Chapter Text
THE FORGER HOUSEHOLD: TUESDAY
"It's over for you Bondman!" The villain on screen laughs as he twirls his moustache. Bondman struggles against the ropes binding him as the platform lowers into a pit of alligators.
Anya stares intently at the screen, pumping her fists in excitement as Bond relaxes behind her. Meanwhile her mother, Yor Forger, moves about the kitchen.
Anya watches as Bondman manages to escape the death trap, cheering happily as the hero confronts the bad guy. Bondman sabotages a computer console, destroying it and preventing the villain's super weapon from firing. The explosion from the consoles destruction causes the bad guy to get blasted off the edge, falling into the pit below. The villain's surprisingly dark fate of being consumed by alligators is quickly cut away from, showing Bondman awarded with a medal before the cartoon fades to black.
"Anya." Yor calls as she walks over holding a tray. Anya and Bond turn to watch as she places the tray down on the small table and looks at them with a smile.
"I've got some tea and treats for you." Yor announces happily. "I got them at the store the other day so I hope you like them."
"Thanks Mama!" Anya cheers as she runs to the table, giving Yor's leg a hug before sitting down and shoveling several treats into her mouth at once.
"Anya, you shouldn't eat so fast." Yor chastises, gently grasping Anya's hands to make sure she finishes chewing what she has before eating more. Turning her head she spots Bond sniffing at the treats, causing her to shake her head with a small chuckle. "No Bond, these treats aren't good for dogs. But don't worry, I've made you some treats myself."
"Borf!" Bond cries, slumping onto the floor in resignation as Yor pats Anya's head before heading off back to the kitchen.
Mercifully, Yor is distracted from her objective when the front door opens and Loid Forger walks inside, a newspaper tucked under his arm.
"Oh! Welcome home Loid."
"Hi Papa!"
"Hey there." Loid greets as he removes his hat and his coat, depositing both nearby. "I hope you've both been well today."
"Oh yes, it's been a very peaceful day." Yor gives Loid a big smile, gesturing towards the couch. "Why don't you sit down and relax? I'll get you a drink."
"Thank you Yor. But make sure you grab something for yourself too."
Loid takes a seat on the couch and watches Anya drink her tea, he gives her a cautionary look as she grabs a handful treats, causing her to give him a big smile as she puts all but one back on the tray.
"Here you go Loid." Yor says as she hands Loid a cup of coffee. She holds her own cup carefully in her hands as she takes a seat next to him on the couch. "I hope everything went well today."
"It was mostly paperwork for various patients, so nothing exciting really." Loid takes a drink before perking up, as if something just occurred to him. "Oh, but there is something I'd like to discuss with you."
Yor's hand pauses before her cup reaches her lips, lowering it slightly she tilts her head curiously. "Is everything ok?"
"Sorry, the way I phrased that was worrying wasn't it? I assure you, it's nothing bad." Loid offers Yor a reassuring smile as he places his cup on the table. Clearing his throat a little before continuing.
"You see, one of my colleagues was planning on taking a trip with his wife to a resort hotel. Unfortunately a family emergency has interrupted their plans and they won't be able to make it. The thing is, he got the trip from a sweepstakes he entered and the dates can't be rescheduled. So since he doesn't want the trip to go to waste he was wondering if we'd be willing to go instead." Loid maintains a fairly chipper attitude during his explanation.
"Well, that's the official story anyway." Loid thinks to himself, catching Anya's attention. "In reality, this is a mission from WISE."
"We've been tracking suspicious movements of various groups and now we've caught wind of serveral high ranking members of these groups all converging on this resort. We can't be certain why they are gathering. But it's imperative we uncover what their up too. And put a stop it it if necessary. "
"Oh my." Yor mumbles slowly. "That does sound exciting. Are you sure we would be able to go? What about our jobs?"
"The trip only lasts a few days. I'm positive I can get some time off at the hospital. And I know you never ask for days off, so I'm sure they won't mind giving you some this time." Loid nods confidently.
"An ooting!?" Anya shouts as she stands up. Stars light up her eyes at the possibilities. "A family ooting!?"
"Well not quite." Loid let's out a sigh as he turns toward Anya. "I'm afraid you can't come."
"Huh?" Anya's voice is small, little tears forming at the edges of her eyes.
"But, Eden is on break right now isn't it?" Yor reasons. "So, Anya won't miss out on any classes by coming right?"
"You're correct, but that isn't the issue." Loid let's out another small sigh. "The resort is very particular, it's a famous honeymoon spot, it only services couples. No kids allowed."
"So, Anya would have to stay behind?" Yor frowns, her face hesitant.
"Unfortunatly." Loud nods. "But, I thought it'd be a good opportunity for us Yor. Since we never actually went on a Honeymoon."
"I would prefer not to get either of them involved, but since this operation will take multiple days, this will make things easier than having to fabricate a new identity just for the trip.
"I suppose it could be fun..." Yor says slowly. Her voice unsure.
"NO!" Anya shouts suddenly, her voice nearly breaking. "Anya wants to come! Anya doesn't want to be alone!"
The two parents look to her with shock and worry. Yor immediately rounds the little table and drops to her knees, embracing her daughter gently.
"Don't worry Anya. It's ok." Yor coos softly, she slowly pets the top of Anya's head as she turns to Loid with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry Loid, but maybe we can find someone else to give the trip too."
"Oh no." Loid tenses. "If Loid Forger can't go on this trip, I'll need to create a new identity, as well as a spouse while also creating a plausible explanation as to where Loid has gone during the length of the trip. That invites far too many uncontrollable variables. I need Yor to come on the trip, but that won't happen unless I can convince Anya."
Loid walks around the table, ending up on the opposite side of Anya from Yor as he kneels down to his daughter's level.
"Anya, look at me please." Loid speaks softly. He waits a moment for Anya turn around. Yor still holds the young girl close to herself as Anya let's out little sniffles. Anya's shimmering green eyes meet Loid's gaze.
An uncomfortable feeling settles in Loid's stomach as he speaks carefully. "Can you tell me what's bothering you?"
"Anya doesn't want to be alone." She slowly repeats her previous statement. "Anya wants to go on this ooting. She... she doesn't want Papa and Mama to leave her."
Yor's arms lower down to wrap around Anya's stomach tightening their grip on her daughter, as if she could disappear if they let go. Loid looks surprised for a moment before his expression softens.
"I understand. But I promise you, if we go on this trip, we will come back to you. We'll only be gone for a few days, five at the most if traffic is bad." Loid reaches out and places his hand on Anya's head. "You're not alone Anya. We will always come back too you."
Tears spill out of Anya's eyes, but she offers her Papa a small smile as they do. "Papa's mission is super important. I gotta be brave like him."
"You... Promise you'll come back?" Anya asks hesitantly.
"I promise." Both parents say at once.
"Will you... get Anya a present?"
Loid let's out a tiny chuckle. "I'm sure I can find a souvenir you'll enjoy."
Anya is quiet for a moment, the only sound being the occasional sniffle. Eventually she lowers her gaze to the floor.
"...Okay."
"Okay?" Loid repeats carefully.
"Yeah." Anya raises her eyes back up to meet Loid's. "Anya will be okay."
"Are you sure?" Yor asks quietly. "If you don't want us to go. We won't."
"It's okay." Anya puts her hands on top if her mother's while closing her eyes. "You can tell Anya all about the ooting when you come home."
Yor let's out a little sniffle of her own. "Deal."
The family is quiet for a few more moments before Yor looks at Loid. "I suppose that means we should call Franky."
Loid stands up and rubs the back of his neck. "Actually, we can't. Franky is also going to be out of town until next week. So I was hoping we could ask Yuri to watch her."
"Unkie is coming!?" Anya cheers happily, only to yelp in surprise when Yor stands up suddenly, lifting her into the air.
"Oh but... Yuri left for a business trip yesterday. He's not coming back until Friday." Yor speaks quickly, with wide eyes.
"How did I over look that?" Loid scolds himself. Bringing a hand to cover his mouth he thinks for a moment before the surprise fades from his face. "That's ok. We still have another option."
"Oh? Who?"
"My coworker, Fiona Frost." Loid explains. "She... isn't the best with kids. But she is very responsible. We can trust her to keep Anya safe while we're gone. And she won't mind doing me a favor."
"That sounds great. Fiona is a wonderful woman." Yor exclaims, looking down at her daughter wrapped in her arms. "Doesn't that sound fun Anya? You two haven't had many chances to get to know each other right?"
As her parents continue discussing logistics and beginning to plan the trip and what they'll need, Anya sits slumped in her mother's arms, staring off into blank space with a feeling of impending doom over her head.