Chapter Text
“EVERYONE HURRY UP!! WE’RE GOING TO BE LATE TO THE AIRPORT!! SNOWY IS WAITING FOR US!!!!!”
“HEY! SOME OF US ARE STILL EATING HERE YA KNOW!!”
“EVERYONE, PLEASE CALM DOWN! WE’LL STILL BE ABLE TO GET THERE IN TIME! PLEASE TELL THEM PROFESSOR ANAXA–”
“IT’S ANAXAGORAS FOR FUCK’S SAKE! AND SOMEONE STOLE MY TOAST!!
“AHAHAHA, YOU’RE SO EASY TO ROB EVEN WITH BOTH YOUR EYES, ‘NAXY!!’”
“IT’S ANAXAGORAS YOU LITTLE–”
“CAN WE ALL PLEASE STOP ARGUING!” Aglaea yelled as she ran down the stairs and made her way to the kitchen, putting on her hat and fastening her watch. Tribios was right behind her, skidding to a stop before she sent them both tumbling to the ground. However, she secretly wished her face was currently planted on the floor.
Because the kitchen was, to put it simply, a mess. A complete and utter mess.
If Mydei were here he would've chased everyone out and ban them all from entering for a solid month or two. Maybe even three. Burnt toast laid scattered all over the counter, smoke billowing from the toaster. Pots and pans were littered all over the kitchen island, bits of fruit jam was stuck in every nook and cranny. To summarize, it looked like a hurricane struck the place. And the others looked worse for wear.
Hyacine was standing between Anaxa and Cipher, the professor glaring at her with thinly veiled disgust, while the cop was cackling, ears flicking and tail thrashing, a piece of bread clutched in her hand. Castorice was behind her girlfriend, silently pleading with the girl to cut it out and give the man his food back.
Titans. They were due to leave in a few minutes and they were already on scrubbing duty!
“We leave for 5 minutes, and this is what happens?” Aglaea scolded. She glared at Anaxa, who was grabbing a strawberry pop tart, and pointed an accusatory finger at him. “And you, you’re the mature one here, and yet you act like a 15 year old who was denied candy by their mother.”
The man scoffed, plopping the tarts into the toaster. “I tried to act like the ‘mature adult’ I should be,” he said, air quoting the adult part, “but as you can see, it didn’t work, and this one–”he seethed, pointing at Cipher, “-stole my breakfast.”
“Like I said before, you’re too easy to steal from,” Cipher said, putting her legs on the table and leaning back on the chair. “The fact you still haven't noticed that stuff's missing from your room is hilarious too.”
“So you're the one that stole my Dromas plush and ate the bowl of lasagna I had bought last week?” Anaxa growled, eye narrowed into a slit. “How are you barging into my room without me noticing? Actually, how are you even able to enter my room at all?? Even the windows are locked!”
“As much as I’d loveee to tell you Prof Nax, this little kitty keeps her secrets close to her heart. I think you understand, right Nouspore?”
“As if,” he scowled, grabbing the now toasted tarts and chewing them vigorously. It took all of Aglaea’s willpower not to face palm right then and there. If Cerydra were here, they’d all be eating silently.
Tribios stepped forward, smiling kindly. “Ciphy, Naxy, c’mon! We’re all going to have fun for a week. Let’s not start the day being all grumpy and grouchy. And don’t forget, we have to reach the airport in time. The plane won’t be waiting for us.”
“But isn't Phainon flying your plane, Aglaea?” asked Castorice, head tilted curiously.
She nodded. “While I’ve arranged our transport, airports follow certain rules, and we must follow said rules. Our flight is supposed to depart at a certain time. If we do not get there we’ll have to wait for who knows how long. So I’d suggest you hurry up. Hysilens, Cerydra and Cyrene are almost ready and our taxi will arrive in 5 minutes.”
“More like we’re already ready,” rang out a loud voice, followed by three people shuffling down the stairs. Cerydra flicked her low ponytail, glowering. “I was wondering where all the incessant yelling was coming from. Turns out none of you here can act your age. Except for Hyacine and Castorice.”
Cyrene giggled, a hand placed over her lips. “Don’t be so harsh on them. We all have that inner child within us that bursts when we least expect it.”
“Though now may not be the best time, little pink glofish,” Hysilens muttered, adjusting her gloves. “Aglaea, we better get moving in three minutes. Our taxis are almost here, and Cyrene got a message from blue-gold sunfish that the plane is almost ready for us to board.”
Great. Absolutely splendid. They somehow had to clean the whole place in three minutes, and make sure they didn't make an even bigger mess in the process. Aglaea could feel the onset of a headache approaching.
“Alright,” she said, mentally giving herself a pat on the back for how steady her voice sounded. Aglaea cleared her throat and folded her arms. “Everyone, those who haven’t finished your mini breakfast, pack it up and eat in the car. We aren’t leaving until this kitchen is spotless.”
“And we’ll help out,” said Tribios, giving her a wink. “After all, the more hands we have, the faster we’ll get this done, right?”
Aglaea could only hope they wouldn’t get delayed by this. She didn’t want to keep their taxis waiting.
“We made it!” Tribios exclaimed happily as the taxi came to a halt. The second taxi came screeching right beside theirs. “And to think at first we’d miss our flight.”
“We wouldn’t have, Teacher,” Aglaea sighed, getting out of the car and pulling out their luggage. Castorice and Cipher ran over to grab two baggage carts, while Anaxa and Cerydra went over the list once more, making sure they got everything. Hysilens and Hyacine were snacking on chips and Cyrene was on her phone, texting feverishly. They wouldn’t have missed their flight since the plane belonged to her, and Phainon was their pilot. However, they were on a schedule, and she had every intention to make sure they all stayed on schedule.
She grabbed her suitcases and passed them wordlessly over to Anaxa, and leaned over Cyrene’s shoulder to see who she was talking to, while maintaining a respectable distance. “Who are you messaging, Cyrene dear? Is it Phainon?”
She shook her head. “Nope! March. She, Dan Heng and Caelus are waiting for us at the gate. Miss Himeko and Mr. Yang dropped them off a few moments ago and they’ve checked in.”
“It’s good that they’ve arrived before us,” said Cerydra, folding the list and tucking it in her pocket. “After that whole fiasco we lost precious time. No thanks to you,” she grumbled, pointing an accusatory finger at Cipher, who was sitting on the cart, tail flicking back and forth lazily. “Sometimes I can’t believe you ended up becoming a cop when you cause the most trouble in the house.”
“What can I say?” She shrugged, a smirk tugging at her lips. “This kitty loves to stir up trouble whenever she can. I’m all for upholding the law and all, but c’mon! You need to have fun once in a while. Loosen up, Ms. Astronaut, you only live once.”
“Sometimes I wonder if you were a thief or vigilante in your past life,” Castorice murmured, checking the time on her phone. Hyacine and Hyselins giggled under their breaths at the remark, and Aglaea merely sighed through her nose as she adjusted her hat and grabbed her purse, pulling out a roll of cash and paid for both rides.
Today was going to be a very long day, and it hadn’t even started.
Tribios patted her arm sympathetically. “Aww, it’s ok Agy!” she exclaimed with a bright and cheerful smile. “Once we get inside the airport nothing can go wrong, so don’t despair, ok?”
Aglaea sighed once more, shaking her head. “I can only hope you’re right, Teacher,” she said as the group made their way to the entrance. For the sake of her sanity and her hair she could only pray to Mnestia that no other mishaps occur during their whole trip. Heavens only knew she needed it.
However, she still had faith in her friends. They’ve always managed to overcome the impossible in the past, and they all know the importance of this trip. Aglaea knew with all her heart they wouldn’t try to voluntarily sabotage anything. And together, they would make this vacation a memorable one they would never forget–
“Uhhh guys? I think I left Little Ica at home.”
Or maybe not.
Despite her initial thoughts the group actually did manage to get inside the building without much fanfare, much to Aglaea’s relief. The only stops they had to make was when Cipher and Hyacine went to grab a few donuts and cups of coffee for everyone and when Castorice spotted a small store selling the plushies she’d been wanting for a while.
Going through check-in wasn’t much of a hassle either–well, save for Cipher, who had somehow stashed her passport in her suitcase, which led to 15 minutes of waiting and listening to Cerydras berate the woman as staff rushed to retrieve it before it boarded the plane–and before they all knew it, they arrived at the boarding gate.
“Finally,” Cipher drawled, stretching her limbs. “We made it in time, and I didn’t rob anyone out of boredom either! Seriously Agy, this plane of yours better be comfy, cause I can feel my bones and muscles aching from all the running you made us do.”
“You say it like pickpocketing a poor stranger is a good thing little catfish, considering you’re a cop” Hysilens muttered, sipping on a box of orange juice. She rolled her eyes, not dignifying that with a response.
Cyrene meanwhile was talking to March on her phone, telling her that they've reached the (“They’ve went to grab croissants for Caelus–apparently he got hungry and whined for five minutes that he needed something to eat lest leg muscles become mush) and Cerydra was going through her list once again, making sure they hadn't left anything behind yet again.
Aglaea sat down, grabbing the granola bar she bought earlier and began to chew. Though they had just eaten a light breakfast she asked her staff to stack up on boxed meals to last for two whole trips based on everyone's personal tastes, including now. Castrum Kremnos was quite far from Okhema–around 6 hours, and with the time crunch they were on, and considering the city was situated far from the other city states, preparation for the worst case scenario–being they'd be in the plane for almost half of the whole trip. Such was the life of travel.
Her phone blinked, displaying a message from Garmentmaker saying everything she had requested for was all stashed in the plane, and that they could board at any time. Reliable as always, and Aglaea swiftly texted them her thanks.
“You look happy Agy,” came a sweet voice, and Tribios sat next to her, indigo eyes shining with mirth. In her hand was a leather bound book and a quill. Oh, and before I forget, Reney told us Sevy, Dannie and little Grayie are on their way here. Once they arrive we can board the plane and meet Snowy! It’s been so long since we last saw him. I hope he’s doing alright and taking care of himself. Oh, and he better have been taking his medicine, otherwise I’ll have to shove it down his mouth myself!”
Aglaea chuckled, taking another bite of her bar and pressing her fingers against her mouth. “Teacher, please don’t try and do that. Phainon is well aware of his medical condition and the severity of it. Have some faith in him.”
“I know. You think he is alright? After…that? I know he’s still flying and smiling as always, but I’m a bit worried about him. Maybe he should’ve taken a longer break?”
Probably, but knowing that man he wouldn’t have accepted, saying that the sky was where he truly belonged and if he stayed down here the nightmares would start to haunt him. Aglaea couldn’t blame him, though she wished he processed his grief a bit longer. She did her best to raise him after he arrived on her footsteps all those years ago, but when it came to teaching him about emotion…
She did her best. But her best, admittedly, hadn't been enough.
But that was something she could ponder over another day, after their trip.
“I understand where you’re coming from, Teacher, but Phainon has always prioritized his health above all else. I trust that he’s fine and will be fine.”
“That’s one thing you can trust that moron for,” a gruff voice muttered. Anaxa was standing in front of them, a duffel bag slung over his shoulders. His arms were crossed, lone eye narrowed and lips pursed.
Aglaea huffed through her nose, crushing the wrapper under her fingers. “Well, he was your student. That’s one of the reasons why I trust him.”
He smirked. “Why? Cause we’re both missing a piece of ourselves?”
“Anaxagoras–!”
“Relax. I don’t mean that in a bad way, and you should know that Gold Weaver.”
“Agy, Naxy,” Tribios’ eyes were darting between them, trying to diffuse the sudden tension, but Aglaea let her shoulders sag as she exhaled sharply. From the corner of her eye, she could see Hysilens staring at them, glaring at the back of Anaxa’s head. She knew that, for he also helped in raising the boy.
She sighed again, getting a grip on her emotions. “I know,” she whispered, shuffling her feet. “I’m sorry.”
Anaxa’s gaze softened and sat down next to her. “Maybe it’s a good thing we’re all on this vacation. For starters you’re finally seeing the sunlight after being locked in your studio 24/7 working on those overly frilly dresses, and I’m not at my office pouring over old texts and mixing random chemicals.”
That shouldn’t have made Aglaea laugh. She knew Anaxa wasn’t trying to make a joke, yet an undignified snort escaped her lips anyway. She coughed into her fist when she heard him fall silent, smoothening her dress and putting on a polite smile. “That was why I arranged for this in the first place. We could all use this opportunity to unwind before worklife grasps us with its ugly hands.”
Anaxa barked a laugh. “Some of us actually like to work, lady….but if I made that argument right now it would be hypocritical of me now, wouldn't it?”
She nodded sagely. “It would.”
Just then, three loud squeals rang out, followed by them screaming Sevy, Dannie and Cae! respectively. All three grownups glanced towards their direction and saw their friends greeting the newcomers, with Hyacine hugging Dan Heng as the latter patted her head, Cyrene and March already taking selfies and Caelus showing something to Castorice, Hysilens and Cerydra on his phone.
Tribios clapped her hands together. “Ah! They’ve made it! Now we can board the plane. Let's go say hi to them Agy! Naxy!”
She got up and jogged to the newly arrived trio, and Aglaea couldn’t help but roll her eyes in fondness. Her teacher really was a kid at heart.
“Well then, shall we?” asked Anaxa, grabbing the bag and standing up. “We better not keep my student and your adopted son waiting. I’m pretty sure the doofus is bouncing anxiously in his seat wondering what’s taking us so long.”
“That sounds just like something he’d do,” Aglaea muttered, taking his hand. Maybe she should have called him to let him know they had been delayed, or at least should have asked Cyrene to pass on a message to her brother. Oh well, it was too late for that now.
And with this, their trip had officially started. Surely after this nothing could go wrong…
Right?