while she can certainly ask and I’d agree in most cases there are some matters in which I don’t answer to her,” Ledgeren said.

Izzy sat her head in her hand and tapped a finger on the side of her head. Finn had seen the look before when she was trying to solve a particularly difficult stagecraft problem or was stuck when working on one of her detailed models. 

Finn sighed and thought they’d have to get their moms involved for this but they weren’t quite ready to talk with them about it. While Finn thought that, Izzy was looking at the bookshelf and suddenly noticed a book that was about She-Ra. 

Izzy gave a little smile again and said, “I know that She-Ra was one of the people who deposited the material. She-Ra could override Queen Glimmer in this matter of who could and couldn’t access the material I believe.”

Ledgeren gave a little nod and said, “Not many people know about this material and even fewer know who put it there. How do you know?”

Izzy gave a grin back and said, “You know what, I’m not going to tell you.” 

Ledgeren gave a laugh and said, “Fair enough.” 

Finn thought they saw where she was going with this and put their hand on Izzy’s arm to tell her that they weren’t ready to get Adora involved. Izzy looked at Finn and gave them her little smile and said, “Trust me?”

Finn said, “I do.” 

“What I know now is that the material is restricted, that Queen Glimmer can’t override your decision not to grant us access, that few people know it’s here and even fewer know that it was She-Ra who put it here, and you didn’t refute me when I said that she could grant or deny access. Of course, you didn’t say I was correct either but I’m going to go with that she can do it. I know the material is about the search for their child’s biological family and I assume that Adora would want it protected from most people. But I think she would still want access to the few people she would think deserve it no matter when they came to see it,” Izzy said. 

Finn was nodding along and suddenly saw where Izzy was going. 

“I’m Adora and Catra’s child. That information is about the search for my biological family and I want access to it,” Finn said. 

Izzy took Finn’s hand and gripped it tightly. 

Ledgeren looked at them both and said, “No.” 

They both looked at her with shock. Finn finally stuttered out, “Why not!?” 

Ledgeren just shrugged and said, “No is a complete sentence.” 

Izzy gave Finn’s hand a squeeze. Finn grimaced and said, “Of course, it’s part of the test.”

Ledgeren just sat there as Izzy and Finn both thought and then Finn remembered something that Catra and Adora had told them many times. They could ask them anything and they’d answer because they figured if Finn thought to ask, then they deserved an answer. 

“I want access to it because it’s about me, it may have a clue to my past, and I deserve to know,” Finn said. 

Ledgeren nodded and said, “Why?” 

Finn said, “Because this isn’t some idle curiosity or I’d just ask my moms. I’m going to go out and try to find my biological family. I need access to that information to try and figure out where to start.”

There, it was out. Finn wasn’t sure if she was going to tell anyone but it wasn’t like they’d intended to keep the search secret forever.

Ledgeren gave a short nod and said, “Very well then. Adora was very clear when you could be granted access to the information on your own. I wondered when you came in if this was going to be one of them and it is.”

Finn said, “Wait, so you knew who I was when I walked in?” 

“Of course, Finn,” Ledgeren said. “I helped get the archive stored and have seen some of the material. We also still occasionally store material about your mothers and you show up there as well.”

“Then why the big song and dance beforehand!?” Finn said, throwing their arms up. 

“That was my suggestion. I do certainly miss the old riddles and puzzles,” Ledgeren said. 

Finn sputtered a little and Izzy said, “What if we weren’t able to figure it out?” 

“There are ways around it,” Ledgeren said. “They aren’t even that difficult. It’s not like it used to be. I remember one old puzzle we used to use that was fiendishly difficult. I’ve always thought about digging it up and seeing about selling it as a game now.” 

Izzy looked at her with slightly narrowed eyes as a thought came into her mind.

“Just how old are you?” Izzy said. 

Ledgeren gave her a smile and said, “No, I won’t tell you and that’s not a puzzle or a test. I simply won’t tell you.” 

Finn said, “Ok, before you both start going at each other in a puzzle loop again, I’d really like to see my archive.” 

“Of course. If you two will help me out we’ll get in,” Ledgeren said. 

Izzy jumped up and said, “Do we have to stand in certain parts of the room to get the bookcase to open?” 

Ledgeren said, “Remember when I said you were a bit perspective?” 

Izzy looked at her as Ledgeren turned to the bookcase and gave it a push to the side. There was a small kitchen with a table and a few chairs. A coffee machine sat on the counter and Ledgeren went over and filled up a mug and came back out. 

“That’s not where the archive is located. That’s my break room,” she said as she took a sip before setting the mug on the shelf. “However, if you’ll kindly move those two chairs back a bit, I’ll show you the entrance.” 

Izzy and Finn pulled the chairs back and then watched as Ledgeren moved her hands counterclockwise and a glowing orange sigil formed in front of her. The desk carefully moved to the side and four glowing lines appeared in the solid concrete floor under them. She carefully moved the sigil and placed it over the center of the rectangle the lines formed and let it go. It sank into the floor and then flashed briefly. The lines disappeared and for a moment, nothing seemed to happen and then slowly the orange lines formed again and the concrete slowly rose out of the floor and moved to the side of the room where it settled with hardly a sound. 

Both Izzy and Finn stood in amazement. 

“That’s… that’s… wow!” Finn said. 

“Thank you. We do take the protection of the archives seriously,” Ledgeren said. 

”Did you put the protection in after Prime’s invasion?” Finn said. 

Ledgeren shook her head and said, “No, it’s been like this for a very long time. Prime’s invasion is not the first time Bright Moon has been overrun by enemies and lucky for us too that we had it in place as the archives survived his invasion intact. The clones destroyed this office but never found their way in. Busted my coffee machine as well which I thought was a bit uncalled for.”  

They all walked to the hole that had formed. Finn expected to see a dark and foreboding stairwell winding off into darkness but instead found a gently sloping ramp running down to a well lit room. They walked to the bottom of the ramp and they saw rows of shelves full of books, boxes, and scrolls. Desks with lamps and chairs were dotted around the large room and doors lined the walls with artwork and tapestries filling in between them. Ledgeren gave them a room number and handed them a key. Then she said, “That is a room two levels below this one. The ramp to the next levels are at the end of the room that way. Do not lose your way for if you get lost, you are doomed.” 

Izzy and Finn both looked at her with shock and she broke out into laughter. 

“No, not really. If you get lost there’s an intercom system. You can call me or one of the other archivists. They’re around here somewhere and they’ll come help you find your way,” Ledgeren said. “If you need any help while you’re in the room, the same applies. When you’re ready to leave, use the intercom and someone will come show you out. Restrooms are near the ramps.” 

Finn was shaking their head a little and said, “Thank you for your help and as annoying as it was for a moment I do appreciate your flair for the dramatic.” 

“I imagined you would, being involved with theater. I assure you though it was entirely for my own interest. I love my job but it does get a bit dull day in and day out sometimes,” she said. “And Izzy, come see us if you ever decide you might be interested in working here.”

Izzy gave a little smile and said, “To see the old puzzles if nothing else.” 

They parted then and Finn and Izzy went walking through the room. They looked around at the murals on the ceiling and they realized they were constellations. 

“How old is this room?” Finn said. 

“I was going to say it's probably recent but the constellations aren’t ours and I’m pretty sure this isn’t recent painting,” Izzy said. 

“So old then,” Finn said. 

“Really old,” Izzy said as they reached the ramp. 

They followed the ramps down and came out to a room fairly similar to the first. They found the room they were looking for without much problem. Finn stood before the non-descript door tapping their foot.

Izzy took their hand and stood there with them as they stared at the door. 

“Two years. They told me that they searched for two years across the entire planet,” Finn said quietly. “And that was when the trail would have been fresh.”

Izzy watched them but didn’t say anything. Finn continued to tap their foot and finally stepped forward to the door with Izzy. 

“Finn?” Izzy said as they stood at the door.

Finn looked up at her and she gave them a quick kiss. 

“For luck?” Finn said with a smile. 

“Because I hadn’t kissed you in a while and it seemed a good time,” Izzy said. 

Finn squeezed her hand and then let go to unlock the door and they walked into the room.

Chapter Text

Finn wasn’t sure what they’d been expecting when they entered the room but what they found were eight foot tall shelves full of boxes along two long walls and then along the back wall as well. A large table ran down the center with chairs on either side. Izzy walked up to the boxes and started reading off the labels on some of them. 

“This section seems to be population censuses of various towns for dates around when you were found. Economic information as well. I see boxes of charts, maps, and surveys as well further down. I think they put in anything they thought might help you understand the world as it was at the time,” Izzy said as she looked up and down the shelves. 

Finn though was looking at a small box that sat on the center of the table. Under it was a sealed folder. The box simply said, “For Finn,” on the lid. Izzy turned around and saw Finn sitting down and pulling the box over. She walked over and sat down beside them as Finn opened it up. Inside were envelopes. Finn pulled a few out. 

“To Finn, From Adora,” Finn read on the first one. They looked at a few more. “To Finn, From Catra. To Finn, From Bow. To Finn, From Glimmer.” 

Finn sat them down and ruffled through the others. 

“They left me letters. It looks like everyone who was involved left me a letter,” Finn said. 

Izzy hugged them close as Finn wiped at their eyes. 

“Should I read them?” Finn asked her.

“I think so. They wouldn’t have left them if they didn’t want you to read them,” Izzy said. 

Finn extended a claw and slit open the one from Adora and began to read it quietly.

Dear Finn,

I hope that when you read this that you’re not here because you feel lost or unhappy. I hope you’re just here because you’re curious and otherwise you have a good life. 

I’m sorry we couldn’t find anyone for you but we’ve all decided that we can’t continue to chase this. It’s been two years now and we feel like if someone was going to come forward they would have or we would have found them. Catra and I love you so much and we’re going to try and give you the best home that we can. 

I was going to write some long thing but really, if I haven’t said it to you by now then having it here won’t help any. I do hope we gave you a good home. I hope we were good parents for you. And I hope you find what you’re looking for and that you’re happy. 

I love you,

Adora

Finn sat the letter down and wiped at their eyes a little more. Izzy, who’d been reading over their shoulder, said, “Are you ok?”

Finn nodded and said, “I am. I was just thinking they probably thought I wouldn’t read this until… well until after they were gone.” 

Finn picked up the one from Catra and paused for a moment before opening that one. Finn gave a brief smile as they could tell Catra had really tried hard on writing the letter as her handwriting was normally atrocious. The content of the letter was short.

Hey there Finn, 

We never did track down the people who left you in Seaworthy. Wasn’t for lack of trying either and it’s a shame because I really would have liked to have a nice long talk with them. We’re stopping the search and I say good because they don’t deserve you. Adora and I decided when we found you that you were going to stay with us as long as you needed and I’m ready to see that through. We’ll be the family you should have had all along.

Now if you’re reading this then you’ve got questions about your biological family yourself and of course you’ve found this place or you wouldn’t even be reading this. Maybe you’re going to try and find them yourself, maybe you just gotta ask why and you think that answer is here. I get it and I hope you get what you’re needing. Good luck and I love you. 

All my love,

Catra

Finn sat it down and looked at the other letters. Finn made a decision and carefully folded up the letters they’d already read and put them back in the box with the others. They closed the box and put it back in the middle of the table. Izzy looked at Finn and they said, “I’ll, um, I’ll read the rest later. We should get started.” 

They then looked at the folder that sat on the table. It simply said “Summary” on it. Finn picked it up and broke the seal on it and opened it up. Finn flipped through the pages and saw some charts, maps, tables, and a bunch of writing. They sat it on the table and began reading it with Izzy. It took them a while to go through, Izzy taking notes the whole way, and when they were done they both sat back in the chair and thought in silence for a little bit before Izzy broke the silence. 

“They really did get around didn’t they?” Izzy said as she sat up again to go over her notes. 

“Kind of makes me feel dumb thinking I might dig up something new,” Finn said. 

Izzy had pulled the summary to her and said, “I know what you mean. This is pretty thorough. Would you do me a favor though and grab that box for me please?”

Finn looked at the box she pointed at and stood up and carried it over. 

“What’s this for?” Finn said. 

“Nothing. I just saw a reference to it in here about the Kingdom of Snows and I wanted to see the actual file on it,” Izzy said. 

Finn pulled the top off the box and saw folders inside of it. 

“Which one in particular?” Finn said. 

“Town of Moraine,” Izzy said. 

Finn flipped through and pulled out the folder and handed it over to Izzy. She opened the thin folder and started reading through it.

“Why that one?” Finn said as they stood behind her and read over her shoulder. 

Izzy made a few notes and said, “Something you told me once. You said that the person who left you in Seaworthy was named Snow-by. That sounds like a name from the Kingdom of Snows to me. There was a lot of investigation in the capitol there and some of the other towns including Moraine. Moraine though seems to be the place that got the least amount of time spent there.” 

Finn sat down and said, “Maybe they thought it was a weak lead? My moms did say they got a lot of stuff that got dismissed pretty quickly because it didn’t match or was pretty obviously just wrong.” 

“I know but we gotta start somewhere and the smaller ones just kind of make sense to start with to me,” Izzy said as she handed Finn pages as she read them. 

Finn laughed and said, “You’re going to go through this anyway even though I just said I felt dumb thinking we might dig something up when it’s so obvious how well they covered it back then.” 

“Well, yeah,” Izzy said as she looked up at Finn with a big smile. “If for no other reason than this. Finn, I’m in the Bright Moon Archives! Not only that I’m in a highly restricted section of it that not even the Queen herself can grant access to and I get to do research in it. To top it off, it’s research that might help you. Do you have any idea how cool all of this is for me!?” 

It was incredibly rare to see her smile so big and Finn grinned at her as they felt themself buoyed up by her happiness. 

“You’re right, we can do this. Sure, some of the most notable people on Etheria tried… to…,” Finn said as they trailed off and felt a thrill run through them. 

“What?” Izzy said. 

“Izzy, I think you hit on it! Why are they smaller?” Finn said pointing at the Moraine folder and then answered without waiting. “Because they didn’t find much but think about what I just said. The most notable people on Etheria were looking for them! My moms got recognized just walking into a little seaside place in Seaworthy when we went there!” 

Izzy was getting excited as well and said, “If they were noticed just doing that, asking questions everywhere would certainly get them noticed and word would get around. People would go into hiding or just clam up. The places with little information are the places to start not just because it’ll be a little easier to get through but because those could be the places where someone successfully hid out!” 

Finn was on their feet in excitement and said, “Yes! Exactly! Which means we can go in quietly and maybe find things they couldn’t!” 

Izzy jumped up and gave them a hug and they both did a little dance when suddenly Finn lost all of their elation. 

“Izzy, wait, wait. They were hiding. That means...,” Finn said. 

Izzy held them by their arms and said, “Yeah. I know. They were hiding from being reconnected with you. And Finn, there’s something I kind of wanted to ask and I guess now is the time. These people abused you. Why do you want to find them?” 

“I’ve thought about that actually. I think it’s because I do want to find my biological parents. I don’t even remember them, well, I don’t think I do. And the others, I want to ask them why. I don’t think I’ll get an answer but at least I’ll face them down. I want to ask my biological parents why as well if I can. There’s just a whole bunch of why’s flying around. Perfuma used to say that the closure we think we’re going to get is almost never the closure we do get. I guess I just want to close this in whatever way I can and I can’t do that if I don’t try to find them myself,” Finn said as they sat down on the edge of the table. 

Izzy flexed her right hand a little and nodded and said, “I get what you mean about closure. Doesn’t matter though. I’m with you, Finn. All the way to the end and beyond.”

“Me too. All the way to the end and beyond,” Finn said with a smile. 

They hugged again and held each other for a long time. When they broke apart and sat back down, they started combing through the summary and making a list of towns and areas that had been promising but had ended up being dismissed quickly. 

“My moms did say there were some attempts at blackmail and scams,” Finn said after a little while. “We’ll have to double check all these against that as well.”

Izzy didn’t look up from her writing and said, “There’s a table for that in the summary. Near the back. I don’t think they included any of those in the main summary but it can’t hurt to check.”

Finn stretched and pulled out a piece of paper with handwriting on it from the Moraine folder. Finn gave a giggle and Izzy looked up quizzically. 

“Sorry,” Finn said as they turned the paper around so Izzy could see. “This is Mother’s report. Her handwriting is terrible when she just writes unless she puts a lot of effort into it. She calls it Horde code writing because it’s so bad."

“What's in it?” Izzy said.

Finn read it as best they could and said, “Mostly just a report on their findings in Moraine. Although at the end she’s griping about the weather. She hates the cold.” 

Finn handed it to Izzy and Izzy looked it over. 

“Does this say beekeeper right here?” Izzy said pointing at a patch of scrawl.

Finn leaned over and looked at it. 

“That’s what I thought it said. Says she interviewed one because he’d sent in a tip. Something about a worker that had gone down towards Salineas that fit my description of Snow-by but the guy they thought it was actually turned out to be in the town and didn't fit,” Finn said.

Izzy stood up and walked along the shelves until she found a box and pulled it over to the table. She took the top off and found a bound report inside. She handed it to Finn and sat back down. 

“Agricultural output for the Kingdom of Snows?” Finn said. “I’m guessing I should look up Moraine and bees then.”

Izzy nodded and finished up her notes while Finn flipped through the report. They were actually surprised at the amount of agricultural activity that went on in the Kingdom of Snows and it seemed like they made good use of hot springs, greenhouses, and the like. Finally they found the section they were looking for. 

“Alright, the glacier bee is the only bee species native to the Kingdom of Snows and its native range is the area around Moraine,” Finn said. “It produces wax and honey. I guess the honey isn’t really edible but gets used in medicine and Moraine’s main industry is the bee. Oh, that’s cool, it’s got a picture of the honey. It looks like blue-green ice. Does that help any?”

Izzy shrugged and said, “I don’t know, I just really wanted to know about the bees to be honest but wanted to keep taking notes on what I’ve got here as well.”

Finn laughed and said, “This is just like studying with you for class.” 

Izzy gave a little smile and said, “Well you are a good study partner.” 

Finn looked around at the rest of the room and sighed and said, “This is going to take forever.” 

Izzy looked around as well and said, “I think they’re going to need a larger room or at least taller shelves.” 

Finn looked at her and said, “Why?” 

“Because we’re going to have our own stuff to add eventually,” Izzy said. “I wonder what the process for getting it officially added to the archives is?” 

Finn saw the gleam in Izzy’s eyes and said, “Ask Ledgeren. I’m pretty sure she’ll tell you after the appropriate riddle is solved.” 

Izzy laughed and said, “That thought is amazing to be honest. I’m looking forward to it.” 

Finn looked at a watch and said, “Want to keep going or do you want to knock off? We probably need to figure out how to get out of here anyway and I need to tell Uncle Bow we’re going to eat with them.”

Izzy nodded and said, “I should check in with Grandma too. Alright, let’s see what magical means is required to leave.” 

They left the boxes on the table and Izzy packed away the notes in her satchel and they left the room. They found an intercom and Finn walked up to it and pushed a button. 

“Uhhhh, hello? This is Finn and Izzy and we’re ready to go now?” they said. 

The speaker crackled and a voice they didn’t recognize said, “Odia here. No problem. I’ll come on down and get you.” 

Shortly afterwards a man in a long flowing robe walked up to them. Izzy looked them up and down and said, “Is that an official archivist uniform?”

Odia laughed and said, “No, there isn’t one. I just really like it. It’s comfy. Alright, Ledgeren said to show you two out a side door. She also said that you can come back in that way as well but not to try and bring anyone else with you without getting it cleared first.” 

“Magic door?” Finn said.

“Magic door,” Odia said. 

They followed him up to the first level and Odia walked them to a door set back under an arch. They opened the door and there was a small room and on the other side of the room was a plain looking door. The room itself had some boxes and what looked like janitorial supplies stacked up on shelves.

“Straight forward, you just walk in and out. Door opens up into a sub-basement,” Odia said.

“So we can come through here any time?” Finn said. “Do we need a key or anything.”

“You can and nope, just come on in but remember, just you two for now,” Odia said. 

“We can do that. Thanks for the help!” Finn said. 

“No problem,” Odia said.

Finn and Izzy walked out of the room and into a dim room full of old furniture, statues, and crates. 

“Sheesh, does Glimmer never throw anything out?” Finn said looking around. 

Izzy looked at one of the statues and Finn asked, “Is it some rare artwork?” 

Izzy shook her head and said, “No, it’s mass produced cast concrete. It’s basically a lawn ornament.” 

Finn laughed and said, “I should have known. The good stuff is probably, well, where we just were.” 

Izzy said, “That does make the most sense.” 

“Well let’s go find dinner,” Finn said as they started walking. 

They found Bow in his office. He looked up from what he was working on and smiled as he took off his glasses. Finn noticed that Bow’s dark hair had some grey started to run through it and wondered why they had never noticed it before. 

“There you two are,” Bow said. “I was beginning to think you’d left without saying good-bye.” 

“Sorry, Uncle Bow. We really got into the little nooks and crannies of the place,” Finn said as they sat sprawled out on a couch. Izzy sat beside Finn, sitting upright and a bit uncomfortable. 

“Didn’t find any monsters did you?” he said. 

Finn laughed and said, “Come on, Uncle Bow. No.” 

Bow gave a knowing smile and said, “You think I’m teasing but there’s a tunnel system under Bright Moon and it most definitely has a monster in it. You can’t get into those tunnels though except during very certain times but I’ve always wondered if there were more running around under the place.” 

Finn blinked and said, “Wait, seriously?”

At the same time Izzy said, “You’re not joking?” 

Bow laughed at the look on both of their faces and said, “Yes, I’m serious and no, I’m not joking. There really is a tunnel system under Bright Moon and while I’ve never seen any, I’ve always wondered if there were more tunnels or a few other monsters running around.”

“Uh, Your Majesty… er, I mean, Bow,” Izzy said. “What do we do if we do run into them?”

Bow said, “I always favored running as fast as possible away from them myself. It’s the prudent method.” 

Finn said, “Your old stories say differently.” 

Bow laughed again and said, “No, my old stories have me fighting them because my wife does not believe in my method. Neither does your Mom, Finn. Either of them come to think of it.” 

“What are they?” Izzy asked.

Bow shrugged and said, “A lot of them I remember running into were old First One’s guardians. The one here that I know about is part of the coronation of the Queen of Bright Moon and I assume is ancient. I didn’t stick around to ask. I know when the magic was released that a lot of the animals changed and people called some of them monsters but I never thought of those as monsters. I guess it just kind of depends.” 

Finn shook their head and said, “Well, we didn’t see anything like that where we were but if I do, I’ll be sure and use your technique, Uncle Bow.”

“Let me know how it works out. I almost never got to use it,” Bow said with a grin. 

“Considering what I know about my moms and Aunt Glimmer, I’m not surprised,” Finn said. “So are we still invited for dinner?” 

“Of course! We’d love to have you! Izzy, any food allergies we need to know about? Or just something you don’t like?” Bow said. 

Izzy shook her head and said, “No allergies and whatever you’re having is fine, I’m sure. I don’t want to be a bother.” 

Bow smiled and said, “No way you can be a bother. Seriously. Just let us know if you don’t like something please.” 

Izzy felt nervous. She knew this was Finn’s family but she also knew they were the royalty of Bright Moon and she was terrified that she’d make some faux paus. She wondered if she could get Finn in private to ask them some questions about what she should and shouldn’t do when she heard a voice exclaim, “Finn! Izzy!” and Capella came running and jumped into Izzy’s lap. 

“Capella, dear, I believe you’re supposed to be grounded,” Bow said, trying to look stern and failing. 

“Izzy! You came to see my room!” Capella said, ignoring her dad.

“Capella, honey,” Bow said.

“Dad, I heard you the first time. I asked Mom if I could come out,” Capella said. 

Finn grinned because they could almost hear the deliberate omission clanging from where it’d been dropped and judging by Bow trying not to smirk, he had as well. 

“Well I’m glad you asked her,” Bow said. 

“Of course!” Capella said with a smile. 

“And what did Mom say, since you didn’t include that,” Bow said. 

Capella tried to look innocent and said, “Well she didn’t exactly say that I could but that I’d have to ask you.”

“What I said was that there was no way she was getting out of grounding but that she could ask you at dinner tonight after I’ve had a chance to talk with you privately,” Glimmer said sternly as she walked into the room. She brightened up when she saw Finn and Izzy. “Hey you two! Staying for dinner?” 

“Looking forward to it Aunt Glimmer,” Finn said with a smile. 

“Well, why don’t you two go freshen up before dinner. It looks like we need to have a talk with someone first,” Glimmer said, giving Capella a look that could only be described as Mom. 

Capella hugged Izzy and said, “But Mom! Izzy needs to see my room!” 

Izzy hugged Capella back and felt the urge to argue on Capella’s behalf but decided at the last second she probably shouldn’t get involved. 

“Hey, Capella, I promise I’ll see your room soon, ok?” Izzy said. Then she leaned down and whispered in Capella’s ear, “Besides, your Mom is scary. I gotta stay on her good side.” 

Capella giggled and whispered back, “No she isn’t!” 

Izzy nodded solemnly, made all the easier because she was intimidated by Glimmer, and said, “Alright, I’ll see you at dinner.” 

Capella huffed and said, “Fine!”

She hugged Izzy again and they both stood up. Finn gave Capella a hug as well and they were saying their good-byes and starting to walk out the door when Finn heard Glimmer snicker and say, “Capella, yeah, you’re staying. Don’t think I don’t see you trying to walk out with them right in front of us. ”

Finn turned to see Capella right behind them as she rolled her eyes and said, “Mom, I was just seeing them to the door.” 

Bow said straight faced, “They’ve seen it. Now come on over here please.” 

Finn shut the door as Capella started stomping over to the desk and when it was shut tried their best not to laugh. 

As they walked down the hall Izzy said, “I can’t help but feel like she was using me there. I thought she was starting to like me.” 

Finn said, “Oh, she 100% likes you but that doesn’t mean she’s not above using you as well.” 

Izzy sighed and said, “Well if she could not do it with the freaking QUEEN it would have been nice.”

Finn laughed and said, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh. It’s just... did I ever tell you about the first time I met Glimmer?” 

Izzy looked at them and said, “In Seaworthy right? When your moms found you?” 

Finn nodded and said, “Yeah, she sat down in a gutter right in front of me wearing a hoodie. I’ve seen her at our house sitting backwards on a chair laughing at some story so hard she fell out of the chair and I get that she’s the Queen but she’s also just my Aunt Glimmer, you know? I’m not trying to dismiss your feelings, it’s just kind of funny to me.” 

“Well she’s Queen Glimmer to me,” Izzy said. “And I’m really nervous about dinner tonight.”

Finn opened a tall door and said, “Well come on in here and we can talk it out.” 

“Are we allowed in here?” Izzy said, whispering as she stepped in.

Finn winked at her and whispered back, “I certainly hope so, it’s the room Mom lived in when she first came to Bright Moon. Then her and Mother lived here after the war and before they built our house. We stay here when we visit.” 

The lights came on as they walked in. Izzy made a quick call to her Grandma to let her know where she was and what was going on before she looked around the room. Flowing curtains, a waterfall, couches, cushions, and various art pieces sat around the room. Near the door was a huge mural painted onto the wall. It depicted a ledge and railing sticking out above a metal landscape covered in vegetation. 

“Did your Mother do that?” Izzy said.

Finn flopped down into one of the large floor pillows and said, “Yeah, she said it was the first time she did a large mural. It’s somewhere in the Fright Zone. She said her and Mom used to hang out there when they were kids.” 

“This doesn’t look much like a place that either of them would live in,” Izzy said looking around some more before sitting down next to Finn. 

“They took a lot of their stuff with them when they moved although I think this is what it looked like when Mom lived her during the war,” Finn said. “So, do we need to talk about dinner?” 

Izzy sat up and pulled her notebook out and said, “Yes. I need to know everything. Tell me all the etiquette and protocol that’s involved.” 

Finn said, “Well first of all you need to remember, and this is very important and I can’t overstate this enough, I love you.”

Izzy rolled her eyes and said, “I love you too but come on, I’m serious! I don’t want to screw this up!” 

“Alright, I’m sorry. There isn’t really anything special you need to do,” Finn said. When they saw Izzy giving them a look they said, “No, seriously! It’s no different then having dinner at my house.”

“Except that this is a castle!” Izzy said. 

“You’re definitely fixating on that I can tell,” Finn said as they ran their hand up and down Izzy’s back to help calm her down. 

“Are you really sure there’s nothing I need to do? I shouldn’t change or something?” Izzy said. 

“Nope. Listen, I’m serious, it’s just dinner,” Finn said. 

“Ok, ok, I can handle this. In fact, I know just how to calm down,” Izzy said as she pulled out the notes from earlier. “Let’s talk about this some.” 

Finn nodded and said, “Deal.” 

They curled up together and went over the notes again. Izzy started making a quick mind map of their ideas of how to guide their research and Finn broke it all down and set it out in an outline. 

As they looked at the outline Finn said, “That’s… that’s not bad.” 

“I am a research machine,” Izzy said proudly. “I could do this in my sleep.” 

Finn laughed and said, “Just don’t write on the wall or anything.” 

Izzy’s eyes got bright and she said, “Ooooo, that’s a good idea! I bet Grandma would let me turn one of my walls into a writing board.”

Finn laughed again and said, “Even if not for this, you could write out your model plans on it.” 

Izzy rubbed her hands together and said, “I’m doing this. I’m so doing this.” 

Finn hugged her and said, “Do you really think we should leave the Bright Moon area until last?”

Izzy said, “It makes sense to me. You’ve lived here for a long time and so do at least four of the people who were involved heavily with the search. Based on our ‘Don’t Wanna Be Found’ theory, living here would be the last place they’d stay.” 

“And if they catch on, maybe they’ll run to Bright Moon. We’ll herd them in!” Finn said, throwing their arm upwards dramatically.

Izzy snorted and said, “Sure. We’ll go with that.” 

Glimmer teleported in at that moment and Izzy jumped up.

“Ready for dinner?” Glimmer said with a smile. 

“Sure, Aunt Glimmer. Any chance we can get the direct route?” Finn said as they stood up as well.  

“Of course! Izzy, do you get motion sick easily?” Glimmer asked. 

“Uh, no?” Izzy said, a little confused.

“Good,” Glimmer said as she took hold of both of their shoulders and teleported them.  

They appeared in a small dining room in the royal apartments and Izzy blinked a few times before looking at Finn with wild eyes. 

“Sorry, I should have warned you,” Finn said. “You alright?” 

Izzy nodded, not trusting herself to speak at the moment. Glimmer looked at her and then to Finn and said, “Yeah, you should have. At least you’re handling it alright, Izzy. Catra absolutely refuses to teleport.” 

“I wonder why?” Finn said. 

“Want me to pop down, grab her, and bring her back so you can ask her?” Glimmer said, a little too eagerly. 

Finn laughed and said, “No, I’d rather not have her mad at me, thank you.” 

Capella came in with Bow at that point and went running up to Izzy and started chattering at her and pulled her over to the table. 

“You’re sitting here, next to me!” Capella said as she hopped into a chair.  

“I think I’ve been replaced as favorite,” Finn said with a smile as they watched Izzy sit down and listen to Capella talk. 

“She really has taken to her,” Glimmer said. “So, you going to tell me why you’re here today?” 

Finn looked at her and thought about telling her why at first but decided that it’d be better to tell their moms first. 

“Just poking around a bit,” Finn said. “Izzy had never been here before and we were camping last night and decided to come up today.” 

Glimmer looked at Finn for a long moment and said, “Well you’re always welcome of course and it really is good to see you.”

Finn said, “I haven’t been disappearing have I? I know some friends have done that when they got into serious relationships.” 

Bow walked up and put an arm around Glimmer and said, “Couldn’t help but overhear but no, you haven’t. You two see everything you came to see?” 

Finn nodded and said, “Yep.”

Bow nodded and said, “I was serious earlier today when I saw you both. You ought to take her out to see my dads. I think she’d really like the library.” 

“Finn! Come talk to us!” Capella yelled from the table. 

Finn grinned and said, “I’ll be right there.” 

At the same time Glimmer looked at her and said, “What have we said about indoor voices?” 

“This is an indoor voice,” Capella said before shifting to a much louder voice. “SEE!? THIS IS MY OUTDOOR VOICE! IT’S MUCH LOUDER!” 

Everyone started laughing and Bow said, “Thank you for that demonstration dear but how about just no talking above regular voice level unless it’s an emergency?” 

They all sat down at the table and Finn sat on one side of Capella with Izzy on the other side as Bow went and brought in dinner and started serving everyone. Finn could see that Izzy was still uncomfortable but she was frequently distracted by Capella talking to her. 

“And then he took me WAY up and did loop-de-loops! He said they were his favorite thing to do!” Capella said with glee. 

“Sounds like quite a horse,” Izzy said. 

“He has a sacred bond with Finn’s Mom you know,” Capella said solemnly. 

Finn took a bite and said, “Mom said she hears from him pretty regular. Is he still out in space with Kadroh?” 

Glimmer said, “Yep. Got to be honest, I kind of miss having him around. It’s fun to have another flying partner.” 

Bow gave her a nudge and said, “I told you I’d get a jetpack up and working if you wanted me to come along.” 

Glimmer nudged him back and said, “I love you dear but you set your legs on fire last time.” 

Capella chirped up and said, “When I get my wings I’ll fly with you Mom!” 

Glimmer said, “I’m looking forward to it.” 

Bow coughed a little with the harrowing memory of just how Glimmer had got her wings and said, “On another subject, Izzy, what have you been up to lately?” 

Izzy froze for a moment and tried to swallow her food as she looked at Bow. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to catch you mid-bite,” Bow said. 

Izzy shook her head and quietly said, “No, it’s ok, really.”

Everyone sat and waited for a moment and Izzy finally gathered up a little courage and said, “I, uh, I just finished up a model of the Kingdom of Snows palace and I’m finally going to get started on a scale model of the old Fright Zone. It’s going to be pretty big I think.” 

Glimmer said, “That sounds pretty cool.” 

Finn grinned and said, “She’s amazing. They’re great models.” 

Izzy blushed a little at the compliment and said, “They’re alright.”

“Well if you ever make Bright Moon castle, I’d love to see it,” Glimmer said with a smile.

Finn was going to say she already had when they realized she was looking a bit uncomfortable and just took a bite instead. Then to Finn’s surprise, Izzy said, “I’ve already made one but it was one of my earlier models so it’s not a favorite.” 

Glimmer said, “Well, let’s talk sometime. I’d love to see your work and give you a commission to make a more detailed one.”

Izzy stopped with a forkful of food part way to her mouth and made a noise that sounded like, “Gruhnhuh?” 

Finn had a huge grin on their face as they saw Izzy floored. Izzy felt like her entire mind was rebooting. She finally sat her fork down and said, “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, I didn’t understand you there.” 

“I want to see your work. I also want to commission you if you’re agreeable to it. And, uh, could you not Your Majesty me please?” Glimmer said, trying her best not make it awkward. 

Finn reached over and squeezed Izzy’s shoulder and felt how tense she was and she looked over at Finn. Finn gave her an encouraging nod and Izzy finally stammered out, “Uh, sure, I’d… yeah. I’ll uh, we’ll definitely talk. I think that sounds really interesting.” 

Glimmer smiled and said, “Great!”

Capella chimed in and said, “Can you show me your models too!?” 

Izzy gave her little smile at her and said, “Sure but you have to not be grounded you know.” 

Capella rolled her eyes and said, “Well that means never then!” 

Bow snorted and said, “Well honey, you just have to behave.” 

Finn ruffled Capella’s hair and said, “But that’s not fun is it, buddy?” 

Glimmer pointed a fork at Finn and said, “No, bad Finn. Do not encourage her.” 

Finn sat up straight and said, “It is my solemn duty as her Auncle to make sure she is well versed in the finer points of life.” 

“Stop quoting Double Trouble,” Bow said with a laugh. 

Izzy sat in a daze as the dinner went on. The whole day felt unreal at this point. The archives, the plan for finding Finn’s family, and then Glimmer saying she wanted to commission her made her feel out of it. She remembered talking a little bit more but she couldn’t really remember exactly what was said. As the evening came to a close they were all standing in the corridor.

“Promise me you’ll come see me soon?” Capella said as she hugged Finn and Izzy.

“I promise,” Finn said.

“I do as well,” Izzy said. 

“Alright, honey, you got to stay out of your room with them but it is back to grounding now,” Bow said as he took her hand.

Bow said good-bye and then walked with Capella back to her room.

Glimmer leaned against the wall and watched them go with a smile. When they were out of sight she turned and said, “I wasn’t kidding earlier, Izzy. I really am interested. Let me know. It’s not like it’s hard for me to get around.” 

Izzy nodded but couldn’t quite bring herself to say anything. Finn chimed in and said, “Aunt Glimmer, is there any chance that you can give us a lift back to the house?” 

Glimmer grinned and said, “I don’t know. It’s really difficult for me.” 

Izzy looked up and said, “Then I don’t want to be a burden. Really.” 

Glimmer laughed and said, “I’m teasing them. Izzy if you’re alright with it, I’ve got no problem.” 

Izzy nodded and Glimmer took both of their shoulders once again and suddenly they were standing outside of Finn’s house. Izzy staggered just a little. 

“That’s… that’s not any less weird the second time,” she said, blinking. 

Finn hugged Glimmer and said, “Thanks, Aunt Glimmer and thanks for dinner. We may be by again real soon.” 

Glimmer hugged them back and said, “You know you’re always welcome. Izzy? Hug?” 

Izzy looked a bit shocked and finally said, “Um, ok?” 

Glimmer gave her a brief hug and said, “Thank you for coming to dinner. It was great to have you. Finn, tell your moms I said hello and I’m sorry I couldn’t hang around. Good night!” 

Finn said good night and Glimmer teleported out. Izzy hooked her arm through Finn’s and said, “Ok, I guess it’s time I go home for now. Walk me halfway?” 

Finn leaned their forehead into hers and said, “Always.”

Chapter Text

Finn and Izzy stood there swaying back and forth a little in front of the house, smiling at each other, and were about to walk on when the front door opened and Adora walked out on the front porch. 

“There you are,” she said with a smile. “I was hoping to see you both. Come in and say hi before you go Izzy.” 

Izzy and Finn both walked inside and Finn could immediately tell something was up. Catra was lounging on the couch but there was lounging when she was just relaxed and then there was whatever it was she was doing now. Finn could only describe it as attentive and poised relaxation. They sat down and Adora said, “Did you all have a good camping trip?” 

“Yep, found that stream and pool back there and stayed there last night. It was really nice, not too hot, not too cold,” Finn said. 

Izzy looked at everyone slowly, trying to figure out just why everything felt off. 

“That’s good. We all should get out sometime. It’s been a while since we’ve been camping together,” Adora said. 

“That’d be great,” Finn said, trying to decide just when they should tell what they’d gone and done that day. 

“We can take some of the work tents. We can do the whole thing up stylish,” Adora said, nodding as if she was agreeing with something. 

Finn laughed and said, “Mom, your work tents are roomy. Stylish, that’s stretching it.” 

Izzy noticed Catra rolling her eyes a little as Adora said, “Anything else interesting happen lately?” 

“Oh dear sweet Mara, Adora, just ask them!” Catra said as she sat up. “We got word that you accessed the archive on our search for your biological relatives. Adora was trying to make it not weird about asking you if everything is alright or not.” 

“Catra! I was trying to ease into it!” Adora said. 

“Well do better next time! You were making it weird! Izzy’s been eyeballing us since you sat down trying to figure out what the heck you’re doing,” Catra said. 

Izzy started to say, “No, really, I just… was…” 

Catra held up her hand and said, “Izzy, it’s alright, we get trying to be situationally aware around here. Seriously though, it’s not like we’re mad. Just kind of, I don’t know, off balance.” 

Adora nodded and said, “Yeah, we weren’t quite ready for it. Again, not mad, just surprised.” 

Finn said, “I’m sorry. You had said I could go through it sometime when we were in Seaworthy. Of course, I should have just taken you both with me. It would have kept us from having to jump through hoops.”

Izzy gave a little smile and nudged Finn and said, “Speak for yourself, I found it fun.”

Catra gave a groan and said, “Ledgeren.” 

Finn nodded and Catra said, “She’s excellent at her job, I’m sure, but she kind of freaks me out. It wasn’t hard to get through was it?” 

Izzy said, “I didn’t think so.” 

Finn nodded and said, “Well I did but Izzy was in her element. I couldn't have done it without her.” 

Adora leaned forward from her recliner and said, “Finn, you don’t have to answer but can I ask why you were there?” 

Finn looked down and said, “Well… I kind of had a thought that I’d go out and look for them myself.” 

Silence fell in the room. Izzy gripped Finn’s hand and Finn looked up to see their moms reaction to the announcement. Catra’s face was strangely neutral. Adora’s face was a mixture of happiness and sorrow. Finn said, “Are you mad at me?” 

Catra immediately reacted, “Not one bit. I’m just… did you read the letters we left for you?” 

“I read your and Mom’s letter. I wasn’t quite ready for the rest,” Finn said. 

“Then you know how I feel about them. As far as I’m concerned, they can stay under whatever rock they crawled back under,” Catra said. “But I know you have your reasons. You want to look, I’m there for you.” 

Adora was nodding along and said, “I am too. I know I can easily reschedule any work I’ve got coming up to come along.” 

Izzy felt Finn trembling a little as they said, “Moms, um, I appreciate that but you’re not coming.”

Catra leaned forward and said, “Nope. Nope, nope, nope. No, there is no way that you are going off on your own, Finn.” 

“Well, I won’t be alone, I’ll have Izzy with me,” Finn said. 

“That’s still pretty much on your own except with two of you we’d be worried about!” Catra said. “No! I’ve got no problem coming along but I am not comfortable with your idea of going it alone at all!” 

“Mother, come on, I know you worried about this at Seaworthy and I went along but no, we’re doing this on our own,” Finn said. “I’m old enough to do this.” 

Adora sighed and said, “Finn, it’s not that we think you’re incapable of taking care of yourself normally. It’s just that we remember some of the places we went on our search. They weren’t the nicest places.” 

“Adora, don’t pull punches on this one! They were rotting cesspits, Finn, and the thought of you going into them scares the life out of me,” Catra said. 

It’d been a long day and with the heightened emotions Izzy felt herself on the edge of panic. She knew that the two were being concerned and just worried and there was no ill intent but she could remember her own parents and how they were. Catra and Adora weren’t screaming or throwing stuff around like her parents did but she could still feel the panic rising at the confrontation going on before her. She began to take deep breaths and tried to focus on a single point. Catra noticed it almost immediately. Finn was about to say something and Catra cut them off. 

“Mother…,” Finn started to say with a little irritation at being cut off. 

“No, Finn, stop. Look at Izzy. Izzy, you alright?” Catra said quietly. 

Finn turned and noticed immediately, “Izzy, I’m so sorry. Are you ok?” 

Izzy nodded and took another deep breath and then shook her head as she let it out. Adora was on her feet and headed into the kitchen. Finn hugged Izzy close and Catra came off the couch to kneel in front of her. 

Finn quietly said, “Count with me would you? Mother, will you do it as well?” 

Catra nodded. Izzy nodded and together they started slowly counting up to ten. Adora came back into the room with a glass of ice water and knelt down with Catra and started counting with them as well. They repeated it a few times and Izzy looked at them and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. I’m really sorry.” 

“Hey, hey, no, you never have to apologize for that with us,” Adora said, holding out the glass of water. “Every single person in this room has struggles like that.”

Izzy took the water and sipped as she leaned her head back on Finn’s shoulder. 

“Do we need to talk about this later?” Finn asked Izzy. 

“No, it’s alright, really,” Izzy said. 

“Izzy, Adora and I will work to keep our tones level. If we get too much just say something. We don’t have to hash this out tonight,” Catra said. 

Izzy nodded her head and everyone settled back down. 

“Mom, Mother,” Finn said. “I love you both and I know you’re worrying about me but I’m laying this card down. Both of you were fighting a war at my age. Both of you did way more dangerous stuff than I’m talking about doing. And last, Izzy and I came up with a plan that will actually not work if you’re along.” 

Catra’s ears twitched at the mention of the war, especially since she remembered exactly which side she’d been on and what she’d been doing at Finn’s age, and said, “I’ll get to the other part in a second but you’re telling me that your plan won’t work, at all, if Adora and I come with you?” 

Finn said, “Yes, Mother, it really does. I’m not trying to be difficult but I promise you, the plan really does depend on you not being along.” 

Adora leaned back in her recliner and stared at the ceiling. When she spoke she didn’t look down and said, “What’s the reasoning?”  

Izzy spoke up quietly and said, “You’re too well known.” 

Everyone turned to look at her and she almost didn’t go on but she was always calmer when she was explaining something and she took a breath and let it out all at once. 

“We think that you, and everyone who was with you, is so well known that you may have scared off some of your leads and we have a list of towns that had leads but when you got there it either dried up really fast or just seemed to be a wrong lead which leads to our thinking that maybe some of those were legitimate leads that dried up because of how well known you were and honestly, the reputation that some of you have,” Izzy said. 

Catra snorted a little and said, “Ok, that’s fair. Adora is pretty terrifying. I’m still not on board with this but we did have a few conversations along those lines back then.”

“We’re not just charging into this,” Finn said. “We’re going to be doing a lot of research in the archives. We’re going to plan this out a lot. I’m going to ask your advice but this is ours. We’re doing this. I know you’re both stubborn but you raised me. I can be stubborn as well.” 

Adora stood up and walked to the edge of the living room. She looked out into the back yard through the kitchen and Finn could just see the side of her face. They were surprised to see a tear run down. 

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Finn said and Izzy could hear a bit of a scared child in their voice. 

Adora turned around with a sad smile on her face and said, “Finn, you’re right. You can probably handle it on your own although I think you overestimate how competent we were at your age. I just… I worry.” 

Catra looked at Adora and could tell she wanted to say something but was trying to keep it inside because she was afraid it would hurt someone she loved. Catra knew Adora’s first thought would always be to hold it inside and let it burn her rather than hurt someone else. 

“Adora, say it,” Catra said flatly.

“I’m worried. I said it,” Adora said. 

Finn remembered the letter that she had left for them and said, “Mom, are you worried I’m not happy with you two?” 

Adora started to shake her head and then tears started tracking down her face and she said, “Yes.” 

Finn squeezed Izzy’s hand and stood up and went over to hug their Mom close. 

“Mom, I love you. I love you too, Mother. You two are the only two people I will ever call my parents. Ever. No one else ever gets that. You gave me a wonderful home and a wonderful life. You are my moms. Even if I find who I’m looking for, nothing is going to change that,” Finn said.

Adora hugged them close and Finn gestured for Catra to come over. As Catra stood up she said, “Come on, Izzy. You’re family as far as I’m concerned. Get in on this.” 

After they’d hugged Adora kissed the top of Finn’s head and asked, “Can I ask why then?”

“Izzy asked the same thing. It’s just a desire to know why really. Maybe ask some hard questions if I can. Get what I can while it’s still maybe possible,” Finn said. 

Adora nodded and said, “I get that. I’m still kind of chewed up about this but I guess that’s a me problem and I’ll work on it. And if you’re able to ask...”

“You deserve a straight answer,” Catra said. “I guess you’re just going after the answer yourself this time. Our little kiddo is grown up now it would seem.” 

Finn smiled and said, “I’m still your kiddo, Mother. Always will be.” 

“Don’t forget it,” Catra said, putting them in a headlock and rubbing between their ears before letting them go. “Alright, let’s go sit down at the table. It’s late night planning time which as far as I’m concerned means snack time. Izzy, you get first pick from the kitchen.” 

Izzy liked snack time at their house. Everyone picked a few things from the kitchen and then sat down at the table and shared.  They settled in around the table and Izzy and Finn began to lay out their outline and talked about what they’d read and what they were thinking. Izzy felt herself relax as she fell into her element of explaining and was soon pulling out notes as well. Adora and Catra for the most part just listened. As they finished up Catra speared an olive with a claw and ate it before saying, “Alright, so you’re definitely not going off half-baked. Izzy, I think I have you to thank for that so thank you.”

“Hey, are you implying I go off half-baked?” Finn asked. 

“Finn, you blew up our fire pit once,” Adora said. 

“You make it sound like I leveled the place. It didn’t even damage anything. Everyone running away is what knocked everything over,” Finn said.

Catra was shaking her head with a smile and her tail flicked back and forth as she said, “That’s not the defense you think it is but like I was saying, you do definitely have a pretty solid plan for where to look and what to research. One problem though. It’s all strategy, no tactics.” 

Finn leaned forward and said, “What do you mean?” 

“Well you’ve got this high level idea but for instance, how are you going to get to where you’re going?” Catra said. “Where are you going to stay? What are you going to eat?” 

Finn said, “Well, we’ll do what I remember you saying you did. We’ll rely on friends. If we’re near the Fright Zone, I know I can call on Artho and Oak. I’m sure Cowrie wouldn’t mind giving us a lift anywhere with water. And Mom, you’ve said yourself that you, Glimmer, and Bow used to sleep on the ground a lot. Why can’t we?” 

Adora was nodding and Izzy chimed in and said, “I will say I believe those are contingencies that we can address as we come to them. Right now, we’re barely into the research part of the outline. Going into the field portion of the outline and the details in it would really just bog us down where we don’t need to be.” 

Catra grinned and said, “Izzy, I like how you stand up a bit more now.”

Izzy blushed and looked down and said quietly, “It’s research. I can do research.”

“You can do a lot of things,” Catra said. “Alright, not that you were looking for it but I’ve got my seal of approval on this.”

Adora sighed and said, “And I guess mine as well.” 

Catra gave Adora a look and said, “Adora, could you take Finn up to the attic real quick? I know field details are a bit early but while I’m thinking about it, see if that old cold weather gear we’ve got stored is still in good shape.”

Adora returned the look and nodded and said, “Sure. Come on, Finn. Let’s head on up there.” 

After they left the kitchen, Catra sat there with her ears twitching until she heard the attic ladder come down and the two go up it. Izzy was quietly reading through her notes when Catra spoke.

“What are you going to do when it gets violent?” she said. 

Izzy looked at her and said, “What?”

“What are you going to do when you get out there on this search and it gets violent?” Catra said again. 

“Was that a problem last time?” Izzy said.

“No. In the whole time we searched, we didn’t really get into anything serious. It’s like you said, most people recognized us. Are you going to get into a fight with She-Ra?” Catra said. “But the strength of your plan is that you two aren’t recognizable. Don’t get me wrong, I’d scorch earth anyone who did something to either one of you but that’s after the fact. So what are you going to do?”

Izzy shifted a little uncomfortably and said, “Why didn’t you ask when Finn was here?” 

“Because I know their answer. They’re a pacifist, have been since they were little. They’d say that it’s best to talk it out or just leave. I respect that and I’m proud of them for that but you… well, I’m not so sure where you stand and I need to know,” Catra said. 

“I think we just do our best to stay out of bad situations,” Izzy said. 

“Nope, you’re not getting out of it that easy. Let’s say someone grabs you,” Catra said and then paused for a second after thinking about Izzy for a moment. “No, not that. Someone grabs Finn . What do you do?”

Izzy felt her face go still as she thought about Finn getting hurt and her voice went flat as she said, “Stop them.” 

Catra blinked a moment and then said in a serious tone, “Izzy, you’ve got some serious anger tamped down inside of you.”

She heard Adora and Finn start to come back down the ladder and said, “You and I, we’re going to talk about this some more later because I’ve got a few things I need to teach you. Alright?” 

Izzy took a deep breath and nodded. Catra turned as the other two came back in and said with a smile, “I take it you found it pretty quick. Still in good shape?”

Adora nodded and said, “Musty but yeah, we stored them well. Should fit them too.”

Adora gave Catra a questioning look and Catra gave a calm look back. Adora opened her eyes up a little bit and sat back down. Finn, who was no stranger to their moms little looks and silent eye conferences, knew something had happened but didn’t say anything. Izzy seemed to be alright and so they let it go. 

“It’s the middle of the night, so I say we call it good,” Catra said with a long stretch and a yawn. 

Adora nodded in agreement and said, “Izzy, you’re welcome to stay over if you think your Grandma won’t worry.” 

Izzy shook her head and said, “No, it’ll be ok. I told her it’d be late. She doesn’t worry about me as much these days.” 

“Well, you’ve got a good head on you,” Catra said. 

Finn made a huffing noise and said, “Hey, Applesauce, are you trying to imply that I don’t?” 

“Fire pit. Explosion,” Catra said with a smile. 

“You’re really going to start bringing that up a lot aren’t you?” Finn said with a grin. 

“You don’t let Applesauce die, I don’t let explosions die,” Catra said. 

Adora rolled her eyes and said, “Izzy, if traveling with Finn is anything like traveling with Catra, I feel for you.” 

“Gasp! Betrayal! How could you!? My own wife!” Catra said as she pointed at Adora.

Adora rolled her eyes again and said, “I’m going to bed, wife. Stay up making grand declarations at the walls if you want but at least keep it down.” 

The two left the room giving each other little pushes back and forth and laughing. Finn smiled and leaned into Izzy. Izzy put her arm around them and the two sighed at the same time. 

“It has been one long day,” Finn said. 

Izzy nodded but didn’t say anything. 

“Can I ask you what Mother wanted?” Finn said. 

Izzy said, “How did you know?”

Finn said, “While I can’t really tell what the heck it is they do with the whole look thing, I can tell when Mother is trying to get me out of the room.”

“She asked me what I was planning if things got violent,” Izzy said.

Finn said, “What did you say?” 

Izzy shifted a little and said, “I, uh, I first said that we’d just leave but she wouldn’t take that answer. Then she asked what I would do if someone hurt you.”

Izzy sat and tried not to look at Finn. She was remembering when her estranged father had tried to hit Finn and she’d stepped in the way of the punch and then laid him out on the ground. She never thought of herself as a violent person, she’d had enough inflicted on her that she didn’t have any romantic ideas about it, but when she thought of Finn getting hurt by someone… well she didn’t like that one bit. 

After waiting to see what else she would say, Finn nudged her and said, “Well, what did you say?” 

Izzy looked Finn straight in the eye and said, “I said I’d stop them.”

Finn could see an intensity in her eyes that they hadn’t seen before. They’d seen her intense when she talked about something that interested her or intense when she was working on a problem but this was something Finn couldn’t place. 

“Uh, I’d rather we just try to talk it out or leave,” Finn said. 

“I know and I’m completely in agreement with you on that. It’s the smart move,” Izzy said. “But I think Catra was trying to get through to me that sometimes that might not be possible. And Finn, I don’t expect you to fight but me? No one’s hurting you if I have a thing to say about it. Ever .”

Finn was shaking their head and said, “Izzy, no I can’t ask you to do that for me.” 

Izzy gave a little smile and said, “Then isn’t it good you don’t have to?” 

Finn leaned their forehead against hers with a sigh and said, “I don’t want you to get hurt. For any reason but especially because of me.” 

Izzy put her hand on the side of Finn’s face and said, “And I don’t want you to get hurt and it’s my decision for myself to make. You’re not changing my mind on this.” 

Finn sighed and said, “Ok. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Izzy said.

Chapter Text

The weeks that followed were long. Finn and Izzy were in the archives almost every day, all day. They worked on researching the small leads that hadn’t panned out and crossed a few off as just too outlandish to follow up on. Finn had a good laugh at one that turned out to be someone saying that Finn was a secret resurrection of Horde Prime who’d been left on the streets after the secret cabal raising them had become frightened of their terrifying potential. 

Sometimes in the evenings before she’d go home, Izzy would spend some time with Catra doing what Catra called, “Learning a few tricks.” 

Finn didn’t ask. They didn’t want to know. 

Late one afternoon, Finn was sprawled out on a large pillow they’d brought in for breaks. Izzy had her head down on the table. 

“Izzy?” Finn said lethargically, staring at the ceiling.

“Yes?” Izzy said, her voice muffled by the table.

“We’re living the life aren’t we?” Finn said. It was something they’d started jokingly saying to each other pretty quickly when they got tired or frustrated. 

Izzy stuck her hand in the air with her thumb up and said, “Nothing but the best for us.”

“My moms are having their party tonight. I know we said we weren’t going to go but…,” Finn said. 

Izzy looked up wearily from the table and said, “Yes. We’re going. I never thought I’d say this but I need a break from studying.” 

Finn got up and said, “Ok, grab your stuff. Let’s go before the paperwork drags us back.” 

The two quickly packed and left the castle to make their way towards the party. It was early evening and twilight was in full progress as they made their way in the front door. 

“Finn!” Sea Hawk shouted as Finn walked in the room. “And the magnificent Izzy as well!”

Izzy shrunk back a little. She’d met him once and only quick enough for an introduction so she was not used to someone who was so Sea Hawk.

Adora sat in her recliner with Catra sitting in her lap and said, “You made it! You’d said you’d be busy.” 

Finn smiled and said, “Well, we decided that we needed a break. It’s been harrowing.”

Bow turned around from where he sat on the couch and said, “Any leads?” 

Finn shook their head and said, “Nothing I’m ready to talk about. Really, we’re just trying to get through it all. The amount of things you all stuffed in there is a bit daunting.”

Mermista raised a glass at them from where she was sprawled out across a loveseat and said, “And you’re welcome for that.”

“Oh, I’m not complaining… much,” Finn said as they gave a grin at Mermista.

“Well, I’d hope not. I still have nightmares about all that writing,” Mermista said. 

“Mermista, don’t say that. It was a joy to do that work so that we might help Finn in their journey now,” Perfuma said. 

“Well I’ll leave you all to argue among yourselves. I see Artho and Oak in the backyard and we’re going to go say hello,” Finn said as they started walking through the house towards the backdoor.  

As they walked out Izzy relaxed a little and said, “I have to keep telling myself they mean well but they’re a bit much to take in sometimes.” 

Finn was waving at Oak and Artho as they said, “Don’t I know it. Now let's sit and relax with these two.”

Izzy gave Finn a nudge with her shoulder and said, “As if that’s any different.” 

Finn looked over to see her with a little smile on her face and laughed. 

They grabbed chairs and went to the back of the yard where Artho and Oak sat. Finn felt comfort in the familiar routine of Perfuma and Scorpia’s younger kids running around the backyard with their friends. Finn could see Capella running as well. They waved at her and she waved back and shouted, “I’m it!” 

As she said that, she jumped into some bushes, her dress getting caught in the tangle as she strained to tag one of the other kids. 

“Well look who decided to grace us with their presence. It’s only fashionably late if you’re not always late to stuff, Finn,” Artho said. “And I’m sorry this reprobate made you late to see us, Izzy but I’m glad you made it.”

“Good to see you too,” Izzy said. 

“How come she gets the polite greeting and I get grief?” Finn said. 

“Because I like her and you I just tolerate,” Artho said with a laugh.

Oak, Artho’s sister, said, “Careful, Finn, she’s been in a mood lately. Mom says that it’s best just to ignore it and Mom says that we should try to help her align her inner soul.”

Artho snorted and said, “How could two woman who’ve known me my whole life, one of whom gave birth to me, not know that this is my inner soul? It’s a thing of grace and beauty.”

“And snark?” Izzy said a little mischievously. 

Artho looked at her with a big grin and said, “Izzy! I’m so proud of you! Thank you. You get me and I love you for that.” 

Finn laughed and said, “That’s because she’s smart and clever and you recognize the things you lack.” 

Artho looked at Finn with a mock wounded face and said, “How could you? My oldest friend!” 

Finn waved their hand in the air as they said, “Yeah, yeah, get it all out of your system.” 

Oak chimed in and said, “Not to break up this absolutely riveting moment but I heard that you and Izzy have been up at the archives doing research and that you’re going to go out looking for your biological family and I only have to say, why haven’t you asked us to go along with you!? ”

“You want to go and do research with us?” Finn said, a little confused.

“No! Finn! I’m all about the adventure! I want to go along with you when you go looking! I guess she can come along too,” Oak said as she hooked a thumb at her sister who stuck her tongue out at Oak. 

Finn leaned forward and said, “Well, I think we are actually getting close to making our first trip. What do you think, Izzy?”

Izzy nodded and said, “I do. I know we’ve been kind of dancing around it a little but yes, I think we’re ready.”

Finn said, “But I figured it’d just be Izzy and I. We’re trying to keep it low-key. We think that the crew in there were probably too high profile the first time around and we’re going to chase down what they thought were dead ends. Honestly, it’s probably going to be boring.” 

“Are you kidding me right now, Finn?” Oak said in shock. “Did you really just say that? Are you trying to tempt the fates? You gotta bring us along now. You’re going to need the help.” 

Finn laughed and said, “Really, I don’t want this to be a whole thing.”

“Nope, I am not missing out a chance to go traipsing around Etheria on the trail of an old mystery. I know it’s really serious for you but, Finn, come on, adventure across Etheria! Don’t make me go Sea Hawk in my excitement here,” Oak said. 

Artho leaned back in her chair with a smug look and said, “Izzy, I’ll appeal to you in this matter since you’re the one with the brain cells in your duo. You’re going to need to get around and we, well we have access to a skiff. Or were you going to walk everywhere?” 

Izzy looked at Finn and said, “She does bring up a good point.” 

Finn grinned and said, “Well, I was thinking Cowrie could give us a lift to places but you’re right, a skiff would be handy. And it would be good to have friends along. Alright, let’s do this.”

Oak stood up and slapped her hand over her heart and said, “I swear my loyalty on this adventure! I swear that I shall be steadfast and true! No matter what comes our way I shall be there for each and every one of us! I swear this on my name and sacred honor!” 

Artho rolled her eyes and said, “Ok, yeah, ditto. What she said.” 

Finn felt a shiver run down their spine and said, “I guess we’re really going to do this.”

“We are,” Izzy said as she took Finn’s hand. Then her face got a bit of a horrified look on it and said, “Oh Mara, we’re really going do this.” 

Finn looked at her in concern and she waved her hand a little and said, “No, no. Stop it. I knew this was what we were working towards. It’s just real now. Realer. More real. Realest.” 

Finn ran their thumb over Izzy’s hand and said, “Izzy, you’re doing that thing with words again.”

Izzy puffed a little air out in exasperation and said, “I know. Ok, I know the solution to this.”

She reached down and pulled her satchel up into her lap.

“Planning?” Finn said.

“Planning,” Izzy said as a gleam came into her eyes.

“Planning?” Artho and Oak said at the same time with a little hesitation. 

“Really? We’ve gone digging through the Bright Moon archives for weeks now, Izzy had to solve a riddle to even get in the place, and you’re getting leery about a little planning?” Finn said. 

Oak turned to Izzy with a look of wonder and said, “Did you really have to solve a riddle?” 

Izzy said, “Finn’s exaggerating. It wasn’t too bad.” 

“That is so cool!” Oak said. “Was it some ancient First One’s computer? Or a magical statue? Some sentient beast?”

Finn laughed and said, “It was the head archivist. She might have been all of those things but I doubt it. She did like her coffee though.” 

“Alright already, let’s plan this out,” Artho said. “Where’s the first place you’re planning on going?” 

Finn and Izzy looked at each other. 

“We, uh, hadn’t got that far,” Finn said. 

“That’s not strictly true,” Izzy said. “We do have the list. Although that is everything we’ve done. Ok, you’re right, we hadn’t got that far.” 

“Sounds like you need to let fate decide,” Oak said. “We write down all the places on pieces of paper. Then we throw a stone up in the air and whichever one it lands on, we go there.”

“Or we could not do that at all,” Artho said. “Let’s just do the first one you researched.” 

Izzy nodded and said, “I like it. First in, first out. Simple logic. If we don’t find anything, we just go to the next one we looked up.” 

Finn nodded and said, “What was the first one? Something about bees wasn’t it?” 

Izzy nodded and looked at her notes.

“Yes, the town of Moraine in the Kingdom of Snows. Main industry is honey and wax from the glacier bee which is native to the area around the town,” Izzy said. “The original group went because of a rumor that a beekeeper’s worker fit the description of someone Finn knew as a child. It didn’t pan out.”

Finn gave a thumbs up and said, “Then we go to Moraine!” 

Artho and Oak gave a look and Artho said, “Ummm, you know it’s late autumn right? And you want to go to the Kingdom of Snows?” 

Izzy nodded and said, “That’s what planning is for.” 

Finn adopted an innocent look and said, “I believe you said you would be steadfast and true?” 

Artho pointed her stinger on her tail at her sister and said, “That was her. I didn’t say which part I dittoed.” 

Oak batted the stinger away from her and said, “No, you’re right. It’s just a little cold. We can do this.” 

They sketched out a simple plan. It came down to: go to the town, see if they can find the beekeeper, talk with him if they can, and then come back. They went back and forth a bit on a few details but overall they had a good idea of what they were going to do.

As they wrapped up, Finn said, “We’ll pack camping stuff and other gear like that just in case but we’ll plan to find a place to stay. Gotta be an inn or hostel in the town.” 

“Now we just gotta go tell Mom and Mom,” Artho said. 

“Oh, right,” Finn said. “I know my moms are good with it. Well, ok, they’re accepting of it. Izzy, we’ll need to talk to your Grandma as well.” 

Izzy shook her head and said, “No need. I sat down with her the day after we told your moms and laid the whole thing out for her. She’s good with it.”

Izzy left out the part where her Grandma had stood up from the table and come around to pull her into a hug. 

“You be careful out there,” she’d said. “I haven’t always been there for you and I don’t have any powers or magic like Finn’s family but if you ever need me, you let me know. I’ll come running. I won’t let you down again.” 

Izzy gave a small smile at the memory as Artho said, “Well let's not all sit around here, let’s go in and see how they react.”

As they stood to go in, Oak said, “Do we need a name for our team? I feel like we need a name.” 

“No,” Finn said as they started walking. “We’re fine.” 

“No, we need one. The Searchers! No. The Inquisitors! No, I heard it as it was coming out. Uh… the Best Friends… wait, no that one’s taken,” Oak said. 

As they walked into the house, everyone in the living room turned to look at them. 

“Everything alright?” Scorpia said sitting up.

“It is,” Finn said. “But we needed to talk to you all.” 

Voices murmured assent and people shuffled around to make room and the four joined the group. 

“Alright, I know you all know what Izzy and I have been doing up in the archives. Well, we were talking with Artho and Oak just now and we realized that we’re ready to make our first trip,” Finn said. 

The room was silent. Izzy shifted uncomfortably. Artho and Oak shared a quick look. 

“Mom and Mom,” Oak said. “We’re going with them.” 

Perfuma looped her arm through Scorpia’s and leaned into her. 

“Are you two sure?” Scorpia said.

Oak and Artho both nodded and Oak said, “We’ve already sworn our solemn oath.” 

Artho said, “Well, she swore, I dittoed but yeah, Mom, we’re sure.” 

Perfuma wiped at her eyes real quick and said, “You’ve both got big hearts like your Mom and if this is where your hearts are leading you then you should follow them. They won’t lead you wrong. Do we have time tonight for you two to have a brief ceremony with your Mom and I or do you have to leave now?” 

Finn realized what they were thinking and jumped in to say, “Aunt Perfuma, we’re not leaving tonight. We’ve still got to get stuff together.”

Finn noticed the room visibly relaxed a little and realized that they thought Finn was announcing they were about to walk out the door. 

Adora spoke up and said, “Ooof! Ok, good, good, I was in shock there.” 

Catra laughed and said, “Finn, you’re an actor. Work on your timing!” 

“Sorry! I’m not used to making huge pronouncements like you all are!” Finn said with a laugh.

Sea Hawk said, “I will be more than happy to give you lessons! First lesson, speak to your Uncle Bow. He gave a rousing speech at the Fall of Prime!” 

Bow laughed and said, “I know I should say it was nothing but I don’t even remember it, I was so scared at the time. Now back to the subject at hand, are you just warning us or do you need us to help?” 

Oak said, “Well, Mom, I was planning on taking that skiff that we’ve been fiddling with and I guess I should ask before I fly it off.” 

Scorpia nodded and said, “That’s fine but let's go over it with one of the Hordie crews at the Fright Zone to give it a check. I don’t want it failing on you.”

“And Mom,” Finn said, “I want to borrow some of your camping gear.”

Catra spoke up and said, “Where are you going that you need camping gear?” 

“We’re not,” Finn said. “It’s back up just in case.”

Catra nodded and said, “Good idea, kiddo, and you also conveniently skipped over where you were going.” 

Izzy said, “I don’t think they did intentionally. We’re going to Moraine.” 

“Why does that sound familiar?” Glimmer said. 

Catra’s tail bristled out a little as she said, “Because it’s a town in the Kingdom of Snows that daylight has forgotten and is so cold that your breath freezes and clangs to the ground. You probably remember me griping about it years ago.” 

Glimmer snapped her fingers as she remembered and said, “Oh yeah! The one with the bees!” 

Catra shuddered and said, “Yes, that one.” 

“Is it that awful?” Artho said.

Scorpia laughed and said, “Catra has never liked the cold. The town is probably fine.” 

“First time in all of this that I’m glad you said we couldn’t come along,” Catra said. 

“It’s alright, Mother. I’m sure we can go there on a vacation sometime,” Finn said. 

“That’s not a bad idea, Finn,” Adora said as she gave Catra a little nudge. “You’ll want a break after this and it would be just lovely to go there!”

Catra just rolled her eyes. 

Artho said, “Hate to interrupt this because I always love seeing Aunt Catra get teased but do any of you have advice on how to go about this? Do we just barrel in and start asking questions or what?” 

“It’s always worked for me. People see me coming and start talking,” Sea Hawk said. 

“Because they’re saying ‘Oh no! It’s Sea Hawk! Run!’ and then the ones who can’t get out the door have to answer your questions,” Mermista said as she gave Sea Hawk a playful poke. 

“You scoff but did you forget how I so cleverly figured out who that scoundrel was when we were in Ocean-By-Seaside?” Sea Hawk said proudly. 

“Uggghhhh, you’re never going to let go of that are you?” Mermista said. 

“No, my dearest, just like you won’t let go of the fact you figured out the ending of Mer-Mystery: The Sixth Clam in the first twenty pages,” Sea Hawk said with a smile.

Artho said, “Not helping!”

Perfuma spoke up and said, “Dear, we usually had someone to talk to at first. We’d try and strike up a meaningful dialogue with them and show that our interests were often on the same path.” 

Scorpia nodded and said, “That’s right. For those that don’t want to talk, you just gotta be firm but friendly. Most people are good and want to help after all.” 

Catra snorted but didn’t say anything. 

Perfuma smiled and said, “Catra disagrees. It’s an old difference of opinion between us.” 

Glimmer spoke up and said, “It helps to be indirect if you can. Don’t just walk up and say, ‘Hey! You ditch a kid once?’ Ummm, no offense, Finn.” 

Finn started laughing and said, “Are you kidding? I’m absolutely doing that now. That’s hysterical!” 

Bow said, “Finn, please, I’m begging you, don’t.” 

Finn looked at Bow with wide eyed innocence and said, “Are you sure, Uncle Bow?”

“Yes, yes, laugh at the old guy,” Bow said. “Do you know how many years I’ve had to deal with impulsive people?”

Glimmer grinned and said, “You can just say your wife, dear. It’s alright.”

Bow kissed the top of Glimmer’s head and said, “Oh, it’s not just you. I’m not going to start pointing fingers around the room or anything but I’m naming my gray hairs after a few of you.” 

Izzy leaned over to whisper to Finn and said, “Are they always like this?” 

“Yes. We should probably get them back on track before they start giving each other grief about stuff that happened before either of us was born,” Finn whispered back. 

Finn sat back up and said, “Alright, so we be direct when we can but indirect as well.”

Artho said, “Yeah, that was clear.” 

“Alright, I didn’t put it just right but you get the idea,” Finn said. 

Adora spoke up and said, “Finn, I don’t think you’ll really have a hard time talking to people to be honest. You’ve definitely got the gift for it. You need to make plans though for what happens if you need to go elsewhere.”

Oak said, “What do you mean?”

“What happens when you get somewhere and someone says, ‘Oh yeah! I’ve got this information!’ and you realize you gotta go to a whole other kingdom,” Adora said.

Catra said, “She’s right. We did that a couple of times. Stuff can be time sensitive too and you gotta move quick.” 

Mermista said, “And I know you said skiff but that’s not going to get you everywhere.”

Finn said, “Well, we’d planned to involve Cowrie as well.” 

Mermista sighed and said, “I don’t even have to ask her to know she’d be all over that. I’ll find out where her next port is going to be so you can plan it out with her.” 

Izzy leaned forward and said, “We’ll take a data pad along too. That way we can communicate with Cowrie and others and keep you all up to date as well.” 

“I want to go too!” a voice piped up from behind the couch. 

Finn leaned back and picked up Capella and pulled her into their lap. 

“Looks like someone is hiding,” Finn said as they gave her a hug. 

“Yes! Because you don’t let me listen in on the good stuff!” she said. “I want to go and help out!” 

“Capella, what do you think the answer is?” Bow said. 

“Well that’s why I didn’t ask you, Dad,” Capella said. 

Glimmer snorted and said, “Well you didn’t ask at all really. But still, humor me. What do you think the answer is?” 

Capella rolled her eyes and said, “Probably no.”

Glimmer laughed and said, “There isn’t a probably to it. It’s no.”

Capella crossed her arms and little sparkles shot off her head in anger as she said, “You never let me do anything fun!” 

Finn leaned down and said, “Well, we gotta go with what your mom and dad say but if it’s alright with them, you can help us get packed when we’re ready to go. Would that be alright?” 

Bow nodded and said, “That’d be fine.” 

Capella sighed and said, “You still never let me do anything fun.”

Bow gave her a look and said, “We can just leave you at the castle and you can’t help at all.” 

Capella sat back on Finn and gave a little huff. 

“How about we get you set up with a big map in your room,” Finn said. “Then when we call in where we are, you can put tacks in it. You can help track where we’re going.” 

Capella thought about it for a moment and said, “No, that sounds boring. Catra can do that. She’d like that.” 

Catra gave a confused laugh and said, “Why do you think I’d find that interesting?” 

“You just would,” Capella said, giving a knowing nod. 

“There is one question I have. When exactly are you leaving?” Adora said. 

Artho, Oak, Finn, and Izzy looked at each other and gave a little shrug. Finn turned to Adora and said, “We hadn’t set a firm date but I’m thinking a week from today. Assuming the team is ready?” 

Oak got wide eyed and said, “The Team.”

Artho said, “No, stop that. I don’t see why not. I think the skiff will be the one thing but I don’t think it’ll be an issue with Mom and I pitching in with giving it the once over.”

Izzy had a notebook out and was taking a few notes and said without looking up, “Can we assume that we can use any gear you all have?” 

There was a general murmuring of agreement and Izzy nodded as she wrote something down and said, “Well, then I think we can make that date.” 

“Then it’s set,” Finn said. “We leave in a week.” 

The room fell still. Finn felt a little uncomfortable because they could see the look of worry and pride that was on their moms face. When they looked around the room, they saw similar looks on the adults. 

“The Team,” Finn heard Oak say quietly to herself again. 

Sea Hawk stood up and said, “Yes, my brave Oak. The Team. May the winds favor you and may you be all brave and true and find what it is you seek.” 

Mermista stood up and said, “I hope you have success. At least drop in and say hey if you’re by Salineas.” 

Bow and Glimmer both stood up and put their arms around each other as Bow said, “Don’t be afraid to ask us for anything and I mean anything. We’re there for you.” 

Glimmer nodded and said, “We are. No matter what.” 

Scorpia and Perfuma stood up and Scorpia said, “Artho, Oak, you make me proud. You’re everything I hoped you’d grow up to be.” 

Perfuma smiled and said, “All of you make me proud. The energy you four have together will carry you through anything.” 

Catra sighed and uncurled herself from Adora’s lap and stood up. She said, “It’s pronouncement time from me it would seem. Keep an eye out for each other, watch your backs, and Izzy, remember what we’ve talked about.”

Adora stood up then and there were tears in her eyes as she took a few steps and knelt down in front of Finn and placed her hand on the side of their face and just looked at them for a moment. Finn put their hand on hers and leaned into it. 

“Mom, you and Mother have given me the best I could ever hope for. You’re still my mom and you always will be no matter what we find,” Finn said. “I promise.”

Adora nodded once but didn’t say anything. Finn sat Capella down on the couch and stood up and hugged Adora as Adora hugged them back, holding on tight before letting go and stepping back. 

“Be safe,” Adora whispered to Finn. 

Finn nodded. Soon after the group broke apart as everyone went on their way home, Perfuma and Scorpia rounded up their younger children and their friends and left as Artho and Oak promised to be back soon with the skiff so they could get started loading up. Glimmer took Mermista and Sea Hawk back to their place after they said their good-byes and then left with Bow and Capella shortly afterwards. Finn watched them all go, knowing that it was becoming more and more real with every passing moment.

Chapter Text

Izzy stood out on the front porch with Finn as they watched the night sky and said, “I’m going to head home now and start packing. You come and get me tomorrow morning.” 

Finn nodded and said, “Alright. Let me go tell my moms that I’m walking you home.” 

Izzy turned and said, “No. I’ll walk home alone tonight. I think you need to be with them, just the three of you, for as much as you can before we leave.” 

Finn sighed and said, “You’re right. I think Mother is handling this ok but Mom, well, I guess the only thing I can do is show her that I’m serious that I’m not trying to replace her.” 

Izzy kissed them and said, “See you in the morning.” 

Finn walked inside to find Adora and Catra sitting at the kitchen table. Catra had her arm around Adora as Finn walked over. 

“Mom, you alright?” Finn asked as they sat down on the other side of Adora. 

Adora smiled at Finn and said, “No, but it’s alright.” 

Finn hooked their arm into Adora’s arm and leaned their head against her shoulder. 

“Did you already walk Izzy home?” Catra said, looking around. 

“She told me she’d walk home by herself tonight and she thought I should spend as much time as I could with you two,” Finn said. 

Adora started to carefully shake Finn off of her and said, “No, that’s not right. Go on Finn, go catch up to her.” 

Finn sat up and said, “Mom, no. It’s alright.” 

Catra said, “Adora, hey, obviously Izzy said it was alright.”

“Mom, are you mad at me?” Finn said. 

Adora looked a bit shocked. She sat back in her chair and said, “No. Well…, no, I’m not mad.”

Catra saw Adora trying to frame what she was going to say and jumped in herself to give her time. 

“Finn, I gotta be honest. I’m a bit upset at this whole thing myself,” Catra said.

“I thought you were alright with it?” Finn said, a bit confused.

“I am, mostly, but it’s just bringing up some old feelings and they suck,” Catra said. “It doesn’t mean that I don’t want you to go through with this though.” 

“Mother, I promise the same thing to you that I did to Mom. I’m not trying to replace you and I’m not unhappy with either of you either,” Finn said. 

Adora said, “I’m with Catra on this. Bad old memories mixed with anxiety about you going out mixed with other anxiety about losing you and it just kind of tangles together.”

Finn looked Adora in the eyes and said, “Mom, I won’t go if you don’t want me to, you just have to say so. I’ll tell everyone that I changed my mind.” 

Adora gave a sad smile and said, “No, I’m not going to ask you to give up on this. I’m not going to be that kind of person.” 

“You couldn’t be anything but the best, Mom,” Finn said. “I’m serious. You two are the best.” 

Catra reached around Adora and gave Finn a playful little push and said, “I love you, kiddo. Now tell me again about how great I am.” 

Adora looked down and shook her head with a rueful laugh, “You’re the worst.” 

“Yeah, but you love me. How embarrassing that must be for you,” Catra said as she hugged Adora. 

Adora smiled and said, “Finn, just let us know you’re doing alright while you’re out there.”

“I will,” Finn said. 

Adora hugged Finn close and when she let go said, “I love you. I’m headed for bed now.” 

Finn said, “I love you both too. I’m going to go to Izzy’s house in the morning to get her. I think she’s going to be here until we leave.” 

They had one last hug before they all went to bed. Finn walked into their room and shut the door and then leaned back against it and looked around. They went over to their bed and picked up their stuffed blue whale, Mx. Whale. Finn hugged the whale for a few minutes and thought. It was all suddenly becoming very real for them. 

“I should do this shouldn’t I?” Finn asked the stuffed animal.

Finn waited as if listening and then nodded. 

“Alright. I will. I’m… I’m going to leave you behind though, Mx. Whale. You watched over me since I was little and I need you to watch over my moms while I’m gone. Will you do that for me, please?” Finn said. 

They listened again and then hugged the whale and said, “Thank you.”

The following week seemed to fly past. Finn went over to Izzy’s the next morning. When they walked in, Izzy had several large duffle bags stacked by the front door and Finn felt vaguely guilty as they realized that this would be Izzy’s last time for a long while that she’d be at the only stable home she’d ever had and it was because of them. 

Izzy and Finn had breakfast with Izzy’s Grandma, a short powerfully built woman who didn’t look quite old enough to be anyone’s Grandma, and the conversation was friendly. Afterwards, as they stood at the front door, Grandma gave Finn a hug and said, “Finn, I expect you to take care of her just like I expect Izzy to take care of you.”

“I will. If you need anything, call my moms. I know they’d be happy to help,” Finn said.

“I’ll manage on my own. I’m not decrepit. Besides, my friend June comes by and we watch out for each other,” she said. “But thank you for the offer.” 

Izzy gave Grandma one last big hug and said, “I’ll try and come by before we leave for Moraine. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

“It wasn’t enough and it should have been so much more but it’s too late for anything but regrets for that. I love you, Izzy. Take care,” Grandma said. 

“I love you too, Grandma,” Izzy said as she and Finn picked up her bags. 

They went on down the road, Izzy and Finn turning around every once in a while to wave until they were out of sight. They walked quietly for a little while before Izzy spoke up.

“Did you spend time with your moms last night?” she asked.

“A little. They’re both a bit torn up by this but we talked about it. I offered to stop if they wanted,” Finn said. “I… I, uh, I can make you the same offer.” 

Izzy walked a few more steps before she said, “No. Grandma and I talked again last night about this and other stuff. She’s right, she should have done more back then but she was scared and I know what it’s like to be scared and I can’t blame her. I’m going to miss her, Finn.” 

They walked a little ways and Finn thought about how much of a change this was for Izzy. She’d told them before how much she had harbored resentment towards her Grandma for not doing something about her abusive parents sooner and Finn thought Izzy looked a bit more at peace over it now. 

“Sheesh, we’re talking about this like we’re never coming back,” Finn said. 

Izzy laughed a little and said, “We are, aren’t we? It is the biggest thing we’ve ever done though. It seemed so easy back when we were talking about it over that campfire. Now, now it’s so much more real.” 

It continued to get more real for them over the next few days. They all hauled stuff out of the attic and out of Adora’s work storage to go over and figure out what they needed. Izzy sat and made list after list as the others spread the equipment around the living room and kitchen as they revised what they needed and what they didn’t. 

One afternoon on the day before they were set to leave Finn and Adora made a trip to Adora’s work storage again and Catra and Izzy were sitting on the back porch taking a breather from one last lesson. Izzy wiped sweat from her face and asked Catra, “Should I take a weapon? Like a knife or something?” 

Catra looked at her. She’d been impressed with how quick Izzy had picked up the things she was teaching her. Izzy didn’t have much hesitation even at first and that had disappeared almost immediately. Catra remembered the first time she’d asked Izzy what she would do if someone tried to hurt Finn and seen the look in her eye so she wasn’t surprised that the hesitation had disappeared. Izzy was someone with a lot of anger and Catra had been sure to work into their lessons an emphasis on controlling her temper and keeping calm while telling Izzy exactly why she was telling her these things. 

“No,” Catra replied to her.

Izzy looked confused as she said, “Why not? Could be useful.” 

“It wouldn’t because you’re not thinking it all the way through. You need to be thinking about de-escalation and getting out as fast as possible. Weapons are the exact opposite of de-escalation. They raise the stakes way too much,” Catra said. “You also need years of training to really make them anything other than a danger to yourself.” 

Izzy frowned but then slowly started nodding her head. 

“It makes sense. What did you use to do? Back in the day?” Izzy said.

Catra laughed and said, “Definitely not de-escalation but you can learn from my checkered past. Just be smart and careful and I know you can do both. If it feels wrong, it probably is so just back out of it as quick as you can. A handful of weeks in the backyard isn’t going to turn you into the baddest person on Etheria. It doesn’t even turn you into the baddest person in this backyard. All I’ve really done is given you a few nasty surprises so you can get that chance to back out if you’re surprised.”

Izzy said, “I understand. I’ll be careful, I promise.” 

Catra put an arm around her and said, ”I know you know what promises mean in this house so I’m going to hold you to that. Adora and I love you, Izzy. We want to see you safely back here just as much as we want to see Finn safely back.” 

Izzy gave a little smile as she felt a little lump rise in her throat and said, “I’ll do my best.”

“I know you will. Now come on, enough of the emotional stuff. Let’s go over that last joint lock again,” Catra said as she stood up.

At the storage, Adora handed Finn a small grey box with a silver chain hanging off it. In the center was a green button covered with a clear hinged flap. Finn turned it around to look at it and saw that it was seamless and on the back was a faint sigil in almost translucent purple. 

“Bow and Glimmer made this. He had a name for it but I’ve forgotten it a long time ago. My crew and I just call it the Glimmer Express. I want you to take that with you. If you ever run into something you need to get out of then you hit that button. Glimmer will be there as fast as she can and get you out,” Adora said. “I’ll let her know you have it.”

“Mom, I’m not taking this with me,” Finn said, holding the box back out to Adora. “I said I wanted to do this one on my own. What’s the point of doing it on my own if I’m calling for help all the time?” 

Adora shook her head and said, “I don’t think you’re getting this. I’m not saying this is some kind of, ‘Hey, I need a little help’ thing. It’s not to give us a call to ask a question. This is a, ‘I’m in dire straits and I need to get out NOW or I’ll die’ thing. It’s an emergency beacon and if you push that button, it doesn’t matter when, she’ll show up. To give you an idea of what I mean by emergency, I’ve only used it once and that was after an avalanche wiped out our survey camp and all our supplies and left us stranded. I was lucky I had it in my pocket and I had Bow put the chain on when I got back so I could wear it around my neck. If you keep us up to date on what you’re doing Glimmer will come in with backup too if needed.”

Finn put the box down on the table next to them and looked at it.

“I could be gone for a while though,” Finn said. “Like weeks, maybe months. I don’t want her to have to carry something around with her that whole time.”

“She won’t have to. I don’t know how they did it but Bow made the electronics and Glimmer did something magical to it. It’s linked to her. She’ll get the notice if it’s the dead of night and she’s fast asleep. Finn, I know you want to do this all on your own but please, take this and promise me you’ll use it if you need it,” Adora said. Then she looked Finn straight in the eyes and continued with, “Or do I need to remind you that you’re not doing this alone and there are others going with you as well who you’re responsible for? Like Izzy?” 

Finn flinched a little and said, “Mom, come on. That was low.” 

“I learned from your Mother,” Adora said with a grin. “Now are you taking it? Don’t think I’m rolling over on this.” 

Finn sighed and stuck it in their pocket and said, “Alright, but only if it’s absolutely the worst thing. Worse than I can imagine.” 

Adora nodded and said, “That’s fair and don’t put it in your pocket. Get used to wearing it around your neck. Sleep with it, shower with it, do everything with it. You’ll get so you don’t even notice it’s there and hopefully you’ll never ever need it.”

Finn took it back out, put in on and tucked it inside their shirt.

“Better?” Finn said. 

“Yes,” Adora said as she ruffled between Finn’s ears. “Thanks for humoring me.” 

That evening the four were sitting around the dinner table chatting after dinner when they heard the roar of a skiff coming in and landing on the back lawn. It’d been repainted from its original Horde green to dark orange. Artho and Oak leapt off and started walking towards the door. Catra’s fur ruffled a little as she said, “Did they have to land it there?” 

Adora grinned and said, “It’s not like we have a landing pad.” 

The two came in the door and Oak greeted them with, “Sorry we took so long. Mom made us break that thing down to the frame almost but it’s definitely been inspected now. We’ve got all our stuff with us and ready to go.”

Adora waved at a couple of empty chairs at the table and they settled in. 

“Tomorrow’s the big day. What’s the plan?” Adora asked. 

The four looked at each other and Izzy finally spoke up. 

“I’ve got a schedule for us. We’ll make one last check on our packing tonight, load up the skiff tonight, and go to bed early. I saw Grandma yesterday so we can head out early. We’ll be in Moraine mid-day the day after tomorrow,” Izzy said. 

“You’re not going to try and fly by night are you?” Catra asked. 

Finn shook their head and said, “No. Izzy found a town that’s a bit off the direct route. It’s on the edge of the Kingdom of Snows. We’ll reach there before nightfall tomorrow and stay there.” 

Catra and Adora took each other’s hand and Adora said, “I know I’m being overly worried. You’re all just traveling to a town and back but please try and keep us up to date so we know you’re all alright.” 

“I will, Mom. I’ve never seen She-Ra in person and I don’t want the first time to be when you bust in a door while I’m trying to sleep,” Finn said with a grin. 

“You joke, kiddo, but she’ll do it,” Catra said. “And I’ll be right beside her.”

“And Mom and Mom will probably be coming in the window,” Artho said with a laugh. 

“I can tell you haven’t seen either of them at full throttle,” Catra said. “Bold of you to assume they’d leave the wall standing.” 

“We’ll keep you up-to-date,” Finn said with a snort. “Please don’t level a town because we didn’t make a call.” 

“Well, we’ve planned this to death. It’s time for us to step back and let you four do what it is you’re going to do. If I don’t see you before tomorrow morning, we love you all and good night,” Adora said as she stood up from the table. “Come on, dear. Let’s go for a walk.” 

Finn noticed she didn’t promise not to level a town but decided maybe now wasn’t the best time to bring it up as the two left the house

Oak was practically vibrating in her chair as she said, “I cannot believe we’re really going to do this. Is The Team ready to go and start getting loaded up?” 

“We’re not doing the name,” Artho said. 

“I don’t know, I kind of like it,” Izzy said. 

“Oh no, she’s infected you as well!” Artho said. 

“Me too. I kind of like it. Gives the whole thing a jaunty air,” Finn said as all of them got up from the table.

“Jaunty? We really are doomed,” Artho said as they all walked out into the backyard and started pulling out all the gear from the skiff. Then they pulled everything out of the house that they had got together and spread it out on the lawn beside the skiff with the rest. 

Izzy gave everyone a checklist and they started individually checking everything off. Only when everyone agreed that everything was there did they start packing. Finally, they were done except for small personal packs they’d kept back and they stood around on the grass beside the skiff. 

“We’re really going to do this aren’t we?” Oak said in a quiet voice. 

No one responded as they stood there. Artho carefully patted the side of the skiff as she looked at it and Izzy put her arm around Finn. 

“We do love our drama don’t we?” Finn said with a laugh. “We’re just going to take a trip.” 

Artho grinned back and said, “You’re right. We are. We’ve put way too much work into this.”

Everyone smiled and then Finn realized the reason it felt so dramatic for them. 

“And you all? Thank you for helping me out on this,” Finn said.

They all nodded and met for a quick group hug before they all went inside and settled down for the night. They all crawled into sleeping bags in Finn’s room and stared at the ceiling thinking their own thoughts as each one drifted off to sleep. 

Finn woke up the next morning with Izzy curled up behind them. Artho was sprawled out across the floor and Oak came walking out of the bathroom. 

“Did you not sleep at all?” Finn whispered. 

“I did but I’m so excited I was up early and couldn’t get back to sleep. Aunt Catra is up too. She’s in the kitchen cooking,” Oak whispered back. 

“You can stop whispering, I’m already awake,” Artho muttered from the floor.  

“Me too,” Izzy yawned from behind Finn. 

“Well then stop laying around and let’s get going!” Oak said. 

Each of them got ready, packed the few things they had brought out, grabbed their bags and went out to the kitchen. They all tried to give Catra a hand but she shooed them out and they settled around the table. Adora came slumping into the room and sat down. The chatter around the table was fairly subdued but friendly as they ate. At the end of the meal, they all pitched in to clean up as there was a knock at the door. 

“I’ll get it,” Adora said as she walked over. 

“Moms, it’s not even daylight yet. What are you doing?” Finn said. 

Adora opened the door and Glimmer came in with Bow and Capella. Capella ran over and hugged everyone. Glimmer barely had her eyes open as she slouched over and laid back on the couch with her arms across the back. Grandma came in as well and Izzy gave a smile and went over to give her a hug as Scorpia and Perfuma came in behind them with Artho and Oak’s younger siblings. 

“You didn’t think we’d let you all leave without a sendoff did you?” Adora said. 

“Should I be doing something?” Grandma whispered to Izzy. 

“No, Grandma. Just be yourself,” Izzy whispered back. “I’m glad you made it.” 

“Of course I would. Besides, the Queen herself asked me. She even asked to see your models before we left. I didn’t know she even knew about them but she said you did great work!”  Grandma whispered back with a proud smile. 

Izzy blushed and gave a shy grin but didn’t respond as Finn was getting everyone’s attention as they stood between the kitchen and the living room. 

“Can I have a moment please?” 

Everyone stopped chatting and turned to Finn. 

“Thanks. I’m not going to give some big dramatic speech,” Finn said. 

“What’s stopping you this time?” Catra snarked.

“No comments from the gallery please, Applesauce,” Finn said as Catra stuck her tongue out at them. 

“Applesauce?” Grandma whispered in confusion to Izzy.

“Nickname, it’s a long story,” Izzy whispered back. 

“As I was saying, there’s no speech. Thank you for being here to see us off. Team? Let’s get going,” Finn said.

Everyone walked out to the skiff sitting in the yard as the sky lightened in anticipation of daybreak and The Team threw their bags up on the deck and turned around. The good-byes didn’t last long. Some hugs, a few things whispered between one another, and then the four were climbing on board as the rest went back to the patio. Finn turned to look at the group standing on the patio. Adora and Catra had their arms around each other. Catra had her hand on Grandma. Perfuma and Scorpia had their arms linked and were leaning against each other as the children waved. Capella was being held by Bow as she waved as well and Glimmer stood beside Bow with her arm around his waist. 

The engine started up and Artho said, “Here we go.” 

They all gave one last wave and then Artho lifted them into the air and they were off. 

The group on the patio watched them clear the trees of the woods behind the property and disappear quickly. Adora wiped at her eyes a little and said, “Well… they’re off.” 

She sighed as Catra gave her a hug and then they all turned and went inside.

Chapter Text

The Team settled themselves down as they flew. They went over the Whispering Woods as morning arrived and Izzy and Finn both looked over the side to watch it pass. Artho and Oak traded off flying occasionally when one was tired as they went along and the hours passed quietly. As they got closer to the Kingdom of Snows the air went from the light chill of Bright Moon in late autumn to deep cold. They stopped to get changed into the cold weather gear they brought along and Finn grinned as Izzy took out a large scarf of orange and yellow that matched her shaved close hair and wrapped it around her head and neck leaving her horns sticking out the top. 

“What?” Izzy said in confusion.

“Nothing. I just think you look really cute,” Finn said as they gestured at the scarf as Oak got them back in the air. 

Izzy flicked at the dark red and brown stocking cap Finn was wearing with their ears sticking out the sides of it and said, “Well, I think you look adorable in this.”

Finn gave a little purr and said, “Thanks.” 

Oak and Artho looked at each other and Artho said, “Hey, you two! We’re going to be close together for at least the next week. Could you not be so cute?” 

“It’s hard but I can try but I think it’s impossible for Izzy. She’s just naturally cute,” Finn said with a bigger grin while Izzy blushed. 

Artho gave a laugh, waved a hand, and said, “That! Just less of that!” 

“Nope!” Finn said as they pulled Izzy in close. 

Later, it was getting close to evening when Oak looked up from the map and said, “We should be seeing the town any time now.” 

Artho kept eyeing the horizon and said, “Good, because I’m pretty sure that’s a storm coming this way.” 

Finn, sitting up front with Izzy, turned to look and they all saw the clouds. 

“It’s a long way off though, right?” Finn said.

Izzy stared intently and said, “Yes, but the fact we can see it this far means it’s a big system.”

Finn looked out in front of them and saw the town, Serac, sitting on a cliffside overlooking a large U-shaped valley. 

“Well we’re in luck then cause that looks like the place,” Finn said, pointing. 

They circled over the small town, the brightly colored buildings almost glowing in the late afternoon light, and Artho brought them in for a landing at a small airport that had several skiffs and other aircraft lined up. A woman came out of a low building and Artho hopped down to talk with her.

Artho came back a few minutes later and said, “Alright, we can stow the skiff in a hangar and lock it up. She said that there’s a hostel here a block down we can stay at and that we’re lucky because they’re expecting the first snow of the year tonight.” 

The four went down and got a room and as they walked in, the common room was full of people chatting, playing games, and laughing. Izzy shrunk back from the crowd a little but Oak had a gleam in her eye as they all made their way through to the upstairs room. When they got to the room, Izzy gave out a sigh of relief and stretched out on one of the bunk beds. 

Oak dropped her bag on one of the bunks and said, “I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m going back to the common room.”

Finn sat down on a chair and said, “How about we make dinner real quick and then we can do our own thing before bed?” 

Oak nodded. Artho, who’d ended up doing most of the flying, sprawled out on a bunk and said, “Can I skip out on making dinner? I’ll come down in a bit. I just gotta take a breather.” 

Izzy jumped in and said, “I’m going to as well if that’s alright. There’s too many people down there for me right now.” 

Finn shrugged and said, “I’m fine with that.”

Oak said, “Me too. Maybe we can do it in split duty or something.”

Artho had her arms out in front of her and was stretching her wrists as she said, “Fine with me.” 

Finn and Oak left the room with a small bag of stuff to cook. Izzy pulled out a book and immediately lost herself in it. Artho swung the tip of her tail back and forth and watched it as she listened to the faint sound of the wind outside.  After about twenty minutes, she jumped up and said, “Izzy, you ready for some food?” 

Izzy was absorbed in her book and it took her a moment to focus.

“Huh? Oh, yes, thank you,” Izzy said. She still felt a bit odd being alone with Artho and defaulted to a version of her quiet and polite public face. 

She stashed her book and the two left the room, locking it behind them. 

“Whatcha reading that’s got you so engrossed?” Artho said as they made their way to the common room. 

“It’s a book on Horde Clones and the issues they’re having with integration into various societies,” Izzy said. “They spent a long time on The Great Reckoning but even all this time later, many of them are still having issues.”

“Doesn’t sound like my thing but it does sound interesting I guess,” Artho said as they saw Finn and Oak coming out of the kitchen with a pot and four bowls. Artho grabbed a table and waved them over as she and Izzy sat down. 

“It is,” Izzy said. “They were essentially this monolithic entity that didn’t have to make decisions for hundreds and hundreds of years because Prime did it all and now they’re suddenly individuals for the first time. I know a lot of people don’t like them but I think they’re working as hard as they can on accepting the new reality and coming to terms with it.”

Finn sat the pot down and said, “Did I miss an info dump?” 

Izzy gave a little smile and said, “No. Just telling Artho about my book.” 

Artho lifted the lid off the pot and said, “Ah yeah, you made the stew Mom canned for us.”

Oak nodded as Finn started filling up bowls for everyone. 

“Seemed right. A little taste of home on our first night away,” she said. 

As they ate, Finn said, “I looked out the window and it’s already starting to drop a bit of snow. I heard someone say it could be a big storm. Do we want to try and get out in the morning?” 

Oak shrugged and said, “Do we have to decide now? We could just play it by ear. If it’s clear, we go. If it’s not, we settled down for another day. It’s not like we’re on any set time schedule.”

Izzy looked a bit uncomfortable but didn’t say anything. Artho looked at her then spoke up and said, “Well, I’m fine with that. Long as we don’t get stuck here for the winter.” 

Finn laughed and said, “I can think of worse places to be stuck for winter. This is pretty nice so far.” 

They’d also noticed that Izzy didn’t look too happy and they put their hand on Izzy’s hand and said, “What about you?” 

“I… I guess,” Izzy said. 

“You don’t like getting off the schedule do you?” Finn said.

Izzy shook her head and said, “No but I guess I can update it as we go. I should have accounted for the weather.” 

She spooned up more of the stew and Finn gave her hand a squeeze before going back to eating. After they were done, Finn and Izzy went to the kitchen to clean up the dishes and packed them away. The room had other people getting food ready or cleaning up after eating and Finn said hello and chatted a little as they made their way through the room. When they got back out, Izzy felt frazzled at all of the interaction even though she hadn’t said anything. 

“I’m headed back to the room,” she said.

“Ok, I’m going to tell Oak and Artho and I’ll be up there in a moment,” Finn said. 

“I’m just going to read my book,” Izzy said. “Stay down here if you want.”

“No, it’s fine. I don’t mind,” Finn said. 

Izzy started to say something and Finn took her hand and said, “Izzy, it’s ok. Really. I’d rather spend the evening with you.”

Izzy gave a little smile and said, “I was trying to guess how you felt wasn’t I?” 

Finn nodded and said, “At least it wasn’t me doing it this time.” 

As they walked into the common room, Izzy went on up the stairs and Finn saw Artho and Oak chatting with a couple of women. Finn pointed up and then gave a wave and Oak gave a thumbs up. 

“What was that?” one of the women said looking back to see Finn headed up the stairs.

“The other people we’re travelling with,” Oak said. “Just letting us know they’re going upstairs.”

“Kind of early for that,” the other woman said. “Most people hang out until late.” 

Artho gave her best winning smile at her and said, “That’s fine. More room at the table.” 

The women started laughing and said, “Sorry honey, I’m not the least bit interested in romance.” 

The other one said, “And before you look my way I’m already in a committed relationship.” 

Artho laughed and said, “Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to be happy to have a good conversation.” 

Oak shook her head and said, “I can’t take you anywhere.” 

“And yet you always do, dear sister,” Artho said. 

“Well, the reason we came over was to ask if you wanted to play a game of Liars Dice with us,” the first woman said with a smile.

“Sounds fun!” Oak said.

Up in the room, Izzy dropped down on the bed as Finn put away their dishes and pulled out a data pad. 

“What should I tell moms?” Finn said as they pulled up the message function. 

Izzy opened her book up and said, “Tell them we made it safely of course. Tell them that it’s snowing and we might be here a little bit before it clears up I’d think and that when I get a chance I’m going to change the schedule to reflect it.” 

“Want to do that now?” Finn said with a grin. 

Izzy rolled her eyes and said, “Tease all you want but it’s important we have it. It keeps us on track.” 

“I know,” Finn said as they sat down next to her and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “And I appreciate it.”

Izzy scooted around as Finn moved back to lean against the far wall and Izzy put her head on their leg and started reading as Finn typed. They could hear the wind beginning to howl outside and saw flakes impacting the tiny window up on the wall. Inside the small warm room with Finn beside her and a book in her hand, she felt safe and content. 

Finn hit send on the data pad and absentmindedly touched the emergency beacon around their neck as they listened to the wind blow and watched the snow pile up on the windowsill. They could feel the stew sitting warm and comfortable in their belly and thought briefly of hiding in the alley when they were a child, trying to survive. They were sitting behind boxes, watching the world, waiting for someone to throw out some garbage, hoping that there’d be something to eat in it. It was cold and dark and they could feel the gnawing of hunger at their stomach and the clutch of fear in their chest. They felt somebody grabbing their leg and Finn jerked awake. 

“Finn, you were shaking,” Izzy said, sitting up a little, her book set down beside her. 

Finn wiped at their eyes and said, “Sorry. I guess I’m tired out.” 

“We started the day early,” Izzy said. “Grab your sleeping bag and lie down.” 

Finn nodded and got settled with their bag on the bed as Izzy scooted back to the wall and lay behind Finn with her book in front of her. 

“Think we’ll get out tomorrow?” Finn said drowsily. 

“Doubtful,” Izzy said as she flipped a page.

Finn waited for a response and then gave a sleepy smile as they realized she was reading and there was no way they were going to have an in-depth conversation with her.

“I love you,” Finn said.

Izzy leaned over and gave them a kiss and said, “Love you too.” 

Finn closed their eyes and listened to Izzy flipping pages as they drifted off. Finn didn’t know how long they’d been asleep when the door came banging open. The room was dark and Finn could feel Izzy curled up behind them with her arm over them. There was the sound of hands slapping at each other and furious whispers. 

“Don’t turn the light on you idiot!” Finn heard Artho saying in a loud whisper. 

“Well shut the door you fool!” Oak whispered loudly back. 

Finn could feel Izzy sitting up behind them as one of them managed to shut the door.

“What is going on, you two?” Finn whispered as they reached over and hit the data pad to activate the screen and give a little light in the room. 

“ She tried to hustle those two women at Liars Dice!” Artho whispered fiercely as she pointed at Oak.

“I did not! ” Oak whispered back. “They were trying to hustle us!” 

“I know! I’ve known Aunt Tossa how many years and you think I don’t know what a hustle looks like!?” Artho said, trying to keep her voice low.

“Stop!” Finn said through gritted teeth. “Just say what happened!”

Izzy was sitting up at this point yawning and calmly said, “Do we need to run?” 

“What? No!” Oak said.

“Well… maybe,” Artho said.

“No! Ok, so we were talking and one of them, said her name was Reaver, invited us over to play. We sat down at their table and two other people wandered by and just suddenly became interested in playing with the four of us,” Oak said. 

“That’s the start of the hustle,” Artho said.

“I know! I’ve known Aunt Tossa as long as you have! Let me tell it!” Oak hissed. “They start playing and it’s pretty obvious they’re switching to loaded dice on some of the rolls so I just started playing with that in mind. It was pretty easy. Then they started betting and again, we were both doing alright.”

“Because I could see the dice getting switched too but then she decided to bet big and threw in the key to the skiff!” Artho said.

“ You lost the skiff!?” Finn and Izzy both said in unison.

“No! They bet their truck against it but I managed to palm their loaded dice and they got all irritated because they lost,” Oak said. “Poor sports if you ask me.” 

Artho rolled her eyes and said, “Yes, the organized group of dice hustlers were poor sports.”

“What. About. Our. Skiff?” Finn said slowly.

“Well, they started screaming about cheating and went to grab our key but Artho was faster and grabbed it and then one of them threw the table aside and we went running,” Oak said. 

Finn suddenly realized they were damp and said, “Have you been hiding outside? In a blizzard!?” 

They both looked sheepish and Oak said, “Not for long. We snuck in the back and hid in a closet for the last hour until it calmed down. Then we came up.” 

Izzy started snickering and was soon covering her mouth as she tried not to laugh too loud and disturb anyone. Finn looked at her and started quietly laughing too and soon the other two had joined in as well. Then suddenly they all went still and wide eyed as there was a quiet knock on the door. 

Finn got up while Artho and Oak both waved frantically not to open the door. Finn ignored them and cracked the door open. 

“Evening,” the hostel owner said from the other side. 

“Evening,” Finn said. 

“Just wanted to let you know, and your friends I can hear trying to hide in there, that there’s no hard feelings and that those four aren’t staying here so they should be alright,” they said. “Going to be here another night?” 

“If the weather doesn’t let up,” Finn said.

“I’ll mark you down for it. Just one thing. I’m calling it luck tonight but if those two try and hustle anyone from here forward, all of you will be looking for another place, blizzard or no blizzard. Understood?” they said giving Finn a look. 

“Absolutely. Won’t happen,” Finn said nodding solemnly. “Thank you for letting us know they’re gone.”

“Not a problem. Have a good night,” they said. 

Finn shut the door and they all waited a moment before they started laughing again, trying to stay as quiet as possible.

“We will not be telling our parents about this one,” Finn said.

The next morning they all woke up and could hear the wind still blowing. They went downstairs and peaked out the small windows to see the town covered in snow and more coming down every minute. 

As they all sat down at a table, Artho said, “Well, I know the skiff has a wide flight range tolerance but let’s be honest, we don’t. The Horde wasn’t thinking of comfort when they built them. I say we wait it out.” 

The others nodded and Izzy started making notes on the schedule. 

Finn said, “Well, even if it does clear, that doesn’t mean we can reach Moraine. The weather could go that way.” 

A skinny woman sitting behind them leaned back towards their table and said, “Hey, couldn’t help but overhear. You all trying to get out to Moraine?” 

Finn turned and nodded at her and said, “Yeah. We got an old skiff though so I guess we’ll just have to wait until the weather calms.” 

The woman shook her head and said, “Well, you should get a chance this evening. Storms supposed to die off by then and it’s headed away from Moraine. The cloud base will be low though so you won’t have any light from the moons so it’ll be strictly instrument flying only. You know how to fly at night like that?” 

The other three turned and looked at Artho. She looked back and said, “Yeah, I’ve done it before.” 

“Well, if you decide you don’t want to take the chance, my names Iceaia. You can find me over at the ground cargo terminals on the north side of town. I got a big rig, I can fit you four on board, no problem, and give you a lift there and back. I leave again in two days, just catch me before then to let me know,” she said. 

Finn gave her hand a shake and said, “Thanks. We appreciate the offer.” 

“Not a problem. If nothing else, I heard that two of you suckered some hustlers who’d been preying on people. Gotta give you respect for that,” Iceaia said as she stood up to go. “See you if I see you.” 

As she walked away, Oak was sitting up straighter with a grin on her face.

“Oh Mara, there’s going to be no living with you after this,” Artho said with her hand on her face. 

“Did you hear that? We have a reputation for good! ” Oak said. 

Izzy gave a small smile and said, “Well, to change the subject, do we want to take the flight or do we want to travel with Iceaia?” 

Finn turned to Artho and said, “Can you really fly by instrument only?” 

“Sure. I said I’ve done it before,” Artho said. 

“When?” Oak said, confused.

“Ok, ok, so I’ve done it once. With Mom on board. But it’s really not that hard! I’ve also done it in simulation plenty of times!” Artho said. 

“Oh, well, that’s just fine,” Finn said sarcastically. 

Izzy was shaking her head and said, “I don’t know. Moraine is a long way off and we did say we’re not going to try and fly at night.” 

Oak leaned forward and said, “Alright, normally I’d take this moment to mercilessly roast my sister but I trust her. She says she can do it, she can do it. And we can just not tell that we flew at night. It’s really our trip anyway.” 

Izzy nodded and said, “Well, that’s true. We are the ones out here. We can make the best decisions because we have the most information.”

Finn looked at Izzy with a bit of shock and then at the rest and said, “I can’t believe I’m the voice of reason on this. Are we seriously considering this? We can just wait and catch a ride.” 

“Seriously, I can do it,” Artho said. “Listen. We take off, I fly a few kilometers. If it looks too rough, I turn around and go back to the hangar. Less than thirty minutes, tops, to tell.” 

Oak patted Finn on the shoulder and said, “Come on, Finn! Think of the stories!” 

Finn snorted and said, “You were just saying we don’t tell anyone. Alright, against my better judgment then. Let’s do it.” 

Artho smiled and said, “Thank you for your trust.” 

Finn said, “Please don’t make me regret this.”

“You sound like our parents,” Artho said with a laugh as they started to figure out breakfast.

Chapter Text

As reported, the storm started to slow down by late morning and by late afternoon it had blown out, leaving only low clouds behind. Finn talked to the hostel keeper and let them know they might be back that night but not to hold the room. 

“You sure about this?” they asked.

“No,” Finn said. “But I’m outvoted.”

The hostel keeper gave a sharp laugh and said, “Well good luck then and be careful.” 

The Team walked along the sidewalks that had been cleared of snow by people coming out of their businesses and houses after the storm. Now with the people mingling in the streets and chatting and laughing among the bright colors of the houses and the lights strung up and gleaming off the new snow everything seemed extra festive. They twirled around to take it all in and people waved and greeted them as if they were old friends even though no one knew who they were. 

“It kind of reminds me of what I’ve read about the celebrations after the Fall of Prime,” Izzy said as they got close to the airport. 

“It’s fantastic,” Artho said as she gave a slow turn to take it all in. “If we can, I want to spend some more time here before we go back.” 

“Well we should probably drop in on Auntie Frosta if we can but yeah, I think I’d like to spend some time here as well,” Finn said looking around. 

Izzy looked at them as they walked through the gate to the airport and said, “I figured you’d all have been everywhere. Is this really that great?” 

Oak said, “Well Finn is a bit better travelled then either of us but yeah, something about it just feels, I don’t know, special I guess.” 

“I agree,” Finn said. 

They opened up the hangar and worked to get the skiff out and then loaded up. They put on a few extra layers and got on board. Artho began making checks and everyone fell silent as she started up the main engine. 

“We sure about this?” Finn said. 

Artho gave a grin and suddenly they were airborne. Artho spiraled them out over the town and the lights gleaming off the snow was just as beautiful from above as Artho settled down on course and gave close attention to the instruments. Soon, they were out over the countryside and it was like flying through a cave. Finn felt their fur trying to rise as the frigid wind whipped around them. 

“It’s been a bit,” Finn said over the wind. “I’m guessing you’re not turning back?” 

Artho shook her head and said, “Nope. Doing pretty good. We’re high enough that we should avoid any hills and as long as Oak gives me good directions, we should be there by late evening.”

Finn watched a lone light in the darkness below go past and shuddered a little. The lack of visual cues was making them feel nervous. Izzy, her face behind her scarf, set her hand on Finn’s shoulder and squeezed it through the layers of clothes. Finn looked at her in the dim light of the instrument panel that barely filtered up to them and saw her nod. They nodded back and tried to stay calm as time passed. 

After hours in the air Finn wondered how much longer when they saw Oak standing next to Artho looking frightened as they whispered to each other. Finn immediately got up and went to them. 

“What’s going on?” Finn asked.

“Um, just a small issue, nothing huge,” Artho said, trying to sound nonchalant. 

“You both look scared,” Finn said. “Just tell me.” 

Oak scratched at her head and said, “Well, there’s a beacon at the Moraine port we should be receiving by now. We’re not.” 

Finn blinked and then said, “What does that mean?” 

“Well, it’s how we guide ourselves in on the final leg,” Artho said. “We could try and find the lights of the town but that’s iffy, especially if there’s ground fog or anything like that.”

Izzy had come up behind Finn and was listening as Finn felt a moment of panic. 

“Are you sure we’re in the right place?” Izzy said. 

Oak nodded and said, “I’ve checked it twice. Do either of you know how? I want someone to re-check it.”

Izzy and Finn both shook their heads and Oak groaned. 

“Well what do we do now?” Artho said. “I need a decision, quickly.” 

“Can we make it back to Serac?” Izzy asked.

“Yeah, but I’m going to be exhausted. This is harder than I thought. It takes a lot of effort,” Artho said. “But I think we should push through.” 

Finn was shaking their head and said, “No, I think we should turn around right now.” 

Oak was shaking her head as well and said, “I’m with Finn on this. Moraine isn’t a big town, we could very easily miss it in the dark and according to the map the country past it is vast and empty.”

Izzy thought for a moment and said, “I think we should push through.”

Finn looked at Izzy and said, “What!? Why!?” 

Izzy said, “Do we have an idea of much longer before we should be seeing Moraine?” 

“Yes,” Artho and Oak both said. 

“Going back is a bad idea because if we did navigate wrong, we’re going back along a bad course and we could miss Serac as well,” Izzy said. “What we should do is give it that time you know it’s supposed to take plus a small buffer and if we don’t see it, we assume we missed. At that point, we land, set up camp and try again in the morning when we can get visual landmarks.” 

Finn spoke up after a moment of silence and said, “I don’t like it very much, especially trying to land in the dark, but I guess if we missed Serac going back we’d still have to do the same thing. Let’s do it.” 

Oak nodded and Artho said, “Alright. Oak, give me a time.” 

Izzy and Finn stepped back to the front and sat back down as Artho and Oak bent to the task of trying to get them to Moraine. Izzy leaned into Finn and Finn could feel her shaking. 

“Are you cold?” Finn said. 

“I’m scared,” Izzy said through chattering teeth. 

“This is your idea though,” Finn said.

Izzy looked at Finn and said, “That doesn’t make me any less scared. If anything, I’m more scared because everyone is depending on it.” 

Finn hugged her close and said, “I trust you.” 

Izzy didn’t say anything back but just hugged them back and they both settled down to wait. Izzy felt herself getting more and more agitated as time went past in the dark and the cold. Oak looked up and said, “That’s time. We at least should be able to see the lights of Moraine by now.”

They all looked out into the dark and saw nothing. 

Artho said, “Fifteen minutes more is what Oak and I decided and then we need to figure out about setting down.” 

Finn nodded, feeling the fear settling in their chest. They all looked around as they flew, trying to spot anything, and it was like each of them could almost feel the clock starting to tick down. 

“That’s… that’s fifteen minutes,” Oak said haltingly. “How are we going to set down?" 

Artho could feel her hands hurting from gripping the controls and said, “Carefully. I’m going to turn on all the lights and come in as slow as I can to try and find an open spot.” 

Izzy took a deep breath to try and slow down her pounding heart and said, “We’re pretty far north. Most of the trees should be more like bushes.”

Artho gave a nervous grin and said, “Well, here’s to hoping then.” 

As they started to descend, Finn noticed something off to the left and a bit behind them and shouted, “Wait! What’s that over there?”

They all turned to look but all they saw was darkness. 

“Finn, I don’t see anything,” Oak said, straining to look. 

“I think I can see some faint light off the clouds,” Finn said, pointing. “Go that way!” 

“Finn, we can’t just stumble around in the dark. We could hit a mountain,” Artho said.

“The instruments should warn us if you’re not going too fast,” Oak said. “Go that way. Finn’s eyes are better than ours.” 

Izzy, crouched at the railing, said, “Do it.”

Artho grumbled under her breath but turned the skiff in the direction Finn pointed. After a few minutes, the rest could begin to see faint light off the clouds. 

“Is it Moraine?” Oak said. 

“Right now, I don’t care. It’s something creating light,” Artho said. “At least I’ll be able to set down next to it.” 

The light began to get brighter and Artho brought them up a bit higher and as they cleared a ridge they could see individual lights in a town. 

“I think it’s Moraine!” Oak said as she looked at a map and back at the town below. Suddenly she got excited and started pointing as she grabbed Artho. “YES! IT IS! THERE’S THE AIRPORT! THAT’S IT!” 

“I can see it! Stop shouting in my ear!” Artho yelled back. 

Finn felt like they were going to fall over from the release of tension and turned in time for Izzy to grab them and plant a huge kiss on them. 

Finn went wide eyed and then started laughing at the look on Izzy’s face. She had a huge smile on her face and her eyes were bright as she said, “We did it!” 

Oak laughed and said, “Of course we did! Never had a doubt in my mind we’d overcome!”

Finn sat down and was still laughing as Artho guided them into a landing spot. Artho let go and shut everything down and then sat down with her head on her knees.

“You alright there?” Oak said as she knelt down next to her.

Artho nodded as she held out her hands. They were shaking as the tension and fear ran through her and she said, “I will be. That was terrifying.” 

Izzy and Finn walked over and knelt down next to her and placed hands on her back and shoulders.

“You did a great job,” Finn said. 

“Any landing you can walk away from…,” Artho started to say and then stopped as a tremor ran through her. 

“Thank you,” Izzy said as she patted Artho on the back.

Artho sighed and said, “Alright, alright, enough. I got us here. Now let’s find a place to sleep. My tail is freezing.” 

A head covered in a hood popped up next to the skiff and said, “What are you all doing here?” 

“Landing,” Artho said in confusion before getting a bit irritated. “And for that matter, why is the beacon not active? We couldn’t find it on the way in and almost had to set down out in the woods.” 

“The beacon turns off when the airport shuts down for the evening,” the person said. “Been off for almost three hours. Only reason I’m even here is because I heard you come in and came out to see what was going on.” 

“How was I supposed to know that!?” Artho said.

“It’s in the latest aviation manual,” the person said. 

Artho picked up the manual they had and held it up and the person started shaking their head and said, “That’s six months out of date.” 

Artho threw it on the deck and started laughing and said, “Of course it is!”

The person gave them all a weird look and said, “Well, I’m glad you made it. Been on too many SAR missions so I’m glad you didn’t turn into one.” 

Finn chimed in and said, “Uh, I’m Finn. Can you tell us where a place to stay is?” 

The person looked and said, “Sally. And I’d say the inn but it’s late. No reason to bother them for now. I’ve got an office you can bunk down in for the night if you want. Nice and warm.” 

Finn said, “Thank you, Sally. We’d appreciate it.” 

“Not a problem. Let’s get you stowed and I’ll show you the office,” Sally said. 

Sally helped them put a tarp over the skiff and strap it down and then walked them over to a small building next to the tower. She showed them the office and The Team wandered in. 

“Toilet and sink behind the desk, I’ll be back in the morning. And you,” Sally said, pointing at Artho, “I’ll bring you a new manual tomorrow.” 

“Thank you,” Artho said.

“You’re welcome,” Sally said as she left. 

The four shucked off their cold weather gear and then sat down around the room and sat in silence as they soaked in the heat of the office. Artho held the aviation manual in her hand and stared at a wall and Finn noticed she was shaking a little still. 

“Artho, you did a good job,” Finn said. 

Artho turned to face the others and said, “No, I didn’t. I was lucky. I got cocky. I almost got us killed because I didn’t bother to check the manual.” 

Oak spoke up and said, “What? No you didn’t. If anything, it was me. The beacon is important, sure, but I obviously did something wrong on the navigation.” 

Artho shook her head and said, “Maybe you did but I just read this. Sally was kind. She’s right, it’s out of date but it still clearly states the beacon isn’t on all the time. I didn’t bother to check. I just assumed because the Fright Zone beacon is always on that this one would be as well.” 

Everyone looked at Artho as she sat the old manual on the desk next to her. 

“I should… I should probably go home,” she said with her head hung down. “You can catch a ride back with Iceaia. It’ll be safer than letting me fly you.” 

Finn said, “Come on, you don’t need to do that. It’s alright. It worked out.” 

“But what if it hadn’t?” Artho said, still looking down. “You think I want to tell everyone’s family what I screwed up?” 

“But you didn’t,” Izzy said. 

“But I almost did!” Artho said in frustration, looking up as Izzy shrunk back a little. 

“Stop it,” Oak said with anger in her voice. “Stop trying to take all the blame for this. Finn was against taking the flight but the rest of us were fine with it. And before you say that you should have checked the manual, I know how to fly too. I don’t know the instrument part like you do but I could have checked the manual as well. Mom would say that you took a calculated risk and adapted when it didn’t work out just right. Mom would tell you that you pushed outside your comfort zone and you’ve had the universe give you a little nudge to remind you to be careful when you do. Stop trying to play martyr.”

Finn said, “It’s true. I could blame myself for even bringing us out here. Let’s just say mistakes were made and try not to do it again alright?” 

Artho nodded in silence. 

Oak sighed and stepped over to hug her sister and said, “You knocked me off a wall in Horror Hall once and I ended up needing five stitches to close the wound in my leg. This is nothing, alright?” 

Artho gave a little snorting chuckle and said, “You had it coming. And thank you.” 

Finn started to unpack their sleeping bag and said, “Not that hearing about you two doing horrible things to each other isn’t fun but it’s late and I assume Sally is going to want her office early. Let’s get what sleep we can.” 

They all agreed and Izzy turned off the light. They moved the chairs out of the way and lined up on the floor. They all thought they’d not be able to sleep but in the dim light from the hall and the warmth of the room after being out in the deep cold outside, they all slipped under into sleep with hardly a murmur. 

Finn woke up in the morning to a foot gently nudging them and the smell of breakfast in the air. 

“Come on, up and off my floor,” Sally said quietly with a smile. 

Finn sat up yawning and looked around to see Izzy and Oak both doing the same. Artho was nowhere to be seen and her stuff was gone. 

“Uh, have you seen our friend?” Finn said, trying to keep an edge of panic out of their voice. 

“Nope. Came in a few minutes ago and it was just you three,” Sally said as she shook her head and then pointed at a bag on her desk. “Got some hot food for you all though. You got an hour before I open up so eat up, get ready, and get going. Please.”

Oak was already up and rummaging around in the bag and had a breakfast sandwich shoved in her mouth as she mumbled a thanks around it. Sally gave a little wave and walked out of the office. 

“Oak, how can you just stand there eating!? Artho is gone!” Finn said. 

“Because I’m hungry and because it’s cold outside and I need to eat to keep myself warm for when we go looking for her,” Oak said with a worried tone.

Izzy shuffled over to the bag and grabbed two sandwiches, handed one to Finn and then sat down in a chair. Finn sighed and took a bite. 

“Well, I thought this would be an adventure but it’s just turning into a trial,” Finn said as they ate the sandwich quickly and then packed up the few things they had taken out the night before. 

The other two packed as well as Izzy said, “I always thought all adventures were really trials from what I’ve read. They only sound exciting afterwards.” 

Finn shook their head as they wrote out a quick thank you note and left it on the desk. As they all walked out of the office Oak said, “We should probably check to see if the skiff is still here.” 

“You don’t think she’d try and leave in the middle of the night again?” Izzy said. 

“I don’t know but it’s the only thing I can think to try right now,” Oak said. 

They started walking down the hall and they stopped as they turned a corner and saw out the front doors. It was early morning but the light spilling in the doors made it look like the middle of the day. The three sat and blinked a little at the dazzling light and Izzy nodded and said, “The clouds must have cleared last night and the light is being reflected off the snow. That’s really bright. Do we have tinted goggles or anything?”

“Why? Finn said. 

“Because after a bit in that, we could potentially go temporarily blind from what I’ve read,” Izzy said. 

“I’m sorry, did you say blind?” Oak said. 

Izzy nodded and said, “Temporarily.” 

Oak threw her hands up and said, “Oh, temporarily. That’s… that’s just wonderful. My idiot sister has decided to pull a disappearing act and now we may be temporarily blind. I’d say what else could go wrong but I really don’t want to tempt the universe like that.”

Finn was about to apologize to them for dragging them into this again when Izzy looked at them and said, “We’re living the life aren’t we?” 

Finn gave a little snort and a thumbs up.

“Alright, I got us into this, I should probably make some decisions. I think we have some goggles but they’re in the skiff. Let’s make that the first thing and then we can go try and find Artho,” Finn said. 

Oak leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling before looking back down and saying, “I guess we can do that. Assuming the skiff is even there and my sister didn’t take it out in the middle of the night. And then we have to try and figure out if she made it to wherever she was trying to go or…” 

The three stood for a second and Finn put their arm around Oak and gave her a quick hug.

“What would your Mom say? Something about positive thoughts I’m sure. So let’s go check the skiff before we start thinking of terrible outcomes alright?” Finn said. 

Oak sniffed a little and nodded and they stepped outside into the cold air and blinding light. 

“Ooof, that is… that is something else,” Finn said, squinting their eyes down as tight as they could and still see.

Izzy pulled her scarf down lower until there was just a slit she was peeking out of and Oak took a breath and started walking. It wasn’t long before they were there and they saw the tarp over the skiff. They trotted up to it and Finn got under it. 

“It’s ours,” Finn said. “No mistaking that paint job.”

Oak let out a little sigh and said, “Ok, so that means she at least wasn’t a complete idiot. Just her usual idiot. Where is she?”

Finn was digging around in a storage hatch and came back up slipping on tinted goggles with a sigh. 

“Haven’t a clue but I found these,” Finn said, holding out two sets. As Izzy and Oak took the goggles and started getting them on, Finn lingered by the hatch for a moment. The scent of home had come out of the hatch when they’d opened it up. They took one last breath of the smell of the wood the gear had been stored in up in the attic mixed with the laundry soap their moms used and just the general smell of the house before closing and securing the hatch. They sat under the tarp for a moment and felt a stab of homesickness. 

Finn came back out into the light and even through the tint of the lens everything was still bright. They could see the town was painted up in bright colors like Serac had been with steeply sloping roofs and a few people starting to move around. 

“Now what?” Oak said. 

“We should first see if there’s any place nearby she’d have gone for food,” Izzy said. “One of us should probably stay by the skiff in case she returns here. The other two stay together and check back here occasionally.” 

Oak said, “I’ll stay here. You two go looking. If she comes back here I can throttle her in privacy.” 

Izzy shook her head and said, “I thought you’d want to go looking and I was going to stay. Are you sure?” 

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Oak said. 

Finn said, “Well I certainly wasn’t going to so I’m glad you two are interested.”

Izzy said, “Well, I’ll go with Finn then.”

Oak gave a grin and said, “Don’t make me twist your arm or anything.”

Finn was pretty sure Izzy was blushing but couldn’t tell under the scarf and goggles. She looked away in embarrassment for a moment and then said, “Wait. Is that her?” 

They all turned to look and saw Artho striding along towards them and waving. 

“Where did she get goggles?” Oak said in exasperation. 

Finn gave a little smack on the side of their head and said, “The skiff. It didn’t even occur to me there were only three pairs in the storage when we obviously would have packed four.” 

Oak started walking towards her shouting, “Where have you been!? We thought you’d run off!”

Artho stopped and said, “I woke up early and couldn’t sleep. I felt bad so I went off and found the inn. Sorry it took so long but they weren’t open and I had to wait.” 

“Do you have any idea how freaked out I’ve been!?” Oak said. 

Artho’s tail curled around her as she kicked at the snow and said, “I’m sorry. I screwed up again didn’t I?” 

Oak kept walking up to her and grabbed her tight in a hug and said, “Yes! Leave a note next time, idiot!”

Artho hugged her back and said, “I would have but I figured you wouldn’t read it since you go bouncing around like a hyperactive toddler every morning.”

Izzy looked at Finn and said, “They confuse me.” 

Finn shrugged and said, “It’s a sibling thing I think.” 

Oak stepped back and said, “Did you at least get us a room?” 

Artho gave a smile and said, “I did! It’s pretty nice. Not real big though and we’re up near the top of the roof so the walls are part of the ceiling and they’re really sloped. Just two beds but they’re big. Not really any furniture though.” 

Finn laughed and said, “Pretty nice huh? No furniture with cramped sloping walls. Sounds delightful.”

“But warm! Warm is real big on my list of nice right now,” Artho said. 

“Thank you, Artho. It sounds fine. It’s not like we’re going to be hanging out in it,” Izzy said. 

“See? Izzy appreciates me,” Artho said. 

“Because Izzy hasn’t lived with you like I have,” Oak said as she tossed a little snow at her. 

“Hey! Watch it!” Artho shouted as she threw snow back at Oak.

Oak looked at her and then suddenly the two were furiously throwing snow back and forth. Finn started laughing until one of the two threw a handful at Finn and it hit them in the face. Izzy snickered a little as Finn stood there in a bit of shock for a moment. 

“Oh, that’s funny is it?” Finn said. 

Izzy laughed and said, “Yes.”

Finn reached down to grab a handful when Izzy suddenly whipped her hand down and scooped up a bit and underhanded it at Finn.

“Izzy!” Finn shouted with laughter. 

“I’m sorry! I had to!” Izzy said.

“No, it’s alright,” Finn said as they tossed some snow at her. “Now I don’t feel bad for doing this.” 

Izzy laughed and the four were soon trading snowballs back and forth. It didn’t last long but as they walked away laughing and brushing snow off themselves, they all felt refreshed. The Team walked along the streets and Finn kept feeling a bit off. 

“We’re really in Moraine aren’t we?” Finn said. 

The others looked at them and Izzy squeezed Finn’s hand and bumped up against their shoulder. 

“We are,” Izzy said. 

“It doesn’t seem quite real,” Finn said. 

"Why not?" Oak said.

"I don't know. We just sat down all those weeks ago and started plowing through the archive and then the getting ready to go and then the getting here and now, well, here we are," Finn said. "It's happening but I guess it’s just now sinking in."

Oak said, “Makes sense. We’ve been kind of acting like it’s a vacation but really, it’s not. We’re here for your mysterious past.”

Finn snorted a little and said, “Yes, my mysterious past.”

“Well it is!” Oak said. 

“I’m supposed to be the one into drama,” Finn said.

“Trust me, she’s gunning for your crown,” Artho said. “Has been since the day she was born.” 

Izzy said, “Well, to get us back on track here, we came here to interview that beekeeper. How about we do that?” 

Finn smiled at Izzy and said, “Well, I guess. I was thinking we could just hang out but we did do a bit of research and we did come all this way after all.” 

Finn could almost hear Izzy rolling her eyes at them. 

They walked to the edge of town, following the directions from the research, and soon they were walking through a large field with mounds of snow. On the far side, near some low trees, sat a small cabin with smoke coming out of the chimney. A few glacier bees drifted lazily around, flitting shapes in blue and white, and Izzy stopped to watch them. One landed on her and the rest backed up a little. 

“Uh, Iz, move slow. There’s one on your back,” Finn said nervously.

Izzy stood up and stuck her hand back and it crawled onto her mitten.

“They don’t sting,” Izzy said as she looked closely at the bug. “They don’t have much in the way of defense mechanisms. The coloring is one of the big ones and that’s camouflage to avoid being eaten. Not much tries to eat their honey because it’s foul tasting. Well, to others. I assume they like it. We found out it’s medicinal and that’s why they were domesticated. I wonder how we found that out?”  

“Slathering it on burns and finding out it healed up faster more than likely,” a voice said from behind one of the mounds. The four jumped and the bee flew off Izzy’s glove and went back to wandering around the field. 

“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” the voice continued. A small man covered in white fur with large eyes and wearing a huge parka down to his knees with the hood down stepped out from around the mound. “Names Rother. I’m the beekeeper here. What brings you around?” 

Finn had been thinking about how to approach this and went straight into their routine. 

“Pleasure to meet you, Rother. My name is Rose. This here is Iz and the two over there are Ovule and Sepal,” Finn said as they pointed at Artho and Oak.

“Nice to meet you as well. Now, your accent says Bright Moon but your names say Plumeria,” Rother said. “Of course you’re all the way up here in the Snows so who am I to say anything about moving around.” 

“Good ear!” Finn said. “Well Ovule and Sepal are both born and raised Plumerians. I moved to Bright Moon at a young age myself. Iz is from Bright Moon.”

Oak gave a smile and said, “Yep, that’s me. Sepal, from Plumeria.”

Izzy felt herself getting tense. She wasn’t sure what Finn was doing but she wished they’d talked it out with her instead of springing the whole thing on her. At least they were using her name and not some made up one that she’d have had to try and remember. The beekeeper didn’t seem to realize it or even really care. 

“Well, now you do sound Plumerian but you got a bit of a touch of something in your voice I can’t quite place,” Rother said in reply to Oak. Then he shrugged and said, “But I’ll figure it out. Accents and voices are a bit of a thing of mine. When a lot of the people you deal with spend most of the year with their face covered, you get used to hearing the little inflections. Anyway, what brings you all up from Plumeria and Bright Moon?” 

Finn said, “Well, we’re friends and we’re doing a book together on She-Ra and her wife and their life. We came across something saying that her wife had come up here once years ago and we were already going to go see Princesses Frosta to try and interview her so we decided we would stop by and ask questions. That’s if you don’t mind of course.” 

Rother didn’t say anything for a moment as they looked at the four of them and then smiled and said, “Of course not! It gets a bit quiet out here so it’s always good to get visitors. If you want, let’s head inside. The cold doesn’t bother me that much but three of you aren’t blessed with fur and Rose, I don’t think you’ve got the fur for this kind of cold.”

“That is true!” Finn said. “Sure, let’s head in.” 

They all made their way inside to the cabin. It was mostly stone and when they went inside they found that it had been dug into the ground so they had to descend a short flight of steps into the living area. They left their boots at the door and hung their coats and stuff up and walked down where they all got seated as Rother threw a few bits of peat into the stove that warmed the room and then settled in. Artho and Oak kept throwing glances at each other, Izzy sat ramrod straight on the couch, and Finn just leaned back with a smile. 

“Do you all need anything? Drink? Bite to eat?” Rother said.

They all shook their head and Rother continued on.

“Alright, so you came out to see what Catra visited me about years ago. Got to say, this sounds like an incredibly detailed book. She was only here for a short while,” Rother said. 

Finn grinned and said, “Well, part of it is just an excuse to travel. Iz you heard knows about glacier bees so we figured we could see the bees, talk to a keeper of them, and maybe get a little anecdote for the book as well while we were at it. That’s if you don’t mind talking about it of course.”

“Well, I don’t mind talking about the bees and all and it all depends on what you ask me about Catra but I don’t mind that either,” Rother said. 

Izzy had pulled out a notepad and was trying not to shake a bit as she shuffled through to a blank page. She pulled a pen out and tried to write a heading but nothing came out. She tried a few more pens but nothing worked. 

“Pen’s frozen,” Rother said.

“I’m sorry?” Izzy said with a bit of a jump. 

“Pen’s frozen. Why you can’t write with them. You had them in your bag so the ink is frozen. Common mistake. Stick them inside one of your inner layers and they’ll thaw out. Might leak a little though when they do. You can get some pens in town that won’t freeze unless it’s really cold but really, easier just to keep them tucked close to you unless you’re going to be spending tons of time outside. Or use a pencil,” Rother said. 

Izzy nodded and put a few in her shirt pocket and then pulled out a pencil and made the heading. 

“There you go,” Rother said. “Alright, what do you want to know?” 

Finn started off by asking a few beekeeping questions and Rother went into long details about it and everyone started relaxing. That immediately changed when Finn said, “Alright, so Catra. What’d she think of the bees?” 

Rother said, “Didn’t have an opinion. She came walking up to my door one evening and when I opened it, I knew who she was immediately. I’d always heard she was grouchy and grumpy so I was a bit, you know, worried, but she was actually pretty friendly. Part of that was probably the desire to get out of the cold but she was a friendly person. She seated herself right there next to the stove. Offered her a chair but she said she was fine. Honestly thought she was going to curl up in front of the thing.”

Finn was nodding along and said, “Sounds like what we’ve been reading, that she mellowed out as she got older.” 

“Well of course I only met her the once but that’s what I found. She asked about what she’d come to ask me about, talked a little bit about this and that and then went on her way,” Rother said. “It was after dark and I offered her a place to stay but she said she’d be fine and went on her way. That was it.” 

Finn said, “I haven’t met her myself but I’m looking forward to it. We’re going to try and interview her and She-Ra eventually but we want to get some stuff under our belts first, show we’re serious.” 

Rother laughed and said, “Well, you’re up here in the Snows bumping up against the edge of winter so I’d say you’re all pretty serious.” 

Izzy felt like the conversation was winding down and was beginning to feel pretty good. Oak leaned forward and said, “Any chance I could use your bathroom?” 

Rother said, “Sure, um, sorry, I can’t remember your name.” 

Oak went blank. She couldn’t remember what fake name Finn had given her and could feel the panic starting to rise within her. Finn jumped in and said, “Good idea, Sepal. We probably all should before we start walking back.” 

Rother smiled and said, “That’s right! Sepal. It’s that door right there.” 

Oak got up and quickly scurried over to the bathroom. Finn gave an internal sigh of relief and then said to Rother, “Well, it was real nice of you to take time out of your day to talk to us.” 

“Not really an issue. As I said earlier when I was talking bees, this time of year is just checking the hives to make sure they’re about ready for the winter. It was fun chatting with you,” Rother said. 

“Before we go though, could I ask you why Catra was up here?” Finn said. 

Rother said, “Well, her and her wife and friends had been looking for someone. I thought the person they were looking for was someone that had worked for me but turned out I was wrong. They found the person I thought it was and that person hadn’t even left town. Felt kind of silly to be honest, dragging her all the way up here for nothing.” 

Finn weighed an option in their mind and decided that it was worth taking a chance on it. 

“Was this when they were trying to find people who might know the child they eventually adopted?” Finn said.

Rother nodded and said, “It was. Surprised you’ve heard about that.” 

Finn said, “The search pops up in a few of the materials we researched. I kind of figured it might be the reason. Who was the person, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Rother shook their head and said, “I do actually. He was a bit irritated at me back then for saying it was him. We made up though but I won’t say who it was. Not putting that out there again. It won’t do any good anyway. He’s passed on.”

The room went silent. Oak came back in and looked around in confusion and met eyes with Artho who just shook her head. Oak sat down as the silence stretched out. Izzy looked down at her notepad and clutched her pencil tight.

Finn wasn’t sure how to feel. They finally said, “I’m sorry for your loss.” 

Rother gave a sad smile and said, “Thank you. I’m glad he and I were able to make up before it happened and it’s been a while now. Doesn’t hurt like it used to. I’d appreciate it though if you kept that part out of your book.” 

Finn said, “We’ll probably leave this all out. It’s interesting but doesn’t really add to the book.”

Rother said, “That’s alright. Like I said, it was good just getting a chance to chat.”

“Well, I think we’ll be heading out now,” Finn said as they stood up. Everyone stood up and there was a round of handshakes and thanks and quick visits to the bathroom and they were soon bundled up again and walking in silence down the road. Artho was the first to speak up.

“Well, that was, um, interesting,” Artho said. 

Finn nodded in silence. Izzy kept looking at Finn, trying to figure out what they were thinking. 

“Could you have not named me Ovule though?” Artho said, trying to get a conversation going.

“How in the world did you remember your name?” Oak said. “That guy asked me mine and I just froze. I’m glad you jumped in, Finn.”

They walked a bit further in silence as they waited for Finn to respond. Finally, Izzy said, “Finn, are you ok?” 

Finn stopped in front of a small shop and said, “I don’t know. It didn’t occur to me that the lead we came to chase would be dead. I mean literally dead. I’m just kind of trying to process this whole thing.”

“We always knew there would be setbacks or that it might just not go anywhere,” Izzy said. “That was always a chance and we still have other leads to try and follow if this doesn’t work.” 

“Here’s a lead. Let’s go drop our bags at the inn, take a break, get some lunch, and honestly, I could use a hot shower too,” Artho said.

Oak said, “Normally I’d tease her for thinking about food and a break but yeah, that’s not a bad idea.” 

Finn looked up with a thin smile and said, “Alright. Let’s see this place you got us, Ovule.” 

“No you don’t. You’re not Applesaucing me like you did to your mom,” Artho said as they started walking. 

“I don’t know, I kind of like Sepal,” Oak said. 

“Well then be Sepal but no, not Ovule for me,” Artho said. “And maybe a little warning next time? I don’t know about Izzy but we don’t do improv.” 

Izzy hooked a thumb at Finn and said, “I’m just a stagehand. I leave that stuff up to Finn.”

Finn gave a little skip in the road and said, “You’re so much more than a stagehand but what are you all complaining about? You did fine.” 

The other three traded a look and then threw snowballs at Finn. As Finn ducked out of the way they smiled and gave a short laugh as they said, “All the great actors were mocked at first.” 

The Team were soon standing in the room that Artho had found for them. As she had said, the room had two sloping walls that they had to watch their heads in after they came up the spiral stairs into the space. A small window at the peak where the two sloping walls met let in the bright outdoor light. Finn sat down on one of the beds and let out a sigh. 

“Oh, that’s nice and soft,” Finn said as they fell backwards into it. “I was all set to roast you over this Artho but this is pretty decent.” 

“No you weren’t because you knew in your heart that I knew just how to pick something out,” Artho said as she shucked off her cold weather gear and walked into the small attached bathroom. “Now all you leave me alone. It’s going to be me and hot, hot water for a while.” 

As she slid the door shut, Oak sat on the bed and started pulling all the pillows over to her and stacking them up behind her. She said, “You know, I’m fully ready to camp out and rough it and do what’s necessary but I’d be lying if I said that this wasn’t a pretty sweet way to have an adventure.”

Izzy had tried to sit on the bed but pretty quickly had ended up curled up next to Finn. Finn took a few minutes to type out a quick message on the data pad and transmit it and then put an arm around Izzy. The three said a few things but slowly trailed off and they all drifted off to sleep. Artho came out of the bathroom in pajama pants and top to see everyone passed out asleep. She shrugged and pushed her sister over a little and grabbed a pillow and went to sleep in the warmth.

Chapter Text

Izzy was the first to wake up and she got out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom. She showered and when she got out of the bathroom the others were starting to wake up, blinking in the late afternoon light. 

“The water smells like sulfur,” she said as she sat back on the bed next to Finn and scratched between their ears. Finn purred a little and gave a smile as they stretched.

Artho yawned, her pale hair poofed out around her head as she sat up, and said, “Yeah, I noticed that earlier.”

“The town has some hot springs,” Izzy said. “The water is probably very mineral rich.” 

“And that means?” Artho said.

Izzy started to go into a lecture on the geology of the planet and how it applied in this case when she stopped and said, “Do you want to hear me info dump?” 

Artho said, “Later maybe. I think it’s whatever the equivalent of too early to a nap is right now.”

Izzy nodded and Finn looked at her a bit surprised. 

“I like your info dumps,” Finn said. 

“I know,” Izzy said. “But I gave myself a goal to try and be aware when I do them and realize that not everyone does like you do.” 

“Well you never have to ask me,” Finn said. “You can always info dump to me.”

Izzy kissed their forehead and said, “I know. It’s why I love being in a relationship with you.” 

Artho said, “Hey, Izzy, if you need to, go ahead.”

Izzy shook her head and said, “Nope. Moment’s past.” 

Oak, blinking from her pile of pillows, said, “Can we figure out lunch? Or dinner? Whatever meal we’re closest to and what time is it anyway?” 

Finn, sitting up, said, “Late afternoon. Let’s get ready and we’ll go find some food.” 

Artho said, “The inn has a place attached to the back if you want to check that out. I don’t think the dining options are real varied though.” 

“Food and enough of it is what I’m looking for,” Oak said. “Lack of variety will just be a hardship I endure.” 

Artho gave a push to her sister and said, “Really roughing it. That’s us.” 

Later, as night was falling, they all walked down and through the small lobby towards a sign that simply said, “Restaurant.” 

They walked into a dimly lit room with a bar on one end, a stage at the other, with dark wood walls decorated with knick-knacks and pictures. Tables were dotted around the room. A few small narrow windows were above the stage with heavy curtains hanging on them and blocking out any light from the outside. There were a few semi-private nooks with tables and a door at the back of the room. The room was already fairly full as The Team found themselves a table near the back and placed their order with a server who came past. 

As they did, an older woman took a chair, sat it on the stage, and made herself comfortable before pulling out a book and started to read out loud to the room. Oak leaned forward with her head in her hand as she listened. Finn chatted with Artho and Izzy about nothing of importance and soon their food was brought to the table. They all thanked the server and started eating. 

Finn was looking around the room as they ate, taking in the whole feel of the place, when they happened to look right at an older man sitting on the other side of the room with some people. He seemed to have been staring at Finn before quickly looking away as soon as Finn saw them. Finn didn’t give it much thought and went back to eating and chatting. Then they felt like someone was looking at them again and turned to see the older man looking away. Finn waited a few minutes and then looked carefully over and saw the man staring again. Finn kept their face neutral as they began to feel nervous and turned back to the table. 

“Alright, don’t look around,” Finn said quietly. “There’s someone who keeps staring at us and honestly, it’s kind of freaking me out.” 

Oak sat up a little straighter and made an effort to not look up as she said, “Are you sure?” 

Izzy felt herself go tense as she started thinking of the things that Catra had taught her.

Finn shook their head and said, “I’m sure. I’ve caught him looking a couple of times now.” 

Artho, who was across the table from Finn said, “I think I see who you’re talking about. Older guy? Blue, green, and white sweater?”

Finn shook their head again and said, “That’s the one.”

Izzy flexed her arms a little, trying to get herself loose.

“Finn, he’s looking at you,” Oak said as she took a peak out of the corner of her eye.

“What? How can you be sure?” Finn said.

“Because I thought I had his eye but I didn’t. He’s really focused in on you,” Oak said. “He’s got a weird look on his face and he keeps looking away and trying to have a conversation with the people at his table but he’s definitely focused on you.” 

Izzy carefully set her fork and knife down and was getting ready to stand up when Finn happened to catch the look on her face. It was the face of intensity they’d last seen back in their kitchen at home when they’d discussed what she’d do in a dangerous situation. 

“Izzy, don’t, please,” Finn said, feeling a moment of panic when they thought she wouldn’t listen.

Izzy looked at Finn and her face softened a little and Finn said, “It’s alright. Really. We’ll stay here and then just go up to the room when we’re ready. There’s a ton of people here. We’re perfectly safe.” 

Izzy found she couldn’t quite speak but she nodded at Finn and tried to relax a little. 

“What was that?” Artho said.

Izzy tried to say nothing and a little croak came out. She cleared her throat and said, “Nothing, it’s fine.” 

Artho looked between her and Finn and then Oak said, “Well, I think we may have worried for nothing. We’re all good, they’re leaving.” 

Finn looked over their shoulder in time to see the man walking through the doorway to the lobby. The man gave a look back again. Finn suddenly felt their gut tie itself into a knot and their fur stood up as the brighter light from the lobby lit up the man’s profile right before they disappeared through the doorway. The other three saw Finn’s face go still in shock. 

“Finn?” Izzy said. 

Finn blinked a few times and then managed to sputter out, “I think… I think that was Snow-by.” 

“What?” Izzy said in surprise.

“Who?” Artho and Oak said in unison. 

Finn was suddenly on their feet and running through the room, knocking into people, careening off the bar, and then out the door into the lobby. A few people were milling around the desk with the innkeeper and Finn looked around but didn’t see him. Finn could distantly hear Artho shouting their name as Finn ran up to the startled group. Speaking so fast that the words almost ran together Finn asked, “The guy who just came through here with the blue, green, and white sweater? Where did he go?” 

“Whoa, slow down there,” the innkeeper said with a smile. 

“ Where did he go!?” Finn almost screamed. 

One of the others just pointed out the front door and Finn dashed out into the snow at the same time the other three managed to get into the lobby. It was dark and the streetlights lit up the fallen snow as a few people walked along the street. An aurora danced overhead in the clear sky as Finn felt the cold cut through the clothes they were wearing. They wrapped their arms around themself and considered going back in for their gear they’d left at their chair but then, as they looked around the street, they saw someone in a parka with their head down hurrying around a corner a few buildings up. Finn took off at a run again, trying to keep their footing in the snow, as the others came out behind them and started to follow. 

Finn came around the corner and saw the person as he was going up a small walkway between the buildings and was turning to go onto another street. Finn could see his face. It was the same person. 

“Snow-by!” Finn shouted at them. 

The man froze in place as Finn faced him along the length of the walkway between the buildings. Finn could feel their heart beating fast as their eyes locked. Finn couldn’t feel the cold anymore as emotions clashed in them as they looked at the man who’d left them on a sidewalk when they were five. The other three caught up to Finn as they stood there and Snow-by started to move and Finn shot their arm out as if grasping at something and shouted, “No, wait!” 

Snow-by froze again and then gave a quick look around behind them as Finn started walking towards them. 

“Uh, hey there,” Snow-by said as Finn got closer. “I’m, um, I’m guessing you’re Finn.” 

“You know who I am! You’ve been staring at me in the restaurant!” Finn said. “You knew who I was immediately didn’t you!?” 

Snow-by sighed and looked to the sky for a moment and said, “Guess this had a chance of happening eventually. No, not immediately. Probably only a few minutes before you noticed me looking I guess.” 

A wind blew down the alley and Finn shook in the cold. Izzy stepped up to them, not taking her eyes off of Snow-by, and handed Finn their coat. Finn put it on as they said, “I’d ask why you didn’t come over but I imagine you weren’t looking for a warm reunion.” 

Snow-by looked around and said, “No, it was, um, a bit of a surprise. So… now what?”

Chapter Text

Finn stood there as the lights of the aurora flared above them all and thought. They’d had all kinds of daydreams about finally meeting someone from their past but none had been like this. In those scenarios Finn had dreamed about, they’d been powerful and in control. Standing there in the snow, Finn just felt awkward and uncomfortable. 

“Talk with me,” Finn finally said. “Just for a bit.” 

“Can we maybe get out of the cold then?” Snow-by said. “There’s a place around the corner I was going to anyway.”

“What is it?” Izzy asked flatly.

Snow-by face flashed with irritation for a moment before it settled down and said, “It’s a pub.”

“Yeah, that’d be fine,” Finn said. “Does it have a place where we can talk privately?” 

Snow-by nodded and said, “It does. Got a couple of small rooms.” 

Finn gestured and said, “Lead the way.” 

As they walked, Izzy leaned over to whisper to Finn, “Don’t do this, it doesn’t feel right. We can talk to that thing in the street or go back to the restaurant.” 

Finn squeezed her hand and said, “It’s alright. If it looks weird, we’ll leave but I want a chance to talk to him alone.” 

Izzy nodded along and then suddenly turned her head again as Finn whispered back, “Yes, alone. Please, just trust me.” 

Finn felt her squeeze back so hard it almost hurt and felt her begin to tremble with something that had nothing to do with the cold as they reached the pub’s door and walked in behind Snow-by. He waved at the bartender and then led the way to a small room with large frosted glass windows around it. As Snow-by went in, Finn turned around to the others and said, “I’ll be right there in that room. If you could just wait here I’ll shout if I need anything.”

Oak said, “Finn, are you sure about this?”

Finn just shrugged and gave Izzy a tight hug before walking through the door, shutting it behind them. Izzy looked at the closed door and only sat down when a few patrons gave her a weird look.

Inside Finn took in the scratched up table and the chairs surrounding it in the small room. A lamp hung over the table, the glass shade done up in multiple colors of blue, illuminating a table with a few dirty glasses and an unlit candle in the center. Snow-by was settling down in a chair against the wall so Finn took a seat across from him, their back to the door. The two sat in silence and looked at each other for a minute before Snow-by spoke.

“Well, I guess I should say I know who adopted you,” Snow-by said. “Should I be expecting to get my teeth kicked in soon?” 

Finn felt their fur bristle in anger but kept it in check as they said, “No. They know I’m up here but it’s not like I knew you were here so they don’t either and I’m not going to do that. I’m not here for vengeance or whatever.”

Snow-by sighed a little in relief and said, “I know Catra was up here years ago looking around. Is that why you’re here?”

Finn nodded and felt their emotions surge a little as they realized they could ask the question. They said, “It is. I’m trying to find my biological parents. Do you… do you know them, Snow-by?” 

He shook his head and said, “I don’t and man, it’s so weird to hear that name after all these years. For some reason you didn’t say my actual name and you always called me Snow-by. My name is actually Snowbee but yeah, back on the whole point, I don’t know your parents. Sorry.” 

Snowbee gave a little shrug with the last bit as Finn felt themself sag a little. They said, “Uh, ok. Snowbee then. Well, what are you doing here? I was just here on a long shot really and running into you was a fluke.”

Snowbee shrugged and said, “I grew up near here and still come by every once in a while. My brother is who the beekeeper thought I was because we looked alike and we’d both been in and out of town a lot. He doesn’t really know me though. As to why now, I got held over because I was going to travel but that storm that went past the other day kept me here. So I stayed a few extra days to see some friends when I found out they were in town as well.”

Finn sat back and looked to the side as they said, “Well, if you don’t know my parents how did you end up, um, watching me?” 

“Some couple from Plumeria was watching you. I hung out with them a lot and they were always fighting and talking about how they... you know, man, I don’t really know how to say this stuff to you. It’s unpleasant,” Snow-by said. 

Finn looked back at him and pulled on every ounce of acting talent they had to say in an easy voice, “It’s fine. I wouldn’t be out doing this if I thought I couldn’t handle hearing it.” 

Snowbee nodded and said, “Well, they said they’d got stuck taking care of you and how much they hated having to take care of you, so one day I decided I’d take care of you. Figured we’d hang out, I’d show you how to do cool stuff, and they didn’t care so off we went. I, um, thought it’d be… fun.”

Snowbee flinched a little at that and Finn was secretly pleased to see that he at least seemed to be ashamed of the statement. 

Snowbee pushed at a leftover coaster on the table, waiting for Finn to say something. When nothing was forthcoming he said, “If you want to talk with them, I know where they are, or at least where they were a few years ago.” 

Finn leaned forward, trying to keep the excitement at the prospect of a lead out of their voice as they said, “I do.”

Snowbee took out a pen and wrote on the coaster and slid it over. 

“There you go,” he said. 

Finn picked it up but couldn’t bring themself to look at it so they shoved it into their pocket. 

“You're not even going to read it?” Snowbee said.  

Finn shook their head and said, “Later. And thank you, I appreciate it.”

“You probably want to know why don’t you,” Snowbee said quietly, pausing for a moment before going on. “Why I left you.”

Finn felt themself war with their emotions. They struggled for a moment and finally said, “I… yeah, I do.” 

Snowbee sat and tapped at the table while he looked down, unable to meet Finn’s eyes. 

“I’ve asked myself that a lot over the years to be honest. Lied to myself that what I was doing was the right thing, that someone would help you, that you didn’t need to be with me and that was the way it should be. And of course I know now, then to if I’m honest with myself, and I try to be these days, that it wasn’t right but it is what it is. Hated myself over it but I got involved in helping people out after that to deal with that. 

“I’ve helped build stuff, did work with clones to help them integrate, stuff like that. Thought about being a Listener but, I don’t know, just never did. I send money down to a community center in Seaworthy a lot. They help people who need help. Maybe there’s not a lot of why there for you but I was just young and stupid so I guess that’s the main why, the answer. I tried to do something right after it though. Try to not screw up again,” Snowbee said.

Finn looked away again and let the silence stretch out. They suddenly felt the urge to just leave. They weren’t sure what they had been expecting but that wasn’t it. They had thought maybe they’d hate him or maybe get some kind of connection and feel some empathy but now, face to face, Finn just felt kind of hollow listening to Snowbee’s little speech. All Finn really cared about at that point was that they had a lead and they couldn't think of anything else that was really worth saying to him. 

“Well, helping out, that’s something I guess,” Finn said wearily. 

They stood up from their chair and Snowbee looked a bit startled at first and then relieved as Finn said, “I’m… just going to let you be and go. Thanks for talking with me.”

“Hey, thanks for being pretty mellow about this,” Snowbee said. “I know it’s been hard to face but you know, I tried to do right afterwards.” 

Finn looked down at him and again felt emotions warring within them. 

“Someone told me once that I can see someone who did me wrong and see that they’ve changed and accept that but that doesn’t mean I ever have to forgive or forget what they did to me,” Finn said flatly, working hard to keep the rising anger out of their voice. “Everything you’ve done after will never outweigh that you left me on a street corner and walked away when I was only five years old. Not to me. I’m glad you’re trying to do good acts now but I want you to understand that I am never going to forgive you for what I went through.” 

As Finn turned to leave Snowbee stood up and said, “Hey! That’s not fair! I told you, I was scared and young and…” 

Finn turned around and slammed their hand on the table causing everything on it to jump. 

“No! No, you don’t get to say that! I don’t care! I WAS FIVE! I! WAS! A! CHILD! YOU BEAT ME AND SCARED ME AND THEN YOU LEFT ME! YOU LEFT A FIVE YEAR OLD ON THE STREETS TO STARVE! YOU THINK I WASN’T YOUNG AND SCARED!? STOP TRYING TO JUSTIFY IT BY WHAT YOU DID AFTERWARDS WHEN IT WAS EASY FOR YOU!” Finn screamed. 

Snowbee stepped back as anger and shame fought on his face as Finn heard the door slam open behind them. They turned to see Izzy standing there with fury writ across her face while Oak and Artho both stood behind her, looking worried and a bit scared.

"Izzy, it's alright," Finn said, trying to keep their voice under control. 

"Hey! Could you get out? This is between us ." Snowbee said, anger in his voice. 

Izzy, without hesitation, defiantly stepped forward and stood next to Finn without saying a word. 

Finn could feel their heart racing as they turned to look at Snowbee and said, "Are you serious? There's no us . You made that pretty clear on a certain sidewalk a long time ago. You knew who adopted me, you knew about Mother being here looking, and you did nothing that could have helped out. You just hid. You could've come forward, done something really brave, but you didn't. Even tonight I had to chase you down to even get this much out of you. So there’s no us. We’re done here."

As Finn started to walk out, Izzy stood in place keeping an eye on Snowbee as he mockingly said, "Oh your Mother! Some mother! Led a whole army wiping out towns! I think I look pretty good compared to her !"

Artho and Oak could see a mixture of sadness and contempt on Finn's face as they turned just enough to look at Snowbee. 

"And you know about all of that because she didn't hide. And she is my mother, a great one I’m proud of, because when she found an abandoned child she refused to run," Finn said before turning and walking away.

Izzy backed out and slammed the door as Snowbee started to say something else. Finn went through the pub with their head down with Artho and Oak right behind as Izzy brought up the rear. When Izzy got out the door, Finn was walking down the street with Artho and Oak trailing behind trying to talk to them as Finn just shook their head and walked on. As she caught up she could see Finn shaking. 

"Finn? Hey, Finn. Could you talk to me? Please?" Izzy said as she got in front of them.  

Finn stopped and looked at her with tears freezing in the fur in their face as they kept shaking and Izzy could feel herself on the verge of panic. She didn't know what to say or what to do so she reached out to take Finn’s hand but they pulled away. 

Finn immediately regretted doing so as they saw the hurt look on Izzy’s face but they couldn’t help it as they shook harder in revulsion at the thought of being touched. They kept having images of Snowbee from their childhood replay in their head over and over. Finn was trying to stop it but couldn’t think of how. Izzy was crying now and Finn stumbled over to a snowbank and flopped down onto it with their head in their hands. Izzy stood for a moment before sitting down next to them as Oak and Artho knelt down in front. 

“Hey, Finn, count with me will you?” Artho said, trying to get their attention. 

“Deep breaths, deep breaths, come on, breath, you’re alright, we’re here,” Oak was saying at the same time. 

Izzy could feel the tears freezing and falling off as she cried and was saying, “I’m sorry I burst in! I know you said alone but you were screaming and I got scared!”

“Stop!” Finn finally managed to say. “I can’t! No! Just stop! All of you!” 

They all sat and looked at Finn. Finn had been trying to meditate, had been taking breaths, had been trying to count backwards from ten, had been running over every calming and relaxing technique they could think of, but they couldn’t get their mind to cooperate long enough to run through even one. 

Finn began to wonder if they needed to find a doctor because their heart was pounding so hard and so fast they were sure it would burst. They couldn’t catch their breath and they could feel pain starting to run through their hands. As Finn focused in on the sharp pain they began to realize that they didn’t have anything on their hands in the sub-zero temperatures and blowing wind. 

Finn grabbed onto that focus as they carefully reached into their pockets and pulled out the mittens they’d put there when they’d gone down for dinner. It seemed like a vast chasm of time had passed since then as Finn put the mittens on and felt their hands slowly begin to warm. As they did, the panicky shivering slowly subsided as they focused in tightly on nothing but their hands clenched in front of their eyes. 

After a few more minutes, Finn quietly said, “Help get me to the room, please.”

They all stood and Finn quietly held their hand out to Izzy. They were scared she’d refuse it but she carefully took it, uncertainty in her eyes. Finn leaned into her as they twined their arm through hers and the four went trudging through the snow back to the inn. Back in the room, Finn sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the floor. 

“I’m… I’m sorry about that,” Finn said. “I’m not mad at anyone. I know all of you were just trying to help. It was just, I don’t know, it just was too much. It just kind of hit me all at once.” 

Oak sat down on the opposite bed as Artho held her hands against the sloping ceiling like she was trying to keep her balance on a pitching boat. Izzy sat on the bed next to Finn with her arm still twined through theirs as Oak said, “It’s alright. Just kind of a shock. We have no idea who that guy was and then suddenly you’re sprinting out the door and then the pub and then… well, it was just a shock.” 

“I guess I haven’t told you two a lot about my past. That was the guy who left me in Seaworthy,” Finn said as they started to shake a little again.

Finn placed their head on Izzy’s shoulder and Finn gave a weak smile at her as she squeezed their arm.  

“I’m sorry I pulled away from you,” Finn said.

Izzy shook her head and said, “You don’t have to say that.” 

“Yes, I do. All the way to the end and beyond. Remember?” Finn said.

Izzy nodded and wiped at the tears in her eyes as she said, “All the way to the end and beyond. We really are screwed up aren’t we?” 

Artho said, “Nope. Don’t go there. And I hate to break in here but shouldn’t we be doing something? You said that’s the guy who left you on a street corner as a little kid! Shouldn’t we like, have him taken in or something?” 

Finn had a brief fantasy of contacting Frosta and having her come down and drag him away and then sighed and said, “No. That’s long in the past and really I don’t even want to deal with it right now.”

Artho started to open her mouth to say something when Oak elbowed her and shook her head. 

“Listen, we should all probably talk, I know it’s the thing to do, but can I just be selfish and go to sleep?” Finn said wearily. 

“Sure thing, Finn,” Oak said. 

Izzy hugged them and Finn was soon wrapped up in a blanket on the bed, fast asleep. Izzy sat and watched them sleep when she saw Artho gesturing for her. She looked up and Artho pointed down the spiral stairs. She noticed Oak was gone already as she followed Artho down the staircase and out the door at the bottom into the hallway. Oak was pacing nervously in the hallway when the two came out and said, “Alright, that? That was wild. Izzy, did you know about that guy?” 

Being there without Finn she felt deeply uncomfortable as she felt herself retreating inwards. She had to keep telling herself that the two were friends, that Finn trusted them enough to bring them along. With that in mind she said, “Uh, I did. Not that he was here but it’s why I first looked this town up. His name sounded like a Kingdom of Snows name.” 

Artho threw her hand up and said, “I didn’t even know the guy existed! Finn has never told us about him before. I’m just now realizing that Finn hasn’t told us a whole lot about their past. I just know that they got left in Seaworthy, that Aunt Adora and Aunt Catra found them there, and that’s about it.”

Izzy remembered Finn telling her that she knew probably more than anyone else about their past and she looked down in discomfort as she tried to think about how to say that without making the two upset. 

Oak noticed Izzy looking down and said, “You know don’t you? You know all about it.”

Izzy nodded. 

Artho huffed and said, “Well great! They told you but not us. What crazy thing have they dragged us into, Izzy?” 

Oak looked at her sister and said, “That’s not fair! We volunteered to go along. We could have asked more questions but we didn’t because it didn’t matter. We’re supporting our friend.”

Artho pointed at her sister and said, “No, you volunteered to go along. I decided to go along to make sure you didn’t get hurt because you heard adventure and went bouncing along without a care in your head like you always do!” 

“That’s not fair! Besides, who was the one who swore they knew how to fly by instrument and almost got us lost?” Oak said. 

“Who was the one who probably gave me wrong directions to begin with?” Artho shot back as her tail quivered.

“Don’t think that tail frightens me. I’ll knock you down either way,” Oak said. 

“Stop it!” Izzy almost shouted and then looked at the doors to other rooms along the hallway and lowered her voice. “Stop it. Listen, I told Finn about my life and then Finn told me some of this stuff before we even got together. It’s how we connected. I… well, you met my father. That was my life until just recently.” 

Izzy stopped. She didn’t want to go any further. She didn’t want to remember, she didn’t want to spill out her life story, and she certainly didn’t want to have this conversation in a hallway with everyone’s tempers up. Artho and Oak looked a little abashed though. Oak finally spoke up and said, “Shared trauma. I’ve heard Mom say a lot of wartime romances started that way.” 

Izzy blushed a little at the thought of her and Finn’s relationship being described as a romance, although she knew it’s what it was. 

Izzy skipped over that and said, “I don’t know why Finn didn’t tell you but please, don’t be mad at them. It’s not like it’s easy to talk about.”

Artho grunted and said, “I’ll be mad if I want.”

Oak said, “You know Mom would say you’re projecting based on your disquieted inner being and you need a moment to center yourself and maybe a hug. Mom though would just say you need a hug.”

Artho pointed at her and said, “No, Mom would just hug but I’m still mad at you though so don’t you hug me yet.”

Oak looked at Izzy and said, “Could you maybe tell us something about Finn’s past? Like what are we getting into?” 

Izzy sighed as she leaned against the wall and said, “No, that’s their story to tell.” 

Oak started to say something when Artho said, “Seriously? Are you going to argue with her? We’ll just ask Finn ourselves.” 

Oak was nodding as Izzy felt a flash of irritation and said, “No!”

They both looked at her and she calmed down a little and said, “Maybe not immediately. Give it some time.” 

Artho shrugged and said, “Fair. It has been a rough day.” 

Oak sighed as she said, “It has been. Listen, I know it’s early but I’m going to go back up and go to bed myself. We can all talk in the morning after we’ve had some time to rest.” 

Artho said, “Alright. Hopefully no one complains about us shouting in the hall. I swear, we’re going to get on the bad side of every lodging owner in the kingdom at this rate.” 

Oak looked affronted as she said, “That’s not fair! The hostel owner just said we shouldn’t try and hustle. Which we didn’t, so it doesn’t count.” 

Artho just rolled her eyes as she started walking up the spiral staircase again and Izzy followed with Oak bringing up the rear. They all got ready and Izzy shut the lights off after she unzipped her sleeping bag to make a blanket as Finn was wrapped up in all the blankets on the bed. Izzy got in bed behind them and pulled her sleeping bag over her as she put an arm over Finn and was soon asleep.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Finn was the first one up. They had slept in their clothes from the night before and they shuffled into the bathroom feeling gross as they tried to unstick their eyes and get cleaned up. They came out in clean clothes, feeling a bit better, as the other three started to wake up themselves. Finn picked their coat off the ground and put their hand in the pocket to make sure that the coaster was still there. They gave a sigh of relief when they felt it and sat back on the edge of the bed as Izzy blinked and yawned. Artho swung her legs off the edge of the bed and was scratching at her head as Oak griped at her to get her tail out of her face. 

Finn looked at them all and said, “I, uh, I heard a bit of what you all said last night.” 

Oak stopped smacking at her sister’s tail as she turned to look at Finn. 

“I’d ask what part but I’m guessing it was the part about us griping about you not saying anything about your past?” Oak said. 

“More like me griping about it,” Artho said abashedly. 

Finn nodded and said, “I get it. I kind of wondered if I should have said something before we left but yeah, you didn’t seem to care.” 

“We didn’t,” Oak said. “Last night was just… well, it was a lot, all at once.” 

Izzy sat up in bed and scooted next to Finn but said nothing. 

“I didn’t listen to the end of the conversation,” Finn said. “I heard you because I got up to take my coat off and I went back to bed. I didn’t want to have to do this then. Izzy, did you tell them anything?” 

Izzy said, “No. I thought that should be up to you.”

Finn sighed and said, “Well, we’re The Team. If you want to know, I’ll tell you. Part of it at least. Some of it I don’t want to talk about.”

Artho and Oak traded looks and then Artho finally spoke up and said, “Last night, I probably would have wanted to know it all but you’re right, we didn’t care. I guess I want to know just kind of a general outline. I’m guessing that person wasn’t a biological parent?” 

“No. Snow-by, well I guess his name is actually Snowbee, is the person who left me in Seaworthy. He said that he basically got me from a couple he knew who had been watching me. They’re not my biological parents either. That was the life I remember before my moms found me and took me in. Bouncing around between people who didn’t care,” Finn said. 

Finn picked up their coat and put their hand in the pocket and pulled out the coaster. 

“He wrote their names on here and the last place he knew they were staying,” Finn said without looking at it. “I haven’t been able to look at it yet.”

Izzy held her hand out and Finn handed it to her.

“Do you not want to know?” Izzy said. 

Finn thought a bit and said, “I do and I don’t. If I do, then it means we go on because there’s no way I’m going to find out and not try. But after last night, I’m not sure if it’s worth it or not. I mean Snow-by, he’s changed, but not really, not in a way that matters.” 

“Mom says that the closure we get isn’t the closure we seek,” Artho said. 

Finn gave a little chuckle and said, “Yeah, she’s said the same to me. In fact, I said pretty much the same thing to Izzy when we first started this and she asked me why.” 

Oak said, “So is it worth it? Knowing you won’t get the closure you’re after?”

Finn held their hand out and wobbled it back and forth and said, “Right now? Maybe.”

Izzy said, “Well hey, either way, you know you’ve gotten further than the original team ever did, right? We actually found someone.” 

Finn looked at her and then suddenly gave a grin and said, “You’re right.”

“It was a fluke,” Artho said. 

“I’ll take it,” Finn said. “Alright, I’m going to be conflicted on this I can tell but let’s just do this. Are the rest of you in?” 

Oak nodded and said, “I swore an oath. It’d be terrible of me to back out now.” 

“I didn’t. I just ditto’d,” Artho said with a sigh. Then she stood and said, “I’ll fix that now. I swear my loyalty on this adventure. I swear that I shall be steadfast and true, no matter what I find out along the way. I swear I’ll be there for us all and I swear it on my name and my honor.”

Oak was tearing up as she got out of bed and hugged Artho. 

“Sacred honor. It’s on your sacred honor,” Oak said to her.

Artho gave her a push and said, “You know I hold nothing sacred.”

Finn laughed and said, “Izzy?”

“What do you think?” Izzy said, giving Finn a look. 

Finn smiled and took the coaster back from Izzy and read it. 

“Alright, Kiwi and Blu are their names. He’s written the name of some town in Dryl I’ve never heard of. Dava?” Finn said looking up. 

The other’s shook their heads and Izzy was scrambling around trying to find something to write on. 

“Do the names mean anything to you?” Oak said. 

Finn said, “Maybe? Does that make sense? Like if you had asked me before who they were I wouldn’t have known but saying them I feel like I’ve heard them before.”

Izzy, who didn’t look up from her writing, said, “ The Etherian Psyche by Jolly-tire says that when you’re trying to remember older memories that it’s often helpful to have something to work from that’s related to the memory. They called it a signpost but I like to think of it more as a key. Mainly because it’s easier to throw a key away if you don’t like the memory.” 

“Well it’s not much of a key. I just have a vague feeling that I know the names but come on, it’s the name of a common fruit and a color. It could just be that and I’m trying to put something behind it,” Finn said. 

Artho was leaning against the bedframe and said, “Don’t try and force it. You’re just going to chase it out of your head. Just relax, let it tumble around in your head, and if it's there, it’ll manifest.”

Oak said, “Wow, it’s like Mom is in the room with us!” 

Artho tossed a pillow at her and said, “Well it’s good advice either way!” 

Izzy looked up and said, “We don’t have to address this just yet. What we do have to address is what we do now.”

“What do you mean?” Finn said.

“Well, we had planned to do our thing here, visit Princess Frosta, and then return to Bright Moon,” Izzy said. “That was the plan at least. Are we going to just up and go to Dryl now?” 

Oak said, “She raises a good point. I mean, I’m game either way and let’s be honest, Dryl is way warmer than here.” 

Artho stretched and said, “I’m just starting to get used to it.” 

“Cause your tail is probably frozen solid and you can’t feel it anymore,” Oak said. 

Finn said, “I saw we still go see Auntie Frosta. We need to do the basics, like laundry, and it’d be nice to say hello since we’re close.”

Artho snorted and said, “Close is a relative term up here but yeah, I don’t disagree. Do we leave today or tomorrow?” 

Izzy said, “I saw we leave tomorrow. You still need the newest flight manual and we need to check the weather so we don’t end up in that situation again.”

Artho said, “How about we fly down and get stuck in Serac? That was a pretty nice place as long as Oak can keep her hustlin’ ways to herself.” 

“It’s not a hustle if you turn it against someone who’s hustling you! Besides, you remember that person the day after, we’re revered there!” Oak said. 

Finn laughed and said, “Let’s not toss around the word revered. Let’s just say you’re remembered.” 

“She is pretty unforgettable. Like stubbing your foot,” Artho said as Oak stuck her tongue out at her. “So you’re saying we get ready today, head out in the morning, see Auntie Frosta, and then make any final decision on where we go afterwards.” 

Izzy nodded and said, “Finn may remember some more that will be useful. We may decide to head straight there. Who knows?”

They all agreed and the rest of the day went past at an easy pace as they did the few things they needed to do. Finn wondered what they’d find further down the journey and more than once almost changed their mind about going on. They went to sleep that night with the doubt running around and didn’t sleep well at all but the next morning came quickly and soon The Team were climbing up onto the skiff, bundled up against the anticipated cold of flight. 

Sally stood beside the skiff with Artho as she said, “Alright, so you got the new manual. You checked it for your destination?” 

Artho nodded and said, “I did. Twice. Had someone else check it as well and checked the weather on route.” 

Sally nodded and said, “Good. Keep doing that. In case no one ever told you, you can be old, you can be bold, but you can’t be both.”

Artho nodded and said, “I’m shooting for old.” 

Sally shook her hand and said, “What I want to hear. Safe flight.”

“Thanks,” Artho said as she climbed up on the skiff with everyone else. 

They were soon off and Artho took one last turn above the town before headed towards the castle of the Kingdom of Snows. The flight took most of the day and it got colder and colder as they were soon flying over the eternal snowfields, mountains, and glaciers that the kingdom was known for. The sky was alive with aurora, even in the daylight, and everyone kept stealing glances at it and the rugged landscape below. Not long before nightfall, they came to a landing on a tall point of the castle as several figures came out to greet them. 

“Is that Princess Frosta?” Izzy whispered to Finn as she helped them down. 

“No, I don’t know who that is,” Finn said as they stretched. 

Artho jumped down and said, “We really need to figure out a heater for this thing. I seriously considered zipping myself in my sleeping bag for a while.” 

Oak sat on the edge of the skiff and said, “What happened to, ‘I’m used to it!’ from the other morning?” 

“That was then, this is now,” Artho said. “I can contradict myself.” 

A heavily built woman stepped forward when the small welcome group arrived and said, “Welcome to the Kingdom of Snows. May I ask who you are and what business you have with us?” 

Finn stepped forward and Izzy desperately hoped they weren’t going to try and impersonate someone.

“Thank you! I’m Finn and the rest are Artho, Oak, and Izzy. Princess Frosta is my aunt and we’re dropping in for a visit,” Finn said.

The person nodded and said, “The Princess is busy at the moment but I’m sure she’d love to see you. Can I show you somewhere more comfortable to wait in the meantime?” 

Artho shook her head and said, “Naw, I’d rather hang out on a high point in the freezing wind.” 

The person nodded and said, “If that’s your wish.” 

Oak pushed her sister and said, “Ignore her. She thinks she’s clever. Yes, please lead on.” 

They all went to a room with ice walls and comfortable furniture. They all settled in and were assured that someone would be by to check on them if they needed anything. Izzy walked around and looked at everything and said, “I know why but it’s still a bit amazing that it feels as warm as it does.”

Finn said, “I’ve only been here a few times and I don’t remember it being chilly. Mother was always a bit uncomfortable visiting here.” 

“Because she tried to blow it up once,” Artho said with a snort.

“What!?” Izzy said.

“It was during the war. I don’t know much about it,” Finn said and then nodded at Artho and Oak. “I do know your Mom was involved.” 

“Yeah, I know that too. I don’t know much else though. It’s not like they’re bringing that one up at the monthly hang out and I’m sure not asking,” Artho said. 

Izzy said, “Wait, was this during the All Princess Ball that was held here?”

Artho said, “I think so, yeah.”

Izzy said, “Uh, I may actually know more on this than you do then. I’ve read some stuff on it.” 

The three turned to her and Artho said, “Izzy, please feel free to info dump to your heart's content.” 

“Uh, you do know it ends with them kidnapping Queen Glimmer and King Bow right?” Izzy said a bit nervously. 

“What!? NO!” Oak said with glee.

Finn leaned forward as they said, “Alright, you have to tell this.” 

Izzy shuffled in her chair a little and said, “Alright, it’s pretty straightforward. Princess Frosta was hosting the All Princess Ball that year and The Princess Alliance was trying to get her to join. Princess Scorpia was a Force Captain of the Horde, as was Catra, but as she was a princess she was able to attend and she brought Catra along as her plus one. Adora was attempting to recruit Princess Frosta and when Princess Scorpia and Catra showed up, she tried to denounce them to Princess Frosta. Princess Frosta told Adora she wouldn’t do anything as they hadn’t broken the peace and were acting according to the rules. The All Princess Ball has a pretty long history of rival princesses mingling together and because of the rules nothing more than some intense arguments happen normally. It’s said that Adora kind of overstepped and insulted Princess Frosta a few times although it’s widely believed to be accidental and not malicious.

“The sources say that Adora tried to keep track of Princess Scorpia and Catra all evening, even having a dance with Catra, but it was all a ruse so that Princess Scorpia and Catra could plant explosives and try to bring down the palace. It didn’t really work out because Princess Frosta managed to hold it together but in the resulting chaos, they kidnapped Queen Glimmer and King Bow with the help of some undercover associates. Of course she was still a princess and Bow didn’t have an official title yet at the time. The attack on her castle would lead to Princess Frosta joining The Princess Alliance and because of that she was present at The Battle of Bright Moon to help turn the tide against The Horde offensive.” 

The other three sat and stared for a moment before looking at each other.

“I, uh, I did not know all of that,” Oak said slowly. 

“You’re telling me our Mom and Finn’s Mother went on a date together?” Artho said. 

Oak sputtered and said, “That’s what you’re concentrating on right now?” 

“I already knew Mom was a Force Captain at one point, you’ll pardon me if I concentrate on the more immediate,” Artho said. 

Finn had their face in their hand and said, “You know, I’ve heard Mom and Mother joking a few times about Mother ending up with Aunt Scorpia instead of Mom and I always thought it was just a joke.” 

Izzy was waving her hands in front of herself while she said, “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to stir up some old tensions or anything!” 

A voice from the door said, “Oh trust me, it wasn’t much of a date for the two.” 

Finn turned to see Frosta walking in and Izzy jumped up out of her chair as she saw her and Finn stood to put a hand on her shoulder to try and keep her from panicking. 

“It’s alright, Izzy,” Finn said quietly to her. 

“I was just talking about her castle getting blown up,” Izzy said through clenched teeth. 

“Hey, Auntie Frosta,” Finn said. “You could have given us a little hint you were on your way.” 

“Where’s the drama in that?” she said with a grin. “Besides, I got to hear the academic version of that day.” 

“You heard all of that?” Izzy said feeling like the floor was dropping out from under her.

“Yep! Don’t worry, it’s not a sore subject,” Frosta said. “And that’s because I used to tease Catra and Scorpia mercilessly about it for years after the war ended until I got bored with it.” 

“But Mom and Aunt Catra really did go as dates to the ball though?” Artho said. 

Frosta shrugged and said, “Probably. Looking back, that was an interesting evening. Bow went with Perfuma and Glimmer was furious about that, Adora kept chasing Catra around, Entrapta kept flitting around observing everyone, Sea Hawk was annoying Mermista but that wasn’t really new, and I was just busy trying to keep it together and look important for my age. I’m glad the next one that Scorpia ran was way more mellow.”

Artho sat back a bit stunned and Finn said, “I’m just going to mentally file away Artho’s face for future reference. It’s wonderful.” 

“Enough of all that, Finn, introduce me,” Frosta said as she sat down. 

“I assume you mean Izzy,” Finn said. 

“Yes, I mean Izzy. I met these other two when they were only a few hours old and you know I already know you,” Frosta said rolling her eyes. 

Finn kind of gestured at Izzy and said, “Auntie Frosta, this is Izzy, my girlfriend.” 

Frosta rolled her eyes again and said, “Real smooth, Finn. Hey, Izzy. Since I heard you call me Princess like a dozen times a few minutes ago, I’ll just go ahead and say you can call me Frosta.” 

Izzy nodded and didn’t say anything. 

“You can speak to me, Izzy. I don’t bite,” Frosta said. 

“Not what Mother says,” Finn said. 

“I didn’t bite her, I punched her as hard as I could,” Frosta said. “There’s a difference.” 

Izzy blinked and said, “Wait, you punched Catra?” 

Frosta nodded and said, “During the war. Well, near the end but that’s a story for another time. Well, I’m guessing you’re up here because you’re on your search.”

“We are. We just came in from Moraine,” Finn said.

“Well I hope you’re keeping a journal. It could turn into a great story or at least an interesting travel guide,” Frosta said. “The Random Guide to Etheria. I’ll write you a forward.”

Finn laughed and said, “I’ll let you know but yes, Izzy is keeping notes.” 

Frosta turned to Izzy and said, “A writer?” 

Izzy shook her head and then realized she should speak and said, “No, Prin…, uh, I mean, Frosta. I just do a lot of research.” 

“Well, if you can write research, you can probably write stories with a little work,” Frosta said before turning back to Finn. “And just so you know, your moms have been quietly asking if we’d heard about your progress. Do you want me to tell them you were here or not?”

Finn wasn’t really surprised they were asking, they pretty much expected it. However, they were a bit shocked that Frosta was offering that.

“Why wouldn’t you tell them?” Finn asked. 

“Because this is your thing. If you think they’ll interfere where you don’t want them, I’ve got no problem telling them whatever you want me to,” Frosta said. “They’re good friends, don’t get me wrong, but if you want to do it on your own, well, I get wanting to be independent and I’ll back you on it.” 

Oak said, “You’d lie for us?” 

“Well when you put it that way, you make it sound sordid,” Frosta said. “You’re my nieces and nibling and Izzy, you get honorary niece status for putting up with Finn.” 

Izzy took Finn’s hand and said, “They’re worth it.” 

Frosta smiled and said, “I know they are. Seriously though, are you fine with me telling them you were here?”

Finn nodded and said, “I am. I was actually going to give them a video call. I’ve been dropping a message every few days since we left. Mom basically implied she’d level a town looking for me if she didn’t hear from me.” 

Frosta snorted and said, “Yeah, that sounds like Adora. She probably wouldn’t though. Just a building or two.” 

“That’s not a lot of comfort,” Artho said. 

“Wasn’t really trying to give any,” Frosta said. “Alright, so I’m guessing you're dropping in on your Auntie Frosta for a hot meal, a warm bed, and probably some supplies. Am I right?”

“Well now who’s making it sound sordid?” Oak said. “Can’t we just come to see our Auntie Frosta?” 

Frosta laughed and said, “Well of course. And get a hot meal, a warm bed, and some supplies as well.” 

Finn said, “We probably won’t need supplies but I am not turning down the other two.”

“Well come on,” Frosta said. “Let’s get you all settled in. Tern is going to be mad she missed you, she’s out doing some magic research thing and isn’t due back for a week. Eider can join us though. They’ll be thrilled to see you all and meet you Izzy.” 

Frosta led them out and into the castle and Finn walked along beside her holding Izzy’s hand as they said, “How’s the new book coming along?” 

Frosta said, “Have you read the last one yet?” 

Finn laughed and said, “I haven’t but believe it or not, I’ve got it packed along.” 

Frosta gave them a little nudge with her shoulder and said, “I’ll believe it when I see it. I’ve been waiting to hear what you think for a while now.” 

“Sorry, Auntie Frosta, I’ll make a point to read it,” Finn said. 

“The new one is coming along fine, to answer your question, but it’s under my pseudonym for that series you won’t read,” Frosta said. 

Finn grinned and said, “Because I don’t want to read romance written by you. That’d just be weird.” 

“It’s not like they’re steamy,” Frosta said. 

“Not going to find out,” Finn said.

Izzy got a little courage up and said, “I’m sorry but what series are you talking about?” 

“Eternally Etheria,” Frosta said. “I write under the name Iceflower.” 

Izzy suddenly blushed and stammered out, “Uh, I’ve, um, read a few of those. They’re… good.” 

Oak spoke up from behind and said, “Wait, you wrote those? Oh Mara, I’ve read a bunch of those. You could have warned me!” 

Finn turned around to see Oak blushing as well as Frosta gave a grin and said, “You could have talked to your Auntie Frosta more about her work.” 

Finn turned back to Frosta as Artho started poking at her sister and laughing. Finn said, “Judging by everyone’s reactions, I’m pretty glad I’ve avoided them.” 

“It’s not that bad!” Frosta said as they walked into a suite of rooms. “There’s nothing explicit in them! The Elberon Book Club called them sweet!” 

Artho was laughing and said, “I’ve read a few. They’re just super intense with the romance. My sister here is just a sensitive soul.”

Frosta waved her arm around and said, “Here you go. Feel free to settle in. I’m going to go dig Eider out of wherever they’re hiding and I’ll get dinner brought in here later.”

“While you do that, I should probably take this chance to call my moms,” Finn said. 

“Last chance. I can tell them you came through here for just a few minutes babbling about lost treasure before you went tearing off into the frozen countryside like the hounds of Prime were hot on your heels,” Frosta said.

“You just really love the drama don’t you?” Artho said. “And what is that? The opening to the next book?”

“Maybe. And I’m not hearing a no,” Frosta said. 

“No,” Finn said. 

“Your loss. See you in a bit,” Frosta said with a laugh. 

Izzy sat down as she watched her go and said, “She’s… ornery.” 

“Always has been. Mom told me at Glimmer’s coronation she froze Sea Hawk in ice,” Oak said. 

“ Why? ” Izzy asked. 

“I don’t remember. Something about her being the security? You’d have to ask her,” Oak said. 

“No, I think I’ll let that one go,” Izzy said. 

Finn typed at the data pad and said, “I’m going to give them a call now. You all ready?” 

“Go for it,” Oak said. “We can call Mom and Mom next.”

Finn nodded and hit a button and soon Adora’s face popped up on screen.

“Finn! It’s good to see you! Is everything alright? Do you need help?” Adora said. 

“Mom, everything’s fine,” Finn said as they made sure the rest of The Team could be seen. “See? All in one piece.” 

“Are you at Frosta’s?” Catra said as she stuck her head into the camera’s view. 

“Yep,” Oak said over Finn’s shoulder. “Just got here.” 

“Well you’ve been really brief in the messages. How’s it going?” Adora said.

“Um, it’s been interesting,” Finn said. 

“Yeah, known you for years, kiddo, so I can tell something is up,” Catra said as she got repositioned over Adora’s shoulder. “What happened?” 

Finn scratched at their head a little and Izzy gave them a nudge. 

“Well, remember the guy I told you about? Snow-by?” Finn said. 

“Did you get a lead on him?” Adora said. 

“Uh, no, it was more like I ended up sitting across a table from him and had a conversation with him,” Finn said nervously. 

Finn had expected stunned silence. What they didn’t expect was for both Catra and Adora to shout, “What!?” and then drop the data pad. 

“Are you alright!?” Finn heard Catra shout as she grabbed the pad and Adora shoved her face into the camera view and then Catra yelling, “Look over my shoulder! Like I did to you!” 

“You stuck your head in too! Finn, are you all alright!?” Adora said. 

“Moms, we’re fine!” Finn said. Artho and Oak were behind Finn giving thumbs up and saying the same thing. 

Catra pointed and said, “Izzy, is that guy still in one piece?” 

Izzy nodded and Catra said, “Alright, tell us what happened. Adora! Stop pushing!”

“I’m trying to see!” Adora said. 

“Just turn on wide-angle!” Finn said in exasperation. “That’s how you can see all of us!” 

“That is an option isn’t it?” Adora said as her hand went to the screen and the view jumped as it got wider. 

Finn began to tell them about what had happened, trying to give a short explanation that ended up being longer than intended since Adora and Catra kept jumping in with questions. Artho and Oak kept giving little comments and even Izzy said a thing or two and finally at the end of it all Finn said, “Then the next morning, I finally looked at it. It’s got two names on it and a location.” 

“I notice you’re being real circumspect about saying where that location is,” Catra said.

“Alright, I am. Just remember, I said this is on me to do. If I show up and there’s a whole bunch of you milling around, I’ll be perturbed,” Finn said dryly. “It’s a town called Dava in Dryl.” 

“Where? I’ve never heard of it,” Catra said. 

“It’s one of the newer towns that have popped up in Dryl,” Adora said. “I advised the Clone Council of Dryl on getting it laid out when they first started putting it together.” 

“Wait? How new?” Finn said, remembering that the information was a few years old. 

“Maybe five years? Why?” Adora said.

“Because Snow-by said that the information wasn’t that fresh. I didn’t ask but I got the impression he hadn’t seen them in a few years,” Finn said. 

“You think he’s trying to lead you wrong?” Artho said. 

Finn shrugged and said, “We weren’t quite to the me making him mad part of the conversation yet, so probably not.” 

“It won’t hurt to check it out,” Adora said. “If you need maps, I’ve got maps.” 

“Thanks, Mom,” Finn said. 

Catra said, “Well, I have to say I’m proud of you but also, just a bit salty.” 

“Why?” Finn said. 

“Mostly because I wish I could have caught up with him myself,” Catra said. 

“Then we wouldn’t have got any answers out of him!” Oak said. 

“Alright, enough bloodlust out of you,” Adora said as she nudged Catra. “You are alright aren’t you?” 

“It was a bit rough to deal with but I’m surrounded by good people,” Finn said as they hooked an arm around Izzy. 

“Well we’re glad to hear from you,” Adora said. “Give us warning next time and we’ll let Grandma know so she can be here too, Izzy.” 

Izzy nodded and said, “I’ll be calling her in a few.”

“We’re calling Mom and Mom next,” Artho said. “I’m sure they will be mellow and calm.” 

“Yep, if that happens, let me know, it’ll be a first,” Catra said. 

“Are you coming back here before you go on to Dryl?” Adora said. 

“We haven’t decided yet,” Finn said. “We’ll be here at least for the night and we’ll be sure and keep you up on where we’re going.” 

There was a little more small talk and then they broke the connection. Adora and Catra sat back on the couch where they’d talked. Catra wiped at her eyes a little as Adora hugged her close. 

“I can’t believe they found that… that… person,” Catra said. 

Adora said, “I’m surprised Izzy let him leave in one piece.” 

Catra looked at Adora and Adora said, “What? You think I don’t know what contained seething anger looks like?” 

Catra bumped her with her shoulder and said, “No, I don’t think you do, Princess.” 

“Oh, we’re jumping right to Princess are we? Do I need to remind you that by marrying me…,” Adora started to say before Catra put her hand over Adora’s mouth.

“Nope. Don’t finish that,” Catra said. 

Adora licked Catra’s hand and Catra yanked back going, “What!? Why !?” 

“Because,” Adora said with a smirk. 

“Well, I’ll get my revenge,” Catra said. 

“Oh, we’re to the revenge swearing part of the evening already?” Adora said. “Swear vengeance while I go and throw something in the oven for dinner.”

Back at the Kingdom of Snows, Artho and Oak sat and talked with their moms. Finn and Izzy sat behind them and chimed in every once in a while. It took a while to get through the call as they brought each of Artho and Oak’s siblings on to say hello and of course some had questions and wanted to hear about what they were up to and at the end, Scorpia held the data pad out at arm’s length and above her so everyone could wave goodbye. Artho and Oak cut transmission and sat back with little sighs. 

“You alright?” Oak asked Artho.

“Just a bit homesick now,” Artho said. “It was good to see everyone. Little P-Pear has really shot up and we’ve only been gone a week!” 

Finn said, “I’m a bit surprised you didn’t ask your Mom about dating Mother.” 

Artho whipped her head around and said, “I had forgotten about that actually!”

“Well I remind you when you call them again,” Finn said with a grin.

“Ugh, now I’m not homesick anymore. Now I’m just trying to forget about that,” Artho said. 

“You’re welcome,” Finn said. 

In a portable pavilion near the Heart Blossom, Perfuma leaned her head against Scorpia’s shoulder and sighed as the gathered kids scattered back out to play in the twilight.

“You alright there, Blossom?” Scorpia said. 

Perfuma hugged Scorpia’s arm and said, “I am. Our little Acorn and Doodle Bug are all grown up. You’d think I’d be used to it. It’s not our first to go. It’s the way of the universe that the young go out into the world. To fight that cycle will just stunt the growth of the person but…”

Scorpia gave her a hug and said, “I know. I miss them too. They’re not gone though. We’ll see them again.” 

Perfuma idly wrapped a flowering vine up Scorpia’s arm and behind her neck and back down the other arm as she said with a sigh, “I know, Love Bug. It just can’t come soon enough.” 

In the meantime, Izzy was picking up the data pad and called Grandma. The others saw and crowded around her shoulder, giving her a bit of a wide eyed look when Grandma came on the screen. 

“Uh, hello, Grandma,” Izzy said. 

“Hey, Grandma!” the other three said. 

“Hello, Izzy!” Grandma said. “And it looks like I got some extra grandchildren all of a sudden.” 

“It’s how it happens with us,” Finn said. “You get pulled in without even realizing it.” 

“Well, I’m happy to have it happen,” Grandma said. “How is the adventure going along?” 

Izzy gave her a short explanation of it, the others tossing in a few details, and she was nodding along and then Izzy started asking how she was doing and she started talking about outings she had made and various little things. After a while she mentioned that she was making dinner for June that night and was expecting her soon. 

“Well, keep your head warm, honey,” Grandma said to Izzy. “I love your hair but there’s not much of it left to keep the cold off.”

“I will, Grandma. That scarf you got me is perfect for it,” Izzy said. 

“Good to hear. Alright, I’m going to go now. I love you, Izzy, and I love the rest of you as well. Take care,” Grandma said waving at them all. 

“I love you too, Grandma,” Izzy said and then closed the connection. She sat and looked at the data pad for a moment. 

“If you’d told me even a year ago I’d be missing Grandma this much…,” Izzy said as she trailed off.

Finn hugged her and said, “Well if you’d told me a year ago everything that’s happened I’d be surprised as well. I’m sorry I took you away from her just when you two started really mending your relationship.” 

Izzy hugged them back and said, “You haven’t done anything. I came along willingly.”

Back in her kitchen, Grandma gave a couple of pots a stir and she heard her front door open. 

“Nicoleta, I’m here!” a voice said.

“In the kitchen!” Grandma said back. 

June came in, hanging her coat off a chair at the table and stretched. Her overalls were stained but she gave Grandma a hug without a second thought and Grandma returned it without hesitation. 

“You hanging in there?” June said. 

“I am. Izzy just called,” Grandma said as she leaned back against the counter. “She looked so grown up.” 

June sat down at the table and said, “I’ll be honest, I’m surprised she’s out doing this. She’s so quiet and withdrawn normally. I was honestly worried when she got with this Finn kid. They’re so outgoing, I was worried she’d get squashed down. She seems to like them though and she does seem pretty happy.”

“She certainly is,” Grandma said with a melancholy smile. Then she shook her head a little and said, “Alright, enough of that. You brought the cards I assume?” 

June pulled the deck out of her chest pocket and held them up. 

“Have I ever forgot them?” June replied as she spread the deck out one handed as Grandma brought the food to the table. 

Chapter Text

Finn packed away the data pad. Everyone had gone quiet and were mostly just sitting and thinking. It was into this silent room that Eider walked. They stood for a moment, looking at everyone and Finn looked up as they noticed they were there. It was hard to miss them. They stood well over six feet and were built like a wall. 

“Well, I expected a bit more of an upbeat room,” Eider said, they’re voice soft and quiet. Finn went over and gave them a hug.

“I think all the travel hit us at once, Auncle Eider,” Finn said. “We also just called our various elders.”

Artho, who was lying back on a couch, said, “I’m absolutely telling Aunt Catra you called her an elder.” 

“You think I’m not going to tell her myself?” Finn said. 

Eider grinned and said, “See, that. That was more what I was expecting.”

Eider moved into the room to take a seat and said, “Frosta will be along in a bit. I got done with my stuff early so I came on in. Since I know these two, who can’t even get up to greet their Auncle, I’m going to assume this is Izzy.”

Izzy nodded as Finn sat down next to her and said, “The one and only.”

Izzy gave a little wave and said, “It’s nice to meet you.”

Oak spoke up and said, “I’ll ignore the dig at me not getting up. It’s your fault for installing furniture that’s too comfortable in here. I do want to say thanks for the mandolin again though.” 

Eider pointed a finger and said, “That furniture is just as comfortable as it needs to be and you’re welcome. As to the mandolin it wasn’t a big deal and honestly, I feel kind of bad. I built it as practice before I made one for a client.” 

“Not complaining,” Oak said. “Free mandolin!” 

“Are you coming along any on it?” Eider said. 

“I’m doing alright. I haven’t practiced in a bit since we’ve been getting ready for this and I didn’t pack it along to save space,” Oak said.

Artho said, “I need to say that I’m a little miffed at you because do you have any idea how annoying it is to listen to her practice over and over? We’ve been staying at the Fright Zone. The echoes off the walls are deafening.” 

Eider got a mischievous look and said, “What a shame you left it behind. Why, it’d be just terrible if we all met after dinner and I just happened to have a spare one for you to practice on. You should never neglect your practice.”

Artho looked at them and said, “Auncle, what did I ever do to you to deserve this?” 

“I don’t have my list but I’m sure I can try to remember a few if you’d like,” Eider said. 

Izzy was getting used to the back and forth and just sighed as she leaned back. Frosta came in shortly after pushing a cart piled high with food. Everyone served themselves and settled back down. The conversation was pretty easy going as they got caught up with each other. Izzy was quiet at first but Eider made sure to direct a few direct questions to her and she was soon joined in the conversation feeling fairly comfortable. After everyone had ate, Eider left and came back with several instruments, including the promised mandolin. 

“If we’re going to do this, at least give me the hand drum,” Artho said with a sigh. 

Eider passed it over and Frosta picked up a guitar and gave it a few strums. 

“Alright, Izzy, you’re new so here’s the rules for our little music circle,” Frosta said. “If you can play an instrument, grab one. Eider makes a bunch so if you don’t see one just say. If you don’t want to play, you do have to sing. If you don’t know the words, try your best. No one cares if you’re professional quality, it’s just for fun. You set?”

Izzy gave a short nod. Oak plucked at the mandolin a little and Artho gave a few practice strikes on the drum. Eider picked up a flute, the instrument small in their large hands, and said, “Alright, enough tuning. Let’s go.” 

Artho started it off with a quick beat and Eider came in on the flute followed by Oak and Frosta. Izzy recognized the tune, some folk tune out of Plumeria, and Finn started singing along with Frosta. Izzy hesitated for a moment but Finn gave her an encouraging smile and she was soon singing along with them. She trailed off after the first two verses as she realized that they were going to sing the full song, that had way more verses than just the first few that most people knew, but Frosta and Finn seemed to know all of them. Izzy kept up the best she could though and at the end, Artho gave a little drum flourish as they finished the song. 

“Tern’s going to be really perturbed she missed this,” Frosta said. “That’s one of her favorite songs.” 

Eider stretched a little and said, “Her loss. She’s the one out studying magic.”

“Enough chatting,” Artho said. “I’m warmed up. What’s the next one?” 

“New guest’s choice,” Eider said. “Izzy? You got anything?” 

Izzy froze for a second and then said, “Uh, I’m not much of a music person. I don’t know a lot.” 

“Name one you do know,” Eider said. 

Izzy blushed furiously because she couldn’t get the song out of her head at the moment, being in Frosta’s castle, and said, “It’s A Princess World.” 

Frosta laughed and said, “I’m game. I assume you mean the new version?” 

Izzy nodded and Artho gave a roll of the drum and everyone got into it. The song had a verse about various princesses and the old version had been ugly and insulting to each princess but the new one, re-written by Bow and Catra years before, was much more light hearted and friendly while still having a teasing edge to it. When it came to the verse about the princess of The Kingdom of Snows, Frosta held her hand up to stop the singing and rolled into it as a solo, belting out the verse at the top of her lungs. At the end of the song, Frosta was laughing so hard she couldn’t really sing and the rest burst into laughter as the song wrapped up. 

Finn wiped at their eyes as tears of laughter rolled out of their eyes and said, “That was great. I always forget about that song but it’s so much fun to sing.” 

Eider grinned as they said, “Well, I should stand in defense of my partner but let’s be honest, that verse is dead on.” 

Frosta was stretched out and said with a grin, “All I know is that I’ve never put anyone into a block of ice who didn’t deserve it but the song can say whatever it wants.” 

“That’s very comforting, Auntie Frosta,” Finn said. 

“They didn’t call me Winters Bane for nothing back in the day,” Frosta said loftily. 

“Iceflower, no one called you that,” Eider said. “Frosta was probably terrifying enough.”

Frosta grinned and said, “You bet it was. Enough of that, let’s get the next song rolling.” 

They played late into the evening and finished up with a long slow ballad that Eider stood and sang. Their voice carried, hitting high notes sharp and clear, as they sang the ballad of two people falling in love during a long trek over treacherous sea ice. The song ended with the two lovers embracing as they reach solid land and swearing to remain together. However, Eider sang a slightly different version, one with three people in it and Frosta smiled, a bit sadly, as she thought of Tern.

Frosta leaned back after it was over and said, “We really need to re-write it into a three-part song like we keep saying we’re going to do.” 

Eider sat down on the arm of the chair she was in and sat their hand on her shoulder as they said, “Let’s do it when Tern gets back.” 

“Then let’s actually do it,” Frosta said before looking to the group and said, “Sorry, ever since our wedding we’ve been saying we need to do this. Anyway, I’m going to go ahead and say good night now. I’m going to come by early. I have some time blocked out in the morning that’s normally for writing but we can use it to figure out what you need from me to keep going.”

Eider looked at her in surprise and said, “I’m sorry, did I just hear you say you’re giving up your morning time? For real?” 

Frosta looked up at them and said, “Seemed the best time.” 

Artho laughed and said, “I’ve heard of this mythical morning time. I for one am honored.”

Eider snorted and said, “You should be. She doesn’t even let Tern or I intrude on it. Imagine, her own spouses.”

Frosta rolled her eyes and said, “You’re more than welcome to, I’ve just said you need a good reason. And before you say anything, the last time you bothered me it was because you and Tern were arguing over which kind of chocolate was superior and wanted to drag me into it.” 

“That was important, you just didn’t realize it. We weren’t arguing, we were trying to decide what chocolate to get you for your birthday,” Eider said. 

Finn said, “How about we all go to bed now since you’ve said you’re coming early and it’s already late enough to almost be early. You two can continue your argument on the way to your room?” 

Oak nodded and said, “It’s a good idea. We’re on an adventure after all and rest is important.” 

Frosta said, “Are you really shuffling me out of a room in my own castle?” 

“Yes,” Finn and Oak said at the same time.

Frosta burst out laughing and said, “Alright. I’ll see you all early. Sleep tight.” 

As everyone got settled in for the night, Izzy stood in the bathroom in her pajamas and stared at her horns. She hadn’t noticed until now that they looked like they were starting to curve so she ran her hand down the ridges of them to check and sure enough, they were starting to curve. They were growing out. She felt a momentary surge of panic as she thought about them curving back along her head and she fought it back down. She’d kept her horns filed down for years and it wasn’t until recently that she’d ever considered growing them out. They reminded her of her father and she shook a little as she tried to shove the thought of him out of her head. 

She then realized that her mother, a term she hated using to describe her, had entered a therapeutic program after her father had tried to attack her and Finn months before. That program was somewhere in The Kingdom of Snows. She stood at the counter as she shook thinking of those two and tears ran down her cheeks before she slammed her hand down onto the countertop. Pain shot up her arm through her hand and she turned from the mirror and shook her arm to get the sting out. Then, a knock at the door. 

“Iz? You alright in there?” Finn said from the other side of the door. 

“I’m alright,” Izzy said, wiping furiously at her eyes. “I’ll be out in a moment.” 

Finn stood on the other side of the door, worried and waiting. Izzy hadn’t sounded alright and the thump had startled Finn as they’d sat and written out a few ideas of what to do in the coming days. Izzy came out of the bathroom and Finn looked at her and saw that her eyes were red. 

“Iz? Are you ok? You look like you’ve been crying,” Finn said as they carefully put a hand on her arm. 

Izzy almost said nothing. She wanted to just go to bed but it’s not like Finn didn’t already know about the problems she’d had. 

“I was looking at my horns,” Izzy said. “They’re… they’re getting long.”

“Well, isn’t that what you wanted?” Finn said. 

Izzy shrugged and said, “It is, but I got to thinking about…”

Finn nodded. They knew. 

“Him,” Finn said. 

Izzy nodded and said, “And her.” 

“Tell me what you’re thinking?” Finn said. 

“I don’t know. I got to thinking about him. Then I thought about here and realized that Emma is here in the kingdom and I could probably see her if I wanted to do so. It... kind of got on top of me,” Izzy said. 

Finn sat for a moment and then said, “Do you want to see her?” 

Izzy sat down on the edge of the bed and ran her hand down her sleeping bag. It was thick and would keep someone warm and comfortable far below zero degrees celsius and keep them alive even lower than that. She’d borrowed the bag from Adora and she thought about how Adora had sat and told her little tricks for how to use it in all kinds of weather and temperatures. It’d been a simple thing, not even a motherly thing, but in that moment sitting on the edge of the bed, she felt like Adora had shown more care and compassion to her than Emma, her actual mother, had ever shown towards Izzy. 

“Yes,” Izzy said with a heavy sigh.

Finn sat down next to her and said, “I know it’s going to sound weird coming from me considering why we’re here but are you sure this is something you want to do?” 

“Right now, yes,” Izzy said. 

“Do you want me along when you see Emma?” Finn said.

Izzy thought for a moment and said, “No. It’s my turn to go into a room alone with someone from my past.” 

Finn smiled and took her hand and said, “And mine to wait outside and worry.” 

Izzy frowned and said, “And you should. I’m honestly a little worried about how I’m going to react when I see her.”

Finn looked into her eyes and said, “Iz, you’re not your dad.” 

Izzy blinked as tears came and Finn squeezed her hand and said, “I’m serious. You’re not your dad. No matter how long those horns get, you’re not him.” 

Izzy said, “You can’t know that.” 

“Yes, I can,” Finn said. “You think I could love someone like him?” 

Izzy looked at Finn and said, “What?” 

“I said do you think I could love someone like him. Because you know I love you Izzy and I could never love someone like him,” Finn said. “That’s how I know you’re not like him.” 

Izzy snorted as she wiped at her tears and said, “The logic in that is so flawed.” 

“No it isn’t. It’s simple. I love you. I couldn’t love someone like him. Therefore, you’re not like him. Queed,” Finn said with a nod. 

“Queed?” Izzy said in confusion.

“Yeah, you know. Like you see at the end of a logical argument,” Finn said. 

Izzy started laughing and said, “Do you mean QED?” 

“Yeah, queed,” Finn said. 

Izzy hugged Finn and said, “I know you know how it’s said so that only means you did that on purpose.” 

“I just wanted to see if you’d laugh,” Finn said. “I wanted to cheer you up.” 

Izzy kissed Finn and said, “It worked. I love you.” 

“I love you too,” Finn said. “Let’s get some sleep now alright? We can talk to Frosta about this in the morning if you want.” 

Izzy nodded as she got up and shut the lights off. They settled down in their sleeping bags as Izzy curled up behind Finn. As Finn drifted off to sleep, Izzy stared ahead into the darkness as the doubt came creeping back in. She may not have been like her father but she knew what she felt. She could feel the anger and the fear in her and while she’d read and knew this was a normal thing, no amount of reading would get out of her mind the fear that one day she’d become like him without even realizing it. 

Izzy didn’t remember falling asleep but the next morning came very early with someone pounding on the bedroom door. Finn sat up, their fur every which way, and said, “I heard you the first time, Auntie Frosta! Stop! We’ll be right out!” 

“Well hurry up! It’s not easy to keep breakfast warm in a freaking ice castle!” Frosta said from the other side of the door. 

Finn got up grumbling and soon all four of them were out in the main part of the rooms. Frosta and Eider had breakfast waiting and contrary to her word, the food was piping hot. They sat and ate and chatted and Finn started talking about the ideas they’d been thinking about the night before.

“Auntie Frosta, if you’re alright with us being around for a few days, I thought we can call Cowrie and have her pick us up south of here on the coastline and take us further down so we’re closer to Dryl. That’ll give us some time to plan out the next move. If that’s alright with you two,” Finn said, nodding at Artho and Oak.

They both shrugged, busy eating and Frosta nodded and said, “It’ll be rough because we have so little room for visitors in this little hovel but I think we can manage.”

Finn was also trying to think of how to get her by herself with Izzy so they could ask the other question they had, the real reason Finn had for staying behind for more than just a day or so. They already knew that Cowrie wasn’t that far away and could be there but Finn intended to tell her to take her time. Then Izzy spoke up. 

“Frosta, I’d like to speak with Emma while I’m here,” she said. “Can you arrange that?” 

Finn looked at Izzy a bit surprised and she looked at them as she said, “There’s no reason to keep this a secret. Between her and I, I’m not the one who should be ashamed.” 

Frost shrugged and said, “I’ll speak with her Listener about it. He’s the one helping her and he’s the one who would be able to say whether or not it’s a good idea. I don’t think it’d be any issue though.” 

Oak leaned forward and said, “Izzy, what do you need from us?” 

Izzy gave a small smile at Oak and said, “Right now, some more toast. I don’t know about later.” 

After breakfast, Izzy went back into the bedroom and started reading a book. Finn followed along and sat on the edge of the bed while she read at a little table. After a few minutes, Finn said, “Iz, do you need to talk about this? You’re… you’re kind of not taking this in an Izzy kind of way.” 

Izzy stopped and looked up at Finn and said, “You mean I’m too calm when it comes to my parents.”

Finn flinched but that was exactly what they’d meant. They said, “I guess, yeah, that’s what I meant. You never mentioned this before now and I know you said it came up suddenly last night. Did you ever think about it while we were planning?” 

Izzy said, “Not really. It crossed my mind a few times but it wasn’t something I was really considering until last night. Maybe that’s why I’m so calm about it now. I haven’t had time to overthink it yet.” 

“Yet?” Finn said with an amused tone in their voice. 

“I could have a break down over it soon. I definitely feel that in the back of my head as a possibility,” Izzy said, matter-of-factly.

Finn’s face got serious again and said, “Can I help? What are you expecting from me?” 

Izzy said, “To not try and second guess my emotions and just to be there for me right up until I walk into the room with her. Afterwards, the same.” 

Finn said, “Are you going to want to talk to him when we get back to Bright Moon?” 

Izzy’s face got angry for a moment before becoming calm again and she said, “No.”

Finn started to ask if she was sure and she cut them off and said, “I know what you’re going to say and yes, I’m sure, Finn.” 

Finn nodded and said, “Alright. Can I ask you why her though?” 

Izzy fidgeted a bit and said, “I don’t know why her. She can’t take away what she’s already given me and there’s nothing she has now that I want. Maybe it’s like you told me about your search, it’s not about the closure I want because I know I won’t get it. It’s just about getting some kind of closure.”

There was a gentle knock on the door and Finn opened it up and Oak and Artho were standing there.

“Hey, you mind if we come in?” Oak said. 

Izzy waved them on into the room. 

“We’re not interfering or anything are we?” Oak said. 

“No,” Izzy said. “We’re just talking about Emma.” 

“That’s your mother right?” Oak said. 

Izzy’s face went hard as she said, “Technically. Just call her Emma.” 

Oak nodded. Artho chimed in and said, “Listen, the two of us were talking and it’s obvious that we kind of jumped into this whole thing without really understanding what we were getting into. We’re not here to back out but we are here to find out if there’s something we can be doing.”

Finn said, “Like what?” 

“Well, it’s obvious that Izzy is about to have a rough patch and let’s be honest, she’s the brains of this group. She’s kind of keeping the schedule and everything so until she’s ready to go, we figured we’d offer to help again and we remembered something Mom told us. Don’t just offer to do whatever, offer something specific. So is there something we can do, like get Cowrie arranged or go over the plan or run interference with the elders while you get ready for this?” Artho said. 

Izzy said, “You don’t have to do anything for me. Really.”

Artho leaned back against the wall and said, “Izzy, I’m going to be blunt.”

“Are you ever anything else?” Oak said. 

“Yes, sometimes I’m outspoken and occasionally crude but right now I’m going to say, Izzy, I haven’t known you long but I can tell you don’t like being the center of attention. Well, guess what? You are now, at least for us. That’s not a bad thing because at least it’s not Finn this time,” Artho said while Finn gave a mock outraged shout at them. “In other words, you have friends. Lean on us.” 

Izzy sat and stared at the floor as Oak gave Artho a push and said, “Did you break her? You better not have broken her.” 

Finn knelt down in front of Izzy and could see her eyes wide and tears glistening in them. 

“Iz?” Finn said. 

Izzy whispered something that Finn struggled to hear.

“I couldn’t hear you, Iz,” Finn said quietly. “Could you repeat yourself please?”

Izzy spoke again, still in a whisper, and said, “I don’t want this to be a big deal. It’s just me.” 

Finn was about to say that it was a big deal, that it was something important for her, when Artho spoke up and said, “It’s not a big deal.”

Oak and Finn both looked sharply at Artho and she shrugged and said, “What? It’s not. Sure, it’s just you, Izzy, but hey, guess what? That’s what makes it not a big deal to us. Because it’s for you. You know, our friend. And if you haven’t noticed, sitting in an ice castle on a planet spanning quest for Finn, we do things for our friends, no matter how big they might seem to others, as if they were no big deal.” 

Izzy looked up at Artho and said, “You shouldn’t have to though.” 

“I don’t have to do anything,” Artho said. “Again, friends. It’s what we do.” 

Izzy sighed and said, “I don’t need anything.” 

“Well, I don’t believe you but I’ll leave you alone about it. The offer still stands and that’s because we’re friends. That’s us, Izzy. We’re your friends. You better get used to it,” Artho replied. 

“Did you just threaten her with your friendship?” Finn said a bit incredulously. 

“It’s not a threat, it’s a promise,” Artho said. 

Izzy covered her face with both hands and gave another sigh before she looked back at them all and said, “Thank you. I think of you as my friends as well.” 

“The Team!” Oak said with a smile. 

Izzy picked up her book again, feeling a bit calmer, as she said, “Listen, I’m going to go back to reading this. I’d never intended to call Cowrie so one of you can do that. Just let me know how soon she can get up here and I’ll figure out when we need to be there.”

Finn raised their hand and said, “I’m going to volunteer Artho for that one.” 

“Why me?” Artho said.

“You’re the one with the great speech about friends and helping. I just figured you’d want something to do,” Finn said. 

“True, I am a pretty awesome friend,” Artho said. 

“Humble, sweet, gentle? Is there anything she isn’t? I mean except for all of those things of course,” Oak said. 

“Going to smack you is what I am right now,” Artho said as she stood to leave. 

“That’s an action not a thing,” Oak said. 

Artho smacked Oak with her tail and said, “There. I showed you what I am.” 

Finn said, “Alright, out of here. Go wreck your own room if you’re going to fight.” 

Artho backed out of the room batting at the little swats that Oak was aiming at her and said, “Remember, Izzy! Friends!” 

Oak didn’t turn around but said, “At least she didn’t say sister! That’s a huge threat from her!”

Finn shut the door as they heard the two really start smacking at each other. Izzy was back into her book and Finn walked behind her and gave her a kiss on the back of her head that she acknowledged with a little smile as Finn sank back on the bed and pulled out a book of their own. The two read quietly for a while with the occasional thud or argument from the outer room that quieted down. 

A little while later, they heard the two start arguing again and a few more thuds followed by what sounded like the two banging into furniture. Then they heard a tinkling sound like ice and suddenly Oak shouting loud enough to be heard through the door, “Sweet Mara! Watch where you’re slinging that!” 

“I will when you two stop knocking the furniture around!” they both heard Frosta shout. 

Izzy and Finn both looked at each other, got up, and went outside. Artho and Oak sat on either side of a wall of waist high ice and Frosta stood by the front door with her hand outstretched. 

“If you two want to duke it out, do it out in the hallway so everyone can see, the furniture doesn’t get messed up, and we can all enjoy the entertainment,” Frosta said.

She saw Finn and Izzy enter the room. She looked at Izzy and said, “Izzy, are you ready to go see Emma now or do you need to put it off?” 

Izzy got a panicked look on her face. 

“Wait? What? Now? Right now!? ” she managed to stammer out. 

Frosta shook her head as she sat down on the arm of a chair and said, “No, it doesn’t have to be now but I went out after breakfast and talked with her Listener. His name is Beluga. Beluga says that he’s fine with it but he wants to be present for the meeting. The meeting can take place any time you choose or not at all. No one’s told her anything yet and she won’t be told if you decide against the whole thing. Do you need time to decide?”

Chapter Text

Izzy’s hands shook a little as she thought about what Frosta had said. She could go and see Emma right then and there if she wanted. She could face her down but what would she say? Was there a point? 

“Finn?” Izzy said as she looked at them. Finn looked worried as they stepped forward to her. 

“I’m here, Iz,” Finn said as they took her hand.

She squeezed their hand tight and said, “All the way?” 

Finn nodded at her and placed their forehead against hers and said, “All the way.” 

She placed her other hand on the back of Finn’s head and held tight to the fur there for a moment as she took several deep breaths before saying, “Let’s do this now.” 

Finn could hear the quaver in her voice and could see the fear in her eyes but kept quiet. She’d asked to not have her wishes second guessed and they weren’t going to do it now. Artho and Oak stood quietly and shifted from foot to foot as they tried to think of something to say. Frosta got off the arm of the chair she’d settled onto and said, “Ripping the bandage off, I get it. Let me step out and I’ll contact Beluga and be right back.” 

Frosta walked out of the room and the ice wall she’d created between Artho and Oak went away as she did. The two came over to Izzy and Finn as Izzy pulled her head away to look at them. 

“Will… will you all walk with me when I go please?” Izzy said. 

“Without hesitation,” Oak said. “And we’ll all be outside waiting when you come back out, no matter how long it takes.”

Artho just nodded and Izzy took a deep shuddering breath and gave a weak smile.

“That may be only a few minutes depending on how this goes,” Izzy said. 

“Doesn’t matter,” Finn said.

Frosta stuck her head in and said, “Alright, it’s set up. She’s working in a greenhouse this morning. It’ll take place in there. You ready?” 

Izzy looked at Frosta and took a long, deep breath before letting it all out at once and giving a quick nod. They gathered together and went walking through the halls, going lower and lower in the castle until they were walking down a wide well-lit cement hallway with large retractable doors in one wall with numbers painted on them. Beside each door was a regular sized door with the same number painted on it. 

Frosta stopped beside one and in a tone that was all business said, “These are the greenhouses. Here’s what’s to expect. She’s in there with some other workers and Beluga. I’ll go in and let Beluga know we’re here and he’ll let her know what’s going on and clear the other workers out. Now, she has the right to say she doesn’t want to see you. Are you ready for that if she does?” 

Izzy looked a little surprised at that and said, “I hadn’t thought of it.” 

“It’s a possibility. She’s here for help, not retribution. If she decides she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t have to, we won’t make her,” Frosta said. “If she does, Beluga will be there but won’t be saying anything unless asked. You can have as long as you need. Are you ready?” 

Izzy nodded again, feeling tightness in her chest as Finn hugged her around her shoulder. 

“Ok, just a moment then,” Frosta said as she stepped through one of the regular sized doors. 

Izzy stood and stared at the door. She turned to Oak and Artho and said, “Can… can I get a hug from everyone?” 

They stepped in and hugged her close as she closed her eyes and was surrounded by them all. Soon they all heard the door open again and they all looked to see Frosta come out followed by a wall of a man. He was bald with a large purple handlebar mustache, wearing shorts and a t-shirt that showed off the many colorful tattoos on his dark skin. He gave a soft smile to them all and then looked at Izzy and said, “Izzy, I’m Beluga. Emma has said she’ll see you. Frosta has told me that she’s given you details on how this is going to go but do you have any questions?” 

Izzy stood and felt her mind go blank and just shook her head. 

“Alright, I’m going to sit back from you both and let you talk but if either of you needs me you just need to ask,” Beluga said. “Are you ready?” 

Izzy suddenly pulled the three in close to her for a final hug and then let go after giving Finn a quick kiss. 

“I am,” she said, her voice steady. 

She walked across the corridor to stand beside Beluga and Frosta and the closed door. She gave one last look at Finn, Artho, and Oak and they waved at her as Beluga opened the door and Izzy stepped through with him. 

Frosta came to stand beside the three as the door shut. She gave a quick hand gesture and a large chair of ice appeared next to her that she settled down into. 

“You three need chairs?” she said as she leaned back with a sigh. 

“Not if they’re a block of ice,” Artho said with a snort. 

“I can get you some actual chairs, goofball,” Frosta said. 

“Auntie Frosta, you don’t have to stay with us,” Finn said. 

“Really? I don’t? Well then I guess I’ll just run off to right here and stay,” Frosta said. “You think I’m just going to leave you all alone waiting this out?”

“I meant I don’t want to take you away from your duties,” Finn said. 

“You’re not. Shucked ‘em off on Eider for the day. Great thing about getting married as a princess is that your spouses get a title and responsibilities and you can make them do the work too,” Frosta said with a grin. 

Finn gave a thin smile and sat down with their back against the wall. Artho and Oak settled in next to them and Frosta said, “Seriously, I can get chairs.”

“It’s all a part of the adventure, Auntie,” Oak said. 

“Pffft, I can tell you as a seasoned adventurer, you should take your comfort where you can find it,” Frosta said.

“You’re sitting on a block of ice shaped like a chair,” Artho said. 

“And I’m wearing a thick parka and snow pants,” Frosta said. “And I’m the ice princess. It’s my thing.” 

As Finn listened to the three cheerfully argue back and forth, they sat with their head on their knees and stared at the door and wondered how Izzy was doing. 

When she’d walked through the door, Izzy wasn’t expecting to see a room full of gardening tools and bags of additives stacked to the ceiling. No one was in sight and Beluga pointed at a coat rack on the wall. 

“This is just a storage room,” he said, seeing her face. “But it’s incredibly humid and warm inside there, especially when compared to the rest of the castle. I’d hang up your coat at least.”

Izzy hung up her coat and scarf, pausing for a moment with her hand on the scarf as she remembered when Grandma had handed it to her the day after she’d told her about the trip. She turned to Beluga, standing next to a door, and he looked at her and said, “Alright, it’s going to be just a minute longer while people clear out. You doing alright?” 

Izzy stood silently and wavered her hand in the air in front of her. 

“I understand. This kind of thing is never easy but it can sometimes be worthwhile,” Beluga said. 

Izzy looked him in the eye and said, “But not always is what you mean.” 

“That’s exactly what I mean,” Beluga said. “As long as you’re not expecting some magical moment I think you’ll be alright. That’s not the kind of magic we do around here.” 

There was a double knock at the door and Beluga said, “Alright. That’s the last person out. Here we go.” 

Izzy squared up her shoulders and straightened her spine and without realizing it her face became neutral, the same face she had when she was deep into sparring with Catra. Beluga looked at her and opened the door and the two stepped through into the greenhouse. There were racks of plants rising fifteen feet over the floor above a trench full of water that teemed with fish that ran in long rows. The air was hot and humid and full of the smell of growing things and fish, a huge change from the dry cold air she’d gotten used to over the days they’d been in the kingdom. For a moment she forgot why she was there and just looked around in wonder. 

“Aquaculture?” she said as she saw the pipes hauling the water up from the fish tanks below the racks to be deposited at the top of the racks so it could filter back down. 

“Yep. We grow flies in the back to help feed the fish. It’s fairly self-contained,” Beluga said. 

She looked around and then remembered why she was here and her face slipped back into neutral. Beluga saw the shift and said, “Follow me. We’re headed this way.”

They began walking down the aisle and a way down they came upon another aisle crossing that one. Beluga turned the corner and stopped. Izzy came around the corner and saw a small gazebo covered in vines a few rows down. 

Beluga leaned over and in a quiet voice said, “She’s in there. Go ahead. I’ll follow and stop at the last rack.”

Izzy stood rooted to the spot and ran her hand over her buzzed hair, trying to tuck a strand of hair back in a nervous gesture she’d done for years before she’d cut her hair. She could see Emma’s seated outline through the vines and she felt herself starting to shake a little as she walked forward. 

As she walked she remembered Catra telling her, “Half of an encounter is attitude.” 

They’d been standing in the backyard in one of their training sessions and Catra had been lecturing on how to avoid a physical encounter. 

“Stand tall, walk with calm and confidence,” she’d said. “You might not feel it, you might be scared out of your wits, but if you can at least try to project it, you’ll at least be thinking about something that isn’t just how terrified you are and hopefully you’ll project that calm and confidence you’re not feeling enough so that no one will bother you.” 

As Izzy made the last few steps towards the gazebo she tried to follow Catra’s instruction. She took a long deep breath, made her face as still as possible, stood upright, and took a few long strides into the center of the space. She turned to see Emma sitting there looking at her. She held a handkerchief in her lap that had been holding her long orange and yellow hair back while she worked and she wore coveralls tied around her waist with a simple t-shirt. Work gloves sat on the bench beside her. 

Izzy shook her head a little and blinked in confusion. Emma had always dressed in high fashion and had tried to get Izzy to do the same and to see her sitting there dressed so simply was throwing Izzy for a loop. She wondered just what she should say, wondering who should break the silence first, and she was about to walk right back out without saying anything when Emma finally said something. 

“Uh… hello, Nicoleta,” she said as she stood up from the bench.

Izzy’s face went still again except for a glint of anger in her eyes and she said, “You know my name is Izzy. If you’re not going to even respect that, we’re already done.” 

Emma said, “Yes, of course, I apologize. Hello, Izzy.” 

Izzy nodded and said, “Hello, Emma.” 

Emma flinched a little and Izzy waited to see if she’d correct her and ask to be called Mom or Mother but she didn’t and they both stood for a second before Emma said, “It was a bit of a surprise to hear you wanted to see me. Almost as big a surprise as your hair. I’m not sure how I feel about that.” 

She said the last bit with a bit of a smile, trying to make it a joke, just trying to connect in some way. All Izzy heard was the criticism she’d always received from Emma about her looks and snapped back at her, “Really? You’re going to go at my hair? I love my hair. My partner does as well so you can skip the part where you tell me I won’t find someone if I don’t change it.” 

Emma sat back down and said, “I was just trying to… partner?” 

“Well don’t,” Izzy said as she took a step back. “And yes. Partner.” 

Emma nodded and looked down. 

“Would you tell me about them?” Emma said quietly. 

Izzy felt herself tangled up inside and wanted to sit down on the bench beside her and tell her about Finn but the longer she waited the more she found she didn't want to talk about them with her. 

“No,” she said. 

Emma looked up and Izzy felt a moment of regret when she saw the hurt look on her face. 

“Can I at least ask if they’re good to you?” Emma said. 

“They’re wonderful to me,” Izzy said. “Now stop asking about them or I’m walking out.” 

Emma nodded and sighed and said, “You’re mad at me.”

“Oh, you noticed, did you!?” Izzy shouted. 

Emma looked up at her with a bit of an affronted look and said, “Why did you come here if you’re just going to shout at me? I agreed to see you because I thought we would be able to talk. I’d even like to see Grandma when we’re done if she’d come in. If you’re just going to shout, well, I don’t know. I don’t think I want to put up with that.” 

Izzy felt her shoulders stiffen as she said, “Why did I come here!? I’ll tell you why I’m here! I’m not here with Grandma. I didn’t come here to see you. I’m here in the kingdom on other business. I decided on a whim this morning. Asked Frosta, ‘Hey, before I leave, I think I’ll drop in on her.’ You’re just an afterthought.” 

Emma looked at her and Izzy felt a bit of a sick triumph at the hurt she saw in her eyes. 

“What? Hurts to be called an afterthought? Don’t like that? Welcome to how I felt my whole life with you,” Izzy said. 

Emma stood up and said, “You know that was not my intention and I did not raise you to act like this!” 

“It doesn’t matter what your intention was because your actions were sure different then what you’re supposed intentions were,” Izzy said as she felt the anger flowing. “And you didn’t raise me to do anything except shut up and not bother you!” 

“How dare you say that! I tried to get you ready for the world! I tried to get you out of your little obsessions and books so you could handle the real world! I made mistakes but I tried and I’m still trying!” Emma said. 

“Was that why you let me get beat!? Is that why you both did your best to grind me down? To tell me I’d never be anything, do anything, amount to anything!? Telling me what I know happened wasn’t true!? Then you’d tell people I was a liar if I said anything!” Izzy said as she felt memories flying through her head. “And of course, nothing I did was good enough for you! Nothing I was interested in mattered! The few times I’d make a friend you’d disapprove for some reason and I wasn’t allowed to see them again! All you wanted was a prop for your life and when it was finally too hard I went to live with Grandma!” 

“I tried, Nicoleta…,” Emma started to say and when she saw the anger flare hotter on Izzy’s face she quickly said, “I mean Izzy! I tried, I really did! You don’t understand how hard it is to raise a child!” 

Izzy almost spat at her as she pointed and said, “Get over yourself! I know two women with a whole herd of children! I’m friends with two of them and they’re great people. They love their moms and their moms love them and all their other children and they work hard to show them they’re loved. Don’t you dare tell me it was difficult with just one!”

“Don’t you try and judge me and compare me to others! It was hard!” Emma said. 

Izzy thought of the story Finn had told her, of their moms sitting on a doorstep all night as they watched over an alley, desperate to protect a lost child, and she started laughing in derision. 

“Yeah, tell me how hard it’s been! Tell me how rough you had it,” Izzy said. “Oh Mara, no! You missed out on some social event because I needed something! You had to stay home because I was sick and you missed out on some party! You didn’t get to do your every little whim because your daughter needed you! Well now’s your chance! Cry! Cry your eyes out to me of how hard you had it!” 

Emma crossed her arms as her chin quivered and she said, “When did you get to be so cruel?”

Izzy stepped forward and spat out, “I’m not cruel. I’m honest.” 

“You’re just like your father is what you are,” Emma said with a little sound of triumph in her voice. “A bully.” 

Izzy went still as she felt anger flare in her, searing hot, and for a split second all she could see was a strike she’d learned from Catra. She began to shape her hand into the hard edge required, she could see the simple movement to execute the move. Then Izzy thought of what Catra would say if she struck someone just because she was angry at them and felt the anger sizzle away to be replaced with a bone deep tiredness.

“They told me about how he went to a house you’d been at and how he attacked you and you hit him,” Emma said, not seeing the look on Izzy’s face. “Is this what really happened? You goaded him until he lost his temper and you had an excuse to hit him?” 

Izzy turned her back on Emma and took a few steps to the other side of the gazebo and stared at the flowering vines. 

“I’m right aren’t I?” Emma said. 

Izzy almost didn’t answer. She almost walked out without another word. Instead, without turning around, she said with a weary voice, “You’re not. But you never cared what I had to say. Why bother to start now?” 

Izzy stood and waited to hear what she’d say next, not turning around to look at her. The silence stretched out long enough she began to wonder if Emma had quietly left. She turned around and saw Emma was sitting down again and tears were running down her face. Izzy sighed and sat down on the bench across the gazebo from her.  

“You really did just come in here to berate me didn’t you? Do you hate me that much?” Emma said without looking up.

“No, I didn’t come in here to berate you. I really am in the Kingdom of Snows for something else,” Izzy said. “Maybe I should have said what I said differently but I’m not going to apologize for it.” 

“Do you hate me?” Emma said. 

“Yes, I do,” Izzy said. 

Emma looked up in pained surprise. 

“What? You asked,” Izzy said. “What did you expect?”

“Not that,” Emma said as she hung her head again. “I guess I hoped for… well, not that.” 

“You should understand that right now, this is it. This is the last time you’re going to see me as far as I’m concerned. I think I came here to see what there was and I think I’m starting to realize that I don’t have a mother or a father. I just have two people I share some genetics with,” Izzy said as she reached up and touched her horns without thinking about it.

“Beluga told me when we first started the rehabilitation that you might not want to see me again,” Emma said, not meeting Izzy’s eyes. “I said I accepted that but I always thought maybe…” 

“That maybe I’d just forgive years of abuse and neglect because you decided to do some gardening?” Izzy said. 

Emma started to say something and then stopped. Then she said, “I was going to say that’s not fair because that’s not even a small part of the whole program and from where I sit I’m different. You don’t see it though, do you?” 

“No,” Izzy said. 

“What can I do? I want to make this better, I don’t want… I don’t want to let go,” Emma said. 

Izzy almost said she didn’t care but then stopped herself. 

“I’m not sure. Probably nothing because it’s probably too little too late by years,” Izzy said and saw her flinch again. “But if you want to talk to me so much, then tell me about the program.”

“What?” Emma said. 

“I want to hear about the program,” Izzy said. “I’ve been reading a lot on Listener techniques and training so that I can help myself with what you and Bryce did to me. Tell me about what you're doing.” 

“You always were bookish. That’s not a criticism!” Emma said quickly when she saw Izzy’s face harden. “Ok, uh, well, there’s a lot of mediation. I’m keeping a journal of my thoughts and I discuss them with Beluga and try to reflect on them. He tries to get me to see bad patterns and how to break them if we can or at least see them coming. There’s a lot of coping techniques and stuff like that we discuss and try. We’ve been working on reframing lately. The um, gardening as you put it isn’t really much of the therapy. It’s just something to do between sessions.” 

Izzy nodded and said, “The gardening actually is part of it, you just don’t know it.” 

“What?” Emma said.

Izzy debated with herself for a moment but finally said, “It’s not just something to do between sessions. It’s an older technique from when the Listeners first got started. You could do anything between sessions, even just sit in your room, but that doesn’t help. Ideally you want something to get your mind and body focused on something that isn’t the mental work you’ve been doing. Physical labor is useful if the person being treated is capable of doing it. But it should never be just pointless physical labor. It needs to be something that helps people. It makes someone feel useful and a part of something important. If they’re not able to physically do this kind of work, then some other meaningful task should be found that preferably works both body and mind in some way and again, helps someone out.” 

Emma sat back and slowly nodded. 

“That makes sense. Kind of clever,” Emma said. “I do feel like I’m doing something helpful, growing food and all, even if it’s rough on my skin.” 

Izzy shrugged. She’d really just been scratching an itch that she’d wondered about and she felt calmer after the info dump. They both sat in silence again but not one that felt as tense. 

“I divorced Bryce,” Emma said out of nowhere.

Izzy looked at her but didn’t respond. 

“That’s one of the things I meant when I said I felt different. It’s something I’m not sure I could have done before,” Emma said. “Have you seen him?”

“No, and I won’t. He can have my silence for any questions he might have,” Izzy said. 

“Then why me?” Emma asked after a pause. 

Izzy couldn’t give any answer that would make any kind of sense so she just shrugged. 

Emma looked thoughtful and then said, “Would it matter if I said I’m sorry?” 

“Would you even mean it?” Izzy said. “Do you even know what you’re apologizing for or are you just going to say it because you think you should and you hope I’ll hang around if you do?” 

“I would have said yes, that I mean it, earlier but thinking on how we just went at each other and how I acted, maybe I’m not as far along as I thought,” Emma said. “I think I should say it, I know I feel sorry but maybe… maybe that’s not the same. So maybe I don’t know why and I shouldn’t say it just to say it.”

“That’s possibly the first time you’ve ever said something like that to me,” Izzy said as she stood up. “I’m going to leave now.”

Emma jumped to her feet and Izzy held her hand up and said, “Stop. I’m still not sure if this is the last time or not but considering I was firmly on the last time side just a few minutes ago, take my indecision as a good sign for you. If it’s not the last time, then this is how it will be. You will be in my life on my terms, not yours. Do you understand me?” 

Emma had her arms crossed in front of her, hugging herself tight, as she nodded. Izzy stepped to the center of the gazebo and said, “Before I go, is there anything you want to say?”

“I hope I see you again,” Emma said. 

“Maybe,” Izzy said. “If I decide to, you’ll know.”

Izzy walked past Emma without looking at her and stepped out of the gazebo as Beluga stood up from where he’d been sitting. Izzy took a few more steps and then stopped. She turned around and saw Emma watching her. 

“Their name is Finn,” Izzy said.

“Your partner?” Emma said and Izzy nodded at her. “And they do treat you well?” 

Izzy nodded again.

“You deserve it,” Emma said. 

“I know I do,” Izzy said and then turned around again and started walking. 

Chapter Text

Finn sat on the ground and waited. In their head they were blocking out actor’s movements across a stage for a play to keep themself occupied but had to keep starting over as their worry drew them away. Artho and Oak chatted with Frosta but Finn couldn’t bring themself to be seriously involved with the conversation. Their tail kept flicking back and forth and Artho had moved over a bit pretty quickly after Izzy had gone through the door to keep out of the restless tips way. 

“Listen, I’m not saying it’s not an interesting story,” Frosta said. “I’m just saying Reuben is a boring character.” 

“Reuben is the central character!” Oak said. 

Frosta snorted and said, “No, Reuben is the main protagonist. The central character is Sizzlar and I know you’re going to say that he’s the villain but he’s really not. He’s just Reuben’s antagonist. The real villain is…”

“Oh, I swear if you say Tow I’ll scream. I’ll just absolutely scream right here,” Oak said. “Test me.”

Artho said, “She will. I’ve had this conversation with her over and over. She’s not going to listen to reason on this one.”

“Reason! Ha! From someone who says Clod-ia is a sympathetic character, that’s rich!” Oak said. 

Frosta looked at Artho and said, “Wait? Seriously?” 

“She’s misunderstood!” Artho said. “Finn! You agree with me, right?” 

Finn was deep in thought as they couldn’t quite figure out how to make a crossover work the way they wanted. It was for a dramatic speech during the ending sword fight of the play and they had zoned out as they stared at the door as their mind switched between the blocking and wondering how Izzy was doing. 

“Hello? Finn?” Artho said. 

“Huh?” Finn said, looking over at her.

“Didn’t hear me at all did you?” Artho said. 

“No,” Finn said, looking back at the door. “Sorry.” 

“Want me to go and check on her?” Frosta offered. 

Finn sighed and stood up off the floor and stretched.

“Thanks, but no,” Finn said. 

“You’re calmer then she was when you went into that room back in Moraine,” Oak said. 

“Yeah, I thought she was going to burn a hole through the door just by staring,” Artho said. 

“I probably owe her an apology. At least I know this is way more controlled than that was,” Finn said. 

“That wasn’t the brightest move you’ve ever made Finn. It’s right up there with almost blowing up your fire pit,” Frosta said. 

Finn gave a flicker of a smile but went back to staring at the door. Frosta looked at them and waited to see if they’d give any other response but nothing happened. Artho and Oak looked at each other and then Frosta but she just shrugged and they went back to their argument/discussion while each taking a quick look at Finn without trying to be obvious. 

When the door finally opened, Finn was on their feet so fast they almost knocked Artho over. Izzy stepped out, shut the door, and leaned back into it with her eyes closed. She heard Finn coming and held her arms out in front of her as they came in and the two hugged each other tight. 

Izzy felt tears start to run down her face as the facade she’d held tight since she walked away from Emma starting to fall apart. She pulled back a little and hid her face in her hands as she cried. Finn pulled her close as the other three came up behind them. Finn heard the tinkle of ice and looked up briefly to see that Frosta had built an ice wall around them all to give them privacy from anyone who might pass in the corridor. 

The other three came around and put their hands on Izzy’s back and shoulders as she cried. There were no heaving sobs, there were almost no sounds except for the occasional snuffling. Finn rested their forehead on hers and whispered to her, “It’s alright. It’s over.”

Izzy shook her head but said nothing. After a few minutes she pulled her hands away from her face and saw Finn’s eyes, full of concern, staring into hers. 

“What do you need from me?” Finn asked quietly.

That’s when the heavy sobbing came. 

Several hours later, Finn watched as Izzy, wrapped up in her sleeping bag, slept after having cried herself out. She’d managed to get out, “I saw her. It was weird,” before going back to crying as they got her back to the room. 

Finn had stayed beside her in the dim room as she slept, a hand on her shoulder, and Oak had stuck her head in the door and waved to get Finn’s attention. When Finn looked up, Oak gestured at them to come outside. Finn looked down at Izzy for a moment and then pulled up the edge of the sleeping bag a little before carefully standing up and stepping outside the door into the outer room. 

“What’s up?” Finn said quietly. 

Oak pointed at the table where a basket full of fresh vegetables sat with Artho rummaging around in it. 

“That,” Oak said. “Beluga brought it by about fifteen minutes ago, said Emma sent it, and wanted to know how Izzy was doing.” 

Finn felt their fur ruffle a little and said, “What’d you tell him?” 

“Nothing. I don’t know him, I’m sure he’s fine at his job, but she’s one of The Team. We don’t know what happened and I’m not saying a word until she says it’s fine,” Oak said. 

“Why’d you take the basket then?” Finn said.

Artho sat back on the couch as she tossed cherry tomatoes into her mouth and said, “That was me. I’m not turning down good produce. Mom would have my head if I did.” 

“There’s not some note with it is there?” Finn said. 

Artho shook her head and said, “Nope. Went through it all. Nothing.”

Oak rolled her eyes and said, “She went through it all because she was grazing but she’s not wrong.” 

Finn said, “Tuck it in your room and try not to eat the whole dang thing. I’ll ask her if she’s alright with it.” 

Artho nodded and hopped up to take the basket out of the room. Oak said, “Is she alright?” 

“She’s sleeping pretty good,” Finn said, trying not to glance back through the open door behind them. “I guess we’ll know when she gets up.” 

“I can see in your eyes that it’s killing you to not be in there with her. Go on. Artho and I got this. I swear that no one’s getting in to bother her unless we’re dead,” Oak said. 

Finn gave a grin and said, “You don’t have to go that far but thank you.” 

“Hey, too late, oath already sworn,” Oak said, giving Finn a hug. Finn hugged her back and then stepped back into the room where Izzy slumbered on. 

It wasn’t long after that Izzy woke up. She wiped at the dried drool down the side of her face and at the junk in her eyes as she looked around the dim room and saw Finn sitting unmoving in a chair. She jumped for a moment and Finn got a scared look on their face. 

“I didn’t mean to startle you!” Finn said. 

Izzy gave Finn a small smile and said, “It’s alright. You just… you just kind of staring off into space was not what I was expecting.” 

Finn sat down on the edge of the bed beside her and said, “Do you feel better?” 

She nodded and said, “I do. I needed that because that whole thing was just, uh, weird. Uncomfortable. I don’t know how to put it.” 

“You don’t have to right now,” Finn said. “I’m just happy you’re feeling better. Can I ask you something that relates to it?” 

Izzy sat up and leaned against the wall the bed was against. 

“Maybe,” Izzy said. “What’s it about?” 

“Ummm, I don’t know how to say it without just saying it?” Finn said nervously. 

Izzy sighed and said, “Alright, go ahead.”

“Well, Beluga came by asking how you were. Oak gave him nothing but he also brought a basket of veggies,” Finn said. 

Izzy gave Finn a weird look and said, “Well, thanks for asking but why is that a big deal? He’s a Listener. Probably just following through on the whole thing.” 

Finn tried to think of what to say when Izzy figured it out and her face went flat. 

“Wait, you said basket of veggies,” Izzy said. “They’re… they’re from her aren’t they?” 

Finn just nodded and watched Izzy as her face stayed flat and she didn’t even seem to breathe. 

“There’s not a note or anything,” Finn said. “It’s just a basket of veggies.” 

“Finn, it’s never just a basket of veggies with her,” Izzy said. “It’s…”

Then she trailed off. Finn waited to see what she would say when she looked at Finn and said, “You promise there’s no note? You didn’t hide it or anything just to try and spare me?” 

“I haven’t even touched the basket; I’ve been in here almost the whole time. Artho’s the one who accepted it and frankly it was so she could snack on it. She said she’s been through the whole thing and there was no note,” Finn said. 

Izzy let out a breath and said, “I told Emma it was probably the last time I’d ever see her and that I would contact her if I changed my mind. This… this is really driving me towards the forget about her column. Am I overreacting?”

Finn waffled their hand in the air and said, “I wouldn’t say overreacting. I’d say you have legit feelings to be suspicious but it is just a basket of veggies.”

Izzy sat and thought and finally said, “Alright, so Beluga brought it. That means she talked to him about it and he thought it would be alright. Of course, he doesn’t know me but it wasn’t her trying to just come walking in. I don’t want to see it though.” 

Finn nodded and said, “I don’t think Artho is going to mind. She was throwing veggies into her mouth like she’d never ate before. I’m sure she’ll be happy to eat the whole thing without you ever seeing it.” 

Izzy nodded and said, “Do you want to know about what happened?”

Finn said, “Only if you want to tell me.” 

“Alright, get Artho and Oak in here. I don’t want to keep secrets from them,” Izzy said.

Finn hollered for them to come in and Izzy jumped a little at the noise. 

“Sorry, I should have thought…, yeah, I should not…,” Finn said. 

Izzy gave a little smile and said, “It’s alright but yeah, maybe not so much on the loud noises.” 

“Are you sure you want those two in here then?” Finn said as the aforementioned two came through the door and Finn went to sit down next to Izzy. 

“What? What did I miss?” Artho said. 

“Izzy said she wants to cut down on loud noises and I said maybe having you two in here, you in particular, is a bad idea,” Finn said. 

As Artho leaned against a wall she said, “For Izzy, I can be quiet.”

Oak sat down and said, “You couldn’t be quiet even if it meant it would keep Prime himself from coming back.” 

Finn held up their hand and said, “This is what I meant.” 

Izzy gave a small grin and said, “It’s alright. Just no shouting. I’ve had enough of that today. I wanted to tell you all about what happened.”

“You don’t have to,” Oak said. “You can tell us later.” 

Izzy said, “No, you and Artho are my friends too. You deserve to have my trust.” 

Artho nodded and Oak wiped quickly at her eyes as she smiled. Izzy said, “Uh, there’s not a lot I want to say. We didn’t really talk so much as I screamed at her for a little bit and she seemed like the same old person she’s always been except…” 

Izzy sat there, looking at the floor, and made a few noises as she tried to think of what she was trying to articulate. 

“I don’t know. I was all ready to just be done with it and then, well, she said she wanted to say she was sorry. Which, big whoop, she’s said that plenty of times. It just becomes background noise after a while. So I asked her if she even knew what she was saying sorry for.” Izzy frowned as she looked up. “She said she felt sorry but maybe she really didn’t know why and she shouldn’t say it. And she didn’t.” 

She looked over at Finn as they placed a hand on her hand. 

“I’m sorry she didn’t at least apologize to you,” Finn said. 

Izzy shook her head and said, “You’re not getting it. She’s never had a problem apologizing because to her it means nothing. It’s just something she does to get the other person to shut up. The fact she even stopped to think about it is something and that she didn’t say it? I don’t know. I’m wondering if it’s just some new tactic, that’s she’s just got more clever, or if she really is changing.”

Artho said, “What scares you more?” 

Izzy looked at her and said, “What do you mean?” 

“Which idea scares you more? It’s something Mom says to us when we’re trying to decide something,” Artho said. 

Izzy started to say something and then stopped. She shook her head and finally said, “That she’s changing. How screwed up is that?” 

“It isn’t. It’s a change of what you’re used to,” Artho said. “That’s hard to deal with.” 

Finn nodded and said, “Makes sense. That’s a very Aunt Perfuma thing to say. Really get you thinking about something.” 

Oak laughed and said, “Wrong Mom, Finn. Mom says it to us because she said it was what she realized when she left the Horde. She was more scared of staying there, in what was familiar, then she was of switching sides. She turned it into something to help her think about stuff.”

Izzy nodded and said, “If you’re scared, why are you scared. I like it and I think you’re right. If she’s just the same old Emma, I can dismiss her. If she’s not…”

Finn said, “You know you don’t have to ever deal with her. You have no obligation to her, even if she changes.” 

“I know but, um, I kind of want to and I really don’t like that and I don’t know what to do,” Izzy said. 

Artho said, “Then put it off.” 

Oak looked at her with a raised eyebrow and Artho said, “What? I’m serious. That’s a perfectly valid response. Why do you need to make the decision right here and now? You gonna march down there and hash out a relationship?”

Izzy said, “No, probably not.” 

“Then put it off,” Artho said. “Get your rest where you can. Sure, you need to deal with it, but you’ve already spent most of the day dealing with it. Maybe deal with something else for a while.” 

Oak nodded and said, “To grab that as a segue, we talked with Cowrie earlier. She said she’s not too far and is going to start making for the port nearest us. Said she’ll be there in a day, another day to give her crew time for shore leave and to top of stores, and then she’ll be ready to leave the day after.”

Izzy looked towards her satchel and Finn reached over and silently handed it to her. A little smile went across her face as she pulled out her notes and flipped through to the schedule and spent a few minutes writing in details. She looked back up and said, “That will give us enough time to give the skiff a check over. I don’t think we’ve even dented the food we’ve brought along, although we should check to make sure it’s handled the cold, and we should give a quick check over all the other gear we haven’t touched.” 

Artho said with a grin, “You seem to be back to normal.”

Finn gave her a side arm hug as Izzy said, “Not even close but this is nice and grounding for me. Let’s talk about our next move. Do we go straight to Dryl and on to Dava or do we stop by Bright Moon? Or something else?” 

Artho said, “Makes no difference to me.”

Oak said, “I vote Dryl.”

Finn nodded and said, “I’m on the Dryl side as well and that spares me having to listen to Cowrie complain about the harbor at Bright Moon.”

Izzy nodded, glad to have a plan and something to do, and said, “Dryl it is then.” 

Chapter Text

The next few days went by quickly. Finn sent a message out to let everyone know they would be going straight to Dryl and Dava instead of heading back to Bright Moon. Finn waited for some kind of argument but none had come. 

Artho gave a once over of the skiff and everyone checked all the gear but it was something that was just to fill time. Nothing was damaged or out of place and they spent most of the time chatting and relaxing. Finn switched between relaxed and nervous, with no rhyme or reason, as it got closer for them to leave. On the last night, after another session of singing with Eider and Frosta, Finn was already lying down when Izzy came out of the bathroom. 

“You know, we should do that in the theater,” Izzy said as she leaned against the doorframe.

“Do what?” Finn replied.

“Have an open singing night. Just get a lot of people up on stage and play instruments and sing,” Izzy said. 

Finn grinned at her and said, “You know there’s not going to be a lot of backstage stuff for something like that.” 

“That’s alright. Maybe I’ll sing,” Izzy said as she tucked hair that didn’t exist behind her ear.

Finn blinked and said, “I’m sorry? Did I just hear you offer to do something that’s not stagecraft work?”

Izzy gave a small grin and said, “I’ll do it from backstage.”

Finn laughed and said, “Is this the Izzy I know? Did some magic come along and replace her?”

Izzy said, “I’m feeling, I don’t know, hopeful? I may change my mind about the singing but I’ve had fun with it and I think everyone in the group would have fun too.”

Finn smiled and said, “Certainly would be less gripes about who got what parts, although, let’s be honest. We’re theater folk. We can always gripe over who gets to choose the music.” 

“Already thought of that. Everyone puts in a song and we have the audience draw them out of a hat,” Izzy said. 

“Oooo, a bit of improv added in. I like it!” Finn said. 

“Well, I am the brains of the operation as Artho would put it. No reason I can’t apply it to the theater as well,” Izzy said.

Finn grinned and said, “Izzy, you’re the brains there too. You think we could do half the plays we do without you running your crew behind the scenes?” 

“Stop. My crew is more clever than I am. I’m just good at the big picture,” Izzy said.

“Says the woman who’s been offered a commission by the Queen of Bright Moon,” Finn said casually. 

Izzy blushed and said, “Don’t remind me! I still can’t believe she’s even made that offer! And she still hasn’t made it official so maybe she just thinks it’s terrible and she’s trying to let me down easy.” 

“Pfffftttt, you do great work! There’s no way that’s going to happen,” Finn said. 

Izzy shook her head and said, “Well I’m glad one of us is confident about it.” 

Izzy turned the light out and they both settled down to go to sleep. She stared at the ceiling for a few minutes and finally said, “Finn?”

“Huhmmm?” Finn muttered, half-asleep already. 

“I’m, uh, I’m going to keep in contact with Emma,” Izzy said quietly. 

She heard Finn roll over and though she couldn’t see anything, they could and she knew they were looking at her in the dim light from under the door.

“You think it’s a bad idea?” Izzy said. 

“No, I’m just worried about you,” Finn said. 

Izzy said, “I sent Beluga a message this evening. I’m going to talk to him first thing in the morning about it.” 

Finn said, “What are you thinking?” 

“She can write me and we can talk that way. On paper,” Izzy said. “That way I can have, unchanging, what she says. It’ll be easier too. I won’t have to see or hear her.” 

Finn put a hand on her arm and said, “You sure?” 

Izzy shrugged and said, “Not really. Maybe I’m just stupid and I can’t let this go because I’m too messed up to let go like I should.”  

“Don’t call yourself stupid, Iz,” Finn said quietly. “You’re not.”

Izzy sighed and said, “It kind of feels that way.”

“I’m chasing across Etheria looking for people who abandoned me when I was a kid when I have two wonderful moms,” Finn said. “If you’re stupid, I’m even more so.” 

Izzy said, “It’s not the same. You’re chasing answers, not a relationship.” 

Finn gave her arm a squeeze and said, “I think you’re doing the same. The relationship, if it happens, will just be a side bonus.” 

Izzy gave a grunt and said, “More like a side threat from where I stand now.” 

“Well it’s your choice to decide. It’s my job to stand behind you,” Finn said. 

“Just like I stand behind your choices,” Izzy said. “I love you.”

“Love you too,” Finn said as they both settled back down and fell asleep. 

The next morning Finn was up early and was packing up their bag when they saw the small bundle of letters that they’d found waiting for them in the room back in the Bright Moon Archives. Finn pulled them out and ran their thumb over them briefly while sitting in the chair. Izzy gave a little snort and muttered something in her sleep. Finn waited to see if she was going to wake up but she just made a few more muttering noises before falling silent. 

Finn was about to put the bundle back when they stopped themself and pulled out the letter from Frosta. Finn gave a little more thought before finally extending a claw and slitting the envelope open. 

Finn,

Here we are closing out our story on this and here I am writing what I guess is my epilogue to this whole thing. I could tell you stories of chases and escapes, clever heroes and evil villains but it wouldn’t be honest because it hasn’t been that kind of story. Instead it’s been a story of dead ends, frustration, and hopes dashed. Let’s be honest though, I don’t think the hope that we hoped for being dashed is necessarily a bad thing. You’re going to be raised by two people who are going to give you a better story then you would have had with the people we’re looking for. At least that’s what I think. 

Of course, if you’re reading this, then maybe the story isn’t over just yet. There’s just been a pause, a jump in the text, and now new characters are coming out to be seen and make their mark on the story. Hopefully I’m around to see how it comes out. I’ve seen a lot of stories play out in my life so far, played a part in a fair amount of them myself, but I have to say, this story? I’m invested. I’m already scripting out how I want it to end and I’ve got to see if what I come up with is anything like what plays out. Either way, here’s to a great story for you and I hope it brings you the satisfaction of a tale well told. Love you.

Your Auntie,

Frosta

Finn carefully folded the letter back up and packed it away with the rest. 

“Frosta’s letter?” Finn heard Izzy say. 

Finn looked over at her. She was blinking sleepily as she looked at Finn from her pillow.

“Yeah,” Finn said. “Do you want to read it?” 

“Not right now. Just give me a quick sum up,” Izzy said. 

Finn gave a shy smile and said, “Very much Auntie Frosta. She talked about the search in terms of a story and how if I was reading the letter then the story is still ongoing and she hopes she gets to see how it ends.” 

Izzy stretched as she sat up and said, “I like it. A story. Well, we can’t just lay around if we want the story to progress. Let’s get ready to go.”

Finn held up their bag and said, “Already done on my end. Want me to pack up for you while you get ready?” 

Izzy nodded as she got out of bed. After Finn was done, they went out and gave a knock on Artho and Oak’s door. The two assured Finn that they were getting ready by throwing a shoe at the door. Izzy came out and sat down and yawned again. 

“I’m not sure how much I slept last night,” Izzy said. “I kept waking up and then struggling to get back to sleep.” 

“You should have woke me up,” Finn said. 

“Why? No reason we both have to lose sleep,” Izzy said and then jerked her head as there was a polite knock on the main door. Finn started to go to it when Izzy got up and waved them back. She opened the door and Beluga was on the other side. She invited him in and the two sat down next to Finn. 

“Is it alright to speak about all of this?” Beluga said, giving a head nod towards Finn.

“It is,” Izzy said. “No secrets between us. Or the two who are in the other room who might come out while we’re talking.” 

Beluga nodded and said, “Alright. You said you wished to maintain contact with Emma but that you want to place some boundaries first. That’s understandable and good. I’ve let her know and she said she’s willing to abide by your wishes.” 

Izzy said, “Good. They’re simple. If she wants to speak with me, she can do it by physical letter. For now, she can send it to my house. She’s not to try and contact me any other way. First time she does, I’m done. Physical letter, only to me, addressed to my house. It’s that simple.”

Beluga said, “I think that’s fair. Any topic she shouldn’t address?” 

“No, she can write whatever she wants. I don’t promise I’ll respond to any of these but she can say whatever she wants,” Izzy said.

Beluga looked at Izzy for a long drawn out moment before saying, “Do you intend to answer?” 

Izzy looked at him and said, “What do you mean?” 

“Exactly what I asked. If this is some way to get revenge on her, I want to know. You have every right to be angry, I know some of what she’s done after all. If this is just a ploy to get revenge, if you’re trying to get her hopes up just to crush them and you have no intent to at least try, well, I’m going to advise you to not even bother and just let it go. It’s not healthy,” Beluga said. 

Izzy tucked non-existent hair behind her ear as she looked down and said, “I’d thought about that but no, I’m going to try. I’m just saying, she might make me angry right off the bat with whatever she sends.” 

Beluga nodded and said, “Thank you for being honest and that’s understandable. I only ask that you try. I’ll pass on your terms to her. I have no reason to believe she’ll have an issue with them.” 

They chatted for a few more minutes and then Beluga stood to leave. At the door, Izzy said, “One last thing. We’re leaving around midday today… if… if she wants to come see me off that would be alright.”

Beluga looked at her and then shook her hand, “I’ll see if she wants to. We’ll see you there if she does.” 

Izzy nodded and Beluga left. She turned around to Finn’s worried look as Artho and Oak came out of their room. 

“Are you…,” Finn began to say.

Izzy gave them a quick kiss and said, “We’ll see won’t we?” 

The rest of the morning passed easily. Breakfast, time with Frosta and Eider, and finally one last pass through the rooms to make sure they had everything, and then they were walking up through the castle towards the high point where the skiff was waiting. They stood beside it, bundled up again against the cold, goggles on against the bright light gleaming off the ice and snow. 

“Thank you again, Auntie Frosta,” Finn said. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for us.” 

“I’ve hardly done anything,” Frosta said. “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tell me how much you appreciate me though. I like that.” 

Eider chuckled and said, “Now I know why you married two people instead of one.” 

“You knew that when you proposed to us both,” Frosta said with a grin. “Don’t act like you didn’t.” 

“Of course I did,” Eider said. “That doesn’t mean I’m not going to tease you about it, Winters Bane.” 

Frosta bumped her hip against them with a laugh as Artho started up the engines and went over everything one more time. Final hugs were going around when Izzy looked towards the door to the inside and stiffened. Finn turned and saw who they could only assume was Emma standing next to Beluga. Everyone else noticed Finn and Izzy looking and they all turned as well to look. Emma shrank back a little at everyone staring at her and Beluga leaned over to whisper something. 

“You can just wave and leave,” Finn said. “Or just leave.”

Izzy shook her head. 

“Give me a moment, I won’t be long.” 

Izzy pulled up the scarf to cover her mouth and walked across the walkway, taking long strides in her boots, and came to a stop an arm’s length in front of Emma. Izzy looked at her through the tinted lens of her goggles and Emma, looking back, tried to square the image before her with the mental image of Izzy she had as two Emmas looked back in confusion at her from the lens. 

Izzy pulled the scarf down and lifted the goggles with her mouth set in a thin line as she said, “I’m leaving. I assume Beluga has told you what I proposed.” 

Emma nodded and said, “He has. I agree with it.”

“Good, because I won’t put up with any games. I have no reason to,” Izzy said.

Emma nodded and then, after a pause, said, “I’ll be mailing my first letter this morning. Just to let you know so, um, you’re watching for it I guess.” 

Izzy cocked her head sideways as she looked at Emma and said, “You’ve already written something?” 

Emma nodded and said, “I did. It’s not long.” 

Izzy thought for a moment and said, “I’m not going back home when we leave here. If you have it, you can just hand it to me right now.” 

Emma gave a grateful smile and pulled a small envelope out of her coat pocket and held it out. Izzy carefully took it out of her hand and put it in her satchel. They stood in awkward silence for a moment and then Izzy, not really understanding why she did, turned and pointed at Finn and said, “That’s Finn there.”

Finn saw Izzy pointing at them and gave an awkward wave. Emma gave one back and said, “Thank you. I was wondering. They seem nice.” 

“They don’t just seem it. They’re wonderful,” Izzy said. After a moment she shrugged and said, “Alright, I’m leaving now.”

Emma started to hesitantly step forward with her arms coming up for a hug and Izzy stepped back, her face going hard. 

“No!” she said, sharply and then in a slightly more normal voice continued. “Don’t touch me. If we ever get to that point, you’ll know.”

Emma stepped back nodding quickly as she said, “Of course…, I’m sorry…, I should have...” 

Izzy held her hand up to cut her off as she said, “Listen I don’t know why I’m giving you this chance. I shouldn’t but I’m doing it anyway. I’m not out for revenge. I don’t think we’re going to be close buddies either. I guess I don’t know where this goes. We’ll take it slow and see where we end up.” 

Emma nodded but didn’t say anything else. Izzy stood and looked at her for a moment and then dropped the goggles back over her eyes and brought the scarf back to cover her face. She gave a short nod and turned and walked back to the skiff. She gave Finn a quick hug and climbed up onto the skiff. The rest of The Team climbed up onboard and Eider and Frosta stepped back as Artho gave power to the engine and the skiff lifted off into the air. Izzy and Finn took their place at the front of the skiff and Izzy sat back in Finn’s arms, still and silent, as the castle dropped away from them and then was soon behind and disappearing under the horizon. 

Chapter Text

The flight to the port took most of the afternoon and as they approached, Finn looked over the side and quickly pointed out Cowrie’s ship. Artho brought the skiff in for a landing near the dock it was at and they could see Cowrie walking their way. She was wrapped up in waterproof cold weather gear and she rolled from one side to the other as she walked. Her first mate, Slick, walked looming behind her. She was missing toes and fingers and was covered in scars and tattoos and the only concession she’d made to the weather was a heavy knit sweater. Finn waved as they approached.

“Good to see you,” Finn said. “I think the last time I saw you, you were heaving harpoons the length of a bar.” 

Cowrie, who looked more like her mother but had a voice that boomed like her father, laughed and said, “Finn, that wasn’t a bar. It was just a friendly gathering place. I’m glad you’ve decided to include me in this little adventure. How’s it going so far?”

Finn said, “It’s been… interesting. We’ll fill you in on the way down the coast.” 

As they talked and Finn introduced Izzy, Oak and Artho walked over to Slick and bumped elbows with her. 

“Good to see you again,” Oak said with a grin. 

Slick spoke, a deep gravelly voice, and said, “And the same, at least as long as I’m not having to pull you out of the rigging again.” 

Oak laughed and said, “Well, that was just once. I learned my lesson.”

“Which means she’ll find some other way to cause havoc on board,” Artho said. 

Slick shook her head and started looking over the skiff and then turned to Cowrie.

“Captain, it’ll fit just fine ahead of the main mast. We can use the crane at the dock and we’ll just need to be sure and lash it down tight,” Slick said. 

Cowrie held a hand in front of Finn’s face, cutting them off mid-sentence, and said, “Good. Grab some crew and we’ll get it hauled down there and lashed on.”

Turning back to Finn, who had a bemused face at the abruptness, she said, “Any reason we can’t leave as soon as it’s on board?”

Finn turned to Izzy who shook her head and said, “We’re ready to go when you’re ready.”

“Well the crew isn’t real thrilled about being here. We’re more of a warm weather group. We can put you ashore south of Seaworthy and the flight to Dryl shouldn’t be that far from there. Should just be a few days of travel as long as we don’t hit any weather getting out of the Snows,” Cowrie said. 

“Excellent! Lead on then,” Finn said. 

The storm struck them that night. Finn woke when the hammock they were asleep in began pitching back and forth. Izzy was above them and stuck her head over the side of her hammock to see what was going on. Within arm’s reach on the other side of the cabin, Artho sat up as well.

“Alright, it’s not just me,” Izzy said as the ship made another lurch and they could hear the howl of wind picking up. 

Finn noticed that Oak seemed to be asleep.

“How in the world is she still sleeping in this?” Finn remarked. 

“I have no idea. What do we do?” Artho said as the boat gave a groan. 

“Well, as you know, I’m well trained in piloting a ship such as this so I’ll just hop up on deck and lend my expertise,” Finn said. 

“Since when!?” Artho said as the wind noise got louder. 

“Since never! I have no idea what’s going on!” Finn said.

Izzy looking down at Finn, although the height varied a little as the ship heaved up and down, cut in. 

“If there’s something for us to do, I think someone would have already come and got us,” Izzy said. “We’re passengers. Our job is probably just to sit in one place and keep out of their way.” 

“Izzy, I applaud your calmness but have you noticed that the wall could almost double as a floor?” Artho said. 

Izzy looked around and then back at Artho and said, “I have no control over my situation therefore I am choosing to trust in our captain, her crew, and their abilities.”

Finn looked at Izzy and when she looked back Finn realized her normal tan skin was turning a bit paler than usual. 

“Iz?” Finn said. 

She held up a finger as she shook her head and gulped a little. 

“Alright, I’m better now,” she said. 

Artho saw Izzy struggling and suddenly she was struggling as well. 

“I shouldn’t have looked…,” Artho started to say and then suddenly was gulping and shaking her head like she was denying everything she’d ever heard in her life. Finn closed their eyes and tried to not think about it when there was a knock at the door. 

“There is no way I’m going to be able to answer that,” Finn said. 

The voice of Slick came through the door as she said, “Captain says stay in the cabin.” 

“No problem,” the three of them said at once.

“Captain also said you clean up any mess you make,” Slick said through the door. 

“We’ll try not to make any,” Finn said. 

Finn swore they heard Slick give a chuckle as she said, “Best of luck.” 

As the ship pitched about, Finn idly touched the emergency beacon under their shirt. True to their word, they’d never taken it off since they’d left on the trip and now they wondered just what would happen if they had to activate it now. Would Glimmer even be able to make a landing on a surface that wasn’t even in the same space one second to the next? What if the ship fell apart? She’d drop into freezing cold water. Finn let go of the beacon and did their best not to think about such things. This became a lot easier when Oak suddenly woke up, looked at the ceiling, and said, “Well, that explains it.” 

Then she promptly leaned over the side of her hammock and threw up all over the deck. 

Artho and Izzy started shouting and then looking away as Finn clamped their eyes shut and Oak said, “Sorry about that.” 

When Finn peaked out briefly, Oak was passed out asleep again. 

“What!? HOW!?” Finn said. 

“What happened?” Artho said. 

“She fell back asleep!” Finn said. 

“How!?” Izzy shouted, still not looking at anything. 

“I have no clue!” Finn said. “Is it some super secret Aunt Perfuma thing!?” 

“Not that I know and if she taught her this and not me we’re having words!” Artho said and then started screaming as the whole ship suddenly seemed to stand on end. Finn and Izzy slammed back into the wall as they both started yelling as well as Artho and Oak were hanging in the middle of the cabin, Oak sprawled out asleep still. Then the ship leveled out for a brief moment before they were suddenly swinging the other direction with Oak and Artho slamming into the wall and Finn and Izzy hanging out in the middle of the cabin. 

Oak muttered, “Hey, stop messing around, let me sleep,” and then promptly fell back asleep as the hammocks leveled out again. 

“I’m going to kill her if we live through this!” Artho shouted.

Izzy was clinging to the sides of the hammock as the ship gave a slow sideways roll and they heard laughter ring out above them. 

“Was… was that Cowrie?” Izzy said.

“Sure sounded like her,” Finn said. 

“Oh Mara, no!” Artho said.

“What!?” Izzy said. 

“Her dad…,” Artho started to say and was distracted as the boat pitched sharply. 

“She’s not setting the ship on fire,” Finn said. “She loves it too much.” 

“That doesn’t mean she’s not going to push it to its limits!” Artho said. 

Finn started giggling and then laughing and Artho went wide eyed as she said, “Oh great, it’s contagious!” 

“No! I just thought…,” Finn said before laughing harder as the ship pitched and rolled. “Sorry… just, Oak, she’s all about adventure…”

Izzy caught on and started laughing as she finished Finn’s sentence and said, “And she’s sleeping through it!” 

Artho looked at them both and then started snorting and then laughing as they rode on into the storm. 

The next morning found the three leaning against the railing on deck, bleary eyed and exhausted. The storm had blown out shortly before day break and they had stumbled on deck just to get out of a cabin that had become claustrophobic to them during the long night. They’d watched the sky lighten as the new day had begun and the crew cheerfully went about their duties as Cowrie walked up to them. 

“Sleep well?” she said. 

Artho just raised an eyebrow at her and said, “Really?” 

“Well, I should ask if I need to send a mop and bucket to your room but I figured I’d save that for the second thing I ask. So… should I send a mop and bucket to your room?” Cowrie said. 

“Yes, but hand it to Oak. She’s the one who made the mess,” Finn said. 

“There’s no shame in it,” Cowrie said. 

“And that’s why Oak is going to clean up her not shameful mess,” Finn shot back. 

“Where is she anyway?” Cowrie asked. 

Izzy, who was watching the vortices coming off the back of the ship, said, “Still asleep.” 

“Figured you’d let her get her rest after all that?” Cowrie said. 

“No, you don’t understand,” Finn said. “She slept through almost the whole thing. I have no idea how. That was a nightmare but she just snoozed right along.” 

“Nightmare? Naw! That was just the wifey being playful,” Cowrie replied. “I’ve seen much worse storms down around southern Plumeria during the rainy season.” 

“Well could you tell the wife to let me get some sleep? Please?” Artho said. 

“I’ll ask but you know the ocean, she does as she pleases and I respect her decision in that matter,” Cowrie said. 

Oak came walking out on deck about then, stretching and said, “Hey, there you all are. Did you know someone threw up on the floor in our cabin?” 

“I’m going to kill her,” Artho said as her tail jumped up. “I’m going to run out a plank and make her walk down it!” 

“No!” Cowrie said. When everyone looked at her she said, “That’s not how you do it. It’s easier just to toss her over the side then try and rig up some weird plank.” 

“What? Why’s everyone look like you haven’t slept?” Oak said. “Well, except you Cowrie.” 

As Artho started to step forward Finn grabbed her shoulder and said, “No, don’t.”

Izzy snorted and said, “That’s right. Wait until you’re rested. It’ll go better.” 

Artho looked at Izzy and then started laughing. 

“What is going on?” Oak said. 

“You slept through a massive storm last night,” Finn said. 

Cowrie jumped in and said, “It wasn’t that bad.” 

“We’re land folk, Cowrie. It was bad enough. Anyway, you woke up only long enough to throw up on the floor and then went right back to snoozing,” Finn said. 

“Really? Well, I guess it went alright,” Oak said. 

“I guess you’re scrubbing the floors,” Cowrie said. 

“I just can’t believe you slept through it,” Finn said. “We were swaying all over the cabin and slamming into the walls which were level enough to be floors a few times.” 

“That sounds awesome!” Oak said. 

Izzy stuck her hand over her face and Cowrie said, “You know you can shorten up the lines holding the hammocks in place and not sway that much right?” 

“Well I do now, ” Artho said. “And now I’m tempted to toss you over after Oak for not mentioning that earlier.” 

“Careful now, that’s mutinous talk,” Cowrie said with a grin. 

“I remember when you were born, I’ll be mutinous to you if I want to be,” Artho said. 

“You were what? Two?” Cowrie said.

“Hey! It still counts!” Artho said. 

“Artho, before you get us chucked over the side could you be quiet long enough for us to eat something?” Finn said. 

“You have an appetite after last night? I’m impressed,” Cowrie said. 

“It could end up just being an elaborate way to feed the fish, we’ll see,” Finn said. 

Izzy gave Finn a look and just shook her head. 

The rest of the trip was fairly easy. Izzy and Oak hung out with the navigator as Izzy started learning from them both about the job as Finn and Artho both went around the ship, checking out every little nook and cranny and helping out occasionally where they could. There was only one other storm that proved to be milder than the first. 

As it hit before nightfall, Oak was awake as the ship swayed and pitched and was fascinated by the whole process. The other three of The Team just played it off and talked about how much worse the first one had been. They even managed to go to sleep during it and each woke up in the still of the night when the silence of the storm’s absence woke them briefly, like a gentle nudge, and then went back to sleep. 

The next morning, as they were sitting out on deck watching the clouds race by and enjoying the warmer weather they’d sailed into over the trip, a lookout overhead shouted out, “Captain! Incoming!” 

The Team looked up in alarm but Cowrie, standing next to them, just sighed and shook her head. Right after she did, a figure broke the surface of the water propelled on a column of water, did a quick somersault, and landed on the deck next to them. 

“You know, you can just come up alongside and ask for a ladder, Mother,” Cowrie said. “And I told you I’d be by sometime in the next few weeks.” 

“Not everything is about you, Seashell,” Mermista said as she leaned against the railing. “In this case it’s about a certain person who hasn’t contacted their moms in several days and who’s said moms won’t stop bothering me! ” 

Finn looked around at the crew like they were trying to figure out which one she was talking about and they could almost hear her roll her eyes as she said, “Finn, call your moms!” 

Finn turned back to her with a grin and said, “Aunt Mermista, are you sure it’s me?” 

“I will throw you overboard, bring you back, and throw you over again,” Mermista said. “Try me.” 

“You know water doesn’t bother me like it does Mother, right?” Finn said with a laugh. 

“If I get another, ‘Hey, Mista, just calling to say hey, soooooo… haven’t heard from them have you?’ call I’m sure going to test that,” Mermista said. “I tried to get them to call this one but she has a convenient way of ignoring the call.”

“I’ve told you I don’t get good signal on that old data pad of mine. I have to be close to shore,” Cowrie said. 

“Yes, I’m sure that’s true and you don’t just turn it off or screen the calls. Really,” Mermista said, rolling her eyes.

Finn shook their head and said, “I don’t know what they’re freaking out about. I sent them a message right before we left Frosta’s and said we’d be out to sea for a few days and I’d contact them when we got to Dryl.” 

Izzy started rummaging around in her satchel and came out with the data pad and was messing with it when she said, “Uh, Finn?”

Finn turned around and she just held it out. In the unsent message queue, plain as day, was the message Finn thought had been sent that day. Finn’s ears flattened out and their tail curled around one leg. 

“What?” Artho said. “Do we need to hide?” 

“The message didn’t send. It’s been forever since they heard from us,” Finn said.  "How did you know where to come looking for us?” 

“Some whales told me,” Mermista said. 

“That one pod that hangs out over by the Glacial Deep this time of year?” Cowrie said.

“The same. They say hello by the way,” Mermista said. “Their calves are doing well.” 

“I thought I heard them when I was going by. If you see them on your way back, give them my love,” Cowrie said.

“Alright, hey, I’m sure this is great but I gotta go make a call,” Finn said. 

“Oh no, you’re not running off and making that call by yourself,” Mermista said. “You’re making it right here. I gotta see this. I’m not sure if it’s possible to reach through a data pad and drag someone back through it but I’ve got money that one of them will be able to pull it off.” 

Finn flinched as they leaned against a railing and made the call. It was only a few moments before Catra answered. 

“Finn. Good to see you,” Catra said evenly. 

Finn’s ears flattened out even more as they said, “First, I apologize. I sent a message but didn’t think to check to see if it went.” 

Catra nodded and said, “And where’s the rest of your merry crew?” 

Finn turned the pad so she could see everyone. Izzy was next to Finn and just gave a pained smile. Artho and Oak both gave a half-hearted wave. Cowrie had her arm around her mother and gave a little salute as Mermista said, “Yo-ho!” 

“Really, Mother?” Cowrie said with a roll of her eyes as Finn turned the pad back so they could see the screen again.

“How mad are you?” Finn said nervously. 

“Meh, not really at all now,” Catra said. “And it was more nervous and worried than mad. I’m guessing you’re not heading back here?” 

“No, we’re going to make landfall near Dryl and go there before we move on to Dava,” Finn said. “It was made as a group decision.” 

“Ok, that’s fine. I’m going to contact Adora and everyone’s parental figures and let them know I’ve heard from you. You have to promise me that you’ll call everyone tonight though and that you’ll start checking to be sure the messages send,” Catra said. “This is for my sanity because I swear Adora was about to start climbing the walls.”

“I promise,” Finn said with a little smile. “And you can say you were worried too.”

“I already did, kiddo,” Catra said.

“Well it’s good to hear that my elders were concerned. It warms my heart,” Finn said. 

“Did you just call me your elder?” Catra said while Artho gave Finn a thumbs up from behind the camera and Cowrie got a roguish smile on her face. 

“It’s a term of endearment, Mother,” Finn said. 

“Well I’m glad to see that you’re definitely alright. I’ll let you go for now and we’ll chat tonight,” Catra said. 

They agreed on a time and signed off and Mermista gave a little harrumph. 

“Well, that was way less exciting then I’d hoped,” she said. 

“Sorry to disappoint,” Finn said. “We’re pretty boring.” 

“Besides, Mother, it’s not best to get you too excited. What with you being an elder and all,” Cowrie said. 

Mermista slowly turned to her as she raised one eyebrow and said, “Excuse me?” 

“Is your hearing going? I’m not sure I should let you swim home on your own if it is,” Cowrie said. “Should I have Father bring a ship out to get you?”

The two walked around the boat playfully bickering at each other for several more hours while the rest hung out watching. As the hours passed, the coast slowly slid into sight and soon they were running along the coast until mid-afternoon they came upon the port. It consisted of only a few houses in a very blocky style along with the dock. As they came closer, they realized something. 

“Uh, Cowrie,” Finn said as they walked up to her by the wheel. 

“I gave him the hair back in a bag. It’s not my fault that twit couldn’t take a joke,” Cowrie said to Mermista before turning to Finn. “What’s up?” 

“That’s the port if I’m not mistaken?” Finn said, pointing. 

Cowrie nodded and said, “Yep, that’s the one. It’s not real big.” 

“No, it is not. In fact, it looks like a fishing dock,” Finn said. 

“So what’s the problem, Finn? We’re going to be docking soon. If you’re trying to say you want to go somewhere else, I kinda need to know pretty quick,” Cowrie said. 

“Well… how are we going to get the skiff off? We had to use a crane to get it on and I don’t see anything like that here,” Finn said. 

Cowrie looked at the dock and then at the skiff still lashed down on the deck. 

“That is an excellent question,” she responded. “Any chance you can fly it off the deck?” 

Finn shook their head and said, “Artho’s a good pilot but I’m pretty sure she’d take out most of your rigging if she tried.” 

Mermista gave a snorting laugh and said, “I love you dear but this is going to be hilarious to watch.” 

“Skiffs don’t float or I’d ask you to just, you know...,” Finn said as they made wave motions with their hands. 

“Really?” Mermista said. “Is that all I am to you? A convenient wave?” 

“No, you’re the mighty Sea-Ra just as you always told me when I was little. I know you can do wonderful things,” Finn said with a straight face. 

“You’re right I am pretty amazing so I’ll let the teasing slide,” Mermista said.

Cowrie suddenly shouted loud enough to cause Finn to jump.

 “Slick!” 

Slick came up to her and she said, “Alright, Slick. It looks like the dock doesn’t have a crane. We gotta get the skiff off and onto the dock so they can take off. Make it happen would you please?” 

Slick gave a single nod and went off shouting. What followed was several hours of tension mixed with tedium as the crew improvised a ramp. The few people living nearby came out of their homes to watch the operation take place. The Team worked alongside the crew, working with block and tackle to try and carefully ease it off the boat and onto the dock. Izzy found the work not much different than backstage work as she helped out and Oak and Artho helped haul things and handled lines as slowly the skiff made its way across the deck and towards the dock. 

Finn ran around, trying to help where they could, but in the end found themself standing on the railing, watching the skiff slowly go over the railing and down the makeshift ramp. Izzy stood back as well on the other side watching carefully as Oak and Artho joined some of the crew on the lines that were tied around the skiff. Cowrie came up beside Finn, more nervous than Finn had ever seen her. 

“You alright?” Finn said. 

Cowrie, listening intently to every groan of the rigging and her crew, didn’t even respond. She suddenly started to point at a line the same time that Slick started moving. 

“Take up slack on A! Take it up now !” both Slick and Cowrie shouted as one of the lines split with a cracking noise and the skiff suddenly lurched forward. The sudden pressure on the opposite lines jerked several crewmembers off their feet and the skiff leaned to the side over the gap between ship and dock. Finn was right behind Slick grabbing the line along with her from the fallen crewmembers. Finn heard Izzy right behind them as she leaned into the line. Finn could hear Oak shouting something from another one of the lines but couldn’t make out the words as they all leaned in to take the excess strain. Finn felt the rope biting into their palms and heard Izzy whimpering as well. The skiff stopped but it was precariously balanced on the edge of the makeshift ramp. 

Finn couldn’t see what was going on by the broken line but they could hear people over there and hoped they’d get it repaired soon as they could feel the tension singing through the unbalanced lines. They heard quick talk of trying to push the skiff back into place on the ramp somehow but with the weight of the skiff and where it currently rested it started to become more and more clear that letting it go into the water may be the only way to avoid injury to the crew or damage to the ship itself. Finn knew that if it came down to damaging the ship to save the skiff, Cowrie would do it, even though it’d pain her to hurt her ship, because the ship could be fixed. But if it hurt her crew, as it became more obvious it would if things got much more out of hand, she’d cut the lines herself and not apologize one bit and Finn wouldn’t even think to ask her to do so. 

As the thought of how bad it was getting crossed their mind, they saw Cowrie approaching with a boarding axe in each hand and Finn knew that it was almost over. Then they heard a loud splashing and the load suddenly shifted, became easier to bear, and one of the crew was yelling, “Let the lines out! We can get it on the dock! Let the lines out!” 

They did and soon the lines lay slack as a cheer went up from the crew. Finn ran to the railing to see what had happened, along with most of the crew, and saw the skiff safely on the dock with a few of the crew removing the rigging from it. Standing next to it was Mermista who looked up at Finn and gave a grin and shouted, “I told you I’m amazing!” 

“And you were right!” Finn shouted back as Izzy shoved through to their side and let out a whoop.  

They all found out from those who saw it that right when Cowrie was about to cut the lines and let the skiff fall, Mermista, who’d been in the water, had hit the side of the skiff with a jet of water from both sides that’d shoved it back into the center of the ramp and allowed them to put it on the dock with the remaining lines. 

Later, standing on the dock next to the skiff, The Team thanked Mermista, Cowrie, and the whole crew for their help. Artho had already gone over the skiff, fretting over each little thing, and leaned against it now with a sigh of relief and a smile. Oak was going through the crew giving out fist bumps and high-fives while Izzy just sat on the edge of the dock with her feet hanging over the edge and a small smile on her face as Finn stood next to her and spoke with Cowrie and Mermista.

“It’ll be dark soon,” Cowrie asked. “We were going to go with the tide but did you want us to stay so you can use the cabin?” 

Finn shook their head and said, “No. Worse case, I see a nice spot up on shore that we can put up our tent. Honestly, I might do that anyway. It’s so nice out!” 

Mermista gave Finn a look and said, “I can tell you just spent time up in the Snows. It’s cold right now, Finn.” 

“Well it feels good. I’m not bundled four layers deep,” Finn said. “My fur doesn’t feel like it’s never going to fluff out again so I say it’s nice out.” 

“I think this was enough fun for one day,” Mermista said, shaking her head. “I’m headed home before Sea Hawk sets something important on fire.” 

“Give Father my love,” Cowrie said. 

“And I assume you’ll give it yourself as well and that you haven’t conveniently forgotten you’re supposed to be coming back home in a few weeks," Mermista said. 

“No, Mother, I haven’t forgotten. I’ll be there. Well, plus or minus a few days either side,” Cowrie said. 

“I find it interesting that you can make it into a port to almost the minute your schedule requires, through storms, horrible tides, and navigation hazards, but you can’t make a family dinner,” Mermista said. 

“It’s not like you can’t just come out to the ship anytime and visit,” Cowrie said. 

“Visit. Make it happen,” Mermista said, pointing at her. 

The Team finished their farewells there on the dock and soon the ship was underway back out to sea with Mermista following along, leaping in and out of the wake. They all turned and went ashore, Artho insisting on moving the skiff off the dock and landing it on solid ground. They chatted with the locals a little and found out that there wasn’t really anywhere to stay but they were welcome to camp above the high tide line near the dock. They finally hauled the tent out and set it up and set up the camp furniture Adora had insisted they bring along and soon they were sitting under an awning in front of the tent and watching multi-colored phosphorescent waves hit the shore as the stars came out. 

“Alright, we better start calling people or we’re going to be really crowded with everyone that’ll show up,” Finn said with a laugh as they hauled out the data pad.  

Chapter Text

The calls went well. Grandma had come down at Catra’s invitation and they’d all talked. Izzy had briefly described the meeting with Emma and Finn had described the plans they had going forward of going on to Dava by way of the castle at Dryl and then possibly back to Bright Moon for a break. 

Adora’s face got troubled for a moment as she thought about Dryl and said, “If you hear anything when you’re there about Entrapta or Hordak, would you let us know immediately? They’ve been out of contact for a really long time at this point.” 

“Will do, Mom,” Finn said. “I’m sure they just got extra interested in a star that’s a bit different or something. I’m sure it’s nothing.” 

Adora nodded and they talked a bit longer before signing off and calling Perfuma and Scorpia and their family. Scorpia fretted over the line at everyone and Artho and Oak’s siblings shouted in the background wanting to know what kind of adventures they’d had already. 

“Big bees, chases through streets and alleys, tense encounters, adventurous flying, big storms on the high seas, you name it, we’ve done it!” Oak said in excitement. 

Scorpia’s face went a bit pale as she listened to her but didn’t say anything. Perfuma’s smile got a bit tighter but she simply asked that they be sure and be as careful as they could. 

“We are, Mom,” Artho said. “It’s not as wild as she’s making it out to be.” 

“Well I’m glad you said that at least,” Perfuma said as her and Scorpia traded a quick look. 

After they wrapped up the call, Finn set up a small camp stove and cooked up a quick dinner for them by lantern light. Artho cleaned up afterwards and then the four sat back again in gentle silence, watching the phosphorescent waves break on the rocks. Every few minutes, one of them would think about saying something and then give a little contented sigh and let the silence stretch out just a bit more.

In the quiet, Izzy reached into her satchel and found the letter from Emma, still unopened in its envelope. She held it and looked at the neat handwriting of the address on it. Finn saw her looking at it and turned a little in their chair to watch her. Izzy looked up and saw Finn watching her and hung her head for a moment before breaking the silence. 

“I still haven’t been able to read it,” she said quietly. 

“Want me to?” Artho quipped. 

Izzy gave Artho a sharp look and Artho held up her hands and said, “Sorry. Trying to lighten the mood.” 

Izzy frowned a little and said, “Maybe I should let someone else read it. Let me know what’s in it before I commit to it.” 

“Iz, I know Artho was joking but if you want one of us to, we can,” Finn said. 

Izzy flipped the paper back and forth with one hand while she thought and then shook her head. 

“No, no, I should be the one,” she said. 

As everyone gave a little nod, she suddenly tore the end of the envelope off. The other three looked at her as she pulled out the folded letter and looked at it for a moment. 

“Iz… you don’t have to. You know that right?” Finn said. 

She nodded and held the letter and said, “But I can. I think that’s what matters to me. I have the option either way. It’s up to me, not her.” 

She flipped the letter open and began to read. 

Dear Izzy, 

I was really happy to see you the other day even though it was really rocky. You looked really good, that style fits you but I’m not here to talk about that though. I’m here to say that the more I think about it, the more I realized that I really wasn’t a great parent. I always just thought it was normal because every parent I know had regrets and mistakes. After the other day though and what you said, well, I think I screwed up badly. Because those other parents? Their kids aren’t telling them that they never want to see them again or that they hate them just as a matter-of-fact thing. That’s just something I’m hearing from my child. 

I used to tell you all the time to be realistic so I should listen to my own words and do the same myself. I’m kind of realizing what I have made of my life. Beluga says to accept what is so that I can work on making it what it can be. I think that’s going to be a big thing for me to work at, accepting what is. That’s what I hope these letters can do and we will see what our relationship can be. 

I want to ask you questions but I don’t want to upset you so I’ll just talk about what I’m thinking about. I’ll say that I’m hoping to stay here when I’m done with the program and by here, I mean the greenhouse. I like the work, I feel useful. You said that’s kind of the point so I guess it worked. I’m also thinking about what you said about sorry. I think you meant, can I say why I’m sorry or was I just using it to try and deflect the argument (Beluga helped me with that one). In other words, do I really understand what I am apologizing for. So that’s what I’ll close with for now. I’m sorry it’s got to this. I’m sorry that I screwed up so badly in being your parent. I hope I get a chance to do better, be better for you.

Sincerely,

Emma

P.S. Thank you for this chance. 

Izzy crushed the paper in her fist and gritted her teeth as she looked at the ground. The other three looked on quietly as she took a deep breath and slowly straightened out the crumpled paper. She read through it again in silence and then sighed and carefully folded it back up and put it away in her satchel. She stared at the waves for a little bit in quiet and then looked at the others and said, “She said sorry. She actually said it and gave a reason why.” 

Finn placed their hand on her leg and said, “But isn’t that good?” 

Izzy started to say something but then found that she couldn’t. She agreed that it was a good thing but she couldn’t think of why she felt so torn up about the whole thing. 

“You wanted her to say it sooner,” Artho said.

Finn and Izzy looked over to where she was sprawled in a folding chair. Izzy thought and then slowly nodded. 

“I think you’re right,” she said. 

“Well, yeah,” Artho said with a grin before getting a bit more serious. “Really though, I’d say that it’s great she’s saying it, assuming she means it, but you’re angry because you wanted that sooner. It would have been great if she’d have been able to muster that up when it could have made a bigger difference in how you grew up.” 

Izzy nodded again and she could feel the tension leaving as she thought about it. 

“At least she did say it though. Finally. Maybe this wasn’t a waste of time,” Izzy said. 

“Hey, this kind of thing takes time and you got to give it room to grow. You did a good call doing it by letter so you each have time to frame your replies,” Artho said.

Oak was looking at her sister with an odd look and finally said, “You are pretty perceptive about all of this.” 

Artho said, “You forget who our parents are.” 

“No, I’m not likely to forget but seriously, that was really good insight,” Oak said. 

“It was,” Izzy said. “Thank you.” 

Artho shifted a little in her chair, as if she was suddenly uncomfortable and finally said, “It was no big deal. Really.” 

Finn gave a grin and teased Artho a little by saying, “You should become a Listener yourself.” 

Oak laughed a little but Artho got a really serious look. Finn noticed it, as did Izzy, and Finn said, “Artho? What’s wrong?” 

Oak stopped laughing and then looked at her sister and said, “Hey, you alright?” 

Artho nodded, still with the serious look, and said, “I’m fine.” 

Izzy looked at Finn and took their hand and squeezed it. She felt like she’d started something but she wasn’t sure what and she could feel her insides starting to clench up in worry. She tried to think of something to say but froze up as a dozen different situations danced in her head, each more horrible than the last. Finn noticed and stood up to put their arms around her. 

Oak leaned forward in her chair and said, “Liar. I’ve known you for years. What’s going on?” 

Artho sighed and said, “I um… well, I’ve, you know thought about it. Being a Listener.” 

They all sat in silence with Artho looking down, not wanting to meet anyone’s eyes.

“You should,” Oak said sincerely.

Artho looked up at her, looking to see if she was joking, and Oak said, “I’m serious. I know I laughed about it but I’m serious. I’m behind you on this.” 

“What brought this on?” Finn said. 

Artho shrugged and said, “Well, you know, I’ve thought of it before what with Mom being a big part of it but never really was real serious about it. Then the other day, after the whole thing with the night flight, I did a lot of thinking and realized that I didn’t want to just be a loud mouth sarcastic jerk my whole life. I figured I could use it to help people as well.” 

Oak snorted and when Artho looked at her she said, “Sorry. It was just the way you put it but you know what? I think you’ll do well at it.”

Finn nodded and said, “I think you will as well.”

Artho said, “I’m worried about all the reading you have to do though. I see how much Mom does these days and it’s never been my thing.”

“Well, you do it when you’re interested,” Oak said. “I think you’ll be fine.” 

Izzy stood up at that moment and went into the tent and they all turned to look at her as she disappeared behind the flap. 

“Did I say something wrong?” Oak said. 

Finn shrugged and said towards the tent, “Iz? You alright?” 

“Sorry! Yes! Just a moment,” they heard her say. 

She came out a minute later with a thick book in her hand and walked over to Artho. She held it for a moment and then handed it to Artho. She took it from Izzy and looked at it. Introduction to Etherian Thought was printed across the cover with an image of the night sky full of stars and the outline of a person’s head looking up. 

“That’s the intro book that most Listener’s start with,” Izzy said as she stood there. “I’ve been reading it to help myself but I’ve read it multiple times. If you want, you’re welcome to borrow it and read it, see if you’re interested. I’ve got notes in the margins and some highlighting in it but it’s still readable.”

Artho nodded and said, “Thanks, Izzy. I appreciate it.”

Finn looked at Izzy in shock and then said, “Izzy? Are you sure?” 

Artho looked at Finn quizzically as Izzy nodded and Finn turned to Artho and said, “Just in case you don’t understand, Izzy is super attached to her books. I don’t think she’s ever loaned one out that I know of.”

Artho looked back at Izzy as she sat down and Izzy, looking a bit uncomfortable, said, “I don’t loan them out but you’re my friend. I trust you to take care of it.” 

Artho clutched the book a little closer to her and seemed suddenly on the verge of tears as she nodded and said, “I will and as soon as I can I’ll get my own copy and get it back to you.” 

Izzy gave a little smile and said, “Thank you.” 

Oak had a huge grin on her face as she said, “You know what? I love all of you right now more than I can say.”

Izzy looked at her and said, “Me too. The Team.” 

“The Team,” Finn repeated.

Artho gave a smile and said, “Absolutely. The Team.” 

They ended up talking late into the evening by lantern light about their future and what they wanted it to be. Oak wasn’t sure and talked mostly about how she wanted to travel like they were doing and go on adventures. She could see it lay out before her as she said, “Etheria first but then there’s so many other planets to see and people to see I want to range far and wide.” 

Finn talked about how they wanted to continue to do theater. They’d helped found one with a lot of kids, now growing into young adults, when they were younger and it was a thriving thing that was starting to get recognition for the quality and imagination of their work. 

“Izzy’s got a lot of credit on that. She’s a top notch backstage manager,” Finn said. “But I’d love to keep it growing, split off part of it as a kid’s theater for kids to come on board and learn like we did. If they don’t want to be part of an established group, we sure didn’t at the time, we can at least give some guidance if they’ll take it.” 

Izzy blushed at Finn’s complement but didn’t say anything about it. She talked a bit but never commented on her future until Artho finally asked her point blank about it. 

“Izzy, what about you?” Artho said, still holding the book that Izzy had given her close.

“What about me?” she replied.

“Nope, don’t deflect,” Artho said. “What about your plans?” 

Izzy shook her head and said, “I don’t know really.”

Finn was holding her hand and gave it a squeeze as they said, “You haven’t had any thoughts?” 

Izzy fidgeted for a moment and then said, “Well… you know, growing up, I figured Bryce and Emma would pick it for me like they did everything else. I had a few things but…”

She trailed off as she remembered getting yelled out or laughed at when she’d shared those thoughts of what she liked then looked around at everyone sitting under the awning with her and realized they would never mock her for those things.

“I wanted to be a researcher at one point. When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher. I thought about being an artist at one point, that’s what got me into models, but really, I don’t know. It’s only recently I’ve realized that I’ve got any choice in the matter and it’s still new enough, I’m not even sure,” Izzy said. “Right now, I’m just adjusting to my life being my own.” 

Artho grinned and said, “Well, I’d give you advice but I need a few years and then I’ll be happy to be your Listener.” 

Izzy gave a small smile and said, “Thanks for that and you’re right it should be a few years because as of right now I think I know more than you do.”

Artho gave a huge smile and said, “Izzy, every once in a while you let loose with the sass and it is always a thing of beauty.” 

Izzy gave a shy grin and Finn gave a little whoop of laughter at it while Oak shot back a grin herself. Finn leaned out from under the awning and looked at the sky and said, “It’s over halfway through the night. I’m headed to bed. Well, cot, but still I’m getting some sleep. Do we want to leave out in the morning?” 

“Why rush?” Artho said. “Let’s take a day off.”

Oak looked at the small sleeping village up the hill from them and said, “I’m for that. I’d like to poke around a little. Izzy? You’re the schedule keeper. Can we fit it in?” 

Izzy nodded as she stretched and said, “Sure, why not?” 

“Finn, I think we broke her,” Artho said. 

Izzy laughed as she folded up her chair and stowed it in the skiff before going into the tent. 

The next morning found Oak and Izzy up at daybreak and outside on the beach while Finn and Artho mumbled a little before pulling their sleeping bags up over their heads. Oak went traipsing off towards the small village above the dock and Izzy sat down at a folding table and pulled out some paper to begin writing a letter to Emma. She went through several drafts and was getting frustrated as she tried to put into words what she was thinking an hour later when Oak returned with a basket full of fruit and bread. 

“Hey, Izzy! I brought breakfast!” Oak said with a swagger as she sat it on one end of the table. 

Izzy looked up from writing and went to tuck back hair that didn’t exist and snorted in frustration at the gesture. 

“Do you not like fruit? Or bread? I can go and try to find something else,” Oak volunteered. 

“No, it’s not that. I’m just trying to write this letter and it’s not going,” Izzy said. “At all.” 

“Want some help?” Oak said as she started slicing up fruit. 

Izzy thought about it for a moment, stealing a slice of melon as she did, and then said, “Should I start out just brutal, let her have it, or should I try and be civil?” 

Oak shrugged as she tore a piece of bread off and pushed it towards Izzy as she took another slice of melon and said, “Well I was raised to be honest and forthright and not to hide my emotions so I say go with letting her know exactly how you feel.”

Izzy fiddled with the pen for a moment and chewed on the bread before she said, “I kind of want to be civil though. I want to be above petty and not give her the satisfaction of being angry. Of course I also want to just lay into her.” 

Oak popped a few berries into her mouth and thought as she chewed before saying, “Well, try this. Maybe open with what you’ve been up to, you know, just something friendly to establish the opening. Then maybe you can go into the chewing out. Something like, ‘Hello, I’m on an epic adventure with my friends. It’s quite interesting and fun. Anyway, I wanted to say that you did a terrible job as a parent. I’m off for more adventure. Sincerely, Izzy.’ Simple. To the point.” 

Izzy gave a little laugh and said, “Alright, maybe not that exactly but I’ll try it out.” 

Izzy was about to start writing when Oak put a hand forward close to Izzy’s hand and said, “Izzy, I just wanted to say I’m glad you’re my friend.” 

Izzy looked at her in confusion.

“What do you mean?” she said. 

Oak said, “I remember when Artho and I first met you at that party months ago. You were really quiet. It was easy to see that you were freaked out but you tried. I’m glad you did. You’re really great and I’m glad I get to be your friend.”

Izzy was about to take Oak’s hand but stopped at the last minute and instead stood up and stepped forward into a hug. 

“Thank you,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I’m glad you’re all my friends as well.”

Finn stepped out of the tent at that moment and saw them both hugging and gave a smile that turned into a yawn.