<02/13/1972 – 01:01 | Lennith City, Junon Region, Sprawn Valley>

  Laura Feer: mother of Taylor Feer and resident of Slatetown in Kalamo. Lonagan Feer: father of Taylor and married to Laura who has much of the same in common with each other. Both of them were standing before their daughter right now in the darkness of the northern gate. The General Army having nothing to do with the entire commotion focused only on arresting Brightworth, making it impossible to tell that Taylor had anything to do with this, but both of her parents were here in physical form, the one thing she had long tried to avoid ever since her arrival in this country. With much expected reaction after finding her in the flesh, both of them gave concerning expressions of fear and anger.

  Montemeitrev Nyar. His father emigrated from Russia after the cold war and settled down with a polish immigrant in New York, who died shortly after giving birth to Nyar. Nobody ever called him by his difficult first name. It was always Mr. Nyar for everybody, and Uncle Nyar to Danny since he is his uncle after all. Other than the appearance of these three people, it seemed that Danny's actual parents failed to show up in person. That however could have much to do with Jenson's condition. Danny's mother has stage two cancer and is comfortably resting at home with the care of Jenson's husband, Arias. So it made since that Nyar would have to come on their behalf. But dragging Taylor's parents into this didn't seem like Nyar's style.

  Danny immediately felt a wave of guilt rush over him. He failed to contact Nyar ever since he left Fronas town on his journey with Taylor and Jane. The time limit to reach the airport in Junon was estimated to be about two weeks, three with delays. However, more than an entire month had passed. Nyar must have realized something was up when they failed to show up at the airport in time. It still didn't explain what Taylor's parents were doing here with him, but Nyar currently seemed entirely focused on Danny more than Taylor.

  "I knew you couldn't have been too far away. We can talk about what happened later Danny. But for now, it's best that we take you home now."

  "Hold on!" Danny protested. This can't be happening! This can't be happening! This is happening! Uncertain of how to string together a chain of thoughts, Danny's questions came spilling out of him rapid fire. "This is too sudden. How did you get the money to make it here? Do we even have a way back home?"

  "Not exactly in the way you would think," Nyar replied. "It's both cheaper and faster that we fly back to New York, and then from there use another ferry to get you back to Kalamo. But both of your parents have been worried sick since I've informed them of the situation. I couldn't stall that conversation forever you know. I'm just glad I found you before anything bad happened. I feared the worse for days."

  Danny could tell that Uncle Nyar did sound genuinely concerned about his wellbeing, reminding him how afraid of Leray magic outsiders were, that is those who knew about it in secret. But even if Nyar was just about ready to leave, Danny couldn't ignore the situation next to him.

  Nyar at first failed to understand Danny's hesitation to get going, but followed his eyes trailing over toward the commotion Taylor got herself into.

  Chapter Theme Shift:

  "I'm not going back to Kalamo with either of you. I refuse to be a Banshee slave!" Taylor's voice was close to breaking up, as she couldn't deal with the stress of this right now.

  Jane stepped aside from the soldier units to figure out what was happening. The way she was ignoring Alyssa and Claudia had the both of them watching this train wreck happen with her. Jane was totally confused though. She thought that Taylor would have at least been satisfied with seeing her parents, but her reaction was the opposite. All of this talk about being a Banshee slave was news to her ears, and Jane didn't interrupt, having no way to provide any details for herself or the others.

  "This is nonsense young woman!" Laura yelled to project her firm tone. "I won't hear this talk about slavery anymore. It is both an honor and a high-level position to serve in the Banshee Empire. People will do as you say under your branch, and this provides this entire family with incredible funding and opportunities we can use to move to a better country."

  Are they seriously this stupid? Taylor knew they weren't the brightest pair in the sea, but Laura and Lonagan have been totally brainwashed by the propaganda spread in the nation. Kalamo is supposed to be a parliamentary nation, but a group of crusaders came there to stage a successful coup d'état. After doing so, they established an autocratic kingdom ruling illegally with an iron fist. Kalamo citizens are not allowed to leave the nation to move elsewhere, nor can they renounce their citizenship; even bribed favors are shot away. On top of that, those drafted into the Banshee workforce have no say in joining or opting out. Parental refusal is but a delay. Taylor used to have a few young friends lost to memory, people who she knew were sent to the Banshee castle, only to never be seen or heard of again. Rumors spread about the female arrivals showing up made to work as physical slaves and personal servants, the men in the higher ups doing whatever they want to, violating young women. But such rumors were made public since two years ago, naturally debunked by the propaganda movement from the government to silence such outspoken individuals, supposedly silencing them with bullets. Her own family didn't seem to care about that fact. Rather they trust in the wrong people. This was the total destruction of her entire future, supported by these clowns!

  "This is my choice!" Taylor argued. "I get to decide how I want to live my life!" With tears flowing from her eyes, she still defended her rights, caring not about how old she was or who these people were to her. After everything that happened, after all she has done to get away from it all, the emissaries of her worst enemy were standing before her. "I'm not joining the Banshee Empire and that's final!"

  "You don't get to make that choice! The king of Kalamo does."

  "You horrible monsters! All you see in me is a bag of money!" As Taylor lashed out at them, the situation escalated quickly, as Lonagan and Laura both rushed forward on their feet after their wince of surprise.

  "This isn't up for discussion. You're coming with us weather you like it or not." Just as Lonagan got close enough to Taylor to grab her arm and forcefully drag her to the airport, a sudden invisible force of wind blew back in front of Lonagan, knocking him off balance on his back as the invisible Push Wave failed to affect Taylor in the same way.

  Confused by what just happened, Danny made himself more aware to everyone with his right hand aimed between Taylor and her parents, his limb glowing with a dark blue aura as indication of Leray magical power. He approached Taylor to place himself in between her and the people trying to kidnap her, shocking all three of them. "Your dream of sucking up to those criminals is over," he threatened. Danny held his hand out like before, defending Taylor by standing right in front of her, threatening them with magic with a rotating glyphring building. "She's your own daughter for crying out loud, and you want to erase everything she is to help yourselves to useless currency. I won't let you do that!"

  "Agh!" Laura yelped. "That was magic!"

  Lonagan argued while getting back up on his feet. "What do you think you're doing?! Who the hell are you to stand in the way of a personal family matter?" Lonagan has heard of Danny Mason before from Taylor's testimonials, but this must be the heathen's true nature.

  Danny defended his right to help Taylor, reminding himself about all of the experiences he had to endure here. "I'm the one who's protected Taylor from the dangers here. And now I'm helping her live the rest of her life the way she wants to. I won't just let you come and take her away from that."

  After moments of Nyar becoming as speechless as he was, he knew this wasn't right. When did Danny learn to use Leray magic for himself? Has he really been inside of Sprawn Valley long enough to master magical spells and even conduct Leray battles? Why didn't he heed the warning to stay away from that stuff? Danny, what the hell have you done?! "This isn't right Danny! It's between them and her. Stay out of this!"

  Taylor felt totally moved by the way Danny was standing in front of her, protecting her from the one thing she feared the most. Taylor also remembered from a short conversation a while back while still in Fronas town. After she first let Danny know about all of this, he actually swore to figure something out to make sure she never ends up a Banshee slave. Was this what he meant? To just wait for the right moment and wing it? Danny; he really cares about me this much!

  Lonagan's smirk of victory returned again, which for his age and face made him look like a creep. "He's right you know. I don't care if you've learned magic or not. You have no legal right to stop us. You're not her guardian or her family. Now step aside!"

  Without much of a warning, a bright blue bolt of ice elemental magic simulating an Ice bolt attack flew, brushing right past Danny's face from behind and slamming into Lonagan's chest. The pain level was intense since Lonagan was never actually hit by any magical attack before, and it was enough to send him to the ground on his knees in a slight cringe of panic. Danny and Nyar were surprised to see after turning towards the source location - to find that Taylor had activated an ice elemental glyphring around her wrist. She was the one who just attacked her own father, and stepped in front of Danny to continue her confrontation.

  Still with tears in her eyes, she was now as sure as she could ever be about what to do with this situation. "If you won't let him interfere, then I will." Ignoring the shock to her parents that she too learned Leray magic, Taylor set her foot down, physically and figuratively. "If you try to force me to go back home again, I'll use magic and destroy you both myself!"

  "Taylor." A soft defeated exhale escaped from Laura's mouth. It was impossible for her to imagine. Not only was Taylor using magic, but she was threatening her own family with it too. "You use such an evil art of magic, all just to defy us?"

  "Evil?" Taylor repeated in denial. "You two need to look in a mirror to know what evil really is. Leray magic is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me in my whole life, and the both of you kept its secrets from me. Nyar and Danny's parents kept it from him as well, but now I'll use all the magic I can to make sure none of you can lay a hand on me."

  Lonagan got back up from the Ice Bolt hit he took; obviously proving he had some level of endurance. "You bitch! Do you realize that this could cause the Banshee to invade these lands and cause an international war?"

  "I don't think that will be happening." Danny sounded so smug suddenly, elaborating as to why. It's so simple, he wanted to bash his own head in for not considering it before. "You see, it may be true that citizens of Kalamo have no say in their choice when joining the Banshee Empire if selected. But their royal articles under amendment seven section five indicates that - should any citizen of Kalamo move outside of the nation prior to officially becoming a Banshee member, and then obtain citizenship status somewhere other than Kalamo, they will revoke their attempts on that entire family's selection. The king has no interest in starting a war they can't win. And as far as I can see it, Taylor is a citizen of Sprawn Valley."

  No she's not! Jane knew that Danny was bluffing just now. It was the only thing she could be certain of so far. But if it were to be true, if Taylor were to register as an official citizen of Sprawn Valley, then his words and explanations mean that Taylor's ability to join the Banshee Empire would suddenly be null and void.

  Even Taylor was surprised. When did Danny have the time to research all of that? Did he plan to say all of this stuff as a backup plan in case this ever happened? And if he didn't, when did he learn to lie so effectively?

  Danny knew it was no lie. All though Taylor wasn't really a resident here yet, it turns out she could be tomorrow. Sprawn Valley has a few loose rules on their immigration policy. Becoming a citizen of Sprawn Valley is as easy as shake-n-bake. If she did, it really would cancel her ability to join the Banshee Empire. How is that for tragic irony?

  "Who do you think you are to interfere with such matters? All we have to do is take her back home and register her as a Kalamo citizen again."

  Crap! Danny forgot about that small detail. It was true that re-registering for Kalamo citizenship was possible, and it would void the cancelation of the voided offer to make it possible to turn somebody back into a Banshee official. Still, that didn't mean much with Taylor fighting for her own rights as well.

  Taylor charged up more Leray energy into her hands, though held it in just to show her powers off as a warning. "I won't let a single one of you lay a hand on me. If you try, I'll destroy you both. And if you want to know who Danny is so badly, I'll tell you." Taylor wasn't shy about it anymore. After watching Danny's intentions to protect and help her all this time, she was proud to be a part of his life now. After all he has done and all he has changed by this long journey, he still continued to grow beyond her expectations. He's responsible now, smart and bright as ever, while there is no going back for anybody. "Danny is my real family. He has interest in protecting me and helping me actually achieve my real dreams anywhere in the world. He has every right to be here and help me with this. In fact, I love him more than I ever can for the two of you. As far as I'm concerned, I have no parents!"

  "Where are your manners young lady?" Laura, as annoying as she could be didn't care for her words. It was just a silly teenage phase, and this boyfriend of hers is obviously a bad influence. Though Lonagan backed up a bit from Taylor's physical threat, prompting her to be the one to step forward and interfere herself.

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  With a blast and a sonic boom that shook the ground of the entire city, Taylor unleashed a powerful Earth Glave right in front of her, stopping the advancing earth wave of shooting pillars just short of damaging Laura. It however did work in scaring her into nearly having a heart attack. They were a bit old after all. Taylor used this as a further demonstration to what she said earlier. She is taking charge of her own life this time. "I'm not going to Kalamo. That's final!"

  "This is nonsense!" Laura screamed in terror. "How could you try and harm your only family? Your decision here will destroy the both of us! The king won't take kindly to this news!"

  "Even if you are a citizen of Sprawn Valley, we are still your legal guardians, and can take you home from here."

  "I'm afraid that's no longer true."

  The voice of an older woman spoke in place of Taylor, denying Lonagan's claim. It was Claudia, who took notice of the situation and provided some legality details. "Taylor and Danny both graduated from Dakota's training facility, which makes them official Leray wielders. While that isn't technically enough for citizenship, it still offers temporary residency options should a claim be made, providing them citizenship for forty-eight hours until fully processed. But on top of being a citizen of Sprawn Valley, children here are considered independent of their families at the age of fifteen point seven. If you've paid attention to any of this, you would have realized that Taylor's sixteenth birthday is only 103 days away from now. That legally qualifies her for independent citizenship status. It's a fancy loophole nobody wants to talk about, but as one familiar with the law, I must insist on making this public, to prevent the two of you from being taken into custody under the charge of kidnapping."

  "Are you serious?" Laura wisped. "What kind of a place is this, raising hooligans to run around doing what they want?"

  This was the most unbelievable thing he has seen yet. All of these random strangers hanging around in this city, they're all too involved in everyone's lives, and it seems everybody is taking Taylor's side right now. What worse, they can use deadly magic. "Fine," Lonagan caved. "Have it your way Taylor. You know what this will do to us, and since you seem so interested in taking charge of your own life, you'll see that your actions have consequences for all of us. Laura? We're going back home without her. Leave Taylor alone to her fate. When she hits a life of poverty, maybe then she'll realize she's made too many mistakes."

  "You may be interested in going home without our daughter, but I won't have any part of it."

  Claudia threatened Laura's determination to have Taylor. It was clear enough that Taylor wanted nothing to do with them, and that spoke volume about how bad these people could be. Having Danny feel the same way is just overkill for proof, and she owes him one after their last encounter. "And what do you plan to do about this miss? If you lay a hand on her, I'll get the police here involved, and you could wind up spending years in a prison full of magic wielding psychos!"

  Taylor didn't say anything, since there wasn't any more to iterate. She had no idea however that Claudia was so familiar with such strange rules of Sprawn Valley, even going as far to make Danny's bluff a full reality, and as far to remember her own birthday for support. With a few more silent seconds passed, Laura finally gave up.

  Staring her prodigy in the eyes while tears began to stain her own, Laura announced with a low growl in her throat, "You are no longer our daughter... Come on Lonagan. We're leaving."

  Lonagan followed behind while Laura turned around, seriously heading for the east gate. After they were far enough, Taylor began bursting into tears. It was too much too fast. Her own parents were worse now than they were before, and cared nothing at all about her to any degree or angle. "Don't ever come back!" she yelled. With the waterworks forced on full throttle, Taylor sobbed into her hands while Jane, Alyssa, and Danny held onto her for comfort.

  Chapter Theme Shift:

  By the time the strangers left the area, Taylor was quieter, but still a total mess. She completely soaked the top of her dress sphere with her tears, and that of her friends when they let her cry on their shoulders. Uncle Nyar appeared to have a monotone attitude about the whole thing, and stayed behind for Danny. Danny had to speak to Nyar about all of this, but wanted someone with him to do it. With the others busy right now, Danny walked towards Nyar by himself to speak upon the situation.

  After seeing that the nearby army units have all left out of the city, Nyar noticed a change in the atmosphere while new people from the east and west gates were coming into the town, likely citizens of Lennith City who were evacuated. Nyar knew of no such details, and only focused on the actual situation with Taylor and Danny's ability to wield magic. They taught themselves skills he warned them not to use, but it was too late now to prevent it.

  "Do I have to get you on our side of this as well?"

  Uncle Nyar answered Danny's question with a neutral attitude. "I'm not taking anybody's side. I'm not supposed to be here, therefore I couldn't offer any sort of solution or outspoken opinion on the matter that just took place. But I must say I wasn't expecting you to have such powerful friends here looking out for you and Taylor like that." Nyar sighed with a disastrous sign of stress. "This will no doubt be hard on her to denounce her own parents like that. Even in my own opinion, I can't agree with their decision to try and take Taylor away to become some sort of Banshee slave."

  "How long have you been hiding that from me?" Danny didn't even face Nyar as he spoke, unwilling to see his appeal on the matter.

  "I learned about this during that very outburst before us. I tried to remain objective since there wasn't anything I could have done, so forgive me if I seemed unusually sympathetic to those cretins. In truth, I cannot believe a family could ever condone sending their own child to a castle where she doesn't belong. I've heard of those rumors too, but never believed it until I saw the fear in her eyes tonight." Nyar noticed Danny's hazel eyes now glaring at him, but more with surprise than with expected anger. "Besides, the Banshee kingdom isn't even a legal authoritarian system. They don't belong to the political power of Kalamo. Anyway, that's what I think about this."

  "At least now I can't hate you for saying that."

  "However," Nyar switched his tone to sound more firm in his next statement, glaring down Danny with a firm expression "I cannot believe that you trained yourself to use such a disgusting art of magical power. On top of that, you let your girlfriend over there learn how to use it as well, after the warning I gave you. Have you any idea the trouble this has caused?"

  Danny immediately defended the truth about what he learned here. "Leray magic is not an evil force as you said before, and you shouldn't have tried to hide it from me in the first place. I've seen all of the amazing things magic can do for people here, and I find it quite incredible."

  "Ah," Nyar exhaled. "And what about its opposite energy pattern? Dark Magic? You think that is safe as well?"

  Danny shivered with how quickly Nyar concluded towards the fact. When did he learn that much about dark magic specifically? Most people outside of Sprawn Valley who do know about magic are afraid of magic in general, but most of the same people know of no such differences in energy patterns like those that Nyar just portrayed. From the surprise, Danny took a longer time to answer. "Well... Of course dark magic is bad news here. But—"

  "Then I rest my case. Even if you have no interest in such a dark art, other criminals here do. All they have to do is attack you at any time with that type of magic, and it's a done deal - you're dead just like that. Not to mention that being immortal here just isn't natural for the human body, nor is that immortality a sure thing. If you can die with or without magic in a zone with so-called immortal magic, then that world is fake, the method of energy but a medium for such lies! I bet the both of you aren't even in top physical shape because of how much you relied on firing beams of light from your hands, as opposed to normal styles of combat such as martial arts."

  Danny couldn't say much else. Nyar did have a point. He wanted to argue that Leray magic was safe, but with the presence of dark magic in place, it actually isn't that safe here. Even ordinary Leray magic can kill someone if it drains all of their MP reserves at the same time their health is at a critical level. Their ability to be shielded by the Leray veil relies on a tiny percentage of MP energy being above 0.5% with health above 5%. Take that away on an energy scope and then knock a person out, it can have devastating effects to them, such as induced coma or death. Danny however could argue due to his evasive maneuvers that he was in good shape, Taylor and Jane too. "But still, there are those who use magic to fight such criminals. They fight for the right thing and stand up against what is wrong."

  Nyar rebuttaled, "Successfully? Every single time?"

  Danny let his lips open, but failed to argue. It wasn't every single instance that death was avoided under those circumstances successfully. People have died before of natural circumstances such as drowning or by disease. And as far as other dark magic related incidents are concerned with, the Scarlet Cult has tried multiple times to kill himself and other teammates. While he survived, a person such as the teammates of Darius, Iya's previous boyfriends were never saved. There wasn't anyone around to save those people. The law can fail if evil destroys people in the darkness of what can be seen. It wasn't the point Danny was making, but feeling for and finding no way to actually stamper his uncle's argument, Danny bit his lip down and said nothing more for a long moment.

  Nyar sighed aloud, reassuring the young boy. "Don't worry about it. You in particular should have no problem with your family back home, but the situation has changed a bit. I was relying on Taylor's family to mix their money with my own to get you a cruise back to Kalamo Danny, but now all I can do is get us a flight back to my place in New York. From there, you will have to stay with me for a while until I can get you enough funds for that cruise."

  "But what about Taylor?" Danny concerned. "Look, I go wherever she goes."

  "Not in this case," Nyar argued. "This time, I suggest she goes where you go, because you coming with me is non-negotiable. I however don't have a problem if the girl tags along." How could he deny Danny the capacity to spend any more time with Taylor? The both of these two are intelligent individuals, but looking at him now, so much as changed. He would stand up to god himself if something were bothering him; that's the stature he has right now. To see him go to such great lengths to stay with his longtime friend, such can only bare the mark of the beginning of adult responsibility. He'll have to adapt at home too, and leaving this place must be done for Danny's own sake. "After all, there may be a way to arrange Taylor to live with your family instead of her own once you are both back in Kalamo."

  "I'll come with you." Taylor's voice was faint from her earlier breakdown, but it drew Danny's attention immediately. She knew Danny wasn't getting the same option to say no. Even if he was, Danny didn't really hate his family like Taylor hated her own.

  Before Danny could say anything though, Jane butted in too with Alyssa staying a bit distant as shy as she was about all of this. "What was all of that stuff about Banshee kingdoms and slavery? I didn't know you were avoiding your home that badly." She was of course addressing Taylor, but Jane knew that Danny and Taylor both committed to a joint effort to keep that truth from her. It made less sense to Jane, since she would have protected both of them from that bad tragedy with all her effort.

  "I'm sorry Jane." Danny was the one apologizing, knowing full well where Jane was going with this. "We told you a lot about us, but Taylor wanted this to stay a private matter."

  Sighing in distress, Jane quickly shook her head to the apology. "It's okay. I had no idea, but... I guess you're allowed to have personal secrets too."

  "You were focused on Alpha Zero, and so were we. There wasn't a need to drag anybody's emotions down with this crap."

  Danny also had a good point for rationalizing keeping that truth from her. Jane knew she would have more trouble focusing on fighting with all of that in mind. She still couldn't get Geiger out of her thoughts. Danton said he would handle it, but it was all still so unnerving. But then why are they still leaving with Nyar instead? Why do either of them have to leave if they don't want to?

  "In any case Jane," Danny continued, "It looks like Taylor and I will be staying at Nyar's home for a while in New York. I know it's not a permanent settlement for us, but I still can't believe we have to part ways."

  "Wha—" No! It can't be! Why would he say something like that? Can't Nyar help her out too? "No way! I wanted to come too."

  "Not a chance!" Nyar defended. "You may be good friends of these two, but I can't afford to feed three people while raising cash for Danny to return back home in Kalamo."

  "But I wanted to see the world outside of this place! I want to explore New York with my friends. And money won't be a problem. I made a load of credits here!" Jane reached for and held up her Leray license card, sure that the currency would at least be transferrable there.

  Nyar held his chin in response to Jane's announcement of her funds, but it was also a bit strange as to why she would want to ever leave Sprawn Valley. Nyar of course had no clue who this chick was, but the connection between her, Danny, and Taylor was beyond visible.

  "But Jane?" After momentarily lifting her head up and having nobody around embracing her anymore, Taylor had to deal with this problem. Nyar never said anything about being so certain that he would ship Danny and herself back to Kalamo when he does get enough money. Whether he did or not, it wouldn't be right to keep Jane from doing what she wanted. Is this the reason she turned down Danton's offer earlier? "What about your dream of becoming a Leray master? If you come with us, you won't be able to use magic, let alone train to get better at it."

  With Nyar silenced by sudden curiosity, Jane pleaded to the man for her new wish. "But I want to spend more time with you two, and see the place you call New York. I've never been to the outside world before. If you really are leaving here forever, it will be the last chance I have to—" Jane didn't know how to finish the sentence, but believed she made herself clear enough.

  Danny gave a sad pure glance at Nyar, who would have to be the deciding parent on this action. Jane wasn't officially family, but she felt like it to him. With everything they've done together, it was impossible to imagine leaving Jane behind as well. Never did he believe this moment would feel so terrible. Danny swallowed with the urge to break down himself, and elaborated the situation to Nyar. "Jane is our best friend we made in Sprawn Valley. If it weren't for her, Taylor and I would have been sunk long before making it to Junon. But it's not about what we owe each other. I can't just part with her here."

  It isn't all that surprising that a person who lives off terrible magic here would want to get out for a while, but perhaps this Jane person can learn a thing or two about responsibility herself... Nyar didn't answer Danny, but instead directed Jane about something. "Jane, was it? Your so-called credits have no current value in the American economy until they have been converted directly into cash. There isn't really a way of doing that which is safe or easy. But if you, and Taylor, and my nephew here are all willing to take on part time jobs in the city while I help you convert your currency over to American money, then I can let you come with. You will then be able to board the same cruise, since the Tidal Max is now accepting trips to Vanon Port following the incident of your two clumsy friends. But if I run out of momentum of raising money, I'll have to cut you off my plan to feed and house you, even if that means leaving you in New York. Are you accepting of these conditions?"

  Danny squinted his eyes in anger. It's a bit rash to just kick Jane out of the house and leave her on her own in a totally alien country. Knowing Jane, there was no telling if she could put up with a part time job. But even if she does say yes and fails to convert her credits, if you kick her out, I'll make sure to show you my ass as well. Since Taylor will follow me with that, you'll be all alone. If that means leaving my own parents for a longer time, so be it Nyar. Danny knew he couldn't say it out loud, or else that backup plan would be compromised, but Jane wouldn't know of it either. This way she'll at least try her best, which is what she needs to do anyway.

  "I am," Jane agreed with a smile. "I'll be able to provide a lot of help with all the credits I made. This will be so awesome!"

  Taylor still had her head down, but lifted her eyes to see Jane in her own excitement. She couldn't help but feel the same sensation she did a month ago. All of the moments they spent with Jane before her accident, those were some of her best memories. Without getting any magic or Banshee stuff involved, it really will be like old times. She couldn't ever oppose to having Jane with them. At the thought of all the things they could do together as a trio, Taylor let herself smile too, as she felt so much better and free.

  "Go ahead then and use the phone here to let your parents know," Nyar directed. "Knowing how this place works, they'll likely have no problem with letting a teenager travel worldwide barely supervised by a total stranger."

  Danny wondered why Nyar worded it that way. Jane simply ignored that type of expression and promised to be right back as she dashed for the medical center that had phone lines. It was clear to him already that even Nyar was no fan of Leray magic. He probably doesn't see him or Taylor the same way anymore after demonstrating that he got into that stuff. But it was more than just magic. It was the attitude of the people in Sprawn Valley Nyar hated too. Why do people hate Sprawn Valley so much? And why do you despise it, Nyar?

  Nyar addressed Danny as well. "You should use the phone lines here too. I heard they're free of charge for the most part. Your parents should be awake at this hour because of the time difference. Please let them know that I have found you and will take you into temporary custody until I can return you."

  "Alright. I'll be back soon." Danny followed Nyar's orders for now. The man wasn't irrational most of the time, only when it came to the thought of Leray magic did he lose his mind. Right now, he wasn't as upset as Danny thought Nyar would be, but perhaps that was just a temporary gesture to lure him in before letting him have it. Danny still didn't believe Nyar would do anything that bad over a little magic. As he rushed toward the medical center with Jane barely in his sights, Danny prepared to call his family and let them know of the news. After that, it will be a one-way trip to New York City.

  Nyar was left alone with Taylor, but it felt awkward since he didn't know what to ask her. In many ways, Nyar didn't know Taylor all that well either. He knew of her though, from everything Danny and his parents told him about it. Their trip to his place from the first cruise was supposed to be his first chance to be properly introduced. He didn't have any certainty that Taylor and Danny were actually together now as a couple. It was thought to many that they were simply childhood friends, emphasis away from childhood, since they met when they were a little over ten years old. Right now, Taylor looks like she had just cried her entire soul out, with her brown hair dangling over her face.

  But it's not really a shocker after what just happened. Taylor had to deny custody of her own mother and father, and took it a step further to attack them with deadly magic. If that's not rebellious, then nothing is. Still, Nyar only learned today about the whole Banshee slave agreement. Taylor's parents never technically said they believed in the rumors that Banshee import persons were made into slaves, but something in their reactions to his questions for them earlier said they couldn't confirm nor deny the claim either. Yet they would willingly take that risk with their one and only daughter, just for a bribe from an illegitimate king! That's just low, no matter how you look at it. But there isn't anything he could do about it either. According to what Claudia just said, Taylor was only a temporary resident due to her physical location. If Taylor returns to Kalamo with Danny's family, that changes back again. Taylor will eventually become a Kalamo citizen and forced into the Banshee Empire once the time comes. For that, Nyar had no answers to give, no questions to ask of this girl.